October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

FREE EBOOK THIS WEEKEND ONLY Innocence by Holly J. Gill

Wow, I feel I should be taking a bow, or patting myself on the back, I should go out and celebrate, do something totally amazing, due to loving what I do, this week has been awesome, made me smile and yes there were moments I didn’t want the feeling to go. After sending the last two months trying to decide what to do with my books after my publisher closed their doors, I hummed for quite sometime and have taken the self-publishing route and delighted I have too.

So lets kick the weekend of with a fine glass of bubbly….

And how about a FREE book for Kindle download

Innocence Blurb

Book 1

Calvin
Edwards has everything he could dream about— perfect lifestyle, running the
family real-estate company back in London. He takes a holiday up north to visit
his parents only to find a young pregnant woman attempting to take her life.
Wishing to help, Calvin becomes a friend to her, only fears he’s out of his
depth. Just when he thinks he can do this his past resurfaces, sending his life
crashing.

Kacey
is pregnant and her life is out of control with nowhere left to go. She descends
on her mum for one last chance for help, only to have the door slammed in her
face. At her wits end, she is alone, scared, and helpless until Calvin comes
along. He becomes a dear friend giving her kindness, something she thought no
longer existed in the world. Only she finds what she’d pushed to the back of
her mind through selfish pain is back. Her past with all its mistakes has come
back to life!

Free

links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Holly Bio

Holly lives in the UK and
is a wife mother of three, and a nana to twins. Holly J. Gill is a romance
writer whose favorite genre is erotica. She has been recently published with
Secret Cravings who unfortunately closed their doors in September 2015 leaving
Holly with several books to find a home. Therefore Holly has taken the chance
to self-publish all her works. Her books include Desires and a sweet adult
series called Innocence. Holly also writes different genre’s loving the
diversity she has to explore. In Holly’s spare time she loves spending time
with her family, friends, listen to music, watch movies, and likes to travel
around England enjoying the beautiful countryside.

Writing is where my heart is…

Where
to find Holly

Thank you for stopping by

October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Promo w/Excerpt Memphis Hoodoo Murders by Kathryn Rogers

Memphis Hoodoo Murders is an occult horror mystery novel that sounds like a dark, gripping read, especially at this time of year. I can’t wait to review this shortly!

Title: Memphis Hoodoo Murders

Author: Kathryn Rogers

Genre: Occult horror mystery

Date released: August 15th, 2015

Released by: Sartoris Literary Group

Length: 360 pages

Synopsis: Addie Jackson has witnessed people trying to kill her family her entire life, and now her grandparents’ attackers are hunting her. The Memphis police are never able to catch these crooks since the cops have been bewitched to stay away. Her grandparents, Pop and Grandma, habitually lie to Addie, but she is attentive enough to overhear the secrets they keep from her. In her predictive dreams, Addie regularly sees future events, which disturb her, but to her dismay, she has never been able to stop them from coming true. She often dreams of a dark character, who she is later shocked to discover is the Man, a devil from hoodoo legend.

Addie is disturbed to discover she is being stalked by a witch doctor named Hoodoo Helen. To make matters worse, the more secrets Addie uncovers, the more danger she finds. Addie presses Grandma for answers about the power behind the ring and pocket watch she often toys with, but Grandma remains tight-lipped. Knowing their deaths are imminent, Grandma makes a deal with the hoodoo devil to take care of Addie, and Addie is later horrified to discover that her beloved family has been murdered. John, a family friend, steps in to help Addie, and she soon realizes he knows more about her family’s tainted past than she ever has. Addie begins receiving cryptic letters from her deceased grandmother, which reveal a shocking family history revolving around slavery, time travel, and magic.

If Addie can survive jail, her cousin’s abduction, threats from a menacing gang, corrupt law enforcement, and hoodooed attacks, maybe she can finally dream of a future where she will be safe and free.

AMAZON BUY LINK

Praise for Memphis Hoodoo Murders:-

“Dripping with grisly spells, wry humor and a distinctly southern brand of magical realism, you’ll be quickly mesmerized by this magnetic paranormal thriller. A home run for author Kathryn Rogers.” – Reviewed by Best Thrillers

“Addie Jackson is not your average college student. For starters, she lives with her slightly odd grandparents in a not-so-nice part of Memphis, Tennessee. Most of her life revolves around taking care of her grandparents and trying to keep a low profile in her neighborhood instead of going on dates, talking about new music, and having fun. When her grandparents’ behavior becomes even more bizarre, there are break-ins at the church the family attends, and she begins to have dreams that come true, Addie becomes even more aware of the strange life she is living. She begins to believe that her grandparents have been hiding something from her for her entire life, something big, something that could put everyone’s lives in danger. Something that could mean that Hoodoo magic is real. Kathryn Rogers’ novel, Memphis Hoodoo Murders, immediately catches the reader with an exciting title and a surprising first chapter.” – Reviewed by Red City Review

Author bio:

Kathryn Rogers is a Memphis native with an affinity for local BBQ and blues rock-n-roll. As a licensed therapist, she holds her Masters in Counseling and Psychology, and as a licensed educator, she holds her Bachelors in Education. Her experience providing counseling services to the community prepared her to expound upon the psychological issues her characters wrestle with in her stories. She currently lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, playful preschooler, and rambunctious Labrador Retrievers.

Readers can connect with Kathryn on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

EXCERPT

Chapter 1

If I told you that people had been trying to kill my family and me my entire life, you would probably just think I was being paranoid, but it’s not paranoia if it’s real.

Sometimes healthy people run for exercise, and oftentimes energetic individuals run for fun. In my neck of the woods, you run just to stay alive. Today I only hoped that the gang members didn’t murder me so I could make it home in one piece. My legs were pumping so hard I thought they might fall off.

Grandma and Pop would tell you I’m petite and pretty when really I’m short and perfectly ordinary. I don’t look anything like them except that we are all small in stature, though I’m so little I look like a shrimp by comparison. I have straight, brown hair with no bangs, smooth skin, and sharp, green eyes. I’ve never dressed fancy as I’ve never had much to begin with. Besides, in my neck of the woods, when you get something shiny, folks try to take it or talk about you for having it, so the more you blend in, the better off you’re bound to be.

“Hey, short stuff! You with the ponytail! I told you to get over here!”

It was my favorite neighborhood thug heckling me.

Just don’t trip. Whatever you do, don’t trip, Addie.

The limb from the fallen tree did not hear my inner monologue, because my foot caught on the log and slung me onto the sidewalk.

“I told you there was no point in running from us,” he said coldly. “We always get what we want.”

I winced in pain and grabbed my right knee, which was running red. I felt like a bleeding fish in the middle of a shark tank.

Show no fear. Don’t cry.

I forced myself to stand and face my antagonists. Their clothes and tattoos were clearly reflective of the Memphis gang, the Skullbangerz—not that I would be privy to any admission from them about this.

“Ouch! Looks like you got a boo-boo,” said a slim, jumpy guy, eyeing me from the stems up. “Want me to kiss on you to make it all better?”

“No, thanks—you’re really not my type,” I said, thankful I had enough spirit to sound snarky.

“Oohh, she’s a feisty one. I like that in a lady,” he toyed dangerously with me.

“Enough with your mouth. You’re wasting my time.” The tall, muscular gang leader cut him off as he stepped towards me. “Yeah, you got to be her,” he remarked as he studied my face.

“Got to be whom?” I asked sullenly.

“June Jackson’s granddaughter,” Jaydon Swisher announced.

I was surprised that he knew who I was. Everyone around here knew him. Just thinking about his cruel reputation made me shudder.

“How do you know her?” I asked to try to pump information out of him.

“So, you is Mrs. Jackson’s girl?” he quizzed me clearly not wanting to give anything away.

“What’s it to you?”

“You ain’t in the position to be asking questions of me. You give me what I want, and I might let you go in one piece…might. You act uncooperative, and I’ll butcher you up while you’re still alive. Then I’ll mail individual pieces of you wrapped up as Christmas presents to your Grandma. Do you understand what I’m telling you right now?”

He was close enough for me to feel his hot breath on my neck.

I knew most people made idle threats. However, I could tell from the way the other gang members kept their distance from him, Jaydon was telling the Gospel truth.

The waterfall of blood continued to rain down my leg. Every fiber in my being told me to get as far away from them as possible. Unfortunately though, as history had indicated, I was too clumsy to outrun them. So, I stalled for time and willed myself to exhibit grace under fire.

The leader of the pack misinterpreted my silence for newfound cooperation and continued to press me, “So, where is it?”

“Where’s what?”

October 30, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Humour Review Vivian’s Vampire (short story) by Deborah Melanie

Halloween is upon us, and what’s better to get us into the Halloween spirit than a short, fun, Halloween costume party read? Deborah Melanie had me laughing out loud with this cute number, that has everything from the ghoulish atmosphere, quirky capers, and a sweet attraction!

Title: Vivian’s Vampire

Author: Deborah Melanie

Genre: Contemporary paranormal/comedy/romance

Release date: October 23rd, 2013

Released by: Solstice Publishing

Length: 29 pages

Blurb: She’s got a scythe, a severed head and she’s looking for love.

Waitress Vivian Shawcross loves a costume party. When Halloween comes along, she can’t wait for the spooky fun to start. However, a mix up over her costume and a road diversion, are just two of the mini disasters she encounters en route to her ghostly night out. Stranded in a remote English village, isn’t her idea of fun, but when a gorgeous vampire is thrown into the equation, Vivian discovers that her fun night out has only just begun.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

Vivian’s Vampire is an absolutely hilarious and fun read – just perfect for Halloween. If you’re not looking for a terrifyingly gory and horrific read, you’ll love this little gem, which has a slight horror feel but with quirkiness, capers and a tad of romance. Not to mention a paranormal element!

Vivian is on her way to a Halloween party dressed in a hooded cape as the Grim Reaper, which makes her feel more like Harry Potter when she has her glasses on and holding her wand (scythe)! A perfect accessory for Death is Bob – a rubber, severed head that adds to the effect.

After having to make a diversion on the road, round black, winding country lanes that she doesn’t recognise, the atmosphere begins to get a little eerie. Vivian’s visibility is lessened by her annoying contacts. Surely it can’t be thick fog out there? And, when she notices a village, signed ‘Welcome to Hell’, and that Bob’s head has gone from the passenger seat, she begins to freak a little. Added to this there is a blinding light and a crash into the nearest tree!

Getting out of the car she sees a sexy vampire bleeding down on her from above the branches and she just can’t bear it anymore. Running away with her phone signal out, and the sound of werewolves, Vivian finds herself in more and more trouble.

The author has really captured the sense of fun with the Halloween costume party and the quirkiness of Vivian, the sense of horror with the eerie atmosphere and strange goings on and wrapped them with the chance of a cute little romance in there too. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Vivian’s Vampire was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest opinion.

You can find Deborah Melanie‘s Vivian’s Vampire at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

October 27, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo w/excerpt The Dreamer of Downing Street by Roberta L. Smith

Title: The Dreamer of Downing Street

Author: Roberta L. Smith

Genre: Supernatural mystery, historical, romance

Date released: August 23, 2014

Length: 289 pages

Blurb: In 1944 Denver, twenty-six year-old Franklin Powell is doing what he does best, helping clients with his psychic gift. Then his brother causes the past to come crashing into the present and a memory Frank has kept buried since the age of six surfaces. Now his life is in an uproar. He must prove that what he remembers is true or his mother may spend the rest of her life in prison. But even if he succeeds, it appears there is a powerful someone behind the scenes who could care less if she is innocent. Why? Because of a seething hatred for Frank. To make matters worse, the woman he loves needs his help with a serious problem of her own—a problem that could get him killed. Frank can’t let that stop him. He dives right in and while his psychic gift doesn’t seem to be doing him any favors, it’s a good thing that a couple of newly-acquired ghosts appear to be on his side.

The Dreamer of Downing Street is the prequel to Roberta L. Smith’s Mickey McCoy series.

BUY LINKS: Amazon US and Amazon UK

Author bio:

Roberta Smith is a lifelong southern Californian born in Los Angeles who grew up with TV shows like The Twilight Zone and Leave It to Beaver. She always preferred stories with ghosts, monsters (Frankenstein) or the supernatural. As a kid, her hero was Boris Karloff. She’s written and published five novels, four of which are paranormal mysteries. Recently she teamed up with horror author Michael Raff to form Nevermore Enterprises and bring Horror Book Fest to the High Desert. She is an active member of the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club and the Victor Valley Vettes Corvette Club.

Author links:

www.bertabooks.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertaLSmith

twitter: Roberta L Smith@bertabooks

EXCERPT

PROLOGUE

Leadville, Colorado – 1924

I COULD FEEL Mother’s anxiety the moment she took my hand to pull me out of the canvas top touring car. I landed with a squishy sound as my boots hit the sloshy ground and I righted myself. The sight before me was forlorn to say the least: a couple of cabins―shacks really―a privy, shed and the hoist frame of a mine shaft no longer in use, all dusted with snow. It was spring, but just barely. And it was cold.

“You’ll be all right with the boy,” our driver called to my mother from his seat inside the car, arm outside the window, finger pointed. “Just remember what I told you. Call her Mrs. Tabor. She don’t like when people address her as Baby Doe. Show her respect. If she opens the door with a shotgun in her hand, just talk real nice. She guards the Matchless like a rabid dog and don’t trust people much. I ain’t sayin’ I blame her, just that’s how she be.”

Mother nodded and started toward one of the cabins, my hand in hers. I nearly cried out that she was hurting me, her grip was that tight. But I thought better of it. A tongue lashing would most likely result and that would be more painful. I stuck my free hand in the right-hand pocket of my coat and grabbed hold of one of the toy cars I kept there.

My heart beat rapidly. I was anxious, too. Not because of where we were or who we were about to meet. I was concerned for Mother because I’d never seen her in such a state. She paused for a moment and took several deep breaths as she stared at the small, one-room shack ahead of us. It cast a friendless feel out here on the hill amid the other wooden structures that were all part of the derelict mine. Constructed of planks that had weathered many winters, it wasn’t exactly ramshackle, but it was close. Not that I would have thought of that word at the time. I was six.

After a few more steps, my anxiety left me and the happiness I felt at being on a trip with Mother—just me, not my older brother Bobby nor my older sister Jane, just me—took hold. My siblings got most of Mother’s attention at home. With only me in tow, I would be foremost in her mind.

I looked at the front door of the cabin and “knowings” hopped into my head. Back then, that’s what I called the psychic thoughts that came to me. I knew we were about to meet an old woman who had been beautiful at one time. So beautiful that other people had been jealous. I knew that she was hated and that she lived alone.

I will just have a talk with that woman. So what if she’s peculiar, if they say she’s lost her marbles . . .

I glanced up at Mother. “Here, Mama,” I said, offering her a fistful of aggies and cat’s-eyes I kept stashed in my pocket along with the cars.

“What?” Her brows knit together as she looked at the contents of my hand.

“You said she lost her marbles. She can have these.”

October 27, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release Day Review Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II by C.J. Pinard

You may recall our review of Lotus’s Journey Part I, Lotus (Daughter of Darkness), last month. And today is the release of Watcher, Part II of Lotus’s Journey by one of our favourite authors, C.J. Pinard. Lotus is one of four ‘daughters of darkness’, with the other three daughters being written about by authors Chrissy Peebles, Kristen Middleton and W.J. May. These female heroines are clearly connected by their father, Vlad Montour, or Vlad the Impaler, known to be an evil villain in history. But, some of the sisters are unacquainted with each other. In Watcher, Vampire Vlad now wants all four daughters to be brought to him – alive. But, what are his intentions?

Title: Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II

Author: C.J. Pinard

Genre: Paranormal mystery, crime, thriller, romance

Release date: October 27th, 2015

Length: 103 pages

Blurb:

As hybrid vampire/faery Lotus’s journey has taken her from solving the vampire-committed murders in Denver to Las Vegas, she begins to learn a lot more about herself and the evil vampire of a father who has been searching for her for years. She has to make a decision on whether she’s going to run from Vlad or search for him and confront him as he continues to terrorize her dreams. She wonders if finding him will lead her to her faery mother, or if it will just lead to more death, destruction, and heartbreak.

With the relationship between her sexy neighbor, Drew, and her beginning to blossom, Lotus wonders if she should just give up the search and try to lead a normal life for once. She’s finally found a decent guy who is not only gorgeous, but seems to want to protect her. Something she’s never needed, but is now finding she wants. That is, until she finds out Drew’s got his own secrets.

This is part II of Lotus’s journey. Part III will be out in early 2016.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

When author C.J. Pinard released her last paranormal series, Rebel Riders, I knew with the first book it was my favourite of her work to date. However, I am now indecisive as Lotus (Daughter of Darkness) is definitely a contender. Lotus provides a great deal of action, nice, hot romantic scenes, and a story that includes both vampires and Lycans at an equal balance.

Watcher begins with Lotus, half-faery and half-vamp, having caught a vampire suspected of following her. She learns that it is her vampire father, Vlad Montour, who has sent him to bring her to him, along with his three other daughters: Jezebel, Blair, and Victoria. Sisters she has only recently learned of having. Lotus realises at this point that a psychic faery she had visited years before actually had some real meaning behind what she said.

Does she use this as an opportunity to meet her father at last? Or, does she have a reason to run in the opposite direction? With very little knowledge of the supernaturals, she has been living for over a century as humanlike as possible. Will she now have to use her faery and vampire skills to deal with her father and sisters?

Fans of Lotus’s Journey Part I will love to hear that Lotus’s hot, sexy neighbour, Drew, plays a larger role in Watcher. And, who can’t love him? We saw his lighter, flirtatious and cheeky moments in part I, and now we learn that he had been watching Lotus all along to protect her. The relationship between them is a little more serious in Watcher due to the circumstances of the story and the deeper attraction they both feel towards each other. Drew is cute and kind, and strong and direct when he has to be, and yet not overwhelmingly flirtatious or pushy. This makes it very easy for Lotus and the reader to fall for him and believe that he is someone to be trusted!

Some of my favourite moments in both parts I and II of Lotus’s Journey have been Lotus’s dreams of her father. They are a little nightmarish at times, being creepy and eerie. The use of fog, Lotus being in a forest and in her nightgown all help create a great sense of atmosphere. Vlad’s character is seemingly dark, powerful and frightful, yet spell-binding. I actually felt some attraction to his evilness, gripped by his hold. Does he want to kill his daughters? Or, is there another purpose for them to all meet with him? The mystery surrounding this vampire villain is killing me and pulling me towards him so badly!

C.J. Pinard’s writing is becoming more and more addictive. I LOVE this series and cannot wait for Part III of Lotus’s Journey. Especially after that fantastic cliff-hanger!

A copy of Watcher, Lotus’s Journey Part II was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II by C.J. Pinard is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

You can also check out our review of Lotus (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part I here.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

October 26, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo ABOUT WRITING by Suz deMello

Amazon: http://goo.gl/cZeDMJ

Perfect for the advanced or aspiring author, ABOUT
WRITING includes both Write This, Not That! Suz deMello‘s bestseller, and the
newer Plotting and Planning, a primer on the basics: conflict and character,
point of view, scene and sequel…plus much, much more, written in deMello’s
engaging style.

ABOUT WRITING: your essential writing manual!

About Writing by Suz deMello is a small, but powerful
book for beginners and experienced writers alike. This little book is an
excellent reference to remind all authors of the goals of becoming a better
author.

I love that Ms. deMello started with this quote,

“There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” –
Somerset Maugham.

Is this not the truth?

How many times have we endeavored to learn the correct way to write and
then we pick up a best seller and the author has broken all the rules? This being said, Ms. deMello explains in
clear language and with excellent examples the building blocks of writing. She offers excellent ideas for developing
characters, plot, conflict, and even how to stir up an author’s creative juices.

I believe the most important message in this book is “everything in a story
should contribute to it, from the biggest monster to the tiniest comma.”

I highly recommend this book to anyone
interested in improving their writing. Keep it close and read it often.

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue
Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including
erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of
short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s
held the positions of managing editor and senior editor, working for such firms
as Totally Bound and Ai Press. She also takes private clients. Her books have
been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a
contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller
lists. A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US
over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now
writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com

For editing services, email her at suzdemello@gmail.com

Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzDeMello

She tweets @Suzdemello

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzdemello/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SuzATGoodreads
Her current blog is http://www.TheVelvetLair.com

Brought to you by:

https://www.facebook.com/TurnedOnByWords?ref=bookmarks

http://wtmowordsturnmeon.blogspot.com/

October 26, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release Day Blitz She Will Be Loved (Love’s Great Adventure #4) by Theresa Troutman

Amazon: myBook.to/SheWillBeLoved

B&N: http://bit.ly/1W5mjDT

iBooks: http://apple.co/1PvF2UR

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GQbBVq

Three very
different girls searching for love.

Everyone deserves
a happy ending, that’s what Penny Stanton thought. Only her ending was anything
but happy after her husband died. Her friends had been an amazing support
system over the year following Maxwell’s death, but there was a hole in Penny’s
heart she felt would never heal. Can an old flame reignite her passion and make
her take a second chance on love?

Mattie Irons was
rambunctious, charming, and smart. She was the apple of her parents’ eyes until
her baby brother was born. Her parents, especially her mother, spent more time
cooing over the infant than paying attention to Mattie. Now Mattie is feeling
unloved, leaving Sebastian and Tess searching for a way to abate their
daughter’s fears.

Kate Hamilton has
made the move to England to be with her daughter and son-in-law. Her new
upper-crust English lifestyle is a long way from middle class suburbia in
America. She volunteers at the local children’s hospital and helps Tess raise
the children. Yet Sutton castle is a large building and it, along with its
butler, are very intimidating. Can she adapt to this new life as her daughter
did and find love again?

Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26188025-she-will-be-loved

Join the party!

She
Will Be Loved release party on Tuesday,
Oct. 27th.

https://www.facebook.com/events/715248998619357/

In this series:

Life’s What You Make It

Amazon: http://goo.gl/KPKot9

B&N: http://bit.ly/1LXz10i

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ncf4rI

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1eHPdzM

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1MVs4LU

Love This Life

Amazon: http://goo.gl/hPgsKr

B&N: http://bit.ly/RKn9Gb

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1k7H7Y9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TZWzuY

Paperback: http://goo.gl/FDMDNy

London Loves

Amazon: http://goo.gl/8sl6Yi

B&N: http://bit.ly/1Ea3w1h

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1xC1155

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1BlGYFi

Paperback: http://goo.gl/Dhhh1L

By My Side (Free with Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon
US: http://goo.gl/gZVPS5

UK:
http://amzn.to/1K6BbJK

Paperback: http://goo.gl/bhSEpq

My Secret Summer

US:
http://amzn.to/1guRQEz

UK: http://amzn.to/1iljDtL

B&N:
http://bit.ly/1mMpM4T

iTunes:
http://bit.ly/1jgW4Es

Google
Play: bit.ly/1qzrtIw

Kobo:
bit.ly/1ttV5TN

A Special Connection

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1xERGsd

B&N:
http://bit.ly/1EYrTdF

iTunes:
http://bit.ly/1txl1AW

Kobo:http://bit.ly/1GOHXDI

Theresa Troutman also writes erotic taboo tales as T.S. Irons

(her naughty personality)

Stepdaddy Dom

Amazon:
http://goo.gl/gDifHI

B&N:
http://bit.ly/1H0d1zK

Smashwords:
http://bit.ly/1GFCi1E

Sibling Rivalry

Amazon
: http://goo.gl/bsF5PI

B&N:
http://bit.ly/1E88LIz

Smashwords:
http://bit.ly/1L2NhCP

My Wicked Stepsister

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1QwajbU

B&N:
http://bit.ly/1GGx8Fh

Smashwords:
http://bit.ly/1L6kbCn

Theresa Troutman lives in Pennsylvania with her
husband and their crazy dog, Niko. She loves reading, theatre and traveling.
Her books include: My Secret Summer, A Special Connection and the Love’s Great
Adventure Series: Life’s What You Make It and Love This Life and London Loves.
Her most recent release is a contemporary second-chance erotic romance called,
By My Side.

Feel free to contact her on her:

https://www.facebook.com/theresa.troutman.author

http://theresatroutman.wix.com/theresa-troutman

https://twitter.com/TheresaTroutman @theresatroutman

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TheresaTroutman/posts

https://www.facebook.com/TurnedOnByWords?ref=bookmarks

http://wtmowordsturnmeon.blogspot.com/

October 24, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Jace (River Pack Wolves #2) by Alisa Woods

Alisa Woods has recently released her second novel in the River Pack Wolves series, JACE. NA fans of shifter paranormals will love this series with the uncountable scenes of action and HOT romance. Each story can be read as a stand alone, and each focuses on a brother from the River Pack.

Title: Jace (River Pack Wolves #2)

Author: Alisa Woods

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Release date: October 5th, 2015

Released by: Sworn Secrets Publishing

Length: 170 pages

Blurb: His wolf is out of control. She’s a wild thing that won’t be tamed.
Ex-Army Specialist Jace River has a lock on his bedroom door, but it’s not to keep anyone out; it’s to keep his nightmares from breaking loose. His wolf is an out-of-control killer, which means he can never risk shifting, never truly be part of his pack, and definitely never take a mate.

Piper Wilding works for the Army as a civilian, traveling the world for her work in counterintelligence and fighting the bad guys while bedding down the good ones. The best part? It keeps her far from her asshole father in Seattle, the rest of the Wilding pack, and the pressure to take a mate. Settling down isn’t her thing, and after what happened to her mother, Piper vowed she would never be tied down by magic or men again.

While Jace’s wolf keeps him Sleepless in Seattle, Piper returns home to find her missing kid brother. When she breaks into the River brother’s safehouse, sparks fly and claws come out. Her sexy skills threaten to bring out Jace’s wolf, and Jace’s good-guy hotness reminds Piper how tempting shifter men can be. They’re like fire and gasoline, and as they race to find Piper’s brother, the heat threatens to burn down all their carefully constructed walls. But falling in love has never been so dangerous—and being together means taking risks that neither might survive.

Jace is a complete novel with HEA, the second in the River Pack Wolves trilogy (all standalone stories, but best enjoyed if you read them in order!).

Contains scorching hot shifters, alpha military heroes, and sexy spy girls. Only readers over 18 should dive into the deliciously hot world of the River brothers.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

Jace is another fast-paced action, shifter paranormal story with plenty of HOT romance from super author, Alisa Woods. Shifters are still being kidnapped, including alpha military personnel, and all hell breaks loose when Noah Wilding goes missing. Piper, Noah’s sister, needs to find him as soon as possible, knowing that something is amiss. And yet, with only the River pack to turn to she may not be taken so seriously at first!

The story opens up dramatically when, during a break from sleeping after having a nightmare about his uncontrollable ferocious wolf beast, Jace finds himself in a heated tackle with an intruder. Things become even more interesting when the intruder shifts into a wolf, and later shifts back again – into a female. A naked female. Under Jace’s hot, hard body! What an intro to the story!

Piper Wilding has come initially to look for her brother, Daniel, to ask him about the whereabouts of their brother, Noah. Once she is heard by Daniel and the River pack, Daniel feels that maybe she is overreacting and that Noah is most probably on a secret military mission. But, Jace and his brothers are only too aware of shifters being kidnapped. And they know that the government is involved.

In an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, the Rivers decide to check it out, and to follow up on an Agent Smith, who we know had been part of the kidnapping and torture of shifters in book 1, Jaxson. This would of course mean that for newly-mated Jaxson and his half-witch lover, Julia, would have to put their ‘honeymoon’ plans off a little while longer!

Jace has been reluctant to be too involved with any action for a while due to the fear of his inner wolf being uncontrollable and causing harm to civilians or those he cares about. His wolf is twice the size of an average shifter, and he has been laden with guilt ever since a village of civilians in Afghanistan had all been killed by a ferocious animal – his wolf – when he had been deployed there. Since then Jace has decided to keep his wolf restrained, and promised never to take a mate for the sheer horror of what could happen.

Piper, also vowing never to take a mate, witnessed her own mother feel trapped when she mated for the second time to an emotionally abusive man who led her to suicidal tendencies. Piper never wants to feel so vulnerable and controlled by one person who claim they love her.

However, during the course of the story, Jace’s inner wolf keeps trying to come to the fore, especially when Piper is around. This crazy, female shifter is driving him insane. And, although initially it is the sexual attraction pulling at his wolf – scrambling around naked on his kitchen floor underneath him – it is also the power of his wolf’s need to protect her. Piper believes in his kindness and willingness to protect her, as well as feeling a heavy weight of lust and attraction towards him.

Because of Jace’s need to protect her, he isn’t all too happy about Piper going on this mission with them. But, after all it is her brother they are searching for, and her counterintelligence skills and knowledge of some government figures can certainly come in useful. Will they find Noah? And, what of Agent Smith – is he still up to his old tricks?

In this explosive, action paranormal you will be gripped from start to finish. It is a read certainly for the more mature reader, especially with the HOT scenes between Jace and Piper. Will Jace release his beast? Or will they both control themselves to keep their relationship casual? All will be revealed. And, the reader will be left wanting more, which we’ll be getting very soon with the release of Jared (book 3)!

A copy of JACE was provided for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Jace (River Pack Wolves #2) by Alisa Woods is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

You can also check out our review of book 1 in the River Pack trilogy – JAXSON

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

You can also check out our reviews of Alisa Woods’s True Alpha and Dark Alpha series:-

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

A True Alpha Christmas – novella – stand alone short story

Torment (Dark Alpha #1) – short story

Pleasure (Dark Alpha #2) – short story

Deception (Dark Alpha #3) – short story

Escape (Dark Alpha #4) – short story

Penance (Dark Alpha #5) – short story

Loved (Dark Alpha #6) – short story

October 20, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release Day Review Smoke by Catherine McKenzie

Today sparks the release of international best-selling author Catherine McKenzie’s SMOKE! And, we are delighted to welcome her work to A Reader’s Review Blog. Smoke is a contemporary mystery drama in Women’s Literature following two women who were once close friends, and whilst tackling the danger of a wildfire threatening their town, they also have the chance to reflect on their personal family problems, as well as their friendship. With many questions to be answered, you’ll find yourself buried amongst the drama until the very end!

Title: Smoke

Author: Catherine McKenzie

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Chicklit/Mystery/Drama

Release date: October 20th, 2015

Released by: Lake Union Publishing

Length: 351 pages

Blurb: From the internationally bestselling author Catherine McKenzie comes an evocative tale of two women navigating the secrets and lies at the heart of a wildfire threatening their town.

After a decade-long career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in her former life for a quieter one with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce and a fire in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed.

For Elizabeth’s ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new purpose: helping a man who has lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.

As the encroaching inferno threatens the town’s residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved.

REVIEW ***** (5*)

Smoke follows two women, Elizabeth and Mindy, who, although once friends, are almost the opposite of each other in terms of personality/character. Elizabeth on the one hand is career-driven to a large degree, and it was only due to wanting a quiet, family life with her husband that encouraged her to leave the job she loved and move to the quiet town of Nelson. Whereas Mindy, having already had two children of her own, is a very devoted housewife who dotes on her children to the point that she has little time for herself. Her every worry and stress concerns her kids and her husband.

The story is told from Elizabeth’s point of view, and begins with Elizabeth waking up and smelling the smoke from ‘a fast-spreading ground fire’. Due to the threat of some homes on the edge of the town, there is an advisory from the emergency services for some homes to be evacuated – Elizabeth’s being one of them. With Elizabeth and her husband, Ben, only having decided to divorce that evening, things become a little awkward when the only real place they have to move to is Ben’s parents, who are unaware of their marital problems.

When Elizabeth arrives on the scene to investigate the fire and give a helping hand where she can, she finds that she misses the drama, the danger and excitement of working on the ground, amid all the chaos. Meeting with colleagues and firefighters at the scene places her among the action and it is an aspect of her life that she simply gets pulled into and thrives in. This is perhaps something that Ben doesn’t quite fully understand.

Investigating the fire leads to her finding out that it began behind a local neighbour’s house, and when looked into a little further it leads to us discovering that the neighbour had been bothered on a regular basis by local kids. Is it possible the kids started the fire, be it an accident or intentional? Did arson have a part to play? To make matters worse, one of the kids implicated is possibly Mindy’s son, Angus, which, over the course of the story, sends Mindy going frantic, blaming herself for not noticing his recent, distant behaviour, and feeling like the world’s worst mum! Will this possible accusation widen the rift between Elizabeth and Mindy even further?

Catherine McKenzie has written scenes that are very true to real life, and Smoke does make you think about your priorities: family, children, work, and relationships with friends and partners. How much should we consider those around us before we make work choices, different friends, etc? And, how selfish should we be?

With its well written style and in-depth characters – many of which go on an emotional/reflecting journey – Smoke is a fantastically well-developed and thought out story. For analytic readers, you will grasp the power that the fire has on this town’s regular, daily routine, and how each of the character’s private lives is pulled apart in the process. However, even the more laidback reader will benefit as the story itself poses many questions alone. Plus, there is an absolutely brilliant reading guide at the end of the book which will provide even more questions and encourage the reader to think even deeper about the meaning of the fire, and how it impacts the main characters. It breaks down the story and you will see some areas in a different light! In this manner, the story will stay with you much longer than after the initial read!

A copy of Smoke was provided for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

SMOKE by Catherine McKenzie is now available on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

October 16, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Vampires of Maze (Beautiful Immortals Series 2, Book 1) by Tim O’Rourke

We always welcome Tim O’Rourke back with open arms, and the Beautiful Immortals series 2, Vampires of Maze part one, was definitely worth the wait! Vampires of Maze book 1 follows the release of the Werewolves of Shade short story series, and rewinds to the event of the Were characters we’re already familiar with coming to England with Julia, the Wicce, and puts them in the middle of the war between the vampires and werewolves.

Title: Vampires of Maze (Beautiful Immortals series 2, book 1)

Author: Tim O’Rourke

Genre: Paranormal thriller/adventure/romance

Release date: October 2nd, 2015

Length: 70 pages

Blurb: From Tim O’Rourke #1 bestselling author of ‘Werewolves of Shade’ (Beautiful Immortals Series One) comes ‘Vampires of Maze’ (Beautiful Immortals Series Two) a vampire and werewolf romance with a twist.

Witch, Julia Miller, has been sent by the Wicce to bring an end to the war that rages between the Beautiful Immortals. Joining a pack of werewolves, Julia must travel with them to a land unknown to her. Here she will learn the horrifying truth about the dark secrets hidden in the town of Maze.

To stay alive, Julia will not only have to figure out who to trust but also who to love. For Julia’s worst nightmares are about to get a whole lot more terrifying as she heads into the war raging between the vampires and werewolves where even her own magic abilities won’t be able to protect her.

Note: This ends on an unbearable cliff-hanger. Part two will be published within the next few weeks.

For readers 16+

REVIEW ***** (5*)

I know fans of Tim O’Rourke have been waiting eagerly for this short story series since Werewolves of Shade (series 1) ended. And, what a great start to the series! Not only does it have a great start, which reminded me of elements of O’Rourke’s Moonlight trilogy, and an adventurous and mysterious feel like the phenomenal Keira Hudson series, but the reader is subject to a great horror feel and a terrifying cliff hanger!

I love how this series takes us back to the days when familiar characters in Rush, Rea and Calix arrive in England for the first time with Trent and Julia. If you have read series one already then you will already be acquainted with these characters having already settled in Shade.

However, it was clear from Werewolves of Shade that this journey that they are embarking on is not straightforward due to the war between the weres and the vamps. It is fascinating for a reader, and I imagine for the author too, to go back and find out more about the war, more about Julia, the Wicce, and how she handles both the weres and vamps.

Julia has been sent with a spell book to negotiate between both parties. She doesn’t want the violence, the war, but peace. Travelling with the weres meant that she was already beginning to familiarise herself with them, but in order to negotiate successfully she knew she would have to keep her distance from them.

“… I knew that I mustn’t become too close with any of them – they were not to become my friends. My role was to help them – help negotiate a peace between them and their enemy, the vampires. That’s what I had been sent to do. That was my mission. If I could do this then I had a chance at starting a new beginning for myself…”

However, with the speedy attacks that seem to come upon her and the weres she is travelling with, will she have a chance to negotiate? Or, even a chance to live?

The interaction between the characters adds to the mood of the story. With Trent and Rea having been lovers in the past, there is some jealousy from Rea towards Julia as Trent looks out for her and begins to listen to Julia’s opinion. Calix is always candid, argumentative and possibly a tad immature, seeming to be the awkward one who wants to be brash and do things his way. His character actually reminds me of James Remar‘s character, Ajax, in the movie The Warriors. He is flirtatious in an abrupt kind of way, but there is a very slight soft spot in there somewhere. And, between Calix and Rea’s back-answering personalities, and Rea’s smoking, they also have a little bit of Potter in them from O’Rourke’s Keira Hudson series. Meanwhile, Calix’s brother, Rush, is a little more laidback with a kindness about him.

Although a paranormal, there are always elements of horror in O’Rourke’s work. Vampire’s of Maze is no exception, especially with the quick, gritty attacks from the vamps and an absolutely terrifying cliff hanger! It’s a great read for this Halloween season! Not to mention the usual suspenseful atmosphere that the author creates with great vivid imagination and action sequences!

Vampires of Maze part 2 will be released very shortly.

Vampires of Maze part 1 was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

You can find Vampires of Maze (Beautiful Immortals series 2, part 1) by Tim O’Rourke at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

You can catch up with all my reviews on the Beautiful Immortals series one, Werewolves of Shade by clicking on the titles below!

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

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #6) – short story