Blurb:

Sara’s been preparing for this moment her whole life—she just never believed it would actually happen. With her bug-out bag and emergency food already in her truck, her only goal is to get to her family’s hidden bunker and wait out the pandemic that’s hit every major cruise ship port in the US. But her plan quickly falls apart. She’s out of gas, her route to the bunker is now a two-lane parking lot with no alternative in sight, and her only weapon is a pocketknife. For an experienced prepper, she’s made every rookie mistake.

Dane believes he’s safe in his cabin, off the beaten path and in the woods with his own source for water, electricity and an endless supply of food to hunt. After finding Sara stranded and alone, he’s suddenly not only providing for and protecting himself, but also the girl who wandered out of the woods and into his life. When looters come looking to take what he has, Sara and Dane’s only option is to make a run for their last hope—the bunker.

Can Sara and Dane find safety in each other’s arms and will they survive long enough to escape to a future together?

Review:

What a great story!  Heather always knows how to wrap you up in a story!  Sara is the type of person I would like to be.  Always prepared and ready for anything.  When the worst actually happens, Sara believes she is prepared and heads to the safety of her familys bunker.  What she doesn’t take into consideration is that she didn’t fill her gas tank and the highway is a parking lot.

Dane realizes something is going on when he sees the news and heads back to his cabin in the woods.  He wasn’t expecting to find a lost woman there.  Taking Sara back to his cabin is the right thing to do.  Sara knows the fate of her family is in her hands.  Trust is not an option.

LOVE it!  This is a short read and I have to say it really makes you wonder.  I would love to have more from this couple!  Enjoy!

Rated 4 Bookworms

Blurb:

Zoricah, the draconian demigoddess, has limited time to uncover a series of killings before one of her own meets the same fate. Determined not to let that happen, Zoricah has no other choice but to ask for the help of her race’s archenemy.

Tardieh, the Vampire King, has long learnt not to trust the Dragons but when the flames of passion ignite between him and Zoricah, he finds himself torn between overwhelming sexual heat and his centuries-old distrust.

Together they have to overcome their own prejudices before it is too late for their races and their love.

Review:

Wow! Talk about hot! And I’m not just talking about the dragon fire!

Zoricah, demigoddess, leader of the dracos, is on a mission to stop the maniac who is abducting and killing women of all kinds – draco and vampires alike. In her efforts, she tracks down Tardieh, king of the vampires, to enlist his help. Two hundred years ago, she saved his life, and she’s banking on that debt, but dracos and vampires are sworn enemies, and he harbors suspicions that Zoricah is the one behind his father’s murder.

Miscommunications aside, they unite to save draco Drew’s twin sister. When they find her, Deirdre is pregnant with some hybrid being that is slowly killing her, just as the other women were before they died from the monster inside of them.

The two join forces with their small groups of elite fighters and track down the man responsible. At least, they think they do. The tension between the two groups is believable and suspenseful. It adds a dynamic that really enhances the story.

This book was fantastic. The romance was steamy, the story was gripping, and the whole thing was bursting at the seams with creativity. I have to admit, I was worried when I saw there was a short glossary at the beginning of the story. But Ms. Phoenix is wonderful at inserting short explanations in with the made-up words so I never once had to look back at the glossary. And her lore is amazing. She has created a world where I would definitely like to live!!

There are surprises at every turn in this book, and it will keep you wanting more. Including the cliff-hanger epilogue!

I’m giving this book 5 Zs. I’m certain you will enjoy it as much as I did!

EXCERPT FROM AMAZON:

Paris-born Danielle Bretancourt von Hoffman is a modern young woman with a natural gift. In the language of perfumery, she is a Nose, with the rare ability to recognize thousands of essences by memory.

The year is 1939, and on the day that England declares war on Germany, Danielle and her family are caught in the midst of a raging disaster sweeping across Europe.

Her life takes a tragic turn when her husband and their only son are stranded behind enemy lines. Summoning her courage, she spies for the French resistance, but is forced to flee Europe with fragments of her family. Destitute, she mines her talents to create a magnificent perfume that captures the hearts of Hollywood stars, then gambles to win wealth and success as a couturier. Her intelligence and flair attracts the adoration of Jonathan Newell-Grey, head of England’s top shipping conglomerate, and Cameron Murphy, Hollywood’s most charismatic star.

Danielle charts her course through devastating wartime losses and revenge; lustful lovers and loveless marriages; and valiant struggles to reunite her family. Set between privileged lifestyles and gritty realities, here is one woman’s story of courage, spirit, and resilience.

Q&A WITH JAN MORAN:

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Set between privileged lifestyles and gritty realities, Scent of Triumph is one woman’s story of courage, spirit, and resilience.

Please tell us a little about your book. Why is it a must-read?

Scent of Triumph is a character-driven story set against a tumultuous time of history—World War II. The protagonist, Danielle Bretancourt, is the kind of modern young woman that you really want to know, and, despite her mistakes, that you can root for. She’s a hard worker, cherishes her family, and longs for a partner. She’s wonderfully creative and has a sense of innate sense of style—even I envy her for that! 

Why did you want to become a writer?

As a child, I was an avid reader. Writers were my rock stars! Books were my passport to exotic locales and fascinating characters.

What inspires your writing?

Travel always inspires me—I love to explore new cities, countries, and cultures that I can share with readers. Strong female protagonists and entrepreneurs who forge their own paths to success are also a source of inspiration. Finally, I like to learn something fascinating along the way, about history, unusual careers, or interesting people.

Question: When did your love of perfumery first begin?

My love of perfumery was seeded by my mother and grandmother, who never left the house without perfume and lipstick. Fortunately, they had excellent taste and were generous with their knowledge.

 What are you working on now?

Several fiction and nonfiction projects. I have a couple of new novels underway, which will take readers to fabulous international locations and delve into sexy new stories. I’ll make announcements on my website, blog, Facebook and Twitter. Stay tuned on http://www.janmoran.com, where I’ll post previews. Better yet, sign up for my every-so-often newsletter.

Can you tell us something about yourself that people might not know?

A lot of people might know that I’ve written earlier nonfiction books on fragrances, Fabulous Fragrances I & II, which grew into the immensely popular Scentsa touch-screen fragrance and skincare finders in Sephora stores around the world, but not many people know that I’ve also guided the creative effort on a fine perfume, and blended several artisan scents. These incredible experiences helped me breathe life into the character of Danielle Bretancourt, a French perfumer, in Scent of Triumph.

 What’s the best fan letter you’ve received?

They’re ALL the best! I cherish (and save!) every letter I receive, and am so touched when people take time out their busy day to write to me. I love it when people share memories or places they’ve visited, or stories of a perfume that touched their soul—perhaps one that a beloved family member once wore. What an incredible honor to receive a letter—especially today! Email? Works for me, too! And I love to send fan letters, too.

Where did the idea come from for your books?

Most of my ideas stem from my personal experience, although my books are not autobiographical per se. But in both Scent of Triumph and Hostile Beauty you will learn about places I’ve lived and traveled (such as Paris, Beverly Hills, New York), the work I’ve done in perfume and beauty, period fashions, history, and more. I don’t like to drop designer names or labels simply for the sake of doing so, but I will when it’s germane to characterization, setting, or historical reference. I also like to include details about what it’s like to create a product, run a business, and obtain funding–keys aspects of any entrepreneur’s experience. My characters are quite entrepreneurial, and I suppose that stems from my own experience as well.

What can modern women learn from your protagonist, Danielle Bretancourt?

The story of Danielle Bretancourt is really the story of a woman’s journey on the entrepreneur’s path. It’s a story of creativity and innovation, and of courage of convictions. Since the story begins in 1939, I had to understand the challenges that faced women at that time, such as the lack of credit or borrowing power for women who wanted to start their own business, among others. While opportunities have improved for women around the world, there are still so many women who suffer from inequalities, lack of knowledge, poor access to capital, and cultural oppression.

For this story, I drew on memories from my mother, grandmother, and great grandmother – their memories of joy over gaining the right to vote, owning property in their name, and creating their own income. The challenges they faced and overcame inspired me to become an entrepreneur, and to help spread the word today about women’s entrepreneurial efforts as a positive economic force for change.

 We love the romantic aspect of Scent of Triumph, so tell us, what is your favorite romantic scent?

When I was writing Scent of Triumph, I created a cast of characters and imagined what fragrances they would wear? How would perfume add to their characterization? What would their choices reveal about them? I used fragrances to reveal a character’s personality, heritage, or psychological nature. For example, Tabac Blond, and Jicky were considered fairly avant-garde in the first part of the twentieth century, so I gave these fabulous vintage scents to two of the more extravagant characters in the books. Personally, I adore Mitsouko, so this one has a special passage in the book, too.

If you were casting a movie for Scent of Triumph, who would you cast?

It’s open to interpretation, but here’s a start:

Danielle Bretancourt: Keira Knightley, Audrey Tatou, Emma Stone

Jonathan Newell-Grey: Chris Hemsworth

Max von Hoffman: Jude Law

Cameron Murphy: Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds

Marie Bretancourt: Meryl Streep, Juliette Binoche

Erica Evans: Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek

 What were your first career dreams?

A ballerina or a model! My mother studied under Russian ballet masters and danced in the Houston, Texas ballet. I entered ballet classes at the age of three, and continued until adulthood. However, I’m petite; I never gained enough height for a career in either ballet or modeling!

 What sports do you like to do?

In the winter, I love to visit the mountains to ski. My favorite destinations are Queenstown, New Zealand, Mammoth Lakes, California, and Vail, Colorado. Otherwise, you can find me walking by the ocean at home in San Diego, riding a bike, or in a pilates or zumba class at the gym. I love to swim, too.

 What are your favorite colors?

Red, red, and red!

REVIEW:

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated. 

I enjoyed this book!  It is a story of Danielle Bretancourt who is a french perfumer and it is set in World War II.  This is an amazingly accurate story that draws you in and immerses you in the passion and pain that Danielle experiences. 

I cried when the ship was attacked and lives were lost and I cheered when she began her new life in America.  This is a woman that has the strength to fight for what she believes is right and to carry on when life kicks her down.  Her knowledge of scents allows her to discover a whole new world and her and her family’s place in it.  The story ends the way I would expect it to in a rather traditional way but the journey was an intricate weaving of words that took my breath away.

Jan Moran is an amazing storyteller and I am in rapture of her way with words. 

Rated 4 Bookworms

Jan Moran is offering an awesome giveaway!  Click HERE to check it out!!

Blurb:

Here in one complete collection are the four stories that complete the ‘LOVING JENNA SERIES’ by the exciting author, Katelyn Skye.

This series is contemporary, erotic romance featuring a billionaire, alpha male bachelor who, after attempting a false engagement to ensure his inheritance, falls helplessly in love with the reluctant Jenna. As he fights for her affection while trying to secure his Father’s fortune, Morgan is forced to come to terms with what is more important to him, his inheritance or the unconditional love of the beautiful Jenna.

This ebook contains very hot and explicit descriptions of erotic activity. Only mature readers should download this book.

Book 1: Taste Of Love

Jenna meets the dashing Morgan and within hours, loses herself in his arms. She doesn’t believe it will go any deeper than the one night – and was glad to play the reckless female for once in her life.
The morning after, she can’t wait to escape back to the real world where she can play at being normal once again. But her irresistible lover insists on keeping her around long enough to present her with a most unexpected offer…

Book 2: An Engagement

Morgan Shaw was a man who seemed to have everything but there’s one thing he still desired – a wife.
Jenna’s night of broken chastity with the devilishly handsome Morgan gained a new twist the next morning. Faced with a proposition for a marriage of convenience worth $5 million dollars, she wonders if it would really be worth it. To play his lover and then wife, never hoping to ever have him for real.
In this game, Jenna soon realized she would need to find a way to keep from losing far more than she was to gain…

Book 3: In His Arms

It had started out as a business arrangement. But Morgan Shaw was already falling into the silken web of his feelings for Jenna.
He’d found himself saying the big “L” word and now he was getting deeper into something that had never even been meant to be real.
Jenna would always belong to him; he wasn’t letting her go. But that didn’t mean he was willing to relinquish all of himself to her. He was still messed up; he still wasn’t sure he was ready. And now that it seemed he was getting everything his way at last, looked like he was back to needing no one and nothing but himself…

Book 4: Arrested Heart

It was the moment of truth for Jenna and Morgan.
Now that Morgan had taken over the company after his father landed in hospital, looked like everything was going his way. Especially now that Jenna was with him for real and not just as some paid fake girlfriend. And even as their feelings for each other deepen, both of them have to ask how far they were willing to go.
Jenna already knew she was crazy about Morgan Shaw. And she was ready to do anything to be with him. But could she settle just for being the woman who drove him crazy in bed? As she realizes that Morgan was never going to change from being the commitment-shy workaholic, she finally decides to take a stand. Now more than ever, her emotions were at stake and she couldn’t continue to be with him if he refused to put his own heart on the line as well…

Review:

Oh, how do you describe Morgan?  Sex on legs, delicious, yummy, any of those will do.  This was a collection of short stories that were enough to keep you company on a lunch break. 

The beginning was a little rushed for me.  I know women who pick up men in bars but Jena was a little different and to have her go home with a man and jump into bed seemed quick to me.  The sex scenes are luscious and leave you craving for more.  I have to admit that I like a strong, dominant man and Morgan is that.  He knows what he wants and goes after it.  This is one of those books that you will want to share with your girlfriends!

This was a fun read and I recommend it!

Rated 4 Kisses

Can romance develop between a Heavenly Light-Bearer and a Hellish Vampire Blood-Hunter?

Tabbruis is an extremely attractive Blood-Hunter who has reconciled himself to be alone forever. Over millennia Tabbruis has wandered the Earth alone, aimlessly living through many historical events.

Charleen (aka Charmeine) was found in 1997 as a teenager, unable to remember where she was from or where her family was. She was sent to an orphanage where she met her best friend, Shane. With determination, she works hard and becomes a school teacher.

Tabbruis comes to her aid when she is attacked by a Blood-Hunter. Charmeine’s power as a Light-Bearer, one who throws lightning, is triggered when she meets Tabbruis, and it grows exponentially.

When they meet, the attraction is immediate, romantic and passionate. They are polar opposites and clash together in a dramatic way.

Will Charmeine and Tabbruis fulfill their destinies? Will they realize their importance in both the Blood-Hunter and Light-Bearer world?

Emily Guido is a new Paranormal Romance Author. She was inspired to start writing “Charmeine” because one day she got an idea of two characters that needed to have their story told. Not ever dreaming a week later she would have over a 100,000 words written. When Emily writes, it is similar to you or I watching a movie. She pictures the characters in her head going through vivid descriptions of each scene. There are so many nuances going through her mind that she cannot type fast enough. The novels “Mactus,” “Accendo,” “Seditious,” and “Ransom,” are the continuation of the wonderful adventures of the inhabitants of The Castle Charmeine!
Emily is currently writing “Conundrum” the Sixth Novel in “The Light-Bearer Series” She works at a College full time, and pursuing her Master of Business Administration.
YA, PNR, Paranormal Romance, Vampire, Angels, Action and Adventure, Historical

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