December 7, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Dream Alchemy, by Nicholas Boyd Crutchley (Life and Shadow series)

Fantasy/Dystopian Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Synopsis

A warrior battles hydra.

The Blood Plague liquefies eyes.

A rapper rails against Earth’s ecological ruin.

From the pitch Abyss, Chaos corrupts our dreams.

On stealing the dreams of an old warrior and priestess, Chaos discovers them to be essential ingredients for his dream alchemy. With their souls the dark god can control Sol, Dragonland’s angelic ruler, and release his wanton daughter, Babalon, from Hell. If the devil queen returns and swallows the angel’s soul, the veil separating reality from the pitch Abyss will tear, and Chaos will pour forth and warp reality. Can Sol defeat Chaos? Or will Babalon’s poison kiss seduce him?

Through the psiqnet, a network of human minds and quantum artificial intelligences (QAIs), consumers shop Earth towards ecological ruin. The preachers of Gaia, ecoterrorists woven within the system, seek to bring economic and ecological harmony through Gaia QAI. Yet as Gaia begins to infect other QAIs with compassion, the Blood Plague rises, intent on exterminating humankind.

What force connects Dragonland and Earth?

The Life & Shadow Series explores how genetic engineering, synthetic biology and nanotechnology will impact humankind and Earth’s ecology. More specifically, themes include the outcome of human minds interfacing with artificial intelligences, the long-term effect of humankind on natural ecosystems, and compassion in society.

My Review

Original and Thought Provoking

4 Stars

Dream Alchemy is an epic read which weaves together Fantasy and Dystopian Fantasy/Sci-Fi. At its core is the battle between good and evil, Chaos and his daughter Babalon on the one side and Sol, the angel who rules over Dragonland, on the other. The storyline is set in a medieval style world of priestesses, warriors and nobles and a nightmare filled Earth of the future.

The environmental catastrophe which humankind has inflicted on the Earth and its people is one of the main themes in the tale and there are heartfelt passages which emphasise how greed and the love of money and human vanity have stripped the planet of its resources and led to an environmental catastrophe and a two tier society. Other themes touch on the corrupting influence of power and the importance of compassion.

Malevolent forces are at play and there is much talk of a prophecy on which the future rests. The fate of the key characters Nostromo and Natasha, the old warrior and the priestess, is pivotal, attracting the interest of Chaos who wishes to use them for his own evil ends. On Earth the blood plague threatens the safety of all. The read blends past and present with dreams and reality building up to an unexpected conclusion.

The writing is vivid and at times visceral and brutal. There are scenes of hellish proportions describing the fate of humankind at the time when Babalon ruled and we are left under no illusions of what will happen if Chaos has his way. The descriptions of genetic engineering and how human minds interface with artificial intelligences is both prophetic and terrifying.

Recommended to readers who enjoy a thought provoking read that will remain in their minds long after finishing it.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase Links

Amazon UK e-book Amazon UK paperback

Amazon US e-book Amazon US paperback

Connect with Nicholas

http://www.nbcauthor.com

http://www.goodreads.com/nbcauthor

To read a post by the author, Nicholas Boyd Crutchley, on the inspiration behind Dream Alchemy and read an excerpt click on the title.

December 4, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Blog Tour & Review Windward Secrets by K.A. Davis

BUY LINKS:

http://goo.gl/IUSqaE

Windward Secrets

Fiction: Suspense, Mystery

At just over 67,700 words Windward Secrets is a fast paced mystery laced with humor, suspense, and a touch of the paranormal that will make the reader gasp at times, and soften their hearts at other times.

When Claire McPherson booked Windward Cottage, for the annual reunion with three college friends, her biggest concern was whether they would like the weatherbeaten, old Victorian on Cape Cod. Claire, Diane, Jill, and Caroline are in for more than a little Right and R. Windward Cottage has its own special powers of seduction. After 35 years of friendship they thought they knew everything about each other, but the old house draws confessions out of each and leads them unwillingly into a 50yearold mystery.

What was planned to be a vacation filled with fun, food, and reminiscing turns into one that will change their lives forever. Who or what is trying to frighten them? Only one woman’s stubborn determination keeps them at Windward Cottage when common sense tells them to leave. Fear, danger, and unexplained events connect the four women to each other and to Windward Cottage. Three of the women find their futures, and one finds her past.

Readers will recognize someone they know in every character as Windward Secrets heightens their awareness of the heinous crime of human trafficking.

REVIEW ***** (5* rating)

What a fantastic story! Readers of paranormal, crime, chicklit/woman’s fiction and drama will be gripped by K.A. Davis‘s Windward Secrets. What begins as a fun vacation for four old friends turns into an eerie and disturbing ordeal that will have you rooting for these heroines to get to the bottom of exactly what is happening in and around the Victorian cottage.

Each of the friends have a well thought out character. Although they have their own flaws and dilemmas at home, they are able to use their vacation time to have fun, relax, open up about their lives and reminisce on how they used to be. Due to their different personalities and circumstances there is at least one character we can all relate to; from Claire a complete family mum, with husband and kids, but wanting a career of her own, to Caroline who is going through a nasty divorce; while Jill has been single for many years and now ready to dive into some romance, and widow Diane who realises that love has been closer than she realised. Yes, there is also a sprinkle of romance in Windward Secrets too.

But, the initial profound power of the story comes from the mystery and paranormal essence. An early example of this is when the girls know that Diane is running late and so they head for the beach whilst waiting. Whilst there they look back towards the house and see a woman on the roof and believe it is Diane who has managed to arrive earlier than once thought. On investigation they soon realise that nobody is there and Diane’s car hasn’t even been parked! Is it just the shadows playing tricks on them? Or was there a woman on the roof?

With other strange goings on in the house, such as a fire being lit, items appearing and footprints on the porch there is certainly enough atmosphere to keep you on the edge of your seat. You won’t want to read this alone! The reader and the women of the story have many questions they want answered.

“Had someone really came into the house? Was one of them playing a trick on the others? Were they safe?”

One of my favourite spooky scenes in the story is when Claire drifts off to sleep after going to bed to read a book.

“She felt cold, it was dark and raining. There was a little girl with curly, blonde hair standing at the foot of her bed reaching toward her. Claire felt the sweat of fear soaking the mattress. She shook her head and tried to wipe the rain off her face but it kept getting wet. The little girl looked directly at her and whispered, “Help me.””

After piecing some of the strange happenings together, along with exploring the fourth bedroom that has been locked and out of use, the friends soon come to realise that something much more sinister has taken place, and that one of them is loosely connected to a crime that had taken place many years ago. Without realising just how deep this will go they decide to pursue it. Only, who can they trust?

With a very friendly neighbour who takes quite a shine to Jill, local police who do not seem interested to help, and a nearby plumber who keeps driving past their place, knowing exactly where to go when previously asked to sort a problem in the bathroom, and possibly stealing Diane’s underwear, they are at a loss. They can only really trust each other.

The lengths that these women go to reveal the truth is courageous. Not only do they carry out as much research and exploration as possible, but throughout the story they have fun moments, stick together and keep each other strong.

If you love an adventure that is packed with fearful moments, fun moments and some emotional and sober scenes then you will enjoy Windward Secrets immensely. This is not a story to be missed!

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Also available

Blue Velvet (Emerson’s Attic #1)

Smoke and Mirrors (Emerson’s Attic #2)

Middle-grade historical fiction/adventure

Author bio

My name is Kathleen Andrews Davis and I live in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania with my husband and a horde of deer who insist on annihilating any attempts at gardening. We are emptynesters with two grown daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.

During my long and varied working life I did business writing including everything from press releases to policy and procedure manuals. I served as managing editor of an inhouse newspaper where I enjoyed every aspect of production including writing, photography, and even dummy layout. From there, I moved into marketing pieces and business plans.

My favorite venture, however, was fourteen years in the Bed & Breakfast industry. This was my passion. When we left our lovely old Victorian it left a hole in my heart and I found myself with an indistinguishable yearning to be more and do more. The little wheels in my head started turning and it dawned on me, if I liked commercial writing, why won’t I like creative writing?

Becoming a grandmother was the fuel that fed the fire, and I decided to leave my grandchildren a legacy of words that would outlast any other inheritance I could give.

My first two books in the Emerson’s Attic series, for middle-grade readers, were so much fun that I decided to give an adult novel a try. I love stories about smart, mature women and the characters of Windward Secrets introduced themselves to me when I least expected it. And so, I have found my new adventure and hope to learn and grow as an author.

The knitting needles have slowed, the flower beds (or what’s left of them) have weeds, my fishing rod leans lonely in a corner of the garage, and I can’t get enough of my grandchildren.

Email: KathleenAndrewsDavis@gmail.com

Website: KathleenAndrewsDavis.com

HOSTED BY WORDS TURN ME ON

http://wtmowordsturnmeon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TurnedOnByWords/

November 25, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ Shield of Winter, by Nalini Singh (Psy~Changeling #13)

Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Romance

Book Blurb

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch – if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake . . .

Having rebuilt her life after medical ‘treatment’ that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she’ll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption.

But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness . . .

Review

**Nalini Singh has done it again with another 5 * read in her addictive Psy-Changeling series!**

I have been a HUGE fan of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series ever since I fell in love with Sascha and Lucas in Slave to Sensation, the first book in the series. I just adore how this author depicts her alpha heroes and heroines, many of them flawed by the complex society in the alternative future world she has created. This world is as unique as it is addictive and comprises the emotionless Psy, their polar opposites, the tactile changelings and humans. The peaceful co-existence of all is constantly under threat by aggressive competition between the races, including rogue elements and sociopaths.

Shield of Winter continues the story arc, where the safety of all races is being compromised by the dark disintegration of the Psy-Net, compelling many in the Psy race to commit bloody and terrifying actions en masse. Against this backdrop Singh, in what is a real masterstroke, pairs Vasic, an Arrow with Ivy Jane, an Empath, after ex Councillor Kaleb Krychek (yummy book boyfriend alert!) decrees that the only way to try to save the Psy-Net is to awaken the Empaths amongst their race. I should explain that the Empaths are a Psy designation who readers of the series will know have been denied and reviled, subjected to cruel and invasive medical ‘treatment’ designed to stifle their abilities.

Vasic, who we have met in previous books, has the reputation of being the most emotionless and unreachable amongst the Arrow squad. Like the others he is regarded as an ice-cold killer, charged with doing the dirty work for the ruling Psy, ridding the race of serial killers and others deemed undesirable. He has a dark back story and harbours significant guilt for his past actions, viewing himself as a monster.

Ivy Jane, living on a farm, removed as far as possible from a society that does not understand her gifts and one which has only sought to harm her, is stunned and fearful when an Arrow appears. However, when she hears the true reason for his visit and the role her abilities could play in rescuing her race and the world from a bloody future she does not hesitate to step up to the challenge, despite how broken she believes herself to be. After all what does she have to lose? I loved this character’s inner determination and how she grows into her true designation of Empath (which she was previously unaware of), having undergone reconditioning to such a degree that hermind and personality were almost destroyed. She has amazing strength of character in how she never gives up on Vasic or combatting the darker reaches of the Psy Net is admirable.

Both are victims of their brutal conditioning and there are, as in other books in the series, heartrending details of what they have been through. They are both so invariably strong however, and I loved how despite, or because of the fact that they are opposites in terms of their designation, they fall for each other. Their love story is beautiful to behold. It is not without a great deal of angst before any chance of a HEA is possible. Not only does Vasic have to allow Ivy Jane to break through the shield protecting what is left of his emotions, but time is ticking for him due to a decision he took in the recent past when he had nothing to live for. Now he has everything to live for, but it may be too late….

This book starts to explore the shadowy world of the Arrows and I was fascinated in learning how they operate and what makes them tick and I look forward to finding out more about Vasic’s colleagues in subsequent instalments. I also enjoyed seeing many of the other characters that I have grown to love, not least Kaleb and Sahara and Lucas and Sascha!

Shield of Winter is another expertly crafted contribution to this addictive series, containing a heartfelt romance, and will appeal to fans of the series and readers of paranormal romance, fantasy and sci-fi.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Purchase Links

Amazon UK Amazon US

Connect with the Author

Home

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNaliniSingh/

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November 21, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ The Ghosts of Ravencrest (The Ravencrest Saga Book 1), by Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross

Modern Gothic

#Erotica #Horror #Paranormal

Adult/18+ Read

This is another lust filled and downright scary read from the pens of these two very talented authors! Prepare to be titillated and spooked as Ravencrest’s new governess finds that she is at the centre of a battle between good and evil which has been going on for centuries. Tina 🙂

Book Blurb

Darkness Never Dies …
Ravencrest Manor has always been part of the family. The ancestral home of the Mannings, Ravencrest’s walls have been witness to generations of unimaginable scandal, horror, and depravity. Imported stone by stone from England to northern California in the early 1800s, the manor now houses widower Eric Manning, his children, and his staff. Ravencrest stands alone, holding its memories and ghosts close to its dark heart, casting long, black shadows across its grand lawns, through the surrounding forests, and over the picturesque town of Devilswood, below.

Dare to Cross the Threshold …
Ravencrest Manor is the most beautiful thing new governess, Belinda Moorland, has ever seen, but as she learns more about its tangled past of romance and terror, she realizes that beauty has a dark side. Ravencrest is built on secrets, and its inhabitants seem to be keeping plenty of their own – from the handsome English butler, Grant Phister, to the power-mad administrator, Mrs. Heller, to Eric Manning himself, who watches her with dark, fathomless eyes. But Belinda soon realizes that the living who dwell in Ravencrest have nothing on the other inhabitants – the ones who walk the darkened halls by night … the ones who enter her dreams … the ones who are watching … and waiting …

Welcome to Ravencrest …
Who is the man digging in the garden beyond Belinda’s bedroom window? Who – or what – is watching her from the vents? From ghostly screams and the clutching bony fingers of death in the indoor pool, to the trio of gliding nuns in the east wing who come at Belinda with black blazing eyes, to the beckoning little girl in the red dress who died more than two centuries ago, Belinda is thrust into a world of waking nightmares where there is no distinction between the living and the dead, and there are no limits to the horrors that await. Witchcraft is afoot at Ravencrest and as unspeakable terrors begin to unfold, Belinda realizes that her beautiful new home is a keeper of tragedy, a collector of souls. And it wants to add her to its collection …

My Review 5 Stars!

Modern Gothic Erotica par excellence!

In The Ghosts of Ravencrest, the first book in The Ravencrest saga, Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross have once agian excelled themselves with a super modern take on the gothic novel. The read combines toe-curling scenes of erotica with a ghostly goings on in a plot with an increasing sense of terror and mayhem, sprinkled with some irreverent humour. At the centre of the tale is the unsuspecting ingenue Belinda, the new governess at the mysterious Ravencrest Manor, who risks losing her innocence and her sanity as she unwittingly attracts the interest of the manor’s occupants, the living and the dead, with what threatens to be devastating consequences……

Ravencrest is no ordinary residence: the very fabric of the building was transported piece by piece from England, along with the many secrets and memories from its bloody history, that still resonate today. The ghosts and spirits of the past not only reach out to Belinda in erotic dreams and terrifying nightmares but also as she goes about her duties working for the handsome and enigmatic widower Eric Manning. It seems that Belinda is a VERY special young woman, a fact that has enraged the evil adversary in the form of the uber controlling bitch that is Miss Heller, the manor’s administator and dominatrix!

I was totally absorbed by the depth and breadth of the plot and the characerisations of the manor’s current and former occupants – Miss Heller and Grant Phister, in particular. One minute I was titillated by the erotic scenes experienced by Belinda and others (cue medical play and BDSM) and the next I was on the edge of my seat reading about witchcraft, hauntings and horror, before being entertained by scenes of romance and humour. The character of Belinda grows in strength as the novel progresses and her importance in the interplay between good and evil becomes clearer as the secrets of the manor and its occupants begin to reveal themselves.

The novel, book 1 in The Ravencrest saga, builds up to a terrifying crescendo and reaches a conclusion which satifies one of the issues at play, working well as a standalone. However, there are still many unresolved questions to answer about Belinda and the occupants of the manor, which I am looking forward to reading about in future instalments.

To sum up: a superb modern gothic which will delight readers of the genre. Indeed, the novels that these two authors are writing individually and together about the dark side of sunny California are truly inpired and I encourage you to find out more!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

If you would like to read my review of Alistair Cross’ The Crimson Corset, (the Vampires of Crimson Cove), which I read earlier this year, click on the title.

Connect with the Authors

http://www.tamarathorne.com/

http://alistaircross.com/

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

November 15, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up for our October reads

Dear readers, we hope that you have enjoyed these autumn months, and that you celebrated Halloween in style. It would be great to see your Halloween photo’s!! This was my attempt (right) at being a vampiress at a much-loved friend’s birthday party – a friend who is absolutely hooked on Halloween, and then celebrated her birthday in style by going to New York and visiting Central Park at this real beautiful time of year!

And, how time seems to be sprinting by this year, with Thanksgiving only a few days away, and Christmas a few weeks!

During October we had 12 fab reads to review for you from Tim O’Rourke‘s Beautiful Immortals series 2 release to international best-selling author Catherine McKenzie‘s Smoke. We had a cheeky contemporary comedy horror short with Deborah Melanie‘s Vivian’s Vampire and the dark horror/sci-fi of J.G. Clay‘s Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor. Not to mention the many romances and paranormals in between. We hope you enjoy our selection of reads, as always.

Much love.

Caroline & Tina ❤

(As always, please click on the title and author for our full review)

Living the Dream by Celia J. Anderson, contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: When dreams and reality crash and mingle, escape can be the hardest challenge of all.

Longing to get away from her troubled marriage, the opportunity to cross America by train seems like a dream come true for Vita Craythorne. But charismatic travel agent Moriarty Miles has other ideas; by replacing their mutual friend Jack on the trip, Vita has unwittingly set herself up as a guinea pig for Moriarty’s mind-blowing and potentially dangerous virtual-travelling project. His plan is to give clients the holiday of a lifetime without ever having to leave the comfort of their own homes. It’s exciting. It’s time-saving. It’s innovative. Maybe this trip is just what Vita needs? That is, if she can avoid becoming trapped inside her own, miraculous dream world.

Vampires of Maze (Beautiful Immortals, Series 2, Book 1) by Tim O’Rourke, paranormal romance, thriller adventure (reviewed by Caroline)

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.

Into the Unknown by Lorna Peel, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: London on 3 September 1939 is in upheaval. War is inevitable. Into this turmoil steps Kate Sheridan newly arrived from Ireland to live with her aunt and uncle and look for work. When she meets Flight Lieutenant Charlie Butler sparks fly, but he is a notorious womaniser. Should she ignore all the warnings and get involved with a ladies man whose life will be in daily danger?

Charlie Butler has no intention of getting involved with a woman. But when he meets Kate his resolve is shattered. Should he allow his heart to rule his head and fall for a nineteen-year-old Irish girl while there is a war to fight?

Private conflicts and personal doubts are soon overshadowed. Will the horrors of total war bring Kate and Charlie together or tear them apart?

Smoke by Catherine McKenzie, contemporary women’s fiction, mystery drama, chicklit (reviewed by Caroline)

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.

White Heat by Serge de Moliere, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: A frigid wilderness. A blazing encounter.

In the frigid wilderness of Northern Canada, Carol treks through the snow, desperate to escape her violent and obsessed husband, Dugan. Unprepared for the harsh conditions, she soon finds herself trapped in the ice. She’s rescued by Josh, a loner who has fled society for his own reasons, and he brings her to his isolated cabin.

Carol and Josh are trapped together in the cabin as a snowstorm rages outside. Soon neither of them can fight their building desire, giving in to the temptation of shared heat and intimacy. Josh is nothing like the man Carol fled. He brings out feelings in her she’d long since suppressed.

But Dugan is hunting for her, and he plans to have his revenge on any man who dares share her company…

Pretty When You Cry (Stripped #3) by Skye Warren, dark erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: A new dark romance novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wanderlust and Prisoner…

I came from a place of dirt floors and holy scriptures. They told me the world outside was full of sin, and the first night I escape, I find out it’s true. Ivan saves me, but he does more than that. He takes me. He makes me his own girl.

My conditioning runs too deep. Ivan sees what I am.

That’s the thing about showing a mouse to a cat. He wants to play. And it’s terrifying, even for me. Because the only thing darker than my past is his.

Jace (River Pack Wolves #2) by Alisa Woods, NA paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

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.

Brake (The Redline Series #3) by Skye Callahan, dark romantic suspense (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Bitter feud between brothers, Colt and Devlin, speeds out of control.

From Colt’s pawn to Devlin’s captive, Aubrey is caught even deeper in their pact to destroy one another. Imprisoned in darkness, she fights for her life–and her sanity. Her only hope is a cocky and sadistic car thief who is already wrestling with his own demons.

Colt swore he’d never end up in this place again. That he’d never be held captive to heroin or rendered helpless by his brother to watch as another life is destroyed. He’s ready to tear the city apart to find Aubrey, but that’s only if his own mind doesn’t tear him apart first.

Lines have been crossed. Promises broken. Souls shattered. And the worst has only begun.

Note: If you’re looking for rainbows, butterflies, and happy endings coated in chocolate and caramel, turn back now! This story deals with dark themes and intense situations that aren’t suitable for sensitive readers. If you’re looking for an intense roller coaster of emotions and situations that will warp your sense of right and wrong and drag you through the debauched underworld of crime and deceit, then you’re in the right place.

This is a work of serial fiction, so it will be released in distinct parts with no resolute ending until the end of the series.

Watcher (Daughter of Darkness): Lotus’s Journey Part II by C.J. Pinard, paranormal mystery romance (reviewed by Caroline)

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.

Dark City (Nick Harland, British Detective Series #4) by Bill Carson, dark crime (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: A must read for all those who like to sit uncomfortably on the edge of their seats.

Dark City is the fourth book in the Nick Harland detective series. In this one we follow him on his most perplexing and disturbing case to date, as he tracks down a serial killer from the past.
The book begins with an elderly man being released from prison, after serving seventeen years for a double murder. A few days after his release a young woman is snatched from outside a London pub.

The police seem to be dragging their heels, so the family of the missing girl call on the services of the tough, uncompromising ex murder squad detective, turned Private Investigator, Nick Harland. During his initial investigation another girl suddenly goes missing, he then gets a tip off that Charles Thorpe had just been released from prison. Nick knows the killer, as he was the detective who put him behind bars when he was a detective in the murder squad. And so the hunt is now on for Thorpe, and Nick will not rest until Thorpe is found, and he promises that Thorpe will pay the ultimate price for his crimes this time around.

Much more can’t be revealed, as it would give too much of the exciting plot away.
This is a fast paced dark and gritty story, packed with hard hitting action, highs and lows, intrigue and tension. This story has characters, that are good, and sometimes very, very bad. Dark City is crime noir in the truest sense.

Vivian’s Vampire (short story) by Deborah Melanie, contemporary paranormal comedy horror romance (reviewed by Caroline)

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.

Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor by J.G. Clay, dark horror sci-fi (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Eleven Tales steeped in Blood and reeking of Sulphur

There are cracks in the skin of Reality. Some are microscopic, others are as wide as a four-lane motorway. As the fault lines increase and widen, the door to our world shines like a beacon in the darkness, a warm and inviting sight to others beyond our understanding. When They cross over into our realm, The Tales begin……

A gambler taking one last desperate throw of the dice. A struggling writer making an unholy alliance. An eternal being fighting to stay alive in the financial capital of India. A man burdened with a terrible town secret. The Law Enforcers who must never cry. The End of Days live and direct from the rural heartland of England.

J.G. Clay takes you on a journey through the voids of Reality and into dark places where demons, mutants and inter-dimensional creatures taunt, taint and corrupt Humanity. Survival is not guaranteed, sanity is not assured and death lurks in every corner. These are the Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor; eleven twisted tales of terror and mayhem.

The blood is warm, the sulphur is burning, the tales will be told, the Apocalypse Minor is imminent!

November 15, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Release Day Review & GIVEAWAY Treagar’s Redemption (Woodland Creek) by Isobelle Cate

Today we welcome the release of the Woodland Creek series, which is a collection of 30 paranormal/shifter stories written by 30 authors. We are hosting Treagar’s Redemption by Isobelle Cate, which is a super paranormal, time-travel romance that is totally absorbing and full of magick! Not only that, but the author has kindly offered to GIVEAWAY 3 e-copies of Treagar’s Redemption! Please check out below details of this fab offer!

Title: Treagar’s Redemption (Woodland Creek)

Author: Isobelle Cate

Genre: Paranormal romance, fantasy, sci-fi (time-travel)

Release date: November 15th, 2015

Length: 142 pages

Blurb: Marcus Theodoric Treagar is a sabretooth with a curse that has him traveling through time, leaving a trail of dead bodies. Not only that, but as soon as he falls in love, he is wrenched away from that period and returned to 16th century Venice. To save the last remaining piece of his heart, he refuses to become involved again.

Until Paisley Halleran.

As the daughter of the shifter chronicler, Paisley Halleran knows that magick and the paranormal abound in Woodland Creek. With her adopted brother, Virgil Rowtag, they fight for every shifter’s rights in the area. When Paisley comes face to face with Marcus, who has been arrested for a murder he does not remember committing, she believes he is innocent. Marcus, on the other hand, knows he has finally found the woman truly meant for him.
However, not everything is cut and dried. Paisley unearths tragic secrets and lies that link her to Marcus. Not only will it show her whether Marcus is truly innocent or guilty of the murders in Woodland Creek, it will also spell the difference between staying with Marcus because she wants to, or letting him go because she has no choice.

REVIEW ***** (5* Rating)

Treagar’s Redemption will take hold of the reader, just as the two main characters, Marcus and Paisley, have a hold on each other. It’s a gripping read of paranormal romance, time-travel, and dark magick, with a fairy-tale quality to the story.

After time-travelling to Woodland Creek and finding yet another dead body had turned up at the scene where he appeared, it becomes confusing for Marcus Theodore Treagar. Is he really a danger to those where he turns up? He can’t remember causing any harm to anyone. But, then again he is in his sabretooth form when he first appears in a new time, before changing back to his human form.

When Marcus and Paisley meet it soon becomes clear that they have a strong attraction to each other. Paisley believes Marcus to be innocent from the offset, and asks her lawyer father to defend him. However, the story takes a turn when her father refuses to stand up for Marcus. After losing his wife, Paisley’s mother, her father resigned himself to taking care of Paisley, yet deeply mourned Hurit for many years. Knowing it was a sabretooth – Marcus – who was at the scene of her death, Paisley’s father is not so quick in deeming Treagar innocent.

This conflict causes tension between the characters, and leaves Paisley feeling torn. It doesn’t help when her adopted brother, Virgil, isn’t too supportive of Treagar’s innocence either. But, something tells Paisley that Marcus is telling the truth. He is innocent. And, aside from wanting to prove his innocence, there is something else pulling at Paisley. Likewise for Marcus. I love how the author uses the characters to flirt with her readers by allowing the reader to understand how both characters feel about each other, reading their thoughts. And yet, both Paisley and Treagar seem to rein in their feelings, keeping them at bay, and thus hiding their vulnerabilities from each other.

The time-travelling curse that was bestowed on Marcus makes it impossible for him to fall in love. But, once he returns to his mansion in Venice during the 16th century, he knows that Paisley is the one to take the last piece of his heart. Although usually quite happy to be back home, there is something about Paisley that makes him long to return to the future. But, will he get the chance? He’s never gone back to the same time before! Meanwhile, Paisley had found herself ‘salivating’ over Marcus – something she has never done before.

I would recommend Treagar’s Redemption for a mature reader. It is a SUPER HOT read; you won’t need the central heating on for a while after reading this book! The heat exuding from this passionate couple is almost unbearable (in the best possible way) – exciting isn’t the word. You’ll be turning the pages with great speed and urgency to find out just how intimate they become.

These conflicts and sexual tensions make for a suspenseful read at times. And, the atmosphere of the story can be dark at times when the reader feels there is no hope for Treagar, and questions who could possibly be behind the murders if it wasn’t him. How will Marcus and Paisley’s love cope with his terrible curse? And, will her father make it any easier for her to be with Treagar, or will Paisley have to let him go?

An ARC copy of Treagar’s Redemption was provided by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

Treagar’s Redemption is now available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

GIVEAWAY!!

Yes, we have THREE e-copies to give away to three lucky winners!! For a chance to win all you have to do is add your name in the comments for this post, and we will pick out the winners on FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER, 5PM (GMT).

Alternatively, you can visit our Facebook page and enter via our giveaway post on there. Again, just adding your name in the comments box.

Good luck for all entries, and thank you in advance for taking part.

Caroline & Tina ❤

November 14, 2015 by Tina Williams

Review ~ 30 Days, by J A Heron

Erotic Thriller

Adult/18+ Read

Book Blurb

Dariana Walsh is the daughter of a ruthless gangster and heir to his empire. Not only does she feel trapped, but she has many questions about numerous incidents that have happened in her life so far. Particularly, what happened to her mother? Her father sees her as his little girl, but she longs to be treated like an adult. He wants to shape her, to become more like him, but she resists, the only way she knows how…

One of Wilson Walsh’s men – Chas – is not who he seems. He was sent to infiltrate, earn trust and walk away with Wilson’s most treasured possession, his daughter. He has a plan to take down the most unrelenting man to walk the streets of East London.
Over the next thirty days, blood is shed, friendships are formed and amongst all of the pain and suffering, surprisingly, love blossoms.

In a sea of betrayal and violence… time and love know no bounds.

***Contains strong sexual and violent scenes ~ over 18’s only. There are strong, dark scenes in this book if you do not wish to read about violence, sexual violence or child abuse, then please do not buy this book***

My Review: 4.5 stars

Gripping, emotional and raw!

It’s not often that my emotions are put through the wringer to the extent that they were in J A Heron’s 30 Days! The experience left me with a sense of what the f*** have I just read! This erotic thriller contained greed, lust, murder, violence (including sexual violence) and torture which was sometimes difficult to read. The darkness was tempered by the love of Dariana for Chas, the man who was contracted to bring down her heartless and borderline sociopathic gangland father, Walsh.

Dariana is a young woman who, since the death of her mother, has been brought up by her father, a man without pity, love or morals, whose only aim in life is to rise to the top and maintain his position amongst the gangs of London’s East End. Dariana despises her father as she knows full well where his wealth comes from and suspects that he had a role in her mother’s death. We feel her sense of anger and hopelessness in the early chapters of the book as she chafes against her father’s control and I rejoiced when she escaped into the arms of Chas and commits to working with him to bring her father down.

Chas is a real hottie and it is easy to see why Dariana would fall for him. It was always his plan to get her on his side and he never expected to find his soul mate. Their growing relationship is beautiful to witness and is passionate and intense. Dariana enjoys Chas’ dominant nature, although she is spunky and gives as good as she gets! I enjoyed their verbal sparring and their sizzling lovemaking scenes. The metamorphisis of Dariana as the novel unfolds is profound and I especially liked how Chas gave her confidence in her self.

Yet secrets and lies abound in this dark read which unfolds through both Dariana’s and Chas’ POV. I will not reveal much about the plot, but suffice to say it has many twists and turns and I had no way of guessing where it was going to end. I will say that you will need a box of Kleenex handy as the author certainly knows how to play with the reader’s emotions.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Connect with the Author

https://www.facebook.com/JAHeronAuthor/

http://janeheron1.wix.com/jaheronauthor

https://twitter.com/janeyh35

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8073755.J_A_Heron

November 8, 2015 by Tina Williams

Review ~ The Point of Evil, Point Vamp: Book 4, by Victoria Blisse

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Adult/18+ Read

Book Blurb

Blood and sex were all he ever wanted until love gave him something worth living an eternity for.

Steve—who had been a womanizer in life and was even more so in death—prowls the Point using his vampiric wiles to get the blood and sex he craves. He’s always looking for his next meal and when he sees a tall, curvy beauty with a red scarf around her neck, he thinks he’s found it.

Eloise is different—she’s shy and needs encouragement, and Steve just can’t get her out of his mind. He has to take his time, get to know her and slowly seduce her. When she disappears, leaving only a note begging him not to pursue her further, he can’t help himself and ends up in the service of George Aquino, a vampire crime boss with a penchant for twisted and cruel torture and a dungeon full of prisoners.

A daring rescue, a difficult choice and love against the odds. Do you dare visit the point of evil?

The Point Vamp series

What is The Point? It is the hottest club in town for both Vampires and humans alike. It has a large dance floor and a bar like any other club but once you disappear behind the VIP only door you find out what makes The Point so unique. Sex, blood and lust all behind closed doors and only accessed by the chosen ones.

Now, you become a chosen one and get to see the sexy world behind that door.

Welcome to The Point.

My Review

A Tale of Lust, Love and Sacrifice

**** Four Fangtastic Stars!

This is the first book that I have read by the author and I must say that I loved the vampires at The Point from the off. They are not monsters like many amongst their kind as they rein in their need for blood, only taking what they need. They do require some blood however (not to mention the hot sex that goes with it!) and the club is therefore the ‘go to’ place for humans who want the steamiest of vampire liaisons without putting their lives on the line!

The character Steve undergoes some character growth in the course of the story. As a human he was very much a man whore and is even more so since he has become a vamp, addicted to blood and sex. When he meets the mysterious and vulnerable Eloise at the club, his insta lust filled attraction soon grows into something more. So much so that when he receives her note imporing him not to pursue her he decides to go after her regardless of the consequences……..

And boy what consequences! The read takes us into the lair of a notorious vampire crime boss, who represents all that Steve and those at The Point oppose. There are scenes of blood, violence and torture as Steve enters the world in which Eloise is forced to endure and it is touch and go whether they will survive.

Recommended for readers who love sizzling vampire reads!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Author Links

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1941449.Victoria_Blisse

http://victoriablisse.co.uk/

Tweets by victoriablisse

November 2, 2015 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ The Man Who Missed The Boat, by Peter Wells

Contemporary

Book Blurb

It should have been an ordinary Saturday morning. A short walk down his street to give a piano lesson at the home of a family he knew well. As it turned out, he knew them rather better than was good for him. How much trouble can a well-intentioned piano teacher land in? Simon Baxter discovers that being “well-meaning” is sometimes not enough to protect you from the chaos in other people’s lives. Even an excessive sense of “good manners” can be disastrous in the wrong circumstances. Under pressure the unorganised desires kept strictly deep inside us can surface and bring chaos to the lives of ourselves and anyone near us. Will our untrained hero make it safely across the river of life or, like so many of us, get swept up by the current of events towards an unplanned adventure? In the sudden change from “Not being loved enough” to “Being loved too much, and by more than one women,” Simon finds out more about himself than he would like. Can he choose wisely, and live with the consequences? In this, his second novel, Peter Wells continues to cast his gentle but penetrating light on those foibles and weaknesses which lie beneath the exterior of the apparently most ordered lives. Those hidden character traits which can, in the right circumstances, surface and toss their owner, and anyone around him or her, most unpleasantly.

My Review

Entertaining and Thought Provoking Personal Drama*****

Once again Peter Wells has produced a thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking novel which sheds light on the human condition and contains some excellent characterisations.

The main character Simon has hitherto drifted through life with no clear direction in terms of his personal or career goals. He has had no long term relationships with the opposite sex and is regarded as a disappointment by his well-to-do professional father. His saving grace is his ability to play and teach the piano which just about keeps him financially afloat. Yet one morning, when he arrives at the house of one of his young students, all that is about to change. He is swept into a drama not of his own making, but in which he finds that he has the starring role.

I loved how Peter Wells describes how Simon’s life begins to career out of control as his innate desire to please others and do the right thing wars with his sense of personal freedom. Simon gets into scrape after scrape with not one but two women who desire him. Overnight he is transformed from a man who is almost invisible to one who is a notorious player in one domestic drama after another! There is both dramatic and comedic value in the unfolding story, as Simon struggles to put his own wants and needs aside as he strives to give emotional support to his young pupil Amy and her mother Mrs Cummngs, after Mr Cummings’ infedelity and fall from grace.

His inability to assert what he really wants from life to himself and others leads to drama after drama, provoking hilarious and dire reactions from those around him including Ruth and Amy, the cheating Mr Cummings, his own family, the parents of his pupils and a young woman who begins o see him a completely new light due to his recent elevation from a simple piano teacher to lothario!

Peter Wells’ writing is amazingly well crafted as he delves deep into his characters and we become privy to exactly what makes them tick. There are also entertaining observations on life which are peppered thoughout the novel. Whilst reading it I was prompted to look long and hard at my own life and that of others as I digested his wry observations!

Recommended for readers who enjoy reading about the personal dramas that punctuate and imact upon the lives of those around us, often in unforseen and surprising ways!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Purchase Links

Amazon UK Amazon.com

Connect with the Author

https://countingducks.wordpress.com/author/countingducks/

Tweets by Countingducks

https://www.facebook.com/Peter-Wells-At-Countingducks-211320669045417/?fref=ts

October 31, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Halloween Horror Review Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor #1 by J.G. Clay

We had the pleasure to meet horror author J.G. Clay at the Second City Signing author event in July. Since then I have been eagerly awaiting to read his eleven Tales of Blood and Sulphur in time for our Halloween Horror review!

Title: Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor (The Tales of Blood and Sulphur Volume 1)

Author: J.G. Clay

Genre: Horror

Date released: July 20th, 2015

Published by: Forsaken

Length: 214 pages

Blurb: Eleven Tales steeped in Blood and reeking of Sulphur

The blood is warm, the sulphur is burning, the tales will be told, the Apocalypse Minor is imminent!

REVIEW **** (4* rating)

Full of twists and surprises, Tales of Blood and Sulphur is mind-blowing and your head will certainly spin as you endeavour to seek all of the answers you are looking for, and then find yourself lost in another tale. This is definitely a dark, horrific and gory read for the mature reader. With it’s grittiness and violence it certainly has it’s moments of being seemingly real, yet written with profound sci-fi fantasy creativity, thus making for a fantastic dark horror.

With a mystical suspect, Null, being interrogated in the epilogue it soon becomes clear that there is a rare, eerie wisdom about him that gives you the heebie-jeebies. His tales will terrorise you and drive you to insanity. Be warned!

Have you ever sneaked out for a ciggy, looked at a patch on the lawn suspiciously, and found it to have grown with no explanation? Or, maybe you have walked home one evening after a few drinks, cutting across the bleak, dark, desolate park and heard noises – a voice ‘help me’? Then again, maybe you’d prefer to have a pint with the devil, listening to The Clash on the jukebox, and being encouraged to join his dark side whilst in an almost trance-like state? Perhaps you’re trapped in an apartment, with little or no food, caged in by zombies, and you need to leave for a few minutes to get some supplies? Or find yourself in a Dr Who-like scenario with creepily smiling cyborgs, with automated voices set, out to control and intimidate those who go against the new regime. If you don’t conform you won’t want to wait to see what will become of you!

Tales is a disgustingly gory read, with scenes of saliva, mucous, blood and many more bodily fluids having an important role in the horrific action scenes. Brains are squished, bones are cracked and blood runs extremely freely. Heads are taken off, skin is burned by flame and acid-like saliva, organs are shredded. I could go on. For a most frightful read, you may wish to read at night with little light, and you’ll feel the full power of this chilly collection.

I really enjoyed that, aside from the individual eleven tales, there is this running undercurrent throughout all of them. This really weaves each tale together, making for a brilliant, compact all-round read. Tales is written very well with so much information to take in and various situations with alien lifeforms, cyborgs, zombies and more. It is a read that fans of this genre will love as I am sure that there will be so much more to realise about each story with every read. It is definitely a keeper for any mature bookshelf, and one to be read again and again.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Author Bio

J.G. Clay is definitely a Man of Horror. There can be no doubt. Putting aside the reverence he has for the horror greats, such as King, Barker, Herbert, Carpenter, Romero and Argento, there is another fact that defines his claim for the title of the ‘Duke of Spook’. He was born on Halloween night. By a quirk fate, it was also a full moon that night. Co-incidence?

Here at Clay Towers, we don’t believe in coincidences.

The 41 year old hails from the Midlands in the United Kingdom, is married with one step child and two dogs that bear a strong resemblance to Ewoks. Beyond the page and the written word, he is music mad and can hold down a tune on a bass guitar pretty well. He is an avid reader and also has an enduring love of British sci-fi, from the pages of the ‘2000A.D’ comic to the televised wanderings of Gallifrey’s most famous physician. Clay is also a long-time fan of the mighty Birmingham City Football Club and endures a lot of flak from his friends for it.

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jgclay1973

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JGClay1