Author's Blurb
When his half brother Austin declares himself King, Crown Prince Dalmas of Ashdowne is forced to flee his castle or be put to death for treason. On his way to find proof Austin's claims are false, he prevents the imminent sexual assault of a beautiful young woman, killing Castle Guards in the process.
Fleeing a forced betrothal, Ravenna LoPresti of Wythmail finds herself a reluctant companion to sexy, lustful Dalmas on his journey to find the truth and win back his rightful Crown. While Austin and his Guards chase Dalmas, a Royal Proclamation declares a price on Ravenna's head as well.
Dalmas and Ravenna awaken each other's sexual desires, but will lust and growing love keep them together, even if they find the proof Dalmas needs? Or will Ravenna be forced to return to her kingdom and marry the Count, or be put to death for a murder she didn't commit?
The positive points:
Carolyn Rosewood's writing is smooth, and her hero and heroine come to life quickly. The Crown Prince on the run for his life and the young widow trying to escape a second arranged marriage were both deftly and sympathetically sketched. The plot involves political twists and convoluted laws, and Ms. Rosewood never loses track of any of them. She keeps the tension high both by giving the hero pursuers and traitors and by giving the heroine a rapidly dwindling amount of time to escape. The attraction between the hero and heroine is believable and sweet, and at the end, as the couple settle into a happily-ever-after, their declarations of love are both satisfying and right. The couple have gone through a great deal together, and their happy ending is deserved and gratifying. The heroine, in particular, was refreshingly free of irritating harshnesses added simply to make her seem "tough". Instead, she had an unexpected courage that was pleasing without being cloying.
The negative points:
The largest negative points were some of the plot points in the political intrigue. Some of the laws of the Crown Prince's land had the feeling of being made up simply to provide difficulties for the hero and heroine. In the hero's kingdom, the child of a prince or king by one of his official "courtiers", as they are called in the book, is accounted legitimate, whether the child is conceived before or after the king or prince's marriage, but if the king or prince does have sex with a courtier after his marriage, he is guilty of adultery, a crime punishable by death. This is not the outcome of any natural, legal evolution; this is a plot device. Furthermore, the mystery surrounding the death of the heroine's first husband does not show up until too far into the book, so it does not get sufficient development. It felt tacked on, as well. However, though these aspects did pull me out of the story, they did not ruin a story otherwise engaging.
Author: Lilith Duvalier
Title: The Promise of Silk
Length: Novella
Author's Blurb
An airship pirate who ran away from his soul crushing London life, finds himself at an infamously decadent carnival out in the English countryside. A fellow pirate does his best to convince him to go and sample the lovely women of The Row, but Buck isn’t sure he ever wants a woman again.
That is until a mysterious woman in a red dress and mask sits down across from him, entrancing him instantly. He follows her back to her red silk tent, where she puts him through his paces, whetting his appetite for more erotic delights. Each time he returns, she brings him further beyond his boundaries, while learning that he can help her break her bonds.
What I Thought
The positive points:
The writing was smooth and rich, as silken as the title promises. The first scene between the hero and the heroine is intriguing, particularly as it comes out of nowhere, illustrating the magnetic attraction between the two. Jane/Anisette is, mostly, consistent, and her behavior mysterious and alluring. The hero's sweetness is a good counterpoint to her sour. The steam-punk Victorian setting is also deftly sketched. Alaric's doubts about submitting to Jane/Anisette, too, are well-done. The ending was ... happy.
The negative points:
I understand that in writing a romance between a dominatrix and her sub there are many difficulties which must be resolved, but still, the resolution was incomplete. Jane's attitude toward the hero is insufficiently detailed, insufficiently explored. Even up until the last she is thinking of herself rather than Alaric, of how his (supposed) departure will affect her future plans for herself. This led to the ending feeling hollow, unsatisfactory, and unbelievable in that Jane is suddenly being kind to Alaric. In addition, her previous experiences in pretending to be a widow apparently led only to her being considered a "whore" by the neighborhood because of her lack of a husband. This attitude clashed with the otherwise well-done steam-punk Victorian setting. In a Victorian setting a widow without a man would be considered an object of pity perhaps but no one would automatically assume she was a loose woman. This aspect of Jane's background seemed contrived, and it clashed with the overall smoothness of the book.
Adonis says:
Get it here!
Author: D.F. Kreiger
Title: Maybe Baby
Length: Short story
Author's Blurb
Sarah's husband, Colten, after informing her that his deployment is extended for another six months, rents her a cabin in the woods as an apology. When she gets there, she’s in for the surprise of a lifetime; Colten is already waiting and ready to make up for the past year they've been apart.
Now that he’s retiring from the military, they will never have to worry about being separated again. Sarah can't wait to give herself to her husband, but is she ready to start a new future?
What I Thought
The positive points:
D.F. Krieger writes with skill and clarity. Her descriptions evoke the emotions appropriate to the scenes. The heroine, Sarah, and her soldier-husband, Colten, are both fleshed out thoroughly, despite the constraints of the short story format. The sex scenes are both realistic and steamy. The happily-ever-after is satisfactory, and there is no possible doubt about their suitability for each other or for their future life together.
The negative points:
The actual writing, aside from more typos than a short story ought to have, left little to be desired. D.F. Krieger has easy command of her words. It was the complete lack of plot which was the issue with this story. The entire piece was a denouement. There was neither rising nor falling action. Rather, it was merely the picture of a couple riding off into the sunset together.
Adonis says:
Get it here!
Author: Kelly Yeakle
Title: Timeless
Length: Novel
Author's Blurb
Can true love last forever?
Gabriela Swanson wanted one thing, to be a well known writer at Graven, the most prestigious Goth magazine in the country. When an inside source gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, she finds herself in a hostage situation with a man who claims to be her soul mate.
Kane Barringer is a vampire who's lived for centuries. Every century is spent waiting for his soul mate, but this time he's vowed to live the rest of his existence without her. A strange twist of fate gives them the opportunity to be together forever, but will Gabriela embrace it?
What I Thought
The positive points:
Kelly Yeakle's plot is twisted, and though it takes some time for the story to fall into place, it is an interesting read. The development of the minor characters is solid, and the swift pace does not flag. The descriptions of vampiric life are well-done, and the villain, though only lightly sketched, is suitably vicious. The love story itself is the most satisfying part of the tale, and the ending ties up all the threads of the plot, giving a glimpse into the happily-ever-after for the pair, as well as the most interesting supporting characters.
The negative points:
The most jarring aspect of the story is the personalities of the hero and heroine. Though the hero's love for the heroine is described, and though he illustrates it on occasion, his disappearances stretch the suspension of disbelief required by a paranormal story. As for the heroine, her doubts and hesitations drag on for longer than the length of the story could support. In addition, she seems peculiarly able to handle mental communication, and though this could possibly be due to her previous lives, her lack of surprise at it contrasts too greatly with her refusal to believe Kane's story. This disconnect makes the heroine seem unbelievable. It is only when she is behaving as the lover she is supposed to be that she becomes sympathetic.
Adonis says:
Get it here!
Author: Shannan Albright
Title: Dark Passion Rising
Length: Short novel
Author's Blurb
Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down. Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.
Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeah. She's also a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.
As leader of the Tribunal’s enforcers it’s up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra’s life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of a battle that will change the world forever.
Will Marcus and Tambra’s love survive or will it be too late?
What I Thought
The positive points:
Shannan Albright's prose is swift and vivid. From the first page, the pace is quick, and the tension does not lessen, not even at the end. The various Breeds and their interactions with one another as well as with the human world are deftly sketched, and though only the Lycan Breed is much discussed, the others are sufficiently explained to support the plot. Though hooks for future stories are plain, the actual story of Marcus and Tambra does reach a conclusion.
The negative points:
The romance was given short shrift in this volume. Though the descriptions of Marcus' and Tambra's attraction were well-done, there was insufficient time allotted to the development of their relationship. Partially, of course, this is due to the speed of the story itself; events move as swiftly as Shannan Albright's words. But given that the heart of the story is that very romance, it deserved more attention.
Adonis says:
Get it here.
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