Forbidden and Once Bitten by Hope Welsh

Forbidden and Once Bitten by Hope Welsh
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (171 pgs)
Other: M/F, Spanking
Rating: 3.5 Cherries
Review by Fern

Sarah was disfigured by a fire while saving the life of a child, while the vampire, Devlin, watched helplessly. Through dreams, he has spent months coming to her, loving and making love to her. Finally, he comes to her in the night and tells her he can give her back her beauty—by making her a vampire—even though it’s forbidden.

Forbidden and Once Bitten are two vastly different stories that twine together courtesy of common characters and a shared antagonist. One might assume they are separate, as the first offering, Forbidden, is written in a third person narrative, and the second, Once Bitten is written in first. But make no mistake, the stories occur in the same world and timeline. I tell you this not to spoil, but to ensure the reader understands they should continue when the first story ends without resolution. Keep going, there is more.

Forbidden is the story written in a third person narrative. The vampire, Devlin, has watched Sarah for months, well aware that she is his mate. But as she is one of the Chosen, it is forbidden to take or change her. After a fire leaves her horribly scarred, he decides the time has come to claim the woman he loves, no matter the cost. Following directly after is Once Bitten, written in the first person narrative and told through the voice of Hailey, a girl with a broken heart that is about to discover it’s okay to trust in the right person. Bennett has known Hailey since high school, but he has bided his time until he knew she would accept him for who and what he is – a vampire.

Each story introduces you to a world where vampires linger in the shadows and are hunted. It’s an amazing concept and very well thought out. My only wish is that there was more description along the way. Though intricate, there is more dialogue here than narrative. Even still, this is a recommended read for vampire lovers eager for something to sink their teeth into. The sex is steamy, the characters memorable, and the premise alluring.

Fire and Ice by Liz Andrews

Fire and Ice by Liz Andrews
Publisher: Loose ID.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (139 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Spanking
Rating: 3.5 Cherries
Review by Fern

Victor Titus is a man in control of all aspects of his life, both business and personal. He takes what he wants and damns the consequences. And what he wants the most is Tanya Garcia, the petite yet feisty office manager of his company.

A night of passion three months ago convinced him she's his perfect match, but Tanya's scared of the feelings his dominant nature evokes. The idea of giving up control to someone else has her running scared. The last thing she needs in her life is “The Iceman” telling her what to do.

Tired of her constantly retreating from him, Victor proposes a plan to have Tanya as his submissive for one week. Tanya agrees and figures on using the time to get him out of her system and then move on, but Victor's sure he can prove he's the dominant she’s been needing his whole life.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content (including/not limited to bondage, domination/submission, flogging/spanking/cropping, wax play).

Tanya Garcia has been running from Victor Titus ever since he brought out her submissive urges during a Christmas party. A stolen moment with the domineering man at her best friend’s engagement party three months later cements the truth she’s worked so hard to mask. She wants him, even at the risk of losing herself in the process.

Victor has tried everything he knows to woo and interest Tanya, the feisty and beautiful office manager he can’t forget. That shared moment on his desk at the Christmas party only fuels his longing to possess her entirely – as his sub. Deciding discretion is no longer the better part of valor, he proposes Tanya give him one week as his submissive. If he can’t convince her to embrace what she is within seven days, they can part ways.

Fire and Ice is about breaking down barriers and accepting who and what you are. Victor has no qualms admitting his dominant nature and is appropriately dubbed the “Iceman” by friends that know it. Tanya is a woman in control and in charge that fights the submissive nature deep within. When Victor unlocks what she’s tried to keep hidden, she’s forced to face her fears and confront her demons.

While well written, I had a very difficult time believing the romantic aspects of this story. We are told that Victor wants Tanya and that she wants him, which is easily supported by their intense reaction to one another. But the love we are encouraged to believe exists between them is told but never felt. Also, a word of warning - derogatory statements, though accepted and encouraged by the heroine, made me wince. A solid foundation and understanding between the protagonists is vital when introducing or using vulgar commentary. In this, it felt as if Victor derived pleasure from bestowing endearments that are less than welcome upon this woman he supposedly cares for. It's in no way enough to deter from enjoying the work, I just found that certain sentiments pulled me away from the story.

A very hot read, with tons of heat. If you're looking for a bit of a hard edge to your erotica, Fire and Ice is just the ticket.

Tempt Me Twice by Eden Bradley

Tempt Me Twice by Eden Bradley
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pgs)
Other: Light BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, M/M, Ménage, Spanking, Anal Sex
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Magnolia

One hot man is good. Two’s double the fun…until your heart gets involved.

Jessie has been in love with her bisexual best friend, Paul, since their college days. He’s never made a move on her, though, and at this point she values his friendship too much to risk revealing her feelings. Especially since now he has a new male lover and seems so happy.

Paul and Noah have only Jessie’s rest and relaxation in mind when they invite her along on a camping trip to Lake Tahoe. She’s been pretty stressed out preparing to show her art at a major New York gallery. A weekend getaway will do her a world of good—and they won’t take no for an answer.

Jesse thought she’d be nothing more than a third wheel on this trip. But Noah is as sweet and hot as Paul, and their first night turns into a heated tangle of bodies in the dark tent by the lake.

It’s an erotic, intense experience that must come to an end. And when it does, will she still have her best friend?

Warning: Explicit and unusual sex in nearly every possible combination: boy on girl, boy on boy, boys on girl, with a little anal action and some spanking thrown in just to keep things interesting!

Well now-I can only say that you will definitely need a cold shower after reading this one! For anyone who has ever been in love, or even in lust with two people at the same time, you will totally love this story!

The author writes a very realistic situation between a woman who has been in love with her best friend for a long time, but has never revealed her feelings because he is gay and that best friend. But when she finds herself attracted to his new lover as well, what’s a girl to do?

The only thing I would have changed about this story is the ending. Not that it doesn’t have a happily ever after, I just would have liked to see the happily ever after done a bit differently. I did, however, like the way Eden Bradley brought these three people together in a setting that could very well happen with no frills, just nature and basic human desire.

Tropic of Desire by Antonia Pearce

Tropic of Desire by Antonia Pearce
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (112 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/M, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Tiger Lily

Celebrated photographer, Sheridan West, arrives on the island of St. Lucia to shoot the wedding of billionaire tycoon, Simon Des Marets, to stunning socialite, Cecily Towne. Weddings aren't usually her thing, especially celebrity weddings, but a disturbing series of mountain lion attacks in the hills near her LA home, a secret fear she may be involved, and the persuasion of the groom's charming brother, Marc, make a trip to the island of her dreams more than she can pass up.

In the days leading up to the big event, Sheridan finds herself irresistibly attracted to the brooding Simon, too. Sheridan succumbs to the charms of the oh-so-sexy Marc, her desperate worry forgotten in the isolated paradise, even as the relationship between Simon and the duplicitous Cecily unravels.

A full, tropical moon. The gentle wash of the dark, Caribbean surf. Two beautiful men—one determined to possess her completely, the other equally determined to remain aloof. The three face a common destiny predetermined by the past. That destiny's resolution must save them all from specters of a bygone era and a bloody predator tracking Sheridan.

Sometimes who we are and who we want to be are different things or in this case, different species. Intrigued? Read Tropic of Desire and find out more.

Ms. Pearce writes a captivating paranormal novel. I liked the way she wove the shifter theme in with the family curse and how easily history can repeat itself. The antagonists were evil, yet likeable enough through the story that they weren’t obvious. I also liked the atmosphere Ms. Pearce created. You could almost feel the sticky heat of the island and the slap of the wide leaves of the trees.

The heroine, Sheridan West struck me as odd to start with because she seemed almost aloof with Marc Des Marets, her potential client, yet when they have private time – the sparks fly! The shift is good and hot! You want to see Sheridan get her man of her dreams. I liked the tension between her and Marc’s twin Simon. Two men were so similar, yet so different at the same time and very intriguing. I liked the curse and the means by which to extinguish it. The story kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page because of the crafty way that the author wove the plot.

If you want a steamy novella for a cool summer night, then you want to read Tropic of Desire. I give this novella 4 cherries.

How Wicked-er Can She Go? by J. Morgan

How Wicked-er Can She Go? by J. Morgan
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (91 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Tiger Lily

Go Wild, Get Wicked!

Nikki is as wicked as they come.

Yeah, right -- She's the wickedest witch you'll ever meet, if "wicked" means perky as all get out, and living off a trust fund. When her boss lays down the law, she actually has to work for a living and her world comes tumbling down. Ruining an uber geek’s chance to find true love sounds easy until Gregory Hamilton shows up on her doorstep. He may be a nerd, but one look tells her this is a man with super stud possibilities.

Turning on her inner wicked, Nikki does everything she can to prove true love ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

She needs to prove she’s wicked. He wants to find his true love. Is that possible when she’s going against her goody-goody type? Read How Wicked-er Can She Go? and find out.

Ms. Morgan’s short is a romp on the wicked yet cute side. I liked the first person point of view descriptions given by Nikki, the heroine. Her asides and commentary are fun and add to her personality. As for the details of the environment, Ms. Morgan paints the world of Nikki so that the reader feels like he or she is really part of Nikki’s world.

I liked the idea of the nerdy guy seeking his true love. The theme that one should be loved for who he or she is, not for his or her money, possessions, etc. is powerful. I liked how Gregory, the hero, demonstrates his lack of skills with the ladies. Many guys are shy and unsure of themselves around women. Nikki’s struggles to keep her emotions in check when helping a man who becomes more than a client are easy for the readers to associate with. She wants to help without getting hurt herself.

As for the love scenes, you could feel the passion and the fear bubbling between Nikki and Gregory. She wanted to want him yet she held back because she needed to be wicked in order to preserve appearances. He wanted to want her yet held back because of her self-assuredness. He didn’t want to let her down. I thought it was sweet. I rooted for them to figure out their emotions and get together.

If you want a steamy novella for a cool summer night, or just a fun romp on the wicked side, then you want to read How Wicked-er Can She Go? You won’t want to miss it. I give this novella 4 cherries.

Final Justice by Gwen Campbell

Final Justice by Gwen Campbell
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (104 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Fern

Holly is sweet, friendly and has a nonexistent love life. She's also been working on a little fantasy…something that's been keeping her warm on those cold, northern nights…something involving a certain police sergeant.

Sergeant Peter Leighton—just over six feet of testosterone-ripped perfection—has a thing for Holly but he's a cop with a secret. Long before he joined the force, he was a paid fantasy provider—a lover with a gift for getting inside a woman's head and turning her darkest, nastiest fantasies into reality.

When his old boss tells him the lovely Ms. Holly has a thing for tall, dark and brawny, and wants to be pulled over and punished for her transgressions, Peter just can't say no. The easy part will be making Holly's lusty fantasies come true. The hard part will be working up the nerve afterward to ask her out on a real date.

A cop, a nurse, and a sprinkling of fantasy rolled into one. How could you possibly go wrong?

Gwen Campbell has managed to give reader’s something to look forward to with Final Justice, a novella that is as saucy as it is captivating. The premise is simple enough – cop wants the soft hearted nurse at the ER he hauls the random deviant to, but doesn’t have the courage to ask her out. The same nurse has a cop fantasy about said officer she wants to meet fruition. A mutual party discovers the connection between the two, and bada-bing, sparks fly.

Holly Arden is great as the ER nurse with a long-time crush. She’s hawk-eyed Sergeant Peter Leighton since the first night she met him in triage undercover. Her spunkiness and no nonsense approach to get what she wants will have you in stitches. Peter is wonderful as a man that turned to the right side of the law after some time spent as a male escort. He’s wanted Holly for as long as she’s wanted him, the trouble is he can’t forgive himself for a shady past.

This is the kind of story that nabs you right from the start and doesn’t let go until the last page. Just be sure to keep a nice cold glass of ice water handy, because you’ll need it! Well written, fast paced, full of steamy scenes, and a most enjoyable read. I highly recommend Final Justice.

Spyder’s Web by Suzanne Rock

Spyder’s Web by Suzanne Rock
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (111 pgs)
Other: M/F, Anal Sex
Rating: 3 Cherries
Review by Amaranth

I have a dark secret. I’m cursed with an intense sexual desire which can never be satisfied. If I abstain, I go mad. If I have sex, I black out and my partner ends up dead. The only way to break the curse is to find my protector and soul mate.

James is a cop who thinks I’m the "Black Widow" serial killer people are talking about. He's watching in the shadows, waiting for me to slip up so he can send me to jail. My curse longs to claim him, but I resist because he saved my life. Soon, I will need him to do it again.

Now his morbid fascination with me has turned into an obsession. I don't know how much longer I can keep him at arm's length.

I'm not sure I want to...

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, violence, voyeurism.

The opening line of Spyder’s Web grabbed my attention right away. This book is told in Spyder’s point of view, and it reads much like a journal would. Spyder is cursed. She must have sex to keep her madness at bay, but her partners never make it out alive. I got a sense that Spyder was actually a very nice and good person before she was cursed by Galen. Beneath her curse, she is still that nice, loving woman, but she is controlled by the curse and her needs. She doesn’t want to kill her partners, but she knows if she doesn’t, she will go on an uncontrolled killing spree. Her only hope is to find her mate, a Hawk. It is rare that one of her kind finds their Hawk, so she can only hope.

I found this plot to be interesting and unique. My problem was that it felt rushed. I didn’t get enough information to feel satisfied. I think that part of the problem was the point of view. We only get Spyder’s thoughts and views on what is happening. Often, those thoughts became a bit jumbled and confusing. If I could have been given an insight into James’ mind, and the plot could have been extended, this book would have been much more enjoyable.

That isn’t to say that this book was a total loss. The creativity was there. I liked Spyder and James; they were both likeable characters with whom I could identify. The descriptions of people and places were vivid, bringing the scene to life in my mind. The plot is unlike any other book I have read, and I would actually enjoy reading more about the Cursed, Scorpions, and Hawks.

I would recommend this book to paranormal romance lovers who are looking for something a little different. It will certainly make you think and heat up your afternoon.

Dreaming of Dragons by T.A. Chase

Dreaming of Dragons by T. A. Chase
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (153 pgs)
Other: M/M, M/M/M/M, Anal Sex
Rating: 3 Cherries
Review by Phlox

Lovers for centuries, Mordred and George's relationship is strong enough to withstand anything--or so they think.

With dragons and magical creatures appearing every day, George risks everything, even to the point of losing his lover, to maintain the balance between the Realm of Dreams and the human world. Mordred can see George slipping away and, for the first time in his long life, insecurity creeps through.

As the presence of old lovers, new friends, and deadly dragons cause cracks in their foundation to form, Mordred and George must discover how far they're willing to go to save their world and their love.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.

Like any dedicated fantasy reader, I am attracted by the promise of dragons. The title Dreaming of Dragons, especially since the previous title contained dragons as well, certainly promised. The ideas, the premises, behind the story are interesting and often unique (Mordred as an agent of balance rather than a bitter bastard son regarding his role in Arthur’s demise, St. George as his, initially, reluctant conquest, the invasion of magical beings into the modern world) but none of it quite lived up to the initial promise.

The book is at its best when dealing with Mordred and George’s relationship. Their back story is told with a certain ironic humor and I did enjoy Mordred’s persistent and careful seduction of the dragon slayer. The human pair in all this, Hugh and Kael, are quite sweet together but in this story they seem more along for the ride and the reader who has not met them previously doesn’t really get a chance to become attached.

While an erotic story certainly can focus on the erotic, it should not do so at the expense of plot. This is a fantasy story involving lots of dangerous creatures suddenly thrust into the modern world, with soldiers and knights and rogue elves thrown in, with only one brief battle scene. During the first nine tenths of the story I did not feel the main characters were in any sort of real danger (except for one odd interlude where Kael’s ex shows up out of the blue) nor did I feel convinced that any real intrigue was going on at Gaia’s court. The baddies were immediately evident, there were no real surprises and no good explanations at the end. I wanted dragons, I wanted werewolves and terrible battles – which there were, certainly, but all off-scene. The one scene in which George does get to fight a dragon (and the reader gets to be there) seemed much too effortless and the dragon’s demise was a bit bizarre. While I liked Mordred as a character, we spend far too much time with him as he turns in circles and endlessly repeats himself.

All that aside, the scenes between Mordred and George are worth the read. Scenes from their past, erotic scenes from the present, ones which highlight both the love and the tension between are, without a doubt, enjoyable reading.

A Promise Kept by Stormy Glenn

A Promise Kept by Stormy Glenn
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (177 pgs)
Other: M/M
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by: Phlox

Mason is in love with his brother’s best friend, Jack. It’s been ten years of secret fantasies, hidden glances, and forbidden yearnings. Just when Mason decides to give up on Jack and move away, his friends step in to get them together.

Even with the most determined matchmakers, new love is not always easy. Especially when a serial killer who has his sights set on Mason being his next victim will destroy anyone who gets in his way. Can Jack keep Mason safe, or will their new love be over before it gets going?

What sort of fool would wait ten years for a love he believes can never be? One who knows he can’t possibly love anyone else, of course. As absurd as it sounds, the idea that someone could wait, celibate and hoping beyond hope for a decade, especially a young man, becomes plausible as the reader gets to know Mason. At once vulnerable and resilient, stubborn and yielding, Mason is a pile of contradictions and raw emotions, not to mention a hopeless romantic. The reader’s skepticism quickly turns to sympathy – from Mason, we believe it.

This is a lovely and poignant romance about two men who are bound and determined to misunderstand each other when all along all they truly want is each other. Jack’s sharp mind doesn’t extend to relationships and he provides us with some of the densest Alpha male moments I have ever seen while Mason, sensitive and ready at any turn to be hurt, creates self-fulfilling prophesies for himself by reading too much into Jack’s tantrums. These are not necessarily bad things, drama-wise, and certainly keep the plot ticking along at a good pace.

There are some odd issues, both with character and with verbiage which speaks to a work which, perhaps, would have benefitted from more aggressive editing. At times Jack just seems a little too dense. He is an attorney, after all, supposedly used to dealing with human nature. Mason, who nearly has his PhD in Psych, has trouble putting things together and has moments where the shy, inexperienced Mason suddenly spouts not-so-innocent things in front of people to embarrass Jack. Odd choices in verb ordering appear, such as ‘He kicked the door closed after unlocking it and carried Jack into the house.’ which would imply that he carried Jack in after kicking the door closed. Also, a tendency towards repetition, where a character might think something and then say it out lout three paragraphs later or repeated phrases such as, ‘Mason knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand.’ And then five or six paragraphs down, ‘He had to stop this before it got out of hand.’

Taken altogether, this is a satisfying story with a rousing, exciting conclusion. The reader can’t help but root for these two and their various, quirky friends. Ms. Glenn manages to pack so much emotion into her scenes that the reader is compelled to read on. One doesn’t have to be an avid reader of male/male romance to enjoy this book – a good story is a good story.

The Craft of the Wise 3: Rule of Three by Dee Carney

The Craft of the Wise 3: Rule of Three by Dee Carney
Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short (54 pages)
Other: Ménage, M/F/M
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Holly

Plus-sized Liana Everton has convinced the witch’s coven to allow her to sneak into the demon realm, whatever it’ll take to help bring the witches the edge they need. Foremost on the agenda is gaining back the missing Book of Shadows. For one of the coven’s strongest witches, that shouldn’t be too hard.

On top of that, twin werewolves Jarod and Ronan Dakota are coming along to protect her back so getting in and out should be a breeze. If she just stays focused on her mission, she won’t have to acknowledge the attraction she feels for the brothers and try to to pick one over the other.

Only Jarod and Ronan have no intention of making her choose. Where one werewolf is nice, two are so much better.

Liana Everton is one of the strongest witches in the coven. She is trying to convince the leaders to allow her to travel to the demon realm, to find the Book of Shadows that was stolen from Ava, the princess, and granddaughter of the high priestess Mayda, to aid them in the battle ahead, and give them the edge they so sorely need. She feels she should go, because it was Ava’s cousin Dina who stole the book, and Dina has joined the demons in the battle between good and evil. Ava is too important to the cause to be risked, and Liana is the most powerful after Ava. Once the decision is made to allow Liana to go, twin werewolves Jarod and Ronan Dakota are chosen to accompany her on the crossover as bodyguards.

Liana knows she needs to focus on the task ahead, because it will be dangerous to become distracted in the demon realm. She also doesn’t want to think about the twins, as she is attracted to them, and doesn’t want to choose between them. What she doesn’t realize is that the choice is out of her hands: she will be theirs-both of theirs. The seer of the coven reminds her of the magical Rule of Three. The trip to the demon realm is reasonably uneventful, and they do locate the Book of Shadows. They aren’t able to take possession of it, due to a few dozen demons coming at them, but they return to the coven to make plans. There are some twists and surprises, and a visit from Dina doesn’t turn out the way it was intended.

Dee Carney has given us a very enjoyable third installment in her Craft of the Wise Series. I love her sense of humor, and I thank her on behalf of all of the readers of romance who are less than perfect. Liana is a plus sized heroine, and makes few apologies for it. And the fact that she decides to go in spite of the “yellow streak that ran all the way down her back” is just great. This is not a brave and invincible heroine, but one who knows she must do what is needed in spite of her fears. And once the twins claim Liana, the heat kicks up to blazing hot. I wouldn’t mind a set of werewolf twins in my bed, either.

I loved this book, and can’t wait for the next installment to see whose story is told next.

Temple of Luna 1: Savage Possession by Moira Rogers

Temple of Luna 1: Savage Possession by Moira Rogers
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short (54 pages)
Other: M/F, BDSM
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by Holly

As a novice in the Temple of Luna, Avani is training for the day she'll become a revered priestess, with the skills and magic needed to soothe the feral warriors fighting a brutal war against the world's remaining human colonies. Though forbidden contact with the warriors who have come to the temple for relief, Avani can't keep her distance from Rais, her uncle's protégé and one of the most dangerous fighters the wolves have ever known.

As the royal heir, Rais is destined to take a mate and ascend to the throne, but first he must complete his service as a warrior. The Savage Temple's priestesses offer him relief in the meantime, though there's one he's vowed never to touch. He remembers Avani as the innocent girl she was when they met, but the intervening years have made her a woman. A woman the wolf burns to claim...

She is a novice at the Savage Temple, in training to ease the tension of the warriors before they return to the war against the worlds remaining human colonies. He is heir to the throne, his destiny to mate and lead. Can there ever be anything more between them?

Avani is a novice, awaiting her chance to become more, to be one of the revered priestesses of the Savage Temple. She longs to serve and care for the warriors, and for one in particular. He is Rais, the royal heir, and protégé of Avani’s uncle. He is also the fiercest warrior of all the wolves, and the most determined. He has come to the Temple for relief, vowing to stay away from Avani, who he has known since she was a child. But he sees her differently in this visit to the Temple, he recognizes that she is now a woman, and his wolf craves her. After a talk with his cousin Zahra, he finds that all of the novices are anxious to be with him, believing that if they please him, he will choose one of them as his mate.

This is an enjoyable tale, although I do wish it had been a little longer. Moira Rogers has put passion and romance in this story, along with humor and love. The mistakes Avani and Rais make are those of miscommunication, and are so often overlooked in love and relationships.

I liked the look into the lives of the characters and how they interact away from the bedroom as much as in it. The sex was scorching hot, and appropriate to the story. I look forward to seeing where this story progresses during the next installments, and I hope it has a long future. I found this well worth reading, and in fact I have already gone back for a second read.

Sleeping With the Undead an Anthology

Sleeping with the Undead an Anthology
Publisher: L&L Dreamspell
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Full Length Anthology (172 pgs)
Other: M/F, M/F/F, Ménage, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Wisteria

Enjoy ten erotic tales of vampire seduction in this enticing anthology from L&L Dreamspell

Repopulation Assignment by Beth Stafford

Ink by M. Phillips
Behind the locked doors of a seedy tattoo parlor a beautiful girl lies bound by leather and lust. A master of needle and ink will transform her writhing flesh into an immortal masterpiece, if she can endure the torments of an ecstasy born of pain and transcending death.

A Fire in the Blood by Tsyche Dwai

Being Alive by Robert S. Tyler
Fresh from a breakup, a heartbroken Eric goes to a video game convention dressed as a vampire hunter. When he sees a girl dressed as Victoria Nightshade—everyone's favorite video-game vampire—he's smitten, and discovers how far role-playing can take you.

Redemption Song by Jordan Grace

Ever Blue by C. S. Johnson
Kayla Hope, real estate agent charged with finding the perfect house for client Bradley West, has fallen head over heels for the handsome, mysterious man. As she pursues him, he seems just as intense in his feelings for her, yet he keeps her at a distance. When she finally gets close, she finds there is something more dangerous to Bradley than meets the eye; Kayla also finds that she doesn't really mind.

Vampire Dancer by Cornelia Amiri
As seven Scottish brothers stroll home from a local highland pub, from nowhere, stunning women appear and dance with them in the moonlight. The dancing grows rough as the women's nails extend to talons. Suddenly, the brothers realize they are in the embrace of the baobhan sith, the dancing vampires.

Black Rose Beach by Linndah
Laura’s third summer at her favorite beach cottage began with the usual search for a kindred soul for some kinky blood-play—pretending to be a vampire satisfied her needs. Then she met David, also in need of blood satisfaction. Only he wasn’t pretending…

Lady and the Vamp by Catherine Noonan

Fighting Fire with Fire by Samantha Stone

This is a wonderful paranormal anthology filled with vampires and undead. As with any anthology, you occasionally run across one of the stories you just don’t dig, but overall, I have to give this collection two thumbs up! Spicy and sexy, it was a delight to read and kept me very engaged.

“Ink” is the second story in this collection, hot and spicy with some good bondage and hot sex. A total turn on, with a twist I didn’t see coming. I never thought getting a tattoo could be so sexual.

“Black Rose Beach” is a story about a girl who is not a vamp but likes to taste blood. She goes to the beach and meets a sexy neighbor who she thinks is like her, but he is really a vampire. Now this story really threw me off. First she attempts to take blood without his permission, and then later in the story there is a big power play between the two. More than once I felt like the human girl had more control over the situation than the vampire, which made for a weak lead guy and that just doesn’t work for me.

“Fighting Fire with Fire” was a definite good read. Who would ever think of a super hot, sexy vampire being a stud muffin fire fighter? A double dose of hotness in a powerfully sexy read.

It was one of the best anthologies I have ever read, overall. All the stories were fun, sexy and full of the fantasy of vampires. Guaranteed to make you wiggle in your seat, I have no doubt you will love it as much as I did.

Love My Way by Bridget Midway

Love My Way by Bridget Midway
Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (357 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/F, F/F, Ménage, Spanking, Voyeurism, Anal Sex
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by Fern

2008 EPPIE Finalist! BDSM Dominant, Eagan Morton, is in search of a new submissive via a reality TV show, Love My Way. Bent on revenge, Ananda Zelder participates. Will love dominate or will they submit to outside pressures?

In the market for a BDSM romance with a dose of reality television mixed in for good measure? Tune in to Love My Way.

After Ananda Zelder is rejected for an upcoming dance show by the egotistical television executive, Eagan Morton, she knows she’s in trouble. Rent is past due and the jobs to pay them are scarce. Then she is given an offer she can’t refuse, a spot on a new reality show featuring none other than Eagan himself, and the opportunity to embarrass the arrogant man while paying her bills is too good to pass up.

Dom Eagan Morton has just lost an essential part of his life – his submissive, Ophelia. After friends think up a new reality show to find a new submissive to fill the void, Eagan is skeptical but intrigued. A show would provide an opportunity to find someone to enhance his life, while taking ratings through the roof. Eagan agrees, requesting only that the women are consenting and that they don masks. He wants to choose the winner by how she serves, not how she looks.

The next few weeks come as a shock to Eagan and Ananda. She’s not as dominant as she once believed, while Eagan discovers the submissive he’s lost isn’t the only one capable of snaring his heart. But when the show is over, will Eagan be willing to forgive Ananda for joining the show under false pretenses? Or will he view her as nothing better than the submissive that betrayed him under similar circumstances.

Love My Way offers an interesting foray into the BDSM lifestyle by adding a twist of reality television into the mix. Bridget Midway has done an excellent job of creating a story that is both erotic and unique. The characters are beautifully developed, the concept original, and the plot very well constructed by twists and conflict that add depth and dimension. The sex here is hot and the chemistry scorching, ensuring you’ll keep turning those pages to find out what happens next. A small complaint would be that the story can lag at times as there is a lot of material to cover and numerous characters to accommodate, but ultimately, it doesn’t deter from the overall enjoyment of the work as a whole.

Love My Way is a definite must read.

Inferno by Bianca D'Arc

Inferno by Bianca D’Arc
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full (210 Pages)
Other: M/F, Ménage, Multiple Partners
Rating: 5 Cherries
Review by Holly



A forbidden union forged in love—and tempered in hellfire.

Tales of the Were, Book 2

One last task and Megan will be free of the debt of honor owed by her family. Spying on Dante, a powerful vampire with questionable friends, sounds simple enough. But her mission is complicated by the fact she’s got something every vampire wants—tangy, powerful, werewolf blood.

It’s easy to capture his attention. The hard part will be getting out with her heart—and soul—intact. Not to mention her life, thanks to a crazed bomber.

Dante isn’t the kind to forgive or forget easily, especially the grudge he holds against werewolves. Still, he is instantly drawn to the injured lone wolf in his care. When he and his friend Duncan treat her wounds, they discover something that marks her as much more than she seems.

That mark is a neon sign warning to be careful, but Dante can’t help himself. He wants her and nothing will stand in his way. Not her species. Not his. Not the strange woman who keeps trying to kill him.

Not even the magical poison in Megan’s blood…

Warning: This book contains sexual healing, ménage a trois and quatre, hot sexy vampires, an irresistible fey warrior and a lone wolf bitch on the prowl.

Inferno is a very appropriate title for this book. It has so much to interest a reader: mystery, action, suspense, and extremely hot vampire and werewolf sex. This second book of Bianca D’Arc’s Tales of the Were is a delight to read. I enjoyed every word, and went back to some passages over again, they were just so good.

Megan is half werewolf with no pack affiliation: a lone wolf, and last of her family line. She is trying to complete one last task for the Altor Custodis to finally put an end to a blood debt of honor owed by her family. She is told to spy on a vampire, and do whatever it takes to get close to him. But there are secrets at work, secrets that even Megan doesn’t know about. Dante d’Angleterre is an old and powerful vampire, and Megan needs to find a way to get close to him to fulfill her final mission. They meet in a bar, and as they are leaving, a woman throws a fiery bomb at Dante from a speeding car.

Bianca D’Arc has written a tale of mystery and intrigue, with layer upon layer of subterfuge and betrayal. This is something she does very well, and she is able to draw you into the action and keep the tension high. The scene where they fight to save Heath from the poisoning, and a second scene where Duncan and Dante together work to remove more of the poison from Megan are done so tastefully, you don’t quite notice that Megan is having sex with three hot men at once. There is also a good bit of dark ironic humor in this tale. I wonder, is Ms. D’Arc a Hugh Jackman fan? Heath’s manservant is named Hugh, and in a side note, Megan notices he has an Australian accent.

If you are wanting a happy ever after, it is there, along with a couple of really big revelations about Megan, Duncan and Dante. But be forewarned, the battle between good and evil continues, and I’m sure we will visit the were again. At least I hope we will.