Tattle Tale: February 2018

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Book Review of Fountain of Secrets (The Relic Seekers Book 2) by Anita Clenney

Book Title: Fountain of Secrets (Relic Seekers Book 2)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 344

Author: Anita Clenney

Date Published: 10 September 2013

Synopsis:

A relics expert with a nose for mystery is torn between her sexy billionaire boss and her hot bodyguard. Each would die to save her...and win her heart.

Kendall Morgan puts her sixth sense back to work in the second book of the Relic Seekers series, divining the history and location of ancient relics. Her boss, the gorgeous billionaire Nathan Larraby, sends her to Italy to safeguard a priceless treasure belonging to the Protettori, an ancient order of monks who guard four powerful relics that Nathan believes may be the cure for his dark curse. He also sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back—although her back isn’t all Jake has his eye on.

Nathan joins them, and all three tumble into a labyrinth of defenses created by the monks to protect their treasures, including the Fountain of Youth. They find themselves in England on the trail of the legendary King Arthur, who along with the Reaper, seems mysteriously connected to the Protettori. Sparks fly and bonds are tested as Kendall and Nathan’s pasts are revealed and Jake’s becomes even more mysterious. The trio must stay one step ahead of the mysterious Reaper if they want to survive.

Fountain of Secrets twists and turns through the shadows of myth and reality as Kendall races to uncover the Protettori’s secrets and fight her growing attraction to her boss and her bodyguard.

Review:

Fountain Of Secrets by Anita Clenney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in The Relic Seekers series. I loved it!

Kendall Morgan is a wonderful character. However, I sometimes wanted to shake some sense into her. She works for a billionaire as a relic finder. She has a special gift that allows her to track down, as well as know things about, the artifacts she procures for her boss. When her boss, Nathan Larraby, hires her to locate four powerful relics, little does she realise the danger she will face. Not just from Nathan's reclusive nemesis known only by the name of Reaper (as in Grim), who is also after the artifacts, but from her attraction to her co-worker, Jake Stone.

This is an urban fantasy romance with a twist. I started reading the story and was instantly hooked. The story is told through the view points of Kendall and Jake for the most part, but as it progressed, other characters, namely Nathan, also has his say.

I found myself on a roller coaster of emotion as the story unfolded. I enjoyed getting to know the characters better and we are introduced to quite a few new ones.

This story sees the trio thrown into danger as they uncover more secrets from the secretive Protettori, and unravel the secrets hidden in their own pasts. It continues from the end of book one. Jake and Kendall grow closer together and consummate their attraction, and Nathan finds out that the changes he is experiencing is linked to an event in his past. They also uncover a mysterious connection between the Protettori, King Arthur, and the fountain of youth. This sees them travelling from Italy to England in an attempt to find the lost fountain of youth, fabled to give anyone who drinks from it not an immortal life but a longer one. The mystery and suspense kept me reading until I'd finished the book. However, I was a little disappointed that the relationship between the three didn't develop as much as I thought it could have. There is definite chemistry between the three; Jake and Nathan not so much, but they both have feelings for Kendall. I could see the potential for a threesome, but the author seems to have shied away from this aspect. Perhaps they will get together in the third book? I guess I'll just have to read it and see. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I am now looking forward to reading The Lost Chalice as soon as possible.

Anita Clenney has written an intriguing paranormal romance full of action and adventure. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. I would definitely consider reading more books by this author in the future, and there is a high probability that I would add her to my favourite authors list too.

Due to the above mentioned scenes of a sexual nature (which are not explicit), as well as some violence, I do not recommend this book to young readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love paranormal/supernatural romances/romantic suspense/urban fantasy/action/adventure or myths and/or legends genres. - Lynn Worton

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Purchase Links:

About The Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. After working as a secretary, a Realtor, teacher's assistant, booking agent for Aztec Fire Dancers, and a brief stint in a pickle factory (picture Lucy and Ethel--lasted half a day)...she realized she'd missed the fork in the road that led to her destiny. Now she spends her days writing mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense about powerful relics, secret warriors, ancient evil and destined love. Anita lives in Louisiana with her husband and two kids. You can learn more about her writing at www.anitaclenney.com. Also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Author Links:

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Book Review of Said the Spider to the Fly by Miss Mae

Book Title: Said the Spider to the Fly

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Pages: 252

Author: Miss Mae

Date Published: 27 January 2016

Synopsis:

Copper Springs, North Carolina. Population 4,500. A picturesque town with quiet streets and tree-lined sidewalks. Nothing ever happens here — until the day that Mona Murphy returns home.

Review:

Said the Spider to the Fly by Miss Mae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic murder mystery. I loved it!

Mona Murphy is a wonderful character. I really liked her. She is swept into a mystery when she arrives back in Copper Springs, North Carolina, after the death of her grandfather. She has a special gift that she sees as a curse - she has extra sensitive perception. Notice I said sensitive not extrasensory? This is because it's her hearing that is sensitive and not her having second sight. This ability helps her as she unravels the tangled web of lies and deceit surrounding her. With the help of an insurance investigator, Preston Hitchcock, she finds herself facing innumerable dangers. But can she find the culprit before she becomes the next victim?

This is a far better tale than the short story (The Timekeeper) I read in January from this author. As the title suggests, there is a tangled web woven through this tale, and I was instantly hooked (or should I say trapped?). This story is set in modern times, but I felt it had an old fashioned private detective feel to it, which I loved. The story has a whole bevy of characters; some eccentric, others special, and some downright creepy. However, this allows the author to pepper the story with red herrings so the reader thinks they've got an inkling of who the suspect is, before pulling the rug metaphorically out from under one's feet with another twist. The suspense level is high throughout, so when the culprit is revealed, it's a complete surprise. There was more than one suspect that was high on my list for most of the story. But... Nope, I'll not say more as that would spoil the surprise for the rest of you. What I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster ride I was taken on during this story and hope the author writes more of these types of stories. She does mysteries so well, so it was a shame that The Timekeeper wasn't up to her usual standard in my opinion. The story wraps up nicely, with no cliffhanger to annoy the reader.

MIss Mae has written a fantastic crime caper that has captured my imagination. Her descriptive writing makes me feel like I am there, observing and living in the story. I love her fast paced writing style, along with the wit and warmth she injects into her characters, which makes them come to life. I also found the flow wonderful. Miss Mae is one of my favourite authors, so will continue to read more of her books in the future.

As there are no scenes of a sexual nature, nor any profanity, younger readers would be fine while reading this story. However, I highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for a classic romantic suspense detective novel with a hint of supernatural in it. - Lynn Worton

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Purchase Links:

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

About The Author:

Miss Mae is an award winning, best selling author. "Said the Spider to the Fly" has consistently rated outstanding reviews and has won the esteemed title of Best Book of the Week for The Long and the Short of It Reviews and from The Romance Studio. It can be purchased both in digital format and in print. "When the Bough Breaks", a young adult coming-of-age story won the 2009 P & E Readers' Poll in the YA category.

Her first book, "See No Evil, My Pretty Lady" had previously only been available as a digital book. Now it can be purchased in print from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and CreateSpace. Visit her website (http://www.themissmaesite.com) for the links.

The highly acclaimed "It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred" won a 2009 Top Ten Read at MyShelf.com. Out of print for a couple of years, this fast-paced, action filled 'who-dun-it' is now back with a brand new cover! It's in print at Amazon and in digital format at various online estores.

Miss Mae also enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles. Some of her publications can be found in The Front Porch Magazine, Good Old Days, and WritersWeekly.

Her alter ego, M.M., penned a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek fantasy tale titled "Ahoy Gum Drop!" where her bumbling, fumbling reporter, I.B. Nosey, is introduced to the world wide web of cyberspace. Check him out at Feeling Nosey? (http://feelingnosey.blogspot.com)

Author Links:

Amazon Author Page ; Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter

Friday, February 09, 2018

Book Review of Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers Book 1) by Anita Clenney

Book Title: Guardians of Stone (Relic Seekers Book 1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 289

Author: Anita Clenney

Date Published: 4 December 2012

Synopsis:

In the tradition of Indiana Jones, a feisty heroine with a sixth sense, and two sexy heroes, a dark, reclusive billionaire and a mercenary bodyguard are on a hunt for four powerful relics that could change their lives…and the course of history. But relics aren’t Kendall’s only quest. Eventually, she’ll have to choose between her sexy boss and her badass bodyguard.

Kendall Morgan is a human bloodhound. Spending her childhood hunting relics with her ambitious archeologist father, she knew the two of them shared a sixth sense for the history and location of objects—sometimes even people. What she didn’t know was that their paranormal gift could ultimately be their undoing.

After the tragic plane crash that killed her father as well as her childhood best friend, Kendall dedicated her life to finding and protecting relics. When mysterious, sexy billionaire Nathan Larraby hires her for his latest expedition—the search for four powerful relics—she’s thrown into a world of high-octane danger. He sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back, but he may have created danger of a different kind.

As the team chases down clues, a man called the Reaper makes a play for the artifacts and will stop at nothing to put them to his own sinister use. What’s worse is that Nathan hasn’t told the whole story, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could cost them the mission…and their lives.

Review:

Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in The Relic Seekers series. I loved it!

Kendall Morgan is a wonderful character. However, I sometimes wanted to shake some sense into her. She works for a billionaire as a relic finder. She doesn't go to archaeological digs, not since being a child and her father and best friend were killed in a plane crash. However, she has a special gift that allows her to track down, as well as know things about, the artifacts she procures for her boss. When her boss, Nathan Larraby, hires her to locate four powerful relics, little does she realise the danger she will face. Not just from Nathan's reclusive nemesis known only by the name of Reaper (as in Grim), who is also after the artifacts, but from her attraction to her co-worker, Jake Stone.

This is an urban fantasy romance with a twist. I read the blurb and was intrigued. I love action adventure mixed in with romance, as well as characters with a hint of supernatural/paranormal gifts, and since I love stories like Indiana Jones, this book seemed to tick those boxes. I am glad I downloaded this book, but am sad that it's taken me a while to get to read this book due to my large reading list.

I started reading the story and was instantly hooked. The story is told through the view points of Kendall and Jake for the most part, but as it progressed, other characters, namely Nathan, also had their say. I don't want to give spoilers, so will try not to.

I found myself on a roller coaster of emotion as the story unfolded. I enjoyed getting to know the characters better and we are introduced to quite a few. Kendall is hard headed, determined and carrying a lot of baggage from her past. Jake, too, is an intriguing character. He is a former soldier, working as a mercenary for hire. He is also carrying a lot of baggage from his past, and has secrets. Speaking of secrets, Nathan Larraby is one big enigma. He has a power that is changing him into something, but his past is hidden so the reader (namely me) became intrigued about him. Fergus is Nathan's butler and is another character that I liked a lot.

There are several twists and turns that act as red herrings, so the reader never really knows what is really going on in this book. I will say that this just kept my interest in this story keen. The castle that Kendall and Jake visit is full of secrets and is steeped in history thought to be legend or myth. If you love Arthurian legends as I do, the way the author wove this aspect into the story got me thinking. What if King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot were actually in a threesome? Whether this was true or not is only speculation on my part. We may never know for sure. However, I could imagine Kendall, Jake and Nathan in such a relationship, as there is definite chemistry between the three (Jake and Nathan not so much, but they both have feelings for Kendall). Saying that, there is no explicit scenes of a sexual nature in this story, though there is mention of activity between Kendall and Jake. I'm not keen on a love triangle in most books, but the way these characters interact, whether intended by the author or not, feels natural. The danger they face is palpable, and I found myself biting my nails or sitting on the edge of my seat often. I reached the end of the book with mixed feelings, and was glad that I'd downloaded the second and third book in the series so that I could continue reading, since the book ends in a small cliffhanger. Now I am looking forward to reading Fountain of Secrets as soon as I can.

Anita Clenney has written an intriguing paranormal romance full of action and adventure. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. I would definitely consider reading more books by this author in the future, and there is a high probability that I would add her to my favourite authors list too.

Due to the above mentioned scenes of a sexual nature, as well as some violence, I do not recommend this book to young readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love paranormal/supernatural romances/romantic suspense/urban fantasy/action/adventure or myths and/or legends genres. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews

Purchase Links:

About The Author:

Author Links: