July 15, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Second City Signing 2015

Tina and myself are excited to be attending Birmingham’s (UK) first major indie author event on Saturday. You may recognise one author from our blog, Pat Spence, who will be attending. We reviewed her YA Paranormal ‘Blue Moon’ last year! If you’re not booked up for anything this weekend, please come along and join in the fun!!!!

Keren Hughes

Hi Everyone!
I thought it was about time I let everyone in on the fact that I will be an attending author at a huge signing event in July 2015. It’s called Second City Signing and will be held at St Andrews in Birmingham.
I am so excited, I literally can’t stop thinking about all the awesome people I am going to meet, authors and readers alike.
And, would you believe it, we have the one and only JEM attending!! I mean seriously guys, Jodi Ellen Malpas? *fan-girls around*

As you can see, I will be signing on Saturday 18th July only, so if you want to come and see me, make sure to get your ticket!

If you want to keep up to date with information about this fantastic event, you can add SCS as a friend on Facebook, join the Facebook Group for Attendees and follow us on

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July 15, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Be a Dork and Celebrate Your Inner Geek this week at Grammarly.com

This week is a special week for dorks and geeks, and Grammarly are celebrating in style! On Monday, July 13th, Grammarly were celebrating Geekiness Day, and today is Dork Day. Finally, a chance to let our nerdy minds shine!

To help celebrate, Grammarly have prepared a Geekiness Quiz!!!

There is also The Anatomy of the Grammar Nerd, which is also great fun!

Be sure to check out Grammarly and all the help they can provide with your writing at https://www.grammarly.com/grammar-check/1

It’s a great site and fun too!!

July 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up June ’15

Dear readers, Welcome to a our Review Round-Up for June. It has been a scorcher here in the UK over the last few days, and I do believe that many of us will welcome some rain to break up the humidity. That’s not to say that we want to turn down the heat in the books we are reviewing! This month in particular is dominated by romance, mostly dark and erotic, with Skye Warren’s Better When It Hurts (Stripped #2) and two titles from Christina Phillips’ contemporary erotic romances. For a little erotic fun, we also have Tied to the Kitchen Sink by Kay Jaybee.

However, for those of you that are looking for a paranormal fantasy, we can certainly recommend C.J. Pinard’s Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2) and Tim O’Rourke’s Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals, series 1, part 6), the final part of series one. For a deeper psychological thriller/horror there is also the growing success of Lynda O’Rourke’s Dwell (The Kassidy Bell trilogy, #2), which has it’s first book of the trilogy, Drug, reach the no. 1 spot on the Amazon Young Adult horror charts!

Lastly, there is also the amazing The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts, a dark historical psychological thriller that explores the state of a mind of a woman in the late 1800’s who has postnatal depression, yet at the time it was believed she was possibly mad. Influenced by her own personal experience, Rachel has explored this subject and set it in a time when very little was understood of mental states. It is one woman’s battle to realise her terrible truth and understand why. A very moving piece that has now been published by Penguin books in early June, and has been re-worked. Our review is of the original self-published version.

As always, we hope that our reviews influence your reading and that you enjoy them. (Please click on titles for our full review posts.)

Happy reading!

Caroline & Tina 🙂

Hold Me Until Midnight (Grayson Brothers #1) by Christina Phillips, contemporary erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Scarlett Ashford needs a date for her father’s wedding. Only she doesn’t just need a guy in a suit—she needs a bodyguard. The only problem is that Jackson Grayson is big and gorgeous and way too sexy. So much so that Scarlett’s tempted to let this hot bad boy ruin her oh-so-good reputation…

Jackson doesn’t do relationships and he certainly doesn’t sleep with clients. Yet he can’t fight their inconvenient attraction, or how badly he wants Scarlett’s warm and wicked curves against his body. He wants her. Now. Even if it’s just for one night, and even if walking away the next morning isn’t as easy as he thought.

Besides, one hot and incredibly intense night between a bad boy and a pampered princess could never turn into something real…could it?

Interviewing Wade (Executive Decisions #4) by Grace Marshall, contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: The Executive Decision Trilogy may be over, but the story continues in this addictively sexy fourth instalment by the best-selling Grace Marshall. Ambitious reporter Carla Flannery has been waiting to make her name – and when she gets the chance to interview Wade Crittenden, the mysterious genius behind Pneuma, Inc, she can’t believe her luck. However, Carla has made a lot of enemies in her work, and when Wade discovers she’s being stalked, he is determined to keep her safe, spurred on by his confusing feelings towards her. As situations turn deadly and dark secrets threaten to reveal themselves, lives and hearts are on the line as the interview starts to reveal far more about them than either ever expected …

Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2) by C.J. Pinard, paranormal/urban fantasy, paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Faced with unthinkable changes, Nolan Bishop seeks to come to grips with his new version of mortality. While his relationship with Charity Sheridan was already rocky, he’s now facing a whole new set of challenges as they continue to try to find a balance to the love that has just begun to blossom between them. Meanwhile, her twin Eva has violent vengeance on the mind, and the succubus won’t settle for anything less than Nolan’s ultimate demise. Heading back to New Orleans at the request of the BSI, Nolan will have to face Joel Reichert, the old vampire whose oldest friend is now dead because of him. But is Joel really an enemy?

A new, young friend in the Rebel Riders group gives Nolan a much needed reprieve from the stress of his new way of life. While Archie and the Riders don’t really know the full extent of Nolan’s new problems, he continues to hide the horrific things he has to do in order to stay alive. Will Nolan come out better than he was before Eva tried to take his soul, or will he crack and break under the pressure once he realizes what the succubus has really done to him?

Mist Revealed (Elemental Desire #1) (re-edit of Mist Unveiled) by Nancy Corrigan, erotic paranormal romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: A woman seeking answers…

Cat, a renowned scientist, embarks on a quest to uncover the source of the unknown deadly virus that claimed her sister’s life. What she finds is a man shrouded in mystery who manages the impossible—swaying her devotion from logic to passion. But Rune isn’t simply a lover. He’s a weapon, one that has the potential to save her or destroy her.

A man searching for treasure…

Rune, a child of the mist, awakens into a world hovering on the verge of destruction. Ragnarok is coming. His enemies have been released from their prison. And he’s discovered the one woman who can thaw his frozen heart. But the race to stop the final battle isn’t the time to fall in love. Or is it?

A discovery that will change everything…

Life evolves, and what was lost can be recovered. But the truth revealed isn’t the one Cat or Rune expects. The impossible has become reality. And two lovers must make a choice—adapt or die.

Author’s note: Mist Revealed was previously released as Mist Unveiled and has been reedited.

Better When It Hurts (Stripped #2) by Skye Warren, dark erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Five years ago we lived in the same house. He was the ultimate bad boy. And my foster brother.

Now he’s back. Tougher, harder, meaner. All of it aimed at me, because I was the one who sent him away. It’s payback time. He wants his pound of flesh, and I am helpless to say no.

The Medea Complex (re-released/new edition) by Rachel Florence Roberts, dark historical psychological thriller (original review by Caroline)

Blurb: A deep and riveting psychological thriller inspired by true events of the Victorian era, The Medea Complex explores the nature of the human psyche: what possesses us, what drives us, and how love, passion, and hope for the future can drive us to insanity.

1885. Anne Stanbury wakes up in a strange bed, having been kidnapped from her home. As the panic settles in, she realizes she has been committed to a lunatic asylum, deemed insane and therefore unfit to stand trial for an unspeakable crime. But all is not as it seems….

Edgar Stanbury, her husband as well as a grieving father, is torn between helping his confined wife recover her sanity and seeking revenge for his ruined life. But Anne’s future rests wholly in the hands of Dr. George Savage, chief medical officer of Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The Medea Complex is the darkly compelling story of a lunatic, a lie, and a shocking revelation that elucidates the difference between madness and evil….

Tiara’s Golden Submission & Veiled Romance by Evelise Archer, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb (Tiara’s Golden Submission): On the cusp of turning fifty, Tiara, a submissive without a Dom or husband, desired to return to the lifestyle. Placing her destiny in the hands of Madame Eve and the 1Night Stand Service, will Tiara find all that she seeks? Or will a past love interfere with her future plans?

Blurb (Veiled Romance): Shane Wise is a Dom and part owner of a popular BDSM club in Rittenhouse Square, Club Rebellion. A tumultuous past has led him to an almost perfect present, except Shane has a secret. A secret that could destroy his reputation in the world in which he loves to live-BDSM.

Deacon Archer is also a Dom and part owner of Club Rebellion and he is in love with Shane Wise. Together Shane and Deacon must decide if the love they feel can withstand the scrutiny they fear, if their relationship is revealed.

Can two dominants truly forge a relationship? Will secret desires open up a new world and allow Shane to be the man he was intended to be or will veiled dominance get in the way?

Dwell (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #2) by Lynda O’Rourke, psychological thriller/horror (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Running from the shadows of Cruor Pharma, Kassidy Bell soon discovers that it’s not just the cleaners and police that are after her. With the drug VA20 slowly working its way through her veins, Kassidy has become an irresistible target to all those looking for somewhere to dwell.

Desperate to find a place of safety and somewhere to rest, Kassidy and the other volunteers set off in search of the Bishop’s house – the last place they know of that Max’s brother, Robert, may have headed for.

But who can Kassidy trust? Can she even trust her own decisions and feelings, especially when it comes to Doctor Ben Fletcher?

‘DWELL’ – Book 2 in the #1 bestselling paranormal thriller series by Lynda O’Rourke.

Tied to the Kitchen Sink by Kay Jaybee, erotic (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Will can hardly believe his eyes when he receives the ultimate in birthday gifts. Karen, the girl of his fantasies, has been left tied to his kitchen sink’s taps, ready to be played with exactly as he chooses. Meanwhile, Becky is having a spank-filled first day in her new job, and a BDSM-curious male allows himself to be lured into a dominatrix’s lair by the tempting lyrics of a truly bad poem. Whether bound in ropes or handcuffs, as they are shackled to the bed, kitchen sink, or within the confines of a fetishist’s supply cupboard, the willing victims of Tied to the Kitchen Sink’s kinky S&M and BDSM action find their darkest and sexiest dreams coming true.

Daisy’s Dilemma by Anne Stenhouse, regency historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Lady Daisy should be ecstatic when her brother, the earl, allows Mr. John Brent to propose. She’s been plotting their marriage for two years. However, she is surprised to find herself underwhelmed and blames their distant cousin, Reuben, for unsettling her.

Reuben Longreach wonders whether the earl understands the first thing about Daisy’s nature and her need for a life with more drama than the Season allows. It’s abundantly clear to him that Daisy and John are not suited, but the minx accepts his proposal nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Daisy hatches a plan to attach Reuben to her beautiful, beleaguered Scots cousin, Elspeth. Little does she know that Elspeth is the focus of a more sinister plot that threatens Daisy too.

Will Reuben be able to thwart the forces surrounding Daisy before she is irretrievably tied to John? Will Daisy find the maturity to recognise her dilemma may be of her own making before it’s too late?

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals, series one, part 6) by Tim O’Rourke, paranormal fantasy (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: From Tim O’Rourke #1 bestselling author of ‘The Kiera Hudson Series’ comes ‘Werewolves of Shade’ a werewolf romance with a twist.

When the entire population of Shade go missing, investigative reporter Mila Watson knows this could be the big break she has been waiting for. Setting off into the mountains to the village of Shade, Mila soon learns that the village isn’t as deserted as she first believed it to be and that creatures lurk in the shades…

‘Werewolves of Shade’ (Part Six)

Note: This ends in a cliff-hanger. Part Seven will be published within the next few weeks.

For readers 16+

Relinquish by M.N. Forgy, dark erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: ***WARNING*** This novel contains explicit language, sex, drugs, violence, and sexual situations that some might find offensive. This book is intended for adults 18+ years of age.

In my world, there is no such thing as love. It is just a lie we whisper into our client’s ear. Love is foreign and hazardous. What I did not expect was to bare my soul to a man who is as egotistical as he is dangerous.

His name is Landon. Despite his blackened soul, he tried to save me, but what he didn’t expect was my torturous fate to catch up with me.

To your father, I’m the escort.

To your mother, I’m the whore.

To the legal system, I’m the prostitute.

In the end, I’m just the other woman.

I have no idea if I will continue to survive, if I will ever find my path aside from the gritty streets I know so well. There is a good chance I will wind up in the ditch like most women in my position. Surrendering to my fate is the only choice I have. I must relinquish it all.

Indulgence Anthology by Various Authors, dark erotic romances (reviewed by Tina)

Amity Cross, Royal Blood (Royal Blood #1) A hitman and a woman with an explosive secret collide in this thrilling romance. Will love be enough? Or are they doomed from the start?

Audrey Carlan, Angel Falling (Falling, #1) Socialite Aspen Reynolds is saved from death by country boy, Hank Jensen, who makes it clear he wants her in his life and his bed.

Cat Mason, Escaping Me (Shaft on Tour #1) Temptations, betrayal, and lies are all mixed with booze, tattoos, sex, laughs, and love as the Shaft takes stage after stage. Making friends along the way, Daisy must stop escaping herself. She must stop hiding behind a list and come to terms with what she really wants in life. Emotions and secrets unravel all around as Daisy learns to live the rough and rowdy life of taking Shaft on tour.

Cynthia Sax, Releasing Rage Joan sees the darkness in Rage, the sexy cyborg she’s been assigned to maintain. He’s big, angry, violent… and exactly the warrior she needs.

Deanndra Hall, My Last Dom A submissive who’s addicted to pain runs headlong into a Dominant determined to save her. But her ghosts could ruin their chances for happiness.

Jamie Salisbury, Perpetual Love Albert and Anne meet on his family’s ranch. Cupid’s arrow does it’s thing. The pair become inseparable. Anne’s father meanwhile has his own agenda.

JM Witt, Letting Go (Anchored Hearts #1) What happens when the girl who’s only read about BDSM meets a flawed Dom? Will their tortured souls find love amidst pleasure and pain?

Kelley Grealis, The Descendant (The Descendant Vampire Series, #1) Mortal death or eternal damnation? If those were your choices, which would you choose? Discover the vampire’s origin in The Descendant – A Vampire Tale of Biblical Proportions!

Laura Harner, Rescued (Three’s Allowed Book 2) With Elizabeth’s abusive ex intent on murder, Sheriff Graeme and security-mogul Michael join forces—but who will rescue them? One woman, two men, deadly serious.

Liz Crowe, Man On (Black Jack Gentlemen, #1) All eyes are on the fledgling Black Jack Detroit soccer team in its debut season. They must make a good showing in the league and with new fans. But player drama, club dynamics, and misplaced priorities may tear it apart before it even begins.

Nina Levine, Relent (Sydney Storm MC, #1) Will Evie relent in this second chance romance or has Kick left it too long to go after the woman who’s owned his heart forever?

Sandy Sullivan, Make Mine a Cowboy (Cowboy Dreamin’, #1) She writes fantasy cowboys for a living, but she never expected to find her own on the back roads of Hill Country, Texas.

Sharon Hamilton, SEAL Under Covers (Seal Brotherhood #3) Navy SEAL Armando Guzman is trying to help his sister clean up her life, but he is unprepared for the chemical attraction of his sister’s new best friend who he doesn’t know is an undercover cop.

Skye Callahan, Irrevocable (Irrevocable, #1) They stripped me of my life but never my will to survive. Descending into their darkness and making it my own became my only escape.

Theresa Troutman, A Special Connection Three friends who are as close as can be, in a moment of despair, share an experience that will forever change their lives.

July 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Cover Reveal Sandcastle and Other Stories – The Complete Edition by Justin Bog

You may remember our promotional post on Justin Bog’s festive short stories read in ‘Hark: A Christmas Collection’. Now, Justin is back with a new dark short stories read in SANDCASTLE and Other Stories!

Title: Sandcastle and Other Stories – The Complete Edition

Author: Justin Bog

Genre: Short Fiction, Psychological Literary Suspense

Date released: May 29th, 2015

Published by: Booktrope

Length: 226 pages

Blurb: The Complete Edition of Justin Bog’s First Collection of Dark Psychological Suspense Tales.

An award-winning collection, Sandcastle and Other Stories reveals twisted secrets that are mined like plutonium. These twelve literary tales are nothing short of an adventure through a roiling sea of emotion. With authenticity and eloquence, author Justin Bog holds a provocative and compelling mirror on the human condition.

Sandcastle and Other Stories: The Complete Edition on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1T2gnHX

www.justinbog.com

My creative writing blog is here.

Follow me on Twitter @JustinBog

On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1FCBVk3

June 17, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #6) by Tim O’Rourke

Tim O’Rourke’s Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals series 1, books 1-6) has been such a brilliant read. With one book being released each month, Tim has surely kept us all on our toes with some fantastic cliff hangers. Now the last book of the first series is available, and so for those that haven’t read this series yet, this is the perfect opportunity for you to read all six books in one go, and I will warn you now – you won’t be able to put these down for a second!

Title: Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #6)

Author: Tim O’Rourke

Genre: Paranormal fantasy

Date released: June 14th, 2015

Released by: Ravenwoodgreys

Length: 61 pages

Blurb: From Tim O’Rourke #1 bestselling author of ‘The Kiera Hudson Series’ comes ‘Werewolves of Shade’ a werewolf romance with a twist.

‘Werewolves of Shade’ (Part Six)

Note: This ends in a cliff-hanger. Part Seven will be published within the next few weeks.

For readers 16+

REVIEW

Picking up from where we left off in Werewolves of Shade (part 5), Mila is faced with walking straight into vampires that are now in Shade. With Calix, Rush, Rea and Trent by her side, Mila has to pluck up the courage and move swiftly in fighting off the vampires if she is to live and help protect her new friends. This is all quite a shock to Mila who was told that a witch had ended the war between the werewolves and vampires. Now, it appears that not everything was quite what she thought.

There is also a slight niggle in Mila’s thoughts that she may not be being loyal to the right people. After managing to shoot at a vampire she begins to question who she should be helping. But Calix, Rush, Rea and Trent have never done anything to make her feel that she shouldn’t help them. After all, they gave her somewhere to live, a job and helped in protecting her and defending herself. Maybe staying in Maze would have been the safest option, but she was so desperate to find out what had happened to her parents, and was happy to prove her independence and being able to think for herself by going to Shade.

In the heat of the action, shouts and gunfire, Mila is taken by a vampire and tied to a wooden, pole where she believes she will be burned alive. After banging her head, she drifts in and out of consciousness, and therefore, initially, not fully alert to the danger that she is in. The reader really feels fearful for Mila as a way out doesn’t seem possible.

“Was I now going to be ripped to shreds…? Would Calix and the others later find me dead – with my throat torn out and drained of all my blood?”

During her time tied up, we have a flashback of when Mila was back in Maze, when her uncle used to be away from home for a few days, and she would spend time as a young teenager with her boyfriend, Flint. These moments highlight the relationship she had with both Flint and her uncle, and how life has changed for her recently. She knows for sure that although she cared for Flint, he is not the one she is in love with. And, regarding her uncle, she cannot be certain why he didn’t tell the truth about the Beautiful Immortals. Did he know himself? Surely he must?

The writing is absolutely flawless as the reader is gripped with every moment that passes. The action, adventure, mystery and some brutal moments make it a very striking read that you will not forget in a hurry. But, as well as that, the reader also experiences every emotion there is when reading any O’Rourke story. The thrills and fear kick in, not to mention the rage that overcomes Mila during the gunfight at the beginning. There is also a comment from Calix that made me laugh that I’ll leave you to find!

This final instalment of the Beautiful Immortals series 1 holds many revelations as a great deal comes to light. Some I was half expecting but then others were a complete surprise, with a fantastic twist at the end. It is a brilliant end to the series as Tim O’Rourke loves to gobsmack his readers and leave them waiting for more…

A copy of Werewolves of Shade (Part 6) (Beautiful Immortals series 1) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

It is now available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Links to my reviews of previous instalments :-

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #1) – short story

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #2) – short story

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #3) – short story

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #4) – short story

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #5) – short story

June 13, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Blog Tour The Fairy Tale Formula ‘How to Win a Man’s Heart’ Vol. 1 by Elena Burnett

Title: The Fairy Tale Formula ‘How to Win a Man’s Heart’ Vol. 1

Author: Elena Burnett

Genre: Non-fiction, Self help book (Relationship Advice)

Release date: March 16th, 2015

Released by: Bryce Cullen Publishing

Length: 110 pages

Blurb: The 10 most common fairy tale misconceptions women have about men dating & relating and the easy steps to getting it right!

Ever wished to get inside the mind of a man to find out the truth of how he feels about love and romance? Well now you can!

The Fairy Tale Formula is a manual on the art of love and communication. It will help you realize the adjustments needed in your dating and relationship life in order to get the success you deserve! International Relationship Specialist and Dating Author, Elena Burnett, will reveal the solutions to you in her clear even-handed approach.

This important book on dating and communication strategy will help you see love and romance through the eyes of men. You may very well identify with more than one situation presented in these fairy tale ideas women have about men as you learn the reasons why they are not working. Solutions will be provided to you in each of the cases discussed in the book. These proven effective tools and tips will allow you to do your part correctly and make him fall for YOU!

The REAL truth about men dating and relating every woman need to know.

Author Bio

Elena was born in France and raised between Paris and Madrid.. Elena is Multilingual and world traveled, speaks French, Spanish, English and Italian. She has been living in the United States for the past 14 years and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Metaphysical Healing Art here as well.

Elena is an International Relationship and Dating Specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping men and women in their romantic life, having studied extensively with Dr. Pat Allen.. Elena is also an Spiritual Counselor. Her interest in Alchemy and the Esoteric sciences spans her entire lifetime. Her specialty is tarot card, palmistry, face analysis and numerology, with an emphasis on relationships of all types and career readings.

Available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1aTLUJR

www.elenaburnett.com

https://www.facebook.com/Elenaburnettcoach

https://twitter.com/Elenaburnett22

June 12, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW & SIGNED PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY Dwell (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #2) by Lynda O’Rourke

I have been eagerly awaiting the second instalment of the paranormal thriller/horror trilogy, KASSIDY BELL by Lynda O’Rourke. In need of help with her finances since her father died, Kassidy volunteers to help with a drug trial. But little does she know just what danger awaits for her around the corner. After a bloody and gory battle with volunteers and staff at the clinic who appear to be demonic, Kassidy and her friends are now on the run from the demons, ‘cleaners’, and the police, who are believed to be involved with the cover up of what is really happening at Cruor Pharma. Strap yourselves in for another suspenseful ride as the gang who survived face more horror! (Please scroll down and enter our giveaway for a SIGNED PAPERBACK copy of DWELL – Book 2 of the Kassidy Bell trilogy!)

“…. I….feel like I’m in a bad dream…. like I’ve stepped out of reality and into hell.” (From, Drug – Book One of the Kassidy Bell trilogy.)

Title: DWELL (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #2)

Author: Lynda O’Rourke

Genre: Psychological thriller, horror

Release date: May 30th, 2015

Released by: Ravenwoodgreys

Length: 187 pages

But who can Kassidy trust? Can she even trust her own decisions and feelings, especially when it comes to Doctor Ben Fletcher?

‘DWELL’ – Book 2 in the #1 bestselling paranormal thriller series by Lynda O’Rourke.

REVIEW

Lynda O’Rourke had us all gripped with her début, DRUG, the shocks and suspense, the fear and horror. And, she has done it again with DWELL. After cutting it fine and managing to escape the hospital, Cruor Pharma, Kassidy is now on the run from the demonic staff and the police helping to cover up what is happening there. It is certainly not a drug trial in the ‘normal’ sense that she believed she was volunteering for. Now with her veins filling up with the thick, black VA20, her body has survived and is the perfect host for a demon to ‘dwell’. But, Kassidy is also concerned about what will happen once her whole body is full of the stuff.

Max’s brother, Robert, had previously had the VA10 drug and had survived. The Bishop’s house was the last place they knew he was going to and Max was desperate to see his brother again. And so, Kassidy, Max, Raven and Jude aim to visit the Bishop’s house to find out if Robert had made it there, and where else he may have left for.

On their journey they stop off at, Kassidy’s friend, Heather’s flat to clean up. During which there are some scary scenes with plenty of dark horror. One scene happens when Kassidy is in the shower, and although her friends hear the sounds of a struggle, there is nothing else out of place to convince them it was anything paranormal. Kassidy questions what she has experienced but her gut still tells her it was real. The horror scenes are shocking and can make you a little jumpy due to their detailed descriptions that make them realistic, and making it a perfect read for this genre. The reader will certainly be on full alert reading Dwell.

The gang all share a little hope that being at the Bishop’s house, around holiness, will keep out the demons. However, things are not always as they seem. And, staying with the Bishop and Mrs. Gables was a little awkward and eerie. There was a dark atmosphere from the large, quiet but old home they lived in. It was unclear whether Mrs. Gables wanted them to leave or stay. She doesn’t seem too pleased of their arrival. And what is it with keeping the fires constantly lit in every room? Not to mention the amount of birds they have getting stuck in the chimneys, and the noise from the derelict third floor. The atmosphere of the house and of the dialogue between the characters is brilliant for creating the tension and fear of the reader.

Aside from the horror, Dwell is also quite an emotional part of the gang’s ordeal. Kassidy is frustrated, angry, scared and exhausted from everything they have all been through, what she has witnessed and what her mind is trying to understand about it all. Lynda O’Rourke‘s language and description is so powerful and moving at this point that the reader feels everything that Kassidy does as she reflects on what has happened to her and her friends. We feel her despair as well as her strength.

(Whilst her friends are taking some time to rest)“… Why couldn’t I rid myself of these awful images that were screwing up my head? Why wouldn’t my brain just shut down and give me some peace? I could feel myself filling with anger – frustration. I just wanted to sleep. I wanted to escape my own mind and sleep was the only place I could forget. I kicked out at the chair. It topple over – clattering onto the bare floorboards. I didn’t care if I woke the others. Why should they sleep so peacefully? I was fired up. Ready for a fight. I wanted to hit someone – anyone. I wanted to vent my anger. Make them feel the pain I was suffering – hurt them like I was hurting – spill their blood like mine had. I grabbed large clumps of my hair in both fists and yanked down hard, gritting my teeth. I wanted to scream at the top of my voice – yell so hard – go on some mad frenzy – smashing everything up that I came across. I wanted everyone to feel my pain.”

This also shows that sometimes the power of writing in first person is very strong. When the reader knows exactly what is racing through the characters minds it makes it so much easier to connect with and understand them. It brings out more realism and the reader can place themselves in the story, making the danger, the emotions and the action so much more intense. Lynda O’Rourke has used this brilliantly.

Kassidy hasn’t had a perfect life, with her dad being an alcoholic, now this, and so she reaches the point where she is beginning to feel completely broken. She doesn’t know what to do, she just needs someone, some comfort. There is a ‘moment’ between her and Jude as Jude’s character begins to show his more serious, sincere and caring side. However, Kassidy doesn’t really know what she is doing, and it is over before anything serious has begun. I loved this scene. It shows perfectly how Kassidy’s character is flawed, giving in with a moment of weakness. It is something that many of us can relate to or at least understand, making her more believable. It was also great to see the different side of Jude and see his character and his relationship with the others develop.

But, what of Doctor Ben Fletcher? He’s a host to an evil demon, yet he did help Kassidy to escape. Her true feelings, I feel, lie with him. But how can she possibly be anywhere near him? She knows that the true human person is still present inside of him, but the demon could change all of that. Is there still a part of her that wants to see him again?

“…If Ben… had no control over his actions or couldn’t remember the things he did, then could I really blame him for what had happened to me?”

Their hope of survival lies with Doctor Langstone, a demon, yet a doctor who was against the drug trials at Cruor Pharma and left because of them. Maybe he can offer answers, or will be drawn to the group from his demon side. Either way, there will be plenty more horror and surprises. I cannot wait to read book 3, Demon!!

A copy of DWELL was provided by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Dwell (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #2) by Lynda O’Rourke is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

GIVEAWAY

Lynda O’Rourke is kindly offering one winner a SIGNED PAPERBACK copy of DWELL (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #2).

For a chance to win all you have to do is type your name in the comments box at the bottom of this post. Alternatively, you can enter on our FACEBOOK page, again by adding your name in the comments of our post on DWELL.

The closing date is Friday 19th June 2015.

The winner will then be randomly chosen and e-mailed (or private messaged on Facebook).

Good luck to all entries! And, a big THANK YOU to Lynda for this great giveaway!

What’s more – DRUG (Book 1) is currently available at Amazon UK for 99p, and Amazon US for 99c. (Please note that prices are subject to change.)

You can find more info, along with my review, on DRUG (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) here.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

June 12, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Book Blitz KILT TEASE (Under the Kilt #4) by Melissa Blue

Title: Kilt Tease (Under the Kilt #4)

Author: Melissa Blue

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 10th, 2015

Released by: Confessions of a Romance Author

Length: 120 pages

Blurb: Kate Campbell promised to have an affair with a Parisian, says yes more than she says no and sin so she can actually have something to repent on Sunday. As a way to honor her grandmother’s wishes, she takes a job as a traveling nurse so that she can see Europe—a trip they had once planned on taking together. She never bargained on meeting a sexy Scot who makes bad look so, so good, and he needs her help.

Quinton Baird, a retired, high-profile rugby player, has spent over a decade surrounded by people who all want something from him. From his former coaches to the groupies. He now has two rules for anyone he deals with: Don’t talk to the press. Don’t talk about him to anyone. Ever. His rules are the only way to protect himself from people wanting him to be their meal ticket. No matter how much he likes the sweet, sassy nurse, he can’t believe she’ll help him while asking for nothing in return.

The deal between them is simple. All Kate has to do is pose as Quinton’s girlfriend in public. In exchange for helping him salvage an important business deal, Kate gets many opportunities to say yes—in bed and out of it.

Then reality, and the press, threaten their fictional romance. Quinton will have to trust that Kate’s feeling for him are genuine or risk losing her for good.

Author Bio

Melissa Blue’s writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. She penned that first contemporary romance, upgraded to a computer and hasn’t looked back since.

Outside of writing, Blue works as a mail clerk for the federal government, has a paralegal certificate (that she has more use for as a dust pan) and is a mother of two rambunctious children. She lives in California where the wine is good and, despite popular belief, is not always sunny.

You can always take a peek around my website: http://www.themelissablue.com

Other places you can find me:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorOfSMR

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mel_thegreat

Pinterest: pinterest.com/melblu

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Blue/e/B007FQ3FOA/

June 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

RE-RELEASE DAY & Review The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

Today we celebrate the re-release of Rachel Florence Roberts‘s dark psychological thriller, THE MEDEA COMPLEX. Now released by New American Library (Penguin) after it’s original success and high rated reviews, it has now been re-edited and reworked to an even higher standard. Already a 5* rating from us, we’re more than confident to say that this newer version will embrace the reader even moreso, if that is possible!

Author: Rachel Florence Roberts

Title: The Medea Complex

Genre: Historical psychological thriller

Date released: June 2nd, 2015

Released by: New American Library (Penguin)

Length: 368 pages (paperback)

The Medea Complex is the darkly compelling story of a lunatic, a lie, and a shocking revelation that elucidates the difference between madness and evil….

REVIEW 5*****

Set in the nineteenth century, based on a true story and real life characters of the time, The Medea Complex covers genres from an historical psychological thriller leading to an historical mystery thriller. The story holds a fascinating rawness and realistic storyline, following a new mother and her mental state since the birth of her child, how she reacts and copes to treatments and the people surrounding her and leaves the reader wondering if her husband remained in love with her or sought revenge for the situation she has left him in.

After killing her young infant son, Lady Anne Stanbury is committed to Bethlehem Hospital, deemed insane and therefore escapes the legal procedure of being sentenced (if found guilty). Anne is confused and believes she is being held for ransom by criminals as she cannot remember anything in regard to her husband and deceased child. And during this time the reader has an insight into how Anne is treated at the hospital by it’s members of staff.

The story opens up very dark, moody and a little depressing considering the main focus on a woman unable to cope with her young to the point she ends his life and ultimately is losing her mind. And yet, the author has made it so gripping and intense that it draws the reader in, making it such a pleasure to read. It is informative of the time, well-researched and yet written for a reader to follow the characters and storyline with ease, leaving a desire to read more.

Another area that intrigued me was the way in which the author tells the story from many perspectives; Lady Anne, Doctor George Savage, Edgar Stanbury (Anne’s husband), Lord Damsbridge (Anne’s father) and Beatrix Fortier (Anne’s maid and companion). This allows the reader to understand and perhaps empathise with the characters, their mindset and their actions.

Once the reader is aware of the situation that Lady Anne Stanbury is in the story goes on to focus on the many conflicts that all of the characters battle. Initially we are aware that Anne has conflicting memories and confusion of where she is, why she is there and what she remembers before entering the Bethlehem Hospital.

Doctor Savage is trying his best to carry out his work on the hope of curing Anne, whilst using the occasional method that Lord Damsbridge, Anne’s father, doesn’t approve of for his daughter. However, Lord Damsbridge funds the hospital thousands of pounds and wants his daughter treated in a specific manner. He can be a little threatening towards Doctor Savage, leaving the doctor the option to either follow or disobey his orders.

I love this maze of objectives and emotion that Rachel Florence Roberts has weaved into the story. It makes the story in many ways have more than one central character, bringing the reader close to all of them and trying to work out constantly what choices they will make and how they will execute their plans.

As the story unfolds past the first few chapters the reader begins to realise that Lady Anne’s husband, Edgar Stanbury was from a poor background. He has married into nobility and yet with no son and Anne in hospital he has no hold of Asquith Manor or the wealth that Lord Damsbridge could pass onto the male heir of Anne’s. To stay, Edgar needs Anne cured and another son to be born to claim the lifestyle for himself. Edgar also battles his confusion of whether he loves or hates his wife. Does he blame her tremendously for their sons death and long for revenge or does he love her and hopes for a better future with her?

Last but certainly not least is Beatrix who doesn’t take kindly to Edgar. The staff feel that he wants them fired and that his presence is purely for financial gain due to his background but as Asquith Manor is not his home yet she feels safe for now and uses her time to look out for Lady Anne.

In the latter half of the novel it becomes more an historical thriller/mystery, as opposed to psychological, with the reader constantly guessing what has taken place, who was involved, whether sanity had a role to play or not and there are many twists with nothing left unanswered at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this read regardless of its dark subject matter. It certainly opens eyes to all standpoints involved. And I cannot emphasize enough just how well-researched, understood and written about this era is in this story. It is a real stand-out and will not leave your mind in a hurry.

A copy of the originally released ‘The Medea Complex’ was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

The Medea Complex is available on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Rachel Florence Roberts site (for more info on the book and the author)

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

May 27, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW SOUL REDEMPTION (Rebel Riders #2) by C.J. Pinard

We welcome the second instalment of the paranormal fantasy/romance series, Rebel Riders, by C.J. Pinard, in SOUL REDEMPTION. Readers will love the dark atmosphere of this series, with some very flawed but fantastic characters, plenty of mystery, and a great deal going on. There are elements of the novel that reminded me of a cross between The X-Files, Sons of Anarchy and True Blood! Follow the adventure of Nolan Bishop as he tries to find answers on symptoms of him being turned, and yet not full vamp or without a soul. Will he turn? Will he eventually lose his soul?

Title: Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2)

Author: C.J. Pinard

Genre: Paranormal, urban fantasy

Release date: May 15th, 2015

Length: 143 pages

REVIEW

After having his soul taken by the beautiful-but-evil succubus, Eva, Nolan Bishop is left in a strange state. It appears that the blood from his new love Charity, Eva’s human twin sister, has prevented his soul to be taken for good. However, he still has some symptoms of being a possible vampire, i.e. sharper senses, discomfort in the sun, back pain from a previous accident has subsided, he is pale, and he has a curiosity about blood!

Soul Redemption carries on from Soul Rebel (book 1) nicely by moving on with the story at the same time as recapping readers in the early chapters. With Nolan working at Archie’s Garage, restoring motorcycles, we are reminded of Archie and his motorcycle club, the Rebel Riders, who hunt down vamps at night and kill the ones who kill and feed off humans. Now Archie is hoping for Nolan to join them. Little does he know of Nolan’s possibility of being a vampire himself!

One member of the Rebel Riders who becomes acquainted with Nolan is Kovah. Kovah is completely against all vampires killing and feeding from humans. He believes that they should all be killed. He comes across to the reader as quite extreme with his viewpoint, and makes the reader question if he will attempt to kill Nolan when he sees the blood hunger in Nolan’s eyes. Then again, Nolan discovers that he has more in common with Kovah than he initially thought. Will there be conflict between them, or will they become great friends? Either way, Kovah is a brilliant character to add to the many others of this series – with some hanging in the balance of good and bad!

“… Do you feel like she still has your soul?”

“… No. I knew the moment she took it, and I knew the moment I got it back… Do you think I should still kill her?”

“… Absolutely. And I want to watch. Crazy b**** needs to be put down. She’s dangerous.”

Nolan wants answers as to exactly who or what he is. Prepared to help the BSI (Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – also a part of C.J. Pinard’s ‘Enchanted Immortals’ series) with their knowledge of the paranormal, and wanting the answers for himself, Nolan agrees to go to New Orleans with Agent Nelson and subjects himself to blood tests, scans and many questions.

While in New Orleans he decides to face old vampire, Joel Reichert. Nolan knows that he will also have answers, but he also knows that there is a great chance that he will want revenge for Nolan killing his oldest vampire friend, Ansel. This could be a very brave or a very stupid move for Nolan. But something he feels he has to do.

“… He was an old vampire who deserved strength and respect. A man who Nolan needed to make an ally of, not an enemy.”

Meanwhile, Charity is not impressed. Although she is aware of what he has been through, she doesn’t fully know of his symptoms and curiosity. Throughout the novel there are times of Nolan keeping busy, whether it be to go to New Orleans or ride around with the Rebel Riders to hunt vampires. With Charity being stood up by him she begins to get annoyed with him. What she doesn’t realise is that he has started to love her but wants to protect her from the supernatural and the changes that he is facing.

Charity’s situation is left increasingly more complex when her twin sister, Eva, and her vampire friend, Brad, pay her a visit. Eva is aware that Nolan is different and that his soul is not hers. This is frustrating for her and so she seeks revenge and wants to get her hands on Nolan. She’d figured that the best way to find him would be through her sister. Eva becomes increasingly impatient and trickery is just one side of her evil that she can use to get her sister’s, and ultimately Nolan’s, attention!

The plotline and characters of the Rebel Riders series are excellent. The reads are thrilling and gripping, making for a fast read due to the action and excitement. Not only this, but the author also draws the reader in by creating a brilliant, dark atmosphere. This, mixed with Nolan’s curiosity, brings plenty of mystery to the fore and the reader just knows that there is a great deal more to be revealed.

Soul Redemption is a mesmerising read of the paranormal and romance that you won’t want to leave! Be warned: there is a brilliant cliff hanger at the end where Eva’s evil trickery does not disappoint!

An Advanced Reader’s Copy was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2) by C.J. Pinard is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

You can also find my review of C.J. Pinard’s Soul Rebel (Rebel Riders #1) here.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Other reviews for C.J. Pinard:-

Enchanted Immortals (Enchanted Immortals Book 1)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vortex (Enchanted Immortals Book 2)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vampyre (Enchanted Immortals Book 3)

Enchanted Immortals: The Vixen (Enchanted Immortals Book 4)

BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (an Enchanted Immortals novella)

Patriotic Duty (Duty & Desire, Book 1)

Tour of Duty (Duty & Desire, Book 2)