September 10, 2015 by Caroline Barker

RELEASE REVIEW Lotus (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part I by C.J. Pinard

This week we welcome the release of a new paranormal series, beginning with C.J. Pinard‘s LOTUS. 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. Today we review Lotus’s Journey Part I, while we eagerly await the second part – due out at the end of October!

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

Author: C.J. Pinard

Genre: Paranormal mystery, crime, thriller

Release date: September 6th, 2015

Length: 51 pages

Blurb:

4 authors will each take a different daughter born from the Prince of Darkness, Vlad Montour. (Also known as Vlad the Impaler, an evil villain from history).

Blair – Chrissy Peebles
Jezebel – Kristen Middleton
Victoria – W.J. May
Lotus – C.J. Pinard

The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.

Lotus
Don’t let the pretty name fool you. This daughter is no delicate flower.

Lotus grew up orphaned. Having no idea who her real parents were, she’s been drifting around the U.S. for over 100 years moving every 15 years or so since she just doesn’t seem to age. She’d figured out on her own that she had to be at least part vampire, as she needs to suck on a few blood bags a month to survive.

Working as a detective with the Denver P.D., Lotus is searching desperately for a serial killer who is murdering the homeless of the city. Except these are not ritualistic or thrill killings. These victims have been drained of blood and Lotus knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they have been committed by a vampire.

Her search will take her to Las Vegas, and that is where the true adventure will begin, when she finds out who has been searching for her.

This is part I of Lotus’s journey. Part II will be out in late October 2015.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

Lotus’s Journey is a fantastic combination of the paranormal, mystery and crime. This is a talent of C.J. Pinard that is also shown in her Enchanted Immortals series and Rebel Riders series. It is the darkness of the vampires and the eerie mystery of the crime/s that build up a great atmospheric sense and truly captivate the reader until the end.

Lotus Arden Smith is half vampire and half faery. Her human detective partner, Stephan, has no idea that she isn’t human. It is her half faery, she suspects, that allows her to walk around in the daylight, and provides her with the need to eat ‘normal’ food, as well as to suck on the occasional blood bag.

The story opens up at a murder scene, and from this very beginning an unpleasant atmosphere has been created as the author describes the scene of a warehouse in which the homeless human has died. Lotus’s senses are sharp, just as a vamp, and her sense of smell is no exception. The description of the stench is very real as the reader can almost smell the putrid stink. But, Lotus can also smell more than this – cologne, possibly belonging to the killer.

We learn that this is the fifth body found with a similar MO; a homeless human drained of blood, and Lotus is aware of the puncture marks on the victim’s neck. Stephan is aware they have a serial killer on their hands, but doesn’t notice the puncture wounds, and is unaware of the supernatural. But, Lotus is only too certain that it is the work of a vampire.

“The body was decaying, and therefore, beginning to wrinkle and prune, but that did not stop me from seeing the two faded puncture wounds in the victim’s neck. They’d never had the chance to heal since the dumbass vampire killed his victims immediately after feeding. If he was smart, he’d let them live for a few minutes, hypnotize them into forgetting about it, let their body heal – and then kill them. Then the puncture wounds would be gone. But no, this jackass was either very new or very, very stupid. My guess was a combination of both.”

There is an eerie moment as Lotus becomes aware that someone has been following her. Someone is outside the window of her third floor apartment. And she is certain it is a vamp due to their speed and height from the ground. As she goes to investigate further, forgetting her nakedness, she loses them and after an awkward, and comical moment for the reader, Lotus goes back inside.

This scene, along with mentions of her hot, muscled, blue-eyed neighbour, Drew, creates some refreshing, lighter moments. I love his character. Lotus enjoys a tiny flirting moment with him here and there, but knows that she cannot get involved. Although, I am secretly hoping this can change!

The darkest aspect of the story for me is the evil, vampire character, Vlad Montour, Lotus’s father. Lotus never met her parents, was brought up in foster homes, and has the sense to look after herself. After all, who else will? Believing her mother died, possibly at the hands of her father, she knows she’ll never get to know her mother. When she starts dreaming of her father beckoning to her she experiences an eerie, surreal feeling which both excites her and frightens her; excited at the prospect of finally meeting him, but fear of what he may say or do.

After another killing, the same smell of cologne and an almost face-to-face confrontation Lotus decides she needs to track the killer down alone. The one lead she has to go on is the cologne, but that’s not a likely lead for her partner, Stephan, who isn’t even aware of the scent. Lotus takes a vacation to Las Vegas after finding out a source, and once there she begins to get ready for action.

“I slid on the soft leather pants and a loose top, finally throwing on the leather jacket over it. I had attached my Lotus body holster under my jacket. Finding my ‘special’ handcuffs in my bag. I folded them and shoved them into the tiny canvas cuff holder I wore on my belt. Those and the gun had been fun getting through security at the airport…”

The first part of Lotus’s Journey leaves you on a cliff-hanger that you won’t want to wait to read. The good news is that part II will be released at the end of October!

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

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

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

September 7, 2015 by Tina Williams

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW ~ Perfectly Innocent, by Tamra Lassiter (also includes excerpt, and giveaway)

PerfectlyInnocentAudioTour

Perfectly Innocent
by Tamra Lassiter
Publication Date: October 14, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Audio Tour: Perfectly Innocent by Tamra Lassiter

Ebook / Print: Amazon B&N iBooks Kobo Google Play

Audio: Spoken Word, Audible

Innocent or guilty—there’s nothing perfect about it.

Phoebe Davidson is a good girl who’s been through some bad times. Her life changed forever when she learned that her husband was living a secret life. Now, six years later, she’s just going through the motions of her life, afraid to let anyone in.

When a horrific crime occurs in her home, she meets Logan Matthews, a police detective working the case. When Phoebe herself is charged with the murder, can she trust Logan? Can she, and should she let him into her life?

Excerpt

I step closer—only about a foot away now. He doesn’t move. I take another step until I’m inches from him, so close that I can smell his musky scent. I wish that I was dressed in something a little more alluring than my pajamas.

“Stay,” I say. The word is barely a whisper.

His lips take mine. Take is the word that comes to mind because he claims them so completely. My mouth surrenders to him, and I’m on fire. There’s nothing tentative about his tongue as it explores my mouth. His hands move to my shoulders and then my back as he pulls me tightly to him.

A moan echoes from deep inside me. I rake my hands through his dark hair. He pulls me even closer. The feel of his tight body brings sensations to places that have been dormant for way too long. One kiss, especially a first kiss, has never had this effect on me—from zero to sixty in five seconds flat.

He pulls back enough to break our kiss, but one hand still rests on my lower back, holding me close. His other hand caresses my cheek. His eyes hold an unmistakable fire that I’m sure are reflected in my own.

“I should apologize for that, but it wouldn’t be sincere.” The corners of my lips turn up to a smile that he returns. The hard lines of his face soften, the corners of his eyes wrinkle, and his eyes brighten. For a moment, all is right with the world. Until a hard punch of reality hits him, and his smile recedes. “Still, I shouldn’t have kissed you. I can’t believe that I came here.”

He begins to pull away, but I refuse to let go. “I’m glad that you’re here. Does that count for anything?”

My Review FIVE STARS *****

Fast Paced and Sexy!

Bravo to author Tamra Lassiter! Perfectly Innocent is a fast-paced romantic suspense with a heroine I immediately rooted for and a hero to swoon over! As someone who often listens to radio plays I thought that I would try my hand at reviewing an audio book and I loved it! It was great escapism – the narrative being told through the contrasting POVs of the heroine Phoebe and the hero Logan. The voices of the characters were an excellent match to how I imagined the characters to look, act and feel. I feel that this would also make a great read too.

The story sucked me in from the first high impact scene, which does not skimp on the drama or the gore! When good girl Phoebe returns home to find a man dying from a fatal knife wound in her kitchen she is understandably both shocked and traumatized. These emotions slowly turn to mounting horror and incredulity as over the coming days it is clear that she is the Police’s main suspect and the finger of suspicion points ever closer…..

Detective Logan (serious hottie alert) has recently re-located from Miami to the sleepy town where Phoebe lives, intent of doing a good job and avoiding the corruption that was rife in the city. He is immediately drawn to the young woman who is at the murder scene, and not in a professional way. Is she as innocent as she appears to be or is it her game to entrap him to avoid paying the price for her crime? In helping her prove her innocence will he have to put his job on the line and/or risk losing his heart? Can Phoebe trust Detective Logan or is his concern a mere ruse to pin the crime on her?

As Logan finds out about Phoebe’s past and evidence against her mounts, he is torn over whether to trust his gut instincts or the apparent evidence. I will not reveal any more but suffice to say that there is some clever plotting and I was hooked on the mounting danger and suspense and invested in the relationship of the hero and heroine right up to the end!

I enjoyed the pacing of the tale and how the scenes switched from Phoebe’s and Logan’s POV. The sexual tension between the couple is sky high and there are some seriously hot scenes! One audio book you will not want the children around whilst you are listening to it!

I recommend Perfectly Innocent to fans of romantic suspense and I will definitely read/listen to more of this author’s work in the future.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

This audio-book was given to me for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

About Tamra Lassiter

I live outside Washington, D.C. with my wonderfully supportive husband and two daughters, one of which is approaching her teenage years. Help us all! If that isn’t enough, we have a Great Dane and an English Bulldog to keep us on our toes. It’s crazy around here and I love every minute of it!

Writing is my third career. I didn’t set out to be a writer, it was just meant to be. My Mechanical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech prepared me well for my first career as an Engineer/Program Manager. My second career was in Human Resources. Long story, but I figured it out. I believe the best start for a writing career is to be a reader first and I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. I’ve loved to read ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew mystery in the fourth grade. Now I love reading just about everything, but I don’t read sad books and I don’t watch sad movies either for that matter, no matter how many awards they’ve won. Life’s too short and who needs all that strife to bring us down?

Many of my words have been penned late into the evening, which explains why I’ve never viewed whatever television show you recommend to me. I would, however, love to hear your recommendations for a great read!

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September 3, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-up Aug ’15

Hi readers, Love certainly has been in the air for us this summer at A Reader’s Review Blog! I know romance is usually at the core of many of the stories we review, but this summer I have been left with a calm, serene and warm feeling, especially after just reviewing Laurette Long’s HOT BASQUE! Katherine McIntyre’s SOUL SOLUTION certainly left a mark on me, and Laura Barnard’s DOPEY WOMEN will have you in stitches, as well as enjoying a dangerous romance!

Tina has been reviewing some dark erotica books with Annika Martin & Skye Warren’s PRISONER, and HER MASTER’S COURTESAN by Lily White. Please note that the latter is most certainly not a romance though, and is definitely for the Adult 18yrs+ reader!

To meet your paranormal needs, along with Soul Solution (Katherine McIntyre), we have SOUL RELEASE, the last of C.J. Pinard’s Rebel Riders series, as well as a YA paranormal fantasy in Pat Spence’s TRUE BLUE (The Blue Crystal Trilogy #2).

And if mystery, crime and thriller are calling we have Niki Danforth’s STUNNER, and SILENCE OF A STRANGER by Elizabeth Bailey.

We hope you enjoy our selection. (As always, please click on the titles for more info and to read our reviews!)

Caroline & Tina 🙂

Soul Solution (Beyond Fairytales #1) (novelette) by Katherine McIntyre, dark paranormal/romantic suspense (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: For Erik Anderson, the Copenhagen line is his curse. He takes the train every night en route to collect souls. Like any lovelorn fool, he bargained his own long ago, and now pays the price—a lifetime of loneliness as a grim reaper. Stay distant—that’s been his mantra and what keeps him sane.

Until Mina Castner drops into his life like a whirlwind, one spilled drink leading to staying up until dawn with the woman. He believed one night couldn’t hurt, but he sorely underestimated her determination. Every encounter between them is reprieve from the guilt of reaping souls every night, but it can’t last. Even if she sparks long buried feelings, and even if her sheer presence intoxicates him, he can’t let this continue. For humans, his touch is poison, and if he slips up, it could cost her life.

Her Master’s Courtesan by Lily White, dark erotica (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: (N.B. This is not a romance novel. Adults 18yrs +)

I am a Master.

You must know this fact to understand my story.

I capture women.

I break them down.

And I rebuild them.

If they are lucky, they are sold into the professional hands of another Master. If they are less fortunate, they are buried beneath the ground, never to be thought of again.

I lust for the control, I demand absolute submission and my body yearns to warp the minds of those I train.

Power is the only thing I’ll ever need and I am addicted to the feeling of ultimate control.

I am wealthy, good-looking, educated and charming.

And I am – in no way – a good man.

I do not want love.
I do not want kindness.

She thought she could change me by giving me the two things I knew I never wanted.

She was wrong.

Prisoner by Annika Martin & Skye Warren, dark erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: He seethes with raw power the first time I see him—pure menace and rippling muscles in shackles. He’s dangerous. He’s wild. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. So I hide behind my prim glasses and my book like I always do, because I have secrets too. Then he shows up in the prison writing class I have to teach, and he blows me away with his honesty. He tells me secrets in his stories, and it’s getting harder to hide mine. I shiver when he gets too close, with only the cuffs and the bars and the guards holding him back. At night I can’t stop thinking about him in his cell. But that’s the thing about an animal in a cage—you never know when he’ll bite. He might use you to escape. He might even pull you into a forest and hold a hand over your mouth so you can’t call for the cops. He might make you come so hard, you can’t think. And you might crave him more than your next breath.

Prisoner is Book One of the Criminals & Captives series.

Dopey Women by Laura Barnard, contemporary romantic comedy/chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Sadie had a bumpy upbringing but she’s still managed to drag herself out and carve a career for herself. That all comes crashing down when she, along with the women she manages; Mags, Lexi & Steph, get made redundant. She’s screwed. In hindsight she shouldn’t have attacked her colleague in a moment of rage. There goes the reference.

When they all bump into each other a few months later at the job centre Sadie finds she’s not the only one in a hole. Steph’s boyfriend has left her holding the baby, Lexi’s stuck in an abusive relationship and poor Mags has breast cancer. They’re all struggling to keep on top of their bills. They all need money to get out of their situations, its as simple as that.

Mags mentions that some women find marijuana helps ease the sickness caused by chemo. With the desperation mounting and the coffee spurring them on they somehow decide to start growing it. They’re only going to sell to ladies going through chemo, so its not too bad, right? They’re not going to be proper drug dealers. And its only temporary.

They didn’t bet on the business taking off so well though. Before they know it they’ve got orders coming out of their ears, a sexy detective on their trail, suspicious neighbours and drug dealers angry they’re working on their patch.

Can Sadie pull them out of this dangerous world they’ve found themselves in? And can she do it before they end up in prison?

Stunner (An Accidental Lady Detective series – A Ronnie Lake Mystery #1) by Niki Danforth, mystery crime thriller (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Beautiful. Bright. And possibly deadly…

That’s all Ronnie Lake knows about her soon to be sister-in-law, Juliana. But Ronnie is determined to find out the truth about her wealthy brother’s new lover—before he throws away his happiness, his fortune…maybe even his life. Who is this mysterious woman, and where did she come from? What is she hiding? And how deep could the deception go?

First the family receives strange phone calls. Then a disturbing package appears at their estate outside New York City. Ronnie—a divorced, downsized, 50-something—seems an unlikely detective. But she soon finds she’s got an instinct for this type of work, as she falls ever deeper into a sinister world where people will do anything to escape their past. And Juliana may be the most desperate of them all.

True Blue (The Blue Crystal Trilogy #2) by Pat Spence, YA paranormal romance/fantasy (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: As the word ‘tomb’ came into my head and my predicament hit home, I lost control and hammered on the lid, screaming ‘Help, get me out of here’ over and over, until my throat hurt…

In just two weeks, Emily must undergo the blue crystal initiation ceremony or face death from the secret order that protects it. But is she ready to spend eternity with the beautiful and irresistible Theo de Lucis, or can best friend, Seth, offer an alternative? And can she stay alive long enough to make the decision?

As Emily considers her future, she becomes an unwitting pawn in a dangerous game of life and death, caught up in a supernatural world of ancient enemies, old grievances and dark forces. Tested to the limit, she must draw deep to ensure her survival.

Heart-rending and horrifying, True Blue is the second book in the ‘Blue Crystal’ trilogy, with a colourful cast of characters, a fast-moving plot and surprises at every turn. Keep turning the pages. You have to know what happens next….

An old enemy of the de Lucis family waits in the shadows, desperate for the crystal and preparing to exact a terrible price…

Lunchtime Eavesdropper (short story) by Joanie Chevalier, contemporary psychological drama/self-belief chick-lit/humour (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Meet Marlee, a woman who lives a comfortable but simple life with her loving partner, the adorable Larry. She discovers that covertly listening in on other people’s conversations during lunch hour excites her and adds to her otherwise humble life. When she overhears unpleasant gossip about herself, she becomes obsessed with changing her personality and makes the bad decision to become someone she’s not. After her total makeover, Marlee suddenly finds herself basking in the attention of her co-workers and is ecstatic when she’s finally invited to sit at the “popular” table at work. But is a personality change really worth the price? Is being popular worth losing herself, possibly the love of her life and/or redefining her own definition of happiness?

Come and take part in Marlee’s life, even though it’s only for a short time, and experience her yearning to belong and be accepted for who she is. You may be surprised by the unexpected twist in her story.

Stately Pleasures by Lucy Felthouse, erotic ménage (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Three’s a magic number in this steamy love triangle set in a British stately home. Alice Brown has just landed her dream job. Property manager at Davenport Manor, a British stately home. It’s only a nine-month contract to cover maternity leave, but it’s the boost up the career ladder she so desperately needs. Unfortunately, things don’t get off to the best start, when Alice finds her boss, Jeremy Davenport, in a compromising position. Far from being embarrassed by what’s happened, Jeremy turns things around on Alice and makes her out to be the one in the wrong. So when he and his best friend and head of security, Ethan Hayes, throw an ultimatum at her, she’s so stunned and confused that she goes along with their indecent proposal. When the dust settles and Alice has time to think about things, she realises that perhaps it isn’t such a bad thing. There are worse things she could be doing to advance her career, after all.

Soul Release (Rebel Riders #3) by C.J. Pinard, paranormal romance/urban fantasy (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: His heart wants love. His mind craves revenge. His soul needs peace.

Faced with the horrible reality that he’s been tricked by Eva, Nolan sets off in a mad rage to find the evil red-haired succubus and end her once and for all. When the search for her falls flat, he turns to Kovah and the Rebel Riders for help. Not only fueled by wrath, a now sudden fear and sadness has also overtaken his heart: Where is his love, Charity?

With Joel Reichert searching deep for what the Justice Department knows about the supernatural of New Orleans, he’s not going to be of any help to Nolan – especially once Nolan finds out what Kovah and the Riders are planning for Joel and his hotel of vampires.

Can they all work together to find Charity and rid Louisiana of her evil succubus sister once and for all? Or will pride, egos, and longstanding feuds and hatred tear them all apart before she can be found?

Find out in this third and final instalment of the Rebel Riders Series.

Silence of a Stranger (novella) by Elizabeth Bailey, romantic suspense (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Secrets, danger and an enigmatic stranger, a twentieth century mystery romance.

Is Bea’s life more at risk than her disobedient heart?

SILENCE OF A STRANGER

Her car broken down, Bea Russell goes for help and walks straight into hell. Three armed men and no answers. Held captive, strip searched, her dignity in shreds, Bea is horrified when she responds to the attraction of the man who grabbed her out of the dark.

Who is the fugitive Rad? Escaped rapist or spy? No one will talk. Yet Bea is forced to share the danger, fleeing across rough fields in the deep night hours. At a deserted house by the sea, she looks fate in the eye. One wrong move could change her life forever.

Hot Basque (A French Summer Novel #2) by Laurette Long, contemporary romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Sit back with a glass of chilled rosé and let yourself be carried away to the white sands and pounding surf of the French Basque coast. What could be more relaxing? Find out what’s going on at the Villa Julia, where Caroline and her honey are enjoying the song of the crickets, the glow of the stars and happy romps in the boudoir. Caroline is also doing some matchmaking between best friend Jill and the hot Basque himself, Antoine, he of the smouldering eyes and perfect teeth. And Annabel the sister from hell, is miles away, no need to fret about her. What could be more idyllic? Not a cloud on the horizon…well, maybe it’s looking a bit black to the north, but nothing to worry about, surely??

September 2, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Silence of A Stranger, by Elizabeth Bailey

A Romantic Suspense Novella

Blurb

Secrets, danger and an enigmatic stranger, a twentieth century mystery romance.
Is Bea’s life more at risk than her disobedient heart?
SILENCE OF A STRANGER
Her car broken down, Bea Russell goes for help and walks straight into hell. Three armed men and no answers. Held captive, strip searched, her dignity in shreds, Bea is horrified when she responds to the attraction of the man who grabbed her out of the dark.
Who is the fugitive Rad? Escaped rapist or spy? No one will talk. Yet Bea is forced to share the danger, fleeing across rough fields in the deep night hours. At a deserted house by the sea, she looks fate in the eye. One wrong move could change her life forever.

My Review

Captivating Romantic Suspense! *****

I loved this read, which hooked from the very start! The heroine Bea, fleeing her cheating ex, inadvertently seeks help from three armed and apparently dangerous men doing their utmost to avoid all contact with others. At first she is treated with violence and suspicion and strip searched. Even when deemed no immediate threat, she becomes their captive, as the men fear that to release her will compromise their location. The narrative is gripping and full of danger, mystery and suspense and I loved the romantic element.

As the novella progressed and the tension between Bea and her captors developed, my mind like that if the heroine was full of questions: Who are these men? Who is the dark, attractive and brooding Rad with whom she develops a mutual attraction? Are they escaped criminals? Is the truth something even more complex?

The key elements of both the suspense and romance are excellent and the plot had me guessing throughout. Bea is told nothing by her captors, a terrifying situation. I really admired her spunk as she stands up to them and when it is clear that she cannot easily escape she tries to make the best of a situation which becomes more and more dangerous. She nevertheless goes through the whole gamut of emotions: fear, apprehension, anger, frustration and resignation and most unexpected and disconcerting of all, growing desire for Rad, one of her captors.

Bea desperately tries to come to terms with her feelings for Rad, a character who becomes more mysterious and complex the more she gets to know him. I particularly liked how the author showed the growing sexual tension between the couple. Is Rad the criminal she fears and what if any future could she have with a man who harbours so many secrets and who blows hot and cold?

This read contains some violence and sexual situations, but overall the romantic elements are sweet. I recommend it to readers of romance and romantic suspense who are after a captivating read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK Amazon US

Author Links

http://www.elizabethbailey.co.uk/

http://www.elizabethbailey.co.uk/#!blog/c112v

https://www.facebook.com/authorelizabethbailey

Tweets by lizbwrites

August 29, 2015 by Caroline Barker

INTERVIEW Interview with Bestselling Author, Howard Kaplan: Bullets of Palestine (The Jerusalem Spy Series #2)

We are absolutely overwhelmed to be interviewing espionage thriller author, Howard Kaplan, for a second time with regard to his second book of The Jerusalem Spy series, Bullets of Palestine. You may remember we interviewed the best selling author last October when his first book of the series, The Damascus Cover, was about to be filmed as a movie.

With the author’s personal experiences that inspired The Damascus Cover, and with stars such as Jonathan Reis Meyers (Match Point, The Tudors), Jürgen Prochnow (Das Boot, The Da Vinci Code), Navid Negahban (Homeland, character Abu Nazir), Igal Naor (The Honourable Woman), and Sir John Hurt, we are very excited about it’s forthcoming release! For more on the film visit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3457508/ With the movie now in post-production and many people awaiting it’s release, now is a great time to check out both books!

Bullets of Palestine (The Jerusalem Spy series, Book 2)

Synopsis:

Two agents. Two opposing sides.

Israeli Agent Shai is dispatched to eliminate a terrorist threat. To succeed in his mission Shai must win the trust of Palestinian Agent Ramzy who will help him gain access to the infamous and dangerous Abu Nidal.

Shai is under orders to kill Ramzy when the mission ends. Instead, they forge a friendship that transcends the hatreds of their heritage. Loyalties are tested. Will they capture Abu Nidal or betray each other? In a conflict where both sides dehumanize each other, two extremely human men, are caught in the cross-hairs of the larger war.

Buy at Amazon US and Amazon UK

INTERVIEW

Hello Howard, Welcome back to A Reader’s Review Blog. The last time we interviewed you for The Damascus Cover you certainly opened our eyes with your fantastic travel and life experiences. Thank you so much for your time and speaking with us again.

1. The last time we ‘spoke’ you were about to visit Casablanca on the film set of The Damascus Cover. How was your experience?

I spent a fabulous week in Casablanca and went out every day on the ten hour shoot. I’m beyond fortunate at the caliber of the cast. John Hurt was not there while I was, but I saw a lot of the romantic scenes shot with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Olivia Thirlby. Jonny, as JRM likes to be called, is intense, passionate and a perfectionist. His cover is Hans Hoffman, and he does the entire film with a remarkable German accent, his hair dyed blonde. A language coach from Berlin was on the set full time and listened to every take. Both of them were zealous that none of his Irish brogue slip into the German accented English. At breakfast in the hotel, I asked the German actor, Jurgen Prochnow (Das Boot, DaVinci Code) who plays a former Nazi in Damascus how it sounded. With a smile, he said, “Familiar.” Thirlby, best known as the sister in Juno, was particularly interesting. Unlike Jonny who hit the same delivery on take after take, Olivia roamed and tried each one a little differently until she and the director found a remarkable spot in both dialog and facial expressions. The producer told me I’d be bored and want to head off to the more exotic Marrakesh or Fez, but I stayed on set the entire week I was there.

2. Shortly after your visit to Casablanca the 2^nd edition of Bullets of Palestine (The Jerusalem Spy series #2) was released. Could you tell us when the first edition was published, and if it brought back some memories for you from that time?

Bullets of Palestine, first published in 1987, is set 10 years after Damascus. What I was most reminded of in rereading it was all the locales I visited throughout the Middle East and Europe, such as Albufeira on the Portuguese coast to research events that actually happened there, in this case, the shooting at the Socialist International there. This was during Israel’s War with Lebanon and the army took me into Lebanon for a day, as part of a foreign press junket. I did not make it as far as Beirut then, though I had been in Beirut years earlier, but we reached Sidon on the coast and then on the way back to Israel I was able to visit the outdoor Ansar Prison Camp which the Israelis had set up just inside Lebanon. In truth reading it and reliving all this was more fun than I expected, as like many writers I’m among my harshest critics.

3. The bigger picture of Bullets of Palestine is the character, (Israeli) Agent Shai trying to eliminate a terrorist threat, however it is also a story of a growing friendship, between Shai and (Palestinian) Agent Ramzy, and how that friendship is tested to it’s limits. Albeit, not on the same scale of things, being a man of extensive travel, have you experienced a testing/trying relationship due to cultural or religious differences?

I traveled freely to Arab villages in the West Bank and a number of those scenes and meals have made it into Bullets. I’ve spent a lot of time with Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem. Recently a Palestinian merchant I’ve bought silk carpets from over the years took me on a tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the back alleys of the Arab Quarter. This spring, after the shoot in Casablanca, I went to Jerusalem. Unlike the characters in my novel I have not had a battle with trust with people from a different culture. I find if you approach people with interest in their world, they’re generally eager to share it with you.

4. Are there completely new characters in Bullets of Palestine, making it a stand alone read, or is there a cross reference with the characters or story with The Damascus Cover?

The common thread between the two books is the Colonel, the head of the Israeli secret service, who is the puppet master in both novels and is played in the film by John Hurt. I created new protagonists for Bullets, because while Damascus dealt with the conflict between Israel and its nation state neighbors, I wanted now to turn to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is the great challenge for both societies. So I created a Palestinian terrorist-novelist, based on a real person, Ghassan Kanafani, who is well known in the Arab world though not in the West. He was so dangerous as a writer that the Israelis blew him up in a car bomb in Beirut. For his Israeli counterpart, I used a very old friend of mine from Jerusalem, Avraham Infeld, as the template. He’s President Emeritus of Hillel worldwide on college campuses, and a larger than life exuberant guy. I wanted characters who were the salt of the earth, deeply ingrained in their own cultures and at the same time thoughtful contemplative men. So I drew on real such people.

5. Are you aware of any plans for Bullets of Palestine to be filmed? Do you think the success of The Damascus Cover will have any bearing on this?

Both the producer and director of the film have asked and have copies of Bullets now, but they’re focused on finishing this film which is in post production. I expect it to hit theaters early in 2016. Sure success matters a lot, it causes people to knock on your door, or the lack of it, to not open theirs.

6. You have some photographs on your Facebook page of meeting the cast and crew? Were there any highlights that you’d like to share?

Navid Negahban who played Abu Wazir in Homeland plays General Sarraj, the head of the Syrian Secret Service, in my film. He arrived in Casablanca a couple of days after I did and they fitted him with a black wig. Since I’m bald I asked if I could have it after the shoot. We had a lot of fun joking about it and someone online photoshopped a picture of me with it on. Jonny is more private, for example ate breakfast in his hotel room rather than the dining room, but I got to spend some time with him between takes. He’s remarkable, left school I think at something like 7^th grade but is an autodidact. He can converse easily on a vast range of subjects and in several languages. It was interesting too to watch him with all the people who approached him, many young Moroccan women who wanted a photo with him. He obliged them all. He was particularly charming with children, and you’ll see a photo on my Facebook author page where he’s with the daughter of the owner of the carpet factory where we shot that day. The little girl was nervous and he charmed her into letting me take the photo for her father.

7. Although a story of defence, friendship and loyalties, are there any moments of love/romance in Bullets of Palestine, as you had in The Damascus Cover?

The love stories in Bullets are very different than the one in Damascus. In Damascus, Ari is recently separated from his wife and begins a new torrid romance with someone he’s not sure he can trust. The Palestinian character, Ramzy, in Bullets is in a wonderful marriage but struggling with the difficulties of being gone so much, always in danger, and trying to maintain a home life. The Israeli, Shai, lost his wife in a car accident, has begun a new relationship at home with a younger woman who works in administration inside the Service. It is new love, but there too, like his Palestinian counterpart, they are separated more than together and feel the strain.

8. Are there any moments in Bullets of Palestine that you have based loosely on your own life experiences?

Bullets is not at all based on my life, though it is vastly based on real life events. The Palestinian and Israeli are edged into working together to capture Abu Nidal, who was in fact, the most dangerous terrorist of the 1980s, and a real person. The novel opens with the assassination of the Israeli Ambassador to Great Britain, Shlomo Argov, which is an historical event. Abu Nidal wanted to goad Israeli Prime Minister, Arik Sharon, into invading Lebanon to crush the PLO, who Bu Nidal viewed as too moderate. He succeeded. I land my Palestinian character, Ramzy, in the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps when the Israelis surrounded the camps lit the night sky for the Christian Phalange fighters so they could eliminate the PLO fighters hiding in the refugee camps. This too is an historical event. The fighters had already fled and Ramzy witnesses the massacre of old men, women and children by the Lebanese Christians as the Israelis paved the way unaware the fighters were gone. It tests Ramzy to remain working with the Israelis. Then too, unbeknownst to Ramzy, his budding Israeli friend has been ordered to kill him once Abu Nidal is dead.

9. Despite not reading too much fiction yet on the threat of terrorism, I am an avid fan of the tv series Homeland and 24. Do you tend to watch movies/tv programmes in this genre? If so, which ones are your favourite?

I love great suspense films and TV. Emphasis on “great.” Homeland is great, one of the best things of the genre ever done. I watched the Maggie Gyllenthall miniseries The Honourable Woman. She’s marvelous. Igal Naor who played Shlomo in that show is also in my film as a Syrian General and the nemesis of Navid Negahban. But the miniseries was full of cliff hangers and turns meant to be exciting but ultimately were impossible to both follow and believe, as were all the complications. Gary Oldman did an honourable turn as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Solider Spy but it is such a magnificent and dense book that that too was very hard to follow. The earlier 7- part British mini-series with Alec Guinness of the same LeCarre novel is a wonder to behold. The miniseries Dig set in Jerusalem was a mess and unwatchable. Again, some writers and directors think that throwing nonsense cliffhangers at the end of episode creates suspense but ultimately it creates annoyance. Great characters are crucial,which is why too that Homeland is so wonderful and successful.

10. Your work on both books has been extremely successful despite the subject of terrorism being a sensitive one. Have you had any negative reactions to your work?

Bullets has a 4.8 Customer Rating on Amazon out of 5 with only one negative review. Though written in 1987, it seems to have found its time in the current environment. It is greatly realized, or should be, that reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians is the only future for Israel and Palestinians. The book has been widely lauded in both the Arab and Israeli press as well as in mainstream newspapers. However, I expected blowback from those who see Palestinians as “the other”, and who believe might, which is a requirement for deterrence, alone is sufficient. So far it hasn’t come. Maybe those people too, deep down, known a deal needs to be done.

11. After the success of both The Damascus Cover and Bullets of Palestine, have you any plans to release another novel in the Jerusalem Spy series?

I’m working now on a new book that has not been published before called To Destroy Jerusalem. It will deal with the nuclear issue and have the same two protagonists as Bullets. The Colonel will be there though he’s a bit potty now, long in retirement, and rather than pulling the strings, is the moral center Shai, where he goes when trouble or in doubt.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. It has been an absolute pleasure.

About the Author:

Howard Kaplan, a native of Los Angeles, has lived in Israel and traveled extensively through Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. At the age of 21, he had his own spy experience while attending school in Jerusalem, when he was sent on two missions into the Soviet Union to smuggle out a dissident’s manuscript on microfilm. His first trip was a success. On his second trip, however, he was arrested in Khartiv and interrogated for two days in the Ukraine and two days in Moscow, before being released. He holds a BA in Middle East History from UC Berkeley, an MA in the Philosophy of Education from UCLA, and is the author of four novels. Follow him on Twitter at @kaplanhow.

August 13, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW STUNNER (A Ronnie Lake Mystery #1) by Niki Danforth

STUNNER is the first book in Niki Danforth’s Ronnie Lake mystery series. The Ronnie Lake series is an accidental lady detective mystery series, that is written in a fun, light-hearted manner with a more serious undercurrent. After digging into the past of her brother’s new girlfriend, Ronnie finds herself in a little bit of trouble after she realises that her playing detective isn’t as subtle as she’d have liked!

Author: Niki Danforth

Title: STUNNER (A Ronnie Lake Mysery #1)

Genre: Mystery, thriller, crime

Release date: August 31st, 2013

Released by: Pancora Press

Length: 381 pages

Blurb: Beautiful. Bright. And possibly deadly…

About the Author – Niki Danforth

Niki Danforth, daughter of a Cold War covert intelligence officer, has the “thriller/adventure” gene in her DNA. After a career as a successful TV/video producer and director in New York, this empty-nester is picking up her first love of mystery books and recreating herself as an author in the genre. Danforth lives in the New Jersey countryside with her husband and two drama-queen dogs.

For more information, you can check out Niki Danforth’s website. You can also visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NikiDanforthAuthor, and her Twitter account at https://twitter.com/nikidanforth.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

I really enjoyed Stunner. It is a fun, light-hearted read despite the mystery of Ronnie’s brother, Frank’s new girlfriend, Juliana. Ronnie, in her mid-fifties, downsized and living alone, with the exception of her dog, Warrior, has already faced losing one brother, Peter, since his wife practically whisked him away and didn’t want much contact with his family. Her other brother, Frank, has not long been made a widower since the death of his wife, Joanie, but now he has a new girlfriend in Juliana who doesn’t appear to have much of a past. Ronnie simply can’t allow her only close sibling to be distanced from her.

The opening scenes of Chapter One instantly grabbed my attention and made me smile as Ronnie is taking an Aikido class. I particularly love how the author has taken small Japanese phrases used in the appropriate manner and explained them to the reader. These little details make reading all the better for reining in the reader.

Being a mystery thriller I did question, after reading the first page, if the author was going to use the Aikido to make Ronnie’s character be an ass-kicking heroine, which would have been unbelievable. However, the author twists the idea on the following page, making it clear that of course being in her fifties, Ronnie is using Aikido as self-defence. The way in which it is written did amuse me; whilst taking control of her opponents power, in mid-stance with the opponent on her back:

“Hold that image! Hey, the decade of my twenties with my body feeling immune to injury was ages ago. So why would I even consider acting like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan and stack an aggressive attacker onto my fifty-five-year-old aching back? Commmme onnnn.”

Stunner is written in first person from Ronnie’s point of view. The reader soon realises that Ronnie is a flawed character. Although merely looking out for Frank, Ronnie becomes too nosey for her own good, which lands her in a little trouble at times. She pushes herself too far, especially when interrogating those she believes had a connection with Juliana in the past. Instead of keeping it fairly general, she asks too many personal questions that raises suspicion. She is playing detective, and enjoying it, but throws herself in at the deep end without thinking of the consequences. I like this about her. After all, she’s human; we can all open our mouths at times when we wish we hadn’t, and this is something I could easily see myself do. This makes Ronnie’s character believable and really fun to read.

Another amusing moment for me was a thought of Ronnie’s when after following Juliana one day, she witnesses her meet up with a shady, lowlife male who surely can’t be part of beautiful, glamourous Juliana’s past?

“Pretty soon a motorcycle roars up, and a guy with shaggy black hair and a leather jacket shuts down the engine and gets off. He removes the jacket, revealing a torn tee-shirt. His arms are loaded with tattoos all the way down to his wrists. His jeans hang low on his behind creating a sight that only a mother could love…. He…walks into the coffee shop…

…Another thirty minutes go by before Juliana and Mr. Butt-Crack come out the door of the coffee shop.”

However, the light-hearted and fun moments do not always last as Ronnie finds herself in a spot of trouble when she is confronted by him in an alleyway. This scene provides some suspense and tension, which really reminds the reader just how dangerous Ronnie is playing this detective game. She is shaken up a little and is aware of her silly, amateur behaviour.

“What the hell did I think I was doing back there, going into that alley without Warrior? I’m not a professional private eye like Will Benson, just an idiotic, nosy amateur trying to look out for her brother. And an amateur who turned useless when the time came to defend herself. A coward. What happened to all my Aikido? Where was it when I actually needed it?”

Will Benson is an interesting character, being introduced to Ronnie by her Sensei, Isabella, Ronnie realises that one of her opponents in class is a Private Investigator. After explaining her situation to him, Will shows that he is willing to assist where he can. He can sense Ronnie’s eagerness to find out all she can about Juliana, but he is also aware of her lack of experience and dishes out warnings and advice to her where he can. Throughout his involvement the reader can sense a growing friendship and possible relationship between him and Ronnie which provides a nice, warm feel to the story when everything else becomes darker.

Ronnie’s ultimate goal throughout is to find out Juliana’s true identity and past, to ensure that Frank isn’t being played for money, and to ensure that her brother isn’t taken away from her by a woman in the same way that Peter had. However, going behind Frank’s back, checking up on his girlfriend and running the risk of getting found out (or even having to confront him with what she is doing) all run the risk of him never talking to her again. She is treading on ice, but surely Frank is vulnerable after losing Joanie, and maybe he just can’t see the many faces of Juliana? Either way, Ronnie feels she has no choice but to continue with her venture.

The reader can really sense Ronnie’s true meaning for her actions. She genuinely loves her brother and cares for his welfare. When she is made aware of strange happenings with strange phone calls and delivered parcels for Juliana she just can’t stop herself. Her suspicions and curiosity take over. Once she starts and finds herself deeper and deeper, it is hard for her to walk away. She must see it through to the end – even if she runs the risk of losing everything.

Another little treat from this story is the music soundtrack that the author has incorporated into the story. Each song is carefully chosen, fitting the scene perfectly. Some tracks that really stood out to me were ‘Glory Days’ (Bruce Springsteen), ‘Invincible’ (Pat Benatar), ‘Runnin’ Down A Dream’ (Tom Petty), and The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’.

If you are looking for a mystery with a sense of adventure, but nothing too dark, then Stunner is certainly a story you will enjoy. Written at a nice pace and in a manner that is easy to follow, with a light-hearted sense in parts, any reader will find it a quick and memorable read.

A copy of Stunner (A Ronnie Lake Mystery #1) was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

It is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

The audio book released on April 3 2014, is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

July 28, 2015 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ Torque (The Redline Series #2), by Skye Callahan

Dark Erotic Romance

Adult/18+ Read

Book Blurb

In the dark underworld of Ashville, crime, deceit, and blackmail reign supreme. Everyone wants that little piece of leverage—that one small key to getting ahead.

Aubrey would be happy—and lucky—to simply make it out alive. After falling in debt to one of the city’s most dangerous men, she found herself caught in a dispute between two brothers who will do anything to see each other suffer. Aubrey knows she’s only a pawn in their game and her only hope is to find some key of her own—a way to guarantee her own safety and the safety of her family.

Colt has a long and sordid past with the criminal element. He knows how the game is played and has found himself on all sides more times than he cares to remember. Aubrey is his newest escape route, but their tentative alliance is doomed to crumble if Colt can’t find a way to fulfill his end of the bargain with Devlin.

How will Colt and Aubrey handle Devlin’s newest threat?

My Review

Adrenaline Filled and Sexy! FIVE STARS! *****

Oh my goodness! There is certainly no let-up in Torque, the latest sizzling instalment of Skye Callahan’s The Redline Series! Aubrey falls deeper into the seething pit of Colt’s depraved sexuality. Indeed, Colt’s actions had me panting as much as Aubrey. Does this man know how to stop?

Whilst I did have some sympathy for Aubrey when faced with Colt’s almost continuous onslaught on her senses, I was also secretly envious of the sexual torture she receives at his hands (and boy does this man know how to tease). Colt barely lets Aubrey out of his sight and when he is not tormenting or humiliating her he is plunging her into some risky situations as he progresses his ongoing battle with Devlin. We get a hint of Colt’s backstory in this instalment but the full picture has yet to emerge as to what has made him the man he is today. All I can say is that he is one crazy, f*****- up b****** who appears to have no empathy where anyone is concerned. He is also an uber sexy and dominant alpha male who I loved!

As for Aubrey, without spoiling the plot, the future looks bleak as Devlin closes in on her and all that he holds dear. She is merely a pawn in the brothers’ battle for supremacy – caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, and it remains to be seen whether she will survive intact in body or mind.

This instalment ends on a major cliffie and I cannot wait until my next fix – Ms Callahan please hurry! The suspense is KILLING me!

The Redline series is a must read for dark romance junkies!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

An ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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July 21, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Spotlight Eyes of Payne by Anthony D. Flores

Author: Anthony D. Flores

Title: Eyes of Payne

Genre: Fiction, Alternate History, Drama

Release date: March 26th, 2015

Released by: John Galt Publishing

Length: 45 pages

Blurb: Jack Payne discovers who he really is through the painful events of 9/11.

September 11th, 2001, chaos and confusion were ignited shortly after the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Three thousand miles away Jack Payne went about his day as usual. Jack was unaware of the horrific events taking place in New York City, unaware of how these acts of terror would change his life. Unaware that his wife, Catherine, was a passenger on United Airline flight 175.

Once Jack learns about the attacks, his world is turned upside down. Secrets are exposed, a threatening bomb plot is uncovered, and Jack begins to understand his true calling. But his biggest concern is his six-year-old daughter.

Author Bio:

Anthony D. Flores lives in Rapid City, South Dakota with his wife, youngest daughter, and two dogs. Born and raised in California, he moved to the beautiful Black Hills in 2004. He dreamed as a kid about becoming a teacher and writer. In 2006, he went back to college to make those dreams come true. Anthony earned his degree in Writing and Literature from Union Institute & University before attending Black Hills State University to achieve his teaching credentials. Currently he teaches 8th grade Social Studies and Writing at St. Thomas More Middle School. Lazarus Rising fulfills the other half of his dream and is his debut novel. In March of 2015, he released a prequel short story to Lazarus Rising titled, “Eyes of Payne.” He spends his down time in the summer studying American history, reading historical and science fiction, and writing his next book.

Links:

Author page on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dkaZz8

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADFlores.Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FloresFreedom

Website: http://www.anthonydflores.com/

June 14, 2015 by Tina Williams

BLOG TOUR ~ Skilled: Serial Series (Book 1), by S. Reynolds (includes excerpt)

Title: Skilled

Series: Skilled: Serial Series (Book 1)

Author: S. Reynolds

Release Date: June 3, 2015

Genre: Crime Romance

Synopsis

He’s Armed…She’s Dangerous

Chloe Justice grew up on American soil and in Old World China. When she witnesses her best friend’s murder, her life takes a drastic turn. Chloe dedicates her life to tracking her friend’s killer, and honing her own skills.

Detective Damon Delandre’ is having zero luck closing the homicide cases crossing his desk. When he unexpectedly stumbles upon the first and only piece of evidence in one of his cases, his ethics and heart are at odds.

Buy Links

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Excerpt

“You need help?” Chloe looked up and paused. “You look like you’re struggling.” She was stuck with one foot inside her pants. His skin was nice and tanned and his abs were rock solid, she could tell by just looking at them. The muscles in his chest and shoulders were sculpted, even his thighs had defined muscles. She licked her lips when she spotted the tattoos on his arms and chest. One looked like a skull tat and the one on his arm kind of looked like a tiger but she couldn’t tell from her position.

“Clothes. Off.” Chloe would have thought that was sexy if she wasn’t freaking out. She stood there, bent over, staring at his torso like she was stuck on stupid.

“What is it?”

“Are you photo shopped?” The man looked like he stepped out of an underwear ad for boxers. Her eyes traveled to his package. Holy shit! He was fucking huge. It was hanging down the side of his boxers and the head was sticking out of the leg part. No way that thing will fit.

“Um, no?” He laughed. Jackass.

“No one looks like that!” Chloe stood up. Okay, get the damn pants off.

“You want me to put my clothes back on?” He motioned toward his clothes that were lying on the floor in a pile. The asshole was laughing at her.

“No. No, that’s not necessary. Kind of defeats the purpose.” Chloe took her foot and stepped on her pants to pull her other foot out. She felt a little inadequate standing there in front of him. Yes, she exercised, but damn.

“Are you sure? I can keep my clothes on.” Damon started to reach for his clothes.

“Smart ass.” Chloe stood there in her red panties that were already wet, and a white tank top. Her skin was damp from sweat and she was hot. She really would like to take a shower but she didn’t want to wait.

He reached for his jeans and pulled out his wallet. He tossed two condoms on the bed before he dropped his pants and looked at her. His eyes said ‘yeah, you’re in trouble’.

“You’re not undressed yet.” When he took a step toward her, she backed up a step but hit the chair. She had nowhere to go. What the hell, girl? Get it together. He’s just a man!

Chloe reached down and pulled her tank top over her head. The next thing she knew, he was standing so close to her, she could feel his breath on her skin.

“Are you scared?” He whispered in her ear. She felt his tongue on her neck and shivers ran through her body. No, she was nervous, not scared. Well, maybe a little. She held her breath while his trailed over her skin.

He lifted her up and put her against the wall as he took her mouth with his. It was rough, demanding, and she loved it. When he pushed his dick against her panties and started to grind himself into her, she was ready to explode.

A moan left her throat before she could stop it. She didn’t want to seem eager, desperate. But right now, that’s exactly what she was. She could feel her pussy muscles quiver with anticipation.

“You’re wet. I like that.” He whispered in her ear. His hot breath on her sensitive skin and the feel of his dick against her clit made her come apart. Her orgasm hit her like a rocket.

Damon leaned into her and removed his hands. The next thing she heard was the wrapper of the condom before she felt the head of his dick at her entrance.

“Yes. Oh, God yes.” That’s all she could say. She felt him slide into her, her muscles clenching around him. OMG! He stretched her insides to the point she thought she would rip.

Damon raised her arms above her head and held them there. His mouth smashed into hers with force and intensity. It was raw and fast and just what she needed. This could turn out to be an awesome trip.

Author Bio

Stephanie is a new indie author who loves to write. She lives in West Virginia with her 2 children and dog. Stephanie lives in West Virginia with her two children and dog. She has visited a few states and loves to travel, however she is more of a homebody and she loves to curl up with a good book and get lost in another world.

She has a BS in Criminal Justice and has spent her years reading about and exploring the mind.

Her long time goals are to be a Criminal Profiler and to write her stories. She is now completing one of those goals.

She has her Special Operations Command Series, Book 1 & 2 out and 3 is on its way. Her novella, Skilled: Book 1 is now out and 2 is on its way.

She will have many books available soon, including a fantasy series requested by her daughter.

She loves feedback and to hear from fans so send her an email with your thoughts!

Kalil

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Jade

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May 21, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up – May ’15

Dear readers, Welcome to May’s Review Round-Up! We have plenty of romance reads for you, whether they be contemporary, historical, erotic or humour. Not to mention the paranormal fantasies and mysteries.

I have been a little quiet on the blog-front recently seeing my daughter through her SAT’s exams, and being busy with decorating the house. But, I have enjoyed Christine S. Feldman‘s hilarious romcom, Winging It, Jamie Drew‘s (aka Tim O’Rourke) November Lake: Teenage Detective books 1 & 2, and I am currently reading the amazing C.J. Pinard‘s dark paranormal, SOUL REDEMPTION (Rebel Riders #2)! Meanwhile, Tina has been busy at the Vestry with settlement papers and writing some text for the Staffordshire Archives Roadshow which will take place at Tamworth Library on 4th July. She has also been involved in proposals for Tamworth Literature Festival, in which we are both hoping to be a part of. All this at the same time as reviewing some great romances, from Skye Warren‘s Loving the Beast, to Lily Harlem’s Toy Boy, and erotic sci-fi time travel series When in Rome by Jessica Nyman. How does she find the time to make rhubarb wine too?!

We hope that you enjoy the selection of books, as well as the reviews we provide. As always, please click on the book titles and author for our main feature review plus more….

We hope that you have a super Bank Holiday weekend 🙂

Caroline & Tina ❤

Pose 1 Pose for a Billionaire (Billionaire Encounter books 1-3) by Lucee Lovett, contemporary erotic romance (reviewed by Tina Williams)

Books 1-3 comprise of ‘When the Rent is Due, What Do You Do?‘, ‘There’s No Room for Mistakes, When You…‘ and ‘Secrets and Lies & Everything in Between‘.

Blurb (book 1): What choice does a young girl have, when she’s a twenty-two year old high school dropout? She has a deadbeat dad who has run off with his latest whore. Then her mother gets locked up for dealing drugs, leaving her with an eight-year-old to care for. Now, the rent is due and Mia Blackman, has no job, no money and very few options. She is forced to use the only asset she has when she poses for enigmatic, enticing, billionaire, Roman Evans. This changes Mia’s life in more ways than one.

November Lake: Teenage Detective (The November Lake Mysteries books 1 & 2) by Jamie Drew, YA crime/mystery (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb (book 1): When 18-year-old police recruit, November Lake, joins training college, her curiosity and desire to solve mysteries soon has her investigating a series of creepy and chilling crimes.

With the help of her friend and colleague, Kale Creed, November is soon caught up in a dark world of strange and inexplicable mysteries, each with a deadly twist.

Three novella length mysteries in one book:

The Dead Girl In The Room

The Kidnapping at Blackwater Farm

The Menacing Stranger

Blurb (book 2): When police recruits November Lake and Kale Creed are ordered to stay away from each other by Sergeant Black, they can’t help but be drawn back together again.

Working side by side, November and Kale solve four more grisly and chilling mysteries. The first deals with deceit, the second betrayal, the third revenge and the fourth the greatest mystery of all – love.

Four novella length mysteries in one book:

The Reappearing Knife

The Death at Hook Inn

Splitfoot & The Dead Girl

The Mystery of November Lake & Kale Creed

Wherewolves by John Vamvas & Olga Montes, YA horror/thriller/paranormal (reviewed by Caroline)

Synopsis: Using a fun, explosive style, full of new slang and fresh dialogue, WHEREWOLVES is the story of a group of high school seniors, most “military brats”, who are headed for an army-type survival weekend.

The underdogs, Jeffrey and Doris, do not want to go as they fear for their safety among the disdain and cruelty of the popular students. Sergeant Tim O’Sullivan, their teacher, as well as their dysfunctional parents pressure them into going, but it is an unforgivable act by their peers that propels the pair to go. Likewise, Elie, a student resented because of his Arab roots, is even more determined to prove himself this weekend. In the background, a news report cautions of a wanted couple with alleged super-human strength supposedly brought on by a new drug on the streets.

In the woods, the students hike, hunt, camp, and soon act in unity as the forest brings them closer together. But does it? O’Sullivan leaves them alone for the night. The students bond, chant, tell campfire tales, and quickly lose their fears and inhibitions. HOO-AH! Though sexual tensions are high, it soon turns to violence and everything quickly turns sour.

When the kids start disappearing one after the other, the remaining begin to unwittingly “act like the natives” carving spears, ready to face whatever is out there. What has gotten into them?

Amid blood-curdling growls and gruesome deaths, the story’s underlying layers are revealed. We see how misconceptions, prejudice, greed, fear, and hatred bring out the worst and best in them.

WHEREWOLVES is a thought-provoking, intense, action-packed ride loaded with plot twists that will keep you guessing:

What is out there? Can it really be werewolves?

Under the Mayhaw Tree by Charlotte Boyett-Compo, contemporary romance suspense (reviewed by Tina)

Keynote:

Living under a cloud of tragedy for which he’s assumed blame, Drew Dunne has known hell for the past sixteen years. Then he meets Allison Bennett. But in the small town of Colquitt, Georgia, evil lurks around every corner and capturing happiness has an incredibly high price.

Synopsis:

SWEET VICTORY

Small-town football star Drew Dunne sacrificed everything for friendship and guilt. He’s spent most of his life unloved and unwanted. A kind touch, a gentle smile, an encouraging word are all wisps of memory from before the accident. For him there is only family, duty, loyalty. And longing. Until he meets Allison.When Allison Bennett looks in the mirror, she sees a woman whose life has gone from bad to worse. At the mercy of an abusive husband, sweet tenderness is something she can only dream about…until she finds it in the arms of Drew Dunne.Not every sacrifice is worthwhile, not every promise is worth keeping, and events in a small Georgia town will test this pair to the very depths of their souls, but at the end of the journey is the truth that—if you’re willing to pay the price—true love can conquer all. Drew Dunne will finally be with the woman he loves. Or die trying.

When in Rome (An Unexpected Vacation & The Emperor’s Dungeon, books 1 & 2) by Jessica Nyman, erotic sci-fi fantasy (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb (An Unexpected Vacation, #1): A young and geeky college girl wins a trip to Rome and while visiting the ancient ruins, she gets transported two thousand years back by a mysterious magic artifact. She is immediately seized by the city guards and brought before the most notorious emperor Rome had ever known. She’s in for a big surprise and some hot, steamy, action beyond her wildest dreams.

When In Rome Vol 1: An Unexpected Vacation is the first part of an erotic romance serial short stories exploring the lifestyle of ancient Rome from the eyes of a twenty first century college girl. Approximately 7000 words.

Blurb (The Emperor’s Dungeon, #2): Our heroine meets a mysterious witch who agrees to help her go back to ancient Rome. However the locket’s magic effects last for a limited time and she comes back to the 21st century when it expires. Will she be able to solve the mystery of the locket and stay in ancient Rome for good? Will she break and tell her secret when the emperor ties her up in heavy chains and ‘interrogates’ her in the dungeon?

When In Rome Vol 2: The Emperor’s Dungeon is the second part of an erotic romance serial short stories exploring ancient Rome from the eyes of a twenty first century college girl. Approximately 5000 words.

Loving the Beast: A Beauty Epilogue by Skye Warren, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: The sexy journey began in Beauty Touched the Beast and continued in the Beauty series. Now read the breathtaking conclusion in this epilogue novella…

Since their forbidden beginning, Erin and Blake’s relationship has been marked by deep sensuality and intense emotion. Each challenge only makes them stronger, and Blake is ready to take his new fiancee to meet his family.

Home holds secrets for them both. A dark legacy threatens everything they’ve worked to build. When old debt comes between them, both Blake and Erin must fight to protect each other–and their love.

Books in the Beauty series:
1. Beauty Touched the Beast
2. Beneath the Beauty
3. Broken Beauty
4. Beauty Becomes You

And now the sexy ever after… Loving the Beast: A Beauty Epilogue

Third Debt (Indebted #4) by Pepper Winters, dark erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: “She healed me. She broke me. I set her free. But we are in this together. We will end this together. The rules of this ancient game can’t be broken.”

Nila Weaver no longer recognises herself. She’s left her lover, her courage, and her promise. Two debts down. Too many to go.

Jethro Hawk no longer recognises himself. He’s embraced what he always ran from, and now faces punishment far greater than he feared.

It’s almost time. It’s demanding to be paid.

The Third Debt will be the ultimate test…

To Tame the Wind (Prequel to Agents of the Crown Trilogy, #1) by Regan Walker, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Paris 1782… AN INNOCENT IS TAKEN

All Claire Donet knew was the world inside the convent walls in Saint-Denis. She had no idea her beloved papa was a pirate. But when he seized Simon Powell’s schooner, the English privateer decided to take the one thing his enemy held most dear.… her.

A BATTLE IS JOINED

The waters between France and England roil with the clashes of Claire’s father and her captor as the last year of the American Revolution rages on the sea, spies lurk in Paris and Claire’s passion for the English captain rises.This is the prequel to the Agents of the Crown trilogy but can be read as a stand alone.

The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride (Royal Pains #2) by Nina Mason, erotic historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: The tawdry tale of the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody continues…

Maggie Armstrong, the long-lost illegitimate daughter of the heir presumptive to the throne, is bedeviled by her husband’s limited definition of fidelity. After observing him in a ménage à trois at the court of King Charles II, she is determined to bring him around to her way of thinking—by any means necessary. Robert doesn’t mind being punished for his transgressions. Rather, he enjoys being whipped, especially by his beloved bride. Unfortunately, her heart might not belong to him alone. His younger brother, who he’d sent abroad to clear the way for himself, is coming home sooner than expected, and Maggie’s feelings for Hugh may not be as dead as her husband had hoped.Both duke and duchess soon learn, to their peril, Hugh Armstrong is not the honorable man they’d been led to believe. Insanely jealous of his brother’s situation, Hugh will stop at nothing to strip Robert of all he holds dear—including his life.But the real danger for Robert and Maggie is not the villainous Marquess, but the growing friction betwixt Catholics and Protestants in Restoration Era Great Britain.Can their love survive the trials that await them?

Toy Boy by Lily Harlem, erotic cougar romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Getting something unexpected can be a shock, but it can also be a wonderful treat, if you allow yourself to indulge, that is.

Kay is bubbling with excitement. She’s booked a sailing holiday of a lifetime in Greece with a man she’s fallen for hook, line and sinker. They met on the Internet. She’s from Oxford, he’s from Washington State. She’s a business lecturer, he runs his own successful business.

They’re perfect for each other, and she can’t wait to meet him and spend time in and out of his bed, allowing him to seduce her for real and not just with softly spoken words over the telephone.

But when she arrives in the idyllic port of Fiscardo, she’s in for a shock. There’s a reason Sullivan’s photographs were grainy, and it’s not because he’s sporting a potbelly or balding as she’d suspected. It’s because he’s over a decade younger than her and could rival any Greek god in the looks department. What’s more, his sex appeal and lust for her is off the scale.

Should Kay take what she can with her ‘toy boy’ and have some fun in the sun or hop on the first plane back to England? It’s a tricky decision for a woman who believed she couldn’t be surprised by life anymore.

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals #5) by Tim O’Rourke, paranormal fantasy (reviewed by Caroline)

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

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

‘Werewolves of Shade’ (Part Five)

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

For readers 16+

The Girl In Between (The Girl In Between #1) by Laekan Zea Kemp, YA/NA+ up paranormal fantasy (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Bryn Reyes is a real life sleeping beauty. Afflicted with Klein-Levin Syndrome, she suffers episodes of prolonged sleep that steal weeks, and sometimes even months, from her life. But unlike most KLS patients, she doesn’t spend each episode in a catatonic state or wake up with no recollection of the time she’s missed. Instead, Bryn spends half her life in an alternate reality made up of her memories. For Bryn, the past is a place, until one day a boy she’s never met before washes up on the illusory beach of her dreams with no memory of who he is.

But the appearance of this strange boy isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Bryn’s symptoms are worsening, her body weakening as she’s plagued by hallucinations even while awake. Her only hope of finding a cure is to undergo experimental treatment created by a German specialist. But when Dr. Banz reveals that he knows more about her strange symptoms than he originally let on, Bryn learns that the boy in her head might actually be the key to understanding what’s happening to her, and worse, that if she doesn’t find out his identity before it’s too late, they both may not survive.

Winging It (short story) by Christine S. Feldman, comedy/humour, contemporary romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Up until now, straitlaced Simon Kirkendale has done an admirable job of keeping his high society mother’s demands for grandbabies at bay, but lately she’s kicked things into high gear. So he isn’t too disappointed to delay her latest matchmaking attempt when a pretty stranger hops into the backseat of his car en route to one of his mother’s dinner parties and tells him to drive. A car-jacking? Nope. More like a bird on the run, but this particular bird happens to be a parrot who has slipped its cage, and Simon’s new acquaintance desperately needs to get it back before she loses sight of it altogether.

Ever the nice guy—and okay, maybe also a little intrigued by the colorful Miss Juleen Pruitt’s sudden appearance in his car—Simon hits the gas pedal and obliges only to find himself unwittingly dragged into a wild goose chase around town for a bird who seems to be determined to either get itself killed or the two people trying to catch it. Simon’s money is on the latter.

But it turns out that a little disruption and chaos in his life might just be what Simon needs most—especially if it comes in the form of Juleen.

If he can just manage to survive meeting her…