Review: Help Wanted by Marie Rochelle

Help Wanted by Marie Rochelle

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Jim Russell didn't care the rest of his buddies from CCD had found their true loves and had gotten married. He was done with the whole dating scene. Well….he thought he was until he saw her at the airport and secretly he began to change his mind.
Keira Winters had always been known as strong, outspoken and very independent but after an accident something changed in her and she wasn't the woman she once was. She wants to get back to her old self. Will she be able to with the help of a man she "hated" at first sight?
Will Jim and Keira be able to overcome their battle of wills to find everlasting love in the final book of The Men of CCD Series…….Help Wanted?

Claudette's Review

Jim Russell’s best friend Dave married Keira Winter’s best friend Charisma. So Jim and Keira keep bumping into each other, but their first meeting a year ago, was far from friendly. He accused her of being an interfering busy body and she let him know exactly how little she valued his ‘high handed’ opinion. They are undeclared enemies who share the same circle of friends. Friends who except for them, are all happily married and love to match make.

Though both Jim and Keira deny it, their friends have seen that they are attracted to each other, and seem to believe that they would make a great couple.

Keira has more important things to worry about, than her friends trying to set her up. Several months in her job as a flight attendant, she was the sole survivor of a plane crash. Ever since she’s been plagued by nightmares and cannot face getting back on a plane. Her future in the career she loves seems to be over. Her father recently died and her whole life seems to be in turmoil. As if that wasn’t enough she finds out that before he died her father sold his motorcycle mechanics business to a stranger, and never told her.

I really enjoyed this interracial romance. Though it is one in a series and this is the first I’d read, I was completely drawn emotionally into the CCD world, (it stands for Campbell Construction Design) of these characters. My one grievance is that when the main characters have their big misunderstanding, it would have been better for Jim to at least, have shown some doubt, rather than believing the lie he was told about Keira. When you love someone you should know them well enough to know what they are capable of, no matter how plausible the evidence to the contrary. Showing some doubt would make the reader more readily able to excuse, and forgive the way he reacted. Not all the loose ends are tied up so I’m assuming that they will be in the next book, featuring Jim’s friend, the gorgeous, Dante.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Touch of Silver by Nicole Gestalt

Touch of Silver by Nicole Gestalt

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Alternative Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

When Tammy arrives in town to find everywhere but a single bar closed and shuttered, as if in preparation for a storm, her curiosity is aroused. Little does she realize exactly what kind of storm is approaching, as she is swept up into a world apart from her own.

A world of excitement and danger, one that she could never have believed existed. One that will herald many changes, and not merely for her as she experiences the touch of silver.


Dodie's Review

Nicole Gestalt has written a book, where the characters are fully formed. All the characters introduced in A Touch of Silver have a life and a history outside of a A Touch of Silver. As a reader, I really appreciate it when the author takes the time to figure out who her characters are, beyond the fact that they’re going to fall in love and live happily ever after. Nicole Gestalt has done that here. Reasons are given for why Tammy is new in town, and complicated sometimes erotic glimpses are provided into Kathleen’s past. I enjoyed the shifter element in the book, and how that is explained and revealed to unknowing people.

There were many strong elements in the book. That being said, I did not buy into Tammy’s and Kathleen’s relationship. For me personally, there wasn’t enough set up and emotional development in the beginning of the book for the type of strong, enduring relationship that Tammy and Kathleen seem to have by the end of the book. There definitely was a strong attraction between the two that lead to some highly entertaining erotic scenes. I’d love to see how their relationship works out, and how they resolve the fact that one of them is a shifter and one isn’t.

Despite not buying into their relationship, this was very well written, with many redeeming qualities. If you like to read shifter romances, and/ or F/F relationships, this was a very good book.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Soul in his Eyes by Christine London

Soul in his Eyes by Christine London

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb


Christine Rose lives an ideal life in a beach suburb of Los Angeles with her husband, Leo. Whilst on summer break from her teaching responsibilities, Christine sees Hollywood's rendition of her favorite gothic romantic musical, featuring a mysteriously magnetic actor with haunting, haunted eyes. Will his response to her letter help her cope with the tragedy that rips her world apart?

Fascinated by her acuity and racked with the lonely isolation of fame, Erik pursues the Californian woman through an affair of words. He is as determined to open Christine's heart as she is to save him from his self-imposed solitude. But before they can dream of what lies in the future, they must come to grips with their pasts, as well as the myriad of obstacles fate and fame place in their way. Set in Los Angeles, Iceland, London, and Scotland this globetrotting novel visits the disparate worlds of quiet family life and the lightening paced celebrity of moviemaking. It interweaves two life stories, unfolding half a world apart, in a novel of courage, strength and love.

Clare's Review

Have you ever looked into someone’s eyes and known in that instant that he or she was your soul mate? In this story that is what happens. Continents and worlds apart, separated by marriage and career, Christine and Erik nevertheless know something links them, yet can never be. When tragedy finally brings them together, can anything keep them apart?

This amazing story from Christine London is a real page turner. The vibrancy of Erik and Christine’s characters leap from the book, keeping each page turning. The differences in the accents are well done and the colour of the scenery and depth of descriptions transport you from Scotland to Iceland to California and to London in a heartbeat. Throw in a few action scenes and sword fights, combined with a wonderful love story, and this book with charm you from cover to cover.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Time After Time by Michelle Houston

Time After Time by Michelle Houston

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Sands of Time: After being diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Nicole can feel what time she has slipping away. Like many, she has told herself she would do the things she has always dreamed of "later." Pressed for time, later has come: she's going to see the world. She planned to start with Scotland, and go on from there, but once she arrives she meets a man she can't resist. Ciaran offers her a hope for the future she had given up on having, but it comes with a price. For Ciaran is not what he appears to be, and his race can't risk anyone finding out they exist.

Turning Back Time: Devastated at the news of her friend's supposed death, Julie rushes to Scotland to find some answers. What she finds instead is Roarke. Unwilling to let go of her search, Julie winds up figuring out what happened to Nicole. Along the way, she finds her own chance at happiness, if she can accept that Roarke isn't human.


Clare C’s Review

Time After Time includes two short love stories. Both were entertaining and original. One focused on a woman dying of cancer and a shape-shifting cat who can save her by making her one of his kinds. The other focused on her best friend, grieving over the first woman’s ‘death’, and a selchie.

Both stories had enough content to be full novels, and I wish the author had spent more time developing the characters and their relationships. However, they were both still very good stories featuring women finding unexpected love and happiness. The setting, a Celtic castle, was as magical and enchanting as the plot. Readers looking for a short getaway full of mist and fantasy will like both of Ms. Houston’s stories.

3 ½ Tea Cups!

   

Review: Private Eyes by Michelle Houston

Private Eyes by Michelle Houston

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Exhibitionism and Voyeurism. The thrill of watching … and being watched. Enjoy them both in this collection by Michelle Houston.
The camera catches the inner soul to a person, catching the hidden emotions we are too afraid to let others see. Daria is one of those people, and just for a brief moment, she lets Lynsay see her how she really is in "The Window of the Soul."

Tempted is the best way to describe Elaine's reaction to leather; especially when it was hugging the tight curves of a woman. She prowled the clubs, secretly thrilling in the view. What she hadn't expected was to run into one of her former students -- a former student with an interesting ultimatum.

Stacie's lover Amy has arranged things so that she can indulge her exhibitionist streak in a safe environment -- from behind the safety of peepshow booth windows. She gets to be center stage, putting on a show with her lover, without the risk of getting caught. It's an exhibitionist's dream, being watched by every Peeping Tom, Dick and Harriett.


Clare C’s Review

Private Eyes is actually three short stories. Each of them focuses specifically on an exotic (lesbian) erotic act. One takes the reader into the mind of an intimate photographer as she chronicles a woman masturbating. The second takes place on a dance floor. The third is an exhibitionist’s dream come true.

All three stories were bring-me-a-fire-extinguisher hot. Each gave the reader enough of the character’s background to make them and their situation real. Houston definitely draws the reader in from the first sentence, and she keeps them glued for the whole ride.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good, short, scorching F/F read.

4 1/2 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Eternally and Evermore by Marc Nobbs

Eternally and Evermore by Marc Nobbs

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

Love doesn't make the flowers smell sweeter, Love wakes you up to the world around you. Love won't make you flawless, but Love will take away the fear that holds you back. Love isn't the destination, Love is journey you take with the one person who cares about you most.

Twenty years after promising to love each other "Eternally and Evermore", teenage sweethearts, Amy and Will, are reunited to discover their love burns as strongly as it ever did. But while Will is a successful lawyer, Amy has walked a tougher path. What secrets does she harbor? What ghosts litter her past? And what horrors will they have to endure before they can finally be together "Eternally and Evermore."


Monica’s Review

From being teenagers to adults, this love story is wonderful. During the school years there is almost always the rivalry that goes on between two young male friends falling for the same young woman. Who will win her heart? But going off in different directions for college, this will lead them in different directions. Amy stays, attending a local college and William goes across to London to attend Oxford. Will their love survive the time being apart for so long? Decisions that they both make are hard to believe, but fear gets in the way. There are times that the love is strong but life does get in the way. But no matter what happens, if love was meant to be between a couple, it will be, no matter how long it will take to reunite them.

Marc Nobbs does an exceptional job in explaining how William and Amy’s love grew for 5 years before they decided to take it one step further in their last year of school in becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. High school is rough, and trying to define your future is tougher. William became a brilliant lawyer just he always wanted. Amy was always interested in arts but heartache gets in the way. Nobbs brings it all together after the 20th High School Reunion. Even with the troubles that Amy has chosen to stick with for the past 7 years or so, will they find their way back together or live their separate lives.

Nobbs writes William Brown as an exceptional, shy sweet young man who becomes a brilliant lawyer. The way the character goes about protecting Amy during their final school year, to how he protects after the high school reunion is heroic. He goes to his 20th High School Reunion not knowing where his future lies. Nobbs does amazing writing in detailing how much William loves Amy no matter what.

Nobbs writes Amy Robinson as a sweet, ambitious woman who gets what she wants.. Making the character not only think about herself but think about the man she loves. Even with the choices she has made after leaving college, starting a new relationship, she will not let her love for William get in the way. Nobbs does great with the twist of events of how Amy has lived without her long lost love, William. Will Amy overcome her mistakes in the name of love?

In Chapter 29 Nobbs does a great job in writing how much Amy has gone through since they were last together nearly 20 years later. The feelings and expressions how much pain and heartache Amy went through since William went to Oxford. Starting in chapters 30 you will start seeing how Nobbs goes into some extreme writing on who exactly Amy is and why she is compelled in staying in her current relationship, with hope in sight with the exception of one person, William. Amy has had so much pain, living in fear, health problems and most of all her self loss. Such great detail of how William will go to the extreme to keep his true love Amy alive no matter what it takes.

I recommend this book to people that can relate with the struggles that a relationship goes through when they find their true love, and feel compelled in helping them however they can in order to keep them safe. One thing I must say, love is true and love at times fixes the most vital situation or situations. My favorite quote in the book is "Like the song says, It's always been you. And it always be. You'll be in my heart, Eternally and evermore."

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Angel on Fire by Megan Hussey

Angel on Fire by Megan Hussey

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Rainyn Clery is a gorgeous, kind-natured dancer at Club Nuit; a
strip club/bordello where hot incubus vampires fulfill the deepest, darkest fantasies of everyday women. Despite his great passion for his work, Rainyn finds himself falling in love with Blythe, record company executive and Nuit regular.

Blythe Browning is engaged to marry Richard Billings, a city commissioner in her hometown of Clearview, Florida. Yet Richard's cruel, smug attitude drives her back to Club Nuit, a haven where she finds comfort in the arms of the sensual, exotic Rainyn.

Soon Blythe can't deny her love for Rainyn; a love he returns in the form of beautiful gifts and mind-blowing sex. Yet the man of her dreams harbors a secret that could threaten their love. It seems this gentleman of the evening is also a lord of the night.


Angelique’s Review

“Angel on Fire” is about going for love instead of settling for security. Ms. Hussey presents a story unlike anything I have read thus far, instantly addicting me to the world of Club Nuit. This short novella is both creative and emotional, capturing you until the end.

Blythe is my kind of heroine and has a wicked sarcastic streak. When you see how put down she is by her fiancé Richard, you too will want to beat the crap out of him. No matter how strong she tries to appear on the outside, the years of emotional abuse have her worn down. I was happy for her to get her HEA.

While you learn quite a bit about Blythe during the first half of the book, Rainyn remains mostly a mystery. Since this was the first book I read in this world, finding out what the men of Club Nuit are took me by surprise. It was a nice surprise!

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. My only wish is that it had been longer. I am definitely going to have to check out the first novel in this world, “Under Cover of the Night.”

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Writer's Block by Jennifer Mueller

Writer’s Block by Jennifer Mueller

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Ever ask an author if the characters take over, if they talk back and do their own thing? We always give polite answers about how they might turn out more forceful or sexy than we expected or some other trait.
The real truth might just surprise you. Take one long shipwrecked woman throw in a newly shipwrecked man with only one place to stay on the island.

Stir vigorously and you'll get ... Writer's Block!



Ren’s Review

Brede literally washes up on the shores of the island where the lovely Virginie has been a castaway for two months. These two characters mesh almost from the beginning until their first intimate encounter. This is where “The Block” happens and not in the way you might think.

When I first started reading this, I was a bit confused because I thought that this was an unfinished manuscript when in fact, it is a short story about a work in progress. The author (who remains unnamed) has cleverly inserted fix-it notes throughout the story, with reminders of the research that she needs to do, and even questioning herself as to whether or not her hero’s name sounds too feminine.

The author begins to suffer “The Block” and is then pulled into battle with her characters that have decided to take charge and go into different directions. The author tries to rein in her willful characters with no success. She is clearly not in the right frame of mind needed to move her novel along. Her hero, Brede, decides to take matters into his own hands by tapping into the real reason for the author’s “Writer’s Block” and ultimately helps her to release her creativity.

Honestly, I thought I was the only one that sat in fog when it comes to writing steamy scenes between characters, lol. “Writer’s Block” definitely makes you wonder what happens next.

3 ½ Tea Cups!

   

Review: Voodoo Nights by Crymsyn Hart

Voodoo Nights by Crymsyn Hart

Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Erotic Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

For the past two years, Pricilla Weaver has been haunted by guilt and nightmares of her dead fiance. Deciding to get away, she books a vacation to New Orleans . However, once she gets to the hotel, her plans go awry. Her hotel lost her reservation so she’s forced to get a room at a local bed and breakfast. When she arrives there, things start to get a little strange.

Anton has been under a curse for over a century. He desperately yearns to free his sister who was imprisoned by the same voodoo priestess. However, when he meets Pricilla, he see past her nightmares and desires to help her.

Will Pricilla break Anton’s curse? Will she ever be free of her nightmares? Or will the voodoo priestess catch up to them both?



Angelique’s Review

“Voodoo Nights” is an interesting and suspenseful romantic thriller. Ms. Hart expertly weaves this short page-turner. Once you think you know what is going on, the plot twists and everything changes again. You will find yourself reading furiously to uncover the truth.

Pricilla begins as a very broken and vulnerable character. It is fulfilling to see her rise from the ashes of her past to help the cursed Anton and Adella. Anton could have been developed a little more, but still made for a wickedly handsome hero. My favorite character, however, was Martin. He brought humor and some reprieve from the suspense.

Overall, I really liked this story. Wish it would have been longer.

4 Tea Cups!