The Chieftain by Margaret Mallory

The Chieftain by Margaret Mallory

The Return of the Highlanders Series, Book 4

Publisher: Forever (February 2013)

448 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $6.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Connor is determined to enter a marriage alliance that will bring the most benefit to his clan as possible. Virtually invisible and overlooked, Ilysa loves Connor from afar while seeing that his household runs smoothly and using her gift of sight to warn him of dangers, but she dreads seeing him wed to another. I loved this story! This is definitely my favorite book of this series. Connor and Ilysa were great characters and I found them both very engaging from the beginning. Ilysa seems quiet and meek, but her determination and courage was awesome. The mystery surrounding Ilysa's birth and Lachlan's changing motivations were woven perfectly into the conflict with the MacLeods and Connor's uncle Hugh. Even though there were a few moments of doubt on either side, I liked how Connor and Ilysa could never really bring themselves to give up on each other entirely. My only regret is I would have liked Lachlan to have a happy ending of his own. Seeing as this is the last book of the series, I’ll have to content myself with the hint at the end that the women would see him well settled. Excellent series!

Bought for Breeding: Bred in His Shadow by Arthur Mitchell

Bought for Breeding: Bred in His Shadow by Arthur Mitchell

Bought for Breeding Series, Book 1

Publisher: Red Ice Press (February 2013)

71 pages, eBook (provided by Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Looking to make big money fast, Kelsey agrees to go on the auction block offering a year's submissive services in return for a fortune, but she didn't expect her purchaser to expect her to have his child as well. Dillon needs an heir and looks at the proposition as a business transaction, but as he spends time with her his intentions change. I really liked this story. I wasn't sure about Kelsey at first, but she grew on me. Dillon is reserved and a bit mysterious, keeping things bottled up as he does, and he is facing his evil family as a formidable adversary. This is a short story, with a few editorial errors and some of the dialogue was a bit cheesy, but I loved the world it portrayed, and I anxiously await the next installment!

Beauty Touched the Beast by Skye Warren

Beauty Touched the Beast by Skye Warren

Beauty Series, Book 1

Publisher: Skye Warren (December 2011)

23 pages, eBook (available for Free on Amazon)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

A facially-disfigured ex-solider, Blake is a recluse and finds himself attracted to Erin, the young woman who cleans his house, never dreaming that his feelings could ever be returned, even after he is forced to admit them to her. This is a very short story, but somehow it feels longer. The story is told from both points-of-view and I really felt like I got to know both characters even in this short piece. This was beautiful and I look forward to the planned sequels!

A Dirty Dozen Christmas by Marla Monroe

A Dirty Dozen Christmas by Marla Monroe

The Dirty Dozen, Book 7

Publisher: Siren Publishing (January 2013)

116 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

The Dirty Dozen is back and their women are set on celebrating the holiday season by organizing a charity drive for the local orphanage, but when a rival group of women from Parker's past show up, wanting to work on the same charity, things start to get dirty and their menage way of life is drug through the mud. This was a nice reunion story and catches you up with everyone in the series, while exploring some interesting real-world implications of their lifestyle. It was a bit heavy on the sex for me, but the story was nice and I enjoyed the ending.

Hear Me by Skye Warren

Hear Me by Skye Warren

Dark Erotica Series, Book 3

Publisher: Skye Warren (September 2012)

94 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

The last thing Melody remembers is escaping from her captors and her training, but when she wakes, it seems she didn't escape after all and has been sold to a new Master, but Sam seems reluctant to keep her. In many ways, much of this story, even more so than the first two books in this series oddly enough, was out of my comfort zone, but I'm not sure why. The mystery of her past, entangled with the conflict between Sam and his brother, Brendan, was riveting. I particularly enjoyed the stark contrast between the two dominant styles, as presented through the two brothers.

Included at the end, was a related story story, entitled Escape. Tiffany has escaped from the same sub training facility as Melody and is rescued by Alex. This was very, very short and more preamble or summary than story, but interesting all the same.

The last book in this series, Don't Let Go, is due out some time in 2013. I look forward to reading it.

Trust in Me by Skye Warren

Trust in Me by Skye Warren

Dark Erotica Series, Book 2

Publisher: Skye Warren (February 2012)

142 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Mia was rescued off the streets by sadistic mob boss, Carlos (from the first book in this series) only to become his sex slave, and the only hopeful thought she has left is to try to save other girls from her fate. Tyler, Mia's childhood crush, may have abandoned her when she needed him as a child, but now he is back, in the last place she ever thought to see him, and Mia's uncertain why. Much like the first book, Mia is forced to go through hell, while the man she cares about looks on helplessly, but Tyler was a strong character despite that, though a bit naive at times. This was harsh, brutal and delved into the warped introspection of a ruined girl, which was disturbing to say the least, but also strangely fascinating. As with the first book in this series, lots of dark/dry humor and a slightly twisted happily ever after to finish it off. Very nice.

Keep Me Safe by Skye Warren

Keep Me Safe by Skye Warren

Dark Erotica Series, Book 1

Publisher: Skye Warren (November 2011)

88 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Rachel has been kidnapped by a gang and is facing the prospect of rape and unpleasant handling, to say the least, but Zachary, the man claiming her, whispers that he will protect her. I would have thought from the description and/or subject matter that Zachary was going to be a dominant figure, but despite his protective motivations and actions, he was a very submissive character throughout much of this story and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I almost felt like she had to go through hell and bear the extra burden of dragging him along behind her, and she does it almost eagerly. This story is told in first person, from Rachel's point of view, and is both brutal and disturbing, but I felt it focused more on Rachel's thoughts, feelings and coping mechanisms than the violence itself, which is why it held my interest. Whether part of Rachel's personality or simply a facet of the author's writing style, this story contained a fair bit of dry/dark humor, which I enjoyed. The next book in this series is Trust in Me.

Tempting the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

Tempting the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

The McTiernays Series, Book 4

Publisher: Zebra Books (September 2011)

351 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.61)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

With his twin daughters refusing to marry and no mother to guide them, Laird Schellden hatches a plot to ensure that his clan will be in good hands once he is gone, and he is only too pleased when the McTiernay twins, Craig and Crevan, go along with it and agree to a temporary engagement to his daughters, Raelynd and Meriel. This story revolves around three couples: Crevan & Raelynd, Craig & Meriel, and Cyric & Rowena. This whole thing was such an unholy mess and by the end, the continued misunderstandings between various people became quite tedious, only compounded by the fact that it only seemed to be getting worse and not better. The main story centers on Crevan and Raelynd, and I did really like them as main characters, in fact they are probably my favorite of the series thus far, which is why it is such a shame that the plot was so frustrating. Both characters had significant growth in the course of the story, which was great, but I do not think any of the convoluted mess was necessary to achieving it. Regardless, the characters were great and I do love this series. The next book in this series is Seducing the Highlander, due out June 2013, about Craig and Meriel.

Desiring the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

Desiring the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

The McTiernays Series, Book 3

Publisher: Zebra Books (December 2009)

416 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.30)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Sent by his sister-in-law into England, the one place on earth he loathes the most, to retrieve a "treasured item," Cole had no idea that what he would be bringing back was a woman that had seen nearly as many horrors as he had. Ellenor was the one person that really understood him, and he was the one person that could help her come out from behind her fear. I loved these characters and their immediate ability to recognize and relate to each other's pain. Ellenor's unwavering belief in Cole was awesome and the uncertain finish to the battle at the end which leads to the epilogue was great. The next book in this series is Tempting the Highlander.

To Wed a Highlander by Michele Sinclair

To Wed a Highlander by Michele Sinclair

The McTiernays Series, Book 2

Publisher: Zebra Books (July 2008)

398 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $2.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Makenna possessed nothing of what Colin thought he wanted in a wife, in fact, she was exactly the opposite of his ideal, but despite Makenna's equal displeasure at the match, they must wed for the good of everyone, especially now that Makenna's father was ailing. But, the more Colin came to know Makenna he saw that her prickly attitude was only a means of covering her vast uncertainty, insecurity and fear, and found that perhaps they had much more in common than they'd known. I loved this story! Though Makenna and Colin do have their ups and downs as they develop and grow into their new relationship, even more of this story is about them working together against outside forces and it was great to see them grow along the way. The next book in this series is Desiring the Highlander, about the third McTiernay brother, Cole.

The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair

The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair

The McTiernays Series, Book 1

Publisher: Zebra Books (June 2007)

320 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $1.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

With her brother's impending marriage, Laurel sees an opportunity to escape the lonely drudgery of life with her brother and go to live with her beloved grandfather in Scotland, but she finds herself intercepted by an evil laird, then rescued by Conor and his men. Though Conor has vowed never to marry, Laurel makes him question that resolve when she requests to accompany him and his men on their journey home. This story is a classic in Highlander Romance, right up there with Julie Garwood's The Secret and Ransom. Great, engaging characters and plenty of action to keep you interested. The next book in this series is To Wed a Highlander, about the second McTiernay brother, Colin.

Accepting Eva by Becca Van

Accepting Eva by Becca Van

Slick Rock Series, Book 8

Publisher: Siren Publishing (December 2012)

117 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Eva is living with a condition that causes her to have to wear a brace on her leg and has many insecurities because of it. She is on vacation, partly to escape a stalker when she meets Quin, Gray and Pierson, and she finds she'd like to stay longer than just a couple weeks. There was a bit too much of using the person's name every time anyone said anything, reminding me of an annoying salesman's speech, but I liked the story enough to overlook it. I also found myself wondering if Eva's condition could be hereditary and whether that would be a concern when they wanted to start a family, but that was not explored. Other than that, I thought the idea of having a heroine with a disability was great and I really liked Eva. She was easy to relate to, disability or no. The guys were all great. I liked Quin's over-the-top dominance, Gray's sweetness and Pierson's playfulness. Great read!

Shelby's Saviors by Becca Van

Shelby's Saviors by Becca Van

Slick Rock Series, Book 7

Publisher: Siren Publishing (October 2012)

122 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $4.24)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Sensuality: Red Heart

Shelby is running from the memory of her family's deaths and the man she helped put in prison as a result, and Cord and Brandt provide a soft place to fall. But when the killer escapes prison making it known that he is after revenge, Shelby worries about putting Cord and Brandt in danger and once again losing everyone she cares about. I think this is my favorite so far in this series. Shelby didn't put up any unnecessary resistance and the two men were just dominant enough to handle her without being annoying about it. Some of the dialogue was a little cheesy, but not too bad. I look forward to reading the Badon brothers' story in the next book in this series, Accepting Eva.