Review: Fool Me Twice by Sandra Sookoo and Sandra Marshall

Fool Me Twice by Sandra Sookoo and Sandra Marshall

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Pranks are carried too far.

Kathy O'Reilly, a strong-willed woman doesn't allow men to walk over her or anyone else. When one of the co-owner's of Gagsters, Norm Jokes, is allowed to get away with playing pranks, she speaks up to her boss.

Jason Barrone, co-owner of Gagsters is attracted to his assistant and will not allow his best friend to cause him to lose her. Jason wants them to be friends because he doesn't want to have to make a choice of who goes and who stays.

Remembering Andy

Devastated after her fiancé dies in Iraq, Claudia Foster packs up her life and moves to the city of Indianapolis. She's a small town girl and she wants to lose herself in the noise, sites, and sounds of a place so foreign from her upbringing, nothing could possibly remind her of her guilt surrounding Andy's death. But fate has other plans.

Daniel Sorenson has put all thoughts of his brother Andy's death from his mind just to get through the day but running into Claudia again stirs up all the hidden feelings he has struggled so hard to hide. How can you love the girl who was supposed to marry your dead brother? How can that be normal?

As the two share their grief, they also share something deeper: laughter. But is it enough? Or will they spend their whole lives simply remembering Andy and never embrace the love that could be theirs if only they could have the courage to reach for it.


Wendy's Review

A Fool's Fool by Sandra Marshall was a book that made you want April fool's day to come around so that you may play practical jokes on the ones you love and especially the ones that annoy you more.

In Gagsters Inc. fun and games is all part of the job, but when practical jokes become too much like sexual harassment, Kathy O'Reilly the assistant to Jason Barrone decided that the girls in the office needed to do their own joking.

Norm Jokes was a type of man who hid behind his practical jokes trying to hide from a painful childhood, but with all the practical jokes he was missing what was right in front of him. Kathy was tired of the practical jokes Norm was doing to her friend Allyson; though Allyson didn't mind the jokes she thought they were sweet and she felt sorry for Norm. But with the holiday the spirit in the office became sizzling and when the jokes start flying so does an office relationship that has you wanting more.

Secrets are revealed in the story that have you laughing, and sad at the same time. The first story in this book had you wanting to enjoy an almost forgotten holiday. Great way to celebrate April fool's Day.

Remembering Andy by Sandra Sookoo was the second book in this anthology and brings home what is happening in the world today with men going to service and dying leaving behind love ones.

Claudia was planning her wedding and looking forward to a life with her soldier husband Andy. It was the event of the year with the whole town helping with the arrangement. When news came that Andy was killed Claudia went into a depression and decided to move to a bigger city and start life as it was over. The last person she expected to see was Daniel, Andy's brother who she had thought she loved also.

I love how Sandra brought you full circle with the love of childhood growing into adulthood. Even though Claudia had her insecurities, Daniel brought them out and in the open so that she was able to love and be loved as a woman not a childhood friend. Going back and pulling out the ghost of their past relationships shows the reader that nothing is impossible with love and patience.

Daniel and Claudia embark on an adult relationship that causes your heart to skip a beat. It brings you from tears to laughter.

4 1/2 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Shades of Night by R.G. Porter

Shades of Night by R.G. Porter

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

Her siren's song leads to a deadly conspiracy.

A vampire trained to hunt those who have rejected vampiric law, Krystoff finds
he is knee deep in a conspiracy to not only overthrow the Council of Elders but
humankind itself. As the answers to his burning questions go unanswered, he
wanders into a smoke filled club where he hears the purest voice ever and meets
a piercing gaze that tugs at his soul.

Half human, half Fae, fearful of vampires, Alexandra knows how to dodge those
who walk the shadows. That is until she is drawn to the stage and fulfills her
need to sing out a song of loneliness that levels Krystoff's attention on her.
He is a vampire she should run from but cannot escape.

Fate has brought them together for a purpose—save the world from being plunged
into an endless darkness…

…but that requires they trust each other.



Dodie’s Review

Shades of Night by R.G. Porter was an entertaining read, with an epic battle of good and evil brewing and the romance between Alexandra and Krystoff budding. While I enjoyed the story in the end, the initial framework of the world in which the story is set was not properly developed. Sometimes the first story of a series is so full of back story and explanation that you wish the characters would meet and fall in love already. This book was the exact opposite. We are thrust into the world of the novel without explanation as to where or when we are. For example, from the beginning it is clear that there are two types of vampires, but the differences between the two, are never explained. There is a Council that is never defined. Someone unfamiliar with the features of fae and vampires would have a difficult time understanding fundamental aspects of the characters.

The beginning of the story was disjointed and choppy. Not only because the mythology of the characters was not defined, but also because the point of view switches from the two main characters Krystoff and Alexandra without warning.

That being said, as the book progressed, the characters found their feet, so to speak. The dialog became easier to follow. Krystoff and Alexandra began to move in familiar patters of wooing and forging a relationship between each other, but their love story wasn't stale or forced and contrived. The love scenes between Alexandra and Krystoff were well written, but short. They did an excellent job of finding time to be alone in the midst of the rest of their problems, but did not take advantage of their aloneness. I, for one, would have liked more action between them.

Despite the difficulties in the beginning of the story, I was rooting for them to succeed in their quest and their relationship at the end of the book. It is clear that this is the first book in the series, and I am interested in seeing how the series develops. I want to see the good guys win the war.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Vegetarian at Midnight by Sandra Sookoo

Vegetarian at Midnight by Sandra Sookoo

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Sometimes the love of meat is only the beginning of the problem.
Sophia has issues beyond being near-sighted. Bound to work for a power-hungry Portal Master for the next 90 years, her crown-shaped birthmark might set her apart, but her vegetarian lifestyle make her unforgettable. She can't afford to be distracted by Xavier's Adonis-like features because she knows she'll betray him eventually.

Golden-curled, fedora-wearing Xavier's a man with issues. Under a gypsy curse that compels him to morph into a werewolf, he wants nothing more than to convince the Portal Master to lift the blight. The only way to that exulted individual is through Sophia, but her stubbornness and fearful disposition heat his blood and annoy him at the same time.

Passions and problems collide while both Sophia and Xavier rise up to meet their destiny. Fighting a fallen angel and the Immortal Court, only the strong will come out alive.



Hunter’s Review

I had just read the first book in this series, The Art of Fang Shui, when I sat down to read Vegetarian at Midnight, (Great titles, right? So funny.), so I was prepared to be swept away in Sandra Sookoo’s particular brand of humor again. I wasn’t disappointed.

Vegetarian at Midnight tickles all the funny bones and also has the right brand of true Alpha hero in Xavier. He really never relents and I personally loved him for it even as I pitied Sophia for her endless stream of problems in trying to deal with him and everyone else thrown into her life. Not to mention, and I don’t want to give it away here, I have never read a heroine who was what Sophia actually is before. Very unusual and kind of cool. Throw in a creepy bad guy and you’ve got a winner.

Make sure you check out this series!

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: The Art of Fang Shui by Sandra Sookoo

The Art of Fang Shui by Sandra Sookoo

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Hannah doesn’t believe in things that go bump in the night—until they start accumulating on her doorstep.
A reluctant empath, her powers jump to the forefront of her life, and she no choice but to take notice when dishy, arrogant Edwin attempts to kidnap her as part of a covert mission to save the Eight Realms. Will she be as successful in denying Edwin’s potent sex appeal as she was in hiding from the paranormal world?

Edwin is a half-vamp, intent on collecting the bounty on errant paranormal beings. His best-laid plans go awry when he meets stubborn Hannah. He needs her telekinetic powers in order to vanquish the power-hungry Demon Lord, Andre. He’s thrown off gurard as she bewitches him with her sarcastic nature as well as her tempting curves. Will the urge to make Hannah a light snack sabotage his mission?

Together the unlikely duo finds themselves flung into a sticky web of supernatural foes and dark decent in the quest to protect the world’s magic. Can Edwin and Hannah save the Eight Realms before they fall under the evil influence of the deadly Demon Lord, or will the fire of their relationship destroy them first?


Hunter’s Review

This is a very funny book. Did you know there was so much paranormal activity happening in the woods in Indiana? Remind me to bring my garlic when next I visit. Sookoo pulls out all the stops with this book and no one is left unscathed. In fact, there are moments when I was pretty sure she was taking shots at paranormal romances in general with some of her characters crazy antics.

Sookoo is an expert in sarcasm and snarky remarks. She always makes me laugh. For me, Edwin was a little bit stiff, but they say still waters run deep and I think he is an excellent example of this. Don’t miss anything Sookoo writes. She’ll make your day brighter!

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Briar's Champion by Mahalia Levey

Briar’s Champion by Mahalia Levey

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Briar Thompson has it all. The perfect boyfriend. A future full of promise. But ultimate betrayal is always a possibility. When all hope is gone, what chances are there of having a happily ever after?

Sloan Guiterez is a strong man who appreciates all women. After buying a professional baseball team, he arrives in town to set up his home. In his lifestyle the 'real thing' is elusive and gold digging women are on the prowl. The last thing he expects is to fall for the first woman he meets.

LynnMarie’s Review

Briar is getting over a nightmarish relationship. The man she thought was her everything, left her, remarried, and took all she had in the span of a few days. It’s easy to relate to Briar, her pain, and her fear of loving again.  She doesn’t mope for long, but picks up the pieces and starts her own art gallery. She forgets about romance, until her friends insist she loosen up and open her heart to the possibility of a new relationship.

When Sloan walks into the bar, all bets are off. Briar is immediately attracted to the dead sexy man and is willing to throw out her own rules and have a one-night stand with him. What harm can sex have? She didn’t have to offer her heart in exchange for the pleasure.

After some media attention, Briar realizes that her boy toy is a very wealthy man and she assumes she’s been used once again. Could Sloan be another nightmare or the champion she desperately needs in her life?
Mahalia Levey created a cute, quick read with Briar’s Champion. Though I didn’t find it up to her usual standards, and a bit choppy, it was still enjoyable.

For a sexy read to fulfill the fantasy in all of us, Briar’s Champion is a good place to start. With some fun multi-cultural elements, and hot scenes, Mahalia Levey is sure to gain some new fans with this short story.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Rocket's Red Glare by Sandra Sookoo

Rocket’s Red Glare by Sandra Sookoo

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Getting a second chance at love could be deadly.
Jamison Rocket is a food critic who rarely gives a 5-star rating. His palate for food is flawless. Trouble is, he’s a vampire, and even though he enjoys his job, he’s been haunted by memories of the love he left behind ten years ago—the woman he can’t forget.

Meredith Kirby works as a sous chef in a brand new bistro. She’s given the chance of a lifetime to prepare a meal for a renowned food critic and seizes the opportunity. The meal is a success. As the critic arrives in the kitchen to meet her, Meredith’s pride sours into confusion when the critic ends up being, Jamison Rocket—the man who ditched her at the altar and stole her heart.

Neither one has been able to forget the love they once shared. Over the Fourth of July weekend, their romance is rekindled into an inferno they once thought impossible. Though the need for acceptance burns bright within Jamison, it’s Meredith who’ll ultimately need to decide which ingredients she’ll need in order to whip up a happy ending and add fireworks to her own life.



LynnMarie’s Review

Initially, I had preconceived ideas about Rocket’s Red Glare because of the cover art. After only a few pages, I knew I was in for a treat. Sandra Sookoo writes in a fluid style, with a healthy mix of emotion, description and action.

Meredith is finally getting her life on track after suffering the humiliation of being ditched at the alter, ten years prior. After Jamison walked out on her, she could never maintain another relationship because her heart belonged to him. At the same time as she still cared, her anger pushed her forward to become a sous chef. Her passion for food only grew throughout the years. The culinary descriptions sprinkled within this book were mouth watering.

When Jamison and Meredith accidentally cross paths, all the old feelings are reignited. He’s a renowned food critic, while Meredith strives to be a head chef. Their love for food brings them together. He tells her he’s a vampire, but she doesn’t believe him at first, believing he’s making excuses to get out of her life once again. It will take a lot of convincing to heal her broken heart.

The rekindling of their relationship was humorous, cute, and sexy. I especially liked Meredith’s character. She’s strong enough to know what she wants, but vulnerable enough that we root for her. Her interactions with Jamison were so natural, and emotionally charged, that I became lost in the book and didn’t want it to end.

Sandra Sookoo is an author I will be looking out for. This was a paranormal romance that focused on Meredith’s fractured reality, and it’s easy to relate to her plight. The sexual tension, dialogue, and character development made Rocket’s Red Glare a winner.

4 1/2 Tea Cups!