Purr (Twisted Fairytales, Book 9), by Elizabeth Black

Title: Purr (Twisted Fairytales, Book 9)

Author: Elizabeth Black

Sub-Genre(s): Erotic, Multiple Partners, Sci-fi/Fantasy

Publisher: New Dawning Bookfair

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

ISBN #: 9781458065414

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Felicia

Rating: 2 Cups

Blurb:*

The alluring puss in boots Muca aspired for her master to become the richest and most respected man in the land, but her job was cut out for her. Could she convince the local farmers to trust in her against the vicious ogre who ruled the region?

Review:
This is a short story, an erotic retelling of Puss n’ Boots. This does not tell the entire story, just a day and night in the life of Muca, the cat trying to help her poor master become the great Marquis of Carabas. Muca meets some villagers who are being forced to work for the ogre Derp. If they complain or put up a fight, they are usually killed. Muca agrees to help the villagers fight Derp but before she does, she spends an interesting night with a few of the villagers.

As mentioned before, this is a short story, and I am glad because I did not like it too much. Maybe if the author did the entire story instead of just doing a little part it would have been better, but it looks like she just wrote this so Puss could have an orgy with some villagers. I love to read erotica, but I would like some story to be there among all the sex. The ending…well, it was very rushed and I was hoping for a lot more. I have read other retellings of Puss n’ Boots that were much better, perhaps because it was the entire story. I have read other stories from this author that I loved, so I was hoping for a lot more.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Love's Bounty (Tilling Passions, Book 2), by Nina Pierce

Title: Love's Bounty (Tilling Passions, Book 2)

Author: Nina Pierce

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary, Erotic, Suspense

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: June 23, 2011

ISBN #: Unknown

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Dawne

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

A woman determined to protect her heart. An agent hell bent on proving himself. One night neither one of them can forget...

Landscaping in Delmont, Maine hasn’t been DEIRDRE TILLING’s only passion. Up until two months ago, it had included a live-in lover. Jilted for the third time in as many years, Deirdre’s decided to give up on love. With her feet firmly planted on the path of one night stands, she finds herself heating up the sheets with a dark haired stranger she met at her new employer’s party. But one night with the man who is both sexy as hell and compassionate, may not be enough.

DEA agent, AYDEN SCOTT, has a lot to prove after a disastrous drug bust in Miami three years earlier that left a member of his team dead. Working undercover as lead investigator, he’s determined to bring down an elusive drug cartel smuggling heroin into central Maine. He’ll use any means necessary to complete his objective, including sleeping with the suspected drug Lord’s landscaper, Deirdre. He just hadn’t expected the feisty redhead to be so much more than long legs and dangerous curves.

Deirdre and Ayden both thought one sexually explosive romp in the sack would be the end of their relationship. But Deirdre’s arrest for heroin possession and her father’s near-fatal heart attack prompts Ayden to confess his true identity. When Deirdre is kidnapped by the drug cartel and used as a pawn, Ayden is forced to choose between his heart and his mission. The question is…who will survive his decision?

Review:
Poor Deidre Tilling is cradling and nurturing her broken heart after her girlfriend, Bri, left a couple of months earlier. When I first started reading this erotic romance short, I thought Deidre was going add a new girlfriend. That is until DEA Agent Ayden Scott entered the quaint Maine town where Deidre was living. Ayden is sent to the town to investigate a possible drug ring and Deidre is hanging out with the prime suspect. The tale that Pierce weaves is presumptuous and well written. The dialogue is convincing and lets the reader like both hero and heroine.

While this is mainly a romance novel, Pierce adds just enough suspense in the plot to keep it interesting. The novel was fast-paced, it held my interest and Pierce's writing style is incredible. Pierce kept the story line of drug dealing and importing believable yet it didn't smother the romance between the hero and heroine. The romance and relationship between Ayden and Deidre is right on the mark to make the plot credible and I highly recommend Love's Bounty to all romance readers.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

His Five Favorite Lines (5 Favorite, #2), by Gina Gordon

Title: His Five Favorite Lines (5 Favorite, #2)

Author: Gina Gordon

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary, Erotic

Publisher: Breathless Press

Publication Date: May 20, 2011

ISBN #: 9781926930473

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Dawne

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

Jordan hasn't been able to stop thinking about Becca since their steamy encounter in the elevator. He is determined to have her again but when she shoots down his proposition, Jordan decides to get creative. But over the course of the week, Jordan realizes it isn't only sex that holds his interest and with every pick-up line the stakes get higher. This time, Jordan is playing for keeps.

Review:
Not all erotic romance is about the sex. Sometimes it's about the chase and in this short Gordon hits the thrill of the chase. Most pick up lines are cheesy, overused and never work, but Gordon's sense of humor gives the traditional pick up lines new life. The humor she has and the wit seen throughout the novel made me chuckle.

Jordan Murphy and Becca Clarke had a tryst on an elevator and neither can get the other out of his or her mind. Jordan is more obvious whereas Clarke remains aloof. Every morning while Becca buys her coffee, Jordan is waiting with a new pick up line. My favorite line was “You have something in your eye...nope, just a sparkle.” You have to give men credit when they say phrases like this and Gordon needs to be given credit for her book.

It is a quick read with fun, fabulous humor and realistic characters. The way Jordan's persistence finally pays off and Becca's easy going mannerisms. Every chapter had a new pick up line and I quickly learned to anticipate Jordan's next one. I enjoyed this novel because the characters didn't physically start off in bed rather the implications of their encounter were discussed.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Circle City (Lord of the Wolfen: Book 1), by Alisha Paige

Title: Circle City (Lord of the Wolfen: Book 1)

Author: Alisha Paige

Sub-Genre(s): Paranormal

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: March 27, 2011

ISBN #: Unknown

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Laurielu

Rating: 3 Cups

Blurb:*

On the edge of civilization, there is a place called Circle City, Alaska. The last town before the Yukon Flats gives way to frigid desolation. When Zoe O'Brien, a secluded widow, kills a crazed mother wolf and saves the only cub from sure death, she ignites a war between the Wolfen Clan and the Kontar Clan. The wolf people have been enemies of the dog people for centuries and the cub she takes in is heir to the Wolfen throne. Taken prisoner by the Wolfen for murder and kidnapping, Zoe is forced to see and do things with creatures she never knew existed, held against her will in a world she both desires and fears. Axl Wolfdorn is coming of age, ready for his Unleashing and on the hunt for his Moonswan, the female he will choose for the Chase and the royal Feral Consummation. But how can he consider bonding with a mate when the only scent deep within his nose is the tangy scent of the woman who saved his life, the very woman who forced his clan into war, the woman he must now kill to avenge his mother's death?

Review:
Circle City by Alisha Paige is a paranormal novel that constructs a story made up of deep passion, brutality, and hunger for acceptance. The story and terminology are intricate and intriguing with an edge of darkness laced into the plot. This reader was lead down a path into a world unlike any shifter book I have read in the past.

The story hits a brutal pace from the beginning. The hero and heroine of this novel are Axl and Zoe. Zoe saves a wolf pup (Axl) from certain death by destroying a she-wolf that is obsessed with killing all of her young. Because Zoe has saved the only living heir to inherit the title “Lord of the Wolfen”, she has unwittingly gotten herself caught up in a world she had no clue existed. She is taken prisoner by Wolfen where her ultimate punishment will be dispensed by Axl. To save Zoe, Axl has to think fast to save her life. In order for him to do so, he enmeshes Zoe deeper into the Wolfen world. She takes like a trooper at first. Then, as the story progresses, she begins to question the state of her life.

Alisha Paige pushes the limit on a reader’s comfort level when it comes to the darker side of paranormal romance. She definitely edges into very sinister territory when it comes to sex, drugs, and violence. Those of you who like your stories with some morbidity thrown in, you will enjoy this story immensely. Those of you who like a “fluffier” tale would do well to avoid this story. However, I enjoyed having my limits, as a reader of the paranormal, being stretched to encompass a more foreboding story.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Awaken the Highland Warrior (Connor Clan #1), by Anita Clenney

Title: Awaken the Highland Warrior (Connor Clan #1)

Author: Anita Clenney

Sub-Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Historical, Paranormal, Scottish/Highlander, Suspense

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Publication Date: May 1, 2011

ISBN #: Unknown

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Vanessa

Rating: 5 Cups

Blurb:*

A man from another time...

Faelan is from an ancient clan of Scottish Highland warriors, charged with shielding humanity from demonic forces. Betrayed and locked in a time vault, he has been sleeping for nearly two centuries when spunky historian Bree Kirkland inadvertently wakes him. She's more fearsome than the demon trying to kill him, and if he's not careful, she'll uncover the secrets his clan has bled and died to protect.

Could be the treasure she's been seeking all her life...

When Bree inherits an old treasure map, she discovers a warrior buried in her backyard. But the warrior isn't dead. Bree shocks Faelan with her modern dress and her boldness, and he infuriates Bree every time he tries to protect her.

With demons suddenly on the move, Bree discovers that Faelan's duty as protector is in his blood, and that her part in this fight was destined before she was born. But nothing is ever what it seems.

Review:
Oh where do I begin? I can absolutely NOT pass up the chance to read a Highland book. There is something about these large, sweet, tough, and somewhat naïve men that I just can not get enough of! This book was no exception.

Bree is my hero! She is exactly what I love to see in a book. Strong, capable, modern, and independent. Definitely not your average damsel in distress. When she begins digging in her backyard, she thinks she has hit the jackpot in the form of a long, lost treasure…boy did she ever! Who would have thunk that there would have been a Highland Warrior buried in her yard? I would have dug him up sooner.

Faelan is hell-bent on catching the demon that captured him 150 years ago, but also realizes that the woman that saved him from his crypt is the one. He needs her but she is not from his time and he really has no idea what to do with her, especially since she is not the “follow whatever the man says” kind of girl. So…road trip!! Off they go to slay the demon. I love it!!

I loved every second I spent reading this book and was actually sad to see it end. It had all that you could ever want…great characters, hot male roles, Scottish accents, action, adventure, and enough attraction to make you need a cool shower. There is nothing sexier than a Scottish clan trying to kill the evil…except one that will lay his life down for the fiery love of his life. Sigh.

Debut novels are always hard but Anita blew this one out of the water!! I can not wait until the next in the series comes out. I want to find out more about this world and the clan involved in it. This is definitely a series to watch out for.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Cinderella and the Sheikh, by Teresa Morgan

Title: Cinderella and the Sheikh

Author: Teresa Morgan

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: June 8, 2011

ISBN #: 9780986956812

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Sharon

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

She's about to get charmed...

Libby Fay's safe little life as a waitress at a posh New York boutique hotel implodes when Sheikh Rasyn Al Jabar, black-eyed and seductive, crashes into her world and swears that he loves her.

The powerful sheikh will do anything to prevent becoming the ruler of his North African homeland, including marrying a woman who is inappropriate to be queen. When he sees the beautiful, bubbly waitress, he knows that she is the perfect wife to help him avoid the throne—all he has to do is make her fall in love with him.

All her life, Libby has longed for the same loving, equal partnership her parents had—something she couldn't possibly have with a forceful sheikh who ignores all her objections. But Rasyn seems to be able to charm her into anything, including his bed. Soon, she finds herself on a plane to Abbas, transported into a fairy tale come true.

Unfortunately for Libby, a Cinderella is the last thing this Prince Charming wants.

Review:
Libby Fay wants a marriage like her parents had, one based on love with a man who is perfect for her. Sheikh Rasyn ibn Rahman al Jabar wants a marriage based on deception to a woman who is totally inappropriate for him. He needs to do something to get out of the line of succession in his country so his cousin can become ruler. Rasyn decides that if he marries Libby, a waitress at a New York hotel that caters to wealthy VIP’s, he can accomplish his goal.

Libby is attracted but wary. She needs her job and she feels overwhelmed by the Sheikh’s attentions. I liked that fact that Libby wasn’t the typical heroine with stars in her eyes for the handsome sheikh, but a down to earth young lady who knew something was not quite right with the situation. Even when she gives into temptation, she knows his claims of love are mere words. When he makes a public proposal to her, she agrees but plans to let him off the hook when they are in private. The next thing she knows, she is on a plane to Abbas to “visit”.

Rasyn is not all bad, as he is trying to make up to his cousin for years of perceived favoritism. He is generous to Libby’s elderly friend and fellow employees. He even plans to be very generous with Libby after the planned divorce when his plot succeeds. Rasyn’s cousin, Imaran, is a soldier with a huge chip on his shoulder and he does not take to Libby at all, which makes Libby even more uncomfortable in her new home.

I enjoyed this book because Libby remained true to form, not becoming an overnight sophisticated princess. She has adjustment problems and she embarrasses herself many times. The love story is believable and both she and Rasyn learn to love each other in a realistic way. Both have to grow in confidence and on an emotional level, dealing with realities of a relationship. There are some elements that are a little far-fetched but they don’t take away from the story. I look forward to reading future books by Teresa Morgan.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Windswept Shores, by Janice Seagraves

Title: Windswept Shores

Author: Janice Seagraves

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary, Erotic

Publisher: Pink Petal Books

Publication Date: June 4, 2010

ISBN #: Unknown

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Susan

Rating: 3 Cups

Blurb:*

The sole survivor of a plane crash, Megan is alone on a deserted island in the Bahamas until she finds a nearly-drowned man washed up on shore. Another survivor, this time from a boat wreck. With only meager survival skills between them, will they survive and can they find love?

Review:
Never having read a survivor story before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Megan is all alone on an island after her ordeal of surviving a plane crash when she spots what she assumes to be another dead body from the crash washes up. Surprised to find it is a male Aussie who has been through his own ordeal to survive, they learn to depend upon each other for survival. Megan finds herself attracted to the weather worn surfer but is in constant battle with herself over the prospect her cheating husband could still be alive. Their journey to trust each other and their instincts eventually leads them to exploring their carnal needs.

Beware there are several Aussie phrases and words that at times make for a read that you really need to focus to make sure you are understanding the context of the story. This story is definitely a complicated one due to the setting and the plot…there are no amenities that we are accustomed to so they have to make do with whatever washes up as well as what they discover. Kudos to Ms. Seagraves for tackling a tough topic right off the bat with her debut novel. I applaud her complex feminine character who so desperately tries to stay true to what society would expect out of her. The ending was a little unbelievable for me, but after digesting this book for several weeks, I realize how they might choose the choice that they made.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Sugar Roux Voodoo, by Katalina Leon

Title: Sugar Roux Voodoo

Author: Katalina Leon

Sub-Genre(s): Historical, Paranormal

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Publication Date: April 22, 2011

ISBN #: 9781419934162

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Susan

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

New Orleans, 1834. Lark La Beau is a green-eyed beauty and respected beneficent voodoo priestess with the sometimes uncooperative gift of clairvoyance. Captain Valcour Curry is a debonair, larger-than-life buccaneer with ambition to burn and a taste for fine things. Following a whirlwind romance with Lark, he disappears at sea, leaving Lark with a riverboat and a child to rear-alone.

A guilty act of piracy causes Valcour to fall victim to a shapeshifting magician who practices the dark art of soul-swapping. For five years Valcour has been enslaved as an emotionless zombie with no memory of his loved ones or past. From dusk to dawn he is cursed to toil in the cane fields while the evil magician uses his soul to lure women and have his brutal way with them.

Lark will risk hell and journey to the oppressive Broken Oak Plantation to break the curse. It's a terrifying place. Her only tools to call Valcour's lost soul back to life are voodoo and the sensual power of love.

Review:
I have never read a book as uniquely different from the romance book formula as Sugar Roux Voodoo by Katalina Leon. Set in New Orleans in 1834, this historical novel takes us on the journey of Lark LaBeau as she faces black magic in order to release her beloved Valcour from its evil claws. Lark definitely is a strong woman who defies what the norms that society has set for her from her very first moments in the busy seaport city. She is wildly erotic, yet earthly sensuous, dark, and mysterious. This enchanting novel is told through visions, dreams, and memories as the practicing voodoo priestess refuses to take no for an answer, especially where her lover is concerned. Ms. Leon tastefully interwove powerful sex scenes through a secondary character that causes not only our witch’s blood to boil, but also the reader’s. Sugar Roux Voodoo is an erotic tale that will have you eagerly awaiting each page.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Dark Passions Rising (A Dark Breed Novel), by Shannan Albright

Title: Dark Passion Rising (A Dark Breed Novel)

Author: Shannan Albright

Sub-Genre(s): Paranormal

Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Publication Date: March 23, 2011

ISBN #: 9781926950365

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Vanessa

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down. Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.

Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeah. She's also a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.

As leader of the Tribunal’s enforcers it’s up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra’s life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of a battle that will change the world forever.

Will Marcus and Tambra’s love survive or will it too late?

Review:
Tambra is a human cop who accidentally stumbled upon the world of the Breeds. Vampires and werewolves were creepy bedtime stories for her until one fateful night she hunts down the wrong kind of criminal. In a dark alley, trying to save an innocent from being mauled to death by something right out of a horror movie, she gets bitten by a feral Lycan and finds herself against the clock for survival and mixed in a world that is way above her pay grade.

On the hunt to keep the peace between the Breeds, Marcus is the leader of the Tribunal’s Enforcers. Searching for the same Lycan who just gave Tambra a run for her money, he discovers her miraculously still semi-conscious but well worked over. Intrigued by her will of survival, he decides to take her under his wing to help her with her Rising…the transformation from human to Lycan…should she survive it.

Dark Passion Rising is a complex world with a lot going on in it. Somehow, though, it works. It had everything that you need. Fast paced, conflict, action, and some surprising turn of events make it a great afternoon read. It’s loaded with sexual tension and some great lip-bitingly steamy sex scenes. What more could you ask for?

The only thing that didn’t impress me is that, although the story does keep you guessing a little, it is surprisingly predictable. There were definitely a few points where the story lacked that shock value I love so much. That being said, there were also some parts that made me go “H’uh?”. I guess it kind evens itself out.

If you are a fan of action, “don’t mess with me” chicks, hot vampy men, and steamy sexiness, I totally recommend this book. It’s a quick read...but well worth it!

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Just Us, by Charlie Summers

Title: Just Us

Author: Charlie Summers

Sub-Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Erotic

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Publication Date: November 4, 2010

ISBN #: 9781452077451

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Babs

Rating: 3 Cups

Blurb:*

Dubliner Richard, a 24 year old man is soul searching after a split from his wife and child.

Canadian Nicky, a girl in her mid twenties is searching for a new direction in life after a bad breakup.

One fateful night, a chance meeting in a chat room leads to the beginning of a love story that has to overcome many obstacles that life throws at them.

Review:
Richard is out doing some soul searching after he split from his wife. He meets Nicky in a chat room and they decide to meet in person. Once they meet, love starts to happen but can they overcome what is going to be thrown at them?

This book was ok. The author does a good job with the writing. I just did not fall in love with the story. The characters were ok. This was just one of those books that didn’t grab me and I struggled to finish it.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Elfin Blood, by Gracen Miller

Title: Elfin Blood

Author: Gracen Miller

Sub-Genre(s): Erotic, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Publication Date: October 19, 2009

ISBN #: 9781605920597

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Laurielu

Rating: 4 Cups

Blurb:*

Scorned by her own kind for her half-breed elf status, Julija lives a lonely existence among her Ivory Elf kin. She is the only one the elves can trust when a magical book in elf lore is stolen. Relegated to steal the Book from the vampire thief, Landau Jamieson, she's surprised to discover he has the ability to walk in daylight. Refusing to be deterred by developing setbacks, she’s committed to executing the heist for an Ivory King who grows more desperate to possess the Book. Nothing about the vampire is as it appears and Julija begins to doubt her mission. Worse, she begins to worry she won't have the strength to guard her heart from her sworn enemy.

Landau is fascinated by the elf stalking him and baffled by the potent hunger she elicits after ten thousand years of celibacy. Soon he discovers the lovely sprite is a pawn in a dangerous game--orchestrated by none other than a reviled enemy from his past. While blind-sided by her beauty and her magical powers, the least of which is the spell she casts on his heart, the sinister plot unfolds. What started out as folly to catch a thief, blossoms into a love that casts aside bloodlines and forges all boundaries.

Review:
Julija is hybrid form of Elf comprised of Ivory Elf and Wood Elf. She is very unique to her race in that the different races of elves to not inter-breed with each other. As the story unfolds, Julija finds out there is more to her heritage than the fact that she has mixed blood. In this novel, she grows from a person who is distrustful and unsure of herself in regard to her standing in the elf community to a woman who becomes bold in her heritage and circumstances.

When Julija meets Landau, their world as they know it is upended. Their attraction defies all of the rules and boundaries biology and society have placed on them, as well as their self-inflicted limitations. Their hunger for each other jumps of the pages causing the reader to be completely caught up in their relationship and the repercussions resulting from it.

Adding to the excitement of the book is the conflict. Julija is sent by the Elfin King to retrieve a magical book from Landau. The king’s need to obtain the book is overshadowed by the manipulations he has concocted to achieve his goals that is truly depraved. Figure in Julia’s relationship with the king and its dynamics, the plot molds itself into a fulfilling intrigue because the truth of that relationship and her birthright adds another layer of interest the story.

While the nature of the king’s corrupt need for the magical book drives the conflict in the story with its rough edges, it is the romance in it that smoothes those edges, melding the book into a sensual bouquet of thought and feeling. Add to it the vindication of Julija’s metamorphosis from “just” a hybrid elf into a powerful being, the author gives the reader a very good book to read.

Elfin Blood by Gracen Miller offers redemption, mystery, betrayal, lush sexual tension, and sweltering, soul-bending love to the reader. How could a romance aficionado pass up this read? The originality of the tale inspires me to earnestly recommend this book to readers of the paranormal romance genre.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Wild at Heart, by Kenzie Michaels

Title: Wild At Heart

Author: Kenzie Michaels

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary, Erotic

Publisher: XOXO Publishing

Publication Date: February 22, 2011

ISBN #: 9781897521687

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Dawne

Rating: 5 Cups

Blurb:*

Angela Clayborn has just discovered Steve Blumenthal, the man she sent to prison nearly two years before, has been granted an early release. Torn between wanting to see him and fearful if she does, sparks fly when Steve Blumenthal appears in her gift shop and later at her condo. Will Angie free her heart from its icy prison? Has Steve really turned his life around, or is it a hoax?

Meanwhile, in Colorado on business, Angie’s current boyfriend, Brad Morrison, is wrestling with his own call of the wild. He’s met unconventional, sexy Emma Nichols, who runs not only her own riding stable, but helps out with her family’s woodworking store in Estes Park. Emma resents Brad’s offer to help during a family crisis, but eventually discovers that Fate sometimes sends people down unexpected paths to love. Can Brad tame a wildcat? Or will Emma settle for the safe path?

Review:
Duo heroines Angela Clayborn and Emma Nichols have different backgrounds and are not happy with the men in their lives. Angela is dealing with her first love Steve Blumenthal, recently released from prison from a past incident involving her, and Emma is resentful towards Brad Morrison, Angela's current boyfriend, when he offers his assistance to her family facing a situation.

True love never fails for Angela and Steve when they continue to meet and both admit to their feelings of love for each other that never disappeared.

While on a business trip in Colorado, Brad comes across sexy Emma, who is a tad bit wild and independent, and also refuses Brad's offer. Eventually she comes to realize life has strange ways of bringing people into each other's lives.

Michaels interweaves the lives of Angela, Brad and Emma without giving a second thought. Angela is still in love with Steve and hasn't been able to tell Brad about her and Steve's past. The reconnection between Angela and Steve is realistic, heartfelt and genuine while Emma and Brad's developing love interest is paced perfectly for this short novella.

I applaud Michaels for opening a door to having duo heroines in Wild At Heart, not a storyline often visited. I recommend this book to romance readers, lovers and those looking for a quick read to satisfy a day of love.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Leather Nights, by Patricia Logan

Title: Leather Nights (Armadillo, Book 1)

Author: Patricia Logan

Sub-Genre(s): BDSM, Contemporary, M/M

Publisher: Torquere Press

Publication Date: August 25, 2010

ISBN #: 9781610400343

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Dawne

Rating: 5 Cups

Blurb:*

When widowed, jobless, and about to be homeless Jake Maxfield inherits his Aunt Becky's home in Texas, the California native uproots his teenagers and moves. Still trying to rebuild his career after the mortgage crises, and to reconnect with the kids he's been too busy for, the last thing Jake is looking for is love. Especially with a man.

Cade Littlebear isn't looking for love either, but he and Jake have an immediate attraction that neither of them are able to deny. Just when they think that combining their lives and their teenaged families is going to be their toughest challenge, their very existence is threatened by narrow-mined bigots. Their determination not to hide who they are and refusal to live in the shadows only adds fuel to the fire. Can Jake and Cade survive and bring their lives and families together? Or will hatred win the day?

Review:
Inheriting his Aunt Becky's home in Texas is a God-Send for down-on-his-luck Californian Jake Maxfield. Reeling from the crashing mortgage scene and trying to rebuild a relationship with his teenage kids, the last thing Jake was looking for was love. And not just any love...love with a man.

That man is Cade Littlebear.

Cade, also not looking for love, realizes the attraction he has to Jake. Both single men are raising teenagers and know the difficulties merging families can be especially when you add in the hatred for homosexual relationships where they reside. After deliberation not to hide their budding romance, the men deal with hostility and anger.

Logan writes an amazing story of love, companionship and human kinship that made me want more. The determination and perseverance Jake and Cade displayed was heart-warming and realistic. The way Logan built the tension (both through the love Jake and Cade shared and the bigotry from the residents) was traumatic and down-to-earth believable. The passion, obvious racism and life dilemmas are so descriptive, well- dialogued and beautifully written. While it may appear the men fall in love quickly, in real life, this does happen. We just don't admit to it whereas Logan showed how easily it can happen.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.

Hollywood Swinging, by Chicki Brown

Title: Hollywood Swinging

Author: Chicki Brown

Sub-Genre(s): Contemporary

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: April 21, 2011

ISBN #: Unknown

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Dawne

Rating: 5 Cups

Blurb:*

Newlywed author Shontae Nichols Burke is trying to adjust to her life in Hollywood as the wife of actor Devon Burke, one of the film industry’s brightest upcoming stars. She’s left her home and her friends and moved to Los Angeles.

They both have blossoming careers. She’s attending movie premieres and living a life she only dreamed of.

Unknown to Shontae, someone else also believes Devon Burke is the love of her life. When this disturbed woman insinuates herself into their lives, Shontae learns that all Hollywood drama isn’t scripted and finds herself in a fight for her marriage that’s worthy of the big screen.

Review:
Leaving her family and all she’s ever known behind her, Shontae Nichols Burke heads to Hollywood with her actor husband Devon Burke. She's living the dream many want and only few have. That is until someone else, Monica- a deranged woman who believes Devon loves her as much as she is in infatuated with him. Even worse, Shontae is responsible for introducing her husband to Monica- or so she thinks. The tangled web is weaved and Shontae is not only dealing with Devon's odd behavior but his mother's distaste for her.

Is it time for Devon's past to catch up to him? Will Monica wreak havoc on the newlyweds and their recent move to LA?

Brown's writing grabbed me form the get-go immediately. I was drawn into Brown's writing, dialogue and believable characters and their interaction. She made ever word count. I found no missing elements in Hollywood Swinging. Brown used her writing talent to its best abilities and I was enthralled with her style. The realization that this storyline could be anyone, anywhere at anytime made me enjoy it more. Kudos to Brown.

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.