Tag Archives: Sara Holland

Everless by Sara Holland – a Review

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Everless by Sara Holland – a Review

 

EverlessAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

 

 

Review:

Everless by Sara Holland is her debut novel, and I am happy to say it was slam bang of a beginning.  Everless is a fantasy novel, with a different world building that I have never encountered before.  It is a world where time is currency, and people can pay from their life time (years) in blood for money.  In the kingdom of Sempera, the rich Gerlings and the Queen have the most time, which allows them to live indefinitely.  Their servants are paid through coins of life, and any punishment is loss of time through bleed outs. 

Jules Ember, our heroine, used to live in Everless with her father years before.  10 years later, with her father close to dying, Jules is forced to return to Everless as a servant to help her father.  She has not forgotten her friendship with her childhood crush on Roan Gerling, the now Prince, as well as his brother, Liam, whom she hates for having driven her father from Everless.

Once Jules begins to work on the estate, where she will meet new friends, and discover many secrets.  Jules will come face to face with both Roan, who is betrothed to the future Queen; and  Liam, who recognizes Jules right away, and despite his attempts to make her leave Everless, and stay away from those above her, she continues to try and find out the truth about her childhood past.  Jules has always had nightmares, and also hides that she is able to stop time for a short period; something which she has no idea why, but knows she needs to keep this a secret.

Jules was an amazing heroine, and as she learns more and more about herself and her magic, she becomes stronger, but also finds her life in danger.  Rather than tell too much more would become spoilers.  There are so many twists and turns, with a few surprises that were totally unexpected. Who could Jules really trust? Who was real and who was the evil betrayer?  I have to say towards the end, I was a bit shocked as we raced to the finish, and had me breathless with each mind blowing reveal.

Everless is an exciting & different fantasy story line, which had a great heroine, and some excellent secondary characters.   Sara Holland has done a fantastic job writing this story, especially being her first novel.  I am not a fan of cliffhangers, but this one was a doozy.  Well done, Sara Holland, for your super start in what I imagine will be a great career.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Legalizing Kane by Sara Holland-a review

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LEGALIZING KANE by Sara Holland-a review

Legalizing Kane

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 12, 2016

Libby Michaels is pulling her life back together after escaping – barely – from an abusive relationship. On a dream trip to Tahiti, she meets Kane Ellis, the shaggy maned lead singer of one of the hottest new hair bands around. But their brief encounter ends badly, leaving Libby with no doubts that she just isn’t cut out for one night stands.

Back home in New York, though, chance throws them together once more, and their connection rekindles, quickly building to an unstoppable blaze of lust. And maybe love.

But when the fates are being so kind, there’s always a price to pay.

••••••••••

REVIEW: LEGALIZING KANE by Sara Holland is a stand alone, contemporary, erotic, romance story line focusing on musician/singer Kane Ellis, and attorney Libby Michaels.

Told from dual third person points of view (Kane and Libby) LEGALIZING KANE follows the forbidden relationship between attorney Libby Michaels, and singer Kane Ellis. While on vacation in Tahiti, our heroine Libby had a one-night stand with a man she knew only as Kane. Back home, Libby is assigned an exclusive client-a musician who needs a personal attorney-enter Kane Ellis, the man who is currently at the forefront of Libby’s desires. What ensues is the building relationship between attorney and client- a relationship Libby wants to keep on the down low, and Libby’s need to move on from her past.

Libby’s previous relationship has scarred our heroine both inside and out; her ability to trust has been fractured, and her relationship with Kane struggles with Libby’s emotionally, needy demands. Kane is a professional musician whose lifestyle finds our hero missing the woman that calls to his heart as he is about to head out on tour.

The relationship between Kane and Libby is one of immediate attraction but a relationship that Libby hopes to hide from people with whom she works. One of Kane’s band mates has a love-hate relationship with Libby Michaels, and Libby’s past tries one more time to intimidate our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are numerous, intense and provocative without the use of the over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Kane’s fellow band mates, as well as Libby’s boss Jake, and her friend and co-worker Jo-Jo may or may not have an interest in Kane’s band mate Max-here’s hoping for another story line or novella.

I did struggle with one particular issue of the story line as is pertained to Libby’s past and the man who destroyed her trust. Libby’s issues stemmed from the previous abuse, and the possibility that the man in question refused to accept that Libby had move on but for all intents and purposes, the ‘threats’ were more of a red-herring as nothing came to fruition throughout the story line build up. The resolution of the threats was never addressed to completion.

LEGALIZING KANE is a passionate and heartwarming story line. The premise is romantic and encouraging: the characters are animated, colorful and engaging; the romance is seductive and inspiring. LEGALIZING KANE is an intimate and intoxicating story line about two sensual and playful people.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Rocking The Storm by Sara Holland-a review

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ROCKING THE STORM by Sara Holland-a review

Rocking The Storm

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 24, 2016

Jax Donovan’s world is changing rapidly, as the rocker and his wife finally call it quits after many years. But his life is about to take an even more dramatic turn when he meets the beautiful and feisty Kyra Storm, a journalist whose interest in him quickly becomes more than professional. Their relationship blooms suddenly, taking them both by surprise and leading them to places neither anticipated. But sometimes the fates that bring a new love into your life just when it’s needed most are fickle bitches who can’t be trusted.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

•••••••••

REVIEW: ROCKING THE STORM by Sara Holland is a stand alone, contemporary, adult erotic romance focusing on rock star Jax Donovan, and journalist Kyra Storm.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jax and Kyra) ROCKING THE STORM follows the building relationship between rock star Jax Donovan, and journalist Kyra Storm. Kyra’s latest assignment brings her face to face with Jax Donovan, a man whose secrets he keeps close to his heart but a man who has found himself instantly attracted to the feisty journalist. What ensues is an erotically charged sexual relationship that traverses cross country and across the ocean only to be threatened by someone close to Kyra Storm.

ROCKING THE STORM is a sexually graphic story line wherein our couple spends most of their time in bed, or up against a wall doing what comes naturally to sexually healthy people. The sex scenes are intense and erotic with a little bit of vanilla BDSM including spanking. The relationship is quick to develop as Jax pursues our heroine from the moment they first meet.

There are a number of secondary and supporting characters including Kyra’s best friend and co-worker Mel; Jax’s bandmates Dean and Nick; and an assortment of hotel employees and workers we meet along the way. We are also introduced to Kyra’s father-a senator with a dark and dangerous secret that is quick to reveal when Kyra is confronted by her past. The story line conflict comes from an outside source; Kyra and Jax’s relationship is intimate and arousing without the angst or emotional fall out of previous relationships.

ROCKING THE STORM is a story line that focuses on Jax and Kyra’s relationship; an intense pairing that is provocative and sensual; decadent and passionate. The premise is energetic; the relationship is fated and playful; the characters are impulsive, determined and dynamic. ROCKING THE STORM is a spirited and intimate tale about two people brought together by circumstance who fall in love a little bit at a time.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Gabi’s Secret by Sara Holland-a review

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GABI’S SECRET by Sara Holland-a review

Gabi's Secret

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2016

A damaged and slightly broken rock star, Jace Carrigan is one of those rare species. He’s a good man, despite his broken marriage and failed relationships. His greatest joy is his young daughter but he’s about to find a new love who seems to be even more damaged than he is. Bruised and bleeding, Gabi lands on his doorstep and brings with her excitement, passion, love and just a few surprises. Jace suddenly finds himself looking into a bright future with his new lady by his side. But he probably should have known better because things aren’t always what they seem…

•••••••••

REVIEW: GABI’S SECRET by debut author Sara Holland is a contemporary, adult, paranormal, erotic romance story focusing on rock star Jace Carrigan, and a woman known only as Gabrielle (or Gabi).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabi and Jace) GABI’S SECRET follows the building relationship between former bad boy, rock star Jason Carrigan, and Gabrielle. Our heroine Gabi (literally) landed on Jace’s door step, battered and bruised, claiming to have fallen with no place to go. Jace, unable to turn away what appears to be a woman from an abusive relationship, takes Gabi into his home, his heart and his soul. But Gabrielle has a secret; one that has placed our heroine in direct contact with our story line hero, and it is Gabi’s secret that will protect the most important person in Jace’s life-his ten year old daughter Summer.

GABI’S SECRET is a slow building story line that focuses on the building, highly sexual relationship between our leading couple but there is a simmering danger behind the scenes that is infinitely slower to reveal. Gabrielle is on assignment, and finds herself falling in love with the man she volunteered to protect while the danger to Jace and his daughter continues to build and grow stronger every day.

We are introduced to Jace’s daughter Summer, his ex Carla, and his housekeeper Meg. Jace’s best friend and band mate Mike has a couple of secrets of his own and recognizes Gabrielle for who and what she is.

The premise is imaginative but sluggish in spots as the author focuses on Gabi and Jace’s relationship keeping the reader in suspense (until the very end) about the reason why Gabi has volunteered to protect our hero. The characters are colorful and animated although Jace’s music career and life style are secondary to the main story. The romance is intense, provocative and erotic without the use of over the top graphic language and imagery. GABI’S SECRET is a passionate and enchanting tale about beautiful people and the danger that is about to enter their lives.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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