The True Random Number Generator has spoken once again this week and here are the results.


Set of 4 Granite Lake Wolves ebooks goes to

Barbara (bimmergrlmd@...)

barbara said...
There are many shifter authors I love... Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden, to name a couple. The newest (to-me) shifter series that has won my heart is Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series. I especially love their complete sense of loyalty, family and friendship. Those qualities coupled with strength and grace just make me melt.

I've not read Vivian's Granite Lake series but look forward to doing so. I have read (& re-read!) her Tangled Tinsel, and thoroughly enjoyed it... a very sexy shifter story! :)

I would love either prize but prefer the ebook copies of the series.

Thanks for the giveaway!

AND...


The print ARC + swag go to

Proserpine (proserpinecravedfor@...)

Proserpine said...
I would say Christine Feehan!
Please count me in!
Thanks for the giveaway!

The winners have been contacted via email and asked to provide the information needed to get their prizes.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I loved reading about your favorite shifter series and authors :)
I hope you stay tuned because there will be more giveaways in the near future!

Too much of a good thing…

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

Title: GOOD GIRLS DON’T
Author: Victoria Dahl
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery, book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: HQN Books
Year of release: 2011, August 30
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Requested a digital review copy from the publisher via NetGalley

First line:
Tessa Donovan stared across the parking lot of Donovan Brothers Brewery, mesmerized by the flashes and swirls of blue and red across the gray brick of the building.

Memorable Scenes:
- the scene after the dinner date at Flagstaff House > against the wall ALWAYS scores with me ;)
- the "art of fellatio"-class at The White Orchid > OMG! I hope Beth & Eric's book follow the same timeline as I'd love to read the rest of that scene from Beth's POV!

Tessa Donovan is the mediator/peacekeeper between her two brothers, one staid and responsible and the other carefree and charming. Tess is bubbly (at first a bit too bubbly for my taste) but underneath the vivaciousness there's fear and vulnerability. She’s afraid of change and willing to do anything to keep the peace. She is almost frantically holding on to her brothers for fear she'll lose them like she did her parents, for fear they will leave her and she’ll be all alone...

I’m still on the fence about Tessa. I couldn't get a grip on her. One moment she'd be a responsible and mature woman of the world and the next she'd be like an overexcited 16yo. I did like how her character developed throughout the book because in the end she did lean more towards the mature woman than to the 16yo.

Luke Asher is a hot cop. He’s been through a lot and he's naturally inclined to protect and take care of others. I liked Luke but at the end of the book I still didn’t haven the feeling I really knew him.

Though it had a slow start, the romance part picked up pretty fast and I loved especially the developments after all misgivings and roadblocks thrown by Tessa's brothers are negated. If I remember correctly it was the kickball game scene that was the turning point for me in the book. Because that was the scene where the romance took over the lead from all the other stuff going on.

The Donovan siblings are a tight but complicated bunch. They love each other unconditionally and except for some jerky and eyebrow raising reactions from protective brothers Eric and Jamie towards Tessa I liked the family dynamics a lot. I also liked secondary characters Wallace Hood, the Donovan’s brew master and Simone Parker (Luke’s partner)

There was a lot going on in GOOD GIRLS DON’T. As I’ve mentioned before, at first it distracted me from the romance. I felt like there was a lot going on and the focus on the romance was lost in all that. There’s a robbery to solve, there’s a mysterious pregnancy causing havoc and speculation, there are business deals to be made, and then there was the romance between Tessa and Luke. The other stuff took up a lot of pages and the romance was snowed under. The outcome of the robbery and father of the baby plots were clear to me pretty early bit I didn't mind as having them figured out left me room to focus on Tessa and Luke again.

The writing is as always right up my alley. There is no doubt I love Victoria Dahl’s writing. It’s clean, crisp and funny, with the right amount and mix of humor and emotion. And come on, any author who references to Twitter, Punk'd and has her heroine using the words 'Oh balls' can't go wrong with me. Yet, like with another recently reviewed book I found myself reading towards the love scenes and/or scenes where Tessa and Luke would be together on the page.

GOOD GIRLS DON'T was a good read. I loved the romance but there were too many side stories going on that detracted from that excellent romance and these side plots were not intriguing enough to lift the book to a higher level for me. It displayed Victoria Dahl's knack for romance and humor and despite not finding it her best contemporary romance work to-date I did enjoy reading it and I’m looking forward to the other two books in the series.

Favorite Quotes:
Luke had known Jamie for ten years, and his demeanor had always registered on a scale that started with sleepy and topped out at laid-back.

"I'm not sweet."
Boys. Tessa leaned towards him and lowered her voice to a whisper. "It's okay, Luke. Despite what you've heard, men can be sweet and hot at the same time."

No wonder Jamie didn't want her dating Luke. They'd gone to college together, and her brother had likely seen girls drop their panties at the first hint of Luke's smile.

Now, finally, his kisses grew rough. Gorgeously rough. His mouth tasted of heat and wine, and the scent of his skin clung so tightly to him that she had to press closer and closer to get enough of it.

When she turned to him, Luke felt an ache wind through his heart. It touched every chamber like a cruel hand. His chest felt too small.

He'd have to prove restraint and stamina later. Because right now her tongue was rubbing and her mouth was sucking and...this was so wrong. This was Tessa. Yet the feeling was netter than any fantasy he could've spun about her.

This was a dangerous situation. There couldn't be anything more dangerous than a combination of fascinating personality and smoking-hot sex.

"I'll take care of your heart, Luke. I swear I will."

The True Random Number Generator has spoken and the winner of the bound galley-ARC of NEVER ENOUGH by Lauren Dane is:

*drumroll please........*


Rachel (email: rriddles@....)

Who said...

Those are some awesome quotes!!! I'm trying to decide out of all of my books which quote is the best

Inside Out...

"You have to expose yourself, ask someone else for their blood, sweat and tears and give your own. It leaves you laid bare and inside out, Andrew. And that's what makes it so good. That's love, man." I believe it's Todd to Cope!!


Great contest, Rachel

Congratulations Rachel! An email has been sent to you for your mailing address so the ARC can be mailed to you asap.

Big thanks everyone who entered, and I hope you will come around again soon for a visit!

Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.

Title: IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER
Author: Maya Banks
Series: Highlander/McCabe Trilogy, book 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Year of release: 2011, August 30
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Grabbed an ARC at the Ballantine Signing at RWA11

First line:
Mairin Stuart knelt on the stone floor beside her pallet and bowed her head in her evening prayer.

Memorable Scenes:
- Mairin explaining to Ewan the proper way to kiss > priceless!
- Mairin criticizing Ewan's lovemaking skill > the way Ewan proves his skill was super hot.
- sex instructions from Maddie and Bertha > I thought I was going to pull a muscle laughing. Hilarious!


Mairin Stuart is the illegitimate daughter of the previous king of Scotland. With her inheritance only to be claimed with a first-born she’s been hiding in a convent until she can choose a husband who’s not only after her inheritance. The villain of this story, however, has a different idea, he kidnaps her and tries to force her into a marriage. Before he can execute his evil plan though, Mairin escapes, with a young child in tow…a child who has promised his father will protect her if they make it to his keep.

I really liked Mairin. She’s courageous, vibrant, audacious, and impulsive. But she’s also caring and thoughtful. Her character was a perfect mix between innocence and determination and this was shown both in the plot and the romance.

Ewan McCabe is the laird of the McCabe clan. He’s bent on revenge, filled with pride, charismatic and harsh but fair. Even though he was the big, strong laird he did show his vulnerable side with Mairin and Crispen.

The romance between Mairin and Ewan grew gradually with every chapter and I found them a perfect match. The love scenes were historical romance appropriate and yet very hot and steamy. Maya Banks balanced that excellently.

While I unequivocally adore Maya Banks' contemporary voice when I started in IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER is wasn’t entirely sure about her historical voice. I had a bit of trouble getting into the book and can't pinpoint exactly why because the setting, characters and plot were all to my liking and I have no comments on the writing but still there was something preventing me from getting completely lost in the story for the first few chapters.

However, the turning point came fairly quick because after those first few chapters I somehow got drawn into the story by the romance, the 'waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop' plot and the humor in Maya Banks' writing. And I also took a great liking to Mairin's character. She was the star of the book for me with her fierceness and spontaneity that landed her in, sometimes, emotional situations but also created some funny laugh-out-loud moments.

The plot was excellently executed and weaved into the story. At the end you know there's an overall plot arc that's not quite wrapped up, leaving possibilities for the next two books in the trilogy. Yet the part of the plot needing resolution in this first installment was well taken care of while being kept pretty unpredictable (at least to me).

I loved the bond between the McCabe brothers and their teasing of each other. Maya Banks is absolutely talented in writing tight knit groups, whether siblings/family or friends and both in contemporary and historical settings, as she shows in this medieval historical romance. Another plus in this book was Crispen. Long story short: I adore kids/babies in romance and Crispen was perfectly adorable.

Though I had a rocky start I ended up really liking IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER. This is medieval historical romance done right and as it's supposed to be, with an authentic yet smooth feel to it. I'm absolutely looking forward to Alaric's story.

Favorite Quotes:
“What legend?” Alaric asked as he sat forward. “I’ve heard of no such legend.”
“That’s because you never listen to bards,” Caelen said dryly. “You’re much too busy during festive times tossing up the skirts of some wench.”

“This time I’ll undress you as I should,”he whispered, as he walked her back towards the bed.
Her mind was dim and she was slow sorting through her muddled thoughts. She frowned, knowing he didn’t have the right of it again. Was she forever going to have to instruct him?
“I should undress you. ’Tis my duty,” she said.
He grinned. ’Tis only your duty when I say it is. Tonight I fully intend to undress you and enjoy every moment. You deserve a slow wooing, lass. This will be your wedding night all over again. If I could go back and do it all differently, I would. But I’ll give you the next best thing. I’ll give you tonight.”

“There’s little decency to good loving,” Maddie said sagely. “If ‘tis decent, it isn’t much fun.
Bertha nodded, her lips compressed as her head bobbed up and down. “Nothing wrong with a nice, dirty romp.”

Vivian Arend's Black Gold releases September 13th and to introduce the new Wolfies and let you all know they are connected to the Granite Lake books Vivian has set up a World Tour for her Wolfies. They are going from UK to Holland to Hungary via Brazil and the US back to Canada.

There will be guest-posts and excerpts from Vivian Arend following the schedule below and on release day September 13th, we (the hosts) will have either a review or release announcement for BLACK GOLD for you. I'll have a review.

There will also be a giveaway in the tour: All comments at all the blogs will be entered for a $50 gift certificate at the book store of the winners choice. So make sure you come back to the blogs from September 1st through September 13th. And visit Vivian's Website too, as she will be hosting authors at her place


September 1 & 2: Feeling Fictional (Sarah), UK
September 3 & 4: Pearl's World of Romance (Me), Holland
September 5 & 6: Ex Libris (Stella), Hungary
September 7 & 8: Larissa’s Bookish Life (Larissa), Brazil
September 9 & 10: The Book Pushers (Nicole), USA
September 11 & 12: My Disorganized Ramlings (Natasha), Canada
September 13: Release Day BLACK GOLD! Reviews/release announcement on all the Blogs

I have the great honor of hosting Vivian on September 3rd and 4th. And I wanted to start the giveaway-fest early. Starting with BLACK GOLD we are stepping away from the Granite Lake Wolves and moving to the Tahkini Wolves. However I know that my love for Vivian Arend's Wolfies started with the Granite Lake Wolves and therefore want to give other readers the full experience in preparation for the arrival of BLACK GOLD.



Vivian has gracefully offered a full set of the Granite Lake Wolves ebooks (Wolf Signs, Wolf Flight, Wolf Games and Wolf Tracks) and I'm giving this set away to one of the commenters on this Announcement Post.

My reviews of:
WOLF SIGNS
WOLF FLIGH
WOLF GAMES
WOLF TRACKS

And that's not all, a second winner will be drawn for a signed ARC of UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN (print edition of Wolf Games and Wolf Tracks, books 3 & 4) with some Vivian Arend Swag!

Giveaway Rules:

- This giveaway is open internationally.
- I will draw and announce the two winners on Wednesday August 31st
- If you have a preference for either just the ebook set or just the print arc, make this clear in your entry
- To enter: What is your favorite shifter/werewolves (romance) novel/series and why?

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES…

Gillian Forrester spent most of her life running from who and what she came from. Until Miles came along. From the moment she held the tiny newborn her older sister didn't want, Gillian stopped running and began to build a life for herself and her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, as Gillian's sister lay dying, she reveals the father's identity and makes Gillian promise to find him.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. He's seen and done it all, with few regrets. It takes a lot to shock him but the bombshell that he has a thirteen-year-old son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up, elegant woman who's raising Miles snags his erotic and romantic attention.

The last thing Gillian expected was to find herself getting hot and heavy with a person like Adrian. But as much as she wants to open up and give herself fully to this amazing man, she's afraid the secrets of her past and Adrian's problems with trusting people may keep them apart for good. If love isn't enough can they find the trust they need?

Title: NEVER ENOUGH
Author: Lauren Dane
Series: Brown Siblings, book 4
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley Heat
Year of release: 2011, September 6
Format: Trade Size Paperback
Source: Received an e-ARC from author for review

First line:
It felt so fucking good up there.

Memorable Scenes:
- Rennie and Adrian's talk in the 2nd chapter > here we go...sniffling already and I was only at the beginning.
- Adrian and Gillian's first meeting > fireworks fly and not only sexual ones...
- the sex scenes > OMG, the sex scenes... *thud*
- Gillian's talk with Jules when she confides in her about sleeping with Adrian > Jules cracked me up with the lady parts synonyms
- the couples date at the tavern > that whole scene/chapter was awesome! It was the culminating and most crucial scene of the book


Adrian Brown is and isn’t your typical rock star. He’s a little jaded, charismatic, laid-back and he really likes to take care of the people he loves. He’s also grown a wary and tired of people with their ulterior motives and wanting things from him that have nothing to do with his musical talent, he's had it with them.

Before I go on with the rest of this review I have a confession to make:
Honestly? Since starting this series Adrian has never been a character I was drawn to or who'd caught my fancy. It was one if those "not clicking with the secondary character who'll have his own story further down the road" things. I've had it before in other series too. So I went into NEVER ENOUGH without the highly set expectations, the only thing I knew was that Lauren Dane would give me another good and enjoyable addition to this series.

But then I started reading and from the first moment Adrian's character grabbed me! His passion for music and his longing to have what his siblings have found: a family of his own, love, a soulmate...his character touched me in a way I really didn’t expect and I’m still amazed by how much I liked him! When Browns love, they love hard, fully and strong and Adrian is no exception. He completely drew me in from the start and this was even before he met Gillian and Miles and their story really kicked off.

Then there was Gillian. She’s going straight to my favorite heroines list.
Gillian Forrester is a piano teacher and graphic designer. She moved from England to the US when she was a child and her British roots were very subtly imbedded into her characterization. She’s bold, direct, candid and unapologetic. She doesn't want to rely on anyone and needs to know she can support herself and those dependent on her.

Gillian is in control of who she is and what she wants in life. She’s determined and headstrong yet despite her take-charge personality, she also has her moments of insecurity and doubts. I really loved Gillian and though Erin was my favorite Brown Sibling series heroine to-date and I still adore her larger than life personality, it's Gillian who has taken over that spot with her fierceness in how she loves unconditionally and fights hard for her independence.

Music is important to both Adrian and Gillian, it plays a big role in their lives and in soothing their anxieties/worries. Through this aspect of their characters Dane's love for music shines through on every page of this book.

Sparks fly between Gillian and Adrian from the very start. Verbally and sexually and they match each other every step of the way. They have this constant battle of wills going on because they're both stubborn, Adrian is used to getting his way without being questioned and Gillian is not about to let anyone else run her life or interfere with it. However, they talk it out, things aren't left unresolved between them because they aren't afraid to go head to head and battle it out or find a compromise. I also absolutely loved how both of them are vocal and love dishing out the dirty in the bedroom. In most romances I read it’s the men who do the dirty talking in the bedroom so I found it utterly refreshing and awesome that Gillian is a dirty talker too! Thank you, Lauren Dane!

Next to Adrian and Gillian who were the absolute stars of this book, we have a cast of wonderful secondary characters who were the filling and foundation to the romance and the plot of NEVER ENOUGH. Not only did we have a nice look into the extended Brown family, we also got Gillian’s group of friends added to the mix. This group of friends is as fascinating and entertaining as the Browns are. I look forward to reading their stories. I heard from Lauren Dane that her new series with Berkley Heat revolves around these friends. I could not be happier!

I think I have mentioned this in earlier reviews of the Brown Sibling books, but I love how Lauren Dane writes family dynamics and kids into this series. The kids were awesome. Starting with Rennie, that girl won my heart from the moment she set foot in COMING UNDONE via Alexander, Erin’s cute baby boy to Miles, quiet, quirky Miles who also immediately took his place on my awesome kids in romance list.

Almost halfway through I was enjoying NEVER ENOUGH to the fullest but also had that "when's the other shoe gonna drop"-feeling. From the moment Adrian visited Miles for the first time it was all smooth and perfect for Gillian, Adrian and Miles. And though there were some discussions and battles of will I wondered if there would be some kind of (external) conflict somewhere down the line. Well my wish was granted big time towards the end and I liked how it didn't take over everything but it did give that perfect additional tension to the whole story arc.

With NEVER ENOUGH Lauren Dane has written a very emotional addition to the Brown Sibling series! At first I wasn't sure yet if it would be as heart wrenching as LAID BARE was but it definitely was, only Dane left that for the last few chapters. I read the last 20 pages through teary eyes, reveling in the emotions brought to the surface. There was one little thing I missed, that would have made this the perfect read and that was an epilogue.

Adrian and Gillian left an indelible impression on me with their story. A story that I clicked with in so many levels it was scary. I'm lost for words to adequately describe why I loved this book so much. All I can say is it had everything I love in a sexy contemporary romance and then some!

NEVER ENOUGH is love, romance, passion and sex in its purest, rawest form and poured into Lauren Dane's wonderfully unapologetic writing style it stirred my emotions and senses in every way possible. When I finished I was emotionally drained yet utterly satisfied, my eyes were red-rimmed and I was left with a mad crush on these two amazing characters and the author who created them and their story.

Wednesday I did a Quotes-Post (as part of Lauren Dane’s NEVER ENOUGH Blog-Tour). In this post Lauren shares her favorite quotes from the book and so do I. You can find it HERE. The ones I didn’t use in that post I’m sharing them with you in this review. I marked a lot of quotes and I’m happy to have this other chance to add a few more for your enjoyment.

Favorite Quotes:

She opened up and her loveliness hit him square in the gut. Soft and feminine with all that hair and those big brown eyes peeking out from the fringe of French roast–toned bangs.
She smelled good too. Sweet and spicy.
He sent her a charming smile. “Hi. I—”
She slammed the door in his face before he could finish his sentence.
He stood there, struck stupid in love with Gillian Forrester. Though he wouldn’t know it for a while yet. (p.60)

“Just being here with you has made me totally fuzzy headed.” And hard everywhere else. “And”—he set his glass down before scooting closer—“perhaps I prefer you less than clearheaded. Because . . .” He hesitated, his lips so very close to hers. “I think I’d love it if we could take this inside and I could divest you of your clothing and perhaps set out to make you unravel a few times.” (p.81)

“And here I thought I’d have to use my showerhead after you left tonight. This is much better,” she murmured, staring at him like the visual buffet table he was.
“Never use a showerhead instead of me. Unless I’m there to watch.” He sighed, happily eating her up with his gaze. (p.87)

He was so delightfully filthy she wanted to throw her head back and laugh with the joy of it. (p.88)

He was already close. His emotions raw, his feelings so very near the surface. Having been teased by her scent and her manner all evening long, and driven nearly senseless by her mouth on his c#ck, her taste on his mouth, he was holding on by his metaphorical fingertips. (p.91)

She liked it hard and rough and with a side of dirty talk. (p.97)

He turned her to goo when he used that rough and dirty voice. (p. 109)

She did that thing that made him crazy about her. One brow slid up as if it could not believe his audacity. Which only made him more audacious just to poke at her and bring out her English.
“You know how hot that makes me,” he said, stepping close and catching her face in his hands to hold her still enough for a kiss.
“Everything makes you hot, Adrian. You’re a menace with a penis.” (p.153)

“I missed your taste,” he said into her mouth. Little nips and licks, sweet, quick kisses and slow, dragging kisses until she was light-headed with it.
And then he pulled her hair, arching her neck to his mouth, and proceeded to devastate her that way. (p. 159)

He’d liked a lot of women. Maybe even could have loved a few. And none of them had been what this one was.
He leaned closer, brushing his lips over hers with aching tenderness. The soft sigh she gave him in response undid him to his foundations. (p. 173)

“You’re not alone. I wake up when you’re not with me. I can’t sleep as well alone now. There’s a Gillian-shaped spot in my bed. And in my life. I want you in it. I want you with me. I want our family. [...]" (p. 254)

Tuesday marked the first release date of this Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween August 25th and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee. It was the release day of Vivian Arend's PARADISE FOUND and the freebie EXOTIC INDULGENCE, which kicks off the series with an sizzling hot introduction. My review of EXOTIC INDULGENCE can be found HERE and click HERE for my review of PARADISE FOUND

Today Vivian introduced the series to you and tells us a little about its origin and what it's like to work on a series with two fellow authors.

Coming up next:

• Preview of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Friday September 2nd
• My ARC-Review of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Monday September 5th
• Lexxie Couper’s Guestpost – Wednesday September 7th

The floor is yours, Viv!

There’s a lot more heat in the air and it started Tuesday. Welcome to Bandicoot Cove, where myself and my two fellow authors take you away with some wonderful new friends, an exciting exotic location, and passionate love.

When we started talking, Jess Dee, Lexxie Couper and I, about writing an anthology together, the opening conversation was pretty much OH MY GOD, yes, lets do it! The exact details of the world changed a little as we progressed, but what I think is the most spectacular part of the experience, is how things progressed to a very unique, and very appropriate conclusion for us three friends.

See, we didn’t just write three books with a common theme. You’ve seen anthologies like this—and there’s nothing wrong with them—like three books that are all ménages, or three books that are all steampunk. You might have even seen books that are set in the same place—Liquid Silver Books has a series like this in the Strange Hollow world.

Well, we have a common theme in our books—and yes, it’s ménage. We have an amazing, beautiful, gorgeous common setting: Bilby Island off the Queensland coast of Australia where Bandicoot Cove’s exclusive resort is set. But we went one farther. All three of our novellas and the free short story also have overlapping characters, and those characters weave in and out of the other stories. So while the books all stand alone, you’ll get glimpses of familiar characters at other moments as they interact and enjoy the soft opening of the resort.

PARADISE FOUND is my offering to the anthology. In it, Trent (younger brother of Kylie from the free read EXOTIC INDULGENCE) and Mason (twin to McKenzie from TROPICAL SIN) have been enjoying a year of wild adventuring in and out of the sack with Paige. They have plans to move their sexual relationship to something more, not aware that Paige is planning on leaving within the week. Leaving before she confesses she’s broken the rules and fallen in love—with them both.

You don’t have to read the short story first to enjoy PARADISE FOUND. In fact, you don’t have to read any of the books in order- they are deliberately written to be spoiler free. Only you’ll have to wait until September for TROPICAL SIN and ISLAND IDYLL.

Trust me, the wait will be worth it.
---

Fate is a wind that can change at the drop of a heart…

Bandicoot Cove, Book 2

Paige has enjoyed every no-strings-attached minute with her two Australian lovers, Trent and Mason. Over the past eleven months, they’ve surfed, hiked…and explored their seemingly limitless sexual chemistry.

Her lovers’ invitation to the opening of a new resort comes at the ideal time, because in a few days she’s returning to Canada. It’ll be a fitting swan song for their easygoing relationship. A chance to fulfill a few fantasies and then escape before her men realize she’s broken the rules by falling in love with them both. Better to take flight than be forced to choose.

Unaware of Paige’s self-imposed deadline, Trent and Mason scheme to get Paige on their yacht for a once-in-a-lifetime voyage with one goal in mind: break the news that they’re ready for something more than casual—and hope she doesn’t run like hell.

It’s a delicate operation that’ll require close attention to which way her emotional winds are blowing. One wrong word, and their paradise-perfect arrangement could be lost in an instant.

Warning: This book starts with the heat turned way up high. Two men entirely focused on one woman’s pleasure. One woman stepping outside the box to please her men. An exotic resort suite featuring an erotic piece of furniture that makes ménage a trois even hotter than usual. Really.

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

As part of the NEVER ENOUGH Blog Tour I will not be offering a review, a (character-)interview or guestblog by Lauren Dane. I've decided to go for a Quotes-Post (thanks Leontine! You set off the light-bulb moment). It will be slightly different than the Quotes-Posts I've done earlier because this time I also asked the author for her favorite quotes, since I love hearing from others what lines speak to them, and I'm even more fascinated to know from the authors themselves.

Turns out that combined Lauren and I had 34 favorite quotes! Lauren sent me 9 and I marked 25...Yes, 25!
Of those 34 we have 2 exactly the same and I've decided to add 7 of mine to this post to match Lauren's other 7. But first let me offer you the blurb of this wonderful book. I devoured this book in almost one sitting and it will be given a 9.4/10, Adrian and Gillian blew my socks off! (My review will follow later this week).

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES…

Gillian Forrester spent most of her life running from who and what she came from. Until Miles came along. From the moment she held the tiny newborn her older sister didn't want, Gillian stopped running and began to build a life for herself and her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, as Gillian's sister lay dying, she reveals the father's identity and makes Gillian promise to find him.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. He's seen and done it all, with few regrets. It takes a lot to shock him but the bombshell that he has a thirteen-year-old son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up, elegant woman who's raising Miles snags his erotic and romantic attention.

The last thing Gillian expected was to find herself getting hot and heavy with a person like Adrian. But as much as she wants to open up and give herself fully to this amazing man, she's afraid the secrets of her past and Adrian's problems with trusting people may keep them apart for good. If love isn't enough can they find the trust they need?

And now the quotes:

Lauren Dane's and my Favorite Quotes in common:

Miles skidded into the kitchen and looked from his mother to his father and chuckled. “You’re in big trouble, mate. When she starts sounding like an episode of EastEnders I usually just run for it. Protect your junk.” And with that, he turned and bolted from the room. p 208

Adrian Brown laid waste to her reserve. Barging in and taking up residence inside her. In her heart and head and damn it, it felt good. And right. He understood her, darkness and all. p 212

Some of Lauren Dane's Favorite Quotes:

And just like that, she stood. “All right then. Clock’s ticking, Adrian Brown. Dazzle me and I might just give you an A.” (p 81)

Some American things were simply undoubtedly better. Button-down jeans were one of those things. A zipper was sexy enough, yes, but that sound as the metal button cleared the denim seemed to mainline straight to her clit. p 104

"I know we’re sort of like the Borg, sweeping in and taking over with our bright colors and loud voices.” p 140 (Erin to Gillian)

One brow slid up as if it could not believe his audacity. Which only made him more audacious just to poke at her and bring out her English. p 153

“So fucking nothing. Stop being so defensive. It just means you’re having to work for it. Welcome to the real world where the rest of us have to rely on our wits instead of our guitars to get women.” p 180 Cope to Adrian

“Your mother makes me nervous. In a good way,” he amended quickly.
“She doesn’t bring men around. She doesn’t date much. She lets you get away with stuff she’d shoot someone else in the face over.”
“Christ, she’s going to kill me when she hears you say that. Stop with the shooting-in-the-face references.” p 206 between Adrian and Miles

She was his family. The mother of his son. And it meant so much that he’d have loved her just for that. But there was more because she was his. That’s all he could say to himself that felt most true. He’d looked at her and his entire being had gone taut and he’d thought, Mine. p 229

Some of my Favorite Quotes:

Brody opened his front door. “Why’d you knock? You have a key.”
Adrian moved past his brother and kicked off his shoes in the hall, hanging his jacket on the way.
“It was late. I didn’t want to just walk in. You and Elise could have been doing all manner of things and my fragile psyche can’t handle that.” (p.34)

His speech had a cadence to it, slow and honeyed. Not southern, but something similar. As if he liked to roll his words over his palate before he gave them up. (p.39)

She got a pretty good feel of what he was packing when she’d been against her hallway wall, his body pressing against hers with just the right amount of pressure.
She shivered. A dominant kiss from a laid-back man. (p.73)

“He loves the ladies, does our Alexander.” Erin cocked her head at her son, who blew her a kiss. “I’m afraid he’s just as terminally charming as the rest of the men in this family. Luckily, we’re a hearty bunch of womenfolk and can whip them into shape.” (p.138)

He touched her just right. Keeping her on the edge of climax as he filled her over and over.
And when it broke, it hit her hard, shattering all around her, pulling at her composure, threatening to unravel her.
So she threw herself into it. Into that very moment as desire ran wild through her veins as orgasm turned her inside out. (p.142)

He laughed again. “Do you know I think I laugh more with you than I ever have before, and I laughed a lot as it was.”
“I bet you’re agitated a lot more too.”
“Yes. Can’t deny it. Also can’t deny it makes me hot. So be it, I’m a weirdo. I can accept it. Your prickly, buttoned-up-to-the-neck thing works my libido hard.”
She sniffed delicately. “I may have noticed. It’s a good thing for us both. Not many men have a bitchy woman fetish.”
“I do believe you just made me guffaw with that one. They do say there’s a lid for every pot. You’re my lid, Gillian. Bitchy and all.” (p. 265)

She eyed his hand and then his face again, narrowing her gaze. He wiggled his hand again and she sighed. “You’re very bad for my constitution. I find myself breaking all sorts of personal Gillian Forrester rules for you.”
“From you, this is a great declaration of love.”
“Hm.”
“There she is.”
She sighed. “Really, if you’re a beast and you call me to tell me mean things again, I will carve your bits off with a rusty spoon I’ve sharpened against the pavement.” (p. 291)

So those were the quotes!
Be on the lookout for my review coming Friday...and check out Leontine's Beefcake Interview with the man himself, Adrian Brown!!

Now for the giveaway. Yes, there's a giveaway...


=====GIVEAWAY=====GIVEAWAY=====GIVEAWAY=====


Lauren Dane has generously offered a bound galley of NEVER ENOUGH for one of my commenters.
To enter the giveaway just tell me what one of your favorite quote is. This might be from a romance novel or other novels or from a famous person. Your prerogative! If you don't have a favorite quote, tell me which one of the NEVER ENOUGH quotes above you liked the most.

Good to know:
This giveaway runs from today until Sunday August 28th. Winner announced August 29th!
Giveaway is open internationally
If your email is not available through your profile, please leave it in your comment or email it to me if you don't want to leave it on the Blog (see the Contact-tab in the menu above)

Sebastian…Sharp. Cool. Controlled.

Ruthless in business, Sebastian is at the top of his game professionally. Emotionally he keeps himself alone, aloof and almost untouchable.

Escaping her wedding, it takes one look at ice-cool Sebastian for Bollywood star Aneesa Adani to be hooked! Letting Aneesa in could ignite the fire that melts even the hardest of hearts…

Title: THE STOLEN BRIDE
Author: Abby Green
Series: The Notorious Wolfes, book 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents Line
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Year of release: 2011, August 23
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: won an ARC on the author’s website

First line:
Aneesa Adani was stuck in a waking nightmare.

Memorable Scenes:
- Sebastian undressing Aneesa > the buildup of that scene was excellently done
- The scene after Nathaniel's wedding ceremony > very emotional, lump-in-throat moment when Sebastian finally opens up
- The end > the authors of this series have the uncanny ability to write some powerful and beautiful endings to the books


Aneesa Adani is a popular Bollywood star about to get married to a man she doesn’t want or love but at the last minute pulls the runaway bride act. She’s pragmatic, caring, sweet and open. I really liked how throughout the book Aneesa grew from a sheltered naïve young woman to a woman strong enough to defend her views and needs.

Sebastian Wolfe is the owner of a chain of hotels, son of a mentally unstable mother and an abusive father he has always been one to withdraw from others and depend solely on himself. He’s guarded, cerebral and a loner. I loved that Sebastian would apologize immediately to Aneesa when he said hurtful things and not stubbornly hold on to his own opinion.

What I liked most about the romance was how both Sebastian and Aneesa were equally affected by each other and the chemistry between them, even if Aneesa is quite innocent and inexperienced and Sebastian is this smooth, cool-headed man of the world. Watching them fall in love and grow close despite their individual reasons for not wanting it was a joy to read.

Abby Green's writing is enthralling in its simplicity and has a very pleasant pace thanks to the way she applies the main characters POVs. There's a very good balance between action, emotions and characterization and for me, once I started reading I just couldn't stop. She gave me some very pleasurable reading hours with her contribution to the Notorious Wolfes series.

THE STOLEN BRIDE is another wonderful installment in this series. Not only does it fit in perfectly and add more insight the Wolfe-family puzzle, it also offers a unique couple, a refreshing twist on an age-old trope in category romance, a small look into Indian wedding ceremony habits and the right balance between conflict and romance. I now have my eye on Robyn Grady who will be providing the next book in this series and I can’t wait to read that one!

Favorite Quotes:
Coming from a large family of mainly half-siblings, having been born to a man who’d married three times, had numerous affairs and begat eight children, to say that Sebastian had a jaundiced view of the holy sanctity of marriage was a huge understatement.

Sebastian was grateful for Daniel’s solid presence when Aneesa had appeared in the dining room. Or else he wasn’t sure if he would have been able to restrain himself from smashing the heavy oak table aside and picking her up like some kind of caveman to bring back to his bedroom, to ravish her.

“You may or may not have meant what you said last night, but all day I’ve been praying that you did. Aneesa…I’m in love with you. I’m so fathoms-deep in love with you that I’m drowning. I’ve been falling for you since the moment our eyes met that evening, when you looked at me and made my world go spinning in the other direction. But I had no idea what was happening. Not until we came back here…and I saw what love is, and recognized it for the first time in my life.

Tomorrow marks the first release date of the Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween now and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee. And it's a twofer! Because not only does Vivian Arend's PARADISE FOUND come out, there's also the freebie EXOTIC INDULGENCE, which kicks off the series with an sizzling hot introduction. My review of EXOTIC INDULGENCE can be found HERE

Today I have my ARC-review of PARADISE FOUND for you to enjoy. My only warning for this book: Have a tall glass of ice-water ready once you start reading this one! It's smokin' hot!!

Coming up next:

• Vivian Arend’s Guestpost on PARADISE FOUND and the series – Thursday August 25th
• Preview of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Friday September 2nd
• My ARC-Review of TROPICAL SIN by Lexxie Couper – Monday September 5th

Fate is a wind that can change at the drop of a heart…

Paige has enjoyed every no-strings-attached minute with her two Australian lovers, Trent and Mason. Over the past eleven months, they’ve surfed, hiked…and explored their seemingly limitless sexual chemistry.

Her lovers’ invitation to the opening of a new resort comes at the ideal time, because in a few days she’s returning to Canada. It’ll be a fitting swan song for their easygoing relationship. A chance to fulfill a few fantasies and then escape before her men realize she’s broken the rules by falling in love with them both. Better to take flight than be forced to choose.

Unaware of Paige’s self-imposed deadline, Trent and Mason scheme to get Paige on their yacht for a once-in-a-lifetime voyage with one goal in mind: break the news that they’re ready for something more than casual—and hope she doesn’t run like hell.

It’s a delicate operation that’ll require close attention to which way her emotional winds are blowing. One wrong word, and their paradise-perfect arrangement could be lost in an instant.

Warning: This book starts with the heat turned way up high. Two men entirely focused on one woman’s pleasure. One woman stepping outside the box to please her men. An exotic resort suite featuring an erotic piece of furniture that makes ménage a trois even hotter than usual. Really

Title: PARADISE FOUND
Author: Vivian Arend
Series: Bandicoot Cove, book 2
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Year of release: 2011, August 23
Format: eBook
Source: Received e-ARC from author for review

First line:
Trent dropped the engraved invitation back into his shirt pocket and dug out the access code he’d been given for the computerized keypad.
Memorable Scenes:
- Mason's entry into the story, misinterpreting the role play > awesomely written
- Paige and Trent baking and naming a heavenly dessert for a wedding at the resort > perfect example of the excellent mix of humor and heat
- the erotic piece of furniture scene > all I could think was OMG Viv, OMG!



Paige Kingston is a pastry chef who’s adventurous, bold, uninhibited, sensual, and headstrong. Her guys are two yummy Aussies: Trent Sullivan, a customs inspector and Kylie's younger brother (Kylie is heroine of book 1). Trent is passionate, wild, a talker (exactly how I like ‘em!). He’s also a little dominating and a little rough around the edges. And then we have Mason Wood, a writer of erotic romance novels (YAY!). He’s impulsive, gentle, protective, and chivalrous.

Paige is a Canadian pastry chef on an Australian adventure for over a year and during that adventure she's also explored sexually, getting hot and heavy with not one but two gorgeous guys. But her adventures are coming to an end as she's about to head back to Canada
Trent and Mason are best friends and both in love with Paige and while she is planning and sad about her departure they are planning how to keep her with them forever, taking it from casual to permanent.

The (sexual) dynamics between Trent, Paige and Mason is awesome. Paige likes to be dominated a bit by Trent but with Mason it's she who likes to be the one calling the shots and giving the commands. And yet Mason seems the one more sure about their feelings for Paige whereas Trent seemed to be a tad more uncertain about the future and hesitant to dive in with both feet at first.

I loved the secondary cast and their introduction into the book. Most of them are the main characters in the other books and they form a group of family and friends that I know I am going to have an awesome time with reading their stories. I really liked how they were subtly introduced without intruding on the main characters of this book.

Viv's writing suits me so well. The way she's able to suck me into her stories every time is not only because of the tropes but also because of her easy, fluent and crisp writing. Lots of fabulous dialogues, no heavy-duty stuff yet still enough going on to hook me emotionally. And the humor, OMG, the humor is so on point and so my kind of humor I read her books with a either a big smile on my face or laughing out loud in between fanning away the hot flashes.

I love that Vivian Arend started the book in the here and now and with a sexual bang and then goes back and subtly inserts back-stories and there's even a flashback of how the three of them met. I love that as it gives the characters depth, keeps the pace fast and yet you get the full story feel even if it is a fairly short (novella-length) story/book.

What I also love is Vivian Arend's approach of the ménage trope. Next to all the hot sexy times she never lets the characters go into a permanent threesome mindlessly. There are doubts and insecurities that make her characters likeable, keeps them down-to-earth and easy to relate to and it they make her ménages realistic and less ultimate fantasy-like.

PARADISE FOUND is explicit, so if you're looking for sweet non-smutty romance without words like c#ck, f#ck or p#ssy...turn the other way because it will not be for you. However if you're okay with explicitness and ménages (like I am) you will gobble this one up. This book was so hot it made me think sexual stuff even when they weren't talking about sex. An example:

A resounding groan slipped from his mate’s lips, and Mason chuckled under his breath as Trent popped the top button of his trousers and stretched his legs under the table.
“I’m going to explode,” Trent complained.

Guess where my dirty mind went...
And then:

Paige shook her head in mock sympathy. “Really? Why does that not surprise me? Wait, let me guess. Maybe it was the four helpings of crepes you hoovered down? Or the six-egg omelet?”
“I think it was the tarts. I’ve never seen a selection of pastries like that before.”

So much for my dirty mind... :)

If EXOTIC INDULGENCE (the freebie first book) was the appetizer that started off this indulgent and yummy meal of ménages that is Bandicoot Cove, then PARADISE FOUND was the entrée that makes me look forward to the main course with bated breath. As far as ménages go, this series is definitely going to be a the top of my favorites list and Vivian Arend has set the bar high for her fellow authors in this series.

Favorite Quotes:
“Touch yourself.”
Paige instantly covered her breasts.
He rumbled with laughter. “That’s not what I meant.”

Trent rose from the ground. All six-foot-four of him looked pissed, although with his dick hanging out of his pants, a little of the overall intimidation factor was lost. Mason snickered in spite of fearing he might be smacked in return.

Mason picked her up and returned the squeeze as he attempted to ignore the soft swell of her breasts peeking above the low scoop of her top. Tried to refrain from grinding his half-hard c#ck against her body and rutting on her like a sex-crazed maniac. It was tough considering the moment her knees left the mattress she’d swung her legs around his hips and now clung to him, an erotic body wrap. The wet heat of her sex sat directly over his dick, and things were not getting any less impressed below his beltline.

Mason kissed her, drawing a moan of satisfaction from her in the way he made love to her mouth. He really was the most fantastic kisser. Plus all the other things he did with that mouth—sinfully good.

As she pulled on her swimsuit, her thoughts whirled.
Was she going to enjoy the weekend? Physically, she had no doubts that she’d be sated and completely satisfied long before their time together ended. Emotionally? She needed to brace her few remaining walls, or the coming heartache was going to kill her.

Paige snatched his wrist in both her hands and actually bounced with excitement. “We’re going to the water slide. You want to come?”
Jesus. No . Sliding with his c#ck the size of a cricket bat he was liable to put out an eye.

Trent’s jaw swung open. “Holy f#ck, are you hitting on me?”
“No! Bloody hell, I mean with Paige. I see no reason why we can’t both be with her, for good. If she wants a marriage license to make it official, that’s fine with me, but I don’t care if it’s your name on the piece of paper next to hers, or mine. There’s enough room for me to care for her, and you—in a totally nonsexual way—and I just…” Mason trailed off. The look of amusement on Trent’s face pissed him off a little. “What?”
Trent sniffed dramatically. “My first marriage proposal. Mason, I’m touched.”

“Kylie was appreciative, although also a little distracted.”
“That makes sense. She’s responsible for a lot right now.”
Her laughter increased. “Oh yeah, I’m sure that broom closet I saw her getting dragged into by Mr. Tall, Dark and Studly was high on the priority list for the soft opening.”

She ran a finger along the edge of the bowl, scooped up a smear of the chocolate sauce onto her fingertip and offered it to him.
[...] He sucked her finger into his mouth and moaned. The dessert was tasty, but having her finger to suck and tease, to be able to watch her eyes widen and hear her breath catch as he twirled his tongue around the digit? Torture.

Mason leaned in on her right, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. He stared at her legs before giving a low growl. “I’m so going to strip those stockings off with my teeth.”

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

William’s boring lovemaking leaves Catherine unsatisfied. Harboring fantasies she can’t put into words, she longs for a sexual voice but finds herself too stifled by her proper social upbringing.

When a blackout hits their resort hotel and William proposes a sexy version of hide-and-seek, playtime takes on a whole new salacious meaning. Charlotte’s mind races with sexual scenarios. But even her fantasies fail to compare to the titillating adventure her husband has planned for her—with the help of another man.

Soon everything she knows about lust will be irreversibly changed—and she’ll moan for more.

Title: PARTY GAMES
Author: Elise Hepner
Series: standalone
Genre: Erotica
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing
Year of release: 2011, May 10
Format: eBook
Source: received an e-copy from author for review

First line:
< Charlotte could point the finger at William for this childish party game. b>Memorable Scenes:
-

Note from reviewer:
I've called this a DNF-review in the title but actually it's not a review but more an explanation of why I couldn't finish the book. As a matter of fact I don't think it can be called a review if you don't make it past the first chapter. Still I didn't want to let this book go by unaddressed as 1. I received it for review and 2. what doesn't work for me, might for work perfectly for someone else as we all bring different backgrounds, history, experiences, hot buttons and pet peeves to our reading.

Elise Hepner is one of two authors whose work I recently first encountered with and those first encounters weren’t stellar. However, I did really like the writing styles and voice of both authors so this week I read a second book of both authors and while the other author was redeemed, unfortunately this wasn't the case for Elise Hepner.

I started reading PARTY GAMES and being intrigued by the blurb and the premise I was positive I would like it.

I read the first paragraph and once again was impressed by Elise Hepner's powerful, edgy writing. And then I read the next passage:

“Then take me.” She sought out his lips. The thrill of possible sin with another man made her flesh burn from his touch.
William must have his fair share of dalliances outside their marriage bed. What would be the harm in her having just this one? Her husband worked nights often. She knew what the sewing circles whispered. William had never made any motion to make her doubt the gossip. If anything, his actions only enforced the rumors because he would come home at night with different women’s perfumes on his skin and wrinkles in his untucked shirts.
Briefly, the thought of her husband in an affair stung until she buried it away. They didn’t know each other well enough, like other married couples, for her to waste so much time on her emotions. Their courtship had never been a match of love, but their marriage was one of business between families.
So it didn’t make sense to waste pain on the hypothetical. It wasn’t as if she could change things. Where would hurt get her in the end? She wouldn’t be any better for it, so it was best for her to lock it away.
But surely William didn’t care enough for her for this to hurt him? He’d never done much but scold, reprimand or mount her―that is, when they saw each other at all. William couldn’t deny her curiosity. Not when David might bring her to life again. She couldn’t resist when the timing was so right.
If anything, William should be pleased that she might finally have fun in the bedroom—or a closet. Maybe this would teach her to bring her own desires to her husband. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

This is a total deal-breaker for me. And yes, I know this is erotica and not erotic romance so a HEA into the sunset was not to be expected but the purposeful cheating, intent to cheat and emotional distance between the main characters are things that just don't work for me. So I had to stop reading there and declare this a DNF. I read a book once where there was cheating in the book and decided then and there I would not do that again, as much as I hate not to finish a book, especially sent to me for review, I read for pleasure and enjoyment and I don’t want to read about things I cannot reconcile with enough to enjoy the book.

When I read the above page in the book I knew this book was not going to work for me and that's because in my reading I look for that emotional connection with and between the main characters and I didn't think this book was going to give that to me.

Despite this being a DNF I must say that if you read and enjoy non-romance erotica, Elise Hepner is an author to keep an eye on because her writing is excellent and her voice absolutely fits darker edged erotica. For me it didn’t work but that doesn’t mean it won’t for someone else.

Rating:
No rating as this was a DNF within the first chapter

Yesterday my ARC-review of EXOTIC INDULGENCE kicked off the Bandicoot Cove Experience, a feature on the Blog beween now and and September 21st with Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee.
Today Vivian Arend tells us a bit about her upcoming contribution to the series, PARADISE FOUND, with teasers and I will add a few of my favorite quotes to the mix.

Coming up next:

• My ARC-Review of PARADISE FOUND – Monday August 22nd
• Vivian Arend’s Guestpost on PARADISE FOUND and the series – Thursday August 25th

Take it away Viv,


Looking forward to some Down Under Heat?
---


This coming Tuesday a very special place in the world opens its doors to you. Take a trip to Bandicoot Cove, where the exclusive resort provides a place for more than just fun and relaxation. It’s somewhere you’ll find the perfect setting for passion, lust and falling in love.


Three linked novellas will be released August and September—stories that stand alone but intertwine with each other as well. And just to get you in the mood, there’s a free short story prequel, Exotic Indulgence, that gives you a glimpse of the resort and just how hot things really can get down-under.


I’ll tell you more on Thursday, but here’s a few teasers from my book PARADISE FOUND, both out next Tuesday.

The feather duster wasn’t nearly as intriguing as the five-inch heels gracing her long legs. And when she walked, her ass wiggled from side to side in time with the lusty song she sang. Dirty words, nicely in tune with the thoughts running through his brain. Oh, she could take it off if she wanted to. He’d have no complaints.
Bloody brilliant woman.
Trent pushed the door open and stepped into the entranceway. Paige twirled and straightened with a gasp, her long black braids flying as one hand snapped up to cover her mouth like some old-fashioned modest heroine. The laughter and smoldering heat in her eyes said there was nothing modest about what she wanted.

~~~
Oh God, she could kiss. All his plans to start a more serious discussion evaporated as she kissed her way up his jaw line to his ear and teased with her tongue.
“Damn it, woman, that drives me crazy.”
She nipped at his earlobe. “I know. That’s why I do it.” The words whispered past Mason’s ear, and he chuckled.

~~~
Paige shrugged the soft blouse from her shoulders, letting it flutter to the floor before reaching for the snap on her skirt. Trent swallowed the rest of his words as lust raced over his face, his gaze glued to her fingers.
Powerful. There was nothing on earth comparable to holding two passionate men in the palm of her hand like this.

So those were Viv's teasers...I have read PARADISE FOUND and I have a few quotes of my own to add to the mix, but first a snippet from the review that is coming Tuesday...

...From the first page Vivian Arend doesn't let down on the heat. A luscious hotel room and a little maid/guest roleplay was just the start for some scorching scenes. Just the kissing scenes set me on fire, let alone all the rest of it...

...PARADISE FOUND is explicit, so if you're looking for sweet non-smutty romance without words like c#ck, f#ck or p#ssy...turn the other way because it will not be for you. However if you're okay with explicitness and ménages (like I am) you will gobble this one up...

Some of my Favorite Quotes:

“Touch yourself.”
Paige instantly covered her breasts.
He rumbled with laughter. “That’s not what I meant.”

Mason picked her up and returned the squeeze as he attempted to ignore the soft swell of her breasts peeking above the low scoop of her top. Tried to refrain from grinding his half-hard c#ck against her body and rutting on her like a sex-crazed maniac. It was tough considering the moment her knees left the mattress she’d swung her legs around his hips and now clung to him, an erotic body wrap. The wet heat of her sex sat directly over his dick, and things were not getting any less impressed below his beltline.

Paige snatched his wrist in both her hands and actually bounced with excitement. “We’re going to the water slide. You want to come?”
Jesus. No . Sliding with his c#ck the size of a cricket bat he was liable to put out an eye.

Trent’s jaw swung open. “Holy fuck, are you hitting on me?”
“No! Bloody hell, I mean with Paige. I see no reason why we can’t both be with her, for good. If she wants a marriage license to make it official, that’s fine with me, but I don’t care if it’s your name on the piece of paper next to hers, or mine. There’s enough room for me to care for her, and you—in a totally nonsexual way—and I just…” Mason trailed off. The look of amusement on Trent’s face pissed him off a little. “What?”
Trent sniffed dramatically. “My first marriage proposal. Mason, I’m touched.”

Mason leaned in on her right, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. He stared at her legs before giving a low growl. “I’m so going to strip those stockings off with my teeth.”

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon |Barnes & Noble

Vivian Arend | Lexxie Couper | Jess Dee | Bandicoot Cove
Paradise Found | Tropical Sin | Island Idyll | Exotic Indulgence

This ARC-review kicks off my Bandicoot Cove Experience. Between today and September 21st there will be Previews, ARC-reviews and Guestposts from the authors Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee.

Coming up next:

• Preview for PARADISE FOUND by Vivian Arend, which releases August 23rd, together with this freebie – Tomorrow, Friday August 19th
• My ARC-Review of PARADISE FOUND – Monday August 22nd
• Vivian Arend’s Guestpost on PARADISE FOUND and the series – Thursday August 25th

It’s time for an indulgence, or two…or three.

There’s something magical about Bandicoot Cove. It’s where Kylie Sullivan’s dream of managing a luxury, five-star resort is about to come true. And it’s where people tend to fall in love. Kylie should know. She’s fallen hard—for three very different men.

There’s Brad, who knows just how to relieve her stress and send her body on a crash course through pleasure. Hemi, her untamed Maori, who awakens her primitive side. And Finn, the sexy bartender whose specialty is Screaming Orgasms.

The three men fulfill all her sexual fantasies, but Kylie knows reality will eventually set in and she’ll have to choose. But how? For now she decides not to decide—at least until she makes sure the resort’s soft opening comes off without a hitch.

As far as Brad, Hemi and Finn are concerned, Kylie’s life is too much work and not enough play. The only choice they plan to give her is to say yes to their wildly passionate proposal…

Warning: Three sexy men pleasing one uninhibited woman—how much more warning do you need? This short story is long on heat, with a drool-worthy setting and sexual interludes in the office, at the beach and the bar. You want a day job like this.

Title: EXOTIC INDULGENCE
Author: Co-written by Vivian Arend, Lexxie Couper and Jess Dee
Series: Bandicoot Cove, book 1 (freebie)
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Year of release: 2011, August 23
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC from the authors for review

First line:
You Are Personally and Cordially Invited to Attend The Soft Opening of Australia’s Newest FIVE-STAR Luxury Resort BANDICOOT COVE on Bilby Island.
Bring a plus one if you desire. All expenses and needs will be catered for as we test our customer services in preparation for the Grand Opening.

Kylie stared at the embossed card once more.

Memorable Scenes:
- final chapter > loved how the guys persuaded Kylie



QuickScore-Verdict:
Holy cow, that was some opening chapter. The minute I read it I knew I was in for some hot, sexy times with this series. I didn't get in depth characterization or an emotionally touching story and that wasn't what I was expecting either. I expected a ménage, hot and dirty and that is what I got, poured into some crisp, humorous writing and some sizzling hot sex scenes.

This very short story is the perfect appetizer for what's to come in this series. I know it was co-written by the three authors whose books form the series but I really couldn't discover who wrote what. The writing blended together perfectly and delivered what the blurb promised: a quickie introduction into this fabulous series!

If you love ménages-a-quatre and you're looking for a quick but satisfying read, don't let this freebie pass you by. Get it and make it your lunch-break quickie!

Favorite Quotes:
(Brad) “I’d love to talk about dessert. Sweet, dark chocolate, smeared all over you so I can lick it off, is my first choice.” The husky tone of his voice shot into her ears and melted her spine a little.

How did this happen? How had she been caught under the spell of three different men? Brad was incredibly persistent. Hemi almost caveman-like in his sexual domination of her body, and Finn…God, she couldn’t even find the words to describe his power over her.

(Finn) The instant their lips met, she melted. Any semblance of resistance to his charms evaporated as his tongue sought and found entrance to her mouth. She opened for him, let his tongue take possession of her mouth and his body take possession of her mind.