Tag Archives: Vickie M.

With Every Breath (Slow Burn #4) by Maya Banks-Review and Giveaway

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With Every Breath (Slow Burn #4) by Maya Banks-Review and Giveaway

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WITH EVERY BREATH
Slow Burn #4
by Maya Banks
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

With Every Breath

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

About the book: Release Date August 23, 2016

Eliza Cummings fought free of a monster who terrorized her when she was an innocent teenager and helped put him away for good. She took a job with Devereaux Security Services and devoted every hour to taking down the very thing she’d nearly become. No one, not even those closest to her, know her darkest, shameful secrets. But now the killer has been set free on a legal loophole and it’s only a matter of time before he comes for her. Eliza’s only choice is to run and lead the monster away from the people she loves.

Wade Sterling has always lived by his own rules, a law unto himself who answers to no one. He’s never professed to be a good man, and he’s definitely not hero material. Wade never allows anyone close enough to see the man behind the impenetrable mask—but one woman threatens his carefully leashed control. He took a bullet for her and the result was more than a piece of metal entrenched in his skin. She was under his skin and nothing he did rid himself of the woman with the courage of a warrior and who thinks nothing of putting her life before others.

But when Wade sees a panicked and haunted Eliza he knows something is very wrong, because the fool woman has never had been afraid of anything. And when she tries to run, the primal beast barely lurking beneath his deceptively polished façade erupts in a rage. She may not know it, but she belongs to him. This time, Eliza isn’t going to play the protector. She was damn well going to be the protected. And as long as Wade breathes, no one will ever hurt what is his.

Review:

With Every Breath begins with Eliza learning her worst nightmare was coming true…. The man whom she had trusted like no other, only to find out he was the devil incarnate, was being released from prison in just three short weeks. She immediately began planning how she would end him once and for all, seeking vengeance for of his victims. One thing she was sure of: she had to lead him away from those she now considered family and loved with all of her heart. Because, once he was released from prison, he would come for her. Obsession was a fickle thing……

Over the next several days, as her plan started coming together, she dreaded telling her DSS boss, Dane, that she was taking some vacation. Dane was not only her boss, but her best friend, and she knew she had to be spot on to convince him she just needed some down time to recuperate after being almost killed a couple of months before (in a previous book). What she didn’t tell Dane was that she wasn’t intending on coming back, that she intended to die right along with the devil himself. As Dane sat there listening to Eliza’s story, he told her she could take all of the time she needed and to please check in. However, as she leaves the building to set her plan in motion, Dane immediately calls the one person who seemed to care for Eliza almost much as him: Wade Sterling. Sure, Eliza acted as if she couldn’t stand Sterling, but Dane knew that Sterling would move heaven and earth to keep her safe, because, oh yeah, he’d taken a bullet for her. Eliza would be dead today if he hadn’t. Turns out that Dane didn’t believe a word she said about needing to recuperate. Thank goodness!

When Sterling approaches Eliza as she’s loading her car to leave town, she’s stunned to see him there. And, even more stunned when he acts as if he actually cares. Determined not to get distracted from her mission, she tells him to get a life and leaves. What she doesn’t know about Wade Sterling is that he’s not about to let harm come to her again. He has far reaching resources and will use everything at his disposal to ensure that she’s okay. Once he tracks her down and learns exactly what she’s running from, his feelings for her deepen even more as do hers for him. What transpires is a story that will leave you turning the pages faster and faster…..

With Every Breath is a wonderfully written addition to the Slow Burn series. I knew these two would have a scorching chemistry and Banks did not disappoint. Eliza was a great character: strong, independent, but most of all, loyal. Even though her view on her being responsible for the torture and murder of those women was skewed, I had to remember that she was 16 when it happened and it just continued to haunt her for ten long years. I’m sure I’d be a little skewed as well. Wade Sterling was even better than I thought he would be. Even though he had the same attributes as Eliza, it was his vulnerability that shone through for me. There was just something about him that grabbed my heart. The two of them together was spectacular. I’ve been a fan of Maya Banks for years, and have read everything she’s ever written. Even though this isn’t my favorite series by her, this is one of my favorite books. This is a story ultimately about finally standing up to your past so that you can face your future. If you’re looking for a romance that steams up the pages and has lots of awesome characters, along with some paranormal aspects, you will never go wrong with this series. Well done, Maya Banks! Very, very well done!

Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss

Reviewed by Vickie M

About The Author

Follow Maya: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Maya BanksMy name is Maya Banks and I live in Texas with my husband and three children and our assortment of pets.

When I’m not writing, I love to hunt and fish with my family. We all love the outdoors and go on family hunting trips every year. We also love to travel. One of our more recent trips was to Scotland, which was every bit as comical as National Lampoon’s European Vacation. You know the part about “Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament” as they went round and round the roundabouts? Yeah, that was us, only we couldn’t even get out of the airport in Glasgow without hitting three of those suckers.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of a writing career is getting to meet so many wonderful readers. There’s nothing better than dishing books with someone who loves the romance genre as much as I do. Romance readers are passionate and vocal. We love our books, love our happily ever afters, and we love to spend time talking to others about our favorites. THIS is why I love my job so much, and I’m so grateful to readers who gave ME a chance when I began my career. So thank you.

giveaway

Maya Banks’s publisher is offering an ecopy of WITH EVERY BREATH 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).

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3.  Follow MAYA BANKS on Facebook.

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

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8. Giveaway is open internationally

9. Giveaway runs from August 30-September 2, 2016

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Flight From Mayhem (Fly By Night #2) by Yasmine Galenorn-a review

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Flight from Mayhem (Fly by Night #2) by Yasmine Galenorn- a review

Flight from Mayhem

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

About the book: Release Date August 2, 2016

I’m Shimmer, a blue dragon shifter. Thanks to a mistake, I was exiled from the Dragon Reaches and sentenced to work for gorgeous, exasperating Alex Radcliffe, a vampire who owns the Fly by Night Magical Investigations Agency. Every time I turn around, somebody’s trying to kill us. But you know what they say: All’s fair in love and bounty hunting…

A serial killer is stalking the elderly Fae of Seattle, draining their bank accounts before brutally murdering them. When Chase Johnson asks for our help, Alex and I discover that the sociopath is also a doppelganger—able to change shape to match his victim’s deepest desires. Our friend and colleague Bette volunteers to act as bait, but the plan goes dangerously awry. Now, unless we find her first, she’s about to face her worst nightmare.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: Flight from Mayhem begins with all kinds of goings on. Someone in training, and unsupervised, accidentally let something horrible in through a portal she opened; the house across from Shimmer is haunted and she wants to help a trapped ghost; Alex’s ex, Glenda, is out for revenge; Tonya, a friend of Shimmer’s, is having a hard time and she thinks she’s being stalked, and, oh yeah………there’s a serial killer on the loose killing members of the Elder Fae and taking their fortunes. As the Fly by Night team goes from one crisis to another, one thing is for certain: They ARE a team and will move mountains to help each other and those they take on as clients.

Flight from Mayhem is a wonderful addition to the Fly by Night series. I love how Galenorn portrays her characters’ strengths and vulnerabilities. Shimmer is coming into her own and figuring out her path in a way that will be relatable to everyone who reads her story. Her boss, and now boyfriend, Alex, may have a hero complex but you can feel his need to help others, sometimes to his own detriment. The other team members, Bette and Ralph, are just as honorable and steadfast as the others and round out a wonderful ensemble cast. There are secondary characters that will have you cheering and jeering, as well as laughing out loud at times.

There are also crossovers, of sort, from Galenorn’s Otherworld Series; Chase Johnson and Yugi from the FH-CSI make several appearances; Roman, the leader of the Vampire Nation is shown and the D’Artigo sisters are mentioned, but don’t actually show up. This was bound to happen due to both series being set in Seattle and it blends perfectly.

Galenorn has once again written a story full of suspence, drama and wonderfull characters. The world building is as phenomenal as it is intriguing. We find out a bit more about Ralph in this one. We also find out a bit more about Bette, but as I said in my review of Flight From Death, I want MORE of Bette’s story and you will too after you read Flight from Mayhem. If you’re a fan of paranormal stories chocked full of intriguing characters that bring a little romance, a little intrigue and a lot of action, you will never go wrong by reading anything by this author. Well done, Yasmine Galenorn! Very, very well done!!!!

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie M

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For The Win ( Perfect Play #1) by Sara Rider-Review,Guest Post & Giveaway

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For the Win (Perfect Play #1) by Sara Rider-Review,Guest Post & Giveaway

For The Win Banner

FOR THE WIN
The Perfect Play #1
by Sara Rider
Genre: adult, contemporary, sports, romance
Release Date: June 6, 2016

For the Win

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

About the book: Release Date June 6, 2016

Lainey Lukas has sacrificed everything—sleep, family, carbs, a life—to earn her spot as the top player and captain of the Seattle Falcons women’s soccer team. She’s determined to lead her team to a national championship and finally earn the sport the respect it deserves—and nothing will throw her off her game. When Lainey’s hero Gabe Havelak, star of the Seattle Surge, crashes her team’s first press conference—making the Falcons look like a joke to the local media and humiliating Lainey in the process—she’s hell-bent on revenge.

Charming, confident Gabe is practically a god to Seattle soccer fans, but he doesn’t mind a little friendly competition from tough-as-nails Lainey, with her top-notch athletic skills, her mile-long legs, and her girl-next-door freckles. But when he learns the Falcons are booting the Surge from their coveted practice space to the notoriously cursed Cricket Field, those warm feelings give way to crippling superstition. With his contract up for renewal and his thirty-fourth birthday just weeks away, Gabe will risk anything to protect his position with the Surge.

The rivals agree to settle their differences in a Battle of the Sexes competition—a test of skills, fitness, and willpower. At first the situation seems win-win: Gabe gets the chance to earn back the Surge’s practice space, and Lainey’s team will finally get some much-deserved media attention. But as the friction between them becomes hot enough to spark and smolder, Lainey and Gabe are entering new territory—and with both of their careers on the line, love might just be the toughest opponent of all.

•••••••••

REVIEW: As the blurb states, Lainey has sacrificed a lot for her love of soccer. She was on the team that won the World Cup, but a devastating injury left her battling her way back and into top form. When she and her new team hold their first press conference, things don’t go quite as planned. She hates talking to the press and that is exacerbated when Gabe crashes the press conference. He’s a media darling and has the smooth charm that immediately wins anyone and everyone over, except for Lainey. Even though she’s a huge fan of his, she’s determined to bring him and his team down a notch…..or three.

When the owner of both teams (yes, the same man owns both teams) does not like what he saw on the news, he calls them both in. However, when Lainey arrives, she had no idea Gabe had been called in as well. Her heart sinks but she’s not going to take the tongue lashing lightly. As Gabe tries to soothe things over, she stands up for herself and her team, much to everyone’s surprise. The resulting plan that is a battle of the sexes, which both are determined to win. What follows is something neither ever expected. With careers on the line, will they be able fight their growing attraction to each other and do what’s best for their respective teams? Will their feelings for each other be enough for them to conquer old superstitions and forge a path that is beneficial for them all? Well, of course they will. This is a romance, after all. But, oh, what a read it is!

For the Win is a nicely written story by Sara Rider. Lainey is as strong and determined as she is stubborn. The way she leads her team and conducts herself makes her a worthy young woman. The way she guards her heart, or tries to, not only makes her believable, it makes her vulnerable. But, not in a bad way. Then, there’s Gabe. He has to work very hard to overcome his woman-chasing reputation in order to get Lainey to give him a chance. He’s very protective of everyone around him, but his interaction with his family, as well as Lainey, will make you swoon. When I first started this book, I was like….meh… But, a funny thing happened on my way to the end of the book. I absolutely fell in love with these characters. The way Rider lets you see their thoughts (told from dual POVs) was intriguing. I found myself not being able to turn the pages fast enough. No, it’s not a pulse pounding thriller, but it IS a wonderfully written romance about a boy and a girl who decide to throw caution to the wind, give in to their desires and see what can be. The secondary characters were well written as well. This book was funny, sexy and left you feeling like you actually knew the main characters. This was the first I’ve read by Sara Rider, but it will NOT be the last. If you’re looking for a fast, smart and sexy read, you cannot go wrong with this one! Well done, Sara Rider! Very well done!

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie M

Guest Post beige

Developing the Heroine

You can follow Sara at : Website / Goodreads/ Twitter/

Hello and thank you for having me on your blog today!

Soccer is one of the few sports in North America where the top female are arguably much more successful than their male counterparts – the US Women’s National Team have won the World Cup and Olympics multiple times – yet receive a fraction of the prestige, income and media attention. The financial rewards and glory are substantial for male soccer players, but some of the best female soccer players in the country can’t afford to play pro soccer without taking on second jobs or making huge financial sacrifices. This is a dynamic that has always captivated me and what inspired the character of Lainey Lukas in my novel For The Win.

Lainey is a character who pushes herself to the extreme in order to achieve her dreams simply because she loves the game more than anything else in the world. She is stubborn, fiercely independent and driven to a fault, to the point where even her own teammates sometimes find it difficult to relate to her. As a writer, her character fascinated me, but it also challenged me to find a way to make her sympathetic. The easy road would have been to soften her edges, but it was important to me to make her as honest and authentic as possible.

Rather than portray Lainey’s single-minded drive simply as a flaw, I wanted it to be the very thing that makes Gabe Havelak, the hero, fall in love with her. As a successful athlete himself, Gabe deeply respects her work ethic and determination but finds her curious at the same time. In many ways, they are opposite sides of the same coin – Lainey is adamant that hard work is the only variable she can control whereas Gabe believes that luck has played a huge role in his success. Matching Lainey with someone as laid-back and charming as Gabe was a way for me as writer to peel back her layers and find out what really makes her tick.

The fun part of writing a character like Lainey is that her journey isn’t just about falling love. Her struggle to connect with her new teammates on the Seattle Falcons is a huge part of the book, and allowed for the lighter moments in the story. Having to build a brand new team in a new league from the ground up means Lainey can’t just rely on herself anymore. She has to find a way to work with a group of women who have been her opponents and competitors in the past. Ultimately, developing a bond with her teammates is what gives Lainey the confidence to open herself up to love.

That’s the story of how Lainey Lukas came to be. I hope you enjoy reading about her as much as I enjoyed writing her!

~~Sara~~

 

Giveaway beige

Sara’s publisher is offering an ecopy of FOR THE WIN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

IMPORTANT: The  ebook download will NOT work with a Kindle e-reader

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 follow Sara Rider on Twitter.

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

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8. Giveaway is open to USA only. The download will NOT work with Kindle e-reader.

9. Giveaway runs from June 4 to June 8, 2016

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Rebel Warrior (Medieval Warriors #3) by Regan Walker-Review and Guest Post

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Rebel Warrior (Medieval Warriors #3) by Regan Walker-Review and Guest Post

Rebel Warrior

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk

About the book: Release Date May 17, 2016

When your destiny lies far from where you began …

Scotland 1072

The Norman Conqueror robbed Steinar of Talisand of his noble father and his lands, forcing him to flee to Scotland while still recovering from a devastating wound. At the royal court, Steinar becomes scribe to the unlettered King of Scots while secretly regaining his skill with a sword.

The first time Steinar glimpses the flame-haired maiden, Catrìona of the Vale of Leven, he is drawn to her spirited beauty. She does not fit among the ladies who serve the devout queen. Not pious, not obedient and not given to stitchery, the firebrand flies a falcon! Though Catrìona captures Steinar’s attention, he is only a scribe and she is promised to another.

Catrìona has come to Malcolm’s court wounded in spirit from the vicious attack on her home by Northmen who slayed her parents and her people. But that is not all she will suffer. The man she thought to wed will soon betray her.

When all is lost, what hope is there for love? Can a broken heart be mended? Can a damaged soul be healed?

Review:

Rebel Warrior begins with Catriona’s home being attacked and her beloved parents being murdered as she and Angus, her trusted guard, make their way home from a day of flying her falcon. Those whom the attackers didn’t kill, they took as prisoners. Thankfully, her brother was away as well and was spared. They were taken in by their uncle until the time came for Catriona and her cousin, Fia, to become ladies of the Queen’s court. Catriona was not very enthusiastic when it came to her duties at court, but soon fell into a routine and discovered that Queen Margaret is more than she first thought.

Steinar had become a valuable member of the King of Scots’ inner circle. He relished his duties, but practiced daily trying to regain his warrior’s body and strength from a wound that could have very well killed him. Once he sees Catriona, he is immediately drawn to her and is determined to get to know her. He soon discovers that she is betrothed to another, but can’t help his feelings for her.

Catriona can’t help but notice Steinar and is drawn to him as well. She steadfastly stays the course her father had laid out before her though. However, once she was betrayed by the one she was to marry, she immerses herself into a project helping Queen Margaret.

However, when King Malcolm decides to meet war head on, he and his men head out, leaving Queen Margaret and her court worried and anxious. It just so happens that Catriona is not the only one smitten with one of their King’s guards, so they do the only thing they know to do. Pray. What transpires will leaving you turning the pages and holding your breath at the same time.

Regan Walker has once again written a story like no other. Rebel Warrior is, without a doubt, one of the most well written stories I’ve ever read, by any author. The storytelling, as well as the world building, is phenomenal. I know I repeat myself when I review one of her books, but the weaving of actual historical events in with the story she tells is awe inspiring. As Walker starts to weave her tale, you will swear you can hear the clamor, whether in the dining hall, or in the courtyard. Catriona is a wonderfully strong and determined young woman. Even after witnessing the destruction of her own home, she stays true to the path that her beloved father had set in motion. Steiner is wonderful in his own right. Strong, intelligent and deeply loyal, he is the perfect match for Catriona. However, it is Catriona’s beautiful friendship that develops with Queen Margaret, that is truly life changing. Margaret not only gives Catriona a sense of purpose, but helps restore her faith. A faith that she had been struggling with ever since she was forced from her home. The secondary characters are well written as well, and I hope to read more about them in the next installment. Rebel Warrior is truly one of the most heartfelt and inspirational things I’ve read in years. The romance that develops between the two main characters is very touching, but it is Catriona’s renewed faith that will have you cheering and shedding a few tears. If you’ve not ready anything by Regan Walker, I will tell you once again…..it is truly your loss. Very well done Regan Walker! Very, very, very well done.

Series Reading Order and Vickie’s Previous Reviews
The Red Wolf’s Prize
Rogue Knight
Rebel Warrior

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Vickie M

Guest post

Reflecting Characters’ Faith Without Making the Romance Inspirational
by Regan Walker

It seems to me that historical romance authors who strive to accurately portray the era in which they set their stories should consider the element of faith, both in the culture of the time and their characters’ lives. I write mainline Georgian, Regency and Medieval novels and, in each case, I have found the historical setting often requires me to add this aspect to my characters. Not to do so would be to give the reader an inaccurate picture of the times in which my characters live.

For example, in my newest novel, Rebel Warrior, the hero and heroine meet in the court of King Malcolm Canmore in 11th century Scotland. The heroine, who has just suffered a devastating loss, becomes a lady in waiting to the devout Queen Margaret. I could hardly present Margaret any other way since she was a real historic figure about whom we know much. And her ladies in waiting would be expected to join her in prayer and good deeds, yet how would a heroine who doubted God’s love serve such a queen? To include this element does not mean the story is not full of action, sexual tension and romance, or that there isn’t a love scene, which there is.

Queen Margaret feeds the orphans

In my Regency romances, you might encounter the heroine going to church with her friends, especially on Christmas, as in The Holly and the Thistle or The Twelfth Night Wager. It was just something they did in the Regency era as a matter of course. The Church of England was very important to their lives.

Jane Austen wrote about the world of the Anglican clergy, which she knew well, her father being the Reverend George Austen. Often, she featured clerics as characters, sometimes favorably (Edmund in Mansfield Park) and sometimes unfavorably (Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice).

Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park

In the medieval era, one daughter or son in a family might be expected to serve the church, which made it terribly inconvenient should that character fall in love.

In Georgian England, it was the Protestant Church of England vs. the Catholics and sometimes a story must reflect it. In my novel To Tame the Wind, which begins in France with a Catholic heroine and ends with her being married to a Protestant Englishman by the Anglican Bishop of London, I could hardly fail to deal with the difficulties their love produced, especially when England was making it near impossible for Catholics to own land, retain a title or even marry. And if you were Irish, as my hero in The Shamrock & The Rose, you had even more issues!

To reflect the characters’ faith is not to make the novels inspirational, that is to say, novels with a decided Christian message. Rather, it is merely presenting the culture in which my characters live and love. And I think the stories are richer for it.

About the author

Regan WalkerRegan Walker is a #1 bestselling, multi-published author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romance. She has been a featured author on USA TODAY’s HEA blog three times and twice nominated for the prestigious RONE award (her novel, The Red Wolf’s Prize is a finalist for 2015). Regan Walker writes historically authentic novels with real history and real historic figures. She wants her readers to experience history, adventure and love.

Her work as a lawyer in private practice and then serving at high levels of government have given her 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.”

Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, who she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses.

Twitter: @RegansReview (https://twitter.com/RegansReview)
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Dominated (The Enforcers #2) by Maya Banks-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Dominated (The Enforcers #2) by Maya Banks-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

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DOMINATED
The Enforcers #2
by Maya Banks
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Dominatedjpg

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 3, 2016

To save her, he had to betray her…

In Drake’s shadowy world, his enemies would exploit any weakness he had in order to bring him to his knees, and so he’s never allowed himself to care about anyone…never exhibited any vulnerability, and it made him a force to be reckoned with. Until Evangeline—his angel. A woman who slipped past his defenses like no one had ever managed. She was his to protect and ultimately, to do that, he had to do the unthinkable and drive the only good thing in his world away.

But he will stop at nothing to get her back…

Devastated and destroyed, Evangeline doesn’t know what made Drake turn on her in such a shocking manner. She only knows she’ll never be the same. He once freed her from all her inhibitions, only now she is a prisoner to never-ending pain. But when Drake finds her again, she realizes there is more to his world than she ever imagined, and she must decide if she can once more trust—and submit—to the man who holds her wounded heart in his hands. And he must convince her of just how far he’ll go to regain her love and forgiveness.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:

Dominated begins right where Mastered leaves off…………with a HUGE cliffhanger. As the blurb about the book says “to save her, he had to betray her….”and boy, did he ever betray her. Feeling utterly betrayed and humiliated, Evangeline runs away and hides from Drake. She just can’t understand why he had treated her that way in front of his business associates. She’d done everything to make him proud of her and to, for lack of a better analogy, “earn her keep”. Somehow, things had gone terribly wrong and she found herself with no money and nowhere to go, until an unexpected ally steps in and helps. The place she’s staying is humble, but she’s working to save a little money so that she can get back home.

To say Drake is crazy with worry about Evangeline is a huge understatement. He’s tried to track her down, but to no avail. His men are upset as well. Upset that she’s missing and even more upset at what sent her running in the first place. Seems Drake has a lot to make up for.

Drake finally tracks her down and finally gets her to understand what happened and how sorry he is. Of course, she forgives him and vows to try and make a life with him, but he has to meet her part way. He gives his word that he will. Funny thing about giving your word………you actually have to keep it. What follows will have you cheering for Evangeline (most of the time) and wanting to kill Drake (a lot of the time). As they navigate their relationship and the problems that come with Drake’s complicated life, one thing is for sure: Drake is in for a rude awakening. He’s never felt as out of control as he does with Evangeline, and he’s never been questioned by his inner circle, until now.

I love Maya Banks. Those of you who read my reviews know this. But, I didn’t love this one. I liked it, just didn’t love it. Evangeline is your typical fish-out-of-water and in-over-your-head heroine. She is as naïve as she is determined. Drake is your typical Alpha Male who swoops in to take care of the woman who he will come to love and feel he can’t live without. EXCEPT for the fact that not only does he make the big faux pas and lose her once, he does it AGAIN…………and AGAIN! With Evangeline seeing the good in Drake, she continues to forgive him, even though he knows he doesn’t deserve it. His inner circle isn’t even sure if he deserves her forgiveness. But, he gets it. I understand that Drake is really a mess and doesn’t really think he deserves anyone as good as Evangeline, but dang! Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ll say it again…. I liked the book. I liked the set up and I LOVED the secondary characters.

And, for the most part, I liked the story. I just didn’t like that he kept disrespecting her, until the end. But, even then, you have to wonder if he’ll do it again. That’s the part I didn’t like. You don’t know down to your toes that they are going to be okay. I’m also hoping that with the next book, which is Silas’s book (YAY!!!!!!), we find out more of the back story about Drake and his men. I loved the first book and had high hopes for this one. I just felt it lacked something……. With all of that said, I truly can’t wait for Silas’s book and to see what’s happening with the rest of the Enforcers.

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of MASTERED (The Enforcers #1)

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie M

 

excerpt

 

“Find her,” Drake said harshly, the nights without sleep evident in his haggard appearance. “This is your only priority, your only job. Find her and bring her back to me.”
He’d gathered his sentinels. The only men in his inner circle, a tight band of men—brothers—his partners in business and the only men he trusted with his life—and Evangeline’s.
The only men he’d allow to see him at his lowest, unguarded. Vulnerable. Nothing mattered to him. Not exposing his weakness. Not allowing his iron control that had maintained him through most of his life to slip. They all knew that Evangeline was . . . special. All important. And they, like him, liked her. Respected her.
And they were all pissed. At him.
“Goddamn it, Drake,” Maddox hissed out. “How could you do it? There had to be another way.”
“There was no other goddamn way and you know it!” Drake barked, fury and helplessness eating him alive, gutting him until there was nothing left but a soulless shell of a man standing helplessly in front of his brothers begging for their help.
Looks were exchanged. Some of sympathy, some of resignation as they realized Drake was right, and still others of quiet fury that Evangeline had been treated—betrayed—in such a despicable manner.
Goddamn useless woman. Can’t even give good head. Your only use is in my bedroom.
His cruel words sliced through his mind, a jagged cut making him bleed all over again, a vicious reminder of the unforgivable things he’d said to her. All in the effort to convince the fucking Luconis she meant nothing to him.
When in fact, she was his goddamn world. And she was gone.
He couldn’t blame her. He’d devastated her. Had ripped her to shreds until she was bleeding from the verbal wounds he’d inflicted. And Jesus, his physical treatment of her. No, the only person at fault was himself.
Silas had remained silent, his features carved in stone, but his eyes were a dead giveaway in a man who usually gave away nothing at all.
“She didn’t deserve this,” Silas said in his quiet voice. But then he never had to raise his voice to make his point. When he spoke, others instinctively ceased talking and listened to him. He was a man who commanded authority and respect.
“No, she didn’t,” Drake said hoarsely. “Don’t you think I know that? Do you think a single night goes by that I don’t replay the image of her broken, in utter despair, her tears—goddamn it, her tears—and worse, her fear. Of me. Of her humiliation. Her absolute belief in every insult, every word I hurled her way in an effort to make sure the goddamn Luconis never suspected what she meant to me. I’ll never forget. As long as I live, I’ll never forget that night.”
His tone grew savage, fury radiating from him like a beacon.
“She could be anywhere out there. Alone. Afraid. Her parents haven’t heard from her. And those bitches she called her best friends . . .” He broke off and had to visibly compose himself.
He and Maddox had gone there first only to discover that they hadn’t heard from her either. Except . . . Lana had admitted that Evangeline had called that day, the day she’d planned to visit them. To reconcile. And that she’d told her not to come. Guilt had been reflected in the eyes of all her “friends.”
It was then that Drake had understood that she’d never planned to execute her surprise to him, hadn’t lied to him in order to set up her playing hostess for him. She’d been hurt by her friends’ rejection, and so she’d turned to the one true thing in her life, seeking his approval, needing it, because she had no one else.


 

 

Posted by arrangement with Berkley Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Maya Banks, 2016.

About The Author Black and White

Follow Maya: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Maya BanksMy name is Maya Banks and I live in Texas with my husband and three children and our assortment of pets.

When I’m not writing, I love to hunt and fish with my family. We all love the outdoors and go on family hunting trips every year. We also love to travel. One of our more recent trips was to Scotland, which was every bit as comical as National Lampoon’s European Vacation. You know the part about “Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament” as they went round and round the roundabouts? Yeah, that was us, only we couldn’t even get out of the airport in Glasgow without hitting three of those suckers.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of a writing career is getting to meet so many wonderful readers. There’s nothing better than dishing books with someone who loves the romance genre as much as I do. Romance readers are passionate and vocal. We love our books, love our happily ever afters, and we love to spend time talking to others about our favorites. THIS is why I love my job so much, and I’m so grateful to readers who gave ME a chance when I began my career. So thank you.

Giveaway -black and white

Maya’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of MASTERED (Book 1 in The Enforcers series) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

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Fear Dreams by J.A.Schneider-a review

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Fear Dreams by J.A. Schneider-a review

Fear Dreams

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

About the book: Release Date March 28, 2016

Liddy Barron, an artist, was injured in a hit-and-run accident that left her with recurring nightmares, gaps in her memory, and an increasing obsession in the disappearance of a coed named Sasha Perry. Insecure and nervous, Liddy’s turmoil grows as she begins seeing ghostly images. Her husband Paul tries to help but suspects it’s just her imagination…while intuitive Detective Kerri Blasco, also obsessed with young Sasha’s disappearance, senses that Liddy may have a key to solving the case, and tries to unravel the shocking truth of what really haunts her.

Review:

Fear Dreams begins with Liddy trying to get back to a normal life after a devastating accident that left her both physically and emotionally damaged. As she turns to her art to help her cope, she mysteriously sketches a young woman, whom she’s sure she’s never met, but is almost compelled to do so. As her dreams become more prevalent, so much so that she starts to question everything, she goes to Detective Kerri Blasco. (Kerri is a character Schneider’s readers are familiar with that is a prominent character in Schneider’s Embryo series) Upon seeing the sketch and listening to Liddy, Kerry starts to believe that Liddy may hold a missing key that she has no idea she holds.

Once they start down the path of trying to figure everything out and piece things together, they have no idea what’s ahead of them. Does Liddy indeed hold the key, or are her dreams just that… fear dreams?

Fear Dreams is another suspenseful story by J.A. Schneider that will keep you guessing until the end. She has always done a great job with the twists and turns in her books, and this is no exception. If you’re looking for a quick read full of twists and turns and nicely developed characters, you cannot go wrong with one of Schneider’s books. Well done, J.A. Schneider!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Vickie M

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Runaway Vampire (Argeneau 23) by Lynsay Sands-a review

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Runaway Vampire (Argeneau 23) by Lynsay Sands-a review

Runaway Vampire

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

About the book: Release Date February 22, 2016

Dante Notte has heard it said that love hurts. He just wasn’t expecting it to run him over in an RV. Still, a punctured lung and broken ribs are nothing compared to the full-body shock he feels whenever he’s near the vehicle’s driver, Mary Winslow. He needs to keep her safe from their pursuers while he rescues his brother. Most challenging of all, he needs to claim this smart, stubborn woman as his life mate.

The naked, injured, insanely gorgeous younger man who clambered into her RV insists they belong together. If Mary wasn’t feeling their incredible connection in every inch of her being, she wouldn’t believe it. But now that the men who took Dante’s twin are after her too, trusting her gut means risking her life for an immortal who’s the very definition of a perfect stranger.

Review:

Runaway Vampire begins with a bang. Or a boom if you like. As Mary is headed south in her RV, she is a bit uneasy as this is the first trip she’s made down by herself since her husband died. Then, in a flash of movement and sound, Mary slams on the breaks because she thinks she hit something. Although everything in her tells her she should stay inside the RV, she just can’t, in good conscience, leave something or someone injured. She gets her flashlight and heads out, but doesn’t really see anything. Still uneasy, she runs back into her RV and heads out. Something seems off though and when she goes to check things out in the back of her RV, never in a million years did she expect to find a naked and very injured man in her small bathroom.

As things progress, Dante starts talking about him and his brother being kidnapped, something called life mates and immortals. Of course, Mary thought that he probably had a concussion from being ran over by her RV. She had no idea how much that “bump” in the road was about to change her life, and Dante had no idea how much being the “bump” in the road would change his life……

I love Lynsay Sands. She does such a great job telling touching stories that also make you laugh out loud. For real laugh out loud. I loved Mary’s attitude. For her to be in her 60s and have such a hot “young” thing be attracted to her was hysterical at times with the thoughts that ran through her mind. I’ve waited, as I’m sure all Sands fans have, for Dante’s book. He is one of those that readers just fall for immediately. When I started this book and saw that Mary was his life mate and that her husband had died and she had a daughter, I thought that maybe for the first time, I might not like the story. Which, in the scheme of things being 23 books deep, would not have been the worst thing……… Fortunately, I was waaaay wrong. Readers will absolutely fall in love with Mary and Dante, just as I did. Also love the fact that we just about always get to see our buddies from previous books, which is always a plus. If you’re looking for a quick, fun and sexy read, you can NOT go wrong with this or any of the Argeneau Series. Well done, Lynsay Sands. Very, very well done!

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Vickie M

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Darkness Raging (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #18) by Yasmine Galenorn-Review & Giveaway

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Darkness Raging (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #18) by Yasmine Galenorn-Review and Giveaway

Darkness Raging Banner

Darkness Raging
Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #18
by Yasmine Galenorn
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016

 

Darkness Raging

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository /

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch. Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. And me? I’m Menolly, a vampire married to a gorgeous werepuma. As the war in Otherworld arrives, Blood Wyne, Queen of the Vampires, summons me. Apparently, my position as Roman’s consort entails more than I imagined…

As the Demon Lord Shadow Wing creates his own sinister version of the Keraastar Knights—the guardians of the spirit seals—to destroy the portals and free himself from the Sub Realms, his ally, the necromancer Telazhar, leads an assault from Otherworld into the streets of Seattle. And my sisters and I are caught dead center.

Then, on the eve of war, my wife, Nerissa, is captured. The enemy demands we surrender the rest of the spirit seals, or they are going to kill her. I will do anything to save her. Even if it means leading an army of vampires into the very depths of the Subterranean Realms.

••••••••••

REVIEW: Darkness Raging begins with all hell breaking loose with all kinds of rogue portals appearing and all kinds of beastly beings pouring through. Of course, Menolly and her sisters, along with their crew, are called in to help contain and destroy the beings and the portals themselves. As Shadow Wing seems to be stepping up his game with the help of his dangerous ally Telazhar, the unthinkable happens. Menolly’s wife, Nerissa, is kidnapped and taken down into the Subterranean Realms where she is held captive.

The sisters call in favors to aid them in their search and planned rescue for Nerissa. As the threat of war seems inevitable, they know that the party entering the Sub Realms may be futile, but they also know that they will lose Menolly to the dark side of her vampire nature if they don’t get Nerissa back. Decision made, Menolly and a surprise ally, along with a few others, head down to rescue Nerissa. Little did they know that what was about to transpire would change everything. The Spirit Seals come into play in a HUGE way and the tables are turned. The question is, are they turned in a good way or in a bad way?

FINALLY!!!!! Darkness Raging takes us back to what started this series in the beginning. The search for the Spirit Seals. The tides are turning for everyone in this series. And, I mean everyone. Major changes for Menolly happen in this installment. And, for Nerissa. With Camille set to become a Fae Queen and having to move out of the home she and her sisters have shared since coming Earthside, the sense of dread that they feel at being separated is palpable. I’ve kind of complained that I had no idea what Galenorn’s end game was with this series, but I think with this installment, it may have come into view. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!! Well done, Yasmine Galenorn!! Very well done.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Vickie

giveaway

In celebration of Yasmine Galenorn’s newest book DARKNESS RAGING (February 2nd, 2016) we’re giving away the following items in a fabulous Yasmine-themed giveaway:

ONE copy of Panther Prowling
ONE copy of Priestess Dreaming
ONE set of character art cards (9 cards total in one set)

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

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