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The Explorer Baroness by Julia Justiss-Review & Giveaway

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The Explorer Baroness by Julia Justiss-Review & Giveaway

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 26, 2021

He’s the wealthiest nobleman

She’s a risk to his reputation!

Gregory Lattimer is well aware Charis Dunnfield is not the Society bride this Baron’s son needs to restore his family’s tarnished reputation. She is scandalising the ton – living mostly in Constantinople and running her father’s antiquities business! Gregory must settle for her friendship instead – and her help vetting other potential brides for him – until she voyages East again. But will any deb match up to Charis?

••••••••••

REVIEW:  Gregory Lattimer is eldest son of Baron Vraux, and he’s taken of the family reigns as Baron. His father is still very much alive, but has given up the Barony to pursue his love of artefacts.

Meeting the lovely Charis Dunnfield whilst clearing debts run up by his father, has Gregory at somewhat of a quandary! He’s totally enamoured with the miss, but she’s not the right kind of lady this Baron needs to socialize with, let alone think of courting!

Charis doesn’t worry what the social gossips thinks of her. She happier helping her father run his antiques business anyway! But meeting Gregory has her thinking she could be a little more lady like! But it’s too late anyway.

Friendship is better than nothing right? Well Gregory is totally in the “friend zone” and has to endure as more “suitable” ladies are sent his way to be vetted as the next Baroness!

Third book in this historical romance series, and I like this one the best. It’s easily read without the other two. Nicely written, plot easy to follow, low on angst and two characters you wanted to like and you do. Gregory is not a rake or a rogue, and hard working chap who has taken on the family name and mantle to give his father the chance to enjoy his “hobby”. Charis although a little self centred is a pretty decent young lady. There is a slow-slow-slow burn to this romance, but the plot carries it along quiet nicely, and as I’ve read this author a few time now, I wasn’t expecting fireworks.

So will Gregory and Charis remain friends? Will he watch as she sails away? Or will he grab what he so desperately desires?

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

Award-winning historical romance author Julia Justiss has written more than thirty-five novels and novellas set in the English Regency and the Texas Hill Country.

A voracious reader who began jotting down plot ideas for Nancy Drew novels in her third grade spiral, Julia has published poetry and worked as a business journalist.

She and her husband live in East Texas, where she continues to craft the stories she loves. Check her website for details about her books, chat with her on social media, and follow her on Bookbub and Amazon to receive notices about her latest releases. For special subscriber giveaways, discounted books, character sketches and more, sign up for her newsletter at:

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h7r3n5

Website: www.juliajustiss.com
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Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2RK34RO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/63842.Julia_Justiss

Julia Justiss  is graciously offering an ecopy of THE EXPLORER BARONESS to TWO 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.

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9. Giveaway is open internationally

10. Giveaway runs from November 5-10, 2021

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The Christmas Village by Annie Rains-Review & Giveaway

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The Christmas Village (Somerset Lake 2) by Annie Rains-Review & Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 12, 2021

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother’s bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane. With the holidays coming up, the pressure is on to decorate the house for the annual lights competition and maintain her parent’s winning streak. But Lucy already has her hands full as a midwife and a new landlord-to her ex-fiance.

When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he’s grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn’t make it easy to live next door. Sparks still fly between them, and he’d give anything to get back in Lucy’s good graces. But to do that will take much more than just tree trimming and house decorating and contest winning. Will one wildly grand romantic gesture on Christmas Eve finally soften her heart?

•••••••

REVIEW:THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is the second instalment in Annie Rains contemporary, adult SOMERSET LAKE sweet romance series-a spin off from the the author’s SWEETWATER SPRINGS series. This is Sheriff Miles Bruno, and midwife/nurse Lucy Hannigan’s story line. THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Miles and Lucy) THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE follows the rebuilding romance and relationship between Sheriff Miles Bruno, and midwife/nurse Lucy Hannigan. Ten years earlier, couple Miles and Lucy had their entire future ahead of them but Miles broke Lucy’s heart, and in the interim watched as Lucy lost the people she loved. Fast forward to present day wherein Lucy finds herself in financial trouble following the death of her mother, and the numerous unpaid bills that are due before the end of the year. Meanwhile, Sheriff Miles Bruno is about to be homeless, and his only option is to rent an apartment from the woman he once loved bringing him up close and personal with memories from the past. With the approach of the Christmas holidays, Miles offers to help Lucy set up the Hannigan annual Christmas display, a display that Lucy is hoping to enter in the Somerset Lake holiday contest but all is not well in the small town of Somerset Lake, as a vandal has set their sights on the destruction of holiday cheer. What ensues is the second chance romance and relationship between Lucy and Miles, and the potential fall-out as Lucy is unable to let go of the past, taking her frustrations and anger out on the man she still loves.

The relationship between Lucy and Miles is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people torn apart by betrayal, ego, heart break and perception. While Miles reconsiders everything that happened in the past, Lucy is unable to move forward. There are no $ex scenes; the romance is limited.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom refuse to leave well enough alone. The small-town mentality and nosy ‘butinskies’ threaten to destroy a relationship that is already struggling with too many painful reminders.

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is a story of love, loss and second chances. The premise is cute and engaging; the characters are animated; the romance is mostly implied.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE SUMMER COTTAGE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Annie Rain’s publisher (Forever Romance) is graciously offering a paper copy of  THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE  to TWO 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.

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9. Giveaway open to USA and CANADA only

10. Giveaway runs from October 12-15, 2021

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Mile High With a Vampire by Lynsay Sands-Review,Excerpt& Giveaway

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Mile High with a Vampire by Lynsay Sands-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Mile High With a Vampire
Argeneau 33
by Lynsay Sands
Release Date: September 28, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK:Release Date September 28, 2021.

Jet Lassiter likes being a pilot for Argeneau Inc. Perks included travelling to exotic locations and meeting interesting people, even if they are the blood-sucking kind. He’s living the good life, until his plane goes down in the mountains and four of his passengers are gravely injured. They need blood to heal… and Jet is the only source.

Quinn Peters never wanted to be immortal. Once a renowned heart surgeon, she was turned against her will and now she has to drink blood to survive. Before she can ask how her “life” can get any worse, she’s in a plane crash. One of the few survivors, Quinn is desperate to get the mortal pilot to safety before her fellow immortals succumb to their blood lust and drain Jet dry.

But hungry vampires are the least of their worries—the crash wasn’t an accident, and someone is trying to kill Quinn. Will she and Jet find their happily ever after as life mates, or will her assassin find her first?

•••••••

REVIEW: Mile High with a Vampire begins with Quinn Peters asleep on a flight aboard an Argeneau jet. She awakens to loud noises and debris flying everywhere. The next thing she sees is the ground rushing up to meet them and a gaping hole in the side of the plane. She hears an engine start and then the plane leveled out as it tore through the woods and slammed to an abrupt stop. Thankful to be alive, she speaks with another who is on the plane, and they check on the ones still aboard.

Jet Lassiter comes to and sees that the plane is on the ground, but also sees that his friend and mentor had been killed on impact. Jeff Miller had been a great pilot and Jet would miss him terribly. The next thing he saw was a “she-pire” (why in the world would an Argeneau employee ever use that word???) approaching Jeff and he yells at her to get away from him. When Quinn turns toward him, he immediately recognizes her and knows a little bit of her story. If he were being honest with himself, she had starred in a fantasy or two of his, but first things first………. they must get away from the wreckage before the other immortals who were horribly injured in the crash come to and look for the only thing that can help them: blood. Even though Quinn was immortal, Jet wasn’t, and she knew she’d never be able to keep them off him.

Quinn and Jet put as much distance as possible between themselves, the wreckage and the three immortals who were bound to be coming after them. As they navigate the forest around them, they are both aware they are running out of time. They eventually make it to an outpost of sorts that has a small crew of people working there. To say they have their work cut out for them trying to secure the facility, its people and themselves is an understatement. They do what they can until the calvary arrives. What neither of them expected was the pull they have towards each other. However, once they are taken to the enforcer house, things begin to make more sense, even though they both resist at first.

Mile High with a Vampire is a nice addition to the series. I really liked Quinn and Jet’s character development. I just wish there had been more conversation and less of them with their own thoughts. Quinn’s backstory ends up having a lot more layers than we initially learned of in a previous book. The chemistry between Quinn and Jet started slow but soon blossomed into what you expect from Sands. I always love getting to see the characters we’ve come to know and love over the last thirty-two books (this being the thirty-third). If you’re a fan of the genre and a fan of Sands, you’ll certainly enjoy this one! Well done, Lynsay Sands! Very well done!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie

“Do you?”

Quinn blinked her thoughts away at that question and peered up at Jet blankly, wondering when he’d moved in front of her. She could feel the heat of his body, he was so close.

“Do I what?” she asked with confusion.

“Like me?” he asked with amusement, and when she flushed and started to lower her head, Jet caught her chin with one finger and raised it back up, not letting her escape. “Come now. Be fair. You can read my mind so you know that I think you’re incredibly beautiful and have been crazy stupid attracted to you ever since I flew you, Marguerite, and Julius to Toronto from Albany four years ago.”

Quinn’s eyes widened at that news, because she hadn’t read his mind and hadn’t known that. She hadn’t even known he’d been her pilot before this flight.

“Surely you can at least tell me if you find me even a little attractive and might like me the teensiest bit?”

LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there’s occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Please visit her on the web at www.lynsaysands.net.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

Lynsay Sands’ publisher (Harper Collins/Avon Imprint)  is graciously offering a paper copy of  MILE HIGH WITH A VAMPIRE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway is open to US only

10. Giveaway runs from September 30-October 5, 2021

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The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

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The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

THE SOUND OF VIOLET
by Allen Wolf
Release Date: September 21, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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Desperate to find his soulmate, Shawn goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute.

Shawn thinks he’s found a possible wife while Violet thinks she’s discovered her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story takes all kinds of twists and turns and has been adapted into a major motion picture.

••••••••

REVIEW:THE SOUND OF VIOLET is a contemporary, adult, stand alone story focusing on twenty-four year old computer programmer Shawn Lambent, and prostitute Violet ‘Olivia’ Black.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shawn and Violet) THE SOUND OF VIOLET focuses on one man’s desire for love and to be loved. Twenty-four year old, computer programmer Shawn Lambent, is a young man on the autism spectrum, who ‘sees’ sounds in color. Shawn Lambent develops apps for a dating website, and wishes to one day find his own happily ever after. Meeting Violet Black gives Shawn a hope for the future but Shawn is unaware of Violet’s lifestyle, a lifestyle of which she struggles to leave. As Shawn quickly falls for Violet Black not all is well in Violet’s life, and our heroine must battle the man in charge. What ensues is the building relationship between Shawn and Violet, and the potential fall-out as Violet’s life begins to spiral out of control.

Shawn Lambent wants to find love. Having lived with his aging and ailing grandmother most of his life, Shawn fears one day, living alone, and in this, actively searches for someone to love. As a high functioning young man with autism, Shawn struggles with some of the basic day to day life skills, skills that come easy for the average person. Violet Black is a victim who has found herself in a precarious situation. Struggling to get herself free, Violet knows that her life is no longer under her control. ‘Dating’ Shawn Lambent, Violet sees a way out of her life but getting out will be dangerous for everyone involved.

The relationship between Shawn and Violet is predicated on a series of lies. Shawn has no idea that he has fallen in love with a prostitute, and Violet is reluctant to reveal the truth believing she has found an easy mark.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic, reflecting the overall feel of the story line message. We are introduced to Shawn’s grandmother, and his brother Colin, both desperate to protect our story line hero; Violet’s fellow prostitutes Aleesha and Natasha who are caught in a vicious cycle, their pimp Anton; as well as Shawn’s co-workers Tammy and Flynn, and their boss Jake.

THE SOUND OF VIOLET is labelled hilarious and dramatic but I struggled to find anything funny or ‘hilarious’ about the story line content. Allen Wolf addresses autism, discrimination, sexual trafficking, abuse, power and control, and in this the story line is dramatic and intense. There are also several references to religion and religious beliefs, sometimes quoting bible verses in times of stress. As the book has been adapted into a major motion picture, perhaps the tone of the ‘film version’ plays out differently than the book. The premise is imaginative and spirited but often reads like a movie script.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Allen Wolf is an award-winning novelist, filmmaker, and game creator. He is also the host of the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast.

His debut novel “The Sound of Violet” has won multiple accolades and is described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual” by Kirkus Reviews. It is now a major motion picture. (www.TheSoundOfViolet.com)

He has won 39 awards for his games that are available as books, including You’re Pulling My Leg! and You’re Pulling My Leg! Junior. They’ve brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

As a filmmaker, Allen wrote, directed, and produced “In My Sleep,” which was released worldwide, won multiple film festivals, and is available on iTunes and Amazon Prime. Hollywood Reporter raved, “In My Sleep never rests, a credit to the tight, psychologically astute pacing of filmmaker Wolf.”

Allen graduated from New York University’s film school. He married his Persian princess, and they are raising two kids together. He enjoys traveling around the world and hearing other people’s life stories. Allen also cherishes spending time with his family, eating chocolate, and visiting Disneyland.

Allen Wolf’s publisher (Morning Star Publishing) is graciously offering a signed,  paper copy of  THE SOUND OF VIOLET to ONE (1) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from September 20-24, 2021

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Seeder Shadow Wars by J. Houser-Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Seeder Shadow Wars (Seeder Wars 1) by J. Houser-Review, Interview & Giveaway

Seeder Shadow Wars
(Seeder Wars 1)
by J. House
Release Date: September 17, 2021
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

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

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DATING AND HIGH SCHOOL: HARD ENOUGH. NOW ADD ASSASSINS.

Avoiding assassination wasn’t on Mel’s to-do list for her junior year. Learning she wasn’t human hadn’t made the list, either.

An only child with overprotective parents, Melody Walters just wants a drama-free year—and to be able to date. She gains the interest of more than one suitor, but doesn’t realize any one of them could be an enemy on the hunt. For her, the dating scene could prove deadly.

Mel discovers she’s a member of a botanical race, forced to hide their daughters in the human world until they mature enough for their powers to bloom. Something goes wrong with her blooming process, breaking her cover and jeopardizing the lives of her protectors and the large family she’d never known about.

With the enemy threat ever-looming, in a rush to master her new powers before she’s stranded in the human world forever, Mel struggles to decide who she can trust and if the sacrifice being asked of her is too great.

••••••

REVIEW: Mel is just your typical high school student. The usual dramas that come with being that age…..A possible new love interest and the fact her best friend is in love with her! See totally normal stuff.So when she finds out that she’s not human! Well, that throws up a lot of questions, and she needs answers, like now!

Finding out those answers (will make sense of the prologue) only make her life more complicated!Oh and her bitter enemy The Ivies) want her dead! Wait! She has enemies that want her dead! Could her life get anymore complicated? Well yes it can, she can also wield magic!And her parents decide to foster a child, but not a little one! No he had to be an annoying senior in her school!!

So where does her best friend Zach and her new love interest come in?Can they be trusted?Mel begins to look at everyone as a potential enemy!

Wow! That was totally different from anything I’ve read so far.What a great story.Very detailed, very meticulous and well thought out. Lots of background story (which will also make the prologue make sense)Seeders are supernaturals who give life to seeds that will eventually grow into the next generation.The bad guys are the Ivies, they want to annihilate the seeder population from existence, and by separating the next generation and hiding them from the Ivies, the Seeders can try to guarantee that it doesn’t happen.

So will Mel ignore her growing power’s? Or will she go home to Green Lands and learn more about her heritage and help in the fight to win against the enemy? But if she does that she’s going to have to leave all and everyone she knows and loves…..

And now I’m anxious to read what happens next.
It doesn’t hang on a cliffhanger, but it does leave it open to another book (which I’m hoping will be soon) ?

I’d highly recommended this book to lovers of the paranormal and the readers who like something a little different.

? Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

FOLLOW : Facebook / Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Twitter /

J. Houser: I’m a debut indie author, but I aspire to be a multi-genre hybrid author. From adult sci-fi post-apocalyptic romance to young adult dystopian romance, to sweet contemporary romance… Apparently, I have a hard time not writing romance… But, I’m not good at limiting myself to just one kind of story.

TRC:Who or what influenced your career in writing?

J. Houser: I have a hard time answering this because I honestly have never been a huge reader. Perhaps it’s the ADHD, but I have a hard time just focusing on one thing. Once I get into it, I binge-read, but I have a hard time allowing myself to invest that much of myself most of the time. I wasn’t the stereotypical writer that knew as a kid they wanted to do this and constantly wrote stories and begged people to read them. My first novel was written after I turned 35. Once I realized it could be fun to write a journey that I could share with others, something clicked.

TRC:What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

J. Houser: It’s been a TON of learning as a debut indie author. From endless revisions to losing my mind trying to work with the printer … there’s been a lot of learning along the way! I’m hoping that means future releases will go much smoother as I’ve grown so much in this process!

TRC:Would you please tell us something about the premise of SEEDER SHADOW WARS?

J. Houser: SEEDER SHADOW WARS started from a snippet of a dream I had. I had been interested in writing fantasy but wanted something different from the usual tropes. Botanical beings became a thing! Immediately, I knew it involved hidden identities and assassins, and in the mix of it all were clueless humans in their own world.

TRC:What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning SEEDER SHADOW WARS?

J. Houser: I’m very much a discovery writer. I don’t plot much and I had no idea what was going to happen until I wrote it. I find it fun to join the journey with the characters. That said, I wrote the entire trilogy before moving to final edits on book 1 because I had to go back and add a lot more foreshadowing or editing of the magic system to ensure it all made sense.

TRC:How many books do you have planned for the series? Will Melody Walters be the lead heroine in each of the stories?

J. Houser: It all started out as a standalone. Then I found I needed to know more about the world and people involved. It then turned into a trilogy. And then a fourth and fifth book were written… And I have at least 2 more books planned. I might have an addiction. But my beta readers love the couples and so do I, so the series will continue as long as there’s a new unique story worth sharing. Melody Walters is still very present as a POV character in the other books of the main trilogy, but in book 2 we meet another heroine that is a little more front and center in books 2 & 3. One of the other drafted books is the love story and behind-the-scenes of Mel’s parents.

TRC:Believability is an important factor in writing and reading paranormal/fantasy story lines. How do you keep the story line believable in a genre that often crosses the line between reality and fantasy?

J. Houser: Because our heroine grew up thinking she was human, it’s easy for me to get into her head. I try my best to not have overpowered, unrealistic characters. How many teenage girls do you know that are prepared to take on assassins? I really focus on the interiority of the characters for their arcs, making the story character-driven instead of plot-driven. I try to address (throughout the series) a variety of themes like mental health and discrimination. I feel like doing so in a fantasy setting makes more serious conversations accessible. Another thing that helps with believability for me is hard magic—there have to be rules, consequences, limitations.

TRC:Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

J. Houser: Absolutely. We all know ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ is a saying about people and not actually books. We shop with our eyes first.

TRC:When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

J. Houser: There’s some give and take, but as a discovery writer, they often tell me along the way who they are and what they’re going to do. I sometimes sit back and question a scene, asking if it’s really true to what they’d do. There have definitely been revisions along the way. In the end, when I question if their choice is the right one, I’ve been known to say ‘At some point, you have to let the characters be who they are.’

TRC:The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

J. Houser: We need moments of introspection now and then. If we don’t understand the reasoning behind their actions, then we don’t care or relate. I’ve learned that a lot from beta readers. When I haven’t done a good job at showing the character’s emotions and inner thoughts, they can easily come off as careless, stupid, weak, or rude. But once we see their perspective—even if we don’t agree with their choices—we can understand it. In books from other authors that I’ve failed to enjoy, we lack that interiority, that understanding of what makes the characters tick. I feel disconnected and tend to judge the characters more harshly. Awkward prose that makes me stumble (like excessive or weird metaphors every other paragraph when describing how their heart is beating) really makes them feel more distant.

TRC:Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

J. Houser: Very rarely. I have sometimes listened to ‘study music’ to drown out other noises, but I could never write with lyrics on. I get too distracted and it takes me out of the place I need to be.

TRC:What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

J. Houser: As an indie author, I feel like there’s such a nasty stigma about self-publishing. Which is completely understandable, because I’ve read those poorly edited books out there, too… But as someone that’s utilized beta readers, critique partners, editors, etc, I’d like to believe that people could give us more of a chance to see if we’ve made the investment. We don’t all just jot down some thoughts, doodle a cover, and slap it on Kindle.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, knows about you?

J. Houser: That I’m absolutely terrified to be focusing so much on my publishing career, lol. I’ve quit my day job. I know that’s not the ‘smart’ thing to do. I’ve been told I’m brave. But really, it’s a combo of self-acceptance of where I’m at in my life, and absolute desperation in wanting a fulfilling, creative career. I’ve always been a good employee, but my personality and mental health don’t fair all that well in a traditional workplace. I’ve always had the drive, but not the courage, to be an entrepreneur. Creating and sharing are a major part of who I am.

TRC:Who or what influenced your path towards a young adult, paranormal story line?

J. Houser: I’m often drawn to writing YA books because I like the themes (i.e. self-discovery, navigating big changes in life) and because I tend to like things a bit ‘tamer.’ No on-page sex or tons of swearing. They say to write what you want to read. And as crazy as it sounds, as a woman in my mid-thirties—I feel like I relate to these teens after having gone through a divorce. I find myself back at square one asking, like them, ‘where to now?’ As for fantasy or paranormal… I grew up watching Star Trek and Stargate with my dad. Yeah, those are sci-fi, but it’s in the same arena. There’s a fun escapism involved.

TRC:On what are you currently working?

J. Houser: Everything and nothing? As a writer with ADHD, I’m often working on multiple manuscripts at a time. Though lately, I’ve been so occupied with learning things like formatting and marketing that I haven’t had time to just sit and write all of the stories mentally plotted in my head. Next, I’ll probably rewrite the short story that takes place between books 1 & 2 in this series that will be a preorder bonus for readers.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Pizza

Favorite Dessert
Chewy brownies

Favorite TV Show
I don’t actually watch TV much. I mostly binge Youtube.

Last Movie You Saw
One of the newer Disney ones… can’t remember the name.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Depends on the mood and what it’s paired with.

Secret Celebrity Crush
I’m weird. Don’t really have one.

Last Vacation Destination
Utah to visit family for Christmas

Do you have any pets?
My mini poodle/bichon frise pup, Mia. We’re each other’s emotional support creature.

Last book you read
Book 2 in my series as I edited? lol. I think it was The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson.

TRC:Thank you J. Houser for the great interview answers. Congratulations on the release of your first novel SEEDER SHADOW WARS

J. Houser is graciously offering an ebook copy of SEEDER SHADOW WARS to two (2) commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

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The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding…six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

 

 

Review:

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is a cute fun and sexy rom-com novel.  Olive Smith, our heroine, is working on her Ph.D in her third year at Stanford; she is a workaholic, always in the lab.  Olive keeps to herself, with the exception of some of her close friends, and isn’t interested in dating.  When one of the students, Jeremy, asks her out, Olive discovers her best friend, Anh is interested in Jeremy.  In order to convince her friend that she isn’t interested in him, she claims she has a boyfriend, and when she sees Anh walking toward her, Olive runs to the nearest man and kisses him.

Adam Carlsen, our hero, is a professor at the school, with many students not liking him, as he is tough.  Adam is shocked when Olive kisses him out of nowhere, and pushes her to tell him why she kissed him. When she apologizes and explains she is trying to convince her friend that she already has a boyfriend.  To her shock, Adam will agree to be the ‘fake-boyfriend’. She meets him weekly at the coffee shop to continue their pretense, and Adam convinces her they need to appear more expressive showing off their feelings in front of others.  In reality, both of them will slowly become very comfortable around each other, and their relationship will heat up, though it does take time.  Olive tries to ignore her feelings, especially looking at the hot professor, who is her pretend boyfriend.  Adam goes out of his way to always help Olive, as well as give her more confidence.  I loved them together, and constantly wished they would succumb to their lustful feelings, which was fun to watch.

Olive’s mother died of pancreatic cancer, and she had devoted her life to become a scientist, to find a cure for that cancer.  Olive was a great leading character, with a number of issues, being nervous, awkward, lack of self-confidence; but she is also loyal, fun and adorable when she is with Adam.  She does excel at her work, and gets the attention of other labs away from Stanford to give her more room and help in her work.  When she gets an offer from another professor at Harvard, who happens to be Adam’s friend, Olive is ecstatic. 

What follows is a fun, humorous, sexy and entertaining rom-com, with a fabulous couple, excellent secondary characters (Anh, Malcom, Holden, Jeremy), great banter, as well as being steamy.  There are some surprising developments closer to the end, and I loved how Olive was able to stand up to fight some issues. But most of all I loved Adam, how he put Olive first, always helping her throughout. Adam and Olive where such a wonderful couple, who were so much fun together, not to mention steamy.  I suggest you read The Love Hypothesis, so very well written by Ali Hazelwood.   This was too much fun to miss.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Ali Hazelwood’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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RECLAIMED by Madeleine Roux-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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RECLAIMED by Madeleine Roux-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 17, 2021

In this claustrophobic science fiction thriller, a woman begins to doubt her own sanity and reality itself when she undergoes a dangerous experiment.

The Ganymede compound is a fresh start. At least that’s what Senna tells herself when she arrives to take part in a cutting-edge scientific treatment, where participants have traumatic memories erased.

And Senna has reasons for wanting to escape her past.

But almost as soon as the treatment begins, Senna finds more than just her traumatic memories disappearing. She hardly recognizes her new life or herself. Even though the symptoms for the process might justify the cure, Senna knows that something isn’t right. As her symptoms worsen, Senna will need to band together with the other participants to unravel the mystery of her present, and save her future.

•••••••

REVIEW:RECLAIMED by Madeleine Roux is a futuristic, sci-fi, dystopian story line focusing on three humans who have suffered extraordinary personal tragedies, and have been offered a once in a lifetime chance to erase the specific memories from their pasts.

Told from several third person perspectives including Senna, Zurri and Han, RECLAIMED is set in the middle of the twenty-third century, when space travel, AI servitors, VIT, and VR are the norm. Wealthy entrepreneur and self-proclaimed genius Paxton Dunn has set up an experimental lab, at the Ganymede compound, on one of the moons of Jupiter, and has contacted our three leading characters for his inaugural test subjects and specific memory erasure. All three subjects have suffered through horrific experiences, and Paxton has targeted each for who they are, and what they know but the ‘treatment’ sessions begin to reveal that something is not quite right with Paxton and his crew, and the subjects begin to lose a little more of themselves with each progressive session.

Senna is a young woman who has spent most of her life controlled by a charismatic leader, a leader who dominated and restricted every aspect of her life but like many of his type, the need for power and control outweighed the safety of his followers, and in the end Senna is the only one to survive. Loneliness and innocence ooze through her broken façade.

Zurri is a super model with an ego to match but a stalker demanded Zurri’s attention. A televised promotion for Zurri’s new line of cosmetics ensured the world watched as her stalker appealed his final challenge. No amount of facial cream will heal the pain or memories of what happened and why.

Han is a fourteen year old, computer IT wizard, but he too, lost everything to a man man whose need to control destroyed many lives. On the fast track to genius, Han may become Paxton’s protégé, but a protégé that is about to take down a man he once considered his hero.

Madeleine Roux pulls the reader into a story of what ifs and hows? What if someone or something could erase the bad memories leaving only the good ones intact? …but therein lies the problem when memories are erased, what is left behind is a gaping ‘black hole’ of nothing, and in its’ place is darkness and pain. As our three ‘test subjects’ begin to breakdown both physically and emotionally, each will come to realize that their lives are no longer under their control.

RECLAIMED is a thought-provoking and aptly cautionary tale of desperation and loneliness, power and obsession, arrogance and egomania, suffering and pain. The premise is twisted and haunting, complex yet equally easy to read.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt kindly provided by the publisher

 

RECLAIMED by Madeleine Roux
Ace Trade Paperback Original | On sale August 17, 2021
Excerpt
More than anything else Senna remembered the bitter silence. At some point during the night, everyone around her on the ship stopped breathing. The soft, human sounds of sleep had mixed with the reverberation of space outside the passenger craft, a lullaby of organic white noise that helped her drift to sleep, but once it was gone, the absence was far louder. Unmistakable.
It was like how she imagined the dead of winter, still and adrift, though Senna had never experienced a true winter herself. Her entire life had been lived in outer space and, more than that, in almost total confinement.
She had taken a pill and gone to sleep surrounded by life, then woke among the dead. Senna had rolled over, tossing restlessly, and felt her hand brush something cold and almost rubbery on the sleeping mat next to hers. Startled by the sensation, she jerked awake, and under the reddish glow of the emergency lights above, she found herself staring down into the open, glazed eyes of her best friend, Mina. The blood trickling from between Mina’s full lips was as crimson as the emergency lights blinking overhead.
Senna gasped, and it was the only sound in the entire ship.
Oh my God. They’re all dead.
“You can’t leave me,” she whispered to Mina. The fear made her tremble; the shock made her grab Mina by the shoulders and shake. Her bones were thin and birdlike, and her head swiveled back and forth as Senna tried to rouse her. Nothing.
A door opened across the room, and Senna whirled to face it, torn between the sudden knowledge that she was alone and now the worse fear that she wasn’t, that whoever was responsible for all this death was still alive and with her. That she was next.
“Senna,” she heard him say. “I didn’t know you were awake.”
Why was she the only one left alive? And why wasn’t he surprised by it? She didn’t know what to say. What could she say?
They’re all dead, every last one of them, except for you and me.
“Hello? Lady? Earth to blondie.”
She blinked, hard, gazing around not at the interior of a doomed passenger craft, but at an impatient barista glaring down into her face. Grabbing her chest, Senna nodded and waved at him, but the memory took its time fading away. One year ago. It still felt like she was living inside that moment, crushed on all sides by it.
I didn’t know you were awake, Preece had said. To her, it still felt like she was deep, deep asleep. Dragged under.
“S-Sorry,” Senna stammered. She hadn’t been outside Marin’s apartment in weeks. The neon haze of Tokyo Bliss Station hurt her eyes. A halo lingered around the barista’s head, the self-driving coffee cart lit with an amber glow. “How much is it?”
“Ten for the drink,” the barista replied. He was tall and thin, tattooed from the collar of his shirt and apron to his mouth. A series of scrollwork arrows pointed to the ring glinting in his lip. “Three for the cup.”
Senna frowned up at him. “Three? Really?”
Rolling his eyes, he shrugged and handed her the mottled brown cup, frothy yellow liquid steaming inside. “Fine, no charge for the cup. Bring something reusable next time, okay? Anything else I can get you?”
Senna stared down into the drink, the familiar color and smell threatening to bring another wave of painful nostalgia.
Anything else, she mused. A new brain? A tranquilizer?
“No,” Senna told the young man. “No, I’m . . . That’s all.”
“Just remember the cup thing,” he muttered, tapping the scanner on the coffee cart counter, waiting for Senna to hold up her wrist and flash the VIT monitor that ought to be there. But Senna still didn’t have one. The barista noticed, the specter of his shaved-off brows looming low over his eyes.
“She will.” Marin to the rescue. “She’ll remember for next time. And I’ll take a sweet drip.”
The barista sighed. “Line jumpers pay double for their cups.”
“Fine.”
Marin, petite and dressed in pristine white patent leather, with a glossy black curtain of hair, leaned across Senna and swiped her own wrist monitor across the scanner. The machine dinged cheerfully, transaction complete. She glared at the thing toiling away behind the barista. AI Servitors, working husks of robots skinned with a kind of human latex mask over a carbon skeleton, were ubiquitous laborers across the stations, on the colonies and on science vessels.
“You know SecDiv is going to roll out lifelike versions of those things soon? With human fucking faces and skin and everything? I guess the regular peacekeeping bots aren’t intimidating enough or something,” said Marin in a disgusted undertone. She shuddered. “So creepy.”
“Will we be able to tell the difference?” Senna asked, more amazed than afraid.
“I’ve seen this dystopian vid, and the answer is no.”
As soon as the coffee arrived, Marin tugged Senna away from the cart quickly, back toward the carbon-black folding chairs and tables clustered on the promenade. The glitzier upper levels of the station rotated above them, rings that rose to impossible heights-financial districts and fashion houses, arcade blocks, cosmetic surgery clinics, augmented-reality parlors and universities . . . Down on their level, close to the bottom of the station and Hydroponica, nothing could be done to control the heat. The food and water operations needed the cooling systems, not the impoverished districts hovering just above them.
So Senna drank her haldi ka doodh in the swelter, accustomed to it. The hot turmeric milk almost scorched her mouth as she took a sip.
“I don’t know how you can drink that stuff,” Marin murmured.
“It’s good,” said Senna, shrugging.
“Blegh. Anyway, sorry I’m late.”
Senna sat across from her at one of the empty tables. The lunch rush crowd swarmed around them in the plaza, drawn to the coffee cart for their midday blast of caffeine. Behind them, six lanes of self-driving cars and a passenger tram funneled workers back toward the main bank of elevators at the center of the district, elevators that ran the full height of the station.
“Don’t worry about it,” Senna said, waving off her apology while swatting at the vapor rising from her milk. She liked the slightly grassy taste of the drink. It made her wonder if it was the kind of earthy smell one experienced during a real Earth summer.
“I do worry,” Marin replied, drinking her coffee. Her nose wrinkled. “Shit. They forgot my Zucros.”
“I can wait.”
“No, I shouldn’t leave you alone again.”
Senna ran her thumb lightly around the softening edge of her disposable cup. She felt stupid and small and unmanageable when Marin said things like that. But Senna also knew she had earned being babied. 


 

New York Times Bestselling Author of the ASYLUM series, Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, Sadie Walker Is Stranded and the upcoming House of Furies series.

MADELEINE ROUX received her BA in Creative Writing and Acting from Beloit College in 2008. In the spring of 2009, Madeleine completed an Honors Term at Beloit College, proposing, writing and presenting a full-length historical fiction novel. Shortly after, she began the experimental fiction blog Allison Hewitt Is Trapped. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped quickly spread throughout the blogosphere, bringing a unique serial fiction experience to readers.

Born in Minnesota, she now lives and works in Seattle, Washington.

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Madeleine Roux’s publisher (Berkley/Penguin/Random) is graciously offering a paper copy of  RECLAIMED to ONE (1) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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Have You Seen Me? by Alexandrea Weis-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Have You Seen Me? (Waverly Prep 1) by Alexandrea Weis-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2021

Lindsey Gillett is missing.

And she’s not the first girl at Waverly High to vanish without a trace.

To help cope with the tragedy, new history teacher Aubrey LaRoux organizes a student investigation team. But when the project’s key members start turning up dead across campus, Aubrey suspects there’s more going on than anyone is willing to admit.

The murdered students all had something in common with Lindsey. They shared a secret. And what they uncovered could threaten the future of the historic school.

At Waverly High, someone wants to keep the past buried—and you don’t want to get in their way.

•••••••

REVIEW:HAVE YOU SEEN ME? by Alexandrea Weis is a contemporary, young adult, mystery/murder thriller focusing on the investigation and search for a number of missing girls who attended Waverly Prepatory school in Louisiana.

Told from several third person perspectives including former student turned history teacher Aubrey LaRoux, HAVE YOU SEEN ME? follows the search for the truth. Upon her arrival, two months into the new school year, history teacher Aubrey LaRoux discovers a young female student is missing, the step-sister of another young woman who went missing ten years earlier, when Aubrey was a student attending Waverly High. Aubrey is about to find herself the target of a number of students believing she is the guilty party, a target that is about to become involved in the search for the truth. As the missing and dead begin to pile up, Aubrey and several of her first period students, begin an investigation of their own, only to find themselves disappearing, one student at a time.

HAVE YOU SEEN ME? reads like a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys murder mystery with overtones of teenage slasher movies including Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. As per the requisite plot points, the teens and their teacher begin to uncover the clues, and the long buried secrets of Waverly High, but the TSTL attitudes threatens everyone involved. One by one, each of the students involved in the investigation disappears and die, leaving Aubrey and one final student to uncover the truth.

We are introduced to sheriff Mason Dubois, Headmistress Sara Probst, groundskeeper Mr. Samuel, as well as a number of students including Lindsey Gillett.

HAVE YOU SEEN ME? is a haunting story of power, control, betrayal and vengeance; a suspenseful tale of secrets, lies, and obsession dating back close to twenty-five years. The premise is edgy but predictable; the characters are inquisitive, energetic and impassioned. HAVE YOU SEEN ME? ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Tall stalks whipped against Lindsey’s legs as she ran. Her ragged breath broke through the silence of the dark, isolated field. She put everything she had into maneuvering through the deep weeds. Her chest burned, but an icy dread kept her desperate to outrun the beam of light following her.
Exhausted, Lindsey paused and kneeled by a thicket of grass, hoping to remain out of sight. But then a flashlight locked on her position. She startled and stumbled backward, tripping over something.
Falling to the boggy ground, weeds slapped her face, and her leg scraped against a sharp object.
Son of a …
Lindsey grabbed her leg but kept silent as a sting flared above her ankle. When she reached down, the spot was wet to the touch.
Blood. Crap. That will leave a trail.
She discovered the cause of her fall—a marker built of stone.
Lindsey had heard stories about the famous battlefield and the single marker left to remember the fallen soldiers.
“Where are you going to run, Lindsey?”
The nondescript, guttural voice seemed to surround her.
Lindsey hurried to get up while scouring the trees. She judged the distance it would take her to get lost in their shadows.
She surveyed the endless acres of grass. There was nowhere else to go.
A tickle raced across her neck, awakening an intense dread. The locket she kept close—the one containing pictures of her and Marjorie—had slipped off.
Not my locket!
She wanted to search the grass for the prized memento, but there was no time. The rays of the flashlight found her.
Lindsey summoned her courage, determined to lose her tormentor.
The hurried whoosh of trampled weeds drew closer.
Lindsey cursed. She took off, dashing for the trees, not looking back. She ran into pockets of thick mud and her legs tired as she struggled.
A ray of moonlight broke through the clouds. Lindsey examined the outline of the land. The grass thinned before the line of trees.
She kept going, and when she broached the trees, relief rolled through her.
Branches scratched her face. The sting they left brought tears to her eyes, but she pushed on.
Almost there.
The pine needles crunched beneath her feet, alerting her pursuer to where she was.
Then another sound rose in the air—churning water. The bend in the fast-moving Bayou Teche was ahead. She lunged for the end of the tree line.
Around her was more tall grass, and then ahead, piers poked out of the swirling waterway.
A dark structure appeared on her left. Rising against the night sky, its craggy outline hinted at crumbled walls and a collapsed roof. A smokestack rose like a column into the dark sky.
Lindsey ran, glimpsing trash piles and abandoned machinery around the site of the old sugar mill.
A darting orb of light swept past her.
She charged toward the river’s edge.
The piers got closer, and she spotted the remains of the old dock, its rotting planks poking out along the shoreline.
Lindsey closed in on the water, knowing she had no place else to go.
A light behind her danced along the water’s surface, heightening her fear.
The riverbank came up quickly. Lindsey paused on the edge, staring into the churning current at the river’s bend.
She looked back over her shoulder. “I’ll see you in hell.”
Lindsey dove into the swirling currents. The cold shocked her just as an undertow pulled her down. She fought to get to the surface. Panic ate up her oxygen as she kicked hard, but she wasn’t gaining any ground.
Darkness closed around her, engulfing Lindsey in blinding terror.

Alexandrea Weis is graciously offering an ebook copy of HAVE YOU SEEN ME? to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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