ReviewsBySandraPaquet

This Magic Moment Anthology
Christmas Stories
Triskelion Publishing
ISBN: 1-6016-005-6
230 Pages

Coyote Gorgeous by Vijaya Schartz - 5 out of 5 stars

Border Patrol agent Kaitlin Harrington hates Christmas. Last Christmas Eve she lost her unborn child. This Christmas Eve she's working, searching for illegals and smugglers, trying to forget her pain. But this is the night of miracles and Kaitlin finds a small one of her own. His name is Miguel.

Coyote Gorgeous is an interesting and enjoyable read. Some aspects require a stretch of the imagination but they don't distract the reader from the uplifting spirit of the story.

Eight Crazy Nights by Michele Lang - 5 out of 5 candles

Carla Mauzone, a divorced law professor, who doesn't want to celebrate Chanukah but her mother, Rosie, has other ideas. Rosie's cooked up more than a feast to celebrate their first night of Chanukah. She intends to see both her daughters in love before the end of the year and her doctor, John Soloman, is perfect for Carla. But the eight days of Chanukah are not only unkind to romance, they bring sickness and betrayal into the Mauzone family.

Eight Crazy Nights is an uplifting story about a close-knit family dealing with life's dangerous curves. It is a heart-warming read.

A Faerie Divine Christmas by Michelle L. Levigne - 5 out of 5 Wishing Balls

Clark is at magical Divine Emporium helping to decorate the Christmas tree with miniature Wishing Balls. And feeling miserable because he will be celebrating this Christmas alone; without his wife Gwendolyn. Clark's nemesis Chester Somerville has taken her away from him just as Chester has always taken the things Clark values most. When it's Clark's turn to cradle a Wishing Ball in his hands and make a wish, he wishes for "someone wonderful, someone forever." And then he meets and helps Terry who is working hard to pay off her recently deceased aunt'[s medical bills.

A Faerie Divine Christmas is a sweet romance-a fanciful tale of a magical Christmas amidst office skulduggery with a 6" exile from the Fae realms working his magic on unsuspecting mortals. A feel good tale.

Christmas Spirits by Christy Gissendaner - 4 out of 5 spirit lovers

Kia Mays is stressed out. She's nervous about the new fashion line she's about to ship and her lover of two years has dumped her. She's flying home to spend Christmas with her family and to try to unwind. Her first stop is her beloved grandmother's house where she's presented with a gift; a wooden doll that looks suspiciously like her ideal man. The doll is her spirit mate her grandmother explains. Kia must be a peace with her spirit lover before she can find her true love. At first Kia is resistant to the idea but she soon finds herself drawn to the little doll she calls "Woody."

Christmas Spirits drags over the first pages. Kia didn't particularly interest me and there was too much narrative-an information dump. Then the spirit lover concept was introduced and Kia came alive. It was a gem of an idea and from here on in it was an entertaining and unique story.

©Reviewed by Sandra Paquet, gottawritenetwork.com
April 2007

Giving Chase
By Lauren Dane
213 pages
Romantic suspense
Samhain Publishing Ltd.
ISBN: 1-59998-113-0
2 Chase's out of 5

Seriously insecure Maggie Wright's love life is in need of a transfusion. Along with all the other women in Petal, the gorgeous Chase brothers are on her wish list. Shane Chase tops the list until he spill a plate of food all over her and blames her for his clumsiness. Despite his rudeness, she thinks "Sheriff Dumbass" smells so good she'd like to take a bite out him.

She goes out on a blind date with Alex and start warming up to him until he becomes too possessive. Shane apologizes and she dates him until he drops her. She's hurt, but Shane's brothers take her side and she finds herself attracted to Kyle Chase.

In a nasty confrontation, jealousy drives Alex to call her a slut and a whore. Not long after that, arriving home after a date with Kyle she finds her front window broken and WHORE painted in red on her door. Alex is arrested but soon out on bail. After this, Kyle and his family become very protective of Maggie.

I'm really sorry that I can't recommend this book. Series books are my favourite and I was looking forward to some good reading. Unfortunately, the story bogged down with too much meaningless chit chat and too many mean-spirited, vindictive characters. The suspense was thin, almost non-existent. Ms. Dane dropped the ball on this one.

Sandra Paquet

gottawritenetwork.com reviewer
June 4, 2007

Invisible Evidence
By Kelly Wallace
162 pages
Romantic Suspense
Linden Bay Romance
ISBN: 1-60202-018-3
4 ½ out of 5 readings

PI Vincent Marcelli's first kidnapping case has dead-ended. He's desperate enough to seek the help of psychic Julie Simmons. He pictures her as an old woman with warts but when his doorbell rings he finds "a pretty little nymph with a warm, genuine smile that almost melted her hard criticism of her kind."

After a traumatic case, Julie stopped using her psychic abilities to help solve crimes and started teaching. She's taking this case because of Vince. She’s had her eye on the divorced ex-cop for a long time. "He is magnificent. Gorgeous. And Julie wanted him. Bad."

Sparks ignite between Julie and Vince. Vince fights it, but as they work together to save a small boy from a kidnapper his resistance melts. Will they find the child in time? And will "relationship shy" Vince stay with Julie once the case is closed?

Julie and Vince are wonderfully engaging characters. I found it intriguing to see macho, protective Vince bowing to feisty Julie's psychic talents without losing one drop of his masculinity. Believe me, Vince is a hottie. The love scenes are steamy, the romance sweet and compelling. The suspense element isn't strong until close to the end but when it comes into play it is fast and intense. Invisible Evidence was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a charming love story.

©Sandra Paquet,
gottawritenetwork.com reviewer
June 6, 2007

72 Hours
By Shannon Stacey
123 pages
Romantic Suspense
Samhain Publishing Ltd.
5 out of 5 chocolate chip cookies

Alex Ross is an agent for the Devlin Group, a company that works for governments who need help going over, under or around regulations to eliminate their problems. On this assignment his job and his past collide.

Alex along with his best friend and fellow agent, Gallagher, are hot on the trail of the man who murdered his mother, Maria Rossi; the same man who stole the deadly biotoxin the Devlin Group just retrieved for a careless pharmaceutical client. They have two-bit thief Johnny Washburn under surveillance. When an unknown man joins Johnny, Alex tries to get a better look at the newcomer. And he's made. The man fires shots at Alex and escapes. Their cover is blown and their assignment is in jeopardy.

Grace Nolan, a former agent for the Devlin Group, smells smoke. Rushing into her kitchen she discovers that her latest batch of chocolate chip cookies have morphed into charred briquettes. Grace can disable any security system known to man so why can't she bake a decent batch of cookies for her son Danny who is about to arrive home from school? Only it isn't Danny who walks through the door. It's a nightmare from her past who smiles at her. "Your son won't be coming home, Ms. Nolan…for now."

Grace's past has rocketed into her present resulting in the kidnapping of her son. If she doesn't deliver Alex Rossi, alive and able to talk, to the designated spot in seventy-two hours she'll never see her son again. She has no choice but to betray the man she once would have sacrificed everything for, the man who could set her blood on fire.

72 Hours begins in a hail of bullets and the action never stops. The characters are so real they will leap off the page and into your heart. Grace is a fighter whose only mission is to protect her son. Alex, agent extraordinaire, will do anything for Grace. Gallagher and Carmen, both agents with Devlin Group are intriguing characters who deserve a book of their own.

The plot twists and turns, romance mingling with action, making it almost impossible to put the book down. There is enough sizzle between Alex and Grace to start a fire, enough emotion between them to grab your heart. I wanted Alex and Grace to find their happily ever after so much, I rooted for them all the way to "the end" which occurred long past my bedtime. Congratulations to Shannon Stacey on an excellent book.

©Sandra Paquet, Reviewer, gottawritenetwork.com
March 2007

Trilogy No. 103: Red Hot & Blue
by Cat Johnson
181 pages
Linden Bay Romance
ISBN: 1-905393-74-1
5 out of 5 special ops hotties

Trey

Trey Williams has no room in his life for a girlfriend. "A distracted soldier is a dead soldier. Besides the lady that turns him on belongs to his best friend Jack so she’s off limits. Carly McAfee doesn't date military men, not after one broke her heart. That doesn't stop Trey and Carly from being wildly attracted to each other. When they are sent on a dangerous mission posing as newlyweds, will temptation prove irresistible?

Jack

Nikki Camp's feeling content and semi safe for the first time in months, then Jack Gordon shows up with his constant questions. And his adorably sexy southern charm. "A southern man could practically make a girl's panties fall right off just by talking to her."

When his special ops team is forced to take a two week leave, Jack heads home to the family farm to mend his broken heart. He meets Nicki, his brother’s newest and hottest and sexiest hand. But she's hiding something and Jack intends to find out what that something is with a little help from his team.

Jimmy

Amelia Monroe-Carrington is attending another boring political function with her father when she spots a really buff waiter. She wouldn't mind taking a nibble out of him. Look out Jimmy because Amelia is a lady who knows what she wants and goes after it.

Jimmy Gordon is on a mission as an undercover as a waiter when he bumps into one hot redhead. She slips him her phone number and when he calls she invites him up to her room. Amelia opens the door of the Presidential Suite wearing nothing but a black strapless bra, lacy thong underwear and mile-high heels. Has Jimmy finally met his match?

Red Hot is right! Cat Johnson knows how to spin a sizzling, satisfying tale. The three stories mesh beautifully despite their differences. Trey's story is fast-paced, sassy and sexy while Jack's is tense and mysterious, and Jimmy's is heart-wrenching and hotter than hot. You'll fall in love with all three of these sexy solders and envy the women they love.

Sandra Paquet
gottawritenetwork.com reviewer
June 9, 2007

Running with the Devil
By Lorelei James
Romantic Suspense
225 pages
Samhain Publishing Ltd.
ISBN: 1-59998-318-4
5 out of 5 sexy spy guys

Undercover DEA Agent Drake March is at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the world's largest biker party, expecting to meet his target Kenna Jones. She's the last person to have contact with a murdered federal informant and he needs her cooperation. What he isn't expecting is the instant sizzle between him and the woman with the world-class legs and 40C tits.

Kenna Jones is posing as "arm candy" for rich bikers, well actually only one - Jerry - who turned up dead. Now she needs to find a job with another biker quick. Her tuition money is due, her doctorate degree on the line. What she doesn't need is a DEA Agent with an "I’d-like-to-ride-you-hard-for-hours stare" messing with her mind or ability to earn her tuition money.

When Kenna refuses to help with his investigation, Drake threatens to have her arrested. After her evasive tactics fail, Kenna reluctantly agrees to become his "girlfriend" during the two day rally. Then the bullets start to fly. Kenna and Drake are both keeping secrets that could get them killed.

"Assless chaps were all the rage in Sturgis." What a picture that opening sentence paints! You just know you're in for a wild read. Vivid description plunks you right into the middle of the aberrant atmosphere of the biker Rally.

Kenna is smart-mouthed and sassy, more than a match for the determined and macho Drake. Getting to know these two characters is a fascinating experience. The heat between Kenna and Drake is enough to make the pages ignite.

Running with the Devil is fast-paced and hotter than hot, a tantalizing mixture of danger and sex with dab of humour tossed into the mix. If you love your romance with a blend of sex and danger, this book is a must read.

Sandra Paquet,
gottawritenetwork.com reviewer
June 11, 2007

Drop Dead Sexy
By Elisa Adams
Romance - erotic quickie
36 pages
Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1-4199-0734-4
5 out of 5 sexual fantasies

Freelance journalist Joy Baker's new assignment has the potential to be huge-a career maker or breaker. She generally avoids men like Nathan Halloran, men who ooze enough testosterone to scramble a woman's brain but he's the perfect man to interview for this assignment.

Nathan Halloran isn't into innocence no matter how sexily it’s packaged until Joy corners him with questions about his sexual fantasies. He much prefers showing to telling and Joy finds his offer irresistible.

But both Joy and Nathan have secrets, secrets they don't want to share, secrets that could destroy their budding relationship.

"If you could do anything in bed with a woman, what would it be?" Whoo-ee! What an opening sentence. The pages sizzle with the heat between Joy and Nathan. The light bondage scene is both tender and scorching.

Nathan is drop dead sexy - a strong and caring man. The kind of man a woman dreams about. Joy is feisty and more than enough woman to take him on. They are both interesting, well-developed characters.

The plot had a cute twist that left me smiling. I love to be surprised. Drop Dead Sexy is a well-written, arousing story.

Sandra Paquet

gottawritenetwork.com reviewer

June 20, 2007

Riding Ranger
Ciana Stone
Romance Erotic Quickie
44 pages
Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1-4199-0873-1
5 out of 5 superheroes

To become a superhero. That was Ranger's childhood dream, a dream she's turned into her own kind of reality. She considers herself a modern day Robin Hood who steals from greedy corporations and gives to the people they ripped off. Her superhero career has earned her a place on the most wanted list of the world's major law enforcement agencies.

Special Agent John Williams has been hunting the criminal they dubbed the Lone Ranger for a year with no leads, no idea who he is. Then John got hold of her journal. After reading about Ranger's exploits and the reasons behind them, he can't help but admire her spunk and her desire to change the system. He doesn't approve of her methods but he respects her caring. What he doesn't like is the raging hard-on he gets every time he thinks about her.

And it's not one-sided. Ranger is hot for John. She's been watching him, studying him and is about to implement her plan to have him. Will it work? What will happen after their night of wild sex, after she takes the handcuffs off? Will she get John or a long jail sentence?

Riding Ranger is a fast-paced intriguing story based on tension and passion. The journal idea worked well. The bank and insurance scams added interest to the story while showing Ranger's motives and character.

Ranger, a strong alpha woman intent on breaking the law, dangles seductive temptation in front of John. She's hot, wild, uninhibited and she wants him. John, an equally strong alpha man who has sworn to uphold the law, wants everything she has to give. He's a man torn between duty and desire.

The sex was hot, spicy and frequent, the moral dilemma compelling and there were a enough surprises along the way to make an interesting and scorching rollercoaster ride. If you’re looking for a short, erotic read, this is the book for you.

Sandra Paquet

gottawritenetwork.com reviewer

June 23, 2007