Reading: Boomerang Bride
Author: 2012 RITA winner Fiona Lowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Dora Braden
Matilda, Aussie heroine, has trusted the wrong man but this leads her to the right one, enter Marc New York city architect with small town roots. She becomes part of his family when they need someone just like her most. How she falls in love with him and becomes a part of his life and heart is an engaging and emotional ride as you read about Matilda and Marc being the hero in their own lives as well as each others.
Reading: 31 Flavors of Kink – Based on a True Story
Author: Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood
Genre: Erotic
Reviewed by: Raewyn Bright
31 Flavors of Kink is based on the true story of Sidney and Nick, an average couple who have been happily married for five years. Despite having a deeply loving and intimate relationship, they don’t have a satisfying sex life. In fact, they rarely have sex. Sidney has a traumatic past and though she loves and trusts Nick, and wants to be the kind of wife she thinks he deserves, lovemaking leaves her feeling guilty, ashamed and hating herself. Then Sidney reads an erotic story and discovers the world of BDSM – and her latent libido. After summing up the courage to talk to Nick, the awakening and exploration of her sexuality begins.
This story is so different to erotic I’ve read before, and I think this is because it’s based on a true story. It’s honest and heart-warming and the authors have done an amazing job of delving into Sidney’s mind as she comes to terms with what her bedroom predilections mean to her psyche and to her past. What I loved most about this story is Sidney is the driving force behind her foray into the world of BDSM. She is the one in control of her sexuality – what excites her and what her limits are, overcoming embarrassment and fear to tell Nick exactly what she wants and needs. This isn’t a woman who will put up with the status quo any longer and it makes 31 Flavors of Kink a compelling and empowering read.
And need I mention, it’s scorching hot!
Reading: Rapture
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Reviewed by: Sage McQuen
After many centuries of reincarnation Luce fell in love with the same fallen angel Daniel, in every life time, but something has changed. In every past life, Luce died in Daniel’s arms from their first kiss, a curse they suffered for many centuries, but not this time. This is the final book in a series of four books. The series kept me intrigued the whole time. Always wanting to know what happens next with plenty of twist and unpredictable moments. A great read for anyone interested in young adult paranormal.
Reading: Alliance Forged
Author: Kylie Griffin
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Reviewed by: Margaret Midwood
Alliance Forged is Kylie Griffin’s second book in her Light Blade Series and while I really enjoyed the first book this one had me up reading until 5.30 am unable to set it down.
Kylie takes us to another realm where humans battle for their lives against demons. I found her characters had a depth, which had me believing in mythical demons and half demons, who joined their human enemies to defeat the bad guys and save the race.
Varian our hero and the tough leader of the half demons was drawn so well I fell for this wounded hero from the start and who better to heal him than Kymora, a blind human priestess with enough heart and courage to tame him.
A beautiful love story and an intriguing look into another fantasy world.
Reading: Nine Coaches Waiting
Author: Mary Stewart
Genre: Romantic suspense
Reviewed by: Louise Reynolds
Maybe as an antidote to "50 Shades of Grey" and a wish to read something where the desire is restrained and the writing exceptional, I picked up Mary Stewart's Nine Coaches Waiting early this week.
This book was published, I notice, in the year I was born so it certainly classifies as old. And some elements of the story bear that out. The fairy-tale setting and the old trope of an orphaned young woman going as governess to a French Chateau lull you into a false sense of security. This is a well-trodden path. All is well until the handsome Raoul de Valmy turns up at the chateau and the life of Linda Martin's charge, the young Philippe, Comte de Valmy, is plunged into danger. Trouble is, Linda has fallen in love with Raoul.
There are numerous references to Jane Eyre, both stated and in Linda's role as governess, her upbringing in an orphanage, the meeting with Raoul by being almost run over by him (in a Cadillac, not a carriage) etc. Thankfully Nine Coaches Waiting predates the craze for turning everyone into a vampire.
There's nothing overworked here, just a quietly sinister element handled with a deft hand. The characterisations are superb, from the crippled Leon de Valmy to his icy, distant wife, Heloise. The heroine, Linda, is appealing and harbours her own dark secret.
Faultless writing, in that upper middle class style of many female English novelists of the mid 20thC., is wonderful to read.An intriguing and enjoyable book which has made me decide to re-read more of Mary Stewart.
Author: 2012 RITA winner Fiona Lowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Dora Braden
Matilda, Aussie heroine, has trusted the wrong man but this leads her to the right one, enter Marc New York city architect with small town roots. She becomes part of his family when they need someone just like her most. How she falls in love with him and becomes a part of his life and heart is an engaging and emotional ride as you read about Matilda and Marc being the hero in their own lives as well as each others.
Reading: 31 Flavors of Kink – Based on a True Story
Author: Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood
Genre: Erotic
Reviewed by: Raewyn Bright
31 Flavors of Kink is based on the true story of Sidney and Nick, an average couple who have been happily married for five years. Despite having a deeply loving and intimate relationship, they don’t have a satisfying sex life. In fact, they rarely have sex. Sidney has a traumatic past and though she loves and trusts Nick, and wants to be the kind of wife she thinks he deserves, lovemaking leaves her feeling guilty, ashamed and hating herself. Then Sidney reads an erotic story and discovers the world of BDSM – and her latent libido. After summing up the courage to talk to Nick, the awakening and exploration of her sexuality begins.
This story is so different to erotic I’ve read before, and I think this is because it’s based on a true story. It’s honest and heart-warming and the authors have done an amazing job of delving into Sidney’s mind as she comes to terms with what her bedroom predilections mean to her psyche and to her past. What I loved most about this story is Sidney is the driving force behind her foray into the world of BDSM. She is the one in control of her sexuality – what excites her and what her limits are, overcoming embarrassment and fear to tell Nick exactly what she wants and needs. This isn’t a woman who will put up with the status quo any longer and it makes 31 Flavors of Kink a compelling and empowering read.
And need I mention, it’s scorching hot!
Reading: Rapture
Author: Lauren Kate
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Reviewed by: Sage McQuen
After many centuries of reincarnation Luce fell in love with the same fallen angel Daniel, in every life time, but something has changed. In every past life, Luce died in Daniel’s arms from their first kiss, a curse they suffered for many centuries, but not this time. This is the final book in a series of four books. The series kept me intrigued the whole time. Always wanting to know what happens next with plenty of twist and unpredictable moments. A great read for anyone interested in young adult paranormal.
Reading: Alliance Forged
Author: Kylie Griffin
Genre: Romantic fantasy
Reviewed by: Margaret Midwood
Alliance Forged is Kylie Griffin’s second book in her Light Blade Series and while I really enjoyed the first book this one had me up reading until 5.30 am unable to set it down.
Kylie takes us to another realm where humans battle for their lives against demons. I found her characters had a depth, which had me believing in mythical demons and half demons, who joined their human enemies to defeat the bad guys and save the race.
Varian our hero and the tough leader of the half demons was drawn so well I fell for this wounded hero from the start and who better to heal him than Kymora, a blind human priestess with enough heart and courage to tame him.
A beautiful love story and an intriguing look into another fantasy world.
Reading: Nine Coaches Waiting
Author: Mary Stewart
Genre: Romantic suspense
Reviewed by: Louise Reynolds
Maybe as an antidote to "50 Shades of Grey" and a wish to read something where the desire is restrained and the writing exceptional, I picked up Mary Stewart's Nine Coaches Waiting early this week.
This book was published, I notice, in the year I was born so it certainly classifies as old. And some elements of the story bear that out. The fairy-tale setting and the old trope of an orphaned young woman going as governess to a French Chateau lull you into a false sense of security. This is a well-trodden path. All is well until the handsome Raoul de Valmy turns up at the chateau and the life of Linda Martin's charge, the young Philippe, Comte de Valmy, is plunged into danger. Trouble is, Linda has fallen in love with Raoul.
There are numerous references to Jane Eyre, both stated and in Linda's role as governess, her upbringing in an orphanage, the meeting with Raoul by being almost run over by him (in a Cadillac, not a carriage) etc. Thankfully Nine Coaches Waiting predates the craze for turning everyone into a vampire.
There's nothing overworked here, just a quietly sinister element handled with a deft hand. The characterisations are superb, from the crippled Leon de Valmy to his icy, distant wife, Heloise. The heroine, Linda, is appealing and harbours her own dark secret.
Faultless writing, in that upper middle class style of many female English novelists of the mid 20thC., is wonderful to read.An intriguing and enjoyable book which has made me decide to re-read more of Mary Stewart.
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