Review: THE PANTHER'S LAIR by Esmerelda Bishop

Title: THE PANTHER'S LAIR
Author: Esmerelda Bishop (Site)
Publisher: Carina Press
eBook also available at: ARe, BN/NOOK, Amazon/Kindle, SONY, KOBO, and other 3rd Party eBook distributors
Reviewed through Net Galley

Blurb:
Sydney Chase may have sworn off relationships—but she still has needs. So she heads to the Panther’s Lair in search of sex: no strings, no emotions. The club owner, dark, mysterious Raimond Decoudreau, is exactly what she’s looking for—his French accent alone makes her hot. Fortunately, his mouth has other sinful talents, as well…

After just one night with Sydney, Raimond knows she’s his. And when the time is right, when she loves him in return, he’ll reveal his deepest secret. For now, he’ll enjoy pleasuring her in the most intimate of ways. But when Sydney’s life is threatened, Raimond’s instincts take control, and she gets a glimpse at the beast within...

THE PANTHER'S LAIR by Esmerelda Bishop was truly a romantic and carnal shapeshifter erotic romance!  The hero, Raimond Decoudreau, is a shapeshifter, a panther, who owns a bar/club called The  Panther's Lair.  He is one alpha hero!  He acts strong on his animalism instincts in both his human and panther form.  His draw to the heroine was strong magnetic pull that he knew that he found his mate in her after many years.

Heroine, Sydney Chase, is recently out of a domestic violence relationship, and has always been in a romantic relationship.  She vows that with her failure rate in them and always suffering the broken heart, her focus would be on her physical needs,  with one night stands. Sydney heads to The Panther's Lair to search out in her one night physical affair and meets the owner, Raimond and she reacts immediately to him with his first words, strong of a French accent along with using some French endearments, his sexy body, his scent and his eyes, that often change to yellow.  Sydney reminds herself often to enjoy the sex and make nothing more of it. As she takes more charge in their sexual activity, she makes some independent moves that gives her a feeling of control and strength.

Unknowingly, Raimond bonds Sydney to him, with their first lovemaking, with a mating custom.  The session was very erotic, carnal, raw and intense with their sexual reactions.  Concerned she may be taking on feelings in from their session, she leads him in different directions so that he would not be able to find her again. Sydney's past catches up to her and Raimond is there to assist but things move too fast for Sydney to comprehend who and  Raimond really is. Yet Raimond can't give her up on his soul mate, but too he can't force Sydney to love him.

THE PANTHER'S LAIR by Esmerelda Bishop is over too soon!  Its that kind of book that you don't want to end and hate to say goodbye to the hero and heroine (here's begging for more stories from this author!)  Raimond's endearments, especially, 'Mon âme soeur', My soul mate could be felt just as much by the reader as the character!  I could feel and see the goosebumps throughout reading this book.  The mating called, archaic human custom, was so unique and sensual to read!  Even-though not much more is given regarding any other panthers or shape shifter characters or its world, it gave all it needed to tell their story. Sydney's friend has a part in the story with little background who could be one to possibly have her own story and a HEA as well (Happily Ever After) (Just saying) The author did super in bringing about the mating custom smoothly right at the time it occurred.  When the ending did come for this book, it was adventurous, gripping as well as so moving to read.  Raimond is one special hero that said so much with his actions as well as his beautiful words.  Sydney was a strong heroine that fought some difficulties both physically and emotionally in her life but could see and feel when it was love and didn't fight it long.  It was great to see this not dragged on but confronted between them in resolving.  It made it smooth reading as well as bringing out all the parts that made this book.  This author Esmerelda Bishop made it so special with Sydney and Raimond in THE PANTHER'S LAIR.  A first read of this author but here's hoping for more from Esmerelda Bishop!

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Noble Romance eBook Reviews

Victorian Cards

Hi Readers! I've been reading up a storm of some ebooks from Noble Romance Publishing.  Check out their ebooks HERE as well as on Amazon and most 3rd party publishers.  They have ebooks from short stories to novels. I don't think any are in print, but I could be wrong.  I shall check that out for those of you who looking for prints.  These below are short stories and most erotic romance, so they for over 18 years of age. I've been going back between ebooks and prints in reading!  I'm reading lots in this cold weather, somore coming up that I will be posting on.  Its a way for me to log too what I'm reading as well as tell others what is out there.  Do let me know what you've read recently too, I miss your recommendations!  I'll put that question at the bottom of the post! Thanks for reading and commenting! (Under title will be link to publisher book, under author name will be to their site)

Title: ONE WICKED NIGHT

Author: Heather Boyd

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (Regency)

Blurb:

For one wicked night . . . .

Benedict Abernathy, an untitled and wealthy gentleman visiting London, is heartily sick of his celibate existence. Determined to leave his shattered heart behind and move on with his life, he accepts an invitation for a night of debauchery in the arms of London’s infamous courtesan, Lottie Townsend. 

 . . . . she will indulge his every desire.

Lady Charlotte Goodchild has fallen far from privilege and longs for one night of pleasure with the man she loves. But Benedict must be spared the truth of her ruin at all costs. Posing as Lottie Townsend, a notoriously discriminating courtesan and old friend, she disguises her identity and invites Benedict to share the night of passion that fate denied them.

I just got through reading ONE WICKED NIGHT by Heather Boyd. Not only a sensual and romantic erotic historical romance, but so emotional. Took me by surprise in so much that happened between Benedict Abernathy and Lady Charlotte Goodchild, that I still keep thinking of all they went to, to be together again. Lady Charlotte is under a disguise so that she can hide herself as Lottie, a famous courtesan, so that she could have one last night with Benedict.

Both have loved before, but Lady Charlotte's ruin and Benedict's trying to give himself some joy without the fear of being harmed. So with both the h/h in an deep love for one another, are so far apart even tho they are together this night. Gosh, it was so beautiful to read and feel the emotions going through both of them and wanting them to be together. This author Heather Boyd so gives  it all with their revealing tale in a short story, but so worth it!. I'm so looking forward to her next erotic historical romance!

Title: THE ENCHANTED FLUTE

Author: Nichelle Gregory

Genre: Sensual Fantasy Romance (Fairy Tale)

Blurb:

When a beautiful enchantress awakens from her slumber to soul-stirring music, she reveals herself to the gifted, gorgeous flutist playing nearby. Lanai is at once attracted to Arye and moved by his melodies. After a sizzling night of sex, the enchantress realizes she’s fallen in love for the first time.

Lanai offers her love to the Arye, a man that has never loved anything more than his flute.  Although, the enchantress could use magic to win his heart, she wants him to love her on his own. Heartbroken and bitter, she casts a powerful spell over the flutist instrument that causes listeners to act out whatever emotion Ayre is feeling at the moment and disappears.

Unable to control his thoughts and fearful of harming his adoring audience, Ayre now only plays his enchanted flute when he is alone.  Angry and determined, he spends his time searching for Lanai.  Years go by and Ayre begins to give up hope that he will ever find the woman that consumes his thoughts and fuels his lustful desires.  When he finally stumbles across the enchantress, Ayre is torn between fury and desire…or is it love?

This ebook grabbed my interest with the fairy tale theme, THE ENCHANTED FLUTE by Nichelle Gregory.  Nichelle Gregory is a new to me author, and glad I got this one to read. I'm looking forward to more tales and stories from this author. I have two more of her fairy tales that I will be reading soon.

I don't know if its based on a fairy tale (I don't know my fairy tales much, but would love to know if this one was one) that was created into an erotic love story from it, but it has that big feel of a fairy tale. Arye plays his flute as a master that captures those around him with the beauty of the music he makes. He's a very lonely man who keeps to his music until he meets Lanai. Lanai is an enchantress who falls in love fast for Arye after hearing his music. He's not convinced that she falls in love with him or just his music. In anger, she sends a curse to his flute.

As a short story of an erotic fairy tale, there is bewitching and romantic story of Arye and Lanai. For a short story, it packs in enchanting romantic read!

Title: UNDER THE HOOD
Author: BL Bonita

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Sometimes the answer comes from the simple twist of a tool . . . .

Andi Thomas has a problem. Her boyfriend cares little for her sexual satisfaction, and doesn't respect her job as a mechanic. She's beginning to feel like love and lust aren't meant to be a part of her life. To make matters worse, a gorgeous stranger moves in next door, and he's everything her boyfriend isn't. What's a sexually starved woman to do?

When Darren Holloway discovers the fiery vixen next door is the very person he's been looking for, he's caught between his desire to make her his and his mission to strike a business deal. Lured by pure lust, he finds himself falling in love. But how can he convince her to accept him when the woman has been hurt one too many times?

My interest was perked up with finding the blurb to be a heroine who is a mechanic in UNDER THE HOOD by BL Bonita. I sat down in the evening and read it right through and absolutely loved it! The heroine, Andi, and the hero, Darren, meet as he is new to the area. There was a quick interest in each other when they meet, with them both react from the sparks that flew!  (I'm having fun with the mechanic terms!) Andi is still coming out of a bad relationship and she finds many are turned off by her being a mechanic.  When she meets Darren, he seems to find her her tools of her trade to be sexy!  He's in town to work out a business deal that may interfere with their relationship.

Darren was a hero I come to enjoy reading, one that stands up WITH the heroine.  Darren would come to the rescue, but not in a dominating way, but one that was caring for Andi.  And I liked how she as the heroine appreciated it.  We often like to read heroines that are independent and stand up for themselves and she does, but its great too to see a hero standing up WITH her! The way he was protective made Darren so sensual! So there for her. They sizzled together in their trust and love for each other. It was a quick but so satisfying a read! Its a perfect weekend evening read! I haven't read many contemporaries lately so this was a fab quick dip into it!

Title: TO SIN WITH SCANDAL

Author: Tamera Gill

Genre: Erotic Historical Romance (Regency)

Blurb:

One night of passion with the notorious rake, Lord Scandal. Every need satisfied, nothing expected in return. All Lady Miranda Fitsimmon has to do is keep her rendezvous with the man secret from the ton and her heart inured to the memory of their past.

Lord Scandal, otherwise known as Lord Sedley, no longer desires such meaningless liaisons in the ton. His taste for bed sport has changed. He only desires one woman to warm his sheets. And when the woman he thought never to see grace his home walks into his library and expects all her desires to be sated, his resolve to redeem himself is tested.

Can one night of sin give them both what they crave the most? Or will past wounds be too deep to forgive and forget?

I did post this one but you may have missed it.  This author has another book out and shall be reading it soon.  It really was a joy to review TO SIN WITH SCANDAL by Tamara Gill. Lord Sedley, usually known as Lord Scandal, decides to settle down and leave his rake-ous behaviors for good! Lady Miranda Fitsimmon and Lord Scandal share a past young love full of misunderstanding and lost of years together. As Lady Miranda wants to have just one night of sin with Scandal, will it be enough to satisfy them both to move on with their own lives? Will they release not only the pent up lust for each other, but their love too?

Tamara Gill's debut is a beauty! A quick story but so fulfilling! The heat of Lord Scandal and Lady Miranda sizzle both in their emotional and physical attraction. Their story kept me on my toes til every word and need was vented. I honestly wanted more and hope that their a future of more historical romances from Ms. Gill and we'll get to re-visit these characters.

Recently Read: See all the above!

Reading Now: Right now I'm into a print read of the last of Tess Dare's first Trilogy, A LADY OF PERSUASION.  I can't believe how unique each story was! From the middle book set mostly on the the ship, its now back to London with this one!  Then too on my ebook, I started reading, HOUSE OF IMMORTAL PLEASURES by Katie Salidas, which is an awesome vampire romance (very sensual so far). Its a special right now for just a short time (can go back up tomorrow or whenever) for .99 cents in ebook (Amazon, Smashwords) She too has a vampire series out called Immortalis.  Both ebook and print.  I decide to check this out and so glad I did! I shall be doing a full review here in the coming days.  

Reading Next: I have another Noble Romance ebook waiting to read too, HER INDISCRETION by Susan Palmquist, a historical of course (was unable to find her site so link is just to book).

So what you recently read, reading now and reading next?

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Review: JEWELED by Anya Bast

Join in on the chat! Have you read this book yet? Plans to get it?
I so do recommend!!



Title: JEWELED

Author: Anya Bast

Publishing Info:

Berkley Heat

ISBN-10: 0425236862

ISBN-13: 978-0425236864

Release Date: November 2, 2010

Availability: In Print and E-books at most distributors

Publishers Blurb:

A new series of erotic magic and fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author.

In the Court of Edaeii, magic-imbued Evangeline is rewarded for her gift in manipulating emotion with a sapphire stone set into the perfect curve of her lower back. Her greatest rival in the royal court is the enigmatic Anatol, instilled with the power of illusion. He may best her in magic, but he is her absolute equal in passion.

They share something else—they’re both targets of low-born revolutionaries. Rescued by Gregorio, the brilliant revolutionary mastermind, they’re given sanctuary. But in this warm refuge, Evangeline soon finds herself torn between the magic of one man she has always desired, and the excitingly new and radical moves of another. For her, there is only one choice: indulge in pleasure without limits.

I had the opportunity to review JEWELED by Anya Bast and grabbed that chance! I've read various books of Ms. Bast's but never have read a erotic historical fantasy. I have read very little of fantasy romance, and pretty much none of straight fantasy, so I then worried I wouldn't do so well with a review of this genre. I started out with taking notes and it was taking away time from the book, but also, being able to enjoy the book. So I put all the notes away and just sat and read this book from beginning to end in enjoyment, and so glad I did!

JEWELED is an oh so fastinating read! And so passionate! I firmly got caught up in this world and still haven't left it. Its set in no certain time period that was indicated, thus, an 'alternative historical'. There's some indications with one of the themes of the heroine being fascinated with the inventions that were happening (sewing machine, printing press). But as you read, its just 'the time it is' in the story and works! Set in a unique and creative world, I could feel that Ms. Bast really had a world planned out and everything flowed smoothly into it. Its set in a country called 'Rylisk' and they are in the city called 'Milzyr'. The heroine, Evangeline has been in a palace called 'Belai' where all those with Magick in their blood reside . Evangeline was taken from her family at age 4. She is isolated within the Palace with others who work on their Magick over the years. The Magicks started with the family of 'Edaeii' but with very little family left, they relied on finding those with any Magick and building on it through the years by isolating them. This family of the Edaeii also took over the city with their wealth and power, leaving the poor not taken care of.

Evangeline's Magick is consisted of feeling both physically and emotionally cold, but no other emotions are with her. She instead draws emotions from those around her and weaves those feelings back to those around her to manipulate what feeling they have. In other words, she can control and change the emotions around her. Anatol's Magick consists of illusion and light.

As Evangeline comes of age, she becomes jeweled by performing her Magick skills in front of the Edaeii family. Once she is chosen to be part of their Magick family, she is jeweled with a sapphire stone placed in her back. In the men, its placed on the back of their neck. Its here we meet one of the hero's, Anatol, who goes through the ceremony to be jeweled but wants nothing to do with the Edaeii family as he has heard the rumors of a possible revolution happening to take out this family and palace. When this does happen, Evangeline is totally unprepared to live outside of the palace while Anatol plans to survive through this. Anatol has falling in love with Evangeline from afar for many years. As the city takes over the palace, there's violence that occurs which I do tend to skip over. But its necessary to the story in the power of how this city took over.

As Evangeline and Anatol survive trying to blend in as well as hide at other times, Evangeline has a difficult time dealing with not using her Magick but also learning to be herself, to feel herself for basically the first time in her life. As their relationship grows strong, Evangeline has strong feelings for Anatol but its not complete. Its here we meet Gregorio who is helping the city take back their home and life and make their government for everyone. Gregorio may be the missing part that makes Evangeline complete. Evangeline struggles with her own self esteem and feeling emotions again, especially determining what love is, and mostly wondering if she's good enough for both Anatol and Gregorio.

As a reader I was enchanted by Anya Bast's JEWELED. Evangeline goes through so much within this story that I felt I could see her grow from the beginning of the book to the very end. I could feel empathy for her feelings of her being worthy. Both Anatol and Gregorio are so different but with the same goals. I did look up to both Anatol and Gregorio for their protectiveness of her. She had her own strengths and other times her strengths were with them and I didn't find this as a weakness of her. I found it made her stronger knowing she could depend on others in her life but also that she could include them as part of her life as well. The passion that was shared through this story grew from two to three and it worked. I realized that it couldn't be any other way but the way it was told. I found this book not only a gripping adventure with an exciting fantasy to read, but also breathtaking in the love that grew between them all to become one in love. Ms. Bast has created an erotic historical fantasy that I'm already waiting for the next book. Its been awhile since I read the book and I can still visualize as well as see the scenes still within me as a reader. This one's a keeper, an A for me!

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