REVIEW: Coming Home by Kay Fraser

Christmas would be bleak affair this year... until an emotionally scarred soldier returns from war and throws Kit's well-ordered life into upheaval.

Christopher Whyte never aspired to hold a respected position in the Langholm household. After all, during his youth, he had once been caught trying to pickpocket the former earl of Langholm. Yet somehow, through the magnanimous nature of the family and some unexpected circumstances, he has become valet to the new earl. However, with the new earl's arrival come the bittersweet memories and unwanted emotions that Kit had thought buried long ago. Then, an unexpected offer gives Kit a new perspective on his situation, and he must make a choice: a life of security and stability away from his new master, or one of unrequited love with him?

Alexander Harrington, the new earl of Langholm, knows he shouldn't have come back. After having fought in the Crimean War, the man he had once been no longer existed. As the Christmas season nears, he is only further reminded of how far removed he is from the idealistic youth he once was and how foreign his home now feels. But it is his new valet, a man he vaguely remembers from childhood, begins to rouse something within him—something sweetly tempting, yet undeniably forbidden. And when the reality of losing Kit becomes all too real, he is forced to confront and beat his past demons. Can a Christmas miracle restore his long lost faith before Kit is lost to him for all time?

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REVIEW:

4.5 stars

This is a lovely Victorian-era historical Romance written by Kay Fraser and is called Coming Home.  The story is set in the mid-1800s between Alexander “Alex” Harrington, The Earl of Langholm, and his valet, Christopher “Kit” Whyte, whom he rescued from the streets when young.  This is a sweet romance with only a single sexual encounter between the two in private.  There is a lot angst due to the nature of the legality of male-male romances of the time, the situation of Kit’s birth, and Alex’s return from the Crimean War.  I would love to have had more sex and romance, but the kissing and non-penetrative sex they did have does blend into the storyline seamlessly and makes you smile.  I wanted to see more of their story and was slightly disappointed in a happy for now ending rather than a happy ever after, but I understand why the author provided the ending she did.  It in no way detracted from the story. I’m just a romantic sap that want everything tied up in neat little bow. 

Overall, it was very enjoyable and I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Reviewed by: Eloreen

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REVIEW: The Surrender of Julia (Now and Forever 3)

L.A. artist phenom Julia Santos appeared to have it all. After a nearly two year long dry spell, her creativity was at its peak and she had her muse and model Jacob Hartley to thank for it. He brought the fire and raw sexuality back to her sculptures and into her bedroom, and a sense of security that only one other person in her life had ever given her. At last she had found the perfect balance between her professional and private lives, until the day a single call from someone in her past threatened to tear her world apart.

Fearful of losing all she’d worked so hard to accomplish, Julia delved deeper into the hedonistic lifestyle she’d come to rely on to give her an escape from the horrors of her past. Instead of bringing her comfort, her sexual urges lead her down the path of destruction; not only for herself, but those around her. With Jacob fighting for his life after a near fatal motorcycle accident and Julia on the brink of death herself, Fate and her Guardian Angel Daniel intervene and transport her to a safe haven called the Island.

There she’s given a choice: stay on the Island and wait for her next rebirth, or go back and fight to be with the one who has been there for her through every lifetime. Will she take the easy way out and leave all the pain behind, or will she choose the long and hard road reliving the horrors of her childhood in order to have her happily ever after with the Mistress of her dreams?

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REVIEW:

5 Stars!

The Surrender of Julia (Now and Forever) has a lot to offer, from varying perspectives and a span of over a decade. There were so many surprises in this book, from Julia's past, to her present, including love triangles and overcoming personal obstacles and even a bit of self discovery. The erotic tones of the story were well done, with expressive and descriptive language that puts you right there in the room with Julia. The secondary characters are equally enthralling as their lives intertwine. 

A very well executed story on all accounts. Bravo to Tammy Dennings Maggy for bringing these characters to life! 

Reviewed by: CJ 

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REVIEW: A First Love Never Dies by Margaret Taylor

Janel Canton must be pregnant by the time Fleet Commander Pearson Acto catches up to her again and only one man will do for that. Her one true love, sexy Montana Sheriff Jake Reeves. But returning to Earth she finds he's still mourning his dead wife and has become very comfortable in the small-town life. Will introducing him to reality of the Universe be enough for him to move on to a new life?

Sheriff Jake Reeves never thought the nerdy girl he and his cronies picked on in High School would someday become a star ship captain capable of holding her own in just about any situation. But when he meets up with Janel again at their 20 year reunion, that's exactly what he finds! Gone is the nerdy little mouse that never fought back. In it's place, is a rough and tumble, no holds barred, drop-dead gorgeous woman who he's going to have one hell of a time not falling in love with.

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REVIEW:

5 Stars

         “Their small town eyes will gape at you

          In dull surprise, when payment due

          Exceeds accounts received …”

                   (Janis Ian, At Seventeen)

 

There are so many of us, both men and women, who suffered being teased, laughed at, pushed around and bullied while in high school, and who have dreamed of going back home for some adult payback.  Well, this book begins as Janel Canton returns to her small hometown in Montana to attend her twentieth high school reunion, to hopefully unite with the high school hero she was enamored of as a teenage outcast, and Wow! has she changed!

 

But there are certain differences between Janel’s life experiences and those of Janis Ian, whose music supported me through some painful years ‘back when’.  Janel didn’t just leave her hometown, she left her home planet, kidnapped by aliens she never even knew existed, only to escape and eventually rise to the captaincy of a space ship dedicated to rescuing other victims of the alien sex trade.  This beautiful, confident, determined woman has come to her reunion not to simply collect payment due for the mistreatment she got from her classmates, but to prevent a very powerful alien from destroying her new life.  She needs something from Sheriff Jake Reeves, her high school crush, and accompanied by Moren, her alien partner, she sets out to get it.

 

I have to admit, I LOVED this book!  It combines the best elements of romance, science fantasy, and action/adventure, using some very wonderful characters, including Comm. Pearson Acto, the powerful alien looking to capture Janel, and Jake’s teenage son Jonathon, to tightly weave an intriguing tale that I was unable to put down once I started it.  Reading about Jonathon’s experiences aboard the White Fang, Janel’s ship, lifted my spirits really high!  I am already planning on reading ‘Saving His Love’, the next book in the series.  With no hesitation at all, I give ‘A First Love Never Dies’ a 5-star rating.

 

I am very grateful for the free reviewer’s copy I was given.

Reviewed by: Roberta

 

 

 

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REVIEW: North And South (The Wild And Wanton Edition #2) by Brenna Chase, Elizabeth Gaskell

Margaret Hale’s life changes dramatically when her father quits his living as a parson in the idyllic New Forest in the South of England and moves the family to the northern industrial town of Milton, intending to become a private tutor. There, she is appalled at the poverty surrounding her and at first finds the local mill workers too rough, but soon she can’t help sympathizing with their plight.

John Thornton is a magistrate and owner of a prosperous cotton mill. Forced to become the head of the household at a young age and driven to keep his family from becoming impoverished again, he’s had no time for love. He certainly has no time for a lady who looks down on both him and the industry in which he earns his livelihood. Their beliefs lead them to inevitably clash, but their arguments over his treatment of his workers mask a deep attraction neither wants, and eventually, one that neither can deny.

Although it is labeled as a social novel, North and South simmers with sexual tension. Through the backdrop of a labor strike and a riot, through a possible murder and its fallout, through the deaths of loved ones, and the rise and fall of fortunes, the romance between John Thornton and Margaret Hale still entrances readers as it did when first published in 1855. In this updated version, read the steamy scenes that Ms. Gaskell, a minister’s wife, could not include in the original work, from John and Margaret’s first desperate, yet tender, lovemaking to their sizzling reunion in London.

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REVIEW:

5 Stars

This book continues from the Story line of John Thornton and Margaret Hale. Two most opposite people but they are secretly attracted to each other.

This book just gets better than the first. If you like or love historical romance you will love this book. It puts you back in the 1855 time, makes you live it and love it.   There is still some heat in this book as well, but the harsh times with North and South is very strong.

Margaret's body is like a beacon to John Thornton, he  can't seem to stay away, still wanting her touch, her body, their body together as one. But is it a mistake? Or Not? At his dinner party he had given it was like fire and Ice. So much heat not even ice or water can put it out. An attraction with fear of a passionate rejection from her.

This is another great novel well written that you just can't put down. You want to find out what is going to happen between the two who are so attracted to each other but he has his duty to his family business; The Cotton Mill. With strikes with the job workers, making his duty more important at times. In saying this, he thinks more of Margaret then the Mill. He has to think of what is important most. Which is a hard task at hand. With riots busting out, people getting hurt and even dying.

This is a great read in the era of the 19th century, have your tickets ready you are going in for a front row seat.

Off to finish this fabulous story, I have to find out what happens anxious to see who gets with who on next one.. Amazing dual writers. Loving this series by the minute.

 Reviewed by: Ana

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REVIEW: North And South (The Wild And Wanton Edition #1) by Brenna Chase, Elizabeth Gaskell

Margaret Hale’s life changes dramatically when her father quits his living as a parson in the idyllic New Forest in the South of England and moves the family to the northern industrial town of Milton, intending to become a private tutor. There, she is appalled at the poverty surrounding her and at first finds the local mill workers too rough, but soon she can’t help sympathizing with their plight.

John Thornton is a magistrate and owner of a prosperous cotton mill. Forced to become the head of the household at a young age and driven to keep his family from becoming impoverished again, he’s had no time for love. He certainly has no time for a lady who looks down on both him and the industry in which he earns his livelihood. Their beliefs lead them to inevitably clash, but their arguments over his treatment of his workers mask a deep attraction neither wants, and eventually, one that neither can deny.

Although it is labeled as a social novel, North and South simmers with sexual tension. Through the backdrop of a labor strike and a riot, through a possible murder and its fallout, through the deaths of loved ones, and the rise and fall of fortunes, the romance between John Thornton and Margaret Hale still entrances readers as it did when first published in 1855. In this updated version, read the steamy scenes that Ms. Gaskell, a minister’s wife, could not include in the original work, from John and Margaret’s first desperate, yet tender, lovemaking to their sizzling reunion in London.

Purchase from AMAZON

REVIEW:

5 Stars

I got so involved in this book I was drawn back to the 19th Century. I could feel the era around me. I really loved the characters. This first book starts off with the relationship of Elizabeth Gaskell with Captain Lennox so much heat between them. Mrs. Shaw is Margaret's Aunt and Elizabeth is her only daughter. She wants both girl's especially her daughter to marry for love. Her advice is a good one most would of us should follow. "Marry a man you can love as well as respect and admire. Money can't be a replacement for cold places in your heart."

This book is very fast paced in the sex department, if you are looking for a hot read you will not be disappointed.

Margaret coming from an upper middle class household from southern part of England . She was uprooted to adapt to new surroundings. I truly enjoy to read how the relationship at first develops between Her and John Thornton  two very opposite people. Elizabeth and Captain Lennox is a bonus read how they get together...always hot for each other. More action than a pair of rabbits.. lol

This book was well written. I am hooked. And you are going to love them as much as I did. Dual Author Brenna Chase and Elizabeth Gaskell brings back a story so uplifting and solid that will have you reading till the pages are gone . You will be craving for more like I am. 

 Reviewed by: Ana

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