Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Jeff LaFerney, from a red pen to a masterful writer. This man has got talent.

Let me introduce you to my friend.

Jeff LaFerney.

 
This is but one of his amazing books, the most recent of his that I have read and it is brilliant. 
 
He is however not only a talented author.  He is also a brilliant editor and you can ask anybody in the Indie business.  He knows his trade.  So click on the pic below and like his page.  Keep him in mind.  We can never have enough editors. 
 
https://www.facebook.com/editingattheredpen?ref=hl&hc_location=ufi
He is one of the many multi talented people we have on WaAr.  If you are an active reader with an Amazon account and wish to get tons of free books, join us, we need more reviewers.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Book Review of Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts Book Book 3) by Charmaine Pauls



Book Title: Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 3)
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Pages: 284
Author: Charmaine Pauls
Date Published: 26 June 2015

Synopsis:

All he could offer was thirty days of passion.
He condemned her to death instead.
Now he’ll do everything in his power to save her.

He is known as the Weatherman. Lann Dréan is the last of his kind. A price on his head, chased for a power he should not possess, he can’t promise any woman forever. All he can offer Katherine White is thirty days of passion. But his uncontainable desire comes with an unforeseen price. Lann’s lust will cost Kat her life. Now he’ll do anything to save her from the fate he has brought upon her.

Review:


Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts, #3)Aeromancist by Charmaine Pauls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Seven Forbidden Arts series. I loved it!

Lann Dréan is a complex character. I liked this man very much. He can come across as cool and aloof at times but, this hides his deeply felt emotions. He knows that if he lets his emotions out, his ability to control air could cause serious damage. He entered a contract with Katherine White, never expecting to see her again after thirty days, but when she comes to him with some unexpected news, he finds himself having to protect her from a dangerous foe.

Katherine White is a wonderful character. I liked her very much but felt that she wasn't given enough rein by the author to fully explore her strengths. She came across as strong willed, but seemed to submit too easily to Lann's authority. I don't know if this is a good thing or not. Maybe it has something to do with their contract/relationship in book two.

Having previously read 'The Astronomer' which was written by this author, I was pleased when she contacted me, asking if I would like to read this one. I quickly took her up on her offer. However, I think it would have been better for me to read the series from the beginning, rather than from just book 3. This is because there are references made to events that happened to the characters in book one and two which completely went over my head. There are also conversations between characters that seem to be continued from earlier too. But, this is only the small gripe I have.

Once I got over the confusion, I was quickly pulled in and I didn't put the book down until I had finished it. There are many paranormal romances out there that touch on the elements of fire, air, water and earth, but this series seems to be unique. The author has created a world where wielding an element is forbidden. If found out, dire consequences follow. The characters come alive on the page and I found myself on a roller coaster ride of emotion, especially when Katherine finds herself in a very difficult situation. I really felt for both protagonists as they came to terms with something that could potentially break their spirits, if not take their lives.

There are also a couple of interesting characters introduced. I didn't like the creepy Adam; he made my skin crawl. However, I did feel sorry for Nicholas and the way Adam treated him (as if he was a bug under his shoe). Joss and Clelia return in the book and, although I haven't read their story, their love is palpable. Speaking of palpable, the heat generated by Lann and Kat is definitely hot. There are explicit scenes in this book that had me wanting to grab a cold drink to cool off! Talk about scorching! There is also a lot of danger and intrigue mixed in to make this one series I am looking forward to continuing. However, don't make my mistake. Read the first two books in the series before starting this one.

Charmaine Pauls has written an entertaining standalone erotic romance. Her characters are lifelike and come alive on the page. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. I would definitely consider reading more of her books in the future.

Due to the explicit nature of some of the scenes, as well as use of foul language, I do not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18. I do, however, recommend this book if you love science fiction, erotica, erotic romance or paranormal romance genres. – Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


          

About The Author:


Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a masters degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.

After relocating to France with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published six novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in Chile with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

Author Links:

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Lynn Worton is how you really spell the word dedication.

 
This is a group photo of part of my family.  I am the one with the fish on my head.  Lynn is the one behind me keeping me from falling over.  To my right is Autumn Nauling, my left Lauren and next to her Christoph.  The diaper Moov is Wendy Steele and De Ann is the purple Moov with the pink jacket. 
 
Ok so today.... in our who's who of the Indie world, well, ok, MY Indie world it is my pleasure to introduce to you a true treasure.
 
Lynn and I met and about a day or so after (ALL OF THIS ON FB) mind you, I asked her to be an admin on my page.... she slept on it.  Came back, asked what I would need,  I slept on it.  I got back to her and before you know it this woman was running the page like a pro.  Seriously.  She is the BEST admin ever. 
 
 
Then I asked her, can you help me on my group... she slept on it.  Came back, said what do you need? I slept on it.  She is the best admin ever.
 
Then I contacted her.  Asked her...so you are an editor correct can you edit a book for me?
 
She slept on it.  Came back, asked what do I need? I slept on it. and ....
 
 
I now have a whole bunch of very good authors whom are very happy. 
 
Whoot.
 
So do you need editing....  http://www.lynnworton.com/
 
Follow her page on Facebook..  
 
 
Peace out.  Oh but before you go.  Put your hands in the air.  Like you don't really care. 
 
PPPS  We do not sleep that much.  Oh she does not,  I DO. 

Book Review of Beyond The Pale by C. Michelle McCarty



Book Title: Beyond The Pale
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 203
Author: C. Michelle McCarty
Date Published: 8 August 2015

Synopsis:

At odds with her mother long before her father's fatal automobile accident left them blaming each other, pregnant teen Abbie barely flinches when her mother hands her a fistful of cash to leave town forever. From small town, Georgia mansion to Maryland mobile home, Abbie embraces unusual trailer park people who help keep her mind off an old locker left by her dad yet confiscated by her mother. When her mother dies in 2000, will guarded secrets from her past elate or devastate Abbie and others?

Review:


Beyond the PaleBeyond the Pale by C Michelle McCarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic tale. I loved it!

Abbie is a wonderful character. At first, Abbie’s abrasive behaviour rubbed me the wrong way and I didn't like her very much. However, as the story unfolded and I began to understand that she used verbal slights as a way of protecting herself – a thorny disposition to hide her true self. After being kicked out by her mother at seventeen, a pregnant Abbie finds herself living in a trailer park. When her mother dies fifteen years later, Abbie finds herself facing memories she would rather forget, but desperate to claim the locker her father left for her before his death.

Having previously read 'The Jewel Box', when I heard that this book was being released, I quickly bought a copy. I started the book and didn't put it down until I had finished it. I found myself quickly caught up in the story and intrigued with the various characters introduced. Though I didn't care for Julienne (she's a stuck up, money grubbing piece of work in my opinion), I fell in love with most of the other characters. I think my favourite, outside of Violet, Geoff and Bryan, is Kevin. He is Violet's son, who has slight brain damage and, though he's in his twenties, has the mental capacity of a thirteen year old. He has a unique ability to make me laugh with his enthusiasm and joy of life.

This is a very touching story of loss, sadness, joy and happiness. Although I have never lived in a trailer park, the sense of community within the pages of this book made me feel very envious. Violet is the matriarch and glue which holds it all together. I must admit that I have always had a close relationship with both my parents, so reading about Abbie's lack of one with her mother made me feel quite sad. But, she finds a mother figure in Violet and it made me glad. As you can tell, this book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion from beginning to end. There is a lot of sarcasm and wit from not only Abbie, but from Geoff too. Their verbal sparing made it difficult to understand if they hated each other or not, but their mutual respect shone through near the end. There are some twists and turns that kept me wondering, but there is one huge surprise that had me shedding tears. I'm not saying whether they were tears of joy or sadness, because you'll just have to read the book for yourself to find out. I must admit that I did a little fist pump when a character got their comeuppance and is outed. I reached the end of the story and had a bittersweet reaction. I was sad that the story had ended, but happy that all issues had been resolved.

C. Michelle McCarty is an author with a talent for writing a captivating story. I love her descriptive writing style, which brought the characters to life. Though it is not as fast paced as other books I have read, the pacing makes it easier to get to know the characters better. The story flows wonderfully from scene to scene. I look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future.

I highly recommend this book if you love contemporary fiction. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


              

About The Author:



C. Michelle McCarty is a native Texan born with a love of writing, but forced to take jobs that actually paid for necessities along the way. Having done everything from owning her own hair salon and employment agency to writing ad copy, and editing for an online newspaper, Michelle retired in 2012 to settle into writing full time.

Socially awkward, Michelle daydreams about imaginary places filled with ordinary and extraordinary characters who offer intimate details of their humorous, eccentric, romantic, dramatic, and sometimes mundane lives. She writes to learn moral lessons by placing characters in a variety of situations, which in turn offers soul searching and sometimes personal resolutions. Michelle believes flawed characters reveal that everyone, no matter how imperfect or seemingly insignificant, offers something special in pretend worlds as well as in real life.

Author Links:

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

SoundPEATS mini

 

I was asked to review this product for SoundPEATS several months ago. 
 
I took my time cause I figured you need to know all that I can tell you before you purchase this product.

If you have really small ears then this may be the wrong product for you.  It hurt my ears. BUT
For battery life, this is unbeatable.  Having it up on the loudest it can go it last for more than 8 hours.  Recharging does not take long. 
 
The ease of wear apart from being to large for my ears is also brilliant.  The one thing though that impressed me the most about this product is the case in which it is bought.  This thing is indestructible.  I have been carrying it with me to and fro work for months now.  In a bag where I at times put groceries etc.  The case is still in a picture perfect state.  It is truly remarkable.
 
The one downside where this lost a star is with the control's  It took me forever to remember how to handle new incoming calls etc.  The buttons are very close to one another and then you navigate by seconds.  Once I got the hang of it, it was better, but it took me some time.
 
Here is a pic of the casing I am raving over.  If you click on it, you can pick up your own set from Amazon.
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEPIWNI/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0
 
 
Here is a song for you to listen to if you want while browsing Amazon. 
 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Now this is why almost nobody puts stock into Indie writing.

Hi.  I want to share with you a review and a free book link.  The book is short.  So download it and see if I am lying.




Ok, so I hear you.  WANDA, you hate erotica, this poor book should never have landed in your hands.  Yes I hate erotica.  I also do not like badly written stories that is a waste of time.

Now if you think I am being harsh, unfair... read it, it is short. Only 20 painful pages long. 

Here is the free link.

http://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Apocalypse-Set-Romance-Uncanny-Attraction-ebook/dp/B00OBT8RYW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442836392&sr=8-2&keywords=Corey+Stark

Ok so basically this author wanted to describe a sexy gay sex scene.  I am not sure if he accomplished this cause I was laughing too hard at the intro.

Picture this.  Department building -- living off of canned food for years.  Yeah, our boy must be a survivalist an urban one for he had enough and so did his neighbours so that he could go and steal theirs.  Now that is one thing but the jump between tenses in the intro totally told me the author had no interest what so ever to tell us a story.

His aim was the gay sex scene and basically he wasted my time trying to put it into a story format.  There is no story.  I know a lot of gay men and I know many of them is far better at romance than this couple....

The sex was ahm...boring.  I mean seriously, the world is ending.  Go wild. 
No.  This is one of those things written purely to push the publish button.  It needs an editor.  It needs a story.  It needs more than it has.  Lots more.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Book Review of Fire Kissed (Shadow Kissed) by Erin Kellison



Book Title: Fire Kissed (Shadow Kissed Series)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 352
Author: Erin Kellison
Date Published: 3 July 2012

Synopsis:

Fae Fire

It is Kaye Brand's power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she's been selling herself to the highest bidder-- – money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.

Angel Ice

One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiancé, Ferrol Grey.

Magekind

War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change...

Review:


Fire Kissed (Shadow Kissed, #1)Fire Kissed by Erin Kellison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Shadow Kissed series. I loved it!

Kaye Brand is a fascinating character. I liked her a lot, though at first she didn't enamor herself to me. She comes across as a bitter and sarcastic drunk, but as I got to know her better, I grew to like her, though I wanted to slap her on occasion for the way she treated Jack. She has not had an easy childhood and this affects her behavior and attitude. She is a fire mage, and wielder of shadows. Selling her talent to the highest bidder in order to survive, she finds herself facing a past she would rather forget when she meets Jack Bastian, a man who is meant to be her enemy.

Jack Bastian is a wonderful character. He may be an angel, but he has his own share of secrets. I enjoyed getting to know this warrior better. He can be a little arrogant at times, but this is part of his charm. When he hires Kaye to help him, he knows he could get burnt, but there's something about her that draws him to her.

This is one of the books I have been wanting to read for some time. When it was first released, I added it to my wish list and bought a copy as soon as I could. Unfortunately, due to my rather large reading list, it has taken me a while to get to read it. I feel rather bad about the delay, because as soon as I started reading, I didn't put it down until I finished it.

I must admit that when I first started to read this book, I felt like I was reading from a book in the middle of a series rather than the beginning of one. This turns out to be partially correct. There is a series prior to this one called "Shadow Series" which, although I haven't read them, has many of the other characters in them. However, when I first bought this book, I didn't realise it at the time. So when I began reading this book, I had a feeling I was missing something. Some of the characters, especially those like Jack and Adam Thorne, have a history and their interactions gave me the impression that they were continuing a conversation they were having from previous visits. This is not a bad thing, though it did make me curious as to how the two met. Nevertheless, this story hooked my attention from the first page and didn't let me go until the last.

The story is told from both Kaye's and Jack's points of view, which I liked. This gives the reader an insight into both their thoughts and feelings.
There are several twists and turns in this story too; just when I thought I knew where the story was going, something would occur that completely threw me. I was expecting a romance story, but it is so much more than that. There is an undeniable spark between the two main characters and their chemistry is hot! They compliment each other quite well; perhaps it is good that Jack is ice to Kaye's fire, because they could definitely set something on fire with the amount of heat they generate! However, it is the intrigue and danger of Kaye's mission regarding her former fiance, Ferrol Grey, that sent shivers down my back. I took an instant dislike to this man. It may be a little unfair of me to hate him instantly, but I have never liked what I call "snake charmer salesmen". You know the type of person - so smooth and charming, though undeniably evil, it turns your stomach - that you shudder at the thought of them? Well, that was my reaction to Ferrol. I love the way the story took me on an amazing roller coaster ride of emotion, so when I reached the end I felt quite sad; I felt I was leaving some new friends. Though this story doesn't end in a cliffhanger, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series as soon as I can.

Erin Kellison has written a fantastic paranormal romance. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow was wonderful. She has created a fascinating, believable world where fae and angels live amongst humans, though hidden by spells and enchantments for the most part. Her characters come alive on the page and I could picture the scenes in the book quite clearly. I would definitely consider reading more of this author's work in the future.

Due to the heat level, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love older YA or erotic paranormal romances. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


            

About The Author:



Erin Kellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Reveler serial, where dreaming turns dangerous. She also writes the dark fantasy romance Shadow series and Shadow Kissed series. RT calls Soul Kissed, "a dark fairy tale with a twist, perfect for readers who love passion with their fantasy." And this year she delves into shifter romance with her Dragons of Bloodfire series. Find out more at www.ErinKellison.com.

For new release information and updates, subscribe to Erin's newsletter at http://erinkellison.com/signup.html

Author Links:

Friday, September 18, 2015

Book Review of Obsidian (Lux - Book One) (Lux series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout



Book Title: Obsidian (Lux - Book One) (Lux Series)
Genre: YA Romance
Pages: 400
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Date Published: 8 May 2012

Synopsis:

STARTING OVER SUCKS

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

AND THEN HE OPENED HIS MOUTH

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

THE HOT ALIEN LIVING NEXT DOOR MARKS ME

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

IF I DON'T KILL HIM FIRST, THAT IS

Review:


Obsidian (Lux, #1)Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Lux series. I loved it!

Katy is a normal, everyday teen, who also happens to be an avid reader, book blogger and reviewer. She is full of angst after moving to West Virginia with her mother after the death of her father. I liked her a lot, though her (sometimes) bitchy inner monologue, as well as her constant swooning over Daemon grated on me at times. After meeting Daemon, her new next door neighbour, things begin to get interesting.

I bought this book (in paperback format) from http://Amazon.com way back in 2013 (though there seems to be no record of it in my account now?), as I had heard good things about it. Unfortunately, due to my rather large reading list, I have only recently been able to read it.

I began to read and was quickly hooked; I managed to read this book in one sitting. The story is told from Katy's point of view (in first person). This gives the reader the opportunity to watch things unfold from Katy's perspective. I really liked this, but often wondered what Daemon was thinking or feeling. However, reading between the lines, I got an impression of Daemon's character. He can be a total arrogant jerk, but he can also be a caring person. I must admit that I felt like slapping him a time or two myself, but I also realised why he was acting the way he was - he was protecting not only himself but his family too.

In a way, this story reminded me of my favourite YA TV programme as a teen, Roswell, which was also based on a series of books. You have a gorgeous guy, who happens to be an alien, and a teenage girl who lands herself into trouble. Throw in a lonely sister and you have a recipe for an exciting YA adventure/romance. Speaking of Dee, I liked her a lot more than Daemon. She is enthusiastic and bubbly, nothing like her sterner twin. The story is a little predictable if you have read a lot of similar YA stories *cough* Twilight *cough*, but if you are new to this genre, this has to be one of the best books to begin with. There are several twists and turns that kept me riveted from beginning to end, and the ending left me wanting to keep reading. I am hoping to read the next book in the series as soon as I can. Hopefully, it won't be another two or three years; it's sitting on my bookshelf, staring at me, so I had better get a move on and read it!

Jennifer Armentrout has written a fantastic YA romance. I love her fast paced writing style. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, though some of the characters are not as well developed as they could have been. However, the flow is wonderful and scenes flowed seamlessly from one into another. I would definitely consider adding this author onto my favourite authors list, and I will be reading more of her books in the future.

I highly recommend this book to teens aged 14+, and to adults who love reading books in the YA genre. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


          

About The Author:



# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia.

When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel and her hyper Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her time writing short stories. Therefore explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes Young Adult Contemporary, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal and Romance. She writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J.Lynn

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press) the Lux Series (Entangled Teen) and the upcoming YA Don't Look Back (2014) and untitled YA (Fall 2014) from Disney/Hyperion. She is also published with Harlequin Teen and HarperCollins.

Author Links:


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Dr Who is asking...who are you?

Sooooo we are discussing the Who is who in my little Indie world.  Today I bring you Jenny Needham and her amazing blog, event and marketing company etc.
 
 
Have a look at the banner.  Click on it and you will see her blog. 
 
http://bookrhythm.com/
Now if you page down.  Then you will see she and her partner offers all kinds of services.  They need reviewers, bloggers etc as well.  So make a turn.  Go see.  I know from experience that we all need a Jenny Needham on our side.  So take my word for it, you wont be disappointed.
 
 
Here is her Facebook page
 
https://www.facebook.com/BookRhythm?ref=bookmarks&hc_location=ufi
By now you know.  Click on the pic to go and follow this amazing page on Facebook.
 
Any thing else you need to know, use the contact us particulars on the blog 
 
 
You cant go wrong with this woman. 
 
 

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Book Review of Steam (Legends Saga Book 3) by Stacey Rourke



Book Title: Steam (Legends Saga Book 3)
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Pages: 228
Author: Stacey Rourke
Date Published: 10 September 2015

Synopsis:

Time passes, sins forgotten.
The bodies of the victims long since rotten.

Trapped within the essence of the Headless Horseman by the guilt of slaughtering her best friend, Ireland Crane follows the father of science fiction, HG Wells, in search of freedom from the curse that binds her. Instead, she discovers even he has a hidden agenda. A dark, relentless passion to be reunited with the woman he loves has driven him to manipulate time and a murderous Horseman.

Yet heed my warning, as the Raven flies,
The Hessian will come … and you will die.

All that prevents Ireland from abandoning Wells’ twisted pursuit, or introducing him to her sword, are the undead witches haunting her. Begging for freedom from a vile succubus, the ghoulish coven leads Ireland and her crew on a journey through Salem’s sordid past. There, they learn there is more to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s history than a scarlet letter, and the secret they’ve uncovered seeks to destroy them all.

Review:

Steam (Legends Saga, #3)Steam by Stacey Rourke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review 6*

This is the third book (and concluding story?) of the Legends Saga. I absolutely LOVED it!

Ireland Crane is twenty four years old and a relation of Ichabod Crane of Sleepy Hollow fame. I liked this stubborn, witty woman very much. She is still struggling with having the spirit of the Horseman inhabiting her body and coming to terms with the loss of her friend and mentor, Rip Van Winkle. Now on a mission with the father of time travel, H.G. Wells, Ireland will have to face her deepest fear, letting the Hessian take control in order to break the curse.

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this story. As soon as it was downloaded onto my Kindle, I dived right in and didn't put it down until I had finished it.

I have fallen in love with all the characters. The story is told through various view points, but mostly though Ireland's, Preen's and Noah's eyes. We are introduced to several new characters, of which Peyton, a nun and descendant of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Malachi, who has secrets of his own and Preen, a young and powerful Wiccan living during the time of Salem Witch Trials are but a few.

The story has action and adventure, death and murder, but there is also romance and tragedy. The characters' are very lifelike and the heroine is full of wit and sarcasm, which I like. There are several twists and turns that surprised me in places, and one huge scene near the end that completely had me in tears. I ended up cursing the author's name and crying 'I hate you!' at the emotions she managed to pull out of me. It has amazed me at how quickly these characters have burrowed under my skin. This motley crew of characters have become my friends. Therefore, I highly recommend you keep a tissue handy! I did have an unanswered question with regards to Preen, but I will not say what it is for fear of giving unintentional spoilers.
I reached the end of the book with great sadness as I wanted the tale to keep going. However, all good things must come to an end and I can honestly say that Ireland's journey has touched me deeply. She is most definitely a legend in my eyes and I will never forget her.

Stacey Rourke has written a fantastic dark fantasy, which is slightly darker than her YA Gryphon series. I absolutely love her writing style, which is fast paced and witty, and the story flows wonderfully. I was worried that the scenes between past and present would make it seem jumpy and disconnected, but I'm glad to say that it didn't. This author has the amazing ability to draw you into a story, make you love the characters and then rip your heart out and leave a bleeding mess where it once resided but leave you begging for more; I hate this about her, but I also love her for it too! I am a huge fan of this author and will read anything she writes in the future.

Although this is not really a YA story, I highly recommend this book to teens aged 15+ and adults who love dark fantasy. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


          

Author Bio:



RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013

Stacey Rourke lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction  and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. Mark your calendars! Her latest literary adventure, Crane, will release May 26, 2014. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this thrilling Legends Saga, as well as other literary projects.

Author Links:

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Book Review of Two of Them by Elodie Parkes



Book Title: Two Of Them
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 110
Author: Elodie Parkes
Date Published: 30 July 2012

Synopsis:

Two brothers alike in a crucial way and not alike at all in others, both looking for love. Named after characters in one of their grandfather’s gritty spy novels, Jet and Falcon wonder if their often absent father is a spy.
Kind hearted Jet feels trapped in a job he doesn’t like.
Dynamic, creative Falcon loves his work.

Jet longs for something different in his life. When he meets Emma, he thinks that after their night of delightful lovemaking he has found it. He longs to see her after that night. Does she feel the same?

Jet begins to change his life, but it’s worrying and time consuming. His luck is about to change when Annabel kisses him in the local pub garden. Her sexual advances at first shock Jet until he lets himself relax into her passionate ways.

Jet has inherited a cottage from his grandfather, and as he clears out the garden shed what he finds there turns his ideas about his own family upside down.
Jet along with his brother Falcon decide to find out the secrets that have been hidden from them. Was their father a spy after all?
As Jet and Falcon start to unravel the secret life of their father, they realize that love is more important to them than they could have imagined, and Falcon finds what he wants.

Review:


Two of ThemTwo of Them by Elodie Parkes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Jet and Falcon are identical twins. However, they both have slightly different temperaments and outlooks on life. I liked them both, but struggled to connect to them. They were somewhat one dimensional and didn't come across as believable as I would have liked.

This is a very difficult review to write, as this is my first DNF (did not finish) book ever since I began writing reviews. Having previously read one of the author's other books, Millie Reinvented, I had been looking forward to reading this one. However, I found myself disappointed. The characters were wooden, the dialogue clunky and the slow flow had me wanting to pull my hair out. I managed to get through 51% of the book (where nothing much had even happened) before calling it a night. I was getting headaches from the author's essay type writing style; I prefer that the characters tell the story but, the author wrote it as if she was narrating it. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I found this to be a little off putting. This affected the flow in my opinion and gave it a rather jerky feel. Other readers may have a different opinion, so I will leave it to you to decide for yourselves. The author does use wonderful descriptive prose, which helped me picture the scenes quite clearly. However, I have decided that this book was just not my cup of tea.

Elodie Parkes has written a story that could have been a lot better if she had changed the story into either first or third person narrative, rather than second person. However, although I wasn't very enamoured with this book, I would consider reading her other books in the future.

As I did not finish this book, I cannot say whether or not there were any explicit scenes in it. However, as I have read one of her other books that did contain some, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. I do recommend this book if you love steamy contemporary romances. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


               

About The Author:

Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal, fantasy, or suspense. Her books are always steamy. Her tag is, Cool stories: Hot love scenes.

Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
Elodie writes for, Evernight Publishing, Siren Publishing, Hot Ink Press, Eternal Press, Secret Cravings
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog Facebook FB Twitter Tsu
Google + G+ Pinterest YouTube Amazon USA Amazon UK Smashwords Barnes and Noble ARe ManicReaders Tumblr


Quirky facts:
Elodie only ever wears boots. (Yes even in summer) She has three bachelor degrees because she couldn't make up her mind what she wanted to do, and even then she got two Grad Dips in different subjects, naughty Elodie. Elodie loves: music (her nickname at work is Melody Elodie because she's often singing) the countryside, animals, gorgeous men, technology, art, stockings, and potatoes, in any order.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Book Review of Ravaged: An Eternal Guardians Novella (1001 Dark Nights) by Elisabeth Naughton



Book Title: Ravaged (An Eternal Guardians Novella Book) (1001 Dark Nights)
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Pages: 100
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Date Published: 9 June 2015 (E-Book)

Synopsis:

Ari -- Once an Eternal Guardian, now he's nothing but a rogue mercenary with one singular focus: revenge. His guardian brothers all think he’s dead, but he is very much alive in the human realm, chipping away at Zeus’s Sirens every chance he can, reveling in his brutality and anonymity. Until, that is, he abducts the wrong female and his identity is finally exposed. It will take more than the Eternal Guardians, more even than the gods to rein Ari in after everything he’s done. It may just take the courage of one woman willing to stand up to a warrior who’s become a savage.

Review:


Ravaged (Eternal Guardians, #7.5)Ravaged by Elisabeth Naughton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novella is an excellent addition to the Eternal Guardians Series. I loved it!

Aristokles (Ari to his friends) is a fascinating character. He was briefly introduced to the reader in Twisted and came across as a thrill seeker, although dangerous and a little unstable. I was glad to get the opportunity to get to know him better. He has faked his death and is living outside of Argolean society, so that he can attack Zeus's Sirens with no interference. When he meets Daphne, sparks fly.

Daphne is a wonderful character. She is a nymph and a Siren-in-training. I really liked her. She is feisty, stubborn and determined. She is sent on an assignment by Zeus, but can she complete it without losing her heart?

When I heard that this novella was available, I quickly bought my copy as I have fallen in love with this series. You could call this Eternal Guardians 7.5, but it is a stand-alone story in it's own right, with a slight sidestep from the original story arc. However, this story brought a new twist to the tale. I fell in love with these characters, even Sappheire, who replaced Skyla as Athena's second-in-command of the Sirens. She came across as being jealous of Skyla in Enraptured, and was quite witchy (substitute the w for a b) at times. However, in this story, she is more accessible and likable. I also liked meeting Silas, a Misos, who is Ari's friend. He has a sense of humour and it made me grin.

This story is full of twists and turns, and to say that it's only a novella, it was just as detailed as if it was a full blown novel. There are several shocking twists that caught me unawares and one big one that I never saw coming and it left me in tears. I do hope that the situation gets resolved in the next book of the series, because I felt like I had been hit with a tidal wave of disbelief and grief. How dare the author do that to me! Grrrr! *Smile*

As I have previously said in my other reviews about this series, I love the world building. It has a wonderful mixture of fantasy combined with myth and reality. The characters' are extremely lifelike and they feel like my friends. The story ends on another cliffhanger and I can't wait to read/listen to the next book as soon as possible.

Elisabeth Naughton has written an exciting paranormal romance series. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. She has definitely found a fan in me!

Due to scenes of a sexual nature that are on the explicit side, I do not recommend this book for younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love erotic paranormal romances with sexy heroes and strong female characters. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I do recommend you read the other books in the series first before reading this one. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


            

About The Author:



Before topping multiple bestseller lists--including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal--Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A rabid reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry's most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home. Learn more at www.ElisabethNaughton.com.

Author Links:

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

This weeks whos' who in the zoo is an author, reader, reviewer and she puts toghether marketing kits for a fee. Meet Julia E Antoine.

This weeks whos' who in the zoo is an author, reader, reviewer and she puts toghether marketing kits for a fee.  Meet Julia E Antoine.
 
So, if you love romance, the specially steamy kind specifically.  Then you need to meet up with Julia, not only does she write the genre, she reads it, lives it, breaths it. 
 
http://juephraime.blogspot.co.za/
click on her banner to visit and follow her blog.
 
 
 
If you want to follow her on facebook.  Follow this link.   FACEBOOK
 
Next up.  Follow my brilliant and very sweet friend Crystal Bozeman Clifton.  Here is her blog.  She creates stunning eBook covers.  Have a look.
 
https://www.facebook.com/CreativeEbookCovers?fref=ts&hc_location=ufi
Click on the pic to go to her Facebook page.  Now I have worked with both these woman FOREVER.  And I hope to have them part of my life for a long long time to come. 
 
 

Friday, September 04, 2015

Audio/Book Review of Twisted (Eternal Guardians Book 7) by Elisabeth Naughton



Book Title: Twisted (Eternal Guardians Book 7)
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Pages: 325
Audio Run Time: 12 Hrs 19 Mins
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Date Published: 25 September 2014 (E-Book)
16 December 2014 (Audio Book)

Synopsis:

NICK – Leader of the half-breeds and the last true hero. He’s spent his life fighting a dark pull toward the gods. A pull he now knows is linked to his father Krónos and the Titan’s plan to escape from the Underworld.

But Nick’s hidden powers are coveted by more than just his father. Imprisoned by Hades, Nick battles every form of torture imaginable as the sadistic god schemes to break him. Only one thing is keeping him sane. One woman who gives him the strength to fight the relentless darkness. She has a dangerous plan of her own, though, and as Nick’s powers grow stronger, even she might not be enough to alter his destiny.

As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, Nick’s allegiances are tested. And no one knows whether he will choose to fight for good or succumb to the sinister lure of evil. Not even him.

Book #7 in the Eternal Guardians Series, however can be read as a stand-alone.

Review:


Twisted (Eternal Guardians, #7)Twisted by Elisabeth Naughton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the seventh book in the Eternal Guardians series. I loved it!

I downloaded this as an audiobook, as I had previously enjoyed listening to the first six books in the series in audiobook too.

Twisted is again narrated by Elizabeth Wiley. She does another fantastic job in telling the story. Her narration is crystal clear and her interpretation of the characters brought them to life, she has given each character their own tone and inflection of voice, which I liked.

Nick is an enigmatic character, so I was excited to get to know him better. He is the leader of the half breed Misos, half Argolean/half humans, who live together in a colony for safety against the Daemons of Atalanta. He also happens to be the brother of Demetrius, one of the other Guardians, and the son of Kronos.

Cynna is a remarkable character. I wasn't sure what to make of her at first. However, I knew there was more to her than first met the eye when she was introduced near the end of book six. This is one tough lady! She has basically volunteered to live in Hell, under the command of Zagreus as a slave. But she is also full of secrets. However, I did feel that Cynna wallowed too much in self-pity at times, which drove me crazy.

The story continues from the end of book six and it quickly swept me up. This is another fast paced, action packed story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat! The story takes the reader through a roller coaster ride of emotion from beginning to end and is told through various points of view, which I really liked. This story is focused mainly on Nick and Cynna, though the story arc opens up even further and surprising revelations are made.
The reader also gets to see a little more of Hades's son, Zagreus. He may be a twisted and perverted character, but I have a feeling he's not completely "evil" and doesn't take after his father, thank goodness. Although he hides it under his perversions and doesn't wear it on his sleeve, I think Zagreus has a huge heart, dark though it may be. I wonder if he will be the subject of the next book?
Nick and Cynna have their own demons to deal with; they both have a lot of baggage, but they are more than capable of carrying their burdens. I love their chemistry, which fairly sizzled on the page. They make a wonderful couple and compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses.

As I have previously said in my other reviews about this series, I love the world building. It has a wonderful mixture of fantasy combined with myth and reality. The characters' are extremely lifelike and they feel like my friends (apart from Hades - he's still a pompous ass in my opinion). The story ends on another cliffhanger and I can't wait to read/listen to the next book as soon as possible.

Elisabeth Naughton has written an exciting paranormal romance series. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. She has definitely found a fan in me!

Due to scenes of a sexual nature that are on the explicit side, I do not recommend this book for younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love erotic paranormal romances with sexy heroes and strong female characters. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone compared to the other books in the series, I do recommend you read them first before reading this one. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


           

About The Author:



Before topping multiple bestseller lists--including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal--Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A rabid reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry's most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home. Learn more at www.ElisabethNaughton.com.

Author Links:

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Cover Reveal: Pretty Boy (Badge Boys #1) by Tara Oakes @Lil_Oakes

From the author of the Kingsmen MC Series comes a new series, BADGE BOYS. You can find the cover and synopsis for the first book in this new series, Pretty Boy, below!



*** WARNING *** This novel is intended for those over 18 yrs. of age due to mature and sexual material.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you what happens to BAD girls? Well... let Pretty Boy show you."


Agent Christopher Gibson has everything a man in his position could want. A successful career as one of the FBI's most credited undercover field agents, with no personal ties to hold him back. He tried that once, it didn't go over too well.


Jessica Leary is on her way to the top, working on her father's Senate re-election campaign. She has the job she wants- the opportunity to prove herself to both the political elite and her father.


What could these two people from very different worlds ever have in common? Nothing.


Nothing other than a hot, sexy, torrid love affair that was left in the past- torn apart by the different directions their lives were headed.


Now, months later, Jess finds herself in a perilous position. The past that once brought "Pretty Boy" Chris Gibson into her life has now come back to haunt her, threatening everything that she's worked for.


When trouble comes knocking on your door, what's a girl to do? Why, call your bad-ass, sexy-as-sin, FBI agent of an ex-boyfriend to do what he does best... take down the bad guys and anyone else that stands in his way, because when Pretty Boy sets his sights on a target, nothing distracts him. But, why is it that this time is different?


Being close to Jess again, seeing first-hand what he's given up is just enough to throw everything off course, as Jess seems to be the perfect mix of good AND bad girl.


Didn't anyone ever tell you what happens to BAD girls? Well... let Pretty Boy show you in book one of the brand new BADGE BOYS series of stand alone novels.










You can add Pretty Boy on Goodreads here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26028287-badge-boys?from_search=true&search_version=service

Teasers




More About Tara Oakes
Tara is a thirty something newbie author from Long Island, New York. She's a voracious reader, a passionate writer and obsessive junk T.V. aficionado. When she's not doing one of those three things she is attempting to garden, hanging with her hubby or partaking in some retail therapy. She enjoys connecting with her readers and is having a blast entering into this new world of publishing.