These books have been on my wishlist for a very long time, the wait is almost over...

Julia London - One Season of Sunshine
(Cedar Springs, Texas, book 2)

Release: July 2010

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Adopted as an infant, Jane Aaron longs to know the identity of her birth mother and why she gave her up. Her only clue is the name of the small Texas town where she was born, so she's come to Cedar Springs for answers.

Handsome ad executive Asher Price lost his wife, the beautiful, mysterious Susanna, in a terrible car crash eighteen months ago. When he hires Jane as the nanny for his two children, sparks fly. Jane finds herself falling in love with both Asher and his children, but begins to suspect that Susanna was not the perfect mother and wife the family portrays her to have been.

As Jane gets closer and closer to finding out the truth about both her own and Susanna’s past, devastating secrets begin to emerge that may be more than anyone can bear. Will the truth bring Jane and Asher closer together or tear them apart forever?

Sharie Kohler - My Soul To Keep
(Moon Chasers Series Book 4)

Release: August 2010

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Sorcha is no longer the pitiful teenage orphan who roamed the streets of Paris after her pack was destroyed, but despite all she now has - wealth, beauty, strength - she is still haunted by memories of Jonah, her fellow half-breed who broke her innocent young heart years before, and who now believes her dead. Determined to drive Jonah from her dreams forever, Sorcha vows to kill the witch whose curse first condemned the lycans to soulless immortality . . . doomed to be ruled by their dark passions, yet never truly able to love or be loved.

Still devastated over the girl he failed, Jonah has found purpose as a demon slayer. When a stranger starts stalking the world's most powerful demon witch, he is assigned to kill the huntress before her meddling releases an evil that threatens all mankind.

Face-to-face again at last, can Sorcha and Jonah put their anger and hurt behind them to defeat the darkness . . . and dare they hope to find a love neither dreamed possible?

Alexis Morgan:  Dark Warrior Untamed
(Talions Series Book 3)

Release: July 2010

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In Alexis Morgan's electrifying new Talion adventure, a sexy warrior fights to save his headstrong lover from the crossfire of an evil plot to overthrow the Kyth's leader.

He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn't expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth's Grand Dame doesn't trust him to do his duty - to protect her.

She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn't keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn't in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn't dig into her secret past.

Opposites always attract. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?

Lora Leigh - Renegade
(Elite Ops Series Book 5)

Release: August 2010

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Going Rogue. Getting Hot

As a bridal shop owner, Mikayla Martin helps make women's wedding dreams come true. Her own life, however, has become a nightmare since she witnessed a murder--and got an up-close-and-personal look at the killer. What's worse: She knows she knows him. But the police, after doing an alibi check, don't believe her. It's up to Mikayla to prove them wrong...and do whatever it takes to solve the murder by herself.

Elite Ops agent Nikolai Steele, code name Renegade, is asked to pay an old comrade a favor. This friend swears he's no killer--and Nik believes him--even though he's been mistaken as one by Mikayla. So Nik goes to set her straight...but the moment he lays eyes on the fiery and determined beauty, he knows he's in too deep. A woman this irresistible can only mean trouble and, sure enough, after sticking her nose in one too many places, someone wants Mikayla dead. Now Nik must find a way to keep her safe, clear his friend's name, and find the real killer, who remains on the loose...

Happy reading!

Hi everyone,
I’d like to welcome Nancy Gideon to the ROOB blog who has three back-to-back releases coming; Masked by Moonlight (May 25, 2010) – Chased By Moonlight (Jun 29 2010) and Captured By Moonlight (July 27 2010).


Hello Nancy, welcome to Realms On Our Bookshelves, we’re so excited to have you here. Make yourself comfortable, grab something to drink and nibble on so we can get the 411 on these exciting upcoming releases.

Q ROOB: Can you give us a glimpse about yourself? When is your favorite time to write, what do you have at arm’s length from your computer? Do you have a favorite food (group) while writing? Are you a structured writer who needs to outline the whole story or one that just starts from an idea and goes from there? Do you do character profiling…in short, give it all to us!

A: I’ve been in the biz for a long, long time, back before writers had computers and when research was done in the library because there was no Internet. I’ve written around diapers, divorce, and full time employment, survived the collapse of the mid-list in the ‘90s and still LOVE what I do. With my six book contract for Pocket, I’m over the 50 romance novels sold mark and the only constant I’ve discovered is you have to be flexible to survive as a writer (able to adjust, not be a contortionist, thank goodness!). I’ve always picked my writing time around the path of least resistance: in the old days when my boys were napping, on the bleachers at Little League, after meals were made and dishes put away, or at 4:30 in the morning while everyone was sleeping. I’m a morning person, so the second the computer goes on, I’m working (as long as there’s coffee!). I’ve got a nice loft office in my apartment now where my laptop, works-in-progress, stacks of notes, poster of foreign book covers, and piles of ‘To Be Read’s keep me company.

I work a 40-hour week at a law office, but my home hours are my own so I can get up early or burn the midnight oil. I like it quiet when I work, no music for ambiance. I’m ADD and OCD so I have the ability to really focus on what I’m doing and the rest of the world falls away. When in need of a muse, I do sporadic housecleaning or jigsaw puzzles to channel my creativity.

I’ve always been a very regimented writer (that OCD thing), producing a set number of pages a day, giving myself strict deadlines, doing a 20-page outline that I’d stick to like MapQuest. But a funny thing happen with the first book of my BY MOONLIGHT series. I just started writing. No synopsis, no character sketches, no outline. Just typed while the story unfolded as if I was watching a mini-series on cable. I used to scoff at the idea of ‘Book of the Heart’ but now I’m a believer. These books just poured out in Technicolor with me along for the ride. They weren’t under contract, so I wrote them just for myself. I didn’t have to worry about pleasing anyone else or following any house rules. And I enjoyed every paragraph.

Q ROOB: First of all what I noticed while reading the blurbs is that all three books revolve around two main characters: detective Charlotte Caissie and Max Savoie. Can you give us a character description and a bit of their back-story?

A: Charlotte Caissie is a kick-butt New Orleans detective hiding a painful past. She’s on a mission to convict mobster Jimmy Legere who she believes responsible for her cop father’s murder. She’s all about the job, even when it requires her to use Jimmy’s right hand man to get close to him. But using Max Savoie isn’t without its own unique dangers, because there’s always been something different about Max, something that makes her trust him when she shies away from any other man. Maybe it’s because he isn’t one.

Max Savoie is a mystery, with no past, no ties to anyone except the crime boss who rescued him in the swamps as a child and now owns him heart and soul. But when Max risks his life to save Charlotte, he finds those fierce loyalties challenged, first by his feelings for the woman determined to destroy his world and then by an inheritance that comes with a price, as heir to a criminal empire and guardian over a group of shadowy shape-shifters.

Q ROOB: Which characters, main or secondary, took your heart instantly and can you tell us why?

A: Max. No question. I have a thing for dark, dangerous, tormented heroes. With his tragic past, haunting secrets, and the fact that he’s not human, the possibilities were endless and unpredictable. The fact that he loves Charlotte unconditionally is sigh-inducing. The fact that he’s willing to sacrifice everything for her, well, that’s the stuff of romance. I’ve enjoyed watching him evolve from obedient attack dog to clever and ferocious leader of his clan.

Q ROOB: Another thing what I wondered about is if this is going to be a trilogy with a conclusive romance for Charlotte and Max or is this just the beginning of a new series?

A: There are six contracted books so far in my By Moonlight series. The first four contain Max and Charlotte’s romance arc (those are finished) and the next two will feature different heroes and heroines, though the same cast of characters will continue as secondaries.

Q ROOB: The thing we never get enough of is the romance and passion in a novel. Can you give us a brief taste (quote) of the sizzling tension between Charlotte and Max?

Excerpt from CHASED BY MOONLIGHT:

“Don’t go. Please.”

Charlotte brushed her fingertips over the sharp angles of his face, adoring the strong, compelling lines. How easily she’d become addicted to him, to this. Once she’d surrendered to the drugging pleasures of his touch, she found it difficult to remember why she’d resisted him for so long.

She did a mental balancing now. Sex or murder? How was a girl to choose? He wasn’t making it any easier with that slow drag of his fingertips over the curve of her torso. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” was her shaky warning.

His eyes crinkled with wicked amusement. “It couldn’t be much harder than it already is. Are you sure you can’t show pity for my unfortunate state and spare a few more minutes?”

“I’m surprised you can still muster up a . . . complaint, let alone move.” She grinned. “You are an insatiable beast.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She pressed a quick kiss on the tip of his nose and rolled out of bed while she still had the will power. She heard his heavy moan of resignation as she said, “I’ve got to swing by my apartment to feed the pigs, shower and grab some clean clothes.”

“You can shower here.”

The temptation of that was almost irresistible, just as he had intended. Picturing suds and steam and more hot sex, she smiled wryly. “I’m afraid that would be counterproductive.”

“It would save time if you’d leave some clothes here.” At her sudden look of panic, he added silkily, “I promise not to wear them.”

They hadn’t discussed that step. Actually, they hadn’t had time to discuss much of anything. They’d only ventured from their den of lustful pleasures to forage for food. Caught up in the right now instead of the week later where the rest of the world waited, a lot of words hadn’t been important. Not when he possessed so many other delectable non-verbal communication skills.

Bringing clothes over sounded suspiciously like setting up housekeeping. Alarms and whistles protecting her personal

space rang. She said carefully, “We’ll talk about that later.”

“Whenever you have the time, Detective. What happened to your week’s vacation? I had plans for every minute of it.”

A warm tingle spread through some very well satisfied places as she imagined what else he might have had in mind. A long, X-rated, clothing unnecessary week of sensation and relaxation with the only one she’d ever wanted to share such things with. Didn’t he realize she was as angry about losing any of that precious time together as he was? But one of them had to be reasonable.

“Apparently the department cannot continue without me for more than one day.” She started pulling on her crumpled clothes with a rapid efficiency under his brooding regard.

“Neither can I.”

Q ROOB: A mystery or plot infuses the story with a different kind of tension so how do you work out a plot/mystery, what are they key essentials you need to get started?

A: My sister has a big loom and I think of my series like a large tapestry, woven together strand by strand with different elements. The full pattern won’t be apparent until the work is complete. I had to have story elements large enough to stretch over the entire frame of the series. I put Max and Cee Cee at opposites: he’s supernatural/she’s human, he’s involved in organized crime/she’s a cop, he’s searching for family and acceptance /she’s terrified of commitment. Big problems, seemingly impossible to span. Then there’s the paranormal mystery concerning Max’s past and his relationship to the clan of New Orleans shape-shifters but it’s also tied to how Max came to live with crime boss Jimmy Legere. Everything is related, woven together in sometimes surprising ways. Each book also has its own central crime mystery to solve that puts Max, Cee Cee and their very different worlds at odds while the ongoing main storylines continue to develop. That’s the fun in plotting!

Q ROOB: The stories take place in New Orleans. I personally love New Orleans with its old magic, chicory coffee and easygoing mentality but what did it contain for you as an author to chose this particular part of the world as the backdrop?

A: New Orleans is my favorite city. I fell in love with my first step into the Quarter. It’s like entering another world. Ambiance oozes all around in the sights and smells and tastes. It’s exotic and dark and still a very modern city. I spent a week there in April in a historic condo in the Quarter and got to soak up the atmosphere: the fog rolling off the river, the bayou from an airboat, the voodoo shops and ghost tours, snacking on Cajun food on a Bourbon Street balcony while jazz and zydeco music wafted out of doorways, strolling along the majestic Garden District streets and through the eerie cemeteries. I can’t wait to go back. It’s a place that’s hard to describe without being there. It’s kind of like a grand dame fallen on questionable times, elegant and slightly tawdry at the same time.

Q ROOB: Was there ever a moment when you hit a rough patch while writing these novels and what do you do to get out of it? A long walk at the beach, a powwow with friends or perhaps some comfort food?

A: My critique group pulled me up by the bootstraps more than once. I’d gotten an offer on the first book from another publisher but they insisted on changes I wouldn’t make, so I had to say no to a contract at a time when I was really struggling financially. That was scary. I had an agent get all excited about the project and then pass on it at the last minute. I had to convince TPTB that a series featuring the same hero and heroine in three, now four books was salable in paranormal. Stress, stress and more stress. What great friends to listen to me whine and grumble and vent, then deliver the necessary kick in the rump to keep me going. And an absolutely fabulous team at Pocket is the icing on the cake!

Q ROOB: Authors are also readers. Do you have time to read and if so, what are you reading at the moment?

A: I just got an IPad and couldn’t wait to download a few books I’d been dying to get into: Shanna Abe’s The Smoke Thief, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Passage, Lisa Gardner’s The Killing Hour, and an older Dean Koontz I was missing. J.D. Robb’s latest is on my dresser in paperback. I make it a point to read a chapter or two every night before bed and always take a Dean Koontz on the plane with me when I travel. My dream vacation is a lounge chair, the sound of the surf, and a stack of TBRs.

Now we here at ROOB always like to hear a little bit from the characters themselves and I was wondering if Charlotte and Max could answer just this one question.

ROOB character question: Charlotte, your perfect night off would look like…?

A: Night off? You mean like not working? Huh. I guess it would be going through case files over cold take out food with a certain sexy shape-shifter helping me look for clues. Or dancing. Yes, dancing.

ROOB character question: Max, you would romance a woman with…?

A: Breakfast in bed. Hot coffee, hot beignets, then under the covers for some hot, hot . . . well, you get the idea.

Ms Nancy Gideon, thank you so much for your time doing this interview. I had a blast coming up with the questions and look forward to cracking the spine of Masked By Moonlight.

Author bio:
Nancy Gideon is the author of over fifty romance novels spanning genres from historical and series suspense to paranormal, as well as several horror movie screen plays. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom and Rosalyn West and is a “Career Achievement for Historical Adventure” winner. She works full time as a legal assistant and has a secret addiction to Net Flix and sushi.

To learn more about Nancy and her BY MOONLIGHT series visit: http://nancygideon.com/

For a taste of romance by moonlight, check out her book trailer.

~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~
A winner will be chosen at random from those who comment below to receive a signed copy of CHASED BY MOONLIGHT.

You can enter by leaving a [meanigful] comment or question for Nancy Gideon. A winner will be e-mailed on July 6th, so leave a way for us to contact you! Either via your profile, you can e-mail us your addy or leave a way for us to contact in your comment.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 6, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1402236522
ISBN-13: 978-1402236525
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Book #1 in Elven Lord series
Main Characters: Dominic Raikes & Cassandra
On sale at: link to book at Book Depository Store

Summary:
If his powers are discovered, his father will destroy him...
In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven Lords, the Fire Lord's son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father, until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Unless his bride kills him first...
Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married...

Then Dominic and Cassandra together discover an unspeakable evil, one that threatens the destruction of the magical realm they would give their souls to save...

Leontine's Review: Kathryne Kennedy has again managed to bring a world to the reader that is brimming with wonderful fantasy ingredients like elemental magic. It’s incorporated in many facets of this world I ventured in from buildings to social structure creating a fully realized setting. And not only the magic enticed me again, there’s a game with rules that transforms England and its inhabitants in to pawns for the all powerful Elven Lords to play with. With an easy flowing writing style I absorbed the back story of how the Elven Lords came to play a cruel game, to concur land and possess the King for their own court...

The first thing that grabbed my attention was how quickly and effortlessly Kathryne Kennedy seemed to create a world, give me a concept of how cruel the Elven Lords were and how they keep immortal boredom away with their games. But with the suppression of the English people the Rebellion against theElven Lords rises. From the first page I could feel the darker tone of this fantasy romance and I couldn’t wait to meet the main protagonists. In such a darker setting I always experience the joys in life and romance all the more intense. What I got was a hero that had me at hello.

Dominic Raikes is the Elven Lord Mor’dred’s bastard son, with strong magic flowing in his veins he is the kind of leading male that carries a story by the sheer force of his presence and personality. He is a leader; stern, aloof, distant, in control, and sometimes he gave his all not to be liked. Still, as the story progressed I got a revealing look at another side of him. The side that surfaced when he let go of his rigid control. A gentle, compassionate side that emanated a hunger to give and receive affection. He mesmerized me, enveloped me in his personality of reasoning, emotional highs he tried to keep in check so others might be safe. Everything about him seduced me and I could understand Cassandra’s reactions so well to his person.

Cassandra is trained to be a spy and would infiltrate enemy territory by marrying Dominic. She is a combination of righteous fire for the Rebellion yet also innocent. Wise but also inexperienced and challenging Dominic in all the right ways for him. Courage, intelligence but also kindness and a certain vulnerability is part of her personality. From the beginning the arranged marriage is very convincingly portrayed in their distance of emotions. Though Cassandra has been trained for years to be a spy for the Rebellion, once married, that swiftly seems to dwindle in the storm of emotions her new husband evokes. Both Dominic and Cass cannot afford to fall in love with each other, but love is an unstoppable force, which alters the scheming games profoundly. The romance did have a few bumpy moments in going from the distant, arranged marriage to Cass and Dominic realizing their feelings for one another. Once the romance took over, written in the moving prose of this author, I had no trouble anymore to completely surrender myself to the love that was blooming.

While I was pulled in to the romance, got comfortable with the world Kennedy created the plot took a bit of time to fully come to effect. Suddenly there were interesting twists and turns that gradually increased the tension of whether or not the good would vanquish the evil. I was sandwiched between a developing romance and a plot where the stakes were so very high, so much stood to lose and my hunger to devour the pages grew to a pinnacle till the very end. Leading up to that end this story contained it all but the actual fight did not entirely deliver on the promise throughout the story. I didn’t get that moment where tension piques, would they or would they not make it, and then that sweet, intense rush of relief. After the personal battles were fought I thought that the ending was nonetheless surprising and unconventional. Kathryne Kennedy made the solution work both in romance as in plot and at the same time spiral the epic battle between the Rebellion and the Elven Lords in to very exciting new grounds. One I can’t wait to explore further! 

The prose of Kathryne Kennedy speaks to me as I envision her world in my mind’s eye. The romance was something I reveled in, it was both charming, sweeping-of-your-feet romantic and toe-curling sensuous. Romance Fantasy is very addictive when it’s coming from Kathryne Kennedy’s incredible imagination!!

Quote Dominic:
“You must live,” he whispered to her. “For without you, I am done. Done and done with this torment that I have been living. You cannot bring such light to my life and then take it from me, you hear? Damn it Cass, do you hear me?”

Quote Dominic:

Dominic leaned over a crenel, not far from Ador, the stone cool and rough beneath his hands, the solid feel of it helping to anchor him to the earth again. Helping him to lock the horror of the cavern back into the small box in his mind that protected his sanity. But he could not do the same with his feelings for his wife. He’d admitted it to himself and her, and now he could never go back to feeling nothing again. She had breached his defenses, and he would be vulnerable. And he would do anything to keep her safe…and happy. Fie, he hadn’t considered the concept of happiness for so long, he wasn’t sure if he could even offer it. “I would change the world for her if I could,” he whispered to the deepening night, to the stars, to that God of hers that she would no longer believe in. Not after today. Ador’s sigh sounded like a great bellows, tingeing the air with the scent of sulfur and smoke. “I have waited long and long to hear you say those words.”

Normally I would have no problem whatsoever to create a post containing man-candy but this week the weather lured me to procrastinate in my lounge chair. Of course my lily white skin got a bit of a sun burn but I've finally got the feeling summer has arrived. So in lieu of this I'm going to invite you over to my cabana.

I lazily woke up this morning and left this behind in bed...so okay, I left him a note to come join me in the cabana ASAP! :)


I took a shower and now I'm off to my cabana...


The panorama I've got lounging about in my cabana...


Of course I've got to have a cocktail with his fine weather...


My cabana boy is soaking up some shunshine himself before accomadating my, and your, every wish...


Of course I let him indulge himself as the view isn't too shabby LOL

And my poolboy is inviting everyone to come play in the water...


Now who in the world would refuse him a bit of playtime in the water...not me *splash*

Have a great friday everyone and enjoy the summertime! With many thanks to @Gigib88 for giving me my rumpled sheets man candy (((hugs)))

Today we had planned a Review Request for Elizabeth Amber's Dane, but due to sickness and work-change I unfortunately was not able to finish it on time and give it the review it deserves, so after some thought, the previously planned review is now planned on July 5th.

To however give you all a taste of the first three original men who started out this series, here are the reviews for these men, I hope you all enjoy!

******
NICHOLAS

The story-lines of the Lords of Satyr are refreshingly new to me. I can’t really say what kind of genre it falls into apart from the Erotic one – and Erotic it is – but it’s holding a genre in the likes of fantasy/paranormal/historical. Never before have I read such scene’s filled with wickedly delightfulness, described in a way it really comes across as erotical, and making you feel tingled up, nearly longing for Nicholas to cuddle up next to you, showing you what he’s all about.

In my opinion some books in this genre are on the border of being pornographic: the story being more about the sex-scenes instead of the story. But when, like Elizabeth Amber, you are able to write Erotica Novels where you forget the genre and being sucked into a story filled with such passion, rituals, magic and love, then to me you are top-notch A list quality!

Nicholas and Jane both are in their own way perfect for each other. It was so touching to see Jane needing to get used to what she was, trying so desperately all her life hiding her abnormalities and Nicholas just accepting her straight upfront for who she is. And Nicholas… – just purring perfect as a great man. Of course I had to putt my own self aside when he had to relief himself in a way I would never accept it from my man, but all things set aside, it did perfectly fit in with the story. And because it totally fit in the story and was described in such a way that you could clearly see the logic in it, I was able to fathom it and accept it for what is was and needed to be for him.

There was this amazingly perfect balance between the characters; the story and the world Elizabeth has created. I can hardly wait for the next novel to be released. After reading this novel, Elizabeth left me eager to read along and see what will happen with Raine en Lyon and not to forget Emma of course! Elizabeth, straight away in this first novel, was able to set the strongly different characters of the Lords of Satyr to paper and to be honest – I just love Lyon! I’d say he’s the rake in this bunch, the one who does as he pleases and does not feel like settling down really! I so am curious to see what he’ll do once his time has come! I mean, this all came to me, especially after that one scene with him, a waterfall, and sex – that’s all I’ll say but once you read this novel you’ll just know what I mean.

Honest to say, Elizabeth Amber has totally baffled me with this novel, making it reach above all my expectations. Daring to shift things around, but not losing the fact it’s still about two people emerging with each other in sacred vows and growing towards loving each other. To me this novel held everything I needed/longed to see back in a story and knowing as soon as Raine is out I’ll be the first to dive into his story. Can’t wait to see if he finally is able to find his bride – he had a somewhat more difficult time with seeker her out than Nicholas did and I say he’s a bit frustrated about that! Elizabeth – don’t make him wait too long – that’ll be torture (wickedly grinning)!

A slamming debut for an author that shoot straight up to my A-list shelf!


******
RAINE

Genre: Erotica

Book 2 in the Lords of Satyr series
ISBN: 0-7582-2040-5
Releasedate: March 2008
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Format owned: TPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

REVIEW

When Raine was ordered to take an offspring of Fae-king Feydon as his wife, he was reluctant in getting married again. But once he spotted Jordan, his body betrayed him tremendously… Will his heart follow?

As the middle of the Satyr brothers he is the second one to locate the Fae-daughter, whom he is ordered to take as his wife. His past experience with his first wife made him realize he never wants to marry again. That, combined with his past, makes him a tortured hero – as so longingly beloved amongst readers.

The beginning of this story is a bit difficult to get into, but once you read on, you see it is not due to the way it is written. It emphasizes Raine’s character formidably. He is regal, distance, aristocratic, annoyingly organized and reluctant to share his inner self, due to the hurt that is done to him in the past.

Jordan is a totally different character altogether. Split into two beings, because her mother needed a son, but is very much feminine inside. She’s a heroine to my heart. Strong-minded, funny, stubborn and set to make Raine laugh and enjoy life a bit more. She’s got the capability to make Raine walk a step out of pace from his organized life, bringing organized chaos into it.

I am amazed by Elizabeth Amber’s ability to bring three brothers to life, whom are very different from each other but work superbly well together. She is able to write their stories so, that you really feel their character throughout the whole length of their journey. Once one of the others are mentioned in the scenes, you straight away feel what their character is like, bringing such a change in scenery.

In this novel, the emphasis is not on the plotlines, even though things were surprising in the end. It was focused on getting to know Raine and Jordan, seeing them bloom to life and growing towards each other. That combined, ofcourse, with amazing passionate love making, which require a bit of an open mind. It made me realize I am more open minded than I thought I was. When introduced in the way Elizabeth Amber did, working really well within the story, it adds to it a lot. It fits within this story because it’s part of who Jordan really is and adds to the reading experience of getting to know her inner turmoil and creating her “new” identity for herself.

Despite the fact Nick and Raine really caught my attention and affection; my body, mind and soul belong to Lyon. He and his way of life make butterflies flutter in my belly. Nicholas’ and Raine’s stories are the base and the mix to the cake, but Lyon is the chocolate glazing and cherry to finish it off.

Needing to wait for the next story in line is a pleasant torture I’m willing to undergo – but having to say eagerly waiting what Lyon will bring to the mix! The Lords of Satyr is a trilogy that should not be missed on your bookshelves!

4 stars

******
LYON

Genre: Erotica
Book 3 in the Lords of Satyr series
ISBN: 0-7582-2041-3
Releasedate: August 1, 2008
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Format owned: TPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

REVIEW

Lyon, the third Satyr-brother has traveled down to Paris in search for his bride, but once there, things go slightly different as expected. Will he find the daughter of King Feydon in time to save him?

Elizabeth Amber’s first two novels made a promise and rose up expectations, which she surely lived up to yet again. I had a certain vision on how Lyon’s character was and even though I expected him more playful and roguish, the Lyon I came to know was still amazingly sensual and I truly loved his dominant side between the sheets!

The Satyr brothers each have their own uniqueness and specialness, which I just can’t get enough of. I was actually a bit disappointed when I finished reading this novel because I wasn’t ready yet to say goodbye to Lyon and Juliette and the world that was created around them. So I re-read it again to keep holding onto the feeling.

Lyon started out as my favorite brother and in the end he still is. I actually doubted a bit because Raine got to me as well in his story but Lyon has a side to him that appeals to my inner female-he stirs just that little bit more in me. There’s a scene in the beginning that set me on fire and the part with the shimmerskins are thrilling and electrifyingly charged with such a high eroticism that it made me fall for him even more! That was topped off with the kitchen scene and my longing heart was complete! Top-notch erotica in my opinion!

Plot wise Elizabeth once more wrote an intriguing story. Despite the fact the basic Satyr-legend is the same, all three stories differ and bring out the best in every main character. She puts a heroine next to the hero that completes him and makes him standout without losing herself.

Juliette is a woman who, with the help of Lyon, unfolds into a strong and willful person, exploring sides to herself no one has ever seen and she again has to accept as her own. Even though she opens up a lot in the end still hasn’t overcome the experiences from the past, but is working towards it. She’s still coming to terms with her inner demons, but nonetheless trusts Lyon and lets him in. The way this story was put to paper only makes me sigh blissfully and in full satisfaction.

There has been a built up in erotically differences in the characters of this series, Nick, Raine and Lyon all have their own preferences and because these are all so well written out within a quality story, for me this series - these novels - are a thrill to have on my bookshelves and an addition to my books in the erotica-genre.

Having said that, Ms. Amber does know how to extend the boundaries and knows to what end the imagination of her readers can be stretched pushing it to the limits but writing it so that it’s still acceptable. Yet again I came across some things that I beforehand didn’t know I would accept. The fine line between the characters and their ways of carnal pleasure are such a perfect balance I just eased into it and was able to enjoy it all the more.

There, however, was one plotline in this novel that made me frown a bit. When you read this novel you’ll probably know which one I’m talking about… It does fit in with the character completely, so it is acceptable and adds to the story, but it does reach towards a limit in sexual immorality with me and I’m glad it was only mentioned in the last few pages. I thought about it for quite a bit, but I can see Elizabeth’s point of view in why she unfolded it like this, it explains the actions of this particular character, whom I will not name as not to spoil a plotline, but with only briefly mentioning it and not focusing on it majorly, she kept the story pleasurable and still at a marvelous high in the end.

There is an amazing talent and an excellence in Elizabeth Amber’s writing, she knows how to built up a story - as a novel as well as storylines within a series - so I’m blissfully happy knowing another novel in the Lords of Satyr series will be released. I can’t wait till Dominic will be released! I’d say it’s safe to say I again was swept of my feet; the Satyr-world got a permanent place in my reader’s heart.

My end conclusion…. Lyon was amazingly hot and wickedly erotic – my inner female still tingles from having spent time with him!

4,5 stars

eBook; 289 pages
Publisher: Carina Press, June 14, 2010
eISBN-13: 978-14268-9017-8
Genre: Contemporary Cowboy Romance
Book: Stand Alone
Main Characters: Rafe Cabrerras & Liberty Starr
On sale at: Carina Press

Summary:
Rafe had never met a truly irresistible woman, until he met Liberty.

Libby has the kind of beauty that comes on slow—strikes a guy the longer he looks. And Rafe sure is having a fine time looking, and touching, and loving Liberty Starr. The only problem is that Rafe is pretending to be just another cowboy down on his luck. Working for the FBI, he’s come to Stone Hill, Colorado, to investigate the man Libby loves like a father.

He was just another cowboy.

Free-spirited Libby offers him a job and a place to stay. Together they spark like wildfire, their intense passion filling their days and nights. But Rafe is only in town for the summer, and while Liberty is willing to risk her heart secrets threaten any possibility of a future together...

Pearl’s review:

Liberty “Libby” Starr owns an inn and boards horses in a small town in the Colorado Rockies, Stone Hill. Libby is very open and free-minded. She grew up in a nudist colony and is a self-proclaimed nudist who is very comfortable in her own skin and has no problems with nudity. I loved Libby; she’s softhearted but not gullible. She’s a smart and independent woman, spontaneous and outgoing. She is very capable and has good business sense

Rafe Cabrerras is pretending to be a cowboy down on his luck. But he has come to Stone Hill with an agenda. He is investigating Caleb Hamilton, Libby’s business partner and the man she considers a father. His investigation leads to events that turn both his and Libby’s world upside down, and that’s not even taking into account the immediate chemistry between them. Rafe was a delicious hero. Pulling off the cowboy role perfectly and the subtle humor and banter between him and Libby was a joy to read next to their explosively hot chemistry.

I totally and unexpectedly warmed up to Caleb. He may seem harsh, cold and calculated but deep down he’s not. He’s a sensitive, intuitive man who’s known loss and hurt and has hardened himself to avoid being vulnerable. His caring feelings for Rafe and Libby are genuine and I loved his role in the book.

The very first paragraph of this book reeled me in and grabbed hold of me as much as the blurb already had. I normally don’t pay much attention to blurbs but the one for LIBERTY STARR draws you in and makes you want to read the book immediately without delay.

Normally I am not a fan of romantic suspense where one of the main characters is keeping stuff from the other but in this case Rebecca E. Grant made it work for me because I was left in the dark too and thus anticipating the moment of revelation along with Libby. The power of omission worked very well for this book. As some things weren’t immediately explained I kept wanting to read on, waiting to discover what the deal was with Rafe, Libby and Caleb.

Even though while reading I felt the build up was slow and the plot progressed slowly too, in hindsight, it was beautifully done and fitting the story and characters. Without getting very explicit Rebecca E. Grant managed to write a sensual and hot romance novel that wasn’t the thrilling suspense story I was expecting but LIBERTY STARR turned out to be a western contemporary that’s earned its place in my small list of favorite cowboy romances because of its beauty in simplicity and emotions.

Quotes:
He was the match, she the striking surface. Together they were a wildfire.

Rafe: “I love you, Elle. I’ve never said that to a woman before. I thought it was because I never had the time to fall in love. Now I realize it has nothing to do with time at all. It’s because I hadn’t met you.”

Salome at Sunrise
by Inez Kelley
On Sale Date: Jun 21, 2010
Category: Fantasy Romance, Romance, Shifters
eISBN: 9781426890253
Connected novel to Myla At Moonlight
On sale at: Carina Press

Cover Summary:
Bryton Haruk sets out on a suicide mission to stop the bloodthirsty Skullmen from terrorizing the war-weary Land of Eldwyn. Consumed by guilt over the death of his wife, Bryton seeks revenge and reunion in the afterlife with his lost love. His purpose is determined, his bravery unmatched, until the queen casts a spell to save Bryton from himself.

Salome is that spell. A bird-shifter, she can harness the earth's breeze and take the form of a beautiful, innocent woman. Her challenge is to harness Bryton's pain and guide him to peace. She entrances and irritates him, tempting Bryton from his mission. Even as he gives in to the passion between them, Bryton insists on mounting a solo attack on the brigands' compound, and Salome fears her love won't be enough to save him...

Leontine's Review: First of all, while SALOME AT SUNRISE can be read as a stand-alone I recommend reading Myla At Moonlight first to experience the full impact and character development of the core cast. Salome At Sunrise contains similar elements such as the heroine is created from a spell, soaring romance and an adversary who needs to be defeated in order for peace to settle in the land of Eldwynn.

It all begins with Bryton, he is the kings Might and Law but revenge burns bright in his soul for the skullmen and drives him to reckless behavior. The once easy-going charmer that Bryton was is gone and instead I found a bitter and angry man who is consumed by guilt and revenge. It actually shocked me a bit to find him this way and it instantly fired my curiosity what happened to him. In those first chapters I got it that something happened to his wife which fueled his recklessly pursuit of these Skullmen but to get the whole picture was a step-by-step progress.

Bryton eat, sleeps and breaths honor. He is a charmer, easy to laugh or make other people laugh and deeply loves those close to him. Still, none of these character traits were on the forefront in his own story. Bryon is grieving with a depth of true love lost and the portrayal of his character made me want him to find joy and love again. The progress of grieving and falling in love again with Salome had a few minor bumps in the road for me. Bryton grieved so intense for Katrina that at some moments it was hard to surrender myself to the attraction simmering between Salome and him. Bryton and Salome had a push-pull situation going on where Bryton did most of the pushing and Salome did most of the pulling.

Salome is created from a spell to bring peace and healing to Bryton. Salome is innocence personified but quickly learns to show her fiery side to Bryton. Her innocence and inner fire is what gives humor to their verbal sparring, sometimes Bryton would say something and would mean in figurative and Salome would pick it up literally. Salome gradually learns the ways of this world and while she keeps her wide-eyed moments of innocence, by the end of the story you know she is a woman to be reckoned with!

The Skullmen also played a significant role, not only as the adversaries, but also as the personal tormentors of Bryton. I heard via the characters of their malicious deeds and for the greater part of this story there were no actual encounters, which delivered the feeling while reading the story that their threat was a distant one. I never felt Bryton and Salome were in any danger most of the time and this only changed after two thirds in to the story.

Salome At Sunrise is a road trip romance that gives way for moments filled with many dialogues, finding out about the diabolical acts of the Skullmen and a budding passion. The focus of the story was on the main characters and their developing feelings. Salome’s center of attention was Bryton, trying to let him find inner peace and healing again. This progress contained desolate moments of pain and guilt combined with tender moments of humor and forgiveness. The romance was endearing and sweet as it was passionate and raw. Inez Kelley has a knack for making me feel all that her characters are going through, not only the main characters but also the supportive ones, as Myla and Taric also have some page time.

Inez Kelley has a lush voice creating beautiful descriptions of the backdrop allowing me to envision this world in the mind’s eye next to letting me absorb the emotions zinging between the H/h. Both elements easily let me immerse me again in the story told. I was encompassed by the all-or-nothing ending of the story and the love that crested in those scenes. SALOME AT SUNRISE is romance with a capital R, containing light fantasy elements and two characters who are a match for each other in heart and spirit. 

Quote:
Bryton rolled, his eyes open, staring at the star-strewn sky. His steady rising chest belied the thunder of his heartbeat but Salome heard it clearly. He turned his head, his gaze locking with hers. Heat arced between them, not the scorch of summer or the sting of fire but a low, brewing storm that gathered strength and power. One wing twitched and she blinked. No clouds darkened the night sky but a primal tempest was coming. It would not sway the trees, it would not feed the earth. It would affect only the two of them, and the outcome would sizzle with the kiss of lightning.

Quote:
The thought of Salome with another man, any man, soured his tongue. He couldn’t deny it, he wanted her. But it wouldn’t be right and she didn’t even understand why. How do you explain love to a magic spell? How do you explain the difference between raw, hard-core sex and making real love? How could he make her understand that he was afraid he’d lose Katina all over again, this time in Salome’s arms?

~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~
Inez Kelley has been so generous to add a giveaway to this review!! *woohoot* All you have to do is leave a comment to win an e-copy of SALOME AT SUNRISE. The winner will be randomly drawn on June 25th 2010. The winner will be e-mailed :)

DAWN HALLIDAY - HIGHLANDER SURRENDER
Release date : April 6, 2010
Website Dawn Halliday
For Sale At: Amazon
Synopsis
The tale of a highland lass and an earl with dark desires…

Determined to put his roguish past behind him, the Earl of Camdonn arranges to marry the proper Lady Elizabeth. But when an accident lands the Earl in the expert hands of a beautiful Highland medicine woman, all well-laid plans are thrown to the wind- and, just as in the old days, his passions run high...

Ceana MacNab has terrible luck with men. Resigning herself to the healing arts, she has steeled her heart against love. Then fate sends Cam her way. Even though he's a well-bred Earl-and Ceana a low-born Highlander-their all-consuming passion may lead the way to lasting bliss.

GILLIAN SHIELDS - IMMORTAL
Releasedate: July 1, 2010
Website Gillian Shields
For sale at: The Book Depository Story
Synopsis
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl - a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

SHELLY LAURENSTON – BEAST BAHAVING BADLY
Releasedate: June 1, 2010
Website Shelly Laurenston
For Sale At: The Book Depository Store
Synopsis
Ten years after Blayne Thorpe first encountered Bo Novikov, she still can't get the smoothtalking shifter out of her head. Now he's shadowing her in New York - all seven-plus feet of him - determined to protect her from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. Even if he has to drag her off to an isolated Maine town where the only neighbours are other bears almost as crazy as he is. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Bo knows it's good advice, but he can't leave Blayne be. She may insist Bo's nothing but a pain in her delectable behind, but polar bears have patience in spades. Soon she'll realize how good they can be together. And when she does, animal instinct tells him it'll be worth the wait.

SUSAN SQUIRES – A TWIST IN TIME
Releasedate: March 2010
Website Susan Squires
For Sale At: The Book Depository Store

Book 2 in the Da Vinci Time Travel series
(Book 3: The Mists of Time will be released in August 2010)
Synopsis
An expert in Leonardo DaVinci's works, Lucy Rossano recognizes the centuries-old time machine the moment she sees it in a Stanford lab. Fascinated in spite of the danger, she uses her knowledge to briefly go back in time - landing in the middle of a fierce battle in ninth-century Britain. And when she returns to modern-day San Francisco, she brings something back with her: a seductive, fiercely intelligent Viking named Galen.

The presence of this enigmatic, devastatingly sexy stranger is just one of the new complications in Lucy's life. There are others who want to harness the time machine's power for treacherous ends, and they need Lucy to do it. Galen becomes first her protector, then the lover she's always dreamed of. But danger is drawing closer, and time is running out. For Galen and Lucy, it's now or forever.

“Myla by Moonlight” by Inez Kelley

Buy from MBaM
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-660-0
Length: Novel (E-Book)
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: September 8, 2009
Cover art by Natalie Winters

Cover Summary:
Magic bites…

Created at Prince Taric’s birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty…until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life—and love—as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child.

Taric’s blessing—and his curse—is knowing the kingdom’s future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death.

An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…

Warning: This book contains a shape-shifting bodyguard, sizzling sex scenes, supernatural lilac mist, swordfighting and heartbreaking sacrifices. No jaguars were harmed in the writing of this story.

Leontine's Review: MYLA BY MOONLIGHT is my introduction to author Inez Kelley and she delivered a calling card for an endearing, passionate romance with a different twist. The fantasy element is light and easy to understand, the story gradually increases in intensity and a battle becomes utterly personal for the Segur men.

Taric is crown prince of Eldwynn by birth, he is without a doubt charming in every way but also fierce as the warrior he is to protect the country he loves. Responsibility and duty due to his station alters with humorous bantering and an innate sensuality. The interaction he has with those around him and the choices he makes all speak of his in-charge attitude, his compassion and his ferocity. Every aspect of his character made Taric the kind of hero I could instantly like. He emanates the good qualities of a future king which didn’t surprise as I got to know his father who raised him, Balic.

Myla has been Taric’s magical guardian from the moment he was born. Her loyalty and protection lies first and foremost with Taric. There isn’t much, if nothing, she wouldn’t do for Taric. Her warrior side clashes with her blooming feminine side as new feelings stir. Myla is fierce as she can be gentle, she is curios and playful but never underestimate her, she would kill in order to protect the center of her world; Taric.

The intriguing twist in MYLA BY MOONLIGHT is definitely the origine of Taric and Myla’s relationship. Myla is created from a spell Taric’s mother casted at his birth to protect him. Myla can fight like a warrior, shapeshift, turn in to purple mist and return to Taric’s body where her conscience resides in a scar. They’ve known each other throughout Taric’s whole life and what niggled me the first part of the story was the fact that there is no reason given why Taric and Myla’s feelings change from charge and guardian in to that of sexual attraction and love. While Taric questions himself too no true answers were given and it was something I really missed at the conception of this romance. It felt like the balance between them as man and woman was off. Still, those niggling moments were mostly experienced in the beginning and short-lived because whatever the reason for this change of the emotions blooming between Taric and Myla was, it's undeniable present. This was also due to the writing style of Inez Kelley, her prose often sucked me in to the moment of passion, angst, humor or the friendly bantering between friends.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t deny the pull of Inez Kelley’s, at moments, lyrical voice; her world isn’t complex and her cast of characters small but so very likable. Yet what shined through were the times she could describe sceneries or emotions vibrating between people which made me completely surrender to moment. The struggles of an impossible love raises the stakes considerable with all the dangers and feelings that go with it. This is what matters most to me, whether or not I can feel the love blooming between two people, and Taric, together with Myla, gave me their sweet passion, their pain and tears but also their strength. The erotic moments increased along with the intensity of romantic feelings and in the end there was an erotic scene that blasted sensual heat and singed the pages.

When I think of the supportive characters two immediately come to mind; Balic, the king and father, and Bryton, the friend and captain. They are the kind of characters who enrich a tale because of their ties and their love for the main couple. Bryton infuses this story with his teasing humor, friendship and loyalty. Balic gives his unconditional love of a father, his support and wisdom, aside from the fact he is also king with all the joys and worries that come with the territory.

One of those worries is the battle that rages, a villain seeks revenge and it festers in his heart and soul. He will do all in his power to extinguish the Segur line. Again, the plot isn’t intricate but the evil actions and back story, the unfolding events that take place, it all drives towards a conclusion where I could only feel! I was there in that tower with the key characters turning the pages in bated breath how it would all solve and Inez Kelley held nothing back in the end. Gradually the author pulled me in to her world, had her characters tug at my heart strings and it emanated undiluted love in the end. An ending where everything culminates and I had to reach for the tissues as I lived and breathed every moment with them.

With MYLA BY MOONLIGHT the love shined in all its facets, that of a parent for his child, the love between two friends and at the center of it all the encompassing love of two heartmates, the love off Taric and Myla. I inhaled it all as the voracious romance reader that I am!

Quote:
I want. I burn. I love. She had always loved him but now, now she knew the difference between a woman’s love and the love of duty. One was a pale shadow of the other. A single thrust joined them. Her gasp echoed into his kiss and her eyes flew open. Burning. Filling. Possessing. Her body shuddered at the invasion, gripping tightly. Taric’s own gasp locked his eyes with hers. One word reverberated from his spirit and into hers, an unbreakable link between them. It brushed her essence in a whispered baritone. “Mine.”

~~~~~The Giveaway~~~~~
Inez Kelley has been so generous to add a giveaway to this review!! *woohoot* All you have to do is leave a comment to win an e-copy of MYLA BY MOONLIGHT. The winner will be randomly drawn on June 18th 2010.