Review for Tracy Cooper-Posey's last book in her series Blood Stone, "Blood Ascended"

What an adventure this has been, suspenseful, sensual, surprising to the end. This fifth and last book in Tracy Cooper-Posey's Blood Stone Series, is once again filled with strong characters, fighting for the continuation of the human race. We have Rory, a NASA physicist, Sasha, a spy, and Dante, a former football hero. They, along with those we've met in the series previous stories, must fight nightly to save not only mankind, but vampires and others that call earth home, against the man eating race called the Summanus. While these three work out their desires and fears of being together, they learn that man is losing this war. They are not only out numbered but have been betrayed. Grab this final adventure of the Blood Stone Series and feel the power of love and desire, of strength and fear, of hopelessness but the courage and willingness to give all. I hate to see a great series end, but if it must, what an ending it is

My review for V.A. Dold's "First Kiss" from her new series K.I.S.S.

I love V.A. Dold's writing so I had no hesitation in reading her first book in her new K.I.S.S. series. Well, I was correct, it was just as good. We have two people who have sworn away from love. Both of them for different reasons, but both stubborn enough to stick to it. We have Joe, a widower with 2 kids, whose a ranch foreman and a modern day cowboy all the way from his boots to his Stetson. We also have Carol, who was betrayed by her boyfriend and has uprooted to come for a new beginning and help her friend set up a new medical office. The first time they meet each other is unexpected, but for Joe it, well it completely overwhelms him and he can't understand what's happening to him. Carol can't help but notice his good looks and gentlemanly manners. So they agree to have tea together. It progresses slowly but unknown to Joe, Carol's past includes a traumatic event, that along with her recent betrayal has her afraid to trust any man. Well that's all I can say without giving spoilers, but be prepared for a great love story that also has danger in a great Texas country background. But fate won't be turned away. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good cowboy romance, and all that comes from a past filled with heartaches and fear.

Review for Tracy Cooper-Posey's "XENOGENESIS" from her SciFi Endurance Series

This fourth book in the Endurance series is for lack of a better phrase, thought provoking. You don't have to be a sci-fi fan to "get" the story behind Xenogenesis. It's now been over 500 years into a thousand year journey to a new home and things are not going well. In the previous book a new system of money saved the self sustaining ship and it's many passengers. That system is no longer working due to that old earth illness "greed." If something is not done quickly the ship will not be able to continue. Two former lovers, and an impressive IA, have figured out the problem and how to correct it; but the majority of those living on the ship don't even see the problem much less believe in this "cure." That means life threatening danger to the one's trying to save the future for all, especially now that they have discovered their feelings for each other is still there. They will have to go to extreme measures to prove what is happening and how it is the end for all if they can't. I don't give spoilers so I hope I gave you enough to be intrigued by what I have said. I highly recommend this book to all sci-fi fans, as well as anyone interested in the economics of running a world that depends so much on its inhabitants working and living for the good of all. Who knows what our future holds; our future generations could one day be traveling through space towards, hopefully, a better world. I truly cannot wait to see what the future holds for the future generations board this ship as it has to travel several more hundred years to its destination. Will it even make it?         

So Where Are The Thick Romance Heroines? Article by Tracy Cooper-Posey

 

 

Written by Tracy on May 7, 2012
Categories: Sex & Sensuality, The Romance Industry

 

 

 

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the recent rash of images on Facebook and elsewhere, of gorgeous women, who are in no way, shape or form, slender.  There’s a motivational poster out there called “Thick women” that has four not-slender women in various sexy poses, that encourages people to celebrate women in all their sizes.
It’s a laudable sentiment, and I encourage it.  Women should be appreciated for their inherent beauty, regardless of their current size.
BUT
Heroines in romance novels aren’t “thick”.  Every Hollywood A-List actress you could name is not “thick”.
When you read romance novels, do you ever image the heroine to be carrying the same excess weight as you?
I know I don’t.  The heroine is always the perfect weight I have never been.  She is my mirror image perfected.  She is me as I’ve never managed to achieve.
There was a short-lived attempt to portray “realistic” heroines, about fifteen years ago.  The Rubenesque romance line lived a short life and died quietly, unremarked.  These days, any romance heroine who is less than perfect is usually only found in chick lit or romances with a high comedic element, like Bridget Jones’ Diary, where the excess weight is part of the humour … as pathos.
We don’t like our heroines to be less than perfect.  I don`t believe Hollywood will be allowing their actors to gain weight any time soon, because the box office receipts will drop as the actors’ weights soar.
For the same reason, I don’t believe I would be willing to experiment with an overweight heroine in one of my romance novels.  I’m sure it would tank, just as my novels that feature non-Caucasian heroines do.
So while we’re saying we should celebrate the “real” shape of women, why do we cling to this perfect – and slender — image in books and movies?  I know I do it.
============================================

As you can see this was written several years ago and I'm glad to say, things have gotten better where BBW are concerned.  Being one myself, (maybe not the beautiful part) I'm glad to say there are now quite a few authors who have "Thick Heroines" in their books.  Two of them are Carmen Falcone (you can check out her books, here, in previous post) and VA Dold/Tori Austen. You can check out her books her as well.

So Where Are The Thick Romance Heroines? Article by Tracy Cooper-Posey

 

 

Written by Tracy on May 7, 2012
Categories: Sex & Sensuality, The Romance Industry

 

 

 

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the recent rash of images on Facebook and elsewhere, of gorgeous women, who are in no way, shape or form, slender.  There’s a motivational poster out there called “Thick women” that has four not-slender women in various sexy poses, that encourages people to celebrate women in all their sizes.
It’s a laudable sentiment, and I encourage it.  Women should be appreciated for their inherent beauty, regardless of their current size.
BUT
Heroines in romance novels aren’t “thick”.  Every Hollywood A-List actress you could name is not “thick”.
When you read romance novels, do you ever image the heroine to be carrying the same excess weight as you?
I know I don’t.  The heroine is always the perfect weight I have never been.  She is my mirror image perfected.  She is me as I’ve never managed to achieve.
There was a short-lived attempt to portray “realistic” heroines, about fifteen years ago.  The Rubenesque romance line lived a short life and died quietly, unremarked.  These days, any romance heroine who is less than perfect is usually only found in chick lit or romances with a high comedic element, like Bridget Jones’ Diary, where the excess weight is part of the humour … as pathos.
We don’t like our heroines to be less than perfect.  I don`t believe Hollywood will be allowing their actors to gain weight any time soon, because the box office receipts will drop as the actors’ weights soar.
For the same reason, I don’t believe I would be willing to experiment with an overweight heroine in one of my romance novels.  I’m sure it would tank, just as my novels that feature non-Caucasian heroines do.
So while we’re saying we should celebrate the “real” shape of women, why do we cling to this perfect – and slender — image in books and movies?  I know I do it.
============================================

As you can see this was written several years ago and I'm glad to say, things have gotten better where BBW are concerned.  Being one myself, (maybe not the beautiful part) I'm glad to say there are now quite a few authors who have "Thick Heroines" in their books.  Two of them are Carmen Falcone (you can check out her books, here, in previous post) and VA Dold/Tori Austen. You can check out her books her as well.

My review for Tracy Cooper-Posey's "Zoe's Blockade," from her Destiney's Trinities Series.

 

 

 

 

Okay I have one complaint, I WANT IT TO BE LONGER. I loved this story on the continuing Destiny's Trinity series. We have a new Trinity that consist of Zoe, Cole and Declan, and they have to be bonded quickly; we learn that this particular Trinity is quite different from the others. A surprisingly new paranormal is part of this group and before the end we have another surprise. Things are getting worse and the current groups are really working hard on locating the other Trinity's, while trying to keep up with the evil that is attacking the unaware human race. The three involved are really, and I mean really, taken by surprise and then top that off with the fact that it has to come to fruition quickly, as they come under attack. The Trinity's come together to fight them off and if they lose it could mean the end, for all the groups are needed to fight the evil. I really love the way you again meet characters from the previous Trinity stories; it's exciting to see them still involved and what they do to help. I try not to give spoilers but know I have to give you enough to grab and reel you in. If you love the paranormal you will love "Zoe's Blockade" and as for me, I can't wait to read the next story.

Review for Ann Gimpel's "A Run for Her Money" Book 3 in her Alphas in the Wild series

Wow !! At heart I'm a sci-fi nerd and this third book in the Alpha's in the Wild Series, "A Run for Her Money" fits in that genre, along with adventure, thrills, surprising twists, strong characters, sexy love, and a dog; LOVED it. What starts out as a routine park ranger mission, turns into a struggle for survival as Sara discovers that something terrible has happened. At the same time a backpacker is trying desperately to get to a safe haven after evading detection from what seems to be some kind of attack. You'll have to read this story to learn what transpires when these two meet and what they have to go through to survive and learn what has happened. They meet other survivors and what follows next, well all I can say is I want this made into a movie. Get the collection, get them separately, but get these books and you will love reading about these Alpha women and what they go through to make it to a new and better day.

Review for Ann Gimpel's "Alpine Attraction" from her Alphas in the Wild series

Well the mountain climbing background in this second book of the series, Alpine Attraction, was something knew for me. The alpha in this story is Tina and seven years earlier while climbing solo in the Andes she was on the brink of losing her life when unexpected help came. But in order to be saved she had to swear to come back in seven years. The experience changed her life; even leaving a good man, Craig, who loved her. We go forward and she is horrifically reminded that the seven years is almost up. This time she knows better than to go alone, and learns that Craig is taking an expedition up the same mountain and signs on as his medic. This story puts you right there with her as she once again is climbing the mountain. We feel her strength and independence mixed in with fear of the unknown. I recommend this story to anyone interested in native legends, magic, courage, and love. When you finish you'll either want to find a mountain to climb or get as far away from them as you can.

Review for Ann Gimpel's "Hello Darkness" the first book in her Alphas in the Wild series

In this first book in the series Alpha's in the Wild, "Hello Darkness," a woman in charge of a crew for the Park Service, was used and abused by the last man in her life. She's moved on and is stronger for it. Ready for a new assignment to prove herself, but as can happen, her pass gets in the way. An old love comes back, one that hurt her badly but has a story to tell her why. Her new assignment takes her to the backwoods to find her crew and get a job done. Then things get really strange; if she didn't know better she'd swear evil was out to get her. This is my first read that has a native American in it and it's not always good thing in this story. We have a story of the strength of love no matter how much time has passed and the obsessive madness of not letting go due to hate. I recommend this first of three stories in this series of strong Alpha women. Now to get to the second book so I can let you know if its a thumbs up like this first one was

Laxmi Hariharan's "Awakened" Review

Laxmi Hariharan's "Awakened"; it's how the world in her series, Many Lives, begins. It has so much going on you don't dare put it down till you finish. It's the story of a young girl, Ruby, who as a child wanted only to be loved, something she never felt from her parents, especially her mother. Due to this absence of love, she commits a horrific act and runs away. Now a young woman, she miraculously lives through an attempt on her life and is forever changed. She can see on her body the physical changes and the pain it causes her when she seems to be in danger. But there are more changes that she will not know till later (and I'm not telling). This also bring into her life a protector, Vik, a policeman; only she's not sure what his real goal is, nor what her true feelings for him are. Then her mother comes back into her life causing death and destruction to make a so-called better world. Ruby's story is very powerful, magical one and how this story ends, well it's the end of life as she knew it and the beginning of a new one for mankind.

 

 

 

 

 

Box Set "Fall into Magic" 20 magical stories by 20 great authors

There seems to some great stories in this set, written my some terrific authors. The one I started out with is Laxmi Hariharan's "Awakened"; it's how the world in her series, Many Lives, begins. It has so much going on you don't dare put it down till you finish. It's the story of a young girl, Ruby, who as a child wanted only to be loved, something she never felt from her parents, especially her mother. Due to this absence of love, she commits a horrific act and runs away. Now a young woman, she miraculously lives through an attempt on her life and is forever changed. She can see on her body the physical changes and the pain it causes her when she seems to be in danger. But there are more changes that she will not know till later (and I'm not telling). This also bring into her life a protector, Vik, a policeman; only she's not sure what his real goal is, nor what her true feelings for him are. Then her mother comes back into her life causing death and destruction to make a so-called better world. Ruby's story is very

Ann Gimpel's Alphas in the Wild Collection Books 1-3 Review

In this first book in the series Alpha's in the Wild, "Hello Darkness," a woman in charge of a crew for the Park Service, she's been used and abused by the last man in her life. She's moved on and is stronger for it. Ready for a new assignment to prove herself, but as can happen, her pass gets in the way. An old love comes back, one that hurt her badly but has a story to tell her why. Her new assignment takes her to the backwoods to find her crew and get a job done. Then things get really strange; if she didn't know better she'd swear evil was out to get her. This is my first read that has a native American in it and it's not always good thing in this story. We have a story of the strength of love no matter how much time has passed and the obsessive madness of not letting go due to hate. I recommend this first of three stories in this series of strong Alpha women. Now to get to the second book so I can let you know if its a thumbs up like this first one was.

Well the mountain climbing background in this second book of the series, Alpine Attraction, was something knew for me. The alpha in this story is Tina and seven years earlier while climbing solo in the Andes she was on the brink of losing her life when unexpected help came. But in order to be saved she had to swear to come back in seven years. The experience changed her life; even leaving a good man, Craig, who loved her. We go forward and she is horrifically reminded that the seven years is almost up. This time she knows better than to go alone, and learns that Craig is taking an expedition up the same mountain and signs on as his medic. This story puts you right there with her as she once again is climbing the mountain. We feel her strength and independence mixed in with fear of the unknown. I recommend this story to anyone interested in native legends, magic, courage, and love. When you finish you'll either want to find a mountain to climb or get as far away from them as you can.

Wow !! At heart I'm a sci-fi nerd and this third book in the Alpha's in the Wild Series, "Run for Her Money" fits in that genre, along with adventure, thrills, surprising twists, strong characters, sexy love, and a dog; LOVED it. What starts out as a routine park ranger mission, turns into a struggle for survival as Sara discovers that something terrible has happened. At the same time a backpacker is trying desperately to get to a safe haven after evading detection from what seems to be some kind of attack. You'll have to read this story to learn what transpires when these two meet and what they have to go through to survive and learn what has happened. They meet other survivors and what follows next, well all I can say is I want this made into a movie. Get the collection, get them separately, but get these books and you will love reading about these Alpha women and what they go through to make it to a new and better day.