SHADOW OF A DOUBT
KAREN MCCULLOUGH
Romantic Suspense
Cerridwen Press
Sensuality Rating: Sexy
ISBN# 1-4199-0684-4
eBook - Available now
Rating: 3 Enchantments
Detective Liz Ramsey is one focused police professional, until she meets Greg Conyers, an artist with a troubled soul and more. Torn between solving a slew of mounting murders and her ever growing desire to be Greg’s savior from himself, she almost succumbs to an end that could destroy them both. Only in the end does she find and battle the dark lurking monster within Greg, saving both the job and the man she loves.
Ms. McCullough masterfully brings to light the darkness and passion that is deep within us all. In SHADOW OF A DOUBT, she has created a true page turner that challenges the reader to look beyond the obvious until the bitter end. Balancing fiction with fact, she has created a truly unique romance-detective story.
Rowan
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
October 2007
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
THE MERRY WIDOW by Adriana Kraft
THE MERRY WIDOW
ADRIANA KRAFT
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Sensuality Rating: Torrid
ISBN# 978-1-60313-174-2
272 pages
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Releasing January 2008
Rating: 4.5 Enchantments
Merry Delaney is a recently widowed accountant. Though alone now, Merry is no stranger to loneliness. She’s been by herself, especially in her bed, for many years, ever since her husband had been diagnosed with a debilitating disease. However, it’s time for her to stop mopping around, and her best friend Camille knows just what Merry needs – sex. And lo and behold, good sex does not necessarily imply a man. Camille, a confirmed bisexual, introduces Merry to the world of Girls’ Night Out.
Detective Jim Barnes does not know Merry Delaney. That is, until an investigation leads him to her. The mob has been using her accountancy skills, unbeknownst to her, to skim money. Jim needs her to help him, and Merry agrees. However, Jim also knows he needs to keep a close eye on Merry. What if she went to the mob and tipped them off? However, he’s in for more than he bargained for, and it is to a long list of sexual dates, both male and female, that he is privy to while in surveillance.
There comes a time when Jim can no longer contain his desire for the adventurous Merry. Merry herself did not imagine she would have such a wild streak. She indulges in her newfound sexual freedom and liberation. Until the day Jim steps into her life as more than a cop, but as a fiery lover. Can the passion between them survive Merry’s need for independence? And what to make of the mob’s escalating threats on her person?
THE MERRY WIDOW is one very merry romp. The heat sizzles and burns off almost every page. Be prepared to need lots of cooling aid when reading this one! However, despite the almost non-ending sexual prowess related in the story, the author does manage to convey a physical and human dimension to the characters. The romance between Merry and Jim is nothing short of sweet, well, okay, if you overlook the sultry blaze that lights up at every encounter.
Definitely a good read, but one that will leave the reader hot, hot, hot!
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
ADRIANA KRAFT
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Sensuality Rating: Torrid
ISBN# 978-1-60313-174-2
272 pages
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Releasing January 2008
Rating: 4.5 Enchantments
Merry Delaney is a recently widowed accountant. Though alone now, Merry is no stranger to loneliness. She’s been by herself, especially in her bed, for many years, ever since her husband had been diagnosed with a debilitating disease. However, it’s time for her to stop mopping around, and her best friend Camille knows just what Merry needs – sex. And lo and behold, good sex does not necessarily imply a man. Camille, a confirmed bisexual, introduces Merry to the world of Girls’ Night Out.
Detective Jim Barnes does not know Merry Delaney. That is, until an investigation leads him to her. The mob has been using her accountancy skills, unbeknownst to her, to skim money. Jim needs her to help him, and Merry agrees. However, Jim also knows he needs to keep a close eye on Merry. What if she went to the mob and tipped them off? However, he’s in for more than he bargained for, and it is to a long list of sexual dates, both male and female, that he is privy to while in surveillance.
There comes a time when Jim can no longer contain his desire for the adventurous Merry. Merry herself did not imagine she would have such a wild streak. She indulges in her newfound sexual freedom and liberation. Until the day Jim steps into her life as more than a cop, but as a fiery lover. Can the passion between them survive Merry’s need for independence? And what to make of the mob’s escalating threats on her person?
THE MERRY WIDOW is one very merry romp. The heat sizzles and burns off almost every page. Be prepared to need lots of cooling aid when reading this one! However, despite the almost non-ending sexual prowess related in the story, the author does manage to convey a physical and human dimension to the characters. The romance between Merry and Jim is nothing short of sweet, well, okay, if you overlook the sultry blaze that lights up at every encounter.
Definitely a good read, but one that will leave the reader hot, hot, hot!
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
MY EYES ONLY by Judith Otto
MY EYES ONLY
JUDITH OTTO
Young Adult Adventure Romance
Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN# 978-1-59374-129-7
190 pages
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 5 Enchantments
Mandy Rossiter is a on the point of taking a giant leap into the unknown world of adolescence. The era is the 1950s.
Her story starts with the gift of a diary from her best friend, Sally. From this point on, she’ll record everything that happens to her, from the trivial to the important. And also, she’ll put her secrets in the diary, secrets even Sally won’t know of.
As Mandy embarks on her journey, the world is changing around her. Her friends are wearing makeup, trousers, and going out with boys. Mandy’s parents are old fashioned and forbid her from doing all this.
Yet, Mandy has discovered the fascination which boys present to adolescent girls. There is the older, stovepipe-wearing, slicked back hair and dressed-in-black guy she meets while on vacation, who gives her her first real kiss. Then back home, there is sweet and handsome Gary, who wants her as his steady girlfriend. Then there is Roger, the bad boy spelling trouble.
There is the journey of discovery, complete with the lure of adventure and the thrilling temptation of seduction... It is also a time of love, sweet kisses, and betrayal.
While I will admit that at the start of the book I wasn’t too keen on this story, I cannot recall where Mandy Rossiter pulled me into her world and made me want to stay there. Ms. Otto writes in a poignant way which makes the reader feel Mandy as if she was there and the reader was her best friend. The reader is taken along this journey, and sometimes is terribly frustrated to be only a silent observer, wanting at times to laugh with Mandy, bash her on the head when she is about to do something stupid, and cry with her when her life goes hay wire.
Mandy’s story is one any woman can relate to, because we’ve all been there at one point, be it in different eras or decades. At heart, Mandy is the girl in us.
Thanks Ms. Otto for having caught this elusive essence of growing up in this book.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
JUDITH OTTO
Young Adult Adventure Romance
Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN# 978-1-59374-129-7
190 pages
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 5 Enchantments
Mandy Rossiter is a on the point of taking a giant leap into the unknown world of adolescence. The era is the 1950s.
Her story starts with the gift of a diary from her best friend, Sally. From this point on, she’ll record everything that happens to her, from the trivial to the important. And also, she’ll put her secrets in the diary, secrets even Sally won’t know of.
As Mandy embarks on her journey, the world is changing around her. Her friends are wearing makeup, trousers, and going out with boys. Mandy’s parents are old fashioned and forbid her from doing all this.
Yet, Mandy has discovered the fascination which boys present to adolescent girls. There is the older, stovepipe-wearing, slicked back hair and dressed-in-black guy she meets while on vacation, who gives her her first real kiss. Then back home, there is sweet and handsome Gary, who wants her as his steady girlfriend. Then there is Roger, the bad boy spelling trouble.
There is the journey of discovery, complete with the lure of adventure and the thrilling temptation of seduction... It is also a time of love, sweet kisses, and betrayal.
While I will admit that at the start of the book I wasn’t too keen on this story, I cannot recall where Mandy Rossiter pulled me into her world and made me want to stay there. Ms. Otto writes in a poignant way which makes the reader feel Mandy as if she was there and the reader was her best friend. The reader is taken along this journey, and sometimes is terribly frustrated to be only a silent observer, wanting at times to laugh with Mandy, bash her on the head when she is about to do something stupid, and cry with her when her life goes hay wire.
Mandy’s story is one any woman can relate to, because we’ve all been there at one point, be it in different eras or decades. At heart, Mandy is the girl in us.
Thanks Ms. Otto for having caught this elusive essence of growing up in this book.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
TO LOVE AN OUTLAW by Roxanne Springer
TO LOVE AN OUTLAW
ROXANNE SPRINGER
Western Erotic Romance/Historical
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Sensuality Rating: Torrid
ISBN# 978-1-59374-990-3 (eBook)
ISBN# 978-1-59374-990-3 (Trade Paperback)
$6.99/$15.95 paperback
446 pages
Releasing December 2007
Rating: 3.5 Enchantments
Jessica Randall is a young widow. Beautiful and strong, she mourns and pays homage to her deceased husband. Though alone, she knows she can make it, and tends to her farm almost single handedly. Jessica is not a recluse, but she isn’t too social either, living at a distance from the nearby town.
Until the stormy night when a man knocks on her door. His name is John Budreau and he is injured. He requests her help, and Jessica acquiesces. However, something else is shared between them, and that is an undeniable attraction.
Jessica allows her woman’s heart to come out of its painful and lonely mourning, and it is with renewed vigor that the same heart now beats for the handsome John. When he decides to stay back for a while as hired hand on her farm, both he and Jessica allow the simmering appeal for each other to gain ground.
They eventually fall in love. Yet, the enigmatic John carries and hides a secret so terrible it would tear the very heart he now cherishes - Jessica’s. Should he reveal his secret, there will be no future for them. And a future with Jessica is precisely what he now yearns for.
Both Jessica and John are very lovable characters. They have both been depicted with flair and humanness. The story reserves some very powerful twists and turns, some of which the reader will not see coming. The eventful dimension of the story however does tend to lag and drag in some instances, and in some places, the recovery is rather lacking. However, all this might be overlooked in the light of Ms. Springer’s particular brand of realistic and very detail-oriented descriptions of historical life.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
ROXANNE SPRINGER
Western Erotic Romance/Historical
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Sensuality Rating: Torrid
ISBN# 978-1-59374-990-3 (eBook)
ISBN# 978-1-59374-990-3 (Trade Paperback)
$6.99/$15.95 paperback
446 pages
Releasing December 2007
Rating: 3.5 Enchantments
Jessica Randall is a young widow. Beautiful and strong, she mourns and pays homage to her deceased husband. Though alone, she knows she can make it, and tends to her farm almost single handedly. Jessica is not a recluse, but she isn’t too social either, living at a distance from the nearby town.
Until the stormy night when a man knocks on her door. His name is John Budreau and he is injured. He requests her help, and Jessica acquiesces. However, something else is shared between them, and that is an undeniable attraction.
Jessica allows her woman’s heart to come out of its painful and lonely mourning, and it is with renewed vigor that the same heart now beats for the handsome John. When he decides to stay back for a while as hired hand on her farm, both he and Jessica allow the simmering appeal for each other to gain ground.
They eventually fall in love. Yet, the enigmatic John carries and hides a secret so terrible it would tear the very heart he now cherishes - Jessica’s. Should he reveal his secret, there will be no future for them. And a future with Jessica is precisely what he now yearns for.
Both Jessica and John are very lovable characters. They have both been depicted with flair and humanness. The story reserves some very powerful twists and turns, some of which the reader will not see coming. The eventful dimension of the story however does tend to lag and drag in some instances, and in some places, the recovery is rather lacking. However, all this might be overlooked in the light of Ms. Springer’s particular brand of realistic and very detail-oriented descriptions of historical life.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON by Bruce Cooke
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON
BRUCE COOKE
Romance Contemporary
Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN# 978-1-59374-072-6
Price: N/A (ARC)
200 pages
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 5 Enchantments
Life is bleak, grey and ugly for fifty-year old widow Joanne Montgomery. Not wanting to hurt their children with the stark, ugly truth about their father, she carries the burden of his infidelities and abusive streak alone. Depression lurks like a pernicious cloak around her, and she often seeks solace in the bottle. Until the day Ritchie steps into her life.
Richard Collins, better known as Ritchie, is fifty-three years old and a divorced father of three. Ritchie has brought his kids up single handedly, and there has never really been time for him to seek more from life. When he meets Joanne, Ritchie knows she is his second chance at love.
From here starts a quest to win over first Joanne’s trust, then her love, both of which he gains after his relentless pursuit of her. Joanne, wary of love, finally falls for Ritchie. Things couldn’t be better – if only her daughter Becky could be happy for her. Becky held her father in saintly light, and she is aghast at her mother being with another man, especially Ritchie, whom she views with much distrust. To further stir things up, Ritchie’s gold-digging ex-wife steps back into the picture. She’s been ditched by her latest lover, and wants back into Ritchie’s life. She won’t let a small obstacle like Joanne stand in her way, and she convinces Joanne she and Ritchie are back together.
Joanne is hurt and feels betrayed. She withdraws from the relationship. But Ritchie is not ready to let her go, at least not without putting up a fight. He will expose the lies keeping them apart, come hell or high water.
Here is one story with an apparently simple plot. Simple? Not so much. While I will admit the plot is rather uncomplicated, there is a big surprise awaiting all the readers, and this is the author’s delightful writing voice. Mr. Cooke’s mastery of relationships and the characters he creates in Love in the Afternoon is simply to be applauded. Rarely have I read of a hero more worthy of being termed a hero – Ritchie, despite being in the afternoon of life, is a man any woman would find hard not to fall for. The interaction of the characters in this set-up is simply marvelous, especially where Ritchie and his daughter Sally are concerned. I had one laugh after another with these two.
This is one story to curl up with and read in one single go. It will fill you with a soft warm glow, and you will fall in love along the way.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
BRUCE COOKE
Romance Contemporary
Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN# 978-1-59374-072-6
Price: N/A (ARC)
200 pages
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 5 Enchantments
Life is bleak, grey and ugly for fifty-year old widow Joanne Montgomery. Not wanting to hurt their children with the stark, ugly truth about their father, she carries the burden of his infidelities and abusive streak alone. Depression lurks like a pernicious cloak around her, and she often seeks solace in the bottle. Until the day Ritchie steps into her life.
Richard Collins, better known as Ritchie, is fifty-three years old and a divorced father of three. Ritchie has brought his kids up single handedly, and there has never really been time for him to seek more from life. When he meets Joanne, Ritchie knows she is his second chance at love.
From here starts a quest to win over first Joanne’s trust, then her love, both of which he gains after his relentless pursuit of her. Joanne, wary of love, finally falls for Ritchie. Things couldn’t be better – if only her daughter Becky could be happy for her. Becky held her father in saintly light, and she is aghast at her mother being with another man, especially Ritchie, whom she views with much distrust. To further stir things up, Ritchie’s gold-digging ex-wife steps back into the picture. She’s been ditched by her latest lover, and wants back into Ritchie’s life. She won’t let a small obstacle like Joanne stand in her way, and she convinces Joanne she and Ritchie are back together.
Joanne is hurt and feels betrayed. She withdraws from the relationship. But Ritchie is not ready to let her go, at least not without putting up a fight. He will expose the lies keeping them apart, come hell or high water.
Here is one story with an apparently simple plot. Simple? Not so much. While I will admit the plot is rather uncomplicated, there is a big surprise awaiting all the readers, and this is the author’s delightful writing voice. Mr. Cooke’s mastery of relationships and the characters he creates in Love in the Afternoon is simply to be applauded. Rarely have I read of a hero more worthy of being termed a hero – Ritchie, despite being in the afternoon of life, is a man any woman would find hard not to fall for. The interaction of the characters in this set-up is simply marvelous, especially where Ritchie and his daughter Sally are concerned. I had one laugh after another with these two.
This is one story to curl up with and read in one single go. It will fill you with a soft warm glow, and you will fall in love along the way.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
COP'S DAUGHTER: GRACE by Laura Marie Henion
COP’S DAUGHTER 3: GRACE
LAURA MARIE HENION
Suspense
Whiskey Creek Press
240 pages
ISBN# 978-1-59374-391-8
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 4.5 Enchantments
At age 9, Grace Martin faced a facet of life no person desires to encounter. Now, years later, Grace is a detective with the NYPD, following in the footsteps of her illustrious cop father. Grace is very good at her job, and has an affinity for mapping out the mind of killers. Undercover work is another one of her fortes.
Lieutenant Max Mathews is on a complicated case. Women are going missing, and he has to put a stop to it. A hardened, street-tough and savvy cop, Max needs Grace’s help on this one.
Grace’s own cases of missing women bring her in touch with Max. Both cannot deny the magnetic attraction between them. It is even more disturbing for Grace who never allows herself to simply be a woman and always views herself as a cop, first and final.
As Grace figures out a connection between the disappearances, an undercover operation brings her face to face with the mastermind behind the sordid affair. This man, known as the Master, runs an illegal sex slave network. He abducts those women for his clients who require a sex slave. But now the Master has something else on his mind – he has identified his own sex slave, and her name is Grace Martin.
Will Grace take the fall? Her father died because of the ‘job’. Will History repeat itself?
If it is suspense you crave, this is the book for you. Rarely have I been kept on the edge of my seat from such gripping tension and anticipation. Not to mention the sizzling tension and raw attraction between Grace and Max that simply simmers off the pages. Ms. Henion knows her craft. She creates a captivating world, and her descriptions will allow the readers to close their eyes and connect immediately with her vividly portrayed settings. The twists and turns in this one sure make it a page-turner.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
LAURA MARIE HENION
Suspense
Whiskey Creek Press
240 pages
ISBN# 978-1-59374-391-8
Price: N/A (ARC)
eBook - Available October 2007
Rating: 4.5 Enchantments
At age 9, Grace Martin faced a facet of life no person desires to encounter. Now, years later, Grace is a detective with the NYPD, following in the footsteps of her illustrious cop father. Grace is very good at her job, and has an affinity for mapping out the mind of killers. Undercover work is another one of her fortes.
Lieutenant Max Mathews is on a complicated case. Women are going missing, and he has to put a stop to it. A hardened, street-tough and savvy cop, Max needs Grace’s help on this one.
Grace’s own cases of missing women bring her in touch with Max. Both cannot deny the magnetic attraction between them. It is even more disturbing for Grace who never allows herself to simply be a woman and always views herself as a cop, first and final.
As Grace figures out a connection between the disappearances, an undercover operation brings her face to face with the mastermind behind the sordid affair. This man, known as the Master, runs an illegal sex slave network. He abducts those women for his clients who require a sex slave. But now the Master has something else on his mind – he has identified his own sex slave, and her name is Grace Martin.
Will Grace take the fall? Her father died because of the ‘job’. Will History repeat itself?
If it is suspense you crave, this is the book for you. Rarely have I been kept on the edge of my seat from such gripping tension and anticipation. Not to mention the sizzling tension and raw attraction between Grace and Max that simply simmers off the pages. Ms. Henion knows her craft. She creates a captivating world, and her descriptions will allow the readers to close their eyes and connect immediately with her vividly portrayed settings. The twists and turns in this one sure make it a page-turner.
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
THE DARK WARRIORS by SFX Fantasy
THE DARK WARRIORS
SFX FANTASY
fantasy, young adult, paranormal romance
LuLu
ISBN# 978-1-4303-0957-4
Price: N/A
eBook - Available now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
Welcome to the SXF Fantasy series; this is the third book. It starts up where it left off with Jakeand Sarah, his flying companion. These two elite warriors battle the shadow beasts ravagingand destroying their lands.
Jake has trouble with his fuzzy memories, but Sarah is able to unburden Jake’s mind and openhim up with her love. With the help of their friends Helen, Bob and Torin, these warriors standup and battle the monsters in the dark.
This book is wonderfully written. The intense plot will keep you turning the pages and wantingmore. The epilogue “Nine Years” is an added teaser about Jake and Sarah. THE DARKWARRIORS is a gripping tale that will lead its reader gasping for more. If you have not readthe first two books, I recommend starting with WARRIOR GIRL and LOST IN ANOTHERREALM. You won’t want to leave this series off your reading list.
Raven
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
SFX FANTASY
fantasy, young adult, paranormal romance
LuLu
ISBN# 978-1-4303-0957-4
Price: N/A
eBook - Available now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
Welcome to the SXF Fantasy series; this is the third book. It starts up where it left off with Jakeand Sarah, his flying companion. These two elite warriors battle the shadow beasts ravagingand destroying their lands.
Jake has trouble with his fuzzy memories, but Sarah is able to unburden Jake’s mind and openhim up with her love. With the help of their friends Helen, Bob and Torin, these warriors standup and battle the monsters in the dark.
This book is wonderfully written. The intense plot will keep you turning the pages and wantingmore. The epilogue “Nine Years” is an added teaser about Jake and Sarah. THE DARKWARRIORS is a gripping tale that will lead its reader gasping for more. If you have not readthe first two books, I recommend starting with WARRIOR GIRL and LOST IN ANOTHERREALM. You won’t want to leave this series off your reading list.
Raven
Enchanting Reviews
October 2007
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