Elfin Delights by Alice Gaines

Elfin Delights by Alice Gaines
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (63 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Hibiscus

When Marla Roberts gets lost in the Northern California redwood forest, she doesn’t expect to find a gingerbread cottage inhabited by two hunky males with pointy ears and flaming red hair. They’re elves, they tell her, and so is she. She soon discovers that an elfin ménage offers sensual treats she’d never find in the human world. What’s more… if she passes all their tests, they have an even bigger reward for her.

If you were given the opportunity to save a world, would you? That is the dilemma that Marla Roberts is faced with when she magically loses her way in the redwood forests of Northern California and comes face to face with six foot tall, hunky twin elves.

Meaghim’s Realm is dying and the Meaghim needs the McLeigh in order to restore the realm. Unfortunately, Meaghim can’t do anything to rectify the situation and it is left to the inhabitants of the realm to find his mate. Enter twins, Liam and Andy. These six foot, red headed hunks have been testing women from their gingerbread cottage for the last one hundred years. I felt that the fun was wearing thin even for green eyed, unmarried Liam. Andy on the other hand, definitely missed his wife.

Marla reminded me of an easy going flower child. Her mother was a little strange and mentioned a realm where a lover awaited Marla there. Add to that the dreams that plagued Marla and I understood how Marla went along pretty much with everything that was presented to her. Then again, the elfsbane might have had something to do with it.

I loved how the banfeiah and bandoch were woven into the story. I’m a sucker for unicorns and hearing the tale of it added to my belief that Marla was the one. I know that Elfin Delights was the one story I’m glad I didn’t miss. I don't think you should either.

Magnificent Abandon by Lillith Payne

Magnificent Abandon by Lillith Payne
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing, Siren
Genre: Recent Historical
Length: Short Story (106 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Spanking
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Tiger Lily

Finding your first one night stand at your sister's wedding would unnerve anyone. Trisha stood before the man she'd once given herself to freely years before. She felt her cheeks heat at the thought of how she allowed him to love her so unconventionally, accepting his hand and asking for more.

Charlie enjoyed his life filled with travel, new projects and always a predetermined time frame. His best friend's wedding should have been a quick side trip, but his introduction to the bride's sister changed the dynamic. The instant attraction they felt for each other was still static in the air around them.

What happens when you meet the man of your dreams? You spend one blistering night with him, but what happens when he decrees it's only one weekend? What if she’s the one who walks away? Things can be forgotten, but what happens when he reappears in her life? Well, that’s Magnificent Abandon.

Ms. Payne writes a novella filled with passion and tension. Her characters have a past they felt was in the past, yet they can’t stay away from each other. I liked that they used false names during the initial tryst and that it was back story, but it worked that way.

Trish, for 1958, is very independent. I liked that. She didn’t lean on Charlie or expect him to solve her problems. More women nowadays need to learn that lesson. I liked that she was able to walk away. Yes, it hurt to, but she did what she needed to in order to survive.

I liked that Charlie wasn’t a typical ride in on a white horse and save the day kind of hero. He had his issues and had to deal with them. I also liked that he didn’t push her to do as he pleased, but allowed her to have control. Many men need to try that more often.

Though the love scenes were hot, you felt a certain distance. AS much as they wanted to be together, the differences in what Trish wanted and what Charlie needed kept them at arm’s length, but also brought them together. They understood each other.

If you want a sexy read for a cool summer night, then you want to pick up a copy of Magnificent Abandon. I give this short story 4 cherries. Well done.

Dear Sir, I'm Yours by Joely Sue Burkhart

Dear Sir, I'm Yours by Joely Sue Burkhart
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (173 pgs)
Other: BDSM, Spanking, M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Zinnia

This professor’s final exam includes a spanking.

There’s no house restoration too challenging for Rae Jackson, a.k.a. “The Fix-It Lady”. There’s no fixing the past, though. Like the day she left college. A semester of flirting with her English professor ended when he spanked her to the best orgasm of her life. Afraid of her own eager willingness to comply with the sexy dom’s commands—no matter what—she fled.

Yet not even five years can dim her memory of his masterful touch.

Conn never forgot the one student who gave him a big fat “F” on the greatest test of his life. After all these years, he’s still haunted by his uncharacteristic loss of control. When he finds the very object of his shame—and desire—crawling around under his grandmother’s house, he swears to do anything to win Rae’s trust.

Rae finds herself helpless against Conn’s slow seduction. Exactly the way she likes it. Instead of poetry, this time she learns the erotic pleasure to be found in bondage…and submission to the sexiest professor alive.

Warning: Explicit sex, spanking, light bondage, a crazy old lady who talks to ghosts, and one lethal pink parasol.

If you like sweet, happily-ever-afters that make you laugh, blush, and get more than a little bit aroused, then you're going to love Dear Sir, I'm Yours.

Rae Jackson, a subcontractor better known as the Fix-It-Lady, is lured to Beulah Land to interview for the job of historically restoring the lovely vintage mansion belonging to Miss Belle Healey. Rae knows that taking the job could mean running into Dr. Verrill Connagher, because the grandson of the home's owner is the man who spanked her into an orgasm on the last day she ever attended college. Nevertheless, both a desire to see Con again, and an honest need for the work combine to seal a deal between Rae and Miss Belle.

Verrill Connagher relishes the ruthless streak in his grandmother. The old lady discovered who he'd loved and lost and decided to bring Rae back into his life by hiring her to restore the Victorian house Miss Belle lives in.

Dear Sir, I'm Yours is a revisit to the sweetness of first love, carnal discovery, and a delicious taste of erotic dom games as Con teaches Rae how to trust enough to let herself fall in love (with him of course).

This is a great story to curl up and enjoy. I will recommend Dear Sir, I'm Yours, to my friends and am looking forward to reading the next book that Ms. Burkhart writes.

On His Knees by Beth Williamson

On His Knees by Beth Williamson
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (69 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Fern

Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman—with toys.

Private Lives, Book 1

Renny Johnson has no idea why her ex-husband broke into her house in the middle of the night. She plans to find out—right after he wakes up from a close encounter with his own baseball bat. As long as she’s got him tied up, she might as well make him answer every unanswered question about their divorce.

Nicholas sneaked into the house, hoping to retrieve his precious autographed bat without having to face Renny’s wrath. He didn’t expect her to knock him out with it. Then again, who can blame her? He left her to take a walk on the wild side, to search for that missing something he thought he couldn’t find in his marriage.

Now that he’s completely at her mercy, he’s about to find out how merciless—and how incredibly sexy—his ex can be. The night becomes a wild roller coaster ride of amazing sex, dominance and submission, and maybe the beginning of a brand new chapter in their lives.

Unless the flames burn out of control…

Warning: This title contains a dominant woman, a sexy submissive man, and lots of nekkid, smokin’ hot sex.

This book was previously published but has been revised and re-edited for Samhain Publishing.

What happens when you combine a scorned ex-wife, her breaking and entering former spouse, and a baseball bat? The answer waits in the pages of On His Knees.

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed On His Knees. Beth Williamson excels at writing a tightly plotted story with just enough romance to please those that like a little something extra in their erotica. The spurned and newly liberated ex-wife, Renny, pulled at those heart strings while making me giggle like a giddy school girl. Her voice and indelible sense of humor is paramount, and she delivers time and again. Her ex-husband Nicholas is equally memorable, portrayed so beautifully it’s easy to forget he’s the one you’re supposed to be angry with for leaving. He’s someone you can relate to as a person that wants something more, but fears that in the asking, he’ll fail both himself and the person he loves.

It’s not often that you discover erotica situations that are believable, but the circumstances that have torn this couple apart are a common occurrence. Who hasn’t suffered a failed relationship because the spark is missing, or in this case, the kink? The question is what do you do about it?

On His Knees is a scorching read that I highly recommend!

Lost Souls: Circus Diabolique 2 by Crymsyn Hart

Lost Souls: Circus Diabolique 2 by Crymsyn Hart
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (86 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Multiple Partners, Spanking
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Tiger Lily

Selena moved into her new house. On her first night there she is awakened by Donavan pleading for help. He is trapped on the other side of her mirror. Something inside of her is motivated to find a way to free him. When she touches the glass, there is an instant connection between the two of them.

However, what she doesn't know is that an ancient evil possesses Donavan in the guise of a demonic jester who wants her soul. Donavan tells her to flee the house and forget about him, but Selena can't. When she is vulnerable, the jester breaks through her dreams, enticing and tasting her with his power.

Will Selena be able to free the man she loves? Or will the jester's influence take root in her soul? Only time will tell, and there isn't much of it left.

She’s lost the one man that made her burn. When she finds that the demons in her house want to harm her, she’s scared. When she meets another man who makes her burn and understands her pain, she's ready to move on. She’s going to the Circus Diabolique to rescue Lost Souls.

Crymsyn Hart writes a sexy short story filled with sex, passion, and really scary demons. As you read, you feel Selena’s fear, longing, and determination. She wants to mourn her husband, yet she wants to be with Donovan. The reader can relate to the mental struggle she’s dealing with.

I liked the forthright approach that Selena used when she met Donovan. She’s an independent person. The reader can and does root for her to succeed. You also want to see Donovan get his heart’s desires. I liked that his brother and sister in law got involved. That made the story tenser and drew the reader in more.

The sex scenes in this work steamed! Though the pairing seemed to happen rather fast, when it happened, it scorched the pages. You could easily feel the passion between them.

If you want a hot read for a cool summer night, then you want to read Lost Souls. I give this work 4 cherries.

The Redeeming by Shiloh Walker

The Redeeming by Shiloh Walker
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (83 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 cherries
Review by Amaranth

Bred for destruction but longing for redemption, this second chance is all they have.

Faced with the choice of torment or redemption, Jonah accepts the bargain laid out by his guardian angel as he lies dying in the street alone. Change…or die. Not a hard choice, it seems. But then he meets Lily and has to wonder just what he’s agreed to by accepting this new life.

Even the angels call Lily unique—and she is. Born of a demon, but longing to be more, her one wish is granted—temporarily. But now her time is running out and she has an impossible task set before her. It doesn’t help that she can’t stop thinking of Jonah…or the very real demons that will come hunting her once they realize where she is.

With demons and angels tracking their every move, Jonah and Lily have a life to save before they can save themselves.

This novel was published previously, but has been revised and expanded for this release.

Warning: This title contains some hot loving, a desperate struggle between wrong and right, some angels, some demons and a race against time.

The Redeeming is a story of second chances. Lily is a daughter of Lillith, the Queen of Demons. As a demon, Lily was meant to be evil, to take souls, and to enjoy every minute of it. Instead, she is a woman with a heart and soul, who hates what she is and wants to be more. She has fought every second of her very long life to be and do what is right and good, despite the torture that she has endured. For me, Lily was the most powerful character in this book and I fell in love with her. She is so strong to be able to fight her true nature and defy her mother, knowing the torture that she will endure because of her defiance. When she is given a second chance, she is so happy. She is finally helping others and is out of Lillith’s reach. She still knows great fear from her mother, but the angels assured her that she is safe. When she has to face her worst fear, Lillith, she comes through in the most powerful of ways, proving that she can be who she wants to be, instead of who she was meant to be.

Jonah was a little harder to like, because he was meant to be a good man, but chose the wrong path so many times. He was too proud and stubborn to make the right choices, even if the choices he made were not selfish, but to help his loved ones. After he is given his second chance, he struggles with who he was and who he can be with a little effort on his part. In the end, he chose the right path, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief.

Shiloh Walker gave this short novella a powerful presence, packing it full of information and background. If this book were a novel, I have no doubt that it would be a phenomenal book. As it is, it is an intense, emotion packed story that left me satisfied and smiling.

Red’s Wolf by Brigit Aine

Red’s Wolf by Brigit Aine
Publisher: Absolute XPress
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (40 pgs)
Other: M/F, Voyeurism
Rating: 3.5 Cherries
Review by Fern

Red is grateful to be able to come back to Torrent where everyone has a talent and she isn’t looked on like a freak. What she doesn’t count on is Ethan.

Ethan knows the minute he sees Red on her way to her Grandma’s house that she is his mate, now all he has to do is convince her.

Forget the fairytale. This isn’t your Grandma’s Little Red Riding Hood.

When Radine “Red” Hood accepts her Mother’s invitation for a weekend visit, she hopes to exchange the fuss and muss of the big city for the quiet tranquility of Torrent Forest. What she doesn’t expect is a chance encounter with the big bad wolf himself, Sheriff Ethan Wolfe. Ethan recognizes Radine as his mate in the very instant he takes a heaping bite of her magically enhanced chocolate buns after he stops by her Grandma’s house for a visit. Now all he has to do is tell her the truth. He’s not just the town Sheriff. He also grows fur and howls at the moon on a regular basis.

Brigit Aine presents a different twist to a common theme by merging a childhood fairytale with an inventive slathering of magic. The story flows well, with tons of steamy pages to keep a reader satisfied throughout. My problem with the story is that while the sex is hot, the relationship between the Radine and Ethan seems a trifle forced and contrived. Intense sexual attraction is always great, but a bit more character development would have been nice to create something more substantial to endear the reader to the protagonists.

As there seems to be a backlash against it, I also feel it is only fair to mention the story is written in a head hopping perspective. I didn’t find this to be a problem, however, as the writer is very good at keeping the reader abreast of the situation by making it very clear as to which character is doing the talking.

Red’s Wolf is a good read if you need something to keep you warm on a cold night.

Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story by Jess Dee

Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story by Jess Dee
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (168 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Stephanotis

When love is threatened by truth, every moment counts…

Circle of Friends, Book 2

Steve Sommers is having a gut-wrenching week. His fiancée has left him, the woman who broke his heart is back in town—and they’re all gathered at the bedside of his best friend, who’s in a coma. The emotional ties between them are strained to the breaking point. Like it or not, it’s up to Steve to find the strength and compassion to support the four of them through the toughest ordeal of their lives.

In the midst of the turmoil and trauma, passion unexpectedly flares anew between Steve and the woman he loves. Suddenly the future he’d believed lost lies within his reach. But she still carries the secret that once tore them apart, and determined to protect Steve from the truth, she fights their rekindled relationship every step of the way.

Now the fragile bond they’ve developed hangs in the balance, threatened by a reality that love may not be strong enough to overcome…

Warning: This book might just make you cry, but it’ll make you smile as well. The story will probably get you all hot and bothered too. It contains naughty activities in the car, sex on the kitchen counter (and up against the wall), a quickie in the garden, a little experimenting with scarves—oh, and some hot loving in the bedroom.

For Steve Sommers, it’s been one of those weeks. His fiancée, Kate left him. Penelope (Pen), the woman who broke his heart just happens to be back in town. And Tyler, his best friend is in a coma after a road accident.

Steve, Kate and Pen are at Tyler’s bedside. We find out Kate is Tyler’s ex girlfriend and Pen is Steve’s ex lover. Okay, you’re thinking this could be a soap opera and way too melodramatic…well, that’s what I thought at first. However, Ms. Dee handles the plot beautifully.

We learn that Pen left Steve not because she didn’t love him, but because of some secret she kept from him. The reader does find out what that secret is but I won’t spoil it by telling you what it was. After we learn why Pen left Tyler, you cheer for this couple even more. However, you do keep wondering if the revealing of it will draw them closer together or tear them apart forever.

Ms. Dee presents real-to-life characters with conversation you’d overhear every day. It’s a touching story and a recommended read.

Somebody Killed His Editor by Josh Lanyon

Somebody Killed His Editor by Josh Lanyon
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (191 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Sex
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Zinnia

The road back to bestsellerdom can be deadly.

Holmes & Moriarity, Book 1

Thanks to an elderly spinster sleuth and her ingenious cat, Christopher Holmes has enjoyed a celebrated career as a bestselling mystery writer. Until now. Sales are down and his new editor is allergic to geriatric gumshoes.

On the advice of his agent, he reinvents his fortyish, frumpy, recently dumped self into the sleek, sexy image of a literary lion, and heads for a Northern California writers conference to try and resurrect his career. A career nearly as dead as the body he stumbles over in the woods.

In a weirdly déjà vu replay of one of his own novels, he finds himself stranded in an isolated lodge full of frightened women—and not a lawman in sight. Except for J.X. Moriarity, former cop and bestselling novelist. The man with whom he shared a one-night stand—okay, maybe three—long ago. The man who wants to arrest him for murder.

A ruthless, stalking killer, or a hot, handsome ex-lover. Which poses the greater danger? It’s elementary, my dear Holmes!

Warning: This book contains a washed-out bridge, an isolated hunting lodge, desperate writers, guilty secrets, a killer on the loose, and one very hot ex-cop who wants his former lover in handcuffs—for all the wrong reasons!

From the beginning of the story, when Christopher Holmes crosses a rickety foot bridge that is rapidly being flooded by water, and worries more about his Bruno Magli boots than the very real possibility that he's going in the river, I knew that the story was not going to be the usual sleuth-aha!

Josh Lanyon has created two memorable characters in his depiction of fussy Christopher Holmes and hunky J. X. Moriarity. The men are former lovers unexpectedly reunited at a weekend retreat for writers. The secondary characters are equally well drawn to the point that I recognized several players as clones from my own world.

Moriarity, an ex-cop, has gone on to bestseller status. Holmes has fallen from bestseller status and is attending the festivities because his editor says he must suck up to a new publisher and land a contract for a new series (yet to be plotted or planned).

First let me say this: the story is fun. The author uses first person narrative, so we get to hear the grousing, grumblings, and yearnings of faltering author, Kit Holmes.

Second, the mystery--solving a double-murder that happens at the resort while all are stranded and cut off from civilization--is well plotted, offering plenty of clues without relying on coincidence or fortuitous happenings.

I felt the rekindling of romance between Moriarity and Holmes was sweet, but a little underdeveloped and rushed. Since this is Book 1 in a new Lanyon series, I look forward to more back story about the lovers break up, and will enjoy future adventures as they solve crimes together.

I highly recommend this book. It is cleanly edited, fun to read, and an interesting insider's tongue-in-cheek look at writing.

Dragon’s Heir (Collection) by Sierra Dafoe

Dragon’s Heir (Collection) by Sierra Dafoe
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (335 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, M/M, Ménage, Multiple Partners, BDSM, Voyeurism
Rating: Best Book
Review by Holly



Djarera. The dragon planet. A world of passion and politics where the Southerlins, hereditary rulers of the dragon kingdom, struggle to maintain peace among the hot-blooded clans...

For decades, the two most powerful dragon clans have been at each other's throats over one very important question: who will get to marry the Dragon Queen's daughter? Determined to end their feuding, Melgara sends the two young princes to Earth where her daughter has grown up in hiding, ignorant of who she is.

But when two sexy, shapeshifting dragons start vying for her affections, Lara Southerlin finds herself in a wholly unexpected predicament. On the one hand there's Darrek Hausther, dangerous and dominant and darkly handsome. On the other, there's the red-headed Rand Aurorea, strong and sweet-tempered and willing to defend her to the death. The one who wins Lara's heart will be heir to the throne -- while the other will be banished forever.

Or will he? With the appearance of the charismatic rebel Zendar, life becomes even more complicated. And when Melgara herself goes unexpectedly into khef, the dragon mating frenzy, a new contender for the throne arises, threatening the survival of all four clans.

Publisher’s note: This collection contains six previously released novellas -- The Dragon's Daughter, Dragon's Heir, Dragon's Desire, Dravidian, The Dragon Prince, and Double Dragon.

Djarera, the dragon planet. Beautiful, mystical home of the mighty dragon clans. Melgara Southerlin, queen of the dragons, has sent her daughter into exile after the Zendarian wars to protect her from the feuds between the clans, and to give her a normal childhood. In order to try to stop the feud between the two strongest clans, Melgara tells the clan leaders that one of their sons will wed her daughter and share the throne, but the other son will be exiled. She does this in hopes that it will cause these two hardheaded men to come to an accord, and return harmony to Djarera. But first, the two will have to find her. This quest, Melgara hopes, will show the sons that in order to achieve their goals, they must learn to work together and trust one another. Dragon’s Heir, a collection of six interwoven tales, begins with this challenge, and with the discovery of the queen’s daughter in her hidden home on Earth.

Sierra Dafoe has created a fantastic world, where dragons live and love in a myriad of ways. Her sensuous descriptions and boiling point sex is over and above any I have ever read. Her characters are deeply passionate, and extremely well drawn. I could feel the passion for life in each story, and the surprises and twists that she comes up with make this more than just a great set of books to read. She makes Dragon’s Heir an experience to delight the senses. But when you read this, have a big supply of ice water on hand, as it is one of the most necessary accessories needed when reading these six volcanically hot tales of love and lust.

Her Last Fling by Jana Mercy

Her Last Fling by Jana Mercy
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (194 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Stephanotis

He was her last fling. She was his first.

Tired of dead-end relationships, Katy Simmons is determined to find her forever man. Only problem is, every time she thinks she's found him, he turns out to be a dud and she no longer trusts her instincts where good-looking men are concerned.

After years of walking the straight and narrow while caring for his ill mother and building his career, Noah Hilton has earned the right to let loose. He's ready to taste the wilder side of life. However, his matchmaking mother has other plans.

When Noah's mother and Katy turn to the same computer dating service, the embers of Katy and Noah's not-so-forgotten encounter spark to life in a flame that threatens to devour Katy's best intentions and Noah's worst.

Katy Simmons is turning the big three oh and like most women reaching that milestone, she’s sick of dead end relationships. She takes matters into her own hands and places an ad saying ‘available, one bodacious cow’. Yes, she’s giving up being a free milk girl and wants to settle down with the man of her dreams. Will she find him?

Enter Noah Hilton, who’s tired of being a good guy and just wants to have some fun, no strings attached.

Can this couple who are perfect for one another have a happy ever after?

Following the relationship of these two characters is a lot of fun. They’re funny, sexy and you might just find yourself laughing out loud while you’re reading the book. Mercy’s created characters that I cheered for and ones that I remember after reading the last line. Put this one on your ‘read before summer’s over' list.

Surrender the Booty by Carmie L'Rae

Surrender the Booty by Carmie L'Rae
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (129 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/M, M/F/M, Ménage, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Hibiscus

Shipwrecked on a tropical island paradise with two irresistible men - will Bella have to choose one, or can she have them both?

Trevor and Jose are both determined to buy the uninhabited Isla de Amantes. Real estate agent, Bella, can only sell it to one of them. And she can't sell it at all if they don't find a way back to the mainland.

They soon discover the beautiful island has a dark secret hidden beneath the sand. The curse of an ancient treasure that the threesome unearths may force them to lose one another forever.

Passions run high. Tempers flare. Mistrust and jealousy threaten to cost them everything, but on Isla de Amantes, there's more than one way to surrender the booty.

A cowboy, an actor, and a realtor fight forces beyond their control when they journey to a mysterious island in the Caribbean. Sounds like a plot from a 1960’s movie but believe me, Surrender the Booty had me enthralled with its unique multi-storylines. There was everything from a stalker posing as a ship's captain and a rancher who is an animal activist to a huge reticulated python.

I loved the character of Bella. She is a realtor whose only relative is her brother JP. Bella has a very sharp wit. I could see the exact moment when they were washed up on the beach and Bella came up with the line that she was the middle of the beefcake sandwich. Bella shows her trenchant wit again when she wants to rename the snake Delgado because he has a wicked tongue. I knew Bella loved both Trevor and Jose when she bound herself to both of them.

Trevor McNamara and Jose Marco were the kind of hot sexy men that I would love to be washed up on a deserted island with. A hot cowboy who wants to save a herd of wild horses and an olive skinned actor who is sex on a stick. Trevor and Jose both have their own stories which not only are told in the book but help me to relate to both of these incredible hunks.

JP’s tragic story is also told in Surrender the Booty. I was amazed at how Ms. L’Rae wove the multiple stories together in what I found to be completely believable circumstances.

As I read about Monty Python and Delgado, the Pirate Lover, I fell more and more in love with the Isla de Amates. The mystical spell that surrounds the island had me reaching for a tropical drink to cool myself down. Surrender the Booty is one book I won’t be relinquishing soon.

Eight Ball by Cat Lovington

Eight Ball by Cat Lovington
Publisher: Carnal Passions
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (19 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Zinnia

Venus, a beautiful, exotic late-night customer at a local bar teaches Jason the finer points of an after-hours game she calls “strip-pool”, a sexy variation of the pool game, Eight Ball. In Venus’ version, the shooters must call their shots, but if they miss, must remove an article of clothing. As the game progresses, sparks fly and heat rises to the boiling point when winner takes all.

Jason is the fill-in bartender on the off nights in Chubb's Bar and Grill. He's closing for the night when minutes before he can lock the outer door, a final customer arrives.

He's not nearly as unhappy as the occasion suggests when the beautiful, late-night customer introduces herself as Venus, and invites him to play a game of eight ball with her--a special kind of eight ball…she calls it strip eight ball--get the picture?

The story is short, hot, and fun. The tag at the end just makes it more fun, but I can't tell you what it is, you'll just have to read Eight Ball and find out for yourself.

You won't regret buying this one, will probably read it more than once, and I'll bet you tell a few of your own friends about it. I am off to find another Cat Lovington story. This is a fun read--enjoy.

Bunny Tails: Splitting Hares by Camille Anthony

Bunny Tails: Splitting Hares by Camille Anthony
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Fantasy
Length: Short (56 pages)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, shape shifter sex, multiple partner
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by: Magnolia

Ouida's having a bad hair day. It's about to get worse. She's unknowingly crossed a line with the pack leader and he's called off her mating with Vance. If she wants Vance she’ll have to submit to pack law.

Vance isn't used to sharing, but when his Alpha makes it the deal breaker to his mating Ouida, he agrees to share her with his enforcer team members during the Fertility Festival.

He saved her from human hunters, but there's no saving her from his fellow werewolf enforcers, who plan to split his hare four ways. Seems Vance's Christmas Bunny has become the Festival treat, and the least he can do is make sure she enjoys being their centerpiece.

Ouida trusts Vance, and with him by her side, she'll give all four werewolves a night they won’t forget. In the end, she'll gain more than a mate, she'll gain a family. Submission has never been so rewarding.

This is one of the best stories I’ve read in a long time, especially when you factor in its length. It can be difficult to engage a reader in only a few pages, but Ms. Anthony did just that.

Written in first person from both the male and female leads' points of view, the reader is given insight on the fact that no matter what things look like, no one sees the same thing in the same way. It brought added interest to the entire story, but especially to the smoking hot sex scenes.

With keen insight, strong visualization, and humor, Ms. Anthony writes a hot, sexy, witty novella that is full of sassy dialogue and extremely hot sex. This one is a winner!

Hand-Dipped Pleasure by Leeannan Mac Llyr

Hand-Dipped Pleasure by Leeannan Mac Llyr
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (39 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Tiger Lily

Tasha has always had a crush on Dale, the young stud muffin who owns the confectionery. The morning of the Strawberry Festival she comes to deliver strawberries for his specialty, Hand-Dipped Chocolate Strawberries. Only Dale hasn't even gotten his naked self out of bed yet. All thoughts of business fly out of her mind as Dale not only claims her, but teaches her the game of dominance. With some whipped cream and chocolate Dale shows her how sweet bondage can be and that their age difference means nothing to him.

She wants to get her hands on his hand-dipped strawberries. He wants to get his hands on her. What happens when they get together? It’s Hand-Dipped Pleasure.

Ms. MacLlyr writes a steamy novel packed with sexual innuendo and fun. The descriptions in this story are rife with detail, which pulled the reader in from page one. You could feel the passion between Tasha and Dale. I liked the age difference between them. It added to the tension between them. You wanted to see them get together, yet you wanted to see if Tasha could keep strong against his advances. I liked that Dale was relentless in every manner and his persistence made him relatable to the reader. Sometimes love and insatiable lust means never giving up. I also liked the age difference and Tasha’s reservations with it. Many women want to pursue younger men, yet they’re afraid. That made the story real and even more powerful to me as the reader.

I loved the sex scenes. Who knew you could have so much fun with strawberries? Very hot!

If you want a sexy read for a hot summer night, then you want to read Hand-Dipped Pleasure. You won’t want to miss this great story. I give this short story 4 ½ cherries.