Love's Captive by Myra Nour

Volarn Chronicles, Book 1

CreateSpace (paperback); New Concepts Publishing (e-book)

Published:  May 05, 2012 (paperback); May 03, 2012 (e-book)

524 pages (paperback); 565KB (e-book)

Rating:  4 ½ stars

Serena is a female wrestler.  She’s finished with her match and is in the parking lot waiting for her car to be returned.  And then our adventure begins.

Serena wakes to find she’s been kidnapped.  Nicole is in the room with her.  They are also sporting a new piece of jewelry.  The scenario reminds me of “Star Trek”.  Women from Earth have been kidnapped by flesh merchants and are on their way to Volarn.

At Volarn, they are made ready in a castle.  Overseeing the festivities is King Rhamus.  And then he sees her.  He looks at his sister, Kasha.  Their women warriors are called Getras.  During the women’s first meeting with the King, Nicole shows a little spunk and sticks up for herself.

Rhamus and Serena seem to have an instant connection that heats up the pages.  Their sexual attraction grows stronger the longer they are in each other’s company.  With the heat between the two, I’ll have to be careful that my e-reader doesn’t burn out.

I have to give Myra kudos for coming up with a new world and the words that are not part of our language.  It must be difficult to keep it all straight but she doesn’t seem to have that problem.  As I continue to read, I have pictures in my mind of what Rhamus and Serena look like.  I can picture Rhamus as Ares and Serena as Xena, except with red hair, from the “Xena” series.  Serena acts like a warrior princess trying to protect her women.  She’ll do anything to make sure that they’re happy. 

We see that as Rhamus and Serena get to know each other, they are also teaching each other about their respective cultures.  They’re also learning that there is give and take on both sides.  We also get a good lesson that even though we may be different, including cultures, we should all try to get along.  As a society we know that kidnapping is wrong, but you have to understand the pressure that Rhamus is under.  We also see how things can look differently when they are taken away from us.

Myra gives us a world that sounds exotic with strange animals and interesting flora.  She also shows how barbaric the same world can be.  If we were thrust into that same world, would we be able to survive?  Would we be able to acclimate to our surroundings? 

As I get to the end of this book, I’m left wanting to know more about Volarn.  Is there a story for Kasha?  You will not be disappointed.   Kasha’s story, “Heart of the Dragon”, will be coming out in June.  Now I need to know if there will be a book three.  Will Jarvic find his love?  We get hints at the end of Rhamus’ story.

Sara's Smile by Sandra Bunino

Bradley Publishing

Published:  May 16, 2012

73 pages; 312KB

Rating:  4 stars

Sara Wiley is on her way to work where she is an architect in New York City.  She’s been assigned to restore a home in Connecticut.  In order to get this project done, she needs to meet with some construction companies.  Today, she is meeting with Pennington Construction.

Michael Pennington is the owner of Pennington Construction.  After meeting with Sara, Michael is looking forward to working with her.  The night before the project is set to start Sara has a visitor.  Guess who?

Sandra makes this story one that would be a great read as you sit on the beach and look out over the lake or ocean (whichever is your preference).  You may also want to have some Hall & Oats music playing on your ipod or MP3 player.  As you read Sandra’s story you will understand why.  It also makes you wonder if that was Sandra’s inspiration.

As the story progresses, Sara gets the shock of her life.  She gets reacquainted with an old sweetheart.  But can we go back and relive the past?  Can the past affect our future?  As the story progresses, I had my thoughts going in one direction and then Sandra did a 180 that totally surprised me. 

I loved this story but Sandra has left me wanting more.  I want to see Michael’s story.  Sara’s story ends with the happy ending but does it continue?  Is there a sequel here?  Another good thing about this story is that if I have only a little time, I can pull out my e-reader and read “Sara’s Smile”.

(Sara Smile, 1979 version, by Hall & Oates)

Win a signed copy of How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back

Stop over to Sophie Barnes Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSophieBarnes/app_208195102528120) and fill out the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a copy of the book "How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back".  You can never have too many romance books to read - especially during the summer.  Good Luck!

Keeping Up With The Rheinlander's: Q&A with #Author @JoanneBrothwell & #Giveaway ~ St...

Keeping Up With The Rheinlander's: Q&A with #Author @JoanneBrothwell & #Giveaway ~ St...: Stealing Breath Author: Joanne Brothwell File Size: 408 KB Print Length: 202 pages Publisher: Crescent Moon Press (March 8, 2012) Langu...

This giveaway needs a little love.  If you are looking for a sweet paranormal romance, stop over for a chance to win an e-copy.

“Wicked Allure” by Leslie C. Megahey and Shirley H. Ferdinand

CreateSpace

Published:  March 20, 2012 (paperback); April 06, 2012 (e-book)

ISBN:  9781475010800 (paperback)

280 pages (paperback); 391KB (e-book)

Rating:  4 stars

Zachary Steele likes his coke – and I don’t mean the soda.  And he’s mixed it with scotch.  Madigan is next to him in bed.  Madigan DeLeon is an exotic looking beauty.  At one point, Zach hurt her and pushed her away.  In his drug induced mind, he doesn’t know what is real and what isn’t.  He thinks Madi is a fantasy.  And later on they will learn that there are always consequences for their actions.

Madi’s sisters end up in the room and one of them gives the hint that someone else may have been the one to keep her and Zach apart.  She has a great job – she’s a junior vice president of development at a multimedia company.  Madi’s mother, Karolyn, seems like a controlling bitch.  Besides controlling her daughters, she also took controlling interest in Zach’s company.

And then Karolyn springs a surprise on Madi.  This leaves Madi questioning what she should do.  Even her sisters get involved in her life.  I guess I should be grateful that I only have brothers.  They wouldn’t dare sticking their noses in where they don’t belong.  Karolyn also likes to torture those around her.

Leslie and Shirley do a great job of creating Karolyn’s character – she’s pure evil on two legs.  They also make Madi sound like pure sex in stiletto knee-high boots.  Karolyn seems to be the puppeteer and she holds all the strings. I can definitely say that she is one of my least favorite characters. But isn’t that what Leslie and Shirley want?  It means you are involved in what is going on in the book.

One reoccurring theme is the past between Zach and Madi.  I understand it made them who they are now but I have to wonder how many times it will keep coming up.  Do we really need to hear about it over and over?  That was my only negative thing about the whole story.  Although that is also what brings them back together.

We then find out how the book got its title.  If our writing team ever decide to make this the start of a series, I hope we will hear more about the business that Madi and Zach start.  I’d love to know more about what people do there.

I found it funny that while reading a scene where Zach is at the business, the song “The Cheater” http://youtu.be/zToZZOTmeXo sung by Bob Kuban came on.  It was then followed up by “Tears on my pillow” http://youtu.be/8HXugnXK8Js  by Little Anthony and the Imperials.  It couldn’t have been planned any better.

At the beginning of this story, upon meeting Zach’s brother Dakota I didn’t think he was all that smart.  But then there is a point where the two of them have a serious discussion and he gives Zach some very sound advice – I was very impressed.  And I can say the same about this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the love story of Zach and Madi.  And I was also impressed that our mother and daughter writing team didn’t change the mother character.  She was a bitch at the beginning of the story and she was that same at the end.  

This may have some explicit language in it but not enough to offend anyone.  And the sex scenes – hot!  You now have a choice to make.  Which would you prefer, paperback or e-book copy - tough choice.

I have included the book's trailer in the hopes you will watch and it will pique your interest even more.