Oodles of reviews

There have been a lot of reviews coming in the past few weeks, but we'll share them in pieces in order not to make your eyes blur, lol.

First up, Ley over at Joyfully Reviewed read and reviewed three different Jamie Craig titles...

Ley from Joyfully Reviewed reviews Out of the Storm...

I really enjoyed this book. Out Of The Storm was sweet, hot, sexy, and plain ol’ cute! Poor Nick was so disappointed and heartbroken, Jay was exactly what he needed to perk things up again. These two didn’t get off on the right foot when they first met, but a little bit of wine did the trick to get them to start opening up. Jay couldn’t resist Nick’s charm and Nick was a slave to Jay’s beautiful sexiness. I just loved these guys.

Ley at Joyfully Reviewed reviewed Corazon

As the story progresses, the chemistry and passion between the two become stronger and more desperate. It also becomes clear that Miguel and Mason’s relationship is nothing more than the need of companionship. Corazón fittingly touched my heart mostly because of Anton. He’s the big, strong silent type who only wants acceptance and love and luckily he finds it with Mason.

Ley at Joyfully Reviewed reviews Fortune's Honor...

This story is so great! I loved, loved, loved Clay, he is a beautiful and honorable man inside and out and Paige was made for him. Paige and Clay took time getting to know each other and the love blossomed naturally, of course neither one was looking for it or expecting it but that’s when you know it’s real. Fortune’s Honor is such a sweet and enjoyable story and I know many readers will just love it.

And a couple other Jamie Craig titles...

Pam from My Book Cravings gives Mosaic Moon 4 flowers...

Mosaic Moon is the third book in The Master Chronicles and the first that I have read. I was afraid that in a book containing continuing characters that I would be lost, but the story contains just enough back-story to allow readers unfamiliar with the previous books to follow the complex plotline. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book can easily be read as a stand alone and still be thoroughly enjoyed. It also includes a well thought out and plotted suspense portion revolving around the stealing of magical powers from a mage friend of Jesse’s. So along with love, passion and sex, the reader gets a nice dose of deceit, magic, suspense and grave robbing.

The relationship between Gideon and Jesse is enduring, devoted and happy, with lots of blistering hot sex, and with the addition of lovely Emma it just gets hotter. Through it all the men stay totally committed to each other, and their love. Some readers might be uncomfortable with the stronger sexually explicit scenes that involve BDSM, but within the content of the story and the relationship of the characters it seemed well done, believable and very erotic. Once these three get past their misunderstandings and fear, watch out!

Carmen at The Romance Studio gives Double Down 4 1/2 hearts...

I thought the author did a great job handling a potentially explosive situation. To say that I felt badly for their respective partners is an understatement as I would hate to be in their shoes, but Cass and Patrick had wonderful chemistry. At first, the main goal appeared to be sex, but I saw a progression in their relationship as they truly seemed to care about each other. Even though they were aware of the dangers of getting caught, they couldn't seem to stay away from each other. This was a fast paced and easy read and I was anxious to see where Patrick and Cass were headed. Do they get their happily ever after or do they suffer the consequences of their actions? I highly recommend reading Double Down to find out.

And finally, FAR gave my Ellora's Cave release its highest rating!

Missy at Fallen Angel Reviews gives As It Should Be 5 Angels and a Recommended Read...

Ms. Dean touched my heart, my soul and my very being with this inspirational story. I must admit that I’ve never read an erotic inspirational love story before but this one fits that bill. To be in Nora’s shoes, knowing that her husband that she loved with everything in her is back and she can tell him good-bye one more time means the world to her. This is something that I think we would all do if given the chance and this author captures that storyline perfectly. The time that the characters spend together is erotic and the love shines through in their behavior. This story is one of the most unforgettable ones that I’ve ever read, and after you read the love story between Nora and Marshall I’m sure that you’ll agree with me that it deserves to be a Recommended Read.

News roundup

First of all, we're on Facebook! Head on over and friend us!

We're hoping to have a new cover to show you next week, but in the interim, we've got a whole slew of reviews to share. The Jamie Craig ones first...

Ley from Joyfully Reviewed reviews Chaos & Communion

Chaos & Communion is fascinating. The story opens with a sad, broken and confused Jesse. He’s nothing like the full of life man of the previous installments of this series. Marcus Brooker broke him and left a man who barely ate and was afraid to sleep for fear of reliving the hell he went through. I hurt for him, as well as Emma and even Gideon, who is not one of my favorite people but he loves Jesse and Emma and that is honestly the greatest reason of the short list as to why I care for him. Every time I read one of these books the talent of Jamie Craig amazes me. Chaos & Communion is a rather complicated story of alternate universes and altering lives to change the outcome of future events. Ms. Craig did a fantastic job with this complex story.

Christina from Romance Junkies gives A Hidden Beauty 5 blue ribbons

HIDDEN BEAUTY by Jamie Craig is a fascinating and incredibly moving novel. This is one of the most romantic stories I have ever read. This story is calm and soothing but it is also full of passion and intense emotion. The combination is very powerful. Micah and Jefferson’s relationship develops quietly and slowly so that the reader has ample time to get to know the characters and become invested in them. I read this story slowly savoring the beautiful prose. I can see myself reading this book again and again. I hope that there will be a sequel.

Frost's Fancy at Rainbow Reviews gives Corazon 4 stars

Author Jamie Craig (the writing duo of Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean) spin an excitingly romantic and sensual story of four individuals webbed together by tradition, expectations, romance, and lust. Battling their way through a situation that seems destined to hurt somebody no matter what action is taken, the characters evolve each in their own way. Eventually the protagonists come to understand that sometimes the deepest character change comes through the most difficult decisions.

Pepper got a number of reviews from Joyfully Reviewed...

Sabella reviewed My Only Home

...the romance between Noah and Lucas is sweet and the passion steamy when they finally come together. My Only Home is an entertaining read for a careless afternoon.

Nannette reviewed Fumble Recovery

I needed a minute to recover while reading Fumble Recovery, the story is sizzling hot! Derek and Melanie are explosive together. The romantic in me wanted more romance afterwards, but as far as sexy short stories go, Fumble Recovery is as hot as it gets!

And Barb reviewed Surrender's Edge

Surrender’s Edge was an interesting story. The characters were all looking out for each other and their futures. The feelings between everyone was of a natural and good feel.

And I got two new reviews this week...

Tanya from Joyfully Reviewed reviewed A Sentry's Touch

Iris and Avi are well-matched as a pair, though Iris doesn’t believe it at first, but the author does a wonderful job of showing not only their destiny but why they are meant for each other. A Sentry’s Touch takes place in an alternate universe, in the same timeframe as today. The author did a fantastic job in creating this realm and I hope the author will be continuing the stories in this realm. There is a wonderful plot line, as well as sensual loving scenes and fast-paced plot in A Sentry’s Touch that many will enjoy.

Stephanie from Simply Romance Reviews gives As It Should Be an A and an Outstanding Read

As It Should Be ask the age old question if you could go back and change one thing in your past, would you? It also delivers a hot and sentimental read that leaves the reader satisfied and hopeful. Nora is conviction that she is dreaming yet she is still determined to change the events of the day leave the reader hoping that she is successful. If you’re looking for a feel good sexy romance As It Should Be is the book you’re looking for.

News roundup

Some bits and pieces to share this week...

First of all, Pepper and I have new contracts with Samhain! We wrote a trilogy of novellas - she wrote one on her own, I wrote one on my own, and then we wrote one together - that Samhain has accepted for publication. Together, they're called A Calling of Souls, and they are all gay erotic romances with one of the leads with a tie to the priesthood. Pepper's is called If All the Sand Were Pearl, a fantasy erotic romance about a young man who was going to enter into service to their Goddess, only to be married off to an older man. Our collaborative story is No Fear in Love, a contemporary erotic romance about an Anglican priest whose longtime best friend comes back to town with specific plans in mind. My story is called Walk Among Us, and is a paranormal erotic romance about an ex-priest who sees demons. So a wide variety of stuff! These will be released individually in August and September, and then collected into a paperback anthology for release in 2009.

We've also got some reviews this week...

Sabella from Joyfully Reviewed reviews Mosaic Moon

...a wonderful book that skillfully weaves in magic, vampires, love and intrigue while plunging us back into the hectic lives of Gideon and Jesse. In this new adventure Gideon and Jesse continue to explore the boundaries of their relationship while continuing to play their games in the bedroom with the added spice of including Emma in their lives. The dynamics of Gideon and Jesse are interesting and fun to read about as we get to know them better and realize that the bondage games that they play reflect some of their needs but do not necessarily encompass the entirety of what they feel and need from one another. Emma, on the other hand, as an empath is a great window into the feelings of both men and serves to balance their relationship while adding the softer touch that Jesse craves. When Gideon, Jesse and Emma come together they will set fire to your screen and have you sweating in no time.

Indy from Joyfully Reviewed reviews Trinity Broken

...readers who enjoy emotionally heavy storylines and are patient enough to understand the trials and tribulations that need to be conquered first will be pleased with Trinity Broken.

And finally, I had my very first story come out with Ellora's Cave on Friday! It's a short het erotic romance, as part of their Emerald line, called As It Should Be...

For fifty years, Nora Ensley has mourned the premature death of her husband. Now, on the day of what would have been their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary, she receives a surprise gift from her best friend. When Nora falls asleep wearing the emerald pendant, she isn't all that surprised to slip into the most realistic dreams of her life. The day Marshall died.

Nora takes charge and changes circumstances, forcing him to stay home so the fatal crash never happens. But dreams can't last forever. Eventually, she is going to wake up...

For more information and an excerpt, visit Ellora's Cave.