Monthly Archives: February 2016

Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh – a Review

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Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh – a Review

 

Burning MidnightAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Sully is a sphere dealer at a flea market. It doesn’t pay much—Alex Holliday’s stores have muscled out most of the independent sellers—but it helps him and his mom make the rent. No one knows where the brilliant-colored spheres came from. One day they were just there, hidden all over the earth like huge gemstones. Burn a pair and they make you a little better: an inch taller, skilled at math, better-looking. The rarer the sphere, the greater the improvement—and the more expensive the sphere.

When Sully meets Hunter, a girl with a natural talent for finding spheres, the two start searching together. One day they find a Gold—a color no one has ever seen. And when Alex Holliday learns what they have, he will go to any lengths, will use all of his wealth and power, to take it from them.

There’s no question the Gold is priceless, but what does it actually do? None of them is aware of it yet, but the fate of the world rests on this little golden orb. Because all the world fights over the spheres, but no one knows where they come from, what their powers are, or why they’re here.

 

Review:

Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh is a YA Sci-fi novel. I have never read Will McIntosh, and when I was given the chance to read this book, I accepted after I read the description. It looked like something I might enjoy, and I am happy to say I loved Burning Midnight.

This is a very different and unique world, which is set in a somewhat modern day setting. Years before, hidden spheres were discovered, each in different colors, with different powers. If you burn a pair of the same color spheres, you will receive special abilities. The lower range spheres can offer white straight teeth; or make you a little taller; middle to high range spheres can erase bad memories, make you become more attractive, faster, or smarter, etc. The rarer the sphere, the more powerful it is, not to mention most expensive.

David Sullivan (Sully) is our young hero in Burning Midnight. Sully lives with his mother, and they just barely make ends meet. Sully a while back discovered a rare sphere, and sold it to powerful millionaire Alex Holiday, who holds many spheres. But Holiday cancelled the 2.5 million dollar check he wrote to Sully, when he said the sphere did not do what was expected. Sully continues to search for spheres, trading and selling the small or medium range spheres to help pay the bills. Then he meets our heroine Hunter, a young girl, who sells him a medium range sphere. Sully and Hunter then begin to work to gather in an arrangement that will help both of them financially.

Hunter excels at finding spheres, and with Sully’s help they find another high range sphere that will make them a lot of money. But a betrayal by friends, cause them to be attacked and losing the sphere. Hunter doesn’t trust Sully friends, and their new found friendship will suffer. In a short period, Sully convinces her to trust his friend Dom and Mandy, and when they find a new powerful sphere (gold), all four of them will embark on finding the second gold. Along the way, they are also hunted by Alex Holiday, who wants the gold sphere and will kill to get it. They are thrown into a wild dangerous situation, when the world as they know it will cause destructions and possible loss of lives. How can they stop this massacre?   Who can they trust?

Anything more would be spoilers. What follows is an awesome exciting and captivating story that will have us on the edge of our seat. I could not put this book down, as I needed to know what would happen. McIntosh has created some wonderful characters and villain, and despite this unusual world with spheres, he had us believing it. Though the ending was exciting and climatic, I would have liked a little more explanation about the spheres. However that being said, I loved Burning Midnight.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Shadow ( The Florentine #2) by Sylvain Reynard-Review and Giveaway

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THE SHADOW (The Florentine #2) by Sylvain Reynard-Review and Giveaway

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THE SHADOW
The Florentine #2
by Sylvain Reynard
Genre: contemporary, adult, paranormal, romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016

 

The Shadow

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2, 2016

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness.

••••••••

REVIEW: THE SHADOW is the second full length installment in Sylvain Reynard’s contemporary, adult THE FLORENTINE dark paranormal, romance series focusing on ancient vampyre Prince William York of Florence, and Uffizi Gallery art restorer Raven Wood. Their continuing story finds the Prince and his people targeted by the human, and Vatican run Curia whose job it is to destroy the living dead. On the hunt for a betrayer within his Florentine Underground, the Prince finds himself having to chose between the woman who calls to his heart, or the vampyres he has promise to protect. There is a character crossover with the series as the Prince is also on the trail of Professor Gabriel Emerson and his wife Julianne from Reynard’s GABRIEL‘S INFERNO contemporary romance series. Emerson was in possession of some stolen art-art that once belonged to the Prince. You can find the background information in the prequel novella-The Prince. THE SHADOW should not be read as a stand alone.

Told from several third person perspectives, THE SHADOW follows the Prince as he tries to stabilize the building animosity and political instability of his vampyre ruling council-The Consilium-and the growing number of dissidents calling for the Prince’s abdication and his head. There is a betrayer in the midst, and the focus of many an investigation is on the growing number of bodies, drained of their blood, within the boundaries of the Prince’s Florentine principality. While the Prince battles his own, Raven is targeted by the man she has grown to call ‘father’- an outside influence that tears at Raven’s heart and her allegiance to a sister who denies the past. With the Prince’s attention divided, Raven becomes a pawn in a battle she cannot win. The story line ends on a cliffhanger-be forewarned.

THE SHADOW is a dark and seductive vampyre story wrapped in a blanket of old world charm that blends the Renaissance artistry and gothic nuances with modern day technology. The secretive underground of the Florentine principality is dangerous, seductive, and hauntingly dramatic. The characters are impassioned, provocative and deadly; the romance is passionate, sensual and heartbreaking. Sylvain Reynard traverses time and era; artist and artistry; the supernatural and the human world. THE SHADOW and THE FLORENTINE SERIES is a passionate exploration of the dark and forbidden world of the vampyre.

Reading Order
The Prince
The Raven
The Shadow

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Sylvain’s publisher are offering a paper copy of THE SHADOW to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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10. Giveaway runs from February 4-8, 2016

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Today’s 4th Anniversary Giveaway from The Reading Cafe

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Today’s 4th Anniversary Giveaway from The Reading Cafe

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NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

THE READING CAFE is offering a 3 paper book giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive all 3 paper books

Giveaway Feb 3

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.

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10. Giveaway runs until February 15, 2016

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Will’s True Wish by Grace Burrowes-Review, Release Promotion & Giveaway

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Will’s True Wish by Grace Burrowes – Review, Release Promotion and Giveaway

Will's True Wish

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2, 2016

Willl Dorning, as the Earl of Casriel’s heir, and older brother to four rambunctious brothers, sees his life as one of duty and drudgery. He guards the earl’s back, and keeps a watchful eye on his siblings, though his only real companions are the dogs he’s treasured since boyhood; Lady Susannah Haddonfield has no patience with loud, smelly beasts of any species, but must learn to appear to like dogs so as not to offend her sister’s only marital prospect. Susannah turns to Will, an acquaintance from the most awkward years of her adolescence, to teach her how to get along with canines. Will instead teaches her how to get along with him, and with her siblings, until Susannah must choose between her favorite lone wolf and placid propriety.

••••••

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Will’s True Wish by Grace Burrowes is the third book in her True Gentlemen series and once again, as always Grace has written another classy sophisticated book.

Will Dorning is the spare Earl in his family, as well as the responsible one. He is trying to get the heir married off, always looking out for his brothers who seem to have a habit of finding mischief, and never really having any opportunity to live his own life. He is a dog whisperer of sorts and honestly, is just an all around really good guy.

Susannah Haddonfield is the book worm of the Haddonfield family. She would take country air, all the books in the world and peace and quiet over life in the ton any day. Now her sister is about to embark on her coming out, and Susannah must assist her sister in this venture. When she learns her sister’s prospective suitor is a dog lover, Susannah decides to call out to Will (who just so happens to be the same man that saved her from a nasty situation by some mean spirited ladies at her own coming out) to help her with canine training.

Both Will and Susannah may have had a chance to be together when they were younger, but fate and circumstance stood in the way so it never happened. Now however, both are older, wiser, know what they want out of life and that companionship they felt for each other back then, surfaces quick and bold. They soon realize it wasn’t just companionship they shared, but pure spark and love. Now other roadblocks seem to be in the way and they look an awful lot like well meaning family members. Both Will and Susannah must now stand up and decide if their love and friendship will once again pass them by or if they will take the chance on the “what if”!

Classy and sophisticated. Those are two new words that describe Grace Burrowes books to perfection. Mature, believable, dashes of humour, always a little action/mystery and of course her trademark ….love that blooms through friendship .. those are a few more words. It is blissful to curl up with a new Grace Burrowes book as I always know that there will be an easy flow to the story and vivid imagery to interpret. I cannot gush enough about how much I adore this authors writing!

So a wonderful regency historical romance, with a side of something for those dog lovers, I absolutely recommend that you read the first two books in this series first .. and while you are out it, make sure you check out the Lonely Lords series as well … characters from those books return in this series.

Always a pleasure Grace .. ALWAYS! 🙂

HAPPY READING! 🙂

 

•••••••••••••

In Grace Burrowes’ upcoming release, Will’s True Wish (February 2nd), aristocratic London is plagued by a series of dognappings.

 

To celebrate the upcoming release, Sourcebooks Casablanca would like to see your favorite four-legged friend with your favorite book by Grace Burrowes! Tell your pup to say cheese and they may be the lucky dog to win a gift basket full of treats they will love! More information below!

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Midnight Revenge (Killer Instincts 7) by Elle Kennedy-Review & Giveaway

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MIDNIGHT REVENGE (Killer Instincts #7) by Elle Kennedy-Review and Giveaway

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MIDNIGHT REVENGE
Killer Instincts #7
by Elle Kennedy
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic suspense
Release Date: February 2, 2016

Midnight Revenge

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2, 2016

Out of all the stone-cold mercenaries in Jim Morgan’s black ops organization, Derek “D” Pratt is the most intimidating. He is tight-lipped and covered in tattoos, and even the other guys on his team are afraid to ask him about his past. D’s been off the grid for years, but after his teammate Sullivan is mistakenly captured in his place, D is forced to come out of hiding and face his demons.

When D lands in Mexico, he’s ready to risk everything to save his friend. To complicate matters, Sofia Amaro, a feisty doctor whom D had a one-night stand with months ago, has tracked him down. And in an instant she’s unintentionally caught up in his life-threatening rescue mission.

Now D must extract not one but two people from the most violent world he’s ever encountered. And one of them is carrying his child.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: MIDNIGHT REVENGE is the seventh installment in Elle Kennedy’s contemporary, adult KILLER INSTINCTS romantic, suspense series focusing on an elite group of mercenaries and assassins for hire. This is Derek ‘D’ Pratt, and Dr. Sofia Amaro’s story line. Although MIDNIGHT REVENGE can be read as a stand alone I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory. Elle Kennedy introduces many of her future story lines throughout the series and MIDNIGHT REVENGE follows in the same pattern.

Told from several third person perspectives, as well as several past and present time lines, MIDNIGHT REVENGE focuses on the search for missing team member Sullivan Port, and the building relationship between Derek and Sofia Amaro. Derek aka ‘D’ is an enigma; a dark and dangerous warrior whose past is the horror story of nightmares; whose conscience is mired in guilt about what had to be done; and whose intimidating exterior hides a broken and damaged soul. When Derek and Liam MacGregor’s latest assignment in Mexico goes to h*ll, Derek finds himself focusing on Sofia Amaro-the organization’s team doctor-and the woman who would one day steal his heart. Fast forward a couple of months when a mysterious phone call finds our leading man on the hunt for Sullivan Port and the people responsible for his abduction. Derek has never followed the rules, and taking down Sully’s captors has placed Derek in the direct line of fire-a lone wolf on the hunt willing to sacrifice himself to save the people he loves, Derek soon realizes he is never truly alone.

Sofia and Derek’s relationship begins as acquaintances that escalates into a one night stand with life altering consequences. Sofia’s return to Derek’s life is met with hostility and ambivalence further reinforcing Derek’s anti social persona and Sofia’s need to walk away. When Derek offers himself up in exchange for Sullivan Port, Sofia and several member of the team go along for the ‘ride’. The $ex scenes are aggressive, erotic and intense.

The world building continues to focus on Jim Morgan’s black ops organization; their assignments, their friendships; their life and death battles to save the world; but also on the growing families bonded by love and a future together. There is a potential story line for Liam and Sullivan-one that has been growing on the periphery for a couple of installments but Sully is a man whose months in captivity have changed both his emotional and mental outlook on life, and his continued reluctance to acknowledge his ‘friendship’ with the man who never gave up. There are scenes of graphic violence, and sexual assault that may be upsetting for some readers.

MIDNIGHT REVENGE is an intense, intriguing, suspense filled novel with impassioned characters and heartbreaking stories. The premise is compelling, disturbing and emotional; the characters are engaging and tragic but sympathetic; the romance is a struggle towards the future. Elle Kennedy weaves a startling tale where one man’s sins are laid bare for all to see; where the past has destroyed the present; where revenge is the ultimate form of letting go.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway

The Reading Cafe and Elle’s publisher are offering a paper copy of MIDNIGHT REVENGE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

NOTE: If you are having some issues commenting after logging on, please refresh the page and you should have no more problems.

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.

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9. Giveaway runs from February 3-7, 2016, 2016

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By Break of Day (Night Stalkers #15) by M.L.Buchman-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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BY BREAK OF DAY (Night Stalkers #15) by M.L. Buchman-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

By Break of Day

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ABOUT: Release Date February 2, 2016

Captain Kara Moretti flies high in her MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAV. It is the Night Stalkers’ eyes and ears in the sky, and being behind a remote control and one step back from the action has always worked for her… and her love life.

Right until Captain Justin Roberts walks straight through her shields and into her heart. Justin is a pilot who loves being right in the middle of the fray. Together they’ll go where life, limb, and heart are at risk in the Mongolian wilderness. But Justin learns there’s something more important than missions –

••••••••••

REVIEW: BY BREAK OF DAY is latest installment in M.L.Buchman’s contemporary, adult, military romantic suspense series focusing on an elite group of military personnel from the US army secret military operations known as 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment) aka The Night Stalkers. This is helicopter specialists Captain Kara Moretti, and Captain Justin Roberts’s story line. BY BREAK OF DAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Several characters cross over between series and books.

NOTE: Do not be frightened by #15-there are numerous short stories and novellas found in several multi authored anthologies that are included in this number

Told from alternating third person points of view (Kara and Justin) BY BREAK OF DAY follows recent addition to the 160th SOAR and new AMC (Air Mission Commander) Kara Moretti, and Justin Roberts as they are recruited for the blacker than Black Ops military organization known as The Activity. Secret missions, on a need to know basis only, finds Kara and Justin in a precarious position when rescue missions turn to search and destroy, and five team members go missing in the dark of night.

Kara is a native New Yorker who specializes in remotely piloted aircrafts; Justin is a Chinook helicopter pilot and a good ‘ole boy from Texas; but their personalities and stereotypical attitudes find our couple at a crossroads when Kara is unable to look past the Texas twang and cowboy hat. Kara is a woman unable to let go of her heart and in this Justin is on the outside looking in. What ensues is the building relationship between Kara and Justin, and Kara’s realization that Justin just may be the one for her. The $ex scenes are mostly implied.

BY BREAK OF DAY, like all of M. L. Buchman’s story lines, is awash in a vast amount of technical and military terminology; detailed search and rescue operations, intense missions; and numerous secondary and supporting characters-some familiar, some new introductions. There was a nice blend of action, suspense and building romance. The premise is exhilarating; the characters colorful, charismatic and animated; the romance a slow build to a happily ever after. M.L.Buchman’s realistic look at US Army intelligence and Special Operations Forces takes the reader onto the front lines of a war played out in our minds.

Copy supplied by the publisher by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

Captain Justin Roberts flies a massive Chinook twin-rotor helicopter. Captain Kara Moretti flies a drone and is trying out to be the Air Mission Commander during a training exercise.
Captain Justin Roberts gave the collective control between his knees a little nudge forward. Fifteen tons of helicopter carrying a platoon of U.S. Rangers and their gear eased forward as smooth as a baby’s behind.
Every single time he flew his big MH-47G “Golf” Chinook helicopter, it was a surprise—a surprise of how much fun it was. Like they were meant for each other since long before they met.
SOAR only flew three primary types of helos, all deeply modified to the 160th’s specification. The Little Bird, the Black Hawk, and the Chinook Golf. His girl was the monster of the outfit. Calamity Jane was definitely a Texas-sized lady: big, powerful, and dangerous.
“I feel the need for a song.”
“Oh God, spare us.” Danny Corvo spoke up from the copilot seat. From there he was Justin’s second set of eyes and the master of the helo’s general health and well-being.
“Oh, give me a home,” Carmen cut in from her position at the starboard gun close behind Justin’s seat.
Carmen Parker was hot shit with an M134 minigun that could unload four thousand rounds-a-minute of hell on anyone who messed with her. She was also king, er, queen of the bird—the absolute last word on maintenance and loading.
“Where the Chinook helos roam.” Talbot George was always off-key at the side gun behind Danny’s copilot position, but he sang with heart, even if with a distinctly British accent.
“And the flights are at night every day,” the three of them sang together in splendidly awful harmony.
Danny groaned as if in the throes of death-by-torture agony.
As usual, Raymond Hines kept his own counsel at the rear ramp gunner’s post. The Chinook was the size of a school bus inside. Tonight, in the cargo area between the cockpit and Ray’s rear post, thirty U.S. Rangers and their three ATVs were counting on SOAR to sling them into position. The big rotors fore and aft let her lift her own weight in cargo; even in high-hot conditions the Chinook outperformed most everything around.
By the third chorus their harmonies were better, so Justin hit the transmit switch for the last of it. It got the answering transmission he was hoping for.
“Justin, honey?”
“Here for you, sweetheart.” Kara Moretti just slayed him. From the first briefing where she’d moseyed in all dark and Italian and perfect, his head had been turned hard enough that he kept checking his neck for whiplash. Then when she opened her mouth and poured out thick Brooklyn… Two months later and he still didn’t know what to do with that, not a bit of it. It was all… wrong, yet it was so right. Her voice should be some sweet bella signora, like the one he’d spent a week with while stationed at Camp Darby outside of Pisa on the Italian coast a couple years back.
Instead Kara was—
“You do that to me again and you’re gonna be singing soprano the rest of your life. We clear, Cowboy?”
—a hundred percent, New York. “Y’all wouldn’t do that to me now, would ya?” He laid it on thick.
“Castrate the bull calf? In a heartbeat. And I ain’t your sweetheart.”
“I’ll hold him down while you trim ’em,” Lola Maloney called in from the DAP Hawk.
He was about to say something about how it made the meat taste more luscious and tender—which was why they castrated most bull calves—but he couldn’t figure out how to phrase it without it sounding crude and perhaps tempting her to start looking for some neutering shears when Trisha cut in.
“Roger that! We’ll pin him, you chop and cauterize. Use a really hot iron.”
Claudia Jean Gibson at the controls of the Maven II didn’t speak much, but he could feel her out there agreeing with them.
Justin winced in imagined pain, as he was sure every man on the comm circuit did. He figured maybe it would be better if he kept his mouth shut. Once the women of the 5D got on a roll, wasn’t no man on God’s green earth who was safe.

About The Author

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads/ Website

ML BuchmanM. L. Buchman has over 25 novels in print. His military romantic suspense books have been named Barnes & Noble and NPR “Top 5 of the year” and Booklist “Top 10 of the Year.” In addition to romance, he also writes thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction.

In among his career as a corporate project manager he has: rebuilt and single-handed a fifty-foot sailboat, both flown and jumped out of airplanes, designed and built two houses, and bicycled solo around the world.

He is now making his living full-time as a writer, living on the Oregon Coast with his beloved wife. He is constantly amazed at what you can do with a degree in Geophysics. You may keep up with his writing at www.mlbuchman.com.

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Darkness Raging (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #18) by Yasmine Galenorn-Review & Giveaway

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Darkness Raging (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #18) by Yasmine Galenorn-Review and Giveaway

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Darkness Raging
Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #18
by Yasmine Galenorn
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016

 

Darkness Raging

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We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch. Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. And me? I’m Menolly, a vampire married to a gorgeous werepuma. As the war in Otherworld arrives, Blood Wyne, Queen of the Vampires, summons me. Apparently, my position as Roman’s consort entails more than I imagined…

As the Demon Lord Shadow Wing creates his own sinister version of the Keraastar Knights—the guardians of the spirit seals—to destroy the portals and free himself from the Sub Realms, his ally, the necromancer Telazhar, leads an assault from Otherworld into the streets of Seattle. And my sisters and I are caught dead center.

Then, on the eve of war, my wife, Nerissa, is captured. The enemy demands we surrender the rest of the spirit seals, or they are going to kill her. I will do anything to save her. Even if it means leading an army of vampires into the very depths of the Subterranean Realms.

••••••••••

REVIEW: Darkness Raging begins with all hell breaking loose with all kinds of rogue portals appearing and all kinds of beastly beings pouring through. Of course, Menolly and her sisters, along with their crew, are called in to help contain and destroy the beings and the portals themselves. As Shadow Wing seems to be stepping up his game with the help of his dangerous ally Telazhar, the unthinkable happens. Menolly’s wife, Nerissa, is kidnapped and taken down into the Subterranean Realms where she is held captive.

The sisters call in favors to aid them in their search and planned rescue for Nerissa. As the threat of war seems inevitable, they know that the party entering the Sub Realms may be futile, but they also know that they will lose Menolly to the dark side of her vampire nature if they don’t get Nerissa back. Decision made, Menolly and a surprise ally, along with a few others, head down to rescue Nerissa. Little did they know that what was about to transpire would change everything. The Spirit Seals come into play in a HUGE way and the tables are turned. The question is, are they turned in a good way or in a bad way?

FINALLY!!!!! Darkness Raging takes us back to what started this series in the beginning. The search for the Spirit Seals. The tides are turning for everyone in this series. And, I mean everyone. Major changes for Menolly happen in this installment. And, for Nerissa. With Camille set to become a Fae Queen and having to move out of the home she and her sisters have shared since coming Earthside, the sense of dread that they feel at being separated is palpable. I’ve kind of complained that I had no idea what Galenorn’s end game was with this series, but I think with this installment, it may have come into view. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!! Well done, Yasmine Galenorn!! Very well done.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie

giveaway

In celebration of Yasmine Galenorn’s newest book DARKNESS RAGING (February 2nd, 2016) we’re giving away the following items in a fabulous Yasmine-themed giveaway:

ONE copy of Panther Prowling
ONE copy of Priestess Dreaming
ONE set of character art cards (9 cards total in one set)

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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.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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3. Please follow Yasmine Galenorn on Facebook.

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

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 2-6, 2016

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Love Struck / MisTaken (Miss Match .5 & 2) by Laurelin McGee-a review

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LOVE STRUCK / MisTaken (Miss Match .5 & #2) by Laurelin McGee-a review

LOVE STRUCK
Miss Match #2
by Laurelin McGee
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016

Love Struck

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2, 2016

Welcome to a seductive world where two solo artists combine their talents-and their hearts-to make beautiful music together…

SHE’S GETTING INTO THE GROOVE
Lacy Dawson is a young singer-songwriter with a record deal, a studio gig, and a serious case of writer’s block. After looking for love songs in all the wrong places, she finds inspiration at an online support group called Song Writers Anonymous. Thanks to one mysterious member who motivates her and inspires her, Lacy’s career is back on track. But is she ready to meet her sexy musical muse…face to face?

HE MAKES HER HEART SKIP A BEAT
Eli is definitely interested in hooking up with Lacy, aka “LoveCoda.” But between writing her new album and his band’s success, they can’t find the time to face the music-or each other-about their burgeoning online romance. All that changes when Eli and Lucy get booked on tour together. In person, the attraction is all too real and explosive. They both should walk away, but once they are in each other’s arms, there is no turning back…

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REVIEW: LOVE STRUCK is the second full length installment in the contemporary adult MISS MATCH erotic, romance series co-authored by Laurelin Paige and Kayti McGee. This is twenty six year old, singer/songwriter Lacy Dawson, and thirty one year old, musician/songwriter Eli Frank’s story line. LOVE STRUCK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lacy and Eli) LOVE STRUCK follows two paths: the online relationship between FolxNotDead27 and LoveCoda on an anonymous writers website – SoWriAn (Song Writers Anonymous)-where music writers go to rant, commiserate or find their muse; and the building physical relationship between Lacy Dawson, a struggling singer/songwriter who lost her muse when her fiancé committed suicide one year before, and Eli Frank-a musician whose band is about to go out on tour. When the band is in need of a new opening act, Lacy is offered a once in a lifetime chance to tour. What ensues is a building romance between Lacy (aka LoveCoda) and Eli (FolxNotDead27), and Lacy’s belief that the band’s leading singer Jax is her mysterious online FolxNotDead27 muse, and the man who will be her happily ever after.

LOVE STRUCK is a storyline with several plot lines including the preparations for Lacy’s sister’s (Andrea Dawson) wedding (MisMatch #1); the virtual friendship and love match between two anonymous musicians; the romantic and sexual entanglement between Eli and Lacy; the implosion of a number one selling band; and the mistaken belief, by Lacy, that Jax is the ONE for her. Although the premise sounds very convoluted, the story line is easy to follow; the identity of the players is deduced and revealed early on; the ‘love triangle’ potential is heartbreaking and riddled with anxiety and immature choices. Lacy is a woman who has fallen in love with two men (but one in the same) although her misguided belief proves to be the final straw for the band.

Throughout the storyline we are witness to Lacy’s immature actions that leave a trail of broken hearts, heartbreaking consequences, and the dissolution of friendships-both professional and personal. Although the author(s) try to divide the blame for the conflict between Eli and Lacy, there is only one person responsible for the mess that occurs.

LOVE STRUCK is a slow build to a happily ever after. The premise is a case of mistaken identity whereby the heroine’s actions destroy one man’s faith in love. To be ‘used’ as a temporary placeholder for the ONE, is not romantic but heartbreaking and thusly the story line reads more like YA/NA than adult entertainment. The characters are colorful but immature; the romance is a broken but easily fixed.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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MisTakenMISTAKEN
Miss Match .5
by Laurelin McGee
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release February 2, 2016

In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn’t so sure he is who he says he is.

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NOTE: MisTaken was previously released in the HOT ALPHAS anthology May 2015

REVIEW: MISTAKEN is the introductory novella to Laurelin McGee (aka Laurelin Paige/ Kayti McGee) new romance series focusing on the world of modern matchmaking. This is high school English teacher Jaylene Kim and Noah Harrison’s storyline. With her rigid feminist ideals and preconceived notions Jaylene is having difficulty adjusting to other people’s (both men and women) view of life. Enter Noah Harrison, a man with too many secrets that Jaylene is dying to uncover and a man who makes Jaylene question her feminist ways.

The $ex scenes are exploratory but Jaylene has a difficult time giving up control. Throughout the storyline our heroine’s rigid feminist views leave something to be desired both in and out of the bedroom; I question the couple’s attraction to one another as I did not feel the sexual chemistry or burning need.

As this is the introductory storyline to Laurelin McGee’s new series, I am hoping with the future installments the heroines are not so uncompromising or mired in such strict feminist beliefs. The overriding premise of feminism was too much for a romance storyline. I am all for equal rights, but I don’t like the ideals of radical feminism to be pounded into me from my romance heroines. I have a degree in sociology and took several courses in women’s studies but there are times when the idealists need to consider the target of their attacks and romance readers are not the ideal targets.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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