Book Review of The Gargoyle Gets His Girl (Nocturne Falls Book 3) by Kristen Painter

Book Title: The Gargoyle Gets His Girl (Nocturne Falls #3)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 356

Author: Kristen Painter

Date Published: 1 August 2015 (E-Book)

Synopsis:

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.

The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.

Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.

Willa Iscove, fae jeweler, has her first stalker. Really, he’s just one of her lovesick customers. The ring she crafted to help him find new love has backfired, making Willa the object of his affections. In a bid to rid herself of her amorous client, Willa makes a wish in the Nocturne Falls fountain using the piece of opal in her pocket and in doing so, unknowingly conscripts as her guardian the sexy gargoyle on duty.

Former Army Ranger and gargoyle Nick Hardwin has some serious suspicions about the pretty fae who just invoked the ancient pact for protection. Her kind have been at odds with his kind for ages. Now she wants his help? He’s determined to figure out what she’s up to. Which won’t be a hardship considering how much fun she is to be around. And kiss.

But then her stalker turns out to be the tip of the iceberg and things go really wrong, really fast. When they’re both kidnapped, Willa is forced to make a hard decision. The life of her family or the freedom of the man she’s fallen for?

Review:

The Gargoyle Gets His Girl by Kristen Painter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Nocturne Falls series. I loved it!

Willa Iscove is a wonderful character. I really liked her. She has a very independent spirit. She is a fae jeweler, now living in Nocturne Falls after running away from her home, Rhoswynn, several years earlier when she was fourteen. When a spell she included in a ring she made for a client backfires, she finds herself being stalked. Desperate, she makes a wish at the town's fountain. What she didn't expect was to find a protector in Nick Hardwin, an ex Army Ranger and gargoyle.

Nick Hardwin is also a wonderful character. I liked him a lot. He was only mentioned in The Werewolf Meets His Match, so it is nice to get to know him better. He has a typical alpha type personality, fiercely loyal, extremely protective and seriously sexy. Being an Army Ranger, Nick was used to action and danger, but now he's a civilian once more and he is finding life a little dull. Hoping to find a little excitement, he agrees to act as a night watchman, doing surveillance as the gargoyle at the town's fountain. When Willa unknowingly recruits him as her guardian, he is unsure of her motives. As his attraction to her grows, he is torn between his heart and his duty.

I came across this series through the recommendations from Amazon due to my reading/browsing history. I loved the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. Luckily, my sister and I share the same taste in books and, since we also share our Kindle libraries, I was able to read this from her account.

I started to read and didn't put it down until I had finished it. In fact, it felt like I'd only just started it when I finished. I flew through the story I was that absorbed. I enjoyed meeting the various residents of Nocturne Falls and getting to know them better. .

The story is told through the eyes of both Willa and Nick. There is slightly less humour in this story compared to the first book of the series, but it was no less enjoyable. The story took me on an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I really liked Jasper, Willa's cat. He has his own personality, though he reminded me of my own cat, whom I miss dearly as she died many years ago. I also liked meeting Pandora Williams, a witch with misfiring magic who works as an estate agent and is known as The House Witch. She has a cat sibling to Jasper, so Willa and Pandora have bonded over this and have become best friends. As the story progressed, the reader also gets to meet Julian Ellingham. He is still rather enigmatic, even though he's known as a playboy and is the youngest of the three Ellingham brothers. He's in charge of organising the various jobs the "characters" aka the residents play (even though they mostly play themselves) to keep the visitors happy. There are also several other interesting characters, though I must admit I didn't warm up to Willa's younger sister and brother, Kyanna and Zane; they were rather spoilt and bratty. I did, however, like Shay, Willa's youngest sister. She is much more down to earth.

As the story unfolded, there were several twists and turns I didn't see coming and I found myself in awe at Willa's strength of character. Her stalker is more of an annoyance rather than a danger to her, but I also felt sorry for him as he is unwittingly used as a pawn by Kyanna. I must admit I enjoyed visiting Rhoswynn. It sounds like a beautiful place to live, though rather oppressive, considering the way they treated their lapidus fae (those who could work with both metal and stone like Willa). Nevertheless, the challenge scene with Willa and Kyanna was incredibly tense and I could feel the tension as Willa struggled to get through it. The conclusion wasn't unexpected, but Willa's actions were.

I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, I like characters to have time to get to know each other better. This story is more in line with this compared to the first two books, though not by much. Having said that, the story is a romance and I enjoyed watching Willa's and Nick's relationship grow. I reached the end of the book and was left with a warm fuzzy feeling as I enjoy a happy ending. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Professor Woos The Witch, as soon as I can.

Kristen Painter has written a wonderful paranormal romance. I enjoyed her writing style, which is fast paced and entertaining. The flow was wonderful too. I would definitely read more of this author's books in the future.

There are no scenes of an explicit sexual nature (the scenes fade or are implied and not shown), nor is there any bad language. Therefore, I recommend this book to older teens and highly recommend this book to readers who love paranormal, supernatural or urban fantasy romances. - Lynn Worton

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About The Author:

Kristen Painter is a little obsessed with cats, books, chocolate, and shoes. It’s a healthy mix. She loves to entertain her readers with interesting twists and unforgettable characters. She currently writes the best-selling paranormal romance series, Nocturne Falls, and award-winning urban fantasy. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers.

Author Links:

Website: http://bit.ly/1mlw2zC
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Painter/e/B002OETF74

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Book Review of Mending Scars (Others of Edenton Book 5) by Brandy L Rivers @BrandyLRivers

Book Title: Mending Scars (Others of Edenton Book 5)

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Pages: 308

Author: Brandy L. Rivers

Date Published: 29 December 2014

Synopsis:

Some scars run soul deep.
Preston finally knows what he wants, but it’s an uphill battle to win her confidence. Dacia has been hurt countless times, including by his own hand. Despite her accusations, he wants what’s best for her.
Dacia struggles with her inability to trust. Her mother has always been too wrapped up in her own life to pay attention. Her father only comes around when it benefits him. Dacia no longer believes she’ll ever come first.
Remus is a fugitive on Earth and in Faerie. His ungrateful daughter refuses to help, even when a mage nearly tracks him down. His best hope is pitting Dacia and Preston against each other.
Ultimately, Dacia must choose. Can Preston help mend her scarred heart? Or will her father’s corrupt plan spoil Dacia’s chance at happiness?

Review:

Mending Scars by Brandy L. Rivers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the fifth book in the Others of Edenton series. I really enjoyed it!

Dacia is a character that has grown through this series. In 'In Too Deep' she came across as needy, always chasing after men like Brody or Hayden, which made me feel sorry for her. However, as the story arc has progressed, I have found I like her a lot more. Her attitude has mellowed and she is not as catty towards the other characters. She is attracted to Preston but has been deeply scarred emotionally by her father, Remus or Aeremaius, as well as physically by Preston when she was possessed by Izackarus. Can Preston gain her trust long enough to win her heart?

Preston Emrys is a wonderful character, whom I have gotten to know in cameo's through the first few books of the series. I wasn't sure I liked him at first, but as I got to know him better in Falling Into Place through flash backs, I began to like him more. I am glad to now read his story. He is an enforcer with the Silver Council, the "police force" for the Others and has the ability to track the essence of the various supernatural beings. However, the mage is now determined to track and capture the heart of Dacia. As danger in the form of Dacia's father threatens to tear their relationship apart, he finds himself confronting new abilities and a father who had no idea he even existed.

I have been wanting to continue reading this series for quite some time. I started reading this story as soon as I could and was quickly hooked. I found myself thrust back into the lives of those living in Edenton. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Preston and Dacia, though other characters have a say too. This gave me the ability to see what they were thinking or feeling. It was wonderful to meet the residents of Edenton again, as well as Toryn and Isadora in Seattle, they felt like old friends. The characters themselves felt lifelike and likable, though I love to hate Remus. He may be a fae, but his sadistic tendencies turned my stomach. He has no concept of love or compassion.

The story is a mix of romance, magic and danger, and takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. There are some steamy bedroom scenes, which were very descriptive and explicit. There are several twists and turns in the plot that surprised me, though some scenes were slightly disappointing; I had hoped for a bit more action in the fight scenes for instance. Having said that, I love the description of a tattoo that Dacia has done. However, I'm too much of a chicken to go under the needle myself, even though the description made me want to even though there's no Fallon to make it come alive. I was, however, extremely disappointed to reach the end of the book. It felt like I'd only just started reading and then it finished! But, having said that, I raced through the pages as I was completely gripped by the story. Though this book does not finish on a cliffhanger, it left me looking forward to continuing the series with Light In Darkness to find out what happens next.

Brandy L. Rivers has written an entertaining paranormal romance series. I love her fast paced writing style, and the flow is wonderful. Her characters are lifelike and likable. With her ability to write in both the paranormal and contemporary romance genres, she is one of my go to authors when I'm in the mood for a sexy read.

Due to explicit scenes of a sexual nature, as well as use of bad language, I do not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18. However, I do recommend this book if you love hot erotic paranormal romances full of sexy men and determined women. - Lynn Worton

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About The Author:

Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.

Author Links:

Goodreads ; Amazon Author Page ; Facebook ; Twitter

Book Review of The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls Book 2) by Kristen Painter

Book Title: The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls #2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 356

Author: Kristen Painter

Date Published: 30 June 2015 (E-Book)

Synopsis:

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.

The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.

Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.

Getting arrested wasn’t on werewolf Ivy Kincaid’s agenda when she arrived in Nocturne Falls, but her life rarely goes according to plan. The upside of spending the night in the local lock-up is finding a hotel room is no longer a worry...but the downside is the man she’s come to marry will get his first impression of her behind bars. Not exactly the way Ivy was hoping to meet her pack's sworn enemy...aka her fiancé.

Sheriff (and werewolf) Hank Merrow is the alpha's heir. Everything he's ever done, from becoming an Army Ranger to serving in law enforcement, has been in preparation for the day he’ll take over. Getting married to cement a shaky truce is no different. Hank will do his duty, even if it means shackling himself to a woman he has no intention of liking, let alone loving.

But Ivy is nothing like Hank expected. As feisty as she is beautiful, she's as determined as he is to make a go of marriage for the sake of peace between their packs. The trouble is, Ivy has secrets that could destroy everything Hank holds dear...including his newfound love for her.

Review:

The Werewolf Meets His Match by Kristen Painter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Nocturne Falls series. I loved it!

Ivy Kincaid is a wonderful character. I liked her spunk. She has not had an easy life being the only daughter to the alpha of the Tennessee pack. Sent to Nocturne Falls to marry the alpha's son, she is determined to make a new life for herself away from her abusive father. However, she's also hiding a huge secret. One that could ruin her chance of a happily ever after. Getting arrested was not meant to be on the cards, but when she finds out the sheriff is also her intended and is deeply attracted to him, Ivy is torn between telling Hank the truth and keeping silent.

Hank Merrow is also a wonderful character. I liked him a lot. He has a typical alpha personality - protective, loving and loyal, but this is no surprise considering he's the sheriff of Nocturne Falls, who also happens to be a werewolf and the first born son of the alpha of the pack. Knowing that he may have to agree to an arranged marriage to solidify ties between packs, he has avoided emotional entanglements. Until now. When a rival pack leader demands that he marries his daughter to satisfy a life debt, Hank is determined to do his duty. However, when he meets Ivy Kincaid, he's blindsided by his instant attraction.

I came across this series through the recommendations from Amazon due to my reading/browsing history. I loved the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. Luckily, my sister and I share the same taste in books and, since we also share our Kindle libraries, I was able to read this from her account.

I started to read and didn't put it down until I had finished it. In fact, it felt like I'd only just started it when I finished. I flew through the story I was that absorbed. I fell in love with the description of Nocturne Falls. Who wouldn't want to live in a town that celebrated Halloween all year round? I enjoyed meeting the various residents and getting to know them better. Birdie is Hank's aunt and receptionist at the sheriff's office and is a wonderfully quirky character; I really liked her. Bridget is Hank's sister and owns Howlers, the bar/pub that most of the shifters frequent, and Titus is Hank's brother and the town's fire chief. The reader also meets characters from the previous book, mostly Hugh and Delaney, though Sebastian also makes a cameo. Other characters are mentioned but not directly involved in the storyline as such, like former Army Ranger and gargoyle Nick Hardwin. We also get to meet Ivy's brother Sam, her mother and father, as well as Charlie, Ivy's son.

The story is told through the eyes of both Ivy and Hank. There is slightly less humour in this story compared to the first book, but it was no less enjoyable. The story took me on an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I found myself in tears on more than one occasion. I was extremely touched by a few of the scenes, though the one between Charlie and Hank in the forest tugged at my heart the most.

I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, three days seems a little unbelievable. Insta-lust, on the other hand, is a different matter. Though, having said that, the story is a romance and I enjoyed watching Hank's and Ivy's relationship grow. I reached the end of the book and was left with a warm fuzzy feeling as I enjoy a happy ending. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Gargoyle Gets His Girl.

Kristen Painter has written a wonderful paranormal romance. I enjoyed her writing style, which is fast paced and entertaining. The flow was wonderful too. I would definitely read more of this author's books in the future.

Although there are no scenes of an explicit sexual nature (the scenes fade or are implied and not shown), there is some bad language. Therefore, I do not recommend this book to younger teens. However, I highly recommend this book to readers who love paranormal, supernatural or urban fantasy romances. - Lynn Worton

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Purchase Links:

         

About The Author:

Kristen Painter is a little obsessed with cats, books, chocolate, and shoes. It’s a healthy mix. She loves to entertain her readers with interesting twists and unforgettable characters. She currently writes the best-selling paranormal romance series, Nocturne Falls, and award-winning urban fantasy. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers.

Author Links:

Website: http://bit.ly/1mlw2zC
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1tKClkW
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor
Instagram: http://bit.ly/1nQIdWl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2060858.Kristen_Painter

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Painter/e/B002OETF74

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Book Review of Inferno (The Gryphon Series Book 6) by Stacey Rourke

Book Title: Inferno (The Gryphon Series Book 6)

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Dark Fantasy

Pages: 64

Author: Stacey Rourke

Date Published: 5 December 2016

Synopsis:

With the death of a hero, a dark force has risen. A hellhound is loose on the Rhodes Campus, building its pack with a bloody body count. Any hope for salvation rests in the fiery hands of dashing Irishman, Caleb, with his power over the elements. Fighting to save a dear friend from the internal monster consuming him, Caleb finds the love of his life a target for the vicious attacks. How far will he go to save Celeste from the destiny ravenous to claim her?

Review:

Inferno by Stacey Rourke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the sixth book in the Gryphon Series. I absolutely loved it!

Caleb is a charming character. I really liked him when he was introduced in Embrace. After having had his memory erased by the Gryphon in attempt to keep Celeste safe, he now finds himself tracking his best friend who has been possessed by a Hellhound.

Inferno continues from the end of Descent, and is now told through the eyes of Caleb. He teams up with Terin, the conduit for the Phoenix, in an attempt to rescue Rowan Wade from being possessed by a Hellhound. I found myself thrown back into an emotional roller coaster as the story unfolded. I don't think I was even over the shock of the ending of Descent to be honest. As the story unfolded, I cheered on Caleb as he tried to find a way to save his friend. There are several twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and Caleb had difficult decisions to make that made my heart hurt for him. We also get to meet the Dark Army Glee Club, though they are not so gleeful this time.

I have a couple of complaints though. Firstly, the story was too short! Secondly, I found it was missing the charmingly snarky wittiness I had come to expect from the author, though Caleb tried his best. Granted, this was a more seriously toned story, but I missed the snarky overtones. The ending was a huge surprise, with another cliffhanger. I really wanted to hurt the author for doing that. However, I will just have to settle for calling her names in my head (#KiddingNotKidding).

Stacey Rourke has written a fantastic YA series. I absolutely love her writing style, which is fast paced and witty, and the story flows wonderfully. This author has the amazing ability to draw you into a story, make you love the characters and then rip your heart out, leave a bleeding mess where it once resided then 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.

I HIGHLY recommend this book (and series) if you love witty, sarcastic YA Romances filled with an array of various magical and mystical beings, namely lions, angels, gnomes, dragons, centaurs, demons and (of course!) Gryphons! - Lynn Worton

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About The Author:

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
Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Crane 2015

Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Adapted for Film. She 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.

Author Links:

Blog ; Amazon Author Page ; Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter

Audio/Book Review of The Devil's Evidence (Thomas Fool book 2) by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Book Title: The Devil's Evidence (Thomas Fool Book 2)

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Pages: 512

Audio Book Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Author: Simon Kurt Unsworth 

Date Published: 6 October 2016

Synopsis:

A stunning new thriller from the critically acclaimed author of The Devil’s Detective.

When a violent outbreak of fires plunges his city into chaos, Thomas Fool, commander of Hell’s Information Men, finds himself outsmarted by a shadowy new department called the Evidence.
Sent away to Heaven on a diplomatic mission he discovers murder has come to paradise, yet no one is willing to admit it. As tensions mount on both sides of the afterlife, can Fool solve the ultimate paradox?

Review:

The Devil's Evidence by Simon Kurt Unsworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Thomas Fool series. I loved it! I was originally recommended the first book from Audible due to my browsing/reading history. When I heard this audiobook was available to pre-order, I quickly bought my copy without even reading the synopsis and began listening to it as soon as I could. I was not disappointed. I found myself gripped by the storyline.

This audiobook is narrated by David Rintoul. I love his narration. He brought the story and characters to life with his clear and precise reading. His pacing was excellent and I was amazed at how he could vocalise the various characters without losing his voice. He gave some of the characters incredibly gravelly voices that came across as menacing, which made me shiver, as well as lighter tones for the female characters. I would definitely listen to more books read by this narrator.

Thomas Fool is a wonderful character. He is an "Information Man", a policeman to you and me, who investigates things when the denizens of Hell cause chaos or misbehave. I really liked this person. I don't know what he did in his previous life to end up in Hell, but I got the impression that he was a good man. Perhaps he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like his character grew as much as it did in the first book.

In this story an arsonist is setting fires in Hell. Thomas and his fellow Information Men are sent to investigate and quickly find themselves facing a mysterious adversary. Unfortunately, they also have to deal with the Evidence, a new group of demon-lead investigators that shadow the human Information Men. Sent on a mission into Heaven, Thomas realises that all is not well in paradise. As danger threatens and both Heaven and Hell prepare to go to war, Thomas will have to dig deep for answers.

Though I am not a huge lover of horror, I love detective stories. I started to listen to the story with no idea of what to expect, though I knew it was going to be a huge roller coaster ride. What I got was an unexpected journey through the eyes of the main protagonist, Thomas Fool. Hell is not a pleasant place to be in this book, and the demons are not exactly puppy dogs either. Heaven is more peaceful, though no less dangerous. I love the descriptive quality of the horror in this book, though it can be pretty graphic and a little shocking. Some readers may find it too gruesome. Then again, my imagination can be a little too quick to paint vivid pictures and some may find that it may not be graphic enough for them. As only a moderate reader of horror, this story definitely shocked me (in a good way). I was quickly hooked and sat entranced as the story unfolded.

I must admit that I was a little disappointed by the world building of Heaven. I can understand why the author would make it this way, but still, I am not sure I would want to go there if all I'm going to do is sleep and dream for the rest of my afterlife. However, as I said, I can understand why the author did this: Thomas would see it as a boring and uninteresting place to want to stay. Having said that, the mystery surrounding the fires in Hell and the disappearances in Heaven kept me hooked. The author also introduced some new characters, such as Mr. Tapp, the leader of the Evidence, and the angels Benjamin and Israphael, who bring their own prejudices/dislike of Hell's denizens and denial that there is anything wrong in Heaven. Then there is Mayall (sorry, not sure of spelling due to being an audiobook so have nothing to compare with), who is the Angel of Chaos and requested Thomas's help. There is also a new Information Man called Marianne, who has only recently been born into Hell. She brings a touch of romance into the storyline. There are also a few characters from the first book who make a return appearance, like Rachshasas (again, I have no idea of spelling so am doing it phonetically), and a couple of characters who make a surprise return.

The story has several twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the end. I am a huge fan of detective novels, and this story has several red herrings and distractions cleverly placed so that when the culprit is revealed, the reader is surprised. I must admit that the ending left me feeling rather sorry for Thomas. I will not say why because of spoilers, so I will leave it to you to find out for yourselves. I hope that the author is working on the next book (if there is one), because I am eagerly looking forward to listening to/reading it as soon as possible.

Simon Kurt Unsworth has written a fantastic sequel to his debut novel. I love his writing style, which starts slow but quickly picks up speed. I also love the flow of the story, the scenes flowed seamlessly from one to another. This author has found a fan in me and I would definitely consider reading more books written by him in the future.

Due to the use of graphic horror and gore, as well as the use of foul language, I do not recommend this book to younger readers and to those who have a nervous disposition. I do, however, highly recommend this book if you love horror, suspense and detective stories. - Lynn Worton

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About The Author:

Simon Kurt Unsworth was born in Manchester in 1972 and has not yet given up the hope of finding that the world was awash with mysterious signs and portents that night.

He lives in a rambling old farmhouse in Cumbria with his partner and assorted children and pets where he writes horror stories (for which pursuit he was nominated for a 2008 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story). He is the author of the novel The Devil’s Detective, a dark and savage thriller set in Hell, available from Doubleday in the US and Del Ray in the UK, and was released in March 2015. The Devil's Evidence is the second book in the series and was released in October 2016.

You can find him on Twitter or Facebook and Instagram, or in various haunts in Cumbria staring at his MacBook and muttering to himself.

Other Author Links:

Goodreads

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Book Review of Breaking Free (Others of Edenton Book 4) by Brandy L Rivers @BrandyLRivers

Book Title: Breaking Free (Others of Edenton Book 4)

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Pages: 286

Author: Brandy L. Rivers

Date Published: 6 June 2014

Synopsis:

They say that dreams can come true, but as a Dreamwalker, Devlin had yet to experience anything but nightmares. Then again, the druid had been held by sadistic vampires and dark mages for twenty years, forced to do their bidding. Newly escaped, he stumbles upon a dreamrealm where he can’t resist a little werewolf.

Jamie just wants someone to call her own. She feels like she’s been waiting for an awfully long time, when a man who teases her memory begins to visit her while she’s dreaming. From the moment she feels his turmoil, she’s drawn in, wanting nothing more than to heal his broken soul.

Before Devlin can decide what to do, he has to make a trip to Edenton. His first goal is to make sure someone who can’t remember him is safe and happy. The little werewolf of his dreams happens to live there, and she’s even more irresistible in real life.

When you’ve been taught all your life to run, what will make you change? Can Jamie convince her mate to stay and fight? Will he risk everything to have what he needs? Or run to save them all?

Review:

Breaking Free by Brandy L. Rivers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the forth book in the Others of Edenton series. I really enjoyed it!

Jamie is a wonderful character. I really liked her. She is a werewolf with the gift of empathy and can sense the emotions of those around her. She is also the sister of Jess, who is married to the Alpha of the Edenton pack, Slater. When she meets a stranger in a dream, she is instantly drawn to him and the emotions he invokes in her. Can she convince him to stand and fight, when danger threatens to tear them apart?

Devlin is also a wonderful character. Unfortunately, I didn't have an immediate connection with him, but as I got to know him better I found myself liking him. He is a druid with the ability to heal and visit peoples dreams. After escaping from being held captive by the Dales, he finds himself intrigued by the werewolf whose dream he'd walked into. Unable to resist visiting Edenton to see his long lost sister, as well as the werewolf of his dreams, he will have to find the courage to face the danger that follows him.

I have been wanting to continue reading this series for quite some time. I started reading this story and was quickly hooked. I found myself thrust back into the lives of those living in Edenton. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Devlin and Jamie, though other characters have a say too. This gave me the ability to see what they were thinking or feeling. It was wonderful to meet the residents of Edenton again, they felt like old friends. The characters themselves feel lifelike and likable, though I love to hate De Marco and Malachi. They are the evil vampires/shadowstalkers that forced Devlin to do their bidding.

I must admit that the time hop in the beginning of the book confused me at first, but as the story unfolded, it began to make more sense. Devlin has not had an easy life, having been on the run for most of it, along with his father, Declan. However, as the story progressed, I noticed a change in him. I love it when the characters evolve on the page; I also love flawed characters, they come alive on the page.

There's a lot of heat between the main protagonists and it fairly sizzles on the page. There is also a lot of action in this book, with a big fight scene near the end, as well as a huge emotional rollercoaster ride as secrets are revealed and lives are changed. I wasn't surprised about the identity of Devlin's sister though. I was, however, extremely disappointed to reach the end of the book. It felt like I'd only just started reading and then it finished! But, having said that, I raced through the pages as I was completely gripped by the story. Though, I did feel that this story was not as good as the previous book and the fight scene felt a little rushed. Nevertheless, I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Mending Scars, as soon as possible.

Brandy L. Rivers has written an entertaining paranormal romance series. I love her fast paced writing style, and the flow is wonderful. Her characters are lifelike and likable. With her ability to write in both the paranormal and contemporary romance genres, she is one of my go to authors when I'm in the mood for a sexy read.

Due to explicit scenes of a sexual nature, as well as use of bad language, I do not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18. However, I do recommend this book if you love hot erotic paranormal romances full of sexy men and determined women. - Lynn Worton

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Purchase Links:

           

About The Author:

Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.

Author Links:

Goodreads ; Amazon Author Page ; Facebook ; Twitter

Book Review of Hockey Karma (The Forever Friends Series) by Howard Shapiro

Book Title: Hockey Karma (The Forever Friends Series #3)

Genre: Sports Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Author: Howard Shapiro
Illustrator: Andres Mossa

Date Published: 1 November 2016

Synopsis:

The highly anticipated sequel to the award winning “The Hockey Saint” taking place ten years after “Saint” ends. The legendary Jeremiah “Jake” Jacobson, now thirty two, has been the world’s best hockey player over his fourteen year career because of his out of this world talent and his smart play. But he can’t stay on top forever, and when he starts making mistakes on the ice, his career and family life start to crumble.

At the same time, Tom Leonard, his agent and best friend, is completely overwhelmed by a project that he and Jake were supposed to be working on together. A project that could have a huge impact on people throughout their city in need of a helping hand. As Jake sinks deeper into a funk over his lost status due to his deteriorating play and the emergence of teammate and rookie phenom Barclay Pedersen, Tom realizes he’s on his own. At the same time he rediscovers someone from his past who he never thought he’d see again. In that burgeoning relationship, Tom discovers the importance of taking chances and starts to believe in himself.

Can Jake break out of his downward spiral and Tom finally find the courage to step out of Jake’s shadow?

Review:

Hockey Karma by Howard Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not a huge reader of graphic novels. But, having previously read The Stereotypical Freaks by this author, when he contacted me and asked if I would be willing to read this graphic novel, I quickly agreed. He sent me a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Jeremiah “Jake” Jacobson is a very troubled character. I felt for him as he dealt with issues that affect us at one time or another. Unfortunately, I didn't like him as much as I thought I would. Being a professional ice hockey player, he has had to deal with his fair share of injuries and pain. However, he is now faced with dealing with his potential replacement, who is a lot younger and eager to prove himself, which makes him jealous.

His best friend and agent, Tom Leonard, meanwhile, has problems of his own. I really liked him. He really wants to make a difference to the local community, but when he meets an old flame, he must decide whether to follow his head or his heart.

Because I hadn't read The Hockey Saint, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow the story. However, I needn't have worried as it takes place ten years later. As I mentioned above, I am not a huge reader of graphic novels, nor am I a follower of ice hockey. I must admit that it took me a while to get into this story, as I am out of practice reading this genre of books, which includes comics. However, I enjoyed the story as it unfolded. The author has included a play list to listen to whilst reading this book. However, I didn't have any of these songs available to read to on hand, so persevered without them.

The illustrations are excellent and show the progression of the story; this made it easy for me to picture the scenes. I did find the story a little lacking dialogue wise, but this is because I am used to reading novels written in text, where the author has to use words to describe things in more detail and there is more interaction between characters. The story, once I got into it, gripped me and I found myself emotionally involved. I felt for Tom as he wrestled with his commitment to a community project and his love for an old flame. However, I didn't have the same emotional tug with Jake, even though he's going through a tough time himself. Maybe this is because, although I could empathize with him, I haven't been through the same problems he faced.

I congratulate Howard Shapiro on a fantastic tale that touched me deeply. Because this is a graphic novel, his writing style is difficult to judge but I would say it's evenly paced. The flow is also difficult to judge, though the illustrations made the scenes flow seamlessly.

Although I enjoyed reading Hockey Karma, I find that graphic novels are not my cup of tea. However, I highly recommend this book if you love reading them, or are an ice hockey/sports fan. - Lynn Worton

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Purchase Links:

           

About The Author:

Howard Shapiro lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and two sons. The Controller for the Pittsburgh-based Visual Effects firm, Animal Inc., he has also written four children’s books and The Stereotypical Freaks will be his debut Graphic Novel. His 2008 book, Hockey Player for Life, has been the #1 downloaded children’s hockey e-book on Amazon’s Kindle chart since its arrival as an e-book in November of 2011. His, Hockey Days book was the only book featured in the December 2007 Sporting News Annual Gift Guide as a Best Buy Gift for Children. Through a corporate sponsorship program he set up (and maintains), since the 2010-11 season, both of his children’s hockey books have been given to NHL teams (over 2,500 copies to date) for use in their community and educational initiatives. Since 2006 his annual charity raffle, which he matches dollar for dollar donated, has raised funds for several hockey-related charities including the Mario Lemieux Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer and the Keith and Lisa Primeau Scholarship Fund. For more information, please log on to howardshapiro.net.

Author Links:

Amazon Author Page ; Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter

Release Blitz: With Love At Christmas (An Anthology) by Various Authors (All proceeds to benefit VETSports)

Main Title: 

With Love At Christmas - An Anthology

Contributing Authors and Their Titles: 

Delaney Foster - Martinis and Mistletoe

Ellie Masters - The Ballet

Author J L Leslie - Second Chance Christmas

JL Long Author - Copperfield Lane 

JM Walker - Stained

Noelle Bodhaine -12 Letters

Author Paisleigh Aumack - All I Got Was a Hangover

Author Scarlett Wells - All I Want For Christmas

Genre:

Contemporary Romance

Release Day: 

December 13th, 2016

Christmas can be a time of year for all things new and exciting. These stories take you through every emotion and back again. With something for every style of romance reader with stories from eight very different authors, you are sure to fall in love.

In this anthology, you will find humor, love, and how the spirit of the holidays can be the beginning of things to come. Experience these stories in, With Love at Christmas.

What is VETSports:

A nationwide non-profit helping veterans achieve better physical, mental, and emotional health through sports, physical activity, and community involvement.

COURAGE. RESILIENCE. TEAMWORK. 

*VETSPORTS IS A 501 (C) 3 TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION: EIN 46-0560244*

Book Dedication:

Universal Link

Martinis And Mistletoe by Delaney Foster

The perfect martini, an unexpected friendship, and a moment under the mistletoe might be just what Brynn Robley needs to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

The Ballet by Ellie Masters

All Sally Levenson wants is to stop grieving over her dead husband. She wants the pain to stop. To breathe again. One night at the Ballet with Sugar Plums and a Nutcracker turned Prince and Sally's Christmas wish might just come true.

Second Chance Christmas by JL Leslie

Even when it's unexpected. Even when he lied. Even when you shouldn't want it, but you do... more than anything. Love deserved a second chance... Especially at Christmas.

Copperfield Lane by JL Long

Where wishes come true and hearts fall in love.

STAINED by JM Walker

Follow Asher Donovan and Meeka Cline back to the beginning to be reminded what Christmas is truly all about.

12 Letters by Noelle Bodhaine

A family's journey through deployment. 

A wife and mother's way of coping.

And the hope that their soldier makes it home for Christmas.

All I Got Was A Hangover by Paisleigh Aumack

Penelope Sloan is a pain in the ass, loud mouthed, southern belle who knows how to get what she wants and uses it to her advantage. When she meets Braxton Jenkinson during a blizzard in New York City, she knows all bets are off when she wakes up with only memories of copper and whiskey gold. Oh and of course the most epic hangover ever. 

All I Want For Christmas by Scarlett Wells

All Pippa wants for Christmas is her boss, Alec Ardent. Evidently she's been on Santa's nice list because things are about to get naughty.

The Authors:

Delaney Foster
Hi, I'm Delaney, and I write love stories. I love all things romance, a good glass of wine, and Saturdays at the baseball park. I DO believe leggings are pants and pumpkin spice should be a year round thing. In my stories you'll find sexy, alpha men and the strong women who love them.

Find out more about Delaney Foster here:

Ellie Masters
Ellie Masters has been exploring the worlds of romance, dark erotica, science fiction, and fantasy, by reading and writing the stories she wants to read. When not writing, Ellie can be found outside, where her passion for all things outdoor reigns supreme: ATV-ing, scuba diving, hiking, and breathing fresh air are top on her list.

She lives with her beloved husband, two children who refuse to flee the nest, and four fur-babies; three cats who rule the household, and a dog who wants nothing other than for the cats to be his best friends. The cats are of a different mind regarding this matter.

Ellie’s favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch, laptop in place, watching a fire, drinking a good wine, and bringing forth all the characters from her Mind-to-the-Page and eventually into the hearts of her readers.

Find out more about Ellie Masters here:

JL Leslie
I am a happily married mother of three (two boys and one girl). I live in a very small town in Alabama. Never lived anywhere else. I I started self-publishing with the encouragement from my mom. Without her encouragement, I don’t think I would’ve done it. 

I get my inspiration from life experiences, movies, television, other authors, and music. 

I like to write fast-paced, steamy romance reads. I like for my males to be alpha-males and my heroines to be strong, but both need to have one weakness- each other.

Find out more about JL Leslie here:

JL Long
JL grew up in a small town in Illinois. Not to be mistaken for Chicago. She currently resides in Southern Kentucky with her husband, three children and their fur-baby, Buster Malone. She has lived an adventurous life…doing just that, living. Dream it. Do it. Live it. JL is a hopeless romantic, who loves seeing love unwind before her eyes. When she can’t see that for herself with other people in real life, she writes it or reads it. Writing has been a part of her life since she was a little girl, along with being an avid reader. She will continue to write until the pen will not allow it anymore.

Find out more about JL Long here:

JM Walker
J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

"Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life..." ~ Nora Ephron

Find out more about JM Walker here:

Noelle Bodhaine

Welcome to Noelle 's world where creativity and filth comingle and make for a delightful cocktail to intoxicate your senses and occupy your time. Classically trained in the art of procrastination, seduction and distraction. I'm a lover of all things creative, books, movies, music, cooking and art. A history nerd to my core and avid studier of powerful She wolves that have shaped our modern history. I like to watch old movies when it rains and listen to dry satirical podcasts when I cook. I make a mean Old Fashioned and love the smell of cigar smoke and old leather. 

I write about men I want to love and places I want to go. My laptop has become like an appendage as I never know when something deliciously dirty may pop in this crazy head. 

I do my dreaming at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, surrounded by handsome young men who do not pick up their laundry

Find out more about Noelle Bodhaine here:

Paisleigh Aumack

Paisleigh Aumack was born in Red Bank, New Jersey. She grew up in a small barrier island town and has lived there all her life. She has always loved music, going as far as being a trained musician. Her tastes in music range all over the board, but currently, her heart belongs to country music.

Paisleigh is engaged to the love of her life and lives a fairly quiet, peaceful existence. When she isn’t working, she is writing or she is reading. Or singing at the top of her lungs. Paisleigh began writing a short time ago because she had a story to tell.

Find out more about Paisleigh Aumack here:

Scarlett Wells 

Scarlett Wells has been a voracious reader since she was a toddler sitting in the laundry basket she used to move her library from place to place. Her love of reading has been a constant in her life and ultimately led to her sharing her own stories. 

Scarlett is a stay-at-home mom to a sassy, precocious 5-year old, wife to a software engineer (read: geek), and slave to two cats. If she’s not reading or writing, she can be found at Target, trapped under an avalanche of laundry, guzzling wine while she’s cooking dinner, or playing with her munchkin.

Find out more about Scarlett Wells here:

We hope you enjoy this anthology as much as we enjoyed writing it. From all of us, we wish you a very Happy Holiday season. 

And to everyone who has served, THANK YOU for your service.