C2’s review of Once and Again (Petal, Georgia, Book 1) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Romance published by Samhain 30 Aug 11

In her latest book, Lauren Dane returns us to the ever-so-fun small town of Petal, Georgia.  Readers of her Chase brothers series will see lots of familiar faces, get to know some supporting characters much better, and meet some new people too.  I enjoyed the Chase books, so I’m very excited to revisit Petal.

Lily Travis grew up in Petal but didn’t come back after college.  Her family was borderline dysfunctional, and Petal bad boy Nathan Murphy broke her heart.  However, when her family crosses the line into full-on dysfunction, she has no choice but to return home.  Lily’s parents are divorcing and her father is involved with a bubble-head younger than she is.  Her mother is becoming much too dependent on pills and alcohol. And her teenage brother is running with a bad crowd, cutting school and failing his classes.  It is time for someone to step in and get a handle on things and Lily is the only one who is willing to try.

After leaving her job in Macon, Lily comes back to Petal and moves into the apartment over her parents’ garage.  She knows most of her family is a lost cause but is determined to keep her little brother moving in the right direction.  One of the first things she does is visit Chris’ school to talk to the principal and his teachers.  Wouldn’t you know one of Chris’ teachers is Nathan Murphy?  And, my goodness, didn’t he grow up nicely?

Nathan grew up in Petal (his sister married one of the Chase brothers). He knew Lily growing up because she was a friend of his younger sister. They didn’t start dating until they ran into each other in college. Then, while they were on a break (and my brain went “OMG Rachel, we were on a break!”  ”Shut up, Ross.”), she saw him kissing (or being kissed by) one of her cousins.  He didn’t explain himself, she didn’t ask, and they stopped seeing each other.  Ah, youth…

When Nathan sees Lily back in Petal, the old attraction rears its head. This time they are both older and more mature, hopefully.  But Lily doesn’t want to go down that road again. Nathan really hurt her and she doesn’t want a repeat experience.  And she really has a lot on her plate – her mom has a substance abuse problem, her dad is a self-centered nut, her sister has anger issues.  Also, he is Chris’ teacher and she doesn’t want her brother to deal with talk about her inappropriate behavior.   But…

Attraction is hard to fight – especially when only one half of the couple is fighting it.  And Nathan is determined.  He knows what he wants and knows she wants him right back, whether she’s willing to admit it or not.  Add in conspiring family and friends and you know where this ends, don’t you, faithful reader?

I really enjoyed visiting Petal again.  I like seeing how things are with all the Chases and other residents…including some Murphy siblings that might be getting their stories told eventually.  And Lily’s relationship with her brother struck me as very true – it’s a hard balance to strike when you’re trying to parent your sibling…especially when the real parent is there but ineffective…and we see that here.  I also like the way Lily dealt with all the problems her family is facing – especially with her mom and her brother’s situation – she consults professionals all along the way to find the best way to handle things.  It would have been so annoying if she had just gone in and seemed to know just how to handle everything. Once and Again isn’t a happy, fluffy book – not that it’s a big downer or anything – it takes a look at real problems and shows how real people deal with them.  And everyone is in a better place at the end than they were at the beginning…what more can you ask?

Do you need to read the Chase series before reading Once and Again? No, it stands alone quite nicely, but, you know, I think you should always read all the connected books (plus the first Chase Brothers book was FREE for Kindle when I wrote this review).  And the Chase brothers are smoking hot, just FYI.

Grade: B+

Summary:
Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.

Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.

Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.

With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.

Warning: Hot, sexy high school teacher in denim and boots. Strong-willed females abound. Bad words and naughtiness, too. Come on, you know you want to read it.

Read an excerpt.

Connected books:

This just in…

Samhain Publishing is offering three terrific ebooks at no charge during the month of July!

~ Starting July 1 and running through July 31, you’ll have plenty of time to get your copies, but watch the dates – each one has a different ending date!

~ Giving Chase by Lauren Dane is available July 1 to July 31 both for Kindle and the Nook.

~ Lord Demon’s Delight by Gia Dawn is available July 1 to July 14, again in both Kindle and Nook formats.

~ And Lights, Camera…Monsters by Lila Dubois is available July 15 through July 28 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

~ Happy reading!

Consider yourself flashed.

Sandy M’s review of Three to Tango Anthology by Lauren Dane, Emma Holly, Megan Hart, Bethany Kane
Erotic Romance anthology published by Berkley 3 May 11

I was eager to read this anthology written by four of today’s most talented erotica authors. I’ve read all but Emma Holly, so I knew there’s some darned great reading to be had. I wasn’t too far off in my prediction. All the novellas featured here pretty good, and, as goes with reading anthologies, I like a couple better than others. But if you’re looking for some sizzling erotic stories, this one will satisfy any and all needs.

Flipping for Chelsea by Emma Holly

This is my first ever read of Emma Holly. I’m happy I do like this short read, because sometimes if you don’t care much for an author’s novella, it’s hard to pick up one of their full-length novels later on.

We first meet Chelsea, Luca, and Liam in 1997 when they’re young and have their futures ahead of them. Chelsea is heading off to college and she wants one last night with her two best friends. She’s always had a crush on Liam from a really early age and that’s grown into a love that is heartfelt, but it also that causes problems within the trio when they finally come together for their good-bye, even after one hot night.

Then we jump ahead to 2011 when Chelsea returns home, hoping things can somehow be better between them all. But Shay is the one who felt he was intruding on the love Liam and Chel shared, so he too has been gone, working all these years in Boston. It’s Liam and Chelsea who bridge the chasm that’s built up from years of silence and lone suffering.

When Luca makes a surprise visit, Liam has decisions to make if he wants to share in the love of these friends he’s missed for so long. This is a nice friends-to-lovers story with the extra fun of a threesome. The sex, of course, is as hot as can be. I like the characters well enough, but I feel they need a little more depth. Otherwise, a good first story for me from Emma Holly.

Grade: B

Summary:

Shay and Liam shared an unforgettable night with their lifelong friend, Chelsea, awakening a rush of forbidden feelings—feelings they have to reckon with when the three reunite, and the unrequited lust between them is too much to bear.

No excerpt available.

Dirty/Bad/Wrong by Lauren Dane

I’ve only read Lauren Dane’s Cascadia Wolves series so far, though I probably have every darned book on her backlist around here somewhere. You know, so many books too little time. I like this novella, but I have to say that I prefer her humor and her shifters. But that’s just me.

Ava is back in Petal to wrap up her mother’s life and home. With both parents now gone, she can hopefully truly forget the horrible childhood she’d suffered, all with the help of Angelo and Luca, her best friends. She’s turned into a confident, independent woman after years in L.A., so these few days in Petal should be a breeze. But she doesn’t count on the feelings that flood through her seeing the family who loved her more than her own.

And, of course, there’s Angelo and Luca and they’re happy to see Ava, want her to stay with them longer than she’s planned. They want the chance to convince her to stay with them permanently, to show her how good it can be for the three of them. And it definitely is good between them. They sizzle right off the page with a touch or a kiss, so you can imagine what happens with all that sex goin’ on.

Another friends-to-lovers read. I like the characters, and there’s more depth in this story with the telling of Ava’s growing up years, all she went through and how she’s changed. However, I do want a little more, considering this is Lauren Dane. But it does satisfy in all the right places.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Though Ava left her hard-knock Georgia childhood behind, she never forgot Luca and Angelo. Together they were best friends with a bond that could never be broken. But when she returns, the three must decide whether to face the fires that burn between them, or forgo their desires forever.

Read an excerpt.

Just One Night by Megan Hart

Up to this point, Just One Night is my favorite of the anthology. It’s one of those make-your-dream-come-true stories, all at the behest of a man who thinks he’s doing his girlfriend a favor. Jerk gets his, though.

Kerry is attending her high school reunion with one mission in mind – spending one night with her old crush, Brian. She has the “permission” of her boyfriend, Jeremy, because he wants her happy and he knows this will make her happy. So meeting up with and loving Brian for the night is a dream come true, one she’ll remember forever.

Brian has hopes to see Kerry at the reunion, but he never thinks things could go as far as they do. And he wants more from Kerry than just one night, so he finally calls her. Again, Jeremy has no problem with Kerry meeting up with Brian. In fact, he encourages it. If he knows about it, it’s not a lie, it’s not cheating. Okay, bud, whatever you say. One thing leads to another, Brian learns about Jeremy, but he still can’t resist Kerry. But after meeting Jeremy, Brian has to walk away from the love of his life.

I’m so happy that Kerry finally wakes up to the kind of love Jeremy says he has for her. Great scene. I really like Kerry and Brian, and, well, you can already figure out how I feel about Jeremy. I’m also glad to find another Megan Hart story I like. I’ve been a tad disappointed in the last couple I’ve read, especially after enjoying my first by her, Tempted, so much. This is a very good read.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Fun-loving couple Kerry and Jeremy find themselves in a triangle of trouble when Kerry’s old crush, Brian, returns for a school reunion, and Jeremy gives her his enthusiastic approval to seduce him. But while Jeremy has no trouble sharing Kerry, Brian isn’t sure he can handle what’s coming.

Read an excerpt.

On the Job by Bethany Kane

Of the four stories, this is my favorite. I’ve not read Bethany Kane per se before, but I have read her other alias, Beth Kery. So I guess you can say I’m not surprised I enjoyed this novella. We’re given more of a story that works the erotica into it instead of the other way around.

Walker Gray is retired from the Secret Service and is back in Lake Tahoe to establish his own business, but in the meantime he’s helping a friend with protection and security. The man’s fiance has been the target of an assassination attempt, so they need to find out what the hell is going on. The kink in the plan is the fiance is Madeline, the same Madeline whom Walker loved and left years before.

And Madeline is not happy he’s back. She tries to punish him in various ways, but right off the bat she learns such trying things won’t work with Walker. The first scene in which Walker is pushed too far at Maddie’s misplaced teasing is perfect. Walker doesn’t put up with much and he makes sure Maddie knows that. The dinner table scene is also one I love. All sizzling and steamy. You end up as hot and bothered as Madeline.

I like the twist that comes about at the end. All must face consequences, some good and some bad. It’s Walker who makes the story for me. He’s totally alpha. I kept thinking what a hot and sexy Highlander he would make. Yeah, it’s the historical reader who loves the Scottish in me. He’s perfect for such a role and perfect just as he is. I’m smitten.

A very, very satisfying read.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Years ago, Walker walked out on Madeline when she needed him most. Now, the ex-Secret Service agent is back—hired to protect Madeline by her billionaire boss, Tony. Madeline is determined to make him pay for denying her desires—and she’s not above bringing Tony in to sweeten the deal.

Read an excerpt.

When I read erotic books, I like a story to go along with all the sexual goings-on, which is what the Kane delivered. The other three stories deal only with what’s between the characters in terms of what happened with them in the past and then how they get reacquainted for the future, no other storyline to keep things more interesting.

All in all, this is a nice collection, and even if you haven’t read one or more of these authors, I think you’ll still have a sexy, smokin’ time with the characters they’ve created.

Overall Grade: B+

So, the title may be misleading… but this is a contest post. It’s also a rant, because… well what’s an entry from your good friend Limecello without some ranting, right?

Anyway. I basically stopped visiting blogs. I used to visit nearly 200 daily. And I don’t mean with google reader or something (also, did I totally make that up?) I bookmarked them, and I visited each and every one. I tried to comment on them all as well, but sometimes I just had no idea what to say. That happens. I’m not sure what the proper comment is without seeming inane or something.

My point being – recently I’ve seen more and more complaints that blogs have no content these days. They’re just… contests. I, for one, love contests. They’re how (as I’ve said) I “discovered” a number of authors and series. Yay for contests! (Contest whores less so, but that’s another post for another time.)

Authors often post links to contests on twitter – blogs they’re visiting, etc, where there is also a giveaway. Oh boy, oh joy, right?

Wrong. Maybe I just don’t care anymore. Or I’ve been suffering from book and general ennui… but oftentimes I can’t even be bothered to read through the rules. E.g. Comment here, blog about it, put it on facebook, and cross reference with twitter, follow all of us who blog here, and my great aunt Jane, and stand on your head. While reciting the preamble to the United States Constitution.

In many instances, I’ve heard people say they’d rather just buy the book. And upon further reflection, dear bloggers and authors, is that your intent? If so… sneaky. And well played, my friend. Well played.

But cynical me thinks it has to do with promo. In order to enter the contest, you must follow me! And my blog! And lurve me! And pet me! And link to me! And make me POPULAR. *shrug* So I think we all know I’m not the blog owner here… I wouldn’t even know if you were following this blog. (And isn’t it google reader makes it something different weird? I dunno.)

Long story short, the only requirement to be eligible for this contest is that you comment. As yourself, and don’t cheat by creating socks. I check to the best of my ability, and it really pisses me off to have to double check, etc.

What am I giving away, my dear Boo Boo’s and not Boo Boo’s? A copy of Coming Undone by Lauren Dane. It is unsigned, because I bought it my little own self with my little own money. I also basically jumped through all necessary contest hoops, because it took about 6 phone calls, and 2.5 hours of driving to finally get one copy. This copy, my friends, is precious.

Or… if you want bonus entries to this contest… and here I can’t resist. I need you to pat your head and you rub your belly, while jumping rope. But not just any jump – double dutch. Then I want you to do a hand stand outside in the snow, while reciting the Emancipation Proclamation, immediately followed by the choreography of Thriller. [All must be recorded and sent to me.] And I promise… if someone does do that… I’ll send you [well, the first full entry, but I don't think more than one person would even contemplate doing this...] a copy of Coming Undone as well.

So ready? Set? … GO!

Limecello’s review of Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
Contemporary erotic romance released by Berkley Trade 5 Jan 10

I loved this book. Loved. If 2010 is anything like 2009, Coming Undone will be part of my top 10 reads of the year. This was a contemporary novel that hearkened back to why I started reading romances in the first place. A heavy focus on relationships, both romantic, and general interpersonal ones. Family, friends, community. Then of course there’s the love story. Fantastic. The moving of the hero and heroine towards each other, and falling in love. Heart wrenching scenes, and words that come alive. I found myself speaking out loud in response to certain scenes or situations – I couldn’t help commenting, I was that invested in the story.

Normally, I don’t like a heroine with a sad past. Or, I don’t like that anymore because its so overused. I sometimes wonder if it’s against some secret author code, that the heroine have a relatively normal, well adjusted past. Admit it – it’s become a trope. (And it seems with Ms. Dane in particular.)

However, here, I was ok with it for Elise. She’s a ballerina. While I’m not friends with any professional ballerinas, I have friends of friends who are. And close friends while I was younger who were serious dancers. It’s like an alternate universe. Taking that into consideration, Elise was almost boring. I liked that – she’s normal, and grounded, and incredibly well adjusted. Hooray for her! She’s also got a rather crazy past. I know it’s cliche, but artists are weird. She was married to one. Living in New York. I can accept all of that. More importantly, I can believe that the events her past happened, and aren’t that rare.

In a way, Brody is the “less realistic” character. He raised his brother and sister – two incredibly successful musicians, he’s a tattoo artist… and frankly I want one. A Brody, that is. He’s smart, caring, nurturing, mature- pretty much everything you’d want in a guy. He has his own house, is domesticated, loves his family, owns a business that is doing well… and of course, he’s hot. And is related to rock stars. He’s so perfect that of course he’s fiction. And only fiction. However, Brody is believable too. He screws up like any person will. Brody also has a few incredibly dense idiot guy moments. He’s kinda clueless. It’s endearing, yet frustrating.

I really liked how family was such a big part of this book. Both blood, and those you choose to incorporate into your family circle. Personally, that’s something I identify with very well, and I think most readers will also. You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends, who in a way become your family.

One very minor thing that stuck out to me, and resonated with me – is how Brody’s tattoos don’t show when he’s dressed up. He goes to court with Elise, and his tattoos don’t show. Even though generally his tattoos are prominently displayed. I liked that. The way I interpreted it, is that Brody is grounded, and realistic. Sure, he loves his tattoos – he loves his work and takes pride in it. They’re something he shows proudly.

On the other hand, he also knows that general opinion is less favorable towards tattoos. Especially a more conservative outlook, and perhaps particularly in court, where things are just more formal. Brody doesn’t whine about it, or rail at the injustice or unfairness of it. He knows and understand that people judge based on appearance. Right or wrong, it happens. This is such a tiny, minor detail. Just one sentence in the novel – but to me, it just gave the characters, and the story so much more depth. And that’s just one example.

My only “beef” with the book really, is the gratuitous sex between Erin and her two “husbands.” It was unnecessary… but still fit. I just associate it as being the random “boob shot” that was and is so prevalent in tv shows and movies. Erin is an incredibly important part of the book, as are Todd and Ben. Actually, as the relationship is developed with their triangle, it worked- and provided a nice break from the main story. So… basically, I have no real complaints.

I loved this book. I loved it so hard. While I did read the previous book, Laid Bare, it was not my favorite by Ms. Dane. It’d help if you read the books in order, but I don’t think it’s necessary. If you want to skip the first, fine – great. But don’t skip this one. I’m serious. Read this book. Make your friends read this book.

This is a terrific romance. In fact, my review is so vague because I want you to go buy this book and read it. And then come back here and comment so we can squee like little girls over it.

Grade: A+

Summary:

KEEPING IT TOGETHER

Brody Brown has always been responsible for others. After his parents’ death, he gave up a promising artistic career to care for his younger brother and sister. Now, with his siblings grown, Brody owns his own business, has a nice house, makes a nice living, and for the first time in years he’s on his own.

Elise Sorenson has come to Seattle with her young daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina—(and just as many years in a marriage-gone-bad)—she’s looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.

More than friends, Brody and Elise discover in each other what they need—wild, physical passion without commitment. But it’ll take a shadow from Elise’s past to make them look beyond what they need—to what they truly desire.

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of No Reservations by Megan Hart and Lauren Dane
Erotic romance released by Black Lace 10 Nov 09

I wanted to read this book as soon as I learned it existed… which was right around the time I finished Taking Care of Business. I liked this book more, as the basics of the characters and couples had already been developed. The greater focus on the romance was very much appreciated, and enjoyable. I felt that Kate and Dix, and Leah and Brandon each had their own stories, but that all four were sufficiently tied together as well.

I really like that No Reservations starts out with our characters/couples in different places. If I understand and remember correctly, six months have passed since the end of Taking Care of Business, and the book deals with that nicely. It was nice that all the characters have separate lives, but are tied together. It really brings the dual book/story together that much better.

Kate and Leah are very different, yet very similar. Both are career women, self actualized, happy, in stable, loving relationships… and both have their own kinks. What they look for and want in men are different- and they definitely aren’t the same person, but they fit together. They’re best friends. The rapport between two friends, and women isn’t in every book, and was a key factor here. Kate and Leah’s friendship was just as important as their respective romantic relationships.

I loved that Brandon and Dix bonded on this trip. Yes, they knew each other before, but I felt here was where they really became friends outside of their significant others. Spending the night in a death trap of a rat motel of course, would likely do that. As well as going for the same thing – trying to pin down an elusive woman. It does show, however, that they have each others backs. In fact, a number of scenes show Dix and Brandon feel loyalty and sympathy towards each other. They also like and admire each other as individuals. I think that helps develop their characters, and give the story additional depth.

There are a number of parallels in No Reservations, but the stories are distinct. Kate has to deal with a lot of external baggage that comes with Dix- namely his insane ex-wife, and then his two daughters. Leah has to overcome her need for space, and the fact that she keeps herself detached in interpersonal relationships. While the major focus was on Leah and Kate, Dix and Brandon held their own.

Of course, there’s a lot of decadence and hot sex once all the characters arrive in Las Vegas. And you know, before too. And it’s what one would expect, considering the authors and the publisher. I liked the realistic and pragmatic tone of this book. It wasn’t all perfection and angelic choruses once the characters admitted they loved each other. Rather, it took a lot of effort and meeting demands of personal growth that prompted the characters to agree to cement their relationships, and get married – even though it might be easier not to.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how real it was. Maybe not the sex and decadence, but the complications come along with being an adult, and in a relationship. I’ve been reading too many books where there isn’t a real happily ever after, or the ending is a cop out. Not so here. Perhaps in Taking Care of Business things were a bit vague, but in No Reservations the reader gets closure. I need that. I know it’s not a fairy tale – that it won’t be all puppies and sunshine and rainbows from now on, but that the couples will be able to withstand any arguments and stay together.

I have to say – kudos to Brandon and Dix for being the ones who are so adamant about marriage. Finally! Too often it’s the woman who is fanatical about getting married and pushing it – but really. A number of guys are just as anxious about that commitment. I liked that the characters had to work through issues – and were willing to address them – after some initial bursts of insanity. The ending is really sweet too – it’s nice to see that not only do Dix and Brandon adore Kate and Leah… Kate and Leah truly love and appreciate Dix and Brandon just as much.

I do think it is important to read Taking Care of Business before reading No Reservations. While this book can be read alone, much of what the characters say and do refers to the previous story. I recommend No Reservations to fans of Ms. Hart and Ms. Dane, or if you’re looking for a quick, hot read that has a satisfying amount of depth.

Grade: A-

Four days in Vegas. Two sexy and determined men. One penthouse suite… And No Reservations.

Christmas isn’t so merry for Kate and Leah. Kate’s romantic winter holiday is destroyed by the sudden and uninvited presence of Dix’s annoying ex-wife while Brandon’s super-perfect family and a diamond ring sends Leah running for the refuge of a girl’s holiday in Sin City with Kate in tow.

Dix and Brandon both know what they want. Hopping a plane in hot pursuit, the men show up in Vegas, ready to use every sensual trick they have to convince Kate and Leah to take a gamble on forever.

Read an excerpt here and another one here.

Limecello’s review of Laid Bare by Lauren Dane
Erotic romance released by Berkley 4 Aug 09

It seems to me that Lauren Dane’s writing improves with each book, and Laid Bare really is no exception. It’s an interesting book, and I love the setting. The characters and their lifestyles are definitely outside my experience and not something I’m familiar with, but I did enjoy reading this story. I don’t normally talk about it first, but I really liked the ending to this book too – everything came together just right. It was like the perfect golden moment in a movie.

Erin Brown does not have a personality that matches her name. There’s nothing plain or simple about her. She’s the heroine, and she’s the rock star. Well, former rock star, but I loved that she was the “famous” one in the relationship. Erin is a complicated and difficult character, because she’s lived through a nightmare. Normally I’d be pretty skeptical of that happening to any character, but considering her fame and fortune, I could believe what happened to her. I had some trouble grasping who Erin truly was because she’s so take charge and larger than life in general, but sexually she’s submissive. I know it can work, and that it’s natural, I just simply had some difficulty drawing it all together in my head.

Todd Keenan is a mix – he’s your typical romance hero, yet not. He’s a cop, he’s emotionally stupid initially, and he falls head over heels in love with Erin. Fast. I loved that. I love that he grew up in the decade they were apart, and is determined to live his life, and be who he truly is, not what society dictates. He’s also sweet, caring, knows and is willing to admit that he’s made mistakes, and very close to friends and family. It seems like the years he was gone (and married to someone else) were a fluke, and finally he’s home, and alive again.

It’s complicated because Erin and Todd had a relationship “ten years before the book starts.” It’s at the beginning of the book, but very early on they end and they you go to “ten years later.” Post Erin’s life hitting it big and becoming a tragedy. Todd and Erin both essentially lived entire lives before finding each other again. I know they had to, but they way the met seemed just a bit too convenient. (Maybe I don’t believe in fate or serendipity.)

The book works because the foundation is so realistic. Seattle was a great music scene in the ’90s, so Erin and Adrian really could have gotten their start there. Also, I really like Seattle. (Granted my trip might have been a break in the space- time continuum because it basically didn’t rain while I was there.) I loved the places Ms. Dane mentioned, and it’s clear she knows the area. The book never gets bogged down with details, but there’s just enough so you can paint a picture in your mind, and it fits.

Now… onto the more complicated stuff. I’m not sure if I read too much, or too little of Ms. Dane’s writing, but I found bits and pieces of this book very reminiscent of her book Undercover. Yes, the settings and worlds are totally different… but you have the hero and heroine who had a relationship then split… get back together, he’s dominant, she’s submissive… and – then they enter a triad.

That and I know I’m extremely sensitive to Ms. Dane’s dialogue. It gets better with every book, but every so often a character lapses back into what I think of as “word vomit.” They just say things about their thoughts, emotions, etc, that would never come up in every day conversations. It’s like they’ve constantly gotten out of therapy sessions, or are drunk. (Though ironically, both could be true in Laid Bare, so maybe my complaints there are null.)

Also, if I wasn’t clear- this is an erotic romance. There is a lot of sex, and a lot of it goes straight into what might be termed “kinky.” Todd likes to dominate in bed. Erin likes to submit. Ben, their third, also likes to dominate. Ben also happens to be Todd’s best friend, and the way the relationship develops is very fast, but considering the characters, it does work. It seems all of them are grasping life with both hands and going for it.

I took issue to one scene where Todd uses his belt on Erin – not because he does, but because she says “it won’t hurt me.” (I know she means permanently damage… but I had to put the book down for a bit. That and it was 3 AM.) Also, that Ms. Dane uses the word “gate” for vagina. It completely takes me out of the book, and I usually roll my eyes. I can’t help but picture a white picket fence… complete with a swinging gate, of course. [Not sexy.] But going back to the belt thing – I know it’s a huge turn on for many people.

More importantly, however, the emotions running through the characters and their reactions make it work. While [B]DS[M] is not something I know much about, I think it was very well written here. The fact that theirs is an very emotional relationship with strong connections helps. Todd says “I love you” about one-third of the way in – practically unheard of for a romance, and I thought it was fantastic.

The interaction between the characters, especially Todd, Erin, and Ben was so cute. (Well, outside the sex – that wasn’t cute. That was raunchy, gritty, and dirty – all in the good ways.) I liked that this book took the characters to an unconventional relationship, but it happens in a way that fits all the characters. Todd, Erin, and Ben don’t start having threesomes just because they want sex – they’re all honestly in love with each other. They address the concerns rationally and in a very mature manner. They talk about their fears and concerns, and know it will be difficult, but even more, it’s what they want. And I have to say I’m impressed with Ms. Dane for taking me there.

Nevertheless, there were some parts of the book that seemed rushed, while others were extremely drawn out and descriptive. Although the book covers a good period of time, a lot happens in this book. I’ll let you read about it. I really liked the secondary characters, and I know some of them are getting their own books – and while I generally don’t like series, a character I found interesting was Erin’s ex-husband. I believe he could have a great story of his own.

Lastly, as I mentioned before, I loved the ending. Loved. The characters basically all had their closure and were able to move on, and Erin especially. I really liked that Laid Bare was a heroine centric book – with the very interesting dynamic of her being sexually submissive to two men – and that Erin takes back control of her life by the end and is doing what she loves – performing. It’s a seriously perfect moment, and this time, I’m glad this book is part of a series and that I get to revisit the characters.

Grade: C+

Unexpected Desire…

It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Always by Lauren Dane
Contemporary romance released by Samhain 14 Apr 09

I had been looking for a simple romantic contemporary story. I wanted to read about a guy and a girl falling in love, and only about that. No secret mafia wars, no exploding bombs, no secret family curses or vampires, werewolves, or were-anything. That’s exactly what Always offered, and I really enjoyed it. Caitlin and Eamon are extremely likable characters.

Caitlin Moore is a great heroine. She’s 26 years old, and when the book begins, finishing up the first half of her year as a 2L, which is a second year law student. She lives in Seattle, and runs into Eamon at a club. They met in Ireland a few years ago, when she worked at his father’s pub for a summer during college. Caitlin has had an interesting life. While growing up with a privileged childhood, she was emotionally impoverished. Her parents aren’t the warm and loving type, and she also had a bad experience with her ex-fiance, which put her life on hold. However, all of that really caused Caitlin to become who she is today. Caitlin knows what she wants, and knows how to get it. She’s not pushy or overbearing, but she doesn’t let others control her or negatively influence her. She’s extremely capable, and satisfyingly independent.

Eamon Blake is a photographer who moved to LA for his career, and to be closer to his brother and sister-in-law. He’s charming, a lot of fun, and very career oriented. I liked that he had a sense of humor, and a close relationship with his family. It’s nice to see a hero who already has experienced real and fulfilling interpersonal relationships. It’s also nice that he’s so into Caitlin. Although Eamon is in no way static or incomplete, he does cede the stage to Caitlin.

I really liked that Caitlin and Eamon had history, even though it was just as fuck buddies. They had their summer fling of food and fun, and they were done. Caitlin went back home to the states, and Eamon stayed in Ireland. They left with no strings and no regrets, knowing their affair was only temporary. However, a chance meeting at a club in Seattle brings them together again, and this time, feelings begin to develop. And now, we come to the part that I really enjoyed. The realistic development of the relationship between Caitlin and Eamon.

Yes, they have really hot sex. A lot of really hot sex. And through that, both of them start to realize that they’re developing feelings for the other. But more than that, they speak to each other daily. Over the phone, internet, video chat, and remain um… intimate that way as well. It’s cute. They visit each other a few times a year, and it helps develop the relationship because Caitlin and Eamon are able to interact with the other’s friends. I think the interaction between mutual really helps develop and legitimize the relationship. (As an aside, I really liked how both Caitlin and Eamon had their own friends and personalities outside of just each other. And I must add, that I really liked all of the secondary characters.)

I felt that the tension between the relationship was extremely realistic, and legitimate. Both of the characters had their own hang ups to overcome, and Ms. Dane treated them respectfully and perfectly. I could understand and accept what motivated the characters and the actions that they took. In fact, I think all the events that happened were exactly as they should have occurred. Nothing was easy, but at the same time, nothing ridiculous. No missing someone by seconds to delay events, or drag on the story.

My only issues were that I felt like there might need to be a little bit more to this book. while I really enjoyed the story, I wasn’t gripped by it. I will say, however, that I didn’t really have a problem with, or notice a number of the dialogue issues that usually jump out at me with Ms. Dane’s writing. The characters still use dialogue for emotion (it’s hard to explain) – but it worked much better here. Always is a great story that follows the relationship of two unique and fun characters. I really liked that the relationship slowly developed over 1-2 years, which really adds credibility to the story. I definitely recommend Always to anyone looking for a great read that is a straight contemporary romance.

Grade: B

Summary:
.
Sometimes you have to go more than halfway to meet in the middle.
.
Caitlin Moore has every reason to celebrate. She’s through with law-school finals, and out for some post-semester fun when she runs smack dab into Eamon Blake, the Irishman with whom she had a summer fling years ago. Time hasn’t dimmed their lingering friendship—or their sexual chemistry.
.
Eamon isn’t looking for love when he bumps into Cat while he’s in Seattle on a job. Yet over the next year, he finds himself involved in a rekindled long-distance romance that moves from casual to a lot more.
.
That’s the rub. Cat is determined not to repeat her past mistakes with men and give up the dream job for which she’s worked so hard. Independence is something she’s spent years achieving. Eamon can start over so much easier than she can—why shouldn’t he make the sacrifice this time?
.
But Eamon doesn’t much relish leaving the life he’s been building in Los Angeles—and he really doesn’t like ultimatums. At an impasse, goodbye seems the only direction to go. Ending it is the right thing to do…or the biggest mistake they ever made.
.
Read an excerpt here.

Ok, so some of these are old announcements, but some of these are new. Still, thank you for your patience! A lot has been going on, but never fear, contests DO end at the Pond, and prizes ARE always awarded.

Winners, you have one week to contact me about your prize.

The winner from Anya Bast’s Original Guest Post… for the last time… Shelley – you’re up! You’ve won a copy of Witch Heart!

Lauren Dane’s Giveaway winner … is Stacy!!! Congratulations You’ve won a copy of Taking Care of Business. Enjoy!

And… the lucky winners of What Happens in Vegas… After Dark are Christine, Little Lamb Lost, and Ann Marie. Congratulations, ladies!

All of you have been chosen by randomizer.org, or an unbiased third party. Again, you have ONE WEEK, so make sure you check the posting date and don’t miss the cutoff.  Please email your information to limecello@tgtbtu.com

And stay tuned for more exciting giveaways and fun. Especially all those fabulous Duck Chats.

More contesty goodness – because I promised you it was coming! Read on, gentle readers, and try your luck! After all, it is an anthology set in Vegas!

 WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS…AFTER DARK anthology

 Release Date: May 1, 2009

 Anya Bast’s story in this anthology is called THE PROMISE. It’s a prequel to THE DEAL, (WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS… the first anthology, released in 2008), and tells Damian’s story and how/why he came to jilt Cassidy at the altar on their wedding day.

Here’s the whole blurb for the book:

Las Vegas… it’s the town that lives up to the promise of its nickname, Sin City. A gamblers’ paradise for innocent tourists, it conceals a darker, sexual world where the ethereal and wraithlike meet to play a different game….

If there’s one thing succubus Deitre understands it’s revenge. That, and enticing men into arousing, exciting and, okay, perilous sex (for him).
Beautiful on the outside, demon on the inside, she’s going to get back at the naughty firefighter in Darkness…unless he plays his cards right…

Bounty hunter Nell is a hell of a tracker. Now she’s in Vegas on the tail of the witch who dared to steal from her clan. She’s going to get to the unsavory harlot through the woman’s ex-fiancé, and nothing about their charged encounters will be shallow, quick or friendly.

When the half-blood fae male comes to club Darkness, Elena can’t resist acting on the mind-blowing heat coursing between them. She might be betrothed to another, but fae culture says sex with other men until marriage is most definitely foretold.

Tattoo artist Devi is the latent vampire the warlocks need to heal all wounds. But taking her power is a sexually exhausting and dangerous task requiring dark deception…and gambling on her life.

*******

In Anya’s story, The Promise, the heroine, Elena, has known her entire life she would have to marry someone she didn’t love. Family duty binds her and resigns her to her fate, though there’s a part of her that wishes to be free. To enter to win a copy of What Happens in Vegas…After Dark, name a time in your life when you felt duty bound to do something you didn’t want to do.

Three winners will be selected.  

Limecello’s review of Relentless by Lauren Dane
Futuristic erotic romance released by Berkley Trade on 5 May 09

[This is my second time around trying to write/post the review, so I hope I don't forget anything.] I loved this book. I’m really enjoying Lauren Dane’s Federated series. I thought Undercover was good, but Relentless blew that out of the water. I’m also not huge on futuristic novels, but Ms. Dane is winning me over, one book at a time. I’ve already re-read Relentless, and plan on reading it yet again.

Abbie Haws is who I want to be when I grow up. Well, that’s not entirely true, but I wouldn’t mind being just like her. She’s a successful barrister, but more importantly, she’s comfortable with who she is. Not only that, but Abbie is slightly idealistic as well. She has a cause she believes in, and she’s willing to make sacrifices to meet her goal. Abbie is incredibly grounded, and has a great sense of self. She’s a very strong heroine, but not overbearing. Abbie is respectable and realistic, and I appreciated that Ms. Dane crafted Abbie’s character subtly. Abbie doesn’t have to be a bitch or be cruel to assert herself, but she is unquestionably in control of her domain. However, Abbie is also human. She has her flaws, made mistakes, and had a difficult life. But she still knows how to have fun.

Roman Lyons. Enough said, really – even just based on his name. I loved Ms. Dane’s dedication, “Lastly, thank you to Daniel Craig, who played Roman Lyons in my head. I promise neither Abbie nor I sullied you too much.” Roman is quite likable, and is characterized flawlessly. At no time do you forget his position, but that fact isn’t overbearing. I liked Roman’s arrogance, and the changes and growth he experiences throughout Restless. Roman is a good man, but in a way sheltered, due to his lifestyle. His interaction with Abbie changes him, but it’s also nice to see his strong personality carry through. Roman also isn’t above using his clout when he thinks it is necessary, and you have to respect that. He’s literally the head of the universe, but has a surprisingly level head over it. He’s a fantastic leader, and a terrific hero.

I liked how much care and thought Ms. Dane put into her world, and the characters. I was impressed by how Ms. Dane created an entire series of universes in the Federation books, and developed it throughout the story. I felt that I had a grasp of the governmental system, the culture, the socioeconomic nuances, even, of both Ravena, and the Known Universes. However, at no time did I feel that Ms. Dane was lecturing, or that the tone became pedantic. The subtle weaving of the plot alongside the foundation of the world building is impeccable. The society and system are also deeply ingrained in Roman and Abbie, and so much a part of who they are.

I think my favorite thing about Relentless and why I enjoyed it so much, was the characters and their relationships. That’s why I read romances. It’s not the other stuff – the “fluff.” I know how the story will end, so the plot is part of it, but not the whole. I read the books to see what and how the hero and heroine do together, and follow their interaction from beginning to end. I want to believe that the characters will stay together, and here, I do. I know Abbie and Roman will last. Their relationship is developed and strong, and it survived a number of obstacles. Ms. Dane wrote the perfect romance for Roman and Abbie – one that fit their personalities and situation exactly. [Oh - and I suppose I should mention the physical aspect. There's heat. A lot of it. And it's all good.]

I only have a few minor “complaints.” One would be a flat villain. I like that one “bad man” – Roman’s brother changes during the book, but Saul Kerrigan, the main antagonist was very static. Luckily, that didn’t bother me much because as I said, my point of interest is the relationship between the hero and heroine. That being said, I did have a minor issue with the dialogue. While I felt that it flowed much better than some of Ms. Dane’s other stories, there were still some passages where I was a bit jarred by what the characters were saying. Perhaps it was the way they said it, what they were saying – but it felt a tiny bit unnatural. I think it’s because Ms. Dane uses the character’s speech to develop the story, and sometimes it doesn’t quite fit.

I really hope that Daniel Haws gets his own story. (And Damien Lyon’s would be nice too, though he’s a distant second.) So Ms. Dane, her publisher – whoever has control over this, I hope you’re reading! I think it’s clear that I really enjoyed Relentless. I can only hope that more romances will be like it. Not the genre or plot – but the focus on the characters and their relationship.

Regardless of whether or not you like futuristic novels (because I don’t particularly), I think you should read this book. It’s a great story, and very well written. Reading this book made me happy.

Grade: A

Summary:
.
In this erotic universe, passion knows no rank…
.
Since the first settlers came through the portals from Earth, fifteen Families have held the rule of the Federated Universes in their hands. There’s never been a better time than now to throw out the old and usher in a new order. Give voice to the unranked. Abbie Haws has spent her life battling the system. A fighter, she’s always been too busy and driven to pay much attention to finding love. But when she’s granted audience with Roman Lyons, the head of House Lyons, who stands for everything she hates, her instant attraction catches Abbie off-guard…
.
It’s common knowledge that the Known Universe revolves around Ravena—and that Ravena revolves around Roman Lyons, bred to lead since birth. Roman dreads his meeting with a defiant—if stunning—rabble-rouser. But, sometimes, headstrong personalities in the conference room make for hot-and-heavy, guilty trysts in private….
.
Now, Abbie will show Roman the parts of her world he wouldn’t otherwise get to see. And he’ll give her a glimpse of the Families’ age old tradition and unleash a sexuality he’d never given rein to before.
.
Read an excerpt here.

Lauren: Hey everyone, thanks so much for having me here today!

If you got through the above silliness – you know a little bit about my upcoming contemporary erotic romance release, Taking Care of Business. One of my favorite things about the book is that I wrote it with my bestie, Megan Hart. We came up with the idea as a way to pass the time while waiting in line for a dinner at the 2007 RT Convention in Houston. The whole process has been a lot of fun and there’s something to be said about every once in a while taking a project that is just about fun – if the opportunity comes up, I highly recommend it! Megan and I have a lot of goofy fun so writing a book was really just a lot of us talking too much on IM and ripping ourselves off when we needed dialog. I’m sure it’s not always this enjoyable – this time around, I had a huge last minute deadline drop in while we were writing No Reservations and so we had to write around my schedule. Luckily, we know each other pretty well and we share the same basic attitude about work so it didn’t cause any tension. But a lot of the time, it was like, “I think Kate needs to go to a strip club with Dix.” And Megan would ping me back, “WHEEEEE!” Some days, this job is really fun.

I loved writing Katherine because she’s a woman who knows what she wants. She’s focused on her career and she knows the hard way that things in business are different for women than they are for men so she keeps a big wall between her personal life and her work life. I loved that about her character, I loved that she wasn’t a woman who hated sex or who was afraid of love, she just has to figure out if she can let someone from her work life into her personal life.

In her case, her man, Charles Dixon, isn’t having any excuses. But he’s respectful of her space and her independence. He doesn’t think she’s being silly but he wants her and he’s not going to let her walk out of his life until she admits she wants him too. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that in my head, Dix is totally Dr. Christian Troy from Nip/Tuck. Poor Dix, I think Kate sullied him a bit, and left him sweaty and weak kneed.

Anyway, it was a great experience. Two friends writing about two friends. The story is simple and straightforward with two adult women facing a lot of the same things many women face with men who aren’t jerks or too good to be true. I hope if you pick up TCOB you have as fun reading it as we had writing it.

Pre-Order from Amazon US – releases March 31, 2009
One conference, two friends, two men who know how to take care of business.
Blurb: After leaving the wrong man, Leah Griffin’s not ready to look for the right one. All she wants is to survive the conference she’s planning and spend some time with her best friend Kate Edwards. She’s not expecting the conference services manager to be so tall, dark and handsome…or so eager to please. It’s Brandon Long’s job to make Leah happy, but after a scorching interlude in her hotel room, neither can deny business has become pleasure.
Smart, driven and successful attorney, Katherine Edwards has spent her life making the right choices. Directly counter to those right choices, she’s involved in a long distance, secret love affair with a co-worker. Charles Dixon is a bad choice she can’t help but make – over and over. A conference and a promotion bring Kate back to Pennsylvania and suddenly, Dix wants far more than a few nights in random hotel rooms. He wants something permanent and Katherine has to figure out if sometimes a wrong choice isn’t exactly what a woman needs.

We had a great time with this project and were lucky enough to also sell the follow up book, NO RESERVATIONS which follows Kate and Dix, Leah and Brandon this time to Las Vegas

 [Ed note: Lauren is going to give away a copy of her book, so chime in and say incredibly witty things. It might just be your lucky day.]

Limecello’s review of Taking Care of Business by Megan Hart and Lauren Dane
Erotic romance released by Black Lace on 31 Mar 09

I really enjoy books by both Megan Hart and Lauren Dane, so I was looking forward to reading Taking Care of Business. I also love the cover – it’s eye catching, sexy but not raunchy, and has a great color scheme. The content of the book is just as good – better. This is a sexy book with a lot of strong characters that I really enjoyed.

Leah Grifffin and Kate Edwards were great heroines. Both of them are high powered businesswomen, and not only know what they want in life, but how to get it. Charles Dixon and Brandon Long, on the other hand, are perfect hero material, and men any woman would be happy to have.

Leah Griffin is newly out of a semi abusive relationship, and uses the conference to regroup, and find her footing. The dynamics of her burgeoning relationship with Brandon are quite interesting, and very provocative. Leah takes a complete 180 from her recently ended two year relationship, but it’s clear that she cares not only about Brandon, but in general. She’s a warm person who has insecurities, and is getting over a number of hang ups. Brandon, while different, is the same. He also dealt with a bad break up, but he’s incredibly stable. I really liked his quiet confidence, and soothing demeanor. In fact, the calm that Brandon projects really helps balance out all the other characters.

Yes, the focus of Leah and Brandon is borderline kinky, with a dominant/submissive relationship. Leah just broke up with her ex Mike, who didn’t really understand D/S and wasn’t good to Leah. She now, however, is exploring her new found freedom by exerting her will over Brandon. But it’s not that she’s coercing him or that he’s weak. Brandon is simply very into Leah, and willing to follow her lead. He’s a people pleasure, and their roles fit, but are fluid. I’m eager to see how this develops. (Yes there is a “sequel” of sorts.)

Kate and Charles (“Dix”) are a great couple. In fact, they’re the power couple. Both successful attorneys, their personalities are incredibly similar, but rather than clashing, they mesh well. Kate has been burned from a “work relationship” before, so she’s very cautious about what is happening with Dix.  For Dix, it isn’t so much work, as his personal life. He has a strange continuing relationship with his ex-wife, and it takes from blunt conversation with Kate for him to realize that it’s not quite as simple or over as he thinks.

I like that Kate and Dix do have real issues that they need to work through. First, they have to deal with a crazy assistant, and being partially caught at being intimate in public. Then there’s Kate’s past, but more importantly, Dix’s current situation with his family. I liked how self actualized both of them are, and their willingness to be vulnerable. I appreciated the fact that sometimes they made mistakes and knew they were being stupid – but that only made them human. Both Kate and Dix are willing to own up to their mistakes and behavior, and discuss it once they’ve had a chance to reason it out. I’m so glad they didn’t have over dramatic or ridiculous, pointless conflict.

There is a lot of heat in this book. The majority of it is the characters having sex, talking about sex, or at least thinking about sex. That can be, and is a lot of fun. Even so, the personalities of the characters are all quite clear, and each of them has a developed back story. I felt that I knew something about all of them. (Although it would be nice to get a little more of Brandon’s story.) I also felt that the book flowed nicely, which is impressive when there are two authors who wrote it.

I do admit that after hearing about it, I started reading the book trying to figure out who wrote what, and I got it right. While the book is by no means choppy, Ms. Hart and Ms. Dane have distinct writing styles. There’s something that can be a bit stark about Ms. Hart’s writing and characters, while Ms. Dane’s characters can get heavy on the dialogue. (It just seems unnatural to me because I’ve never met people who talk or have conversations like the characters do. But it’s a minor distraction.) The two combined act as a nice balance. The emotions and drama caused by Kate and Dix really help and warm Taking Care of Business while the interaction between Leah and Brandon is almost stoic at times.

I’ve already re-read a number of parts of this book, and cannot wait for the second book. I know I say it a lot, but I don’t want to wait for it. I read the book blurb for No Reservations and I know it’ll only get better. It was nice to see four extremely different characters and personalities be brought together. While they were generally paired off, all four did have some interaction with each other, and I can’t wait to see how their relationships develop and become stronger.

I definitely recommend this book.

Grade: A-

Summary:
.
One Conference. Two friends. Two men who know how to take care of business.
.
After leaving the wrong man, Leah Griffin’s not ready to look for the right one. All she wants is to survive the conference she’s planning and spend some time with her best friend Kate Edwards. She’s not expecting the conference services manager to be so tall, dark and handsome…or so eager to please. It’s Brandon Long’s job to make Leah happy, but after a scorching interlude in her hotel room, neither can deny business has become pleasure.
.
Smart, driven and successful attorney, Katherine Edwards has spent her life making the right choices. Directly counter to those right choices, she’s involved in a long distance, secret love affair with a co-worker. Charles Dixon is a bad choice she can’t help but make –over and over. A conference and a promotion bring Kate back to Pennsylvania and suddenly, Dix wants far more than a few nights in random hotel rooms. He wants something permanent and Katherine has to figure out if sometimes a wrong choice isn’t exactly what a woman needs.
.
Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

This just in…

Mark your calendars now for Lori Foster’s and Dianne Castell’s 2009 Reader and Author Get Together. This is the fifth year for the event that not only allows readers to mingle with authors, but also for aspiring writers to meet with editors and hopefully sell their ideas.

~ This year’s event will be held June 5th through 7th at the Cincinnati Marriott North in West Chester, Ohio. Currently there are 61 authors signed up for the event, but there may be many more by the time of the get-together.  Last year’s event had more than 200 authors (both print and ebook published) and readers.

~ The cost to register for this year’s event is $50 and includes two dinners and a lunch.   Registration is open until May 19, 2009.  Be sure to register early and get your hotel reservation made now.  Last year a second hotel had to be added to accommodate all the attendees.

~ As in the past, there will be lots of baskets being raffled to raise money for a charity.  This year all the money raised from the raffle will go to One Way Farm Children’s Home of Fairfield Ohio.  Also the anthology, Tails of Love, which features not only Lori but Stella Cameron, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Kate Angell, Sarah McCarty, Donna MacMeans, Dianne Castell, Patricia Sargeant, Ann Christopher, and Marcia James, will be for sale. Author and agent proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Animal Adoption Foundation, which is a no-kill shelter.

~ I went last year and must say if you get the chance to go…GO! It is fun weekend. I got to meet so many wonderful people. I had my books signed by my favorite authors, had breakfast with Anya Bast, Lauren Dane, and Megan Hart and discussed books with Anne Rainey and Kelley Nyrae.

Consider yourself flashed.

No, that’s not a typo. I’m unique. And the rogue duckie – so instead of making my own “Best of 2008″ list… I’m going for the new year. These are the 10 books I’m most looking forward to in 2009. (You’ll notice some books don’t even have cover art yet.) 

N.B. I’d like to issue the caveat that… this is only based on books/lists that I could find. I’d also like to note that… just because I’m excited about it, doesn’t mean its a guarantee I’ll like it. (Color me picky.)

I also haven’t been reading romances that long, and it seems my tastes/author choices differ from a number of people. But that’s ok, because this is my list and I’m sticking to it.

In no particular order…

	1. What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Contemporary romance, Wm.Morrow, 27 Jan 09).  Case in point – I’m not 100% sure how I feel about Ms. Phillips’s last few novels. But I bought them – in hardcover. The premise for What I Did For Love sounds interesting, but hasn’t gripped me. (Then again – I wouldn’t have thought I’d *love* Nobody’s Baby But Mine, based on the plot summary.) So we shall see. But still. It’s Susan Elizabeth Phillips – and she’s one of my favorite authors.
	2. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (Contemporary romance, St. Martin’s, 31 Mar 09). She’s one of my favorite authors – and… don’t kill me, but Seduce Me at Sunrise and Blue-Eyed Devil were good reads, but not AMAZING. I’m already more excited about Smooth Talking Stranger based on the blurbs. Ms. Kleypas is also one of the few authors that can make me enjoy first person point of view. (Cuz FPPV and I? We are not friends.) But the Travis’s! And… even though it’s a secret baby book, which makes me chuckle, I WANTS it.
	3. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole (Contemporary paranormal romance, Pocket, nodate Jan 09). I discovered Ms. Cole relatively early in 2008, not too long before I started reviewing, and I think she has the one series I’ve reviewed in total (thus far). And, the hero, Rydstrom, has horns. Horns! I never thought I’d be into horns, but… Ms. Cole has won me over. I love her kick ass heroines who *actually* kick butt -and they’re super hot to boot. And the heroes. Yum. This is a great paranormal world. Fun, scary, violent, full of lore- but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. My kind of books.
	4. Naked Edge by Pamela Clare (Contemporary romantic suspense, Berkley, 3 Nov 09). I heard about Ms. Clare, and first read Extreme Exposure, which is probably one of my favorite books. Extreme Exposure is extremely well written, great plot, and the hero is one of my favorite types. A good politician. More rare than… well something you’d think is outrageous but I’m sure is in a number of paranormals. Thus, Extreme Exposure (and the subsequent books by Ms. Clare I’ve read, have prompted me to put Naked Edge on my list). I have been waiting for this new I-Team book – and… I don’t know. The heroine Kat is Native American. I think that’s pretty nifty. (Major understatement.)
	5. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh (Paranormal romance, Berkley, 7 Jul 09). I discovered Ms. Singh early on in ’08, and read all her Psy/Changeling books – in proper Psy/Changeling chronological order, even – serendipitously. Ms. Singh’s book world is intense, and amazing. It’s so well developed you believe it’s real. Scary. (But oh so cool!) Thus, this book edged out Angels’ Blood. (That and the blurb talks about lots of violence and I’m kinda squeamish about teh violences.) AND more importantly, when I read the excerpt for this book my reaction was pretty much “SQUEE SQUEE SQUEE!”
	6. True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson (Contemporary romance, Avon, 28 Apr 09). Yes, another one of my favorite authors. And a book back to/dealing with Hockey. I read See Jane Score  – and I was hooked. I was even willing to get into hockey. (SEP‘s Chicago Stars, along with college, were what got me into football. And if you click around in my posts, you’ll see I can be a football nut. Especially College.) Although… I will say I DO NOT like all the Flash stuff on Ms. Gibson’s web page. Yay for her designer and all – but it takes forever and I can’t get to the information I want. Does not like! The book, however… *happy sigh*
	7. Deeper by Megan Hart (Contemporary erotic romance, Spice, nodate Jul 09). I love the title. I love the cover. I really like Megan Hart’s writing. There’s something about it. Like crack. It also often depresses the hell out of me – which I hate – but I love her books. They’re so raw, yet well written. And this book blurb. *shivers* I’m going to smack myself if the ending isn’t relatively happy. (I know not to expect bubblegum yay.)
	8. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn (Historical romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09). Yet another author that goes on my “best of” lists – and… while others didn’t like it as much, I adored The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, and I hope to like the sequel just as much. (Especially if, you know, it is its own book.) So joy for another book more like The Secret Diaries!
	9. Written On Your Skin by Meredith Duran (Historical romance, Pocket, 28 Jul 09). This one looks more interesting than Bound by Your Touch – although I’m a little skeptical about some of the settings. Though I expect if anyone can win me over to parts written in Hong Kong, it is Ms. Duran. I hope not to be disappointed. This book also makes the list because had I done an ’08 list, Ms. Duran would have made it with her debut novel Duke of Shadows.
	10. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy (Contemporary romance, Berkley Trade, 5 May 09). First, it’s Ms. McCarthy. Second, it’s Ms. McCarthy writing a contemporary novel. Third, the heroine’s name is Imogen. I really like a number of Imogen Heap’s songs – so I have a major positive association with her. And – Ms. McCarthy may even win me over to NASCAR. At least in fiction. I read the excerpt, and I am in love. I love it. I want this book. I don’t even want to see when this book comes out (May 09) – because I don’t want to wait.

—

Honorable Mentions/if I squint just right are included/still within the number 10…

	10a. Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna (Contemporary erotic romance, Brava, 28 Jul 09). Okay, so I have to admit, I know nothing about this book. I think it’s Kevin McCloud’s book – and how exciting will it be for a McCloud book to actually star a McCloud? (See? I can good naturedly mock my favorite authors/self.) I also know that Ms. McKenna is one of my favorite authors, and she is one of the few authors I will venture into adventure/suspense for. (And once I buy Ultimate Weapon, Ms. McKenna might have the sole and honorable distinction of being the only author whose entire back list is in my possession and my property…)
	10b. Relentless by Lauren Dane (Sci-fi romance, Berkley Trade, 5 ay 09). I don’t read scifi/fantasy or futuristic novels. I haven’t read scifi/fantasy since middle school. I’ve never particularly enjoyed futuristic novels. BUT! But! I read Undercover, and I loved it. I can see why Undercover took Ms. Dane to the bestseller’s list – and if you haven’t read it – you should. I enjoyed Undercover so much I had to pace myself, and used it as a way to treat myself. And Ms. Dane’s writing (in my humble opinion) only gets better.
	10c. This Duchess of Mine (Historical romance, Avon, 26 May 09) and…10d. A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James (Historical romance, Avon, 30 Jun 09). I, being the lowly peon I am, do not know what these books are about (other than This Duchess of Mine is Jemma’s book). I have been waiting for Villier’s book, so hopefully he’s healed at some point in the near future. And you know, I love Ms. James’s books. I read Duchess in Love and fell in love. There’s been no turning back since.

—

11. The book I don’t know about by the new author (whoknows, someone, date TBD). I know a lot of people will say that’s a cop out, so that’s why I listed 10 books, then have this one. I mean, I’m sure there are books I don’t know about – and/or what about that one newbie author that writes an amazing book?

The End. Seriously.

Out of all the books coming out in 09 (that I know about – and I found some lists of hundred of books.) These – *these* I want. I will do much to get my hands on these books. What did Scarlet O’Hara say? “Lie, cheat, kill or steal” right? Well… take out the third… and you’ve pretty much got me

And now, some winners of our various giveaways.  If you didn’t win, no worries, there are more opportunities coming your way!

Bingeaduckia Excerpt: Unlaced, an anthology by Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti–Parts One, Two, Three and Four

• Lori T wins a copy of Unlaced! Email redwyneATgmail.com with your mailing info.  Put “Unlaced Contest Winner” in the subject line.

Bingeaduckia Excerpt: Night After Night by Kathryn Smith

• Pam and Lori Ann win an ARC!  If you haven’t already,  please email katewriterATgmail.com with your addresses.

Bingeaduckia Excerpt: Holiday Seduction, by Jaci Burton and Lauren Dane–Parts One and Two

• KrisJ and KristinM win copies of Holiday Seduction and The Perfect Gift by Annmarie McKenna , Maya Banks , MacKenzie McKade , Kate Davies and Stacia Wolf. Email redwyneATgmail.com with your mailing info. Put “Holiday Seduction Contest Winner” in the subject line.

Congratulations!!!!

We continue with the second excerpt from Holiday Seduction, from To-Do List by Lauren Dane.

First Excerpt: From Unwrapped by Jaci Burton

Excerpt

Belle shivered as Rafe’s mouth touched her neck. A sense of total and utter unreality stole over her. Here she stood, in the dark, wrapped around the guy she’d had a major crush on since she’d been twelve years old. Hell, that very morning, she never even imagined he’d thought of her this way.

“You taste good, Belle. Delicious and sweet with just a little spice.” The low vibration of his voice echoed up her spine. The warmth of his hands at her hips, just barely touching the bare skin peeking below the hem of her sweater and above the waist of her trousers sent waves of pleasure through her.

Even as she searched for words, his tongue made its way, slow and sinuous, up her neck and to her ear. His breath stirred tendrils of hair that’d escaped the barrette holding it back from her face.

“I think I’m going to need to kiss you, now. I’ve been wondering all night long if that lip gloss is flavored. Are you old school like that?”

Holy sweet baby Jesus on a skateboard. How on earth was she supposed to answer him when he said stuff like that? When he pressed against her, his body work-hard and strong. His cock a solid, hot weight against her belly.

“Watermelon,” she managed to gasp.

“Well now, I definitely need a taste of that.”

He angled his head and his mouth moved to hers, his clear, sleepy brown eyes seeing right straight through her.

And when he kissed her, her entire body went boneless as she held on, her fingers digging into the material of his coat. His mouth was softer than she’d imagined, hot, wet, he tasted of coffee, salt and something else she couldn’t identify but wouldn’t ever forget.

His kiss was slow and heady. He took his time like a man who knew what he was about. Like a man who knew she wasn’t going to bolt. He explored her mouth, his teeth catching her bottom lip, his hands firming their hold, settling beneath the sweater, fingers splayed against the sensitive, bare skin of her hips. His thumbs slid slowly back and forth, back and forth in the hollow of her hip bones.

Her nipples throbbed in time with the slide of his thumbs, shooting straight to her clit.

“Belle? Rafe? You guys there?” Brian called from the other room and Rafe stood back, breaking the kiss. At least his chest heaved and he appeared to be as affected by the kiss as she had been.

Cripes, she wasn’t sure when the last time a kiss had nearly made her come, or even if a kiss had ever so aroused her.

“Yeah. I’m just helping Belle bring her suitcases in,” Rafe answered Belle’s oldest brother without moving. He grinned at her slowly and dragged his gaze up above her head. She followed and noted the mistletoe.

“Oh!” She blushed, mortified. Here she’d thought he was on fire for her and it was just the damned mistletoe? “Duh.”

He reached and took her chin in his fingers, shaking his head. “No, Belle. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a very long time, the mistletoe just gave me an excuse. But now that I’ve felt your nipples as you kissed me, now that I know your taste? I’m going to kiss you as often as I can.”

“Oh,” she sighed again. Yeah, it was totally obvious she was a powerful attorney who made her living with her ability to speak coherently.

He chuckled and grabbed her suitcases. “I’m going to put these in the guest room and then we can get on over to your parents’ for dinner.”

Belle heaved a sigh as she leaned against the wall to keep from melting into a puddle of goo. Raphael Bettencourt had just laid the hottest kiss of her entire life on her. Rafe.

The object of many a fantasy and he’d…his mouth…it was…oh wow!

Copyright 2007, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Samhain Publishing

*****

And don’t forget, I’m going to give a copy of Holiday Seduction, along with The Perfect Gift (by Annmarie McKenna , Maya Banks , MacKenzie McKade , Kate Davies and Stacia Wolf), to two commenter’s on today’s excerpts.

I’ve grown quite enamored of holiday anthologies this year. Just long enough to give you a dose of Christmas cheer and romance during your down time from the torture preparations for various festivities.  Today we have excerpts from the anthology Holiday Seduction, featuring stories from two beloved authors of erotic romance, Jaci Burton and Lauren Dane.  The first excerpt is from Unwrapped by Jaci Burton.

UNWRAPPED: Amy’s kind of fantasies wouldn’t cut it in the straight-laced law firm where she’s fought her way to partnership. And she refuses to let a younger man use her to advance in the firm. Justin might be brilliant, gorgeous and sexy, but he’s firmly implanted in the look-but-don’t-touch realm. Until a corporate acquisition in Hawaii over Christmas gives Justin the opportunity to show Amy he’s interested in her as a woman. And he has the ideal plan to help unwrap the perfect Christmas gift for Amy.
TO DO LIST: Since she could pick up a pencil, Belle has used lists to map out her life. But now, she realizes the life she thought she wanted exacts too high a price. Exhausted, she heads home for Christmas to make a new to-do list. She didn’t factor in Rafe, her brother’s best friend kissing her under the mistletoe! Belle finds herself with a whole new set of goals to balance with what she thought she always wanted. Rafe’s plan is to seduce Belle back home where she belongs.

Excerpt

As always, Amy felt like an unwanted third whenever she and Justin met with Mitch. Justin had apprenticed for the legal department of one of Mitch’s corporations while in college before coming to work for McKenzie and Shoals. They were close, almost like brothers, even though they weren’t close in age. But their easy, relaxed camaraderie was always a bit disconcerting. She wasn’t used to sitting back and being quiet. That wasn’t her style at all.

The Tiki Lounge stood high on a deck overlooking the ocean. The swirling breeze provided a cooling respite from the humidity as they walked outside and were seated at a table cornering the outdoor restaurant.

“Mai Tais,” Mitch announced to the waitress, holding up three fingers before turning his attention on Amy. “Hope you don’t mind eating here. I hate being stuck inside the offices or the suite. Nothing like fresh air and a Hawaiian sunset to relax after a hard day. Besides, if I know you, you haven’t been outside much yet.”

“I spent the afternoon at the gift shop.”

“There’s a surprise,” Justin said. “I thought you’d spend it working.”

If she hadn’t needed clothes, she would have. “I’ll work later tonight.”

Their drinks arrived and when Amy took a sip, she grinned at the tangy, fruity flavor. “Oh, this is good.” She’d always been a sucker for a sweet drink. It was like having a forbidden dessert.

Their business was discussed over drinks, all the last minute details ironed out. They had only to go over the documents tomorrow to finalize everything and make arrangements for the transfer of assets to complete the deal.

Amy spied a couple strolling along the water’s edge, the woman wearing a simple white shift, a row of flowers in her hair. She held a bouquet. The man had on a white linen suit.

“Newlyweds,” Mitch said with a grin. “Lots of people come here to get married. You’ll see a ton of them.”

Amy nodded. “Uh-huh.” She really should have bought a new vibrator.

“Hawaii is all about sex and romance, you know,” Mitch said. “Must be something in the air.”

Amy shifted and squeezed her legs together, determined to quell her libido. She would not think about sex. “So, Mitch, are you satisfied with the arrangements for the acquisition?”

Mitch laid his hand over hers. “Amy, relax. The acquisition is fine. There’s nothing left to do but paperwork.” He gave her fingers a light squeeze. “You really need to let loose and enjoy yourself, breathe in the Hawaiian air, have another Mai Tai.”

Let loose? “Mitch, I appreciate the sentiment, really. But Justin and I are here to work. For you. We’re not on vacation.”

“There’s not much paperwork left to do except going over the finer details and making sure everything’s signed,” Justin said. “Mitch is right, Amy. Have fun while you’re here and relax.”

Easy for him to say. He took everything lightly, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Amy was serious about her job, her career, advancing up the corporate ladder. This acquisition had to go down perfectly.

“Don’t you ever unwind?”

“Of course I do.”

Mitch leaned back in his chair. “Really. And what do you do for fun?”

“I work out at the gym.”

Justin snorted. Amy shot him a glare.

“That’s relaxing to you?” Mitch asked.

“It releases the tension and keeps me in shape.”

“Well, there’s no doubt you’re in shape, but there are much better ways to release tension.”

Oh, God. She didn’t even want to think of all the “better” ways she could release tension, and she wasn’t about to discuss the other ways she released, especially in the privacy of her bedroom. And she especially didn’t want to start thinking about said release while in the company of two very sexy men. Her fantasies were vivid enough without sending her mind into overdrive.

She took a long swallow of her drink. It was sweet, so she took another, quenching her thirst until the glass was empty. At least one of her thirsts, anyway. Mitch signaled the waitress and in short order she had another full drink. Yummy.

“Damn, Mitch, I should have never left your side,” Justin said, tipping his glass toward him. “You’ve made one hell of a life for yourself.”

“Thanks. So much a life that I have to unload some of the business side of it so I have a chance to enjoy a few of the fruits of all the years of labor.”

“That’s why you have us,” Amy said. “To help you divest some of your hard work. It’s time for you to relax a little and unburden yourself.”

Mitch laughed. “I’m hardly ready to head out to pasture yet, Amy.”

Amy sat straight in her chair, realizing her blunder. “Oh. Of course not. That’s not what I meant at all. I mean, for someone your age you’re in phenomenal shape. Most guys half your age don’t look as good as you.”

She realized she was babbling, and in a really inappropriate way. Why didn’t she just crawl into his lap, lick him all over and just complete the humiliation?

Her cheeks flushed hot, her eyes widened, and Mitch grinned.

Jesus, could he read her mind?

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Long flight, not much sleep and…what’s in these drinks anyway?” She pushed the offending cocktail to the center of the table.

Mitch pushed it back in front of her. “Amy, chill. I’m the last person to be insulted. I want you and Justin to have a good time here. I’m a pretty laid back kind of guy. You can say, or do, anything you want.”

He wasn’t helping by saying things like that.

“Now that’s a tempting offer,” Justin said, slanting his gaze to Amy. “And Mitch is right, Amy. You do need to unwind.”

Amy’s gaze shifted back and forth between Justin and Mitch, and her fruity-drink-addled brain went foggy.

Oh, yeah. That could be fun and a fantasy come true. Sexy, forbidden Justin, the man who’d fueled her fantasies for years, and rugged, outdoorsy Mitch, older, experienced…

And for more holiday cheer, I’m  going to give a copy of Holiday Seduction, along with The Perfect Gift (by Annmarie McKenna , Maya Banks , MacKenzie McKade , Kate Davies and Stacia Wolf), to two commenter’s on today’s excerpts.

Limecello’s review of Undercover by Lauren Dane
Erotic sci-fi romance published by Berkley on 2 Dec 08

Undercover put Lauren Dane on the bestseller’s list, and for good reason. I’ve really enjoyed Ms. Dane’s writing, and think that each of her works that I’ve read is better than the last. Make sure you have a lot of time when reading this book, because you won’t want to put it down.

I liked  the world Ms. Dane created with Undercover. I’m not really into sci-fi or futuristic books, but I enjoyed this one despite that fact. (Yes that does make Undercover impressive, doesn’t it?) The description of each ‘Verse (Universe), the communication systems, military, etc. were all done extremely well. I could picture everything clearly in my head. The setting was intricate, but not confusing. I never had to stop and re-read (or read again) sections to make sure I understood everything. I also love how different each ‘Verse was. The setting gives the story layering and depth, but doesn’t steal the reader’s focus from the characters, or plot.

Sera is a great heroine. She’s a tough soldier, but has a wealth and depth of emotion as well. She’s an extremely good person, and admirable. All her qualities make the romance and relationship believable. Many of Sera’s characteristics are understated, and I like that Ms. Dane has you discover Sera for yourself throughout the book, rather than throwing it in your face what you’re supposed to think about her. What also makes Sera special is her vulnerability, and how very genuine she is. She has moments of uncertainty, but overcomes every challenge she meets.

Brandt and Ash are fantastic characters. They’re so very similar, yet at the same time, foils of one another. Both Ash and Brandt are extreme alphas, rich, aristocratic, and officers in the military. Enough said, right? They’re both intelligent, sexy, and able. Yet gentle, and open with Sera. In fact, they push the emotional connection and relationship first. It’s nice to have heroes who are so in touch with their feelings. Yet it doesn’t make them soft, or sappy.

Yes, this book is an erotic romance, it has some elements of BDSM, and is a ménage à trois. While the relationship seems extremely complicated, it isn’t ludicrous. Ms. Dane gives the dynamics of the triangle the attention it deserves, and makes it believable. I really appreciated how carefully crafted every aspect of Undercover was. And yes, it’s hot. Very hot – which only makes the book that much better.

One thing I noticed while reading was some of the dialogue. At times (when Sera spoke), I found the cadence of her speech odd. It didn’t exactly fit with the previous flow of conversation. It felt a little bit like the speech was used as an explanation, or plot device, more than following the previous speech pattern and rhythms. It’s hard to convey, and wasn’t commonplace, it just happened enough for me to notice it.

I recommend this book to those who like sci-fi, erotic romance, and Ms. Dane’s writing. I enjoyed this book a lot, and had to pace myself to draw out the reading experience. I know Ms. Dane is writing another book set in the same universe, and I can’t wait for that. In fact, I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on any of Ms. Dane’s upcoming works. While waiting, I plan on reading Undercover again.

Grade: A-

Summary:

A sexy debut exploring an erotic future universe of passion, danger, and deceit…

On the battleground or in the bedroom, one woman and two men fight for dominance in a bold, new, and excitingly different direction in erotica…

As a lieutenant of the Federation military, Sera Ayers is accustomed to giving orders, not taking them. Now she must obey the one man she can’t stand—and can’t stop thinking about.

With the enemy Imperialists gaining ground, a covert team is assembled by Ash Walker. Ten years before, Sera had lovingly submitted to Ash’s dominance in the bedroom. But when he was forced into a political marriage, she refused to play mistress. His marriage now over, Ash wants Sera on his team—and back in his bed.

The third team member, Brandt Pela, has an elegance to match Ash’s savage sexuality. And when their undercover plan requires Sera to pose as Brandt’s lover, it ignites a passion among the three of them more dangerous than their mission.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Fated (Cascadia Wolves Series, Book 6) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Paranormal Erotic Romance eBook released by Samhain 19 Aug 08

This is another series, along with its author, that’s becoming a favorite of mine very quickly.  I’ve read and reviewed the last two books before this in the series, Wolf Unbound and Standoff, and thoroughly enjoyed them.  This book, however, is my favorite so far, but I still have the first two to read, and I have a feeling those will give Fated a fun for its money.

But I found that I really enjoyed the problems the hero and heroine in this story faced, it gave depth and emotion to it all.  Megan and Shane have never met, even though he is the anchor wolf for her sister and brother-in-law.  But the moment they do come face to face when she picks him at the airport in Seattle for a family wedding, their lives should be simple and follow a happily-ever-after course.  Not even close.

Megan is an enforcer for her pack. Shane has never been part of a pack.  Megan loves the feeling of pack, family.  Shane’s been raised to hate what he is, to live as human in a human world, even though his father is a wolf.  But Shane claims Megan anyway, not looking ahead to resulting consequences.  Living on opposite sides of the country is the least of their problems when they finally breathe and look at their differences.

They each want the other to leave their current lives and move to make a home where a life and career for the other have been ongoing for some time.  Megan is the first to give a possible future life a try.  But Las Vegas is not for her, especially because Shane lives as a lonesome wolf and his friends are superficial.  When Megan wants him to then visit her home and experience life her way, Shane makes excuses.

That leaves Megan only one choice.  And that choice leaves them both bereft and wanting.  Shane doesn’t understand why he should be the one to give up the niche he’s carved out for himself.  Even when other family members have a go at him, he digs his heels in.  After weeks apart, however, he does extend the olive branch to at least communicate with Megan, but he has no idea if it’s too late and he’s given up the best thing he’s ever had.

Ms. Dane has created a world where you can tell immediately she’s now so familiar with her characters that their emotions and wants and needs are second nature to her, they worm their way into you as you read so that you begin to really know those characters as well too.   I enjoy the feeling of family in this series.

Lex, Megan’s brother and the alpha’s right hand, offers to kill Shane for the hurt he’s caused, said seriously but only meant if Megan for some crazy reason said yes.  You feel the love during scenes like that.  You also feel Megan’s loss and loneliness when she realizes that Shane will probably not be part of her life; Shane’s agony when he can’t get beyond his mother’s disgust at what Megan is, even though he is wolf himself, and, therefore, can’t bring himself to go to his mate because of it all.

If you like to read werewolves and shifters, you need to read this series.  Besides that paranormal part of it, you get all those extra bonuses of family and love and emotion, you get great characters who stick to their beliefs and their families and those who have to make hard decisions to get what they deserve and need in that life.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Could there be any worse fate than a road trip from Seattle to L.A.—with one’s mother—to attend a wedding? Why yes, when one isn’t married yet, like Megan Warden. Toss in a grandmother and a carload of already married sisters and it’s a recipe for sneaking sips of “special” coffee while someone else drives.

Shane Rosario has better things to do than attend a wedding where his father’s relatives will be at him nonstop about getting married and having children. If it weren’t for seeing his anchor bond, Layla, he’d have taken a pass on the entire weekend. It would be easy, since he’s become adept at hiding who and what he is.

When the two weren’t even looking, Fate steps in and before they know it, their bond is sealed. Bonded pair, married in the eyes of their people. Two people tied together in every way. Trouble is, Shane’s not sure he wants all that comes with Megan. And Megan’s certain she’s not willing to live outside her pack, pretending to be human.

The distance between them is more than geographical. It’s a widening gulf rapidly filling with resentment…an emotional divide only acceptance could bridge. Can Shane can accept himself to cross it? Only if they let love take control.

Warning: The usual players – hot sexing, pushy Warden males and the women who keep them in line, some EMO (read: grab your hankies) and bad words.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

I’m sitting here in my living room typing this up and trying to recover from my fabulous weekend spent in West Manchester, Ohio at the Lori Foster and Dianne Castell Reader/Writer Get Together. This was the 4th year for the event, my first and it brought together over 250 authors (published and epub), readers, future writers, editors and publishers. The event also raised money for the Conductive School of Learning, the Animal Adoption Foundation and our troops serving overseas.

The event started Friday evening. It was a chance to get to mingle, eat pizza, get books signed by the authors and just hang out. We also were able to check out and start dropping our tickets into the drawings for all the fabulous (and I do mean fabulous) gift baskets that were donated by authors, publishers, and even a couple of readers. I actually was able to win two baskets (YAY me!!) and I got to say it was like Christmas morning going through them. A couple of the raffle baskets contained eReaders and they of course were very popular. Also about 20 of the authors got together and had a drawing for a Kindle eReader that everyone got to participate in just by being there. We also had a pirate quiz for some prizes and a few door prizes were given away. Thanks to some very generous donations from publishers and authors we all received at least 3 books and Samhain Publishing gave all the attendees very nice bags for the event (Thank You Samhain!!!).

After dinner, a trivia event was held hosted by J.C. Wilder, Lauren Dane, Megan Hart and Anya Bast. We divided up into teams (well kinda people came and went as the event progressed) and had 4 categories to choose from, sort of a mini version of Jeopardy (but more fun). Pop Culture category was surprisingly the favorite of the evening. We also had General Trivia, Hero and Heroines and Books and Authors. Prizes were hands out throughout the night. After that everyone kind of scattered and did their own things.

Saturday was a big day for everyone. Breakfast was served and we spent some more time mingling with everyone. There was a small panel discussion and question session with a Border’s buyer, 3 epublishers, Michelle Buonfiglio of Romance By the Book and Barbara Vey of Publisher’s Weekly. Then we got down to the serious stuff–raffle basket giveaways, lunch and then more raffle basket giveaways. That afternoon there was a session open to the public and some of the authors sat up tables to meet and sell their books. Barnes & Noble also had a room set up to sell books of many of the authors in attendance. There was also a book exchange. Attendees were encouraged to bring books to trade. It was a bit of a madhouse, but I was still able to clear out some of my old books and pick up a few older titles that I missed. That evening several different group outings were scheduled from shopping at malls and bookstores to line-dancing (which unfortunately didn’t get to happen, but hopefully we will get to next year).

Sunday morning several choices for breakfast with the authors were set up. My friend and I went with Lauren Dane, Megan Hart and Anya Bast and had so much fun. (Sidenote to Lauren, Megan, Anya and Laura B.–I am so sorry for getting us a little lost going to Half Price Books. But, really it was my GPS’s fault *g*). Then it was time to say goodbye until next year.

I will be going next year. This was such an awesome event that was laid back, relaxed and just gave everyone a chance to hang out and have fun as well as raise money for some very deserving organizations. I got to see and catch up with some authors that I have met before and even met a few that I have wanting to meet (SQUEE–Lucy Monroe!!) and I met some of my online book friends (it really is great to have a face to go with a name now). The money raised for the organizations was amazing. $525 plus supplies to send to the troops, $1064 for the animal shelter plus supplies and $4,552.50 for the Conductive School of Learning and that doesn’t include what B&N is donating from the book sales.

Lori and Dianne have already begun planning for next year’s event, which will be held June 5th-7th, 2009. I’m sure Lori will be posting information about the 2009 event as soon as she recovers from 2008′s event and gets more information on 2009′s.

Sandy M’s reviews of Wolf Unbound (Cascadia Wolves, Book 4) & Standoff (Cascadia Wolves, Book 5) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Paranormal Romance eBooks published by Samhain 1 Jan 08 & 4 Mar 08

I’m the typical reader who needs to read a series of books in order. However, reviewing books doesn’t give you that luxury very often. I’ve never read Lauren Dane before and suddenly I had the last two books in her Cascadia Wolves series in hand and once I started reading, I didn’t care one iota I hadn’t read the first three books before beginning these two.

I was immediately drawn into this world of wolves to whom family means everything, and they’re in the middle of the fight of their lives to save everything and everyone they hold dear. These books are action packed and full of love and romance, along with loads of alphaness and women who know how to handle all that testosterone.

Wolf Unbound (Cascadia Wolves, Book 4)
Paranormal erotic romance eBook released by Samhain 1 Jan 08

Tegan Warden is just beginning to live again after four years of grief and lonliness. She lost her mate in Afghanistan and has overloaded herself with her job as an enforcer for her pack. After a little pushing from her sisters, she decides to take that first step and heads to a local bar. As a wolf and an enforcer, Tegan is by nature and training always in control and ready to protect her pack when danger is at hand.

She likes to give up that control and is submissive in the bedroom, something she shared with her late mate. She never dreamed she would find another dominant male to give her what she needs, but meeting Ben Stoner is a step in the right direction. Imagine her shock after a night of sex he turns out to be her mate as well. Tegan is thrilled to have that intimate connection with someone again, someone she can love and someone who can hopefully love her. Ben, however, is not that happy about the situation.

As attracted as he is to Tegan, Ben isn’t ready to give his whole life over to someone he’s just met, even if she’s a dream of a submissive behind closed doors. He’s been betrayed before and isn’t looking for a mate for life, but it seems no matter what he does, his connection to Tegan won’t let go of him. He feels her every emotion even though he’s human, and being away from her is hell. But he has to get his head on straight before he can commit to such a relationship, especially to a woman whose brothers would rather pull him apart than give him the chance to hurt her.

Plus, there’s the fact that he wants to protect her from the danger facing her pack and she definitely loses her submissiveness when she’s on the job. Just because she can tear him to pieces with little effort makes no difference, Ben wants her safe and he’ll do what he has to, by God, to make sure that happens.

I’m normally not a fan of the D/s storylines, mostly because I just don’t understand the appeal, but that’s just me. Dane, however, doesn’t go overboard with it in this book. She makes it sexy and there’s more of a caring overtone than I’ve read by other authors. Even though you know Ben is in dominant mode by voice and action, he makes sure Tegan is comfortable, asks her if she’s okay, and this is all before he realizes how deep his feelings go for her.

And I enjoyed the contrast of Tegan being his equal outside of the bedroom and Ben having to learn to deal with that. Most of all I really liked the family interaction of these books, how they accept a new mate, how they take care of their differences, how they respect and protect their alpha. We get the added plus here with Ben’s family and the repercussions of him falling in love with a werewolf.

Sandy M’s Grade: A

Read Teddypig’s review.

     Wolf Unbound Summary:

     Werewolf Enforcer Tegan Warden has been alone since the death of her mate four years ago. Until she meets Ben Stoner at a local club and she feels something she thought died inside her. Things move very quickly and she finds herself mated to a human man who’s not altogether sure he wants a forever kind of love with a woman he’s just met.

     Ben realizes in short order Tegan is not only worth forever love, but a woman who’ll stand at his side without tolerating anything other than a full partnership.

     In the bedroom it’s another story, as Ben has finally found a sexual submissive with a spark, and Tegan a man worthy of her submission. Together they work toward building a permanent relationship even as the specter of danger from the Pellini Group grows in the world of wolves.

     All around them, the rising violence threatens the Packs and the only thing they know for certain is one another.

     Read an excerpt.

Standoff (Cascadia Wolves, Book 5)
Paranormal erotic romance eBook released by Samhain 4 Mar 08

Standoff basically picks up where Wolf Unbound left off. The packs are still after Warren Pellini, trying to end his reign of terror. Cade, the Cascadia alpha, has declared war on Pellini and his outlaw wolves, and when meeting with someone who has volunteered vital information about their enemy, Cade gets the best and worst shock of his life. Their informant is Cade’s mate. He knows it the second she walks into the room. She is also Pellini’s sister, Grace. Of course, this matters not to Cade. The pull of his mate is stronger than anything and this is something he’s waited so long for and something he’s wanted more and more recently. She’s strong and independent, his equal is nearly every way. She will make the perfect alpha alongside him. Now more than ever he has to rid the world of this rogue wolf and his desire to be a mega-alpha, because the most important thing, even more important than pack, is on the line and she must be kept safe.

Grace Pelilli is only trying to do the right thing when she returns to work for her brother. She knows he’s out of control and must be stopped. The only way to do that is pretend she’s on his side while working in his lab to outsmart him and get what information she can to the packs. In doing so she never thought her life would change so drasticially. But realizing she is Cade’s mate gives her a sense of peace along with the want and the need to be part of him. She never really had a family; her parents supported her brother so she wanted nothing to do with them. Becoming part of Cascadia’s family is at first difficult because not all of them trust her, but when she is finally accepted as alpha, she embraces the warmth, the love, the camraderie of family. Even better than that feeling is the emotion, the deep, binding emotion, she now shares with Cade.

I like the wolf characteristics that Dane keeps consistent with all of her characters even when they are in human form, including the submissive posture one takes when they’ve done wrong; the way they all have the need to touch, feel a touch, rubbing a cheek on a shoulder, a group hug when needed, and helping a wounded family member bring their wolf out to allow them to heal (this was done especially well in Wolf Unbound). Of course, all of the love scenes are sexy and hot. All the characters are paired perfectly, so anything from sex to teasing to raising their young is done exactly right.

This is one series I will never get tired of and I’m so looking forward to the next book, Fated, due out in August 2008.

Oh, Sybil!

Sandy M’s Grade: A

Read Teddypig’s review.

     Standoff Summary:

     Cade Warden has put his Pack first for most of his life and now Warren Pellini and his thugs threaten everything he holds dear. Into that life of intense focus and increasing loneliness walks the woman he’s been waiting for.

     Grace Pellini isn’t just Cade’s mate, she’s the sister of his greatest enemy and she’s been putting herself in grave danger to gather information to aid the Nationally Allied Packs. Cade is everything she could have hoped for in a man even if he is overprotective and pushy at times.

     Against the backdrop of their increasing passion and deepening bond, they race against time to find a key to stop Pellini’s biological weapon. And then the stakes rise again when Pellini calls an ancient Challenge. It’s up to Grace to stand by and let her mate risk everything for his people. And his life is in her hands.

     Read an excerpt.

What Happens In Vegas

by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast

UPDATED: Lauren Dane has picked a winner for the copy she is giving away of What Happens in Vegas! Yes this is just how lazy sybil really is . Congrats Liviania!

Contests are fun. Especially when a random commenter on this post with the excerpt from Anya Bast’s part on the anthology, gets a signed copy of the book (signed by Anya Bast)! Makes me want to go to Vegas. . .even though I haven’t read it yet. . .

Our lucky winner is Dina!!

Be sure you email Syb at redwyne@gmail.com with your physical address so you can get your signed copy (signed by Anya Bast) of What Happens in Vegas!

Book Summary:

Winning it big.

That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high

Limecello’s review of What Happens In Vegas by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast
Erotic Romance anthology released by Harlequin Spice 1 May 08

Drum roll, please, for LC’s first evah review for TGTBTU…

Hot For You by Jodi Lynn Copeland

I hate to say it, but I didn’t really like this story. I actually read this book out of order, and am glad I didn’t start with this novella. Something didn’t click, and Hot For You simply didn’t work for me. [I know, that’s a lot of “didn’t”s – but nothing else works.] I love the premise of it, but too many things just don’t come together. I felt that the author tried too hard with her character. Carinna is supposed to be a badass bad girl, who loves ‘em and leaves ‘em – queen of the one night stand. However, the uncertainties and indecisiveness within her character just don’t fit her personality.

This story is written in the first person. I’m not sure if that explains some of my dislike, but it’s much too wordy, and the obvious is often stated. Rhetorical questions are answered, and there are some writing issues. I found myself noticing editing mistakes, such as the word “mew” being used when it should have been “moue.” I was distracted by things I shouldn’t have been.

Hot For You is hot, but the emotional connection between Carinna and Jack came too late for me. When they open up, the story comes together. There’s a scene near the end I probably would not have liked otherwise, but turns into my favorite part due to the Carinna and Jack’s relationship truly emerging. I didn’t enjoy this novella, but this is an author I would try again and if you like 1st person point of view, it might work for you.

Grade: D

Stripped by Lauren Dane

I really enjoyed this novella. It starts out with Dahlia performing her number at the Dollhouse, the burlesque lounge where she works. Stripped draws you in from the start, and you can almost see Dahlia’s dance. There are a few minor kinks in the novella, but they’re easily forgiven.

Dahlia Baker is a graduate student at UNLV, and lives like one. Nash Emery is a business man, who comes from money. A lot of it. He propositions her after seeing her dance, and she shoots him down fantastically.

The reader follows Nash pursuing Dahlia, and her capitulation. Both characters have a lot to work on. Dahlia has hang ups about the class differences between them. She doesn’t want everyone to think she’s a gold digger, or that she’s easy because of her looks. Nash has to understand that Dahlia’s concerns are real to her, and that he has to be sensitive to her needs and emotions.

I loved how genuine this story was. The characters are very well written. Nash and Dahlia are very human, and had flaws that they work through. I liked how each could admit they were being silly or unreasonable, suck it up, and move on. I felt that I had a true grasp as to what made Dahlia and Nash tick, and could really believe that they were a couple who would make it work.

I’ve read a few of Ms. Dane’s books, and I would say that Stripped is my favorite by far. I’m looking forward to her upcoming books.

Grade: B+

Red Handed by Kit Tunstall

Red Handed was ok, but certain parts rubbed me the wrong way. It starts with Roan interrogating Amy, and punching her out – he thinks she’s a man. It bothered me a little that this incident was just passed over.

Then, Amy Gerard agrees to become Roan’s love slave. She makes the offer to prevent him from going to the Gaming Commission and reporting her cheating. Red Handed includes some naughty scenes and a foray into the world of BDSM, but it doesn’t show the development of a relationship, and I have a hard time believing Amy and Roan really do start falling for each other. Their situation began to make me feel a bit squicky, but it’s addressed after a scene where Amy is attacked. (Not by Roan.)

I liked the ending and the storyline; I just had a hard time believing that such a relationship did develop between Amy and Roan. They spent too much of the novella isolating their emotions, and the ending was disjointed. I know that was the “point” – but it felt too contrived for me.

Grade: C

The Deal by Anya Bast

Cassidy and James are two very fun characters that I enjoyed reading about. Cassidy has decided she’s going after James, and that’s that. She took an emotional hit after her fiancé stood her up at the altar, so to protect herself, but still “take care” of herself, she’s going to address her attraction to James with a “friends with benefits” proposition.

For his part, James has been hot for Cassidy since the first time he met her. Unfortunately, she was taken by his friend. In fact, he was supposed to be their best man. He held off because he doesn’t poach, and later, because he’s a good guy and doesn’t want to rush Cassidy into something she’s not ready for.

I love “friends to lovers” stories, and The Deal is a great example of one. Not only is it hot, but you can feel the connection between James and Cassidy. They’re three dimensional characters that you find yourself rooting for, and sympathizing with.

A great contribution to the anthology, with a very cute ending.

Grade: B+

Overall, I enjoyed What Happens in Vegas and am being won over to the Spice Line. This is a fun anthology and a nice intro into the line and a great way to dip your toes into the erotic romance seas if you haven’t taken a dip yet.

Overall Grade: B-

Summary:

Winning it big.

That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high.

Check out an excerpt here and here.

What Happens In Vegas by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast

Did you know once upon a time a long time ago (so long ago they have prolly forgotten) Anya, Lauren and Megan Hart (not in this antho but a super coolio author who I am sure is sending us excerpts ::cough::) did a guest review for us. We (at the time it was just I) had a feature called ‘ebuzz’ and they were kind enough to share one of their fave ebooks. Check it out if you missed it.

This excerpt is from Lauren Dane’s Stripped. The more I look at SPICE, the more I think they need a spotlight. Since they aren’t a ‘category line’ maybe we should do a SPICE week. What cha think?

Sorry but first! The excerpt! And Mz Dane is giving away a prize as well. It will be winners pick… either What Happens in Vegas or any book from her available titles. To enter leave a comment… good luck!

Read the summary for What Happens in Vegas and an excerpt from The Deal here. 

Excerpt from Stripped by Lauren Dane
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The low, sensual beat brought her onto the stage like a siren. One gloved arm wove through the slit in the curtain and then the other, parting them as she stood, framed for a long moment. Her dark hair was piled up on her head artfully. Long, fake lashes framed big brown eyes. A deep blue satin dress hugged every curve lovingly, her breasts pushed up and out of the scooped neckline and as she walked, the slit on each side of the dress would show her legs to the upper thigh.

She let the music grab her senses and her rhythm as she slowly sauntered out onto the narrow stage. Dancer’s heels, still very high, led her through the beginning of her routine as she carefully maneuvered the long feather boa to keep from tripping.

Caught in the music, Dahlia’s muscles burned as she did a high kick leading into a round kick swiveling her body away from the audience all in a seamless set of movements.

A feather from the boa stuck to the sweat on her neck as she slowly rotated her hips in time with the horns in the jazz band. Her hands rose, slowly taking the boa to wind around her body. Down it went until she finally stepped out of it as it lay at her feet, kicking it to the side.

Giving her back to the audience, she raised one hand into the air as she turned her head, winking over her shoulder.

Knocking her hips from side to side to the smoky jazz beat, she brought the tips of her gloved fingers to her mouth to grab the material and pull it off slowly.

The first glove went over her shoulder, into the bar pit the stage encircled. The second glove came off as she stood in front of the trumpet player and pulled it off around his body.

A bump and grind circling the band and she lay down on the side of the stage near where the bottle service tables were. Throwing a foot into the air, she gave them all a lot of leg to look at as the dress slid back. Rolling up onto her knees, she unzipped the front of the dress and shimmied out of it. Then she turned, cleverly giving them her back and a pair of boyshort bottoms with a winking kitty on the ass.

The dress dropped as her forearms came up to cover her breasts and she bent, looking at them all upside down through the vee of her legs.

The cheers and applause bolstered her confidence. Up there she was beautiful and desired and that was okay. More than okay, it felt marvelous.

Still facing the band she reached out quickly, grabbing the hat off Timmy’s head. The trumpet player widened his eyes in a choreographed move and she spun, clutching the prop hat just so to cover herself.

Sensual smoke and mirrors. Dahlia didn’t show the audience any more than she’d show at the beach. They wouldn’t see her nipples and her panties would stay right on her booty with the fishnets below that.

Playing coy, she waved with one hand, pretending to almost drop the hat as she took the first step back up to the dressing room. And another step and two more. Once her body was in the doorway she turned and tossed the hat back to Timmy. With a hand over her mouth stifling a pretend giggle, she kicked up her leg and was gone behind the curtain.

Her robe hung just inside the doorway and she grabbed it, putting it on as she made her way back to her dressing area. She smiled as the music started for Roseanne, the dancer who shared the ten p.m. time slot.

Tapping her foot to the notes of Viva Las Vegas, Dahlia took off her stage makeup and got changed. She usually tried to hang out twice a week or so to watch her friends dance and also have a few drinks. She’d met a lot of interesting people and oddly enough, gained a following of sorts.

The Dollhouse was a burlesque lounge. The women did not strip totally nude and Dahlia thought of the show as an elaborate celebration of women’s sensuality. The women there always reminded Dahlia of the Elvgren pin-up girl art her grandpa used to have in his garage. Dahlia loved the coy, sex kitten she embodied on stage. It often felt like that Dahlia was her other half. The part of her she could only release up there for those minutes she was performing. The half she put away when she turned back into a pumpkin. Or more precisely a graduate student.

The club had been open for six months and already had a hip, young following with lines outside every night. The lounge itself was small and intimate, it didn’t hold more than seventy-five people. The interior was subtly sexy with lush fabrics and deep-colored leather. A nice place to hang out and have a drink with her friends that she’d never have been able to afford were it not for the fact they worked there.

Emerging from the back of the club and walking into the lounge area, she searched for her friends’ table. Catching sight of them, she also noticed her boss at his usual table. William Emery was a very sexy man. High powered, really charismatic and extraordinarily successful. He’d broken ground on the first retro style burlesque club in Vegas and now others copied him. He seemed to constantly be in motion, working twelve to fifteen hour days. She admired that even if he did come off like a cold asshole sometimes.

He certainly liked a wide variety of women. Although she’d give it to him, he seemed to keep a professional wall between himself and his dancers. He flirted, but he didn’t prey on them. He paid her well and didn’t hit on her, she was down with that. Smiling, she sent him a wave and a wink as she made her way past.

The kind of woman they didn’t make anymore. All coy and smoking hot all at once. Suddenly, he felt a little less jaded and a lot more interested.

He leaned into his brother. “Who is that?”

William’s eyes quickly raked over the woman before turning back to Nash. “That’s Dahlia. No shit, that’s her real name. From some hick town, college student. She’s one of the favorites here. Not too often you see a package like that, even here in Vegas. Hot, isn’t she?”

“Hot isn’t a word that does her justice,” Nash murmured as he extricated himself from the knot of people at the table and moved to intercept her.

She hadn’t been paying attention and ended up bumping into him, her hand moving to his chest to keep from falling. That small touch sent electric warmth through him.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t see you there.” Big brown eyes met his and damned if his cock didn’t jump. Her voice, like smoke and whiskey, low and sexy, stroked over his skin.

The scent of her perfume just beneath the smell of cigarettes, alcohol and sweat in the club tickled his senses. Reaching out, he put his hand at her waist. The abundance of her body and the incredible beauty of her face knocked him out. Damn, he couldn’t recall being so excited by and interested in a woman in a very long time.

“No need to apologize, honey. I’m Nash. Why don’t you come and join us?”

One perfectly shaped eyebrow rose slowly. Imperiously. She took a step back, out of his grasp. “That’s all right. I have friends waiting.”

He reached and took her forearm, caught sight of the cherries on her dress, the red fingernails and toenails through the open toes of her very high heels. The woman was a fucking sex bomb and he wanted to detonate her right then and there.

“Wait. Can I give you a call? I’ve got a very nice penthouse here on The Strip. What do you say we go there? Drink some champagne while I scrub your back in the bathtub. You can show me what was under the hat. You know, be my private dancer.” He laughed, teasing her.

Her lip curled in a sneer as she pulled out of his grip. “Private dancer? Like a whore? Oh, sure. Give me your number and I’ll just show up, blow you and be on my merry way. Because that’s what all showgirls do, right?”

He put his hands up in defense. “I…uh, I didn’t mean for you to be offended.”

Her hands went to her hips like an angry Amazon. “What the hell else would I be? You don’t know me from Adam and you’re propositioning me thirty seconds after you bump into me? Didn’t your mother raise you with any manners?”

Holy shit was this going badly. He’d really fucked this one up. It’d been a long damned time since a woman had turned him down, about as long as it’d been since he’d misjudged one so severely.

“You’re right. I apologize. It was rude of me. In my defense, you’re so beautiful I sort of lost my mind. I do hope you won’t hold my terrible behavior against me in the future.” He bowed. “Can we start over? I’m Nash Emery and I really was raised with manners, I swear to you.”

“You’re going to have to do better than that. That was the fakest apology I’ve heard since, well since the last rich asshole hit on me.”

Nash might have been offended but he couldn’t help but like her fire and he had been an asshole. Cocky was a fallback position for him. Women usually dug it. Not this one. A smile crept back onto his face.

“You’re a hard woman. I’m sorry. I was a jerk. But I meant it when I said you were beautiful. And you do knock me out. Can we start over?”

He held out a hand, cocking her head and hesitating a moment, she took it. “Emery huh? I suppose you’re the playboy brother I’ve heard all about. Although frankly, I’d expect some more original lines from someone of your reputation. Private dancer, gee, I’ve never heard that one before. I’m Dahlia Baker and I am not a roundheeled tart. I’m getting my MBA at UNLV.”

He laughed, chagrined. Okay, okay, so he’d made some snap judgments. He’d taken one look at the eye-popping body and face and added it to the fact that she danced in a burlesque show and made some assumptions.

“I don’t know if I’d say I was a playboy and I’d love to know what you’ve heard about me. Can I buy you a drink, Dahlia? I promise to be on my best behavior.” He sent her his most charming smile.

“I bet you would.” One dimple at the right corner of her mouth showed as she fought a smile. Nash wanted to lean in and lick it. Until she continued speaking. “No, thank you, Nash. I don’t have drinks with patrons and my friends are waiting for me.”

“Oh. Well all right. Have a nice night, Dahlia. Again, I apologize for offending you.” He wanted to argue that he wasn’t a patron but he’d done enough damage for one night. Dahlia Baker tickled his fancy and Nash Emery wasn’t a quitter. He’d be back to wear her down until she went out with him. He just needed to come at it better.

She shrugged. “Just behave yourself.” With a wave, she moved to sit with her friends and he went back to his table.

© Lauren Dane Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

What Happens In Vegas by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Lauren Dane, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast

The Deal is the only story I have read in WHIV (so far I am going to get to Dane’s soon as I have an excerpt for it too and, oh yes, need to review this *g*).

Anya has long been one of my favorite eBook to print authors and this will be my first read of the other two (not Dane, read her before ). Great book to pick up for those two alone. And hey you get a chance here to not only get a sneak look at Anya Bast THE DEAL but to win a copy.

Woot!

Book Summary:

     Winning it big.

     That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on the roll of the dice and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

     Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

     Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away for free.

     Meanwhile Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay with both pleasure and pain.

     Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high

Excerpt from The Deal by Anya Bast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We could be more than friends.”

She glanced away. He glimpsed shadows in her eyes before she turned her head. Bad. Shadows were very, very bad. She licked her lips nervously.

“We could be friends with benefits,” he amended, backpedaling. Judging by her body language, he needed to take this slow. He was losing her fast. James had always suspected another relationship might make her scared, even something as casual as the one he was proposing. Guess he’d been right.

All he knew was that he wanted her, in whatever capacity she would allow. James would always want more of her, whatever amount she was willing to give. For the time being, friendship with benefits sounded damn good to him.

“Cassidy?” he murmured, sliding his hand to her waist. She felt so warm, so perfect. “Listen to me.”

She looked back at him and her breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes were dark, heavily-lidded, and her lips were parted a little. She looked interested…turned on.

Good. That was very, very good. He’d always wondered if she was attracted to him. Guess she was.

“I’ve been attracted to you since you were with Damian,” he continued. “I’ve wanted you in a bad way for a long time, Cassidy girl. I don’t want to be just friends with you; I want you in my bed.” He paused. “I want to have a very skin-on-skin kind of relationship with you.”

Cassidy looked stunned. His heart pounding, fearing he was about to crash and burn and lose a friend in the process, he let his face drift closer to hers. She didn’t move away.

“I’ve been attracted to you too, James. I always thought it was against the rules, you know?” she murmured practically against his lips. “Since we’re friends.”

“Let’s make new rules.”

Their breath mingled, lips brushed, and then he kissed her.

Her lips felt wooden beneath his for a moment, and then she melted and kissed him back. Every nerve in his body shot to life with hunger.

She twisted, leaning into him so he could feel her breasts against his chest, and eased her hands slowly up his arms and over his shoulders.

James let his hands find her waist, then slanted his mouth over hers and flicked his tongue against her lips. Damn it. He wanted to pull her over onto his lap. He wanted to undress her, set her up on this bar and fuck her senseless.

She opened for him and he slipped his tongue inside. He could taste whiskey in the hot, soft interior of her mouth, but that wasn’t what made him feel drunk.

They broke the kiss, both breathing heavy. “Cassidy, come home with me,” he murmured against her lips.

“But…” She bit her lower lip for a moment. “How do I know you’re any good in bed?” she asked with a little teasing grin playing around her lips.

He groaned and eased a hand between her knees. “What, you want a demonstration?” he murmured. He didn’t wait for her answer; he just eased his hand up her inner thigh, underneath the hem of her skirt. His actions were hidden from anyone’s view by the overhanging ledge of the bar and the dim light.

His fingers found the edge of her thigh high stockings. Oh, hell. His brain was going to melt. Thigh high stockings. This was the outer limits of heaven itself.

His cock was rock hard now. James raised an eyebrow in question at her as he rubbed his index finger over the bare skin at the top of her stocking.

“They’re more comfortable than the other kind,” she answered breathlessly in explanation, a blush faintly tingeing her cheeks.

“Lucky for me you think so,” he purred into her ear. He hooked her hair behind her ear with his free hand and whispered, “Spread your legs for me, baby. I need to touch you.”

She shifted on the stool, giving him room to move. He traveled up further and soon felt the heat of her pussy against his hand. Yes, he’d reached the gates of heaven. She’d spread her thighs as much as her skirt would allow. It was enough. He eased his fingers over her sweet, plump little clit through the cotton of her panties. He wanted to feel it against his tongue.

Cassidy inhaled sharp and fast as he stroked her, teasing her clit into a swollen, needy thing. He brushed his lips against hers, then kissed her again, sliding his tongue in between her lips, while he pushed the panel of her panties to the side and touched her bare pussy.

Around them people talked and laughed, and ignored them. That was good because he had every intention of making Cassidy orgasm right here and now.

© Anya Bast Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Anya is giving away one copy of What Happens In Vegas to a random commenter. Good Luck .

Teddypig’s review of Cascadia Wolves: Standoff by Lauren Dane
Paranormal romance ebook released by Samhain on 4 Mar 08

[Ed Note: WARNING: HERE BES Spoilers, A.K.A. the End of the Book.... Proceed With Caution.... Also, we moved this post to show up once the book was released.]

First off, let’s get one thing straight here. If you have read the most excellent Cascadia Wolves eBook series, you are gonna buy this book. No question! You will get this book and read it because Enforcer and Tri Mates was Werewolf Romance crack.But, then I am left trying to explain my allergic reaction to reading this last entry in the series. That is where I ran into the proverbial brick wall. I love Lauren Dane. I love her families and I love her complex worlds and I like her not making her characters too omnipotent and rich and spoiled, because when she writes normal everyday characters with warm families, and difficult but reasonable limitations and life experiences, she so rocks.

So why did I not like this book?

After sitting on this review for a while I can only summarize it felt to me like Lauren undermined her own strengths here for the sake of writing a straight forward romantic story with simple actions and a pat ending, that’s why! This final book called for acknowledgment of all she had created in the course of the series and it just seemed to fail in that regard.

Grace Pellini, the most evil villain Warren Pellini’s sister, turns out to be Cade Warden’s fated mate. This is a damn good setup for the big finale here – in theory. I still like the drama of my own idea better – Lex Warden dies and Cade is left to take care of and mate with Nina – but I am a dark dark horrid Pig that thinks younger brothers make great targets.

Anyway, Lauren’s idea here does not bother me so much. In fact, putting Cade on his own away from Cascadia to handle the Warren Pellini problem and then introducing his mate is an excellent choice with a lot of potential that gets him off balance and makes things more intense.

BUT!

What actually happens… Cade meets Grace. Cade jumps Grace. Cade drags Grace back to Cascadia. HUH!?!?!?! With Nina preggers and stuck in bed? WTF!?

Cade tells Lex and Nina the good news on the phone and they turn into these strange alien harpies I did not know. They started acting totally out of character making absolutely no sense with their reactions. Cade is their Alpha right? They act like nasty spoiled children. Very un-family like and WTF?!

So here we go down a path I was totally uncomfortable with…

Why put pregnant Nina in danger by dragging Grace back to his Cascadia house, thus making everyone there great big targets?

Why was Lex, a life long werewolf and Cade’s brother, so down on Cade for mating with Grace? When he knows from his own experience MALE WEREWOLVES HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER!?

Why was the threat of the Pellini organization kept so remote to our heroes? Half the time I was reading this book, I felt they were all sitting around watching CNN and talking about the latest Pellini attack, like we all do about the Iraq War. In other words, they had no personal involvement until the end, when Warren Pellini’s minions finally show up to threaten Grace at the airport.

Why was Warren Pellini, who Lauren expertly made into a very evil and unstoppable corruptive force, so easy to take out in a one on one duel the end? I mean Lauren pointed out several times that Warren was not a “real” alpha. She also shows how he runs the group even here in this book:

Warren’s spies were everywhere, she trusted absolutely no one, not even her own parents.

To me this type of enemy is complex and very dangerous because you could take out Warren but his organization makes the next in line just as evil and just as dangerous. In other words, not only would every rogue werewolf be in the pack hierarchy, but also “only there for their own benefit,” making it not only an unstable organization, but also unstoppable and highly adaptable evil-wise.

So at the end Warren Pellini poisons the Mega Alpha which forces Cade to go one on one with Warren. Why did it take so long for this to happen if this was all that had to be done? The aftermath being Cade becomes this Supreme-ruling-Alpha and everyone plays nice THE END. ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Don’t get me wrong. I hope Lauren takes all her strengths she has shown in the Cascadia series, lists them out, perfects each one, and then mixes them with the stuff I loved in the Chase series. I would so be drooling over reading about blue collar werewolves in small towns trying to just make a living and find true love. I know I am sorta suggesting perfecting a formula out of all this. But you know what? A good formula can be so worth the effort especially if it makes for a juicy series of books.

Grade: D

Blurb:

Cade Warden has put his Pack first for most of his life and now Warren Pellini and his thugs threaten everything he holds dear. Into that life of intense focus and increasing loneliness walks the woman he’s been waiting for.

Grace Pellini isn’t just Cade’s mate, she’s the sister of his greatest enemy and she’s been putting herself in grave danger to gather information to aid the Nationally Allied Packs. Cade is everything she could have hoped for in a man even if he is overprotective and pushy at times.

Against the backdrop of their increasing passion and deepening bond, they race against time to find a key to stop Pellini’s biological weapon. And then the stakes rise again when Pellini calls an ancient Challenge. It’s up to Grace to stand by and let her mate risk everything for his people. And his life is in her hands.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series.

Read more from Teddypig at The Naughty Bits.

Teddy Pig’s review of Cascadia Wolves: Wolf Unbound by Lauren Dane
Paranormal Erotica Romance published in ebook by Samhain 1 Jan 08

That’s it. I do not know how you guys find time during the holidays to actually sit down and focus on an eBook. You people are not human you must be alien super readers with abilities I obviously do not have. I suck! No, I do not just suck, I suck mighty BIG TIME! So anyway, sorry it took so long but I was trapped in a line at Best Buy during the half-off-all-DVDs-sale and they just sent in the police to break it up. It’s sad to see people beating each other bloody over box sets of The Best of Jerry Springer.

I am happy to report while I was waiting in line and ducking the occasional thrown punch I was finally able to crack open this little Christmas goody Angela, the eGoddess of Samhain and ruler of all things eClassy and eTasteful whom I eWorship, sent to me like an ePiphany from the heavens. So on with our reView.

	For those of you joining us late in the game here Wolf Unbound is actually the fourth book in the killer Cascadia Wolves series. The first was the glorious eBook Enforcer which introduced us to this world of werewolves and Nina, the sharp tongued human hacker girl, and Lex, her mate with the fur and the mega badass guns & ammo collection. I loved this world immediately and I liked the story and I liked Lauren’s writing but sad to say Nina’s jokes got just a tad bit repetitive which is not good for the main heroine character. It got a Grade: B for being a fun read but a little annoying
	Then along came Reluctant which I tried to like but felt the heroine Layla was just too TSTL for words especially with the complex world Lauren had built and the fact a full blooded werewolf vixen like Layla (you’ve got me on my knees, Layla, I’m begging, darlin’ please) should have worked out all those known werewolf-like issues supposedly suddenly thrust upon her pure blood werewolf ass. It was a short story, thank god, so I just ignored it, like much of Eric Clapton’s career, with a Grade: D.
	Then came Tri Mates and that was one JUICY book. It’s about Cade and Lex’s sister, Tracy, and her mates, Nick and Gabe, and the ever darkening world around them. Really good stuff in that one (Read it!) and a solid Grade: A.

So right off the bat in Wolf Unbound here we get to see our old friends the wild widow Tegan Warden (our heroine for this book and the Enforcer’s right hand chick in charge), Cade (the pack Alpha), Lex (his brother the Enforcer), and the ever sharp tongued Nina (the pain in their collective butts). Nina let fly some pretty good zingers this book, Go Lauren. I really enjoyed Nina in this book. In fact I really enjoyed Nina, Lex and Cade in this book because they honestly felt like a real family and that is one of Lauren’s strengths as a writer. It’s also the reason I liked the Chase Brothers books because Lauren has a great feel for working class families and the interactions between them.

In this story Lauren really leverages that approach and the werewolves as a whole do not come across as this bunch of overly privileged suck faces. They fight, they argue, they duck out when grandma comes around, and you get the feeling they have money problems amongst other private issues and have to work for a living. That so rocks! I think werewolves would have trouble in society and they would end up having to work together to get by. Which is why despite a couple of missteps (Tracy, Nick and Gabe getting all in the way for no reason at Tegan’s house) I really enjoyed having the old crew come back to provide that family feeling that permeates Tegan’s world. It’s Werewolves LLC!

The WTF parts… Um, there were a few moments right at the beginning where I thought Joey W. Hill was guest writing. I mean, what was the whole Ryan “the Gay Vampire” and his boy Elroy? There have been vampires in this world before? Did I miss the memo? The whole BDSM club deal. Is everyone hanging out at these places now? I mean, I am into BDSM and all but I do not hang out at BDSM clubs. The secret is most BDSM clubs suck ass because the only people who bother to go need help and boy the last time I went I kept repeating to myself under my breath what my momma always told me, “Do not flaunt what you do not got!”

The GREAT parts… The world building went into high gear for this book and boy did it keep things interesting. Warren Pellini and his Werewolf Mafia are back on crack and baby he ain’t taking no prisoners this time. Well he does, but that’s just giving way too much information. Let’s just say if you have been following the series you have got to read this book ASAP. Things are getting wild and woolly. Hell, I would have read these books to follow this back-story alone because it is so good. Lycanthorpy Viruseses and all.

My conscience is nagging me though. I do not think this book stands very well on its own and that is what it comes down to in my grade here. We get told far too much about what happened to the young, vivacious Tegan and not shown enough. Why not show us the day Lucas died? Why recount it to us constantly? That would have so fixed most of the problems at the beginning of the book and some of the repetition later on because there would have been no need for that extra stuff. I really kept wanting to see internally how Tegan grew and got to this point of a second chance at love and I personally felt the lack of that showcasing a main character seriously left this a book you should only read after you have read all the others and are invested in this world and these great characters.

On that note, I highly recommend, for a good time, reading all the Cascadia Wolves series which gets a solid Grade: B from me on the whole. This book by itself gets a…

Grade: C

Blurb:

     Blurb: 

     Overshadowed by the rising threat of the werewolf mafia, Ben and Tegan struggle to stand united.

     A Cascadia Wolves story

     Werewolf Enforcer Tegan Warden has been alone since the death of her mate four years ago. Until she meets Ben Stoner at a local club and she feels something she thought died inside her. Things move very quickly and she finds herself mated to a human man who’s not altogether sure he wants a forever kind of love with a woman he’s just met.

     Ben realizes in short order Tegan is not only worth forever love, but a woman who’ll stand at his side without tolerating anything other than a full partnership.

     In the bedroom it’s another story, as Ben has finally found a sexual submissive with a spark, and Tegan a man worthy of her submission. Together they work toward building a permanent relationship even as the specter of danger from the Pellini Group grows in the world of wolves.

     All around them, the rising violence threatens the Packs and the only thing they know for certain is one another.

     Warning: Naughty language that might get your mouth washed out with soap, domineering alpha males knocked down a few pegs by their women, smoking hot bedroom action including always consensual BDSM type action, werewolf mafia and the violence that loves them.

     Read an excerpt.

Adrianna Dane book information and blog

Devon Andromeda, a Nanus-altered Argadian Enforcer of the First Level, is assigned the mission to hunt down and eliminate Eluria Zydon, a rebel leader, who also happens to be the daughter of an Elite Tribunal Commander. Enforcers are altered and trained as assassins who retain no memories, or humanoid emotions that would hamper their purpose. Aggression is the only emotion unblocked in an Enforcer; the Tribunal directs their existence.

Eluria Zydon’s life is filled with more than enough memories and emotions for both Devon and her. She lives with the guilt of past injustice and her life has been dedicated to finding the cure to set Devon and those like him free. It is a payment she prays will also free her soul once and for all from her tormenting past.

Confrontation on the lifeless planet, Serdion, will change them both forever. An explosion delivers Devon into Eluria’s hands. An experimental drug opens the floodgates to Devon’s emotions…and his memory. The first emotion he faces, and must learn to control, is desire. Eluria has been trained as a Twilight Companion and has the knowledge to help him harness his passions. Will he accept her help? Or is his only intent to complete his mission—her termination?

Ebuzz bought to you today by the letter M and the number 3.

Lauren Dane, Megan Hart and Anya Bast aka Maverick Authors can be found causing trouble together OR on their own

Scissors, Sparkles and Piston EBuzz
( Key: Lauren Dane=Scissors, Megan Hart=Sparkles, Anya Bast=Piston)

Piston- I really love how Adrianna Dane created a unique world in her novel, Eluria’s Enforcer, complete with its own laws, customs and religion. I loved it so much that I wanted more of it. I wish this book had been about twice as long and had really delved into this planet and its peoples.

Scissors – I did really like the worldbuilding here. I love sci fi and futuristics and I don’t see nearly enough of them in the romance world so I was thrilled to see that (the other) Dane had done it. I also felt like I wanted more. I looked her up though and she’s got a second installment that comes after this one. I’d love to have seen her fleshed this out to at least twice the length it was! But she left me wanting more and that made me go to look and see if she had it, all very good signs.

Sparkles: One of the great things about a good SF story is the world building and use of different languages, history and cultures. I found a lot to enjoy in Eluria’s Enforcer. Adrianna Dane obviously put a lot of thought into her world, including religion, politics and society. I had a little problem with the vocabulary sometimes, keeping all the new words straight, but overall really liked what she did with the story and weaving background in without overloading it all at once. And alien sex! Woo! Let me say that reading alien sex is ALWAYS interesting, but the physical make up of Eluria and Devon surely did leave an impression on me. It was familiar and yet different enough to keep me reading.

Piston – The story is set mostly in a cave and the plot focuses on the resumption of a former romance between Devon and Eluria. After reading Eluria’s Enforcer, I feel confident that Ms. Dane is completely capable of writing a substantial science fiction plot and wish there had been more of that. However, as an author I know you can’t please everyone, and every reader brings different expectations to a book.

Scissors – I quite liked that she narrowed the focus to that cave. I thought it gave a depth and intensity to the storyline that it wouldn’t have necessarily had if they’d been all over the place throughout, especially at this length.

Sparkles: I both agree and disagree. I think narrowing it to the cave worked for this story, but I’d have loved to read more about what was going on in the rest of the world. Sequel?

Piston – Perhaps this world will be more thoroughly explored in a sequel or two? I definitely scented a couple spin off characters in there. Perhaps Devon’s brother Alekos and maybe even Kierra, Devon’s sister. On a final note, the only quibble I had with the worldbuilding were the foreign words Dane uses for sexual organs and sexual slang. I find these distance the reader from the eroticism. So, in my opinion, the book could have been a little hotter.

Scissors – this is the kind of thing that bugs me in all sci fi/fantasy books. I understand that it’s a different world and they’d use different words and all, but at some points it got to be too much and I had to stop to look back or remember what it is she was referring to. A little of this convention goes a long way, IMO.

Sparkles: I didn’t mind the vocabulary referring to body parts. Those I kept straight. LOL! The ones I had problems with were the names of the rocks and minerals, and stuff in the cave though to be honest, had they been the “real” words I wouldn’t have done any better keeping them straight.

Piston – The writing was clear and the plot was well structured, I just wanted more of it. That said, I found this to be an engaging and enjoyable story and I’d definitely read any sequels that Dane releases.

Scissors – While I wouldn’t call Eluria’s Enforcer an “erotic” romance, it was a very readable and enjoyable romance. I did like the chemistry between the H/H and I thought both were likeable and three dimensional characters. I truly enjoyed Eluria’s Enforcer and I’ll be checking out the sequel to continue on in this world Adrianna Dane had created.

Sparkles: I liked the sex. It was well thought out and in keeping with the world. I must admit to a personal “squick” about all things anal, but hey, everyone’s got their own thing. I thought how she created a new reproductive system was well thought out and worked in the story. As for it being erotic, I will say I found myself fascinated by the actual goings on more than turned on by them, but that’s coming from a writer’s viewpoint and not a reader’s. I was saying things like “cool!” and “ooh, how neat!” I really liked the effort she put into the s/f aspect of the story. It left me satisfied on many levels. Great job!

Thanks for the buzz guys! Always nice to hear of a new author to try. Eluria’s Enforcer can be purchase here.

And the fearsome threesome have a nice size back list, well if size matters I think Hart is the biggest. I highly recommend Playing the Game by Megan Hart, Triad by Lauren Dane and Winter Pleasures: The Training by Anya Bast.