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 9, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Review Newly released: Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) by C.J. Pinard

FRESHLY RELEASED January 15th, 2015, contemporary military romance/chick-lit

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.

REVIEW

After reading Book 3, Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story), Playing the Field goes hand-in-hand as the final story of this sweet, contemporary, military romance series focuses on Jace’s point of view, his background with the U.S. Marine Corps and minor league baseball team, as well as his strong feelings for Miranda. If you’re looking for a refreshing, cheeky, fun and romantic read then this is a series for you!

From early on in the story the reader has a sense of just how much baseball and the Marines mean to Jace. As well as both being an enjoyment of his, he is also incredibly talented at both and his skills are noticed. They both play a huge role in his life, but it could all be about to change with Miranda about to enter it.

Not a fan of a military man, as she has been let down more than once, Miranda makes it clear to Jace that she would never date another! This leaves Jace wondering when he should let her know of his background. You can sense his genuine worry of losing her if she found out but knows that she has to know. How can he make her see his point and that he isn’t a player?

We learn that despite Jace’s macho appearance and strong masculinity, he is actually a rather sweet hottie. He is considerate towards Miranda, and yet has the self respect to follow his dream and remain with the Marines until his contract is up at least! But will he be able to convince Miranda to stay with him?

It isn’t too long before Jace realises his feelings for his ex, Samantha, were nothing compared to how he loves Miranda. Not only does he absolute love her delectable, curvaceous body, he also admires her strong will. Yes, Miranda holds his heart both physically and emotionally. And, he also adores her young daughter, Ashlynn, and has a strong sense that he can’t let these ladies out of his life.

Although his relationship is the core of the story, Jace is also tackling nightmares from when he was once deployed. The author writes with such care over these dark and serious events, and yet still manages to keep the read, as a whole, light. As the story continues some of these events are more frequent and add more power as the reader begins to see just how much the Marines mean to Jace, and also how he doesn’t want it to affect a life he longs for with Miranda. This could be one of the biggest battles he has ever had!

Playing the Field is a delight to read and, as the whole series has been, very refreshing! Fans of Duty & Desire books 1 and 2 will also be pleased to hear that Cara and Riley also have an appearance in Playing the Field, as the author carries on a little of their storyline too and how their relationship affect Miranda and Jace (Cara being Miranda’s best friend, and Riley a military man himself with a story to tell of his own). Yes, to thoroughly enjoy I would strongly recommend that the series be read as a whole, as these lives intertwine and each book is from a different perspective. They fit together superbly well and you truly get to see all angles. What a way to honour the military and their families, C.J.!

A copy of Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

Playing the Field is available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

You can also find Books 1 & 2 available!

Patriotic Duty (Duty & Desire 1) series previously entitled ‘When Riley Met Cara’

Blurb: Newly divorced party girl Cara Reid just wants to have fun. Much too young to even be a divorcee, she and her bestie, Miranda, set off to have fun and maybe a few casual hookups and live life. One night at a military bar, Cara meets Riley Forrester, a hot Army soldier who makes her melt with one look of his deep ocean blue eyes. But Riley is only staying the summer in California and then has to go back to Colorado when it’s over. Cara tells herself he’s just a summer fling and is determined to enjoy herself and let him go once the summer is over. But when Riley receives orders he wasn’t expecting, she’s forced to make a decision on whether she’s going to be there for him when he gets back, or move on with her life. What she wasn’t expecting was to fall so hard for the beautiful soldier boy, and now she’s faced with accepting her feelings or letting him go.

For readers 18+. Contains adult content.

Our review link

Amazon US link – currently FREE (please be aware prices are subject to change)

Amazon UK link – currently FREE (please be aware prices are subject to change)

Tour of Duty (Duty & Desire #2)

Blurb: Army Sergeant Riley Forrester knew all about love, loss, and pain. He knew the love of a woman just to lose it. He had spent the best summer of his life with a beautiful single mother named Cara Reid, and then desperately needed her love to get him through a long, cold deployment. When things went horribly wrong overseas, he decided it was best to let Cara go and let her move on with her life. Cara wouldn’t be forgotten that easily, though. She had seeped her way into his heart and his dreams, and Riley knew he’d never love another like her. Contains adult content, for readers 18 and older. Also contains minor scenes of war.

Our review link

Amazon US link

Amazon UK link

Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) (Duty & Desire #4)

Blurb: Miranda Cates finally graduates from college and is excited to begin her dream career in law enforcement. After the final betrayal and heartbreak of her college boyfriend, Chris, she moves back home with a firm plan in place for her life.

However, the life she has carefully mapped out for herself takes a serious left turn. Miranda finds she not only has to be strong for herself, but for the daughter who hadn’t been part of her plan.

Determined to still believe in true love, life throws Miranda one more wicked curveball. She meets Jace Lawless, a hot minor league baseball player, whose warm aqua eyes and big dimple have her unraveling her carefully laid plans. A man who may be just be too good to be true.

Boots Beneath My Bed (Miranda’s Story) is book 3 in the Duty & Desire series, and while it is recommended to read the books in order, it’s not necessary.

Our review link

Amazon US link

Amazon UK link

AUTHOR LINKS

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.

January 6, 2015 by Caroline Barker

Double Promo ‘Forgotten’ and ‘Arranged’ by Catherine McKenzie

We are delighted to be working with Catherine McKenzie this year, Canadian author of Spin and Spun (novella sequel to full novel, Spin) – both of which are on my review list, as well as her Forgotten, and due for release on February 1st, Arranged, which is to be reviewed by Tina. These contemporary romance/chick-lit novels have been translated into French, Portuguese, and several other languages, and are international bestsellers, as well as being freshly released in the UK!

Please find below information for Forgotten and Arranged, with links for further details, and a short bio on the author.

Caroline xx

FORGOTTEN

When everyone thinks you’re dead, how do you start your life over again?

Emma Tupper, a young lawyer with a bright future, sets out on a journey after her mother’s death: to Africa, a place her mother always wanted to visit. But her mother’s dying gift has unexpected consequences. Emma falls ill during the trip and is just recovering when a massive earthquake hits, turning her one-month vacation into a six-month ordeal.

When Emma returns home, she’s shocked to find that her friends and colleagues believed she was dead, that her apartment has been rented to a stranger and that her life has gone on without her. Can Emma pick up where she left off? Should she? As Emma struggles to recreate her old life, everyone around her thinks she should change: her job, her relationships, and even herself. But does she really want to sacrifice everything she’s working so hard to gain?

“McKenzie has created a charming character in Emma, witty, extraordinarily level-headed, and blessed with grace under fire in the most trying of circumstances. Forgotten is the story of one young women’s life, broken down, reconstructed, and forever altered. It is an endearing story of discovery and transformation and the importance of turning lemons into lemonade.”— BOOKLIST

For more info on Forgotten please check out the following links:

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

ARRANGED

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

“With good dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and page-turning scenes, McKenzie expertly explores what makes a successful marriage work and the lengths to which some people will go to find true love.” –Publisher’s Weekly

For more information on Arranged please click on the following links:-

Goodreads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Bio:

A graduate of McGill University in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal, where she was born and raised. An avid skier and runner, Catherine’s novels, SPIN, ARRANGED, FORGOTTEN and HIDDEN, are all international bestsellers. She is currently working on her fifth novel, SMOKE, slated for release in 2015. Her novels have been translated into French, German, Portuguese Czech, Slovak and Polish. And if you want to know how she has time to do all that, the answer is: robots.

Website: www.catherinemckenzie.com

January 2, 2015 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) by C.L. Scholey

AUTHOR: C.L. Scholey

TITLE: Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3)

GENRE: Sci-Fi, Romance, Erotic

DATE RELEASED: November 3rd 2014

PUBLISHED BY: Whiskey Creek Press LLC

LENGTH: 135 pages

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.

REVIEW

Well, it won me over! Not one for opting this genre too much I couldn’t believe how much I was taken in by the story and the characters. I truly LOVE and appreciate the creative brilliance from the author. Although alien, Finn manages to gain Bethany’s trust as she learns to understand him through body language and her own awareness of him and Blu. Bethany is quite aware that their time on Earth is almost over and her only chance of a possible survival is by leaving this world with Finn and Blu.

As Bethany quickly picks up on his language it becomes even more apparent that Finn means no harm. And it isn’t too long of being in Finn’s presence, and the close proximity she has to him, that her feelings towards him become a little more physical! Yes, this is a hot read as well as being suspenseful and fun!

Finn longs for a human mate as he knows that they can offer so much more than physical intimacy alone. He wants somebody to love and care for him emotionally too. Zargonnii females live separately from their males and only get together during the Holiday (mating) times. Finn wants so much more than this. And, the minute he meets Bethany, she opens his eyes and he knows that she is the one he wants.

After Finn helps Bethany and her female friends escape planet Earth before it all falls under water, Bethany and he begin quite the adventure that she could have never imagined – experiencing new planets and life forms, as well as being threatened by some. Bethany’s life is purely in Finn’s hands. She is scared and fearful, and yet she knows that Finn will stop at nothing to keep her safe. To keep her his!

“… Finn had no idea the depth of his emotions for her until that very second. Someone loved him. He then realized Bethany was right; for a warrior, he was sensitive. In his arms lay his destiny, his love, his life, his everything. He’d murder ten thousand cyrons if he had to, to keep her safe. Finn grinned at the thought. Sensitive, maybe, a bad ass, for sure.”

Bethany’s Heart is packed with passion, fun and adventure. I would recommend this read to sci-fi romance fans who like to read suspenseful stories with hot love scenes and characters that enchant.

Bethany’s Heart (Unearthly World #3) was provided by Torrid Press (part of Whiskey Creek Press) in return for an honest and fair review.

Bethany’s Heart is available at Torrid Press, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

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)

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.

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 22, 2014 by Tina Williams

COVER REVEAL ~ Jade (Special Operations Command Series #2), by Stephanie Reynolds

Title: Jade (Special Operations Command Series #2)

Genre: Romance/Erotica with Action

Author: Stephanie Reynolds

Release Date: Jan 12, 2015

Synopsis:

Jade Conner is taking a big risk, working undercover as a drug buyer. His team is desperately trying to intercept and stop the importation of a wicked new drug into South Florida. In the middle of a buy, he meets a young woman, who seems utterly out of place.

Alli Reed is helplessly trapped, having foolishly made the wrong choice. Now, she must deliver the drugs or die.Worse, she the sister of one of the team members: the case just took the worst possible turn!

♦About The Author♦

Bio:

I am a new author and hope to publish many of my books. I have been working on my first book for some time now, but I am finally making that leap. I have many stories that I want to put to paper and hopefully you all will follow me on my journey.

I currently live in Charleston, WV with my two beautiful children. I do work a full time job and I have a passion for writing. My only hobby is reading.

I like to write whatever is on my mind but I like to explore with my writing. I like to have my books feel like your inside them as the actual characters. I like my characters to be strong. Sex is important between loving people therefore all my books contain graphic scenes but are not classified as erotica. The character’s themselves have more basis.

If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you.

♦Social Media Links♦

Facebook ◊ Website ◊ Twitter ◊ Goodreads

♦Purchase First Book in the Series♦

Kalil(Special Operations Command #1)

Amazon US ◊ Amazon UK

Author liaisons promo pic

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.”

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December 14, 2014 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ The Silent Governess, by Julie Klassen

Regency Historical Romance

Inspirational/Christian Read

Book Blurb

Believing herself guilty of a crime, Olivia Keene flees her home, eventually stumbling upon a grand estate where an elaborate celebration is in progress. But all is not as joyous as it seems. Lord Bradley has just learned a terrible secret, which, if exposed, will change his life forever. When he glimpses a figure on the grounds, he fears a spy or thief has overheard his devastating news. He is stunned to discover the intruder is a scrap of a woman with her throat badly injured. Fearing she will spread his secret, he gives the girl a post and confines her to his estate. As Olivia and Lord Bradley’s secrets catch up with them, will their hidden pasts ruin their hope of finding love?

A Beautiful Romantic Read

The Silent Governess is a beautiful sweet Regency romance, with Christian undertones by Julie Klassen. It is reminiscent of the novels of Victoria Holt in that is has a Gothic flavour.

It is expertly researched and has an ingenious and page turning plot, containing plenty of mystery and suspense pertaining to the hero and heroine including family secrets and threatening characters. I rooted for the heroine, Olivia, from the off. She is a strong and thoroughly likeable young woman who is fleeing a crime scene. Her actions greatly assist the emotional journey that the hero embarks on as he comes to terms with new found secrets from his own past.

The hero, Lord Bradley, is a handsome, honourable and competent young man, however, he is very much the product of his aristocratic upbringing and his actions towards the heroine are not always kind. He did grew on me a great deal as the story progresses and he comes to learn a great deal about what really matters in life.

The characterisations are excellent and the romance, central to the plot, evolves realistically, over time. Olivia is quickly attracted to her employer but Lord Bradley, although increasingly fascinated and drawn to her beauty inside and out, shies away from admitting his attraction to himself, due to the differences in their station. Yet he comes to realise that in reality there is not much that separates them after a series of unexpected plot twists. Their evolving romance is truly beautiful to behold.

The read expertly illustrates the social mores of the time, including the perceived gulf between the upper classes and those in service. It is especially instructive in painting a realistic picture of the lonely life of a governess. It also documents the rural society around the great houses and the ties between the church, village and the role the aristocracy played in managing their estates. I particularly loved how each chapter has a contemporaneous quote from the era reflecting the times.

This is the first book that I have read by Julie Klassen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Silent Governess transported me to the Regency era and swept me away into the emotions of the characters. I recommend it to romance lovers who like a sweet romantic read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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November 30, 2014 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ ~ Hardened Desire, by Layna Pimentel (includes excerpt)

A Paranormal Erotic Romance

18+/Adult Read

BLURB

What could Luc Mercier, a gargoyle who’s more than a century old, possibly have in common with modern introvert, Gillian Harris? Loneliness and isolation.

When meddlesome friends bring the two together, neither is prepared for the flurry of emotions nor revelations that overwhelm them. That is, until Gillian stumbles across the truth and struggles with how she let her guard down.

Learning to love again has never been harder.

EXCERPT

Luc picked up a newspaper from the stand and tossed a two-dollar coin to the elderly man working the counter. He ascended the cavernous stairs of Bloor and Dufferin subway station, irritated by the lights flickering intensely. I should have just taken my car.

But if he did, Luc would have missed an opportunity to observe society other than from the café he frequented lately. A society he didn’t belong in, technically speaking, and had no business being a part of. Long gone were the muddy, off-beaten roads of provincial France. Long gone was the time when an over-flowing bodice was considered scandalous.

Now people thrived on exposing as much skin as possible. The modern day sentiment of what was attractive and acceptable embarrassed him to the core, from the mode of dress to the inappropriate use of language. Didn’t anyone know how to speak without using an expletive every other word? Where had humanity gone wrong? It was ghastly enough that children didn’t respect their elders, much less their parents.

Nevertheless, as much as this modern world perplexed him, nothing could deter him from at least enjoying his freedom, regardless of the limitations restricting his activities to the darkness of the night.

He did, however, miss the ambiance of candle light and the soft cries while seducing a woman, tormenting her with his wicked tongue. Exploring deviant, but heavenly, practices of binding and mixing pleasure with pain. Sweet promises falling from his lips while exploring every inch of her delicate and exquisite flesh.

These days, the few women he was able to enjoy weren’t interested in highly sensual liaisons. No. Today’s women thrived on being in control of seduction, whether they were proficient or not. There certainly wasn’t anything wrong with the scenario, but it wasn’t his taste. He preferred his women soft, like Genevieve…his sweet, sweet Genevieve.

No matter how many decades passed, the only woman he’d ever confided in, and planned to wed, crept into his mind many a time. Genevieve was an old soul, who found him and fell in love. Then, much like a Greek tragedy, their story ended woefully. The trust and courage it had taken to confess to Genevieve of the monstrosity he had become left him restless and, for once in his miserable existence, vulnerable. If not for her kindness, encouragement, and love, who knew what he would be doing and where.

This last week, though, he thought to explore the possibility of trying again. A particular woman, who frequented the café where he spent his early evenings drinking a brandy and reading The Daily Sun, had caught his particular interest. Her laughter aroused his curiosity in the few and far between moments when he contemplated actually living life. Her voice, whether chuckling or whispering to her friend, always made his body react in an animalistic way.

While they had never met, she seemed like someone he’d be interested in getting to know, at the very least, for a little while. Luc doubted very much he’d find another woman like the love of his life and often thought it would be better that way. How could he even begin to explain why he only ever spent time with her at night, and why he’d always be gone before the first sign of daybreak?

WHERE TO BUY

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BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.

Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:

Website: http://www.laynapimentel.com

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

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

November 25, 2014 by Caroline Barker

RELEASE BLITZ with Giveaway Snare (Delirious #1) by Clarissa Wild

Title: SNARE (Delirious, #1)

Author: Clarissa Wild

Release Date: November 25, 2014

Genre: Dark Romance

Blurb

His secrets will destroy her.

Taken.

Humiliated.

Used.

With his smart mouth, dirty talking, and possessive behavior, Sebastian Brand has me hooked in the most shameless way. I’m obsessed with him. However, now that I’ve escaped the mental hospital, he seeks to control my every move.

The overwhelming aloofness in his attitude and the darkness in his mind tells me there is more to this man than sheer dominance. Depravity is his playground and pain is a necessary evil.

Keeping me away was his first instinct.

Capturing me was his second.

Claimed by a man with the exterior of an angel and the mind of a brute, I will do anything to unveil his secrets and face my own demons.

A body in exchange for freedom. A heart in exchange for truth.

Life is never a given. Only a certain death.

This is Volume 1 in the Delirious Series, which contains 3 volumes and a prequel. This book is a full-length novel. These books should be read in order.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, strong language, drugs and alcohol, dubious consent, and graphic violence. Contains a cliffhanger that will make your eyes pop.

SNARE (Delirious, #1)

SEEK (Delirious, #0.5) – FREE!

PRE ORDER SEIZE (Delirious, #2) for $2.99 (Will go up to $3.99 on Release Day)

AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

About the Author

Clarissa Wild is the USA Today Bestselling author of FIERCE, a college romance series, but she’s best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire’s Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

Check out my sexy books: http://smarturl.it/clarissawildbooks

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