Allow Me...The Romantic Poet...

Whenever I'd like to read beautiful, romantic poetry, I turned to my friend Spencer's words... What do you think?

Allow Me

Allow my dedication
my devotion to your heart.
Allow my cravings
which arose from the start.

Allow my caresses
the churning needs I have.
Allow tender touches
to your body like a salve.

Allow my kisses
to draw you right in
to remind you of places
you've never ever been.

Allow my strummings
to raise your body's desire.
Allow my loving
to set your soul on fire.

Allow my sensations
to touch your body's pleasure
and bring on sensations
beyond your wildest measure.

Allow me to trigger
your most inner needs
as I'm learning to love you
just one of my pleads.

Del Cano 2005 Sept

Historical Romantic Novel Spotlights Women's Role as Property...

Image via Wikipedia

―King Edward has decreed
 that you will marry
Lord Montrose upon his arrival
 at Middlemound."

Their Lady Gloriana


By Starla Kaye











Middlemound Castle, England, June 1272


"Riders come, my lady! Two of them," a guard called down from the parapet to Gloriana where she stood in the gardens. "They bear the King‘s banner."


She raised her head toward the guard and felt chills spiraling up her spine. News. Bad news. She sensed it to her soul. "Allow…" She had to clear her throat before she could finish. "Allow them entry."




It always angers me how women were treated in the past. Lady Gloriana was a perfect example--her husband had been extremely abusive of her in every way, so much so that everybody who lived in the castle knew it and had grown to hate her husband as much as Gloriana.

She had taken over as chatelaine while her husband had traveled to war. Now Sir Gerald stood by her, promising her that he would protect her but knowing, perhaps he could not? Still he would try...

Lady Gloriana had felt it was bad news when the soldiers came. Indeed they were there to tell her that her husband had been killed in battle. I just know that she would have been rejoicing; however, before she had a chance to even comment, she was told that the King had decreed she would marry Lord Rowan Montrose, who was to take over all of Lord Middlemound's men and properties.

Apparently the King had the right to decree a marriage for Gloriana...NOT something to make her happy! Indeed!

In fact, Lady Gloriana was very much afraid. No matter that Sir Gerald had sworn allegiance to her as a father would. No matter that everybody in the castle had grown to love her... The new owner could treat her just as he wanted--maybe even worse than Lord Middlemound!

Fortunately, Lord Montrose had heard rumors about how his predecessor had treated women. Still, he wasn't totally prepared when Gloriana faced him and declared that she would never again be treated as she had been. Perhaps he started to fall in love with her that very moment...

Lord Montrose was so tired of war that he had already given up his commission and would be spending his future training other soldiers. His first knight Thomas had decided not to take the rule of a castle/lands as had been offered, preferring to stay with Rowan and help in the training. Indeed he hoped that he would never have to leave Rowan, who had not only saved his life during battle but had become much more... but now he was being forced to wed...

What surprised Gloriana most about what was happening was that she found herself not only attracted to her intended husband, but also to his first knight...

Readers should be aware that Their Lady Gloriana is an erotic romance. I found the story line authentic to the day and especially enjoyed Gloriana as she took a stand to ensure her abuse was all in the past. Expansion of the story related to having children provided additional tension to the success or failure of this mandated marriage. Fans of historical fiction should thoroughly enjoy this one...just remember, light on history, heavy on the erotic scenes...

Book Received
from Publisher


GABixlerReviews

Review: All Great Books - This Was My Favorite from Rohm!



Image by Jay Tamboli via Flickr

Sandrina danced wildly, freely at the Voodoo secret ceremony

 The Secret Life  of Sandrina M.



By Jessica Dee Rohm






Of her three novels, The Secret Life of Sandrina M. by Jessica Dee Rohm, was my favorite. Perhaps it was the erotic touch of her secret life...but, maybe more, it was the sharing of that life with her readers. It is not easy to analyze your own actions, especially at the time you are directly involved in those actions, so Rohm's creation of a character who we see agonizing over her actions, while still involved, created an intimacy of realism for all of us to share. We became much more involved and concerned and wanted it all to be "OK" for her, even as we knew she was playing with fire...

Perhaps that secret life was a direct response to having a miscarriage. She had wanted the child, but knew that her husband was satisfied with just the two of them. He had even suggested an abortion and then when the baby had died, had told her that it was for the best...

She had gained her Pygmalion status through Joshua who saw her potential and began to mentor her in all things needed for her success. She was introduced to all the right people and dressed by a personal shopper until she could fashionably dress herself. He even told her how and when to eat! And at the end, she was ready to enter the PR business as a leader. Of course Joshua arranged for her first client...and she had been offered their business!

Now she had her own company and was heading for Brazil at the suggestion of clients who would host her.

And there she met Warren, with whom she began her secret life, especially on the night he took her to a secret candomble ceremony where she was quickly separated from him and attendants helped her to be entered by the spirit of fertility and protection... 

During her trance, she was once against going through her miscarriage and in her heart she blamed her husband...

But two things were happening back home. Michael, her husband, was facing major business problems and maybe legal action, based upon what his brother had done without his knowledge.

At the same time, a woman who worked for her and who she had recently promoted, was moving fast to corner Sandrina's clients through lies, tricks and two-faced backstabbing...

Sandrina had learn to be sharp and was an intelligent professional woman but when she learned that her mentor, Joshua had died while she was traveling, she was devastated.  But with the types of problems that could end both her personal and professional life, she had to act swiftly and with no holds barred! Sandrina is a woman ever woman should meet! She trusts easily, but when she is attacked, she acts immediately to hold what is hers. She is powerful, but her personal integrity shines through--you gotta love her!

I loved this story! Thoroughly enjoyable drama and a fantastic female lead character...A wonderful combination for readers!

Home for the holidays? Spend time with Jessica and her savvy sexy lead females even if you have to buy them and put them under the tree yourself! Don't forget to check out my reviews for all three books and my interview with the author...next!

Book Received Via
Bostick Communications

G. A. Bixler

Review: Only the Lonely by Susan Gabriel Presents Unique Drama!

Image by Loelle via Flickr

Only the Lonely


By Susan Gabriel

Black Velvet Seductions
ISBN: 9780980224665
170 Pages


A Sensuous Journey from Black Velvet Seductions has once again surprised me with the unique book—Only the Lonely by Susan Gabriel!

Summer Solstice is a late-night radio talk show host who spends time each night sharing and talking with those that are alone—and lonely. Her voice is low and sexy as she talks through issues about lost relationships or fighting off those that call just wanting to talk about getting together!

Until one night she gets a call from Bob. She can hear and feel his fear is real and in trying to calm him, she reveals a secret about herself. A secret she should never have shared!

Worse, her next caller picks up on her revelation and wants to talk more about it!

Even worse—when she goes outside for a cigarette, the last caller is there waiting for her!

Though younger than she is, she recognizes maturity and his eyes seem to reveal years of experience. Having the “face of an angel” and a body that spoke clearly to Summer—things that her own was quite interested in hearing! His name was Lucien and their relationship would not be denied, though they were from different worlds!

Oh yes, quite different worlds! Lucien is a centuries-old vampire.

He feeds on the lonely, those who are so lonely they actually want to leave this world.

And so, when Bob, the fan who had called her and confessed his fear that he was seeing vampires, was found dead, unfortunately, Summer immediately realized that Lucien might be the one who had killed him. And then more fans of her late-night show were found dead, wearing a t-shirt that she had just distributed that week!

Then Summer is attacked and seriously hurt right after she realizes who was killing her fans.

After a very erotic beginning to this book, readers are suddenly pulled into a different world. Summer is unable to care for herself and has no family to help. A vampire as a caregiver? Who knew that was possible?!

The dramatic switch that ended this book left a much more lasting impression on this reader than the one that most of us would have expected. Susan Gabriel has succeeded in creating sympathy, understanding, and even admiration for her lead vampire character, in Only the Lonely. The beginning was fun; the ending memorable—you can’t lose with that combination! Highly recommended, with alert for the adult content.

Book Provided Free By
Black Velvet Seductions

G. A. Bixler

Review: Great International Finance Drama Out - Bravo!

Coming for Money


By F. W. vom Scheidt

Blue Butterfly Book Publishing Inc.

ISBN: 9780978498283
264 Pages


"Some days it felt like the money left blood on my hands. Not the weary allusion to the stains of Iscariot..." (p. 1)

As I started to read Coming for Money by F. W. Vom Scheidt, I found myself stopping, going back, and rereading paragraphs just to enjoy reading it again. The beautiful, relaxed words, phrasing, had not been what I'd expected. Instead of the fast-paced action adventure I had anticipated, I was forced to sit back, and enjoy the contemplative literary fiction of a master writer! What a delight!

International Investment broker Paris Smith was at the top of his game, making more money for his company than any other broker. Then his wife became ill and love for her won out as Paris took off work to care for her. And even when he came back quickly, too quickly, he had not had time to grieve his loss.

But, apparently loving and caring for his wife was a no-no in the mind of Smith's boss! Because he began to make things harder for him and, when it most counted--when Paris had created a major $100 million bond deal--his boss did not support him at all!

Greed and jealousy--the major problems in high finance. One major player did not appreciate a small company taking on this major deal, so they worked behind the scenes to manipulate and blackmail an important participant into firing the involved employee and withdrawing from the deal.

But for the first time in a long time, Paris began to regain his savvy awareness of those who were corrupt and acting purely for selfish reasons. He started his own investigation, his own interaction with the men who were honorable, or at least much better than those who were purely "out for the gold." And if, on the way, he might have to cut deals, he knew, at least within himself, he would find his way back!

And during all this, he found his humanity, his need for love returning--and he worked hard to find his way back there too!

F. W. vom Scheidt clearly has the expertise to write fiction centering around the sometimes totally unknown world of high finance. He writes indepth, specific accounts, but is able to do so in a practical, credible manner that allows each of us to both learn and experience the impact one or a few people can make when the stakes are extremely high!

Based upon my administrative background, I was able to empathize to some extent with the main character and thoroughly enjoyed every action, every event that was faced by Paris Smith. I applaud the author for taking an inside look into those within the financial arena who must fight through the greed and dishonesty that is often found. It is gratifying to read that, sometimes, the "little guy," although he occupies a high-level position, is working hard and steadily to stay true to basic values we all look for.

Bravo to F. W. vom Scheidt! Coming for Money is the perfect complement to all of the newspaper accounts of national and international finance--surely a must-read for many!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Guardians of Immortal Truth Closes Month for Spotlighted Author Ruby Moon-Houldson

Guardians Of Immortal Truth
By Ruby Moon-Houldson
E-Book Time, LLC
ISBN: 9781608620487
146 Pages


Book 8 of the Guardian series goes hi-tech! Hephate had foreseen thousands of years ago what would happen in the 20th century. Now, in Guardians Of Immortal Truth by Ruby Moon-Houldson, the Guardian must lead the fight as the evil vampires use computer technology in the worse possible ways!

Tracking their next meal... Gaining power over the middle realm...

Many of The Benevolent Ones that have been permitted to live in the day are now being tracked and killed. Mortals are being tracked like cattle, slaughtered anywhere they happen to be, found via an embedded computer chip.

But even during the latest crisis, Jadyn is called upon to advise and guide one of her important team members. Jorrell who has risked his life over and over admits that he has fallen in love with a mortal! Taking on the role of family, Jadyn and Christopher agree to meet Kira. Sure enough, Kira is part of The Plan! Not only is she willing to “love a vampire,” she works for one of the computer companies that produces the hardware now being led by evil and used for their purposes and agrees to help the Varatoos in preventing the deadly use to which computers have been diverted.

Working to eliminate all of the tracking systems used brought about retaliation by the evil vampires. A group of children has been kidnapped and held at a power plant, in which bombs have been placed! While everybody works together to save the children, Jadyn hides the fact that she has already gone into labor!

Rayna Amara Rina Varatoo is born... How, where, and delivered by whom is a beautiful tale that you must read yourself!

Readers of Ruby Moon-Houldson have come to realize that her books do not “close” easily...there is always one final issue that must be handled. This time, Jadyn and Christopher meet Liercuf, The Evil One, at Wizard Island...for a little...discussion...

A mortal-vampire wedding, children being kidnapped, bombs destroying power plants, a most special baby born—another story about all things normal happening in the lives of the Varatoo family!

Please note that Guardians of Immortal Truth by Ruby Moon-Houldson is dedicated to Virgil Franklin whose CD, “Night Sins,” was influenced by the Guardian Series. It includes 13 selections, two of which are called, “Guardians of the Night,” and “Jadyn’s Theme.” A separate review of Night Sins has been written.

Enjoy this latest must-read addition to one of the greatest fantasy series written!

~~~

The Guardian series is a sensuous escape into the fantasy world of the ages. I am thoroughly hooked! When I read the More Than Angels books, I declared Moon-Houldson a must-read author. However, the Guardian series, in an entirely different genre, forces, yes, forces me to consider this author a Creative Genius! Book reviews cannot begin to describe the fascinating complexity, compelling storyline and sensuality of these stories. While based upon well-researched somehow familiar magical stories, each idea from Moon-Houldson is unique but totally interwoven into an intricate tale that becomes a reality into which readers invariably fall! Building suspense through character development and constantly more exciting and seemingly impossible challenges is almost magically done through brilliant writing! The Guardian series demands to be consumed!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Escape Into The Fantasy World Of The Ages!

The Guardian
By Ruby Moon-Houldson
E-Book Time, LLC
ISBN: 1598240595
184 Pages

The Guardian by Ruby Moon-Houldson is the prequel to the Guardian series. It was written as the sixth book in the series, upon request/demand of the followers. Let me stop here, if I may, to add my own opinion of this series--I am thoroughly hooked!

When I read the More Than Angels books, I declared Moon-Houldson a must-read author. However, the Guardian series, in an entirely different genre, forces, yes, forces me to consider this author a Creative Genius! Book reviews cannot begin to describe the fascinating complexity, compelling storyline and sensuality of these stories. While based upon well-researched somehow familiar magical stories, each idea from Moon-Houldson is unique but totally interwoven into an intricate tale that becomes a reality into which readers invariably fall! Building suspense through character development and constantly more exciting and seemingly impossible challenges is almost magically done through brilliant writing! The Guardian series demands to be consumed!

In the Upper Realms, where agape love existed among residents and the higher leaders, there were certain types of beings who were created to handle specific duties and responsibilities. They were given the skills and/or they were trained in magic to effectively respond to what was needed. But sometime in the past 2000 years, one individual who was a Guardian and one individual who was a Pure One, an angelic being, became aware that their feelings of love were so much more, even though forbidden.

The story of Hephate and Remiel, now known interchangeably as Jadyn and Christopher is the greatest love story of all time. Let me share how they met...

Christopher was a Pure One who had the responsibility to guard the Hall of Souls. He was the mightiest of them all, with a beautiful set of wings that spread as if he could encompass the world! He was extremely good-looking with a muscular body that made him a mighty warrior when he was called upon to protect against anything that was threatening the Upper Realms.

Hephate was created as a Guardian, but she was much more than that beautiful creature! One of Hephate's most important roles was to magically receive a new soul from the Hall and then deliver it to the Middle Realm where a woman would receive that soul especially selected for her new child/children.

And so it was that when Hephate was chosen to deliver her very first soul, she met Remiel...

Love at first sight happened for the first time in the Upper Realms! And continued for 1000 years with nothing shared between the two except a kiss on the forehead and a hug! But one day they magically attended a marriage ceremony in a middle realm small church. There, as the mortal couple spoke of their love, Remiel and Hephate spoke their own vows to each other!

Readers will have the opportunity to learn about the beauties of the various realms as Remiel and Hephate work, study, and spend leisure time together. Until that fateful day, when Hephate decided to go visit Remiel while he was guarding the Hall of Souls and Remiel chose to spend time talking with her. Two souls were stolen during those few minutes!

Remiel was condemned to live in the middle real as a pure vampire forever. Hephate was physically lashed and made to serve all other guardians. Until the loss of Remiel was so devastating that she cried out to The Great One and he allowed her to be born into the middle realm. And in that body, she carried two souls, for Remiel's had been taken when changed to a vampire!

There, where The Evil One now ruled, he had ensured that Christopher was attacked and changed into one of his followers, the evil vampires that dined on the blood of humans. Skylar, the first born Hephate, in the year 1290 found and fell in love with Christopher the vampire and they became lovers. But it was soon known that Skylar was really Hephate and The Evil One vowed to keep them apart. Skylar was burned at the stake based upon claims she was a witch...

And so it happened that every 100 years or so, Hephate would be reborn in the middle realm--until their love grew stronger and stronger, and Jadyn was born!

Could your love endure through thousands of years? Through the death of your loved one over and over? As I said, this is a love story like no other! Read The Guardian by Ruby Moon-Houldson to experience the agony and ecstasy of everlasting love...

The Guardian series is a sensuous escape into the fantasy world of the ages...

G. A. Bixler

Review: Guardians of Immortal Destiny - Best In Series!

Guardians of Immortal Destiny

By Ruby Moon-Houldson

E-Book Time, LLC

ISBN: 1598240560

242 Pages



Book 5 of the Series, Guardians of Immortal Destiny, by Ruby Moon-Houldson takes us into the Upper Realms! It’s not a new experience for Jadyn and Christopher. In fact, they were created and lived there before they fell in love!


Now, however, they must visit the Upper Realm to prepare for their greatest challenge! Attacks by evil vampires have been coming more often. The ones being sent have been specifically trained to know how to fight the Guardian and those who support her. They have a specific goal: to acquire and eliminate one or both of the Keys to their Destiny!


Of course, those Keys just happen to be the twin children of Christopher and Jadyn, Iri and Vukan, who are only 4 years old, but who were born with great power. It is they who one day, when The Great One decides the time, will rid the middle realm of all evil!


The evil vampires must move now while the children are young to destroy the keys or the way by which that will happen.


In the Upper Realms, Christopher and Jadyn not only have the opportunity to relive the precious moments of their earlier life, but they also discover the two who betrayed them while Christopher was in charge. Later, though it is difficult to forgive them, Jadyn finds that both come to help, one who willingly gives his life to save the keys!


The great love that exists within the Varatoo family is a major part of this novel, as Peyton marries Sabriel in a quiet Stonehenge ceremony. Sabriel, who first appeared in Peyton’s dreams, where she fell in love with him, had to first learn how to love as a human since he was chosen from the Upper Realms to be Peyton’s mate.


Adrian, on the other hand, met T’Vala while he was on a training trip and found his way to a community of followers of Hecate. When it was discovered that Adrian was the son of Hephate, it was immediately known that T’Vala had been chosen for him. Adrian, however, was not too sure of this!


One of the parts for all of the characters in this series that I find most refreshing is that each of them has a human part that arises in emotional situations. The families take time to eat together. Sabriel is given time to learn to love Peyton even though her love has moved much faster than his. And Adrian is allowed to express his fear of knowing why and how to love a woman. Indeed, the twins, at age 4, are caught in a magical moment of terror and it results in the death of a vampire. Seeing what they have done traumatizes them so much that they withdraw from performing the magic they had playfully used within their family. The children and chosen “in-laws” are comforted, loved, and then taught by Jadyn and Christopher to understand their emotions and to look forward to love and to use their magical skills when they must to save lives.


The challenge to save immortal destiny takes the entire family and all helpers to Antarctica, with each and every one playing an important part! Jadyn carries the Cabal of Dominion, which pulls all other magical devices together to create what is needed for the future! Even the twins play an important part. This excitingly original climax surpasses all that has come before! You just can’t miss this one! Best of series (in my opinion): Guardians of Immortal Destiny by Ruby Moon-Houldson!


G. A. Bixler

Review: Night Angel - A Heartwarming, Sizzling Romance

Night Angel
By Renee Reeves
Black Velvet Seductions Publishing
ISBN: 9780980224634
252 Pages

"...the first time I saw you...with the moonlight highlighting your face and hair...you looked like an angel, and right then I knew you were the woman I wanted."

Can a book be both heart-warming...and...sizzling at the same time? You bet--Night Angel by Renee Reeves is just that!

I've read a lot of books that feature abuse; it is never easy to read. However, I believe that the more we learn about the reality of what it does to people, the more we are able to speak out against and support those who have been abused! So, first, I applaud Renee Reeves for handling an extremely sensitive issue in such a well-written manner!

Morgan never had a chance. She was romanced and wooed by a professional who never touched her intimately until the night of their marriage, when they were on their honeymoon. Richard was his name. Richard took Morgan's virginity through rape and assault. That type of abuse lasted for six years until Richard was killed in an automobile accident. We are all glad he is dead! As Morgan admits, if he hadn't been killed, she probably would have been dead because the beatings were getting worse and worse.

Nick also never had a chance. He stayed in his bed at nights listening to his father rape and beat his mother, without being able to do anything. He and Jake, his brother, were also abused. Until Jake was 17 and big enough to defend himself, but by that time, it was too late--his father had murdered his mother! And Nick had taken his revenge.

Throughout the book, the past lives of both Morgan and Nick creep into their present lives. Morgan had moved to Montana to get away and start a new life. Nick and his brother had bought a ranch using money their grandfather had left them. Fate clearly brought the two together! Because as Morgan sought and found a perfect spot to be her hideaway, it just happened to be on Nick's property; they were now neighbors!

It was seeing one of the abused horses that Nick had saved and brought to the ranch that made Morgan realize that she could perhaps trust her feelings that were growing for Nick. There just was no doubt--she was very attracted to him and Nick felt the same. But Morgan's fears from her past came unbidden, even when she had no real reason to be afraid.

It was seeing his face painted on one of Morgan's canvases that made Nick realize that he might have a chance to win Morgan's love.

I read Night Angel in a day. It is easy reading and fast, especially in some parts... Those are the sizzling parts you'll have to enjoy yourself. I've shared the heartwarming story of two individuals, hurt and alone, but still willing to find and fight for a life-long love!

Like romance novels? Then Night Angel by Renee Reeves will take you on one of the "Sensuous Journeys" that is promised on the front cover. It's a winner!

G. A. Bixler