Monthly Archives: March 2020

THE PRETEND PRINCE by Kim Karr-Review & Giveaway Tour

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THE PRETEND PRINCE by Kim Karr-Review & Giveaway Tour

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

GR: http://bit.ly/TPP-GR

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 18, 2020

Not her. No way. Never again.
But I need a fake girlfriend…fast.

I’m about to lose everything.
And I know just the person who can help.
The little liar that she is.

Lia Heart and I share a past.
Not just the dirty, sweaty, get tangled between-the-sheets kind.
Getting over her wasn’t easy.
But convincing her to help should be.
She owes me.

First I have to suck it up and pretend she didn’t rip my heart from my chest.
Easier said than done.
I can’t forgive or forget.
Then again, this is just business.
Nothing more.

Turns out my ‘girlfriend’ is as sweet and delicious as ever.
Temptation and chaos wrapped in a nice little package.
She’s my heaven and hell.

When resisting her proves impossible, I tell myself it’s only sex.
That a hate f-ck is just that.

Right?

I can’t possibly be falling.

Can I?

No way. Not for her. Never again.
Famous last words.

••••••••••

REVIEW:THE PRETEND PRINCE is the fourth and final instalment in Kim Karr’s contemporary, adult THE UNKNOWN ROYALS erotic, romance series. This is the Prince of Wimberly, Prince Julius Monaco, and reporter Ophelia Heart. THE PRETEND PRINCE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Julius and Ophelia) THE PRETEND PRINCE follows the rebuilding relationship between Prince Julius Monaco, and journalist Ophelia Heart. Three years earlier Ophelia destroyed Julius’ heart with lies and deceit. Betrayed and battered, Julius would walk away from the woman he loved only to come face to face three years later when our heroine is tasked with an assignment she doesn’t want to do-an expose on the royal family but more specifically on the would-be heir. Julius is well aware that Ophelia’s assignment is meant to uncover the ugly truth about our story line hero, an assignment Ophelia believes will forever destroy any hopes of a second chance. What ensues is the acrimonious but rebuilding relationship between Ophelia and Julius, and the potential fall-out as sins from the past continue to control the present.

Ophelia Heart knows she betrayed Prince Julius Monaco, a betrayal that came with heart break, and the emotional fall-out of guilt and shame. Believing Julius is only agreeing to the interview to enact his revenge, Ophelia goes along with Julius’ plans, plans that will, once again, break her heart.

The relationship between Julius and Ophelia is one of second chances. Our couple first met on the reality show The Bachelor ™ but Ophelia’s appearance was orchestrated behind the scenes by a powerful royal. When the truth is revealed Julius is destroyed, and Ophelia runs with her proverbial ‘tail’ tucked between her legs. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, often anger filled and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Ophelia’s boss and editor Raquel Livingston; Julius’s father Prince Vittore Monaco, and Queen Helena.

THE PRETEND PRINCE is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies; family, relationships and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful, broken, angry and energetic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Washed Up Royal
Would Be King
Wannabe Heir

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Reader * Chocolate Lover * Writer * Coffee Lover * Romantic * Beach Lover * Yoga Beginner

Kim Karr is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels. Best known for writing sexy contemporary love stories, she enjoys bringing flawed characters to life and creating romances that are page worthy. Her stories are raw, real, and explosive. Her characters will make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel. And her happily-ever-afters are always swoon worthy. From the brooding rock star to the arrogant millionaire to the Football Player. From the witty damsel-in-distress to the sassy high-powered businesswoman to the boutique owner. No two storylines are ever alike. If Kim’s not writing, you can find her wandering through antique stores with her husband, trying out new fitness classes with her sons, venturing out to new coffee shops with her daughter, or with her nose stuck in a book.

Link with Kim!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Page | Instagram

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/kimkarr_newsletter

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

The author is doing a giveaway on her FB page for a signed set of the series (open international).  Click on the link below to enter:

https://www.facebook.com/132218663607627/posts/1478323558997124/

 

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Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown – a Review

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Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown – a Review

 

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Description:
This Passover is starting to feel like the ten plagues might be coming back to haunt them before the weekend is over…one hilarious misstep after the next.

Gaby Fineberg just wants to get through Passover Seder without her “well meaning” family playing matchmaker. She needs a date, just for one simple meal—that includes singing, the history of her forefathers, and not one bit of yeast. The hot guy at her gym would be perfect. He probably hates bread, anyway, with a body like that. But when she finally works up the nerve to ask him…he doesn’t hear a word she said.

Levi Miller is deaf and happily single. Initially, he doesn’t know why this beautiful woman is talking to him, but it’s clear she needs help—and suddenly so does he. In a very complicated situation, Levi finds a simple solution. Gaby will pretend to be his new girlfriend to bail him out, and he’ll return the favor. But he didn’t bargain for a family dinner quite like this one…

 

Review;

I really enjoyed Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown.  It was a cute, charming, and sexy fast read with two characters who just stole the show from beginning to end.  Levi and Gaby are two complex characters that are real, relatable and have their own drama/baggage in their lives that they haven’t properly dealt with. It isn’t until they meet each other and start to fall for each other that they are able to fully deal with the drama in each of their lives.  Gaby and Levi both inadvertently wind up helping the other see just what it is that’s missing from their respective lives.

I enjoyed the pace of this story, I didn’t find it rushed at all. I thought Ms. Brown took the necessary time to set the back-stories for both characters to allow us the reader to fully get to know them.  We also get to know more about both Gaby and Levi as their romance develops and Levi tries to teach ASL to Gaby to pull off their fake relationship for her family.  The scenes with Levi trying to teach Gaby and the two of them using their phones to communicate were sweet and just downright adorable.  It’s through these scenes that we really get to see the real Levi and Gaby emerge.  Levi’s deafness never hampered their relationship at all, if anything I found it wound up elevating it and making it something more.  They found a way to communicate and know each other in way no one else could. It created a bond that only the two of them could ever have, which made their romance that much more special and sweet. 

If you enjoy a sweet solid romance with just the right amount of charm, humour, and sexual chemistry all mixed together with some drama/angst, then Matzah Ball Surprise is just the book you’re looking for.  Sit back, relax, pour a glass of wine and enjoy Gaby and Levi’s adventure.  Trust me you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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ANYONE BUT NICK (Anyone But …#3) by Penelope Bloom-a review

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ANYONE BUT NICK (Anyone But …#3) by Penelope Bloom-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N (paper) / Chapters Indigo (paper) /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 21, 2020

Seven years ago, I swore I’d never date Nick King. Ever.
Now I’m supposed to work under him—and no, despite the way he glares like he wants to strip me bare, I mean he’ll be my boss. But what better way to prove I’m really over him, right?
I was a nerdy overachiever in high school, and Nick was my hopeless crush. I even laminated a note he passed to me; granted, I had a thing for laminators, but that’s beside the point.
Now, my only shot at getting my life back on track is to crawl to him on my knees and pray I nail the interview. Maybe I should pray that’s the only thing that gets nailed in his office—especially since he looks like he wants to devour me.
Nick broke my heart once. But hey, I’m still pretty handy with a laminator. Maybe I could run my heart through one before I take this job.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: ANYONE BUT NICK is the third and final instalment in Penelope Bloom’s contemporary, adult ANYONE BUT… romance series focusing on the King brothers: twins Rich and Cade, and younger brother Nick. This is billionaire businessman Nick King, and Miranda Collins’ story line. ANYONE BUT NICK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Seven years earlier high school friends Miranda, Kira and Iris made a promise to never date the King brothers in response to heartbreak, secret and lies that spiralled out of control. Fast forward to present day wherein the King brothers have returned to their hometown of West Valley, North Carolina in an effort to upstart a new division in their billion dollar high tech industry.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nick and Miranda) ANYONE BUT NICK follows the enemies to friends relationship between billionaire businessman Nick King, and Miranda Collins. In high school, Miranda Collins had been secretly in love with Nick King but our hero mistakenly thought that an anonymous poem written by Miranda was written by her friend Kira, and made a play for someone else. Fast forward to present day wherein Miranda is at a crossroads in both her personal and professional life finds herself the new vice-president of the King brother’s latest business acquisition. Working for Nick King means up close and personal with the man that destroyed her heart, a man who had been secretly in love with our heroine, in return. What ensues is the tempestuous but building relationship and romance between Nick and Miranda, and the potential fall-out as Miranda’s past comes looking for a second chance by taking aim at the King family dynasty.

Miranda Collins has a love-hate relationship with Nicholas King, a relationship destroyed by a case of mistaken belief, and a perception of unrequited love. Working directly under our story line hero forces all of the old feelings front and center, especially when Nick organizes a employee weekend, that is about to pull the couple into a potential disaster that will quickly get out of control. Nick wants Miranda Collins, and making a play for his new vice-president means admitting his heart has always wanted our story line heroine but the yin and yang of their personal relationship is fraught with sexual tension and barely controlled tension and anxiety. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and fun. Reporter Max Frost is looking for some dirt on the King Brother’s empire. We are reintroduced to Nick’s twin brothers Rich and his wife Kira; Cade and Iris, and Cade’s son Bear; as well as their parents Harper and Edna King. Miranda’s ex boyfriend Robbie is determined to pull Miranda back into his life even if it means using every game necessary to destroy the man with whom she has fallen in love.

ANYONE BUT NICK is a story of family and friendships; betrayal and revenge. The premise is fast paced and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic, and real-the witty banter and child-like humor of Cade King is alone, worth the price of admission to Anyone But Nick.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Anyone but Rich
Anyone but Cade

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs – Review & Giveaway

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Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I’m going to need them.

Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill–until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.

Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything–even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.

It won’t, can’t, remain.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

 

 

Review:

Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs is the 12th book in her wonderful Mercy Thompson series. I am a big fan of this series, and its heroine, Mercy Thompson.  It is always fun to spend time with Mercy and Adam, and their pack.  Smoke Bitten was a great addition to this series, and in this story, there were some problems with their mating bond, which we learn later was related to the previous book. 

Mercy Thompson has always been independent (aside from her love with Adam), and she continues to surprise many as she always manages to find a way to outsmart her enemies, who constantly underestimates her.  Mercy is strong, savvy, smart and a coyote shifter, but it is her love for Adam that makes her very loyal to the pack also; she will do anything to protect those she loves.  She also has some powerful abilities she inherited from her father Coyote.

Mercy senses their mating bond has slowly shut down, and despite her worry, she trusts her mate (Adam) and is willing to be patient, as she tries to find out what is wrong.  Though this is a backdrop of the overall story, it was an excellent addition to the story, as well as surprising. Of course, when it all ends, it will be Mercy who will find a way to bring Adam fully back.

Smoke Bitten begins when Tilly (fae) opens a door from Underhill next to Mercy and Adam’s house, to be able to visit Aiden, but it also allows an unseen entity to also escape, and bring havoc to humans and werewolves.  This creature can take over a body by being bitten by ‘smoke’ and at the same time kill anyone nearby, putting everyone’s lives in danger. 

While this is going on, a group of rogue werewolves are trying to take over Adam’s pack, which escalates the danger; and will force Mercy to contact Bran for advice.  Always nice to see Bran again.  With all the different problems (rogue Werewolves, Monster entity, weakening bond between her and Adam), Mercy has her hands full, but never ever underestimate our fantastic heroine. 

What follows is an exciting, non-stop, tense, action packed adventure that captivated me from start to finish.   Smoke Bitten was a tense, wild pulse pounding climax, that had me holding my breath as Mercy had to handle each and every threat along the way.  Patricia Briggs has not only given us a wonderful couple in Mercy and Adam, but also a great secondary cast of characters.

Smoke Bitten was written so well by Briggs, and had so much going on throughout the entire book.  I loved every moment of it.  I love Adam and Mercy together.  This is a fabulous series.  If you have not read the Mercy Thompson series, and love paranormal, shifters, wolves; it is time to start reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Patricia’s publisher has graciously offered a paper copy of SMOKE BITTEN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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7. Giveaway is open to US only

8. Giveaway runs from March 18-22, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MINE by Natasha Knight and A.Zavarelli-Review Tour

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MINE (Ties That Bind #1) by Natasha Knight and A.Zavarelli-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 17, 2020

She was never supposed to walk into my club.
But she did.

I shouldn’t have looked twice at her.
But I did.

The criminal underworld is no place for a girl like her.

One night with Katerina isn’t enough, but men like me can’t afford to be weak.
So, I tell her to leave me behind.

She does, but not before she sees something she shouldn’t.

When she goes into hiding, it’s my duty to hunt her down.
I have a job to do, and she needs to disappear for good.

But four years later, Kat isn’t alone anymore.

And the little boy right beside her looks just like me.

•••••••••••

REVIEW; MINE is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult TIES THAT BIND dark, Russian mafia romance series co authored by Natasha Knight and A. Zavarelli. MINE follows the acrimonious relationship between mobster Levka ‘Lev’ Antonov, and teacher’s aid Katerina ‘Kat’ Blake.

WARNING: Due to the graphic violence and nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kat and Lev) using two different time lines MINE follows Katerina Blake on her nineteenth birthday where she will meet Lev Antonov, a man who is about to destroy her world. On the run, following the murder of her friend, Katerina will leave everything behind when her world collides with the Russian mob. Four years will pass before Kat must face the past, a past that will quickly divide into two intersecting paths. Trying to protect the son he never knew, Lev Antonov forces Kat back into his life, only to discover that he has brought the mob back to Kat’s front door. What ensues is the rebuilding but contemptuous relationship between Kat and Lev, and the ongoing fall-out as Lev’s lifestyle threatens to destroy them all.

The relationship between Lev and Kat begins as a one night stand following a night of drinking and drugs that leave Kat questioning her choices in life. Lev is determined to protect Kat from the life he has always lived, a life that is about to force Kat on the run. The $ex scenes are aggressive, intense, and not without some questionable consent.

We are introduced to Lev’s psychotic cousin Andrei, and his uncle Vasily; and Kat’s best friend Nina.

MINE is a story of power and control; of murder, bloodshed, assault and abuse. No one is safe when they do business with the Russian mob, and our heroine has quite literally stumbled into a world she knows nothing about. The premise is dark and gritty; the characters are broken, dangerous, struggling and lost; the romance is fraught with issues of trust, anger, secrets and lies. MINE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About A. Zavarelli:

Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies. 

Connect w/A. Zavarelli:

Website: https://www.azavarelli.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZavarelli
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AZavarellibooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azavarelli/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-zavarelli
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13549895.A_Zavarelli
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2S3zrKS
Newsletter Signup: http://www.azavarelli.com/#!mailing-list/c46c

•••••••••••

About Natasha Knight:

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.

 Connect w/Natasha:
Website: https://natasha-knight.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaknightauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheKnightSpot
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NatashaKnight13
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashaknight13/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/natashaknight13/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6478732.Natasha_Knight
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natasha-knight
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DWdlEu
NL Signup:https://natasha-knight.com

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Crush the King by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review and Giveaway

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Crush the King by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review and Giveaway

 

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Description:
Queen Everleigh Blair of Bellona has survived the mass murder of the royal family, become a fearsome warrior trained by an elite gladiator troupe, and unleashed her ability to destroy magic. After surviving yet another assassination attempt orchestrated by the conniving king of Morta, Evie has had enough. It’s time to turn the tables and take the fight to her enemies. 

There is no better opportunity to strike than during the Regalia Games, a time when warriors, nobles, and royals from all the kingdoms come together to compete in various sporting events. With the help of her loyal friends, Evie goes on the attack at the Regalia, but things don’t turn out the way she hopes. Soon, she is facing a terrifying new threat, and she will have to dig deep and learn even more about her growing magic if she has any chance of defeating her foes.

Because to secure her throne and ensure her kingdom’s survival, Evie must think like a true Bellonan: she must outsmart and outwit her enemies . . . and crush the king.

 

 

Barb’s Review: 
Crush the King by Jennifer Estep is the 3rd book in her wonderful A Crown of Shards fantasy series. I am a big fan of Jennifer Estep’s books, having read all her series.  In A Crown of Shards, I loved the first two books and I thought Crush the King was equally as good as the first two.  Fantastic series.

Evie, our heroine and Queen of Bellona, having survived a terrible tragedy when the King of Morta murdered everyone in her royal family, with Evie having escaped.  In Crush the King, Evie and her magnificent team of gladiators travel to the Regalia Games, where all the nobles of each kingdom converge annually to have their best representative play in various games.  Evie is determined to make new allies to help her defeat the powerful King Maximus of Morta, as well as possibly assassinate him. 

Evie was a fabulous heroine, who over time and training from her amazing warrior friends, became a fierce, strong, brave, cunning, savvy and loyal Queen.  She will have to use all of her power and smarts to be able to defeat the evil King. I loved seeing all her friends (Serilda, Paloma, Sullivan, Xenia, Cho) from the earlier books, who have all stood by her and help protect her

To say too much more would be spoilers.  What follows is an exciting, intense, non-stop action that has us on the edge of our seats.  Estep has done it again with wonderful fantastic worldbuilding that kept our attention from start to finish. This was an exciting and enthralling fantasy, with fantastic characters (even the villains); surrounded by magic, violence, death, war, and intrigue that has us holding our breaths throughout.

Crush the King was an intriguing exciting enthralling epic fantasy that was so well written by Jennifer Estep.  She has created a wonderful heroine, and great cast of secondary characters.  I strongly suggest you read this series.  

 

Sandy’s Review:

CRUSH THE KING is the third instalment in Jennifer Estep’s CROWN OF SHARD’S epic fantasy series focusing on the newly crowned Queen of Bellona, Queen Everleigh (Evie) Saffira Winter Blair, a young woman whose ascension to the throne is predicated on a murderous coup against our heroine’s family. CROWN THE KING should not be read as a stand alone. There is a continuous theme throughout the series as Everleigh sets her sights on avenging the deaths of everyone she loved.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Crown of Shards series is the focus of elemental magic, magic of which our heroine is believed to have not been blessed, but Everleigh’s ‘mutt magic’ is much more than anyone could have imagined. As the series progresses, Everleigh’s strengths and powers make her the target of a group of assassins hoping to destroy whomever wears the crown. With the power to ‘scent’ out emotions, as well as her ability to manipulate magic, Everleigh is a powerful Queen, indeed. With her own band of ‘gladiators’ and Lucas Sullivan, the man that she loves, Everleigh is a force unto herself, a force that is constantly tested by would-be assassins, and spurned kings and queens.

Told from first person perspective (Everleigh) CRUSH THE KING focuses on the preparations for the Regalia Games, a competition between kingdoms wherein Everleigh, as the new queen of Bellona, will prove she is worthy to wear the crown. Months earlier, the murder of her entire family, ordered by the Mortan King Maximus, left Everleigh the sole surviving member of the Winter bloodline, and as such our heroine is the ongoing target of numerous assassination attempts, all of which Everleigh has defended using her powerful magic but when the murderous plots continue to unfold at the Regalia Games, Everleigh knows that to stop the attempts on her life, she is going to have to take down and crush the king.

Like Estep’s Elemental Assassin series, the Crown of Shards series focuses on elemental magic. From weather mages, elementals, gem and metal workers, ogres, shifters and gladiators, the similarities are numerous and familiar. Jennifer Estep pulls the reader into an enchanting, detailed, complex, intriguing, and intense story of family, power, greed, and magic.

Jennifer is graciously offering a $10 Amazon Gift card to ONE (1) lucky commenters  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 into the site, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

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

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7. Giveaway open Internationally

8. Giveaway runs from March 17- 21, 2020

 

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The Lane Betrayal (Time Box #1) by John A Heldt-a review

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The Lane Betrayal (Time Box #1) by John A Heldt-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 29, 2020

From the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage, American Journey, and Carson Chronicles series comes the first book in the Time Box saga.

Virginia physicist Mark Lane has a problem. Weeks after privately creating two time machines, he learns his corporate partner wants to use the portable devices for nefarious purposes. Rather than give him the chance to do so, Mark takes the time boxes and escapes to the relative safety of 1865.

For Mark, wife Mary, and their children, the adventure is a chance to grow. Mary runs a business. Jeremy, 19, and Ashley, 12, befriend escaped slaves. Laura, 22, finds her place as a nurse. Jordan, 25, falls for a beautiful widow. All hope to find peace in the past.

Billionaire Robert Devereaux has other ideas. Shortly after Mark’s betrayal, he sends an assassin to 1865 to retrieve his property and set matters straight.

Filled with romance, suspense, and history, THE LANE BETRAYAL follows a modern American family as it tries to find security and contentment in the final weeks of the Civil War.

••••••••

REVIEW:THE LANE BETRAYAL by John A Heldt is the first instalment in the historical, time travel, TIME BOX series focusing on the Lane family.

Told from several third person perspectives THE LANE BETRAYAL follows in the wake of Virginia physicist Mark Lane’s attempts to stop a madman in the year 2021. Having created two time machines known as the Time Box, Mark Lane discovers that his business partner, billionaire Robert Devereaux, wants to use the Time Boxes for questionable purposes. Having prepared for weeks, Mark Lane and his family pull up roots, and send themselves, along with the Time Boxes, back in time to 1865, just weeks prior to the end of the Civil War, Lincoln’s re-election, and eventually the president’s assassination but travelling back to a time where history Is about to repeat itself, means the Lane family must struggle with the knowledge of what is going to happen and when. As the family settles into life in 1865, Robert Devereaux back in 2021, hires a hit man, that he will send back in time, to destroy the Lane family, and take back what he believes belongs to him.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including many historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, John Hays, US Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, as well as John Wilkes Booth. We are introduced to the Lane family: Mark and Mary Lane, their children Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley; Mark’s co-conspirator Randy Taylor; Mark’s business partner Robert Devereaux; assassin for hire Silas Bain; injured soldier Sergeant Thomas Nye; former slaves Jane and Lewis, and Jane’s employer Miss Julia Albright; and widow Rebecca Maine.

THE LANE BETRAYAL is a story of family, friendships, history and love. When eldest son Jordan falls in love, the family is caught unaware, as they find themselves on the verge of changing history, in an effort to outrun a modern day assassin in 1865 Washington DC. From vengeance and murder, imprisonment and heart break, the ugliness of war, and the abolishment of slavery, THE LANE BETRAYAL is an intriguing and imaginative story deeply rooted in historical fact and fiction.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna – a Review

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Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna – a Review

 

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Description:
Ao never believed in monsters—not after being branded one since childhood. Exiled, he lives with his adoptive guardian, Kaisei Aizawa, amidst verdant valleys surrounded by desolation. 

Humanity only had themselves to blame for the wretched landscape. Their war poisoned the seas. Their greed coveted the fertile and the green.  

Their ambition set it ablaze. 
One hundred years had passed since the war banished Talus to the skies. Doomed to chase the sun, the once proud nation survives as a floating city. But the fallen always hunger for more. 

When the Talarians descend to claim the earth as their own, Ao escapes capture—but nothing is without its price. The only man he ever saw as family, Kaisei, is imprisoned instead.  

Ao vows to rescue him, no matter the cost—even if it means taking a stand against the most powerful nation left on earth. He knows of the risks. He knows of the dangers. But never would he know that someday, somehow, he would finally believe in monsters. 

 

Review: 

Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna is the first book in her Project Blue series.  After killing his sister, Ao was banished, he would have died if it hadn’t been for the Doc, he took him, and began to teach him trapping and showed Ao how to fight, how to put that restless energy into something else. They live a simple life, going to the outpost to trade. It’s Ao’s highlight, and he has managed to get a gift for his friend and guardian. 

Not quite sure how old Ao is, I’m thinking late teens maybe. 

They are trading when it all goes horribly wrong for Ao. Talarians are seen in the distance, this land they live in isn’t to be invaded. But that’s not what happens, Ao goes to fight, and in the ensuing commotion, his beloved friend and guardian Kaisei is taken!! 

Reading the back cover, I got the distinct impression that Ao was either disfigured or looked like a monster. So are we talking metaphorically? Because he killed his sister?He’s an outcast in his village, so maybe he sees himself a monster. 

Ao needs to find and rescue Kaisei, if not for his friend, Ao would have been lost. He’s been like a father to him, but Ao has no idea where to go, so he follows the slave train in the hopes of seeing and maybe freeing Kaisei….. 

Ao is captured by the Talarian’s, but he manages to escape. Still hoping to find Kaisei, Ao never gives up hope, and there are a lot of things he has to do in order to survive…..

Ao is found and cared for by a group of freedom fighters known as the Silver Legion. He joins them in his bid to find and rescue Kaisei. There are plenty of battles to keep the bloodthirsty happy. Monsters that hunt them as well as the Talarian guards. Ao gets himself into a few scrapes, and a few close moments to dying. But his will to survive is stronger than his will to give up, he knows Doc is alive, and would be searching for him if he could. 

So does Ao find Kaisei? Will he be persuaded to join the Silver Legion? And what are the Talarian’s up to? And why do they only want the young people? A few questions that I’m hoping the next book will answer ?

Wow, that was really good. A post apocalyptic world. The author had really captured it well. The fight scenes were pretty well graphic, but brief. The characters were really well thought out, and I could picture them really easily. Daru was one of my favourite’s the trader and friend, some of his witty comebacks had me chuckling. Gen a silver legion fighter, her dry sense of humour is a good companion for Ao as they search for his guardian. The scenes flow from one chapter to another (you get some that seem to jump around too much). I’m definitely ready to read book 2. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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