Thursday, January 31, 2019

Interview + Giveaway: Unbalanced by Courtney Shepard (@CAShepard76, @RoxanneRhoads)

UFI welcomes Author Courtney Shepard. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I’m a super nerd which is obvious, but I used to be kind of a jock too. I played field hockey and rugby in high school and a bit in college. I water skied, slalom and jumping, and rode horses competitively for a short time after school. I also took an outdoor survival course when I was 18. It was wild. I spent three weeks in the mountains roughing it with a final three-day solo where we were meant to ‘survive’ in the elements (yes snow) with limited water, food and shelter. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.

But that was then and this is now. These days I’m lucky if I can go for a couple of runs in a week.


What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

Downtime is rare and precious for me, as with most people I suspect, but if I do get some, I don’t do much with it. I’m not very exciting. I wish I could say I go salsa dancing or fly-fishing, but no, I am quite boring. If I’m not writing, or able to squeeze in a luxurious nap, then I would probably catch up on tv shows I have been waiting to watch, movies, or books to read.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 

My favorite part of writing is when I give myself goosebumps. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s sublime. If I allow my characters to lead my writing, sometimes the story begins to write itself and magic can happen. If I go back and read it, and it gives me goosebumps or makes me feel something, that is it. That is my perfect writing moment. I can’t get enough of that feeling. 

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

Yes, I have a routine for writing, but it kind of goes against the rules. I have one of those brains where I need distraction otherwise I can’t focus. If it’s too quiet I can’t get into the right head space, so I like to write with the tv on. I prefer to put on a movie or show I’ve seen so many times it has become a type of background white noise. The soft, familiar sounds keep me going without distracting me enough to look up and watch.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

I love Kelley Amstrong, Charlaine Harris, Laurel K Hamilton, and Christine Feehan. I adore books with strong female characters in lead roles, and if she’s got some kind of superpower, then you’ve got me.

How would you pitch Unbalanced to someone who has not heard of it before?

Every generation four sisters with elemental power are born to fight against a fanatical, secret faith. The Order hunts the sisters and sacrifices them for their power.

Separated and alone, the sisters with power over earth, air, fire, and water are unaware of each other and what hunts them, but evil is coming.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Unbalanced is set in? 

Unbalanced takes place in this world much like this one, with only a few small differences.

There are four sisters running around with incredible elemental abilities. There is a fanatic secret faith that rules everything, but they rule in secret behind a curtain that separates this world and an uninhabited one. The Order exists behind the curtain, where Master of the Order can wield magic and control their strange followers. The world behind the curtain is parallel and empty, a pure, natural reflection of our world with no sentient creatures other than the Order’s Masters and followers.

The sisters and the Order do not impede the flow of the real world; however, they are the reason it exists and flows as it does.

Do you have a favorite scene in Unbalanced?

My favorite scene in Unbalance is when Asha and her sisters are all united for the first time since their separation as newborns. Ivy, the earth sister, has already found Mere, the water sister, and together they track Avia, the air sister, to a small cabin in the Swiss Alps. 

Asha, the fire sister, arrives at Avia’s hideout with the Order. Little does she know that her long lost sisters are inside the cabin she just set on fire.  Her sisters bust out of the burning cabin to find an army awaiting them with Asha at the front of it. Asha’s sisters have no idea who they are or what they want.

When the Order attacks a battle breaks out and Asha must cross the battlefield to help her sisters.

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

Avia was my favorite character to write about. She is a mild-sociopath with the power of air. Her physical description is ethereal and a bit strange, and I enjoy her aloofness and her abilities. Ivy is the most difficult because she is supposed to be the good one, and I find it difficult to describe her goodness and stoicism under the circumstances of the story without coming off as too much and cheesy. Ivy is earth power and though she isformidable, and I think I found interesting ways for her to use her power, Ivy’s abilities are just not as much fun as Avia’s.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Unbent is the second book in the Unbalanced series, and it is coming out later this year. 
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Unbalanced
Unbalanced #1
Amazon Kobo Lulu iTunes AmazonUK AmazonFR
AmazonCA Champagne Books Chapters BN

Four sister, one destiny.

Every generation four sisters with power over earth, air, fire, and water are born to fight against a fanatical, secret faith. The Order exists only to sacrifice the sisters for their power. With each success their strength and control grows. They have never failed, for their rule depends on it.

The sisters, separated at birth, are unaware of what hunts them...but they are coming.

A handsome stranger discovers Asha in hiding, and swears allegiance to her cause. She falls for him; though he is not who he says he is. Betrayed and imprisoned inside the Order, Asha is without her power for the first time in her life.

As the war heats up haunting secrets and true motivations are revealed, but the sisters must unite and override their instincts and trust the untrustworthy if they are to fight their terrifying destiny.

Book Trailer:
https://youtu.be/1YMFi48_zIA

 Excerpt:

With a crack and rumble, the ground surrounding the cabin broke apart and water burst from the earth. It sprayed as strong as any fire hose up and over the cabin. The pounding force was like a waterfall in reverse, and the flames sputtered and died.
She had never seen anything like it, an enormous water fountain extinguishing fire burning that hot. The cabin door, charred and still smoking, flew off its hinges and onto the flooded grass.
Three figures ran out into the early morning glare. Asha took off her helmet and slouchy hood, but her eyes weren’t playing tricks. She could see them clearly, even across the distance, and her stomach dropped. They stopped short, facing an army with guns raised. No.
“Fire!”
“Stop!” Her scream was too late; the soldiers fired. She didn’t have time to act; they were sitting ducks. She prepared for their thrashing bodies, but like a swarm of hovering locusts, the bullets stopped in mid-air and dropped.
What? She couldn’t get her mind around the scene unfolding before her. She’d lost control of her body. Her muscles wouldn’t move.
“Hold your fire,” Clay shouted, but the soldiers continued shooting.
His brothers were the only ones not attacking. They had to be as shocked by the falling bullets as she was. She couldn’t blame them. She was as still and as useless as a rock, unable to move or act, only watch in growing disbelief. Three young women stood against an army.
“Asha,” yelled one of the girls, her eyes were even brighter green than Clay’s. “We’re your sisters. We’ve been looking for you.”
Sisters?

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Courtney Shepard is a freelance writer living on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. After initially studying for a career in journalism, she switched to fiction writing.

Unbalanced is the first book in the Unbalanced Series published by Champagne Books.

Find Courtney and her books
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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Interview + Giveaway: The Vampire’s Temptation by Cecelia Mecca (@CeceliaMecca, @RoxanneRhoads)

UFI welcomes Author Cecelia Mecca. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

Although I am a romance author, I actually love fantasy as well. One of the first books I can remember reading in middle school, for enjoyment anyway, was The Hobbit. I also happen to be a bit of a Star Wars and Game of Thrones nerd. Ok, BIG nerd.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

Writing, seriously. But also reading and hanging with the kiddos. And drinking red wine. Though not at the same time. Usually.

What is your Favorite part of writing?

Creating stories that readers say kept them up at night. It sounds a bit sinister, I know, but when readers lose sleep, it’s my favorite!

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

If I don’t have chai, I can’t write. It’s really that simple. I also sometimes listen to Brain.fm, especially if there are distractions around me, but other than that, after checking emails and social media in the morning, it’s writing time.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?


I’m currently reading Grimm by Shayne Silvers, my favorite urban fantasy author. As for paranormal romance, my first was J.R.Ward, and you know what they say about your first. ☺ She’s still my go-to girl.

How would you pitch Bloodwite to someone who has not heard of it before?

I would let someone else do it. Shayne Silvers (mentioned above coincidentally) said, “Her story kicks the doors down, and delivers characters and depth that readers have been begging for. Bloodwite is everything the Twilight Saga should have been.”

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Bloodwite is set in?

Sure! Bloodwite is set in a small Pennsylvania town called Stone Haven which some say is the Switzerland of the US. Surrounded by mountains, the Main Street boats a five and dime store and Ye Old Curiosities as well as the popular Witche’s Brew coffeeshop. A perfect place to be visited by two seven-hundred-year-old vampires. . .

Do you have a favorite scene in Bloodwite ?

I do. Without spoiling, all I can say is after reading it you will never look at a train’s caboose the same way according to readers. Hint: sexy bits

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?

Without a doubt the heroine of The Vampire’s Temptation, Alessandra Fiore. She really comes into her own by the end of book one and, knowing her series arc, I was excited every day to spend time with her. If she were real, I would want Alessandra as my BFF!

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

I’m currently working on the third book in the Bloodwite series. Since it’s a new paranormal romance series, getting the first few books out fairly quickly was important to me, so book two is already finished and book three will not be far behind, February and March 2019 respectively.
 
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Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance that transports readers to another world.

Every heroine, from Lady Sara in the Border Series to Alessandra Fiore in Bloodwite, is your best friend– the one who kicks ass and takes names. When these ladies meet alpha-males who try to take control, sparks fly until the very last page.
Cecelia writes the Amazon bestselling Border Series which takes readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles in 13th century Northumbria along the Anglo-Scottish border. Next, she’s jumping into a new world which tests the patience of even the most steadfast romance heroine. After all, dealing with the ultimate bad boys– sexy, wealthy and swoon-worthy vampires– is not for the faint of heart. In other words, she’s releasing her first contemporary paranormal series in January 2019.

Our Highlander-loving, vampire-writing author can be found in Northeast, Pennsylvania, chai in hand, thinking up new ways to tame both medieval and paranormal playboys. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.

Find Cecelia and her books
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The Vampire's Temptation
 Bloodwite #1
Amazon
Even cursed blood can fall prey to love’s bite.

Kenton Morley and Lawrence Derrickson have hated each other since they were feuding border lords in medieval England and Scotland…seven hundred years ago.
When their bloodlines were cursed, birthing the world’s first vampires.

Their feud has carried through the centuries based on an old argument: Kenton seeks to destroy the Cheld—the only line of humans capable of killing their kind—while Lawrence seeks to save them.

It’s said that men can forget, but never forgive. It’s also said that true love knows no bounds.

When the vampires move to Stone Haven, Pennsylvania, Alessandra Fiore will find out firsthand which of those old adages is true.

It doesn’t matter whether she believes in vampires or not…

Because they believe in her. And she’s on the very cusp of discovering her dormant powers as a Cheld—a potential vampire hunter.

With both of these strangely wealthy newcomers’ storming into her sleepy, peaceful town, warning her to stay away from the other, what is a girl to do?

Especially when Kenton—the one that supposedly wants to kill her—has a devilish twinkle in his eyes that she just can’t say no to?

No matter how dangerous she instinctively knows both men to be, strengths and powers of her own are beginning to bubble to the surface, encouraging her that she can take care of herself, thank you very much.

Love and Hate—two sides of the same coin. Literally.

The only thing left to do is flip that coin and hope for the best…to see which old saying is true. And how many innocents bet the wrong way.
Excerpt:
Lawrence was here.
Taking a sip of a gin and tonic, Kenton stared out into the distance from the second-floor balcony of his new home. A train’s whistle broke the blessed silence, though “silence” wasn’t truly silent for him, and hadn’t been for some time. In still moments, he could hear shop owners in town putting out their trash and preparing to close for the evening.
Even so, the view was relaxing—the line of trees across from him was broken by only one discernible building, the courthouse that stood guard on Main Street. The downtown area of Stone Haven was lined with brightly colored Victorian homes and townhouses. He’d considered purchasing one of the latter, only to dismiss the idea.
Too confining.
Now, it would seem, the decision had been a good one. If his senses were accurate, and they always were, his temporary lodgings were located just next door to his nemesis. Purchasing the mansion had attracted attention, but no matter. He would be long gone as soon as the deed was done.
He sat, making a mental note to request that his maidservant purchase cushions. Apparently the previous owner had not found wrought iron as uncomfortable as he did.
Kenton took another sip of his drink as darkness fell. The maid he’d hired from the previous staff—the mansion had been a bed and breakfast when he purchased it—appeared around the balcony to his right. She’d not spoken yet, but Kenton could hear her breathing.
“Send him up,” he said without turning toward her. “But from the outside entrance,” he added. “He may not go inside. Ever.”

Whether the woman was startled by his knowledge of her presence—because he already knew a guest waited below—or because of the vehemence of his request, Kenton wasn’t sure. Nor did it matter. What did matter was the man who even now made his way up the winding outside staircase.
As Lawrence entered the room connected to the balcony, it struck Kenton that he’d made a critical error. He should have killed the girl—woman, more precisely—before Lawrence had arrived. Now his purpose in Stone Haven would be more difficult to fulfill.
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Lawrence asked, walking around to stand just next to him. He didn’t need to ask who. The man wasn’t talking about his elderly maid.
“I’d offer you a drink, but regrettably, you’re not staying.”
“How long have you known about her?” Lawrence Derrickson had the sole honor of being the only person to almost make him lose his temper in over seven hundred years, and it would seem he still had the ability to get a rise out of him.
“Longer than you, apparently.”
He knew the barb would hit its mark, and it did.
“Yet you haven’t killed her?” “Regrettably not.”
“Why?”
Knowing it would anger Lawrence, Kenton took a slow sip of his drink and looked down at the town below them.
“A quaint little place. Didn’t expect as much, although I must admit, the only other time I’ve been to Pennsylvania, when—”
“I don’t give a shit when you were here last or what you think of the town that you plan to terrorize, Kenton.”
“Terrorize? A bit harsh, don’t you think?”
He didn’t give Lawrence a chance to answer. “Nice of you to move so close to me, though I wouldn’t have expected you to splurge on such a luxury.”
Two mansions sitting side by side in a town of this size. The irony wasn’t lost on him. “I won’t let you kill her,” Lawrence insisted.
He laughed, not to taunt the other man, but it did have that added benefit. “I will enjoy watching you attempt to stop me.”
“She may not pose a threat. Will you for once listen to reason?”
Kenton shot to his feet in an instant, so close to Lawrence he could stun him into silence if he so chose. Centuries of fighting this very same man had taught him not to attempt to kill the Scot. It couldn’t be done. But he certainly enjoyed trying.
“She is a Cheld,” Kenton said.
For Lawrence, that wasn’t enough. For him, it always would be. “She is,” the Scot agreed. “But you don’t know—”
He rolled his eyes, annoyed by the tedious predictability of the argument. “Nor do I care.” Lawrence narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, telegraphing his intentions as clearly as if he’d punched him. “Are you alone?”
He could lie, but Lawrence would learn the truth soon enough—that his siblings were far away from this quaint little Pennsylvania town. Their kind could sense one another, an ability Kenton had more than most, so he did not need to ask the same question about Lawrence’s kin.
Clan Karyn consisted only of one man, for now. Odd, since Lawrence usually traveled with at least one member of his precious clan, although a four-person family could hardly be called a clan, truth be told.
Nothing like the hundred men Lawrence once led.
“I am,” he said. “And so it seems we will have a bit of fun here in”—he waved his arms around him—“Stone Haven.”
Lawrence ground his teeth. “Fun? If you call the murder of an innocent woman—”
“Innocent?” Kenton lifted his chin. “She is a Cheld,” he repeated. “And for that, she cannot be allowed to live.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to our little secret. And to Alessandra Fiore’s last days on earth, poor thing.”
He downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp, then set the empty glass on the table. Droplets of red remained. Mary was none the wiser about the real contents of his favorite bottle of sloe gin. Stepping around Lawrence, he gripped the railing of the balcony and looked down below. “Have fun attempting to save her,” he said over his shoulder.
Just as Lawrence turned to walk away, muttering a curse under his breath, Kenton added, “I hope you have better luck than you did in Caltabellotta.”
He wasn’t surprised when Lawrence pushed him from the balcony. Indeed, he allowed it. And laughed the whole way down to the ground despite the risk of discovery.
Taunting him had been worth it.





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Monday, January 28, 2019

Promo + Giveaway: Mystic by Cheryl Brooks (@CherylCatMaster, @SourcebooksCasa)



Mystic
Cat Star Legacy #2
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Indiebound
 Her love is the one thing he never saw coming…
Sulaksha Enduran is still reeling from the death of her lover. He died of a mysterious plague—and it’s out of control. Sula is determined to find answers on her own, until an impossibly sexy Zetithian saves her life and joins her quest.

Despite the prescient abilities and power over the wind that enable Zetithian mystic Aidan Banadänsk to rescue Sula from certain death, he couldn’t have predicted her unique effect on him. It shrouds her future in mystery…and fills him with unparalleled desire.

But Sula’s investigation has put her in the crosshairs of a deadly conspiracy. With an entire planet’s population at stake, Sula and Aidan must risk it all to save the planet, the galaxy…and each other.

Excerpt:


In a vision, Aidan had watched her fall, disappearing through a fissure in the rock as the ground gave way beneath her, her screams reverberating through his mind like the tumbling roar of an avalanche.
Although most people would’ve dismissed it as a dream, he knew the terrifying vision for what it was: a portent of a future event, which was not uncommon among his kind. Therefore, she hadn’t fallen—yet. The trouble was he didn’t know whether he was supposed to prevent the accident or rescue her after she fell.
He’d spent the last week flying over the cliffs, his keen eyes searching the jumbled boulders for any sign that she’d ever been there. Thus far, he’d found nothing. No trace of any life aside from the cliff-dwelling condors and the assorted rodents that were widespread in the remote mountains of Rhylos.
But the vision… He’d seen it four times now. This was the right place. He was certain of it. More certain, perhaps, than he’d ever been of anything.
He skimmed over the plateau before swooping down over the edge of the cliffs—jagged rock fit only as a nesting place for the huge condors, which had been named for an extinct Terran species. Some said they looked similar, and, having seen pictures, he agreed. However, these birds were even larger than the original condors had been, and they defended their nests with a ferocity few avian species could match.
His vision had been maddeningly vague. He should’ve at least known why she was there. Was she studying the condors? Or was she simply trying to find their nests in order to steal the eggs? He couldn’t think of any other reasons why anyone would venture so far from civilization to this, one of the few uninhabited regions of the planet. Neither of those reasons seemed important enough to warrant a vision. Visions came when they wished; he had no control over their timing or their topics. The only thing he could control was the wind, enabling him to don a pair of wings and create updrafts strong enough to carry him aloft.
Only Valkyrie, the Avian clone, knew of his flights. Val would’ve hidden his own talent if he’d been able to remove his wings, but his were as much a part of him as his other limbs. No genetic manipulations could undo what had already been done to him.
As Aidan flew back up the cliff face, a flash of light on the plateau caught his eye—the effect of sunlight on metal. Something was moving down there. Something he’d only seen because of his vantage point high in the sky.
And there she is…
How he’d missed her before he couldn’t imagine, especially on the open mountainside, unless it wasn’t quite as open as it appeared. As she climbed up the edge of the plateau as though ascending a staircase, the air crackled around him like a thousand tiny lightning bolts. The moment had come.
He flew lower, hovering effortlessly, letting the wind do the work while he studied her approach. A backpack and other accoutrements were strapped to her upper body. Everything she wore—from her wide-brimmed hat, leather jacket, and khaki trousers, down to a pair of dusty boots suitable for climbing—was the same color as the rocks, causing her to blend in with her surroundings in a manner that seemed strangely covert.
A visual sweep of the plain revealed no speeder or other conveyance nearby. Had she hiked into the wilderness?
When she looked up, his eyes met hers—huge, expressive, and brown—with an impact that nearly caused him to fall out of the sky.
In the split second before he shouted a warning, she slipped from view, leaving nothing behind beyond a puff of dust that feathered away to nothingness even as he plummeted toward her, his heart pounding like a drum. He chastised himself as he flew; he’d assumed he was there to save her when, in all probability, he’d actually been the cause of her misstep.
A condor’s harsh cry made him alter his route from the plateau where she’d disappeared down to the opening in the cliff face and the cavern into which she had undoubtedly fallen. He soared through the opening just as he’d seen the condors do. Unfortunately, he’d only come prepared to rescue her, carrying a knife, a length of rope, a sling made of leather straps and carabiners, and a comlink. He hadn’t counted on having to get past an angry condor with murderous talons and a razor-sharp beak.
Correction. Make that two condors and a nest full of eggs. At least he assumed there were eggs in the nest. He couldn’t see for sure, although given the female’s protective stance, he deemed it a safe bet. “Son of a bitch.”
Fortunately, the female seemed disinclined to move from her position on the nest. The male, however, was already advancing on the woman’s crumpled body. Against the far wall of the cave below the crack in the plateau, she lay unmoving amid the rubble that had fallen with her. A soft moan told him she still lived.
No doubt the condor, which was easily twice her size, intended to change that.
Focusing his attention on the huge bird, he created a gust of wind with a sweep of his arm, sending the condor fluttering to the side of the cave where his nest and mate were situated between two upright slabs of rock.
Undaunted and angrier than ever, the condor hissed and began stalking toward him. Aidan really didn’t like the idea of killing or even injuring the bird, but he might not have a choice. Taking advantage of the bird’s position, which was now between him and the mouth of the cave, he created another gust that sent the bird flapping out into the open air.
One glance was enough to inform him that this woman was quite small. Val could’ve carried her easily. Never having flown with more than his own weight, Aidan wasn’t sure he was up to the task. His own physical strength wasn’t the only factor. The wings and their harness were sturdy but not unbreakable. Not for the first time, he wished his wings were a part of him the way Val’s were, although when it came to sitting and sleeping, wings large enough to enable a man to fly tended to get in the way.
Upon reaching her side, he recoiled immediately when he spotted what he took to be a snake but was actually a leather bullwhip.
He almost laughed aloud. “Who do you think you are? Indiana Jones?”

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Cheryl Brooks is a former critical care nurse and is the author of the ten book Cat Star Chronicles series. Maverick is the first book in her new Cat Star Legacy duo featuring the next generation of Zetithians. Cheryl resides with her husband, two sons, two horses, three cats, and one dog in rural Indiana.

Find Cheryl and her books
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Sunday, January 27, 2019

Week in Review: 1/20-1/26



Books Received for Review

Nothing this week...

Books I've Read

Stray Moon by Kelly Meding
Lera of Lunos by Alex Lidell
Wild Country by Anne Bishop
For the Power by Debbie Cassidy 

Reviews Posted

Warrior of the World by Jeffe Kennedy (@jeffekennedy, #RebelBaseBooks @KensingtonBooks)
Vengeance Road by Christine Feehan (@AuthorCFeehan, @BerkleyPub)

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Monday- Promo + Giveaway: The Dragonian Series by Adrienne Woods (@erichb3 @Firequillpublis)

* Wednesday- Promo + Giveaway: Viking’s Intent by Sky Purington (@SkyPurington, @RoxanneRhoads )


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* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?


You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.
 

 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Early Review: Vengeance Road by Christine Feehan (@AuthorCFeehan, @BerkleyPub)

Vengeance Road
Release Date: January 29, 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books
Torpedo Ink Book #2
ISBN:  0765328089
ISBN13: 9780765328083
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Go zero to sixty in this dangerously sexy novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Breezy Simmons was born into a ruthless motorcycle club—and now that she’s out, she’s never going to be that girl again. But when her past catches up with her, Breezy must go to Sea Haven to seek out the man who almost destroyed her. The man who chose his club over her and left her feeling used and alone.

As vice president of Torpedo Ink, Steele is ride or die for the brothers he lived through hell with. He never thought he’d find something as pure as his feelings for Breezy, or that keeping her safe would mean driving her away with cruel words that turned her love for him to ash.

Now, Steele won’t let her walk away twice. He’ll do whatever it takes to make Breezy his woman again—especially when he learns the real reason she came to him for help, and that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined…

Suspense, action and danger are all things you will find in VENGEANCE ROAD.

I don't have a whole lot to say about the couple in VENGEANCE ROAD. I liked them as a couple and I liked them individually. The sex scenes were intense and I felt their connection in their interactions. The addition of a child was nice as well. 

I mentioned in my review for JUDGEMENT ROAD that there wasn't a lot of paranormal happening. It was the same for VENGEANCE ROAD. There are a few little things, but I would have loved to see more paranormal aspects incorporated into the story. 

There were actually a few points where I felt like I might have missed something so I went to check out some of Feehan's backlist books and realized this is a spin-off. I was going to read the previous series, but then realized THAT was also a spin-off. lol. I might go back to the beginning in the future, but for now, I'm enjoying meeting the Torpedo Ink members and will continue to read future Torpedo Ink installments. 

I gave it 3/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Review: Warrior of the World by Jeffe Kennedy (@jeffekennedy, #RebelBaseBooks @KensingtonBooks)

Warrior of the World
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Rebel Base Books
ISBN:   1635730457
ISBN13: 9781635730456
Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Just beyond the reach of the Twelve Kingdoms, avarice, violence, strategy, and revenge clash around a survivor who could upset the balance of power all across the map . . .
 
Once Ivariel thought elephants were fairy tales to amuse children. But her ice-encased childhood in Dasnaria’s imperial seraglio was lacking in freedom and justice.. With a new name and an assumed identity as a warrior priestess of Danu, the woman once called Princess Jenna is now a fraud and a fugitive. But as she learns the ways of the beasts and hones new uses for her dancer’s strength, she moves one day further from the memory of her brutal husband. Safe in hot, healing Nyambura, Ivariel holds a good man at arm’s length and trains for the day she’ll be hunted again.

She knows it’s coming. She’s not truly safe, not when her mind clouds with killing rage at unpredictable moments. Not when patient Ochieng’s dreams of a family frighten her to her bones. But it still comes as a shock to Ivariel when long-peaceful Nyambura comes under attack. Until her new people look to their warrior priestess and her elephants to lead them . . .

Jenna/Ivariel has been through quite the journey and seeing her heal and evolve from the sheltered and abused princess she started out as was both heartbreaking and uplifting.

I don't have a whole lot to say about WARRIOR OF THE WORLD. I really enjoyed the story and the growth of the characters. Again, I LOVED the relationship between Ivariel and the elephants. In fact, I love the relationship everyone had with the elephants. They are such magical creatures and they really shine in Kennedy's world.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. I loved the fast forward look, but I would have really enjoyed seeing the years leading up to it. I loved their story and wanted more. I still felt like their story isn't over and I hope I'm right.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Promo + Giveaway: Viking’s Intent by Sky Purington (@SkyPurington, @RoxanneRhoads )



Viking's Intent 
Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon #3
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US Amazon Universal
Part of a burgeoning ancient prophecy, Shea's sole focus is to protect her sisters.

Not become mated to a Viking of her dragon ancestor's choosing. If that happens, she might lose not just her independence but a matchmaking gift that brings people together. A gift at risk when she's kidnapped by a stubborn, frustratingly handsome barbarian who takes her on a whirlwind adventure through tenth century Scandinavia.

Though at odds with the twenty-first century beauty from the moment he meets her, Viking Davyn Sigdir steals Shea away to keep her safe from multiple enemies set on making her theirs. Unfortunately, he underestimates how alluring she can be when it suits her. How feisty and headstrong she is as she tries to outwit him at every turn. Yet the fiery strife between them only draws them closer, and soon their unwanted attraction becomes hard to resist.

Determined to control their own fate, they devise a bold plan to trick their adversaries. One that could keep Shea's matchmaking gift intact plus end the prophecy and ongoing war. All they have to do is get along and not give into temptation which should be simple for two people determined to remain apart. Or so they hope as a passionate high-stakes war of hearts ensues in Viking's Intent.

Excerpt #1:

“What are you doing here?” Davyn growled into her mind.
She blinked at him, only now realizing they must be dreaming together. Wonderful. Not.
“I don’t know.” She frowned. “Didn’t you bring me along?”
“Why would I do that?” He shook his head. “You tend to bring havoc with you wherever you go.”
“Thanks,” she said dryly.
“It’s true.”
“Says you.” She shrugged and spoke without thinking. “I like to think I bring excitement.”
Had that sounded like flirting?
“I do not want excitement with you, Cupid,” he grumbled aloud.
“Any more than I want excitement with you,” she assured as they stood alone in a darkened area covered by pines. “And you definitely dragged me along somehow because I sure as heck didn’t try to follow you.” She shook her head. “The last thing I remember was feeling drowsy then I was here so I must've dosed off.”
“You should not have been able to follow me to this place,” he grunted in dismay, a fierce scowl on his face. “It is too telling.”
She met his eyes, catching his drift. “Nope lose that thought.” She shook her head. “Just because I got dragged along in a dream doesn’t mean we’re fated mates. It’s got to be the magic of this place up to no good.”
“My magic,” he reminded. “And I agree it is up to no good.”
Though she tried to pull her gaze from his, she was suddenly all too aware of his gorgeous eyes despite the darkness. Eyes that seemed to draw her in more than usual in this strange dreamlike state.
“Oh shoot,” she whispered, drifting closer even as she tried to stop, as she tried to gain control. “I don’t think I like this dreaming thing.”
“It is hard to control a dream,” he said softly, his voice less gruff now.
“We’re controlling this dream though,” she denied even as she drifted closer.
“Yes,” he assured, drifting closer as well. “Because we are here to work.”
“To lure the enemies,” she murmured, her eyes falling to his lips.
“That is right,” he murmured, his eyes falling to her lips.
“Right,” she whispered. “This is right.”
“Yes,” he whispered. “It is.”
Then she drifted right into his arms, tilted her head back and closed her eyes, more than ready to be kissed. More than ready to feel once again what those sensuous lips of his could do.
Then air blew by her face, and her eyes flew open.
An arrow had whizzed by their faces moments before their lips touched.
They were under attack.


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Sky Purington is the bestselling author of over forty novels and novellas. A New Englander born and bred who recently moved to Virginia, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth, and legend. When combined with a love for history, romance, and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington. Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com, subscribe to her quarterly newsletter or sign up for personalized text message alerts. Simply text 'skypurington' (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to 74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new book release. Readers can easily opt out at any time.

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