Order of Terminus: Blood Ties by Olivia Starke

Title: Order of Terminus: Blood Ties

Author: Olivia Starke

Publisher: Cobblestone Press

Publication Date:2010

ISBN: 978-1-60088-525-9

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: Novella

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Author Email: oliviastarke@ymail.com

Rating: 4.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: sensual

Reviewer: Sky

Date: 7/1/10

Hannah, half-human vampire hunter has received a lead on one of the vampires who wiped out her family nearly a century ago. In order to follow up on the lead, she goes to Nicholas, the vampire who saved her way back then. Together they must face a group of Dissenters, vicious killer vamps, as well as an awakening of their own passions toward each other. But Nicholas has a secret that may destroy their newfound love.

Ms. Starke has penned a fast-moving, passionate story of paranormal characters with very human feelings. I was drawn in right from the first page, wanting to see how Hannah and Nicholas would be able to resolve all the problems that faced them. Could they be together? And would they survive to be together? I highly recommend this exciting and entertaining story.

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Skeleton Bayou by Melanie Atkins

Title: Skeleton Bayou
Author: Melanie Atkins
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: 12/09
ISBN: 1-60154-611-4
Genre: Contemporary Suspense
Length: 352 pages
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Rating: 5 Diamonds
Heat Level: sensual
Other: Domestic violence
Reviewer: Olivia Starke
Date: 01/8/10

Savannah Love is emotionally and physically battered but is determined to survive after escaping the hellish imprisonment imposed on her by her psychotic cop-husband. After seven months in hiding, she resurfaces at Mossy Oak, her ramshackle family home on a Louisiana bayou, and attempts to restart her life. The empty house provides shelter, but isn’t the fortress she needs when her cruel ex comes calling. Mack O’Malley, former cop turned handyman, conflicted over a bad shoot on the job, comes to Savannah’s rescue when the psychopath draws them into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Fearful of Mack at first, she soon discovers that beneath his steely exterior lies a resolute defender with a heart hungry for love. Will their alliance save them, or will they fall victim to the Legend of Skeleton Bayou?

This is suspense at it's most intense, I was holding my breath during much of the action. There are many twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the author didn't forget the romance! The hero is all alpha and the heroine is a strong and determined woman. There are scenes involving domestic violence, a heads up to those who may be sensitive to the subject. A great read, I highly recommend it!

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Fire Eyes by Cheryl Pierson

Title: Fire Eyes

Author: Cheryl Pierson

Publisher: Wild Rose Presss

Publication Date: 05/2009

ISBN: 1-60154-470-7

Genre: Historical

Length: 276

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Rating: 4.75 diamonds

Heat: spicy

Other: Violence, graphic language, explicit sex

Reviewer: Olivia Starke

Date: Jan 3, 2010

Beaten and wounded by a band of sadistic renegades that rules the borderlands of Indian Territory, U.S. Marshal Kaed Turner understands what the inevitable outcome will be for him: death. But Fate and a war party of Choctaw Indians intervene, delivering him instead to a beautiful angel with the skill to heal him. Jessica Monroe has already lost a husband and a brother to the outlaws who tortured Marshal Turner. As the rugged lawman lies bleeding on her bed, she faces a difficult decision. Can she afford to gamble with her heart one last time? For when Kaed recovers, he is sworn to join the other Territorial Peace Officers in their battle to wipe out the renegade gang once and for all. When vengeance is done, will Kaed keep riding? Or will he return to claim his future with the beautiful woman the Choctaw call "Fire Eyes?"

This is the story you want to curl up by a fire with on a rainy day (or snowy day as it is here.) The world building was wonderful, I had the whole story playing vividly in my mind. The hero and heroine's chemistry was believable, and I enjoyed 'watching' their love story unfold. There were many suspenseful areas that had me glued to the story to see what would happen next. Some of the women characters in the story had been raped in their past, a warning to those who may be sensitive to that subject. It wasn't something that played out in the story, though, it simply hinted of the rough lives mid-19th century Americans faced at times. It's a definite must read for any historical romance fan!

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Thrilled (Anthology) by Hussy/Valentine/Dixon/Kemp/Powers

Title: Thrilled Anthology

Author: Megan Hussy, Lex Valentine, Christine Dixon, C. Margery Kemp, Mae Powers

Publisher: Midnight Showcase Fiction

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: ISSN 1555-5496

Genre: Erotic Contemporary

Length: 107 pgs

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Rating: 5

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: Oral sex, voyeurism, explicit language, graphic sex, toys, videotaping of sex, cougar action, light BDSM

Reviewer: Olivia Starke

Date: 11/30/09

Of Power and Passion, Megan Hussey

Jacquie is a tough PI with an eye for hot gentlemen. When a lover lands in hot water, she sweeps in for the rescue.

Turning Cards, C. Margery Kempe

A tarot reader turns up a card that spells good news in her own love life.

Silver Lining, Lex Valentine

Despaired with love, Maris posts goodbye letters to her chatroom pals. A special member emails, begging her not to leave. His words capture Maris' attention.

The Awakening, Christine Dixon

Patience needing something to spice up her love life, found just the thing to awaken her interest. But would her husband like it too?

Includes two bonus stories by Mae Powers.

This is a collection of incredibly sexy, intense, and juicy tales to make feel flushed and flustered! A combination of humor and eroticism, with a more touching story thrown in by Lex Valentine, each author does a wonderful job of pulling you into their stories. Thrilled provides you with some cougar play, hunky guys to make your mouth water, relatable spunky heroines who will make you smile (and envy,) and a space alien or two thrown in just to keep you on your toes. This is definitely a don't miss in my book! If I could rate it a 6 I would!

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Mind Games by Olivia Starke

Title: Mind Games

Author: Olivia Starke

Publisher: Cobblestone Press

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN:978-1-60088-473-3

Genre: Erotic Paranormal

Length: 41 pages

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Rating: 5 diamonds

Heat : Spicy

Reviewer: Kate Richards

Date: 11/28/09

Cassie Archer has recently inherited her grandmother’s farm, but the quiet country life may not be as peaceful, or safe, as it seems. There has been a murder in the neighborhood, and. There has been a murder in the neighborhood, and Sheriff Garrett Daniels wonders if Cassie might not have been the real intended victim. There is certainly something in the house that is trying to tell her something. When a grandmother is a witch, death may not be enough to stop her from trying to protect and help her granddaughter.

I totally and completely loved this book. It was one of the very rare stories I can say that about. The book opens with an exciting scene that grabs the reader and pulls them into the story, wondering, what is going on? and What will happen next? Of course, this is a romance, and it’s hard to miss with an extremely hot guy in uniform, like Sheriff Daniels. A hot guy who is trying to protect her from life threatening danger. Irresistible, right? And the chemistry between Cassie and Garrett will not disappoint. This is a really fun story even if your own countryside is not populated by helpful sheriffs and witches. But wouldn’t it be fun if it were?

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Ghost Unlaid by Marie Treanor

Title: Ghost Unlaid

Author: Marie Treanor

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: August 2009

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: 110 pgs

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Rating: 4.75 Diamonds

Heat : spicy

Other: explicit language, graphic sex

Reviewer: Olivia Starke

Date: November 29, 2009

A rebellious librarian encounters the ghost of an ancient Scottish king...

Rare book specialist, Julie Macbeth is sent to work on the Drummonds' private library in Edinburgh as a punishment. But in fact, she is delighted with the job and fascinated by Lulach, the charming eccentric who appears to live there. When Lulach claims to be the ghost of a thousand year old king, she's sure that he’s insane. But as she begins to fall in love, it breaks her heart to know that she should do everything in her power to lay his spirit to rest at last.

This was a wonderful story. Julie was a believable heroine and Lulach an intriguing beta hero. I wasn't sure how a love story could work between a ghost and a mortal woman and I felt myself drawn in to find out. At times I found my heart strings tugged by the Lulach's circumstances and I identified with Julie's own reactions. The author writes with intelligence and the dialogue was very natural. I found that I now believe love can happen with a ghostly spirit. I highly recommend this read. I wish the ending had been a bit different (though it was a happily ever after) I'm not sure how it could have been and still have been as believable.

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