Monthly Archives: November 2012

Eternal Hope by Frankie Rose – a Review

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Eternal Hope by Frankie Rose – a Review

 

 

Description:
He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me

When your friends go missing and you don’t know if they’re dead or alive; when you tie your soul to the one you love; when you kill to protect and your family suffers, there’s only one thing you can do:

Move to Montana.

Farley Hope is special. She was prophesied to kill the forebears of her bloodline- a race of cold-blooded Reavers, men who steal the souls of the living to gain power. The Quorum had counted on Farley ending her own life in the process, but when Kayden came to her aid and helped save both her and Daniel, he undid their plans. Now the Quorum are displeased, not only with Kayden, but with Farley and Daniel too. Though her father is now dead, Farley’s troubles with the Reavers are far from over. An ancient Immortal, trapped for a thousand years, wants Farley for himself, and he will stop at nothing to claim her.

With secrets that lead to anger and pain, that turn friendship to dust, the group must overcome the problems within their own circle before they have a hope of fighting off the powers that threaten their lives.

Review:

Eternal Hope is the second book in Frankie Rose’s Hope Series.  We pick up the story a short time after the end of Sovereign Hope.  For those who do not remember my review on Sovereign Hope, here is a brief background. 

Farley Hope, who is only 18, is part of a prophecy that will destroy the evil Reavers, who are immortals that take the soul of others, and they cannot be killed.  As the Reavers try to kill Farley, she is kept safe by Agatha and Daniel, who are part of group trying to stop the Reavers. In Eternal Hope, Farley and Daniel, as well and Tess and Oliver are hiding from the Reavers, as we see them leave L.A. to meet up with Daniel’s friends in Montana.  Agatha, who was one of Farley’s main protectors, is still missing.

The romance between Farley and Daniel is very much real and hot, though neither of them dare to act on their feelings, with so much danger surrounding them.  The trip to Montana, brings in new characters in this book, Cassie, Anna, Gray, and also has a bigger role for Kayden, who is a great character. 

There is so much going on in this book, with the battle between Daniel and his friends; Farley & Daniel; the Immundus and the Reavers; Kayden and Daniel; and Farley and Simeon.  At times it was a bit slow early on, trying to understand what exactly was happening and why.  Farley has her visions often, as she is pulled into the dream world of the powerful old Reaver, Simeon, who wants Farley for his own ulterior motives. 

There was a lot of action & suspense, within all stories evolving in this book; Why did Daniel and Kayden hate each other?  Was Simeon real, and why did he want Farley?  Agatha.. is she now good or bad? Why has Oliver changed?  So many questions, and yes Frankie Rose does answer all of them by the end. 

There were a lot of surprises, twists, betrayals, and the wonderful romance between Farley and Daniel.  I thought Farley was an even better tough kick assed heroine in this book, and it was nice to see a more loving Daniel in this book.  They make a great couple. 

One of the best things about this series, is the wonderful characters that Frankie Rose has created..Farley, Daniel, Kayden, Tess and Oliver.  You care about them, and you root for them to stay together and survive.  The last quarter of the book was very exciting, and I found Eternal Hope to be an excellent read. If you have not read this series, you must start with Sovereign Hope first, in order to truly understand the storyline.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrees–Sneak Peak Excerpt and Giveaway

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The Winemaker’s Dinner Entrees: Sneak Peak Excerpt and Giveaway

Omnific Publishing is pleased to announce the cover reveal and release date for the next instalment in The Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy-THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER: ENTREES by Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond on December 18, 2012

SUMMARY:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko has got it bad. He’s in love—with life, his work, and his baby girl, Jaden Thorne. The nearly 3000 miles between Miami and L.A. that once threatened their happily-ever-after now seem nothing more than a mere geographical challenge—nothing a few hours on a plane and a sexy weekend rendezvous can’t trump. No time apart is too long to keep him from wanting her in his arms and in his bed. He’s absolutely sure Jaden is his dream come true.

Jaden Thorne is living the life she’s always wanted. She’s got her one-in-a-million job on a TV cooking show, she’s achieved celebrity chef status, and she’s in a committed relationship with her perfect guy… Then the network’s surprise decision to add a co-host to her show takes a bite out of her perfectly balanced life and career. With a new man in the mix, living the dream gets a whole lot more complicated both personally and professionally.

When the emotional, mental, and physical paths of true love’s course collide with frustration, secrets, and assumptions, will Ivan and Jaden pay the price? Does their dream-come-true cost something neither can afford?

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrées is a decadent meal of passion, sex, and secrets, inspired by the real romantic life of Dr. Ivan Rusilko. Authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have turned up the heat in this emotional follow up to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers, expertly executing their unique recipe for blending fact and fantasy, with more than a dash of passion and sex.

***************

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT to The Reading Cafe:


Classic rock streamed from the docking station where Ivan had plugged in his iPhone, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Wandering from the bedroom to the living room, she detected a faint trace of cigar smoke and noticed that the balcony door was ajar. There, leaning against the rail, his muscular physique illuminated by the setting sun, was Ivan. A cigar dangled from his mouth and his hand held a glass of wine. A simple white towel was the only thing he wore, and he appeared to be deep in thought. Bare feet, bare skin, and flowing brown hair that just reached the top of the tattoo inked across his back. The sight was almost perfect. If only he’d lose the towel, she thought. This man, a man she trusted implicitly and loved with every fiber of her being, a man who loved her back just as much, was a miracle. Finding what they now shared had been a once in a lifetime chance…and they’d been lucky to find it at all.

She watched him stand in silence, enjoying the fading blues, reds, and purples that painted the warm California sky. He pulled deep on his cigar, occasionally blowing a smoke ring. She could watch him for hours and be completely content, but she couldn’t bear to waste a second of their precious time together, so Jaden cleared her throat and alerted him to her presence. When he turned and stared at her, his eyes full of love, she could tell he’d been thinking something along the same lines as she had only seconds before. As their gazes locked, she knew this was for real. Despite the distance—the thing Ivan had feared the most—they were making it work. And someday, when the time was right, they’d be able to close that distance between them.

In anticipation of the upcoming release of THE WINEMAKE’S DINNER: ENTREES Omnific Publishing is offering TWO ebook copies of the first book in The Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER: APPETIZERS.

 

1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, pleaser register using the log-in at the top of the page, or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log in such as Google or Twitter, please post your email address with a comment.

3. Giveaway will run from November 16 to 20, 2012.

4. Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY.

 

The Reading Cafe would like to thank Micha Stone, Marketing and Creative Director at Omnific Publishing for all of the promotional material and pictures.  As an added bonus, we offer up the latest picture of Dr. Ivan to fuel your imagination while reading The Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy.  Enjoy!!

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An Interview with Lisa Renee Jones

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An Interview with Lisa Renee Jones

The Reading Cafe is happy to have the fantastic Lisa Renee Jones as our guest today.

Lisa Renee has just released her final book in her Stepping Up Trilogy.  Our review of this wonderful series is just below this interview.

Lisa Renee is here to talk to us about her her latest book, as well as her other very hot new release, If I Were You.

Let’s meet Lisa Renee.

 

Hi Lisa and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Lisa: I owned a staffing agency for 11 years and people thought I was crazy to leave to write but life is short and I wanted to chase the dream. Thankfully, though it took years to feel successful, it’s been a good decision.

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Lisa: No. I was interested in acting and did some independent film in Austin, Texas and even hit film festivals with one of them I was the lead in. But I had kids and a company, and it just wasn’t possible to fully pursue it. Then one day I picked up a script and said — I love to read. Books are so a part of my life, maybe that creative side on me would feed into writing. So I tried and finished a book in about 3 months. It was horrible but it was a start.

TRC:  Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Lisa: Those moments on deadline when I hit point where the words aren’t flowing. It always means something is off I need to go back and fix but I freak out every time. My fiancee always reminds me — this means something is wrong. Go back and read what has happened in the book so far.

TRC:  What challenges have you faced getting your novels published?

Lisa: I got published fairly quickly but it’s hitting that sweet spot for exposure. Indie helped me overcome that and get to the point I’m at now.

TRC: You just released your 3rd book in your Stepping Up Trilogy….Winning Moves. Can you please give us a brief description of the book?

Lisa: I LOVE this story. It’s my favorite Blaze I’ve written and my last for a good while:( My schedule is just too tight. It’s about love rediscovered and I felt the characters so deeply I hope the readers do too. It’s about a Dance Show that becomes a Vegas show.

LINKS TO ORDER Lisa Renee Jones Books:
Amazon / Barnes and Noble/The Book Depository /

TRC: Next month you are starting a new Urban Fantasy series, Dark Angel. Can you please tell us the premise of this series?

Lisa: Actually it looks like I might have to put off this date. I’ll know next week but I hope not. But the premise is a woman who has a birthday on December 21 and discovers that something is awakened inside her that makes her be the key to causing the end of the world. Two sexy men will help her find a way to stop that from happening.

TRC:  If I Were You is the first book in your Inside Out Trilogy, which has had a fantastic start. Can you give a brief description of this series?  Also, when do you plan on releasing the 2nd and 3rd books of this series?

Lisa: The series is based on a real journal my fiancee found in a storage unit when we use to buy and sell storage units. It was inspired by that journal and I wrote it over a long period of time as I let the idea develop and take form.

Simon and Schuster releases the print of IF I WERE YOU in March, 2013,  BEING ME is June 11, 2013 and REVEALING US is September 11, 2013

About IF I WERE YOU:

The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry.

Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

TRC:  You write many different genres, such as romance, erotic romance, paranormal, suspense, urban fantasy.  Do you have a preference?  Do you find it difficult to switch between these genres, when writing your stories?

Lisa: I love writing across genres because it keeps me fresh but first person has really grabbed me. I am enjoying it more than I have 3rd in the past.

TRC:  Where do you get the energy or ideas to write so many books in one year?  Also what is your writing process, such as where you like to write or do you have preferred times?

Lisa: I write 7 days a week because it keeps my head in the stories. I set word count goals and if it takes until 3am then I make that goal.

TRC:  What are you working on now?

Lisa:  I just finished Being Me and now I’m working on a special secret attached project.

TRC:  Who is your favorite character (male and female) of your own books, and why?

Lisa: Well I’m writing Sara now and I enjoy writing her. She is my favorite for all kinds of reasons.

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Lisa: My fiancee. He is the one who talked me into writing the INSIDE OUT trilogy and I released book 1 on his BDAY because of that and for luck.

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Lisa: BEING ME and REVEALING US is up for pre-order!

Amazon Pre order Links:
Being Me:
Revealing Us:

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Mac N Cheese

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate anything

Favorite TV show:  I have many. We are TV fans at my house. We save things and watch them in marathons. I just started Sons of Anarchy and I’m loving it.

Favorite Movie: No favorite though I have to say I still love Pretty Woman.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk for sure

Favorite Author: No favorite but Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series is a big favorite for me. I love Patricia Briggs Mercy series too. Shannon McKenna’s suspense. The list goes on.

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Mac from the Fever series

Thank you, Lisa, for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with your Stepping Up Trilogy, Inside Out Trilogy, and the new Dark Angel series.

If you want to learn more about Lisa, you can find her at the following links:
Website: http://www.lisareneejones.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Lisa has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win one of her backlisted e-books.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open to U.S. & Canada Only

4.  Contest runs from November 16th – November 19th.

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Stepping Up Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones – a combined review

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Stepping Up Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones – a combined review

 

All three books of Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy  were fun, enjoyable, and relaxing reads  This series had a fantastic concept, a TV Dance Reality show, with wonderful and sexy couples for each book.  Though some scenes in each book were steamy, it was not erotic. If you are looking for romance, great couples, and just pure fun, then Stepping Up is perfect for you.  The great thing about this series is that all 3 books came out within 3 months, allowing me to read without waiting long for the next book.  Below is my review on each book.

Watch Me – book 1

Watch Me is the first book in Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy. This is a contemporary romance, with a Realty TV Dance show as the premise of the story.  Meagan Tippan is the producer of this show, and she is our heroine of the story.  The show is called America’s Stepping Up, and Sam Kellar, a former Special Forces soldier, is the head of Security for the studio, as well as our hero.

Meagan is a former dancer, who suffered a serious leg injury to cut short her career in dancing, but she uses her love of the dance, to come up with the idea of this reality tv show.  Right from the start, as all the contestants are chosen, they are plagued by unusual mishaps, such as the fire sprinkler going off in the house they were all living in, causing enough damage for them to have to find a new place.  Everyone whispered that there was a curse, as this was not the first mishap.  Because of this, Meagan is forced by her bosses to allow Sam to be part of the full time team, in charge of security.   Meagan knew the management wanted to use the curse as a gimmick to kick start the show.

Meagan wasn’t happy about Sam, as he was everything she didn’t like. a strong tough guy, and gorgeous hunk, as she preferred someone more laid back. Sam, though finding Meagan attractive, called her an ice princess.  But it was Sam, who would make the first move to try to win Meagan. 

This was a good story, as we watched Meagan and Sam discover each other; open up to their own demons from their pasts, as well as to work together to stop someone who is trying to sabotage the show.  The chemistry between Sam and Meagan was hot, and it was fun to watch them try to hide from others their growing attraction. 

The reality dance show theme was fun to watch, and see how jealousy, and friction between dancers can cause problems, and what producers have to deal with.  There also was the mystery, though for the most part you knew who was behind the sabotage, it still was interesting to see how it would all turn out.   Excellent first book in this series, as the next book is Follow My Lead, which I think is season two of the reality dance show.

Follow my Lead – book 2

Follow My Lead is the 2nd book in  Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy. The book picks up months after Watch Me ended.  As a reminder, this is a contemporary romance, with a Realty TV Dance show as the premise of the story.  Preparation is in full swing to start the second season of America’s Stepping Up show, and Meagan, our heroine in the first book, and producer of the show has picked her celebrity judges. 

We meet Darla James and Blake Nelson, our wonderful couple on the plane heading for the studio to meet Meagan, the other judges and plan for the auditions.  Darla, who has a fear of flying, is not happy to be sitting next to Blake, a tv show competitor whom she blames for an embarrassing mishap a few months ago.  Blake is also her competitor from another channel, as they have somewhat similar tv shows that they host.  She is downright rude, and antagonistic to Blake.  Blake finds humor in Darla’s attitude, as he tries to explain that he truly was not at fault for that mishap.  An uneasy truce is reached, as Darla must survive the plane ride and Blake offers his support.   

During the early days of preparation and auditions, both Blake and Darla find themselves becoming totally attracted to one another.  Both having decided a one night fling will be just the thing they both need to move on, ….only things don’t always work that way. Their chemistry and sexual relationship flies through the roof, and is very hot.  Each though has their own issues in regards to commitment and relationships.  Something they will both have to work through almost to the end. 

Meagan comes up with a gimmick utilizing Darla and Blake’s antagonistic attitude to each other, trying to tempt the audience to follow and see where if their dislike for each other (which is no longer true, something they have to hide) will change as the season moves forward. 

This was an excellent second book in this trilogy.  It is a fun relaxing read, with a very good theme…Dance Reality show, and what goes on behind the scenes.  Follow My Lead is more sexual then the first book, with a lot of steamy hot sex scenes; it is more of a romance, without the mystery of the first book.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as well as Darla and Blake, and watching them find their love.  I look forward to the last book in this series.

Winning Moves – book 3

Winning Moves is the 3rd and final book in Lisa Renee Jones’ Stepping Up Trilogy.

We meet our heroine at the beginning of the story, as Kat Moore arrives home in Las Vegas, after traveling on a dance tour, and swears to herself that she will give up traveling forever.  Just when she is ready to leave the airport and head home, she gets a call from her agent about a gig right there in Las Vegas, allowing her to make some good money and stay home.  The show is based on the popular America’s Stepping Up Dance Reality show, but this one will be at a Vegas hotel. 

Unbeknownst to Kat, as she arrives to meet the people behind this show, she sees our hero, and Kat’s ex husband, Jason Alright.  Jason is the director of the Vegas show, and also a judge on the tv show.  He still loves Kat, and he wants to win her back, and does everything in his power to ensure that she will take the job as the show’s choreographer. 

Winning Moves is above all a wonderful romance between Kat and Jason, and has you rooting hard for them to find a way to make it work this time.  There are some good side stories, such as Kat’s retired parents, who are faced with bankruptcy. There is also the Dance show shenanigans that we got used to in the first two books, with the tough dance competition, as well as the sabotage that ensues, and Kat is right in the middle of it to help resolve any issues that threaten the show. 

Kat is afraid to let herself commit to Jason again, as they both have their own careers, and each time they tried to get back together, there was always something pulling them apart.  Jason is determined to prove to Kat that this time they will make this work, and stay together.  The sexual tension between them is hot, and no matter what issues they may have had, they cannot keep their hands off of each other.  Make no mistake, their chemistry together is steaming hot. Winning Moves is a fun, enjoyable and very sexy read. 

I enjoyed this series very much.  If you want something that is fun, to relax and enjoy, with a great story and an awesome sexual couple, look no further then The Stepping Up Trilogy, as it is a perfect read.

Reviewed by Barb

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Lisa Renee Jones – Biography-Bibliography

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Lisa Renee Jones – Biography-Bibliography

Biography

In 2003, award winning author Lisa Renee Jones sold her Austin, Texas based multi-state staffing agency and has since published over thirty novels and novellas across several genres. Her staffing agency LRJ Staffing was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Her debuts with Blaze and Nocturne hit Bookscan’s Top 100 list and her Blaze Hotzone trilogy made a showing on the list in 2011 also. With a new Blaze trilogy, a short story for Spice, the third book in her Zodius series published with Sourcebooks, as well as an rapidly growing indie following, 2012 will bring many new stories to her readers. Booklist says about Jones’ suspense: “…truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann. Alpha, military, and paranormal romance readers will want Jones’ entire series.” Lisa is active on Facebook and Twitter, and you can find her at www.lisareneejones.com.You can find Lisa on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog for regular updates. Lisa now has a Fan Page at Facebook.


Bibliography

Inside Out Trilogy
If I Were You – book 1
Release Date: September 2012


Being Me – book 2
Release Date: June 2013


Revealing Us – book 3
Release Date: September 2013

 

The Amber Brown Chronicles
(New Urban Fantasy under pseudonym  LR Jones)

Death Angel- book 1
Release Date: December 2012

Crimson Angel – book 2
Release Date: Upcoming 2013

Dark Angel – book 3
Release Date: Upcoming 2013

Stepping Up
Watch Me – book 1
Release Date: Sep-2012           

Follow My Lead – book 2
Release Date: Oct-2012 


Winning Moves – book 3
Release Date: Nov-2012

Tall, Dark and Deadly
Secrets Exposed – book 0.5
Released: June 2011

Hot Secrets – book 1
Release Date: January 2012

Dangerous Secrets – book 2
Release Date: April 2012

One Dangerous Night  – book 2.5
Release Date: August 2012

Beneath The Secrets – book 3
Release Date: October 2012

The Zodius Series
The Legend of Michael – book 1
Release date: May 2011


The Storm that is Sterling – book 2
Release Date: November 2011

The Danger That is Damion – book 3
Release Date: May 2012

Renegade Passion – book 4
Release Date: May, 2012


Vampire Wardens
Hot Vampire Kiss – book 1
Release Date:  August 2011


Hot Vampire Seduction – book 2
Release Date: September 2011


Hot Vampire Touch – book 3
Release Date: November 2011


Werewolf Society
Wicked Werewolf Night – book 1
Release Date: December 2011

Wicked Werewolf Secret – book 2
Release Date: May 2012

Wicked Werewolf Passion – book 3
Release Date: August 2012

Texas Hotzone
Jump Start – book 1
Release Date: January 2011

High Octane- book 2
Release Date: March 2011

Breathless Descent – book 3
Release Date: May 2011

The Masters
Taste of Pleasure – book 1
Release Date: June 2011

Bound & Pleasured – book 2
Release Date: July 2011

Exposed & Pleasured
Release Date: August 2011


The Knights of White
The Beast Within – book 1
Release Date:  Nov 2007         


Beast of Desire – book 2
Release Date: March 2008


Beast of Darkness – book 3
Release Date: July 2008

Captive Of The Beast – book 4
Release Date: May 2009

Demon’s Seduction (novella)
Part of The Knights of White
Release Date: May 1, 2009

Return of the Beast (novella)
Part of The Knights of White series.
Release Date: June 1, 2008

Underground Guardians
Protector – book 1
Release Date: August 2005      


Healer – book 2
Release Date:  July 2005

Single Titles
Pleasure with Purpose – Release Date: April 2011

Hot Target -Release Date: August 2010

Santa, Baby -Release Date: December 2009

Lone Star Surrender – Release Date: January 2009

Damned, Delicious and Dangerous – Release Date: June 2008

Exclusive – Release Date: September 2007

Hard and Fast –Release Date: July 2007

Hurt So Good – Release Date:  April 2007

Alluring Tales –(Awaken the Fantasy) – Release Date:  March 2007

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The Werewolf Society Trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones- a review

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THE WEREWOLF SOCIETY TRILOGY by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

WICKED WEREWOLF NIGHT (WEREWOLF SOCIETY #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

WICKED WEREWOLF NIGHT is the premiere novel (Nov 2011) in Lisa Renee Jones’ Werewolf Society series. The Werewolf Society is a spinoff of Lisa’s Vampire Warden series.

Ailya Richardson is a witch in love with an alpha male-a true alpha wolf Nico Moore, but Ailya had been cast aside one year earlier. When a spell she used to help the vampires and werewolves went horribly wrong, Ailya was cast aside by Nico and left alone to fight the demons she had created with her witch spell. And now it was time to make things right. Called in to remove a binding spell from vampire Warden Troy, Ailya knew this was only the first of many apologies she would have to perform to slowly repair the tepid truce between the wolves and the witches. What she didn’t expect was to find Nico present, wearing the witches medallion that would save her life. With only 6 months before until her next birthday and inevitable death, Ailya needed to get possession of her medallion before someone else discovers the family secret and her life was no more.

Nico Moore was the alpha wolf of his pack. Never mated, he knew that Ailya was his. But wolves could only claim wolves as their true mates with both the binding rituals and mate marks. The lore would not stand in Nico’s way. And knowing the love of his life believed he betrayed her and left her to die only added to his guilt and shame. But his rejection was necessary to save her life. If he had continued to see Ailya and claim her as his own, she would be dead or worse. He sent her away for her own protection. Now he must once again betray her for her own protection. And now that one of the biggest threats to Ailya’s life was dead, Nico proceeded to put his plans in motion.

Ailya could never resist Nico’s charms. Their attraction was palpable and Nico’s pack knew that the witch and the wolf would one day be together-forever. Claiming be damned, they knew Nico would never give up where Ailya was concerned and this made for some bitter enemies among the pack, and both Nico and Ailya had to find the person(s) responsible for betraying the pack. It was only when Ailya’s heath took a turn that jealousy would rear its’ ugly head and put Ailya’s life in danger, once again.

With one betrayer eliminated, Nico and Ailya made plans for their future, that now included more than just the two of them. And Marcus would bring them a wedding gift that even Ailya’s magic could not match.

WICKED WEREWOLF NIGHT is a great start to Lisa’s Werewolf Society series. As a companion and spin-off to her Vampire Warden series, Lisa thankfully included much of the premise information from one of her previous novels where Ailya and Nico ran into trouble. Without this background info, I believe the new reader to the series would have been confused. I am one reader who is always pleased when an author includes pertinent information from the series and previous novels. Looking forward to Lisa’s next instalment in her Werewolf Society series-Wicked Werewolf Secret (May 2012).

WICKED WEREWOLF SECRET (Werewolf Society #2) by Lisa Renee Jones

WICKED WEREWOLF SECRET is the second installment and novella (May 2012) in Lisa Renee Jones’ Werewolf Society series. The Werewolf Society is a companion series to Lisa’s Vampire Warden series of novels.

With her new law degree, wolf-shifter Sarah Duncan wanted to work for the Council. But her parents had always warned her about the elders-The Royal Guard-some of the most powerful warriors they wolves employed. And Sarah’s attraction to alpha male Kole Smith was something she didn’t understand and was not willing to examine too closely. Nearing the end of her shift at the Casino, Sarah knew her life was about to changed when Kole once again, took a seat at her blackjack table and literally was about to turn the tables.

Kole Smith was next in line. As second to former pack leader Nico, the position would soon shift to Kole, when NIco took up his new position with the Council of Magic. But Kole had other things on his mind-claiming his mate-the beautiful blackjack dealer Sarah Duncan. Now, the only thing he needed was to prove to her, that they belonged together. But finding his future mate stepping into a stranger’s car, put Kole on high alert. Alarm and danger filled his senses and suddenly Kole was swept into a world of fire, explosions and murder. Realizing his mate had walked into a set-up his first instinct was to save Sarah, and with the warehouse ablaze and her family trapped inside, Kole knew he would lose Sarah as well when she chose to run. 18 months later, Kole knew he would face Sarah and it would be his final chance to claim his mate.

Since the murder of her family, Sarah had gone vigilante. Tracking down those rebel wolves who stood in her way between revenge and the Council, Sarah’s ultimate goal was the destruction of the man who set her up and killed the only family she knew. But fate had other plans, when Kole Smith finally tracked her down to bring her in to face the Council of Elder and speak to her crimes. Only it wasn’t the Council who wanted Sarah-it was Kole-and when she finally recognized the mating-frenzy in Kole, she knew that the next pack leader was her’s to claim as well. But overhearing Nico, Kole and Shi discussing the King’s potential ruling in all matters that concerned the couple, her heart sank. Perhaps it was time to run again, and let Kole assume the position he was meant to lead. But a surprise visit by the King would reveal more than both Kole and Sarah ever thought possible.

WICKED WEREWOLF SECRET is a short story that offers up another twist to the Werewolf Society series of novels and storylines. A quick read and one that will have you wanting more-in the next adventure-Wicked Werewolf Passion-Shi’s tale.

WICKED WEREWOLF PASSION (Werewolf Society #3) by Lisa Renee Jones

WICKED WEREWOLF PASSION is the third instalment (August 2012 release) in Lisa Renee Jones’ Werewolf Society series of stories. A spin-off from her Vampire Warden’s series, The Werewolf Society looks at the lives and loves of the wolves hoping to protect and save their own.

Shi McKnight knew that Carmen was his mate, but she was still one year shy of The Day of the Wolf when a female reached her fertility. Knowing her father was using every effort to keep them apart, it was only a matter of time before Alexander Neal would ensure that Shi never claimed his daughter. But Shi knew, that Alexander’s mind had been poisoned and trying to convince Carmen would be impossible. Unable to claim his own mate, Shi knew his only alternative was to leave, and now both of their lives would be at risk. With the Rebel Society destroying the wolves, it was a matter of time before Shi would be called to hunt those threatening his family and friends.

Carmen Neal was in love with Shi, but he continued to push her away. Knowing they were mates was made all the more difficult when after a wild night of passion he mysteriously disappeared and never returned for five years. It was during this time that Carmen’s father’s spiral into delirium increased and the Council was hoping to find a way to hold and control the Elder. But to Carmen’s surprise she would find Shi had returned with a two fold agenda–To save Carmen from the Rebel bands and to ensure that Alexander Neal was no longer a danger to himself and the wolves. Only now Carmen was under suspicion for possible Rebel cooperation.

Lisa includes a few of the previous storyline characters including Kole whose mate is close to delivering their first child. As a witch, Aylia (his mate ) had infused Kole with some magic but it is a darker form of magic that is devouring Alexander Neal’s mind. When his life was saved by magic, the side-effects have been more detrimental than anyone could have known. And it will be Shi who will have to face a nearly insane Alexander, when he is forced to protect his mate from the father who has aligned himself with the Rebel Forces.

WICKED WEREWOLF PASSION is a short novella in the Werewolf Society series. An interesting storyline that can be read as a stand-alone, although Lisa has included a few characters and names from the previous stories for a more inclusive flow. Shi is a sexy wolf who needs his mate and Carmen is a woman who knows what she wants.

Reviewed by Sandy

SPECIAL SALE: All 3 Werewolf Society novels AND the first 2 Vampire Wardens novels available for $1.99–5 books for $1.99

LINKS TO PURCHASE:  Amazon/ Barnes and Noble /

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If I Were You (Inside Out Trilogy #1) by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

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IF I WERE YOU (Inside Out Trilogy #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

As we begin our feature with Lisa Renee Jones, we would like to re-post our review for her latest release:  IF I WERE YOU

IF I WERE YOU is the first storyline in Lisa Renee Jones new Inside Out Trilogy. There are bound to be comparisons to Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, Crossfire series by Sylvia Day and Beth Kery’s Because You are Mine as the premise focuses on two people whose lives have been haunted by pain and sorrow, and the measures to which they go to in order to dull that pain. The similarities are plenty right down to the BDSM, family secrets, art galleries and issues of control, but there is also an underlying storyline that first presents itself to the heroine as she searches for information about a missing woman who has written a very revealing journal about her personal life.

Sara McMillan is a 28year old high school English Teacher with a Master’s degree in Art. And when her best friend Ella discovers a series of personal journals in a storage unit, Sara’s life will change forever. Rebecca Mason, the author of the journals, has been missing for several months, and hidden within her writings are the clues as to what has happened. Discovering the woman was the marketing director for a prestigious art gallery, Sara finds herself at an exclusive showing with a personal invite from the owner to fill Rebecca’s position. But it is the erotic writings and personal entries that will force Sara to question who is behind Rebecca’s disappearance and why.

Mark Compton is the gallery owner. From wealth and prestige, Mark makes it his mission to train and educate Sara on the ins and outs of the Art business, including the hosting of gallery affairs. But Sara finds herself uncomfortable around Mark especially when the other employees drop hints that Mark likes to be in control and punish those who are disobedient. And Sara begins to suspect that Mark has played a major role in Rebecca’s journal entries.

35 year old Chris Merit is a local artist whose works were presently on display at the gallery where Sara was currently working and Chris is a man who rarely reveals anything about himself. During a recent showing, Chris will make a promise to himself to get to know Sara, but he will find himself revealing more information and developing feelings for a woman who had only crossed his path a few evenings before. His attraction to Sara is sexually charged, but there is an underlying need to protect the woman from a path that she may not realize she is heading. But Sara is no wallflower and knows what she wants in life.

Chris has a secret that both he and Mark share. Although not friends, they are acquaintances in business but their paths cross into a world that Sara is unable to comprehend. As troubled as Sara’s past has been and the secrets that she refuses to reveal, Chris’s revelations will confuse and add more sorrow to Sara’s life. Believing she was falling in love with Chris, Sara will begin to question what is behind the man to whom she is losing her heart.

IF I WERE YOU is a sexually seductive and erotic storyline that ends abruptly with many unanswered questions that beg to be addressed. But this is a trilogy after all, and with each successive novel, more will be revealed and questions will be answered. The secondary storyline intertwines itself throughout the novel, as Sara reads the entries from Rebecca’s journals and wonders who or what has caused the mysterious Rebecca so much pleasure and so much pain. Lisa Renee Jones does a wonderful job building up the suspense and the reader is pulled into the storyline right from the very first word in Rebecca’s journal.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paper Books / B&N Nook

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts – a Review

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The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts – a Review

The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts is the third & final book in her The Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy.  This trilogy takes place in BoonsBoro, Maryland, where the Montgomery brothers have been renovating the old Inn in the town, and as the series continues, they renovate other additions, near the Inn.  The Montgomery family, consists of Ryder, the oldest brother, Owen, Beckett, and their mother, Justine.  When we started this series with The Next Always, Beckett and Clare were the couple in love.  Then in The Last Boyfriend, it belonged to Owen and Avery.  Now it all ends with the final brother, Ryder and the girl whom he calls the innkeeper..Hope.

From the start, when they first met, though we knew they would end up together, neither one of them liked each other.  Hope found Ryder to be surly and unfriendly, not even able to call her by her name.  Ryder thought of the beautiful Hope as snotty, not his type.

He watched his two brothers’ fall in love, and was not in the least interested in tying himself down with any woman, let alone Hope Beaumont.

The wonderful thing about this series, and Nora does this so well, you become invested into the characters, who become your family also.  I loved all the Montgomery’s, and their woman and friends.  I loved the concept of renovating the Inn, Avery’s restaurant, the new fitness place, as well as Clare’s book store, and Avery’s pizza place.  It was like you lived there also.

Throughout the first two books, I was not a big fan of Ryder, though I did like Hope. But as this story unfolds, my opinion of Ryder changes drastically.  Neither one of them can forget the intense reaction to a New Year’s Eve kiss, and then they do again with sparks.  Hope confronts Ryder, and asks him point blank..”are you considering having sex with me”.  Lol Not used to woman being that forthcoming, Ryder hesitates for a short period and they set a date to have sex.  Afterall, sex does not mean that anything more will happen.  This is really a fun beginning of a romance between two unlikely people, and I loved their honesty between each other.

Needless to say, their sexual chemistry is off the wall, and Ryder finds he cannot keep his hands off of Hope.  He begins to look forward to seeing her, as she does with him.  He doesn’t truly understand his feelings, but acts on them. When people from Hope’s past, try to get her to return or threaten her, Ryder finds himself coming to her defense, which at first Hope was not too happy that he acted on his own.  But they both come to terms, and their relationship becomes stronger from that. Ryder does not know how to handle this new found emotional feelings he begins to experience everytime he sees Hope.  She also begins to realize that she is falling in love with Ryder.

In between this wonderful romance is the continuation of the mystery involving the Inn’s resident Ghost, Lizzy.  Both Hope, who is an ancestor of Lizzy, and Owen work hard to find clues, to discover who Lizzy’s Billy is.  I thought this part of the story was more heartwarming in this book, as Lizzy began to show herself more often.  The resolution to this story, especially with it being a part of the town’s past, and  with the entire family getting involved was very well done and emotional.

The romance between Hope and Ryder, was far better then I had expected.  Their romance turned out to be fun, enjoyable and hot.  They made a great couple.

I loved this series; loved the friendships of Clare, Hope and Avery; loved of  the camaraderie of Beckett, Owen and Ryder; loved the entire town of Boonsboro, and adored the children and the dogs.  This is a family oriented series, with an element of mystery, danger, but most of all, family and love.  This was a wonderful series by Nora Roberts, but then again, I love every series by Nora….every single one of them.  Bravo Nora for doing it again.

Reviewed by Barb

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