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Last Guard by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

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Last Guard by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Termed merciless by some, and a robotic sociopath by others, Payal Rao is the perfect Psy: cardinal telekinetic, CEO of a major conglomerate, beautiful—and emotionless.

For Canto Mercant, family and loyalty are everything. A cardinal telepath deemed “imperfect” by his race due to a spinal injury, Canto cares for the opinions of very few—and ruthlessly protects those he claims as his own. Head of intel of the influential Mercant family, he prefers to remain a shadow in the Net, unknown and unseen. But Canto is also an Anchor, part of a secretive designation whose task it is to stabilize the PsyNet. Now that critical psychic network is dying, threatening to collapse and kill the entire Psy race with it.

To save those he loves, Canto needs the help of a woman bound to him by a dark past neither has been able to forget. A woman who is the most powerful Anchor of them all: Payal Rao. Neither is ready for the violent inferno about to ignite in the PsyNet…or the passionate madness that threatens to destroy them both.

 

 

Review:

Last Guard by Nalini Singh is the 5th book in her wonderful Psy-Changeling Trinity series.  I have noted many times that Nalini Singh is one of my must read go to authors.  I love both of her Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series.  Nalini never fails to give us a fantastic story, fabulous couple, as well as great secondary characters. No one does world building so smoothly and flawlessly better than Nalini Singh.

Payal Rao, our heroine, is the CEO of the Rao family. Payal is considered cold, merciless and ruthless; she is a powerful cardinal telekinetic, as well as a strong Psy.  What most people do not know is that Payal is also a secret unknown designation A (Anchor).

Canto Mercant, our hero, is a cardinal telepath, and is the head of intel for the Mercant family.  Canto suffered a serious injury when he was a child, and because of that, he is wheelchair bound, unable to feel his legs.  But that does not stop him, as he is powerful member of the family, as well as also being an Anchor.  Canto has noticed on the PsyNet things coming apart, and researches all the unknown A’s, and begins to bring the Anchors together to help the coalition fix the PsyNet before it falls apart; the coalition does not even know anything about the Anchors, which will change.

Canto contacts Payal, and when she agrees to meet him, to his shock, she is the young girl who saved his life all those years ago; he has been looking for her for many years.  They are both damaged, having been sent to a place that almost killed them, but now they have risen above the trauma times, and together they will rise to bring the Anchors forward to try and save the PsyNet.  The chemistry between Payal and Canto was fantastic, and I loved how slowly Canto, gets Payal to open herself to feelings and love; and a unique bond made them that much more powerful. They were a phenomenal couple.  

Though her background is known to be dangerous and ruthless, it was fun to watch Canto bring Payal to meet his grandmother, who is also dangerous and ruthless.  Almost immediately, the grandmother sees that Payal is powerful, but the love she has for Canto is very apparent, and Payal in time will become  part of the strong Mercant family.  Canto comes from a strong family, but a loving one; whereas Payal family is dysfunctional, with her father being the head and manipulative, and her brother a dangerous evil sociopath.
 
What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing and action-packed story that kept me glued to my kindle, unable to put the book down. Last Guard was also a fantastic, as well as emotional love story of two damaged people, with a bond that will continue to grow, bringing them totally together.  I loved Payal and Canto together, as they sizzled throughout the pages, as well as being powerful Anchors to help find a way to save the PsyNet.  I also loved seeing many of our previous heroes, such as Kaleb, Nikita, Aden, Ivy, Anthony, Silver, Valentine, etc.  Last Guard leaves off with the continued threat of an unknown enemy, who is planning on destroying the Psy/Net. 

Last Guard was so very well written by Nalini Singh, which has always been the norm. She never fails to captivate me with her engaging creative stories, fantastic plots, and seamless world building; wonderful couples in each and every story; super secondary characters and fantastic world-building.   I loved every moment of Last Guard.  As I have noted many times, if you have not read Nalini Singh, you are missing such a gem of an author.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Nalini’s publisher is offering Hardcover copy of LAST GUARD to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from July 20 – 24, 2021

 

 

 

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Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

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Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

 

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Description:
My mother vanished ten years ago.
So did a quarter of a million dollars in cash.
Thief. Bitch. Criminal.
Now, she’s back.
Her bones clothed in scarlet silk.

When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband.

But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that’s housed the same influential families for decades.

The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night ten years ago.

Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he’s determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance…but no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark.

Even the dead aren’t allowed to break the rules in this cul-de-sac.

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Quiet in her Bones by Nalini Singh is a standalone mystery thriller. Aarav Rai, our hero, is a well-known famous author who writes thrillers.  10 years ago, his mother disappeared, as well as a quarter of million in cash; and he has never gotten over his mother leaving him.   Aarav, who was 16 years old at the time of her disappearance, continues to have nightmares of that night; he goes to two doctors for his multiple issues with a broken foot, as well as a brain injury that causes him confusion. To his shock, a body was discovered in the nearby forest area of the elite area for the rich where he lives.  Turns out the body (totally in bones) was his mother, wearing the same clothes from that night; which means she never left the family, but was murdered.

The story revolves around Aarav, as he is determined to find the truth of what really happened.  Even though he is the hero in this story, he is very much fragmented, with his physical and mental issues (memory loss, delusions, forgetfulness, etc), causing confusion as to what is real.  Aarav loved his mother, though despite her love for him, she was a passionate, but hard women who drank and cheated; which is not surprise as the father was the worst of them, equally hated by wife, son, and all the cul de sac neighbors.  Who killed Nina and why, especially with many people being suspects?

Aarav becomes obsessed with solving the crime, questioning everything he remembered from that night years ago, and questioning all the neighbors who were possible suspects. There were so many twists and turns along the way, that at times was riveting and holding our breaths; but also confusing with all the mind games.  I will say for the most part, I did not care for most of the characters, as they were difficult, with only a select few being nice.  I did like Shanti, Par, Lily and Diana; the detectives on the case were good.  Aarav was a good hero, but his issues were really wacked out, making me question what was a dream or real.

What follows is an exciting, challenging mystery that was changing the game quite often.  I can’t say too much more, as it would be spoilers and that would ruin it for you.  Nalini Singh created a mindboggling mystery that held our attention throughout.  If you like mystery thrillers, I suggest you read, Quiet in her Bones.

 

 

Sandy’s Review:QUIET IN HER BONES by Nalini Singh is a stand alone, contemporary, adult thriller focusing on the potential murder of socialite Nina Rai.

Told from first person perspective Aarav Rai (Nina’s son) using present day and memories from the past, QUIET IN HER BONES follows ten years after the disappearance of Aarav’s mother, a disappearance under mysterious circumstances in the wake of his parents’ numerous affairs. Aarav was only sixteen years old when his mother went missing from their family home. A late night fight between his parents saw Aarav’s beloved mother leave, never to return until, ten year later, a search crew found her remains, along with her car, buried deep within a ravine now covered in branches and leaves. A now famous mystery author whose only book became a number one best seller turned movie, Aarav begins an investigation of his own only to realize that everyone was suspect including his father and himself.

Aarav Rai’s life is spiralling out of control. An accident that left our hero recovering at the family home finds Aarav suspicious of everyone and everything, bordering of paranoia, psychosis, heart break and pain but as Aarav’s search for the truth begins to reveal a disturbing possibility, there may have been more to his mother’s disappearance than anyone could have ever imagined.

QUIET IN HER BONES is a slow building, intricate and complex story line of mystery and suspense. The Rai family live in a well-to-do Cul-de-Sac where infidelity is rampant, and secret and lies are the order of the day. Similar in feel to Peyton Place, and former American prime time television series Knot’s Landing, and Desperate Housewives, QUIET IN HER BONES reveals the soap-operaesque lifestyle of the rich and famous whose scandalous lives are fodder for gossip and lies.

The back and forth between present day and memories is a little difficult to navigate at times as there is no delineation between the present and the past, often addressed within the context of the same paragraph. The slow build reveals a mosaic of possible suspects, their lives, their loves, their secrets and sins.

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Archangel’s Sun (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

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Archangel’s Sun (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review

 

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Description:
The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.

It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.

There is no one left…but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift…

•••••••••••

Sandy’s Review: ARCHANGEL’S SUN is the thirteenth full-length instalment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/ paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. This is the archangel of Africa Titus, and Angel Lady Sharine, aka the Hummingbird’s story line ARCHANGEL’S SUN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order. For followers and fans, the Hummingbird is Illium aka Bluebell’s mother.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Titus and Sharine) ARCHANGEL’S SUN picks up in the aftermath of the Cascade that destroyed many of the Archangel’s strongholds and cities throughout the world. At the request of New York’s Archangel Raphael, Lady Sharine has been tasked with helping archangel of Africa Titus in his struggle to rebuild but the war continues in Africa as Lijuan and Chrisemnon’s creations-the reborn- are terrorizing and destroying everything and everyone in their path but a more dangerous weapon and heinous creature is about to be revealed, and with it the possibility of the destruction of angelkind. What ensues is the continued battle with the reborn, and the building romance and relationship between our leading couple.

Lady Sharine is an artist among the angels, the mother to Illium, and a mother –like figure to Archangel Raphael but Sharine’s past is shrouded in heart break and despair, and our heroine has struggled with the knowledge that everyone she has loved has been taken from her or destroyed her faith in the world. Believed to have been wounded, insane and broken, Lady Sharine is a strong woman, and an even stronger ‘warrior’ with a hidden ability of which nobody is aware. Titus knows he comes off as obnoxious and loud, preferring to yell rather than coddle his warriors but with the arrival of Lady Sharine something softens within our story line hero, as they work together to rid his holdings of the zombie-like reborn, and in doing so, search for a possible link and antidote to the flesh eating virus.

The relationship between Titus and Shirane begins acrimoniously as Titus believes Shirane is too frail and sickly to help with the rebuild. Centuries of rumors and innuendo regarding Shirane’s mental and emotional health have weighed heavily amongst the angels and Archanges but Shirane is about to surprise Titus with her abilities and powers, not only as an artist, but an angel worthy of being a consort. The lone $ex scenes is passionate but mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of virtual secondary and supporting characters most of whom we have met in the previous instalments: Archangel Raphael, Sharine’s ex and Illium’s father Archangel Aegaeon, Raphael’s mother Archangel Caliane; Archangels Suyin, Neha and Alexander; vampire Trace; Titus’ spymaster Ozias; angels Tanae, Tzadiq, Orios; as well as Titus’ sisters Zuri, and Nala.

ARCHANGEL’S SUN is a story of betrayal and revenge; recovery and revelations; friendships, relationships and love. The premise is edgy and tragic ; the characters are energetic, colorful, captivating and strong; the slow building romance is sensitive. Another wonderful addition to Nalini Singh’s GUILD HUNTER series.

______________

 

Barb’s Review:
Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh is the 13th book in her fantastic Guild Hunter series.  Once again Nalini Singh continues to amaze us with another fantastic addition to this series.  The last book was so intense, exciting and mindboggling from start to finish, and I thought perhaps Archangel’s Sun would be at a slower pace; but even though this book was not as epic, it was an amazing wonderful story that also kept the flow continue to be seamless.

With all the world affected, the Archangels are all working overtime to fight the horrific situations throughout.  Titus, our hero, has taken over as the Archangel of Africa, where the evil now deceased Lijuan, created the horrible reborn (rotting creatures/crazed vampires).  Titus has his hands full, with all of his angels and warriors struggling and working night and day to kill the reborn; as well as trying to stop the other deceased Archangel Charisemnon’s (Archangel of Disease) creations that could be even worse.   To his surprise, Raphael sends help in the form of the infamous Hummingbird (Sharine); which he isn’t too pleased about, since she is a well-loved woman with gifts, but not someone who is able to help in this battle.  Of course, he will be in for a big surprise

Sharine, our heroine, (Illium’s mom, as well as Aodhan’s adopted mom) has been helping run Lumia, but accepts Raphael’s decision to go to Africa.  Sharine has spent many years slowly putting herself back together (recovering from her tragic fractured mind, and from a deep slumber),  to rise up become what she was meant to be.  I absolutely loved Sharine, her confidence, toughness, and her learning the powers she had fully forgotten about.  She was such a delight, and it was so much fun to watch her early on stand up to Titus, and his shock at her behavior, as she was supposed to be a quiet gifted and fragile woman who people adored, not someone constantly answering him back. 

Titus is a well-respected and fierce 3000 year warrior, who found himself after a rough beginning falling for the wonderful Sharine.  I loved watching them together, as she managed to bring him down a peg or two, especially when their feelings for each other became apparent.  Together they worked to find clues as to what Charisemnon was hiding, and we also got to see Sharine learn to use her powers to help Titus and his team.

Archangel’s Sun was a wonderful, sweet, fun, romantic, as well as emotional story that made this into a fabulous addition to this series.  Both Titus and Sharine were a fantastic couple that had us rooting for them from the start.   As in just about every book I read from Nalini Singh, I could not put this book down.  Though enough details are given through the book, I do suggest you read the previous book for cohesion.  If you are new to the series, you should start where it all began. Bravo to Nalini for giving us a fantastic couple in Titus and Sharine.    Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, and if you are not reading her books, you need to start now.

 

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Alpha Night by Nalini Singh – a Review

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Alpha Night by Nalini Singh – a Review

 

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Description:
Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.

Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.

Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

 

 

Review:

Alpha Night by Nalini Singh is the 4th book in her wonderful Psy-Changeling Trinity series.  I can’t say enough about Nalini Singh.  She has become my go to author, as I love her Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series.   She never fails to give us a sensational story, wonderful characters, and each book continues to flow seamlessly.  No one does world building so smoothly and flawlessly better than Nalini Singh.   Once again, in Alpha Night, Nalini has created a masterpiece that grabs hold of me and never ever let’s go until the very end. 

Alpha Night takes us back to Russia and the BlackEdge wolf pack, with Selenka Durev as our heroine and alpha of BlackEdge.  Selenka is somewhat on edge, as she is one of the hosts of the first world symposium, causing a bit of chaos with so many former Psy and empaths.  Violence erupts as an attack from an unknown source threatens.  Ethan Night, our hero, and Arrow, comes to the rescue, killing an E to stop the attack.  When Selenka approaches Ethan, the two of them are both thrown for a shock, as they immediately feel the mating bond; an Arrow and Alpha wolf; an unusual bond.  Another attacker attempts to kill Ethan, but he manages to stop the culprit. 

Selenka is a powerful and strong leader and dangerous wolf, but she is loyal to her pack, who adore her.   Ethan automatically begins to see color, but fears that he is damaged and a killer; but he is drawn to the beautiful Selenka, and promises his loyalty to her.  He is the Knight to her Queen.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing and action-packed story that kept me glued to the book, unable to put it down. Nalini has a way of creating such wonderful secondary characters, and I loved all of Selenka’s pack members.  Selenka, who is powerful, tough and totally in control, must deal with the murder of one of her own, and find out who betrayed them? Ethan works with Aden and Kaleb to try to stop the destruction on the Psy Net, and discover who is doing this.  Who is the evil Architect?

Besides all the tense excitements, Alpha Night is also a beautiful romance between two unlikely people, with so much chemistry between them that sizzles the pages.  I loved Selenka and Ethan together, as they made such a wonderful loving couple.  Selenka was a fantastic heroine, who was also our first female Alpha, and a great one, as was strong, independent, savvy, loving and loyal to those she loved.

Selenka, though very much in love with Ethan,  knows he is convinced that he is a killer, and the time together could be short if he turns rogue.  Ethan was a damaged but great hero, who was very protective of Selenka.  This was a wonderful romance, with so many sweet, emotional and tense moments; especially when Ethan realizes how strong his love is for Selenka. Once again, an awesome romance and awesome couple.  I loved seeing many of our favorites, such as Sascha; Ivy, Aden, Kaleb, Abbot, Silver/Valentin, and Alexei/Memory and even briefly, Lucas.    

I can’t say enough about Nalini Singh, as I have said over and  over, she is my go-to author, who never fails to captivate me with her engaging creative stories, fantastic plots, and seamless world building; wonderful couples in each and every story; super secondary characters and fantastic world-building.   I loved every moment of Alpha Night.  I have said this so many times, if you have not read Nalini Singh, you are missing such a gem of an author.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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LOVE HARD (Hard Play #3) by Nalini Singh-a review

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LOVE HARD (Hard Play #3) by Nalini Singh- review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date Mach 10 2020

Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.

As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.

Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.

•••••••••

REVIEW: LOVE HARD is the third instalment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult HARD PLAY erotic, romance series focusing on the Bishop-Esera family. This is rugby player and single father Jacob Esera, and businesswoman and Vice-President of Operations and Supply as EE Designs Juliet Nelisi’s story line. LOVE HARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. LOVE HARD crosses over with characters from the author’s ROCK KISS series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jacob and Juliet) LOVE HARD is an enemies to lovers story line that follows the building relationship between New Zealand rugby player and single father Jacob Esera, and businesswoman Juliet Nelisi. Years earlier, Jacob Esera lost his best friend and the woman he loved just weeks after giving birth to their infant daughter, and in the ensuing time Jacob focused on being the best father he could be but his brother’s wedding brought back his childhood nemesis, and his late-girlfriend’s best friend, Juliet Nelisi, back into his life. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Juliet and Jacob, and the potential fall-out as Juliet’s ex tries desperately to destroy her life.

Jacob and Juliet were like oil and water, and the only thing they had in common was Juliet’s best friend, and Jacob’s girlfriend Calypso Simpson but a destructive life-style pushed Juliet out of their life. Having married more for security and companionship, Juliet would later divorce after starring in her very own media drama. Jacob Esera’s family has always been there including help in raising his daughter Esme but Jacob, a star rugby player, was lonely, and seeing Juliet Nelisi stirred something deep within our story line hero. Working together on a media campaign would bring Juliet and Jacob closer together, a togetherness that would be made stronger with the addition of Jacob’s six year old daughter Esme.

The relationship between Juliet and Jacob is tempestuous at best with caustic remarks and biting barbs but Jacob never knew the truth about Juliet’s past, a past that would shape the woman she is today. Agreeing to cull the animosity between one another, our couple would slowly succumb to their mutual attraction and slow-building love for one another. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Sailor Bishop and Isa Rain (Cherish Hard #1), Gabriel Bishop and Charlotte Baird (Rock Hard /Rock Kiss #2), as well as youngest brother Danny, their parents Allison and Joseph; several of Jacob’s teammates; Juliet’s boss Everett Echert; friends Aroha and Molly; and Juliet’s ex husband Reid Mescall.

LOVE HARD is a story of family, friendship, betrayal, second chances and love. The character driven premise is imaginative and spirited; the characters are clever, sensitive and realistic; the romance is spicy and flirty. LOVE HARD is an animated and intoxicating story by Nalini Singh.

Previous Reviews and Reading Order

HARD PLAY series
Cherish Hard
The Rebel Hard
Love hard

ROCK KISS series
Rock Addiction
Rock Hard
Rock Courtship
Rock Redemption
Rock Wedding

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh – Dual Review & Giveaway

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A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh – Dual Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.
 
That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement not to look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.
 
Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.
 
It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.

•••••••••••••••••

Barb’s Review:

Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh is a standalone mystery thriller. I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh, as she is one of my favorite authors.  In A Madness of Sunshine, Nalini takes us in a new direction, away from her fabulous paranormal/fantasy series, with a terrific mystery thriller; set on the west coast of New Zealand.

Anahera, our heroine, returns home to Golden Cove after being away for 8 years.  She is trying to escape the betrayal and death of her husband, whom after his death she finds out he was cheating on her.  She is happy to meet old friends, as the memories of the past have never been forgotten, especially the tragedies which include the death of her mother, the father she hates, and the mysterious disappearances of girls, who never resurfaced. 

Will, our hero, and the lone police officer in Golden Cove; was a formerly a decorated cop, who came to Golden Cove, as he made a mistake, which ruined his reputation. He had beat up a bad guy, who had killed and abused a woman and her son. When Will meets Anahera, he tries to learn more about her, and keeps a close eye on her. 

Anahera visits her best friend Josie, who runs a café, and meets her helper, Miriama, a beautiful young bubbly girl, who everyone loves.  In a short time, Miriama is discovered to be missing after going out on her normal early morning jog.   This will bring the whole town together to help search for her.  Will eventually works closely with Anahera, who helps with information and secrets about all the residents who still live in Golden Cove.  The secrets of the past, which have been hidden for decades bring the suspicion that those disappearances years before have risen up again and a serial killer in their small community could be behind Miriama’s disappearance.

What follows is a mystery thriller that I could not put down, as there are a number of twists and surprises along the way that kept me glued to the story.  I will not tell too much more, as spoilers would ruin the story.  Nalini Singh not only gives us an exciting, intriguing mystery, but her description of the wild untamed landscape around Golden Cove was not only wonderful, but also detailed awesome and deadly surrounding land and cliffs. 

A Madness of Sunshine was another wonderful well written book by Nalini, and the mystery throughout was captivating and enthralling.  I loved Anahera, as she was a smart, strong, savvy heroine, who was determined to help Will, even putting her own life in danger. I also liked Will, who was a good cop and made sure to watch over everyone; calling in favors from former contacts to learn more about the previous missing girls.  Between Anahera and Will, they will discover clues as to the disappearance of Miriama, and the past; but along the way we will be hit with a couple of surprises.  A Madness of Sunshine was a fabulous story line, and so very well written by Nalini Singh.  I strongly suggest you read this book. 

 

Sandy’s Review:

A MADNESS OF SUNSHINE by Nalini Singh is a contemporary, adult, mystery thriller focusing on the search for a missing young woman in the town of Golden Cove, New Zealand.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Will and Anahera) A MADNESS OF SUNSHINE focuses on the search for a potential killer. Years earlier pianist Anahera Rawiri left Golden Cove, New Zealand on the hunt for something better only to return with her tail tucked between her legs after discovering her now deceased husband had a mistress and a baby on the way. But days after her arrival, nineteen year old waitress Miriama Tutaia goes missing, and Anahera finds herself playing second banana to the town’s one-man law enforcement Will Gallagher. As the search for Miriama brings together the eclectic people of Golden Cove, a series of unsolved cases of missing girls from years before begins to develop a pattern, and the possibility of a serial killer amongst the people of the close-knit town of Golden Cove.

A MADNESS OF SUNSHINE is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and revenge. The small town of Golden Cove, New Zealand suffered little in the way of crime therefore a one-man law enforcement team was more than the town required but a missing person, and the possibility of a serial murderer in their midst meant Will Gallagher was about to push buttons, and everyone became a suspect in the disappearance of Miriama Tutaia. Anahera Rawiri never wanted to return to Golden Cove-too many demons, and bad memories of days long ago but with her return came the possibility of starting over, and meeting Will Gallagher meant a second chance at a happily ever after but not before they discovered the person(s) behind the disappearance and murder of several girls.

Nalini Singh pulls the reader into a slow building story of intrigue and suspense. The romance between Will and Anahera is secondary to the plot, as the story unfolds one clue and suspicion at a time. The premise is edgy; the numerous characters are colorful and animated; the romance is passionate but more or less independent from the story line premise.

Nalini’s publisher is offering paper copy of A MADNESS OF SUNSHINE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from December 3 – 7, 2019

 

 

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Archangel’s War by Nalini Singh – Dual Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Archangel’s War by Nalini Singh – Dual Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Wings of silver. Wings of blue. Mortal heart. Broken dreams. Shatter. Shatter. Shatter. A sundering. A grave. I see the end. I see. . .

The world is in chaos as the power surge of the Cascade rises to a devastating crescendo. In furiously resisting its attempts to turn Elena into a vessel for Raphael’s power, Elena and her archangel are irrevocably changed. . .far beyond the prophecy of a cursed Ancient.

At the same time, violent and eerie events around the world threaten to wipe out entire populations. And in the Archangel Lijuan’s former territory, an unnatural fog weaves through the land, leaving only a bone-chilling silence in its wake. Soon it becomes clear that even the archangels are not immune to this deadly evil. This time, even the combined power of the Cadre may not be enough. . .

This war could end them all.

 

Sandy’s Review:

ARCHANGEL’S WAR is the twelfth instalment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/ paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. ARCHANGEL’S WAR is the continuing story of New York’s Archangel Raphael, and his consort, human turned angel Elena Deveraux. ARCHANGEL’S WAR should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff-hanger of Archangel’s Prophecy wherein the Archangel’s are preparing for war against two of their own.

Told from several third person perspectives including Raphael and Elena ARCHANGEL’S WAR focuses on the prophecy having revealed death and destruction, resurrection and renewal in the wake of Lijuan’s madness, the Archangel of India, as she prepares to take over the world. With fellow Archangel Charisemnon by her side, Lijuan amasses an army of the undead as she slowly destroys the very people she protects, while making preparations to take down the Archangel of New York. Lijuan’s actions have triggered the Cascade (an event that causes massive power fluctuations and other changes among the members of the Cadre) but also an event that will see Raphael and Elena’s powers merge in an effort to protect the people they love. Lijuan’s growing power awaken the ancient Archangel’s from their ‘Sleep’ but an awakening that brings together Archangel’s from around the world.

ARCHANGEL’S WAR is an action-packed, spirited and edgy story about the madness for, and of, power; the dramatic actions of a psychotic and powerful mind; and the desperate fight to protect the innocent and the damned. Nalini Singh pulls the reader into an animated and forceful sequence of events; a character driven tale with epic results; and the mind numbing chaos and capability of the supernatural.

Barb’s Review:
Archangel’s War by Nalini Singh is the 12th book in her fantastic Guild Hunter series.  WOW!   That is all I can say, as I kept thinking about this book all through the night.   Nalini Singh is such an amazing author, and she has outdone herself with this book.  I can’t get over the mind-boggling action from start to finish, and that she keeps the flow going so seamlessly.  Bravo…Archangel’s War was an epic fantastic exciting, action pack thrill a minute.  I have always loved Elena and Raphael, but in Archangel’s War they have fully taken my heart. 

We have been waiting for this war, as it has been leading up to this for a while, and we begin months after the last book left off, with Raphael and Elena being woken up by the havoc of the Cascade going wild.  All of the countries are being violently affected, with total chaos (earthquakes, horrific storms, terrible lightening, etc), which is also waking up ancients who have been asleep for many years. 

But they also discover something weird happening in China, which has all the Archangels working together to stop what is coming.  Lijuan, the Archangel of Death, has become the ultra-powerful mad woman all the other archangels feared, and war is closer than they thought.  In a short time, all hell breaks loose, with all suffering; but New York (Raphael’s territory) is severely taking a beating that had me holding my breath throughout the entire book. Who will survive is the big question? Can Lijuan be stopped?

Because this is a masterpiece, I cannot tell too much more, as the whole book is filled with spoilers.   Archangel’s War is an intense, emotional, suspenseful roller coaster of a ride that is not to be missed.  I could not put this book down, constantly on the edge of my seat.  Nalini, I bow down to you, as you are a master story teller.   If you have not read this series, do not start with this book.  Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning.  For those who have read this series, you are in for a fantastic read.  Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, and if you are not reading her books, you need to start now.  No one does world building & fantastic characters better than Nalini Singh.

 

 

Free of any angelic oversight, vampires across China would inevitably give in to bloodlust. They would torture and murder, rend and tear. They would become a horde that spilled over into neighboring territories. The Cadre would execute every single living being in China, stain its soil a permanent red, to prevent that outcome.

“Kill it. Burn the entire territory down to the ground.” Charisemnon bit out the words, but even the Archangel of Northern Africa had a grim look on his handsome face at the idea of such a death toll.
“If only that were a viable choice,” Astaad murmured. “It will not end the threat posed by Lijuan.”
“And death on such a scale?” Neha’s sari was a deep yellow with a rich pink and gold border and the silk of it whispered as she moved a hand in a strong negative. “It will leave a stain across eternity.”
“You are all being very careful not to look at me,” Caliane murmured in a quiet voice that held the echoes of hundreds of crying children; they were ghosts of the dead that his mother carried within and would into her final Sleep. “But of all those here, I am the only one who understands the toll it takes to wipe out thousands of innocent lives—I cannot be permitted to hide from my knowledge.”
It was a bleak truth. Alexander had killed in battle, as had Raphael and many of the others. Some of their number had murdered in cold blood, but none had unleashed wholesale slaughter. Caliane had wiped out the thriving populations of two cities.
She’d spared the children, but their fragile hearts had broken under the trauma. Most had simply curled up and died. Angelkind had fought to save those tiny human lives and failed. Raphael’s palms curled inward, his skin remembering the calluses that had formed from digging grave after grave.
It hadn’t been in penance for his mother’s horrific crime. Nothing could be penance enough for that.
“Such an action is a burden that will haunt you through time.” Caliane spoke with no self-pity, with potent directness. “Atonement is an impossibility. The ghosts of the lives I took have become my constant shadows. I hear them in the gray hours before dawn, when the world is quiet, and I have no answers for them when they ask me why they had to die.”
Raphael’s shoulders bunched, his gut tight. This was the first time he’d heard his mother speak of her terrible act, the first time he’d understood that she’d not only come out sane after her long Sleep, but with all her memories intact. In the bleak lines of her face, he saw the truth: his mother remembered each and every soul she had condemned to the pitiless ocean.
“But what I did,” she continued without mercy to herself, “would pale in comparison to eliminating the people of an entire territory. We would not survive the weight of the dead on our conscience. The Cadre will fall and Lijuan will rise again from beneath the bones of her dead.”

© Copyright 2019 by Nalini Singh


 

Nalini’s publisher, Berkley, is offering winner’s choice of one book from Guild Hunter series (except Archangel’s War) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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

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

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7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from September 24 – 29, 2019

 

 

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Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

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Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
The end of Silence was supposed to create a better world for future generations. But trust is broken, and the alliance between Psy, Changeling, and human is thin. The problems that led to Silence are back in full force. Because Silence fixed nothing, just hid the problems.

This time, the Psy have to find a real answer to their problems–if one exists. Or their race will soon go extinct in a cascade of violence. The answer begins with an empath who is attuned to monsters–and who is going to charm a wolf into loving her despite his own demons.

 

 

Review:

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh is the 18th book in her Psy-Changeling series, and the 3rd book in her Trinity arc.  As I have said numerous times, Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, as I love the Psy-Changeling series, her spinoff Trinity series, and of course, her Guild Hunter series.  No one does world building so smoothly and flawlessly better than Nalini Singh.   Once again, in Wolf Rain she has created a masterpiece that grabs hold of me and never ever let’s go until the very end.  Unfortunately, as I get closer to the end of this exciting pulse pounding and enjoyable story, I tend to read too fast, but it is always great to go back and reread it as I can savor it slowly. 

I was thrilled to see this story brings us back to our wonderful Snow Dancer wolf pack, as we met our hero, Alexei Harte, who is a Lieutenant for Snow Dancer,  at the start.  Alexei is still grieving the death of his brother a year ago, and running as his wolf to release the tension.  Along the way, he senses someone also grieving, and finds his way into a cave.

Memory, our heroine, has been confined since she was 8 years old, and has been a prisoner of darkness to a powerful Psy teleporter for 15 years.  Memory is unconsciously sending out her grief to losing her cat, who was her only consolation all those years.   Enter Alexei to the rescue.

Alexei was so sweet to Memory, slowly teaching her about his pack, and her making friends, as she never had before.  I enjoyed how much she enjoyed seeing Alexei change to a wolf, as well as her watching other pack pups.  Memory will learn how strong she is an Empath, and those from Snow Dancer, Dark River, and other psy/changelings will help her along the way.  Memory, though still being hunted by the man who kidnapped her, was an amazing heroine, whose ability will be recognized to help the major players of the Psy Net find a way to save it.  

Though Memory slowly began to fit in, and begin to enjoy her life; Alexei also had his own past issues.  Both his brother and father turned rogue, and Alexei was stubborn in not wanting to mate with Memory, as he feared he too would turn and hurt her.

Wolf Rain was very suspenseful and intriguing, as we learn more about the slow unraveling of the Psy Net and the Empaths, who in the past were cast aside.  We also learn more about Memory, and her ability to work with the council.

What follows is a beautiful romance between two unlikely people, with so much chemistry between them that sizzles the pages.  I loved Memory and Alexei together, as they made such a wonderful loving couple.  Memory was a fantastic heroine, who despite her years imprisoned, was strong, independent, savvy and determined to rise up to her destiny.  She is very much in love with Alexei, though knowing he is holding back from mating with her due to his worry of going rogue.  Alexei was a great hero, who was very protective of Memory.  This was a wonderful romance, with so many sweet, fun, emotional and tense moments; especially when Alexei realizes how strong his love is for Memory.  Once again, an awesome romance and awesome couple.

I loved seeing many of our favorites, including Sasha, who had a big part, as well as Hawke, Mercy, Amara, Jaya, Judd, Kaleb, Aden, Lucas just to name a few.   I loved every moment of this book.

I can’t say enough about Nalini Singh, as she is my go-to author, who never fails to captivate me with her engaging creative stories, fantastic plots, and seamless world building; wonderful couples in each and every story; super secondary characters and fantastic world-building.   I have said this so many times, if you have not read Nalini Singh, you are missing such a gem of an author.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 


Nalini’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of WOLF RAIN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

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

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

6. Follow NALINI SINGH   on Facebook.

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from June 4 – 7, 2019

 

 

 

 

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