Raquel's Abel by Leigh Barbour

Raquel's Abel

Leigh Barbour

Red Rose Publishing

Pub Date: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-60435-355-6

Romantic Fiction

Length: 275 Pages

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Review:

Raquel is an overweight woman whose life is becoming consumed by her never-ending appetite. When her career as an author is negatively effected by her size and her doctor warns of health problems she decides to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

While Raquel changes her life for the better, her resident ghost, Abel Rollins makes his dissent known. He doesn't want her to get the surgery because of his fear of surgery and hospitals. Killed in WWI he's been dead over fifty years but his memories and fear lives on. As his unease diminishes, his love for Raquel grows, as does the strength that allows him to stay with her for moments at a time.

Raquel's Abel is a heart-warming story. It is always amazing when the chubby, down on her luck girl makes good and seizes the day. Leigh Barbour's side cast of Raquel's grandmother, nurse and sister adds fun sprinkles of humor and humanity. I give it three smacks because it's not to my personal taste and I wanted to smack Raquel for being so judgmental and whiney at times. People with personal interest in weight troubles and enjoy a sweet, nearly non-sexual story will enjoy it because Raquel's Abel fits.

Rating: 3 smacks

Heat Level: sweet

Other: a little ghost kissing

Reviewer: Steph B.

Spanking the Psychic by Nicole L. Pierce

Spanking the Psychic
Nicole L Pierce
Red Rose Publishing
Pub Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-363-1
Genre: erotic
Length: 276
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Miracle has always seen the man of her dreams in her visions. He's the only one that will complete her as a person and satisfy her sexually. As a psychic, she helps others but can't help herself in this one area so she waits for him. Blake is a troubled man with a failed marriage and dead child on his conscience. When he enters Miracle the psychic's office he expects to be let down but he ends up with so much more.

Spanking The Psychic does indeed include loads of spanking, bondage and dominance scenes. There is a liberal use of toys and location for added effect. Nicole L Pierce knows how to write a sex scene and make the edgier aspects still romantic and loving. I give the story three smacks. I would recommend it to people who are looking for creative sex and enjoy a paranormal feel to a story. The rest of the story is interesting enough, some very heartfelt, deep moments that I enjoyed quite a lot, but not enough to give it more than the three smacks.

Rating: 3 Smacks
Heat: HOT
Other: m/f, BDSM
Reviewer: Steph B

Finn by Angela Martinez

Finn
Angela Martinez
Red Rose Publishing
Published: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60435-369-3
Genre: Erotic
Length: 226 pages
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Diego knows about being burned. As a broke aspiring author he helps his community, gives food the hungry and encourages people to get help. The compulsion has cost him more than one relationship and though he can`t stop himself from helping, even for the ones he wants to love, he is lonely. Driving home one night Diego's urge to help sends him back when he sees a jumper on the Brooklyn Bridge.

He expects to help the guy and put him in the care of a qualified social worker. What he gets is much more than he could have imagined, even in his fantasy stories. When the dirt is cleaned off the seemingly childlike and disturbed man becomes something else. He is a pooka, shape shifter of Irish lore. Can Diego believe? Can he look beyond his eyes and see Finn for the magical, sexy creature he is?
Finn is a fabulous treat. Not only are two delicious men working together to save the world from an ancient evil being, they are doing it while growing into better men right in front of us. Ms. Martinez colors a very touching, sweet, humorous story. There is nothing hard or cringe-worthy even if the more violent scenes are fairly gory. Finn is completely enchanting and balances the sometimes neurotic Diego with his humor and naiveté. I give Finn five smacks. It is charming and sweet and makes the characters the story instead of relying on sex to push it through to memory. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little fantasy and variety in their love stories. I certainly won't be forgetting Finn, anytime soon.

Rating: 5 smacks
Heat Level: explicit but very sweet
Other: m/m
Reviewer: Steph B