Monthly Archives: August 2016

Seducing the Boss by Mari Carr – a Review

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Seducing the Boss by Mari Carr – a Review

 

Seducing the BossAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM

Description:
One weekend and all the sex she can handle…with her boss. What could go wrong?

Kellan James is unwinding at Score when he spots the last person he’d ever expect to find in his favorite bar. Sara Connelly — ER nurse, do-gooder, charitable crusader, and frequent pain in his ass. Both grew up privileged in swanky Southampton, but that’s where the similarities end. Kellan’s made it his mission to seek out life’s pleasures; Sara gains pleasure from lecturing him on his lifestyle. Kellan would never date someone like her. Ever.

But when Kellan discovers Sara’s been stood-up by an online date, something fierce and protective awakens inside of him. Typically, Kellan would enjoy teasing the jilted Sara, but something in her face sends him over to her table with a plan. He encourages her to take a walk on the wild side, one weekend of sin, no holds barred.

She accepts, but it quickly becomes apparent that one night isn’t enough. As the pull between them grows stronger, Kellan discovers it’s a very dangerous thing to say never.



Review;

I really enjoyed Seducing the Boss by Mari Carr.  I’ve never read anything by her before and I have a feeling this won’t be the last.  Ms. Carr has a talent for storytelling, plot and character development, with pure emotion pouring off the pages and bringing the heat.  At first I thought this story was going along the lines of all the erotic stories of late, but I was quickly proved wrong by Ms. Carr’s strong storyline behind Kellan’s fear of marriage and why he prefers the playboy lifestyle.  I will admit there were times I wanted to slap Kellen upside the head for being so pigheaded and stubborn when it comes to making a commitment towards a relationship, but it isn’t until we find out just why he has the marriage phobia that all his reasoning and arguments click.  Mind you, his perspective on marriage and trying to fight his stronger emotions towards Sara were very funny at times.  I did enjoy watching him fumble through figuring out his true feelings, and grumbling about like a bear with a toothache when Sara is avoiding him to protect her own heart. 

Their romance/attraction is instantaneous and their chemistry is off the charts.  You can see how they’ve known each other since childhood with the easy camaraderie they have, but throw in sex and it’s a whole new ballgame for both of them.  All of a sudden repressed feelings start to leak through the cracks and BAM!!  It’s all about feelings of love that are buried deep and coming to realize how they’ve always loved each other but never acted on that emotion where the other was concerned.  Their sexual chemistry is quick to develop, but the romance and true love behind their relationship is slow to develop and drives the story forward allowing the reader to see how Sara and Kellen have always been there for each other and do love one another deeply.  They just needed a little push in that direction and Sara’s no show date was that push.  The ending for me is probably my favourite part of their romance.  The way Kellen finally steps up to the plate, admits his feelings to Sara and then drops down on one knee and proposes…sigh, the romantic in me fell in love all over again with Kellen.  Such a beautifully, well written and placed scene for our marriage phobia prone hero.  Well done miss Carr, well done.

Seducing the Boss is a fast read, with plenty of emotion, romance, charm, friendship  and finding love when you aren’t expecting it.  Seducing the Boss by Mari Carr is the type of story that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon read, curled up in your favourite reading nook, on a beach, or by a pool with a glass of wine. 

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Remorseless (Fractured Farrells: Damaged Billionaires #3) by Mallory Crowe-a review

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REMORSELESS (Fractured Farrells / Damaged Billionaires #3) by Mallory Crowe-a review

Remorseles

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 2, 2016

He wants to know who tried to kill him.
She wants to protect his family’s reputation.
They both can’t get what they want.

Someone tried to kill him, and now that he’s freshly out of prison, Logan Farrell is determined to track down the real criminal. Hell bent on spending his family’s fortune to discover who’s got a hit out on him, Logan will stop at nothing until he has the answers her wants.

But the Farrell family has other plans…

Public Relations Specialist, Julie Anne as one job: keep the Farrell name out of the tabloids. With their sketchy background, it’s a harder task than she ever realized. But when Logan’s quest for the truth puts the entire family in danger, Julie steps in with a plan that could destroy everything Logan’s worked for. Suddenly, Logan’s enemies are out for blood, and Julie’s caught in the middle. Now, it’s up to Logan to end the vendetta once and for all.

•••••••

REVIEW: REMORSELESS is the third installment in Mallory Crowe’s FRACTURED FARRELLS / DAMAGED BILLIONAIRES series focusing on the Farrell siblings. This is Logan Farrell, and PR Specialist Julie Anne’s story line. REMORSELESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order as Logan’s story line has been building throughout the series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Logan and Julie) REMORSELESS focuses on Logan Farrell following his release from prison for a crime he did not commit. Julie Anne is hired by Logan’s brother to facilitate between his brother and the media barrage headed his way. Ten years in prison and now with his release,
finds Logan on the outside looking for revenge against the people that betrayed him. What ensues is the forbidden relationship between Logan and Julie, the search for answers about the who and why that put Logan behind bars, and several threats against our heroine when they get too close to the truth. Logan has his suspicions about the guilty party.

The relationship between Julie and Logan begins as a professional arrangement. Julie has been hired to keep Logan out of the public eye but several days together finds Logan’s attraction to his ‘keeper’ turning into something more. Julie is desperate to keep their relationship ‘business only’ but she is unable to stop her heart from falling in love. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

Most of the siblings play secondary and supporting roles, if only by way of mention, including Logan’s brother Alex who is the first sibling to extend an olive branch to the brother who was lost to them ten years ago.

REMORSELESS is story about betrayal and revenge; family and friendship; falling in love and letting go of the past. The world building continues to focus on the Farrell siblings and the fractured family dynamics. The premise is fast paced with a little bit of intrigue and suspense; the characters are engaging, spirited and dynamic; the romance is passionate and emotional. But I will add that I would have liked to have seen a family reunion with all of the Farrell siblings-perhaps in Alex’s story line we will witness all of the siblings finally coming together.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Ruthless
Reckless
Remorseless

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Trouble Walks In (The McGuire Brothers 2) by Sara Humphreys-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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TROUBLE WALKS IN (The McGuire Brothers #2) by Sara Humphreys-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

Trouble Walks In Banner

TROUBLE WALKS IN
The McGuire Brothers #2
by Sara Humphreys
Release Date: August 2, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Trouble Walks In

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 2, 2016

Big city K-9 cop Ronan McGuire loves women, loves his dog, loves his job – but when old flame Maddy Morgan moves into his jurisdiction, he can’t think about anyone else.

Ronan knows she’s way out of his league, but he’s determined to help Maddy live life to the fullest.

Maddy has immersed herself in work and swiftly made a name for herself in the hot New York City real estate market. She’s looking for safety, not love, but Ronan McGuire is as persistent as he is sexy, and his crooked smile is hard to resist. But all other concerns are wiped away when Maddy goes missing and Ronan and his bloodhound K-9 partner are tasked with finding her and bringing her home.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TROUBLE WALKS IN is the second installment in Sara Humphreys’s contemporary, adult THE MCGUIRE BROTHERS romance series. This is K-9 unit police officer Ronan McGuire, and real estate agent Maddy Morgan’s story line TROUBLE WALKS IN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary although for backstory I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Ronan and Maddy) TROUBLE WALKS IN is a friends to lovers trope that focuses on the building relationship between real estate agent Maddy Morgan, and police officer Ronan McGuire. One year earlier Maddy’s long-time boyfriend Rick was killed on the job (Brave the Heat), so our heroine took off for New York hoping to leave the memories and grief behind only to find herself getting reacquainted with Ronan McGuire-a friend from back home and a man who has loved Maddy from afar. What ensues is the slow build of a relationship between friends, and the investigation into a serial killer targeting high-end real estate agents.

For months the relationship between Maddy and Ronan has never gone beyond their weekly run and coffee but Ronan wants something more with Maddy as he has pined after our heroine for a number of years. Maddy believes to enter into a romantic relationship is a slap in the face to Rick, and isn’t willing to cross the ‘invisible’ line from friendship to love. As the holidays approach, Ronan convinces Maddy that to spend time alone is tragic, and makes plans to take the next step in their building relationship. Maddy Morgan is a successful, independent woman who struggles with the continuous mixed signals from the man with whom she is falling in love. Ronan’s love for Maddy never waivers in the face of her ongoing grief and inability to let go of the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the over the top graphic sexual imagery.

TROUBLE WALKS IN has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Gavin and Jordan (Brave The Heat #1), parents Carolyn and Charles McGuire, as well as the remaining McGuire siblings-Tristan, Dillon and Finn. We are introduced to several of Maddy’s co-workers and boss; Ronan’s K-9 partner Bowser, and his superior officer who is determined to help Ronan find a relationship interest.

The world building continues to focus on family and friendship as well as the search for a serial killer who is targeting real estate employees. Throughout the story, several suspects begin to emerge and Maddy’s self-imposed isolation makes her a perfect target. The perpetrator is easily deduced early in the story line.

TROUBLE WALKS IN is a story with a little bit of romance, intrigue, suspense and fun. The premise is entertaining, amusing and dramatic; the characters are passionate and confident; the romance is sensual and passionate. TROUBLE WALKS IN is an entertaining read with great family dynamics and palpable sexual energy.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one-BRAVE THE HEAT

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

“If you don’t behave and stay off this ankle, you won’t get your ice cream. As fate would have it, you just happen to have my favorite flavor, and I might go in there and eat it all up.”
“Lots of people like mint chip,” Maddy said quickly. “Besides, you’re not the boss of me. It’s my life, Officer McGuire, and I’ll have ice cream for dinner if I want to. So there.”
“Your life, huh?” Ronan arched one eyebrow and loosened his hold on her calf, lightly trailing his fingers over the exposed flesh. “If you ask me, you haven’t been doing much living since you moved here.”
“What are you talking about?” Maddy stilled, and her cheeks turned pink.
“This apartment is more like a showroom than a home.” Ronan adjusted the bag of peas and leaned his elbows on the edge of the couch. He shrugged. “It looks like you’re never here, but I know that’s not true. If you aren’t working or out jogging with me on a Saturday morning, you’re holed up in here like a hermit. You’ve been here for over a year, but this place barely looks lived in.”
“Hey!” That feisty spirit was back, and fire burned in those blue eyes. “I am not a hermit. I am the top-performing real estate agent in the most successful real estate agency in this city despite having to deal with a staff of people who sometimes act more like children than functioning adults. Take last night, for example. I was supposed to be training one of our newest hires on how to run an open house, and the little blond dingbat never showed. No text. No phone call. Nothing. I have a full plate, McGuire.”
Ronan stilled. Blond? The girl they had found in the park this morning was blond. She had no ID on her, but she was likely in her early to midtwenties, and based on the clothing she had left on her body, she was corporate. Not a pro or party girl, but a woman who had been at work or planning to go to work.
A knot of dread curled in his gut. The detectives had said the crime scene looked eerily similar to Lucille Bowman’s. He must have been looking at Maddy funny because she had stopped talking and was staring at him with a puzzled expression.
“Hello?” She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Are you listening to me? If you’re going to insult me, the least you could do is let me rant at you a little.”
“I’m sorry.” Ronan shook his head. “I was thinking about work.”
Damn it. He’d deliberately been avoiding any discussion of the woman in the park, but the topic was the undeniable elephant in the room. Silence settled between them, and Maddy folded her arms. Ronan let out a frustrated breath and looked past her to Bowser who was oblivious to it all, having fallen asleep on the floor in front of the door.
So much for guard-dog duty.
“Is that why you’re giving me a hard time about living? Because of the girl in the park?” Maddy’s voice shook. “Because don’t think for one second that I don’t know how fragile life is, okay? Believe me, I know. Life can change in an instant. One minute everything is normal and you’re arguing about what to watch on television or what to make for breakfast in the morning…and the next…”
When he turned his attention back to Maddy and saw one tear fall down her cheek, he cursed under his breath. Without thinking about it, Ronan reached out and cradled her face with one hand, then swiped the tear away. Her eyes were closed, a fan of dark lashes resting on fair skin beneath them, and those full pink lips quivered.
“Ah, Maddy,” Ronan whispered. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. His voice was gruff and strained, full of emotions he didn’t quite have a name for yet. “I’m sorry. Look, sometimes I can be an insensitive asshole. Chalk it up to growing up in a house full of boys. But I’m worried about you. It’s like you’re hiding from the whole world…but please, don’t hide from me.”
When Maddy didn’t open her eyes, Ronan settled his forehead against hers. She sucked in a shuddering breath and curled her hands around his wrists. For a second he thought she was going to push him away, but she didn’t; she held him closer instead. He wasn’t sure how long they stayed that way, nose to nose, heart to heart. No words were spoken, and yet he felt more connected to her than to anyone else in recent memory.
He flicked his tongue over his suddenly dry lips before brushing them over hers. A breathy sigh mingled with a needy whimper escaped her luscious mouth and the sound drove him wild. But Ronan fought for restraint. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off.
Her lips reminded him of plums, soft and sweet, and he reveled in the sensation as they melded with his. Maddy tangled her fingers in his hair, and he groaned when her tongue sought entrance, pushing into his mouth gently but eagerly. Ronan tilted her head, taking control of the kiss, and dove deep. She sat up and he moved with her, wanting to savor every bit of contact while still being mindful of her ankle.
Maddy sighed into his mouth as her hands slipped beneath his jacket and shirt. When her fingers splayed over the flesh of his lower back and dipped beneath the band of his running pants, all of the blood rushed from his head to other parts of his anatomy. His body started screaming for more—more of her touch, more of her taste—but his brain told him to slow the hell down. Emotions were running high for both of them. If they took this too far too fast, whatever this thing was between them could get snuffed out before they had a chance to explore it.
She was vulnerable, so taking it any further right now would be a shitty move. Ronan broke the kiss and pulled back, her face cradled between his hands. Her heavily lidded eyes were glazed with the unmistakable air of lust, and her lips were swollen from his kisses. Maddy tried to kiss him again, but he held her mouth a mere inch from his.
Her brow furrowed and confusion flickered across her face.
“What’s wrong?” she said through heavy breaths. “I thought this was what you wanted.”
“It is,” he rasped. “But I don’t think—”
The shrill ring of the cell phone in her pocket cut him off. Even if it hadn’t, the annoyed look in Maddy’s eyes would have put an end to things. She let out a curt laugh and removed the phone from her jacket before pulling away from him.
“You surprise me, McGuire. I never thought that you, the big stud I’ve heard about all these years, wouldn’t close the deal.” She pressed her phone to her ear and leaned against the cushions. “Maddy Morgan speaking. How can I help you?”
Ronan rocked onto his heels before rising to his feet. She avoided looking at him, but he couldn’t miss the irritated expression on her face. Great. He was screwing things up at every turn.
He ran both of his hands over his face and strode to the windows while Maddy took her call. Something about an appointment tomorrow and scheduling or rescheduling. The woman even worked on Sundays. Did she ever stop and breathe, or even take a moment to enjoy in the view from her own apartment? He pulled aside the drapes with one hand and looked out. The city was beautiful from up here. The windows overlooked the West Side and gave a partial view of Central Park.
Yup. It was easy as hell for her to hide up here, and why wouldn’t she? Had anyone tried to stop her? Ronan glanced over his shoulder at her. The flush from their encounter still lingered on her cheeks, and in that moment, he decided enough was enough. She’d had the opportunity to grieve and regroup—plenty of it—but it was time to change things up.

About The author

FOLLOW: Website /Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads/ TSU

Sara HumphreysSara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.

In 2013 Sara’s novel UNTAMED won two PRISM awards–Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters.

Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in New York with their 4 boys. For a full list of Sara’s books and reading order, please visit her Website.

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Family Tree by Susan Wiggs – a Review

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Family Tree by Susan Wiggs – a Review

 

Family TreeAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Sometimes the greatest dream starts with the smallest element. A single cell, joining with another. And then dividing. And just like that, the world changes.

Annie Harlow knows how lucky she is. The producer of a popular television cooking show, she loves her handsome husband and the beautiful Manhattan home they share. And now, she’s pregnant with their first child.

But in an instant, her life is shattered. And when Annie awakes from a year-long coma, she discovers that time isn’t the only thing she’s lost.

Grieving and wounded, Annie retreats to her old family home in Switchback, Vermont, a maple farm generations old. There, surrounded by her free-spirited brother, their divorced mother, and four young nieces and nephews, Annie slowly emerges into a world she left behind years ago: the town where she grew up, the people she knew before, the high-school boyfriend turned ex-cop. And with the discovery of a cookbook her grandmother wrote in the distant past, Annie unearths an age-old mystery that might prove the salvation of the family farm.

Family Tree is the story of one woman’s triumph over betrayal, and how she eventually comes to terms with her past. It is the story of joys unrealized and opportunities regained. Complex, clear-eyed and big-hearted, funny, sad, and wise, it is a novel to cherish and to remember.

 

Review:

Family Tree by Susan Wiggs is a standalone contemporary fiction novel.  We meet our heroine, Annie Rush immediately, as she is a successful producer of her own cooking show and happily married to Martin, who is the star of the show.  Annie discovers to her surprise that she is pregnant, and hurries to the studio to tell Martin the news.  At this point, Annie’s life is about to change.  Much to her dismay, she finds Martin with another woman, and when she runs away, a scaffolding accident will put her into a coma for one year.  When Annie awakens, she has a hard time focusing and remembers very little; she learns that she is back home in Vermont, in a hospital with her family surrounding her.

What follows is Annie’s road to recovery, starting with therapy to teach her body to learn how to do the basic functions again.  Annie confusion is partially due to memory loss, which will slowly return.  In the beginning she has no memory of Martin or her life in L.A.   Annie did have dreams while in her coma of her younger days in Vermont, especially the man she loved, Fletcher.  The story goes back and forth in flashbacks between the days when she was with Fletcher and doing a cooking video thesis, and current day. Family Tree is a story of survival, love, family and betrayal, as Annie tries to restart her life.

Fletcher was a great hero, having never forgotten Annie.  When he visits her in the hospital, she immediately remembers Fletcher, and slowly the romance between will begin. For now they remain just friends.   In her flashbacks, we learn that Fletcher, who was poor, decided that he could not keep up with Annie, and distanced himself.  Especially after a tragic accident with his father, which forced him to stay home.  We also watch in flashbacks how Fletcher learned from helping his father many legal aspects, which changed the direction of his life. In the current time Fletcher is now a successful Judge and wealthy.  Life has changed for both of them.

As Annie memory returns, she learns of Martin’s divorce, the loss of her child and her creation, the cooking show. But Annie’s family will be there for her every step of the way, as will Fletcher, bringing her back to her roots and changing her life for the better.  Once Annie is fully recovered, she will step up to get back what is hers, but with the help of her family and her true love.  Family Tree was excellent and well written story that focuses love, loss, betrayal and second chances.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet – a Review

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A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet – a Review

 

A Promise of FireAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

 

 

Review:

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet is the 1st book in her new Kingmaker Chronicles series.  When I decided to read this book, I thought it sounded promising.  I have to say, this was the real thing.  I loved this book…it was Fantastic!  Amanda Bouchet, welcome to my world of authors I must read.

In A Promise of Fire, we meet our heroine, Cat Visa, immediately.  She is working at a circus as a soothsayer. Cat has made friends with many of the performers, but no one knows that she has a secret…she is a powerful clairvoyant, who is in hiding.  Cat has magical powers that allow her to tell if someone is lying; become invisible; steal magic from others, spit fire, as well as many things she will also learn along the way. 

While at the circus, she notices someone staring at her, and in a short time, she is kidnapped.  Griffin, the Beta Sinta, is our hero and a warlord.  He has just taken over a realm, and wants Cat to help him build his land, and bring peace to those surrounding them.  But Cat wants no part of this, and is desperate to escape, but is tied to Griffin by an enchanted rope, as they take the long trek home. Griffin’s team of 3 handsome hunks, who make this adventure so much fun.  Carver, Kato and Flynn were in awe of Cat, and over time they become her friends.  The camaraderie between them was at times hysterical.  Cat and Griffin were great together in a hate love relationship that had not only great chemistry, but the banter between them as they fought was so much fun.  I so enjoyed reading a book with great characters, exciting, fun story and making me laugh so many times.  Well done, Amanda Bouchet.

Cat was a great heroine, who was very powerful, independent, strong and fierce at times.  She had to learn to allow herself to believe that she can love someone without losing them. The villain in this story is very powerful, and we learn from Cat’s terrible ordeal as a child how bad this villain is.  It is this reason why Cat fights to not open heart,  so not to get hurt again.  The romance between Griffin and Cat was very well done, and I adored them together.  Griffin was also a wonderful hero, who was a typical Alpha, strong, independent and bossy.   He falls quickly for Cat, and is determined to win her over.  Despite his promises to Cat that he will help her fight the enemy and protect her, she fears for his life, as she has lost many people that she loved by this villain.

Bouchet does a wonderful job giving us some great secondary characters, especially the Beta team and Griffin’s family, who were open and accepting of Cat.  A Promise of Fire is a wonderful new fantasy world building, with magic, fantastic characters, wonderful romance, exciting, action filled and so much fun.  I cannot wait for the next book in this series, as this wonderful adventure continues.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter – Review & Giveaway

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Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter – Review & Giveaway

 

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Blood of the EarthAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Set in the same world as the New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock novels, an all-new series starring Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth.

When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her.

Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville.

Nell has a team—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out…

 

 

Review:

Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter is the first book in her new Soulwood series.  In Blood of the Earth, Faith Hunter keeps us in the Jane Yellowrock world, as the heroine of this book is Nell Ingram, whom we met recently in a Jane Yellowrock novella.  Nell has magical powers using the earth and all the surrounding land where she lives in Soulwood.

 Nell is in continuing danger by those from the local Church and the cult that runs it. She manages to keep the cult at a distance using her powers, which even she is not sure what she can do or what she is.  The PsyLED is a security agency that handles paranormals, and is headed by Rick LaFleur, the former lover of Jane Yellowrock.  Rick, having been alerted by Jane, wants Nell to join his team, especially with the investigation of kidnappings of young girls, which includes one girl belonging to the Master of Nashville Vampire Clan.  It will be Rick, and his team that will come to Nell’s rescue, when she is attacked by the Church men.  This will be the start of Nell finding a way to learn more about herself, and use her powers to good use and being part of a team, instead of always being alone.

 What follows is a complex and exciting story, where Nell will slowly discover more about her powers, as well as accept who she is and to become part of a team.  Nell is truly the lead in this series, and she was a great heroine, especially as we see throughout her growing powers; her changing into a stronger and wiser person, and what she can do.  It was amazing and different to see her use those powers to fight off the nasty evil villains.  The Nell Ingram we meet at the start rises up over time to become someone to reckon with and a true member of the PsyLED team.  Besides the villains of God’s Cloud of Glory Church, there is also another group call Human Speakers for the Truth, whom is suspected of working together to kidnap the girls.  It was an interesting, and complex story, but very tense and exciting.  I loved near the end when Nell and her family, whom she had not seen much of for a long time, rebel and  bond together to fight the terrible evil being done to woman of the church.

The PsyLED team is made up of different types of paranormals, such as werecats, vampires, empaths, and other species.  Now with Nell added, it promises to be even better.  Blood of the Earth was a very good start to the Soulwood series, and I look forward to what comes next.  I will add that there were a lot of details that slowed things down somewhat, but many times the first book in a fantasy genre will have this due to introductions to the world building.  Lastly, I am not a fan of Rick LaFleur and was happy he is not with Jane; and he did not change my opinion of him in this book.  Hopefully though, he will stay here and not go back to Jane Yellowrock.  🙂  If you like Urban Fantasy, Paranormal and a great heroine in Nell, then you should read Blood of the Earth.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Faith’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of BLOOD OF THE EARTH to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Gone Too DeepAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder…

George Holloway has spent his life alone, exploring the treacherous beauty of the Colorado Rockies. He’s the best survival expert Search and Rescue has, which makes him the obvious choice to lead Ellie Price through deadly terrain to find her missing father. There’s just one problem-Ellie’s everything George isn’t. She’s a city girl, charming, gregarious, delicate, small. And when she looks up at him with those big, dark eyes, he swears he would tear the world apart to keep her safe.

With a killer on the loose, he may have no choice.

Ellie’s determined to find her father no matter the cost. But as she and her gorgeous mountain of a guide fight their way through an unforgiving wilderness, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a dangerous man in search of revenge. And they are now his prey…

 

Review:

Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle is the 3rd book in her Search and Rescue series.  Each one of these stories could read very well as a standalone; however there is a continuing storyline about a murder.  With that said, it is best you read this series from the start, in order to understand.

Ellie Price, our heroine, receives a call from her estranged father, who has mental issues.  He tells her he is going away to hide, as his life is in danger.  Despite his telling her to not look for him, Ellie decides to go to the Colorado Rockies to look for him.  She meets Lou and Callum, our first book heroes, which was nice to see them again.  Lou will be the one to introduce Ellie to George.

 George Holloway, our hero, is somewhat of a loner, who rarely talks.  But George is a member of the Search and Rescue team, and is considered the best survivalist and guide.  He will reluctantly agree to help Ellie find her father, and they will head out in treacherous weather.  Unbeknownst to them, two men are following them, in hopes of also finding Ellie’s father, whom they want to kill. The trek to the cabin where she suspects her father is hiding turns out to be one disaster after another; snow, danger and violence, as the men catch up with them, as well as an avalanche.

At the start of their adventure, George only spoke a word here and there, but he did watch over Ellie, saving  her a few times.  Slowly, Ellie begins to get him to open up more, and starts falling for George, who is a hot mountain of a man.  It is a slow build romance that is very sweet, and fun to see George slowly change, as he too is falling for Ellie.  There was a lot of excitement and danger, with fights with the two dangerous men.  When Ellie and George finally find her father, together they will have to fight off the evil again and again.  We learn near the end of the book who is really behind the murder, but it is still a secret for everyone else.  This will lead the way to the next book, Safe Hands, where hopefully we will get a resolution.

Gone Too Deep was an exciting adventure, with a bit of everything throughout.  George and Ellie were great together, both being totally different, but had us rooting hard for them.  I did find some parts were a bit slow,  but overall, it was a great and fun read. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Excerpt

 

Shifting so she had a better view, Ellie made a face. “Sorry I was so slow today. How long do you think it’ll take to get to the cabin?”

The wind picked that second to howl, the gust shoving at the tent as if intent on blowing them off the mountain. Ellie leaned closer to George.

“Depends,” he said after the wind died down enough that she could hear him. “This storm might last a couple of days.”

Huddling deeper in her sleeping bag, she asked, “Do you think he’s out in this?”

“Baxter? Could be. When did he leave?”

“The deputy, Chris, saw him Sunday morning at the Blue Hook trailhead.”

“Your dad experienced?”

“With hiking and camping, you mean? Yes. He took me with him a few times when I was little, before… I’m just worried because he seemed so confused and scared the last time we talked on the phone.”

“He’s most likely already there.” His finger brushed the spot on the map where the cabin was located. “If not, he’ll have supplies.”

“That’s true.” Giving in to the need for contact, even if it was with two sleeping bags between them, Ellie leaned against George’s side. She ignored it when he went rigid, and soon she felt some of the tension leave him. “Thanks for agreeing to be my guide. If Joseph had been the one to bring me out here, I’d probably be running out into the storm just to get away from his wandering hands.”

The stiffness returned to George’s body at the mention of Joseph.

“Do you not like him?” she asked, tilting her head to look at him. His face was canted away from her, though, so she couldn’t see his expression. “Is that why you decided to take me?”

There was a long pause before he spoke. “He’s good at what he does. You would’ve been safe…in that way.” He put an odd emphasis on the last three words.

“So, he wouldn’t have led me into an avalanche, but I might have woken up in the night with him trying to squeeze into my sleeping bag?” Her voice was teasing, her discomfort with Joseph diluted by distance and George’s reassuring presence. When he turned his head to meet her eyes, though, his expression was completely serious.

“The other search and rescue people, they talk.”

Unlike you, she wanted to say, but she kept her mouth shut instead. George was saying more than he ever had before in her presence, and she didn’t want to make him shut down again by cracking jokes.

“I didn’t want him to take you.”

There was an entire story in his two sentences, and Ellie’s stomach churned a little at the thought of being trapped in the tiny tent in a snowstorm with Joseph rather than George. She wanted to think it would never have been an option, but then she remembered her desperation at the fire station two nights before.

Leaning her head against his shoulder, she said, “I’m glad it was you.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the wind shrieking outside the tent, until Ellie sighed and sat up straight.

When George looked at her in question, she admitted, “I need to pee, but I really don’t want to go outside.”

He reached over to grab her coat. She let the sleeping bag fall to her waist, and he held her jacket for her so she could slide her arms into the sleeves. Taking a bracing breath, she shoved the sleeping bag off her legs and yanked on her windproof pants, skipping the fleece middle layer.
As she fished the stuff sack containing her boots out of the bottom of the mummy bag, she noticed that George was pulling on his own outer layers.

“You don’t have to come,” she protested, pulling on her boots and wincing as they instantly pressed on her blistered spots. Dipping her head to hide her grimace, she pulled on her bootlaces.

He frowned and covered her hands with his. “Not so tight. No wonder your feet were cold.” Pushing her hands aside, he loosened the laces and then tied them before repeating the process on her other boot.

“I thought they wouldn’t rub as much if they were tight.”

Shaking his head, he tugged on his own boots. “Not worth it. It takes away the cushion of insulating air, plus it cuts off your circulation.”

“Besides, they gave me blisters anyway,” she said wryly, unzipping the door. “And, seriously, I’ll be okay by myself. You don’t have to supervise.” She dug a couple squares of camping toilet paper and a flashlight out of her pack.
“I won’t watch you,” he huffed, and she turned to give him an appalled look.

“I didn’t think you would—at least not until you said that.” His cheeks had flushed above his beard, and Ellie had to bite back a smile. “I just meant that there’s no reason for both of us to get cold.”

He grunted, his face still red. “I have to go, too. Move. You’re letting in the cold air.”

Losing the battle against her grin, she faced forward to hide it. “Yes, sir.”

Once she crawled out of the vestibule, the wind smacked the smile right off her face.

“Don’t go far!” George bellowed over the wail of the wind.
It was cold, windy, and she just wanted to get back into her sleeping bag, so Ellie didn’t take the time to point out the ridiculousness of his warning. She barely stepped to the side of the tent before yanking down her pants. Biting back a shriek as the cold wind slapped her bare parts, she hurried as fast as she could. Her pants were scarcely back in place before she dove for the tent entrance. George followed her in just seconds later.

“Do you have any wet wipes?” she asked through chattering teeth. “I’m filthy.” That morning, she’d brushed her teeth and washed her hands and face with some melted snow, but it would be nice to clean up more than once a day. She added “washing her hands” to the list of things she’d never take for granted again once she returned to civilization.

He pulled out an alcohol wipe from the first-aid kit and offered it to her, but Ellie shook her head.

“Better to keep those in case of emergencies.” Her boot rubbed against her heel as she removed it, making her wince. “Or blisters.”

With a nod, he returned it to the kit and started stripping off his coat.

Once they were tucked back into their sleeping bags, Ellie turned onto her side facing George and propped herself up on an elbow. “How about Truth or Dare?”

His eyes widened with a look of sheer terror.

“That’s a no, huh?” When his look of panic didn’t change, she waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “It would’ve been hard to think of dares we could complete without leaving our sleeping bags, anyway. Okay, what about Tic-Tac-Toe?”
***

George couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t stop looking at her, and sleeping required closing his eyes. Therefore, sleep was not an option. He didn’t mind. Once she’d collected her father and returned to the city, he’d have plenty of dull, empty nights he could fill with sleep.

After several rounds of Tic-Tac-Toe and Hangman, she’d fallen asleep while the flashlights were still lit. Despite the nagging voice in his head telling him that he was wasting batteries, he left them on so he could see her. His conscience lectured him, said that he was as bad as Acconcio, leering at her as she slept.

A dark strand of hair had escaped her hood and lay against her cheek. His hand twitched, needing to brush it away from her face, but he didn’t touch her. That would be crossing the line, a line he already straddled by watching her without her knowing.

She was just so pretty. When he’d first seen her sprawled in the coffee shop parking lot, with her perfectly smooth and glossy sheet of hair and impractical city clothes, he’d assumed she’d be snobbish. Then she’d met his gaze, her eyes warm and round, shining with bits of green and gold and brown, and he’d changed his mind. She wasn’t a snob, but a china doll, beautiful but fragile. When he’d picked her up and carried her to the door, her lips had rounded so they’d matched the shape of her eyes, making her look even more doll-like.

He hadn’t wanted to lead her into the wilderness. Something that delicate shouldn’t be exposed to cold and danger and exertion. When Acconcio had pushed himself against her, though, grabbing her with that look on his face, the one that reminded George of a well-fed house cat playing with a mouse, he couldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t let the coyote lead the bunny into the wild.

The fragile doll had surprised him, though. Although slow and unfamiliar with things that were second nature to George, she’d listened and helped and kept on walking, no matter what.

It worried him how much he liked taking care of her, feeding her and doctoring her feet and making her tea. It gave him ideas he shouldn’t be considering, like keeping her. The thought of having someone else living in his house for the first time since his father died was as seductive as the feel of her breath against his neck when she’d rolled into him the night before.

And she’d kissed him.

His breath left his lungs in a harsh exhale as he focused on her lips, the lips that had touched his, leaving him frozen while every part of him burned. As much as he reminded himself that it had been a joke, a tease, a way to win the silly game she’d insisted they play, he still couldn’t shrink it down to the right size in his own mind. It was huge, and important, and he’d always remember those few, earth-shaking seconds.

How could he forget his first kiss?


 

 

about the author
Katie Ruggle

When she’s not writing, Katie Ruggle rides horses, shoots guns, and travels to warm places where she can scuba dive. A graduate of the police academy, Katie received her ice-rescue certification and can attest that the reservoirs in the Colorado mountains really are that cold. While she still misses her off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains, she now lives in Rochester, Minnesota, near her family.


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Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Interview & Giveaway

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24

Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Interview & Giveaway

 

Dare To STay Banner

Dare to StayAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Bruised and bloodied on Boston’s mean streets, Chris O’Brien is reeling from the loss of his childhood best friend. But after barely escaping a hit placed on his head, Chris is desperate to live. A safe haven comes to mind – the home of the perfect girl from his childhood, Molly Lachlan. Before he has fully considered what it would mean to involve her in his mess, he finds himself on her doorstep.

When Molly agrees to let Chris inside her home, she realizes she’s also letting him into her life. Danger and desperation are coming off him like steam, and yet she can’t bring herself to turn him away. His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there’s a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she’s never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he’ll stay…

 

Review:

Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin is the 2nd book in her The Sons of Steel Row series. Dare to Stay picks up after the first book, Dare to Run leaves off.  I was surprised to find out the McLaughlin used Chris O’Brien as this books hero, as he was the bad guy in the previous book.  Once I found out he was the hero, I was prepared to dislike him, since I felt what he did was unforgivable.  Of course, authors do have a way to win you over.  🙂

Molly Lachlan is our heroine, and I liked her from the start.  Molly lives alone, and keeps mostly to herself, though her friends at work keep trying to get her to go out.  Since her father’s murder at the hands of a gang, Molly tries to keep her distance.   Then one night she sees Chris lying in an alley way having been shot and bleeding profusely.  Molly knows Chris from her teenage days, and privately had a crush on him.  She does not know that Chris is a member of the Sons of Steel Row  gang. She helps Chris and brings him to her place to heal him, and learns quickly about his dangerous and violent lifestyle.

Chris, while he lies there thinking he will die, regrets his actions in betraying his best friend, Lucas.  He plans to help Lucas’s brother to make up for all the bad things he knows were so wrong.  Chris wants to leave Molly’s house, so not to put her in danger, but he knows he cannot leave until he becomes stronger. 

What follows is a sweet romance of two people living completely different lives. Chris’s father was abusive; he is a gang member, and knows nothing of killing rival gang members.   Molly was sweet, smart, a kindergarten teacher and lived a comfortable life.  Molly finds herself falling for Chris, despite his determination not to stay.  Dare to Stay is also an exciting story, with Chris pulled into fights with the rival gang often, and in a short time, Molly will also get pulled into the danger.  We get to see Scott, as he will play a big part of this story, working with Chris and eventually helping him.  So many times throughout the story, Molly has doubts if her relationship with Chris is worth all the worry; especially with Chris always in the middle of all that danger, and his willingness to give his life up to save Scott, in penance for betraying Lucas.  Despite her begging him to step away, Chris refuses to leave the gang and Scott.  He knows he has fallen in love with her, but does not believe he is worthy of her.  Will they ever be able to stay together?  With the war ongoing with the rival gang, will Chris even survive?

Jen McLaughlin has written another wonderful story of two opposites, one being an anti-hero, whose chances at love and happiness were unlikely.  I surprised myself by liking Chris by the time I was half way through, and I loved Molly, the perfect heroine. Dare to Stay was an exciting, emotional, sexy and violent story. I loved every moment of it. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Interview blue

Hi Jen.  Thank you for taking the time today, to answer some questions for our members at The Reading Café.  We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

Jen:  Thank you so much for having me here!

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Jen:  I’m pretty boring! I write books, and sit on the sidelines at basketball practice and cheerleading practice in my “spare” time, haha. But right now, I’m on a road trip with my family, driving through the desert of California as I type!

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

Jen:  Yes, always! Even when I was in grad school, I competed (and got chosen to go to) for the Young Writer’s Association in elementary school. I got to talk to an author back then, and I knew immediately that this was my dream job. And I’m lucky enough to be able to do it for a living!!!

I always wanted to write, but after I had my youngest daughter, I finally did it. I had a dream about a guy on a cliff, and I decided I needed to write that guy’s story. So…I did. It was published in 2012, and I haven’t stopped since!

TRC:  Dare To Stay was released on Tuesday, which is the 2nd book in you’re the Sons of Steel Row series.  For our members who have not read this series, can you tell us the premise of the The Sons of Steel Row?

Jen:  So all of the heroes are actually antiheros, and they are members of a gang that run guns illegally. The heroes are very gritty, and the hero in the second book is actually even harder to like at first than the first one…for reasons I can’t divulge in case someone reading this hasn’t read the first book yet! I’ve enjoyed writing this book a lot because it goes to dark places that I haven’t gotten to go previously, but it’s still a romance book with that glimmer of hope that all is well in the world.

TRC:  How did you come up with the idea of this series and how many books are you planning for the The Sons of Steel Row series?

Jen:  My agent, myself, and my editor (at the time of signing the contract) actually kind of brainstormed together, and once we had a general idea of where we wanted to go, I started the outline and it all rolled downhill from there!

I’d love to write six (or more!) books in the series, but as of now, there are only three completed ones! 🙂

TRC:  Can you please give us a brief description of Dare to Stay?

Jen:  Chris is on the run (can’t tell you why, because spoilers!) and Molly, a kindergarten teacher who has nothing to do with his way of life, finds him. They have a bit of history, but not of the romantic sort. She helps him, and gets dragged into his world because of it. We learn lots of secrets along the way, as they literally fight for their lives.

TRC:  You write Contemporary & Sexy Romances.  Have you thought about writing in other genres?

Jen:  YES. I am working on a Young Adult synopsis right now, and I also have a historical romance I’m dying to polish up and submit so it can hit the shelves.

TRC:  You also write under the pen name of Diane Alberts. Can you please tell us the difference between Jen McLaughlin and Diane Alberts books?

Jen:  Diane writes in the third person POV and Jen writes first. That’s about it! Same voice and style otherwise!

TRC:  Can you please tell us what you are working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2017?

Jen:  A Young Adult proposal, edits on a Diane book, and edits on a Jen book!

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write?  Is there a special time of day that works best for you?

Jen:  I used to be a panster, but now I HAVE to outline. If I don’t I feel lost throughout the book. It breaks my heart, but I’m a total outliner now. * sighs dramatically *

And daytime, right on my couch. I don’t like writing at night. My brain protests!

TRC:  What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing? 

Jen:  As a kid, I grew up reading Johanna Lindsay, Jude Devereaux, Julie Garwood, and Christina Dodd. They’re my heroes. I still LOVE their books. 

TRC:  When you are not writing, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

Jen:  I like to knit, but don’t get a lot of time to do so in between writing, editing, and taking my four kids to their various activities!!

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Jen:  Thank you SO much for having me here today!!

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Homemade ravioli

Favorite Dessert: Warm apple pie!

Favorite TV Show:  The Walking Dead
  TRC:  We are also a big fan of this show.

Favorite Movie or TV Celebrity: BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. I love love love love love him!

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own):  Daemon from Jennifer Armentrout’s Lux series.

 Milk or Dark Chocolate:  Dark all the way, baby!

Dog or Cat:  CATS. I have five (and one dog).

TRC:  Thank you Jen, for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you the best of luck with Dare to Stay. 

Jen:  Thank you so much!!!! 🙂

 

theauthor

Jen McLaughlin


Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.nk you so much!!!! 🙂

 

 

giveaway

Jen’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DARE TO STAY 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.

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU.

7. Please LIKE  Jen McLaughlin on FACEBOOK.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from August 3 to August 7, 2016

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