review » Romancing the Book

The vampire’s plaything by Ashlynn Monroe

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Jun 182013

Title by Author Ashlynn Monroe

Series:

Release Date: 2012

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Pages or File Size: 24 pages

Source: book provided by RTB____ for review

Categories: erotica

Blurb:What would you do if you found yourself helpless and vulnerable for the most attractive man you’d ever seen?

Zoe finds herself a naked captive of a vampire and impossible memories of two men surface in her mind. Passion overcomes her as the long suppressed need for these men turned monster’s touch rekindles something from another time inside her, and makes her a willing plaything for these dangerous but sexy creatures.

Review: This was a short story, but I have to say, that this was such a sexy steamy romp that you’ll want to re read it again and again. I read this book in one quick gulp and then I read it again because I wanted to make sure that I had the story understood and I had a sense of what I wanted to say when I wrote my review. I got more out of the story the second time around because I knew what was going to happen next and this story is so short that if as a reader you don’t enjoy re reading, this book will make a convert out of you. I’m going to apologize now in advance for being evasive with my review but I need to let the reader know that this is a short story and I don’t want to reveal anything that might ruin the story for the reader. It will so be worth it if you read it though.

Why all this fuss over a short story you may be asking? Well, ok we have a hunky vampire that is attracted to Zoe and the possibility of another hunky vampire who wants her as well. Can I just say HAWT!!? If you’re not into reincarnation or vampires or anything of that nature then this book is definitely not for you. If these kinds of things don’t bother you, then hopefully you’ll enjoy the book.

I have to say, that at first I was apprehensive about reading this book because I wasn’t sure if being at the mercy of a vampire was something I wanted to read about, but I was pleasantly surprised at the wording of the author’s work and I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable with the material at all. I know that sounds so strange, vampires, reincarnation, being at his mercy, they should be sending out red flags of danger, but trust me, and stay with me.

I found myself liking Zoe and I was sure that I wouldn’t. I didn’t think I’d like her because I thought she would be this whiney whimpy virginal character who would be docile and subservient to the vampire. I thought she would wring her hands in trepidation and swoon when he got naked. Instead, she knew what she was getting herself into and understood the ramifications of her decisions and was more then ok with what was going to happen. She was smart and balsy and knew what she wanted. I even liked Hayden, the vampire. He knew he was incapable of soft tender feelings and was honest and forthright with Zoe about his expectations of her. You can’t fault a dude for being honest with what he wants, even if it’s not what I want to hear.

I don’t want to say too much more about the story because I fear giving more of the story away and I want you the reader to enjoy it and be surprised.

I give this story a 4…Lovely rose

Rating: (1- Seedling, 2- Rosebud, 3- Rose in Bloom, 4- Lovely Rose, 5- Rose that Rules All)

Reviewer: Lori Van Buren

Anything else I need to know about this review? Warning? Would you like to donate the print book for a contest?

Review: Legal Heat by Sarah Castille

contemporary, erotica, Lovely Rose, review, Robin, romantic suspense No Responses »

Jun 182013

Legal Heat by Sarah Castille
Series: Legal Heat (# 1)
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, LLC.
Pages: 322
Source: book provided by Book Sparks PR for review

Katy Sinclair made it to the brink of partnership at her high-powered law firm with hard work, dogged determination, and the ruthless self-discipline to cultivate a conservative public image. But when she follows an evasive witness into a sex club, she can’t deny herself a red-hot sexual encounter with the seductive bartender who sets her body on fire. She’s sure no one will ever know about her indiscretion—until she walks into the courtroom to find her dirty little secret is the opposing counsel in the most important case of her career.

As the managing partner in a struggling law firm, hot-shot attorney Mark Richards can’t afford any mistakes that might cost him his biggest client. Like getting involved with his beautiful, determined opponent—the mystery woman he hasn’t been able to forget. But when Katy’s quest for justice leads to death threats, Mark will sacrifice everything to protect her.

Now they’re risking their hearts…and their lives…in a race to catch a killer. Little do they know, the greatest danger lies closer to home.

Warning: The book contains explicit sex, light bondage, violence, murder, steamy shenanigans in the courtroom, naughty sexytimes in the boardroom, and an exceptionally hot hero with a versatile tie. Any objections will be overruled.

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Review: A Summer Mending Fences by Rowena Jaye

Aubrey, chick-lit, contemporary, review, Seedling No Responses »

Jun 182013

A Summer Mending Fences by Rowena Jaye
Release Date: September 3, 2012
Publisher: RJ Publishing
Pages: 190
Source: book provided by the author for review

Buying a holiday home in France was something which Penelope had wanted to do for years, but when it finally happens the experience doesn’t go as smoothly as anticipated.
Trouble starts when Penelope’s boyfriend leaves her for the attractive French woman living next door. On top of the chaotic situation developing abroad, Penelope has family and work issues at home to deal with and a pressing need to re-organise her life – including the distinct lack of any romantic prospects.

This is a wryly comical tale of a single woman trying to find her place in the world.

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Review: Her Master’s Kiss by Vivien Sparx

BDSM, contemporary, Crystal, erotica, Lovely Rose, review No Responses »

Jun 182013

Her Master’s Kiss by Vivien Sparx
Series: Her Master’s Kiss (# 1)
Release Date: October 2,2012
Publisher: self-published
Pages : 101
Source: book provided by the author for review

When Renee decides the only way she can save her relationship with a hurtful boyfriend is to become submissive, she enlists the expertise of a dark and brooding master.

However, Renee’s training soon has her falling for master Stefan, and as she becomes immersed in the spellbinding erotic world of domination, Renee realises she’s infatuated with a man who remains mysteriously out of reach; a man who refuses to be loved.

Behind Stefan’s cold, remote facade is a man dealing with his own past and his own pain.

‘Her Master’s Kiss’ is an intense emotional romance story filled with passion, conflict and steamy erotica!

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Review: Heart Signs by Cari Quinn

contemporary, erotica, Patti, review, Rose that Rules All No Responses »

Jun 182013

Heart Signs by Cari Quinn
Release Date: February 3, 2012
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Pages: 141
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

The heart has a language all its own…Rory Fowler has taken Sam Miller’s billboard orders for the last two years, but they aren’t to advertise, they’re love notes to his wife. Sam’s most recent billboard about his wife’s passing hits Rory hard. When she calls Sam to offer condolences, it sets off an unexpected chain of events that ends with Rory in Sam’s apartment—and his arms.Reading Sam’s love letters tugs Rory into the romance between him and his estranged, now-deceased, wife. Their lives soon intertwine so completely that Rory wonders how she’ll ever forget the man who makes poetry out of emotions she’s fought to dismiss. And plays her body even more skillfully than he writes love notes.Consumed by guilt and grief, Sam is shocked by the feelings Rory arouses in him, sexually and otherwise. Now he’s not thinking about yesterday as much as he’s looking forward to tomorrow. He’s just not sure if he’s capable of moving on…or if the woman who helped him find the will to really live again will be by his side.

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Review: The Chieftain by Margaret Malllory

Allison, historical, review, romance, Rose that Rules All No Responses »

Jun 172013

The Chieftain by Margaret Mallory
Series: Return of the Highlanders (# 4)
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: Hachette
Pages: 448
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

Connor, chieftain of the MacDonalds of Sleat, holds the fate of his people in his hands. Rival clans are plotting to take over his lands, and duty determines whom he will fight, trust . . . even marry. Seeking guidance, Connor turns to Ilysa, a young lass with the gift of foresight, who reveals an approaching danger-and a passion that burns only for him. But the warrior must make a powerful marriage alliance, and Ilysa’s bloodline is far too humble.

With her powers to heal and see evil where others cannot, beautiful Ilysa dresses plainly, speaks softly, and loves her chieftain from afar. Yet when Connor finally stokes the embers of desire that have so long burned within her, Ilysa feels bliss unlike any she’s ever known. Now as he is forced to place duty before happiness, Ilysa senses Connor is in grave peril. Can she find a way to prove she is the woman he needs by his side?

Review: Her Alien Affair by Alexandra O’Hurley

Crystal, erotica, Lovely Rose, review, sci-fi No Responses »

Jun 172013

Her Alien Affair by Alexandra O’Hurley
Series: Aegarian Saga (# 2)
Release Date: February 20, 2013
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Pages: 196
Source: book provided by publisher for review

Taroth comes to Earth on a scouting mission, only to have his best friend leave him at the bottom of a ravine, an accident turned crime of opportunity. He’s left behind, on an unknown world, his body broken.

Dr. Corrine Phillips is shocked when the man shows up beaten and bruised, having been left for dead. She’d bumped into the stranger days before and she’d felt an immediate connection to him. She nurses him back to health and helps him search for his past, but only one thing seems to be on his mind—nights with her in his arms.

John Doe knows there’s a story behind his fall; he just wishes he could remember the life he’d led before he awoke from his coma. John knows Corrine’s tied to him in some way. He just wishes he’d remember his past so he can forge a future with her.

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Review: The Big Book of Bondage anthology

anthology, BDSM, Deana, erotica, Lovely Rose, review No Responses »

Jun 172013

The Big Book of Bondage anthology
Release Date: January 13, 2013
Publisher: Cleis Press
Pages: 332
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

Surrender to your fantasies. Every submissive willingly does: bound and helpless, expecting the ecstasy of her master’s lash. Never mind the leather—clothed or naked, she is stripped down to only the most basic physical and emotional need, completely exposed. But it’s this swirl of sensations and feelings that combine in a perfect storm of kink and makes the seemingly impossible not only occur, but happen in a way that creates a sexy good time for everyone involved. The sensual stories that Alison Tyler has assembled in this collection delve into the dynamics of relationships filled with such unrestrained passion, revealing a world of beautiful contradictions that will thrill and inspire you. Some of these tales show how the everyday can be instantly transformed into pulse-quickening moments laced with eroticism.

Nobody likes bondage more than Alison Tyler who is endlessly fascinated with the sensation of giving up, giving in, of putting one’s pleasure (and pain) into the hands of another. To her, bondage means “I trust you to keep me safe,” and yet BDSM can also mean, “I trust you to hurt me.” Because the most important part of bondage, of dominance, of all the slippery ways one can play with those concepts is trust.In the BDSM realm, trust involves crops, whips, blindfolds, handcuffs, paddles, belts, gags, and toys.

How deliciously, devilishly twisted is that?

Review: How to Cook Up a Disaster by Rachel Elizabeth Cole

chick-lit, contemporary, JoAnne, review, Rose in Bloom, short story No Responses »

Jun 162013

How to Cook Up a Disaster by Rachel Elizabeth Cole
Series: DIY Dating (# 1)
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Tangled Oak Press
Pages: 43
Source: book was won in a contest at LibraryThing for review

Her mother is in labour.
The guests are due to arrive any minute for her great-grandfather’s 100th birthday party.
And she hasn’t a clue how to cook a turkey.
Why did the man of her dreams have to show up on her doorstep now?
Sadie Dawson is overwhelmed–and that’s putting it lightly–but with the help of her two best friends she just might pull it off and land Mr. Right too.

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Review: Behaving Badly by Ursula Whistler

contemporary, erotica, review, Rose in Bloom, Victoria No Responses »

Jun 162013

Behaving Badly by Ursula Whistler
Release Date: April 20, 2012
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 146 pages
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

Sexy nightclub entertainer Jessica Oldham has a secret. She’s prim church secretary by day, but when the lights go down she becomes a siren on New Orleans’ stages. Handsome security expert, Drew Favreau ignites the flames of lust she’s held at bay for so long, trapped in her boring world by commitment. She feels free in Drew’s arms, so free she entertains the idea of letting the naughty side of her come out to play until she can find a way to weave the dream into reality.

Drew has a problem–he’s not into security, he’s an investigator working undercover–and sexy siren Jessica is on his list of embezzlement suspects. Jessica is all sweet and innocence at her job, but when she leaves that world she becomes bold and wanton in his arms, and he wants nothing more than to forget the job at hand. Yet there’s a crook to catch, and unfortunately, Jessica’s name isn’t so easy to clear.

Will Drew be able to resist the Jessica’s lure and solve the crime? Or will she convince him she’s innocent…except while Behaving Badly?

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