The third book in the compelling Esri series brings the battle between those who live in Esria and the humans in our world ever closer to being lost by us, unless two brave individuals can accomplish the highly improbable. Pamela Palmer lets readers experience many daring escapades right along with her engaging hero and heroine, where nothing is certain until the final moment.

While most of humanity does not even realize they are about to come under the control of the Esri, a group of beings hidden in a location that somehow exists in Earth’s plane, there are an informed few who will do what it takes to keep this threat from ever spreading . Though Charlie Rand knows his upcoming mission may be his last, he would willingly forfeit his life if there is even a slight chance he can stop the Esri from being able to come through the gates that have been closed for many years but are now starting to once again open. The Esrian princess, Ilaria, may be able to keep her people from entering into our world, and he has vowed to bring her back if she can be freed from those holding her captive.

Since Charlie was once a Navy SEAL, he hopes his training will prove useful during the risky mission. When he receives unexpected help from Tarrys, a former slave to the Esri, he quickly comprehends her assistance will be needed in the extraordinary environment. There will be a number of obstacles to overcome before these two can even get close to where the princess is being held, and some are physical while others will be exceedingly emotional.

A paranormal story by Pamela Palmer is fascinating at all times. Any supernatural aspects are creatively original, and their uniqueness grabs the interest of the reader from the start and keeps you thoroughly entertained during every scene. The Esri series is particularly distinctive in who wants to control humans and where they reside. In A WARRIOR’S DESIRE, the fight for the human race heats up in earnest as time is running out and both sides are determined to be the victor. Charlie is definitely a hero in numerous ways, from his ability to fight for what he believes to the manner in which he responds to Tarrys on several levels. Although he is a seasoned military soldier, he can understand the need to hand over command of any undertakings if he is not qualified. I loved seeing a petite woman give him directions, and every situation where this occurred is depicted with such honest reactions. While Charlie may not have wanted to let his heart become involved in the mission and keeps telling himself to remember this fact, the way he interacts with Tarrys on quite a few occasions proved his mind was not always listening, especially when his hormones take them on a sensuous journey. The life she has led as a slave is explained with much clarity, and I certainly admired her courage in coming back to Esria. Neither of these two gives up easily, and I can only hope there would be someone like them around if an incident like this would actually take place. The locale of the story is told with an abundance of colorful descriptions, making me envision each moment to the fullest. The ending perfectly sets up the last book in the series, where the conflict between these two groups will finally be decided. A WARRIOR’S DESIRE is magically captivating plus emotively romantic.

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The Perfect, Wyoming continuity series is about a town overtaken by an untrustworthy man and those devoted to his cause. In the second book, Linda Conrad takes two people who have suffered through distressing moments in their pasts and gives them a chance at finally having a happy life.

When her daughter was born, Susannah Paul thought she was the most beautiful little girl in the world, despite a slight blemish. She had come to live in Cold Plains, Wyoming after being abandoned to look after herself, and she had believed a group known as Devotees with whom she came to reside were decent and would help her after the baby was born. What she came to realize is that the group would see her daughter as imperfect, and Susannah knew she could not stay in the town any longer. Fleeing one night, she manages to hide herself and the baby at a nearby ranch where Nathan Pierce finds her.

Discovering a woman with a very young baby is not the way Nathan wanted his day to start. When he hears she had been one of the Devotees living in town, he does not know whether he can trust anything she says. He has dealt with these people in the past, and none of the situations turned out well. After deciding to let them stay on the ranch for a short time, Nathan starts to see his life in a different way because of Susannah. She has previously let herself be fooled by people who are experts at getting someone to follow their directions, and now she much decide if she can trust those who live on the Pierce ranch.

Linda Conrad perfectly blends romance and suspense. In RANCHER’S PERFECT BABY RESCUE, the love story is between a couple who probably would have never met if not for the element of danger following the heroine. The trepidation of never knowing when something might happen ups the tension between Nathan and Susannah. This causes the number of problems in their lives to escalate, as they are concerned about what the Devotees might possibly do and they cannot keep their own feelings from becoming involved in the lives of each other. Nathan is a take-charge guy, and he is determined to solve the predicament Susannah is facing. She has never had anyone stand up for her and finds it difficult to believe everything can work out well for her. This is a story about what someone is willing to do in order to keep another person safe, and a myriad of emotions are portrayed whenever a situation forces them to make a quick decision. Ms. Conrad has always been able to let her characters convey genuine sentiments, no matter what circumstances arise. From despair to joy to desire, the moment in which these responses are depicted is shown with realism, as several outbursts can attest. While this story wraps up one of the questions needing answers, there are still plenty of mysteries to be solved in upcoming releases in the Perfect, Wyoming continuity series. RANCHER’S PERFECT BABY RESCUE is packed with heartfelt emotions, tender passion and sinister threats.

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The Harlequin Nocturne Cravings line is about paranormal beings and told with plenty of sensuous passion plus deadly peril. The first book by Olivia Gates for this line far surpasses my expectations, as the sex is blazingly hot while threats will decide the future of two beloved individuals.

Vidar is one of the twelve Originals of Loki’s Legion, and he once enjoyed procuring mortal recruits for the Norse god he serves. After having lived for thousands of years, he is beginning to feel there is no purpose in his life and has even thought about dying. When he spies a gorgeous woman in a bar one night, she intrigues him and awakens something inside him. Unfortunately, a large group of enemies challenge him at about the same time, and he knows either them or he will not be alive for much longer when they go outside to confront each other. He also thinks he will never see the enticing woman again.

When Kara felt compelled to enter the bar, she had no idea there would be a man inside who would profoundly consume her entire focus. Upon sensing danger, she quickly decides to aid him and steps in to do what she can. Vidar is stunned by how the mortal Kara not only helps him but seems to desire him as much as he does her. They give in to the overwhelming passion controlling them, and experience sex as they never have before. While they might wish for many more nights together, Vidar and Kara know their lives are much too different for any relationship to be long lasting.

Olivia Gates can write in any genre and keep me thoroughly entertained. Regardless of the Harlequin line, I have found each of her stories to be original and extremely creative. Her vivid descriptions make scenes come alive, as the reader can actually visualize every situation taking place. The emotional impact of her tales is also just as noteworthy with the way thoughts and actions seem so true-to-life. While these Nocturne Cravings stories may be rather short, the plot is still very engaging and the fate of the characters becomes more important as time passes. IMMORTAL, INSATIABLE, INDOMITABLE draws you into the fascinating lives of Vidar and Kara from start to finish, keeping your mind completely engrossed in every second of their story. Ms. Gates has the remarkable ability to make you believe in whatever is happening, as I never questioned whether any of the paranormal aspects depicted could not truly occur. Norse mythology can be found all through IMMORTAL, INSATIABLE, INDOMITABLE, and how it is entwined with the romance between Vidar and Kara is particularly clever and is significant plus even surprising. The sexual longing shared by these two is sky-high from their initial glance, and this fiery heat only flames hotter with every new encounter. Ms. Gates is a master when it comes to portraying explosive sex scenes, and there are quite a high number described in this story. IMMORTAL, INSATIABLE, INDOMITABLE is fervently passionate and captivating with imaginative paranormal scenarios.

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Sir Lawrence Daunton’s reputation as a reckless womanizer is legendary. His rakish ways and irrepressible behavior shocks and delights members of the Ton and the scandal sheets are kept busy writing about his many conquests and numerous amorous adventures. Frequently surrounded by a group of fervent admirers who hang onto his every word, Sir Lawrence doesn’t have that many opportunities to enjoy his own company – which is why, at Christmas, he decides to refuse every single invitation that comes his way and to spend the Yuletide season by himself, in his hunting lodge, with only the contents of his cellar for company. But no sooner has Lawrence poured his first glass of wine that he is interrupted by an insistent knock at the door…

Schoolteacher Rose Westerhill had set out into the snow to visit a friend – she certainly never expected to be trapped in a hunting lodge with the Ton’s most notorious rake! The prim and proper widow had read about Sir Lawrence’s shocking exploits in the scandal sheets – and not been the slightest bit impressed. Rose is determined not to be compromised by Sir Lawrence’s infamous charm and masterful seduction, but resistance soon proves to be futile…

Rose has always had to be sensible and practical, but Sir Lawrence’s expert ministrations awaken long suppressed feelings deep within her. In his arms, Rose forgets her duties, her responsibilities – and her promise to marry a man she doesn’t love! Rose had once married a man for love and ended up regretting it, so she’s determined to put all that romantic nonsense out of her head and to marry someone who will provide her with the security and stability which she so desperately craves. Her nights of sin with Sir Lawrence can only ever be a temporary interlude, but Rose hadn’t counted on the effect which she had on the Ton’s infamous rogue!

Matrimony has never held much appeal for Sir Lawrence, but a life without straitlaced Rose Westerhill doesn’t seem too appealing either! Will he manage to convince her to abandon caution and to take a second chance on love? Or will his plan to win Rose’s hand be thwarted by somebody intent on destroying him…

An exquisite blend of vivid period detail, rip-roaring adventure and powerful romance, Snowbound with the Notorious Rake is a spectacular Regency romance that will go down a treat with fans of Mary Balogh and Loretta Chase.

With a charming heroine, a devilishly roguish hero, dramatic twists and turns aplenty and an enchanting romantic story, Snowbound with the Notorious Rake is another outstanding Regency romance from a writer who continues to affirm her position as one of the genre’s most gifted authors!

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Tragedy had pushed Jamilah and Salman together as children, and the two had formed a close bond that had made childhood a more tolerable and less onerous burden. The two children had vowed to be friends for life, but things changed significantly when, as adults, friendship and familiarity had given way to sizzling passion!

Having left the desert kingdom of Merkazad for the bright lights of Paris, a grown up Jamilah had been surprised to bump into her childhood friend, Salman. The young boy whom she had worshipped and idolized for most of her life had grown into a charismatic, powerful and devastatingly attractive man who had made it quite clear that he wanted Jamilah in his bed! Unable to resist the man who had been the object of her affections ever since she was a girl, Jamilah had succumbed to his seduction and soon found herself falling head over heels in love with Salman. Jamilah had been convinced that Salman reciprocated her feelings, however, she had been shocked when she had walked in on the love of her life seducing another woman. A devastated Jamilah had walked out of Salman’s life and gone back to Merkazad where she had tried to forget all about her heartbreak and Salman’s betrayal by working her fingers to the bone at the Sheikh’s stables.

Five years had passed since the day Salman had rejected her so brutally, but Jamilah has never been able to forget him. Happily settled in Merkazad, she loves her job and adores the fact that Salman seldom visits the desert kingdom. However, things in Merkazad are about to change…

Salman saunters back into Jamilah’s life – and this time he makes it clear that he’s here to stay! Jamilah is determined to give Salman a very wide berth, but little does she realize that the only man she has ever loved is determined to continue where they left off. Salman is determined to have Jamilah back in his bed, and he is not in the least bit surprised when she is unable – and unwilling – to resist his tempting advances. But Salman has already broken Jamilah’s heart once and she will not make the same mistake twice…

Salman has always run away from commitment, but this time he finds himself reluctant to leave Jamilah behind. However, Jamilah knows that she must not contemplate a future with the man she has never stopped loving for she has a devastating secret that she cannot risk Salman ever finding out…

Abby Green has got a marvelous ability of making exotic locations come splendidly to life and in Secrets of the Oasis, she describes the desert kingdom of Merkazad so beautifully that the reader can almost feel the sun on her face and sand underneath her toes. Add to this, a breathtakingly passionate romance, an inspirational heroine and a sexy Sheikh hero and you have a first-rate Harlequin Presents novel from one of the line’s fastest rising stars.

Regardless of whether you enjoy Sheikh romances or not, when you pick up Secrets of the Oasis, you are sure to fall under the mesmerizing spell of Jamilah and Salman’s story. Believable, tender and outstanding, this is contemporary romance at its most compelling!

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