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Beginning January 1, 2013

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December Romance Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ For the Love of the Goblin King by Shona Husk

For The Love Of A Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (276 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint



In a Faraway Land...

There lived a man who was trapped—his only companions a horde of goblins consumed by their lust for gold. He thought he was lost forever, thought that no one would ever remember he'd been noble.

A Fearless Warrior.

Now he has been thrust into the human world once again, but so much has changed. How can he ever be rid of the darkness after so long in the Shadowlands?

It Starts with Dreams of a Castle...

And a woman who takes his breath away and makes him forget the pain of his past. He knows he must protecet her at all costs. And perhaps in saving her, he can finally learn to love again.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!!

For The Love Of A Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk

For The Love Of A Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (276 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint



In a Faraway Land...

There lived a man who was trapped—his only companions a horde of goblins consumed by their lust for gold. He thought he was lost forever, thought that no one would ever remember he'd been noble.

A Fearless Warrior.

Now he has been thrust into the human world once again, but so much has changed. How can he ever be rid of the darkness after so long in the Shadowlands?

It Starts with Dreams of a Castle...

And a woman who takes his breath away and makes him forget the pain of his past. He knows he must protecet her at all costs. And perhaps in saving her, he can finally learn to love again.

It wasn't Merlyn's fault that he had let the anger and pain consume him until he embraced the goblin curse. After years of caring about nothing but finding more gold, Merlyn needs to not only adjust to being human once more, but to the modern ways of humans.

The way Nadine and Merlyn's stories intertwine made the story entertaining. They may not have ever met one another, but their lives, as well as those around them, seem to all be brought together by one common link: the Goblin curse. Though Merlyn and his family were the only ones to suffer the actual curse, the fact that others had to deal with it both in the past as well as the present added an interesting twist to the story. It made me want to read more, and see if they could discover how much they truly had in common as well as see if they could get past what can possibly destroy their budding relationship.

Nadine's story was one of tragedy and strength. Nadine was robbed of a loving family, which could have broken her as a child and into her adulthood. Instead of letting this deny her a good future she found the strength, even as a child, to keep hope alive and continue to live her life. I can see how this can be inspirational to many, including Merlyn who needs someone's strength as well as his own to help him deal with the changes he has to learn to accept.

Merlyn is a man of honor even if he doesn't believe in it. He shows how there is strength in being a quiet observer and how it can help one grow. He made me want to go find a park bench to sit on just to find out what I can learn from the world around me. While I enjoyed all of the previous stories featuring his family and men in arms, Merlyn has a strength even after such a tragic story that makes him a stand out.

I am not sure if this is the last story of this series, and I am crossing my fingers hoping I can see Merlyn and Nadine again, even if only in my dreams.

Pack of Lies by Kimila Bowling

Pack of Lies by Kimila Bowling
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (178 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Tulip

For as long as Rae Taylor can remember, she's felt others' emotions as if they were her own. With the untimely death of her grandmother, she leaves the city and returns to the quiet town of New Haven, hoping emotions won't interfere while she mourns her loss.

Gage Archer has also returned home to New Haven and to the pack he left behind. Luke Bainer views Gage as a threat to both his growing alpha position and his attraction to Rae. Developing feelings for a woman outside the pack can be dangerous. Where Gage will do anything to keep Rae safe, Luke has other ideas.

As Rae struggles to control her special talent, no one is aware her gift is linked to a secret. A secret that could destroy Rae and the pack.

A dark twist on this compelling shifter romance from debut author Kamila Bowling. Readers will be captivated with this sensual love story. It grabs you with the first page and won't let go until the last. It's a twisted tale of secrets, lust and murder. Can I just say: I loved it and can't wait for more from this promising new author.

Death brought Rae Taylor back to the town of New Haven. All she wants is to mourn the loss of her Grandmother, the last of her family. Instead, she's fighting off the unwanted advances of an old friend. Her old friend, Luke, seems to think he has some claim on her. But Rae is more interested in exploring her renewed acquantance with Gage, the boy she once shared a sultry kiss with one long ago summer. And the atmosphere of the town where she spent so many of her childhood summers has changed to one of malevolence. Some of the townsfolk are using intimidation and violence to control the town. And wild wolves are attacking people all over town...including Rae, who is rescued by a mysterious black wolf. She is intrigued by her mysterious protector and the growing bond between them.

Gage Archer left town amid suspicions that he murdered his girlfriend. Now, he's back to protect the girl he wanted all those years ago. A loyal friend to Luke, Gage walked away from Rae, the girl they both wanted to claim. But Luke has changed and so has Gage. He regrets leaving all those years ago so he's not running any longer. If Luke want's Rae then he'll have to fight Gage for her.

When a string of murders and wolf attacks start back up suspicion turns toward Gage and the black wolf. Either he's guilty or someone is going to a lot of trouble to make it look like he is. Rae's not sure what to believe. She just knows there's a close bond between her, Gage, and her wolf protector.

Luke is a ruthless would-be Alpha who takes what he wants. He uses his job as sherriff to control the town and its women. And now he's staked a claim on Rae, his old girlfriend. But first he'll have to turn her against Gage.

Pack of Lies is a dark and twisted tale of passion and intrigue. Passion for love and passion for killing. One is sweet, one is dark. One man is good - wanting only to protect. One man is evil - wanting only to dominate and destroy. Rae's life is on the line as she decides which man to trust.

I really enjoyed this story with all of its dark edgy passion. Rae was a unique heroine who changed a lot during the story. Boy, did she ever. And Gage was one dreamy hero. Every girl oughta have one just like him. And I loved all those twists and turns the story took with bad guys coming out of the woodwork, surprises and secrets revealed left and right, and one hell of climactic ending that came way too soon. Pack of Lies left me wanting more from this promising new author.

Mine to Keep by Jannine Corti-Petska

Mine to Keep by Jannine Corti-Petska
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (123 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Lady Elizabella Aldrich receives notice of an inheritance in Padua, Italy. Arriving from England, she discovers another heir lays claim to the castle. An unreasonably handsome Italian rogue stands between her and the castle she’s inherited.

Leonardo Da Mitri never met the noble who included him in his will. But after one look at Lady Eliza he relishes the challenge of defeating the beauty to make the castle his own.

Astonished to learn they must wed and remain married for a year, it soon becomes apparent someone does not want the nuptials to take place. As Eliza fights her growing desire for Leo, he fights for his life. Will he walk away from his inheritance—and Eliza? Or is he willing to risk everything to stay married to the woman who has claimed his heart as hers... to keep?

Lady Elizabeth Godwin has inherited a castle. Though not a wealthy, land-endowed one of her fantasties, it’s hers and Lady Elizabeth is determined to make the best of it. Leonardo Da Mitri’s solicitor informs him he’s been endowed with an Italian castle upon Lord Calendri’s death. Surprised, as he’s not of noble blood, Leo nevertheless decides to follow where his fortune might lay. Both Leo and Lady Elizabeth insist on the solicitor explaining how they can both be in possession of the same castle. What follows are certain conditions that shock and secretly entice them both.

A wonderful historical novella, this story made me laugh, sigh and thoroughly enjoy both Elizabeth and Leo’s adventure. While the language sometimes made me pause – with both the old style of speaking and a few Italian words peppered in neither of these detracted from the story. Both Leo and Elizabeth could be stubborn and difficult, their attraction was undeniable. The spice their relationship and interactions brought to the book really made it sparkle.

Hard core historical readers might find some nit-picks, but I really enjoyed the world, settings and characters. The romance builds slowly but is no less sensual because of that. The author manages to juggle the history elements, different social settings and intertwine an intriguing plot to wrap it up into a wonderful book I thoroughly enjoyed.

That Night on Thistle Lane by Carla Neggers

That Night on Thistle Lane by Carla Neggers
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 360 pages
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review by: Camellia

More than just make-believe Librarian Phoebe O'Dunn deals in stories, but her passion for history has taught her that happy endings are rare. Her life in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts, is safe and uneventful…until she discovers the hidden room.

Among its secrets is a cache of vintage clothing, including a spectacular gown—perfect for a gala masquerade in Boston. In the guise of a princess, Phoebe is captivated by a handsome swashbuckler who's also adopted a more daring persona. Noah Kendrick's wealth has made him wary, especially of women: everybody wants something.

When Noah and Phoebe meet again in Knights Bridge, at first neither recognizes the other. And neither one is sure they can trust the magic of the night they shared—until an unexpected threat prompts them to unmask their truest selves.

After all, it takes more than just the right costume to live out your personal fairy tale. It takes heart…and the courage to be more than you ever dreamed.

Maybe it’s “the ghost”, maybe fate, or maybe just Phoebe O’Dunn losing her marbles and accidently finding the door to the secret room in the library attic. Regardless of how she finds it, it changes her life and entices her out of her comfort zone. It makes her take a close look at who she is and what her hopes and dreams really are.

Phoebe is a “good soul”, content, comfortable in her own skin, sensible, dependable, protective of her family and friends and helpful to all. As director of the public library in Knights Bridge, she touches many lives from the children to the senior citizens that lived at the assisted-living community. “Once burned, twice shy”. she’s had no romantic relationship since her fiancé jilted her within two days of her father’s death. But in the secret room something nudges her. The gorgeous Edwardian dress she finds with all its accessories makes her long for more. All alone, she attends the masquerade ball in Boston dressed in the Edwardian costume with a unique mask—just to watch, she tells herself.

She has her “Cinderella night”, her night of mystery. A lean, smooth muscled swashbuckler with fantastic blue eyes, and sexy voice, says, “Dance with me”. They glide with grace about the dance floor and everyone admires. He makes her feel like she is floating on air, sexy, wanted and more—desired. She slips away. As she leaves, she hears a one-sided phone conversation with her swashbuckler mentioned—she feels uneasy.

Noah Kendricks, ex-CEO of NAK, a high-tech entertainment business, is a billionaire with more money coming in all the time, is visiting his longtime friend and business associate Dylan MacCaffrey. Dylan has been invaluable in the building of NAK. While Noah created ideas, Dylan had watched his back and taken care of the business end of the fast growing corporation. They are both trying to find their footing after leaving the day-by-day running of NAK in the capable hands of others. In Knights Bridge, where Dylan’s fiancée Olivia Frost lives, they both stick out like a sore thumb.

Noah doesn’t do anything halfway. Something happened when he and the mesmerizing lady in the Edwardian dress danced. He wants to find her and enlists Dylan to help. They set Knights Bridge’s population abuzz when word gets out about their very own librarian Phoebe and the billionaire Californian with the tabloid reputation.

How Phoebe and Noah maneuver their way through the tangled web of scary emotions, the best-intended meddling of friends and family, and the logistics of homes a continent apart. They cope with an undercurrent of mystery and suspense that makes them edgy. All this gives the reader a vicarious experience not to be missed.

Carla Neggers, with her artistic style, deals with life issues like death, grief, secrets, and life-choices as her complex characters, with their varied relationships, individual differences, and hang-ups, live their lives, overcome their fears, and take risks to find their happy-ever-after. Her perfectly placed metaphors and humor make the story rich and a delight to read.

If you read Secrets of the Lost Summer, you will recognize many of the characters, but That Night on Thistle Lane stand alone quite well. However, it is fun to catch up with what is going on in Olivia Frost and Dylan’s lives since they found each other in Knights Bridge. Also Phoebe’s sisters and mother gives us more fun-filled moments as well as soon heart-touching ones. Loretta, the L.A. lawyer plays a small but significant role in the unfolding of a mystery that brings an exciting twist near the end of the story. Then there is Julius Hartley P.I. from Los Angeles. I’ll leave him to your imagination—don’t want to spoil any part of the plot—it’s too good.

That Night on Thistle Lane makes one feel good about being part of humanity. Of course, more than one happy-ever-after is always a special bonus to enjoy.

Holiday With a Vampire 4 by Susan Krinard, Theresa Meyers and Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Holiday With a Vampire 4 by Susan Krinard, Theresa Meyers and Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Holiday, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (357 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Don't be afraid to snuggle up with these sexy, immortal heroes. They will weave their way into your fantasies and spice up your cold winter nights.

Halfway to Dawn by Susan Krinard

Amid a supernatural war between the races, can Fiona, captain of the human special forces, and Kane, a compelling fugitive from the vampire army, risk working together to attain peace on earth?

The Gift by Theresa Meyers

All Cullen McCormack wants for Christmas is the missing locket that holds the key to his immortality. But will Angelica, the woman who now flaunts it about her exquisite neck, also claim his vampire heart?

Bright Star by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Immortal Dylan McCay has vowed to protect the secret origins of his species at all costs—until he meets Savannah, a passionate astronomer on the brink of discovering the elusive Christmas Star….

Three stories guaranteed to warm up the holidays!!

Each author writes with a smooth flair that kept me in my seat. I couldn't put the books down because I had to know what would happen. Although the three stories aren't connected, I had no problems losing myself in their worlds and zipping through this anthology in a couple of hours.

Halfway to Dawn poses the human-vampire conflict trope, but it's written in a fresh way. Fiona and Kane might be on the opposite sides of the war, but I couldn't help but want them to get together. I could understand where both were coming from. Kane wants to be his own man--no longer under the rule of the vampires. Fiona wants the war to be over. Hey, who can argue? And when they come together for the holiday and spicy hot scenes, it's totally worth it.

In The Gift, the locket's the thing. Okay, so Cullen's soul is stuck in a locket. To get free, the woman who owns said locket must choose him as her true love. Sounds easy, but it's not. He's on his fifth go-round. I felt for Cullen. The guy wants a break and if it means being Angelica's, then so be it. The note from Angelica's mother was a tad strange, but then, I suppose if someone told me there was a strange man attached to a locket, I might fear him, too. But I liked the story and I loved how Ms Meyers wove in the Christmas spirit. Definitely a keeper.

Bright Star was my favorite. I love the work of Ms Thomas-Sundstrom and this story didn't disappoint. Savannah wants the man of her dreams for Christmas. She also happens to be looking for the elusive Christmas star. Finding both would be beyond her wildest dreams, but why not be wild? Dylan doesn't want her to find the star. If she finds it, she'll open up a whole new can of worms. I love how these two come together and how Dylan struggles with his mission over his feelings. It's a white hot read that you won't want to miss.

If you're looking for a paranormal twist on the holidays, then this might be the book for you!