REVIEW: My Lady's Pleasure by Alice Gaines

ISBN 978-1-60310-469-2

Series: Three Kinds of Wicked anthology

Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical Romance, Menage a Trois

(c) May 2010, Red Sage Publishing

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook).

"Hot, sweet and very romantic. Perfect love story to curl up with on a rainy day."

When Viking invaders overran Castle Randmead, Lady Josalyn had no choice but to surrender, not if she wanted to save what remained of her people. She didn't want to be attracted to the Viking leader Ulric, but he affected her in ways she thought only her ideal English prince would. To secure the holdings and the people's approval, Ulric sought to marry Josalyn, but he knew from the moment he set eyes on her, he's also attracted to her and wanted her in his bed.

But Josalyn was shy, a virgin and from her actions, showed that she wasn't particularly predisposed toward Ulric. Hence, when a traveling bard Trey offered his services with potions that would help Ulric win his bride in exchange for the pleasure of joining their marriage bed, Ulric couldn't refuse...

This story is part of the Three Kinds of Wicked anthology, where Trey, as part of his punishment, had to travel through time uniting lovers before he could be reunited with his own love, Sage. Though we see things from Trey's point of view only at the end, that part was written so well that I really feel for him, the hope that must sustain him in order to have the energy to go on making love matches for other people while his own love languished elsewhere. And though he gets to particpate in menages with the couples in all the stories in the anthology, I feel he is not happy and that he'd rather be with his love. (Yay! I just received the conclusion of this anthology, which is Trey's story in my inbox! Thanks to Red Sage for the review copy, and of course, to Carole who forwarded it to me.)

Josalyn is a true lady of the castle and we can see this in her relationship with her people and the way they looked up to her. No wonder Ulric sought to win her, but being a straightforward Viking, he didn't know how to woo her with romance. Yet, I feel she's a good match for Ulric, because when Trey tried to court her with romantic gestures, her reactions were very pragmatic, very like Ulric. Though she may think she wants romance, what she really wants is Ulric himself.

For all his brash ways, Ulric is rather sweet, especially when he displays his uncertainty with regards to his wife. He's also the perfect husband in that he sought to give his wife whatever she wants, to make her happy. So, when he thought she wants romance, he gave her Trey and his courtly ways. Now, who wouldn't want a hero like that? Two men to give you all the attention you need. Yum. The climactic scene toward the end was rather heartwrenching at the start for him, but it left him in no doubt who his wife really wants.

Alice Gaines writes a hot yet sweet historical romance about two people who fell in love and were right for each other, but needed to take a detour that would open their eyes to what they really want.

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook).

Note: This review copy is provided courtesy of the publisher.

REVIEW: Another Dream, Another Reality by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-60737-533-3

Series: sequel to Another Night, Another Dream

Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage a Trois

(c) February 2010, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

"A must-read sequel!"

Some months have passed since the events in the stairwell. Cassie, Aiden and Leopold have set up house together. Well, at least Aiden and Leopold have, because Cassie has so far resisted moving into Aiden's home. Moreover, she's not fully into the relationship as the men are, and she's afraid that her officemates and landlady would know of her unique situation and judge her. There's also the matter of her job at the law firm. Aiden, meanwhile, is having problems of his own concentrating on his schoolwork, as he tries to divide time between homework and his lovers.

This sequel to Another Night, Another Dream looks into the problems the characters face as they try to make their menage a trois work. I think too few of the menages out there touch on this realistic situation, such as how would a person deal with being in a menage while living in a predominantly couple-oriented society? Especially a person like Cassie, whose work rely on her having a traditional image. I guess, the real question here is: Would the love she feels for Aiden and Leopold be able to enable her to overcome her reservations and make her ready and willing to take the plunge? How would love and being in a menage a trois affect and change each one of them?

I really enjoyed Mechele Armstrong's take on this situation, and I feel the resolution of the questions is realistic and achievable. Though it only merited a one-line mention, I especially like the way they help Aiden with his homework. This would have been a very delicious scene, I think. I originally thought that since Cassie worked in a law firm and Aiden is taking up law, the eventual solution would be for them to open a company together, but no, Ms. Armstrong surprised me in this. It's great to see the characters changing and evolving and growing in this story, but this in no way detracted from the hot chemistry among them. If anything, it's gotten even hotter and their passion simply sizzles off the pages, especially with that light bondage scene.

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

REVIEW: Playing For Real by Madison Blake

ISBN 9781419918544
Genre: Erotic Romance, GLBT, Menage a trois

(c) November 2008, Elllora's Cave

Madison Blake's website

Buy Link (ebook): Jasmine Jade

"Scorching hot, unbelievable sexual tension!"

Shelli Madison enjoyed her deep and close friendships with Adrian Greene and Ethan Hunter, and she couldn't be happier when the two men fell in love with each other. However, one night at her company's dinner opened her eyes and heart to new feelings about her best friends. But Shelli was torn by her lust for them, as she didn't want to lose their friendships. Until the night the men forced her hand and engaged her in a delicious game that Shelli couldn't, and had no wish to, resist.

Ms Madison keeps me in tenterhooks all throughout the book! She creates these believable characters and places them in angst-and-sexual-tension filled situations that has me with my eyes glued to my laptop as I scrolled down to read as fast as I could (after I ran to the freezer for some ice cubes, of course). Adrian and Ethan are amazingly hot and hunky, and the way they try to seduce Shelli... Whew! I wish I were in her shoes. Ms Madison also imaginatively creates an erotic version of the game Chutes and Ladders (or Snakes and Ladders) and I know I'll never look at that game the same way ever again.

If there's a sequel, I'm getting it. In fact, I'm looking forward to reading Ms. Madison's other books.

Rating: 4.5 stars

 

Buy Link (ebook): Jasmine Jade

REVIEW: The Man by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-60737-486-2

Series: Settler's Mine, Book 5

(c) December 2009, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id

"Sexy and sizzling hot, full of emotions and angst"

Years ago, Colton left Michipi on Settler's Mine for reasons of his own, despite the fact that she was his mate. Now, with another mate (Larkin) in tow, he's come back to claim her. Having her heart broken when he left, Michipi didn't dare believe Colton's promises again and it seemed her worst fears came true when, in giving her and Larkin time to bond, they couldn't find Colton anywhere afterwards...

Mechele Armstrong writes sizzling hot intimate scenes with the emotional development to back it up. Though Michipi felt betrayed by Colton's leaving years ago, deep within her, she still loved him and longed for her mate. Thus, his re-appearance rendered her with conflicting emotions, especially when she realized he'd found another mate on his travels. I like that though she was eventually convinced with his good intentions when he left her before (I won't reveal why so you can enjoy the story), she was understandably hurt and doubtful when he disappeared once again. Michipi, as a heroine, is strong yet flawed, and her deficiency is one which we can all empathize with as love brings with it the heights of ecstasy and the lows of uncertainty and doubt.

Overall, the story is enjoyable, with its mix of romance and action. I haven't read books 1 to 4 of this series and this in no way detracted from my enjoyment. That said, I would've loved to know more about Larkin. He is refreshingly simple about love and how a mate should behave and I think, naive, because some things cannot be so easily forgiven and forgotten.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id

* Note: The review copy was supplied by the author.

SNEAK PEEK: The Man by Mechele Armstrong

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REVIEW: Another Night, Another Dream by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-59632-990-4

(c) August 2009, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise,

"A hot, sumptuous read!"

Cassie was expecting to spend a fabulous birthday with her girlfriend, but a bitchy comment sent her fleeing to the back staircase, forgetting that it's usually locked after office hours. However, the gorgeous stripper Aden and his bodyguard Leo followed her and got locked in as well. When Cassie's claustrophobic tendencies caused her to start panicking, the men had to devise ways to distract her...

Mechele Armstrong is a whiz at creating sexual tension. Love, love, love the truth or dare game they played, and the tension there was so thick you could cut it with a knife. After the incredible tension, the actual act itself was something of a let down.

Another thing I like is that the characters have depth, that each has his/her own fears and insecurities, and that in opening up to the others, instead of being ridiculed, they find strength and acceptance and the first step toward healing.

However, I would've liked the story better should Cassie's change of heart be portrayed. As it is, although we're told why Cassie had a 180 degree turn, I believe the impact would be greater were we shown the process that Cassie had undergone. Still, Mechele Armstrong is a master storyteller and I'll be seeking out her other books.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise,