Amy2

Carter's Cuffs
By Lacey Alexander
Ellora's Cave
Genre-Contemporary
e-book
117 pages
$5.20

Erin Sparks is a plainclothes cop on the Las Vegas vice squad. She's intent on working the street, doing her part to wipe out prostitution within the city limits. Or at least to quell it somewhat. It is, she figures, part of the ladder she's climbing. Her father, a cop, was a victim of violence and Erin has dedicated her life to helping others. Hoping to make detective, she works hard for those she's vowed to serve and protect. She doesn't have time to risk on distractions like hunky construction worker Carter Brooks. He's her neighbor and their daily interactions are so rife with sexual tension that the heat between them is tangible. But Erin has spent a lifetime avoiding emotional attachments and she isn't about to bend that rule for anyone. Not even Carter.

But to assuage her lust for Carter, Erin plans a three-way surprise for him on his birthday. With the help of a friend, a sexy fellow police officer named Melanie, Erin arranges to "arrest" Carter. The two women cuff him to a bed and begin what Erin decides can only be a sexual game. After all, she can't become emotionally involved with anyone. Or can she?

Carter's Cuffs by Lacey Alexander is so well written that the story fairly leaps from the screen. Filled with hot, steamy sex scenes it is not only thrilling but emotionally satisfying as well. I found myself rooting for Carter and Erin to find their way to a successful relationship. I cared about the characters and that, for me, is a sign of a truly good story. Ms. Alexander has found a new fan and I will definitely be on the lookout for her next release.

Rating: 4 ½ out of 5
© April 2007 by Amy D

History Lessons
By Jennifer Mueller
Linden Bay Romance
Historical Romance
e-book
193 pages
4.99

History Lessons is a wonderful adventure filled with love from the very start. Ayda Rogers is about to live her dream. She's traveled the globe and has seen some of the finest art the world has to offer. As if that isn't good enough, she is invited to spend a few months in an ancient Scottish castle. Within its walls is the art collection that is the subject of her thesis. What more could a woman ask for? When she finds herself in the arms of a hot hunk she finds that there can, indeed, be more to Scotland than its castles!

I enjoyed this book immensely. The rich historical imagery captivated me and everything is so vividly portrayed I could see it all. Jennifer Mueller is a wordsmith, and History Lessons a treat. I fell right into the center of Ayda and Hunter's relationship, it was so realistically written. The idea of a 400-hundred-year-old poker game still has me grinning! This is one story that shouldn't be missed!

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
(c) Amy D. August 2007

Under a Viking Moon by Tami Dee
Triskelion
Time travel
e-book
178 pages

Under a Viking Moon is a story of treachery and deception, love and surrender. It is a time travel romance that is intricately crafted. The plot is involved, with the characters moving between present day and into the past. A Norse warrior, Leif, is trussed and tossed into the sea by those who hate him. He's left for dead but washes up on shore in the present day and is rescued by Kat, who closely resembles his treacherous bride. The similarities are uncanny, and a web of deception that spans time periods becomes clearer with each passing day.

Tami Dee has done an excellent job with this romantic time travel story. I enjoyed every moment of it and was completely caught up in the handsome warrior's dilemma. The way Kat and Leif move between time periods is seamless and believable. There are a few instances where Leif seems more oaf than hero but they don't detract from the overall plot. I wanted these characters to unravel the mystery of what brought them together and to find happiness. In short, the author made me care about her characters and what happened to them. I very much enjoyed Under a Viking Moon and I hope it finds a new home. I will look forward to reading more by this talented author.

Rating 4 out of 5
© Amy D. August 2007

Skin to Skin
By Dionne Galace
Samhain Publisher
Contemporary Erotic Romance
e-book
54 pages
$2.50

Leilani is having a hard time keeping cool in the hot summer heat, especially with the sexy neighbor next door on her mind night and day. She's tried to entice the man in a number of ways, all provocative, but he seems very resistant to her obvious charms. Oliver has his reasons for hesitating to get close to another woman, though. The pain in his thigh reminds the detective just how dangerous women can be. But when Leilani takes matters into her own hands and decides to cool down in his swimming pool, her beautiful body and appealing personality may be too much for even Oliver to resist.

This title is A Midsummer Night's Steam Story and it certainly fits the bill. The writing is clean and crisp and hot enough to melt steel. From the first page, I was drawn into this sexy short story and it is such a compelling read I found myself at the ending long before I wanted to be. This was so good that I wanted it to be longer! Dionne Galace knows how to write well, and write hot. With a combination like that she's definitely on my future must-read list. Skin to Skin is a scorcher!

Rating 4 ½ out of 5
© Amy D. August 2007

Snowdance
By Sarita Leone
Whiskey Creek Press
Mainstream Romance
e-book & Print
202 pages
$5.99 & $12.95

Elinor Montoya is a 97-year-old woman who is snug inside her home, watching a blizzard from the comfort of her rocker beside a window. The home should be empty, but it's not. Elinor has a treasure trove of memories to keep her company and as the snow falls she ruminates on all that has happened in her lifetime. Tender, heartwarming, poignant and evocative, her memories span the spectrum of emotions. The author tells nearly a century's worth of stories just by letting the reader delve into the elderly woman's thoughts. Birth and death, happiness and sorrow are all dealt with in this book. It is told so well that she, and every other character in this, comes to life. Elinor and the people in her life are realistic to the point that I could hear them speak, smell the pie baking and see the house and snow. Snowdance is an example of top drawer storytelling.

Every aspect of this book is first rate. This is a story where the characters are so real they enter the reader's heart. Turning the pages, I wanted to know what would happen next, and why. In short, I cared. A lot. So many books don't encourage that kind of connection or interaction. It is refreshing to see it here. The plot moves along steadily, pulling the reader deeper into Elinor's memories. In part of this book, old letters are used to tell the story. This plot device is fitting to this story and worked very well. I could see Elinor reading letters from the battlefield, and could hear the cries of war, as well. This book ends with a twist-one that is bittersweet and perfect for the story.
I can't think of one solitary thing I didn't love about this book. Snowdance consumed me from the very first page. I couldn't put it down and read the whole book one sitting, just because I couldn't get my fill for knowing more about Elinor's life satisfied quickly enough. Who would have guessed an old woman's story could be so charming? It is, I promise you that. I laughed and cried, and just honestly loved every page. Sarita Leone is a talented writer, one who has gained a fan in this reviewer. Snowdance is her debut novel. I can't wait to see what comes next! Whatever it is, it's sure to be entertaining. Snowdance is a definite keeper!

Rating: 5 out of 5
© Amy D., August 2007

Charlotte
By Christina Carlisle
Whiskey Creek Press
Contemporary Romance
e-book & Print
186 pages
$5.99 & $12.95

Writer Reece Cameron finds a woman collapsed on his doorstep and takes her into his isolated mansion. His own life fades a bit into the background as he concentrates on nursing her back to health. When she awakes, the young woman seems to have no memory of who she is but he's found a scrap of paper with the name Charlotte Hunter on it in the clothing she was wearing when he found her. She thinks the name has a familiar sound, so Reece calls her Charlie. As they learn to trust each other, they begin to work toward discovering just exactly who Charlie really is. The truth of her past and the way it impacts their future is startling, but perfectly right for this gripping story. The ending is predictable but a good fit for this charming tale.

Charlotte is well written and emotionally satisfying. I enjoyed watching Reece and Charlie go back and forth, their emotions and growing attraction impacting the way they solve the mystery of who she is and why she's come to his doorstep. At times I felt Reece was harsher than I would have liked but his personality was appropriate considering his past. Charlotte is a classic damsel in distress, and he came to her rescue without reservation. And that is the way I can recommend this book-without reservation. Charlotte is a great story, one that kept me totally entertained from start to finish. It is dark and dramatic, but very romantic. Christina Carlisle tells a good tale, one that doesn't disappoint.

Rating: 4 ½ out of 5
© Amy D., August 2007

Violet Moons
By Nina Nash
Ellora's Cave
Romantic Fantasy
e-book
72 pages
$4.45
Reading Violet Moons by Nina Nash was an absolute delight.

My only complaint about this story, if I were to have any complaints, which I don't really, is that it ends. I had such a blast reading this book that I would have loved to have it go on and on. It would be perfect if it was one of those big, fat, thick books like Lord of the Rings or even War and Peace. Because, really, this book is so good that as a reader I didn't want to walk away from it. I missed the characters and the plot as soon as I read the final word. That's not something that happens often for me, so this book is really very special.

There are three princesses in the kingdom of Vestia. One of them will need to make a sojourn to another kingdom, one in the North where the inhabitants are supposedly very unfriendly. Alana, Dayanara and Wathalia discuss who is the one to make the trip. One of them has to beg, borrow or steal a powerful circlet that replenishes the life supply for the citizens of Vestia. The sisters each have their own strengths but Wathalia is best suited for the task so she is chosen to go. Through a phrase (that I won't give away here!) Ms. Nash pulls every chapter of this story together. It is done so smartly that it feels like a wrapped gift at each chapter's ending.

The journey Wathalia goes on brings her into contact with fantasy beings and beautiful settings like none I've ever read about before. One of the things she does while she is traveling is to think about a man to wed. There is a hunk in Vestia who wants her. Wathalia has doubts about him. She has been seeing a man in her dreams and can't shake the thought that he could be her perfect mate. The only problem is that she has never met this dream man.

Of course she meets him on the trip, something I cheered about! The two become romantic in a way that is emotionally charged as well as sensuous. The sex between them is hot but tasteful. They "educate" each other in the ways that their different cultures express affection. Priam and Wathalia are both eager to learn to please each other. It is a joy to watch their love grow.

I could go on forever about Violet Moons by Nina Nash, it's that good. Violet Moons is an excellent, well crafted fantasy story that brings romance to bloom in a world filled with magical creatures. The hero and heroine are sympathetic and believable. There is a scene with a dragon that is brilliant and witty. I recommend that anyone who likes fantasy or romance read Violet Moons. You won't be disappointed! I wasn't. This book has put Nina Nash on the top of my auto-buy list.

Rating, 5 out of 5
(c) Amy D. May 2007