Negative Reviews by _yay_ (a.k.a. Book That Thing)

Today I invited Saskia from Book That Thing to guest post for Bona Fide Reflections. I have become very good friends with her over the last few months.  She is a super busy woman trying to get her teaching degree ~~ So, I snagged her while I could before she starts her new semester.  I have enjoyed following her reviews and chatting with her on Twitter and FB. I  respect her opinions and her reviews are outstanding. She is succinct in her writing and is able to get her thoughts across to her viewership with well-written thoughts and musings about the books she reads. Please welcome Saskia to the blog and leave some comments for her. Thank you, Saskia for taking the time to come over to BFR and share your thoughts!

Welcome Saskia!

Hello everyone!  Laurie, thank you for having me. I’m so glad to be here today to do a guest post.

I’m the weirdo behind the alias _yay_ at Book that Thing!

 

Name:  Saskia (“Sasse”)

Age:  25 years 

Country:  Germany

Status:  Reviewer

A readaholic reviewing books for fun – that’s what my header says, and it just so happens to be the truth. Gather together my fellow book addicts. Share your thoughts on this particular topic with me! Wait, …… what topic? Let’s talk about negative reviews. 

• What’s a negative review?

Right on to the tough questions, huh? I came up with them all by myself, so no more complaining. I think of a review as negative when the aspects of a book I didn’t like clearly outweigh the ones I did. Of course every review generally goes hand in hand with a specific rating. In my opinion 3 stars is not a bad one, even though there are people around that seem to think so. Either way, what’s most important to me when on the hunt for a new book is the content of a review. There’s no way I don’t take a look at the rating, but if the blurb interests me, I always read the review and make my decision based on what my fellow reviewers have to say. What does that mean for my own ramblings? A 2.5-star (or less) rating must be seen in relation to my thoughts about the book. Dislikes, issues, problems of all kinds are subjective. While I might have felt no connection to a certain plot, you were able to relate to it. We could be in complete agreement or have different expectations in terms of what we feel is good / bad about a book. That’s the beauty of it all! 

• Have you ever written & posted a negative review?

I have a total of 68 reviews on my blog. 21 of them are 5-star ratings / 7 are 4.5-star ratings / 13 are 4-star ratings / 7 are 3.5-star ratings / 9 are 3-star ratings / 3 are 2.5-star ratings / 3 are 2-star ratings / 2 are 1.5-star ratings / 3 are 1-star ratings.


I never set out to dislike a book. If I get a request and feel like the book is not for me I decline the offer. However, sometimes - no matter how much you want to love a story - it just doesn’t happen. I will keep on writing negative reviews, but never with the intention to slander the author’s work. I’m simply sharing my opinion with my followers. Be conscious of how you phrase your criticism. You can’t negotiate meaning. All you do is write the review and the author will most likely read it. I often get emotional about books (on both ends of the positive-negative spectrum), but try to avoid being overly harsh. That doesn’t always work, though. I’m only human after all.  

• How detailed is your review policy?

It is very important to put a review policy in place. The author or publisher needs to be able to see your rating system and be aware of where your review will be posted / shared / promoted. For example, I post my reviews on the blog, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, G+ and Twitter.  No surprises, especially not when it turns out to be a negative review. 

I also added a self-imposed 3.5/4-star “minimum” limit for possible author interviews or giveaways.

• How about authors’ reactions to a negative review?

I’ve had it all! I never heard from some again. A couple went off the deep end (insults, trying to get me to change the rating, telling me my opinion is wrong ). Thankfully, the majority kept it simple with a short “appreciate you taking the time to review my book” – which is completely okay with me. I’m sure it’s not easy to get a negative review of something you put so much effort into. I understand how hard it can be. It’s just that there’s no other way for me as a reviewer and human being than stay true to myself. 

From the bottom of my heart, a big thank you to all the authors and publishers who were kind enough to provide me with a review copy since I started my blog in June of last year. It was my pleasure to read and review!

How about you? Are you a blogger, too? Maybe an author? Would you agree with what I said, or do you have a different opinion? All comments are very much appreciated. 

See you next Monday here on Bona Fide Reflections 

with my review of “The Marriage Bargain” by Jennifer Probst.

Sexy Confessions from Two Romance Authors: Guest Post and Giveaway

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO 

LEIA SHAW 

AND

CARI SILVERWOOD!!!

Today is the release of:

Bona Fide Reflections is honored to welcome Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood on such an exciting day. Not only are they guest posting today, but they are providing today's giveaway in celebration of the release of their book.  After the guest post and the bona fide review of 31 Flavors, please complete the Raffelcopter for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate from Amazon, fuzzy handcuffs, and Godiva chocolates.

Do Romance Authors Have Sex? 

Leia's Perspective

I had a conversation recently with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while who had just read my first two books and wanted to know if I had more. The first thing she said, after assuring me she loved them, was, “As I’m reading I can’t help but wonder if the sex scenes are from real life.” As in my life.

Whoooaaaa.

Now I’m a happily married thirty year old woman. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I enjoy sex with my husband. That, however, has nothing to do with my books. Do you have sex that includes blood drinking, rolling around on a cave floor, hours of foreplay, multiple orgasms, and a geyser-like explosion of pleasure at the end with a man who looks like Antonio Banderas, says all the right things, touches all the right places, and cares only about your pleasure? Don’t answer that. I might get jealous.

But I don’t know if I want my friends picturing my husband and I doing the dirty (sometimes literally as I have a thing for outdoor sex in my books). First of all, I’m no supermodel gymnast with porn star moves and skin that tastes like honey. My husband is handsome, but his sweat doesn’t glisten over sun-tanned skin bulging with muscle. And if we had sex like my supernatural characters, someone would likely pull a muscle (if not end up in the ER).

Trust me. My books are fiction.

What I will tell you is this: I can describe orgasms because I’ve had them. I can write true love because I’ve experienced it. I have yet to be bitten by a vampire but I did have an erotic dream about it once. Close enough. I can depict a deep connection between two individuals because I’ve felt it. And I can write an HEA because I have one.

So do romance authors have sex? I can’t answer for everybody but I do! And like our book, 31 Flavors, it isn’t always perfect. But that’s not the point. They call it “making love” for a reason.


~~ Please hop on over to Leia Shaw's author website  or her personal blog 
~~ Twitter: @LeiaShaw

Cari's Perspective

Since I write not only fantasy, but BDSM fantasy set in other worlds, I’m even less likely than Leia to have done what happens in my books. I mean, goodness, I have people strapped facedown to the undersurface of horizontal crosses watching the clouds go past.

“The beams under her tilted sideways until she looked at wall, not ceiling, and then kept on rotating until the cross stopped with her looking down at the glass, watching clouds curl past below. The leather gag took the weight of her head, pressing at the corners of her lips.

Freakin’ hells and heavens above. She was upside down, and the only things holding her on were the chains and the straps on her body and spread limbs.”

So, upon thinking for some time and wrestling with my memory, I’d have to say no, I can’t recall ever having sex like that. Scratch that one off the list. Neither have I ever had a bondage picnic after landing my gyrocopter next to a riverbank. Though I’d like to…especially if I get to keep her maroon leather jacket with all the buckles, her tights and brass goggles. I’d also point out that like Leia’s characters, mine tend to have over-the-top orgasms that blur reality, cause volcanic explosions, and sometimes leave the bed smoking. I don’t seem to recall any of those either. 

Damn, what am I doing wrong?

Nevertheless, if stripped each love scene back to the skin and bones of just the people, I guess you could, at a stretch, wonder if there is a basis for what I write in real life. A bit. Lol  Like Leia, I base sex on the sex that I have experienced. Bear in mind that those women who write m/m sex are extrapolating also, and so do I. Most of my books have some of the story told from the POV of the man, yet I’m not a man. Imagination is king.

As long as the sex scenes stir my readers, I’m happy. 

31 Flavors is different however. That book is based in reality. The sex is as close to real as we could imagine it. Alas, Sidney forgot to take notes so the itty bitty details are fictionalized and perhaps closer to immaculate than really happened. We had to take some liberties.


~~ Please hop on over to Cari Silverwood's author website.
~~ Twitter: @CariSilverwood

31 Flavors Book Blurb

There are some things in life you have to try before you know how they will affect you.   After 5 years of awful sex, I was ready. Bondage and spanking had always featured in my fantasies, and one day, I convinced my husband to try them. 


That day was a turning point.  Ice cream comes in many flavors and that’s us too -- not vanilla, maybe not Rocky Road either. We can be a combination or make up our own and no one has the right to judge us. But there will always be one question that tears at my soul: Will my husband, Nick, ever be happy with what I crave?

Bona Fide Review

Terrific Novella!

31 Flavors by Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood is a poignant journey of Sidney’s sexual awakening and the toll it could possibly take on her marriage if she reveals her predilections in the bedroom to her husband of five years, Nick. This book is very beguiling and written from the perspective of Sidney. Her personality is heartwarmingly organic. The reader is not being sold on a made up feeling person with a perfect figure and beautiful features much like a Barbie doll. Sid is a “real” person with real issues. She is someone you could easily be good friends with. She is funny, opinionated,  and insecure about her sexuality, a lot like us “real” people reading the book.  

Her interactions with her husband are equally endearing and credible. It is due to the organic perspective of a relationship that makes this book so unique, touching, and interesting. Loving someone is not as easy as a lot romance books depict.  31 Flavors paints love, marriage, and sex in a very authentic light. There are ups and downs, happy moments, funny moments and awkward moments in a marriage. It is this common sense, down to earth style of writing that becomes so attractive to the reader. 

Reading this touching story could help other people out there to step out of their comfort zone and ask for what they need from their partners. The BDSM aspect of this book may maybe a tad uncomfortable for some romance readers. BUT the analogy of being able to translate Sid’s situation into the reader’s own life, crosses over into real-life application when it comes to expressing one’s self to a partner. This is a great read whether the reader is seeking an enjoyable erotic story with memorable characters or satisfying a curiosity into different aspects of sexuality.  After all, vanilla is not for everybody. 

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

Where to buy 31 Flavors:
Amazon
Smashwords
All Romance E-Books

(ARC was generously provided by Leia Shaw and Cari Silverwood in exchange for an honest review)

To enter giveaway click here

Reader's Edyn Guest Post: Maid for the Billionaire (Legacy Collection #1) by Ruth Cardello

Bona Fide Reflections welcomes Kendra with Reader's Edyn back to the blog. 

Today Kendra is reviewing:

Book Blurb

Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex,

Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn’t believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men - until she meets Dominic. He’s both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic’s company. With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good?

Book Excerpt

Arms full of bed linens, Abby Dartley froze at the click of the front door opening. Darn it. She couldn’t get caught here, especially in an oversized shirt and jeans instead of her sister’s maid uniform. Lil needs this job. Cleaning the brownstone of a man who never actually occupied it had sounded like a relatively simple, albeit annoying, way to help her sister remain employed.

“Do not let anyone see you,” Lil had pleaded between the fits of sneezes that had accompanied her low, but persistent fever. “They’ll fire me in a second if they find out that you went in my place.”

“Can’t you just call in?” Abby remembered suggesting hopefully.

“I already used my two allowed sick days for Colby,” and then the tears had come.

*****

It wasn’t Lil’s fault that she’d caught the flu. Half the city seemed to be either recovering from it or succumbing to it. More importantly, it had been a long time since Lil had actually requested help, rather than merely grudgingly accepting it. Abby didn’t want to put too much significance on such a miniscule connection, but she couldn’t shake the hope that things could get better between them.

Her first impression of him as he stood in the entrance, unaware of her existence, was that he looked more tired than a man of his age should. Dark circles were evident even against his olive complexion. His expensive suit did nothing to conceal the slump of his wide shoulders. According to Lil, he’d paid to have the brownstone cleaned on a weekly basis, but hadn’t actually been there in over a decade. Something had brought him back and whatever it was, it had steamrolled right over him.

Dialogue Highlights

“Did Jake send you?” he asked as he assessed her. “You don’t look like a model.”

She blinked a few times in surprise as some of her sympathy for him faded. “And you don’t smell like a man who should be wearing Armani, but I wasn’t going to mention it,” she answered in a huff.

******

“Sit,” he ordered.

Her eyebrows flew up in surprise. “Do people always do what you tell them to?” she asked without sitting.

“Usually,” he answered with an unrepentant, wide grin.

Fire flashed in those amber eyes. “I’m not sure I like you.”

A jab of hot excitement shot through him. “I’m not sure you have to.”

******

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re infuriatingly stubborn?” he asked in a voice she was sure had cowered many before her.

As usual, it did nothing to impress her. Just more hot air coming out of his big, fat head.

The material of the pillow muffled her rebuttal. “Anyone ever tell you that you are a jackass?”

Kendra's Review

Maid For The Millionaire had the basis of the same old story, but ended up containing quite an unexpected twist to it. Dominic is the ever-brooding, filthy rich man who has become lost trying to rise above the shadow of his father. Abby is the motherly type who has been taking care of her sister and her baby for a while now. Covering for her sister at work one day, Dominic shows up unexpectedly and quickly finds himself captivated by Abby. She is a breath of fresh air in his world. He quickly sweeps her off of her feet, but keeps their arrangement temporary. And despite the likelihood that their relationship will be fleeting at best, Abby falls hard. 

Then Ms. Cardello throws us a curve ball when Abby ends up in a position that could easily make or break Dominic. Ultimately she handles the situation quite well considering her lack of knowledge about the dealings within Dominic’s world. But Dominic, the ever-suspicious billionaire who made his fortune by trusting no one is immediately suspicious of Abby. Was she planted in his life for this goal, merely putting on a façade of innocence, or was she really caught in an unexpected situation and acting in Dominic’s best interest? Unfortunately Dominic’s past and inability to trust may very well cost him the most valuable treasure he has ever known.

I found myself enjoying this story from the standpoint that Abby is just a good person that works her tail off and is due for some good luck. And Dominic, thinking he is the rescuer is actually being rescued himself. I have a bit of a soft spot for the big, tough guys that are in need of saving; especially when their savior turns out to be a feisty woman who is strong enough to take him on. This story definitely fits that weakness.

What I struggled with was that the situation Abby finds herself in toward the end of the story is far-fetched. I just don’t see a situation like this playing out in real life. But hey, I have never entered the world of billionaire businessmen, so who knows. The situation ends up working out, as it must. I just think that I would have been able to buy into it a little better if the circumstances were more believable. 

Overall, I felt my time spent reading Maid For The Billionaire was not wasted. While I disliked parts of the storyline, I did enjoy getting to know the characters. And I found myself curious enough about Dominic’s sister and her relationship with his business rival to want to read book two out of sheer curiosity. While I am not rushing out to read book two, I have added it to the TBR pile and will eventually get around to satisfying my curiosity. 

(Digital book purchased for personal library)

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections and Kendra!!

Fifty Shades Freed Book Tour: Author E.L. James Guest Posting

Bona Fide Reflections proudly welcomes E.L. James!! I am so excited to have her visit the blog today.

 There are three things going on with this post:

1.  Guest post by E.L. James

2. Bona Fide Review of Fifty Shades Freed

3. Complete the Rafflecopter to enter to win your own copy of Fifty Shades Freed.  

Without further ado, I am handing over the blog to E.L. James:

E.L. James' Guest Post

I love cars.  Funnily enough so does Christian Grey (boys and their toys!) and he’s wealthy enough to afford my dream car – a black Audi R8 Spyder.

But more on that later...

I have a thing about Audis, which is a little weird, because I drive a convertible Mini One - although I do love it. Christian only owns Audis.  His staff – Taylor, his additional security team (when they arrive) and Mrs. Jones - all drive Audis.  Taylor is lucky enough to get to drive whatever he’s told to, and as an ex-Armor Senior Sergeant, he can drive … anything. 

The first car to feature in the Fifty Shades trilogy is Kate’s Mercedes CLK. These are beautiful machines too.  Kate is lucky enough to come from a wealthy background, and her daddy not only buys her condos in which to live, but expensive cars too. Ana relishes the journey from Vancouver in Washington (where she’s studying) up to Christian’s Seattle headquarters, listening to loud indie rock music… the miles melt away driving this:

Of course the reason Ana takes Kate’s car is because her beloved Beetle, Wanda, would never get above 55 mph without something falling off:

When Christian takes one look at Wanda, he’s horrified. He thinks she’s a death trap, and he soon remedies the situation - the only way he knows how. 

I originally wanted to use the Audi A1 as the Submissive Special.  It’s a such a neat little car:

But unfortunately it’s not available in the US… yet. So I had to plump for the Audi A3 – which is not quite as cute:

In spite of the fact she doesn’t like receiving expensive gifts from Fifty, Ana loves this car.

Of course that doesn’t last long… for those of you who have not read the story, I won’t spoil it. Then Christian steps out of his Audi comfort zone and decides on a Saab.  Why a Saab?  I think Christian is trying to extricate himself from the associations of the Audi A3, which he purchased for all his submissives - and Ana is anything but. So this is what he buys her:

So - back to my favourite car, the R8. 

Those of you who have read Fifty Shades Freed will know there’s a certain… um… scene which takes place in the R8. When I was writing this story I rang our local Audi dealership and spoke with a salesman who shall remain nameless. I told him I was writing a romantic erotic novel, and  I could hear his gasp of surprise when I asked him if it was possible to have sex in an R8.  He stuttered for a moment, then said no, it was impossible - there just wasn’t enough room.  I thanked him for his time and hung up, deeply disappointed that I couldn’t write that scene.

Well, it just bugged me.  And I thought – I have to go and find out for myself.  The following Saturday I went to Audi’s very plush new West London headquarters, not far from where I live.  The first car you see when you walk in is an Audi R8 – a bargain at £124K (roughly $180,000.)  

I walked around it. I stared. I drooled. And then I plucked up enough courage to ask the ladies at the reception desk if I could actually sit in the car.  They told me this would be no problem, so, squealing inside with excitement, I climbed into the car.  Oh boy – was it sexy… the smell of new car, the short distance to the ground… the stunning dashboard… oh, I wanted to steal that car. And as I sat there I thought, you could TOTALLY have sex in here.  I got out of the car, walked round to the passenger side, climbed in there, and sat… and sat… and thought, and thought.  And those of you who have read Fifty Shades Freed will know what I thought. 

I think on that note I should wrap things up. Thank you, Laurielu, for letting me guest-post on your blog, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.  

Bona Fide Review

Excellent!

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James is another stunner of a novel and a great ending to her Fifty Shades Trilogy.  Even though Chrisitan and Ana are now married, the excitement and intensity between the couple has not diminished. In fact, I think it was stepped up a notch. To add some levity to the serious issues dealt with in the novel are Ana’s inner goddess and subconscious and the snarky e-mail diatribes between Christian and Ana.

As the happy couple are enjoying their phenomenal honeymoon abroad, they still have Christian’s mercurial emotional swings and possessiveness to deal with. That being said, it adds to the voracity of the on-going healing process that Christian must face in order to heal. It is Ana’s love, understanding, and many compromises that continue to help him dig out of his dark emotional hole. 

While trying to deal with his inner demons, Ana has some personal battles of her own to wage. Even though it is her deepest wish to set Christian free from his personal demons, she finds herself needing to exert her independence and fight for some autonomy so that she continues to be her own person, not his possession.Adding to the angsty issues in the relationship is the antagonistic plot of the who-done-it portion of the story that began in the previous books in this trilogy. Running these two distinct plots side by side makes reading this book doubly enjoyable.

E.L. James is a wonderful story teller. Her voice is smooth and keeps the story going like a well oiled machine. Once you start, it is hard to put Ms. James‘ book down.  She gives her stories eroticism, emotional poignancy, humor and peppers it all with suspense to keep her readers very entertained.

Fifty Shades Freed is the perfect finish to the trilogy. The ONLY complaint I have is that Ana and Christian’s story has come to a conclusion. I know I can revisit them when by re-reading this series; but, it is just not the same.  I lament the fact that their story has come to an end. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers; however, I really think you should read the first two books in the trilogy (Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker) to get the full impact of this story. This novel will mean so much more to you as a reader when you become completely invested in these two characters. 

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

(ARC provided by TWCS for an honest review)

To enter giveaway click here

Tyger, Tyger Burning Burning Bryte by Cathryn Cade

Bona Fide Reflections is happy to have Kendra from Reader's Edyn over to share one of her reviews.

Thank you so much Kendra!!!

Realease Date:  July 15, 2008

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Format: Kindle

Book Blurb

Half -man, half-beast, untamable…except by the one woman born for him.

The Orion series:

As a novice interpreter aboard the space ship Orion, Calla Fellura is in uncharted territory. Especially when it comes to figuring out how to approach the ship’s sexy navigator, who seems to have no shortage of willing women vying for his attention.

Tryon Jag is an alpha male tyger, one of the few who possess the instincts to guide a ship safely through the deadly Cattarus system. Handsome, wealthy, and of royal blood, Jag controls his universe—and most of the females in it—as easily as he navigates the Orion.

But when Jag unexpectedly undergoes his mating shift on board ship instead of safely on his home planet, he must have a woman or go mad with rage and lust. With an eco-saboteur somewhere aboard, there couldn’t be a worse time for him to lose his mind.

For the sake of duty, Calla forces herself into Jag’s lair. And finds herself blossoming into a true Tyger lily, a woman born to enchant a powerful beast.

The only woman who can save Jag—and the entire crew—from certain annihilation.

Book Excerpt

“I believe that explains why I’ve called you in for a meeting,” he said dryly. “As you know, our navigator on this run must be a Tygean native from planet Bryght. Only they can navigate safely through the Cattarus system. We have one of the best on board—Commander Tryon Jag. Unfortunately, under the influence of their home moons, the Tygeans undergo a yearly mating shape shift. Jag has shifted into full Tyger mating mode. Something’s got to be done.”

His second-in-command, Commander Navos, a tall, spare Indigon, raised one arching brow. “Sedation seems the logical course. A Tyger in shape shift is a dangerous creature, with uncertain temper, and the claws and fangs of a predator.”

“Yes, I could get some type of palliative into his food,” the ship’s physician, Dr. Tentaclar, offered. His several eyes lit with interest, the upper set waving about on their stalks.

“We can’t drug him,” the captain snapped. “We need him awake and alert. Without a Tygean navigator, we will never make it safely through the Cattarus asteroid belt. The gravitation of all the moons will pull the Orion into a crash. Every ship lost in the Cattarus has had a non-native at the helm.”

“It is unfortunate that our departure from Earth was delayed,” said the Indigon. “The moons of the Cattarus system have risen to their male phase, inciting the predictable hormonal reaction in Commander Jag.”

“Yes, we were supposed to be through here days ago. It’s these damned terrorists. The Earthland Security regulations have become so tight; it sometimes takes days to get through customs instead of hours.”

“Is it the ecoterrorists this time?” asked someone. “Or one of those religious fundamentalist groups? I can’t keep them straight.”

“They are all equally dangerous,” cut in Navos, his deep blue eyes cold as an Indigon glacier. “Creatures who are willing to destroy others and themselves to make a religious or political point.”

“Yes, and speaking of going through customs—was it really necessary to body search the entire crew?” growled Ogg, the systems mechanic. “Most of my guys and gals have been with the company for years.”

“Oh, it’s necessary. The terrorists have gotten very tricky with their little bombs.” Dr. Tentaclar leaned forward, all his eyes focused on Ogg. “They’ve discovered how to create organic explosives. Hide the devices right in their body cavities, so they can’t be detected by a holographic search. Then, when the ship is out in space—squersshhh!”

A few of them winced, and Craig held up one hand.

“Thank you, Doctor. I think we all know the results of a bio-bomb on a ship’s systems. Now, back to our immediate problem, if you will.”

“If we cannot proceed without our navigator, we must persuade him to resume his duties,” the Indigon said. “By my reckoning, we will enter the hazardous portion of the Cattarus system in four days. We have until then to deal with the problem.”

“But how will we reason with him?” asked the interpreter, a small Pangaean woman who shimmered with a faint green aura, the result of lifelong exposure to the rich vegetation of her home planet. “Everyone is afraid to go near him. He nearly frightened to death the young couple who chanced to be in the ship’s arboretum when he shifted.”

“We don’t reason with him,” the captain said. Then his eyes sharpened, as he looked at the Indigon. “Unless Commander Navos can assist us.”

“I cannot help you.” Navos shook his head. “It is his feline-enhanced faculties that enable him to do his job. Any attempt at thought control would result in disaster.”

They all looked at Craig, who sighed.

“In that case we get him what he wants—a mate.”

Dialogue Highlights

Of all these, the female was the most problematic. By this time, he should be getting a bit tired of her, nearly ready to present her with an expensive baubble of some kind, and kiss her goodbye. He should have discovered that she had an irritating giggle, or that her tenacious arguments made him want to gag her. But instead, he found that he enjoyed the feminine logic of the way her mind worked, even when it was incomprehensible to him as a male. He enjoyed the sound of her soft, husky voice, even when it was scolding him. Especially when it was catching breathlessly as she gave into him. He looked for ways to make her smile, just to see the way her full lips curved up, and her pretty eyes sparkled.

******

“How many times have you been out?”

“This noyage is my third. I stayed on Earth for a furlough to take some new interpreter training. I hope my roommate hasn’t killed the plants in our apartment,” she added, frowning. She had been going to call him before she was summoned to this tryst. :He isn’t good with them.”

“He?” The word was a snarl.

She tilted her head back up to look at him, startled. He had a dangerous look in those tyger eyes. He was jealous! She refrained from rolling her eyes – just.

“He would love to be here right now, taking my place,” she said wryly. “Renne and I have been friends since we were cubs – we’ve always known that he was gay.”

He grunted, relaxing again, and lifted her hand to his face. Wordlessly, he showed her how he wanted her to stroke her fingers through his hair. It was silky and yet crisp, twining about her fingers as she massaged them through it. She sighed to herself. Men – now he wanted to be petted out of his bad humor. 

Review

I read Tyger, Tyger Burning Bryght as few months ago and am only just getting a chance to write the review. As I recall, this was the first sci-fi, paranormal romance I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Ms. Cade does a fantastic job of creating a believable, futuristic world of alien species and technologies dreamed of. While there is a lot of language used, somehow it fit. I suppose I can attribute such raw acceptance to the fact that this is a science fiction novel. Within my mind, as far as science fiction goes, anything goes. You just have to be open-minded enough to be able to both accept it and recreate it in your head. But I am no strange to the realm of science fiction. In books yes, but not with television. My Dad raised me on Star Trek, so from a very young age I was exposed to all types of creatures. It is kind of funny to watch the original Star Trek series now when you see how far we have come with special effects. As I got older I watched shows like Stargate: SG1, Farscape, all of the Start Trek spin-offs, and many more. But I digress. I believe my point it that such an exposure has allowed me to broaden my mind when reading outside of the box.

Maybe I should get back to the book now. *coughs* Ahem. So Tryon is a Tyger and has been caught off world and mid voyage in the middle of his mating shift. Needless to say, he needs sex and lots of it – fast. The consequences could mean the deaths of many crew members should he be unable to satisfy the sexual need deep within. Calla is also a Tyger and took notice of Tryon when the voyage began, but when he looked right past her, her hope for a tryst faded and he instead became the object of her fantasies. Now she is the only hope for the crew and, well … Tryon’s only hope to regain control and ability to perform his duties. 

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed the time spent reading this story. It was the first time I have read Ms. Cade and I will definitely be back to read more of her work. Perhaps even within this series, The Orion Series. From what I found on the publisher’s website, Tyger Tyger is the first book in the series with 5 books currently published. I wanted to share some other excerpts with everyone, but I am guest posting and thought I should try to keep it clean. I don’t mind saying that I had one heck of a time finding passages that were “clean”. This story is loaded with graphic sexual encounters, and dang! Let me tell you just how smokin’ hot they are! Good lawd! 

That said, even with all of the sexually descriptive scenes, Ms. Cade manages to craft a workable storyline between them. I liked that Tryon is an alpha male that is unexpectedly paired with a strong female. Calla gives as good as she gets most of the time and inevitably, this dense alpha finally gets the clue that he likes it. Unaccustomed to females giving him attitude, Calla well and truly rocks his world. And in the midst of all of this is another component to the story. A group of terrorists has snuck on board and plans to sabotage the ship. The intruder is eventually left to Tryon to sift out. Meanwhile, Tryon makes a muck of his relationship with Calla. Seems crazy, right? A shifting male Tyger, his unplanned female mate with sass, a saboteur on board, the fate of many depending upon it all, crazy amounts of hawt sex, and a potential future relationship gone awry by the ever-present male without a clue. Yeah, I know. But it works and I was completely entertained by it. I mean if a shifting male Tyger and loads of awesomesauce sex don’t grab you, then I really have no idea what else I could dangle in front of you. It is not a deep story that is going to explore the inner angst of the main characters, but it is entertaining at the very least.

(Digital book purchased for personal library)

Kendra

Welcome to Vampirerotique!: Felicity Heaton Guest Post

Bona Fide Reflections offers a warm welcome to Felicity Heaton. She is providing a guest post introducing her new book, Covet. This story is an extremely well written erotic romance.   The wonderful Covet swag giveaway is now over. Please follow the directions on Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway.

Welcome to Vampirerotique!

Ladies, welcome to Vampirerotique, the vampire erotic theatre where debauched acts take centre stage and the elite rub shoulders with aristocrats. Run by four sinfully handsome male vampires, two of which are elite and two of which are powerful ancient aristocrats, the London theatre is the most popular by far in England. 

Not only will the acts on stage thrill and tantalise you, but the passionate romances that happen behind the scenes will grab you and melt you right down to your soul with their wildfire heat.

Our first visit to Vampirerotique, Covet, centres on a sexy Spaniard of elite blood and the owned female human he has been lusting after for two long years.

So what has been stopping Javier from taking his relationship with Lilah from one of business as her boss to one of wicked pleasure?

Lilah is owned against her will by a powerful aristocrat pureblood and touching her out of desire will land a death sentence on Javier. His caress will bring her only pain and her master will sense that in her and the violation of the sacred law of their kind. Javier has fought his desire but his will to resist is growing weaker each night and he isn’t the only one harbouring feelings for someone forbidden. Lilah wants him just as much as he hungers for her, and when the two end up alone together in a private box during a performance at Vampirerotique, the passion that has simmered between them since the night they first set eyes on each other explodes into flames that consume them both.

Covet is a story of forbidden love with the highest stakes but one that burns so fiercely that, regardless of the consequences of their actions, Javier and Lilah are rendered powerless to resist its pull. 

Covet also introduces the other three owners of Vampirerotique and sets the stage for the whole series, giving readers a glimpse of what happens beyond the closed doors of the theatre, where the only humans are those of the staff and those under the thrall of the vampires in the shows.

I don’t normally write highly erotic stories. My paranormal romances are normally focused on romance, plot and plenty of action. The Vampire Erotic Theatre series novellas have all that passion, plot and punch but condensed into a smaller package that already has reviewers and readers alike screaming for more. If you like erotic stories, but ones with plot, romance, emotion, and a dash of action, then give Covet a chance and bravely enter the dark delicious world of Vampirerotique!

Covet is available now for Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Apple devices. It will soon be available at the Sony site, but you can get it in epub from other retailers like Smashwords and my own website.

Covet by Felicity Heaton

They’ve burned for each other for two years, the forbidden attraction between them growing each night. Now resisting the sinful desires of their hearts is becoming impossible.

Javier knows better than to succumb to his hunger for Lilah. The mortal female belongs to a powerful aristocrat patron of Vampirerotique, the theatre he runs with three other vampires. A single touch is all it would take to break the sacred law of his kind, sentencing himself to death, but his passion for her has become too fierce to ignore and he will risk everything to make Lilah his.

Lilah has fought her desire for Javier since arriving at his theatre as a servant but each glance he has stolen, his eyes promising pleasure that will satisfy her longing for him, has chipped away at her defences and she can no longer deny her need and her forbidden feelings for the powerful vampire male.

When they find themselves alone in a private box during one of the erotic performances, will they surrender to their passion and live out their wildest fantasies in a night of wicked pleasure or will the threat of Lilah’s master keep them apart forever?

length: 30000 words / 100 pages
Book 1 in the Vampire Erotic Theatre series

Read an excerpt: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Covet

Available in e-book from:
Author's website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Covet
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006RW977M/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006RW977M/
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B006RW977M/
Amazon Kindle France: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B006RW977M/
Apple iBookstore US: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781465982919
Apple iBookstore UK: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781465982919
Apple iBookstore Australia: http://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781465982919
Apple iBookstore Canada: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/isbn9781465982919
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/covet-felicity-heaton/1108303318
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Covet-Vampire-Erotic-Theatre-Romance/book-gnQ0MPQVmE6G-WLxHOc7SQ/page1.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/118750
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-covetvampireerotictheatreromanceseries1-671316-139.html

I would also like to take this moment to mention that there is a giveaway running throughout the whole of the Covet Book Tour. The prize is a bundle of signed and personalized paperbacks, and it’s open internationally. You can find out all the details at the Covet Book Tour page: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/covet-book-tour.php 

Biography

Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, Felicity Heaton’s best selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series she writes as F E Heaton or any of her stand alone vampire romance books she writes as Felicity Heaton. Or if you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try Felicity Heaton’s new Vampire Erotic Theatre series.

In 2011, four of her six paranormal romance books received Top Pick awards from Night Owl Reviews, Forbidden Blood was nominated as Best PNR Vampire Romance 2011 at The Romance Reviews, and many of her releases received five star reviews from numerous websites.

If you want to know more about me, or want to get in touch, you can find me at the following places:

My website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

My blog: http://www.indieparanormalromancebooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

The following Covet Swag was won by Veronica D:

To enter giveaway click here

Release Day Guest Post: Natlia, Vampire Assisn (Destiny Unchained by Leia Shaw)

Gig and I are so excited to have a special guest here on Bona Fide Reflections. December 12th is the release day for Destiny Unchained by Leia Shaw. The heroine, Natalia is taking over the blog today to entice you into reading this great new paranormal romance.

Natalia, vampire assassin

My story starts too many years ago to count. Who I was, who I am, is insignificant compared to what I do. I am the Huntress. My sole purpose in life is hunting down rogue werewolves who harm humans and killing them. It’s a job I find satisfaction in. But passion, joy, love, continue to elude me.

My newest target is the Silver Slayer. I rarely carry hate, but I make an exception for him. He victimizes children. Murdering innocent humans in cold blood is wrong, but involving children is more than wrong. It’s a thousand kinds of fucked up and I will put a stop to it.

Cristian is my partner. I never thought I’d willingly work with a werewolf – especially not an alpha, but there’s something different about this one. He pushes my buttons, yes, and sometimes I have the urge to slice through his gut and turn his intestines inside out. But somehow he manages to win me over. He’s compassionate and selfless. His playfulness breaks down my shields, which I fucking hate, but to be honest, I haven’t smiled as much in the last two hundred years as in this last week with him.

I would never tell him so, but sometimes I wonder if I didn’t hunt werewolves and if he wasn’t the alpha of a pack that hates vampires, could things be different for us? If I was just a woman, and he was just a man, could I love him?

You can find Destiny Unchained at:
Amazon

Smashwords

Leia Shaw can be found here: 

Twitter: @LeiaShaw

Website: http://www.leiashaw.com

Destiny Unchained and my first book, Destiny Divided, are on sale until Christmas only for 99 cents!

Indie Book Collective sale link: http://indiebookblowout.com/Indie_Book_Blowout/Home.html


Other books in this series are:

Shadows of Destiny, Book 1

Shadows of Destiny, Book 2

(Click on either book to read Laurielu's review.)

To enter giveaway click here