Dream by the Fire--Authors from Freya's Bower

Dream by the Fire: Winter Magic
Authors from Freya's Bower

Anthologies are really a nice way to get to know new authors and get to taste of the flavor of an author's work. This is a holiday collection of stories ranging from hot to mild. Something to satisfy everyone in this group of stories.

A Love Rewritten by Esmerelda Bishop--Ever wonder whatit would be like if the romance novel you were reading came to life? Well, I haven't but here it is. Our lucky heroine falls into a story unfolding that she has just read. It was cute, and fun, and short.

Mistletoe Magic by Lanie Fuller--Starts with a forbodeing note, a promise of danger.
Hannah dreams her husband Jacob was hit by a car. This was a sweet romance--and very enjoyable. The story held a certain amount of suspense and left the reader wondering what was going to happen, a good story overall.

High Maintenance by Jamie Hill--A Ski vacation is nearly ruined when Deidre gets in an accident and breaks her leg. Luckily a maintenace man comes to the rescue...It's lust at first sight--ok well they fall in love but you get the picture. A very sweet story and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Einmal nach a Modresnach by Emily Ryan-Davis--The title may be tough to pronounce but this was a great story. The senses come alive with the Christmas magic. This was an interesting tale wove with magic, and wonder and a promise for the future. Emily is a very talented writer and left me wanting more.



Click here to buy or read excerpts or to buy:

http://www.freyasbower.com/content/view/326/77/

4 Stars

Babes in Toyland II

Babes in Toyland II
Author: Anderson, Barrack, Delight, Glisan, Greenough, Hasker, Montgomery, Sinclair
ISBN: 978-1-60168-074-7
Genre: Winter holiday stories
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
Publication Date: 11/30/2007

Who Offed Holiday Spirit? by Wayne Greenough
Christmas Ink by Skylar Sinclair
Devon Falls: Sticky Magic by Raine Delight
Festival of Lights by Melissa Glisan
Christmas Belle by Dawn Montgomery
Heart's Desire by Michelle Hasker
The Game by Jeanne Barrack



Click for more info or to buy:

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/babes-in-toyland-ii/prod_103.html

Labyrinth by Emma Wildes

Labyrinth by Emma Wildes
Siren Publishing
73 Pages
$3.50

Adam has only been able to argue with Brittany despite his attraction to her It seems all they do is argue. He has kept his desire for her hidden for a long time now, but he is finding it harder and harder to ignore her seductive curves and when she sneaks into his tent one night and offers herself to him, he can't resist the sexy invitation.

Brittany is the daughter of a Viscount and on an archeologist dig to find the Minotaur's Labyrinth. She has some psychic abilities which have aided her father in finding ancient relics int he past and her visions give her a direction to find the Labyrinth as well.

This book was a perfect lunch time read, and although it was short, it was very satsfying. The dialogue was witty, the heat was so hot between the characters you could feel it. The plot was new and fresh, and the book kept my interest the entire way through it. I must read more of Emma Wildes work.

5 Stars




Click here to buy book:

http://sirenbookstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=69

Manifest Destiny by Gracie C. McKeever

Manifest Destiny
Gracie C. McKeever
Siren Publishing
ISBN #1-933563-43-5
Paranormal Romance


This book was written to stand alone but is part of a trilogy. I would still recommend reading the others first so you understand how things develop and that this particular family is psychic. It seems Angela is determined to see all of her sisters happy in love whether they want the help or not. She is a psychic matchamker. With a little help from the wise Fair Elf.

Gracie's writing is very well developed with her characters and her dialogue. The world building is wonderful. I was hooked after the first couple of chapters and will be going back to read the rest of the series now. It did take me a little while to undestand what was going on since I had not read the other books yet, but her characters were so vivid and both Evelyn and Jason were so very different, there were immediate sparks. The story was fresh and drew me in quickly.

You want to see the couple get together, and neither seems to have any hope left, with failed relationships and ghosts in the past that still haunt them. I love seeing stories that show there is life after 40 and this is one of those. I think this is a must read and would reccommend it to anyone of my friends who love a sxey cowboy story...


4 stars



Buy Now link:

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/graciecmckeever/md.asp

Dragon Lord by Kaitlyn O'Connor

Dragon Lord
by Kaitlyn O'Connor
Published: New Concept Publishing
Length: 411 pages
ISBN #: 978-1-60394-008-5
Paranormal Romance


I decided to just trust that if so many other people liked Mrs. O'Connors work that I should too. She has been known for her menage stories, with multiple partners and she writes many novel length erotica stories. Which is unusual in this genre. So I am hoping she has a little more to her stories than the typical do me again baby, and doesn't use sex just as a filler, but makes it meaningful.

This is Raina's first stint as a housekeeper, and she isn't sure she likes all the rules or the odd people that live in the mansion. There is a mystery around everyone but especially Mr. Simon Draken. Well we have quite a bit of backstory dumping as his brother Audric tells us what a tortured soul that Simon Draken is, but it works to establish why he deserves to have a beautiful woman dumped in his lap. Although isn't it funny that Raina has no idea she was hired for her sex appeal?

Poor thing.

Hmm...I am also not sure whether I should be spelling her name like Raina or Riana--as I saw it both ways in the story... However I am guessing it is Raina since I saw it more that way.

Then we have the usual alpha males fighting over the buxom woman who doesn't even know she is beautiful. There were fun scenes in here, the water pipes breaking and the situations set up were interesting, overall I still enjoyed the story--but I didn't feel like it was ready to publish in it's current condition. I hope the print book is in better shape than the ebook.

3 stars

Buy Now link:

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/dragonlord.htm

The Pirate's Booty by Shelli Stevens

The Pirate's Booty
by Shelli Stevens
Publisher: Cobblestone Press
Length: 105 pages
ISBN #: 1-60088-021-5
Contemporary Romance

Renee is in dire financial straits, but her family has passed along a diary for generations that contains a secret about a pirate's treasure. She decides to steal back a brooch that was stolen years ago from her relative by a pirate. The descendant will be throwing a party, so Renee throws together a slightly rash plan to go after the jewelry.

It was kind of fun to read the cat and mouse play. I loved the basic idea of the plot. He knew she wanted something, but what? She thought she was getting away with stealing a brooch, but at what cost? Besides that, everyone was having sex, in every manner possible throughout the story. I enjoyed the story but thought it ma have been overdone just a tad on the sex. That's pretty bad for me being the dirty girl on the web, but by the end, I was tired of hearing the characters say do me again, harder, and I have never been with someone with a nine inch cock before...

I just wish this story was more story and less sex. Overall not a bad read.

3 Stars



Buy Now Link:

http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/piratesbooty.htm

Blind Devotion by Lucynda Storey

Blind Devotion
By Lucynda Storey
Publisher Aspen Mountain Press
Length: 193 pages
Fantasy Romance

Azari our heroine who has unwittingly awakened two mythical beasts that seems determined to find her and hunt her down. She runs as fast and as far as she can and hides in a cabin in the woods which belongs to our hero Tor.

Tor is a preist who is on a retreat from the rest of the world. He is surprised when he encounters the girl hurt and bleeding in his sanctuary. He tells her that the dragon and cevere will chase her down until they find her, knowing she is the virgin they had scented, and when they are through, she will neither be a virgin or living when they are done.

Now why does the dragon have to be evil? Sure it chases innocent young virgins, but they are so yummy to eat, how can he possibly help himself? Silly virgins wandering alone in the woods deserve to be eaten... Just kidding, but certainly a virgin would know what kind of sacrifice she would have to make to stop being chased, and being the most handy man around, it looks like Tor is perfect for the job of removing her maidenhead--until he opens his mouth. Then both people realize how difficult it will be to get along with each other. She is independent and has a sharp tongue that cuts, and he is a high preist who is used to being refused nothing. How can people so opposite possibly get along? It also unfolds that it's not quite as simple as taking Azari's virginity, because the beasts won't stop hunting Azari until she is dead or they are.

Well this was fun to read, a book full of sorcery, mythical beasts, enchanted rings, and destinies intertwined. A fantasy world lined with erotic and romantic notions. It was laughable at times and yet had some tension between the characters which I really like to see in a romance. Lucynda Storey has an exceptional skill in world building, making you feel as if this time and place are real. Blind Devotion was well worth reading.

5 stars

Buy Now Link:



http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/more-hot-reads/blind-devotion/prod_63.html

Bitter Harvest by Aurora Black

Bitter Harvest
by Aurora Black
Publisher: Phaze
Length: 58 pages
ISBN #: 1-59426-931-9
Paranormal Romance



This story has an ominous and foreboding start, it should be lined with happiness in the middle of a wedding but instead it starts off with a chlling sensation that something very dark is about to happen, and even when it does finally happen and Claire is in the middle of the graveyard about to use a dark magic I was still on the edge of my seat just hoping that she would stop playing with such a dangerous fire. She seems to have found the answer to win the war against death in the tattered pages of a very old book, but is the price worth it in the end?



I was so excited to read this, and in the perfect time of year when anything magic can happen. Halloween is here and this is a great book to get you in the spirit of things. Aurora weaves a tale that makes you wonder what will happen next and seems to be making a name for herself in the dark romance genre. With great stories like Bitter Harvest, I expect to see great things come of her in the future.



5 Stars








Buy Now Link:
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Bitter+Harvest+by+Aurora+Black

On Again by Jenna Allen

On Again
by Jenna Allen
Publisher: Phaze
Length: 24 pages
ISBN # 1-59426-462-7
Contemporary Romance

Paul is a detective and Kayla is a counselor, they have a broken marriage and are miserable without each other, and the memories are hauntingly painful. But will a second chance just mean more pain, or they can finally come together as a couple? Will either one will be willing to make the life sacrifices and change? Or will this mean more broken hopes and dreams?

On Again was a quick read, filled with emotion and passion. Unfortunately it was realistic too. 75% of all married police officers get divorces. It's a stressful job, and most cops don't learn to not bring their work home with them. It was touching and enjoyable. Perfect for a lunch hour read.

4 Stars

Buy Now Link:


http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=On+Again+by+Jenna+Allen

Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Kiss of the Highlander
by Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Dell Historical Romance
Length: 396 pages
ISBN #: 0-440-23655-X
Paranormal Romance

Well with today's rainy afternoon, I decided to re-read one of my alltime favorites. Ms. Moning has a talent for creating vivid life like characters. Every one of her books has made it onto my keeper shelf and this one was so powerful to read, I could feel my own chest clench with emotion as I saw the story unfold.

Ever read the story about Sleeping Beauty? Well this is the story about sleeeping hunk. Drustan MacKeltar was put to sleep for centuries and awoke by an American tourist that he can't help but think is his destiny. All he wants is his kiss from Gwen and she is the only woman able to refuse his charms in centuries... Heck--I don't know how she does it, beacause I couldn't have refused the man!

The story gets more complex with each page as we realize that Drustan must make it back to his own time to save his clan and he now needs Gwen to save him as well. With twists and turns in the plot, you never know what to expect with this book.

This book was funny and yet there were times it pulled my heartstrings. Karen Marie Moning is truly a master storyteller. Enjoy.

5 stars



Buy Now Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Highlander-Karen-Marie-Moning/dp/044023655X

Fire in His Eyes by Stella and Audra Price

Fire in His Eyes
by Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Tease Publishing
Length: 172 pages
ISBN #: (13) 978-1-934678-12-1
Paranormal Romance

Char is a fire elemental dragon who falls in love with a succubus, Alcyone Sterling. He starts his love affair with flowers and a secret meeting, but when the others of his race get involved he is forced to make a rash decision in the name of love. Can he choose a demon for his mate when they had been at war for centuries now? Char's race was dwindling due to the decree that Fuerety, the King of the Fire Demons had made, demanding the death of all dragons despite their loyalty.

This is the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet all over again. How can a love so deep and so passionate be wrong? They are forced to love in secret because their families are enemies. Alas, what is forbidden, only makes the desire grow stronger. So our two young lovers are destined to be caught up in a maelstrom of emotions that can only seemingly lead to heartbrake when the rest of their two races discovers what they have done.

I loved this story. The price sisters have created a unique world and characters that come alive. The dialogue has a fresh banter to it, and feels natural. The story immediately draws you in to their world. It had me rooting for Char and Alcyone to come together in the end. Stella and Audra Price are a fresh new voice in the paranormal world. I look forward to seeing what other stories they bring to us in the future.

5 stars

Buy Now Link:



http://www.teasepublishingllc.com/Fire.aspx

Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce

Dark Seduciton
by Brenda Joyce
Publisher: HQN
Length 372 pages
ISBN (13) 978-0-373-77233-9
Paranormal Romance

Malcolm of Dunroch is a master of time, who is seduced by his darker side, each day he fights the urge to take power from the innocenets he is sworn to protect. For years, he fought the urge successfully, until he felt pleasure in Claire's arms.

Claire is being hunted and is taken out of her own time by a medieval sexual warrior. All she wants to do is to give in to her body's craving for him and yet fulfilling his desires could very well be the death of her.

This was an excellent book, original and yet I always question the undeniable immediate attraction. The characters have humanlike flaws that make you love them. Malcol's guilt over the woman he killed haunts him. All I want to do is to see Claire heal his pain.

Over all a very enjoyable read.

5 stars



Buy Now Link:

http://www.amazon.ca/Dark-Seduction-Brenda-Joyce/dp/0373772335

Sugar and Sin by Stella and Audra Price

Sugar and Sin
by Stella and Audra Price
Publisher: Tease Publishing
Length: 238 pages
P-ISBN (10) 1-934678-11-2
Paranormal Romance



The Price sisters have not only come up with a whole other world, but an entire universe which they call the Eververse. Filled with demons and deception, every page is lined with magic. This particular story is complex and the characters of Sugar and Sin have a depth to them that make them feel real. Welcome to a world where bargaining for your soul can mean power and riches beyond your wildest dreams.


Astrid is witch who used to be lovers with Fallon a teleport demon, and when he comes back into her life she can only hope it will mean a second chance. She loves him, but can a demon love her or even be faithful?

There are quite a few characters introduced in the very beginning, so it can be a little confusing at first, but over all I really enjoyed the story. It was very imaginative, and yet carried the erotic undertones we all enjoy reading. There was a lot of action happening in the beginning, but when demons go out to play they seem to like to get into trouble don't they? That's half the fun in this story.

5 Stars







Buy Now Link:



http://www.teasepublishingllc.com/Sugar%20and%20Sin.aspx