Tag Archives: Alexandra Ivy

Faceless (Pike,Wisconsin 2) by Alexandra Ivy-review

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Faceless (Pike,Wisconsin 2) by Alexandra Ivy-review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 24, 2021

BE CAREFUL
A masked robber, a gunshot, an endless nightmare left in its wake. Wynter Moore was just four years-old when she witnessed the murder of her mother. For twenty-five years she’s tried to blunt the trauma with ambition. Yet each year, she shuts down her popular Iowa restaurant to return to her small hometown of Pike, Wisconsin, to grieve. Only this time, her visit will be marked by new danger and shocking discoveries about the past—and about her mother.

WHAT YOU DIG FOR
Why kill her? That’s what scrawled on the picture Pike’s recently deceased sheriff left behind for Wynter. Pulledfrom surveillance tape, it shows the fatal hold-up—and raises unnerving questions. Soon, Wynter is opening a Pandora’s box of dark revelations and suspects. When frightening incidents and threats start coming, it’s clear that Wynter is a target herself. Enemies seem to abound—except for one man . . .

YOU JUST MIGHT GET KILLED
Game warden Noah Hunter has tried to convince himself that Wynter is just a friend ever since they met in grief counseling as teenagers. But now that she’s in danger, that denial is over. Traveling to her side, he helps Wynter retrace the treacherous steps of her complex mother’s life—before she loses her own. Because someone wants—needs—Wynter gone, forever.

••••••

REVIEW:FACELESS is the second instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult PIKE WISCONSIN romantic, suspense thriller focusing on the people of Pike, Wisconsin. This is thirty-one year old, conservation officer Noah Heller, and twenty-nine year old, restaurant owner Wynter Moore’s story line. FACELESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Noah and Wynter FACELESS focuses on Noah and Wynter’s search for the truth. Approximately twenty-five years earlier Wynter lost her mother to a fatal shooting, a shooting the police blamed on an armed robbery gone bad. Fast forward to present day wherein Wynter comes into possession of a photograph from that fateful day, pulling our heroine into an investigation of her own but with each so-called witness interview, Wynter and Noah would soon discover, murder followed in their wake. What ensues is the search for the truth, and the fall-out as  someone does not want their secrets revealed.

FACELESS is a Pandora’s box of murder and betrayal, vengeance, secrets and lies; family, relationships, infidelity and trust. As the story line unfolds, the reader is pulled into one family’s not-quite hidden dysfunctional history, a history of which our heroine had not been aware. As Wynter and Noah begin to uncover the secrets of the Pike, Wisconsin, the secrets of the Moore family reveal as complex and sordid past. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the characters are energetic and colorful; the romance is passionate but secondary to the storyline premise.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DON’T LOOK

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Slayed by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy-Review Tour

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Slayed by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity 17.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Alexandra Ivy-Review Tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 29, 2021

Only an idiot would try to kidnap Jayla. She’s a take-no-prisoner kind of vampire who rebelled against the previous King of Vampires, and now regularly battles with both human and demon enemies who resent the success of Dreamscape casino she manages in Hong Kong. So when she’s snatched off the streets, she doesn’t bother to struggle. Instead she starts plotting her slow, bloody revenge.

The last creature she expects when she arrives at her destination is Azrael, the mysterious mercenary vampire she killed a century ago.

Azreal has never forgotten Jayla, and not just because she tried to stab a stake through his heart. He’d never encountered a female who could match him in battle. Her raw courage was sexy as hell. And it didn’t hurt that she was drop-dead gorgeous. But, he didn’t abduct her because he desired her. Or at least, that wasn’t his main motivation. He needs her rare talent to stop time. An evil fey has stolen his sword. The weapon is magically bound to him, and unless he retrieves it, he’s doomed to a painful death.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

•••••

REVIEW: SLAYED BY DARKNESS is instalment 17.5 in Alexandra Ivy’s adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal/fantasy romance series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is vampires Azreal and Jayla’s story line. SLAYED BY DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary

Told from several third person perspectives SLAYED BY DARKNESS focuses on the abduction and attempted assassination of our heroine Jayla. Jayla works as the manager for Dreamscape Casino in Hong Kong but a rival casino manager has demanded some of Jayla’s time. On her way, Jayla finds herself the victim of a potential kidnapping, only to come face to face with the vampire she thought she over seven hundred years earlier. Enter former Viking turned vampire Azreal. As Azreal presents his case for ‘kidnapping’ our heroine, Dreamscapes owner Chiron calls upon our intrepid gargoyle Levet, to help locate his missing manager. What ensues is the building relationship between Azreal and Jayla, and the potential fall-out as something more sinister is going on behind the scenes.

Azreal knew immediately the assassin sent to take him down is his fated mate but our hero was cursed by the fey hundreds of years earlier, and his soul has been trapped inside a magical sword all this time but Azreal woke up to discover the sword had been stolen, and his life was slowly draining with each passing day. Desperate to retrieve the sword, Azreal knows of only one being who is able to control time, and that being is the woman that calls to his heart.

SLAYED BY DARKNESS is a fast paced, novella length story of second chances, of a sorts. Jayla believed she had killed a man for no other reason that having been ordered to do so, and with his return, Jayla got a second chance to make things right.Having been cursed by the Fey, Azreal knew he would probably live a long and lonely life but the return of Jayla meant Azreal had a second chance at his own happily ever after, if only they could retrieve the sword that held his soul. The $ex scenes are limited by passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters included Jayla’s boss Chiron, and her assistant Gideon; rival casino owner Emile; gargoyle Levet and his aunt Bertha.

SLAYED BY DARKNESS is entertaining and engaging; the characters are dynamic-always fun to read about Levet ; the building relationship between Azreal and Jayla focuses on the search for the sword, and the acceptance of one another as each other’s mate.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness
Sacrifice of Darkness
Shades of Darkness
Darkness Betrayed

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“If you intend to kill me, I wish you’d get on with it before I die of boredom.”
Azrael smiled with rueful humor. “You haven’t lost your arrogance, kiska.”
She froze at the sound of his voice. Or maybe it was his Russian endearment. She’d reminded him of a hissing cat the first time he’d seen her. Sleek and elegant and utterly lethal. Her rich lotus scent swirling in the air. “Who are you?”
Azrael leaned toward her. “First, I intend to relieve you of any weapons you have hidden beneath that lovely gown.”
She hissed in outrage. “Touch me, and I’ll kill—”
“Not this time,” he interrupted, sweeping his hands down the length of her torso.
It took an effort, but he kept his touch light, refusing to acknowledge the jolts of pleasure racing through him. She was bound and momentarily helpless. He might be a vampire, but he wasn’t a monster. Not anymore.
He reached the slender length of her legs when he at last found a sheath tied around her upper thigh. Carefully, he pulled out the slender dagger with its silver blade and tossed it onto a chair across the narrow space. Next, he bent to slide off her shoes, lifting the pointed heels to his nose. Poison. Just as he’d suspected.
“Impressive,” he murmured, flipping the shoes to join the dagger. “Now, this.” Grabbing the thick hood, he slowly pulled it off her head.
Jayla blinked, a visible tremor racing through her body as she allowed her gaze to skim over his face before lowering to the white cashmere sweater stretched across his chest and then down to his dark slacks.
At last, she slowly shook her head as if coming out of a dream. Or a nightmare.
“No,” she rasped. “This is a trick.”
“I’m very real,” he assured her, leaning forward. She was clearly in shock, but she hadn’t panicked. And she hadn’t tried to attack. He was willing to take a risk. With quick movements, he unlocked the shackles and let them drop to the floor. Then, he offered her a sensuous smile. “Do you want to touch and prove for yourself?”

Like most writers, I was born with an avid love for reading. Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a book in my hand or wasn’t dreaming up wild stories in my head. And when I stepped into my local library for the first time I thought it was paradise. There were so many books on the shelves I didn’t know where to start!

Still, I didn’t plan to grow up and become a writer. I was much more interested in a glorious career as an actress on Broadway.

I followed my dream by acquiring a degree in theatre and performing for several years in summer-stock productions, but after I married my college sweetheart I decided to put the career on hold while we started a family. After the arrival of my two sons, Chance and Alex, I found myself seeking a new creative outlet and decided to turn my occasional scribblings into a genuine effort to get published.

I’d like to say that I was an overnight success, but the truth is that it took years before I finally got ‘the call’. The rejections were painful, but now I’m relieved. All those manuscripts that I thought were the next Great American Novel are now exactly where they belong…gathering dust under my bed.

They did, however, help me learn my craft, and just as importantly, they gave me the opportunity to enjoy writing in a wide variety of genres as I searched for my voice. Which no doubt explains why I started writing traditional regencies under the name Debbie Raleigh and then moved to steamy historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh before transforming into a contemporary paranormal writer as Alexandra Ivy. Now my career spans everything from erotica to romantic suspense.

When I’m not writing I love to travel, it doesn’t matter where I’m going as long as it doesn’t include any cooking or cleaning. I also love to spend time with my family who continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. And since some things never change…when I have a few minutes, you can still find me with a book in my hand!

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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Darkness Betrayed (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy-review

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Darkness Betrayed (Guardians of Eternity 17) by Alexandra Ivy- a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2021.

When a conspiracy threatens what’s most precious to The Guardians of Eternity, they must depend upon their one-time enemy to protect them in the latest from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy . . .

Once, Brigette was the conduit through which the ultimate evil reached Earth. Now she’s just a lonely Were isolated in an Irish cottage, cut off from her animal and humanity alike. When a band of rebels approach her to take down the king of the vampires, she knows denying them means certain death—but even if she warns the king, he may not listen to the likes of her.

From the moment Xi slips into Brigette’s bedroom to escort her to his king, he sees the heartbreak that hides behind her guilt. The elusive vampire has fought for centuries to master his own regrets, and his word will convince the king to value hers. Neither can escape the attraction between them, even as partners on an undercover mission. But there’s no room for pleasure when their work might redeem her to the Guardians completely—or send them to the death they’ve evaded for so long .

••••••

REVIEW: DARKNESS BETRAYED is the seventeenth full-length instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is vampire/Raven Xi, and werewolf Brigette’s story line. DARKNESS BETRAYED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Xi and Brigette DARKNESS BETRAYED follows Brigette as she is approached to join a revolution, a revolution against the King of the Vampires but Brigette knows betrayal first hand, and isn’t about to find herself on the wrong side of the fight. Reaching out to the Anasso (King), Brigette is tasked with infiltrating the supernatural group preparing to take down the vampire Styx but she finds herself now partnered with the vampire in charge of Styx’s protection. Enter Xi, and the man with whom Brigitte will fall in love. As Styx and Brigette begin to investigate the who, how and why of the upcoming revolution, the pull between our couple cannot be denied.

Meanwhile, our intrepid gargoyle Levet is sent on a mission of his own. Brigette recovered a series of ancient scrolls once connected to the previous Anasso, and Levet is tasked with uncovering the whereabouts of the source of its’ magic.

DARKNESS BETRAYED is a story of power and control; betrayal and vengeance; retribution, loss, family and love. Alexandra Ivy pulls the reader into a tale of ruthlessness and reprisal for sins of the past, sins misdirected at the Anasso vampire. The fast paced and character driven premise is intriguing and captivating; the slow building romance is fated; the characters are energetic and colorful-it is always fun to watch Levet in action.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness
Sacrifice of Darkness/a>
Shades of Darkness

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Don’t Look (Pike, Wisconsin 1) by Alexandra Ivy- a review

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Don’t Look (Pike, Wisconsin 1) by Alexandra Ivy- a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2020

IF YOU’RE ON HIS LIST
A woman’s naked body is discovered, cold and pale as the surrounding snow–except for the crimson scarf around her neck. The weeks that follow bring more victims and evidence of a terrifying pattern. The killer has a list. And every woman on it will get what she deserves . . .

YOU’RE AS GOOD
Dr. Lynne Gale followed in her father’s footsteps to become a vet in Pike, Wisconsin. For years, she’s had little contact with Kir Jansen, son of the town’s late sheriff. Suddenly he’s back, insisting that Lynne’s in danger. She can’t believe anyone would target her, but someone is hunting the women of Pike, savoring every last moment.

AS DEAD
Kir hoped that his father’s frantic calls about a serial killer were just an old man’s delusions. But the body count doesn’t lie. In this quiet town, a monster stalks and kills. And soon, Lynne’s will be the last name on his list . . .

•••••••

REVIEW: DON’T LOOK is the first instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult PIKE, WISCONSIN romantic, suspense, thriller series focusing on the people of Pike, Wisconsin.

Told from several third person perspectives DON’T LOOK follows businessman Kir Jansen, on his return to his hometown of Pike Wisconsin in the aftermath of his father’s death. As the former Sheriff, Rudolph Jansen was a well-respected man but a gun shot to the head left Rudolph a shadow of his former self leading to a life of heavy drinking. The possibility of serial killer in Pike Wisconsin had Rudolph struggling to get anyone to believe but a drunk with fantastic stories about threatening letters and motive, is still a drunk.

Kir Jansen knew about the mysterious letters his father received but it wasn’t until Kir returned to Pike Wisconsin did the killer begin to up his body count. Meeting local veterinarian and former school mate Dr. Lynne Gale stirred something deep within our story line hero but a list of potential victims included the woman with whom Kir would fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kir and Lynne, as the couple begin an investigation of their own when local law enforcement failed to do what needed to be done.

DON’T LOOK is a story of betrayal and revenge; of desperation, murder, obsession and hate. Lynne and Kir began to piece together a list of possible motives, motives that would connect back a number of years. As the body count increases, our couple become suspect, as they followed the cues that the new sheriff ignored. The premise is intriguing; the romance is passionate; the $ex scenes are mostly implied; the characters are colorful, and energetic but saying that I struggled with the couple’s ability to gather information when law enforcement claimed they had no leads or ideas. The story line is edgy and dramatic but you will have to suspend reality as Kir and Lynne solve a cast that no one else was able

Copy supplied by Negalley

reviewed by Sandy

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Shades of Darkness by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10 2020.

Chaaya endured centuries as a sacrifice, protecting her people from an evil that could destabilize all magic. At long last, her servitude is over—and she’s raring to have some fun. The baddest ghost-girl in Las Vegas has a talent for causing mayhem. And for getting under the skin of her solid, silent bodyguard, the vampire Basq . . .

Basq doesn’t let anyone close. He’s learned the costs of companionship. But reckless, disrespectful Chaaya, with her fiery temper and her fierce loneliness, isn’t like anyone else. Staying near her isn’t just a duty, it’s a hunger. When a prisoner of Chaaya’s last battle escapes, possibly seeking Chaaya’s nemesis, Basq isn’t letting her chase through a hellscape mirror London alone. But when the choice is between abandoning everything that’s kept them alive, or each other, survival will take not only desire—but trust .

••••••••

REVIEW:SHADES OF DARKNESS is the sixteen full-length instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is vampire Basq, and Chaaya’s story line. SHADES OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from a number of third person perspective following several intersecting paths SHADES OF DARKNESS focuses on Chaaya, a not quite human female, whose recent release from hundreds of years in a supernatural prison, sets out to wreak havoc on the world in which she now lives. Having been sacrificed by her mother years before, in an effort to save the world and mankind, Chaaya finds herself a ‘virtual prisoner’ at vampire Chiron’s Dreamscape Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada with her assigned security vampire Basq. The darkness that all but consumed our story line heroine has returned in the form of one-time were shifter Brigette, whose ‘escape’ from the underwater mer prison has started an investigation into betrayal and vengeance. Chaaya is determined to destroy Brigette before she consumes the world, but in doing so, finds herself with an unlikely partner in the man with whom Chaaya will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Chaaya and Basq, and the potential fall-out as the past comes back to claim our story line heroine.

The relationship between Chaaya and Basq begins as an assignment as Basq is tasked with ‘keeping an eye’ on our story line heroine. Chaaya is a bit of a trouble maker at the casinos and bars in Las Vegas, Nevada but there is a price on Chaaya’s head, and Basq must ensure that the woman that calls to his heart, is safe and remains alive. The lone $ex scene is intimate but barely touches the surface of a fated romance.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom have been introduced in previous instalments: vampire and owner of Dreamscapes Resort Chiron; gargoyle Levet; mer queen Inga; Prince of Imps Troy; were Brigitte; numerous mer people including Jord, Riza, Rimm; and Greta.

SHADES OF DARKNESS is a detailed story line that follows several intersecting and connected paths. As Levet sticks close to Brigette in an effort to ensure the darkness doesn’t escape, Chaaya continues her search for Brigette, determined to destroy the darkness within. The premise is engaging and captivating; characters are colorful and energetic; the romance struggles with a lack of emotion or any palpable sexual energy-there was no discernible chemistry or heat.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness
Sacrifice of Darkness/a>

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Sacrifice of Darkness by Alexandra Ivy-Review tour

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Sacrifice of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity / 1001 dark Nights) by Alexandra Ivy-Review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ZpK7cF

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2020

Javad has one rule. No fighting pits.

It doesn’t matter that the savage battles have been a tradition among demons for eons. As the manager of the Viper’s Nest in Vegas, his word is law. Period. Then he hears rumors that some fool has dared to create a fighting pit in the middle of the desert. He goes in search of the hidden location, only to realize too late it’s a trap by his former master Vynom. The powerful vampire is determined to force Javad to fight once again. This time to the death.

Terra is a rare fey creature known as a Seraf. Long ago she’d been captured by Vynom and forced to heal the fighters he used in his pits. Javad had rescued her, and she’d given him a medallion. If he ever needed her, all he had to do was to speak her name and the magic would lead her to him. When she hears his call she doesn’t hesitate to rush to his rescue. Even when it means returning to the dark violence that still haunts her dreams.

Can they escape the nightmare that nearly destroyed them in the past? And if they survive, are they willing to sacrifice the duties that have pulled them apart to battle for a future together?

••••••••••

REVIEW:SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS is the 15.1 instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal, romance series, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is vampire Javad, and Seraf Terra’s story line. SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Javad and Seraf, SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS follows the imprisonment, escape and recapture of vampire Javad, by his maker Vynom. For centuries, Javad had been forced to fight in the underground cages where he would meet Terra, a Seraf, a fey creature with the ability to heal. Upon his escape Javad would become the manager of the Viper’s Nest in Las Vegas but the possible reappearance Vynom running another underground fighting ring in Javad’s territory forces our hero, along with Levet as his guiee, to search for the man responsible. Imprisoned and forced to fight to the death, Javad would, once again, come face to face with his fated mate, Terra, when Vynom gets help In the recapture of both. What ensues is the fight to the death between Javad and Frack the Orc, and Terra and Javad’s struggle to free themselves from the underground cavern.

SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS is a quick read In which we revisit with our resident Gargoyle Levet; are introduced to the frost fairies; and see another vampire fall under the spell of his fated mate. The premise is fast paced and entertaining; the characters are colorful and dynamic; the romance is passionate.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness
Conquer the Darkness

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Javad’s eyes shimmered with a stunning bronze, his snowy white fangs lengthening as he reacted to the scent of her desire. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips down the length of her jaw before nuzzling the corner of her mouth.
“You are very distracting.”
Terra shuddered, her stomach cramping with pleasure. It’d been so long since a male had touched her. Not since Javad had kissed her goodbye in the sewers beneath Athens.
Now her entire body was going up in flames.
“Am I?”
He scraped the tip of one fang over her lower lip. “Yes.”

 

Like most writers, I was born with an avid love for reading. Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a book in my hand or wasn’t dreaming up wild stories in my head. And when I stepped into my local library for the first time I thought it was paradise. There were so many books on the shelves I didn’t know where to start!

Still, I didn’t plan to grow up and become a writer. I was much more interested in a glorious career as an actress on Broadway.

I followed my dream by acquiring a degree in theatre and performing for several years in summer-stock productions, but after I married my college sweetheart I decided to put the career on hold while we started a family. After the arrival of my two sons, Chance and Alex, I found myself seeking a new creative outlet and decided to turn my occasional scribblings into a genuine effort to get published.

I’d like to say that I was an overnight success, but the truth is that it took years before I finally got ‘the call’. The rejections were painful, but now I’m relieved. All those manuscripts that I thought were the next Great American Novel are now exactly where they belong…gathering dust under my bed.

They did, however, help me learn my craft, and just as importantly, they gave me the opportunity to enjoy writing in a wide variety of genres as I searched for my voice. Which no doubt explains why I started writing traditional regencies under the name Debbie Raleigh and then moved to steamy historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh before transforming into a contemporary paranormal writer as Alexandra Ivy. Now my career spans everything from erotica to romantic suspense.

When I’m not writing I love to travel, it doesn’t matter where I’m going as long as it doesn’t include any cooking or cleaning. I also love to spend time with my family who continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. And since some things never change…when I have a few minutes, you can still find me with a book in my hand!

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Share

Pivot by Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy & Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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Pivot by Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy & Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 1, 2020

As girls, they bonded over broken homes and growing up in foster care.
As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . .

••••••••

REVIEW:

NOTE: PIVOT is an anthology with three interconnected novellas of intrigue and suspense focusing on three former foster care friends (Meri, Michelle and Melanie), drug addiction, dealers, security specialists and dirty cops. Two of the story lines spotlight a rekindling romance, while one focuses on new love-all culminate in a happily ever after.All three novellas as part of the authors’ established series but you do not have to have read any of the aforementioned series to follow or understand the current story lines.

 

______________

Against the Heart by Kat Martin

ABOUT THE BOOK: MERI

When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret—and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .

•••••••••

REVIEW: AGAINST THE HEART by Kat Martin is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense set in the author’s BRODIES OF ALASKA series. Against the Heart focuses on single mother Meriwether Jones, and security specialist / ex-cop Ian Brodie.

Meriwether Jones, and her daughter Lily are on the run. Lily’s father, Joey Bandini, is an addict, desperate for money, and has threatened our story line heroine. Needing a quick influx of cash and a safe place to live, Meriwether heads to Spokane Washington, where she will work as a temporary house keeper before running again. Enter ex cop/ security specialist Ian Brodie. What ensues is the quick building relationship and romance between Ian and Meri, and the fall-out as Meri’s past comes looking for more.

AGAINST THE HEART is a story of family, friendship, desperation and love. As Meri begins to settle into a daily routine, she knows it is only a matter of time before she has to run, again. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are colorful; the romance is an insta-lust to love with a happily ever after.

_________

Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti

ABOUT THE BOOK: Michelle

After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland—until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends—and win her heart for good

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REVIEW: SHAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense novella focusing on former US Marine, Sheriff Evan Boldon, and illustrator Michelle Peach. Shaken is part of the author’s DEEP OPS series with a slight cross-over from Rebecca’s Dark Protectors series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Michelle and Evan) SHAKEN runs parallel to, and overlaps with Kat Martin’s AGAINST THE HEART, and follows Michelle Peach (Meri’s friend Against the Heart) in the aftermath of Joey Bandini’s threat and attack against our story line heroine. Michelle is a graphic artist but her mother’s (Jayleen) drug addiction places Michelle in the direct line of fire. With no money or means to pay off her suppliers, Michelle’s mother offers up our heroine’s tablet, a tablet that contains valuable images and drawings that do not necessarily belong to Michelle. Desperate for help, Michelle calls her friend Raider Tanaka (Deep OPs) but Raider is unable to aid in our heroine’s struggle. Enter Evan Boldon, Michelle’s ex boyfriend. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Evan and Michelle, and the potential fall-out as Jayleen continues to cause problems every chance she can get.

SHAKEN is a story of second chances, betrayal and love. Evan has waited two years before rekindling his relationship with the woman he loves but Michelle continues to struggle with Evan’s lifestyle believing our hero isn’t ready to settle down. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful and energetic.

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Echoes From the Past by Alexandra Ivy

ABOUT THE BOOK: MELANIE

That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops—and the truth about their relationship .

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REVIEW: ECHOES OF THE PAST by Alexandra Ivy is a contemporary, adult, romantic suspense novella set in the author’s THE AGENCY series. This is detective Gray Hawkins, and youth counsellor Melanie Cassidy’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Melanie and Gray ECHOES OF THE PAST follows the second chance relationship between detective Gray Hawkins, and youth counsellor Melanie Cassidy. Gray Hawkins’ return to Spokane to investigate the possibility of a dirty detective at the local precinct couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. An attempted kidnapping at the local youth centre brings Gray face to face with his past, counsellor Melanie Cassidy, the woman with whom he is hoping for a second chance but Melanie has a target on her back when she is witness to the abduction, and the potential involvement of the local police. As Melanie and Gray take refuge at his family’s cabin, our couple rekindle their relationship but not before finding themselves on the run, once again.

ECHOES OF THE PAST is a story of second chances, betrayal, and love. The fast paced premise is energetic as our couple find themselves struggling to uncover the truth while on the run.

PIVOT is an anthology with three interconnected novellas focusing on drug addiction, dealers, security specialists and dirty cops. Two of the story lines spotlight a rekindling romance, while one focuses on new love-all culminate in a happily ever after.

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Conquer the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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Conquer the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2019

As allegiances shift and new powers align for Alexandra Ivy’s Guardians of Eternity, one immortal defender knows the sweep of change brings danger—and possibility . . .

On the edge of the Mojave desert, out of the lights of Las Vegas, even a werewolf can expect a share of peace and solitude. For Ulric, the last surviving member of a pack hunted through centuries, it’s one of few places he’s willing to drop his guard. Until he spots Brigette, a beautiful wolf-woman he thought dead long ago. When he gives chase, he loses her—and discovers he’s being followed himself.

His pursuer is a zephyr sprite, Rainn, on the trail of a frightening prophecy she can’t predict or understand. All she knows is that Ulric is at its center. If he’s determined to find Brigette, she’ll do what she must to keep him with her.

When the search leads them to a place where Ulric’s ghosts and Rainn’s portents intertwine, a lurking evil waits to swallow them both. But as they fight for survival, their need for each other will become impossible to deny .

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REVIEW:CONQUER THE DARKNESS is the fifteenth instalment in Alexandra Ivy’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal / fantasy romance series. This is werewolf and casino operator Ulric, and zephyr sprite Rainn’s story line. CONQUER THE DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ulric, Rainn, Brigette and Levet CONQUER THE DARKNESS follows Ulric as he comes face to face with his past, a past he believed had been destroyed by Anasso hundreds of years before. With the return of his cousin Brigette, Ulric had hoped that perhaps more of his family had survived the destruction but not everything was as it appeared to be. Rainn suspected something wasn’t right with the return of Ulric’s cousin Brigette, and in an effort to protect the man with whom she would fall in love, Rainn played guardian and protector when Ulric headed to Europe in an effort to reconnect with his long lost cousin. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Rainn and Ulric, as our couple come face to face with an evil that is hoping to finish what was started years before.

Rainn is a zephyr sprite who has been fated by birth to do the Oracles’ bidding , and their bidding included destroying the evil that demands control of the world but Rainn and Ulric find themselves struggling to survive as the evil has taken control of the woman Ulric was hoping to find, an evil that has plans for our story line hero.

Meanwhile, Levet the gargoyle has stowed away on Ulric and Rainn’s flight to Ireland, where he will be tasked with locating an ancient book that will hopefully explain about the evil that is about to engulf the world.

The relationship between Rainn and Ulric is a friends/employees to lovers relationship wherein Ulric reveals, while on their search for Brigette, that Rainn is his mate but Rainn struggles with the task at hand, and refuses to accept that Ulric is her happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including gargoyle Levet and ogress / mermaid Inga and her assistant Troy, vampires Chiron, Javad, Tarik and his mate Waverly ; Cyn, the clan chief of Ireland and his mate Fallon, Ulric’s cousin Brigette, and a powerful demon known as Zella. WE are introduced to Chaaya, a woman who calls herself the gatekeeper, but a woman who will find her place amongst the Guardians back home.

CONQUER THE DARKNESS is a story of betrayal and vengeance; of power and control; of fate and happiness. The premise is entertaining and imaginative; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic and spirited.

Previous Reviews (this a list of books we have reviewed at The Reading Cafe. We have read most if not all of the books in the series but have not posted a review !)

When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Revealed
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Taken by Darkness
Darkness Eternal
Bound by Darkness
Where Darkness Lives
Fear The Darkness
Darkness Avenged
Darkness Eternal
Hunt the Darkness
A Very Levet Christmas
When Darkness Ends
Darkness Returns
Beware the Darkness

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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