The Witches’ Rally Freya’s Bower

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Author: Chastity Lee
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

REVIEW:

Jim Rhodes, boss to many women, has the misconception that he’s ‘all that’. His female workforce thinks otherwise. They hate the way he walks around as if they find him irresistible. During a discussion on Jim, the workers find much hilarity in imagining Jim with a broom stuck up his bottom. Lee Van Orden, one such worker, suggested this as a joke. Little did she know how seriously one person would take this idea…

All the workers except Lee and Kris Kelley, go back to their desks. Lee feels a little uncomfortable, as she gets the feeling Kris didn’t find their chatter very funny. At this point I wondered if Kris was some kind of workforce spy for Jim. Oh, how wrong can one be? Kris tells Lee she has a plan for how to deal with Jim. Does Lee want in on it or not?

As Jim is such a male chauvinist pig (he got on my nerves, good job!), Kris suspects that after sending him a note asking him if he’d like to attend a sexual rite, that he’ll readily agree. He does! I’m quite excited at this point as I want to know exactly what will happen to Jim, as it plainly isn’t the kind of sexual rite he’s thinking! I want Jim taught good and proper. Insufferable man!

Lee goes to the rite to witness Jim’s downfall and realises she’s witnessing the acts of witches. This is made entirely believable. Chastity Lee had me believing this was and does go on. Maybe it really does? I have no idea as I’m not up on witch behaviour. Lee is a little perturbed by the rite to begin with. After all, it isn’t your every day scene we’re talking about here (read it and know what I mean!) The rite is erotic, done extremely well, in my opinion, and I didn’t feel uncomfortable while reading it. The scenes literally leapt from the page and into my head. The fires, the clothing, the acts. I really did enjoy the book at this point.

The Witches’ Rally is one of those delightful bite-size tales that give you two tales that are linked in some way. I felt quite aghast at the first story ending until I scrolled down and found more! MORE!

*FAINTED IN EXCITEMENT*

Lee is asked to join the witches on another occasion and, though at first feeling like a fish out of water, she dives in (literally) to a swimming pool with the other witches and discovers a side of herself she’d previously not tapped into. So well was this tale written I wished that I were a witch.

As a summary, I would guess that Chastity Lee is a very adept writer. Everything in the tales slotted together perfectly. The voice sang from the page. A voice I desperately want to read again.

Favourite Line: Her green satin robe caught the moonlight, and its billowing skirt settled like mist around her legs.

5 flutes.

Last Chance Freya’s Bower

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Author: Kit Wylde
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

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To earn a living in her new life, Susan reads Tarot cards at the Dragon’s Plunder. She’s relocated; a new start away from her utterly horrible, despicable, want-to-punch-him-in-the-mouth ex partner. I detested him—I guarantee you will too!

Susan does want to move on and find new love, but doesn’t know where to start. She’s been out on a date with a guy named Tom only to find he really isn’t her type. What can she do? She can’t throw herself at men, that wouldn’t be right, yet at the same time she longs for companionship.

Luckily for her, fate lends a hand and a guy named Max comes in for a tarot reading. I enjoyed this scene very much. It came across as true—very real to life, something I look for when reading. Susan is immediately attracted to Max. Her thoughts linger on him long after he’s left The Dragon’s Plunder, so she knows he’s made more than a good impression on her.

Susan shares her home with an elderly couple. But not just any elderly couple—they’re ghosts! These two characters are delightful and breeze into the book with such a breath of fresh air that they had me smiling. They are intent on finding a date for Susan and mess around with fate just enough to ensure they get what they want… I ended up adoring this old couple. They are sweet and very funny.

It transpires that Susan finds the courage to ask Max out on a date and to love again. Her confidence was so low after she broke up with her nasty ex, I really enjoyed watching her self confidence grow throughout Last Chance. Susan’s emotions and needs are well crafted; I enjoy knowing what a character feels, it makes me feel part of the story, involved in her journey from an insecure woman to someone who takes life on despite past hurts.

With a feel-good ending that had me smiling, Last Chance is one of those stories that stick in the mind, not just because the tale itself is good, but for the obvious love Ms. Wylde has for the written word. Her descriptive sentences showed me wonderful images. Words put together in such a way that they sing from the page. I felt like I’d visited the place that Susan relocated to.

A really enjoyable read.

4 flutes.

Charly’s Fire Freya’s Bower

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Author: Bella Tyler
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

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Charly Hanson wants one of those nights in. You know the kind, a bit of relaxation, no disturbances, just pure time to herself. I found myself nodding here. Wouldn’t we all want to be Charly at this point? Lavender candles burning, nothing to do but think about yourself…until the candle sets her house on fire! What an utter nightmare!

It isn’t long before multiple firemen come to the rescue, but one of them stands out from the crowd. Charly finds herself attracted to him. However, she has an ex husband that is a total **** and is still in her life, though not in a relationship sense. He’s just there like a lingering smell. I wanted Charly to have a huge can of air freshener so she could blast the utter pig away.

Anyway, Charly and the hunky fireman get along pretty well. A really sweet tale that made me sigh and smile. Love is out there for anyone who doubts it.

The second story, Wrong Number, centres around a fireman, Charlie, who keeps getting late night telephone calls from someone he doesn’t know. A female, Betsy, and although he doesn’t know her, he connects with her each time they speak. It transpires that the calls were meant for someone else entirely, but the stage has already been set, and Betsy finds herself telling Charlie about her past relationship. Charlie finds himself wanting to listen.

I found Ms. Tyler’s style very easy to handle. No showing off, no fancy writing, just easy to read goodness. The erotica is sweet, nothing offensive. I was glad to have the company of Charly’s Fire during my lunch break. Thanks, Ms. Tyler!

4 flutes

The Wrong Man Whiskey Creek Press

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Author: Bonnie Clark
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press

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Avia Rockwell is a spoilt madam, and Cade Kildare is a confirmed bachelor; they have a love hate relationship. They first met when she was twelve and he was nineteen when their fathers went into business together. As they grow up, their feelings for each other grow, but neither is sure enough of the other to voice their feelings. In any event, Cade isn’t considered good enough for the mighty Bradley Rockwell’s daughter.

Cade is sent away permanently to work in San Francisco by Avia’s father. Enter Kevin Markham, rich and eligible and, in her father’s opinion, a perfect suitor for his daughter. But is he really all that he appears?

In his despair, Cade’s life goes into a downward spiral. He had reached an all-time low when he found himself in the middle of a devastating earthquake in San Francisco; he asks himself why he survived?

He and his good friend, Derek Carleton, a man who he thinks of as the brother he never had, happen across a woman who has been severely injured during the earthquake, and take her back to Derek’s house for the medical treatment she so desperately needs. No prizes for guessing who the woman is!

Joshua Carleton has a lifelong hatred of a man who his wife had a passionate affair with, resulting in the birth of Derek, his “son” in name only. What lengths would he go to for revenge???

This book has romance, intrigue, deception, kidnap, subterfuge, drama, I could go on…

Now, in my humble opinion, this book had a good enough plot, and characters to not have to resort to quite so much sex. That’s just my opinion, I don’t go in for erotica, but for those who do, the scenes were well written and didn’t stoop to graphic descriptions, for which I applaud the author.

Overall, I really enjoyed it; must have, I read it in one sitting. I didn’t really find myself liking any of the characters, which was a shame. I do like to like the characters!

I give The Wrong Man four flutes.

Finding Ms. Right Amber Quill Press

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Author: Lori Soard
Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Jenna McBay has been willed a huge old trunk by her Aunt Madge, as she lugs it into her storeroom, she fantasises that it contains jewels, jewels that she can sell to sort out her precarious financial circumstances.

When she opens the old trunk it is full of ancient books, the first one she picks up is entitled “How to wed a Man of Means” how appropriate…

Slade Walker is struggling to manage his seven month old baby daughter and his job, she is a difficult baby and he has been through a succession of Nannies, he finds himself without childcare yet again, and decides  that he needs to find himself a wife. He heads off to The Tome Home to buy a copy of “Find Ms Right”

Jenna had a huge crush on Slade when they were at high school, and nothing has changed, she still has a huge crush on him. When he is in her bookstore buying his book, it suddenly hits him that Jenna is all grown up.

He wants a wife so that his daughter will have a mother, and she wants a rich man to solve her financial problems. She is taking her advice from the How to Wed a Man of Means book, he is taking his from Find Ms Right, the two are totally at odds with each other.

A series of misunderstandings and periods of self doubt on both parts ensues.

This was a heart thuddingly real love story, there were some very real emotions laid bare and that had me tearing up and wanting to bang their silly heads together.

Just when you think all’s done and dusted, there’s a twist, and the roller coaster is off again.

A really lovely read.

4 flutes

Quits Wild Child Publishing

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And a half!

Author:M.E Ellis
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

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Have any of you met M.E. Ellis? If so, can you send me her picture so I know what she looks like? If I should meet her in a dark alley I want to know her description ahead of time so that I have the common sense to run like hell should she be looking me over in some awkward or offbeat way. I’ll just bet the fresh odour of pee that lingers during such a meeting will more than likely be my own.

I imagine M.E. Ellis as one of those harmless looking people, the kind you never at first suspect like O.J. (M.E. a strange coincidence?) Simpson. Or perhaps she has successfully hidden far below the fabric of society, deeper than any of us could ever comprehend. A strong personality not unlike John Wayne Gacy, a man who dressed like a fun loving clown by day whilst stealing the lives of young men by night.

I’ve just finished M.E Ellis’ book Quits. The title may allude to some of the plotlines in this book but rest assured it does not allude to what any reader would call it once their noses are firmly planted between the pages.

Quits takes us into the mind of a man called Wayne who seemingly leads a normal if not tedious life. He maintains a job and a house while he longs for a woman with whom he can spend his time. Women, however, are not simple creatures and Wayne’s past only enhances this very personal and complicated claim. So Wayne sets out to try a little experiment. It is soon after that we realize poor Wayne’s cheese may have slipped off his cracker.

Enter Harmony, the atypical woman Wayne tends to cluster together when referring to the more complicated of the species. A young woman, perhaps eighteen, self-centred and cell phone savvy; Harmony seeps the essence of a conclusion Wayne drew years earlier about the catty creatures that make up the fairer sex. Harmony is about to become Wayne’s experiment in conditioning, and the story that follows will make the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up, that is, if Wayne hasn’t already shaved it off.

The story is violent but so is life and so was Wayne’s childhood. The story is graphic but so is the six o’clock news and this is why I found this story so riveting. It was real and the characters were believable. Wayne is bad but Wayne is also a tarnished soul and as a reader I could sense this about him. Even when he was doing terrible things to Harmony, he did them with regret and guilt, and M.E Ellis makes sure the reader is aware of this without the reader being aware she is making sure. Now that is good writing.

I came to care for Wayne in all his predisposed habits of ugliness. There was a goodness to him, in him, pushing its way out amidst a racing mind and a tattered thought process, and I must admit– I fell for the poor guy while I prayed for Barb’s…I mean…Harmony’s safety.

If you have read this far and have already concluded with your ever so impressive intellect just how Quits is going to end, you might want to readjust your recliner and get comfortable because the twists are coming and you aren’t going to see them until they are upon you. That’s about the time you may want to turn another light on and make sure M.E Ellis isn’t standing in your tub behind the shower curtain donning makeup and a fat round clown nose. Even if you can’t see her face, I guarantee you, she’s grinning…

I loved this book, it appealed to me because it flowed. You become the third person inside Wayne’s house of horror and you sigh because beyond that front door, as hard as it is to explain, there rests a compassion amidst the pain, while a love resides in the confusion. Just be prepared when the end comes because things aren’t always as they seem.

I am giving Quits four and a half flute glasses and I’ll tell you the only reason why it didn’t receive five. I wanted this book to go on. I wanted to delve deeper into Wayne’s mind and understand him because I was stuck caring about him. I felt like staying a little while, I felt like putting my feet up and simply observing his chaos, but before I knew it, it was over. I wish it was twice as long. This is the only complaint I have. There is so much more Wayne must share with me before I can be fully satisfied.

I wonder then, while M.E Ellis dons her John Wayne Gacy clown makeup tonight, if in the back of her own mind, her own Wayne is waiting to spin right out of control just one more time. Hey now everyone, wouldn’tthatbesomething?

Kissing Cousins Wild Rose Press

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Author: Dara Edmondson
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Victoria’s at a wedding. Her cousin, Karen, is more than a little drunk. So much so she’s slurring her words and belching in public. This made me smile, reminded me of myself when inebriated. In typical wedding fashion, there’s always some jerk that leaves his wife to her own devices and tries to cop off with another woman. Karen’s husband is just that man. Unfortunately, Karen is about to throw up, and also throw all Victoria’s plans to dance with a sexy guy out of the window.

Making sure Karen is safely puking/trying to feel better outside with her leery husband, Victoria bumps into the handsome man again. He asks her if she’d like to go for a drink with him. Enter me shouting at the monitor, ‘Are you nuts?’ because she’s willing to get into his car! Hey, this might happen all the time for all I know—I’m blissfully unaware of such practices as my days of going out on the town are over.

Funny line in this scene:

I never knew car makes, but I recognized nice ones.

Deciding she trusts the handsome man (phew!) she acts brazen and asks him if he’d like to go to her place. Victoria discovers she has something in common with the man, and it isn’t just wanting to do the rudey deed either.

Victoria comes to terms with the change this man has wrought in her. She never usually behaves in such a wanton manner.

Yet another funny:

When his tongue grazed my nipple, I thought I might incinerate right there on my floral patterned couch on Weeping Willow Lane.

Good erotic scene, nothing bordering the distasteful—just right, in my opinion.

A delightfully quirky read in 1st person, Kissing Cousins has a twist that the title hints at. I enjoyed this short story—and as with so many of these little tales, I wish it had been longer. And that can only be a plus/good thing for the author to hear, right? Nicely done, Ms. Edmondson.

Words Wild Rose Press

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Author: Terry Odell
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Have you ever doubted true love exists? Well, Words will show you it does indeed live and breathe. I don’t want to give anything away, so will keep this review to what I thought of the story and not what’s in it.

One man, one woman. I got to take a peek into their thoughts. Same scene, different perspectives.

I loved this short story, especially ‘his’ point of view. So nice to know that some men do actually think like a woman; of romance and love and utter devotion.

Yes, I recommend buying this if you think pure love is just a myth. It isn’t, you know. I related to this story in many ways. Made me smile, made my heart swell a little. Re-affirmed that I have got true love in my house. Lucky me.

I would also like to add that the way Words is written was particularly refreshing. I liked the voice and style more than the actual story, and that’s saying something, as the story was a perfect short read for me.

Out of Sight Wild Rose Press

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Author: Terry Odell
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Now I liked this story as soon as I started reading. Sandra is nearly fifty. She’s very conscious of this fact. Going on a business trip to iron out the finer details of her job, she’s to meet and stay with Jim, the man she’s been working with via emails and phone calls.

Sandra is married and, though she’s never been unfaithful, she finds herself idly thinking about Jim. Jim had offered for Sandra to stay at his house. Jim’s wife is away in Brazil, and Sandra questions why she didn’t tell her husband this nugget of information.

She finds a rose and chocolates on her pillow at Jim’s. God, did the man think more of their working relationship than she did? So many thoughts run through Sandra’s mind.

I really enjoyed her dilemma. No, I’m not a sadistic person, but to read of someone who isn’t:

a) thin and beautiful
b) young and pretty
c) sure of herself to the degree it’s irritating

was highly refreshing. I liked reading about a ‘real’ woman’s thoughts and dilemmas.

Poor Sandra! The more the story unfolds, the more I saw her struggling to come to terms with the signals Jim appears to be sending out.

Out of Sight ends on the right note. I worried for Sandra during this story, but she makes the right decision. Great!

Do you know what? I wish this had been a novel. Fantastic read for examining what you’d do in this situation, or to look back if you have made the wrong decision and put it down to one of life’s mistakes. Really did enjoy this one.

Relationships Wild Rose Press

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Author: Terry Odell
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Amy is an older student at college. She also works to enable her to keep her finances afloat. She has two daughters to support, and looks forward to having her three day weekend off. Luckily, her ex husband, Roger, is good with the girls and always picks them up on time. Roger was due to have the kids and Amy planned to have a weekend where she only had to think of herself.

Amy takes a slight tumble. A man stops to ask if she’s all right and gives her advice on the papers she’s doing in college. He offers Amy a lift home. Instead, she agrees to go out for coffee with him. They discuss her papers and agree to meet again the next night.

However, a couple of spanners are thrown into the works…

Will the couple manage to go out on that date? Will the spanners fit in their tool-box of life? Why the hell am I referring to people as spanners?

* goes to see her head shrink *

A great short story. Nice read.

Romancing The Geek Wild Rose Press

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Author: Terry Odell
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Brad is fed up with people getting on at him to find love. It seems everywhere he looks there are Valentine’s advertisements, and Christmas has only just gone!

He works for a company that had just spread their wings to developing video games, so he works long hours and spends much time at his computer. He rarely has time to go out and find love anyway. Going into work one day, he finds a woman sitting behind his desk. Turns out she’s his new office mate, Stephanie. Not happy having to share his office with someone else, Stephanie is of like mind.

But, they have to learn to get along.

Brad decides to go to a bar. He hasn’t been out in what seems an age. He takes a fancy to the server and realises he’s been too long without a woman—so long, in fact, that he has no idea how to approach one to ask for a date.

He decides to be kinder to Stephanie in the hopes she’ll help him in his quest. Stephanie agrees to give him some pointers, even though she quite likes Brad herself…

An enjoyable short story.

When a Rose Blooms Wild Rose Press

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Author: Tarah Scott
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Nathaniel mourns his wife’s passing. For the past five years he has visited her grave and asked himself the same questions. Why was she taken? Why is he still here? His friend, James, tries to make Nathaniel understand that mourning for so long isn’t good for a body. Nathaniel, however, feels to mourn his wife for this amount of time is nothing compared to the eternity she will spend in her grave. Sweet man.

Rose has come to stay at Nathaniel’s household. She’s a friend of his cousin. As well as grieving, Nathaniel finds himself attracted to Rose. I can imagine his dilemma here. Having been in a relationship with his wife for thirteen years, her meaning everything to him, he must feel that he is betraying her in some way when his emotions are stirred by Rose. I can only imagine his torment. In some ways he knows it is time to move on, in others…he just doesn’t want to. Quite heart-wrenching.

Still, his manly urges have to be quenched, and he finds himself engaging with women in the tavern. These women do nothing for him emotionally; they just assuage his physical yearnings. Again, poor man. I really felt for Nathaniel. Brenda, one such tavern woman, gets highly offended by Nathaniel…

Favourite line:

The name washed over him in a dark whisper.

Nice wording here. It fits perfectly with the scene it belongs in.

With a sharp twist I really didn’t expect, When a Rose Blooms is a gripping, though short read. I wished it had been longer. Much, much longer.

The Pickle My Little Friend Wild Rose Press

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Author: Evan Trevane and Shawn.M.Casey
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Carter’s a cop. Just after the Second World War, someone is rampaging round killing ex GI’s with a German bicycle chain. Strangulation is their method—a gruesome death to be sure. Carter’s job is to find out who’s doing these murders and apprehend them.

Several killings take place. Carter’s frustrated because he’s usually got a lead by now. All he’s got to go on is the chain and…a pickle. Sounds nuts, right? Finally, things start adding up. Is the killer who he suspects?

Well, I’ve just finished the book and I still can’t make my mind up about it. Told in 1st person—hard to do successfully—it read almost like an old murder movie voice-over man was speaking in my head. I had to read this book with a ‘this was written tongue-in-cheek’ in mind, otherwise I honestly don’t think I could have finished it. That isn’t to say The Pickle My Little Friend isn’t enjoyable, it is, it’s just that I couldn’t take this book seriously.

Based on our guidelines (we have more than what is placed on this site) I wandered between a two and three flute. I’ll settle for three because it made me laugh. A lot.

Love in Shadow Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sonja Foust
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Shadow is a fairy. She works for Lon. When Lon’s wife, Misty, was alive, Shadow helped look after Lon and Misty’s children. Sadly, Misty died at the hands of the Fairy people, and Shadow stayed on to work for Lon.

Shadow had long since fallen in love with Lon, but kept their relationship professional until it moved onto friendship. Hiding her feelings still, she went on a journey with Lon—and didn’t sense the Fairy People quickly enough.

It took a catastrophe for Lon and Shadow to finally see sense…

A sweet little tale, with an ex mother-in-law in it that is quite irritating!

As I’m not a fan of multi-point of views, the head hopping, though done well, did pull my attention from the story at times. This is my preference only, and doesn’t mean to say I didn’t like the story. I did.

3 flutes.

Fade to Pale Wild Child Publishing

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Author: James Cheetham
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

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Rita is a troubled woman, there’s no two ways about it. Her family have left her, her mother was less than motherly, she has an over-reliance on pills and she’s been fighting her particular mental demons since before she can remember. Now things are coming to a head: the nightmares are escalating, her dream family home is about to be sold, the demons are peeking their heads above the water and secrets are about to be let loose.

This is a remarkably assured novel which delves, with some exquisitely vivid writing, into very dark and very, very interesting areas of the human psyche. I’m resisting outlining any more of the plot because it’s best left to unfold as you read. And unfold it does, with grace and fluidity, opening up Rita’s mind to us as it goes.

There’s a lot of perceptive psychological writing in this novel, but it never seems tiresome or academic. I particularly loved the use of the beach and water. I love it whenever they are used in this context, to represent the unconscious. It has been done a few times before, but that fact simply highlights the validity of the symbolism. Their use allows for some wonderful images and resonances: Rita finding sand in the corner of her eyes each morning; her lips and throat often dry and chapped as though encrusted with salt. So the water and sand become central to the story, linking dreams and reality, memory and trauma, the sleep in Rita’s eyes and the salty tears on her cheeks. It also gives extra weight to Rita’s watery dreams (which are vivid enough on their own), and ties them tightly to the plot as they become more entangled with reality, giving rise to some disorientating moments. So, as a lover of weird stuff this was hog’s heaven for me.

There are also some interesting philosophical moments in the book, not least Rita’s Grandma’s views on life and the meaning of it all:

“If we took life as it was: nothing more than a big old coffee break from a deep dark coal mine where the blackness went on forever and without any other option no matter how hard we argued, we would cherish every breath up here in the sunlight.”

The eloquence here though is forever balanced by Rita, who can’t seem to see the sunlight for the darkness, however hard she tries.

I wouldn’t say the book is faultless. A couple of times during Rita’s childhood I didn’t quite believe she was as young as I was meant to, mainly because of some of the wordage used. I was also a bit unsure about the ending for reasons it’s difficult to go into here without revealing too much. That’s not to say anything was spoiled for me, it just made me examine my own views, which I suppose is a good thing in itself. And there’s always things that you’re going to come up against when you’re dealing with bold and penetrating work like this.

Regardless, the end result was intriguing and stimulating, leaving me with images resonating and ideas floating about long after the last line. I personally can relate to a lot of the feelings and thoughts in this book, the fact that the author has managed to weave such things so eloquently into the plot really is something for him to be very proud of.

Oh, did I mention it was scary? Freakishly so at times with some deliciously disturbing and surreal scenes, often making me think of the paintings of Francis Bacon and the films of Japanese gothic horror maestros Hideo Nakata and Takashi Miike.

All in all this is quite an achievement, a book which manages to be psychologically acute and entertaining, dark and inspiring, deeply personal and universally appealing all at the same time.

Five Flutes.

Her Perfect Man Chippewa Publishing

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Author: Jena’ Galifany
Publisher: Chippewa

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Ahhh. Colin and Anna have known each other since they were little. Anna dreams of the perfect man to marry. Colin wants it to be himself. He jokes about this, and Anna thinks it is literally a joke. Colin and Anna spend much time together and on one such meeting Anna bumps into an old friend, Aidan, who has brought someone along to meet her. Enter the dashing Chase, who makes it quite clear he is interested in Anna.

Poor Colin! Already I feel for him and this is only the start of the book! Anna, oblivious to Colin’s plight, can’t wait to talk to him about Chase. After all, she shares everything with Colin…

Chase speaks to Anna’s father. It is agreed that Chase must wait two years until Anna is eighteen before he can marry her.

Oh noooooooooo! Don’t do it, Anna! What about Colin?

Chase isn’t acting in a ‘proper’ manner, as befits the era Her Perfect Man is set. A naughty man… Will Anna succumb to his charms? Will she be blinded by the excitement of it all? She has been longing for her perfect man for such a long time, and to her he has arrived. The fact that Chase is American makes him all the more attractive to her. Naughty Chase! As a reader, I got to squeal at my monitor at Chase’s impolite suggestion, and shout at Anna to see him for the cad he is. Did Anna hear me?

Poor Colin, distraught at the recent turn of events, finds someone of his own to comfort him. NO! I don’t want this to happen. This is NOT how it’s meant to be! I want Anna and Colin to be together where they belong, not apart, unhappy, with other partners.

* sulks *

Oh, that’s okay, Ms. Galifany. Just go and upset me further! There’s a twist just come along regarding Colin and and and…

* sob! *

Oh. Chase really isn’t a nice chap. I don’t like him at ALL. He’s sinister and… This is one of those books that I want to read to find out what happens next but at the same time I don’t want to know. I’m in tangles here!

Thankfully, Colin reappears on Anna’s wedding day. She needs his stable influence, I tell you! Why can’t the pair of them stop messing around and run off together?

* grump *

Anna embarks on a marriage to Chase. Out of her depth right from the start, she tries to make the best of it. However, someone causes trouble and her name is sullied somewhat. Terrible! I wanted her to run away from it all, get away from those people! But, things have a way of turning around…for the better.

I really did enjoy Her Perfect Man. I’ll be recommending it to friends. This is the kind of book that is best read with:

1. A bottle of wine on a side table
2. A large bar of chocolate
3. No fingernails that you may be tempted to bite off
4. This book should come with a ‘Poke your monitor’ warning. The end of my index finger hurts from stabbing the screen.

Top work!

Dream Lord Mardi Gras Publishing

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Author: Skylar Sinclair
Publisher: Mardi Gras Publishing

REVIEW:

Lana Thomas visits an old junk shop. Browsing the items for sale, an old leather-bound book claims her attention. She doesn’t know why she must buy it, but buy it she does…

Caleb had been the next in line to the throne. His brother, Zeek, didn’t want that to happen. Caleb found himself banished inside the leather book, to forever only feed from mortals sexual exploits. Caleb is able to manipulate dreams, so when Lana buys the book her nighttime frolics take on quite a different meaning…

Lana, unable to sleep, picked up the leather book for a little read in the hopes she would become sleepy. The very words touched her…and not in the way you would imagine. She finally falls asleep, and Caleb wakes up…

Some very hot action follows. Searing stuff.

Great image line:

Pulling the old leather bound book from the stacks of so many other forgotten works, she blew a whispery billow of air across the front cover to lighten the film of dust that settled upon it from unwanted neglect.

To summarise: If you want a book that shows many forms of sexual gratification, that pulls no punches as to exactly what is happening, Dream Lord is the book for you. No purple prose in this book when the erotic scenes spark to life…

How About Tomorrow? Wild Rose Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW:

Ah! Another wonderful short story.

Jack is getting ready to go on a date. He hasn’t dated, or even had the company of another adult since his wife died. Well, not in the dating sense anyway. While getting ready to go out, his daughter, Stacey, gives him pointers on what to wear. Nerves make him a little jittery, but he goes on the date…

Out on a foursome with his friends Charlie and Barb, Jack meets Maria. At first he feels like a fish out of water, but then the conversation takes a different turn and he finds himself nattering away as if he’d known Maria for years. How About Tomorrow ends on a delightfully awww moment.

Favourite line:

“It’s a flat iron, Dad. It only works when it’s hot.”

In Silhouette Wild Rose Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW:

James is visiting his brother. Bored out of his mind, he thinks about what he could be doing instead—and that would be visiting London, which has also become a bore. He craves to meet a woman that isn’t just a pretty, tinkling ornament. He wants someone with a mind of her own, not really allowed in the time setting of this story.

Great visuals with this tale, I was transported back in time to the age where people were utterly polite and behaved most properly in company. Girls went to London, escorted by chaperones, to debut—declaring to the world they are eligible for marriage.

James has his silhouette cut by a young woman at the gathering. He talks to her and finds out more than he would have imagined.

A lovely short story. One which could, quite frankly, be a novel. So much told in so few words. I admire that in a writer.

Now, I need to bop Wilga on the head again. We squabbled over these stories. I wanted to read all of them and she said we had to share. I didn’t want to share!

* stamps feet! *

And she poked me in the eye too!

If We Listened Wild Rose Press

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Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW:

If we listened indeed. This short story made me smile.

Rachel and Evan are discussing their daughter’s recent announcement—she wants to elope. In no position to really say anything without appearing hypocrites, Rachel and Evan take a wander down their memory lane.

They reminisce about their youth, at the fact they didn’t listen to their parents and went ahead and eloped. Their marriage has stood the test of time, but when it comes to discussing your daughter doing the same thing…it doesn’t appear nearly so enthralling.

I smiled because of one line in the tale that says it all really, about what we did when young being okay but if our children want to do the same thing it’s…not quite so okay:

“But you were a different eighteen. More mature.”

Yes, we have excuses for our own actions and forget that our children might be just as sensible as we were. But, we don’t see our children like that—they’re our babies and can’t possibly know their own minds…

A delightful little read. One that made me think. The dedication also made me smile. I’m glad I never listened too.

Dream Ring Wild Rose Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Jenna Bayley-Burke
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW:

Sometimes a short story can say more than a longer one. With Dream Ring you get just that. This is a charming short tale that says a million things. Very cleverly done, it even has a small twist in the middle.

Vanessa and Nick are in the jewellery store picking out an engagement ring. Vanessa knows what she’s looking for, and none of the rings in the cases are right. However, the store clerk gives them another option, and Vanessa finds the perfect ring for her.

Now, Dream Ring isn’t just about picking out a ring. Oh no. It’s about love and a whole lifetime. Literally. With a few well placed words, I was able to form a whole novel in my mind. I saw Vanessa’s life prior to choosing this ring, and her life after. I will also confess to getting a little teary-eyed when the twist reveals more than I’d expected.

Favourite line:

Nick laced his rough work-worn fingers through hers, giving them a reassuring squeeze.

Lovely tale. I’ve gone all misty and cuddly and… Where’s my other half gone… Honey! I love you!

That’s what this tale makes you feel.

­Deceiving Derek Chippewa Publishing

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

AND A HALF!

Author: Cindy Proctor-King
Publisher: Chippewa Publishing

BLURB:

A lingerie designer named Lacey, a meddlesome twin sister, and a wiener dog with an underwear fetish team up to give police detective Derek McAllister a major headache in DECEIVING DEREK.

Lingerie designer Lacey DeMarco attempts to liven up her life by hoodwinking an unsuspecting police detective to a funky bridal shower, thereby fulfilling the “cop” requirement on a scavenger hunt list. However, little does Lacey realize that she and Derek are *both* being deceived–in the name of love.

REVIEW:

Lacey DeMarco arrives at the police station with a half bogus story about a lingerie thief, “deceiving detective Derek McAllister” because she need a policeman for a scavenger hunt. Is he the only one being deceived?

As for the real “Lingerie thief”, hahahahaha!!!!!

Favourite line:

“He’s short, but fierce”

A sweet little read which I enjoyed. A bit too short for my liking though. I think there’s scope for more with these characters.

3.5 flutes.

Blessings of the Storm Mardi Gras Publishing

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Author: Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Mardi Gras Publishing

REVIEW:

Nora’s Aunt Clara has died, leaving her with vast wealth. She is now the owner of a house and curio shop in Rhode Island. Nora spends the day checking out her new belongings. A rolled Persian rug catches her eye and she goes over to investigate. The rug moves, and Nora tells herself it’s rats. Maybe she has an infestation? (Best clear it up fast if it is, Nora!) She pokes at the rug and it unrolls. A naked man had been inside! Is he dead? Nora inches closer and the body moves! She isn’t too worried about this. Maybe she finds naked men in her rugs all the time? She’s at her ease with the man because he doesn’t appear to be threatening in any way.

I think I would have been just a tiny bit afraid here!

Sinclair is that naked guy. He’s an Ilfrit, and has been locked away in the carpet for years. As Aunt Clara died, it unlocked the spell that bound him to the dusty roll of carpet. Sinclair explains all about Ilfrits, and informs Nora she has three wishes, for she’s his new owner. He can gain freedom if the owner of the rug falls in love with him (I guess he didn’t float Aunt Clara’s boat then!).

The pair get to know one another and, after a month, Nora has to make a decision. Does she have the three wishes she’s entitled to, or does she pick Sinclair?

You’ll just have to find out!

Wishes Phaze Publishing

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Phaze Publishing

REVIEW:

Janey Duvall runs a business, an assassin business. She’s in demand. A demon, one Cassiel, who goes by the name of Sean Taylor, wants Janey to supply a number of assassins and send them to China for him. Janey can’t get that many people out there in the time Sean wants. She should be scared of Sean and his threats, but she isn’t. Sadly, she’s dying of cancer and the threat of dying from that is far more scary than dying by Sean’s hand.

Sean asks Nicodemus Marsh to make Janey more pliable, to ‘break her’. Marsh sets off to do Sean’s bidding. And here the Price sisters go again, creating an arrogant S.O.B for me to spit at and curse. Marsh is nasty.

Teeth gritting I-hate-this-man line:

“Hope you like bite marks, love,”

Well hell. That line just cracked me up. Why? Though Marsh says ‘love’ on the end, it only serves to prove what a truly horrible man he is. I also laughed because, as with Reece in Surrender in Moonlight, the Price’s have proved once again that they are able to create the most antagonistic male characters. I didn’t think anyone could be worse than Reece… Plus, not only did it make me laugh, but also made me want to spit at the same time. Unbelievable!

Janey appears to quite like Marsh’s attentions. Is she nuts?

There are a couple of funny lines in Wishes. Here is one:

“What exactly do you do? She smirked. “Other than me.”

Being a Djinn, Marsh can grant Janey three wishes. I know one of them, if I was her, would be to make him disappear. I’d only do that after he gave me the first two wishes, obviously…

Marsh has been alone for 150 years. It’s about time he settled down. He quite fancies doing that with Janey. After all, she likes him for who he is (is she crazy?).

Wishes is one of those books that lets you get quite affronted by the male character, yet at the same time you will him to change and be a better/nicer man. I rooted for Janey because she is ill, and as a final summary I would recommend Wishes to anyone who wants a story where they can love to hate someone in it.

4 flutes.

Dance for Me Torquere Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: CB Potts
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

After almost four years together, Rick and Mike’s relationship is getting a little stale. Both seem discontented with one another, but neither one has said anything. They have a party to attend. One wants to go, the other is worried he’s forgotten what the party scene is all about.

At the party, Rick chats to Master D, the host, while Mike talks to Juan, the bar tender. Rick finds himself looking at Mike much in the same light as he did when they first met. Funny how someone else talking to your other half can make this happen. Rick feels his love/attraction for Mike resurface.

They go to a club next. They watch the dancers, both getting excited by the floorshow. This seems to have spiced up their feelings for one another. Sweet really. They’d got into a rut, and appear to be clawing their way out of it, realising their love for one another is strong enough to make the relationship work.

Mike secures a gig dancing at the club one night. As he and Rick had enjoyed watching the other dancers so much, Mike wanted to dance for Rick.

Rick felt a range of emotions while watching Mike on stage. The audience loved him, and Rick loved it that they loved his partner.

Mike gets asked to dance the following week…

Rick watched Mike dance again and discovers that far from being jealous of other males giving Mike attention, he quite likes it. It doesn’t make him feel any less about himself or their relationship, more that he knows Mike belongs with him and that the people watching can look and cat-call but Mike will be going home with him. However, Dance for Me takes a twist, and Rick is suddenly wondering if this was such a good idea after all…

Dance for Me is about the journey of a relationship. Ups and downs, ins and outs (pun intended) and how our emotions, despite fighting them, can sometimes betray us. What we might previously have thought would make us upset, doesn’t. And vice versa.

This is a HOT action M/M tale. I personally found some of the scenes a little too graphic, but for those of you looking for a book where the erotica tells it like it is and doesn’t pussy-foot (all these inuendos!) around, then this really is the book for you. I gave this 3 flutes based on my opinion as well as the guidelines. I will say that someone who enjoys M/M fiction to the degree that I like horror or thrillers, this could quite easily hit the 4 or 5 flute rating. Just not from this reader.

Surrender in Moonlight Forbidden Publications

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Forbidden Publications

REVIEW:

 

In the first book of this series, Beyond the Vision of Dreams, Reece got on my nerves (a good thing). I opened Surrender in Moonlight to find the whole book is about…Reece. I settled down to prepare myself for wanting to hurt him quite badly…

Reece visits a club. He’s in need of some female company. He thinks he’s quite a catch and, along with his money, he probably is. Shame he doesn’t get a personality transplant with all that money he has, for this guy is a total pig.

Reece can shapeshift into a snake. I recommend reading Beyond the Vision of Dreams first, although Surrender in Moonlight gives ample explanation about who is who without repeating anything from the previous book. This is a stand-alone as well.

Reece senses another snake in the club. As he knows all the other snakes, and as snakes aren’t supposed to encroach on another nests territory, he’s intrigued as to which other snake is out on the town tonight. He finds out. A rogue snake, Carmen, speaks with him and one of Reece’s arrogant lone-liners occurs in this scene:

“So should I buy you a drink? Or just take you in the back?”

Let us all grit our teeth at Reece’s…charming way of speech. He has many of these horrible little quips. The Price sisters have created a character that I would avoid like the plague if I met him in real life. Nothing short of a pri… No, I won’t say the word.

Carmen asks Reece if she can catch a ride with him. While talking, he doesn’t realise she’s stolen the keys to his bike. She goes off for what Reece thinks is a few minutes and then realises she’s taken his keys, wallet…

Carmen calls Reece from the police station. She’s been picked up after he reported his bike stolen. He gets her out of jail and insists that to pay him back for the damage to his bike, she must either pay him $500 or stay with him…

Carmen goes back to The Compound (snake nest/apartments) with Reece.

Things happen…

I must just say here that Reece is such an arrogant little… He makes such nasty comments to Chrissy about her pregnant state, that I have the urge to scream quite loudly.

* Bloody Mary screams quite loudly *

Reece is intent on ‘breaking’ Carmen.

* Bloody Mary screams quite loudly again *

I felt some satisfaction that Carmen bought lots of new things at Reece’s expense. Problem is, Reece is so rich, it didn’t bother him how much she spent.

* Bloody Mary refuses to scream again for fear of getting a sore throat *

Bizarrely, though Reece is ‘not a nice chap’, Carmen grows to like him quite a lot. They spend much time together, and both learn things about themselves they hadn’t taken the time to before. As Surrender in Moonlight continues… Does Reece change from a hole in the rear end to a nicer chap? Does Carmen ditch her previously solitary life and stick around?

I recommend buying both titles and you can find out for yourself.

4 flutes.

The Black Rose LoveStruck Books

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Skyler Grey
Publisher: LoveStruck Books

REVIEW:

Emily Knolls leads a boring life. She’s fed up with the same routine day after day. Work—which is unfulfilling, and then home—which is lonely and drab. She even dislikes her name. A friendless woman, she wishes things were different. She gets calls from her family, but sometimes that just isn’t enough. About to get into the bath on yet another boring evening, she is startled when the doorbell rings. No one rings her bell! No one ever calls round. Her neighbours are indifferent to her existence.

To her surprise, the person at the door is a delivery man. He has a parcel for her. Red roses and a sinister note. The next day another package arrives. Red roses, though marginally less fresh than those of the day before. Another package arrives, and then she receives a phone call—creepy.

Two more packages arrive, along with other notes. Emily calls the police. At this point The Black Rose got sinister and downright uncomfortable, yet I felt the need to read on. More phone calls… I get freaked out when reading of silent calls, but the caller speaks, and this scene disturbed me. I’m glad I wasn’t reading at nighttime!

Emily forms a bond with the policeman that arrived to take the details of the sinister packages. Her stalker phones, letting her know he knows what she’s been doing. Honestly, this is such a creepy story!

I won’t give any more away, as at this point The Black Rose takes a twist and turn that had me on the edge of my seat. I got goose bumps and shivers. I know if I had read this last night I would have quite honestly been frightened.

If you like a creepy tale, enjoy being freaked out of your wits, then The Black Rose is the book for you.

Shudder!

Blood on the Harvest Moon Mardi Gras Publishing

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Author: Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Mardi Gras

REVIEW:

What an interesting short story. I enjoyed this quite a lot.

As a child, Danica broke all the rules. Grammy warned her not to do this, told her she shouldn’t do that. Sometimes she did do as directed, but her impulse to ignore warnings and go her own way wins out on the one thing she really mustn’t do…

Grammy never explains why Danica shouldn’t have anything to do with the little boy called Ethan that sits on the old oak tree branch. Danica has seen him since she was small. He looked about her age, and as she grew, so did he…

As the years roll by, Danica finds that she longs for the youth in the tree to notice her. Her body and emotions are drawn to him more than ever. Then he disappears. Danica involves herself with a local boy, Robby, resigning herself to the fact the youth has gone forever.

She couldn’t be more wrong, for he returns, with a price for his love. Will Danica do what Ethan asks?

With a twist that I didn’t expect, and an ending that is a little sad, Blood on the Harvest Moon is an enjoyable tale that you can enjoy on a tea break. Brew your coffee and crack open the cookie jar, readers!

 

Beyond the Vision of Dreams Forbidden Publications

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Author: Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Forbidden Publications

REVIEW:

Remi Crane is sexually frustrated. His dreams are filled with erotic images. He’s raring to go, so to speak, and while walking through the foyer of where he lives (The Compound), he sees a beautiful woman. His urge for sex goes up a notch and he tells himself he’ll have to be careful when he’s in her company or sees her around the place because she sends his thoughts in the direction of sexual liaisons.

 

Chrissy comes to live at The Compound. She’s the woman Remi desires, and is at first unaware of what he thinks about when he sees her.

 

Reece also lives at The Compound. He is arrogant, a true nasty man. If one character caused me such annoyance to the degree that I ground my teeth and cursed at the screen, it was Reece.

 

Remi and Chrissy eventually get together (I’m not giving anything away as it is obvious from the start). There are twists and turns in Beyond the Visions of Dreams that made me smile. This tale is quite literally different. Want to know why? Because Remi, Chrissy and Reece are shapeshifters. Not your usual werewolf, oh no. They’re snakes. This premise struck me as unusual and interesting right from the start. The scenes where they shapeshift are particularly well done and very visual. I enjoyed those scenes the most.

 

Favourite line:

“Sure,” she bit out sarcastically. “Don’t mention it, I try to get knocked on my ass at least once a day,”

 

Beyond the Visions of Dreams starts out with hot action, but an intriguing and delightful story follows. I enjoyed the plot of this story immensely.

4 flutes.

The Stud Farm Phaze Publishing

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Skylar Sinclair
Publisher: Phaze Publishing

REVIEW:

Dale King returns to the Stud Farm with one thing on his mind, and it isn’t to fulfil one of the many male fantasies he could act out while there either. He wants one man to pay for ridiculing him when he first ‘came out’. Eight years have passed, and his appearance has drastically changed.

Dale recalls the incident, which isn’t pleasant, and it urges him to go through with his plan more than ever. Now a strong-looking Adonis, the man he’s come to teach a lesson won’t know him at all…

Preston Hayman owns The Stud Farm. He employs the most gorgeous men to act out any role the customer requires. Hyped up by his looks, (he loves himself dearly) being in charge is a major turn on. He’s arrogant and nasty. Be prepared to hate this man!

When Dale enters The Stud Farm, Preston senses his charisma and decides he would make a good dancer. Dale gets the job he intended to get and proves to be a great dancer, overshadowing all the others. Preston fancies Dale… Dale, repulsed by Preston, still vows to see his mission through to the end.

Revenge is sweet, or not so sweet for Preston, and Dale is able to leave The Stud Farm happier in mind, body and spirit.

Favourite line:

Who carried a large duffle bag round with them for shits and giggles?

That made me laugh out loud.

I really disliked Preston. He is gross, an arrogant pig. If you like tales of getting your own back, and enjoy reading about characters who make your blood boil, then The Stud Farm is the book for you.

Haunted Memories Triskelion Publishing

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Melanie Atkins
Publisher: Triskelion Publishing

REVIEW:

I totally enjoyed Haunted Memories. Right from the start I needed to read on.

Olivia goes back to her childhood home where her stepfather, Walter, did awful things to her. She is met by Tucker, her childhood sweetheart, who is now living in the house. The plan was to find her father’s letter and get the hell out of there and order the building to be flattened. If the house was flattened she could then have closure from her horrible secret. Tucker is completely unaware of what his uncle Walter did to Olivia.

Olivia and Tucker both still have feelings for each other, which becomes apparent early on. Neither of them know what the other one feels. Tucker is very strong and masculine, every girl’s dream. There are very tender parts in this book which pull at your heat strings and draw you in further.

Olivia finds something under the floor boards belonging to Walter, which immediately made me want to know more.

The Mayor comes sniffing around as he apparently wants the house ‘for the town’. He claims that he’s trying to find Walter’s journal, but in truth he’s trying to find something much more sinister. The Mayor disappears in the house and Tucker and Olivia try to find him. They share a passionate moment in the cellar of the house but are distracted. My heart sank, I just wanted them to give in and be together.

Tucker finally uncovers what Olivia has been hiding and it turns his stomach. Olivia is convinced that Tucker still doesn’t know. When he lets on that he knows something she starts to panic.

The Mayor and his buddies try to scare Olivia out of the house for their own reasons. Little do they know, it’s not really their actions that are scaring her…

My favourite line:

She tasted like the rain drizzling down on the grass.

Such a nice way to describe their kiss.

I loved the part where Olivia reminisces about her childhood memory with her real father on the beach. The character’s thoughts and actions are so well shown in this story. The sexual tension between Olivia and Tucker is so well described that even I wanted them to just ‘do it’. They both wanted to. There is hot passion in this book, it was enough to make me understand and feel what was going on, but I didn’t feel it was thrown at me. It’s sensitive and gentle.

Then Ms. Atkins deals an awful blow. I cried.

Throughout this book my stomach lurched, my heart skipped beats and my eyes leaked! I loved it. I’ll recommend it to anyone who’ll listen to me. Haunted Memories is so well written, it enveloped me and involved me in the scenes. I saw the scenes appearing before my eyes. I felt the character’s feelings throughout, and I wanted to comfort Olivia for her awful memories.

I can’t really say anymore apart from what a wonderful plot this was and so very cleverly done. I don’t want to say anymore as I will give too much away.

Beautiful story, a must read!

Beyond the Maze Freya’s Bower

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Canice Brown-Porter
Publisher: Freya’s Bower

REVIEW:

This is a really sweet little ‘bite size’, with a little bit of something for everyone who enjoys tame erotica and romance. A quick uncomplicated read.

2006 - Aubrianna has inherited Chadwick Manor from a relative, and whilst dressed in 19th Century garb she stumbles in the grounds and finds two keys. Suddenly, she appears to have stepped back in time - to 1857 to be exact - where she encounters Lord Keane Hamilton Chadwick IV.

There is an instant spark of attraction between them which takes the natural progression.

There is a neat little twist at the end linked to the maze and the keys, which leaves the way open for possible additional ‘bites’ that I would look forward to reading. I would have liked to have seen this as a novel, as there is scope for expansion into a really unputdownable book.

All in all I did enjoy the book, and give it three champagne flutes.

Beyond the Night Triskelion Publishing

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Rayne Forrest
Publisher: Triskelion Publishing

REVIEW:

Essentially a love story, with an otherworldly type twist.

Carrick is of the H’ethrin people who came to earth over 1,000 years previously. He splits his life between Georgetown and Lime Kiln Mountain. He spends his waking hours in darkness, because the H’ethrin cannot go out in the sun. The story begins with Carrick “sensing” the presence of a special woman, but not being able to locate her. At the same time he has to host a visitor, another of his kind, Dorian a young human/H’ethrin hybrid.

On his way to his cabin in Lime Kiln Mountain he finds her, Rachel, after she has run over a stray dog. She is distraught, and he offers to take the animal home with him just so that he will get to see her again.

Although she fights against it Rachel is strongly attracted to Carrick, he is determined that she will be his, and uses all the powers he possess to make it happen.

A body is found on Carrick’s land. Carrick realises when he has sight of the body that it is a sign of the H’eth. Has someone from his ancient past come to settle a score? Or is there another reason for all the unease Carrick feels…

It is a complicated plot, and I won’t say any more about it, you’ll just have to read it yourself.

The love scenes are explicit, but done without crudeness, for which I applaud the author.

I will admit that this type of thing is not my usual reading material, but I am sure that for anyone who is interested in science fiction and the like would find it enthralling.

3 flutes.

Uncaged Forbidden Publications

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Author: Jordana Winters
Publisher: Forbidden Publications

REVIEW:

Uncaged takes us through a section of one woman’s life. Gwyneth, betrothed to a man she doesn’t love, is appalled when her parents, despite her pleas, force her to marry Randolf.

Randolf is, quite frankly, a pig. He takes what he wants, when he wants it, and Gwyneth endures his attentions while at the same time longing for escape. Each night she takes to slipping out of the house to the woods, where she bathes in the pond. During these times she is free to be herself.

However, the dashing Damian has been watching her every night, and finally comes out of the shadows to meet her. They form a bond, both of them out at night to escape for their own reasons.

Gwyneth’s life is further upset by the constraints of society. She is sick of sipping tea with the ladies while they gossip about everyone. Along with her husband’s continually vile behaviour, she dearly wishes for more than her nightly escapes.

Uncaged ends on a happy note, one I was glad had happened, for no one deserves to be married to an oaf and become so unhappy, as Gwyneth was. For a HEA that will make you smile with the last line, Uncaged is the book for you.

Cavaliere delle Tazze Torquere Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: Keirnan Kelly
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

Alex hasn’t got enough money to pay his rent. Or his electric bill. Or a six-month outstanding bill from his doctor. Quite simply, he’s broke.

Fresh from graduation, he’d left his hometown in Iowa and made his way to New York, with all the ideals other youths before him had. He’d wanted to join Broadway. Several small jobs later, and he still hadn’t attained his dream. Going to casting after casting had taken its toll, and Alex was tired, his dream seeming to fade into obscurity.

While sorting through his mail, he comes across a card. A Tarot card. Who sent it? Alex was determined to find out what the card meant. He goes to a local shop that sells Tarot and all things mysterious. The girl at the counter looks at the card, and it seems it is more important that Alex could have imagined… Mr. Ambrose, the man who knows all about Tarot, offers Alex an explanation of what The Knight of Cups card means.

Strange things occur. The descriptions of where Alex finds himself upon waking the next morning are lush and vivid. I almost felt I was there with him. To his surprise, not only has Alex been transported elsewhere, but he happens upon Mr. Ambrose again. It seems Alex has been transported to another time entirely.

Favourite line from this scene:

Cloth whispered as Alex struggled against the thick fabric.

I actually ‘heard’ that cloth. Great visuals and sounds here.

As a reader, I was transported, quite pleasantly I might add, to the times of King Arthur. The clothing, the way of life in these times, is appealing. I was very pleased the story took this turn. Descriptions of thatched roofs and large stone buildings had me standing beside Alex. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Alex finds himself playing the greatest role of his life. Merlin explains what must be done and, although Alex finds it slightly preposterous, he can’t deny that he is, in fact, back in olden times, so accepts his task.

Once back home, his eviction notice is served, and a strange turn of events takes place. Cavaliere delle Tazze ends on a lovely note. I kind of felt my heart soar. Just like Alex’s.

Redemption Torquere Press

REVIEWED BY:

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Author: James Buchanan
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

A lawyer, Anael is sick of the hard realities of his job. He finds no pleasure in ridding society of their bad folk, sending them to prison to make the streets a safer place. He’s not challenged enough anymore.

Upon arrival at work, Anael is informed he has a change of court. Panic sets in as he’s late, and he really can’t be late for this particular judge. Once in court, he finds himself appraising the opposing counsel, Zach…

While in court, Anael and Zach have to do their jobs. This is difficult, as they are attracted to one another. While thrashing out the intricacies of the case, they are also thrashing out their inner feelings and emotions. It makes for a couple of smile-inducing scenes.

Anael finds going into work far less tedious than the previous months. He looks forward to sparring with Zach every day. Zach then drops his bombshell… Anael feels a sense of loss that he won’t see Zach again, so goes to his home.

A sneaky twist creeps into the tale, one I didn’t suspect. Bravo!

I particularly liked the voice in this story. 1st person, told with confidence, James Buchanan is someone to watch out for. I liked his style, wording, and the general feel of Redemption. Good job, sir.

Ghosts Torquere Press

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Author: Olivia Lorenz
Publisher: Torquere Press

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Mu Yun has the responsibility of taking care of Uncle Wu’s business. An unsavoury business. I loved the sinister feel of this short story from the off. Creepy italics at first, with just a touch of horror. This reads like a voice is telling you the story in your head. Weird and surreal. Great!

Ruo Fei rarely goes out. A famous opera singer, he prefers his own company. Addicted to opium, today he decides he would like the company of other opium smokers, and readies himself for a trip to an opium den.

Favourite line from this scene:

Ruo Fei knows what jealousy is like. It tastes like ashes and vinegar, and he chokes on it daily.

Mu Yun bursts into the opium den, intent on doing his job. With blood shed and killings done, he instructs Ko, his fellow Triad, to write their Triad message using the blood of those they’ve killed. No witnesses were to be left alive, yet Ruo Fei is in that same opium den… Mu Yun instructs for Ruo to be killed, yet his fellow Triad’s refuse to do so. Mu lets Ruo go free.

The opium den scene is as gripping as they come.

Uncle Wu is not pleased that a witness went free, a famous witness that might sing a little too loudly, at that. Mu must ensure Ruo stays silent… Mu and Ruo meet. They form a bond of sorts and Ruo invites Mu to the opera.

Mu comes to some personal realisations during the opera, thinking of his time in the war.

Ruo names his price for his silence. Mu agrees. Their relationship strengthens further. Though Ruo seems to outsiders as quite a bizarre fellow, and Mu most probably sullen and enigmatic, the pair became well suited.

Ghosts has quite a sad ending, though one that fits the story perfectly. Refreshing to have a reality ending rather than a HEA.

Opulence at Midnight Torquere Press

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Author: Rene Manley
Publisher: Torquere Press

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Gaspar is king. He has great ideas for change; he wants his people to embrace the new faith, a new way of life, and depart from the old ways. He is compassionate when viewing his people. They live in terror, and Gaspar doesn’t want them feeling this way for the rest of their lives. His wife, Euginia, has more compassion than him.

Sylvian (one of Gaspar’s sons) and Brice are lovers, best friends from childhood. Brice is due to be married, so the lovers take what they can before then. Sylvian’s brother, Neville, is the Crown Prince. Neville takes his royal obligations seriously. Sylvian, however, does not. He is steeped in his affair with Brice, and is aghast at the fact that it is soon to come to an abrupt end.

Favourite line of this scene:

…suddenly sensing his mortality reach out from the river’s depths, fumbling around for him, searching for a wrist or an ankle to secure.

Gaspar and Euginia plan a coming of age party for their son, Neville. They want to find him an eligible maiden at the same time. Three days of feasting was their ideal, though it falls near All Hallow’s Eve.

Sylvian can’t wait to escape the party. He does his duty—albeit half-heartedly—greeting the guests and mingling in the crowd. A dark stranger, Roslyn, catches his eye, seems to be watching him, and they acquaint themselves with one another. They go out into the garden…

The three day celebrations caused the townsfolk to get drunk and, Gaspar, upon hearing news that his people had donned face masks while partying, gains a sense of unease. Both Neville and Sylvian also feel the very air has been tainted by something sinister…

Roslyn and Sylvian meet again. Is Sylvian falling in love?

The third night of festivities arrive. Something is wrong! Sylvian notes the ballroom is fuller than the previous two nights. People in odd attire are in attendance. Where have they come from?

With a great twist (highly enjoyable!) Opulence at Midnight made me smile with the turns it took at the end. A refreshing change from the usual plot; Renee Manley has a wonderful imagination, in my opinion.

Toybox Feathers Torquere Press

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Author: Various
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

Author: Vic Winter
Story 1: Feathers for Ed

Told in 1st person from Allan’s POV, I found this story was told. That’s not to say it isn’t good, it is.

Ed and Allan are boyfriends. Ed stays home all the time as he suffers from photosensitivity. He’s pale, maybe even strange to look at, but Allan doesn’t mind; he adores him. He turns Ed into his opus. I found this an endearing tale of love between two men. Quite sweet, actually.

Author: Drew Zachary
Story 2: The Feather Duster

Sam and Robert rush through the grocery store, piling their cart with what’s needed for their day to day lives. Sam picks up a feather duster with something in mind… The journey home is full of teasing; neither one of them can wait to get into the bedroom. With quite a long sex scene, this story should satisfy any urges you need assuaged.

Author: Chris Owen
Story 3: Light Touch

Jake endures a tale of sex and feathers from his work mate, Elias. Even though he didn’t want to hear it, the feathers stick in his mind… He purchases some, but sticks them in a vase.

Jake’s relationship with his boyfriend, Tor, isn’t one of romantic couplings. Theirs is more a get on with it type thing. Jake bides his time to introduce the feathers into their lives. I got the impression the poor guy wanted romance and not just wham-bams.

However, Jake gets his chance to bring the feather to good use, with good results.

Summary:

This set of stories have a sweet theme, in my opinion. Though they are heavily laced with M/M sex, the stories themselves are enjoyable, something anyone that reads this section of erotica would find appealing, I should imagine.

Chocolate and Powertools Torquere Press

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Author: Various
Publisher: Torquere Press

REVIEW:

Author: Vic Winter
Story 1: You Don’t Bring Me Chocolates

Eric and Dylan celebrate Groundhog Day with some rather frantic sex. For me, I’d rather have some story going on first before the sex starts, but with a short erotic story there’s only so much you can squeeze in (excuse the pun!). The story proper does emerge, but be prepared for hot action first!

Valentine’s Day is their next chance to celebrate together, but Eric isn’t enthusiastic. Dylan is confused, as Eric is usually so romantic and thoughtful, so for Eric not to want to celebrate lover’s day—he just disappears on February 14th.

Their relationship spans many years, and Dylan still puts up with Eric disappearing every Valentine’s Day with no explanation. One year, he decides that wherever Eric goes on this day, he’s going with him.

It’s a surprise as to where Eric actually goes…

Author: Jennifer Joyce
Story 2: Laying Plans

Terry is planning a Valentine’s Day surprise. He leaves his partner, Bex, at work, and goes off to the store to buy power tools. Once home, he gets to work on his surprise. Once finished, he returns to work. Bex is taking his time with clients, and Terry is antsy to get the evening started.

They enjoy a meal together, and then Terry gives Bex his present…and hot action abounds!

Author: Angel
Story 3: Stolen Chocolate Tastes Sweetest

Rafe is a thief—he pick-pockets at a charity dinner with no apparent remorse (this made me hate him immediately). He picks the wrong pocket to pick—one of Professor Damien Castel, who remembers faces after only seeing them once, recalls who they are and where he saw them last…

Summary:

As these are short stories, they are loaded with sex, ideal if that’s what you’re after. For a quick pep-up before your partner arrives home, read these (if you’re into M/M fiction).

The Big Payback Lavender Isis Press

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Author: Betty B. Byers
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press

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I really got in to this! It was very well written and had all the elements I love in a book: love – twists – and wondering what would happen at the end.

Whilst I found the ending slightly disappointing (it seemed to just come to an abrupt halt), it did not detract from the overall story – which centred around some lovely characters, Jaunita, Michia, and Pepper.

Pepper had been violently beaten by her boyfriend, Edmund. He is without doubt a horrible man who had been neglected of love (or so he thought) during his childhood and killed his parents because of this. He wanted Pepper to be his mother look alike and love her with venom and abuse.

When he beat her beyond recog