The Escapist by Anthony Beal

“One woman’s joy is another woman’s sadness…”

The Island:
Its existence is a guarded secret known only to those affluent enough to enjoy its benefits and broken enough to desire them.

For generations, wealthy women have traveled there in search of fleeting escape from passionless marriages, from frantic work schedules, to escape from their problems as they can do no place else. On the island their only cares are for the roughness of the hands driving their orgasms. The most successful veriagones are those who know this well enough to never fall in love with the ladies they serve. The most beautiful of the veriagones, 22-year old Reynaldo is exploring his first genuine romance with flirtatious local bartender Sandrine, but is quickly selected for his sensual talents by Esme, a stunning redhead on holiday who is more than twice his age. Esme finds in Reynaldo what she has spent years pursuing: a man not only undaunted by her overtly sexual nature, but one who proves a match for it.

Unbeknownst to any of them, the island and the ancient deities that have warred there since time began have selected Reynaldo for something as well. A choice made by an imprisoned goddess will claim lives, test relationships, and require courage and decisive action of those wanting to escape divine wrath with their hearts intact.

Rhonda's Thoughts:

I got my first small taste of Anthony Beal in an anthology, Sin City.  I knew right away he was different, and loved his voice.  When the opportunity presented itself for me to read and review a full length piece from him, I was more than happy to do so.  It’s not often I read male authors, so this alone is a huge compliment to this author that I wanted to.


After reading this book, I found the blurb and decided that it does a great job of outlining the story, so I’m not going to touch on that.
What I do want to talk about is the skillful talent that resides in the mind of this author.  Beal  puts words together and forms these beautiful sentences that create a thought provoking story with dark undertones.  There were times that I found myself so immersed in his story that had every bit to do with poetic flair of his writing.


 The author gave quite a bit of depth to the emotions of his characters.  On a island holiday where emotions aren’t suppose to be part of the lascivious encounters,  this time the emotions not only come into play, they run deep.  In fact they are life changing for Esme, and eye opening for Reynaldo.   I also enjoyed some of the bantering between the guys, and the interactions between them.  Beal even threw in a few bits of humor to lighten the mood. 


This is a story of sexual fantasy, with an element of fantasy involving a God and Goddess and myth surrounding the nameless island.  There’s bad guys, drama, and fighting, chaos,  and lots and lots of sexcapades!!  Beal holds nothing back when it comes to this aspect of his story.


I really liked this book, these are my opinions and look forward to more from Anthony Beal.  If you’re in the mood for something a bit different from the mainstream erotica, and intelligent writing,  I would recommend giving him a shot.

Funny,Fynny,Har Har

 

Posh Fart

A woman walks into a shop that sells expensive Persian Rugs.

Looking around, she spots the perfect rug, walks over and inspects it.

As she bends to feel the texture of the rug she farts loudly.

Very embarrassed she looks around nervously to see if anyone has noticed her 'little accident' and hopes a sales person does not pop up right now.

As she turns back, there standing next to her is a salesman. "Good day Ma'am, how may we help you today?"

Very uncomfortably she asks, "How much does this rug cost?"

He answers, "Lady if you farted just touching it, you're gonna crap your pants when you hear what the price is."

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The Curse of Gremdon By Ciara Knight

In a world where marriage is forbidden, sex is only granted to male warriors, and the outer realm is full of murderous creatures, Arianna fights to protect the life of her only living relative, her brother.

Tardon, an elite warrior, is granted anything he desires by the Elders, but finds little joy in the voluptuous women presented to him. Born for the bloodlust found only in battle, complicated emotions emerge when he discovers his equal in the alluring warrior, Arianna.

Charged by the Elders with saving the castle from attack, Tardon and Arianna risk the curse when they traverse the vast outer realm to retrieve serum from the Tree of Life. If successful, the Elders have promised Tardon the right to marry and Arianna the cure for her brother’s death fever. Will their love carry them through or will the discovery of a great deception be their ultimate demise?

Elena's Review:

Anything Forbidden is always heat to a flaming fire!

The author had a heroic story to tell,and a story she wrote indeed! 

Arianna,and  Tardon dreamt of the day they claimed their Elite Warrior statuses.Until a possibility of a future, with  love,peace,marriage children and most of all,a life outside the castle walls away from the cursed Elders' and their wicked spells,changed everything.

Everything that they've known has a been a big lie. They were told by the Eders' that the Outer Realm,was a cursed place with awful creatures who intended to kill and turn whoever trespasses onto their land. Well be careful who you trust and believe in! Talk about conniving.......The Elders' need sap, from the Tree of life,to keep the castle protected, and to help treat the people from illnesses that were left untreated. Did I believe this is what they intended to use the sap for? Why yes I did.Fool me once,but I will not be fooled twice! Lol!!

Tardon will do whatever it takes to free Arianna and she would do what it takes to protect him as well, along with her only living relative that's left, her brother. 

It's a story of forbidden love, by the two strongest warriors I've ever read on. When their eyes are opened to a whole new world and many years to live for,there's no turning back. It's a journey well worth exploring! 

If you're a true fan of,paranormal,gladiators,warriors and so forth. This novel is a must. It didn't take me long to be sucked into and fall in love with it. Actually to be exact I had only reached 1% and new it was a story I would enjoy. And it all began when Tardon and Arriana fight against each other to claim their warrior statuses. 

 

Brilliantly Written!

 

 

 

 

 

Beneath the Surface by Joya Fields

She’s fighting to stay independent — he’s determined to protect her no matter what... 

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal.

But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda’s boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archaeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other’s wounds and find a killer... before it’s too late? 

 Grace's Review:

I'm a huge fan of those crime drama shows like CSI: Miami and Bones. This story was sort of like a mash up of those shows with romance! Beneath the Surface is a gripping romance-suspense novel that has an explosive beginning...literally!

When underwater archeologist Brooke Richards witnesses her friends' boat blow up, she unknowingly becomes a target of a killer. Detective Garrett Ciavello's search for his missing niece leads him to a metal box found on the ocean floor by Brooke's friends prior to the explosion. Together, Brooke and Garrett must rely on each other's expertise to retrieve the box and find answers.

I absolutely enjoyed this story! It kept me engaged and guessing, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! When all was revealed, and I found out the reasons for the crime(s), my jaw dropped! I did not think it was going to head in that direction at all. All I'm going to say is beware of deranged lunatic!

Brooke and Garrett had undeniable attraction towards one another, even when they tried to resist their feelings and concentrate only on the investigation. Since Brooke lost part of her leg in an earthquake, being independent has been a huge priority for her. This doesn't go well with Garrett's strong protective nature. Although they had to work through issues, it was obvious they cared so much for each other. Her disability was not even an issue for Garrett. One of my favorite parts is when Garrett tries to get Brooke to ride on his Harley. She's hesitant because of her prosthesis, but he ends up coaxing her on the bike anyway. Very cute! I got a little sad when I reached the last chapter. I wasn't ready to leave these two. Thank God for the sweet epilogue!
This is how I see Brooke and Garrett

Beneath the Surface is the second story that I have read from Joya Fields. Her novella, Love Delivered, is one of my favorites! Both stories showcase writing that is passionate with just enough spice all wrapped up like a small-hometown welcome hug. Her stories make you feel like you're coming home to something familiar. Even with all the mystery and suspense of Beneath the Surface, she manages to pull that comfortable hometown awareness for her readers. The scene at the family pizza place made me feel like I was part of the crowd. I'll take one of Mama Ciavello's specialties please!

Excerpt:

For the first time since the accident, she forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way he made her feel.

She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?

He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing his warm lips down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.

She should stop this now before it got any more intense.

He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a faint whiff of his sawdust scent.

“I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.

She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.

“Let’s go to your room,” she said, her voice shaking. She moved her hands inside his shirt and ran them over his tight abs and chest. Heat soared through her body at the feel of him. “Together…”

Knight (The Unfinished Heroes #1) By Kristen Ashley

Anya Gage has learned that to get anything good in life, you have to work for it. She has no expectations, no dreams.

Then she finds herself at a party where she doesn’t want to be and she meets Knight.

Knight Sebring knows who he is, what he wants and what he likes. And he gets it. But he never expected something as sweet as Anya Gage to wander into his bedroom during a party he did not expect to be having to borrow his phone.

Knight tries to leave Anya to the life she deserves of white picket fences and a man who watches football on Sundays – good, normal and clean. But when Anya comes to his nightclub and finds herself in a situation, he knows someone has to look after her, he can’t fight it anymore and he decides that man will be him.

Knight teaches Anya that, just as with the bad, in life you should also expect the good. And he teaches her this by giving it to her.

But Knight has a dark past and just as he desires Anya for exactly who she is, he fears when she finds out exactly the man he has become and always intends to be, she’ll leave him for good, normal and clean.

Holly's Review:

Kristen Ashley has totally done it again! Knight is the most amazing hero anti hero I have ever read! He is just a real guy with flaws and issues, oh except he is freaking gorgeous, rich and oh so intense! This story sucked me in just like every other KA story but I loved the addition of erotica and light BDSM in this one.

Knight and Anya we absolutely delicious together and I especially love how her love for him made is so she could just hang the fuck on whenever she learned something about her man that maybe skirted the edges of social acceptability. The sex was intense and fabulous, now I am never one to judge what two consenting adults do in the throes of sexual bliss, so even though some people have mentioned having problems with the fact that Knight wanted Anya to call him Daddy, I am not one of those people! I say do what makes you feel good baby! And having said that, after listening to the amazing dirty talk coming out of Knight’s incredible mouth I would call him any damn thing he wanted me to!

I have to thank my dear friend Dhes for heavily pimping this book, loved it babe! I hate that I have to wait for the next in this series because, well, I am not really a patient person - But, wait I will because the Unfinished Hero’s Series is going to be amazing if this debut is anything to go by!!

My Knight:

 

S.E.R's Welcomes Sylvia Day!! Author Spot and Giveaway!

I recently read my first Sylvia Day book, and it was Bared to You.  Let me tell you, it was absolutely DELICIOUS!!  5 of the 6 of us ladies here at S.E.R's have read this scrumptious treat and we all loved it! In fact it received 5 out of 5 stars from all of us. 

As I stated in my review, it wouldn't be my last.  I went right into Seven Years to Sin, and it was FANTASTIC!  It's a historical romance, that is beautifully written, and had everything I love, lovable characters, a great story, and very steamy hot. 

So, we were all pretty stoked when Sylvia Day agreed to stop in and share with us, and you.  She has also put together a very generous giveaway for you all. I'll admit I'm kinda jealous.

                               Please welcome Sylvia Day! - Rhonda

Sylvia Day: http://www.sylviaday.com/

 I’ll be honest. I’m the worst person to ask about my books. I can’t describe them or really do them justice. After all, it took me 100K + words to tell the story in the first place. :)

I’m also terrible at answering the question, “Where do you come up with your ideas?” I never have a clue. What usually happens is that a scene will pop into my head and I’ll end up writing a whole book around that one snippet. I couldn’t tell you where the scene snippet came from (although I can tell you where I was at the time it came to me--usually in the shower or while driving!). I’m always envious of authors who have fabulous stories about their inspiration and the birth of their stories.

All that said, I can tell you where BARED TO YOU started, because it began with another book of mine, SEVEN YEARS TO SIN.

SEVEN YEARS TO SIN is a Regency-set historical that tells the love story of two abuse survivors. Jessica is the survivor of child abuse so vicious she bears physical scars and is deaf in one ear. Alistair was emotionally abused and turned to prostitution as a way to survive and establish value for himself. For numerous reasons, I wasn’t able to delve into the aftereffects of abuse as deeply as I would’ve liked, so I continued to think about Alistair and Jessica after I turned the manuscript in to the publisher. For months afterwards, all through the end of 2010 and early 2011, I thought about how I’d expand upon the story if I could. I realized the historical time period had limitations I didn’t want to work within, so in my mind’s eye I transplanted Jessica and Alistair to modern-day New York.

Eagle-eyed readers of both books may notice that Gideon and Eva look remarkably like Alistair and Jessica. That’s because at the time I started BARED TO YOU, it was still Alistair and Jessica I was thinking of. Some things translated over--Gideon is a self-made wealthy man, just like Alistair; Eva is affluent and attends balls/galas, because Jessica was a peeress in her time; Eva and Jessica are both twenty-four. However, Gideon is twenty-eight while Alistair was twenty-two, because there’s no way Eva would’ve looked twice at a twenty-two year old man! There are other correlations that built the framework of BARED TO YOU, but you get the idea.

I started writing. (Or re-writing, as the case may be.) But a funny thing happened as the story unfolded. It took on a life of its own--it took on Eva’s life. She’s such a vibrant woman that she quickly assumed control of the storytelling. I’d begun the story in my usual third-person point of view, but I kept slipping into Eva’s voice. (Or Eva’s voice slipped into me!) I had to stop writing and reevaluate. What was happening?
It became clear that Alistair and Jessica’s story was complete the way it was. They were in love and happily married, and had absolutely no desire to have their story hijacked by a doppelganger couple. Besides, the new story I was writing was darker and completely its own.

So while BARED TO YOU’s genesis was in SEVEN YEARS TO SIN, they aren’t the same story at all nor do they have the same characters. Gideon and Eva are far more deeply damaged. Their pasts were brutal and their love for each other is totally unique to them.

Bared to you Review 

Sylvia Day has put together a very generous giveaway. 

She has included for two lucky winners:

1. A signed copy of Seven Years to sin, and to this winner S.E.R.'s will throw in a ebook copy of Bared to You (Kindle or Nook)

2. An ebook copy (Nook or Kindle) of Seven Years to Sin

and a Romantic Times tote with multi-author promo swag, and some books. 

*Please note: By entering the Rafflecoptor, you must be willing to give us your mailing address if you are selected as the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day

The longer the resistance...

Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she'd held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield's image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams. . .

...the sweeter the reward

Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes—all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years' worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk—and the certainty that surrender will consume them both. . .

Rhonda's Review:

 Alistair Caulfield has harbored a love for Lady Jessica Sheffield for many years,  but many factors made that love unattainable.  He being younger, and the 4th son of a duke and duchess,  there was no role for him.  Alistair is quite a free spirit,  making his own way in the world at a young age and building his own fortune by whatever means necessary.

On the eve of Jessica’s wedding, she is walking her dog for the evening and comes across Alistair engaged in a lecherous act with a married woman.

“The horror she should have felt at finding a man engaged in sexual congress was markedly absent.  Because it was Caulfield, and he fascinated her.  It was a terrible sort of captivation with which she viewed him-a mixture of envy for his freedom and horror at the ease with which he disregarded public opinion.” 

 
Being free wasn’t afforded to Jessica as her father had her already paired with Benedict Sinclair, Viscount and future Earl immediately upon her presentation as a debutante.  Having spent her life under her fathers thumb and having propriety beaten into her, Jessica was just happy to be away from that situation.  Happens that her marriage was a good one, but fate had other plans for Jessica.

“Other men coveted the mystery of her, but Alistair had seen behind the veil, and that was the woman he lusted for.  Forever beyond his reach in reality, but a fixture in his mind.  She was burned into his memory by the raging hungers and impressions of youth, and the years hadn’t lessened the vivid recollection one wit.”

After six years of marriage to Benedict,  she is widowed.  Benedict left her everything including the property in Jamaica.  Almost a year into her bereavement  of her husband, Jessica decides she needs to get away from society for a while and decides to travel to Jamaica to tend to the property there.  Just so happens that Alistair has now made his return to London, and has arranged with Jessica’s brother in law to escort and assist Jessica on her trip. Jessica doesn’t know of Alistair’s return or of his plans to accompany her on the ship for the next six weeks, alone with only the two of them and the crewmen.

“He wanted her to see him as the man he was now-cultured and learned.  Polished.  His presentation was meant to be the first salvo in what was intended to be a slow careful seduction.”

The unattainable becomes attainable as the courtship of Jessica Tarley begins.  These two alone on a ship together have no distractions from each other, and Alistair couldn’t have planned this better.  I loved watching these two turn their lust into love, and tear down each others protective walls.  Each sharing the most emotional parts of their past with one another.  Not only knowing each other carnally, but getting a good look into the true make up of each other.

“She’d started this journey as a widow, certain she would be alone for the rest of her life.  She ended with a lover, a man to whom she’d bared her body and soul, revealing memories of a past she had previously shared only with Hester.”

There is also a heartbreaking secondary story going on that involves Jessica’s sister, Hester. Growing up, Jessica tried to protect Hester from their fathers’ rages, only for her to end up married to a man with those same rages. Michael who has loved her since their youth wants desperately to protect her, is in difficult position. He would love nothing more than to save her but all he can do is extend his friendship and try to be there for Hester as best he can.  I certainly wouldn’t mind a continuation of her story.  I loved Michael and Hester, and hated Regmont!

I loved this story so much!
Sylvia Day is versatile in her writing, and once again I have experienced her beautiful writing and characterization.  This is story of two people falling in love, and I truly fell in love with this cast of characters and their story.  Alistair is that strong, dominant, and sexy man that I love so, but yet he’s not afraid to show his love for all the world to see.  I really liked Jessica, she is stronger than she believes, smart and very perceptive.  In the face of propriety she embraces herself, and the hellrake she has fallen in love with.  

“Seven years.  It felt as if her attraction to him had been simmering the whole of that time, waiting for his touch to free it.” 

*All quotes are taken from the novel Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day
  

About That Night– (FBI-Attorney #3) Julie James

HE’S PLAYING GAMES

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him.

BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case — but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants — and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten...

Sam's Review:

First things first – I love Julie James. She must be one of the only authors that never let unnecessary miscommunications get into the romance. There is never the ‘Impending doom’ feeling that is almost always felt within a novel and it’s just so gosh darn nice.

Rylann Pierce aka Prosecutric Pierce and Kyle Rhondes aka Dimples, shared one very special kiss some nine years ago. After Kyle walked Rylann home, sparks flew and with a promise of a date the following eve, fireworks were in the air.

But when Kyle fails to show the next night, Rylann decides that this billionaire heir isn’t worth her time or fit into her quite ridiculous 6 year plan of become a Assistant US Attorney.

Nine years later and the two come face to face again in the court room. Kyle has become the world renowned ‘Twitter Terrorist’ and has just been released from Jail. Instantly the attraction is felt and everything from that night nine years ago comes rushing back.

We get to read about Kyle in past books and you almost get the impression of a spoilt rich kid who simply hacked into twitter because his girl cheated on him. I was clearly mistaken. This man takes responsibility for his own life and what he going to make of it now he is out of the slammer. He dealt with the consequences of his ‘terrorism’ and manned up.  Oh and did I mention he is a Sawyer look a like (LOST) – smug dimples, big blue eyes, shampoo commercial hair –PERFECT – and wow! Didn’t see the sexy dirty talk coming at me either, but it’s there people and its scrummy.

Rylann was a nice Heroine. She didn’t take his shit and met him head on. She was so determined in her career and new exactly how many steps it was going to take to reach it.  It was slightly annoying that it took longer than I would have liked to make her realise that she needed to pop Kyle into her 12 year plans, but finally when the woman did get the sense knocked into her – the book was set on fire.

This book was well rounded and had everything I loved in a book. These light hearted contemporary romances always go down a treat and with an author like Julie James doing the writing I know I can never go wrong.

We see allot of past characters and get little snippets of them all.  I can’t wait to see who our sexy lead roles will be for the next books.

 

Spring Fling Blog Hop

Welcome to Selena Blakes-Spring Fling Blog Hop!

So firstly, a HUGE shout out to 

Selen Blake at http://site.selena-blake.com/

 Reading Between the wines at http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

and Bitten By Paranormal Romance at http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/ 

for organizing this great hop. You have done a great job.

Now, down to the fun stuff!!

We Are giving away a $15.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift card. winners choice!

How to enter you ask?

E.A.S.Y!

 

Fill out the form below!

Please make sure to visit the other blogs on the list for many more great giveaways!

Funny,Funny,Har Har

Can you give me a push?


A man is in bed with his wife when there is a rat-a-tat-tat on the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock, and it's half past three in the morning. "I'm not getting out of bed at this time," he thinks, and rolls over. Then, a louder knock follows.
"Aren't you going to answer that?" says his wife. So he drags himself out of bed and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is a man standing at the door. It didn't take the homeowner long to realize the man was drunk.
"Hi there," slurs the stranger. "Can you give me a push??" "No, get lost. It's half past three. I was in bed," says the man and slams the door. He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says, "Dave, that wasn't very nice of you. Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the baby sitter and you had to knock on that man's house to get us started again? What would have happened if he'd told us to get lost??"
"But the guy was drunk," says the husband.
"It doesn't matter," says the wife. "He needs our help and it would be the right thing to help him." So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere he shouts, "Hey, do you still want a push??" And he hears a voice cry out, "Yeah, please."
So, still being unable to see the stranger he shouts, "Where are you?" And the stranger replies, "I'm over here, on your swing."



ROTFL!!!!!!!! 

Lover Enshrined (BDB #6) By J.R Ward

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love...

Grace's Review:

I have to admit that the first part of Lover Enshrined was really hard for me to get through. I kept getting distracted and wanting to read something else. In other words, I just didn't want to be in Phury's head! He is an addict! Since Ward is excellent at writing in the 3^rd person, we get to see Phury at his worst and fall rock bottom before making that pivotal choice to seek help. His journey is raw and emotional as he deals with constantly feeling like a failure and fighting the demons...er, the “wizard” in his head. His addiction gets so bad that it even forces Wrath to make a choice in regards to the Brotherhood!

All along Phury is oblivious to Cormia, her needs, and her job as First Mate. This was frustratingly hard to read since it resulted in very little romance between them. Really, Phury? I cannot pick a “Bring on the romance, Brother” moment because there is none! Sorry, guys! Maybe Rehv can help me out in that department when I read his book, yeah? But I totally understand that Phury has to get to a better place before being able to open his heart and share his life with someone. It's sort of like a take-care-of-thyself-first kind of thing.

Cormia also goes through her own journey of self-discovery in this book. She has to find a way to balance her selfless nature while discovering who she wants to be. I really enjoyed her making friends throughout the story, specifically with JM and Bella.

So much happens in this book, especially towards the end. There's action and bloodshed. We get an update on a certain character, which was a nice surprise, and we get introduced to someone new. John Matthew gets a little bolder, which kind of left me salivating there for a moment...uh huh! Rehv, Xhex, Qhuinn, Blay and Lash are all prominent and the story lines involving them really does make Lover Enshrined worth reading!

 

Warrior (The Blades of Rose #1) By Zoe Archer

To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for Capt. Gabriel Huntley, it’s become quite real and quite dangerous…

IN HOT PURSUIT…
The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…
Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…







Ren's Thoughts:

 What an Unusual Historical Romance! Victorian Era! Steampunk! An Exotic Place! Magic! Adventure! Action! Romance! And,a steamy read of course.... ;)

I want to go to Mongolia...

  and to meet a hero like Captain Gabriel Huntley... 

                 Gerard Butler anyone? *wink

a steamy scene at Oasis? 

                          Oh,yes, please!! *quiver*

It's A series that can't be missed!
Put "The Blades of The Rose" series on your wishlist :D!

  

That's all she wrote,if Ren says it's that good. I believe her! =)

 

Demon Soul By Christine Ashworth

Gabriel Caine stands on the edge of the abyss. A vampire has stolen his soul and if he doesn't get it back soon, his next step will be into Hell. Only the naïvely mysterious Rose can help him retrieve it. Without her, he really will become the devil himself.

Rose Walters has been sent back from the dead to complete one task-save Gabriel Caine. She's drawn to Gabriel on the most basic level, but restoring his soul may cost Rose her life.

Rose has touched the whole of Gabriel, making him yearn for a love he believes he can never have. Her willingness to put her human life on the line for him forces him to bring all three parts of himself—demon, human, and Feri bloodlines, and the strengths of each—into harmony and into the fight that decides their fate.

Elena's Review:

Rose Walters,had been stuck in coma wondering the gray of the in-between. She was offered a chance to come back to life to rescue a Gabriel Caine and prevent his death. She accepted the task without hesitation and no questions asked. She doesn't know what she's coming back to life as, and is only clear on saving this person.Well isn't that interesting! Rose's  eyes are opened up to a whole new world she never knew existed. 

Gabriel Caine,thinks Rose is full of herself,working for the enemy or another nut bag trying to steal the rest of his soul. As a Tribred,Gabriel can pick up things no normal paranormal being can channel. So all thoughts of Rose being the enemy is put aside, and they work together to figure out,the "who,what,how,where and why" of their problems and goals.

Turns out Rose came back alive being a Soul Chalice the opposite of a Soul Stealer. Satine,The Soul Stealer/Vampire(which is the enemy) is everyone's cause of problems, including being the one who stole half of Gabriel's soul. Once she's taken care of, all will run just as planned. Can they defeat her and make things right? Can Rose save Gabriel and return his soul?  Let's hope so.........

I love the plot of the story and the characters,they each own up to their personalities. Between the past and the present, alot has changed for everyone. I'm glad with the outcome. I just wished for the heroines sake her past was a little sugar coated,I can deal with many things,but to know her past was anything but fruitful, just gave me the shivers. But throughout the story no matter what,she stood strong and held her head high,and I  loved her for it. The Hero,Heroine, and the rest of their crew made this story what it is. Everyone teaches Rose what it's like to have real family and friends who cares,and Rose teaches them what it's like to survive. 

The story was so cute, by the end of the novel I had a huge smile from ear to ear,which I'm so grateful for, at 95% I was so worried I started to sweat bullets! I was sure it was going to end with a nasty cliffhanger. Oh how I despise cliffhangers! Lol!! But I wasn't disappointed :) Loved the whole "Alice in wonderland" Saying. *still smiling*