Liam's Perfect Woman by Beth Kery

Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 224

Released: July 19, 2011

From the Cover:

The moment Liam Kavanaugh first glimpsed the exotic beauty dancing across a moonlit beach, he was smitten. But he was in for the surprise of his life when she turned out to be Natalie Reyes! The big–city cop had returned to Harbor Town to be the chief of police. Instead, he was battling an intense attraction to the woman who was forcing him to confront his past…

The lone survivor of the crash that had destroyed their families, Natalie needed Liam's help to finally move past the tragedy that shattered her life. Yet the innocent beauty wasn't prepared for the passion that flared between them. And now her very future was in the hands of a man who just might be able to heal her heart with his loving touch… 

Natalie needs Liam's help. He's the only one who can find the answers, but he's also the reason she's lost her parents. And why she hides. Or at least that's what they've been led to believe. But, what if there's more to this mystery than meets the eye? What if the reasons are more than either can stand to hear?

When Liam sees the mystery woman dancing in the moonlight, he finds himself attracted, drawn, and yet, when he calls out, she runs away. Now, he's supposed to be taking over the police force in a few days when he gets a call from the last person he ever expects to hear from, Natalie. She wants his help, but he's afraid, he could damn his family even further.

But, how else is he going to find the answers to the question that are haunting them both?

Liam's Perfect Woman by Beth Kery is a fast read that grips your heart from the first pages. The accident that stripped Natalie's parents away, and left her permanently scarred, also ripped Liam's family apart. His father caused the accident. With his death and the ensuing lawsuit, his family loses everything. Now, the person who should hate him the most, needs his help. But, he's resistant, why open up all the pain and hurt again? Natalie makes him realize that they both need this, if they're going to find what they really need, answers. What sparks between them is more than either thought was possible, or needed.

Liam's Perfect Woman is an endearing story with characters that evolve to become stronger than they were, grow as the story unfolds, to become people that the reader cares about. Natalie's plight can only be made better by the person she's always been afraid to reach out to. Liam's unhealed wounds need to Natalie's hand, she's the only one who can understand his pain. Their families are an integral part of the story, secrets of the long forgotten past, and mysteries make this story hard to put down. I read it in one sitting. I've come to love Beth Kery's contemporary romances, and I'm not a typical reader of contemps. If you'd like to try a quick contemporary read, pick this one up. 4.5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.

I received my book as a contest prize, though it was on my list for my next shopping trip :)  All opinions expressed are my own.

Explosive by Beth Kery

Publisher: Berkley Heat
Pages: 336

From the Cover:

His touch would consume her—if it didn’t kill her first…

Dr. Sophie Gable wasn’t expecting her peaceful getaway to be shattered by the arrival of a half-dazed, dead-sexy guest. Thomas Nicasio has obviously been traumatized, and Sophie thinks she knows by what. There’s something about Thomas’s father that he can’t—or won’t—remember. Something that could get them both killed. Still she can’t resist Thomas’s electrifying seduction—or her instincts to help him…

An ex-Navy explosives specialist, Thomas has never felt this type of volatile need for a woman. Even while he’s grieving the deaths of his brother and nephew, something in Sophie makes Thomas want to overtake her, and each time he does, her willing submission makes him want her all the more. But danger is lurking close by, and if he can’t face the demons of his past, he and Sophie could be the next victims in a pattern of meaningless violence…

Dr. Sophie Gable has watched Thomas Nicasio from a distance, though the sexual tension between the two is palpable. He is a temptation she is willing to investigate, existing in her world through friend and colleague, Andy Lancaster, who is treating his brother, Rick. But when tragic strikes, it's the last thing she excepts to find, Thomas on her doorstep.

Thomas has also kept Sophie on his radar. As an ex-Navy explosive specialist, he's always hyperaware of his surroundings, including the pristine doctor whose visage has entrapped him. Her conservative business dress and creamy pale skin capture his attention, but is she as staid as she appears to be? Or is there more to this doctor than meets the eye?

When Thomas's world is thrown into disarray, he seeks out the one person he feels will understand his pain, Sophie. His adoptive father, Joseph Carlisle, is being investigated for mob connections. Rick, an investigative journalist, has stumbled upon this story involving his own father, and all his sources indicate his guilt. Suddenly, Rick and his ten year old son, Abel, are killed sending Thomas's world crashing down. Suspicion surrounds his adoptive father, but surely he isn't cruel enough to kill his own son? Then, Thomas listens to a tape that Rick left him, and he wonders... is his whole world a lie? As he careens out of control, Sophie becomes his lifeline, connecting his past and his present, the one thing left untouched by doubt in his life. But, will it be enough to save him?

Explosive by Beth Kery is a tale of love and hope when a life spins out of control. Thomas Nicasio's life becomes that of a haunted and hunted man. Haunted by undeniable facts he can no longer face, hunted by the past and the present, one destroyed his childhood life, the other wants to take his adult life. Is the man Thomas has called father for the past twenty years who he seems to be? Or is he the animal the FBI has painted him to be? Into his life walks Sophie Gable, someone untouched by the trouble and doubt in his life, and he wants that cleanliness, he needs it, craves it. When he comes to her Lake Haven home, lost and dazed, she can't deny the help or love he needs. He vanishes the next day, and Sophie sets off in her own dazed condition to figure out what is going on...what has happening in his life. She discovers a man lost to himself, amnesia has taken his short-term memories...even those involving Sophie.

Explosive is exactly as the name describes, explosive as dynamite. It's an intricate tale of suspicion, with twists and turns, confusion and denial. Beth Kery has a way with a tortured hero, alpha males used to demanding and getting their way who find themselves in need of another, like they've never been before. Thomas Nicasio is magnetic, unrelenting. Sophie Gable is his perfect match, ready to heal and soothe, in anyway she can. She can save him, if he'll let her, but first he has to learn to trust all over again. This is a sensual story, with scorching hot love scenes, lite bondage, submission, and sex play. If sensually told erotica isn't your cup of tea, you'll be missing out on a great love story. Excellently told contemporary romantic suspense. Highly recommended for the romance connoisseur. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.

I received my copy of Explosive as a contest prize from the lovely Ms. Kery. All opinions expressed are my own.

Velvet Cataclysm, Princes of the Underground, Book 1 by Beth Kery

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing, LTD
Pages:  221

From the Cover:

In his battle to resist, he found the impossible. His soul. Princes of the Underground, Book 1 Christina Astor's telepathic ability is an asset in her job as a psychiatric social worker. What's driving her crazy, though, is her elusive, gorgeous landlord. She senses that Saint Sevliss wants her with an all-consuming hunger that's somehow different. Just how different becomes all too clear when his dangerous world collides with hers.

For centuries, Saint's kind have been called vampire and werewolf. Even soulless. But their true nature remains a mystery. Bound by a magical mandate to control his bloodthirsty clone, Teslar, at all costs, Saint will do anything to keep Christina away. She infuses his gray universe with life and color, but his world--and his need--would destroy her. When an attack reveals the true power of Christina's gift, one thing is certain--Teslar won't rest in his underground labyrinth until he possesses her, body and soul?

Saint is an ancient, timeless being foreign to this world.  But, all the Princes are born as pairs, one clone born of conscious and the other born of darkness, but as Kavya, his maker is fond of saying, they are two sides of the same coin, each exists because there is the other.  Though he differs from the humans who populate the Earth, he's become part of this place that has now become his home.  His clone and darker half, Teslar, isn't having as much luck fitting in as Saint.  Both are blood drinkers, living off the vitessence of their human hosts and the Earth.  Only, Teslar has taken it a step further, hoping to create a Reverent Scourge army, beings that were once human, but have lost their humanity to become mindless tools for Teslar's destructive purposes.

Christina and her son, Aidan, have been living in Saint's coach house since almost since his birth.  Saint is drawn to the dynamic Christina, her essence life sustaining in itself.  What Saint doesn't realize and Christina doesn't know, is that on a long ago summer afternoon, Saint through his need to feed from Christina's vitessence became the father of Christina's son, Aidan.  Now, he is drawn to the pair, and will be everything is his power to keep them safe.

Velvet Cataclysm by Beth Kery is an erotically told tale of a different sort of vampirism.  It's the vampirism of an alien race, sustaining themselves through blood drinking and vitessence (the essence and magnetism of the energy eminating and residing deep within the Earth and soul).  Saint has a need to save Christina, and Teslar has a need to own Christina.  Saint is about the control of the inner demon, controlling his beast, Teslar is about the release of the inner demon, letting the beast drink deeply and savagely, creating fear to feed his even darker needs.  Saint hids in plain site, helping where he can to atone for his sins, Teslar hids within the bowels of the Earth, creating his army.  Saint and Teslar are both a drawn to Christina, both unable to understand her pull until Saint allows himself to feel, and through his ability, Teslar can realize a need deeper than himself and his needs.  When that feeling awakens in Teslar's being, then Saint can become whole, soul worthy.  Because, they truly are two sides of the same coin.

Velvet Cataclysm is a new twist in the vampire story.  Ms. Kery creates this new world where vampire legend meets fantasy/science fiction, and she does it so well.  This is the first book in the Prince of the Underworld Series, and I'll be checking out the future editions.  If you enjoy erotically told Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Science Fiction/Fantasy, then Velvet Cataclysm maybe for you.  If sexually explicit sex scenes and sex play bothers you, try something else.  This book is rated smokin' hot, pass the fire proof mittens, hot to the touch.

Warning: This book contains some violence, smoking hot, explicit sex scenes and anal sex. In addition, there is brief M/M sexual interaction and a ménage a trois.

Daring Time by Beth Kery

Publisher:  Berkley Sensation
Pages:  352

From the Cover:

He sees her, wants her, needs her…

Chicago Detective Ryan Daire has many secrets: a love for Shakespeare, an appreciation for the all the finer things in life, and an absolute lack of restraint in the bedroom. Now he has an even bigger secret. In every shifting shadow of the sprawling mansion he’s recently inherited he can see her—tempting, ethereal, and untouchable. Hope Stillwater inhabited that mansion in 1906. Raw desire has formed a conduit between these two passionate souls who are separated by the barrier of time.

Now he has to have her.

Intoxicated by each other’s presence, Ryan and Hope are closer than ever to crossing that inviting boundary between two worlds. But there is one grave danger: Ryan’s job has put him on the trail of a depraved criminal in an investigation that’s risking Hope’s eternal fate and happiness. Now he must do whatever it takes to change history, protect Hope from harm, and set his own desires free.

Hope Stillwater is a woman beyond her time, fighting the what's right, one of the few women of the early 1900's to take a stand and conventions be damned.  She's still a proper lady, corsetted, legs covered, and language demure.  But, she's not afraid to take of the bullies of the her world.  And that's just what she does.

Ryan Daire is a jaded Chicago detective, he's seen it, heard it, and probably done it all.  He's not afraid of who or what he is,  but maybe it's time to want more.  When he first catches a glimmer of Hope lingering in the mansion he's been gifted, he can't believe his eyes.  Is he losing his grip, is she a ghost (no!), or is it something else, something paranatural.  He doesn't know until he has a chance to talk to her, and talk to her he does.

When Hope and Ryan meet through the distance of time, Ryan is determined to find a way to save her, a way to be with her, a way to claim her as his own.  Hope could want nothing more than for Ryan to be with her, but can she give up everything and everyone she knows?  Can he?


Daring Time by Beth Kery is book that has the feeling of a erotic historical romance combined with the sensuality of a modern contemporary romance, and Ms. Kery does it to perfection.  To say I enjoyed Daring Time would be an understatement.  I loved her telling of this time travel romance.  When we first meet Ryan, he's getting to the point of burn out.  He likes women and women adore him.  He doesn't know that when he sees Hope, he's seeing his future, and his hope of what the future will hold.  He's almost furious when he partner insists that she has to be a ghost.  He's drawn to her immediately, wanting to protect and save this woman who maybe only a dream in reality.  When Hope sees Ryan, he shocks her sensibilities with his handsome disregard for what she sees as proprieties.  Though she maybe shocked, she also is drawn to the soul of his man, his protective nature, his ability to love even if he doesn't know it yet.

Daring Time is a fun, fast, fantastic read.. there's no other way to say it.  It's hot enough to melt ice cream, sensual enough to satisfy the most discriminating romance reader.  Now, strictly speaking, pararomance is my choice when reading a romance and this book fits into three categories, it's has the flavor of a historical romance combined with a contemporary all wrapped up in a sweet paranormal package.  So, readers of historicals, contemporary, and paranormal romance will all enjoy this quick read, I had trouble putting it down.  And the trouble Hope gets herself into.....  You'll just have to read to see what I mean.  Excellent erotic reading!

I received this book in a contest (Thanks Beth!  Also, Thanks Lea for the recommendation!).  All opinions expressed are my own.

Release by Beth Kery (ARC)

Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Pages: 336

(Release Date: February 2, 2010)

From the Cover: His need for her was so absolute, he agreed to share her with another man in order to possess her.

Genny loved her husband Max, but something was missing—a sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. He was ruggedly handsome, with a heart-stopping smile and a slow, sexy New Orleans drawl that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became and when her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night, both Genny and Sean were too tempted to refuse.

That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who scored her very spirit, and one-on-one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there’s a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.

****Spoilers Ahead, Beware Before Reading****

Genny has suspected that Sean, menage partner, murdered her husband, Max, three long years ago following their tryst. Max had threatened Genny and she fears that Sean committed the dastardly deed in a bid to protect her.

Sean fears that Genny murdered her husband after their tryst and he will not allow any harm to come to her, so instead of seeking out the person he feels might have committed the crime, he protects Genny the only way he can, he keeps silent.

When Genny's house burns in a horrible fire, she has no choice but to stay at the penthouse owned by her late husband's firm. Upon arriving at the penthouse, she discovers it's currently occupied by none other than the man who haunts her dreams, Sean. When Sean discovers Genny in the penthouse, he seizes the opportunity to keep her there, stranded in a snow storm with no escape. He wants to keep her to himself, not just for now, but forever, and to do that they'll have to confront their demons. But someone else is also watching Genny and it may cost her life. Can Sean keep her safe, one more time?

Release by Beth Kery is a nice hot contemporary romantic suspense that was more than satisfying. Ms. Kery weaves a tale that tells the story of our hero and heroine. Sean is an ex-special forces soldier that has moved to the private sector, taking over the security for a corporate intel company. He's got the sweetest Southern accent that he's employees to get information, to be disarming, and to seduce the willing, and the ladies are lined up to hear that sweet Southern drawl. There's no shortage of women at his beckon call. Genny is an innocent at life, looking for a father figure, when she meets and marries her husband, Max. She only sees him as the wise, strong, careful man she's married. But Max isn't everything he appears to be. When he suggests a menage with Sean, Genny, and himself, Genny is frozen. It's a side of Max she's never seen. But Max is a multi-faceted character with still more sides. After the menage takes places, he first blackmails Sean, and then attempts to keep Genny at his side with the knowledge of a video of the indiscretion, one wild night of abandonment. Max's philosophy is to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, even if you have to use blackmail to do it. He's a ruthlessly evil and cruel character, one by which Genny has lost her innocence. When Max turns up dead three day later, she assumes the worst, Sean has killed him in a fit of rage. Sean also has his doubt as to Genny innocence when long time employee, Albert Rook, comes to him with evidence of Genny's guilt. He suspects Rook's a lair and manipulator, but he can't and won't take a chance of losing Genny. His need to protect Genny wins out over the need to find the truth. But with such a horrific crime between them, they are driven apart. The chance encounter in the penthouse changes that, but will either survive to tell the tale of what really happened to Max?

Release was a very fast read, I couldn't put it down. I read all 336 pages in two days. It's one of those books where you become immersed in the characters and they're lives. When you're not reading it, you're wondering what's happening. It's one of those books, that when the final page comes, you have a smile of your face, knowing these characters are made for each other. And that's how Release captured my attention and held it, physically and emotionally, bound to the story. Now, most of my blogger buddies know that I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, just a sprinkling to keep my reading spicy and unpredictable, my interest captured. But if you're going to read only one contemp this year, pick up Release. It was that good. It's a romantic suspense that moves quickly and quietly as it works it magic, you don't even feel the pages turning. I highly recommend this book to lovers of hot and spicy romance, romantic suspense, and anyone who just wants to try a hot fun romance. I most certainly enjoyed it. Warning: This is an extremely HOT read (a little bondage and games), oven mitts will be required or fingers may be singed.

I won this book in a contest on Beth Kery's blog , which is still on going, so go check it out. Also, check out Lea's sprouts for Ms. Kery's contest and book, too cool. All opinions I have expressed are my own.

Here's a peek at the book trailer, again by the amazing and talented Lea .