Book Review: The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott

Title: The Shattered Court
Series: The Four Arts, Book 1
Author: M.J. Scott
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: bought
Published: April 28, 2015 by Roc

Entangled in a court ruled by tradition and intrigue, a young witch must come to terms with newfound power and desire—and a choice between loyalty and survival.…

The royal witches of Anglion have bowed to tradition for centuries. If a woman of royal blood manifests powers, she is immediately bound by rites of marriage. She will serve her lord by practicing the tamer magics of the earth—ensuring good harvests and predicting the weather. Any magic more dangerous is forbidden.

Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne, is only days away from finding out if she will be blessed—or perhaps cursed—with magic. When a vicious attack by Anglion’s ancient enemies leaves the kingdom in chaos, Sophia is forced to flee the court. Her protector by happenstance is Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie, a member of the royal guard, raised all his life to be fiercely loyal to the Crown.

Then Sophia’s powers manifest stronger than she ever imagined they would, and Cameron and she are inextricably linked in the process. As a witch unbound by marriage rites, Sophia is not only a threat to the established order of her country, but is also a weapon for those who seek to destroy it. Faced with old secrets and new truths, she must decide if she will fight for her country or succumb to the delicious temptation of power.

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Monica

Book Review: Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast

Title: Divine by Mistake
Series: Partholon, Book 1
Author: P.C. Cast
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: bought
Published: September 1, 2006 by Luna Books

The most excitement teacher Shannon Parker expected on her summer vacation was a little shopping. But then her latest purchase--a vase with the Celtic goddess Epona on it--somehow switches her into the world of Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess... It seems that Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while it has some very appealing moments--what woman doesn't like a little pampering now and then?--it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and the threat of war against the evil Fomorians. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.

Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind...

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Monica

Book Review: Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat

Title: Prince’s Gambit
Series: Captive Prince, Book 2
Author: C.S. Pacat
Genre: Fantasy Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: July 7, 2015 by Berkley

With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master, Prince Laurent, must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot.

Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself increasingly drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow…

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Crissy and Babs

Book Review: Ravish Her Completely by Jenika Snow

Title: Ravish Her Completely
Author: Jenika Snow
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Time Travel Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 7, 2015 by Evernight Publishing

When Agata wakes up in the middle of nowhere after drinking an herb concoction given to her by an old Norwegian woman, she is confused and just wants to get home. She doesn’t get time to think about her situation because a towering man with battle scars and wielding an ax takes her as his property. Although there is a language barrier between her and the barbarian, she understands the word he keeps calling her: wife.

When Stian Dagmar finds a woman alone and unconscious in the woods, the first thought he has is that he wants her as his wife. She will probably fight him, struggle for her freedom, but being with him is a lot safer than what his world will give her.

Can Agata accept her new life and the feelings for Stian that grow within her, or will she go home the first opportunity that arises?

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Sara

Book Review: Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Title: Captive Prince
Series: Captive Prince, Book 1
Author: C.S. Pacat
Genre: Fantasy Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 7, 2015 by Berkley

Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else . . .

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Crissy

Book Review: The Highest Tide by Marian Perera

Title: The Highest Tide
Series: Eden, Book 4
Author: Marian Perera
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: review copy provided by author
Published: February 17, 2015 by Samhain Publishing

One touch, and the tide isn’t all that’s rising.

When brothel health inspector Jason Remerley finds a uniformed woman waiting impatiently in the Velvet Court parlor, wanting to hire a man’s services, he’s struck by lightning. His intense, immediate attraction compels him to pretend his way into her arms.

Enough silver, and most men forget about Captain Lera Vanze’s half-burned face. She senses something off about the handsome, ill-dressed prostitute who sells himself so cheaply. But with his first touch, goose bumps turn to shivers of desire—right before the truth drives them in opposite directions.

Her fury is still simmering when they face each other in a more “official” capacity. She’s joined a warship to stop a terrorist only Jason can identify. Though trust is scarce, they’re swept away in a tidal wave of murderous plots and an explosive attraction that could leave them marooned in an emotional—and very real—minefield.

Warning: She knows how to wield her sword, he knows just how, when, and where to apply his…mind. Contains deception in a brothel, sex in a cave, a shark with a bad habit, and one very large wave.

amazon | goodreads

Reviewed by: Babs

Book Review: The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

Title: The Winter King
Series: Weathermages of Mystral, Book 1
Author: C.L. Wilson
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: July 29, 2014 by Avon

Wynter Atrialan, the Winter King, once lived in peace with his southern, Summerlander neighbors, but when the prince of Summerlea steals Wynter’s bride and murders his young brother, Wynter calls upon a dangerous Wintercraig magic called the Ice Heart and marches against Summerlea.

After three bitter years of battle, a victorious Wynter arrives at Summerlea’s royal palace to issue his terms of surrender. The prince of Summerlea stole Wynter’s bride and slew Wynter’s Heir. He wants the loss replaced. The Ice Heart is consuming him. Wynter hopes holding his own child in his arms will rekindle the warmth in his heart before he becomes the monster of Wintercraig legend, the Ice King.

The Summer King has three very precious daughters whom he loves dearly. Wynter will take one of them to wife. She will have one year to provide him with an Heir. If she fails, he will send her to face the mercy of the mountains and claim another princess for his wife. And so it will continue until Wynter has his Heir or the Summer King is out of daughters.

The plan is perfect—except for one small detail. The Summer King has a fourth daughter. One of whom he is not so fond. And she is a fiercely passionate creature, with a temper as volatile as the forces of her weathergift, the power of storms.

Reviewed By: Monica

Book Review: Home in Your Arms by Sarah Bale

Title: Home in Your Arms
Author: Sarah Bale
Genre: Fantasy, Erotic Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: August 6, 2014 by Ellora’s Cave

Swept away in a tornado, Lexi lands in a magical realm where evil witches threaten everything. Lexi’s only hope of getting home is Ian, the hot leader of the royal guard. As soon as she sees him, she feels a connection to him that leaves her panting. But something is happening to her and she needs to reach the Sapphire Palace and the king to find out what.

Ian could lose himself in Lexi, but if she turns out to be a witch, he’ll be forced to kill her when he’d rather be loving her. Their few moments together show that there is definitely heat between them, something Ian wants more of.

Getting Lexi to safety is urgent but the Witches are doing everything to stop them, including kidnapping Ian. Lexi launches a desperate plan to free him. With help from others, she faces the Witches and learns the truth about herself. Along the yellow-brick road, Lexi and Ian’s love blossoms…almost as if it were magic.

A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Reviewed By: Laura

Book Review: Haunting Blackie by Laurann Dohner

Title: Haunting Blackie
Series: Cyborg Seduction, Book 8
Author: Laurann Dohner
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Published: February 4, 2014 by Ellora’s Cave

Eve’s mission is to rescue cyborgs from termination centers on Earth. In exchange, she and her sisters will go with them when they flee the planet. She is blindsided by the overwhelming attraction that draws her to one of them. He’s handsome, sexy, and she wants him, craves his touch as she has no other. She must send him to freedom but she makes him promise to wait for her.

Blackie cannot forget the courageous woman who saved him. He never learned whether she died during the rebellion or just changed her mind about leaving with him but he holds her within his lonely heart. He exists to serve the Cyborg Council and to protect the new world cyborgs have created. But that all changes when he discovers the woman who haunts his dreams is alive and the cyborg leaders left her behind to die. He’ll never lose her again and he’ll fight his own kind to avenge her and keep her by his side.

Book Review: Static by L.A. Witt

Title: Static
Author: L.A. Witt
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: January 20, 2014 by Riptide Publishing

After two years together, Alex has been dreading the inevitable moment when Damon learns the truth: that Alex is a shifter, part of a small percentage of the population able to switch genders at will. Thanks to a forced implant, though, Alex is suddenly static—unable to shift—and male. Overnight, he’s out to a world that neither understands nor tolerates shifters . . . and to his heterosexual boyfriend.

Damon is stunned to discover his girlfriend is a shifter, and scared to death of the dangers the implant poses to Alex’s health. He refuses to abandon Alex, but what about their relationship? Damon is straight, and with the implant both costly and dangerous to remove, Alex is stuck as a man.

Stripped of half his identity and facing serious physical and social ramifications, Alex needs Damon more than ever, but he doesn’t see how they can get through this.

Especially if he’s static forever.

Book Review: Strongman by Denise Rossetti

Title: Strongman
Series: Phoenix Rising, Book 3
Author: Denise Rossetti
Genre: Fantasy Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: March 21, 2008 by Ellora’s Cave

A hard-bitten mercenary who's had a gutful of mud and blood and death, Fortitude McLaren joins the Ten Nations Fair as a roustabout. Tough, cold and competent, he's shocked and angered by his hunger for Griff, a circus acrobat. Brought up in the bigoted society of the Straight Church, Fort regards manlove with casual contempt. Not for him. Never for him. Athletic, cocky and single-minded about what he wants, Griff sets about getting it. Fort fights with everything in him, but Griff affects him like no one else. It's not just his strong, supple body. Fort is irresistibly drawn by the friendship the other man offers so freely. Fort may have found a friend, but the cruel memories of his childhood are the greatest enemy of all. When a job for Jan the Aetherii puts Griff in danger, Fort discovers what's really at risk - everything he is and everything he's ever believed in. To save Griff's life and preserve his own sanity, Fort must not only fight the battle in his soul, he must win it.

Book Review: Her Knight’s Quest by Alexis Morgan

Title: Her Knight’s Quest
Series: Warriors of the Mist, Book 2
Author: Alexis Morgan
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: review copy from publisher via NetGalley
Published: March 5, 2013 by Signet Eclipse

They are cursed by the gods, and war is their salvation. Love is their deliverance.

For centuries, five legendary warriors have braved their battles shoulder to shoulder. But now, they must divide and conquer as lone champions against evil.

Duncan, a scholar at heart, is drawn to an isolated abbey rumored to hold the answers to countering the terror unleashed by Duke Keirthan. Inside the cloistered walls lies the hidden collection of forbidden lore on dark magic. But the real key to the salvation Duncan seeks-both for the people of Agathia and his soul--is the abbess herself, Lady Lavinia. Hunted by the duke who seeks to harvest her powers, Lavinia knows Duncan wants to help her. But can she trust the tortured warrior with her secrets?

In the end, it is only by joining forces that they can save not only those they are sworn to protect, but each other.

Book Review: Brute by Kim Fielding

Title: Brute
Author: Kim Fielding
Genre: Fantasy, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: December 3, 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

Brute leads a lonely life in a world where magic is commonplace. He is seven and a half feet of ugly, and of disreputable descent. No one, including Brute, expects him to be more than a laborer. But heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and when he is maimed while rescuing a prince, Brute’s life changes abruptly. He is summoned to serve at the palace in Tellomer as a guard for a single prisoner. It sounds easy but turns out to be the challenge of his life.

Rumors say the prisoner, Gray Leynham, is a witch and a traitor. What is certain is that he has spent years in misery: blind, chained, and rendered nearly mute by an extreme stutter. And he dreams of people’s deaths—dreams that come true.

As Brute becomes accustomed to palace life and gets to know Gray, he discovers his own worth, first as a friend and a man and then as a lover. But Brute also learns heroes sometimes face difficult choices and that doing what is right can bring danger of its own.

Book Review: Wishful Thinking by Gabi Stevens

Title: Wishful Thinking
Series: Time of Transition, #3
Author: Gabi Stevens
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: review copy from author
Published: April 2012 by Tom Doherty Associates

Free-spirited artist Stormy Jones-Smythe was raised by two talented Wizard fathers but never showed the slightest hint of magical abilities. Which is why she’s totally surprised when three famous fairy godmothers show up at her door to tell her she’s one of them.

Surprised, and none too happy.  The godmothers are fugitives, framed for treason, and the last thing the magical Council wants is another fairy godmother going rogue. Hence Stormy’s new full-time Guard, Hunter Merrick.

Stormy quickly realizes she’s not going to escape Hunter’s watch…and before long, she’s not sure she wants to. But her freedom depends on her ability to expose the plot against the godmothers, and that means getting control of her magic. Despite the growing chemistry between them, Hunter is fiercely loyal to the Council—and duty-bound to keep Stormy from doing either of those things.

But he didn’t count on Stormy’s irrepressible exuberance and passion for life. Before long, even Hunter isn’t sure which side he’s on, and he can’t contain Stormy either way.