Another Place and Time by Cara Preston

Title: Another Place and Time

Author: Cara Preston

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 01/24/10

ISBN: 978-1-60435-610-6

Genre: Paranormal

Length: 67 pgs

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Rating: 1.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 05/12/10

Is there such thing as a soul mate? Trina's divorce has left her shaken and wondering. Then someone comes along who totally blows her away. Ben is different. It's as though he's from another era, but is he? Paranormal events lead her to believe that he is from another time zone. Will she take a chance on him and find love again?

The idea behind this story was wonderful, but I just didn’t care for how it was written. I felt that it was being geared toward a much younger audience (like 6^th graders.)From time to time there was head hopping (not sure how editing didn’t catch that) despite the fact that it was purely from the heroine’s perspective.

Again it was a really creative idea, and obviously the author has the writing muse within her. Perhaps this just isn’t her best work, and I have faith that her next work will be much better.

Blood Tapestry by Ishbel Moore

Title: Blood Tapestry

Author: Ishbel Moore

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 308 pages

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Author Email: ilmoore@highspeedcrow.ca

Heat Level: sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 03/09/10

Blurb: When blood is shed betwixt new thread,

a brave man’s heart protects yer head.

Wash blood away betwixt new stitches,

live in fear of plots and switches.

These are the cautionary words told to the Crown Princess Floranza of Libona when she cuts her finger while working on a new tapestry. Within heartbeats Floranza's world begins to change. Her father the king is snatched from a horrible death by a stranger named DunKhan, a member of the highly skilled Intelligence network of the Nongris, who is newly charged with the responsibility of removing Floranza from potential harm. Floranza eventually agrees to go, but only because she wishes to find out who is behind the growing upheaval in her father's kingdom. During their journey through the continent of Charmangea, Floranza and DunKhan find themselves drawn to each other as they face magic, danger and political unrest at every turn. Their growing love seems not to be however, as a Nongris cannot marry, and a Crown Princess cannot be any man's 'woman'.

I love, love, love, this story! It was wonderfully structured and creative, and I found myself swept into the world Ishbel created. The characters come alive in your mind’s eye and the plot has many twists that will keep you guessing until the end. Despite the fact it’s a sweet romance, you definitely pick up on the spark of chemistry between the heroine and hero. Their developing relationship isn’t overshadowed by the rest of the story—which can happen in sweet romances. I normally prefer spicy and erotic romances—which is the genre I write—but this love story won me over.

Montana Rose by Sherry Derr-Wille

Title: Montana Rose

Author: Sherry Derr-Wille

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 11/09

ISBN: 978-1-60435-424-9

Genre: Historical

Length: 322 pgs

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Rating: 2.75 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 12/14/09

Rose McKinney has lived her entire life at the Purple Moon cathouse in St. Louis. When the man she has always considered her father dies and leaves her his ranch in Montana, the Rocking M, she leaves vowing to sell the property and return as soon as possible. Once on the ranch, she learns not only must she stay for one year before she can sell, but also that her father's murder is one mystery she needs to solve before more deaths occur on the Rocking M.

Cameron Blake has found refuge on the Rocking M, not only for him but also for his son. His first impression of Rose is that she's someone he wants nothing to do with. It's evident she's a whore and he certainly doesn't need that kind of influence around his thirteen year old son. It isn't until he becomes completely involved in solving the murder of his former boss, that he comes to see Rose in an entirely different light. 

I really enjoyed the setting and world building in this release. It was very real to me and I found myself daydreaming of what life was like in 19th century Montana. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the cattle rustling as well. The hero and heroine were realistic to me and I could see each growing emotionally as they left their pasts behind. This was a sweet romance, with a couple of chaste kisses, which I respect as this is what is expected with the 'Sweet' heat level. I was disappointed that I really felt no chemistry between the hero and heroine, and in the end almost felt they had fallen into a marriage of convenience  I couldn't see the spark of love growing between them. If you're looking for a good historical mystery with a romantic element this is a good read, and I would have rated it a 4 outside of a romance review site. I did enjoy the story very much, but not as a romance.