Tara of the Fey by Misha Tagliaferro

Tara of the Fey
By: Misha Tagliaferro
Publisher: Sweet Craving Publishing
Published: March 29, 2013
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Sigh
Reviewer: Suki
Date: April 21, 2015

 

Sailing through the Minch, fey princess Tara enjoys her last taste freedom before facing her betrothal to an Irish prince—a man she doesn’t love and has no interest in marrying. The smooth voyage takes an abrupt turn for the worse when a group of ornery Blue Men of the Minch appear and brew up a storm. Tara has no choice but to give into their whims when she is swept overboard.

Caeden, a fey cursed to live as a Blue Man, can't believe he is seeing the grown version of his childhood best friend. He hopes she’ll be the one to break his curse and allow him to return to life on land. Tara sees the fey man trapped inside the blue exterior, but is she his one true love and the key to breaking the curse? Or will Caeden live as a Blue Man of the Minch forever?

Short story writing can be difficult and when dealing with the complicated work it can be made more complicated when a writer is delving into mythos. This story from the beginning had me confused I was unfamiliar with the what Minch were and eventually had to stop reading to look it up on line. Some descriptions of the other men or even a brief paragraph telling up about these creatures would have gone a long way for me.

The rest of the book seemed rushed as if the author had only 20 pages to tell a story that could have taken chapters. I love a good short story but this one just wasn’t given the time it needs. I wanted more information. What kind of serpent did she turn into when she went underwater? What did she look like? What were the punishments of the Chieftain?

In the end the book left me feeling like part of the story hadn’t been told. I would definitely give this author another read as she had passion for what she wrote.

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The Masterful Mr. Montague by Stephanie Laurens

The Masterful Mr. Montague: A Casebook of Barnaby Adair Novel
By: Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon
Published: April 29, 2014
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Suki
Date: January 24, 2015

 

Montague has devoted his life to managing the wealth of London's elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally ... and personally.

Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she'd expected - this man is compelling, decisive, supportive, and strong - everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, Inspector Stokes, Penelope, and Griselda, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer.who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

First I want to say I am a huge Stephanie Laurens fan. Fell in love with the Cynsters years ago. That said, this is not your typical SL book. When I first started reading it I was confused, where was the love story with Montague and Violet? Wait, why are we in the bedroom of the other two characters, and in their head. None of this fit the usual style. If you have read SL’s books you have seen Penelope in a few other books and her story with Adair has already been told in the previous book, Where the Heart Leads, and although I love to catch up with past characters, I do not need to be in their bedroom again. We have seen it and been there; we know their love story...I digress. I was confused enough to finally go to Ms. Laurens website where it states The Masterful Mr. Montague is a mystery with romantic elements. AHHHHHH well that's a horse of a different color isn’t it. So now that I am not expecting the typical SL romance I can get down to the mystery. And this is a mystery, in fact it's one of many and it appears that they will now include this whole group solving them.

I have to say I didn’t guess who did it although there were times when I suspected. The story is good and I actually skimmed over the love scenes when they came (see above for why). My biggest complaint about the book is that the love story is shoved into the last few pages of the book and it is not given the time and the space these two characters deserve. I enjoyed these two very much and want to know more about them. Although I love the book, because the publisher is selling it as a romance I can't give it a 5, but because SL does explain on her website that it's a mystery with romantic themes it redeems the book back to a 4.

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Box of 1Night Stands by 21 Various Authors

Box of 1Night Stands
By: 21 Various Authors
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Published: August 7, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Futuristic, Anthology, Erotic Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
Length: Short Stories
Heat Level: Spicy, Scorching
Reviewer: Toni
Date: August 14, 2014

 

Decadent Publishing presents some of the very best of the 1Night Stand series featuring NYT and USA Today Bestselling authors Jennifer Probst, Jen McLaughlin (writing as Diane Alberts) and J.M. Madden, along with 18 other trendsetting authors such as HOLT Medallion winner Desiree Holt. When Madame Eve arranges a date, you are guaranteed more than you'll ever expect. More heat, more heart, more SIZZLE...

Catch Me - Jennifer Probst
Can a woman with an abused past surrender her heart and body to one night with a stranger?

Broken - Jen McLaughlin (writing as Diane Alberts)
Is one night enough for Tiffany to convince Matt that she doesn’t see a crippled man when she looks at him…but a war hero instead?

Wet Dream - J.M. Madden
Ginger Hampton isn't surprised when her Madame Eve date is a no-show, but maybe Chief of Security Cameron Jones can salvage her night, and her heart.

Night Mission - Desiree Holt
For Navy SEAL Gabe Walker his one night stand with Maggie Fitzpatrick might turn out to be his hottest mission yet.

Panties Optional - Stephanie Beck
Forever isn’t on Sam or Maggie's minds, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

Caught Offside - Liz Crowe
A love of soccer may unite former international star Ramon Castillo and casino catering manager Gillian Winter, but their deep personal wounds won't allow for a real connection until Madame Eve works her magic.

Erotic Healing - Becca Dale
“Together we will convert your discomfort to pleasure...before the sun rises, you will know exquisite satisfaction."

One Night With the Bride - Sara Daniel
Can a 1Night Stand reunite Caroline with her first love, Javier, or will he see only her deception, leading one night with the bride to sever their ties forever?

Strawberry Kisses - Dominique Eastwick
Can two introverts gamble on love and win...with the help of Madame Eve and a bowl of Strawberries anything is possible.

Dead or Alive – L.J. Garland
She’s a bounty hunter on a mission...but when she captures her man, will she shoot him or kiss him?

My Boogie Woogie Bugle Guy - D.L. Jackson
Can Frank, an Army trumpet player, win the heart of Grace Daniels and convince her to give love with a soldier a chance, or will he be playing Taps before the date even gets started?

In From the Cold - Taryn Kincaid
When Geneviève Mortimer encounters a burned-out spy unaware of his true identity—everything the demon-hunting will-o’-the-wisp most despises—can Madame Eve work her special romantic magic on the star-crossed pair?

Trading Up - Mahalia Levey
A lonely woman and soldier get a bit of help in finding each other.

Her Marine - Heather Long
The last thing Shannon and Brody expected was a soul deep connection that brings them both wonder, but is the spark of lust enough to bring these two loners in from the cold?

To Feel Again - Valerie Mann
The story that started it all: Jackson Castillo doesn't have time for dating, Leah doesn't have time to wait.

Dom of the Dead - Virginia Nelson
Love transcends the grave when Carson submits to the Dom of the Dead.

The Virgin and the Playboy - Kate Richards
Can love blossom between a man who has too many dates and a woman who hasn't even found time for sex once?

Paging Dr. Wolf - Rebecca Royce
When a fateful night turns Dr. Dallas Olson into a werewolf, only Cara can help heal his heart and teach him how to howl at the moon.

Familiar Desires - Olivia Starke
Something deeper lies in Ashley and Justin's magical connection, something Ashley isn't prepared for....

Satin Sheets in Space - Jessica E. Subject
Danyka expects to meet her Prince Charming during her 1Night Stand, but how will she react when she's abducted by two sexy aliens?

Dragon Temptation - Kali Willows
A twin dragon and a maid of honor hook up at an exotic destination wedding for steamy romance and melted chocolate!

This review is going to be a departure from the norm.

I will say that I have NOT read all twenty-one 1NS stories, but I have read eight of them. Two have been reviewed here on Got Romance! Reviews and the others I have either just read and rated or reviewed for other review sites, so I cannot share the reviews officially. But what I can tell you, of the eight stories I have read I have yet to be disappointed and I'm looking very forward to reading the rest.

So check out my two official reviews of Strawberry Kisses and In From the Cold. They were both great stories. I have also noted my ratings of the other books. Again great stories. 

So don't just sit there. Go and get this great deal right now. The box set is only 99 cents. It is practically free!  But don't wait...it's only for a limited time!

Catch Me - Jennifer Probst

Night Mission - Desiree Holt

One Night With the Bride - Sara Daniel

Her Marine - Heather Long

To Feel Again - Valerie Mann

The Virgin and the Playboy - Kate Richards

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Pistons and Pistols by Regina Riley

Title: Pistons and Pistols (Clockworks and Corsets Series)

Author: Regina Riley

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Publication Date: January 21, 2011

ISBN: 9781616502379

Genre: Steampunk Erotica

Length: 104 pages

Buy Link

Author Website

Author

Heat Level: Scorching

Reviewer: Suki

Date: 3/5/2011

“The west isn’t only wild. Sometimes it’s just plain strange.

When the airship The Merry Widow arrives in Professor Von Maxwell’s city of gruff coal miners for fuel, the lonely men of Ironstation scramble to impress the all female crew.

But the crew isn’t in the mood for romance. On the run from a vicious bordello Madam, the ladies of The Merry Widow are recovering from a run-in with a pack of wild natives. Not to mention that their ship houses the world’s greatest scientific breakthrough since the invention of the airbag…a genuine clockwork man that goes by the name of Atom Loquacious.

The west just got a bit weirder in this tale of clockwork romance and sky-bound adventure.”

Watch out Steampunk is gathering steam and its here and well worth the read. This book I didn’t realize was part of a series when I read it, that being said I wasn’t lost and it didn’t take long to figure out who the myriad of characters are and there are a lot of them.  

I loved this story, even with the crazy amount of Characters you are trying to follow, the story is like a fast pace rollercoaster you can’t wait to see what will happen next and where the ship will be heading. Ms Riley intertwines the technology for the Steampunk so smoothly you a feel like it really is just a part of their world. I was never pulled from her world but further drawn in by the steam punk aspect.

Here are my issues with the book:  first the story line is so strong and engaging the sex scenes actually detracted from the story.  By the time the sex scene with Ruby happened, I was so annoyed had I not been reviewing I would have skipped it to get back to the actual story. And then once back on, the rollercoaster came to an abrupt halt making me think that I had a missing chapter of the book.  Again I didn’t realize this was a series so the abrupt end came as a surprise. I am assuming there is more coming.

This book really was a joy to read and I look forward to reading more from this engaging author.  And even though I was distracted by the sex scenes they are hot and exciting to read.

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As Timeless As Stone by Maeve Alpin

Title: As Timeless As Stone
Author: Maeve Alpin
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61650-151-8
Genre: Romance Steampunk
Length: Short novella
Buy Link
Author Website
Author Email: maevealpin@gmail.com
Heat Level: Erotic
Other: Oral play
Reviewer: Starla Kaye
Date: 7-4-10



Have you ever felt like you were born in the wrong time and wrong place? Ricard Dubois lives in nineteenth century France, works at the Louvre as an Egyptologist, and creates steam brass robots and horseless carriages. But he has always felt like he was born in the wrong time.

Priestess Seshat, from ancient Egypt, believes she will be killed and in an act of desperation turns herself to stone, hoping to be returned to her true form when whoever finds her reads the incantation to release her. But it took over three thousand years for her to be discovered again by a handsome Parisian Egyptologist. So much has changed and the society she finds herself in will not accept her. And Ricard has quickly fallen in love with Seshat. Can they find happiness together?

The characters were great fun and well developed. The conflicts, if you stretch the imagination to such inventions and possibilities, were difficult but handled well. A nice read for a reader of steampunk or a reader just wanting to enjoy something different.

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