Dalene's Book Reviews

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Alchemy by Sheena Boekweb, Melanie Crouse & Sabrina West

Title: Alchemy (Prophecy Breakers)

Authors: Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse and Sabrina West

Genre: YA Parnormal Romance

Blurb:

We didn’t know how much we had to lose until we were infected with magic. Sam was in love, Juliette was the main caretaker for her siblings, and Ana and her dad planned the best parties in New York. But we lost it all when we were shipped to Chebeague, an exclusive school for newly infected mages.

Everyone knows about the mages, those who survive the infection and end up with magical abilities. We’ve seen the power of magic, the high-paying jobs, and the world fame. But we never saw the cost. We didn’t know we’d be forced to give up everything: sanity, family, even the right to talk on the phone.

We didn’t know mage was just another word for prisoner.

Purchase on Amazon Purchase on B&N

About the Authors

Sabrina West, Sheena Boekweg and Melanie Crouse never dreamed they would actually create a book worth publishing when they started writing together. Alchemy was merely supposed to be an exercise in flexibility. And it has been that, but it is so much more. Friendships that span the American continent have been forged, and unforgettable characters have been created.

Writing this first book in the Prophecy Breakers was a fun-filled adventure, and we hope that reading it is just as fun for you.

Visit us at theprosers.blogspot.com or check out Sheena Boekweg's amazing novel, Funny Tragic, Crazy Magic.

Website

Goodreads

My Review: January 2014 ~ Review Copies ~

Alchemy by Sheena Boekweg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, I would like to thank the authors Sheena Boekweg, Sabrina West and Melanie Crouse for giving me this book for an honest review. I loved reading this story, at first I wasn't sure how it was going to go being written by three different authors, but they did great and meshed well together. The characters are very well written and the world building is very good. I look forward to reading more from these authors and more from of this series.

View all my reviews

Lunagelique Series by Kristin R. Campbell

Interview

1) First, tell us about yourself – where you live, your family, and those sorts of details.

I currently live in southern Utah with my husband and kids. I have about a million (not really, but seems that way) nephews and nieces that I adore and love to spend my free time with. I’m a military brat who also joined the military and am married to a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine). When I got out of the service I went to school full time and now own an editing service catering to Indie authors. I love to learn and would be a career student if I could.

2) How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing all my life, but I’ve only just been writing literature for the past few years. I used to win countless poetry contests as a kid and then, even after college (because I’m a dork), I like research and give myself topics to study and write about.

3) Do you have a favorite place to write?

Not really. I just typically write at my desk. Sometimes I write on my couch for a change of scenery.

4) Why did you decide to write Lunangelique?

I have no idea. Lol! I just sat down one day and wrote and wrote. Nine days later, I had a book. A couple months later, I did the same thing and then I had two books, followed immediately by a third. It’s an addiction.

5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

I love Lexi because she’s not your typical heroine. Most books today have naïve, dependent, self-conscious females with the guy that swoops in and saves them. I wanted the opposite of that for my character. Lexi is a good friend, she’s confident, independent, and isn’t afraid of anything. She knows what she wants and takes charge.

6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

Patryck. He comes across as a hero. Picking up the pieces, giving a lending ear, trying to sooth Lexi’s pain. However, he’s a manipulative, lying scumbag. He’s a status climber that just wants to be in the leader’s good graces.

7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I try both, but I just can’t read my own work. Every time I go to proofread, I start changing the story or adding to it. I finally have to give it to my editor and never look at it again. They were so much fun to write and I don’t want to change that experience by regretting how I wrote something.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m reading. Lol! Books are my life. I write, I edit, I read. I don’t watch TV; I just can’t sit still enough and turn my brain off to enjoy television. Books are so much more enjoyable. On the weekends, when the weather is right, I go on long hikes with my family. During the summer, we are always outside at the pool.

9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?

Oh, I read. I think I’ve read close to 350 books this year alone, and that’s not counting the books I’ve reread. Lol! I love Steven Saylor, Abbi Glines, H.M. Ward (God, her books are addicting!), and this year I’ve discovered Sylvain Reynard, S.C. Stephens, A. Meredith Walters, C.J. Roberts…I can’t name all my favorites. There are just too many.

10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Why mix mythology and religion?

Mythology has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. I love the stories, I love how so much of the mythologies are the same (except for Roman, which was a rip-off from Greek), I love how a lot of the characters were actual historical figures, which makes you wonder how much more truth there is.
I really believe that, though maybe not the supernatural aspects, there are a lot of truths to the mythologies. Was Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Poseidon, Hades, etc. real people? Possibly. Why not? Maybe they were illustrious figures that left such an impression doing outrageous deeds that their stories were spun into these fantastical tales we have today.
Take Cadmus, for example. He was known as the creditor to the Phoenician Alphabet, which later was adapted to the Greek Alphabet. Why not, right? Someone had to do it. Or how about these Greek mythology personas: Libya, Memphis, Aegyptus, Europa, Sparta, and the list could go on and on. These are all names of places. According to myth, these places were named after the people. So the question is what came first; the place or the name?
Mythology was used as a history lesson no less than 2000 years ago, until the birth of Christianity. Even with the growth of the Catholic Church, Saints appeared with the same supernatural aspects and similar stories of the ancient mythological gods. Again, I’ll take Cadmus for example. He supposedly fought off a dragon; Saint George fought a dragon. Just one example. We still use these tales today, not as a history lesson, but as a morals lesson. There is still something about mythology today that seems important to teach in our schools.
In Lunangelique, I merge mythology and religion as it’s merged throughout the years. If it’s possible to believe any one deity existence (God), then who is to say they can’t all exists? This is what I’m trying to impart in my writings.
Oh, and this is coming from a Catholic, so those who may be offended by assuming I’m trying to dissent Religion would be wrong. I’m just open to possibilities.

YA Paranormal Romance

Date Published: 2012

Lunangelique:

Blurb:

For Alexis and Alex life has been great. They have loving parents, great friends and live a life every teenager dreams. However, they are adopted and Alexis struggles with wanting to know who their real parents are and not wanting to hurt her adopted parents. Then, a stunning guy moves across the street from them. One who has a secret past and seems to know things about Alexis. One who does mysterious things and leads her to other mysterious persons. One who pushes her to discover her extraordinary birth family and the truth between mythology and religion.

Excerpt

He laughs at me like I have said the funniest joke in the world. I keep my face neutral, not wanting to show any emotions while he finally collects himself. “You are amusing. Aren’t you afraid? Why do you not fear me? Do you know what I have done to Kakabel? What I intend to do to you?”

I shrug my shoulders, wanting to appear as calm as possible. “I won’t be scared if I tell myself there is nothing to fear. You cannot hurt me because I will tell myself not to feel pain. I don’t know what you did to my art professor so I won’t know what you will do to me.” I play him with words because I know he won’t understand.

“Where are your wings?” he demands, angry now because I’m not giving anything away.

“What this?” I nod my chin to the necklace around my neck. He comes forward and yanks it off my neck. “Hey, I like that,” I whine like a spoiled child.

“Malachi,” he calls towards the other room. In a few seconds, Malachi is by his side. He takes Cole’s wings that Cerviel hands him and studies it before laughing. “I thought you would like that.” Malachi throws it on the floor and stomps on it. “Go back to Samson,” Cerviel orders him. Malachi is gone in the blink of an eye, leaving me alone with Cerviel again.

“That’s my necklace.” I pout. “There’s no reason to treat it that way.”

“It will hurt your lover,” he informs me with a malicious smile. “If you will not cooperate, then we will torture him.”

“How?” I challenge him.

“His wings,” he indicates to the necklace lying on the floor, “contains a link to him. They’re still connected even though they’re not attached. If you hurt one, then you hurt the other.”

“You’re insane.” I act like his notions are ridiculous.

“Want to test it out?” he picks it up and places his hands on either end like he’s about to twist it or break it in two.

“No!” I scream, terrified that what he says is true.

Games up. I lost this match. Sugar snaps!

“What are you?” he asks again patiently. He takes a chair and places it in front of me. Then, he sits down, folding his legs and hands as they rest on his leg. He’s acting like this is a normal conversation over tea with a friend.

“Can I have some water, please?” I’m trying to buy some time to get away.

“After you answer my questions,” he answers.

“Are you going to let me go after I do?”

“It depends on if I like your answers.” He smiles sweetly at me. “What are you?”

“A girl who is starting to get pissed off that you keep asking me that, like I’m a freaking alien or something!” I scream it at him. I close my eyes and take a deep breath to calm down when I feel a slap across my face. My eyes dart open and I glare at him angrily. I taste blood on the side of my mouth. He stares at the wound and I see a light bulb go off in his eyes. He grins wickedly at me and then produces a switch blade from his pocket.

“Let’s see how much of a pissed off girl you really can be,” he mocks me and then plunges the knife into my hand, impaling it into the arm of the chair I was gripping. My eyes bulge open in shock and horror and I want to scream, but I tell my nerves not to feel anything and my hand goes dead of feeling. I’m so glad right now that I’m a freak.

He watches my expression change with amusement and then looks lethal again when I don’t scream out. I drum the fingers of my other hand on the arm of the chair. Acting like I’m bored with this act.

“Where are your wings?” Cerviel demands of me.

“I don’t have any wings you freakin’ lunatic. I’m just a girl.” I start laughing because my hand not responding to being impaled is a pretty sure sign that I am not human. I feel psychotic in the moment. I think shock is setting in and I cannot control it. I just continue to laugh at him.

His face breaks out in uncontrolled angry grimace and then he pulls the knife out of my hand and plunges it into my chest. I feel it tear through the arteries of my heart. I’m so shocked he did it that I stop breathing, which ends my laughter.

“Go and find her brother,” I hear him bark at someone before I black out again.

Sleeping Gods:

Blurb:

Alexis must pick up the broken pieces of her heart and pull herself together because she has a mission: To awaken the sleeping gods. When she is at the point of giving up, wearing her pretend smiles and feels like there is nothing left of herself, her friend becomes her savior. Patryck helps put Alexis back together again and in return Alexis sees him as something more than a friend…

Together with her brother, Alex, her father, Edmund, and a team of angels they make their way to Mount Latmos, to awaken the gods. But obstacles are in their way, one of them being Cole, the traitor, the one who shattered Alexis’ heart.

New friends and family she never thought she would meet will come to aid Alexis.

…And a love will blossom that will redefine the saying, “Love you forever.”

Awakened Gods:

Blurb:

Lexi has fulfilled her destiny and now the gods have awakened, but is that a good thing?

Now, Lexi lives in a world that is on a global collapse. The gods are angry that they have been forsaken and are seeking revenge on humanity. The oceans are in turmoil, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcano eruptions and famine are causing global chaos, and the sun is being held hostage in an astrological phenomenal, never-ending solar eclipse by the avenging Helios.

Then, there is the problem of Zeus’ threat. Lexi must choose between giving herself to him or watching the “abominable” angels die by his hand. Not to mention, Hera, Zeus’ wife, is proposing her own jealous-driven proposition to Lexi: stay away from her husband or the angels and everyone dear to her will die. Lexi sees no way out of either predicaments and it puts a strain on her relationship with Cole. Will she lose him either way?

Kristin R. Campbell

Kristin R. Campbell currently lives in Utah with her husband and two children. She is prior military and has pursued Religion, History and Legal Studies before finally settling with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. She is a self-proclaimed workaholic, who also loves hiking, traveling, spoiling her babies and, of course, reading and writing.

BUY LINKS

Lunangelique on Amazon

Lunangelique on B&N

Sleeping Gods on Amazon

Sleeping Gods on B&N

Awakened Gods on Amazon

Awakened Gods on B&N

GIVEAWAY:

($15 Gift Card + Autographed Copies)

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Outcast Highlander by R.L. Syme with Interview

Interview

1) First, tell us about yourself – where you live, your family, and those sorts of details.

I live in Montana and work at a children’s theater, where I teach singing and music, and where I’m the music director for our five annual musicals. It’s so much fun.

2) How long have you been writing?

I majored in literature as an undergrad and then went for my MFA in creative writing, so I’ve known that I wanted to be a writer for quite awhile. But I don’t think I was really serious about it until I joined RWA in 2009 and started really completing books. You can write all you want, but if you don’t complete books, you’re still just a hobbyist, no matter how good you are.

3) Do you have a favorite place to write?

This is a hard one for me because I have an office that I used to love to write in, but honestly, I got one of those treadmill desks, and now I see my office as a workout place, which doesn’t thrill me. I do have to be careful about how much I sit down during the day, and the treadmill desk was a great investment in my health, but I have to be honest in that it’s not super fun anymore. So it’s hard for me to find other places to write.

4) Why did you decide to write The Outcast Highlander?

I had done some historical research and really fell in love with the character of Andrew de Moray. Because of his placement in history, I knew I couldn’t write a romance novel about him, so I started to re-imagine how I might find a love story among his friends. That created this series.

5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Definitely Broccin, which sort of made me sad, because I only get to write him really in one book. But wouldn’t you know it, I found a way to write him a major part in book two as well.

6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

Least favorite is hard for me because I love them all, even the antagonists. In this book, Elizabeth is one of the antagonists and she is a HO-BAG. But I love her.

7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I edit my own book first, because I fast-draft. But then I have two different processes that I use. I have beta readers who read the book when it’s finished and give me reader-based feedback, but I also use a freelance editor. Then, of course, when you sell to a publisher, they have editors who work with you, as well, which has always been a good experience for me.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I am obsessed with BBC mysteries right now. And, come to think of it, CTV mysteries and mysteries from the USA as well. So I love to watch mysteries and while I’m doing that, I am either doing promo for one of my releases, or working on edits, or I’m crocheting or knitting.

9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?

I try to read at least a book a week. This year, I’ve done two books in three weeks, but I’m almost caught up. I love to read books outside my genre, just to get inspired. So I try to read as much as I can.

10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Honestly, people have all asked great questions. I can’t think of anything specifically. But that is also a great question to ask.

The Outcast Highlander

(The Highland Renegades)

by R.L. Syme

Scottish Historical Medieval

Sweet Romance

254 pages, self-published

He's lost his family, his title, and his honor, but he can't lose her...

Kensey MacLeod returns home after a failed marriage alliance in France to find her world in turmoil: her best friend married to an English sympathizer, her mother at death's door, and her father imprisoned and thought dead. As an English lord descends to claim her father's lands, Kensey escapes north with her mother and brother, and runs straight into the arms of the outcast Highlander.

Driven from home and family by a crazed father, Broccin Sinclair refuses to stand aside while the English invade his beloved Scotland. But who should he champion? The freedom fighter who saved his life, the family who has forgotten him, or the woman who captured his childhood heart?

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N

EXCERPT:

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I ask why your horse grazes yonder when there are men who chase you?”
“Oh, stop, you impertinent fool.” Kensey shook his hand away and searched the area around her for something. “I was knocked off my horse.”
“What are you looking for?”
She sighed. “I would like to get up and resume my travels.”
So she looked for something to pull herself up with, yet ignored his help. How like her. He must be beneath her notice. Or her care.
“Let me help you.” He stood and offered both hands. She considered him for a moment and finally touched him again. He couldn’t deny a tiny thrill at having won the fight, or at having her hands in his. But her frustration continued.
She furrowed her brow and released his hands. First one step, then another. But on the third step, she began to sway and Broc had to follow quickly to catch her.
“You’re in no state to be walking.” He swept her into his arms, despite her protest, and stilled her grasping hands by hooking both of her wrists together in one grip. “Nor riding.”
He deposited her atop his horse and jumped up before she could make any more fuss. The Ross men obviously hadn’t followed them, but they would have to proceed carefully from here, knowing they may come back upon them at any time.
Broc urged his horse forward into a slow cantor, searching for the least dense path forward. In his lap, Kensey pulled on the dirty folds of her dress, dislodging bits of the forest floor that still clung to the delicate fabric.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“Let’s get you out of here first, lass.” He glanced back into the thick canopy of stillness for a moment. “Ross’s men may be quick on our heels.”
Sitting against him as she was now, she felt tiny and vulnerable. His cloak had opened as he’d climbed onto Gaidel’s back and she was now sitting in the midst of it, against his nearly bare chest. She seemed to suck up all the warmth in his body as she curled against him. Her eyelashes blinked furiously, as though she tried to keep herself awake when sleep called. He reached down and wrapped the warmth of the cloak around her.
“You can sleep. It appears we’ve lost our pursuers and it will be slow progress back to the trail, if we even dare to follow it.”
“I’m not tired.” She yawned and her weight pressed even more against him. She would no doubt be asleep soon. His body tensed against the desire that tried to consume him. This was his brother’s intended.
He was merely delivering her back to him.
Not enjoying having her in his arms. Not at all.

Author bio:

R.L. Syme works at a youth theatre, teaching kids performing arts and musical performance classes/camps when she's not writing. Otherwise, she's putting her Seminary degree to good use writing romance novels. Let not all those systematic theology classes go to waste...

Links:

http://facebook.com/bighopesbigheroes

http://twitter.com/beck_a_tron

http://pinterest.com/rlsyme

http://rlsyme.com

http://goodreads.com/rlsyme

http://theoutcasthighlander.com

Giveaway: 2 great prizes !! Grand Prize: R.L. is giving away a Kindle Paperwhite. As a secondary prize, she would like to give away a set of Scottish Historical romances from some of her favorite authors.

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Release Day - Freakin' Cougar by Eve Langlais

Book Title: Freakin' Cougar

Author: Eve Langlais

Genre: Shapeshifter Menage

Release Date: January 28, 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

"Forget taming their cougar. These young studs want her as is, even if she scratches. Someone’s killing shifters in prison, and Patricia needs help catching the culprit. The cougar enlists the help of Stu and Ricky, a techno geek and a reformed criminal, a mismatched pair, who turn out to also be her mates. But Patricia’s already loved and lost one man. Does she dare allow herself to care again? Older isn’t just wiser, it’s sexier, or at least that’s what a socially challenged wolf and a bad boy panther think. Forced to work together to catch a killer, Stu and Ricky soon find out they’ll have to learn to do more than tolerate each other when they realize one hot forty-something cougar is their mate. Can they find a way to work together and make their cougar purr?"

Excerpt (18+): Chapter One Sunday was family dinner night. For most people this would mean a loving gathering of close relatives around the supper table, exchanging news and exciting gossip over home-cooked food. But his was no ordinary family. With the exception of one new addition, all present were shapeshifters; large cats, wolves, and even one big-ass bear. As for Stu, one of the lupine diners, he was related, in an unfortunate twist of fate, to all of them. To one side of him sat Chris, younger brother, pain in his ass, and newly married chump to the lovely and delicate Jiao. On his right, he had the entertaining Alejandro, his other brother Mitchell—whom he lived to tease—and feisty Francine, their mate as well as his sister’s best friend. Across the table sat his loud-mouthed, bratty sister Naomi with her mates Ethan and Javier, accompanied by his adorable baby niece and nephew—who currently took turns spitting out food and chortling. Then there was his other brother Kendrick, his best bud Joel, and their human mate, Ruth, a plump and juicy morsel. Not that he said that aloud—he preferred to not bleed all over his favorite Despicable Me minion T-shirt. His oldest brother, Derrick, was the only one of his siblings missing because he was off on some mission to save the world—he always had been an overachiever and champion ass-kisser. Toss in his mom and dad at the heads of the table, and the noise level currently underway probably exceeded local bylaw levels. Not that anyone would dare complain. Their neighbors were shapeshifters too and would more likely pee on the leg of a ticketing bylaw agent than complain about one of their own. Seeing as how the whole family was pretty much accounted for, it made the ringing of the doorbell surprising. What insane person would show up at dinnertime on a Sunday at his house? Then again, the table still had one empty seat, a seat his mother enjoyed glancing toward at least once a day before shooting him a pointed stare, a look that plainly said, “And when will you be settling down with a mate of your own?” As if he’d be filling it anytime soon. He still intended to sow many more oats before settling down. Of course, the whole sowing thing required him leaving the house and going to places where he could meet girls. Stu wasn’t the social type. At least not in person. While comfortable around close friends and family, Stu lacked a suave tongue when it came to conversing with women. Tongue-tied, shy, and awkward tended to strike whenever he tried to flirt. So he mostly stuck to online dating personals, which would work a lot better if most of the profiles didn’t belong to lonely old men getting their jollies. Stu still woke in a cold sweat every so often when he remembered the video of the last so-called woman he’d virtually dated. Needless to say, she turned out to be a very hairy he who enjoyed masturbating for an audience while wearing a bunny rabbit suit. It took a week for the blindness to wear off. Before the chimes could ding a second time, his father excused himself to answer, not that anyone paid much attention. The various conversation threads flowed fast and furious as everyone caught up on the week’s events. Naomi and Francine gushed over the newest thing the wonder twins had accomplished while the guys all discussed the most recent roster changes on the Ottawa Senators line-up. Stu paid little of it any mind. He just came down from his room to scarf down a plateful, inhale some of mom’s pie, and store some energy for the World of Warcraft attack he’d planned with a group of other online gamers for the evening. His level seventy-six mage had acquired some new spells and armor that he was dying to test out. But, judging by his stirring wolf, those plans might get cancelled. Something smelled good, and for once it wasn’t Ma’s homemade peach cobbler pie. Leaning back in his seat and ignoring the noise around him, Stu inhaled deep, sifting the various scents. No doubt about it. A shifter had entered their home. Someone he’d never met, in person at least. A female. Sniff. Sniff. Feline. And coming this way. Stu opened his eyes and saw her as she stepped into the dining room, a trim, thirty-something blonde with bobbed hair and vivid blue eyes. Damn, talk about hot! She looked like a man’s stripper fantasy in her perfectly pressed RCMP uniform, which, while stern, did nothing to hide her athletic build, softened by very womanly curves. But it wasn’t just her looks that caught his attention, more the fact that judging by the way his inner beast sat up and took notice, along with a certain body part, he’d just found his mate. What an unexpected surprise. Not that she was older than him or a cat, but the fact he even had a mate. Still in his twenties—and, yes, twenty-nine counted—his track record with women wasn’t great. While at ease among friends and family, he turned into a bumbling idiot around women he found appealing. Even when he did manage to speak, his appearance often played against him. Stu was into comfort. Well-worn jeans, T-shirts with cartoons and humorous sayings, oh and hair he let his mother trim, usually while licking the mixing bowl for the brownies, her bribe to get him to sit still while she hacked at his uneven locks. Don’t get him wrong. While he wasn’t movie star handsome, he also wasn’t butt ugly. Just ask his momma. Sitting ramrod straight in his seat, he plastered a smile on his face, wished he’d combed his hair, and hoped nothing was stuck between his teeth. Alas, despite his certainty that the woman who’d entered was his mate, his luck with women held true. Her eyes tracked over him and didn’t linger. So much for instant attraction. On the upside, at least she didn’t scream, gag, or run away. “Patricia, grab a seat,” his mom yelled from the kitchen, not at all perturbed by the addition of another person at their rollicking, mismatched dining table. His mind automatically began to hum Patricia Delicia. Great stripper song, but not the time for it. He shoved aside the naughty ditty sung by that crooner Chris De Burgh as he tried to concentrate on placing the woman. Why did her name sound so familiar? Surely if they’d met before he would remember. With a husky voice that would have done well on a late-night radio show, she replied, “I can’t. I’m here on business. I’m looking for Stu Grayson.” Business involving him? Given her attire and the seriousness of her tone, that couldn’t bode well. Had his illegal pirating of movies and MP3s finally caught up to him because, as far as he knew, surfing porn—and whacking off to it—wasn’t illegal. What were the chances he could slink off his chair, hide under the table, and sneak out the back door? Given the fact a Chihuahua wouldn’t make it through the maze of legs and feet, not good. Only one thing to do. Man up and hope for the best. Stu pushed back from the table, his chair screeching on the battered hardwood floor, and stood. “That’s me. What can I do for you?” “Stu Grayson, I’m placing you under arrest.” Patricia dangled a set of metal cuffs, and jaws all over the place dropped.

"Hello, my name is Eve, a Canadian mom who works full time as an author. In between juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I pen steamy romance--usually with werewolves, cyborgs or aliens lol. I love to write, and while I don't always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a HEA. Thanks so much for coming by and checking me out. If you'd like to know more, read some excerpts or find out what's coming next, then please visit me at http://www.EveLanglais.com Or sign up for my new release email list at http://www.evelanglais.com/newrelease Happy reading! Eve Langlais "

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Release Day Blitz - Forsaken by Kristen Day

Forsaken

Daughters of the Sea-Book #1

By Kristen Day

Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…

Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago.

Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her.

Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.

Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendants of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.

But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.

She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesied to be a part of. The fate of all the descendants will forever depend upon it.

The Remade by Casse NaRome

Blurb

Dain has lost everything. His mom and Tara are both gone. The face that he once used as a solace, he can no longer bear to see. He’s unraveling; Akila may not be enough to hold the strands together.

For Akila watching Dain become a shadow of the guy she once knew is torture. She knows she is losing him but how can she stop it while holding on to secrets of her own? All she has to do is keep everything together long enough to stop the evil scientists that are out to sabotage their destiny.

They are both fighting their own demons but whose will destroy them first?

About the Author

Casse Narome is the alter-ego of a self-proclaimed awesome weirdo who spent her childhood reading and daydreaming. As an adult that is also how she spends her time only now she writes her daydreams down for everyone to read. Casse is never serious, has been accused of wishing her life was a sitcom, laugh track and all, has a bad habit of talking out loud to herself and she is fine with being a little insane. She spends way too much time online, too much money buying books and laughing at her own jokes. You will find her on Twitter being very random and spewing her opinions. When you see her online, tell her to get back to her writing! Or just engage her in a hilarious random conversation.

My Review: January 2014 ~ Review Copies ~

The Remade: Akila's Psalm by Casse NaRome
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, I would like to thank the author Casse NaRome for giving me this book for an honest review. The world building was very good and interesting. The characters were well defined. I enjoyed reading this story, I look forward to reading more from Casse NaRome.

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal - A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings

Cover Designed by: Erica Crouch

Originally Published by: Patchwork Press, October 29th 2013

SUMMARY

Enchanted castles and charming princes thought to exist only in stories come to life in this classically twisted fairy tale that combines the timeless quality of generations old folktales with the challenges of the modern world.

The woods of Elorium appear ordinary to Andi Grace, until birds start talking and elves answer doors. Along with three others, Andi has been whisked out of her world and finds herself the reluctant guest of the perplexing millionaire, Mr. Jackson—a stranger willing to help get them home, but who’s keeping secrets of his own.

Discovering unexpected family connections to this fairy tale land, the group must rely on each other as they dodge evil fairies and battle giants, intent on keeping them in Elorium. Faced with characters short on whimsy and bent towards treachery, Andi, Quinn, Fredrick and Dylan are forced into fairy tale roles to find the way home. But in Elorium, happily ever after is never guaranteed.

ABOUT JANNA JENNINGS

Janna is a Colorado based YA author who loves a good fairy tale. She’s married to her own real life Prince Charming, and will usually admit to being mom of three, including her incorrigible middle child, Benny. Besides wrangling her kids she can be found doing some therapeutic baking, dreaming of the ocean, and of course, curling up with a good book.

Twitter: @jannajennings80

Blog

Naughty Little Bedtime Stories by Tamaria Soana

Naughty Little Bedtime Stories

By-Tamaria Soana

Anthology of Steamy Short Stories

Bedtime stories that will heat up your night.

Naughty Little Bedtime Stories contains twelve short stories that will arouse your senses. You’ll find stories that contain light bondage, food play, ménage (m/m/f), and other erotic events. Each story has a different setting and couple who explore all things naughty in and out of the bedroom.

Content Warning: adult language, graphic sexual situations.

Beachwalk Press

All Romance Ebooks

*********Blurb************

The year is 9045 and the Nations control almost everything in the universe. They have brought order to many planets and cultivated others, but behind closed doors they’ve raided and pillaged the planet’s resources for their own gain. She is one of the many children who have been ripped from their home for their selfish cause. Trained at a young age, she was developed into just what the Nations hoped to accomplish. A perfect weapon. But when control is lost and the weapon goes rogue, the Nations learn firsthand just what they’ve created and just what their weapon will do for her freedom and for a family she can never forget. He is sent to find her. Another trained and burned by the Nations, Byron Suthland is hired to find the weapon, only he doesn’t want to find her for them. He wants to find her for himself and bring back a woman, not a weapon. Knowing she can kill him instantly means nothing, but caring about her means everything.
Severing

*********Excerpt**********

“And where are you going to go?” “Home.” “Do you even know where home is?” “No, but you do and you’re going to be kind enough to give me the information.” “It isn’t that easy.” She lost her temper and walked right up to him, bringing the gun she had tucked behind her right out. He didn’t fight her when she put her hand up to his throat, shoving him back against the wall, her gun now pressed right between his eyes. “What are you going to do, Severine?” Byron asked. “Shoot me?” “If I have to.” “Then what kind of information will you get?” They had a kind of standoff. Both refusing to back down or look away. However, Byron made a move, one she wasn’t expecting. His hand came up slowly, his body didn’t move. With the back of his hand, knuckles only, he touched the side of her face. Severine moved back. “What are you doing?” She frowned at him. “Something I think hasn’t been done to you in a very long time.” “Don’t do that.” His hand went back to her ear and into her hair. “But I want to do this.” When his face began to lower down to hers and both of his hands moved to her waist, Severine changed the position of the gun. She now pressed it up under his chin. “I can shoot you and keep you alive.” His face was mere inches from her own, lips so close she could feel his breath upon her own. “And I think this will be well worth getting shot.” They touched. His lips touched her own gently, softly. She had never been kissed before. The only type of touching she’d been subjected to had always resulted in pain of some kind. Yet this wasn’t painful, but it confused her none the less. He didn’t do much of anything else either. In fact, if she wasn’t mistaken, she thought he was trying to show her how to kiss. Why she let this happen, she couldn’t answer. But Severine did give in mostly due to her curiosity. She wanted to know what this felt like. What it was like to be held by another and not made to suffer for it. However, before anything more could go on, the gun she held under his chin was taken from her hand and the light kissing simply stopped. He pulled back enough to look her once more in the eye, one arm still around her. Keeping eye contact with her, Byron uncocked the gun, let it drop with his finger still on the trigger so it would flip butt first back to her. “I’m not going to hurt you, Severine. Ever. And I will help you find what you need, but not with a gun at my head. Next time, just say please.” She took the gun from his hand, he let her go, and moved around her toward the steps, taking them two at a time up, leaving her right where she stood.

*********Author Bio***********

Jaden Sinclair lives in a small town in Kansas with her husband of eighteen years, two boys and a few pets that keep her hopping. Between sports and the animals it’s a wonder at times how she is able to keep the flow of her writing going. But she does. She has many series in the works and out for your enjoyment, and most known for the Shifter series. Between werewolves, vampires, scifi, new worlds or simple romances, one never really knows what will come out next. So to keep up with what she doing, visit her website: www.jadensinclair.com just simply email her at jadensinclair@gmail.com. She’ll love to hear from you. Jaden Sinclair

Jaden Sinclair ~ Romance Author

Author Jaden Sinclair's Blog

http://www.amazon.com/Jaden-Sinclair/e/B00H6707CG

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Grave Destinations by Lori Sjoberg

GRAVE INTENTIONS
The Grave series, #1
Publisher: eKensington
Publication Date: January 3, 2013
Print Length: 260 pages
ASIN: B009T9SCDA

He’s handsome, reliable, and punctual—the perfect gentleman when you want him to be. But this dream man is Death’s best agent—and now he’s got more than his soul to lose…

One act of mercy before dying was all it took to turn soldier David Anderson into a reaper—an immortal who guides souls-of-untimely-death into the afterlife. But the closer he gets to atoning for his mortal sin and finally escaping merciless Fate, the more he feels his own humanity slipping away. Until he encounters Sarah Griffith. This skeptical scientist can’t be influenced by his powers—even though she has an unsuspected talent for sensing the dead. And her honesty and irreverent sense of humor reignite his reason for living—and a passion he can’t afford to feel. Now Fate has summoned David to make a devastating last harvest. And he’ll break every hellishly-strict netherworld rule to save Sarah…and gamble on a choice even an immortal can’t win.

AVAILABLE NOW:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

GRAVE DESTINATIONS

The Grave series, #2

Publisher: eKensington

Publication Date: January 2, 2014

Print Length: 247 pages

ASIN: B00EF51IZC

She’s sexy-fierce, resourceful—and will do anything to protect victims as innocent as she once was. But this kick-ass reaper never bargained on meeting her not-quite-human match…or putting their very souls on the line.

A luxury Caribbean cruise is Ruby Dawson’s idea of hell even under the best circumstances. Too many bad memories bubble up—especially of the wrenching injustice that made her a reaper. It doesn’t help that Jack Deverell is making this routine soul-collecting job twice as difficult with his devilish good looks and not-so-innocent questions. Now, as several unscheduled, unexplainable deaths throw passengers and crew into a panic, Jack becomes the prime suspect. The only way Ruby can save him is to challenge the decades-old curse threatening his soul. And as a malevolent unstoppable force turns their immortality into a fatal weakness, Ruby and Jack must risk their fragile humanity to save Fate’s delicate balance and their own unexpected destiny…

Buy links:

ARe

Author Bio & Contact Links:

Growing up the youngest of three girls, Lori never had control of the remote. (Not that she's bitter about that. Really. Okay, maybe a little, but it's not like she's scarred for life or anything.) That meant a steady diet of science fiction and fantasy. Star Trek, Star Wars, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits - you name it, she watched it. It fed her imagination, and that came in handy when the hormones kicked in and she needed a creative excuse for being out past curfew.

After completing her first manuscript, she joined the Romance Writers of America and Central Florida Romance Writers. Now she exercises the analytical half of her brain at her day job, and the creative half writing sensual paranormal romance. Grim reapers are her specialty, but she loves to write about all creatures of the night.

Contact links:

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

GRAND PRIZE: $20 Amazon gift card

RUNNERS UP: E-copy of Grave Intentions to two (2) runners up (Kindle or Nook format)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lori Sjoberg's GRAVE DESTINATIONS Book Blast 1/06 - 1/26

1/6 Book Monster Reviews

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