Review: UNORTHODOX by S. Peters-Davis

Kendra Spark is an author of romance-thrillers with not only the crafty skill for the written word but also the plaguing ability to see apparitions. Seeing ghosts would certainly inspire some mysterious plots. But who would've thought that she would get thrown into a mystery of her own.

After witnessing the death of her friend, Kendra can't shake the guilt and wonders if the serial case her friend was working on had anything to do with it. Perhaps her psychic abilities could come in handy. That, along with the aid of her recently deceased BFF now parading as a ghost. Kendra must be sly and savvy if she's going to quell her reputation of "talking to air" while hunting down a serial killer and trying to get her next book out. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines! How will she meet the publicist, do promo ads, fulfill her publisher's contract, and catch a killer before his next strike?

Murder, ghosts, psychics, the writer's life--this story had everything I so enjoy in a good book. It's certainly an "unorthodox" tale. Well-written and captivating, this gripping thriller entices the reader from beginning to end. I look forward to more Kendra Spark novels.

 

My rating: 5 stars

Review: DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART by Marie Lavender

Two high school friends that have known each other their whole lives will be separated for the first time ever.  Jenna and Reese will realize how much they mean to each other in “Without You.”

Plain Victoria has always been envious of her friend’s attractiveness, how men desired her. Just once, she’d like to know what that’s like. After all, “wasn’t there more to this existence than work, and feeding her cat, before she spent her evenings alone reading a book or taking a relaxing bath?” (65) This time, she’s letting the reins loose in “Strange Heat;” however, she’ll soon realize that when you play with fire, sometimes you get burned.

And can a battered woman learn to forget the severe trauma and find the strength to love and trust again? “Somehow, you’ve got to learn to push forward, keep moving on until one day, you don’t think so much about it. Maybe you’ll always remember. Maybe it will haunt you in some small way. But, being a survivor can strengthen you too. We shouldn’t let our fears paralyze us, Caitlyn. Believe me, I still feel it. But not as much as I used to.” (276) Still battling with their demons, Caitlyn and Jack struggle to break free from their pasts and find comfort in each other. This one was probably the best and the most gripping.

Directions of the Heart is a well-written and lovely compilation of love and friendship. Although long-winded at times, the stories are genuine and endearing. The author certainly knows the way to readers’ hearts. A fun, delightful read!

 

My rating: 4 stars

Review: THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT by Lulu Fairhazel

Provocative cover! You can obviously tell what this is about.

The premise was quite simple. Hanna is an assistant intern to a prize-winning photographer that specializes in boudoir art.  This photographer is a moody, eclectic bastard, but, nonetheless, Hanna agrees to pose for him in exchange for studio time. Of course, we all know what this leads to.

Although I loved the London art scene, I couldn’t help but feel daunted by the eroticism.  Basically, nakedness was art. Didn’t take too well to that notion.

The London scenes did bring me back though with the Underground, Big Ben, and the Lake District.

 

My rating: 2 stars

Review: TOUCHED by Hazel Hunter

Isabelle is a psychic with the gift of touch. All she has to do is touch something to get a series of visions about it, which, at times, can be overwhelming. That’s why you always see her wearing gloves.

Right now, she’s on the case for the missing daughter of a retired FBI agent, who brings in his protégé for assistance. However, Mac doesn’t need a so-called “psychic” to get in his way, even if she did have the most ravishing legs he’d ever seen. Even though they may not see eye-to-eye, the two make an electrifying team and neither will rest until they find the kidnapper. Of course, they make time for a romp in the sack though.

All in all, this was an easy and enjoyable read, but it just seemed that the story didn’t concentrate on the missing case so much and mostly revolved around the two having sex. And she kept the gloves on the whole time. I mean, we don’t even find out what Mac’s deal with this woman from his past. I guess we’d need to find out on the next story of the series. Still, the ending was too convenient and weak. I wish we would’ve had more psychic action rather than regular action.

 

My rating: 3 stars

Review: A MAGICAL SHIFT by Vella Day

Two werewolves + One Witch = A Magical Shift

Rye is a shifter destined to be the Alpha male of his clan. Isadora is a powerful witch aiming to help her coven in any way she can. The two cannot deny the immense attraction.  But how could a wolf mate with a witch? One can definitely find out.

But then a lone wolf stalks into town and he wasn’t leaving until he made Isadora his mate for life.

I was fascinated by the supernatural world of witches and werewolves, and the evil wolf surely added a thrilling twist to the story. But, overall, this was just a mating story. The sex, of course, was intense and powerful. The climactic scene where the wolves fight was rundown and should’ve had more excitement. Still, this was a pretty good story.

 

My rating: 4 stars

Review: DEADLY FORTUNE by Jade Allen

$2 million dollars? That’s what Rachel found one muddled morning as she was reluctantly getting ready for work at her dead-end job. Suddenly, she’s on top of the world. Then a strange call comes through about the money, saying if she doesn’t give it back, she’ll be sorry. And that’s when tall, dark hunky Dylan shows up with a mission to protect her at any cost. Should she trust him?

Feeling doubtful, Rachel joins him with unanswered questions. It doesn’t take long before the two jump into a hot, steamy affair, and, pretty soon, it all becomes about sex. Sex and running—that’s all you get in this story.

Story is quick, but dawdling in some areas, which mainly concerns the money laundering scheme.

 

My rating: 3 stars

Review: HER LAST AFFAIR by Clara James

Allie, an investigative journalist, has just discovered she has leukemia. She doesn’t want to die in a hospital, so she vows to make the most of it while she still can. So she learns how to have a fling from her flirty friend since Allie has never been the one-night-stand type. But you’d be surprised what dying can do to your priorities.

The whole novella is a play-by-play of each of her affairs in sexually explicit detail. It all begins with the night of 3 times and continues with more affairs from men of the past. It’s nothing but sex. Of course, you remember why she’s doing this and you feel bad for her, but c’mon! Enough with the sex already! Not surprised that Allie gets addicted to the sex.

Suddenly an old flame, the one that got away, may be the love of her love, but how will it end for them? How will it end for her her? It ends in a cliffhanger.

 

My rating: 2.5 stars