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GRAB THE COFFEE: 12/2002 |
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THIS IS AN ALL NIGHT READ
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JACOB EVANS by Steve Manchester |
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TITAN PUBLISHING
SEPTEMBER 2002
Genre – Contemporary or similar
The book begins with a touching dedication to all the victims of
September 11, 2001. Then the introduction is the announcement of
Jacob Evans passing. The rest of the book is a series of short stories
about Jacob Evans and his family.
In each one of the thirty-eight stories include a different facet
of Jacob Evans life. Some of the stories in the book are things
that happen in the life of a family member.
He has stories about his marriage, his children and so on. The
book basically chronicles his life from beginning to end. We begin
with Jacob’s birth and his feelings about that to other areas
of his life.
Personally I found quite a few of the stories very touching. One
or two almost brought tears to my eyes. Through this book you will
get to know Jacob, his wife, children and the trials they all have
had to live through. You will see how Jacob has grown from a young
boy into a man. How he deals with his children and how his children
deal with life’s trials and tribulations.
Though you may not always like Jacob or his family members you
will always get an insight to them. I was able to feel what Jacob
and his family felt. This author was very realistic in his writing.
I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to anyone wishing
a good read.
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CRIMSON ROSE by Rod Casteel
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ELLORA’S CAVE
2001
Genre - Romantic Suspense
Rod Casteel begins his book with a tribute to those who lost their
lives in Beirut. This book is about the trials one woman went through
before and after her marriage to a U.S. Marine sent to fight in
Beirut.
Rose Ann Shawnassy is pregnant and in love with a U.S. Marine.
Since he is being ordered to Beirut, Lebanon they decide to make
the baby legit by getting married in front of the Justice Of The
Peace. Rose couldn’t be happier. She’s in love, married
going to have a baby, all is well with the world. Well it would
be if her husband wasn’t being shipped off to war. And if
she didn’t now have to eventually tell the man who along with
his wife took her in off the streets. How is she going to explain
that she ran off and got married without him giving her away?
Right after her husband is swept off to war Rose thinks that is
the only problem she has to face. Little does she know it’s
nothing compared to what will follow. For a short time after the
issue of explaining to retired Gunny Sergeant Sylvester O’Toul
that she was married without him was over, life returned to normal.
Well as normal as it can be. Until one day Rose gets the news her
husband died in a bombing. Life from that day forward is changed.
If things aren’t complicated and painful enough, Mark Grady’s
brother comes to town expecting to confront the gold digger that
married his brother for his money. Although he expects to find a
gold-digger what he finds is totally different. Dennis Grady finds
a woman who was totally in love with her husband and is nothing
like what he had pictured. What Dennis Grady also finds is a woman
that he is drawn to like none other. Only this is his brother’s
widow and he can’t give in to his feelings, can he? It’d
be a betrayal to his brother’s memory, wouldn’t it?
Then if life hasn’t becoming even harder the man that was
the reason Rose had lived on the streets shows up. Rose’s
father sees the news report about Rose and her husband’s death
and shows up in order to cash in on his daughter. First off he wants
money and second he wants to continue the abuse he had dealt out
in the past. If not for Dennis that abuse may have happened. Dennis
not only stepped in but he appointed himself Rose’s protector.
This doesn’t deter Rose’s father, it only adds fuel
to the fire. More complications step in when the FBI and CIA show
up looking for Rose’s dad. From there the action never stops.
There are many issues that arise with the FBI man that shows up.
Like who is he really to Rose? What is the secret that makes Rose’s
father so hateful towards her? What will he do now that he his plan
for money has been rebuffed? What does the FBI and the CIA have
to do with all of this?
With all this combined it makes for a great book. I personally
loved this story. It had a bit of everything. Romance, intrigue
and action, there is something for everyone.
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THE DEVIANTS by Treva Harte
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ELLORA’S CAVE
2001
Genre - Erotic
This is an erotic book with a delightful twist.
Tory has had a hard time with men lately. One night she says something
to a friend that changes her life possibly forever. While out with
her friend Tory is grumbling about men and wishing they were on
another planet. Well it seems she may have just gotten her wish.
Tory is drugged, kidnapped and taken to another planet. This is
a planet where men and women don’t associate anymore then
necessary, if ever. While the women of the planet think they have
done Tory a big favor, Tory doesn’t see it that way. All she
knows is she is on a planet where women partner with women, men
partner with men and anyone doing anything else are deviants.
Tory tries to settle into life as well as she can until she can
come up with a way off the planet. One day while learning her new
job in the semen collection bank Tory meets a man. This man is one
she takes a strong liking too and he seems to take a liking to her
also. Problem is where can they go to be together on a planet that
the sexes don’t mix? Moreover what will they do if they are
caught? Deviancy on this planet is a crime. The higher ups are already
unhappy that she is even on the planet. Will Tory’s life be
forfeit for something she didn’t even ask for? Will she manage
to partner up with her love? Will she ever get back to earth?
I totally enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the other two
to the trilogy. I think the only thing I could say bad about this
story is it wasn't long enough.
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STUDENT BODY by Neil Howard
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LIGHTHOUSE PRESS, INC.
Genre - Mystery
This is basically a whodunit with a bit of romance and intrigue
thrown in.
Tyler Richmond came to Stonewater College for a new start, a new
job, a new life, a new place. All this looks pretty promising until
one of his students Molly asked him to help her. Molly’s roommate
has been acting funny. She disappears every weekend, she’s
become withdrawn and generally isn’t the person Molly knew.
After much reluctance Tyler agrees and follows Heather one Friday
night. He finds more than he bargains for. Heather has been working
in a strip club, and by all indications it’s not willingly.
It seems there are a lot of girls at the club that don’t look
like they belong. Tyler is found out, he is beaten up and almost
killed by the bouncer of the club. While all this is happening Heather
disappears.
Heather’s body is found and from there the investigation
begins. Tyler is left recuperating on a farm with some very nice
Mennonite people. When all this hits the papers Tyler’s job
is threatened, he is left with unanswered questions and a girl is
still dead. No one has any idea why she is dead or what she was
doing in the club. Evidently there is much more to this story than
has come to light so far.
When Deputy Diane O’Malley is assigned to the case. There
is an attraction between her and Tyler from the beginning. For the
sake of the investigation Diane and Tyler do not give in instantly.
From there the investigation progresses. The killers are caught,
but they leave even more questions. Like why was Heather working
at the club? Who was behind what is happening? Why did so many girls
leave the college abruptly? Many questions are answered and more
arise. Rather then risk giving to much away I will stop here.
This book was able to grab and keep my attention to the end. I
enjoyed it very much.
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HEIR OF FAXINOR by Michelle L. Levigne
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TREBLE HEART BOOKS
MOUTAIN VIEW DIVISION 2002
Genre - Medieval
I found this story very delightful and compelling. I enjoyed it
very much. It had a lot of feeling to it as well as a compelling
story line. This is a very enjoyable medieval romance, it’s
action packed, fun filled and definitely worth the read.
I was very delighted to see a strong female that wasn’t
willing to settle for what others told her. The heroine was able
to survive with her integrity through many different trials and
tribulations. Including her mother’s kidnapping and the future
others had planned for her just to name a few.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing a good read.
As there is already one review of this book on our site I will refrain
from telling much of the story at the risk of telling the whole
thing between the two reviews.
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HUNTERS PREY by Diane Whiteside
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ELLORA’S CAVE
2001
Genre – Erotic Vampire
This is a collection of stories about three vampires living in
Texas. Don Rafael Perez, Ethan Templeton and Jean Marie St. Just
are three of the most erotic vampires I have read about in some
time.
The book begins with Don Rafael teaching Ethan the proper way
to feed and give his prey satisfaction at the same time. One story
dealt with Ethan and a prostitute. Each story wound it’s way
from the past to more current times.
Each and every story is unique unto itself. Each can hold it’s
own and is not dependant upon one of the others. However is you
should miss even one of these stories you will miss a lot. I found
each and every one a bit different in it’s telling and the
erotic content.
Ms. Whiteside gave me the pleasure of reading two of her stories
quite some time prior to their being published. Even though I had
some idea of her writing I was still pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed
each and every story. This book was very erotic, I can’t wait
to read more from this author.
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TEMPTATION:
BOOK VI OF THE SHADOW DWELLERS SERIES by J.C. Wilder
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LTD BOOKS
2002
Genre – Vampire & Shapeshifter
This is book six of the series. In this story we become reacquainted
with Sinjin. During this book we get to see what he has been doing
since the death of his one time lover and best friend Bliss.
After Bliss’ death Sinjin moved to New Orleans and sets
himself up as owner and manager of a nightclub. Of recent Sinjinn’s
thoughts have been on a beautiful woman that has been eating at
the club every night for over a week. One night he decides to talk
to her and meet her. Maybe he will add her to his constantly growing
list of flings. However, from that night on things are not quite
the same for Sinjin. For that matter they aren’t quite the
same for Vivian Carrington the woman in the bar either. From the
time they met there was a mutual attraction neither could deny.
Though as for Vivian she was definitely trying. She was determined
not to let this lothario bed her just like that. That’s the
kind of thing she had come to New Orleans to get away from. Her
old life and her hold ways, which meant not bedding men she barely
knew. However well meant this new resolve was it wasn’t an
easy one. Vivian Carrington is a woman with a lot of money but no
sense of herself. This is the reason she’s in New Orleans
to find herself. While finding herself she finds much more then
she bargained for, but then again the so does Sinjin.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. I personally
loved it. From Vivian’s finding out we share the earth with
more than just humans, to Sinjin finding out he can love again.
Just some of the twists involve a werewolf, the vampires that are
seeking the diary of Elsbeth and someone out to kill Vivian. My
only problem with this book and story is it is way to short. However,
this is always my problem with this authors books, I always want
more.
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PARADOX by Rosemary Laurey & J.C. Wilder
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LTD BOOKS
SEPT. 2002
Genre – Shapeshifter
This is a book of two stories, one by each author. The first story
FLY WITH A DRAGON by Rosemary Laurey is very unique. It is about
a woman sacrificed to a dragon by her father and brother. However,
this dragon is not all he seems. Evidently he’s been blamed
for killings in the village that weren’t of his doing. In
addition the deaths of the other sacrifices weren’t exactly
his fault either.
This woman finds all this out bit by bit as he flies away with
her instead of killing her. I enjoyed this story very much. I felt
it was unique in a variety of ways. This is the first interspecies
story I have read with a dragon. This author was able to make the
story unique and erotic all in one.
I found a few details that weren’t explained well however,
that may have been due to the shortness of the story. I also felt
the ending left me hanging slightly. Or, maybe that was the authors’
intention. Could it be that there is a full book coming? I personally
hope so.
HEART OF THE RAVEN By J.C. Wilder is the second story to this book.
Dani is a young woman living a life no woman should. She must live
the life of a traveler with an abusive father that keeps her in
chains. The only reason Danis’ father keeps her is to prepare
the meals for himself and his brother. Danis’ sister was sold
years before to someone.
Danis’ father and uncle make a living from getting people
drunk and stealing all they have. It seems this night Danis’
uncle and father have finally met their match. Two strangers ride
up and ask to join them at the fire, Danis’ father and uncle
seize the opportunity to swindle the strangers. However, as I said
they have finally met their match. In the end they must give up
Dani as payment for their losses. Thus Dani is sold into slavery.
Dani is forced to ride off with the strangers and to a life like
she never imagined. Many things happen to Dani, with these strangers.
Like finding out the man who won her is the overseer of a large
castle and city. Dani also finds a life she never could have imagined
for herself. However, she has no idea what this man wants of her.
What she does know is that she is falling in love with this stranger.
However, the stranger with has a secret like no other, one that
could tear their tentative relationship apart. There is much more
than this that happens in the story that I don’t want to give
away.
All I will say is that you need to read this book. I think both
stories have a unique perspective on shapeshifters and love.
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THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT by Jaid Black, Marilyn Lee &
Treva Harte
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ELLORAS CAVE
2001
Genre – Vampire, Witch, Shapeshifter, Erotica
This book is compiled of three very good and erotic stories. The
basics of the book are three friends go to a Halloween party and
find much more than they expected. Each story is about one of these
friends. Sometime during the night each woman meets and old witch
who gives them some insight into their future.
Nancy is a spinster that goes intending to find a lover. By the
end of the book she does just that. Only her lover is not what or
even where she would expect. Her love is a Gargoyle and not of this
planet.
I found the thought of a Gargoyle lover very different. This is
not what you normally find in a shapeshifter story or book. I would
love to see much more as I myself have always had a bit of a fascination
with gargoyles.
Erica meets a man dressed up as Count Dracula at the party and
is instantly attracted to him. He is nothing like her most recent
ex-lover. Little does Erica know this vampire is for real and just
what all comes along with falling in love with a vampire. I have
always been a fan of vampire fiction. Since I am a collector of
vampire fiction this will be a delightful addition to my collection.
Janna the last of the three friends must leave the party early
to meet with a client. Janna has no idea what she is walking into.
To begin with the client meets her at the door with a huge kiss,
then begs her pardon saying he thought she was someone else. This
is just the beginning of what Janna will soon find out is one of
the weirdest nights in her life.
Come to find out this client has a curse on his family and is trying
to make up for deeds done to her ancestors by his. The making up
of past deeds makes for one very interesting story.
While I loved all these stories, I enjoyed the one about the Gargoyle
the most for its’ uniqueness.
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MENTAL
DISTORTIONS by Jean Grandbois
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2002
Genre - Action Romance
I found this to be a very touching story. I actually didn’t
expect to like it. This is not my normal genre of reading. However,
it is a must read.
An American man goes to the Himalayan’s hoping to find inner
peace. What he finds is turmoil, plots and danger. When a woman
attacks John Pearson knocks him unconscious and leaves him for dead
all life, as he knows it changes.
John becomes immersed in a life he never expected. Not only does
he run into this woman again, but he ends up saving her life. By
doing this he becomes a fugitive from the Chinese government. This
woman over time and with the help of other who translate relates
a story to John so important he has no choice but to help her. During
this time John travels with this woman whom he finds out is a Tibetin.
It seems the Panchen Lama’s mind is being perverted and
twisted by the Chinese. John and the woman must find the Dali Lama
in order to let him and the rest of the world know what is happening.
There are many who help and many who hinder this mission. Mostly
it is dangerous for all concerned. I found I was riveted to this
book from beginning to end. I have never read much about Tibet or
the problems they have dealt with in China before, but this book
may change all of that.
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CALL OF THE MOON by Rhonda Thompson
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Lovespell
2002
genre - werewolf
Jason Donovan is a man alone, he belongs nowhere and with no one.
Jason is a man on a mission with no idea of how to complete it.
Jason Donovan was a normal man up until three years ago when he
and his brother went on a camping trip. Unlike other camping trips
they had taken before this one was different. On this most recent
trip both men were both attacked by a werewolf. The werewolf wounded
them and subsequently changed them to werewolves as well.
Now Jason must roam the earth with his curse trying to find the
one that turned them and kill it. With this he hopes to break the
curse on his brother and himself. One night Jason is attacked by
another werewolf and saved by a strange Indian woman. The next thing
Jason knows he is a captive of this same woman. For Jason this is
where life for him takes another twist. Evidently this woman is
from a tribe of Indians that have kept themselves hidden away from
the outside world for hundreds of years.
The woman who helped Jason turns out to be the tribes most valued
being. The woman is the tribes’ protector, the woman hunts
werewolves and kills them.
From here many things happen, some good some bad. Many questions
are raised and many answered. Some of which are will Jason live
or will be killed? Why did this strange Indian woman save Jason,
a being she is sworn to kill? Will Jason ever find the one who changed
him? What does the Indian woman have to do with his past and future?
What is to become of this dying Indian tribe?
I found this shapeshifter book to be a refreshing change, it is
not the typical stereotype story. While many of the normal werewolf
beliefs are seen in the book it has a unique perspective. I found
that I enjoyed reading this book very much. This book is highly
recommended.
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