Monthly Archives: December 2015

Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

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THICKER THAN WATER by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

Thicker Than Water

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

On his own

Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.

Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.

Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden

•••••

REVIEW: THICKER THAN WATER by Brigid Kemmerer is a young adult, paranormal, suspense-filled story line that focuses on eighteen year old Thomas Bellweather-the prime suspect in the strangulation death of his mother- ten days following her marriage to a local cop. When Thomas is befriended by Charlotte Rooker, a seventeen year old girl whose three brothers and father are all police officers, things go from bad to worse when a number of incidents and accidents befall Charlotte all pointing to Thomas as the guilty party. What ensues is a police investigation by Charlotte’s brothers that finger young Thomas regardless of his declaration of innocence or clues proving otherwise.

Brigid Kemmerer writes a story that is both emotional and frustrating as it pertains to Thomas’s innocence or guilt. As the number one suspect he is always on the cop’s radar, as well as the focus of public accusation and the mistaken belief that our hero is guilty of any number of crimes. As the story line builds the finger of guilt continues to point at Thomas Bellweather but we are well aware that our hero is always in the right place at the wrong time.

THICKER THAN WATER is told from alternating first person points of view (Thomas and Charlotte) that allows the reader into the mindset of a young man whose life imploded upon the murder of his mother. Living in a strange town, with a man he barely knows, Thomas becomes the target and a victim when the past returns for a final showdown.

To address the paranormal aspect of the story line, I think I would have enjoyed the story line more if this particular trope had not been included. THICKER THAN WATER made for a great murder-mystery, a story of accusation, suspense and betrayal but the ‘supernatural’ element is a big of a red herring that added an unbelievable aspect to the story.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kill Without Mercy (ARES Security #1) by Alexandra Ivy- a review

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KILL WITHOUT MERCY (ARES Security #1) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

Kill Without Mercy

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

From the hellhole of a Taliban prison to sweet freedom, five brave military heroes have made it home—and they’re ready to take on the civilian missions no one else can. Individually they’re intimidating. Together they’re invincible. They’re the men of ARES Security.

Rafe Vargas is only in Newton, Iowa, to clear out his late grandfather’s small house. As the covert ops specialist for ARES Security, he’s eager to get back to his new life in Texas. But when he crosses paths with Annie White, a haunted beauty with skeletons in her closet, he can’t just walk away—not when she’s clearly in danger…

There’s a mysterious serial killer on the loose with a link to Annie’s dark past. And the closer he gets, the deeper Rafe’s instinct to protect kicks in. But even with his considerable skill, Annie’s courage, and his ARES buddies behind him, the slaying won’t stop. Now it’s only a matter of time before Annie’s next—unless they can unravel a history of deadly lies that won’t be buried.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: KILL WITHOUT MERCY is the first full length installment in Alexandra Ivy’s ARES Security romantic suspense series. There is an introductory novella –SWEET RAPTURE -found in the December 2015 anthology ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS. This is ARES owner and security specialist Rafe Vargas, and Annie White’s storyline.

Told from several third person perspectives KILL WITHOUT MERCY follows Annie White as she returns to her home town of Newton, Iowa on the fifteen year anniversary of serial killer’s death-a killer with close ties to Annie-and a killer whose murder spree has begun anew. Enter security specialist Rafe Vargas whose visit to Newton finds our hero preparing to sell his grandfather’s home only to come face to face with a woman who calls to his heart-a woman whose past is as dark and dangerous as his own.

KILL WITHOUT MERCY focuses on Annie’s need to search for the latest group of missing women presumably killed by a man once long thought dead. There is a slight ‘paranormal’ feel to the storyline as our heroine ‘sees’ the women as they are being chased through a field before their final demise. Rafe Vargas is in town to close out his grandfather’s estate but a visit to a local diner finds Rafe oddly attracted to the broken woman whom everyone, including the town’s smarmy sheriff, believes is the catalyst to the latest group of missing women.

The relationship between Annie and Rafe is one of immediate attraction but both are in Newton for a specific reason-get in, get out, and make no mistakes. While Rafe continues to seduce Annie White, Annie continues to push away knowing that Rafe’s time in town in limited to just a few days. The $ex scenes are seductive; there is no over the top graphic sexual text or imagery.

We are introduced to Rafe’s ARES team of former US soldiers-Max Grayson (forensics specialist), Hauk Laurenson (sniper), Teagan Moore (computer specialist), Max-a man who uses scientific equations to solve a mystery, and helicopter pilot Lucas. There is a secondary storyline developing with regards to the team’s time in Afghanistan-mysterious messages and emails aimed at one of their own.

KILL WITHOUT MERCY is first and foremost a story of mystery and suspense-a copycat killer or someone new who picks up exactly fifteen years later as our heroine returns to the scene of the crime. The premise is engaging but familiar in both premise and series description; the characters are colorful although I would have liked some background history between Rafe and his men-perhaps future storylines will reveal something about their time in a Taliban prison, and each of their individual stories of pain and suffering. The romance and $ex scenes are limited as the storyline focuses on the hunt for a killer and the missing women.

KILL WITHOUT MERCY is a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next several installments.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Forgetting August (Lost and Found #1) by J.L. Berg-a review

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FORGETTING AUGUST (Lost and Found #1) by J.L. Berg-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn’t matter that she’s moved on, that she’s about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can’t hurt her-because he’s in a coma. Except that he’s not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she’s the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever .

••••••••••

REVIEW: FORGETTING AUGUST is the first installment in J. L. Berg’s LOST AND FOUND romantic, suspense duology focusing on August Kincaid, and Everly Adams.

Told from dual first person points of view (Everly and August) FORGETTING AUGUST focuses on the days and weeks following August’s ‘awakening’ after a twoyear coma. With no memories of the past or how he ended up in the hospital, August Kincaid begins to search for truth. Everly Adams is someone from his past; a woman who despises the ground upon which August walks; and the only person who is able to shed any light upon what has happened and how his life came to be. What ensues is August’s slow seduction of the woman he once loved-the problem-Everly is now engaged to another man, and wants nothing to do with August or his previous life.

FORGETTING AUGUST is a story of mystery, suspense, deceit and second chances. If memories are what makes up our past perhaps it is best that August’s memories remain stored and broken. J. L. Berg pulls the reader into a world of forgotten facts, information and experiences, such that even our heroine refuses to address the reality of what happened and why. Like August, we are oblivious to the how and why; to August’s spiral into the abyss; and Everly’s unwillingness to reveal the truth. FORGETTING AUGUST ends on a cliff hanger where a surprising twist in the storyline is revealed that will change the direction of August’s recovery and recapture of the past.

Copy supplied by the promoter

Reviewed by Sandy

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His Pirate Seductress/Beauty’s Curse by Tamara Hughes – a Review

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His Pirate Seductress by Tamara Hughes – a Review

 

His Pirate Seductress
Love on the High Seas series – Book #3
by Tamara Hughes
Release Date: November 9, 2015

His Pirate SeductressAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
With her son’s life in the balance, Catherine Fry is forced to locate and steal the priceless Ruby Cross of the Knights Templar. She knows who has it—it’s just a matter of coercing Thomas Glanville, the handsome and incredibly stubborn captain of the ship she’s captured, into telling her the exact location. Fortunately, Catherine knows that there are many ways to get a man to talk…

Captain Thomas Glanville has the cross and he’ll be damned if he’s going to hand it over now that he finally has the means to buy a ship of his own. He’s at the mercy of a fiery woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. But Catherine has no idea who she’s dealing with—and Thomas has his own means of charming a woman into his mercy and his bed…

 

Review;

I swear each book in this series just keeps getting better. His Pirate Seductress is the latest installment to Tamara Hughes’s Love on the High Seas series and I loved every minute of it. Once again we have pirates, danger, intrigue, captives, treasure being sought and of course a simmering romance between two strong willed pirates.

His Pirate Seductress is Thomas and Catherine’s story. We first met Thomas Glanville in book one Tempting the Pirate. Thomas was James’ first mate on James’ pirate ship, and now he’s the captain of a ship that is suddenly taken hostage by another group of pirates led by one very determined fiery pirate-tess. I just loved Catherine, she’s one hell of a strong female lead. There’s nothing and no one that will get in her way of saving her son and mother who are being held hostage by a cruel man bent on revenge. She doesn’t hide behind her crew, instead she’s in the thick of things dueling it out with sword and dagger in hand, fighting for what she needs. Thomas Glanville thought his pirate days were over, and has in his possession a treasure that will ensure he can purchase his own boat to captain and prove to his family he can make it on his own. Thomas is a strong willed, arrogant, knows what he wants type of man and won’t let anything stand in his way. Well, except for a female pirate by the name of Catherine Fry, who seems to have his number. No matter what Thomas does, Catherine is always there in his face, in his thoughts and turning his world and grand plans upside down.

From their first meeting in the book you could see and feel the chemistry and sexual pull between the two. Their banter is snarky, playful and filled with sexual innuendos which only adds more fuel to the slow simmering, seductive romance that is blossoming between our two head strong pirates.

“Be quiet, or I’ll run you through with my sword.”

“I’d much rather run you through with mine,” he suggested, his voice a sexy rumble that made her shiver.”

Loved this scene and the playful interactions between Catherine and Thomas throughout the book. I felt it only added more character to their personalities and their romance. They definitely make a fun, sexy couple who were able to carry the story and keep the reader interested and invested in their adventure on the high seas.  

Even though they are at odds with each other over the Ruby Cross, both start to see the other in a different light and form a mutual respect for one another and decide to work together instead of against each other. They wind up forming a truce that leads to both realizing that they are better together then apart, and realize that through their shared ordeal have somehow fallen in love with each other.

His Pirate Seductress had everything I come to expect in a good ol’ pirate story. I was captivated and drawn in to the story by Thomas and Catherine from the very beginning. It was the type of story I couldn’t put down because I had to know what was going to happen next. The action was fast paced and thrilling, with just enough danger and suspense thrown in to keep me on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Catherine would succeed in rescuing her family. Once again Tamara Hughes has written a strong, well devised plot with two strong leads who were able to carry the story on their own and keep the reader interested from beginning to end.

Until next time matey’s, happy reading!!

 

Beauty’s Curse
Love on the High Seas series – Book #2
by Tamara Hughes
Release Date: June 9th, 2015

Beauty's Curse

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository


Description:
England, 1722


Amelia Archer will be the ruin of her family. Her extraordinary bad luck is burden enough, but her sweet, trusting nature often lands her in impossible scrapes. After the last straw, Amelia’s harried father ships his unfortunate daughter off to the Colonies to live with her aunt. But wherever Amelia goes, bad luck is sure to follow…

Pirate David Lamont is taken with the lovely young Englishwoman the moment she’s pulled aboard from her sinking vessel. But sailors are already a superstitious lot and Amelia is unwelcome. In a feat of chivalry, David defends and claims her for himself…

Now their fortunes—for good or ill—are invariably tied. But as much as she longs for him, Amelia cannot allow a romance. For a lady of misfortune can only bring ruin to those she loves…

 

Review;

I just love Tamara Hughes’ Love on the High Seas series and Beauty’s Curse is a wonderful installment to it. It had a little bit of everything one would expect in a pirate book. There’s danger on the seas, intrigue, romance, sailor’s superstitions and curses all surrounding a dark brooding hero and cute spunky heroine who thinks she’s cursed. Toss that all together and you get a rip-roaring adventure on the high seas.

In Beauty’s Curse we finally meet James’ brother David Lamont who’s been missing for the past year. We only learn of David through his brother James in Tempting the Pirate and last we knew it was rumored he was on a pirate ship called The Wanderer. This is where Beauty’s Curse picks up. David is indeed on the pirate ship the Wanderer and is their musical entertainment since he has a violin and knows how to play it. However, David isn’t the same person James used to know. After his harrowing and horrific past year, David has become dark and brooding, keeping to himself and not caring about life anymore. That is until he meets our poor ‘accident waiting for a place to happen’ heroine Amelia. She’s a spunky, sweet, funny girl who just can’t catch a break and believes she’s cursed. She made me chuckle on more then once occasion, and watching her awaken the old David and bring him back into the light was very heartwarming to witness. Likewise, David in turn helps Amelia to see she’s not cursed, but had the idea planted in her head by her evil stepmother who wanted her out of her way. Even though they are a bit of a mismatched couple, they just click and come together perfectly. They develop a bond of friendship, which in turn begins to spark a slow burning romance between the two. Each scene the chemistry continues to grow until finally they can’t deny themselves any longer. Amelia and David are well developed characters and we get to learn who they are through their conversations with each other and interactions with the other characters. It’s also thanks to Amelia that David is finally reunited with his brother and it’s at this point Amelia finally believes she isn’t cursed, because she was lucky to have wandered upon James and his wife as they were searching for David.

As I said earlier Beauty’s Curse is an excellent installment to Tamara’s Love on the High Seas series. It’s a fast and fun read, where she creates a solid well developed plot with a fun, spirited romance between our couple. Combine that with danger and intrigue on the high seas and you have the makings for a perfect pirate book. For anyone who’s a fan of pirates and damsels in distress then Beauty’s Curse is the book for you.

Until next time happy reading matey’s and beware of walking the plank!!

Reviews by Marcie

Copies provided by Publisher

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Reading Cafe-2015

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Reading Cafe

 

All of us at The Reading Cafe would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday season.

2015 has been an amazing year at The Reading Cafe and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made our reading and reviewing an adventure.

All the best, however you celebrate.

Enjoy your day!

Barb, Sandy, Vickie, Georgianna, Rachel, Marcie, Carmen, Xtina, Julie B, Jules C, Erin, Miranda and Tricia

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All He Wants for Christmas – Anthology – Reviews

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All He Wants for Christmas – Anthology – Reviews

 

All He Wants for ChristmasAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Six ALL NEW Christmas stories guaranteed to warm up your holidays… Here’s to finding spies, cops, rockers, SEALs, professional hockey players and billionaires under the Christmas tree this year! In Holly, a town where it’s Christmas every day of the year, 6 shop owners on Main Street are about to find love in unexpected places. Grab this bundle of ALL NEW, 100% sizzling hot holiday tales!

Review:

Six stories?! I’m expected to review six stories, albeit short, sexy reads, all by myself. Surely someone can at leas…hold up. Yes, I’ll take it…I’ll take ‘em all! But I’m nothing if not a people pleaser and since I’m immersed in the Christmas spirit, buy this, read this, gift this ensemble of awesome! All He Wants for Christmas is a six story anthology by all your favorites: Elisabeth Naughton, Alexandra Ivy, Cynthia Eden, Katie Reus, Laura Wright, and Skye Jordan. Second-chance Christmas miracles (and danger) pervade the town of Holly, North Carolina. Every single story was joyful and triumphant! 😉

Melt for Me by Elisabeth Naughton

Second chance love for second chance people. Tate is just as much to blame as Ella for the demise of their relationship. Tate turned to his guitar and his career took off. Ella went to college then…got married?! It’s been 9 long years since these two have communicated; you can imagine the anxiety of seeing a true ex. But when the attraction remains as fierce as you remember…it’s got to mean something!

Because no matter how hard she’d tried to keep her heart locked off these last few years, one night with Tate Kendrick had suddenly kicked the stupid thing right into overdrive.

 

Sweet Rapture by Alexandra Ivy

Back in Holly because Meg was homesick…or because home is where Meg’s sick heart can heal again? Dylan might be the cause of Meg’s heartache, but her life is in danger and he’s determined to keep her safe, by earning her trust and love. She might have a thing or two to say about it.

“Give me three months, angel. If you still want me to leave-“…

“Do I have a choice?” With one last glare, she swung around and headed for the door.

“Meg, wait-“

“Welcome to Holly,” she muttered, not glancing back as she stepped into the cold night air. “I hope you get frostbite.”

 

The Spy Who Came for Christmas by Cynthia Eden

Looking for a respite from the hectic life of a spy, Grayson sinks into the homeyness of Holly. Jolted by his attraction to Jemma was utter kismet, but that magic is interrupted by vengeance. Why can’t the good girl take a walk on the wild side and not regret it. Why can’t the good guy (who only has to be the bad guy on the job) finally get the good girl for good?

Two lost souls. Was that what they really were? Because as she stood before him, Jemma didn’t feel so lost. She actually felt as if she’d just found something that had been missing from her life for too long. Someone.

 

Merry Christmas, Baby by Katie Reus

Jackson made a, well, jackass of himself, and he openly admits it. Nora blew him away. Their friendship was instantaneous and when she came apart in his arms, well…there’s no forgetting that. Ever. There would never be another woman for him. So he walked away. The fu*k?!

Nora picked herself up and dove into her bookstore business. Why’s Jackson suddenly interested again? Again being the operative word, because he never ceased; he only seized up when he envisioned their perfect future together. It’s up to Jackson to make a second, lasting impression.

Sinful in Snow by Laura Wright

A sweet connection between a broken boy and the girl who saved his life. Fast forward 10 years and he’s practically Christian Grey! Underneath the smooth exterior lays the heart of a Grinch and Ms. Wright keeps you clinging (second-guessing) all of his thoughts. Is Gabriel back for revenge (what the hell did Carol even do to deserve such backlash?) or has he been pining for her after all these years? If so, why is Gabriel so reserved, telling himself to stick to the plan?!

All in good time, amidst steamy (and sometimes suspicious) surprises in snowy Holly!

 

Home Advantage by Skye Jordan

Hockey and Christmas – I know I love the combination! NHL superstar, Meier, is back home in Holly with city-boy eyes. Gone is that wonderment, replaced by shiny, fast thrills that NYC offers. Until he succumbs to Faith, that is (yes, double entendre!) Holly hasn’t lost its charm on Faith, losing her father 6 months ago has simply sucked out all the joy in her life. Meier’s presence is more pestering, but he’s the only thing that’s gotten under her skin in a long time. Can Meier make Faith skate off into the sunset with him or will he stay in the penalty box for assuming too much?

It’s not too late to make someone very, very happy. Get wrapped up in the Christmas spirit of Holly! Every story is sure to warm your winter nights.

Reviews by Carmen

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Slamdunked by Love by Jamie Wesley – a Review

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Slamdunked by Love by Jamie Wesley – a Review

 

SlamdunkedAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
Caitlin Monroe is ready to confront her past. Years ago, her father ditched her mother for the NBA, leaving her pregnant and alone. Now he’s a big-shot coach, and Caitlin’s ready to take the so-called “family man” down. But on her way to the team gala, her car dies, and it’s her father’s sexy new star player who comes to her rescue. 
Brady Hudson wants nothing more than to put his past behind him and concentrate on winning the championship for his new team. But when he finds himself the recipient of unwanted attention—attention that could destroy his career—he introduces the beautiful woman he saved on the side of the road as his “girlfriend.” 

Brady needs to focus on his job. And Caitlin isn’t about to date an athlete whose career is riding on her father—though he is a convenient way to get the dirt she needs. But sometimes love has other ideas, and it’s not long before their pretend relationship becomes a liability neither can resist… 

Review:

I don’t usually read sporting books, and as I’m from England, I don’t watch basketball either, but I really enjoyed Slamdunked by Love by Jamie Wesley.

Caitlin wants her father to pay for abandoning her mother and his children, she wants answers and she wants to put the past to rest. 

Brady has just moved to a new basketball team, in a new town. His team mates aren’t to interested in making friends. And to be honest, nor is he, after meeting women only interested in his bank balance or status, Brady wants to concentrate on his game. But after doing his white knight act for a damsel in distress by the roadside, he may want to rethink his options. 

Caitlin realizing what team Brady plays for comes up with a plan, she will use her knight to get close to the man who left his family behind, and expose him for the rat that he really is. 

The perfect opportunity arises when Brady needs rescuing from the owners daughter, who decides he would make a great boyfriend. He asks Caitlin to pretend to be his girlfriend, and from stopping his team mates assuming he slept his away to his new position. Caitlin agrees, but only if he will help her with her radio show (she needs an agony aunt/uncle to help give advice to her new radio show) 

They both agree that their pretend relationship will be beneficial to them both, she gets help with her radio program, and he gets a shield against the man hungry bosses daughter. Kisses only in public and no one else must know about their arrangement. 

But as she gets to know him, Caitlin feels guilty, she doesn’t want Brady to get the wrong impression, but can her heart keep her head away from her revenge? 

The chasing around each other was the usual stuff, will they, won’t they, and the chemistry between the characters worked. Caitlin’s sense of humor made me chuckle, and she had a few one liners I liked. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Liam Takes Manhattan (Elder Races 9.5) by Thea Harrison-dual review

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LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN (Elder Races 9.5) by Thea Harrison-dual review

Liam Takes Manhattan

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 22, 2015

Warning: This story contains a major spoiler from SHADOW’S END (book #9, released December 1st, 2015). If readers do not want to be spoiled, they should read the stories in order of their release dates.

This is a short story (15,000 words or 50 pages) intended for readers of the Elder Races who enjoy Liam Cuelebre as a character.

Reeling from a deep loss, the magical prince of the Wyr, Dragos and Pia’s son Liam Cuelebre, turns inward and withdrawn as he struggles to come to terms with who he is, along with the challenges that lie before him.

Hoping to ease his heartache and offer comfort, a concerned Dragos and Pia offer him a gift, something he has desired for a long time. Liam’s response has a ripple effect across all of New York. Soon miracles of all kinds start arriving just in time for Christmas, along with a visit from a mysterious person who gives Liam hope and a vision of his future.

LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN is the third part of a three-story series about Pia, Dragos, and their son, Liam. Each story stands alone, but fans might want to read all three: DRAGOS GOES TO WASHINGTON, PIA DOES HOLLYWOOD, and LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN.

•••••••••

Sandy’s Review

LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN is the November 2015 novella in Thea Harrison’s Elder Races paranormal, romance series. LTM is the third installment in Thea’s three story novella series focusing on the Cuelebre family. This is Liam’s storyline-Liam is Dragos and Pia’s son-who has reached Wyr maturity before his first birthday.

Told from close third person point of view (Liam) LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN focuses on the trials and tribulations of growing up Wyr. Liam will one day be one of the most powerful Wyr’s in existence-with both his mother and father’s magical DNA-but that doesn’t help Liam at this particular moment in time. His parents still see Liam as a young boy-barely one year old- but Liam is a dragon shifter and with it comes size, strength and the power of most adult Wyrs. As our young shifter struggles to find his place in the world, his parents must come to terms with letting go of their eldest child.

LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN is a sweet storyline; where the angst of teen drama is compromised and compounded by DNA that has forced a young boy to grow up too fast in a world of magic and the supernatural. The reader has a front row seat into the Cuelebre family dynamics: the parents who want what is best for their child; and a young man whose grief over the loss of his friend pulls at the heart of his ever, growing dragon. Liam needs to move on to discover his place in the world, and what he wants isn’t necessarily what his parents had planned for his future.

Thea Harrison writes a fantastic and magical story that will be familiar to many families with children trying to make their way into the world-too soon they grow up and take on adult responsibilities when we sit back letting anxiety and worry wash over our breaking hearts.

 

Barb’s Review

Liam Takes Manhattan is the 3rd book in Thea Harrison’s trilogy novella arc that is part of her fantastic Elder Races series. I love Thea Harrison and her Elder Races series. The first two books of this arc were great exciting reads, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Though this is the end of the arc, it is just the beginning of what is in store for us in this series. Pia and Dragos are my favorite couple and now Liam, their son has become an integral part of that family, not to mention for the all the Elder Races in the future.

Liam Takes Manhattan picks up immediately after the last book left off. Liam is growing up at the speed of light. His dragon is almost as big as his ultra powerful father, and he is now as tall as Dragos. Emotionally, Liam has to deal with his aggressive dragon, his rebellious feelings to be independent, his grief at the loss of a friend, and his need to learn and find his place, without the protective shield that surrounds him being Dragos and Pia’s son.

This was a very short novella, but it was a wonderful read. We spend most of the book with Liam, watching him struggle with handling these new emotions. It was really nice to see things in Liam’s perspective, as well as the difficulties that Dragos and Pia are facing with Liam. Though the love for each other is strong, they each have to come to terms with letting go a bit to allow the growth and changes that will take place. Being the son of the Wyr leader also creates danger to those associated with Dragos, and the need to protect.

I really enjoyed this wonderful sweet story, which opens the door for so much more. Though this had a satisfying conclusion, it left us desperately wanting more. But Liam is very young, and we will be learning much more in the future books. I look forward to anything Thea gives us, as I never want this series to end.

 

Copy supplied by the author.

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