Tag: Siren Publishing

Guest Review: Bunny and the Beast by Heather Rainier

Posted March 31, 2016 by Judith in Reviews | 0 Comments

Guest Review: Bunny and the Beast by Heather RainierReviewer: Judith
Bunny and the Beast by Heather Rainier
Series: Divine Creek Ranch #22
Also in this series: Brokenhearted Beauty
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand
Publication Date: September 22nd 2015
Genres: Erotica
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five-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

Hard-working, strong, and sassy, Bunny Carrigan desires a simple life, far away from the complications of the big city, posh houses, and materialism. She makes her own rules and has no time for pushy men in fancy suits or playing games.

Joseph Hazelle enjoys taking control and has very set ideas about what the ideal submissive looks and acts like. In fact, his ideas are so set they might as well be concrete. Vibrant and full of life, Bunny challenges Joseph's preconceived notions and she's determined that if she submits at all, it's going to be on her own terms. Accustomed to being the instructor, Joseph discovers that Bunny has claimed his lonely heart and has a thing or two to teach him. All he has to do is educate her about his world and convince her that she does indeed "do" submission. What could go wrong? ** A Siren Erotic Romance

[Siren Everlasting Classic: Erotic Consensual BDSM Romance, BDSM, sex toys, HEA]

This is the 22nd book in the Divine Creek Ranch series from this author and it is a series that I continue to read with great enjoyment.  Ms Rainier has managed to bring these characters alive as they interact with community citizens, partying, enjoying a night of dancing and fun at the Dancing Pony club, doing a little matchmaking on the side, and living life and loving on their own terms.

Readers met Bunny Carrigan and Joseph Hazale in the previous Lumberjack Weekend and these two knew then that their was an attraction that couldn’t and wouldn’t be ignored.  They each live a very different lifestyle, guided by very different rules and attitudes, and their personalities are seemingly at odds with each other.  Yet there is no denying that Bunny and Joseph are two individuals who will find a way together, even though their future relationship is iffy.

This is a book that contains very obvious erotic content as well as one that is based in the practice of BDSM.  In fact, Joseph owns a BDSM establishment and it is clear that he is locked into his understanding of the Dom/sub configuration that guides his interaction with the opposite sex.  Bunny is simply a hard-working young woman who has family responsibilities even though she has never been married.  She is open to a love relationship but she is never open to giving up her independence and her ability to call the shots for her life.  The idea of any kind of submission is simply foreign to her.  So where are these two going?  That is the question that drives this novel and it is fascinating to watch how their story unfolds.  Both are really good people but their alternate views of how men and women interact romantically and sexually is the sticking point between them.  Readers will find themselves deeply involved in watching Bunny teach Joseph some romantic realities that he never knew or has long forgotten while Joseph opens Bunny’s awareness to the many facets of BDSM that are healing and empowering.

I greatly enjoyed this story just as I have the 21 books that preceded it.  It is always fun to keep up with characters who have populated previous books and in the community of Divine, Texas, there is always something going on that keeps readers attached to that fictional town.  From the very beginning, Ms Rainier has written her books with the express goal of demonstrating that human love is magnificent and can be expressed in myriad ways.  The people in her books are good, ordinary, hard-working, life-loving persons and all of them are seeking to find love and acceptance.  Many of them find it in very unexpected ways and family configurations.  This book is a case in point.  Ms Rainier continues to grow in her writing expertise and yet there is always that sense of realism, of down home connection that all her books bring alive.  As always, it is a joy to experience her Divine, Texas people.

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.

five-stars

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Guest Review: Brokenhearted Beauty by Heather Rainier

Posted March 3, 2016 by Judith in Reviews | 1 Comment

Guest Review: Brokenhearted Beauty by Heather RainierReviewer: Judith
Brokenhearted Beauty by Heather Rainier
Series: Divine Creek Ranch #19
Also in this series: Bunny and the Beast
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publication Date: October 29th 2014
Genres: Erotica
Add It: Goodreads
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five-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

Brokenhearted and grieving, Leah Woodworth's heart is filled with regret for never confessing her love to Patterson Elder. His loss haunts her dreams and she can't set eyes on his brothers, James and Vincent without seeing his face. Having denied her attraction to them until it was too late, how can they possibly still want her?

James and Vincent were sure Leah was the one from the moment they met her. Patterson had always shared that belief, taking every chance to convince her that she was meant to be theirs. With Patterson gone, James and Vincent are deep in their own mourning and at a loss as to why Leah avoids them. When she is offered an opportunity that may take her permanently out of Divine, they realize time has run out and seize what may be the last chance they have to make her theirs forever. ** A Siren Erotic Romance

[Siren Menage Everlasting: Erotic Cowboy Menage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, HEA]

This is the 19th book in the Divine Creek Ranch series and Ms Rainier has nailed it again!  This story is built on happenings just previous to it and is also an emotional commentary on what it means to lose someone that is greatly loved due to their own foolishness.  Thus Leah lost the man she had come to love when he died from head trauma in a motorcycle accident because he wasn’t wearing his helmet.  The ripple effect of that horrible loss for Leah is what drives this story.  It is emotional, sad, riveting, and will keep the reader engaged as the story unfolds.  One of the saddest outcomes of Patterson’s death is Leah’s belief that her relationship with his brothers is now also never going to happen.  This is indeed a menage love story but throughout the tale there is woven the whole reality of what it means to work through the grieving process and heal from the loss of someone who could have survived if they had simply taken the time to be careful.  The hopelessness of that is a clear ingredient in Leah’s story.

I cannot say enough about how Ms Rainier has grown and matured in her writing and story telling abilities.  She manages to put her readers on the front row looking into the lives and feelings of her characters while assuring us that what is taking place is happening to people who are ordinary folks who are experiencing love and acceptance in surprising ways and extraordinary configurations.  The phenomenon of polyamory is growing in the United States and is now spoken about freely by many.  It is certainly not legally accepted but as has been demonstrated in many novels, there are ways to work around the legal ramifications.  James and Vincent were totally on board with Leah being their woman collectively even before Patterson’s death.  They have never wavered in their belief that she is theirs.  But all is not smooth sailing for these three and their story will pull at readers’ hearts and their tear ducts as well.  The sensitive and caring way Ms Rainier tells their story and puts this context together is, in large part, why this story works and why all of us who really like this series keep coming back for more.

This story has been around for a while but it is worth reading and enjoying.  It you haven’t met the folks of Divine, Texas, you are in for a treat.  Like all good romance fiction, this book will entertain as well as feed the imagination.  It is a splendid entertain as well as feed the imagination.

I give it a rating of 5 out of 5.

five-stars

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Guest Review: Divine Charity by Heather Rainier

Posted August 23, 2014 by Judith in Reviews | 1 Comment

Judith’s reDivine charityview of Divine Charity (Divine Creek Ranch #18) by Heather Rainier

Charity has adored Justin since he stole her heart twenty-two years ago, and together they’ve built a steadfast love. She’d do anything for him, except ask for her deepest desire, because the risk of hurting him is too great.

The day he claimed Charity’s heart, Justin swore he’d never share her love, but time has given him a new perspective. Despite her attempts to hide it, Justin knows Charity has always loved his cousins, Val and Ransome. Now older and wiser, he wants to give her the same fulfillment her sister Grace enjoys with the men she loves.

Seeing so many ménages in Divine gives Val and Ransome hope, and when fate offers them an opportunity, they seize the chance for a future with Charity. When an innocent victim from their past adventures reaches out to them, they provide safe haven, not knowing that doing so will ultimately place the woman they love in danger.

Those of us who have enjoyed the previous 17 books in this series are delighted to finally be able to enjoy the story of Grace Warner’s sister, Charity.  We met Charity in book one when she stood with Grace as she confronted the abusive man who she finally threw out of her house, and we cheered with Charity as Grace found her men–the loves of her life and her soul mates.  Now Charity is in the spotlight and we are treated to a more in-depth look at the long and loving relationship she has enjoyed with her husband of 22 years.  Charity and Justin are indeed married in their souls and hearts as well as their bodies and minds.  They have shared two children, have enjoyed their wild rides on motorcycles and have literally built a wonderful life together.  Yet as is so often the case, Charity’s heart is still bearing the holes of disappointment as she walked away from a menage with Justin and his two cousins, Val and Ransome.  For 22 years she has cherished that small hope in the deepest recesses of her heart but her love for her husband and her respect for him  and unwillingness to injure their relationship has kept her faithful to her present situation with Justin.

This is a story of unrequited love that has never died and the rekindling of that love after decades of being hidden.  It is also the continuing story of those folk of Divine, Texas, who have delighted us as we shared their stories and learned to love deeper and wider along with them.  Ms Rainier writes stories that challenge us to see human affection and relationship in different configurations and to believe that it is possible to live out one’s life in far different ways than society has blessed down through the ages.  She also brings her growing writing skills to telling a story that moves along consistently, filled with characters who interact with verve and vitality and humor, and whose loyalty to one another shows up whenever need arises.  There is a sense of community that has been forged by difficulty and terror, but hurt and disappointments and by people who have learned that they have the inner strength to live as their hearts lead them to live.  And this author brings them all alive in her books and this latest one is no exception.

Perhaps my liking this story so much is rooted in the fact that these four people have known and cared about each other for so long and that with patience and maturity their life paths have finally converged.  It is also good to experience fiction where the heroine has some milege and has lived in a strong relationship, has been a faithful life partner and a good mother to her children.  We all love to read about new love and second chances, but this story has the feel of something different, something very special, and that sense that a love that has lived long between Charity and Justin now has an opportunity to blossom and grow even more. Some of us who have lived awhile appreciate a tale that feature characters who are past the first blush of youth.  Ms Rainier has told their story with caring and a gentle hand.  It is also good to encounter men like Val and Ransome who have kept their love for Charity in a special place in their hearts as well, patiently hoping that some day Justin can feel secure in his relationship with her sufficiently so that he can open his heart to the possibility of expanding his marriage with his wife.

Heather Rainier is one of a short list of authors who are my all-time favorites and I am always delighted when she gives us another chapter in the Divine Ranch saga.  It is another terrific book and one that I can heartily recommend to readers who genuinely appreciate good romance fiction.

I give it a rating of 5 out of 5.

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

This title is available from Siren Publishing.  You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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Guest Review: Cato by Celeste Prater

Posted August 6, 2014 by Tracy in Reviews | 1 Comment

Guest Review: Cato by Celeste PraterReviewer: Tracy
Cato by Celeste Prater
Series: Fueled by Lust #3
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Publication Date: April 10, 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Science Fiction
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three-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

While monitoring the airwaves for potential mates for the earthbound Insedi, Cato Telarius becomes mesmerized with a sensual, feminine voice captured during a pay phone conversation with a hotline operator. Cato’s obsession with finding the woman attached to the voice leads him to a discovery that will shock the Insedivertus race and a love that will test the boundaries of his sanity.

Luna Jasper has been working hard to get out of an unfulfilling relationship, and just as she sees freedom within reach, one small mistake spirals her into a fight for her life, a huge push into the arms of a man she never believed could exist, and a surrealistic encounter with an alien world beyond her wildest imagination.

Luna has made some mistakes in her life but the one she’s involved in currently is the worst ever. She hooked up with an old boyfriend so that she could get out of town after her mother and brother died. At first everything was great but now he’s getting more and more controlling and verbally abusive and she wants out. Of course every time she gets enough money to leave he finds it or finds out she’s leaving and stops her. Now she’s finally had enough and she wants out. She tries to leave but fate is against her and when she stops to make a phone call she is attacked and beaten within an inch of her life.

Cato is a man from another planet. He has been surfing the airwaves trying to find mates for his fellow Insedi. He hears Luna’s voice and is immediately drawn to it. He figures out what phone booth she’s calling from and tries to see her when she makes a call. Unfortunately he is never successful. One night he gets notification that the phone booth is being used and it’s Luna – only he hears her getting beat up and comes to her rescue. He manages to save her life and get her away from the hospital but isn’t sure how to tell her that he believes that she is his mate and that he’s from another planet.

Fueled by Lust: Cato is the third book in the Fueled by Lust series. The story was a little odd going in as I hadn’t read the first two books. On one hand this seemed like a standalone novel but most of the time I was completely lost as I hadn’t read books 1 & 2. When the story began I would have never known that Cato was from another planet had I not read the blurb. There was no indication that he was an alien of sorts but as the story went on it was obvious. It took almost half the book to go by before the MC’s meet and that bothered me a bit.

When Cato and Luna finally meet – after she awakens from being beaten up – Luna trusts Cato more than I thought she would. Yes, she’s suspicious at first but she accepts his explanations far faster than I would think a woman in her position would have.

I thought the descriptions of Cato’s planet were vivid and I could see it all clearly in my head. It was written well and I enjoyed that part of the book. There was a secondary storyline involved with Cato and his father as well as another that had to do with the leader of their people. It was confusing as I had no idea who these people were and I found that frustrating. No explanations were offered so I would suggest reading the previous two books if you plan on reading this one.

Rating: 3 out of 5

three-stars

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Guest Review: Sirens in Bliss by Sophie Oak

Posted May 5, 2014 by Judith in Reviews | 0 Comments

Sirens in Bliss Judith’s review of Sirens in Bliss by Sophie Oak

What happens after happily ever after?

It’s the event of the year. The wedding of Leo and Wolf Meyer to their beautiful sub, Shelley McNamara, has all of Bliss up in arms—and makes everyone think about love and marriage and family.

Wolf and Leo have to deal with the sudden reappearance of their father. Rafe Kincaid is handed an opportunity that might take him and his family away from Bliss. Aidan, Lexi, and Lucas O’Malley find themselves at a crossroads in their marriage. And Stefan Talbot must face his biggest fear—possibly losing his wife in childbirth.

So come to the Feed Store Church, pick a seat, and enjoy the chaos as all your favorite characters from Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss, Colorado, come together for one eventful weekend.   And some of them may never be the same again.  Note: This is a reunion book, which shares an overall story arc and many crossover characters with the Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series. This is not a stand-alone.

Those of us who have read all the Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series by this author will understand that this is one of those not-stand-alone books that makes all of us terribly happy.  We all have series that we grow to love and find incredibly enjoyable and find ourselves re-reading them from time to time.  It is even better when an author brings all these characters together in a follow-up novella that brings us up to date in these characters’ lives as well as entertaining us once again.  This is especially true with all the very odd and charmingly strange characters who have put down roots in Bliss, CO, a haven for every different kind of person and where everyone is accepted without holding back at all.  The people of Bliss have been a source of wonderful fun throughout this entire series beginning with the former sheriff and his twin right up to the former FBI agents and the people who live at the nudist camp and crazy Mel who wants to make sure that the aliens don’t attack and attempt to “probe” all his friends.  Add in Leo and Wolff’s mom who insists that their new bride has to like beets because of their curative powers and you are in for one of the funniest romance books you have ever encountered.

Having a sense of humor is wonderful and I appreciate the fact that this author writes humor into her stories with ever making fun of anyone.  She just lets the individuality of her characters speak for themselves, all of whom are genuine and precious, warmhearted and giving, and whose idiocyncracies simply clash and bounce off one another in a way that is truly lighthearted and wonderful.  The best part of all this is that all of these really strange folks really know how to love–how to receive it and how to give it.  They know the power of forgiveness and they understand what it means for broken people to be healed by acceptance and an opportunity to take back their personal power.  One of the funniest parts of Sophie’s stories is the group of women whose membership is for those who have shot an attacker.  They have been abused and injured in past experiences.  Not anymore.  They empower one another and they make sure that none of their friends are ever endangered.  The men of Bliss know when to take cover.  It’s absolutely wonderful!

For those who have not read the Bliss, CO series and the Texas Sirens series, I urge you to do so.  Most are menage relationships but it doesn’t matter.  All are filled with characters who learn to accept others as well as themselves, who learn the power of love to connect and heal and overcome the faults that lie within us all, even those who don’t think they need anyone else.   This story will probably not make much sense to those who have not encountered these characters beforehand.  So I think going back and reading the first books in these series will be a good experience.  Recently I went back and re-read all the Texas Sirens books and was impressed all over again at how insightful they are in bringing human foibles into full view and allowing these people to learn the joy of genuine relationship built on caring and loving.

Perhaps the best part about this book is the fact that these characters are well beyond the “happily ever after” stage where most romance novels end.  Some of them are in trouble and some are wondering where all the “magic” has gone.  Some are just discovering the full potential of their love to reshape and renew their lives, but all of them are wonderfully human and their situations will speak to those of us who are entertained by their stories.  So I happily give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.  It’s always going to be one of my favorites!

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

Nights in Bliss, CO series

Texas Sirens Series

This title is available from Siren Publishing.  You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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