Monthly Archives: December 2017

Ever The Brave by Erin Summerill – a Review

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Ever The Brave by Erin Summerill – a Review

 

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Description:
Ever the Divided. Ever the Feared. Ever the Brave.
After saving King Aodren with her newfound Channeler powers, Britta only wants to live a peaceful life in her childhood home. Unfortunately, saving the King has created a tether between them she cannot sever, no matter how much she’d like to, and now he’s insisting on making her a noble lady. And there are those who want to use Britta’s power for evil designs. If Britta cannot find a way to harness her new magical ability, her life—as well as her country—may be lost.

The stakes are higher than ever in the sequel to Ever the Hunted, as Britta struggles to protect her kingdom and her heart.
 

 

Review:

Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill is the 2nd book in her Clash of Kingdoms series.  I enjoyed the first book in this series, but Ever the Brave was even better.   This is a fantasy novel in a world with two factions (Malem & Shaerdan ) that are at war with each other.  Malem, which is now fully ruled by King Aodren, who in the last book, was saved by Britta, our heroine and a Channeler .  A powerful Channeler & Spiriter is magically controlling other Channelers to help overtake Aodren.

Britta, our wonderful heroine, has a connection to Aodren, since she used her Channeler magic to save his life in the last book.  Cohen, is the man Britta loves since childhood, and who is now the Bounty Hunter for King Aodren.  Britta keeps the secret that her connection to Cohen has been replaced.   Before she saved Aodren, she did not like him, and with the connection, Britta will discover more about the man who is King.  The villians (Jamison and Pheia) are still around, and determined to kill the King.  With Cohen on assignment, Britta helps prevent another attack, and together with Aodren, they escape to find help, as the traitors have overtaken the castle.  They will develop a strong friendship that will test the bonds between Cohen and Britta.  Who will she eventually pick? 

Cohen and his team that are trying to find the dangerous powerful Channeler, who has kidnapped the girls, is also attacked, killing some of his men.  He will get help from a friend. Lirra is also a Channlier, and she needed Cohen’s help to find the missing girls.  When Cohen is injured, she will be the one to bring him to a safe place, and work with him to help the King and Britta. 

What follows is a very exciting adventure that will find them all on the run, badly injured and even some dead. Britta is a tough smart and great heroine. She will begin to learn from others how to use her abilities and try to stop the powerful enemies, at a cost that could take her own life.

There was so much going on; you had to keep reading to not miss a thing, and to say too much more would be spoilers.   Will Aodren survive the revolution by an evil enemy, and remain King?  Will Britta survive?  Who will Britta choose ….Cohen or Aodren?

I have said this before; the key to a successful series is to have good characters that you care about.   In Ever the Brave, we have some really good characters;  Britta, a wonderful heroine; Aodren, who I became crazy about as we got deeper and deeper into the story; Leif, Finn, Gillian & Lirra; I also liked Cohen a bit more closer to the end.  Summerill also gives us some evil villains that added to the story line.

Ever the Brave was a very exciting, tense, fast paced story line; well written by Summerrill, with great characters and many surprises along the way.  The ending did feel like the finale, however I understand there will be another book, which I will be reading.  So should you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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So Over You (Chicago Rebels #2) by Kate Meader-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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SO OVER YOU (Chicago Rebels #2) by Kate Meader-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

So Over You

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2017

Three estranged sisters struggle to sustain their late father’s failing hockey franchise in Kate Meader’s sizzling Chicago Rebels series. In this second entry, middle sister Isobel is at a crossroads in her personal and professional lives. But both are about to get a significant boost with the addition of a domineering Russian powerhouse to the Rebels….

Isobel Chase knows hockey. She played NCAA, won Olympic silver, and made it thirty-seven minutes into the new National Women’s Hockey League before an injury sidelined her dreams. Those who can’t, coach, and a position as a skating consultant to her late father’s hockey franchise, the Chicago Rebels, seems like a perfect fit. Until she’s assigned her first job: the man who skated into her heart as a teen and relieved her of her pesky virginity. These days, left-winger Vadim Petrov is known as the Czar of Pleasure, a magnet for puck bunnies and the tabloids alike. But back then… let’s just say his inability to sink the puck left Isobel frustratingly scoreless.

Vadim has a first name that means “ruler,” and it doesn’t stop at his birth certificate. He dominates on the ice, the practice rink, and in the backseat of a limo. But a knee injury has produced a bad year, and bad years in the NHL don’t go unrewarded. His penance? To be traded to a troubled team where his personal coach is Isobel Chase, the woman who drove him wild years ago when they were hormonal teens. But apparently the feeling was not entirely mutual.

That Vadim might have failed to give Isobel the pleasure that was her right is intolerable, and he plans to make it up to her—one bone-melting orgasm at a time. After all, no player can perfect his game without a helluva lot of practice.

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SO OVER YOU is the second instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult CHICAGO REBELS erotic, hockey, romance series focusing on three estranged sisters-Harper Chase, Isobel Chase and Violet Vasquez- who recently inherited the struggling NHL hockey franchise the Chicago Rebels. This is Chicago Rebel’s co-owner and skating consultant Isobel Chase, and Russian left-winger Vadim Petrov’s story line. SO OVER YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Upon their father’s death, estranged sisters Harper Chase, Isobel Chase and Violet Vasquez inherited the ownership of the struggling NHL hockey franchise-the Chicago Rebels. With only months remaining in the current season, the sisters are tasked with turning the team into a play-off bound franchise or risk loosing everything, including their father’s legacy, one piece at a time.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Isobel and Vadim) SO OVER YOU follows the second chance relationship between Chicago Rebels injured left-winger Vadim Petrov, and co-owner/skating consultant Isobel Chase, NCAA star, Olympic hockey silver medalist, and former player in the National Women’s Hockey League-thirty seven minutes that would break more than her spirit and end her career. Several years earlier, Vadim Petrov was on the verge of making a name for himself in the NHL when Isobel’s father destroyed any hopes, for our hero, for the foreseeable future including breaking the bonds between Vadim and the woman with whom he would fall in love. Fast forward to present day wherein an injured Vadim Petrov will come face to face with his past when he is traded to the embattled Chicago Rebels. What ensues is the back and forth, sexually palpable antagonistic relationship between Isobel and Vadim, as Isobel begins coaching our hero back to the star she knows he can be, and the potential fall out when Isobel battles between her head and her heart, and the man that she loves, as she endeavours to return to the game in the hopes of the elusive gold medal.

We are up close and personal as Vadim battles his own preconceived notions about the mother he believes all but abandoned her only son. With his younger sister’s burgeoning skills as an elite hockey player herself, Vadim becomes the over protective Russian bear as it pertains to the two most important women in his life-Isabel Chase and his sister Mia Wallace. The Chase fractured family dynamics begin to heal as the sisters forge together to ensure the Chicago Rebels continue their upward flight on a path bound towards the hockey playoff rounds.

The relationship between Vadim and Isobel is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose relationship was destroyed by a man whose sole focus was on the game that he loved-a game that would come between a father and the daughters he cared little about. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Isobel’s sisters Harper Chase and her boyfriend Remy Dupre (Irresistible You #1), Violet Vasquez; Vadim’s sister Mia Wallace, and their mother Victoria Wallace, Vadim’s personnel assistant Alexei Medvedev; team GM Dante Moretti, defenseman Cade Burnett, Rebels captain Bren St. James, head-trainer Kelly Townsend, and left-winger Leon Shay.

SO OVER YOU has moments of humor and fun; betrayal and revenge; romance and love. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are energetic, dynamic and charismatic. SO OVER YOU is a story of family, friendship, forgiveness and forever.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
In Skates Trouble
Irresistible You
So Over You

Copy supplied by the Publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

He leaned in again, smelling of fame, privilege, and raw sex appeal. Discomfort at his proximity edged out the hormonal sparks dancing through her body.
“Does Moretti know that we have history? That you are the last person I wish to work with?”
Before she could respond, someone squealed, “Vadim!” A blond, skinny, buxom someone, who now wrapped herself around Vadim in a very possessive manner. “You said you’d be back with a dwinkie!”
A dwinkie?
Drawing back, Vadim circled the squealer’s waist and pulled her into his hard body. “Kotyonok, I did not mean to be so long.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, needing to bend considerably because she was just so darn petite! Not like big-boned Isobel, who could have eaten this chick and her five supermodel Playmates for a midmorning snack. A group of them stood off to the side, clearly waiting for the signal to start the orgy. And Vadim clearly wanted to give it, except he had to deal with the annoying six-foot fly in the sex ointment.
Why did the lumberjack hotties always go for twigs instead of branches? Did it make them feel more virile to screw a pocket-sized Barbie?
Yep, feeling like a schlub.
But he didn’t need to know that. All he needed to know was that she had the power to return him to competitive ice. This was her best shot at making a difference and getting the Rebels to a coveted play-off spot. Vadim Petrov and his butt-hurt feelings would not stand in her way.
“Do you need to talk about it, Russian?”
She infused as much derision into the question as possible, so that the idea of “talking about it” made him sound a touch less than manly. Big, bad, brick-house Russians didn’t need to talk about the women who done them wrong.
“There is nothing to talk about,” he uttered in that voice that used to send Siberian shivers down her back. Now? Nothing more than a Muscovian flurry.
“Excellent!” Superscary cheerful face. “Regular practice is tomorrow at ten, so I’ll see you on the ice at 9 a.m. Don’t be late.”
Pretty happy with her exit line, she walked away.
Far too easy.
A brute hand curled around hers and pulled her to the other side of the bar, out of the sight line of most of the VIP room. She found her back against a wall—literally and figuratively—as 230 pounds of Slavic muscle loomed over her.
He still held her hand.
If she weren’t so annoyed, she’d think it was kind of nice.
She yanked it away. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“Who am I?” he boomed, and she prayed it was rhetorical. Unfortunately, no. “I am Vadim Petrov. Leading goal scorer for my first two years in the NHL. Winner of both the Kontinental and the Gagarin Cups. A man not to be trifled with. And you are, who, exactly? The daughter of a hockey great who was not so great when it came to running a team. The woman who can no longer play yet thinks she can offer ‘tips’ to me. To me! You may have pedigree, Isobel, but there is nothing I can learn from you.”
This arrogant, douchewaffle piece of shit!

About The author

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Kate Meader

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Rugged Texas Cowboy (Cowboys and Captives 1-2) by Lora Leigh-a review

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Rugged Texas Cowboy (Cowboys and Captives 1-2) by Lora Leigh-a review

Rugged Texas Cowboy

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RELEASE DATE: December 5, 2017

COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
Melina is one of two gorgeous twin daughters, the clever and considerate one who always spared her parents the humiliation of what her sister Maria had wrought. But now, Melina is finally ready to stand up for herself and seize control of her life—until she is kidnapped by a cowboy, named Jardin, who is dead-set on settling the score with her family. There’s only one catch: In capturing Melina, this tough, rough, hunk of a man has actually found a way to unleash her greatest fantasies, body and soul. . .

COWBOY AND THE THIEF
Beautiful, spirited Angel Manning has always longed to experience the power of her ancestors’ most precious heirloom. Her mother once told her that the legendary Irish torque would lead Angel to the one man worthy of possessing her heart. But when Angel learns that her father, now a widower, has sold the torque to the notorious two-timer Jack Riley, she is furious. Of course she plans to take back what is rightfully hers, by whatever means necessary. But the fate of the ancient Druids works in mysterious ways. . .Could it be that this slick, smooth-talking cowboy was destined to satisfy Angel’s deepest desires all along?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: Not proud to admit this, so the past few months I have been on a Lora Leigh sabbatical. Life gets busy and such. After reading Rugged Texas Cowboy, one thought I have is, “What the heck was I thinking taking a break from Lora Leigh?!” I absolutely adored reading this book.

So much to enjoy about this book, where do I even begin? Guess I will start with the interesting concepts Lora beautifully wove into her books to bring her couples together. In the first story, you get the evil and good twin concept. When evil twin Maria goes too far, Brother Joe takes matters into his own hands deliberately leaving good twin Melina in his friend’s ranch to protect her on pretense she is the evil twin for his friend to straighten up. So while Luc is bent on revenge against Maria for a past incident, he is internally warring with himself why “Maria” is different than 2 years ago. Reading the power struggles between Luc and Melina was beyond amusing. Luc intent on teaching “Maria” a lesson not knowing he has the wrong sister. Melina’s constant pleas to prove her innocence Luc has her confused for her twin. Eventually Luc does figure things out. Cherry on top was good triumphing over evil or in other words, good twin wins over evil twin.

The second story had the interesting concept of a family heirloom legend in a torque that holds a special power. Story is the torque is passed down from mother to daughter in which the torque has the power to bestow love and happiness pretty much a good long marriage with the man the torque leads the daughter to. In the beginning of the story, Angel is so cold and aloof that one would find it hard to believe that she is holding on to the hope of the torque leading her to the man she is destined to spend forever with. I have to admit I did feel for Angel. To hope and hold on to the promise of something you really want but to also at the same time lose hope it’s going to come true. Little did I know Jack was the same way about finding love but coped with it differently by becoming a playboy.

Let’s be honest but sometimes you just want some erotica, kinky, raunchy sexy fun call it whatever you want sexy type of fun. Kinky, raunchy fun is Lora Leigh’s style and did not fail to deliver. Yes we get anal and bdsm that is tastefully written. While the love scenes were immensely enjoyable, I really appreciated that the depth of feelings was not sacrificed. What was beyond amusing in both couples was in the internal struggles how the other person was getting under their skin and into their hearts.

This is the fourth series of Lora Leigh’s that I’ve read and I have to say she is a firm favorite author to me. This book only confirmed that I will continue to read and enjoy her books for a good long time. Good triumphing over evil, good twin vs. evil twin, jewelry with magical powers, and so much more to love. While I can understand some reservations about not reading literotica, why not give it a chance and why not start with a Lora Leigh book. You get wonderful play on fantasies and yes the story and character development is not sacrificed. Highly recommending this book.

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied for review by the publisher

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Flame in the Dark by Faith Hunter – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Flame in the Dark by Faith Hunter – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

 

Flame in the Dark Banner

 

Flame in the Dark
Soulwood series – Book #3
by Faith Hunter
Release Date: December 5, 2017

Flame in the DarkAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Nell Ingram has always known she was different. Since she was a child, she’s been able to feel and channel ancient powers from deep within the earth. When she met Jane Yellowrock, her entire life changed, and she was recruited into PsyLED—the Homeland Security division that polices paranormals. But now her newly formed unit is about to take on its toughest case yet.

A powerful senator barely survives an assassination attempt that leaves many others dead—and the house he was visiting burns to the ground. Invisible to security cameras, the assassin literally disappears, and Nell’s team is called in. As they track a killer they know is more—or less—than human, they unravel a web of dark intrigue and malevolent motives that tests them to their limits and beyond.

 

 

Description:

Flame in the Dark by Faith Hunter is the 3rd book in her Urban Fantasy Soulwood series. Though this is a spinoff from Hunter’s wonderful Jane Yellowrock series, this is a totally different kind of storyline. 

Nell Ingram is our heroine, and in Flame in the Dark, we learn more about her powers.  Nell is now a member  (probie)of Psyled, a Homeland Security division that investigates paranormal cases.  Also on the PsyLED Eighteen team are two others we know from Jane Yellowrock, Rick LeFleur and Soul.  There are werewolves, witches, empaths, and even a dragon that work together.

Nell is now a more confident and stronger person, and knows she is not human, but does not know what she is.  Nell has an ability that allows her to feel and absorb the earth’s powers, to heal her or fight off enemies. By the end of Flame in the Dark, we will know exactly what Nell is. 

At the start of Flame in the Dark, the PsyLED team is called on a case where a Senator and his family have been attacked.  The team senses a paranormal element in the attacks, but cannot determine who the target is, which they originally thought was vampires.  As more attempts and murders happen, it becomes apparent that the villains are pyro’s, with the victims being burned.  Nell’s unusual ability allows her to put her hands into the earth to scent, vision or feel strange and dark vibes of something very dark and dangerous.

What follows is an intense, exciting, gripping and violent tale, where Nell will find herself in bad situations that threaten her own life.  With people dying, she will have to go above and beyond to discover who and what is causing these horrific deaths. I was so engrossed into this story, I was unable to put the book down.  Flame in the Dark was very well written by Faith Hunter.

What I also enjoyed was the team camaraderie between Nell and her team, especially as they learn more of what she is, and try to help her.   We also get to know about Nell’s younger sister, who is slowly developing the same kind of powers, which Nell wants to help her slowly learn to control.  But best of all, I loved the slow build budding romance between Occam and Nell, which we expect to become full blown in future books.

This is really a difficult review to do, as telling too much more would be spoilers.  I will say that besides being suspenseful and exciting, it was also amazing & wild to see what Nell can do.   There was so much more in this book (murder, strange fires, dark and horrific villains, and a fantastic cast of characters you enjoy the ride with), something you will need to read and find out. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Guest post-White and RedI often get asked – when you write a novel, do you start with Characters or Plot? 

Every book is different, but with the Soulwood series it was character all the way! Well, that and the big question of all writers – What If?

Early on, I knew several things about Nell:
* that she would be a cult survivor
* a woman who loved a solitary existence, off the grid, in the hills near Knoxville.
* would become a member of a paranormal team of crime solvers
* that she would solve murders committed by paranormal means
After that it was a matter of deciding on each book what crime needs to be solved and what kind of paranormal creature committed the crime.

Nell—who she is, where she comes from, how she lives, who she loves—and a conflict idea for a story, or one of those unanswered “What If” questions, all have to come together for a book to work.

I always say (and please forgive the one “teachy” note in this post): Your main character has to have at least one great strength and at least one great weakness. The weaknesses make the conflict worse, the strengths and developing strengths save the main character and resolve the plot. This is called the marriage of character development and plot conflict. (End of teachy stuff.)

In Nell’s case, she is a polygamous cult survivor in a modern day alternate reality who starts out the series trusting no one and no thing, living off the grid and making a living as a farmer. She is in danger every day by the members of the cult who want her back inside so they can get her farm and who would then burn her at the stake as a witch because she is a paranormal being. Nell lives in danger. That danger and the fact that she knows so little about the modern world are her main weaknesses.

Her strengths are her individuality, her ability to adapt and survive, and her fearlessness when it comes to protecting other potential escapees from the cult. These women include her sisters, and half-sisters. Her adaptability means that when she is asked to join a law enforcement team to hunt down criminals, she is able to take her strengths and merge in to the team.

All memorable characters have these strengths and weaknesses , and if a reader analyzes the characters, each and every one will grow through the weaknesses, as well as rely on their strengths. The character becomes a friend as you read. I hope you’ll take a chance on Nell.

Faith Hunter
www.faithhunter.net
https://www.facebook.com/#!/official.faith.hunter
Twitter at @HunterFaith

About The Author
FaithHunter1Small

Faith Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series, including Cold Reign, Shadow Rites, Dark Heir, and Broken Soul; the Soulwood series,
set in the world of Jane Yellowrock, including Curse on the Land and Blood of the Earth; and the Rogue Mage series, including Host, Seraphs, and Bloodring.

 

 

 

Giveaway

Faith’s publisher  is offering a paper copy of FLAME IN THE DARK 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 onto the site, 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 FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

6. Follow FAITH HUNTER on Facebook.

7. Giveaway is open USA only

8. Giveaway runs from December 6 – 10, 2017

 

 

Ace

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Once Upon a Christmas Eve (Maiden Lane 12.6) by Elizabeth Hoyt-Review & Giveaway Tour

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ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE (Maiden Lane 12.6) by Elizabeth Hoyt-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

ONCE UPON A Christmas Eve
Maiden Lane 12.6
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Release Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: adult, historical, romance

Once Upon A Christmas Eve

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / ibooks /Google

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date December 5, 2017

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he’ll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they’re forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he’s ever met.

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she’ll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it’s the one gift this mismatched pair can’t wait to unwrap.

••••••••••

REVIEW: ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE by Elizabeth Hoyt follows Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Argue, and renowned rogue as he embarks on a seduction of Sarah St. John during the Christmas holidays. ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Adam and Sarah) ONCE UPON A CHIRSTMAS EVE finds Adam Rutledge and his grandmother accepting the hospitality of Godric St. John following the break down of their carriage as they embarked towards a Christmas celebration with family, out of town. Enter Sarah St. John, Godric’s half-sister and the woman with whom Adam will fall in love. What ensues are Adam’s attempts to prove to Sarah that his prior reputation as a rake is now in the past, and all of his attentions are sighted upon our story line heroine.

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE is a quick read; a novella length historical romance set in the days prior to the Christmas celebrations as one woman struggles with her attraction to a man whose reputation repulses but attracts the curiosity. The premise is impassioned, light-hearted and spirited; the characters are colorful and engaging; the romance is a case of insta-lust/love between two people confident in themselves yet looking for something more.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

OnceUponXmas-Quote

About the Author

Follow: Twitter / Website/ Facebook / Bookbub / Amazon

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing “mesmerizing.” She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the publisher.

There are FIFTEEN (15) ebooks available to be won

 

Forever romance

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Year One by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Year One by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

Year OneAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
It began on New Year’s Eve.

The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.

Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.

 

 

Review:

Year One by Nora Roberts is the 1st book in her new Chronicles of the One trilogy. I am a big fan of Nora Roberts/JD Robb, and I absolutely have love every one of her trilogies.  Year One is a post apocalyptic dystopian, with a bit of fantasy, and a totally different type of storyline book for Nora, but there are some similarities.  Year One begins with a family on vacation, a hunting that kills something more than a bird, and the start of a lethal virus (The Doom) that will destroy most of the world. In a short period, 80% of the world’s population will die, leaving the survivors that are immune to the virus.

We meet along the way, three sets of characters, who will travel to find others in a world that is deep in devastation, desperation and darkness.  In a new beginning, we will always find the dark (evil) and the light (good), that will divide and separate all. Magic (witches, elves, etc) will also arise, causing another division among those with newfound powers that are used for good, and those who are evil and want to hurt others, and the humans with no power at all, bent on destroying all magic, and those who have it.

Max and Lana is a married couple,  who have some magic ability that they continue to learn about, and they are good people.  Together they will leave New York to find a safe place to live and find others. Arlys and Fred (she is an elf) work at the radio station, and leave together, as word comes that they will be in danger.  Rachel and Jonah, both medical professionals, who also leave to find safety, along with Katie, who just gave birth to twins.  Along the way in this dark and doom, they will all eventually meet to start with about 300 others a land they call New Hope.  When Lana becomes pregnant, everyone is beginning to feel comfortable, with hope.

But just when the light shines beautifully, evil rears its ugly head; everything changes, and the last quarter of the book becomes centered on one person.  The ‘One’ who is destined to be the savior of this new world; who must stop the darkness that threatens to destroy them all.  This is where Roberts changes the game, and throws us for a loop, as she rarely ever does this in her other trilogies.  There are surprises, twists and deaths we never saw coming.  The only thing I worry about is that I want to know what happens to wonderful great characters we got to know during the majority of the book, but were not part of it in the last quarter. 

I am holding my breath to see where Nora will take us in the next book.  Bravo to Nora Roberts for giving us a fantastic start to a fabulous breathtaking, emotional, tense and exciting storyline.  I am hoping we do not have to wait too long for the next book, as I am already on pins and needles.  Year One proves that Nora Roberts can write anything at all, and give us a fantastic story. I strongly sugges that you  read Year One.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Berkley Bookmas: Jayne Ann Krentz – Book Recommendations & Giveaway!

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Berkley Bookmas: Jayne Ann Krentz – Book Recommendations & Giveaway!

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The Reading Cafe is so excited to participate in Berkley Bookmas and today we are hosting Jayne Ann Krentz with her book recommendations for Historical Mystery Lady Sleuths! Berkley Bookmas is chock full of exclusive content from some wonderful authors like exclusive excerpts, deleted scenes, author recipes and more! Check out the calendar of events below:

 

Berkley Bookmas Calendar

 

The New Lady Sleuths of Historical Mystery
By
Jayne Ann Krentz

The female detective has been around for quite a while – think Agatha Christie – but it seems to me that we are watching the rise of a new genre: the lady sleuths of historical mystery and suspense.

These unusual and intrepid heroines are women of their eras – the stories are often set in the Regency or Victorian period – but they defy the conventions of their times which is, of course, what makes them so interesting.

These are not your traditional “puzzle” mysteries nor can they be labeled “cozies.”  They are novels of intrigue and suspense featuring fully realized female characters with unique skill-sets who solve crimes, have dangerous adventures and, yes, sometimes get entangled in romantic relationships.

I’m having a fabulous time discovering new authors in this genre.  If this sounds like something you might enjoy – or if you’ve got someone on your holiday gift list who loves historical suspense and mystery – below is a selection of titles that have come to my attention.  I think they are excellent examples of the new lady sleuths of historical mystery and suspense.

 

A Curioius Beginning

 

A CURIOUS BEGINNING, by DEANNA RAYBOURN:  The first title in the Veronica Speedwell novels.  Set in Victorian England, the novels feature a delightfully outrageous heroine with an intriguing past who is a professional butterfly hunter and a fearless sleuth.

 

 

 

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A STUDY IN SCARLET WOMEN by SHERRY THOMAS:  This series features a real twist on the Sherlock Holmes legend – meet the fascinating and very unique Charlotte Holmes.

 

 

 

Beauty Like the Night

 

 

BEAUTY LIKE THE NIGHT by JOANNA BOURNE:  A novel in Bourne’s terrific Spymaster series set against the backdrop of Napoleonic France and Regency England.  Lush, elegant, well-researched and romantic.

 

 

 

DeathBelowStairs

 

DEATH BELOW STAIRS by Jennifer Ashley
Kat Holloway is a cook who takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat can deal with the family’s eccentricities as long as the various members of the clan stay away from her kitchen.  But murder below stairs changes everything.

 

 


City of Lies

 

CITY OF LIES by VICTORIA THOMPSON
The first in the A Counterfeit Lady series featuring Elizabeth Miles, a woman on the run.  Here’s the setup:  Elizabeth has some unusual skills and she uses them to relieve so-called respectable men of their ill-gotten gains. But she has recently outwitted a brutal man who has sent his thugs after her.

 

 

 

The Anatomist's Wife

 

THE ANATOMIST’S WIFE by ANNA LEE HUBER
Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.
That’s my starter list.  I’d love some more suggestions from you.  Got a title or author working in this new genre you’d like to recommend?

Wishing you the best of the holidays and a sparkling New Year!

Sincerely,

Jayne

 

About The Author
Jayne Ann Krentz

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers, including the upcoming romantic thriller Promise Not to Tell. Jayne has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name, as well as historical and futuristic romance novels under the pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, respectively. Learn more at jayneannkrentz.com and connect with her on facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz.

 

 

 

Giveaway

Berkley Bookmas is graciously offering a giveaway of one $100 Visa gift card, and a book/galley/bound manuscript by each of the authors participating.

Click this link to enter giveaway: http://bit.ly/2zlFxAq

For tomorrow’s fun, head to one of the following blogs:

 

 

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Wolf Hunger by Paige Tyler – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Wolf Hunger by Paige Tyler – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Wolf Hunger
SWAT series – Book #7
by Paige Tyler
Release Date: December 5, 2017

Wolf HungerAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / iBooks

Description:
SHE’S ALL THE WOLF HE’LL EVER NEED…

When SWAT Officer Max Lowry meets Lana Mason, he falls fast and hard. He’s positive she’s The One. And Max’s favorite part? Lana’s a wolf shifter too, so they can skip the awkward reveal and head straight to the happily ever after. There’s just one problem: Lana doesn’t know that she’s a werewolf.

To make matters worse, hunters with intent to kill have tracked Lana to Dallas. Max has to figure out how to keep Lana safe, show her who and what she really is—and just how much she means to him.

 

Review:

Wolf Hunger by Paige Tyler is the 7th book in her wonderful SWAT (Special Wolf Alpha Team) series. As always with Tyler, she continues to give us exciting, fun, pulse pounding action, hot alpha werewolves and a great sexy couple. 

Max Lowry, one of the younger members of the SWAT  team and our hero, is in a bar with his friends when he scents another wolf.  He sees a beautiful woman, and knows she could be the ‘one’ (his mate).  
Lana Mason, our heroine, is the daughter of Deputy Chief Hal Mason, who does not want her anywhere near the men of the SWAT team. Lana and Max hit it off immediately, as their chemistry is off the wall hot, but Max senses that Lana has no idea that she is a werewolf, since she has never shifted. 

When Lana is informed that  her friend has been murdered, she notices others following her.  Lana manages to escape, and feels strange vibes happening to her body, including her ability to run abnormally fast;  however she brushes it off.  When Max is worried about Lana, he tries to explain to her what she is, and she becomes scared and leaves.  But when she is forced into another dangerous situation, Lana will learn the truth.

In Wolf Hunger, the storyline changes, with the Hunters (those trying to kill werewolves) coming full force into the picture and a war is on the horizon.  The Hunters have developed a chemical weapon that poisons and kills werewolves, putting all of our hero’s lives in danger.

What follows is an intense and exciting story, where Gabe (SWAT team leader) pulls everyone (including Lana) together for safety, and helping to find a cure for the poison.  As everything escalates, Lana will find herself right in the center of the battle, with the Hunters determined to kill her, as well as the other werewolves.  She will play a major part in helping her new friends survive. 

There is also a side story, where Max is in the middle of helping a family with a abusive husband/father.  Max as a teenager lived in that same type of environment, have lost a sister.  It was nice added element watching Max try to help.

The Wolf hunters will now play a major part in future story lines, and the pack is also now getting bigger, with betas and omegas joining them.  As we raced to the exciting suspenseful climax, we held our breaths as to who will survive.  Another great addition to this series, especially with this game changer.

 I love this series. It is always fun, exciting, sexy, with a fantastic group of characters that make up the SWAT team, and their eventual mates.  Paige Tyler does it so well, giving us the excitement in every story, as well as a sexy romance.  If you have not read this series, you should start it now with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

excerpt

 

“Speaking of award ceremonies,” she said to Max, “I didn’t see you on the stage getting a commendation, so I’m guessing you must be here to support someone who did?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Some of the members of my team got recognized today. How about you? Your boyfriend getting a commendation?”

Max thought he was being pretty damn smooth, but the smile tugging at Lana’s lips told him she saw right through his deception.

“Nope, no boyfriend,” she said. “Actually, it was my dad. Brandy took forever getting dressed. Then we got stuck in traffic. We barely made it here in time to see him get the award. I had to watch from the back of the auditorium.”

That explained why Max hadn’t picked up Lana’s luscious scent earlier. And while he was relieved she didn’t have a boyfriend, it made him wonder which of his fellow cops getting a commendation this afternoon could possibly have a daughter this smokin’ hot.

Max opened his mouth to ask her who her father was when another DPD officer walked by with a plate filled with a collection of various hors d’oeuvres. While Max wasn’t impressed with the selection of food, Lana looked at the appetizers longingly, even though she still had the ones her friend had given her. Maybe she wasn’t big on squash blossoms. He didn’t blame her.

“Would you like me to get you something else to eat?” he asked.

She glanced down at her plate, then shook her head. “Thanks, but unfortunately, the spinach puffs were the only thing remotely edible, which is probably why they’re all gone. I can’t believe they’re trying to pass this stuff off as food.”

He grinned. “I was just thinking the same thing a little while ago. I’m planning to head out as soon as this thing is over so I can get some real food.”

She leaned in close and gave him a conspiratorial wink. “Maybe we can slip out now while no one is looking. I can drop my car keys off with Brandy and we can disappear into the night. I’d just about kill for a slice of pizza.”

Any other time, Max would have been stoked to hear that. In his opinion, there wasn’t anything sexier than a woman who loved pizza. But right then, all he could think about was how his body was reacting to Lana’s nearness. Not only was his pulse racing, but his claws and fangs were dangerously close to coming out. He only hoped his eyes weren’t turning gold.

On the upside, at least he now knew for sure she was a werewolf. He could smell it in her pheromones. That was probably why they hit it off so well. Well, there was another reason, but he wasn’t about to go there—even if a little wolf voice in the back of his head whispered maybe he should.

Lana was telling him about an awesome pizza place that wasn’t too far away, wondering if he’d be interested in checking it out, but instead of answering her, he went in a completely different direction.

“It’s so cool finding another of our kind here,” he said. “I totally didn’t expect it.”

She didn’t seem to mind that he’d changed the subject, but she looked a bit confused. “Another of our kind? Are you a pescatarian, too?”

Max chuckled. That body and those looks combined with a wicked sense of humor? It was like she was made for him. A werewolf who didn’t eat meat? Now, that was epically funny.

Unless it was true, in which case it was a little strange.

Before he could say anything, Lana leaned over to look at something behind him, her lips curving into a smile. Max turned to see who she was looking at and was a little surprised to find Deputy Chief Hal Mason. The deputy chief was in charge of the police department’s specialized Tactical Division, which included the mounted police, canine unit, helicopter support, EOD, and SWAT. As a high-ranking officer in the department, Mason had to attend every award ceremony, but this time he’d been recognized for his commitment to developing his entire division, especially SWAT.

“Hey, Dad.” Lana stepped around Max to give Mason a hug. “I was looking for you and Mom earlier, but you were deep in conversation with some people and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Max picked his jaw up from the floor and shoved it back into place. Lana was the deputy chief’s daughter?


 

 

 

About The Author

Paige_Tyler_

 

Paige Tyler is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.

 

Find Paige Online:

Website: http://www.paigetylertheauthorextras.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor/
Twitter: @PaigeTyler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2300692.Paige_Tyler

 

giveaway

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Comment for your chance to  win a paper copy of WOLF HUNGER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from December 4 – 8, 2017

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