*New Book Announcement Blitz: THE HUNTED* ~ by Bethany-Kris

THE HUNTED, a dark fairy tale retelling

by Bethany-Kris
Publication Date: January 6, 2020
Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Elements, Fairy Tale, The Little Mermaid

SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE: $3.99!

*Price will raise to $4.99 a week after release

SYNOPSIS

FULL BLURB COMING DECEMBER 16th!

In The Hunted, Bethany-Kris opens a new world—the 9INE REALMS—for readers with a dark fairy tale retelling, and pulls inspiration from the cult classic favorite and the Hans Christian Andersen original to redefine what it means to be The Little Mermaid.

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IndieSage PR invites you to participate in the promotional events for THE HUNTED, a dark fairy tale retelling that draws inspiration from The Little Mermaid by author Bethany-Kris.

Cover Reveal: December 23rd
Tour: January 6-10

Enticing Journey Book Promotions invites you to participate in the release blitz for THE HUNTED, a dark fairy tale retelling that draws inspiration from The Little Mermaid by author Bethany-Kris.

Release Blitz: January 6, 2020

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

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*REVIEW* ~ Sleeping Lord Beattie (The Contrary Fairy Tales Book 1), by Em Taylor

#regency #erotic #romance #fairytaleretelling

Blurb

EM TAYLOR brings you an amazing new series of Regency stories based on the fairy tales you loved as a child.

Young ladies of good breeding do not kiss gentlemen in their bed chambers even if they have been asleep for three weeks. One would think Lady Emily would know that. One would think Lady Emily would not have entered Lord Beattie’s bed chamber alone. One would have thought that kissing the handsome viscount would have been the last thing she would have done.
But kiss him she did. And that was when the apothecary walked in. All of which meant she had to marry Lord Beattie.

Why the silly little chit had kissed him when he’d been out cold for three weeks, the Lord alone knew. And now Gideon, Viscount Beattie had to marry the outspoken little minx. But there was something a little charming about her. The problem was, her uncle was after his hide, the peasants were revolting – in the rioting sense, not in the disgusting sense – and he really needed to procure some grain from up north. He may as well kill two birds with one stone and elope with the interesting, frustrating, irritating and thoroughly delightful Lady Emily – soon to be Viscountess Beattie. It would be an interesting journey.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This book has no magic in it. While loosely based on a fairy tale, the story is gender swapped and there is no paranormal happenings.

This book has scenes of an adult nature and is intended for mature audiences aged 18+

My Review – 5 stars

Charming, feel-good and sexy Regency Romance

If you fancy an entertaining and charming Regency Romance then look no further than Sleeping Lord Beattie, the first book in a new series of books by Em Taylor based on the retelling of well- known fairy tales.

Sleeping Lord Beattie (Sleeping Beauty with a role reversal) is set during the cold winter of 1815-16, which is threatening to cause unrest and upheaval in the country due to the poor harvest. Gideon, Viscount Beattie,  suffers a head injury and has lain asleep for weeks. His sister Sophie, fearing that her beloved brother is not long for this mortal realm, invites Emily her friend to visit for moral support.

Except that Emily goes above and beyond providing her friend with moral support… It is not long before the fun and mayhem begin!  Emily is drawn to the bedside of the sleeping lord and on a whim kisses him, her impulsive action awakening the sleeping Viscount! However, her actions are witnessed and Emily is compromised and risks ruination. it is fortunate that Gideon, a gentleman through and through (although a damn sexy one to boot) does the honourable thing and proposes to this woman whom he has never seen before…

The scene is set for a hugely enjoyable romp with a super hero and heroine. I loved the unconventional character of Emily – she is so unlike the sensible and simpering misses that frequent many a Regency Romance. Outspoken, clumsy and accident-prone her family despairs that she will ever find a suitor. And Gideon – he is soon drawn to the strange chit who had the temerity to kiss him. He finds her increasingly more fascinating, and as they are thrown together he has his work cut out to keep her wayward actions and thoughts in line without compromising her more fully! I enjoyed their sexual tension, their banter and the humour that this writer injects into her stories, as well as the sexy lovemaking scenes!

The tale, which also contains scandalised relatives (including an angry uncle), an elopement and desperate highwaymen, is an absolute pleasure to read and I recommed it to fans of the genre.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Purchase Links

Amazon UK  Amazon US

Connect with the Author

Facebook:  Twitter:  Instagram:   Goodreads:    Amazon: 

*REVIEW* ~ Waking for Winter (Philadelphia Coven Chronicles #4), by Katherine McIntyre

#paranormal #romance #urbanfantasy

Blurb

The Philadelphia Coven has thwarted the Order of the Serpent’s every attempt to destroy their city only to draw out the scariest nightmare from the Otherworld, the Caoranach. One of the Coven’s own, Cami Akiyama, has already met this creature—the very monster who tortured her, branding her with a mark. Given Cami’s history with the big bad, the Coven leader assigns her a bodyguard, none other than the gorgeous and lethal necromancer, Dante Martinez, the ex-boyfriend she disappeared on years ago. One conversation confirms the spark between them never died, and based on the way Dante flirts, he won’t allow that flame to extinguish out without a fight.

No one has ever compared to Dante and the incendiary passion he inspired in her, but the Caoranach broke her—Cami’s too damaged for any sort of relationship. Not like that stops him. If anything, he fights harder for the memories of a love that kept her sane on the bleakest nights. And despite every effort to distance, she finds herself falling for him all over again. Except the Caoranach isn’t finished with her—the branded mark holds the secret to the city’s destruction or salvation, and Cami stands in the center of the storm.

My Review ~ 5 stars

Fast Paced and Passionate Second Chance Romance

Waking for Winter is a fast paced and passionate second chance romance. It contains one damaged Banshee who is not going down without a fight and a Necromancer who will give anything to keep her alive and make her his. It is the fourth and final instalment in the author’s Philadelphia Coven urban fantasy series which combines kick-ass scenes and heated encounters.

The Order of the Serpent has been the proverbial thorn in the side of the Coven, the organisation dedicated to prevent creatures from the Otherworld wreaking havoc and destruction on their city and humanity. The Order’s actions have drawn out the nightmare of the Caoranach, a creature intent on destroying the city. Cami has had the misfortune to have been held captive by this creature and bears both mental and physical scars, the latter in the form of the Caoranach’s mark. Cami is in an impossible situation – she is hell-bent on destroying her nemesis but fears the mark bestowed on her has formed an unwelcome bond with her enemy, enabling the creature to use her as a weapon against those whom she loves. Once Cami’s mark becomes known to the Coven, the necromancer Dante, whom Cami walked out on years ago is assigned to protect her.

Cami is a heroine whom I was rooting for from the off. She is so stong when the chips are down despite havng to cope with PTSD from her time in captivity. Her actions in the novel and in the past are motivated by protecting those whom she cares about and I admired how she put the welfare of others before her own, even if to do so risks her heart and soul. Dante, who we met earlier in the series, comes across as a bit of a man-whore, but we soon learn that this is just a front. Tasked with protecting Cami, the couple are forced into close proximity and the feelings they once had for each other soon resurface.

Yet Cami is adamant that she will not re-kindle their relationship and as the tale unfolds we learn her reasons for this. However, Dante is extremely persistent and as the danger increases so soes the passion! Brought together once again in the shadow of the death and destruction threated by the Caoranach will Cami and Dante reunite or even survive? I loved the story from beginning to the end.

Recommended for lovers of fast-paced and sexy urban fantasy.

Reviviewed 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 UK   Amazon.com

Author Links

Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com

Tumblr: http://www.booksteacoffee.tumblr.com

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

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kmcintyreauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pixierants

**REVIEW** Three Rules by Marie Drake

I have been wanting to reading Marie Drake’s ‘Three Rules’ for quite some time. It is a remarkable read that will reach out to most readers either because of the mystery, the emotional and physical effects of abuse and the beautiful romance/love story. During this past year, Three Rules made it as a semi-finalist for The Kindle Book Review’s Best Kindle Book Awards 2014! Definitely not one to be missed!!

Extremely powerful narrative, beautifully written – will have you reduced to tears!

Three Rules Marie DrakeTitle: Three Rules

Author: Marie Drake

Genre: Dark fiction, mystery, romance

Release date: September 24, 2013

Released by: Marie Drake

Length: 296 pages

Blurb: Hope Wellman has a childhood full of horrific memories, a bone chilling recurring nightmare, and a persistent paranoid sense of being followed that she would rather keep repressed. Is evil reaching from beyond the grave to capture the tattered remnants of her soul once and for all, is it only a machination of her disturbed mind, or is there something happening more sinister than even she can imagine?

Attending the funeral of her abuser is the first step in putting her life back together. She struggles with the fact she never told anyone what happened to her, and that the grave they are mourning over is empty. She’d find it a lot easier to move on and believe in the future if he were in the box, ready to be covered with dirt. She fears the last thread of her sanity has snapped when she sees Lucas everywhere she turns, and can’t escape a recurring nightmare. Is her tormentor alive, or is she imagining it? Is her dream triggered by past fears or is it a prediction of the future?

Quoted from Three Rules:

“I have learned three rules in my life: 1.) The most dangerous people in the world are not always strangers. 2.) The scariest things imaginable are not those that can kill you, but those you can live through. And probably the most prominent: 3.) The most horrible possibility is not what could happen to you, but what you could become – I became a killer.”
~Hope Wellman

REVIEW

Three Rules is an extremely powerful narrative and beautifully written, with a great deal of emotion running through it, that will reduce you to tears. Despite the dark subject matter of abuse, and the mystery of the storyline, it also holds one of the most romantic stories I have ever read!

Hope Wellman (20) having lived through sexual abuse as a young girl, by her step-uncle, Lucas, has never said a word about her ordeal to anyone. And now at Lucas’ funeral she feels an inner-relief that he cannot harm her again. The only doubt that she does have is that his body is not in the coffin as it was never recovered from his boat accident. Without his body, there is a fraction of her that wonders if he is still alive, and when she has moments of feeling that somebody is watching her, she instantly thinks it could be him.

There are a string of events that come to light early in the story that keep reminding Hope of her past and begin to create the mystery for the remainder of the story. One of the main questions you’ll be asking is whether or not Lucas is still alive?

Hope is having terrible nightmares about being chased by someone, and then when she is out she feels like someone is following her, watching her at times. This makes her question her own sanity – she may be paranoid, unless she does have a stalker, or maybe it really is Lucas?  There are some brilliant twists in the story to keep the reader wondering and guessing.

The reader is aware of how Hope feels about Lucas’ death as it opens her mind up to those moments of abuse again. She puts on a brave face for her parents, to offer support and to keep her ordeals to herself. However, remaining strong and trying to forget is becoming increasingly difficult when she finds out that one of her childhood friends, Karen Bishop, is pregnant with Lucas’ child. Not only does it hurt to know that he had his hands on her, but it also creates some guilt within Hope that maybe if she had spoken about what had happened to her, then Karen wouldn’t have gotten herself into this situation.

As if dealing with all of this wasn’t enough, there is also the very lovely Joey Bishop to face. Joey is Karen’s brother who was always Hope’s best friend growing up. They did everything together during their childhood and he always had time for her. He was the only boy she ever felt close to. But, after what should have been Hope’s magical and memorable first kiss, her parents encouraged her and Joey to keep their distance after Lucas had seen their innocent moment and reported it back.

A few years on and the attraction is still clearly there. And yet, Hope struggles with her feelings. Anything physical is out of the question, leaving Joey believing that they are just friends.  After certain events take place, Hope spends more time with Joey and this really brings them closer together on many levels. But every time she feels she can tell him, something prevents her from doing so. And, will he change his opinion of her if he knew her secret?

The further into the story we go the more Hope’s feelings and past are brought to the fore. Hope’s character is very strong, despite all that she has been through. She still feels like she can’t tell anyone and when her family notice something isn’t right they assume she is depressed (just as she tended to be when she was younger). She begins to feel trapped – she wants to tell Joey on many occasions (and sometimes her mum) but she just can’t face it. At this point the reader feels trapped with her – wanting to encourage her to speak and finally let it out, but at the same time realising it is a delicate subject for her. The fact that she is thinking about telling someone is a step in the right direction.

Three Rules is a work of fiction and yet based on the abuse suffered by the author, making it a very real read but written without lengthy graphic details – it is more focused on the state of mind, the emotions, as it is written with the intent to help others in similar situations. Marie Drake has written the story with so much care that it is a sensitive read but with some powerful heart-warming moments – two of which had me in tears.

This is a story of inner-strength, of coming through abuse and it’s effects, and then reaching the other side. It is a story of courage, will-power and love that carries it’s own message to all those in need – don’t push those feelings down, don’t ignore them. The power to speak to someone, anyone, can be all that you need to begin your journey to the light, where you can find security, love and be at peace with yourself and your loved ones.

A copy of Three Rules was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Three Rules by Marie Drake is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

To read the prologue and first chapter, along with info on the author, Marie Drake, please check out our spotlight.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

*BLOG TOUR* ~ Soft Shatter, by Dany Rae Miller (includes excerpt)

Soft Shatter

Dany Rae Miller

Goodreads

 

SOFTshatter

Blurb

One smart witch and three sexy wolves tell a story of love, lies and rejection.

All Shavone Gentil wants is to find her runaway sister. When witchcraft fails to provide the answers, she resorts to the last resort — getting a job at the Denver Dollhouse. Shav gets answers, but to questions she didn’t even know to ask.

In love and in lust with Shavone since childhood, all Nash LaFontaine wants is her safety, her body and her heart. Responsible and noble, the giant alpha waited so long. Did he wait too long?

All Ben LaFontaine wants is to do his duty as a French wolf. He comes to Denver to do just that. His first assignment is to help his cousin Nash protect the witch. Little does he know the power she’ll wield over him.

All Enrique Cruz wants, all he’s ever wanted, is Shavone. There’s a night from hell that the Native alpha will never forget, the horrors of which his obsession is just beginning to remember.

Who will get they want and whose heart will shatter?

Note: Due to strong language and mature content, this Wolven Moon Novel is recommended for adults ONLY.

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA

Excerpt 

My hands over Shavone’s, I tighten my hoodie around her. She needs to keep it on — cover that beautiful, tempting ass of hers.

I indicate the dart board with a nod. “Are you an ace at that, too?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’ve never played darts before.”

“Hallelujah.” I throw my head back. “Maybe I can win a portion of my pride back.” I run my hands up her waist and around to her back. “Will you let me teach you?”

Yes, kitten, that was an innuendo. I want to teach you a lot of things.

The increase in feminine pheromone and blushing smile means she got my drift. Fuck. My dick twitches. I don’t know how much more of her I can take.

“Okay,” she’s says, eyes on my mouth.

I lick my lips. You want some of this?

Dilated eyes say yes just before they glance away.

“Sir?” She calls across the bar and once she has the old man’s attention, motions that the pool table is all his. He waves his thanks.

Touching her back, I usher her to the dartboard.

“I love this song.” She rocks her shoulders.

There’s music? I pause to listen. Sade softly sings something about giving the kiss of life.

“You like this old shit?” I tease her, pulling the darts from the board.

“Hey.” She giggles. “Yes. I like soul — old and new.” She throws out that bottom lip, again. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“Never, kitten. You have excellent taste in music.”

The broad grin that spreads across her sweet face wraps another string around my heart. And her swaying hips? Those put another quart of blood in my dick.

She is something. Beautiful and sweet and sensual. I wonder how she’ll react when she finds out I’m lying to her just as Nash is. And she’ll find out. No doubt. She’s digging in the right place. She’ll be angry. I have no doubt about that either. That we’re doing this to keep her out of the clutches of the hunters won’t make a bit of difference. How strange to feel remorse before the fact. The only chance I’ll have is to get under her skin and fast.

“Why the sad look?” She asks me.

I affect an exaggerated shocked expression. “You gotta ask, lady who handed me my ass in pool?”

“Sorry.” She exaggerates a giggle into her hand. She isn’t sorry at all. “Well, now you can trounce me.”

Fuck. Was that a euphemism, kitten?

“At darts,” she quickly adds.

“I wouldn’t be very gallant, using your word, if I did that.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” She gives me her coquettish smile.

“You think batting those lashes at me will save you?” I laugh.

“A girl can hope.”

“You showed no mercy. I show no mercy.” I grin. “That’s the way the game works.”

I move behind her, and, with a hand at her hip, begin to murmur the rules into her ear. Jesus. Her scent. I inhale a lung full of it.

“This” — I toe a length of tape on the floor — “is the throw line. You cannot step over it when you throw.”

“What about my arm?”

“Good question.” I playfully squeeze her bicep, again. “Yes, your buffed arm can cross it.”

I feel her smile. “I prefer the word ‘toned’.”

“Kitten, you are so toned.” I nuzzle her hair. “Now, stop distracting me.”

She giggles and I grin. This is fun. She’s fun.

The rest of the rules, what there are of them, are fairly simple. I run through them quickly. “Let’s do a few practice throws.” I motion her aside and, when she’s safely out of the way, throw my darts. One lands dead center of the bull’s-eye and the other two in the interior ring, quarter inch from the bull’s-eye.

She laughs. “This is going to be bad.”

“Aw, c’mon. Positive thinking.” I move out of the way and bow for her to take my place at the line.

Lifting her chin, she shakes her hair out of the way and narrows her eyes at the board in concentration.

Hot and sexy, smart and sharp. No man can resist that. Sorry, Nash. I glance over at him. His eyes pierce me with an anger he normally saves for enemies and rival packs. Cherie grins at me.

Shavone’s first throw lands on the board, but in the number ring. No score. The second lands in the fat single score ring and the third misses the board completely.

The music clicks over to a sexy strong drumbeat that Shavone seems to like, too. I walk to the board to extract our darts. Ah, it’s John Mayer. I almost laugh out loud at the lyrics. I’m not the man I used to be either, John.

Shavone smiles at me as I walk back to her. Rocking her hips, she sings along to the music.

“Not bad.” I hand her her darts. “You’ve got pretty good form for a newbie. Can I show you a better way?”

She nods enthusiastically. “Yes, please.”

I lay my darts on a nearby table.

“Let’s work on your stance, first.”

Stop writhing that body, kitten.

“Okay.” She stands still.

Taking my sweet ass time and with a caressing touch, I position her body — feet there, hips like this, shoulders like that, hands like this. I’m disappointed when I’m done arranging her.

She looks up at me through her lashes, a flirty smile on her lips. I stifle a growl.

Moving back behind her, I drag my hand down her arm to her hand. “Holding the dart is an art,” I whisper in her ear — trying hard not to imagine her soft hand gripping my dick. “Two fingers forward on the stem, like this.” I manipulate her slender fingers. “And your thumb here near the back of the dart.”

Understanding, she nods. Her brow furrowed, she concentrates so hard.

“You want to extend your arm, pointing the tip of the dart where you’d like it to stick.” Placing my cheek directly on her temple, my hand over hers, I raise the dart in front of her face. “Stare down the tip and bring the dart straight back in front of your face,” I say. “Don’t hold it here, by your ear. You can’t see where it’s going if it’s beside your head.” I let go of her hand and hold her at the waist. “Do it now, but don’t throw it yet.”

While she lines up the dart, I dip my nose into her hair and inhale deeply — not caring if she hears it. My voice is thick when I speak again. “We’ll do a couple of practice movements. Don’t let go of the dart, though.”

“Okay,” she says softly.

My left hand glides from her hip to ribs while my right hand wraps around hers and the dart.

My wolf wants you so bad.

four-chapter-love-scene-1

 

 

About Dany Rae Miller

I’m Dany Rae Miller and I believe in the power of love.

I believe that love ~ real, unconditional, soulful devotion ~ can change who you are as a person. It can change you from shy to open, wary to trusting, scared to brave, running in circles to holding on to your rock.

Young and naive, believing I was in love, I married right out of high school. Three years later, I was a brokenhearted, single mom of a toddler. Fast forward two more years to another sweetheart turned asshole and my faith in love was lost.

Done with boys, I built a life for my child and me by myself. It wasn’t easy, but I grew up and learned how to stand on my own two feet. I didn’t need a man, I reasoned, I’ve got my confidence.

In my mid twenties, I wanted to up my earning power and decided to go to college, setting my sights on journalism school. It was then, when I wasn’t looking for him, that the love of my life walked into a college speech class and sat down next to me.

The right person at the right time changes everything and mends even the most shattered trust. I am living proof. That’s what I try to put into my novels.

When I’m at the computer writing, life is golden. It just doesn’t get any better than weaving sometimes euphoric and sometimes gut-wrenching tales of erotic romance.

In former lives, I was an advertising rep, then, a property manager. After college, I became a TV producer, and an award-winning screenwriter.

Now, I conjure sexy love stories from thin air. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. I do it from my home in spectacular Colorado (a location featured prominently in my stories) where I live with my wonderful husband and two affectionate kitties.

Contact Dany Rae

Newsletter signup: http://eepurl.com/TnoF5 You’ll want to sign, because starting in February, I’m posting book two in the Wolven Moon series on my website for free. You’ll need a password to access it.

www.DanyRaeMiller.com | FB personal profile | FB Author Page | Twitter | Email: DanyRaeMiller@gmail.com

 

**Review** That Risen Snow: A Scary Tale of Snow White & Zombies by Rob E. Boley

That Risen Snow: A Scary Tale of Snow White & Zombies (Scary Tales, #1)

That Risen Snow has a twist on the Snow White fairytale and is to be read as a sequel to the original, albeit adult readers only (17yrs+). Complete with Snow White, the seven dwarves, the prince and the evil Queen it is a quirky horror story that will certainly be a treat for Halloween!! This is  Rob Boley’s debut novel, published earlier in 2014 by StoneGate Ink. And the first in The Scary Tales series.

BLURB: The zombie sequel to Snow White begins where the classic fairy tale ends, with the Prince’s kiss waking Snow from her cursed slumber. Snow wakes up, but she doesn’t wake up right.

Now a deranged zombie, Snow infects both the Prince and the seven dwarfs’ leader. That leaves the young dwarf Grouchy, who is secretly in love with Snow, to find a cure for her malicious curse. So begins an epic journey that pits the lovesick Grouchy against dwarf-hating human soldiers, Snow’s ever-growing zombie horde, and his own bad temper. But when Grouchy and his motley crew of survivors escape Snow’s clutches and seek refuge in a nearby human village, he soon finds that her affliction has spread faster and further then he ever could have imagined. Snow is hell-bent on spreading her horrid curse across the land, and it’s up to Grouchy to stop her before it’s too late.

So begins THE SCARY TALES, a dark fantasy series featuring mash-ups of traditional fairy tale characters and classic horror monsters.

REVIEW

Trick or treat? That Risen Snow is a brilliant combination of horror, quirkiness and fairytale, although certainly for the adult reader! It is definitely a ‘treat’ in my opinion. I imagined the dwarves to be scared for their life in a truly dark, life threatening and terrifying horror, filled with blood, guts and gore. Although this was a part of the story, what really surprised me was the fun and humour content as well as the heart-warming feelings that Grouchy has for Snow White.

The dwarves are like you have never imagined, with bad language and sarcasm, but these moments add another element. They are not typical of the dwarves we are familiar with, but in fact have characteristics of real people, which I loved. Even Snow White wasn’t as graceful and elegant as one would think!

The layout of the story is interesting too, with chapters written from the different character’s perspectives. The reader learns what is happening with each character which keeps the reader informed and able to see where the author is going, and suspense can be built-up from this. Another area of the story which fascinated me were the flashbacks. The flashbacks were mostly Grouchy’s personal thoughts and feelings towards Snow since she came to their cottage. The reader feels the growth of affection that Grouchy has for Snow and begins to understand why he wants to find a cure for her curse, rather than just be rid of her and the undead.

After reading this you will certainly feel that you know the dwarves more personally than ever before. From the past thoughts and dialogue between the dwarves we are made aware that they have all been having private discussions with their leader, Bones. Each dwarf has their own problem and obstacle that they need to overcome and Bones was helping them with this. Merry’s story was one that touched me, as we learn that he longed to be trusted and respected by the others. Bones gave him tasks to do to make him feel worthy and needed, but once their life changes and they are being chased by the undead Grouchy tells Merry how it really is. It is then up to Merry to either pity himself or do something about it.

Battson, a dwarf-hating human soldier working with the Prince, is, initially, an unlikeable character who would prefer to see the dwarves harmed in a typical encounter. Yet, as the story unfolds and continues into a survival story, the war between human soldiers and dwarves is swept aside as they begin to work together to keep the remaining survivors alive and hopefully find a cure for this disease that their friends are suffering from. Battson does begin to slowly show a quiet, heroic side which changes the readers opinion into respecting and admiring him for his new-found quality.

Although an extremely trying time of desperation, hardship and fear, the reader does not be given many opportunities to feel the tragedy and terror due to the humour and fun way in which it That Risen Snow is written. However, as the story continues, and more dwarves and soldiers are turning, it does become a little more serious and desperate for the remaining survivors. The reader is left on a hanger at the end, and I for one really want to know the outcome in the sequel, That Wicked Apple! Grouchy has come so far, and for the reader to walk away at this point would be like leaving him there for the curse to take him too!!

A copy of That Risen Snow: A Scary Tale of Snow White & Zombies was provided by the author, Rob E. Boley, for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

You can check out our SPOLIGHT for That Risen Snow with author bio for Rob E. Boley, along with extracts of more reviews here.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

COVER REVEAL and GIVEAWAY for Madison Street’s **LITTLE BEGINNINGS** ~ Second Chances #1.5

We are very happy to reveal the new and gorgeous cover of Little Beginnings, a Second Chances novella by Madison Street. Little Beginnings is the continuation of Duke & Raya’s story. Tina ❤

 

Little Beginnings (Second Chances #1.5)

Madison Street

Cover designed by Lindee Robinson Photography

Goodreads

Expected Release: Fall 2014

Synopsis

After you took her from me, everything changed. I knew my life would never be the same, and it wasn’t. But just because I was isolated, trapped, and afraid, I never gave up. I kept on fighting. You thought you could control me, but you were wrong.

There’s one thing that you could never take from me; HOPE. And with that, I overcame the struggles and the despair. I battled against my inner demons and confronted the tortures that surrounded me. And here I am today; free.

And now, it’s you that’s confined. You cannot escape; you cannot win. There’s no one to help you now. Everyone sees you for what you truly are; a monster.

I’m not afraid of you anymore. I will start a new life; one that you cannot control. And as I take steps toward a new beginning, I won’t ever look back.
****WARNING: Suited for 18+ years of age. This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content.****

Little Things (Second Chances #1)

Goodreads

Everything in Duke Grayson’s life was all he could ever ask for: A loving family, loyal friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a scholarship to his top choice college. It’s his senior year of high school, and all he needs is to focus on his grades, lacrosse, and keeping his girlfriend happy. That is until Raya walks into his life.

From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear.

Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears.

For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against?

*Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.

Purchase Links

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

About Madison Street

Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.

During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.

Besides writing, her second passion is music and dance. Even though she’s a terrible singer, she’ll still belt it out in the shower, especially if the song is her jam! She currently resides in Virginia with her husband of 8 years, 2 children, a dog, and a cat. She is so excited to start this amazing journey and is honored to be part of such a compassionate and loving community.

Contact Madison

Website Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Google +

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE DAY BLITZ for ~ *LITTLE THINGS (Second Chances #1)* ~ by Madison Street

 Super New Adult/Romantic Suspense 18+ read 

HUGE welcome today to author Madison Street! We are thrilled to share with you her novel Little Things and wish her every success!

Join us in checking out the blurb for this emotional and suspenseful love story, read an excerpt and teaser, immerse yourself in the playlist and connect with Madison. This novel is available for 99c for a limited time.

Tina ❤

Book Blurb

Everything in Duke Grayson’s life was all he could ever ask for: A loving family, loyal friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a scholarship to his top choice college. It’s his senior year of high school, and all he needs is to focus on his grades, lacrosse, and keeping his girlfriend happy. That is until Raya walks into his life.

From the moment they meet, Duke is drawn to her, not only for her natural beauty and her stunning crystal blue eyes, but because he’s aware there’s more to this girl than just his alluring pull to her. He senses secrecy and fear.

Throughout the year, their bond grows stronger, and his feelings for her become undeniable. Just when he is about to express his love, tragedy strikes and Raya disappears.

For six years, Duke is tortured by his struggles, as he’s unable to find her and blames himself for failing to protect her. Until the day, she’s found, and he’s given a second chance. Will Duke become her beacon of hope and make her see that it’s the little things that make life worthwhile? Can Raya overcome her fears and fight against the terrors that haunt her? Or will her dark and torturous past be too much for her to battle against?

 *Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, strong language and sexual content. Suited for 18 years and over.*

 

Little Things (Second Chances #1)

Madison Street

Genre: New Adult/Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 2, 2014

Photography: Lindee Robinson Photography

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

 

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Early Reviews

“This book is a standalone and the epilogue is just the sweetest thing ever and it had me crying for a good 30 minutes and I mean ugly cry.

So eventhough this book talked about loads of things I’m not into reading this is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m so glad I was given a chance to read it before it got out and discover this little gem.

Thank you Madison for such a beautiful heartwrenching story!” ~ Fictional BookHos

“I was impressed with Little Things simply because it doesn’t follow the usual mold. Madison Street breaks outside of the mold in the gripping story about love, friendship, and struggle.” ~ Mad in Wonderland Reviews

“Let me start by saying “Little Things” was flipping fantastic! I started reading thinking oh wow what a great love story….and then boom..pow..bang….I got my socks knocked off my feet!

What an emotional roller coaster ride! I was literally tapping my leg and biting my nails through the suspense!” ~ Tricia, ARC recipient

Teasers

 

Playlist

 

Excerpt

I hear a whisper come up from behind me, “So, how’s your first party?” I know that voice anywhere. I turn around to find Duke smiling at me.

“It’s great! I’m having so much fun!”

“I’m glad. You’ve danced with Taylor all night. Usually he doesn’t dance at parties, so that was surprising.”

I glance towards Taylor who’s across the room, talking to Adam. “Oh well. He’s a good dance partner.”

“Wanna bet?” Duke grabs my hand and leads me onto the dance floor just in time for a new song to start. The speakers start to play “Timber” by Pitbull and the crowd goes wild as people begin to flood the dance area. My heart literally stops beating and I swear I can’t even breathe, I’m so freaking nervous. I notice that my hand fits so perfectly in Duke’s hand.

The crowd is so packed together that Duke and I are forced to dance closely; maybe a little too close. As the song starts, he sings the lyrics and we begin to groove to the music.

I laugh out loud and raise my hands above my head and sing along with him. The crowd is compact and everyone’s bodies continuously bump into one another. Duke looks at me and places his hand on my lower back. A shocking jolt of electricity flows through his touch and my eyes widen. He immediately removes his hand from my back and instead keeps his hand by his side. I can still feel the heat flow, where his hand was placed, and I miss it being there. We continue dancing as I give him a reassuring smile. He winks and continues to sing and twirls me around.

I bob my head to the beat and shake my body with every fiber I have. As we dance together, I no longer pay attention to what’s around me. It’s as if Duke and I are the only ones dancing and as I stare at him, I get lost in the wonder of what could be. Someone from behind me pushes me forward and I fall against Duke’s strong and broad chest as he catches me. We stare into each other’s eyes for a brief moment before he breaks the contact and helps me stand on my own.

“You alright?”

I laugh nervously, “Yea sorry. Just crowded, that’s all.”

The song ends and the crowd begins to clear leaving only a few stragglers. Duke looks at his watch. “It’s getting late. We should get going.”

“Ok. I have to use the restroom first.”

After I use the restroom, Duke finds Melanie among the crowd and we say our goodbyes. Taylor tells me he will call soon and he hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. As we pull up to my driveway, Melanie asks, “So, was it a night to remember?” I smile and catch Duke looking at me through the rearview mirror, “Yes, yes it was.”

About Madison Street

Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.

During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.

Besides writing, her second passion is music and dance. Even though she’s a terrible singer, she’ll still belt it out in the shower, especially if the song is her jam! She currently resides in Virginia with her husband of 8 years, 2 children, a dog, and a cat. She is so excited to start this amazing journey and is honored to be part of such a compassionate and loving community.

Contact Madison

Website Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Google +

~*BLOG TOUR, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY*~ Monster Unleashed: Dark Indiscretions, #2, by Shakuita Johnson

 Dark, Sexy, Irreverent and FUN!

Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Today we are participating in a super duper blog tour for Shakuita  Johnson’s awesome read MONSTER UNLEASHED, book #2 of the DARK INDISCRETIONS series, featuring some VERY, VERY bad supernaturals indeed!

If you enjoy paranormal and urban fantasy reads that focus on the dark side of immortals’ psyches and which also  feature smoking hot sex scenes amidst the inevitable violence and mayhem, then maybe this is the series for you.  Scroll down to immerse yourself in the blurb for this instalment, check out an excerpt and my review. This tour post also includes teasers, a video, details of how to connect with the author and a SUPER GIVEAWAY!  

Due to the inclusion of some m/m and m/f/m scenes, the book is very much AN ADULT READ. Only continue reading further if you are over 18 and wish to read about such themes.

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Blurb

What would you do if the one fate chose for you vanished into thin air? What would you give up? Who would you become to stay with that person?

Krista Bell finally knows what it’s like to be free. The torture she endured at the hands of her psychotic father have unleashed the monster her mother tried so hard to help her suppress. The only thing she wants to do is be the shadow in the night that everyone is afraid of.

Taser is barely holding it together. He lost Kris once to her father and now he’s losing her to the monster she is becoming. He’s also barely containing his own monster since Krista decided she didn’t need her mates anymore. Nathan is still near but he may not be enough.

Nathan is on the verge of losing not one but both of his mates. One vanished without a trace. The other is avoiding him. He has run out of patience with them both.

But when the monster that Krista has become comes to them with a proposal will they take her up on it and possibly lose themselves or will they try to talk her down and get the beast to put back on her chain?

couple-under-covers

Goodreads

My Review

Dark, Sexy, Irreverent and FUN!

This series is a fun read, containing a fresh take on the world of supernatural beings. Although it contains some dark themes, it is also full of humour, feisty females, alpha males and characters whom the reader grows to love despite their many flaws. Due to the inclusion of some hot love making, including m/m and m/f/m scenes, the book is very much AN ADULT READ. Only continue reading further if you are over 18 and wish to read about such themes.

MONSTER UNLEASHED continues where the previous book finished. Krista, a vampyra shapeshifting witch, has succumbed to her true nature as a sadistic killer, after the torture she received at the hands of James, her father. There is nothing her mother Jennifer can do to either stop her killing spree, centuries of having taught her daughter to reign in her natural tendencies amounting to naught. An ancient prophecy, at which Krista appears to be at the heart, is also invoked and propels the plot towards what threatens to be a devastating conclusion.

I liked how the author depicts Krista as a truly a terrifying monster, as she descends ever deeper into megalomania and sadism. Woe betide anyone who gets in her way and that includes her pregnant mother and her own mates Taser and Nathan. Whilst her mates and her mother struggle to adapt to her move to the dark side, I  began to feel sympathy for Krista as she does not seem in control of her own fate. After initially rejecting her mates, Krista strives to include them in her plans. Taser seems easier to manipulate than Nathan, but both are torn between acknowledging that Krista is an evil that needs to be destroyed and protecting what is theirs. There is once again some scorching sex in this novel, where the mates get it together, in some graphic m/m and m/f/m scenes. The emphasis is very much on the strength of the mate bond rather than romantic attachment between the trio.

Jennifer, Krista’s mother, is faced with yet another blast from her past in this novel, which I found to be an intiquing and pivotal twist. Other characters whom we have encountered in the previous novel also play their part in the ensuing mayhem. These include the other Mystics and shapeshifters, including Jennifer’s mates Jackson and Taylor, the Oracle and the Mooyers. I was intrigued by the characters of the Mooyer Alexander and his human partner Isobelle in the first novel and I am pleased to say that we find out more about their role in this instalment. There is also much violence, danger, suspense and scenes of spell casting and magic. As the book reaches it’s conclusion we are left with some startling revelations, which I did not see coming and which leaves the door open for another thrilling instalment.

MONSTER UNLEASHED is above all a fun and sexy read, which immersed me into the minds of the monsters! I recommend it, and the previous novel, DARK INDISCRETIONS to readers of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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

Excerpt

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It had been two months. Two months since she killed her whole family. Two months since she ran and never looked back. Two months of looking over her shoulder. Something was wrong with her. Jennifer Johnston just knew it. She was craving things she had never wanted before, never ever had needed. It was getting harder and harder to resist the silent call, the cravings that started to crawl up her throat to the point of choking her with their mounting intensity. She didn’t know how much longer she could run, how much longer she could say no to these sudden scary and violent urges.

She needed to find someone to talk to, another Mystic perhaps, but she didn’t know who she could trust. She had done something no other Mystic had done before. She wasn’t like the rest of them. She was different. Some may even say defective. She didn’t want to become an inbred freak like the rest of them, but she feared it had been done. The things her uncle had succeeded in doing before she could get away from him, before she had the strength to kill him, may be coming back to haunt her.

She needed to rest for just a little while. That old barn looked like as good a place as any. She would only rest for a second more. As she quickly and quietly made her way to her destination, she heard noises in the distance. What sounded like a tiny cavalry was coming up fast behind her. She tried to duck before she was spotted, but it seemed her luck was still running thin. She braced herself for a possible fight.

“Halt! What business do you have on this land?” a male voice called out.

“I’m just a bit lost. Could you point me in the direction of an inn?” Jenny asked, trying to appear disoriented.

“Lying Mystic scum! We can smell your trickery and deceit from here. Where are the rest of you? What trap is this?” the male demanded.

Shit. Humans she could have easily dealt with, other paranormals not so much. This would be tricky. She counted eight soldiers. They should have brought more.

“I don’t want any trouble. Leave me be and I’ll be on my way,” Jenny tried to reason with the creatures.

“Grab her!” the male demanded.

Awesome! They were going to play try to capture the Mystic. Jenny did something she had never done before. She used her Mystic powers. She called upon all the energy she could muster, which was a whole hell of a lot, and let loose. Damn, something was defiantly changing with her right now, but she didn’t have time to explore it. She heard screams from all eight men. She had overloaded their nervous systems. She could see blood start to seep from any and everywhere possible. It was disgusting.

Not wanting them to suffer more than they were already, Jenny sent a final blast and everything stopped. Not a single heart beat anymore. She had killed them, every last one of them. She didn’t have time to feel bad for the lives she had taken. They left her no choice. The worst part of it all, she thought to herself, was that she should have drained at least one of them dry. She was so fucking hungry! She performed a quick spell to turn the bodies to ash and continued on her way to that damn barn.

 

About The Author

IMG_0556Shakuita Johnson is a 29-year-old Psychology major. When she isn’t going to school or working, she is doing what she loves most. Writing. She started writing in middle school. Starting with poetry. Then short stories in a creative writing course her senior year. Her love for paranormal and supernatural started with R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and TV show, Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles, and Christopher Pike books. She is an avid reader with over 100 books on her bookshelf and 1000 plus on her iPad. This is her second novel. Visit her online and read her poems and one attempt at songwriting on her blog.

Connect with the Author

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Blog Tour Giveaway

Click on the link below to enter the super giveaway!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ODhiNjQ0OTQ5MjM0N2NlMzg1NGY4NDc5ODFlYTlkOjY=/

Purchase Links

Amazon US      Amazon UK     BN

Patriotic Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 1) by C.J. Pinard

Patriotic-duty-smashwords1400Patriotic Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 1) has everything that I love in this contemporary romance by C.J. Pinard (Enchanted Immortals series). This short novel 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!

Single mum and recent divorcee, Cara Reid spends most of her weekends with her best friend, Miranda, having fun going to clubs, living it up and meeting hot guys. She is young and not in the least thinking to settling down any time soon, especially after her experience with her ex. However, one night after hooking up with Riley her summer is planned. He is to be in California for the summer before he is due back in Colorado, and so they spend summer together.

Cara naturally opens up to him and accepts his ways far more than she would anyone else. She is falling for him, even though she doesn’t want to admit it. Of course, it is just a summer fling. Or at least that is what she keeps informing Miranda when she stops partying for a while to be with Riley. However, as the summer comes to a close, Riley is given orders to do a tour of nine months in Afghanistan. As they agree to keep in touch, Cara is left feeling a little lost. Still not wanting to admit to her true feelings and yet not wanting to return to her life of partying with Miranda, Cara is left with a decision to make. Will she wait for her cute, hot soldier or does she move on with her life?

During the summer that they are together, Cara and Riley spend day trips together, go to a concert, visit bars, have some hot, fantastic sex, and Riley even gets to meet Cara’s son on some occasions. This shows how well their relationship is going, as usually Cara keeps this side of her life away from her son. Riley is very sweet, although the strong, silent type in some instances. Cara seems to be his world and the reader feels his sincerity to her. It is only his quieter side at times that makes Cara and the reader wonder what he is really thinking. But all will be revealed as the story moves on.

Patriotic Duty is a nice, light romance that becomes a little more serious and dramatic as the novel enters its second half, especially with Riley on tour in Afghanistan and Cara having little contact with him. What is going through Cara’s mind? Can she focus on getting her party life back with Miranda?

When Riley Met Cara has the potential to bceome much more complex and darker as the series moves on. However, for the first book of the series it does have a simple straight forward plot, which I loved after reading some heavy psychological horrors recently!! There were parts early on that made me laugh out loud as the interaction between Cara and Miranda was fun. They certainly knew how to have a laugh and cheer each other up.

I found Miranda to be a great supportive friend for Cara. Miranda, also a single mum, had been left by her ex to bring up their child and therefore, was in the same boat as Cara. Both characters are realistic and so long as the babysitters are available, of course young women would want to go out at weekends and have some fun. They also spend time together with their kids and meet up for lunch during their working week, and so have a tight bond, like sisters.

Although, Miranda’s attitude towards Cara does slightly change as she realises that Cara is becoming quite serious with Riley. She is perhaps worried for Cara that Riley will treat her bad in the end, and she may be a little jealous of the time that Riley spends with Cara when she could be with her. This is what makes Patriotic Duty realistic and easy to connect with. The characters have real feelings and thoughts that the majority of us have, and these lead to similar situations that we have either been in or those that we know have been in.

Brilliantly written by C.J. Pinard, Patriotic Duty is very fluid and there is not a moment that you lose grips with the story. I read this book in one day and so it is a very quick read. Due to the hot love scenes this book is recommended for those above the age of 18 yrs.

If you are a fan of C.J. Pinard’s urban fantasy/paranormal series, Enchanted Immortals, you will see a whole different side of her work in Patriotic Duty. C.J. has shown just how versatile her writing can be, and I for one absolutely love it. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the When Riley Met Cara series.

A Reader’s Review Blog received a copy of Patriotic Duty from the author in return for fair and honest review.

You can find Patriotic Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 1) by C.J. Pinard on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Smashwords.

If you would like to contact C.J. Pinard you can reach her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor or you can e-mail her at cjpinardauthor@gmail.com.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker