Red Hot Stone Cold by Trin Denise

Famous artist, Danica James, doesn’t like being in the limelight. She hides herself away in her cabin up in the mountains in West Virginia with her faithful dog, Sammie. That is, until the fateful day she comes across car accident victim, Heather Ransen. Heather is suffering from retrograde amnesia. Danica has no idea of who she is or where she was going in one of the worst storms of the season. Somehow, she gets Heather back to her cabin, resigned to the fact that her peace is over for a while due to the worsening storm.

Heather had in fact, been on her way to confront her cheating lover Angela, but now has no knowledge of it. Will Heather get her memory back?

Danica is attracted to Heather, but she’s been badly hurt in the past. Will Danica take a chance on love again?

As Heather slowly begins to remember things, she also finds herself attracted to Danica. But her feelings are not reciprocated.

What will it take to get Danica and Heather together? Will time be the answer?

Another winning, well written, novella from the pen of talented author, Trin Denise. A highly emotional read in a short novella. As with all of Trin’s books, I wanted more. I would have loved to have seen more of the area of West Virginia, more of the characters day to day lives and more about what happened to Danica and Heather next.

The two main characters Danica and Heather are so obviously attracted to one another. But the question is whether they will find their way into each others hearts.

A short, but very enjoyable read. One to re-read as a comfort read to enjoy again and again.

Also Known As Rising & Falling by Kelli Jae Baeli

AKA Investigations Book Four

Jobeth O’Brien had had an accident involving a flight of stairs and a pair of slippers. Even though Jobeth is laid up with a back injury, she still manages to involve herself in her Private Investigation business.

At this moment in time, Phoebe, Izzy and Ginger are busy helping women who have been victims of violence by men. Men who are predators.

Jobeth and Phoebe, along with Jobeth’s sister Izzy and her partner Ginger, are all intent on helping these female victims, but how will this affect their own relationships? The four women are all as different as chalk and cheese. This is probably why they get on so well together. But when insecurities begin to surface, where will this leave them?

Izzy gets a terrible shock when someone from her past turns up unexpectedly. Will Izzy make a run for it or stay and face this unwanted visitor?

No one is safe from a rapist doing his rounds either. Not even the women connected with AKA Investigations.

The storyline in this book is the same as in AKA Syzygy only it’s told from the point of view of the AKA Investigations team.

I love the characters from the AKA team, so I enjoyed reading this from their perspective. It did seem a little odd though, knowing who the perpetrators were.

As always with Kelli Jae Baeli’s writing, the story is really well told and enjoyable.

I have no intentions of spoiling this book for anyone who hasn’t read AKA Syzygy, so I’m going to leave this review right here. Suffice it to say, it’s another winner.

The Very Thought Of You by S. Anne Gardner

One minor accident and a nor’easter snowstorm changed the lives of two women and a child forever. Alex was on her way home from the office when she saw Reese’s car skid out of control. What happened from that moment on could only be construed as fate.

Alex had been a shell of her former self after losing her beloved son Teddy in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Two years had passed by and her personal life was still spiralling downwards out of control. Alex lives her life in misery, all work, no play. She is an upcoming successful attorney with a stellar reputation, but is as cold as ice. Until she meets Reese.

Reese is a single mother, she lives for her daughter Carly. She is virtually estranged from the rest of her family.

After the accident, Alex and Reese slowly begin to get to know one another. It seems they are destined to be friends. May be more, if Reese has her way.

Unfortunately, their relationship never gets a chance when Alex runs from her own desires. What will it take for Alex to see that loving Reese is the best thing she’s had happen to her since she had her son Teddy with her?

Reese won’t give up. But how can she break down the stone walls Alex has put up to guard her heart?

Hostile outside influences are fast at work too. Will Alex listen to them or her own heart?

This is a nice, well written, comfortable and enjoyable romance, written in the traditional lesbian fiction style. However, there are more than a few twists and turns and ups and downs along the way. The course of true love does not run smoothly. Anything but.

There are actually three equally as important characters, all multidimensional and easy to get to know and love. Alex who is a workaholic after the tragic death of her only son. She’s also straight, isn’t she? Reese, a single mother with her wonderful daughter, Carly. Each plays a prominent part in this page turning story. The cast of minor characters, some of whom I could have cheerfully shaken until their teeth rattled, are all essential in the unfolding of the story and it’s progression through to the end.

This story is about love, loss and recovery. It’s a mixture of sad, hopeful, happy, sexy and in parts, humorous.

I will be adding this book to my re-read pile. I look forward to S. Anne Gardner’s next book with anticipation.

Infinity's Song by Penelope Grey

Cassandra Blake and Helen Walker have been together for eighteen years. They are both at the top of their professional careers. They own properties in Seattle, Langley and Whidbey Island and want for nothing. They have the life most people can only dream about and the perfect marriage. Don’t they?

Over the past couple of years, their dream life had started to slip away. They started to slowly drift apart and both women built up barriers to protect their hearts.

Both Cassie and Helen have had tragedies in their pasts that are now impinging on their lives and their future together. Is there a way back? Is there a way to save their marriage? Or have they simply drifted too far apart?

Helen must confront her past, a past so painful to her, it’s hard to face. Will Helen be strong enough to face it, then leave it where it belongs, in the past?

Cassie battles a past tragic event and finally finds the courage to face it head on. But will facing up to the past bring Cassie and Helen back together, or will it drive them further apart?

This is Penelope Grey’s debut book. I would never have known this had I not been apprised of the fact. Her excellent penmanship and superb storytelling are definitely not in keeping with a debut novel. This book actually surpasses some of the books I’ve recently read from established authors writing for some of the large lesfic publishers.

Now and then I come across a debut author who is really outstanding. Penelope Grey is one such author. Don’t let the fact that she is an indie author tell you any different.

Infinity’s Song is the story of two women in an established relationship, a relationship that is basically being destroyed by events from the past and lack of communication. Penelope Grey takes the reader on Cassie and Helen’s journey of self discovery and the hopeful reconstruction of their relationship. That is, if it can be reconstructed.

Helen and Cassie are both wonderful characters and multidimensional. Theirs is a story full of highs and lows, hope and despair. A veritable rollercoaster of emotions throughout the book. They are backed up by some wonderful minor characters to progress the story forward at a nice pace.

The club, Siren’s Song, plays a very important part in this story. I have no intentions of spoiling this story, so you’ll have to buy the book and read it to see how.

From the scenic descriptions, I could visualize the story playing out like a movie. A wonderful experience in itself. Which brings me to another point, this book would indeed make a brilliant movie or TV drama.

This book goes far beyond a regular romance. Cassie and Helen’s respective stories are entirely different, but heart breaking none the less. But, there is a touch of light hearted humor throughout to relieve the tension. There is also some red hot sex scenes. Scenes so tastefully written as to be deliciously decadent.

Infinity’s Song is the first book in a series. I will be very interested to see how Penelope Grey is going to top her debut novel or even match it. I’m looking forward to the second book being published with eager anticipation.

This book is a definite re-read and Penelope Grey has joined my list of favorite authors.

Someone Like You by Syd Parker

Aspen Lane and Alexis Tataris, (Lex) were a match made in heaven. College sweethearts, they both expected to be together forever. Their marriage sealed their true love.

That is, until tragedy struck. A terrible mind numbing event that Lex couldn’t cope with and sent her running. Running away from Aspen, the woman she had promised to love forever.

Aspen is a broken woman. Left to cope alone with her memories and the tragedy that parted them, she lives each day in mental torture. A mere shell of her former self.

Now five years later, Aspen has to face Lex again. Lex wants a divorce, she wants to re-marry. The problem is, to get the divorce, Aspen and Lex must both reside in the state they were married in. It makes sense to share a place. Doesn’t it?

Will Lex’s reappearance break Aspen’s heart all over again, shattering it beyond repair? How will Lex feel about seeing the woman she loved more than life itself again? The woman she’d abandoned at her lowest ebb and in her hour of dire need?

Will either woman ever be able to settle for the ‘someone like you’, or will the logical Aspen and Lex not let them?

This is another winner from Syd Parker. A nicely written romance with a twist. Lots of ups and downs throughout the book. A page turner right from the start to the very end.

I loved Aspen’s character, I connected with her right from the start. Although I ended up liking Lex, I felt like knocking some sense in to her for her lack of compassion and feeling towards Aspen. Aspen and Lex so clearly belong together. It was stomach churning to see what she had blindly thrown away.

Both Aspen and Lex are multidimensional characters and they are backed up by a strong cast of characters that enhance and progress the story on to it’s conclusion. I loved the vivid scenic descriptions throughout the book. It was easy to lose myself in amongst the characters rather than just simply reading about them.

It is nice to read a book where we get the background on the characters, rather than just going right ahead with the story in the present day. From my point of view, this is essentially a part of the bigger picture and makes it easier to get to know what makes the characters tick.

I know when I pick up a Syd Parker book, I’m in for a jolly good read. I never know what to expect next as her writing is so diverse. This is what makes her books a pleasure to read. No two books are ever the same. As an added bonus here too, Syd has included some of Lex and Aspen’s favorite recipes for us all to enjoy. I hope Syd is fast at work on her next book.

Passion For Vengance by Patty G Henderson

When Emma Stiles arrived in Haven Falls from New York, she was fortunate to find employment as a governess to twelve year old Henry Havens. Emma is to live in at the dilapidated Havenswood Plantation, home of the Havens family.

Cole Havens, his sister Jane and Henry are all offspring of the late Colonel Vincent Havens, a civil war hero. Cole has neither the money or the enthusiasm to restore Havenswood back to it’s former beauty. Most of his days are spent drinking himself into oblivion. As a consequence, Henry has been allowed to run wild. Hence the decision to employ a governess.

Jane Havens is the mistress of Havenswood. She’s a light hearted, but lonely young woman. She does her best to keep things running on an even keel, but it’s not easy when she has no backing from Cole. She loves her family, but she is restless.

When Emma and Jane meet, Jane is immediately smitten with the beautiful Emma. It transpires the feeling is mutual. It’s not long before they are both head over heels in love and begin a passionate affair.

However, Emma is hiding a deep, dark and terrible secret. A secret so awful, that it may well be the demise of Emma and others alongside of her.

It isn’t long before strange things begin to happen in the Havens household. The blame is being laid at Emma’s door by some. Jane, of course, won’t hear one word said against her. Is Jane right though? Should she be siding with a virtual stranger? A stranger she doesn’t really know very well.

The Havens family are about to have their closets thrown wide open and all their family skeletons come tumbling out. Secrets hidden for years may well destroy the Havens family in it’s entirety. But even this doesn’t compare to what Emma is hiding.

What is Emma’s dark secret? Will the all consuming passionate love Emma and Jane share be enough when Emma’s secret is finally exposed? Or will the Havens family have been destroyed?

This is Patty G Henderson’s third gothic historical romance. It is in my honest opinion, the best she’s written yet. This is a book that once started I couldn’t put down. I found myself tearing through the pages in order to see which direction the story was going to take and how it was going to end. There are lots of twists and turns throughout. Just when I thought I’d figured out the plot, so it veered off in another direction. Because I read this so quickly in my haste to find out what happened, I had to start it all over again when I’d finished to do this book the justice it deserves.

The two main characters, Emma and Jane, are as different as night and day. Jane is light hearted, Emma carries within her the darkness thrust upon her by the actions of others. However, the two women compliment each other. They are both multidimensional and their interactions are like watching a synchronized dance. They simply flow together. The other characters are all essential in the progression of the story.

As the story unfolded, I began to realize that it wasn’t going to be a simple straight forward gothic historical romance. Oh no, it’s much, much more. I’m not at liberty to put in anything that would possible spoil this for you, but please do look for the message here that Patty G Henderson is telling us.

From the scenic descriptions I was able to totally immerse myself in this story. The dark and brooding run down plantation house, the surrounding fields and forests, the smell of the wisteria, all had me transported back in time.

The love story told between Emma and Jane is deep and profound, with some rather hot scenes added in for good measure. All tastefully written, of course. This is a first for Patty, she’s never before ventured into writing love scenes. Now she’s shown us how good she is at writing such titillating romantic hot sexy scenes, I’m hoping she will do it more often.

This is without a doubt, the best gothic historical romance book I’ve read to date. I’m hoping there will be many more books from Patty G Henderson in the very near future.

Short Snippets of February Reads

Crash Stop by Mary Griggs

Gail Joiner starts off on the wrong foot with Lily Rush when she begins her new job. Now it’s an on-going feud between the two of them.

When a shipping accident occurs and the warehouse on one of the piers in San Francisco Bay is destroyed, trapping Gail’s daughter Sierra and Lily under tons of rubble, suddenly their petty hostilities no linger matter.

Fortunately , Sierra is virtually unscathed by the time she is recued. But Lily’s injuries are life threatening.

While Lily is recovering, Gail visits her and slowly the two women get to know one another. Both women realize they have an attraction for one another. Could it grow to be more?

On Lily’s return to work, the Vice President of the company is determined to fire her. Gail, as Human Resource Director, is caught up in the middle. Will the VP win? Not if Gail can help it.

A well written romance with a good story. I loved the two main characters. Both are multidimensional and easy to get to know. Gail’s daughter Sierra, is a delight. Star rating 4/5

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Ladyfish by Andrea Bramhall

Thirty six year old scuba diving instructor Olivia Zuckerman, (Oz) loves her job. She helps novice divers become like professionals in the water. She’s also very adept at getting women in to her bed. All this changes when she meets trainee diver, Daniela Finnsbury-Sterling.

Daniela is trying to make the break away from her power crazy father. At the age of twenty eight, Daniela has had enough of his controlling ways. So, she’s escaped to Florida. However, she knows that her father won’t let her go, he will want her back to do his bidding again. Just how much he will want her back and to what lengths he will go, she couldn’t possibly know.

Oz and Daniela are attracted to one another. But can Oz stop her womanizing for the chance of true love? Can Daniela stay one step ahead of her father?

A well written, fast paced, page turner. Far more than a simple romance. Mystery, intrigue and murder add to the excitement. Star rating 5/5

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Inamorata by Kate Sweeney

Michaela Brennan and her brother Sean are contracted to build a clinic in Los Rios, Panama. When Michaela meets Dr Isabella Rivera, whose clinic they are building, she realizes she is the woman she drunkenly propositioned in a bar. They haven’t exactly got off on the right foot.

It doesn’t take long before sparks are flying between the two women. But are they sparks of anger or love?

A nicely written short novella, written with all the usual Kate Sweeney humor. Star rating 4/5

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Connected Hearts Various

The Morning After by Jae

After a disastrous blind date, Amanda has had enough. She decides to attend an anti Valentine’s Day party. She parties a bit too much and wakes up in strange surroundings with a hangover and maybe a little bit more than she bargained for.

Two Hearts – One Mind by RJ Nolan

Kim is going to propose to her partner Jess on Valentine’s day. Jess, however, has her own plans. What will happen and whose plans will work out?

On The Road by Joan Arling

Stella is a long haul trucker. She picks up a hitchhiker on her journey across Europe. She falls hard and fast for Rita before they reach the end of their journey. Rita feels the same way. But what will happen at the end of the road?

Seduction For Beginners by Jae

Annie has always allowed work to come before pleasure. She’s now in a relationship with a woman for the first time. Annie is painfully shy, but she has set her mind to seduce Drew on Valentine’s day. Will she succeed?

This is a really nice collection of short stories by some great authors. All well written, with some fantastic characters. Well worth every penny. Star rating 5/5

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The Painted Cat by Ali Spooner Short story

Doctor Beth Morgan returns to her hometown, Magee, Mississippi, after becoming fed up with the violence in Memphis.

Pilot Ria Conway had earlier returned to Magee after serving her country in the air force.

Beth and Ria had been best friends in school. They had loved one another but shied away from anything more than being friends.

Will they reconnect after being apart for twelve years? Will they re-kindle their love?

Another winner from Ali Spooner. A beautiful story with wonderful characters I’d like to see more of. Star rating 5/5

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