Rituals by Kiki Howell Reviewed

Rituals by Kiki Howell 

 Description from Amazon.com

After a Wiccan ritual opens her eyes to her old friend, Maddie's first week together with Ryan, goes by in a blur of knots and ropes. Creative in their endeavors, they tie each other to everything from the coffee table to the kitchen cabinets while also implementing various positions.

 

Neither the sash of her silk robe nor the curly ribbon on a present is left unused as a device of sensual torture. Together, they find the freedom they seek in bondage. But, when Maddie's controlling ex-husband returns hell-bent on taking her back, will Ryan and Maddie be bound by the past or become tied to each other?

 

Rituals Review By Doni

 4.3/5 Whips

This is a very sexually explicit book. If you are sensitive to adult material (including bondage and submission), this might not be for you.  However, If you like it hot, buy this book.

Many of us have been in bad or unhealthy relationships.  Sometimes, even long after the relationship is over, there is still "stuff" that seems to bind us to the person we are no longer involved with.  This story begins with a perhaps Wiccan or Pagan ritual of "cutting" the ties that keep us bound and often unable to move on.

 

Ryan has other ideas as well.  He has been infatuated with Maddie for some time.  They have been long time friends.  He is the one who suggests the ritual and helps Maddie cut those ties. 

 

The story in itself is wonderful.  I loved the sensuality, passion and heat.  I loved the interplay between Maddie and Ryan. Their history seemed to make the heat even steamier.  With that said, I did have a few problems.  One, the language is very formal.  I found that at times, it caused me to stumble in my reading.  Two, it was too short.  There were at least a couple of spots in the book where I would have like more detail.   The backstory for the ritual is not revealed until late in the book. An earlier explanation of characters' motivation could help the story's development.  Three, "HFN", it felt like a "happily for now" story.

I guess I am a bit of a traditionalist when I am reading a romance.  I want the hero and heroine to live happily ever after.  I was kind of left wondering, "what now?".   Do they end up together, or is there one more bondage scene and then they call it a day?

In conclusion, would I read this author again?  Hell, yes.  I enjoyed the sex play and passion.  Would I buy her books?  Hell, yes.
So with that said, here is a three part point scale:Hotness--5 out of 5; Story--4.5 out of 5; Romance--3.5 out of 5, for an average of 4.3 out of 5. 

 

Find out about Kiki Howell and her other books on her website - HERE 

Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry Review

Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60504-825-3
Synopsis - Taken from http://www.aislinnkerry.com/
    The last thing Arjen wants is a vampire in his bed, despite the rest of the world's obsession with the creatures. Unfortunately, his reticence is precisely what attracts Maikel van Triet to him. After hundreds of years of being adored because of what he is, Maikel is enthralled by Arjen's apathy.
     What starts as a simple arrangement soon becomes something more than either of them expected. But vampires are shallow, fickle creatures, and Maikel could never truly love another. Could he?

Blood and Roses Review by Terry Kate 
5/5 Whips - If it was possible I would have said 6/5!


   Did I love this story?  Hell yes!  I have re-read it a dozen times.  I read the excerpt and was so interested I could not wait to get a review copy, so I bought it.  I PAID MONEY FOR THIS BOOK.  I have not bought a book in almost a year.  So yes I read the excerpt and I was desperate.  
   This is a M/M romance between a vampire and a prostitute and it is one of the most captivating stories I have read.  Why these two?  They are who they are - no, I was molested and wanted financial security so I became a prostitute.  There was no - my family was massacred and I am all alone and a vampire, so that is why I am tired of the world.  Maikel and Arjen move forward from where they are as Aislinn skillfully weaves her tale and how these two men come together is gut wrenching. 
    Read it - Buy it - Adore it, I have never said that and might not again.   http://www.aislinnkerry.com/blood-and-roses.html so here is a direct link to the book on Aislinn's site.  Check out her books, and more about her - read her interview HERE in the Backseat.   Don't miss further reviews of Aislinn Kerry's books here.

Prince Vampire by Amarinda Jones Review

 Prince Vampire 

by Amarinda Jones 

After reading about a sexy vampire prince and his search for his true love, Aureliann O’Neal is on fire with need. The sexual tension on the pages matches her own deep desires. She wants to be skin to skin with the vampire prince. In her lust-filled need for him, Aureliann calls out to the dark hero.

Prince Valdemar has been waiting for his true love to summon him. Only she can feed his many hungers. When he answers Aureliann’s call, his cock is on red alert. She is the one. Valdemar knows every luscious inch of her belongs to him—and he will stake his claim. - (Synopsis from Ellora's Cave.com)

 Prince Vampire Review by Floy

4.5/5 Whips

I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I read it all in a couple of hours. It has a sexy charismatic vampire prince, a sassy sarcastic heroine who doesn't just bow down to the prince's every whim, a villain who is heartless and childish at times, and a good cast of supporting characters in the elves.

The basic storyline is a vampire prince who is looking for his one true love (who just so happened to be human for royalty in his dimension). He has a book made that magically calls his true love to him. I love the situations that arise between the characters because of this interdimensional magical relationship (such as the naughtiness in a laundromat). There is teasing banter and sarcastic humor throughout the story which keeps you reading to see what will happen next. If all of Amarinda Jones' books are like this one I will have to make sure and add them to my library as they would be an awesome addition.   

The only thing I didn't like was it wasn't long enough, the end battle seemed a little too fast and could have been drawn out more to prolong the suspense, but over all it was an awesome book that I will be keeping in my library for years to come.

Find out more about this book and others by Amarinda Jones on her site http://www.amarindajones.com/