Brandy’s Blog
“>REVIEW! SCARRED BY J.S. COOPER
BLURB:
Sometimes the deepest scars are the ones you don’t see.
Everyone in Jonesville thought that Bryce Evans had the perfect life in High School: he was the Mayor’s son, the quarterback for the football team, the boyfriend of the head cheerleader and had a 4.1 GPA. His acceptance to Notre Dame came as no surprise but when he chose to enlist in the marines instead everyone was shocked.
Lexi Lord was the quiet girl in school and kept to her small group of eccentric friends. She had no connection to any of the popular kids except for one incident on Prom Night when her path crossed with Bryce’s.
When Bryce enlisted Lexi was the only one that wasn’t disappointed and decided to send him anonymous letters as a way to feel connected to him. She stopped after a year because she felt there was nowhere for their relationship to go.
Fast-forward four years and Bryce is back in Jonesville and once again he and Lexi cross paths. Only he’s no longer the seemingly perfect man and Lexi’s no longer the quiet girl.
This time their relationship is quite different but both of them have secrets from the past and friends that threaten to ruin their chance at happiness together.
REVIEW:
If you know anything at all about me, it is that I can never have enough books. I read the blurb on this one and dived in. Bryce feels responsible for the scars that Lexi has on her soul and the death of his best friend. He turns down a full ride to Notre Dame and enlists in the military. Four years later, his demons still ride him all the way back to Jonesville.
Lexi has always know that she was the plain jane of her school but with her best friends, Luke and Anna by her, it didn’t matter. She has always loved Bryce from afar and when he enlists in the marines, she takes it has her chance to show him. She begins to write anonymous letters to him.
This story tells the action from both Lexi and Bryce’s POV. This allows us to see that Bryce and the popular kids knew who Lexi was. The envied her grace and her relationship with Luke. Lexi seems hung up on living up a fantasy that she has built around Bryce but her thoughts drift back to Luke.
This book ends on a cliffhanger but the sequel comes out on March 22, 2013. Guess what I am buying? 🙂
I bought this book for my own enjoyment!
REVIEW!! ON THE FLY BY KATIE KENYHERCZ (@Crimson_romance, @KatieKenyhercz)
BLURB:
Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.
Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.
REVIEW:
I was given a copy of the book by the author in return for my honest review. I was not compensated. I am not a hockey fan but I have to say I am now! Carter is yummy on a scale that I find delicious!
Jacey Vaughn is taking over her father’s beloved Las Vegas Sinners hockey team and right from the get-go there are complications. Her first day in the office the captain of the team shows up for a raise. Her head coach quits and her brother pops up. FYI…I am seriously hoping the Katie has a book in the pipe for Madden. This man has all kinds of potential!
Carter is captain of the Sinners and he has every intention of getting the money that Chicago is offering or he is leaving. That is until he looks into Jacey’s eyes and feels a connection. When you throw in a journalist with no scruples, an unexpected new head coach and gambling, you just have to say That’s Vegas, baby!
This couple battles ups and downs but the romance is constantly building in the background and you can see that in the interactions of the characters. This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it!
I expect a lot of amazing stories from this author! Check her out and let me know what you think!
Rated 4 Bookworms
BLOG TOUR STOP!! REVIEW AND GUEST POST! Fool Me Once by Lacey Wolfe (@TastyBookTours)
BLURB:
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Drew is the last person Skylar wanted to see across from her at a local bar. A month ago he’d wined and dined her all weekend, leaving her feeling fully in love, but then she awoke alone in an empty hotel room and she hadn’t heard from him since.
The weekend Drew spent with Skylar was phenomenal. There had never been anyone who made him feel as complete as she did. He shouldn’t have disappeared, he should have called, but his feelings for her scared him, so he distanced himself. But when he saw her again, he knew he couldn’t stay away any longer.
Skylar’s determined not to give Drew another chance to hurt her, but he’s just as determined to win her back. Although it won’t be easy, he’s up to the challenge, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal.
Amazon / Nook / BeachwalkPress / AllRomance/ Bookstrand
EXCERPT:
What the hell was he doing there? Skylar was finished with her aerobics class. Grabbing a bottle of water and squirting some in her mouth, she checked her schedule. She had an hour before her next class. That meant she had an hour to figure out what he was doing at this gym.
Taking a towel, she wrapped it around her neck and wiped off the sweat. She headed out of the room, intent on finding him. He was easy to spot. He was in the cardio area, in the back row like a typical man, watching the ladies’ butts jiggle as they worked out. Rolling her eyes, she started his way.
“Hi, Drew,” she said sweetly.
He turned off his machine and grabbed his water bottle. She watched as he touched it to his full lips, taking in a long sip.
“If you’re done, do you mind following me so we can talk a minute?” she asked. She knew a confrontation in the middle of the gym wouldn’t look good for either her or the business.
“Sure.”
Spinning around, she headed toward the staff only break room. Once there she stepped aside so he could come in. Luckily the place was empty. She shut the door and locked it.
“What are you doing here?” She placed her hands on her hips, trying to portray she was irritated by him, when all she really wanted was to feel his mouth on her again.
“Honestly, I had no idea you would be here.”
“Yeah, and I should believe that. I haven’t seen you in a month until last night and then today you show up at my work place.”
He took a seat, clearly worn out from his run. “My company just switched gyms. I was having a tough morning, so I wanted to blow off some steam by taking a run.”
“Sounds convenient,” she retorted.
“Shit, I didn’t know you would be here. It’s a plus though.” He eyed her belly, and she imagined his tongue there, licking her sweat off.
Silence filled the room. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. His explanation sounded logical, and she would hate to think fate worked this out. Fate was what she first thought brought him into her life to begin with. He seemed so perfect for her. When they made love, it was so hot it almost seemed like sparks were flying off their bodies. At least at the time she considered it making love. Now she knew it was just sex to him, nothing more.
“Come here.” He motioned to her.
She snickered. “I don’t think so.”
“Please, I just want to feel you again.”
“Ain’t happening, buddy. You had your chance.” She knew all she had to do was resist him; that was the hardest part.
He reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him. Yanking away from him, she took a step backward.
“Come on, Sky, I know you still have feelings for me.”
“Oh, I definitely have feelings for you, just not the ones you’re hoping for.”
He chuckled. “You know, there’s a thin line between love and hate.”
“That line is pretty thick for me.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“I am.” At least she hoped.
He stood, closing in on her. As he stepped toward her, she found herself once again flat against the wall. Shit, how does this keep happening? His mouth was too close for comfort. Her eyes drifted to it for just a second, knowing it was a mistake.
“This is not a good idea,” she whispered. Desire stirred in her.
“I want to have you. I need to have you. You’re all I have wanted.”
Placing her hands on his toned chest, she pushed him back. “You’re not doing this to me again, got it?”
“I will win you back,” he said.
GUEST POST:
I am always so excited when I can get a guest post from an author! Thanks for joining us today, Lacey!
First I want to say thank you so much for hosting me today. I have just completed my first series, The Hot Bods series.
To be honest, I’ve never been a big series reader. And now when I sit back and look at my writing, I’ve realized I’m a series writer. I have the Hot Bods series, the Brookfield series, and a new one coming soon, Love Strikes series. The Hot Bods series is the only complete series at this point.
So you may be wondering, is this a series you have to read in order? My answer is no however I think if you did, you’d enjoy it much better. Mainly because of one character, Francesca. You’ll meet her in the first book, Fool Me Once and chances are you’ll dislike her. She reappears in the second book More Than Useful as the hero’s sister, and in the third book Accidental Love, the reader will get to see a whole new side of Francesca and begin to wonder if she is as bad as they thought she was. And finally, Opposites Attract and Francesca gets her story.
Now Francesca isn’t the only character. We have Skylar who is a big part of all the books, as well as Amy and Jane. All four girls will appear in each book and of course if you read it in order, you’ll get little updates on how each of them is doing.
I have found writing series is fun. I get to keep my characters longer and revisit them. And so does the reader. Many times when you put a book down, it’s over. But not with a series.
Opposites Attract is the only story to include an epilogue and I think I tied the series up with a nice bow. Of course if someone has real all four they may still be left wanting to know more, and hey, who knows what the future holds. Another book could be in store.
To check out more on the Hot Bods series, check it out:
http://www.laceywolfe.com/hot-bods-series.html
Thank you so much for having me on today! I enjoyed being here.
REVIEW:
If you know anything at all about me, then you know that I am ALWAYS looking for new authors and I have discovered Lacey Wolfe (thanks, Lisa!). This woman knows how to start a book off right! I love the alley scene. The fact is I love a strong woman who takes what she wants and walks away. Skylar did it in less than five minutes!
This is a spicy story and I really like it. I have to give Drew credit for trying. There are a lot of men that would take only so much before they just walked away. I do have to say that there were a few moments when I wanted to tell Skylar to grow up. This was a spicy, sweet love story and I am excited to read more from this awesome author.
About Lacey Wolfe:
Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.
You can find Lacey at the following places:
Website / Facebook / Facebook Page / Twitter / Pinterest
You can follow the rest of the tour HERE! Don’t forget to enter the contest HERE!
BLOG TOUR STOP! WITH THIS KISS BY ELOISA JAMES (@avonbooks, #avonaddicts, @EloisaJames)
EXCERPT FROM AMAZON:
With This Kiss: Part One
Lady Grace Ryburn, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, has fallen wildly in love with Colin Barry, a dashing young lieutenant serving his country in the Royal Navy. When he returns home to exuberant celebrations, will he even notice the quiet wallflower he grew up with … or will he fall for Grace’s sparkling, gorgeous sister?
REVIEW:
I am and always will be a fan of Eloisa’s! I loved The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate so to have more is just awesome. This is the story of Grace and Colin. Colin has gone to the sea like his adopted father but war is never the romantic thing we think it should be. Grace has thought Colin was amazing for most of her life but being the “plain” daughter, she has always felt she was watching from the sidelines. When she takes up a correspondence with Colin she begins to believe he is seeing her differently. When he comes home and she watches him fall in love with her sister, Lily; she begins to realize she was a fool. I can’t wait for the next one!
EXCERPT FROM AMAZON:
With This Kiss: Part Two
Lady Grace Ryburn has accepted another man’s proposal after the love of her life, Lieutenant Colin Barry, asked for her own sister’s hand in marriage.
But when Colin returns home from the wars, injured in body and spirit, will she be able to turn her back and marry another? Or will she throw away every rule her mother taught her and try to seduce a man who has shown no interest in her kisses?
REVIEW:
I love a mother that has a spark of naughty to her! When the Duchess agrees to help Grace break her engagement and compromise Colin, I have to admit that I developed a crush! This is the type of mom I want to be! The type that will do whatever it takes to make their childrens happiness come to pass.
As I read the pain that Grace feels when talking with Colin in the parlor, I feel for her. It is never easy to believe that you rate second best, especially when you love someone as much as she loves Colin. I am loving this story!
EXCERPT FROM AMAZON:
With This Kiss: Part Three
Lieutenant Colin Barry returns from the wars injured in body and spirit, knowing that he has no right to steal Grace from the arms of her fiancé. Yet the same warrior’s spirit that won so many battles at sea is prompting him to throw propriety to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires!
REVIEW:
I love how this story ended but I would like to know what happened with Lily! Eloisa always knows how to leave me hungering for more! Colin realizes that he has been saved in everyway by Grace. The fear leaves his soul when he is with her and there is not a price that can be placed on that. Thank you, Eloisa; for another amazing story!
AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND REVIEW!! Her Perfect Match By Jess Michaels
Excerpt from Amazon:
She will do anything for him…except surrender.
Mistress Matchmaker, Book 3
Vivien Manning, the notorious Mistress Matchmaker, is tired. Tired of the parties, tired of the lovers, tired of being her. Yet she can’t simply leave London. Not until she learns the fate of the young courtesan she matched with Lord Fincambe, whose drunken, violent tendencies are now aimed at Vivien herself.
As Fincambe’s threats intensify, Vivien is forced to turn to the one loose end she has never been able to tie up. Former lover, Benedict Greystone—the only man she couldn’t control with a smile or twitch of her hips.
When Benedict learns Vivien’s predicament, all the hollow reasons she gave for breaking it off melt away. He will not see her harmed, but his help comes with a price. She will come to his bed, where he plans to show her all the reasons they belong together.
Their rekindled passion is a firestorm of heat and need—but it may not be powerful enough to overcome Lord Fincambe’s determination to have Vivien for his own. Even if someone must die.
INTERVIEW:
I am so excited to have Jess Michaels with us today for an author interview!
Brandy, Romancebookworm: (Brandy) Jess, thank you so much for being on Romancebookworms’s Reviews today! I have to tell you that I love the idea of the Mistress Matchmaker. How did you come up with this idea for a series?
Jess Michaels, Author: (Jess) The series really stemmed from the character of Vivien Manning, the Mistress Matchmaker. I really wanted to write a story where a notorious matchmaker for gentlemen and their lovers met her own match, but I wanted to build that up to let readers see her in action and get to know her. So then it became creating the kind of women she would match for. One is the utter innocent (An Introduction to Pleasure) and one is the jaded mistress (For Desire Alone). It’s been a hoot to write the books and see how positive the response has been to them.
Brandy: A Perfect Match is your third book in this series. How excited are you for the release of this book?
Jess: It’s been bittersweet, really. I’m sad to see the series end, but I’m excited to see how readers like Vivien’s story and also to start moving forward with my next series, which I’m writing right now.
Brandy: I know you write several different types of books. Do you have a particular genre that you love to read or are you open to anything?
Jess: I am very open to anything. I wish I had time to read more romance, but I try not to read it when I’m writing it and it seems like I’ve been writing a lot of it lately, so I’m shut out a bit. But I do love lots of genres and writers.
Brandy: I saw on your website that you make jewelry and I checked out the store. I love the superhero pendants. What pushed you into designing this type of jewelry?
Jess: I do it as a fun hobby really and when I realized I had a ton of necklaces, I figured I’d start up the etsy store. It’s just another avenue for creativity for me and I really enjoy making the necklaces.
Brandy: One of my favorite questions to ask in my author interviews is to tell us three interesting things about yourself that might not be common knowledge.
Jess: I’m a pretty open book, I’m not sure there’s a lot people don’t know that I would be comfortable letting them know. LOL Um, okay I’ll try. 1. I’m a nosy neighbor. My desk faces the window and I love to people watch out neighbors and call out neighbor updates to my husband, whose office is across the hall from mine. 2. I’m trying to walk 10,000 steps every day. I got a pedometer for Christmas and have been making the effort to walk more and get out more. 3. I have 3 tattoos. Two are writing-related (one for my first book, one for my 10th book). The other is my favorite and more personal.
Brandy: I have to admit, I started laughing when you said nosy neighbor. Now I have this mental image of you yelling to your husband, “The neighbors just had a new baby! They bought diapers at Costco.” I am one of those as well so we are in good company! 🙂 You said on your website that your husband encouraged you to follow your dream of writing. Had you done any writing prior to that?
Jess: Oh yes, I wrote in school and wrote my first book in college. But he was the one who pushed me to pursue it as a career.
Brandy: My husband is that way as well. I am working on my first book and he is the one that keeps encouraging me. What is the best thing about being a published author?
Jess: Probably getting to interact with readers. It’s really very special to know that someone has read what you spent hours, weeks, months crafting. And then liked it!
Brandy: As a fan, I can tell you the best thing in the world is interacting with your favorite authors. It is an amazing experience for us as well! What is the worst thing about being a published author?
Jess: How little control we have over the success of our work. When a book doesn’t do as well as I feel it should, it feels like a personal failure to me.
Brandy: I can understand that. An Indie author told me that it was like watching her child fail at a sport and feeling like it is your fault that it wasn’t better. Any thoughts or advice you would like to give to aspiring authors out there?
Jess: Write a book. Then write another book. Edit the books as best you can. Keep learning your craft. Don’t be in such a rush to “publish” that you forget to make a good story as great as it can be. You learn by writing, so keep writing.
Thank you, Jess for being here with us today and we are grateful to you for taking the time out for an interview!
REVIEW:
I am never disappointed in a Jess Michaels story! I was given this story by the author in return for an honest review. I am not compensated for my opinion.
This is the third and final chapter in the Mistress Matchmakers series. Vivien is a strong, powerful woman who lives life on her own terms. Being the mistress of powerful men, as set her finances where they need to be. Her life is her own, or is it?
Benedict Greystone is the one man that she has never been able to fully understand or get over. He is the one that broke through her mask and saw the real woman behind the mistress facade. When Vivien decides that she is done with this type of life, she makes a list of things she wants to complete before disappearing and starting a new life. One of those things is Benedict. She needs to purge him from her system.
I find that when someone has been on your mind and heart for several years, it is a safe bet that love is involved. Benedict never got over Vivien and the fact that she believes they cannot be together is a blow to his heart. When she makes it obvious that she wants to start up their affair again, he believes this is his chance.
When heartache and secrets are revealed, I am amazed at the strength both characters display. I do think that Benedict could have been a little more direct with his brother’s interferring but when he chooses Vivien is a powerful moment.
I recommend this series to anyone that loves historical romances!
Rated 4 stars
REVIEW! Trapped Under Ice by M.J. Schiller (@mjschiller)
EXCERPT:
They looked at the menus and made small talk until the waitress returned with drinks and took their dinner order. In her wake, she left an awkward silence. For the first time, the pair was alone with no ready subject for conversation. They both took a sip of their drinks to stall for time.
“Your drink all right?”
“Good, good.” She nodded.
“Good,” he repeated, seeming at a loss as to where to go next. He exhaled with a laugh. “You know, I don’t know anything about you, other than your name is Beth, you have a daughter named Cassie, and you’re one hell of a singer.”
“Ah…well…” Again she was unnerved by the praise.
“You’re staying at this hotel, so you’re not from here. Where do you live?”
“Bloomington, Illinois.” When he stared at her blankly, she added, “It’s about halfway between here and Chicago.”
He nodded. “What’s it like?”
“Well…it’s a college town. In fact, we have the little known distinction of being the only city with a university at either end of the same street,” she threw in, remembering seeing that in a paper Cassie did for social studies.
“I see,” he replied, bemused. “And what do you do in this fair city? I mean,” he back-pedaled, “do you work outside of the home?”
“Ah, so politically correct. Yes, as a matter of fact, I’m a lunch lady.”
The singer looked for a minute like he was going to spit out his drink, but he swallowed hurriedly and laughed.
“What?” Beth retorted, pretending to be hurt. “You’ve got something against lunch ladies, I suppose?”
“No, no,” he insisted. “It’s just…you don’t look like any lunch lady I ever had.”
She took a long drink and considered his words. Was there a compliment in there somewhere?
“So how did you land this lunch lady gig?”
Now it was Beth’s turn to laugh at his choice of the word “gig.” “Well, in truth it wasn’t all that difficult. I just showed up for the interview, they told me what the hours were, how much it paid, and what it entailed, then asked me if I wanted the job. So, hearing what glamorous duties I was to have and what a fabulous paycheck I would be bringing home, I, of course, took it.” He laughed. “No, really, I love my job. I love working with kids. I can come home and take a nap every afternoon before Cas gets home from school. What’s not to like?”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
“Not to mention, sometimes I get to bring home leftover sloppy joe meat.”
“It gets better and better. Sign me up.”
“Oh, yeah. ‘Cause this whole rock star thing can’t compare to the wonderful benefits I just described. Tell me the truth, it was the sloppy joe meat that really sold you, wasn’t it?”
REVIEW:
I LOVED this book! I wasn’t sure how the romance with a woman my age and a rock star would go but let me tell you that M.J. knows what she is doing.
Beth has been a fan of Trapped Under Ice for a long time and when her daughter, Cassie surprises her with tickets, she is stoked. After the concert, the two women are attacked in the restroom and Chad Evans, lead singer and knight in scruffy armor, comes to the rescue. The attraction between them is like lightening but Beth still feels like she is mourning the loss of her husband, Paul.
This was not an easy story and the twists and turns in their relationship, friends and family kept me glued to the pages. I love how M.J. was able to draw out each emotion and play it out so you could see how it affected the ones involved. I love that Beth was a lunch lady, who happened to write as well. She showed a real passion for her work and didn’t feel like it was beneath her. I look forward to more books from this author and hope she comes back to join us here at Romancebookworm’s Reviews!
Rated 4 Bookworms
http://marysmerrymusings.wordpress.com/
http://www.mjschillerauthor.blogspot.com/
BOOK BLAST AND GIVEAWAY! REMEMBER THE STARS BY NATALIE-NICOLE BATES
BLURB:
Waking up in the gutter, for Leah Rhodes, life as she knows it has just changed forever. In the dark surroundings of her distant past, a familiar man stands out in the confusion. But Remy Moreland has been dead for years.
It soon becomes apparent to Leah that both she and Remy are trapped in a hell of their own making. Can one night together not only lead to the way out, but to love as well?
EXCERPT:
“Remy,” she said his name. Where did she know that name from? It wasn’t common. Think, Leah, think. Then it hit her—hard.
She remembered exactly who Remy Moreland was.
He was in the newspaper years earlier. Her mother had shown her a copy. Remy Moreland was involved in a fatal street race. His Porsche had been split in two, killing him and a young woman in another car.
Remy Moreland was dead.
But if he was dead, what was he doing here, alive, and with her?
Sweat broke out on the back of her neck and her vision clouded. This was someone’s idea of an evil, evil joke. She had to get out. She had to find her way home. Standing, she grabbed the edge of the deck for support. “I have to get out of here,” she mumbled and stumbled her way around the desk.
He grabbed her around the waist. “You can’t go back out there. It’s dangerous.”
She sunk her open palms against his chest and struggled to get out of his grip. “Get off of me, you malevolent freak! You’re dead! You’ve been dead for years!” she blurted.
Immediately, he let go and jumped back from her as if he had been stung.
“What are you talking about? He demanded.
She backed away, ready to make a run for the front door. But the confused mix of anger and disbelief in his contorted expression stopped her.
How could he not know he was dead?
“It was years ago, Remy. You had an accident. It was in the newspaper.”
He tilted his head, his blue eyes huge. “Do I look dead to you?”
Well, he was pale, his blue eyes ethereal. She hesitated, and then spoke. “Now that you mention
it…”
“You bitch!” he snapped.
The force of his voice caused her to flinch and she raised her fingers to her throbbing temples. All she wanted at that moment was to get out of this man’s sight and find her way home.
“I’m not dead,” he stated ominously.
“Okay, you’re not dead,” she conceded as she rubbed circles on her temples.
He took a step closer. “As a matter of fact, right now I am languishing across town in a nursing home. I eat through a tube in my belly and piss into a catheter bag. I remain nothing but an emaciated, contorted version of the man I once was.”
She closed her eyes. This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening. None of this was real.
When she opened her eyes, he was in front of her, a macabre grin creasing his handsome features. He lifted a brow. “So, what did you do?”
“Do? What are you talking about?”
“To get here. You know my situation, so what’s yours?”
He wasn’t making any sense. She turned away from him, left the office and began to walk the long hallway to the front door, but he followed her closely.
“Let me guess,” he provoked. “You look like a murder-suicide kind of girl. You’re not wearing a wedding ring, so I’m assuming you shot your boyfriend in the head and then offed yourself in some spectacular way—like jumping off a balcony and splattering on the ground. How could you have known you would wind up here?” he chuckled unpleasantly.
She stopped cold. How could he say such a horrible thing? She turned back to him only to find him mere inches from her. “You’re horrible. You don’t even know me, but you’ve resorted to participating in some sort of evil joke on me. I just want to go home…or wake up.”
“Your life as you know it is over, Leah.”
“What are saying, Remy? That I’m dead?”
“You’re not dead…not quite. This is limbo…purgatory…the first circle of Hell. The most wretched place on earth where you are sent to atone for your sins.”
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3EF1YW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B3EF1YW&linkCode=as2&tag=beyondwordsbookstours-20
Publisher: http://www.bookstogonow.com/natalienicolebates.html
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter: @ BatesNatalie https://twitter.com/BatesNatalie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/natalienicole.bates
Blog: www.natalienicolebates.com
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/natalienicolebates
GIVEAWAY:
The author is giving away a $10.00 Amazon Gift card to one lucky winner! Enter HERE!
REVIEW!! Her Sweetest Downfall by Rebecca Hamilton (@PureTextuality)
SYNOPSIS:
Ophelia’s been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.
When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.
What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.
Set in an alternate Regency England, “”Her Sweetest Downfall”” is a standalone novella in the “”Forever Girl”” series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.
HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.
LINKS:
Her Sweetest Downfall on Goodreads
An Overview of The Forever Girl World and all its Creatures!
The UNIVERSE
Many, many years ago, our Universe used its power of creation to make Earth, and the Earth was an art to watch on and manipulate and intrigue. It was through this creation that the Universe realized they could create life that could sustain itself. The trees would grow without the Universe commanding it to be so. The wind would blow, the waves would roll, the earth would crack and shift.
But with this new world came a weakness. The Universe’s energy was depleting faster than it could replenish, and it feared soon it would fade out of existence. It was then the Universe create Humans, and so designed them that they would be an energy, and the Universe could draw from their positive energy each day and while the Universe fed on this energy these humans would sleep.
Some of the humans, however, had within them a darkness. The Universe could not thrive on their energy, and so sleep did not come so easily for them. In their restlessness, they caused destruction among their lands and cities and towns, and with each life source that one human killed off, the Universe began to feel more of a threat on their source of life.
And so came about the creation of the Cruor, as the Universe was one that could only create and not destroy. The Cruor, who would later become known by the modern man or woman as vampires, represent the element of Earth.
EARTH Elementals
In the world of The Forever Girl, the Cruor (earth elementals) were created by the Universe resurrecting humans who were buried alive. They were to be guardians of the night, immortal creatures that would hunt the dark humans. As time went on, Cruor became able to multiple in number by “turning” these humans. The intention of the transformation was to purify the dark human so they could join the Cruor in eliminating the dark energy in this world. Instead, some Cruor harbored darkness of their own, and soon this darkness became more of a keystone than an anomaly.
FIRE Elementals
At around the same time the Cruor were brought forth, the Chibold were brought into existence as well. The Chibold are Fire Elementals, based on sprites, known for the mischievous behavior and tendency to appear as children. However, do not be deceived. These little ones contain a supreme knowledge and are able to communicate directly with the Universe, and can intuitively discern good from evil. They are little watchers privy to the kind of information disclosed around children by adults who think they won’t understand. Additionally, they sometimes act as messengers and guides for other Elementals.
WATER Elementals
Water elementals are known as the Strigoi. They are similar to shapeshifters. The Universe intended them as hunters of the darker Cruor, but, unfortunately, this turned into more of a battle between the elemental races. You could call them immortal enemies, though Strigoi are only immortal so long as they don’t stop shifting.
AIR Elementals
Air Elementals, or the Ankou, are faerie grim reapers. They’re based on the legend of the Ankou, and they brought to this world a magic intended to help bring peace between the Strigoi and the Cruor, and also to deal with the spirits of these supernaturals following their death. When the Ankou came, they brought peace between the Cruor and Strigoi, but this also led to procreation between the races.
The MALTORIM (and Dual Breeds)
The Maltorim are a council meant to oversee the wishes of the Universe. The Universe, however, began to request things of the Council that its members did not want to honor. For example, the Universe wanted to bring a balance to the Council, with one element representing one leader within the Council. The current leaders, however, and more especially the Queen, did not want balance. Moreover, the presence of the Ankou led to cross-breeding of other supernatural races.
Dual bred races had an easier time integrating with human society. Compared to their purebred counterparts, they are weaker in some ways and stronger in others, but this gives them an edge (while also making their abilities a bit unpredictable). This worries the Council. Further, the presence of dual breeds increased discovery by humans (or those two events coincided—which does not necessarily mean one was the cause!). However, the Council liked to blame the dual-natured for this, as it gave them an opportunity to launch an attack against all of their kind.
Before that point, there was a resistance between the Universe and the Council, but at this time, the Council was in complete rebellion. The Council would argue that the Universe didn’t know what it was doing—that the Universe had messed up time and time again. The Council believed they could do better, but the Universe will not give up yet, because the Council’s actions could lead to the extermination of all life within the Universe (and the Universe itself).
SPIRIT Elementals
There had been several witch trials before any spirit elementals were chosen, but as the first spirit elementals were chosen during the Salem witch trials, they quickly became known as “witches” as well, this being largely because “witch” was something humans used to call humans they thought of as supernatural, and the spirit elementals were just that—mortal supernaturals.
Witches were intended to conjure magic from the Universe directly and use that magic to restore balance in the Earth. Their very presence, of course, would help restore balance just by bringing all of the elements into play, but it was their magic that was intended to create harmony.
The Universe, being a bit wiser for its past mistakes, created witches in such a way that any harm they caused would be brought back to themselves. Because of a supernatural war (over the existence of dual breeds), the spirit elementals were not able to fulfill their duty, and the war raged in humanity over the idea of “witches”. But as the witches were mortal, the Universe granted immortality to their *magic* instead. This was the start of hereditary witches, whose magic, when passed down, would be halved, and when passed down again, halved again. And on it goes…
FOREVER GIRLS
Forever Girls are witches who don’t always remain Spirit Elementals. Their magic is carried with their soul. If the spirit of the first witch stays in her lineage, then she will be a true Spirit elemental. Other Forever Girls, however, may come about by other means. They also began as Spirit elementals, carrying their magic with their soul, but if they strayed from their lineage, they may become grounded to another element while still remaining one of the Forever Girls.
If a woman can discover she is one of the Forever Girls, she can tap into all those lifetimes of magic. Otherwise, she can only use the magic that was passed down to her through her ancestors.
REVIEW:
Whoa! I am intrigued with this prequel and I want more! This is a short read, Kittens so I am not going to go full description. Ophelia is hiding in a noble home looking for her mother. When Ethan explains to her that her destiny is greater than herself, her family or even him, Ophelia is reluctant (understatement) to listen to what he has to say.
How can a simple girl be something greater than what she appears to be? When Ophelia realizes that the stories her mother told her as a child were actually lessons, she begins to understand that she is meant for more.
When she discovers that the only way to continue on her path is to sacrifice Ethan she makes a choice that may come back to haunt her.
Rated 4 Bookworms
REVIEW!! If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones (@LisaReneeJones)
BLURB:
The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.
When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry.
Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.
REVIEW:
I loved this story and can’t wait to see where Lisa Renee Jones will take this trilogy! Sara is blown away when she starts to read Rebecca’s journal. She is aroused by the things she reads, yet she is also worried about this stranger. The entries start to grow darker and more frightening. She begins to wonder what happened to Rebecca. From the tone of the journal it almost sounds like she feared for her life. She starts contacting the art gallery that Rebecca worked at, and is told that she took an extended vacation. When Sara realizes that she needs to go to the gallery, she purchases tickets to an opening for one of her favorite artist.
While at the opening she makes an impression on the owner of the gallery and he offers her a job. Rebecca’s job. This startles Sara, however; she has an art degree and loves it so she accepts. As she sinks deeper and deeper into Rebecca’s world, Sara can’t help but wonder if she is walking in Rebecca’s shoes. Sara is discovering things about herself that she never even thought about, and the men that are teaching her that there is more to life then what she had always believed.
I have yet to come across a book by Ms. Jones that I didn’t enjoy and If I Were You doesn’t disappoint.
Rated 4 Bookworms
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