Hard As Teak

Title:  Hard As Teak

Author: Margie Church

Review Rating:  4

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Release Date: January 2012
ISBN: 9781605923567

Book Genre: Erotic Romance, GLBT

Blurb:

Kevin Marks escapes to the north woods to reignite his passion for photography and women. But the only flame he seems able to spark is for his latest photography subject, Teak Hildalgo, and Kevin's never been in a man's arms before.

Teak, the raven-haired, photographer's dream come true, is hell bent on capturing Kevin's heart. He takes Kevin, body and soul, on a romantic, sexual journey previously lived only in Kevin's fantasies. And no dream was ever this good, no truth this undeniable.

Will Kevin ever be the same? When the camera's put away, will Teak live up to his name?

Review:

Warning: Anal Sex, Toys and sweet M/M loving. Also for those just expecting M/M, be advised there is also some M/F within its pages.

My first M/M story. I actually loved it. Now, though I have said that from jump-street, let me say I didn't think I would. And no, that has nothing to do with it being M/M. I have read plenty of menage with two males and females on up, so I was ready to see if I enjoyed M/M as much as I enjoy the other combinations. I wasn't disappointed. Let's take the hero of the story first. Kevin Marks is in a relationship with a woman named Chiyo, not feeling a connection for her or anything in his life at this point. So yes, those of you thinking it is a straight M/M book will be a bit disappointed, but those of you who don't mind M/F, you will see it is a necessary part of the book to show where Kevin's head is. I didn't like him at first. I felt that at points he was a little harsh with the women (which didn't seem necessary) around him, but then Margie Church was able to reel me back in with valid reasons for his anger and frustration when it concerned the women in question. This is basically a coming of age for Kevin, one that he missed as an adolescent, trying to conform to what he felt he should do instead of knowing what he truly wanted. His angst made for a well-developed plot, which in the end had all its questions answered. Enter the other hero Teak Hidalgo. Now Teak was lovable from the very beginning. He knew who he was and what he wanted and he made no qualms about it. His resolve and strength complemented Kevin's struggle. He was the teacher of the book, guiding and helping Kevin to gain what he truly wanted and needed. The romantic development between Kevin and Teak was nice to watch. Kevin's actions and reactions to being in love with another man were interesting and I could not put the book down because I wanted to see what developed and how it developed. Margie Church does a grand job of showing the fear, indecision, struggle with who he was becoming and perceived himself to be. The emotions of the character were wonderfully written. There were many emotions that evolved because of the book, there were times where I was nervous, happy, scared and excited. Which is a good thing, because the book held my interest. The dialogue between the two main characters was witty, funny, sweet, tender, respectful and very loving. What one would like out of any type of relationship. They meshed together well and made me want more. The author is very descriptive, which I liked. I think if you're reading something, you should be able to picture it and with the help of the author you get a full visualization of everything that is taking place. The conflicts within the book were tied together nicely in the end and I felt that nothing was left unanswered. I will definitely look forward to reading more M/M and more books by Margie Church. I recommend this book to other romance book readers who want to experience love through the eyes of two great male characters. Of course I must warn those who are offended by a male loving another male emotionally and sexually that this isn't the book for you. But for those who don't mind it, can deal with it, then this is the book for you.

This review is also at http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3075 and on http://www.goodreads.com

One Wicked Night (The Wicked: Book 2)

Title:  One Wicked Night (The Wicked: Book 2)

Author: Avril Ashton

Review Rating:  5 Stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: eXtasy Books

Release Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9781554878536

Book 2 of The Wicked
Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, African American Romance, Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Blurb:  

Justice Alexandre kills for a living. A lover of the shadows, he makes no excuses for what he does. Besides, people bore him. He has no use for them…until a hot summer night in a Toronto nightclub. A woman with misery in her eyes whispers three words in his ear, shattering his world like shards of crystal at his feet. 

She wants to lose herself—or maybe find herself, Myka Prentiss can’t readily decide. What she does know is the dark stranger hugging the shadows at the back of the club calls to her in ways she can’t explain. Putting fear aside, accepting the heady pull, she makes her move and asks for one nameless night. Nothing between them but hot sweat and tangled sheets.

He accepts.

When they’re done, she walks away, wanting more. Back to an unfulfilled life, she’s comforted only by her memories…until her dark stranger shows up at her door with an announcement.

He’s been hired to kill her.

Review:

Hot! Hot! Hot! I cannot say enough how hot this book was. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I didn't want to put it down. I loved the characters and wanted more! This book had it all, lust, passion, love, fear, intrigue, guns, dirty talk, sexy hero and heroine! I was in love with it from the start. What can I even say about Myka and Justice other than hot and sexy. Both characters are likable, and one wants to continue to get to know them and watch as they are drawn to each other in the most erotic of ways. The scene is so dark and exciting when they meet. Every woman's fantasy of the dangerous male and wanting to be overtaken by him is all realized just in the beginning of the book. Myka wanted to lose herself in Justice and lose herself she did, but he did a bit of losing himself within her and it was sensual, erotic, sexy and filled with white-hot need. Two lost souls who find each other in a nightclub and ignite a passion for each other that cannot be quenched. My emotions took a roller coaster ride as I read this book. I was excited, nervous, worried, thrilled, turned on, pleased, shocked and oh most definitely content by the end of the book. This book is a keeper and one that I will re-read again and again. I recommend this book for those of you looking for extra heat with your love. The plot. What can I say about the plot other than it is exciting and it keeps you guessing. Which is indeed a wonderful thing. It runs smoothly and at a great pace and keeps one interested and invested in the two characters. This is a sequel to A Wicked Ride (The Wicked: Book 2) and I have to say I am eagerly awaiting another installment, there were enough other characters with stories that cried out to be written and I am sure Avril Ashton will not disappoint us. Be warned the sex acts within the book are not for the faint of heart. They will set your pulse racing and make you wish you were the one screaming Justice's name. This book recieves five stars from me for heated sexual scenes, loveable and fun characters, intrigue and just plain awesomeness!

The Reluctant Bride

Title: The Reluctant Bride

Author: Fiona McGier

Review Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press

Release Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9781603139649

Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Multi-cultural/Multi-racial Romance

Blurb:  Veterinarian Pamela Wilson frequently ran away from home to get attention from her status-conscious, preoccupied parents. Years ago she’d met a man who loved her unreservedly, but her parents didn’t approve of his blue-collar mechanic job, so she’d run away from him,too. When the ambitious lawyer she’s marrying answers a phone call while she’s walking down the aisle, it’s the last straw! She runs away again, this time to a cabin her parents don’t know about, owned by the mechanic. 

Will he let her into his life again? Will she finally stop running away and make the right decision for her future?

Review:

What a romantic read! Pamela is about to marry the man her parents think she should marry and she does the only thing she can do in this situation, and that is run. Run as fast as she can and as far as she can into the one man's arms that were always her refuge when something was going wrong in her life. But she has run from that man far too many times. The runaway bride has forever been a theme that romance readers fell in love with and Fiona McGier did it justice. The plot was developed properly so that everything that happened within the books pages was believable. I fell in love with the main characters, Pamela and Eric, and definitely cheered them on to find their happily ever after. It is refreshing to read a book where the hero knows who he wants, and how he wants them instead of having the woman chasing after him with him denying his love for her. Thank you Fiona McGier for that. How refreshing. This book had heat and spice as well as its fun moments, and it was a book that I could not put down. The pace of the story was fast and kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages. I also loved the fact that the two main characters roles were switched in that the hero was the one who didn't have money and came from humble beginnings instead of it being the female. The dialogue is cute and flows well so that you can follow everything being said and the conflict keeps your attention. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a true love experience, filled with steamy sex, fun characters and a great plot all bundled up in a wonderful little package called THE RELUCTANT BRIDE. Five stars for sweet love, heat and exciting plot. Review is on:http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=3074 and goodreads.com as well.

Love In Bloom

Title:  Love In Bloom

Author: Delilah Devlin

Review Rating:   5 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Samhain Publishing (Free read)

Release Date: February 2010

Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Blurb: 

When Amanda meets her old high-school crush, he doesn’t remember her. A bouquet of flowers and a lost towel spark an affair neither one will forget.

Review:

Who wouldn't like to come across their high school crush again? Former geek meets former hottie and sparks fly. LOVE IN BLOOM was short but that didn't stop the passion and lust from overflowing the pages. There is nothing I like better than to find a short read that meets all the expectations one would have for a larger erotic romance. One comes to love the hero and heroine in just those few pages and feels completely invested in them. Delilah Devlin always delivers. Five stars from me for sweet love, hot sex and being able to believe again in crushes. Review also on:

http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3077 and www.goodreads.com

The Vampire's Pet

Title:  The Vampire's Pet

Author: Delilah Hunt

Review Rating:  5

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Changeling Press

Release Date: December 2010
ISBN: 9781605215563

Book Genre: Erotic Romance, Multi-cultural/Multi-racial Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vamps & Shifters Romance

Blurb: 

For centuries the vampire Mikhail has hunted the Loup Garou, werewolf shifters. Ever present by his side, his faithful she-wolf Kassia, an unassuming pet... until the day he stumbles upon her secret.

A Loup Garou trapped inside her she-wolf body, Kassia suddenly finds herself in human form, complete with the trappings of being a werewolf in heat. Will Mikhail, the powerful leader, cast her aside or keep her to fullfill their each and every desire?

Review:

I loved the mix of werewolves and vampires in this rich tale of loyalty, lust and love written by Delilah Hunt. The two main characters drew me into the story and their love quickly. Mikhail the perfect Alpha male in the form of a vamp and Kassia the perfect submissive so ready to please her master in any way he wishes in the form of a wolf or human.

Kassia is in love with Mikhail though she fears their love can never be, because they are sworn enemies. For one, she is a Loup Garou in hiding and the sworn enemy of her Master Mikhail and his people. The tension that is built up from the secrecy is exquisite. Kassia is all of a sudden in human form, and she needs to hide it and the fact that she is in heat. I loved where the world was set in because Delilah Hunt describes it so well you can actually see it and feel it. Her scene setting is so realistic in this one can immerse themselves in the Vampire and Werewolf's worlds. 

The emotions that were aroused in me by reading this was lust, happiness and at times I was tense with the excitement and fear that would well up because of what was happening within the story. Such a well thought out plot, with well-rounded and sexy characters, it left me wanting for more. All I have to say is Delilah Hunt, please, please come out with a sequel. I want more Mikhail and more Kassia!

This book, my friends, is a keeper, one that I plan to read again and again. For those of you who love fangs and claws, this is a sweet, erotic story for you!

Five stars for sexy vampires, werewolves, erotic scenes as well as romance.


Reviewed on: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=2874 and goodreads.com

The Unfinished Song: Book One Initiate

Title:  The Unfinished Song: Initiate

Author: Tara Maya

Review Rating: 4 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Misque Press
Release Date: March 2010
ISBN: 0983107319

Book 1 of The Unfinished Song
Book Genre: Young Adult Romance

Blurb:

DEADLY INITIATION
A DETERMINED GIRL...

Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a plan.

AN EXILED WARRIOR...

Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse. But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.

Review:

This Young Adult Romance was filled with many twists some expected and some not so expected, but no less pleasant.

In a fantasy realm so vivid that you can see the world Tara Maya has made right along with the characters coming to screaming life before you. It took a bit for me to warm to it, the beginning did drag a bit, but once I held on and dug in my heels a bit deeper, I was pleasantly surprised.

The world was intricately woven of what reminded me of Native folklore with Fae Lore. I absolutely loved the feeling that was invoked by this imagery. The story is filled with all the folklore of the fae intertwined with the human world. Only some can see the fae. The hero and heroine happen to be two who can.

Dindi is the heroine, a young girl of the Rainbow Labyrinth Tribe who just wishes to become a Tavaedi of her clan. If she fails at becoming a Tavaedi, she can never dance again. Her connection to the fae helps with the perception that she is strange because of all the issues that arise from the every day life chores that get messed up because she is off dancing with the fae instead of doing them. She is always doing everything wrong and basically discounted when it comes to being able to accomplish anything. Kavio is the hero of the story that gets exiled and has to leave his clan because he was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He makes the choice that he will leave and become better than who he was.

I liked Dindi and Kavio because they are the underdog in this story but you get to see them perform acts of kindness, courage, decency, compassion and most of all young love and needs. Now I am hoping that in the sequel Kavio and Dindi will form a better relationship and fall in love. This book showed that there was interest, when they first meet.

The story ends on a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next.

I have to admit that it was hard for me to read this at first, because of my age and it being a YA romance. The only other issue I had is the terminology. I feel that if there had been some sort of glossary with an explanation of the terms it would have been an easier read.

I give this story 4 stars for originality, sweetness, depth and young love.

Review on: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=2824 and Goodreads.com

The Vampire, The Witch And The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome

Title:  The Vampire, The Witch and The Werewolf

Author: Lousia Bacio

Review Rating:  5 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Ravenous Romance

Release Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9781607774044

Book Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vamps & Shifters Romance

 Blurb:  Haunted by paranormal abilities that she can't control, and plagued by nightmares about a demon that seeks her soul, Lily Anima travels to New Orleans in search of salvation.In the French Quarter, Lily dives into the paranormal world and enlists the help of an unlikely couple: a vampire, Lawrence Justice, and a werewolf, Trevor Pack.
As the trio encounters ghosts, voodoo and unspeakable evil, will Trevor and Lawrence be able to help Lily turn her powers into a gift rather than a curse? And when Lily discovers that she needs to lose her virginity in order to embrace her powers and get the demon off her back, will the twosome be able to survive as a threesome?

Review:

A dark romantic modern day fantasy...

This book had all the elements one loves to read in erotic romance with a plot. The story is filled with passion, history, evil, tension, witty dialogue, tenderness, pain, laughter, tears, anger, lust and love wrapped up beautifully in the pages of THE VAMPIRE, THE WITCH AND THE WEREWOLF by Louisa Bacio. The author pulls you in to the lives of the three main characters and you cannot help but fall in love with them and want to go on the journey of discovery with them all.

Lily is trying to figure out who and what she is and basically about her past. She goes to New Orleans in search of those answers and to find help in the form of Trevor a werewolf and Lawrence a vampire. The two men who become important in her life happen to already be in a relationship with each other and Lily seamlessly moves into their relationship as a third.

Trevor has an inner strength that is just sexy and makes you want to get to know him. While Lawrence is coolly commanding and dominate, his obvious strength being his age and knowledge. Together the two males are hot with their nontraditional relationship, and then add Lilly to the mix, it is sweet, endearing and yet still manages to have the hot factor.

This was a book that I could not put down and did not want to put down. The pace went quickly yet it was smooth, so that the reader doesn't feel at all cheated, in fact you just want more and more of these characters as you cheer them on through to the finish line.

I love how the author uses the richness of New Orleans history to move along and enhance the story, making sure that you can get the feel that this is a modern story with paranormal elements. Each of the characters is searching for something and they find that something in the form of their unusual relationship structure and they make it work. I definitely recommend that if you like your erotica sweet, spicy and romantic, you pick up this book and quick.

The only thing one wishes for when done with this excellent read is more. So please Louisa Bacio...give us more!

Five stars given for creativity, erotic content and a sexy wolf and vampire.

Review also at : www.goodreads.com and http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2878

Mrs. Brock's Secret

Title:   MRS. BROCK'S SECRET

Author: Erica Sloane

Review Rating:  4 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Author: Erica Sloane
Publisher: Erica Sloane (Amazon Kindle)
Release Date: June 2011

Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Blurb:  

Marla Brock's daughters think Chris Collins is the hottest guy in the neighborhood. Marla's friends and their daughters think so too. But Marla is the only one who will get him. That is, if her conscience doesn't get in the way.

This 12,000+ word novelette contains adult situations and is intended for adults 18 and older.

Review:

The title says it all. Letting you know that this isn't going to be a conventional romance story yet erotic just the same. A little warning: If you're expecting a conventional relationship with this book, then stop reading. Otherwise if you have an open mind and love taboo, this read is hot and is for you.

Enter the conflict. Marla is an older woman who is in a relationship with a man who doesn't recognize her as a sexual being anymore. She has become used to a staid life of the usual happenings of a married woman with teenage children. Chris is the young man who has always thought of Mrs. Brock as sexy but never made the move to do more than just think about her. What will happen when Cougar meets young stud? Will they give in to their desire or will they balk?

This little read was hot. It's my second book by this author and I find myself quite pleased. Now in saying this, I also have to say my conventional beliefs battled my newly forming taboo reading desires. Which is a good thing in my humble opinion. It makes you think along the lines of, "What would I do, in this situation?"

I wanted to put the book down because I was nervous and excited. Excited in a good and very naughty way. Nothing like a good cougar erotica (when the female is older than the male in the relationship) to get the blood going! Nervous because I knew where the liaison was leading and then once again I was excited because I knew where it was going.

Marla and Chris are very lovable characters, which I think is why this little scenario works for the reader. I recommend this hot, spicy little quickie if you're prepared to enter the realm of what is considered taboo.

Four stars given for its hotness, ability to keep me reading, being an overall exciting read.


Reviewed on: www.goodreads.com and http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3076

Textile Free

Title:  Textile Free

Author: Delilah Devlin

Review Rating:  5

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Smashwords (Free Read)

Release Date: August 2010
ISBN: 2940011097591

Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Blurb:  

A tourist enters a sauna and discovers what can happen in a "Textile Free" zone when a handsome German takes her in hand.

Review:

What can I say, other than this was one hot little read. Pun most definitely intended. Delilah Devlin is a master at weaving the kind of erotica we want to read. I was quite pleased with this short erotic read by Delilah Devlin. It was spicy, it was naughty and it was taboo. Meeting a complete stranger and having sex with him in public is something most women have dreamed about and our heroine does just that. The imagery in this short read is wonderful. One can actually picture the sauna and the two occupants within its very public confines and feel the lusts rising from their bodies. I loved it. If you're looking for love and a happily ever after you may not wish to partake of this little tidbit, but if you just want raging hot lust coupled with taboo, this book is for you. Through the eyes of Chelsea and Peter, the reader can see just what happens when a tourist meets a native and allows lust to lead. I give it five stars for its heat and sensuality, getting straight to the point and satisfying ending. Review also:

http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3073 and goodreads.com