February 5, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals, Part 1) by Tim O’Rourke

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

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

Note: This ends in a cliff-hanger. Part Two will be released 13th February 2015 and is now available for pre-order.

For readers 16+

REVIEW

Another brilliant read from Tim O’Rourke! I love how he packs so much into this short, 72 page paranormal romance. Werewolves of Shade, part one of the Beautiful Immortals series is also a mystery with a hint of horror that is fast paced and will keep you on your toes. Every time I pick up an O’Rourke book I feel a sense of excitement as they never fail to impress and intrigue, with fantasy running through every single read!

In Werewolves of Shade the reader cannot help but sympathise with Mila Watson. After being brought up through her teenage years by her uncle after the disappearance of her parents, she has never let go of her curiosity and need to find out exactly what happened to them as they had left to investigate the village of Shade and never returned.

The war between vampires and werewolves was long over, but left the towns and villages in ruins. It was only a myth that a witch had had a part to play in the ending of the war. But was she real, or was it purely a myth? As Mila has grown into a fine young woman and discovered the truth of her missing parents she needs to find out exactly what became of them and to investigate the myths surrounding the vamps, wolves and possible witch!

But will she really find it so easy to leave her uncle behind? After all, he has brought her up, cared for her, taught her to be the person she is. And then there is Flint. Her best friend, her lover, and the one person she has been able to grow up with, confide in and share her time with. Are they together because they are close friends and need to feed their desires, or is it really love?

As well as being a beautiful love story and paranormal mystery there are scenes of action and a little violence. I LOVE how short and snappy Tim writes, straight to the point, the heart of the scene. This allows the reader to imagine every second as you get pulled in and feel the fear, panic and intensity. The characters are so easy to like and understand, and the mystery keeps you guessing.

The cliffhanger is brilliant and I can’t wait to read part 2 of the Beautiful Immortals. Whether you’re an O’Rourke fan already, or simply looking for a new paranormal romance with mystery you’ll love Werewolves of Shade!!

A copy of Werewolves of Shade was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Werewolves of Shade (Beautiful Immortals, Part 1) by Tim O’Rourke is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 28, 2015 by Caroline Barker

RELEASE DAY BLITZ w/Giveaway & Excerpt: Cursed by Fire by Danielle Annett

RELEASED TODAY JAN 28TH 2015: CURSED BY FIRE – DANIELLE ANNETT

BLURB

It has been six years since the Awakening and peace in Spokane, Washington is still tenuous at best. The vampires and shifters are all vying for control of the city and the humans seem to be the ones suffering the consequences, or so it seems.

Aria Naveed has spent the last two years of her life fighting to make the many wrongs of the world right, but soon finds out that the humans aren’t as weak as they appear and may be a more terrifying foe than any of the other races combined.

When a stranger rolls into town with trouble on his heels, Aria finds herself trapped in the middle of a battle that could cost her more than she has bargained for as a fight for justice turns into an unexpected fight for her life.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20564142-cursed-by-fire?from_search=true

Buy links:

iTunes/iBooks : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cursed-by-fire/id958444099?mt=11&uo=4

HTML iTunes Linke: <a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cursed-by-fire/id958444099?mt=11&uo=4” target=”itunes_store”>Cursed by Fire – Annett, Danielle</a>

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Fire-Blood-Magic-Book-ebook/dp/B00QKYB57M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421730354&sr=8-2&keywords=cursed+by+fire

BN nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cursed-by-fire-danielle-annett/1121069648?ean=2940046513417

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Danielle_Annett_Cursed_by_Fire?id=AsQmBgAAQBAJ

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/cursed-by-fire-2

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/510139

Behind the scenes look at how Cursed by Fire’s cover came to be:

http://youtu.be/0NpvNlsUzCI

Embed code:

Giveaway:

Print copy of Cursed by Fire and 3 e-copies

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Danielle Annett

Danielle Annett is a reader, writer, photographer, and the blogger behind Coffee and Characters. Born in the SF Bay area, she now resides in Spokane, WA, the primary location for her Blood & Magic series.
Addicted to coffee at an early age, she spends her restless nights putting pen to paper as she tries to get all of the stories out of her head before the dogs wake up the rest of the house and vye for her attention.

You can learn more about Danielle on her website at Danielle-Annett.com or follow on on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel… and on twitter @Danielle_Annett

Website: http://danielle-annett.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danielle_Annett

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7771866.Danielle_Annett

EXCERPT:

The light began to fade from his eyes as I crawled across the floor in an effort to reach my father. My nails were raw and bloody as I struggled to carry myself closer to him, digging into the rough wooden floors with each drag of my body.

“I’m coming,” I panted in between breaths. “Just hang on, Papa, I’m coming.”

I woke gasping for breath, drenched in a cold sweat, clutching the hilt of my dagger as if my life depended on it. I frantically looked around the room in search of our attacker while also taking stock of any injuries. I was perfectly whole.

“It was just a nightmare,” I told myself, though that did little to ease the ache in my chest over the remembered pain. I miss you so much.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I pushed back the wet, loose tendrils of hair that had escaped my braid during my fitful rest and returned my dagger to its resting place beneath my pillow. Taking another deep breath I registered a hint of smoke.

Shit!

My eyes roamed over the room, frantically looking for the source of fire.

“You have got to be kidding me!”

I untangled my body from the sheets, tripping and falling into a heap on the floor before I was able to crawl out of my covers and retrieve an old shirt. I frenziedly swatted at the bedroom curtains with the old t-shirt but the flames continued to rise. Deciding there was no other choice, I ripped the curtains from the window and rushed to the kitchen.

Throwing the curtains into the sink and turning the faucet on all the way, I watched as the flames were snuffed and steam began to rise. The curtains ruined.

Turning the water off, I allowed my body to slide down the smooth wooden cabinets until my bottom met the cool tile floor. I folded my arms across my knees and rested my forehead against them. Closing my eyes I took several deep breaths, my heart still racing from the effects of the recurring nightmare. This was getting out of hand. I had thought the nightmares were fading, but something was bringing the memories back with a screaming vengeance and this was the third time this week they’d plagued me. I missed my parents but it’d been over six years now. They weren’t coming back and I needed to let it go. My subconscious needed to let it go and I needed to let Daniel’s death go. Not the case, no, I wouldn’t let that go. But his death was affecting me in ways I couldn’t allow to continue.

I breathed deeply in an effort to calm my nerves. Small tremors racked my body, the nightmare had shaken me more that I’d like to admit. My skin was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. A physical reminder that I needed to relax before I accidentally caught something else on fire.

Q/A with Danielle

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I’m not entirely sure to tell you the truth. I think when I decided I wanted to write something this story just popped into my head because it was one I wanted to read myself. Overtime it took shape and changed drastically but the idea itself more of less popped in out of nowhere.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration at the Library. There is something entirely exciting about walking through a room filled with books and looking at all of their covers that just inspires you to write more.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding the time to write is difficult. Between my day job, my blog, my home life and beautiful daughter, it all adds up. Time is something I definitely wish I had more of.

What are your current projects?

Currently I’m working on Book 2 in the Blood & Magic series, and a side PNR project that is just beginning to take shape.

Tell us about your first book. What would readers find different about the first one and your most recent published work?

I don’t have any other published works.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Not particularly. If there is a message in my book then it is coincidence. I’m a story telling and don’t really look to add special messages in my writing but I do think Cursed by Fire may have developed one, can you guess what it is?

Does music play any type of role in your writing?

Music is HUGE. I tend to assign a song to every scene. Music makes you feel something and I want my book to make my readers feel something as well. Music for specific scenes allows me to strive to draw that emotion into the scene.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

No. Everything in Cursed by Fire is entirely fictitious.

What books have influenced your life most?

I feel like I should list the classics here but truth be told, Urban Fantasy novels such as those by Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs have inspired me to want to become a writer. Additionally, On Writing by Stephan King has been an extremely helpful tool in developing my craft.

Are there any new authors that have grasp your interest?

Yes. ML Brennan is not completely new but is newer and has caught my attention. Additionally, Sherry Palmer who wrote Life with Charley. Something completely outside my genre scope but so touching has grabbed my attention and held on tight.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I hope you love my story as much as I loved writing it.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

They can visit my website, www.Danielle-Annett.com and follow me on twitter @DanielleCRomero

Do you have a special time to write? How is your day structured writing-wise?

So not structured at all. I fit in time to write whenever I can. Sometimes I write all day and sometimes I don’t write until the weekend rolls around, every day changes.

Why did you choose to write [genre] stories?

I chose to write Urban Fantasy because its what I enjoy reading most. There is something about fantasy creatures living in todays society and dealing with everything it brings.

What is for you the perfect book hero?

My perfect book hero is someone you can relate to. Someone who goes above and beyond to help others but is not all that extra ordinary. I want to feel like I can be that person.

When you start a book, do you already have the whole story in your head or is it built progressively?

It starts progressively. I typically outline first but even my outline changes as I go. Cursed by Fire went through four different outline revisions and three major rewrites.

When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing passively about two years. I was just playing around with an idea and slowly it began to take shape. Only within the last year have I taken my writing seriously though and really buckled down to finish a book.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

That’s tough, I suppose when I typed THE END. That was when I felt accomplished enough to say, I’m a writer.

List three books you have recently read and would recommend.

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

The Kraken Kong by Meljean Brook

Archangel’s Shadow by Nalini Singh

Tell us something that people would be surprised you know how to do.

I crochet. I feel like it is a grandmotherly habit but I learned when I was young and recently finished a baby blanket for my niece.

Will you write more about these characters?

Yes. I have four books planned so far for this particular series.

January 21, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Guildhall Guardian: Thamesian #1 (Thamesians) by Aidan Ladsow

Author: Aidan Ladsow

Title: Guildhall Guardian: Thamesian #1 (Thamesians)

Genre: Paranormal Mystery/Romance

Release date: March 6th, 2014

Length: 179 pages

Blurb:

SHE HAS JUST FOUND THE ADVENTURE SHE CRAVED FOR

Italian Art Graduate Gioia Di Terzi has left Rome for England, upsetting all her plans of a future as a Museum administrator. Now working as a civil servant, she settles into a British working-class routine which comes nowhere close to her dreams of English Gothic tales.
That’s before she discovers the Medieval Quarter of the city and steps into its Guildhall, a building which instantaneously fascinates her.
Little does she know she just crossed the supernatural underworld’s threshold…

AFTER CENTURIES AS A GUARDIAN HE MUST COME OUT AND FIGHT

In 1430, Roydon Thamesian made a pact with Vampires who saved his life and became the powerful Guildhall’s guardian.
Ruling the Medieval Quarter, he doesn’t know humanity anymore.
Until Gioia Di Terzi stumbles into his life and he becomes the target of unmistakable attacks from a Hunter…

REVIEW

“It had started in a blur and it went on with a black out.”

I enjoyed reading the Guildhall Guardian, with it’s dark, gothic and eerie atmosphere. It did take reading a few pages before I could really become absorbed into the story, but Gioia and Roydon’s characters really drew me in. And I like how the story goes in and out of Gioia’s mind. As the reader understands what she is witnessing and thinking you can feel the story as if you were her.

Gioia finds herself looking for a short-cut home during her lunch break. This short trip takes her through the Medieval Quarter of the City to Guildhall. As an art graduate, and wanting to be a museum administrator, it’s appeal is huge as Gioia wants to explore.

From that day Gioia uses the path to travel to and from work. She begins to notice some smaller details, such as the four graves, and her eyes deceive her into thinking one of them is ajar. She can feel the atmosphere, the dark, the gothic aspects and can sense that something is different about this area of the city. But what it is, she doesn’t know. The tension builds up with the atmosphere:-

“…. I could not avert my eyes from this building. It was well-seated among the other medieval buildings, an open church, several houses remained intact and a graveyard just in front of the old charming pub. Rather gothic, to say the least.

This was the UK I wanted to live in. It doesn’t get any better than the old slippery pavement, the head-turning monuments and bizarre gargoyles, old-fashioned statues with their twisted faces, tokens of medieval value.

The tombstones…. were well-kept and there was only four of them. I even thought my eyes tricked me when I observed that one of the graves looked ajar.”

As the guardian of Guildhall, it is inevitable that Gioia will meet with Roydon. After meeting in the old pub, Roydon knows that it is Gioia who has been looking around Guildhall and been seen on the CCTV. The attraction between them is instant, she knows there is something unusual about him, like he was from another era, mysterious and spell-binding. They both feel the electricity and tension as they spend more time together, after his invitation to see him one evening turns into longer as they track a hunter.

Unbeknownst to Gioia initially, it is Roydon’s responsibility to keep the four vampires and their graves guarded. But, after an eventful evening, with Gioia in his presence, Roydon is attacked. It appears that a hunter is on their radar, hunting for the exact vampires that Roydon is guarding! Poor Gioia is left a little confused, especially since Roydon has ‘made’ her forget. For Gioia, being with a man of mystery and then waking up puzzled:-

“It had started in a blur and it went on with a black out.”

But, the mystery won’t let up for Gioia as her character naturally is nosey and she has to find out exactly what is going on. She begins to focus and go over events until some memories return. Her curiosity and sense of adventure usually ends with a scrape or two, and Roydon looking after her – which can’t be that all that bad seeing as he is so alluring and chivalrous! The mix of emotions that Gioia is feeling: the excitement, danger, attraction, is all because of the events that take place.

“Within the last days I had: been drunk, been chased by swords-arrows, been psyched out, wept and hid in the bathroom, wanted to book a one-way flight home, remained shut at home talking to myself and compulsively eating then puked, obsessed over vampires on the internet, then turned up at the Guildhall ready to expose the one I was insanely attracted to.”

I love how the author builds up the suspense, both in fear and romance. In regard to the romance aspect, the author teases the reader with the characters as we long for them to get together. However, Roydon cannot allow a human girl to distract him and make him vulnerable. No matter how close, how strong the attraction, he mustn’t get drawn in.

“He was bloody playing through and through. Playing with is own limitations. Playing up the attraction. Downplaying the risks.

Gioia outed him from his usual comfort zone. To be closer to her he acted out of character and out of his personal sense of propriety.

She was addictive.”

As the story moves on to discover who the hunter is, the reader is in suspense and not knowing what will happen next. Roydon’s brother, Brand, and vampire, Hendry Lancaster, add a great deal of value in terms of fear and atmosphere as, at first you are unsure of their character. There is a little action, excitement and plenty of mystery, but it is the romantic element that steals the show for me!

There are areas I feel that could benefit from a proof-read/edit, however this was not enough to put me off the read. And, as the atmosphere and characters are so well described, along with a good, mysterious plotline, it was more than enough to keep me enthused. I hope that there will be a sequel and that I will have the chance to read more on the adventures of Gioia and Roydon, and their intense romance!

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

Guildhall Guardian: Thamesian #1 (Thamesians) is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US. You can also look it up on Goodreads.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 19, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Torment (Dark Alpha #1) short story by Alisa Woods

Following on from her brilliant True Alpha hot paranormal short story series, Alisa Woods has just released Torment, the first short paranormal of her Dark Alpha series. I thoroughly enjoyed the True Alpha series (links to all 6 book reviews, and the festive novella are at the bottom of this post) and celebrate the release of Torment (Dark Alpha #1) today!

New Adult Paranormal Romance serial – first episode now available (released January 19th, 2015)

Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City.

Jak enjoys the female human population of Seattle as much as any wolf, but his heart belongs to a female shifter who’s already mated. Worse, she’s the mate of his alpha’s brother.

Arianna was captured from her pack when she was only twenty and mated to a wolf whose dark side takes full advantage of her unbreakable bond to him. Her nights belong to him, but her days are free to explore other things… including feelings for a wolf she can never have.

Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?
Torment (Dark Alpha 1) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It’s the first of six episodes in the Dark Alpha serial.
Adult content. Ages 18+.

REVIEW

After reading the True Alpha series, I was thrilled to hear that there would be a new series from Alisa Woods in Dark Alpha. Fans of True Alpha, or indeed paranormal and shifter fans will love this hot story with it’s emotion, passion and action. I would recommend that True Alpha be read first to provide the reader with the full background (although not essential).

Jak is young, hot and turns many a human girl’s head. He is liked within his pack, the Red Pack, and his alpha looks out for him. Little do the pack know that he betrayed them once, and morally so. Jak has his wits about him and knows that Arianna was mated to his alpha’s brother, Mace, against her will. Now she has no choice but to be with Mace. But Jak can’t help feeling a little hot when in her company and wants her for himself.

The intensity of Jak’s feelings for her multiply as he is asked to bodyguard her when Mace allows her to attend University – instructions from his father, with the hope that Arianna can gain qualifications that she can bring to the family business. This does not please Mace as he’d much rather keep Arianna at home, but he can’t really go against his father, his alpha.

This is an opportunity of some freedom that Arianna has been waiting for, as opposed to feeling trapped in Mace’s home, bored, and nothing to look forward to as she knows Mace will have his way with her when he comes home. No, this is freedom, and what’s more she has been left with hot, young Jak to mind her!

Torment is a perfect title as both Jak and Arianna are feeling strong attractions to each other. However, as the magic bond between Mace and Arianna can only break in one of their deaths, it looks pretty unlikely that these two can get together. Not to mention what Mace would do to them if he were to ever find out that Jak so much as looked at Arianna. It would certainly be the death of Jak.

Tensions run high between Jak and Arianna, but what will the future hold for them?

This short story holds a little of everything, including action towards the end. Readers won’t be disappointed and Torment is just the beginning of the Dark Alpha series. I cannot wait to read what book 2, Pleasure, will hold for us!

A copy of Torment (Dark Alpha #1) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Torment (Dark Alpha #1) is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

If you would like to check out the info and my reviews for the first series, True Alpha, please click on each book below!

Desired (True Alpha #1) – short story

Guarded (True Alpha #2) – short story

Hunted (True Alpha #3) – short story

Captured (True Alpha #4) – short story

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5) – short story

Claimed (True Alpha #6) – short story

A True Alpha Christmas – novella

All True Alpha short stories are available at Amazon UK and Amazon US individually. BUT, the TRUE ALPHA FULL SEASON is available to order!! (Please be aware that A True Alpha Christmas novella was released after the box set as a stand alone, and although carries on from the series is not a part of the main series, and NOT in the box set! It is available however as an individual novella at Amazon US and Amazon UK.)

AMAZON US link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

AMAZON UK link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

January 18, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Round-Up Jan ’15

Hi readers, we are well into January now but we do hope that you enjoyed the holiday season and that you have a Happy New Year. I am amazed that over the last month Tina and myself have managed to review fifteen books and hope that you enjoy reading all about them.

Romance is certainly a strong theme for the following books but we still cover the historical, contemporary, chick-lit, erotica, paranormal and sci-fi (and festive) genres, as well as having a paranormal thriller/horror and a crime drama in the mix too!

As always, you can click on the book title for the full review and more!

Caroline & Tina ❤

Tempting his Mistress by Samantha Holt, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: What could possibly induce at woman to follow in the footsteps of her mother and further sully her reputation by becoming a mistress?

Lilly Claremont is well used to being at the centre of gossip. Being the illegitimate child of a rich businessman never failed to titillate the gossips and while she cared little about the wagging tongues she never intended to reinforce their opinions of her by ruining herself completely.

But it seems Lord Hawksley is determined to make the fascinating Lilly his mistress…

Evan has no doubt her bold tongue and beautiful body could keep him entertained for some time. Captivated by her, he must find a way to burn through his desire for her. He cannot marry a woman of such social standing so why not make her his mistress?

After the murder of her father, Lilly is searching for answers and they lead her directly to Lord Hawksley. But will they also lead her to his bed…?

All I Want for Christmas by Amy Silver, contemporary holiday romance, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: It’s Bea’s first Christmas with her baby son, and this year she’s determined to do everything right. But there is still so much to do: the Christmas menu needs refining; her café, The Honey Pot, needs decorating; and she’s invited the whole neighbourhood to a party on Christmas Day. She really doesn’t have time to get involved in two new people’s lives, let alone fall in love…

When Olivia gets knocked over in the street, however, Bea can’t help bringing her into The Honey Pot and getting to know her. Olivia’s life is even more hectic than her own, and with her fiancé’s entire family over from Ireland for Christmas, she shouldn’t be lingering in the cosy warmth of Bea’s café. Chloe, on the other hand, has nowhere else to go. Her affair with a married man has alienated her friends, and left her lonelier than ever.

But Christmas is a magical time, and in the fragrant atmosphere of The Honey Pot, anything can happen: new friends can be made, hearts can heal, and romance can finally blossom…

A True Alpha Christmas (novella of the True Alpha series) by Alisa Woods, new adult, paranormal romance (reviewed by Caroline)

STAND-ALONE NOVELLA – best enjoyed after reading the True Alpha Box Set (Vol 1-6)

Blurb: Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City. Mia is your everyday college girl, trying to earn her business degree—and a shifter who’s long hidden her identity from everyone, including her mother, who believes shifter is synonymous with criminal. Six months ago, sexy and powerful alpha-male Lucas rescued her in an alley and claimed her for his mate. Now Mia’s heart belongs to Lucas, and everyone in the world of shifters understands the magic of their mating has bonded them for life. But in the human world, there’s no wedding ring on her finger to show for it. With Christmas looming, Mia’s mother wants to finally meet Mia’s mysterious and high-powered live-in lover. With her human and shifter lives about to irrevocably collide, Mia fears there will be nothing but broken hearts in the end.

A True Alpha Christmas is 80 pages or 20,000 words. This novella can be read as a standalone, but readers will enjoy it more if they read the True Alpha serial (Vol 1-6) first.

Long Gone Girl (short story) by Amy Rose Bennett, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: After returning home from the Korean War a widow, former MASH surgical nurse, Ginny Williams, heads to the Jersey Shore for a weekend of much needed R&R. But her plans to do nothing more than relax on the beach go seriously awry when the boy who broke her heart on Prom night nine years ago—the now hotter-than-hot ‘fly-boy’ Jett Kelly—shows up on her patch of sand. To make matters worse, Captain Kelly seems to be on a mission to win her trust, and maybe even her heart again. But the last thing Ginny wants is a man—especially one like Jett—in her life. She’s a career nurse now, and that’s that. If only Jett wasn’t so damned charming and attractive…

US air force pilot, Captain Jefferson ‘Jett’ Kelly Junior is blown away to have stumbled across the beautiful yet shy and bookish girl he used to have a huge crush on in high school—especially now that Ginny is all grown up and sexy as hell. Problem is, she’s also not backward in coming forward when letting him know she hasn’t forgiven him for the Prom-kiss-gone-wrong incident. Even though Jett knows he’ll have his work cut out for him to get a second chance with her, he’s definitely going to give it his best shot…

Despite Ginny’s determination to keep her head—she’s certainly not the naïve girl she used to be—when Jett starts to unashamedly woo her, she soon realizes that maybe her heart didn’t get the memo…

Falling Dragons (Moon Shadow series #3) by Angela Castle, erotic paranormal romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Drugged and running for her life, Dragon Princess, Ophelia, jumps off a rooftop to escape her captors.

Immortal Demon Hunter Simon, is shocked when he catches a falling, redheaded woman. His surprise is short-lived when he faces not only a vicious demon, but those hunting his newly acquired redhead.

In desperate need of protection, and knowing he is her mate, Opie spell-tethers the sexy Demon Hunter to her, not realizing he’s a seventeen-hundred-year-old dragon slayer.

The sexual chemistry explodes between them as they fight each other, in and out of the bedroom. Together, they must battle an evil enemy set on unleashing a soul-sucking demon army into the world, threatening to destroy everything they hold close to their hearts.

Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) by C. L. Scholey, sci-fi erotic romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Amidst the snow and icy wasteland, Earth has become a watery grave to many. Zargonnii warriors Finn and Blu search for any remaining human females. Luck abounds and six females are found struggling to survive. The moment his blazing red eyes settle onto Bethany Finn feels in his heart she is the one he wants to end his loneliness. When Bethany encounters two massive aliens, eyes alight, long white hair wildly flying, she knows the pair are either death or salvation. Their encounter leads Bethany on the wildest adventure of her life. After the Zargonnii ship is annihilated by the enemy a shuttle leads Finn and Bethany straight into the path of peril more times than the couple care to count.

Help, I’ve Been Abducted by an Alien! (short story) by Juliet Cardin, sci-fi erotic romance (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Jen joins an alien-abductee group in order to secretly write an article on the subject. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she encounters a UFO in her neighborhood park and gets abducted for real.

Lysander, her sexy captor, informs Jen he’s not taking her home. Earth, he confides, is soon to be impacted by an asteroid and then invaded by a hostile lizard race. Jen is determined to find a way to escape Lysander–who is hell-bent on having her for himself–and return to Earth, before it is too late to prevent its annihilation.

Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) by Lynda O’Rourke, paranormal thriller, horror (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: Out of work and out of luck, 19 year-old Kassidy Bell finds herself in desperate need of money.

Coming across a mysterious advert in her local newspaper offering a reward, Kassidy believes she’s found the answer to her prayers.

But Kassidy soon realises that if something is too good to be true then it usually isn’t what it first appears to be. Finding herself in a desperate situation, Kassidy realises that she must run if she is to escape the new horrors she has discovered however great the reward might be.

Mr X by Clarissa Wilde, dark, erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

18+/Adult Read

Author Note: This is not your average romance story. Some people will kill for love.

Blurb: He’s come to kill me. I’m a user and abuser of my own body. In my darkest hour I sold my soul to the devil and now I must pay the price. With his gun to my head I have no choice but to listen and obey, but I refuse to go down easily. Nothing is stronger than the will to survive. My instincts kicked into full gear the second he stepped into my motel room.Except when I look at him I see my own heart staring back at me. A history tainted by blood.I don’t know his name, but I know he wants me. To save myself I’ll sacrifice my sanity. My body. My soul. Something tells me the x-shaped scar that marks his eye is the only escape I have. He is Mr. X: the man who comes to claim my life. Can I save myself before he demands my heart?

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, breath deprivation, strong language, drugs and alcohol, and graphic violence.

Taken by the Sheikh (Boxed Set) by Christina Phillips, Mel Teshco & Cathleen Ross, contemporary erotic romance (reviewed by Tina)

Book 1: Hostage to the Sheikh ~ Mel Teshco

Sheikh Shahzad Salah al Din doesn’t have time for hearts and flowers, not when his parents’ bodies are barely even cold in their graves and his country, Omana, is on the brink of revolt. He has to secure peace by honoring a long ago arrangement to make English rose, Lexi Galvin, his wife. The trouble is strong-willed Lexi isn’t aware of her royal Arab lineage let alone her destiny. There is only one way Shahzad can guarantee she will be his queen … and he isn’t above using force to get it.

Book 2: The Sheikh’s Mistaken Bride ~ Christina Phillips

In order to secure a powerful alliance for his country, Khalid has no choice but to marry a neighboring princess. It’s not what he wants, but duty must come before pleasure. Yet when he meets the beautiful Sanura he changes his mind… only to discover the virgin in his bed is not his destined bride.

Book 3: Sold to the Sheikh ~ Cathleen Ross

He’d paid a fortune for his bride and he was determined to collect, whether she liked it or not. Rafi Salah al Din doesn’t trust easily. In charge of security for his country Omana, he devotes his life to duty. With his parents murdered it is his duty to stabilize his country by finding his parents’ assassin, marry and produce a son to ensure the Salah al Din line lives on. So why does the wife he bought disagree?

Heart Grow Fonder by Cristy Rey, adult contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Wrong place. Wrong time. Right people.

Jessie Bravo knows what’s wrong with her life; she just doesn’t know what to do about it. Eleven years ago, she saved Tyler Cantrell from getting his ass kicked by gay-bashing high school jocks. Since, they’ve been the closest of friends. Years later, Jessie circled the drain of chronic depression, spiralling out of control, and it was Tyler’s turn to save her. Who knew her best friend would become a Hollywood A-lister? Though Jessie credits Tyler for keeping her together, living in the shadow of her best friend’s celebrity isn’t all it’s cut out to be. It’s up to Jessie to figure out what she has to do to be happy: get better or get lost.

Stardom is on the horizon for British television actor Boyd Kerrington. He’s starring opposite Tyler Cantrell in an American feature film sure to blow his career out the water. For all the years he’s focused on his career, however, he’s settled in his personal life. That is, until he meets Tyler’s best friend, Jessie. Jessie is refreshingly cool, passionate, and compelling…but she’s also complicated. Worse yet, she’s not interested in remaining in the celebrity stratosphere, even for her lifelong friend.

Triple D Dude Ranch by Beverly Ovalle, erotic western contemporary romance (reviewed by Tina)

Blurb: Blaire is a freelance photographer on assignment. She is heading home to Texas, armed with her camera to do a photo feature for the Tribune. Taking photos of the dude ranch, she gets an eyeful of an uninhibited cowboy through her lens. The summer heat of Texas has nothing on the heat he generates in her.

Dan was expecting a photographer but not the sexy urban cowgirl that arrived. He knew it was hot out, he just hadn’t expected the hot and sexy woman to make him burn the minute he caught sight of her. One look and he had to quench this fire inside.

One touch between Dan and Blaire sparks a wildfire that burns hotter than the Texas summer and is just as hard to put out.

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard, contemporary military romance, chick-lit (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: An overachiever in uniform…

Jace Lawless is an overachiever, a go-getter, and determined to accomplish everything he sets his mind to. After serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, and receiving his college degree, he’s picked up by a popular minor league baseball team, all while continuing his service in the USMC reserves.

When Jace meets a beautiful, breathtaking single mother named Miranda Cates, it takes him by surprise. Her shady past and beautiful little girl are the conundrum that both confuses and fascinates Jace. He can’t tear his thoughts away from Miranda, and eventually he believes he can win her over with his dimpled smirk and witty charms.

Once Miranda becomes his, the part of him she hated the most – the part he had kept secret from her for so long – rears its ugly head. Will Miranda lean on her friend Cara for support while staying by his side once he tells her that duty is calling… or will she decide she can’t handle it and take her daughter and leave?

Playing the Field is the fourth and final installment of the Duty & Desire series. Contains adult situations and minor scenes of war.

Dead of Night (A Tom Mariner Mystery #7) by Chris Collett, police procedural, crime drama, thriller (reviewed by Caroline)

Blurb: When a young woman disappears on her way home from work, Detective Inspector Tom Mariner tackles his most challenging investigation yet!

18-year-old Grace Clifton vanishes on her way home from work in the centre of Birmingham late at night, the case is remarkable in that not a single witness comes forward. The more he has to deal with Grace s wealthy and overbearing father, Council Leader Bob Clifton, the more Tom Mariner is inclined to believe that Grace left of her own accord.

Then the package arrives. It contains Grace s clothes, neatly pressed and laundered. A second woman disappears. And a disturbing pattern begins to emerge.

Still adapting to a new investigation team and struggling to pull its members together, Detective Inspector Mariner is about to tackle one of his strangest, most challenging cases to date.

Once Upon a Rake by Samantha Holt, historical romance (reviewed by Tina)

In Victorian England, Little Ellie Browning swiftly discovered happily ever afters did not exist and rakes were simply rakes. When the man she had adored for years kissed her and left her heartbroken and she was forced to marry an elderly earl to save her reputation, she resolved to put any dreams of fairy tales aside.

Seven years later, the now widowed Eleanor, Countess of Hawthorne, has returned to England after years of travelling and is now part-owner of a cotton mill left to her by her late husband.

But the owner of the mill, and the very same handsome rake who hurt her years earlier, has no desire to let a woman interfere with his business, let alone little Ellie Browning—no matter how fascinating he finds her since her transformation from coltish scarecrow to almost graceful countess.

Lucian is still recovering from the after-effects of one of his mills succumbing to fire, and now he’s fighting to save the other in a tough economic climate. He doesn’t need this new distraction, especially when, after a series of accidents, it becomes clear someone wishes the mill to close and he has to find the culprit—fast.

With things heating up between Ellie and Lucian, it’s apparent that not only is the mill in peril—they are both at risk of getting burned…

January 11, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Promo Intertwined Souls series (Books 1-4) by Mary D. Brooks

Intertwined Souls is a series that takes the reader from war-torn Europe to Post-War Australia, and returns to Europe after hints of the paranormal set in (books 3 and 4) to this historical lesbian romance series by Mary D. Brooks.

Although Awakenings (Intertwined Souls series #4) is the latest release of the series, and the book due to be reviewed by myself, we are also featuring the first three books, In the Blood of the Greeks, Where Shadows Linger and Hidden Truths, to provide you with a full introduction to the whole series. And what’s more – Book 1, In the Blood of the Greeks, is FREE, and so is Book 2, Where Shadows Linger! Book 5, No Good Deed, is due for release at a later date too!

You will also be able to find an author bio at the bottom of the post for more information on Mary D. Brooks. We hope you enjoy finding out about this amazing series and follow characters, Eva and Zoe, on their incredible journey!

Author: Mary D. Brooks

Title: Awakenings (Intertwined Souls #4)

Genre: Historical romance/Lesbian, Paranormal

Release date: January 16th, 2014

Released by: Bedazzled Ink

Length: 319 pages

Blurb: In the fourth novel in the Intertwined Souls series, Awakenings continues with Eva and Zoe’s tumultuous journey to Greece and Germany.

They leave Greece with a new understanding of the past and a renewed purpose for their lives. In Germany they discover unknown secrets and gifts that span generations. With hidden truths uncovered and a peek of their future, they can now work toward making their once impossible dreams come true.

“Awakenings is the fourth novel in the Intertwined Souls series, and the best one so far. A riveting plot, a set of memorable characters, a couple of unexpected twists, a healthy dose of wit and humour, and another of intensity and emotion, a whole lot of passion and love, a flowing pace and engaging dialogue, and Mary D’s unique narrative voice. Add that gorgeous cover and you have all the ingredients that make this truly outstanding novel, one you don’t want to miss. I can guarantee you will fall in love with Eva, and with Zoe, and with their story. I can only hope there will be many more books in this phenomenal series.”

Purchase Links:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Awakenings-Intertwined-Souls-Book-4-ebook/dp/B00I85SHI6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Purchase elsewhere and print:

http://www.nextchapter.net/blog/books/issbook3/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks

Author: Mary D. Brooks

Title: In the Blood of the Greeks (Intertwined Souls #1)

Genre: Historical romance/Lesbian

Release date: 2001 (first edition), 2014 (4th edition)

Released by: Self-published

Length: 239 pages

Blurb: In the Blood of the Greeks is set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins in a most troublesome period of human history, where subjugated by the might of Nazi Germany, two women meet under extraordinary circumstances. This is the story of Eva Muller, the daughter of a German Major, in command of the occupying force in Larissa, Greece in 1944. Through the intervention of the village priest she meets Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. They develop a friendship borne out of this dark time as they both work with the Greek Resistance. This friendship leads to the beginning of a life that they never would have imagined. Follow their journey in the first of the Intertwined Souls Series!

Purchase Links:

FREE http://www.nextchapter.net/blog/books/issbook1/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks

Author: Mary D. Brooks

Title: Where Shadows Linger (Intertwined Souls #2)

Genre: Historical romance/Lesbian

Release date: 2001 (first edition), 2014 (3rd edition)

Released by: Self-published

Length: 288 pages

Blurb: The second instalment of the Eva and Zoe series, Where Shadows Linger follows the ever popular In the Blood of the Greeks. Having survived Nazi-occupied Greece and its liberation, Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros are still very much in love, wanting nothing more than to fulfil their dreams and hopes for the future. Emigrating to Sydney, Australia, the two women find themselves making new friends and forging a new life together. However, it is not long before their happiness is marred by prejudice and the machinations of old enemies, plunging them into mortal danger. Will the unique connection between Eva and Zoe be destroyed? Will they lose their new-found friends? or will Eva and Zoe’s love prove strong enough to overcome the shadows of the past that continue to linger in their lives?

Purchase Links:

FREE http://www.nextchapter.net/blog/books/issbook2/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks

Author: Mary D. Brooks

Title: Hidden Truths (Intertwined Souls #3)

Genre: Historical romance/Lesbian, hint of Paranormal

Release date: January 11th, 2014

Released by: Bedazzled Ink

Length: 289 pages

Blurb: In the third book of the Intertwined Souls Series, Hidden Truths continues the journey of two extraordinary women, Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros, from war-torn Europe to Post-War Australia.

It’s 1950 and Eva and Zoe have settled in Australia, but events from their homelands beckon them back to Greece and Germany. Along the way, they are reunited with family and friends and are forced to contend with their own haunted memories and unexpected revelations that tests their courage, strength and faith.

Purchase Links:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Truths-Intertwined-Souls-Book-ebook/dp/B00HTPKQTY/ref=asap_B00347V9TW_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417764855&sr=1-2

Purchase elsewhere and print:

http://www.nextchapter.net/blog/books/issbook3/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks

Author bio:

Mary D. Brooks lives in Australia and has been writing for forty years and has published short fiction stories for various Australian magazines and non fiction pieces before she turned her attention to the Intertwined Souls series. Her first novel was “In the Blood of the Greeks” which was quickly followed by “Where Shadows Linger”. She took a break from writing and has come back to the characters her fans love so much. She now continues the series with “Hidden Truths” (Book 3) and “Awakenings” (Book 4) and the soon to be published “No Good Deed” (Book 5). When she’s not writing, she’s a graphic and web designer, travels when the travel bug hits and is chief editor for various multimedia sites.

Author Information:

Email: marydbrooks@outlook.com

Website: http://www.nextchapter.net

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/marydbrooksfiction

Facebook Series Page: https://www.facebook.com/evazoeseries

Twitter: http://twitter.com/marydbrooksfic

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marydbrooks/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRGsFn6Am8oJIIvi02COig?spfreload=10

Amazon Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-D.-Brooks/e/B00347V9TW

Newsletter sign-up form: http://eepurl.com/9rMyL

January 4, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) by Lynda O’Rourke

“…. I….feel like I’m in a bad dream…. like I’ve stepped out of reality and into hell.”

A book I was so excited to read, paranormal thriller DRUG (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1), certainly didn’t disappoint, with surprises around every corner! With plenty of horror elements I am certain Drug will be a story loved and feared by many. And as it is Lynda O’Rourke’s début, I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!!

Blurb: Out of work and out of luck, 19 year-old Kassidy Bell finds herself in desperate need of money.

Coming across a mysterious advert in her local newspaper offering a reward, Kassidy believes she’s found the answer to her prayers.

REVIEW

I LOVED Drug, as I am sure many paranormal thriller fans and horror fans will! Volunteering to test a drug in return for money, Kassidy goes to Cruor Pharma, meets the staff and the other volunteers and starts the trial. It isn’t too long before the nightmare kicks in and Kassidy’s adventure of hell begins! If you’re looking for a book packed with panic, horror, demons and the paranormal, and blood and gore, then you have reached your destination!

Lynda O’Rourke hasn’t left out any excitement or thrills. For the first book of a trilogy, Drug is amazing. Lynda has jumped straight into the story and action after the reader has been acquainted with Kassidy and her circumstances.

After losing her father, Kassidy (19) is left alone and owing debts passed down from her father. Without work she is desperately in need of money. After seeing the newspaper ad for volunteers to test a drug, VA20, in return for £2,000, Kassidy had to take the opportunity.

Upon her arrival at Cruor Pharma, Kassidy begins to have doubts whether she is doing the right thing or not, as do some of the other volunteers. As they introduce themselves to each other they begin to reassure each other, especially young hottie, Jude! This puts Kassidy at ease for a while as they all prepare for their treatment. Some of the staff seem a little cold and direct, while Doctor Fletcher (also another hottie!), appears friendlier and more accommodating.

The volunteers are expecting to be in Ward 2 overnight and then be off home the following day. But, over the course of the following hours events are not to be as expected. And the horror begins…

The volunteers are advised to rest once they have had their dose of VA20, but for some of them they sense that the atmosphere isn’t right. There is something heavy in the air and sleep is the last thing on Kassidy’s mind. In a matter of minutes the unexplainable happens and the ward becomes a battle scene. It becomes clear that some of them, if any, won’t survive. What the hell is going on? They need to escape, but it’s clear that some of the staff are a part of what’s happening. The only way out is further through the old hospital building and through the dreaded Ward 1!

Just like watching a horror movie, there are creepy and eerie scenes which build up great suspense before the action, gore and bloody mess scenes take place. Lynda O’Rourke sets the mood perfectly.

“I slipped off the bed, tiptoeing toward the curtain, trying to keep my drip from squeaking. Fear raced through my body in contractions. My hand shook as I lifted my arm, reaching out for the curtain. I gasped in air as I pinched the fabric between my thumb and forefinger.

“Don’t do it,” hissed May, her blanket now just below her eyes.”

And again, later, when some of the volunteers have to keep their wits about them from whatever it is that’s after them – it’s like a scene from The Walking Dead, as the author describes the tension and complete awareness that the survivors must have to keep going:

“Pushing open the door, we followed Jude down the corridor. I wished I had another set of eyes in the back of my head. I was constantly checking over my shoulder at the barred windows and the ceiling for any signs of more bloody handprints. My ears were on constant alert. I flinched at every little noise and gasped at shadows flickering through the windows onto the brick walls.”

Kassidy is given a glimmer of hope in the way of Doctor Fletcher. He is warm and friendly and the volunteers take to him easily. Aside from Kassidy he is my favourite character. He, by and large, goes out of his way to help Kassidy, but at the same time has to hide this from his peers. There are moments when his character changes momentarily which cloud doubt to his trustworthiness, but then why is helping at all? His character is full of mystery and is changeable, but this makes him complex and interesting, as well as keeps the reader guessing!

Escaping Cruor Pharma is the one thing on the group’s mind. The reader can feel the sheer desperation they have, especially Kassidy being the main character. But can she escape?

It keeps the reader thrilled from beginning to end, and then some! You’ll be going crazy to read part II of The Kassidy Bell trilogy after the exciting but intense cliff-hanger ending we are left with in Drug.

Drug (The Kassidy Bell trilogy #1) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

AUTHOR INFO

Lynda O’Rourke is married and has three sons. Lynda has been the story editor of over thirty bestselling novels.

To connect with Lynda visit her facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-ORourke-Author/1480696118846650?ref=hl

DRUG is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

December 23, 2014 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW A True Alpha Christmas (True Alpha series, novella) by Alisa Woods

STAND-ALONE NOVELLA – best enjoyed after reading the True Alpha Box Set (Vol 1-6)

A True Alpha Christmas is 80 pages or 20,000 words. This novella can be read as a standalone, but readers will enjoy it more if they read the True Alpha serial (Vol 1-6) first.

REVIEW

To find out that Alisa Woods had written A True Alpha Christmas was a lovely surprise and it was definitely a read I was excited for since the whole True Alpha series has been one of my top reads this year. This time of year is full of magical sights and feelings, and this is what A True Alpha Christmas is all about. Now Mia has been claimed by Lucas and will be his mate for life she is absolutely over the moon. But as Christmas approaches, and she has to be prepared for office parties and Lucas meeting her mum, Mia wants her relationship with Lucas to be common knowledge and for people to realise how serious they are.

Readers who have followed this series will know just how hot and intense the relationship is between shifters, Mia and Lucas. This novella is no different. After dressing incredibly sexy for a Christmas party, Lucas wants nothing more than to whisk her away to the cloakroom for some hot and intimate attention! Whilst the inner wolf of Mia, and a part of her human side, want the same she cannot help but feel ‘why does it have to be like this?’. Why can’t everyone know that they are man and woman, together, mated? Without Lucas quite realising it, the human side of Mia wants a ring on her finger, a symbol to show their declaration of love for each other.

To make matters worse, it is time for Mia’s mum to meet Lucas. Mia’s Mum knows nothing about her daughter being a shifter, and taking after her father. Shifters, to her, are criminals, violent, and her only experience of a shifter left her abandoned by him. At the same time, if Mia doesn’t come clean to her mother, it will leave her mum believing that Lucas is trying to control her daughter, use his status to exploit her until he has had what he wants and moved on to the next woman.

Mia’s dilemma leaves her feeling that nothing she can say will encourage her mum to like Lucas. Will Mia be able to diffuse the situation or will her mum and Lucas never get along? With the same intensity as the True Alpha series, fans and new readers will love this paranormal romance. It is written just as brilliantly as the previous short stories, with the heat, emotions and surprises.

A copy of A True Alpha Christmas was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

A True Alpha Christmas is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

All short stories are available at Amazon UK and Amazon US individually. BUT, the TRUE ALPHA FULL SEASON is available to order!!

AMAZON UK link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

AMAZON US link to TRUE ALPHA BOX SET

You can check out my reviews for each book of the series below.

Desired (True Alpha #1) – short story

Guarded (True Alpha #2) – short story

Hunted (True Alpha #3) – short story

Captured (True Alpha #4) – short story

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5) – short story

Claimed (True Alpha #6) – short story

December 21, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Caroline’s Top Reads 2014

Hi readers, it’s that time of year again when Tina and myself have lots of fun going through our reviews of the past year and choose our favourites to share with you! And, wow, there are so many it is difficult to narrow them down!

This is the end of our second full year and we cannot thank you all enough for following us and sharing our posts. We have made so many friends, be they authors, bloggers, agents, publishers and more, it has been overwhelming. We have received our first Christmas card from Australia (pictured), which was an absolute pleasure to receive. It’s amazing to see the sun and summer holiday reminders when the usual card for us is full of snow, log fires and dark evenings.

We hope that you have had a great year and are looking forward to the festive season. We are looking forward to sharing it with you. And I hope that you enjoy us sharing our favourite reads. Tina’s Top Reads will also be coming your way very soon. And here are mine!

Please click on the titles for my full review and much more info!

Contemporary Romance

Books of this genre and some contemporary rom-coms have been a big hit for me this year, and Helena Fairfax’s The Silk Romance was an absolute pleasure to read. It was written so beautifully, powerfully and thoughtfully, and certainly a read you will not forget! It is a Cinderella-type story that is highly intense and completely grips the reader. I have also likened it to some high-profile romance movies in my review as some aspects are similar and captivating!

The Love of Marisol by Christos Toulouras is a short story of love and loss, but with the possibility of finding new love after. It is, again, very powerful and emotive, beginning as quite a dark and realistic read (although fiction). Taking only around an hour to read, it was one of my favourite reading hours of the year!

Contemporary Rom-Coms

As well as the serious side of romance, it is always uplifting and refreshing to read some fun reads, even though they still hold a serious undertone. The book that enlightened me in this manner is C.J. Pinard’s Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) (Duty & Desire #3). It is my favourite book of the Duty & Desire series. It is a light-hearted, fun and cheeky read. And I love how C.J. Pinard follows both Miranda’s career, as well as her romances, and at the same time the reader sees a different side to the friendship that Miranda has with Cara.

Wanting to read a seasonal book at the time, I thoroughly enjoyed An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson. It was a Bridget Jones style read, with plenty of humour and a real feel-good and refreshing feel that really captured the time of year. And with some sombre storylines for some characters it has an awful lot going on, but is still relaxing and fun to read.

Historical Romance

Lucy Oliver’s novella Summer in Rye is an incredibly intense short story, with power and the ability to grip the reader. Following a new governess to children that have been badly affected by smallpox, and a master that is tyrannical, Eva only has one choice: to turn to the master’s brother, who was once engaged to her. Passion reignites between these two, but after he lied before, can Eva really accept him back?

Paranormal

To top off my favourite paranormal reads is Tim O’Rourke’s Vampire Flappers (Samantha Carter #1.5). Last year the first of the series, Vampire Seeker, was one of my favourites, and again this series has really thrilled me. It has everything from vamps, shifters, action/adventure and time travel! The romance and passion is also very intense, making for a very HOT read! This is a series not to be missed, and I cannot wait to review Vampire Watchmen (Samantha Carter #2) in the new year!

And, not always a huge fan of short stories, this year has certainly changed my point of view. I used to think that to create great characters that full novels would be more fulfilling. However, there are a number of short stories in my top reads this year and a certain series of short stories really blew my mind – Alisa Woods’ True Alpha series. There are six shifter stories, which follow Mia and shifter Lucas, their attraction and heat for each other! Yet, the dilemma is that Lucas lost his last mate, and being to close to another is just not an option. But, when rival shifters kidnap Mia, Lucas has to face his true feelings. Each story is complete with action, heat and intensity. Shifter fans will LOVE this series. Here are the links to each review:-

Desired (True Alpha #1)

Guarded (True Alpha #2)

Hunted (True Alpha #3)

Captured (True Alpha #4)

Sacrificed (True Alpha #5)

Claimed (True Alpha #6)

I am also hoping to review another short A True Alpha Christmas over the coming days before the big day. And, in the new year Alisa Woods will be releasing her Dark Alpha short story series!

Now, for my second entry of author C.J. Pinard we have Soul Rebel. This is my favourite novel of C.J.’s. With plenty of action, suspense and romance it really does have it all. The characters and storyline are brilliant. Nolan loses his soul during a kiss with a female succubus in a nightclub and he only has 7 days to claim his soul back! Time constraints cause the tension and really make the pace quick. Plus there are many surprises which make it an exciting read.

Recommended for the younger adult (15yrs+) Blue Moon (The Blue Crystal trilogy #1) by Pat Spence is an enchanting and fairytale-like read with supernatural mystery and horror. It is highly recommended to fans of the Twilight saga, but without the vamps. It follows the idea of eternal youth, ancient links and an attraction between Emily (17) and the handsome Theo. It is highly emotive, with a great eerie atmosphere as the reader gets sucked in to the mystery. Blue Moon is a fantastic beginning to this trilogy.

Horror

This year saw the final instalment of Tim O’Rourke’s Moon trilogy, Moonshine (The Moon trilogy, #3). A paranormal horror series that has it all; action and adventure, vamps, weres, heart-warming moments and plenty of surprises. The running theme through the trilogy is whether or not vamps and weres can exist in peace together. Or, will they both have to try and annihilate each other? Will the love of Winnie be enough to hold it all together? (Clicking on the links for books 2 and 3 may spoil the storyline for those who haven’t read book one.)

Moonlight (The Moon Trilogy #1)

Moonbeam (The Moon Trilogy #2)

Crime Thriller

Cold Call by Colin Llewelyn Chapman, was an instant like for me. After being likened to author Martina Cole, Luther (BBC tv series) and with a pinch of Fifty Shades, Cold Call proved to be a gritty, well-planned read that follows both the suspect and the police with their investigation into the deaths of several women from seedy backgrounds. This is another read with surprises along the way that will keep you gripped until the end.

Dustin Stevens’ 21 Hours is full of action and suspense as an uncle and ex-con is attempting to save his two year old niece after she has been kidnapped. Being an ex-con he is not entirely trusted by the authorities, but he is so desperate that he will do anything! I have likened it to some action movies, such as Lethal Weapon, Commando, Ransom and Con Air as there are some elements of these in the book and especially in they way it left me feeling after I had read it. It is also another read that is quick-paced, partly due to the time that it is believed that the young girl has left!

Ooh, and now for some Festive Contemporary reads

As an added treat, and because they were brilliant reads, I thought I would share the following two festive reads:

C.L. Scholey’s Candy Cain is a short 55 page read that is festive, hot and full of suspense. After being snowed in during a blizzard and left on a desolate road, with only the stranger that she dislikes after briefly bumping into him earlier, the only way they can keep warm is by body heat! Hmm, I wonder where this will lead and what the outcome will be for them? There are also heart-warming moments and an underlying storyline about helping those in need.

And finally, a full-length story with a Christmas build-up, new friendships and a new romance in Amy Silver’s All I Want for Christmas. Beginning from the fourteenth of December, the story is written with each chapter being a new day in the lead up to the big day, when there are plans at The Honey Pot café for people of the neighbourhood to meet for a party of food and friendship for the lonely.

I have read many more great reads that I cannot possibly add due to the amount I have here. Crossing many genres, I always hope that there are reads in here to suit many, and I feel that there is a great mix of both published and indie authors.

I hope that you enjoy our posts and would like to thank each and everyone of you for following and supporting us. I sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas and an absolutely brilliant New Year!

Caroline Barker 🙂

If you would like to check our Top Reads of 2013 to recap on our previous year, you can do so here:-

Caroline’s Top Reads 2013

Tina’s To Reads 2013

December 17, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Spotlight with excerpt The Girl In Between by Laekan Zea Kemp

We welcome Laekan Zea Kemp to our blog with a great spotlight of The Girl In Between, a Young Adult paranormal romance novel and the first in it’s series. Released in September of this year, it is now perma-free (details below) and a book we are looking forward to reviewing in 2015!

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

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

Author bio

Laekan is a writer and explorer extraordinaire who grew up in the flatlands of West Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech with a BA in Creative Writing and is the author of the multi-cultural New Adult novels The Things They Didn’t Bury, Orphans of Paradise, Breathing Ghosts, and the Young Adult novel The Girl In Between, which is the first in an upcoming paranormal romance series.

Website: http://laekanzeakemp.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaekanZeaKemp

Goodreads

EXCERPT

“Can I show you something?” she asked.

I wasn’t sure if I should follow her or even if I could but I didn’t want her to let go of me. I didn’t want her to disappear again and leave me there alone, still lost. So I nodded.

We swam to the end of the dock and she untied the small rowboat. She climbed in first, reaching for the oars and holding it steady as I sat down across from her. I watched the house recede. My eyes trailed back to the road, still waiting for someone to come down it. They didn’t.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Not far.”

I searched the horizon but it was empty. No land. No boats. It felt like we were headed straight for the skyline, about to fall off into nothing. The waves grew choppy and I wanted to take the oars from her but I didn’t know where we were going and for some reason I liked listening to the slow rhythm of her breathing as she fought the waves.

The boat finally grinded to a stop and when I looked over the edge the water was so clear I could see tiny creatures bedding in the sand, their thin shadows eclipsed by the girl as she climbed onto the sandbar.

“I went to the Bahamas once when I was thirteen,” she said. “The water was so blue. I strapped on a snorkel and spent the entire week just walking from sandbar to sandbar, face underwater watching the fish swim by.”

I followed her out of the boat and a school of bright yellow fish cut between us, scales glinting.

“This?” I said.

She smiled and walked around to the other side of the boat. The water was a dark grey, my legs tangled in a mess of rust colored seaweed. I could barely see my feet, their shadows disappearing beneath swirls of mud.

“This is the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston. I tagged along on one of my mom’s work trips. It was just a few weeks after Hurricane Ike.”

I stared at the muddled outline where the two oceans converged—one light, one dark. I waited for them to mix, for that invisible seam to break free but it didn’t.

We waded farther out into the clear water, another school of fish bumping against my calf, bright red coral twisting near my ankles. It was startling.

“I used to come here,” she said. “When I first got sick I would stand here and it wouldn’t feel like purgatory anymore. They’re memories.” She faced the beach. “My memories.” Then she looked at me. “I don’t know why you’re here or if you’re—”

“Real?” I asked.

She nodded and I wasn’t so sure anymore either.

“But you don’t have to be afraid,” she said. “It doesn’t have to feel like purgatory.”

I watched the sunlight reflecting off the ocean and dancing against her skin. Her eyes were lighter in the sun; green churning to a soft sea foam like the waves crashing near our feet. And standing there in that invisible seam between two oceans, two worlds, she was just as startling.

The tide swirled in her gaze and I watched it shimmer there, glinting from a soft grey to jade and then I said, “It doesn’t.”

Buy links:

The Girl In Between is now perma-free and is available on the following sites:-