Monthly Archives: July 2014

Dream Huntress by Michelle Sharp – Review & Guest Post

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Dream Huntress by Michelle Sharpe – Review & Guest Post

 

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Description:
Detective Jordan Delany has a gift. Through her dreams, she connects with dead victims of violent crimes. Her isolated life as a drug cop is perfect for hiding the freakish visions, until her newest investigation has her posing as a cocktail waitress in a down-and-dirty strip club. When she’s saved from a drunken customer by a handsome stranger, the heated chemistry is exactly why she intends to keep Mr. Arrogant at bay. But learning he’s the new bouncer for the corrupt club she intends to bust just might be the one reason why she can’t.

Tyler McGee suspects a drug ring operating out of the local club is flooding the streets of his hometown with heroin. Determined to get answers, he plays the part of a fallen cop and lands the job of head bouncer. What he discovers is that the club owner isn’t the only deadly obstacle he’s facing. His attraction to an intriguing cocktail waitress with a penchant for danger just might kill him first.

 

Review:

She could deal with the drunks, the hands, and the come-ons. Because at the end of the day, she’d not only bring the Bucks down, she’d enjoy every last minute of watching them crash and burn. And if she happened to come face-to-face with the son of a bitch who’d ordered the kill on their deep-cover cops, all the better.

A woman scorn…no…a woman with a badge and a purpose. Add Tyler, a hot bouncer, to the mix, and suddenly, the job becomes endurable. Dream Huntress by Michelle Sharp explores the world of Jordan, a St. Louis detective working undercover as a strip club waitress to shut down the long arms of a drug cartel. When Ty gets under her skin, however, making himself indispensable, Jordan’s demons go into overdrive setting up roadblocks to deter involvement. Yeah, good luck with that.

The banter was flirtatious and developed rapidly. The key here was in its frequency. Ms. Sharp let the characters dialogue regularly and those exchanges, the unconventional courtship, were always engaging.   The harder Jordan tries to create distance, the faster Ty closes in on those gaps. But never mind that (for now at least). Complications start to mount.

Ty is a disgruntled former cop and the FBI, to whom Jordan currently answers, suspects local enforcement is in thick with the shady dealings at Buck’s Nightclub. Ty is actually infiltrating Buck’s “enterprise” to dismantle from within. Ummm…communication, people – a biiiig heaping spoonful of it! Problem is: Jordan and Ty can’t break cover just because they’re attracted to one another (not to mention Jordan’s sixth sense). It’s a rule you never break. But after one sizzling kiss…

Danger flashed in her mind like a warning sign at a construction site. He could be working for Buck. Or more probable – and more frightening – he could be a good man with the innate ability to scale all her carefully placed walls. Neither option was good.

Different strategies, same goal. At the end of Chapter 6 (or 36%)…we love Ty…Ty rocks our world…but we still don’t know the details of his agenda or motives (what’s up with the ring he carries in his pocket?) We do know he’s one persistent mofo, “the man is a f*cking dog with a bone” and I don’t mean that disrespectfully, lol. His alphaness is a bit overwhelming, but he knows when to rein it in. Jordan’s in over her head at Buck’s and Ty’s radar is going ballistic. If Ty’s being honest, Jordan’s embedded herself under his skin so profoundly, and in no time at all, it’s beyond physical – he won’t settle for less than all of her. A girl could get used to that. But what is she thinking?! Duty calls and Jordan doesn’t have the time to lose herself in Ty. Again: Good luck with that! The steam in this book coupled with the unflappability of Ty culminates in many swoons, my friends.

I really enjoyed this book. My only critique, and it honestly did not bother me, is that the love story seemed to outshine the drug bust. There are action and background stories to layer the book — I just haven’t disclosed them because I’m a spoiler-free type of contributor. 😀 Ms. Sharp developed these characters so thoughtfully; you lose yourself in the romance. Hardly a complaint when she had me completely engrossed in their personal story.

Unlock the secrets Jordan and Ty have been keeping; truths that may be too much to handle. Dream Huntress is the whole package: Danger to keep you in suspense and romance to soothe you during the nightmares. So much to love!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

guest post

Variety or Voyeur? By Michelle Sharp

The recent release of Dream Huntress has been a fun and fabulous few weeks. Actually, the most fun is when someone asks, “What’s next?” One friend called, genuinely concerned about whether Ty and Jordan will stay together and have that ultimate happily ever after. She explained that she usually gravitated towards the kind of series where you have the first hot brother and his story. And then in book 2, the story of the next hot brother, or best friend, or Marine buddy, so on and so forth.

It wasn’t the first time I had heard this. But it was the first time I decided there really are two different kinds of “romance series camps.” We’ll call the first camp—Camp Variety. Romance fans who plain old need a little change. They want a new hero and heroine in each book, diverse story arcs, and varied conflict in each book. Nothing wrong with that. It’s the way the romance world has operated for years, pretty darn successfully I might add.

However, I think there is a different camp becoming more and more popular in the romance genre. One comprised of inquisitive (perhaps obsessive) people like me. Camp Voyeur, if you will, infatuated with what happens after that, “Gee, I love you” moment. I mean seriously, you want good old fashioned conflict? When I look at my relationship with my husband, I realize that things didn’t get real until after we moved in together. Merging two lives into one can be explosive. Right?

So why must the fantasy end at I love you?

If I really fall for a character, I want the true grit that comes after all the firsts, too. What happens when an old flame comes back into town? What if one of the characters is wrongly accused of a crime, or hiding a deadly secret? How does the relationship work then? And man, OH, man—there is something to be said for reading a sexy love scene between two characters that know each other’s hot spots and history.

I get that books are supposed to be romance, fantasy—escape. No one wants to read about characters clipping their nails or arguing over the electric bill. But it still doesn’t mean I don’t totally want to be a voyeur while Roarke is washing Eve’s back in J.D. Robb’s In Death Series. (And screw tradition, because if Roarke did nothing more than clip Eve’s fingernails, I guarantee it would be sexy.)

I must, must, must know how Nick and Sam are doing in Marie Force’s Fatal Series. And don’t even get me started on Eva and Gideon. Sylvia Day has me hook, line, and sinker when it comes to those two.

My point is, I like the fantasy of the first kiss, the first time our characters make love, the moment the first “I love you” is spoken. But life happens. There is no greater thrill than exploring it with the characters I love. It’s like coming home to the familiar or visiting with family I haven’t seen in a while.

So to my friend I said, “Don’t worry, life will go on for Jordan and Ty. And because of Jordan’s gift, you can bet it will be a wild and complicated ride.”

I found that to be a perfectly politically correct response. But my friend said, “You’re seriously not going to tell me? You suck.” LOL. (But I know she still loves me.)

How about you? Are you Variety or Voyeur? Maybe we need a little of both camps to really keep the excitement flowing.

 

about the author

Michelle Sharp is a romantic suspense author from the Midwest. Although she has a degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University, she finds weaving tales of danger, deception, and love much preferable to reporting the cold, hard facts. Her goal in life? To team resilient, kick-ass heroines with the sexy alpha’s who love them. As most writers probably are, she is an avid reader. Her husband and kids would call it obsessive—but whatever. Her first choice is usually a story with a thrilling combination of danger and love, but any book with a great voice and intriguing story will keep her turning pages well past any reasonable bed-time.

Her debut novel will be published with Entangled Ignite in June of 2014. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Missouri Romance Writers.

Website: michellesharpbooks.com / Twitter / Facebook: / Goodreads:

 

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The Containment Zone by Danielle Singleton-Review and Interview with the Author

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The Containment Zone by Danielle Singleton-Review and Interview with the Author

The Containment Zone

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2014

When a disease pandemic sweeps the nation, people in the United States start dying in unprecedented numbers. As the mysterious illness spreads like wildfire, killing nearly 90% of the population, leaders in the region and around the world scramble to figure out how to respond. In a highly controversial move, the borders of the United States are closed and no one is allowed to enter or exit the country. What happens next – inside and outside the “containment zone” – tests the bounds of both medical science and human nature. In this compelling novel, author Danielle Singleton raises the questions people are too afraid to ask – and then answers them in thrilling fashion.

••••••••••••••••••

The Containment Zone is not my usual read, but I found it quite entertaining. It’s basically an apocalyptic type story, without romance, more science and adventure.

The premise is a really scary but good one; a disease that ravages the USA in a matter of weeks killing 90% of the population. How’s that for tingling excitement! It almost feels like you could watch this story on a TV or movie screen. There’s a lot of science in it and global politics.

One of the storylines in this was those who eschewed the MMR vaccine for themselves and their children, like the Amish, and some other religions, and yes, even good ole “hippy” types; they were the only ones to survive the disease, except those out of the country at the time. I also appreciated the way many characters brought God into the storyline of this one.

It was interesting to see the politics evolve as the USA was used as the “Containment Zone” and the entire country was quarantined, a truly massive effort – but well written.

I don’t want to do spoilers on how this was resolved, but it involved a global effort to isolate and find the cause of the disease as well as a vaccine to keep it from spreading…ironic yes, since it was the MMR vaccine that caused the mutated disease to kill so many. It’s a very thought provoking story in many ways. Lots of hard decisions on the part of the world leaders and local survivors.

Much of the story is dedicated, and well done, to how quickly the disease spread. Also, the way governments cooperated to blockage the USA, our own overseas troops and equipment used to help do this. All coordinated by NATO, whose military head was one of our generals (a wonderful man).

A whole town of heroes in Shining Light, Texas survived and gave their all for their country!

As I said earlier, reading this I could easily see it as a TV movie or series…hmmmm.

I would have loved to have more development and time with some of the characters, but with an event this quick and deadly…
So, if this kind of excitement and interesting thriller is your thing, pick this up and have yourself a really good read!

Copy supplied by author for an honest review.

Reviewed by Georgianna

 

Interview

TRC: Hi Danielle and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow Danielle: Goodreads/ Twitter//Website/Facebook

Danielle SingletonDanielle: Something about myself…hmm. Well, I live in Atlanta with a fantastic “roommate” (my dog, Gus). I’m also only about 30 minutes away from where my parents, sister, and nephew live, and it’s really nice to have my family nearby. Family is very important to me.

TRC: You are a lawyer by trade and education. Have you ever had the opportunity to apply your education and background to any of your storylines?

Danielle: I haven’t written any legal thrillers or anything like that, but I definitely think my education has helped with my writing. Law school taught me a lot about how to write and convey a story to the audience, and it also taught me the importance of research. I spend a lot of time researching for my books to make sure they’re as realistic as possible.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Danielle: I’ve always liked telling stories, but I’d say that two of my childhood teachers most influenced my career in writing. I was really lucky to have those 2 great English teachers while in school, and they taught me not only how to write but also how to appreciate and apply the intricacies of literature to my own stories.

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

Danielle: I go running with my dog on most days and I also really like to watch and play sports. During the summer, my free time is often spent at the lake.

The Containment ZoneTRC: THE CONTAINMENT ZONE is your April 2014 release. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Danielle: Sure. The Containment Zone is a thriller that fits into the apocalyptic fiction category. An epidemic sweeps the United States and kills so many people that the United Nations closes the US borders. The book centers on what happens after the border is closed…how people inside and outside the “containment zone” react to the crisis.

TRC: Where did the idea for a pandemic storyline originate?

Danielle: I wanted to write a story about government overreach, originally. Something about how a government mandate went wrong. My imagination kicked into gear from there and I ended up with a vaccine program wreaking havoc. I know…it’s a bit of a strange way to arrive at a pandemic storyline!

TRC: Are any of the characters or the premise based in reality or a combination of reality and fiction?

Danielle: The character of the British prime minister has a lot of Margaret Thatcher in her (not very creative there!). None of the other characters are based in reality, though, and the premise isn’t either. I do often make the characters have the same names as people I know, but I use their names randomly.

TRC: What do you want your readers to take away from this particular book?

Danielle: That it’s a great book and everyone should read it! Haha. Just kidding (well, sort of…). In all seriousness, I hope readers take away two things. One: that life is precious and can be taken away at any moment, so they should live with no regrets and never take tomorrow for granted. Two: so-called “ordinary” people can do extraordinary things – never underestimate the difference one person can make.

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

Danielle: The Containment Zone has a very broad scope. It’s about a pandemic that threatens the globe, and I struggled to adequately convey the magnitude of the situation while keeping the plot and characters compact enough that it wouldn’t be confusing for readers. That was definitely my biggest struggle. I was lucky to have some family and friends with professional expertise in medicine and the military who I could go to with any research questions.

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an instalment with a major cliff hanger?

Danielle: I think cliff hangers can be good as long as they’re done well. I don’t like it when you can tell that the story was better suited to be one book and the author chops it in half just to have two books rather than one. I wrote a series, the Joseph series, that has a surprise at the end of the first book (not a cliff hanger, though). But I think readers in general like series because they can get to know the characters better.

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

Danielle: A little bit of both, I think. I have a firm, detailed outline of what I want the story to be, but within that the characters will often develop in ways and do things that surprise me.

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?

Danielle: Conveying the emotions of the characters is definitely one of the hardest parts of writing fiction. I think a writer has to start by developing the characters enough that readers feel like they know them…so that, in the mind of the reader, Josiah Jones or Lucy Rodgers or whoever it may be is less of a character and more of a person. It’s also important to develop the world that the characters live in. What does the room look like? Smell like? What does the food taste like? How is the weather? The readers need to be able to put themselves into the story, and they can’t do that if they don’t know what that story’s world is like. I think writers fail by focusing too much on plot and not enough on characters and setting, leaving the characters too one-dimensional for the readers to be able to relate to them.

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

Danielle: Like I mentioned earlier, I have a solid outline that I build out, but within that I don’t write in any particular order. So if I get blocked in one area of the story then I can bounce over to another area and work on that. If I’m really, really stuck on any given day, then I’ll work on character development or research or something that I know I can always
use more of but that doesn’t require too much creativity.

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

Danielle: My mom is probably my main sounding board while I’m still putting the story together. In the editing stage, though, I have a Reading Committee of about 5-6 people who help me with not only grammar but also research and things like character and plot consistency.

TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Danielle: In relation to my writing career, I’d like to:

(1) publish at least 3 more books

(2) have my first bestseller

(3) get to a point where I can focus solely on writing and not have a “day
job.”

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Danielle: I’m ambidextrous.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Danielle: I’m working on my 5th book, which is a paranormal fiction story.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Danielle: Thank you so much for having me for an interview! I love getting to interact with readers this way!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – pizza

Favorite Dessert – ice cream

Favorite TV Show – Downton Abbey

Last Movie You Saw – “Skyfall” (James Bond)

Favorite Musical Group/Song – George Strait…he has too many great songs
to pick just one favorite!

Dark or Milk Chocolate – I’m allergic to chocolate.

Secret Celebrity Crush – Bradley Cooper (we both went to Georgetown!)

Last Vacation Destination – Charleston, SC

Pet Peeve – people who use poor grammar

TRC: Thank you Danielle for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of THE CONTAINMENT ZONE. We wish you continued success and look forward to many more storylines.

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In The Mood for Love by Beth Ciotta – a Review

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In The Mood for Love by Beth Ciotta – a Review

In the Mood for Love
Cupcake Lovers series – Book #4
by Beth Ciotta
Release Date: July 1, 2014

In The Mood For LoveAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
When Harper Day blows into the small town of Sugar Creek, Vermont, she takes the sleepy community completely by surprise. A stunning beauty and frenzied workaholic, the celebrity publicist based out of L.A. maintains she will only be in Sugar Creek for vacations. The cozy atmosphere of Sugar Creek, however, has other plans. Haunted by a troubled past and insecure about her future, Harper finds solace in doing publicity for the Cupcake Lovers. Now if only she could get her life back in line, and put a stop to this newfound attraction she has for one of the members…

Sam McCloud feels an intense connection to Harper, which makes things way more complicated. Still reeling from his wife’s untimely death and focused on raising his two young children, Sam doesn’t have the emotional strength to get close to a woman again. But when he finds Harper in a jam and the best solution leads to them constantly being together, Sam cannot deny their attraction. True, Harper is from a different world and still struggling with her past, but Sam is determined not to lose another woman he loves…

 

 Review:

In the Mood for Love by Beth Ciotta is the 4th book in her Cupcake Lovers series. Since I have not read the first three books, I can safely say that this book can be read as a standalone. But I will add that after reading this wonderful romance, I will be going back to read the other books in this series.

This series takes place in a small town, Sugar Creek, Vermont. Of late, I have really been enjoying these romances that take place in small towns. We meet our hero, Sam McCloud early on, fraternizing with his friends, some of whom have found their loves from the earlier books; which does not matter when reading this. Sam is a widower, and his friends keep pushing him to start seriously dating again. However, what the town doesn’t know, is that Sam is sexually aroused by Harper Day, our heroine. The two of them are not interested in any commitment, but they can’t seem to control their lust for each other.

Harper is a well-known publicist in L.A., but she also helps promote the Cupcake Lovers. She visits Sugar Creek often, when she is able, as the town and the friends she has made have become her salvation. Harper is beautiful, strong and personable on the outside, but underneath it all, she has some major issues. She has a stalker from Canada that she hides from, and she also suffers from anxiety attacks, which no one sees, until one day Sam does. Harper suddenly loses her job, and is at risk of having to leave the U.S. and be forced back home to Canada. Sam comes to the rescue, and what follows is a beautiful romance.

This was a nicely done slow build up to their romance, with Sam being the first to realize that he was falling in love with Harper, and he begins to second guess his determination to meet a woman who knows how to handle children. I loved how Sam slowly built up Harper’s confidence, and knew when she was starting her anxiety attack. He knew just what to do to get her mind away from her fears. Sam was so perfect for Harper. Once she allows herself to open up and tell Sam all, Harper becomes more confident. With each passing day, she begins to see that she loves him too.

In the midst of this wonderful romance, we spend time with the fabulous characters of Sugar Creek, including Sam’s kids. There is also the mystery about the stalker. I loved the premise of the Cupcake Lovers club, and at the end of the book there are a few cupcake recipes. Beth Ciotta has created a delightful story that also tugs on your emotions, as you see what Harper is going through, as well as the joy of watching this romance build. You truly do need to read this book, and if you can start with the first book, though this will read fine as a standalone.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys -Review, Interview and Giveaway

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Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys-Review, Interview and Giveaway

Vampire Trouble Banner

Vampire Trouble
Dead in the City #2
by Sara Humphreys
Genre: paranormal, romance, adult, contemporary
Release Date: July 1, 2014

 

Vampire Trouble

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

Shane Quesada, a four-century old vampire sentry, is known for cold, unemotional precision when hunting rogue vampires.

Maya Robertson is a youngling vampire who will not be controlled—and to prove it, she rejects Shane’s protection—only to find herself in over her head with an alpha werewolf.

Soon, a war between the coven and the werewolf clan ignites, and Maya and Shane flee to Louisiana, where their passion for each other grows—as does Maya’s power. When she finds herself at the center of the conflict, will she finally trust Shane with her life—and her heart?

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: VAMPIRE TROUBLE is the second instalment in Sara Humphreys’ contemporary, adult Dead in the City paranormal romance series that is a spinoff from her popular Amoveo Legend series. This is four hundred year old vampire Shane Quesada and youngling vampire Maya Robertson’s story. Maya was first introduced in book one Tall, Dark and Vampire. Because of the Amoveo Legend crossover, many of the secondary characters will be familiar to readers of Sara’s other series.

The focus of the storyline is on Shane and Maya’s building relationship as well as the slowly evolving war between the werewolves and the New York Coven. One werewolf in particular has targeted Maya for extermination and Shane has been ordered to guard Maya with his life. Finding themselves secluded in Louisiana, Maya will discover that she is much more than a youngling vampire and the wolves are determined to end her life. A gypsy woman will begin to uncover the truth about Maya’s past and it is a past that has followed her to the Bayou.

The relationship between Shane and Maya is tepid and volatile. Shane has been attracted to Maya in a way that can only be explained through DNA but Maya’s attitude, anxiety and acidic personality are something that only a bloodmate would find appealing. As the storyline builds, so too does the relationship that will find our couple fighting for their lives as well as their love. The sex is sensual, passionate and arousing but Shane’s love for Maya may not be enough to keep our couple safe or together.

The world building continues from book one with the inclusion of many of the previous storyline characters including the New York Coven czars Doug and Olivia and a number of the Amoveo Legend vampires, shifters and supernatural powers. Sara does an amazing job crossing over and the blending between the two series with the familiarity of many names, places and powers.

VAMPIRE TROUBLE is a seductive storyline where two vampires will find love and a happily ever after. Sara Humphreys writes an intelligent, inventive and spirited series where the impossible seems possible and the improbable has already began.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Interview
Sara HumphreysTRC: Hi Sara and welcome back to The Reading Café

Sara: Thank you! I’m so excited to be here 🙂

TRC: Congratulations on the release of VAMPIRE TROUBLE –the second book of your Dead in the City paranormal series.

Tall Dark and VampireWhen last we talked –August 2013-you had just released the first installment in the Dead in the City series- TALL, DARK AND VAMPIRE. How were the book and series received by the readers?

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

Sara: I was thrilled to see so many of my Amoveo Legend readers go right to the new vamp series and welcome it with open arms. It was also a great way to connect with new readers. So far so good!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of VAMPIRE TROUBLE?

Sara: Sure! Maya is a vamp bartender at The Coven, the hottest Goth nightclub in NYC that is run by a coven of vampires. Maya Robertson is a youngling vampire who was turned only five years ago. Her only clear memory of her human life is the night she was turned. Raped and beaten, her maker, Olivia, found her in an alley behind the nightclub and turned her. Maya relives the attack every day in her dreams. To mantain some sens of control, she hunts human men who look like her attacker but never kills them. She feeds on them and toys with them the way a cat would with a mouse. Let’s just say, the girl has some issues.

Vampire In Trouble July 2014Shane Quesada is a four hundred year old vampire sentry and an elite soldier for The Presidium, the vampire government. Nothing rattles him. Until he meets Maya and is unexpectedly pulled into her nightmares. Vampires stop dreaming about ten years after they are turned, so when Shane finds himself in the dreamscape after centuries of leaden slumber, he knows Maya is more than just a random youngling.

When a pack of werewolves comes to the city unannounced, Maya finds herself in over her head. The impulsive and tempestuous little vamp causes her share of trouble but let’s just say that Shane is there to help her navigate her increasingly dangerous future.

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

Sara: It was important to make Maya likable because in TALL, DARK, AND VAMPIRE (DIC #1), she wasn’t particularly popular. She’s kind of a pain in the ass and a bit of a spoiled brat but in this book readers get to find out why Maya is the way she is. Also, due to her violent past, I wanted to be sure she was empowered by Shane but not dependent upon him. It was challenging to find that balance.

UnclaimedTRC: UNCLAIMED was the December 2013 release in your Amoveo Legend series. What do you have planned next for the series?

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

Sara: In February 2015 we will be releasing UNBOUND. It’s an Amoveo Legend novella featuring an Amoveo Guardian named Zachary. Readers met him in UNCLAIMED and his story is a bit different from all the others. I don’t want to give too much away but it has a Romeo and Juliet vibe…but with a happy ending. I also have two other Amoveo Legend novels planned, one of which is Steven’s story. He’s become a fan favorite and the poor guy got put through the ringer, so he definitely needs his HEA.

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an installment with a major cliff hanger?

Sara: I’m okay with cliffhangers in romance as long as it’s not about the hero and the heroine. The readers deserve to see the hero and heroine get an HEA even if it’s an HEA “for now”. That being said, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to have background characters involved in cliffhangers.

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

Sara: I start with an overall path in mind but more often than not, the characters tell me where to take them.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Sara: My husband has been my biggest cheerleader from day one and if it weren’t for his support, I wouldn’t be doing this for a living.

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

Sara: I love to read and I’m a movie junkie. When I turn in a book, I treat myself and go to the movies alone in the middle of the day. It’s awesome.

TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Sara:
1. Improve my writing. Every book should be better than the last.
2. Make the NYT and/or USA Today Bestseller lists.
3. Publish my YA series–Daughters of Heaven and Hell.

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Sara: I’m not telling. That’s why few people know about it 😉

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sara: BRAVE THE HEAT. It’s book one in my first contemporary romance series, The McGuire Brothers. Look for it next July.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Sara: Just to say thank you…I’m so very lucky to do what I do for a living.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Song

At the moment….The Sound of Sunshine.

Favorite Musical Group

The Eagles

Last Movie You Saw

Constantine

Last Book You Read

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler

Last Vacation Destination

New Orleans for #RT14.

Pet Peeve

Mean people. They suck.

TRC: Thank you Sara for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure catching up with our favorite authors.

giveaway

Sara and her publisher are offering a paper copy of VAMPIRE TROUBLE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. 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. Like Sara Humphreys on Twitter

6. Giveaway is open to USA/Canada only.

7. Giveaway runs from July 17-July 22 , 2014

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Louisiana Moon (Rising Currents #1) by Lani Rhea-a reivew

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Louisiana Moon (Rising Currents #1) by Lani Rhea-a review

Louisiana Moon

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

About The Book: Release March 2014

Wanted: Royal blood. Bounty: An action packed, sexy, suspenseful tale. After losing her parents to vampires, werewolf Kristina Knight spends her life protecting humans from the bloodsuckers. Saving Darin James from the Truce Brotherhood adds fuel to the vampire coven’s wrath. When Ryant, her former lover, appears under the pretext of protecting her, Kristina isn’t ready to trust him again-especially not after he made his choice clear years ago.

As leader of the vampires, Ryant Starga is driven to protect Kristina not only because of their past connection but because, now, the Soulscapes are out for her blood. If they succeed, the soul demons will rule the Darkworld-and no one will ever be safe. Ryant has a plan to convince Kristina she needs his protection, but it all goes badly awry when, in spite of the years separating them, he’s unable to keep his hands and mind off her-or the human Darin James out of the picture.

With Darin overstepping boundaries, will Kristina and Ryant rekindle their love only to lose it again?

Warning: Vampires, werewolves and humans-oh my!

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:

Wow !!! A 4 star story

Kristina spends her life fighting vampires after losing her parents. She is a loner and is very guarded. The only man she ever truly loved failed her on an epic scale. And after fifty years of trying to forget him, his back in her life and wanting her help.

Kristina is a bounty hunter and a werewolf, so she is no pushover. But you get the feeling she is lonely, but this is of her own doing. (And her weird collection of bullet casing were an eye opener!!) Ryant is her former lover and a vampire, so was he in some way responsible for her parents death ? (the answer is in the book ) He is the master of a new coven, (he is turning humans into vampires, to fight the war on soulscapes) His feelings for Kristina are complex. He has known they would always be together, a legacy tells of their life together.

Darin is a human caught in the vampire/human/demon war. At first I did think it would be a strange love triangle. But as the story moves along, Darin and Kristina’s relationship evolves, and as for Kristina and Ryant …. The story moves at a steady pace. And there are a few main characters that are pivotal to the story. There are a few twists (and one I TOTALLY didn’t see) and turns. I’m hoping this is the start of a series, I need to see where this adventure takes me.

A story I will gladly read again and again.

Copy supplied by the publicist

Reviewed by Julie B

About the Author

Lani Rhea

Lani Rhea, lover of coffee, lives in the heart of Oklahoma. She has four children and loves animals. Lani is always up for a challenge and enjoys mixing romance with all genres that spark her interests. You can find her either reading or writing. She would love to hear from you. Find her on Facebook , Twitter and Goodreads

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Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

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Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton – Review & Giveaway

Straddling the Line Banner

Straddling the Line
Play by Play – Book #8
by Jaci Burton
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Straddling the LineAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Trevor Shay has a successful career straddling the two sports he loves—football and baseball. He puts it all on the line for old friend Haven Briscoe, though, when she has a tough time getting her professional career together after the death of her father. Despite her misgivings, Haven accepts the assignment of doing a feature bio on Trevor, but he’s an attractive force of nature and there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. Secrets are revealed and chemistry is added to the mix as they each help each other through some tough times.

 

Review:

What can I say, I’m a sports nut and this series couldn’t be more up my alley. I love a good story where the hero is an athlete, and once again Jaci Burton delivers with Straddling the Line. I don’t know how she does it, but book after book, she makes me feel as though I’m a part of the story and right there cheering her hero on as he plays his particular sport. Now, I’m a huge hockey and baseball fan, so her hockey and baseball centered stories are my favourites of hers, but I’ve enjoyed all her other books in her Play by Play series as well. Straddling the Line is book 8 in this popular series by Jaci Burton.

Once again, Jaci delivers on the hotness factor with her latest hero. Trevor Shay is the ultimate in athletes thanks to his sporting prowess in two sports, baseball and football.   The guy is a natural in both sports and somehow manages to juggle a dual sporting career. I loved Trevor from the get go in this one and only grew to love him more and more as the story went on. The guy is not only amazing on the field, but also in the bedroom. Let me just say you will need a pitcher of ice water and a fan close by when you read this one. Trevor definitely knows how to turn on the heat and make a girl loose any inhibitions she may have when it comes to sex. Ms. Burton brings the steam in this romance between Trevor and Haven. This couple burned up the pages in Straddling the Line. Just when you think they can’t get any hotter, they do, but these scenes also provide much needed insight into Trevor and Haven’s psyche’s regarding love and trusting someone else. Neither character has ever been in a long term relationship, or experienced feelings like this before, and seeing them explore them through a sexual relationship as well as friendship helps draw the reader even more into the story and allows us to get to know both characters even better.

As their relationship progresses we see Haven finally come to terms with the death of her father, and it’s Trevor that helps her to finally accept all that happened and what’s happened since her father’s passing. As Haven finally moves forward she starts to see Trevor in a new light, but at the same time realizes there’s a part of himself he’s not letting her see. It’s not until Haven accidentally backs him into a corner that she finally learns his secret. At first it looks as though things are finished between them but in true Burton fashion she allows the characters to work through the issue and see that they are better together then apart, and when Trevor and Haven both go to each other to make up, the scene is magic. There are no other words I can possibly use to describe that scene. I think Trevor had me tearing up a little when he was talking to Haven in that scene. These are two characters who are meant to be together and their journey to their HEA is beautifully written.

Once again Ms. Burton writes a fun, fast paced and emotional story that centers around a sports hero. Both hero and heroine are strong characters and compliment each other very nice in Straddling the Line. They hold their own, and are able to drive the story page after page, making the reader not want to put the book down. As an added bonus for any sports nut like I am, the sport footage scenes are well written and make you feel like you are at the ball field and foot ball stadiums watching Trevor play his two favourite sports. It was also nice to see some past characters return in this one and be a part of Trevor and Haven’s story. The scenes with these characters are fun and comical at times and also provided a nice balance to the emotional part of the story taking place between our hero and heroine. I’d say Ms. Burton has another hit on her hands with this current installment in her Play by Play series. I’m already looking forward to her next installment and I highly recommend this series.

Until next time, happy reading my little sports nuts. 😉

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher


giveaway

Jaci and her publisher, Berkley, are offering a paper copy of Straddling the Line to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

 1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

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

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5. LIKE  Jaci Burton  on Facebook.

6. The giveaway is open to U.S. only.

7. The giveaway runs from July 16  to July 20, 2014

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Peanut Goes to School by Thea Harrison – a Dual Review

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Peanut Goes to School by Thea Harrison – a Dual Review

Peanut Goes to School

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

Description:
Dragos Cuelebre is no longer the only dragon.

Dragos’s son Liam Cuelebre (a.k.a. Peanut) is springing into existence, reminiscent of the first of the Elder Races who were born at the beginning of the world. At just six months of age, he has already grown to the size of a large five-year-old boy. He can read, write in complete sentences, and his math skills are off the chart.

A white dragon in his Wyr form, Liam also holds more Power than almost anyone else. In an effort to give him a taste of normality, no matter how fleeting, his parents Pia and Dragos enroll him in first grade.

They hope school will help teach Liam how to relate to others, a vital skill that will help him control his growing Power. But school has a surprising number of pitfalls, and relating to others can be a tricky business.

When a classmate is threatened, Liam must quickly learn self-control, how to rein in his instincts, and govern his temper, because there’s no doubt about it—he is fast becoming one of the most dangerous creatures in all of the Elder Races

 

Barb’s Review:

Peanut Goes to School is the 3rd and final book in Thea Harrison’s novella ARC revolving around Dragos, Pia and Liam. If you have not been following Thea’s Elder Races series, or not reading our reviews, they are main characters of this series. Sandy and I are big fans of the Elder Races, so when we can, we try to do dual reviews.

I really enjoyed the first two books of this arc, as they were a lot of fun to spend time with Dragos, Pia, and learn more about Liam (Peanut). When we last left off in the last novella, Peanut had grown dramatically. He was now more like 5 years old, though in reality he is only 6 months old. But he is Dragos (dragon) and Pia’s (Unicorn) son, and the magic they have has made young Liam, who is a young dragon, very powerful. Growing too fast, Liam’s parents think going to school is something he needs to do to learn how to deal with people, as well as control his temperament and powers.

Anything more will be spoilers, as this is the shortest novella of the three. The description above says it all. I just want to say that I loved reading this short story, loved listening to Peanut’s POV, and loved everything about this wonderful fun relaxing read. I look forward to Liam becoming a major part of the Elder Races future. Most of all, I adore both Dragos and Pia, and can never have enough of them. Thank you, Thea for these fun books to read.

 

Sandy’s Review

As this is a dual review, some of our information may overlap.

PEANUT GOES TO SCHOOL is the third instalment in Thea Harrison’s Elder Races paranormal novella trilogy focusing on Dragos, Pia and Liam Cuelebre. As the child of the only living dragon Liam is gifted with power beyond anyone’s imagination, and to combine them with his mother’s supernatural abilities and you have the makings for a very interesting childhood.

The story focuses on six month old Liam Cuelebre whose growth and maturity are years ahead. Hoping to socialize their little ‘peanut’ with other children, Pia and Dragos send Liam off to school hoping that their tiny dragon reigns in his powers if something should go wrong-and go wrong they do.

PEANUT GOES TO SCHOOL is a sweet storyline told in close third person POV (Liam) that follows Liam’s first day in grade one. From school yard bullies to a terrifying teacher, Liam encounters his first taste of predator and prey-and no dragon will ever be considered –the prey. Although the storyline is part of The Elder Races series, the novella reads more like a middle grade story because it is written from a child’s perspective.

Thea Harrison novella trilogy follows one supernatural family –from the birth of their first child to the first day of school. Every parent worries about the future-the what ifs and whys-but most never have to worry about their six month old child shifting into a white dragon that breathes fire and fear into a classroom of first grade students. We get an up close and personal look at one father and son relationship that can be measured by the love and emotional bonding; and a mother whose natural instinct to protect overrides all sense of well-being.

Copy supplied by the author.

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Accidentally Married on Purpose by Rachel Harris – a Review

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Accidentally Married on Purpose by Rachel Harris – a Review

 

Accidently Married on PurposeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM
GREAT DEAL: Accidentally Married on Purpose is only $.99 at the above links.

Description:
One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love
Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she’s all about what’s happened in Vegas staying there.
Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity…though there’s something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers.
Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn’t the hardest part—it’s reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can’t last. Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.

 

Review:

Accidentally Married on Purpose is the third novel in the Love and Games Series by Rachel Harris.

Sherry Robicheaux is a small town girl from Magnolia Springs, Louisiana. One wild weekend in Vegas will be the last stop before she comes home and settles down and sets her sites on Mr. Boring. She is completely over the bad relationships and the heartaches. But what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there.
While in Vegas on work she meets a roadie for the country band “Blue” and she thinks she has found THE man for her last wild weekend. And boy has she ever! Sherry believes Tyler is a roadie and decides to spend the weekend with him on a whim. What she wakes up to after that weekend is over will set her world and her life on fire. Going home to Magnolia Springs will never be the same again.

But what will happen when the world finds out the truth. And what will Sherry do when she realizes Tyler isn’t who he says he is?

I read this book as a stand alone not knowing it was in a series. I loved it from page one. Sherry is the kind of girl you want as a best friend. And Tyler – sigh – is everything you want in a down home country boy. I loved the chemistry and banter between the two from the moment they met. And the sexual tension was one of the best I have read in a long time – without being overly sexual. I couldn’t put the book down. The story read like a classic romance, pulling you in and keeping you there. The tension between the main characters was enough to drive me crazy! And I now have a new vocabulary word – himbo!
Still makes me laugh out loud.

I will also be purchasing the first two books in this series because this is how I will spend my summer vacation. Emotional, romantic, and everything I want in novel.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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