Hot Burning Love by Dominique Eastwick

Hot Burning Love
By: Dominique Eastwick
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Published: July 21, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Romance
Length: Novella
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: October 24, 2014

 

Rowena may be the best witch of her generation when it comes to crystals and their healing power but keep her far away from the oven. No matter how hard she tries there is no way to break a curse decades old that prevents her from baking anything at all. And she as well as her five witch friends have tried it all. So every month a cookie club time she buys her cookies to the thankful cheers of the others.

Caine has fantasized about Rowena and her curves since they met years ago while she visited her best friend at the college they both attended. When a job opportunity comes up in her home town it’s too much of a temptation to resist. After all when you want something for so long there comes a time a man just has to go for it.

When passion flames between them can love fight the dark magic swirling around them determined to break them or will the fires that burn in the kitchen burn them as well.

Hot Burning Love is a lovely story about two people who felt the pull of fate and let it encompass them wholeheartedly. They never doubted their attraction and went with the flow. While they had a huge momentary hurdle, they conquered it and moved on. Love persevered and now they have a future that is filled with love, family and friends.

At only 56 pages this is a very short read, barely a novella. There is little time to create an in-depth history, compelling backstory or even to dive into the inevitable relationship of the two main characters. You’d think, from those factors alone, I would have a problem with the story. I’m not disappointed one bit with Hot Burning Love other than this would have been an amazing as a longer novella or novel.

What Ms. Eastwick created was a magical love story. Even with no history, I understood what had happened to Rowena and her past generations. There was no involved backstory of the two characters, but anyone could see that Rowena and Caine had instant attraction when they met years ago. I felt strong emotions during their courtship and that is quite a feat to do in less than 60 pages.

So how can I give a story a five rating with no solid story building substance…easy, I’m rating this story on it’s simple, yet direct content, the sweetness of the story and how it made me feel. Ms. Eastwick captured the essence of the story, made me vested in the characters and while, heck yes, this story could have been made into a full novel – and boy do I wish it would have been, it wasn’t necessary. This is a perfect teeny tiny story that doesn’t beat around the bush. It gets right to the heart of the matter; Rowena and Caine were always meant to be.

Hot Burning Love is perfect for when you want a quick reminder that there is nothing stronger than the magic of love.

Read more »

Goddess, Awakened by Cate Masters

Goddess, Awakened
By: Cate Masters
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Published: July 7, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: Marchelle
Date: October 1, 2014

 

With a little help from a goddess, battling evil is a piece of cake for Jocelyn Gibson.

A descendant of the goddess Iris, Jocelyn Gibson may have forgotten about the realm of magic, but it hasn’t forgotten her. When Eric Hendricks is targeted by a demon, Joss must step in to battle the evil and save the town’s awkward, but endearing, vet…who also happens to be the man she loves.

Joss’s new inn, a culinary career specializing in cooking with lavender and a new love all make for a fine recipe of disaster. She needs to embrace her inner goddess and harness the powers she never knew she had before it’s too late.

Joss is starting her life over after the death of her husband. She sold her home and purchased an inn. With the help of her best friend, Annie, she is renovating the building and trying to turn it into a thriving bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, the inn is situated along a ley line which unbeknownst to Joss, presents a problem for her. Her Aunt and Grandmother finally let her in on a family secret; they are direct descendants of the goddess Iris and Joss herself is a goddess.

Eric is the local veterinarian who also happens to be a widower and still recovering from the death of his wife. He finds himself inexplicably drawn to Joss. At the same time, he feels drawn to a local waitress but it doesn't feel right. He tries to fight it but finds it more and more difficult. An evil power is taking over him and he needs Joss and her family to help save him.

I enjoyed the story and the use of good and evil/light and dark. Joss, seeing the lights of the fae in the field and incorporating the lavender into all her recipes to bring happiness, was obviously the element of good in the story. Sharee, with her manipulative behavior and her conspiring with the mystery man who appeared at the party was obviously the evil. Her Aunt Lydia added some humor to the story with her quirkiness and innuendos.

It was nice to see a strong female lead like Joss. She wanted Eric, even knowing he might not feel the same and he might not be the best for her, but she still took what she wanted and didn't beat herself up over it. She also didn't pine over him like many female characters do now. She went on with her life and took care of her business without worrying whether or not he'd call or come by. For many reasons, she was certainly believable as a goddess as were her family members.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that there were too many characters. It was hard to at one point to keep everyone straight. There also seemed to be scenes that didn't move the story forward and for that reason didn't make much sense. It seemed like Joss' son was added as an after thought. He appeared in the story and seemed like he may be part of a conflict but then he left to go back to school and there was no issue. Annie, as her best friend for years, was not trusted with any of the things that were happening which also didn't make sense to me. Another example is the Thanksgiving scene when Eric goes to his sister's house. I don't feel like that scene contributed to the story at all.

Overall this is a good book. I would probably read other works by this author if all the female leads are as strong as Joss.

Read more »

Be Mine by Cerise DeLand

Be Mine
By: Cerise DeLand
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company
Published: January 31, 2012
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Erotic Romance
Content: M/F, Anal Play, Oral Sex
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: October 14, 2014

 

Why shouldn’t an eligible man like Jason Sherwood plan a Valentine’s Day merger with a woman whose elegant body melted at his touch last year on February fourteenth? A mysterious woman who disappeared like a wraith. A vibrant creature who came apart in his arms like only the right woman does for the right man.

But Mara Richardson left Jason for a good reason…and after a year of looking for her, he still doesn’t know why. But he has to learn. Has to get her naked, wild for him again. Give her those little sugary candies that say, Be Mine, and show her that, despite only hours with her last year, he needs her to be his. Forever.

This is perfect lunch break read. At only 22 pages, it’s direct and to the point. Jason wants Mara, Mara wants Jason. There you go.

Jason has been looking for the woman that he spent one explosive night with for months. With no clues other than a first name, he hires a private detective. It isn’t until his company wishes to expand that he finally finds her. Now that he has her in his sights, he isn’t going to lose her. He will play her game, but he will win in the end.

She gave him her name, Annette, but she didn’t tell him the whole story. Her real name is Mara Annette Richardson, President and CEO of Richardson Communications; the company she is going to sell and retire from. While she may have not told him everything about herself, he knows her deep into her soul and she regrets never telling him more. She has burned for him since she walked out the door last year on Valentine’s Day, never to see him again. She is selling her company to get away from the pressures of her hectic life. Though she will never have him, she will be happy in new life as an author.

I will admit that this story is too darn short for me. While I rate it high, it is because at 22 pages, it tells a wonderful heartwarming story. I’m rating it on the story not the length. Ms. DeLand held my interest the whole time. I loved the buildup of Jason going through the motions of preparing for the night and then the moment when they finally see each; It is simply heart pounding. The explosion of emotions and the scorching sex burned up my kindle. Then it’s done…You see that there is a future and it is endearing.

Ms. DeLand wrote an exceptional story in this short period of time. My only regret is that I was left wanting more. Short stories are just that short and Be Mine is a very well written one. It is also part of a collection, Valentino’s Delight Series. I can see myself checking out the others. This group of ladies know how to write and I don’t want to miss a single story.

Read more »