Book Content: Curse words used throughout entire novel, mild violence and some sexual situations (not recommended for readers under the age of 18)
Kellan Anderson is in hillbilly hell – or at least that’s what it feels like. After enduring endless accounts of abuse from her now ex-boyfriend, Kellan makes a run for her life and finds herself in cowboy country. Leaving her fancy clothes and expensive lifestyle behind her, she trades in her high heels for cowboy boots and changes her name to Andi Ford. With her painful past threatening to catch up with her, hiding out in this small town seems easy enough – until one blonde hair, blue eyed cowboy steps in the picture.
Zane McKade has sworn off women, determining that they are all liars and cheats – including the new waitress at the local bar. After a rather unpleasant first encounter with the beautiful brunette, Zane’s radar is set to high as he believes this woman is not who she claims to be. When his intimidation methods fail to break through Andi’s barrier he decides to turn on the charm to get her to tell the truth. But Zane’s plan begins to backfire as the more time he spends charming Andi, the more he finds himself breaking his own rules and falling for her.
My Review:
Zane (The McKades of Texas #1) by Kimberly Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received this book from Kimberly Lewis as I signed up for her blog tour through our group Making Connections. I knew I had to sign up as I loved Kimberly’s other novel When the Heart Falls. I enjoy Kimberly’s writing, Zane is well written and flows smoothly, it’s what I call my Sunday’s read. It has everything I enjoy in my romance novels i.e. hot sexy cowboys!
In this novel we meet Kellan Anderson who is on the run from her ex boyfriend trying to keep a low profile so her ex doesn’t find her she changes her name to Andi Ford hoping hiding in a small town will do the trick or as she calls it hillbilly hell.
When we meet Zane (hot cowboy) I previously mentioned…he knows Andi is not what she appears. Having his own issues Zane has no use for women especially ones that lie and he believes Andi is not telling the truth. So he sets up a plan to get to know Andi just so he can find out more about her. Of course what he does find out is how much he is attracted to her. Things don’t always go as planned.
But like any romance novel there has to be some conflict nothing is easy for Zane and Andi, but you will have to read the Zane to find out more.
I have rated Zane a 4 star rating, as it was a good, quick romance novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also cannot wait to read book 2 in this series and really hope it is about Zane’s brother Luke. So I recommend anyone who enjoys romance, cowboys and some fun character to go pick up a copy.
About the Author
In November of 2011, author Kimberly Lewis stepped into the writing world with her first original western contemporary romance novel, When the Heart Falls.
Born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, this country girl at heart caught the creative bug at an early age, doing everything from drawing to writing short stories.
After the birth of her son, Kimberly found the inspiration to pick up a pen, or in this case a laptop, and began writing her first novel. Since then she has continued to write and credits her husband, Rob, and her wonderfully crazy family, who with their love and joking demeanor provide her with the ideas that inspire her novels.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her amazing family.
Book Link:
*Zane is currently only available in ebook format*
Nick
Hawke likes his car fast and his girls even faster. He blows through females
quicker than his muscle car races down the drag strip in Collinsville and he
wouldn’t have it any other way. Determined to avoid the devastation he has
watched his father endure in the aftermath of his mother leaving, he believes
there is no room in his life or his heart for a relationship lasting more than
one night. He seeks happiness in things that won’t let him down...fast cars,
parties and one night stands. To his absolute dismay, all of that changes when
he unexpectedly runs into an old friend and is introduced to Payton Archer, the
first girl he ever wanted for more than one night. There’s only one catch...she
is completely immune to him and his smooth talking ways.
Payton
Archer is looking for what Claire has with Jessie, but she has given up on
finding it...at least until she leaves for college in the Fall because she is
certain that is where she will find the perfect guy to fit into her perfect
world. She plans on Summer being nothing but three uneventful months of fun,
but it turns out to be anything but ordinary when Payton is introduced to Nick
Hawke, one of Jessie’s old Collinsville friends. She is shocked by her
immediate and intense attraction for “Hawke” because nothing about him is what
Payton is looking for. Sure, he’s hot and sexy but he comes from Collinsville
and that is definitely not on her list of prerequisites. Everything about him
makes Payton’s heart speed because he is exciting and dangerous, but his fast
car and the dangerous chances he takes isn’t what scares Payton the most...it’s
the way Nick Hawke makes her feel every time he looks at her. Can Payton find
that moment of total fearlessness and make the decision to leave the safe,
shallow end of love to risk going under completely?
My Review:
Shallow (Going Under #2) by Georgia Cates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shallow is the second book in the Going Under series by Georgia Cates, the plot is a fun and enjoyable read. This is the first book I’ve read by Georgia Cates so of course I know have to go read Going Under soon. I really enjoyed Georgia’s writings and the story flows well I laughed out loud a few times and loved the Payton smart mouth and quick comebacks.
Payton Archer is one tough girl, says what she thinks and thinks she knows what she wants for her life. Then she meets Nick Hawke who is tall dark and handsome and did I mention the bad boy type. He is swoon worthy. Nick is instantly attracted to Payton and knows he wants her. Of course Payton knows Nick is a player and hates the fact that she is so attracted to him. Nick doesn’t give up though and Payton and Nick start a great romance. Things are not that easy though, many secrets are revealed, Nick’s missing mother, crazy ex-girlfriends who want Nick for herself. Nothing is easy for these two. In saying that this is a great read, you laugh, you may shed a tear and you fall in love with both Payton and Nick and want a happy ever after ending.
I have rated Shallow a 4 star rating and suggest if your reading my review you go look up Georgia Cates and start reading this series it’s worth every cent. I am a huge fan and cannot wait to read all her novels.
About the Author:
Georgia resides in
rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful
daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she
decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author.
Blood of Anteros,
Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was her first novel and it was released
in September 2011. She decided to briefly step away from the paranormal genre
to try her hand at a young adult contemporary romance when she wrote Going
Under, but returned to the paranormal romance platform to complete the second
book in The Vampire Agápe Series, Blood Jewel.
Her current works
in progress are Shallow (A Going Under Novel) which will release on September
27th and Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3), to be released in January
2013.
Toe-curling kisses and enough sex to fill a weekend were all Pandora wanted from a fling with her teenage crush. She’s never forgotten how he played the knight in shining armor to her damsel in distress. She’s ready to say thank you in several naughty ways, so long as she can walk away when it’s over with her heart intact.
A man moving on from tragedy…
Brian has no intention of allowing the feisty tattoo artist to leave him after one taste. He hasn’t had enough of her inked curves. The packaging might have changed, but Pandy is the woman he hasn’t been able to excise from his memory. He’s ready to put together a new life, one that includes her. But he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Someone else wants her, dead or alive.
Excerpt:
Pandora swirled the glass of Tuaca and downed it in three gulps. The smooth brandy slid down her throat and sent warm fuzzies coursing through her body. She couldn’t get drunk fast enough.
“Hey.”
A weight settled against her waist. She squeezed her eyes shut, chanting, No, no, no!
“Why aren’t you up there getting ready for the awards?”
She turned on the stool, keeping one hand on the bar for balance. She should never have allowed the girls to dress her up in the first place. The red wiggle dress fit her like a second skin, and the underwear served only to annoy her. She’d never understood garters.
At least focusing on that distracted her from what Robert had done this time.
“We were disqualified,” she said, slurring her words only slightly.
Brian’s jaw dropped. If she had the coordination, it would have been the perfect opportunity to kiss him, but she didn’t trust herself leaning that far forward.
“What? How?”
“I drew the tattoo on you. I didn’t make a stencil first.”
“That’s bullshit.” The way his eyes flashed and arms flexed as he clenched his hands into fists made her a little hot. Then again, there wasn’t anything about Brian that didn’t turn her on. What would her ex-fiancé think if she told him it had been Brian she thought of when they’d had sex?
“Yup. I said that too. The rules are written all vague and shit. Robert and the West Coast Shop assholes pressured the organizers. All of us who drew instead of tracing are disqualified.” If she was able to string that many words together and slur only a little, she wasn’t drunk enough. Turning to the bar, she signaled the bartender for another.
Brian wedged himself between her stool and the next. “There’s got to be someone you can complain to.”
As she reached for her new glass, Brian picked it up first and sniffed.
“That’s mine.” She made a wild grab for the glass.
He caught her wrist, making a shackle of his fingers. “I think you’ve had enough.”
“Have not.” Releasing her hold on the bar, she made another attempt to snag the brandy.
Brian lifted the liquor out of her reach and forced her other arm up while trying to grab her flailing appendage with his fingers. She pitched forward, sliding off the barstool. Her heel fell off the rung and her skirt trapped her legs. Stumbling forward, she winced, already seeing herself sprawled across the floor. Instead, she planted her face directly into Brian’s chest. He wrapped his arm around her waist, squeezing her against his untattooed side.
She wasn’t drunk enough not to want to wither and die from mortification. Placing her hands against his shoulders, she shoved. But she might as well have been pushing a brick wall for all the good it did her. Brian pivoted, putting the bar to her back, and leaned against her. She could feel his hips and the bulge of something else.
“Let go of me,” she growled.
He turned his face away and downed her drink.
“Hey, that was mine.”
My Review:
Under His Skin (So Inked #1) By Sidney Bristol
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first time I’ve read a book by Sidney Bristol and I will say her writing is very good, the story and plot flows well and you really enjoy her characters in this story and actually want to learn more about everyone we meet.
We meet Pandora who is a tattoo artist and she has entered a tattoo contest, you can feel that Pandora is very nervous but really wants to win this contest to her it’s not just about winning it more about proving something to herself and others. Right at the beginning you end up wanting her to win. Brian is a rock star with some deep regrets; Brian has lost all his band members in an airplane crash and feels very alone, so he would like a tattoo of his band members as sort of a memorial.
When things don’t turn out the way that is expected Pandora and Brian end up spending the weekend together, Pandora is okay with this as it’s only the weekend. Brian has other plans though he wants more. Both Pandora and Brian have secrets, regrets but you are pulling for them both. I really liked Pandora and Brian as a couple and hope they could get past all their issues. But nothing is that easy as there is always someone who wants nothing more than to get Pandora back.
This novel has romance and suspense meanwhile you’re hoping that in the end Brian and Pandora can find their happiness together.
I really enjoyed Under His Skin, Sidney Bristol is a great writer, I felt for both Brian and Pandora and you have to give the author kudos’s when she can actually make you feel these thing. I want to read more about the other characters and hope the next book in this series is coming out soon.
I have rated Under His Skin a 4 star rating, and am I recommending to anyone who enjoys a fun, suspense, loveable romance to go pick up this novel. I definitely will be checking out Sidney Bristol’s other books.
About the Author
It can never be said that Sidney Bristol has had a ‘normal’ life. She is a recovering roller derby queen, former missionary, and tattoo addict. She grew up in a motor-home on the US highways (with an occasional jaunt into Canada and Mexico), traveling the rodeo circuit with her parents. Sidney has lived abroad in both Russia and Thailand, working with children and teenagers. She now lives in Texas where she splits her time between a job she loves, writing, reading and belly dancing.
Kait Lenox is back! It's Homecoming Dance time and Kait is excited. It's her first dance with a date and that date is none other than one of the hottest, most popular guys in her school, Ethan Ripley!
For once Kait doesn't feel like a funeral crashing weird girl and it's the most perfect romantic evening ever...at least until a girl gets murdered in the high school bathroom. Rumors fly, panic ensues, and Kait can't help herself, she assigns herself to the case!
Excerpt: "Yeah, it was all Madison's idea. She's our club president. Ariel said it was her idea, of course, but I heard Madison suggest it first," Sarah said. I stopped myself from asking more about what Ariel had said. Was Sarah really criticizing Ariel? Was there dissension among the new group of bffs? I was dying to know, but there was no way Sarah was going to give me any juicy gossip if I asked her. The group lapsed into silence again. What were we going to talk about?
"It looks very cool," Ethan said, trying to get the conversation started again.
The first notes of a romantic slow song were starting to play. I started swaying to the music. Couples formed all around us. We all watched them as we tried awkwardly to think of a conversation piece. "So, how about we dance?" Mike asked Sarah.
"I'd love to," Sarah said.
"Bye guys," Mike said, as Sarah dragged him away, totally grateful at the chance to get away from us.
Kyle turned to Suzie, "You want to dance too?"
Suzie nodded and turned to us, "See you guys later."
Then they walked away too, hand in hand. Ethan and I were finally alone. We stared at each other, suddenly awkward with one another. I felt a little nervous. We had been about to dance before, but suddenly the air was charged with possibilities.
"Dance?" Ethan asked.
I nodded and took his hand. Ethan led me a little ways onto the dance floor and placed his hands on my hips, drawing me toward him. I hooked my arms around his neck. I caught the scent of his cologne. He smelled amazing. We started moving to the notes together, side to side. My stomach was doing nervous excited flips. Now this was the best moment of my life.
Ethan looked down at me and I looked up at him, our eyes meeting. I leaned up to kiss him. I really couldn't have asked for a more romantic Homecoming Dance moment. It was so perfect, but just as our lips were about to touch, we both jumped as the music stopped with a screech, ending in dead silence. Then I heard the girl screaming, and screaming, and screaming.
About the Author:
Author Milda Harris is a Chicago girl who ran off to Hollywood to pursue a screenwriting dream! She has a dog named after a piece of candy (Licorice), was once hit by a tree (seriously), and wears hot pink sunglasses (why not?). Between working in production on television shows likeAustin & Ally, Hannah Montana, and That's So Raven and playing with her super cute dog Licorice, she writes young adult murder mystery, horror, paranormal romance, and chick lit novels.
Milda Harris E-books:
Adventures in Funeral Crashing, Adventures of a Graveyard Girl, The New Girl Who Found a Dead Body, Doppelganger, and Connected (A Paranormal Romance) are for sale now!
Book Links:
Adventures of a Graveyard Girl is available from the following retailers:
Deep in the backwoods of North Dakota, Sarah Ross is searchingfor a missing child when she is attacked by a glowing-eyed, transparent creature known to the Navajo as a Skinwalker. Using mysterious abilities, Sarah escapes, only to run directly into Evan Valente, a handsome, charismatic stranger who helps her back to safety. But why is Evan out in the forest so early in the morning?
Sarah learns her eyes bear the mark of the Indigo Child, an evolved human with the ability to feel the emotions of others; unfortunately, her indigo aura is highly desirable to those who wish to steal her powerful essence.
Soon, Sarah falls deeply in love with Evan and wants nothing more than to follow her heart, but she can't ignore the lingering feeling that Evan is hiding a terrible secret. The deeper she digs, the more danger she faces, forcing her to face the darkest, innermost parts of her soul.
Stealing Breath is a darkly romantic tale of a young woman’s journey for love within the fearsome realm of the paranormal. It is a spellbinding read that mines the inner workings of the human character. Love, loss and the quest for redemption, these characters will echo in your mind long after you’ve put the book down.
Excerpt:
“You saw that Evan guy again?” Amber asked. She sucked the last of her frothy pink drink through a straw. The mischievous look on her face was mirrored in the giddy emotions she gave off, emotions that were always especially loud when she was drinking. They resonated within me like a bouncy ball flying around in my stomach.
I downed another shot of “Sex on the Beach”, hoping it would finally be enough to filter out the emotions of everyone here. Smooth at first, then tart, the booze finally burned its way down the back of my throat. The buzz-on was almost immediate, and the effect was wonderful, the way it almost obliterated all of the sex-obsessed feelings that seemed to roll off of nearly ever patron at the bar like a hot blanket being wound around me. Sick.
We sat at a booth right next to the bar. Amber held her glass up, signaling to the bartender who nodded and began to pour. He bobbed his head to the blaring country music from the loudspeaker.
Tables ringed the bar, booths along the wall and stools on the other side. Every few feet a brightly lit neon beer sign provided a dash of garish décor. Right in the middle was the dance floor, a little postage-stamp sized circle of parquet flooring that reminded me of an interlocking puzzle. Alongside it was a raised section with a few pool tables.
“Yeah, I saw him.” I proceeded to explain his land development business to Amber and Kate, who listened with rapt expressions.
“That’s amazing. Nobody ever comes to Slave Lake. People only leave,” Amber said. Our waitress, dressed in skin-tight jeans and a too-tight tank-top, brought us another round. Behind her, the giant flat screen on the wall lit up with random explosions of fuchsia, neon yellow and acid green, perfectly paced with the lyrics of the canned music.
Kate sat across from me on the bench seating, her copper hair shimmering pink from the neon “Budweiser” sign and the black light hanging on the wall behind her. Her teeth were glowing an unnatural white in the light, and every piece of lint on her black shirt stood out like a 3D movie.
“How interesting that you both were out in the bush that morning,” Kate said.
I nodded. “I know. Quite a coincidence.”
Amber sat beside Kate in the bench seat, facing the bar. She leaned forward in one fluid motion, her black hair sweeping the table. “Sarah. Look who just walked in.” I turned in my seat. “And he’s coming right over—”
“Mind if I join you?” asked a familiar voice, before I’d even had a chance to look.
I turned and smiled at Evan.
“Sure.”
My Review:
Stealing Breath (Stealing Breath #1) by Joanne Brothwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Stealing Breath is a well written novel, Joanne Brothwell is an extremely talented writer and I for one cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I really enjoyed learning about skinwalkers and the Native American’s history. This story flows well, characters descriptions and plot held my attention and I wanted to read more. There was so much I enjoyed about Stealing Breath that I all I can say is it is a must read.
We meet Sarah who happens to be empathy; Sarah runs her parents store and will soon be heading off to college. Sarah just wants to be normal, but it is hard considering she feels everyone’s emotions.
When Sarah meets Evan she feels nothing from him, and she cannot believe this, of course Sarah needs to know why? As Sarah and Evan start to spend time together we get to learn much more about each of them and the legends that surround the area. We learn that Sarah is an Indigo Child which is very rare and Evan is Sapphire Child both have very special gifts.
There is so much going on in this story that is really made me want to read more, so I kind of wish the book was longer, but knowing there is more to come helps to know we may see more of Evan and Sarah and learn more of towns history and the legends.
I have rated Stealing Breath a 4 star rating, and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read the Paranormal Genre. This is a unique novel and Joanne Brothwell has done an excellent job writing this novel, it is a must read!
Praise for Stealing Breath
"STEALING BREATH stole mine! Compulsive, scary suspense balanced with a tender love story." -Mary Balogh, New York Times Bestselling Author
About the Author
Joanne Brothwell lives in the country on the Canadian prairie with her family where her stories are inspired by the dead things that appear at her doorstep on a daily basis.
Blending in with her college co-eds proves difficult for vampire Hunter, Emma Martin, considering the mystical tattoo on her wrist glows whenever Vamps are near. And after three months of silence, the glow is back with a vengeance.
Jake Cunningham witnesses Emma, a violet-eyed beauty, using unimaginable powers to fight off a fanged creature. Finally, after two years of searching, he may have found out what he’s become—a Hunter, like Emma.
Thankful for an ally in the fight against the Vamps, Emma finds hope and comfort in Jake’s arms. As she learns more about her new love’s family and its dark heritage, she may be forced not only to hunt them but to sacrifice her life to save Jake’s soul.
“Rush hooked me from page one! Fast-paced, gripping, this tale of vampire hunters is full of action and suspense. A great read! Buffy had better watch out…Emma Martin is one hunter to watch!” -Cynthia Eden, National Best-selling Author
***A portion of all proceeds benefits cancer research and awareness***
Excerpt:
“What am I? You mean what sorority am I? Or—”
“No.” Jake crept forward until only three feet separated them. “I mean, what are you? Those three men…whatever they were—”
Emma let out the loudest, hopefully believable, fake laugh she could muster considering the circumstances. He’d seen everything.
Mind-wipe time.
“They were just drunk dudes, knocked me in—”
“No they weren’t. Look. It’s okay. I—things—I understand different.” Jake eyed the partially closed door across the room. “You can trust me.”
Emma huffed. Trust. Yeah, right. Two years ago, almost to the day, her life went bonkers. Strange things happened to her after the crash that killed her parents. She trusted no one, let alone a total and complete stranger.
No matter how drawn to him she felt.
He seized her wrist before she’d even registered he’d moved. Too distracted by his dominating presence in the small room.
She tugged at his grip, but he held fast.
Wait—was that warmth? He cuffed her wrist with his strong, able fingers. The same fingers that had caressed her spine so gently as she coughed half the pool from her lungs.
Damn water.
She hadn’t noticed any heat then, or when he had held her neck, maybe because of wet clothes and hair. But now, there was no clothing, no water to obstruct the direct skin-to-skin contact. It sent a dizzying heat up her forearm, over her shoulder and straight to her chest.
She’d not felt warmth—any fluctuation in temperature—in two years. Her lungs tightened, forcing her to take small gasps for air. God she missed heat. She missed cuddling. Missed human touch.
And he wasn’t even asking about her cold skin.
Probably assumed it was from the water. Didn’t matter. She let the tension roll out into his grip and absorbed the sensual feelings penetrating her barriers. Just for a minute.
“Interesting tattoo.” He turned her hand, exposing her wrist.
Damn, she’d lost her watch in the water!
He stood so close his breath whispered against her cheek. How could she smell a heady, earthy scent emanating from him through the chlorine saturating his clothing and hair?
“Does it mean something?” he asked.
Emma shook her head, too lost in his touch heating her blood to verbalize a response. Not that she’d tell him it identified her as a Hunter, a protector with kick-ass powers. Or that it appeared on her skin overnight, while she lay in a hospital bed after the crash two years ago.
With his free hand, he traced the arrow, and Emma’s legs morphed into wet noodles. She leaned against the desk, not having realized she’d backed up so far. Thankfully she had, because it kept her vertical.
What was happening to her?
His finger followed the pulsing blue vein to the crook of her elbow, up her arm until his hand cupped her shoulder, all the while, he held her wrist tight with his other hand. His already nearly black eyes darkened as the pupils ate up the dark irises. His gaze shifted, and his tongue moistened his plump, completely lickable bottom lip.
The heat that’d ignited in her heart suddenly pooled in her belly—very low in her belly.
He leaned forward, mouth only inches from hers. Even his breath on her lips was warm. Amazing. How could she feel warmth with his touch when she couldn’t with any other person?
Need more.
“I saw how strong you were. How you fought them off.” He stepped into her. “And this tattoo. I’ve seen it before.”
Oh, God.
“It’s a symbol of power. Apollo and Artemis.” His voice went husky.
“How do you know that?”
“I know a lot, Emma.” His hand followed the curve of her shoulder until he caressed the nape of her neck. “Why’d you pick this mark to put on your skin?”
A wave of heat stormed through her. “I didn’t choose it.” Emma licked her lips in anticipation. “Woke up with it two years ago.”
She stretched toward him, and the softest, warmest lips met hers. He tensed, probably at the cool temperature of her skin, but she didn’t care. She only craved his warmth. His touch.
So long she’d been without.
My Review:
Violet Midnight by Lynn Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Violet Midnight is the beginning of new series that I am looking forward to reading; I found I quite enjoyed Lynn Rush’s writing. The plot, characters, and over all flow of the story was written extremely well, I found myself wrapped up in the novel and read it in one afternoon. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
So we meet Emma who is attending college by day and fighting vampires by night. She likes to keep a low profile at school and only hanging out with a few friends. This story has a different twist on how Emma hunts vampires; she gets a warning sign from her tattoo on her arm. When the vampires are around Emma’s tattoo’s lights up and she heads off to protect her college campus. Things are changing and Emma is wondering why all the sudden it seems like the vampires are attacking in clusters, with no one to ask and no one to talk too Emma realizes she may have to be a bit more careful. There is a lot more to the story the author shares with the reader how Emma became a hunter and some of her past experiences and you understand why Emma keeps to herself, but being alone is hard on her.
During a house party Emma meets a handsome young man name Jake and there is an instant attraction. Jake watches Emma and happens to see her fighting with three large men, Jake ends up saving Emma from drowning in the pool. Jake doesn’t know all that is going on but he does know that Emma and he may have a few things in common.
As Jake and Emma get to know each other you can feel a great romance starting to blossom, but of course nothing goes that smoothly. Jake’s tattoos are a bit different and he learns there may be darkness around his. Jake and Emma will have to learn to trust each other and have faith in their feelings. When Jake’s parent’s shows up things begin to change and Emma knows she cannot lose him.
Violet Midnight was a fun read, Emma is protective of her roommate, scared of loving and losing people close to her, she is smart independent and one tough woman. I have rated Violet Midnight a 4 star rating and would recommend anyone who loves to read about vampires and vampire hunters this is great novel and series to read.
About the Author:
Driven to write, Lynn Rush often sees her characters by closing her eyes watching their story unfold in her mind. Lynn Rush is a pen name that is a combination of two sources – Lynn, the first name of her mother-in-law, who passed away and Rush – since the author is a former inline speed skater and mountain biker. All of Rush’s books are dedicated to Lynn, her namesake, and a portion of the proceeds benefits cancer research and awareness.
Rush holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master's degree from the University of Iowa. Originally from Minneapolis, Rush currently enjoys living in the Arizona sunshine by road biking nearly 100 miles per week with her husband of 16 years and jogging with her two loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.
After rescuing her father and younger sister, Adele is forced to leave her family and Tristan behind to find her mother in the cruel and dangerous realm of the star dwellers.
Amidst blossoming feelings for Adele, Tristan must cast his feelings aside and let her find her own way amongst the star dwellers, while he accompanies Adele's father to meet with the leaders of the moon dwellers and decide the fate of the Tri-Realms.
Will Adele be able to rescue her mother and make it back to the Moon Realm before the President and the sun dweller soldiers destroy her family?
Can Tristan convince the moon dweller puppets of the error of their ways?
Was Adele's lost kiss with Tristan her one and only chance at love?
In her world there's only one rule: Someone must die
Excerpt taken from Chapter Two of The Star Dwellers.
Chapter Two
Tristan
“C’mon,” I hiss. “Don’t just stand there.”
Too late.
We hear a shout from the city. I whirl around to see a half-dozen troops wearing sky-blue uniforms with bright yellow star insignias patched on the shoulders running toward us. Star dwellers. They have guns and we are sitting ducks.
Roc cries out and starts running. I wait for him to pass me before I chase after him, preferring to defend the rear. Maybe I’m not a born leader like Ben, but I can fight.
We get around the building without being shot at, probably because the troops know they can pick us off one by one on the open slab between the city and reservoir. Pushing Roc and Elsey behind him, Ben barks, “Tristan—I’ll take the first three, you get the last three.” I jerk my head down in a quick nod. He knows what I can do, and I know what he is capable of. But we still need a miracle.
Although we haven’t run far, I can already feel the heat of the adrenaline pumping through my veins. My muscles are tense and slightly shaky, but not in a bad way. I am ready. I was born for this. I’ve trained for this all my life. This is our world. I slide my sword out of its sheath.
It’s not always good to be fast. The fastest star dweller trooper rounds the bend first, wrongly assuming that we are still running out in front of him. Before the guy has any idea what’s happening, Ben’s knee is thrust in his midsection and he’s sprawled out on the rock, wheezing. The next one should be more prepared, but she’s not, and evidently Ben has no qualms about hitting a girl, particularly when she’s carrying a gun and trying to kill us. He takes her head off with an uppercut that will leave her senseless for hours. I am starting to think he might take out all six on his own.
But he runs into trouble on the third trooper, who realizes something isn’t right. Rather than barreling around the corner like his friends, this guy leads with the black nozzle of his gun, which is blindly pointed right into Ben’s chest. With a grunt, Ben grabs the nozzle and thrusts it downwards at his feet. The guy pulls the trigger.
Boom!
As close as I am to the gun, its roar echoes in my ears, momentarily deafening me. However, I don’t need to see Ben’s face to know he’s hit. His mouth is agape and his eyes are closed as he continues to grapple with the guy with the gun. Even in the dim lighting I can make out the glossy sheen of blood spilling from his leg.
I have to help him.
I don’t have time.
The final three troops—my responsibility—charge around the corner after hearing the gunshot. Two girls, one guy. Despite the favorable gender ratio, I don’t relax. I’ve seen what Adele can do. Perhaps there are other moon and star dweller women who are similarly capable. Perhaps they are all that capable. Probably not—Adele is amazing—but still, I don’t underestimate these women.
They are all in a cluster—one in front, two on either side and behind—which is good for me. It makes them a single target rather than three. The one in front wants to shoot me. She takes aim at my head while running at me. I anticipate the explosion and dive for the stone slab.
POP!
The gunshot sounds dull and thin to my deafened ears, but I know I avoided the shot because I don’t feel anything. Not even a pinch. Just a twinge of pain as my forearms and then hips and then back skid across the stone. I come out of the intentional roll at full speed, ducking under my attacker’s gun, which she tries to jab me with. I am too close to use my sword, so I crash straight into her, rocking her back and into her two friends.
We go down in a heap on the ground, me on top, then the shooter, then her two friends. If we were a sandwich, the shooter would be the meat in the middle, or the cheese perhaps. I’m the top layer of bread and her friends are the bottom crust. Apart from a few bruises and scrapes, everyone in the sandwich is unhurt, so I push to my feet and kick the metaphorical cheese in the head. Her eyes roll back and her tongue lolls out as she tumbles off the pile.
The other two were so surprised by my attack that they’ve dropped their guns. I pick up one of the weapons and aim it in their general direction. They raise their hands above their heads while still lying prostrate on the rock. Their eyes widen as they see me—really see me for the first time. They know who I am; at the end of the day, whether I like it or not, I’m still a celebrity.
We don’t have time for prisoners, so I move in close and give each a moderate-strength tap on the head with the butt of the gun.
My job finished, I spin around and survey the scene before me. It’s not good. Ben is on the ground, clutching his wounded leg and bleeding from the side of his head—his ear I think. A gun lies discarded a few feet away, but out of his reach. The last remaining soldier has his sword out and is waving it wildly at Roc, who stands in front of Elsey with his own sword, protecting her from the onslaught. Roc’s a maniac, growling between bared teeth and blocking each attack with a fervor I’ve been trying to get out of him for weeks. He’s a man possessed.
As I consider my options, I watch as Roc blocks another sword stroke and then flicks his wrist, rapidly slipping his own blade around his opponent’s weapon, slashing him on the hand. The guy cries out and drops his sword as blood spills from his mangled thumb. Dashing forward, Roc lands a hard kick to the guy’s gut, knocking him onto his back. I’ve got to hand it to him—Roc looks amazing, a mere shadow of his former timid self.
But he’s not done yet. He strides forward, his face awash with fury, his sword raised high above his head.
With no time to think, I rush ahead, closing the distance in three long strides. Roc thrusts his blade to the ground and I dive.
Clang!
My hearing returns just in time to appreciate the full extent of the impact of metal on metal, as I slap Roc’s blade away from the downed soldier.
From the ground, I look up at my best friend. Roc stares back at me with horror and anguish, his teeth no longer bared, his eyebrows no longer fierce. All strength sapped from him, he’s just a scared teenager again. “I’m…I’m sorry,” he says weakly.
“Roc, it’s okay. You were just doing what you needed to.”
“But I…I didn’t need to kill him.” His brown-skinned face is ashen, appearing paler than I have ever seen it.
“You didn’t.”
“Only because you…” He trails off.
“It doesn’t matter how,” I say. “It’s over.”
From beside me on the ground, the soldier sucks the air sharply through his teeth, grimacing in pain and clutching at his severed thumb. “What are you going to do with me?” he asks.
In one swift motion, I snap my elbow across his skull, delivering another knockout blow. He slumps over and becomes still.
About the Author: David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010. He´s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.
A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when seventeen-year-old Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
Sarah Jennings wants nothing more than a quiet life—alone.
Raised by an eccentric mother, their life on the road only taught her how to run away from hard times. But when she finds herself in an abusive relationship, this lesson serves her well.
Now, back in her hometown, she's found a place she loves. She’s a first grade teacher, and with few friends and less family around, she has what she wants, a quiet life under the radar where she can be free of her past and live quietly. Finally comfortable in her own skin, she’s settled, and less fearful than she’s ever been in her life.
But it only takes one night and one act of violence for everything to change. Injured and afraid, Sarah wants to run again, but Mark Summors refuses to let her go.
Just when Sarah thinks she can have Mark and the life he promises, her past comes back to haunt her.
Mark Summors was born and raised in Santa Rosa. He married his high school sweetheart and never questioned his life, until he found his wife with another man.
Now divorced, he wants something more. He’s passionate about his job, he wants to protect people, and he devotes his life to it.
This time he’s protecting more than just another client, he’s protecting his future; at least, Sarah Jennings will be his future, once he convinces her she loves him.
My Review:
Dangerous Embrace by Dana Mason
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dana Mason is what I would say is one fantastic author, her writing is superb and this novel has everything a great story needs to captivate the readers. Dangerous Embrace is full of suspense that keeps you turning page after page. The plot and characters are very well written, story flows extremely well and its one of those books you don’t want to put down. Dana’s writing invokes some strong feelings inside of you when reading the traumatic events that occur all I can say is that this is some fantastic writing.
We meet Sarah Jennings just as she is being attacked and fighting for her life while trying to escape her attacker. But this is only the beginning of the story; she is being stalked, receiving phone calls, warnings in the mail, and she is scared she may never feel safe again. Maybe it would be easier if she just ran? Old memories, flashbacks occur as this is not the first time Sarah has been hurt, we learn about Sarah’s horrid past and hope she can overcome some of her issues and stay strong.
Mark Summors, who has just bumped into Sarah while she is escaping her attacker, stays by her side. Mark owns a security company and will do whatever he can to keep Sarah safe. As Mark and Sarah begin to spend time together you find out more about both their lives and you end up pulling for the two of them. But this isn’t easy for Sarah; she knows she may never trust a man again and Mark is very protective and Sarah worries he may be a bit controlling. Can they get past all Sarah’s issues and Mark’s fierce need to protect her? And can romance blossom around all these dark events?
Dangerous Embrace is one of the better books I’ve read lately, it is one of those books that kept me turning page after page waiting to see what was going to happen next. There are dark events that occur in this story, but at the same time there is a budding romance that is happening in the midst of all this and you can only hope that Sarah and Mark can find their way to each other.
I have given Dangerous Embrace and Dana Mason writing a 5 star rating, I would recommend anyone who reads this review to go out and purchase a copy of Dangerous Embrace.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
Dangerous Embrace Excerpt:
Sarah pried open her heavy eyelids and turned, trying to focus on the clock. “Ow, dammit!” She clenched her teeth and looked down at the sling tied to her arm. The smothering realization pressed on her chest. When the nausea hit, she flung the covers off and rushed to the bathroom, fighting to get to the toilet before her stomach heaved.
When the painful dry heaving stopped, she lay back on the cold tile floor, exhausted, and waited for the room to stop spinning. Her ragged breaths roared in her ears and seemed to echo in the quiet room. When her breathing slowed, the silence ebbed around her in waves, but when footsteps approached the bathroom door, she tensed again.
A bead of sweat dripped down her scalp and at the same time someone tapped at the door. Her pulse spiked and she fought like hell to remember who brought her home from the hospital.
She closed her eyes. “Who’s there?” The waver in her voice pissed her off. Gawd—please don’t let me be pathetic in front of whoever this is.
A hesitant and completely unfamiliar man’s voice said, “Are you all right? Do you need something?”
Sarah sucked in a hard breath. “Um…” She exhaled slowly. “Who are you?”
“Mark Summors.”
She stiffened and tried to sit up. “Do I know you?” she asked her voice pitching.
“I can explain if you open the door.”
She steadied herself against the bathtub. The sling had slipped up her arm, exposing the trail of bruises. She swallowed another wave of nausea and tried to put the pieces together. Mark Summors?
She glanced around for something to use as a weapon just in case, then she wanted to laugh—and cry. Who the hell was she kidding? She rolled her eyes. Good plan, Sarah, take on a strange guy with a toilet brush.
“Can I come in?” His voice was muffled as if he was resting his face against the door.
“Go ahead.” She clamped her mouth closed to suppress a shiver, then said, “It’s unlocked.”
The door eased open and a cup of water shot out at her.
“Oh, thank you,” she cried out, relieved to wash the disgusting film out of her mouth. She snatched the cup out of his hand and gulped it, letting her eyes lift above the rim to see his face.
“Ah.” Sarah choked and inhaled the water. She set the cup down, almost upending it as she dropped it. “Oh my God!” She would never forget those intense blue eyes, just like she would never forget the smell of her attacker’s breath. They were all thrown together in the same horrifying memory.
Author Bio
Dana Mason started writing to prove to her computer geek husband and her math & science geek kids that she actually has a brain; it’s just a right functioning brain instead of a left. She’s lived all over the country and uses that experience in her writing and character studies. Her debut novel, Dangerous Embrace, is the first in a contemporary romance series about a group of friends from Northern California who learn just how short life can be when you don’t hold on to what’s important. Second chances don’t come easy…but sometimes love is worth the risk.
When not writing, Dana specializes in professional development and training. She’s also a board member on the local Art's Council and does what she can to support the art community.
As an avid reader and movie watcher, she always requires a happily ever after ending.
From Kirkus Reviews: With her two best friends by her side and her mother’s memory in her heart, a teenager undertakes a journey to save the world from an ancient evil.
Emily Adams has always known she’s special. Throughout her whole life she’s had visions of things that haven’t happened yet and she could always read her mother’s mind. At least, she could until her mother died. Emily thinks her abilities are just about gone, but the arrival of a strange creature in her backyard one night proves otherwise.
Emily discovers she is the last of the Order of Brighid, an ancient society of women sworn to protect the portal to the Netherworld. Now, with the portal under attack, it’s up to Emily and her two loyal, wisecracking friends to stop a villainous man before his actions destroy the world. Prologue
The whoosh, whoosh, whoosh of that
infernal machine. Its bellows pumping up and down as black, tarry goo is sucked
up the tube and into the holding tank.
She’s lying there on the bed like a
robot corpse, tubes and lines going in and out of her body. Her once rosy lips
now pale, tinged slightly green. Her once vibrant emerald green eyes are
closed, sunken slightly into the eye sockets. Her once strong body lies still
and shrunken. Only her hair looks the same, flowing like a red wave across the
white shore of the pillow.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
I’m standing at the door, gingerly
peeking in. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to see this. I don’t want the
putrid odor of people dying stuck in my nostrils.
I don’t want to go in but I’m sucked
into the room anyway, my legs powerless against the invisible force drawing me
in. I feel myself flailing with my arms and trying hard to command my body to
obey me—to allow me to turn and run from this horrid scene.
But I’m in the room anyway, drawing
ever closer to the bed.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
What is that tarry black stuff? Is
it being sucked out of her body? Or put in?
I’m now close enough to touch her,
but I don’t want to. The last time I touched her I saw a vision of her taking
her last breath. The last time I touched her, I saw her die. I don’t want that
to come true. And I don’t want to see her die again. The first time I saw her
die I ran and ran, trying to escape the vision. I don’t want to touch anyone
ever again.
But my hand reaches anyway, a mind
of its own. I’m powerless to stop it. I feel my mouth opening to scream but
nothing comes out, my lips locked in a soundless “O.”
My hand quivers as it reaches, in
slow motion, toward the sleeping body that bears a minor resemblance to my
mother. Is she still in there? Or has the cancer stolen the last of her?
My fingertips shake now as they
touch her hand.
Her eyes pop open in a look of
terror. Her mouth is open in a scream but instead of a human scream it’s the
loud whoosh, whoosh, whoosh of that tar-sucking machine.
Suddenly, she sits up. The long,
wavy red hair flying about her head is the same but the face is no longer my
mother. It looks at me with large, solid black eyes, devoid of light or
emotion, staring out of a bare skull. Her hand is now skeleton and grips me
hard.
I pull and pull to get free of this
monster, but it has me. I’m caught in its grip.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
I finally wake, dripping in sweat,
my mouth still open in an “O,” the scream still caught in my throat.
I awake once again from the same bad
dream I’ve had for the last seven years, only to find myself in a house of
nightmares.
Emily's Trial by Natalie Wright
Two years ago, Emily's journey began. She learned the ancient magic of her Celtic ancestors, and became a modern Celtic Priestess. The golden torc, forged by faerie hands, is still wound around her arm, fused to her soul. She was entrusted with powerful magic - secret knowledge.
But even a Priestess can feel desire - temptation - and the quest for love. Will passion entice Emily to use her sacred magic in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily's Trial?
The Journey Continues . . .
Excerpt of Emily's Trial:
The Apocalypse didn't start with four horsemen, harbingers of the horror to come. It didn't start with a plague, or pestilence, or even zombies rising from the dead.
It came slowly, and without warning. It crept up on people in the shadows, no more than a vague darkness that spread like an unseen cancer.
And it wasn't set into action by a divine hand. A teenage girl was the catalyst for the End Times.
I should know. I'm the one that started it.
I didn't plan to, of course. I had no desire to start the End Times, and I'm not evil.
Madame Wong taught me to tell the truth, and so here it is. I'm the one responsible for the Apocalypse. And this is the story of how I unwittingly unlocked the door to the darkness; of how a Priestess of the Order of Brighid, entrusted with powerful magic that was supposed to be used for the benefit of all humankind, unleashed a force that would destroy it instead.
And it all began with desire.
About the Author:
Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.
Natalie enjoys travel, good wine, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a high rise in a big city.
“Books are my friends, ideas my passion.”
Natalie enjoys chatting with readers, so stop by and say hi:
In November of 2011, author Kimberly Lewis stepped into the writing world with her first original western contemporary romance novel, When the Heart Falls.
