A Stranger Within by Amanda Steiger

Title: A Stranger Within

Author: Amanda Steiger

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: 2011

ISBN: 978-1-59578-835-1

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 148 pages

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Heat Level: spicy

Other:  oral, some graphic violence

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 07/27/11

Everyone needs a little superhero in them and here’s a story that proves it. Amanda spins a tale that plays with the imagination as she stretches the bounds of possibility with characters that are at once human and superhero. It’s just plain fun reading and I loved how the author toyed with description in original ways throughout. There are a couple of pretty graphic spots as far as blood and ick go, just an FYI for those sensitive to that sort of thing. If you have to, just skip over those parts because they are few.

Now if you’re looking for a straight-up romance, this story doesn’t read as one. It’s more paranormal with romantic element, but it’s a good read regardless. If Amanda decides to continue Kate’s story I’ll be in line to buy it.

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Arctic Winds by Sondrae Bennett

Title: Arctic Winds

Author: Sondrae Bennett

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Publication Date: 01/11

ISBN: 978-1-61650-227-0

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: 72 pages

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Heat Level: spicy

Other:  oral play

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 03/18/11

Love between wolf and fox is indeed possible. Sondrae spins a sweet ‘n’ spicy tail of a lone vixen, who stumbles into a shifter town. Terrified that she may be ripped to shreds, those fears are soon put to rest by one hot alpha Premier named Jason. Their love affair grows at a natural pace, and I loved the world she built for her characters. I feel if the story had been lengthened, the world and characters fleshed out even more, this story would’ve been fabulous.

It’s a delightful read for a rainy day and I hope to see more from Sondrae and watch how her writing develops.

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Untameable by Becca Dale

Title: Untameable

Author: Becca Dale

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: 01/21/2011

ISBN:

Genre: Erotic Contemporary

Length:73 pages

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Rating:  5 Diamonds      

Heat Level: erotic

Other:  anal play, oral sex, explicit language, some pretty wicked ice cube usage, rowdy all American cowboy play in and out of the arena.

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 01/20/11

Becca has done it for me again with Untameable.  Her character building is spot on, the chemistry between hero and heroine sizzling, and I was nearly salivating during the lusty love scenes. All right, salivating isn’t the correct term, but I think you catch my drift here without causing too much offense.

Cowboys are just plain hot, and throw in some dirty lovin’ and you got yourself a story, but Becca throws in her special pizzazz that makes this work unique. You’ll fall in love with the characters, and by the end you’ll be sorry to say goodbye to them.

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Confessions from the Carnivore Club: Dave & Nancy's Story by Kate Richards

Title: Confessions from the Carnivore Club: Dave and Nancy’s Story

Author: Kate Richards

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Publication Date:  April 2010

Genre: Contemporary Erotica

Length: 60 pages

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Heat Level: spicy

Other:  anal, light f/f petting, and some very sexy thigh boots (for those so inclined to a fetish like this reviewer)

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 10/29/10

Holy cow! That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I finished this read. Kate has delivered, in fine fashion, an incredible (and incredibly HAWT) story. From the first paragraph she carries a high level of sensuality throughout the length, something that is difficult to accomplish. I was nearly salivating as I imagined the sexy gear that our heroine donned, described in wonderful detail, as she prepared for her first jaunt to a fetish club.

Our author, and tour guide to the kinky unknown, Kate, has a truly authentic voice in this first person tale. I have to say I was impressed as I’m not usually a fan of first person point of view.

If you’re looking for a taste into the underground world of kink clubs, without getting smacked in the face by hardcore BDSM, go out and buy this story. Now. I mean right now.

I hope to read more into the world Nancy and Dave have introduced me to and see what wicked adventures they have in store.

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Another Place and Time by Cara Preston

Title: Another Place and Time

Author: Cara Preston

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 01/24/10

ISBN: 978-1-60435-610-6

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 67 pgs

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Rating: 1.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 05/12/10

Is there such thing as a soul mate? Trina's divorce has left her shaken and wondering. Then someone comes along who totally blows her away. Ben is different. It's as though he's from another era, but is he? Paranormal events lead her to believe that he is from another time zone. Will she take a chance on him and find love again?

The idea behind this story was wonderful, but I just didn’t care for how it was written. I felt that it was being geared toward a much younger audience (like 6^th graders.)From time to time there was head hopping (not sure how editing didn’t catch that) despite the fact that it was purely from the heroine’s perspective.

Again it was a really creative idea, and obviously the author has the writing muse within her. Perhaps this just isn’t her best work, and I have faith that her next work will be much better.

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Blood Tapestry by Ishbel Moore

Title: Blood Tapestry

Author: Ishbel Moore

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 308 pages

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Author Email: ilmoore@highspeedcrow.ca

Heat Level: sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 03/09/10

Blurb: When blood is shed betwixt new thread,

a brave man’s heart protects yer head.

Wash blood away betwixt new stitches,

live in fear of plots and switches.

These are the cautionary words told to the Crown Princess Floranza of Libona when she cuts her finger while working on a new tapestry. Within heartbeats Floranza's world begins to change. Her father the king is snatched from a horrible death by a stranger named DunKhan, a member of the highly skilled Intelligence network of the Nongris, who is newly charged with the responsibility of removing Floranza from potential harm. Floranza eventually agrees to go, but only because she wishes to find out who is behind the growing upheaval in her father's kingdom. During their journey through the continent of Charmangea, Floranza and DunKhan find themselves drawn to each other as they face magic, danger and political unrest at every turn. Their growing love seems not to be however, as a Nongris cannot marry, and a Crown Princess cannot be any man's 'woman'.

I love, love, love, this story! It was wonderfully structured and creative, and I found myself swept into the world Ishbel created. The characters come alive in your mind’s eye and the plot has many twists that will keep you guessing until the end. Despite the fact it’s a sweet romance, you definitely pick up on the spark of chemistry between the heroine and hero. Their developing relationship isn’t overshadowed by the rest of the story—which can happen in sweet romances. I normally prefer spicy and erotic romances—which is the genre I write—but this love story won me over.

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Montana Rose by Sherry Derr-Wille

Title: Montana Rose

Author: Sherry Derr-Wille

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 11/09

ISBN: 978-1-60435-424-9

Genre: Historical

Length: 322 pgs

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Rating: 2.75 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 12/14/09

Rose McKinney has lived her entire life at the Purple Moon cathouse in St. Louis. When the man she has always considered her father dies and leaves her his ranch in Montana, the Rocking M, she leaves vowing to sell the property and return as soon as possible. Once on the ranch, she learns not only must she stay for one year before she can sell, but also that her father's murder is one mystery she needs to solve before more deaths occur on the Rocking M.

Cameron Blake has found refuge on the Rocking M, not only for him but also for his son. His first impression of Rose is that she's someone he wants nothing to do with. It's evident she's a whore and he certainly doesn't need that kind of influence around his thirteen year old son. It isn't until he becomes completely involved in solving the murder of his former boss, that he comes to see Rose in an entirely different light. 

I really enjoyed the setting and world building in this release. It was very real to me and I found myself daydreaming of what life was like in 19th century Montana. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the cattle rustling as well. The hero and heroine were realistic to me and I could see each growing emotionally as they left their pasts behind. This was a sweet romance, with a couple of chaste kisses, which I respect as this is what is expected with the 'Sweet' heat level. I was disappointed that I really felt no chemistry between the hero and heroine, and in the end almost felt they had fallen into a marriage of convenience  I couldn't see the spark of love growing between them. If you're looking for a good historical mystery with a romantic element this is a good read, and I would have rated it a 4 outside of a romance review site. I did enjoy the story very much, but not as a romance.

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Tinsel and Takeovers by J.T. Shultz

Title: Tinsel and Takeovers

Author: JT Shultz

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: December 2006

Genre: Contemporary Erotic

Length: 53 pgs

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Heat Level: Erotic

Other: oral sex, explicit language, graphic sex

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 12/05/09

Keeping the family company from financial disaster is a full time job for Sage Taggart, one that leaves her social life in ruins. With a little white lie made over the Thanksgiving holidays and a trip home for Christmas on the horizon, she'll have to come up with a boyfriend fast. But should she let her fingers do the walking and hire a male escort? When Jesse Francis agrees to meet one of his brother's 'clients' at the airport to let her know she'll be minus one escort for the holidays, he can't believe his luck, or his body's reaction to the woman known to him by reputation as the 'ruthless bitch in heels.' It's unfair and unethical, but with his company set to take over hers in only a matter of days, taking his brother's place is the perfect opportunity to gain inside information.

Yet, amidst the tinsel, Jesse sees a soft and very sexy side of Sage, and the question becomes, who is taking over whom?

I enjoyed this quick read. The author did a good job of world building and I felt I was part of each scene. Sage was a relatable and likeable heroine and the hero Jesse made for a hunky hero. It flowed well though at times it seemed a little rough, as well as with some of the dialogue. The loves scenes were steamy and I definitely caught chemistry between the characters.

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