REVIEW: Sex Drive by Susan Lyons

ISBN 9780758238252

Series: Wild Ride to Love, Book 1

(c) December 2009, Aphrodisia, Kensington

Susan Lyons' website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Characters that wrap around your heart, sizzling passion, a true romance. What's not to love?"

Sex Drive truly is one Wild Ride to Love! The title alone tells me this book is gonna be one yummy read.

As I understand it, the four books in the series will feature a particular type of transportation wherein the characters will meet and mayhem--delicious ones, that is--ensues. In Sex Drive, the characters are seatmates on the long flight to Honolulu and our sexy hero initiates the heroine into the mile-high club.

Damien Black makes a sexy hero because he doesn't have any angst. Although angsty heroes make for tortured, conflicted, compelling characters, it's very refreshing to read a hero who doesn't have much baggage. He's easy-going and fun and I love his banter with Theresa, how he makes her feel at ease and how he appreciates her. Truthfully, Damien is a very easy man to fall in love with, not to mention that he possessed the requisite gorgeous hero looks. He said and did all the right things to make a girl's heart melt, and the best is that he's sincere about it. To top that, he's voted one of the top 10 sexiest bachelors in Australia (reminds me of Hugh Jackman). Theresa is one lucky woman indeed!

On the other hand, Dr. Theresa Fallon is a genius who got her PhD when she was twenty-two! (gulp) All work and no play, she's a control freak, likes to do things by herself as other people's work standards aren't up to hers, and Damien is just what she needs to loosen up. It's fun seeing her have fun and gaining confidence in herself with everything Damien does and says. And did I mention that Damien is such a sexy guy?

Though the intimate scenes were hot and plenty, the author takes us through the characters' progressing feelings about himself/herself and with each other in every scene such that the intimate acts don't come across as gratuitous. For me, the first few pages started out as slow with Theresa (in the first POV) in a monologue explaining how she came to be at the airport looking through bridal magazines, but once she's on the plane and found out that Damien's her seatmate, the book takes off.

And it's one wild ride, for both the characters and the reader. I like the way the Damien and Theresa gradually developed feelings for one another, fraught with all the highs and joys, doubts and uncertainties of a new romance. Like how Damien found himself floundering, wanting to say the right words at the right time, because it mattered now in the way it didn't before. I also like the way they helped each other to grow and expand beyond what they already are into better persons.

Susan Lyons is an amazing storyteller, creating characters that wrap around your heart. She really set Theresa up for the "big fall" (you have to read it and see), but I'm glad to see the issue resolved without employing the "big misunderstanding" trope and move on to the next. It made for an action-packed, tension-filled read. A true fairy tale for the romantic at heart. The next book in the series is Love, Unexpectedly and I can't wait to get it in April!

A note for readers: The book is written partly from the first person point of view (Theresa's) and third person point of view (Damien's) in alternating chapters, except for the grand finale/conclusion, which is all Theresa's. Though I was disconcerted at first by this format, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

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

More fun stuff here, including a copy of Damien's Aussie barbecue recipe!

Want to win an autographed copy of Sex On The Beach?

How to Enter in the Drawing:  You can do any or all of the following:
1. Comment on any of the posts on January 13 and 14.
2. Ask questions. Susan will be dropping by the blog from time to time and will answer any questions you might have.

3. Answer this question: ("stolen" from Susan's book discussion questions)

Damien and Theresa met while on a flight to Honolulu. It’s a different world on an airplane, particularly on a very long flight. What’s been your experience on airplanes? Do you keep to yourself or chat to the person beside you, or even flirt? Is your behavior different on a plane than anywhere else? Why? 

Who Can Enter: Anybody on this planet.

Contest Deadline:  11:59pm EST on January 14, 2010

Winner Announcement:  The name of the winner will be posted on the blog on January 15, 2010. Instructions will be given then on how to claim the prize.

* Update: Check out the Sneak Peek of Sex On The Beach and an Interview with Susan Lyons!

REVIEW: Written On Your Skin by Meredith Duran

ISBN 978-1-4165-9311-9
(c) August 2009, Pocket Books, Simon and Schuster
Meredith Duran's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Meredith Duran paints the journey of their hearts in heartbreakingly beautiful detail"

Written On Your Skin can be summed up this way: Mina Masters saved the life of Phineas Granville, British spy, in Hong Kong at a certain cost. Four years later, they meet again, and Mina calls in the debt he owed her to save her mother. Yet, Meredith Duran paints the journey of their hearts in heartbreakingly beautiful detail.

Mina and Phin started out with misconceptions about the other, misconceptions that were designed and deliberately placed to save themselves from harm. Later on, it is these very misconceptions that blinded them to the other's true selves, and for me, it was frustrating to read them. Have I said that I have no patience? Hence, the story for me only picked up about halfway through the book, when Mina decided she could trust Phin and events started to unravel. Suffice it to say, the meat of the book is in the second half.

I've read a lot of romances over the years, and Phin and Mina's love scenes were some of the best that I've read, because of the words Meredith Duran employed, the emotions they evoked and the significance of the scenes to the characters. I like how Phin and Mina's characters grew over the course of the book, how Phin needed Mina to exorcise his demons and how he needed her in order for him to know his true worth. In the same way, I like how Mina never lost herself when Phin came onto the scene, but that Phin's presence in her life enriched her. I like the scenes wherein they both bare their souls to the other, as they explained the scars that were written on their skins and the profound impact and meaning of those scars. I like how Mina saw the scars as badges of courage, testament to the hell each had gone through and emerged triumphant. Both are strong individuals, yet I like the way they reached a compromise through a change in perception.

Meredith Duran's prose is lovely and unique, and for me, a bit hard to grasp at times. (She certainly doesn't write like other historical romance authors.) Despite this, I have to admit that she does have these really clever turns of phrase that made me put post-its on the pages so I can review them later. That said, I'll definitely want to reread the second half of the book again, in order to soak up those lovely words and revisit how Phin and Mina fell in love.

Rating: 4

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

New Releases Next Week

All the Byrons are just as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know" as their famous non-relation . . . but now the time has come for the eldest son to marry . . .

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

The bitch is back, and nothing gets in her way. Except her own heart...

Shana Delray's story, the lioness who was bred to be the Alpha's consort, only to have her place usurped by the runt of the litter.

Buy Link (ebook): Samhain Publishing

Giveaway: Sex On The Beach by Susan Lyons

This coming January 13 (Wednesday), we'll feature a review of Sex Drive by Susan Lyons, book 1 of the Wild Ride to Love series. And the lovely Susan has also graced us with an interview on January 14 (Thursday) and a never before seen excerpt!

We also have a giveaway!!! Courtesy of the author, Susan Lyons. (Thank you, Susan!)

Giveaway:  Autographed trade paperback copy of Sex On The Beach (released Jan 5, 2010)

How to Enter:  You can do any of the following:

1. Comment on any of the posts on January 13 and 14.
2. Ask questions. Susan will be dropping by the blog from time to time and will answer any questions you might have.
3. Answer the question at the end of the posts.


Who Can Enter: Anybody on this planet.

Contest Deadline:  11:59pm EST on January 14, 2010

Winner Announcement:  The name of the winner will be posted on the blog on January 15, 2010. Instructions will be given then on how to claim the prize.

REVIEW: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

ISBN  978-0-446-40098-5

Series: Demonica, Book 2

(c) 2009, Forever Imprint, Grand Central Publishing

Larissa Ione's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"A rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and I don't want the ride to end!"

Larissa Ione is defnitely an author to watch! I'm amazed at her skill in creating such a fascinating and rich world, a world so vast that I anticipate spending a lot of hours enjoying the interesting and intriguing stories of her complex and equally intriguing characters. Take for example, Kynan Morgan. We saw him in book 1, and I don't think it'll be a spoiler to say that his storyline has taken a captivating turn at the end of book 2. I'm sure we'll read his story someday, but when??? Certainly not by book 4. I'm dying of curiosity here.

So, anyway, back to my review of Desire Unchained.

The first time I came across Shade and Runa was from a review, I think. Or something. I'm not too sure. But I do remember reading about Runa walking in on Shade when he was in bed with two females. And I didn't like Shade because he was cheating on her and I hated him because Runa would have been devastated by the discovery.

Fast forward to many many days later and I read Pleasure Unbound (book 1) where Shade was introduced. Didn't like him much either, though I could understand his nature as a Seminus demon better now, wherein he couldn't help but have intimate contact with women whose needs he could sense. It read like a helpless addiction to me. Still, it was no reason to cheat, and the fact that he gave it as a reason doesn't hold much water with me. I agree with Runa on that score.

It was only when things were presented from Shade's point of view that my feelings toward him thawed and I could empathize with him. Shade woke up to find himself chained in a dungeon, with Runa in the same cage. His enemy forced them to bond, in order to unleash unimaginable torment for Shade as part of his revenge. When Shade and Runa finally escaped, he was stuck with her, not that he found it a bad thing. When his brothers threatened to do her harm, he found himself protecting her, unable to bear the thought of her coming to harm.

Shade's secret longings and curse were also revealed, and I couldn't help but like him, even rooted for him to have his HEA with Runa. Shade's eventual strong feelings for Runa could have been because of the bond, but I like that Ms Ione clarified for us that no, Shade already felt something for Runa even before, which was why he ran like hell from her. I like that toward the end, Shade's nature as a Seminus warred with his own feelings for Runa, and in the end, which do you think won?

Runa is not the wimpy, lovelorn woman I thought her to be. Instead, she's pragmatic and she's grown strong because of her experiences, a fitting mate for Shade in all ways. Her "hatred" for Shade was worn down by Shade's expert lovemaking, but mainly because she still has feelings for him, despite the "lies" she told herself.

I confess, I hadn't thought to like this story much, but I love it much much better than Pleasure Unbound, mainly I think because of Shade . Not only do we have Shade's and Runa's romance, but the book is also filled with mayhem and revenge and loyalty and a curse that may take Shade's life. Of the three brothers, I think Wraith's the baddest of the bad boys, and I can't wait to read his story next.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

REVIEW: Lilac by Louisa Trent

ISBN 978-1-59632-969-0

(c) June 2009, Loose Id

Louisa Trent's website

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

"A delightful, funny read with an endearing heroine"

Tegan Ellis planned to blackmail Sean Griffith, owner of Central Coal Mine, into implementing certain reforms that would make the lives of the miners and their families better. She expected to find him engaged in an orgy and to use this knowledge to coerce him into doing what she wanted.

Sean Griffith climbed his way out of the gutter into the self-made man that he was today. Fifteen years ago, he was hurt by a woman he thought to wed and he never forgot it. When he learned that Tegan was planning to sully his good name--the only thing of value he had--he grew enraged and planned his revenge, starting with making her his plaything.

This book is not work-safe nor anywhere-safe, except if you're alone in the room, because in the midst of reading, I would suddenly find myself giggling at Tegan--at what she said or at her antics. I've never met a heroine like her. She is bubbly and optimistic and funny, and with her eyes firmly on the goal, she never lets anything get her down or prevent her from achieving her goal. She is a confounding mix of naive innocence and cunning mischief, and I bet Sean never knew what hit him.

Consider the following passage:

"Not when I intend to take my thanks from your pretty ass," he said crudely.

"A compliment! How very kind, sir."

He scowled. "What compliment?"

"You called a certain region of my anatomy pretty. I never, ever expected to receive praise about my posterior, but only a fool turns down a complimentary turn of phrase."...

And then, later:

...She stood, backed up to his folded knees. "Shall I bend over, sir? It was my ass you wanted to derive your thanks from, was it not?"

Sean Griffith's words and actions are true to his background, and his roughness and some of the sexual games he played with Tegan (such as mild exhibitionism, fisting) might put off some readers. I have read a wide variety of erotic romances and I have to admit I was slightly disturbed at some of the games, though Tegan was consenting and appeared to enjoy them. That said, this is a well-written story than most erotic romances I've read, and Tegan as the enchanting heroine carried off the story pretty well.

Rating: 3 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

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,

REVIEW: Savage Lessons by Moira Rogers

ISBN 978-1-60521-355-2

Series: Temple of Luna, Book 3

(c) January 2010, Changeling Press

Moira Rogers' website

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press

"Incredibly hot, with more than a touch of romance!"

Growing up poor, Lexa wanted to attain the position of high priestess as a way to gain financial security. Her rise through the ranks of priestesses was meteoric and even Celine, the current high priestess, was impressed and meant for her to be the successor. As a final test for Lexa's qualification, she has to be trained by Dejan, a half-feral wolf feared by many.

Something magical happened between them and Lexa was able to shatter his control, thus passing his test. However, their need for each other didn't abate, and though it was forbidden for a trainer and a priestess to continue to have dealings with each other, they were unable to keep away, until their secret trysts threatened to hurt the warriors they were supposed to protect. Not only that, but Lexa's ambition may also come between them.

The Temple of Luna series just keeps getting better and better! I like how each book thus far presents a heroine with a different station or function in the temple, such that taken as a whole, we are able to gain an overall perspective on the workings of the temple. For example, Avani in Savage Possession is a novice, Zahra in Savage Need is more healer than priestess, and Lexa is a novice with enough ambition to jump straight to priestess and here, in this book, we are also introduced to the concept of trainers giving lessons to the novices and teaching them the proper way to handle warriors.

I would have to say that this book is the hottest thus far of the three, because Lexa's and Dejan's need for each other just jumps right off the page, especially in their first intimate scene. After Lexa became a priestess, you can feel their angst and desperation as they engaged in their trysts, especially Dejan, wanting to claim Lexa yet knowing he couldn't. Despite the hotness, this story is also very romantic and toward the end, a slight poignant quality lends it a hint of vulnerability to touch the heart.

I'm sad though that there's only one last book in the series! Still, it's coming in March 2010, which I think features Celine.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Changeling Press
* Note: The review copy is supplied by the author.

New Releases Next Week

We thought we'd give everyone a glimpse of some of the new releases next week, books that we are interested to read, though we may not necessarily get the chance to read and review them, in the interests of time and energy. Still, won't it be nice if we have the time to read all the books featured below?

When the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn Finvarra to act as a guide for a half-incubus who is known to possess dark magick and sexual power, she must protect not only her heart, but her very life.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Long ago Eve Lockhart discovered that the ancient magic that was her birthright could cost her everything. So she vowed to create a normal life and was convinced she'd succeeded-until a long-lost family talisman resurfaces. A prize beyond price, the hourglass pendant ignites the fevered interest of mysterious forces who'll risk anything to possess it-forces that include one very seductive man...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

Series: The Nine Kingdoms, Book 4

Sarah's brother has embraced the dark arts, vowing to destroy the Nine Kingdoms, and she doesn't have the power to stop him. Now she must risk everything to thwart his plans, even though she fears the quest will reveal the secret she's kept all her life.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Everyone's cordially invited to attend the steamiest wedding of the year...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook
 

First in the Works like Magick series!

The Works like Magick Employment Agency has a reputation for perfectly matching clients with magical temps. So when McKenna Greylock requests a handyman, the gorgeous Bastian Dragonelli arrives to repair her B and B- and fire up her bedroom.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

In a kingdom on the verge of a grand renaissance, where natural science has supplanted failing sorcery, someone aims to revive a savage rivalry...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

Happy New Year

From all of us here at The Raving Readers!

Wishing everyone the best of the coming year, in all aspects of your life. And, of course, more good books and more time to read them.

~ Shana, Silver and Carole