Book Musings
Tempt Me With Darkness by Shayla Black
Thursday, July24, 2008
Centuries ago, Marrok of Cadbury was one of King
Arthur’s closest knights, until cursed by Morganna Le
Fay for spurning her affections. Now he’s immortal
and somehow, a small book in his possession called
the Book of Doomsday can set him free, if only he
could figure out how. Then he meets Olivia…
American art dealer Olivia Gray has come to England to open a gallery and to find the father she’s never known. After meeting a reclusive artist named Marrok, he kidnaps her, mistaking her for some woman named Morganna and demands she free him from the curse she bestowed on him…fifteen hundred years ago.
Thinking him insane she tries to placate him, then attempts seduction, hoping he’ll let her go. But after a night of mind-blowing pleasure, she’s not sure she wants to leave.
Marrok begins to doubt she’s actually Morganna, but still believes she’s the key to unlocking the Doomsday Diary. Olivia learns from some of magickind’s reluctant warriors, who call themselves the Doomsday Brethren, that she’s a descendent of Le Fay and will soon become a powerful witch herself.
Together they try to find a way to break Marrok’s curse, even though by doing so Olivia may lose the man she’s quickly learning to love.
Somberly, the Brethren reveal that an evil wizard is attempting world domination and believes the Diary, and Olivia, are the keys to his success. Marrok puts aside his own desires and focuses on training the wizards and keeping Olivia safe. Will the love these two are discovering, and the band of wizards who are more adept with magic than sword wielding, be enough to defeat the sorcerer intent on destroying the world —both human and magic—for good?
Shayla Black, thus far known for her scorching erotic romances, has now ventured into paranormal romance territory with the first novel in her new series The Doomsday Brethren, called Tempt Me With Darkness. Not surprisingly, Ms. Black has jumped into the genre with both feet creating an amazing world replete with magic, immortals, age-old battles between good and evil, and intense, passionate love. Vivid and gripping, this must-read hit by Ms. Black will take the paranormal world by storm.
Marrok presents as a fierce, ancient warrior whose greatest wish is only to break his curse and die. World weary, his distrust is understandable but when he shows his vulnerable side to Olivia, it’s enough to turn even the most cynical of hearts to warm jelly.
Seemingly naïve as first, Olivia shows her true colors as compassionate and resilient. Equally matched, this couple takes the human and magic world by storm, showing all they’ll not admit defeat to anyone, least of all a measly, powerful, depraved wizard.
Although clear this story is about the love between Olivia and Marrok, the reader cannot help but be enthralled by the rest of the magickind force that fills the pages. Each of the Brethren provokes the desire to know him in a much more intimate fashion. One can only hope each will get his own story. Brava, Ms. Black, for the start of what looks to be a phenomenal series! You can be sure I’ll be reading each and every one.
American art dealer Olivia Gray has come to England to open a gallery and to find the father she’s never known. After meeting a reclusive artist named Marrok, he kidnaps her, mistaking her for some woman named Morganna and demands she free him from the curse she bestowed on him…fifteen hundred years ago.
Thinking him insane she tries to placate him, then attempts seduction, hoping he’ll let her go. But after a night of mind-blowing pleasure, she’s not sure she wants to leave.
Marrok begins to doubt she’s actually Morganna, but still believes she’s the key to unlocking the Doomsday Diary. Olivia learns from some of magickind’s reluctant warriors, who call themselves the Doomsday Brethren, that she’s a descendent of Le Fay and will soon become a powerful witch herself.
Together they try to find a way to break Marrok’s curse, even though by doing so Olivia may lose the man she’s quickly learning to love.
Somberly, the Brethren reveal that an evil wizard is attempting world domination and believes the Diary, and Olivia, are the keys to his success. Marrok puts aside his own desires and focuses on training the wizards and keeping Olivia safe. Will the love these two are discovering, and the band of wizards who are more adept with magic than sword wielding, be enough to defeat the sorcerer intent on destroying the world —both human and magic—for good?
Shayla Black, thus far known for her scorching erotic romances, has now ventured into paranormal romance territory with the first novel in her new series The Doomsday Brethren, called Tempt Me With Darkness. Not surprisingly, Ms. Black has jumped into the genre with both feet creating an amazing world replete with magic, immortals, age-old battles between good and evil, and intense, passionate love. Vivid and gripping, this must-read hit by Ms. Black will take the paranormal world by storm.
Marrok presents as a fierce, ancient warrior whose greatest wish is only to break his curse and die. World weary, his distrust is understandable but when he shows his vulnerable side to Olivia, it’s enough to turn even the most cynical of hearts to warm jelly.
Seemingly naïve as first, Olivia shows her true colors as compassionate and resilient. Equally matched, this couple takes the human and magic world by storm, showing all they’ll not admit defeat to anyone, least of all a measly, powerful, depraved wizard.
Although clear this story is about the love between Olivia and Marrok, the reader cannot help but be enthralled by the rest of the magickind force that fills the pages. Each of the Brethren provokes the desire to know him in a much more intimate fashion. One can only hope each will get his own story. Brava, Ms. Black, for the start of what looks to be a phenomenal series! You can be sure I’ll be reading each and every one.
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Wicked Hot by Charlene Teglia
Tuesday, July22, 2008
The
beautifully seductive Edana is a succubus cursed to
wander the earth feeding off and cursing human souls.
Having died after committing the mortal sin of
murder, Edana now is under the power of the devil
himself. The irony of her current status is that when
she died, she was still a virgin, and now, she can’t
seem to complete the deed without draining the human
men in her way. Then she’s assigned to seduce Eli and
Dal, two brothers with superhuman strength and her
prospects start looking up. She just might experience
an orgasm after all. That is, if she’s not slain
first.
Eli the warrior and Dal the teacher are two Nephilim living a quiet existence in Washington. The Nephilim are ancient creatures born of angel fathers and human mothers. Thought to be extinct, they have lived under the demons’ radar. Until now. Because good and evil is rapidly losing its precarious balance, Eli has begun conjuring, binding and banishing demons into the void of nonexistence. Likewise, Dal has been teaching young witches the lost art of good magic.
Edana soon finds herself in the Nephilim household, sharing domestic duties and find her way into bed. With both of them. Sex with the brothers is cosmically blissful but in no time, she starts to experience another emotion, one wholly unfamiliar to her. Eli, with his Alpha strength and smoldering intensity, unwittingly sends the sexy succubus headlong into the arms of love.
Will she be able to complete her nefarious mission, or will she allow herself to trust the man who can free her from the curse that bound her many years ago?
Having read many of Ms. Teglia’s previous novels, it was a no-brainer to read Wicked Hot. However, after having read this book, it must be said that Wicked Hot isn’t as good as the rest of her stories. It’s better. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb here to say that this book has to be the best novel she’s written.
Engrossed from the first page, I didn’t let go until the last word was read. Kept on the edge of my seat, it was never quite apparent how this story would end until I read the words.
It’s always good writing to have a strong, Alpha hero and a feisty, intelligent heroine. Add realistic internal and external conflict, stir and bake. Eli and Edana are choice ingredients for this recipe of dark, edgy romance. Add in Dal and you have a story so hot, you need oven mitts to turn the pages. The characters were well developed, the story line fast paced, the passion intense and the sex absolutely nuclear. Forget the ice cubes, head straight to the Arctic Circle, and make sure you have a couple of hours blocked in your schedule. Once you pick up Wicked Hot and start reading, you won’t be doing anything else until you’ve finished.
Eli the warrior and Dal the teacher are two Nephilim living a quiet existence in Washington. The Nephilim are ancient creatures born of angel fathers and human mothers. Thought to be extinct, they have lived under the demons’ radar. Until now. Because good and evil is rapidly losing its precarious balance, Eli has begun conjuring, binding and banishing demons into the void of nonexistence. Likewise, Dal has been teaching young witches the lost art of good magic.
Edana soon finds herself in the Nephilim household, sharing domestic duties and find her way into bed. With both of them. Sex with the brothers is cosmically blissful but in no time, she starts to experience another emotion, one wholly unfamiliar to her. Eli, with his Alpha strength and smoldering intensity, unwittingly sends the sexy succubus headlong into the arms of love.
Will she be able to complete her nefarious mission, or will she allow herself to trust the man who can free her from the curse that bound her many years ago?
Having read many of Ms. Teglia’s previous novels, it was a no-brainer to read Wicked Hot. However, after having read this book, it must be said that Wicked Hot isn’t as good as the rest of her stories. It’s better. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb here to say that this book has to be the best novel she’s written.
Engrossed from the first page, I didn’t let go until the last word was read. Kept on the edge of my seat, it was never quite apparent how this story would end until I read the words.
It’s always good writing to have a strong, Alpha hero and a feisty, intelligent heroine. Add realistic internal and external conflict, stir and bake. Eli and Edana are choice ingredients for this recipe of dark, edgy romance. Add in Dal and you have a story so hot, you need oven mitts to turn the pages. The characters were well developed, the story line fast paced, the passion intense and the sex absolutely nuclear. Forget the ice cubes, head straight to the Arctic Circle, and make sure you have a couple of hours blocked in your schedule. Once you pick up Wicked Hot and start reading, you won’t be doing anything else until you’ve finished.
WICKED by Sasha White
Thursday, January24, 2008
Jaded divorce attorney Karl Dawson doesn’t believe in love, so when flirtatious Lara Fox does some computer network upgrading at his office, he figures he’s in for a good time. A sensual Dominant, Karl sees in feisty Lara a submissive challenge.
Lara Fox has been independent since a young teen, and likes it that way. She fun-loving, flirty, and loves to assert control, in a noncommittal sort of way. When she meets her roommate’s boss, Karl, she sees in him a challenge to good to pass up. Lara’s ready for nights of sensual pleasure, but when Karl informs her that he’s a Dominant, she’s not sure she’s ready to give up control. Willing to try anything one, she allows Karl to take control—and realizes it’s what she’s been missing in her life.
Afraid for what is beginning to look like commitment and love, neither is prepared for the direction their relationship is traveling. When a vandal starts targeting Lara, however, all bets are off and Karl’s protective nature reveals to Lara that this is more than just bedroom BDSM. Will these two submit to their blossoming relationship and will they admit to themselves and to each other that live might be real, after all?
Sasha White has another hit with WICKED. This book is a good representation of the some of the delightful aspects along the BDSM continuum. The characters are likeable and the plot smooth. At times, I wished for a little more internal conflict in the two main characters. But the sensual tension and sexual intimacy between Karl and Lara is hot enough to melt ice, even on the coldest day. Kudos to Ms. White for one WICKED ride.
Lisa's Gift by Mackenzie McKade
Tuesday, April24, 2007
(Click on the book cover to be directed to Mackenzie McKade's site.)
This was first entered on my Bebo page, but I love this book so much I wanted to enter it here as well. So, as mentioned in my other blog. . . Let me say that while my blogs very well may contain my own ramblings, they will, as the opportunity presents, also contain what I will call my ‘Keepers’. These are stories that I’ve read and have found their place on my Keeper Shelf. They are not good reads. They are not even great reads. They are FABULOUS reads, that I highly recommend. And ones that, like me, you’ll want to keep.
I belong to a Yahoo! group of writers, reviewers and readers. We chat about everything, from a good book we've read or reviewed, someone’s new release, the weather, the wording on the back of Fruit Loops boxes, whatever floats our boat at any given moment.
A couple of days ago, Mackenzie McKade announced that the ebook version of Lisa’s Gift was finally available. Let me first say that I REALLY didn’t have time to read this book! I have over 50 books (haven’t counted, recently, and to be honest, I shudder, just thinking about doing so!) in my TBR pile. I originally placed the email in my TBR mailbox, to tackle it another day. Then, a couple of authors and reviewers posted that they’d read their ARCs and LOVED it. Well, shit.
Out came the debit card, and on to the site I went. I purchased the book, and hit ‘download’, and went about my other business. On my screen, at the time, I had Word open as I was jotting down notes for a review I was doing and Adobe Reader as I was reading the book on the laptop (instead of on my eBookwise). I also had open Yahoo Messenger, (chatting with the ever lovely Jacki Frank), my internet browser, and my email program. Things were pretty busy on the computer.
DING! File’s done downloading, and it automatically opened. I saw the cover of Lisa’s Gift in all its glory. I’d seen the cover before as Mac had given us little snippets along the way. Then, I looked up at the top of the reader. ~blink~ 264 pages?! Ok, there’s NO way I was going read this puppy today. WAYYY too much to do. But. . . just a peak. That’s not, errr, harmful, is it?
Apparently not, because next thing I know, I was starting Chapter 6. And ALL those other projects sitting on my monitor remained there, untouched. As I continued to read the story, time passed without my knowledge. Night fell. I realized that I had been sitting at my table poring over the story, and hadn’t had lunch. I decided I was going to go out to dinner, get out of the house, since I’d been there all day. I stopped reading, took a shower, did my hair, put on my make-up, and went back to the laptop, before I left for dinner, to check my mail and check the hours of operation for the restaurant. BIG mistake.
That damn little Adobe Reader Icon was sitting in my dock, open, beckoning. So I clicked on it. And I read. . .and read. . .and finished the story. I haven’t read a story in one fell swoop like that in a LONG time.
So, what is this book about anyway? Well, it’s the story of two incredibly close Arizona friends, friends that couldn’t be closer if they were sisters. Due to a rough upbringing, the moment that Jana gets the chance to go to school in California, she takes it, even if it means leaving her best friend, Lisa, behind.
After receiving a job offer at graduation, she returns home. . .to see her best friend in a compromising position with Nicolas, the man she’s had a crush on since high school. Even more surprising is Lisa’s full acceptance and even invitation to Jana to join them, as a threesome. Jana can’t quite wrap her mind around the idea at first, but soon begins to open up.
Nicolas is sexy, intelligent, dominant and successful. He cares for Lisa, but is incredibly attracted to Jana. As Lisa and Nicolas begin to include Jana in their lives, and their bed, Nicolas begins to realize that he wants more from Jana than just play. The more he pushes, the more Jana backs away, not wanting to step between him and Lisa. It seems like a no-win situation. Can love conquer all?
When I first heard about this book, I have to say I wasn’t sure what to make of it. It involves some BDSM and an f/f/m ménage. I’m not a stranger of reading either one of those types of stories, don’t get me wrong. But, if you’ve ever read BDSM or ménage subgenres you know what I mean when I say that including those elements is always a risk to not make it read like printed porn.
Now that I’ve read LISA'S GIFT, all I can say is WOW. That book was packed full of emotion. The characters were all so likeable, even with their flaws and baggage. I actually think that’s what made them so endearing, because their past made them REAL. The plot was stimulating, drawing me in on several levels. I looked at all the elements, including the BDSM, the f/f/m ménage and f/f scenes and came to the conclusion that the book could be written in no other way. Leaving out even one scene would have some how altered the story in a way that would leave us, the readers, bereft, and unsure why.
LISA'S GIFT was such a spectacular read. I felt the tension in the growing attraction between Jana and Nicolas. I was overcome by Lisa’s love for her best friend, bringing her out of her shell. I laughed, I got angry, I was aroused, I cried, I felt empty. And when the book was done? I was sad to see it end. I wanted more. Thank you Mackenzie, for the unbelievable read. The rest of you? Sprint, don’t walk to the site, and buy it. You won’t be sorry you did.
LUSH by Sasha White
Monday, April23, 2007
(Please click on the book cover to be redirected to Sasha White’s website.)
3 strong women. 3 Alpha men. Can it get any better?
This anthology by Sasha White is a scorcher, so break out the oven mitts and get to reading! In The Principles of Lust, Teal, overcome by the sensuality presented in a painting, her own passion motivates her to open an erotic art gallery. Nothing and no one will distract her from doing so. Not the pranksters who are trying to keep her from opening the gallery, not the hot carpenter she's hired to help her. . .well, maybe not. After all, Zack IS one hot Dom, and her libido is in overdrive with all the sexual 'reminders' all over her gallery.
This story made me laugh as it seemed the roles were reversed somewhat. She was the randy, ready for sex, skip the foreplay kind of woman and He was the one who wanted her to feel the connection, revel in her emotions. The intensity of their bond, his patience with her as she re-discovers her inner sensual energy is wonderful, making the story fairly hum.
The second story Passion Play is about Mia and Dominick, Teal's brother. Have you ever wished, in your own journey for a heart mate, you were able to just know who he/she was? Perhaps fate would bonk you over the head with him? This is what happens to this couple. Literally. Of course, Mia is not going to allow a man into her life, and she just walks away, even after a sizzling kiss. But don't you love Love at work? They meet again, and as it's said, 'there's no such thing as coincidences.'
There are many readers out there who don't care for stories in first person. However, this story is a bit unique as it weaves a tale of two, alternating between his and her points of view. Almost like a he said, she said and it takes you on an almost voyeuristic ride, peeking into their personal diaries, as they discover each other and themselves. You have to love the scene when Mia takes Dom to a family event. Most of us have family members who are too self-absorbed for their own good. This scene left me cheering. My favorite part of the story was when Mia realized that perhaps she did want to love and be loved. And the way Sasha tied this story into the first? Seamless transition.
The last story, Sexual Healing, I'll admit, is my favorite. While I'm not a massage therapist, Caitlyn and I share a lot of similar traits. I just love how she's so incredibly REAL and comfortable with herself. Caitlyn is Mia's best friend and soul sister. There's another seamless transition in novellas, as she's sent to Jack, a photographer to be the model for some of Mia's jewelry. Caitlyn doesn't need fate to intervene, she's intuitive enough to know that Jack is meant to be with her. Now, she just has to convince HIM, and heal his fragile heart in the process. Can she win him over? Will he realize she's what he needs? Did you REALLY think I'd share the ending with you!?