#Audiobook #REVIEW: Lethal Obsession @ShandraMillerWR

Lethal Obsession (Lethal Obsession #1) by Shandra Miller kept me guessing until the very last word.

Angela Martin is chief detective for the Moose Creek, N.C., police department, when a possible murder call
comes in. At the scene she finds the body of a woman, hanging from hands bound overhead, eyes blindfolded, mouth gagged. Red whip marks crisscross the woman’s buttocks, the back of her legs. She recognizes the scene, knows exactly what happened to the woman before she died, because Det. Angela Martin was bound and blindfolded, gagged and whipped exactly as this woman had been. By a man she met on line.

A killer. A master whose power over her is so strong she’s willing to risk everything – her career, even her life – to be with him again.

LETHAL OBSESSION is a novel of desire and domination, suspicion and fear, and the mysterious way those emotions mingle into an inescapable pull, one that might cost Angela her life.

REVIEW: When I hit the play button on my iPod, I wasn't expecting the story I got. The author ramped up an erotic story by adding in the suspenseful, thriller component.  I went from all kinds of hot to having chills running down my spine. Seriously, I think listening to this story being told must be even better than reading it because the story really came to life. Even now that I've finished, I'm still not sure who did it. The author keeps readers guessing until the very end... and then throws you for a loop with the very last sentence. Well done. I'm not sure how to classify this but if you enjoy erotica, bdsm, romantic suspense, thrillers of any kind, I'd bet on you enjoying this. And I definitely recommend it on audiobook.

BUY HERE ON AUDIBLE

My one complaint is the cover which doesn't fully paint the dynamics of the story. It's so much more than the cover reveals. And then I saw book two's cover and felt bad for book one. The next book's cover is way cooler. So, don't be tempted to judge a book by its cover.

Story RATING: 4 Strawberries  |  Narrator RATING: 4 Strawberries
Overall RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
This audiobook was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

Spicing It Up

The Spice It Up series is just that – it’s Spicy. Hot – hot – hot. The characters are hot, the sex is hot, the chemistry is hot. And mixed in all this heat are sweet stories of couples falling in love. Author Jennifer Labelle just released the three stories together in a print anthology if you prefer to rock it old-style. And maybe you want to hold the deliciously indulgent cover in your hands! Or you can buy them on-line… her buy links were in yesterday’s guest post. Go back and check that out if you haven’t read it – the author brings along her characters to talk with us and they were lots of fun!



REVIEWS

Spice It Up is book one in the Spice It Up series. In this first book, Heidi’s roommate Nathan gives her the simple advice to “spice it up” but when push comes to shove, Nathan really just wants her to spice it up with him. They attempt keeping it casual but feelings get in the way – there’s some bumps in there – and they discover what they have is anything but casual. The heat builds when readers learn Nathan is bi-sexual. Heidi, an open-minded woman who I couldn’t help but admire, invites their neighbor to join them. Though it doesn’t work out exactly how she intended, Heidi did open the door for the beginning of something great.

Definitely a lot – and I mean, a lot – of sex with the story being just the icing. I’d recommend to anyone who loves erotica and to those wanting a sweet romance. Spice It Up is a unique blending of the two – with this level of heat, you don’t often get that blend of sweet love.
RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Finding His Something Spicy is book two in the Spice It Up series. It sticks with the same characters but adds a fourth – and I do mean adds the fourth! You’ll need your oven mitts again for this one because it is hot-hot-hot. The sex abounds from the very first scene.

With Heidi and Nathan now married, their neighbor Rafe needs more than their arrangement is giving him – he wants his own something spicy. And who better than Heidi’s BFF Zoey? She has an open-mind and is able to embrace the lifestyle Rafe lives with Heidi and Nathan. With a bird’s eye view into just how well Zoey fits in, this book provides every combination of sex a reader could crave. If this isn’t an indulgent lifestyle, I don’t know what is!

There’s no angst, no dilemma, no struggle – but Finding His Something Spicy is again a sweet love story with a whole lotta steamy hot sex. Most striking is that the author has been able to make it all seem so natural, as if a foursome happens every day but this book would most appeal to the more adventurous readers who enjoy erotica.
RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Lyrics & Lust is the third book in the Spice It Up series. It’s the best yet. With the introduction of two new characters but a link back to those from the previous books, the book feels familiar but brings in some new flavors.

Nathan’s cousin, Meagan moves in with the foursome after going through a tough breakup. She feels like the fifth wheel until she makes a few new friends at her new job that just happens to be the bar the foursome often hang out. When Meagan meets the sexy Lyric Cooper who owns the club and sings in the band, she is head over heels. They play it slow for a while until an attack pushes them together and they realize they both want the same thing – to be each other’s something spicy.

Still hot –can Jennifer Labelle not write hot??- this books adds an element of suspense which served to capture my attention. Though I wished that storyline was played up a bit more because there seemed to be lost potential, the love story was genuine and sweet. And having all the characters together felt a bit like a homecoming.
RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

These books were given to us by the author. Many thanks to Jennifer Labelle, Secret Cravings Publishing.

CONTEST ALERT!
MAKE A COMMENT to be entered to WIN one of Jennifer's books. IT'S SO SIMPLE - so why not just do it? Heidi would! ;)

Now and Forever: A Series Review

A Series Review of Now and Forever by Jean Joachim

It is said somewhere that an author does not simply tell you it is raining but rather allows you to feel the rain. This very feeling –as if I am in the midst of the story- is what’s missing for me in the Now and Forever series. Admittedly, the books get better as the series progresses but they read as more a narrative than I would prefer.

The overall story is powerful, the concepts of love lost and found and webs woven throughout lives is provocative. But where was all the emotion from the character’s point of view? I couldn’t hear their voices and this is what I craved most of all. The author told me about the character's emotions but I couldn't feel them.

The threads of mystery in each book held my interest and propelled me along. Each book building upon characters we had glimpses of in books past urged me to read the next. But then each book left me wishing it had been more. I wanted to feel more, not just know more.

RATING: 3 Chocolate-Dipped StrawberriesThis book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair review. Many thanks to Jean Joachim.

A Love Story (Now and Forever, #1)
Passion...
"I've been itching to get at you all evening. Ever since you walked out looking like that, I wanted to jump your bones right here in the living room. Watching those letches drool over you all night didn't make it any easier. They can drool all they want, I'm the one who is going to make love to you tonight," he said taking her in his arms, while her dress slipped to the floor.
Meets peril...
Callie put her hand in her pocket and turned to walk out of the diner.
"Not so fast. Turn around!"
Callie heard a click. She turned to see a rifle cocked and aimed at her chest.

Callie’s Story (Now & Forever, #1.5)
Callie Richards led the life of a typical teenager until tragedy turned her world upside down. Rootless and lonely, she wanders into the path of Kyle Maine, a handsome young man who befriends her. Their attraction is immediate and grows as they spend day after day coping with hardship together. Their friendship grows into love that thrives over the years until Kyle makes an unexpected choice in this emotional and sensuous prequel to Now and Forever 1, a Love Story.

The Book of Danny (Now and Forever, #2)
Danny Maine, leaves the Army after becoming an expert sharp shooter, killer and womanizer. He gets a job teaching English at Kensington State University where he strives to have a normal life.
There, he meets Eliza Baines, a beautiful widow, and is smitten immediately. Danny struggles to overcome post-traumatic stress syndrome and make a new life when his drunken and abusive father is released from prison and seeks him out. Struggling to leave his horrific past behind, Danny attempts to forge a new path that includes love, success, friends and having his own family but dark forces and emotional obstacles block his way. The Book of Danny is a poignant story of love, loss and ultimate triumph that will touch your heart.

Blind Love (Now and Forever, #3)
Can a handsome, charming, womanizing professor win the heart of a blind ballerina? Love comes to the university as Peter Caldwell, dashing Art History professor and accomplished pianist meets Lara Stewart, ballerina. Peter can’t seduce with her with his devastating good looks because Lara can’t see. Obsessed with the one woman he can’t have, Peter has to learn how to love.
Sam Caldwell joins Peter, Mac, Callie and his grandchildren. Witty and attractive, Sam isn’t looking for a woman but finds love isn’t only for the young but the young at heart as well.

BUY LINK

Save The Ta-Ta's

Continuing with our Entangled Reviews:

Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock
What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

What a delightful light read about ghost – not grilled meat preferences. This particular short story begins with a bit of tension when local ghosts begin to act up a bit because they are actually being threatened by one particular bully. The storyline pulls the reader in rather quickly based on the underlying question: how can you threaten a being that cannot actually die? Nancy does a nice job of quickly building the main character Colleen to one the reader enjoys identifying with; and of course there is a bit of romantic tension thrown in with Brick. From there you are left wishing the story was a bit longer. Medium Rare has enough to develop and grow in to a full 300+ page book; so please write more Nancy.

Liz

Bone Crossed

Bone Crossed, Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson is at it again. She’s managed to tick off the head of the local Vampire Seeth and quite a few other new and existing characters that ‘live’ in this story line. This particular tale winds through yet another adventure that is full of unique turns and ‘never saw it coming’ twists – including a vampire that runs an entire city with no help…he kills the help. Stefan, Mercy’s only vampire friend, plays a more integral role in this particular story; and I just love his dry sense of humor. The author continues to tease us with Adam and Mercy’s relationship and what might, should and could happen…while never giving enough to leave the reader fully satiated. It borders on cruel and unusual punishment, but the book is so well written that I just keep going back for more. As always, the outcome has some measure of predictability – but not fully so. It’s a must read in this series of 6 books. Five chocolate covered strawberries.

Review by Liz

Blood Bound

Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs,January 2007
Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.
But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

I’ve just started reading this series and am very much enjoying myself. Mercy, a Walker and the last of her kind, has the ability to shift into a coyote when she’s not working as a mechanic on the infamous VW lines of cars. Having been raised by werewolves, and more importantly the lead wolf of all packs, she is very familiar with the politics of this hierarchy; yet choose to instigate trouble and frustration when the opportunity presents itself. Mercy is easy to like for her spunky energy, her view on the world and her commitment to people she cares about. I love her sarcasm and need for independence! Stephan, the lone acceptable vampire, enters the scene in this story and brings Mercy into his world by calling in the favor she owes him. However, once called, Mercy finds herself elbow-deep in another world with rules in a system of judgment that just make the reader shiver. Patricia Briggs brings about a balance of action, chaos and laughter that truly make this book (and the others I’ve read) an enjoyable series. Can’t wait to read the rest! 5 Chocolate covered strawberries
Review by Liz

Pale Demon

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison was released in February 2011. This might have been her best book yet. I absolutely love Rachel Morgan as the heroine of this series. She is feisty and funny…and addicted to coffee just like me! What I wouldn’t give to try that raspberry latte she refers to that comes from the depths of the underworld. Her nemesis, Al is true to his usual form of a character – one you love to hate. However, Kim leads the reader to ponder the idea that there might be something more to Al and Rachel’s relationship as her story moves along. It does make you wonder…except that Kim also threw in that yummy diversion and now – Rachel needs to grow up and get involved in a real relationship instead of running from them. Readers beware, this book is filled with Kim’s usual sarcasm and wit, a little lust and then some unexpected sorrow. Definitely a worthy read. 5 chocolate covered strawberries for sure. Review by Liz

Lover Unleashed

I believe I read Lover Unleashed in record time (for me). I’d forgotten just how much I love the way J. R. Ward writes. The humor and sarcasm in this book is true to form and a perfect underlying tone to what could be too sappy if not imbedded throughout. The book starts off a bit slow with a tremendous amount of background. Maybe I’m just too impatient with what was to come? Let’s get on with the show – really. However, I love the way not only Payne’s story unfolds, but another Brother’s story finally reaches some form of closure. The real kicker is the teaser spun throughout Payne’s tale that hopefully is leading to the next book. If not…I’m gonna die! Payne and Mannie lead the reader through a series of twists and turns that leave you sleepless ; mostly because you’re still reading at 2a! And the third female with big brown eyes….wow. What an ending. 5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries – only because we don’t give 6! Review by Liz

Out of Her League

WELCOME to our Romantic Suspense-ful Week with Kaylea Cross! Each day this week, one of us will review each of the books in Cross's great romantic suspense series that follows Luke Hutchinson as he pursues a terrorist. Readers meet his family and each of the men (and the women they fall in love with) throughout the series. We recommend reading the books in order so, for today, we bring you BOOK ONE:


Out of Her League by Kaylea Cross
Kaylea builds her main character Christa in a believable manner that allows for the reader to stay with the storyline from the first page. Christa is a strong, independent woman has goals beyond her desperate need to one day get married and have a family. (Amen Sister!)

The author has taken a real threat that many women either have heard and commiserated around or just plain out-right experienced and brings it out in this book. I found myself clenching my fists and squirming at times given the level of fear that was invoked by Christa’s story. Rayne…my oh my…a man with military background and a delicious physique (as described by Christa). Whew. What’s not to like about that? He has the role of hero and plays it well. With a sordid past filled with a long line of women, no one - not even Christa, believes he has the ability to figure out what he wants and stick with it.

As the reader, you better get ready for sleepless nights because it is very difficult to put this book down and focus on anything else! 5 chocolate covered strawberries.
Review by Liz

CONTEST ALERT!

Kaylea Cross is giving away  FREE BOOKS to some of our lucky followers. To enter, follow us and make a comment to any post throughout the week. Kaylea will be here to "talk" with anyone who comments so feel free to ask questions or give your thoughts on the books. WINNERS will be drawn and notified once the week is complete.

LOVE THIS BOOK!!

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. I loved this book. Darynda has a wicked sense of humor – filled with sarcasm to-boot! I found I couldn’t wait to start a new chapter just to see the little tag line at the beginning that was taken from a t-shirt, bumper sticker, etc. The main character, Charley is a female Grim Reaper and has been since birth. Her life was pretty bumpy as she learned to accept her role in the world and lost many a friend because of it. Reyes is the antithesis of Charley and yet follows her relentlessly. He is mysterious to the very end. The humor in this book pushes the reader forward in an unsuspecting way towards a number of “who knew” twists and turns in the plot. Darynda has a nice way of combining action, depth of plot and character with her wicked sense of humor. This is a must read as I am anxiously awaiting her next book. Hurry up Darynda – please! 5 chocolate strawberries.

Review by Liz

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Darynda's book!!

The Reckoning

Just finished The Reckoning by James Byron Huggins. The plot was filled with (in my mind) a fabulously, sexy and somewhat dark & tortured hero. His past was filled with a large number of bodies from his time in the military, most recently in Black Light - a secret division that was extremely covert and used for nefarious reasons. The underlying goal of the leader of the Black Light division was seeking power; the ultimate power generated via evil. This book is filled with intrigue, love, excellent fighting scenes, a connection to Christianity along with a strong military theme. The story generally moved at a fairly good pace, but did get bogged down with a bit too many details. The writer also allowed the main character, Gage (what a strong name!), to talk to himself in his head…that really slowed the pace of action and got a bit tedious at times. Overall it was a well-written story. What's not to like about a sexy military guy that saves the girl? 3.5 chocolate covered strawberries

Review by Liz Frey

HAPPY HUNKY DAYS: Day 8....and CRAZED HEARTS

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS....MY BOOK CLUB GAVE TO ME....SOME MORE YUMMY EYE CANDY!!!! (now give me that present!)






It was my task to read Crazed Hearts by Shiloh Walker for this week. I was a bit resistive because I am 1.5 books away from completing a series of books where I have a significant love-hate relationship with the main character. So with a scowl, I began my task on Sunday morning. I even warned the group that I couldn't possibly be expected to finish by my designated date, and could I please switch out to blog on a later date perhaps? (Some might think I'm a bit of princess right now.) But I started reading so that at least I could sleep without a guilty conscience.

Shiloh has the ability to drop the reader right in the middle of action and you don't ever feel lost or wanting for more information to truly understand the moment. Since I didn't read the back cover... I never saw some of the twists and turns that this particular storyline took me through. What a refreshing and action-packed story.

I liked the main character, Aileas, and found her to be full of backbone and common sense. I couldn't help but like the hunky male lead character, Ren, although he was a bit morose for even me. The over-seer of all Grimms, Will, seems to have a story that I would love to read one day. There are implied adventures and memories that leave his character heavy-hearted and yet full of grace. It does make one curious.

Overall, Shiloh has a style that I can really appreciate with just the right amount of information and background to capture the imagination and the spirit of the reader so that you are left thinking….when does the next book come out? I'll be hunting that down next for sure; but first I need to read 1.5 books before Christmas!

I give Shiloh Walker's Crazed Hearts 5 choc strawberries for sure !

HAPPY HUNKY-DAYS, DAY 1... Not Dazzled By Jeweled

Twelve Hunks Of Christmas... on the first day of Christmas my book club gave to me, one tasty piece of eye candeeeeee...

This week, we are featuring writing by Anya Bast. A few of us met her at the 2010 RAW Conference in Huntington, West Virginia this past September and were eager to read the first book in her newest series!

Jeweled

Defined by magic. Ruled by desire

In the Court of Edaeii, magic-imbued Evangeline is rewarded for her gift in manipulating emotion with a sapphire stone set into the perfect curve of her lower back. Her greatest rival in the royal court is the enigmatic Anatol, instilled with the power of illusion. He may best her in magic, but he is her absolute equal in passion.

They share something else-they're both targets of low-born revolutionaries. Rescued by Gregorio, the brilliant revolutionary mastermind, they're given sanctuary. But in this warm refuge, Evangeline soon finds herself torn between the magic of one man she has always desired, and the excitingly new and radical moves of another. For her, there is only one choice: indulge in pleasure without limits.

Jeweled was written to tantalize the reader with an awakening heroine, two strappingly handsome yet vastly different good guys and a seriously warped bad guy. While these characters have the traits that could either draw the reader in or repel the reader, I found it most difficult to identify with the heroine. I am usually looking for a way identify with characters through either humor, sarcasm or an overall kick-tail kind of mentality. I could find none of these traits in Evangeline - our awakening heroine.

Anya does a lovely job of setting the stage and tone of the story, while taking a wee bit more time than necessary in the beginning to set the scene. Moving along, it felt as if the story rushed through areas where I would have liked more detail and plot, and idled too long in areas that really didn't enhance the plot and felt more like a commercial that I wanted to fast forward through.

Keeping in mind that, by nature, I enjoy a longer read than this book, I will always be disappointed in the stories that are less than 300+ pages. There just isn't enough time to build the characters and interweave a thoroughly tantalizing plot in less pages is shown in this book. My understanding is that Anya has written other books that fill the parameters as such, so I will be sure to check those out. I haven’t given up on her writing – just wasn’t a fan of this particular book.

I give Jeweled just 2 chocolate-dipped strawberries. -Liz

I'm On The Green Team

Green Team by Richard Marcinko & John Weisman is not the typical storyline to be reviewed by us.  However, I thought I'd take a moment to step outside of our more typical books and bring in something tangentially related (Rated NC21 for violence & language by me). 

One of the authors, Richard Marcinko, is a former U.S. Navy Seal in real life and has a talent for writing and capturing the reader's spirit as an American and a patriot.  The main character, Dick, is not a pretty man (as witnessed on the cover of the book) but undoubtedly there is not another male on earth that has more testosterone the him.  He is truly the Rogue Warrior.  The Green Team (along with the other books he has co-authored) take you through battles that are off-the-books, unorthodox and ultimately right the wrongs inflicted upon American military men.  The writing itself is saturated with so much sarcasm and cynicism that you can't help but laugh, pause to breath and be filled with American pride before it is all over. 

While Dick lives and plays by his own rules, he is kind enough to outline them for the reader before getting started - lest you be confused by his approach.  The Ten Commandments of SPECWAR include:  * I am the War Lord and the wrathful God of Combat and I will always lead you from the front, not the rear.  *Thou hast not to like it - thou hast just to do it. *Thou shalt, in thy Warrior's Mind and Soul, always remember my ultimate and final Commandment:  There Are No Rules - Though Shalt Win at All Cost.  [to list just a few]  I always thought these rules might come in handy to live by in our business environment as well. 

Please note that there is no sex nor are there sexy characters to follow through this story.  However, there is enough violence, foul language and cynicism to touch your masculine side; even if that is not your dominant side.  In the end, Dick wins every time….so see, you get your "happily ever after" as well.

Reviewed by Liz... with a 5 chocolate dipped strawberry RATING.

Praying For More

Pray, by Christine Bell, gets off to an energetic start.  Christine is able to grab the reader in the first paragraph of her book and hold your interest until the very end. 

There are a number of characters involved in the plot that add to complexity and interest of this story; including the bad guy that is left unchecked and actually supported by his pack leader.  The main characters are believable and the way their worlds collide in the very beginning makes sense to the reader. As is expected in this genre of preternatural writing, there is the expected bout of sexual tension and activity, intertwined with the appropriate amount of violence.  It is such a nice escape from our predictable lives. 

I will say that this is written without as much depth and detail as I would like.  The reader is left hungry for more information about the history of the story line and more than a little curious of action implied throughout the story.  Christine could have spent some time developing many of the characters more, both in greater description of action and more about the historical story, that would then have left a greater curiosity of ‘what happens next’?  This would have also led the reader to wonder about other books that tell the story of each of the secondary characters.  I wonder if she is writing more about the location and all that comes to play there, and less about the characters that touch this location and the surrounding towns? 

While I enjoyed Christine’s style and believe the plot has a lot of potential, I was left wanting a lot more at the end.  It felt like I had just read a teaser for her book instead of the whole book.  Write on Christine!!!  I’m patiently waiting for more…

I give Pray 3 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Reviewed by: Liz Frey