Sandy M’s review of Jace (Shadow Wranglers, Book 3) by Sarah McCarty
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Trade 3 May 11

I’ve been looking forward to this book in Sarah McCarty’s Shadow Wranglers series. Jace is the youngest of the Johnson brothers, and when we last saw him, he was headed straight into danger to find someone not even his brothers were aware of at that time. He’d been acting recklessly, even for Jace. In this book we find out why.

We pick up where Jared left off, Jace and his brothers and werewolf allies attempting to gain entry to a Sanctuary laboratory/stronghold to rescue Jace’s mate. No wonder he’s been running headlong into perilous situations at every turn. But now he knows where Miri is and nothing will keep him from her after searching for her for the past year. The only thing that matters now is to get Miri out of Sanctuary’s hands and to help her heal, and she needs a lot healing.

Miri, however, wants only to find her daughter. Born from experimentation and rape, Miri’s little girl was taken from her immediately by a vampire who swore to keep her safe, leaving a clue on Miri herself as to the infant’s whereabouts. Jace is the epitome of patience and protection now that he’s found his mate again. He’s determined to make Miri see that what the Sanctuary bastards did to her matters not to him. Well, only in that he’ll find the SOBs just to kill them for the revenge they deserve. But her scars and everything else she suffered at their hands doesn’t mean anything next to making her happy, keeping her safe, and finding their daughter.

The tone of this book is very different from the previous two. Jace himself tones down after he finds Miri. He confronts everything with a wry sense of humor, especially where Miri is concerned, which I think is part of what eventually wears her down, because she too gets into the bantering game with him after a while. Of course, there is evil afloat all around and they have to contend with that, with help from the other Johnson brothers and werewolf allies save the day.

Jace finally realizes Miri needs her home. With her pack. When the alpha dies, because Miri is high ranking, it’s Jace who is looked to to take over. He’s not going for the whole idea at first, but knowing it will help Miri, they make the trek to visit the wolves who, they discover, lived under the thumb of a man who wanted and took only for himself. They’re determined to make things better for the pack, in between any challenges that come Jace’s way. Which infuriates Miri. She’s as ready to take on all comers as much as Jace is.

Even though this story is a bit of a departure from the first two books, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s Jace’s caring and loving ways toward Miri that kept me reading. Even in her vulnerable state she stands up to him, but he’s not about to let anything else happen to her. I’m curious if the new wolf pack will play a part in the next book. It does seem odd to send Jace away from his brothers, so maybe there is something brewing. I hope so!

Grade: A

Summary:

He had one need.
She had one hope.
Together they have one chance…

Vampire Jace Johnson was not a family man until he met Miri. But their forbidden relationship ended when she disappeared. After a year of searching, Jace finds Miri in a Sanctuary enclave.

After a year of cruel experimentation by the Sanctuary on her werewolf form, Miri is no longer the passionate wife Jace remembers. She only lives to rescue the daughter Jace never knew they had.

Now, they must overcome the tragedy of their pasts if they are to reclaim the future they both desire…

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Jared (Shadow Wranglers, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Trade 6 Apr 10

I’m going to nag on the issue of reading books in a series in order again. I’m one who usually likes to do that. Sometimes as a reviewer that doesn’t happen.This is one of those times, and I’m a little vexed that it did happen. There’s information revealed in this book about certain events in the first book in the series, Caleb; therefore, knowing some of what happens even before you start reading takes a little of the punch out of the story and makes it somewhat anticlimactic. But there’s plenty in this series that will keep me reading.

Of course, the three biggest elements in this series that make it prime reading for me: heroes who are brothers, cowboys, and vampires. Can hardly get any better for me. The fact there’s an estrangement of sorts between a couple of the brothers makes it even better. Despite that, too, there’s a lot of other emotion among all four of them as well as the main characters.

It’s Jared and Caleb who’ve had a bit of a problem for a number of years — vampire years — because Caleb turned his three brothers, not wanting to live into eternity without them once he’d been bitten. Things have gotten better between them, though Caleb still carries some guilt over his actions.

Jared has made the best of being a vampire, going from an old-time outlaw to a vampire no one messes with. The Johnson brothers have kept to themselves for centuries, but a war is brewing with Sanctuary, a group of derelict vampires who are experimenting with female vamps to create babies of their kind, because their females are known to be infertile. Returning home Jared comes upon Raisa being roughed up by a couple of Sanctuary bad guys. He can’t walk away, leaving her to an unknown, horrific fate, so rescuing her is the only option. He figures to get her to safety and they’ll go their separate ways.

He never expects to be so intrigued by her that he can’t let her go for other reasons. Raisa is extremely weak for a vampire, all due to not being able to keep blood down when she eats. Jared’s protective instincts rise to new heights when dealing with her. He finds out soon enough, though, that she has secrets she won’t reveal, secrets that will possibly work against him and his brothers when it comes to vanquishing Sanctuary.

And, of course, when her biggest secret is revealed, none of them, as well as the reader, expects what they get. It’s a situation that Jared must come to grips with, especially when he learns Caleb knew the truth of it for quite a while.

We also get a lot of Jace and Slade, the other two brothers, who hopefully will have their own books. We already get the beginnings of Jace’s story at the end of this one. But a look at Ms. McCarty’s web site doesn’t list anything forthcoming as of yet. My optimism is very high, though.

Grade: A

Summary:

Jared Johnson has always been a force to be reckoned with, first as an outlaw and now as a vampire. Caught in a war between immortals, he doesn’t have time to waste, but when a female vampire is attacked, he can’t just walk away. He expects a quick good­bye, but what he gets is a vulnerable woman who intrigues and seduces while giving away nothing of the secrets holding her hostage.

Raisa may not have extreme physical strength, but she’s been able to survive as a vampire longer than most by keeping to herself. But that’s about to change. Forced to accept Jared’s protection, Raisa finds it increasingly hard to resist his forbidden allure while keeping the secret that could destroy them both.

Read an excerpt.
Read a spicy excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Limecello’s review of Tails of Love by Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Kate Angell, Dianne Castell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James, Donna MacMeans, Sarah McCarty, Patricia Sargeant, and Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Special romantic fiction anthology released by Berkley Desire 1 Jun 09

I’d like to start out by noting that this book was written for charity- that all author and agent proceeds are going to a no-kill animal shelter. And that yes, I feel incredibly guilty about it… but I did not enjoy this book overall. The reason I finished it was because, well the book was written for charity, and it deserves a review, and also I think Sybil would have killed me if I didn’t finish it. So here we go. 

There were parts that I enjoyed, and I found some new to me authors that I plan to look into. I think also the fact that there were so many authors participating led to limited or restrictive page lengths, and that really hurt a number of the stories.

As I mentioned, a number of the novellas are incredibly short, so I’m not going to do an formal review of each one, per se. Some of the stories featured unique animals.

Ann Christopher’s novella, Atticus Saves Lisa, features a capuchin monkey. Too adorable – and its a therapy pet. Her story is well written, emotional, complete, has great characters, and is one of my favorites in this anthology.

Kate Angell’s story, Norah’s Arc, has a pygmy goat, which is cute. The interaction between the characters is also nice, and there’s a good balance between them and the animals.

Marcia James’s story, Rescue Me, was also very well written. The animal here is a Chinese crested dog. I’m impressed because her story is great, yes, but in a way mostly because she made me like cresties. And… if you’ve ever seen “ugliest dog” contest pictures, you’d know why that’s surprising. The characters have history, which also helps make this novella more realistic. It feels complete, although I would have liked more.

Sarah McCarty’s novella, Danny’s Dog, also pleasantly surprised me. I’ve read a few of Ms. McCarty’s other books, and this one was not what I was expecting. It was all about the plot, and characters, and it was rip your heart out and stomp it into the ground gut wrenching. I felt the character’s pain, and their emotions were so raw, and real. It’s a great story – I cried.

I enjoyed Lori Foster’s story, Man’s Best Friend, and was glad that it was an original one, but it was so short. Only 34 pages, and I felt that things were a bit rushed, and really it was only one scene between characters, not a story.

I don’t know what the page restrictions were, but I think writing for the anthology – not even really a novella, made it difficult for the authors to complete a story. Also, there wasn’t much cohesion within the anthology aside from animals being a part. Some novellas are contemporaries, others paranormal, or historical. This means there’s something for everyone, but it’s a little bit distracting. I think it’d help to read one story, put the book down, then come back to it, rather than reading them all in one sitting.

Some authors made animals characters, with cats and dogs talking, and I don’t mean were-animals. Although one novella did have a were-dog. Sometimes this was fine the story felt natural, but sometimes it did not. I found it very odd, and there was a distinct lack of flow in certain stories. For example the reader might jump from a cat, to a dog’s perspective – and it seems rather childlike or in the tone of a children’s book… and then all of a sudden you’re reading about the hero’s erection. The word “dissonance” comes to mind.

I’m afraid some of the stories simply didn’t work – not only were they not believable, but felt rushed and incomplete. I also kept wondering if this was actually a romance anthology or not, because so many stories ended abruptly, or without what seemed to be any real romance or relationship.

Nevertheless, there are some really great stories in Tails of Love and there were good things about each novella. I’m definitely interested in reading more books by some of the authors that I haven’t read before, such as Ann Christopher, Marcia James, and Patricia Sargeant. Others are authors that I’ve read before, and will continue to read. This anthology was written for a great cause, and that’s the most important thing of all.

Overall Grade: D+

Summary:

Ten all-new stories that celebrate our animal friends, by bestselling and award-winning authors. All Author and Agent proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the AAF – Animal Adoption Foundation – a no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton, Ohio.

From Seeing Eye dogs to the cat who cuddles in your lap, animals are there for us in more ways than we can count. Helping us get through the day with a wag of the tail and a tilt of the head, they let us know that someone is on our side—no matter what. They also have an amazing ability to break down barriers between people; bringing families and loved ones closer, and giving strangers an excuse to strike up a conversation. In Tails of Love, each writer draws from her own unique perspective on our loyal friends—exploring the many mysterious ways they bring love into our lives.

Read excerpts from Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Dianne Castell here.

Read excerpts from Kate Angell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James here.

Read excerpts from Donna MacMeans, Sarah McCarty here.

Read excerpts from Patricia Sargeant, Sue-Ellen Welfonder here.

Five years later, we have finally drawn a winner for a copy of Tucker’s Claim by Sarah McCarty.  We apologize for the tardiness, and we hope the lucky winner will still be very excited!  Who is it?  Well, congratulations to…..

Cheryl C.!

Cheryl, please e-mail Sybil at redwyne AT gmail DOT com with your shipping address to claim your prize.

Welcome back to Duck Chat!

Today we’d like you to meet Tracy Wolff!

Writing in several romance subgenres keeps Tracy busy and her books on bookstore shelves. Her latest book is an erotic suspense titled Tie Me Down, and she’ll be talking about it today. Tracy writes for NAL Heat, Harlequin Spice, and Harlequin SuperRomance, three very different publishers, covering the gamut from sweet and sensual to suspenseful and erotic, a terrific span for readers.

Tracy is married and she and her husband have three sons. She is an English professor at her local community college, and she began writing when she was quite young and become more serious about the craft after her mom introduced her to reading romance.

Today Tracy is kindly offering up one copy of Full Exposure and two copies of the Naughty Bits anthology which also features Megan Hart, Delilah Devlin, Jodi Lynn Copeland, Sarah McCarty and a whole host of other authors. So make sure you leave a meaningful comment or question for Tracy to be in the running to win. Now let’s chat!

DUCK CHAT: Tracy, since you have a new release coming out this month, let’s talk about that first. The title is Tie Me Down, and with a title like that, the storyline has got to be hot! Would you tell us about Cole and Genenieve and how their story came about?

TRACY WOLFF: I freely admit that I’m a little bit (read a lot) of a control freak, so when I sat down to write Tie Me Down, I wanted it to be about control—having it, losing it and giving it away willingly once you find someone to trust. Much of the book is a battle of wills between my hero and heroine as each jockeys for dominance over the other—in the bedroom and out. Of course, in the end they learn that love is more about trust and respect than it is control.

Excerpt from Full Exposure:

Kevin Riley was the stuff fantasies were made of.

Her fantasies, to be exact.

Six foot five, heavily muscled, with the most beautifully intense blue eyes she’d ever seen, he captured her attention like no man ever had. And with his half-naked body in front of her and nature thrashing fiercely around her, it was all she could do to keep her clothes on, her mouth shut and her camera aimed somewhere besides his absolutely fabulous ass.

Not that he should mind– it was one of his best features, after all. And she was being paid, well paid, for taking pictures that showed his every side.

Of course, she wasn’t sure that fifty shots of his ass were quite what the publishers had had in mind when they’d hired her, no matter how glorious it was. Besides, her humming libido couldn’t handle much more without going into severe overdrive anyway.

Serena snorted before she could stop herself. Who was she kidding? She’d passed overdrive a while ago, was now heading straight toward spontaneous combustion at an alarming rate. The thought disturbed her and she moved restlessly, desperate to focus on something– anything–that could bring her traitorous body under control.

She glanced towards the large windows that covered an entire side of the old, red brick studio and tried to concentrate on the storm raging through Kevin’s little slice of bayou. But the wildness of it-the utter lack of control-only made her more uncomfortable.

Rain pummeled the tin roof, flashes of lightning illuminated the darkness beyond the house and thunder shook the studio as it exploded across the sky. Mother Nature was in a frenzy and much of southern Louisiana would pay the price on this steamy summer night.

She was just one more victim.

It was three a.m. and she should have been asleep, tucked safely into bed in her Baton Rouge condo. Nature whirled around her and she should have been terrified as she witnessed the destruction caused by every gust of seventy mile an hour winds. She was working and she should have been focused, completely absorbed in taking photos for the book that could blow her career wide open. But she wasn’t.

She wasn’t at home asleep, she wasn’t terrified and she certainly wasn’t focused.

What she was, was aroused.

Powerfully, frighteningly aroused.

Wetness pooled between her thighs, her nipples peaked and she had to work-hard– to stifle the moan threatening to part lips it was becoming harder and harder to keep closed.

She’d never been this out of control before, had never been so aroused that she couldn’t focus on anything but the throbbing ache between her thighs. Serena pressed her legs together, desperate to stem the sensations bombarding her. But it was no use. Heat swept through her body. Her skin flushed a rosy pink and her heart began to race as the fine tremor of arousal shook her, making hands that were normally rock-steady tremble with reaction.

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

TW: This isn’t from an interview, it’s from my neighbors and strangers on the street– So, is your sex life as good as your books suggest? And if you really want the answer—yes, it is. At least until my husband reads this and divorces me for kissing and telling …

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?

TW: Of course they do! At least a few times in each book my main characters will do something completely different than I expect them to. I’ve learned, in most cases, to go with it instead of fighting it. Which is why I have yet to write a book that actually follows the synopsis—I’m beginning to think that I am simply incapable of following any sort of detailed plan.

DC: You have three different subgenres on the Books page at your website: Sensual, Contemporary, and Paranormal. Where did your first release fall? Do you like writing one more than another? There’s nothing on the paranormal page yet – any hints you can give us as to what’s coming up there?

My first story was No Apologies which is obviously erotic. My first novel is A Christmas Wedding, which is Contemporary. The first book I ever wrote is Full Exposure, which is erotic suspense. I’m all over the place.

As for the paranormal, that page will soon be connecting with another website—I’m writing edgy dragon shapeshifter paranormals for NAL under the name Tessa Adams. I’m finishing up my first one right now—Dark Embers, Book 1 in the Dragon’s Heat Series—which will be out in July 2010. I’m currently billing it as a modern day fairy tale: The Dark Prince and the Biochemist in Distress …

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

TW: I wouldn’t call it so much of an argument as a dictatorship. I win, of course—reference the first answer about my inner control freak.

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

TW: My children. Project Runway on the TV. Aerosmith on the radio. A kiss from my husband. Chocolate. Need I go on? Obviously I have the attention span of a three-year old.

DC: What has been your favorite book cover from all of your releases and why?

TW: Oh geez, that’s a hard question because NAL has done such a beautiful job with my covers. Seriously, I think I have some of the best covers in the genre. If you’d asked me a few months ago what my favorite cover was I would have told you, no doubt, the Full Exposure cover (I loooooove the spine of that book). But now that I see how Tie Me Down turned out, I think it might be my favorite. I think the book looks fabulous!!!!

DC: Your contemporary books are for Harlequin SuperRomance. Ever find yourself going a little bit too far when writing, getting a little too hot for a SuperRomance hero and heroine?

TW: I think my writing might definitely have been too hot for the SuperRomances of a few years ago, but I think recent SuperRomances definitely span the spectrum from sweet to hot. When I first started writing for Supers, I actually spoke to my editor about my writing style and whether she thought my love scenes were too hot for Supers. She told me they were appropriate to the stories I wrote and that as long as that was the case, she would be behind them. So while I tone them down some from my erotic novels, I still feel like I stay true to my style.

Or to put it more succinctly, yes, every once in a while I have to stop and go, oh yeah, the whips and chains might be a bit much, LOL!

DC: How about your least favorite cover? Why?

TW: Honestly, the No Apologies cover—which was beautiful and visually inviting but did not reflect the story very well. My very suave, African-American hero was turned into a white cowboy on that cover. But other than that, I can’t complain. I’ve had very, very good luck with covers.

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?

TW: That’s an interesting question and one I have trouble answering. But to give it a shot– one of my favorite reviews actually came from Wendy the SuperLibrarian on this site—she basically said the character in my first book, A Christmas Wedding, kept her husband’s balls in a jar by the door during their 27-year marriage. Can I say ouch? Yet, to a certain extent, Wendy was right. So while I still write really strong, kick-ass alpha females, I work to make sure I don’t cross the line into bitchy.

DC: Your Harlequin Spice, No Apologies, is in stores now. What are the differences in writing for Spice compared to NAL Heat, if any?

TW: Spice is, as a line, not as dark as Heat tends to be. So writing for Spice lets me be a little less dark and edgy than usual, although to be honest almost everything I write has some edges to it.

DC: Would you tell our readers about Gabe and Annalise from No Apologies?

TW: This story was great fun to write—just because Annalise was different than any of my other female characters. I have a tendency to write really, really angst-filled alpha characters (nothing makes me happier than to torture the hell out of my H/h and pit them against each other as I do it) and Annalise and Gabe are no exception. But Annalise is the only character I’ve ever written who really equates sex with power and trades in it ruthlessly. Writing about her falling for the one man who won’t let her wield sex as a weapon was really interesting—and intense.

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

TW: I’m actually tackling it right now—YA. I have always wanted to write a YA and I finally got off my butt and wrote the first 100 pages in a YA paranormal called Rip Tide. My agent is actually shopping it around this week, so fingers crossed.

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

TW: Get serious about your writing sooner. Don’t be distracted by school and marriage and jobs and kids. Just sit down and write the book, damn it.

DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

TW: Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince– and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from sweet and sexy to hotter than hell.

DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

TW: Dark and edgy with a hint of kink …

DC: In December your next SuperRomance, To Save a Boy, will be published. This story sounds intense and quite emotional. Would you tell us about it?

TW: I love this story, though the book went through some fairly extensive revisions. It’s the story of Rafael and Vivian, two emotionally wounded people who both think trust is a four letter word. Rafael was wrongly accused of rape by a rich woman when he was eighteen and ended up serving time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Out of prison for a number of years now, he runs a teen center in the worst neighborhood of San Francisco—and when Diego, one of the kids at the center, is wrongly accused of murder, Rafa is determined to do whatever he can to keep the kid from suffering as he did. Enter Vivian, a very rich lawyer who takes on Diego’s case pro bono. The story revolves around Vivian and Rafa working towards each other as they search for a way to save Diego from a system that could destroy his life. There’s a lot of emotion as these two work through their own baggage while helping Diego with his and, of course, evading the real killer who wants nothing more than to see Diego hang.

DC: Since I love to cook and you have a Recipes page on your website, let’s talk about that! You encourage readers to send in their favorite recipes and then you list recipes that are associated with some of your books. Do you incorporate the recipes in the books or do you talk about them at all in the stories?

TW: I haven’t incorporated any yet, but I keep playing with an idea of doing a chef book of some sort. But everyone is doing those right now, so I’ll probably hold off. I do, however, print up recipe cards for each of my books. Each one has a recipe unique to the story/region/characters and I give them out to readers and anyone else who asks for them.

DC: What’s your all-time favorite recipe you like preparing over and over again? Would you share it with us?

TW: Oh, that’s easy. Death by Chocolate.

This is what you need:

One tray of brownies—sometimes I make them from scratch, but usually I just use the boxed kind.
1/4 cup Kahlua, Grand Marnier or Espresso
2 packages of chocolate mousse, made
1 pint of whipping cream, whipped with a little sugar and vanilla
3 Heath bars or one bag of Heath bar bits, crushed
1 cup crushed pecans
And then you just layer it all together. Crumble the brownies in the bottom of a trifle bowl, then pour half of liqueur or coffee on them. Spread with chocolate mousse and then a layer of whipped cream. Sprinkle with heath bits and pecans then repeat all the layers again.

It’s delicious and a huge crowd pleaser.

Man, now you’ve got me thinking about dessert- I might just have to go make this.

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

TW: I’d do full-time what I currently do part-time because I just can’t give it up—I’d be a college writing professor. There is nothing in the world like helping people learn to write—and write well. And teaching college is an absolute joy (most days).

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?    – Milk, definitely. Preferably in the form of Godiva hearts or a Twix bar
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?    – Smooth
- heels or flats?     – I’m all about the wedge, baby
- coffee or tea?     – Both—preferably poured straight into my veins
- summer or winter?     – Winter—better book reading weather
- mountains or beach?     – Beach
- mustard or mayonnaise?     – Mayo
- flowers or candy?     – Flowers
- pockets or purse?     – Both
- Pepsi or Coke?     – Coke
- ebook or print?     – Still print, though the ebook is growing on me

And because we’re not tired of them yet:

1. What is your favorite word?     – wicked
2. What is your least favorite word?    – no
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   – Reading a really, really good book.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     – Exhaustion
5. What sound or noise do you love?    – My husband’s heartbeat
6. What sound or noise do you hate?    – My five year old whining.
7. What is your favorite curse word?     – Fuck—I’m a purist.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    – Archeologist
9. What profession would you not like to do?     – Soldier
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?     – “The Library’s that way—help yourself.”

DC: Thank you, Tracy, for spending the day with us! It’s been fun!

Update: CONTEST will close Sunday 8/30/09 @ midnight CST. Post a link to your review for either Hell’s Eight Book in the comments (Caine’s Reckoning, Sam’s Creed) and I will enter you twice (info in the comments).

Have we got a treat for you today!  In celebration of The Great Western Drive, we have ourselves a tasty excerpt from Sarah McCarty‘s next book, Tucker’s Claim, which is due out on October 1, 2009! 

But wait, there’s more!  More, you ask?  What could be cooler than a tasty excerpt?  Well how about a chance to win a copy of the book.  Thanks to the fine folks at Harlequin, we’ll be giving away one copy of Tucker’s Claim to one random commenter on this post.  Please note: This will be a final copy of the book (not an ARC) and will be sent to the winner closer to the book’s publication date.  Read on, comment, and good luck!

TUCKER’S CLAIM
Copyright © 2009 by Sarah McCarty
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.

Sally stood in front of her mirror, studying her reflection. Tucker McCade was waiting for her out in the woods. The illicit thrill that went through her was very much out of place, but exciting. Staring at the mirror, she wondered what he saw in her. She was a plain woman with plain ways, wearing a plain dress. She had nothing frilly under her dress, such as the saloon girls wore to entice a man. No fancy scents to please his senses. She was just Sally Mae Schermerhorn, widow of Jonah Schermerhorn, mother to none, daughter to none. A woman who’d come west in the hope of finding the sense of belonging that she’d never had, even amidst the accepting arms of the people who had taken her in when she was ten. Even in the arms of her husband.

She touched the demure white cap she always wore over her coronet of braids. Nothing like what was worn by the other women Tucker had known, she was sure. Tucker, with his big bones, big muscles and bold face with the aggressive slash of his cheekbones beneath his incredible silver eyes was a harshly exotic, handsome man. There was nowhere he went that women’s eyes didn’t follow. A dart of insecurity pierced her anticipation. Which meant he could have his pick.

She pulled the cap off slowly, watching in the mirror as it revealed the tightly pinned braids. Suddenly she hated the hairstyle and all it represented. Conformity. Control. Acceptance.

Tonight, she wanted to be the woman that Tucker imagined. Someone as fanciful as a moonbeam. She studied the cap, her image. Tonight, for whatever reason, he wanted her. And tonight she wanted to be more than plain Sally Mae. Tonight she wanted to drown in the attraction between them and just bury the pain that festered inside beneath some sort of joy. Since that horrible night when the sheriff had brought her Jonah’s bloody body, along with his last words, she’d been silently screaming. She didn’t want to be silent anymore, locked in her mind with her screams. And tonight she didn’t have to be. Tonight she could give Tucker what he wanted and take a little for herself. No promises would be made. No one would be hurt. Just two bodies coming together to satisfy separate needs. And when it was over, she’d go back to her silence and plain ways and Tucker would go about his wild ones. There was no worry that he would gossip. The added benefit of taking a man with Indian blood as her lover was that he wouldn’t—couldn’t—say a word for fear of being strung up. She didn’t personally care about his heritage. God created all men and women equally, but societal issues did offer her that guarantee.

Another pause as she considered how selfish she was being, using a man to relieve pain. But then she remembered the look in Tucker’s eyes as he’d stood in the back of the cemetery on one of her recent visits. He had stalked over the rise like some wild cougar, his torn-off shirtsleeves and leather vest showcasing his massive chest and powerful muscles, giving him a primitive intimidation, making everyone and everything else seem insignificant. The ever-present bullet hanging on the leather thong around his neck completed the image of a cold, lethal predator. Until his silver gaze met hers. There hadn’t been any sympathy there. No pity. But as she stared into his eyes, understanding arced across the distance between them, and she saw the pain he, too, felt.

Sighing, she put the cap on the polished vanity top. She was going to take a lover. A man not of her race, not of her beliefs. A man who, supposedly, was built of nothing but violence and darkness. Sally knew there was a wildness in her that could match the wildness in Tucker, but knowing it and experiencing it were two different things. Raking her teeth across her lips to give them a bit more fullness and color, she turned away from the mirror. She would have to do as she was. Jonah had always enjoyed taking her hair down for her. Maybe Tucker would enjoy it, too. Smoothing her skirts, she headed down the stairs and into the sweetness of the night.

This just in…

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

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

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

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

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

Consider yourself flashed.

Limecello’s review of Sam’s Creed (Hell’s Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Historical erotic romance published by Harlequin Spice on 24 Jun 08

I’ve heard a lot about this series and Sarah McCarty in general, so when I got this book I was happy to move it to the top of my reading list. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I can see why so many people love this series and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series (as well as the previous book, Caine’s Reckoning).

The story in Sam’s Creed is interesting, and relatively unique. Nothing earth shattering – yet the book is engaging and moves at a good pace. It doesn’t seem like that much is happening – yet you realize you’ve read nearly 100 pages without quite knowing it. What I’m saying is that the novel is surprising in a good way. And with lots of heat.

Isabelle Montoya is a likable heroine, even though I wanted to smack her at times. She had a few TSTL moments – and this book really goes to show that men go for looks – and admire things other than sense. Isabelle while courageous, wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. She nearly got herself and Sam, the hero, killed a number of times. In fact, Isabelle was nearly killed by Sam a few times, because she got in the way. (Can you tell that annoyed me?) I liked that she knew her own mind – she wanted Sam and she really went after him. Yet even with all that confidence and pragmatism, Isabelle was still soft, and naive about a few things. This mix really develops her character – and I think the reader feels also warmly towards Isabelle because Sam takes to her so quickly.

Texas Ranger Sam “Wildcard” MacGregor has quite the reputation, but is so kind and gentle with Isabelle. He could (and likely should) have abandoned her a number of times, but instead he makes her his cause. It’s cute, how Sam tried to be noble and stay away from Isabelle. A bit of a romance cliche, but adorable how Sam acted all the same. I also really liked Sam’s integrity and his competence. Sam was definitely an alpha hero, but one with a heart and was a gentle giant with women and children. I thought he was a fantastic character, well rounded, with a lot of depth. And resilient. The man was shot and/or knifed no less than three times in the book and still kept going. A veritable machine – and his injuries were such a minor issue it really contributed to the “myth” and intrigue of the Hell’s Eight.

One thing I’d like to say is… I wish a bit more background had been given to the Hell’s Eight. I mean, I understood/got that they’re a group of bad ass good guys that have formidable reputations (that are well deserved). But otherwise – what/who are they?  It was nice “meeting” one of the other members of Hell’s Eight, Tucker, in the novel – as well as some previous events. I wish that the group – the members, its inception, and development had been included at some point in the novel in some form.

I really liked how the story didn’t end at the conclusion of Sam and Isabelle’s [physical] journey. It was nice that Ms. McCarty took the time to solidify and cement Sam and Isabelle’s relationship. Putting the characters in different settings and having them interact with others was very revealing of the characters. I liked all the secondary stories and felt that they definitely worked in conjunction with the plot, and were not a distraction. Another positive was Sam and Isabelle’s interaction. It was quite witty and amusing – and I liked how they sparked off each other.

I recommend this book to people who are fans of Ms. McCarty’s writing, enjoy Western romances, and especially ones that have a good bit of heat in their books.

Grade: B

Read reviews and info on this and other books in the series by following its tag.

Summary:
Known for making up his own rules of right and wrong. Texas Ranger Sam “Wildcard” MacGregor takes what he wants when he wants it, especially when it comes to women. But seduction is the last thing on his mind the moment he stumbles across an Hispanic beauty racked with grief crouched beside a burned out wagon. And it doesn’t take long before he realizes the woman the townsfolk call “cursed” is hiding secrets too dangerous to face alone.

Isabella may look feminine and unassuming, but she’s hell in a bodice, with gun-slinging skills to match any man’s. But though she knows not to give Sam her heart as readily as she offers him her lush body, Isabella is certain she sees in Sam what he can barely glimpse in himself— a virtuous man dropped deep into a hard country bent on breaking him. A man who, under it all, craves a passionate woman willing to risk everything…

Read an excerpt here or a spicier one here.

Other books in the series:

and Tucker’s Claim (Book 3), comes 1 Jun 09

Gwen’s review of Sam’s Creed (Hell’s Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Historical erotic romance released by Spice 24 Jun 08

This is the second book in McCarty’s “erotic adventure” series based on eight men who grew up together – orphans and homeless.  They’ve stuck together thru some pretty grim circumstances that has made them all respected and feared men.  None more so than our hero, Sam.  These eight men will, I presume, find a type of salvation in the women they pick.  Heaven knows they deserve it/them. 

So far, McCarty’s Hell’s Eight heroes and heroines are all very complex characters.  Nothing is straight forward – no alpha just for the sake of being an alpha, there’s always a past involved; and the women are normally quite tortured or at risk. There’s nothing simple about them and their lives are never the facile, easy existence we have today.  It’s all quite true to the rugged “frontier” living of the times. This complexity leads to some interesting drama and major bad guys.

I did feel that Sam came to recognize his love for Isabella a bit quickly after he saw the quality of her family ranch – which she inherited from her father (an interesting twist that I wonder if would have happened in that day).  A quick capitulation that made me look a bit askance at his motives. Do I think he’s the right man for ‘Bella?  Absolutely.  But I also think that he’s smart and quick to recognize a good thing.

– SPOILER ALERT! — I also found it interesting that our hero and heroine never do manage to make it to a bed for their, shall we say, athletic bouts of lovemaking.  Their whole intimate relationship is spent, literally, in the saddle or the out of doors, which, when you think about it is an interesting statement for two such self-contained characters.  — END SPOILER ALERT –

It’s no great surprise that there’s an HEA at the end. It’s a lovely one, and one I hope to see more of as time goes on in the other Hell’s Eight entries.  McCarty has given us another smokin’ hot erotic romance with this book with some complex characters I want to see again.  I can’t wait for the next one coming April 2009.

I recommend this book to any fans of erotic romance, historical westerns with steam, and McCarty’s writing.

Grade: B

Read reviews of this and other books in the series by clicking on the Hell’s Eight series tag.

Summary:

Known for making up his own rules of right and wrong, Texas Ranger Sam “Wildcard” MacGregor takes what he wants when he wants it, especially when it comes to women. But seduction is the last thing on his mind the moment he stumbles across an Hispanic beauty crouching in fear beside a burned-out wagon. And it doesn’t take long before he realizes the woman the townsfolk call “cursed” is hiding secrets too dangerous to face alone.

Isabella may look feminine and unassuming, but she’s hell in a bodice with gunslinging skills to match any man’s. But though she knows not to give Sam her heart as readily as she offers him her lush body, Isabella is certain she sees in Sam what he can barely glimpse in himself-a virtuous man dropped deep into a hard country bent on breaking him. A man who, under it all, craves a passionate woman willing to risk everything…

Read a regular excerpt and a very spicy excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Book 3, Tucker’s Claim, April 2009

Sandy M’s review of Sam’s Creed (Hell’s Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Historical Western Romance published by Harlequin Spice 24 Jun 08

I love alpha men in my romances. Really alpha. The kind that take what they want when they want and know how to love a woman like she’s never been loved before. Of course, another part of my loving these alphas in my romances is seeing them fall for the one woman who stands up to them, makes them shiver with a touch, pulls the emotion from them while never letting them be less than the men they are. Sarah McCarty is doing all that and then some in her Hell’s Eight series. The men of Hell’s Eight grew up together after suffering the loss of their loved ones during a massacre, all feeling guilty about not being able to help save their families and all vowing to never love again to keep the pain of loss at bay. In the intervening years Sam has become a Texas Ranger and is a hard man, a man who kills with no remorse, a man who knows he’s best alone. His loyalty lies with his Hell’s Eight family and he’s content enough with that. Until he meets an Hispanic spitfire by the name of Isabella at the wrong end of a pistol.

She’s bossy. She’s been gently reared, a princess who needs pampering. But she’s also as sexy as all get-out and he’d love to have his hands all over her. But he knows she deserves better, so he’s not about to take her innocence, even though she throws herself at him at every turn. She’s running scared and even his assurances that he won’t let Tejala, the local bandito who everyone fears, get anywhere near her again don’t pacify her. Her answer to her problem is to give her virginity to Sam so Tejala won’t want her any longer. As much as Sam would like that, he just can’t let himself ruin this woman who fascinates, irritates, and tempts him with her fiery nature.

Isabella does her best, however, to push Sam over that sensual, sexual edge. I have to give Sam credit for the length of time he does hold out against her semi-clumsy, innocent wiles. Finally he’s at the end of his rope and there’s no going back for either of them when he snaps. Isabella even pushes him so far for him to lose his control, to show her the true passion between a man and a woman, not the slow and easy foreplay that Sam wants to give her. Isabella is a great match for Sam.

She doesn’t take any guff from him, but she also learns to follow his instructions when danger seeks them out, which happens quite a bit. Although she does save his bacon a couple of times when she ignores his dictates. That pisses him off to no end, but at least he’s still breathing to give her a good talkin’ to.

The quick and snappy banter between these two is a lot of fun. We meet up again with Tucker, another Hell’s Eight brother, and we’re set up nicely for the next book, Tucker’s Claim, due out in April of next year. The only thing that I didn’t get and would have really liked was a visit with Caine and Desi from the previous book, Caine’s Reckoning.

I know the storyline doesn’t allow for that, but I still would have liked it somehow anyway. For most of this book the only two characters we get are Sam and Isabella, which you’d think would get a little boring after a while, but that never happens. Ms. McCarty has a way with these characters and they keep the pages turning as fast as you can flip them.

Grade: A

Summary:

Known for making up his own rules of right and wrong. Texas Ranger Sam “Wildcard” MacGregor takes what he wants when he wants it, especially when it comes to women. But seduction is the last thing on his mind the moment he stumbles across an Hispanic beauty racked with grief crouched beside a burned out wagon. And it doesn’t take long before he realizes the woman the townsfolk call “cursed” is hiding secrets too dangerous to face alone.

Isabella may look feminine and unassuming, but she’s hell in a bodice, with gun-slinging skills to match any man’s. But though she knows not to give Sam her heart as readily as she offers him her lush body, Isabella is certain she sees in Sam what he can barely glimpse in himself— a virtuous man dropped deep into a hard country bent on breaking him. A man who, under it all, craves a passionate woman willing to risk everything…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Caine’s Reckoning (Hell’s Eight, Book 1) by Sarah McCarty
Historical Romance released by Harlequin Spice 1 Nov 07

I loved this book. I absolutely loved everything about it. The characters are very true to life, good or bad.

Caine Allen is a Texas Ranger and head of Hell’s Eight, a spread nearly the size of Texas where he and other men who have lost loved ones in Indian massacres have found a home and a family of sorts. Caine is a hard man because of the hard life he’s led living in a hard land during hard times. He’s also a good and honest man, a man who looks out for those under his protection and for those who have a place in his heart. He and two of his men, Sam and Tracker, have been hired to rescue a town’s kidnapped women. When they come upon the kidnappers and their victims, only one woman is fighting back and what a job she is doing on not one, but two of the evil cowards and she wins Caine’s admiration and respect right off the bat.

Desi is a feisty hellcat when she has to be. Most of the time, however, she’s afraid of every sound and movement and doesn’t trust a soul. She’s been held captive since her family was killed by Indians. And it’s not the Indians who have kept her in chains and used her for their own twisted ways. The town’s gambler is Desi’s guardian and that’s the first thing, besides her fear, that bugs Caine about the entire situation when he returns the women to the townsfolk. As determined as he is not to leave her with such lowlifes, Desi herself is more determined to remain free and she even fights Caine for that freedom. But at the end of it all, they end up married so he has the right to take her away from the hell she’s been living in for years.

From this point on this story becomes an emotional ride for Caine, Desi, and the reader. Caine does his best to hold himself in check when he tries to love Desi. He doesn’t know the whole story yet and every time she jumps at his touch or she expects anger from him when she does something “wrong,” he vows to get his hands on the men who abused his wife as horribly as they did. Caine is soft and sensitive to her every need, her every want, her every desire. It’s fascinating the way he comes across on the page being the hard man he is but knowing he has to gently love this injured, scarred, and scared woman.

Desi’s issue is trust. She hasn’t had any for anyone in a lot of years and with every flinch at Caine’s touch, it seems as though her trust is gone forever. What she doesn’t know is that Caine is not about to give up because this woman, his wife, although she deserves better than the likes of him, she is only one for him. Seeing Desi’s trust grow in each and every scene between these two characters is wonderfully done. And when Desi finally truly opens herself to Caine, it’s a scene not to be missed.

The secondary characters are all simply terrific. The other Hell’s Eight men have their own demons to fight and they’re going to be great but hellacious reads as they come along in the series. I’m especially taken with Tracker and Shadow, who are brothers, and look forward to their stories. The villains are also written quite well and are characters who you love to hate. James, the aforementioned gambler, is a complete but terrifying asshole, along with his cronies, and it’s so nice when their time comes due.

There’s not one thing I didn’t like about this book. I’m just sorry I waited so long to read it after everything I heard about it when it was first released. I won’t be doing that with the newest edition in the series, Sam’s Creed, which was released just last month. I will be reading it very, very soon.

Grade: A

Read other reviews by clicking on the Caine’s Reckoning tag.

Summary:

Caine Allen is a hardened Texas Ranger, definitely not the marrying kind. But when he rescues a kidnapped woman and returns her to town, the preacher calls in a favor. One Caine’s honor won’t let him refuse.

From the moment he beds Desi, Caine knows turmoil will follow. Desi might have the face of a temptress, but she also has a will of iron and while she needs his protection, she’s determined that no man will control her again. They establish an uneasy bond, but it still isn’t enough for Caine. He wants all Desi has to offer. He wants her screams, her moans, her demands…everything. Yet there’s still a bounty on Desi’s head and keeping her satisfied is proving easier than keeping her alive.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Limecello’s review of Running Wild by Sarah McCarty
Paranormal romance single author anthology published by Berkley Heat 3 Jun 08

I’ve never read a book by Sarah McCarty before, but she’s been an author I’ve been meaning to try. I have to say, I’m glad I got the chance and that I read this book. I love anthologies, because they’re fun, interesting, and pack a lot of punch. Generally, I find myself wanting more. In Running Wild, however, the stories are perfectly written and you’re not left hanging at all – the stories feel complete.

Donovan
Donovan and Lisa’s story came first, and I have to say Donovan was my favorite hero. The story was lighthearted and fun, and I found it amusing how Lisa couldn’t deal with Donovan being a werewolf. (With good reason.) Their interaction was enjoyable to observe, and I liked how both characters had a larger than life personality. It was also nice how Donovan knew Lisa was his mate, and didn’t fight it – his struggle was convincing Lisa to not only take a chance on him, but to stay with him forever. One thing I would have liked (in all three stories) was a slightly better explanation of the word “seelie” – which the werewolves used as a term of endearment. I did enjoy where the main focus and purpose of the story was the developing relationship between Lisa and Donovan – it was nice to not have a lot of distracting, outside factors.

Grade: B+

Kelon
Kelon and Robin’s story was my favorite in this anthology. There was an added layer to this story because of Robin’s condition. I liked the vulnerability that Robin exhibited, and Kelon’s subsequent reaction to her feelings. Robin wasn’t needy, or annoying – it was more that neither of them had any real experience with relationships, and they had to face some issues to put them on the same page.
There was also a nice twist, with the threat to Robin (which is why Donovan asked Kelon to come in the first place). I also liked that Robin began to gain confidence, and come into her own. The way she was “introduced” to the fact that Kelon was a werewolf was also interesting, and believable. Their affection for one another was intense, and well written.

Grade: A-

Wyatt
Wyatt’s story had the most aspects of the werewolf culture, and a lot of that has to do with who Wyatt is. Heather is also an interesting character because she has depth, and strength, and has a brain. She knows when to back down, and when to hold her ground. It was so nice – refreshing, really, to have a “kick ass” heroine, who didn’t put herself and others in danger just to “be strong.”
Their different personalities also gave this story a more pragmatic quality. Wyatt is an alpha, and he was much more take charge, and a little less tentative in his interaction with Heather. The story ended nicely, and I’m that Wyatt is going off to start his own pack. I’m glad that these characters are getting their happy ending – with a fresh beginning thrown in as well.

Grade: B+

I really enjoyed reading these stories about werewolves and their mates that were rather lighthearted and straightforward. Donovan, Kelon, and Wyatt were satisfying, had depth and creative plots, but no convoluted story or too much unnecessary angst. The stories were all hot, and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. Personally, one thing I could have done without, was the sex being pushed to “the next level” – I felt that Ms. McCarty wrote it just to make the book edgier, but I didn’t feel that it did much for the story itself, or the relationship of the characters. Overall, I very much enjoyed this anthology and look forward to reading more books by Ms. McCarty.

Overall Grade: A-

Donovan—A Protector, Donovan’s directive is to bring the Pack Alpha home and nothing more. But when Donovan catches the sexy human scent of Lisa Delaney, he’s hers, body and soul—and ready to risk both on an erotic desire that will shatter all boundaries.
Kelon—Kelon likes his life as the biggest, baddest Protector of his pack. He fully intends to go back to his pack after he helps Donovan out, but he never counted on the voluptuous distraction of Robin Delaney. Soft, sweet, and sexy, Robin is the one woman that can make him forget duty and make him contemplate a choice no werewolf should ever have to make.
Wyatt—In a pack where only the strong can lead, and any weakness is exploited, Wyatt can’t afford to be attracted to the ever practical, completely human Heather Delaney. But with her trim body, fiery temper, and lush mouth, Heather isn’t a woman a man ignores— no matter what the cost.

Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Caine’s Reckoning (Hell’s Eight Book 1) by Sarah McCarty
Historical erotic romance published 1 Nov 07 by Spice

This historical erotic romance is set in 1858, in the Texas Territory, supposedly about 20 miles west of San Antonio, putting it close to home in about modern day Helotes (that’s “he-loh-tees” to you yankees). 

The heroine is a young woman named Desdemona, or Desi, who is from a privileged background but has fallen into a very bad situation. The hero, Caine, is a Texas Ranger (naturally) and horse rancher who has seen his share of trouble but still has a sense of honor and humor. This story tells how they meet (good scenes), win each other’s trust, break thru emotional barriers, and fall in love. Really quite a remarkable story of healing.

This was a very good book. It wasn’t perfect, but it was nonetheless very worth the time (almost 500 pages!). Ms McCarty weaves a tale of depravity and redemption. Of injury and healing. Of two people finding their way through their personal darkness into a light cast by their mate. (By the way – there was none of that “soul mating” business in this book, and yet I was still convinced these characters were meant for each other. Hint to other authors – “soul mating” isn’t necessary to show a bone-deep bond.) It was a lovely story with a rich setting and nicely, if lightly, developed secondary characters.

There were a few spots where I felt like the plot wandered or stalled. I should think as Ms McCarty gets more familiar with her characters much of this will smooth out. At least, that’s what I’ve found with other authors penning a multi-volume series. I also got a bit confused about which way a character was facing or where a body part was placed during several of the sensual scenes. That has got to be one of the toughest scenes to write – unless you’re using anatomically correct, posable dolls, how on earth do you keep it straight!

This is the book for you, folks, if you’re a fan of westerns, historicals, redemptives, erotics. I scarfed it down in a day and really enjoyed the hell out of my self while doing it.

Grade: B

Here’s the book blurb:

Caine Allen is a hardened Texas Ranger, definitely not the marrying kind. But when he rescues a kidnapped woman and returns her to town, the preacher calls in a favor. One Caine’s honor won’t let him refuse.

From the moment he beds Desi, Caine knows turmoil will follow. Desi might have the face of a temptress, but she also has a will of iron and while she needs his protection, she’s determined that no man will control her again. They establish an uneasy bond, but it still isn’t enough for Caine. He wants all Desi has to offer. He wants her screams, her moans, her demands…everything. Yet there’s still a bounty on Desi’s head and keeping her satisfied is proving easier than keeping her alive.

Read an excerpt.

What’s next for this author: More than I can shake a stick at. Go to her website to get more details. In the Hell’s Eight series – Book 2, Sam’s Creed, coming July 2008. (I’ll be first in line at the book store!)

Promises Prevail is the third in the Promises series and I have to say I didn’t like it near as much as the first one.

Promises Linger is the first and Promises Keep is the second. They are western erotica or erotica in a western setting, however you want to explain that.

Clint McKinnely and Jenna Hennessy have both made appearances in the other books and really I cared more about them then. I am not sure what it was, the plot was out there, but it is erotica so that is expected. I think Jenna was just ‘too’ TSTL. I mean she knew Clint cared for her, so I had a hard time understanding why she didn’t tell him about the bad man who had returned to town.
She was presented as a woman who loved her children, so to put them at risk by not telling him, seemed wrong. And the ‘meeting’ of women to decide how to fix her marriage and make Clint admit to loving her was painful. I have to admit I skimmed over most of that.

I will read the next in the series but if it is an ‘eh read’ like this one, it will be my last.

Sarah McCarty really is a great writer and can do much better. Promises Linger is a great book if you are looking for an Ellora’s Cave to try. I would recommend reading that one over this one.