Though she may not have green skin, there is no doubt that Gail Teril is a Class A…witch. While she may be a romance novel editor rather than a shoe-mThough she may not have green skin, there is no doubt that Gail Teril is a Class A…witch. While she may be a romance novel editor rather than a shoe-mad villain, Gail’s harsh attitude has killed her love life yet again. Gail might not have thought she needed to change, but after an unexpected nut allergy puts Gail into a coma, she finds out she may need to rethink her witchy ways. For the world Gail wakes up in isn’t our own, it’s an alternate dimension known as “Here.” And in Here, Gail must learn to deal with giant barbarians, zombies, a terrible villain, and Rake, a sexy, green-haired healer who might be the answer to the question of whether happily ever afters can exist – even for the wicked.
It’s not often you come across the book where you know from the start that the heroine is not supposed to be likeable, so I was intrigued by the premise of Wicked Witch of the West Village. What I discovered very quickly was that Gail lost the anti-heroine spark the minute she was transported from Earth to the unfamiliar world of Here. As the book is written in the first person, I was left feeling as confused as the heroine. While her confusion was understandable, and I was eager to become familiar with the world as she did, it was difficult to do so with the addition of the heroine’s frequent mental tangents. The cast of characters in Here was interesting and diverse, yet I did not feel I got to connect with any character other than Gail. I do wish I could have at least gotten to know Rake better, as he was the hero of the tale. Though sometimes erratic, Wicked Witch of the West Village had an interesting premise and perhaps it was just not the book for me.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Merged review:
Though she may not have green skin, there is no doubt that Gail Teril is a Class A…witch. While she may be a romance novel editor rather than a shoe-mad villain, Gail’s harsh attitude has killed her love life yet again. Gail might not have thought she needed to change, but after an unexpected nut allergy puts Gail into a coma, she finds out she may need to rethink her witchy ways. For the world Gail wakes up in isn’t our own, it’s an alternate dimension known as “Here.” And in Here, Gail must learn to deal with giant barbarians, zombies, a terrible villain, and Rake, a sexy, green-haired healer who might be the answer to the question of whether happily ever afters can exist – even for the wicked.
It’s not often you come across the book where you know from the start that the heroine is not supposed to be likeable, so I was intrigued by the premise of Wicked Witch of the West Village. What I discovered very quickly was that Gail lost the anti-heroine spark the minute she was transported from Earth to the unfamiliar world of Here. As the book is written in the first person, I was left feeling as confused as the heroine. While her confusion was understandable, and I was eager to become familiar with the world as she did, it was difficult to do so with the addition of the heroine’s frequent mental tangents. The cast of characters in Here was interesting and diverse, yet I did not feel I got to connect with any character other than Gail. I do wish I could have at least gotten to know Rake better, as he was the hero of the tale. Though sometimes erratic, Wicked Witch of the West Village had an interesting premise and perhaps it was just not the book for me.
The moment they met, Katrina Keats fell fast and hard for Professor Derek Jacobson. Unfortunately for her, she was an undergraduate student at the timThe moment they met, Katrina Keats fell fast and hard for Professor Derek Jacobson. Unfortunately for her, she was an undergraduate student at the time. Though she’s now Derek’s teaching assistant and part of his research team, Derek seems determined to keep a professional distance between the two of them. Yet underneath his professorial demeanor, Katrina can see his desire for her.
An unexpected turn of events leads Katrina to the discovery that the man of her dreams is a Dom. Aroused by the prospect of submitting to Derek and showing him that she is the woman he needs, Katrina takes advantage of an opportunity to attend an exclusive Halloween night masked sex party. Disguising herself as “Kitty,” Katrina catches Derek’s eye at the gathering. Will Katrina’s gamble pay off and a night of wicked passion lead to the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of? Or when all is revealed will she lose the trust of the man she loves?
Every once in a while I come across a story that is nothing less than pure pleasure to read. Tamed is such a book for me. It’s a dynamite package of sizzling-hot eroticism and tender romance that grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go.
What I love about the story is that there is an innate sense of kindness about its hero and heroine. While I suppose it’s not strictly relevant to the story, Katrina and Derek’s “goodness,” their likeability and honorable personalities (despite, or perhaps because of, their humanizing flaws) made me connect with them. I was enraptured by Tamed because I wanted Derek and Katrina to overcome the obstacles keeping them apart. Each of them became real to me in a sense, making their story an unforgettable read.
It’s also impossible to write about Tamed without mentioning the love scenes. Lynne Maris definitely knows how to heat up the page! Yet while the book and its characters are sexy as all getout, I was impressed by the way Ms. Maris seamlessly weaved in Katrina’s character development through her sexual submission to Derek. Though at the outset her primary goal in submitting to Derek is to prove she can be what he needs, as the night goes on, Katrina learns more about herself and what she truly needs and desires. Her doing so adds dimensions to their relationship, making it feel more equal and emphasizing how right Katrina and Derek are for one another.
Put simply, I loved this book. The characters are memorable and endearing, the story supremely sensual, and the romance utterly beautiful. Lynne Maris has a new fan in me; I look forward to reading much more of her work. Captivatingly erotic, Tamed is sure to please.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Merged review:
The moment they met, Katrina Keats fell fast and hard for Professor Derek Jacobson. Unfortunately for her, she was an undergraduate student at the time. Though she’s now Derek’s teaching assistant and part of his research team, Derek seems determined to keep a professional distance between the two of them. Yet underneath his professorial demeanor, Katrina can see his desire for her.
An unexpected turn of events leads Katrina to the discovery that the man of her dreams is a Dom. Aroused by the prospect of submitting to Derek and showing him that she is the woman he needs, Katrina takes advantage of an opportunity to attend an exclusive Halloween night masked sex party. Disguising herself as “Kitty,” Katrina catches Derek’s eye at the gathering. Will Katrina’s gamble pay off and a night of wicked passion lead to the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of? Or when all is revealed will she lose the trust of the man she loves?
Every once in a while I come across a story that is nothing less than pure pleasure to read. Tamed is such a book for me. It’s a dynamite package of sizzling-hot eroticism and tender romance that grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go.
What I love about the story is that there is an innate sense of kindness about its hero and heroine. While I suppose it’s not strictly relevant to the story, Katrina and Derek’s “goodness,” their likeability and honorable personalities (despite, or perhaps because of, their humanizing flaws) made me connect with them. I was enraptured by Tamed because I wanted Derek and Katrina to overcome the obstacles keeping them apart. Each of them became real to me in a sense, making their story an unforgettable read.
It’s also impossible to write about Tamed without mentioning the love scenes. Lynne Maris definitely knows how to heat up the page! Yet while the book and its characters are sexy as all getout, I was impressed by the way Ms. Maris seamlessly weaved in Katrina’s character development through her sexual submission to Derek. Though at the outset her primary goal in submitting to Derek is to prove she can be what he needs, as the night goes on, Katrina learns more about herself and what she truly needs and desires. Her doing so adds dimensions to their relationship, making it feel more equal and emphasizing how right Katrina and Derek are for one another.
Put simply, I loved this book. The characters are memorable and endearing, the story supremely sensual, and the romance utterly beautiful. Lynne Maris has a new fan in me; I look forward to reading much more of her work. Captivatingly erotic, Tamed is sure to please.
With her husband, Rico, becoming a workaholic, Annie decides a weekend at the Jolly Roger Inn is exactly what the pair needs. Not one to believe in ghWith her husband, Rico, becoming a workaholic, Annie decides a weekend at the Jolly Roger Inn is exactly what the pair needs. Not one to believe in ghosts, Annie dismisses the rumors that their room at the inn is haunted by “Naughty Nate” Hawkins, the ghost of a bisexual pirate. She’s much more interested in playing pirates with her handsome husband. Little does Annie know that the tales of “Naughty Nate” are true.
Captain Nathaniel Hawkins has been haunting the same room for over two hundred years and he can’t help but be aroused by Rico and Annie’s play. There’s something about the two that remind him of the two lost loves of his life. Using his ghostly powers to conjure up a dreamscape in which to play with the couple, Nate finds that his scheme to “play pirates” with Rico and Annie may have a greater impact than he ever could have imagined.
Set sail on a lusty adventure with Playing Pirates. Mimi Riser has written a devilishly entertaining tale of love both old and new. I hesitate to say too much about the story’s plot or characters for fear of revealing spoilers. I can say, however, that Ms. Riser has created three interesting characters that I liked immensely and want to learn more about. Though Playing Pirates is a deliciously erotic read, it does feel like the first leg of an intriguing journey. I enjoyed Playing Pirates, and am greatly looking forward to reading its sequel, Pirates Do It With Passion.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Merged review:
With her husband, Rico, becoming a workaholic, Annie decides a weekend at the Jolly Roger Inn is exactly what the pair needs. Not one to believe in ghosts, Annie dismisses the rumors that their room at the inn is haunted by “Naughty Nate” Hawkins, the ghost of a bisexual pirate. She’s much more interested in playing pirates with her handsome husband. Little does Annie know that the tales of “Naughty Nate” are true.
Captain Nathaniel Hawkins has been haunting the same room for over two hundred years and he can’t help but be aroused by Rico and Annie’s play. There’s something about the two that remind him of the two lost loves of his life. Using his ghostly powers to conjure up a dreamscape in which to play with the couple, Nate finds that his scheme to “play pirates” with Rico and Annie may have a greater impact than he ever could have imagined.
Set sail on a lusty adventure with Playing Pirates. Mimi Riser has written a devilishly entertaining tale of love both old and new. I hesitate to say too much about the story’s plot or characters for fear of revealing spoilers. I can say, however, that Ms. Riser has created three interesting characters that I liked immensely and want to learn more about. Though Playing Pirates is a deliciously erotic read, it does feel like the first leg of an intriguing journey. I enjoyed Playing Pirates, and am greatly looking forward to reading its sequel, Pirates Do It With Passion.
After her grandfather disappears at sea in search of a mysterious island, Rebecca Ashton heads to Jamaica to discover the truth behind the curse that After her grandfather disappears at sea in search of a mysterious island, Rebecca Ashton heads to Jamaica to discover the truth behind the curse that has caused all of her family members to die at sea. Once on board her grandfather’s sea vessel, Rebecca begins to have visions of a seductive pirate. When a deadly storm sweeps Rebecca overboard, she finds herself in a different time and place. It’s the seventeenth century, and Rebecca has just become the prisoner of the very sexy Captain Jonas Shelton. With danger in abundance and a curse determined to tear the lovers apart, will Rebecca and Jonas’s love defy the odds stacked against them?
The lure of the sea and the dark and dangerous pirates who sail on it is, for me, a seductive draw. As such, I was looking forward to reading Lorraine Kennedy’s The Pirate’s Dark Revenge. Unfortunately, the story moved a bit too quickly for me and I had a hard time getting into it. I continually felt like I was a few steps behind the characters and was missing events that would fill in the blanks for me. While I could follow the story, I had to sacrifice an emotional connection to the characters to do so, as I spent more time trying to guess what I had “missed.” While the hero and heroine were likeable and the plot had promise, more often than not the high-speed The Pirate’s Dark Revenge left me adrift at sea.
Isobel Lamberton, Lady Kingsley, and Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, are at loggerheads with one another. Both sit on the bReviewed for Wit and Sin
Isobel Lamberton, Lady Kingsley, and Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, are at loggerheads with one another. Both sit on the board of a boys’ school and each has their own proposal they are determined to see win the board vote. The two of them are driving one another mad. Isobel is frustrated with Justin’s high-handedness and he is equally frustrated with her stubbornness. What neither will admit – but all can see – is their deep attraction to one another. When Isobel is talked into participating in a scandalous widow’s auction and Justin finds himself at the same auction, determined to gain the support of one of their more degenerate board members, things come to a head and the passion takes hold. But what will morning bring?
I can’t count the number of times I’ve read The Widow’s Auction since it was first published in the Fantasy anthology. Justin and Isobel never fail to make me smile and I always fall into Sabrina Jeffries’s writing.
Isobel and Justin are clearly made for one another, but misconceptions and hidden fears are keeping them both from taking a risk making their feelings known. It takes a masked widow’s auction to give them that extra push, Isobel’s belief that Justin doesn’t recognize her making her more open than she would normally be. Isobel’s upbringing isn’t at all what Justin thinks it is; the way it marked her and how her marriage to the saintly Lord Kingsley shaped her persona are something he could never guess. I loved watching him come to understand her and for her to see past her biases and come to know the man beneath the perfect politician. One night of passion doesn’t solve everything, but it is exactly the push both Justin and Isobel need. They’re a perfect match in bed and out and I loved watching Isobel embrace her desires. The Widow’s Auction is a deliciously steamy read with two passionate protagonists and a happily ever after that’s guaranteed to satisfy.
FTC Disclosure: I received the eBook edition of this story for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Loading...
