Amy's Forbidden Fantasy by Nikki Sex

Title:  Amy's Forbidden Fantasy

Author:  Nikki Sex

Published:  December 31st 2012

Length:  49pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  BDSM erotica

Shelf:  bought

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Amy loves her possessive Master but there is one problem...he doesn't like to share. Amy has dreamed of a gangbang for years and is desperate to experience her fantasy, just once. She doesn't want to lose her sexy Master, but she'll never be able to settle down with him until she has lived the dream. Little does she know, that her Master is well aware of her desires and has something very special planned for her birthday . . .

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 short story is hot and racy from the first sentence. Even if the subject matter is not your usual thing this was tactfully done, well put together, quick read. It’s an eye opener that makes you step back and look at things a different way. It is well written with a flow that suits the story perfectly. It’s not overly in-depth, but is a great short story. s

The main characters are developed in such a manner that you come to love them. She portrays the intricate and loving Dom/sub relationship through their interactions. The supporting cast is mysterious, both to the reader and to the main characters. They add to the story without taking any focus away from our loveable leads. Oh, and there’s a cowboy. You’ve got to love cowboys.

Sex definitely nailed the combo of sweet and spicy with this one. Oh, and I love Andre. Just sayin’.

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What Wendy Wants by Nikki Sex

Title:  What Wendy Wants

Author:  Nikki Sex

Published:  June 23rd 2013

Length:  93pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  erotic romance

Shelf:  bought

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After thirteen years of marriage and three children, Wendy Hayward is bored with sex.

As much as she loves her husband, Frank, Wendy married "Mr. Vanilla." Now she reads nothing but erotic romance on her Kindle and fantasizes about having sex with fictional characters, complete strangers, and tattooed rock stars.

Sometimes even the T.V. weatherman looks good.

One fateful day however, her husband grabs the wrong Kindle on the way to work, and discovers some of Wendy's more "interesting' fantasies.

Unbeknownst to Wendy, Frank is very keen to fulfil every one of her secret desires.

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 definitely one thing, HOT AS HELL! It was also sweet, intimate, and reassuring. I definitely found myself laughing out loud with this one. Sex is a thoroughly and vividly descriptive author. She creates a world that you are fully immersed in. She breaks down the Dom/sub relationship in a very straightforward and enlightening yet erotically entertaining manner.

This author has creates some surprisingly in depth characters for a novella. She brings forward certain aspects of her characters to light in order to bring you closer to them. The story is focussed on the main characters, with the secondary characters taking a backseat, but it just adds to the brilliance of the tale.

As a whole, this was an enjoyable, fast paced, quick and racy read. It is a phenomenal standalone novella, but extra layers appear if & when you read Carmen & Elizabeth’s stories (also by this awesome author).

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Praying for Daylight by J.C. Isabella

Title:  Praying for Daylight

Author:  J.C. Isabella

Published:  January 14th 2014

Format:  ebook

Genre:  contemporary romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Blurb:

Kate Kelly gave up everything to be a star. Her life was on the fast track as country music’s hot newcomer, but that meant leaving her hometown of McCree Montana and the boy she loved behind.

Dustin O’Brian didn’t think he’d ever see Kate again. After leaving him with a gaping hole in his heart, he figured being in the same room with her, much less the same state, would take a miracle.

When he finds Kate hiding out in the old Kelly house, he realizes something went wrong. Dustin wasn’t sure what those Hollywood folks had done to send her running, but he was beyond happy she’d sought him out for company…once he convinced her that he’d keep her being back in McCree secret.

Things were looking up, and he had high hopes that Kate would be his once more.

That is until Death comes knocking at her door.

And Dustin realizes that the future he wants with Kate is one they will have to fight for.

My Review:

This was a phenomenally brilliant, exceptionally realistic tale. I love how Isabella combines completely realistic moments with those just slightly out of the realm of the everyday to create something completely unique and utterly captivating. The author combines complex descriptions with a captivating storyline. Suspense plays against emotion to create a completely inescapable world.

The cast of characters in this novel were quite unique. They played against one another and supported one another. They had a very unique family like relationship, where everyone played up their own skills without overstepping someone else. I also appreciated the fact that although the cast of characters were primarily in the NA range, they were always supported by adults. It was a very nice change to the genre.

I loved this cowboy infused, real world story. It was a tale that kept me entertained and guessing.

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About the author:

J.C. Isabella is the author of Chasing McCree and The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club. Ever since she discovered romance novels in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA . When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion.

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Guest Post by author Christine Meunier

Today, I'm handing the reins over to Christine Meunier, author of the Free Rein Series.

It’s such a long drive from South Australia to Victoria! We’ve been on the road most of the day and I’m tired from our early start. But I’m excited too!

Dad got a job transfer and because of this, he and mum needed to look into somewhere for us to stay in Victoria. Mum found a 100 acre property – can you believe it? 100 acres! That would have to fit so many horses on it!

I’ve wanted a pony of my own for as long as I could remember and now it seems that God has caused things to happen so that we could look after our very own property where we could keep horses. I know we don’t own the land, mum told me it’s on a lease which means someone else owns it and we pay to use it. But she also said we may be able to turn it into an agistment property – that’s what they call it when you have land and people pay you to keep their horses on it.

It sounds like even if I don’t get to get a pony straight away, we’ll have other people’s horses on our place! I’m excited about this move, even if it means I am leaving behind friends and a familiar routine in South Australia. I just hope my older brother Ross snaps out of his bad mood and stops blaming mum and dad for something that has to be done.

I can just imagine what our 100 acres will look like, with roses down the driveway, lots of paddocks full of grass… and the best bit – horses! Who could want any more?

New Beginnings – Book 1 of the Free Rein Series

A job transfer for Jacqui King’s father means that the 10 year old and her family have moved interstate. Jacqui is excited that the move has allowed her family to take up a lease on a large property.

Since she could remember, Jacqui King has had a love for horses. Now with the family’s move she wonders if her dream to learn to horse ride could come true. Jacqui’s mum Kate plans to turn the property into a place where they can offer horse agistment, only concreting Jacqui’s desire to have a horse of her own.

On a property titled Genesis, it does indeed seem that the new beginnings for the King family are looking promising.

Interested in finding out more? Visit http://www.freereinseries.com/ or keep in touch via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FreeReinSeries

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Bare It All by Lori Foster

Title:  Bare It All

Series:  Love Undercover #2

Author:  Lori Foster

Narrator:  Jim Frangione

Published:  April 30th 2013 by HQN (first published April 19th 2013)

Length:  14h5mins/480pgs

Format:  audio book

Genre:  romantic suspense

Shelf:  bought

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A cop's craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.

As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it...until the sexy cop next door comes knocking.

Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice's secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire....

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:

It took me a bit to get into this narrator, but once I was immersed in the story it was amazing. I love the story itself from the get-go. Foster somehow made this novel simultaneously cute & sexy, racy & suspenseful.

Foster brings another heartbreakingly brilliant alpha male to the forefront with this tale. t was almost comical at times watching him fight against his desires. I appreciate how multifaceted each character in this novel is, be they main characters or supporting cast. No one is one sided. I also loved seeing them all come together.

Overall? I felt like I was watching a crossover episode of my favourite shows. It was brilliant and I can’t wait to reread it in print. It’s one of those stories that stays with you.

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Son of a Mermaid by Katie O'Sullivan

Title:  Son of a Mermaid

Series:  Son of a Mermaid #1

Author:  Katie O'Sullivan

Published:  May 15th 2013 by Crescent Moon Press 

Length:  232pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  YA paranormal romantic suspense

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Shea MacNamara's life just got complicated. After a freak tornado devastates his Oklahoma farm, the fifteen-year-old orphan is whisked away to Cape Cod. Struggling to make sense of his new surroundings, he's trying hard to deal with feelings of abandonment... and the emotions stirred by a girl he meets along the shore. Kae belongs to an undersea world hidden from drylanders. The daughter of royal servants, she knows the planned marriage of her Princess to the foreign King should put an end to the war between the clans. But two things stand in the way of lasting peace: the ambitions of the foreign King's regent, and rumors of the Princess's bastard child. Sparks fly when she meets Shea, but could the cute drylander really be the Son of a Mermaid?

My Review:

This novel is heart achingly intricate. O’Sullivan jumps straight to the heart of the story and keeps you there throughout. You flow through the story caught on her tranquil writing style that has the hint of a storm brewing just beneath the surface. The novel is simultaneously calm and intense. O’Sullivan’s entrancingly imaginative storyline blends together legends, imagination and fact to create a uniquely seamless whole.

O’Sullivan brings this story together with larger than life characters. Her extremely vivid descriptions combine with her well thought out character descriptions to create a full cast that you can’t help but picture and get to know personally. I really appreciate how O’Sullivan keeps her novel firmly planted in the YA genre while making it entertaining for all. Her characters are never faced with situations they can’t be expected to deal with at their age (or if they are, they have adult backup). At the same time, they aren’t childish either.

Overall, this was an amazing introduction to the story, the series, and the world beneath the sea. It was an enchanting tale that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Would I read more by this author? Definitely! Both in this series and otherwise.

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And now, enter the brilliant giveaway with author Katie O'Sullivan.

1st prize:  A custom beach stone necklace (similar to that pictured & from the novel) and an ecopy of Son of a Mermaid by Katie O'Sullivan.

2nd prize:  an ecopy of Son of a Mermaid by Katie O'Sullivan.

Contest is open internationally.

Entries close at 11:59pm Feb 4/14.

Winner will be announced Feb 5/14.

Winners will have 72hrs to claim their prizes or a new winner will be drawn.  Please ensure you have our email address on your safe list (available on the 'request a review' page).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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End of the Line by Jim Power

 Title:  End of the Line

Author:  Jim Power

Published:  October 27th 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing

Length:  294pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  contemporary romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Latesha Thomas is a beautiful, young African-American woman who lives with her handicapped father. She is in her final year of university and they are having a hard time making ends meet. She decides to start a matchmaking service to make a little extra money, though she has no experience and it turns out to be a disaster. She does, however, meet a client, a handsome white man named Peter Elsworth. The sparks fly immediately, but there’s a huge problem. Her father, and his mother, are vehemently opposed to an interracial relationship. This leads to tremendous conflict, but their love will not be denied. They grow closer, yet the closer they become, the more the tension rises. In time a secret connection between their two worlds become clear and this adds another dimension of conflict and complexity. But love is color blind and they are irresistibly drawn to one another.

My Review:

Power is shockingly to the point. He approaches topics in a manner that you don’t normally think about. There were some times that I laughed so hard and at other times I cringed. I really appreciated the Canadian outlook on the entire tale. It made me feel quite at home. He also combines many aspects of society and history into a very in-depth tale.

The characters in this novel began as somewhat stock characters. The main characters really came to life throughout when you got to know more about them. The female lead grated on my nerves, but she was definitely the individual that she was raised to be. The supporting cast did remain rather stock, but filled their places in the story quite well.

Overall this was a very provocative & evocative tale but I had a lot of difficulty really getting into it. It was an enjoyable read that will make you take a second look at the way you think about things.

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From Now On by Louise Brooks

Title:  From Now On

Author:  Louise Brooks

Published:  September 23rd 2012 by Louise Brooks (first published 2012)

Length:  171pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  contemporary romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A Simple Sweet Romance

Jo was a hesitant young woman lacking confidence in herself, pining for love and not knowing how to find it, keep it, or be it because of a negligent mother who put all of her interest and love into Jo’s younger sister, Emily. Jo’s father died when she was young so she had little experience with the masculine personality. Because she was so withdrawn and a doormat, even her schoolmates and co-workers on the job laughed and made fun of her. She was intelligent, well educated but too shy to orally express herself and as a result, she lost out in almost every aspect of life. Once even when she was dating a young man, Ryan ,and fell in love with him, when he saw Emily, he dropped Jo and eventually asked Emily to marry him.

When Jo’s father died, he left little to support her mother, who had no vocation, but was aggressive and demanded that Jo pay her rent and utilities, even though she had no use for Jo otherwise. Jo, being the doormat that she was, did so and accepted Emily and Ryan’s engagement without any bitterness towards Emily. But Ryan’s betrayal devastated Jo’s personal image, leaving her to believe that no man would ever love her. That she was nothing.

A stranger, a tall attractive man, Mark, walked into her office seeking someone else. He immediately became attentive to Jo and began sharing lunch with her. The story centers around Jo and Mark getting to know each other, walking away several times because of lack of communication or misunderstandings, but circumstances caused both Mark and Jo to mature if they were ever to become whole. Like all good romances, this story follows the usual plot but with an indepth study of both Mark and Jo. It is well written, is an easy read and I liked it.

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:

I really appreciate the ‘grown-up’ take on life that Brooks presents in this story. There are no teen or college issues or temper tantrums to deal with. It is a story about real life that brings forth a myriad of issues that those of us in the workforce deal with and can relate to. The ending of this story definitely brought tears to my eyes as well. It was such a bittersweet tale that you can’t help but get caught up in it. The story itself is also quite intriguing. Her descriptions make this a very visual story.

The main characters in this tale were quite likeable. I appreciated how complex the characters were. There was nothing superficial about the individuals that Brooks hands her story over to. The supporting cast was also great. I felt like I was standing around the coffee machine at work. Everyone was so real that it was easy to visualise yourself in the middle of it.

With this tale Brooks takes your stereotypical office romance and gives it quite a bit of a twist. Presented in a well written and thought out style she has a winner with this one.

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Interview with Author Marie Laval

Today we get to learn more about author Marie Laval!

Thank you very much for welcoming me on your blog today. I am delighted to be here and have to opportunity to speak about my historical romance The Lion's Embrace published as an ebook by MuseitUp Publishing.

Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am French, and was brought up in a village near the beautiful city of Lyon. I now live in Lancashire with my family and have - almost - got used to the rain and the grey skies.

Q ~ What’s something that you never leave home without?

My handbag.

Q ~ If you were stuck in a dingy floating in the middle of the ocean, who and what would you want with you and why?

Michel Desjoyeaux, one of the best sailors in the world, of course!

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

My mother, who was as kind, cheerful and lovely as a ray of sunshine, was always my biggest influence and there isn't a day when I don't think about her and I wonder what she would have said or done in my place. My biggest supporters are my three children.

Q ~ What is your favourite genre to read?

I love romance in all its forms.

Q ~ Can you tell me about your ideal reader?

She likes to dream and lose herself in a story.

Q ~ How did you begin writing professionally?

Writing was always my passion. I used to write short stories and when a few started getting published and get good reviews, I decided to try and write a novel. That was four years ago and I haven't stopped since!

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

The best thing was to receive the cover for my two historical novels. The next best thing was to meet wonderful people via Facebook and the social media. The worst thing has to be the lack of time to complete my projects. I always have so many ideas for plots and characters, and so little time...

Q ~ What prompted or inspired you to write The Lion’s Embrace?

I used to dream of the Sahara and the magnificent sceneries of the Hoggar mountains. Tin Hinan. music. tales and legends.

Q ~ What are you working on now?

I am completing two projects: a contemporary romantic suspense set in Provence in the South of France, and a historical romance set in Scotland.

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

Carry on. Don't listen to people who try to discourage you. Write every day. Just do it!

A bit about The Lion's Embrace:

Historical Romance
Date Published: 2/2013

Algiers, 1845

Arrogant, selfish and dangerous, Lucas Saintclair is everything Harriet Montague dislikes in a man. He is also the best guide in the whole of the Barbary States, the only man who can rescue her archaeologist father from the gang of Tuareg fighters that has kidnapped him. As Harriet embarks on a perilous journey across Algeria with Saintclair and Archibald Drake, her father’s most trusted friend, she discovers a bewitching but brutal land where nothing is what it seems. Who are these men intent on stealing her father’s ransom? What was her father hoping to find in Tuareg queen Tin Hinan’s tomb? Is Lucas Saintclair really as callous as he claims—or is he a man haunted by a past he cannot forgive? Dangerous passions engulf Harriet’s heart in the heat of the Sahara. Secrets of lost treasures, rebel fighters, and a sinister criminal brotherhood threaten her life and the life of the man she loves.

Does forever lie in the lion’s embrace?

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Breathe by Lauren Jameson

Title:  Breathe

Series:  In Vino Veritas #2

Author:  Lauren Jameson

Narrator:  Sandra Lea

Published:  December 3rd 2013 by NAL Trade

Length:  304pgs/9hrs34mins

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Contemporary erotica

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Two people learn what it really means to give up control in the sizzling new novel from the author of Blush and Surrender to Temptation.…

When business mogul Elijah Masterson travels to the Mexican coast for his chain of luxury resorts, he purchases an emerald green glass sculpture for one of the properties. He is soon fascinated by the fiery temptress who created it. The attraction between them is instant and explosive, but Elijah resists, unsure that a woman as strong-willed as Samantha would ever yield in the way he needs her to.

Headstrong glass artist Samantha Collins hides a secret desire to submit to the right man. Samantha sees everything she wants in Elijah, but apart from one steamy night, he seems determined to keep his distance. She has always held back, but refusing to let go now that she’s found the dominant man she’s always wanted, Samantha makes Elijah an offer he can’t refuse: a month of absolute submission.

But after a month of incredible passion, will either of them be able to walk away?

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:

Jameson had me from the first page. Her well written and easy to follow storyline takes the world of BDSM and presents it in an understandable and approachable manner. Not only my imagination, but also my heart was caught up in this story. This is not simply a Dom/sub tale, but a journey of discovery. Not only did this book make my pulse race, but it also brought tears to my eyes. Jameson’s exquisitely developed and intrinsically visual descriptions put everything together in a seamless and enchanting manner.

Jameson’s take on character development allows you to get to know her cast gradually while they get to know one another. I became so attached and connected to the main character that I felt like I was fighting an internal battle alongside her. The supporting cast filled out the story quite well. They were fun and unique. I appreciated how each character was an individual and how they came together.

Overall, this is one of those stories that has you thinking ‘just one more chapter’ then leaves you going to work the next morning tired with a book hangover.

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Dreaming of a Laughing Hawk by Linda Katmarian

Title:  Dreaming of a Laughing Hawk

Author:  Linda Katmarian

Published:  January 17th 2013 by Scheherazade Bookworks

Length:  472pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  NA romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In 1964 Elizabeth Leigh, aspiring artist, is looking forward to college, escape from her unhappy home, and the fulfillment of her dreams. Adventure. Love. Her place in life. On a restless afternoon, she leaves school early and discovers her mother is packing to run off with a lover, abandoning Elizabeth and her stepfather. Worse, she learns her mother has squandered the college money her grandfather left her.

A fortuitous invitation from her cousin Melina to come to Los Angeles rescues her from an uncertain future. In Los Angeles, Elizabeth finds security in the embrace of her aunt’s family and is introduced to the man who soon becomes her fiancé, Collin Greenslade, an ambitious, up-and-coming real estate developer. Life could not be more perfect.

When her cousin’s boy friend, a civil rights activist, has his Thunderbird vandalized in Mississippi, he enlists his roommate, Mark Laughing Hawk, to tow his car back home. Melina insists that she and Elizabeth should come along for the ride, but what starts as a fun romp across the country becomes a journey of the soul that complicates love and endangers lives.

Dreaming of Laughing Hawk is a contemporary novel of romantic suspense that explores the desire for love, power, and higher purpose and the lengths we will go to attain them.

My Review:

This story was intricate and detailed. It really touched me to the core. Katmarian’s approachable writing style was so down to earth that I was able to focus completely on the storyline itself. The subtle intensity of the story draws you forward. There are also many layers to this story. I love how many different social events worked their way into the storyline, making you think and feel, even if you’ve never lived through them. The author tactfully switches perspectives from character to character. She keeps everything clear while giving the full impact of the time and the events at hand. Katmarian keeps you on your toes while simultaneously lulling you. This novel may be long, but it was phenomenal and I didn’t put it down once.

Katmarian has developed a cast of easy to relate to and understandable characters. She made me wish I were as strong as these characters. They were honest, hard hitting characters (or dishonest, hard hitting ones, depending). Some may have been over the top with their reactions, although this fit perfectly with the way that they were developed. At the same time, the main characters followed their hearts and what they believed in, even if it did take them a while to figure out what that was.

As a whole, this was a brilliant tale that I would definitely recommend to those who want a realistic escape from reality. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from this phenomenal author.

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Into The Land of Shadows by Kristy McCaffrey

Title:  Into the Land Of Shadows

Author:  Kristy McCaffrey

Published:  December 5th 2013 by Prairie Rose Publications

Length:  230 pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  historical romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ethan Barstow has come to Arizona Territory to search for his younger brother, Charley. It’s been five years since a woman came between them and it’s high time they buried the hatchet. He soon learns that his brother has broken more than one heart in town, has mysteriously and abruptly disappeared, and that an indignant fiancée is hot on his trail.

Kate Kinsella pursues Charley Barstow when he skips out of town without a second thought. Not only has he left Agnes McPherson alone and pregnant, but everyone still believes that he and Kate are engaged, a sham from the beginning. An ill-timed encounter with a group of ruffians has her suddenly in the company of Ethan Barstow, Charley’s brother and a man of questionable repute. As they move deeper into the shadows of the Arizona desert, family tensions and past tragedies threaten to destroy a relationship neither of them expects.

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:

McCaffrey has yet another hit with this one. It will definitely stand the test of time. I found myself firmly placed in the time period. McCaffrey does a brilliant job of developing not only her scenery but the storyline itself in a very visual manner. The fact that her characters never take the easy route makes the story all the more compelling. I was thoroughly entranced throughout.

McCaffrey’s characters are brilliant as well. Not only are the main characters compelling individuals that you want to see succeed; they are individuals with heavy pasts that they must learn to deal with. Getting to know them was very emotionally rewarding. The supporting cast was also quite varied, well developed and suited the story perfectly. I loved how they interacted with each other and how they always stayed true to form.

McCaffrey makes history your present while reading her work. This was a brilliant read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone.

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Trying the Knot by Todd Erickson

Title:  Trying the Knot

Author:  Todd Erickson

Published:  October 2nd 2013

Length:  294pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  romantic suspense

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Eighties are dead! And maybe a bridesmaid too. At the dawn of the Nineties, six recent college grads reunite for a hometown wedding. On the eve of the ceremony, the bride's stepsister sleeps with the groom and then overdoses on pills. Tying the knot without a hitch? Not likely, for this crew.

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 was definitely well written and edited. Erickson’s straightforward writing style put everything in front of you in plain language. I found that this story jumps around a lot, especially while getting started. Even further into the story the same thing occurred. There was just nothing that fully drew me into the story itself. Anytime I started to get interested the story would jump around again and I’d be popped back out of my immersion.

I appreciated how you got to know the characters of this tale on many levels. You got to know them in the past and present, alone and as a group. It was intriguing to see the interrelationships between them. I may not have agreed with what the characters did or said, but the way that they were developed allowed you to see where they were coming from at every point in time.

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Gilded Feathers by J. Woods

Title:  Gilded Feathers

Series:  Gilded Feathers #1

Author:  J. Woods

Published:  November 2013 by Amazon Digital Services

Length:  260pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  paranormal romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An alluring choice. A fantastical revelation. But what if it changed... everything?

Familiar with the art of the nightmare, twenty-two year old university student Cole Evans can’t help but feel a deep connection to the horrifying illusions of her slumber.

Irrevocably drawn to obscure fantasy, Cole faces a defiant temptation of romance and her first encounter with the mysterious Drex. Covered in tattoos, she unexpectedly finds herself attracted to his dark magnetism and emerald eyes. Before her life takes an impossible turn.

Uncovering Drex’s true Guardian identity, she is forced on a terrifying journey through the stars into his world - one that brilliantly weaves together the struggle of danger and desire. And the impossible reality of gilded feathers.

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 author who doesn’t pull her punches with her subject matter. She combines the paranormal with everyday tragedy and catastrophe to create a sublime mix that you won’t be able to walk away from. Even when I did put it down I couldn’t stop thinking about it. This story sparked both my interest and my imagination. I was so wrapped up in this story that it became my reality. Raw emotions shine through the story and tug at you. The story was fluidly written, even if there were a few trip ups in editing (nothing to detract from the story itself). I was completely enthralled throughout.

The characters in this novel were wildly imaginative as well. Woods’ subtle character development allows you to get to know everyone intimately while being caught up in the fast acting (and rather hot) plot of the story. This goes for the supporting cast and main characters alike. And not only does she develop the characters personalities and personas, but she develops entire races and species. It is a unique experience that I would recommend to all.

Overall, the plot and storytelling were phenomenal. The characters were out of this world and worthy of the best. Am I hooked? Hells yes! Will I be continuing the series? You bet! Will I read more by this author outside the series? Without a doubt!

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Guest Post by author S.P. Cervantes

Today I'm handing the reins over to S.P. Cervantes.

Top 10 Favorite Books by S.P. Cervantes

Lord of the Rings – by J.R.R. Tolkien- I could read these books a hundred times and still pick up on something new. I love the adventure and suspense this book provides. It’s story telling at its best!

Fighting Redemption- by Kate McCarthy- This is a book that has stuck with me. I loved the romantic story line, but most of all fell in love with the characters and the strength that was shown by those who fight in the military.

Divergent- by Veronica Roth-Suspenseful, thought provoking, and intense. This book (and series) had me hooked. I can read this book a thousand times!

Pride and Prejudice- by Jane Austen- While I love all her books, this is my favorite. I love reading about this time period, and who doesn’t love themselves a little Mr. Darcy!!

A Tale of Two Cities- by Charles Dickens - A heartbreaking and challenging read, but beautiful and realistic. Dickens is a master of weaving words into something special and unforgettable.

Gone Girl- by Gillian Flynn- This book was CRAZY! Honestly, I can’t even believe Ms. Flynn could even think of something so smart and unbelievable. I loved this book, and it was one that still sticks with me even though I read it over a year ago.

Falling Into You- by Jasinda Wilder- This was one of the first books I read that laced music within the story. I love being able to connect with a troy that way. Jasinda is one of my favorite current authors.

Infernal Devices- by Cassandra Clare- Tess, Will, Jem…I loved them all. It is a love triangle at its BEST told in a suspenseful fantasy plot about shadowhunters. I even got my husband to read this series, and he was just as hooked.

Hunger Games-by Suzzane Collins- This book had me at the heart strings the entire series. The writing was intense and thought provoking. I think it is one of the best of its genre.

Slammed- by Colleen Hoover- Simply put, I love Will. Collen’s use of poetry had me wishing he would Slam me…get your minds out of the toilet, it’s poetry.

About S.P. Cervantes:

S.P Cervantes lives in Orange County, California with her husband and three children, where she is a teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing, reading, and running, but is always thinking of an idea for her next novel.

S.P. Cervantes is currently working on a new contemporary romance, while finishing the final novel of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series.

S.P. Cervantes has a B.S. in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Cross Cultural Education.

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A bit about Always and Forever:

New Adult Paranormal Romance
Date Published: 11/13/2013

Twin sisters Ava and Hannah were ripped from their peaceful seeming lives into a whirlwind of attacks and war only to learn the real truth about their existence.

Nothing was as it seemed anymore and may never be again. They had already lost their father in childhood now they have to cope with their mother’s kidnapping as they watch those sworn to protect them risk their lives.

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The Cloudstone Key by Darren T. Patrick

Title:  The Cloudstone Key

Series:  The Rithhek Cage Trilogy #1

Author:  Darren T. Patrick

Published:  December 1st 2013 by Createspace

Length:  136pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  YA fantasy

Shelf:  Review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the remote mining village of Aystin, Karsen Morgate secretly longs to explore the world outside the town walls; but instead dutifully spends his nights protecting the precious Cloudstone tiles—mined by his father, and engraved with mystical symbols and lore by the reclusive Adept Noxyn. When his half-brother, Petr, commits a gruesome crime, Karsen is forced to flee his home, carrying with him a tile depicting a unique artifact—the Ennae—entrusted to his care by the Adept himself. Alone, ailing, and on the run, Karsen must find help, find his way, and decipher the true meaning of the Ennae. For he soon realizes that he is being pursued by the dark brotherhood of the Shroud, and that he has somehow become an unwilling pawn in an ancient conflict.

The Shroud is stirring.

The world of Tholann is in danger.

And young Karsen Morgate is in the middle of it.

My Review:

Patrick’s light, well put together writing style has a smooth flow that propels this remarkable tale forward. It is a fantastically creative tale that will take you on the ride of a lifetime. This author draws you in, allowing you to tread through the intricate world that he has created. He has also created & presented an entertaining history and lore of the land. Not only that, but he provides this information to the audience without breaking the flow of the story.

The variety of people and creatures that Patrick has created for this story round the story out nicely. The main character is a very captivating individual that you want to get to know better and whom you hope to see succeed. The vast array of characters in the supporting cast serve to introduce the reader to various aspects of this wide world.

This was a brilliant introduction to Patrick’s characters, land, and series. I can’t wait to follow this story along.

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