Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Desperate Moon by Jennifer Ott

Desperate MoonBook Description:
Countess Katerina Vaduva roams Eastern Europe as a vampire for nearly six hundred years experiencing the horrors of mortal man - wars, plagues, genocide and torture. For centuries, she seeks shelter and security in the castles of counts and sultans. 
When her husband the Count of Slovakia passes, she pursues a new life with a colonel in the Prussian military. While her husband quests victory at battle, Katerina desires a Naturalist scientists who seduces her with knowledge and a greater understanding of herself, for this she will risk everything for the one thing she never had - immortal love and the pursuit of progress. 

My Thoughts:
This is an ok book.  Katerina is a vampire.  She has been for the past 600 years and has seen much in her life.  She has seen humans evolve and witnessed quite a lot of history.  Not to mention husbands, lovers and travel.  With her last husband dead, she moves on to a Prussin colonel who is more interested in war than anything.  She also meets a scientists who is interested in more than just her body.
Katerina is a good character.  Well developed and I liked how self-assured she is.  It didn't mater if she was alone in the woods or in a crowd, she was in control.  The history woven through the book was intriguing.  Mixing the paranormal (vampires) with science made me curious and I enjoyed how the author developed that part of the plot.  There is history, science, romance, love, war, jealousy, and much more in this book. 
It is a 3/5 for me.  I liked the different take on vampires here.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Monday, December 21, 2015

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

In My DreamsBook Description:
The dreams were happening again. 
It was something seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Hayes thought she’d outgrown. She didn’t want them anymore; detailed premonitions of how people would die. 
One night, Lizzy’s worst nightmare occurs. She dreams of her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers his car was found in a river, along with his lifeless body. 
Confusion settles deep within when Michael appears alive in her dreams. He warns her, attempting to keep her safe from the very person who murdered him. 
Awake, Lizzy must pull on her inner strength, not only to save herself, but also her friends whose lives are in danger. 
In My Dreams is a story of trust, friendship, courage, and true love that lives beyond the grave.

My Thoughts:
This is a book you won't be able to put down.  Lizzy had dreams when she was younger, but they stopped when her dad left.  Now they are back.  These aren't nice dreams, but dreams of how people will die.  Then, her worst nightmare comes true and her best friend/boyfriend dies.  She sees him in her dreams and this leads to a whole series of events that she will be lucky to live through.
I liked Lizzy.  She was stronger than she knew but I loved watching her grow.  Michael is a knight in shining armor type guy.  He is going to be there for Lizzy and won't let death stop him.  I wanted to dislike Tyler but I couldn't.  Michael's parents were wonderful as well.  I was amazed at their strength throughout.  Overall, I loved the story line and the characters were done wonderfully.
This is a 5/5 for me.  

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Wickedly They Come Book Blast!

WTC Ebook Cover

Available on Amazon for only 99 Pennies for a limit time!

Blurb:

A gripping, dark fantasy! A Destined Prophecy: “The White Warrior will be one with Lucifer and God will weep.” Haunting visions and supernatural talents are the norm for the sixteen-year-old warrior, Jordan and her mother Seeley. Together with their formidable angels they find themselves in peril when a wicked sorcerer is determined to fulfill the prophecy to his lord, Lucifer. After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil. The battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground. WTCOME TEASE

Snippet:

Wickedly They Come
Eyes like embers burn into my soul
As gnarled fingers stretch to sow seeds of terror
Weaving a realm of pandemonium
Nightmares pour poison upon sleep’s tangled web
And on and on the vision’s dance:
I saw the world blind and hollow
Floating in the void of space
Feeding upon the vapors of some
Translucent suspended beast
Disjointed bodies then did appear
Sprinkling death and devouring life
Coaxing Earth into silent slumber
Blazing eyes again emerged
Red brightness true to hellish fire
Fixed upon my wandering eye
Flames burst upon the scene
Wild and wily, leaving not one piece to fix upon
Except for those eyes of ember…
WTC MARKUS

Snippet:

Something dripped on Seeley’s shoulder. Then another wet dribble skimmed her cheek and landed on Jordan’s arm. The wetness was bright red. She gazed up at a mammoth pentagram embedded into the rocky dome. The five-pointed star sparkled in the flickering light, and a planked balcony bordered the elevated fortification. As she craned her head and peered directly upward, her bloodcurdling scream split the air. “Ohmigod. Ohmigod. What have they done?” Her knees buckled.

WTCPROMOTEAS

Snippet:

“Fight back. You are the warrior.” It seemed the dagger plunged in slow motion. As all hell broke loose, Jordan regained her senses. Nerve-racking screeches, metal clanging, and heavy feet running. Asa was impelled off her, thwacking into the cement wall. Everything came to a halt. Jordan couldn’t take her eyes off Markus’s hand, hovering just above her heart. Thrust through his palm, the bloody dagger quivered. Its sharp tip cut her shirt, staining the fibers a brilliant red. Gripping the hilt and clenching his jaw, Markus withdrew the dagger from his hand as creatures bombarded him. cath 163

BIO:

Cathrina Constantine resides in Western New York with her husband, five children, two Labrador Retrievers and her cat, Bones. When not with her family, reading, or stationed at the computer, you will find her walking in the backwoods with her dogs, conjuring up a new tale. Cathrina writes mainly YA/Paranormal Thrillers, Mysteries, Contemporary, and Dystopian Fiction. To date her books published by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly are Don’t Forget To Breathe, Tallas, Snow on Cinders, and the Wickedly Series. You can haunt Constantine here:
 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Deceive by Michelle Irwin--Excerpt

Excerpt:

Deceive (Book Two in the Declan Reede: The Untold Story Series)
Author: Michelle Irwin
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: Dec 17th, 2015



Straighten up, pull it around, and get back on the track. 

Declan Reede's life is in a tailspin. Although he knows what he wants, he can't see the road that will take him there. Wherever he turns, new secrets, lies, and half-truths threaten to send him crashing off-course. To deserve his family, he must fight his past mistakes and prove himself worthy. 

But can someone out to deceive cost him the life he now craves? 

**Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18**





Amazon -
US: http://amzn.to/1WbJbfE
B&N:













Michelle Irwin has been many things: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; and a time-travelling madman in a box. All of these feats and many more were achieved through her voracious reading. Eventually, the cast inside her mind took over and spilled onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance.


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Monday, December 14, 2015

Her Holiday Protector by Lenora Worth

Her Holiday Protector (Men of Millbrook Lake #2)Book Description

THE WRONG TARGET

While investigating a murder at Rikki Allen's house, detective Blain Kent realizes the victim looks a lot like Rikki. Could the secretive widow have been the target? He wants answers, but Rikki is unusually cagey. When the killer comes after Rikki at a safe location, Blain finally gets the truth out of her: she's the daughter of Franco Alvanetti—the notorious crime kingpin. A by-the-book former marine, Blain has made it his life mission to put the Alvanetti family out of business. Yet he has to trust Rikki to protect her from a killer who wants her dead by Christmas.

Men of Millbrook Lake: Four men find love and family

My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good book.  Blain has a preconceived notion about the Alvanetti family.  Rikki's best friend is murdered and she would really rather not have to share that she is a member of the Alvanetti family.  Blain catches the case and sets out to investigate but Rikki isn't the only one with secrets.  Still, the closer he gets to her, the more he questions his ideas about the family, or maybe it is just Rikki? Either way, with her in danger, they are pulled together in a race to figure out who is after her and why.
I liked Blain.  He was a strong man with good conviction.  Rikki had her own ideas about her family and what they did or had done.  Her whole family is woven through the book in both good and bad ways.  I wasn't sure if the case would ultimately tear them apart or pull them together.  Overall, it was a good story and I enjoyed it.
It was a 3/5 for me.  Good, quick read.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Mud Puddle Hunting Day

Mud Puddle Hunting DayBook Description:
All of God's wonders look different for play on mud puddle hunting day! Children join the adventure of a young girl's dash through the rain where she finds just what she's looking for--a spalshing experience with God's amazing creation. In the Graham Blanchard book collection, Mud Puddle Hunting Day is a Praise book, which celebrates the soul-pleasing wonders of God that children experience every day. A natural response to this God-filled world is worship, gratitude and awe for him and his glory, while young hearts grow for him.

My Thoughts:
This is a cute book.  You travel along with a little girl on a rainy wet day as she enjoys God's world.  It is the search for mud puddles and splashing is ok today.  I really liked the 'getting dirty is ok sometimes' that this book shows.  Also how it shows that the world is God's creation and we should enjoy it.  This kept my 3 kids' attention and we all enjoyed it.
5/5, this one is going onto my daughter's keeper shelf as she snatched it off mine :)

Thank you to the publisher/author for the review copy of this book (via Book Club Network).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Sparkle Box

The Sparkle BoxBook Description:
During the Christmas season, Sam and his parents participate in various acts of kindness to others and record their good deeds on slips of paper to be placed in a sparkly box, as a gift to Jesus.

My Thoughts:
LOVED this book.  The sparkle box is about Sam and his parents and what they do through the Christmas season to help people.  There is a sparkling box throughout the story that gets filled up a little bit at a time and is opened on Christmas day.  I must say that I got a little teary at a couple places in the book but my kids loved it.  I think it is great for any age group and has a message we could all stand to hear at least once more.
It is a 5/5.  Great for the Christmas season but the lesson is good for all year.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Friday, December 11, 2015

HOLIDAY STARS OF POCKET STAR EBOOKS!

HOLIDAY STARS OF POCKET STAR EBOOKS!

Whether it be stars in the sky, stars atop trees, or stars who offer great reads, all are holiday stars to savor. The holiday stars of Pocket Star EBooks offer perfect escapes for winding down this holiday season:

KATE MEADER
Rekindle the Flame (Nov. 30)
Romance / Contemporary / Holidays




Rekindle the Flame is the Hot in Chicago series prequel e-novella for $1.99 by Pocket Star EBooks
Melting Point is the mm romance e-novella from the series by Pocket Star EBooks
The Hot in Chicago series: Flirting with Fire (#1), Playing with Fire (#2), Sparking the Fire (#3 in September 2016)
Playing with Fire is a PW Best Book of 2015 for Romance/Erotica
“[A] flawless contemporary…Deft characterization, high stakes, and unabashed sexual hunger drive the gripping fast-paced story.”

DANI-LYN ALEXANDER
The New Year’s Wish (Nov. 30)
Romance / Contemporary / Holidays

Also indulge in Dani-Lyn Alexander’s The Perfect Gift Pocket Star EBook!
“Alexander paints a reliable, feel-good romance for the season that hits all the right notes, which is exactly what readers will seek for the holidays.”
—Library Journal

MARIAH STEWART
If Only In My Dreams (Nov. 30)
Romance / Contemporary / Holidays
IBOOKSTORE (ebook)
KINDLE (ebook)
NOOK (ebook)
GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

The final installment in the Chesapeake DiariesDriftwood Point, will publish June 21, 2016. If you can’t wait until then, indulge in the recent New York Times bestselling Chesapeake Diaries #9, That Chesapeake Summer

REXANNE BECNEL
Angels in the Snow (Oct. 27)
Romance / Contemporary / Holidays













Tune in to UP Friday, December 18th, 7:00 pm ET to watch the movie Angels in the Snow!
Also indulge in Rexanne Becnel’s The Christmas Train Pocket Star EBook!
“A sweet tale of unconditional family love.”
—Library Journal

Monday, December 7, 2015

Landscape for Murder by Joyce T. Strand

Landscape for Murder: A Brynn Bancroft MysteryBook Description:
A friend’s murder. An unconnected cast of suspects, including the victim’s missing adult daughter. As if that wasn’t enough, Brynn Bancroft’s winery has been broken into. Can she deal with her co-owner ex and help the police find her friend’s murder so she can finally overcome her own troubled past and enjoy family life with her teenage ward?

My Thoughts:
Yes, this is a good one.  While not the first in the series, the book does well as a stand alone.  Brynn is shocked when she finds out that her painting friend was found murdered.  Then, there are a rash of burglaries, including her winery.  As she investigates, she ties the two crimes together and puts herself in danger!
I must say, this author grabbed my attention right at the start.  I guessed some of the plot twists and some I didn't.  The writing took me a little bit to get used to but it wasn't bad.  The best part of the book by far was the characters.  Everyone was realistic.  It seemed like you could meet any of these folks in everyday life and I really liked that!  I was curious how Brynn and her ex would interact, or that coupled with the foster son...it intrigued me completely.  I really plan to get the others in this series and read all of them in order to find out more about the characters I now love.
It was a 4/5 for me.  Good mystery. 

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via Beck Valley Books).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Last of the Firedrakes Review and Swag Giveaway!!

The Last of the Firedrakes (The Avalonia Chronicles, #1)Book Description:
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.

My Thoughts:
Yep, this is a good one!  Aurora's life is miserable.  She is treated like trash by her 'family' and horribly at school as well.  She wants to be free from it all and then she is taken into Avalonia.  There she learns she isn't who she thought she was, but is part of a whole world she didn't know existed.  Also, her family is important...and a bit twisted.
I loved how the author made you feel throughout this story.  At the start, I felt so bad for Aurora and how she was treated.  As the story progressed, I realized how strong she really was.  I liked the characters through the book, they were well developed and so diverse.  There was some romance, some drama, mystery and over all just a good story.  I can't wait to see what happens next to Aurora and the crew.I think this is a great start to a series and will stay on my keeper shelf!  4/5Thank you to the publisher/author for the review copy of this book (via Kate Tilton).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Now to the giveaway :)  I have 2 swag packs that include a cute notebook, pen, pin, and bookmark of The Last of the Firedrakes.  To enter, just comment below and be sure to put your email address!  If I don't have your email, I can't contact you if you win.  2 winners will be chosen by a randomizer on 12/15/15 and contacted by email.  Good luck!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

The Golden BraidBook Description:
The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after.

My Thoughts:
This was a good one, not my favorite of her stories but definitely a good book.  Rapunzel is marrying age but her mother keeps her away from everyone, most especially men.  If a man shows interest, they move.  A knight rescues them along the way and is hurt so Rapunzel helps him and in return, he teaches her to read.
I liked that Rapunzel wasn't a typical damsel in distress.  She is strong.  The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know each of them.  The author does a great job with making you feel what the characters feel.  I think any age would enjoy this one!!
This is a 4/5 for me!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via Litfuse).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.