Sandy M’s review of Clay: Armed and Dangerous (Armed and Dangerous, Book 4) by Cheyenne McCray
Romantic Suspense published by St. Martin’s Griffin 12 Apr 11

Wow. Talk about one hot cowboy. And he carries a big gun. Goes after what he wants. Doesn’t let the heroine, Rylie, get away from him. Clay is my favorite of this series, by a long shot!

Clay is the local sheriff and has his hands full with an investigation into stolen trucks from area ranches. Enter rancher Rylie Thorn, who’s the latest victim of the thieves. She’s not going to stand for anyone ripping her off. Along with working with the sexy lawman, she’s going to be doing some investigating of her own. I can still see her creeping around that cabin where her suspicions have led her and currently where some bedroom shenanigans are going on, only to have Clay sneak up behind her. Things begin to sizzle between them in no time flat.

The impetuous and spunky Rylie also confronts the local car dealer who has underhanded dealings all over the place. Clay is rescuing her once again before things get out of hand. She believes the man is involved in the theft ring, but, of course, she has no way to prove it. Since he’s determined to have Rylie in his bed, Clay doesn’t want her to know just yet the evidence is pointing closer to home – her brother.

This is a quick, fun read. Yeah, a lot of it is pretty predictable, but you know what? With a hero like Clay, a man who takes charge, smolders, and makes love in that alpha, intense way, who cares! Rylie is feisty, but she also needs a harness to keep her in check now and again. She’s free spirited and not afraid to say what she thinks. Since she doesn’t believe in love and marriage, Clay takes on the added mission of convincing her otherwise. And his convincing causes some serious shivers and earth shattering. The sex scenes are smmmmokin’. There’s not many erotic books that work for me when there’s more sex than story, but if an author gives me characters who draw me in first, sex on every page might just work then, even with a mediocre storyline. If you’re not that kind of reader of erotic romance, though, this probably won’t work very well for you, even though I’m exaggerating on the sex frequency.

I’ve enjoyed this series a lot. I mean, sexy characters burning up the sheets amid danger, what’s not to like? Go with the way it’s all intended and you’ll have one hell of a good time.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Rancher Rylie Thorn loves everything about men, but she’s positively phobic about commitment. After growing up in a broken family and witnessing too many failed marriages, Rylie knows “forever” is just not in the cards for her.

Sheriff Clay Wayland has been called in to investigate a rash of crimes in the southeastern corner of Cochise County. But one night when he goes into the field to do some observation, he comes across a sensual woman who’s doing some investigating of her own. Rylie immediately sets his blood on fire and he knows he has to have her. And it isn’t long before Clay begins the job of taming this wildcat and making her his. . .for keeps.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Kade: Armed and Dangerous, (Armed and Dangerous, Book 3) by Cheyenne McCray
Romantic Suspense published by St. Martin’s Griffin 26 Oct 10

I normally don’t look at reviews of books I’m reviewing while I’m reading or writing my review. But when I was at Amazon gathering info to put this review together, something in a review there caught my eye and I ended up reading most of those posted there. I learned a couple of things by doing some additional research and I questioned another couple of things by the reviewers at Amazon.

A few of those reviewers were ticked at the fact that the books in McCray’s Armed and Dangerous series are rewrites of novels released by a previous small e-pub. T’hey lamented they wished they’d known before they’d pre-ordered the book because they liked the previous version better, along with a couple of other reasons, and, therefore, wouldn’t have wasted their money on this version. I went so far as to do something they failed to do: I took a trip to Ms. McCray’s web site. Lo and behold, right there in black and white and plain English it tells anyone who bothers to look how Kade and its predecessors and successors came about and will come about. No one but themselves to blame for not doing that research and then complaining about it.

Another issue that didn’t affect me as it did these other reviewers is about Trent, Kade’s 10-year-old son. I have to say first, I don’t have children. Maybe that’s why this part of the story didn’t stand out for me. Their gripe is the fact that Trent colors pictures and takes them out for dad and Kelsey to look at. He has a hard time pronouncing a few words and gets help from the grownups. I recently had a visit from my sister, brother-in-law, and my 10-year-old niece, and when she pulled out her latest colorings to show me, that rang a bell and I told them all about this issue. They didn’t see anything wrong with Trent doing these things in the story either. Maybe Trent just likes to color, maybe it’s a precursor to a budding art career. The kid lives in Texas, doesn’t know a thing about “San Francisco” or has never used or heard of “binoculars,” so why not have a tough time hearing and saying the words for the first time?

In other words, these two things worked just fine for me in reading this book. I guess I just don’t get why they would be issues considering everything else that went on in the story – the fact the characters are charming and interesting, the action is fast, the sex is intense, and it’s a fun story. With all of these assets and more on every page, it never crossed my mind Trent colored or couldn’t pronounce certain words. He’s a cute kid and added to the scenes he’s in. I bring this up only because two or three people said exactly the same thing. Sounds fishy to me and that’s why I want to address it all.

Kade is one of those heroes who is just perfect. Yeah, some women may not like that, but I do. Too-good-to-be-true-hero to die for, handsome, gentlemanly, a terrific father, loving son, romantic, sexy, great in bed, and a whole host of other wonderful qualities. Okay, yes, he makes a mistake or two, but that flaw only makes him more appealing. Kelsey is reeling from a recent divorce from a jerk of a husband, so she’s guarding her heart. Meeting a sexy cowboy on the plane to Texas does show her she still has some kind of feeling left inside.

The book is a bit predictable – something I can agree with some of those other reviewers on – and one is these two meeting on the plane and just happens to be headed to the same place where they’ll work on the same issue, though in very different capacities,  of immigrants stealing into Texas from Mexico. Another predictable spot is later in the book, after their relationship has progressed, Kade leaves for work with a promise from Kelsey she’ll get out of bed, dressed, and into town where she’ll be safe from smugglers while he chases those bad guys down. Of course, she falls asleep again, putting her behind schedule and into to the hands of the man Kade is hunting. I could see it coming and by that time I liked these characters too much to care.

But the backdrop of the immigration problem into the United States and how officers try to combat it is interesting. There is a twist on who the villain is. It’s nice to watch Kelsey give her trust again and to see Kade understand her confidence problem and do his best to aid her. And I like the relationship between Kade and his son, as well as how much and how quickly Kelsey takes to the boy.

The action is not as fast paced as Luke, the previous book, but it’s enough to keep things moving along. All in all, a good read, especially if you’re not familiar with the previous series this new one stems from.

Grade: B+

Summary:

After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She’s not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms and in his bed.

Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Luke: Armed & Dangerous (Armed & Dangerous, Book 2) by Cheyenne McCray
Romantic Suspense published by St.Martin’s Griffen 27 Oct 09

When I discovered romance books oh so many years ago, my tender heart became enamored of a fantasy world of handsome, sexy (though my tender heart was too young to really know true sexiness at the time), men who would take care of their lady no matter what. He would protect her, he would die for her if need be. Luke Denver is that type of hero that I fantasized about then and that I certainly fantasize about now. I’m older now, so the sex in today’s books just make him that much more appealing. And he’s a cowboy. Be still my grown-up heart.

I’ve said in reviews before that I don’t really care about historical accuracy when reading that genre, and the same holds true for me in other genres as well. Since I’m a hero girl, when an author gives me a man like Luke, I don’t care in the slightest about the little details in a story. Yes, if it’s something super outrageous that’s incorrect or whatever, that’s a different thing. Luke is a DEA agent who works with local officers, and I’m sure Ms. McCray did her research on law enforcement, both state and federal, to get procedures and whatnot right. But it wouldn’t have made a bit of difference to me if she hadn’t. As long as it sounded good while Luke was doing it, that’s all I want.

Trinity is nearly in the same boat when she meets Luke. His sexy voice, his Texas drawl, his to-die-for bod, they all add up to the kind of man she could very easily fall for. But she’s only visiting from England for a short time. She could never call the ranch home again, it brings back too many memories of her growing up years when she was teased unmercifully. And she’s nearly engaged to a handsome albeit relatively unexciting Englishman. No wonder the woman’s system goes crazy whenever she’s near Luke.

Keeping his cover doesn’t seem that important the more he gets to know Trinity. Luke will tell her the truth soon, he’s not really the foreman at her sister’s ranch. He’s there to help uncover a drug lord’s illegal business. He wants everything on the up and up with Trinity because he also wants something more with her. Even something more than sex, which is a first for Luke, especially considering his last relationship.

Ms. McCray does a great job with these two characters. You feel their attraction from the beginning, and it’s a very explosive attraction. They can’t keep their hands off each other from the start. Sex for Trinity has been fairly staid, and she can tell immediately with Luke it will take on a whole different meaning. And Trinity is a terrific kick-ass heroine. Kick-boxing is her choice of exercise and it definitely comes in handy for her when facing danger later in the story.

There’s a whole host of other characters, including those from the first book in the series, and they each hold their own. The villain came somewhat as a surprise. As a caveat, this particular book started out as a short story and Ms. McCray has beefed it up for a full-length novel. So if you read the short, take a look at it again. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Grade: B+

Summary:

After four years abroad, Trinity MacKenna has returned home to her family’s ranch in southeastern Arizona. Everything in her life is going just the way she planned it—a home in London, a brilliant career, and she’s practically engaged to a gorgeous English gentleman. But when Trinity meets Luke, the cowboy turns her perfect world upside down. Everything about him is virile and sexy, dark and dangerous—and definitely not part of Trinity’s carefully arranged plans.From the moment Luke Denver sees the sensual strawberry blond, he knows he’s got to have her. Luke is intrigued by Trinity’s combination of sophistication and innocence, boldness and shyness. Even when Trinity tells him she’s taken, Luke doesn’t let that stop him, because he’s determined to make her his…no matter the cost.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Gwen’s review of Demons Not Included (Night Trackers, Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray
Urban fantasy released by St. Martin’s 2 Jun 09

This is the first of a new series for McCray.  It’s an urban fantasy using a lot of familiar paranormal elements overlayed on a modern day New York City.  But what’s nice is the characterizations are unique and interesting, even if we’ve been down this particular paranormal road before. 

The heroine, Nyx, is half human, half dark elf or Drow.  This gives her unique powers when in her elf form, which she uses to kick bad guy butt. There are two heroes – one is a light elf and the other a human.  I like love triangles, so this was fun for me.  The complications were juicy and sad, at the same time.

There are a lot of similarities between this book and many other paranormals.  The comparisons will be unavoidable if you’ve read any Hamilton, Kenyon, or Saintcrow.  McCray saves the inevitable correlations by giving us interesting characters and a fun storyline that has lots of action.

While there is certainly romance and sensuality in the book, at the end we’re left wondering what’s going to happen there.  As with many urban fantasies, the romance isn’t the reason we’re here – it’s all about the characters and the action.  The story and plot is interesting and different enough that I didn’t feel like I was reading yet another of the same.

I recommend this book to fans of UF and of the author.  If you’ve had your fill of first person POV (done well in this book) and similar paranormals, you may want to avoid it.  I enjoyed it, so I must not be wholly done with the genre.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Meet Nyx. This half-human, half-Drow private eye investigates paranormal crimes by day and is an elite Tracker of demons by night. She prefers working solo—and playing rough. So when a terrifying force starts murdering innocent humans and paranorms, and leaving strange demonic symbols burned into their buildings, it’s a case Nyx takes very personally…

Meanwhile, Nyx’s fellow Trackers are being killed one by one—and a sexy new Tracker named Torin is shadowing her every move. Torin has powers Nyx can’t read, and sometimes she wonders whose side he’s on. Nyx’s instincts tell her something’s brewing in the city’s meanest supernatural streets, and that it’s ready to unleash hell on Earth. Who can she trust? Now it’s five minutes to permanent midnight…and Nyx’s last chance means risking everything—even her own life.

Read an excerpt here (nice long excerpt).

Other books in the series:

No Werewolves Allowed, Book 2 – coming early 2010

This just in…

Ellora’s Cave is announcing the release of their first hardcover book, Forbidden Fantasies, an anthology, to be released October 18, 2008. “Featuring eight taboo tales from the hottest stars of erotic romance, this book is a big, beautiful anthology published by Simon & Schuster Pocket Books,” Susan Edwards, EC’s Vice President of Media, said.

~ The authors featured in the anthology will be Jaid Black, Cheyenne McCray, Sherri L. King, Sahara Kelly, Jory Strong, Ann Jacobs, Jaci Burton, and Lorie O’Clare.

~ If you’re in the Las Vegas area, there will be a celebration book signing at Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV 89117, October 18, 2008, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

~ With the purchase of the new hardcover, you will receive a free Forbidden Fantasies t-shirt at the book signing.

~ A drawing to win a mini laptop computer and receive 25% off all purchases direct from Ellora’s Cave is being held through December 31, 2008. But you must purchase the book between October 14 and 18 to be eligible to win the grand prize.

~ The 25% discount will be good at all four EC sites: Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen Press, The Lotus Circle, and Jasmine-Jade.

Consider yourself flashed.

Liviania’s review of Hotter Than Hell by Tanya Huff, Marjorie M. Liu, Cheyenne McCray, L.A. Banks, Susan Krinard, Keri Arthur, Heidi Betts, Lilith Saintcrow, Susan Sizemore, Denise Little, Carrie Vaughn, Linda Winstead Jones, and Kim Harrison
Urban fantasy/paranormal romance anthology released by Harper 24 June 08

With Hotter than Hell, HarperCollins goes in a somewhat different direction from their previous Hell anthologies. These are erotic short stories rather than novellas. It’s worth picking up if you’re very fond of one of the authors or wish to experience several of the authors’ work before buying their series. While all of the stories are well-written and none are truly awful, many of the stories are forgettable or unsatisfying.

Music Hath Charms by Tanya Huff

Bedford Entertainment music executive Ali wants to sign the band NoMan before her longtime, more corporate rivals from Vital Records. But there’s more at stake than money, because NoMan’s frontmen possess a power that manifests in their music. This urban fantasy story is one of the best in the anthology, but some readers may be uncomfortable with the content. There are orgies, menage, and gay and bisexual characters.

Grade: B+

Minotaur in Stone by Marjorie M. Liu

Liu is an author that constantly almost wows me. She explores various intriguing themes in Minotaur in Stone and describes everything with beautiful imagery. However, the tantalizing short story is hampered by a sketchy heroine. Too little is known about her to really fall into her mind – her past is hinted at but never partially explained (which could explain, in turn, some of the story elements) and the description of her is so thin she doesn’t even have a name. It’s a sharp contrast to the detail given to the Minotaur’s story, especially given that this is her story.

Grade: C+

Demon Lover by Cheyenne McCray

Aedan the incubus comes to women at night, leaving them unsatisfied until they offer their souls to him. Now he has fallen in love with his latest victim Ericka. McCray is competent, but the story lacks originality.

Grade: C

Equinox by L. A. Banks

I’ve tried many times to enjoy Banks’ Vampire Hunter series, but never could. I didn’t expect to like this story, especially because it uses one of my least favorite set-ups. (Woman remains virgin for a long time and decides to give it up almost instantly upon meeting the right man.) Therefore I was very surprised to discover that this is my favorite story of the anthology. Greek goddess Artemis returns to present-day Earth, horrified by what humans are doing to the environment. As she and her nymphs teach various CEOs a lesson, the government dispatches a group of soldiers to stop the ecoterrorists. But Vincent and his men are about to discover something very strange. It’s slightly trippy but oh-so-good.

Grade: A-

Ride A Dark Horse by Susan Krinard

While recovering from her divorce on a ranch, Catalina literally meets the man from her dreams. But why is Andrés so interested? Ride A Dark Horse has a good atmosphere, slightly spooky and very Western. The heroine is a bit too willing to wander about unfamiliar woods at night, but it’s a decent story.

Grade: C

To Die For by Keri Arthur

Grace Rioli and Ethan Garrison, a wolf shifter and a werewolf, are dispatched to a small town to solve the murder of a couple of adolescent boys. It’s a good mystery until the author suddenly points out a flaw in the logic used to reach the solution at the end. It weakens the story and might not have if considered earlier by the characters.

Grade: B-

Curse of the Dragon’s Tears by Heidi Betts

Laura Tomescu dreams of the man her grandmother cursed. Now she has gone to Dougal McKay’s castle to free him. The story draws some of its inspiration from the Beauty and the Beast tale. Another enjoyable but largely forgettable entry.

Grade: C-

Brother’s Keeper by Lilith Saintcrow

Selene receives a call from Danny, her brother, that sends her running to his side only to find him murdered. Saintcrow quickly develops interesting characters and background, but then she drops the ball. There’s no resolution to the romance or to the mystery. Brother’s Keeper reads like the first chapters of a novel, not like a short story. Where’s the rest?

Grade: C-

(Like A) Virgin of the Spring by Susan Sizemore and Denise Little

Time travel, psychics, and the Matter of Britain all in one short story. Psychic Ginger’s team got lost in the past, but Bern’s team has come to the rescue. (Like A) Virgin of the Spring starts slow, but has some neat ideas and it’s fun to play spot-the-Arthurian-reference. Might not be for those who don’t have at least a cursory knowledge of the Matter of Britain.

Grade: C

Life is the Teacher by Carrie Vaughn

This story is the only one I completely forgot. The second time I read it I had to get several pages in before I remembered anything about it. Emma is a new vampire adjusting to her way of life as she encounters old boyfriend Chris. Vaughn’s writing is fine but the story is too slight, even for a short. I’m already forgetting Emma and her world again.

Grade: C-

Dirty Magic by Kim Harrison

I love Kim Harrison’s novels, but her novellas and short stories are far weaker. Dirty Magic follows Mia, a banshee (similar to a psychic vampire in the story), as she visits old lover Tom and seeks energy for her daughter. The ending has a nice twist that makes me like the story, but it could fit much better tonally.

Grade: B-

Overall grade: C

The Summary:

Beyond the boundaries of the everyday is an unseen realm where anything you imagine is possible. Your demon lover is waiting for you in the shadows, ready to fulfill your secret wishes and most dangerous fantasies. Here passion has a face and form both titillating and terrifying—and love has teeth and claws. Get ready to give in to your craving for something exquisitely dark . . . and different.

Hotter Than Hell gathers together a baker’s dozen of today’s boldest and best authors of supernatural fiction and paranormal romance in a breathtaking anthology that blends black magic with red-hot desire. From the tantalizing tale of a conflicted psychic vampire driven by a powerful, savage love to the strange saga of a Greek warrior woman battling to save the world, these are stories outside the limits, as hypnotic as the full moon . . . and hotter than the sun.

BevL(QB) from Cubie’s Confections has joined us today to give us a guest review of Cheyenne McCray’s latest Magic Series book…

Wicked Magic (Magic Series, Book 3) by Cheyenne McCray
Guest review by BevL(QB)
St. Martin’s paperback published 28 Aug 07

In this romantic fantasy series, Chey McCray offers her own twist to Celtic mythology. The Fomorii were sea gods that served the evil god Balor. In a battle for control of Ireland, the Fomorii were defeated by the Tuatha D’Danaan (children of the goddess Anu), and were exiled along with their god, Balor, and his wife, Ceithlenn, by the greater gods to live in Underworld as demons. When the D’Danaan were in turn defeated by the Milesians, they left our world to live in their own Sidhe in Otherworld. No longer gods and granted the gift of winged flight by their goddess, Anu, they live as warrior Fae who remain neutral unless their ruling council feels they are needed to maintain or restore the natural order of the universe.

So what would happen if present day worshipers of the god Balor (Balorites) find a way to open the gates between our world and Underworld? And what if the neutral Tuatha D’Danaan, the only race to ever defeat the Fomorii, don’t see an urgent need to help us? Who will protect humanity from the Fomorii demons and, ultimately, Ceithlenn and Balor

In Forbidden Magic (book 1, Silver and Hawk’s story) we learn of the D’Anu witches. When the Druids fled our world for Otherworld, they left covens of their descendants to serve the goddess Anu by maintaining the balance of good and evil. Because the D’Anu witches strictly practice white magic and can do no harm to other beings, the influx of Fomorii into our world proves deadly to their San Francisco coven and some of the younger witches turn to grey magic in order to ask the Tuatha D’Danaan for help. In book 2, Seduced by Magic (Copper and Tiernan’s story), we meet more of the denizens of Otherworld, including fairies and the Drow. The Fomorii invasion of our world escalates with only minor setbacks by the few D Danaan that their council has allowed to come to the D Anu witches’ (and humanity’s) aid.

Now, in book 3, Wicked Magic (Rhiannon and Keir’s story), the danger to humanity has escalated exponentially with the release of Balor’s wife, Ceithlenn, from Underworld. The demon goddess thrives on death (literally) and the rest of humanity is beginning to realize that something is going on when her mass murders can no longer be kept secret. The D’Danaan Council, however, is still convinced that the Fomorii’s return to power may be part of the natural order of the world and will not yet commit their full complement of warriors.

Keir, the mistreated, bastard half brother of Hawk (from book 1), comes to our world with a small group of young D’Danaan he has been training to fight Formorii. Rhiannon, a D’Anu witch with a dark secret she doesn’t understand, was also tossed away as a child. Although the two are attracted to each other immediately, sparks of a different kind fly when Keir thinks he can treat Rhiannon the same way he treats his Pleasure Women.

Eventually, Keir realizes that he wants to treat Rhiannon like the treasure she is and, once Rhiannon makes him understand that she won’t tolerate OVER protectiveness, the pair proceed to fight together and love together as partners. Chey McCray treats us to some VERY steamy erotic scenes between the two, but I have to admit that Rhiannon is more woman than I will EVER be– through much of the book, she has a Ceithlenn induced, goddess sized headache that would have me snapping castration threats if Keir even THOUGHT about getting frisky!

I have to give Chey McCray credit for making the storylines of each book in this series completely unique. You will find no formulaic plots here! What you will find in every book, however, is courageous heroines who find their HEA with extremely alpha heroes in spite of the odious villains whose heinous acts escalate with each book. In Wicked Magic, Rhiannon and Keir are two people carrying deep unhealed wounds from their childhood. Trust and love are foreign and unreliable concepts for each of them. But out of their respect for each other’s abilities and their undeniable passion, grows trust and then a deep love.

One aspect of this book puzzled me. The first quarter or so of this story is peppered with groups of simple, often redundant or irrelevant, sentences that would serve the story better if combined into one or two well crafted sentences. Now, in fairness, I read an ARC that may be “tightened up” before release, and Chey’s writing style has always had a tendency towards simple sentences. But this was so pronounced that it was distracting. I even found myself pausing a few times and reworking some of these sentence groups in my head. After that shaky start, however, the book hit it’s stride and pulled me along on an enjoyable thrill ride.

So now the big question– Can this book be read as a standalone or would the reader be lost without reading the first two books in the series? While I can’t “un-know” what I already read, I feel confident in saying that this book IS self contained. Chey does a good job of filling the reader in on any facts from previous books that are relevant to this story.

Although, this book contains a couple instances of one of my biggest witch-centered story line complaints (this applies to any author)– I find it far more credible if an author establishes a character’s power/abilities/potions BEFORE they are utilized. This would greatly reduce the “Well, isn’t THAT convenient?!” reader reactions. For example, I knew that the D’Danaan, in their winged form, are invisible to humans because I read the previous books. But by the time that fact is mentioned in Wicked Magic, a casual reader will probably be scoffing because no humans have spotted the D’Dannan flitting around San Francisco.

So go ahead and read this one if you aren’t sure you want to commit to the whole series. Afterwards, if you decide you want more, I would advise that you read book 1, Forbidden Magic, BEFORE book 2, Seduced by Magic (a 2006 Passionate Plume finalist). Cheyenne McCray has come up with a truly enchanted concept and, even if the execution of her idea isn’t perfect, it IS marvelous escapism. The ending of this book’s climactic battle scene has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

Be sure to visit Bev on her blog, Cubie’s Confections. Just know that while it’s not always work safe, it is always entertaining!

Gwen Reviews some truly bad, or truly so-so, books
Various types of romances from three different publishers

As most of you bloggers know, writing a review post is a labor of love.  It’s time-consuming and requires no small effort.  It’s a true pleasure to write a review post for a book you love, or a book you think others may love (but perhaps you only liked).  Sometimes it’s also a pleasure to write a review post for a book you hate – you want to warn others and, hey, if we’re honest with ourselves, being snarky can be fun in small doses.

So this post has short reviews for six books that fit somewhere in between “love” and “snark.”  Six books that don’t deserve a whole post of their own, but also don’t deserve to be completely ignored – for good or, heh heh, bad.

Here goes nuthin’…

Review 1:  Taboo – Taking on the Law by Cheyenne McCray
Erotica eBook published 27 Apr 07 by Ellora’s Cave



This novella is about a woman who, after a laughably bad day, is pulled over by the town sheriff – a sheriff who is a former boyfriend, is supposedly into BDSM (along with his roommates), and who has a serious hard-on for our heroine.  Go here for the book blurb and excerpt.

This book is terrible on several levels: the characterizations are awful, the sex scenes are laughable, and the premise is so flawed I think I saw the San Andreas in there somewhere.  I mean, the sheriff having sex on the side of the road may not be that unusual, but in broad daylight, outside, and right on the side of the road?  Nuh uh.  As hot as that scene may be in my fantasies, it was just stupid in this book and I was never able to suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy the eroticism.

Nevertheless, ignoring for a moment the truly silly relationship between the hero and heroine, let’s look McCray’s superficial and, to be honest, insulting treatment of the Dom/sub lifestyle.  While it’s not my cuppa tea, the reasons behind a Dom/sub choice are often profound and, from what I gather, have more to do with emotions than simple sexual titillation.  Ms McCray fails to see that and abuses the premise beyond all rationale.  (For what I think is a more honest view into this lifestyle, check out the third story in Jaci Burton’s “Wild, Wicked, & Wanton“.)

This novella was simply porn that really wasn’t worth the effort to read.

Grade: F

Review 2: Spin Devil by Red Garnier
Erotica eBook published 1 May 07 by Ellora’s Cave



This book is about friends who meet again at a class reunion and rekindle relationships.  The title refers to a “spin the bottle” game where they use a stuffed devil instead of a bottle.  Read the book blurb and excerpt here.

This story, a.k.a. piece of offal, uses gang rape as an acceptable means of seduction.  ‘Nuff said, I think.  Don’t bother with this one.

Grade: F-

Review 3: Naughty Nuptials – Tentacles of Love by Margaret Carter
Paranormal erotic romance eBook published 30 May 07 by Ellora’s Cave



This short story is about a young couple celebrating their engagement by visiting the groom-to-be’s brother.  This brother lives in the attic of a remote house that has the appearance of being abandoned.  The groom-to-be also has a secret to reveal to his proposed bride.  Read the blurb and excerpt here.

This book wasn’t as bad as the others I’m reviewing here, but all it got from me was a “meh” so I didn’t feel like bothering with a full review.  It’s a cute story with some rather silly, bizarre elements.  If you like a little fantasy/sci-fi with your erotic romance, this is the story for you.  Just don’t expect much.

Grade: C-

Review 4: Whisper of the Blade by Anya Bast
Paranormal erotic romance published 16 May 07 by Ellora’s Cave



I dislike when someone qualifies their opinion before they give it.  I think everyone should stand by what they say – good or bad.  Even so.  Let me start this opinion piece by saying that I really like Anya Bast’s work.  I’ve never before been disappointed by it.  But, then I read this short novel and that changed.  It left me wanting.  Oh, and I hate the cover.

The book’s premise is an alternate plane of existence where extrasensory Talents can be found.   Emmia, our heroine, is an empath and a Justice Mercenary – a kind of judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one.  She is hired by one of our heroes, Quinn, to find out if the other hero, Magnus (another empath), is guilty of murder.  There’s some nice emotional development and hot sensuality, all wrapped up with an interesting story.  Good so far.

There some seriously steamy scenes between Quinn and Emmia, Emmia and Magnus, Quinn and Magnus, and then between Quinn, Emmia, and Magnus.  That’s all fine and good, but somewhere among all the hot, hot sex scenes, we lose the story.  Emmia seems to forget why she’s there – to judge Magnus.  The resolution to the murder mystery literally falls on top of the sex-crazed trio. There’s no Nancy Drew moment.  How disappointing.

Grade: C-

Review 5: A Much Younger Man by Veronica Wilde
Erotic romance eBook published 1 Feb 07 by Liquid Silver Books



This book’s pemise is, wait for it, an older woman who meets a younger man.  They supposedly fall in love and have an HEA.  Read the blurb and excerpt here.  Sybil reviewed it here.

This book just skeeved me out.  It wasn’t the younger man and older woman thing.  I kind of dig that.  I mean, who doesn’t want a young hunk warming their sheets.  What skeeved me out was how emotionally immature both the man and woman were.  I mean, what half-way smart 33 year old woman would let a 22 year old guy (who still lives with his parents) take erotic photos of her with a camera-phone?!  DUH!  How stupid can you get?  And she’s a 4th grade TEACHER!!  Ewww.

Couldn’t the author have picked a more appropriate couple?  The story would have been so much better with just ten more years on both characters.

Grade: D-

Review 6: The Stranger by Elizabeth Lane
Historical romance to be published 1 Jul 07 by Harlequin Historicals



Sybil will probably hate me for including this book in this dump post, but I can’t help it.  I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em.

This book’s premise is a “stranger” arrives on a widow’s ranch and helps her do repairs for food and a dry place to sleep.  They come to depend on each other, love each other, all while managing to overcome some common traumatic events.  She doesn’t know he’s one of the drifters who, 5 years earlier, was involved in her husband’s murder.  Read the book blurb and excerpt here.

This wasn’t a horrible book, but it wasn’t a terribly good one either.  Several of the plot elements were driven home again and again and again and again.  And again.  I got sick of reading about how she would hate him once she found out who he really was – enough already.  I also felt that Caleb’s characterization was inconsistent and he was portrayed as a bit of a coward on more than one occasion – very unattractive.  Too many trite plot devices were used (kid gets sick and is nursed back, hero gets sick and is nursed back, flood, wanted man, rich rancher wants the heroine, etc.)  I yawned big and wide a couple of times while reading this book.

Grade: C-

That’s all folks. For now…