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2) Heather Massey
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Showing posts with label Decadent Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Decadent Publishing. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Review: A Marine Affair by Heather Long
A Marine Affair
Author: Heather Long
Release Date: June 3, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Always a Marine #13, Novella
ISBN: #978-1613335444
Genre: Military Romance, M/M
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have been secret lovers for years. They nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones—Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
What B is talking about:
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As dedicated Marines who’ve never hesitated to put their duty to their country above all else, Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Eli Masters accepted the need to keep their love a secret for years. But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world. Unfortunately, Eli wasn’t ready to come out, despite the changing times, and in a moment of need and doubt their relationship ended. But, one year apart isn’t enough to undo ten years of loving each other, and now that Eli is home again, Rick isn’t willing to let him go without a fight.
I have a fondness for military fiction as well as m/m romance, so A Marine Affair was enjoyable on both fronts. Eli and Rick are interesting, strong characters, and Ms. Long imbues them with an unexpected amount of depth, given the short length of the story. Both are Marines, one serving stateside as a surgeon, one taking dangerous assignments overseas. But, they each respect the path the other has chosen, nurturing their relationship as best they can over the course of a decade during secret rendezvous and stolen moments while on leave.
The root of the trouble between Rick and Eli isn’t revealed right away, but instead through a flashback a little further into the story, creating an immediate need to stick with these men to find out what really happened. Surprisingly, Eli’s refusal to live his life “out and proud” is rooted in a secret he’s kept hidden from Rick, one that has nothing to do with their lives as Marines. It is a reminder that “complicated” is a universal label, and that sharing a life with someone means that some secrets, regardless of how closely guarded they are, can no longer yours to bear alone.
One of my favorite things about A Marine Affair is that, while the sexually explicit scenes between Eli and Rick are definitely worthy of an enthusiastic response, they don’t overwhelm the story itself. Each one has a specific purpose and is very well written, and illustrates the vastly different stages the relationship has gone through as the story progresses.
Overall, A Marine Affair is simply a wonderful story. The characters are complex enough to seem real, while avoiding the feeling that the author’s intent is being handed over in intentionally digestible parcels. The narrative isn’t preachy, just sincere. A Marine Affair is easy and sweet, and, for such a quick read, Rick and Eli’s story mattered to me. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I’d love to read more of it’s kind.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Author Guest Post & Giveaway: Arlene Webb
Hi, my name is Arlene Webb and I’m thrilled to be here. I have some fantastic news for anyone who hasn’t heard about an exceptional sale from Decadent Publishing which ends June 30th.
Seven authors, 12 books, and chance to win $250 worth of prizes, including a Nook. For more info, go HERE.
Here are links to books available to purchase for a dollar.
About Arlene’s books:
Last Request--Arlene Webb
Secrets:
Joan not only knows how to keep them, she hoards information. After all, blurting truths could prolong her life and that’s not something she’s willing to allow.
As a renowned journalist, exposing lies is Wesley’s job, but being honest extends to revealing his own agenda as well. He admits on the application he’s been asked to write a story kicking up any dirt he can on Madam Evangeline’s dating service.
Joan not only knows how to keep them, she hoards information. After all, blurting truths could prolong her life and that’s not something she’s willing to allow.
As a renowned journalist, exposing lies is Wesley’s job, but being honest extends to revealing his own agenda as well. He admits on the application he’s been asked to write a story kicking up any dirt he can on Madam Evangeline’s dating service.
Desires:
Joan has a reputation to uphold. Labeled a promiscuous monster, authorities shouldn’t be surprised her offer to finally tell them where the skeletons are comes at a price. One date, one night, one final fling.
Wesley doesn’t need one date, one night, a simple fling. Women eyeball him all the time. He knows some hookup service can’t find him his heart’s desire, a sweetheart to cherish for a long and committed lifespan, but he won’t make it a slam-dunk for them by saying otherwise.
Joan has a reputation to uphold. Labeled a promiscuous monster, authorities shouldn’t be surprised her offer to finally tell them where the skeletons are comes at a price. One date, one night, one final fling.
Wesley doesn’t need one date, one night, a simple fling. Women eyeball him all the time. He knows some hookup service can’t find him his heart’s desire, a sweetheart to cherish for a long and committed lifespan, but he won’t make it a slam-dunk for them by saying otherwise.
Warning Notice:
If secrets stay buried and desire is feared instead of embraced, electricity will flow and not in a good way.
If secrets stay buried and desire is feared instead of embraced, electricity will flow and not in a good way.
Falling For Water--Arlene Webb
Water.
What Cassi thought was a simple obsession with clean water has taken over her life. When she orders a distiller online to replace the one smashed by her abusive boyfriend, she gets more than she bargained for.
What Cassi thought was a simple obsession with clean water has taken over her life. When she orders a distiller online to replace the one smashed by her abusive boyfriend, she gets more than she bargained for.
Enter a man with a badge, hunting a terrorist, and Cassi is his number one suspect. Not only is she struggling with her fixation on pure H2O, she has to prove she’s not the one he’s looking for—only she kind of wishes she was. Before she knows it, Cassi is in over her head.
Justice.
Ray had everything, until a random crime ends badly and he’s left to hold to his grief or make changes in his life. Charming his way into people’s personal business—slapping on the cuffs as needed—gives him reason to get up in the morning. When he falls headfirst into another chance at love, he must take the plunge without hesitation or risk losing more than his heart.
Ray had everything, until a random crime ends badly and he’s left to hold to his grief or make changes in his life. Charming his way into people’s personal business—slapping on the cuffs as needed—gives him reason to get up in the morning. When he falls headfirst into another chance at love, he must take the plunge without hesitation or risk losing more than his heart.
As the pair join hands, sparks fly as well as bullets, leaving Cassi and Ray to wonder if the universe could right itself. Will the past reach out and drown their chance for happiness?
Thank you, so much, for hosting me.
GIVEAWAY:
Decadent Publishing is hosting a giveaway to win a NOOK ND 7” tablet. For details on where to enter, daily, visit the Decadent Blog.
To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thursday, May 30, 2013
Author Guest Post & Giveaway: Ursula Sinclair
Hi, my name is LaVerne Thompson. I also write romantic suspense as Ursula Sinclair and I’m happy to be here today as part of Decadent Publishing’s A Buck A Book Win A Nook blog tour.
I’m a romantic at heart so no matter what genre I’m writing in I do so love my HEAs and I hope you do too. Although nothing comes without some sort of price. I’d like to introduce you to Noah and River. They have a long history together.
Something Blue- The Guardian Agency Series Book 2
By Ursula Sinclair (Decadent Publishing, only $1 - limited time)
What happens when dreams come true, but it’s not all it was supposed to be?
River Blu’s music has made her the stuff of legend, she’s every bit a rock star who dominates the pop charts. But through the years a secret haunts her, making it impossible to give her heart to anyone or anything other than her music.
When River’s life is in danger she turns to Noah for help. They have a history together, one he’d like to repeat, with a different ending. But first he has to figure out who from her past is trying to kill her.
About the author:
LaVerne Thompson is the author of several works in the contemporary, fantasy and sci/fi genres. She also writes romantic suspense with an edge under her alter ego Ursula Sinclair. She loves to hear from readers.
GIVEAWAY:
Decadent Publishing is hosting a giveaway to win a NOOK ND 7” tablet. For details on where to enter, daily, visit the Decadent Blog.
To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Review: Crow Magic by Mary Quast
Crow Magic
Author: Mary Quast
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Publisher: Decadent
1 Night Stand series
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.
Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.
Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.
What I’m talking about:
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Our story opens with Seth (aka Tecumseh), who is a caretaker of sorts for lost souls. He is the Crow of legend, leading a solitary and lonely life. In order that his own soul does not fill with darkness, he needs to find his mate. Knowing this, him mom and brother ambush Seth and set him up on a date via Madame Eve’s 1 Night Stand (1NS) because his brother Kam had much success with the dating service.
After a history of abuse, Lucy feels awkward around men and is not comfortable with her own sexuality. She hopes that Madame Eve and 1NS can help her overcome her fears and maybe find something she feels is missing from her life.
Crow Magic is a story filled with spirituality and self-awareness. The author uses Native American culture and beliefs to spin her own tale of romance centered around inner peace and freedom. While I found much of the culture presented entertaining, at times I felt the spirituality of the story was heavy-handed and overshadowed the romance.
In the beginning of the book, Lucy finds herself alone with an attentive crow at the secluded resort. She begins a dialogue with the alert bird that was a bit goofy and silly. Personally, I'd be freaking out if a crow pulled out my hair band and stared at me. However, after a while, her odd behavior is attributed to a history of abuse and the scene makes more sense in that light.
The overall “courtship” between Seth and Lucy was based on her spiritual and sexual awakening. Seth uses his powers to free her mind and body, allowing her to become centered and at peace with her own self. Because of this, I felt that the story wasn’t very romantic in the traditional sense of the genre. However, Seth realizes almost immediately that his connection to Lucy is deeper than that of previous charges, so he pursues her more intimately.
Overall, Crow Magic is an enjoyable story with an interesting concept. It is filled, and at times overfilled, with spiritual awakening, using sex as part of the process. The connection between the primary couple isn't as steamy as in other 1NS stories, because the focus of the relationship is equally physical and spiritual. I liked that Lucy was able to shed her past and let out the awakened spirit inside of her. I think that those with an interest in Native American culture will enjoy this novella; however, if you are turned off by spirituality, you probably won't like the novella as much.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, April 15, 2013
Review: Blizzard by Taryn Kincaid
Blizzard
Author: Taryn Kincaid
Release Date: Feb. 20, 2013
Publisher: Decadent
Sleepy Hollow #4
Decadent’s Edge Series
Genre: Short Story, Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Mandy Malone ditches her pharmaceutical convention and the married male colleagues hitting on her to hurry home to her waiting family. But she doesn’t bank on the blizzard that forces her off the road and into a deserted rest stop. When she meets another road refugee, their attraction is immediate and molten hot. Suddenly, getting stranded doesn’t seem like such bad luck after all.
Although totally unprepared for Mandy’s unvarnished proposition, Jack is intrigued by the erotic offer of a promising night of no-questions-asked sex. But when he notices the wedding band on Mandy’s finger, will he forego the lure of a torrid clandestine affair, or give in to the fantasy of blazing hot sex on a wintry night?
What I’m talking about:
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Blizzard is a wonderful vignette from Taryn Kincaid, author of the Sleepy Hollow series. The story is part of Decadent Publishing’s Edge Series, a line of short stories covering different types of romance, all from various authors. Each story is usually a single scene or at most a few scenes over a very short time period, highlighting a sexy encounter.
Although Blizzard is listed as the fourth story in the Sleepy Hollow series, it is unrelated to the first three and may be read completely stand alone. And unlike the other books in that series, there is no paranormal activity; it is strictly contemporary romance.
Being married with kids is a tough and tiring place to be. Add to it a demanding full-time job, and the idea of sex becomes almost a foreign concept. So when Mandy Malone finds herself alone with a handsome man stranded in a rest stop - she wants to get some satisfaction in her unfulfilling sex life. Jack is more than willing to help fill the bill and give Mandy the time of her life.
There is instant chemistry between Mandy and Jack. Lets face it... Most of us married with kids (or even those who are not!) probably have experienced some sort of sexual frustration and the desire to have a passionate encounter. In Blizzard, the reader lives vicariously through Mandy and Jack and their intense meeting. It's enjoyable; it's hot; it's crazy and needy!
This really is a great little story - lots of fun, well-written and entertaining. At first I was wondering how the whole rendez-vous and situation presented would be resolved in such a short space. However, about halfway through the book I figured out where the story was going, and it totally put a smile on my face.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, March 4, 2013
Author Guest Post: Taryn Kincaid
Hello Readers! Today I bring you author Taryn Kincaid. Taryn lives in beautiful Bora Bora. Or wishes she did. When she's not parasailing up and down the Hudson River, taking care of her aging pet walrus, or volunteering at the local animal shelter [oh, HELL, no], she loves to arrange her voodoo doll-pin collection and practice chanting. At this moment, Taryn is busy adjusting the tin foil to throw the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) off her trail. She hangs around a lot on Facebook and Twitter with her trillions of fans and pops in at Goodreads from time to time. You can catch her on her website, and her blog, where she lives for comments!
Earlier today I reviewed the third book in Taryn’s Sleepy Hollow series, Frost, from Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand line (review HERE). Now Taryn is here to tell us about the fourth story, Blizzard (Decadent Publishing, The Edge Series, February 20, 2013).
BLIZZARD
By Taryn Kincaid
A short story from Decadent Publishing’s The Edge erotica line
BLURB:
Mandy Malone ditches her pharmaceutical convention and the married male colleagues hitting on her to hurry home to her waiting family. But she doesn’t bank on the blizzard that forces her off the road, into a deserted rest stop, and the rugged arms of the snowstorm’s only other road refugee.
Jack Manning is totally unprepared for Mandy’s unvarnished proposition, but intrigued by the erotic offer promising a night of no-questions-asked sex.
But when Jack notices the wedding band on Mandy’s finger, will he forego the lure of a torrid clandestine affair, or give in to the fantasy of blazing hot sex on the sly?
EXCERPT:
“Is this what you’re looking for, lady?”
Mandy glanced up, startled by the deep, rumbling baritone that seemed loud in the fairly quiet building. Even more startled by the tall, gorgeous hunk of manhood bundled into a down parka and standing next to her table.
I could totally jump him. Right here. Right now.
From nowhere, steamy erotic images of what she wanted to do with the man leaped unbidden into her head. Beneath her sweater, her breasts swelled, her nipples hardened with need. She’d never felt such instant attraction to anyone, such a frantic desire to get naked and get fucked. Maybe it was a reaction to her frightening experience on the Thruway. Or maybe something else created the overpowering chemistry.
Besides being the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on, he held out a battery-operated pocket charger. Nearly alone with him in the deserted rest stop…and still she felt…safe. A sigh escaped her as he stared down at her.
“It’s not the only thing I’m looking for.” Her voice, husky and sultry, and laden with blatant sexual innuendo, shocked her. Where had those words come from?
“Yeah?” The man removed his parka, revealing a plaid flannel shirt, the triangle of a white, cold-weather T peeping from the open neckline. As he raised his arms, thick bands of muscle rippled across his chest, beneath the layers of fabric. He stared down at her with brilliant azure eyes, bluer than a lake under the summer’s sun. His hair, which curled a bit boyishly at his temples, resembled a wet beach, light, dirty brown, with shimmering bronze threads straggling through the locks. But this was no boy. No indeed.
God. Gorgeous did not even begin to cover it. The longer he looked at her, the hotter she became. So hot she suddenly felt she could do anything, dare anything with this man.
BUY:
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Review: A Marine and a Gentleman by Heather Long
A Marine and a Gentleman
Author: Heather Long
Release Date: Feb. 6, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Always A Marine Series, 1 Night Stand
Genre: Military Romance – m/m
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Lieutenant Brenden Fitzpatrick is a dedicated Marine, loyal son, and devoted uncle but he’s lonely. When he went Marine, the rule was don’t ask, don’t tell. His brothers-in-arms pretty much didn’t ask and didn’t care. Watching so many friends settle into long-term relationships highlighted the absence of someone to come home to in his life. When his unit encourages him to give the 1Night Stand service a try, he asks for the impossible—a night with the one man he almost gave up the Marines for in the first place. A man he called best friend but let time and distance carry away.
Liam Gardiner grew up on the same Boston block as his best friend, Brenden. Unlike Brenden, Liam always accepted that he was gay—a fact he didn’t mind flaunting to all the bullies and naysayers in school. It got his ass kicked more than once but Brenden always had his back, rescuing him time and time again, until the day Brenden left for the Marines. He missed his buddy—the crush he never confessed, lest it cost him the precious friendship—so when Madame Eve’s invitation arrived to meet Brenden, Liam faces uncertainty for the first time.
What B is talking about:
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Unlike most of the other 1 Night Stand stories I’ve had the pleasure to read, A Marine and A Gentleman is a “happy for now” tale of two childhood friends reconnecting with one another, each filled with a lot of hope, but neither offering a promise of forever. Set against the possible romance between a civilian and a Marine who’s dedicated himself to a lifetime of service, it is an open, sincere look at what might happen if only second chances could be given a little extra help to come around.
Having read quite a few Military m/m stories by now, I found this one particularly interesting. Brendan comes from a military family, and never questioned that he’d follow the same path, except once. Knowing that his best friend, Liam, wouldn’t be content to live his life in the closet, bound by the required code of silence imposed by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Brendan let any thoughts of pursuing Liam go, remaining the steadfast friend until he left to join the military. Not that Brendan did so without regrets, but he always lived his life with the acceptance of a man eager to do whatever needed to be done in service to others, as heroes tend to do.
Since this is a 1 Night Stand story, things heat up very quickly between the pair once Liam lets go of his understandable skepticism. There’s no real awkwardness between the two old friends, their mutually realized desire not to waste another moment taking over and resulting in a sweet, yet thoroughly hot, sexual encounter. Brendan and Liam are absolutely perfect together, and their lingering familiarity with each other makes the affection they both know they’re lucky to have feel warm and alive.
Not to let the reader forget one of the major points of the story, the end of A Marine and A Gentleman brings the truth of Liam and Brendan’s situation back into focus. Ms. Long does a wonderful job of keeping the spell she’s woven around the couple vivid, without making more of their future than there really is, all while giving proper due to our heroes fighting abroad, as well as those waiting at home. There is a kind of bravery that’s equally as strong found in those who dare to reach for happiness despite the possibility of loss, a fact that this story illustrates simply and concisely. Liam and Brendan both felt very real to me, and their mutual desire to take what happiness they have now with a hope for the future made this one of my favorites in the series yet.
B’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews:
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Review: Island Pleasures by KT Grant
Island Pleasures
Author: KT Grant
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
1 Night Stand Series
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source Author
About the book:
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Carly Kimball, columnist for the popular magazine, Chit-Chat Weekly is going undercover to reveal the truth behind Madame Evangeline and 1Night Stand. She’ll infiltrate the Grand Turk Castillo hotel and resort to find the proof she needs for her article.
But Carly is in for the biggest shock of her life when she comes face to face with a man from her past, Quinn Alfasi, who she shared one passionate night with back in college.
Quinn never thought he’d see Carly again, and now six years later she’s come back into his life with the purpose to take down his employer. He’ll do whatever he has to in order to expose her as a liar and a fraud. But then his friend Woody shows an interest in Carly and has a plans to seduce her whether Quinn likes it or not. Quinn won’t allow Carly to fall for Woody even if he has to team up with his Lothario best friend to claim Carly as his own.
Carly is in danger of not only giving up on her mission, but also falling for the adorable Woody. But then there's Quinn, the one man she has always loved and has never forgotten...
What I’m talking about:
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Carly Kimball is trying to get ahead at her tabloid newspaper, so she attempts to find some dirt on the 1 Night Stand match-making service. Believing it’s a front for an escort service run by the Castillo brothers, Carly attempts to infiltrate one of their hotels by pretending to be her twin sister, Cassidy. However, Carly isn’t fooling anyone, especially Woody and Quinn, two friends of the sisters from college.
Island Pleasures is a delightful romp in an exotic locale. I enjoyed the descriptive details of the luxurious hotel, island setting, and delicious men.
Carly was a mixed bag for me. She certainly isn’t cut out for the undercover work. She is only fooling herself, believing that Woody and Quinn are buying her story. She comes across a bit green... especially when she uses her own credit card to secure her stay at the resort! It bothered me at times that she came across so naive; I wanted her to be strong and successful, not down on herself.
Quinn is a confident man, but unsure when it comes to the woman who broke his heart. Determined not to let her fall prey to his best buddy, Quinn’s aggressiveness is bolstered, and he pushes Carly into revealing the truth. I liked Quinn a lot. I enjoyed how Quinn confronted Carly, taking and claiming her. Their mutual passion is steamy. However, their communication skills were lacking, which made for a (purposely) frustrating read at times.
Woody is lots of fun and he wants to share a good time with Carly, especially since Quinn doesn’t seem to be making any moves. However, I didn’t care for they way that Woody picked up Carly, knowing exactly how Quinn felt. I also was annoyed that Carly just went off with Woody without talking to Quinn first, seeing as they have a history. With that said, the results are pretty steamy. I was a bit unsure about the menage because it wasn’t something that Carly mentioned she was open to and/or desired before she was put into the situation of having to accept or walk away.
With that aside, I did enjoy how it the story ended. I liked who Carly ended up with, and without spoiling the the story, I will say that the emotional journey of Carly and her guy was well played. Neither person was willing to "give up" for the other, and each had to find his/her own way. The path/s they took made their relationship more believable and touching. Now... if only our poor guy left out can find a match!
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B)
Friday, January 18, 2013
Reviews: Lightning & Thunder (two books) by Taryn Kincaid
Lightning
Thunder
Author: Taryn Kincaid
Release Dates: October 2012
Publisher: Decadent
Sleepy Hollow #1 & #2
1 Night Stand series
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the books:
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LIGHTNING... In mystic Sleepy Hollow, succubus Lily Night put her prom date, Campbell Jones, into a coma after a night of wild, unbridled sex. She has steered clear of mortals ever since, afraid of damaging them or worse, not to mention the inconvenience of knocking out the power every time they have sex.
Successful architect Campbell Jones has lived with strange powers and a sexy secret since that prom night. He’s buried himself in work to forget the woman who’d dumped him at the ER then vanished from his life without a trace.
Neither Lily nor Campbell have forgotten that night or the love they’d shared. Will a 1Night Stand help them bury their past?
THUNDER... Lonely young witch, Veronica Hardwicke, has struggled to get on with her life after the death of the elderly husband who’d left her a fortune and a sprawling estate in mystical Sleepy Hollow. When frightening things go bump in the night on a stormy Fourth of July, who better to call than the sexy developer and contractor, Sean Jones, who's been renovating her mansion for months?
Sean may grace the tabloid pages with a different supermodel on his arm every night, but it's Veronica who drives him nuts. Ignoring his instinct to stay away, he answers her summons.
Will the thundering passion of their 1Night Stand tear down the barriers between them?
What I’m talking about:
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Both Lightning and Thunder are novella-length books in Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series. For those unfamiliar, the 1NS series is a set of loosely-tied, yet completely stand alone stories, written by several different authors, all based on a dating service run by the mysterious Madame Eve. Although we never meet her, Madame Eve’s name appears in every story, and she has a exemplary track record for making perfect matches for anyone and everyone - no matter how simple or complex.
In Lightning, our heroine Lily Night is a celibate succubus, refusing to have sex with a mortal man for 10 years since she sent her first and only love to the emergency room and into a 6-week coma. Campbell Jones hasn't forgotten Lily or that night which changed his life forever. Now the pair are reunited thanks to Madame Eve, where they may find a second chance at love.
I adored that this couple had a prior history and both still deeply cared for (and lusted after) the other. This history allowed me to feel a deeper connection with the couple right from the start, and the “I love you” didn't seem out of place after coming so quickly. Lily and Camp had great chemistry, although I’m not sure why Camp was instructed by 1NS to blindfold Lily for so long. That piece didn’t add to the story and was a little odd. Their uncertainty giving over to lust created a wonderful atmosphere for their reunion. Overall, Lightning is an enjoyable romantic and lusty novella.
In Thunder, Ms. Kincaid’s second story from Sleepy Hollow, Camp's younger, playboy brother Sean fantasizes about the widow Veronica Hardwicke to the point that he is having performance issues with the models he normally dates. But since he is the construction foreman for the revisions of Veronica’s multi-million dollar mansion, he would never get involved with the boss, no matter how hot she is. Meanwhile, lonely Veronica dreams of Sean day and night. Having been celibate for the past 5 plus years, Veronica finally decides to give Madame Eve a try, signing up for the 1NS service after the referral from Camp. Of course, Madame Eve always knows the perfect match...
Once again, Ms. Kincaid is extremely adept at creating just the right amount of backstory, creating a pre-existing history between the individuals, which makes this shorter length story more satisfying. While allowing for an emotional connection, this story is also full of heat, sex and fun. Although Thunder was slightly more erotic than Lightning, I felt some of the dialogue between Sean and Veronica was a little cheesy, which was mildly distracting. However, the story was another fun romp and a pleasurable read.
Both stories are primarily contemporary with a slight paranormal edge. Each can be read independently, but since the Jones brothers are featured in both, it makes it a little more fun to read them together. Lightning and Thunder are both entertaining reads and fun quickies!
My Rating:
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Lightning:
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Thunder:
Liked it - recommend (B+)
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