King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab (Terra's Review)

ETERNAL COMMITMENT IS NOT ON HER AGENDA...
Scorned by the vampire community for her lack of power, Isabel Anthony lives a carefree existence masquerading as human--although, drifting among the debauched human nightlife, she prefers the patrons' blood to other indulgences. But when she meets the king of vampires this party girl's life turns dark and dangerous.

BUT TIME'S RUNNING OUT FOR THE KING OF VAMPIRES...
Dead-set on finding the prophesied mate who will unlock his fiery powers, Thad Morgan must find his queen before their race is destroyed. Their enemies are gaining ground, and Thad needs his powers to unite his subjects. But when his search leads him to the defiant Isabel, he wonders if fate has gotten it seriously wrong...

(Terra's Thoughts) I love a good paranormal book as good as the next person but this one just didn't give me the oomph to say it's a five star. I would most likely give this a three and a half. It was okay but needed a bit more of something.

Isabel Anthony is a rogue vamp who basically has grown up on her own without any help. Her parents died when she was young thus leaving her knowing that she needed certain things for the vamp life but not having the proper training to realize her full potential. She is a beauty with some scruples though and doesn't just feed off anyone. She actually gives back as much comfort to the donor as she gets for her meal.

Thad Morgan is I don't know....hmm...maybe a bit dim witted and self absorbed. He is the next ruler of his people but has no powers without his life mate. Searching finally brings him to her only to have what should be a bit more dialogue but ends up being a bit more steam under the covers. With more work I think Thad could be much better developed.

The story has some action, quite a bit of steamy sex, confusion and misunderstandings that could get you killed and a whole can of worms that will explode on contact should it leak out that the King is powerless at the moment.

Not my favorite cup of tea but no two opinions are alike. Give this a chance as you may find you like it better than I did. I'm more into intense action than steamy sex so that could explain alot.

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402263155
ISBN-13: 978-1402263156

A Cowboy Comes Home by Barbara Dunlop (Terra's Review)

After years of being the black sheep, an unexpected inheritance has finally drawn Caleb Terrell home. But that doesn't mean the cowboy-turned-CEO plans to settle down on his family's Colorado ranch. His single-minded goal is to sell and get out…until he's reunited with the sexy girl next door, Mandy Jacobs.

Her mere presence reminds him of happier times. Denying Mandy seems impossible, but seducing her can lead only to heartbreak. There's no room in Caleb's agenda for such a delectable distraction. Because once he gives in to temptation, he may not be able to walk away.

(Terra's Thoughts) This is an adorable little romance with a country twist and a bit of one of those awe stories. I enjoyed it as it was quick, to the point and an easy read.

Caleb is ohhhhhhh so handsome in a suit and it's been some time since he was in jeans and a flannel shirt with cowboy boots and a Stetson on but oh just the thought is enough to heat the blood and sizzle other parts off limits. He left his home and ranch at the age of seventeen penniless to escape a life that would break even the strongest of bullies. Now he's back since his dad has parted from a miserable life. Caleb is the new owner of the ranch that his brother coverts so much but will they be able to patch up a rocky sibling relationship in time or will the ranch be a piece of history past?

Mandy is a cute little filly and more of the cute girl next door type. She cringes when she sees Caleb's assistant and feels inadequate in all feminine ways. After a few monkey wrenches thrown into the story will Mandy come out a winner to the man she has looked up to since she was in her early teens.

These little Harlequin books are a great in between quick read and perfect so as to break up the genre' or subgenre' you've been reading. This has some action, lots of loving, jealously and rivalry that will surely make you sit up and pay attention. Who says surprises don't come in small packages.

Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (January 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373731477
ISBN-13: 978-0373731473

Miss Hillary Schols a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace (Terra's Review)

There’s no taming the wicked. Jaded heiress Lana Hillary learned this lesson the hard way when the dashing man of her dreams turned out to be a lying scoundrel. With two Seasons behind her and the memory of his betrayal still fresh in her mind, Lana seeks a match with a respectable gent. But why must they all be so properly boring? Unable to rein in her bold nature for long, Lana flirts with trouble and finds herself entangled with the exact type of man she’s vowed to avoid.

Love ‘em-and- leave ‘em Lord Andrew Forest lives for pleasure and offers no apologies. But he receives a dose of his own medicine when his family’s innocent houseguest beds him then disappears without a by your leave. Rejected by the most captivating woman in England, Drew is determined to intercept Lana Hillary before she reaches London and convince her to marry him. Then he’ll teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love a man.

(Terra's Thoughts) Oh what a way to start a series. Whew....!

This story is delightfully romantic, silly, and a give them a dose of their own medicine type of romance. More romance than carnal lust I found this a treat to cherish. Even good girls have fun sometimes, LOL!

Lana Hillary is a red haired beauty who has been stuffed to the sidelines for two seasons of the tons best parties. Her mother is desperate to find someone for her and I don't think I would wish this man on even my worst of enemies. Luckily Lana's heart has a mind of it's own and over rules her sense of propriety.

Lord Andrew Forest is a devil of a rake and too handsome for any woman to ignore. Known as the best of the worst of rakes with his gaming and women won't help him out one little bit when he finally finds a fire haired beauty who can give him a run for his money. Must be the appeal of the chase that makes our Drew chase this lady as if her skirts were chocolate flavored with a buried surprise just waiting for the daring.

The story is everything we could possibly want from a delectable romance that sizzles with heat. A story that turns innocence into scorching need, a wall flower into a lustful siren and a debauched man into a caring lover. I really can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us after this book especially when there are three more to come. YUMM!

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402258313
ISBN-13: 978-1402258312

The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen (Terra's Review)

Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything...

The Marquis de Valère escaped certain death in the French Revolution and is now an infamous privateer. Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

Forgiveness is unthinkable, but it may be her only hope...

British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

(Terra's Thoughts) "Merde"! Our wonderful Shana Galen has done it again with another ripping romance that's sure to tickle your fancy plus some. The last of the Harcourt brothers has been found by a beautiful wild woman of the sea which leads us to a soul searing romance that will leave scorch marks instead of love bites.

Raeven Russell has a vendetta to act on and now only to find the man that shall see that Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn or hurt for that matter. Raeven is a small delicate beauty to behold but none looking at her would expect this petite to breath Brimstone and Fire should you hurt someone she loves. This is a woman that is a perfect match for any rogue.

Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis of de Valere has been at sea for more years than he would care to count. Having lost his family at a young age during the Revolution, young Bastien left to find himself and try to bury all the horrors and memories that plague him. What better way than to find himself saying, "A pirate's life for me, ha ha, he he".

Our story starts out with a challenge issued for the death of one's love in a tavern of ill repute. More of less a Pirate's Cove that the average person would avoid at all cost but not for our lass petite.

Disguise and lies begin our adventure to an action packed romance that will rival the rolling seas. Every now and then a whitecap appears in the way of soul searing lust that will curl your toes and redden your nose. Ah....to be young and unpredictable looking for love, trouble, revenge and a little tit for tat. Sigh...........!

To say I loved this book is an understatement! I think this is the best of the trilogy and I would take a Bastien of my own any day of the week. My heart aches though as our storyline has ended with this book but I do so hope that our author will dream up something new for us very soon.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402265557
ISBN-13: 978-1402265556

Dylan (The Secret Life of Cowboys #2) by C. H. Admirand (Terra's Review)

Sexy rancher Dylan is temporarily covering his brother's shift at the Lucky Star ladies club when he meets Ronnie DelVecchio, a darkhaired beauty with snapping green eyes. Sparks and tempers fly and Dylan can't resist the urge to see what it would be like to kiss her senseless.

(Terra's Thoughts) I normally don't read western romances but I'm ever so glad I did in this case. Gonna hunt down book one about Tyler next as they boys are totally hawt! It was such a treat to read such a sensual story with high emotions and even higher heat.

Ronnie is a very attractive young lady from the East Coast who has decided that a change of scenario and of life in general is a major must need after dumping her cheating ex. Starting over financially and geographically is the easy part but when she comes to the bump in the road of a tall, dark and hunky cowboy she shies away like a spooked horse.

Dylan has been hurt hard. Tall, dark and handsome is an understatement for one of his clan of brothers. With lips that will sizzle your panties off and a Texas drawl that can rope you in heart and soul it's hard to imagine any woman saying no to him. Texas cowboy to the hilt, he works hard, loves hard and plays harder and this is as easy to him as putting his boots on in the morning. Ahh....Yumm!

This is a wonderful story of ranch life in full swing with all it's hardships and wonders. A story ripe with everything in enormous proportions. Life's hard, work's harder, love is like a Thunderstorm hovering on the horizon with emotions flaring from one extreme to the next lickity split without a pause. A story where the sex is actually hotter than the Southern heat. Yowzer!

I loved this actually. It brings you on a level of sexual tension that is almost primal in intensity. Spark meets spark, flame meets flame only to explode into a wonderous thing that we all wish we could have just once in our lives. Maybe Texas and her cowboys do things harder and rougher and I for one wouldn't mind finding out on a personal level.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402258070
ISBN-13: 978-1402258077

Sins of The Highlander by Mia Marlowe & Connie Mason (Terra's Review)

Elspeth Stewart’s gift of Sight hadn’t warned her of the dark-haired madman who charged into her wedding and bore her away into the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his strong thighs, she ought to fear for her life. But her captor silenced all protest with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—pain only she could ease.

“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his enemy’s bride would be the perfect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longs to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his forever.

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the … Sins of the Highlander.

(Terra's Thoughts) This action packed romance was beyond wonderful. There's nothing like snatching a bride from the alter and then running like the devil is on your heels from her father and the man she was to marry while wondering if the Fates are for you or against you.

Elsepth Stewart is a beauty and with a really nice dowry that makes her quite a nice catch. Resigned to marry the man her father has decided upon and doing her duty so as not to shame her family is the only thing to do. Or is it? Did you ever stand in front of the alter at church and wish to God that your life could be different? Possibly wishing that since you are the dutiful daughter that may hap you might be granted a love match only to look into the face of a stranger? Marriage is for life so why should it not be perfect in all ways.

Rob MacLaren is thought to be a madman since the death of his beautiful wife. His was a marriage arranged in Heaven but was not to last unfortunately. He knows what happened to the love of his life and will stop short of nothing to revenge his beloved. So needless to say, our dear Mad Rob is about to kidnap his enemies bride at the alter before she can possibly say, "I do". No matter she be hag or raving beauty he is bound and determined to take an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth and so on.

Mia Marlowe has done an outstanding job with this story giving us a luscious romance to make betting odds on. Action packed with enough love, deceit, hatred, betrayal along with just the right amount of ghosties, beasties and backstabbing servants to make the story a cliff hanger right to the end.

I really don't think I can convey my feelings enough here to show you just how darn good this is. I was quite taken by surprise and a delightful one at that. It's just what a body needs along with a hot cuppa tea and a nice comfy blanket to curl up with on a cold winters night.

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402261829
ISBN-13: 978-1402261824

Fires of Winter by Roberta Gellis (Terra's Review)

A sparkling prize, the beautiful Mellusine of Ulle is awarded to the bastard-born Bruno of Jernaeve as a spoil of war. Bruno vows to tame the rebellious spirit of the captive beauty– but ultimately surrenders to her charms. Born of different worlds, joined in the flames of passion and intrigue, they find new strength in each other's arms...and a burning love that defies all eternity."

(Terra's Thoughts) This delight is a classic of yesteryear and a great winter read for those long cold nights with a good cup of tea, warm throw and a bit of chocolate. Ahh.....Relaxing!

Bruno is the bastard child of the Blue Blood but with a mother who was a whore. This label will affect each and every part of him for the rest of his life even though those who love him don't see him as such. A man of impeccable loyalty, honor, patience and intelligence as well as handsome as the day is long is an understatement. Beloved trusted friend of the King of England and trusting handsome love of the Queen puts Bruno in a position of some import. There are those who will not see the right of a bastard born being held so high.

Mellusine of Ulle is a captive of the King of England who is treated more than fairly. Her father turned traitor to the King of England by siding himself and his sons with the King of Scotland thus leaving his lands and beloved daughter unprotected and in dire danger. Mellisune is not the mousy vapor stricken chit who cannot hold her own in times of danger and hardship.

Bruno and Mellusine are trust together into a marriage of convience for the realm of England. Neither are happy with the arrangement but make due and eventually come to care for each other. Their respect and honesty is a balm for wedded bliss and for a Queen who doesn't trust her captive servant.

This is a really nice story that shows we can have an honest romance with a history lesson thrown in without the sexual prominence overtaking our story line.

Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402255012
ISBN-13: 978-1402255014

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel (Terra's Review)

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

(Terra's Thoughts) This has to be one of the best books of 2011. I have only read two or three steampunk and this one has to be the ultimate best. Hah, Steampunk vs. Zombie's, need I say more? Yah.........Delicious!

This story is about as action packed as you could possibly get and a well paced action story to boot. The romance you get here is a true romance and not the slap and tickle of eroticism. A well suited story for teens and older that will please. I just can't say enough about how much I absolutely loved it.

You have a new civilization set in the future due to massive warfare having decimated the worlds population. The earth's poles change and thus thrust the population that has managed to survive to move to more temperate climates in order to live and prosper.

Our survivors decide to start their lives over from the Victorian times but embellish with some of the technology that was present just before the disasters started. The only monkey wrench is a virus that is kept secret by the current government that happens to make the dead come back to life.

I am in awe of our author and the wonderful job she has done and can't wait to see what comes out next.

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (October 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345523318
ISBN-13: 978-0345523310

The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester (Terra's Review)

Fleeing into the wilderness to escape an abusive marriage, Lady Isabelle Tynsdale would sooner face down a wild boar than spend another night with her wretched husband. Battered by the elements, desperate to elude a band of attackers, and defending herself against, as fate would have it, a wild boar she is rescued by the handsome Laird David Campbell.

Campbell knows holding Isabelle captive for ransom is his best chance to temper the storm threatening to destroy his clan. The ransom of an English countess should be more than enough to pay off his debts to England and save him from an unwanted marriage. But Isabelle didn't escape her husband just to become another man's captive and Laird Campbell is seriously misguided if he thinks she's going to go quietly.

(Terra's Thoughts) This is an adorable story and one of how persistance doesn't always get you what you want. Patience is a virtue though and our heroine should have learned this long ago but alas it's not one of her strongest traits.

Lady Isabelle is a real beauty but a little of the persistantly daft side. She will do anything to stay away from her husband and will even tempt the nine lives of a black cat. She's daring, crafty, gutsy, smart but without an ounce of common sense and ever so desperate. Being so desperate does bring on some truly comical situtations and you can only sit there and shake your head while chuckling.

Laird Campbell is about the most handsome man a girl could hope to come across on the road while trying desperately to flee from a loathsome husband. His clan is top priorty and ransoming a beautiful wealthy heiress would be quite productive for everyone under his protection. What would his clan say should he whisper about his affections for said heiress considering she's English? I think we all know that answer.

Our hero gets mighty frustrated that his captive is always trying to escape and then getting herself into pickles that he has to rescue her from. How many times does a man have to rescue and recapture a woman to make her understand that just maybe he might feel a wee bit kindly towards her? Sheesh!

How can a woman of Lady Isabelle's status be so dense that she doesn't see safety even when it's staring her right in the face. Mayhap a time out would give our Lady some insight if she could ever stop her escapades for a few moments.

Amanda Forester has given us another wonderful Highland Romance that will tickle your fancy and tingle to the toes. A story of good guys and bad guys that give you all the action you could possibly want with a solid storyline that is sure to please.

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402253044
ISBN-13: 978-1402253041

The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell (Guest Post)

The Most Romantic Ride of All Time?

In 1651, an English girl named Jane Lane embarked on a dangerous adventure that not only saved the life of the king but preserved the future of the English monarchy.

On September 3, 1651, the young King Charles II, the exiled son of Charles I, who had been executed in 1649 – made a valiant attempt to take back his throne. His defeat by Oliver Cromwell’s forces at the Battle of Worcester set off one of the most astonishing episodes in British history – Charles’s desperate odyssey to reach safety in France, which came to be known as the Royal Miracle because he narrowly eluded discovery and capture so many times.

Charles and his ragged and outnumbered army knew that all their hopes rested on the outcome of the battle, and Charles thought that for him, the outcome would be “a crown or a coffin.” Their bloody rout ended the Royalist cause. Once Charles had been convinced that the best he could do was survive, he fled as his supporters made a last ferocious stand, and legendarily dashed out the back door of his lodgings as the enemy entered at the front, slipping out the last unguarded city gate.

One of Charles’s companions during his flight from Worcester was the Earl of Derby, who had recently been sheltered at a house called Boscobel in Shropshire. He suggested that the king might hide there until he could find a way out of England.

Jane Lane lived at Bentley Hall in Staffordshire, not far from Boscobel. She became involved in the king’s troubles because she had a pass allowing her and a manservant to travel the hundred miles to visit a friend near Bristol – a major port where the king might board a ship. In a story that sounds like something out of fiction, the 21-year-old king disguised himself as Jane’s servant, and Jane rode pillion (sitting sidesaddle behind him while he rode astride) along roads traveled by cavalry patrols searching for Charles, through villages where the proclamation describing him and offering a reward for his capture was posted, and among hundreds of people who, if they recognized him, had every reason to turn him in and none – but loyalty to the outlawed monarchy – to help him.

It was an improbable scheme. Charles was six feet two inches tall and very dark complexioned, not at all common looking for an Englishman of that time. And yet time after time he rode right under the noses of Roundhead soldiers without being recognized.

I learned about Jane Lane from Derek Wilson’s book All the King’s Women, and was convinced by the evidence he presented for his belief that Jane and the king became lovers when they were in each other’s company, in close physical contact, and in perilous circumstances from September 9 to September 18, 1651.

Jane remained in touch with Charles until he was restored to the throne in 1660. Then she became famous, and Charles rewarded her richly, awarding her a pension of £1000 pounds a year – quite a lot of money then – as well as giving her a watch that had belonged to his father, paintings of himself, and many other personal mementoes. He also offered her brother a title and gave her family the right to add the three Lions of England to their coat of arms.

The time that Charles spent on the run was an enormously formative experience, he told the story for the rest of his life, and Jane was clearly someone who he regarded with respect and affection until his death.

Gillian Bagwell’s novel The September Queen, the first fictional accounting of Jane Lane’s romantic and perilous adventures with the young Charles II, was released on November 1. Please visit her website, www.gillianbagwell.com, to read more about her books and read her blog Jane Lane and the Royal Miracle www.theroyalmiracle.blogspot.com, which recounts her research adventures and the daily episodes in Charles’s escape after Worcester.