Monday, January 19, 2015

Boot Hill Bride by Lauri Robinson

Boot Hill Bride by Lauri Robinson
The Quinter Brides, Book 3
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (May 2010)
268 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Pink Heart

Hog was so tired from his trip that when he slipped into bed in his tent, he didn’t realize that it was already occupied, so when his family barged in the next morning to find him in bed with a young woman he was just as surprised as everyone else, but he quickly found himself wed to Randi. This is my favorite of the series so far. Hog and Randi didn’t fight the inevitable as long as the others did, and it was fun to see them facing their challenges as a team. Great Series! Snake’s story is next in Guardian Bride!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Badland Bride by Lauri Robinson

Badland Bride by Lauri Robinson
The Quinter Brides, Book 2
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (December 2009)
264 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Pink Heart

Lila is trying to get away from the man that raped her and is now trying to kill her, when she stumbles upon some sort of portal that sends her back into the past, and Skeeter in his peyote induced out-of-body experience helps Lila to crossover to his time. After another shotgun wedding at Ma’s insistence, Skeeter is wed to pregnant Lila, and he tries to focus on the time they have together before Lila returns to the future. Just as Kid frustrated me in the first book with his irrational, convoluted excuses, Lila frustrated me for the same reason. Skeeter was so sweet and unbelievably understanding—he was a dream man. I loved the correlation between his relationship with Lila and the bird he had when he was young. I wasn’t too excited about the time travel theme in the beginning, but the ending was really well done. Hog’s story is next in Boot Hill Bride!

Shotgun Bride by Lauri Robinson

Shotgun Bride by Lauri Robinson
The Quinter Brides, Book 1
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (November 2008)
182 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Pink Heart

Jessie is taken from her home at gunpoint, only to find out that her brother has traded her as a bride in compensation for a dead horse, in order to save himself from being hung as a horse thief; and the man she is supposed to marry doesn’t seem anymore excited about the prospect, considering he had to be drug in by his brothers and tied to a chair. A reluctant suitor is one thing, but Kid’s irrational, convoluted thinking about why they couldn’t be together and she should be sent away, was really frustrating. Once he finally came to his senses, I liked him a lot more. Jessie had been a meek, emotional mess through much of this, but she really held her own in the end there, and I loved the way she really stepped up to the challenge. Kid’s brothers were all great, interesting characters (Skeeter, Snake, Hog and Bug) and I can’t wait to read their stories!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Highlander’s Return by Emma Prince

Highlander’s Return by Emma Prince
The Sinclair Brothers Trilogy, Book 2.5
Publisher: Emma Prince (December 2014)
89 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Burke was separated from his true love by a clan feud, and her father wasted no time in marrying her to someone else, but it seems Meredith is a widow now, and Burke hopes the news means he will get one more chance to seize happiness. Sweet story of young love that was never forgotten. Loved Burke, and the way he handled the confrontation with Meredith’s brother! I’m looking forward to Daniel’s story, Highlander’s Reckoning, and hope to see it out soon!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Wild Highland Mistletoe by Eliza Knight

Wild Highland Mistletoe by Eliza Knight
The Stolen Bride Series, Holiday Novella
Publisher: Knight Media, LLC (December 2014)
70 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

In the midst of holiday preparations, Magnus and Arbella receive a missive saying that Heather has been captured, and they set off along with Blane and Aliah to save their sister, finding out only too late that it has all been a trap. Nice little holiday-themed adventure, giving you an update on all the characters from the series, though this story focuses primarily on Magnus and Arbella. Nice holiday addition to the series.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

His for Christmas by Skye Warren

His for Christmas by Skye Warren
Publisher: Skye Warren (December 2014)
85 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Fresh out of prison, Angel lies on an employment application to get a two-week temp job working in a ritzy skyscraper as a secretary, so when the boss makes improper advances toward her on her first day on the job she’s unsure what to do and what will happen to her. Gage is such a troubled man, with dark demons, and his interactions with Angel were interesting to watch. Great story, and I loved the happy ending!

The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Julio and Rome by Willie Spearman

The Tragedy of Julio and Rome by Willie Spearman
Brutewood Correctional Facility Series (Medium Security)
Gay Erotic Shakespeare Retelling
Publisher: Eroticatorium (June 2014)
89 pages, eBook (bonus novella included with Love and Lust Between Men Behind Bars)
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Prison Guard Rome falls in love with inmate Julio, after Julio is injured by another inmate and placed in solitary for his own protection, but their love is dangerous for both of them and has tragic consequences. This is a Medium Security story (contains moderate kink and fetishes), and is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, in a contemporary prison setting.  I was a little skeptical at first that Romeo and Juliet could be revamped in such a way, but this was really good and was quite a faithful retelling. Loved the characters! Does Merc have his own story?

Love and Lust Between Men Behind Bars by Curtis Kingsmith

Love and Lust Between Men Behind Bars by Curtis Kingsmith
Brutewood Correctional Facility Series (Minimum Security)
Publisher: Eroticatorium (March 2014)
88 pages, eBook (borrowed from the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Lucas is wrongly imprisoned for arson, after an accident at the gas station he works at, and finds himself incarcerated at the Brutewood Correctional Facility and sharing a cell with James, who quickly makes it clear that he wants a certain level of intimacy with his new cellmate. James eased Lucas’s way in an unfamiliar world and I liked James’s protective tendencies with regard to Lucas. Lucas was a bit more promiscuous than I was comfortable with, but this is a Minimum Security story (so everything is consensual) so there wasn’t anything too shocking in here. I like Lucas’s slow evolution from thinking of himself as straight, to considering other possibilities. Great story and I love the ending!

Friday, January 9, 2015

A Gathering of Knights by Amber Dane

A Gathering of Knights by Amber Dane
The Northern Knights Series, Book 3.5
Publisher: Amber Dane (November 2013)
29 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)
Book Rating: 3 Stars
Sensuality: Pink Heart

This is a brief update on the three couples from this series, as they gather for Goran’s wedding. It doesn’t really offer anything new, just confirms that everyone is doing well and is as happy as we left them. For those who read the series, it offers one last chance to see them all, but not much beyond that.

The Maidens’ Convent by Larissa Luxe

The Maidens’ Convent by Larissa Luxe
Publisher: Larissa Luxe (January 2015)
31 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Master Daniel is a power-driven, egotistical rich man who is looking for a virgin to worship him, luckily the Maidens’ Convent trains submissive virgins to be an acceptable bride to someone like Daniel. Vanessa was chosen by Master Daniel to be his bride, but she fears giving up her virginity. The mixture of historical and contemporary imagery with the strange melding of sexual and religious themes gives this story a dreamlike quality that is very interesting. Master Daniel thrives on control and he is eager to “break” this woman that dares to not want to be chosen by him or have him take her virginity. Much of the story seemed aimed at taking Vanessa out of her comfort zone (by force, if necessary), and regardless of Master Daniel’s motives, I thought that was really intriguing. Though I’m not sure I would really call the ending a “Happily Ever After”, Vanessa did seem content in the end, so I guess that’s good enough for me. Quick Read!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Lady of Caindale by Amber Dane

Lady of Caindale by Amber Dane
Publisher: Amber Dane (December 2014)
163 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Sensuality: Red Heart

Bolt has been commissioned by the King to escort Elle to the convent while her father continues his search for a husband for her, keeping her out of reach of an undesirable but determined suitor. Elle’s spirited behavior seemed to be a coverup for her insecurities over a large facial birthmark, but I found her reckless and rash behavior very frustrating. She seemed so much less mature than Bolt, despite her 25 years, but I suppose for the time period that might be a very realistic quality in a noblewoman that was so naive. Once she let down her defenses a bit I liked her so much better. Bolt could be harsh with her, but I kind of felt she deserved it, with her thoughtless behavior. Great story and I loved how Bolt came around so gradually. I hope to read Rufus and Bethina’s story soon!
Note: For those who pre-ordered as I did, and received a “draft” version of the story, the file has now been updated and a full/complete version of the story is now available.