Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by! Today, we have Part One of D. Renee Bagby's guest blog! Mandy and I at Rogues and Romance are absolutely thrilled to have her here. :-) We were BOTH lucky enough to review Adrienne, and D. Renee Bagby is here today to give us some deleted scenes and things she couldn't mention in Adrienne. :-)
Little Known Facts about Adrienne
These facts fall into three categories—the way it was, deleted scenes and stuff I couldn’t mention in the book but wanted known
Deleted Scenes
This is stuff that was sacrificed on the editing altar. My original submission was one hundred and thirty thousand words. That got cut to ninety-seven thousand for the final release.
- There was a short chapter where Adrienne’s family goes to the police station near the college and talks to the cops about the incident. That was the first introduction of the family. It got cut so the story could flow better. Also, I didn’t want to write a parallel scene/chapter later where Adrienne and her parents went back and talked to the cops again.
- After the picnic-breakfast scene, minus Malik up a tree—that was added before final release—but before the wedding, Adrienne had another dinner with the court. In that scene, Rena made her first appearance and the reader learned all about Rena’s mother and how Indivar ended up with her. Obviously, that information was worked into the picnic scene thus making the second dinner obsolete.
Stuff I Couldn’t Mention
This is stuff that just didn’t fit anywhere due to length and flow issues. It still applies and is pertinent info, but not necessary to enjoy reading Adrienne.
- Mushira is married and has two children and one grandchild. Her daughter, through no fault of Mushira’s, is spoiled and haughty. She refuses to follow in her mother’s footsteps and act as a lady’s maid. Mushira’s son, on the other hand, is more than happy to train under Saj and he’s raising his daughter to serve, as well.
- Mushira’s mother was Queen Dione’s lady’s maid and her dedication to her job made her somewhat negligent. The only time she paid attention to Mushira was during training to be a proper lady’s maid for the future queen. When Queen Dione was assassinated, grief made Mushira’s mother follow.
- Qamar is three years married to a lovely young lady who works in the kitchens. They are currently (as of the story) debating on whether to bring a third into their relationship to impregnate the young lady or simply have a fertility mage change some of Qamar’s eggs into sperm and conceive that way (yes, they can do that).
- Nimat was kicked out of her home at a young age because her mother was jealous of her beauty (think Snow White and the wicked stepmother, except this was her actual mother). Nimat’s mother is actually jealous of Nimat because she’s the lady’s maid to Adrienne.
- Hani is child number four of a ten child household. Everyone in her family is an assassin. As to where the assassins are trained and where her family lives, you’ll just have to keep reading the Bron Universe stories to find out. It’s a major plot point so I can’t mention it without giving away stuff.
Check out our reviews for Adrienne!
Happy Reading!
Check back soon for Part Two: The Way it Was!
*Dee*
R&R
Whew! I'm crankin out the reviews today! This is my second review for Resplendence Publishing, and I'm feeling like taking on another one! :-) Melinda Barron has done a fantastic job with Nuit Aux Trois, and I hope that my review comes across just as well to get some of you readers interested!
Nuit Aux Trois
Melinda Barron
Resplendence Publishing, LLC.
October 2007
eBook
51 pages
Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Quinn, Dev, and Fletch are the perfect roommates. They get along just great, especially Dev and Fletch, who are a match made in heaven. However, the longer Quinn lives with the two guys, the more sexually frustrated she becomes, but Quinn knows that she is miss-reading their signals and is just lonely…right?
Quinn recently got passed up for a job opening at her TV Station, because she’s not a size two. So, she takes two weeks vacation time to go ghost hunting with the guys. After all, she’s a skeptic, and it’s their job, what’s the harm?
However, a lot can happen in an old haunted plantation house. Things definitely begin to sizzle between Quinn, Dev, and Fletch, but will Quinn accept their offer of love and so much more. After all, she’s wanted it too, or is it all just a bit too much?
Nuit Aux Trois has just the right amount of erotica, romance, and paranormal. I absolutely loved how well Nuit Aux Trois ebbed and flowed. Melinda Barron has done an amazing job writing Nuit Aux Trois. Her characters are exceptionally crafted as well. Everything about Melinda Barron's writing is very realistic. You'll feel as if you've stepped into Dev, Quinn, and Fletch's world!
-Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *4- Cupid's Aphrodisiac
Violence Rating: *3- Steel Arrow
Official Blurb:
Quinn’s two roommates, lovers Fletcher Covair and Devlin St. Giles, have the perfect idea: Quinn will accompany them on a Halloween ghost hunt at a haunted plantation. Quinn agrees, knowing there’s no such thing as ghosts and thinking the time away will give her time to assess her future job prospects, and if nothing else, a chance to relax.
But the plantation’s resident ghost, Alison, has other ideas. She wants help in righting a long-time wrong, and it seems that the ghost has chosen Quinn, Dev, and Fletch to assist her. While Quinn’s mind is reeling from the knowledge that there are really ghosts, she comes to another shocking realization: Dev and Fletch have more on their minds than ghost hunting, and Alison isn’t the only restless spirit who wants to make contact.
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
R&R
I feel so lucky to be able to review yet another piece of work by Tia Fanning. I was able to review Rules of Darkness (loved it), and Ticket Me More was just as fabulous! Enjoy the review, and be sure to check this one out!
Ticket Me More
Tia Fanning
Resplendence Publishing, LLC
October 2007
E-book
53 Pages
Erotic romance
As Melanie Darling is speeding home from work one night, she gets pulled over. She’s never been pulled over before. So, she decides she’ll try to flirt her way out of it. Lucky for her, she gets off with a warning from Officer Michael Johnson. Melanie’s always been the good girl. She’s never been drunk, never smoked, never done drugs, and she’s never even had sex. She actually feels good about getting pulled over. Atleast it added some spice to her life.
So, Melanie decides she needs a little bit more spice. She’s going to get her man: Officer Johnson. The next night, Melanie flies by Officer Johnson at 85, and much to her satisfaction, gets pulled over. Melanie is dressed to impress, and she begins to pull out ever trick in the book. Just as things are about to heat up between them, on the side of the road, Michael backs out. However, the new Melanie isn’t going to take rejection. She’ll continue pulling out her bag of tricks until she has her man, because Michael wants her too.
Ticket Me More definitely had me laughing before I got to the second page. Melanie is a great character, and Michael just fits with her. Their romance is hot and spicy, and Melanie getting ticket after ticket just to grab his eye is comical. Tia Fanning has written a snappy and fun read, with a thoroughly developed plot. Ticket Me More is a great novella, and I thoroughly recommend giving this one a read. And as always, novellas are a great way to get to know an author, and Tia Fanning is amazing!
-Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *4- Cupid's Aphrodisiac
*No Violence*
Official Blurb:
Melanie Rose Darling is a very unhappy florist.
Hailed by the bridal flower world as an artistic genius, Meli works long nights making bouquets for women lucky enough to find love, while she herself lives a life of solitude. She yearns to share her heart and body with someone other than Bob, her Battery Operated Boyfriend, but acute shyness keeps her from engaging the “living” world.
However, Meli’s quiet and predictable existence takes an unexpected turn when she is pulled over and ticketed by the most gorgeous cop she has ever encountered… Officer Michael Johnson. Though he does not seem to notice her as anything more than a traffic violation, Meli makes plans to overcome her timid nature and seize the police officer’s attention… using any speed necessary.
If Ticket Me More sounds like your cup of tea, don't forget to check out my review for Rules of Darkness by Tia Fanning!
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
R&R
Wow! What a great read! I actually anticipated that this review would take me a few days, because it's a bit longer than what I'm used it. However, I flew through The Healer's Garden! Nina Pierce is on my list of author's I have got to find out more about!
The Healer’s Garden
Nina Pierce
Liquid Silver Books
2007
978-1-59578-411-7
E-book
158 Pages
Futuristic Erotica
In 2172, there are no same-sex couples. The government has taken the necessary precautions in order to keep the population under control. Females dominate a society where men are enslaved.
Step forward in time with Jahara, who has what seems to be a perfect life. She works at a major healing facility, she is descended from a Dame in a position of power, and she has the perfect girlfriend, Merenith. Well, everything was almost perfect, until the day the official government disk arrived. She’ll have to leave everything she knows, her job, friends, family, home, for 2 years to fulfill her obligation: to birth two healthy children.
Merenith’s number one fear of Jahara leaving her has to do with the rumor of the tribes of men and women who live outside the law. But Jahara is off to the Garden of Serenity, where she meets Brenimyn, an adult male breeder. Yet, Brenimyn is tired of being simply a woman’s tool, and that too, will change when he meets Jahara…
Nina Pierce grabs your attention with The Healer’s Garden from the very first page, and holds on to it throughout the entire story. The characters are amazingly well crafted with realistic qualities despite being futuristic. The relationships are relatable and true. Nina Pierce is an excellent writer, and you’ll find yourself pouring through The Healer’s Garden and wanting more from Nina Pierce.
-Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *4- Cupid's Aphrodisiac
Violence Rating: *0- No Violence
Official Blurb:
In a female dominated society, mating with a male, even if it is to save the human race, is a distasteful task and one Healer Jahara Hriznek has successfully avoided--but time and excuses have both run out. Adhering to the outdated procreation law of the twenty-first century, she takes up residence at the government breeding facility known as the Garden of Serenity.
Brenimyn is a gifted breeding instructor at the Garden. Forced to copulate with all females who request his services, he is tired of the sexist government enslaving men. He lives to find the woman who will fulfill his destiny and help him bring about social equality.
Can Brenimyn and Jahara learn to trust each other and their hearts and allow love to bring about a new world order in The Healer's Garden?
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
Whew! What a fantastic read! I read When the Snow Lay Round About all in one sitting! Well, I should really say, in one day. :-) I picked the perfect time, too. It's been snowing here in Indiana, all day. :-) Enjoy the review!
When the Snow Lay Round About
Kristi Ahlers, Veronica Towers, Linda Mooney, and J.L. Foster
Dark Castle Lords
ISBN 978 1 921347 31 3
eBook
278 pages
The Night Before Christmas
Kristi Ahlers
Rourke is home from battle and just in time for Yule. He is greeted by his sister, Sophia and her best friend Jacqueline. However, while Rourke was gone, Sophia and Jacqueline devised a plan, a plan that will make Rourke finally admit to his love for Jacqueline.
However, the plan is off to a rocky start, in part, due to the fact that Rourke finds Jacqueline irresistible. Thus, he becomes tongue-tied in her presence, and says the wrong things at the wrong time. There’s a downside though, Jacqueline has only two days to convince Rourke that they should be together forever, because once she goes home, she’ll married to another. Will Jacqueline’s plan work, and will she get the man of her dreams?
The Night Before Christmas takes place back in 1070. It’s a fantastic historical romance. Yet, the characters, no matter how long ago they lived, are dramatically realistic and genuine. Kristi Ahlers has managed to capture history, young love, and true love, all at once. Her writing is fluid, and The Night Before Christmas, as a novella, is a great way to get a taste of just what she is capable of.
Dreams to Keep
Veronica Towers
Lady Amanda Grace Ellington has her work cut out for her. See, her sister, Alyce, was to marry Sir William. However, she found her true love. Now, their father doesn’t want to risk losing Sir William’s money, and sends Amanda in Alyce’s place.
Before Amanda arrives at Sir William’s though, with the snow coming down hard, her coach loses a wheel, and she must now venture in the freezing cold by foot. Just as she is making her way up the front steps at Sir William’s though, she slips, and lands right in a snow drift, where Sir William finds her.
At first, Sir William feels tricked, finding that he is now married Amanda, not the young and spunky Alyce, but that, too, changes…
Sir William and Lady Amanda are quite fiery as far as characters go! Their relationship is as intense as their personalities, and they work just delightful together. Veronica Towers keeps the pace with When the Snow Lay Round About, as a whole. Her infusion of history and romance is perfect for this anthology. The way she has written Dreams to Keep is just marvelous, and you’ll find yourself falling in love with these two main characters.
Sandcastle
Linda Mooney
Terrie has had it rough the past few years with her mother’s death, battling leukemia herself, and Phillip walking out. But now, she’s moved back to her hometown in Texas, and things are really looking up for her. She’s healthier, and dealing with everything that has happened to her fairly well. Now she’s ready to grab a hold of everything that’s thrown at her, and take it on in full-force, including Paul Leeds and his family. But he’s married…isn’t he?...
Sandcastle is the only story in the anthology set in present-day. Where it is different, I think it gives us a little break in the pace, in a lovely way. Linda Mooney has crafted very strong and independent characters all across the board in Sandcastle. They have all had their struggles, and living off of the Gulf is a place where they all find themselves recovering and starting life anew. It’s a fantastic story that helps to pull this anthology together!
Elisabeth’s Holiday Wish
JL Foster
Step back again in time with Sir Harrison and Elisabeth. Sir Harrison must find a wife, or he will lose his newly acquire land, since his father’s passing. Elisabeth’s mind is on caring for her family, since her father too, has passed. However, late one night, while Elisabeth is visiting family and friend’s graves in the cemetery, Sir Harrison sneaks up on and startles her. Elisabeth, being a lady, leaves promptly before anything happens. However, as soon as they exit the cemetery, Elisabeth gives Sir Harrison a verbal lashing, and then kisses him with as much force as her words…
Now, Sir Harrison and Elisabeth are married, and Elisabeth finds herself feeling awfully lonely on Christmas Eve. She remembers back to the caroling and happy times when she was just a peasant. But, she finds herself living with Sir Harrison in a ghost town. It was a town ravaged by war, where they are now the town’s only residents. Elisabeth misses the community she had grown up in and loved so much. So, will Sir Harrison be able to grant Elisabeth her that one Christmas wish?
From the beginning of Elisabeth’s Holiday Wish, we know that Sir Harrison and Elisabeth are wed. However, the way the story unfolds, some of which is told from Elisabeth’s point of view, is what makes Elisabeth’s Holiday Wish so captivating. JL Foster has created characters that are both fully developed and captivating, with an exceptionally fluid storyline to match.
When the Snow Lay Round About
These four fabulous stories all tie nicely together, as do each author’s individual talent. They each bring their own blend of writing to intrigue any reader to envelop themselves in all four stories. While it’s past Christmas, you’ll still find that the love and romance brought to the table by all four authors keeps you reading way past the holiday season. You’ll also find little “extras” at the end of each story, including various recipes and the author’s special Christmas traditions! When the Snow Lay Round About is definitely one for your keeper shelf!
--Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *2- Cupid's Passion Arrow
Violence Rating: *0- No Violence
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
What a read! I really hope my review of Betrayed by Jamie Leigh Hansen catches some of the reader's attention. I'll be honest though. Mandy usually sends the novellas my way since I'm a full-time student, and thus, I was a little intimidated by the whopping 392 pages, but it was phenomenal, nonetheless. I was more than happy to read Betrayed, and I am delighted to present everyone with my review. I hope you like it as well!
Betrayed
Jamie Leigh Hansen
TOR Paranormal Romance
eBook
392 pages
Paranormal Romance (time-travel)
Caylus has lived, in a sense, for approximately 800 years. She lives and dies a continuous cycle, where during her life, she searches for her husband, Dreux, who is encased in solid stone, high up in a tower. However, knowing the location is a cinch, but getting to him requires skill and cunning. But, now, tonight, she’s reached him, but what is the key to unlocking him from his stone embrace? However, there’s another obstacle, and his name is Kai. He’ll do everything to stop these two, who are destined to be together, from forming as one, once more.
But, there’s more to Caylus and Dreux’s story. Dreux and Kai were brothers, are brothers, still. However, to save the brothers from the act of fratricide-the killing of one’s brother-Silas and Draven come in, and save the brothers from their would be damning sin. They only met to keep one from dying, but trapped Caylus in her never-ending search for her husband.
However, tonight is Caylus, or in this lifetime, Kalyss, last chance to free her husband from his stone tomb, and everyone else connected to the curse, as well. Though, she doesn’t know that, and Silas and Draven, can’t intervene, anymore than they already have. However, as one begins to delve into the story, you begin to wonder: will she remember what her role is, in time?
Jamie Leigh Hansen has beautifully written Betrayed. The back and forth between time periods is a great twist, enveloping history, as well our present time, never once losing the reader. The love that Caylus (Kalyss) has for her husband is real, and the reader can only root for her to succeed, in what is her final attempt at freeing her husband, and thus, everyone else, from their curse. You’ll be begging for more from Jamie Leigh Hansen after reading Betrayed!
--Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *2- Cupid's Passion Arrow
Violence Rating: *4- Fire Arrow
Official Blurb:
Trapped in stone, tortured by grief... This is their last chance.After nine loveless lives and nine horrible deaths, Kalyss must save Dreux from his stone prison-or pass without him into an empty eternity.When two strangers violently enter her life, Kalyss's gift awakens--along with the memory of her past lives--and she must learn who she can trust in order to break the cycle of hatred and betrayal that has held them captive for centuries.For only then can she free Dreux from his prison of stone. But will Kalyss be strong enough, now that the last chance has arrived--now that she must face not only the pain of this life, but of all her lives before?
Buy the mass market paperback at Amazon!
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
Lord Draco: The Witch's Knight was a fantastic read! I feel so lucky to have been able to review this particular work by Raquel Taylor, but at the same time, I want more! :-) I flew through Lord Draco, both reading and reviewing it. It was a great read, and I hope that this review shows that! :-)
Lord Draco: The Witch’s Knight
Raquel Taylor
Dark Castle Lords
ISBN 978 1 921347 22 1
eBook
95 pages
Paranormal Erotica (witches, weres, and vamps)
Romania 1817:
Illeana Caragea is a noble, but she now resides in a small cottage, where she is known as the Black Witch of the Woods. She has few visitors: those brave villagers who need the sick healed, and her brother, Alexandru.
However, on this particular night, she finds her brother bitten, by a werewolf. She restrains him as best as she can, but now convenes with the dead to find a solution. He is still a pup, according to Nicolae, the spirit who Illeana bargained with, in return for him to help her undo this curse. However, Nicolae also tells Illeana, that if she can slay the wolf that bit her brother, she can cure him. However, Alexandru must not kill in wolf-form, or he will be forever lost…
The wolves broke a treaty though, when they attacked humans, and Illeana, feels that the best way to kill the wolf that attacked Alexandru, would be to attack with full-force. She feels she must contact their father. But then, Nicolae reminds her that they will be weakened by the nights, when the men take the shape of wolves. Thus, she must fight darkness, with darkness, and she must find Lord Draco, a vampire. But, what Lord Draco want in return for slaying this wolf may be more than Illeana bargained for. After all, she only bargained her body, or did she?...
What a fascinating read! You will absolutely love Raquel Taylor’s work when you read Lord Draco: The Witch’s Knight. She has a witty sense of dialogue, and crafted unique, yet realistic characters, even with the paranormal elements. The storyline is fluidity at its best, and one will definitely not be disappointed with Lord Draco. Raquel Taylor will definitely capture your interest from the beginning, and hold onto it until the very end!
-Denise Kivett
Rogues and Romance
Heat Rating: *4- Cupid's Aphrodisiac
Violence Rating: *4- Fire Arrow
Official Blurb:
In order to save her brother from the curse of the Moldovan werewolves, Ileana Caragea--shunned and a witch--must call upon Lord Draco Constantinescu, King of the Romanian vampires, and his bevy of vampiric beauties. Draco is irresistibly drawn to the lovely human witch. He agrees to help her, but in return he demands a night of passion. Pleasure and pain intermingle as Ileana surrenders to the domineering seduction of the vampire Lord as he wipes away her loneliness with his hot, all-consuming caresses. Together, this wickedly sensual couple battle overwhelming supernatural odds.
Happy Reading!
*Dee*
