Reprise Review: Fireworks by Mardeene

 Genre: Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

“On the 4th of July, former basketball star Brandy Sue Barnes declares her own personal ‘Independence Day’ from her unreliable boyfriend she realizes will never show up for her when it matters. The blonde statuesque fifty-one-year old, disappointed for the last time, asks for a real man she can depend upon. He shows up in the most unexpected of places—a burning building. Not just any building—her burning building: the Barnes Pyrotechnic warehouse. In this explosive sizzler of a romance in an unexpected twist, it is the beautiful lady who ends up rescuing the fire captain from the fire.”

Author:

“Mardeene has worked in the publishing and film industries for over 32 years as a photojournalist, scriptwriter, nonfiction book author, literary manager and producer of events for writers in Northern California’s Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Atlanta, and Brazil.

She's launching her debut fiction with her collection of short erotic romances as a celebration of life after a near death experience and an affirmation of living and loving full out at any age! Read a free story on her website.”

Appraisal:

Brandy Sue Barnes may be fifty-one-years old, but she is smart, spunky, capable, and knows what she wants. She also knows that she is tired of her thoughtless boyfriend who was supposed to pick her up early to escort her to the Independence Day Fundraiser for her children’s cancer center. Claiming her own independence she decides to drive herself. On the way to the gala she notices a glow in the sky in the direction of her family’s warehouses for Barnes Pyrotechnics.

Taking a small detour to the offices and warehouses she finds one building totally demolished. As the firefighters are putting out the last of the fire on one of the five story structures a firefighter needs rescuing. During his rescue the fire chief falls through the roof. Since Brandy knows the building and is sure she knows a better way to get to the hunky injured chief. As soon as she is able to get past the line of distracted firefighters, and taking proper safety precautions, she heads off to rescue the sexy fire chief who has caught her eye.

The plot is well written and suspenseful. I found the characters well defined for a novelette. Mardeene uses a lot of sexy humor in this story that involves sparks and heat that will keep you reading. I would recommend this for a little afternoon delight any time of the year.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

While this is an erotic romance there are no overly graphic sex scenes and only two small F-bombs.

Original review posted January 30, 2017

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues with proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words

Review: The Curious Touch of Cupid’s Son: An Erotic Comedy Between Two Consenting Demigods by Dave Diotalevi

 

Genre: Erotic Romance/Humor/Fantasy/Mythology

Description:

“Karl Sparks knows everything about love except how to fall in it.

He also doesn't know who his mother is, doesn't know who his father is, doesn't know why he has an obsession to define love, and doesn't know why he can't get an erection--nope, never had one.

What he does know it that his touch--however slight or incidental--rockets any woman into the most intense and dizzying orgasm of her life, whenever and wherever it launches (a Midas-touch curse he would do anything to be rid of).

Happens 100% of the time--that is until he literally bumps into Aurora (Rory) Sky, who does know who her mother is (she thinks). Karl's touch has no effect on her, and to her surprise, the unnatural ability she's always owned of infallibly controlling men through her verbal commands fails to faze Karl.

Her presence does give Karl his first erection.

She, unable to trust any of the men she mystically dominates, and he who can't touch women--shouldn't these two misfits who only fit each other find romance? Fall in love? Get intimate? Become lovers?

They discover secrets about themselves and each other in a series of laughably lusty adventures to find the three pieces of The God Prism, a mythic relic capable of lifting their cursed abilities.

The unwitting lovers' passion deepens until it's ultimately tested by a selfless choice of sacrifice and devotion.”

Author:

“Dave Diotalevi was trained in nuclear physics and engineering, but has traded up to the fusion of words. He is a published nonfiction author and poet, and has also written feature articles for national magazines. In addition, he created a trademarked temporary tattoo language system that was licensed to a national marketing corporation.

For relaxation, Dave runs every day, and has an ongoing continuous streak of over thirty years. Dave said, ‘To keep a running streak like this going, you have to be both stubborn and lucky.’ Those who know him can tell you which outweighs the other. Dave lives in central Massachusetts…”

I found this info on his blogger page for his first novel, which is no longer on Kindle. Mr. Diotalevi has two Young Adult eBooks available, My Year AtoZ and Love Potion Homework. He also has a Facebook page.

Appraisal:

Karl Sparks is a thirty-something man who is writing a book about love. He was raised in a Catholic orphanage, has never had a girlfriend, or an erection. However, an accidental touch of any female sets her off into an uncontrollable orgasm. Which is why he wears long sleeves and surgical gloves. That is until he literally bumps into Aurora Sky when he is quickly exiting a crowded elevator trying to put distance between the puddle of a woman in the midst of an orgasm and himself. Bumping into Aurora (Rory) causes her to drop several files on the floor. When she orders Karl to pick them up for her. He doesn’t do as she mandates. Aurora is intrigued. All other men bend to her commands, but not Karl. Karl does however, get his first erection!

The Curious Touch of Cupid’s Son has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster. Several secondary characters are as well developed as the main characters. Lacy and Tommy, downstairs neighbors were an integral part of the story, they added dimension and humor to the tale. Rory’s boss is on a mission to locate the three pieces of the God Prism, an ancient artifact from Greek mythology. It’s evident that she is an unpleasant person, but gives no clue of the evil nemesis she really is. This is an engaging story I really enjoyed. There are several elements that are seamlessly woven together. The sex scenes are outshined by the storyline, thus becoming secondary. The parentage of Rory and Karl become intertwined with the God Prism and they are vital to reassembling the artifact. While there is a heartwarming scene toward the end, the ending is heart wrenching. In my mind I worked my heart around a more satisfying ending which could very well happen.     

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

“Intended for Mature (?) & Fun-loving Consenting Adults (18+).”

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of proofing misses.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Reprise Review: Cinders & Ash: A Cinderella Story by Rosetta Bloom

 

Genre: Erotic Romance/Fairy Tale

Description:

“Ella wants nothing more than to leave her wicked stepmother and spoiled stepsisters behind. Only, she needs money to get away. When Ella's stepmother, Lady Kenna, learns Ella has been secretly helping out the apothecary for a few pence, the evil woman gets her stepdaughter fired, and takes all of Ella's hard earned money.

Devastated and desperate, Ella decides to try the job a friend told her about: go to the castle to provide 'companionship' to a visiting noble.

Ash is a prince confined to a castle. The queen is convinced magic fairies are real and are out to do her son harm. That doesn't stop the young prince from having companionship delivered. When a beautiful maiden is brought to him one evening, he's completely intrigued. By her beauty, by her demeanor, by the fact that she'll only give her name as Cinders.

In this version of Cinderella retold, Cinders & Ash heat things up as they search for their happily ever after.”

Author:

Rosetta Bloom is a pen name for a thriller writer whose desire is to tell great stories filled with romance and passion. She loves adding a sexy twist of passion to give old tales new life. Her endeavors are, The Princess, the Pea and the Night of Passion and Beauty and Her Beastly Love.

To learn more, visit Rosetta Bloom’s website.

Appraisal:

Cinders & Ash is double the length of Ms. Bloom’s tales so far. The result is a well told story with well-defined characters and a plot of conspiracy against the throne. Prince John Ashton learns that prophecies and fairies should not be taken lightly. He has led a very sheltered life because his mother is a believer and convinced the prophecy and fairies are real.

Ella is a wise young lady who has only one true friend, Faye. An orphan whose life had been full of tough breaks, Faye and Ella bonded over shared miseries and became fast friends. Ella realized she was better off than Faye, but she knew she could trust her. Ella needs money and fast so she can run far enough away that her step-mother will not come looking for her. She decided that being a “companion” to a visiting noble was not too low to sink to get enough money to start a new life. She didn’t plan to develop feelings for this noble. She also didn’t realize who this mystery man was. Ella also didn’t intend to get kidnapped. She didn’t see who sneaked up behind her and put that foul smelling rag over her nose and mouth.

Ash thought he had the perfect plan to help Cinders out of her dilemma and get her out of her step-mothers house, until she disappears. Now he is going to need the luck from fairies, and much more, to rescue Cinders and figure out what is going on with her kidnappers. Could the Prince possibly be their real target and why? The conspirator thinks they have it all figured out.

I enjoyed the scenery around the Crystal Pond, I thought this was a great addition to the story, as well as the story behind it. I also enjoyed the way Ms. Bloom brought in the pumpkin carriage and mice without using magic! Very clever and well done.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Cinders & Ash is book 3 in the Passion-Filled Fairy Tales series. This is an erotic romance so there are graphic scenes, if that offends you then you should find another story. Original review ran January 25, 2016

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Severed Wings by Steven-Elliot Altman

Genre: Fantasy/Erotic Romance/Paranormal/Contemporary

Description:

“Brandon Jones, a handsome, hopeful young actor, stands on the verge of fame and fortune—when a car accident shatters his life, bringing his career to a screeching halt. Isolating himself, he cuts off his friends and family, turns to booze for companionship, and withdraws to a small apartment on Sunset Boulevard. Now, the only people he interacts with are a drag queen and a student working her way through college as an escort.

Brandon has nothing to live for…until a startlingly beautiful young couple moves in across the hall. Spying through the peephole in his door, he grows increasingly obsessed with his new neighbors—and the parade of damaged strangers who visit them at all hours.

Then something seemingly impossible happens that convinces him that this mysterious couple can help restore all he lost.

Brandon insinuates himself into their lives, and finds himself on a journey from despair into hope—as an ancient secret from the dawn of time draws him head to head with a terrifying foe, bent on destroying everything he’s now come to love.”

Author:

“Steven-Elliot Altman is a bestselling author, screenwriter, graphic novelist and video game designer. Steve's novels include Captain America is Dead, Zen in the Art of Slaying Vampires, Batman: Fear Itself, The Killswitch Review, The Irregulars, and Deprivers. He's also the editor of the critically-acclaimed anthology The Touch, and a contributor to Shadows Over Baker Street, a Hugo Award Winning anthology of Sherlock Holmes Stories. Steve's also the current Vice-Chairman of the steering committee of the Writers Guild of America's Video Game Division.”

Appraisal:

Brandon Jones is an up and coming actor on the brink of hitting the big time when a devastating car wreck leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. After a few months of living in his parents’ house he decides he couldn’t properly wallow in his misery living there. With the help of the screen actors’ union and government assistance he finds a handicap adapted studio apartment he can afford at Villa Rosa on Sunset Blvd. His next order of business was to fill the refrigerator, the liquor cabinet, and gather delivery menus. Now he has to extract himself from all friends and family as he contemplates suicide.

The Villa Rose apartments are mostly inhabited by society’s misfits. Down the hall from Brandon lives Ray, a drag queen, he is a quirky character who adds humor and levity to the story to counter Brandon’s dark moods. Bethany lives on a lower level, she is a student working her way through college as an escort. Brandon meets her while doing laundry. They strike up a friendship.

Things get interesting when a mysterious couple, Desmond and Kyra, move in across the hall. The plot takes a turn when Brandon becomes obsessed with Kyra’s beauty and spies on her whenever he catches her in a window. He also notices the strange people who come to visit late at night. Brandon makes an effort to insinuate himself into his newest neighbors lives. Then the dreams start.

Brandon has no idea what he has gotten himself into. But he feels like Kyra can heal his injury so he can walk again, so whatever the price to pay will be worth the risk. Mr. Altman does a great job building his secret world and the descriptions of setting up scenes throughout the book are rich and realistic. The culminating battle on the roof of Villa Rosa was epic. Brandon’s journey from despair to hope and then back to despair again was difficult to read and I had to wonder if he had the inner strength to pull himself through, especially after he had made his peace with death.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Not all sex scenes are behind closed doors. Adult language with several F-bombs.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was provided an ARC, so I can’t provide a comment on the finished product.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Review: Risque Romance Vol 2 by Mandi Konesni

Genre: Erotic Romance/Paranormal/Short Stories

Description:

“UNLEASHED- Naomi Trahern is as straight laced as they come. She deals in facts and cold hard science. Stubborn to the core, she hasn't met a theory she can't solve. That is, until a visit to the Amazon rainforest yields a sample she just can't explain. Trapped with a larger than life jaguar in a sunken temple, Naomi is forced to accept that her cut and dry world isn't so easily explained after all. When two worlds collide and the steamy jungle unleashes fantasies hidden in the depths of night, can Naomi embrace the extraordinary and unexplained, or does reality rear its head and pull her home?”

“CONSUMED- Bored of a solitary existence, a titan goddess creates Esoteric Inc., an agency that handles cases "normal" Private Investigators wouldn't touch. Then Ryder Dreki, alpha of the Icelandic dragons, steps into her office. His request? Assist him with locating a kidnapped dragonling as well as the Stone of Wisdom, stolen from his hoard. When Ryder demands to accompany her, she soon realizes that dealing with a hot-headed, arrogant dragon was definitely not in her job description. When Ryder is attacked, Electra must choose... protect the world, or protect the scaled menace she's grown to love.

What would you risk to have it all?”

Author:

 “Mandi resides in Ohio, where she shares her workspace with an ornery bassle pup. In addition to writing, she runs an online storefront, a roleplaying website, and is a 3rd Degree High Priestess. She's an avid reader and blogger, who adores music. Whenever there is a concert in town, you can bet she's taking the night off and cheering on her favorite bands. She can easily be bribed with peanut butter M&Ms, gemstones, hot lead singers, and gargoyles.”

To learn more about Ms. Konesni visit her website.

Appraisal:

Ms. Konesni is a new to me author. I needed something short, and enjoyable.  Risque Romance hit the spot. Both of these stories are independent of each other. They are well written and drew me in quickly to care about how things were going to work out in both stories.

In UNLEASHED, Naomi finds something interesting in a blood sample she brought back from the Amazon Rainforest. Not willing to hand it over to the company she is working for until she can explain what is going on. She finds an independent lab where she can study her samples. Unleashed, has some unique emotional twists in the plot that seem to take you away on a different path. Then it twists back onto itself and leaves you with a satisfying ending.

CONSUMED, takes a leap into Mythic figures. Goddess Electra and Raina, a diva spirit—Pixie, have been together forever. They create Esoteric Inc., an agency that handles cases "normal" Private Investigators wouldn’t touch. Then Ryder Dreki, alpha of the Icelandic dragons, steps into her office. His request? Assist him with locating a kidnapped dragonling, his eight-year-old niece, as well as the Stone of Wisdom, stolen from his hoard. Ryder is a hot-headed, arrogant dragon who keeps finding himself one or two steps behind the kidnappers. Even though this is a serious situation Ms. Konesni inserts witty dialogue and humor between these strong-willed characters. There is a lot of globetrotting and a race to beat the clock to save the world and sacrifices are made. And a heartfelt ending.

I enjoyed both of these stories, they are intelligently written. I would recommend them to any reader who enjoys paranormal romances, and doesn’t mind a little graphic sex.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Risque Romance is book 2 in this series. If you are offended by well written graphic sex scenes then these stories may not be for you.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Review: Captive by Jennifer Reynolds

Genre: Contemporary/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Erotic Romance

Description:

“The loss of a job, her husband, her home, and her quiet life has Talia dreaming of a life she’s only read about in paranormal romance novels.

An inherent need to find his mate and settle down has werecoyote Bane hoping that the human who’s just entered his life is the one for him.

Peace is all Casen, the king of the werewolves, wants but with half his pack yearning to be the warring pack they once were, he’s sure it won’t come in his lifetime.

Max is determined that the war between his people and the coyotes continues even if it means kidnapping and torturing a group of coyotes and the human with them to make it happen.

The Fates, on the other hand, have their own agenda for these four, and their desires are all that matter.”

Author:

“Jennifer Reynolds is a native of North Alabama. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama.

She is a multi-genre author who focuses mostly on post-apocalyptic novels with plagues and zombies as their source of destruction and paranormal romances, especially shifters, weres, and ghosts. She does occasionally dabble in other genres such as general fiction, horror, and suspense thrillers.

When she’s not writing, she’s a full-time caregiver of her elderly in-laws, a stay at home wife, an avid reader, and the mother of two kitties, Lilith and Midnight.”

To learn more please visit her website or like her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

Talia has had a pretty rough year, losing her job, her boyfriend, and her home. She now has a job as an assistant for one of her best friends who happens to be a successful supernatural romance author, Destiny LeShae. Destiny has agreed with her publisher to help spearhead a project to help integrate the shifter world with the human world by writing some creative non-fiction pieces. The idea is all part of the supernatural community’s PR plan to ease their integration into the human world. Destiny sends Talia to gather research first hand.

This fantasy world is similar to our own and the werecoyotes are the most sociable. Since it is unlawful for Talia to be on any were-land, she needs to be escorted. Bane is assigned to Talia and his sister, Carla, is hosting Talia’s stay. Their parents are the rulers of this area’s werecoyote pack. Things are a little bumpy at first, but then goes along as planned until Talia wishes to see this magical waterfall she has heard about. The waterfall does have some sort of magical influence over Talia the others do not feel, and she is inexplicitly drawn towards the forest line, which leads to the wolf territory.

This is where the plot splits into two story arcs, the werecoyote and the werewolf. This is also where Ms. Reynolds breaks from the normal story tropes, applying her own influences to her supernatural world. The plot twists and turns as things go from bad to worse. The characters are well defined and unique. There are times when Talia wore on my nerves a bit, but she is a human thrown into unfamiliar territory with both the werecoyote and the werewolf worlds concerning the warring factions of both packs. There are plenty of blood and guts to keep the tension high. The alpha males from both packs also butt heads and growl their fair share to protect Talia.

I enjoyed the story despite Talia’s TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) moments. I do love Ms. Reynolds fresh take with her supernatural characters.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

  

FYI:

Captive is book 3 in Jennifer Reynolds SUPERNATURALS series. Captive contains explicit sex and several F-bombs. All three books in this series are standalone novels.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues, aside from some repetitiousness, that could be trimmed 

out.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words

Review: Incubus Soulmate by Alexandra Ortigas

Genre: Fantasy/Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

“I’m on my way to a magical tropical island meant for couples on their honeymoon. But I am not going with my husband as planned. Why am I going, alone, soon to be surrounded by lustful couples?”

“As soon as she lands Evangelina perceives that there is something special about the island. Something other than the indescribable views and luxury accommodations. Little by little she learns things about herself that she never even dreamed about.

Will she find what she has been missing her entire life?”

Author:

I could not find any info about Alexandra Ortigas aside from her books listed on her Amazon author page.

Appraisal:

Evangelina is an over-sexed twenty-something woman who has an insatiable libido. She simply wears out the men she hooks up with. Her last relationship looked promising, but didn’t quite make it to the altar. So she decides to take her honeymoon trip alone to an exotic island destination.

Evangelina feels like there has to be something not quite right about her sexual appetite, and tries to take an assessment of her life. On her long walks around the enchanting island there are couples and groups of people having sex in the open. It is all quite erotic and she feels compelled to join them, so she closes her eyes and imagines herself with them. Then she starts having vivid dreams about a man on this island, and begins her search for him.

I found the story compelling as the author redefines the terms incubus and succubus in a way I hadn’t read before. I was a little disappointed in the ending. I feel like the author took the easy way out. I would have loved Evangelina to have ended up with her cabana boy.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Adult language and graphic sex.

Format/Typo Issues:

Nothing significant.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 15-16,000 Words

Reprise Review: Craving Caine by Erica Lucke Dean with Elise Delacroix

Genre: Erotic Romance/Suspense

Description:

“Emily Chambray wants a divorce. Unfortunately, her husband believes in’til death do us part with an emphasis on death. She won’t get another chance, so her get-away plan must be foolproof. When a ruggedly handsome stranger comes to her aid, she definitely doesn’t expect to fall for him in her hour of deepest need.

Xavier Caine has ulterior motives when he offers Emily refuge in his rustic cabin. Against his better judgment, he is drawn to her innocent allure and natural beauty. Together, they explore a sensual relationship that rocks their world. But once Caine sets the stage for his own agenda, Emily could end up directly in the eye of the very storm she’s been trying to escape.”

Authors:

Erica Lucke Dean:

“After walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lives in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse with her workaholic husband, her 180lb lap dog, and at least one ghost.”

To learn more about her, visit her website, blog, or Facebook page.

“Elise Delacroix married her high school sweetheart and moved to a remote hideaway far enough from civilization that she was forced to create her own entertainment. When playing charades got old, she came up with a plan to write erotic romance in order to keep life exciting. She may spend most of her days lounging in a pair of red flannel pajamas, but her characters wouldn’t be caught dead in anything less than satin and lace.

While Elise also writes in other genres using a pen name, it’s her collaborations with Erica Lucke Dean where she lets her naughty side come out to play. And oh, what a naughty side she has.”

Appraisal:

Emily was too young and naive to understand who she was marrying when she became Nicky Chambray’s wife. An arrogant, sadistic, and manipulative crime boss she cannot escape from. Emily’s character is well developed and although she is in desperate need to be rescued, she is likeable. Caine’s character is introduced slowly, he is handsome and capable, but is he a good guy or not? I found the story compelling and didn’t want to put it down. Ms. Dean has a way of making her characters believable and relatable in a way that enhances her stories. It seems as if she has found a good writing partner with Ms. Delacroix, as I can’t tell when one is writing or the other.

The relationship that grows between Emily and Caine after a few false starts was realistic as they learn to trust each other and their relationship takes a sexual turn. The plot twists were well thought-out and believable scenarios. The suspense is intense as the story unfolds and secondary characters true colors are revealed. There was a lot of story packed in this short novel and I found it highly enjoyable.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Adult language, situations, and explicit sex scenes

Added for Reprise Review: Craving Caine by Erica Lucke Dean with Elise Delacroix was a nominee in the Romance category for B&P 2015 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran May 31, 2014.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Reprise Review: The Princess, the Pea, and the Night of Passion by Rosetta Bloom

Genre: Erotic Romance / Fairy Tale

Description:

“In this grown-up version of the famous fairy tale, Princess Adara is running from her old life and a forced betrothal. Adara wants love and passion, but knows she can't get them back home. When a raging storm halts her escape, Adara seeks refuge in the first dwelling she sees.

Prince Richard is tired of the trite, vain, frigid princesses his mother introduces him to in hopes he'll marry. On this stormy night, he's in the mood to love a woman, but he's all alone.

Adara arrives on the castle doorstep, saying she's a princess in need of help. The queen is doubtful and decides to lock Adara in a room with a pea to determine if the girl is as royal as she claims. Richard believes the beautiful, charming stranger, but he wants her locked in a bedroom for other reasons.”

Author:

Rosetta Bloom is a pen name for a thriller writer whose desire is to tell great stories filled with romance and passion. She loves adding a sexy twist of passion to give old tales new life. Her first endeavor is The Princess, the Pea and the Night of Passion.

To learn more visit Rosetta Bloom’s website.

Appraisal:

I have to admit I was just after a little guilty pleasure when I finished my last book. My brain needed a reset. So I chose this little fairy tale. I was absolutely delighted and impressed with the quality of this story. I was just expecting a spicy little fairy tale without much substance. That is not what I got.

Amira Adara Tafweek, daughter of the amir of Bastalia and her servant, Nasiha, are on the run and seeking shelter from the freezing rain one night. They are dressed as peasants when they knock on the castle kitchen door to ask for shelter from the night’s elements. The butler tries to turn them away, but when Prince Richard walks in and sees Adara he senses an opportunity for a little action. He insists the butler ready guest rooms for the wayward travelers. Here are the first two sentences of the story:

“Prince Richard was feeling randy. He was trapped in the castle tonight, as the weather outside had turned unexpectedly nasty.”

This quote gives you the impression that the prince is just a playboy without any substance. At dinner that evening with the King, Queen, and Prince Richard things went well as Adara lied about being on a diplomatic mission for her father when their carriage broke down. After the carriage roof collapsed from the rain and ice they sought shelter. The men had supposedly gone for assistance. The Queen suspects that Adara is lying about being royalty and offers to send a messenger into town to let her delegation know that their Amira is safe and sound at the castle. This is the last thing Adara wants while trying to escape her fate back home. She and Nassi could both be put to death for embarrassing her father if they find her.

The Queen is sly and has the butler lock Adara in her room that night. Adara is sure her fate is sealed since there is no chance for escape now. Of course Prince Richard knows all the secret passage ways and lets himself into her room. They share a torrid night of passion that will curl your toes. Here we start seeing glimpses of the true Richard. He comes up with a plan to save Adara and Nassi that blew me away. You are sure to enjoy this retelling of a classic fairy tale. I look forward to reading more Passion-Filled Fairy Tales from Rosetta Bloom.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Princess, the Pea and the Night of Passion is Book 1 of Passion-Filled Fairy Tales. Book 2 of Passion-Filled Fairy Tales- Beauty and Her Beastly Love, is published and waiting for you to purchase at Amazon.

Sexual scenes that are graphic and may not be suitable for all readers.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues with formatting or proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 14-15,000 words

Review: Fireworks by Mardeene

Genre: Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

“On the 4th of July, former basketball star Brandy Sue Barnes declares her own personal ‘Independence Day’ from her unreliable boyfriend she realizes will never show up for her when it matters. The blonde statuesque fifty-one-year old, disappointed for the last time, asks for a real man she can depend upon. He shows up in the most unexpected of places—a burning building. Not just any building—her burning building: the Barnes Pyrotechnic warehouse. In this explosive sizzler of a romance in an unexpected twist, it is the beautiful lady who ends up rescuing the fire captain from the fire.”

Author:

“Mardeene has worked in the publishing and film industries for over 32 years as a photojournalist, scriptwriter, nonfiction book author, literary manager and producer of events for writers in Northern California’s Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Atlanta, and Brazil.

She's launching her debut fiction with her collection of short erotic romances as a celebration of life after a near death experience and an affirmation of living and loving full out at any age! Read a free story on her website.”

Appraisal:

Brandy Sue Barnes may be fifty-one-years old, but she is smart, spunky, capable, and knows what she wants. She also knows that she is tired of her thoughtless boyfriend who was supposed to pick her up early to escort her to the Independence Day Fundraiser for her children’s cancer center. Claiming her own independence she decides to drive herself. On the way to the gala she notices a glow in the sky in the direction of her family’s warehouses for Barnes Pyrotechnics.

Taking a small detour to the offices and warehouses she finds one building totally demolished. As the firefighters are putting out the last of the fire on one of the five story structures a firefighter needs rescuing. During his rescue the fire chief falls through the roof. Since Brandy knows the building and is sure she knows a better way to get to the hunky injured chief. As soon as she is able to get past the line of distracted firefighters, and taking proper safety precautions, she heads off to rescue the sexy fire chief who has caught her eye.

The plot is well written and suspenseful. I found the characters well defined for a novelette. Mardeene uses a lot of sexy humor in this story that involves sparks and heat that will keep you reading. I would recommend this for a little afternoon delight any time of the year.

Buy now from:    Amazon US    Amazon UK

FYI:

While this is an erotic romance there are no overly graphic sex scenes and only two small F-bombs.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues with proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words