Review for Lady X by Claudy Conn

Title: Lady X

 Author: Claudy Conn

Source: Author request

Genre: Time travel paranormal romance 

Length: Novel

Reviewed by Laurie

Exerilla is a white witch.

Her father is a dark and dangerous warlock with an agenda to marry her to someone she despises. He has the power to do this before she reaches her majority, which will occur at Samhain, Halloween. 

Her mother has a plan and against her daughter’s will, implements that plan, which sends Exerilla into the past, where she must remain until October 31st—months away. And magic is something she can’t use because her father could trace it to her.

Here is the problem, plans have a way of seeping from black and white into gray

I Love Claudy’s paranormal romances, they are always fresh and exciting to read. Lady X is a time travel paranormal romance that is very realistic. What I loved most was the way she ended the story. You come to a point where you’re thinking, there is no freaking way she is going to be able to pull this all together and clean up all of these loose ends, but she does and it suits the whole book. 

Exerilla (X) and Lord Hunter MacTorry, romance doesn’t start with sparks right off the bat but once they start flying its nonstop, until one of them Exerilla is left making a hard choice, that will leave one left behind in time desperately trying to find the other. 

I loved both X and Lord Hunters characters, they are both strong and are willing to do anything for the ones they love. 

I recommend this book for readers who love any of these paranormal, time travel and historical romances.

Author Links:

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Cover Reveal: Burdened by Desire by J.L. Sheppard

Title: Burdened by Desire
Author: J.L. Sheppard
Release Date: September 25, 2013

Another gorgeous cover that I'd love to have blown up and hung on my wall.  I love the colors and how the elements are are circled around the world in the center.

Jocelyn, an Elemental, is stuck between mortal and immortal worlds, yet not quite a part of either.  Her power over the elements of the Earth won't evolve until she meets her mate.  Before then she's an easy prey and a coveted possession for the Malums Immortalis who wish to conquer the world.

Alpha werewolf, Landon, has been living with the knowlege his fated female, the one woman created for him, is just beyond his reach.  For months he's forsaken her, refusing to accept his mate because she can never grant him a much-needed heir for his nearly extinct pack.

Despite his decision Landon finds himself drawn to Jocelyn and when an attempt is made on her life, he realizes his destiny lies with her.  Can they overcome the long-held prejudices of his kind and defeat their enemies in time to find what the future holds?

Excerpt from Burdened by Desire:
His heart-wrenching confession took Jocelyn by surprise.  As his eyes continued to bore into hers, her heart skipped several beats.  Was he being truthful?  She wanted to believe he was.  Maybe it was the way he stared at her, consuming her like nothing else mattered, like she was the center of his universe.  She wanted to believe he was sorry and that she excited him.  It would comfort her knowing he was as drawn to her as she was to him.  But were the words he spoke true?

He pulled her a touch closer, his body rubbing close to her own, and she felt every muscle on his chest and his heat, the warmth from his body soothing her.  Her eyes settled on his lips and she imagined what would happen if he kissed her again?  What would she do?  She was supposed to be angry with him but the reason was beyond her grasp.

"Baby?"

The endearment caught her off guard, and her eyes drifted to his again.  She fought to catch her breath as his gaze enveloped her.  If she waited any longer, his scent would once again devour her.  Was he waiting for, a response?  What was she supposed to say?  Did he ask a question?  She couldn't remember.  All she wanted now was a kiss.  Just one mind blowing, gut wrenching, searing kiss.

Author Links:
Website - Facebook - Twitter  Pinterest - Tumblr - GoodReads - Shelfari

Indie Romance Author Claudy Conn Book Trailer

Claudy Conn is one of the attending authors for the Indie Romance Convention!!  Hope you can make it!

Her name is Nikki Walker, and she is a vampire slayer. She never thought she would have to use her slayer powers...but she does. She is on the trail of an ancient and secretive vampire called Deadly Moon, and Nikki wants to destroy her. She has her reasons. His name is Damon Drummond who some of you have met before, and already know that he is a hunk of an unusual vampire. He is bent on keeping Nikki away from Deadly Moon. The sociopath vampire, WB, who had been Pentim Rawley's right hand man has taken over the Pentim clan, and is turning out to be even more of a problem than his predecessor had been. In fact, if someone doesn't do something soon...Dublin will go dark under his power, and other cities will follow. Damon and Nikki are on opposite sides. He is a potent vampire--she is a skilled and powerful vampire slayer. Problem right there...but, when they look at each other, sparks of all kinds fly. Too much stands between them. He will live forever...she will not...and yet...

Review: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

Title: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble (Jolie Wilkens #1)
Author: H.P. Mallory
Source: Kindle Freebie
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: July 2010
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Life isn't bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins.  True, she doesn't have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she's a witch and who just might turn her life upside down.  Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost.  Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost's demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie's incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the underworld's most wanted list.  Consequently, she finds herself the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a danger but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

I think I went into this one expecting too much.  I had heard over and over again how great this series was going to be, and it was just a little more hyped that what I got out of it.  It is a good book and I did enjoy it, just not enough to rave about it.

Jolie was humorous.  This is a very sarcastic and joking type of paranormal romance that seems to becoming more and more popular.  I love her attitude and her banter with the people all around her - and her best friend is quite the character as well.  She's the perfect play off of Jolie.  Rand was far too serious for me to really get into, but I can see that he needs to be that way to play his part of the story well.

I'm not one that likes my leading characters to have "relations" with others in the book, so when this occurs it is a bit of a turn off for me.  There was plenty of supernatural creatures to go around, and quite a few interesting abilities that were fun to read about.  I'm still not sure if I will continue on the series or not.

Review: Embraced (A Samantha Scott Novel Book 2) By: Rachel Robinson

Title: Embraced  (A Samantha Scott Novel Book 2)

Author: Rachel Robinson

Source: Review Request 

Genre: Paranormal 

Length: 138 pages PDF 

Reviewed by: Emi 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Samantha digs a little deeper to find out about her witchy past. What she discovers sends her world and her magic into overdrive. She discovers secret realms and begins to uncover a truth she always somewhat anticipated. While she is half Bruxa--a light witch, something more sinister may lay claim to her other half.

After the stone curse wears off and Jade returns to Cadiza to assert her rule and Blythe, the dark magic ruler makes a plea for her help, Samantha is forced to choose a side. Should she embrace the known? A life that she's loved and revered since birth. Or does she stay true to her tenacious vendetta against the Elders council for their tyrannical ways? 

Swaying her decision is her omnipresent match, Xander and the very human love of her life, Malakai. With both men still vying for her affections, Samantha has bold decisions to make. She has to make them quickly as time is running out. The threat of war between light and dark witches is scary, but the fact that magic is bleeding into the human world is disastrous. Will Samantha be swayed by her heart or her head?

First let me start by saying that if you haven't read the first book in the series Escaped, you should definitely check it out. Here is a link to Amazon. It was a great start to the series. And I will try not to put any spoilers in my review for Embraced. ;) 

Samantha is trying to find some peace and quiet in her new life after the whole mess that happened in Cadiza. While she knew it would be short lived she still did the best she could do with Malakai. They had everything planned out and were going to get ahead of the Patrol. Malakai leaves Samantha to go do some investigating and while he is gone she takes a trip to the Dark Realm and can't believe what she sees. She's been lied to her entire life, what she thought she knew, no longer mattered. When she returns to Cadiza to confront Jade, she's thrown threw another loop, she finds it in total disarray and in the middle of a rebellion. 

Samantha is torn between Light & Dark and needs to make a decision, but who can she trust? 

Embraced was a great read! At first it was a little slow, but then once the ball starts rolling, I quickly found myself at the end with a big OMG! What a cliffhanger, I literally screamed NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, my daughter thought I was having a melt down lol. Book 3 cannot come fast enough, lol.    

Connect with Rachel

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Buy the Book 

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Septembers BTS eMag

BTS has updated the magazine so you can now download it by clicking on the magazine tab and clicking on download current issue. You can also sign up for the magazine to come right to you email. 

This issue has lots of great articles and reviews. If your struggling between the difference of romance, erotic romance and erotica please make sure you checkout my column. I would love for our romance author to be called what they really are romance authors. 

 Click this link to get Septembers issue.
http://btsemag.com/magazine/

Book Tour and Giveaway: The Witching Pen series by Dianna Hardy

Dianna Hardy combines a titillating mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy into her writing to bring you stories that are action-packed, fast-paced and not short of heat, with the focus on both character development and the plot. She writes both full-length novels and short fiction. All further info can be found at diannahardy.com

Website: www.diannahardy.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordiannahardy

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thewitchingpen

In the Witching Pen series, witches, angels, demons, Heaven and Hell all come together in a dizzying story of friendship, love, forgiveness and trust.

The Witching Pen (Book One):

It's hard being the most powerful witch on the planet. It's even harder when you're a twenty-five year old virgin who'll lose all of that power the moment you sleep with someone ... that's why Elena's never slept with her best friend and flatmate, Karl, despite the true feelings they harbour for each other.

Elena's about to discover that there are even more difficult things in life to deal with. One of them comes in the form of a pen she discovers one day, a pen that allows anything she writes to come to pass...

Suddenly, it's not just her powers or her heart that's at stake, but her very soul, as a dream demon with a seductive pull uses the pen to try and turn her away from her reality, and from Karl.

But the pen is just the beginning. Everything Elena has believed in is a lie, and her world is about to fall apart...

BBPR review of The Witching Pen:  Book One

The Last Dragon, which is released on 4^th October, concludes the wild adventures of these characters.

BBPR review of The Witching Pen:  Book One

The Witching Pen website: www.thewitchingpen.co.uk

Win yourself a signed paperback of the first book in this paranormal fantasy romance series! Comes with swag :)

International giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Roadside Service by B.L. Wilde

Title: Roadside Service
Author: B.L. Wilde
Release Date: September 27, 2013

When fate brings you face-to-face with what your heart desires, how can you ignore it?

Violet Weathers, the world’s top supermodel, is in Omaha, Nebraska for two weeks shooting a campaign for a new skincare line that she’s the fresh new face of.

When her car breaks down on the way to the hotel, she is rescued by a hot mechanic who just might make her stay in Omaha more bearable.

About the Author:

B.L. Wilde is a British author obsessed with many things, including heated love stories. Supported fully by her husband, she can often be found at her desk working on her next project.

Her journey into the world of erotica began when she started writing online stories over three years ago, and she hasn't looked back since.

Author Links:

Facebook     |     Goodreads     |     Twitter     |     Blog

Excerpt from Roadside Service:

By nine o’clock, I had given up hope that Blake would show. He wasn’t even willing to hear me out and I was furious! I couldn’t go and find him, either, because I had no idea where he lived. Fine! If that was how he wanted to be, I wouldn’t waste any more time thinking about him…or about his lips, fingers, or amazing body…damn it!

I decided a hot shower would help to calm my nerves, and it did a little. I wanted to order a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream, but Allie would kill me because I had the shoot tomorrow.

I was lying on my bed, watching a silly old movie and eating a grilled chicken salad a few hours later when I heard someone knock on my door. Blake wouldn’t dare turn up this late, would he?

After wrapping my robe tightly around my body, I looked through the peephole to see who it was. That jerk! Blake was standing outside, running his hands through his hair nervously. I threw open the door, livid that he had the gall to show up more than three hours after he said he would. “You’re a little late, aren’t you?” I seethed.

“Violet, look, I’m sorry. Something came up.”

“And you didn’t think to call me?”

“I had to go out on an emergency call and my phone died. I came as quick as I could.” Damn, now I felt like crap. Blake did look a little flustered.

“Oh,” I squirmed, feeling like a complete idiot.

“It happens from time to time. Drew had already asked for the night off to take Sarah out, and well…I got the request just as I was about to come and see you. I thought I could call you, but then I noticed my phone had died. I really am sorry, Violet.”

“Have you eaten?” I asked, widening my door so he could come in. “I just ordered room service. You’re welcome to help yourself.”

“No. I’m starving, actually,” Blake smirked. He would have drenched my panties with his look alone, if I’d been wearing any.

I sat watching him eat my leftover salad. It was lucky I hadn’t eaten all of the bread because he quickly finished that off, too; Damn, Blake really was hungry.        

“Wow, you weren’t joking about being starving, were you?” I chuckled. “I can order something else if you’re still hungry.”

“That was fine, Violet,” Blake smiled, reaching out to gently stroke my cheek. “Thank you.”

“I have a fully stocked mini bar, too.”

“The perks of being a famous supermodel, huh?” he teased, raising his perfect eyebrow.

“I guess so,” I giggled, getting up. “What do you want? A beer?”

“Sounds good.”

We made small talk for a little while and Blake told me about his day before I filled him in on mine.

“What?” I asked when he laughed at me.

“Can’t you see how different our lives are? I’m telling you about oil changes and breakdowns, while you’re telling me about diamonds hanging from the ceiling in your latest commercial.”     

“I’ve had my fair share of breakdowns, too,” I quipped, sipping my water.

Blake sniggered into his beer bottle. “I can imagine.”

“Are you still angry with me?” I whispered.

“No,” he sighed. “Everyone knows who you are, Violet. I can’t believe I never realized it.”

“I liked that you were just interested in me.”

“Violet,” Blake smoldered, “I’m still very interested in you.”

Review: Forged in Dreams and Magick (Highland Legends #1) by: Kat Bastion

Title: Forged in Dreams and Magick (Highland Legends #1) 
Author: Kat Bastion
Source: Review Request 
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 472 pages PDF 
Reviewed by: Emi 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten days’ end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.

She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.

An amazing time traveling tale about love, duty, and honor.  

Forged in Dreams and Magick was my first time travel novel and I loved it. I don't really read to many Highlander novels either but I'm thinking I need to change that. There is just something so damn sexy about them, I'm definitely going to add more of them to my TBR, lol. Iian totally captures my heart, just like he does Isobel, and the "romantic" scenes are AWESOME!

Isobel is an Archaeology student who was in Scotland attending to a family matter when she comes across an ancient artifact that she thinks will launch her career in the world of Archaeology. Little did she know that it would totally change her life in a different way. When she asks a friend of hers, Iian to take a look at her find, they are both taken back in time to the thirteenth century Highlands of Scotland. Iian is the Laird of the castle and hopes to keep Isobel in his time as his Lady. When she is finally feeling like she has things under control and things are going great, BOOM, she's brought even further back in time and falls in love again. 

I really enjoyed this book. I've mentioned before that I absolutely love when a main character or characters are Archaeologist. It's one of the fields that has always captured my interest and attention, and who wouldn't love to come across some ancient artifact, with the added bonus of being a time traveling contraption, lol. Iian is an all around great character, he has the whole dominant male going for him but he is also sweet and will do anything for his woman. And Isobel is my kind of girl! She's smart, beautiful, but not weak at all, takes control of her situations and does what needs to be done not only for her, but the ones she loves. When she travels in time for the second time, I have to admit I was a bit sad about it, I was hooked on Iian, so when she falls for Veloc, it threw me for a loop. I'm totally team Iian. ;) As it turns out though, her journey with Veloc and Iian is only the beginning and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next! 

Connect with the Kat Bastion: 

Website: http://www.katbastion.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kat-Bastion/382546338470769

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6591511.Kat_Bastion

  

Review: Once Upon A Wallflower by Wendy Lyn Watson

Title: Once Upon A Wallflower
Author: Wendy Lyn Watson
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Mystery/Historical Romance
Length: Novel (250 pgs)
Reviewer: CaroleDee

A Perennial Wallflower…

When Mira Fitzhenry’s guardian arranges her engagement to one of the most scandalous, yet devastatingly handsome lords to ever grace the peerage, all of society is abuzz. After all, the man has left a trio of dead young women in his wake, including his first fiancée.

A Gothic Villain…

Expecting to scare the chit away within five minutes of meeting him, scarred and brooding Nicholas, the Viscount Ashfield, is intrigued by the unfashionably lovely Mira, but his family’s dark secret means he must fight his attractions. No matter what his heart wants.

As the wedding approaches, Nicholas and Mira grow ever closer, yet so does the very real danger. Will the truth bring Nicholas and Mira together or tear their love apart?

I just love the downtrodden heroine that finds love, acceptance of herself, and becomes successful!
I got all that and more from Once Upon A Wallflower

Nicholas was a great hero. He's just the right mix of dangerous, dashing, and lovable.
Mira throws caution to the wind a couple of times too many and displays some definite TSTL moments, but I think her overall personality made up for any DUH moments.

The mystery was a little predictable, but that was fine with me, because I usually can't stand a mystery that goes on until the last page of a book.

I recommend this one for lovers of the scarred hero and rags to riches troupe. (two of my favorites!)

Under His Skin by Sidney Bristol Book Trailer

A woman who doesn’t believe she deserves love…

Toe-curling kisses and enough sex to fill a weekend were all Pandora wanted from a fling with her teenage crush. She’s never forgotten how he played the knight in shining armor to her damsel in distress. She’s ready to say thank you in several naughty ways, so long as she can walk away when it’s over with her heart intact.

A man moving on from tragedy…

Brian has no intention of allowing the feisty tattoo artist to leave him after one taste. He hasn’t had enough of her inked curves. The packaging might have changed, but Pandy is the woman he hasn’t been able to excise from his memory. He’s ready to put together a new life, one that includes her. But he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Someone else wants her, dead or alive.

See more at her website  http://sidneybristol.com/

Review: Letter from a Rake by Sasha Cottman

Title: Letter from a Rake
Author: Sasha Cottman
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewer: CaroleDee

The unconventional Miss Millie Ashton, recently arrived from India, finds England a cold and dismal place. The fashionable ladies of London society look down their noses at her and it isn't long before Millie is planning her return to the country she considers home.

When Millie befriends the high-spirited Lucy Radley, she also meets Lucy's handsome brother, 'Alex the Great' and things take a turn for the better. Alex, the Marquess of Brooke, is considered the most eligible bachelor in London, yet he appears fascinated by the independent Millie.

Against the odds, their unlikely friendship deepens. But Alex has a secret and when a love letter goes astray, it threatens to destroy all their happiness...

Can Millie and Alex overcome the obstacles in their path to find true love? Or will one miscommunication ruin everything?

 

I'm going to come right out with it and say that I, obviously, was not the target audience for this book.

Yes, I love historical romances and yes I love when the 'underdog' beats out all of the 'popular' girls and gets the handsome hero. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I do NOT like NA (new adult) books. And believe it or not, Letter From a Rake was, in fact, a NA book set in historical England.

The characters were far too immature. The only rake-like characteristics that Alex shows is his penitent for getting trashed on alcohol every once in a while. To me a rake is debauched. He's got mistresses, and gambles, drinks steadily, and is experienced. At 23 he just didn't have what it takes to be a proper rake. What completely turned me off to Alex was a little scene where he royally screws up his chances with Millie; he goes home and:

"wrapped his arm around his body and hugged himself. With eyes tightly shut he rocked back and forth as the whole terrible reality of what he had done threatened to overwhelm him."

 Um... Yeah.. Not quit my type of hero. Sorry :( 

Millie was okay as a heroine. Sort of selfish (a typical NA trait) and naive (also NA)

I think the only character in the book that I actually found appealing was Millie's brother, Charles. He is what I look for in a hero.  He takes charge, and seems in control of himself while having a devilishly good time.

I'm really sorry that I didn't like this one. If anything it should appeal to a younger audience that want to dip their toes in to the Historical set.

Cover Reveal: Demon Mistress by Jordan K. Rose

Title: Demon Mistress
Author: Jordan K. Rose
Expected Release Date: October 3, 2013

What’s a girl to do when she discovers her husband, who happens to be the Master Vampire for the New England Region, has been lying to her for, oh, say a hundred and eighty years?

Well, it all depends. If she’s accidentally released forty demons from some creepy old book, unintentionally announced the existence of vampires on The Internet, kidnapped a werewolf, enraged a lovesick vampire by stealing his approved mate, and attracted the attention of The High Commander for The Vampire Federation, not to mention gotten stoned and mastered the forbidden art of demon calling, she might be willing to call it even.

Or, she might plead her case at an Inquisition and hope like all hell, she isn’t staked before sunrise. Eh, a slightly busier night than usual, but nothing Eva Prim can’t handle.

About the Author:
Jordan loves vampires. But if you know anything about Jordan, you already knew that detail. What you didn’t know was it wasn’t long ago that she began writing about them.

A few years back Jordan received a copy of Twilight from her husband as part of her anniversary gift. By the end of that week she’d read the entire series and moved onto Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Eight weeks and eighteen vampire books later the idea for her first book, Perpetual Light came to her followed very quickly by Eva Prim.

In October of 2013 The Demon Mistress, the first Eva Prim Novel is available along with four short stories. For continual updates on Eva please join the Snack Of The Week Club at www.evaprim.com.

Coming November 2013 Black Magic Rose, Book One of The Alliance Series. Join Jordan’s newsletter for updates. 

Jordan is a member of the national Romance Writers of America organization and several chapters.

When she’s not writing about one vampire or another Jordan enjoys spending time with her husband, Ken and their lovable Labrador, Dino on the beautiful beaches of New England. 

Find Jordan at:

Find Jordan on her website at www.jordankrose.com. 

Follow her tweets on https://twitter.com/#!/jordankrose 

Friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jordan-K-Rose-Author/307285709309992

Follow her Pinterest boards at: http://pinterest.com/jordankrose/boards/

Friend her on Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5751865.Jordan_K_Rose

Review: AFFLICTION (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #22) by Laurell K. Hamilton

AFFLICTION (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #22)
Author:  Laurell K. Hamilton
Source: My Private Stash
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Fiction
Length: Too frellin' long, 570 pages
Reviewed by:  Artemis

Some zombies are raised. Others must be put down. Just ask Anita Blake.

Before now, she would have considered them merely off-putting, never dangerous. Before now, she had never heard of any of them causing human beings to perish in agony. But that’s all changed.

Micah’s estranged father lies dying, rotting away inside from some strange ailment that has his doctors whispering about “zombie disease.”

Anita makes her living off of zombies—but these aren’t the kind she knows so well. These creatures hunt in daylight, and are as fast and strong as vampires. If they bite you, you become just like them. And round and round it goes…

Where will it stop?
Even Anita Blake doesn’t know.

The Sheik Retold by Victoria Vane

Pride and passion vie for supremacy in this steamy retelling of E.M. Hull's romance classic.

A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground…
 

A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…
 

When pride and passion vie for supremacy...
 

Blistering desert days are nothing compared to sizzling Sahara nights…

"There will be inquiries." I choked out. "I am not such a nonentity that nothing will be done when I am missed. You will pay for what you have done."

"Pay?" His amused look sent a cold feeling of dread through me. "I have already paid… in gold that matches your hair, my gazelle. Besides," he continued, "the French Government has no jurisdiction over me. There is no authority here above my own."

My trepidation was growing every passing minute. "Why have you done this? Why brought me here?"

"Why?" He repeated with a slow and heated appraisal that made me acutely, almost painfully, conscious of my sex. "Bon Dieu! Are you not woman enough to know?"

Excerpt (steamy):


"Look at me."

I shivered, my downcast gaze wavering only briefly before defying him again.

"Look at me." An inflection had crept into his low tone that was unmistakably commanding.

I lifted my gaze with great reluctance and met his in the mirror. Though I wanted to, I could not look away from his handsome sun-bronzed face with those inscrutable eyes. They were not black as I had thought, but the deepest indigo blue. Dark and intense, they burned into me. I was fascinated. Mesmerized.

He swung me around to him, taking my chin in hand and tilting it upward. "Bon Dieu! Do you know how beautiful you are?" His gaze dropped to my clothing, and his eyes became fierce again, his stern mouth parting in a cruel show of teeth. "Perhaps you are unaware that Zilah shall be severely punished for your foolish rebellion?"

"No!" I cried, straining back as far as his grip allowed. "It wasn't her fault. I sent her away."

"You sent her away before my wishes were carried out?"

"Will you kill her too? Like you did the horse?" I accused. "If you kill everything that does not obey you, you might as well shoot me now!"

"I will deal with the girl as it suits me." His glower had broken, replaced by a mixture of mild anger and patent amusement. "As to you, ma belle, it appears I must be your valet, as well as your lover."

"Lover?" I gave a contemptuous laugh. "Is that how you perceive yourself?"

He lifted a brow above his fathomless eyes. "You question my prowess?"

I remained stoically defiant, letting my silence speak.

His black brows met in a thunderous scowl. "There are many things you must learn, ma chère. Of utmost import to your well-being is that, save only for Allah, there is no will in this camp above my own." He continued impassively, "I could have you now, you know. In this very moment, I could tear your clothes, throw you down on that bed, and take you any way and as many times as I wish." He paused, smiling at the flare of fear in my eyes. "Fortunately for you, that is not my wish…at present."

He stroked the pad of his thumb over my lips. His expression grew almost whimsical. "Shall I make you care, cherie? Shall I make it your deepest desire, your only desire, to please me? I can make any woman love me when I choose."

He was amusing himself at my expense. He did not care if I hated or loved him, but was only enjoying a new form of torture, one that was even more detestable than anything that had gone before it. The mere suggestion that I could ever care for him, that I would ever look on him as anything but a brutal savage, infuriated me. I felt degraded and soiled that he would class me with the other women he spoke of. "I would rather you killed me," I replied coldly.

"So would I." He chuckled drily. "If you loved me, you would bore me to death.

Victoria Vane is an award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance.

Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.
Look for Victoria's Contemporary Cowboy Series coming summer 2014 from Sourcebooks

 

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ARC Review: Witch's Revenge by Denyse Cohen

Title: Witch's Revenge (Living Energy #2)
Author: Denyse Cohen
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: September 16, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Throughout history, the women who guard Earth's living energy have been known as goddesses, fairies, mermaids, alchemists, but they prefer to call themselves witches.

Jade has found her soulmate.  Peter is the human whose life-energy is identical to hers, the soulmate who is the missing key to unlock her witch's power.  And now Arrow, a powerful organization whose only intent is to kill the soulmates and keep the witches in check, wants their head above all others.

After a whirlwind of danger and passion, Jade and Peter managed to evade Arrow in Brazil only to find their assassins have followed them home and, this time, Karyn - the witch who murdered Jade's parents - is personally after them with the lethal ability to drain a witch's energy.

Jade and Peter must come to terms with the fact their survival is only secondary to ending Arrow's legacy of murder and fear.

But revenge might come in an unexpected way...

Reading book one first is recommended.  My review is HERE.

The end of book one, Witch's Soulmate. was high energy and amazing.  Witch's Revenge picks up shortly after with Peter and Jade trying to find a way to put their lives back together.  Part of this includes finding ways to live as normal as possible - for their friends and family to be safe - and also working with the FBI to track Arrow and put a stop to their efforts - both normal and paranormal - once and for all.

Karyn, a particular nasty villain, has targeted Jade and Peter as her own.  With the deadly ability to drain a witch's power and feed of it, Karyn will be the most dangerous witch they have gone up against - and to top it all off, she's responsible for the death of Jade's parents.  The descriptions of Karyn's attacks were phenomenal, and Jade doesn't fare well after their first encounter.

Peter and Jade must rally the troops and unlock a secret weapon no one even knows exists yet.  But in order to do that, they need to overcome the last of their doubts about each other in order to find it.  Unlocking this weapon was a very touching scene of complete devotion and acceptance by both of them.

This was a great second book, while it got off to a bit of a slow start, once it got going it really picked up the pace.  It took off running and never looked back.