Snowbound by Bonnie Hamre

Secrets Volume 2

Title: Secrets Volume 2
Authors: Bonnie Hamre, Susan Paul, Angela Knight, Doreen DeSalvo
Publisher: Red Sage Publishing
Publisher URL: www.redsagepub.com
ISBN: 0964894211
Reviewer: Aggie Tsirikas

Snowbound by Bonnie Hamre
Rating: 4 Stars
Heat level: H

In this sexy romp set in Regency London, the marriage shy Justin Stowe, fifth Earl of Howden, has been given some respite from the merciless matchmakers by a raging blizzard. Justin will be spending a few days in a female-free household little realizing that his sanctuary is soon to be invaded by none other than a damsel in distress, Sarah Wilder. This is the woman who is able to meet his overpowering sensuality head to head.

In Snowbound, the reader is treated to the very sexy Earl of Howden and the lady who tames his wild and wicked ways; Sarah is the perfect match for our hero. These two memorable characters worked well together in some very steamy scenes. Seeing a strong alpha male brought to his knees, figuratively, over the woman he falls in love with is absolutely charming. Ms. Hamre eloquently tells us their story, using a much used plot device while telling this story in a fresh voice, and delivering a believable and interesting tale with some very titillating scenes. Justin and Sarah are simply hot together. Their emotional bond develops a bit too suddenly, but this is understandable considering the story length. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Snowbound. Though this story doesn't rely heavily on historical facts, the Earl succumbing to a lady outside his social standing and wanting to marry her within days of their acquaintance, the story was interesting and enjoyable if you suspended disbelief for a moment. Some of the scenes in this book will have you steaming from your collar; watch out and have some ice water handy. Lovers of historical erotic romances will absolutely love this story.

Savage Garden by Susan Paul
Rating: 4 Stars
Heat level: N/A

Raine LeFleur's father is stationed in Sinforosa Canyon, Mexico, when she is captured by a mysterious and dangerous revolutionary leader Miguel Chavez. Her initial concern is survival but she quickly finds herself seduced by Miguel's charm and spends untold erotic nights in her captor's arms.

Ms. Paul has managed to pen one very steamy tale of love and revenge, in a turbulent time in history, that has one of the most sensual and titillating opening scenes I've read in a while. Savage Garden proved to be an enjoyable short historical story. The point of view abruptly changed sometimes causing mild confusion, and despite the purple prose used, the characters and setting far outshone this minor setback. The sex between Miguel and Raine is at times reminiscent of the early "bodice ripper" novels though some of it is very steamy in it's depiction of the dominant and aggressive male pleasuring his woman into total sensual submission. The sexy storyline, action and the history we discover about the revolutionary hero, Miguel Chavez, makes Savage Garden an enjoyable story to read. Raine also develops as a character and matures from when the reader is first introduced to her. Raine LeFleur and Miguel Chavez were well-drawn characters that complimented one another in this turn of the century story. The relationship between the hero and heroine moves along at a very fast pace. This is believable under the circumstances they find themselves in and feels convincing. If you want to get hot and pumped under the collar while reading a sensual short story then you can't go past Savage Garden.

Roarke's Prisoner by Angela Knight
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Heat level: H

Captain Elise Morrel, a Coalition starship captain, was recently captured by Michael Roarke, a captain in the Rebellion Starforce and her enemy. She barely escaped unscathed by her experience. Elise clearly remembers her eager submission at her captor's hands and she refuses to become Michael's toy again…though her resistance is about to be tested again. Will she survive the sensual delights he's planned for her or will she succumb to her enemy?

Roarke's Prisoner has stood the test of time. I feel that this short story by Angela Knight is still fresh today as it was almost a decade ago when it was written in its sensual rendering and reading, with interesting characters and a fast-paced plot that leaves you satisfied. The lead characters are fascinating with believable motives, and the villains are just as nasty though plausible in their actions. The futuristic setting works well for the no-holds-barred characters and their unforgettable love. Both Roarke and Elise are strong characters who have to deal with betrayal and divided loyalties, till they discover that uniting as one front helps heal the pain of the past. Roarke was simply to die for with his take charge personality and hidden sensitivity. He treats Elise to some hot and sizzling tender loving care. Beware, these two simply heat up the pages. Ms. Knight has the knack of writing about very strong characters that are independent but also have a softer side to their personality that compliment each other. I couldn't put down Roarke's Prisoner until I'd read this book in one sitting. This is my favorite story in the anthology and I highly recommend it. Red Sage is synonymous with sensuality and Roarke's Prisoner delivers the goods in Secrets Volume 2.

Surrogate Lover by Doreen DeSalvo
Rating: 4 Stars
Heat level: S

Dr. Adrian Ross is a surrogate sex therapist who has all the answers and control until he meets his latest patient, Sarah. Adrian thought he'd seen and done it all, but this new patient confounds and confuses him at every turn. But she also impresses upon him the one thing that's been missing in his life…love.

In this contemporary tale of lust and love, Surrogate Lover delivers a sensitively told tale about Adrian and Sarah, two people who discover themselves and the most important thing that's been missing in their relationships till now…love. In this perceptive tale about a young woman wanting to unearth her sensuality and become a better lover, Ms. DeSalvo paints a most enjoyable and pleasing read to immerse yourself in. The plot is interesting and both Adrian and Sarah are likeable characters. It was fascinating discovering all about their lives as the story unfolded and seeing how they overcame the challenges they faced. Adrian and Sarah are well drawn characters who complimented each other and were able to discover love where they least expected it. We are treated to a woman who is trying to overcome a difficult childhood and inbred beliefs taught to her by her narrow-minded mother. Sarah is a lovely woman who has been hampered with the chains of her past and Adrian is able to help her overcome this in a most satisfactory manner and heaps of steamy sex. Ms. DeSalvo does a great job in setting the scenes in this short story, but she also tackles the ethics Adrian faces with his latest patient and resolves it beautifully. If you enjoy reading contemporary tales that are sensual in nature then you shouldn't go past Surrogate Lover.

Aggie Tsirikas Just Erotic Romance Reviews http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justeroticromancereviewsnewsletter/join