Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Double Hue by Briana Lawrence

Title:  Double Hue
Author:  Briana Lawrence
Published:  November 15th 2013 by Eternal Press
Length:  249pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  M/M romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


When there’s red, close your eyes and try again.

“Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am the cause of this. Maybe you were normal before meeting me.”

When something tragic happens, you want nothing more than to close your eyes and make all of the pain go away. For Gable Peterson it’s a little more complicated than that. When detective Maurice Ashford shows up at his door with news that his boyfriend, Avery Blair, has been found dead, Gable is left devastated. Seeking some sort of comfort, Gable closes his eyes and imagines a world where none of this happened.

Only, when Gable wakes up, he’s surprised to see that Avery is still alive.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

This is an intensely emotional and very thought provoking tale. The foreshadowing and flashbacks really let you get a full picture of what is going on. Also, the fact that the novel is set up like a play gives an extra dramatic feel to the entire story. All in all it adds up to a very trippy read.

The character development in this tale was very well done. By the end of the story I felt like the main character was an old college chum. I knew him intimately yet without irrelevant details. The rest of the cast was also well developed. Each individual was developed to a degree that suited their character and lot in the story perfectly.

As a whole this story is creatively unique. It hits you hard yet leaves you with a feeling of contentment. It was well worth the read.

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The Ninth Orphan by James & Lance Morcan

Title:  The Ninth Orphan
Series:  The Orphan Trilogy #1
Author:  James & Lance Morcan  
Published:  June 16th 2011 by Sterling Gate Books
Length:  274pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  Suspense
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


How do you catch a man who is never the same man twice?

That is the question posed in The Ninth Orphan, a top-rated international thriller novel and the first book in The Orphan Trilogy.

An orphan grows up to become an assassin for a highly secretive organization. When he tries to break free and live a normal life, he is hunted by his mentor and father figure, and by a female orphan he spent his childhood with. On the run, the mysterious man's life becomes entwined with his beautiful French-African hostage and a shocking past riddled with the darkest of conspiracies is revealed.

But can the ninth-born orphan ever get off the grid? To find out you'll need to go on a tumultuous journey around the globe to such far-flung locations as China, France, the Philippines, Andorra, America, England, Germany and French Polynesia. The frenetic cat-and-mouse chase moves from airports to train stations and hidden torture prisons, taking the reader on a shocking, nail-biting ride into the world's closet of skeletons that goes beyond conspiracy theories to painful reality.

Fast-paced, totally fresh and original, filled with deep and complex characters, The Ninth Orphan is a controversial, high-octane thriller with an edge. Merging fact with fiction, it illuminates shadow organizations rumored to actually exist in our world. The novel explores a plethora of conspiracies involving real organizations like the CIA, MI6, and the UN, and public figures such as President Obama as well as the Clinton, Marcos and Bush families.

Tackling genetic selection, mind control and secret societies, The Ninth Orphan exposes a global agenda designed to keep the power in the hands of a select few. The novel's antagonists are members of a shadow government acting above and beyond the likes of the White House, the FBI, the Pentagon and the NSA. Could something like this ever take place? Or, is it already taking place right now?

This unique and unpredictable thriller also has a poignant, romantic sub-plot. The story contains the kind of intimate character portraits usually associated with psychological novels.

Buckle up for a wild trip full of death-defying action, cloak and dagger intrigue, unexpected role reversals and surprise endings.

Written by father-and-son writing team Lance & James Morcan (authors of The Orphan Factory, The Orphan Uprising and Fiji: A Novel), The Ninth Orphan is Book #1 in The Orphan Trilogy. A feature film adaptation of The Ninth Orphan is also currently being developed.

My Review:

I found the premise behind this story intriguing & uniquely shocking. It was well written with a very solid storyline. I found that, based on the current action of the tale, I went from being engaged in the story to feeling separated from the storyline. The story also becomes increasingly faster paces the further into the story you get. The author’s low key descriptions really highlight the characters and the events that they face. The intertwining of the various characters and different aspects of the story really tied it all together, as did the HEA.

You really get to know the main character in this story. The minimal dialogue in the tale really served to keep the focus on the main character. Some of the supporting cast remains somewhat supplemental to the tail, but at the same time, they are the supporting cast.

Overall this was a very unique story that makes you really stop and think.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Torn from You by Nashoda Rose

Title:  Torn From You
Series:  Tear Asunder #1
Author:  Nashoda Rose
Published:   December 20th 2013
Length:  330pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Love is like an avalanche. It hits hard, fast and without mercy.

At least it did for me when Sculpt, the lead singer of the rock band Tear Asunder knocked me off my feet. Literally, because he’s also a fighter, illegally of course, and he taught me how to fight. He also taught me how to love and I fell hard for him. I mean the guy could do sweet, when he wasn't doing bossy, and I like sweet.

Then it all shattered.

Kidnapped.
Starved.
Beaten.
I was alone and fighting to survive.
When I heard Sculpt's voice, I thought he was there to save me.

I was wrong.


(It is highly recommended to read "With You" the novella first).

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

This is a love story with some dark elements. Dark contemporary romance. No cliffhanger and next in the Tear Asunder series is Ream's story (the band's lead guitarist).

My Review:

How do you rebuild trust when it’s been shattered? How do you overcome the worst when you’d expected the best? How do you decide what’s worth fighting for?

Rose works in a nice overlap with the prequel without rehashing the entire story. At the same time she makes it easy to pick up the series with this first instalment rather than having to read the prequel (which I would still highly recommend). This is the perfect start to an exciting and shockingly raw series.

The many metaphors and similes that Rose works into her story serve to heighten her already vivid descriptions, bringing this world into abject clarity. She develops each situation, location, and character fully, yet not to the extent that you get popped out of the storyline with an information overload.

I fully appreciated how many different levels of this story were well developed. Rose presents a solid storyline alongside well developed characters. Everything in this story has a history. Even the fighting in the story is accurate, along with the many other difficult, disturbing, and exciting aspects that Rose brings to this tale. And I mean really, who can’t appreciate a voyeuristic App?

I fell in love with this cast of characters from the beginning. There are so many strong, caring individuals that you can’t help but feel for them. The contrast of the solidly Alpha male lead with the strong female who is unsure of herself and her place in the world is very striking, serving to further the story.

As a whole, I absolutely loved this book. I appreciated the fact that this can easily be read as a standalone novel or as part of this brilliant new series. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone and definitely am in for the long haul with this brilliant new series.

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And now, as an added bonus, check out the prequel to the series!

Title:  With You
Series:  Tear Asunder #0.5
Author:  Nashoda Rose
Published:  December 20th 2013
Length:  74pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sculpt is an illegal fighter.

He’s also the lead singer of a local rock band.

No one knows his real name.

And from the moment I met him, he made me forget mine.

In order to convince Sculpt to give me self-defense lessons, I had to follow his one rule—no complaining or he’d walk. I didn’t think it would be a problem. I could handle a few bruises. What I hadn’t anticipated was landing on my back with Sculpt on top of me and my entire body burning up for him.

I tried to ignore it.

I failed of course. And having a hot, tattooed badass on top of me week after week, acting completely immune to what he was doing to my body—it was frustrating as hell, so I broke his rule—I complained.

Then he kissed me.

Author’s Note: This novella is Sculpt and Emily’s beginning and how they met. It is an extra and not required to be read before “Torn from You”. Their story and what happens to them is the novel “Torn from You”.

*Warning* Huge cliff-hanger. Like huge! But “With You” and “Torn from You” are released on the same day.*

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:



This story is vividly real. Rose takes off from the first page and doesn’t let you go. I seriously couldn’t put this one down. This racy novella introduces you to the main players in this new series, setting you up perfectly for the ride of a lifetime.

You get to know the main character quite well, on many levels. It’s really nice to see how she came to be where she is today, and how she became the individual that we meet here. I also love the mystery behind the male lead. He is the epitome of a male alpha who goes for what he wants and takes care of his own. These characters contrast with and support each other in an uncanny way.

Although not strictly necessary for the Tear Asunder series, it definitely adds a great deal to the characters that will reappear in the series proper. It was a brilliant read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend (or re-read).

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The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan

Title:  The Twilight Before Christmas
Series:  The Drake Sisters #2
Author:  Christine Feehan
Narrator:   Teri Clark Linden
Published:  October 1st 2011 by Brilliance Audio 
(first published October 28th 2003)
Length:  7hrs 49mins/304pgs
Format:  Audio book
Genre:  paranormal romance
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Bestselling novelist Kate Drake is one of seven sisters gifted with amazing powers of witchcraft. Returning home in time for her northern California town's annual Christmas pageant, Kate catches the spirit of the season and decides to open a bookstore in a charming but run-down historic mill. Decorated former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Granite, now a local contractor, doesn't mind working in the undeniably eerie house -- not if it means getting closer to Kate. There's something about the quiet, sensual woman that powerfully attracts him. When an earthquake cracks the mill's foundation and reveals a burial crypt, Kate senses that a centuries-old evil has been unleashed?and that it's coming after her. Though Matt vows to guard her from dusk till dawn, Kate knows she will have to summon all of her and her sisters' powers to battle the darkness threatening to destroy both Christmas and the gift of soul-searing passion her hometown hero wants her to keep forever...

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

What a complete rush. Feehan combines reality with the supernatural so seamlessly that you cannot help but picture this happening right next door to you. Feehan’s storytelling shines through and kept me captivated, even if the narrator’s voice seemed a bit disjointed from the story at times. Feehan’s remarkable descriptions and fantastic storyline kept me captivated and coming back for more.

Feehan’s character development was phenomenal. I appreciate the unique ways that she goes about providing details about the characters and their personalities. I also enjoyed the fact that multiple characters were developed into strong individuals, rather than simply the main characters.

Overall, I loved how this story could stand alone yet be part of a series. Feehan sets herself apart in a world dominated by the supernatural. I cannot wait to read more by this talented author.

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Purgatorium by Eva Pohler

Title:  The Purgatorium
Series:  The Purgatorium #1
Author:  Eva Pohler  
Published:  December 16th 2013 by Green Press/Eva Pohler
Length:  213 pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  YA suspense
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seventeen year-old Daphne Janus is floored when her parents agree to let her accompany her best friend to a getaway resort on an island off the coast of California. She doesn't know her parents have sent her to the Purgatorium as a last-ditch effort to save their child.

Her best friend and life-long neighbor takes her to a mostly uninhabited island with a wildlife preserve on one side and Chumash Indian ruins on the “haunted” side. The resort might be beautiful, the beach pristine, and the views from the headland amazing, but strange things begin to happen that soon have Daphne running for her life. At first she finds the therapeutic games thrilling: the ghosts that visit her room, the dropping elevator, and the kayak incident are actually kind of fun once she recovers from them. But when her horse bucks her off during a trail ride and she becomes lost on the haunted side of the island, it’s not fun anymore, and she wonders if her parents have sent her there to help her or to punish her.

My Review:

This story had me hooked from the first chapter. This suspenseful and exciting story had me guessing and running alongside the main character, engaged in an unimaginable journey. Pohler’s seamless writing and engaging storyline make it very easy to immerse yourself in this atypical story. She presents a well-developed history and mythology of the island that the characters find themselves on. It all combines into an in-depth story that’s intensely enjoyable while making you think.

I really enjoyed the gradual character development, as opposed to a large information dump. You get to know the characters well and personally without feeling like you’ve read their biography. It all seems so natural. You also get to know the main character even more closely because you are on a journey of self-discovery with her.

My overall thoughts? Oh. My. Gods. Could you just imagine?



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The Seal Queen by Sandra Saidak

Title:  The Seal Queen
Author:  Sandra Saidak
Published:   May 15th 2013 by Uffington Horse Press
Length:  287 pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  fantasy
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Drawing on Irish folklore, The Seal Queen tells the story of Briah, an escaped slave who finds sanctuary, for herself and her unborn child, on an enchanted beach. There her life is filled with peace and contented solitude, the joys of motherhood, and even the possibility of love with a merman whose song haunts her dreams.

Briah’s magical world is shaken, however, when she discovers that her son is the long-awaited savior and future king of the roane (shape-shifting seals, and gentler cousins of the selkies). Briah wants to help these magical creatures, but she is unwilling to allow her son to become a pawn in their deadly schemes. When faced with the choice between sending her child to battle his diabolical father or allowing the roane to be exterminated, Briah insists on finding a third option.

My Review:

I found myself drawn into this tale right from the first, haunting sentence. Saidak’s enchanting writing keeps you entranced in this thrilling tale. She develops her world gradually, but fully, so that you feel like you’re exploring it alongside the main character. Her unique storyline is very captivating. It kept me guessing and thinking, trying to figure out what would happen next. At the same time it was a complexly put together tale, weaving many people, places, and events together seamlessly.

The wide variety of characters and character types in this story was a brilliant addition to the tale. All of the major players in this tale were well developed, giving the reader insight into their lives. I got to know these characters so well that I really found myself identifying with and feeling for them.

As a whole this was a brilliant fantasy tale that steps outside the mould and keeps you captivated throughout. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by this fetching author.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Out of the Box Awakening by Jennifer Theriot

Title:  Out of the Box Awakening
Author:  Jennifer Theriot  
Published:  May 5th 2013 by self
Length:  553 pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Olivia is a good woman, a good mother, a good wife. She’s got it made. She doesn’t want anything to change.

Of course, it does...

Swept from her perfect paper-doll life in Houston, Olivia finds herself in Chicago, alone, betrayed, and far from home. Soon everything she thought she knew about herself and her life will be challenged. She has only courage, love, and her passion for music to carry her through the maelstrom—or draw her further in.

Ash is the man who has everything—everything except healing from the losses of a lifetime. His only peace lies in the sweet flow of music pouring from his guitar.

What happens when the married woman and the handsome widower are thrown together by fate?

Out of the Box Awakening is a story of shared passion and shared joy. Jennifer Theriot has written a compelling book about what happens when two people find new life and new love for themselves and for those around them.

My Review:

Theriot has a smooth, well put together writing style. This writing style meshes nicely with the story that Theriot tells. She really makes you wonder what you would do if your life was torn apart, forcing you to start over. All aspects of life make their way into this tale.

The author gives you lots of background information on her characters. You get an intimate look at the characters, who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. You get to know both the main characters and the supporting cast on multiple different levels. I really appreciated the fact that the cast wasn’t full of a bunch of teens or twenty-somethings, but rather individuals with life experience acquired over time.

Overall, this was a very interesting look at life and love.

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Spellbound by Kelli Lockheart

Title:  Spellbound
Series:  Goddess Redemption #2
Author:  Kelli Lockheart
Published:  October 1st 2013 by Kelli Lockheart
Length:  65pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  paranormal romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Are you prepared for the next steamy part in this epic love story of the gods?

Finally, the wait is over!

Spellbound continues the story of Artemis and Orion as they face the challenges of being human. In this second installment of the Goddess Redemption Series, our beloved huntress is posed a new task on her journey to redemption. Powerless and only beginning to recover her memories, Artemis finds herself in the role of Sara, a wood’s witch caught in the middle of a terrible war between the shifters and the gods whose power is threatened by the creature’s very existence. Victor is an adept hunter with a secret. He knows how to kill the shifters, but when his memories return, can the god of the hunt, find happiness in his human form?

˃˃˃ This is the second part in The Goddess Redemption Series. A Paranormal Romance Erotica.
As the gods argue among themselves, their power slips away and Aphrodite is torn between her loyalty to Zeus and her loyalty to love. Spellbound takes you deep into the heart of the battlefront, where the lines have been drawn between good and evil and the humans pay the price.

˃˃˃ WARNING: Due to explicit sexual material, adult language, and scenes of violence, this book is appropriate for mature readers only!

My Review:

This is a very creative & unique story that catches your attention, making you think and wonder. However, because of the short page count the story remains somewhat superficial. As the second story in the series you’re starting to get to know the characters a bit better. You get caught up in their plight & want to see them come out the other side intact. That said, I would definitely recommend reading the first instalment in the series 1st.

As a short story this was a uniquely put together read that takes you to another realm, if only for a little while.

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Friday, December 27, 2013

Viking Fire by Andrea R. Cooper

Title:  Viking Fire
Author:  Andrea R. Cooper
Published:  July 29th 2013 by Crimson Romance
Length:  172pgs
Format:  ebooks
Genre:  historical romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.

Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?

Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?

With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

Cooper’s novel is historically accurate while remaining approachable to modern day readers. The mixing of Celt & Norse mythology gives a very unique feel to this tale as well. The storyline is solidly put together and presented to the audience in an enchanting way that will leave you wanting to become part of the tale rather than simply read it. Cooper melds vivid battle scenes with heartfelt interactions to complete this.

Cooper’s characters are well developed, but in a very natural way. You don’t feel like you’ve read about them in a history textbook, but rather that they are individuals that you’ve met and interacted with. This goes for the main characters as well as the supporting cast.

This is the type of story that draws you in completely and doesn’t let you go. I was left with a sense of wonder and completeness while still wanting to continue on further with these phenomenal individuals.

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Vegas to Varansi by Shelly Hickman

Title:  Vegas to Varansi
Author:  Shelly Hickman
Published:  December 1st 2013 by Shelly Hickman
Length:  234pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard. Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her. In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”

My Review:

Hickman’s mellow writing style really lets you focus on the story at hand. She subtly creates a world that you find yourself wandering through alongside the characters. This story was completely realistic, focusing on real relationships and problems. At the same time, Hickman presents everything in a captivating manner that draws you into the lives of her characters.

As a reader you really get to know all of the characters in this story. Hickman develops them fully without stepping out of the story proper. Although the focus is on the main character, she also takes the time to develop each character individually, giving the story a well-rounded and approachable feel.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that this novel took me on. It was a brilliantly put together, mellow read that really made me think.

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Here Comes Trouble by Debbie Macomber

Title:  Here Comes Trouble
Author:  Debbie Macomber
Narrator:  Sarah Grace
Published:  November 20th 2012 by Brilliance Audio 
(first published August 1st 1991)
Length:  5hrs36mins/189pgs
Format:  audio book
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


This is also a time for families, for togetherness, for memories. On Christmas Eve, Maryanne and Nolan Adams tell their kids the story they most want to hear-how Mom and Dad met and fell in love. It all started when they were reporters on rival Seattle papers...and next thing you know, Here Comes Trouble!

My Review:

This is a sweet and caring story that will make you laugh and cry. I was thoroughly immersed in the tale and Other than being told to their kids on Christmas Eve this isn’t an overly Christmasey tale (and maybe not a story you’d want to tell your kids). It’s a brilliant tale for all times of year.

The contrast between the two main characters is quite striking. They are completely opposite of each other, yet fit together perfectly. They balance each other out quite well. I appreciate how they were developed as well. They aren’t perfect. Macomber is sure to show both sides of their characters, the good and the bad. She also takes the time to develop her supporting cast without having them overshadow the main characters at any point in time.

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Interview with Author A.J. Raven

Let's welcome author A.J. Raven to Pure Jonel & get to know him a bit better!

Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Farid-ul-Haq (Penname: A.J. Raven) and I am currently a 23 year old boy doing my MPhil in biotechnology. I love to write, read and draw. I also love being a student.

Q ~ What’s something that you never leave home without?
My glasses are something I can’t go anywhere without.

Q ~ If you were stuck on a deserted island, who and what would you want with you and why?

I really want to say Halle Berry. But on further thought, I would want to be with a ‘deserted island survival’ specialist. It doesn’t matter who he or she as long as they can keep me alive and find a way out of that island.

Q ~ What are your biggest influences in life? Who are your biggest supporters?

I would have to say my mother. She has done a great job raising three kids and she has supported me every step of the way.

Q ~ What is your favourite genre to read? To write?

My favorite genera’s are fiction, mystery, paranormal. These are also the genera’s I like writing about.

Q ~ Do you have a favourite author? Do they influence your writing?

My favorite author would have to be J.R.R. Tolkein. To write a story as detailed and entertaining as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is something I hope to accomplish myself one day. I think my work is influenced by the likes of R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike and even Enid Blyton.

Q ~ How did you begin writing professionally?

I wrote my first ever novel way back in 2005, but I didn’t publish it. I wrote my first published article in 2010 and after that I started looking for publishers as I had written three novels by then.

Q ~ What’s the best thing that’s happened since you began writing? The worst?

The best thing is the sense of accomplishment you get when you type the last words of your story. Whether you publish it or not, the feeling of completing something is still amazing. Nothing bad has happened to me because of my writing and I hope that it stays that way.

Q ~ Do you have a favourite character in your work? What is it that draws you to them?

My favorite characters would have to be Anya from ‘Arousing the Legacy’ and Jerry from ‘Missing in Somerville’. I feel that a lot of readers can relate to these ‘reluctant’ heroes. Both teenagers have a lot of growing up to do and they make mistakes. They can also be selfish at times but they try to do whatever they can to ensure that their friends don’t come to any harm.

Q ~ What prompted or inspired you to write these stories? Are any of them rooted in some sort of truth?

I wanted to write ‘Arousing the Legacy – The Colville Mysteries’ because I wanted to create protagonists that weren’t all black and white. I think that all people have grey areas, even heroes, and that should be explored. I also wanted a strong female protagonist. The paranormal aspect is something else that I am proud of. I wanted to show paranormal beings in a real-life setting and something that was away from the whole ‘romantic vampire’ thing, etc.

‘Missing in Somerville’ is a story about a teenaged boy, Jerry, who is trying to finding himself. I wanted to give readers a strong bisexual character, whose sexual orientation wasn’t the only thing that defines him. I didn’t want it to be another ‘coming out’ story. That’s why it’s basically a story about a teenaged boy who tries to solve a mystery that will make use of all his wit to ensure he and his friends come out alive in the end.

Q ~ What are you working on now?

I am currently working on writing the second part to ‘Missing in Somerville’ that will come out on 20th December. There’s a new mystery that Jerry and his friends will have to solve and deal with normal highschool problems.

Q ~ Do you have any advice for those who would like to begin writing professionally?

The only advice I would give to them is to never give up. You will probably face a lot of rejection from various literary agents and publishers. You might not like it, but if you get any constructive criticism, it’s better to apply it to your writing. Nowadays you can also self-publish. However, like I said, whether you go the traditional route or self-publish, don’t give up. You might not strike gold at first, but if you keep writing and working hard, the sense of accomplishment you will experience will be worth it.

Connect online via Twitter: @tempest071990



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Lost and Found in Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber

Title:  Lost and Found in Cedar Cove
Series:  Cedar Cove #1.5
Author:  Debbie Macomber
Narrator:  Lorelai King
Published:  July 15th 2013 by Ballantine Books
Length:  1hr 7mins/36pgs
Format:  audio book
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming new series, set at the Rose Harbor Inn in picturesque Cedar Cove, displays the author’s signature talent for creating characters who feel like friends, and small towns that feel like home. In this original short story available exclusively as an eBook, Jo Marie Rose readies her inn for spring, turning to her new friends Grace and Olivia when she needs them most.

Jo Marie has big plans for her bed-and-breakfast. With the help of handyman Mark Taylor, she intends to plant a beautiful rose garden in time for her upcoming open house. Jo Marie and Mark rarely see eye to eye—especially on matters of home improvement—but she knows he has her best interests at heart. After the two walk the grounds, Jo Marie realizes that her beloved rescue dog, Rover, is missing, and at a time when she most needs a friend, Mark abruptly leaves. Confused by Mark’s behavior and worried for Rover’s safety, Jo Marie searches for her precious pup all over Cedar Cove. Rover is on an adventure of his own—one that will lead to a delightful surprise for two unlikely people.

My Review:

This was a cute, sweet tale that really gets you into the feel of Cedar Cove. Macomber takes off with her same, brilliant storytelling, never letting you go. Although not an overly in depth story, being that it is a short story not a novel, the story itself is quite well developed. You get to know a bit about this community as well as about the community of Cedar Cove as well as its residents. It was a story that left me with a warm, fulfilled feeling at the ending, which is the point. It was a brilliant, albeit quick read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The Earl's Christmas Colt by Rebecca Thomas

Title:  The Earl's Christmas Colt
Author:  Rebecca Thomas
Published:  December 30th 2013 by Entangled: Flirt
Length:  70pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  historical romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Lady Arabella Sutton is stunned to learn her brother has betrothed her to a stranger despite his promises for a season in London. Although she is the first to admit no man would suit, since she’s more interested in horses than marriage, the last thing she wants is to become a brood mare to a stuffy old earl. Facing a future she cannot abide, she takes an impetuous ride to clear her head and ends up tending her injured mare instead.


Oliver Westwyck, the Earl of Marsdale, can’t believe his luck when he stops at an inn the night before he’s to meet his fiancĂ©e. In the stable, while tending the colt he intends to give to his future wife, he happens upon her—rain-drenched but beautiful. She assumes he’s a stable hand, a fine joke he means to end...until Lady Arabella declares all noblemen are egotistical, conceited, and arrogant. How can he reveal his true identity before he’s managed to change her mind and win her heart?

My Review:

Thomas recreates her world perfectly. Her vivid descriptions combine with her captivating storytelling to create a tale that you won’t be able to put down. She tells a complete story that I fell in love with, even within her short page count. I really appreciate the effort that Thomas puts into her story. They are historically accurate. Her accuracy also transfers over into the equine world.

Thomas has produced a very well developed cast, especially considering the brevity of the story. I feel like I’ve come to know the heroine quite well. I could identify with her and really felt for her. The male lead was also a very unique character. He stood out amongst the rest of the cast.

As a whole this was a brilliant, heart-warming tale that was a quick read and easy to immerse myself in. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

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Trading Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Title:  Trading Christmas
Author:  Debbie Macomber
Narrator:  Renee Raudman
Published:  October 25th 2011 by Brilliance Corporation
Length:  5hrs28mins/368pgs
Format:  audio book
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Emily Springer, widowed mother of one, decides to leave Leavenworth, Washington, to spend Christmas with her daughter in Boston. Charles Brewster, history professor, curmudgeon and resident of Boston, wants to avoid Christmas altogether. He figures a prison town should be nice and quiet over the holidays ? except he's thinking of the wrong Leavenworth! Through an internet site, Charles and Emily arrange to swap houses for the holiday. So Emily goes to Boston?and discovers that her daughter has gone to Florida. And Charles arrives in Leavenworth to discover that it's not the prison town ? it's Santa's village! The place is full of Christmas trees, Christmas music and...elves. Meanwhile, Emily's friend Faith Kerrigan travels to Leavenworth to visit her and instead finds Charles the grinch. Then Charles's brother, Ray, shows up at his home in Boston to discover that he isn't there ? but Emily is. Through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, amid the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge in unexpected ways. Because everything changes at Christmas!

My Review:

This may possibly bet the funniest, most unique Christmas story that I’ve ever read. Macomber throws her cast of characters into some very unique situations that you can’t help but laugh at. She creates an inescapable world for her readers to revel in. Macomber’s descriptions and narrative are so vivid that you cannot help but picture everything. At the same time everything remains realistic and in the moment.

Macomber’s brilliant cast carries this story forward without a hitch. Getting to know these characters was a uniquely thought provoking time. As a reader you get to know the main characters and the supporting cast alike. I quite enjoyed getting to know them.

Overall this was a captivatingly hilarious read that I’d definitely recommend.

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