Reader Views

Scorpio Love

“Scorpio Love” by S. Tamanaha grabbed me from the first chapter. Susan lives in Hawaii and attends a fundraiser where she finds and buys a crystal globe mounted on an eagle’s claw. The woman who sells her the crystal globe tells her she is a Scorpio. Susan was surprised that she knew that. The woman tells her “Scorpios who are Eagles can soar to great heights and accomplish things that others would consider miracles by sheer will power. They have within themselves the power to manifest their dreams as long as they truly believe. Dreams play a very important role in the life of an Eagle.”

Susan returns home with her crystal globe and the dreams begin. The more she dreams the more clear they become. She jumps on a plane to attempt to save a life of a famous actor, whom she has never met. It would take a friend pulling some strings to get her close to the actor. She immediately connects and recognizes a bond between them. After this encounter, their lives are changed forever.

The love they share is passionate and crazy. S. Tamanaha writes so smoothly you cannot help but to keep turning the pages. I was a little intimidated at first by the 394 pages. Every single page is worth it. The story is creative, magical, passionate, romantic and sexy. This story is one that people can relate to. Somewhere in the back of my mind, these romantic fairy tales could come true.

Being a Leo, I found it was very hard to be in a relationship with a Scorpio. I need S. Tamanaha to create another book about Leo Love! Just for me! I can see it now….I am waiting…(wink).

“Scorpio Love” by S. Tamanaha gets ten stars from me but since I can only give five….that’s what it has to be.

Scorpio Love
S. Tamanaha
CreateSpace (2012)
ISBN 9781466275652
Reviewed by Jennifer Hass for Reader Views (5/13)

Surfing in Stilettos

Article first published as Book Review: Surfing in Stilettos by Carol E. Wyer on Blogcritics.

In “Surfing in Stilettos” by Carol E. Wyer, Amanda Wilson is “Facing50” in both her real life and as a name in her blog.  Deciding to take a year off and travel through Europe with her retired husband, Amanda blogs about her experiences.  Having to deal with a grumpy husband, who retired too soon, and a temperamental camper van named “Bertie,” Amanda has a lot to write about.  When Bertie breaks down in a hamlet in France, Amanda and Phil have to stay put while they wait for the parts to come in.  Meeting a nice couple, they luck into being able to stay in quaint lodgings on their property. When the couple has to leave the country for a family emergency, Amanda agrees to dog sit their adorable Old Ted.  Amanda enjoys this idyllic life, especially because it gives her time to write. Phil is incredibly bored and appears to be experiencing male menopause.  Hoping that their relationship will survive, things get better when Phil has to go back to England to handle an emergency created by their son.

 Encouraged to stay on so that she can take care of Old Ted and continue to write, Amanda makes a friend.  Bibi is a beautiful wife of a wealthy man. While she presents herself as having the perfect life, things are not quite what they seem.  Her efforts to drastically change her situation end up involving Amanda.  Meanwhile, Bibi enjoys Amanda’s free spirit and gift of laughter.  An ex-love of Amanda’s also plays into the picture, and by sheer luck he also affects other people around her.  Amanda’s life is very entertaining as she figures out what is most important to her.

 As her blogs play on, Amanda’s readers offer entertaining input. So does her mother through her newfound ability to Skype. Amanda’s mom’s outrageous behavior makes for some very fun reading. Her friends also add humor to the adventure.  At the heart of this story, in spite of the humor, a great deal of wisdom is imparted.  I really appreciated the depth of the story.  The characters are well developed and continue to grow through their interactions with each other.  I found “Surfing in Stilettos” by Carol E. Wyer to be an entertaining read, and believe that it will be especially enjoyed by women who are “Facing50.” This is also a perfect selection for women’s reader groups.


Surfing in Stilettos
Carol E. Wyer
FeedARead Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9781781764886
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/12)

The Puppet’s Secret

“The Puppet’s Secret” by Alex Samms is a story that journals the life a woman named Angela, who falls into an obscure obsession with a man that she had a very brief encounter with while at a local beach. To Angela, this man is “the one.” Her obsession with him becomes so extreme that she finds herself completely consumed with the pursuit of this nameless man. Soon, this obsession turns into something darker.

Although Angela is forty-two-years old and married with children, she now finds herself willing to give up everything just to be with the stranger on the beach. To her, any of the consequences that come of out this soon-to-be romance will just be fate. At this point, Angela accepts that she is no longer in control of her obsession. She knows that from here on out, her mind is calling all the shots and she is merely a puppet. Angela knows that she will now do anything to be with her love, including murder.
 
How far would you go to be with the person of your dreams? What if by the time you found that person you were already married and had kids? Would it matter? Would you give up everything? Author Alex Samms has written a story that pulls the reader into the mind of the main character with a chronological step into the dark side of love. On the surface, this forty-six page novella shows love at its fundamental level. Love at first sight, finding the person of your dreams, etc. Search deeper and you will find that the storyline has more of a psychotic undertone but still allows the reader to relate to the characters and think deeper about how far a person would really go for love.

“The Puppet’s Secret” by Alex Samms is a very interesting book. I think this would be a great topic for a book club discussion. There are a lot of other things going on in the story that are surprisingly not apparent until the end. This is one that you will have to read over and over. However, I would not recommend this to younger readers. It does have adult content.


The Puppet’s Secret
Alex Samms
Outskirts Press (2012)
ISBN 9781432790349
Reviewed by Tracey Rock for Reader Views (10/12)

Never Look Back (Nick Seven: Book 2)

Article first published as Book Review: Never Look Back (Nick Seven: Book 2) by Tim Smith on Blogcritics.

“Never Look Back” by Tim Smith is the second book in the Nick Seven series.  Retired from the CIA and living out an idyllic dream life in the Florida Keys with former agent Felicia Hagens almost seems too good to be true.  And it is.  Felicia and Nick are enjoying their time together. They share many sensual moments, and have adapted to the slower pace of the island life.  Felicia is feeling pretty confident about her choice to stay with Nick instead of returning to Barbados until events start happening that make her wonder if she made the right choice.
            
When her brother Jamal mysteriously sends her a clock from Barbados, her curiosity is aroused.  Surprisingly, she is unable to reach him to find out the meaning behind the gift. Since he has also been the stable one in the family, she finds this unusual.  Then other events start happening, like two former agents separately turn up in the Keys.  One is the rugged Bones McCoy, the other is a sadist named Terri Holloway.  Prior to his marriage and his relationship with Felicia, Nick found out about Terri’s sadist tendencies through professional and personal experiences.  He knows to be on his guard.  Neither agent admits to knowing the other is there and nor will they tell him why they are there.  This is too much of a coincidence for Nick.
            
Things really get stirred up when Nick’s home and business are burglarized.  An emergency message from Jamal lets them know that he is nearby. However, the call is abruptly ended so neither Nick nor Felicia has any idea what is happening.  When they realize that a tragedy has occurred, and they have to go to Miami, they are shot at by snipers while on their boat.  It is obvious that something is up, and that not only are Nick and Felicia involved, but so are Jamal and a rogue agent.  They desperately try to stay alive while they solve this case.
            
I really enjoyed being able to step back into Nick and Felicia’s life in “Never Look Back” by Tim Smith.  The combination of a suspenseful story interspersed with sensual scenes involving the couple make for a thrilling ride. Readers will enjoy following this series. The books can be read out of order, however, I recommend enjoying Book 1 first.


Never Look Back (Nick Seven: Book 2)
Tim Smith
eXtasy Books (2012)
ISBN 9781771113007
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/12)

Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash

Article first published as Book Review: Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash by Bev Pettersen on Blogcritics.
 
I had the chance to read another of Ms. Pettersen’s books, “Color My Horse,” a while ago and I remember quite well how much I liked it, so I got really excited when “Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash” landed on my desk. There’s always a slight risk of the next book being a let-down, but let me immediately assure you such was most definitely not the case with this one.
 
While there are a lot of parallels between the two books (the hero and the heroine from two completely different backgrounds, the world of racing horses, sizzling romance and dangerous intrigue...), there was nothing really predictable about “Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash.”

Jenna Murphy, an extraordinarily talented horse masseuse, truly needs the income her job at the Thoroughbred Wellness Center provides her and, even more so, the little bonuses she occasionally gets for the extra work. After all, she is responsible for her younger sister Emily, who is currently in college and who always needs extra money. But then the Center experiences a takeover, and the corporate guy sent in to iron out the many creases of the transition, Derek Burke, threatens the established way of doing business there. Jenna is afraid for her job, afraid that the deceptions of her past will catch up with her, and even more scared of her feelings towards the handsome, if not exactly mellow and easygoing Burke. The two form an uneasy truce, which eventually flourishes into a rather steamy, if short-lasting affair. Once the Center is where the new owners want it to be, Burke is ready to leave for the next company’s acquisition. What will happen with Jenna and Burke? Can they find a way to reconcile their differences?

“Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash” by Bev Pettersen was another completely enjoyable mix of great little tidbits from the world of equine wellness, sizzling romance and heart-stopping intrigue. The characters were well drawn, complex, believable and likeable. The contrast between Jenna’s common sense, matter-of-fact and down-to-earth approach and Burke’s highly trained corporate ways of doing things was always greatly entertaining, and the description of the undercurrents both in the Center and the local community very engaging. This is a great summer read for all those readers who enjoy spicy romance and hold-your-breath intrigue, whether they like horses or not.


Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash
Bev Pettersen
Westerhall (2012)
ISBN 9780987671783
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/12)

The Last of Lady Lansdown

In “The Last of Lady Lansdown” by Shirley Kennedy, we meet Jane  Elton. She married for many reasons, none which had to do with love.  As the eldest daughter of a gambling and  deserting father, Jane’s only hope in saving her mother, grandmother and  younger sister from a life of poverty, is her beautiful exterior and marriage  to the Earl of Lansdown. Though her marriage is quite unhappy, Jane smiles for  her mother’s sake – the woman is far too frail from her husband’s recent  desertion to fathom an unhappy and unwanted marriage by her daughter. When in  an act of love, Jane’s husband falls dead at her side, Jane finds her problems  intensify, when all she wants is an escape to the quiet life of a dowager  countess.  Among her hateful  sister-in-law, wife to the late Earl’s younger twin brother, her mother’s  insistence of pregnancy and her lewd nephew and spineless brother-in-law, Jane  has quite a lot of balls to juggle while waiting to discover her fate.  Fortunately, for Jane, Douglas Cartland, a  notorious rake with a tragic past, is in town and he has not forgotten  her.  Jane quickly finds herself unwound  and yet, entangled in a scandalous romance that could threaten everything.  Still the question remains… Is Jane with  child?  Does she hold the Earl’s  offspring and is it a son?  Is she or  isn’t she the Countess of Lansdown?
 
I could not put this book down.  It is exactly the type of book that urges me  to run to my nearest book store and search for anything else written by the  author.  I have, without a doubt, found a  new favorite author in the romance genre.   Everything about this book flowed smoothly and effortlessly.  The characters drew me in immediately.  I was hooked to the story and found myself  sitting on edge, quite often.  The  relationship between Jane and Douglas is sexy in ways that pull you to them  through their dialogue and flirting.  The  heat is evident and the attraction, undeniable.   I couldn’t help but root for them, and loved it when they finally had  the chance to explore each other.  After  all, the late Earl would make anyone hope for Jane to find satisfaction!
 
In the midst of a great love story is a wonderfully built  tale about family, jealousy, and the lifestyle of those living in the Regency  Era of England.  I greatly enjoyed how  this story did not take place in London  itself.  I loved the setting and the  basis of the storyline, outside the city limits.  I didn’t once think, “When will they be in London?”  It is a tranquil and peaceful setting that  demands attention and doesn’t lose its appeal.   Overall, “The Last of Lady Lansdown” by Shirley Kennedy was a wonderful  read that I will read again.  Until then,  I’ll have to satisfy myself with any other books written by Ms. Kennedy and  hope she releases another title soon!


The Last of Lady Lansdown
Shirley Kennedy
Camel Press (2012)
ISBN 9781603818186
Reviewed by Tiffany Schlarman for Reader Views (7/12)

Demon Hunt: A Caine Brothers Novel

Article first published as Book Review: Demon Hunt: A Caine Brothers Novel by Christine Ashworth on Blogcritics.

In “Demon Hunt” by Christine Ashworth, Fae Warrior Serra crosses the Fae Passages to the earth portal.  She is on a mission to find Gideon Caine and discover what is happening there. Apparently a portal has been opened to the Chaos Plane, allowing demons of all types to cross over to earth. It appears that a human, who is seeking domination of the planet, is involved. He doesn’t seem to realize that when you make a deal with a demon, you are not the one in charge. 

When Serra arrives through the portal, she immediately comes in contact with Gregor Caine, Gideon’s son. Before they know what is going on, they are both thrust into a battle with a Hjurlt, which is one of the most dangerous kinds of demons.  As they try to destroy this demon, they realize that each has some gifts. Not only is Serra a Fae Warrior, but she is also a healer.  Gregor is a tribred with a variety of talents. He is part human, demon, and fae.

As there are more demon sightings and deaths, Gregor and Serra join together to try to discover where the portal is open, and also to destroy as many demons as possible. Finding out who is responsible for this travesty is their first step.  To do win this battle, they enlist the help of Gregor’s brother Justin, a coven of witches, and werewolves.  There are a lot of demons to be killed and time is running out.
 
While Gregor and Serra work together to solve this mystery, they also find themselves drawn to each other. As their bond to each other grows, they both become stronger and yet more vulnerable, because they are developing feelings for each other.  The final decision on how to handle this will have to wait until the demons are vanquished.
 
“Demon Hunt” is the perfect blend of fantasy, adventure and romance.  Having a variety of beings with special gifts working together to fight a common cause adds to the uniqueness of the story.  I also enjoyed that Gregor and Serra weren’t the only couple trying to figure out their relationship. Gregor’s brother and a witch also need to figure out that they really should be together.  Serra’s special talents also add to the adventure. As a warrior, she is a strong woman. As a fairy, she can’t always control what is going to happen to her. At times this adds humor, at other times it adds frustration.
 
Christine Ashworth totally impressed me with “Demon Hunt.” Readers will find themselves caught up in a great adventure and truly enjoy the extra perks of the erotic scenes that also take place amidst the drama.  I highly recommend reading this story and look forward to more books by this author.


Demon Hunt: A Caine Brothers Novel
Christine Ashworth
Crescent Moon Press (2012)
ISBN 9781937254735
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (7/12)

Lido Key

Article first published as Book Review: Lido Key by Tim Smith on Blogcritics.
 
With “Lido Key” by Tim Smith, the second mystery in the Vic Fallon series takes us to Siesta Key, Florida. As readers we go willingly, but for private Detective Vic Fallon, his visit is a surprise.  When Vic leaves his home in Ohio to follow up on a lead in Atlanta, Georgia, he is stunned when he wakes up in a bungalow in the Florida Keys.  When he finds out the reason for his visit is to help former lover Ariel Weston deal with a blackmailer, he feels mixed emotions. Part of him is still angry at her for disappearing on him three years ago, and another part of him still feels a huge attraction towards her.

As the mystery unfolds, Ariel has to reveal a great deal of her past to Vic.  It appears that there is a link between people who might have known her in her former life before she became the socialite wife of a wealthy man.  There are also several sleazy characters from the present that seem to have an interest in Ariel.  The most troubling aspect of this case is that the blackmailer isn’t asking for money, he is asking for an erotic night with Ariel. As Vic continues with his investigation, he discovers that somebody has taken a great deal of interest in him, and is out to get him. He needs to solve this case before he or Ariel become victims themselves.  He also has to decide what to do about his feelings for Ariel.
 
I totally enjoyed reading “Lido Key.” Having read the first book in the Vic Fallon series, I was pleased to see that the author Tim Smith continues to write quality detective stories. He also has a great deal of talent for writing erotic scenes.  Combining the mystery with erotica made “Lido Key” a book that was impossible to put down.  I highly recommend “Lido Key” to readers who enjoy mystery and sizzling erotic scenes.  I also look forward to see what adventures the private investigator has in store for him in future books of the Vic Fallon series.


Lido Key
Tim Smith
eXtasy Books (2012)
ISBN 9781771111881
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (6/12)

Severed Threads

Article first published as Book Review: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren on Blogcritics.
 
Chase Cohen is determined to find a sunken ancient Chinese vessel named the Wanli II.  Not only does he believe that there is a great deal of treasure on the ship, but it is also believed to hold the missing Heart of the Dragon. This relic is rumored to be protected by a four-hundred-year-old ghost who killed herself when she lost her love which the Heart had been meant for.  Unfortunately, he has to go through his ex-love Rachel and the foundation that she represents to get the funds to do the search. Rachel is still angry at Chase for disappearing on her and breaking her heart years ago after her father died while he was deep sea diving with Chase. There are a lot of unanswered questions, and Rachel has chosen to bury herself in her misery rather than seek out the truth when Chase reappears asking for help.

 Rachel and Chase also still feel a connection to each other, but they have to be able to get over his previous actions to move forward.  Rachel isn’t sure if she wants to make herself vulnerable again, she would rather hang on to her anger.  When Rachel’s brother gets involved with the wrong people, she realizes that she has to get involved with this venture in order to save her brother. Both Rachel and Chase hold back a lot of secrets from each other.  Rachel’s secrets endanger herself, Chase and his crew. 

As they race to find the missing treasure, they also have to protect themselves from savage pirates.  If they can stay alive, they can overcome their history.
 
“Severed Threads” takes the reader on a great adventure, one which I would personally rather read about than experience in real life! I totally enjoyed being held captive on the edge of my seat while the characters’ drama plays out. The additional touch of having an ancient legend and a ghost be involved in the story made it even more compelling to read. I highly recommend this story for people who enjoy romance and suspense. The author Kaylin McFarren will not let you down! I look forward to future stories in this series.


Severed Threads
Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9781467526715
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (6/12)

Tides of Passion (eBook)

Article first published as Book Review: Tides of Passion (eBook) by Tracy Sumner on Blogcritics.
 
“Tides of Passion” takes us back into the lives of the Garrett brothers as a follow-up to “Tides of Love.”  Originally written in 2002, and republished in 2011, it was fun to have the opportunity to step back in time and enjoy this good old-fashioned, historical romance.  The romance takes place in North Carolina in 1898.  Beautiful and feisty Savannah Connor has just arrived from New York to visit her best friend Elle.  Quickly after arriving, she stirs the quiet town by rallying the women together to fight for higher pay in the factories.  This draws the attention, attraction and ire of the local constable Zachariah Garrett.

 Well respected by the community, Zach is widowed with a young son.  When Savannah arrives, many of the townsfolk notice a change in him.  The women are intrigued by the change and have fun speculating about what might happen.  Feeling attracted to Zach, yet having no desire to marry, Savannah offers him the chance to enjoy private liaisons without commitment.  Vowing that one would never marry the other, the two enjoy their passionate interludes. That is, until they get caught in a very compromising position. 

Feeling that he must do what is right and marry Savannah, both are troubled by doubts about their feelings.  They are afraid that they are not shared.  Zach has to overcome the guilt that he has carried with him for the death of his wife and unborn child. Savannah fears that he is unable to make room in his heart for her because of his former wife.  This is the dilemma.  But meanwhile, while the two are figuring their hearts out, they are also engaging in feisty conversations and passionate encounters. 

I loved reading “Tides of Passion.” Tracy Sumner does an awesome job of creating fun, feisty, laugh-out-loud dialogue. She also stirs up a tremendous amount of sexual tension between the two main characters.  I also appreciate that both are genuinely good people, they just need to figure themselves out.  The Garrett family and friends had a great deal of depth and fun to the story.  This is definitely a must read, especially for women’s reader groups.


Tides of Passion (eBook)
Tracy Sumner
Kensington Publishing (2011)
ASIN B005WVPFH0
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/11)