Dark Diva Reviews

Summary: Grace Arbon longs to do the same things as every almost twenty-one year old college graduate. Most of all, she wants to find someone to share her future with.

Click here to read the review by Ava.

Click here to read the review by Em Epe.

Summary: The ring looked familiar, very much like one Vicky had admired before. She'd seen it only through glass, but now it was held out before her…and a man was on bended knee. Hesitation can kill the greatest of moods, and perhaps even a marriage proposal. Josh stood, heart hanging in the balance, waiting for Vicky to accept his ring, or deny him again.

Summary: Property developer Paul McIvor wants to uproot the Palm Garden, and build a luxury hotel on the site. Cathy Brown, president of the local environment committee, wants the garden left as it is. They are on opposite sides of the argument, and their personalities clash. Yet they are passionately attracted to each other. Paul believes the attraction is merely physical. Cathy believes it’s merely physical. But it just won’t go away.

The fight over the Palm Garden throws them together, and pulls them apart. It seems impossible for them to create a lasting relationship. Yet maybe, in the end, the plans for the hotel will somehow serve as a perfect “Blueprint for Love.”

My Review: Cathy and Paul start off, literally with sparks flying.  Heated arguments and passionate kisses, these two can’t figure out whether to hate each other or fall madly in love.  A spicy tale, I thoroughly enjoyed the banter back and forth and battles within.  Ironically, their volatile relationship in the end, will almost pay the ultimate price, from which they both finally learn to accept each other with open arms. Ms. Clayton is definitely an author to watch!

Rated 4 ½ Delightful Divas by Eliza!

Summary: He had watched her, lusted over her and desired her. Using the cover of darkness to create the element of surprise, he was ready to take her.  Only it was he who was going to be surprised.

My Review: In the heart of Texas lives a woman, in a house, with a cliff in the back yard. No deer, let alone a man, could climb this cliff. But, this particular man had a mission.  His mission is to prove that he was the man to climb this cliff and he had a reward in mind when the feat was done. Will he do it and get his reward?

 

Summary: Linnet Greenbriar has a job to do on the isolated Alaskan Yukon River. Hoping the remote area will keep her away from men for as long as possible, she is shocked to see the handsome stranger walking up the river and singing a little song. All her hopes change when a mishap sends her falling into the river and also into the arms of said handsome stranger. Creed finds himself in the wrong place at the right time and becomes a self appointed hero when he rescues the beautiful Fish and Game Biologist from the icy river. All he wanted was a little peace and solitude, but one look at this Cheechako has him changing his tune.

My Review:Linnett worked for the fish and game service in Alaska. Creed Willis kept her from falling in the river while she was netting a fish to measure and release. Little did she know the cabin that she had been staying in and fixing up belonged to him.  Her boss hadn't told her she would have company on her wilderness assignment.  Linnett had a dark past and was trying to overcome it by trying to get assigned to deep wilderness assignments, but to her dismay, this assignment was turning out to be not remote enough.

 

 

 

Summary: Police Officer Melanie Petersen is the only one who believes a suspicious death is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her.

 

 Her neighbor Stephen Zoriak is a prime suspect. While working for a major pharmaceutical company, he is exposed to a dangerous organism that changed him. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help Mel find the truth when the deaths continue.  

 

In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find more death and continued distrust that make them wonder if love can defy death.

 

My Review:

Ancient Awakening was a fast paced, exciting read I couldn’t put down. The characters and their emotions were expertly portrayed, evoking sympathy and joy in the reader. The plot was interesting, and well planned. I have a great appreciation for the detail in research that went into this story. I fell in love with all of the characters, including the monkey, Sampson. As a reader, I was caught up in the plight of the characters, especially the hero as he struggled to find his happy ending. And ending happily it did. This story proved to be a new take on an old myth.  

 

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Sage!

Summary: The best dollar Cheyenne ever spent was invested in her sister's not-quite-ex-husband's freedom.

Divorce attorney Cheyenne Maddison has a new client: Trey Mitchell, her sister's soon-to-be-ex-husband. The short, doomed marriage is as tangled and painful as the barbwire fence around Trey's ranch, and now a Las Vegas detective has his sights trained on the unhappy union.

Cheyenne's not sure what to make of the detective's evidence concerning her sister's shady matrimonial habits, yet she knows one thing--the more time she and Trey spend together, the stronger their attraction grows.

She can buy their way out of legal trouble with a single dollar, but saying goodbye could cost them their hearts.

My Review: Cheyenne was a divorce lawyer in need of some time off. She and her assistant had been discussing Cheyenne getting away when a potential client came to visit. This particular client was of the male gender and very attractive. Trey Mitchell was a rancher from Wyoming. He and his buddy, Smitty, had been on a cattle buying trip and decided to visit Las Vegas. While there, Trey was lucky at the slots and the tables. As luck would have it, he was lucky enough to wake up the next morning to a voluptuous wife that he didn't remember marrying or honeymooning with. She had went home with him to check out the ranch and returned to Vegas disappointed. Trey had looked in the yellow pages to find a divorce attorney and found Cheyenne's name appealing. Little did he know, Cheyenne was his luscious wife's sister. Cheyenne kept Trey as a client and the fireworks started. They continued when Cheyenne visited the ranch to check things out for herself. Her sister had retained their family attorney to represent her and the fight was on. Will Virginia keep up her charade or confess all before the divorce goes before a judge? Will Cheyenne find her Prince Charming and live happily ever after?

Linda Lattimer writes a humorously refreshing story. This really does remind me of a fairy tale but with real life circumstances. Is there a second story in the works?

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a recommended read by Roxann!

Summary: Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned romance? Remember reading about a man’s clothed physique, or how a fellow admired a woman in a pretty red dress? How about stories where couples fall in love with just one glance or that first gentle touch? Then open this anthology and enjoy 18 beautiful stories of love lost, love found, intrigue, heartache healed, the miracles of life, passionate admissions, and tearjerkers that make one sigh with longing. From best friends who find romance to time travel to a bit of Christmas magic, step into the realm of hearts on fire and love everlasting.

Authors: Gwen Hayes, M.E. Ellis, Maryann Miller, Adelle Laudan, K. Starling, Trinity Blacio, Debbie Gould, Ava James, Faith Bicknell-Brown, Savannah Chase, Lisa Alexander Griffin, Kensana Darnell, Brieanna Robertson, Nicolette Zamora, Kathleen MacIver, Missy Lyons, and Jambrea Jo Jones

My Review: This book is full of great stories. I flew through it, laughed, teared up a few times, and generally, had a great time delving into each world, meeting each new couple, and sharing their journeys. There are so many wonderful stories; I had to give them each a little bit individual attention. This is a terrific compilation of sweet, honest romance like I haven't encountered in a long time.

Title: 5 a.m. on a Sunday Morning
Author: Gwenn Hayes
Summary: Kelsey and Ryan have known each other for a very long time, so why didn't they know this about each other before now?

My review: It doesn't get any better than cow pj's and love at, well, definitely not first sight for these two, but that's what makes it so scary, isn't it? Even though you just know what's going to happen, watching it take place is worth it. Ms. Hayes has just the right touch of humour the keep the story real and the characters interesting.

Title: I Heard You, You Know
Author: M.E. Ellis
Summary: Life after divorce might look like a long stretch, but what if it turns out to be not long enough?

My review: I laughed, I cried...Seriously. I really did. This story made me want to go upstairs and hug my other half, and after twelve years together, sometimes, it's nice to remember that feeling. Thanks, Ms. Ellis.

Title: New Love
Author: Maryann Miller
Summary: Timing is everything, and Patrick knows he's running out of it. He'll have to act completely out of character to get what he wants before it's too late.

My review: In a world where we sometimes forget that we don't live forever, it's nice to be reminded that love can make it through a lot, including almost a lifetime of waiting. Miller has written a beautiful tale of love that never forgets and a man willing to go pretty far out of his way to get what he wants. Isn't that the kind of love we all want?

Title: A Ride to Remember
Author: Adelle Laudan
Summary: Everyone makes mistakes, and Desiree's life has been full of them, but now she's on the straight and narrow. It's taken most of her life to get here, but maybe all the hard won peace is about to pay off.

My review: Lauden had crafted a fine tale about taking responsibility, not just for mistakes, but for one's own happiness, as well. I liked the strength of the characters in this story, taking their lives in hand and being brave enough to go after what they wanted.  This is quite an inspiring tale of discovery.

Title: Sweet Tea Maggie
Author: K. Starling
Summary: Maggie has a plan, and it doesn't include Stanley. Stanley has issues that have nothing to do with Maggie. Plans can change, though, and issues can be worked through. Can't they?

My review: I found this offering a little choppy in places, and I confess, I'm about as far from s southern belle as it gets. It isn't a mindset or pattern of speech I can readily identify with. That said, Sweet tea Maggie is a sweet read that left me satisfied. The belle here is not retiring beauty. She knows what she wants and isn't prepared to compromise. And what's more attractive than a man who can want a woman and still show her the respect she deserves? Really, I enjoyed this story so much more than I expected I might.

Title: Tuesday's Affair
Author: Trinity Blacio
Summary: Ike knew his facts, and Tuesday's pregnancy didn't fit the facts, so she must be lying, and he couldn't stay under such a lie. But love should trump facts. Maybe, love even trumps biology.

My review: Miscommunication can be a terrible thing. It can ruin lives, marriages, and hope. In this story, Blanco gives us a glimpse of that, and shows how a family can be torn apart by it. But a strong woman won't let that keep her down forever, and Tuesday is a strong woman. I like that she never loses that strength throughout the story.

Title: Lavender Heart
Author: Debbie Gould
Summary: Grant needs to heal. He's spent his life saving others, and now it's his turn, but who will help him, now he's chased off the one woman who might be able to love him?

My review: I wasn't expecting a fairy tale in the midst of all the contemporary tales, so when I came across this little gem, what a pleasant surprise it was. There's just enough of the extraordinary in this wonderful tale to make it the perfect mix of sweet and mysterious. Lovely.

Title: Forever Found
Author: Debbie Gould
Summary: Kelly needs stability. Not for herself, but for her son, and she just might have found it in Jason, if she can bring herself to trust again.

My review: Gould has created a lovely story about learning to love and trust again. Even strong, independent women want to know they can count on someone to be there forever, and Gould has managed to create a character that can be her own woman, and crave that little piece of forever that makes life easier. Once again, a lovely story.

Title: Waking Up
Author: Ava James
Summary: It's a well-known fact. War is destructive. So when Jaysen finds that through the loss and horror of that destruction, something good can come, she embraces it. She only hopes she can be embraced in return.

My review: I hate war stories. I avoid them like the plague. So imagine my shock to find that I absolutely loved this piece. Full of tender, playful, bittersweet moments, there's really nothing to not like about it. If every war story ended like this, pretty soon, there'd be no more war to write about. Wouldn't that be something?

Title: Under the Christmas Stars
Author: Faith Bicknell-Brown
Summary: Lana has made some poor choices in me, but maybe this time, she can get it right.

My review: I have to say, the author sure got it right. This short bit of Christmas joy hits just the right note with a kind-hearted, patient hero and a heroin that manages to dodge heartache at the last second. She's tapped into the magic that Christmas brings with it and created a perfect mood for love.

Title: He's on the Menu
Author: Savannah Chase
Summary: Where Rock 'n' Roll meets fairytale is where Jessie finds the man of her dreams, but is he really all that, or is he just a guy who wants a girl?

My review: Okay. I know we've all had this dream, the one where the famous rock and role hero comes and sweeps us off our feet and turns the world rose side up. Well, Ms. Chase has given the dream form, and what a lovely job she's done. This story brings me right back to the beginning and all the things I always thought a romance should be.

Title: The Unexpected Gift
Author: Lisa Alexander-Griffin
Summary: Elise and Cade have both lost so much, it's possible there's no way to recover. On the other hand, miracles happen all the time. Maybe this will be one of them.

My review: This is a moving piece of writing with rounded characters that have already loved and lost so much, and the real miracle is that they are willing to try again. The author has managed to make love at first sight, that instant and undeniable connection feel real and believable.

Title: Whispers in the Wind
Author: Kensana Darnell
Summary: Ali has all her life ahead of her, and Mitch has given a lot of his up for someone who didn't want it. There's a good chance they'll never be at a place in their lives when they can be together, but that doesn't stop either of them hoping that time might someday arrive

My review: Although I found a few aspects of this plot a little far-fetched, that didn't stop me loving the hero's to-the-rescue attitude. Nor did it keep me from appreciating the way the author made me wait for the final payoff. Just like in life, some things are really worth that wait, and in this case, the sense of fulfillment between the characters was truly satisfying when it finally happened.

Title: Musician's Monsoon
Author: Brieanna Robertson
Summary: Sophie has been plain all her life, right up until Zane looks down from the stage and sees her in the audience. In that instant, she becomes something she never imagined herself to be; desirable.

My review: Wow. This was a great story. I laughed out loud a few times. Sophie is just the kind of romance heroin I love; independent, wise enough to know when love has her beat, and smart enough to take the hit. This is just an incredibly good read.

Title: Little Cowgirl
Author: Nicolette Zamora
Summary: Greg is having a hard time letting go of the things he can never have back. Nan might just be the woman who lets him finally move on.

My review: There's so much in this short story to like. The secondary characters are just as well drawn as the hero and heroine, and emotions are wonderfully realized. Between friendship, family and lost love, there are more relationships here than you can shake a stick at, and all of them well realized. I'll be looking forward to more from this new author. 

Title: Forever Guy
Author: Jambrea Jo Jones
Summary: Sam has always known what she wants, and that's Jack. All she has to do, now he's back in town, is convince him.

My review: Another gem. This story has all the elements I love. This story has it all, real characters, real relationships, and true love. What's not to like? The author paints a vivid picture of small town life and community, and doesn't sugar-coat the realities of coming home from war, knowing how impossible it is pick up where you left off. Starting fresh just might lead to forever, though. 

Title: When Time Stood Still
Author: Kathleen MacIver
Summary: Rhianna has come a long way and has no intention of staying. Then she meets Matthew, and thinks maybe she's come far enough. Whatever either of their pasts might have been, their future is with one another, and they both know it, but .can they convince each other of that?

My review: This story is a nice addition to the other, less fantastical offerings. I loved the characters, the sense of family so masterfully depicted, and the blurring of time into that magical moment where loves happens. The story, like the country in which it's set, has a timeless, beautiful feel. Scotland sets a perfect backdrop for romance in any age.

Title: Wounded Hearts
Author: Missy Lyons
Summary: If anyone knows how hard it is to start over, it's Adam. He's had to learn to raise his son on his own, and knows when his new neighbour moves in, she's going to need a helping hand.

My review: What a great way to end the book, with a story about starting over. This little piece is a heart-warming example of small town charm and neighbourliness, and how family can extend way beyond the traditional. The author has an ability to capture the genuine expression of love through action that can't be conveyed by mere dialogue alone. Wonderful job.

My recommendation: Curl up with this one, folks. There's something for every romance lover, and you'll not be disappointed.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Jaime!

Available December 9, 2008 from Freya's Bower.

Summary: After the death of her husband in a fiery crash, Carrie Martin Salem left the world of the racing circuit and retreated to Texas vowing to live a quiet and safe life. But old memories dig deep, leaving her longing for the friend she left behind. From the moment J.T. Sims steps from the cab of his truck, Carrie knows it's more than friendship she feels for the hottest racecar driver on Earth.

J.T. Sims never forgot the beautiful wife of his long-dead best friend. She'd had her time to grieve. She'd had years to pull herself together and now it was his turn, his time to reach out for the love he's always wanted. His mission becomes convincing the pretty Texas lady that she's strong enough to take what he's offering. Nights of hot passion and days filled with love.

My Review: 

The opening of Killer Curves is hot, hot, hawt!!!  But that’s not even the half of it…  Our hero, J.T. is sex on a stick and the heroine, Carrie wraps him up in a heart-warming, steamy, tension filled story.

Ms. Carlysle has penned a stunning erotic romance.  I sat wide eyed on the edge of my seat, and didn’t stop reading until the end.  But it wasn’t just the mind-blowing sex, I felt the love flowing between these two.  Sigh… Very satisfying.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Eliza.  A definite, recommended read!!!

                                           Summary: Can the dark rainy nights reveal more than the wet or will the steam of Jason and Rayne become fogged up?

Successful and charismatic Doctor Jason Tuck has been dating his girlfriend off and on for years because he didn’t think he would find the perfect woman for him. Lisa was safe and he wasn’t in danger of losing his heart to her. He wasn’t ready to give his heart completely until he was sure he had found his soul mate… and one rainy night the woman he had been waiting for literally ran right into him.

Tamika "Rayne" Yardley doesn’t remember anything about the night the gorgeous blue-eyed Jason Tuck found her during the downpour on a dark street, but she know she wants to be with him more than anything in the world. But how can she move forward when her past is a blank and his ex-girlfriend is doing everything in her power to keep with them apart.

Is she destined to live without the man she loves or will Jason’s undying love for her make her whole?

My Review: It had been six months since that fateful night when Jason had hit her with his car in the storm. Rayne was ready to leave the hospital and live on her own.  Jason didn't think she was quite ready. Jason just happened to be a doctor at the hospital that Rayne was taken to. Rayne had lost her memory due to being hit by Jason's car and had never recovered it. She knew she had to get out of here and away from Jason because she was falling for him. Jason had told her to work out more in the therapy room and get stronger and he would consider releasing her in two more months. That would be February. That would be great if she could get out by Valentine's Day, the day of love. Jason lingered in her room and she got the impression he was attracted to her so she asked about his girlfriend, Lisa.

In the  days to come Jason, was attracted more and more. No other woman had effected him this way.  No one had stepped up and identified Rayne when they searched for her family. What if she had a boyfriend, or even a husband somewhere. Could he let these feelings surface?

Greg Yardley's sister, Tamika, had disappeared six months ago. She had never made it to the theater where the dance company was at. He didn't like the update that the private investigator gave him.

Lisa suspected that Jason was falling for Rayne and her jealous side  was showing.  Jason was tired of Lisa's constant whining and wanted to be free of her.  He knew that for the past six years Lisa wanted a commitment of marriage, but he was not ready to commit himself to her. The last straw was when Lisa lashed out at his patients, especially Rayne. He tried to gently brake it off with Lisa but she vowed that if she couldn't have him no one could.

Greg was getting desperate to find his sister. He called the PI again and informed him that he was going to run his ad in area newspapers and offer a reward for $100,000. The ad he had ran in the local papers turned up nothing. He wanted to find Tamika by her birthday, Valentine's Day.

Jason had asked Rayne to move in with him when she was discharged from the hospital. Lisa had over heard this exchange and was furious she vowed that she would get Jason and Rayne for this. Rayne was not at all sure if she should be even thinking about a relationship with Jason since her memory had not returned.

Will Greg find his sister in time? Will Lisa find revenge? And will Rayne find her memory?

This would have been a good read if it wasn't for all the miss wording.  The proof-reader needs a refresher course.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Roxann.

Summary: Football, football, football! Eight months a year-football. Beautiful, fiery-haired Carla is soooo sick of football, she throws a fit. The problem is, Joey, her live-in boyfriend is an assistant football coach with the local NFL team and watching football games is not only part of his job, it's a must. Out of necessity, he comes up with an ingenious plan in the form of a football connected sex-game, the results of which have energized their sex life to the boiling point. Now Carla not only enjoys watching football with Joey, she can't wait for the games to begin.

My Review: Carla and Joey were roommates with fringe benefits. Joey was an  assistant football coach for the Lions. Carla told Joey she was bored with their love making and was tired of watching football on TV. Joey suggested a rather interesting game of personal fantasy football. If Joey's team won he would have his way with Carla and would be in charge of their love making.   If Carla's team won she would have the same options.

Joey's team won and during their love making mentioned he would like to bottle her essence and have the team smell it. Things expanded from there and Carla found out that Joey would like to screw another of her fellow cheerleaders, Bambi. Carla revealed that she would like to make it with one of his players but, would not reveal whom it as. They played this game on the away games and home games.

After one game Carla told Joey she would meet him in the women's locker room and had Bambi there in her place. When Joey returned to his and Carla's room Carla was waiting in bed for him. He thanked her for his unexpected birthday present of Bambi and admitted his love for her and promptly proposed marriage. Carla confessed she was pregnant and agreed to marry him.

Dee Dawning tells a humorous story. This is the first story I have read where both sides of feelings are told. I think its great.

Rated 4 Delightful Divas by Roxann.

Lyssa has been tormented by a recurring dream involving a beautiful gray wolf.  Her mother is convinced the dreams are trying to tell her something significant.  When Lyssa encounters an elderly Indian, she asks if he will try to interpret her dream.  He tells her that the wolf symbolizes her soul mate whom she must diligently search for.  Her search begins for the man who is her other half, the man known as Walks With a Wolf.

Review:
Lyssa is perplexed about a recurring dream, involving a wolf and an old man who calls her Dream Weaver. Her Cherokee bloodline causes her to believe it has some meaning. Later, during a camping trip, she runs into an old Cherokee who offers an explanation for her dream. If she pursues it she'll meet her soul mate, Walks with Wolf.

Dreams of Destiny was a dream to read! I loved this short love story about two soul mates guided to each other through their dreams. Written in the first person, Taylor Kincaid did a great job of giving the reader a clear visual of the happenings as they unfolded, describing the heroine's thoughts and emotions and leaving you with a feeling of breathless anticipation. I couldn't read fast enough to find out how
it ended.

Chris is jaded.  After a disastrous relationship with an obsessive ex boyfriend she has adopted  a love-them-and-leave- them attitude.  The last thing she wants is to get involved on an emotional level, but she finds him sexy, off the wall, and very charming, so she has no qualms about pursuing a no strings attached relationship with him.  Kenneth, however, has other plans.

Review:
The thing I love most about fiction is that you don't have to stick to the rules dictated by society. Love can happen in the blink of an eye or trickle down like warm molasses. When Dreams Come True wastes no time on preliminaries. The sparks fly from the opening paragraph and don't come to an end until the last word. I found myself laughing aloud as I read this story. I also found myself groaning and muttering under my breath as I do with every book and movie I watch.  I can honestly admit to being surprised by these characters. They definitely do not harbor any resemblance to any characters I've ever read about.

Kenneth, for example, was charming, unpredictable, and at times annoying. I loved him for these three attributes. So many times you read about characters that are perfect, in looks and attitude. I was also fond of, but a little confused by, Kenneth's speech, which reminded me of an eighteen century gentleman. I almost thought he was a transplant from that time period to ours.

All in all though, I enjoyed the story. It was a delightful surprise from previous readings.

Three and a half Delightful Divas