Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Becoming the Chateran by S.J. Aisling



Title:  Becoming The Chateran
Series:  The Chateran Series #1
Author:  S.J. Aisling
Published:  December 2013 by Aniko Press
Length:  499pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  Fantasy
Shelf:  Review
Rating:  ★★★★

Blurb:

When Princess Rhea’s actions inadvertently condemn two innocent knights to death, she wakes to the hard reality that not even nobility is above the law. All her attempts to remedy the situation only complicate it, however, until she finds herself a fugitive in her own kingdom, having dragged her best friend into the trouble, as well. Their only hope for pardon? To accompany Sir Paladin and Sir Zephen in their sentence:

Slay, or be slain by, the Dragons of Sama-Ael-Fen.

Travelling incognito, they meet with more malicious Phoenixes than could be coincidental, discover the mysterious disappearance of numerous citizens, and come face to face with a reawakened evil power. With the kingdom oblivious to the connection of these dangers, it’s up to Rhea and her outlaw companions to stop the rising threat and redeem their names – if they can survive their quest.

Excerpt:

Shouting and confusion suddenly rose up from within the castle, and Julen, almost losing his footing once more, scrambled for a better hold on the window bars. He faced into the wind as it shoved him against the tower, the loud cry ringing off the walls of the castle once again, and his jaw dropped. A flashing, red thing was speeding through the air towards the castle. Its enormous wings created the gale that had suddenly burst out, followed by waves of heat. Julen couldn’t move, clinging to the tower in horror as the Dragon swept low over the castle.

Valkdrava… the rumors are true, then!

All the brown-tinted trees far below shook and creaked, leaves scattering thick on the blast of wind. The power of the Dragon’s wingbeats pushed Julen from his window ledge, and he tumbled down, landing miraculously on the castle wall fifteen feet below. Bursts of light exploded in his view, and he couldn’t breathe, but then larger, fiercer, and redder flashes rent the air above him, and the voice of Vanna crying out his name stirred him. Somehow he found himself on his feet, swaying like a reed in the wind, and yet clutching his drawn hunting knife in his fist. The Valkdrava banked on the sweltering wind of its own creation, sending hay from the stack by the stable, torn pennants, and loosened tiles swirling through the air. Opening its mouth, it sent a stream of fire onto the wooden structures inside the bailey. The terrified shrieks and cries of the horses and other livestock in the buildings filled the air, and the shouting and screams of people joined the din as the Dragon swooped down again and again, each time sending fire into yet another spot within the castle. Within moments, Julen found himself surrounded by flames on the walls, with no way of getting down into the bailey and helping.

A troop of guards and soldiers burst from the armory and raced towards the Dragon, which had just perched on top of the great hall’s roof with a splintering of large glass windows and an avalanche of carved stone and tiles. The Dragon gave one look at the advance, and within seconds, all that remained of the soldiers lay piled in ashes and twisted metal in the courtyard. Then the Dragon, after grinding in the roof of the great hall like a kitchen maid kneads dough, turned and fixed its livid eyes on Julen.


My Review:

This novel is true high fantasy at its best, yet with a twist where Aisling makes it all her own. She takes the elements of high fantasy and combines them with a storyline that is all her own. Throughout I found myself emotionally and mentally engaged. I was connected with the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was in depth without being over the top. At the same time, it is light and easy to immerse yourself in. Mythical creatures abound, creating an amazing, fantastical aura that you want to become part of. Aisling’s intricate descriptions complete the picture to bring this world to life.

I quite enjoyed the characters in this novel as well. They grew into themselves over the course of their trials and travels. The varied cast made the story much more realistic. It also gives everyone someone to connect with.

As a whole, this was a very enjoyable read. It would be great for anyone who enjoys clean, light, high fantasy.
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About the author:

Stacia Joy has always loved to tell stories and invent fictional lands and characters. But she never considered becoming a writer herself until age thirteen, when, inspired by a pretend play she invented with a friend, she wrote the first draft of Becoming the Chateran. The story has since expanded into what will become The Chateran Series. Stacia Joy also writes in several other genres, including steampunk and paranormal/science fiction, and occasionally writes poems about buffalo.

Wanting to be able to show others what her imagined universe looks like, Stacia Joy taught herself to draw by studying the work of illustrators like Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham, Kate Seredy, and Jan Brett. She also received training in illustration and graphic design at Madison Area Technical College, and plans to become a full-fledged freelance illustrator before long.

When not immersed in writing or art, Stacia Joy spends her time playing the piano and folk harp, composing music, Irish dancing, singing at the top of her lungs, and learning new things. She also enjoys helping with children's ministry at her church, and currently resides in the Madison, Wisconsin area with a kitten named Lord Peter Whimsey.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Mind Games by Christine Amsden


Title:  Mind Games
Series:  Cassie Scott #3
Author:  Christine Amsden  
Published:  
Length:  276pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  paranormal fantasy
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Blurb:

Beware your heart and soul…

Evan broke Cassie’s heart two months ago, and she still doesn’t know why. She throws herself into family, friends and her new job at the sheriff’s department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows her heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie finds him…irresistible.

Matthew may also be the only one who can help keep the non-magical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a beloved pastor’s wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands. With tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze.

Read the first chapter (Warning: Contains series spoilers. New readers to the series would be better off checking out the preview of book one below.)

My Review:

Amsden is off and running with this one from the first page. It was captivating and suspenseful while remaining entertaining and engaging. Amsden also works in the suspense without taking away from the approachability of the story. This author’s brilliant descriptions bring her world to life in full colour. There’s also an extra intellectual component found in this novel that we don’t see in its predecessors.

I love the new characters that we meet in this novel. Amsden introduces us to each of them naturally, as if they were our new neighbours. At the same time, she doesn’t forget those we’ve already come to know. These characters continue to grow based on their new experiences, without becoming completely different people.

Overall??? I couldn’t put this one down. I read it in a single sitting. It fits perfectly with the series (but definitely read the other books first) and is a phenomenal read in and of itself.

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And now, enter the tour wide giveaway!


Other titles in this series:

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

Read the first chapter

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Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot Book 2):

Cassie Scot, still stinging from her parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them.

To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness.

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About the author:

Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

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Monday, April 28, 2014

Interview with author Tegon Maus


Today we have the chance to get to know author Tegon Maus a bit better.


Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I was raised pretty much the same as everyone else... devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends I could conjure. Not that I wasn't friendly, I just wasn't "people orientated". Maybe I lived in my head way more than I should have, maybe not. I liked machines more than people, at least I did until I met my wife.
The first thing I can remember writing was for her. For the life of me I can't remember what it was about... something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married me shortly after that.

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

Change. I never leave home without change… 3 quarters, 3 dimes, 3 nickels and 7 pennies less than this I feel naked… more and it’s too heavy. You can buy anything with the right change!!

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

 My wife Dearheart and a pocket knife… Just the two of us… no bills… no commercials who would want to leave??

Q ~ What are your biggest influences in life? 

Benjamin Franklin, Reed Richards Who are your biggest supporters? My wife Dearheart… she has read all my stories, books, essays anything I put on paper one sentence at a time… 5 or 6 times in a row until I can get it right. Other than her the first would be my Mentor and friend Terri Valentine. Second, I would have to say my publisher at Tirgearr Publishing… Kemberlee Shortland… a fantastic Romance author herself, took the time to read me and was willing to take a chance on a completely unknown writer and has thrown her full support behind me as well as all the other writers under her care. Third but not least, would be Troy Lambert… the Word Master who has given me countless hours of his time and talent to make my writing far more superior than I would have thought possible!

Q ~ What is your favourite genre to read? 

I love Sci-Fi and humor! To write? The same.

Q ~ Do you have a favourite author? 

 E.E. Doc Smith! His books were published in 1939… a truly brilliant guy… way ahead of his time. Do they influence your writing? He writes good strong characters… John Wayne types that all have to fight huge obstacles to win the day. I like that in a book.

Q ~ How did you begin writing professionally? 

I spent a good number of years inventing games and prototypes for a variety of ideas before I got back to writing.

It wasn't a deliberate conscious thought it was more of a stepping stone. My wife and I had joined a dream interpret group in the 80’s and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. "Be as detailed as you can," we were told.

I was thrilled. If there is one thing I enjoy it's making people believe me and I like to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an outright lie mine you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn't be sure if it were true or not. When I write, I always write with the effort of "it could happen" very much in mind and nothing, I guarantee you, nothing, makes me happier.

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

The Best thing? The first book I got published was because I won a writing contest. The Senior Editor called me personally to say I won ! It was very exciting… my wife and I were both “At last!” After the first 3 months on sale I was to get my first royalty check. I spent the Saturday before talking craziness with my wife all day trading bigger and wilder dreams between us. I started with 7 billion people in the world… subtracted those that didn’t speak or read English. Then minus those that didn’t read my genre… minus those to young to read my work… minus those that don’t own a computer… should mean I would get a royalty check for… 3 books… defiantly the worse.

Q ~ Are you working on anything at the moment? If so, what, and can you tell us a bit about it? 

I have four new books out this year. My Contemporary Paranormal Fiction… My Grandfather’s Pants was released in January. I have a soft Sci-Fi series that will be released April 22 called the Eve Project with Machines of the Little People. Book 2… The Wishing Stone will be released in August followed by book 3 The Cordovian Effect at the end of the year. I just finished a stand alone soft SCi-Fi called BOB. I also have an Action / Adventure Series called the Chronicles of Tucker Littlefield… I’m a little over ½ done with book 2 called Black Moon and a couple of chapters done on book 3 called Rise of the Norha.

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

If you write… write for you… what you like to read… how your imagination works. Don’t write about Squirrels because Squirrels are popular… unless you have one that water skies then maybe. If you write anything else you’ll never be happy and your work will show it.

About the author:
I was raised pretty much the same as everyone else... devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends I could conjure. Not that I wasn't friendly, I just wasn't "people orientated". Maybe I lived in my head way more than I should have, maybe not. I liked machines more than people, at least I did until I met my wife.

The first thing I can remember writing was for her. For the life of me I can't remember what it was about... something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married me shortly after that. I spent a good number of years after inventing games and prototypes for a variety of ideas before I got back to writing.

It wasn't a deliberate conscious thought, it was more of a stepping stone. My wife and I had joined a dream interpret group and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. "Be as detailed as you can," we were told.

I was thrilled. If there is one thing I enjoy it's making people believe me and I like to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an out right lie mine you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn't be sure if it were true or not. When I write, I always write with the effort of "it could happen" very much in mind and nothing, I guarantee you, nothing, makes me happier.

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A bit about My Grandfather's Pants

My grandfather, who went by Henry his entire life, was really born Francis Michael Laskin. On occasion a few of the older relatives would call him Frank, a name he neither acknowledged nor accepted. I had never understood it as a child but... now in my early thirties, everything I knew about the man, his entire life, those that loved him and those that tried to control him all became clear and it all began with a pair of my grandfather's pants.

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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Bonded in Shadows by Tigris Eden


Title:  Bonded in Shadows
Series: Shadow Unit#2.5
Author:  Tigris Eden
Published:  May 6th 2014 by Kats Kreative Ideas
Length:  158pgs
Format:  ARC ecopy
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Blurb:

When a family celebration threatens to turn into a disaster, there is only one person to blame- Asia Thompson, a member of the pack who also holds the title of Draven’s former first love.

After fighting almost impossible odds, Jes and Draven are finally together, but emotions are high strung now that Asia has shown up unannounced with the intention to take what she thinks she’s entitled to, including Draven.

Dealing with the protocol of Draven’s pack leaves a sour taste in Jes’ mouth. She’s battled every inner demon she has in order to be with her man. She wants their family to be first, not second which is easier said than done when she feels Draven is choosing his pack over family.

The pack has a way of digging their claws into their happily ever-after, pulling Draven further and further from his family’s needs. With Asia’s manipulative schemes combined with the conflict over their daughter’s birthday ritual, the couple’s bond is truly tested.

Join the members of Shadow Unit as they celebrate Family, in Bonded in Shadows a Shadow Unit Novella.

Excerpt:

Ronin grabbed Belinda around the waist and walked her through the aisles, arms snug around her waist he kissed her on the side of her neck. She tasted good. Too good. He was all for being late to Faith’s party. The little monster would understand. Besides, if he missed the first get-together, he wouldn’t miss the second one. It was too bad that the Agency felt now of all times was a good time to start tailing them.

“You’re all hands today.”

“Everyday.” He said against the side of her jaw as he nipped the skin there. Ronin squeezed her gently and released her.

“We gotta ditch the truck Deva.”

“Figured,” was her response.

The corners of Ronin’s eyes crinkled as he arched his brows.

“You knew?”

“Hmm.” She nodded. “Since we reached the Louisiana border.”

Gods, he loved his woman. She didn’t miss anything.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Hey, you two are the hulks. I figured you had it under control.”

“You trust us that much?” It floored him that she had so much faith in him and his brother.

“Duh, I fucking love you two.”

Every time she said the words, his heart wept with joy. There were too many times over his long life, he thought the organ was dead. He wasn’t human, but he did have a heart, and it felt as much as any other heart that beat inside a chest, be it animal or man.

Belinda looked around the store with glee. She was like a kid in a candy store, and Ronin had no clue why she was so excited all of a sudden.

“Whose car we jacking?”

There it was. She was excited about stealing a car. Figured.

“Trading.” Ronin whispered, so no one would know what the two of them were talking about.

“Jacking.” She said back.

“We’re trading Deva, not jacking. My excited criminal.” Ronin chucked her under the chin, the corners of his mouth tilted up in the beginnings of a smile. Belinda did that for him, made him smile when he would normally be serious.

She threw her head back and laughed. He loved that sound. It was musical and filled with happiness. Ronin turned her towards him and slid his hands in her hair pulling her head back, so her face was close to his. They stared at each other intently until she whispered against his lips.

“I’m not a criminal. But I’ve always wanted to hotwire a car.”

“Hellion.”

“Sex fiend.” She shot back sucking his bottom lip into her mouth. His jeans tightened painfully, and he stifled a groan. He wanted her again, just like that. Didn’t matter where they were. It only took moments like this to undo him completely.

“Temptress.”

“Rogue.”

His face split into a grin at their banter. He could be himself, and she’d still love him no matter what. One more thing to love about her.

“Pick a car princess, any car.”

Belinda turned to look out the window at their limited selection. Some were getting gas, others were parked while their patrons were inside buying snacks. Her eyes roved over her choices from right to left and back again. He watched her with a keen eye and noticed she kept coming back to the same RV.

“That one,” she said pointing at the RV where a family was all standing outside talking while the father checked the pressure in the tires. It was a newer model RV and would probably go anywhere from fifty to sixty miles an hour. It was doable.

“They’re going to be okay right?” Her voice held concern for the family, and Ronin understood. They were about to relieve them of their car. But the switch would serve its purpose. The Agency would follow their car and observe the wrong parties actions. There would be no contact between the Agency or the family.

“Yeah, baby. Our tail are a bunch of looky-loos. They observe and report back. The family will come to no harm, by my hand or theirs.”

“Groovy! Let’s go hotwire us an RV.”

My Review:

I love this series. Eden combines the best of the supernatural with the best of humanity then contrasts it against the worst of both in a uniquely fast paced story. Eden returns to the world that she has created in a seamless manner. As a reader, it’s like you never left. Everything is vividly larger than life and easy to picture and immerse yourself into.

There are very few characters in this novel that we haven’t met in previous instalments. That said, you really get to know the characters of the series more intimately in this one. There is more family and less action, allowing their personalities, preferences, and idiosyncrasies to shine through. This goes for the main characters and the supporting cast.

My overall thoughts? Finally! It finally happened. And now, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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About the author:

One of Tigris’ fondest memories, was in the sixth grade, when her teacher read her story, “The Case of The Missing Pepperoni”, out loud to the class. It was then she decided she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. But like all childhood dreams, reality has a way of crashing in and disrupting plans. But her imagination and the voices inside her head never stopped talking. Every dream she could remember was jotted down in her dream journals.

Tigris is currently working on the Shadow Unit Series, Romantic Tales: Bedtimes Stories, and has expanded on the Genesis Project which will now be a trilogy introduced in 2014.

Tigris is a military brat who’s done her fair share of travelling, thanks to her Army father. She’s married to the infamous LL and has three boys. She currently resides in Houston and is actively seeking a book-buddy for the end of the world.
You can find Tigris on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website.

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Saturday, April 26, 2014

Rowena's Key by A.J. Nuest

Title:  Rowena's Key
Series:  The Golden Key Chronicles #1
Author:  A.J. Nuest
Published:   November 7th 2013 by HarperImpulse UK
Length:  109pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  fantasy
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★


Synopsis from Goodreads:

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…

Antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, finds herself the owner of an ancestral armoire containing a hidden key and a magic mirror leading to another realm!

But the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is truly the final straw. This must be an elaborate joke, right? As she struggles to discover the truth, Rowena learns Prince Caedmon Austiere needs the key to save his kingdom. In the end, she cannot deny him anything. Including her heart.

My Review:

The descriptions in this novella are absolutely priceless, the detail exquisite. Nuest has the perfect mix of eloquence, subtlety, and brashness with this tale. You can’t help but laugh at the literal clash between fantasy and reality. It is the fundamental basis of this fast paced and suspenseful tale. And what a perfect cliff-hanger of an ending… The author balances concluding the current dilemma with giving us something we need to get back to. It is one of those fantasies that every woman would love to live and that every man would love to be part of.

There are really only 2 major players in this novella and they are both phenomenally well developed to suit who they are and the lives that they lead. Both their similarities and their differences shine through making you laugh and sigh in turn. The supporting cast was also quite intriguing. They were definitely the extremes of the stereotypes they portrayed. This whole cast is definitely larger than life

Overall this was a brilliant escape from the everyday. I, for one, will definitely be on pins and needles until I get to the sequel. I can definitely see this becoming one of my new favourite series.

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or as part of The Golden Key Chronicles
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About the author:

I am a multi-published, award-winning author who lives in the middle of a cornfield in NW Indiana. My loving husband, two beautiful children and a bevy of spoiled pets have agreed to stay and, in exchange for three rations per day and laundry service, tolerate my lunacy. While I spend most days happily ensconced in crafting romance across a multitude of genres, an underground coup has been percolating. The dogs just informed me the cat is secretly vying for dictatorship.

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And make sure to join us for the phenomenal giveaway with A.J. Nuest and The Golden Key Chronicles from April 26-May 20.  


The prizes include:
Grand Prize -- Swag bag, jewelry and an e-book of The Golden Key Chronicles collection, which includes the bonus free read.
1st Place Prize -- an e-book of The Golden Key Chronicles Collection which includes the bonus free read.
2nd Place Prize -- The four original installments of the series, Books 1-4 of the collection.


The giveaway is open from 4am Apr 26/14 until 11:59pm May 19/14.
Winners will be announced Apr 20/14.
Winners have 72hrs to claim their prize or another will be chosen.

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Friday, April 25, 2014

Frat House of the Dead by J.K. Walker

Title:  Frat House of the Dead
Series:  Salt Lake After Dark #1.5
Author:  J.K. Walker
Published:  January 14, 2014
Length:  68pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  paranormal
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Rachel Wood has lead a sheltered life. Sure she's a witch, with a talent for technology, but she just doesn't get out much. Halloween night, that all changes when her best friend invites her to a frat party. After someone spikes the punch with an unknown spell, Rachel must devise a magical solution before her and her friends are overwhelmed by... Zombies!

My Review:

What a captivating novella. Walker had me laughing, cringing, and even in shock throughout. I couldn`t help but get wrapped up in the tale. Walker has also given me a new appreciation for zombies. In general, they tend to be my least favourite of the supernatural creatures but with this twist I found myself enjoying them immensely.

I really appreciated the way that you get to know the characters from the Salt Lake After Dark series better in this little sidebar. Although it isn`t strictly essential to the series as a whole, it definitely helps you get to know everyone in a much less serious manner.

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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Storm Without End by R.J. Blain


Title:  Storm Without End
Series:  Requiem for the Rift King #1
Author:  R.J. Blain
Published:  November 10th 2013 by Pen and Page Publishing
Length:  406pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  epic fantasy
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Blurb:

Kalen’s throne is his saddle, his crown is the dirt on his brow, and his right to rule is sealed in the blood that stains his hand. Few know the truth about the one-armed Rift King, and he prefers it that way. When people get too close to him, they either betray him or die. The Rift he rules cares nothing for the weak. More often than not, even the strong fail to survive.


When he’s abducted, his disappearance threatens to destroy his home, his people, and start a hopeless and bloody war. There are many who desire his death, and few who hope for his survival. With peace in the Six Kingdoms quickly crumbling, it falls on him to try to stop the conflict swiftly taking the entire continent by storm.


But something even more terrifying than the machinations of men has returned to the lands: The skreed. They haven’t been seen for a thousand years, and even the true power of the Rift King might not be enough to save his people — and the world — from destruction.

Excerpt:

Men reacted to death in different ways. Some saw their own mortality, and the fear of it consumed them. Others were consumed by their anger and hatred. A rare few accepted it and recognized what they faced and did so with pride and dignity.

There were even those who enjoyed it.

Two of the men ran forward in silence, their eyes burning with their need to strike Kalen down. Ducking beneath the blades that were held too high, he stepped to the side and onto firmer ground. Both let out startled cries as they splashed into the muck. Letting momentum guide his hand, Kalen cracked the flat of the sword across their shins. It took the slightest twist of his wrist to slice the edge through their trousers and into their flesh.

“Stop!” Derac shouted.

The man’s companions didn’t obey. Kalen stepped back and dug his toes into the moss. The sword was longer than he liked, but it was well cared for and sharp. His teachers would flay him if they learned he used the weapon like most used a scythe, but it let him add power to the strength he possessed. The sharp edge cut through flesh and bone with such ease it left a bad taste in his mouth. His victim fell before having the chance to rise from the mud.

“By the Lady of Light, stand down, Luca,” Derac pleaded.

Kalen held his ground, the bloodied sword ready. His arm ached from the strain of holding a weapon too heavy for him. Each moment where he stood still, his feet hurt almost as much as his arm did. While there was no pain from the bite marks, the burning sensation continued to creep up his arm to his shoulder. His breath came as ragged pants.

“Derac’s right,” Marist said. “We can’t kill him. If we do—”

“Enough,” Kalen interrupted, twisting around to glare at the talkative man. Marist’s teeth snapped together with an audible clacking. “I’ve no quarrel with you.”

The unspoken “yet” hung between them. Luca stepped back, spreading the distance between them, and leaned against one of the large trees. The man’s sword was held low enough to be ready for use, but not in preparation to strike. Kalen wanted to sit down or rest against something — anything — but he didn’t dare.

Enemies always waited for the first sign of weakness.

“He killed Hareth and Uthen,” Luca said in an emotionless voice.

“May the Lady of Light watch over them both,” Derac replied.

The tip of Luca’s sword touched the ground. Kalen let out a sigh, relaxed his stance, and mimicked Luca so he wouldn’t drop his weapon.

“And you’ll do nothing?” Luca whispered.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kalen glimpsed Marist shaking his head. “They attacked him first without cause. We are at fault.”

“But they’re dead!”

“And I count our blessings that we aren’t too,” Marist spat. “If you’d like to join them, you’re welcome to it, but not I, Luca. Not I.”

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was the best fantasy tales that I’ve read in a long while. Blain combines the traditional elements in a fantasy tale with unique elements to create a captivating and well-rounded whole that you won`t be able to put down. This author`s vivid yet straightforward descriptions not only paint a picture for the reader but draws them right into the heart of the story.

I thoroughly appreciated the convictions that ran through many of these characters, be they human, equine, or other. The clash of beliefs and of individuals is part of what makes this story so riveting. I found myself so drawn into their lives and their personas that I could easily identify with them. I also really got to know the characters in this story on many different levels.

This novel is so well written with a seamless storyline so that you cannot help but fall in love with the story. Blain held me from the first page to the last. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

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About the author:

RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.

When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband. She also has a tendency to play MMOs and other computer games.

In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Cade by V.A. Dold

Title:  Cade
Series:  The LeBeau Brothers #1
Author:  V.A. Dold
Published:  March 17th 2014 by Vickie Dold
Length:  248pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  paranormal romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★





Blurb:

Anna James is single again, finally. In her opinion, men are self-centered and will never love her for who she is, a beautiful, plus sized woman. All except the fantasy man that she’s been meeting in her dreams for five years.

She just never expected her fantasy to be a real live alpha shifter... 

Cade Le Beau isn't what he seems. He’s a billionaire wolf. A Shifter. He laments his missed chance six months ago to meet his fantasy woman in the flesh. Just as his second chance presents itself, his fantasy woman, his mate, is threatened by the local mob boss and her ex-husband. Now, he has forty eight hours to deal with this threat once and for all or chance losing her again. 

Is it Anna who’s in danger, or the humans who unwittingly threaten her? 

The heat is on the moment they lay eyes on each other. Neither, age, children, horrid ex-husbands, nor mob bosses will stop this love affair.

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:

Dold jumps right into the story, catching her readers’ attention from the beginning and letting them get to know her cast and world gradually. She takes the shifter world by storm, writing a story that neither talks down to the audience, nor making the entire story about sex (and don’t get me wrong, that’s there to, and it’s hot). It’s about the people and their relationships. She also takes the standard ‘shifter’ and ‘mate’ paradigm and gives it a bit of a tweak without completely rewriting everything. It is a brilliant change from the norm without having her audience completely turned around.

It was nice to see a shifter novel where the characters get to know each other, even after they know they’re true mates. Magic brings them together but reality keeps them there. Character development in this work relies heavily on this, and to great success. You know the characters the way that they know each other. This extends from the main characters to their families. I also loved the fact that the female lead wasn’t centrefold perfect. She was real & genuine & ate!

This was a remarkable work from this new author. It was hot & captivating while remaining so real and down to earth. I definitely can’t wait to see what she comes up with next (although, based on the ending here, I can guess! SQUEE!!!).

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About the author:

V.A.Dold is the author of the Le Beau Brothers series, New Orleans wolf shifter novels. A graduate of Saint Cloud University, she majored in marketing. Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was a publicist to the authors, owning Innovative Online Book Tours and ARC Author & Reader Con's (ARC NOLA) (ARC Phoenix). Still is. The companies mesh so well together, much like PB&J.
Her idea of absolute heaven is a day in the French Quarter filled with nothing but her computer, her coffee mug and the Brothers, of course.
A Minnesota native with her heart lost to Louisiana, she has a penchant for titillating tales featuring sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably taking in a movie, reading or traveling.
Her earliest reading memories are from grade school. She had a major fixation with horses, and the Black Stallion was a favorite. Then junior high came along and teenage hormones kicked in. It became all about the Harlequin Romances. She has been hooked on romances ever since.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Frozen Desires by Jessie Donovan

Title:  Frozen Desires
Series:  Asylums for Magical Threats #2
Author:  Jessie Donovan
Published:  February 24th 2014
Length:  281pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  Paranormal romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Camilla Melini is a high-ranking soldier with an organization fighting to free elemental magic users. Her latest assignment is to find one of the legendary elemental Four Talents, and she’s determined to get in and out of Mexico as quickly as possible to avoid running into the man who nearly destroyed her life. But when the dangerous man from her past finds her, Cam must work with Marco Alvarez, a man she’d dismissed as a playboy, to prevent the the powerful magic of the Talents from falling into the wrong hands. She never expected the charming playboy to be a cunning warrior worthy of her heart...

Marco Alvarez is sent to Mexico with two goals—to watch Cam’s back and to investigate a series of arson fires targeting former AMT prison employees. But when a shadow-shifter shows up looking for Cam, Marco decides he needs to stick close to her to help her mission succeed. As he gets to know the strong-willed woman, he’s torn between telling her the truth of his elemental magic and keeping the others who share his secret safe. But when Cam sacrifices herself to save her colleagues, Marco must expose the secret of his elemental magic or risk losing the only woman who can match both his passion and his strength.

My Review:

Donovan’s done it again with this one! She had me captivated from the first page and didn’t let me go.

Donovan tells an extremely unique and captivating tale in this instalment of her series. She had me completely enthralled throughout. Her one of a kind storytelling and fluid writing allow the reader to easily immerse themselves in the story. I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout, dying to know what would happen next. Her unique take on the paranormal combined with a top notch storyline made this novel impossible to put down. Her in-depth and visual descriptions brought the world to life, creating a well-rounded experience for the reader.

I absolutely loved getting to know the main character in this novel on a more personal basis in this novel. It was quite intriguing to see her as more than just a soldier. Her male counterpart was intriguing as well. I loved the Alpha male who was willing to accept and nurture the strength and alpha-ness in his female counterpart. Getting to know more about the main character in the secondary storyline was brilliant as well. She is a one of a kind character that I can only hope we get to see more of in the future. The supporting cast was brilliant as well. Each of these individuals could stand as a main character in their own story, but didn’t overshadow anything or anyone in this tale.

Donovan’s clear, concise writing combined with her vividly visual descriptions and fantastic storytelling combine to create a tale that you won’t soon forget. I was left with only one question at the end of the book. When can I have the next one?

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Monday, April 21, 2014

Blame It On Texas by Tori Scott

Title:  Blame It On Texas
Series:  Lone Star Cowboys #1
Author:  Tori Scott
Published:  November 24th 2011
Length:  160pgs
Format:  ebook
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  bought
Rating:  ★★★★★


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Logan Tanner shook the red dust of West Texas off his boots at the age of eighteen and hasn't looked back. When his father has a stroke, Logan is temporarily forced to return home and take over the family ranch. He still feels responsible for his mother's death when he was twelve, and has never gotten over the guilt. Now he's faced with having to protect his twelve year old daughter Katie and his sister and her friend Megan Flynn. It's nearly more than one man can handle. He can't wait to get back to Dallas.

Megan Flynn immediately falls in love with Morris Springs, Texas, population 976, when she delivers Logan's runaway daughter to his doorstep. Raised as a city girl, Megan has a dream of a few acres, a few champion Blue Heelers, and a small-town veterinary practice. The only thing standing between her and her dream is one stubborn, reluctant cowboy with an overprotective streak as wide as the West Texas prairie. But her stubborn streak is a match for his any day. And she's determined to prove it.

Blame it on Texas is a story of the power of love to overcome any adversity, the strength of family and friendship, and the joy that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself.

My Review: 

Oh my goodness! I couldn’t put this one down for a second. Scott mixes action and suspense alongside heartache and love to create a wonderfully complex experience for her audience. She captures the essence of a working ranch perfectly and wraps it up in a will-they-won’t they tale like you’ve never seen before. Scott’s descriptions are so vivid that she paints the ranch before you, allowing you to walk alongside the characters. Each and every moment is extremely real and poignant.

The conflicts between family duty and what an individual wants stand out starkly in this tale. It was a very unique and touching contrast. It is not just part of the story, but also part of who these characters are intrinsically. The main characters were such vivid and strong individuals, even if they were slightly misguided at times. It was both heartbreaking and heart-warming seeing them come to terms with who they were versus who they want to be. Their individual histories and combined present are so completely developed without sacrificing the storyline that you really get to know them. I also thoroughly enjoyed the minor characters in the novel. You really get a feel for this entire community. I really can’t wait to get to know them better throughout the series.

Scott had me in tears and squealing for joy throughout. This was the perfect mix of everything. It may have been my introduction to Scott’s work, but it definitely won’t be my last foray into the wonderful world that she has created.

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