January 6, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Double Promo ‘Forgotten’ and ‘Arranged’ by Catherine McKenzie

We are delighted to be working with Catherine McKenzie this year, Canadian author of Spin and Spun (novella sequel to full novel, Spin) – both of which are on my review list, as well as her Forgotten, and due for release on February 1st, Arranged, which is to be reviewed by Tina. These contemporary romance/chick-lit novels have been translated into French, Portuguese, and several other languages, and are international bestsellers, as well as being freshly released in the UK!

Please find below information for Forgotten and Arranged, with links for further details, and a short bio on the author.

Caroline xx

FORGOTTEN

When everyone thinks you’re dead, how do you start your life over again?

Emma Tupper, a young lawyer with a bright future, sets out on a journey after her mother’s death: to Africa, a place her mother always wanted to visit. But her mother’s dying gift has unexpected consequences. Emma falls ill during the trip and is just recovering when a massive earthquake hits, turning her one-month vacation into a six-month ordeal.

When Emma returns home, she’s shocked to find that her friends and colleagues believed she was dead, that her apartment has been rented to a stranger and that her life has gone on without her. Can Emma pick up where she left off? Should she? As Emma struggles to recreate her old life, everyone around her thinks she should change: her job, her relationships, and even herself. But does she really want to sacrifice everything she’s working so hard to gain?

“McKenzie has created a charming character in Emma, witty, extraordinarily level-headed, and blessed with grace under fire in the most trying of circumstances. Forgotten is the story of one young women’s life, broken down, reconstructed, and forever altered. It is an endearing story of discovery and transformation and the importance of turning lemons into lemonade.”— BOOKLIST

For more info on Forgotten please check out the following links:

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

ARRANGED

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

“With good dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and page-turning scenes, McKenzie expertly explores what makes a successful marriage work and the lengths to which some people will go to find true love.” –Publisher’s Weekly

For more information on Arranged please click on the following links:-

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Bio:

A graduate of McGill University in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal, where she was born and raised. An avid skier and runner, Catherine’s novels, SPIN, ARRANGED, FORGOTTEN and HIDDEN, are all international bestsellers. She is currently working on her fifth novel, SMOKE, slated for release in 2015. Her novels have been translated into French, German, Portuguese Czech, Slovak and Polish. And if you want to know how she has time to do all that, the answer is: robots.

Website: www.catherinemckenzie.com

January 4, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) by Lynda O’Rourke

“…. I….feel like I’m in a bad dream…. like I’ve stepped out of reality and into hell.”

A book I was so excited to read, paranormal thriller DRUG (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1), certainly didn’t disappoint, with surprises around every corner! With plenty of horror elements I am certain Drug will be a story loved and feared by many. And as it is Lynda O’Rourke’s début, I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!!

Blurb: Out of work and out of luck, 19 year-old Kassidy Bell finds herself in desperate need of money.

Coming across a mysterious advert in her local newspaper offering a reward, Kassidy believes she’s found the answer to her prayers.

But Kassidy soon realises that if something is too good to be true then it usually isn’t what it first appears to be. Finding herself in a desperate situation, Kassidy realises that she must run if she is to escape the new horrors she has discovered however great the reward might be.

REVIEW

I LOVED Drug, as I am sure many paranormal thriller fans and horror fans will! Volunteering to test a drug in return for money, Kassidy goes to Cruor Pharma, meets the staff and the other volunteers and starts the trial. It isn’t too long before the nightmare kicks in and Kassidy’s adventure of hell begins! If you’re looking for a book packed with panic, horror, demons and the paranormal, and blood and gore, then you have reached your destination!

Lynda O’Rourke hasn’t left out any excitement or thrills. For the first book of a trilogy, Drug is amazing. Lynda has jumped straight into the story and action after the reader has been acquainted with Kassidy and her circumstances.

After losing her father, Kassidy (19) is left alone and owing debts passed down from her father. Without work she is desperately in need of money. After seeing the newspaper ad for volunteers to test a drug, VA20, in return for £2,000, Kassidy had to take the opportunity.

Upon her arrival at Cruor Pharma, Kassidy begins to have doubts whether she is doing the right thing or not, as do some of the other volunteers. As they introduce themselves to each other they begin to reassure each other, especially young hottie, Jude! This puts Kassidy at ease for a while as they all prepare for their treatment. Some of the staff seem a little cold and direct, while Doctor Fletcher (also another hottie!), appears friendlier and more accommodating.

The volunteers are expecting to be in Ward 2 overnight and then be off home the following day. But, over the course of the following hours events are not to be as expected. And the horror begins…

The volunteers are advised to rest once they have had their dose of VA20, but for some of them they sense that the atmosphere isn’t right. There is something heavy in the air and sleep is the last thing on Kassidy’s mind. In a matter of minutes the unexplainable happens and the ward becomes a battle scene. It becomes clear that some of them, if any, won’t survive. What the hell is going on? They need to escape, but it’s clear that some of the staff are a part of what’s happening. The only way out is further through the old hospital building and through the dreaded Ward 1!

Just like watching a horror movie, there are creepy and eerie scenes which build up great suspense before the action, gore and bloody mess scenes take place. Lynda O’Rourke sets the mood perfectly.

“I slipped off the bed, tiptoeing toward the curtain, trying to keep my drip from squeaking. Fear raced through my body in contractions. My hand shook as I lifted my arm, reaching out for the curtain. I gasped in air as I pinched the fabric between my thumb and forefinger.

“Don’t do it,” hissed May, her blanket now just below her eyes.”

And again, later, when some of the volunteers have to keep their wits about them from whatever it is that’s after them – it’s like a scene from The Walking Dead, as the author describes the tension and complete awareness that the survivors must have to keep going:

“Pushing open the door, we followed Jude down the corridor. I wished I had another set of eyes in the back of my head. I was constantly checking over my shoulder at the barred windows and the ceiling for any signs of more bloody handprints. My ears were on constant alert. I flinched at every little noise and gasped at shadows flickering through the windows onto the brick walls.”

Kassidy is given a glimmer of hope in the way of Doctor Fletcher. He is warm and friendly and the volunteers take to him easily. Aside from Kassidy he is my favourite character. He, by and large, goes out of his way to help Kassidy, but at the same time has to hide this from his peers. There are moments when his character changes momentarily which cloud doubt to his trustworthiness, but then why is helping at all? His character is full of mystery and is changeable, but this makes him complex and interesting, as well as keeps the reader guessing!

Escaping Cruor Pharma is the one thing on the group’s mind. The reader can feel the sheer desperation they have, especially Kassidy being the main character. But can she escape?

It keeps the reader thrilled from beginning to end, and then some! You’ll be going crazy to read part II of The Kassidy Bell trilogy after the exciting but intense cliff-hanger ending we are left with in Drug.

Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

AUTHOR INFO

Lynda O’Rourke is married and has three sons. Lynda has been the story editor of over thirty bestselling novels.

To connect with Lynda visit her facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-ORourke-Author/1480696118846650?ref=hl

DRUG is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 4, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! by Juliet Cardin

Author: Juliet Cardin

Title: Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien!

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, Erotica

Release Date: December 15th, 2014

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Length: 66 pages

Blurb: Jen joins an alien-abductee group in order to secretly write an article on the subject. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she encounters a UFO in her neighborhood park and gets abducted for real.

Lysander, her sexy captor, informs Jen he’s not taking her home. Earth, he confides, is soon to be impacted by an asteroid and then invaded by a hostile lizard race. Jen is determined to find a way to escape Lysander–who is hell-bent on having her for himself–and return to Earth, before it is too late to prevent its annihilation.

REVIEW

This short story is a thoroughly enjoyable read. There is so much packed into the story it felt like I had read a longer book. It captures the reader from the very beginning, making it quite a believable read as Jen attends an alien-abductee group to write an article, not believing a word from the attendees – until it happens to her!

Lysander is very likable, and even though he wants to keep Jen from returning home it is clear he means her no harm. But, he does want her to belong to him! Although looking for ways to escape, when she is caught in his intensity (and even at times when she’s not) she cannot help but surrender to his heat!

“Well, if I had to be stranded on an alien planet, I couldn’t have handpicked a sexier companion.”

As well as having the heat turned up, Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! is also full of adventure. After finding out about Earth’s fate, Jen is desperate to return to Earth and warn the human race. Lysander knows of the consequences and more, which is partly why he keeps her with him. But Jen’s character is strong and so is her will!

As well as having fun, believable characters and an enjoyable storyline, it is also well written and flows nicely. I do love how Juliet Cardin has gained the reader’s attention by beginning the story with Jen as a non-believer in the abductees stories but then having to believe them after she shares a similar experience. It is certainly a read I would love to read again. Any sci-fi erotic romance fan is sure to love this little story!

Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! was provided by Torrid Press (part of Whiskey Creek Press) in return for an honest and fair review.

Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! by Juliet Cardin is available at Torrid Press, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 3, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo w/Excerpt: Seven Exes are Eight too Many by Heather Wardell

Blurb: The fiercely private Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on a reality TV show, but when she’s shunned by a friend’s new wife because “you can’t trust desperate single women” her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the “Find Your Prince” dating show’s web site.

Armed with date-appropriate clothes and a detailed game plan she arrives to meet her potential loves, only to be dumped… on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends.

Seven exes! Could this be any worse?

Author Bio:

Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of sixteen self-published novels including the free ebook “Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo” which has had over 385,000 downloads. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and has no plans to leave it. In her spare time, she reads, runs, swims, crochets, takes care of her aquarium and her cat Trinity, and plays drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.

Author Links:

http://www.heatherwardell.com/

http://www.facebook.com/heather.wardell.author

http://www.twitter.com/heatherwardell

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Excerpt

Chapter One

I stared at the seven men of my supposed dreams. Of my nightmares, more like, and theirs too judging by their stunned faces. The hotel ballroom’s walls closed in and dizziness shuddered through me.

The show’s host said, “What’s wrong, Princess?”, his overdone innocence making it clear: this was no accident.

I had to speak, had to take back some semblance of control, but knowing how many eyes and cameras studied my every move and reaction silenced me like a hand over my mouth.

The host raised well-tended eyebrows. “Nothing to say? Let me help. Gentlemen, I’m Peter Stanley. This, of course, is Madeleine-Cora Spencer. I say ‘of course’ because you all know her. Know her well, in fact.” He paused long enough for me to consider fleeing then added, his tone too casual, before I’d decided how to get past the camera crew, “You’ve all dated her.”

My exes exchanged surreptitious glances, no doubt mentally questioning my choices, as I fought to keep my face expressionless. Hearing the words from him made it all too real.

“Now, she expected to be on the ‘Find Your Prince’ show, but she can’t be on a dating show with her exes, can she?” Returning his focus to me, he shook his head as if sympathetic. “No, you can’t. Especially not the ones you called ‘flighty’… ‘ridiculously jealous’… ‘egotistical’…”

With each trait he pointed to the man it described, and my horror grew with each word. ‘Flighty’, predictably, didn’t seem bothered, but ‘jealous’ and ‘egotistical’ both looked ready to take me apart. I had to shut Peter up before he got me killed. “I did date them,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “and you knew that since I put them all on my appli–”

“Gentlemen, Madeleine-Cora,” he said over me, “you’ve been given various explanations for why you’re here, but now it’s time for the truth. You will spend the next twenty-one nights on a tropical island.”

‘Flighty’ said, “Cool!” but Peter ignored him and went on. “You will live together in a shelter, after you build it, and scavenge for most of your food. You’ll be competing for a million dollar prize, and in time we will explain what you need to do to win. Princess, gentlemen, the game is on.”

An island. Trapped with seven men. Not just any men, but these men. So much history. And cameras hungry for the men to reveal that history, reveal my most intimate secrets. Nowhere to hide.

My careful analysis of the real show’s previous seasons to see which strategies worked, the hours I’d spent considering how to get to know my potential princes. Wasted. This bunch of frogs didn’t contain my prince. I’d kissed them all, I should know.

I’d regretted signing up for the show a hundred times over the past two months, starting seconds after I’d filled out the application online through tears of rage and humiliation. Meeting new men and letting them learn about me would be hard, I’d known that, but I’d been sure that finding a good man would be worth the pain. But this? All pain, no possible gain.

“I’m so out of here.”

Greg, my most recent boyfriend, stormed forward and slammed to a stop facing Peter. “You told me I’d be the prince, the one choosing a woman, not this stupid thing. This isn’t fair.”

When Greg had told me he loved me on our third date, I’d been more than a little surprised and nowhere near ready to return the sentiment. He hadn’t seemed to mind, but the words had hung over us like a three-syllable cloud of doom, and I’d dumped him a few weeks later because I couldn’t handle knowing he wanted me to hurry up and fall in love so we could get married.

I’d almost left our pitifully short relationship off my application, but I’d been afraid he’d end up on the show with me in some horrific coincidence. Well, no coincidence, but here he was.

Or maybe not. “I’m leaving, and you can’t stop me.” He headed for the ballroom’s door.

He didn’t make it.

“I don’t want to stop you,” Peter said, his face calm and faintly amused, and Greg paused. “Give me the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars you agreed to pay if you quit the show, and I’ll drive you to the airport myself.”

“The…”

“Surely you read the contract before you signed it?” Now addressing everyone, Peter went on. “We’re allowed to change the show’s concept if we see fit. If you’re thinking of quitting, folks, make sure you have the money ready. Otherwise you’re ours for the duration.”

Greg’s defiance sputtered and died.

Peter ran his eyes over the rest of us. “Anyone got a quarter million burning a hole in their pocket? No? Then let’s go.”

And before I knew it, I was in the back of a limo with my ex-boyfriends on the way to twenty-one days of hell.

January 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) by C.L. Scholey

AUTHOR: C.L. Scholey

TITLE: Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3)

GENRE: Sci-Fi, Romance, Erotic

DATE RELEASED: November 3rd 2014

PUBLISHED BY: Whiskey Creek Press LLC

LENGTH: 135 pages

BLURB: Amidst the snow and icy wasteland, Earth has become a watery grave to many. Zargonnii warriors Finn and Blu search for any remaining human females. Luck abounds and six females are found struggling to survive. The moment his blazing red eyes settle onto Bethany Finn feels in his heart she is the one he wants to end his loneliness. When Bethany encounters two massive aliens, eyes alight, long white hair wildly flying, she knows the pair are either death or salvation. Their encounter leads Bethany on the wildest adventure of her life. After the Zargonnii ship is annihilated by the enemy a shuttle leads Finn and Bethany straight into the path of peril more times than the couple care to count.

REVIEW

Well, it won me over! Not one for opting this genre too much I couldn’t believe how much I was taken in by the story and the characters. I truly LOVE and appreciate the creative brilliance from the author. Although alien, Finn manages to gain Bethany’s trust as she learns to understand him through body language and her own awareness of him and Blu. Bethany is quite aware that their time on Earth is almost over and her only chance of a possible survival is by leaving this world with Finn and Blu.

As Bethany quickly picks up on his language it becomes even more apparent that Finn means no harm. And it isn’t too long of being in Finn’s presence, and the close proximity she has to him, that her feelings towards him become a little more physical! Yes, this is a hot read as well as being suspenseful and fun!

Finn longs for a human mate as he knows that they can offer so much more than physical intimacy alone. He wants somebody to love and care for him emotionally too. Zargonnii females live separately from their males and only get together during the Holiday (mating) times. Finn wants so much more than this. And, the minute he meets Bethany, she opens his eyes and he knows that she is the one he wants.

After Finn helps Bethany and her female friends escape planet Earth before it all falls under water, Bethany and he begin quite the adventure that she could have never imagined – experiencing new planets and life forms, as well as being threatened by some. Bethany’s life is purely in Finn’s hands. She is scared and fearful, and yet she knows that Finn will stop at nothing to keep her safe. To keep her his!

“… Finn had no idea the depth of his emotions for her until that very second. Someone loved him. He then realized Bethany was right; for a warrior, he was sensitive. In his arms lay his destiny, his love, his life, his everything. He’d murder ten thousand cyrons if he had to, to keep her safe. Finn grinned at the thought. Sensitive, maybe, a bad ass, for sure.”

Bethany’s Heart is packed with passion, fun and adventure. I would recommend this read to sci-fi romance fans who like to read suspenseful stories with hot love scenes and characters that enchant.

Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) was provided by Torrid Press (part of Whiskey Creek Press) in return for an honest and fair review.

Bethany’s Heart is available at Torrid Press, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

December 24, 2014 by Caroline Barker

~ Recommended Festive Reads ~

Fun, Flirty and Dirty Reads!

Between us we have put together a list of fun, flirty and downright dirty *cough, cough* festive reads, from across the sub genres of romance and including all heat levels. Some of these we have reviewed and others are on our reading list. If you have any recommended seasonal reads we would of course love to hear from you too! Tina and Caroline ❤

All I Want for Christmas by Amy Silver, seasonal contemporary romance, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: It’s Bea’s first Christmas with her baby son, and this year she’s determined to do everything right. But there is still so much to do: the Christmas menu needs refining; her café, The Honey Pot, needs decorating; and she’s invited the whole neighbourhood to a party on Christmas Day. She really doesn’t have time to get involved in two new people’s lives, let alone fall in love…

When Olivia gets knocked over in the street, however, Bea can’t help bringing her into The Honey Pot and getting to know her. Olivia’s life is even more hectic than her own, and with her fiancé’s entire family over from Ireland for Christmas, she shouldn’t be lingering in the cosy warmth of Bea’s café. Chloe, on the other hand, has nowhere else to go. Her affair with a married man has alienated her friends, and left her lonelier than ever.

But Christmas is a magical time, and in the fragrant atmosphere of The Honey Pot, anything can happen: new friends can be made, hearts can heal, and romance can finally blossom…

A True Alpha Christmas by Alisa Woods, New Adult paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

STAND-ALONE NOVELLA – best enjoyed after reading the True Alpha Box Set (Vol 1-6)

Blurb: Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City. Mia is your everyday college girl, trying to earn her business degree—and a shifter who’s long hidden her identity from everyone, including her mother, who believes shifter is synonymous with criminal. Six months ago, sexy and powerful alpha-male Lucas rescued her in an alley and claimed her for his mate. Now Mia’s heart belongs to Lucas, and everyone in the world of shifters understands the magic of their mating has bonded them for life. But in the human world, there’s no wedding ring on her finger to show for it. With Christmas looming, Mia’s mother wants to finally meet Mia’s mysterious and high-powered live-in lover. With her human and shifter lives about to irrevocably collide, Mia fears there will be nothing but broken hearts in the end.

A True Alpha Christmas is 80 pages or 20,000 words. This novella can be read as a standalone, but readers will enjoy it more if they read the True Alpha serial (Vol 1-6) first.

Candy Cain (short story) by C.L. Scholey, seasonal HOT romance, erotic (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Candy is on top of the world. She’s a high priced corporate lawyer with expensive cars, time on her hands, and money to burn. Although, she has no one to burn it on, except for a yearly ritual of buying toys and treats for the needy at Christmas time.

Cain is an egotistical enigma. A very deprived and hurting enigma, who feels wishes are for fools. A car accident leaves them stranded together, and the two have no choice but to warm each other’s cold bodies, lest they freeze to death.

As the temperature dips outside, the heat begins to sizzle inside. Candy and Cain, though worlds apart in society, begin to feel perhaps they have more in common than either could ever wish for.

Will they both discover the miracle of Christmas wishes isn’t just for the very young?

Pastels & Jingle Bells (a Heavenly Bites novella) by Christine Feldman, seasonal contemporary romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Trish Ackerly never expected to cross paths with Ian Rafferty again, but when she spots the former bully of her childhood years through her bakery window, she thinks she may just have been given the best Christmas gift ever: the opportunity to finally give Ian the comeuppance he deserves.

But clearly she does not have a knack for this whole revenge thing, because before she can make good on her plans, Trish gets inadvertently drawn into Ian’s life in an unexpected way that lets her see just how different the man is from the boy he used to be. In fact, much to her astonishment, she actually starts to like the guy. A lot.

Trouble is, Ian doesn’t know who she really is, and explaining it to him is going to be a little difficult now—which is bad news, because Trish is starting to realize that all she really wants for Christmas this year… is Ian.

Hark: A Christmas Collection by Justin Bog, contemporary seasonal short stories (to be reviewed by Caroline)

Book Description: A beautifully written collection of short stories from critically acclaimed Pacific Northwest writer Justin Bog, Hark explores the range of emotions surrounding the holidays. From melancholy to madness, loss and despair to hope and forgiveness, these six tales shimmer with feelings, some we’d rather stuff away, that Christmas can evoke.

Set in colorful locations around the United States, from Anacortes, Washington, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Sun Valley, Idaho, each tale focuses on people who struggle to make good choices, learn lessons, and maybe even find peace during the holiday season.

A bonus story, Poseidon Eyes, from Booktrope’s upcoming reissue of Sandcastle and Other Stories—The Complete Edition, is included.

It’s A Vampire Christmas, by Lia Davis, Erotic Paranormal Romance (recommended by Tina)

Blurb: Alasdair Morgan, vampire lord of the south Atlantic region of the United States, and his mate, Gideon, are on the search for an ancient journal. The secrets the book holds within its leather binding can be used to destroy their race’s queen, Lilith. When they finally find the journal, they discover it has been sold to an antique store. However, a female with her own agenda has her sights set on possessing the book.

Some gifts come in twos…

Being a half-breed living among humans, Rhianna Howell knows the importance of secrecy all too well. When she discovers one of the lost vampire artifacts, she doesn’t waste time in collecting it before it falls into the wrong hands. But keeping the journal safe from evil will put her in the seductive path of two vampires who claim to be her mates.

The days and nights heat up this Christmas as she discovers a fiery passion she can’t deny or run from.

The St Nicholas Day Wager, by Em Taylor, sensual Historical Romance (recommended by Tina)

Blurb: As the clock in White’s hallway chimes midnight on St Nicholas’ Day morning, Lord Nicholas, Viscount Eastden makes a stupid wager. Somewhat foxed, he agrees to a wager which states that he can marry the spinster sister of the Earl of Thornwich by Christmas eve. If Thornwich wins the wager and Eastden fails in his quest to marry her, he will get ten thousand pounds and vice versa. Having grown up on neighbouring estates, Nicholas can’t figure out why a nice girl like Gabriella failed for so many seasons on the marriage mart.

Gabriella appreciates the viscount’s honesty when he explains the wager. Knowing the dire straits of her family’s finances and her brother’s addiction to gambling, it seems that marriage to Nick may be the only option. But can she overcome his cruel words from their childhood when he taunted her about the strawberry birthmark on her face which blights her appearance?

After such a rocky start, can the Spirit of Christmas find its way into the lives of Nick, Gabriella and their families or will injury and grievances from the past keep them apart forever?

Christmas Seduction, by Samantha Holt, sensual Historical romance novella (recommended by Tina)

Blurb: In a time when marriage had little to do with love and everything to do with money, Alexander Fenhurst, Duke of Wyndbourne, never expected a love match. But he also didn’t expect his wife to run into the arms of another man only a month after their nuptials. Having discovered her in the embrace of another man—and well aware of her dislike of him—he did what any self-respecting man would do. He left his Scottish estate and spent almost a year climbing the Alps and indulging his passion for adventure.

But no amount of adventure will change the fact he needs an heir. Resigned to the knowledge he somehow needs to win over his wife enough to allow him in her bed, Alex returns to Scotland for Christmas to celebrate… and seduce.

Emma Fenhurst, Duchess of Wyndbourne, has spent almost a year alone and miserable. She hadn’t expected much from her marriage, but she had at least expected a child or two, and Alexander had never seemed a cruel man. But after their fleeting first month of marriage, he tired of her and fled to France. Lonely and desperate for a child, the news of her estranged husband’s return summons her courage and determination. By the end of the Christmas celebrations, she will be with child and intends to do all she can to draw her husband into her bed. However, while she means to share her body with him, some secrets must remain just that—secret.

Will the festive period bring them closer together or will their plans draw them further apart? Is there any chance for an arranged marriage to bring happiness… and maybe even love?

Naughty List, Boxed set of Erotic Romances, by the Naughty Literati, a group of authors who’ve come together to showcase their epic talents in stories filled with powerful eroticism and satisfying romance. Our tales range from heartwarming and sweet to scorching hot erotic, medieval to futuristic, humans to aliens and shape-shifters, vanilla committed couples to kinky ménage fun. (Recommended by Tina)

Blurb: THE NIGHTWIND’S VISIT, by Charlotte Boyett-Compo: Be careful what you wish for. The NightWind hears every whisper, every sigh, every need and he’s coming to grant your every wicked, wanton desire. DEAR SANTA…I WANT A MAN FOR CHRISTMAS , by Marianne Stephens: Frustrated with untrustworthy men, Melissa orders a man doll. When delivery guy, Nick, shows up, she has second thoughts about how to satisfy her needs. PRELUDE TO A MOST UNUSUAL MARRIAGE , by Katherine Kingston : Guilty secrets torment widowed Elizabeth Fitzhugh. A Christmas visit to the Earl of Chisenholm offers redemption, if she can find the courage to grasp it. NO GENTLEMAN, by Francesca Hawley: Librarian Abby Kelly comes west finding a roguish shapeshifter who desires her. Will Goldwolf is no gentleman, but Abby discovers he’s just what she wants. JEWEL’S MENAGE CHRISTMAS, Berengaria Brown :
The excitement has left Jewel, Donovan, and Oscar’s relationship. Jewel plans to spice things up, but will Donovan and Oscar rise to the challenge? TUNE ME UP, by Lainey-Jo Charles: Jason catches Dani having an intimate moment with a recording of him singing to her, and is ready to move them from friends to forever. ON THE EIGHTEENTH OF JANUARY, ’78 OR, A NIGHT AT VALLEY FORGE, by Regina Kammer : During the infamous winter of ‘77-‘78 at Valley Forge, two soldiers fanboy over their
charismatic leader, General George Washington. THE CHRISTMAS LEOPARD by Lynne Connolly: Two gorgeous Italian hunks save art restorer Sandi when she accidentally summons an ancient evil from a mosaic. Their methods are unconventional—and scorching hot! CHRISTMAS BAD GIRL , by Trinity Blaico: She only had one wish this Christmas. To find the one man who was strong enough to master her in bed and out. HOW THE ALIEN STOLE CHRISTMAS by Belle Scarlett: On board a deep space station Christmas Trent learns her sexy cyber lover, who may not be human, wants to steal her for his own. MERRY CHRISTMAS, KITTEN by Nicole Austin: Sirena Petra wants one thing for Christmas—an orgasm. And sex toy expert Kenyon Fort has exactly what the lion shifter needs to find more than just her happy place. VIKING IN TARTAN by Suz deMello :
Medieval romance from the Highland Vampires series. A Viking raider brings change to little Clan Kilbirnie, especially to the chieftain’s daughter, Rhona. HOLDIN’ ON by Alexa Silver: Rock star Max is terminally ill. When Aislin falls into his life, rocking his world, everything changes. Is she his Christmas miracle?

December 23, 2014 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW A True Alpha Christmas (True Alpha series, novella) by Alisa Woods

STAND-ALONE NOVELLA – best enjoyed after reading the True Alpha Box Set (Vol 1-6)

A True Alpha Christmas is 80 pages or 20,000 words. This novella can be read as a standalone, but readers will enjoy it more if they read the True Alpha serial (Vol 1-6) first.

REVIEW

To find out that Alisa Woods had written A True Alpha Christmas was a lovely surprise and it was definitely a read I was excited for since the whole True Alpha series has been one of my top reads this year. This time of year is full of magical sights and feelings, and this is what A True Alpha Christmas is all about. Now Mia has been claimed by Lucas and will be his mate for life she is absolutely over the moon. But as Christmas approaches, and she has to be prepared for office parties and Lucas meeting her mum, Mia wants her relationship with Lucas to be common knowledge and for people to realise how serious they are.

Readers who have followed this series will know just how hot and intense the relationship is between shifters, Mia and Lucas. This novella is no different. After dressing incredibly sexy for a Christmas party, Lucas wants nothing more than to whisk her away to the cloakroom for some hot and intimate attention! Whilst the inner wolf of Mia, and a part of her human side, want the same she cannot help but feel ‘why does it have to be like this?’. Why can’t everyone know that they are man and woman, together, mated? Without Lucas quite realising it, the human side of Mia wants a ring on her finger, a symbol to show their declaration of love for each other.

To make matters worse, it is time for Mia’s mum to meet Lucas. Mia’s Mum knows nothing about her daughter being a shifter, and taking after her father. Shifters, to her, are criminals, violent, and her only experience of a shifter left her abandoned by him. At the same time, if Mia doesn’t come clean to her mother, it will leave her mum believing that Lucas is trying to control her daughter, use his status to exploit her until he has had what he wants and moved on to the next woman.

Mia’s dilemma leaves her feeling that nothing she can say will encourage her mum to like Lucas. Will Mia be able to diffuse the situation or will her mum and Lucas never get along? With the same intensity as the True Alpha series, fans and new readers will love this paranormal romance. It is written just as brilliantly as the previous short stories, with the heat, emotions and surprises.

A copy of A True Alpha Christmas was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

A True Alpha Christmas is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

All short stories are available at Amazon UK and Amazon US individually. BUT, the TRUE ALPHA FULL SEASON is available to order!!

AMAZON UK link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

AMAZON US link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

You can check out my reviews for each book of the series below.

Desired (True Alpha #1) – short story

Guarded (True Alpha #2) – short story

Hunted (True Alpha #3) – short story

Captured (True Alpha #4) – short story

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5) – short story

Claimed (True Alpha #6) – short story

December 21, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Caroline’s Top Reads 2014

Hi readers, it’s that time of year again when Tina and myself have lots of fun going through our reviews of the past year and choose our favourites to share with you! And, wow, there are so many it is difficult to narrow them down!

This is the end of our second full year and we cannot thank you all enough for following us and sharing our posts. We have made so many friends, be they authors, bloggers, agents, publishers and more, it has been overwhelming. We have received our first Christmas card from Australia (pictured), which was an absolute pleasure to receive. It’s amazing to see the sun and summer holiday reminders when the usual card for us is full of snow, log fires and dark evenings.

We hope that you have had a great year and are looking forward to the festive season. We are looking forward to sharing it with you. And I hope that you enjoy us sharing our favourite reads. Tina’s Top Reads will also be coming your way very soon. And here are mine!

Please click on the titles for my full review and much more info!

Contemporary Romance

Books of this genre and some contemporary rom-coms have been a big hit for me this year, and Helena Fairfax’s The Silk Romance was an absolute pleasure to read. It was written so beautifully, powerfully and thoughtfully, and certainly a read you will not forget! It is a Cinderella-type story that is highly intense and completely grips the reader. I have also likened it to some high-profile romance movies in my review as some aspects are similar and captivating!

The Love of Marisol by Christos Toulouras is a short story of love and loss, but with the possibility of finding new love after. It is, again, very powerful and emotive, beginning as quite a dark and realistic read (although fiction). Taking only around an hour to read, it was one of my favourite reading hours of the year!

Contemporary Rom-Coms

As well as the serious side of romance, it is always uplifting and refreshing to read some fun reads, even though they still hold a serious undertone. The book that enlightened me in this manner is C.J. Pinard’s Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) (Duty & Desire #3). It is my favourite book of the Duty & Desire series. It is a light-hearted, fun and cheeky read. And I love how C.J. Pinard follows both Miranda’s career, as well as her romances, and at the same time the reader sees a different side to the friendship that Miranda has with Cara.

Wanting to read a seasonal book at the time, I thoroughly enjoyed An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson. It was a Bridget Jones style read, with plenty of humour and a real feel-good and refreshing feel that really captured the time of year. And with some sombre storylines for some characters it has an awful lot going on, but is still relaxing and fun to read.

Historical Romance

Lucy Oliver’s novella Summer in Rye is an incredibly intense short story, with power and the ability to grip the reader. Following a new governess to children that have been badly affected by smallpox, and a master that is tyrannical, Eva only has one choice: to turn to the master’s brother, who was once engaged to her. Passion reignites between these two, but after he lied before, can Eva really accept him back?

Paranormal

To top off my favourite paranormal reads is Tim O’Rourke’s Vampire Flappers (Samantha Carter #1.5). Last year the first of the series, Vampire Seeker, was one of my favourites, and again this series has really thrilled me. It has everything from vamps, shifters, action/adventure and time travel! The romance and passion is also very intense, making for a very HOT read! This is a series not to be missed, and I cannot wait to review Vampire Watchmen (Samantha Carter #2) in the new year!

And, not always a huge fan of short stories, this year has certainly changed my point of view. I used to think that to create great characters that full novels would be more fulfilling. However, there are a number of short stories in my top reads this year and a certain series of short stories really blew my mind – Alisa Woods’ True Alpha series. There are six shifter stories, which follow Mia and shifter Lucas, their attraction and heat for each other! Yet, the dilemma is that Lucas lost his last mate, and being to close to another is just not an option. But, when rival shifters kidnap Mia, Lucas has to face his true feelings. Each story is complete with action, heat and intensity. Shifter fans will LOVE this series. Here are the links to each review:-

Desired (True Alpha #1)

Guarded (True Alpha #2)

Hunted (True Alpha #3)

Captured (True Alpha #4)

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5)

Claimed (True Alpha #6)

I am also hoping to review another short A True Alpha Christmas over the coming days before the big day. And, in the new year Alisa Woods will be releasing her Dark Alpha short story series!

Now, for my second entry of author C.J. Pinard we have Soul Rebel. This is my favourite novel of C.J.’s. With plenty of action, suspense and romance it really does have it all. The characters and storyline are brilliant. Nolan loses his soul during a kiss with a female succubus in a nightclub and he only has 7 days to claim his soul back! Time constraints cause the tension and really make the pace quick. Plus there are many surprises which make it an exciting read.

Recommended for the younger adult (15yrs+) Blue Moon (The Blue Crystal trilogy #1) by Pat Spence is an enchanting and fairytale-like read with supernatural mystery and horror. It is highly recommended to fans of the Twilight saga, but without the vamps. It follows the idea of eternal youth, ancient links and an attraction between Emily (17) and the handsome Theo. It is highly emotive, with a great eerie atmosphere as the reader gets sucked in to the mystery. Blue Moon is a fantastic beginning to this trilogy.

Horror

This year saw the final instalment of Tim O’Rourke’s Moon trilogy, Moonshine (The Moon trilogy, #3). A paranormal horror series that has it all; action and adventure, vamps, weres, heart-warming moments and plenty of surprises. The running theme through the trilogy is whether or not vamps and weres can exist in peace together. Or, will they both have to try and annihilate each other? Will the love of Winnie be enough to hold it all together? (Clicking on the links for books 2 and 3 may spoil the storyline for those who haven’t read book one.)

Moonlight (The Moon Trilogy #1)

Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy #2)

Crime Thriller

Cold Call by Colin Llewelyn Chapman, was an instant like for me. After being likened to author Martina Cole, Luther (BBC tv series) and with a pinch of Fifty Shades, Cold Call proved to be a gritty, well-planned read that follows both the suspect and the police with their investigation into the deaths of several women from seedy backgrounds. This is another read with surprises along the way that will keep you gripped until the end.

Dustin Stevens’ 21 Hours is full of action and suspense as an uncle and ex-con is attempting to save his two year old niece after she has been kidnapped. Being an ex-con he is not entirely trusted by the authorities, but he is so desperate that he will do anything! I have likened it to some action movies, such as Lethal Weapon, Commando, Ransom and Con Air as there are some elements of these in the book and especially in they way it left me feeling after I had read it. It is also another read that is quick-paced, partly due to the time that it is believed that the young girl has left!

Ooh, and now for some Festive Contemporary reads

As an added treat, and because they were brilliant reads, I thought I would share the following two festive reads:

C.L. Scholey’s Candy Cain is a short 55 page read that is festive, hot and full of suspense. After being snowed in during a blizzard and left on a desolate road, with only the stranger that she dislikes after briefly bumping into him earlier, the only way they can keep warm is by body heat! Hmm, I wonder where this will lead and what the outcome will be for them? There are also heart-warming moments and an underlying storyline about helping those in need.

And finally, a full-length story with a Christmas build-up, new friendships and a new romance in Amy Silver’s All I Want for Christmas. Beginning from the fourteenth of December, the story is written with each chapter being a new day in the lead up to the big day, when there are plans at The Honey Pot café for people of the neighbourhood to meet for a party of food and friendship for the lonely.

I have read many more great reads that I cannot possibly add due to the amount I have here. Crossing many genres, I always hope that there are reads in here to suit many, and I feel that there is a great mix of both published and indie authors.

I hope that you enjoy our posts and would like to thank each and everyone of you for following and supporting us. I sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas and an absolutely brilliant New Year!

Caroline Barker 🙂

If you would like to check our Top Reads of 2013 to recap on our previous year, you can do so here:-

Caroline’s Top Reads 2013

Tina’s To Reads 2013

December 20, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Book Tour Hark: A Christmas Collection (short stories) by Justin Bog

Title: Hark: A Christmas Collection

Author: Justin Bog

Genre: Fiction, Short Stories, Festive

Release date: November 14th, 2014

Publisher: Booktrope

Length: 134 pages

A bonus story, Poseidon Eyes, from Booktrope’s upcoming reissue of Sandcastle and Other Stories—The Complete Edition, is included.

Author Bio

Justin Bog lives in the Pacific Northwest on Fidalgo Island. Justin Bog was Pop Culture Correspondent and Editor for In Classic Style. He enjoys cooking, lawn mowing not so much, and spends time walking and handing out treats to two long coat German shepherds, Zippy and Kipling, and two barn cats, Ajax The Gray and Eartha Kitt’n.

Follow Justin Online:

Justin Bog A Writer’s Life Blog: www.justinbog.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JustinBog1

Twitter: @JustinBog

Purchase links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

December 20, 2014 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW All I Want for Christmas by Amy Silver

Title: All I Want for Christmas

Author: Amy Silver

Genre: Contemporary holiday romance, chick-lit

Release date: November 25th, 2010

Publisher: Arrow

Length: 325 pages

But Christmas is a magical time, and in the fragrant atmosphere of The Honey Pot, anything can happen: new friends can be made, hearts can heal, and romance can finally blossom…

REVIEW

This is a fab read for this time of year, not only due to the heart-warming and romantic storyline but also because of the layout, with each chapter being a date in December, beginning on the fourteenth and leading up to the big day!

It is written from Bea, Olivia and Chloe’s points of view and follows them through different times each day which really opens the characters up for the reader to get to know and enjoy.

For Bea, she wants to have her first Christmas with her young son. She has been through so much and deserves a fantastic year. After losing her husband two years before, she is now running the café, the Honey Pot, that her and her husband had started together. The previous year was quite a low point for Bea as she sunk into depression and drink, with her mother looking after her son. Which is why this year is so special. As well as this, Bea wants to hold a Christmas party at the Honey Pot on Christmas evening for the people of the neighbourhood, friends and for the lonely to have somewhere to go.

We meet Olivia early on in the story when she gets knocked over outside the café and Bea goes out to assist, bringing Olivia into the Honey Pot and having a chat over a nice, hot drink. This is really the beginning of a great friendship between these two characters. I feel that the author has taken great care with her writing to build these characters up and create a closeness between them. It is written well and is a flowing read which is easy to follow.

Olivia is about to get married to her boyfriend, Kieran. However, when his family comes over from Ireland in the run up to Christmas, she finds that she is having a stressful time feeding and entertaining them, as well as working. Not only this but when Kieran’s family begin suggesting wedding ideas and their future together, i.e. kids, when to have them and how many, Olivia begins to get a little cold feet and doubts whether she is doing the right thing. And, has she really slept with enough men yet?

It is a demanding time for her and she just wants things to remain the same for Kieran and herself. If she pleases him and his family her wishes will never be met. Plus, she knows she will never go through the getting-to-know-you stage again and is this just all too much to bear?

Meanwhile, one of Bea’s best friends, Sam, begins to really get to her. Sam has always been popular with the ladies and it isn’t unusual for him to have a new girl on his arm every week or so. Bea doesn’t really know why he is bothering her so much. They have always been close – only being next door he has looked after Luca, her son, and been there to talk to, lend things to, etc. And she has always known he was one for the ladies. But, Sam seems to be turning up recently when she’s in the middle of something, he seems to be getting closer to her and he gets under her skin at times.

It becomes apparent that Sam has feelings for Bea. This creates a brilliant will-they-won’t-they storyline. Bea knows that Sam has always been there for her, but does she feel that strong about him? And even if she does, she cannot betray her husband, Marco.

And then there’s Chloe. Chloe is introduced as a cold and rude character, having an affair with a married man and not really having much thought for anyone else. When it is first realised by Olivia and Bea that Chloe is in a relationship with a married man, they react quite judgemental towards her, which in turn brushes her up the wrong way. She retaliates by speaking harshly to Bea about her husband, as she sees Bea as the married man’s wife. However, she really doesn’t know Bea’s truth and has judged her completely wrong. But, despite this shaky start, is it possible for a friendship to blossom?

Surprisingly, Chloe was a character I really enjoyed. Even though she has been involved with a married man and comes across quite cold and haughty to begin with, I felt her character made the longest journey and she really is quite nice underneath it all. She seems to come to her senses and realise just how lonely she really is. She doesn’t fit in with her family and excludes herself to an extent from their visits as she is her own person really. I really admire this about her, as it does take strength to go your own way especially when you know it will be a lonely venture.

All I Want for Christmas is a perfect festive, heartfelt and relaxing read, and a reminder that people do have problems but that they also get through them. It is touching, but at the same time leads you into an excitement for the holidays, at the same time as being a relaxing read.

All I Want for Christmas is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker