Festivities and Celebrations Galore!!!

Like most people it has been a busy few weeks with the end of the year celebrations fast approaching. Whilst many of our readers in the US have been celebrating Thanksgiving, the Williams household has celebrated the youngest member’s fifth birthday. It was lovely to see her so excited at reaching such a grand old age! My own birthday is imminent, but I am not quite as keen on being reminded of my advancing years! As usual I am far behind with my Christmas preparations, although I have sorted out what I am going to read so all is not yet lost!

We have both read books from many genres in the last week or so and also hosted cover reveals and book tours for what look like some fantastic reads, some of which we will be reviewing soon. I’ve summarised our recent reads and set out those for the next few weeks, which will take us up to the end of the year. You may also want to take a peek at my post entitled Tina’s Autumn Harvest of Reads, in which I set out some of the books I plan to read over the coming months. Caroline also has some exciting news to share too. Happy Reading!

Tina 🙂

TINA’S RECENT READS

PODS, by Michelle Pickett – Young Adult Science Fiction/Dystopian Romance – A terrifying vision of the future involving humanity’s near destruction from a deadly virus and what happens to those chosen to live in safety in underground habitats, while others die above ground. Eva meets David in the PODs and they fall in love. When the PODs are opened, survivors find that the virus has mutated, infecting those top-side, creating zombie like monsters. Together they try to build a life, but the infected are relentless in their attacks, leaving them to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

The One Knight Collection, by Samantha Holt – Sensual Historical Romance Collection – comprising four medieval tales: One Knight; Black Knight; White Knight and Highland Knight, all addressing the theme of, if you had one night to prove your love…could you? If you enjoy sensual  tales involving scrummy alpha males that  quickly get very up close and personal with the heroines you will definitely enjoy this collection! Those familiar with Samantha Holt’s work will lap this up and for other readers it is a great introduction to her work.

A Handful of Blossoms, by Lara Biyuts – Literary Historical Paranormal – Set in central Europe in 1764 and recounted in the form of a diary written by a young newly wed princess, Constance. We learn of her unconsummated marriage to the worldly and intellectual Prince Constantine, who loves men, not women. Constance strives to adjust to this situation, fighting her strange attraction to him, seeking solace in nature and immersing herself in tales of European folklore. A mysterious man from Constantine’s past is not what he first seems and a number of paranormal events, featuring ‘the undead’ take place.

Cover reveal for Her Savage Scot , the first book in Christina Phillips’ new Highland Warrior Chronicles –  Erotic Historical Romance – Scot warrior Connor MacKenzie rides into the barbaric lands of the Picts on a mission for his king and is captivated by a  beautiful Pictish widow, unaware of her true identity, he risks everything for one passionate night. Aila swore she would do anything within her power to vanquish the Vikings who invaded her land and murdered her husband. Aila becomes a pawn in a deadly game of politics. Her heart belongs to Connor, but she must marry the prince of Dal Riada – Connor’s half-brother. Click on the image on the right to enter the Rafflecopter competition to be in with a chance of winning some great prizes – competition open until 16th December 2013.

Cover Reveal for Marsh Island, by Oliver Chase – the First Instalment of an Exciting New Mystery/Thriller Series –  Army Ranger Phil Pfeifer is left for dead in the mountains of Iran only days before the start of the Gulf War. Seeking a new life as a private investigator, Phil is hired to find a wayward husband who’s become enraptured with stars and predicting the future. A simple case is anything but when murder ensues, the Mafia pursue him and the terminally ill wife sends him into the tropics to face death, sharks, miles of open ocean, and prison.

TINA’S NEXT READS

101 Nights Series, by Kelly Ann Zuzulo, #1, To Have and To Hold and #2 Reluctant Rapture, the first two books in the tale of love, lust, lies and loyalty that surround a beautiful genie living in the New Jersey suburbs. Introduced to her new husband-of-convenience, Dr. Jason Masters, hot-tempered genie ambassador Amani Zarin must decide if their chemistry will save her world…or end his. She must navigate conniving board members, hostile ex-lovers and nosy suburban neighbors, and since their chemistry will literally save her world, she and her new husband must find a way to achieve wedded bliss—at least for… 101 nights.

The Twefth Night Wager, by Regan Walker- The Rake and the Innocent Widow – This holiday season, Christopher St. Ives, Viscount Eustace, planned to give himself a gift, agreeing to the wager: seduce bed and walk away from the lovely Lady Leisterfield, all by Twelfth Night. She was too proper by half, but Grace was at last shedding the drab colors of mourning. The house felt empty, more so during the coming Christmastide, and so tonight her coming out would begin with a scandalous piece of theater, attracting rogues, or so promised her friend! It would indeed. The night would bring about the greatest danger—and the greatest happiness—that Grace had ever known

Lightning Strike, by Beverly Ovalle – For generations Levi’s family had guarded a sacred glen. Now his family, led by his grandmother, wants to sell the land.  Armed with his camera and his well-known expertise behind the lens, he heads out to prove why they need to continue their guardianship and that his grandfather’s tales ring true. To provide that proof and protect the secrets of the glen from the world, Gaia needs to convince Levi to continue that protection.  Daphnaie, the embodiment of his every dream, is sent to show him why, stealing his heart in the process to save her world.

My Savage Scot, by Christina Phillips – #1 in The Highland Warrior Chronicles –  Erotic Historical Romance – the author’s first foray into the world of the Picts and the Scots, which promises to be as hot as her last series Forbidden, which was set in Roman Britain. Here Scot warrior Connor MacKenzie falls for a beautiful Pictish widow, unaware that she must marry the prince of Dal Riada – Connor’s half-brother.

Coming soon – reviews of some novels by Charlotte Boyett-Compo and Freaky Folk Tales.

CAROLINE’S LATEST

Since our last review Caroline has read a mixture of genres including a short western contemporary erotic  romance,  a dark sci-fi/paranormal, a disturbing psychological horror and a sweet seasonal contemporary romance! The latter has been the start for Caroline’s festivities as she has also been spending time out this week Christmas shopping and decorating her tree! We sure do hope that our followers in the States had a fantastic Thanksgiving 🙂

Caroline has also been feeling quite excited for the newly established publishers Hashtag Books, who will be releasing their first books on 1st December 2013! Hashtag Books was set up by author, Tim O’Rourke, his wife, Lynda and Peter Buckman. We will be posting a main feature on this date for Hashtag with info on their first releases so please come and check this out!

So, for Caroline’s reads and reviews:-

Roping Love by Tamara Hoffa is a short western contemporary erotic romance for the more mature reader. After giving her heart away to cowboy Chance a decade earlier, Carrie unexpectedly encounters him again. Is Carrie still too heartbroken and unforgiving of Chance or will Chance be able to rope in Carrie’s love for a second time? This is a very quick read and our review is also accompanied by a short author bio!

Reviews to be posted soon:-

Will Davis’ ‘Demonica’ is a very disturbing psychological modern-day fairytale/horror. After a terrible accident scars a young woman’s face she locks herself away at home. Her cruel mother, Veronica, reacts extremely (intentionally) insensitively towards her daughter, leaving her daughter emotionally scarred as well as physically. After one of Veronica’s male friends begins to speak with the daughter regularly and accepts her for who she is he allows her some hope in being beautiful once again. However, the way in which she could reach her desire would mean committing an unspeakable crime that will haunt her forever! Click on the link for the full blurb. The review will be posted on 1st December, along with the Hashtag Books feature, as it is one of Hashtags first releases!

Now for some seasonal fun, we have our upcoming review of ‘Pastels and Jingle Bells’ a Heavenly Bites novella from Christine S. Feldman. This is the first novella in a series of sweet contemporary romances. After a surprise encounter with her childhood bully, Trish Ackerly decides for a little revenge, especially as he has no idea who she is. However, circumstances change and Trish begins to see another side to this man. Is she beginning to fall for him? It is beginning to look like he is all she wants for Christmas but if so, it’s going to be a little tricky trying to explain who she really is! Please click on the link for the full blurb and info. Our review will be posted on 1st December, for the start of advent!

Peter Kassan’s ‘Lightpoints‘ is also going to be reviewed in the coming week or so. ‘Lightpoints’ is a sci-fi paranormal that mostly follows Amanda Lindner Nichols. After being revived from a near-death experience she notices that she is not quite as she used to be. Amanda can now see people’s life energies as lightpoints! And she later discovers  that she can give and take their energies. However, she is not the only one with this ‘magical’ quality and some of those that have it use it for evil purposes. After meeting with some other sensitives she tries to change her husband into becoming one with her. And it is at this point when the evil raises its ugly head in their direction!

Caroline’s current read is an unusual one for our blog with DJ and Comedian Hog Wild’s Baby, You’re as Sweet as 3.14159265 (101 Funny Love Advice Answers, 20 Sexy Stories, & Lots​ of Jokes) (ADULT comedy). Whilst we are aware that this will not be suitable for all of our followers, we also thought that it would add a bit of sauciness and fun for those that are interested or for those that would like to try a different genre. This book is written in the same style as a comedian would communicate his jokes on stage, with life experiences of his own and language in a very direct, sometimes crude, and in-yer-face manner. A full review will be posted in the coming weeks!

You can also check out Caroline’s recent, current and future reads here. Whilst many have been read and reviewed recently there are also some later books on there that will be reviewed shortly. Also on this list you will find the full burbs and links.

Hello readers, it has been about a month since our last update. I hope you have all enjoyed half term, Halloween and Guy Fawkes! It is now time when the nights are drawing in earlier and it is getting much colder. So just before, the Christmas hustle and bustle with all that shopping, snuggle up with a book! We’d love to hear what you are reading. In the meantime, here is what we have been reading:-

UNSCATHED by Tim O’Rourke and C.J. Pinard

Unscathed is a great collaboration of my two favourite authors. Whilst concentrating on a contemporary romance theme, it is not without its slight paranormal hint which ends with a deadly twist! This one is not to be missed by any romance or paranormal fans!

Speaking of my favourite authors, the following two reviews are their solo ventures.

I have reviewed Tim O’Rourke’s DEAD WATER (Keira Hudson, Series 2 Book 6)‘. In this fantasy paranormal half-breed Keira and her Vampyrus friends are to make their way to the Dead Water in search for their friends, Kayla and Sam? Will they make it? And if they do, will they find what they are looking for?

The recent release of C.J. Pinard’s paranormal/urban fantasy Enchanted Immortals novella, BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation grabbed my attention, especially after having read the whole series to date. Here C.J. goes into the history of the BSI: it’s formation, it’s founders as well as the reasons for it’s existence. This novella is great to read either as an introduction to the series or as a follow-up. The bonus is that it can be read at anytime of the series and is currently FREE on Smashwords!

More recently, I have been indulging myself with an amusing chick-lit with Laura Barnard’s ‘The Debt & the Doormat’! This is a super read, one of the funniest books I have read with it’s Bridget Jones/Miranda style humour! You will be in for a treat. Especially as it is FREE on Smashwords and Amazon at the moment.

HALLOWEEN

During Halloween Tina examined the magical qualities of fairy rings, with some examples of their enduring mythology around the world and suggested some suitable paranormal reads for Halloween. Click here to find out more.

I also reviewed a suitable story for this time of year with a HALLOWEEN HORROR in Steve Vernon’s ‘Tatterdemon‘. The town of Crossfall is cursed some 300 years previous. After a victim of an abusive husband kills her other half and buries him in the field outside their home he is resurrected as a demon to fulfil the curse – to ultimately destroy the town of Crossfall! Certainly one to read under those blankets!!!

During the following few weeks my intentions are to review the short erotic romance, ‘Roping Love’ by Tamara Hoffa, Peter Kassan’s sci-fi/paranormal ‘Lightpoints‘ and a book full of humour by the DJ/Comedian Hogwild, ‘Baby, You’re as Sweet as 3.14159265’! I will also try to review Molly Ringwald’s contemporary chick-lit, ‘When it Happens to You’.

For the beginning of December I also have a little festive treat with Christine S. Feldman’s ‘Pastels and Jingle Bells’ (a Heavenly Bites novella). This is a great seasonal kickstart with from the contemporary romance genre.

Tina’s Recent Reads and Posts – Click on the links to find out more

Bella’s Bethrothal, by Anne Stenhouse – Delightfully Engaging Sweet Regency Romance – an exciting and engrossing read, which gripped me from the first page. It has murder, attempted kidnap and evil intent, family secrets, malicious gossip and mayhem, plus much wit and humour and engaging characters, not least the hero and heroine, whose sweet romance is at the heart of the plot.

A Heartless Design, by Elizabeth Cole – Fast Paced and Oh So Sexy Regency Romantic Suspense! An absolute delight. It contains a Regency style James Bond  and an unconventional lady of independent means in a raunchy and rambunctious read. It absolutely sizzles with passion and desire and houses secrets that threaten the very security of the country, peppered with danger and deceit.

K- Girls (#1 in the Kylemore Abbey Series, by Lydia Little – A Spirited Tale of Irish Boarding School Escapades – Readers of all ages who relish tales of high jinks and adventure with a paranormal twist will enjoy K-Girls. The read will be particularly nostalgic for those such as me who spent their youth in the 1980’s and enjoyed reading Enid Blyton’s St Clare’s and Malory Towers series.

Save Dschinannya – An Invitation from Author Birgit Kluger aka J. B. Brooklin  – Read Demons Die Harder, #1 in the Creatures of Fire Series for FREE and Get Involved in #2 of the Series. In Demons Die Harder, she is a half demon, oblivious to her true nature. He is a demon set out to avenge murder. Together they are hunted by the one person she thought she could trust. Separate they may be able to save each others lives. Contribute to the Crowd Funding Project “Save Dschinnanya!” with only 1 USD … or more. In return supporters will receive lots of extras.

Author Spotlight: Beverly Ovalle and her new release Lightning Strike – An erotic romance, which includes magic, a sacred glen, and a special female out to convince its guardian to continue the protection given by his ancestors.

Joshua’s Tree, by N.W. Harris – A Wild Ride through a Future Earth! This Young Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy, is a great romp, with a fantastic kick ass heroine and an unlikely hero who is transported to the future. It is set in a strange landscape, with terrifying cannibalistic creatures and it contains intervention from on high and non-stop adventure. There is also a budding romance and a plot that involves both personal growth and self-sacrifice. First novel in a series.

Tina’s Next Reads

Tina’s next reads include Samantha Holt’s One Knight Collection of sensual tales and A Handful of Blossoms, by Lara Biyuts, an historical novel with a paranormal twist.  She will also be reviewing PODs , a Young Adult Sci-Fi/Dystopian novel, by Michelle Pickett and participating in her Blog Tour:

One Knight Collection (Medieval Romance), Samantha Holt

A collection of sensual medieval short stories – comprises One Knight, Black Knight, White Knight and Highland Knight. If you had one night to prove your love…could you?

A Handful of Blossoms, Lara Biyuts, Historical/Paranormal

This is written in form of a diary, a genre popular in the 18th century and which resonates in our time of blogging, webdiaries and webjournals. The book, set in 1764, a year after the Seven Years War in Europe, tells the story of a young damsel and her weird and unconventional marriage. It also includes some paranormal elements.

PODs, Michelle Pickett, Young Adult Science Fiction/Dystopia Romance

Seventeen-year-old Eva is one of those chosen to live, others face a swift and painful death from an incurable virus. Eva waits in an underground POD system, with other chosen until the virus has claimed those above. In the PODs she meets David. After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating… monsters.

Lastly, I would just like to mention that on Wednesday 30th October A Reader’s Review Blog was 1 year old. Tina and myself would love to thank all of our followers, readers and authors for all of their support! We wouldn’t be here without you. Please keep on reading, keep on writing and keep on following! Any shares, ‘likes’ and/or tweets are very important to us. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.comAReadersReview and on Twitter @areadersreviewb.

THANK YOU 🙂

Caroline and Tina x

Hi readers, I hope you are all well. Tina and myself would like to thank you all for following A Reader’s Review Blog and we welcome our latest followers. We hope that you enjoy our posts as much as we love writing them. Feel free to comment on our posts and we’ll be sure to get back to you. You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter at @areadersreviewb. If you are an avid reader and/or know anyone who is we would welcome a ‘like’, share or follow!

So guys, it feels like we have reviewed a great deal since or last update. My recent reviews (scroll down for Tina’s) have been:-

The One Percenters, a psychological, adult horror by John Podgursky. Following Edward Caine, The One Percenters is a disturbing story of ill mental health and the notion to aid ‘natural selection’ for the human race after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. Although beginning in a retaliating state of mind, Edward becomes more complex in his thinking by believing those not completely healthy, physically or mentally, should not have the chance to breed and begins to victimise innocent people he deems are not fit to carry on the human race.

Flick by Keira des Anges, is a beautifully written contemporary, coming-of-age paranormal work of fiction. Following Leanna Matthews, a telekinetic whose ability it is to astral travel, Flick is full of great friendships and romance, and yet it subtley builds up to the horror and action that is to befall upon young Leanna. (Alongside our review you will also find an author bio for Keira des Anges and her book tour info.)

On the Lips of Children by Mark Matthews is another disturbing, adult horror. Tattooist, Macon and his family travel to San Diego ready for a marathon. During a training run, Macon and his family are captured by underground scavengers for money and food. Yes, they are to be the food! An absolutely chilling-to-the-bone read. If this doesn’t scare you enough to hide under your bed covers then I don’t know what will.  On the Lips of Children is certainly a marathon like no other!

Last, but certainly not least, is Patriotic Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 1) by C.J. Pinard. This short, adult contemporary romance is fun, cheeky, sexy and saucy but not without the drama of a beautiful romance. If you’re looking for a hot, cute soldier who’s looking for more than somewhere to spend the night, then Riley is your man and Patriotic Duty is your kind of book!

My following reviews will be:-

C.J. Pinard’s Enchanted Immortals novella, BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. This novella does not have to be read in  any order to the main series. In this urban fantasy/X-file-ish novella, the reader discovers how the BSI came about and the history of some of its Immortal Agents in different areas of the USA. BSI also explains how the Immortals come about (as does the series itself) and provides some great examples into the lives of shifters, vampires and succubae.

Tim O’Rourke’s Dead Water (Keira Hudson Series Two, Book 6) has definitely been a story I’ve been meaning to read for months. Following Keira and her vampire friends’ adventures, they must now search for Sam and Kayla in this ‘pushed world’ that they are all in. However, as they travel onwards, will there be more trouble ahead? Will they meet their end at the Dead Waters?

And then for a Halloween special horror, Tatterdemon by Steve Vernon! For the synopsis and my full current reading list with all of the book blurbs please click here.

Since the last update Tina has reviewed the following:

My Brother, My Rival: All out of love, book 1 and How can I not love you? book 2, by Eve Rabi (click title for review). What can I say? Yet another addictive read from this author. In this tale, which will have you laughing one minute and crying the next, a young woman is torn between two brothers as the author explores the pull of both romantic and familial love. We have ten copies of My Brother, My Rival to give away on this blog. To enter just click on the following link and leave your name in the comments section by midnight GMT, 9th October 2013. Five lucky winners will be chosen at random to receive books 1 and 2.

http://areadersreviewblog.com/2013/10/01/international-giveaway-of-my-brother-my-rival-by-eve-rabi/

To Steal A Highlander’s Heart (click title for review) by Samantha Holt, a sensual medieval paranormal romance set in the Highlands with a spirited heroine and a gorgeous Scot, not to mention a meddling faerie whose mission is to bring them ever closer together. The novel has a friends to lovers theme and also a captor/captive romance theme, which I find hard to resist!

Tina hopes to have her reviews of Amber Dane’s Gem of Gravane and Anne  Stenhouse’s Bella’s Betrothal up soon this week.

Tina’s Next Reads

Tina’s next reads include a K-Girls, author Lydia Little’s first novel, which she describes as ‘an Irish boarding school adventure with a spirited twist. It is her first novel which draws on her own experiences as a boarder of the real Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Ireland.’  I’m also looking forward to reading Samantha Holt’s One Knight Collection of sensual tales and A Handful of Blossoms, by Lara Biyuts, an historical novel with a paranormal twist. Here’s some more info on the books.

K-Girls (Kylemore Abbey School series #1), Lydia Little

Alice Stone, an adventure-seeking twelve year old, convinces her parents to let her go, to Kylemore Abbey Boarding School for Girls in Connemara. Alice gets more than she bargained for when she stumbles upon Ruth, who is delighted to meet Alice. But Ruth isn’t any ordinary student . So begins the mysterious bond between Ruth and Alice, as Alice settles in to boarding school in the bleak yet beautiful heart of Connemara. Alice soon discovers that becoming a true K-Girl is not so easy, even if you have a ghost for a friend.

One Knight Collection (Medieval Romance), Samantha Holt

A collection of sensual medieval short stories – comprises One Knight, Black Knight, White Knight and Highland Knight. If you had one night to prove your love…could you?

A Handful of Blossoms, Lara Biyuts, Historical/Paranormal

This is written in form of a diary, a genre popular in the 18th century and which resonates in our time of blogging, webdiaries and webjournals. The book, set in 1764, a year after the Seven Years War in Europe, tells the story of a young damsel and her weird and unconventional marriage. It also includes some paranormal elements.

That’s all for now, guys, but be sure to keep checking in. Thanks again for all of your support and lovely feedback we have received. We’d also like to thank the authors that have provided us with a copy of their work for the purpose of a review. You have opened our eyes to some amazing books, and in some cases, encouraged us to take a risk with genres that otherwise we may not have explored. Until next time, take care.

Caroline and Tina 🙂

From Contemporary and Historical Romance to Fantasy and Psychological Thriller/Horrors

The summer holidays are over and it is back to school for many children and back to normality – or what passes for it! My youngest has just started school full time so last week was a big week for us all as we waited to see whether she would settle in or not. So far so good, we’ve had no tantrums  – at least from me anyway! I am a little sad to see the summer end as I do like it hot and prefer the flexibility and freedom of summer clothes over winter woollies. There is always some domestic tension this time of the year as I try to turn the heating on and hubby tells me to put a jumper on! I love the harvest time however and I have been busy picking the fruit and veg from our garden and filling our freezer with apple puree, green beans, pea soup and courgette and tomato pasta sauce to enjoy throughout the coming months.

Read on for a summary of our recent reads and those that we have planned for the next few weeks.

Recent Reads – Tina

During the last few weeks I have reviewed some fantastic reads – click on the book title for the review. Also don’t forget to enter our current giveaway of a digital copy of Bloodroom and The Bad Death, donated by the author Naima Haviland. Simply enter your name in the comments section on our review of The Bad Death. One lucky reader will win the prize!

The Bad Death, by Naima Haviland – A Gothic Masterpiece of Dark Romance, Horror and Suspense . Part of the author’s’s vampire trilogy and prequel/sequel to Bloodroom, reviewed on the blog last year (click title for review). Here the vampire myth with African Gullah legends to create a dark and gripping narrative. In The Bad Death, a mysterious African beauty emerges from the family crypt of Julian Mouret. This woman enthralls this handsome slave plantation owner with an outlandish tale of peril and flight. Fearing for her sanity, he determines to keep Anika (or Annie as she is known) safe as a series of horrifying mutilation murders ensues, indicating to the slaves the presence of “plat-eyes”—shape-shifting blood-sucking supernatural creatures. Anika becomes empowered to end the rampage, but at stake is not only her own life but the soul of the man she is coming to love.

The Antique Love, by Helena Fairfax – A sweet contemporary romance, where the hero Kurt, a financial high flyer who hails from Wyoming, does not believe in love and passion, seeing how devastated others can be when such emotions burn themselves out. Instead he is convinced that he can select a wife based on rationality and logic alone. However, he finds that Cupid has other ideas when he asks Penny, who runs an antique shop in London to furnish his new home adjacent to Richmond Park. Penny is an incurable romantic and has her own past hurts to deal with. Will Kurt succumb to the power of love and will Penny believe that she can be anything more than a kid sister to Kurt?

Wolfkeeper’s Woman, by Lisa Day – A passionate and heart rending romance between homesteader Cassie and Wolfkeeper, a native American warrior whose raiding party killed her husband and who has gifted her baby to his brother and sister- in-law. Can Cassie survive being held captive by a people so very different to her own? Will she free her son and escape? And what of her growing feelings towards Wolfkeeper as he demands control over her body?

Coming Reads

My Brother My Rival (Books 1 and 2), by Eve Rabi – A modern day romance where two brothers unknowingly meet and fall for the same girl, who is also at first unaware that they are related. The characters of the brothers are like chalk and cheese – one is a ladies man, looking for a quick fling and the other for a more permanent relationship. However, what happens when they both decide they want to play for keeps? Who deserves the girl and who will she choose? This is an Eve Rabi book and therefore promises to be no simple love triangle. I have my tissues at the ready for another of her trademark emotional rides where I expect to laugh one minute and cty the next.

To Steal a Highlander’s Heart, by Samantha Holt –  I am a huge fan of Samantha Holt’s sensual medieval romances. This title, release date 30th September, which is set in the Highlands, also has a paranormal element. In it Alana meets Morgann for the first time in years and he captures her, reigniting the rift and the threat of war that’s existed between the two clans since her father accused Morgann of theft. Unfortunately for Alana, the faeries seek to interfere with her plans to escape and endeavour to ensure a union between the couple. Morgann has his own reasons for taking Alana and they are nothing to do with marriage or war. If only he didn’t find his childhood friend so attractive. When circumstances force them together, Alana’s life is threatened and war is imminent. Can Morgann reveal the truth without losing Alana? And will the faeries meddling help or hinder his cause?(

Gem of Gravane, by Amber Dane – I have read many positive reviews of this author’s work and am looking forward to this medieval romance where, Alric, a loyal knight and a reluctant bridegroom is gifted both lands and a lady by his lord and King William. He comes to  claim his prize of the lady and her manor a year after he has been gifted it. Annabelle can only hope that the coming union will improve the lot of her people, who have suffered in recent years, for the reaction of the knight on seeing her for the first time shows his displeasure. Treachery awaits the couple as they struggle to adjust to married life and learn to trust each other with their secrets and open their hearts to love.

Bella’s Betrothal, by Anne Stenhouse – Release date 20th September 2013: While travelling north to find sanctuary from the gossip of the Ton, Lady Isabella Wormsley’s room at an inn is invaded by handsome Scottish Laird, Charles Lindsay. Charles has uncovered a plot to kidnap her, but Bella wonders if he isn’t a more dangerous threat, at least to her heart, than the villainous Graham Direlton he wrests her from. Bella hopes the delivery of her young cousin’s baby will eventually demonstrate her own innocence in the scandal that drove her from home. However, Bella’s presence disrupts the lives of everyone connected to her. Mayhem, murder and family secrets also enter the fray. Will the growing but unacknowledged love between Bella and her Scottish architect survive the evil Direlton engineers?

Meanwhile, Caroline returned to the blog from her hols and settling back into her normal routine with her long awaited review for Brooke Morris’ debut fantasy, The Pull (The Nademi Series #1).

The Pull is a young adult fantasy following the main character, Maggie, who discovers that she is half faerie and half demon whose mother escaped from the Old World and into the New. Maggie is at her happiest when hiking and enjoying the forests and yet, in her dreams, she slowly watches forests dry up and wither away. But as she finds out more about who she is will she be able to save her Old World from dying? Whilst in the meantime she discovers that as a half-breed she was meant to be destroyed as her kind (half-breeds) are feared by others including faeries, demons, umbrokers, witches, dwarves and men!

After sorting through e-mails and review requests Caroline has been adding to her ever-growing ‘to read’ list and will be writing a post within the next week or so to provide an incite into some of the requests we have been sent and some of the books that she is excited to read.

Also, within the next week Caroline is hoping to post her review of John Podgursky’s psychological thriller/horror, The One Percenters. After a man’s wife is murdered he becomes a one percenter, where he decides on who can carry on the human race and eliminates those he believes are weak, ensuring that they do not breed. But will he be able to keep to these rules? Find out more later this week when the review is posted.

Following The One Percenters, Caroline will begin to read the young adult paranormal, Flick, by Keira Des Anges. Please click on the link for more information/synopsis at Amazon.com.

Last but not least, we are interested in hearing your views as authors and readers into the Man Booker Prize rule changes. Will allowing in authors globally mean that many authors will be ignored or pushed aside, or will it allow for more fiction and choice, opening up for all? Please feel free to comment below!

Happy reading!

Tina and Caroline 🙂

With one thing and another this last few months it has been a while since I have written an update! I have been reading and reviewing however and scouring both online sites and bookshops to add to my already enormous ‘to read’ list. This update is a little longer than usual (so bear with me!) and includes both mine and Caroline’s latest reads as well as what we plan to read next.

Since our last update I have reviewed a number of great books and posted on the following:

Heart of the Diamond, by Carrie Brock -A Regency Romance, where the hero deliberately compromises the heroine to compel her to marry him, so that he can gain revenge on her father and childhood sweetheart. This is a very sweet romance, with some engaging characters and a strong plot. The hero tries to be a blackguard, but cannot quite manage it as he is completely undone by the charms of his enemy’s daughter!

Hunter on a Moonless Night, by Elena Han – A dark and erotic fantasy romance. Although a short read the author packs a lot of plot and passion into this story, which is set in a medieval type world. Lord Duinel, returning to his ancestral home after a long absence seeks to protect a young woman, Nimae, who he finds working in his stables, from a dark secret that is about to bring terror and death to his lands.

The Genie Smolders, by Kellyann Zuzulo – The second book of the Zubis Chronicles is brimming with action, suspense and sensuality in a love that transcends time. It continues the love  between the genie Zubis and Bethany, the reincarnation of the ancient priestess Lina. Their ill-fated love affair at the time of Solomon resulted in Lina’s brutal murder and Zubis and two other geniew being punished and banished. Lina has now been reincarnated as Bethany and the genie that murdered Lina is seeking to satisfy her own terrible agenda, as are others. Zubis and Bethany must fight for their lives and the fate of the world and resist being pawns in a deadly game.

Heart of Obsidian, by Nalini Singh – book 12 in the Psy-Changeling series. A dark, dangerous and seductive story. Contains a dark, tortured and deadly hero in the form of Kaleb, whom readers will know as the Psy ex-councilor. He has the potential to be the saviour or the destroyer of the Psy race and the rest of the world. All hinges on his relationship with Sahara Kyriakus, whom he finally frees from a terrible imprisonment after seeking her for seven years. What will happen when Sahara’s mind, fractured by years of torture and abuse, finally recalls Kaleb’s role in her past?

The Proposal, by Mary Balogh – book 1 in her new Survivors’ Club Regency Romance series. The romance in this book focuses on war hero Hugo Emes, who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and survivor’s guilt after returning from the Napoleonic wars. It pairs him with Lady Gwendoline Muir, a widow who has had her own share of heartbreak. They form an unexpected and passionate attachment, but their worlds seem to far apart for them to have a future together.  Hugo’ has a solid middle class backgroud and Gwendoline is a member of the Ton. This touching romance examines if two people from different classes can find some middle ground on which to live their lives.

Tainted, by Christina Phillips. book #4 in her erotic historical romance series Forbidden, featuring scorching romances between Romans and Celts. This book has an uber sexy Druid warrior, Gawain, as its hero and a Roman aristocrat, Antonia, as its heroine. Their attraction is immediate and they enter into a liaison which they both believe will be brief. However, they did not bank on love, which draws these two people, who should be bitter enemies, together. However, secrets and treachery abound in a time when to be a Druid was punishable by cruxifiction.

Confessions of a Bookaholic – A very unscientifically drawn up quiz to determine whether you share any of my bookaholic traits and where you can see how you score!

Werewolf Wishlist – This was produced following our Lycan Love- In feature, where we reviewed werewolf themed books. it included those books we have yet to read but which look as if they could be tasty morsels to sink our teeth into!

 Cover Reveal Blog Hop for Christina Phillips’ Tainted – Enter for a chance to win some super prizes – open until 20th September!

Forthcoming Reads – Tina

My reads over the next week or so include a contemporary romance, a native American/American Frontier Romance and  a dark paranormal/horror, featuring vampires. There will also be a giveaway attached to the latter.

A Contemporary Romance – The Antique Love, by Helena Fairfax

Helena Fairfax’s novel, The Antique Love is released on August 30th. The book tells of a romance between a  Wyoming man Kurt Bold and Penny Rosas, who runs an antique shop. Penny assumes that this handsome stranger who enters her shop is a romantic cowboy straight from the pages of a book. However, Kurt brings her dreams back down to earth with a bump as his job is in the City and he believes that romance is for dreamers and he has first hand experience of how destructive love can be. Now he’s looking for a wife, with a marriage based on logic and rational decisions. Kurt treats Penny like he would his kid sister, but when he hires her to help refurbish his beautiful Victorian house near Richmond Park, it’s not long before he starts to realise it’s not just his home she’s breathing life into. The logical heart he has guarded so carefully all these years is opening up to new emotions, in a most disturbing way…

A Sensual Native American/American Frontier Romance – Wolfkeeper’s Woman, by Lisa Day

With one thing and another – summer breaks, end of term activities for the children and now their summer holidays, we have been a little slow on the reviewing since our last update. However, the weather in the UK has been hot and sultry, which is just how we like it as it gives us plenty of excuses to indulge our passion for reading whilst lazing in our back gardens!

Over the last week Tina has read and reviewed one of Eve Rabi’s recent novels, Obsessed With Me. Books 1 and 2 of When She Rejected Him He Set Out To Destroy Her are covered here. This is a passionate and heartrending love story with adult content.

Tina has also reviewed Justin Richards’  The Wolfstone Curse and will be knocking together a Werewolf Wish List, which will suggest some tasty morsels you may want to sink your teeth into! Look out for that soon!

Next up for Tina to review is The Proposal, by Mary Balogh, a Regency Romance. She also has a copy of Kellyann Zuzulo’s The Genie Smolders, Book #2 in The Zubis Chronicles, a paranormal romance. Tina reviewed the previous novel, The Genie Ignites in April. You can check out her review for that here.

Heart of the Diamond, a Regency Romance by Carrie Brock is also on Tina’s reading list.

Meanwhile, I will be posting my review on Pavarti K. Tyler’s White Chalk on Thursday 1st August as the beginning of a blog tour for the book. White Chalk is a mature read for those who enjoy a psychological drama about coming-of-age teenager, Chelle, who finds it difficult to fit in with most people, including her own family. Will high school newcomer, Troy Christiansen, change all of this for Chelle? We soon find out as Chelle hangs her hopes and dreams on the new guy that takes an interest in her!

I am quite open-minded with any reading and just finished reading Celeste Anwar’s Wolfen Domination. This is a highly tensed up adult paranormal with some rather disturbing elements to the story, including some brief non-consensual intimate scenes. Certainly not for the young or faint of heart, however it is an exciting, adventurous read and the intimate scenes are necessary for the story.

My current read is Chrystalla Thoma’s urban fantasy, Boreal and John Grey Season 1. I have just begun this series and I am completely gripped already. After centuries of The Gate between the human world and the elf world being closed the elves have found a way to open it. However, when The Gate was open before the elves almost conquered humankind. With the dangerous Shades, elves and goblins it is largely left to Ella Benson, who is an agent of the Paranormal Bureau, to fight these dangerous beings. Coming close to death herself, she is saved by a hot, mysterious hero, Finn. Although having secrets of his own, Ella partners up with him and they fight together. I cannot wait to find out what Finn’s secrets are and who will win in the end – the elves or the humans?

My following reads will be fantasy The Pull by Brooke Morris and thriller/horror The One Percenters by John Podgursky.

And, last but certainly not the least, we can announce our winners for our fantastic Tim O’Rourke giveaway. Drum roll, ta-da-da, congratulations to Claire White and Cassie Sansom! We know that you will enjoy your signed paperbacks. Thanks to all of you who entered are competition and for all of you great followers for your support.

We hope that you have a fantastic week.

Caroline and Tina 🙂