Book Review: Initiation by Clair de Lune

Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors Proudly Presents

  

Initiation

Written by Clair de Lune

Published by Siren-Bookstrand

BDSM Contemporary

 93 Pages

 

Initiation—Book Synopsis 

A recently widowed grandmother, Jane Browne never dreamed she'd find a new love when she went on an exploratory visit to Prometheus, an exclusive BDSM club. She has to overcome the burden of low self-esteem and physical difficulties as well as the hostility and prejudice of a rejected rival for her Master's affections.

Master Angus Scott has a tragedy in his past and is determined he does not want a permanent relationship. He is strongly attracted to Jane on sight and finds himself falling in love with her as he watches her struggles, even if he is reluctant to admit it.

He introduces her to the BDSM lifestyle, forcing her to conquer her fears. Gradually she regains her confidence, defeats her rival, and seizes her chance for a happily ever after with the striking Scot who woos her with soft Gaelic words of love.

 Book Review of Initiation

Jane loved her husband of forty years, but secretly longed for more than vanilla sex. After he passes away, she submerges herself in reading BDSM novels and her desires to experience the life continue to grow. When a friend convinces Jane to tag along to the BDSM Club Prometheus, Jane struggles with her insecurities of being a grand-mother with a not-so perky body surrounded by much younger, more shapely women, while she undergoes teaching of the lifestyle by one very handsome, understanding Dom in a super sexy kilt.

Angus is a silent partner in Club Prometheus. He takes a sub now and then for a night, but has yet to find one he wants to keep. He's instantly drawn to Jane and stages it so that he is the one who takes her teachings in hand. Though a Dom, Angus has a gentle, understanding nature that helps Jane through her insecurities and fears while he's training her to be the submissive he desires.

Initiation is a fantastic story that wonderfully reminds us that love and sexual desires don't disappear as we grow older. I loved how Angus took the time to be so caring and sensitive toward Jane's hang-ups about having an overweight body that is showing the signs of aging. She is beautiful in his eyes and he makes sure she knows it in everything he does. His training is firm, yet not overpowering, and it draws the couple closer, penetrating the heart. Compassion and heat seep from the pages of Initiation and left this reader with the certainty that this couple had definitely found their happily ever after.

   ~Reviewed by Tonya Ramangos ~

Tonya Ramagos is the author of more than thirty best-selling erotic romance novels in the contemporary, suspense, paranormal, and fantasy sub-genres. Her books are published with Siren-Bookstrand and Ellora's Cave. Information and excerpts from her novels can be found on her website at http://www.tonyaramagos.com and she invites readers to contact her anytime at tonyaramagos@aol.com

Book Review: Savage Lust by Gabriella Bradley

Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors Proudly Presents

Savage Lust

Written by Gabriella Bradley

Published by eXtasy Books

Western Ménage Romance

248 Pages

 

Savage Lust- Book Synopsis 

Topaz Fiero is shocked when her mother's long time lover leaves his entire estate in Texas, which she didn't even know he had, to her. Upon arrival at the Douglas ranch, she also discovers John Douglas had three sons, and she's inherited them to go with it.

The Douglas brothers are madder than hell. How dare their father pass in such an untimely fashion, and worse, leave his estate to an unknown woman whom they suspect is probably his mistress. They are ready for battle. No way will they give up their inheritance. When Topaz arrives, they are astonished that she's young enough to be their father's daughter.

Anger is abound and Christmas does not promise to be the pleasant holiday Topaz was so looking forward to--unless she can wiggle her way into the three men's hearts.

Book Review of Savage Lust

This is the first book I've read by Gabriella Bradley and it will not be the last. It's been a while since I've really felt that hook jab into me and grab a hold of my attention. Today, Savage Lust did just that. I was enamored from the start when Topaz was given a large inheritance out of the blue, forced to confront three very disgruntled, handsome ranchers. 

I was particularly taken with how the writer made each of the three men so different. I had a little bit of everything, some rough and tough, some soft and chivalrous as well as the practical and empathetic.  The author also provided the added thread of a little paranormal activity when the father's ghost returns to the ranch to keep his eldest son in line.

I was right on the ranch with Topaz feeling her desire mount yet torn by the practicalities that society often drills into us. The way Miss Bradley stretched the sexual tension kept my nose in my iPad the entire afternoon. The sex was hot and worth waiting for. 
Haven't read Gabriella Bradley yet? After Savage Lust you'll be hungering for more.

   ~Reviewed by JC Szot ~

JC Szot is an erotica romance writer of eight published novels. You can find her on the web at www.jc-hotreads.com. You can view her author page at www.bookstrand.com/jc-szot. Find her on Facebook- Justine Cerrigone Szot

Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday, September 28, 2012

Welcome back to Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors.  I hope this greeting finds each of you enjoying the early days of autumn.  It really is a wonderful time of year here in East Tennessee. The leaves will soon change, leaving us with a beautiful landscape in our backyard. While I’ve always appreciated the view of the rolling hills and distant mountains, this year I’m embracing it more than ever before. For us, this fall represents a season for change.

Last weekend, my husband said goodbye to a thirty plus year career. Now, we’re in a decision-making phase. We had always planned for an eventual move to the coast—particularly North Myrtle Beach—after the kids left the nest. Now with nothing to hold us here in East Tennessee, we’re facing the decision we’d always thought we’d easily make. Do we stay or do we go?

Fact is, I think my husband really wants to go and I'd like to stay, at least for another year or two. I’m finally on a solid writing schedule again. The DH built a cozy writer’s cabin right in my backyard and I’m back to writing over fifty thousand words per week. How long will it last? I don’t know. Still, I find it’s best to stay the course, especially when life is serving up an appetizing dessert with the meal.

I know 'stay the course' has nothing to do with meal planning. Life planning is another beast altogether. Right now, life is good.

Since August 15th, I’ve completed six manuscripts. A few of these manuscripts were incomplete projects that I’ve housed on the desktop for over a year. To add to life pleasures, I’ve read probably twenty books since then.  In short, I have a routine again—and it’s one that suits me—something I haven’t had or kept for longer than a couple of months in recent years.

As an author, it’s an exciting time. We’re making plans to attend and sponsor conventions.  Book signings and workshops are in the pipeline. In other words, this writer is back on track. My focus is razor sharp.

Moving would disrupt my life in ways I can’t even imagine. We have over twenty-two years of life memories here. Oh sure we have friends in Myrtle Beach and the other three areas that now appeal to my husband as well—Las Vegas, Nashville, and St. Augustine—but I’m not sure I want to take time off and start the moving routine of packing, selling the house, buying a house, unpacking, and starting over.

At my age—forty-three—I’m settled. I like my life. No, I don’t have a lot of free time right now, but it suits me and I enjoy what I do. There’s a great advantage found in a writer’s life, too. We can take off whenever we need to take off. Oh sure, the time away from the desk often comes at a price, but we are still in control of our work schedules, whatever they may be. In short, that’s why moving is on this writer’s mind.  I need to go where my husband will be happy because my career allows for mobility. I can live anywhere and keep my career.

After being up half the night discussing a potential move, I’m sharing a few thoughts with you in hopes you’ll share with me, too. What are your thoughts on a ‘midlife’ move? Any experiences to share?

It’s an exciting time in life with new options on the table. I imagine my husband will insist on a forthcoming move because he’s ready for change today. The chains that bound him for years have finally been removed and he’s like an impatient bird eager to fly. I remember that feeling. I’ve been self-employed for almost a decade but I do remember how it felt to walk off the job and never look back. It’s pretty amazing and the DH definitely has ants in his pants. He’s excited, enthusiastic, and ready for the next chapter in life. For him, it’s time to rock-n-roll. 

As we start the new day, share your ‘moving’ stories with us. Leave a comment before 8PM CST tonight then drop an email to reviewsforallauthors@gmail.com. I’ll send you a free eBook as my way of saying ‘thanks’ for sharing your experiences.

Now for the business on the table.  We have a lot of exciting announcements today.

Author Showcases: Half-Price Sale begins today and ends Sunday at 10 PM EST for our author showcase spaces. Do you have a few books to showcase?  Want to promote all of your books for the next six months?  Check out author Clair de Lune’s showcase page or the sample link above. Due to the work involved in creating the page, author showcases are posted on specific dates. Reservations are accepted now for showcases beginning October 5th.

Our large novels have been assigned. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to the many authors who offered to help us catch up on reviews. You’re appreciated and we can't wait to showcase your upcoming reviews.

Thanks to an almost-empty review queue, we have a limited number of front page premium ad spaces available now for an October 10th ad campaign start.  If you’re ready to reserve your ad space for October 10th, send an inquiry to reviewsforallauthors@gmail.com.

Readers, mark your calendars for an exciting event in October. Authors are coming together for October’s Virtual Cocktail Parties. Find out more about your favorite authors and win some fabulous prizes. Don’t miss our October event! Click here and sign up now. 

Coming up this morning, we’re showcasing a review for Savage Lust, a western ménage written by author Gabriella Bradley and reviewed by author Justine Szot.  Put on those chaps and grab your cowboy hats, folks. Author Gabriella Bradley takes us on a scorching-hot ride in Savage Lust.

Make sure you stop by this afternoon, too. We’ll showcase a review written by author Tonya Ramagos for author Clair de Lune’s Initiation. The first book in a super new series, Initiation is a hit you don't want to miss.

Thank you for joining us at Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors. We’re glad you’re here.

Destiny Blaine

Book Review: The Devil’s Pawn by Elizabeth Finn

 Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors Proudly Presents

The Devil’s Pawn

Written by Elizabeth Finn

Published by Liquid Silver Books

Contemporary

129 Pages

The Devil’s Pawn- Book Synopsis 

When Ashton is left orphaned after her parents are murdered, her life becomes a hell she could never have imagined. Left to fend for herself, and responsible for a debt she doesn’t owe, she is swept into a life as a gentleman’s escort at a private men’s gaming hall.

Her new manager makes it abundantly clear he doesn’t appreciate her inexperience, innocence, and shyness. On the contrary, he despises everything about her.

Derek can be “difficult,” she’s been told. And however dark and handsome he may be, he terrifies her in a way that chills her to the bone, but leaves her begging to understand him. As they are pulled along together, more secrets and threats than either one could ever conceive are revealed, and a common enemy emerges. This enemy will stop at nothing to bring Derek to his knees while using Ashton as the greatest pawn in his torturous game.

Will Derek be able to let down his shield of cold, harsh emotion before it’s too late? Will he be able to sacrifice himself to save Ashton, or will they both be destroyed by the secrets of their pasts?

Book Review of The Devil’s Pawn

Sex sells and Ashton realizes if she wants to repay her father’s old gambling debt, she’ll do it the old fashioned way—lying on her back. There are a few problems with her plan. Not only is she a virgin, but for all intended purposes—the art of seduction being first and foremost—she doesn’t look like a voluptuous whore nor does she want to act like one.

Ashton faces a clear obstacle once she becomes employed by the gentleman’s club. Her floor manager doesn’t like her. Soon, they’re spending a lot of time together and her boss quickly trains Ashton for a working girl's position. In a matter of weeks, he'll turn her out to the club's eager customer base and therein lies the problem.

To borrow words from one of the author's characters, The Devil’s Pawn was “pretty damn impressive” to say the least. Not only does the author tantalize her reader with an overdose of hot sex scenes, but she takes a sensitive topic and writes a beautiful love story.

From my understanding, The Devil’s Pawn is Elizabeth Finn’s first erotic publication. If I’m wrong, I’ll make the correction immediately. And ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you, if The Devil’s Pawn is Elizabeth Finn’s first novel, it sure won’t be her last. She nailed a first-person story taking a subject matter that is a very hard sale in romance and not only did she write an intense erotic romance novel, but she penned a convincing story and sold this reader on her edgy writing voice.

The Devil’s Pawn by Elizabeth Finn is crammed full of sex scenes and explores 'the taboo'  some readers read with an arched brow. The end result? She brought ‘the sexy and romantic’ back while creating an over-the-top-hot M/F erotic romance. Best of all, she did it with class and style. I'd stand in line to buy The Devil’s Pawn in print.

 ~Reviewed by Destiny Blaine~

International bestselling author Destiny Blaine writes in all genres under several pseudonyms. Her pen names have earned bestselling status at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, and All Romance Ebooks. You can find her on the web at www.destinyblaine.com or follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DestinyBlaine

Book Review: Whispering Ice by Gabriella Bradley

Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors Proudly Presents

Whispering Ice

Written by Gabriella Bradley

Published by eXtasy Books

Paranormal Ménage

165 Pages

What are the secrets hidden within the walls and cellars of Whispering Ice Manor? What happened to the three brothers who built it?

Whispering Ice- Book Synopsis 

 Julie realizes her dream of owning her own place in the country, but when she tells her longtime boyfriend that she bought an old haunted house, he’s not impressed with her purchase of what he calls a dump. Realizing that what she feels for Brian isn’t true love, Julie finally tells him they need to take a break from each other.

The manor was originally built in the eighteen hundreds by three brothers who mysteriously disappeared. Julie is quite intrigued with its history and decides to do more research once she moves in. As an agent for several bestselling authors, she feels there could be a story hiding there that would inspire one of them.

Little does she know what awaits her within the walls of the manor and what she’ll discover in its cellars, or that the Christmas Eve party she’s planned after the renovations are completed, will have the strangest ending!

Book Review of Whispering Ice

In Whispering Ice by Gabriella Bradley, readers gain a good grasp of the heroine’s strong character in the first few pages. Unwilling to continue in a relationship she doesn’t see developing into an everlasting commitment, Julie cuts ties with her boyfriend and plans to start a new life.

Strong and independent, Julie has a lot of work ahead of her when she moves into a mansion in need of repairs. Considered haunted, Whispering Ice Manor harbors its secrets, but as the mysteries unfold, Julie discovers a home with many hidden treasures. She follows a few clues and uncovers a dated unsolved mystery, one destined to bring her face to face with her soul mates.

Whispering Ice was a 'dream read' for this reader. A sensational paranormal novella, Whispering Ice holds incredible suspense elements which further seduced this reader as I sat on the edge of my seat with an e-reader clutched between my hands.

Without giving away spoilers, I’ll write only this—three handsome heroes are thrust back into modern day society and once they enter Whispering Ice by Gabriella Bradley, the reader is absolutely carried away by this spellbinding story.

The author penned a memorable paranormal tale with distinguished men we’d all love to meet and a heroine who knows what she wants and doesn’t mind to voice her demands.
Whispering Ice by Gabriella Bradley is a top shelf keeper and a must-read for those of you who appreciate unexpected and quite brilliant twists.
 I'm off to read another Gabriella Bradley novel. 

~Reviewed by Destiny Blaine~

International bestselling author Destiny Blaine writes in all genres under several pseudonyms. Her pen names have earned bestselling status at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, and All Romance Ebooks. You can find her on the web at www.destinyblaine.com or follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DestinyBlaine