Falke’s Captive by Anna Leigh Keaton & Madison Layle

Beth is a graduate student working in animal genetics, she is sent ahead of the rest of the team to scout locations to to track tag and monitor big cats in the Forests.

She meets Kelan and Reidar Falke sexy brothers in the family run bar, they are part of a bigger brood who and have an even bigger secret they can shift and she becomes a threat.

While out tracking she shoots a cougar with a tranquilliser to track and tag not knowing it’s Kelan in Puma form and starts telling him secrets before he escapes.

Kelan and Reidar both cannot deny the powerful attraction they feel toward Beth. She might just be their destined mate. But if they reveal themselves to her, will she help keep their family secret or hand them over to her boss and his ego.

This is a new series. I’ve read a few shapeshifter stories and I enjoyed this one a lot. I liked Beth and her adventure the story kept moving and liked that she wasn’t submissive and could stand up for herself.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series and more by these authors

Warning contains: m/f/m sex scenes

Ruby Rating: ***

IOU SEX – Calista Fox

The story starts with Fiona needing a date to her sister’s engagement party. 

Unfortunately her sister is marrying Fiona’s ex-fiancé, who she caught in bed with said sister. Fiona wants to prove she has moved on and rub everyone’s nose in it a bit (who wouldn't) by turning up with a hot guy. 

Fiona asks Michael the man she had a fling with after the fiasco with her ex, to go with her to the engagement party, he agrees, but has one condition she must spend a weekend with him picking up where they left off. The spark is still there I don't think it ever left but can it work he’s a bit of a playboy she’s been burnt by people she trusted and her protective shields are up.

I loved this Novella it’s a great story, well written and steamy sex scenes so beware, you can’t help but fall in love with Michael what man!

Ruby Rating: ***

Desire & Deception - Sharon Buchbinder

Review

I didn’t feel the description for this book on Amazon did it justice

You have a story about two women who are friends both teach at a University and are from completely different backgrounds and you really get two stories for the price of one

Isabel (Izzy) Ramirez is the daughter of a Mexican Crime Boss living, An Assistant Professor who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants be it a promotion or her latest toy boy. Izzy’s world starts to shatter when the department chair confronts her about a major transgression.

Sarah Wright-Rosen happily married to her Doctor husband has her world turned upside down when holidaying after a conference.

I could not put this book down it was fast paced and with two stories going on at the same time it’s not one of those books where you can predict what is going on once you think you know boom! Something else is thrown into the mix. I loved the way Sharon wrote both the female leads as I think they get equal rights here for me.

I thought this book was fantastic go buy it now!

Ruby Rating: ****

REVIEW OF POPPY DAY BY THE AMAZING AMANDA PROWSE

REVIEW OF POPPY DAY BY THE AMAZING AMANDA PROWSE

This story rocked my world I had a lump in my throat as I read it and sometimes a tear in my eye. To say I loved it does not do this story justice it rocked my world because the story relates to a current events and coming from the East End of London as you were reading it like any good story you, you go into it as it unfolds as though you are there watching it take place like a fly on the wall.

Amanda Prowse is an amazing woman I have got to know her a little through twitter I didn’t read the product description before I read the book which is why for this review I have put it at the end. 

I read the book mainly because Amanda wrote it and secondly because proceeds were going to a Charity close to my heart. Amanda is a fantastic writer her husband, family and the military should be proud of her and women like her who are the backbone of our military without them and their families our boys cannot go off and do their jobs.

This story made me wonder what my fiery little Grandmother did to the person unlucky enough to tell her my uncle had been taken a POW in Korea during his National Service.

Now you can read the product description if you wish or just go buy the book from Amazon it is available in paperback and kindle format and you can buy it in Sainsbury’s.

RUBY RATING: *****+

Product Description

How far would you go to bring home the one you love?

This is the question posed in this contemporary love story that takes you from the streets of East London to the plains of Afghanistan.

Poppy Day is a twenty one year old hairdresser, devoted to her husband Martin and blessed with a sunny disposition. Martin is the one constant in her life, her protector and best friend since they were six, making an often difficult childhood easier to bear.

Martin and Poppy are an ‘ordinary’ couple who find themselves in an extraordinary situation. Having joined the British Army in search of a better life for them both, their world is ripped apart when Martin is taken hostage while on his first tour tour in Afghanistan.

Battling against army culture and procedure, Poppy decides to bring her ‘Mart’ home herself. Fuelled by naivety, she feels that nothing is impossible when doing it for the man she loves. Her journey sees her paying a very high price and incurs some heartbreaking consequences…

‘Poppy Day’ gives an insight into life beneath the uniform, a peek at what it’s like to be the one left at home, ticking off the days until your loved one returns and what happens when there is the knock on the door that every forces wife, husband, mother, father or lover dreads…

All proceeds from the sale of Poppy Day go directly to The Royal British Legion to help fund the charity’s Battle Back Centre for injured Service personnel.

REVIEW OF LOVING OUR HEROES

For your money you get 3 books in 1.

This book was offered to me by Net Galley but as soon as I realised  Harlequin were making a donation to one of my favourite Charities I bought the book instead, as £1 from the price of each Book  goes to Help for Heroes (Registered Charity Number 1120920).

LAST-MINUTE PROPOSAL BY JESSICA HART

Tilly’s gets entered into a competition to raise money for Charity by her younger brothers who think she is in a rut. Tilly is happy to stay in her Kitchen creating wonderful cakes.

As part of the competition she is teamed up with Campbell who is ex-military. He can’t understand why she volunteered but as the competition progresses so do their feelings.

MISSION: MOUNTAIN RESCUE BY AMY ANDREWS

Holly and Richard dated but Holly got dumped because she was to you and Richard had seen too much and become jaded and thinks he’s doing her a favour.

Holly sees Richard again while volunteering on the Tanrami Island. They try to avoid each other but end up getting kidnapped.

MISTRESS: HIRED FOR THE BILLIONAIRE’S PLEASURE BY INDIA GREY

Rachel doesn’t know how to stand up for herself and agrees to marry a man she despises and ends up running away from her Wedding. Orlando finds her in the Cemetery sitting on his brother’s grave and takes her home.

Review 

It’s been a long while since I’ve read a Mills & Boon / Harlequin contemporary but I have to say I really enjoyed these stories.  They were page turners even though you know you are going to get a Romance with a happy ending I still found myself sitting there cheering the couples on and calling the men all sorts of names.

Ruby Rating: ***

Male Call (Hot Zone 1) by Denise A. Agnew

Product Description

Her sexy letters are his only lifeline in his dangerous world…

Successful computer software engineer Eve Carmichael melts under yet another hotter than hot letter written by Reserve army soldier Sean O’Callahan. Yet Eve can’t take the thought of his life in danger overseas, and she resolves to get a sex life—and a life period. That means forgetting Sean before anything bad can happen to him. To celebrate her thirty-fifth birthday, Eve plans a trip to Male Call, a male review club. Still, she worries about Sean. She hasn’t received a letter from him in too many weeks. And oh, how she longs for those flirtatious, hot letters.

Sean finds Eve’s letters to be the only lifeline in his increasingly chaotic world. As their feelings grow hot and heavy, he can’t wait to return home and kindle that pure firepower.

When Eve receives a letter from Sean saying he’s been wounded, her fears are realized. But fate and a little mischievous planning by her friends will serve up the greatest surprise of all.

REVIEW

This is the first book in the Hot Zone series. Eve & Sean were work friends before Sean an Army Reservist is called up. They write to each other whilst he is overseas, their feelings and the story grow through letters.You could feel the relationship go from friendly, to flirty, to I’m going to take the risk.

I have been reading a lot of Novella’s lately which I won’t be reviewing because although they were OK or in some cases good for me there was something missing and it was the building of the relationship. I loved this book it captured everything and the way and Denise set the scene is for me what put this as a top novella.

In Male Call – Denise nailed it! I loved it.

Warning: Contains explicit sex, some graphic language, and mild violence.

Ruby Rating:

****

Refired by Jeepers Wade

Sylas Hanson -top Chef, bit of a ladies man but bored and needs a change.

Veronica - used to being in charge and runs her father’s restaurant La Joie.

Sylas wants Veronica on his terms and the restaurant running his way. Sylas is just what Veronica needs in and out of the kitchen a man she cannot intimidate. Veronica is used to being in control and wearing the trousers in a relationship as we Brits would call it.

I bought this book because I follow this author on twitter and have been looking for new authors. I have to say I wasn't disappointed.

This was the first book in this genre that I've read which was written by a man that I really enjoyed and I couldn't put it down. I just wished it could have been longer as I really loved this book and the characters. The only thing I dislike about novellas is so much needs to be fitted in and sometimes the story loses something. I'm glad to say that didn't happen in this book.

Story contains: Hot Sex and Spanking.

Ruby Rating: ****

Mr Wade has written 2 books and I’m pleased to say the second Mise en Place follows on from the first.

Sacred Surrender – Ava Riley

 

Rowan’s has “baggage” his ex-fiancé decided to seduce his best friend the night before their wedding. He’s wary having been burnt before and becomes known as a bit of ladies man.

Madison, is a small town girl, who needs the help of her next door neighbour, not realising he’s Dr Hottie but has her own insecurities going on.

I’ve been waiting for Rowan’s story for what feels like forever. It’s a follow up to A Lifetime to Find Love, (see review below) but can be read on its own.

Ava knows romance and writes it well she knows how to tell a story so you almost feel like a voyeur watching the story happen the way she sets a scene you can picture yourself there.

I love how Rowan and Madison’s romance develops. Ava writes real life romance and the sex scenes go from sweet to scorching. The book was brilliant you can help but find yourself saying go on go for it you know want to!

Ruby Rating : ****

Author Spotlight - MONICA KAYE

This week I’m reviewing 2 books by the same author Monica Kaye. They were labelled multi-cultural contemporary romance (like you couldn’t tell that from the cover) but don’t let this put you off if you’ve never read one before.

The Business of Pleasure

Carmen De La Cruz is a woman of many talents and is out to get her man. Lawyer Drew Trotter is the one she wants in her bed. Drew is avoiding her but Carmen finally gets him at her best friend’s wedding.

 
A few months later, Carmen needs Drew’s legal help and he gets a second chance.

This was the first book I read of Monica’s but is a follow on to Dirty Business and can also be read as a stand-alone.

I loved straight-laced Drew and you just know Carmen will do more than ruffle his hair J

When the first line says “I am going to fuck his brains out tonight” I thought the story could go one of two ways and I have to say “wow, wow and wow”, I wasn’t disappointed Monica knows how to keep you interested, the story kept moving and I loved it. Which is why I bought Monica’s other book and cannot wait for the next.

Warning: Contains anal play, hot sex and stripping.

Ruby Rating:  

*****

Dirty Business

Chloe decides to spend the night at a hotel and meets Sean in the hotel bar. After spending the night with her, he wakes up and finds she’s gone only to find out later she will be his assistant at the firm he’s buying.

Chloe is the prime suspect and is trying to work out who is framing her. I wasn’t disappointed with this book either the story contained Romance, espionage, hot sex, spanking and again the first line grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

Ruby Rating:  

*****

Management Skills by – January Rowe

Allie was working her way through college as a dancer known as Silver at The Vault. Grant was the Stage Designer who she made an impact on.

This story is a novella and begins when Allie joins the company which Grant owns and they remember each other.

Grant wants Allie, Allie is reluctant after a failed relationship with a previous Dom who wasn’t much of a Dom and wants to take their relationship slow. Grant wants all or nothing from day one and on his term. Allie doesn’t come across as a sub and I think she struggles with it especially when Grant lays down the rules.

If you do not like a story with BDSM in it then this book is not for you. This was the first BDSM book I’ve read and I thought the intricacies of the Dom/Sub relationship were interesting and well written and although BDSM is not my thing I enjoyed this book so much so I went back and bought January’s first book.

This book is not for the faint hearted and should definitely not be read on public transport ie the 6.30am train to London J as I found myself blushing thinking “oh my god”,

Warning contains BDSM, office sex, and sex with wax.

Ruby’s Rating: ***

Review of Courting Disaster by Carol Stephenson

 

Description

A year ago, criminal defence attorney Carling Dent woke up in a conference room with a bullet wound, a murdered client and no memory of what happened. Since then, she's grown reckless. She's gained a reputation for representing defendants no one else will, and her own partners are beginning to question her conduct.

Then a car accident triggers flashbacks, and Carling is driven by the need to find out what really happened that day. Her investigation begins to uncover a twisted web of secrets someone doesn't want exposed. The threats against Carling escalate, and she turns to the one person she wants to trust—her former lover, prosecutor Jared Manning. The passion between them is as hot as ever, but when more memories start trickling back, Carling starts to wonder just whose side the man she loves is on…

I loved this story it was well balanced between the action/mystery/romance. I loved Carling she was a feisty take no prisoners go getter and hell bent on finding out who was after her and was going to do anything to get to the bottom of it much to the dismay of her business partners and the hottie Jared.

Jared of course wanted her to be a good girl and do as she was told “yep it didn’t happen”. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one go.

If you like a story that is fast moving, with a great legal mystery and romance thrown in then, this is for you.

Ruby's Rating : ***

Review of A Lifetime to Find Love by Ava Riley

Tessa has no desire to spend another Friday night alone. Inviting her brother’s best friend, Cade, to hang out with her at a local club was nothing more than a night out with a friend. At least that’s what she thought. When unexpected advances are made, they are both forced to evaluate their life- long friendship and newly revealed feelings for each other.

We’ve all been there fancied our friend’s older brother or brother’s friend. The only difference is Tessa and Cade did something about it. I knew this was going to be a good after the first few pages and Tessa was on her ass having scared the life out of Cade by making a pass at him by straddling his lap after a night out.

I loved Tessa and Cade and the fact that Ava Riley was able to cover their history together so well you were, Cade was definitely a man you could fall in love with so who could blame Tessa I loved the fact they were real you could see this relationship happening in the real world everything down to the interfering older brother and office bitch you couldn’t help but root for them. I didn’t want to put this book down and the only reason I did was because I fell asleep.

The sex scenes were hot and the story real to life and romantic it ticked all of my boxes.

Ruby Rating:
 ****

Review of Friendly Fire by Megan Hart

Description

After Agent Kendall Frasier's partner is shot in "friendly fire" during a drug bust, she agrees to take a week's vacation on a tropical island as part of her psychiatric evaluation. Sand, sun, sea—what could be better to help her work through her guilt? Even if the presence of the man responsible for the shooting, Agent Zane Vincent, seems counterproductive to her mental health.

As Kendall gets to know Zane, and realizes he feels worse about what happened than she does, it becomes impossible to hate him. And their mutual attraction becomes impossible to deny.

Review

This is not a book you should read while in a public place ie the train like I did J. The conversation about faked orgasm had me giggling.

The story is based over the week on the tropical island, both Zane and Kendall are strong willed, competitive characters and equal which was good there were no dominant/ submissive role which I was glad about as this would not have fit these two characters at all.

I liked this story for me it was a fresh slant on a traditional story line of girl meets boy, boy meets girl, girl hates boy. But as it was a Novella things in the relationship moved quickly. The tension between the characters was excellent I don’t know about you but one session with a Psychiatrist would not cure any hate or relationship issues I had.

This was definitely a good read and I’ve already started checking out Amazon for more of Megan’s books.

The book is only available as an eBook.

Ruby Rating ***

Review of Storm’s Heart

    Storm's Heart is a contemporary romance written by Rachel Lyndhurst.

Andreas Lazarides is a Greek Businessman and Kizzy Dean is supposed to be a former employee. Until they clash over his executing of his mother's final wishes, and the closing down of Kizzy's restaurant.

The story is fast moving but that's how I like my books. I don't like to be bored by a story and this is definitely NOT boring.

I loved the characters, Andreas was your hot alpha male with emotional baggage and Kizzy was your

loveable female who has her own baggage a streak of independence a mile wide.

For a contemporary romance the seduction and sex scenes are hot. I loved this book even though there were no murders, guns or shootings and nothing was blown up J.

I'm glad Rachel doesn't write for Mills and Boon as I would have missed this.

Definitely a 3 star Read I look forward to reading more of Rachel’s work.

Taken In Texas by Melissa Ecker

My latest review is the third Novella from Deep in the Heat of Texas


Payton is an LA Cop so carries a gun and can kick ass with the best of them. The story brings together two strong characters. Drake is used to getting his own way where women are concerned and thinks strong women like Payton have a submissive streak from being in control all the time. Being Deacon’s brother he too is an alpha male but for me he was more realistic as a character and someone you could relate to and say I know someone just like him. Drake didn’t have any rules except one no carrying a gun. I wasn’t sure if that was because he was being safety conscious or whether he was scared Payton might be tempted to shoot him?

I loved the Characters the way Drake kept Payton on her toes and flustered. The story was well written the sex scenes were HOT it ticked all the boxes for me.

I’m looking forward to reading more of Melissa’s work.

Contains: Lots of hot sex, anal sex, oral sex and sex on a tractor.



Deep in the Heat of Texas

Reporter, Maggie, is assigned to do a story about the dude ranch industry. Maggie and her two friends, Payton and Sophia stay at the Weston Ranch, with the Weston Brothers to experience ranch life first hand. The friends are each assigned a cowboy (or two) to show them the ropes ;) and the ladies are taken out of their comfort zone in more ways than one.

This book is great if you are new to Erotic Romance the three stories are written by three different writers and are not for the faint hearted. The first story to me was based around giving up control. The second story was based on a ménage relationship. The third story was more about a struggle for balance with two strong characters.

Sophie’s story is the first in the book called Tempted in Texas and written by Alta Hensley.  

Sophie is a stressed out control freak who needs to learn to let go and Deacon Weston is the man to entice her to do it. Deacon’s conditions for Sophie’s stay are, she follows his rules!

His rules are:

1.    No computer and no work.

2.    Sophie allows him to meet her needs and take care of her during her stay.

3.    Sophie never questions what he says.

There is an element of dominance / submission to this story Deacon is your typical alpha male in a romance strong, warm, caring and sexy as hell (but to me is a bit a kinky as he like to spank his women). Instead of letting the workaholic work the ranch he makes her relax.

I think a lot of women today can relate to the story especially where in their day to day lives they are in control i.e., at work and at home who wouldn’t in a fantasy world, love for their man to say you know what darling I’m going to look after your needs for a change. I’m sure once she picks herself up off the floor from passing out from shock, she’d drag him to a doctor to make sure he was OK.

I have a soft spot for the Alpha males, I love what I call a proper bloke with a good heart and I loved this story. I thought the sex scenes were brilliantly written and very hot, to the point that when my husband patted my ass the other morning to get me to move out the way I found myself grinning at him.

The only thing I didn’t like was it was too short but then again Novellas are ;) and the fact it’s only available to those who have an ereader or ereader app for their IPOD/phone. The good thing is you can download a sample before buying.

Contains: spanking, light bondage, anal sex, oral sex and lots of sex.