Review: Sweet Danger by Cheryl Pierson

Sweet Danger by Cheryl Pierson

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman's Deli, he doesn't expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier. Now, Hardin's escaped, and he's out for more blood--Jesse's.

Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months. Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast. Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy 's plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly. That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.

But Jesse's got some hard-hitting secrets. With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them--if Hardin takes the bait. Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger?


Christy’s Review

When I selected Sweet Danger for review, I went into it without having a blurb or book cover to go by. All I knew about the book was that it was a romantic suspense. Also, Cheryl Pierson is a new author to me. Having said that, I can tell you that I am really happy I took a chance on reading this book. It is a very good read. The plot is quite good, the characters were realistic, and the situation they faced was believable.

After reading several pages of Sweet Danger, I found myself thinking there is no way Ms Pierson is going to be able to keep the scene of Lindy, Jesse, and the other characters who were held captive by four convicts going throughout the entire book. Well, I can say she did just that. The storyline flowed really well. There weren’t any parts of the book that slowed down or lost my interest. I kept turning page after page to find out what happened next.

I really liked Linden Oliver aka Lindy. She’s a strong, independent young woman who works at a bookstore and is also a writer. Jesse Nightwalker is an undercover cop who lives in the same apartment building as Lindy. He’s a strong alpha male with jet black hair, dark eyes and is just mouth watering.

Lindy’s noticed Jesse a lot and wants to get to know him. For over a year they have nodded and said hello to one another but haven’t taken things further than that. Jesse has some past issues he’s dealing with which makes him reluctant to start anything new. Right from the beginning I thought wow these two are going to be great together. The secondary characters of Sweet Danger were very interesting as was their backgrounds. I really enjoyed learning all about them.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved it and would recommend it to all of you who love a good romantic suspense with a happily ever after. I look forward to reading more novels by Ms Pierson. With a heat rating of 2 and 4 ½ Tea Cups, Sweet Danger is a definite recommended read.

4 1/2 Tea Cups!

      

Review: It Begins with a Rogue’s Bite by Jessica Frost

It Begins with a Rogue’s Bite by Jessica Frost

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Menage Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

All Cheryl Brete wanted was to forget about her cheating ex-boyfriend and enjoy a night with friends. When her car breaks down on an isolated road and a beast chases her into the woods, her worst fears come to life.

Shane and Thomas Bicks had a vision of a gorgeous woman being attacked by a Rogue werewolf. They set out to find and save her by bringing her to the Haven after she’s bitten. Just when they’re about to leave, the doctor tells them they must stay and help her through the werewolf transition both physically and sexually. They agree whole-heartedly, but after they see how emotionally vulnerable she is because of an abusive ex-boyfriend, they question their decision and the deep-set feelings they’re beginning to have for her.

Soon emotions for these three become a whirlwind of lust and love. What they don’t know is the Rogue who bit Cheryl is coming back to finish the job he started, which was to kill her.


Monica’s Review

It Begins with a Rogue’s Bite by Jessica Frost is written in a fantasy world of werewolves. The werewolves have so much passion and so much love to give to their mate. This story takes place in the forest where they encounter a werewolf out for revenge. Frost does a good job in making you believe that there is a certain werewolf pack out hunting humans when in reality it is something else. Job well done!

Frost’s characters’ in the book consist of Cheryl Brete a woman who has had her difficulty in relationship but never thought something this horrible would change her life but to something beautiful and full of love. The next characters are twin werewolf brothers, Shane and Thomas Bicks, they are known as council members of the Voyeurs. They’re twin brothers that will do anything in order to save their love of their life. Frost did a wonderful job in writing their characters’ as strong, good-willed and full of life even if one of the twin brother’s had a bad past relationship. Their lives are torn in half when the werewolf comes back to finish his revenge.

I recommend this book to anyone that is a reader the fantasy world of werewolves. This book has it moments of trying to guess is it really the Rogue’s pack or someone else that is seeking the human female. Read to find out!

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Dividing Dark by Melissa Swaim

Dividing Dark by Melissa Swaim

Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Young Adult Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

How is a 16-year-old girl with an eating disorder to reconcile the ancient wounds between the Annunaki, the Reptilian Watchers, and the human race? After Flannery “Fee” Birch loses her father in Afghanistan, she ends up in the alien land of Alabama, where she learns the art of spelunking (caving) in order to make friends. To make matters worse, Fee is afraid of caves, heights, and just about everything else…until she meets Faron Rothschild, an outcast from either world, though an emissary for both.

Faron’s mixed blood kind took up the role of protecting humans, whom the Anunnaki abandoned and later warred with, while also keeping the Anunnaki secret from the world who forgot them. Not an easy task for a shape shifter who can switch between both sets of his DNA, human and Reptilian. This is a secret that must be maintained at all cost, and Fee, who once tried to disappear from life, pound by pound, must not only rectify her own life, but demand truce between light and darkness.



Monica’s Review

I love Young Adult books and I was really excited to find this Fantasy Young Adult book by Melissa Swaim, who is an author I’d not read before. Let me start out by saying that Ms. Swaim takes a lot of chances in this book, she seems to dream big, and she gives her young heroine—Fee—a lot to do. I really enjoyed the sheer uniqueness of her story.

The concept is that Farron, a shapeshifter who can be both reptile and human, is responsible for handling negotiations between humans and a reptilian race that most humans know nothing about. Fee gets mixed up in this—and with Farron—and finds herself fighting along side him to save the world.

Fee is, I think, a very relatable character to young women. She suffers from an eating disorder and has endured terrible tragedy in her own life, which makes her sensitive and somewhat lost in the beginning of the book. I think a lot of teenagers will relate to her.

If I have any complaints with the book, it is that the author spends a lot of time telling us what Fee is feeling instead of showing us. Ms. Swaim clearly has a tremendous imagination and I think the more she writes the better the craft will get. I recommend Dividing Dark to anyone who likes Young Adult books that delve into fantasy and the paranormal.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Sacrifice by Luxie Ryder

Sacrifice by Luxie Ryder

Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

All Hallie Matheson wants is someone to rent her apartment. What she gets is the handsome and wealthy, Ethan Butler. They hit it off instantly and Hallie thinks she has found a lifelong friend, until she tries to explore the sexual tension between them. Ethan rejects her and then avoids her for months, leaving Hallie confused and hurt.

Until one fateful night she finds Ethan collapsed and near death on her door-step.

Ethan has spent the last few years investigating vampires, until a sudden attack ends his mortal life. Now, he has even more reason to avoid Hallie, despite his desire to have her. Her continuous presence sparks a desperate hunger within him he can no longer control. No sooner has their affair begun when his worst fears are realized.

Desperate to do anything to keep her alive, Ethan vows to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Monica’s Review

Luxie Ryder’s writing was impeccable in this vampire love story. Her main character was based on a real, genuine woman, Hallie, who lived alone after her grandmother passed away. Not wanting to be alone she sought a roommate to keep her company in her home. Ryder describes Hallie’s new roommate as a tall handsome journalist who kept to himself, Ethan Butler. Ethan’s story about his transformation, his love for his roommate and his desire to keep Hallie safe was wonderful.

Ryder described Hallie Matheson, store owner, as a courageous young woman that goes after what she wants. Hallie will not let anything stand in her way of love, not even if the man she is falling in love with is not what she thinks.

Ryder described Ethan Butler as a journalist/investigator of paranormal phenomenon. He’s on a mission of revenge on vampires since they were the cause of his parents’ death. Ethan’s character is so loving, caring, and willing to even die for Hallie, the woman he is falling in love with.

Sacrifice by Luxie Ryder is a great love story of a couple starting off as roommates with their hopes of it becoming something even more. Will their happily ever after happen even after his transformation? Quote from the book: “She’d never be able to equal a vampire’s sacrifice but she’d spend her life proving he’d been right to make it.” If you want to learn the big surprise that will leave you speechless after the revenge is over, you have to read this book!

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Death Unseen by Tia Dani

Death Unseen by Tia Dani

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

Navajo Tribal Policeman Lance Logan discovers his cousin’s body brutally mauled and senses there’s more to the death than it appears. His intuition leads him from Four Corners, New Mexico, to Phoenix, Arizona, where he finds himself embroiled in another murder case.

Carly Carlton could be considered an ordinary woman except for two traits she tries to keep hidden—clairvoyant powers and the ability to experience death in dreams. Her talent to see beyond the veil of reality, as she and Lance try to find a killer, helps to soothe his embittered heart and softens his revenge.

Unbeknownst to either, Lance carries the DNA key coveted by a maniac intent on creating a human with animalistic killing tendencies. But the madman’s plan doesn’t include Carly’s expanding talents or her unconditional love for Lance. She will do anything to save him…even if it means sacrificing her own life.



Monica’s Review

Death Unseen by Tia Dani was written very well. It keeps you guessing on whom the “Creator” is or what is killing people in campsites. Arizona is full of 4 feet critters especially out in the desert. Interesting on how a man Lance Logan and a woman Carly Carlton have similar characteristics. They both see each others auroras and also how attracted they to each other, their attraction because more intense as they investigate the mauling in the campgrounds. What was killing innocent people and also will be get revenge for his cousin?

The character Lance Logan was defined as a Native American that has his own beliefs of how to see different situations. Take everything into account your surroundings and read peoples body language, basically go with your gut instinct it is usually correct and don't judge anyone before seeing what they can do. The writer brought out Logan’s determination to get revenge for his cousin's killer. All Logan knows is that there’s a killer out in the loose and is continuing killing and needs to find a way to stop it.

The character Carly Carlton was defined as a woman that felt that her life had no meaning, no love and her visions were of horror. The way Dani wrote out all of her visions/dreams and how it vivid and freighting they were to her. But the vision/dreams are coming true. Dani writes about her own difficulties during her life as a teenager/ young adult with her father and how that has affected her life. How true how your parent’s actions can affect your life forever until you learn to finally forgive them. Dani does a wonderful job in writing on how you are able to get yourself entangled in her character and feel as if this could be you. Can you find love after dealing with a rough parent and basically be disowned from the family?

The story was very well written and also has some true beliefs on the Native American heritage. Get yourself lost in Arizona out in the wilderness and experience life through the eyes of Lance Logan and Carly Carlton.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Hot Flash by Clare Austin

Hot Flash by Clare Austin

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Kate Aiello has spent her entire life trying to please others—her three brothers, her Italian mamma and her husband of twenty-five years. It isn’t insult enough she is turning fifty, and left at the side of life’s road by her philandering husband. Now she has to contend with her body’s betrayal…hot flashes!
The plain truth hits her with each thermostatic aberration—she has never been first in anyone’s life, including her own.

Brandon Sullivan has been on a downward spiral since the death of his beloved wife. Now he is a man desperate to save himself from impending financial ruin, loss of his farm and his life’s dream. He needs to get into the winner’s circle by spring or he’ll be just another poor, landless Irishmen downing his pints and bragging about the good ol’ days.

Sparks fly when Italian attitude meets Irish temper. Add two big crazy families, a barn full of horses and one woman’s menopausal hot flashes and the probability for combustion increases exponentially. What will Kate and Brandon risk for a second chance at love?


Kris’ Review

I truly enjoyed reading ‘Hot Flash’ by Clare Austin. Ms. Austin created some very loveable characters that people can relate to in so many ways. The reader gets so drawn into the storyline that you almost hate to have it end. In my honest opinion, Ms. Austin could do a sequel showing what happens in the future.

You can’t help but immediately relate to the character of Kate Aiello. She’s turning fifty, in the middle of menopause and recently dumped by her cheating husband after twenty-five years of marriage. The only bright point in the marriage is her daughter Laura who is away at college. The one thing Kate wins in the divorce that really irks her husband is a blue Beamer sports car. She gets new vanity plates for it ‘WS HS’ which stands for ‘was his’. It becomes a symbol of her life and a message to the world. Not to mention a great way to get back at her ex. She’s decided that she’s finally going to do something for herself for a change and take horseback riding lessons. Her mom, the typical Italian mother, lives in Newark, New Jersey, and constantly worries about Kate’s ability to take care of herself. Kate is the only girl in a family of four. Her other three brothers live in Newark, two are cops and the other is a priest.

Kate meets Brandon Sullivan in a scene remnant of a car insurance commercial. Seeing a squirrel in the middle of the road in front of her, she tries desperately to avoid hitting it. She gets rear-ended by a truck and ends up making the poor squirrel road kill. She immediately sees the ‘bloodied corpse as a bleak reminder of her own vulnerability.’ Brandon immediately thinks she’s from the loony bin. Of course he can’t help but later think about how the ‘screaming, weeping woman with the wild brown eyes and hair like a lion’s mane had taken his breath away, making it hard to collect his thoughts.’ Of course once she calms down she admits that Brandon ‘with his riveting sapphire eyes, chiseled jaw and lean body, was having a strange effect on her.’ They exchange insurance information and head off to their respective appointments which just happen to be with each other. Brandon Sullivan turns out to be her riding instructor. Since the car insurance is still under her married name of Catherine Waldron, he doesn’t realize it until she shows up at his farm Willow Creek with the battered Beamer. When he first sees her he almost falls off his horse. He mistakenly believes that she’s followed him to his place of business and starts a fight with her. His Irish temper is met by her Italian temper and the two collide but she still ends up taking lessons from him.

Brandon Sullivan is also turning fifty, with two children in college. He’s a widower having lost the love of his life, Fiona, two years earlier to cervical cancer. His sister Annie came over from Ireland when Fiona got sick to help them out emotionally and financially.

As Kate spends more time with Brandon, they become friends. She goes home for Thanksgiving and finds out that her mother has arranged to marry her off to a long distance cousin from Italy. He is coming to America to meet Kate and win her heart. When Sergio, the cousin shows up finding Brandon and Kate in what looks like a compromising situation, Kate introduces Brandon as her fiancé in an attempt to get rid of him. Brandon goes along with the façade which just rolls out of control. Before you know it Kate’s entire family wants to meet her fiancé and plan a wedding.

As Kate spends more time with Brandon, she develops feelings for him, but he still loves his first wife who was tragically taken from him. After being betrayed by the one man who promised to love her forever, can she ever trust another man? Both wonder if it is possible to have a second chance at love. Of course the added pressure of the fake engagement doesn’t help when Kate’s cop brothers threaten to kill the Irishman if he hurts their sister.

Hot Flash is a witty, funny, wonderfully crafted love story. It makes you laugh and cry and really earns the five + Tea Cups and a recommended read status.

5 Tea Cups and a Recommended Read!

      

Review: Staking His Claim by JM Stewart

Staking His Claim by JM Stewart

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Kyle Morgan’s in love with his best friend. Unfortunately, he’s honor bound to keep a secret from her that not only prevents him from confessing his feelings, but also has the power to destroy their relationship.

Cecelia Anton has only ever wanted one thing—to find the answers to her mysterious past. But the search leads her into the arms of her best friend. While the attraction frightens her, she can’t deny the way he makes her feel.

The deep connection they share as friends only heightens the passion, forcing them to reevaluate their relationship. Are they willing to risk their lifelong friendship for the promise of love?



Denise’s Review

What is worse than being hopelessly in love with your best friend? Finding out she’s carrying another man’s child. From the very first line, this book had me completely enraptured and didn’t let up until the final page.

Ceci is a woman without a past, and Kyle is a man who holds the key to her future. Burdened with the doubt she will ever look at him in the way he looks at her, Kyle steps up to the plate when Ceci shows up on his doorstep. The foundation and exploration of their deep, involved relationship was expertly expanded. Likewise, Kyle’s dilemma regarding what he knows of Ceci’s past—the same he was sworn to never reveal—was authentic and intriguing.

You definitely won’t want to miss this book. It had an enormous amount of heart.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Fearless Love by Stacey Espino

Fearless Love (Immortal Love, #2) by Stacey Espino

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Javen Highland is the most ruthless Fear Demon and has the reputation to back it up. He keeps away from love, seeing it as a vulnerability. When a breathtakingly beautiful vampire steals his blood, she also captures his heart.

Javen’s new mission is to convince the blonde beauty that her bite is erotic, not painful. If he doesn’t succeed, he could lose her forever. Emma doesn’t realize just how persuasive Javen can be. He’ll have to show her over and over exactly how good it feels to sustain her with his blood.



Angelique’s Review

Since I loved “Fearless Desires,” I couldn’t wait to get my hands on “Fearless Love!” Ms. Espino once again proves that she is a gifted storyteller with this hot paranormal romance. The plot twists and turns will keep you glued in your seat until the last page.

The characters in this book are realistic, dynamic, and emotionally engaging. As a heroine, Emma is a little too “damsel in distress” for my taste, but she is that way for a good reason. Javen is very Alpha male and set in his ways until Emma throws him off course. It is exciting to see them grow and change over the course of the story.

Due to the complexity of the story and the intertwined storylines, there is not much else I can say about it without giving away plot points. I do have to say, however, that the ending was awesome and I almost started crying. Can’t wait for the next addition to the Immortal Love series!

4 1/2 Tea Cups!