Laura J’s review of Long, Slow Ride by Mardi Ballou
Contemporary Erotic Romance eBook short story released by Ellora’s Cave 14 May 08

For awhile, there were several books out by different publishers that were focusing on the older woman/younger man storyline. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read any of them or not, but this one was written by an author whose books I’ve really come to like and thought, why not, I’ll give it a shot. Since it was a short story I wouldn’t be out of a lot time spent reading it if I didn’t like it.

Alone at her co-worker’s wedding, Lori is asked to dance by Jeff, the couple’s chauffeur for the wedding. Lori, hesitant because of the obviously younger, but very sexy Jeff finally agrees. He asks her to wait for him so that he can complete his chauffeur duties and then will take her on a ride in the limo wanting to get to know her better. Lori, agrees believing the fling with the Jeff can’t hurt anything. Jeff falls for Lori quickly and has to convince her that their age difference doesn’t matter.

I really like Ms. Ballou’s writing voice and I like the characters she created for this story. The sex scenes between Jeff and Lori were hot. The chemistry between the characters showed not only during the sex scenes but also when they were just talking and getting to know one another. This biggest disappointment in this story was when I finished reading it. I wished it would have longer, maybe novella length.

Now that I’ve read some of Ms. Ballou’s paranormal stories and a contemporary short story, I’m going to have to check out some more of her books since she’s becoming a must read author for me.

Grade: C+

Summary:

The wedding reception is boring and depressing for Lori Nelson — until she gets asked to dance by the chauffeur. The twenty-something, very hot chauffeur. Lori figures Jeff’s just being polite. But that’s before he takes her in his arms and sets her libido on overdrive…

The moment Jeff meets gorgeous, classy Lori, he falls hard. But much as Lori seems to dig him, she’s hung up on their eleven-year age difference and her own personal baggage.

While Lori convinces herself that she can handle a one-night stand, Jeff is firing up his limo, prepared to take Lori for the ride of her life.

Read an excerpt here.

LauraJ’s review of What’s A Ghoul To Do? by Mardi Ballou.
Paranormal Romance novella eBook released by Samhain 26 Aug 08

I may have said this in my review of Byte Marks but these are the kind of paranormal romances I love. I would rather the story focus on the romance of the hero and heroine rather than who is trying to get revenge or some type of power struggle. I don’t mind if there is some conflict. Conflict is important in a story, but I have don’t like the ones where I spend more than half of the book reading about the hero and heroine on the run or constantly battling the villain. I know some like those kinds of book, but not me. So if you are looking for a more suspenseful paranormal romance, you won’t find it in this one, but if you are like me, then you will love this book.

Lilith is a demi-ghoul who has not had the best luck at dating. Once her dates find out who she is or rather who her father is they tend to run the other way. She works with her best friend Dominique (heroine from Byte Marks) helping others find their true love. Lilith on the surface seems content that she may never find her true love, but she is hurting. The one thing I like really like about Lilith is despite the fact that she wants true love she won’t settle for someone who doesn’t accept who she is. I hate when heroine’s change or think they have to change for the hero and Lilith doesn’t.

Rafe is the pack leader and has recently learned that in order to strengthen his pack’s credibility he must choose a life mate. Rafe is content to be a bachelor and thinks that as long as he leads the pack in a fair and honest way then not having a life mate should have no impact on his ability to lead. The pack elders disagree and come to Lilith’s and Dominique’s matchmaking business to help Rafe find his life mate. The reluctant Rafe is instantly attracted to Lilith and makes his wishes known to both her and his pack that he wants Lilith. I loved him. Very sexy, very alpha and has no qualms with getting what he wants, which is Lilith as his life mate.

There is a little more suspense in this book, but the focus on this story is the romance between Rafe and Lilith. I am already looking for the next book in the series and hope that Ms. Ballou has even more in the future.

Grade: B

Summary:
She’s the only mate he wants. But love isn’t on the menu.

Fangly, My Dear series

Lilith P. Graves needs to get a life. A social life. This shouldn’t be a problem, since she’s partnered with her best friend in the “Fangly, My Dear” dating service. Problem is, she keeps falling for the wrong guys, and they don’t get more wrong than the super-hot alpha Rafe Graywolf.

With the history of bad blood between her kind and his, the message is clear: Vegetarian demi-ghouls need not apply.

Obeying the call of duty, Rafe took the role of alpha at a rough time for the pack. For the sake of stability, the elders insist he find a mate. Now. A dating service isn’t normally his cut of steak, but he has little time—or choice.

But Lilith…now there’s a choice morsel he could sink his teeth into. Too bad they’re on opposite ends of the ghoul-werewolf social spectrum. Not to mention the food chain…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Laura J’s review of Byte Marks by Mardi Ballou
Contemporary paranormal romance eBook novella released by Samhain Publishing 13 May 08

I like paranormal romances but I prefer that they are on the lighter side.  I love Mary Janice Davidson and Kimberly Raye’s vampires and even though Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampires are a little darker and more suspenseful, I still find the humor and mystery outweighs the suspense you find in most paranormals.  This book was definitely for book for those who are like me, the ones who want sexy vampire heroes, some good vampire loving and a good storyline to go along with that.

In this story, Dominique is a witch who has renounced her heritage.  She believes she can get everything she wants by working hard, not by using witchcraft.  She is basically a workaholic with no time for a serious relationship especially after her last one ended badly.  She’s on vacation in San Francisco after being talked into it by her best friend Lilith, a half human-half ghoul.  Lilith takes Dominique out to see the nightlife of San Francisco ending up a bar owned by vampire Antoine Thierry.  A powerful vampire community leader, Antoine likes to keep relationships very simple, in other words, no more than one night and no witches.

Lilith introduces Antoine and Dominique and immediately Antoine finds her appealing, but something is differant about her and he can’t quite figure out what it is.   Dominique can feel Antoine’s vampire gaze try to pull her, but she is able to resist, barely.  When he enters her dreams later, Dominique wonders if the intimate actions were real or a dream.  Antoine knows there is something differant about Dominique, but everytime he comes close to finding out her secret she is able to shut him out.

Later, Dominique, with the help of Lilith comes up with an idea for a new business venture.  A dating service that will match couples with the most up to date computer technology from every background.  They are able to get all the groups on board for this with the exception of the vampires.  Antoine claims that vampires are not in need of a service like this, but Dominique and Lilith still need his support because they know that there are probably some vampires that would like a service like this.  When the woman approach Antoine with their business plan he refuses to help in any way.

When Antoine discovers Dominique’s secret, he is unsure of what to do.  He is so attracted to her and it’s a feeling that despite her being a witch he wants to persue.  Fortunately Antoine is not alone in his feelings.  Dominque knows she is only in town for a short while but with this new business venture she may be staying longer than planned.  She has to decide if she can include Antoine in her plans too.

Antoine was definately the sexy vampire hero that I like in my paranormals.  Dominique is a likeable heroine.  I liked her need to want to make it on her own without the help of her magic, although I would think she could have found a balance for both.  I’m hoping that the next book mentioned as “coming soon” at the end of this book is Lilith’s story.  I’m thinking that some of the secondary characters can be quite interesting giving her background.

Ms. Ballou has written a very good story, with fun and sexy characters and lots of room for more stories from this paranormal world (at least I’m hoping there’s more).

Grade: C+

     Summary:

She’s his match—but he’s not in her business plan.

A Fangly, My Dear story.

Hereditary witch Dominique LaPierre has always refused to use her powers, especially when it comes to business. Until now. Her new company, a computer dating service that hooks up the San Fransisco human and para communities, thrives on crossing that boundary. Business is great despite opposition from the arrogant and conceited Antoine Thierry, a leader in the vampire community. And, to her irritation, she finds she’s got the hots for him.

Antoine doesn’t like or trust witches. Nor does he like the growing power of technology; real vampires, in his view, don’t need it to have a social life. Besides, if he can’t control the game, he doesn’t want to play—except with Dominique. The heat between them could melt down any hard drive. She pushes his buttons on every level, from the board room to the bedroom. But he’s holding out, especially when she looks to him to support her new business.

Antoine wants it all. His way—and his woman.

Warning: This title contains hot sex and lots of it!

     Read an excerpt.