Tag Archives: novella

Fantasies Abound: Awakened Desires Book 2 by Laura M. Baird (Book Review)

Print Length: 79 pages

 

For the past seven years, straight-laced Sable Stephenson has been dedicated to her studies, leaving little time for pleasure. Even with graduation in sight, her drive begins to falter, so she accepts a friend’s suggestion for a carefree Spring Break to clear the cobwebs. A little dancing, a few drinks…she’d be back on track in no time. But falling for sexy club owner Tomas Mancini isn’t part of the deal. He’s fourteen years her senior and a Dom, yet he arouses fantasies she’s never even dreamed of. One night of passion turns to more, and Sable must decide if she can handle the kink in her plans for the future or if it will lead her down the perfect path.

Kindle Purchase Link

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

I’ve read a lot of stories that claim they are erotic but fall flat. An author creates a brief sexual encounter, basically just enough adult content so they can slap a label on it, and then he or she moves on. No more scorching heat. Just a slow simmer until the last word is written/read. 

Laura, on the other hand, created an under 100-page story which had about 97% sexual content. I’m sure this high percentage will please her buyers/readers.

Now, when Sable and Tomas weren’t engaging in dirty talk or sex play, we learned a tiny bit of who they were as a person. I appreciated these breaks because I know where they wanted it, how badly they wanted it, but not much else.

Honestly, I didn’t come away overly connected to Sable and Tomas as individuals. I can see the positives and negatives in each character. With that being said, I want to share with you one of Tomas’ positives —> He is the king of foreplay! Seriously, he could teach a class on how to please your woman. 

 

Word of warning….. You have a good chance… probably a 97% chance…. of being horny as hell after reading Fantasies Abound.

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

Kindle Purchase Link

 

 

~~ Don’t forget to check out book one in the series, Resort Virgins! ~~ 

Print Length: 56 pages

After twenty-five years of marriage, Violet and Max agree their vanilla sex life needs a little spice. Spending their anniversary at a tropical fantasy resort just might open the door to a new love life and bring them closer together. But engaging in pleasure with another couple produces different results for each of them, and unleashed desires could do more harm than good and ruin their marriage after all.

Kindle Purchase Link

 

 

I’m a voracious reader myself, hoping to bring you years of joyous and thought-provoking stories filled with excitement and fun; sexy romance, laughter, and emotion. 

Hubby and I enjoy watching our grown sons walk their path into adulthood. We’re always up for an adventure, and hope to one day fill our passports with stamps from Canada, Scotland, and Fiji. 

I love to engage with readers and writers, please contact me through any of the following social network links.

 

Website Link / Facebook Link

Twitter Link  / Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Link / Instagram Link

Bookbub Link / Smashwords Link

 

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Fantasies Abound: Awakened Desires Book 2 by Laura M. Baird (Book Showcase)

Print Length: 79 pages

 

For the past seven years, straight-laced Sable Stephenson has been dedicated to her studies, leaving little time for pleasure. Even with graduation in sight, her drive begins to falter, so she accepts a friend’s suggestion for a carefree Spring Break to clear the cobwebs. A little dancing, a few drinks…she’d be back on track in no time. But falling for sexy club owner Tomas Mancini isn’t part of the deal. He’s fourteen years her senior and a Dom, yet he arouses fantasies she’s never even dreamed of. One night of passion turns to more, and Sable must decide if she can handle the kink in her plans for the future or if it will lead her down the perfect path.

Kindle Purchase Link

 

 

~~ Excerpt ~~

 

As Sable watched others, she felt herself being swept up in the sensual atmosphere, moving her body seductively.

At one point, she closed her eyes and raised her arms, allowing the music to become her partner.  The rhythm flowed through her body, moving her at its will.  Her skin heated, tingled, and she felt her nipples pebble in excitement as a sheen of sweat began to form. 

Song after song played, and Sable lost track of time, just enjoying the here and now.  Glancing around, she admired the various dress and masks of the patrons.  

How could something as simple as covering your face enable you to become another person and act completely out of character?  She smiled to herself and closed her eyes once again, letting the music guide her.   

Suddenly warmth engulfed her backside as a body moved close to hers.  While she should have been startled, she felt aroused and excited as she instantly recognized Tomas’s cologne.  It was as unique and memorable as the man himself.  It was intoxicating.

As images from her dream came to mind, she wondered if they had been a premonition of what was to come. 
His fingers ghosted along her raised arms and continued down her side until his hands landed gently yet commandingly on her hips.  As his chest pressed into her back, his mouth perched next to her right ear and whispered seductively to her.

“Il mio angelo, sei bellissima.”

Sable knew enough to recognize angel and beautiful.  She nearly whimpered at his words, thinking how sexy he sounded; how they made her feel sexy.  Her body moved against his as her hands found their way to the back of his head.  She realized he wore no mask as she threaded her fingers in his hair, holding him in place while he gave attention to her neck.  Nibbles with his lips and scrapes with his teeth set her aflame.  She leaned against his shoulder as she let out a moan.

“Three days, bella.  Tre giorni, Io sono pazzo di desiderio.  I am crazy with desire for you.”

“Tomas.”  His name escaped on a sigh as she melted further into him.

“Three days I have held back when I have wanted you from the start.  You tempt me, bewitch me; sei magnifico.

“I, I don’t know you…”

“You will, cara mia, you will.”

Sable’s mind went blank, pushing aside rational thought to only feel.  She might not know Tomas, but somehow she knew he’d never hurt her.  He’d only give her pleasure.  Perhaps Devyn was right, and she needed this, if only for right now.

All Sable could think about was letting go of her careful control and allowing someone else to take the reins.  She may not know what tomorrow would bring, or even next week, but tonight wasn’t about then.  It was about this moment.

When Sable tried to turn in Tomas’s arms, he held her to him, his hands linking with hers and bringing them down to their sides.  Once again he whispered in her ear.

“Let me hold you like this a moment longer while we dance.  Let everyone see your beauty, and envy me, because I am the one who has you in his arms.”

“You flatter me, Tomas.”  She began to shake her head and deny his words.  “I—”

“Shh shh, do not doubt what I say.  You are marvelous; meravigliosa, and I am honored to have your trust.”  He then spun her around, bringing their chests together as he stared down at her with such longing, she wondered if she was reading him correctly.  “Do I have your trust, Sable?”

She grinned as she answered.  “Si, bello.”

And just like that, Tomas’s eyes darkened as a smile took shape on those sinful lips.  Lips Sable wanted on hers, but settled for them landing on her cheek.  For now.

“Perfetto.”

One hand held hers to his chest while the other pressed into the small of her back, keeping her close as they swayed to the slow music.  Sable felt comfort, she felt protected, but she also felt empowered to do what she never imagined she’d ever do.  She was considering letting herself go and giving in to this urge to be with Tomas. 

Kindle Purchase Link

 

~~ Don’t forget to check out book one in the series, Resort Virgins! ~~ 

Print Length: 56 pages

After twenty-five years of marriage, Violet and Max agree their vanilla sex life needs a little spice. Spending their anniversary at a tropical fantasy resort just might open the door to a new love life and bring them closer together. But engaging in pleasure with another couple produces different results for each of them, and unleashed desires could do more harm than good and ruin their marriage after all.

Kindle Purchase Link

 

 

 

I’m a voracious reader myself, hoping to bring you years of joyous and thought-provoking stories filled with excitement and fun; sexy romance, laughter, and emotion. 

Hubby and I enjoy watching our grown sons walk their path into adulthood. We’re always up for an adventure, and hope to one day fill our passports with stamps from Canada, Scotland, and Fiji. 

I love to engage with readers and writers, please contact me through any of the following social network links.

 

Website Link / Facebook Link

Twitter Link  / Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Link / Instagram Link

Bookbub Link / Smashwords Link

 

Leave a Comment

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A World Without Color: A True Story Of the Last Three Days With My Cat by Bernard Jan (Book Review)

One story. Two endings. Genuine and fictional. Which ending is yours?

What do you say to someone who is dying? And what do you say when that someone can’t understand a word you are saying? How do you comfort each other throughout… and beyond?

My love, if you go away in a few days, the world will lose its colors and darken like the land of Mordor. If you go away and leave me to wander aimlessly, alone in this sea become wild, like a ship with a broken rudder and drowned sailors, and if I don’t find comfort in the warmth of your body, clutched in my embrace at the end of the day, I’m afraid I won’t survive.

“I don’t regret anything. Marcel was not only my cat, he was my everything. My brother, my friend, my world shrank in a soft gray-striped furry ball.”—Bernard Jan

Powerful. Emotional. Honest.

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

If you’ve ever loved and lost a pet then A World Without Color: A True Story Of the Last Three Days With My Cat by Bernard Jan will make you cry.

A couple years ago, I lost my best friend. He brought me so much joy and watching his body deteriorate broke me. I watched him slowing stop eating and drinking. I witnessed his hind legs give out. There were so many doctor appointments, so many meds, all to prolong his life.

Pets become a part of our day. They listen while we talk. We might pet them for comfort. They are our constant when everything else seems out of control. When they die, life seems to stop. We mourn them like we would a human. We miss their face, the sound of their voice, moments we could’ve had together if we weren’t so busy, and moments we’ll never have since they are gone.

Like Bernard, I never thought I’d ever get another cat. I too felt like I would be betraying my buddy. It took a while but my children convinced me to get another one. We eventually adopted two rescue cats.

I know one day I will have to make the decision to prolong life or put them down. There’s no reason to let a loved one suffer because we can’t or don’t want to let them go. Don’t let them live in agony.

There are some days I still swear I hear my buddy, see him out of the corner of my eye. I don’t get too sad anymore because I think he would be happy I have learned to love again.

Bernard, your words brought me many tears. The photo of Marcel made me cry even harder. Despite all these tears shed I must say thank you because it warmed my heart to see the love another person had for his own furbaby.

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

Kindle Purchase Link (US)

Print Purchase Link (US)

Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

Print Purchase Link (UK)

 

 

My pen name is Bernard Jan. I am an author – a novelist and a poet – from Croatia and I have released two indie books in English. 

“A World Without Color” is the honest true story of the three last days I spent with my cat while “Look for Me Under the Rainbow” in unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada and warms the hearts of young adult and other readers concerned about our planet and its treasures with the idea that change is needed, change is possible, and change will come. 

My first books have been written at the beginning of war in Croatia in 1991, amidst the air alerts and illusory attempts when I wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is alright with the world.

In my lifespan I have written and published five novels, two novellas, one book of poems and an essay in Croatian. Four of my manuscripts, together with my book of poems, are translated into English.

My passion for entertainment resulted in my becoming a partner of Tom’s Music Place, which was established in 2009 by my friend Thomas Carley Jr. with the goal to respect the music.

My need to help others came to the fore during my volunteering years: first in advocating for environmental protection, and then my volunteering, activism, work and advocacy for animal rights to the present day. I did some volunteering for the refugees, too, because suffering does not know about the borders and when it comes within your reach, in your yard, you simply have to do something.

As part of my animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate “Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust” by Charles Patterson into Croatian language. I guess that makes me a translator, too, huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit my website

Follow me on Twitter.

Follow me on Steemit.

Connect with me on Goodreads.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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Look for Me Under the Rainbow by Bernard Jan (Book Review)

Sometimes all you need is a big heart and burning desire.

Danny, a curious harp seal pup, has soft white fur and black innocent eyes. Helen is an environmentalist and member of a young activist crew of the Rainbow Warriors. Their mission is to save animals.

As winter turns into spring, a new generation of seal pups comes to life. A few weeks later, the killing begins. Against a spectacular backdrop of ice and snow, Helen prepares to look horrific human cruelty in the face.

I do not doubt I have a big heart and burning desire, but is that enough for a person to become a Rainbow Warrior, or is there something better? Something only some of us manage to turn into what we have long missedhumanity.

In the race against time and clubs, will Helen save Danny before the hunt begins and the ice turns red?

Though written for younger readers, Look for Me Under the Rainbow will appeal to anyone who cherishes our beautiful planet and wishes to protect its treasures.

Buy this book by Bernard Jan, the author of A World Without Color, and experience another emotional journey.

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Look for Me Under the Rainbow allowed us to see seals as more than cute creatures that bark, eat fish and swim really fast. Yes, they are animals but so are humans. Bernard Jan pointed out seals and humans have much more in common than we realize.

We each fear for the safety of our children. We are their protectors. We also both play and hunt. We love. And, we both mourn our losses.

Seals, like every other living creature, should be treated with respect. We should NEVER hunt for sport or harm an animal for some ridiculous prize.

Bernard Jan pointed out that humans cause waste and destruction. I agree. He also said the seals in the story feared ‘man’ and I can see why. Animals are hunted, waters polluted, and their homes are taken away from them. This has to stop. I encourage everyone to read past the end of this book. READ the author’s note. Get involved. Become a RAINBOW WARRIOR. Protect all animals.

Why?

Because they have rights too.

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Kindle Purchase Link (US)

Print Purchase Link (US)

Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

Print Purchase Link (UK)

 

 

My pen name is Bernard Jan. I am an author – a novelist and a poet – from Croatia and I have released two indie books in English. 

“A World Without Color” is the honest true story of the three last days I spent with my cat while “Look for Me Under the Rainbow” in unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada and warms the hearts of young adult and other readers concerned about our planet and its treasures with the idea that change is needed, change is possible, and change will come. 

My first books have been written at the beginning of war in Croatia in 1991, amidst the air alerts and illusory attempts when I wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is alright with the world.

In my lifespan I have written and published five novels, two novellas, one book of poems and an essay in Croatian. Four of my manuscripts, together with my book of poems, are translated into English.

My passion for entertainment resulted in my becoming a partner of Tom’s Music Place, which was established in 2009 by my friend Thomas Carley Jr. with the goal to respect the music.

My need to help others came to the fore during my volunteering years: first in advocating for environmental protection, and then my volunteering, activism, work and advocacy for animal rights to the present day. I did some volunteering for the refugees, too, because suffering does not know about the borders and when it comes within your reach, in your yard, you simply have to do something.

As part of my animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate “Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust” by Charles Patterson into Croatian language. I guess that makes me a translator, too, huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit my website

Follow me on Twitter.

Follow me on Steemit.

Connect with me on Goodreads.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

 

 

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Lovestruck Two Step by Mariposa Cruz (Book Review)

~~ Rhythm & Romance Book 1-3 ~~

Kindle Purchase Link (US) / Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

 

(Rhythm & Romance Book 4)

Print Length: 63 pages

With her marriage and dance studio wiped out by divorce, Becca Collins reluctantly agrees to teach Two Step lessons at a country bar. Carson Quill isn’t thrilled about spending his Saturday nights playing guitar in a local dive, but a certain dance instructor with long legs and dark curls caught his eye. Does love have a shot in a bar called Last Chance?

 

~~ Short Excerpt ~~

 

“You don’t have to do this,” Becca said quietly as he led her to the center of the dance floor.

“Dance with the most beautiful woman in the room? Of course I do,” Carson replied, taking her in his arms.

He paused for a beat, listening to the vocals, before starting to dance. Becca heard the playful undercurrent of the keyboard while Eleanor and Greer sang in harmony that they weren’t going home alone tonight. Somehow, Carson had mastered the quick, quick, slow steps integral to Two Step just from watching her teach it. He moved easily with the rhythm of the music, smoothly leading her into a turn without rushing the move.

“You’re good,” she exclaimed.

“I always pay attention in class with the right teacher,” Carson replied. He smiled at her, and the rest of the world disappeared. His touch was subtle, yet firm, as he led her in perfect time with the music. No words were needed. Too soon, the song drew to a close, and with his arm circled around her waist, Carson escorted her to her table. With a light kiss on the lips, he thanked her for the dance, then turned and walked back to the stage.

Kindle Purchase Link (US)

Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Life is all about curveballs. In Lovestruck Two Step, we witness two people who have faced their own bumps in the road but still push forward.

Becca lost her business, her husband to divorce, a job, and (for a time) she lost herself to depression, self-doubt, and lack of purpose in the world.

Carson, divorced dad, was trying to maintain a relationship with a teenage daughter who seemed to be pulling away in favor of her new step-dad.

Both of these characters were going through trying times, obstacles real life people face daily. These plausible scenarios are what will connect readers to Lovestruck Two Step.

People going through tough times like to see hope during their darkest moments. Readers will find that here in Lovestruck Two Step.

This story for me isn’t just about love and romance. It’s also about getting knocked down and finding the strength to get back up and try again.

Becca did dance again. She did teach dance again. Carson kept trying to connect with his daughter and his efforts paid off.

**This was a sweet romance with a HEA.**

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤

Kindle Purchase Link (US)

Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

 

 

Mariposa Cruz balances writing with working as a fulltime corporate paralegal. For her Mariposa Musings blog she has interviewed a variety of real life characters from romance authors to psychics. She works, writes and dances Salsa in Reno, Nevada.

Website Link / Facebook Link

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