Showing posts with label You Need To Read. Show all posts

Title: Sex Symbol

Author: Tracy H. Kitts

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Sex Symbol Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Lucy Harper always thought of herself as an ordinary woman, but she suddenly finds herself in extraordinary circumstances. Her sleepy hometown of Peace, Mississippi, turns out to be far from peaceful, what with shapeshifters, vampires and other departures from the "good ol' Southern boy" stereotype cropping up. Her best friends are all hiding devastating secrets. Her ex-boyfriend is suddenly interested in making up. Her sexy new boyfriend is not only the hottest guy she's ever met, he's got some pretty big secrets himself, including what he really is and what he does-besides providing the best sex she's ever had, that is.

And her new tattoo might be more than a picture of her favorite flower-according to the local werewolf pack, it's a "sex symbol". There may be a fight to the death over who gets to claim her as mate.

Review:

When her new neighbor moves in next-door Lucy finds her life thrown into chaos. Friends and enemies have all changed sides and Lucy must find out not only whom she can trust but also whom she can love. Will she trust her heart to Eramus when things go awry or has Lucy been hurt too much already but does she have the time to decide? With werewolves attacking at every side Lucy must quickly find herself and what she wants.

Sex Symbol is a great read that had me hooked right from the start. Lucy is a great woman. She takes what life has thrown at her and deals with it, always ready to fight and get back on her feet. Lucy cares for her friends and is willing to stand by their side no matter what happens. Her new neighbor Eramus turns out to be more than she thought. He is a great man who loves with all his heart and will die to protect Lucy. Watching the attraction grow between the two was a great read. The two make a great couple. Lucy is feisty enough to stand by her man until the end even to the death if necessary and Eramus understands her need to do so.

Not only do we get to meet Lucy and Eramus but we also get introduced to many other wonderful characters in this book. I adored Ozzy, Chase and Justina each one with their own secrets and problems to hide, yet no matter what happens the three friends stand together and by Lucy's side fighting with her.

Tracy H. Kitts weaves a wondrous tale full of love and magic. I would love to visit Lucy and her friends again maybe even find out more about Ozzy or Crazy Wolf. With endearing characters full of emotions and depth this is a book that should not be missed.

Title: Tempted

Author: Brandi Evans

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Tempted Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed by: Brynna

Blurb:

The only thing standing between this fallen angel and redemption? The woman he loves.

Eons ago, Seth fell for another angel-literally-and was cast down from the Heavens. Seeking redemption, he works for the Angels of Death, taking the lives of those destined to die, his only desire to return home. But everything changes when a beautiful brunette explodes into his life and plunges his ordered world into chaos, tempting him with something he hasn't experienced in millennia. Love.

A busted radiator strands Lyndi Garrison on a deserted stretch of coastal Maine and shoves her directly into the path of a sexual predator. She fends off her attacker until an NFL-sized stranger appears from the darkness to help. She's instantly enamored of her quiet hero, and before the evening ends, they share a devastating kiss and a knock-out round of sex unlike anything she's ever known. Though she can't help but wonder… Has she finally received a second chance at happiness? Or is Fate being a bitch again?

Review:

When Lyndi is stranded with car trouble she's tossed into the path of a serial rapist. Still she's no stranger to trouble and knows how to defend herself. After putting the scum in his place, she is almost attacked a second time before being rescued.

A an angel of death Seth knows he shouldn't reveal himself to Lyndi, but when the predator he is preparing to destroy attempts to attack her, he has no choice but to step in. Neither of the two were prepared for their immediate attraction or the cost of finding love with each other.

Hot, passionate, all consuming heat radiates from Tempted. Seth is a fallen angel who sees in Lyndi a chance for happiness on Earth. Lyndi is wary of what she feels for Seth, but can't deny him. I enjoyed this quick, fast paced read.

Title: Ride of Her Life

Author: Anne Rainey

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Ride Of Her Life Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

It's been a year since her divorce and Lily Justice is ready to move on-but not with just any man. She's got a certain drool-worthy body shop owner in mind. It's almost convenient that her car needs some work. And when she meets Kyle Wolff up close and personal, her inner-slut has to have him, age difference be damned. With the car staying at the shop, Kyle graciously offers to give her a lift home.

While she accepts a ride on Kyle's hot motorcycle, Lily's inner-slut wants a hot ride on Kyle.

She's about to get what she wants. And it will be the ride of her life…

Review:

A year after her divorce Lily has finally decided to take the bull by the horns and ask Kyle out. Yet when she arrives at his auto shop she finds herself scared and worried that their age difference might be a problem but Kyle is not ready to let this beautiful woman slip from his grasp.

Ride of Her Life is a wonderful story. I just fell in love with Kyle; he is such a sweet man. As sexy as he is on the outside it is what is on his inside that endeared him to me. He loves with all his heart and wants to make Lily happy any way that he can. Lily is a great character as well. A woman who is mature and strong, she is able to stand on her two feet even after all she has been through. I just adored the banter that these two shared. They make a great couple never taking the other for granted.

Anne Rainey weaves a wonderful story full of love and emotion that keeps your attention all the way to the end. I really enjoyed this read and cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next.

Title: Synapses

Author: Ashley Mann

Publisher: Cerridwen Press

Buy Link: Buy Synapses Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Brynna

Blurb:

Mutation has a way of changing things.

Like who is watching you.

Joey Falcione doesn't look like a murderer. Sure, orphaned, homeless for years, she's learned to blend in at Chicago's tough Streeter High. But killing someone is not part of her plans for today. She won't be given a choice.

Like how you see yourself.

At Laureate Prep, Molly McGlone-cheerleader, semi-spoiled rich girl-seems too shallow to be a superhero. But when evil strikes someone she loves, the changes inside her suddenly make sense. If she can help someone now, shouldn't she?

Like what you fear.

Until the night his body betrays him, Nick Ingram is so focused on schoolwork that the rest of his life is a shadow. But now his destiny has changed to include danger, power and two very different girls. One of those girls will claim his heart from the very moment he sees her.

Mutation changes everything.

Even how you fall in love.

Review:

On the streets of Chicago, Illinois, three teenagers with different backgrounds and abilities are thrown into chaos by a dangerous power they can't comprehend. Molly, Nick and Joey must learn to control their newfound abilities without destroying each other or raising the suspicions of their classmates, administrators, families and more importantly the people out to get them.

Though it started off a little slow, Synapses became a page turner. At first I was a little lost while the author tried to keep up with each main character by following their very different lives. Molly is the sterotypical cheerleader who seems the least likely to be heroic. Yet, when those she loves are threatened she fights as hard as anyone. I enjoyed seeing the different facets of these character's personalities, both the ones the world sees and who they really are inside. I think this is a book YA readers will enjoy, though I did have some qualms about the book being sold on a site linked so closely to a clearly adults only book site. Synapses is still a you need to read.

Title: Warlord's Destiny

Author: Delilah Devlin

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Warlord's Destiny Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

Mora has no illusions she's anything other than the sacrificial lamb to ensure peace between her peace-loving planet and the warlike world that demands a royal union with one of their own. However, when she meets the rugged warlord who will be her husband, Mora decides in that moment to win his heart-she'll settle for nothing less.

When Lord Tetrik suspects his wife harbors tender feelings, he wonders if he can be the husband she desires. After all, love for a woman is a frivolous thing-and not a warlord's destiny.

Review:

There were many aspects of Warlord's Destiny that I found quite enjoyable: particularly watching the developing romance between Tetrik and Mora. There is nothing quite as much fun to read as a little conflict in an historical novel, one in which the heroine is forced into a situation she is powerless to control, and decides to shape her own future. While Mora makes the most of her circumstances in Warlord's Destiny, she is absolutely determined to have a husband who is going to love her at the end. And luckily for us, we get to read a detailed account of how Mora convinces Tetrik that a barbarian can truly fall in love with his wife and live happily ever after. Simple.

While Mora and Tetrik struggle to find common ground in their new relationship, they also explore the sensual aspects of the marriage bed with great abandon. Ms. Devlin has a lively imagination, and she uses it to give us a number of interesting scenarios for Mora, Tetrik and occasionally their friends as they play and explore the boundaries of what is allowed in their marriage. Watching these two grow is both amusing and touching: they learn quite a bit about each other and themselves and so does the reader as the book progresses. I found Warlord's Destiny to be a very well-written novel, and ultimately a very entertaining story to read.

Title: Icarus

Author: Sherry L. King

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy Icarus Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Mickey

Blurb:

He comes to her in dreams, when she is most vulnerable to his stirring touches and burning kisses. He drinks her blood and binds her to him in ways no mortal lover ever could…but Morrigan doesn't want to believe that her water-dwelling blood drinker is anything more than a figment of her deprived imagination. Morrigan wants to be free of her addiction to the highly sexual creature she knows only as Az. But Az has other plans…and soon he hopes Morrigan will be too deeply under his spell to care that he wants to take her back to his homeworld…to be his mate for all eternity.

Review:

I love reading stories that can send chills down my spine as well as shivers over my body. Icarus is just such a novel, and Az is certainly that type of hero: dark and mysterious, definitely dangerous and otherworldly. The relationship between Morrigan and Az begins as a dream and progresses to a fantasy taking the reader into their soft and magical world. Ms. King does a compelling job of juxtaposing the fantasy with reality to keep us tied to her characters, somehow making her story even more sensual and mesmerizing.

I must admit some familiarity and fondness for Sherri King's books and her Horde Wars characters, making me eager to read Icarus. Did this sway me in favor of the story, not necessarily. If anything I believe my expectations were slightly higher due to that familiarity. I am just happy my expectations were not only met, they were surpassed by this novella. Once again, Ms. King continues to provide her readers with sensual and dreamy love scene that manage to retain a hard-edged level of eroticism keeping them from being to bland or "vanilla." As a bonus, she also added a villain to the story to add a little spice to the plot, which only makes it better rather than more confused or muddied. All in all, this is a very good story, one well worth reading.

Title: Zellia's Blade

Author: Kitty DuCane

Publisher: Loose Id. LLC

Buy Link: Buy Zellia's Blade Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Dr. Zellia Calderon journeys across Colombia to find the lab and the answers that have plagued her for six years. Her only problem is trying to lose the handsome man called Blade who insists on tagging along. He's too sexy, too male, and too hot for her. He makes her burn with a passion that she's never known.

Blade's wolf recognizes Zellia as his mate and knows that she has a secret that she won't share with him. But with two attempts on her life, he's determined to keep her safe and hopes she learns to trust him. The only thing harder than keeping his mate alive is keeping his hands off her.

But when Zellia is kidnapped, will Blade reach his mate in time to save her life and the secret that she's waited six years to find?

Review:

With great alpha male men and strong woman Zellia's Blade is a great read. This story takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Zellia may see herself as ugly and not a bit sexy but Blade finds her beautiful and plans on showing her just how sexy she is. I loved Zellia she is a strong woman able to stand on her own and never letting her bad leg and limp hinder her. She has gone through so much in her life and survived. Blade is as macho as can be and he can back it up. As tough as he is on the outside we find that he has the heart of a teddy bear and it is as big as he is. The two make a wonderful couple. Watching Zellia come into her self and bloom with the help of Blade was a great read. Not only are Blade and Zellia great characters but the others in the book are just as wonderful. I just adored Gertrude and Sarita and all those alpha males walking around with their baby monitors was a hoot.

Kitty DuCane does a wonderful job mixing the paranormal world with adventure. Each of the characters is full of emotion and endear themselves to the reader. This is the second book in this series and I hope that there are more in the works. I for one cannot wait to see Rat find his mate.

Title: Play It Loud

Author: Gina Lee Nelson

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link: Buy Play It Loud Here!

Rating: You Need to Read

Reviewer: Nerine

Blurb:

Claire Ashton-Howard strikes out on her own to prove to herself, her Upper East Side family, and Downtown Magazine, she has what it takes to be a journalist. When she rescues Evan Price from the path of an oncoming subway train, she stumbles onto the story of a lifetime.

A devastating motorcycle accident stripped Evan of icon status. Now ready to make a comeback, the former pop star must confront the demons in his past and convince Insignia Braff Music he's more than a has-been. Drawn to Claire's passion, Evan allows her into his guarded heart.

Revealing his painful secrets will cement her reputation. Little does Claire know that immersing herself in Evan's life will cause her to question herself. As the days pass, Claire's heart and head take sides.

The love of her life? Or the story of her life? She can't have both.

Review:

Claire Ashton-Howard is determined to approach life on her own terms, despite her privileged upbringing. Although she was groomed to be a professional musician by her parents, she dreams of being a journalist. While out researching a story about homeless people, she inadvertently saves the life of a famous musician, Evan Price, who, after a horrible motorcycle accident, is intent on making his comeback. Sensing a story, Claire auditions as a backing musician, hoping to dig up dirt for an exclusive inside scoop. The only thing is, she never bargained on falling for the man and having her feelings returned with equal intensity.

Be it my background in music or my present involvement in the media industry, Play It Loud resonated instantly with me. I immediately empathized with the characters in this little page-turner. Gina Lee Nelson tells a heart-warming, engaging story and it was easy to forgive the few patches where her narrative could have benefited from stronger transitions. It's refreshing to see a contemporary romance author put effort into her setting and secondary characters, offering the right blend of romantic tension and textured story arcs. Gina Lee Nelson takes a well-worn trope and gives it a unique sparkle with undertones of humour drawing to a satisfying conclusion.

Title : Finally, My Love

Author: Kate Richards

Publisher: Breathless Press

Buy Link: Buy Finally, My Love Here!

Rating : You Need To Read

Reviewer: Jodie Pierce

Blurb:

Amelia Staker meets her Internet lover, John Quincy, for the first time in the flesh. After a year of seeing John only through webcam, she's ready to show him a good time. Without a moment to waste, Amelia is prepared for two weeks with John-alone, with no computer screens between them-until the elevator puts a hold on those plans. Stuck in a darkened cab, their imaginations run hotter than their online trysts. Can this romance translate into a permanent future? Or will she send him packing?

Review :

Computer savvy Amelia Staker finds love and more in John Quincy. A chance meeting online leads to webcams, cybersex and even phone sex. It takes several months but John finally makes it out to California to meet Amelia. First thing that happens is they get stuck together in the dark in her apartments' elevator. They make the most of their time and enjoy the release the internet and phone could not provide. Once out and in her apartment, they both profess their love. Will John move to California to be with Amelia? Will they be forced to continue their long distance relationship? Is John hiding something at home?

The plot, though I craved more was well thought out. The whole "internet sex/relationship" thing is very popular these days so it made the story very contemporary and relatable. The characters were very much the every day person next door so the reader could easily replace themselves into the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for romance and erotic sex in a tight little bundle.