A Scottish Love by Karen Ranney

A Scottish Love by Karen Ranney
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length(264 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Bittersweet

Shona Imrie should have agreed to Gordon MacDermond’s proposal of marriage seven years ago—before he went off to war and returned a national hero—but the proud Scottish lass would accept no man’s charity. The dashing soldier would never truly share her love and the passion that left her weak and breathless — or so she believed—so instead she gave herself to another. Now she faces disgrace, poverty, and a life spent alone for her steadfast refusal to follow her heart.

Honored with a baronetcy for his courage under fire, Gordon has everything he could ever want—except for the one thing he most fervently desires: the headstrong beauty he foolishly let slip through his fingers. Conquering Shona’s stubborn pride, however, will prove his most difficult battle—though it is the one for which he is most willing to risk his life, his heart, and his soul.

A Scottish Love is a book impossible to put down once started. Ms. Ranney’s novel hooked me from the start and kept me interested and engaged with the characters even after I’d reached ‘The End’

The story has two clear main characters: Shona and Gordon. From the first page, I felt the tension and the attraction between them. As the story develops, their feelings unfold, past mistakes are brought to light and the characters begin a path of growth and improvement.

Shona reminded me a lot of Margaret Mitchell’s character, Scarlett O’Hara. Like Scarlett, Shona faces many hardships in life. She is a woman who does what needs to be done to get through and she does it without shedding a tear even though she’s dying inside. Shona is frustrated, sad, and lonely, but she holds back her tears. I am not so strong and more than one tear seeped through my eyes at her circumstances.

Gordon is much like Shona. Strong when he needs to be strong, charming, handsome, and a good man altogether, but like Shona he has a major flaw which keeps him away from happiness: his pride. Too much pride on both characters' part creates setbacks both in their lives and in their relationships. Gordon is better at hiding his pride, and is perhaps not even aware, that he shares the same amount of pride she does. Shona on the other hand, is prideful through and through and that hinders her and keeps her away from Gordon and away from happiness. Besides their pride, both characters are also terribly stubborn. It was extremely frustrating. More than once, I felt like locking them up in a room and not letting them out until they solved their issues.

Throughout the story emotions run raw, painting a vivid picture of hurt and pain between the characters. It was excruciating to read through each of their encounters and their past and hope for them to reunite; that one of them would give in to the love that was so palpable between them.

Finally, it is important to mention the other interweaving stories that play throughout the novel. Craft fully introduced, snippets of past ghosts tell the tragic tale of the Weeping Ghost and the Piper. Woven into the story, Shona’s brother Fergus and the nurse Elizabeth also find love and demonstrate that if you’re willing, love doesn’t have to be as bittersweet as Shona’s and Gordon’s (though Fergus and his nurse also go through their share of pain).

With memorable characters, a bittersweet story that captivates your heart and leaves behind a message of hope (mistakes can be fixed), A Scottish Love is a book worth reading time and time again.

Beneath the Skin by Amy Lee Burgess

Beneath the Skin by Amy Lee Burgess
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (159 Pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

If you could shift into a wolf, what would you discover about yourself?

Two years after the deaths of her bond mates, Constance Newcastle is ready to start over. The problem? The rest of the Great Pack, gathered in Paris to shift into wolves together, is not so sure she deserves the chance. Although the Great Council ruled the car crash an accident, even Constance blames herself. She was driving, after all.

Treated like a pariah by those she longs to rejoin, Constance reunites with an old lover. Everything looks promising until he mysteriously dies. Accused of his murder and desperate to clear her name, Constance joins forces with handsome, confident Liam Murphy, a former Alpha pack leader with a past as tragic and troubled as her own. Guided by the mysterious Councilor Jason Allerton, Constance and Liam discover they are not alone-- throughout the Great Pack, people are dying. Can all the deaths be accidents, or is something more sinister going on?

Two people forced together to solve a mystery that is destroying their way of life. Can they work together or will their differences kill them and possibly more of their kind?

Constance is damaged goods. Two years ago, she lost everything; her bond mates and even her pack. After two years of loneliness and heart ache, she needs to move on, but she is unable to move past her pain. Forcing herself to attend The Great Gathering, she hopes to find a new life with a new pack. She knows her chances are slim, but she must at least try.

Liam Murphy has no time for games or a new bond mate. He lost his heart and soul three years ago. Asked to attend The Great Gathering by his former pack, he was prepared to barely participate and move on with his single life. For some reason Councilor Jason Allerton has something different in mind. Everywhere Liam turns, Constance is there. When things start getting deadly, there is nothing more for Liam to do; he has to see where Councilor Allerton is leading him and Constance, no matter the consequences.

Pack members are dying and there are no clues left behind. All deaths seem to be from natural causes or accidents. Together, Liam and Constance set out to discover the mystery. Their journey takes them from the romance of Paris to the sultry heat of Houston, Texas. If they don’t find out what is behind these deaths, they very well could be next.

I really don’t have a set writing style that I prefer, but I have noticed that single point of view is not my favorite. I do have to say after reading Beneath the Skin that my opinion has changed a bit. I was drawn into Constance’s mind. Her pain was heartbreaking and her fears became my fears. I can’t imagine this story being written any other way. There were times I wanted to jump into Liam’s mind to see what the heck he was thinking, but the mystery behind his actions enhanced the story. Ms. Burgess did an amazing job pulling me in and making me feel like I was Constance.

For me the uniqueness of The Pack is what I found the most exciting. Though my journey with Constance was fascinating, it was the rules and magic of this universe that pulled me in the most. Ms. Burgess has written an amazing take on being Pack. From shifting abilities, to their history and even their future, I was captive and intrigued. I was in utter awe of her ability to expand on a well used subject matter and make it all her own. This is her first published novel and all I can say is WOW!! Her storytelling abilities are fantastic, the pace of the book was perfect and her continuity was spot on. Congratulations to an amazing first novel!! Ms. Burgess is now an author I’m going to follow and her next two novels in this series are already on my TBR list.

Beneath the Skin is a fabulous book. It pulls you in, wraps you up and holds on tight. Don’t miss this great book! If you love shifter novels, with a bit of steamy romance, you won’t be disappointed.

West With the Wind by Cindi Myers

West With the Wind by Cindi Myers
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (248 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

More than gold awaits two lovers at the end of the trail.

Mariah Tate and her dog, Worthy, persuade veteran guide Campbell Jefferson to let them join his expedition headed to California. Camp can't say no to the beautiful widow, but his need to protect her soon clashes with her need to keep secrets. Mariah left more than bad memories behind in Pennsylvania and her growing attraction to the stoic but surprisingly sensitive Camp forces her to face up to the consequences of the choices she's made. Camp doesn't know what Mariah's hiding, but he's determined not to let the only woman who ever made him want to settle down get away. He pursues her across the prairies, through stampedes, Indian raids, desert drought and mountain snows. In the gold camps of California, Camp will discover Mariah's secret, and prove the love she wants most isn't out of reach.

Mariah Tate respects and depends on wagon master Campbell Jefferson’s ability to guide her to California. Determined and practical, Mariah plans for a new start far from her old home. She does more than her share of work on the trail, but Campbell soon learns that trying to control Mariah is like trying to control the wind.

Her persistence and Campbell’s sensing something different about her makes him forego many of his long-standing rules. He allows her to join the wagon train, even though she is a twenty-four-old woman traveling alone. Of course, she does have Worthy, her dog that looks like a wolf and is totally devoted to her.

Cindi Myers uses many of the usual elements that western historical readers are familiar with, but all these become incidental as the characters come alive as they are tested to their limits on the life-changing journey from Independence, Missouri to California. Their attitudes about how to handle their emotional baggage as well as their physical baggage pretty much determine who makes it to California and who succumbs to the rigors of the journey.

Mariah is a survivor and an optimist, but the burden of guilt she carries overwhelms her at times. Worthy seems to sense her moods and is always there to help her regain her emotional balance and her courage so she can move on. Worthy proves his ‘worth’ in many ways as the story unfolds—especially in the episode with the Sioux Indians--spellbinding.

Campbell, handsome and rugged, has a wildness about him. He says he hates taking wagon trains to California, but he feels compelled as if he has no choice. He is ready to settle down with peace and quiet after this, his seventh trek across the country. He wants Mariah, who stirs a never-before-known passion in him, to come with him when they get to California, but he knows something in her past holds her apart from him.

The secondary characters are a kaleidoscope of personalities, hopes, dreams, and strengths. The “me-first” attitudes of a few bring disaster more than once. The gambler St. John and Crystal, who travels with him, and the elder Latham prove to be antagonists on a par with the Indians. They do present mega challenges for Campbell and Mariah.

West With the Wind propels the reader along, at times gently and at other times in emotional or physical storms that are breath-holding happenings. The descriptions of the environment leave no doubt about how difficult the trek across half a continent is, but most of all the characters-good and bad-seem so real with their flaws and foibles that make the reader feel as if they are personal acquaintances.

Once again Cindi Myers entertains with her smooth, compelling writing style as she takes the reader on a vicarious trip that keeps one turning pages.

Pride and Passion by Charlotte Featherstone

Pride and Passion by Charlotte Featherstone
Publisher: Harlequin Books S.A,
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (378 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Amaryllis

Lucy Ashton had long ago given up her quest for true love. In the rarified society of Victorian England, Lucy plays the game—flirting, dancing and dabbling in the newly fashionable spiritualism. Even marrying when—and who—she's supposed to. If the stuffy Duke of Sussex cannot spark the passion she craves, he can at least give her a family, a home of her own, and a place to belong. But when her polite marriage reveals a caring and sensual man, Lucy begins to wonder if she can indeed have it all.

But Lord Sussex is not the man the London ton has come to admire. And Lucy has some ghosts of her own, as well. Thus, when a blackmail scheme turns to threats of danger, the newfound peace of the Sussex marriage is cast upon the rocks. Passion has a price, Lucy learns. And not all ghosts stay buried.

Pride and Passion is a Victorian romance with a paranormal twist. It has a rich historical feel and wonderfully lush atmosphere.

Lucy, the heroine, is in love with someone she shouldn't be. She’s a loyal person, so it’s easy to see why she resists falling in love with Adrian. It becomes even clearer why she holds herself back when he is so painfully proper with her. How can someone love another person who is not sharing himself fully? It is easy to sympathize with Lucy and to understand why she does the things she does. She works hard to keep herself from falling for Adrian and tends to view him in a light that helps her to do that.

Adrian is a sweet, strong if somewhat priggish gentleman with a tortured background. He’ll need to show a lot more passion if he is to turn Lucy’s heart away from her first love. Once Adrian warms up however, he’s pretty hot. He’s most skilled with his tongue and by that I mean he speaks beguiling words of love and sex to Lucy. That’s one of the sexiest parts of their coming together. The sex itself is moderately spicy, not overly erotic and very romantic.

Speaking of romance, the love story is satisfying. The moment when Lucy comes to see how much Adrian cares for her and to what length he is willing to go for her, is deep and poignant. Her inner change was very moving. The paranormal aspect never takes over the romance and I liked that very much.

This is my first book from Charlotte Featherstone and I would gladly read the others.

A Time to Love by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

A Time to Love by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Publisher: Champage Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (181 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Reclusive songwriter Samuel Baird lives on a remote Arkansas mountain drinking his life away. The last thing he wants is a woman to complicate things but during a spectacular thunderstorm, a woman arrives just in time to save his life. She says she comes from the late 1800's and he thinks she is crazy but Annie still manages to gain his attention and affection. To reach a happily ever after, Samuel and Annie must overcome several obstacles, past and present, but in the end, they find the happiness that they seek.

Samuel Baird is disillusioned with life. Betrayed and divorced by his wife and the loss of his job, he has retreated to an isolated cabin on Rich Mountain where he buries his sorrows in the whiskey bottle. Several years later he dreams of a woman. When the real woman turns up in the middle of a storm Samuel thinks he's dreaming but she's still there in the morning.

Anna believes she has come forward in time over 100 years but Samuel finds this difficult to believe. He admits Anna is a bit strange in the way she speaks and some of her actions. How can he prove she's wrong? Will he be able stop himself falling in love with this orphan from the storm?

For a man who has no respect for himself, our hero is soft and gentle when it comes to Anna. He doesn't want to frighten her and finds it nice to have someone look after him for once. Unexpected visitors, family problems and illness force both of them to face the truth and ask if there is any future for them.

I'm not sure whether I really liked Samuel, but Anna was sweet and tender; the type of woman I'd want to have as a friend and neighbor. At first I thought the story would be too introspective but as I read on I found it pulled me in until I wanted to find out what would happen next. The scenery surroundomg the main characters was vivid. I could see the view from the cabin deck, the lodge on the top of the mountain and the cemetery. The author has a way with words that brings the story to life.

This is a lovely soft romance with no highs or lows, but it does have an element of doubt. How can a woman who believes she's from the past cope with modern day equipment and morals? What can Samuel offer to any woman when he buries himself in the bottle instead of facing his fears?

There's no "daring do" in this book. To me the ideal time and place to read it would be curled up beside the fire on a winter's evening so I could relax into the moment and enjoy a cosy love story.

Dance Macabre by Susanne Saville

Dance Macabre by Susanne Saville
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Genre: Historical, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (74 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

London, 1897

Caught in a web of poverty and injustice, Lily Rafferty takes employment in a dancehall. Though she loathes being viewed as a pretty piece of meat wrapped in silk for the enjoyment of the West End gentlemen out for a bit of slumming, she can't help but feel her luck is about to change.

Rhys Trevan Morgan, Viscount Talfryn is a vampire with a mission. Another supernatural creature prowls the night leaving a trail of blood and gore in its wake that eventually leads him to London's East End and to the Barbary Coast dancehall. He doesn't need the distraction of coming to the aid of a young woman forced to strip and parade herself on stage for the voyeuristic pleasure of the club's wealthy patrons.

Soon, the momentary distraction becomes a craving Rhys can't resist and he wonders if the fair Lily will be the end of his frightful curse or the vehicle of his destruction.

This was a cute little story filled with light drama, an interesting twist and a heroine not afraid of what she needs to do to survive. Well, okay, she was a little skittish until a hero with an icy demeanor stepped in to even the odds. The by-play between the secondary characters was like a tennis-match and it kept the pages flipping.

Lily is the heroine. She’s not a typical heroine for the period romances I usually read. She’s not a governess, nor part of the ton. No, the leading lady is an orphan down on her luck and, way back then, a woman without a family or protector had little option for decent employment. The emphasis is on decent. The author’s set up of the environment that this little tale takes place in was well done. The despondent atmosphere came through loud and clear as well as Lily’s eventual acceptance of what she’d need to do if she wanted to eat. What I liked about her character was her feistiness. Even though she was trying to give herself a mental pep-talk about doing what she had to, her inherent goodness and sense of right and wrong still battled within her. She wasn’t broken yet and I liked that. The best thing about this story is that she didn’t have to completely let go of her principles, only her inhibitions. I found out that there’s a lot more chutzpah in Lily’s backbone than I at first believed. And, she has one heck of kick.

The man with the stiff and noble bearing is Talfryn. He’s an exercise in contradiction. At first he’s harsh, then there’s a hint of a thaw and then he gets all growly and intense. Well, more intense. He’s fighting a literal internal battle and the author came up with an awesome explanation of his condition. It made this tale all the more interesting because it means that perhaps there might be another story out there with an even bigger battle in the offing. As it was, in Dance Macabre the exploding conflict came at a time I least expected it. It sure made me sit up and take notice and I really enjoyed that. It was an unpleasant surprise for the protagonists but it sure made for some great reading for me.

The most romantic element was Lily’s eventual reaction and sacrifice on Talfryn’s behalf. That was very interesting, even if it was a bit bloody. I also liked how it ended as it was filled with a combination of impressions: sweet, saucy, pragmatic, hopeful, a touch of shy and eventually a healthy dose of joy.

The editing was good, the pace brisk, and watching the hero and heroine come together was a delight. The villain wasn’t who I thought it would be but there was a point in the first altercation that makes made me question something that Talfryn revealed to Lily later in the story. Did the clothing protect him? Why didn’t it affect him earlier? These questions are being deliberately obtuse because I realize that if I ask what I really want to ask, it’d be a spoiler and I don’t want readers to miss out on the surprise. But there is something that seems amiss and I wonder if other readers will catch it too. No matter whether the answer is yes or no, the action and light drama really worked and I had a great time.

Dance Macabre is a compact book of action, surprise and spicy romance. The author’s descriptions provided a real feel for the ambiance of the dance house – depressing and resigned with a coating of false bravdo. Lily stuck out like a fish out of water and I was so happy to have Talfryn rescue her even if it was a bit unconventional in manner. I had fun, was entertained and enjoyed the hero’s fight with himself. Happily for both Lily and me, he lost and the rest was delicious reading. I’d recommend this short novella to paranormal romance readers in a heartbeat -– it has a little bit of the best of everything and is time well spent.