Fictional Candy: romance

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Review: Tempt by Cambria Hebert

Title: Tempt
Series: Take It Off #3
Author: Cambria Hebert
Published: October 2013, self-published
Format: ebook provided for review

Stranded and alone with not one, but two wickedly enticing men.

Ava arrives at the airport, expecting to board a commercial flight to Puerto Rico. But a plane ticket isn’t waiting for her. Instead, she finds a guy with dark curly hair wearing seriously ratty jeans and holding a sign with her name on it.

He may not look like a pilot, but he is. And he’s her ride.

So now it’s just Nash and her on a tiny tin can of a plane flying over the Atlantic. When a thunderstorm comes out of nowhere, it proves to be too much for the little aircraft.

Ava and Nash plunge from the sky and end up on an uncharted deserted island.

Stranded.

As if that isn’t bad enough, Ava starts to desire more than just rescue—hunger for more than food. Nash is only too happy to oblige… but it seems they might not be as alone as they thought.

And Nash might have some competition in claiming Ava’s body… and her heart.

You know what I love? I love when you open a book to an author you’ve never read before. That split second moment before you’ve read a word and you wonder what’s in store for you – only to find out pages later that you have really been missing out! That was my experience reading Tempt by Cambria Hebert.

In Tempt we meet Ava. Ava’s grandmother has just died, and she’s heart broken. But she is also the only one in her family who isn’t otherwise occupied with work or school, so it is up to her to fly to Puerto Rico to scatter grandma’s ashes. Minus the death in the family, it’s not an all in all bad deal. And like the blurb says, instead of getting on a commercial flight, she finds that she is taking a chartered plane flown by… well, by the sexiest pilot she’s ever seen. Nash.

And then the plane crashes.

What the hell?!?! Reading that whole scene where the plane goes down had my adrenalin rushing like nothing has in a long time! It was so scary and so real, I was seriously gripping my kindle tighter thinking, “No, Nash will pull the plane out of it for sure!” He didn’t.

When they come to they are on a deserted island. But Nash is capable of taking care of them, and they do alright for a few days. Then things start to happen. First, they meet another castaway, Duke. Right away I don’t like Duke, and I don’t trust him. And when Ava acts overly friendly to him, I dislike her some. See, Nash and Ava have this whole vibe thing going on. They are meshing real well and there are definite sparks and most definitely some white hot chemistry. And my very favorite thing – awe inspiring kisses.

He pulled back just a fraction of an inch, turned his head, and stared down at me. I could barely read his expression because of the way the sun shone around his body like a halo, making him look like he was in the shadows.

But I didn’t need to see his expression.

Because something was pressing against my stomach. Something hard and urgent. Something that I had to make an effort not to wiggle against.

His mouth claimed mine. He literally stole every feeling I was experiencing and replaced them with only him. His kiss was so utterly consuming, so all-encompassing, that I could do nothing but allow him to ravage my mouth, again and again.

Ava is a bit naïve and inexperienced, and usually this is something that bugs me. But Ava is in experienced in a way that’s endearing. Nash completely lights this fire in her, and in turn, me as the reader. He is caring, protective and sexy. Everything about him screams passion and love.

As an author, Cambria certainly has a way with words. There were many poetic and romantic passages. Not so many that it was overdone, but just the right amount to let you know that yes, this indeed was a beautiful romance. And beyond her beautiful way with words, the gorgeous way she described the island and the budding romance between Ava and Nash, there was some really exciting action on the island. I mean seriously – I had goosebumps during some scenes. I was very fearful of where the story might go!

So would I recommend this story? Most definitely. It’s getting a five star rating from me. The whole book kept me attached to my kindle from beginning to end. I loved every minute. The budding romance, the jealousy, the action, the drama, the fear – it was a heady combination and I am entirely on board to read the rest of this series. Lucky for me that the next book, Text, has already been released!

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Cambria is also having a Facebook release party for Text. Check that out HERE

Cambria Hebert is a latte sipping author of the Heven & Hell series, the Death Escorts series, and the Take It Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book.

Review: Tempt by Cambria Hebert

Title: Tempt
Series: Take It Off #3
Author: Cambria Hebert
Published: October 2013, self-published
Format: ebook provided for review

Stranded and alone with not one, but two wickedly enticing men.

Ava arrives at the airport, expecting to board a commercial flight to Puerto Rico. But a plane ticket isn’t waiting for her. Instead, she finds a guy with dark curly hair wearing seriously ratty jeans and holding a sign with her name on it.

He may not look like a pilot, but he is. And he’s her ride.

So now it’s just Nash and her on a tiny tin can of a plane flying over the Atlantic. When a thunderstorm comes out of nowhere, it proves to be too much for the little aircraft.

Ava and Nash plunge from the sky and end up on an uncharted deserted island.

Stranded.

As if that isn’t bad enough, Ava starts to desire more than just rescue—hunger for more than food. Nash is only too happy to oblige… but it seems they might not be as alone as they thought.

And Nash might have some competition in claiming Ava’s body… and her heart.

Review: Bad Kitty by Eliza Gayle

Title: Bad Kitty
Series: Southern Shifters #1
Author: Eliza Gayle
Published: Sept 10, Gypsy Ink Books
Format: NetGalley

If you think you've lost everything. Think again.

Kitty lost her father, her home and her clan. Clinging to what's left of her pride, she's forced into the neutral zone, the supposed safe haven for half-breeds and outcasts. An attack forces her to the wrong side of the treaty line and into an even more dangerous situation. Determined to greet death with the last of her dignity, she is suddenly rescued by a tall, gorgeous...wolf???

As the next alpha leader of his pack, Rafe Comyn has more than enough to handle with pack politics and precarious treaties. The last thing he needs is a pissed off feline landing in his lap, especially when her scent triggers his overwhelming drive to mate. While the daughter of a former rival is quite a conquest, she's both forbidden and dangerous.

But as the heat of desire threatens to consume them, their differences escalate and Rafe must keep his own pack from killing the one woman he can't live without.

Here Kitty Kitty.... Sorry, couldn't resist.

Bad Kitty by Eliza Gayle, it's not a bad read. Kitty is a cougar shifter, which is very awesome in and of itself. The story starts with her arriving in the neutral zone. You get bits and pieces of why, but not really as much information as I would like. It kind of felt like Bad Kitty should either have a prequel novella, or possibly even be book two in the series. It seems Kitty also almost had a relationship with a cougar named Kane that I felt could have been explored more. At this point, it felt like it was added just for the heck of it.

She'd learned a hard lesson that begging a man for his love and affection was what weak women did and she refused to be that woman anymore. When it came to her currently non-existent or future love life, she had no more tricks up her sleeves or any devious plans to get what she wanted.

So like I said, Kitty is banned to the neutral zone (for reasons I will not spoil), between cougar territory and wolf territory. When she gets to her new home, she quickly realizes she is not alone. A quick and action packed series of events forces her to run, and unknowingly run into wolf territory. That bit of action I did find to be very exciting and drama packed. But again, I would have liked to meet these other people before this scene happened, just so it didn't feel so out of the blue.

While in the new territory Kitty meets Rafe. This was played out in an intriguing way, but it also really drew your attention to Rafe. I felt like right off the bat he could be trusted, and I knew Kitty would be safe with him. Initially while Kitty is with Rafe very little happens. You discover exactly what Rafe thinks of Kitty, and then that evolves. The evolution of their relationship is quite quick and very interesting. But hey, they are shifters, and things tend to happen quickly for them.

I found the main characters to both be very pleasing, but my favorite was Kitty. This alone was awesome for me, because I usually love the man more. But in this book I found Kitty to be this bad-ass cougar who is just coming into her own. She's a wildcat in more ways than one, and I loved watching her self-awakening.

For a few long seconds he stared at her as if he saw straight through her. The vulnerability that look created threatened to overwhelm her. She wanted to blink or look away, but found it impossible to break eye contact. For a moment she forgot about the pain, the differences of their species and the fact she needed to get away. She focused only on the foreign sensation of being mesmerized. Her head and body betrayed her with a sharp longing for more of the man sitting in front of her who'd awakened something inside her with a simple touch to her cheek.

There is certainly a lot of drama, especially since wolves and cougars aren't normally friendly. There were a few action scenes, which I love. It really lent itself to the "wild animal" feel. However, there were several aspects which I just felt were out of place (like the previous almost-relationship of Kitty's, for instance). There were also some issues I would have liked to see a better explanation of- like some of the pack dynamics within Rafe's pack.

All in all, I enjoyed Bad Kitty. To be honest, I was expecting something a little different, and some parts of the book were a bit predictable, but it was still an enjoyable story. If you enjoy books like the Preternaturals series by Zoe Winters, or really any shifter romance, I think you will enjoy this book. As for me, I'll check out the rest of the series when it's released, but it probably won't be at the top of my list.

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Review - Vampire Awakening

Review: Bad Kitty by Eliza Gayle

Title: Bad Kitty
Series: Southern Shifters #1
Author: Eliza Gayle
Published: Sept 10, Gypsy Ink Books
Format: NetGalley

If you think you've lost everything. Think again.

Kitty lost her father, her home and her clan. Clinging to what's left of her pride, she's forced into the neutral zone, the supposed safe haven for half-breeds and outcasts. An attack forces her to the wrong side of the treaty line and into an even more dangerous situation. Determined to greet death with the last of her dignity, she is suddenly rescued by a tall, gorgeous...wolf???

As the next alpha leader of his pack, Rafe Comyn has more than enough to handle with pack politics and precarious treaties. The last thing he needs is a pissed off feline landing in his lap, especially when her scent triggers his overwhelming drive to mate. While the daughter of a former rival is quite a conquest, she's both forbidden and dangerous.

But as the heat of desire threatens to consume them, their differences escalate and Rafe must keep his own pack from killing the one woman he can't live without.

Here Kitty Kitty.... Sorry, couldn't resist.

Review: FrankenDom by Robin L Rotham

Title: FrankenDom
Series: No
Author: Robin L Rotham
Published: April 2013, Samhain Publishing
Format: Amazon Lend

A brilliant woman, a couple of mad scientists, and an erotic experiment with shocking results…

Vascular surgeon Dr. Rachel McBride knows she’d be insane to pass up the chance to work on Julian Kilmartin’s cutting-edge research project. The reclusive neurologist has been the object of her submissive daydreams since residency, and time and distance have only strengthened the dark compulsion.

To complicate matters, a former lover who was all too aware of her attraction to Julian is also on the team. Charmingly obnoxious Dr. Colin Carter was Julian’s protégé back in the day, and nothing appears to have changed…or has it? There’s an earnestness to Colin now, an urgency she’s never before seen in him.

When she accepts the offer and travels to Eastern Europe, Rachel discovers that research is only part of her job description—and her total submission is only the beginning of the sexual excesses Julian and Colin will demand from her.

This book has been previously published.

Warning: You should assume any Robin L. Rotham book contains BDSM elements, anal play, and every possible ménage à trois permutation. Additionally, FrankenDom contains mad scientists, real dungeons, whips, chains, spanking, a variety of taboo fantasies, mild puppy play, electrical devices in uncomfortable places, humor, and an intimidating ratio of sadists to masochists.

First, let me say that the author includes a note to readers at the beginning of this book regarding safe BDSM play. I really want to applaud that. I love that she is taking responsibility for her writing and encouraging readers to do actual research, because not everything is like our favorite books.

I was surrounded by perverts, sadists and control freaks, and I loved it.

Speaking of favorite books, that is where Frankendom is. This book made my fucking favorites list with a hard smack. Do I recommend this book to readers? Hell yes I do. Whenever I read a new-to-me author, I’m a bit cautious. It could go either way. I could love them or I could hate them, or they could just underwhelm me overall. But Robin L Rotham has knocked my socks back and stole the breath from my lungs with this book.

The characters are fantastic. Rachel McBride is our heroine, and she is an awesome vascular surgeon. You get a little bit of back history with her, and you see how she knows Colin Carter and Julian Kilmartin. Rachel dated Colin for a bit, and he showed her a bit of the BDSM lifestyle. As it turns out, she is a natural, and conventional ways of loving it up just don’t do it for her. But being a sub does. All I can say is “You freaking go, girl!” I love that she recognized this in herself and encouraged it. But things end badly with her and Colin and he disappears – for five fucking years!!! Ooooh my god, I can’t even tell you how pissed that would make me. I’m not sure I would be able to look at Colin without being in a bad mood, but when Rachel does, and you get all the reasons why you can’t blame her. And Colin is there to offer her a job with him and Julian in Europe. Yep, my bags would be packed.

Colin and Julian were fabulous. Hell, all of the characters in this book are amazing. But the three main characters were nothing short of terrific. They were multi-dimensional and very compelling. Even at their worst, I found myself caring for them.

“God dammit, Rachel, yes, really! You’re mine!” he roared.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” I shouted back at him.

He took a deep breath and then said in an eerily calm tone, “You will after we’re done here today.”

You know, I read a lot of BDSM titles. I love the sex. When these people get it on and let their inhibitions loose, it’s a very erotic thing to witness. But when a lot of people who don’t read BDSM erotica probably don’t understand is that the level of emotion is usually amped up to a thousand. To trust someone, to call them Sir or Master, to even put your life in their hands at times is not something taken lightly. There is no exception in this book. There are scenes in Frankendom that will rip your heart in two, and sew it back together. I’m serious, the emotions are on high in this book and I can’t tell you how much it pleased me to the very end.

But hey, this is a BDSM erotica book, so that means there is sex, too, right? HELL YES. The sex in Frankendom is electrifying. There are some new things I had heard about, but never read about, but they were done well and with class. It was all a turn on. There are some things in here I am definitely putting on my bucket list, that’s for damn sure. There are multiple Doms, multiple subs, male on male, male on female, two males on female… flogging, caning, anal play, and oh so damn much more. I borrowed this book through Amazon lending, but you can be damn sure I am buying it.

The BDSM aspect is not the only thing going on here. You also have the whole reason they are in Europe to begin with, and that is amazing in itself. I almost dare say some readers will have more issue with that than the extremely creative and intimate sexual activity.

So yes. This book is going on my favorites list. It will be recommended and talked about for a while. So if you know me, I hope I don’t talk your ear off. Do yourself a favor and read the book, and let’s talk about it together!

(oh, and the cover – FUCKING HOT!!! )

Find Robin L Rotham Online

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Review: FrankenDom by Robin L Rotham

Title: FrankenDom
Series: No
Author: Robin L Rotham
Published: April 2013, Samhain Publishing
Format: Amazon Lend

A brilliant woman, a couple of mad scientists, and an erotic experiment with shocking results…

Vascular surgeon Dr. Rachel McBride knows she’d be insane to pass up the chance to work on Julian Kilmartin’s cutting-edge research project. The reclusive neurologist has been the object of her submissive daydreams since residency, and time and distance have only strengthened the dark compulsion.

To complicate matters, a former lover who was all too aware of her attraction to Julian is also on the team. Charmingly obnoxious Dr. Colin Carter was Julian’s protégé back in the day, and nothing appears to have changed…or has it? There’s an earnestness to Colin now, an urgency she’s never before seen in him.

When she accepts the offer and travels to Eastern Europe, Rachel discovers that research is only part of her job description—and her total submission is only the beginning of the sexual excesses Julian and Colin will demand from her.

This book has been previously published.

Warning: You should assume any Robin L. Rotham book contains BDSM elements, anal play, and every possible ménage à trois permutation. Additionally, FrankenDom contains mad scientists, real dungeons, whips, chains, spanking, a variety of taboo fantasies, mild puppy play, electrical devices in uncomfortable places, humor, and an intimidating ratio of sadists to masochists.

I was surrounded by perverts, sadists and control freaks, and I loved it.

Review & Giveway: 3:AM Kisses by Addison Moore

Title: 3:AM Kisses
Series: 3: AM Kisses #1
Author: Addison Moore
Published: September 17, 2013
Format: Ebook provided for review

Baya Brighton is looking forward to her first year at Whitney Briggs University, new friends, dorm life, and finally being close to her brother again. Love is the last thing on the list, but when Baya meets her brother’s roommate she begins to have thoughts and feelings that make even her blush.

Bryson Edwards has a secret he prefers buried in the past and long forgotten. He prefers loose girls, fast cars, and long nights working at the string of bars his family owns. When his roommate’s sister shows up on the scene, she’s far too innocent and sweet for him but he can’t shake Baya out of his mind and worse, it looks like she’s seeping into his heart as well.

Baya seems determined to show her brother she’s not a little kid and equally determined to use Bryson’s body to prove her point. It’s been made pretty clear that Baya is off limits to Bryson but their undeniable sparks explode into a whole lot more than just a few 3:AM KISSES

Addison Moore has made me a fan with 3:AM Kisses. If you haven’t read her, I highly suggest you give this book a try. It was funny, sexy, sweet, romantic, and even had a touch or two of scary! Right away, like as soon as the prologue, I like Addison Moore’s voice. Through the book her style of writing is very comfortable and playful. I can’t even count how many times I smiled or actually laughed out loud.

Baya is a freshman at Whitney Briggs college. First thing when she arrives on campus, she is exposed to Bryson Edwards. I really loved Baya. This girl was freaking hilarious. Love glove, kitty, penis pocket (a favorite of mine!), squeeze box, ditch, Furby, and yes, even vagina. These are just some of the names Baya calls hers (and others’) lady bits. See, when she gets to good ol college, it’s like there is sex everywhere. Her roommate, her brother, her new friends. Everyone is having sex. It definitely lent itself to some really funny situations and terrific one liners. And beyond that, Baya proved herself to be a loveable character. She’s trying to show her brother, Cole, that she isn’t a child. And when she meets Bryson, well, it’s not long before she is falling for him.

And better yet, Bryson is falling for her, too. Oh lord, I loved this guy. Bryson has some secret through most of the book, and it has been tearing him apart for years. There are a couple people at school who have known Bryson forever, but no one is telling Baya. But it doesn’t matter, because Bryson is giving his heart to Baya, and I love how open and honest he is about that with her. He doesn’t play games or string her along, or play a game of hot potato with his heart. He wants her. He cares for her. He tells her. There were some points during his point of view that I felt got a little repetitive when he is thinking about his love for Baya. All of the “forever…” talk began to be a little bit of overkill. Sweet overkill, but hey, he’s a young man in love.

The rest of the characters in this book triggered the gambit of responses from me. There is Cole, Baya’s brother. I liked him, but man, Cole needed to take a chill pill. His over protective behavior got to be a bit much at times, but it was nice to see it come from a place of love rather than something negative. Baya’s new friends Laney and Roxy were seriously awesome. I think everyone should have a Laney and Roxy in their lives. Aubree is a she-bitch wolf, and I didn’t like her conniving ass at all. And there were some other characters that were all very vivid, even though they played minor parts.

The storyline was pretty good. It wasn’t very dramatic for the most part, and that was a nice change for me. It was nice to just be along for the ride and fall in love. For most of the story, worrying about Cole is the biggest problem. Other things do come up, but really, for the majority of the story it was just a nice lighthearted read.

“Oh, yeah, “ he groans. “You’re so wet.”

“That’s because we were in the hot tub, “ I whisper through a smile.

A dull laugh pumps from him. “And here I thought you were ready for me.”

Read for him. Right. Crap. I’m such a moron. Who the hell did I think I was sleeping with Bryson without at least brushing up on my sexual terminology? I’m beyond ridiculous to think I was just going to casually pick things up as we went along. I should have logged hours watching porn instead of reading Yates for Lit. It’s like I’ve got no fucking priorities. I should have read the Karma Sutra – shoved in Cole’s face when he asked what I was reading. How do you like my book boyfriend now, bitch?

Let’s talk about some heat? Kisses, oh my goodness, the kisses. Bryson and Baya could definitely tear it up when it comes to the kisses. I’m a sucker for a good kiss, and this book did not let me down at all. And when it came time for the sexy naked time, I definitely was not let down there either. There were some seriously sexy scenes in this book.

So do I recommend this book? Yep, I sure do. It was fun and funny. It was sexy. 3:AM Kisses was just really enjoyable!

(Baya’s Point of View, with Bryson.)

“Okay!” I scream through my laughter. “You win.” I fall back on the boulder and he rolls on top of me, refining his torment technique.

“Say uncle.”

“Uncle!”

“Say Bryson’s the best.” He slows his movements while I try to catch my breath.

“Bryson’s the best.” It gurgles from my throat with laughter. “You’re great, and I’m not.” My hands tracks down low on his waist and he catches me by the wrists.

“I think you’re pretty great, Baya,” he whispers just over my lips. Our eyes lock with a magnetic pull. I place my hand over the back of his neck and rise to meet his lips.

Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18171526-3?ac=1

Addison Moore's website:

http://addisonmoorewrites.blogspot.com/

Addison Moore on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Moore/140192649382294

Addison Moore on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AddisonMoore

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Review & Giveway: 3:AM Kisses by Addison Moore

Title: 3:AM Kisses
Series: 3: AM Kisses #1
Author: Addison Moore
Published: September 17, 2013
Format: Ebook provided for review

Baya Brighton is looking forward to her first year at Whitney Briggs University, new friends, dorm life, and finally being close to her brother again. Love is the last thing on the list, but when Baya meets her brother’s roommate she begins to have thoughts and feelings that make even her blush.

Bryson Edwards has a secret he prefers buried in the past and long forgotten. He prefers loose girls, fast cars, and long nights working at the string of bars his family owns. When his roommate’s sister shows up on the scene, she’s far too innocent and sweet for him but he can’t shake Baya out of his mind and worse, it looks like she’s seeping into his heart as well.

Baya seems determined to show her brother she’s not a little kid and equally determined to use Bryson’s body to prove her point. It’s been made pretty clear that Baya is off limits to Bryson but their undeniable sparks explode into a whole lot more than just a few 3:AM KISSES

Review: Take Me by Diane Alberts

Title: Take Me
Series: Take A Chance, #4
Author: Diane Alberts
Published: August 26, 2013 - Entangled Ever After
Format: Ebook received for review

Married in the morning…

Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?

Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind?

Ok, I think this is the last book in the Take A Chance series, and it totally rocked! It went out with a bang, and if you’ve read any of this series you MUST read this one. The epilogue alone was freaking fantastic, and then you get the story of Mike and Morgan. This couple is something else, I tell ya! Now I’ve read three out of four of these books, somehow I skipped book two. Either way, I don’t think you’d be terribly lost to read these as a standalone, but I think they absolutely rock as a series in order.

Review: Price of a Kiss by Linda Kage

Title: Price of a Kiss
Series: No
Author: Linda Kage
Published: August 2013
Format: Ebook received for review

I don’t care what my cousin says; I am not the queen of impossible relationships. I mean, just because my last boyfriend tried to kill me and left a bit of a scar on my neck, then forced me to move across the country and legally change my name to Reese Randall to escape him, does not mean—

Oh, who am I kidding? For a freshman in college, I have to have the worst dating track record ever.

It’s no wonder love is the last thing on my mind when Mason Lowe enters my life. But the chemistry between us is like bam! Our connection defies logic. And he’s just so freaking hot. Being around him makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. I even like bickering with him. He could be my soul mate...except for one teeny tiny glitch.

He's a gigolo.

Boy, do I know how to pick them.

If you are a fan of New Adult, I suggest you read Price Of A Kiss by Linda Kage. There were so many facets to the story of Reese and Mason, I couldn’t put the book down. In fact, one night, I think I got 3 hours of sleep before work because I kept playing the “Just one more chapter…” game with myself.

Let’s start with the characters. This book is told completely from Reese’s point of view, but it totally worked. It kept me guessing just as much as it did Reese – especially when it came to trying to pin down how Mason actually felt about her. Reese is a very interesting college student, I didn’t love her the whole way through. Near the beginning she displayed some behavior that was horrible. I was disgusted with her. Luckily, she was able to redeem herself. In fact, she rose up and above and by the end I was loving her. Reese is an energetic and lively character, and she has a healthy dose of snark. The girl has a lot on her plate, what with looking over her shoulder constantly to see if her ex is there, and then now she’s got Mason in her life. Everything she is going through could easily put a girl on a rollercoaster of emotions, but Reese handles it all reasonably well. The girl speaks without thinking, often putting others on edge – and even me, sometimes.

Linda Kage does something that I really love – she lets the characters become friends before romance. They got to know each other, and I got to know them. So as their feelings grew into more, so did mine. Sure, there was attraction, but they felt like the circumstances were bigger, and Reese and Mason tried to be just friends. And hey, it worked for a little while. And when it came time for more to happen, Linda let it happen. She didn’t drag it out and make everyone want to scream. I was impressed.

“I love everything I see.” His eyes glazed with instability as he frantically clutched the sheets under him. I was worried I might’ve pushed him a little too far. A little dirty teasing was fine; driving a man to hormonal homicide was not.

His brow glistened as if he has a fever. “But if I touch you right now, that’s it. I won’t be able to stop. I wanted to make sure you have all your playtime in before I get started.”

Mason. OMG, ladies, get ready to meet your next book boyfriend! He’s a college student, too. And he works hard to help his single mom and his handicapped sister. Mason has a heart the size of an elephant, and he’s quite handy with the snark, too. His only downfall is his sideline job – he’s a gigolo. A what? Do people even say that word anymore? The use of the word gigolo felt a bit dated to me, but then, I don’t actually know any – so maybe it is still a current word. Back to Mason! When he sees Reese he kind of gets the “stank face” thing going on, which kind of made me giggle. It appeared as if he really didn’t care for her very much at all, and I couldn’t wait to find out why!

The story – the story was fantastic. So Reese has moved to Florida to escape the radar of her psycho ex. She is staying with her family in a sweet set up – a private apartment above the garage. Her cousin, Eva, is not really my favorite person. She is a bit arrogant and even mean, but she does have a softer side on the rare occasion she shows it. So anyway, Reese has enrolled in college and she needs to make some more money. She gets a babysitting job watching a young girl named Sarah. Sarah was fun and she really brought a little something extra to the story.

Linda Kage’s writing is fantastic. Everything flowed well, and I felt like Reese was relaying the story to me over a bear claw and latte as I sat there with rapt attention. The characters were fantastic. Mason was an A+ the whole way through, while Reese had some faults – but they made her more real. And hey, there was some heat in this story! I mean, when he is a gigolo and they are so attracted to each other, you’d expect some, right? Well, let me tell you, Mason can kiss me anytime he wants.

This story was much more emotional than I ever expected it to be. Yes, there were tears shed, I admit it. Some of the things that happen are just so damn heartbreaking, I couldn’t help myself. But the whole book is not a sob-fest, so don’t get me wrong there. There is a lot of fun in there. And drama, oh boy, there is some drama. And when Reese and Mason come together, well, its nothing short of spectacular. So yep, this book is on my favorites list. It might even be on my “I must buy a print copy just so I have it” list.

Also! Come by on Monday when I feature Price of a Kiss in the Quote-Tastic meme!

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Review: Price of a Kiss by Linda Kage

Title: Price of a Kiss
Series: No
Author: Linda Kage
Published: August 2013
Format: Ebook received for review

I don’t care what my cousin says; I am not the queen of impossible relationships. I mean, just because my last boyfriend tried to kill me and left a bit of a scar on my neck, then forced me to move across the country and legally change my name to Reese Randall to escape him, does not mean—

Oh, who am I kidding? For a freshman in college, I have to have the worst dating track record ever.

It’s no wonder love is the last thing on my mind when Mason Lowe enters my life. But the chemistry between us is like bam! Our connection defies logic. And he’s just so freaking hot. Being around him makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. I even like bickering with him. He could be my soul mate...except for one teeny tiny glitch.

He's a gigolo.

Boy, do I know how to pick them.

Review: No Romance Required - Cari Quinn

Title: No Romance Required
Series: Love Required, #3
Author: Cari Quinn
Published: August 2013, Entangled Brazen
Format; ebook received for review

Faking it never felt so good…

Cory Santangelo is used to getting his way, both in the boardroom and the bedroom. Lately he hasn’t had much opportunity to do anything but work, but one unexpectedly sexy night in a gazebo with Victoria, his gorgeous and feisty interior designer, changes all that—especially when they’re caught on camera. Suddenly Cory’s sterling reputation is no longer above reproach. Since his impromptu encounter coincides nicely with his need for a girlfriend to get his well-meaning, meddling parents off his back, he decides to ask his lifelong frenemy for a favor.

To pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. No strings attached.

The only problem? Vicky Townsend wants those strings tied all around her. She’s battled a long-suppressed crush on Cory, and their combative work relationship has only fanned the flames. When he suggests his needs are more than she can handle, she’s ready to up the ante. And her bargaining chip is lots of delicious, inventive sex.

Until they discover nothing feels as good as making it real…

Last year I read No Flowers Required, and I loved it. Dillon and Alexa were fabulous. However – in No Flowers Required Dillon’s brother, Cory, was a bit of an asshole through most of the book and I got very mad at him. I think I harbored some of those negative feelings toward him, even a year later, going into this book. So Cory Santangelo had a bit of a hard road to travel with me. Did he get to the other side? That’s a tough question.

While not my favorite, I did enjoy this book. The characters were interesting and they felt real. I would have liked to see a little bit more build up between Vicky and Cory. I understand their relationship how it was before they entered the “fake relationship” and I love the concept. For me personally, it jumped a little too fast into the fake part without showing the love/hate they had previously.

She offered him her throat, holding on while he took full advantage. There would be marks from his teeth, hislips, and she’d happily resign herself to turtleneck sweaters for eternity if only he’d just keep going.

“This.” He yanked on her belt, his mouth almost vicious in its blazing sweep down the column of her neck. “I want you in this. Around your wrists. At my mercy.”

But then we get to the nookie. That was scandalously hot!! As it turns out, Cory is Dominant and into a bit of the kinkier side of things. The things he accomplishes in this book while in a “fake” relationship will make an ice cube turn to boil. This is fantastic –but Vicky, on the other hand, is a bit on the softer side of things. She’s got the image of town bad girl, but everything Cory wants to do is new to her. I had a bit of issue connecting to that aspect, but I still liked her as a woman.

I like Cari Quinn’s writing. She writes with a smooth flow and easily brings me into the story. Every time I got a chance to pick the book back up, I was able to jump right back in and feel like I was there. I ended up warming up to Cory, and felt content by the end of the story. If you are like me, and like the fake relationship plotline, I think you will enjoy this. It’s definitely heated and sexy, and the characters are likeable.

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Review: No Romance Required - Cari Quinn

Title: No Romance Required
Series: Love Required, #3
Author: Cari Quinn
Published: August 2013, Entangled Brazen
Format; ebook received for review

Faking it never felt so good…

Cory Santangelo is used to getting his way, both in the boardroom and the bedroom. Lately he hasn’t had much opportunity to do anything but work, but one unexpectedly sexy night in a gazebo with Victoria, his gorgeous and feisty interior designer, changes all that—especially when they’re caught on camera. Suddenly Cory’s sterling reputation is no longer above reproach. Since his impromptu encounter coincides nicely with his need for a girlfriend to get his well-meaning, meddling parents off his back, he decides to ask his lifelong frenemy for a favor.

To pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. No strings attached.

The only problem? Vicky Townsend wants those strings tied all around her. She’s battled a long-suppressed crush on Cory, and their combative work relationship has only fanned the flames. When he suggests his needs are more than she can handle, she’s ready to up the ante. And her bargaining chip is lots of delicious, inventive sex.

Until they discover nothing feels as good as making it real…

Review: Play Me by Diane Alberts

Title: Play Me
Series: Take A Chance, #3
Author: Diane Alberts
Published: July 29, 2013, Entangled Publishing
Format; Ebook provided for review (Thank you, Entangled!)

Even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job.

Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

Play Me is the story of Kiersten and Garrett. I really fell for this story the whole way through. The writing was terrific and grabbed me right from the start. The storyline was smooth and quick moving. Everything was perfect.

Review: Marked by Jennifer James

Title: Marked
Series: Howl, #1
Author: Jennifer James
Published: May 2013, Unbuttoned Press
Format: ebook provided for review

Five years ago she ran. . .

Kayla is back where she belongs: in Jack’s arms. But after the initial explosion of pent up longing and need have passed, she has to convince him to complete the bond between them.

Ingrained fears sent her running, but the need for her mate and the love she’s denied has brought her back. To be Marked will join their souls together forever, a bond Kayla can no longer live without.

An Alpha wolf, Jack waited for Kayla to return to him and protected her from afar. When he senses her outside his home, he isn’t beyond setting a trap meant to entice her back.

Once he has her, he has to show her it isn’t just her heart he needs.

He needs her trust and with it, her submission.

If you’ve spent any amount of time talking to me, I’ve probably recommended a Jennifer James book to you. I love her. She gives me the giddies and she’s done it again with Marked.

Review: Just Good Friends by SL Siwik

Title: Just Good Friends
Series: Yep! Two more books scheduled
Author: SL Siwik
Published: March 2013, Createspace
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: Yes, Bewitching Book Tours

Juggling two jobs and mounting bills, Audrey decides she doesn't have time for a boyfriend, but contemplates a friends plus situation. After placing a personal ad, she meets Mike, a local cop,former Marine. He's old fashioned and overbearing, but she just can't walk away. Unfortunately for her, Michael is an expert marksman, and her heart never stood a chance. Their tumultous love affair crashes to an ending neither foresaw, and Audrey is forced to make a decision that will change both their lives forever.

Ok this book? Completely awesome. It made me smile and laugh. I mean laugh right out loud! Right from the beginning I knew this story had something special in it, and I ended up devouring it within a day.

First we have Audrey, who is a waitress in her mid twenties at a diner. Actually, she works two jobs, and barely has any free time at all. She does have a little dog named Baron, who is quite the charming little guy, especially around new people! Audrey's sex life has taken on a bit of a dry spell, and Audrey decides a personals ad online is the way to go. It's not long before she's got a ton of responses.

One in particular is from a guy who wants to set her up with his friend. And then that guy shows up at her diner the next day - and its actually on accident, not a stalker thing! I thought this was hilarious, and it just had me giggling. Little did I know what would be coming up soon!

Very soon this brings Mike, a cop, into the picture. You can tell the guy is a bunch of nerves, and the nervousness is rolling off of him. And well, he acts like an ass. A big ol giant ass lol. As for the man himself, he turns out to be this extremely attentive, caring, kind man, if a bit socially awkward. Nearly the perfect man, I'd say. But calling their first meeting a disaster would be a compliment!

The rest of the story includes some funny situations, like one involving a sex toy store. Or entirely sweet scenes, like one during the fireworks. All in all, you get a nice steady slow build on something between Audrey and Mike that is amazing and wonderful. And the sexy naked time - oh holy man on fire! These two certainly have the chemistry when it comes to being alone together in the dark!

I loved every page of this story. It was fresh and fun, and the characters were a perfect match together. If you are a romance fan, I think you should definitely add this one to your list - you won't be sorry! SL Siwik is definitely an author to keep an eye on!

Amazon Smashwords

About the Author:

S.L. Siwik lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

She loves going to NJ diners on the weekend for inspiration, drinks a pot of coffee a day, and loves finding new music to add to her list.

Just Good Friends is her debut book.

https://twitter.com/SLSiwik

http://slsiwik.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SL-Siwik/342191975888498

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17458186-just-good-friends

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Just Good Friends

by S.L. Siwik

Giveaway ends June 29, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Review: Just Good Friends by SL Siwik

Title: Just Good Friends
Series: Yep! Two more books scheduled
Author: SL Siwik
Published: March 2013, Createspace
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: Yes, Bewitching Book Tours

Juggling two jobs and mounting bills, Audrey decides she doesn't have time for a boyfriend, but contemplates a friends plus situation. After placing a personal ad, she meets Mike, a local cop,former Marine. He's old fashioned and overbearing, but she just can't walk away. Unfortunately for her, Michael is an expert marksman, and her heart never stood a chance. Their tumultous love affair crashes to an ending neither foresaw, and Audrey is forced to make a decision that will change both their lives forever.

Amazon Smashwords

About the Author:

S.L. Siwik lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

She loves going to NJ diners on the weekend for inspiration, drinks a pot of coffee a day, and loves finding new music to add to her list.

Just Good Friends is her debut book.

https://twitter.com/SLSiwik

http://slsiwik.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SL-Siwik/342191975888498

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17458186-just-good-friends

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Just Good Friends

by S.L. Siwik

Giveaway ends June 29, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Reviews/Giveaway: On The Edge Series by Kallysten

I thought I was a fan of Kallysten's before. I mean, I've read a couple of her books, I've spoken with her, I've stalked her on all the social media sites. But now, after reading these two books, I can honestly say I am a hardcore fan. So please, take a moment, read my reviews and see why. I can not wait to read the rest of this series, I'm practically frothing at the mouth to find out what happens next with this group of people! I'd love to hear if you've read these books, or any other books from Kallysten. What did you think of them? I'm putting two reviews on this one post, which is a bit different for me. But the books are tied together anyway, and it will help you to not have to click all over the place. And thank you so much, for coming by! I appreciate it :)

*Liz

Title: On The Edge
Series: On The Edge, #1
Author: Kallysten
Published: March, 2007
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: Yes, Beyond The Edge Book Tour

Brett Andrews thought he had it all.

His new club, On The Edge, catering to vampires and humans, is a smashing success, and the beautiful vampire Lisa is everything he could have dreamed of.

When an old lover of hers, Leo, shows up at the club, Brett's immediate fear is that he will lose Lisa. But if he just stops thinking long enough to follow Lisa's lead, he might gain a lover instead of losing one.

Ok, so this book is relatively short, coming in around 9200 words, under 40 pages. Right off the bat it starts with a sexy shower scene - my favorite! I don't know what it is, but the water, the steam, the whole thing just sets me off. Here we meet Brett and Lisa, human and vampire, respectively. And as it turns out, they are in a relationship, eleven months so far.

I felt like they were really great together. They had a playfulness, and you could still see they cared for each other beyond that flirtation. They respected each other for what they were, and so when Lisa went to the club downstairs to feed, Brett (and I) thought nothing of it.

But here I'm going to break off from the characters for a minute to talk about On The Edge, the club. This place is very much a character in the story, itself. It's vampire and human friendly, a place for them to meet and mingle, and sometimes even more. Drink blood, or "dirty wine", or anything else a mere mortal might enjoy. It's a place with alcoves and overhead walkways, loud music, and great ambiance.

In the club, Lisa runs into an old friend - Leo. Right away their familiarity puts me on edge a bit. Um, hello, what about Brett?? So when Lisa brings both of them back to the home that Brett and Lisa share, I can definitely understand - and agree with - Brett's apprehension.

But that Lisa, she's a smarty. And there comes a point in this story when I got very angry with her, I felt betrayed for Brett, and in a very bad way. I called Lisa some very bad names. But like I said, she's smart. Don't underestimate that girl, and don't think her heart is in the wrong place.

And Leo? He turned out to be one of my favorites of the five I met through these two books. I absolutely adore this man, and his lack of inhibitions. He's tall, dark, and handsome. Sexy and mysterious. Dangerous. All of the above, and all things vampire.

This story was m-m-f and m-f-m. And it was so wonderful and beautiful, and unbearably hot. I definitely recommend it, and I definitely recommend reading it first, before moving on any more in the On The Edge series.

Title: Out Of The Box
Series: On The Edge #16.5, (Out Of The Box, Complete Series)
Author: Kallysten
Published: 2007, Alinar Publishing
Format: EBook provided for review
Tour: Yes, Beyond The Edge Book Tour

When she walked into the club, all Virginia wanted was satisfy her curiosity about vampires - and about being bitten. But when Anando reached out to her and asked her what games she wanted to play, he opened the Pandora box and Virginia found answers to questions she had never thought to ask.

Whew. This story... whew. This story is about Virginia. And Anando. And Virginia and Anando. And at first, I felt like it wasn't going to get very deep into them. I was oh-so-very wrong. Tears coming down my face wrong. Heated and excited wrong. All kinds of wrong!!

Virginia is a woman who goes through a metamorphosis through this book. Shy and a bit naive about the lifestyle, to well, what you find by the end of the book. I don't know if it wasn't mentioned, or if I missed it, but I picture her as a bit older; she speaks of the younger girls at the club, whom she believes have more to offer than she does. Turns out she is wrong. Anyhow, this story for the most part is like her diary. She is talking to us, the readers. I really loved that aspect. I felt like it kept me on my toes.

And then Virginia meets Anando, a vampire. A sexy and dark vampire. Let me emphasize SEXY a bit more. This man has got it going on! He is suave and mysterious. And it isn't long before Virginia is going home with him, caution to the wind, as it were. I can't say I blame her. And what they do at his home, over and over... well, let's just say if you are looking for some sensual scenes, you will have to look no further at all!

Much of the first part of the book is their sexual exploration of each other. And ohhhhhh-my-gawd, it was fantastic. You feel like you are just reading about their sex life at first, but it isn't long before you realize how much you are actually learning about the two of them from their experiences with each other. Their connection is strong, sweet, and deep. The eroticism between Virginia, sweet Virginia, and Anando is breathtaking.

"Before the sound had even died on my lips, he was thrusting again, just as hard, just as deep, sending sparks through my body and leaving my mind blank. I closed my eyes, and the entirety of my world became sensations."

I really enjoyed these two together, and it wasn't long before I felt emotionally invested in them. They had a few bumps in the road in the beginning. Some unsaid sentiments brought things silently crashing at one point. But they can't stay away from each other, they're like magnets. And then they do something I hate for people who are obviously falling for each other do: they put boundaries on their emotions, and anything that would lead to emotions. I don't know about you, but I've done this in my real life, and I can speak from experience that it never ends well. This is what I immediately thought, when this all happened with Anando and Virginia. But then, I think he was just letting her adjust to the fact of emotions. It's not like time is an issue for him, and by this point he had already proven himself to be very patient and caring.

Their relationship was a rollercoaster. There were extreme and sensual highs. And when the low came - and my subsequent tears - I wanted to stop reading (but not really, its a figure of speech, people!) I was worried Kallysten was going to break my heart the way Anando's and Virginia's hearts were being broken. It was a rough ride for me, to see these two - especially Virginia - hurting so much.

*sigh*

Of course, I can't give spoilers. But it doesn't take much to figure out that they find their way. Especially when you read the excerpt I have below, because they are in it. But let me tell you, there was a point where I was so mad at Kallysten for making me care for these two so much, before I even realized I had, and then to do what she did... It's a road worth taking, though. It will leave you exhausted and contented, and when I read a book, that is exactly what I want.

Oh! And Leo finds his way into this story, in several ways, several times! I've found myself excitedly awaiting his next appearance. Leo is definitely on my radar. He seems like such a wonderful man, I am eagerly waiting to read more of him. But not just him; I am eagerly waiting for more of all of them.

Ok, so those are my reviews. I hope that maybe they spur you on to read this series. Check out this excerpt from Beyond The Edge, and then make sure you enter the giveaway! Thanks for coming by, everyone!

The familiar neon sign, lighting the night in alternating red and blue, had always brought a smile to Anando’s lips. He liked On The Edge. He always had. He’d seen a lot of bars in his years, a lot of places for vampires and humans to meet and mingle, but On The Edge stood far above the rest. No doubt it was the result of the owner being so close to vampires himself.

Before he met Virginia, the club had been his favorite place to let go to the sound of pounding music. His favorite place to find new prey, too.

These days, he didn’t come as often as he used to, but the place was filled with memories of him and Virginia. All he needed to do was cross the street, pass the glass doors, and he was already hard.

Usually, Virginia didn’t need much more than that either before the sweet and heady scent of her lust started to rise, wrapping around her like the delicate petals of a barely-open flower until Anando couldn’t keep his hands and mouth off her any longer. This night, though, her light eyes remained clouded even after they’d stepped down the crisscrossing staircases to the dance floor on the lower level.

He’d thought that coming here would cheer her up after that phone call, but clearly he’d been wrong. Sliding his arms around her, he drew her close to him and slow-danced with her, even though the pounding beat was more suited to bouncing the way the rest of the patrons did. The crowd was always younger and more exuberant on Saturdays.

“We’re going to get trampled,” she said with a weak little laugh right into his ear.

Anando drew her closer still. He’d never let anything happen to her.

“The music will change soon enough,” he replied. “And you looked like you needed a hug.”

Her arms tightened around his neck, and she pressed her face to the crook of his shoulder. Her sigh was warm against his cool skin.

Damn. He shouldn’t have reminded her that she wasn’t feeling great. Or at least, not so soon. They’d have to talk about it, sooner or later, but first she needed to relax a little. Picking her up, he twirled her around, drawing a surprised giggle from her lips. He could barely hear it over the music, but it still wrapped around him, warm and soft.

For the next few minutes, they continued to rock to their own beat in the middle of the dance floor, sometimes jostled by over-enthusiastic dancers. At last, the DJ switched to slower songs, and their dancing matched the rest of the crowd’s.

Slipping a finger under Virginia’s chin, Anando tilted her face up. He looked into her eyes and gave her his softest smile, wishing he could take away her worries. She smiled back and leaned in closer, pressing her mouth to his.

As often as they kissed, he doubted he’d ever tire of how soft her lips were, how gentle her touch was at first, as tentative as when they had shared their very first kiss what seemed like an entire lifetime ago. He let her lead, knowing that this simple caress of lips on lips awakened the same fire in her as it did in him and that she wouldn’t be able to resist her own desire for long.

Indeed, after a beat or two, she pressed harder against his lips, her tongue sliding into his mouth as though she owned it—owned him. He threaded his fingers through her hair and angled her head to deepen the kiss a little more. She moaned into his mouth, a quiet vibration that spread through him as quickly as wildfire.

She wound her arms around his torso and pressed her breasts against his chest. Anando dropped both his hands to her ass and pulled it forward, trapping his cock between them. She moaned again when one of his hands sought the hem of her dress.

Her tongue stroked against his teeth until he extended his fangs the way she wanted. She pricked her tongue on the point of one, offering him the taste of her blood and stroking the flames of his desire even more.

Nothing mattered at that moment but her warmth against him, the intensity of their kiss, and how much Anando wanted her, needed her. The rest of the world did not exist as far as he was concerned.

Not until a hand tapped his shoulder while a woman’s voice said, very close and full of amusement, “You might want to cool it down before security decides you two are a fire hazard.”

Virginia pulled back as Anando opened his eyes. They both turned to Lisa, standing at their side, her eyes gleaming with mirth.

“Come on up,” she says. “Drinks are on me. There’s something I want to ask you.”

She winked before turning away and sashaying through the crowd, her hair bouncing on her shoulders. She didn’t look back to see if they were following.

Focusing on Virginia again, Anando caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Her skin seemed even paler than usual against his own coffee skin. She smiled a little absently.

“Do you want to talk to her?” he asked. “We don’t have to. We could just go home.”

He didn’t know what Lisa wanted to ask them, but his best guess was that it involved sex, and in the mood Virginia was in, it might not be the best time for a suggestion like that. They’d talked about joining Leo, Lisa, and Brett for another night of games, but it had been months, almost a year since the first time, and they had yet to do more than talk about it.

“A drink sounds good,” Virginia said nonetheless. “And it’d be rude if we didn’t go.” She took his hand and entwined their fingers together. “Lead the way?”

He leaned in to caress her mouth with his own, then opened a path through the dancers toward the staircase. Her fingers remained woven with his until they reached the first floor, and even then she only let go to allow him to draw a chair for her at Lisa’s table. He sat on Virginia’s right and took her hand again on the table. Across from him, Lisa offered a conspiratorial grin.

“I ordered for all of us, I hope you don’t mind. I want to be done before Brett sees us on those damn cameras and decides to come down.”

She was finishing when Leo approached the table, and Anando threw Virginia a look. She seemed as confused as he was. Why wouldn’t Lisa want Brett to join them?

Smiling, Leo said hello as he set a champagne flute in front of all three of them, then sat, a fourth one in hand.

“Champagne?” Virginia said. “What’s the occasion?”

Lisa peered over Anando’s shoulder—to the back of the room, he realized, where a private door led to the apartment upstairs. Was she really keeping an eye out for Brett?

“The occasion is Brett’s birthday,” she said. “In two weeks, on the sixth. We want to throw him a big party—”

“—but he’s already suspicious,” Leo continued her thought for her. “So we can’t organize it here.”

“And a restaurant or party hall feels a bit impersonal. So we were wondering if maybe you’d care to host the party for us. He’ll never suspect that.”

Lisa finished with a grin that made it all too clear how happy she was about that idea. She was looking at Anando, waiting for him to reply, but he tilted his head toward Virginia. “Ask the lady of the house. It’s up to her.”

Virginia’s fingers tightened over his. She looked thoughtful as her gaze drifted from the glass in front of her to Leo and finally Lisa.

“When you say ‘party,’” she said, “do you mean an actual party with guests or… the other kind of party?”

Even now, after all this time, all that had happened—after she’d been in the same bed as all three people sitting with her at that table—Virginia could still blush. It was rather adorable, and Anando couldn’t help leaning toward her and kissing her cheek. She flashed him an impish smile completely at odds with her blushing.

“We meant the regular kind of party,” Leo replied, flames lightening his eyes. “Twenty to thirty guests. We’d take care of the food and drinks, of course. But if you two are up for an after-party when the guests are gone…”

Virginia held Leo’s gaze until his voice trailed off, then she looked at Anando, her cheeks brighter still, but embarrassment wasn’t the only thing warming her.

“Like I told Lisa,” Anando said, trying to keep his tone neutral but unable to suppress a grin, “it’s up to you.”

She clucked her tongue. “That’s not how it works,” she reminded him. “You have a say in it, too.”

Anando shrugged. “You know I’m up for it.”

She snickered, as did Lisa.

“No pun intended,” he belatedly added.

It was nice to see a smile back on Virginia’s lips. It widened a little more when she asked Lisa, “Are we going for a specific theme or a plain old birthday party?”

The two of them figured out the details while Leo, emptying his glass in one long gulp, returned behind the bar. As Anando sipped his champagne, it occurred to him that Virginia hadn’t said whether she was agreeing to a simple party or an extended one. Somehow, he didn’t think any of them had the slightest doubt about it.

As Brett Andrews, owner of the famous club On The Edge, reaches the big ‘four-O,’ he has one request and one question for his two vampire lovers, Leo and Lisa: he doesn’t want them to organize any sort of celebration for him – but he does want to know why neither of them has ever mentioned the possibility of turning him into a vampire.

The question finds an answer, and the three of them share a promise for the year to come. His request, on the other hand, is doomed from the start as they already have plans for the big day: they have a gift for him to match presents he offered each of them, and the party they planned with help from a couple of friends promises to be something special.

Vampire Anando and his human lover Virginia met at On The Edge. They are friends and occasional lovers of Leo, Brett and Lisa. When asked, they gladly accept to host the big-bash birthday party – and the private after-party, too. A good time is had by all, but the last gift is only revealed a few weeks later, to be delivered after nine months.

With both humans in love with vampires, neither expected a child in their future. As for the vampires, they knew for a fact that they’d never become parents. For all five, once the first shock has passed, decisions have to be made. Will this new adventure strengthen bonds of love and friendship, or will it tear lives apart?