Rage (Kindred: The Fated 1) by Donna Grant-Review & Excerpt

Rage (Kindred: The Fated 1) by Donna Grant-a Review & Excerpt

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

Elin feels as if she’s been in the fight of her life forever. She lost her mother to prejudice and misunderstanding and her sister to the Coven, not to mention her home and the freedom to use her magic without consequence. But she finally feels as if she has found a place to at least rest—that is if she can remain hidden.

When a mysterious illness befalls his clan, taking many lives, Rob Mackenzie finally goes to check on the person squatting in the cottage on his family’s land. He hopes to find help. He doesn’t expect the most enchanting and enigmatic woman he’s ever seen or the way she makes him feel—the passions she rouses. But it’s clear she has secrets, and earning her trust may be the toughest battle of his life.

When the truth comes to light that a witch has been targeting the Mackenzie clan, Elin can’t remain sequestered. She knows she can help, and some things are more important—especially when they include saving the man she has quickly come to love. But it means revealing her secret to him and those who have hunted her kind for eons. Those who see anything they don’t understand as evil. Still, Elin hasn’t been able to safeguard those she’s loved in the past. She has to at least try to save Rob and his family.

Even if it means her end.

••••

REVIEW: RAGE is the first instalment in Donna Grant’s adult KINDRED: THE FATED erotic, historical, paranormal / fantasy romance series set in the author’s World of the Kindred. This is witch Elin, and Highlander Rob MacKenzie.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Elin and Rob) RAGE follows the building relationship and romance between Elin, a powerful witch, and Highlander Rob MacKenzie. The MacKenzie Clan has been cursed, and Rob’s extended family is quickly dying. Discovering someone living in the cottage on his family’s land, Rob will come face to face with his future in the guise of Elin, a young woman who is about to save the lives of the people he loves but Elin is not as she appears to be, Elin is a witch, in hiding and on the run from the people hunting her down.When Elin discovers the truth behind the ‘curse’ against the MacKenzie Clan, Elin must reveal her existence for the world to see. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Elin and Rob, and the potential fall-out as Elin must face down another witch who is unable to control her powers.

The relationship between Elin and Rob begins trepidatiously. Elin is in hiding and wants nothing to do with our story line hero.Fearing for her life, Elin goes on the run hoping for some direction from the powers in her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Rob’s brother and clan laird Donald, as well as Asrail, a tree nymph that gives our heroine help and advise, and Marcia, a young witch promised to our story line hero.

RAGE is a story of power and magic, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, love and understanding. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are magical, mysterious and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Elin inhaled deeply as she lifted her face to the morning sun. She smiled and looked around at the glen. She had attempted to make other places her home before she found this one, but none had worked out. She felt a soft pang in her heart when she thought of the island she had found before. She had loved it there, but her past had caught up with her all too soon.
Now, Elin was nestled deep in the Scottish Highlands, far from anyone. It was a full day’s walk to the nearest village and castle, and she kept far from it. Everything she needed was around her. She’d made sure of that.
She looked down at the bow in her hand and smiled ruefully. The first time she had tried to fire the weapon, it had been disastrous. Though she kept at it until she became proficient. It had been over a year since she’d used magic, and only then because she hadn’t been able to fix the roof of the cottage herself.
Elin turned to look at her home. When she came across the abandoned cottage, she had been desperate for shelter from a brutal winter storm. Once the weather cleared, she finally got a good look at the structure and found that it was in decent shape, other than the roof. She’d tried to repair it herself, but she lacked the basic skills and the knowledge. After a month of travel, she was exhausted. She wanted a place to rest and needed somewhere to relax. The cottage had only been meant for a brief respite during the winter, so she’d decided to use the spell to mend the roof.
The cottage had proven a good choice. The glen it was situated in offered the solace and isolation she yearned for. She had been content here. Happier than she had been in some time. Elin’s mood dampened as she thought of her island. So much of her life had been spent hiding from the Coven. The band of witches had wanted to annihilate anyone who stood in their way—and they’d nearly done just that. Elin had thought she could set aside her past as a witch and lead a normal life. She’d thought she could pretend that she didn’t have magic and get involved in a community. She had been wrong.
So very, very wrong.
She gripped her bow and adjusted the quiver of arrows on her back. Her gaze slid to the trees around her. She thought of Asrail. The once-queen of the Gira had been her closest friend. Elin didn’t know what had become of the tree nymphs since the battle with the Coven. The Gira mostly kept to themselves. They looked like trees, their skin and hair just like bark, so they disguised themselves in forests where they could lure others with whispers.
The Gira were still out there, but Elin hadn’t seen or heard any since the battle that had destroyed the Coven. During that battle, Elin had joined a band of Witch Hunters and the legendary Varroki warriors to defeat the Coven. That’s where she’d learned that there were more than tree nymphs out there. There were snow and water nymphs, as well.
The cry of a falcon drew her attention skyward. Elin watched the bird through the branches of the tree. She was free now—well, as free as she could be. She needed to remind herself of that often. She wasn’t exactly hiding anymore, but she hadn’t made herself known either. Not a bad compromise.
She had thought that not using her magic would be all she needed to start fresh with a new life. She’d learned the foolishness of that quickly enough. The Coven’s sweep across Britain had left a lasting mark on everyone and everything. Those without magic were wary of any newcomers. They were superstitious, bigoted. Disdainful of anything they didn’t understand—as well as suspicious of anyone new.
Still, Elin had slowly made friends on the beautiful island. Up until a little girl had become ill. Many used herbs to help the sick, but she had been the newest member of the community. So, when the child recovered fully after Elin’s help, they’d immediately begun calling her a witch.
Which, she was.
Elin had tried to ignore it, but the locals became increasingly hostile. In the end, she’d snuck away during the night, thus beginning the six-month journey, moving around until she’d stumbled upon her cottage. She liked it there. A lot. She didn’t want to leave, but she knew it was only a matter of time before she would have no other choice. Until then, however, she would enjoy her home.
Elin walked to the river and knelt beside it. She put a hand in the cold water that ran off the nearby mountains. The fish were plentiful, and she had become adept at catching them. Between the fish and her use of the bow, she didn’t lack for meat. When the temperatures began to warm, and the snow started to melt, she discovered the array of greens and berries, as well. There was, in fact, no need for her to go to the village. Although she had gone once.
They’d thought she was a traveler, so no one paid her any heed when she bought what she needed and returned to the cottage. Other than that one visit to the village, she hadn’t encountered anyone. That wasn’t to say she hadn’t heard the voices of those nearby. Fortunately, though, no one ventured her way.
Elin drank deeply from the river before flicking water from her hand. Then she got to her feet and turned to retrace her steps to the cottage. The nicker of a horse froze her in her tracks. Her head whipped around to the ridge above, where a lone man sat atop a steed.
She remained hidden behind a tree. The figure was just a dark outline, too far away for her to see where he looked, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. Her heart thudded in her chest as she silently prayed he would move away. Seconds passed as she waited for him to decide. The horse’s head bobbed up and down, seeming almost as impatient as she for the man to ride away. Then, the animal began to walk down to the glen.
“Nay,” Elin whispered.
She glanced at her cottage. Smoke curled in a thin, gray ribbon from the chimney. She would never make it inside without being seen by the rider, who was now headed straight for her home. No one had bothered her in months. Why was he here? What did this man want? Maybe if she remained hidden, he would leave, thinking he’d missed the occupant.
Her gaze left him long enough to sweep the area to see if there were more men, but it seemed to be only him. She slid her gaze back to him. He rode past her, allowing her a glimpse. His light brown hair was loose about his shoulders, with a strip of leather holding back the top half from his face. His tartan was dark green, navy blue, black, red, and white, and the sword strapped across his back wasn’t there for show. She caught a glimpse of his boots. Worn but well made, proving he wasn’t some peasant who held onto his family’s weapon.
He grasped the reins loosely but confidently. The horse was well cared for and was, by all appearances, a pricey steed. A person could tell a lot from how someone cared for their animals. Her gaze lifted to the man’s face. She managed to get a brief peek of his profile and saw that his gaze swept the area but returned again and again to the cottage.
Elin knew the Mackenzie clan controlled this land. Since the cottage had been abandoned, she had hoped that no one would mind if she used it for a bit. The problem was, she hadn’t moved on as she’d told herself she would—as she should have two months ago. The area was beautiful, the game plentiful, and it was isolated. It had everything she needed. Why couldn’t people just leave her alone?
The man pulled gently on the reins to halt the animal as they reached the cottage. He didn’t ride up to the door. Instead, he stopped with room enough to give him a good view of the front and sides.
“Hello?” he called in a deep voice.
Elin’s fingers dug into the bark of the tree. She almost wished she was a Gira so she could disappear against the bark and keep the man from finding her. No one would. But she wasn’t a tree nymph. She was a witch. Her kind had been hunted for generations, and it wouldn’t stop because people were afraid of anything they didn’t understand. They never stopped to consider if she was doing good with her magic or not. The simple fact that she had it was enough to condemn her.
The man swung his muscular leg over the horse and dismounted quietly. He gave the animal a pat on the side of the neck as he studied the cottage. The horse didn’t budge from its spot.
“Anyone home?” he asked louder.
Elin glanced around her. She could make a run for it, but he would likely hear. The only option she had was to remain hidden behind the tree and hope the man left quickly. All she needed was enough time to gather her meager belongings and head out. The thought made her heartsick, but what else could she do?
“I mean no harm.”
She could hear his brogue now. Elin slipped slowly around the tree to hide herself better. If he turned around, she didn’t want him to catch sight of her. She briefly thought of using a spell to conceal herself, but she had sworn off any and all magic. How could she live a normal life if she kept falling back to using her abilities anytime things became difficult? She squeezed her eyes closed and pressed her forehead against the bark.
She had gotten lax. Too many months without anyone coming her way had given her the illusion that she could live her life unbothered. She was beginning to think there wasn’t a place for her anywhere.
And though she hated to admit it, she understood why the Coven had fought for power. If they had won, no witch would ever be hunted again. Her life would’ve been much different if that had happened. She could’ve lived anywhere, done anything.
Now, she yearned for a quiet life all to herself.
One she wouldn’t get. She swallowed and peeked around the tree to see what her visitor was doing, but she didn’t see him. All she saw was his horse, munching lazily on some grass. Worry shot through her. She hastily scanned the cottage. The door was closed. Wouldn’t he have left it open had he entered? Maybe he went around the back? Off to the side? What about the other?
But everywhere she looked, she came up empty.
“I hope you’re no’ hiding from me, lass.”
The voice behind her startled Elin. Her heart jumped into her throat. She spun around, her foot slipping between two roots as her ankle twisted in her rush to get away. She felt herself falling. Her gaze locked with blue eyes, and her brain froze. She waited to feel her back slam into the earth. Instead, a strong arm caught her and held her steady.
“You were hiding,” he said with a slight frown.
Elin jerked out of his arms and backed away from him. His sword was still sheathed, but she had felt the strength in him. He could draw it and have the blade at her throat in seconds. Did she use her bow? No, he could knock it away easily enough. That meant she had to resort to magic. No. No, she couldn’t. She had promised herself that she was finished with it.
He held up his hands before him. “Easy, lass.” He spoke as if he were talking to someone with an addled mind.
She ignored him and went through her options. She could run. She knew the area. But how far would she get before he caught up with her on his horse? Too quickly for it to make a difference. She needed him gone so she could sneak away. Again. Was that her life now? Slinking away before they could come for her as they had her mother?
“I’m no’ going to harm you,” he said slowly, calmly.
Elin almost laughed. She wasn’t going to fall for that ploy. He might only be one man, but he could still catch her.
Unless I use magic.
She clenched her teeth as the idea resurfaced. Come what may, she would no longer use her knowledge of herbs to help anyone but herself. And she certainly wouldn’t do magic.
Her mother had sacrificed herself to save Elin and her sister. Avis was dead now, having joined the Coven. Elin was on her own. As she had always been. As she always would be.
The man’s blue eyes were penetrating and entirely too intelligent. It was as if they had a light all their own. He watched her, never taking his gaze from her face. Instinctively, her magic rose, telling her that he wouldn’t harm her.
It was a gift her mother had told her would protect her. It had saved Elin’s life on many occasions. But that didn’t mean she would set aside the fear that clung to her like a spider’s web.
“I’m Rob. Who might you be?”
“Let me leave. Pretend you never saw me,” she blurted then inwardly winced, wishing she had thought of something better to say, something that would indeed convince him to leave her alone.
His brows snapped together. “A Sassenach?”
Elin glanced to the side. She could make it to the river. It was deep there, but it was her only chance. 


 

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | NEWSLETTER SIGNUP / TUMBLR / PINTEREST / GOODREADS

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Sabre (RBMC: Ankeny, IA #6) by Kristine Allen-Review Tour

 ? ☠️ ? Sabre (RBMC: Ankeny, IA #7) by Kristine Allen-Review Tour  ? ☠️ ?

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 2, 2022

Meet Sabre, newly patched member of the Ankeny, IA chapter. He went by Roscoe, but that’s definitely not his actual name. The secrets he’s hiding are going to blow you away!

Sabre:

People think they know what punishment is, but they have no idea. I’d lived enough lifetimes of misery that I’m an expert.

Soleil was my soulmate, but I was a Watcher and it was prohibited for us to be together.

After we were caught, she was ripped away, leaving me begging for death. Dropped into the middle of the Civil War, I thought my wish had been granted. Little did I know, my punishment was my anguish on Earth and it would never end.

For years, I was a lost soul, wandering—until I found the Ankeny RBMC. With them, something within my empty chest settled and I dared put down roots.

When she showed up on our doorstep, I was stunned. Except she had no memory of me or that it was my fault her brother died.

Now, a sinister evil is toying with us, threatening to separate us… permanently.

It’s not happening on my watch. I failed once before, and we lost heaven to have each other. But nothing in hell would keep us apart.

They call me Sabre, but this is my real story.

•••••••

REVIEW:SABRE is the seventh instalment in Kristine Allen’s adult ROYAL B&STARDS MC: ANKENY IA erotic, paranormal, MC romance series, a part of the multi-authored RBMC series. This is Sabre aka Aros Roscoe Denali, and Soleil Rose Castile’s story line. SABRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sabre and Soleil) SABRE follows the rekindling relationship between Sabre aka Aros Roscoe Denali, and Soleil Rose Castile. Approximately seven to eight hundred years earlier a guardian angel was sent to watch over his charge but said angel fell in love, leaving the man was supposed to watch, die. Punished by the gods for his misbehavior, Aros is sentenced to walk the Earth for all eternity, never finding love or happiness again. Fast forward to present day wherein Aros now known as Roscoe finds himself a member of the RBMC, a MC made up mostly of magical members. When the local police are unable to locate the family of a young woman rescued from human traffickers, Sabre suddenly realizes he has been given a second chance with the woman he loves. Enter Soleil Rose Castile, a woman who is unable to remember what happened or why. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Sabre and Soleil, and the potential fall-out as the past returns, determined to destroy our story line couple.

The relationship between Soleil and Sabre is one of second chances but Soleil has no memory of the past, and therefore, no memory of the man she once loved. A Cacodaemon has set his sights on Sabre and Soleil but Sabre refuses to let go of the woman he loves. The $ex scene are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story lines couples, as well as the revelation of angels and demons, vampires, witches and fae. We are introduced to Soleil’s brother Hayden. The requisite evil has many faces.

SABRE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, obsession and determination, penance and forgiveness, love and acceptance. The fast paced premise is enchanting and engaging ; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are broken, charismatic and determined.

Copy Supplied for review

Reviewed By Sandy

Catch up with the other Ankeny, IA Chapter books… 

☠️ Voodoo: https://books2read.com/VoodooRBMC

? Angel: https://books2read.com/AngelRBMC

❤️ Venom: https://books2read.com/VenomRBMC

? Chains: https://books2read.com/ChainsRBMC

? Roses Are Red: https://books2read.com/u/mVR6vA

? Haunting Ghost: https://books2read.com/GhostRBMC

?Charming Phoenix: https://books2read.com/PhoenixRBMC

Follow: Goodreads / Website/ Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Kristine Allen lives in beautiful Central Texas with her adoring husband. They have four brilliant, wacky and wonderful children. She is surrounded by twenty six acres, where her seven horses, six dogs and three cats run the place. Kristine realized her dream of becoming a contemporary romance author after years of reading books like they were going out of style and having her own stories running rampant through her head. She works as a nurse, but in stolen moments, taps out ideas and storylines until they culminate in characters and plots that pull her readers in and keep them entranced for hours.

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Slayed by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy-Review Tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 29, 2021

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

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

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

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

•••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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The Evolution of Fae and Gods by Sawyer Bennett-Review tour

The Evolution of Fae and Gods (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 3) by Sawyer Bennett-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 23, 2021

Evil is coming.

A dark malevolence the likes of which this world has never seen, and it comes straight from the depths of Hell. Darkness meant to destroy. A prophecy I am fated to fulfill but will most likely not survive.

Through it all, Carrick Byrne has stood strong by my side. Something has deeply changed between me and the man I once despised, and all it took was a kiss of provocation for both of us to feel it. I know deep in my soul we’re being guided by destiny, but I don’t know if I can trust it. Carrick is holding something back, and I fear the consequences could be deadly once his truth is revealed.

We’re not ready, but calamity waits for no woman. I have discovered a power within myself I must learn to master. A new connection in the Underworld has been revealed to me, one that I hope is friend but is just as likely foe. We are in a race against time as we try to figure out how to stop the end of the world from occurring. The battle is coming, and I can only hope we’re prepared for what happens next.

••••••

REVIEW:THE EVOLUTION OF FAE AND GODS is the third instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult CHRONICLES OF THE STONE VEIL paranormal/urban fantasy series focusing on twenty-eight year old Finley Porter, and Carrick Byrne. THE EVOLUTION OF FAE AND GODS should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two A DISCOVERY OF SECRETS AND FATES.

SOME BACKGROUND: All of her life Finley Porter has been treated for hallucinations but days before her twenty-eighth birthday Finley is pulled into a world of the Light and Dark Fae by a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. An end of the world prophecy declares our heroine the savior, and in this Finley struggles with her fated destiny. As the gods watch the prophecy play out, some take it upon themselves to interfere where they do not belong.

Told from first person perspective (Finley) and third person (Carrick Byrne) THE EVOLUTION OF FAE AND GODS picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two wherein Finley’s life continues to implode. With her business in ruins, and the person responsible has set their sights on ruling the world, Finley, along with Carrick Byrne must work together in preparation to take down the Dark Fae determined to destroy them all. When Carrick goes in search of answers and information, Finley, and her friends, work behind the scenes scouring the ancient tomes for some hint of things to come. As Finley’s power continue to grow, her ability to connect with the Underworld reveals the possibility of someone once lost, found again.

THE EVOLUTION OF FAE AND GODS is a fast paced, intricately detailed and revealing story line. We learn about the connection between Carrick and Finley, and Carrick’s decision to walk away; some history of the Fae, changelings, angels and daemons, as well as The Fallen. Finley Porter continues to be a little TSTL (too stupid to live) in that she refuses to remain in the relative safety of Carrick’s home, a home where angels, demi-gods and daemons are at her service. Sawyer Bennett pulls the reader into an intricate and twisted story line about a fight for power and control; a tale of manipulation and magic, tragedy and loss. The premise is strong and haunting; the characters are animated and powerful; the sexual chemistry is sizzling and hot; the romance is seductive and passionate. THE EVOLUTION OF FAE AND GODS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Revelation of Light and Dark
A Discovery of Secrets and Fates

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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