Tag: Cricket Starr

#DFRAT Excerpt and Giveaway: Shanghaied by Cricket Starr

Posted July 4, 2013 by Tracy in Reviews | 3 Comments

The latest Hollywood After Dark novel from Ellora’s Cave!

Facing her three hundred and thirty-third year, vampire Samantha Thomas is definitely a nightwalker in need of a vacation, though she’d never admit it. Thank goodness she has a best friend to step in when it’s needed.

She never expects to wake up on a cruise ship, accompanied by panty-drenching werewolf Perry Andrews, whose real plan is to see if the tight quarters will help him get closer in a more physical—and permanent—sense to the woman he knows is his mate. Maybe he’ll even tell her what she is to him, when she’s ready to hear it. Until then, her rules, her way.

Their not-supposed-to-be-long-term tryst carries along in a most pleasurable fashion, until it becomes clear there is someone out to harm the Midnight Pearl’s nightwalker guests and that Sam is right in the crosshairs of his UV flashlight. Now Perry has to save the girl before he can get her, and that’s a tall task when their enemy seems to be able to hide in plain sight!

Excerpt:

Perry grinned at his charge, the utterly delectable and unusually reclusive Samantha Thomas. The nightwalker was cursing out her friend, the same friend who’d roped him into this scheme to get her onto this cruise, to act as the lady’s companion. Truthfully he’d jumped at the chance to get to know the elusive lady nightwalker better, and what better way than sharing a cabin on a cruise ship?

He’d caught her eyeing him when he’d visited the studio where she worked but every time he’d tried to talk to her she’d found an excuse to run the other way. He growled his satisfaction. Not many places for her to run to on a ship, even one as large as this one, and the first port-of-call wouldn’t be for two days. Plenty of time to convince her not to escape unless she decided to jump overboard.

He really hoped she didn’t do that. Werewolves didn’t enjoy swimming that much.

Perry was enjoying the look on her face. She looked mad but also unnerved, which was unusual for her. This was one lady nightwalker who always wanted to be in control and that she wasn’t clearly had pushed her out of her comfort zone. The best thing for him would be to keep her off-balance, and he knew just how to do that.

Perry looked her over. “You really are old-fashioned, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

He gestured at her gown. “You sleep in a coffin, wear a shroud to bed—”

Samantha clutched at her high-necked, floor-length nightgown. “This isn’t a shroud. It’s a nightgown.”

He eyed her quizzically. “A nightgown? Since when does anyone wear something like that to bed?”

“It’s warm, comfortable.”

“Ugly.”

Her jaw dropped. “It is not ugly, it’s old-fashioned. I like it.”

“It is old-fashioned. But that’s not so bad. Old-fashioned is good sometimes.” He shook his head. “Not in this case though. That is not an attractive nightgown.”

Samantha glared at him. “It doesn’t need to be attractive. I’m not trying to attract anyone when I’m going to bed. Least of all you.”

Cricket Starr

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Guest Review: Memories Undone by Cricket Starr

Posted August 4, 2010 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 0 Comments

Captain Albinan barely remembers his wedding night with Livilia, the infamous ice princess of Gal, so being summoned back to her side doesn’t thrill him. What’s worse is that all she seems to want from him is a child. Livilia isn’t too thrilled about having Albinan in her bed either, but he is her husband. An heir could be her only way to save her country from those who wish to seize control.

Fortunately, the pair has caught the interest of a goddess, Gillian D’Amatah. Dreams from the goddess provide the key to Abinan and Livilia rediscovering their passion, and give them the means to have a real marriage in every sense of the word.

This is a fantasy novella that appears, on the surface, to simply be the efforts by the goddess Gillian to renew and refresh a royal marriage, many of which are arranged and are seldom based on love or affection. Albinan was chosen out of all the princess’ suitors because she thought him kind and considerate and very good looking. All would have been well had it not been for the thoughtless and inconsiderate conversations Albinan overheard during the wedding reception — words that convinced him that the princess really cared very little for him and was only seeking a royal stud. He got completely smashed, and apart from being barely able to “perform,” he didn’t remember much and was called to war the day after the wedding. Now, six years later, a treaty has been signed, and these two spouses are facing each other for the first time. Both are resentful of the other, and reluctant to continue a relationship that started off very badly. But the need for an heir still remains and it would seem that it is even more important now than it was six years ago.

Enter the goddess of hearth and home, Gillian D’Amatah, who comes to Albinan and Livilia separately, convincing each that they have not given the other a chance to reveal their true feelings or to get to know one another. Following the goddess’ advice, some interesting situations develop, both on a personal level as well as involving the internal politics and struggle for the throne of Gal. Livilia finds out that her husband has a very good head on his shoulders and his instincts to protect her, her father, and the security of the country serve her well in holding the country together in what turns out to be a very difficult situation. Albinan discovers that Livilia is a warm, loving, passionate woman who truly loves her country and wants to do well. They serve one another as they give the other opportunities to demonstrate genuine caring and affection.

Now there are some bad guys: royal cousins that are working behind the scenes to take over the throne; Livilia’s sometime lover whose jeolousy ultimately betrays her; border clans who refuse to acknowledge the peace treaty. Lots going on in this novella and it all makes for some fairly interesting reading. It has been said that “Love conquers all.” I don’t know if that is particularly true, but it is certainly one of the main driving forces in moving this story to its conclusion.

I give this novella a rating of 3.75 out of 5.

You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.

This book is available from Ellora’s Cave. You can buy it here in e-format.


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