Purely Relative (The P.U.R.E. 1.5) by Claire Gillian
Genre:  contemporary romance, humor
Length: novella (88 pgs)
TBR Reviewer: Amanda
Rating: 5 stars - A Must Read.
Heat: 4 Handcuffs - An Erotic Ride.

When we last saw the hero and heroine of The P.U.R.E., Gayle had lost her job by becoming a whistle blower and running around solving a mystery with Jon, her undercover FBI agent turned boyfriend. Unemployed and far from family, Gayle agrees to go to Thanksgiving dinner at Jon's home, never dreaming how much drama would be involved.

Imagine all the worst, craziest holidays you've endured, roll them all into one, and multiply by ten. Now you have an idea of the craziness that is this story! From having dinner with Jon's ex-fiancée's parents to watching both Jon's siblings' relationships implode, Gayle finds this
to be an unusual holiday. On top of all this comes the comedic angst of Gayle's unemployment and Jon's future with the FBI.

This sequel is a comedic glimpse into Gayle and Jon's future after Anderson-Blakely and is a great reunion with a wonderful romantic duo. I also enjoyed all their family members.
Ms. Gillian's writing is fresh and enjoyable, both funny and angst-filled in turns without being over the top. I highly recommend this book to those who have read the first one (and the first one to those who have not).

Title : Tidal Whispers  
Author: Jocelyn Adams, Claire Gillian, Julie Reese, KellySaid 
Reviewer: Shyla Colt
Length: 118 pages

Tidal Whispers is a quirky collection of love stories that involve the sea. 

Heart’s Desire by Julie Reece

Tessa has been through hell and has come home to lick her wounds. When a freak accident kills her parents she find herself back in her hometown, struggling  to make sense of things and get back on her feet.   Bullied when she was young because of a withered leg as a result of a childhood disease, she’s no stranger to adversity or fighting. However, this may be too much.

My heart broke for this girl who’d suffered so much, and had no one to lean on. Cameron was her first love and I was pleased to see a bit of joy in her life.  When Cameron returns suddenly just when she needs them, it’s like magic, and to be honest I was overjoyed.  It made my heart ache that her happiest moments where when she was asleep and dreaming of a man whose identity is unknown.
 
However, you know what they say about things that seem too good to be true, and this is no exception to the rule. 
  
The Sweetest Song Claire Gillian 

Let me just start off by saying this take on Siren’s was brilliant! I never thought of them as employees who worked for Poseidon.  It caught my attention right from the start with that scenario, and never let go. Circe is a Siren on her last warning from her boss. Poseidon is a
taskmaster and she’s on her third strike on luring a boat to the salty depths of the sea and he’s not happy. She has three choices become his mistress, or his housemaid or figure out why the captain is immune to her song. When she’s on the surface among humans she can’t use her voice so she poses as a mute who can hear somewhat and read lips, but uses sign language as her primary means of communication. When she runs into the Captain off the ship, Otis, she learns his secret, his deaf.

As she falls in love with him, duty is mixed with emotion. The final outcome is up in the air until the very last minute, and I was pleased but surprised by the ending!  Ms. Gillian did a heck of a job spinning a tale with so little words.  The world Circe lives in is alive, vibrant and on the outskirts of our own. I wanted to know more about it! 
  
Pearl of Pau’maa by Kelly Said 

This is the epitome of best-laid plans going awry when destiny has a mind of its own. Merman Harmon is a soldier on a mission.  He’s set to travel to the darkest, deepest parts of the ocean in search of a pearl that once belonged to his family. This pearl will lead him to his soul mate. 

The heroine Miki is a young girl whose sole purpose is to provide sustenance for her people. 
Young and determined she plunges into the forbidden waters that surround her island, and discovers a whole new world. 
 
While entertaining and enjoyable, this story felt a bit rushed. There wasn’t enough build up to the love they shared, or explanation - when a merman finds his mate they know instantly, type of scenario. I was left wishing this had been a little more fleshed out by Ms. Said. 
 
 
The Under garden by Jocelyn Adams 


This story is a prime example of what love is really about.

The concept of child hood adoration that grows into a deep love between members of two different species really pulled at my heart strings. The slow development made the relationship between Nixie and Wyatt charming, and moving. What wouldn’t you do for your best friend? Now add love to the mix. It was a bittersweet tale with an ending much the same. So if you’re looking for a grand happily ever after this may not be your cup of tea. I'd like to add more details, but that would ruin the surprises, instead I invite you to see the world through the eyes of a child and remember what true innocence and first love was like once more.