Short Story Review: One Too Many by Arlene Knowell

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One Too Many

An Aphrodite’s Island Short Story

Written by Arlene Knowell

Published by Carnal Passions, A Champagne Books Company

Contemporary Erotic Romance

38 Pages

 “Once a fantasy has started, it cannot be stopped.” 

 

One Too Many—Book Synopsis Provided by Publisher

Molly sets out on a weeklong adventure on Aphrodite’s Island, a tropical paradise where fantasies come true. She only wants one thing; a chance with Seth Dailey.

Warned that the fantasy she has might not always be her own, she soon realizes that Seth has a few fantasies of his own. He is a man with a healthy sexual appetite and is willing to push the fantasy adventure to the limit. What will Seth do when he realizes too late that Molly was hoping for a lifetime with him?

As sexual fantasies fulfill, then collide, Molly flees in hopes of salvaging her pride and her heart. Will Seth set aside the rest of his fantasy for an opportunity to love Molly? Will he continue to enjoy the fantasy of every man? Or will he enjoy the best of both worlds and hope to pick up the pieces?

 Book Review of One Too Many

Author Arlene Knowell pulls readers into her setting right from the start and introduces them to Molly, a young woman who has paid for a fantasy vacation at the exclusive Aphrodite’s Island. Molly is less than impressed when she discovers her fantasies may overlap with another guest's desires, but she keeps an open mind and begins her journey.

  

Seth Daily is the man of Molly's dreams but he isn’t exactly the perfect man, like she may have originally thought. When the sexy romp she imagines turns into a disappointment, Molly is forced to reevaluate her feelings for Seth as much as her Aphrodite’s Island experience.

Author Arlene Knowell writes vivid erotic scenes destined to make most booklovers blush. The author does a good job of holding her reader’s attention, particularly when she mentions a ‘favorite position’ enjoyed by her hero.

Knowell has a knack for describing her setting. By the time readers finish One Too Many, they’ll feel as if they’ve been on an exciting adventure. While fantasies vary somewhat for our heroine and hero, Molly and Seth will come together for a satisfying conclusion. Best of all, Knowell leaves her readers with a gratifying experience and many of us will long for our very own Aphrodite’s Island.

 ~Reviewed by Destiny Blaine ~

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

Book Review: Brother’s Keeper by Elizabeth Finn

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Brother’s Keeper

Written by Elizabeth Finn

Published by Liquid Silver Books

Contemporary

150 Pages

Brother’s Keeper- Book Synopsis 

When Rowan is awarded a ballet scholarship to Michigan State University during her senior year of high school, her life’s dream is finally realized. Having lost her mother at an early age and being subjected to the abuse of a destitute drunken father, she has known unimaginable loss and heartache and been left wanting for a better life—a life now within her grasp. But with one ill-fated phone call, her life is turned upside down.

Logan is Rowan's best friend’s older brother whose career is taking off as he prepares to graduate law school and move cross-country to the prestigious law firm that has offered him a very lucrative contract. When Rowan finds herself at Logan’s mercy after he inadvertently learns of the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her father, their lives become intertwined in a way neither ever imagined nor wanted.

In an effort to protect her, but with his own hands tied by her unwillingness to report the abuse, Logan strikes a deal requiring Rowan to stay with him whenever there is a chance her father might be on a drunken binge—which is often. For her agreement and cooperation, he will keep her secret. Soon, their time together weighs on them both, and they find themselves constantly tempted to step outside the bounds of their supposed platonic relationship. But there is no point. The devastating fact of the matter is their lives are moving in opposite directions—a relationship destined to die before it even has a chance to live.

The ever present clock plagues them both as it ticks off the days until they are parted. But one all important question remains—after he leaves, how will he protect her from a father intent on hating her until the day he dies … or the day he kills her?

Book Review of Brother’s Keeper

Ever have a secret that hurts too much to share?  One that makes you feel weak and humble, scared and insecure?  Ever know a person that makes that all go away?

Brother’s Keeper by author, Elizabeth Finn was one of the most moving, poignant, and exceptionally well written stories I’ve read in a long time.  Rowan’s childhood has shaped her and the person she feels she’s become is not the woman Logan discovers, yearns for, and desires to protect with his every breath.  With an inner strength he finds captivating, an innocence that overrides his better judgments and derails the well-laid plans he thinks his life should take Logan finds Rowan’s quiet beauty and passion are more than capable of destroying his control for propriety.  But love was never supposed to be part of the equation.  And in a story rife with unlikely heroes, secrets, heartaches, new and passionate discoveries, author, Elizabeth Finn shows us the journey is just as meaningful, amazingly hopeful, difficult and inspiring as the voyage to this incredible story’s end.

 ~Reviewed by K.A. M’Lady~

K.A. M’Lady is the author of the ARe bestselling Anthology, Just Another Paranormal Christmas and the ARe bestselling Poetry book, Ramshackle Castle ~ Bent Poetry & Other Altered Verse.  To walk on the darker side check out her Faith Savage Demon Huntress series or wander in her Realm.  Look her up on the web at www.kamlady.net, www.facebook.com/kamlady

Book Review: Initiation by Clair de Lune

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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: The Devil’s Pawn by Elizabeth Finn

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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: Backstage Pass by Storm Savage

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Backstage Pass

Written by Storm Savage

Published by eXtasy Books

       Contemporary Erotic Romance      

63 Pages

"Sax and Mia—two parts of a song like words and music—love finds them

in the least likely place..." Backstage Pass

 

Backstage Pass—Book Synopsis

Sax and Mia—two parts of a song like words and music—love finds them in the least likely place. Will the music stop when a jealous ex tries to take back what she threw away?

After a tough year following her divorce and the loss of her beloved pet, Mia finally accepts an invitation to a dance at a senior center for a peaceful night out. Over the past few months she has buried herself in work and rarely left the house. What she finds at the dance takes her completely off guard causing her to regret going out at all. A tangled relationship is the last thing she needs.

Charming and modest, Sax wins her over with gentle persistence and she discovers they share more in common than a love for music. Mia loses her backstage pass and fears she’s also lost her man. Somewhat reserved, she feels out of place in his world especially when a jealous ex-wife seems determined to take back what she threw away.

When his ex makes an encore performance during a romantic evening with Mia, can Sax convince his new love that his past is truly behind him or will she run away again?

  

Review of Backstage Pass by Storm Savage

  

A steamy contemporary romance, Backstage Pass, follows a chance encounter between Sax and Mia. Sax is a musician that catches Mia’s attention at a concert, and their heat boils over in short work. Mia has suffered loss and heartache that leaves Sax wanting to right the wrongs of her previous relationship. Enter a nasty ex-wife, and you have a recipe for emotional turmoil that threatens their blossoming relationship. This is a story about real people with real pasts that cause real challenges in their very real, albeit very hot, relationship!

One of the most notable details that captured my attention as I read Storm Savage’s Backstage Pass was just how darn quick you can fall in love with these characters. Sax and Mia are written in an exceptionally genuine way. They are decent and morally strong characters that leave you rooting for them from the get go. Their heat is intense and when you couple that with their incredible authentic likability and honest emotional portrayal, it makes for a book that is easy to invest your heart in.

It is often difficult to build believable chemistry in a shorter story, or I should say, to build the deep emotionally bonded chemistry that you expect to see in longer romance novels. However, Storm manages it beautifully. The pace of Sax’s and Mia’s relationship works in a very honest and natural flow. There is no rush to bed and skip the humanity about this book—though there is plenty of “bed” to keep you turning the pages. Instead you develop a very strong bond and respect for these characters because they have heart, they have spirit, and above all else, they have respect and admiration for one another that translates well. In the end, you get a book that is both arousing and downright hot, and that leaves you feeling like the characters you’re reading deserve the passion and fire they draw from one another.

The fact that she captures her love for animals and music in one incredibly sultry and steamy book makes me a fan! Sax and Mia are relatable, honest characters that really are a celebration of just how passionate good and real love can be. Well done, Storm Savage!

~Reviewed by Author ~

Elizabeth Finn is a contemporary erotic romance author with three upcoming releases. Visit her at ElizabethFinn.WordPress.com to find out more about what she’s up to or email her at ElizabethFinn77@gmail.com – she’d love to hear from you!