Redeption in Blood: Novel of the Penitant by Tara S. Wood

Blood, Dark Magic, Hot Sex and Sultry Vamps...What More Can You Ask For?

5 Hearts ♥♥♥♥♥

The author brought in new elements to the tale of the vampire world. In Ms. Wood's telling female vamps are revered and even though difficult, vampires can give birth to children. 

This is not your run of the mill erotic romance. You get caught up in the hero and heroine's race to catch a murderer, one so vile that even the vamps are afraid of him. Vesper and Decker find their suspect isn't the only thing they have in common. The fire that erupts between them nearly consumes them both and leaves you to wonder if they will take the chance on each other or bolt.

Normally this icon is reserved for the more sensual/sweet romances, but this book deserves it too.  While the sex is white hot, it's also sweet and sensual as two people start to find much needed healing when they are wrapped in each other's arms.

The secondary characters introduced in this book are begging...PLEADING...to have their stories told too. I can't wait to find out more about the half breed Cain, Vesper's brother Marcus, her friend and powerful witch Lorelei and Decker's partner C.C. The sparks flew all the way around. Who will end up with who or will we be introduced to some new characters to add more spice to the current mix?


As you can see above I absolutely loved this book! Right from the opening scene, I was pulled into Vesper's world and I couldn't leave until I got to the end of the book. Okay, I had to put my Kindle away a few times to attend to the 'evil day job," but when I was free, I devoured this story.  Let me share the blurb so you can understand why.


Murder is serious business among vampires. If you kill, so do they. They are the Penitent – a military order among vampire society charged with one task only. Execute the condemned.

Vesper Hyde is a model Penitent. Solitary. Skilled. Deadly. Only once has she ever lost a target, even though it almost cost her life. Now the one that got away is back with a vengeance, and this time he's determined to finish the job. She needs to overcome the whispers of doubt and let her instinct and training take over to redeem her failure. But on this second time around, she doesn't expect a sidekick. A very sexy, stubborn, human sidekick.

Homicide Detective Decker Price has seen it all, including the murder of his wife at the hands of a twisted serial killer. When another murder pitches him headfirst into a world of vampires, witches, and sorcery, he is given a chance to mend shattered parts of his soul. But Vesper's world is as dark and alluring as the Penitent herself and he will come face to face with echoes of his past in order to help her keep a vicious enemy at bay.

If they are to succeed, they will need to push aside both their failings and work together to ensure the balance of their worlds remains unchanged. Redemption comes at a cost – is their love worth the price?

Not only are you drawn into the world of these two hotties, you are mesmerized by the twisted and sick mind of the killer they both seek to bring to justice. Describing this freak of nature as vicious is an understatement. Reading those scenes detailing past and present crimes will both fascinate and revolt you at the same time. The best analogy I can think of here is the character of Hannibal Lecter. That's right, this serial killer could go toe to toe with Dr. Lecter and give him a run for his money!

So if you're looking for a new take on the world of vampires, witches, and sorcery with characters to die for and sex scenes that will leave you in a heaving puddle on the floor, Redemption In Blood: A Novel of the Penitant is for you. Go on over to Amazon and get yours today...right now!

Fated: Erotic Vampire Fantasy from Alexandra Anthony

Very EROTIC Vampire Romance 

(originally posted on Amazon July 21, 2012)

  ♥♥♥♥1/2

The hero and heroine take very little time to get down to business! While some stories it makes you wish there was a bit more foreplay, but it works well with these two. Their connection is that powerful and yes believable. 

Okay so I've had that sort of attraction too...so sue me! ;)

At the time of this post, the author now has two more books of this series out and I have them both on my Kindle to dive into and see if the questions I have about Josie's past are answered. Oh and I want more hot sex!

If you are looking for a "sweet" vampire romance, this is not for you. The sex scenes are absolutely SMOKING hot. The action takes off right from the start when vampire Stefan finally finds his fated mate Josephine after a very long two hundred year wait. The chemistry between them is explosive and the amount of sex they have to me is about right for a new relationship...especially if you're dealing with a 900 year old vampire who's waited 200 years for his soul mate to come into his life.

The secondary characters are also fun to have on screen. Josie's ever present and overly protective friend Georgia is a hoot even when she's ruffling Stefan's feathers with her behavior toward them as a couple. I agree with another reviewer in that I hope the author shows us a bit more of these secondary characters in future books.

The only criticism I have is the editing mistakes. There were several repeated words and phrases that were distracting at times, enough so to pull me out of the story a few scenes. Overall that didn't kill the story for me because I was drawn to Josie and Stefan right away and wanted to follow each moment with them to the end.

I enjoyed the book and can't wait for book two to find out more about Josie and her past. I recommend this book for anyone who loves vampire romances that are hot enough to melt your kindle!

(Available from Smashwords, BN, and Amazon)

Tyler Robbins Delivers in Beyond Honor

BRAVO! 

(originally posted June 30, 2012)

5 Hearts ♥♥♥♥♥

Cheers for introducing me to the world of M/M romances!

This is the first book from this new author and I cannot wait for the next one whether it's a stand alone or part of a series.

I've never read a M/M romance before and I chose this one by Tyler Robbins (the alter ego of author Robin Badillo) to be my first. To be honest, I didn't understand how this particular genre appealed to women. Personally, I like to put myself as one of the characters in the story and get lost in it. I wasn't sure I could do that when the love interests were two men. Boy was I wrong!

Right from the first scene I was pulled into the story and into the heads of both Jared and Michael. The tension and the attraction between the two of them was so palpable, I could almost taste it. Their attraction to each other is undeniable and their close friends can see it even before they do. It takes a natural disaster to get one of them to finally realize and accept the fact that he is in love with another man and willing to do whatever it takes to keep that new love in his life.

Beyond Honor delivers both tender and steaming hot love scenes between two people destined to be together. You won't want to miss one moment of their journey. Thank you, Tyler Robbins for taking us along for the ride! 

(Available from All Romance Ebooks, Amazon, BN, and Evernight Publishing)

The Sunset Warrior by Leanore Elliott Brings the Heat

Will leave you breathless and begging for more! 

(originally posted on Amazon January 1, 2012)

5 Hearts ♥♥♥♥♥

For the scene in the lightning pool alone, Ms. Elliott gets the Naughty Devil!

The Vixen needs MORE from Leanore!

And a toast for that little room in the cave...you will need some sexual healing after this scene. Whew! Cheers!


I absolutely loved this book! Leanore Elliott grabbed my attention right from the first page and left me wanting more with each and every scene. Even though she didn't know it at the time, Maddie needed to be in Nowhere to find herself. She was all business, all of the time and basically forgot how to enjoy the simpler things in life, like the love of a hot Native American in the form of Devon. 

Sparks fly between them right from the start. The heat generated when they come together is as breathtaking as the scenery. You don't want to miss one second of their journey together and I definitely can't wait to read more from this author! 

(Available from Amazon, BN and other retail outlets.)

Flesh Fantasy by Maya DeLeina Rocked The Vixen's World!

Who knew finding your fated mate could be so...EXPLOSIVE?

(originally posted on Amazon August 8, 2012)

5 Hearts ♥♥♥♥♥

This book get's the drink icon for the spider web scene alone. You'll have to read it to see why!

The immediate connection between the hero and heroine is palpable. There is no pussy-footing around here. These two belong together and you know it right from the start. The sex scenes leave you panting and you feel every touch, every kiss. No holds barred!

I need more of these vamps!



I'm always drawn to stories about hot vampires, but truth be told most are variations of the same themes. There's nothing wrong with that, but Flesh Fantasy is a whole other creature all together. Right from the start you fall in love with both Rhys and Rain. They're two forces of nature in their own right, but when they come together...well, let's just say your kindles will melt from the fire generated between them. 

Their attraction is all consuming and you feel it in your own soul as the story unfolds. The author weaves a fast paced, heart pumping tale that leaves you breathless and begging for more. I can't wait to learn more about the Ambrose Heights vampires! 

Well done! 

 (Available from Bookstrand, Amazon, BN and other major outlets including iTunes!)

My Kindle is on Fire! Review of Whips and Wax by Bonnie Bliss

( posted originally on Amazon January 28, 2012)

5 Hearts ♥♥♥♥♥ 

This was the very first book of BDSM I picked up and have been begging for more every since.

This gets the little devil for the sex scenes alone. SMOKING HOT

What can I say? The author grabbed my attention from the first paragraph and never let go!


Right from the moment I opened this book on my Kindle I was hooked! This is the first novella I've read by this author and I have to say I will be checking out more of her work as soon as possible. In Whips and Wax we are introduced to a couple new to "the lifestyle." The story begins with Marie opening a package that has arrived for her husband, Neil. Knowing full well he will not be pleased if he catches her, she goes ahead and puts on the sexy thong and leather corset setting off what is to be an afternoon and evening full of pleasure and punishment when Neil comes home early.  

Ms. Bliss is able to tell this story from the viewpoint of both the Dom and Sub and keeps you begging for more. I felt like I was there in their playroom and experiencing it all with them: the pleasure, punishment and tender care Neil administers to Marie during their play sessions. Read it and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed! (Available from Smashwords, Amazon, BN and many other outlets) 

Welcome to Reviews by The Vixen

What? The Vixen is reviewing books?

That's right my sassy ones. I've decided to jump right into the crazy world of a book reviewer. I know what you're thinking. Do we really need another smart-ass posting their opinion about someone else's writing? Can't you just stick to blogging, promoting yourself, your alter egos, and other authors? 

Yes we do and no I can't.

How's that for being a smart ass? LOL

All kidding aside, I thought it would be a great idea for me to start putting the reviews I've written in one place. I'll still copy them to Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords, or wherever I purchased the book, but this blog will be one stop "shopping" for authors and readers alike. The posts can be linked to, referred to, copied and reposted as long as I'm given credit for the review, it can be used as you see fit. Well, unless you start chopping it up and completely altering what the original review said. Now, if you just use snippets, that's fine. But if the content of the review is turned on it's ear...Houston, we'll have a problem. A BIG one. 

What kind of books will be reviewed?

As you know, I write poetry, erotic romance and erotica. I read everything I can get my hands on across all genres, from YA and mainstream fiction to the smoking hot erotica. This site will have an adult warning because I will post reviews of books that are meant for those over 18 years of age. That doesn't mean I won't post a review of a YA book. Those may be few and far between for a bit since I do have many adult content novels waiting to be read. 

What will be the rating system?

I'm going to use hearts for the symbols. I tried to find something like flames or hot peppers, but I can't figure out how to make the image repeatable in blogger. I can get one image, but when I try to put another next to it, blogger won't let me. LOL  So we are going with the hearts since I can make that symbol without a problem.

♥ Yes there are some books out there that need a 1 heart rating because they are that awful, but you won't see those posted here. I'll just choose to say nothing at all. 

♥♥ This would be the books that I finished but would not read again unless some serious revisions were done to it. I also wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. This would have to be one that has no clear cut direction or plot, characters I just can't follow or care about or those books out there that are so full of editing nightmares I want to bang my head against the wall.  Have I received a two star rating before? Yep. Do I know why? Yes. The person who rated my book preferred M/M erotic romances and this particular book of mine was M/F. The person NEVER READ THE BOOK!!! They just gave it a 2 because it didn't appeal to them. You won't get that from The Vixen!

♥♥♥ Now for this site, a three heart is a good book! It's one that entertained and I rooted for the characters. There's a plot and the story moves along. To get a three and not higher, there have to be some things I just couldn't ignore. Usually these things would be repetitive phrases, head hopping, switching from 1st person to 3rd person and then back again in the same scene. 

♥♥♥♥ These are great books that I would pick up again and definitely recommend to a friend. There are probably a few things that didn't sit well with me, but overall a fun read. I would recommend the book for others to give a try. Four hearts from The Vixen means overall you did your job well, author!

♥♥♥♥♥ Five hearts from The Vixen means you rocked my fantasy world! I was transported to the world you created easily and grew attached to your characters. I cheered them on, wanted to shake them when they did something stupid, and overall I could see myself in your story. You made your characters REAL to me. I would highly recommend a 5 heart book and read it over and over again just to see if there were any details I missed from the times before.  Five hearts means TELL ME MORE!!!

So that's the site in a nutshell. I'll post my first set of reviews soon.