A Rancher’s Woman by E. Ayers

A Rancher’s Woman by E. Ayers

Creed’s Crossing Historical
Sequel to A Christmas Far From Home

Publisher: E. Ayers (December 2013)

226 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

Looking to escape an abusive marriage, Malene jumps at the chance to leave home with her sister and the man her sister is planning to marry. Along the way, Malene meets a Native American man named Many Feathers who from the beginning is determined to court and marry her, but Malene has a lot of growing up to do and needs time to change her ideals before she can accept what her heart knew from the first moment she met Many Feathers. I loved this story! Parts of it are sad, other parts are frustrating, and it doesn't sugar-coat the hardships facing a Native American man in that time period, or the difficulties of a Native American man living as man and wife with a white woman, but I loved Many Feathers and his determination to succeed, his freedom from society's unnecessary restrictions, and his ability to show Malene happiness and gift her with a bit of her own freedom from proprieties. In a stiff and formal world, Many Feathers was like a breath of fresh air, and by the end Malene was a strong woman who was worthy of him. Great Read! This book is a sequel to A Christmas Far From Home, a short story that was included in the Sweetwater Springs Christmas collection.

Sweetwater Springs Christmas by Debra Holland and Friends

Sweetwater Springs Christmas by Debra Holland and Friends

The Montana Sky Series, Book 4.5

Publisher: Debra Holland (November 2013)

462 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

This is a collection of 13 short stories set in the Montana Sky Series's Sweetwater Springs around Christmas time, three of which are written by the series's author Debra Holland and the other ten stories are authored by various other romance authors. Most of the stories in this collection are romance stories but a couple are not. My favorites are A Family for Ike (about an orphaned boy finding a home with a kindred spirit) and A Christmas Far From Home (about a young couple meeting after years of correspondence and which has a sequel about the woman's sister in A Rancher's Woman by E. Ayers). Many of the tales are interwoven with details from the others, so by the end it all comes together in the last story of the collection with a wonderful finish. For fans of Paty Jager's Halsey Brothers series, her contribution A Christmas to Remember includes an appearance from Zeke and Maeve Halsey. Great holiday collection and I look forward to the next book in this series!

Painted Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Painted Montana Sky by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 3.5

Publisher: Debra Holland (December 2013)

124 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $1.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

After a riding accident that left her with a limp, Lily hopes to support herself with her paintings and sets out for Montana with her beloved dog to paint some flora and fauna to contribute to a book that has been commissioned. Tyler's been turned off to women in general ever since his wife left him and his young son for another man, but when he saves Lily's dog from drowning he can't help but be drawn to the young woman. Sweet novella with Tyler learning to take down his protective wall and trust again and Lily learning to hope, with glimpses of many of the wonderful characters from previous books in the series. The next book in this series is Sweetwater Springs Christmas.

Montana Sky Christmas by Debra Holland

Montana Sky Christmas by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 3.25

Publisher: Debra Holland (December 2013)

187 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: White Heart

If you have read the first three books in the Montana Sky series and liked the characters they introduced you to along the way, you will love this holiday-themed collection of short stories! Though I don't think you would necessarily have to have read the previous books in the series, I do think many of these stories would be more enjoyable with that background knowledge. The collection includes a few romance stories, including one for shy Pepe of the livery, as well as a few adorable holiday tales that don't include a romance, all giving little updates on the characters we've come to know throughout the series so far. The next book in this series is the novella Painted Montana Sky.

Stormy Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Stormy Montana Sky by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 3

Publisher: Montlake Romance (September 2013)

334 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

Lovesick over an unrequited love, Harriet ran headlong out into the wilderness and found herself alone, injured and far from town, but Ant happened by just when she needed a knight in shining armor, and though he only meant to assist her and go on his way, he ended up pulling her into his life and his problems. Though I wasn't overly impressed with Harriet's completely unencouraged overt fawning over Nick Sanders in previous books in this series, she always seemed a decent enough lady otherwise and I was glad to see her finally put her crush behind her here and move on to a man who actually wanted her affections. Ant was an interesting character, though not without his own problems and baggage, and it was interesting to see the way he and Harriet helped each other to put the past behind and start to look to the future. The next book in this series is Montana Sky Christmas.

Starry Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Starry Montana Sky by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 2

Publisher: Montlake Romance (August 2012)

341 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

Inheriting her uncle's Montana ranch is just the thing Samantha needed to be able to escape the oppressive presence of her father-in-law, and as if the move and taking on a ranch aren't challenging enough in itself, Samantha finds herself offering a home to three young orphans that no one else is willing to take a chance on, raising them with her own boy. Wyatt, though reluctant at first, is quickly drawn into Samantha's plight offering neighborly assistance, as he tries to work out his sudden reluctance to court the other woman he'd had his eye on. Samantha had a bit of naive optimism that I admired, always seeming to trust that everything would work out in the end. Each of the three boys she took in were so different and I hope to see more of them as the series progresses. Though Wyatt's protectiveness of his daughter tripped him up a time or two, in the end he was great about standing up for Samantha, even in the face of so much opposition in town. Great story! The next story in this series is Stormy Montana Sky.

Wild Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Wild Montana Sky by Debra Holland

The Montana Sky Series, Book 1

Publisher: Montlake Romance (August 2012)

333 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

When Elizabeth receives word of her brother's unexpected marriage and imminent arrival with new wife in tow, she finds herself displaced and her whole world is turned upside down, while the cold reception from her new sister-in-law doesn't help matters, so an invitation to visit her friend in Montana comes just at the right time and affords her a change of scenery to sort herself out. I didn't like Elizabeth much at first, she seemed spoiled, stuffy and overly attached to societal rules and etiquette, but her time in the west loosened her up a bit, along with the gentle nudging influence of her friend Pamela and ranch hand, Nick. I loved Nick's constant supportive presence lingering patiently while Elizabeth slowly came to grips with the fact that she can't make another man into what her dead fiancé had been to her and she must face moving on. Great story and I look forward to continuing with the rest of the series. The next book in this series is, Starry Montana Sky.

Adversaries’ Pain by Ann Grech

Adversaries’ Pain by Ann Grech

The Adversaries Series, Book 2

Publisher: Ann Grech (December 2013)

376 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.49)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After Emma's horrific attack, she deals with the continuing threat of her attacker being still at large, while she tries to work on her commitment issues and enjoy what little time she and Nicholas can piece together around their jobs. This book more than the last, I felt a little frustrated by Emma's stubborn resistance to commitment or taking steps to move forward, and her almost desperate need to cling to her independence, but there were some great touching moments here and there, and lots of steamy action, especially during their elaborate holiday vacation as they explore Nicholas's dominant side a bit more. I can't wait for the exciting conclusion to Emma and Nicholas's story in part 3, Adversaries' Love, and hope to see it out soon!

Heather by Caroline Fyffe

Heather by Caroline Fyffe

Mail-Order Brides of the West, Book 3

The McCutcheon Family Series, Book 4

Publisher: Caroline Fyffe (December 2013)

233 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: White Heart

Heather hopes to relieve her large, impoverished family of an extra mouth to feed by offering herself as a mail-order bride, despite a lack of genuine interest in actually getting married, that is until she is given Hayden's name and matched with him, warming to the idea only to arrive and find he had not written the letter requesting a bride and has no intention of marrying. Entertaining tale of two people who need a little help recognizing their own feelings and acting on them. I enjoyed the way the whole town was involved in trying to get these two together. It is such a quaint, homey little town with interesting people, and I look forward to reading more stories about them.

Adversaries’ Lust by Ann Grech

Adversaries’ Lust by Ann Grech

The Adversaries Series, Book 1

Publisher: Ann Grech (November 2013)

327 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Emma and Nick meet on opposite sides of a legal proceeding and a strong mutual attraction leads to a magical weekend romance followed by a long distance relationship that successfully puts many regular relationships to shame in its depth, intimacy and romantic nature, but multiple outside forces work against them as they pursue their relationship. The prologue, though initially a little confusing, I've decided is a little taste of what you can look forward to at the end of the trilogy, before you go back and start at the beginning of Nick and Emma's story in Chapter 1. I loved this story! Nick and Emma do so many inventive things to keep in touch while they are apart, and both characters were very easy to like, even through the moody ups and downs of a typical relationship. This story ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm anxiously awaiting the next two installments in Nick and Emma's story, Adversaries' Pain and Adversaries' Love! I hope to see them out soon!

Number 121 by Powerone

Number 121 by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (December 2013)

194 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Sandi had always been focused on her career and the position of power it afforded her, that is until it was taken from her and an amble supply of free-time allowed her to reflect on her lack of a personal life. With a little encouragement from her sister, Sandi set out to try something new in an effort to bring a little more balance to her life, and found that training as a submissive may be just what she needed to find a bit more fulfillment for herself. Great story about self-discovery and reinventing oneself into a more authentic, if less societally acceptable, version of oneself, and finding someone compatible to share your life with. This includes elements of exhibitionism and voyeurism.

A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon and Marilyn Pappano

A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon and Marilyn Pappano

Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2013)

224 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $1.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Dream a Little Dream by Jill Shalvis

Lucky Harbor Series, Book 8.5

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Melissa had always been commitment shy, but she regrets running away from her chance with the man of her dreams and she doesn’t know how to fix it, until Ian rescues her from a house fire and she realizes how important it is not to let second chances pass her by. Sweet holiday reunion of two people who had been pining for each other and regretting their breakup from six months before.

Every Year by Kristen Ashley

Chaos Series, Book 2.5

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Shy and his brother, Landon, had missed out on many happy Christmases when they were young, due to their parents early death, but now that Shy and his brother have been welcomed into Tabby’s family, the whole Allen family is determined to make this a great Christmas for both Cage brothers, and hopefully sooth a bit of the hurt from their past. Nice little peek at Tack and his family as they go about their holiday celebration on Christmas Day, full of little traditions that mean so much.

Silent Night by Hope Ramsay

Last Chance Series, Book 6.5

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: White Heart

Maryanne was a single-mother who had fallen on very hard times, so she took a wild chance and set out with her three-month-old son and all her meager belongings, to look up a female cousin she hadn’t seen since she was six. After his divorce, Daniel was left to spend Christmas alone drowning his sorrows in his childhood home, that he was planning to sell, so when he got back from getting groceries he was surprised to find Maryanne and her baby holed up in his barn. Cute contemporary rendition of the christmas story from the Bible, mixed with some Christmas miracles and hope for a fresh start at making their dreams come true for two people who could really use a change for the better.

Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas by Molly Cannon

Everson, TX Series, Book 3.5

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Focused on his work, the last thing Lincoln expected to find on his doorstep was a cheerful, holiday-decked woman sent by his mother to organize his disorder in preparation for their Christmas visit. After some initial resistance Lincoln and Dinah start to enjoy each other’s company during her visits, though both fight the idea of it leading to anything more. Nice story about opposites attracting, but I thought the sex scene came totally out of the blue, seemed out of context with the rest of the story in its intensity and, in all honesty, I could have done without it (kissing could have replaced it more than amply).

A Family for Christmas by Marilyn Pappano

The Tallgrass Series, Book 1.5

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Ilena’s been keeping herself busy with her infant son and civic activities, since her husband was killed the year before in the war overseas, but the new doctor in town, Jared, has her considering a return to the dating scene, if only they didn’t come from two entirely different worlds. Cute story about a young widow taking a chance and getting back in the game, all the while helping Jared to carve out a life of his own that feels more welcoming then the east coast society life he grew up with. I kind of felt that they glossed over what could potentially be legitimate roadblocks to having a serious relationship, but then again this was a short story.

Branded by Étaín by Jianne Carlo

Branded by Étaín by Jianne Carlo

The Beasts of Bärvik Series, Book 1

Publisher: Taliesin Publishing (December 2013)

122 pages, eBook (provided by the Author)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Determined to have Étaín, as well as the lands her family controls, Brand sets out to win her affections, but is not above invading the lands by force if she does not choose him willingly. Brand and Étaín were great together, each with their own intricate set of paranormal gifts to make things interesting. Étaín was the perfect mix of strength and innocence, and despite the horrors in her past, she had a certain unsullied freshness that was endearing. Brand's careful courtship of her was lovely and his ability to adapt his plans along the way played well with his honest approach to things, making him an easy character to like. I look forward to learning more about Brand's brothers, Nikolas and Taske, as well as Étaín's sisters, Alana and Keara, in further stories from this series!

Super Nova by Jayne Rylon

Super Nova by Jayne Rylon

Hot Rods, Book 3

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.(December 2013)

167 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.44)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Kaige (Super Nova) was glad to pitch in with the business management end of things, giving Eli (Cobra) more time with his partners as they plan their wedding, and it allowed Kaige an opportunity to flesh out some business ideas he'd had, so the news that Eli had hired a consultant without his input came like a slap to the face, until he met Nola in person. With the Hot Rods finally becoming more comfortable about exploring the possibilities within their group, Kaige is confused about how to fit his feelings for Nola into the mix. Nola's open-minded nature made the whirlwind romance more believable and her calm, controlled manner made her a good match for Kaige and his raging emotions. I can't wait for Roman and Carver's story! I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Rebel on the Run, about Bryce, due out April 2014.

Love to Bear by A. T. Mitchell

Love to Bear by A. T. Mitchell

Publisher: Red Ice Press (November 2013)

135 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Wandering in the woods with a broken heart, Sam comes upon a huge bear that appears to change into a man before her eyes, then she passes out. When she wakes she finds that Don truly is a bear shifter and has smuggled her back to his cabin despite his clan's strict isolationist policies. I have enjoyed other stories by this author and was excited to see a shifter romance, but I felt this story was a little heavy on the sex scenes. There were a few plot difficulties that bothered me (the heroine drinking to the point of getting a hangover the next morning just after finding out she's pregnant; and given Don's medical/scientific ignorance due to the clan's isolation and his declaration that he never uses them, his assurances about not needing a condom seemed fairly weak). If you are looking for a quick erotic read with a shifter twist, this may be right up your alley, but I got a bit too caught up in the details.

Cowboy's Strict Commands by Arthur Mitchell and Nicole Snow

Cowboy's Strict Commands by Arthur Mitchell and Nicole Snow

Publisher: Red Ice Press (November 2013)

78 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Ashley was a young woman who had fallen on bad times and her reputation as the town whore, however ill-deserved it was, didn't help matters, but little did she know that an indecent proposal from Gabe might change all that. Gabe was a strong, powerful character that not only repaired her reputation but her self-image and, in the process, gave her hope for a fresh start. I felt he was a good blend of protective alpha male and a dominant source of guidance toward self-growth. Ashley slowly came into her own, gradually becoming comfortable in her own skin once again, and she was an easy character to like, who definitely deserved her HEA in the end.

Gangster Moll by Powerone

Gangster Moll by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (November 2013)

193 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Mickey and Charlie are setting out in the roaring twenties to perform a string of bank robberies across the state of Oklahoma . . . but with a little twist, taking the banker's wife captive in her own home and using her for their pleasure before robbing the bank the next morning with the banker's grudging assistance. I liked the idea of this story, and found it interesting to follow the planning and progress of their crime spree, but there were too many long, drawn out torture scenes in it for my taste. Seemed every time you turned around, someone else was facing unpleasantness in graphic detail, but at least they were equal opportunity, both men and women suffered at the hands of these gangsters. This includes some boss/employee and cop/civilian abuse of authority scenes. Very well-written and I felt this story did a good job of making you feel like you were there in the gangster life. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

Don’t Let Go by Skye Warren

Don’t Let Go by Skye Warren

Dark Erotica Series, Book 4

Publisher: Skye Warren (November 2013)

189 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

As a rookie FBI agent, Samantha gets her big break when she is assigned as a partner to Ian, the experienced agent working a big case, but questions about why she was chosen for such an assignment linger even as she bravely presses forward, determined to do her best to help catch the criminal mastermind, that many would call a monster. Great story about the different sides that exist to a person's personality and the dark, deprived places desire can take you. Samantha and Ian were both such interesting characters with endless layers continuously being revealed along the way, and even though the man she wanted wasn't exactly gentle, the way their wants and needs complimented each other was, in its own twisted way, something truly beautiful. Great end to the series!

Colters’ Gift by Maya Banks

Colters’ Gift by Maya Banks

Colters’ Legacy Series, Book 5

Publisher: Berkley (November 2013)

369 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.60)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Lauren escaped a nightmare and has hidden away in the small Colorado town with the Colters surrounding her, as she tries to forget and put the past behind her, but when Noah and Liam show up on her doorstep and dredge everything up again she has no choice but to pull her head from the sand and meet her past head on with the two men at her side. Definitely my favorite of the series! Lauren and the two men went into their relationship with minimal resistance and mainly it was the danger of Lauren's past that they had to contend with along the way. I loved the way the Colters welcomed Noah and Liam into the fold almost immediately and the way the entire family worked together throughout the whole story. This edition also includes an epilogue novella, Colters' Legacy, that draws the series as a whole to a conclusion. It's sad to see the Colters go, but it was nice to have it all wrapped up so nicely with everyone settled and happy. Great ending!

Jagged by Kristen Ashley

Jagged by Kristen Ashley

Colorado Mountain Series, Book 5

Publisher: Forever (November 2013)

345 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.63)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Zara had found the love of her life, the only problem was that Graham "Ham" Reece was not the type of man to settle down . . . and she needed that, so when he left, she tried to move on but just couldn't manage to do it . . . then she suddenly finds him back in her life again, but she's not sure she wants him back because she knows she can't survive losing him again. This was a story about a middle-aged couple with a long messy history, lots of baggage on both sides and some really ugly verbal fighting between them when things were bad. But once things got good, they were really good and I loved both Zara and Reece, they had such good chemistry together.  As with any book in this series, or any book involving characters carrying this much baggage, the beginning is rough and really sad, but if you can get past that, the ending is great! The next book in this series is Kaleidoscope, about Deck and Emme, due out February 2014. 

How to Handle a Highlander by Mary Wine

How to Handle a Highlander by Mary Wine

The Sutherlands Series, Book 3

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (November 2013)

317 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $5.79)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Looking to prevent another Fraser plot against his family before it begins, Gahan Sutherland sets out to find out what trouble the Frasers are getting into, only to find the half-sister, Moira, set to marry in an effort seal an alliance that looks highly suspect, but Gahan isn’t sure to what extent Moira is involved in these plans. Lots of intrigue from all sides, with poor Moira caught in the middle, this story is definitely not lacking for action and easily kept my interest. Moira had a quiet strength that I loved and I liked that Gahan was so determined in his pursuit of what he wanted, even willing to stand up to his family and anyone else who stood in his way. I look forward to reading Saer and Nareen’s story in the next book in this series, The Highlander’s Bride Trouble, due out June 2014.

That Pearly Drop by Jianne Carlo

That Pearly Drop by Jianne Carlo

Murphy's Laws of Time Travel, Book 1

Publisher: Taliesin Publishing (November 2013)

244 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After embarking on vacation in present day with her two friends, the last place Emma expected to awake was in 1763 faced with the body of a dead girl, then, for lack of any better option, she uses the dead girl's coach ticket to go to Wye Castle intending to impersonate her until she can figure out something better. Emma slowly realizes she's entered a world where all the fairytales and mythologies seem to be true, but her logical thinking slows her understanding of all that is happening around her, making her the perfect, entertaining guide through a story that was made more believable by the heroine's skepticism. I loved Ian and all that was involved in his wolf-shifter ways. The Murphy's Time-Travel Laws prefacing each chapter were hilarious, especially coupled with Emma's fumbling to explain her "colonial idioms" and I loved her nicknames for people. I hope to see more of the C-men and I suspect we will see more of Emma's friends from the future (present?). Great read and I look forward to reading the next installment!

Nessa's Two Shifters by Marla Monroe

Nessa's Two Shifters by Marla Monroe

Wolf's Pass Shifters, Book 1

Publisher: Siren Publishing (August 2013)

118 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.59)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

The Shoewaters are equivalent to wolf shifter royalty in their territory and the next generation is beginning to step into their power as their parents retire and turn over the reins to their eight sons (Levi & Aaron, Joseph & Jessup, Lee & Evan, Kindle & Galen) and Jessup is the first of the brothers to find his mate. Positive that she is also mate to his twin brother, Joseph, he hopes that with his help she will be able to bring the prodigal son home and back to life. Nessa with her painful past may be just the thing that Joseph needs to breakout of his own painful past. Great shifter story, with two men following the inescapable pull to claim their mate and try to ease her way into a life completely unknown to her. I loved all the little nuances of the shifters and their mate. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but it definitely left things open for sequels to follow. I look forward to reading the other brothers' stories and hope to see them out soon!

Her Wolf, Her Savior by Elixa Everett

Her Wolf, Her Savior by Elixa Everett

Her Alpha Wolf Series, Book 2

Publisher: Soft & Hard Erotic Publishing (September 2013)

87 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Picking up where the previous story left off, Ian and Adrianna are faced with performing the ritual claiming before the pack for their mate bond to be formally recognized, but no one could have predicted the consequences of allowing the ritual to be completed and the problems that would arise because of it. I thought the ideas behind this story were great, the cougar/wolf feud and the mystery surrounding Adrianna's origins, but I felt it was a little heavy on the sex and the sex scenes seems to be kind of clumsily interspersed with the plot-driven action. Wished it could have flowed a bit more easily from one to the other, and I'd have liked Adrianna to be a little less petulant on occasion, but I liked the story enough that I kept wanting to know what would happen next. Whether it has to do with the mate bond or if it is just Ian, I love his selfless devotion to Adrianna, willing to take on his own pack and anything else that dares to threaten her . . . can't ask for more than that in a good hero. I hope to see a part 3 to this story, seeing as there seemed to be plenty of material left to be explored with this story.

Her Wolf, Her Protector by Elixa Everett

Her Wolf, Her Protector by Elixa Everett

Her Alpha Wolf Series, Book 1

Publisher: Soft & Hard Erotic Publishing (September 2013)

53 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Ever since she was a little girl, Adrianna has shared a bond with the wolf that saved her from a cougar attack, so much so, that she goes to visit him in the woods every day, rain or snow, sharing her secrets with him as she grows up. Great little novella about a wolf imprinting on a girl and waiting around as her protector until she is old enough to be claimed. The connection between Adrianna and Ian was so intense that not even the strangeness of the situation could dull it or keep them apart. The next book in this series is Her Wolf, Her Savior.

My Notorious Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

My Notorious Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

Highland Adventure Series, Book 5

Publisher: Vonda Sinclair (October 2013)

238 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Despite her rejection of his previous proposals, Torrin is determined to have Jessie for his bride, no matter how long it takes him to talk her around to his way of thinking, but Jessie's past and a brief unpleasant memory of Torrin from long ago make her stubborn and a challenging lass to woo. I loved Torrin and how driven he was in his pursuit of Jessie, not letting anything discourage him for long. Jessie's unwillingness to bend got a bit frustrating, but her reasoning was understandable given her history, and I liked Torrin's strategy for overcoming her hesitancy. The next book in this series is My Rebel Highlander, about Rebbie, due out 2014.

The King's Dungeon by Powerone

The King's Dungeon by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (May 2012)

176 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

As both Prince and then later as King, the world is Rulf's oyster, the possibilities endless as they stretch out before him, and he is only too willing to make the most of enjoying all that is available to him. I was a bit reticent at first, given the title that this could be a bit too extreme for my tastes given all that a dungeon could encompass, but for the most part this tale follows Rulf through a number of aspects of his privileged life and only a few of those scenarios involved a dungeon or were particularly brutal. This ran the gamut of possibilities for scenarios involving a member of royalty in the middle ages and those who were subject to them, some taboo, some satisfying a morbid curiosity, and some almost playful. This contains vivid descriptions of dubious consent situations and rough sexual situations which may be out of some readers' comfort zone, in addition this contains a few socially taboo scenarios that may be off-putting for some. For those with a strong constitution, a great read!

Bound for His Pleasure by Powerone

Bound for His Pleasure by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (April 2012)

172 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Frustrated with the lack of skills of men her own age and sick of taking care of herself, Lyn is glad to meet Michael, an older man with a vivid and sinister imagination to accompany his courtship of her, and though she was admittedly looking for adventure, she begins to wonder what she's gotten herself into. The thing that stands out in my mind most about this story is the wonderful melding of gentlemanly wooing and romance with harsh domination and rough sexual situations in such a way that it is very believable and earnest. Michael introduces Lyn to a number of things including exhibitionism and voyeurism, and I felt the progression of their relationship was evenly paced for two workaholics, giving it a realistic feel. This contains vivid descriptions of rough sexual situations which may be out of some readers' comfort zone. Great read with a nice little update at the end to let you know how everything worked out in the end.

Bound for Danger by Powerone

Bound for Danger by Powerone

Publisher: Sizzler Editions (April 2012)

152 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Young, rich wives are being kidnapped and returned unwilling to say what happened to them, so one husband hires Michael to go undercover in the world of bondage, the last victim's sister, Justine, volunteering to pose as his sub during the investigation, only the bondage games turn out to be a lot more than just for show. Interesting story illustrating the impossibility of trying to go back to the way things were, before you were introduced to something that resonated with you, socially acceptable or not. I liked Justine, she was a submissive with a little spunk, and a lot of personal strength. Aside from Charles (one of the husbands), be forewarned the men in this story are not particularly caring, tender or loyal . . . for the most part, Michael and the others are cold, and selfishly motivated. This contains vivid descriptions of dubious consent situations and rough sexual situations which may be out of some readers' comfort zone, in addition this contains a few socially taboo scenarios that may be off-putting for some. This novel was previously published as Bound for Revenge.

For You by Kristen Ashley

For You by Kristen Ashley

The 'Burg Series, Book 1

Publisher: Kristen Ashley (March 2011)

493 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Colt and Feb were the perfect couple, together since childhood and everyone knew they always would be, until the day Feb broke up with Colt, without explanation, and left for over a decade, only brought back together by a lunatic fixated on Feb that Colt is determined to protect her from. Feb and Colt were both great people, but both being in their forties, they came with a lot of baggage on both sides, and it was interesting to see that playing out. Once the event that broke Colt and Feb apart was revealed in its entirety, I literally felt sick to my stomach, the betrayal and the consequences of that for everyone involved were so tragic, I nearly couldn't bring myself to continue reading the story, but thankfully all the air was cleared within the first half of the book, and the characters could move on from there, making the second half much less painful. The remainder of the book focused on catching the killer and I thought that investigative mystery portion was really well done. Reece (from the Colorado Mountain Series-Jagged) made a small appearance in this book. The next book in this series is At Peace.

Triple M Ranch by Becca Van

Triple M Ranch by Becca Van

Slick Rock Series, Book 10

Publisher: Siren Publishing (October 2013)

104 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Due to her difficult past and the fact that she is the only female hand on the ranch, Cash had always tried to downplay her femininity, but she caught the eye of Bruce, Cain and Danny nonetheless, and no matter how difficult she was about it, they were determined to make her theirs, but an unknown stalker was making their plans to win her more difficult. I didn't feel the stalker was much of a mystery, since it was pretty clear who it was from the beginning, but I did enjoy following his warped progress wondering what he would throw at them next . . . a nice little complication added here and there. The guys were all wonderful, but I thought Cash made it a bit more difficult on them then was necessary, especially in the beginning, luckily she saw the light in the end. I hope this series continues . . . maybe the three Eagle brothers from Mountain Village will be next.

Capturing Kylie by Becca Van

Capturing Kylie by Becca Van

Slick Rock Series, Book 9

Publisher: Siren Publishing (July 2013)

98 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Kylie is on the run as the result of witnessing a crime and takes the opportunity of her friend's wedding to escape and hide out a bit, but the anxiety follows her and soon her secret is out, and the grooms' three cousins, who are also there for the wedding, decide to make her safety their personal mission. Kylie's stress and fear made her a bit abrasive at times, but once she allowed others to help a bit, she was really very likable and I loved the way she stood up for herself in the face of danger, never losing focus. The three Badon brothers (Xavier, Lachlan and Will) knew what they wanted from the start and doggedly went after it, no matter what . . . you have to admire that. The next book in this series is Triple M Ranch.

Theirs to Keep by Maya Banks

Theirs to Keep by Maya Banks

The Tangled Hearts Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Maya Banks (October 2013)

360 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $5.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Stumbling along with amnesia after being left for dead, Elle is hoping for a warm place to rest her head for a little while, when she essentially falls into the lap of two men who are determined to take care of her and she is amazed at how easily she fits into their life of time split between Merrick's bid for a mixed martial arts championship and Cade's security business, but the shadow of her past always hovers over her. Merrick and Cade were great. Both alpha men, with Merrick being a bit more dominant, but I loved the easy give and take between the two best friends as they tried to navigate the new relationship they were forming. Despite being rendered fairly helpless by her amnesia and other circumstances, I thought Elle was a really strong character that was easy to relate to and I didn't feel she was your typical damsel-in-distress, but instead had a bit more grit in her. I was initially a bit perturbed about the loose ends left at the end of this book, until I continued on to the little blurb that follows about the second book in this series, Always Mine, and discovered that the second book picks up where this one left off. Yay! I can't wait to read it, and hope the second book will be released soon!

The Highlander's Sin by Eliza Knight

The Highlander's Sin by Eliza Knight

The Stolen Bride Series, Book 6

Publisher: Knight Media, LLC (October 2013)

249 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

As the sole survivor of his family's massacre, Duncan has bided his time for an opportunity to exact revenge on the clan that caused his pain, but he never expected the young woman he planned to kidnap to acquiesce to his plans so cheerfully, making him nervous that she had some scheme of her own up her sleeve. Heather's vibrant, cheerful disposition and willingness to seek adventure not only made her the perfect match for Duncan's brooding, cynicism, but also made her a character that was easy to love. When faced with all that was Heather, Duncan couldn't help but shed the weight he carried on his shoulders piece by piece, and it was wonderful to see him gradually come back to himself. Great story and I can't wait to read Heather's sister Lorna's story in The Highlander's Temptation, due out February 2014!

Rowan's Lady by Suzan Tisdale

Rowan's Lady by Suzan Tisdale

The Clan Graham Series, Book 1

Publisher: Suzan Tisdale (October 2013)

292 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $3.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Pink Heart

After a string of unsatisfying marriages arranged by her cold, unfeeling father, Arline has all but given up hope of fulfilling her dreams, that is until her husband kidnaps a young child and she finds purpose anew in caring for the girl and devising a plan of escape to return her to her father. She is only too surprised when the girl's father, Rowan, shows up to rescue his daughter the very night Arline's husband has annulled their marriage and banished her from the keep. Many forces try to pry Rowan and Arline apart including Arline's family, evil Beatrice and others, Arline always seeming to take the brunt of the assault, but I thought she was brave and determined to remain standing no matter what was thrown her way and I really liked that about her, she was never one to complain. Rowan was understandably confused and guilt-ridden due to his feelings for his dead wife and those for Arline, but once he had it all worked out he was steadfast and loyal, and a very easy character to like. There were a fair number of editorial errors in this edition, but I could overlook them for the most part. I look forward to reading Frederick's story in Frederick's Queen, due out next spring!

Having it All by Reece Butler

Having it All by Reece Butler

Climax, Montana Series, Book 2

Publisher: Siren Publishing (October 2013)

303 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.19)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

After being deserted by her father as a baby and watching her mother struggle to raise her and her sister on her own, Nikki decided to opt for a career as a doctor to ensure she'd never be in such a vulnerable position herself, but after seeing her sister newly remarried she begins to wonder if she isn't missing out, especially when the Frost brothers, Eric and Matt, express some interest. Nikki was a randy commitment-phobic virgin eager for no-strings fun, though I thought the traits seemed a bit unlikely given her age and education-level, but for the most part it was her wrong assumptions about what the men wanted from her that most frustrated me about her. Eric was the most dominant of the two brothers, but I liked that Matt's character wasn't just "the soft-hearted brother" because he had plenty dominance himself when it was needed. This book also provided some glimpses and updates on characters from the first book in this series and it was good to see them again. I look forward to the contemporary series to come!