Review: Just One Night by Caridad Pineiro

Title: Just One Night
Author: Caridad Pineiro
Source: Author Request
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Erotic Romance
Lenth: Novelette
Release Date: June 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 4

A New Adult Erotic Romance novella

He has just one night to prove to her that anything is possible . . .

Jason Hart, Jase to his friends, has just graduated college and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It's the night of the graduation party and she'll be there. His best friend's slightly older sister, Nickie. Nickie is the only woman he's really wanted for a long time. He has just one night to make it happen.

She has just one night before the man of her dreams leaves, maybe forever, but can she find the courage to take a chance . . .

Nicole de Salvo has been in love – and lust – for her little brother’s best friend for years. For years she’s watched from afar and done nothing about her attraction for Jason Hart only now their time together is almost at an end. On their last night together will she find the courage to do something about her feelings, or will she live with regret for the rest of her life?

This was such a fun story!  I loved both characters - especially shy Nicole.  Both her and her brother's friend, Jason, are finally deciding to admit to each other that they've been crushing on each other for years.  This is their last chance to see what might happen.

Jason was the perfect guy!  I love the sweet way he treated Nicole and it really allowed her to be herself - even if she was a little shy at first.  Even though labeled as an erotic romance, there is plenty of story packed into the pages.  The way they related to each other and discussed things really made it all seem more real.

This is a perfect story to pick up and read in one sitting.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads - Amazon

Guest post with romance author Caridad Pineiro

Sex

Now that I’ve got your attention, is it truly sex that draws us into our romances or is it something more?

I was recently part of a discussion where an author insisted that romances for women were the equivalent of what porn was to men.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t normally read my romances one-handed.

Sure the sex scenes make a story interesting, but in a way, I almost hate calling them that because for me they’re not just sex scenes. They are love scenes, expressions of the emotions that the characters feel for one another. Without the emotion, the scenes are somehow flat for me.

That’s the essential difference between women’s romances and men’s porn contrary to the assertions of some. Women get wrapped up in the development of the relationship between the hero and heroine and reading about the physical fulfillment of that love is icing on the proverbial cake. But without the love…

Is there any proof of my theory? Well, I know many romance readers who skim past the love scenes or have started young adult or inspirationals because for them it’s all about the relationship and not the physical intimacy.

Part of the proof to my theory in my mind.

What I find somewhat ironic in that “romance is porn” statement is that since the 60s feminists have been imploring that women explore their sexuality without guilt and take control of their love lives. Despite that, reading novels about empowered women who do just that is equated by some with pornography for men.

A puzzlement for sure. Here is what I know for myself: Exploring relationships of both the emotional and sexual kind in the world of romance is truly an interesting thing for me as a writer and as a woman and as a feminist. It requires really delving into the motivation of the characters and understanding their psychological wounds and needs. It’s about the romance and if there are some love scenes involved, that’s good, but if there aren’t, that’s good, too.

That’s the nice thing about romance and romance readers: They are quite an open and accepting lot of women and men.

ARC review The Lost by Caridad Piñeiro

Title:The Lost (Sin Hunters #1)
Author: Caridad Piñeiro
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: Mass paperback
Authors website

Adam Salvatore is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

This was an excellent romance story and the paranormal aspects really held me captive. I truly loved that the heroine was a war veteran and she gets a excellent HEA. If you’re one for danger, betrayal, adventure and romance this maybe a book for you.

I could see the romance connection between Adam and Bonnie from the start. Both loners in life because of issues they had. One is a little different and doesn’t feel safe around other women. The other one is not in the best of shape after a bombing in Iraq and with all of her scars she is felling not so hot now days, but who can blame her. So, when these two connect they fall for each other rather instantly. Adam treated Bonnie with the out most respect knowing what happened to her in Iraq. I did at times feel sorrier for Adam in some ways. He lost his parents and his step-dad is rather not such a good dad. You have to read to find out how one so called dad can start the whole ordeal.

The paranormal aspect between shadow hunters and light hunters is interesting I wish it would have gotten a little deeper, but what’s there is easy to understand. I can see this continuing for the next book.

Recommend to any paranormal romance lover.

Aztec Gold by Caridad Piñeiro

Title: Aztec Gold
Author: Caridad Piñeiro
Source: Netgalley
Format: eBook novella
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Paranormal romance
Authors website

Six months ago, Cynthia Guerrera's lover and fellow archaeologist Rafael Santiago trekked into the Mexican jungle in search of one of the fabled Cities of Gold-and never emerged. Guilty over their parting, Cynthia won't rest until she knows what happened. When the discovery of a conquistador's journal corroborates Rafe's intended path, Cynthia is determined to finally leave the safety of the museum to rescue him, despite the conquistador's dire warnings, and her own traumatic past.

Arriving at a remote village deep in the jungle, Cynthia is both elated and angered to find Rafe alive. But he is far from well, having watched his team be decimated by a bloodthirsty demon-goddess. When Rafe reveals he has been gifted with supernatural powers-powers he plans to use to kill the beast and save his brother, still held captive in the temple-Cynthia must face her own inner demons to fight alongside the man she loves.

My review:
Rating-

Sexual-

Aztec gold is a thrilling archaeologist adventure. I loved the vivid detail the author brings to this story, it felt like I could be there. I would love to see this in the movies. I found this book to be a page turner with archaeologist adventure, danger, lots of blood, romance and supernatural powers.

I loved the romance between Rafe and Cynthia. They are already lovers and after the disappearance of Rafe, Cynthia goes to the Mexican jungle to see if he is still alive. There she finds not only a psycho demon-goddess, but a few more surprises along the way. The sex is hot, but be prepared there is more storyline than sex. I recommend this to all paranormal romance readers, especially if you like a hot archaeologist.

There is a place at the end where you’ll find a take off for another book. I hope to be able to read it one day.