Monthly Archives: April 2014

Sea Panther by Dawn Marie Hamilton – Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Sea Panther by Dawn Marie Hamilton – Review, Interview & Giveaway

 

Sea Panther Banner

Sea Panther
Crimson Storm #1
by Dawn Marie Hamilton
Genre: paranormal, Highlander, vampire, romance, time travel
Release Date: March 20, 2014

sea panther smaller

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository /  Smashwords

Description:
Sea Panther ~ a Scottish inspired paranormal romance with a Highlander vampire shifter hero, a modern damsel in distress, adventure, suspense, and romance. And a wee bit of time travel—just for fun.

Can love mend a fractured soul?

After evading arrest for Jacobite activities, Scottish nobleman Robert MacLachlan turns privateer. A Caribbean Voodoo priestess curses him to an eternal existence as a vampire shifter torn between the dual natures of a Florida panther and an immortal blood-thirsting man. For centuries, he seeks to reverse the black magic whilst maintaining his honor. Cruising the twenty-first century Atlantic, he becomes shorthanded to sail his 90-foot yacht, Sea Panther. The last thing he wants is a female crewmember and the call of her blood.

Although she swore never to sail again after her father died in a sailing accident, Kimberly Scot answers the captain’s crew wanted ad to escape a hit man. She’s lost everything, her fiancé, her job, and most of her money, along with money belonging to her ex-clients. A taste of Kimberly’s blood convinces Robert she is the one woman who can claim the panther’s heart. To break the curse, they travel back in time to where it all began—Jamaica 1715

Review:
Sea Panther is the first book in the Crimson Storm series by Dawn Marie Hamilton.

Robert MacLachlan is a Scottish nobleman cursed by the Voodoo Priestess Zola.  He is now damned for all eternity to walk his life as a vampire shifter.  He has spent lifetimes searching for a cure to his malady.  Now in the twenty-first century his yacht is down one crew member.  His faithful servant and friend Colin MacEwen has placed and ad looking for said crew member.  The answer to the ad may be Robert’s downfall or his cure.

Kimberly Scot is a wanted woman. A wanted woman being tracked by the wrong man. A hit man to be exact.  A shady financial deal coaxed on by her now ex-fiancé has left her jobless, homeless, emotionally and financially ruined.  Desperate to escape her impending doom – she decides to answer an ad for a crew member on the yacht the Sea Panther.  Kimberly hasn’t sailed in years, not since her father death.  She swore she would never said again, until now.  Desperate to leave behind her life in ruins, she meets with the Sea Panthers captain and practically begs him to take her with him.

Once Robert meets his new crew member, a female, no less.  That is the last possible thing he needs right now! He can barely control both his inner vampire and inner beast from the moment he meets Kimberly. And one small taste of her blood convinces him that he has found his mate! But will Kimberly still want to be with him once she knows about the curse and the beasts within him?

I knew within the first few pages of meeting Robert that I was going to fall head over heels in love and that is exactly what I did. From the Scottish accent to his rebel attitude. The loyalty of his friends and crew only leave you wanting more.  His sister Raven left a lot to be desired at first but she quickly began to grow on me.  The relationship between Robert and Kimberly was romantic and mysterious.  Each page left me wanting more.  The tale of woven imagery was good to begin with with but throw in time travel and the Port Royal Harbor, Jamaica, 1715 and I was hooked.

After finishing this book I desperately searched for information on a second book and was so please to find that book two will be Raven’s book.  So look forward to reading that! And I would love to know more about Colin

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Author

Interview 1

dawn_head_shot_small

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Dawn Marie Hamilton. Dawn is here today to discuss her new release, Sea Panther, as well as tell us what she has in store for us in 2014.

Let’s talk to Dawn.

 

TRC:  Please tell us about yourself

Dawn:  In pursuit of a longtime dream, I left a corporate career and became an indie author of Scottish inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. One of the highs on the roller coaster ride occurred when my paranormal romance ‘Sea Panther’ finaled in the Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® contest.

TRC:  Did you always have an interest in writing?  When and how did you first start writing?

Dawn:  My first foray into writing was short stories for a creative writing class in high school. I wanted to be a writer, but life and a corporate career got in the way. I traveled often for business and spent many lonely evenings reading romance novels. To pass time while traveling, I made up stories about couples lounging in hotel lobbies and airport waiting rooms. Stories about how they met, the conflicts they faced, and what their future would bring. While riding in a taxi in Brussels, a whisky billboard sporting a hunky Highlander caught my attention and I thought perhaps I could write stories about men like him.

TRC:  Sea Panther is the first book in your Crimson Storm series.  Can you please tell us the premise of the Crimson Storm series, and how you came up with the idea?  

sea panther smallerDawn:  The official blurb: In 1715, political unrest plagues Britain. Pirates haunt the waters off His Majesty’s island of Jamaica. And a Voodoo priestess unleashes an unholy ancient power, triggering a bloody Crimson Storm.

The inspiration for the series came during the writing of ‘Sea Panther’. It all started with wanting to write a vampire pirate series. Robert, the hero of Sea Panther balked. He didn’t want to be a pirate. While researching a Scottish connection for the story, I stumbled across an historical hypothesis that Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, had gathered together and commissioned a fleet of private warships in Port Royal, Jamaica, intended as a Jacobite navy. The Jacobites were from noble Scottish families, and along with many Englishmen were determined to place James Stuart on the thrown instead of George Ludwig, King George I, the German wearing the English crown. So Robert became a privateer, who during a botched Voodoo curse is transformed into a Vampire and a Florida Panther shifter.

For the series, each vampire shifts into a different animal—Florida panther, raven, wolf, jaguar, hawk.

TRC:  Can you please give us a brief description of Sea Panther?

Dawn:  Tortured by his vampire and Florida Panther shifter selves, Robert MacLachlan sails the Atlantic, seeking a way to reverse the black magic that cursed him. During a return trip to his compound in Florida where scientists and doctors work on a cure under the guise of a Florida Panther research facility, he becomes shorthanded to sail his 90-foot sailing yacht. Kimberly Scot joins the crew to escape a hit man. Sparks fly between the couple as they stop at several port of calls—Chesapeake City, Annapolis, New Bern, Charleston, St. Marys—and escape those who stalk them. At Robert’s compound in Florida they learn of a way to end the curse, but they must travel to Jamaica 1715.

TRC:  All your books take place in Scotland.  Is there a reason they are all things Scottish?

Dawn:  The Highland Gardens series of time travel romances take place in both the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Scotland. The Crimson Storm series, although inspired by Scottish history, takes place in multiple locales around the world. I’ve always been enamored by the Scottish portion of my ancestry, and thread the history and culture of Scotland within my stories.

TRC:  When writing Hot Scottish hunks, what actors do you envision playing those roles?

Dawn:  This is a tough question. I would much rather read a book than watch TV and only occasionally watch movies, but here goes: Certainly, Gerald Butler. Perhaps Sean Bean, Hugh Jackman, or Kevin McKidd for a Highland chief. I’ve never seen him act, but I like the looks of Jason Lewis for Robert in ‘Sea Panther’

TRC:  What is your writing process? Do you have a favorite spot or time? Do you like to outline your stories or just go with the flow?

Dawn:  There is a really comfy overstuffed chair and ottoman in my office, which is my favorite place to write—usually during the day while my husband is out of the house. The process for writing each story is different, but all begin with the seed of an idea—a character, a setting, or a plot thread. I might start writing and research along the way or begin with research and move on to the writing. I start with a rough outline and use a storyboard to expand on the plot as I write. After a very rough draft is written, I go back and layer in more detail. The story gets passed off to critique partners then I edit, edit, and edit, before sending the manuscript to a professional editor for a couple of passes.

TRC:  You have written Fantasy, Time Travel romance, and Paranormal.  Do you have a preference, and are there any other genres you would like to write?

Dawn:  Never say never, but I write what I like to read. Genre lines are blurry, and my stories tend to bend the traditional rules. History, time travel, fantasy, paranormal, and romantic suspense merge.

TRC:  When not writing, what hobbies do you like to do to relax?

Dawn:  An avid gardener, I shed stress while getting my hands dirty. I enjoy cooking and sometimes share recipes on author Pat McDermott’s food website, Kitchen Excursions. I love the outdoors and camp, hike, bicycle, and canoe with my husband. Our recent favorite haunt is Shenandoah National Park.

TRC:  What are you currently working on?

Dawn:  Just Wait For Me, the third novel in the Highland Gardens series and a holiday novella are in the works in addition to Raven’s Revenge the second book in the Crimson Storm series.

TRC:  Is there a book or author that gave you the inspiration to write?

Dawn:  I can’t pinpoint a specific book or author. It’s been more of a culmination of all the books I’ve read by numerous romance authors over the years.

TRC:   Who are your favorite fictional character (male and female) (not your own)?

Dawn:  Wrath and Beth from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward. I so enjoy revisiting with them in each book of the series.

TRC:   Would you like to add anything else?

Dawn:  Thank you for having me as a guest at the Reading Cafe.

LIGHTNING ROUND:

FAVORITE FOOD  Salmon

FAVORITE DESSERT  Smith Island Cake

MILK OR DARK CHOCOLATE  Dark

FAVORITE BOOK  Dark Lover  J. R. Ward

FAVORITE MOVIE  Somewhere in Time

LAST BOOK YOU READ  Edge of Darkness by J. T. Geissinger

CAT OR DOG?  Dog (Sheltie)

Thank you, Dawn for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Sea Panther.

If you would like to learn more about Dawn, you can find her at the following links:
Blog  / Twitter /  Facebook  / Amazon  /  Goodreads

 

Giveaway

Dawn is graciously offering an e-copy of Sea Panther to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

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

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open Internationally

6. Giveaway runs from April 27 to May 1, 2014

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Mad About You by Joan Kilby – a Review

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Mad About You by Joan Kilby – a Review

 

Mad About YouAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
A man she can’t refuse…

Accountant Cassy Morris knows she’s putting her heart on the line when she agrees to move in with her best friend, multi-millionaire geek Scott Thornton while she manages his nanotechnology lab and finds an angel investor for his revolutionary new product. She’s loved him forever even though he’s only ever regarded her as a friend. But Cassy never could refuse Scott anything…

A woman he can’t resist…

When Scott is named Seattle’s sexiest man, the attention from women threatens to get in the way of him finishing his pet project and putting it on the market. Cassy steps up once again and pretends to be his fiancé. A lifetime of repressed sexual tension explodes in a passionate affair. Soon Scott is wondering how he can convince Cassy to turn their fake engagement into reality…   

 

Review;

Joan Kilby writes a fun, fast paced read that’s filled with friendship, love, tension of both the sexual and friendship type, romance and humour in Mad about You.  I really enjoyed this book, as I found it was very easy to relate to the characters and storyline.  Cassy and Scott run away with this one and you can’t help but find yourself swept away on an adventure that moves from friendship into romance and love.

I really liked both Scott and Cassy.  Cassy is smart, funny and a social butterfly, whereas, Scott is a computer geek who’s more comfortable in front of his computer figuring out his latest project, then having a relationship.  It was a lot of fun watching these two together.  I swear poor Cassy couldn’t have spelled it out more to Scott about how she really feels about him had she slapped him over the head and put a sticky note on his forehead so he’d see it next time him looked in the mirror.  LOL!!!  Watching Scott bungle his way through a fake engagement, then later realizing that yes he truly is in love with Cassy and needs her in his life and is trying everything under the sun to convince her he’s genuine was quite funny, yet charming.  I really enjoyed the ending of this one, seeing Scott and Cassy finally together and in love the way it was meant to be.  The perfect ending to a sweet romance.

Mad About You is a perfect book for a lazy Sunday afternoon where you can just sit back with a nice cup of tea, or glass of wine and relax while you enjoy a sweet and charming read.  Scott will have you shaking your head at his obliviousness where Cassy is concerned regarding her true feelings, while at other times chuckling over his bungling ways.  Cassy, she’ll have you rooting in her corner for her and Scott to make it to that that HEA.  Miss Kilby has done a wonderful job writing a romance about two long time friends who move from a BFF relationship into one of love and romance, that had me smiling, and laughing all the way through it.

Until next time, Happy Reading. 

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Illusion by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Illusion by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

 

 Illusion
Chronicles of Nick – Book #5
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Release Date: April 1, 2014IllusionAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Be careful what you wish for…
You just might get it.

Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.

But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.

Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.

Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.



Review:

OMG, OMG, my head is still spinning.  This book was freaking awesome and then some.  I can’t even begin to put into words just how amazing this edition to the CON series is.  I’m telling you now, if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for????  Seriously people, you are missing out if you haven’t read this one yet, or for that matter the whole series up to this point.  Ms. Kenyon has done it again and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series Defiant that comes out next April.  Why do I have to wait a whole year, why????  Okay, enough of my ranting, I shall be patient, or try to, now onto my thoughts.

As I said, this edition to the CON series to me is a pivotal point in the series. We learn so much in this one.  There are connections made between the past, present and future that I had my sticky notes attached to my Kobo as I read this one. I kept jotting down little tidbits of information to keep every thing straight and help me connect the dots.  If anyone would have seen my Kobo by the time I was done reading Illusion, ppl would have thought I was nuts.  LOL!!!  The major reveal in this one is who Kody’s parents are!!! I’m still flabbergasted, but I’m so happy over who they are.  No I’m not telling you, it would spoil the way Kenyon reveals it and I don’t do spoilers.  So if you want to know, go read the book!!  Kody up to this point has been pretty secretive about herself, her family and basically how she comes to be a part of Nick’s life, but in this one we learn everything about her. I really enjoyed the way Kenyon sort of split the story’s plot between Nick being stuck in an alternate reality without his powers, and learning about Kody.  This makes me want her to be Nick’s HEA all the more now. I really do like these two together and hope they make it to Nick’s DH book in one piece, especially given the crazy things that happen to these two in this series.  

Along the way, we also get to see many of our favourites return, along with some new and interesting characters.  However, being stuck in this alternate reality doesn’t mean events, or people are the same here.  Nick learns the hard way and fast that he can’t take anything, or anyone for granted.  The only person he can trust is himself at his point.  As Nick struggles to find a way back to his reality, we also get to see and learn more of Caleb and Zavid(Aamon demon) whom we met in the last book.  It was also nice to see more of Adarian and his relationship with Cherise.  After reading those scenes with Nick and Adarian, we get a good dose of hope that Nick can indeed redeem his future’s self and that maybe, just maybe his father wasn’t as bad as first thought thanks to Cherise.  One new character who grabbed my attention is Xevikan, and I can’t wait to learn more about him, especially going by what we’ve learned so far, and how Illusion ends.

Of course in true Kenyon form, there is plenty of action, well written fight scenes, and of course her classic Kenyon humour and snarky one liners from Nick.  Man I love that character and am enjoying watching him grow and develop his powers and seeing what he needs to do in order to change his future’s path.  There was never a dull moment in this book, and it just seem to fly by thanks to Kenyon packing if full of important and mind blowing information.  There were many times where I was able to draw conclusions and make important connections to events in the Dark Hunter series.  As we’re halfway through the CON series and getting closer and closer to Nick’s adult DH book, I can see where Ms. Kenyon is starting to overlap events and start to the tie the two series closer and closer together.  Like I said, this one is amazing and indeed worth the read.  Once again if you haven’t read this one, you are missing out people, I don’t know how else to say it.   Just trust me on this one, go read the series, you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, happy reading!!    

Is it April 2015 yet??????  LOL!!!

Reviewed by Marcie

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Rocked (Lost in Oblivion #1) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott-a review

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ROCKED (Lost in Oblivion #1) by Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn-a review

Rocked

ebook only .99¢ for a limited time:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 9, 2014

Love definitely wasn’t on the setlist.

Opening for their idols on their first tour, Oblivion is living the dream. Mostly. Frustrated at being shoved out of his mediator role by their new manager, Deacon McCoy loses himself in brutal workouts. He only comes up for air long enough to refuel—and to tease the deliciously cute chef who makes him crave a lot more than what she’s offering on her serving plate.

As the child of roadie parents, Harper Pruitt has heard every pickup line twice. To her, musicians are one step above the scraps on her cutting board. All she wants is to get enough experience to run her own catering company, but Deacon and his bottomless stomach are too tempting to resist. He’s far from the typical rock star and before long, she finds herself experimenting with him, inside and out of the kitchen.

Apron – and panties – optional.

When Harper sees that Deacon’s dream band with his best friends may be turning into a nightmare, she can’t walk away. Deacon’s so much more than just a peacemaker and the man behind the bass. But she has her own dreams to chase…even if she’s starting to think what she’s building with him might be the biggest one of all.

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REVIEW: ROCKED is the second storyline in Taryn Elliott and Cari Quinn’s contemporary, new adult, erotic Lost in Oblivion rock star series focusing on the members of the rock band Oblivion. This is bass guitarist Deacon McCoy and chef Harper Pruitt’s storyline. We were first introduced to Deacon in the introductory storyline Seduced (Lost in Oblivion .5). Deacon is the peace maker, the body builder and the most stable member of Oblivion.

The focus of the storyline is the building relationship between Deacon and Harper. Harper grew up the child of two roadies and knows the ins and outs of the business. Getting involved with Deacon McCoy is the last thing on her mind because she knows she will be one of many stops along the tour. But Harper has been hired as a chef for the five weeks of Oblivion’s tour and saying no gets harder every time Deacon is near.

The relationship between Deacon and Harper is hot, sensual and a little bit risqué. Finding time alone is difficult when both Deacon and Harper are bunking on separate buses and there is always a crowd around to listen and watch. Harper knows that their time together is limited but Deacon wants more from Harper than she is willing to give. Her career as a chef has just begun and another job offer will force Harper to make a decision that will affect their future and their relationship.

The world building continues from SEDUCED where the members of the band were first introduced in a gritty storyline of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Oblivion is about to sign a one record deal but the contract is anything but fair. We watch as the group begins to fall apart from betrayal, lies and the return of a former band mate. Add a woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and the members of the group will begin to take sides against one another.

ROCKED is a revealing story about the life and love of a rock star. The reader is pulled into a no nonsense story about life on the road, behind the scenes and in the public eye for an up and coming band. Told from close third person point of view, the first half of the storyline was slow to build as Harper and Deacon played around one another but as the relationship turned more personal and sexual, there was no turning back for the characters or the reader.

Click HERE for our review of SEDUCED (Lost in Oblivion .5)

Reviewed by Sandy

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A Song For Us (White Trash Love Song) by Teresa Mummert-a review

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A Song For Us (White Trash Love Song) by Teresa Mummert-a review

White Trash Love Song

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 22, 2014

In this highly anticipated follow-up to White Trash Damaged, Cass and Tucker have finally found their happily ever after, but can Eric, the band’s brooding drummer, ever let go of his past and find love?

From a small-town boy with fantasies of superstardom to rock star on tour with the suddenly famous band Damaged, Eric’s life has not been an easy journey. Now he struggles to let go of his past of physical abuse, a past that still haunts him. His anger is causing him to spiral out of control and he risks losing everything he has worked so hard for.

Only one person has ever gotten him to open up about his past: Sarah, the lead singer of Filth, the opening act on their first national tour—a fellow rocker with a confident façade that masks her own painful secrets. But their bands’ rocky past and Sarah’s tumultuous relationship with her bandmate and boyfriend Derek force her to keep Eric at a distance. As their friendship begins to grow into something more, Eric has to find a way to let go of his tortured past, or it could jeopardize his only chance for a happy future…

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

A Song For Us by Teresa Mummert is the final book in her White Trash Trilogy and I have to say I was pleased with the way all ended. Unlike the first two books, this third book revolves around two back story characters that you couldn’t help but fall a little in love with in the first two books. Eric and Sarah.

Eric is the drummer of the rock band Damaged. While touring with another band called Filth he became really close and bonded with their lead singer Sarah. Sarah however, much like Eric, is perfectly flawed, both sharing a history of child abuse. They never crossed the line of romance though, as Sarah was heartbroken over her broken relationship with a fellow band member Derek. Now, both bands have reunited for a couple of weeks to celebrate the marriage of Cass and Tucker (the focal characters on the first two books) and while Sarah and Derek have reunited as a couple, there is much left unsaid between Eric and Sarah.

As they spend more time in each others company, clearly they are meant to be together .. well clearly to all but them! LOL Derek is the predictable douchebag cheating on Sarah, but you can see his tender moments shine through making you think that he is redeemable. Damaged band manager Donna, who is a strict stick in the mud also let’s down her hair and warms to Eric and becomes a “friend with benefits”. As all of this is going on, Eric and Sarah realize they need to face their true feelings towards each other and make a decision about their future one way or another. Of course no story is complete without the humour filled antics of the other crazy band members to ease the high level of angst that goes with this story. LOL

A great wrap up to a great trilogy. Told by the POV of both Eric and Sarah, this is an absolute new adult romance, contemporary, full of conflicted characters, love triangles and life tragedy. Mixed in are some hilarious one liners, crazy banter and a group that despite pasts, personality and present circumstances truely make the pages comes to life. Highly recommend for anyone who adores rock bands with a twist of angst and humour!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Just For The Weekend by Susanne Matthews-a review

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Just For The Weekend by Susanne Matthews-a review

Just for the Weekend

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 14, 2014

t’s time to play with the grown-ups.

Kindergarten teacher Cleo James needs a change. Three years at her widowed dad’s beck and call are enough. A weekend in Vegas at a sci-fi convention with her best friend will do for now, and the hot guy who wants to spend time with her only adds to her excitement. After all—it’s just for the weekend. What can possibly go wrong?

Multimillionaire Sam Mason is sick of gold diggers. He’s looking for someone who’ll fall for him, not his wallet. When he meets a shy, green-skinned slave girl, she pushes all his buttons—the best part is she has no idea who he is and mistakenly believes he’s a Chippendale. Between the sexual attraction and too much alcohol, he wakes up married to his green-skinned beauty, but the bride has vanished. Finding her will be a lot harder than he thinks

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  Another wonderful love story by Suzanne Matthews! With her usual style and great characters, this story is a keeper. If we gave stars this one would be at least a 5.

While many stories have the same premise, it’s the details that make the story believable and remarkable. It’s the twists, surprises and all around fun that makes just a story a wonderful book you can’t put down. I thinks Suzanne Matthews is a queen at this.

Only for the Weekend starts just as the name suggests…a weekend in Vegas at a literary convention for sci-fi writers and those who like to dress in costume. Cleo’s BFF “Mitch” (aka Michele) is also an author and has a signing gig to do in Vegas. She talks Cleo into attending and helping her with her book signing, then they plan to have some girl time and fun. BTW Cleo is a school teacher and not a fun loving author; ah, let the fun begin! Mitch promises no one will know, they will be under assumed names and her job will be secure.

Cleo’s mother died a few years before, leaving her to take care of her broken hearted father. She broke up with “Dave the slug” a about six years before and has sworn off men who want wealth and power. Oh yeah, Cleo will be dressing for the event like an Orion slave girl. For those who never followed or maybe never  saw Star Trek (you have no idea what you missed growing up); an Orion slave girl is green all over with beautiful eyes and hair and men are drawn to them like…well like Orion slave girls…

They arrive and see a couple of really hunky men in one of the lounges the night before the book signing.  Sparks fly across the room, Mitch thinks they’re a couple of Chippendales looking for a little fun after their show. Actually, they’re Sam Mason, umber wealthy architect and so much more and his friend Charlie. They women notice when two lovely women, one pregers, come up to their table and hug and chat. When Sam flirts with Cleo from across the room she thinks he’s slime to do that with his woman there with him (yeah, of course they were Sam’s sisters) Sam‘s famous and an eligible hunk, so when “Mitch” thinks they’re just Chippendales, he doesn’t fess up. Sam has given up on women who want money and fame, he really wants a woman that just wants a nice quiet live with him and some kids….

Can you believe this is just the set up! The sizzle and sparks are like fireworks between these two people who are made for each other. The romantic lengths he goes to just to get to know Cleo are nothing short of swoon worthy.

So, how would you go about finding someone, if you don’t even know their real name? But will the misunderstandings, assumed names and other things pull them apart or will they overcome and learn to live for each other…Yes, this is a page turner. I admit while I love to read and I do have my own hours to keep, I was up until 3:00 AM ‘cause I just had to know. Can a man be handsome, wealthy, a good person, and good in bed?

Get your favorite beverage, some tissues and snuggle in!  Enjoy everyone, I really did!  Thanks Suzanne!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Seals of Summer Anthology-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Seals of Summer Anthology-Blog Tour and Giveaway

TOUR BANNER - SealsofSummerTour

SEALS OF SUMMER
Military Romance Superbundle
Print Length: 1300 pages
Publisher: SOS Ladies
Publication Date: April 21, 2014
ASIN: B00J436CN8

Seals of Summer

.99cents e-book special: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Military Super-bundle of ten novellas and novels by New York Times, USA Today and award-winning bestselling authors: Delilah Devlin, Sharon Hamilton, Anne Marsh, Cora Seton, Zoe York, Roxie Riviera, S.M. Butler, Kimberley Troutte, Jennifer Lowery, Elle James.

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IT TAKES A SEAL by USA Today Bestselling author Delilah Devlin:
When Susan heads to the Bahamas, she thinks the sexiest part of the trip is that she can count it as a tax deduction. After all, her agency has new offices in the Bahamas, and she needs face-time with her employees, who also just happen to be her best friends. However, things go quickly awry when their island benefactor comes under threat. After a night of partying on his yacht, she awakens to discover she’s stumbled into a sting operation to lure the bad guys into the open. She’s got to pretend she’s the billionaire’s trophy girlfriend, which isn’t hard when the man taking his place is a sexy ex-SEAL. When the bad guys kidnap the couple and imprison them on a deserted island, it’s up to ex-SEAL Justin to orchestrate an escape.

SEAL MY HEART by NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sharon Hamilton:
Kate Livingstone’s engagement is at risk the instant she sets eyes on the handsome elite warrior sitting next to her on a plane trip to visit her sister. Navy SEAL Tyler Gray had thought he knew what he wanted in life, until he meets Kate and their obvious attraction for each other sparks something deep in his soul. What starts out as innocent letters between friends turns out to be much more. Can someone fall in love deeply just with words and letters exchanged, or is this just a pleasant fantasy that will ruin their lives forever?

SMOKING HOT by National Bestselling author Anne Marsh: When an ambush kills his teammate, Navy SEAL Tye Callahan steps in to fulfill the fallen man’s obligations. He vows to spend the summer in Strong, California, fighting fires with the smoke jumper team and looking out for Katie Lawson, his teammate’s fiancée. Now, as the summer heats up, they must decide if the chemistry burning between them might just be their second chance at living their own lives… together.

THE NAVY SEAL’s E-MAIL ORDER BRIDE by National Bestselling author Cora Seton: Mason Hall, Navy SEAL, has fought insurgents, drug lords and terrorists, but his current mission is one for the records. Not only must he find a wife—and get her pregnant—or forfeit the ranch his family has prized for over a hundred years, he also must convince his three brothers to marry, too—before the year is up. Who knew one city girl and three wayward brothers could put up such a fight?

FALL OUT by Zoe York:
Drew Castle is a Navy SEAL with a bad case of indifference. Until Annie Martin shows up on his doorstep, scared out of her mind, and all of a sudden, keeping her safe becomes the most important mission of his life. And this time, he’s on his own. Annie knows that letting Drew whisk her away under the guise of protection is a recipe for disaster, but he’s the only person she can trust. Drew’s strange mix of laid-back bossiness takes some getting used to, but as they escape to a Caribbean hideaway, she finds herself wondering what it would be like if they came together at a different time. As the threat is resolved, a new danger arises: one of passion, heat and desire so overwhelming neither can resist, no matter the cost.

CLOSE QUARTERS by Bestselling author Roxie Rivera:
When Navy SEAL Leland Gates runs off to his family’s secluded cabin to lick his wounds, he never expects to find makeup heiress Jamie Pearson hiding out there. His sister’s best friend swears she’s only there for a weekend of relaxation, but his well-honed instincts tell him that she’s in big trouble. Getting tangled up in Jamie’s latest hot mess—or her sheets—is the very last thing he needs, but in close quarters like these, there’s no denying the white-hot passion blazing between them.

KILLING HONOR by International Bestselling author S.M. Butler:
Returning home after a disastrous extended deployment, Navy SEAL Brody Battles struggles with nightmares and government secrets building a wall between him and his wife, Devyn, especially when a security breach compromises his identity. While they’re adjusting to being a family again, an old enemy waits in the shadows, salivating for the sweet taste of revenge.

COMING IN HOT by Award-winning author Kimberley Troutte:
For Navy SEAL Mack Riley, rescuing a family in Colombia is not as hard as seeing the admiral’s daughter again. He’d sworn a vow to steer clear of that heartbreaker. But since the family was taken hostage on Jenna’s watch, she’s determined to join the rescue team. When the admiral orders him to protect Jenna, Mack is forced to keep her as close as body armor. In the heat of battle, love Mack and Jenna deny breaches their defenses. With missiles locked onto their coordinates…can they save the family and get out alive?

A SEAL’s SONG by Golden Heart Finalist Jennifer Lowery:
Navy SEAL Jack Taggart’s plans to catch some much-needed downtime between deployments are demolished when he risks everything to rescue beautiful wedding singer, Darci O’Shea, from a band of thieves. Will the battle between their inner demons be the hardest one to fight, or will they find rescue in each other’s arms?

SEALS’s EMBRACE by USA Today Bestseller Elle James:
Navy SEAL, Ceasar Sanchez has it bad for Army Lt. McGee, a nurse at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. When a rescue mission goes bad and he ends up being medically evacuated, she’s there. Not sure whether he’ll walk again, he’s afraid to pursue the pretty nurse, not wanting to shackle her with half a man. Lt. Erin McGee is a Critical Care Air Transport Team nurse, responsible for ensuring her patients arrive alive at the next level of health care. Fighting an attraction to a sexy Navy SEAL she outranks, she resists the risk of losing her commission for fraternization. But one sensual tryst behind a supply building isn’t enough and the SEALs determination to see her wear at her resolve. Ceasar and Erin share a medevac plane ride to Germany with a critically wounded Taliban leader who could provide information to the whereabouts of four missing soldiers. Transferred to the hospital at Landstuhl, Caesar undergoes surgery, restoring movement to his legs in time to stop a hostage takeover of the ICU where Erin is in charge of the Taliban leader’s care. Together they fight to save lives and halt a Terrorist attack, while finding that love trumps rank every time.

Guest post-White and Red

Meet the Characters with Jennifer Lowery

Hi The Reading Cafe and all you fabulous readers out there *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! SEALs of Summer Superbundle released this month so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!

Ever since I picked up my first Suzanne Brockmann Navy SEAL book I’ve been in love with these tough, incredibly intelligent men. I knew I had to write my own series with my own SEAL team. A SEAL’s Song is the first book in my SEAL Team Alpha series and what an incredible journey it was for both me and my characters! Today, I’m bringing you a special interview with the hero and heroine from A SEAL’s Song. I hope you enjoy meeting Jack and Darci as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?

Jack: Hell, no.

Darci: No, but it’s flattering.

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?

Darci: *smiles* The romance. I already know what Jack is going to say.

Jack: *grins* Sorry, hun. The action. And the sex.

*Darci rolls her eyes*

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

Jack: Take my sailboat out deep sea fishing.

Darci: I’m not much for fishing, that’s Jack’s thing. I’m usually in my studio writing and composing songs. But, when he gets home… *she smiles at Jack who grins back*

Do you like the way the book ended?

Jack and Darci in unison: Yes.

Would you be interested in a sequel, if your writer was so inclined?

Jack: Not if it means putting Darci in more danger.

Darci: Agreed. Although, with Jack at my side, I wouldn’t be as afraid of what Jennifer threw at us. *leans in and whispers* She likes to torment us.

What do you do for a living?

Darci: *laces her fingers through Jacks* Jack is a Navy SEAL and the bravest, strongest man I know. I’m a singer.

What is your most prized possession?

Darci: A Celtic necklace given to me by my grandmother. Had it not been for that necklace, I never would have met Jack.

What do you like most about where you live?

Jack: Darci approved of my house. That’s all that matters to me.

Darci: He lives in this cute gingerbread house on the ocean. I adore it.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy Sunday?

Jack: *grins* Stay in bed.

Darci: *nods* Definitely.

What is your least favorite word?

Darci: Classified.

What sound or noise do you love?

Jack: Sorry, that’s between me and my wife. *an intimate look passes between Jack and Darci*

What other profession would you like to try?

Darci: I’ve considered becoming a music teacher. Jack, he’s right where he was meant to be.

Jack: *nods*

Thank you for having me today, Reading Cafe!! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support!

All my best,
Jennifer

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A Wanted Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey-a review

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A Wanted Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey-a review

A Wanted Woman

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A WANTED WOMAN
by Eric Jerome Dickey

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 15, 2014

She is a woman of a thousand faces, an assassin who could be anyone, anywhere.

The Trinidad contract was supposed to be simple: to make a living man become a dead man. When the job goes bad under the watchful eye of a bank security camera, there is nowhere for agent MX-401, known as Reaper, to hide from the fearsome local warlords, the Laventille Killers.

Her employers, the Barbarians, send her to Barbados, the next island over, barely two hundred miles away, with the LK’s in hot pursuit of the woman who took many of their own. With the scant protection of a dank safe house, no passport, and no access to funds, an island paradise becomes her prison.

While she trawls for low-profile assignments to keep her skills sharp and a few dollars in her pocket, Reaper discovers that family ties run deep, on both sides of the fight. Will the woman everyone wants, who has lived countless lives in the service of others, finally discover who she really is?

REVIEW: A WANTED WOMAN is the latest release from author Eric Jerome Dickey. It is a storyline of suspense, mystery, violence and intrigue. Reaper is a female assassin-trained by the best to be the best and no one can stop the Reaper when death is at hand. Her latest assignment takes her to the British West Indie Islands of Trinidad and Barbados.

The focus of the storyline is our heroine. She is a skilled killing machine who leaves a path of death and destruction in her wake. When her most recent job goes horribly wrong Reaper is abandoned by her keepers on an island where the drug kingpins and money launderers want her dead. She went against orders and found herself struggling in a world with no money, no food and no support. As Reaper begins to dig deeper, she will discover that the people at the top had used her as a pawn in a bigger game.

Eric Jerome Dickey has written in intriguing, compelling, and graphically violent storyline where the slums and back alleys of a beautiful vacation destination take center stage in a war between the rich and powerful. The author uses the anthropological history of the islands to create the sociological backdrop for a storyline steeped in physical and sexual violence. Everyone and anyone will become a target-no one is safe; no one can be trusted; everyone is the enemy.

The secondary characters are over the top caricatures and the epitome of evil-they are beyond colorful; beyond reprehensible; beyond belief. The colloquial speech patterns and language of the islands is used as the building blocks for a story beyond our imagination. A WANTED WOMAN is a fast paced, action packed, storyline with graphic imagery, graphic violence, and will not be to everyone’s liking. This is not a storyline of hearts and flowers-the romance of the islands is not a part of the travel itinerary-you will not fall in love with this vacation destination.

Throughout the storyline much of the back history will be revealed through memories, flashbacks and story telling. The reader will be pulled into one woman’s world where family meant everything but was nothing; where love never existed; where DNA is only a name on a piece of paper.

A WANTED WOMAN is a storyline written in alternating first person POV (Reaper) and third person; it is a story rife in discrimination, destruction and death, abhorrent violence and improbable feats. It is a story where a country struggles with its’ own identity; where its’ people are caught between two worlds; where a young woman is thrown into the lion’s cage and barely survives. The story does not end with a happily ever after but a happily ever after-for now. There is definitely more story to tell and I am hoping that Eric Jerome Dickey is willing to part with some more of his imaginative storylines and colorful characters-he is a master story teller.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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