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Worldshaper by Edward Willett – Review & Givaway

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Worldshaper by Edward Willett – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
For Shawna Keys, the world is almost perfect. She’s just opened a pottery studio in a beautiful city. She’s in love with a wonderful man. She has good friends.

But one shattering moment of violence changes everything. Mysterious attackers kill her best friend. They’re about to kill Shawna. She can’t believe it’s happening–and just like that, it isn’t. It hasn’t. No one else remembers the attack, or her friend. To everyone else, Shawna’s friend never existed…

Everyone, that is, except the mysterious stranger who shows up in Shawna’s shop. He claims her world has been perfect because she Shaped it to be perfect; that it is only one of uncounted Shaped worlds in a great Labyrinth; and that all those worlds are under threat from the Adversary who has now invaded hers. She cannot save her world, he says, but she might be able to save others–if she will follow him from world to world, learning their secrets and carrying them to Ygrair, the mysterious Lady at the Labyrinth’s heart.

Frightened and hounded, Shawna sets off on a desperate journey, uncertain whom she can trust, how to use her newfound power, and what awaits her in the myriad worlds beyond her own.

 

 

Review:

Worldshaper by Edward Willett is the first book in his new Worldshapers series. The description above tells it all on how this story starts off: For Shawna Keys, the world is almost perfect. She’s just opened a pottery studio in a beautiful city. She’s in love with a wonderful man. She has good friends. But in a moment’s notice, everything in her world literally changes.  She and those surrounding her brutally attacked, and a strange man points a gun at her to kill her.  In Shawna’s mind she screams in terror “this can’t be happening…it can’t be happening”.  Within a second, she has turned the clock back hours to early morning before the attack; but those who got killed, including her best friend, just disappeared, no longer existing.  What just happened?  How did Shawna move the clock back?

Shawna turns to someone she just met, Karl, who has been trying to help Shawna remember her past, when she was trained to be a worldshaper.  Karl explains that Shawna created this world she lives in to be perfect, and all those surrounding her are fact her own creations.  The man who attacked is out to kill her, and kidnap Karl, in order to take over this world, and move on to other worlds so that he may rule them all…he is called Adversary.

Karl convinces Shawna she must leave with him to find a portal for another world, because Adversary is shaping those in her world’s minds to think that she is a terrorist.  Together they are on the run.  What follows is an exciting adventure where Shawna with help from Karl, will learn how to use the powers she has to shape things on her own, since she remembers nothing from where it all began.

I thought Worldshaper was a good story line, and very different than most fantasies that I have read.  I did have some mixed feelings, as there were slow and somewhat redundant parts.  I realize that most first books in fantasies give a lot of details in their worldbuilding, though I found it interesting, but it did lose me a little bit along the way. Worldshaper did catch my attention, and I intend to read the next book to see where this will go.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Edward Willett’s publisher is  offering a paper copy of WORLDSHAPER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Siren Connection by M.A. Abraham – a Review

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The Siren Connection by M.A. Abraham – a Review

 

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Description:
The oceans of Tantalus are teaming with Aquarians, the dangerous, predatory mammals that feed off anything that lands in their territory. What is strange about them is that they are avoiding the part of the ocean, close to the shoreline where Trysuil is planning to build the city of learning for the future generations. His question is, why this area? What is keeping them at bay?

As the water is no place for a winged man, Kyllan turns to his friends, the Sirens. They will soon get to the bottom of this, but it will come at a cost to the Tantalarians. The Sirens take one look at Tantalus and the sight of all that water feels like home. The home they knew on Mars never called to them in the same way and they know it is time to move on.

 

Review:

The Siren Connection by M.A. Abraham is a novella that is part of her Tantalus series. The Siren Connection continues the story of the Sirens from Mars moving to Tantalus.  As you already know from previous books, this series revolves around three species (Tantalarian,Humans, and Sirens) working together on the planet, Tantalus. With dangerous humans heading for Mars, Kyllan and Trysuil are determined to help all the Sirens move quickly to Tantalus. I love how the Tantalarian Saga continues to grow.

The focus of this novella concentrates on the Queen and King, and their Siren daughters, Errissa and Echoe, helping to gather all their people quickly move to Tantalus.  A private message to one of the Sirens comes from Earth, warning them all that trouble is coming far quicker than they thought.  Trysuil and Kyllan discover that they have all been betrayed by some of the humans who have been living in Tantalus, who have given out information for the Earth humans to come with weapons, in their attempt to take over their lands, causing war and destruction.

What follows is an excellent, quick and informative story line that will lead us to the eventual conclusion of this series. If you have not read this series, to tell too much more, would be spoilers.  You need to begin with the first book in order to learn about Tantalus and the Sirens, as well as to meet all the wonderful characters that Abraham has introduced us to in this series. M.A. Abraham has once again given us an exciting, enjoyable and interesting story as we race to the finish. I look forward with high anticipation to read the next book (Final Contact) , which I expect to be the finale, in 2019.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Teryka Rose by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

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Teryka Rose by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Teryka Rose
Daughters of the Valley series – Book #2
by M.A. Abraham
Release Date:July 31, 2018

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Description:
Teryka Rose is Tyrus and Merika’s youngest, and the apple of Kodac’s eye. She is beautiful, powerful and popular. This is something she takes in stride, along with the training her parents offer. She believes she has her life all mapped out, until life throws a twist at her in the shape of Riven and his friends.

Riven took one look at Teryka Rose soon after she had been born and he knew she would one day be his, although that would be a long time in the future. The years have passed and he is ready to settle down, only she has another love interest. This is going to take some creative planning on his part and a little help from his friends to change.

As she her world feels like it is falling apart around her, Teryka decides to make changes. With the help of her mother, she moves into Merika’s old apartment in Los Angeles, and gets a job as an actress. The last thing she expects is for Riven to follow her, or end up in a starring role in the same show, but his being by her side feels so right, and she can only wonder how that happened

 

 

Review:

Teryka Rose by M.A. Abraham is the 2nd book in her Daughters of the Valley Trilogy.  In the first book, Merika and Tyrus were our heroes, and in this book the heroine, is their daughter, Teryka Rose.  We get to know Teryka, as she is very popular, enjoying the attention given to her; but she sees others finding their mates, and she feels a change is necessary. 

Riven, our hero, has always known since she was a child that Teryka was his mate.  He has waited all these years, but she sees him only as a friend.  Riven decides he needs a plan to get her attention, but before he can act, Teryka decides to go out of their realm, and move to Los Angeles to get a job as an actress.  Her mother, Merika, still has connections and an apartment there.   Teryka gets a job working for her mother’s old producer, and quickly becomes a star on the television show. 

Riven decides he needs to follow Teryka, and surprises her by showing up.  He too will go on the television show, and they become a couple on the show and off.  Riven and Teryka know they have found each other, as they both recognize they are each other’s mate. 

When Teryka wants to return home, the evil producer forces her to stay since she has to finish her contract; and he pushes all the staff to work double time.  Riven is called home to help the Valley. Teryka will realize shortly thereafter that she is pregnant, and soon she becoming ill from overwork and working too many hours.  Merika and Tryrus will come to Los Angeles to help Teryka, and do what they can to stop this evil producer whom Merika remembers from years before. It was great to see Merika take control.

M.A. Abraham gives us another wonderful romance, with some great characters, such as Teryka, Riven, Statler, as well as the oldies, Merika, Tyrus, Kodac.  Teryka Rose was a sweet and lighthearted story line, with wonderful characters created by Abraham.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

 

M.A. is graciously offering an e-copy of TERYKA ROSE to TWO (2) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett – a Review

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Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett – a Review

 

 

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Description:
Nemona can’t believe she’s crash landed on the planet Fyrian with the brooding, golden-skinned alien who destroyed her ship and scattered her crew. She should want to kill him. But everything on Fyrian is an aphrodisiac. So she just wants to have him. Now. Revenge. That’s all commander Oten has wanted against humans for more than a century, ever since they tried to destroy his kind. He never thought he’d end up in bed with one. But the desire the sex planet stokes for this human female is eating him alive. Keeping his hands, his mouth, and his vampiric fangs to himself proves impossible—especially when she’s begging him to touch her. Nemona has no idea what endless sex with a Ssedez will do to her. But Oten knows all too well. They need to get off this planet. Before their coupling stirs an alien mating bond that neither of their hearts can withstand.

 

Review:

Toxic Desire by Robin Lovett is the first book in her new Planet of Desire series.  This story starts off at a fast pace and action that leaves you hoping it stays that way. 

Our characters end up stranded on a planet that neither of them know much about….. General Nemona believing that her entire crew may be dead, and her very important mission has been lost, has nothing to lose, but she wants to know how the ship she commanded was boarded undetected and how the hell she will get off this planet. 

Commander Oten only wants to wipe the human race off the face of the universe, they have been systematically trying to do that to his race for decades. So after destroying this humans ship, he looks forward in torturing this general for more information, what a big surprise he gets when the “male” turns into a female !!! He can’t understand his reaction to this “human” it has to be the planets atmosphere turning his brain into mush, but his reaction to her may start the bonding process and that’s not going to happen. 

There is a lot of sex scenes in Toxic Desire. When they’re not spending time trekking over the the planet looking for a way off, then they are having more sex !!!!!

I felt it a little hard to believe that you hate someone THAT much, but after being on the planet for a short while, your willing or desperate enough to have endless sex with an enemy that only hours ago you had a blaster aimed at their chest !! 

I understand that the author wants to set the scene for more books, but to be honest I’d like a little more of the characters and less of them at it. 

The book doesn’t end on a cliff-hanger, but it leaves it open for the next book. If you like plenty of erotica then this is probably a book you’ll enjoy 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Lake Silence by Anne Bishop – Review & Giveaway

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Lake Silence by Anne Bishop – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . .

After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns like Vicki’s have no distance from the Others, the dominant predators that rule most of the land and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what’s out there watching you.

Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger, Aggie Crowe–one of the shapeshifting Others–discovers a dead body, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the man’s death on her, despite the evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, things get dangerous–and it’ll take everything they have to stay alive.

 

 

Review:

Lake Silence by Anne Bishop is the first book in her new arc within her wonderful The Others series (The World of the Others), which continues in the same world as the first arc.  This arc is in the terra indigene controlled Finger Lakes region of Northeast Thaisia. Those of you have read my reviews; know that I am a huge fan of Anne Bishop.  I have read every series & books she has written, and loved them all. 

Vicki  DeVine, our heroine, is the owner of The Jumble, a rustic resort in Lake Silence.  Vicki, was given the rights to The Jumble, as a divorce settlement and has worked hard to try to bring the resort, with its cabins near a private beach next to the lake, up to par.  The town (Spriong) surrounding Lake Silence has human residents, but is controlled by The Others.   Vicki’s lone lodger is Aggie Crowe (a crowguard shape shifter), and one day Vicki catches her ready to eat an eyeball.  Who does that eyeball belong to?    Aggie takes Vicki on the trail where a dead body is found, and from that point on, everything in Vicki life will change.

The police from a distant town come and take Vicki to be questioned, and those nasty men threaten her.  But Aggie will alert the Others and Ilya Sanguinati, a vampire and the main overseer in Lake Silence, will come to her rescue, as he is a lawyer.  We will also meet Wayne Grimshaw, a good cop who will be assigned to be chief in Sproing and surrounding territory of Lake Silence.   Julian is another ally for Vicki, as he is an intuit (they have the sight to sense something happening), as well as running a book store.  All of them, as well as the Others, will become very protective of Vicki.  But the men, including those policeman are determined to force her out of The Jumble, and her ex is part of the ruse.  To keep her safe, she is told to leave, and let them move in.  Of course, these evil men do not know what they are in for, as no one will ever survive The Others & Elementals, unless they feel you are good humans.  Along the way we are introduced to other shapeshifters that will befriend and protect Vicki, such as Aggie, Ineke, Cougar, Conan, Ilya, Natasha, Lady of the Lake, Aiden,  just to name a few.  I got a kick out of the Sproingers, with their happy smile (unless you were the enemy).

What follows is an exciting enthralling story that will also be deep in a mystery as to who and why these people are threatening Vicki.  Almost from the start, we become invested in Vicki, who was used to being pushed around by her ex, and lacks self confidence.  The Others will sense her vulnerability, making them more conscious of protecting her.  Vicki becomes a bit more comfortable to deal with the strange people who are not human, but who she has befriended, and they in turn will be her protectors.  It was cute to watch Vicki become “the reader” for those she would read three evenings a week, murder mysteries outside her house, with many from hidden spots and from afar listening. 

The last half of the book, was very intense, pulse pounding, especially when the evil people were determined to bring harm to Vicki. As the unseen Elders come out at night, those threatening Vicki will pay the consequences.  It is just amazing how Bishop brings us in to this amazing world, and you are so deeply engrossed into the story, that you cannot put the book down.  No one does Fantasy in so many different types of worlds better then Anne Bishop, and I look forward to anything she gives us.  She is a master at her world building and great characters.   Lake Silence is a fantastic start to this new arc, and I for one cannot wait for the next one. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Anne’s publisher is graciously offering a Hardcover copy of LAKE SILENCE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
        

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Everless by Sara Holland – a Review

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Everless by Sara Holland – a Review

 

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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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Heart On Fire by Amanda Bouchet – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Heart On Fire by Amanda Bouchet – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Heart on Fire
The Kingmaker Chronicles series – Book #3
by Amanda Bouchet
Release Date: January 2, 2018

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Heart on Fire graphic 1

Description:
Who is Catalia Fisa?
With the help of pivotal figures from her past, Cat begins to understand the root of her exceptional magic, her fated union with Griffin Sinta, and Griffin’s role in shaping her destiny.

Only Cat holds the key to unlocking her own power, and that means finally accepting herself, her past, and her future in order to protect her loved ones, confront her murderous mother, and taking a final, terrifying step–reuniting all three realms and taking her place as the Queen of Thalyria.

What doesn’t kill her will only make her stronger…we hope.

 

Review:

Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet is the 3rd and final book in her wonderful The Kingmaker Chronicles series.  Having loved the first two books in this series, I could not wait to read Heart on Fire. After only a few minutes in, I found myself wrapped in Amanda Bouchet’s fantastic writing.  I was in my glory, reading once again about my two heroes, Cat and Griffin, and I finished this book in one day.  I loved Heart on Fire and the conclusion of this wonderful series.   Now to my review 🙂

When we last left off in Breath of Fire, Cat was now the Queen of Thalyria, and together with Griffin (her King), and her fantastic Beta Team, they headed to Fisa, to stop her evil mother and bring the world to peace.  Cat has grown since we met her in Promise of Fire, but she still fights herself in her overall confidence, not to mention how better to use her powers.   She and Griffin are now married and Cat is pregnant with a girl who will inherit some of Cat’s magic abilities.

Having lost some important people in her life, Cat must fight on in the upcoming fierce battles she and Griffin will face, including a betrayal by Griffin’s brother Piers.  Cat will come face to face with Ares and Persephone, who will show their true faces to shock her and us, as she goes down memory lane and those who took care of her as a child (with an evil mother).  I really loved this fun and intense part.

Back home, Cat and Griffin prepare for the battle that will either kill them or they will win and bring all the kingdoms (Tarva, Sinta, Fisa) together as one in peace.  But first they need their team together as well as some help from other Olympian gods.   Cat must also learn to believe in herself, and embrace her powers to have a chance to win.  Griffin’s strong love and support for Cat, was beautiful to watch, even if frustrating at times.  As Queen, everyone looked to her to be Elpis (hope), and defeat the enemy.

 What follows is non-stop action in an intense, suspenseful adventure that had me constantly on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down. At each epic battle, every member of the team will find themselves in death terrifying situations as they face the evil and ultra powerful witch and Queen of Fisa (Cat’s Mother).  In fantasy, we have come to expect some of our favorites along the way  won’t survive, and this is no different in Heart of Fire.

Cat and Griffin were such an awesome couple, with such hot chemistry and everything about them just poured through the pages filled with LOVE. It was so heartwarming how much they loved each other, and their loyalty to their family and friends.  I loved the great secondary characters, especially the Beta team, Griffin’s family, new & old friends. Though she needed to have more faith in herself, Cat was amazing in her strength, loyalty, love, courage in facing every ordeal

Thank you, Amanda Bouchet for another fantastic story that left me sad to see this all end.  We can never have enough of Cat & Griffin.  If you have not started this series, and you enjoy fantasy, non-stop action, suspense, great characters, and a super wonderful couple; then you should be reading this series, starting with A Promise of Fire, then Breath of Fire, then to Heart on Fire  Once again, Amanda Bouchet keeps rising up on my list of favorite authors to read.   I for one will not miss anything she writes.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

excerpt 1

 

Griffin’s hand tightens on my arm.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to fall in, you know. The cliff is all the way over there.”
He loosens his hold. Sort of.
I glance up at him, trying to tame my sudden smile. Domineering and overprotective doesn’t even begin to describe my husband. There’s also deliciously jealous, but that’s another subject all together. The black stubble framing his mouth makes his full lips look impossibly kissable. It’s been hours since they were last on mine. And I love to kiss the hawkish curve of his nose. So strong and masculine. I adore that nose. And the rest of him. His powerful body. Muscle. Sinew. Bone.
I gaze up at him, nearly sighing. “I love you.”
Griffin stops dead in his tracks and glares down at me. “That’s it. We’re leaving.”
I blink. “What? Why?”
“You think something terrible is going to happen.”
“No, I don’t.” I frown. “I don’t think so.”
His eyes narrow, wariness hardening his expression. “You do.”
“What are you talking about?”
He scowls at me.
“Well, something terrible could happen,” I concede. “But that’s always true, no matter where or when. Tomorrow, I could trip over my own feet and break my neck for all I know.”
Judging by the look on Griffin’s face, I don’t think that helped.
“You only say you love me or you’re sorry when you’re scared or almost dead. You’re not almost dead, so what’s scaring you?” he demands.
“I say I love you all the time!”
“When we’re in bed. When I’m so deep inside you that you can’t feel anything but me. Not when we’re about to knock on a stranger’s door. What’s scaring you?” he demands again.
I huff. “At the moment? The way your jaw is popping like it’s alive.”
Griffin crosses his arms. “I want honesty. Right now.”
“Right now, Your Imperialness?”
His nostrils flare. His hard look is spectacular.
I’m not intimidated. It makes me hot. Then again, so does just about everything at the moment, but not in the same way.
“If you must know, the magic around here is a little intense and…disturbing, but it’s not scaring me. Not really. It’s probably just something coming from whatever is down there in that God Pit,” I say, waving toward the cliff. “I’m a shade nervous. That’s all.”
His eyes stay flinty and unconvinced. “That’s all? That’s not generally cause for a heartfelt declaration, at least not from you.”
I toss my hands in the air. “Fine. I take it back. I looked at you, found you incredibly desirable, and my body got all hot and tingly. I blame pregnancy for an excess of sentimentality and…and…urges!”
Griffin stares at me. Then his mouth splits into a grin that makes me all kinds of angry. He reaches for me again, his grasp lighter this time.
“Incredibly desirable?” Looking smug, he threads his fingers through mine.
Scowling, I poke him in the chest with my free hand. “Well, you do have that whole overbearing warlord thing going on. Plus, plenty of muscles in all the right places, some good ideas, and, you know, a really big sword.”
A laugh cracks out of Griffin, and my heart swoops like an off-balance bird. He’s rarely free with humor these days, or maybe there’s just not enough of it in our lives anymore. The happy flutter that wings through my chest takes any lingering irritation away with it.
Gah! Talk about mood changes!
Griffin captures my other hand and then pulls me in to him until I’m standing between his legs. “I love you, too, Cat.”
He kisses me, his mouth pressing softly against mine. Warmth rolls straight from his lips to my toes, which curl in my boots.
“Tell me again,” he coaxes.
I shake my head, our noses brushing.
“Say it,” he demands against my mouth.
“I don’t think so.”
“Last chance,” he warns, gently nipping at my lower lip.
“Big sword.”
Chuckling, Griffin swats my bottom. “There’s more where that came from.”
I look up at him through my lashes. “I sure hope so.”
He grins. “I think you just managed coy.”
“Good Gods! Has the Underworld frozen over?”
“Next, Centaurs will fly.” He brushes his lips over mine again, not lingering, and when he lifts his head, his black hair ruffling on the faintly sulfurous wind, the teasing gleam is already absent from his eyes. “You’re sure there’s nothing else?”
“Nothing besides our baby wreaking havoc on my moods?” I shake my head. “But I wanted you before. I want you always.”
He lifts his hand and brushes his thumb across my lips. Then his fingers fall away, trailing lightly down my arm until I shiver.
“You’re the air I breathe,” he says without a trace of humor in his voice.
My whole chest clenches hard, squeezing a tight, almost painful beat from my heart. “I admire you,” I reply. “I need you. I love you with all my heart.”
Griffin offers me a different kind of smile this time, small, lopsided, gentle, and so entirely genuine. It fades almost immediately, though, and he straightens to his full, imposing height, abruptly pinning me with his warlord stare. “If you feel anything off here, we leave, with or without the potion we came for. You’ve got great instincts, Cat. Trust your gut.”
I nod. I will. I always do.

 

 

About the author

Bouchet
USA Today bestselling author AMANDA BOUCHET grew up in New England and studied French at the undergraduate and graduate levels, first at Bowdoin College and then at Bowling Green State University. She moved to Paris, France, in 2001 and has been there ever since. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children, who will soon be correcting her French. Connect with her at www.amandabouchet.com.

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War Games by Jess Anastasi – a Review

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War Games by Jess Anastasi – a Review

 

War GamesAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
When one of her pilots is shot down behind enemy lines, Lieutenant Theresa Brenner will stop at nothing to save her before she’s captured and tortured, even if it means being part of the dirtside team led by Colonel Cameron McAllister. Bren might respect the way the colonel commands his men, but she’ll never trust Cam—no matter how charming he is—because he was responsible for her brother’s death. Colonel Cameron McAllister has a covert mission behind enemy lines to team with the Ilari rebels and overthrow the bloodthirsty dictator who’s torn their planet apart. The last thing he needs is to get sidetracked searching for a downed pilot, especially since it means having Lieutenant Theresa Brenner tag along. Not only doesn’t the frosty pilot have the ground game to keep up with his seasoned group, she’s a potential distraction with all those gorgeous blond curls of hers—and she might be just like her brother, whose foolhardiness got his men killed.

 

Review: 

War Games by Jess Anastasi is the fourth book in the Valiant Knox series. 
They can be read as separate books, but I found it easier to read them in order. As there is a lot of background stories. And for the author to include it in every book would be a little page consuming. 

In a previous book the tension between Cameron and Theresa (Bren) caught my attention, so I was eager to see how they get past their animosity for each other. 
For the past decade, both Bren and Cameron have kept their distances from each other. Both have their pride and neither will listen to the other. That is until a missing pilot brings them together, and they have to learn to trust one another, and from there they learn about the past and how they can move forward. 

Cameron lost a team of soldiers under his command due to Bren’s brother (and as far as he is concerned, she’s a liability just like her brother).  I found Cameron a complex person, although overbearing, he is loyal and there is nothing he won’t do for his men. 

Bren has had to work hard for her place in this world, her brother was her family and she totally blames Cameron for his death. She loves her job and won’t let one of her own become a prisoner.  She fears that the pilot will be tortured or worse, so she’ll suck it up and work with Cameron (but that doesn’t she mean she’ll like it) 

Bren finds Cameron overbearing and not at all understanding of her predicament, one of her pilots is missing……and she’s going on the mission, whether he likes it or not !! (And it’s definitely a not) 

This is a perfect action packed thriller.  I love reading this series, as the author puts you right in the action, and you can almost imagine the fight scenes.  Jess Anastasi writes the characters so well, that I have no problem conjuring them up in my mind, and all the past friendships and relationships in the previous books are the same. The series flows really well into the next book and it was nice catching up with the series. 
Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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