Reviews by Dr. J

Fifth episode in this saga of Jessie Green and her men. Now the oldest brother has agreed to spend a week with Jessie, testing her willingness to live in his strict 24/7 BDSM life. He is convinced that this is a waste of time, but Jessie's sweet submission intrigues him. Jessie hopes that by spending this time with Austin she can bring all the brothers together, something that has not been true for many years. If he cannot accept her as wife to them all then she will leave. It is a intense episode and those who are offended by the BDSM D/s relationship will not like this episode. My rating is more about the brevity of the episode. Otherwise it is a fine piece of writing and one that I am delighted to have read.

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This is another fine example of Cooper McKenzie's writing expertise. Telling the story of a woman whose live has been reclaimed through the loving care of a foster parent, Daria must now find a way to make a life for herself. Her foster mom's home has burned and this important woman in her life is now dead. Yet as quickly as she finds herself homeless and without anything besides her laptop, her car, and the clothes on her back, Daria is claimed by two firefighters who have loved her from afar and who have desired her as their "third." Their BDSM D/s relationship is well-established and Daria may not agree to live this with them. The future of all three is on the line. This is a very intense story that will keep the reader riveted from beginning to end. Even as strict as the Master/slave relationship in their household, Daria's firefighters shower her with protection and loving that is hot and fulfilling. A wonderful love story and one that emphasizes the deep healing genuine love brings, the healing acceptance and protection can bring, and the security of knowing boundaries and the depth of love of which authentic caring can engender.

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The next episode in the saga of a human animal research scientist and the wolf-shifters who believe her to be their mate. She is still under the impression that these men are just having an affair with her until she leaves when her grant has expired. Shane is cousin to the Alpha and perhaps the neediest of the lot. His life has not been easy and he has turned to Eve to find the acceptance he never received in the past. This episode is far more emotional, having more of the emotional ups and downs than previous episodes. It also reveals more about the enemy of the pack, about the dark insanity that is driving the attacks on the wolves of the area, and the growing danger to Eve and her future with her men. A very good segment in this series and one that moves the story along nicely. As always, I renew my objection to the brevity of each episode vs the cost--not a good value, in my opinion, but now that I have begun the series I will see it through to the end.

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The final segment in this saga of Wilde, NV and Jessie Green, investigator of the mine accidents in that community. Now she has come up against all the resistance of the oldest of the brothers and his determination NOT to enter into the polyamorous marriage with his brothers has put Jessie in the position of leaving the men she has come to love deeply. She WILL NOT come between these brothers, no matter how much she might love them. It is much more of an emotional roller coaster ride than previous segments in the story and keeps the reader on edge right up until the end. While Jessie's life and her safety have been threatened almost from her arrival in this remote Western community, she is really in danger now. This is a worthy ending to the love story between Jessie and her men. I'm glad I stayed with the series and experienced all the tension, loving, and push/pull of relationships which involve multiple partners.

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Jenny Penn is a great writer of erotic fiction with a hefty helping of conflict that keeps the story edgy and the sex explosive. A wonderful love story that Jenny's fans will enjoy and those who love a great erotic romance owe themselves to read. This is not a story you will want to miss.

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You owe, you pay. So it goes when a stock brokerage employee makes a financial move that either will cost her her freedom, her job, or as an alternative, she will live in a submissive relationship with her boss. In the process these two people make some critical discoveries about themselves, the kind that are life-changing on so many levels. Very intentionally BDSM, yet in the context of safe, sane, and consensual. It is beautifully written and readers who not only love a good romance but who also enjoy a story that reflects excellent writing skills will find this a very satisfying read.

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He's a powerful, deeply responsible alpha of a pack of Alaskan wolf-shifters and she's a petite investigative scientist who has come to Alaska to study the activities of the area's wolves. Noah, his brother and his cousins meet Eve and they know she is their mate, but she's human and shy. Their plan to seduce her brings her into their circle of friendship and yet, Noah, as much as he "wants" her physically, struggles with the whole concept of loving someone. This is a very engaging first novella in a new series from Kiera West and Melissa Schroeder, and none of the segments are stand alone. Yet they are worth reading and will keep the interest of the reader from page one. Each subsequent book will highlight one of the principle shifters who seek to make Eve their mate.

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A marvelous Western historical romance set in the time of the Civil War. Once again it is a woman of strength and determination who makes stuff happen, who won't allow "fate" or chance to rob her and those she loves of the opportunity to find a future full of love and purpose. Her open heart embraces people others reject, and in the process she insures that she is surrounded by the very people she desires. A wonderful love story full of steamy love and a context that provides lovers of historical romance a colorful and rich context for a delightful story. This one is on my eReader and my favorites list! This is one that will get read repeatedly.

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A compelling and engaging novella from an author who writes so incredibly well. Just wish these stories would turn magically into full-length 80,000 word novels. They are over way too soon. Highlights the experience of a woman who is giving and caring but whose self-image is shot to hell by those who think only reed-thin women are attractive. Full-figured and curvy, our heroine loves her firefighter, but his willingness to commit is deplorable and in the process, manages to convey, by his actions, that he doesn't want this woman in his life. She is just weary to the bone of being "on call." This story is very emotional--a real roller coaster ride for the reader and one that will pull at the heart strings as you feel the disappointment and distress the heroine feels. How much disappointment can one woman tolerate? Just a terrific read. Cooper McKenzie fans won't want to miss this one nor will anyone who loves well-written erotic romance.

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This is a really different--in feel--than many Western historical romances. Set in the context of the Bride Train initially, it introduces a strong and determined woman of great intellect and one whose heart is overflowing with concern, especially when she is approached to take two nearly motherless children with her to protect them. The ultimate outcome of Florence's quest for a husband and home is tenuous throughout the story--Ben wants her but one of his brothers is turned off by Florence's evident ability to think and act with strength. This is a very edgy book and one that will cause the reader to not only be entertained but to think along with the characters. There is sexual tension throughout the story and some very steamy sex. But the core of the story is the progress of the relationships that will not only insure Florence's future but that of the two children she loves as her own. Just a terrific read!!

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A first novel in this series about a community where menage is the preferred way of life and where this pair of friends decide to launch their B & B that specializes in helping couples/triads renew their sense of romance. It is fun to watch these two girls come to grips with the true nature of the community and how they fit in, and especially as the girls discover the men who will be in their lives long term. Very entertaining read from a team of writers that never fails to please.

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This writing team have certainly found the formula for writing compelling and fun erotic romance. Certainly the triad in this story are unique people who have accepted that menage is their chosen way of living longterm. Edie has a lot to learn about herself as well and find a way to combine her life with that of these two men with their very clearly defined understanding of how men and women relate to each other. A really good read and worthy sequel to the first novel in this series.

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Another episode in the story of Scarlett and her seven, longhorn-shifting mates. I thought this was a bit more light-hearted as Levi seemed to be a more fun-loving of the mates, yet there was a serious stream of thought as Levi was seeking to find his own stride in this unusual relationship. A bit more has come out about the danger to Scarlett's life and the efforts of all the brothers to protect her. In each of these segments it is good to see Scarlett moving forward in her own journey of discovery about herself, her mates, what it means to really be a grown-up in a complicated relationship, and in her understanding of what it means to really love another.

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It seems almost unnecessary to state that I have loved this series right from the start. I was delighted to read this latest in the Desire, OK stories and experience once again the very unique characteristics of that community. It was no surprise when Erin gravitated toward Allison as her response to Desire was so similar at the outset. I was not as aware of Dillon and Ryder in previous stories and will have to go back and read those again. That being said, they were an interesting pair of friends--seemingly so different and yet so alike in their need to find the person who would make their life complete and their future secure. I liked the tentative nature of the future that hung over them--Allison's difficulties with her ex and the faith that Dillon and Ryder were willing to put on the line in efforts to help her. As always, Ms Brooke brought her extensive writing expertise to bear in making the characters come alive and connecting this story with the previous stories in this series through the interaction of the characters. Just an awesome novel and one that Brooke fans, erotic romance fans, and those who love an entertaining read will be delighted to experience.

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Probably the most disappointing episode in this series of stories. I was really hoping that Byron's story would show him opening up to Scarlett, allowing her love to invade his hurt and dry soul and give him a renewed vitality outside his ranch duties. I don't think that happened, plus I was puzzled by all the dialogue between two characters I really didn't perceive to be all that important to the story of Scarlett and her mates. Hopefully the next story in the series will dispel the mystery of why all that dialogue was a part of this story. I plan to re-read this episode and see if I can make more sense out of the connection. Hopefully Ms Newmar will bring Byron more fully into the family interaction as a brother fully committed to his mate and willing to demonstrate his love for her in the coming stories.

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The next episode in the continuing saga of Scarlett and her seven husbands who happen to be longhorn shifters. Devlin is the dark lover, a man who makes no secret of his Dom orientation and while he loves Scarlett, he also realizes that she needs to find her own maturity, her own sense of self that is not tied to her father, and to find a way to "turn the tables" on the woman who is trying to take over her father and his fortune. More overtly BDSM in content, it is still a story of this brother's love for his mate and his desire to not only love her but to protect her as the danger to her life becomes more critical. Not a stand alone story, and in my humble opinion, not nearly long enough. Ms Newmar has shown herself to be a good writer, but at times I don't think these episodes in this series showcase her best efforts.

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Another episode in the continuing saga of a relationship that is developing with a group of wolf shifters--brothers and cousins--and a human scientist who is in Alaska to study wolf packs in nature and who these shifters know is their mate. None of these episodes are stand alone stories, and in my opinion, as good as they are, are just way too short and too expensive for what is forthcoming. Had I not started this series, I would not continue buying these succeeding episodes because I just don't think they are a good value. However, that being said, the stories themselves are beautifully written and the developing relationships are fascinating. There is also an underlying mystery of murders that are being committed with an eye to implicating the shifter community. They are really delightful stories, but their brief format and cost-per-word takes away some of the joy for me.

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A second novel in a series about the second generation of government agents who are undercover to ferret out fraud and greed as individuals and groups are "stealing" boys that have come West on the Orphan Train, an effort made in the post Civil War years to find families for children who have been separated from their families by war or whose parents have died and left them homeless. The history of this endeavor demonstrates that the best of intentions can't possibly insure the best for all the children involved, and so it was with these orphans. Now the daughter of celebrated Civil War spies has taken an assignment to travel to pioneer Kansas as a school teacher in the company of twin brothers (who also have their issues) and who is a woman who doesn't have a fig of an idea of what this pioneer life will demand of her. Yet in the midst of their adventures these three are forced to learn about their new life as well as themselves--fighting the growing attraction between them while still seeking to find the boys that are disappearing. This is a marvelous historical romance that is rooted in some of the most turbulent years of America's history and a time when the country was still reeling from the tragedies of the Civil War. Even twenty years later, people's lives were still being deeply affected. Lovers of historical romance that is set in the Old West will LOVE this book and the preceding novel--Kentucky Woman. Ms Carlton has "hit one out of the park" with this novel!!

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Second in a series about a brother and sister who both come from a family that has essentially buried the fact that their grandmother was wolfen. Yet Michael has other issues--life-long worry about and care for his sister who has now found her HEA, needing to connect with Maddie as adult siblings, and not offering to design and build her dream home. Problem: her husband is the Alpha of the Wind River pack and breaking the news that his sister is now fully wolfen. Not only that, a young new addition to the pack, a young woman who has recently moved to be with her uncle, knows that Michael is her mate. Ms Martine tells stories so beautifully and even in the fantasy/paranormal world she has created, the characters are so real, the emotions expressed in a way that the reader can feel them, too, and developing the story and the relationships so that there just aren't any literary dead spots. The author has demonstrated a comprehensive grasp of the use of language and the challenges of writing a good story. Lovers of paranormal romance would do well to read this book and will find it well worth the time and effort. And let's face it: a really good story makes time fly, and readers will find this a very satisfying way to spend some quality reading time.

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There are a lot of great historical romances set in the Old West but there are few that are as well written and researched as this book and the following novels in the series that tell the stories of women who boarded the Bride Train that became a part of the post Civil War period and which took women to men in the West for arranged marriages. As in this woman's case, it was often an opportunity to run away from an abusive fiance or a marriage that was to a man three times the woman's age, or perhaps it was just to have a husband. With the carnage of the Civil War, men were at a premium, especially back East. Only in this lady's case, she literally jumped " . . . out of the frying pan into the fire." Upon arrival at her destination, her situation was quite different than what she expected and because of a ruckus in which she was involved, fighting to protect her virtue, she lands in the jail. The sheriff doesn't want her to marry the town bully, and against his better judgment, matches her up with a local rancher who was a bit of a non-conformist. The story really gets interesting from here on. Needless to say, both the heroine and the reader are in for some interesting developments. Just a really good read, very erotic with multiple partners--brothers and others--and yet all in the context of some genuine respect and caring. This author has done it again . . . given the readers a very satisfying read.

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The second novel involving the fetish club "Reckless Abandon" and the scene of a charity "auction" that pairs unclaimed submissives with prospective Doms. Richard and Alan are literally "blown away" when Molly, younger sister of their best friend, appears on the auction block. Richard has had difficulty facing his feelings and Alan has long desired Molly, so they begin their exploration of the possibilities that she is the one who will "complete" their family. Ms Ashbury has a wonderful way with words, draws clear and compelling word pictures, has written a highly erotic love story that is built on respect, kindness, a sense of recognizing their mutual needs and desiring that all of them receive that will complete them as people. Everyone who is a genuine romance lover will like this book and find in it the ingredients that make reading a wonderful experience. Just a fantastic read!

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Morgan Ashbury really has a way with words!! And this story, set in the context of a budding BDSM triad, is extremely erotic some suspense woven in. Add in the fact that Jordan owns "Reckless Abandon," a local high-end BDSM dungeon and whose love Marcus has changed his life. Yet they both feel that they need a woman--a very special woman--to "complete" their family. Both have been aware of Chastity's presence--she rents the other penthouse apartment in their building--and when she shows up at the club, Jordan lets no "grass grow under his feet" in approaching her and giving her the opportunity to act out some of her fantasies with him and Marcus. It is a novel of romance, highly erotic, some suspense about the ex-fiance, a lot of beautiful caring that fills some huge holes in Chastity's life, and the love that comes from respect and friendship--the kind that really does last forever. A beautiful story and one that all genuine romance lovers will enjoy.

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An erotic menage romance that brings an applicant for housekeeper/cook to a Montana ranch where two brothers are not only needing the services for which they advertised, but they are also seeking a woman who will be their perfect "third." Needing a job desperately, a lovely and energetic lady shows up at their door, having driven from New Orleans where her supposed "fiancee" had snookered her with lies of a future together when, in truth, he was already married. The brothers are enthralled by her right from the first and decline to check her references. Their relationship changes gradually from employers/employee to lovers and the three believed that their future was secure. Slowly they rebuilt her trust, only to see it evaporate in a flash when she finds out about some actions and decisions the brothers have made that convince her that they really don't trust or believe her. Ms Monroe has a proven track record as a very good writer of erotic romance and readers will find lots to like here, especially if you like hot loving, cowboys with those gorgeous muscles and their tight jeans and those cowboy hats they wear low on their foreheads. Yum!

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The latest novel in "The Heroes of Silver Springs" series and probably one of the best novels I have read in recent years. It is what I would call "The Complete Novel" as it contains romance, suspense, mystery, undercover operations, community, family loyalty, acceptance of love relationships in several different configurations and orientations, characters that represent people from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. It celebrates the heroism of firefighters and law enforcement personnel at all levels, deals honestly with the social destruction of drugs and their sale, can stand alone and yet is so expertly constructed that it is flawlessly connected to all the series' novels that came before. What more can I say? A serious reader of romance fiction shouldn't miss this one.

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This is NOT your "sweetness and light" kind of romance. In fact, from the very first, the heroine's life is in danger because of actions taken by her doctor-father while she was going to school in Boston. No one will tell her about this "curse" that is endangering her--telling her involves the "teller" in the curse--and people she has known since her earliest childhood now have turned against her. Her fiancee has been consistently unfaithful during her four years back East, and two of the Reeves brothers, the family that has sworn revenge on her family, use every trick in the book. Threats, cutting off her access to goods and services in the town, preventing her from working, even assaulting her in the cemetery as she is visiting her mother's grave. Lastly, they begin to seduce her in order to ruin her reputation so that she will have not alternative but to leave town. But, of course, this is a romance and so the reader has to know that there will be some conflict in all these main characters when they must deal with their attraction to one another. There are some interesting developments throughout the story that I wasn't expecting and a couple of late-appearing characters that change the complexion of the tale. The story is aptly named because in addition to the suspicious minds in the story, the reader is suspicious of the motives of the brothers as they seduce Felicia--are they responding to her beauty and innocence, or they simply indulging themselves while they work toward their ultimate goal of ruining her? I guess we all become suspicious before it is all over. Good story, very good writing, and a story that will hold the reader's interest from the first page onward.

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