Monthly Archives: April 2014

Girls Night Out Anthology Vol 2: Blog Tour and Review

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Girls Night Out Anthology Vol 2 Blog tour and Review

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GIRLS NIGHT OUT (Volume 2 anthology) by Patricia A. Wolf, CJ Ellisson, Calinda Be, Lila Dubois

RELEASE DATE: March 2014

Girls Night Out, Volume Two

Girls Night Out

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One touch, one kiss, one night…can change everything. Join New York Times Bestseller C.J. Ellisson, Calinda B, Patricia A. Wolf and Lila Dubois for four stories of red-hot erotic romance and sexy paranormal magic. From encounters with a vampire, a birthday party gone wild, a super-hot male stripper who’s more than human, and a sexy new game at a BDSM club, this collection of stories has everything you need to spice up your spring.

_____________________

Kissed by a Vampire
By Patricia A. Wolf

Lost in passions Sarah never dreamed possible, she wonders if a seductive encounter could lead to something more. But when Michael stands her up, she realizes it was all a fantasy.

Can a second chance meeting bring back the passions they once felt? Or will his vampire secret destroy everything?

REVIEW: A quick, passionate storyline that focuses on one night of ecstasy on a Caribbean Island between Sarah and Michael but when Michael is called home on an emergency, Sarah is left wondering if another one night stand has left her after getting what he wants.

Patricia Wolf writes a storyline that leaves you wanting more-more of Michael and Sarah; more about their future; more about Michael’s history of one day waking up vampire with no knowledge of how or why.

KISSED BY A VAMPIRE is a quick romantic and sexy read with a little bit of everything-drama, betrayal, jealousy, heartbreak, romance, sex and falling in love. You are pulled into a story about two people looking for a night of passion and finding their happily ever after.

•••••••••••••••••••••

The Beckoning of Beguiling Things
By Calinda B.

Can 24 hours really change your life? Marissa Engles is about to find out. When she heads to Las Vegas with her sisters and her best friend, she meets sexy, Thunder from Down Under dancer Chris King and hits the jackpot, in more ways than one.

A secret magical society, an evil sorcerer, and a powerful male watching her from the sidelines add to the intrigue. And King himself has a dark secret that may prove Marissa’s undoing. Everything hinges on whether Marissa’s willing to leap without looking and face the consequences.

REVIEW: THE BECKONING of BEGUILING THINGS is a short story in Calinda B’s contemporary, paranormal Beckoning series. I am not sure where it belongs in the series order but from what I could tell is appears to be a prequel of sorts.

We are introduced to Marissa Engles, a woman whose magic has yet to be unleashed. During a twenty four hour period, our heroine will be approached by a number of men all willing to make Marissa their own-but Marissa only has eyes for one man and that man may be the one to open Marissa up to her future and a dark world of witches, warlocks, demons and magic.

The storyline is written from alternating first person and third person points of view. There is plenty of information but not enough to let the reader know the truth about Marissa’s future and her awakening powers. The sex scenes are intimate and steamy but the relationship is doomed from the start. We can only hope that whatever happens in the future Marissa will find the man who calls to her heart.

As a short story, The Beckoning of Beguiling Things is an interesting and compelling read but without any prior knowledge of the series I was slightly lost as to the premise and what it may have foretold.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Loving Ms. Wrong
By C.J. Ellisson

Katrina attends a birthday party for her friend Carla. Little does the health food storeowner know that the fateful girls night out will change her life forever.

Marcus, the polished metrosexual who hates to get his hands dirty, stumbles upon the ladies at a local bar. Sparks fly when the two meet, courtesy of a 12-sided sex dice and a night neither one will ever forget.

REVIEW: LOVING MS.WRONG is a short, erotic story from CJ Ellisson’s Walk on the Wild Side series that focuses on a girl’s night out and one night of passion. A quick read where Carla’s friend Katrina finds herself in her darkened apartment with the sexy Marcus and a whole night to explore what it is she has been missing.

Our heroine is a woman whose sexual desires are low to non existent and Marcus is the man to prove that beneath her hardened exterior, there exists a passion and sexuality that is waiting to be released. The story focuses on trust, a back story of family pain, and the beginning of a relationship where intimacy and imagination are about to be explored.

Written from alternating first person points of view (Marcus and Katrina) the provocative storyline can be read as a stand alone and the reader does not need to read the previous instalments in CJ’s Walk on the Wild Side series to understand the premise.

••••••••••••••••••

A is for…
By Lila Dubois
When the overseers of LA’s most exclusive BDSM club declare the start of a sexy new game that all members must play, Anna has no choice but to participate. Master Jensen knows who, and what, he wants—Anna—but before he can have her he’ll have to prove to the lovely submissive that he can master every letter of the alphabet.

REVIEW: A IS FOR is the first storyline in Lila Dubois’s adult, contemporary, erotic, BDSM Checklist BDSM Erotic Romance series. This is Master Jensen and Anna’s storyline revolving around the letter A. From anal to animal play nothing is off limits unless your Dom is also your lover.

The majority of the storyline is graphic BDSM play. This is a lifestyle conducive to only a particular segment of society and the graphic imagery may not be for everyone. Nothing is off limits; pain and humiliation are part of the bargain; and in the end, declarations of love wipe the slate clean until another day.

•••••••••••••••••••••

GIRLS NIGHT OUT is an anthology with a mix of paranormal, romance, sex, erotica and love. Each author has a different take on what it is that pleases their heroine-from bondage and pain to hot, romantic sex. If you are interested in an eclectic mix of romance and sex, than GIRLS NIGHT OUT may be of interest to you.

Copy supplied by the tour promoter.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart-Review and Blog Tour

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The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart-Review and Blog Tour

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The Temptations of Anna Jacobs
Dangerous Liaisons #2
by Robyn DeHart
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: historical, romance

The Temptations of Anna Jacobs

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 15, 2014

Love and justice…

When Drew Foster is released from prison, he doesn’t much care about salvaging his soiled reputation. Though he’s working undercover, everyone in Victorian London believes him guilty of the Jack the Ripper murders and that his brother paid for his “innocence.”

Despite her genteel upbringing, Anna Jacobs is intent on finishing medical school and becoming a physician. Society’s ridicule has never bothered her, but when her brother, the Yard’s best detective, is scorned for letting Drew go, she confronts the one man who can set the record straight at a ball. She certainly doesn’t count on the rogue being dashing and handsome, nor on him stealing a passionate kiss.

Anna’s brazen contempt for his dangerous reputation captivates Drew, but he is harboring secrets that make him unfit to court any proper woman. As he finds himself an outsider among his colleagues at Scotland Yard, the feisty beauty offers up her medical knowledge to assist him on the case. But when the real killer returns to London to continue his reign of terror, can Anna find safety in Drew’s arms?

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

I REALLY enjoyed this book. The Temptation of Anna Jacobs is the second book in Robyn DeHart’s Dangerous Liaisons series. I did not read her first one (tsk tsk breaking my own rule of series reading), but I wish I had. I do not believe it took away from enjoying this book, but back story and characters that were in her first one return and I felt like I was missing something. You can bet I will be reading her first one soon!

Small disclaimer before I get into the meat of this review. I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper. So when you mix a Jack the Ripper mystery in with one of my fave genres (historical romance) you get one happy reviewer. LOL

Anna Jacobs is our leading lady. She is a brazen woman, not afraid to speak her mind, is studying to be a physician and quite the oddity/scandal for a lady of her time. She makes no apologies for who she is! When her path crosses with our leading hottie Drew Foster, a strong attraction takes root, but more importantly a mutual respect blooms.

Drew Foster, is a recovering alcoholic, a cast aside of the ton and once suspected of being Jack the Ripper. Anna’s brother Simon not only cleared his name, but ensured he was released from prison and hired to be an investigator of this elusive murderer who wants to frame Drew for his actions. When bodies begin to pile up once again, Drew requests Anna’s help in examining the evidence and providing her medical opinions. Through this investigation, the heat simmers between them, danger increases and a full roaring boil erupts.

The pacing in this book was absolutely perfect. There was no “jump right into the hot and heavy love” between Drew and Anna and because of that it made their relationship more believable. There was a mutual respect, friendship formed , and then love. While the attraction was strong, both understood that this case had to take priority. I love that Robyn DeHart weaved in some real Jack the Ripper victims names, places and facts, giving this story a familiar feel.

If you love historical romance, murder mystery and some real life events all in one, then The Temptation of Anna Jacobs is definitely a go to read for you! I can’t wait to read the first one!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

Excerpt beige

 

She was quiet for several moments. He watched her face as she considered all the possibilities. Even now, the taste of her lips stayed with him, and he wanted more. More of her kisses, more of her smiles. Simply more of Anna.
Perhaps she had other thoughts that could explain the differences in the injuries, or the use of an alternate weapon.
“Why did you kiss me? The other day?” she asked.
Drew felt his brows rise in surprise. “Is that what you were thinking about? I suspected your thoughts were more academic in nature.”
She shrugged. “Academic or not, I am still a woman.”
“It seemed the thing to do,” Drew said with a shrug of his own.
“‘It seemed the thing to do,’” she said, mocking his tone. She frowned. “That’s not a very good answer.”
He resisted the urge to smile. Hell, he didn’t know why he’d kissed her. Because the desire to do so had been so overwhelming he hadn’t been able to resist her lips. In fact, he longed to embrace her again, right now. “What would be a good answer?”
“How the devil should I know?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I don’t go around kissing unsuspecting people.”
“Fair enough. Well then, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Perhaps honesty would appease her curiosity. “Because your mouth is tempting, even though you talk far too much.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense. Well, the bit about my talking too much, I admit I can be verbose—”
“You’re doing it again,” he interrupted her. He leaned forward, toward her chair. “Only makes me want to kiss you again.”
She waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous.”
“The mere notion of kissing you? Hasn’t any man ever expressed a similar interest?”
A blush stained her exposed throat, marring her lovely creamy skin. Her hand followed the telltale sign of her embarrassment and she fiddled with the necklace around her throat. She swallowed visibly. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. I’m not even certain how we got on this discussion,” she said.
“You asked me why I kissed you.”
“Yes, and your answer is unsatisfactory. I shall merely have to conclude that you men are a peculiar lot.” She pointed at him.
“I’m going to kiss you again, Annabelle,” he said softly.
Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. “Right now?”
“Would you like me to kiss you right now?”
“I cannot answer that.” She shook her head fervently. “It would be utterly improper.”
“You, a lady going to medical school and assisting me with an undercover investigation of a murder? Last night we broke into a government building. Your behavior hasn’t exactly been the pinnacle of propriety.”
Her brow furrowed. “That is quite different.” Her tongue darted out and wet her lips.
He felt a stab of desire, hot and poignant in his gut. Oh yes. He wanted her. Whatever the reason, logical or not, he wanted her quite badly. Too badly, in fact, for him to kiss her now when his passions were so close to the surface. It was entirely too likely they would not be interrupted, that no one would come along and stop him from ruining her here in his parlor.
“You already answered my question,” he said.
She frowned. “I don’t believe I did.”
“Oh yes, Anna, you want me to kiss you very badly. Now that I know that, I’m going to make you wait. For a little longer.”
“You are an insufferable man!” she said as she came to her feet.

 

Guest Post beige

Thanks so much for having me today and for participating in my blog tour. I’m so excited about this new release. Today I want to share the first five from the first five – meaning the first five sentences from the first five chapters of The Temptations of Anna Jacobs. Hope you enjoy!~Robyn

Prologue
London 1889
Andrew Foster sat in what he fondly referred to as “the hole” and waited. It was all he could do. Sit, wait and listen. The other inmates fought and wailed and hurled curses at one another. It was a wretched existence. The metal gates a few cells down from his opened and then closed with a heavy slam, and he heard voices.

Chapter One
Anna Jacobs closed her textbook and stifled a yawn. “Simon, I do believe I’ve had enough. For tonight, that is.”
Her older brother looked up from his notes. “When is your examination?”
“Not for a few weeks still.” She gathered her books in a tidy pile, then stood. “But I do like to be prepared.”

Chapter Two
The Ripper shifted in his chair and winced as pain surged up his arm. He stared out the window watching the rain fall in heavy sheets. Bloody wet country.
“Begging your pardon, my lord,” the maid said from the doorway, her Scottish brogue an instant reminder of where he was currently stuck. Not that he could forget, even for a second.

Chapter Three
When Drew had accepted the undercover position with Scotland Yard, he’d assumed he would be working closely with Simon. But when the Ripper had evaded capture, the commissioner decided it would be best for Simon to go to Edinburgh to train with some new recruits there. It was nothing more than a punishment. Everyone knew as much.

Chapter Four
Drew stood with Jeffries off to the side while the police surgeon finished his examination. The body had been photographed and then cleaned. Despite the cleansing, the flesh had already begun to decompose, and the stink made Drew’s eyes water.
The surgeon walked toward them, wiping his hands on a towel. “She bled to death before he did the rest of the damage.”

About The Author beige

Robyn DeHartNational Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart’s novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader’s Crown and a Reviewer’s Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras.

Known for her “strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page” (RT Bookclub) and her “sizzling romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.

When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where its hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it.

Site: http://www.robyndehart.com/

Jaunty Quills: http://jauntyquills.com/

Peanut Butter on the Keyboard: http://peanutbutteronthekeyboard.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyndehart

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobynDeHart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/robynwtr/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RobynDeHart

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My Hunger / My Control by Lisa Renee Jones-Promotion and Giveaway

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My Hunger / My Control by Lisa Renee Jones-Promotion and Giveaway

My HungerMy Hunger (Inside Out Novella 3.2)

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An Inside Out Novella in Mark’s POV-July 7, 2014

While Chris and Sara have traveled to Paris to avoid the chaos of press and police after the tragic night we’d shared, I have stayed to face the reality of what has happened. But there is no peace to be found in facing the truth, and no truth to be found in the confessions that have been made and retracted. I am a Master, all about control, and yet right now, facing great tragedy, I feel as if I have none. With my club and my relationships of the past in the spotlight, I find sanctuary in the one place I’ve promised I will never be again, but cannot seem to resist. Her arms.

***Mark and Crystal’s story begins in the novella Master Undone.

________________________

My Control

My Control (Inside Out Novella 4.1)

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Mark’s POV novella-September 8, 2014

I have lost the man I once was, letting guilt and heartache define who I am. Darkness has controlled me, and one woman has seen what no one else has seen in me, what I do not wish to exist. My hunger for her has driven me to the edge of sanity, but no more. She’s about to find out that the Master has returned.

 

________________________

 

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Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe – a Review

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Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe – a Review

 

Marked by HadesBound by Hades – Book #2
by Reese Monroe
Release Date: April 14, 2014

Marked by HadesLinks or order Marked by Hades:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
One choice away from eternity…

For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done…

Yvonne wakes up naked on a cold park bench in a small town with no memory of who—or what—she is. All she knows is the gentle man who woke her was turned to dust when she touched him. And now the strange mark that appeared on her shoulder throbs in the presence of the raven-haired man now offering to help her…

As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity


Review:

Marked by Hades is the 2nd book in Reese Monroe’s Bound by Hades series.  If you haven’t read my review of the first book, (Forged by Fate), this series revolves around the Gatekeeper of Hades, who vanquishes demons to hell.  Theo is our gatekeeper, and the first book’s hero, and his Gatekeeper companion (helper) is his brother, Justin.  This book belongs to Justin, whom we fell in love with in the first book, as he was the fun loving womanizing one of the two. 

We meet our heroine Yvonne immediately, as she wakes up on a park bench naked, and with no memory of who she is.  A Good Samaritan comes to her aid, and much to her horror, she accidently kills him just by her touch.  Yvonne clothes herself in leather, especially the gloves, so that she doesn’t kill anyone else, but has no idea where to turn for answers.  One night, she is attacked and in her defense she pulls off the gloves.   Justin just happened to be near and saw her dust the bad guy.  Before he could get to her, she runs away.

We all know that Justin vehemently does not want a mate, which is expected at some time.  After all, like Theo had to wait 900 years to find his mate in Sadie, Justin has waited that long and has no problem waiting another 900 years.  Much to his chagrin, he senses the Ahavah mark being branded on his shoulder, and that of his mate somewhere near.  Eventually he finds Yvonne, and recognizes that she is his mate.  

What follows is a non-stop action filled story, and a beautiful romance.  When Justin brings Yvonne to Theo, it is Sadie who recognized Yvonne as Dyre, the demon who helped her escape her captivity in Hades.  The immediate reaction is to kill her, as she is a demon, even if she shows no signs of being one.  Watching Justin fall in love with Yvonne, and she with him was really so well done.  Their romance was very sexy, even when she had her leather clothes on.  Lol  I loved how Sadie and Yvonne became close, knowing this human side of Yvonne was one of them.  The battle does begin, as the demons want her (Dyre) back, and Theo’s life is in danger. 

Reese Monroe does another fantastic storyline, where we get to see both sides of Yvonne/Dyre, as she returns to Hades.  The excitement builds throughout, as we head to a very exciting climax. Will Yvonne ever return?  Will Justin be able to claim his mate?  Is Yvonne truly a demon?  Will the Great One be able to stop Lucifer?

The great cast of characters in this series, both good and evil were nicely written.  I loved Theo, Sadie, Dasha (Can’t wait for her story), besides Justin and Yvonne.  Halena is one of the good guys, but for now she is rough and brusque.  I’m sure in time, she will have her own storyline, and this will change.   Marked by Hades is another wonderful addition to this series, and I really do enjoy Reese Monroe’s writing.  If you like fantasy with Gatekeepers, Demons, God, Lucifer, Angels and Humans, and a story filled with action, excitement, romance, steamy sex, and great characters, then this series is for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines #1) by Lia Silver-a review

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Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines #1) by Lia Silver-a review

Laura's Wolf

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Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines #1) by Lia Silver

ABOUT THE BOOK: March 5, 2014

Roy Farrell is convinced that he has no future.

Roy never wanted to be anything but a Marine. But on his last tour of duty, he was bitten by a werewolf. Next thing he knew, he was locked up in a secret underground laboratory. Despite the agony caused by his newly enhanced senses, he managed to escape his captors. Unable to return to the Marines, his entire life shattered, he hid out in the woods of Yosemite.

Laura Kaplan is desperate to escape her past.

Curvy bank teller Laura was acclaimed as a hero for her courage during a bank robbery gone violently wrong. Overcome with guilt over the people she couldn’t save, she fled the city to seek solace in a lonely cabin in Yosemite. But she can’t run forever from the dark secrets of her past.

Can two broken people heal each other?

After Roy is badly wounded saving Laura from a mysterious enemy, they take refuge together in her snowed-in cabin. Forced to depend on each other for their very survival, they must come together to save their lives, face their fears, and find their hearts.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: LAURA’S WOLF is the first storyline in Lia Silver’s contemporary, adult WEREWOLF MARINES paranormal series. The focus of this storyline is on former marine Roy Farrell and bank teller Laura Kaplan. When Laura arrives at her father’s Yosemite mountain hideaway for a much needed R&R she will discover that she is not alone. Homeless and suffering horrendous PTSD Roy Farrell has found his peace and solitude in the Kaplan’s barn. What he never expected was to find the woman who would one day be his alpha mate.

The focus of the storyline is the building relationship between Roy and Laura but also the debilitating PTSD suffered by those who have witnessed and survived traumatic events. Not only does Roy blame himself for the disaster in Afghanistan that took the life of a friend but he awoke in a military research centre as a werewolf without a pack. Add a secret government lab and Roy’s flashbacks, emotional disturbances and sensory overload push the marine over the edge and beyond. As the storyline progresses, Laura will become the target of another werewolf pack and her life will never be the same.

The relationship between Roy and Laura is slow to build as a good portion of the storyline focuses on the cause and symptoms of Roy’s PTSD. Their attraction to one another is immediate; Roy’s wolf knows that Laura is his mate but it will take the man a little longer to understand the needs and the wants. Roy is so immersed in past that he is unable to get on with his life.

The storyline reads like a psychological research paper where our hero is unable to move forward or forgive himself for what happened overseas; his symptoms and reactions are catastrophic and place himself and the others in danger; he is a lone wolf who needs the company of the pack but a pack that does not know he exists.

The world building brings together many secondary characters as well as the introduction of Roy’s sire and friend. At times the focus of the storyline plot was lost in the copious amount of PTSD symptomology and it didn’t stop with our hero but branched out to other members of the pack and Laura as well-everyone suffered some form of PTSD. The ebb and flow of the storyline pacing was also a victim of the symptomology and, there were a few inconsistencies that should have been caught by a good beta or proof reader.

Overall, LAURA’S WOLF is an interesting read. There is a building romance; a little bit of sex; heartbreaking and emotional PTSD; developing friendships and the start on the long road to recovery. Roy Farrell’s healing process is only the beginning and I hope to see a HEA for Laura and her mate.

And YES, that is the one and only Francis J Cura on the cover 😉

 

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Something Good by Darlene Deluca – a Review

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Something Good by Darlene Deluca – a Review

 

Something GoodLinks to order Something Good: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
A mistake. A blessing. A tragedy.

And now, Mandi Evans has made it her goal to fade into anonymity. Once a straight-A student with her choice of colleges, she’s withdrawn into a life that consists of two jobs, an online class, and memories. Crippled by the past, she feels unworthy of a better life – until Lane Whitmore walks into the diner where she works six nights a week.

An urban planner, Lane is looking to revitalize the rundown part of town where Mandi’s hidden herself away. He can’t help but notice this diamond in the rough as well, and what starts as simple good times grows to . . . Something more.

With Lane, Mandi feel alive again, and she makes a bold decision – one that could chart her course on a path to redemption. But will keeping her plan a secret from Lane turn out to be the biggest mistake of all?

 

Review:

Wow !!! That was a 4 star read.

It was a roller coaster of a ride. Every emotion was lived in these pages. The turmoil and angst that Mandi went through on a daily basis was a total drain.

As the story proceeds we learn why Mandi is so closed off. I won’t give too much away, but have tissues handy 🙁

Lane was not what I expected, he was as open as you could get. I enjoyed their ‘it’s only for a good time’ attraction, but at the same time i wanted  them to recognize how good they were together!  And, the  ‘will they/won’t they, was entertaining to read.

The author expands her characters gradually, and watch their fights and eventual HEA, (although I was worried it wouldn’t happen).  It’s a great read, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a different read.

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Author

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To Catch A Ripple by K. Rosemont-A Review and Interview with the Author

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TO CATCH A RIPPLE by K. Rosemont-a review

To Catch A Ripple

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 1, 2013

Helen Knight, 32, has fallen in love for the first time, but under the Seagrave curse love is forbidden. Robert Seagrave, a charming, elusive novelist, is bound to the spell which chains him to Lord Gabriel, the head of the family who dictates what the Seagraves can do, where they can live, who they can love. No one can leave the community and no outsider can enter.

To free the man she loves, Helen tries to break the spell and as she unearths secrets darker than the curse, she becomes the focus of Lord Gabriel’s wrath.

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TO CATCH A RIPPLE is a contemporary storyline that borders the genres of mystery, suspense, romance and thriller. When a family curse binds the Seagrave family to the patriarch and the surrounding Toronto area, accidents, illnesses, death and disappearances befall each member who refuses to acknowledge and follow Lord Gabriel’s demands.

TO CATCH A RIPPLE focuses on outsider Helen Knight and her attempts to break the Seagrave family curse. When Helen is pulled into the family web of deceit, destruction and betrayal her own haunted past drives her forward until the man in charge faces his own immortality.

To Catch a Ripple is a story about dysfunctional family dynamics where fear and intimidation keeps the family together in the face of threats and murderous rampages. This is not a story for everyone. Although there is a building romance, the premise focuses on breaking a curse that has brought sorrow and pain to every family member.

TO CATCH A RIPPLE is a storyline that crosses many genres including suspense, romance and thriller. The writing style is simple yet there is plenty of information and background to absorb. There is a building relationship between Rob Seagrave and Helen Knight-one forbidden by the family curse; Lord Gabriel is the archetype of pure evil, a monster who breeds fear into a family for his pleasure and control; he is an exaggeration of darkness and malevolence. The numerous secondary characters meander throughout the storyline hiding secrets, cowering in shadows and betraying family to one another-herein lies the conflict-those that are loyal to Lord Gabriel out of spite and those that are loyal out of fear and reprisal. K. Rosemont uses authorial instrusion using Helen Knight as her vehicle to question much of the story and the plot.

TO CATCH A RIPPLE is an interesting story where one family is controlled by a despicable family ruler. Fear of punishment holds the family together until one woman is willing to step outside of her comfort zone and confront their demons as well as her own-head on.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview beige

TRC: Hi K and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us something about yourself.

K. RosemontK:  I’m based in Toronto, and have lived here my whole life. As my day job, I work as a high school supply teacher in a district north of the city. Travelling and cooking are my passions. I also like to read a variety of books from classics, to sci-fi, to history. I have a degree in history, and have also studied publishing and journalism. I’ve always been interested in stories and writing. I write a variety of styles, but fantasy is my favorite genre. It allows my imagination to go anywhere.

TRC: What or who influenced your foray into writing?

K: As a child I wrote fan fiction based on my favorite TV shows like “Little House on the Prairie.” It started as a wish to change stories I didn’t like. Soon, I was writing my own original fiction.

TRC: TO CATCH A RIPPLE (November 2013) is your debut urban fantasy novel. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

To Catch A RippleK: The story is about Helen Knight, who has never fallen in love in her thirty-two years. As a child she was abused by her stepfather, so she has a hard time trusting people. Then, she meets her roommate’s cousin, Robert Seagrave, who is an author. Helen is an aspiring writer, so they share a connection. However, as Helen and Rob’s friendship grows, she learns he’s harboring a dark secret. Rob, Vincent and their kin are part of an extended family, the Seagrave community, and they are under a curse which chains them to the patriarch, Lord Gabriel. Gabriel dictates everything the Seagraves can do, and if they disobey, he punishes them. Helen sets out to break the curse and in doing so she stands up to Gabriel, a man who is as abusive as her stepfather but many times more dangerous.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters of Robert, Helen and Lord Gabriel, which actors or models would best represent your ideal image?

K: I would cast Nicole Kidman as Helen, Ashton Kutcher as Robert and Greg Vaughan would be Lord Gabriel.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series or is this a stand alone novel?

K: To Catch a Ripple is a stand alone novel.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

K: The best way to make a plot unpredictable is not to copy the books that have already been written. Follow your own voice. Tell your own story. The result will be authentic and believable.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

K: I’d like to think I direct the characters, but often as I’m writing they take a life of their own and direct the plot. My final stories are half of what I had planned and half of what the characters decided to do.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

K: The key to pulling a reader into a story is to make characters that are relatable. In other words, the characters have to be human, flawed, but still likeable. No matter how compelling the plot, if readers don’t care about the characters, they won’t care about the story.

Where a lot of writers go wrong is they identify too much with a character, creating an idealized version of themselves, gorgeous, brilliant, perfect. This kind of character is called a Mary Sue/Harry Stew. Readers can’t identify with perfect characters; they want to see characters grow throughout the story, and there is no growth if the character starts out perfect.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

K: When I’m stuck on a story, I go on to other projects. Sometimes that works, but usually when I have writer’s block I can’t write anything. Developing outlines helps, but forcing my stories only leads to frustration. Writer’s block is caused by stress, and making myself write just stresses me out more. I hate to admit it, but I just have to let writer’s block pass, like a cold. I have to believe that my writing ability hasn’t gone away; it’s just taking a breather. It always comes back in full force.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

K: This is a hard question to answer without giving away the plot, but let’s just say the curse was a particular challenge. I had to do something original and also make it believable to the characters.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friendsand family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

K: I bounce my ideas off of my sister. She’s a writer, too. We’ve been doing this since we were kids and have developed our own vocabulary. We call the middle of the plot which usually lags “the middle chunk,” and an ending that’s not quite happily ever after is a “bittersweet ending.”

TRC: On what are you currently working?

K: I’m working on a YA fantasy series called Infinity Blue. It’s about Astra Starlighter, a seventeen-year-old who discovers she’s a goddess, but where she lives magic is illegal. When she’s caught using her powers, she’s enrolled in a magic martial arts school where many students die in training. For her initiation, she has to kill Kronos, the most feared warrior in the universe. In order to stay alive, she has to ask the help of Sankaro, the leader of an international crime syndicate, the most dangerous man in the world. Astra finds herself in the center of a deadly plot and she has to use all her abilities just to stay alive.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

I love to connect with readers. My facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/K.Rosemont

Twitter: @wernstberger

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4962838.K_Rosemont

Blog: http://krosemont.wordpress.com/

Website: http://krosemontauthor.weebly.com/

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Gyoza bibimbap

Favorite Dessert: Oreo Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show: Storage Wars

Last Movie You Saw: Catching Fire

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk

Secret Celebrity Crush: Bai Yong Jun (a Korean actor)

Last Vacation Destination: Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong

Pet Peeve: People who don’t flush (like, eww!)

TRC: Thank you K for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of To Catch A Ripple.

K: Thanks so much to you, Sandy, and The Reading Café.

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The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R.Ward-a review

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THE KING (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R.Ward-a review

The King March 2014

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

REMINDER: Read our interview with Jeff Gmerek the cover model for THE KING

RELEASE DATE: April 1,2014

J.R. Ward’s # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle–with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything–and everyone–at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response–or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out… or a tortured legacy take over?

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE KING is the twelfth instalment in JR Ward’s The Black Dagger Brotherhood series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. Like most of the previous storylines JR concentrates on more than one developing relationship and story as well as the continued war with the Lessening Society (not so much) and the Glymera (vampire ruling council). This is Beth and Wrath’s continuing story as Beth enters her needing and Wrath refuses his mate’s desire for a family.

The book centres on several storylines as per Ward’s style and each may or may not overlap at some point in The King. Like all of her previous books, The King is not a stand alone novel as developing relationships and backstories continue throughout each instalment. The storyline fast forwards the series several months up to approximately one year.

Beth and Wrath: Beth wants a baby and Wrath’s continued reluctance will pit the mates against one another. Wrath’s tortured family past and the vampire’s history of birth and death are major obstacles that Wrath is unable to overcome. Beth and Wrath’s relationship will enter a difficult period, one where words will be exchanged and Wrath’s emotional stability will be questioned by the Brothers and his friends. Much of the ruling vampire history is revealed through flashbacks and memory at various storyline intervals.

Iam and Trez and Selena: This particular part of the storyline focuses on Trez’s relationship with the Chosen Selena but also on his destination as the Shadow Queen’s daughter’s consort. When an ultimatum is handed down, Trez makes a deal with the devil-one that will exact revenge for a wrong brought down on Trez but places Trez in a precarious position of losing everything and everyone that he loves. His future as the Queen’s daughter’s mate is still a question that will be addressed in the next storyline. We learn a little more about the why and the how of family betrayal against a once-beloved son.

Xcor and Layla: The continuing battle for the throne finds Xcor aligned with the Glymera and torn between his need for Layla and what he believes is his inherent right to the crown. When an offer is made that he cannot refuse Xcor loses sight of the reason he and the Band of Bastards returned-Layla is now the recipient of his desires. Xcor and Layla’s story will be difficult to accept for many readers. I do not feel the love or the attraction between the couple and I wonder how JR will redeem Xcor in the eyes of the Brothers and the reader. There was some definite drag in the story as it pertained to this couple.

Assail and Sola: Assail’s need for the human female Sola (Marisol) will pit the vampire against Caldwell’s drug lord and his minions. At the end of Lover at Last, Sola is kidnapped and her whereabouts is unknown. The reader is pulled into a nightmare where Sola fears for not only her life but her sanity and Assail fears he is too late to save the woman with whom he has fallen in love. This particular part of the novel also dragged in spots but JR is still building their story. To be honest, this particular premise feels disconnected to the main series. I am not sure of this couple’s purpose in the grand scheme of the BDB but hopefully JR Ward has something planned for this couple.

JM aka John Matthew: John’s seizures have returned with a vengeance. We all know John’s connection to Darius, Beth and the Brothers but the closer he and Beth become his seizures occur more often and more violently. Once John entered his post-trans phase his seizures were a thing of the past but the re-appearance come with flashbacks and memories that cannot be explained as post-seizure hallucinations. Will JM’s true identity finally be revealed?

The Brothers are secondary characters at this point and make a cameo appearance if only in thought or mention. In this, if you are looking for any Blay and Quinn relationship updates etc, there are none to be had. In fact, the focus of The King is The King and his struggle to retain the crown. There is little to no reconnection with most of the previous couples-Ward centres on the upcoming battles and, the building and dissecting of future storyline arcs. The world building continues with each instalment but is shying away from the ‘lessers’ and that particular series arc. There are definite moments of highs and lows; a few slow spots where you want to fast forward in the story; and others spots where you wish JR had revealed a little more information. I miss the Brotherhood banter and their one on one time with each other. JR Ward is no longer focused on the Brotherhood but on the introduction of new characters, new vampires and new directions.

Saxton’s connection to the Glymera is revealed as well as the family betrayal that is emotional and heartbreaking. You have to wonder why one continues to acknowledge those who destroy your heart and your soul. Saxton’s mate will have to be strong although Saxton himself is a male of worth.

THE KING is an emotional storyline as it pertains to Beth and Wrath. When history begins to repeat itself Wrath is lost in a world of what-ifs. Will he survive without the crown? Without his mate? Without the Brothers? He is a man who has lost so much and yet has everything he has always dreamed (of).

Lassiter makes a reappearance and in true Lassiter fashion-all I can say is-The King is alive and well and living in Caldwell, New York. Every story needs a little humor to offset the dark and emotional ups and downs. I can’t wait for Lassiter’s story. It will take an amazing woman to keep up with the manically hyper Angel.

Speaking of humor Ward interjects several contemporary and humorous moments that give the storyline familiarity and a modern feel. Although in future, the moments may date the series to particular period in time e.g. Miley Cyrus, twerking etc.

Overall, THE KING is a necessary storyline that brings Wrath’s family history full circle: the Glymera reap what they sow: and a look to the future ruling King. My only hope is that JR comes back to the Brothers but it doesn’t look like anytime soon with the Shadows-Iam and Trez-getting their story next.

Reviewed by Sandy

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