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A Winter's Night by Rie McGaha

A Winter's Night by Rie McGaha
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal

Review Copy Received from Author

Summary:

Four sisters discover that they are born into a line of women with powers to control the Elements. Plucked from their normal college lives and thrust into a battle to save the Earth, can they defeat the evil Montatre?

The publisher is donating 100% of the royalties of this work through December 31st to the author, who lost everything she owned in a fire in June. Cover donated by Dara England.

Monica's Review:

A Winter’s Night by Rie McGaha is a nice short intriguing story. It’s not the usual romance we read mostly here on DDR but it has a nice paranormal fairy tale feel. This story is obviously the set up or prequel for something further, but it doesn’t detract from the great story that it is.

The characters are similar to other characters that I have read about but there are enough differences that set them apart, the main characters are an elderly magic wielding wise-women, an evil wizard, and a quartet of sisters that each hold the power of an element. I know the plot sounds like a storyline you might find in ‘Charmed’ but the girls are quite different. The sad part of the story is that they don’t realize the severity of the whole situation until it’s too late and they face the consequences., which is actually a very important element in magic of any genre.

This story is a bit disconcerting when you start as you try to figure out where the tale is going to lead, but you never really quite know. As I said, A Winter’s Night has a fairy tale feel and I enjoyed the strong sense of right and wrong, evil and good. You knew who you are cheering for and who you weren’t. Overall this is a great short read when you want to satisfy the need for an intriguing, yet non-erotic, story.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Monica!



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Savage Moon Rising by Leiland Dale

Savage Moon Rising (Ancient Prophecy #2) by Leiland Dale
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: GLBT, M/M, Paranormal / Horror, Vampires, Werewolves

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Blake Savage, pack beta, wanted to settle down in an ordinary life with a mate. As an unknown illness began to plague his community, the resulting alpha's death pushed Blake to lead his pack and put his personal desires aside.

Wade Collins, pack alpha, accepted his responsibilities as leader which didn't leave time for a relationship. Wade's life changed when the prophecy's Chosen One came into his territory. Offering his protection against the vampires led Wade to Blake's small community where he comes face to face with his future.

With part of the prophecy fulfilled, Blake and Wade are thrown together by a visit from the Ancient Ones to guide them in their role in the prophecy.

As these two alphas play their role in the prophecy, will love be enough to keep them together?

Samhain Queene's Review:

Savage Moon Rising by Leiland Dale was packed full of tension and passion. Wade and Blake are alphas with much the same mind set.

Savage Moon Rising is also a thrilling sequel to A Prophecy of Destiny. Wade and Blake show how working together helps not only each other but their pack. Each has his own strengths and weaknesses but together they form a cohesive unit working to make their pack stronger and trying to figure out what the prophecy really means.

Wade comes to town in the company of Will and Eric along with three of his pack members. Just as they arrive they are thrown into a battle with vampires to help protect Blake’s pack. The tension mounts between the two alphas trying to deal with being attracted and mated to each other. No matter what happens from mating to meetings with vampires to dealing with a prophecy they work together to join their packs into one and come together as mates. From heated glares to passionate dominance, these two alphas are perfect for each other.

Leiland Dale leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Samhain Queene!



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Heat of the Night by SL Majors

Heat of the Night by SL Majors
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Western Gay, M/M, GLBT

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Bad boy Stephen Powell has finally met his match in Dakota Youngblood, a sexy, Alpha and older man who shows Stephen a thing or two in the heat of a hot summer night.

It was supposed to be punishment...

Last week he’d been living the high life in Monte Carlo, and now, after yet another brush with trouble, ultimate bad boy Stephen Powell has been banished to Wyoming, which might as well be the middle of nowhere.
Stephen wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the wild land or with its untamed rancher, Dakota Youngblood, a man as rugged as the mountains he calls home. Youngblood sizzles with intensity and teaches the brash younger man a thing or two about life, about passion, about commitment…

K.B.’s Review:

Heat of the Night by SL Majors is sinfully sexy and a reminder that people are not always what they appear.

When Stephen Powell finds himself in trouble yet again, a phone call to his Aunt Josephine gets him out of his current situation but she decides two weeks on old friend Dakota Youngblood’s ranch might just straighten him out for good. On the surface, Stephen and Dakota have nothing in common. Stephen is a rich womanizer who bounces from one party to the next. Dakota Youngblood lives a solitary existence on his Wyoming ranch with his dog, Pocatello, for company. Their similarities lie beneath the surface, and at the end of Stephen’s two week stay, both are forever changed.

SL Majors packs a lot of story into short novella Heat of the Night. Ms. Majors has a delightful writing style which fully engages the reader. Stephen and Dakota are not perfect characters, but that is what makes them so appealing. Their attraction for one another is instantaneous, but the patient Dakota uses it as a learning opportunity for the impulsive Stephen. And WOW! When these two finally come together, the sex is explosive.

If you are looking for a quick read with two sexy men who are not afraid to admit their shortcomings, then Heat of the Night by SL Majors is the book for you. You are going to enjoy it as much I did.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by K.B.!



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Deviations: Submission by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne

Deviations: Submission by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: Erotic, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, GLBT, M/M

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Tobias is a skilled Dom and Noah is a man in need of just that. He wants to sub badly, but has yet to find someone he believes in. Through a series of encounters in the world of bondage and discipline, we learn why Noah has trouble trusting, and why Tobias is reluctant to let himself love.

Still, Tobias can’t resist Noah’s charms, and the two of them set about making a scene for themselves, one that works for them and their unique set of problems. But can they stay together in a world where learning to love means accepting all of their dark secrets?

Donna's Review:

Deviations: Submission is outstanding! It is one of the best books I have read, ever.

Deviations: Submission is a full length book by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne about a beautiful developing relationship between a Dominant and a submissive male.

At the first meeting of the main characters, Tobias is wounded, still recovering many months after releasing a slave he loved but whose needs he couldn’t meet. Tobias has been a Dom for twenty years and has a reputation for paying close attention to his subs so he can give them exactly the experience they need. The man who owns the club, Bradford, has been a close friend to Tobias for many years and knows that Tobias has some specific need that need to be met soon. Bradford has a special someone in mind for him. I think Tobias is a sweetheart. Even though he is a busy veterinarian, he spends his free time planning scenes and puzzling out how to help Noah be a better submissive so, in turn, he can be a better Dom. He works hard to help Noah understand the meaning of Submission and what part it plays in their relationship.

Noah has been searching for the right Dom. He has had some bad experiences, and some that were not terrible, but were not what he knows he needs. There are so many great things about Noah. I love that even thought he wants to jump in with both feet, he forces himself to slow down and make choices carefully and thoughtfully. That point was made not only in Noah waiting several days to get back in touch with Tobias, but also in the careful reading and questioning of the contract. The flip side of that is his verbal and sexual spontaneity, which sometimes leads to punishment… not a terrible situation in the eyes of either man. Noah volunteers with troubled teens, he has a good relationship with his co-workers and I just really like this guy! He is willing to face his fears; he wants to please his Dom; he wants to be whole.

I think it says a great deal about the personality of the two main characters that each man is loved and cherished by the partner from their previous relationship and that each has kept that person as a friend. It was amazing that both Tobias and Noah called their former partners in a panic, wanting reassurance about having found someone new. And both Phan and Brett want the relationship between Tobias and Noah to work out, but only if it is the right fit.

The meeting between Phantom and Noah is priceless. While each starts out a tad wary, they quickly move into the camaraderie of men who have something very important in common. Tobias’ worry about what his former and current subs might be talking about for so long was one of the many interesting peeks into the nature of the man who is the Dom.

Anyone who enjoys or has any interest in submission will love Deviations: Submission. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is a fabulous, fabulous m/m love story!

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Donna!





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Guarding Temptation by Chastity Bush

Guarding Temptation by Chastity Bush
Publisher: Publish America
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense / Mystery
Length: 196 pages



Amazon: BUY HERE

Barnes and Noble: BUY HERE

Review Copy Received from Author

Summary:

Tera Stone is not your typical vampire. Born without any vampire power and newly single, Tera finds herself starting her life anew?again. Able to walk in the sun and eat normal food, it seems Tera and her family have hidden her defects as a vampire well, but what they do not know is that the murderer that has been terrorizing the immortal community for months has his sights set on her.

Zack Kingston is a Guardian. It is the job of the Guardians to protect all living beings mortal and immortal alike. In his five hundred years of living he has seen it all?or so he thought. When Zack is sent to Manhattan in search of a murderer who has been draining born vampires for weeks he never imagined the mysterious woman he would rescue would be his mate.

Unable to trust Zack's motives and now her own, will Tera follow her heart and accept the love Zack has to offer? And can Zack win Tera's heart before the murderer finds her?
Donna’s Review:

Guarding Temptation is an easy to enjoy mystery and love story with vampires, werewolves, immortal guardians and a few interesting humans added to the mix.

The characters in Guarding Temptation are interesting and well-developed. Tera is half-vampire and half-human. While an extraordinarily kind and competent individual, she didn’t inherit a full slate of her father’s vampire genes and that causes her all sorts of problems. There are many qualities about Tera that I greatly appreciate. She could easily live off her father’s wealth but chooses to discover her own talents and make her own way. She has great loyalty to her family and friends. For example, even in the midst of her mother being a bit crazy Tera respects the independent spirit in her mother that makes her such a perfect partner to Tera’s father. I also appreciate that she sees herself as a work in progress and is open to making mistakes, apologizing and learning from those mistakes.

Zack is also an interesting character. An upstanding guardian and handsome immortal, he comes across as a person who wants to always do the right thing. He has an internal approach-avoidance situation going on with having found his mate. At one point he very sweetly admits that after so many years of wondering whether he would ever find his mate, the idea he might be rejected scares him. Zack has some interesting means of keeping an eye on Tera that first year, and I think Tera was right to be a tad concerned.

There is some great comedy along with the mystery of who is killing the women and the love story of will they or won’t they be mates. When right after twisting a man’s head off, the first concern that comes to mind is what the girl who is watching will think; and when werewolf and vampire females attempt to convince male immortal guardians to help dress manikins in store front windows in lacey bras and thongs, you just know the author, Chastity Bush, has a wicked sense of humor.

The author has written a fine story here but I’m concerned her proofreaders let her down in not catching grammar and punctuation errors. That has nothing to do with this author’s talents in writing a great story but be warned that the errors can interfere with smooth reading in a few places in the book.

If you enjoy paranormal romance with a kiss of mystery, you will enjoy Guarding Temptation by Chastity Bush.

Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Donna!



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To Bed a King by Carol Lynne

Bodyguards in Love: To Bed a King by Carol Lynne
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, M/M, Erotic Romance

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Book six in the Bodyguards in Love Series

Bodyguard, Raven Stone, has a reputation for trying to steal the husbands of the clients he’s hired to follow. When he’s sent on a special assignment to guard the Crown Prince of Jurru, Raven’s first instinct is to use his sex appeal to win over the future king. He’s told the Crown Prince is straight, but Raven has yet to meet a man he couldn’t lure into his bed.

For years, Crown Prince Ghazi Zahar, has managed to hide his sexuality from the hordes of paparazzi that continue to follow his every move. So why does his new chauffer make him yearn to take risks? When the newly crowned king of Jurru discovers Raven’s true identity, he asks him to return to his island home and help protect his young nephew. Living his life so close to temptation has Ghazi in a constant state of agitation. Would the people of his country accept a gay king?

Raven’s always fancied himself a bit of a queen, but he’s never considered the possibility that he actually might become one. Can he keep his king alive long enough to enjoy it?

Donna’s Review:

Bodyguards in Love: To Bed a King is simply fabulous. To read this book is to experience a warm welcoming homecoming to a style of storytelling that Carol Lynne has mastered. The characters are people the reader has grown to truly care about. The plot careful wraps up questions and situations that have developed through the previous books in this series, while at the same time introducing new loves and new story lines.

Raven has a reputation among the employees of Three Partner’s Protection as a tease and an easy lay. In truth, difficult circumstances of his childhood contributed to his less than stellar attitude about his personal worth. Now he is in love but the old insecurities continue to create problems for him. On the other hand, the same situations that caused his insecurities have also given him a strong determination to prevent a similar thing from happening to other young people. In this story all of Raven’s strength, fortitude and kindness are called upon to resolve a horrible situation.

Prince Ghazi is in love and would like to concentrate on that but his country is in the midst of political change, he is responsible for raising his nephew and part of what he believed about his family is crashing down around his head. It is a tough time to be working on a new relationship.

The men of Three Partner’s Protection and their lovers are a devoted family. In To Bed a King the family comes together, supporting one another in amazing ways. I was so please to see Brier functioning as a vital member of the team. With Jackie and Brier balancing one another, Brier is able to offer something no one else could offer. My daughter is an adult with autism. In reading Brier’s story in the first book of the series, Brier’s Bargain, and then again in this book, I cried. So very few writers are able to capture the open heart, courage and compassionate spirit of those who live in a world that often seems overly complex and confusing, but Carol Lynne has done just that. Brier is a hero and so is this author.

The section of To Bed a King with the prom is brilliant. I won’t spoil the surprises, but I want you to know you will absolutely love it. In fact, you are going to love the entire series of Bodyguards in Love. It is filled with handsome sexy men, intrigue plots, lust, love and more. Start with Brier’s Bargain and keep reading. The entire series is excellent!

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Donna!





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