[Review]: "Intimate Deceptions"

Intimate Deceptions by Lise Fuller
Publisher: Cerridwen Press (August 3, 2010)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Trapped in a world of suspicion and lies, love was the only way out. Spurned by Brodie Crawford years ago, Elena Alvarez Ramirez thought she couldn't hate the man more. But long-repressed desires between them flare hotter than ever when the Special Forces Army Sergeant comes to her aid to help rescue her daughter Janie, a child who bears a striking resemblance, not to her ex-husband, but Brodie.

Brodie Crawford wanted only one woman in his life - Elena. But when he came home eight years ago and found her married to his best friend, her betrayal was more than he could stand. Now the bastard who took Elena from him has killed a man and fled across the border with the child. Compelled by an emotion he refuses to name, Brodie leaves to help Elena rescue her daughter and finds that they have fallen into an even bigger game of deceit and deception, one with lethal consequences. Embroiled in a world of danger and intrigue, Brodie prays they'll get out alive. Note: Intimate Deceptions is a sequel to On Danger's Edge, although it can be read as a stand-alone.




Where to Buy* : Amazon | Kindle | BN.com | NOOK
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt


My Review:


Action, adventure and intrigue combine together with a second chance at love to create a wild ride. Be warned, Intimate Deceptions is not a walk in the park, but rather a complex story that is sure to be a hit!




What would you do for the ones you loved? For your own child? Elena would do anything, anything to get her young daughter back safe and sound. When her ex-husband takes her over the boarder, she chases after, intent on catching him and bringing her daughter back alive—and him in handcuffs (she's a bounty hunter). But she never expected that Mannie would be in so deep; what should have been a fairly easy in-and-out mission turns into a long and dangerous one. Will she get her daughter out of there alive?



Brodie never planned on seeing Elena again, not after the heartbreak she dealt him 8 years ago. But when her daughter is taken, his heart melts a little, and he realizes that despite everything, including time and space, he still loves her. But does she love him---or is she still playing him like she did all those years ago? He'll find out while he helps her to track down her ex (and his former best friend) and daughter. But little does he know that Janie isn't Mannie's daughter...but rather his own. Deceptions run high in this book, and not all of them are from the hero and heroine...



While I didn't love this book quiet as much as Lise Fuller's previous one (On Danger's Edge), I did still enjoy it. Intimate Deceptions is full of suspense and fast-paced action. The journey is full of intrigue and deceptions, lies and cover ups. I'll be honest—there were more than a couple of times when my head was spinning a little from all the games and secrets the characters were hiding. I may have even gotten lost a time or two, though I quickly found my way back.



And while those are all good things, this story had so much going on that I think the romance was lost. Elena and Brodie already had a past relationship (years ago, never seen just mentioned many times in the book), so this is their time for a second chance. But they were both too head-strong and stubborn (and a bit stupid, if I'm to be honest) and wouldn't tell each other the truth, even after saying, again and again, how sorry they are for the lies in the past. I wanted to bang their heads together a time or two and tell them to get over it, work it out, and get it on already! :) And, eventually, they did, though it took well over ¾ of the book to do so. And even then, I know they had a ways to go in their relationship, trying to show the other that they can indeed trust in one another.



^Favorite “Spicy” Quote:

He shuddered and groaned. “God...Jesus, I'm rock-hard. I don't know what's wrong with me. It isn't like...”


He stopped midsentence but Elena knew what his thoughts were. She eyed him from where she lay underneath him. “It isn't the same with someone else, is it?”


The color of his eyes turned to a deep ocean blue. “No.” His panting grew soft and ragged. He brushed the hair from her face with his free hand. “It isn't the same at all. There's never been anything like this, Elena. Not for me.”


That meant more to her than he would ever know. She shook her head. “Me, either.”

^Favorite “Sweet” Quote:

“There was never anyone else. Not in my heart, anyways.” – Brodie

3.5 STARS! For a good suspense story, this is the one! But I was left wanting more love, more romance, heck, even more sex! :) Still, Intimate Deceptions was a good read, and one that I might read again when I have the chance. I know I'll still be on the lookout for more of Fuller's books because I did so love my first trip into her world (ODE), and I have high hopes for future books. If you love your romance with a lot of danger and and action, then be sure to check this one out, as well as Fuller's other works!





^Both quotes are taken from my e-copy. They belong solely to the author, they are not mine.



~*~*~*~
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~



Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Sasha's Calling"

Sasha's Calling by T.C. Archer
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (October 26, 2010)
Genre: Fantasy/SciFi Romance
Summary (Amazon.com):
Nothing can stop freelance thief Sasha Smirnov from saving her planet -- except, Dirk, the gorgeous ambassador with polychrome eyes. Is it lust or designer pheromones? He is hot, too hot to resist -- or forget. A single, sizzling kiss burns him into her memory, and her body, but she can't afford to stop for passion, let alone love.




Sasha needs to get as far away from Dirk as possible and take the classified data she stole with her. So she stows away on a ship outward bound, only to discover Dirk's the pilot. Now she can't get away from him, or the system, but he will let her into his bed...

Where to Buy*:  Kindle | All Romance (ebook) 
More Info: Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt



My Review:
What do you get when SciFi action and steamy erotica join together in book form? Sasha's Calling! Sasha's Calling is an enjoyable read, full of plenty of action—of both the steamy and heart-pounding variety!



This novella tells the tale of Sasha Smirnov's risky journey to steal top-secret technology plans from another planet in hopes that it will be able to save her own planet from imminent destruction. She knows this isn't an easy mission, but she's prepared to do anything to save her father—and her planet. However, she never planned on meeting an ambassador while escaping...Nor did she plan on finding herself a slave to the desires he sparks within her. He's an addiction she can't undo, no matter how much she tries to distance herself from him. He must be using some form of very powerful pheromones to make her react this way....Right?


But when Sasha realizes that she might care just as much about Dirk as she does the fate of her world, she doesn't know what to do. Does she trust her heart or keep it protected and carry on her mission? Could she even live with herself if she did the latter?


One thing is certain: Sasha's Calling is heavy on the erotica element (which is not a bad thing necessarily). However, while I love my books steamy, I enjoy them to have more...substance, more romance to go along with it. I didn't get a good read on either Sasha or Dirk's characters, and I didn't see the romance between them.


The lust was there, sure. But even it was a bit off. For one thing, the story would be in the middle of something (conversations, getaways, fights, etc) and suddenly clothes would go flying as Sasha jumped Dirk's bones (or vice versa). Okay, I get it: they were hot and heavy for each other. Great! But are you telling me that they are going to stop mid-conversation and have sex? Or worse, that in the middle of a chase, when they are running for their life, they are going to stop in an alley for a quickie? It might be hot in theory, but in reality—not so much. Run, people, screw each other later!


The ending seemed a bit rushed and sudden. I didn't even realize that it was over until I went to click the next page on my NOOK and found—nothing. Wait, it's over? I had to go back a few times and read the last couple of pages, and even then I didn't see how it ended exactly. I was left wanting more, not to mention a bit confused about the events that were never resolved.



3 STARS! Although a bit of a rough read for me, Sasha's Calling is a quick read. A nice foray into SciFi erotica, it was a welcome respite from the string of books I had been reading before, though it didn't quiet grab and hold my attention enough for my liking. I will probably look for other books by this author (technically, authors, as the duo writes under one pen name), but I won't rush out right away to do so. If you want a steamy quickie, then this might be a good choice for you!


~*~*~*~
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~


Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Lusting for Covers (59)

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

Here's what you do:

1- Take the graphic (code for it is below) to use on your post. Remember to give credit to the original host (TBQ).

2- Choose your own book cover that you've fallen in "lust" with in the past week. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! If you find a cover that catches your eye, then showcase it on your blog, and let others see the pretty covers out there.

3- Copy the direct link to your own L4C post into the Mr. Linky widget at the bottom of this post and allow others to come and see what you picked!

4- (OPTIONAL): Besides posting the picture of the book cover you chose, it's nice to provide the book summary, title, author, or a website link for the book. It's not required, but it can help you readers' to add more books to their own list! A brief "Why I choose this cover" is also appreciated, but not required.

Grahpic HTML--grab and post!

<a href="http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/search/label/Lusting%20for%20Covers"_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa72/The_Book_Queen/blog_graphic_meme_2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

NOTE: PLEASE link back to my blog (http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post, letting viewers know that it is my meme, not something you are trying to call your own. Failing to do so, with the intent of actually calling this your own work, will result in trouble! I hate threatening, but really, is it so hard to post a link that says "This meme is hosted by TBQ."? Link love is great, and actually quite easy-- please use it! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's my candidate for the week:

Darkness Undone by Jessa Slade

Publisher: Signet (March 6, 2012)

Series: Marked Souls, 4

Summary (Amazon.com)

Sidney Westerbrook has always studied darkness and damnation from a sensible distance. Now to earn his place as a league Bookkeeper, he must discover why Chicago is such a battleground of soul-linked warriors. But the research becomes personal when he finds himself over his head, under attack, and at the mercy of Alyce Carver-a waif with demon-lit eyes, and a deep yearning in her heart.

Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | (BN is being...odd. Only showing audio, MP3 and CD versions of it--and all 30-105 bucks! Perhaps check back later to buy from them!)
More Info: Author's Site | Excerpt

Why?
Must. Lick. Tattoo! :D

*Blink. Blink*
Sorry, can't stop starng at his tat. What was I going to say?!

*Pause* Sorry, still staring....

Need I say more?
No? Good. 'Cause obviously I can't anyway (see above "sentences"). :)

Never read this series, but definitely putting it on my list now! :D

Guest Post + Giveaway with Rebecca Royce featuring "Love Beyond Loyalty"!

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

  

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

Rebecca's Other Releases:

Where to Find Rebecca: 

Author Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

~*~*~*~*~ 

The Making of a Hero: Creating a Man the Reader will Love

I’m really in love with this blog topic and I’m so grateful to be here today to talk about it and to talk about Love Beyond Loyalty, the third book in my Outsider series. I actually think this is a perfect topic to discuss Gabriel, the hero in this story.

Creating a hero, in this case Gabriel, the readers would love was easier in this book than in some of the others I’ve written. Why? Well, because this is book 3 in the series. The readers of the Outsider series have had two full books to get to know Gabriel…a little bit. They’ve had touches of him, moments, in fact, when we’ve briefly been in his point-of-view.

Up until this point, they know some very remote things about Gabriel. They know he is tall and dark haired. They know that in book 1 he was briefly working with the demon, the bad guy in these novels. Why was he doing that? They’re not entirely sure. They know that in book 2 he was approached on the street by an elderly woman who ordered him to go to New Jersey and join in a fight. Who was she? They don’t really know.

But, they’ve had just enough Gabriel to know he’s conflicted, dark, moody, and desperately needing love. Already, before I’ve ever created his book, they know him and they want him to find a happy ending. So did I.

Taking the things we already know about Gabriel and making them more intense, more flushed out, more understood was a pleasure for me and its why I think, in this book, I really did create a hero the readers will love. He is a man who, as a child himself, kept another Outsider alive on the streets of New Orleans. He is self-made, self-taught, and powerful with his Outsider abilities.

He doesn’t betray those he cares about ever. And he has dreams that he holds onto deep in his soul that he still hopes can happen for him.

I love Gabriel. And I think it comes through on the page.



~*~*~*~*~ 

Gabriel Ward has no problem with the fact that he’s an Outsider. Hell, he’s always known he was different. What he takes issue with is the idea he has to follow any destiny at all. He’s taken care of himself-and others-since birth. There’s no way he has to start following rules now.



Loraine Peacock can speak to animals. Other than that she thinks she’s just a regular woman making her way in the world. She figures its not that weird. Many people have unusual abilities.


But when Gabriel and Loraine are forced together by a destiny he denies and she is ignorant of, they will both finally have to accept their Outsider legacy and help the others in their quest to defeat the ultimate evil—a demon bent on world destruction. That is, if they can both survive to find their way to the most important part of their destiny: love.

Read my review on Love Beyond Loyalty HERE.

And now, two excerpts from Love Beyond Loyalty--enjoy!

Excerpt #1

“Are you going to tell me what happened to you? You just stood there and let that wave slam into you. I thought you were dead but Futon knew you were alive.”

Futon? He regarded the dog. A medium sized border collie with black spots stared back at him. His heart sped up. He‘d heard that name for a dog before. In fact, it was the same damn dog.

“I know you.” He pointed at the creature. “But the last time I saw you was with an old woman on Magazine Street in New Orleans.”

Gabriel had been working for a shady lingerie storeowner on the bad side of Magazine Street at the time. Trying to find out what Sebastian wanted with the man, he would later uncover that the demon had employed Trent, the owner, to kill virgins by bleeding them to death. Gabriel still didn‘t fully understand how it benefited Sebastian and he wasn‘t sure he ever would. On his second day, he‘d been hassled by an old woman on the street who‘d told him Sebastian was in New Jersey and that he needed to hurry up and get there.



She‘d spoken of fate and a lot of mumbo-jumbo he hadn‘t understood. It had turned out that she was right and he‘d high-tailed it off to New Jersey to help stop Sebastian‘s assault on the Outsiders. The woman had been with Futon.



The woman shook her head. “There are lots of border collies around this area. You must have seen a different one because Futon never leaves me.”



Excerpt #2

She turned on her heel, and Gabriel‘s heart sped up. He walked forward and grabbed her arm, which was tricky to do because he needed to hold up his blanket to prevent from being arrested for public indecency.

“You‘re leaving?” God, he wanted to shout, ‘don‘t leave.‘


Nodding, she gave him that forced smile again, and he wanted to wipe it off her face. “I am. I brought you to Alexa. It‘s time for me to go on my way. You‘ve told me a lot of stuff I have to digest. Good luck.” She looked at Alexa and he wished that one of his powers was mind reading because he had no clue what was going on inside of hers. “To both of you. It was nice meeting you.”


Pulling her arm free of his grip he thought for a second he felt her shake. Was she okay?


“Loraine, wait a second…”


He wouldn‘t have believed she could move that fast. One second she was there and the next she, while still walking, sprinted out of the building.


“Loraine,” he yelled but she didn‘t turn around and soon the crowd in the room blocked his view.


Why was she leaving? Like a light turning on, realization struck him. She had used the phrase your Alexa. What did she think his relationship with his oldest friend was?

~*~*~*~*~

Rebecca is offering a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

 

To Enter:

Mandatory: Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.

You can comment about anything, but questions or comments about the Guest Post topic would be appreciated. Show Rebecca some love--ask her what is on your mind and maybe even tell her a bit about your opinion on what makes a perfect hero!

Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!

~*~*~*~*~

Thanks to Rebecca for stopping by today--I enjoyed reading your post and I am curious as to what the readers have to say about the topic!

Also, big thanks to Goddess Fish for the review copy, as well as allowing me to participate in this blog tour.




Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!