Reviews by Dr. J

Menage appears to be "in" and stories involving multiple partners are becoming ever more popular. But this is the first story I have ever encountered where the shifters were longhorn steers. The heroine is young and inexperienced in the ways of romance, the only daughter of a wealthy Texas businessman, and one whose life is endangered by those who would scam him out of his business, his money, and his life. The initial attempt on Scarlett's life leaves her without any memory of the attempted murder or of her past. When she is rescued, she realizes that she has been taken into the home of seven brother, all of whom claim she is their mate according to the Fates, and all of whom are longhorn shifters. Scarlett isn't sure how she feels about all this until she succumbs to their wooing and realizes that they are all fantastic lovers and they are all falling in love with her. This is the first in a series of novellas that are NOT stand alone books. My only objection: they are all way too short and way too expensive for the number or pages in each. Ms Newmar does well in developing the basis for the coming books, but it feels like paying full price for half a book. Otherwise, the plot and story line seem fascinating and one that should prove interesting to watch as each novella highlighting each brother becomes available.

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What does a girl do when she is all revved up to pour her anger at the high-handed tactics of wealthy and powerful cowboys who are trying to take her property, and then she sees them, they are drop-dead gorgeous, and they don't seem to know anything about the efforts to take away her property? I guess you just gotta love 'em. But in this fun story Callie doesn't know whether she should love them or tell them to "take a hike." The road to togetherness doesn't run smooth for these four and it isn't until the bad guy is finally revealed that Callie and her cowboys have any hope of finding the road to a future together. This is a delightful read and one that is thoroughly enjoyable. There are some hot loving scenes that involve bondage and such, but underneath it all is the fact that Callie and these three cowboy brothers are wanting to find love, stability, authentic caring that will last into the future. And what reader doesn't like three totally Alpha cowboys? Callie finds out they can be a handful but when all is said and done, she is the one who wants to put her hands all over them. Just a fun read!!

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The fire captain and the rich girl: can their divergent backgrounds ever allow them to come together? Certainly the fire captain is very good at his job, but putting out the fire that Veronica starts inside him is one that he has never successfully put out. Now she has returned to their home town of Silver Springs, and for the first time in her life she is in charge of her future. She wants her own life, her own business, and she wants Dean. This is another really great Tonya Ramagos tale and one that will delight both her fans and new readers alike. It is also the first in her Silver Springs series and this story also promises her readers of more great stories to come. Just one of those compelling reads that true lovers of romance fiction don't want to and shouldn't miss.

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This novella introduces readers to Club Esoteria, to its owners and some of its members who are now engaging in a "slave auction" or the claiming of submissives with proceeds to benefit one of the community's local shelters. Sloan is a relative of the owners and even though she has never been a part of the BDSM lifestyle, she is still wanting to be introduced to it and agrees to stand as one of the "slaves" to be auctioned. Knowing that the owners will not allow her to be claimed by someone who would hurt or abuse her, Sloan is understandably nervous, but her faith in her friends and her rampant curiosity about the lifestyle carry her forward. This is a very erotic novella that does not back away from the BDSM content and which explores a non-traditional family configuration that is based on love and care as well as the desire to meet the needs of its participants. Cooper McKenzie is a multi-published author who has delighted her readers with a variety of stories and this series promises to continue that tradition.

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Book Two of the "Cattleman's Club" series is another find Jenny Penn creation and expands the story of a woman who was introduced significantly in Book One. Hailey is a woman who sees herself as unattractive to men, who has built almost enpenetrable walls between herself and anyone who might express an interest in her. Especially she abhors the men of the Cattleman's Club who are accurately known for their sexual excesses and who she steers clear of whenever they come near. Yet deep down, she is drawn to two men who have been constant persons in her life, if for no other reason than they drive her crazy with their verbal jabs and the insults they throw back and forth. In spite of all the negative talk and hurtful acts during their growing up years, there has always been an attraction. This is another wonderful novel from the pen of a woman who really knows how to write erotic romance fiction. The story is not a simplistic one, but is constructed with multiple characters, multiple strands of the story that are woven together skillfully. The reader will encounter numerous twists and turns, surprises at how these characters interact, and a sense of "how will this all work out?" Not only do the characters get caught up in their "journey of discovery" about themselves and one another, but the reader will also be caught up in watching these people peel away the anger and hurt of past years to discover the love that has always been there. Just one splendid read!!

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Gosh, what a rockem sockem tale this turned out to be!! Jenny Penn has "hit one out of the park" with this novel of two werewolf brothers who find their mate, but that particular female is the sister of the alpha of another pack, a pack that is not well-liked or accepted by their alpha. Traditionally these two packs just stay away from each other. And Kristen is an attorney with her own practice, in a "friends with benefits" relationship with her law partner, and is a woman who is just fine with her independent life and profession. Being claimed by her mates is just about the last thing she wants, and certainly not by two men from a pack that has the ability to control both the minds and sexual responses of their partners. So in typical Jenny Penn fashion, these three engage in an adversarial relationship that is raw, emotional, energetic, funny, and never seems to present the possibility of being resolved. Yet there is that inevitable reality that they have been chosen by Fate to be mates, and how do they manage that? This is just simply a wonderful paranormal romance that lovers of shifters and werewolves and the like will enjoy to the fullest. For lots of reasons, Jenny Penn's writing style and her storytelling continue to delight me and I continue to be fascinated with the characters she dreams up. Throughout this series she has created people who are wild and woolly, unique and yet who live in relationship with a circle of family and friends. They are powerful but also sensitive and loving. They are the kind of fantasy characters all lovers of werewolves love, but they are intrinsically human in their responses to one another. This novel is a worthy continuation of this series and remains one of my favorites and one I will re-read in the near future.

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Missy Martine has crafted a truly fine novel that brings together two very wealthy Western ranchers with a young woman who has never felt the warmth of genuine love and caring and who now needs to be sheltered and given the opportunity and space to heal from a physical beating and a situation that has battered her heart. Serena has come from a family where she was constantly in danger from her step-father and step-brothers. She has long nursed a crush on two brothers in her home town, neither of whom have every responded to her overtures and who have now found their "third." Because of her boss's criminal acts, Serena has been beaten and is now in danger of being further harmed. The two bounty hunters who are seeking her attacker are attracted to her and want to explore a relationship with her. However, Serena's own public pronouncements that she is seeking a wealthy husband/lover has made them extremely cautious in light of their own wealth. Thus, they begin their relationship with her under false pretenses, leading her to believe that they are only hired ranch hands rather than the well-to-do ranch owners. It is only after they have all begun to consider a future together as their attraction deepens into love, that the "spit hits the fan" and Serena's sense of having been used and abused once again causes her to flee her protectors. The deeper question in this story is whether or not these two ranchers are working more for their own protection or are they genuinely seeking to protect Serena? The road to their "happily ever after" is certainly not smooth and the reader will be taken on an emotional roller coaster ride as the story progresses. Ms Martine has demonstrated a truly fine sense of reality as she tells this fictional story, and her development of the story and the characters is evidence of her skills as a writer. It was a very satisfying reading experience and this novel remains on my favorites list.

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As a continuation of the "Bride Train series," this third novel explores the experiences of a woman who has been polished by the efforts of an Eastern finishing school and who has now returned to her home thinking she will resume her life as a Western rancher. Her brothers are not willing to allow her to assume any leadership in their ranching enterprise and convince her that she must prove herself by posing as a young ranch hand in the service of three British aristocrats who have won a ranch in a poker game. These three are truly "dumber than dirt" when it comes to ranching, and Jessie knows it all. Thinking she is a young teen, they are reluctant to accept her direction, but as time goes on, they begin to understand that she really knows whereof she speaks, and their ranching enterprise begins to flourish. It is only when they discover that she is a fully grown woman that their menage relationship begins and Jessie discovers her own need for love and acceptance as a woman. This is compelling story and one that will not only entertain but will also massage the libido. It is a very erotic story and while there are some really hot love scenes between the characters, the loving never overtakes the story. All these people are seeking to find their niche in life--the aristocrats are all second or third sons and thus have no expectations financially or socially, and must make their own way in life. Jessie discovers that her expectations are unrealistic and she, too, must find a new "place" to settle, not only the issue of using her ranching knowledge and skills, but her emotional relationships as a woman. This is one of those novels that keeps you riveted to each page and I, for one, was sorry to see the story end. I love this series, not only as romantic fiction, but because it is so well researched and set in a part of American history that is not well known to most readers. It is an all-around fine book and one I am delighted to have read.

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This is one of those kinds of novels that puts the reader squarely in the middle of real life. It is also a novel that is up front about its BDSM content and yet the author has crafted a story that displays the healing and restorative effects that can come out of a Dom/sub relationship when it is safe, sane, and consensual. It is also about an older woman whose marriage really came close to destroying her ability to be in an interdependent relationship, as her husband literally threw all the responsibility for their relationship, maintaining the home, raising the children, managing the limited money he put at her disposal, etc. upon her. Now she wants to learn once again what it is like to lean on another, to explore her submissive nature, and to do it with a person who is respectful and who truly seeks her best interests. This is a very romantic story and will warm the hearts of readers as they watch the heroine slowly reclaim her true self, even in the glare of danger to herself and her future. Just a truly wonderful book.

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Set in the early 20th century, this story relates the relationship that grew up between a world-class, internationally famous fashion designer from Paris, with two internationally famous department store owners from Texas--all three known to the others through the print media. These two Texas millionaires were delighted that this famous Parisienne had decided to come seeking to put her clothes in their stores, but when they met her, they wanted something far more personal from her. Yet, these two men were hurting and grieving, even after three years. Their "third" Jackie had died in a terrible fire, and neither one of them could seem to get over that loss. While they were sexually enthralled with this beautiful woman from Paris, they still kept their emotions and especially their grief closed off. This is a store that is all about the power of love to reveal deep wounds with the end goal of bringing healing to the wounded. It is one of those stories where the main characters seem to be impossibly stuck in the past. The author has crafted these characters to be so very human--not abstract as can often be seen in such tales. They are people whose experiences resonate with the authenticity of real life. Readers can't help but be affected emotionally with the delight these three experience in their sexual encounters, but still be very much aware of the dark shadows left over from hurtful and damaging experiences from the past. Just a really splendid read that lovers of romance fiction shouldn't miss.

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Leah Brooke has given her readers a book that is just a bit of a change of pace than those that have recently come from her writing efforts. Yes, it involves a menage relationship and that is consistent with much of her other books, but it brings the reader into the contemporary world of the hotel industry and the rather unusual relationship between a woman who is really a gifted decorator and two hotel magnates whose attraction to her borders on obsession. Yet there is still a gap between their desire for her sexually and their complete trust of her, the kind of trust that must be present for true love to exist between them. This is not your simplistic boy-meets-girl kind of novel. Rather, it is a complicated romance that is mixed in with a very compelling suspense plot and before the ending finally comes, there is lots to experience and process between these three people as well as others who may be secondary characters but who shape the outcome of the story as well as the long-term relationship of the main characters. This is a stand alone novel and it is one that I am glad to have read. It bears the marks of Ms Brooke's expertise as a story teller of note as well as her wordsmithing. Every lover of erotic romance will delight in this book as well those who are especially glad when a very good romance/suspense novel comes along. You owe it to yourself to read this book!

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This is a hard-edged, very erotic novel that embraces the BDSM lifestyle as practiced by two firefighters as they seek to establish a Dom/sub relationship with the woman they have long loved. Yet underneath the obvious relational content of this book is the core issue--at least from my perspective--of the internal struggle of a very talented woman over the need and desire to submit to these two men who she has truly come to love with her desire to continue serving the children of her community through her childcare involvement. The story details her yes-no inward tussle, her inner dialogue reflects her deep desire to be their submissive. But it also reflects her continuing need to express her love for children and to continue to be involved in her childcare professional life. Why does it have to be one or the other? The reader will be drawn into this struggle as Ms Ramagos has to skillfully written this novella that the reader can't help but become emotionally involved. Those who are offended by the BDSM forms of dominance/submission should probably skip this work, but the underlying affection and caring that is shared by these three people shines through, even during their most controlled and edgy encounters. it is an outstanding romance reading experience and one that I am delighted to have experienced.

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The Cattleman's Club is an important part of the community's life--most of the men who are the shakers and movers in town are a part of this men's society that is a BDSM club. Rachel Adams is a local, small town newspaper reporter, one who has rarely if ever been given one of the important stories to follow. She is usually relegated to the woman's page or some "human interest" story. Her life is routine and boring, and she is bound and determined to "investigate" the annual "barbecue" which is where the Cattlemen meet the newest crop of "subs." Killian and Adam are local sheriff's deputies who have been given extra duty because of running a foul of the sheriff and they encounter Rachel as she returns (dressed as some sort of Special Ops spy) from taking pictures surrepticiously of the festivities. They are attracted to her--she thinks she is fat; they think she is voluptuous. But she is wary of their reputations and their history of subduing women. She is not going to be one of those. This novel has lots of hot loving in it, but there is also an underlying reality that all three of these people are empty emotionally and are needing a relationship--a love, if you will--that will feed their souls, give them emotional security, and help them build a stable future. How they all manage that can be very funny and the story includes some secondary characters that have appeared in the first two novels in this series. This book is not a "quick read" but is a complicated, full-length novel that requires thought to follow and the serious attention of the reader to fully appreciate. Ms Penn manages to bring all the seemingly unattached strands of the story together to ultimately weave a beautiful literary tapestry that involves surprises, twists, turns, and emotional turmoil. I also think that the issue of personal fear and insecurity which can upend a relationship is a secondary theme and one that is dealth with judiciously and in a forthright manner. I really like Ms Penn's stories and her writing is always done so well--it is so readable. This is the thinking person's kind of book and one that was so very entertaining.

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This fifth novel in the "Divine Creek Ranch" series is a M/F romance and highlights a hero who made his debut in one of the previous books. Ash is the soon-to-be foreman of the Divine Creek Ranch when Angel and his brother begin taking over the horse breeding arm of the enterprise. He is handsome and manly, but there is a side to Ace that speaks of patience and understanding, a man who is comfortable in his skin and who is not afraid to own up to his mistakes. When he encounters Juliana, the manager of the local department store, he is smitten completely. But she is a "city girl" and her heart, soul, and all her time are committed to making her store the best retail business in Divine. Yet she wanted to be a part of the community and to nurture the few friendships she had allowed time for, but in the process of helping Teresa move to the ranch before her wedding, Juliana is accidentally injured and Ash feels responsible. Being the man of honor he is, he assumed the burden of her immediate care and in the process they came to know each other better. Oh, she was so drawn to him, but oh, he was so different. How could he ever fit into her life? Well, Ash was willing to do whatever it took, but he also knew that some things had to change with her as well. This is a really delightful love story, but in so many ways and on so many levels it is a clash of cultures and the differences people nurture in their perception of what is important and how they achieve balance in their everyday living. Juliana is different than any of Rainer's other heroines in that she just wasn't a ranch person. But Ash was one of those Alpha, take-charge kind of guys, and when Juliana presented the challenges she did, Ash was more than willing to meet them and conquer them and her. Not a simple boy-meets-girl story. Lots going on, some surprises, people needing to make important choices and the future of relationships hang in the balance. Just a really splendid read!

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Another signature novel in Heather Rainier's series "Divine Creek Ranch." As in all the novels in this series, the secondary characters are first introduced in the first novels and their stories continue on. Told not only in the narrative form but with flashbacks, this tale highlights the relationship of three people who have been friends--the very best of friends--since early childhood, and even then they were convinced that they would spend their lives together. But life has a curious way of challenging convictions and priorities and ambitions of individuals change with the years. So it was with Wes and Evan and their life-long love, Rosemary. Even as they matured into adulthood, the love these two men cherished for Rosemary never seemed to wane, through high school and college they planned to be together always. Rosemary really insisted they wait to consummate their relationship until the married when they all finished college, but characteristic of his growing impatience and being seduced away from his finer self, Evan jumped the gun, so to speak, and found another love--one who would fulfill his immediate sexual urges, but whose demanding ways eventually revealed her self-centered concern with "old number one." This is a novel that is brutal in outlining the ups and downs of three people--all of whom are very different in temperament, whose growing up brought about changes in their individual personalities that was unexpected and which put their plans to be together in jeopardy. Evan's defection almost broke Rosemary and Wes, and so they gave in to their love and hurt by sleeping together. Now their hoped-for triad is in pieces and there is real questions whether they can overcome past hurts, forgive past injuries, and put their future back together again. There are some definite potholes for these three as they traverse the road of love--all of them hopeful, but all of them sometimes letting their feelings rule their heads. Wes is the peacekeeper, but even he is coming to the end of his patience. I really enjoyed this novel--it was a change of pace with Ms Rainier's other novels in this series and much more of an emotional roller coaster than the previous novels. Not to say they were bland because nothing could be farther from the truth. But there was an intensity and edginess to this triad--a worrisome quality to whether Evan could get a handle on his sense of failure, Wes could finally feel secure in his relationship with the other two, and Rosemary could put her worries aside and not always seemingly borrowing trouble. Just a really challenging read, but one that will be a treat for the mind as well as for the libido.

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The foreman of Jack Warner's ranch was a very honorable man who truly loved his work and was an expert at horse breeding. He has just come through a very difficult relationship with an unscrupulous woman who was out only for herself and her own desires, and when Angel sent her on her way she reciprocated with a bullet that almost cost him his life. During some chance meetings prior to the shooting, Angel had met Teresa, a shy, kind, caring and affectionate single mother who was working hard to support herself and her son, who was greatly attracted to Angel but was not sure about getting into a relationship with him. Having been raised in a very traditional setting by very conservative Hispanic parents, Teresa's innocence appealed to Angel and through a series of encounters slowly expressed his growing attraction and love for Teresa in ways she could accept and without forcing his attentions on her in ways she would deem inappropriate. Surprisingly, when Angel's brother arrived to celebrate Christmas with him, he meet Teresa and was blindsided by his almost instant "love at first sight." The brothers were not opposed to a menage marriage since they had been raised by multiple dads. Introducing Teresa to that concept would take time and patience, but they loved her, wanted her as their wife, and were willing to bring her to acceptance gently and lovingly. This novel is one of those books that reaffirms the reader's belief that there are really people who care enough about the person they love to accept them, their beliefs, their traditions, and their needs in such a way that as the relationship matures, they all come together in a positive and life-affirming way. Both these men were honorable, caring, loving, and true to their deep love for Teresa and it is a credit to her that she saw the authenticity of their love for her and opened her heart to them both. Their love and care for her son went a long way in convincing her that she was giving him the kind of family he needed. This is also one of those stories that is so full of deep affection, hot loving, and more--all of it expressions of a kind of love we would all like to experience in its intensity. You owe it to yourself to read this. Ms Rainier is a new author and this is her first series. The secondary characters in this book are introduced in the first books in this series and reading those will expand the reader's understanding of the background relationships that make this novel work. And the bottom line: the story narrative is so well written that the characters come alive. When you are finished, you will know in your heart, no matter what anyone tells you or what map you check out, that Divine, Texas just has to exist somewhere, even if it is only in your heart.

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This novel was written as a response to the readers who had fallen in love with Thomas and Tyler in "Love Slave for Two" and its sequel: "Love Slave For Two: Family Matters." Here is the lives of Thomas and Tyler before they knew each other and the circumstances that eventually brought their lives together. They have been living in a committed relationship for nearly two decades by the time the other two novels ended. Here readers have an opportunity to discover how their love affair began and what these two men brought to their relationship which enabled them to be faithful and live productive lives together. Tymber Dalton has that wonderful flair for creating characters that really LIVE, not only in her imagination but they leap off the page and become a part of readers' lives as well. This is one of those novels that fills in the blanks and helps clarify the personalities of these two characters. Readers who enjoyed getting to know them after they were together will appreciate getting the scoop on how they began. A really terrific read.

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Ms Rainier continues Rachel & Eli's story while also continuing on with Grace's story with her three husbands--Jack, Ethan, and Adam. Recuperating from a life-threatening accident, Rachel and Grace begin planning her wedding but there are issues in Rachel's past that she must share with Eli and then deal with his anger over the hurt to her that has never been answered. All along this story is really about the trust that Rachel has in Eli and her willingness to completely give in to her love for him as being real and the kind that will last. There are lots of twists and turns as their story continues, enough to keep the reader moving forward and which keep one's nose plastered to the pages. It is a wonderful piece of fiction writing and is no less engaging that part one. It is a HUGE piece of writing and a credit to Ms Rainier who has kept the characters fresh and the action in the story from becoming less than what it was in Part I. Just a spectacular read and one that will always be one of my favorites.

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Rachel and Eli are two characters who made their first appearance in the first book in this series, "Divine Grace." Eli hired on as another bouncer at the Dancing Pony club and it was there he was first introduced to Rachel, a woman who was fearful of relationships and knowing her own tendency to be jealous of any boyfriend, kept away from Eli with great deliberation. Eli was not to be deterred and by persistent and gentle persuasion, finally got Rachel to agree to begin dating. Rachel was a great friend of Grace's and as their friendship grew Grace was able to give Rachel some help in dealing with her own jealousy and ways of dealing with the women who insisted on mobbing Eli each night he was working at the club. It soon became evident that Eli had eyes for no one but Rachel and only those women who chose to ignore that fact kept after him. Rachel's confidence in his love and their connection sustained her and her way of dealing with all these gals helped her to mature into an even more loving and caring woman. This is a story that is full of hot loving but it is always in the service of a story that is about a relationship full of caring and consideration, devotion the like of which the world needs more, where the sex is an expression of a connection that goes far beyond the physical, and the journey Rachel takes to discover previously untapped sources of strength which she probably would have never found without Eli's loving support. Even when a serious accident threatens Rachel's life, Eli's constancy testifies of his deep and abiding love, a love that goes beyond the immediate and looks toward forever. Heather Rainier is a new author but she writes like a pro with dozens of published works to her credit. She has told the story with verve and vitality, continuing the saga of this ranching community while telling Rachel and Eli's story, crafting characters that seem so real you would expect to find such a town and run into these very people somewhere in Texas. You don't want to miss reading this first part as well as part II.

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This is probably one of Jenny Penn's most complicated novels and is as long a novel as any in her portfolio. Set in the heartland of America, it involves a young woman whose local reputation is less than stellar, whose family life has been a nightmare, whose search for love has really been a search for acceptance and the desire to be a person of worth. Cody Reese is a hunk and a half and while Amanda is willing and desirous of hooking up with him, is really not prepared for the roller coaster emotionally that getting involved with him and his brothers will entail. Add in that one of her best friends is involved with some very unsavory characters unbeknownst to her, and Amanda's life is like a train wreck looking for a place to happen. In spite of her growing attachment to the Reese brothers, she comes up against secrets from their past that seem to indicate that she will never be seen by them as anything more than a "good lay." This novel is so very emotional and it simply drags the reader into situations and circumstances that make the reader wonder if the tangles of their collective lives will ever be unraveled. Even when Amanda finally owns up to her broken heart and leaves their ranch, she takes on the persona of a person who will never again be happy--her sadness is bone deep. I could almost feel it as I read about it. This novel will make the reader wonder how supposedly intelligent men can be so clueless about the feelings of others and about their own as well. It is not a novel that is a light-hearted read and is not for those who was a boy-meets-girl-and-they-live-happily-ever-after kind of book. This story is gritty and probes the depths of the capacity for love, for understanding, for hurt and disappointment, and reveals that when all is said and done, no relationship can ever hope to succeed without trust. Just simply a spectacular piece of writing and one of which Ms Penn can be justifiably proud and which will continue to be one of my favorites.

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Mistress Jenna's slave Anthony is serving in the U. S. Coast Guard and stationed nearby to Club Esoterica so is able to go home every night to be with his beloved. Now he has received orders to be a way for six months in the Middle East and he is seeking a "third" to fill out their "family" not only while he is gone but when he returns as well. There is only one man he trusts with his beloved Mistress and that is his best friend Gentry. This novella focuses on that first weekend when Gentry is introduced to the Mistress and given an intensive introduction to what their life together would be like. Gentry has long desired a strong woman who will take the lead in a relationship but so far has failed to do so. His very first day with Mistress and Anthony as "Babe" is an eye-opener and one where Gentry begins to feel at home for the first time in his life. It is a delightful love story yet it also points up that even those in a dominant role in a relationship need others to love, to keep them strong, to protect their fragile heart--hearts that are just as subject to hurt as anyone else. This is another delightful McKenzie piece of romance writing that all her readers are sure to enjoy.

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As first in a series, this story is all about the BDSM life as seen through the eyes of a newcomer, a reporter that thinks there is a story of less than noble content. Thinking that somehow Club Esoteria is connected to the "sale" of sex slaves, Whitney manages to sneak into the club but is "caught" and given the choice of facing charges or being under obedience to Master Taurus, the co-owner of the club. Her introduction to BDSM, while certainly not hardcore, was more than she ever dreamed and opened up some inner vistas she had previously ignored. It is a story of one woman's journey of discovery and the awakening of Master Taurus to the possibilities that there was one woman for him who could be his one and only. It is a short but delightful love story but it most definitely contains the basics of the BDSM life. Regardless of the reader's feeling about that particular life, Ms McKenzie once again gives her readers a story that is entertaining and educational. Erotic though it may be, her story is always the most important thing. Under all his tough disciplined exterior, Master Taurus is a man who cares deeply and whose respect for others is never questioned. Perhaps in Whitney he has finally found the person with whom he can show those deeper qualities. A really delightful read.

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Like the first novel in this series, this story uses as its historical context the reality of the Brides Trains that became a part of the post Civil War years in America when women back East were having difficulty finding a husband and men in the West were finding women to be very scarce. This story highlights the experience of a woman whose sister has died leaving an infant daughter and who has asked her sister to come West to marry the gentle younger brother to her husband. This Amelia agrees to do but finds she is married to a different brother and it appears that her life is once again out of her control. Counsel from her neighbor who has lived with similar circumstances--multiple husbands--begins to encourage Amelia to move forward with a more positive attitude. This is a beautiful love story about people who really want a relationship full of genuine loving and a respectful, kindly way of interacting with people who share goals for the future. And when a common enemy rears his head, it will take their togetherness and common bonds that are forged in love to defeat the attack on their way of life. Just a splendid read and one that will greatly please fans of American historical romance.

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This second half of the novel picks up the story of Madeline's relationship with Dalton & Garrett Ellis. These two playboys continue to struggle with Maddy's refusal to allow their wealth to overwhelm her even though she loves them. They have a hard time accepting her love--like many in Male Order they have been conned and misused by people who see them more for their money than for themselves. They have an enemy who will seek to injure the brothers through Madeline. Only when they almost lose her can they begin to realize her worth to them that is far in excess of any financial resources they possess. I found this story to be very uplifting as it dealt with the issues that come with great wealth and the need for these two young men to understand the way the rest of the world works. They, like all of us, needed to see life through a different set of lenses and in their case, those eyes were provided by Madeline. While they could promise her that she would never lack for anything, she could give them a way of touching the world they had never possessed before. It was quite a trade. A very erotic novel in two parts, but one where the story was the thing and the eroticism was the servant of the tale. Just a really fun and enjoyable read.

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This first part of the novel introduces the main characters and begins the saga of the Ellis Brothers and their life-changing meeting with Madeline Spencer, a woman who loves kids and loves to see them learning, who is willing to brave the inner sanctum of some of the richest people on the planet, and who is blown away by their willingness to listen to her plea for funds for her kids. Madeline is one of those interesting people who has given her life to better others and that is, in large part, her charm and her attractiveness to others. But the Ellis Brothers also see a woman with sexy curves, flashing eyes, bright and engaging mind, and a person who makes their world light up in a way no one ever has before her. This first part also narrates their efforts to draw her into a relationship with them both--they have always shared their women--but recognize that what they have begun with her is so different than anything they have yet to experience. They are also on their own learning curve, even though they choose to lavish signs and symbols of their wealth upon her, when they slowly begin to understand that she really likes them for who they are and not for their money. Dalton is slow to give his heart even though Maddy lights his fire more than he could ever dream and Garrett is playful and winsome in his dealings with her. This story is really about a clash in cultures and the struggles to find authentic love between people who come from such opposite worlds. It is another fine effort from Ms Mitchell and Holiday and is a very engaging read.

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