Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Coming soon at XoXo Publishing™

A couple of my older titles are coming back with a brand new look, so I thought I'd revisit some of the older reviews, and you could see what's coming soon from me and XoXo Publishing™ - so here's a chance to have a peek:

WHOM GODS HAVE FAVORED

3 Cups: Whom Gods Have Favored is a very unique look at Pompeii, with the unexpected twist of vampires. The basic plot is good and when the storyline changes readers are shocked. Xina is an interesting but limited character, since all she has known is servitude. This is depicted well by Ms Bridger, as is Xina’s survival instincts. Lucius is very well developed, more interesting and everything one would expect from a General, with absolutely no clichés. There are few redeeming qualities in the background characters, but they do set up the story well. When the storyline switched I had to check to see if it were written by two authors, but both sections are interesting. The sex was great and perfect for the historical setting. The ending was complete but I would also like to read about the changes the couple goes through as their lives progress.

Anya Khan, Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

4 Kisses: As noted, the setting of Whom Gods Have Favored is the book’s strongest selling point. The research is evident, and Bridger’s characters are comfortable in their world. Lucius is immediately a strong, sensual character and his desire leaps off the page. Xina, on the other hand, is a little less well defined. She is introduced as a strong, take no prisoners heroine but seems to undergo a personality change when she enters Lucius’s household. I wanted her to show him that spark, because he seemed like a man who finds it both maddening and desirable, but instead Xina retreats into typical slave-girl mode almost immediately. While this is probably more realistic, it was a little disappointing. The attraction between them feels genuine, however, and though the introduction of the paranormal element is only peripherally connected to the main characters until the epilogue, it provided an interesting resolution to the story.

Reviewed by Melanie Hayden
Romance Divas

4 Stars: Set during the time when Rome ruled the world, Whom Gods Have Favored gives us a glimpse of what life would have been like had we live in Pompeii before Mt. Vesuvius destroyed all. Much as I hated reading about the enslavement of women and the helplessness that ensued, it was definitely a part of life and Ms. Bridger did an excellent job of bringing that to view. I found myself loving Lucius, despite the fact that he was a male that was used to getting whatever female he wanted. I felt for Xina, in the fact that even though she was born into a brothel and subjected to naked men, she was an innocent in the true ways of the male, and she was just trying to survive life as a slave. There is a unique twist that takes the story in a whole new direction, and made for an interesting read. The story was a good love story that spanned the ages.

Stacey Landers
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

4 Angels: Whom Gods Have Favored blends history, myth and fiction together to create a darkly sensual work of blood, lust, and death. Denysé M. Bridger will thrill and chill you with her apt capturing of the utter depravity of absolute power, even as she warms your heart with a tale of a passion that lasts eternally. I was sucked right into this story and it never let me go until the final word. Whom Gods Have Favored is the perfect blend of sex and power, made complete by a love that spans the ages.

Reviewed by: Michelle
Fallen Angel Reviews

In Whom Gods Have Favored Denysé M. Bridger brings her characters and their lifestyles vividly to life. She is able to show the tension of the impending eruption, the grandeur of the times, and the decadence of the society. Her characters are rich, strong, and full of life. Xina is a frightened girl when the story begins who has been thrown into a situation that is beyond her control. As the story moves along, Xina grows into a strong woman who is willing to do what she needs to in order to save the man that she has grown to love.

In the beginning of the story, Lucius seemed to be a hard and selfish man and I wondered if I could like him. As I was reading, I could see that he was changing into a kinder man, even though he was reluctant to see or admit the changes even to himself. Lucius’ family gave a whole new meaning to the term dysfunctional family... every member seemed to be searching for something to make themselves feel better and they did not care who they had to hurt to get it. Whom Gods Have Favored is wrought with love, hate, betrayal, lust, and passion with a killer twist at the end. Denysé M. Bridger rocks!!

Reviewed by Gracie
Joyfully Reviewed

REBEL HEART

4.5 Ribbons
: Rebel Heart is an emotional story and contains the delicate subject matter of the heroine’s past rape. Francesca is a great heroine who just wants to forget the past, but first she must face it in order to move on. This shows a very vulnerable side to her and the emotional stress that she must endure to finally find happiness. Nick is the sensual man who is willing to do whatever it takes to help Francesca get past her rape. His sensitivity will move and touch the reader, and his determination to keep her safe makes him an awesome hero. Love scenes are passionate, but with a deep emotional quality that readers will feel to their very souls. Denysé Bridger has proved time and again what a terrific author she is; this book is one of her best and sure to be a keeper.

Reviewed by Angel Brewer,
Romance Junkies

4.5 Ribbons: REBEL HEART is an emotionally charged example of the writing talents of Denyse Bridger. Frankie has dealt with the upheaval in her life resulting from the attack the only way she knows how. She sheltered herself from anything or anyone who could hurt her, virtually living in a self-imposed seclusion. Nick unintentionally brings past threats back into Frankie’s life, and although he doubts that she will ever want to see him again, he is determined to see her attacker prosecuted and punished, and needs her cooperation in order to make it happen. Frankie has to face the demons from her past so she can move on with her life and allow herself to have a bright, love-filled future. Nick’s tenderness is touching and sweet; he is patient and kind, passionate in his pursuit of Frankie’s heart. Frankie’s pain and fear is realistically written and her softening under Nick’s gentle attentions is heartening. I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy tender romance, sizzling passion and a touch of suspense.

I feel I should note that there is a somewhat violent rape scene in a flashback that involves the heroine, but not the hero. It is essential to understanding Frankie’s emotional state. I personally did not find the rape scene to be troubling or offensive.

Reviewed by Laurie D.
Romance Junkies

4 Stars: Having read Denysé Bridger before, I was anticipating reading Rebel Heart. I was not disappointed. Ms. Bridger has the ability to create a picture with her words that makes it possible to see the story as she has written it. Nick is one hard bodied, sexy Native American man, and I can see why Frankie let her wall fall because of him. There is just something about him that makes one want to tell him everything and let him take care of you. Frankie is definitely carrying baggage, but it isn’t long before she is falling into bed with him. He was definitely a man that knew his way around a woman’s body, and he quickly had Frankie screaming his name!! (a few times actually). Unfortunately, his employer has an evil link to Frankie and it jeopardizes their future. Beautifully written with enough eroticism to make you squirm, Frankie and Nick’s story will keep you reading until the end.

Stacey Landers
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

5 Flags: I liked this novella because it’s a fast-paced read, with interesting characters who made me want to learn more about them and their personality motivations. Nick is truly sexy, but even more, he’s a sympathetic male character with a lot of depth. Francesca is a damaged woman who learns to turn the dangers of the past upside down and find hope for a beautiful future. The story is optimistic and truly has a happy ending, and I appreciated that. The intimacy is extended but not graphic and there is violence, but also not graphically depicted

Reviewed by Annie
Euro-Reviews

3 Cups: Ms. Bridger gives readers a tightly written page turner with interesting characters that hold your attention from the first page to the last. The dialogue, situation, and the resolution all come together with a satisfying ending. I look forward to seeing more of Ms. Bridger’s work in the future.

Kimber
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books



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