ARC Review: Lady Doctor Wyre by Joely Sue Burkhart

Description:
A dangerous technology could conquer the universe. Love could set it free.

Jane Austen Space Opera, Book 1

Charlotte, Duchess of Wyre, once held the Queen’s highest confidence—and the technological secret that keeps the royal heart beating. Fearful of what atrocities that Britannia might commit with her research, Charlotte turned to the galaxy’s most infamous assassin, Lord Sigmund Regret, to stage her own death.

Even without the simplest of luxuries, seven years hiding in the Americus colony is preferable to one day in the Tower of Londinium. Until a bounty hunter’s bullet forces her to revive her research. Now the same nanobots that keep the Queen alive also run rampant in Lord Regret’s body. Making his yearly Solstice visits increasingly…intimate…and complicating her courtship with the safe and honorable Sheriff Gilead Masters.

When the Americus colony declares independence, and her humble sheriff makes a shocking confession, Charlotte has had enough. Weary of running, tired of living without tea and silks, she fires a warning shot across Britannia’s bow: cease hunting Lady Wyre, or lose the technological power the crown holds so dear.

Her next task isn’t so simple. Somehow she must keep the two men she loves alive—and prevent them from killing each other.

Warning: Ladies in positions of power, stylish spaceships, BDSM. A ménage a trois featuring a duchess on the run, a gentlemanly assassin, and a rough-and-tumble sheriff willing to gun down anyone who gets between him and his lady.

Review:
A Jane Austen Space Opera- that's was the first thing I heard about Lady Doctor Wyre and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm not a huge fan of Jane Austen inspired books because I usually like the originality of the author's own imagination more but let me assure you this novel didn't feel like one of those inspired stories.

Lady Doctor Wyre is set in a steampunk universe that resembles our world in a rather inventive way. It's a mix of historical and science fiction with more than just one steampunk element- very intriguing and something I haven't seen before. We visit a galaxy of planets like Britannia, Americus, Francia and so on which resemble the countries we know. Each one has it's own way to live with what their ressources allow. One thing all of them have in common is the reversed gender rules. In this world the women rule and take the lead in every situation- politically socially and sure in bed too. *wink* It was very interesting to see how Burkhart envisions such a world and I smile so often while reading about a shy men or the incredulity of a man proposing a woman.

As the title suggests the story centers around Charlotte the widely known and feared Lady Doctor Wyre. She's a Duchess in exile but more know for her obsession with everything technology can produce. She's an inventor and probably the one who created the most advanced technology know to this world. Her reputation makes her seem ruthless but deep inside she is a woman who loves all things pretty and shiny. I loved to see this contrast in her character- a sharp mind that still appreciates a pretty dress or good tea. She's a really complex character and with every page we discover another facet of her personality. Charlotte is a woman I can imagine myself being friends with even more if she would invite me into her world.

Her life wasn't easy in the past and she was forced to leave the life she knew behind in a exciting coup that left her dead in the eyes of the world. This wouldn't have been possible without the assistance of the master assassin  Lord Sigmund Regret who nearly lost everything while helping her. Her lives are connected now and not only by emotions.

In her seven year long exile Charlotte missed her "lost" live but in the last year she met Sheriff Gilead Masters- who captured her heart with his thoughtful courtship and admiration. These 2 were so cute together- they reminded me of a typical historical romances couple just with reversed roles. Gil is heartfelt and headstrong and he would do anything to keep our lady safe.

The story wrapped around this love-triangle was really engaging and I was fascinated by the world. I think this is the strongest factor of Lady Doctor Wyre- the world-building is exceptional. I loved how everything was different from what I normally read- it's a very fresh and unique approach for a romance novel.

But there were also some things that rubbed me the wrong way. The characterization of our two heroes could have been a bit more thorough. I didn't really connect to them as I would have liked to even though I really liked the idea behind them. Perhaps I would have needed more time to really warm to them. I think this is also the reason why I actually didn't care that much about the actual smex scenes or the romance aspect of the story- with the missing connection to the male lead characters I wasn't touched.

Lady Doctor Wyre really fascinated me. An inventive setting with an enthralling adventure plot. The mix of historical, steampunk and science fiction is masterly woven together and the detailed view you get in the novel will leave you breathless. I would have wished a bit more time and space for the romance part but I still really enjoyed this one. I say bring me more Lady Burkhart!

To learn more about Joely and her books please visit her website here.

- read other reviews @goodreads
- read pattepoilue's aka The HEA Lover's review @Book Lovers Inc
- pre-order the book @Samhain Publishing (for only $2.45 right now)

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ARC Review: Hurt Me So Good by Joely Sue Burkhart + Giveaway

Description:
One sub to please the Master…in any way he wishes.

Victor Connagher is no stranger to the Dallas BDSM scene. As CEO of a risqué cable channel that caters to adventurous adults, he ensures the lifestyle is portrayed in a positive light. He even supports a local bondage club. Yet behind the cool, confident mask, Victor lives in fear.

Once, and only once, he lost control of his inner Dom—and it cost him his fiancée. Now, no one knows how hard he works to keep his darker appetite for pain buried. No matter how much his saucy, confident associate producer makes his fingers itch to once again take up his riding crop.

Shiloh Holmes is a sub, but she’s no doormat. She’s always suspected Victor has the skills to feed her insatiable need for pain, and now she’s found the perfect way to crack his formidable control. Develop a new reality show, America’s Next Top sub…and dare him to compete.

Week after week, as Shiloh fearlessly challenges the real Victor to come out of hiding, he realizes his past mistake was only a blow to his pride. If he loses Shiloh, he could lose his heart.

Warning: Explicit sex, BDSM, reality television, a very reluctant Dom, an audacious sub willing to do anything to win for him, and one very wicked riding crop.

Review:
When Hurt Me So Good arrived in my inbox I was thrilled to finally read Victor's story. Joely teased us for months with little snippets and I was desperate to finally read this book. I knew he would be more intense than Conn but wowza I didn't expect this. *fans herself* So I should warn everyone if you're not fond of BDSM this book isn't for you.

Victor is the CEO of VCONN, a local Dallas TV channel which specialize in the more erotic topics. He is a Master at heart and for him pain is more like sex than anything else. He doesn't only like to deliver the pain, he also uses it on himself if there's no other way to relieve the pressure building inside him. Victor is 100% sure that no woman would be willing to freely accept what he has to give. He had this one traumatic incident with his ex-fiancée- she wasn't prepared for his darker side because he hid it through their relationship and he scared her away- big time. Now he's afraid that he is just too much. So he keeps this side of himself under lock and key. It hurt me so much to see him suffer. He completely believes that he will never find someone who truly can take it all. When he meets Shiloh he is immediately attracted but he struggles with accepting her surrender and promise of submission. He's afraid of hurting her in a bad way and that she will run away and leave him behind- alone and heartbroken. This would break his heart and this time it would be broken for good. At first for me it was hard to see this strong and dominant Master with so much doubt and conflicts in himself. He should be the strong and confident one but it gave him more "realness". I never really like these perfect characters in books and Victor is just exactly right for my taste. He was demanding at some points and yes perhaps one scene was a bit too "intense" for me but it's all about pushing your limits and yes I enjoyed it a bit perhaps. *wink*

Shiloh is one kind of a woman. She's strong, intelligent and knows what she wants: Victor. She's been working at VCONN  for some time now and wants to get closer to Victor without looking like a desperate underling trying to catch his attention by all means e.g. walking naked in his office. Since day one he seems to ignore her and she just has to know if he really is the Master she believes him to be. She sees her chance with a new show and when he accepts her challenge she can finally get closer to him and see him like he really is.

As you can imagine this book is full of erotic scenes. Yes most are really intense and I'm sure I wouldn't survive any of this. It's hard to explain but even though I don't share the inclination for that much pain I could always see and feel why the characters did this and that. I think it speaks highly of Joely's writing that she didn't lose my attention even when her characters did thinks I wouldn't even consider in my darkest moments. It was always really erotic and sometimes also shocking. A fascinating combination that caught me unguarded at moments. How can I find something erotic and at the same moment think it must be hurting too much.

Joely drew me in no matter where the action went. Her story-telling is compelling and fascinating. I loved her characters and I can't wait to read more about the other characters we met in Hurt Me So Good. I highly recommend this book to all erotic lovers with at least a bit of inclination towards BDSM in their books.
Extraordinaire writing with a compelling fascinating and highly erotic story- Victor just won't lose you attention. It's not his name for nothing. ;)

To learn more about Joely and her books please visit her website here. You can also read the free prequel Lie To You here.

- Read other reviews @goodreads 
- pattepoilues aka The HEA Lover's review @ Book Lovers Inc. 
- soleil noir' review @Black Sun Reviews 
Buy Hurt Me So Good @MBaM

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~*~*~Giveaway~*~*~

Thanks to Joely one lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of Hurt Me So Good.

Just leave a meaningful comment on this review or ask Joely a question. She will visit through the day and try to answer all the things you want to know. ;)

Please leave me a way to contact you (email in blogger profile or twitter name works for me).

Giveaway ends on Tuesday October 12th and I will announce the winner on Wednesday.

Good Luck!

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Review: The Road to Shanhasson by Joely Sue Burkhart

Description:
The long awaited sequel to Joely Sue Burkhart's first Shanhasson novel, The Rose of Shanhasson, is finally here. The Road to Shanhasson is the second in the "Blood and Shadows" series, and continues the breathtaking story of Shannari, rightful queen of the Green Lands.

Shannari is about to be made the Khul’lanna of the Plains, wife to the Khul, leader of the 9 camps of the Sha’Kae al’Dan people. Unusual in the land of her birth for her skills as a warrior and prized as the rightful ruler of the Green Lands before being stolen away by Rhaekar, the Khul of the Sha'Kae al'Dan, Shannari is as foreign to these people as they are to her.

Shannari has admitted her love for Rhaekar, and, reluctantly, that she also loves Gregar, the Shadowed man who, along with the other eight Blood guards, protects Rhaekar from danger. Rhaekar, far from being angered by her love for another man, is man enough to give her what she wants, and determines that Gregar shall be her co-mate.

Some of her new people welcome Shannari, but others are angry that a hated Outlander is to become their new queen. Controversy and danger swirls around Shannari and the men she loves, threatening to tear apart the camps. Shannari works with Rhaekar, Gregar, and some new allies to bring peace to the camps, but she forgets that Theo, the current ruler of the Green Lands, will stop at nothing to debase and destroy her, and his bloody pact with Lygon, the god of Shadow, will bring Shannari to her knees.

Review:
I already read this book twice and it really deserves a full length review. I don't know why but it seems I can't bring my thoughts onto the screen after the first read of Joely's books or perhaps it's just an excuse to read them again. I won't tell. The first thing I have to say is that I completely adore this cover. It's gorgeous and it really reflects the book. It always distracts me and I can't wait to get a print copy in my hand. Joely already knows that because I'm stalking her with my inquiries about the print release.

The Road to Shanhasson is book 2 In the Blood and Shadows trilogy and it brings us back to the world of the Sha’Kae al’Dan. I still love this world Shannari, Rhaekar and Gregar live in. I'm still in awe how different it is and I sometimes catch myself thinking of someone as my na'lanna. Joely put so much love in creating this world, you can feel it with every chapter you read. This world just grabbed my heart and I can't seem to let it go. Yes this world is brutal and full of violence but you also find total love and utter adoration and trust in it. It's balanced and it never makes you feel overwhelmed with one or the other.

Shannari is getting stronger in this book. She still is not 100 percent sure she fits into the lifestyle of the Sha’Kae al’Dan but she starts to feel more at home. I loved to see her still blush when someone made a naughty comment but she learns fast and we now finally see her teasing back. Rhaekar is still the mighty warrior and powerful Khul of the Nine Camps. He's strong, stubborn but also totally smitten. He just can't deny Shannari anything not even the things she herself can't admit to want. He still pushes her and tramples one of her boundaries after the next. He wants her to accept what she is and that it's not wrong to love and to enjoy life.

And then we have Gregar. *insert dreamy sigh* I still adore him. I would have never thought that such a wicked character could conquer my heart but he did from the start. In The Road to Shanhasson we learn more about him and his thoughts. I loved to see him worry and even more to see his adoration for Shannari. He really treats her like the most precious egg in the world (outside of the blankets *wink*). I think his appeal is a combination of both- to see his softer and his wicked side.

Many things happen in this novel and I'm not at all happy about all of them. *pouts* I can't tell you why but this book made me cry. I know it was bound to happen but still it broke my heart. We live through many ups and downs with Shannari and meet some interesting new characters who make room for many naughty possibilities. The plot is engaging from the start, never let me release my breath and left me wanting more at the end. Joely has a talent for making the story flow just exactly right. It's hard to explain but everything just fits together and makes this book a round thing.

The Road to Shanhasson is a wonderful Fantasy Romance which does everything right. I loved the story, the characters and the wonderful narration. This book broke my heart and put the pieces back together and left me with a warm feeling deep inside. I can't say often enough how wonderful Joely's books are and again I'm sitting here craving more. Highly recommended to all romance readers.

The Road to Shanhasson is a wonderful and unique Fantasy Romance with wicked warriors, a heartbreaking lovestory and an engaging plot.
  
To learn more about Joely and her books please visit her website here. You can also find a free prequel about Gregar here(The Shadowed Blood) and another one called The Horsemaster plays in that world too.

The Shanhasson Trilogy:

1. The Rose of Shanhasson: my review, reviews @goodreads, buy print copy @amazon, buy ebook @Drollerie Press 
2. The Road to Shanhasson: reviews @goodreads, buy @Drollerie Press
3. Return to Shanhasson (October 2010)

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Review: Dear Sir, I'm Yours by Joely Sue Burkhart

Description:

This professor’s final exam includes a spanking.
There’s no house restoration too challenging for Rae Jackson, a.k.a. “The Fix-It Lady”. There’s no fixing the past, though. Like the day she left college. A semester of flirting with her English professor ended when he spanked her to the best orgasm of her life. Afraid of her own eager willingness to comply with the sexy dom’s commands—no matter what—she fled.
Yet not even five years can dim her memory of his masterful touch.
Conn never forgot the one student who gave him a big fat “F” on the greatest test of his life. After all these years, he’s still haunted by his uncharacteristic loss of control. When he finds the very object of his shame—and desire—crawling around under his grandmother’s house, he swears to do anything to win Rae’s trust.
Rae finds herself helpless against Conn’s slow seduction. Exactly the way she likes it. Instead of poetry, this time she learns the erotic pleasure to be found in bondage…and submission to the sexiest professor alive.
Warning: Explicit sex, spanking, light bondage, a crazy old lady who talks to ghosts, and one lethal pink parasol.

Review:
As always I'm totally biased all thing concerning Joely so be prepared for my rave.
I read DSIY for the first time last summer after reading a fabulous review by Pearl. I started with the free prequel Letters (you can find that one here) and I was hooked from the start. What makes this book so special to me is all the emotion Joely put into this book.  How did she do that? I think I have to explain that in detail.

Rae is a strong woman afraid to lose herself in a man, especially Conn. She lived through a really bad marriage and still fights the consequences this left behind. She didn't see Conn for 5 years but she always thought of him. She wrote him many letters, explaining how she feels and what happened in her life. She never send one of them and I can so understand why. It's hard to bare your soul to someone else and Rae doesn't want to be that vulnerable. I adored every single one of her letters. Reading them feels like grabbing Rae's diary and taking a long deep look into her soul. The letters are so raw and heartfelt that I sometimes felt like intruding into her personal space. But nosy me doesn't mind that. *wink*


Conn on the other hand has a goal the moment he lays his eyes on Rae again: making it work this time. He is such a wonderful character: caring, loving and dominant with capital D. Conn knows what he wants. But even more than that he knows what he doesn't want: to hurt Rae or to make her run again. He is determinant to do everything what needs to be done to make Rae understand what he, his attraction to her and his sexual preferences are about. He takes his time to make her see the difference between submission and losing herself is. He shows her what kind of power a submissive holds over her Dom. I think this books describes this relationship in such a loving way that you just can't close your eyes against it.

The relationship buildup was lovely and spiked with a joke here and there and even some pop quizzes to lighten the mood. I loved how they both acted around each other when the first insecurities where diminished. I could see the adoration in Rae's eyes and I could feel the temperature rising when Conn saw his love.


The scenes between the sheets came after a rather long really hawt wait but they totally made up for that. And OMG the poetry was gorgeous. I would have never thought that something like that could be that sizzling.

I also enjoyed reading about the wonderful side-characters. Ms. Belle the more or less crazy lady who talks to her dead husband and solves murder cases in her free time or the math professor with love for swordplay.

All in all Dear Sir, I'm Yours is one of the best books I read in 2009 and it's already on my all time favorites pile. The love story is sweet, thoughtful and heartbreaking in the right mix with witty conversations, laugh-out-loud moments and scorching hot one-on-one encounters. You could never understand what's the gist of BDSM is? Read this book and you will get at least a fundamental understanding of it. Highly recommended read!

To learn more about Joely and her books please visit her website here.


We also have an interview with Joely @Book Lovers, INC today. You also get a chance to win a signed copy of Dear Sir, I'm Yours there.
And Joely will come over for a little surprise visit to The Geeky Bookworm this week too.

The Connagher Series:
1. Dear Sir, I'm Yours: reviews @goodreads, dual review with pattepoilue & me @BookLoversINC, buy ebook @BooksOnBoard, buy paperback @amazon (release tomorrow)

2. Hurt Me So Good(Victor's book): TBD 2010

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Review: The Rose of Shanhasson by Joely Sue Burkhart

Description:
Shannari is destined to unite the Green Lands and wear the Rose Crown, though she doesn't yet know how. SHe's the avatar of the Goddess, but she's only ever been betrayed in love. She's beset on all sides by enemies, including the current pretender to the throne, who wants to marry her and then kill her, cementing his claim.

When she prays to the Goddess for Guidance, she doesn't expect her answer to come in the guise of a barbarian warrior who demands her hand. Now, all she has to do is survive a battle with the barbarian, marry him, escape him and his elite warrior band, kill her former fiancé, and make it home in one piece.

Shannari's worth fighting for, and the men in her life don't take no for an answer easily. Unfortunately for them, Shannari never says yes. She doesn't believe in love. Now Rhaekhar, her barbarian warrior, has to convince her that his love is worth fighting for, and help keep her alive while doing it.


Review:

I received this book from the author and I'm totally biased cuz Joely is one of the nicest people I know and I totally adore her work. You have been warned!

I haven't read a romantic fantasy book as good as this one for a long time. It has everything I love about this genre and even a bit more. I always like it when the fantasy is something special. I don't want to read about orks and elves any longer. I have so had enough of those.
I appreciate it when the author creates something new and creative and not just a Tolkien copy. I love the invention of new races and divine creatures. I love it when the different cultures speak individual languages. Yes, I know it's totally crazy but I'm one of those people who actually owns a copy of the Elvish Dictionary.

But back to this book. The world we find ourselves in is kind of medieval with a touch of magic and more than enough divine intervention. The people in this world believe in the power of their deities, so they all try to stay on the good side of the one they chose to follow.

The story is all about Shannari. She is a princess but not the kind we normally think of when hearing that word. She had to defend herself more than once and got gravely hurt in the process - physically and even more so emotionally. She is a strong character with deep bonds to her people. She knows what her destiny is and she is not afraid to sacrifice herself on the way. She knows what the important and right thing to do is but all this knowledge doesn't make her feel better. She knows there is no way around it so she will hold her head up high and just live through it.
The first time she meets Rhaekhar is in a battle and she sees him as a strong warrior and also as the barbarian he is. But OMG, I want my own barbarian now. Nope, I take that back I want my own PAIR of barbarians now. *wicked grin* But more about that later.

Rhaekhar is the Khul of the Nine Camps of the Sha'Kae al'Dan, so to speak their leader. He is the best in everything *wink* and has to stand up to all expectations in order to stay Khul. He's an alpha male from head to toe and he never gives up when his goal is in sight. And his goal is to have Shannari. Not as some low sex-slave as some of our dirty minds might think. No, he wants to marry her and spend the rest of his life at her side- forever. He knows from a vision that she is the one and he will fight for her hard with all he has and let me say that this would win my heart ASAP. He's a kind man although he rules with a strong hand. But he has a good heart and wants to make everything right.

And then we have Gregar *big sigh*- the Shadowed Blood. A Blood is a kind of personal bodyguard for the Khul and all 7 of them should never leave his back. And with never I mean like not even in the personal moments we sometimes have. *blush* Gregar is a special one- he has so much darkness, shadow inside that it sometimes broke my heart. He's a passionate man with a really wicked grin and oh so many other good characteristics but he really can be scary from time to time. I can't even say for sure why I loved him so much. Perhaps cuz I wanted to hug him and make it all better? I'm really not sure but Gregar is so my new book boy friend. We get the first glimpse at a wonderful love triangle but at the end we have to be patient for the next book to get a better look at my beloved Gregar.

The Rose of Shanhasson grabbed my heart from the first sentence to the last word and I wanted to scream for the next book when I closed this one. Okay, it's probably not for the faint of heart with all the blood and shadows in it but I felt honored with every drop. The emotional build up was heart wrenching from time to time and the sexual tension will boil your blood. The fantasy is fascinating and wonderfully developed, the storyline thrilling through the whole book. All in all a must read for all the fantasy lovers out there who love to read something hot and spicy. The Rose of Shanhasson so deserves the title na'lanna for me.


To learn more about Joely and her books please visit her website here. You can also find a free prequel about Gregar here(The Shadowed Blood) and another one called The Horsemaster plays in that world too.

The Shanhasson Trilogy:

1. The Rose of Shanhasson: reviews @goodreads, buy print copy @amazon,
                                                   buy ebook @Drollerie Press
2. The Road to Shanhasson: reviews @goodreads, buy @Drollerie Press

3. Return to Shanhasson (TBD)

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