Tuesday, July 13, 2010

WINNERS: Erotic Emerald anthology and deck of cards



The moment you've all been waiting for....

Drumroll....








Winners of Author Madison Blake's contest (in order):

1. Sara
2. Aromagik
3. Mystee
4. Carol L
5. Stacey

Congratulations!

Winners, please email me at caroletrr(@)gmail.com your preference, the Erotic Emerald anthology or deck of cards, your full name and your snail mail address. Oh, by the way, we forgot to say that the books will be autographed by Madison! We'll try to match you up with what you want, but we can't guarantee anything.

Thank you to all the participants.

New Releases - Ebooks June & July

I love shopping, don't you?

There's the sense of anticipation and tingling excitement as you browse, as myriad colors from the covers on the shelves bloomed in your vision. Then the agonizing--"Will I get this?", "Is this within my budget?", "Squee! It's here, it's here! But..." And finally, "yay! I can't wait to get home and start reading!"

As with brick-and-mortar shops, so with online stores. Shopping has become easier with the click of a button, the slide of the mouse. As there are lots of epubs and lots of ebooks being published everyday however, there's no way we can cover them all. But I can tell you that with the few that we saw, our imaginations caught fire and we can't help but buy, buy, buy. *poor wallet* And good thing we have DJ's.

So, for the purposes of our blog celebration contest, here are the covers and summaries of ebooks that were published in late June/early July that caught our attention, and which are included in the list of ebooks for giveaway:

Monday, July 12, 2010

Exclusive Peek: Honoring the Goddess by Madison Blake



Honoring the Goddess
By Madison Blake
All Rights Reserved
Genre: Erotic Romance, GLBT, Menage
Available from Ellora's Cave on August 13

Summary from Author:

Lissana was horrified to find she was still hot for Tragan years after she’d sworn off him, hating him for the way he dumped her sister.  Not only that, but he had even taken her childhood nemesis Dalin as his mate. But she couldn’t control the way her body reacts to both men, nor could she discount the ecstasy she discovered in their arms one sex-drenched night. Try as she might, she couldn’t avoid them, for the Goddess had grouped them together for the ritual that was supposed to bring her back to her people.

Tragan and Dalin themselves set out to batter down Lissana’s defenses every chance they get, because she completed their triad, the tribe’s opinions be damned. Not only would they not allow the dissident tribe members to tear them apart, but the triad may be the crucial key to honor the Goddess the way she wanted.

Note:  This book contains male-male bonding, three-way bonding with a female, and a scene with multiple partners.


Exclusive Excerpt: (Warning! Explicit material below.)

Mists shrouded Lissana, obstructing her vision. Even the light from the blue moon overhead couldn’t penetrate the thick fog. Yet she knew she had reached the middle of the Clearing and there was nothing to hinder her from dancing out her desires, her frustration and her confusion.

Unlike her dream, the music ringing in her head was wild and urgent and the drum beat loud and deep in her blood. She threw herself into the dance, shifting with untamed, jerky movements that were, strangely, still in rhythm to the forceful pounding of the music in her. She spun and leaped and twirled, her heart pumping hard to support her motions. She stomped her feet, digging her toes into the cool earth and luxuriating in the sensation of the porous soil, the life-giver. She waved her arms into the air, her body swaying, bending, gyrating.

BOOM-ka-BOOM-ba-ba-BOOM-BOOM.

She danced for Goddess knew how long and soon, she became aware of nothing but the music in her veins urging her onward, propelling her to continue dancing. Her movements flowed from one to the next. Time and space took on a surreal quality, as though she were dreaming and watching someone else.

Someone joined her from behind—a man, from his scent, feral and sharp. And another one came from the left—his odor gentler than the first and a little uncertain. Their musks were somewhat familiar, but she didn’t want to think who they could be. Tonight was for feeling, for getting lost in the dance. Her blood heated from their nearness and her soul rose in joyous abandon when they slipped into the dance as though they’d been there from the start and they picked up the rhythm as though they could hear the same music that she did.

She had never felt so alive.

The drumbeat increased in urgency, the music layering with subtle nuances.

The dance changed, becoming sexual.

Both men moved nearer and her breath caught at the scorching heat blasting her from two sides. Still, she didn’t stop dancing. The first man plastered his front against her back and he ran his hands down the sides of her body, learning her shape, then up again to cup her breasts. Desire lanced its way down to her pussy and she bumped her buttocks back against him, inviting him to grind his hard cock against her.

She moaned when he did, the lust spreading outward from the center of her pussy. A slight breeze blew, rustling the leaves of the trees that surrounded the clearing, the sound prodding them onward. Their dance became teasing and erotic, Man engaging Woman in movements as old as the land. Their breathing turned shallow, manifesting in small puffs of air in the mists. Though the night was cold, she was burning so hot she felt she might explode soon.

The man behind her played with her nipples as she continued her sinuous movements meant now to excite him. She tasted his raw need in the air and sensed the way his interest sharpened. His hips didn’t let up on the delicious slow grinding of his cock against her buttocks. Her hunger grew and built and spiraled, making her ache so much the pain was almost unbearable.

The second man stepped in front of her, his lanky frame slim in the moonlight. The taste of his mouth burst open the primal lust she’d thus far kept in check, which flooded her veins in an overpowering deluge. Her senses were magnified—every caress stirred her, every stroke incited her passion, every gasp and groan goaded the rhythmic slams of her buttocks against the man behind her.

Want more? Check out the Jasmine Jade website on August 13.

Check out Madison's website for her other books.

Don't forget the contest Madison is holding here. Check out the mechanics.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Random Thoughts: My First Romance

I'm an avid reader. Words and the images they evoked fascinated me. Mom thought I was so industrious, reading my books before the term even started. Little did she know I only read the books which contain stories!

<-- Yup, this is my TBR pile!  (and more which I didn't include)

My romance with books started when I was a kid with fairy tales and The Enchanted Wood and The Magic Faraway Tree (both by Enid Blyton). When I got my library card, I devoured Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins and the Dana Girls and Judy Bolton books. I remember I was 11 years of age, when Silver lent me my first adult (meaning, not YA) romance--a Mills and Boon she snitched from her mother's stash.

To say I was shocked and confused was an understatement. To move from Nancy Drew to Mills and Boon was a big leap. I read it like any other story and I believe the romance was okay with me, even the kissing stuff, but I do recall being uneasy at the intimate scenes. Nothing explicit was described, but well, the thing was, I wasn't all that knowledgeable about anatomy at the time and some of the stuff that happened confused me. (Er, he fit what where?) In short, I didn't understand what was happening.

Thankfully, I wasn't put off with reading romances, but I switched to teen novels---Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High. I think I was about 14 when I had my second grown-up romance (Bantam Loveswept this time and I still have the book--Stormy Vows by Iris Johansen), and it was such a sweet, romantic story I was hooked forever.

What about you? What was your first encounter with reading grown-up romances like?

Friday, July 9, 2010

Exclusive Peek: Pleasure Trap by Madison Blake



Pleasure Trap
By Madison Blake
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 978 14199 25436
Genre: Erotic Romance, GLBT, Menage
Series: Gem Immortals, Book 2
Available now from Ellora’s Cave
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8229-pleasure-trap.aspx


Summary from Author's website:

Jobless and about to be homeless, Raisa Sheldon is captivated by a glittering diamond star. When she touches it, she’s transported to a dazzling palace owned by two amazing—and gorgeous—men.

Sex with her is the only cure for the potentially fatal disease that afflicts them both. She wields the power of life and death over them, but it was nothing compared to their ability to provide her with extreme pleasure beyond imagination as the days and nights blend into one long orgasmic delight. When one shocking revelation rocks the axis of her world, the palace becomes a trap from which she has no wish to escape.

Note: This book contains hot, intense m/m and m/m/f sex.


Exclusive Excerpt: (Warning! Explicit Material below)

She should leave now, while they were otherwise occupied. She turned to go—

And found she couldn’t.

She didn’t want to.

Enthralled by the sight in front of her, she stood rooted to the spot, immobile, frozen as she watched the two men make love with a ferocity that called to her. A wave of pure unadulterated hunger hit her and her lust rose up in answer, filling her body with unfulfilled desire. Her blood burned and slammed through her veins, igniting fires all over.

The lovers kissed and caressed with wild, vicious heat. She started and moaned when invisible hands stroked her as well—down her back in a long smooth glide, then cupping her buttocks, the same way Stallion was cupping Adamas’. She experienced sensuous rubs on her belly, easing the heavy ache, then lower, lower, until a phantom hand was teasing her pussy, the same way Adamas was rubbing his hand along Stallion’s powerful cock.

What the hell was happening? How was it that she could feel both their touches?

Painful and urgent hunger etched on his face, Stallion snarled and wrestled Adamas to the ground. A white, solid pallet appeared out of nowhere under Adamas’ buckling knees. Adamas moved fast for a man in the grip of a terrible lust. He must’ve pulled the cot from somewhere, maybe even under the bed she had been sitting on earlier.

Like the horse for which she’d likened him to, Stallion poised to plunge into Adamas, his massive cock rigid at the entrance of his lover’s hole.

Her breath stuck in her throat.

He was…beautiful. Magnificent.

Want more?

Don't forget, we have a contest ongoing! Another one here, too!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Current Contests

Hi folks, just to remind we've got two contests ongoing at the moment:

1. Madison Blake's Erotic Emerald anthology (print) - until July 12 only
2. Blog Celebration Contest - lots of prizes and giveaways! - until August 31

What are you waiting for? Head on over to The Romance Reviews now!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Perhaps Love by Madison Blake


ISBN 978 14199 16113 (ebook)
ISBN 978 14199 58663 (Erotic Emerald anthology paperback)
Series: Gem Immortals, Book 1
Genre: Erotic Romance, Fantasy Romance
(c) May 2008, Ellora's Cave, Jasmine Jade Enterprises

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Jasmine Jade Enterprises
Buy Link (Erotic Emerald anthology trade paperback): Jasmine Jade EnterprisesBook Depository

"Great love story, hot sex scenes. Not to be missed!"

Esmeralda desperately needed the Life-Bringer, purported to be a magnificent emerald, to cure her sister of a lingering illness. For this, she travelled to seek Orin, the Emerald Immortal, said to be the keeper of the gem. She was willing to pay any price he asked for the chance to make her sister well again.

The story is very simple and I could almost predict the way the events would turn out. Well, from the moment Orin made his demands known, that is. This being an erotic romance, it was a no-brainer to guess what would ensue. However, I was pleasantly shocked at the twist toward the end. Did I mention that I love twists in my books?

Oh, did I also mention that it was hot? Scorching! Not only that, but I can empathize with Orin at the final scene wherein he agonizes about Esmeralda's return. Being lonely for so long (and I mean long, like a thousand years or more) and having Esmeralda for such a short time yet realizing just what she meant to him, his agony and tormented hope at this crucial stage in this life is in line with his character and experiences thus far.

Great love story, hot sex scenes. I love that there's a sequel (Pleasure Trap, which is now available), and I hope Ms. Blake will continue to write about this world. Looking forward to more Gem Immortal stories.

Perhaps Love can also be found in the Erotic Emerald anthology (print).

Reviewed by Shana

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Thanks to Madison, we have three print copies of the Erotic Emerald anthology for an international giveaway! She's also giving out two card decks that has all those luscious covers on the backs of the cards. The card decks are usually given out at book conferences, so if you win, you'll have one set without stepping foot outside your house! That's five prizes in total!

How to Enter:

1. Comment here or in the next posts (until July 12).
2. If you've nothing to say, check out Madison's website and tell her which among her books caught your eye and why. Or, if you've read her books before, which you love the most and why.

Note: If you don't comment here or in the posts from July 8 to 12, you aren't fulfilling the basic requirement, which means you aren't entered into Madison's contest.

Additional Chances to Win:

1. Each time you spread news of this contest earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement.
2. Follow us! Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Good Reads. Each "follow" earns you one point. (Old followers are automatically entered.)
3. Join Madison's newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelovechronicle . It's a low volume, bi-monthly (that's once in two months) mailing list.

Contest Duration: July 8 to 12 (up to 12 midnight EST)

Contest Announcement: July 13

Winners will be picked via Randomizer.org. Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize, so be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 3 days (by July 16), new winners will be chosen.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Evil's Witness by Autumn Jordon



Award winning author Autumn Jordon has graciously contributed an autographed copy of Evil's Witness (for US residents only) as part of the prizes for our blog celebration! Thank you, Autumn!

Summary from Publisher's website:

The Zosimosky Files

Elementary school nurse Stephanie Boyd's ordinary world changes forever when she and her children witness a blood bath. To escape the wrath of the Russian Mafia, she has no choice but to help the FBI uncover the Mafia’s mole inside the U.S. Treasury. While on the run with the handsome agent who is willing to die for them, Stephanie learns the meaning of self-sacrifice and love.

Agent John Dolton's only break in solving the case that cost him everything is a couple of kids and a beautiful woman. But keeping his witnesses safe seems impossible when their every move is foreseen by their enemy. Within weeks, Stephanie and her children soften the loner’s heart and John allows himself to let go of his all-consuming sorrow.

This time John vows not to fail to protect the family he loves.

Get it here.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

REVIEW: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward


ISBN 9780451222725
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6
Genre: Paranormal Romance
(c) January 2008, Penguin Books
J. R. Ward's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available at the Book Depository (print)

"This series is getting even more exciting with complex characters and increasingly heated tensions between the vamps and the lessers!"

Complex characters and even more complex situations, and probably only J.R. Ward could've pulled it off. Tension between the vampires and lessers amps up with the introduction of an old villain in a new and much bigger role. This book shouldn't be missed for the way it moves the entire series forward.

I have to say that she's extremely courageous for going where no author has dared gone. (Or maybe some have, but I just haven't read them.) Phury's drug addiction and downward spiral is almost painful to read, and the only thing that's keeping me going is that I'm sure there's light at the end of the tunnel. As it was, it took me over two weeks to finish the book. (I was also very busy with the DJ, so the OT's could have eaten into my reading time.)

So many things happened in this book it's hard to begin where. To that end, Phury's and Cormia's relationship development seemd almost overshadowed, and with this, I think the series is heading more toward urban fantasy, but I do hope not! I love me a good romance like any other woman.

First off, our main couple, Phury and Cormia. Phury's story is heartbreaking, with his drug addiction and his tormented past. Something is seriously wrong with that guy's mental and emotional health, brought about by a combination of his parents' neglect, his birth order, his race's culture and beliefs, and his upbringing. Then, it was exacerbated by what had happened to Zsadist and discovering that his twin was tortured and served as both blood and sex slave didn't help Phury at all. If ever, it helped send him further on his mental decline. No, Phury is not crazy in the sense that he should be admitted, but he suffers from the worst inferiority complex I've ever seen that left him emotionally crippled in the sense that he relies on the drugs to take away the pain and his sense of failure.

I'm not a fan of drug addiction, because I've seen how it could ruin lives, but I could understand how Phury turned to drugs in the first place as a way to cope or to escape, and it's probably how people got into it in the first place. To get free? One has to have the will to decide he's going to stop and stick to it. I like that Phury got to this stage and that Cormia's helping him with her calming presence. Yes, that's the essence that I got about Cormia's personality--her ability to calm people (Bella, Phury, maybe even Zsadist once). And because she's one of the Chosen (one of a collective whole), her entire arc is about breaking free and being herself, an individual with her own wants and needs, not as part of some group.

And, I didn't get much sense of a romance between the two as I'd have liked, aside from the hot sexxing. Phury woke to the realization one day that he loved Cormia, but aside from having the instincts of a bonded male, what did he know about her? That her scent is that of jasmine and that she liked lavender roses? Did he know how she liked to build things? Or that she didn't want to be one of a whole? Even Cormia herself. She always thought of Phury, as Primale, to be the strength of the race, but Phury could barely hold himself above the water as it was. I don't think she even knew about drugs or that Phury is an addict.

I found Rehvenge's situation to be more interesting that the romance. I can hardly wait to devour his book, which I'm happy to say is next and that I already have the book at home waiting for me to dive into it.

Lash's addition to the Lessening Society is poised to make the ongoing war with the vampires even more exciting. He's got imagination where the other Fore-lessers didn't, and he's Brother-trained, so it would be interesting to see him fight the Brothers with the knowledge he gained from them. Plus, he has his own powers as gifted to him by the Omega. He's so evil that I shudder. At the same time, you have to wonder about that touch of conscience that had him burying his parents because he didn't want the lessers to touch/desecrate them as they ransacked the house.

I'm giving 2 stars for the romance, but overall, the book is 4 stars. If you're new to the series, don't start with this book, and anyway, you wouldn't want to miss all the action-packed, earthshaking romances that has gone in the previous books. Start with Dark Lover, you won't regret it.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Celebration Contest

To celebrate the opening of The Romance Reviewswe're holding a contest for an international giveaway!

Top Prize: US$50 Gift Certificate from Amazon or Book Depository (1 winner)

Other Prizes: Ten (10) print books and ten (10) ebooks for giveaway to twenty lucky winners (your choice of book from the list below and other lists to be posted in the future). All giveaways are brand new books.

How to Enter:

Follow us! (we must be able to see your name in the followers under Blogger)

Additional Chances to Win:

1. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Good Reads.
2. Comment on the posts between July 5 and August 31. Being active on this blog would entitle you to additional chances. So the earlier you join us and comment, the more chances you'd get to win.
3. Each time you spread news of this contest earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement. This includes posting the contest poster (on the right) on your blog or website and linking back to this post.

Contest Duration: From July 5, 2010 to August 31, 2010

Contest Goal: To have at least 500 followers here on this blog by August 31, 2010

Contest Ends: August 31, 2010 12midnight EST

Contest Announcement: September 2, 2010.

All contestants, save those affiliated with The Romance Reviews (including Silver's and Carole's friends [sorry, guys]), will be assigned a number (or numbers, depends on how active you are) and the winning numbers will be picked by Randomizer.org. Each person may win only once, to give chances to others. If a person's name got picked more than once, he wins the prize with the higher value.

Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize, so be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week (by September 9), new winners will be chosen.




Easy, huh? Just spread the news to all your friends and we may reach the goal sooner. If we reach 600 followers, we will offer additional prizes. And so on. We'll also have authors dropping by in the next few weeks for contests and stuff, just so you know. And reviews, of course. Couldn't leave that out, coz that's what this blog is for. :)

And so, here are some of the books you may dream about winning:


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