Monthly Archives: March 2013

Mating Instinct (Moon Shifter) by Katie Reus-a review

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MATING INSTINCT (Moon Shifter #3) by Katie Reus

Mating Instinct

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: March 5, 2013

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job…

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REVIEW: MATING INSTINCT is the third full-length storyline in Katie Reus’s Moon Shifter series focusing on the Armstrong-Cordona wolf shifter pack and their struggles with the Antiparanormal League (APL).

We were first introduced to Jayce and Kat in Primal Possession. Kat had fallen in love with Jayce and Jayce’s ‘wolf’ knew that Kat was his mate, but the human in Jayce feared for Kat’s life. Jayce is an enforcer for the Shifter Council and has made many enemies along the way. When Kat was mortally wounded and had to be ‘turned’ by another wolf, Kat ran from Jayce believing he wanted nothing to do with mating a human, let alone Kat.

Mating Instinct follows Jayce and Kat as they are thrown together in the war against the APL. As an enforcer for the Council it is Jayce’s duty to ferret out rogue shifters and take down those responsible for killing other paranormal beings. But the war became personal when Kat was held hostage and left for dead, by the APL, the year before. Kat believes it is her right to take down the members of the APL and Jayce believes it is his right to protect Kat at all costs.

The relationship between Kat and Jayce was already established in Primal Possession but through the first half of Mating Instinct Kat refuses to acknowledge Jayce’s attempts at a reconciliation. The sexual tension is fraught with the pull of the ‘mating instinct’ and one Kat refuses to believe, As a turned wolf and not a born shifter, Kat was unprepared for the lifestyle and pack laws. More than once Kat has defied the Alpha when she refuses to accept what she has become.

There are several secondary story lines developing. Katie brings back many of her previous storyline characters allowing for a familiar feel to each successive novel. All of the couples we have met previously play an active role in Kat and Jayce’s story and we are witness to several developing relationship.

Katie Reus is one of my favorite authors. I am a huge fan of her Red Stone Security Series as well as her Moon Shifter Series. MATIING INSTINCT does not disappoint. Katie writes with an intensity that can be felt right down to your soul. There is plenty of action, suspense, and steamy sex and a little bit of humor to keep everyone smiling. Another fantastic storyline from the mind of Katie Reus.

READING ORDER
1. Alpha’s Instinct
2. Lover’s Instinct
3. Primal Possession
4. Mating Instinct

Copy supplied by publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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VOTE for The Reading Cafe

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VOTE for THE READING CAFE

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THE READING CAFE has been nominated in SEVEN different categories and we would like your vote. Please click on the links and VOTE for The Reading Cafe in the following categories.  

Nominations 6 =

 

 

1. Best Group Blog

2. Best Overall Blog

3. Best Feature-In My Opinion: 50 Shades of Grey

The following categories can be found on the same site

4. Best Well Written Blog

5. Twitter Queen

6. Best Giveaways

7. Best Meme-YA Love Triangle

 

 

BEST FEATURE

 

3. Best Feature-In My Opinion: 50 Shades of Grey

We would like to take this opportunity to THANK all of our reviewers, members and friends who have made our first year a success.  We hope you have enjoyed The Reading Cafe as much as we have.  

Please take a few minutes and VOTE for your favorite Bloggers.

 

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Forest of the Forsaken by Joanne Brothwell-a review

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FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN by Joanne Brothwell-a review

Forest of the Forsaken

AVAILABLE AT: Amazon

MARCH 1-Forest of the Forbidden is FREE from Amazon for a limited time. Get your copy now by clicking on the link above.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release February 7, 2013

Forbidden love. Family betrayal. The ultimate sacrifice.

Following her mother’s death to cancer, Meg’s world crashes in around her; her father’s re-marries within weeks of their loss, her step-mother is cold and rejecting, and her new step-brother, Joey, has some rather uncommon sexual preferences. Meg’s only hope is to move away and leave her father and the dark memories behind.

When her father forces her to attend his honeymoon with this new and unwanted blended family, Meg finds herself in the remote wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, miles from civilization. Meg begins to see things in the forbidding forest—strange, unexplainable things she believes are the result of compounding stress. But when her father and step-mother disappear, leaving Meg and Joey to fend for themselves, lost and without supplies, she realizes her terrifying visions are not merely her imagination after all.

Will Meg and Joey find their way back to civilization? Or will they submit to the darkness within the Forest of the Forsaken?

In this eerie, erotic adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, the fairy tale ending may be far from happy.

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REVIEW: FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN is a dark retelling of the Grimm Brother’s (Jacob and Wilhelm) fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. German in origin, the Hansel and Gretel storyline follows two young siblings who stumble upon a cannibalistic witch living in a house made of candy, deep in the darkened forest. Forest of the Forsaken twists the original storyline such that the evil witch no longer lives in a house made of candy, but the furnishings and embellishments remind Joey and Meg of the original storyline. And true to form, the witch has big plans for Joey and Meg-and the dinner menu includes one or both.

Twenty-something Joey and Meg first met the day their parents were married. Forced to go on a family camping trip, Meg and Joey will wake up the next morning alone and abandoned. But Joey had previously suspected his mother was up to something. With forethought, he had marked their path for return. The forest is no longer beauty in its’ nature, but alive with evil and dangers as they attempt to escape from the darkness closing in. Disillusioned by betrayal and thoughts of revenge, Joey and Meg push forward only to find themselves fighting for their lives.

Meg’s initial impression of Joey is tainted, but she will soon discover that Joey hides a painful past rife with abuse and neglect. We watch as Joey’s cold exterior and even colder heart begin to melt at the hands of a young and naïve Meg, whose life had been anything but cruel. With Meg’s acceptance, Joey will learn what it is to be loved but can her love save him from the ‘wicked witch’?

FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN is a well-written, contemporary and fascinating albeit darker re-telling of Hansel and Gretel. The friendship between Joey and Meg begins out of necessity as one would probably not survive without the other, and in doing so, it brings the would-be step siblings closer. Joanne Brothwell brings together Native American folklore and medicine and, blends it together with a Germanic stylized system of healing. Quite a combination! If you are a fan of the dark paranormal fantasy with a fairy tale twist, this book was written for you.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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An Interview with Zoe Forward

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An Interview with Zoe Forward

Interview blue:black
Zoe Forward

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Zoe Forward as our guest today.

She is here today to discuss her new book, Dawn of a Dark Knight, just recently released, as well as to tell us a little bit about herself.

Let’s meet Zoe.

 

 

Hi Zoe.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today.We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Zoe: Thank you for inviting me to visit!  I’m a veterinarian with a passion for writing fiction, and a special love for archaeology, especially anything Egyptian.  Although I’ve gone on field expeditions into rain forests, I’ve never had a chance to visit a hot sandy country and see a real archaeological dig site. It’s a goal. And I’m good at goals.

TRC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Zoe: I had a lot of characters and stories bouncing around in my head for years.  About five years ago I took a leap of faith and penned some of those characters into words.  Now that the floodgate has been opened, there are stories and characters screaming to be heard.

TRC: What is your writing process?  Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Zoe: How I wish I had the luxury of time to schedule my writing. I’m thrilled to steal a few minutes in a busy day to pen some pages. Most plotting and brainstorming happens on my work commute or walking the dog. Bottom line is that I make it happen.

TRC: On your website, it states that you are veterinarian for small animals, how do you find the time to write and work your full time job?

Zoe: I’m a full-time veterinarian by day, a mom after work and a writer late at night.  My life is about schedules and taking it one day at a time.  Some people wear capes and save worlds at night. I have a laptop and create worlds.  I’d say my way is a bit less life threatening, but equally heroic.

TRC: Dawn of a Dark Knight is your debut novel, can you please describe your reactions when you found out your book was going to be published?

Zoe: What a fantastic moment. Handel’s Hallelujah chorus sang in my mind for about an hour.  All that time and work finally vindicated!

TRC: Is Dawn of a Dark Knight a stand-alone book, or is this part of a series.  How did you come up with the idea of this book?

Zoe: This is the first of a series. The idea really just came to me all at once.  I love the mystery of ancient Egypt, and created this small band of warriors trying to make it in a modern world while obeying rules set down by ancient gods.

dawn of a dark knight

TRC: Would you please tell us the premise behind Dawn of a Dark Knight? 

Zoe: In DAWN OF A DARK KNIGHT Dr. Kira Hardy jeopardizes her brilliant medical career to save Ashor Vlahos, Scimitar Magi commander, after a brutal daemon attack. Their attraction is instant and, for Ashor, forbidden.  As an ancient nemesis resurfaces and targets Kira, they face a crucial decision—follow the gods’ rules or follow their hearts.

Link to Order Dawn of a Dark Knight: Amazon

 

TRC: How do you keep your writing/story different from others in the genre?

Zoe: I created a new hero.  As a passionate reader of paranormal romance I’ve read my fair share of vampires, weres, fae, shape shifters and demons. And loved them all.  But I decided to pen something new. In DAWN OF A DARK NIGHT the Scimitar Magi are ten pseudo-immortals that live within our world, but struggle to remain incognito. The guys are not exactly thrilled to discover they vowed their eternal soul eons ago to serve the Egyptian gods, and now must execute daemons for the rest of their life.  With no past-life memory, they’ve got no clue how to wield the powers gifted to them by the gods.  Man to super warrior in five minutes with no instruction manual.  So it takes a long time for each Scimitar to work it out. At first losing control is the norm. Incidents happen like blowing up a gas station, which is misinterpreted as a terrorist act.

And then there’s the women. The Scimitars each get matched to one woman for all-time, and she is also reincarnated.  But when and if this woman shows up is entirely up to the gods, who love to muck things up for fun.

TRC: Dawn of a Dark Knight is Paranormal Romance.  Are you interested in writing any other genre?

Zoe: I love writing paranormals – it just fits me so well. However, the future is unchartered territory. I love Sci-Fi and fantasy.  And, someday, there may be a story to tell in those genres.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Zoe: I’m working hard on the sequel to DAWN OF A DARK KNIGHT, which is deliciously exciting.  A magus cursed by a sorcerer thousands of years ago must try to reverse the spell before the woman he loves is forced to kill him as she does within days of meeting in every lifetime.

TRC: Tell us about your favorite character(s) in your new book.

Zoe: I just love the main characters in DAWN OF A DARK KNIGHT.  The heroine, Kira…who wouldn’t want to be her? She’s an adrenaline junkie good at handling weapons with a cousin that drags her on black market art deals.  And she’s got a magical ability to heal by touch, which propels her towards a mind-blowing relationship with the world’s hottest, yet tormented hero.

And then there’s the raw, tormented Ashor. He struggles to obey the rules laid down by the gods he works for, but stresses when he can’t.  He desperately desires the woman destined to be the sacred healer for the Scimitar magi (Kira), but the gods’ rules dictate he cannot be involved with her. On top of this he keeps blacking out and going on hunts to take out the guys that do most of the daemon summoning, the Hashishins.  Killing these guys, even though they are clearly hostiles, violates the no-killing-humans-unless-attacked rule.

TRC: What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing?

Zoe: I love to read, but I don’t get a lot of time to do so anymore.  Sometimes, I’ll have time to pick up a new book, but if I’m awake with free time, I want to be writing. I love paranormal romance, but also action contemporary fiction.  Some favorite authors that come to mind are Linda Howard, J.R. Ward, Heather Graham, and Sandra Brown.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Zoe: Thank you for the interview! This has been such a blast. Readers can visit me at http://www.zoeforward.com or email me at zoe@zoeforward.com.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: baked potato with toppings

Favorite Dessert: baklava

Favorite Author: Too many to name one

Favorite Novel: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Favorite Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones

Last Movie that you saw: The Bourne Legacy

Thank you Zoe, for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you The best of luck with Dawn of a Dark Knight. 

If you want to learn more about Zoe, you can visit her at the following links:

Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

 

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Zoe is offering one winner a choice of an e-book copy or paper copy of Dawn of a Dark Knight.

1. 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, please post your email address with your comments as Twitter etc does not allow for email information.

3. The giveaway is open US only for paper, or International for e-copy..

4. The giveaway runs from March 1-4, 2013

 

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Dawn of a Dark Knight by Zoe Forward – a Review

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Dawn of a Dark Knight by Zoe Forward – a Review

dawn of a dark knight

Amazon

Description:
In the shadows of our world, a secret band of warriors fights to protect us. They are the last line of defense against an evil no human can stop.

An ancient nemesis has resurfaced. Duty demands that Ashor Vlahos, Scimitar Magi commander, recruit a magical healer to fortify the remaining eight magi. The gods’ choice is the woman who helped him escape torture a decade ago. Ashor couldn’t have imagined a better punishment for his vow-breaker homicidal incidents than for the gods to bind him irrevocably to the only woman in the universe he cannot have. The soul-searing desire she ignites in him is strictly forbidden.

Kira Hardy, M.D. is a brilliant, hardworking internal med resident with big secrets. But when Ashor asks for aid after a brutal daemon attack, she is sucked into his dangerous, secret world. Enslavement to the magi, no matter how hot they are, may be an unattractive life plan, but being targeted for death by their enemies is less tolerable.

She must trust the sexy, tormented Ashor to keep her safe while he must deny his ultimate desire and keep Kira at arm’s length lest he bring destruction down on them both. As a centuries-old evil catches up to them, they face a crucial decision–follow the gods’ rules or follow their hearts.

Review:

Dawn of a Dark Knight by Zoe Forward is her first book in her Scimitar Magi Series, a paranormal romance novel, and this is indeed a great start for Forward. 

In the similar theme of Ward’s BDB series, Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series, Dawn of the Dark Knight is about a group of hot sexy warriors, who fight Daemons, and must protect humans.  Our hero is Ashor Vlahos, who is the group’s leader, a Scimitar Magi. 

They are constantly in battle fighting the Daemons, though they usually win the battles, it is becoming tougher and tougher.  They need to find their healer, destined to help and take care of them. 

Our heroine is Kira Hardy, who is a doctor, and she holds a secret; as she is the missing healer.  She has powers that can heal anyone just by her mind.  Kira once met Ashor, when she was an 18 year old teenager, and saved his life. She watched her mother die at that time, and has kept her powers a secret to protect her own life.  But all these years, she has sexual dreams about Ashor, as he does about her. 

While at the hospital, she has to save the life of a Eric, who turns out to be magi warrior, and he recognizes that there is something different about Kira.  As he escapes he takes her with him. And when she starts hearing Ashor telepathically call her, she reveals she needs to find Ashor.  Eric takes her to their home.

Kira saves Ashor, and heals other Magi warriors, but she refuses to stay and help. She wants nothing to do with fighting deamons.  But her bond to Ashor pulls her sexually, and she cannot control those feelings.  Ashor too knows she is the healer, as well as his mate.  But as the commander, he knows that a magi cannot mate with the healer. 

Ashor is getting close to turning evil, especially with his uncontrollable emotions and need for Kira, and his stickler to the rules of their goddess. This makes him a danger to his team, and anyone around him.

This is a wonderful exciting story, non stop action all the way through.  The love and sexual chemistry between Ashor and Kira is hot and steamy.  What was great about this book was that Forward has created some wonderful characters.  The camaraderie between the magi warriors is great; they are a loyal group, who protect one another, and they are a lot of fun, with much humor.  You will enjoy them all.  Ashor and Kira are wonderful together.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching Kira become close to all the warriors, as they gave her their loyalty also.

Did Ashor and Kira find a way to come together, despite the rules against it?  Were the warriors able to defeat the daemons trying to kidnap Kira, and stop her from becoming their healer?  I suggest that you read this book, as it is a fun and exciting read.  Wonderful new series by Zoe Forward.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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