Tag Archives: Vickie K

Imagine (Black Raven #4) by Stella Barcelona-Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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IMAGINE (Black Raven #4) by Stella Barcelona-Review, Guest post & Giveaway

IMAGINE
Black Raven #4
by Stella Barcelona
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense
Release Date: October 30, 2018

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 30, 2018

One cruise ship. Multiple kidnappers. In the dark waters of the South China Sea, a handful of Black Raven agents are the only hope anyone has of living to see Christmas.

From the back cover:

Seventy-five of the world’s wealthiest gamblers are ringing in the holidays with a high-stakes, three-day tournament aboard the Imagine. As the ultra-luxury cruise ship departs from Macau, financial risks are enormous and security is tight. Agents Sylvia (Leo) Leon and Adam (Ace) Evans lead Black Raven’s on-board team. Months earlier, they gave into feelings that caught them both by surprise. Now, Leo wants nothing more than to ignore what Ace is dying to confront.

While adversaries execute a seemingly perfect, diabolical plan, Leo and Ace operate in stealth mode to save the Imagine’s passengers. As danger tests the limits of their training and expertise, and their simmering chemistry hits a boiling point, their chances of living to see Christmas narrow. For these two best friends, the Imagine job could change everything…in more ways than one.

•••••••••

REVIEW:Imagine begins with Agents Sylvia (Leo) Leon and Adam (Ace) Evans in New Orleans celebrating Halloween. The two have been best friends since joining Black Raven. Nothing has ever threatened that friendship until that night and that one unforgettable kiss…….. As they come to their senses, Leo wants nothing more than to forget that ever happened. Ace, however, has other ideas……….

Flash forward about six weeks or so, and we see Leo, Ace and a whole lot of other Black Raven agents in a meeting planning their next job. This is the first time the two have seen each other since New Orleans and the job sounds easy enough, until they find out they’re going undercover as an engaged couple. Once they are on board the ship, they play their respective parts to a tee, as do the other agents who have gone in undercover. During a break before the night’s festivities, Leo and Ace head to their room in order to get ready for the night. Ace confronts Leo about what happened between them and the feelings it has stirred within him and wants to know if she feels the same. She tries to shut him down, but gives into their mutual attraction. Ace then awakens a little bit later, or so he thinks. When he sees the time, he knows they’re in trouble. Knowing they’ve been gassed, he drags an unconscious Leo out onto their balcony so that they can get some fresh air and, hopefully, recover quickly from the affects of the gas. It doesn’t take either of them long to determine that the ship has been hijacked and spring into action. It also doesn’t take them long to figure out that they are up against a foe that is willing to do anything to get what he wants……

Imagine is a superbly written tale that draws you in from the very beginning. Leo and Ace have a chemistry that jumps out at you from their first words, but when the feelings heat up, the chemistry reaches out and grabs you and doesn’t let go. Their backstories add to the complexity of their friends to lovers story, but it’s Ace’s who will tug at your heart. The mystery and suspense is very well written and keeps you guessing, and gasping, until the end. If you’re a fan of friends to lovers, with a lot of suspense and action thrown in, along with scorching chemistry, you will never go wrong with any of the Black Raven novels. Well done, Stella Barcelona! Very, very well done!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Deceived
Shadows
Jigsaw
Concierge
Imagine

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

Thank you for inviting me to The Reading Café. Your question – how do I keep focus while writing my stories – is a great question, because the truth is that keeping focused is difficult. Like everyone, I’m busy. Apart from writing, I have a legal career. I also have a family – humans and furry ones. To maintain my health, I have to exercise, stay reasonably fit, and eat the right things. The list goes on and on! I’m not complaining. It’s simply reality, and I’m grateful that my days are so full.

Are you wondering when I’ll focus on your question? Right now, I promise!

Part of my method of keeping focus involves eliminating all the distractions that I just mentioned (and more!) from the precious time that I’ve carved out of the day for writing. I use a mixture of plotting techniques, but the most important tricks I employ for focus are daily writing, eliminating distractions when writing, and writing early in the morning. Here’s a bit more about each one of these “habits:”

First, when working on a first draft, I try to write a bit every single day. No exceptions! If I skip a few days between writing sessions, I lose focus on the story. Plus, when I write every single day, my subconscious mind is better able to keep the story in play throughout the time that I dedicate to tasks other than writing.

In each writing session, I aim for two to three hours of writing time. However, I don’t beat myself up if I don’t have that much time; the important thing is sitting in the chair and thinking hard about the story, even if I only have a half hour.

Second, at home, I have a quiet office with two desks. One desk is dedicated to fiction writing, and nothing else. I don’t even conduct the business of being an author at that desk – it is dedicated solely to creating stories. There is no temptation to look at social media there, or do online shopping, or anything else, because I DON’T allow myself to do it. I think having a desk and chair dedicated to creativity helps me slip into writing mode the minute I sit. I also wear noise reduction headphones when I’m in my writing chair and I turn up music, which helps me focus.

If I’m in first-draft, daily-writing mode when we’re traveling, I find a place to write and, even if the place isn’t that quiet, using the headphones with music playing helps me focus on writing and eliminate distractions.

Third, I’m most creative in the early morning, so that is when I write. Procrastination until the end of the day kills my creativity and destroys my determination to write every day. I don’t always love pulling myself out of bed at 4:30 a.m., but once I’m in my writing chair I’m always glad that I did it!

I can’t say exactly why, but these three habits seem to work for me. Thanks again for inviting me to The Reading Cafe!

~~ Stella ~~

Follow Stella: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Stella Barcelona, author of romantic suspense novels, has always had an active imagination, a tendency to daydream, and a passion for reading romance, mysteries, and thrillers. From her early days of reading, when she first escaped reality through the pages of a well-written novel, she knew that her daydreams needed an outlet, and she knew that her outlet would be writing.

In day to day life, Stella is a lawyer and works for a court in New Orleans, Louisiana. Currently, Stella lives minutes from the French Quarter, with her husband of sixteen years and two adorable papillons who believe that they are princesses. Stella loves to hear from readers on her Facebook page and can also be contacted through her website, www.stellabarcelona.com, where there’s information on appearances, her next release, and exciting contests that you won’t want to miss! While she doesn’t have a lot of free time with her legal and writing careers battling for her every minute, she does enjoy any chance she and her husband get to go out on their boat. In addition, she attends conferences, workshops, and retreats for writers. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Southern Louisiana Chapter of the Romance Writers of America.

Stella is graciously offering a $25 Amazon Gift Card, and a signed copy of Stella’s debut release that introduced the Black Raven series DECEIVED  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 and Follow Stella Barcelona on Facebook

4. LIKE THE READING CAFE on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from December 1-6, 2018

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Vampires Like It Hot (Argeneau #28) by Lynsay Sands-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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Vampires Like It Hot (Argeneau #28) by Lynsay Sands-Review,Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

VAMPIRES LIKE IT HOT
Argeneau #28
by Lynsay Sands
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 18, 2018

“Vampires…”

When Raffaele Notte pulls a barely dressed, disoriented woman from the ocean, the last thing he expects is for her to utter that word. The immortal has come to the island resort to help his cousin, but now, it seems, there are rogue vampires dining on unsuspecting tourists. And he soon realizes that not only is Jess a target, she’s also the life mate he’s been waiting for…

Vampires are real. Jess would’ve never believed it until she saw them with her own eyes. She knows she has to get off the island, and her gallant rescuer has offered to help. There’s something about Raffaele that’s unlike any man she has ever met, and his touch sends pleasure through her that is beyond all imagining. But when Jess discovers who he really is, will she risk life as she knows it for a chance of forever by his side?

•••••

REVIEW: Vampires Like it Hot begins with Raffaele Notte, along with two of his cousins, Santo and Zanipolo, vacationing in Punta Cana, which is in the Dominican Republic. The intent of said vacation is to help one of his cousins, Santo, to try and relax after having been held and tortured by a crazy man named Dr. Dressler. Santo has become rather obsessed with hunting down the doctor and any rogue immortals who are helping him. The Council has even discussed performing a mind wipe on Santo to help him, but Raffaele and Zani know that can change him, so they’re determined to ‘get him over the hump’. May be easier said than done………

Jess had come to the Dominican Republic for a cousin’s wedding, and had gotten stuck rooming with another cousin, Allison. The two of them were returning from an outing when Jess lost Allison in the crowd. Once she caught up with Allison, she found that Allison wanted to go on another excursion with a group dressed as pirates who were going to take them out to feed the sharks. Jess didn’t want to go, but found herself being swept up in what Allison wanted to do. It doesn’t take long for Jess to realize that something is very wrong with the “crew” and that she and everyone else on the ship is in danger………

Vampires Like it Hot is another great addition to the Argeneau series. There is something about the world that Sands has created that just endears every story to the reader. The characters are always well written and engaging and Raffaele and Jess were no exception. The secondary characters are always intriguing as well. However, in this one, the secondary characters almost stole the show. Of course, Jess and Raffaele were great together. They were funny and brave and a little quirky. But, the secondary characters left me wanting way more of their story, and I believe that may be where Sands is headed. (I’m keeping my fingers crossed!) Talk about things not being what they appear………. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance that has some hot moments as well as a lot of humor, you’ll never go wrong with the Argeneau Series. Well done, Lynsay Sands! Very, very well done!!

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Vickie K

“It’s a woman.”
“Who is she?”
“She’s wearing a life jacket.”
“What happened?”
“How did she end up in the water?”
Raffaele shook his head at the rapid-fire questions shot at him by Zanipolo and Santo as he carried the woman out of the water. Rather than answer, he merely said, “Bring my clothes, please,” and walked past them, heading for the resort buildings.
The men had already gathered his clothes for him on the way down, so merely fell into step on either side of him as he walked.
“Is she alive?” Zanipolo asked with a frown, leaning slightly in front of Raffaele to look at the woman in his arms as they walked,.
“Yes,” Raffaele said quietly. “I think she has just fainted from her exhaustion.”
“Are you taking her to the resort clinic?” Santo asked as they reached the rows of lounge chairs at the head of the beach.
“No. I want to look her over myself first,” Raffaele said solemnly.
“Why?” Santo asked at once.
“Two reasons,” Raffaele responded as they made their way out of the rows of chairs and reached the concrete paths leading to the various resort buildings. Much to his relief the paths were pretty much deserted at this hour with most people already in bed, or situated in the bar enjoying the entertainment. There were only one or two guests making their way to their rooms and they paid them no attention.
“What is the first reason?” Santo asked as they approached the paths around the pools.
“I want to look her over for bites,” Raffaele admitted.
“Bites?” Zanipolo asked with interest. “What makes you think she might have been bitten?”
“Because when I asked her if she’d fallen off a boat or cruise ship, she said no, she jumped, and when I asked why, she said—” he glanced around to be sure no one was near enough to hear, and then lowered his voice anyway as he finished with “‘—vampires.’”
“Bingo,” Zanipolo said with grim satisfaction as they got past the pools and approached their building. “She’ll be able to tell us where the vampire nest is and how they operate. It’s got to be some kind of dinner cruise or something. Or it could be a day cruise. She could have had to swim a long way.” He frowned over that briefly as they reached their building and walked along the open hall to the stairs, and then asked, “What is the second reason you want to examine her before we take her to the resort clinic?”
“When I got to her she was beyond exhausted,” Raffaele said as they started up the stairs. “Her words were slurred and she could hardly keep her eyes open. I thought it would be easier all around if I read her mind to see what had happened, and took control of her to drag her in.”
“And?” Santo prodded as they exited the stairs at their floor and started along the hall to their room.
Raffaele was silent for a minute, having trouble accepting what he was about to say himself, but when they reached the door to their suite and Santo pulled out his key card to unlock the door, Raffaele swallowed and said in almost a whisper, “I couldn’t read her.”
Santo had got the door unlocked and started to open it before Raffaele spoke, but now he stiffened and turned sharply to peer at him with amazement. “What?”
Raffaele merely nodded.
“Score!” Zanipolo shouted gleefully. “Didn’t I tell you? I told you! Didn’t I? Hot resorts are the way to go to find our mates! I so toldyou that!”
“Yes, you did,” Raffaele admitted with amusement as Santo pushed the door open for him to carry his life mate into the room.
“And he’ll remind you of that every day for the rest of his life,” Santo said dryly as he let the door close, locked it, and then hit the light switch, turning on the overhead light.
“Sì, I will,” Zanipolo agreed gleefully, moving to Raffaele’s side to peer down at the woman he held. Eyeing her almost reverently now, he whispered, “Cugino, your life mate is very pretty.”
“Yes, she is,” Raffaele agreed solemnly, his gaze sliding over her as well. Her lips were full and looked soft, her nose straight, and while they were closed now, he knew her eyes were large and lovely, and an eggshell blue. Her hair, of course, was wet, but appeared to be a dark brown.
“What is her name?” Santo asked, moving closer to look her over as well.
Raffaele stiffened at the question. “I don’t know her name,” he admitted.
“You didn’t ask her?” Santo asked with surprise.
Raffaele shook his head.
“Are you kidding me?” Zanipolo asked with disbelief. “You finally meet your mate and you did not even ask her name?”
Raffaele opened his mouth to respond, but was forestalled when the woman in his arms suddenly began to shriek and thrash wildly about.

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

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY DETAILS

To celebrate the release of VAMPIRES LIKE IT HOT by Lynsay Sands, we’re giving away a paperback copy of Twice Bitten!

LINK: http://bit.ly/2wraXAW

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of Twice Bitten by Lynsay Sands.  This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 9/28/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address.  Duplicates will be deleted.

 

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A Fierce Wind (Donet Trilogy #3) by Regan Walker -a review

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A Fierce Wind (Donet Trilogy #3) by Regan Walker-a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 23, 2018

Love in the time of revolution

France 1794

Zoé Ariane Donet was in love with love until she met the young commander of the royalist army fighting the revolutionaries tearing apart France. When the dashing young general is killed, she joins the royalist cause, rescuing émigrés fleeing Robespierre’s Reign of Terror.

One man watches over her: Frederick West, the brother of an English earl, who has known Zoé since she was a precocious ten-year-old child. At sixteen, she promised great beauty, the flower of French womanhood about to bloom. Now, four years later, as the Terror seizes France by the throat, Zoé has become a beautiful temptress Freddie vows to protect with his life.

But English spies don’t live long in Revolutionary France.

•••••••••

REVIEW: A Fierce Wind begins with Zoe Donet attending a rally with her family. She is smitten with a young general, who after the king and queen of France are killed, fights with the royalist army trying to rid France of the revolutionaries who are terrorizing her beloved country. When the general is killed, she vows to avenge his death in the only way she knows how…..joining the royalist cause and rescuing emigrants who are desperately trying to leave France. Putting herself in constant danger to do so does not please everyone, namely, Englishman Frederick West, who just happens to also be the brother-in-law of Zoe’s uncle, Jean Donet.

As the story progresses, Frederick grows uneasy with Zoe putting herself in harm’s way, only to have her uncle tell him that she will do what she wants. Her uncle does continuously send a couple of men with her to guard her when on her ‘missions’. However, it is when West is injured that Zoe starts to see him in a different light. They’ve been friends for a long time, but now, she sees him for what he really is: heroic, handsome and steadfast. Things take a sudden turn for West when England’s Prime Minister gives him orders for information gathering in order to aid the French, and he has to take Zoe with him. They embark on their journey where danger lurks with every step they take, which only adds to the developing feelings they have for each other.

A Fierce Wind is another beautifully written story by Regan Walker. Zoe is a well written character and readers will immediately be pulled in by her story. She is smart, loyal and stubborn, but even more, at least for me, she was a realist. She had no fantasies about the war, nor the ones fighting it. She knew that she could be captured, or killed, every time she went to help those in need. Frederick West was perfect for Zoe. Even though he worried over her, he also realized that, like he, she had to help in ways that she saw fit. The secondary characters are well written and leave you wanting more. As always, Regan Walker does a masterful job with her world building. As you read, you can feel the ocean breezes and hear canons firing and are drawn in from the very beginning. Intertwining actual historical events into her stories only adds to the appeal and has become a trademark for all that she writes. I’ve said it more than once…….I feel a little smarter and more informed after reading one of her books. I know she says this is a trilogy, but I’m hoping for more! Well done, Regan Walker! Very, very well Done!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
To Tame the Wind
Echo in the Wind
A Fierce Wind

Copy supplied for review

Review by Vickie K

Regan Walker is an award-winning, Amazon #1 bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romances. A lawyer turned full-time writer, she has six times been featured on USA TODAY’s HEA blog and nominated six times for the prestigious RONE award (her novel, The Red Wolf’s Prize won Best Historical Novel for 2015 in the Medieval category). Her novel The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland won the Gold Medal in the Illumination Awards in 2017. And her novel To Tame the Wind won the International Book Award for Romance Fiction in 2017.

Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government have given Regan a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown”. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for special assignments. Each of her novels features real history and real historical figures. And, of course, adventure and love.

Author website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regan.walker.104

Regan Walker’s Readers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReganWalkersReaders/

Pinterest (storyboards for my books): https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RegansReview

Regan’s blog, Historical Romance Review: https://reganromancereview.blogspot.com/

Amazon link for the Donet Trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B071JPXTT5/

 

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Better Together (One Fond Embrace #1) by Crista McHugh-Review & Giveaway Tour

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Better Together (One Fond Embrace #1) by Crista McHugh-Review & Giveaway Tour

Better Together
One Fond Embrace #1
by Crista McHugh
Release Date:August 20, 2018
Genre:adult, contemporary, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2018

Hawaiian rancher Alex Kahale needs a temporary wife to close a deal that’s vital to the welfare of his herd. Thankfully, he’s already married to a woman stole his heart in less than a week, even if that same wife filed for divorce a few days after they said their “I dos.”

Rising country music star Britney Moore had a wild fling with a cowboy in Las Vegas a year ago which ended in a drunken drive-through marriage. Once she returned to Nashville, she filed for divorce to save her squeaky clean image. Besides, spontaneous marriages never last, and she knows better than to risk her heart on Alex. But no matter how many requests she sends him, he refuses to sign the papers. Then he sends her an intriguing offer. Come to his ranch on Kauai and pretend to be his wife for two weeks for business purposes, and he’ll sign the papers.

As much as Britney tries to resist his charm, Alex manages to tear down her defenses one by one until she falls for him all over again. But when the press finds out about her secret husband, will their revived romance be killed by the tabloids?

••••

REVIEW: Better Together begins with Alex Kahale thinking through how he got to this place in is life. Inheriting the family ranch, which was never supposed to be his, has come with a set of challenges that he’s trying to overcome. He is trying to secure a deal with a rancher in Idaho that will provide financial security for the ranch and all who live and work there. When said rancher, Stan, informs Alex that he wants to make sure the person he’s selling to is a dedicated family man and he and his family are coming to visit the ranch and Hawaii for a week, Alex knows what he has to do.

Britney, aka Shelby Morris, is working hard in Nashville, trying to finish up her album. To say she’s surprised when her manager tells her Alex has offered to sign the divorce papers is an understatement. When she finds out she has to go to Hawaii for two weeks to ensure that happens, she’s hesitant. Needing those papers signed, she agrees to his terms and heads to Hawaii. After all, two weeks away could do her some good and it will get her what she wants. Uh huh…………..

Better Together is a great story and first book in McHugh’s new series, One Fond Embrace. Alex Kahale is a character whom you will fall in love with immediately. His sense of loyalty, not only to his family heritage, but to those he considers friends and family, will endear him to everyone. Britney is a likable character as well, but it’s her backstory that will pull you in. Incredibly talented, she’s determined to make it on her own and not fall down the rabbit hole as her mother did. However, it’s the chemistry between the two of them that heats up the pages and keeps you wanting more. I love the world McHugh has built in this one. Every time I read one of her books, I think ‘there is no way her world building can get any better’, and she has once again proved me wrong. You can see the mountains, hear the waves crashing and feel the island breezes as you read this intriguing tale. The secondary characters are well written and add another layer to the story, and I can’t wait to read more. If you’re a fan of romance, you’ll definitely not go wrong with this one. Well done, Crista McHugh! Very, very well done!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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