Storm at Midnight by Betty Ann Harris

Storm at Midnight by Betty Ann Harris
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance


Summary: It’s raining Kisses, Hallelujah or is it?

Erin is venturing on a new vocation. Having just purchased a historic Inn, she is renovating the romantic inn. If her luck holds out, she plans on opening it as a bed and breakfast, with the help of her ruggedly handsome assistant, Darien.

They become immediate friends and work closely together. After one grueling day of work, the week before the inn is due to open, a violent storm catches them by surprise and sends Erin into Darien's strong and waiting arms. Will passion take over? Will the attraction between them grow and their friendship turn into love? Or will it peter out as if nothing happened?

My Review: This is a sweet story with potential. However, I found myself rewording it in my head as I read. The story is peppered with unneeded adverbs and the characters said each other’s names in every sentence of dialogue. Ms. Harris tells the story without showing. I didn’t feel one tug at my heart string.

I found aspects of the story unrealistic. I could buy the fact that they got caught in a thunderstorm, after all, who hasn’t. But to get caught in a tropical depression without warning? They should have been watching the storm for days in case it turned into a hurricane. The hero was also unrealistic in his speech and actions. While they were sweet and what every woman wants, Ms. Harris tried too hard to create a perfect man, which doesn’t exist.

I feel this story could have been a wonderful short piece if it had been written to show the story and a few tweaks done to the plot. If those elements had been worked out, the story would have gotten a higher rating.

Rated three Delightful Divas by Jasmine!

Man-Oh-Man by J.A. Rawls

Man-Oh-Man by J.A. Rawls
Publisher: RomanceDivine
Genre: GLBT, Menage, M/M/M

Warnings: explicit three way man on man sex

Summary: Gary is lonely, and looking for some lasting love with a dependable guy. He finds something very different in his encounter with martin and Jim, but he can't really find a reason to complain.

My review: I'm tempted to think I could fall a little in love with slightly innocent, sincere Gary, and maybe even crush a bit on martin and Jim. - if the author had given me a chance to get to know them.

The plot, about a man trying to find himself, is one I could really enjoy. Had the author set it up so that I had the chance to really root for him, Gary's quest would have hooked me, but there just wasn't time.

The sex, and let's face it, this story was about the sex, it being a ménage of very few words, flew by so fast I barely had time to get into it before these virile stallions were done and going again.

All in all, this was an excellent story idea with excellent characters that just never made it out of the gate. I suspect the writer had a romance in mind but tried to write a PWP (plot, what plot?) It didn't work for me on either front.

Unfortunately, that leaves me to give it 1.5 divas.

My recommendation: Give this author time to grow into a strong voice and really get into the heads of those intriguing characters, and there's a good chance a really great story will emerge. This one just left me disappointed.

Rated one and a half Delightful Divas by Jaime.

Carpathian Intrigue by John Simpson

Carpathian Intrigue by John Simpson
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Erotic Paranormal, GLBT, M/M


Summary: Young history scholar Christopher, granted rare permission to study the library of ancient and remote Bran Castle, wastes no time traveling to the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Expecting to meet an elderly, reclusive nobleman, Christopher is surprised to be greeted by a handsome, virile man who clearly welcomes his presence and puts the library at his disposal. The elderly servant, Rupert and mysterious dungeon master, Constantine, are more in line with his expectations.

It isn't long before Michael, the count, shows Christopher a secret chamber where the walls are covered with magnificent portraits of comely, nude young men. The Count confesses that these are former lovers, immortalized in paint, and remarks that Christopher would outshine them all. Boldly, Christopher accepts Michael's tacit invitation to his bed and is swept into a new world of sensual pleasure. But when he discovers a set of scrolls and a journal detailing an event in the castle dungeon's history, he finds that his lover may not be who he seems: Two hundred years ago, a curse was placed on the castle's count and two of his retainers.

Can it be mere coincidence that their names were Michael, Rupert and Constantine?

My Review: John Simpson’s Carpathian Intrigue was incredible. From the very first line it pulls you in and captavates you. It is the story of the love between two men that is so powerful it can even break curses. Though Count Michael has been alive for well over two hundred years, it does not stop him from believing in love and taking chances. Unlike certain popular M/M books, this was a story and not just a collections of explicit sex scenes. The attraction between the two main characters smouldered throught the book and culminated in a fiery BANG at the end. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting (a rarity for me). Such is the magic of John’s story. While this was the first book I have read of his, you can be sure that it will not by the last.

Rated four and a half Delightful Divas by Jessica!

The Lover and the Firefly by Dana Littlejohn

The Lover and the Firefly by Dana Littlejohn
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Erotic Suspense


Summary: Tony was the number two guy in the Latin Lovers, Rickey a childhood friend and leader of the LL, they started the gang together always there for each . Soon things change for all of them.

Tony finds himself fighting to save the one he loves and himself. Torn between his loyalty to his gang, his childhood friend and the love of his woman Tony finds himself in a battle, without knowing where it all would end.

My Review: Tony thought everything was going the way he planed until the morning he found his childhood friend and leader of the Latin Lovers dead. Now to prove his worth to the remaining gang members he must find Rickey's killer fast.

Shanita knew she could trust Tony's words. They wanted a life together without the Latin Lovers. After being snatched from her place, Shanita had doubts of their future together.

Tony knew he had no time to think out his plan, all he knew was he wanted his woman back.

Will Tony reach her in time? Will they ever be free to live the life they want together?

The love of a good woman does wonders for a man's soul.

The Lover and the Firefly is a amazing story of what can happen when you want something worth holding onto. Dana Littlejohn is an brilliant author, she places you into the hearts and minds of her characters.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Deb!

Deb's February 2009 Top Pick!

The Devil Made Me Do It by Jaxx Steele

The Devil Made Me Do It by Jaxx Steele
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Erotic GLBT, M/M


Summary: Rick Had his whole life ahead of him, everything going to plan or so he thought. One visit from the devil himself put his life in a tail spin. Lucifer gives the new meaning to the words, “the Devil Made Me Do It.”

My Review: Rick Michelson is a collage teacher, he has a amazing lover in Terry. He could not ask for anything more. So when he heard noises in his living room, it shocked him. The shock came when he found Lucifer sitting on his coach.

Lou {Lucifer} and his friends were bored they needed a new play toy and Lou had the perfect one. All he needed to do was convince Rick it is what he wanted to. If he had to Lou could always threaten him into it but where is the fun in that?

Rick agreed to Lou's demands, what he did not know, was “The Male Room” would help him break out of his mold and into so new. In the end Rick found what was missing. He just could not wait to try it out on Terry.

The Devil Made Me Do It, was entertaining, you had to feel for Rick. If you enjoy some BDSM play in your M/M books this short is for you.

Jaxx Steele makes the pages just sizzle!

Rated 3 Delightful Divas by Deb!

Dead End Street by Rick R. Reed

Dead End Street by Rick R. Reed
Amber Quill Press
Horror

Summary: The Halloween Horror Club - Erin, Peter, David, Marlene and Roy, five dorky kids from Summitville, Ohio, do what kids together often do: they visit the local haunted house. Taking turns frightening each other with horror stories of what they believe happened in the Tuttle house, the scene of some gruesome murders, their tales become more and more lurid as an unseen force wants them gone…now…

But kids will be kids…and so will haunted houses.

My Review: I'll admit, I actually read this book once, then read it again the night the lights went out in Honolulu. What an inopportune time for an island-wide black out! It's a true testimonial to the power of Rick R. Reed's potent words that this adult was scared stiff by a book aimed at the YA market.

Petrified at the thought of the baseball bat wielding bad guy - move over Freddy Krueger, there's an even badder ass in town - I will never forget the scene in the kitchen. Ever. Reed, the horror maestro with a penchant for grabbing you by the throat and not letting go until you've turned the last page and grown a few more gray hairs, has done it again. He's penned a chilling tale made all the more real by the deadly menace lurking inside the Tuttle house.

A wonderful juxtaposition to the goofy conversations the kids have, the seemingly harmless pursuit of telling ghost stories becomes potentially deadly….fast.

Reed captures beautifully the five personalities of the kids, but my favorite was poor, hapless David who becomes the target of the spectral resident of the haunted Tuttle House. Not wanting to give the plot away, I will say this. There are numerous, unexpected delicious twists and turns to this tale that will have you thinking twice - no, more - about buying your next fixer-upper.

Rated Five Delightful Divas by A.J. Llewellyn!

Pleasure after the Pain by Savannah Chase

Pleasure after the Pain by Savannah Chase
Red Rose Publishing
Erotic Romance

Summary: Jenny and Serena visit a tattoo parlor, but while Jenny immediately chooses the image she wants, Serena balks at the permanent message her tattoo will send out to the world…not to mention the pain of having it removed, should she tire of it. Then a picture falls out of the artist's book and her mind and heart become firmly settled on the image of the man she now has to have. Returning late at night to the parlor, she's determined to have the tattoo.

The artist declines her request, warning her that the image is not available. It is magical rendition of a fallen warrior cursed to live out his life in tattoo form.

Serena is obsessed with having the warrior tattoo on her body…but will it bring her pleasure…or only pain?


My Review: Pleasure After the Pain is an intriguing little tale, with a beautifully handled paranormal thread that begs for both a lengthier, more complex telling, and for Hollywood to turn it into a very cool movie. Though very, very short, this little taste of Ms. Chase's work will convince new readers to delve into her other works. Those already familiar with her stories will enjoy this new addition to her erotic romances.

The single sex scene in this piece is brief, yet packs such a potent wallop, you'll either wish you had some ice on hand…or it will send you to the nearest tattoo parlor looking for your own magic man.

Rated Five Delightful Divas by A.J. Llewellyn!

Untimely Partners by Karen Hulene Bartell

Untimely Partners by Karen Hulene Bartell
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Sci-Fi, Time Travel


Summary: Twenty-nine year-old Keiranne West is about to turn thirty; the same age as her mother when she died. Both the upcoming birthday as well as the end of a bad relationship pushes her to take a trip to Mexico where she is mysteriously transported to a magical time in the past where the Mayan culture is at its peak. While in this old and exciting world she becomes the close friend of Tlalocelot, a Mayan prince who is fighting against his brother for the throne. Full of uncertainty and questions, both Keiranne and Tlalocelot battle together to keep the Mayan culture alive while making a few drastic and dangerous changes; ones that may cost them their lives…or their love.

My Review: When I saw that this book was mainly set in the ancient Mayan culture, I was extremely excited. I had yet to read a time travel or historical romance set in this era, and the possibilities for this time period were endless. I was definitely looking forward to the change in setting.

Unfortunately the story was not as focused on the time or culture as it was on the plot, which was a minor downside. However, the plot more than made up for the lack of history as the reader is taken back and forth between times and plot changes almost to the point where it made me cross-eyed. The time changes were the most confusing and frustrating part of the story, but I got used to them about halfway through. My only one true irritation was a non-existent language barrier that should have made an entrance early on in the story. And if not that, at least an explanation for its absence. Otherwise, the story was fun and fresh with sweet characters and a gentle romance. And although gentle, the romance was also fun with a slight twist at the end. The sex scenes between Tlalocelot and Keiranne were brief, but they were sweet and made me feel like a melting chocolate bar by the end of them. Afterwards, I always longed for my own Mayan prince to treat me in such a way.

Altogether, with the twists and turns keeping you pleasantly confused, an evil genius to battle, and a truly happy, (if not slightly overwhelming) ending, Untimely Partners was a very tasteful read.

Rated 3 ½ Delightful Divas by Ria!

Amazing Grace by Ginger Simpson

Amazing Grace by Ginger Simpson
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Contemporary


Summary: Grace Arbon can't seem to find a man who satisfies the stringent requirements of her father, the mighty Wallace Arbon. But at her best friend's wedding, Grace realizes the man of her dreams should live up to her standards and not those of her father. When Blake Hastings invites her to take a turn on the dance floor and then out on a date, she discards daddy's white-collar standards and makes a check list of her own. Blake is everything thing Grace ever dreamed of, but will she break her father's heart in an attempt to fulfill her own?

My Review: Ginger Simpson’s Amazing Grace was a perfect short read for an afternoon. Her description of finding love was heart warming and brought a contented smile to me. Reminding me of the exhileration, we all have in a new romance with a wonderful person. She artfully showed that rich or poor doesn’t matter and love can endure challenges. Ginger wove in old adages of learning to break away from restrictions and expectations of an overly protective father while still being a loving daughter while staying true to your sweetheart. This contemporary story was sweet even though a touch predictable in the end but enjoyable none the less. This is a book I would share with my daughter.

Rated 3 Delightful Divas by Em Epe!

Waking the Witch by Lisa Whitefern

Waking the Witch by Lisa Whitefern
Freya's Bower
Erotic Paranormal Historical

Summary: Faith Abbot is a good Puritan woman, but the magic inside an opal necklace begins to torment her with lustful thoughts.

For years her heart and body have craved handsome James Parris, a man twelve years her junior, a man she thinks should be courting women his own age. But now the magic of a ghost trapped in a jewel breaks down all her inhibitions.

When she and James surrender to the fierce erotic tension that pulses between them, her heart fills with joy.

But who is the angry female ghost dwelling within the necklace, wanting revenge?

And when Faith is accused of performing witchcraft in Salem Village, can James's love save her from the hangman's noose?

My Review: Since I’ve always been drawn to stories about the witch trails, I was immediately captured by this intriguing novella. Waking the Witch is set in 1691 during the Salem witch trials and focuses on two fictional characters all the while using names we’ve all come to know from that time in history to make this story seem authentic. It’s a short 34 pages, but long enough to do the story justice. The characters were well developed and I found myself caring about Faith and James and hoping fate would give them their happy ending.

The sex scenes were well done and although the language did seem to fluctuate between old English and modern, it was not a major distraction.

Overall Waking the Witch was an enjoyable, sexy read that I’m recommending to all my friends.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Diahann!

Amazing Grace by Ginger Simpson

Amazing Grace by Ginger Simpson
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Romance

Summary: Grace Arbon longs to do the same things as every almost twenty-one year old college graduate. Most of all, she wants to find someone to share her future with. When a chance meeting places a blue-collar lover into her upscale life, Grace falls madly in love. Now, how is she going to come clean to her social climbing father?

My Review: This brief tale of new love blossoming against social odds, is a good afternoon read. For the avid sweet romance reader this story is everything you could ask for. Obviously, if you prefer a hotter, deeper story of sensuality then this is not the book for you. The characters are real, and I found myself routing for the lovers. The only draw backs are the abrupt transitions from scenes (which is a common tool in short stories) and the few technical errors that distracted me.

All in all, it would be a good read for a lazy afternoon.

Rated 3 and 1/2 Delightful Divas by Ava!

Ella the Vampire by Barton Paul Levenson

Ella the Vampire
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal


Summary: This book starts with Ella as a prostitute, with an abused past, who is still allowing herself to be used. Another main character, Wolfgang King empowers Ella as a vampire and we are immediately propelled into the world and lore of the undead. Ella deals with all the things we imagine vampires dealing with; the need to feed on blood, the secrecy, the dread of the sunlight. She also discovers the advantages we all imagine; the strength, the immortality, the transformation to bat, wolf, and vaporous cloud. The author follows approximately 700 years of Ella’s undead life, and we get wonderful and well thought out glimpses into the future and the past. Of course the books central conflict and its conclusion are built upon vampire immortality: is it a gift or a curse?

My Review: An exciting story with well paced plot (slow in just a few places) is what Mr. Levenson has given us here. Ella experiences almost all we can imagine in her 700 plus years of vampire life, and the author interjects all a vampire buff could want including a coven, Ella doing a Terminator type scene in rescuing her friends from a police station, and some Blade type action when she and a fellow vampire take on a nest of bad vampires. This reviewer began to think we were doing a reverse Buffy here with the vampire as the good guy. Ella gives us action galore with well constructed characters and plenty of vampire lore and references.

So you ask, what didn’t I like. Simple, no passion, no eroticism, practically no sex, at least not described sex. They kiss, and poof, next scene. Frustrated the hell out of me and making me wonder why Ella wasn’t a sixty year old Methodist woman with a walker. Is it me or does a cover with a blonde hottie showing her ass say we are gonna have vampire eroticism and sex? Well the characters have it, but shush like we are kiddies we don’t get to hear about it. Seriously, I may be off base here, but I don’t think so, isn’t some of the appeal of vampires in the eroticism and sexual implications of it? I mean the undead biting you on the neck, I know it gets me bothered. I was annoyed how violence seemed to take precedence as when Ella kills people and vampires, we hear all about how they died, but when she makes love, not so much. If you read Ella, do so for the action, history, or vampire lore, but don’t expect passion because it’s not there. This book split me right down the middle, and that’s how I have to rate it.

Rated Two and one half Delightful Divas by Jennifer Campbell!

Song of the Mountains by Anne Ireland

Song of the Mountains by Anne Ireland
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Historical


Summary: Song of the Mountains is a passion infused and turbulent story of a man's battle against the odds. It is Morgan's duty to help the Prince of Wales in his fight against oppressive England. But when Morgan is tricked into a marriage he cannot honour, he finds himself desperately in love with the wife of another man. Now as loyalty to his leader and the conflicts in his heart collide, can anything save Morgan and the nation he loves beyond his life?

My Review: Morgan is summoned by his kinsman, Owain the Prince of Wales, to become a spy for him. But before Owain will offer service to Morgan, he must agree to marry Morwenna, a distant cousin of Owain. Morgan agrees then sets out on his mission where he meets Rosamund. Rosamund offers Morgan service as a bard. She’s not sure he is a simple bard, but for some reason she trust him.

I started reading Song of the Mountains expecting a romance. However, this story is more a historical saga with a small subplot of romance. I was over fifty pages into the story and unsure of whom the heroine was. By the end of the book, I wasn’t sure there was a heroine. The hero traveled constantly and never stayed in one place very long, making it hard to find a connection between him and any one of the many other characters. Actually, during the entire story, I felt distant as if I was a passenger. The emotional connection just wasn’t there for me.

Ms. Ireland incorporated very few elements of a classic romance. The hero and heroine were apart most of the story, they were married to other people and there was under age sex. The hero didn’t treat the women in his life very well either. Somewhere around a hundred pages into the story, I gave up on the romance and started reading it as a historical saga.

With this in mind, Ireland is a talented writer and has done her research. The story is well written and true to the time period. Ireland has woven an interesting tale of history, myth and magic. If you’re looking for a true romance, this story might not be for you. But if you’re looking more for a tale of history, politics, betrayal and overall human relationships, then this story hits the mark. While I wouldn’t give Song of the Mountains a high rating as a romance, it still rates high for a mainstream story.

Rated four Delightful Divas by Jasmine!