The Canuck Werewolf by Marisa Chenery

The Canuck Werewolf by Marisa Chenery
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Contemporary, paranormal
Length: Short Story (69 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by: Dogwood

Rylee doesn’t have high hopes for the Victoria Day weekend camping trip, seeing as she’s been roped into taking her brother and his juvenile friends. But her mind is changed when she spots a gorgeous man on a hiking trail. She’d like to be zipped in a sleeping bag with him, no doubt about it.

Atticus came to Elora Gorge to get away from his father and his demands that his son find a mate. Like yesterday. Atticus needs time away from being groomed to be the pack leader and the endless stream of “suitable” mates thrown his way in hopes of stirring his mating urge. No luck yet. But then he spots a shy mortal who draws him like no other.

The tent heats up quickly, but before Atticus can tell Rylee what he is, he discovers a member of his pack has followed him with the intention of claiming him for her own. Not only does he have to convince Rylee she’s his mate, he must also prove she can trust him.

Well Shucks! Why is it when I go camping all I come home with is bug bites and poison ivy rashes, unlike our main character Rylee who takes her brother and his friends camping one weekend and ends up bringing home a gorgeous werewolf.

Some gals have all the luck. At least this is true in this very cute and romantic short story.

Plain and simple Rylee has been asked by her parents to take her brother and his friends camping over the Victoria Day weekend. Rylee agrees but feels her weekend will be mostly a huge bore as she has to play chaperone to the rowdy teenage boys. Packing up a good book to read over the weekend, she takes the boys to Elora Gorge.

Atticus, a gorgeous bleach-blond werewolf who is next in line to take over as ALPHA has decide to hide out at Elora's Gorge also. He is tired of his father's insistence that he hurry up and take a werewolf mate. Atticus figures the park might be a good place to run in wolf form and get away from the family stress for awhile.

Rylee finds a surprise when she walks up on Atticus' camp site. She sees the most gorgeous, sexiest man she has ever seen and immediately feels an instant attraction.

Atticus is hit with the scent of his true mate when Rylee walks up but the major problem he faces is the fact Rylee is mortal and his father will never approve. Atticus realizes he has waited over 900 years to find his true mate Rylee so he plans on claiming her as his own immediately. There seems to be a little snag in his plans though as a former lover who is also a werewolf shows up at his campsite. This wolf-diva wants Atticus as her own so she can up her status in the hierarchy. This gorgeous but dangerous opponent is determined to do anything to get Atticus for herself, even if that means taking Rylee completely out of the picture.

This smooth flowing story completely grabbed my interest from the very first paragraph. I was enthralled by the immediate chemistry of the two main characters and I thoroughly enjoyed the hot and sexy love scenes. Marisa Chenery did an excellent job at spinning an interesting paranormal tale that sizzled the pages right out of the book. This reader was finding herself fantasizing about discovering her very own Atticus. After all, who wouldn't want a gorgeous and sexy mate for life?

I like the antics of the side characters as the teenagers in the story were true to their nature. Despite the fact the immature boys were into mischief, I enjoyed the brief scene were Rylee's brother came to his sister's rescue. That scene reminded this reader that family is indeed important.

And without saying too much to ruin the end of the story, let's just say I love the part where Atticus' mom came to his rescue too.

This short story was well written, entertaining and extremely hot. My only complaint is that it was too short! I wanted so much more. I plan to read many more stories by Marisa Chenery in the future if I can. I am sure I will be saving this one to reread again in the future.

If you love paranormal stories with a sexy “Happily Ever After” then this is the story for you!

Extrasensory by Desiree Holt

Extrasensory by Desiree Holt
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (217 pages)
Other: M/F, anal play
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Carnation

Mia is skeptical about her precognitive skills, but her visions about Carpenter Techtronics are so vivid, she resorts to sending anonymous emails to the company. She’s also having visions of a gorgeous man who arouses her so badly, she’s satisfying herself just to get some relief. She’s shocked when the man shows up in her office, sending her silent erotic messages.

Dan is helping his friend track down the person threatening his company. When he meets Mia, he has a hard time thinking about anything but indulging in off-the-charts sex with the intriguing woman—until bodies begin falling. As Mia’s visions escalate, so does the explosive sex between her and Dan, as well as an unexpected emotional connection. When Mia is almost killed, Dan and his team must race to find the culprits before they can strike again—or put Mia down for good.

Publisher’s Note: You just can’t keep a good story down. Previously published as Visions of Darkness with The Lotus Circle and then Cerridwen Press, this book has been revised and the bedroom door opened for Ellora’s Cave.

Imagine you are a psychic accustomed to having visions and the psi attributes that go with them. Probably most people think that you're a fake or a nut. Imagine that suddenly you have very vivid visions of a hot, sexy naked man who keeps telling you what he wants to do to you... visions that burn you with erotic intensity and a physical power that you cannot control.

That is what happens to Mia Fleming, assistant curator at a San Antonio art museum. When the persistent visions that are plaguing Mia at all times of the day and night become urgent and frightening in tone, she researches the content of them herself, using the Internet and current newspapers. Certain words and images in the visions lead her to Carpenter Techtronics, a local company scheduled soon to unveil a new robot with such revolutionary functioning that it will be of limitless value to world. Someone is planning a theft and sale of that product into the hands of unscrupulous mercenaries.

Mia decides to warn the company by sending anonymous emails and phone calls. Chase Carpenter, head of the company, has sent an invitation to the Phoenix Agency to attend the high profile event. Phoenix is a private security and intelligence/military style, elite operations unit located in Phoenix, Arizona. When Chase begins to get the mysterious messages from Mia, he asks Dan Romeo, head of Phoenix to investigate.

Dan, a consummate professional, traces the messages to Mia and surprises her at her desk at the museum with an unannounced visit. Mia is floored that her email and phone calls were tracked and more shocked to find that the sexy man in her erotic visions is sitting in front of her. The effect the handsome, powerful man has in person is no less intense than in her visions. She is overcome with desire as she is overwhelmed by his presence.

From here the tale heads thundering into a suspenseful, enthralling cat and mouse crime thriller filled with danger and intrigue as well as an exciting, raging-hot sexual adventure that becomes a deeply moving love story. Mia and Dan's romance and the unusual journey that lead to it are unique and fascinating. I was impressed with the perfect and 'fated' match between the main characters. The use of psychic ability in this series is superb. Ms. Holt's engaging development of their explosively sudden and deeply emotional relationship is exciting with it's multi-level connections. It is also beautiful in the tenderness and devotion that the two lovers come to possess for each other. I love how Dan is transformed emotionally by his immediate love and affection for Mia. He sees the value in their relationship and she becomes the highest priority in his life.

This absorbing and exciting story has everything I want in a great read. It is a heart-pounding, exciting adventure as well as a sensitive and complete tear-jerker romance. The only reason that I didn't give it the highest rating were a few errors in editing. However, I do not hesitate to recommend, Extrasensory to everyone who enjoys a scorching hot romance and an exciting adventure.

Extrasensory is the second installment in the Phoenix Agency series, and an excellent stand-alone read. I must say that this is an extraordinary series and I'm eagerly beginning book three in the series tonight! Ms. Holt's superior writing and story telling just keeps getting better and I hope she continues on with this excellent series.

Out of the Shade by Diane Barr

Out of the Shade by Diane Barr
Publisher: MuseItHOT! Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (265 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Dahlia

Faeries that carry katanas and guns instead of sprinkling magic dust and granting wishes. Dragons that reanimate the dead. Drug-crazed goblins terrorizing neighborhoods. Illegal demons attempting to conjure the alter ego of an Egyptian goddess.

Sounds like something out of a nightmare, right? Wrong. It’s my everyday life.

Welcome to the Shade, where all the creatures of myth hang out and where I, Detective Gabrielle Tate of the Supernatural Task Force, police them. My partner is AWOL and my sexy dragon boss is leaving nothing to chance as we deal with goblins high on Escape and a serial killer—or worse, a nest of rogue vampires—leaving the drained corpses of faeries and cops all over town.

And then there’s the psychotic demons trying to conjure the goddess Hathor’s alter ego, Sekhmet, to destroy humanity. As a faery and direct descendent of Hathor, I’m eager to manifest her power and use it to combat evil. At the same time, I need to learn how to control the accompanying bloodlust. How? By taking lessons from the charismatic leader of the local vampire clan, of course.

If you thought the mean streets of Detroit were tough, you’ve never seen the Shade.

The body count is rising and time is running out.

Katana-wielding, gun-slinging, Gabrielle, has seen it all before in her line work, but with a pattern of Hathie fae murders to solve, things take a more personal turn. As a faery and direct descendant of the goddess Hathor, Gabrielle begins a journey of self-discovery to solve the murders and the mysteries of her heritage. With so many supernaturals as possible suspects and the gruesome murders becoming more violent, Gabrielle must also learn to curb her own innate desire for blood and violence. It's a different world out in the Shade where myth and legend are reality, but so is the stuff of nightmares. Unfortunately for them, this faery doesn't run away from danger, shy flies straight towards it.

This story kicks off with a major bang! Nothing like being throw into the thick of the action with a goblin trying to eat our heroine. That’s just all in a day’s work though for Detective Gabrielle Tate of the Supernatural Task Force. Her boss/partner, Captain Raymond Jettowski (“Jett”), keeps things interesting with his alpha male take-charge personality, while the mysterious head of the Komora Vampire Family, Damien, keeps the story sexually sizzling.

I very much enjoyed Gabrielle's character. She's clumsy, quirky, foul-mouthed, but very kick-butt. She says and takes what she wants and this extends even to the bedroom. Her character is confident in the best possible ways, while maintaining an innocence that is adorable. Perhaps her most admirable trait is that she's not afraid to admit ignorance nor too proud to learn something new.

There are just too many fantastic secondary characters/supernaturals to list, but I would like to make special mention of a house Brownie by the name of Chance. He totally captured my heart in this story and I am sure he will be favorite among other readers as well.

Ms. Barr's imagination brought about several different kinds of lovely creatures that bring so much color and life to the story. Although, there were moments when I felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the characters being named, the descriptions in both characters and scenery are brilliantly done and easily bring the reader into this incredibly built world. Most surprising is the fact that the reader will learn early on in the story who is behind the murders, but it's the suspense of not knowing the who/what/when/where of the victims that kept my attention.

When I learned there would be some facets of Egyptology built into the story, I was concerned that there would be many things unexplained and I would have to take the time to research. Fortunately, that is not the case with this story. Ms. Barr does an incredible job of explaining things in a way that is relative to the characters in the story, so it becomes part of the storyline. It also helps that the reader follows along to Gabrielle's point-of-view with just a few breaks to that rhythm by another character.

The conclusion leaves room for Ms. Barr to continue the storyline and I certainly hope she does. Readers who appreciate a very well written urban fantasy with sensual erotic romance will absolutely want to read this story.

Bondi Beach Boys by Rhian Cahill

Bondi Beach Boys by Rhian Cahill
Beach Bums Vol. One
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (115 Pages)
Other: M/M, Ménage, M/F/M, M/M/F, Anal sex
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Foxglove



What's a girl to do with two sexy Aussie surfers? Ride the waves, of course…

After weeks of lusting over a couple of hot surfers, Piper Doyle has the opportunity to turn fantasy into reality. There’s just one problem—they’re her new clients. When the men offer a no-strings-attached affair, Piper has a decision to make, one her body made for her weeks ago when she first started watching “her boys.” She can’t risk the job that could make or break her career, but she sure as hell isn’t going to pass up this chance to live out her wildest dreams...

Sam Bridges and Nate Russo share everything, from their home to their business to the occasional woman. Even themselves. But they’ve never shared what they feel for Piper. What starts out as hot sex with a willing woman turns into something none of them expected—but what’s wrong with a few strings on a hot summer day at the beach...

Bondi Beach Boys is a short but super hot romp. Rhian Cahill uses her knowledge of the area to bring you into the story, and it works very well here. The characters are well crafted and believable, and the story is hot and draws the reader in quickly.

Sitting on the beach, watching two hot surfers every day is Piper Doyle’s main entertainment. But although she would like nothing more than to stay and daydream about them, she has to make a stop in the real world.

She has a chance to get a big new account, designing the website for S & N Construction, a chance that could make her budding career. Time for her to put on her big girl persona, and maybe tomorrow she could come back to the beach to ogle the golden boy and his dark partner ride the waves again.

What she doesn’t know is that they have been watching her as well, and are disappointed when she leaves early. Sam and Nate are more than beach bums, though: they are the owners of their own successful business. The very same business that Piper is trying to impress with her talent as a web designer. When she arrives for her appointment, she is surprised at first by the location-a lovely house, not the office complex she expected. But when the door is opened by one of her fantasy men, she nearly faints, and when she realizes they are her prospective clients, she isn’t sure this is going to work. Especially with all the electricity flowing between them. Can they work together without giving in to their attraction, and do they even want to? Can Piper accept all that they offer, both in business and in pleasure? Or will she run the other way when they bare their souls, and their bodies, to her?

Piper is determined to be a success in her chosen field of web design. She left home because she felt smothered, and knew she needed to go where the business opportunities were. She enjoys her outings to the beach, watching ‘her Bondi Beach boys’ as they surf and play. They are the two hottest guys on the beach, one golden and one dark. I liked that she was willing to take a chance, even if it was supposed to be ‘no strings’ and that she was willing to accept everything about Sam and Nate, without running away.

Sam and Nate are not only business partners. They have been best friends forever, and they are also lovers, something they never have hidden. When both men realize they want Piper, it isn’t a new experience-they’ve shared women before. But there has never been the depth of feeling for one woman like they are experiencing with Piper. Sam is the golden boy, blond and tanned and sinfully gorgeous, while Nate is dark haired, and delicious. But both are determined to keep the lovely brunette that has them on edge.

I enjoyed the ‘will she or won’t she’ part of this story, and Ms. Cahill has given us characters that we want to see more of. This one is hot and the emotions expressed by all three are delightful. I enjoyed watching as this ‘no strings’ relationship got all three characters tied up in knots. One warning with this one-turn the air conditioner on high and have plenty of cold drinks on hand.

Chasing Forever by Amber Skyze

Chasing Forever by Amber Skyze
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (54 pages)
Other: M/F, spanking
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Dogwood

Jordyn has longed to make her relationship with best friend Diego more than platonic. Her body drips with need to know what it would feel like to have his lips kissing every inch of her skin. Desire to wrap her legs around his waist and plunge into deep waters with him fills her every dream.

Diego is one with the ocean. His passion is surfing and chasing that ultimate wave. He doesn’t have time for a relationship. Or does he?

A storm is brewing and when a tragedy occurs, Diego and Jordyn need to decide if they’re both chasing the same dreams.

Summer would not be complete without daydreaming about hot surfers on the beach, however “Sand, Sun and Fun” can sometimes bring about a tragedy when life throws us a curve-ball. Amber Skyze's short story, Chasing Forever shows us a picture of such a tragedy revealing a revelation that life is short and love is what truly matters in life.

Some like it “HOT” and it definitely gets even hotter in this sizzling sexy story about young love between best friends who discover that they need each other to make their life complete.

Jordyn has secretly wished that her friendship with Diego would go from platonic to passionate. She has been in love with Diego forever but feels he only sees her as the sister he never had. Both Jordyn and Diego love the ocean but Diego has a reckless streak. He is a thrill seeker and has no problem risking his life for the ultimate thrill while surfing. Since Jordyn has lost her dad to a surfing accident, she worries about Diego's love of catching the ultimate wave.

Diego feels he is one with the sea! He cannot find any thrill in life as good as riding the waves. He has secretly been in love with his best-friend Jordyn for a long time now but has been scared to see if the feeling is mutual, after-all what can a hot and beautiful woman like Jordyn see in a beach-bum like him?

One day while surfing the pre-tide waves of an approaching hurricane, Diego has an accident that ultimately ends in a terrible tragedy. This opens his eyes to the fact life is too short and from there he approaches Jordyn with the proposition of seeing how far they can take their relationship. The affair sizzles more then the sweltering beach temps in the middle of summer but can this relationship find forever before Diego finds that chasing yet another thrill could be his last and final thrill?

Amber Skyze did a remarkable job of combining a hot and sizzling love affair with a dose of life's little lessons. This smooth flowing story sizzled like the summer sun yet left the reader with the feeling that love is worth any risk in life. Though the story was brief, it covered an abundance of emotion in its short four chapters. I felt that some of the background story was a bit rushed making it difficult to absorb the desired effect. This tends to happen in short stories sometimes, but over-all this story did hit its ultimate aim square-on. The sexy love scenes caused this reader to have to turn up the air conditioner a few degrees to keep from overheating.

Need a brief escape from your hectic life? Then head for the ocean! This book will definitely be one of my "take along to the beach" books. After-all if I can't have my very own hot surfer-guy, why not fantasize about one. Chasing Forever definitely fills my fantasies with sizzling mind-graphic material. Is it too Hot in here or what?

Deck The Halls by Shashauna P. Thomas

Deck The Halls by Shashauna P. Thomas
Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short Story (57 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Anal Play
Rating: 3.5 Cherries
Reviewed by Dahlia

Jake and Jason are identical twins who’ve known for a long time that there would only be one woman for the both of them. One who loved each of them equally and could handle both the pros and cons of being shared by two men on a daily basis. As soon as they laid eyes on the beautiful new file clerk Gloria they knew deep in their heart that she was the one meant to be theirs. They thought their only obstacle was to convince her that their feelings were genuine. Quickly they learn they’re mistaken when they find out the lovely Gloria’s been keeping a major secret. One that not only jeopardizes the future they planned to share with her, but also places her very life in danger.

Gloria found it hard not to have a positive outlook when she got to see the delicious Jason and delectable Jake every day. On top of that the merriment of the season all around her was infectious. It was the first Christmas in a long time that Gloria was actually looking forward to. That is until she learns the mistakes of her past, ones she tried very hard to put behind her and bury, were now back. Back with a vengeance and determined to destroy her. Now all she hoped for Christmas was that the people she’d grown to love wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.

This holiday season is looking a whole lot merrier for Gloria and the sexy twin officers who've been tailing her for the last six months. After spending three years in hell with her psycho ex-boyfriend, Gloria has decided it's time to let go of the past and embrace her new identity and future, starting with finding out just how serious the flirtatious Jake and Jason are.

Their plan was simple. A slow seduction of the mind before a complete and total claiming of her body. They just needed her to love them separately first before approaching her with the idea of forever with the two of them. Jake and Jason have known that there would only be one woman for them and all signals point to Gloria being the one.

Before any of them can finalize their holiday plans, a maniac from Gloria's past comes back to silence her for good.

Deck the Halls is a short and erotically sweet story with just enough lustiness to satisfy without being overwhelming. I was surprised at how the moments of intimacy between the characters unfolded and Ms. Thomas definitely knows how to write them. However, I would have enjoyed this story that much more had there been additionaly length to the story, which would have further developed the characters, their relationship, and the plotline. Nevertheless, I have a newfound appreciation for men-in-uniform and perhaps more importantly what can be done with one (or two) in a file room.

Erotic romance fans will definitely get into the holiday spirit just a tad early this year after reading this story.

Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune

Bear, Otter, and the Kid by T.J. Klune
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (343 Pages)
Other: M/M, Anal sex
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Myrtle

Three years ago, Bear McKenna’s mother took off for parts unknown with her new boyfriend, leaving Bear to raise his six-year-old brother Tyson, aka the Kid. Somehow they’ve muddled through, but since he’s totally devoted to the Kid, Bear isn’t actually doing much living—with a few exceptions, he’s retreated from the world, and he’s mostly okay with that. Until Otter comes home.

Otter is Bear’s best friend’s older brother, and as they’ve done for their whole lives, Bear and Otter crash and collide in ways neither expect. This time, though, there’s nowhere to run from the depth of emotion between them. Bear still believes his place is as the Kid’s guardian, but he can’t help thinking there could be something more for him in the world... something or someone.

“I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse that Mom chose to leave me with the …smartest kid on the planet”.

Oh my god! No author should write such an emotional tear-jerking story like this one. Tissue! I need some tissues because this story has such a disturbing heartbreaking tale that I don't think I will ever be the same after reading it. As a mother of two this story left me with so much rage at any mom who could just walk out on their children. It was so very hard watching a young man still a kid himself fight to keep what was his, safe.

Derrick McKenna, (Bear) was seventeen when his mom left him to raise his younger brother Ty (Tyson) on his own. Even though he has to give up his plans of college he is determined to do whatever it takes for the kid and him to stay together. The story is written in first person and sounds a lot like a diary in many ways. It is a heartbreaking tale of brothers, friends, and lovers who fight for each other and stick together to see that Ty has a normal life.

There are so many characters in the story that left an impression on me and won my heart. Ty (the kid) is way too smart for his age but he still needs to know that the people he loves will not walk out on him. Creed has been Bear’s best friend since first grade and blood brother since they were twelve. Anna has been Bear’s girlfriend on and off since they were ten and his first everything. Oliver (Otter) is Creed’s older brother one of the people Bear and Ty depended on, but when he packs up and leaves, life changes for them both and trust is lost. Mrs. Paquinn is the old lady who lives next door and babysits the kid. Each and every one of them plays an important role in the plot of the story and makes it one of the best of the best books I have ever read.

This story is not all sadness and tears; there are places where I found myself smiling and laughing. Times were my heart swelled with joy at knowing that Bear and Ty had so many people willing to stand by them through thick and thin when the stress of life got to be more than they could take. This is not just a sweet love story of Bear and Otter; it is a tale of family blood or not, people loving and being there for each other, of those in life that are worth fighting for, the ones that keep you strong. A must read for any lover of books.

Drawing Diego by Alyssa Turner

Drawing Diego by Alyssa Turner
Publisher: Etopia Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (20 Pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 3 cherries
Reviewed by Myrtle

Everything they need is right next door...

Lydia has a crush on her neighbor, and though she’s not the type to make the first move, she manages to find the courage to knock on his door. Her timing couldn’t be better. Diego needs her more than she could have imagined.

Diego’s muse has left him, has fled along with his ex and his baby daughter. Unable to draw, he’s let his life go by, barely noticing the inspiration just next door. When Lydia comes knocking, he may find more than just his lost muse...

The pleasure of reading a short story is great when you want a little something to read ten or fifteen minutes before bed time or something fast and hot to share with your lover. Drawing Diego was a really short tale, though I did not realize it until after I got it.

When I first started reading I thought a few of the sentences sounded a little funny grammar wise, but I soon realized that Diego was Spanish and his English was a little spotty at times which was kind of cute and added a new dimension and flavor to the plot. Lydia, the heroine, was from India and came across as being a sweet and upbeat neighbor. The place where she lived had thin walls so she knew pretty much what went on next door. She was also a smart cookie, knew what she wanted, and was not shy about going after it.

The author had a great idea and did really well in pulling off a nice entertaining tale, but I thought this story could have been dynamite with just a few more details.

For anyone who would like to read a sample of this author’s work for a taste test, this story is a nice start. I think it has just enough devilish excitement between the pages to give you a feel for the author’s writing style, and see a little of her imagination through the written word.

All Wrapped Up Volume One by Angela Knight, Dakota Cassidy, Ann Jacobs, Kate Hill

All Wrapped Up by Angela Knight, Dakota Cassidy, Ann Jacobs, Kate Hill
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: contemporary, futuristic, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (120 pages)
Other: M/F, bdsm
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Dogwood

Angela Knight -- Blood Service
Adiva Mayhew is a spy -- and a damn good one. But now she's running for her life from a deadly bounty hunter -- who's also a Vampire...

Ann Jacobs -- Branded
Cole Callender -- an entrepreneur with an eye to the future. Branded a sexual deviant under Earth laws, Cole adopts Obsidion as his future.

Dakota Cassidy -- Slave School Dropout
Nyla is a cat. So is Lucas. Nyla is an Egyptian Mau, descendant of the Goddess Bast. Lucas... isn't. In fact, he's a Tom cat. Unlikely lifemates at best.

Kate Hill -- Tainted Kisses
Niabi's only choice is to strike a bargain with Etlu -- the humans' lives in exchange for her complete surrender to his desires.

I chose this book to review because I have enjoyed all four of these amazing authors' stories at some point in the past. Let me say right off that All Wrapped Up was not a disappointment. Changeling Press brought together four very entertaining stories from four imaginative and talented writers. Each story-teller brought in a unique perspective into their creative chronicles making this anthology very enticing.

Angela Knight -- Blood Service
A spy named Adiva gets a bounty on her head for her part in an effort to overthrow General Tang's government. This is scary news for poor Adiva especially when a vampire named Vigilante decides to be the bounty hunter to capture her. When Vigilante final captures his prey, we discover he has other plans for Adiva. If Adiva becomes his willing blood-thrall he will not turn in Adiva to General Tang. This leads to an unusual romance; however, General Tang is determined to capture Adiva. Will he succeed?

This story is action-packed and juicy fun. I thought the love scenes were extremely HOT and true to Angela Knight's form, this story will definitely “take a bite” out of your time, as you find yourself enthralled in this blood-lusting crusade. The character's emotions were expressed well as Adiva panicked over her situation and Vigilante lusted over his capture. I truly enjoyed this short story and if I had not read any of Angela's Knight's works before I would definitely be heading looking for more of her books to read now.

Ann Jacobs – Branded
Cole Callender is exiled from earth for breaking Earth's law as a “sexual deviant” when he comes to the aid of an abused young lady. Banished to Obsidion to live out his remaining days, Cole decides to turn the planet around to his personal lifestyle. Cole builds a safe community for all doms and subs practicing BDSM on Obsidion. Poor scarred Amber, a victim of abuse from a dominating partner named Dax who took things way too far, was rescued from her abuse by Cole. After Cole's sister and Amber get caught in a raid, they too find themselves exiled from earth to live on Obsidion. Can the love Cole offers Amber help Amber see that life is worth living after-all and can Amber ever heal completely?

Ann Jacobs makes her characters irresistible in her epic as we discover that Cole is so loving and Amber is so broken. Ms. Jacobs created a distinctive futuristic lore that intrigued this reader immensely. I did feel that if this tale had been given more of the opportunity to elaborate, then this saga may have been an even more enjoyable fable. It had the potential for a full novel, but as a short story I still recommend reading it, as I found it to be an emotionally heart-tugging fictional account.

Dakota Cassidy -- Slave School Dropout
“Meow!! HERE Kitty Kitty!”

This original story is about Nyla and Lucas, both cat-shifters.

These two shape-shifters have an attraction between them, but there seems to be a bit of a problem. Nyla is an Egyptian Mau and a descendant of the Goddess Bast, bred into the upper-class world of shape-shifting royalty, as her noble pedigree is pure and untarnished. Where's the problem? Well poor ole Lucas is just your everyday common shape-shifting tomcat, not to mention the fact Lucas is a dominate and Nyla is too proud (and arrogant) to ever be reigned in by any male tabby even when she realizes this common alley-cat is indeed her true life-mate.

Oh,what is a kitten to do? Can she give in to the dominate side of Lucas? Even if her family is against such a romance?

Leave it to Dakota Cassidy to come up with a humorous yet romantic cat-tale involving household feline shape-shifters of the more common variety. But don't think this narrative is simply silly with no meat, because this reader sank her claws right into this purr-fect fable. Punchy with a side twist of imagination, this unusual narrative purred its way right into my lap. You might find this fictional piece is more fun than a bowl of cream and a ball full of cat-nip.

Kate Hill-- Tainted Kisses
A true example of Good meets Evil!

Plundered from his mother's womb by the very creature responsible for her death and then turned into a vampire by that same monster, Etlu was raised to be an emotionless, ruthless creature who can destroy a life, showing absolutely no mercy or emotions. But lately Etlu has been observing humans in pleasurable situations and has found himself a bit curious about it.

In comes our heroine, Niabi who has vowed to use her power for good. Niabi who is also a blood-connoisseur, has sworn to protect the village that Etlu's warriors have just destroyed. Niabi finds herself making a bargain with the devil. She has agreed to give herself to Etlu for his new curious desires in exchange for the lives of the humans she has sworn to protect.

Can a seemingly soulless monster learn to feel compassion and love?

Kate Hill's tale of good verses evil is the darkest of the four stories. Ms. Hill has woven for us a fantastic fantasy of evil villain and sacrificial heroine that, through the trials of fire, the consensus and remaining conclusion is indeed “love” conquers all.

So are you ready to plunge into the future with a little spicy BDSM in and a side of the paranormal? All Wrapped Up delivers with a bright, shiny bow. This creative slant on futuristic romance makes this anthology a possible forever classic.

Provoke Me by Cari Quinn

Provoke Me by Cari Quinn
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (201 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Ménage, Fetish, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Anemone

Sometimes extreme provocation can lead to exactly what you need…

Attracted.
 Kelly is focused on the bookstore she manages. Sex is relegated to a list of candidates on her PDA. Only one man pushes all her buttons―her boss.

Fascinated. Spencer is determined to fight his desire for Kelly. For years they’ve bumped heads over the store they both love. But there’s more than one reason a potential relationship is too complicated.

Provoked. When Kelly and Spencer unexpectedly meet up at a sex club, all the rules go out the window. Suddenly there’s only one way this match of wills can end―naked, preferably all night long. In this battle for sexual supremacy, there are two winners—and two losers, when their stubbornness leads to the very thing each dreads most.

Slightly geeky and extremely sexy Spencer Galvin has a problem named Kelly Crossman. His attraction to his employee makes him want to break all his personal rules about inter-office relationships. He resists her, even after catching her in a hot solo session in his office, until a chance meeting at a sex club turns into a night where passion rules.

This book is chock-full of passionate love scenes that move the plot forward, although the missing PDA was more of a distraction for the reader than a true plot device to drive conflict into their relationship. While Spencer and Kelly have some of the hottest chemistry I’ve seen on paper, especially in the sex club scenes, their conflict-laden relationship made me wonder if they could really have a happy ending.

This book is the second in the series. Some scenes run concurrently to that book (the club being shut down by the police) but both female main characters aren’t in the scene together. While I highly recommend picking up the other book, it isn’t absolutely necessary for maximum enjoyment.

With scorching love scenes and a sweet HFN ending for this couple, Ms. Quinn has another winner with Provoke Me

Clawed by Beverly Rae

Clawed by Beverly Rae
Wild Things, Book 3
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (98 pgs)
Other: M/F, Voyeurism, Masturbation
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

His beast could rip out her heart…if she doesn’t claim his first.

Wild Things, Book 3

Chloe Long has cleaned up her last mess where her now ex-boyfriend is concerned. Desperate to clear her mind of her last images of him—in her bed with another woman, then with his hand around her throat—she heads for the mountains. The one place that refreshes her spirit.

Conan Cahill’s sojourn in the North Carolina mountains was supposed to be a break from the demands of his bear-shifter people…and the smell of humans. When he discovers a human female secretly sketching his naked body, though, his reaction catches him off guard. Not only does her scent rouse an aching need to touch and taste, her stubborn refusal to give up the drawing makes his body twitch in some very pleasurable ways.

Trapped with Conan in her tent during a storm, all thoughts of sleeping alone fly out of Chloe’s mind. She can’t help but grab something more than forty winks in her sleeping bag. They come together like thunder and lightning, but there’s danger beyond the rain. And the stirring of a love that may not survive their differences.

What’s a were-bear to do when he finally finds a woman who can see beyond his fur? Claim her of course. It’s not as easy as he’d like which made for a fun book to read.

Chloe is the heroine of the piece and she’s tired of always picking the wrong man. Seems she has an ideal but he only exists in her dreams. After reading the story, I think Fate was giving her hints as to who she was finally going to be happy with. It took a leap of faith and the ability to see the whole picture for Chloe to come to terms with what her future might hold – if she’s brave enough and emotionally strong enough to grab it. Her character goes through a process of believing, not believing and finally acceptance. The author handled the character’s fear and trepidation well without turning the heroine into a mass of conflicted angst that would have undermined her and overshadowed the plot and story. It was just the right balance.

Conan is the hero who is on the run. From what, I was never completely sure but the important thing is, I figured out who he was running to – eventually. The hero seemed like a lonely man which isn’t helped by the fact that he gave the impression that he was a loner as well. He doesn’t interact much with the outside world so his attempts at wooing the skittish Chloe were conflicted. He wants her, of that there is no doubt, but he’s plagued with a lot of insecurities and worries. For a big guy, he’s a crème puff. The only thing that man was confident in and did with alacrity was making love to the heroine. His post-coital actions needed some refinement, but I am betting Chloe will be effective in fixing that. As it was, it contributed to the chaos called courtship.

There seemed to be a secondary romance going on between Chloe’s best friend, Nina and Conan’s buddy, Billy. It was cute and it was nice that everyone seemed to find love in the wilderness; I just wished that more time was spent on getting into Conan’s motivations and emotions. It seemed that the author only gave enough information to make their sexual union more palatable and believable. I guess it worked but I miss having that connection where I really craved to see them come together. I wasn’t teased enough and I think this book had plenty of length that it could have been addressed in some fashion.

The outside conflict came from an ex-boyfriend of Chloe’s. I figured he was going to push his brutish head into the mix and be as obnoxious as the author presented him early on. What I didn’t expect was the second and third confrontations. I was impressed by the last one because it totally took me by surprise. At that point, there were two layers of action going on. The one where Roger tried to instigate a violent reaction and did something brutal to Conan, and the other where the hero kept his promise to Chloe. As silly as I might have thought it was, because he interpreted it literally, it was romantic and sweet and proved Conan to be a true hero, all in the name of love.

Clawed didn’t end with a big, flowery and typical wrap-up. The finale showcased instead, a beginning. Chloe’s life will never be the same and it’s more powerful because she chose it. I found that much more romantic than anything either character could have said or done.

If love, were-bear style, is intriguing, then read Clawed. It’s an engaging and entertaining paranormal romance that has enough heat and fur to keep a reader’s interest.

Accidentally In Love by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow

Accidentally In Love by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (198 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Coreopsis

When fun-loving, social butterfly Calvin Reece moves in with the cute but shy Tom Holden, he doesn't expect anything to come of it but friendship. In fact, his plan is to give Tom a makeover and find him a boyfriend, because Tom's such a nice guy it's just not right that he's alone. As Cal gets to know Tom better, he learns that under the ill-fitting clothes there's a gorgeous body and a kind, generous heart, and Cal starts to feel something new...

What do they have in common? Only that they've never been in love. But that may all be about to change.

What is confirmed bachelor Cal to do when he meets the one man that could flip his whole world upside down and inside out? With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of luck maybe Cal can find out what all his friends are talking about when it comes to finding the one.

Accidentally in Love was truly a beautiful love story. It shows the gradual build of a relationship between two men who are such polar opposites it isn’t even funny. When pairing up a man who doesn’t believe in love and one who thinks he’s unlovable, the misunderstandings and over thinking come out in full force.

Cal is a photographer who jets sets around the world for his job. Like his job, his love life is the same. A little fun here, a little fun there, but when the deed is done he can’t get away fast enough. He’s not a man looking for love or anything of a relationship that lasts longer than a quick roll in the hay. But what makes this character so great is he falls for the last man he ever would have noticed, and from there starts the journey to become the kind of man Tom could love and spend the rest of his life with. Cal comes to find out you have to work hard for the things you want most in life, and getting Tom is turning out to be his biggest challenge yet.

Tom is a shy guy. He displays the typical behavior of a person picked on and put down throughout his life. So it’s only natural for him to question Cal’s feelings with everything that happens between them. At times I wanted to shake Tom because he is his own worst enemy. His self-confidence is so low it is just heart wrenching that he thinks he is so not worthy of anyone’s love or affection.

This story has its ups and downs but the outcome is so worth it in the end. It’s a good mix of the ugly duckling and the bad boy turned good. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a longer read with a lot of; "what were they thinking?" And, how cute two people can be together.

This story left me with a smile on my face and I feel lucky to have gotten to read it.