Leigh EllwoodCritiques

This was a hot and fun little bit of erotica. Both Troy and Dean need some cash. Troy, a wanna be singer, takes a job cleaning an eccentric pop star's apartment nude while the star is away. Dean, a cop, takes a job as a security guard in the pop star's building. What Dean sees on the surveillance cameras gets both men heated up. Good character development for a short with a surprise twist at the end.

Nice quick read about a chubby heroine, little bit insecure, and the hunk who chases her.

Bought for three books only.

Bought for three books only.

Hmmm...the GPS device I received as a gift did not lead me to a hot, hunky man! Obviously a defective model! ;)

Cute story!

Nice quick read about a chubby heroine, little bit insecure, and the hunk who chases her.

2.5 stars

This story didn't do much for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I felt that Brady was a middle-aged sex hound, though he seemed to have found the perfect match with Ellie. It did bother me that Brady used to date Ellie's cousin, Claire. I didn't think there was anything special to this story and I'm reluctant to read the next one in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the blurb I knew I had to review this book, because lesbians and bakeries are extremely relevant to my interests. I needed this book in my life. Because omg you guys, Sidney is a bisexual pastry chef with glasses and custom geek chucks. I'm in love. Where do I find one? And where do I find the gay bar described in the book, because I need Key Lime Pie margaritas in my life too.

I loved just about everything in The Sweetest Dare--the love scenes were spicy, I was emotionally invested in the characters, and the setting was vivid and appealed to my inner Food Network addict. (Kit wants a food truck. I have watched every season of The Great Food Truck Race.) My only nitpicks are that this is a novella, and one of the challenges of writing/reading novellas is that you have to pack a lot of action into a small word count. This tends to result in, "Hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my giant toolbox full of sex toys, WHEE!" And as a reader I had a feeling of "Wait, what just happened? Did I miss a transition?", which was then followed by "DO NOT PUT THE MAPLE SYRUP THERE! YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT'S BEEN!"

Seriously. Aunt Jemima does not approve.

But I digress. I wanted a bit more about Kit and the personal reasons behind her reluctance to come out, and a bit more time on the relationship development between Kit and Sid, but overall this was a great read. The ending is super adorable and left me with a happy smile. :) I'm definitely adding more Leigh Ellwood to my TBR list.

Two cousins date the same man unbeknownst to either. Rock star Brady Garriston may be losing his edge. He needs to get out of town and goes to a small town hoping to get his muse back. He finds Ellie there. She keeps things interesting. She is open and free. She also reminds him of an ex that he wants to get back but she is so different and Ellie starts to get under his skin and makes him forget the ex.

I liked Ellie and Brady. I liked the playfulness Ellie brings to Brady, how open she is. The secondary characters are interesting especially Cal. This sets up The Dareville Series very nicely. I look forward to visiting the town again.

I was surprised by the romance, I was somewhat expecting it to be more erotic tinged. Not that there isn't the erotism, on the contrary, most of the sex scenes are quite explicit, and Parker is no shrienking violet, having a one night stand encounter right at the beginning of the story, and bedding Luke at their first "unofficial" date; but the turn to romance soon happens, and indeed Parker asks to go for the full courtship route, asking Luke out for an official, and old fashioned, date, and behaving like a courteous admirer, including ignoring possible "distractions" once he sets his mind, and heart, on Luke.

The show business theme is one I do like, and the author played this one in a good way, having enough of the common trick (the red carpet walk, the gossiping media, the public declaration), but always maintaining the "play" in the intimate setting where everything started between Parker and Luke; in this way I had the feeling their love was safe, sheltered by the love of their friends and families.

Parker is also a good character, he is not openly gay, but he is not even denying his interest for Luke: I suppose Parker is bisexual, and till Luke he has never really fell in love; once he does, he is ready and willing to go for it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S22ZIM/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Lori's staff pick for the week of 2/16/14.

3.5 stars

Nice read. A little rushed in places - the MCs sexual relationship, the I love you's - and I'm not all that sure what purpose the accident served, but a good read for a lazy afternoon.

What a fun way to introduce the topic of opposites attract then an "Odd Couple" theme party. Drew is looking for love and in trying to protect himself he almost blows it. Thankfully, Greg feels pretty strongly and while he's ready to kill "Rick" he decides to give Drew a change to explain.

Nice read. A little rushed in places - the MCs sexual relationship, the I love you's - and I'm not all that sure what purpose the accident served, but a good read for a lazy afternoon.

Intriguing story about an alternate SIMS type universe that Connie falls into while playing a new computer simulation disc her friend / roommate loans her. Connie is staying with her while she is separated from her husband. Connie learns that love can take many forms, and sometimes what you have if better than any fantasy game.

Note: I won this book from a give-a-way from Author Leigh Ellwood, August 2011

Take a very normal even, especially in today crisis era, insomnia, and turn it in a paranormal experience.

As the title suggest, this is the introduction story of a new series, Crane, nickname Sandman, is a sleep therapist, a man who, with some special oils and his wonderful hands, helps people find the lost sleep. And if, in doing so, he also frees the environment from some nasty demons, well, it’s not mandatory that the unwilling guests of those demons are aware of that.

Len is a very worried accountant: he is preparing a financial report for the firm he works for, and depending on the results in that report, other people will loose or not their jobs. Not exactly a good position for Len, and all the stress is turning in him losing sleep. One Friday night his friends literally drag him on their usual nightclub, and here Len has the chance to speak with his dreamdate, Andrew Gibbons, nickname Gibbs. Typical, when you are at the lower level of your attractiveness, the man you are dreaming on for months decide to pay you attention. But Gibbs apparently is not searching for a one night stand; instead he is offering Len with a solution to his problem, the help of The Sandman, a very special friend.

It’s only a short story, and I think that the author is using it only as preface for the real story: Len and Gibbs are not even the true main characters, Crane and Sven are. This is like a transition step, the link between reality, represented by Len and his sleep problem, and the otherworld, Crane and his hunt for the sleep demons. Being like that, even if there is the hint of paranormal, this short story is still more on the reality side, Len is still a very normal man, with a very normal crush on Gibbs, and Gibbs, even if he knows someone special to help Len, is still more interesting in Len as a man, and in Len’s body, than in any paranormal event. So the wrap up is an ordinary one, a lazy Saturday late morning / early afternoon in bed, two new lovers and their possible future right there, at hand reach; the unordinary stuff is delayed to the next appointment.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039RKA0G/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Why, Why, Zed? by Leigh Ellwood

In a futuristic Toronto Zed and Nick are lovers. Zed is an IT genius and Nick a kept man; when they met, Nick was a struggling artist and since Zed was a wealthy man, he convinced Nick to stay at home and take care of him. But one year later, the initially s ex frenzy is cooled and Zed is spending and lot of time at work, and even when he has free time, he prefers to spend it alone and not with Nick.

Nick is unable to make clear his uneasiness, and prefers to find comfort with friends and hobbies. But this is leading him astray and the future is not bright. An unexpected call awakes Zed from his torpor. He realizes how much he loves Nick and that he needs to do everything to make him happy and with him. A leisurely afternoon spent together will teach both to Zed than Nick that being happy is easier than expected.

A very short tale, less than 35 pages, but with a good plot and well developed characters. Plus there is a twist in the plot that makes the book even more original.

Very good and fast reading.

Making Magic by Jade Falconer

Tommy is a brat. You can't describe him with any other words. He is 18 years old and a freshman in college and he likes a lot to flirt with every male that caught his eyes. Straight, g ay, they are all the same for him, the important thing is that they should be handsome and maybe a bit rough: Tommy likes to be ordered around.

When one of his friends dares him to seduce their professor, Tommy accepts, and then he finds the professor pretty hot, so he doesn't see any harm in doing so. Elliot teachs witchcraft and he really believe in magic, so when Tommy proposes him to help with some experiment, Elliot is very glad to find a so cute pupil. And when the sparks fly between them, Elliot is even more happy to initiate Tommy in the s ex magic.

The story is funny and nice. Tommy is a very cute character, so young and bratty. He is careless and "friendly", truth be told also a bit slutty, and he is not afraid to claim it and to gain all the pleasure he can in doing so. But he is not a bad guy and this is a good thing since Elliot, even if should be the strong character in the couple, for me is the more likeable to be wound since he has an open heart and he is too ready to trust people.

Making Magic is not very long, less than 60 pages, but it is fast and smooth, it flows easily. Sure, you don't have to give it too much "importance", it's a light tale and it serves its purpose.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1606591622/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

In a futuristic Toronto Zed and Nick are lovers. Zed is an IT genius and Nick a kept man; when they met, Nick was a struggling artist and since Zed was a wealthy man, he convinced Nick to stay at home and take care of him. But one year later, the initially sex frenzy is cooled and Zed is spending and lot of time at work, and even when he has free time, he prefers to spend it alone and not with Nick.

Nick is unable to make clear his uneasiness, and prefers to find comfort with friends and hobbies. But this is leading him astray and the future is not bright. An unexpected call awakes Zed from his torpor. He realizes how much he loves Nick and that he needs to do everything to make him happy and with him. A leisurely afternoon spent together will teach both to Zed than Nick that being happy is easier than expected.

A very short tale, less than 35 pages, but with a good plot and well developed characters. Plus there is a twist in the plot that makes the book even more original.

Very good and fast reading.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1606591622/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

I'm decidely split over this follow-up to "Jack of Hearts." On the good side, there's an added plot development concerning a plan for revenge against Lars from another vampire, and an enemy disguised as a friend, and Jack's memories as Lila resurfacing. Jack tracks Lars down in Paris with the help of the same pyschic woman (Ruby) who revealed Jack's existence to Lars in the first story. Lars and Jack are reunited and accept their love for one another - and conummate it with a couple hot sex scenes. So, why am I undecided?

There was too much time spent building a heterosexual relationship between Ruby and a vampire. Their interaction, and two sex scenes, nearly eclipse those of Lars and Jack. Now, that's not to say I don't enjoy straight romance. I do very much. I just don't usually want it side-by-side, and even overshadowing somewhat, the gay romance. Additionally, I felt the author should have expanded the conclusion more. In particular, Lars should have made Jack into a vampire (instead of just implying that he would). This would have resolved the question that Lars loved Jack for himself and not just as Lila's reincarnation. Ruby's story would have been better served as a separate novella, allowing more time spent building Jack and Lars' relationship than happened here. I recommend this story, I was just a bit disappointed in its execution.

Hmm...this was an unexpected delight. Lars was sired on his wedding night - the night his beloved Lila died even before they could consummate their union. But, vampires do not die and he has been waiting for Lila's reincarnation. He never imagined that incarnation would be Jack, a man.

This short story has a lot of promise. Ellwood carefull avoided the trap of having a straight man turn gay for love, but only barely. Lars is horrified at first and burdened by stereotypical prejudices. The pull of Lila's spirit is undeniable, but in the end he is still undecided and readers are left on the proverbial cliff for the much longer sequel. Though the story ends with a steamy encounter, there is no intercourse. It was worth reading, but I look forward to see where the author takes these two men. And this has to be the best CGI cover for a story I've ever seen!½

Lars is a two hundreds years old vampire who has lost his love, Lila, the same night he was turned. He has waited two century to find again his Lila, reincarnated in another body, but with the same soul. What he doesn't aspect is that Lila is now a man, Jack.

Jack has the same colour of Lila, and shares her memories. Till his childhood he has dreamed of Lars, his dream lover, and now that he has found him, he not loss him.

But Lars is not sure to could possibly love a man, and if he manages so, he wants to be sure to love him, and not the ghost of Lila.

Despite the different strenght between Lars and Jack, they are a matched couple. I can't find one of the two that overwhelms the other: it's a game of exchange

Jack of Hearts & Jack of Diamonds are two brief novel, but I recommend to read them as a whole, cause they are strictly related.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013ZA010/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

Lars is a two hundreds years old vampire who has lost his love, Lila, the same night he was turned. He has waited two century to find again his Lila, reincarnated in another body, but with the same soul. What he doesn't aspect is that Lila is now a man, Jack.

Jack has the same colour of Lila, and shares her memories. Till his childhood he has dreamed of Lars, his dream lover, and now that he has found him, he not loss him.

But Lars is not sure to could possibly love a man, and if he manages so, he wants to be sure to love him, and not the ghost of Lila.

Despite the different strenght between Lars and Jack, they are a matched couple. I can't find one of the two that overwhelms the other: it's a game of exchange

Jack of Hearts & Jack of Diamonds are two brief novel, but I recommend to read them as a whole, cause they are strictly related.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001405YI8/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

In Italy we say that you can catch a man passing through the gluttony...

And so Tobin falls in love of Kelly at first sigh, but there is a little problem... Tobin is an alien of the Vectra Planet and Kelly is a pastry cook of the Earth.

Tobin resolves the problem kidnapping Kelly and taking him on his starship, of which he is the captain. A starship really strange, cause on it all people practices free love and there is no problem of gender: love is love

But suddenly Tobin is not so sure he wants to share Kelly's love and body like he shares his cook's skill.

Tobin is a light character; even if he is a captain, he is not a commanding role. Kelly instead is somewhat unsure and somewhat strong: even if he has not a role of power, I feel in him more powerness than Tobin.

I think the author wants to continue this story, so I will read it to know if this two can manage to build a life together.