Wrong Time for Love by Lola Drake

Cupid decides something drastic is needed to help the once burned career-focused Raina open herself up to love. Breaking all the rules, he takes her back in time to medieval Scotland to meet the ultimate alpha male and rekindle her confidence in relationships. He doesn't plan for them to fall in love, but even Cupid can't control the passion that ensues.

The 13th century was a treacherous time, and any alpha male in that era accumulated dangerous enemies. Will Raina survive long enough to find the love of her life? Will she want that love to be her Scottish Laird or the mystery man Cupid promised her back home?

Cupid breaks all rules and takes Raina back in time to rekindle her belief in love and romance. Unfortunately she actually falls in love with Tristan, her Scottish laird. This wasn't Cupid's plan - he plans on taking her back to her own time to meet her true love once she's opened her heart to love again.

As much as I've been enjoying this series, I didn't really enjoy this one. Books set in Scotland, tend to instantly get my dislike until they change my mind - sadly this one didn't. I can't remember exactly why but I think it was just little things - like, I'm sure at one point Tristan talks about being coastal but then mentions Dundonald castle which isn't coastal. I also don't think Tristan sounds like a very Scottish name - yeah in this day and age but back then I can't imagine a name like that being used. There really was just a few little things that bugged me.

I do enjoy this series and will continue to read it as I like the multi author angle and each release having its own characters and story which don't have to relate to previous ones at all. It's just this book in particular that doesn't get my love.


Amazon UK: Wrong Time for Love

Irish Kisses by Ella Grey

Abby Smith and Seth O'Connor might live in the same city but their paths have never crossed. It takes a murder to bring them together and fate to keep them there.
Abby has been thrown off the biggest case of the century because it suddenly got too personal. Her best friend and fellow lawyer Dawn Philips is brutally murdered and the witnesses are running scared. Then a man, saying that he was hired by Dawn before her murder, gives her a folder. There's a witness, the only problem is she's in Ireland.

Seth O'Connor never expected to meet a woman like Abby on the plane to the country of his birth. A passionate encounter between them leaves him wanting more. Then he ends up saving her life and realises that he can't say goodbye to the beautiful redhead and he doesn't want to either.

Abby's best friend was murdered while investigating a big crime boss and when Abby gets thrown off the case by her boss, she hates to think of her murderer getting away. So when a PI gives her information on the case, she jumps on a plane to Ireland, where she meets sexy cop, Seth. They have a hot quickie in the toilets and then Abby goes her separate way in the morning when the plane lands but when the same crime boss sends someone after her and Seth saves her life, she realises she's not entirely safe. Seth stays with her to help her with the case but also to get to know her better - more sexiness ensues.

I liked both leads in this, but then I do have a soft spot for strong leading women and Abby was just that. She knew what she wanted and she wasn't scared to get it - in this case, Seth. I usually hate insta-love in books but the whole point in this series is cupid inflicting insta-love on people so I can agree with it here.

This is the 6th in the Cupid's Conquests series from Evernight Publishing and as fun as the story was, the editing in this story was so bad that it completely threw me off. It kept pulling me out of the story - which I can't stand. And I do realise the editing isn't all the author's fault but some blame has to fall on their heads.


Evernight Publishing: Irish Kisses
Amazon UK: Irish Kisses

One Last Shot by Danielle La Paglia

High school sweethearts, Justin and Shelby, were destined to be together forever. But when Justin decided to give up a college scholarship to stay close to Shelby, his family stepped in, convincing Shelby she was holding him back from his life-long dream of playing Major League Baseball. She took her guilt and ran, and he never knew why.

Ten years later, they find themselves back in the small Texas town they grew up in. Shelby's come home to run the bar she inherited from her dad and Justin is looking for a safe haven after a career ending injury. With years of buried hurt and regrets, and the secret of his family's betrayal hanging between them, is Cupid's arrow enough to help them reignite the passion of first love?

Cupid may have missed in the first round, but he's willing to give this true love one last shot.

Justin comes back to town and goes to Shelby's bar where they both mutually ignore their feelings for one another until he turns up at her house with some beer and ... well, we all know what happens when alcohol is involved. Shelby runs away again in the morning and we find out she's in financial trouble, Justin also finds out why Shelby left him 10 years ago and heads back to LA only to be reminded of Shelby (from a certain chubby Eros) and decides he has to be with her.

La Paglia has written plenty of flash fiction over on her blog but this is her first (I believe) entry to the novella world. (She'll correct me if I'm wrong, LOL). I enjoy her flash fiction, she has a great talent for description and writing emotions in such a short piece so I knew her Cupid's Conquest entry would be good.

I'm really glad to say she didn't let me down. With more words to work with she's done a great job at setting everything up, La Paglia really does a fantastic job at describing people and places, I find it very easy to picture everything as it happens. She also writes two very different, but both equally likeable, characters as her leads and has you shouting at your kindle for them to wise up ... What do you mean you don't shout at your kindle?!?

A great addition to the Cupid's Conquest series and another author I get to be proud to call a friend. As I've said before, if you like short, steamy reads then pick up this series starting with Gunshy by Seleste deLaney.


Amazon UK: One Last Shot

Love and Other Indoor Sports by Seleste deLaney

Cupid still has a lot to learn, and this time he's heading to college to do it.

Griffin and Colby were shoved together by fate during a fraternity hazing game of spin the bottle but, in a world deserted by Cupid, fear and uncertainty pushed them apart. Now, twelve years later, they're getting a second chance with each other. A woman in Colby's life, however, doesn't like what she sees as competition for his affections, and she's willing to ruin both men if they don't bow to her demands. After all this time, are they willing to risk everything for a chance at happiness, or are they destined to lose each other again?

Cupid won't give up easily though. He has one last game for them to play and, this time, it's winner take all.

Griff and Colby had to kiss each other for one minute while being hazed for a fraternity at school. For Colby, it made him think he couldn't possibly hide his sexuality since he'd always had a crush on Griff. For Griff, it made him feel something he's never felt before and made him realise he wanted Colby. They never acted on those feelings as they both thought each other was straight, until they met up 12 years later at a reunion ... and man, did the sparks fly. Of course they still think each other is straight but then they finally click and then they "click" (wink, wink).

I liked both Griff and Colby but I think I liked Colby better. May have been the fact that he was out and proud or the fact that he was a bit more laid back than Griff ... or it may have been the tattoos, I'll always like the character with tattoos, LOL.

The sex was brief but hot and the story was fun and a bit Single White Female feeling. Stalker, crazy student that tries to make life difficult 'cos she wants to sleep with her gay coach ... bitch needs to get a clue!

Still liking this series and I think the fact that it's a different author for each one keeps it fresh. There's less chance of repetition with more authors, although this is deLaney's 2nd book in the series and I'm sure since she's the founder of the series, she'll probably have more. I like that idea.


Amazon UK: Love and Other Indoor Sports

Pursuit of a Kiss by Lola Drake

Ousted from Olympus until he can restore true love back to the world, Eros stumbles upon a match made in heaven - if they can survive through hell first.

Juliet doesn't have much in common with her namesake. Her career-centric life sorely lacks romance. Then one night everything changes when she witnesses a gang shooting and ends up getting shot herself.

FBI Agent Jake Parker has known Juliet for years, but only as the baby sister of his best friend. He still imagines her as the awkward teenager she used to be. When Jake must protect Juliet from the gang determined to eliminate the only witness against them, he discovers that he's not the only one who's changed in the last ten years.

Will Jake take the risk of having a real relationship? Will Juliet survive long enough for him to decide? The pursuit of a kiss has never been so dangerous, or so much fun.

This is the 3rd in the Cupid's Conquests series from Evernight Publishing, put together by Seleste deLaney who also wrote the first story, Gunshy. The second, Going the Distance, is by Angela Addams.

In this one, we get to meet of Eros' family at the beginning when his father comes and gives him a kick up the arse to get a move on. He sets about putting Juliet and Jake together, Juliet's just broke up with her 5 year boyfriend and Jake has never had an actual relationship. Turns out Juliet has had a crush on Jake since she was a kid but Jake never noticed her, now he wants her bad but doesn't want to take advantage of her in her traumatic state. Turns out he doesn't need to worry about that, Juliet wants him to help her forget.

As with most short stories, there isn't time to build up characters the same as in an actual book but Drake manages to write her characters well in the short time. The build up the kiss happening is hot, and when they actually get together it's amazing. Loved it. Definitely recommended, especially if you're a fan of the previous two Cupid's Conquests stories. Even if you're not but you love a short steamy tale? I recommend reading all three.


Buy Pursuit of a Kiss from Amazon.

Going The Distance by Angela Addams

Ronan’s been in love with Steph Randell since they were teenagers. Pierced by Cupid’s arrow as a teen, the country boy fell hard for her.

As an award-winning actress, Steph has a mind of her own and is blinded by her ambition. Yet, for all her money and fame, the only time she truly finds peace is in Ronan’s arms. But she thinks that all she needs is a friend with benefits.

Cupid messed up and needs to fix things — an incredible boon if he can succeed. All he has to do is show Steph what she is missing and prove to Ronan that Steph is worth fighting for. What will Steph risk for love? And what is Ronan willing to give up to get his girl?

An enjoyable little sequel in the Cupid's Conquest series. In my review for Gunshy I speculated about each story being about a different couple, that is indeed what's happening in this.

Ronan is a nice male lead but I found myself really disliking Steph. She's one of those spoiled little brats that blames everything on someone else. Even though I knew they were going to end up together, I still think Ronan could do better. There were a few little editing mistakes in this, just little things but they still bug me. And I know that has nothing to do with the story, it's a personal bug of mine. The story was good and a nice follow on from Gunshy.


Amazon UK: Going the Distance

Gunshy by Seleste deLaney

Banished from Olympus with orders to restore love to the world, Eros starts with a match no one sees coming. No one but him.

Straight-laced principal Kira isn’t looking for love, especially not right after getting dumped. Then a chance encounter leads her to Jesse, and damned if she isn’t drawn to the bad-boy with a heart of gold. A night of reckless abandon leaves her confused. Was there something there, or did she imagine the connection between them?

Jesse knows lying to Kira is a mistake, but she's the first woman in a long time to see the man and not just the rock star. When his plan to come clean goes terribly wrong, Kira bolts, leaving Jesse in the dust.

Now Eros has to nudge the star-crossed lovers together and prove to Zeus that love does exist, even among the gun shy.

Buy the kindle from Amazon: Gunshy by Seleste deLaney or direct from Evernight Publishing: Gunshy by Seleste deLaney

A very short but hawt first book in a new series from Evernight Publishing. It's a multi-author series, so each book is written by a different author.

Eros gets banished from Olympus and has to restore love to humans. Judging by this story I'm guessing that each story will follow a different couple that Eros helps get together to prove to Zeus that he can still do his job.

I've read a lot of Seleste's books and I have to say, this is the first book of hers that has a lead male that I could find myself attracted to. Jesse is a big guy and he has tattoos and plays bass, what more could I want. I also liked Kira, as little as we got to know her in this short story she was a strong lead. I'll still read the rest of the series but Seleste was definitely the only reason I bought this. Got to support my buddies after all :D


Amazon UK: GunShy