Monthly Archives: March 2013

Spell of Summoning by Anna Abner-a review

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Spell of Summoning (Dark Caster)  by Anna Abner-a review

Spell of Summoning

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release January 22, 2013

Goodreads: Holden Clark walks into Rebecca Powell’s life, a tall, blue-eyed stranger who stirs long forgotten desires. But nothing, including this man, is what it seems. A dark necromancer is targeting Becca for a full-blown demonic possession. She is thrust into a world she never knew existed—a world where dark casters create chaos and necromancers talk to the dead.

Holden has no faith in his power. A necromancer, he communicates with the dead, but he has never embraced his gifts. Now, he has no choice but to stop the dark caster attacking Rebecca, but accepting this mission means he’ll be delving into dangerous magics he’s never used before.

Under the protection of the damaged and mysterious Holden, Rebecca will question everything …

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Review:  Spell of Summoning is an interesting read of magic and necromancy. While I am a fan of paranormal genres, I have never heard of necromancy. When I first read the mention of it, I had a feeling I was reading out of my comfort zone. Despite that I found myself enjoying the book immensely and intrigued with the whole necromancy stuff. While I am used to reading about spells, spell weaving, shape shifting and magical healing; necromancy entails spell circles, cutting yourself and calling on spirits to help and draw energy from.

Spell of Summoning is about Necromancer, Holden Clark and Real Estate realtor, Rebecca Powell. The gist of the story is Rebecca has a demon trying to take over her and it is slowly but surely wearing down her defenses. The story is a race against time to rid Rebecca of the demon before the people responsible finish the spell. Of course this becomes an adventure but this adventure also helps both Holden and Rebecca face their inner demons and open their eyes to their trues wants in life. I do like how the chemistry between Holden and Rebecca builds slowly and that their lovemaking scene is very explosive. Though there are times I did feel like their chemistry fell a little flat at times.

This book kept me at the edge of my seat, guessing who the culprit who is trying to destroy Rebecca and unleash a scary demon out into the world. I liked how this story was a perfect balance between a plot that drags on and a fast- faced plot. I appreciated this very much. Out of five stars I would rate this a 4 for the reason that the plot, necromancy, and passion were spot on with me but with the background story of both Rebecca and Holden along with the twists and turns of the story; I felt sorry for them more than half the time.

Reviewed By Xtina

Copy supplied by the Author

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A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett – a Review

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A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett – a Review

a shot of sultry

Links to order A Shot of Sultry: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

Description:

For West Coast filmmaker Bobbi Gallagher, going back to Sultry Springs is a last resort. But with her career in tatters, a quick trip to her hometown might get her the footage she needs to salvage her reputation. She just can’t let anything distract her again. Not even the gorgeous contractor her brother asked to watch over her. As if she can’t handle filming a few rowdy Texans.

Golden boy Trey Lewis, with his blond hair and Technicolor-blue eyes, is a leading man if Bobbi ever saw one. He’s strong and confident and–much to her delight–usually shirtless. He thinks keeping his best friend’s baby sister out of trouble will be easy. But he has no idea of the trouble in store for him.

Review:

A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett takes place in the town of Sultry Springs.  When I received this book to review, I did not know this was the second book in the series.  The first book, Sultry with a Twist was the first book, and even though I did not read it, I was able to enjoy A Shot of Sultry anyway.  I did get to meet the lead characters from the first book, and really loved those characters, so I will have to go back and read that book. 

But this review is about A Shot of Sultry, and the lead characters were a wonderful romantic couple.  Bobbi Gallagher, our heroine, is a documentary filmmaker, who finds herself filming a wedding, since she is having a hard time getting work, as a trusted colleague put her career in tatters.  She gets an offer to do a reality show, which she accepts, as she needs the money.  Bobbi takes her team to Texas, where her brother lives, and where there are hot cowboys; just perfect for the reality show, Sex in the Sticks.  Bobbi is determined to save money living a few months with her brother Luke, and his wife, June (the hero and heroine of book 1), in order for her to try to win back her career as a respected filmmaker.

It is in Sultry Springs that we meet our hero, Trey Lewis.  When Bobbie meets Trey, before she can explain why she is there, Trey tries to throw her out of the bar they are in and a hilarious scene.   Both Trey and Bobbi have their own personal issues, each from either family or childhood.  The chemistry between the two of them is mega hot and steamy.  The problem is that Trey is a womanizer, not believing in anything long term. His friend, Colton, is the same.   Bobbi, uses both men to be the main part of her reality show, but finds her self unable to avoid Trey’s advances.  Trey is really a fun guy, not to mention totally gorgeous.  I can totally understand Bobbi having a hard time fighting him off, and trying keep this professional.  

Bobbi had a bad childhood, with a mother that her brother Luke was lucky not to have had to spent time growing up with.  Trey finding himself really beginning to care for Bobbi, tries to learn more about her childhood, and help her rise above her distrust of relationships.  But Bobbi’s fears of rejection, causes her to do some dumb things.  But it is fun to watch them falling in love, and try to get past those obstacles.

There are quite a few wonderful characters in this series, as I loved Luke and June, as well as Colton, the sexy sheriff, not to mention Trey and Bobbi.  Macy Beckett does an excellent job of making you like her characters, and you become invested in their lives.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series, and as I said, I will be going back to read the first book. If you love romance, sexy and humorous scenes, this book is for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher

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Anything For You (A Coming Home Short Story) by Jessica Scott-a review

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ANYTHING FOR YOU (A Coming Home Short Story) By Jessica Scott -A Review

Anything For You Jessica Scott

Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released February 1, 2013

From the author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive.

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves

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ANYTHING FOR YOU (2013) is a short story of a breast cancer survivor, Nurse Jen St. James and Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison who was first featured in their budding love story in BECAUSE OF YOU (a debut e-novel 2011) by contemporary military romance writer, Jessica Scott.

The story starts off months after Jen and Shane started their new found relationship. How we thought they lived happily ever after; Scars and all. Ms. Scott gave this couple a reality beyond the fairy tale ending to their new love. As a new couple they still had fears they’ve kept from each other. Tough decisions needs to be made and only the strongest and the most understanding of couples will succeed in their relationship.

I didn’t want to make this review long giving too much information because I did not want to give too much away…given the story itself is as it was stated…Short. But even with the shortened plot, I liked the message that Jessica Scott was trying to pass on to her readers: open communication and compromissary. Making tough decisions like what Shane has to go through involves compromise and an understanding partner who will be willing to accept the alternatives. These are fine points in building a strong and lasting relationship.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Neni

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Rebecca Hamilton-Her Sweetest Downfall Blog Tour

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Rebecca Hamilton-Her Sweetest Downfall Blog Tour

Her Sweetest Downfall Tour

Guest Post Black and Yellow

The Water Elementals from The Forever Girl are known as the Strigoi, similar to shapeshifters. They can be killed in the same way as a human or animal, and if they are killed in their animal form, they remain as an animal—this is to protect the secret of their existence. They are faster than the Cruor, though not as strong, and can go out in direct sunlight. Water Elementals can see auras, which is their way of detecting whether another supernatural is a threat.

The Universe intended the Strigoi to be hunters of the darker Cruor, but, unfortunately, this turned into more of a battle between the elemental races. You could call the Cruor and the Strigoi im-mortal enemies, though Strigoi are only immortal so long as they don’t shift. When they are born, they age the way a human would, but once they reach adulthood, they stop aging so long as they shift regularly. If they don’t shift for prolonged periods, they can age. This also makes them able to carry and birth children (so long as they don’t shift while pregnant).

The first chosen Strigoi were the first born male and female of tribes and early settlements across the world, dating back to 8000 BC. They first appeared in Franchthi Cave in Peloponnese. More yet appeared in Nevali Cori and Sagalassos in Turkey, and the settlements at Akure in Nigeria. Across the world—Øvre Eiker and Nedre Eiker in Buskerud, Norway; Ærø, Denmar; settlments in Sctotland, Anatolia, Jericho, and so on—new Strigois were being born, one male and one female for each tribe. Some discovered, some celebrated, some murdered.

Often these chosen Strigoi would feel a magnetic-ism toward each other. Together they would protect the tribe from Cruor and other dangers, and often they would fall in love, feeling only understood by one another, and would go one to have Strigoi children of their own. When the wars began, packs were formed, though some remained with their societies, hiding their true nature, in hope of living a mortal life. Their curse, however, was their children, even if born of a human counterpart, would be born as Strigoi as well.

In the modern day, Strigoi are no longer chosen. Their population has grown so much through propagation that there are more than needed to hunt the evil Cruor. Some embrace their heritage as hunters, while others have chosen a path closer to humanity.

Soon, however—if the world is to survive—everyone must resign to their true nature … and fight.

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HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL
Bonus Novella from The Forever Girl Series
By Rebecca Hamilton
Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 2012

her-sweetest-downfall

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Ophelia’s been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.

Set in an alternate Regency England, “”Her Sweetest Downfall”” is a standalone novella in the “”Forever Girl”” series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.

HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca HamiltonRebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently

Her Sweetest Downfall on Goodreads
Rebecca Hamilton Website
Rebecca Hamilton Twitter
Rebecca Hamilton on Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule-yellow

March 14th

Romancing the Reader – Giveaway

Bookish Things & More – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

March 15th

From the Shadows – Guest Post & Giveaway

The Book Cafe – Review & Guest Post

March 16th

Sizzling Hot Books – Guest Post & Giveaway

Beth Allen Book Reviews – Review

March 17th

Romancing the Dark Side – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

The Reading Cafe – Guest Post & Giveaway

Giveaway-Black and Yellow

Rebecca is offering an ecopy of HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL to one lucky person at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please 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, please post your email address with your comment

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from March 17-19, 2013

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Murder in the World Below by Lara Nance-a review

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MURDER IN THE WORLD BELOW (Haven Mystery #1) by Lara Nance

Murder in the World Below

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

About the Book: Released February 24, 2013

In 1922 the federal government built the largest facility for handicapped children in the country, hidden in the Shenandoah mountains of Virginia. It was closed forever in 1960 amid horrifying stories of deplorable conditions, overcrowding, illegal testing and sexual abuse of the young inmates.

Sixty-one years later, the academy is now a community college, all trace of its evil past swept away. Or is it? For under the campus of renovated buildings, escapees from the academy and their descendants still live in an elaborate series of tunnels and caves, hiding their differences and fear of the upper world.

Haven, as the residents call their underground home, is a happy, thriving community until they learn their source of power is about to be cut off. A resourceful young woman named Awen sets out to find an alternative source of energy. But someone in Haven is murdering people and sabotaging her efforts.

Aided by a professor from the college, Awen is in a race to expose the killer and hunt for a source of energy that will save Haven. Unfortunately, the murderer now has their sights on Awen as the next victim, and time is running out for the world below.

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REVIEW: MURDER IN THE WORLD BELOW is the first storyline in Lara Nance’s new contemporary suspense HAVEN MYSTERY series focusing on the men, women and children who live in the underground world known as Haven. Once a former mental institution for the ‘retarded’ Haven is now home to the local college but the descendants of many of the previous ‘inmates’ at Haven now live below the surface, hiding the physical deformities brought about by years of radiation experiments and sexual assaults. Afraid of the ‘real world’ and how the ‘uppers’ will view their physical imperfections, the community of Haven must forge an existence scrounging supplies and resources from the world above. But when two of their members die suddenly from an unexplained illness, Awen becomes suspicious of the man hailed to replace the recently deceased leader.

The storyline follows Awen, a young woman who desperately wants to be normal; from all appearances Awen is normal and can walk around in the upper world, but she was born and raised in the underground community of Haven and she wants to ensure that her friends and family are well looked after. But with two suspicious deaths and another probable attempt Awen takes it upon herself to investigate the people who may be involved.

Meanwhile, Awen has begun to forge relationships on the surface. Dropping in on the poetry and literature classes, Awen is befriended by another student who becomes Awen’s lifeline on the surface. But it is Awen’s relationship with the professor that places the people of Haven in danger. When Awen’s relationship with the professor is brought before a college tribunal she must risk revealing the community of Haven to help save the man with whom she is falling in love.

MURDER IN THE WORLD BELOW is another well-written and fascinating storyline from Lara Nance. The reader is introduced to a tight-knit community of second and third generation survivors of a government institutional system that went horribly wrong at the hands of people in control. We watch as the community must endeavor to seek out new resources and a power supply; maintain order when the new leadership is questioned; and discover that one of their own may be responsible for the deaths under investigation. Lara Nance’s imagination and colorful storyline kept me reading until the very end. I cannot wait until the next instalment.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Mandy Harbin-Surrounded by Secrets Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Mandy Harbin-Surrounded by Secrets Blog Tour and Giveaway

SBS Tour Button

Mandy Harbin-Reading a series

Guest Post-Black and Blue

First, I want to thank the peeps at the Reading Café for having me here today. Second, I want to make sure y’all keep reading until the end to find out about some freebies! Woot! I love free books, so I’m passing on the fun. Okay, now for the excitement.

Who all here loves books in a series? Show of hands, people. Umm, yeah, my hands high up in the air. I don’t know what it is about books in a series that draw me in, but I am a sucker for them. When reading one book and future characters are hinted at, I can’t wait to get to their book. But then when I’m on their book and more characters are introduced or elaborated on, I’m salivating to get to the even newer book that highlights those characters. Sometimes, I feel like I rush through the series like an addict needing my next fix and not enjoying the “fix” I’m currently getting. How about you? Is this something you do, too?

I’ve tried to slow down, take my time, savior the stories, but that doesn’t always work. With me also being a writer, much of my time is spent tapping away on my keyboard. When I have a good book that I want to get back to reading, sometimes it’s my reward for meeting a daily word count or reaching some other job related goal. Do I see myself ever slowing down completely when it comes to reading books in a series? Nope. Not unless there’s some support group for reader-aholics. But there’s always a bright side to me rushing through books…I read so many that I don’t remember what happens in them. So when I re-read them down the road, it feels like they are books I haven’t read before. Silver lining. *smiles*

Now for free stuff! My publisher is offering book one in the Woods Family Series, SURROUNDED BY WOODS, for free on Amazon (and B&N, ARe, etc.). Go snatch it up while you can. And don’t forget to enter in my cost for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mandy Harbin

Mandy Harbin is the author of several books across multiple romance genres that range from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. Her books include the award winning Darkest Sin, an erotic romantic suspense and first in the new Darkest series. Mandy also continues to work on her Possession series, which explores BDSM elements with Digital Possession being the series starter, and the ever popular Woods Family series, which began with the best seller Surrounded by Woods. She lives in a small Arkansas town with her family and can be reached via:

Her Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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SURROUNDED BY DEATH (Woods Family prequel novella)

surrounded by Death

.99cents => Amazon / FREE at  =>Barnes and Noble /KOBO

His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it’s too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric’s last night with Simone–a woman whose need for carnal pleasures for exceeds all rational thought.

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SURROUNDED BY WOODS (Woods Family #1)

Surrounded by Woods

Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

When Mikaela Patterson must take on a client with specific requirements that no single women be allowed on his property, she keeps her broken engagement a secret. She doesn’t realize her client and his sons are mountain lion shifters whose instinct to mate with any available woman turns deadly.

Josh Woods is her client’s eldest son, and he is immediately drawn to Mikaela. Knowing his father would never allow an available woman on the property, Josh doesn’t understand his fascination with her. Josh and Mikaela fight their attraction because of their own secrets, but when the truth comes out about Mikaela’s true availability and Josh’s animal instincts, they must be prepared to face the consequences.

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SURROUNDED BY PLEASURE (Woods Family #2)

Surrounded by Pleasure

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Krista Owens is an attorney who works too much and plays too little. When her colleague, Mikaela, requests her assistance for a month on the Woods estate, hinting that her brothers-in-law are all hot with commitment phobias, Krista agrees to tell the guys she has a boyfriend, hoping to finally lose her virginity.

Toby Woods doesn’t want anything to do with Krista, but watching his brothers fight over her ignites his feral side. He wants her, and he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

He knows it’s temporary, but will he be able to let her go when it’s time?

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SURROUNDED BY TEMPTATION (Woods Family #3)

Surrounded by Temptation

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

When Krista needs Ariel’s biochemical expertise because her new boyfriend can turn into a mountain lion, Ariel thinks her sister has lost her mind. But the possibility of a major discovery like this is too much of a temptation to ignore. Create a drug to stop a shifter from forcing a mating? Only if she got to test his sexual limits herself.

Rob thinks Ariel is an angel in disguise, and he immediately knows she’s the one for him. But is he strong enough to resist his animal’s need to claim her once the temptation begins?

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SURROUNDED BY SECRETS (Woods Family #4)

Surrounded by Secrets

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Lillian Caldwell has eyes on the hottie with the body, Jack Woods, one of the men who bought her family land and now new boss. She has big plans for Jack, including the getting-him-horizontal variety, and she always gets what she wants.

Jack is the family hard ass who’s trying to make amends. His plans of digging into the family secret he discovered are thwarted when he’s forced to work with Lillian, his gorgeous, pain-in-the-ass neighbor.

But a night of passion will unlock the secrets surrounding them and change both their lives forever.

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Blog-Tour-Schedule-blue

2/11 – Books-n-Kisses
2/16 – Reading Between the Wines
2/18 – United by Books
2/19 – Darker Passions
2/20 – Night Owl Reviews
2/21 – Book Monster Reviews
2/21 – LITERAL ADDICTION
2/22 – Total Book Nerd
2/23 – Reality Bites
2/24 – Romance Junkies
2/27 – Beach Bum Reads
2/28 – Scorching Reviews
3/02 – Books Books & More Books
3/04 – The Jeep Diva
3/05 – Urban Girl Reader
3/11 – Mad Hatter Reads
3/12 – Salacious Reads
3/13 – Salacious Reads
3/14 – Cocktails and Books
3/15 – Hesperia Loves Books
3/16 – The Reading Café
3/17 – Ramblings From This Chick
3/18 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
3/21 – Page Flipperz
3/25 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight, Giveaway & Review of Prequel)
3/26 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 1)
3/27 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 2)
3/28 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 3)
3/29 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 4)
3/30 – Toot’s Book Reviews

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Mandy is offering winner’s choice of an ebook from the WOOD’S FAMILY series at every tour stop including The Reading Cafe as well as a Grand Prize Giveaway.

1. Please 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, please post your email address with your comment as Facebook and Google etc does not account for account for contact information.

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from March 16-March 31, 2013

Rafflecoptergiveaway

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Mandy is giving away a $100.00 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winners choice) to celebrate the release of SURROUNDED BY SECRETS.

TWO runners up will receive an eBook of SURROUNDED BY SECRETS.

To Enter:
Fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. The more tasks you complete, the more points you get.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Woods Family series by Mandy Harbin-a review

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THE WOODS FAMILY series of novels by Mandy Harbin

The Woods Family Series

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

surrounded by Death SURROUNDED BY DEATH (Woods Family Prequel 0.5) by Mandy Harbin

.99cents => Amazon / FREE at  =>Barnes and Noble /KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released September 2012

His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it’s too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric’s last night with Simone–a woman whose need for carnal pleasures for exceeds all rational thought

REVIEW: Surrounded by Death is the prequel novella in Mandy Harbin’s erotic paranormal ‘Woods Family’ series.

The Wood’s family is a family of all male mountain lion shifters who know what it is to lose control. To keep themselves and the female population protected from harm and the Woods’ males, Eric and the others have secluded themselves on the family tree farm. But when Eric’s best friend’s wife announces their divorce, Eric’s lion sees only one thing-mate. And the ensuing battle to claim the female results in the death of two former best friends.

Surrounded By Death is a very quick read-basically one short chapter in length but explains some of the background about the lion shifter’s need to mate. The premise focuses on the male mountain lion shifter’s inability to control his mating instinct and is willing to mate with every available female. To keep the women safe, the men have secluded themselves from the human population. Mandy Harbin pulls no punches with the sexual and graphic nature of her storylines, introducing the reader to her writing style within the first few sentences.

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Surrounded by WoodsSURROUNDED BY WOODS (Woods Family #1) by Mandy Harbin

Amazon / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

REVIEW: SURROUNDED by WOODS is the first storyline in Mandy Harbin’s Woods Family series focusing on a family of mountain lion shifter males. The short story premise builds on the need of the male lion to find a mate-an unclaimed/unmated female. With this in mind, no unmated/single females are allowed on the Woods property. The baser animal instinct in the male lion demands to mate-and no single female is safe.

Such is the case of Mikaela Patterson-the legal representative sent to rewrite the family wills. Thinking Mikaela would be safe because she had a fiance, the family patriarch allows Mikaela onto the family estate only to learn that his eldest son had become fixated to the point of obsession. It was only when they learned she was no longer engaged did the lion family feud threatens everyone including Mikaela Patterson.

The sexual allure and tension between Josh and Mikaela is immediate. Josh’s lion wanted Mikael regardless of her relationship status. The sex is hot and steamy, and once again, Mandy Harbin pulls no punches with the erotic genre storyline. Accompany it with the paranormal shapeshifting feline and my baser animal side wants to roar.

Surrounded by Woods is a short story that introduces the Woods Family and its family of shape shifting lions fighting their feral side. With three remaining brothers yet to be mated, fans of Mandy Harbin will be looking forward to several more storylines.. Let’s hope the patriarch will find love again. A word of caution: These story lines are sexually aggressive and graphic

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Surrounded by PleasureSURROUNDED BY PLEASURE (Woods Family #2) by Mandy Harbin

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

SURROUNDED BY PLEASURE is the second short story (third storyline) in Mandy Harbin’s Woods Family series focusing on a family of mountain lion shifters. Surrounded by Pleasure is Toby and Krista’s story.

The author takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. Krista is a woman with no sexual experience and is thrown into a family of sexual charged and highly aggressive males-all wanting to claim her for their own. To keep Krista’s availability undercover and to hide the fact that all of the males are shape shifting mountain lions, her fellow attorney and co-worker Mikaela devises a plan to ensure that the mountain lions keep their distance. But Toby Woods is a shifter whose mountain lion persona knows only one thing-that Krista is his mate to claim.

Mandy Harbin writes another interesting storyline of shape shifters and their need to mate. The Woods family is once again brought together as they war with each other and their inner beast. The world building continues with each successive story line. The mating and conclusion to this particular story was a little rushed, as though the author couldn’t wait to finish and the heroine’s abrupt change from innocent virgin to vixen without so much as considering the consequences was questionable. Overall, if you love a story of sexually charged shape-shifters, the Woods Family series is the purrrrrrfect series for you.

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Surrounded by TemptationSURROUNDED BY TEMPTATION (Woods Family #3) Released October 2012

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

REVIEW: Surrounded by Temptation is the third storyline in the Woods Family series by Mandy Harbin. Like the previous storylines, the Woods are a family of mountain lion shifters-all male- who are not in control of their animal side whenever an unmated female is present.

Surrounded by Temptation focuses on Rob Woods and Ariel-Krista’s sister-and a research scientist. On the request of her sister, Ariel has agreed to develop a serum that will help the male shifter control the aggression and their baser instincts to mate. But things go horribly wrong when Ariel is asked to focus on one brother more than the other. When the brothers struggle for power and control, it will be Ariel who loses-both her heart and her pride.

This particular storyline was different from the previous in that the heroine was aggressive to the point of domination and sadistic-all in the name of research-in this, I did not feel the connection between the couple-it was too clinical and too forced. There was no relationship building to speak-everything was justified as part of the experiment. As well, I did not relate to Ariel’s research methods-as far as I was concerned she was cruel and overstepped her position. I like to put myself into the story line and I could not make a connection-I did not understand or agree with her justifications (all in the name of research) and this too, had me hoping for a different direction in the storyline. This series is an erotic romance look at shifter life, but I found nothing erotic or romantic. And in the end, everyone involved lost a little piece of themselves and the family dynamics fractured because of one woman’s need for control. The story also ended on a cliffhanger and one that I had guessed back in the early stages of book one.

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Surrounded by SecretsSURROUNDED BY SECRETS (Woods Family #4) by Mandy Harbin

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released January 11, 2013

REVIEW: SURROUNDED BY SECRETS is the fourth storyline in Mandy Harbin’s Woods Family series focusing on a family of mountain lion shape-shifters and their need to mate. When unmated and single females enter the property, the male shifter only knows one thing-mate.

Jack Woods is the most ‘unstable and aggressive’ of the Woods brothers and with that comes the guilt and shame of previous transgression against his brother’s mates. When he willingly volunteered for the research program everyone was unclear as to how successful the treatment would be for Jack. Keeping his distance from his family was the only option with which Jack felt most comfortable, but when the family bought the neighboring land, the owner’s daughter came along with the package-she was going to be working side by side with Jack and his brothers. To Jack’s amazement and astonishment, the feisty female was more than willing to fall into bed.-but Jack’s lion side decided Lillian was its mate.

The storyline follows the aftermath of Jack’s mating with Lillian. We watch as a flurry of mixed emotions throws the couple into situations and accusations that cannot be easily taken back when spoken in anger. Pain at what he had done shamed Jack but his lion knew that Lillian was his mate. Convincing Lillian was another matter.

There is more to this storyline than the sex and mating of mountain lion shifters. Mandy Harbin finally reveals the story behind the Woods family heritage and what the future holds in store for the next generation. I enjoyed this particular storyline because it had more depth and background history. The family patriarch had been closed mouthed for too long and in Surrounded by Secrets-the secret to the Woods family shifting will finally be revealed.

Copies supplied by author/publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Agent of Desire by Charlie Evans-a Review and Giveaway

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AGENT OF DESIRE (Jessica Booker #1) by Charlie Evans-a review and giveaway

Agent of Desire

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released February 16, 2013

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO/ Create a Space

*An Erotic Spy Thriller*

Adrenaline junkie Jessica Booker joined the CIA to take on bad guys and flirt with danger. And with perks like sleeping with hot foreign men added into the mix, well…it’s a pretty sweet deal.

Now in Paris, she’s about to take on her second assignment as an official agent but is caught off guard when her new handler turns out to be Sims, a sexy CIA instructor. Sims was hard enough to resist in the classroom—in the field, he’s a dangerous distraction. To make matters worse, Jessica’s target is a gorgeous Frenchman who manages to put her in the most compromising positions—positions she doesn’t altogether mind.

With rogue agents, classified secrets, and tempting men at every turn, this mission will prove to be the first real test of her skills, both in and out of the bedroom.

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REVIEW: AGENT OF DESIRE is the first storyline in Charlie Evan’s new Jessica Booker series focusing on a young female CIA agent working undercover in the world of espionage, secret missions and world domination.

Agent Jessica Booker’s (aka Lori) latest assignment takes her to Paris France where she must seduce a handsome computer genius in order to ferret out information regarding a high tech computer program that would ensure whomever was in possession controlled most of the world’s power. But what Jessica did not bargain for was falling for her latest assignment. And things turn from bad to worse when she is informed that her handler in the CIA may have set her up to take a fall.

Agent of Desire takes the reader into a world of double agents, betrayal and heart ache when Jessica discovers that she can no longer trust the man who trained her to be what she is today. When she is reassigned, Jessica will learn that perhaps no man is worth losing your heart when lies and betrayal are the path to getting what they want.

Told from the heroine’s POV, Agent of Desire is an erotic, romance, suspense novel that is a fast paced, quick read with a little bit of action, a little bit of romance and a little bit of erotic sex. Jessica Booker is a take no prisoners, kickass heroine who knows her business, but sometimes she has to cross the line to get the work done. And in doing so, she may lose her heart as well as her life.

If you like a storyline with action, suspense, mystery, espionage and sex, Agent of Desire is the perfect read. But beware, our heroine ‘uses’ sex to get what she wants and in the end it could be her downfall.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charlie Evans

Charlie Evans is the author of Agent of Desire. A sexy thriller about a female CIA agent who has a healthy appetite for hot men.

Charlie lives in the Midwest with two insanely cute cats. When she is not reading or writing, she loves to travel.

Follow Charlie Evans: Facebook/ Twitter / Goodreads

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Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Charlie Evans has graciously donated a SIGNED  paper copy (US/Canada only) and an ecopy (International) of AGENT OF DESIRE to 2 lucky readers at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register by 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, please post your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway-  ecopy (International) :  paper copy (USA/Canada only)

4. Giveaway runs from March 15-March 18, 2013

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