Lapses of Memory by M.S. Spencer

Lapses of Memory
By: M.S. Spencer
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: May 10, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 25,2014

 

In Lapses of Memory, Sydney Bellek’s love for Elian Davies is reignited each time they meet, but in the long years following each encounter she forgets him. For his part, Elian knows from the age of seven that they are meant for each other, but when she finally understands it’s too late. Will he regain his memory and remember her or will their new love be enough to replace the old one?

Meanwhile, her daughter Olivia chronicles the ups and downs of her parents’ romance, making it difficult to concentrate on her own dilemma—how to choose between the rich and dashing Rémy de Beaumec, who wants to take her around the world, and the steady, quiet, American-to-the-core, Benjamin Knox, who only wants to make her happy.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I started reading it fully expecting something along the lines of "The Notebook". By the second chapter, I knew my expectation was completely wrong and I was hooked. I understand this isn't the author's usual genre but I have to say she definitely hit the mark with this one.

Olivia is writing the story of how her parents, Sydney Bellek and Elian Davies, met and fell in love. Sydney and Elian met the first time as children on a transatlantic flight, when she was only five years old and he was seven. They both grow up to become journalists and their paths cross several times over the years, almost always on airplanes. Through most of the years, Sydney doesn't recognize or remember Elian, but he always seems to remember her. By the time she realizes she is in love with him, he has been through a traumatic event and no longer has any memory of her and she fears it is too late for them to be together. While Olivia is "interviewing" her mother and writing the story, she is involved in a romantic dilemma of her own. She has two men vying for her affection and she is unsure which man she wants to be with.

I loved Sydney! She is outspoken, confident, headstrong and opinionated. She manipulates her daughter into divulging information about the men in her life by withholding parts of her own story. She meddles in her daughter's love life without her knowledge. She has been everywhere, seen everything and she's still as brassy as she was in her younger years. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts of her story and wanting to cry at others.

This is a very touching story and I was completely drawn in. The characters were vivid and real. I found myself wanting to skip to the end to reassure myself it would all work out. That's how invested I was in these characters. I'm glad I didn't read ahead and ruin the ending. The anticipation was definitely worth it!

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Slipping the Past by D.L. Jackson

**Review from Original Release**

Title: Slipping the Past
Author: D.L. Jackson
Genre: Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Romance
Heat Level: Sensual
Length:  Novel
Reviewer: Suki
Original Review Date: August 8, 2010

“Some love affairs last a lifetime…others never end."

Fifty years into the future, if you’re one of the damned, you don’t run for your life, you run to save your soul. Jocelyn Miller is wanted for crimes she committed before she was born. Homeless, blind and out in the elements on one of the coldest nights of the year, her desperation results in a bad decision. When Jocelyn and her brother Nate rob a convenience store, Jocelyn comes face to face with her worst nightmare and greatest love, a reaper named Gabriel.

Gabriel Solaris is an Enforcer, a genetically-enhanced psychic often referred to as a reaper for his ability to take souls, and he’s charged with collecting Jocelyn’s. When he finds Jocelyn outside the store, he’s sure she’s up to something illegal. Proving it isn’t necessary. He holds a warrant and it’s all he needs. But the closer Gabriel gets to Jocelyn, the more he begins to question his duty and why he believes her claims of innocence. When Jocelyn tells him she loved him once, Gabriel loses control and kisses her. Instead of taking her soul, he gives her a week to prove innocence in her past-life crimes, something he has no authority to grant”

What a wonderful, inventive, and suspenseful read. From the prologue you know you are reading a book quite different from most anything else out there. Slipping the Past takes place in the future when we as humans have learned to create super humans with extraordinary powers and how to harness the powers of those who are criminal. But what happened when all the criminals have been harnessed and you need more, you head to the past and find people whose souls have committed crimes in past lives. And that is just the beginning of this book full of twists and turns at every corner. But at the Center is a love affair that crosses the bounds of time and past lives.

Gabriel is the Enforcer Charged with finding Jocelyn, the woman he has he has always loved. But he isn’t alone and how do you prove your innocence through past lives and past crimes.

D.L. Jackson creates a world that is fascinating and asks the question how much power is too much.

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O Captain! My Captain! by V.L. Locey

O Captain! My Captain!
By: V.L. Locey
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: July 9, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel 
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 17, 2014

 

Being a single working mother isn't easy. Just ask Maggie Charles. She`s juggling a job she hates, a rebellious teenage son, and the aftereffects of an abusive first marriage. There isn't room in her life for a love affair, not that anyone would want to romance someone her age anyway, right? So why, after all these months, when she runs into the strapping Wildcats` captain at a charity event, does the sight of Derrick Andersson leave her so breathless once again? Is that really desire burning in the captain`s green eyes when he looks at her? Is it possible for a couple of been-there-and-done-thats to find love the second time around?

I have been waiting for this story from the very beginning and Ms. Locey didn’t let me down!

The attraction between these two could be tasted in the air. Derrick the aging sexy Captain of the Wildcats went after Maggie like a man with a mission. Maggie had her sight set on Derrick before she even met him in person. Too bad she stopped everything dead in the water.

Fast forward six months, they have a second chance. Will Maggie let all her hang ups ruin what could be something amazing?

I just adored Derrick. I loved his accent, his determination and oh man his sex appeal. I’ll admit it right now. I’m a little older than Maggie and I enjoyed a story of an older man actually going for someone close to his age. He loved her with all her imperfections and problems. He is an amazing beautiful diamond.

Most women can relate to Maggie. Getting older, having the extra pounds and crushing on a sexy sports figure. She is also a single mother with a passion for saucy romances and Derrick could be any one of her countless book boyfriends. So what is stopping her from enjoying his advancements? A turbulent past and her present…Trevor.

Wow Ms. Locey tossed me up and almost didn’t catch me. Poor Maggie had so many things thrown at her and I loved how Derrick didn’t shy away from her problems. He is such an amazing teddy bear of a man. A true man’s man. Maggie couldn’t be luckier.

O Captain! My Captain! was such a great read. It is a wonderful addition to the To Love a Wildcat series. I loved the older couple, their problems that are true to life and their connections were spectacular. It’s totally worth the time and I would highly recommend.

My only problem with the story is that I want more of them.  I could read a additional book about them with no complaints.  Oh that would be so sweet!  So Ms. Locey can you make that happen please?  You know there is so much more to tell about them.

At the end of the book she mentions there is more to come. I surely can’t wait. The Wildcats have found a place in my heart. Please hurry. I would love some hockey lovin’ as soon as possible.

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The Scale by Mika Jolie

The Scale
By: Mika Jolie
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: July 16, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 20, 2014

 

Twenty-seven year old, African-American, Minka Greene has to endure watching her twin sister marry the man she loves. Her weight is up, and her confidence is down. Not exactly the ideal time to meet the real man of her dreams.

The Scale opens in Martha’s Vineyard with Minka attending Keely and Blake’s engagement party at Martha’s Way, the beautiful inn owned and operated by the tall, blond, tattooed man with the piercing blue eyes. It just so happens Jason Montgomery is also Blake’s childhood friend and the best man. Dealing with a whirl of emotions, Minka faints in Jason’s arms.

When she wakes up naked in Jason’s bed after a night of passion, the Vineyard confirmed bachelor struggling with his own demons and the woman filled with self-doubt and pining for another man are joined in an experience that will change their lives.

The Scale is the first book of the Martha’s Way series.

WOW!! Amazing! I loved this book! Minka is vacationing for two weeks on Martha's Vineyard for her fraternal twin sister, Keely's wedding. She is carrying a torch for Blake, her sister's fiance and feeling very sorry for herself while doing her best to pretend to be happy for the couple. Blake is part of a foursome of hot, rich guys. Enter Blake's best friend Jason. Right away there is a spark between Minka and Jason but her poor self image is holding her back, not to mention the heartache at losing Blake to her thinner, prettier, more likeable twin.

This story is about an amazing journey of self acceptance and courage. Minka is a woman filled with self doubt and definitely someone many women can relate to. I could not help but root for her when her feelings for Jason were starting to deepen yet she still lacked the confidence to put herself out there and go all in on the relationship. When she took the first tentative steps toward mending her relationship with her sister, I could almost feel how hard it was for her. Her transformation throughout the story gave the reader hope that she would be just fine whether she ended up with Jason or not.

Jason is HOT! Strong, sexy and self assured with just a touch of arrogance while at the same time he's not afraid to show his vulnerability. He has family issues of his own to deal with and when he shows Minka the pictures and tells the story about his mom, I just wanted to shake her for not instantly forgetting Blake in that moment and declaring her undying love for Jason.

This is an excellent book! I don't want to spoil any of the story but I have to say, when the "kiss" happened (if you read the story, you'll know what I mean as soon as you get to it) I found myself exasperated with Minka and had to put the book down for a minute. I was so immersed in the story that I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction.

Lastly, I hope there is a book about Lily and Adam coming. I can't wait to see how that plays out.

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Together In Cyn by Jennifer Kacey

Together in Cyn
By: Jennifer Kacey
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.
Published: June 12, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, F/F, M/F/M, Ménage, BDSM, Spanking, Bondage, D/s, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, Anal Play, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Toys
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Scorching
Reviewer: Lexi
Date: July 22, 2014

 

Members Only, Book One

She knows it’s wrong. Cyn shouldn’t have feelings for fraternal twins Jared and Chris, her best friends. She shouldn’t want them to tie her up or strap her down, to take her one at a time—or together. The only way to control her taboo desires is to write them down and lock them away in her diary. Guys like Jared and Chris could never be interested in someone like her, or in the kind of sex she craves.

But Jared and Chris have read her diary, and sweet little Cyn is in for the shock of her life. The brothers not only own a members-only BDSM club, they want her. Need her. And now, with their unlimited funds and an entire establishment devoted to fulfilling her darkest pleasures, they’re going to claim Cyn for their own.

Inside Scoop: If you have a kink, this book probably has it too. If you like your ménage romances extra hot with a side of male-male romance, spanking, voyeurism and girl-on-girl action, come and get it.

Imagine spending half of your life, longing, for the other half of your heart and soul. Cyn is a wounded girl, frightened by the dark desires that have haunted her since she was a teenager and damaged by the parents who abandoned her. Cyn’s attempt to explore these desires ended badly and she has been scared ever since. Her fear doesn’t stop the fantasies that live on if only in her diary, fantasies that involve her two best friends. How could she ever choose one?

Chris and Jared Kennedy are fraternal twins from the right side of town but nothing alike. Jared is light and fun loving while Chris is dark and brooding. They have been best friends with Cyn since they were kids. After high school, they just up and join the military without telling anyone, even Cyn. Now back from the military, the brothers have set their sights on Cyn.

After accidentally reading Cyn’s diary, Chris and Jared discover that Cyn isn’t as sweet and fragile as they once thought. Their Cyn longs to submit. She craves the touch and command of Chris and Jared. Lucky for Cyn, her best friends are also known as Master C and Master J. With a little encouragement, can these two Masters help Cyn live out all of her fantasies?

Together In Cyn, book one of the Members Only series by Jennifer Kacey is filled with hot steamy sex scenes, MFM ménage and a sprinkling of bondage and discipline to keep things interesting. This love story is laced with tragedy, which highlights the importance of BDSM being safe, sane and consensual.

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A Special Kind of Love by Tamara Hoffa

A Special Kind of Love
By: Tamara Hoffa
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Published: November 11, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Oral Sex
Length: Novella
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: July 20, 2014

 

Through Fights and Fire, Prejudice and Passion, Burns A Special Kind of Love.

A divorced school teacher, estranged from her family, wants to start over. Sharon Daily moves to Gaines, Wyoming with her ten year old autistic son, Aaron. She hoped to find kindness and acceptance in this small town. She wasn’t looking for love…

Tanner West, the Fire Chief of Gaines, seems to have it all. Great job, loving family, and any woman he wants to warm his bed at night. But, Tanner has suffered too. A Native American in a white world, he longs to find love and acceptance. He is ready for more than someone to share his bed. He wants someone to share his life. And Sharon really lights his fire.

Making a life with Sharon will require A Special Kind of Love.

Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting. Sharon and her son Aaron are starting a new life in a small town in Wyoming. Aaron has Asperger's Syndrome and has been rejected by his father and grandparents, making his mother very protective and highly determined to give him a normal life. They meet fire chief Tanner West, a Native American man, and he takes on the task of teaching Aaron to ride horses. He and Sharon develop a relationship, leading his family to accept Sharon and her son into their fold. Just when things are going really well for Sharon and Tanner, Aaron runs off into a dangerous situation and they have to find him before it's too late.

The prejudices that Sharon and Aaron face due to his Asperger's and the prejudices Tanner faces because of his Native American heritage, makes them finding each other that much more special. They each understand the difficulties the other faces and it helps them bond on a deeper level. This isn't one of those stories where they meet and two days later they are in love and can't live without each other. Their love develops over time spent together talking on the phone every night, time spent with Aaron and time spent with Tanner's family. It gives the reader a feeling of depth to the relationship. It definitely makes their emotions more real, especially since they are not young, impetuous 20-somethings. They are older and more mature and their approach to their relationship reflects that. It gives the reader hope that the future is bright for them and they both deserve it.

I enjoyed the fact that the author never gave a dramatic, in-depth description of Tanner. She gave a quick two or three line description of his outward appearance. The true attraction of Tanner came from his words and actions throughout the story. When reading the story, I didn't find myself picturing him physically while I read but I still found him swoon-worthy because of his actions whether it was moving Sharon behind his body when confronted by the drunk man at the dance, giving Aaron earplugs so he could enjoy the fireworks or any of the other subtle moves that showed his true nature as a gentleman. And really, let's face it, writing him as a hot guy is fine, but when your audience is reading rather than watching the story, the things the hero says and does are more important. This author seems to understand that concept well.

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Against the Wild by Kat Martin

Against the Wild
By: Kat Martin
Publisher: Zebra
Published: May 27, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 17, 2014

 

Alaska: Where the men are as bold and untamed as America's last wilderness...

It's been three years since Lane Bishop tragically lost her fiancé, and she's finally ready to risk her heart on someone else. The hot look in Dylan Brodie's eyes says he's going to be that man.

But when Lane flies to the remote 1930s fishing lodge to help him renovate, she discovers a little girl who won't speak, eerie legends and strange sounds in the night. And when she investigates the history of the lodge, she uncovers a legacy of injustice and murder.

As danger stalks his daughter and the woman he is coming to love, Dylan must risk everything to uncover the shocking truth.

While Against the Wind was a very good read, it wasn’t what I expected.

Dylan Brodie is the middle Brodie boy. He grew up in Alaska and has recently purchased a lodge in the Alaskan pan handle. He has the help of the locals to renovate it, but the inside he is saving for a special woman, Lane Bishop. He now has his chance to revisit their attraction and he has the perfect lure to get her to Alaska.

Lane Bishop has been attracted to Dylan since the moment she met him. She tried and tried to ignore his advances, but he has offered her a change that she can’t pass up. So off to Alaska she goes.

Lane’s visit is full of surprises and goes beyond her highest expectations. She discovers her passion again after her loss of both her mother and fiancé and finally finds a home. It’s too bad that everywhere they turn they are being bombarded by continual obstacles. Can they conquer them all; even their biggest one - their doubts and fears of how their pasts will affect their future?

So what did I expect? Well a story that was truly a standalone novel for one. Yes, the story is basically a standalone, but there are too many references that seem to be from prior novels and a different series. I found the constant referencing too distracting. My mind would wonder to what story it was, who it was about and so on. Against the Wind is book one in the Brodies of Alaska series and that is exactly what it should have been, book one. A reference or two is fine; the number in the novel was not. I’m also sad to say, short of a very extensive search I have no idea what book Dylan and Lane first met in. Very frustrating.

Besides that problem, the story was very nice. The story had mystery, romance and some suspense thrown in. I will say Ms. Martin surprised me several times with the direction of the story. I really loved that she kept me on my toes. Her characters were also very entertaining. I can say short of the characters I was supposed to hate, I adored every single one of them. Ms. Martin made them very personable and I wanted to get to know and love them all. Great job!

Even though this book was packed with mystery, romance and suspense it still felt like a light read. The atmosphere never became too deep and dark, making it perfect for a summer read. She also wrote a plot that was interesting and fun and I could almost feel like I was back in Alaska. Thank you Ms. Martin. You reminded me how beautiful the state is and how wonderful the people are. I truly miss it more after reading Against the Wild.

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