Ash’s review of Primal by Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen, Jory Strong, and Ava Gray
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 01 Feb 11

One really good story can make an anthology worth it, and with Primal I got three of them.

Bleeding Heart by Michelle Rowen

First up is Michelle Rowen’s story, Bleeding Heart, which takes place a few days after the end of Nightshade. It’s my favorite story in the book and for being only 82 pages, it’s very satisfying. There is a little bit of everything, action, romance, and suspense. Best of all, there is Declan. Somehow Michelle Rowen makes a scarred, one eyed, emotionless man one of my favorite characters. I wanted to go out and immediately read Bloodlust. This book is worth it for this story alone.

Grade: A+

Skin and Bone by Ava Gray

The second story is Skin & Bone by Ava Gray. It’s part of her Skin series that I haven’t read and at first I felt a little lost. There are characters and places mentioned that I knew nothing about, but I was able to follow along pretty quickly. Ava Gray also does a great job at delivering a full story in under 100 pages. I have the first few books in this series, and after reading this they have moved up in my TBR. It’s a world I definitely want to get into.

Grade: B

Angel-Claimed by Jory Strong

Angel-Claimed by Jory Strong left me kind of confused. I haven’t read any of her books yet and this one is set in her Ghostland world. I didn’t really know what was going on and I found it hard to follow what they were talking about. I ended up putting this story aside and not wanting to go back to it. It didn’t leave me wanting to read this series either.

Grade: DNF

Primal Kiss by Lora Leigh

Last up is Primal Kiss by Lora Leigh. It’s set in her Breeds world and while it’s been years since I read a book in that series, I was easily drawn back into it. For some reason I find once I start reading them I always want more. It wasn’t hard to get back into the story even though I have only read the first few books of this massive series. I liked the romance of Creed and Kita, though part of it might be because it was a short story. I am not sure I could have dealt with a full length novel.

Grade: C+

Overall I enjoyed the book and most of the stories left me wanting to go out and read more. With an anthology, I can’t ask for anything more. These authors did a great job at catching my interest, mostly.

Overall Grade: B-

Summary:

When desire cannot be controlled…When personal will is overpowered by carnal cravings…When only one fearless impulse feeds you, body and soul…

You can’t deny it. It’s something primal.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to her sensual world of the Breeds …in Kyote’s Ghost, an all-new novella that explores just how savage, how far, and how deep a man is willing to go in the name of desire.

Ava Gray, known for her “riveting romantic suspense” (Publishers Weekly)…now tells a tantalizing tale of an ordinary man—blessed and cursed with extraordinary powers—who gets a second, deserving chance at life and love.

Set in the same dark, seductive corners of the Nightshade universe…the new novella by Michelle Rowen draws an innocent young woman into the dark world of a vampire whose eternal love could be the death of her.

Jory Strong’s “worldbuilding is nothing short of stunning” (Genre Reviews)…and all the more so her startling novella of an angel who crosses the boundaries of desire when he falls desperately in love with a mortal female.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Welcome once again to Duck Chat!

Today we’re talking to Sophie Renwick, who some of you may know as Charlotte Featherstone. Sophie writes fun, light, and erotic contemporaries and dark and sexy paranormals, and you are in for a treat with her debut book, Hot In Here. It’s a friends-to-lover story that takes you for an up-and-down ride through lust and romance while also sating the taste buds. Be sure to pick it up! She is also working on her first book in her paranormal series, the Annwyn Chronicles, so you will not have to wait without having a Sophie Renwick bookin hand for too long.

Sophie lives on the north shore of Lake Erie with her husband and their daughter. She loves to cook and loves Lisa Kleypas‘ Sebastian from Devil in Winter, as well as snowstorms, early mornings, high heels, and ethnic food.  Her next book is out later this year, and since she’s living her dream, she’s always writing to bring her readers more of what they love to read.

In fact, Sophie is on deadline right now, but she will be stopping by to respond to any comments or questions you have for her. She’s also giving away two copies of Hot In Here, so make that comment or question good! Now let’s chat with Sophie.

DUCK CHAT: Sophie, you have a couple of new series we have to tell readers about. Let’s start with your Annwyn series. First tell us the idea behind the series, how it came about, and where you’ll be taking it in the future.

SOPHIE RENWICK: The series came about during a phone call from my editor. I had put in a proposal and she called the next day saying they couldn’t buy it because an author at the house had a new series coming out that was similar. I was bummed. But my editor said that the publisher was really eager to get a ‘dark and sexy shifter series.’ So we chatted for a bit, and I thought, what about using my Scottish background to make a series. So I picked Scottish or Celtic type animals to use, the Hart, the Raven, the Selkie, etc., and used them in the way the ancient Celts did. I added the Druid/Gothic feel because it’s an area of interest for me. I added the element of an overarching quest, and sinister magician, and the Annwyn Chronicles were born!

My editor has been very involved along the way, and it was really fun to throw in stories and images from my childhood. Plus, I got to research something that I’ve always been interested in.

I think what makes this paranormal series different is the Fantasy elements, the quest, and the fact that the Destroyer, who is an apprentice to the villain, is actually one of the characters in the series. But like most anti-heroes, something has made him turn. The identity of the person will be revealed in the last book.

I’m really, really excited about this series and it was so much fun building the world. I hope readers enjoy it.

DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

SR: I think it’d have to be ‘how do you come up with your sex scenes?” The honest answer is, ‘they stem from the characters and their desires and conflicts.’ When I’ve given that answer I’ve had many people try to probe deeper, or some have an expression of disappointment on their face, like they thought they were going to get to hear something really juicy about my personal life, which, for the record, is not as remotely exciting as my stories!

DC: The first story in the series, Yuletide Enchantment, will appear in the A Highlander Christmas anthology, which also features Dawn Halliday and Cindy Miles and is due out in November of this year. Would you give us a look inside this novella?

SR: I was thrilled when my editor at NAL asked me if I wanted to participate in this project. It was a historical anthology, and she knew that I wrote historicals for Harlequin Spice under the name Charlotte Featherstone. We talked about what I would write and she thought we should try to use it as a platform for the Annwyn Chronicles. I was writing the first draft of Velvet Haven at the time (book 1 of the Annwyn Chronicles) and decided to use the historical novella in Highlander Christmas as a prequel to Velvet Haven.

Yuletide Enchantment is the name of the novella and involves the uncle of the hero from Velvet Haven. Daegan is his name, and he is co-ruler of the Celtic Otherworld, Annwyn. He falls in love with a mortal woman which is taboo, and thus thrusts Annwyn into the Dark Times, which is an era of imbalance and impurity. I really had fun with that story and I hope people will read it and be intrigued by the world building and the Druid/Celtic aspect of the series. Bran, the hero from Velvet Haven is in the novella, too! He makes a sacrifice for his uncle, which then becomes the focus of his book.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

SR: This happens to me all the time! I’m a character-driven writer and usually do follow them where they lead me. Sometimes I’m surprised, and then sometimes I’m relieved because they seem to ‘fix’ a problem or enhance a scene. I actually love it when characters do that!

DC: We’ve mentioned Velvet Haven, the first full book in the series and it’s slated to be released in March 2010. Can you give us a little sneak peek into Bran’s story?

SR: Here’s the official blurb (and I’ve added the sexy cover art for Velvet Haven! It might change a little, but not much. The guy on the cover is very much like Bran. I love it!)

Hidden from mortals for all eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. But in a nightclub called Velvet Haven, desire brings humans and immortals together…

Built atop the mystic passageway to Annwyn, the gothic nightclub Velvet Haven has seen its share of lost souls—both mortal and immortal. It is here that Bran, the shapeshifter king of the Sidhe, searches for his brother, who is ensnared by a centuries-old curse. When a vision foretells his own death, he knows his time to find Carden is running out.

For help he must turn to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura. Bran has never liked humans, other than using their sexual pleasure to restore his magic energy. But with Mairi everything is different. Her lush curves and teasing caresses enflame him like no Sidhe has ever done. He has no idea that the woman he’s falling for holds the key to his destruction – or his salvation.

Now, here’s a bit more. The Dark Times come to Annwyn during the period that Bran is searching for his brother. The Dark Arts which are Death and Sex magick have once more appeared in Annwyn, and Sidhe are being put death in black magick rituals. So Bran, as King, is trying to find the Mage responsible while dodging his feelings for the mortal Mairi. His journey leads him to the mortal realm which is presided over by a Fallen Angel. The Mage is also performing his rituals on mortals which thus unites the ruler of Annwyn, and the ruler of the mortal realm. Bran’s journey also leads him back time and time again to Mairi.

There is an overarching quest through the series to find a flame and an amulet which together forge a key that will lead them to the Mage who is known as the Soul Stealer. But the Soul Stealer has something up his sleeve. He’s recruiting an apprentice, and it’s one of the characters of the series.

The book is dark and sexy, and while it’s for the Heat line, which is billed as erotica, it’s definitely a romance!

I hope to put up some excerpts on my website soon, and as well I’ll be putting a glossary up and some tidbits about Druid religion and the practice of Death and Sex Magick, so keep checking back!

DC: I read on your site you had a Scottish upbringing. Please tell everyone a little about that.

SR: My family is very proud to be of Scots ancestry, and, as a child, my parents and grandparents would always tell stories of faeries and midgies. In fact, when we would get out of bed when we were supposed to sleeping, my parents would yell up, ‘get back to bed before the faeries come and steal you away!’ Faeries scared us!

The idea of incorporating some of those stories into books really interested me. The Highlander is iconic in historical romance, but I wanted to bring in some of the witchcraft and Celtic mythology of Scotland.

DC: How many books do you have planned in the Annwyn series?

SR: There are a lot of characters in this series. Some are more fleshed out in my mind than others. I don’t know if all the characters will have a book. But right now, there are six characters I’d like to write about and whose story I already know, the first character being Bran.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

SR: I used to. Then I realized when I did that and bullied my way to win, the writing felt stilted and stale. So I no longer do that.

Actually, if I’m having a hard time knowing where to open a book or doing a scene, I sit down and look at the computer screen and say, “Okay, whoever comes to me first, I’ll write, and I’ll write whatever he/she says.”

I did this with Velvet Haven. I originally started the book with Mairi in the Goth club. It never felt right. So I sat down, did my exercise, and boom, Bram came, took me to Annwyn, inside his magick circle during a ritual. I loved it and knew that was the right beginning.

The advantage of doing this exercise is that it allows you deep point of view for a compelling opening.

I did the same thing with Charlotte’s Addicted. The prologue where Lindsay is discussing opium was that exercise.

DC: Next is your Ryder Brothers series. Hot in Here was released a couple of days ago. Can you tell us, first, how the series came about, and then share a little with us about Bryce and Jenna?

SR: I was at my parents and she had a Ricardo cooking magazine on her kitchen table. She’s a great cook, and Ricardo is cute! I made the comment, “Oh wouldn’t it be nice to come home to some hunk who had made you supper?” That was the moment that Bryce was born.

The characters just seemed to evolve, and I used my small, rural upbringing as a base. I grew up in Southwestern Ontario which is known as Canada’s bread basket. We have orchards, wineries, farms — you name it, we got it. We also have tons of food festivals. Cherry Fest, Apple Harvest, etc… Those were good times, and I used those ideas and that small town feel as a backdrop for Hot In Here.

I also liked the idea of three bad boy brothers, and three good girl sisters and watching what happened when they came together.

So, Bryce is, while having grown up rural, a big city guy who’s a famous chef. He gets misquoted in a magazine, and his future business empire looks very shaky. Jenna is his best friend. She’s a farm girl who now lives in the city. She runs a marketing company, but she still has those small town ideals. Bryce recruits Jenna to help him out with his reputation, and the sparks fly. It’s really just a fun, very hot romance. And I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed writing that book!

Here’s that special treat – an excerpt from Hot In Here:

Bryce couldn’t think. Hell, he couldn’t breathe. Watching Jenna saunter away in that pretty little chemise was playing havoc with his synapses. He didn’t even blink as he watched her walked away. The ecru- colored lace skimming just beneath the luscious curve of her cheeks commanded his attention, not to mention fueled his imagination.

She had the finest ass he’d ever seen. Full and round, begging to be cupped by his hand.
Shit! What was he thinking, cupping her ass? This was Jenna. Safe, little Jenna. The friend he hadn’t had any sexual thoughts about. Well, not since…Okay. He finally allowed the dirty truth to come up. There had been a few times when he’d awaken from a vivid dream, his sheets tangled and wet, his brain burning with images of him and Jenna.

But he’d always laughed it off. Always thought it absurd. He used to tell himself that the dreams were about Jenna because she was the only woman he really knew well. They were friends, had spent a lot of time together. Naturally she’d invade his dreams.

Pressing forward, he leaned over the counter and watched Jenna. Her profile was just as stunning as the back view. Her breasts were just as hot as her ass, and the way they bounced and moved as she reached for the blanket that lay across the back of the sofa had him groaning.

Man, he was hard. And completely fucking losing it.

Jenna was a friend. He wanted that friendship. Depended on it. No way was he going to toss a decade of friendship down the toilet because his subconscious all of a sudden decided to cough up a few instances of past wet dreams involving Jenna.

He couldn’t imagine his life without Jenna in it. She had always been there, to talk to and hang with. He liked just calling her up for no reason and chatting. He liked how they laughed at the same things. If he couldn’t have that anymore, if he ruined the relationship by making it all awkward and heavy with sexual shit, he didn’t know what he’d do.

But what about when she finds Mr. Right, the insistent voice in his head asked. How much do you think he’s going to tolerate your phone calls and late-night visits? Probably about as well as he tolerated the thought of Jenna wearing that skimpy nightie for another man—including Tyson.

God, he didn’t even want to go there. His emotions and thoughts were all over the map tonight and he couldn’t understand why. What was it about Jenna today? What was it about her walk, the way her ass moved, that had him wanting to risk their friendship by taking it into the bedroom? And what was it about her that suddenly had him thinking how damn nice it would be to always have this, this closeness with her?

The relationship word suddenly crept onto his radar and he panicked. Then, thank god, Jenna’s voice squelched the thought before it could become a full blown visual of a picket fence.

“Movie’s starting,” she called from the living room.

“I’m on it,” he answered back, not moving, just watching as she sat on the couch and crossed her legs. They weren’t overly long, but man, they were shapely. The kind that would feel really good and soft wrapped around him. The kind of shapely, womanly flesh he hadn’t felt in all his other girlfriends.

He heard the Psychedelic Furs singing “Pretty In Pink,” and he got his ass moving. Looking through the cupboards, he found two bowls and a couple of spoons, and tore into the still-steaming dessert.

Inhaling the aroma, he savored it, hoping to hell she liked it. This was an untested concoction he’d just created. And poor Jenna was the guinea pig.

Carrying the bowls, he hit the switch with his elbow, killing the light spilling from the kitchen. Candles glowed on the coffee table, and the light from the television screen made it bright enough for them to see.

“Mmm, what’s this?” Jenna asked as she reached out for a bowl. “Smells delicious.”

“Just something I cooked up in honor of your twenty-eighth birthday.”

Jenna wrinkled her nose. “Let’s not talk numbers tonight.”

“Deal,” he said, settling back against the leather sofa. “As long as that also includes my numbers and that plan of yours.”

“Absolutely.”

“God, it’s been forever since I’ve seen this movie. Remember how you loved Blaine?”
“Yeah,” she said, blushing.

“I never got that, why you found him so hot. His hair really looked terrible in that prom scene.”

Jenna laughed. “You always say that.”

“Well, it did.”

“I’m sure you had the hots for Molly Ringwald. All the guys did.”

“I didn’t.”

“Oh, the blonde then, the one dancing around in her underwear?”

“Definitely not her. I liked Andie, actually. Not Molly. But the character of Andie.”

Jenna shot him a sideways glance. “She was an outcast and kind of quirky, don’t you think?”

“What’s wrong with quirky?”

“Nothing.” A strange expression flickered across her face before she picked up her spoon and motioned to the bowl. “So, what do we have here?”

“Oh, just a little white chocolate and cream, and caramel filled chocolate squares, with some egg bread I had laying around. I suppose you’d call it chocolate caramel bread pudding.”

“I love bread pudding. I haven’t had a pudding like this since I left home. Although I know my mom never made anything this decadent.”

Bryce found himself grinning, filled with an absurd adolescent feeling of giddiness. He was always like this when someone waxed on about his cooking. He was even more giddy, he realized, when that someone was Jenna.

Jenna’s mom was a phenomenal cook, and Bryce knew that to wow Jenna was a difficult task. She was clearly wowed now, though. She was closing her eyes, savoring the sweet smell wafting up from the bowl.

She dug into the custard mixture with her spoon and was about to raise it to her mouth, when he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “Wait.” She looked at him, and all of a sudden his heart did this weird flopping thing.

“What?” she asked, her voice so soft and quiet and so very feminine.

“I…” he licked his lips and pressed closer to her. “I just wanted to say Happy birthday.” He bent to kiss her cheek, something he’d done numerous times in their friendship. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he cupped her cheek and brought her forward, dragging his mouth against the curve of her ear and down lower to her jaw. God, she smelled good. And she felt good, so soft against his hand and mouth.

“Happy birthday,” he said once more, kissing the corner of her mouth, then he pulled away, horrified by his actions and wondering what she was going to say.

But true to Jenna form, she saved his ego by not making a big deal out of his lost control. Instead she smiled and pointed at the bowl with the tip of her spoon. “So what do you call this?”

“It needs a name. If it’s any good, that is.”

She smiled and raised a spoonful to her lips. Catching his gaze, she slid a bit of the steaming pudding into her mouth. With a groan, she closed her eyes. “Good? Bryce, this is awesome. This is…” she blushed and looked away.

He put his bowl down on the coffee table and cupped her cheek. “Tell me what you were gonna say.”

She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Bryce saw some struggle waged in her eyes before she lifted her lashes and looked fully at him.

“This is so good, it could be sex on a plate.”

His heart went into overdrive. Pressing closer, Bryce watched her take another bite. “Yeah?” he asked, his voice curiously hoarse.

“Yeah,” she replied in a rush of breath.

Her breasts pushed against the pink satin, her nipples pressing against the bodice. He watched as a lace strap slid down her shoulder. He reached out, hooking his finger beneath it, knowing he should slide it back onto her shoulder, but wanting to lower it, wanting to expose her breast—needing to feel all that soft flesh in his hand.

Her breath seemed to hitch, and so did his. What was he doing? Hell, what was she thinking, looking up at him like that?

“Do you want a bite?” she asked, her voice a little shy and tremulous.

He swallowed—hard. His fingers were still beneath the strap of her chemise, still frozen, immobilized against her soft skin. They started to move then, to brush the soft downy skin of her upper arm. His body heated as he felt the first flush of her goosebumps erupt beneath his fingertips.

“I want to watch you eat,” he said, feeling his erection harden even more.

She took another bite that was laden with chocolate and caramel. He watched, his mouth dry as she spooned the delicacy into her mouth and closed her eyes in blissful surrender.
What would it be like to experience that sweetness as it coated her lips, her tongue? What would it be like to feed her and have her feed him, to taste that warm liquid chocolate as it dribbled its way over her breasts and belly?

Like a voyeur, he watched her eat, conscious of the way his body hardened and his lips parted as if he were eating each and every bite with her.

He wanted her spread on the table like a meal for him to devour at his leisure. He saw himself seated, Jenna spread atop the table, his tongue licking away the sweet rivers of chocolate as she moaned and begged him to eat—other, more pleasurable parts of her body.

Her gaze locked with his, and she held the silver spoon which was overflowing with custard and chocolate out to him. Unblinkingly, he sat forward and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He put the dessert in his mouth, and didn’t taste the rich chocolate, or the sweet caramel–the only taste he had was that of desire. The sweet, heady elixir was swimming in his mouth.

“Well?” she asked.

This time, he heard the breathless pant of desire in her voice, saw the flicker of awakening in her eyes. He swallowed slowly, then holding her gaze, he brought his mouth to hers until his lips brushed her lower one.

“Taste me, Jenna.”

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

SR: Unfortunately, I’m not the most disciplined writer. I tried to make this my new year’s resolution, but, alas, it’s kind of fallen by the wayside! The truth is, if I’m not consumed by a scene or dialogue playing out in my mind or a very tight deadline looming over my head, I’m can be distracted by anything! I have to change that! Lol!

DC: Trey’s story is next in the series. Would you tell our readers about it, when it’s due out, and maybe a sneak peek to whet the appetite?

SR: Unfortunately, Trey’s book is not scheduled yet. The publisher was looking for something in his story, and it wasn’t really where I wanted to take Trey. My agent is going to be shopping his story to other publishers. I’m disappointed, but already I’ve gotten lots of reader email which say, “I’m dying for Trey’s book.” I’m keeping them all, and I’ll forward them to my editor. Never know. It might convince the publisher to put his book out! This is, unfortunately, something that happens in writing. The publishing industry is a business, and I respect that. Likewise, the publisher respected my creative vision. So that’s how the Annwyn series came about. I think it’s an amicable solution. And both sides are happy.

And, I swear, I haven’t given up on Trey. I adore him. He’s so dark and tortured. I have 75pgs written of his story, and have decided that if it never sells, I’ll post it on my website as a serial installment and free read! Trey will get his day in the limelight!

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

SR: I’m no longer afraid to write characters as they come to me. Whether they’re opium addicts or sexy chefs, I just write them how I want. In doing so, I’m much happier than when I first started writing and tried to fit into what was selling at the time.

I’m especially happier with my heroines. In the beginning I had such a hard time connecting with them, thinking they had to be perky and happy and stunningly beautiful. But I don’t write those women anymore. I write ‘real’ women. Skinny, plump, blonde, brunette, shy, outgoing, whatever the case might be, I think I write women who readers can relate to and can understand. Women, who are, like readers who read romance.

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

SR: Well, I never thought I’d write contemporary, so Hot In Here totally surprised me. I guess the answer is no, not right now. I’m writing historical, and I have AN historical paranormal novella coming out later this year with Spice. I’ve written contemporary and am now into contemporary paranormal. So I’d say I’ve got enough on my plate for now! But I never say never! Lol!

DC: I know you love to cook. Would you mind sharing your favorite recipe with us?

SR: I do love to cook! And why I don’t give you a recipe that appears in Hot In Here?

Chocolate Caramel Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Kahlua Sauce

6 cups day old French bread, cubed
4 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
½ cup white sugar
8 oz white chocolate
1-2 Caramel filled chocolate bar, such as Cadbury’s Caramilk (depending on size of your casserole dish)
2 whole eggs
5 egg yolks

 

Preheat oven to 350. Place cubed French bread in large casserole dish and toast bread in oven for 15mins. Remove from oven. Place heavy cream, milk and sugar in medium saucepan and heat just until the boiling point. Remove from stove, ad white chocolate and stir until chocolate has melted. Whisk together egg yolks, and whole eggs. Add to cream mixture and whisk until incorporated. Pour mixture over toasted bread and allow to soak for 20 mins. Before placing in oven, break chocolate bar into squares, and press into the bread mixture, putting some deep into the pudding, and leaving some just at the surface of the pudding. Place in oven and bake 35mins covered. Uncover and bake for additional 15mins. Top each serving with Kahula sauce.

 

Kahlua Sauce

 

1cup heavy cream
4 oz white chocolate
¼ cup Kahlua

 

Bring heavy cream and Kahlua to a simmer in a small saucepan for 3-5 mins. Remove from stove and add chocolate and allow to sit until the chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth.

 

Yields 12-15 servings, and does re-heat well in the oven, or microwave.
Now, being Scottish, we love custard, and I gild the lily with this dessert by adding some warm custard with it. Any commercial, powered custard will do, but I use Byrds.

 

*This dish is best served with Bryce Ryder feeding it you*

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

SR: To not be afraid to explore all the things I wanted to do.

DC: Your site told me that you’re trying Lora Leigh and Joey W. Hill for the first time. How did those reads go for you?

SR: OH, I LOVED them! I haven’t gotten through all of Lora’s Breed series yet, but I plan to this summer. And I adored Joey’s mermaid series. So beautifully written. (I love angels, btw. Especially those fallen ones!) I have her third mermaid book, A Mermaid’s Ransom, on pre-order and am really looking forward to reading that.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

SR: Probably nursing. It’s a safe income bet!

DC: You also write as Charlotte Featherstone. What is Charlotte up to right now?

SR: Charlotte has an historical paranormal coming out with Harlequin Spice in Nov ’09. The anthology is entitled Winter’s Desire, and my novella is Midnight Whispers. The anthology is written with Kristi Astor and Amanda McIntyre and it revolves around the Winter Solstice.

As well, I’m finishing up Sinful, which is Lord Wallingford’s book, which releases from Harlequin Spice in May 2010. Readers saw him in Addicted. He was the hero’s best friend. And let me tell you, he’s living up to his name!

DC: What’s on the horizon for Sophie Renwick?

SR: I hope to be writing more on the Ryder brothers and definitely more Annwyn Chronicles. I’m starting to think about the second book and what character will get his book next. The quest is involved, and I can take different paths, allowing me to kind of pick and choose who I want to write. So I’m definitely hoping to develop this series!

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?   – Definitely milk!
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?   – Smooth all the way!!
- heels or flats?    – Oooh, I love heels! Not always practical, but love them.
- coffee or tea?   – Both. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon and evening.
- summer or winter?   – Summer. Although I do love that first snowfall of the winter!
- mountains or beach?   – Beach. I love the water and the moon.
- mustard or mayonnaise?  -  Mayo
- flowers or candy?   – Flowers
- pockets or purse?   – Usually I like pockets, but also collect evening bags. I love them!
- Pepsi or Coke?    -  Coke!
- ebook or print?   – Print, because I’m one of those people who love to hold a book in her hands, smell the pages and keep flipping back to the front cover.

And just because:

1. What is your favorite word?   – I love words! Probably it’d something like love, passion, pleasure
2. What is your least favorite word?   – Can’t
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   – Almost anything. I’m surprised where I get inspiration, or peace
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   – Fatigue
5. What sound or noise do you love?   – Waves crashing on a beach, the sound of leaves rustling on a summer evening
6. What sound or noise do you hate?    – Dentist drill
7. What is your favorite curse word?   – OH, the F bomb for certain!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?   – Book store owner
9. What profession would you not like to do?    – Nursing. ‘That’s my current ‘paying’ job and I’m ready to be done with it!
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? – “You were a good, honest, honorable person.”

Thanks so much for having me and for the really great interview questions!

DC: Thank you, Sophie, for taking the time to chat with us!

Way back in the Dark Ages, (by which I mean last year), I had made a post looking for Lora Leigh recs.

I still have not yet read a Lora Leigh book, but I figure it’s high time we announced a winner to this contest since it really is ancient.

So, if Heather Tutorow is around, please send an email to shannonC (at) tgtbtu (dot) com with the subject line “Lora Leigh contest” which contains your mailing address and you will receive your signed book.

And next time, I’ll try hard not to make y’all wait a year for contest winners!

While you are waiting for March 3 to hit so you can get your Elite Ops fix and pick up Maverick (which I really enjoyed) head over to St Martins site for a free down load of Nighthawk.
It is a very short, new and exclusive Elite Ops story. But really… I do mean short… like 14 pages and it is pdf. But whatev read it on your computer. It is free!

Maverick summary below and for those of you who are Breed fans don’t forget Coyote’s Mate is out today!

Micah Sloane knows almost everything there is to know about Risa Clay, including the vicious betrayal she endured years ago and the distrust she’s harbored ever since. The only way for the Elite Ops agent to uncover an assassin—and banish the ghosts of his own dark past—is to use Risa as bait. But nothing has prepared him for her disarming blend of innocence and sensuality, or for his overwhelming need to protect her…

Risa has spent six years rebuilding her life. And now, to save it, she must pose as Micah’s lover and draw a killer into the open. It’s a risky plan—especially with a man as powerfully seductive as Micah. But, as their charade becomes reality, Risa realizes the greatest danger may lie in losing her heart forever…

Gwen’s review of Mercury’s War (Breeds, Book 16) by Lora Leigh
Futuristic paranormal erotic romance released by Berkley Sensation 7 Oct 08

This is another excellent Breeds book.  It reads fine on its own, but you’ll get more from the story if you’re familiar with the Breeds world.  However, while excellent I have a few reservations about the development of the heroine’s story arc.  This is a complaint I rarely have with a Leigh book, so it surprised me to have it here. 

I love Mercury as a hero.  He is a standoff-ish, very controlled character when the story starts.  Due to trauma from the labs and chemicals they had him on, he’s suppressed his inner animal so ruthlessly that, while he looks more like a lion than his counterparts, he acts the least like one.  It’s no spoiler to say that by the end of the book, he’s come to recognize his beast and has come to a balance and peace with that side of his nature.

Mercury’s journey isn’t possible without meeting Ria.   She’s equally controlled and shut-down at the beginning of the book.  Her control results from wearing dowdy clothing and ruthlessly dressed hair. She only lets her true feminine nature come out when she’s alone, if then.  The circumstances of her life makes her want to blend in to the background, where it’s safe from rejection and attention.  She’s an expert code-breaker and this “gray” exterior allows her to be particularly effective when sent on assignments by the Leo, her boss.

Mercury makes it his mission to pull Ria out of her shell – let her be the woman outside that he knows she is on the inside.  The mating heat the two are going thru make it imperative that she accept her, and his, true natures.  This in turn causes Mercury to come to accept his true nature.  This reluctant blossoming is a sweet part of the story that we don’t always get in an intense Breeds book.  Breeds are hyper-sexual – this one is no exception – and full of action and adventure – we have that too – but seldom sweet.  It was a nice change and made for a really good story.

What bothered me, and it’s a small quibble now that I think about it, was that the heroine’s true nature isn’t really hinted at earlier in the story.  That made me doubt not trust it entirely when it was revealed.  It felt a little deus ex machina, but, again, didn’t detract too much from the story for me.

I found this Amazon.com review to be interesting.  If what it says is true, it explains a few things that I’ve seen in evidence in the last few Breeds books – namely, the lack of buttsecks.  Now, this could be simply because Leigh saves those particular tidbits (eww) for her non-Breeds books, or there could be some veracity to the reviewer’s opinion that Berkley wants a more “mainstream” erotic bent (heh) to the Breeds series.  Regardless, there is far less of the extreme sex in War than we’ve seen in the past.  Not that there isn’t some seriously hot action going on — Mercury is one seriously hawt hero.

Leigh has given us another hot Breeds story with trademark excellent action and good character development. I’m looking forward to Book 18, Coyote’s Mate, coming Feb 2009.

Grade: B+

Read reviews and other information on this series by following the Breeds series tag.

Summary:

Someone has been slipping the Sanctuary’s secure information to a pharmaceutical company. Now it’s up to Ria Rodriguez to pose as a clerk and uncover the leak. Yet she has no idea of the danger she’s about to encounter-or the passion she’s about to ignite in one of the greatest Breeds ever created.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series (in rough reading order):

Gwen’s review of The Magical Christmas Cat by Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Linda Winstead Jones
Contemporary paranormal romance anthology release by Berkley Sensation 7 Oct 08

This collection of stories are all centered on the holiday period and all have a few things in common – love, passion, and cats. They’re all quite nice stories, a couple are downright great. Read on to see how they fared…

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh (87 pages)

This is a very good Psy-Changeling story that centers around the heroine, a school teacher named Annie Kildaire, and the hero, a DarkRiver soldier named Zach Quinn. It’s very much their love story and has none of the typical Psy-Changling “suspense” elements that we normally see from Singh. Just a pure love story and I loved it. The cat in this story is the hero.

Because we’re centered on the relationship, we get a couple of very well developed characters in the H/H. Especially the heroine and while the hero is still very yummy, perhaps more time could have been spent on him, but it wouldn’t have been a short-story if that had happened. And, can I say, OH MY about this hero. I wanted to lick him all over.

The conflict in this story came from family – particularly the heroine’s. Annie had been injured horrifically when she was a kid and still suffers some side effects from it – both physical and emotional. This causes some interesting scenes between Annie, her family, and the DarkRiver soldier she brings to dinner. It’s very “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and is very fun to read.

This was just a terrific Psy-Changeling story and worth the price of the book all on its own.

Grade: A

Summary:

My [Singh's] contribution to this anthology features Zach, a DarkRiver soldier you’ll love, and Annie, a human woman who finds herself tangling with this irresistible cat.

Read an excerpt.

Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy (76 pages)

This was an enjoyable story, if a bit forgettable. I felt a little like I was reading a really racy Cosmo story. Lighter, more chick-lit-type stories aren’t my thing, though. So keep that in mind as you read this review.

The heroine, Bree, has dreams about the hero, Ian, and doesn’t realize it until she meets him on her doorstep. Bree’s cat, Akasha, keeps showing up in the hero’s car, under their feet, in the hallway, and always with a bit of mistletoe in her mouth. There’s so much build-up as a result of the year of dreams the hero and heroine have of each other they fall to boinking on the floor almost as soon as they meet each other. Twice.

The heroine is a pretty stereotypical almost-goth chick who calls herself a “witch” and the hero is a pretty stereotypical poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who makes good as a big-city lawyer. Not a lot stood out for me in the story, but, remember, these kinds of stories aren’t my thing. I liked it and promptly forgot it.

Grade: C

Summary (mine – not the book’s):

Self-professed witch, Bree Murphy, is unconventional and likes it that way. She taught her little sister to read tarot and she reads palms and futures for a living – all in the rambling old Victorian house she inherited from her grandmother. Ian Carrington is a big city lawyer to the millionaires. He brokers deals for the high society when they don’t want to get their hands dirty. One of his clients wants Bree’s house and wants it bad. Problem is, Ian wants Bree too. How is he going to balance his client’s wants with his own? Will they end up happy or will hearts be broken?

No excerpt available when the review was written.

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones (76 pages)

This was the darkest of the four stories. The cat in this case is actually the villain – a demon trapped in the statuette of a cat. The heroine, Ruby, is a local baker who doesn’t realize that her soul will bring about the release of the demon, who will then lay waste to mankind. Her neighbor, Zane, a local professor who also happens to be a member of a group of warriors dedicated to the extermination of this demon (of course), discovers that Ruby is the next/last victim and goes about trying to keep it all from happening.

I didn’t like the hero much until about mid-way thru the story. The action elements were good and the villains were interesting. It was a fun paranormal story, but the romance felt a bit forced. Interesting, but, in the end, forgettable.

Grade: C+

Summary (mine – not the book’s):

Ruby Kincaid, the town’s best baker, doesn’t realize she’s about to be the culmination of a spell that has been brewing for centuries. But her hunky neighbor, Zane Benedict, does. A parapsychology professor at the local univerisity, Zane knows about Ruby’s destiny and is determined to do everything in his power to stop the spell and keep an unspeakable evil from being unleashed on the earth – including killing Ruby if he has to… But he doesn’t want to…

No excerpt available.

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh (117 pages)

This was a lovely Breeds story and I think it’s obvious who the cat is in this entry. Noble, our hero, is a Jaguar Breed and has been in love with Haley, one of the librarians at the Sanctuary Library, for a while. He doesn’t realize it, but Haley is in love with him, as well. The story follows the predictable “heat” path – irresistible lust and some seriously hot, and I mean HAWT, sensuality with really steamy, raw sex, eventually ending in a life commitment and love. The path there is littered with dead bodies, an explosion or two, family holidays, and some major bad guys.

There’s good action and tension throughout the whole story. There was one scene that I didn’t like where one of the villains catch the H/H mid-boink. I could have done without that mental image and it’s the only thing that keeps the grade from an A. Nevertheless, there’s good character development even if the villain(s) felt like a bit of an afterthought. I loved when the heroine’s family shows up and bowls the hero over – he had never experienced anything like her, her family, or their celebration of the season. It was charming.

This was a very good Christmas love story… Breeds style.

Grade: B+

Summary (mine – not the book’s):

Noble Chavin, Jaguar Breed, and Sanctuary librarian Haley McQuire find love and heat under the Christmas tree.

Read an excerpt.

This was a charming and very readable collection of four Christmas stories all themed around cats. I highly recommend it to any fans of the four authors, or someone looking for some quick paranormal hits to while away an afternoon.

Overall Grade: B

Book Summary:

Put a little meow in their stockings this year with these all-new tales of Christmas and felines-from beloved bestselling authors!

New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh and top-selling authors Nalini Singh, Erin McCarthy, and Linda Winstead Jones have a special gift for readers this year: never-before published holiday stories featuring passionate romance, paranormal adventure, and a distinctly alluring feline touch. With four new stories-including one featuring Lora Leigh’s genetically altered Feline Breeds-this is a collection packed with more surprises than Christmas morning, and more chills than the snowiest winter night…

Gwen’s review of Wild Card (Elite Ops, Book 1) by Lora Leigh
Contemporary romantic suspense released by St. Martin’s 26 Aug 08

This is a new series for Leigh and is related to her Tempting SEALs books, but starts a new series of heroes and heroines.  There are overlapping characters and storylines, but not to the point that you’ll have a tough time following the story if you’ve never read another Leigh book.  This was a very satisfying read – emotional, sexy, action packed, and romantic.  I really loved it. 

Leigh’s writing is dependable.  You can depend on alpha heroes.  You can depend on generally capable heroines who don’t have too many TSTL moments.  You can depend on very steamy sex and almost animalistic attraction between the heroes and heroines.  You can depend on good villains.  We get all of the dependable Leigh features in this book.  Almost as dependable in her writing is some biting and growling from the hero, the occasional bout of buttsecks, Brazilians (non-native-speaking), and assorted kink (spanking, light bondage, group sex, etc.) – some of which we get in this book.

I may have a short memory, but the hero in Wild Card, Nathan/Noah, seems to be a refreshing change from the typical Leigh hero.  No doubt he’s alpha – he totally maxes out the alpha-o-meter – but more than that, he is emotionally insecure through much of the book.  And it’s refreshing to have a Leigh hero doubt if he’s approached “his woman” correctly.

Leigh’s heroes are normally very unapologetic about how they bulldoze thru a heroine’s defenses.  Nathan/Noah isn’t like that – he certainly plows (heh) the heroine down, however he doubts himself the whole way.  He hooks up with her not because he must have her (though that is certainly the case), but because he can’t imagine breathing without her in his life.

Another interesting element in this book was how Leigh let her hero and heroine realize that their marriage wasn’t perfect.  You’ll have to read the book to understand, but suffice to say that Nathan/Noah and the heroine, Sabella, were separated for six years after marrying young and only being together two years.  They both grew up quite a lot in the intervening six years.  Nathan arguably had a rougher time than ‘Bella, but they both matured.

Had Nathan and Bella remained together in those six years, they may have realized that they were both holding their true selves back from the other in an attempt to give the other what they thought they needed.  But perhaps not.  This nation is chock-a-block with divorced couples who never figure that out – whose relationships fail for reasons that completely escape them.  They just grow apart.  Their unintentional separation and reunion forces our hero and heroine to confront some home truths about each other and their relationship – it also makes them realize how much they really love and need each other.

All this to say that Leigh has crafted an emotionally complex and very satisfying book with Wild Card.  Of course there’s some good villains, great action, and stupendous cross-your-legs-it’s-so-hawt sex.  But what I liked the most was the emotional side of the story.  And I loved the epilogue and how Nathan/Noah and Bella negotiate their relationship – not your typical couple this one and it is great.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Leigh.  I heartily recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.  If you like an emotionally rich story, this is the book for you.  If you just want a darn good read, this is the book for you.

Grade: A

Summary:

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.

Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Book2, Coming March 2009

Speaking of Brazilians, watch this.

Gwen’s review of Rescue Me by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh, and Cindy Gerard
Contemporary action romantic suspense anthology released by St. Martin’s 1 Jul 08

This was a cute anthology of three damsels in distress and the alpha heroes who saved them.  I’ll keep the reviews short – this was a good book and definitely one to get if you want to test any of these authors out.  Not the best work by a couple of them, but not bad all things considered. 

Tropical Heat by Cherry Adair
(Very cool author site – too easy to get lost browsing it and looking at all the hot men, reading the bios.)

This is part of the loosely related world Adair created for all her wonderful heroes.  Some of the books are paranormal, some aren’t.  This story contained a cliché or two (or three).  There was believable love and lust between the H & H, but the story was uninspiring.  And I normally love Cherry Adair.

Grade: C+

Summary:

When Dr. Elizabeth Goodall is kidnapped and held captive in the African jungle, her only hope for rescue is counterterrorist operative Sam Pelton. But to escape from a brutal warlord, they must confront a powerful attraction that could prove more treacherous than the wilds of the jungle…

Read an excerpt. (Click on “Missions” (books), click on “Rescue Me”, click on “Read Excerpt”.)

Atlanta Heat by Lora Leigh

This is the story of Macey’s HEA – Durango Team’s communications expert from Leigh’s SEALs books.  The beginning couple of chapters were emotionally confusing – I didn’t feel like the hero was giving the heroine what she needed to feel safe.  Nevertheless, that worked out, and the story had a lovely ending.  As with nearly all of Leigh’s books, it had some nice action and very hot sensual scenes (no buttsecks).  This was a good SEALs story.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Em Delaney has wanted bad-boy Macey March for as long as she can remember. But as a Navy SEAL under the command of her overprotective godfather, Macey is off-limits to Em…until a kidnapping attempt forces them to share tantalizingly close quarters-and a forbidden desire.

Read an excerpt.

Desert Heat by Cindy Gerard

This was the best of the lot.  I felt like both H and H were very nicely developed and had good chemistry.  I came away with an “awww” feeling and felt it was a very cute story, with good action (even if the villains were a little too hapless), and a good ending.  It was a nice romance and isn’t that why we’re here?

Grade: B+

Summary:

Assistant D.A. Elena Martinez never wanted to fall for police detective Seth King. When they are teamed up on a charity hike in the Grand Canyon, however, their chemistry sizzles under the desert sun. But a vengeful drug lord is determined not to let them survive the canyon with their lives-and love-intact…

No excerpt available.

This book was a nice palate cleanser from all the paranormal I’ve been reading lately.  A nice change of pace and the stories went quickly.  There was some steam, some love, and nary a shapeshifter or psychic in sight.  I recommend this anthology for anyone needing quick action romance reads with some steamy scenes.  Not the best examples of each author’s work, but good nevertheless.

Overall Grade: B

Sandy M’s review of Wicked Pleasure (Bound Hearts, Book 9) by Lora Leigh
Contemporary Erotic Romance released by St. Martin’s Griffin 13 May 08

I always have the time of my life when I’m reading a Lora Leigh book.  I keep saying I love alpha heroes and heroes can’t get any more alpha than the way Ms. Leigh writes them.  And the hero of this book, Cameron Falladay, is also as tortured as they come, trying to keep his secrets from those he loves so they won’t be hurt too or won’t look at him differently, love him differently, and then leave him to founder around on his own, lost to them and to himself.  As a bonus, I got two tortured men in this book, Cam has a twin brother.  Need I say I couldn’t put this book down until every last word was read?  You betcha.  I’m a Lora Leigh fangirl to the core.

Cam and his brother Chase have known Jaci since childhood.  Cole always protected her from the bullies around their small hometown, the men who wouldn’t leave the pretty little girl alone.  Even when she was a child, she loved Cam and that love grew just as Jaci did.  But the pivotal moment between them was when she was 13 and she finds Cam parked in the north forty of her father’s ranch downing whiskey to drown the pain she knows he’s feeling.  She begs him to wait for her, and it’s not until so many years later that they both realize how important that moment is.

Even though Cam goes into the Special Forces and is gone a lot, he still watches out for her when he’s home and Chase picks up the duty in between time.  It’s when Jaci is finally old enough that Cam gives in to his need and his desire, takes her home with him, but things aren’t to be when she finds out the rumors are true.  Cam and his brother share their women.  That’s not something she bargained for, and having her walk out leaving him in sexual torment is not what Cam bargained for.   Jaci is the only woman for him, so he waits.

Jaci also waits.  It’s seven years before they meet up again and now the woman in Jaci is ready for the sensual delights she left behind before.  She’s still hesitant about Chase being involved, but although her heart belongs to Cam, her body still hums with pleasure when both men love her for all they’re worth.  In between all this, Jaci is still trying to rebuild her reputation after a run-in with a government official and his wife.  The whole sordid affair took Jaci by surprise and all she wants is peace after five years of lies and defamation.

Cam has his secrets as well and no matter how she tries, she can’t get him to open up, viewing his secret different than her own when he accuses of her holding out on him.  And Jaci is right. Cam’s secrets have ruled his life, how he lives, how he reacts to people, even his brother.  It’s also the reason he can’t make love to her without sharing her with Chase.  His control is tenuous at best and he needs the buffer.  He realizes he needs to make changes to keep Jaci by his side — he’s not about to let her go again after finding her after so many years –  but his scars run too deep for the kind of changes Jaci needs.

Of course, besides all the alphaness on the pages in this book is the sex.  Mylordgoodnessgraciousohmyheavens!  I realize a lot of the loves scenes may be over the top for some folks, but I get lost in them.  They’re sexy, sensual, lusty, dominant, and possessive and if it weren’t for the story in between, I’d be skipping ahead just to get to the next one.  Cam is one of Ms. Leigh’s best heroes in the loving/control/possessive department.  Chase is not far behind.

And that brings me to the one disappointment I had in the book, but I’m hoping it might be taken care of in the next book, Only Pleasure, which I hope is Chase’s story.  A check of her website doesn’t give any info on the book right now, so I’m left with a lot of hoping.  But when Chase finally discovers Cam’s secret of what happened when they were teenagers, he, of course, blames himself because he didn’t protect his baby brother and his anger ignites big time because Cam didn’t trust him enough to share his agony with him, and they come to blows.  Which I realize is what men to do.  But after that I wanted a little more.  These men are brothers, and although the words are never said between them, you know they love each other, they’re the only family they have left.  I felt more emotion should have happened between them, especially after everything they’d been through and everything the reader had been through with them.  So with Chase we’re sort of left hanging and that’s why I’m hopeful Only Pleasure will feature him and his story next.

But that isn’t nearly enough to stifle the pleasure I got from this book.  I wish that I’ve read more in this series, only one other so far, “Surrender” in the Ties That Bind anthology with Jaid Black, the first book in the series, which was just an okay story for me.  I reviewed it here a few months ago.  There’s been just a few years between the books and it shows how Ms. Leigh has grown as a storyteller.  She’s become one of my all-time favorites and I anxiously anticipate every book of hers that comes along.

Grade: A

Summary:

Jaci Wright has been running from the Falladay twins, Chase and Cam, for seven years now. Fears of the desires they arouse in her, and the knowledge of the relationship they wanted with her, spurred her to run, to find a life that kept her traveling the globe and out of their reach.

But now life has come full circle. A new job has placed Jaci in the Sinclair mansion with Chase and Cam. And they’re tired of waiting. It’s hard enough to face accepting a relationship with two men rather than just one, but gossip and the tattered tales of juicy secrets fill the society she now moves within. Can Jaci face the world knowing she’s a lover to both men, or will her hesitancy and her fears destroy her chance of happiness forever?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

This just in…

Cindy Gerard’s new series, Black Ops, is slated to hit the shelves next month.  This series picks up where her previous series, The Bodyguards, left off.

~ The first three books for the men of Black Ops., Inc. are packed with romance, action, adventure, so be prepared for a wild ride!

~ If you read Into the Dark, the last book in The Bodyguards series,  then you’re going to recognize these guys…

~ Gabriel Jones, the Archangel, is featured in Show No Mercy to be released September 23.

~ On October 21, Take No Prisoners, Sam Lang’s story will be available.

~ Whisper No Lies, to be released December 30, will feature heartbreaker Johnny Duane Reed.

~ To celebrate all the new releases, Cindy is running a contest on her website, which has been redesigned to feature the new series. All you have to do is drop by during the months of August and September and sign up for her newsletter and you’re in the running for an autographed copy of Rescue Me, an anthology with Cherry Adair and Lora Leigh, as well as Cindy, and an autographed ARC of Show No Mercy, plus a $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate.

~ And let Cindy know what you think of her book trailer for Show No Mercy and the new website look while you’re there!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Sylvia Day has a lot going on, so listen up! You have to pay attention or you just might miss something important…

If you’re going be in San Francisco at RWA’s annual conference, you can pick up a copy of Eve of Darkness, the first book in Sylvia’s Marked series – nine months before it hits the shelves!

Sylvia will also attend the Literacy Signing at the conference on Wednesday, July 30, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel. Be sure stop by to say hello and pick up one of her books. Or two.

All About Romance’s Favorite Books for Favorite Authors is still going strong and Sylvia’s books are currently in the running. Other authors such as J.R. Ward, Kathryn Caskie, Keri Arthur, Rachel Gibson and others are also competing. Check everything out and place your ballot here. Hurry, though, the contest is only open through July 6.

Sylvia will also be at Lora Leigh’s 2008 Reader Appreciation Weekend September 19 – 21 at the Pullman Plaza Hotel in Huntington, West Virginia.

A new series with a new pseudonym is also on the horizon for Sylvia. Her Sapphire series is being written under her new pen of Livia Dare. The first book, Sapphire’s Worth, will be released in June 2009 with two more following in June 2010 and June 2011, respectively. The first book was written in 2004 and sold to Kensington Zebra in 2006. “It’s been a long time coming, so I’m excited and hope that those of you who have been waiting for this book since it was first posted on my site find it to be worth the wait!” Sylva said.

Now for the contests! Sylvia has two current contests running at her website. In her Christmas in July contest you can win a “Fairies On The Moon” figurine. Taken from Nene Thomas’ immensely popular fantasy art print , “Star Gazer”, this is a wonderful ornament to decorate and accentuate any home area. Plus, the winner will receive two Marked series coffee mugs.

In her Sizzling Summer Reading contest, one winner will receive copies of Sylvia’s Pleasures of the Night, Heat of the Night, and Alluring Tales I: Awaken the Fantasy.

Also included in this great prize package is a book cover, playing cards, and a Marked series coffee mug.

Go here to enter both contests! Now, aren’tcha glad you stuck around?!?

Consider yourself flashed.

Sandy M’s review of Ties That Bind by Jaid Black and Lora Leigh
Contemporary Erotic Romance anthology released by Ellora’s Cave 29 Aug 03

This book surprised me. I’m a huge Lora Leigh fan. There’s not been a book of hers that I haven’t loved so far. The few books I’ve read by Jaid Black I haven’t cared for. In Ties That Bind it’s the Black story that I liked best. Go figure.

Sins of the Father by Jaid Black

JD is determined to have what Lawrence Morgan, his mentor and pseudo father, promised him — Morgan’s daughter, Candy. But Morgan betrayed JD and then had the gall to die before JD could exact his revenge. Now he’s finally got his goal in sight, his revenge will see fruition. He’s backing Candy into a corner, forcing her into marriage to save her father’s business and her family, but giving herself to JD totally and fully, to be at his command night and day. He plans to own her, to use her, have her bear his heirs, and never let her forget what she did to him.

Candy has impeded JD’s tries to take over Morgan Chemicals twice before, but this time her success and her luck run out. She’s dumbstruck at what JD wants of her, but as much as she tells herself she will find a way out of his web, her body and her heart tell a different story. She’s been in love with the man for so long, knowing he’d never want someone like her, and now that he has her, it’s not at all what she’d dreamed. He only wants revenge while she wants love. But he brings out her sexuality, shows he what it’s like to be dominated and ravaged. Is it enough? Will he ever give her more?

While it’s blackmail that is used to coerce Candy into their marriage and forcing her to give her body to him when he demands — and JD demands all from her frequently — that didn’t matter to me in this story. I ended up liking JD because he’s not what he seems. Even though he was hurt by her father, he’s man enough to let the past go when he finds the truth and sensitive enough to confess his feelings when the time is right. Candy is a strong woman in business and loves her family, and that’s what forces her to agree to JD outrageous but sensuous contract of marriage. When they finally truly talk, things become so much better between them and a good and happy life is possible.

Grade: B+

Surrender by Lora Leigh

Tess has dreamed of and loved Cole for years, ever since her father married Cole’s sister. But even when he finally makes his move to let her know he wants her, she refuses to believe him. The fact that her mother is bitter about the divorce and her father’s marrying a younger, more sexually open woman don’t help matters. Cole has plans of his own, however, and lures Tess into spending a week with him, a week full of erotic pleasure and pain, something she’s fearful of but something that will be heaven to experience with Cole. The fear of finding out he won’t love her also plays havoc with her willingness to give in to his expertise.

Suffice it to say, Tess does give in and spends the week with Cole. He overloads her in every sexual way possible, ending in one explosive menge a tois — explosive in more ways than one. While the story is very erotic and Cole is alpha to the max, there’s just something missing in him from the usual Leigh hero that I love. He is sensitive a few times towards Tess, but maybe not enough for all his demands of surrender. I’m thinking maybe because it’s a short story and there wasn’t enough time to really get to know his character better like we would in a full-length book. He was too hard and demanding.

Grade: C

Summary:

Sins of the Father by Jaid Black

Candy Morgan has always felt badly about the fact that her father duped and then fired his former protégée, James Douglas Mahoney III. Worse yet, she knows that JD has always believed her to be a part of the conspiracy to get rid of him. When JD comes to power during a hostile takeover of Morgan Chemicals, Candy realizes he will want revenge against her family so she prepares herself to be ousted from the company. But much to her surprise, JD doesn’t oust her. Instead, he wants his vendetta against the Morgans settled in an entirely different fashion, in a way Candy never could have imagined in her wildest, most wicked dream…

Surrender by Lora Leigh

Cole has wanted Tess for years. And he’s warned her of this several times. He’s also warned her HOW he wants her. Tied down in his bed, under his domination, surrendering to his desires…

Read an excerpt of Sins of the Father here and Surrender here.

Sandy M.’s latest review got me thinking about Lora Leigh. She is one of those authors that everyone seems to adore, particularly my fellow duckies . But the two short stories I tried by her, one in the Hot Spell anthology and the other in the A Wish, A Kiss, A Dream anthology didn’t work for me at all. And then there are the incest books, which people either love or they hate.

But despite all that, Lora Leigh sells like hot cakes and I keep thinking maybe I should try one of her full-length novels before I give her up completely.

But she has a huge, scary backlist, and I don’t know what to read. So I turn to the collective wisdom of the Pond.

Recommend me your favorite Lora Leigh book in comments and tell me why I should read it. The person whose comment actually manages to convince me to try one of her books will receive some sort of prize book donated and signed from Lora Leigh. Don’t ask me what prize–I am not the contest duckie nor do I play her on TV. [ed note: tis ok I answered for you cuz I can do that go team me!] Extra points will be awarded for creativity and/or attempts to make me snork a beverage out my nose.

Limecello’s review of Real Men Do It Better by Susan Donovan, Lora Leigh, Lori Wilde, and Carrie Alexander
Erotic romance anthology released 6 Feb 2007 by St. Martin’s Griffin.

They say that Real Men do it better… and they do, at least in this book.

His Body Electric by Carrie Alexander

I liked this novella because it was unique, yet at the same time… common. The hero, Gabe Tomzak is a human lightening rod. The heroine, Karen Jaffe is a divorcee who left New Jersey when her husband traded her in for a younger actress wannabe. She returns home to Iowa to the glamorous life of an amateur sculptor, and virtual service rep, answering 1-800 calls. The story runs on a short timeline, but the forced proximity causes the characters to open up, and their relationship is very believable. I enjoyed the give and take between Karen and Jaffe, as well as the comic relief provided by an overly conscientious ex-boyfriend.

Grade: B+

Bed and Breakfast by Susan Donovan

The old story of opposites attracting, yet Ms. Donovan makes it work. Kate Dreyfuss and Jorey Matheny couldn’t be more different – on the surface. Flash floods not only threaten Kate’s life when she makes the foolhardy decision to leave on foot, but also restrict them to the lodge. It was nice seeing Kate learn to relax and let go, and Jorey is a terrific character- the friend/boyfriend everyone wants. My only issue, is that at times the “new age stuff” got to be a bit much for me. I felt minor disbelief as to Jorey being so centered- but what got me most was all the super vegan food. There was also some minor drama to throw a kink into Kate and Jorey’s budding relationship, which I didn’t love, but can understand why it was added.

Grade: B-

For Maggie’s Sake by Lora Leigh

I tend to like Lora Leigh’s books, and I enjoyed this one more than some of her recent ones. My biggest beef with this novella is that it was too short. It could (or should) have been a chapter in another book. Maggie Samuels and Joe Merino have history, with no closure. When Maggie’s husband Grant dies, her delicate position causes Joe to step up and take charge. The emotions were well written, and the concerns Maggie and Joe have valid. Their interaction is believable, and entertaining. Of course, this was a very hot, with wild monkey sex.

Grade: B+

Siren’s Call by Lori Wilde

I liked this novella, but unfortunately Duncan Stewart and Annie Graves didn’t really draw me in. They were friends growing up, but a night of passion led to regrets, and a separation. They had a cute story, but I felt too much depended on their past. The reader is thrown into the present with all of Duncan and Annie’s baggage, and told to believe they can pick up essentially where they left off. Despite the fact that they haven’t interacted in years. Annie gives a token protest, but I wasn’t completely convinced. I felt that the book could have taken place a month after their split, not five years. Something else that bothered me was the excessive emphasis on Annie’s Harvard degree. I like snarking about Harvard as much as the next person, and ribbing Harvard friends – but I don’t need to read about it every few pages. Also, the education system is a hot button for me. Annie supposedly has a Harvard MBA, but she only went there for undergrad. Therefore, she might have a degree from Harvard Business School, but no Masters of Business Administration. Rawr.

Grade: C+

I happened upon this book, and had to read it because of Lora Leigh’s Tempting SEALs series. I wasn’t disappointed -  this is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in a while. I’d definitely recommend reading Real Men Do It Better, and plan on looking into the backlists of these authors.

Overall Grade: B+

     Summary:

     Every woman knows real men do it better, and these contemporary erotic romance writers prove why.

     Bed and Breakfast by Susan Donovan
     A stressed-out corporate dynamo finds a rustic lodge under renovation and the hunky owner, who had no idea she was coming. After a downpour strands her, he helps “center” her in ways she never imagined.

     For Maggie’s Sake by Lora Leigh
     Maggie’s ex-lover things she’s hiding information about the deaths of some Navy SEALs. But when a member of a notorious crime family captures and holds her hostage at gunpoint, he realizes he’s wrong, and only he can save her life.

     Siren’s Call by Lori Wilde
     Annie never forgot her first love or the day he pushed her away. But she’s back in town and he plans to win her over. What girl could resist a handsome Scotsman to guide her on a treasure hunt?

     His Body Electric by Carrie Alexander
     Strange events occur at Karen’s farmhouse after an aloof stranger seeks shelter from a violent lightening storm. Alone in the dark with him, Karen uses her skills as a phone-sex operator to seduce the mystery man, uncovering secrets and erotic pleasure.

Sandy M’s review of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs, Book 5) by Lora Leigh
Contemporary Romance released by St. Martin’s 4 Mar 08

This book is intense. No other word readily comes to mind when thinking back over this story. From the moment we meet Ian, vowing to his tortured and comatose best friend that he will avenge Nathan’s nightmare at the hands of two of the world’s most notorious and bloodthirsty drug lords, we are caught up in the intensity of his life. His need for revenge. His need to rid the world of these monsters. His lust for the one woman who can distract him from his mission, and his need of and love for that woman to keep him sane and assure him of a future.

Ian is branded a traitor when he turns his back on Durango team, the other SEALs he’s lived and worked with for years, the men who watched his back on every mission and who would have died for him just as he would for them if the situation warranted it. Now Ian is on the wrong side of the law, taking over the Fuentes cartel from his drug lord father, vowing to bring down Diego’s counterpart of a rival cartel as well as his father, but also leading Diego to believe he truly has his son with him at last. It’s the life that Ian has led since leaving his military life behind that brings out his anger, his disgust for the man who sired him, a man who kills on a whim to keep his soldiers in line. It is with a single-minded intensity that Ian has whipped the cartel into shape and closer to his ultimate goal. However, suddenly there is a wrinkle in his plans, one he intends to get rid of before it turns into a problem that will lead to his failure.

Kira is that wrinkle. She’s the woman who stirs his senses, hardens his body, and drives him to distraction. The woman who is a trained agent, his equal in nearly every way when it comes to a mission. The woman who is in love with Ian. Ian’s singlemindedness really jumps off the page when Kira is in his head, in his arms, or in his bed. When he’s loving this woman, intense is almost too light-hearted a word to use to describe those scenes. His instinct to protect overshadows everything when it comes to Kira, even when he knows she’s a trained and deadly agent. He’s a chauvinist and he admits it. Readily. He’s not going to let anything happen to his woman and heaven help anyone who even touches her, let alone tries to harm her. Kira handles him beautifully, however. Of course, she spends most of the book in the throes of the passion this man constantly dishes out, but she is still able to calm him and watch his back when needed, even when she’s been sent to keep him from doing the one thing she knows will eventually destroy him after all is said and done.

The scenes between Ian and his father, between Ian and his SEAL team when they come face to face again, and between Ian and any other character in this book are all intense and gripping. The action scenes are, in their own way, just as passionate as the love scenes, though much fewer, thank goodness because those love scenes are something else. I almost wanted to skip over other scenes just to get back to all that great sex. Almost. All those in-between scenes are that good too to really do that.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a hero who sustains such a level of intensity throughout the entire book like Ian Fuentes. I can speculate, of course, that perhaps another of the SEAL books previous to this one might boast such a hero. Guess I’ll have to start reading them to find out.

Grade: A+

From the back cover:

     THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

     As the illegitimate son of Diego Fuentes, Ian Richards faces danger at every turn. Neither his father nor his fellow Navy SEALs knows which side he’s fighting for-or against. Which is exactly how the game must be played…until Agent Porter enters the picture.

     STIRS HER DESIRE FOR LIVING

     Kira Porter, undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, shadows Ian on his journey. She thinks she can see the real man beneath Ian’s bad-boy exterior…but the ever-elusive Ian keeps her guessing at every turn. Is his goal to protect the Fuentes cartel from French terrorists? Or to do his father in for good? The only thing Kira does know is that her attraction to Ian is a time-bomb waiting to explode. With time running out on the Fuentes mission, she and Ian are drawn ever close to the edge of desire-and even closer into the line of fire…

     Read an excerpt here.

Ok I am going to work toward getting all the nifty prizes logged today and we will start giving them out. Some of them will go to random comment in a post with these icons. WHAT icons?

SSE EXCERPT: Dear Santa by Karen Templeton

EXCERPT Part II: Thigh High: Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: The Love Letter by Linda Broday

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: No Time for Love by Phyliss Miranda

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: A Shade of Sunrise by DeWanna Pace

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: Amarillo By Morning by Jodi Thomas

EXCERPT Part III: Thigh High: Twinkle Twinkle Little Thong by Bonnie Edwards

Excerpt from Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles
new historical release from Mills & Boone with a UK release in June 2008

Yours, Mine…or Ours is book two in Karen Templeton’s Guys & Daughters series (Dear Santa, Yours, Mine…or Ours? and Baby, I’m Yours)

Excerpt of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles, coming 1 May!!
Historical romance released by Harlequin 1 May 2008

Excerpt Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare aka the one to steam the screen

I am missing some and will add them tomorrow (I see Kresley Cole’s aren’t here). More excerpts to come from Lisa Kleypas, Jill Shalvis, Lynne Connolly, Stephanie Tyler, Caroline Linden, HelenKay Dimon, EC Sheedy, Liz Carlyle, Hope Tarr, Lora Leigh, Sabrina Jeffries, Jenna Petersen, Laura Drewry, Sydney Croft, Roxanne St. Claire, Jennifer Estep, Cheryl St.John and many more….

As well as some nifty prizes from t-shirts and books *g*. Some you will have to answer questions from the excerpts and other will be random drawings from the comments.

first recap can be found here

How Flashdance… LOL 

It’s Raining Excerpts!EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: Secrets of Surrender by Madeline HunterEXCERPT Part I: Thigh High: Parlor Games by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Phantom Pleasures by Julie Leto

EXCERPT Part I: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part II: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part III: Unlawful Contact
EXCERPT Part IV: Unlawful Contact

SSE EXCERPT: Dear Santa by Karen Templeton

EXCERPT Part II: Thigh High: Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: The Love Letter by Linda Broday

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: No Time for Love by Phyliss Miranda

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: A Shade of Sunrise by DeWanna Pace

EXCERPT: Give Me a Texan: Amarillo By Morning by Jodi Thomas

EXCERPT Part III: Thigh High: Twinkle Twinkle Little Thong by Bonnie Edwards

Excerpt from Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles
new historical release from Mills & Boone with a UK release in June 2008

Yours, Mine…or Ours is book two in Karen Templeton’s Guys & Daughters series (Dear Santa, Yours, Mine…or Ours? and Baby, I’m Yours)

Excerpt of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles, coming 1 May!!
Historical romance released by Harlequin 1 May 2008

Excerpt Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare aka the one to steam the screen

I am missing some and will add them tomorrow (I see Kresley Cole’s aren’t here). More excerpts to come from Lisa Kleypas, Jill Shalvis, Lynne Connolly, Stephanie Tyler, Caroline Linden, HelenKay Dimon, EC Sheedy, Liz Carlyle, Hope Tarr, Lora Leigh, Sabrina Jeffries, Jenna Petersen, Laura Drewry, Sydney Croft, Roxanne St. Claire, Jennifer Estep, Cheryl St.John and many more….

As well as some nifty prizes from t-shirts and books *g*. Some you will have to answer questions from the excerpts and other will be random drawings from the comments.

Oh my goodness.  I love Lora Leigh‘s books.  I love them like a fat kid loves cake (TM Karen Scott).  Her Breeds have a special place in my heart and her Bound Hearts books are right next to them.  And guess what?  She’s got a new Bound Hearts book coming out 13 May 2008, Wicked Pleasure (Book 9).

Go here for an excerpt.  Read on for a peek at her book trailer (one of the better ones I’ve seen)…

Gwen’s review of Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, and Virginia Kantra
Paranormal romance anthology released by Berkley Sensation on 4 Mar 08

This anthology focuses on, you guessed it, shapeshifters and their loves.  And can I say that this is a tremendous collection of authors?  LOVED the book.  Well.  Mostly…

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight
Sci-Fi romance

Summary: Interstellar empress Zarifa Lorezo desperately needs protection against the royal assassins who are out for her blood. She decides to buy a bodyguard — a powerful werewolf slave named Rance “Mad Dog” Conlan. She soon realizes that despite his slave collar, Rance is a very dangerous man — and not just because he can turn into a seven-foot wolf. Read an excerpt.

I liked this little story by Angela Knight.  According to her site, it is in a different world than her Mageverse and other stories.  I didn’t quite believe the sexual tension between the H/H at first, but that probably had more to do with the brevity of the story than anything else.  Of all the things edited out, I would think emotional buildup between two strangers is the most likely.  I enjoyed the details given this new world, but felt that less is more – not all of the names of materials and the like are needed.  Good, but not great story.

Grade: B-

A Jaguar’s Kiss by Lora Leigh
Futuristic paranormal romance, Book 15 in The Breeds series (by chronology, not release)

Summary: Jaguar breed Saban Broussard has a job to do. His assignment? To protect the first teacher chosen to teach breed children. And protecting Natalie Ricci is exactly what he’ll do. With just one kiss and his touch, the mating phenomena begins that will tie her to him forever. Unless her ex-husband manages to get them both killed.  Read an excerpt.

Have I told you lately how much I love Lora Leigh?  Well, I love Lora Leigh.  If I ever met her, I’d be star-struck.  I love her writing.  I love her characters.  I LOVE her erotic scenes.  Hey!  I just realized that this story didn’t have her trademark buttsecks!  Holy cow!  This was a good Breeds story – more novella than short story, actually.  A very likable heroine and hero, a very believable if stupid villain.  This story stands alone just fine, if you haven’t been following the Breeds series.  I was very happy to see these two work it out.  You will LOVE the scenes of when she first arrives at her new posting with Saban in tow, helping her shop.  I laughed several times and could really feel the sexual tension between them.  Good story that alone is worth buying this book.

Grade: A

Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day
Contemporary paranormal romance, Book 4 in the Warriors of Poseidon series

Summary: Alpha were panther Ethan is finally starting to make an edgy peace with the first Atlantean to encroach upon his territory. But will he need to make room in an even rockier terrain — his heart — when the Atlantean’s beautiful sister Marie arrives and disrupts every facet of Ethan’s well-ordered existence? Read an excerpt [you may have to sign up to the members-only section of the site to read the excerpt - it's painless and free].

This was a very fun entry in the WoP series.  I liked Ethan and somewhat liked Marie.  I don’t think we get to see enough of Marie, though.  I don’t recommend attempting this story unless you’re following the WoP series or unless you have handy the resource materials available on the author’s site.  Nice action and I was glad to not see the vampires in this story – it almost strictly dealt with shapeshifter politics, specifically the jaguars.

Grade: B

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra
Historical paranormal romance, Book 1 in the Children of the Sea series

Summary:  None available from the author’s or publisher’s site.  So I’ll make up my own.  Appears to be set in the late 1800′s to early 1900′s.  A nearly destitute young woman, reeling from being taken advantage of by a former employer and shunned by her family, sets off to the Canadian west and new opportunities.  Her steamship sinks off the coast of Scotland and she’s rescued by a Selkie.  Should she fall for this seal-man?  What about her stained reputation?  Oh my!  No excerpt available.

I just have two words for this story:  fish breath.  And thank goodness it was short.  Sorry.  It was very difficult for me to take seriously a romance with a man who can shift into a seal.  I mean – flippers, eats fish.  I just have a hard time thinking of a seal as sexy.  Wolf – sexy in a dangerous, feral sort of way.  Big cats – same thing.  Seal?  Just ain’t happnin’ for me.  The writing isn’t bad – even if I didn’t like the heroine (she’s a reluctant tramp) and didn’t believe the romance.  I doubt I’ll be reading this series.  Even the available excerpt of the next book in the series, Sea Witch, wasn’t enough to make me want it – though a female selkie I can deal with more.

Grade: D

This was a good anthology with just the one exception in the Kantra story (I really didn’t like it).  If you’re following the Breeds or Warriors of Poseidon series, I highly recommend getting this book.

Overall Grade: B

From the back cover (a summary which says absolutely nothing – pretty typical Marketing Speak):

          In this seductive anthology, four masters of paranormal romance explore the boundaries of erotic shape-shifting fantasy – and shatter them.

Something happens when the beast within is teased and tempted.  Something dangerous.  Something inescapable.  Something so irresistible no woman would want to run from it.

Whether transforming beneath the cool blue moon, prowling the night streets with feline grace and blood-red talons, or panting with pleasure, the shifters come alive to fulfill your wildest fantasies…

Gwen’s review of Dawn’s Awakening (The Breeds, Book 4) by Lora Leigh
Futuristic paranormal romance released 5 Feb 08 by Berkley

Leigh’s Breed series is a peek into a world where human/predator eugenisis is a reality and this bioengineering of “weapons” is an old, dirty secret that the world is still reeling from.  Dawn’s Awakening is book 4 in that series (books are published out of order and most can be read that way).  It’s a raw, compelling world with heroes and heroines you cheer for, and superb villains. 

Dawn’s Awakening is one of the best Breed books I’ve ever read.  I think it may be the only one with a Breed female and human male H/H and damn if that wasn’t THE MOST fun to read of all the combinations so far.  The hero, Seth (love that name, by the way), is still “bigger and better” than an average human male because of the mating hormones, but still, he’s human and it’s just luscious to read how he reacts to his mate.  The heroine, Dawn, a Cougar Breed who suffered horribly in the labs, is a flawed, heartbreaking woman who eventually redeems her soul.

Dawn’s Awakening has one of the most “complete” Breed story arcs I’ve read.  You read about Dawn and Seth throughout their long acquaintance with each other and are given quite a lot of detail – not too much, though, just enough.  The secondary story arcs are small, but contribute to the main plot.  the secondary characters are complete people who help the story and move the plot.  There’s a little “future book salting” but it’s appropriate to the storyline.

Don’t miss this book.  If you’re a fan of paranormal, futuristics, or just damn fine writing, don’t miss this book.  If you’re a fan of Leigh or the Breed’s books, don’t miss it.  If you’ve never read a Breed book before, this would be an excellent one to start with, so don’t miss it.  There’s enough backstory you should have no trouble picking up what’s going on in this complex world.  Damn.  Just don’t miss this book.

Grade: A

From the back cover:

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate-and realizes it’s far too easy to lose total control…One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears-and threatens to destroy their newfound love, along with their lives…

Read an excerpt.

Bev(QB)’s review of Beyond the Dark (Anthology) by Angela Knight, Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, and Diane Whiteside
Paranormal romance published by Berkley Sensations 4 Dec 07

First of all, if you aren’t familiar with these authors, you should be aware that this book should have been labeled as paranormal EROTIC romance. I suppose it could be argued that it’s implicit on the back cover with “Four bestselling authors of paranormal romance and erotic thrills…” But I’m surprised it wasn’t explicitly stated somewhere. 

From the inside cover:

“What can you feel in the dark?”
“How far are you willing to go beyond it?”

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight

“Angela Knight does it– in the psychic realm of a woman attuned to the touch of strangers– and the powerful temptations of a seductive and mysterious protector.”

Someone call Marvel! There’s been a mini-trend lately to adapt romances into comic books. Well, Angela Knight’s novella has comic book-like superheroes adapted into novella form. I don’t think I’d like it as much in full length novel format, but in this shorter form it’s fun, sexy and quirky. Explaining it would spoil all your reading fun.

Queen of All She Surveys by Emma Holly

“Emma Holly does it– in the fantastic demon world where a powerful queen rules– until she commits the sin of falling in love with the handsome son of her worst enemy.”

If you aren’t already familiar with Emma Holly’s demon series, there is one erotic scene in QoASS that will leave you scratching your head and saying “WTF was that extra bit all about?!” [Hint: what he THINKS it might be is correct and it only appears in mated royals.] But for those that do read the series, I think this might be the best and most memorable one. The full length books tend to drag a bit from an overload of details, but this erotic novella was tight and well-written. Except for when Mem declares “I itch… back there”. EEWWW! I half expected Tou to offer him the demon version of Preparation H or douse him with a de-worming potion. A need, a burning need, an aching emptiness, surely there was another term Holly could have used besides I ITCH! GAK!

In a Wolf’s Embrace by Lora Leigh

“Lora Leigh does it– in the domain of a strange Breed, part man, part wolf, on the hunt for the woman he craves– and needs– to fulfill a hunger clawing at him from within.”

Curious what Lora Leigh’s Breeds series is all about? IaWE is an excellent way to find out. Since Matthias, a knotty [hee] Wolf Breed, wants grace to understand exactly what she’s getting into before they are overwhelmed by Mating Heat, and since he first has to make her understand the Breeds history so she’ll let go of her horror at witnessing him execute someone she considered a harmless old man, readers get a condensed summary of the Breed series. This is a sizzling erotic romance with a smile-worthy HEA.

Caught by the Tides by Dianne Whiteside

“Diane Whiteside does it– in an alternative universe of regency magic where two lovers are threatened by a vicious mage and swept up in a turbulent war off the Cornish cliffs.”

Dianne Whiteside’s CbtT should have worked. Paranormal plus Regency plus erotic romance usually makes me a happy reader. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t as crisply written as the other three novellas. But in all fairness, I’m not that big a fan of stories whose plots rely almost exclusively on magic. Combine that with underdeveloped characters and erotic scenes with a surprising lack of heat (from the author of The Switch?!), and I never quite connected with this one.

Overall Grade: B+

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.

We here in Romancelandia are complete series addicts. Once an author writes a well received book, her fans immediately start clamoring for more stories set in the same world. I think it would be correct to state that no two Romancelandians will ever have the exact same entries on their own Favorite Series list. 

Eclectic and fodder for debate, these are the series that leap to mind when I’m asked what my favorite reads are. The order I’ve listed them in is approximate as my preferences change based on my mood and what feels right at the time.

Bev(QB)’s All Time Favorite Book Series

1. Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Ballantine Books) This complex fantasy/urban fantasy showcases Hamilton’s unparalleled world building expertise. (see Review: A Lick of Frost)

2. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. (Delacorte Press) I consider this fantasy/urban fantasy to be a master’s class in the use of first person POV. Brilliant.

3. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. (Berkley) Hamilton is one of the godmothers of what is now referred to as urban fantasy. Unlike most long-running series, I’ve known people to jump in this one – at any point with no problems. I started at book 9, Obsidian Butterfly, then went back and read them all – several times.

4. The Cynsters, particularly the Bar Cynsters (books 1-6) by Stephanie Laurens. (Avon) The crème de la crème of Regency era historical romances. In fact, I consider book 1, Devil’s Bride, to be closer to perfection than any other romance I’ve ever read. Its only glaring flaw is that unfortunate back cover pic (roll over the original cover in the link to see it). What were they thinking?!

5. Skye O’Malley saga by Bertrice Small. (Ballantine Books) The life and loves of an extraordinary woman and her family during the reign of Elizabeth Tudor. To read a Bertrice Small book is to instantly and completely be absorbed into the rich tapestry of the tastes, sounds, sights and lives she weaves together.

6. Breeds series by Lora Leigh(Ellora’s Cave and Berkley). When someone says they are new to ebooks, I recommend they start with this series. No one writes sexual tension and characters consumed by unquenchable need better than Lora Leigh. The intense erotic scenes are woven into the story of a not-quite-human species as they overcome the horrors of their past, and begin a journey to understand themselves as a species and as individuals, while also striving to find love and acceptance.

7. The Highlanders series by Karen Marie Moning. (Jove and Dell) Although they were always a highly enjoyable auto-buy for me, it is the audio books (with Phil Gigante’s swoon-worthy narration) that earn this series a permanent place on my list. (see Aural Pleasures 103)

8. The World of Hetar by Bertrice Small. (HQN Books) In this epic fantasy, Ms Small has created a world that is in some ways recognizable, yet vastly different from our own. Without the constraint of historical fact, she allowed her muse free rein to create this lusty, sweeping saga.

9. Jarheads by Sean Michael. (Torquere and Fictionwise) Sean Michael has a unique voice. He doesn’t give us much physical description of his characters, but somehow paints an emotional picture. We get to know them through their words and actions and I get completely caught up in the lives of these lovable and loving men. Rigger, whom I adore, is the heart and soul of the series and someone I’d like to count as a good friend in real life. One caveat though – there were times when even I said, “Enough with the sex, already! Get on with the story!”

10. The Donovan series by Elizabeth Lowell. (Avon) Still tapping my foot waiting for the rest of this contemporary romantic suspense series – including a look back at the elder Donovan’s love story. You know, I do believe I’m overdue for a re-read!

11. Brothers in Arms by Samantha Kane(Ellora’s Cave). The newest addition to my list. The erotic scenes in these Regency period bisexual manage stories are written in exquisite, excruciatingly drawn out detail. And Kane manages to make each scene feel completely unique to each triad.

12. What series will someday claim this last spot on my list? Is it a series I’ve already started? Maybe Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series or Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. A Gentleman’s Wager by Madelynne Ellis is already on my single title favorites list, but with its upcoming sequels and spin-off, will it land on my series list, too? Or maybe my next favorite series is waiting out there for me to discover it. Maybe it’s not even been written yet and is being nurtured by a muse waiting to bestow it on some worthy author.

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.

CONGRATS To LORA LEIGH

Lucky #13 on The New York Times bestseller list

for November 25, 2007!!!!

“13 NAUTI NIGHTS, by Lora Leigh.A Kentucky marine woos a woman he’s lusted after for years; the second book in the Mackay Cousins trilogy.”

Gwen’s review of Tanner’s Scheme (The Breeds book 3) by Lora Leigh
Paranormal erotic romance released by Berkley 7 Aug 07

This is the story of Tanner Reynold’s and Scheme Tallant’s love affair.  It’s called Book 3, but frankly, the numbering methodology for this series is beyond confusing.  In the breed chronology, this book falls after Harmony’s Way and before Wolfe’s Hope.  You can see the full chronology here.  Personally, I think the placement is all Ms Leigh’s whimsy and there’s no master plan behind it.    The book’s official release date is today, but the local Wal-Mart already had this on their shelves last Saturday. 

Tanner is the public face of the Breeds and is the poster child for the “We’re Harmless” message the Breeds want to convey to the human public.  Scheme is the daughter of the mastermind behind the Breeds Labs and all the atrocities committed therein.  There’s nothing a Breed would like to do more to her than skin her alive and leave her on an ant hill.  Problem is, they would have to go thru Tanner to get her.  Tanner has fantasized about Scheme and spied on her for years and years – she’s done the same to Tanner, for that matter. Now they’re together and things get hot, fast.

Tanner kidnaps Scheme just steps ahead of her father’s assassins.  Dear Ol’ Dad has discovered Scheme has been working against him, for the Breeds, for a decade.  Scheme knows her dad has a similar spy in the Breeds’ midst and suspects Tanner to be that traitor.  The hero and heroine spend roughly half of the book trying to overcome these trust issues, only to realize that neither one of them are what they appear to be.  At all.

This is a very nice love story.  Of course it has Leigh’s trademark Breed very hot, very erotic sex, but it also has plenty of plot to drive you from one hot bed bout to the next.  The climax (chuckle) is very exciting (tee hee).  Great fight scenes and excellent suspense.  You really care about Tanner and Scheme by the end of the book, as well as for several of the secondary characters (Cabal’s story should be hot hot hot!).  I continue to be impressed by Ms Leigh’s incredible, and incredibly productive, imagination.

Another excellent entry in Leigh’s alternate Breeds reality.

Grade: A

Here’s the book blurb:

A sexy paranormal series set in a world where genetically altered Breeds and the humans who created them sometimes come together in the fiercest of passions.

After the Feline Breeds’ main base is attacked, Tanner desires revenge. So he kidnaps Scheme Tallant-the daughter of a one-time high-ranking member of the Genetics Council. But when Tanner discovers that Scheme herself is a target of her father’s ruthless mission, his vengeance takes a back seat to saving the life of the woman he hopes to claim as his mate.

Read an excerpt.

Next on Ms Leigh’s horizon:

Nauti trilogy Book 2, 6 Nov 07	Tempting SEALs Book 5, 4 Mar 08
Mar 2008, Dawn’s Awakening (Berkley Sensation, Cougar Breed)	Sep 2008 Mercury’s War (Berkley Sensation, Lion Breed)

Gwen’s review of Aiden’s Charity (Breeds Book 12) by Lora Leigh
Futuristic Paranormal Erotic romance releas by Ellora’s Cave 1 Jul 07

This is another entry into Leigh’s Breed series.  It is set in what is presumably a contemporary Mexico, South America, and Colorado.  The heroine is Charity Dunmore, a human scientist who worked undercover, helping to free Breeds from captivity for several years before she herself is turned into an experimentation subject.  The hero is Aiden, a wolf Breed, former experimentation subject himself, and security specialist for the Compound where many of the wolf Breeds live.

This was a far more sexual Breed story than others I have read.  This fact should have folks quaking in their panties, so to speak.  I mean.  This is Lora Leigh, after all.  But damn if it wasn’t a good book!

If you’re a Breeds fan, you should read this story.  It fills in some of the gaps in the mechanics and biology of wolf Breed physiology.  Oh, and it also has a nice love story, though it was tough to find with all the boinking going on.

This book is available via download from the Ellora’s Cave site or print from EC’s eBay store.

Now I’m going to go take a long, COLD shower.

Grade: B
Here’s the book blurb:

The forces of survival and destruction swirl in the darkest corners of men’s minds. The nature of the beast cannot be harnessed, and survival is the purest of all instincts. Survival of the species itself goes soul deep.

But can the human heart accept and adapt as easily? Can Charity bestow the love and the acceptance that has always been a part of her, to the man whose very survival depended on the hardening of his heart, of his soul? And can Aiden maintain that cruelty now, in the face of the sacrifices she made? Only time and nature can tell…

Read an excerpt.

Hidden Agendas (Tempting SEALs, Book 4) by Lora Leigh
Erotic action romance published 26 June 2007 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks

This is the fourth entry in Leigh’s Tempting SEALs series. Book 1 is in the anthology, Honk If You Love Real Men (I hate that title), Book 2 is Dangerous Games, Book 3 is in the anthology, Real Men Do It Better (just mildly dislike that title). And, good googily moogily, I ADORE this cover (despite the inaccurate dog-tags) and I think it’s way cool that the woman is leading that big hunka man by those tags. This book is the story of Kell and Emily. They’ve known each other for years and years, loved each other for almost that long. They have never acted on that love, though, nor have they “hooked up.” This is the story of their explosive hook-up. And have I mentioned how much I love the cover?

Lora Leigh is one of my favorite erotic romance writers. Her books are always interesting, the characters fully developed, and the plots compelling. Oh and the sex is HAWT – HAWTY HAWT HAWT! Steamily erotic scenes are the norm in her books. I have a few problems with the Men of August series, but I generally like what she does. This book was no exception. I generally liked it.

The story was interesting, if not terribly compelling. Its saving grace were the characters – they were likeable and I really cared what happened to them. I liked Emily’s driven nature and I sooooo want Kell to show up on my doorstep one day – sooner rather than later, please.

I was thunderstruck by the betrayal at the end and I cried during the Nathan scene (you’ll see what I mean when you read it), so the emotional development is excellent throughout the book. However, I do hope Leigh’s next SEAL book has more of what Dangerous Games had – a little more edge. I got a confused about Judas and Mr. White – were they two different people? the same person? That remains unclear for a large portion of the book. Regardless, those were minor flaws in an otherwise fun summer read. Oh, and I LOVE the cover

Grade: B-
Here’s the book blurb:

SAVING LIVES IS HIS MISSION.
Tough-as-nails Navy SEAL Kell Kreiger is the best there is at searching, rescuing, and taking no prisoners yet even the rush of ever-more dangerous missions isn’t enough to satisfy him. Haunted by a tortured past, Kell seeks distraction in a secret world of dark intimacies. But when Emily Stanton, the one ray of light in Kel’s shadowy existence, is pursued by a ruthless drug lord, the rules of the game suddenly change—and Kell will have to go deeper undercover than he ever imagined…

SAVING HER IS HIS PASSION.
Emily has loved Kell ever since her father, a prominent politician, rescued him from a brutal life on the streets. They were kids then, too young to act on what was growing between them but now that Emily is ready, the handsome, headstrong SEAL has decided he’s no good for her. Ever since he rescued her from Diego Fuentes’ compound, Kell’s only duty has been to keep Emily safe. But Fuentes isn’t finished with Emily or Kell. And to protect Emily, Kell has no choice but to lay himself body, soul, and secrets bare and fight against evil with all his heart.

Read an excerpt.

**Lora Leigh will be on blog later in the month and I have a signed ARC of Hidden Agendas to give away. To enter post in this thread and tell us your favorite Lora Leigh book. Winner will be randomly picked from the comments posted by Saturday May 9 @ midnight** Winner Announced

geeze wasn’t someone suppose to be watching me or something? next thing you know, I am gonna have to be responsible for my own actions… 

But hey I could drink my money away or have a shoe habit or whatever

hi my name is sybil and I am a bookaholic

Trade:
Men of August – Marly’s Choice By Lora Leigh
Thanks nicole! I really need to set up a trade list or something.

Used:
Southern Comfort by Karen Kelley
I have never heard of this book or this author. Anyone have an opinion?

Widow’s Little Secret by Judith Stacy
I am a Harlequin Historical whore, what can I say.

Letters From a Stranger, Forever and a Day and Unspoken Vows by Connie Rinehold
Kristie J made me do it. Well she rec’ed Letters and I am easy.

New:
Jamie by Lori Foster
This is the end of the Visitation series. I really didn’t think I would like this and had Just Say No to Joe forever before I read it. For whatever reason it completely caught my interest. Lori Foster is a hit or miss author for me. I hope this ends the series well.

Beach Blanket Bad Boys by Linda Lael Miller, Alison Kent, Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Susanna Carr, Morgan Leigh
note to self: order trade size books from amazon or bamm. I just paid 15.00 bucks for this. The line up of authors is great so I am hoping it was worth it and it is the second of the bad boy books I have bought new. So all in all it is worth the price. But the next one, will be purchased online.

Bad in Boots – Colt’s Choice by Patrice Michelle
I love a good western, make it a hot western and I am in heaven. I have only read one story by Patrice Michelle Hearts Are Wild with Cheyenne McCray , Patrice Michelle , Nelissa Donovan and I enjoyed her story. This is the second in the Bad in Boots series and in sybilfashion I don’t have the first one yet. oops I do have Dragon’s Heart, A Taste for Passion (vamps) and A Taste for Revenge (vamps) to read. She does say there will be more BiB books coming as well as the vamps.

Beauty Like the Night by Liz Carlyle
New to me author, I am really enjoying her backlist.

Marry the Man Today by Linda Needham
I am not really sure why the hell I bought this. I have only read two books by Needham and didn’t like either. I am trying to cut back on my ‘spy’ books. And she is a dreaded avon author (looks at kristiej). I didn’t even know about this book and honestly, ::hangs head:: the cover caught my eye. It is purple with a carriage and really pretty font. I picked it up and was in a rush (got there 20 mins before they closed). I am going to look up what I can on the book and I MIGHT go back and exchange it tomorrow for something else. Ten to one I throw it in the tbr pile and use it for that avon post I am going to someday do.

Hero, Come Back by Stephanie Laurens, Christina Dodd, Elizabeth Boyle – talked a lil about this one earlier

Master of Pleasure by Jessica Trapp – talked a lil about this one earlier

hee and the library sale is tomorrow at 11 Then I think I am set for the week. The thing that really sucks ass, is I am going into work in the morning. le sigh I would have had more time tonight to read the shit load of books I have but real life got in the way.