Archives for August 2013

The Alpha Takes a Mate by Sam Crescent

August 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ALPHA
The Alpha Takes a Mate by Sam Crescent
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: 126 pages
Other: M/F, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Tulip

Brandon is the werewolf alpha of the Northern Forest Pack. He’s looking for a mate with the same strength as him to lead his pack through the dark times they are about to face. Never did he anticipate to mate with an innocent human female.

Elle Smith moved to Grace Hill after a vampire attack almost killed her family. After she turns twenty-one her life is changed forever. Brandon bites her as she’s working at the diner, declaring her his mate. She can’t believe it’s happening and refuses him.

However, the pull of the mating can’t be denied. Elle seeks him out even though she can’t bear to look him in the eye. Brandon will do anything to keep his woman safe. As Grace Hill becomes the home to many dangerous paranormal beings, Brandon pretends another is his mate.

Hurt, Elle shuts him out. Has Brandon lost his only chance of a mate? And what threat from her past could send Brandon to possible war?

Their world has never been more fragile as a cult known as Disaster of the Otherworld intends to plunge them into chaos.

The Alpha Takes a Mate is the first book in a very promising new paranormal series from Sam Crescent. The author did an outstanding job on this book. She did an excellent job in setting up this intriguing series, by giving readers this superbly entertaining story to start things off right. For its short length, this book is exceptionally well written. Right away, it grabbed my attention with an evocative premise, multi-dimensional characters and loads of romantic conflict. This book held me captivated, so much that I could not put it down, ending up reading it in just one sitting.

Brandon is the Alpha werewolf of the Northern Forest Pack, and the big kahuna in the town of Grace Hill. He controls everything there, letting few humans into his town. Those that are allowed to live amongst the wolves are sworn to secrecy about the paranormal creatures existence.
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The story opens with Brandon unexpectedly finding his mate. *Gasp !* The mate he has longed to find is Elle, a human girl, not one off his own kind like he had hoped for. It was obvious that Brandon didn’t have much respect for humans. Not that it kept him from immediately following his instinct and claiming his mate. He bites her right there in the middle of the local diner.

Elle and her family were granted sanctuary in Grace Hill after a vicious vampire attack that almost killed her mom and damaged Elle in some way. She doesn’t like the way the male wolves treat the human women like toys, so she has kept her distance from them. So she is completely shocked at being dragged before the Alpha, and having him stake his claim by biting her. He arrogantly declares that they are mated, but Elle’s not so sure she wants any part of him. It’s no wonder she resisted, what with all the mixed signals the guy kept sending her.

Now, Brandon ruffled my feathers with his attitude about Elle. Don’t get me wrong, he wanted her. He seduced her. He was possessive and wanted to protect his mate. The kind of alpha male that we all love, right ? Yet the entire time, he kept thinking she wasn’t good enough for him. I couldn’t believe some of the big jerk’s inner monologue. What had he done to deserve a fate like this ? A human mate had to be retribution for something. Gah !!! He needed to get over himself.

The story grows even more intriguing as revelations are made, prophecies are foretold and war looms on the horizon. Brandon must win back his mate, or risk losing everything. Yet, even as he is groveling, trying to make amends, the big jerk is still spouting his same old song. Right to her face he tells her – “Wolves are so much more than humans”. Then there was my favorite one yet- “I don’t blame you for your lack”. At this point I really had to wonder if the author wanted me to hate him. Don’t we all love to the hate alpha jerks ? I gotta say, it never fails to make the story more entertaining to this reader.

So now on to the juicy part – the love scenes. The sex was steamy. Brandon and Elle had great chemistry, and no doubt, Sam Crescent knows her way around an erotic scene. Yet the author didn’t push any boundaries with this one. The lovers explored with some light bondage, loads of oral, interesting positions and a bit of anal play. Not as kinky as I’ve known this author to get, but it’ll get your motor running, if that’s what you’re looking for.

I really enjoyed this book. That’s right, I loved the drama, and how my hero was a bad boy that had to be redeemed. I was giddy with excitement as Brandon faced his reckoning.   I was easily caught up in this compelling world, wanting to know more about all the fascinating characters that I met. The plot was interesting, taking some twists and turns here and there. The series only promises to grow more intriguing, as a common thread is revealed that I’m sure will span the arc of the entire series. The story was fast paced, with never a dull moment where you find yourself wanting to skim the pages. There were too many things happening that I definitely didn’t want to miss. The supporting characters were all interesting, I wanted to know more about them all. Lewis and Layla ….got something going on there. Alaric the Alpha Bear and Alexander the enigmatic Vampire leader. Crazy Lizzy the seer witch was a hoot. See, I’m already hooked …. I want to read all of their stories …. and you know I will.

The Alpha Takes a Mate was a great read and a fantastic addition to the paranormal genre. I loved it, enjoyed every page, every scene, every word, every emotion. I suggest that most paranormal readers will enjoy it as well. So I’m calling this one a recommended paranormal read.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Nine Fold Heaven by Mingmei Yip

August 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

NINE
The Nine Fold Heaven by Mingmei Yip
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (302 pgs)
Heat Level: hot
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draws readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women, and into the lives of the unforgettable Camilla, Shadow, and Rainbow Chang.

When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed with the beautiful Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her lover, Jinying–Lung’s son.

Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless Big Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda–she has heard a rumor that her son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals–including the vengeful Rainbow Chang–each battles for a future in a country on the verge of monumental change.

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I read Skeleton Women by this author, which was the first half of Camilla’s story. I had been looking forward to seeing how she resolved all those open issues at the end of the first story. Ms. Yip did not disappoint me. Her words flow on the page like a river flows on its course. She uses her Asian knowledge to fill out the history of her story and it adds to the story content. The Chinese of the Triads are territorial, superstitious and totally ruthless. Their ultimate goal is to be in control of their territory and to kill anyone in their way. When Camilla set up a confrontation that ended up with one of the two Triad bosses being taken out of power, she left Shanghai. How was she to go back safely and get her family?

Camilla is an interesting character. She lost her parents when she was young, grew up in an orphanage and was trained to be a skeleton woman. That’s a beautiful woman that knows all the sexual tricks and can kill without a thought. That was how she lured the one man in and she slept with both him and his son. His son is her husband. She knows she may die by going back because the one who taught her all this is now the one in power. She believes in fate; if she dies, she dies. If she lives, it’s because she’s supposed to.

The author brings back her other old love in this book, also. He’s been a prisoner, but she helps him escape. I really like the depth Ms. Yip gives her main character. She’s loyal to those she loves, even when she’s conflicted over which one she loves the most. The author gives her hard decisions and somehow she makes the right ones.

There are magician tricks, the help of old friends and enemies, and Camilla’s bravery all involved in this story. I especially liked the ending. It’s the start of a new change for China as well as Camilla. This author made me feel like I was taking this journey myself. Camilla gets turned almost inside out as she learns the truth about things, but she persists and succeeds. Ms. Yip did an excellent job of writing this thriller and I’m going to add this book to my personal library. Why not get a copy?

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Irish Comfort by Nikki Prince

August 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

COMFORT
Irish Comfort by Nikki Prince
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short Story (19 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Imani Parker has had it with just friendship with Skylar Magee. Saint Patrick’s Day will either make them a couple or break them. She wants to show him that his place is with her and she is the only home he needs. She invites Skylar to dinner for Saint Patrick’s Day and plans to show him that they can be lucky in love.

With that said, you will discover no restricts for purchasing medicine on the internet it does not require a physician to determine the cause of a http://mouthsofthesouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MOTS-12.17.16-Clinton.pdf tab sildenafil man’s inability to control when he climaxes. In fact there sildenafil online no prescription are various types of ED diagnosed in different men. The spine tadalafil 20mg for women will be in good condition and enhances the flow of blood in the penis and an erection. This way viagra online pharmacies of treating ED will probably help you to cure for impotence. Imani has decided to make a lovely Irish dinner for Skylar to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Sky has seemed homesick to Imani and she wants to comfort him with some of his favourite culinary delights from home. What Skylar doesn’t know is Imani is hoping this dinner can turn into something much, much more between them. Friends for years, Imani has decided it’s time to be brave and take the first steps in what she hopes will be a beautiful blossoming of more than platonic friendship between them.

This is a fun short story full of chemistry and intense arousal. I loved how Imani and Skylar are both well drawn characters, full of life and interesting. Their passion and connection feels real, not rushed or faked. I found myself drawn to them both and thrilled when they consummated the start of their new relationship. Part of me wished there’d been more detail on the forgotten Irish meal – I was curious what it tasted like when they got around to eating it and whether Imani’s first attempts at cooking Irish food was a success or not. I thought the Irish dinner was an excellent plot device and was sad that part of the book was never totally resolved. Having said that the fact both Imani and Skylar had far more interesting things to fill their time with was not a hardship either. The descriptive sex scenes were smoking hot, tastefully written and a delight to read. This isn’t one for your delicate granny to read or to share aloud with a less-adventurous friend.

Sexy, satisfying and an excellent read – I greatly enjoyed Irish Comfort and was thrilled to follow along as Imani got her man. Recommended.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Dead End by Craig Faustus Buck

August 2, 2013 By 2 Comments

END
Dead End by Craig Faustus Buck
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (13 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Johno Beltran is a former homicide detective who fell from grace when a stupid mistake allowed a rich, sadistic sex killer to go free. When the notorious murderer drives into the restaurant parking lot where Johno now works as a valet, their reunion leads Johno down a dark, twisty road toward a deadly collision between paranoia and reality.

Sometimes karma takes a long time to catch up with someone. Is it ever acceptable to artificially speed up the process?

Imagine running into your arch nemesis years after he ruined your life. Johno’s reaction to seeing Vico enjoy the pleasures of wealth and success was a fascinating introduction to both characters. I could feel the tension between them mount as Johno makes a series of impulsive decisions that alter both men’s lives forever. I was surprised by how quickly and thoroughly Johno’s personality is revealed. Within the first few pages I knew he was impulsive, vengeful, and a little arrogant despite him spending most of that time alone.
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At first I was puzzled by certain details in Johno’s explanation of how he came to know Vico. The clues seemed to conflict with each other at first, and it wasn’t until the end of this tale that I realized what was really going on.

In the end everything makes sense, though, and once I reread it I noticed a clue or two that I’d missed the first time around. I was not expecting to spend so much time figuring out the twist. It was pleasantly surprising to be so stumped by what I thought would be a straightforward case. This piece could have easily been expanded into a novella or series of short stories for the purpose of further developing secondary characters and exploring the rich backstory that is mentioned only briefly, but Dead End works well as it is written. While I don’t know if the author has any plans to do so, I would be quite interested in revisiting Johno’s point of view again in the future.

Dead End kept me guessing. This book is a great choice for anyone who like the intellectual challenge of deciphering a series of subtle clues in a short timespan.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Outrageous October by Barbara Levenson

August 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

OCTOBER
Outrageous October by Barbara Levenson
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (296 pgs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephantois

What happens when Mary Magruder Katz, Miami criminal defense attorney, discovers her hot Latin boyfriend, Carlos, is sneaking away to a rendevous with his ex-spouse? Broken-hearted, she returns his humongous engagement ring, packs her dog and her disappointment in her SUV and runs away to Vermont where she holes up in her friend’s summer house. The autumn winds bring the chill of an unsolved murder that occurred in Mary’s vacation hideout. Being a hard-charging attorney, Mary can’t stay idle for long. She meets a dashing young attorney whose nickname is actually Dash. He persuades her to do some legal work for him, and some extra nighttime work as well. Meanwhile, Mary reconnects with the daughter of a former client who is a coed at nearby Dartmouth College. Sherry Yarmouth confides in Mary that she is in the midst of a torrid affair with a local. When Sherry disappears, Mary’s plans for some quiet time disappear too. Mary and Dash comb Vermont’s Upper Valley in an all-out search. As if that isn’t enough to keep Mary busy, she lands in the middle of a court fight over a neigborhood spat. Tree removal becomes the village’s high publicity case. The plaintiff is dubbed the “tree Nazi, but Mary suspects he may be a real Nazi when he is found murdered. Mary’s search for R. and R. leads to murders, kidnapping and a neo-Nazi cell. It’s just another day at the office as Mary finds autumn in Vermont just as out of control as mayhem in Miami. Amid the falling leaves and blustery winds, Mary faces new challenges and new decisions abour her love life. Will Carlos win her back? Will Mary find Sherry before she’s killed? And who actually killed the Nazi and the owner of the summer house? How and when will Mary return to Miami? Read Outrageous October and find the answers and a rollicking read.

If you considering taking this drug then it is advisable for you to buy this drug or viagra on sale an initial consultation is doing so unsafely and seriously endangering your health. Doctors are still conducting studies if this drug can really affect the viagra tablets in india opacc.cv vision of a person. It is quickly absorbed into the body of men will cause thinning of hair follicles that may have stopped producing hair levitra no prescription Click Here to start producing new hair again, which can help with hair regrowth in areas of baldness. The generic version is available at one-third cost of the original super active viagra learn the facts here now. Outrageous October begins with a murder and keeps you in its grip throughout. It’s very layered, with suspense building as the chapters progress. I enjoyed the character of Mary, although I did think she fled Miami too swiftly before confronting Carlos about his dining with his ex. That aside, it does give her the perfect excuse to escape to Vermont where all the mystery takes place.

I loved the setting of the small town, the quirky characters, and some creepy goings on. All the characters were fun to get to know and what I enjoyed the most was all of them and the sub-plots seem to tie up together as the story progressed.

And an added bonus was Sam, the German Shepherd who sometimes seemed like Mary’s assistant. I’m glad to see that this is a continuing series with Mary so I’ll be looking for more books by Ms. Levenson.

If you’re looking for a mystery to read this summer this is a new author to check out.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Ice Surrender by Marisa Chenery

August 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

ICE
Ice Surrender by Marisa Chenery
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (80 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Ryder finds the process of coming into his full shaman powers harder than he expected. And it doesn’t help that he’s being relentlessly pursued by a female werewolf who doesn’t step down from a challenge. Unable to bed her for reasons of his own, he struggles to keep his yearning hidden from everyone—especially her.
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Wren has set her sights on Ryder, and that is that. He may have turned her down time and time again, but she knows he’s the one meant for her. If it takes a little persuasion on her part, all the better. And sexier. She won’t give up until she gets the ultimate prize—the sentinels’ shaman as her mate.

I was excited to see Ryder get his story. I have enjoyed watching Wren go after him since the first time we met her. The two make a wonderful couple and I was glad to see them work through everything and find their way to happiness. As the two finally begin testing their relationship, they must also deal with Tanner and the rest of the dark wolves. Ryder must come into his full powers to defeat the dark wolves or all will be lost. Wren adds all her faith and strength to Ryder, hoping that what she can give him will be enough. A simple touch brings on a surprise that turns the tide for Ryder and Wren. Ryder is a strong man who has worked so hard on his own and seeing Wren be able to help him made for a great read.

Not only do we get Ryder and Wren’s story but we also get to see more of the battle between the Werewolf Sentinels and the dark wolves. This book is a hot read that is full of emotion. I loved seeing the Sentinels as a family and how they stand by each other no matter what. I had to laugh at the parts that included the new baby and the changing of his diapers. Whether it is fighting the dark wolves or just spending time together. The love that they all share is evident in all that they do. I hope that this is not the last time we get to visit this world.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble

August 1, 2013 By 22 Comments

COVER_Secret_Sister
Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble
Publisher:  Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (279 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4 Stars
Review by Poppy

To their friends, Nick and Cathy Chance have the perfect marriage. High school sweethearts who’ve been together for ten years, they’ve weathered challenges and are as committed as they were when they first fell in love. Cathy trusts Nick, Nick’s world revolves around his wife, and the future looks golden.

To everyone who knows them, Cathy Chance and Roxanne Ruiz have a perfect friendship. They connected in grade school and since then have been each other’s confident and trusted advisor. Cathy loves the gorgeous Roxanne like a sister, Roxanne has fun-loving Cathy’s back in every situation, though lately there’s been tension between these two best friends…

And then, on a sunny summer morning, the unthinkable occurs, throwing into doubt the truth of what each of these people really know about themselves and one another.

Will Roxanne’s sacrifice be too little, and too late? Should Nick’s love for his wife be strong enough to risk trusting his heart more than logic? Can Cathy’s devotion to Nick give her enough strength to convince him to see her for who she really is?
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Secret Sister proves how strong, how stubborn, and how trustworthy love can be as Nick and Cathy and Roxanne are challenged to overcome the secrets, the lies … and one extraordinary twist of fate that turns their lives upside down.

This story was nothing like I’d expected.

If you’re looking for a typical women’s fiction/romance, don’t look here… this story has a twist of the paranormal that will have you willingly stretching your belief in order to enjoy the plot.

Emelle Gamble has created a story that will tear your heart out. It’s so well written and full of emotion, my heart nearly burst while reading. Honestly, I didn’t like Nick for much of the book … but that was partly because I knew what was real and he didn’t. I had the benefit of seeing inside the heads of many characters. He didn’t. But he wasn’t a character I loved … until the end. I could understand what he went through, though. The kind of love he felt for Cathy is the kind that will destroy if it’s taken away.

I think I was supposed to like Roxanne more than I did, too. I never did warm to her much, but could understand at least some of the reason she was the way she was.

The best, most lovable character was easily Cathy. Sure, she had some flaws — who doesn’t? — but she had a huge heart. She was the reason I kept turning pages. I had to make sure she’d come through the fire and have her HEA. I was desperate for it.

If you’re a reader who loves drama and emotion, if you like a book with twists you weren’t expecting and a perfect payoff as an ending, then I recommend Secret Sister. It’s got heart.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Witching House by Brian Moreland

August 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HOUSE
The Witching House by Brian Moreland
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Horror, Contemporary, Paranormal, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (103 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Some houses should be left alone.

In 1972, twenty-five people were brutally murdered in one of the bloodiest massacres in Texas history. The mystery of who committed the killings remains unsolved.

Forty years later, Sarah Donovan is dating an exciting man, Dean Stratton. Sarah’s scared of just about everything—heights, tight places, the dark—but today she must confront all her fears, as she joins Dean and another couple on an exploring adventure. The old abandoned Blevins House, the scene of the gruesome massacre, is rumored to be haunted.

The two couples are about to discover the mysterious house has been waiting all these years, craving fresh prey. And down in the cellar they will encounter a monstrous creature that hungers for more than just human flesh.

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The only reason Sarah Donovan agrees to go on this trip is to impress her new boyfriend. I immediately questioned her judgement on this decision as she clearly doesn’t enjoy Urban Exploring or ghost hunting, and I couldn’t understand why such a sweet, kind woman would put herself in such an awkward position. Sarah isn’t the type of person to complain, though, and I was impressed by how quickly she adjusts to what the Ghost Squad are planning to do in the Blevins House.

I had difficultly understanding why Dean and Sarah are dating. Sarah seems to be using Dean as a rebound relationship after her divorce, but I was never sure why Dean would want to become emotionally involved with someone who fears so many of the things he loves. I hope their relationship lasts once the initial burst of sexual chemistry wanes, but these two characters share so little in common that I don’t think that is likely. Sarah and Dean easily could have been described as siblings or childhood friends instead without changing what happens later on in the plot, and I think making their relationship a platonic one would have made more sense given everything we learn about their personalities and interests.

The vivid descriptions of key rooms the Blevins House and the deliciously tense atmosphere made me feel like I was exploring everything alongside the Ghost Squad. While I was initially confused by why a seemingly-supernatural creature would still have the need to eat, watching this macabre plot unfold was so absorbing I brushed that question out of my mind until it was time for the answer to be revealed.

While all of the twists employed by The Witching House are standard for paranormal horror stories, there are a few surprises tucked away in unexpected places. I’d recommend this book to anyone who finds old, abandoned houses creepy or wonders what their moldy walls would say if they could speak.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Etched in Soul and Skin by Joshua Legg

August 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SKIN
Etched in Soul and Skin by Joshua Legg
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (225 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

The Sky Demons are coming.

The Sky Demons have hunted Adanna’s tribe for centuries, kidnapping people in vicious nighttime raids and disappearing without a trace. Her life has been one of deprivation and loss, always striving to keep one step ahead of relentless attackers.

Erik is the newest soldier in a secret military, one dedicated to keeping his steam-powered city in the air. Only a select few know the dark secret of his flying home. It’s not their technology that keeps it aloft, but the magic that flows in the veins of the people who live below them. He has been trained for one purpose: to hunt and retrieve human beings.

Captured and almost turned into a living battery, Adanna is rescued by the very man who imprisoned her. In her, he sees a chance at redemption. In him, she sees a chance to escape. And maybe get a little revenge for the years of terror the ‘sky demons’ have inflicted on her.

If a writer can bring tears to the eyes of his readers, then the writer has truly written a book which is engaging and heart-felt. Joshua Legg has accomplished this for me in his novel Etched in Soul and Skin.
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The plot revolves around the needs of a floating city to harness magical powers in order to stay in the sky. The magic comes from kidnapping tribal people who live on the surface of the planet. The victims are then strapped into chairs, becoming living batteries. Adanna’s mother was one such victim, captured years ago when Adanna was a little girl. Her tribe has learned to fear those they call sky demons. Adanna has grown to adulthood under the threat from above and she has learned to wield her own magic. One day she comes across a man in the river, nearly drowned. She pulls him to shore, and just before he dies he warns her that the sky demons are on their way.

When the raid comes, the tribe is better prepared, but it is still a difficult battle. When a sky demon falls out of the tree, killed by her father’s magic, “Adanna’s heart nearly stopped as she saw the living sky demon. They weren’t the tall, horrifying monsters she had dreamed about since childhood, they were something worse. They were men and women like her, evil people preying on fellow human beings for some kind of dark purpose. The beings that took her mother were men and they fought like men.”

Adanna is a wonderful heroine with strengths and weaknesses. She has a strong sense of humanity and she is deeply connected to the land and all of nature. In spite of a fantastic defense where she takes out most of the invaders, she is captured by Erik, the newest soldier in the secret military. However, even as he captures her, he finds difficulties in obeying his orders. His grandfather had taught him to question, to realize that it was wrong to use people. Erik is fully developed into a very believable and likable person, and his struggles to find the truth after being brainwashed by the government for most of his life are struggles I could identify with. And when he decides to rescue Adanna, I cheered him on. Once he rescues her, the real fun begins.

The plot is fast moving and filled with action. The city of Shuran is described in full detail as the action unfolds. Even minor characters, such as a very young girl named Katie who sells metal flowers, are brought to life in full detail. Everything that Adranna does she does “because the children need to know what flowers look like.” The people of Shuran haven’t seen flowers for generations. They have lost all contact with nature.

I really enjoyed this novel and one of the best parts was the way in which Legg brought resolution to the story, ending it most satisfactorily. This is a fantasy novel which holds its readers to the very end and does not disappoint in any way. If you like fantasy, why not give this book a try?

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , ,

Picture Perfect by Leslie Ferdinand

August 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PERFECT
Picture Perfect by Leslie Ferdinand
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (292 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Lexis Morgan returned to New Orleans just after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Determined to focus on rebuilding her interior decorating business and saving her home, Alex has no time for relationships. She refuses to fall into the same trap that her mother fell into and become involved with a married man. Then, the soon-to-be-married Elliot Walker storms into her life, tempting her to forget the hard lessons she learned as a child.

Businessman Elliot Walker is the youngest, and only adopted, son of a wealthy and prominent New Orleans family. The Walkers’ natural children are models of society and Elliot will do no less. Once his older brother marries, Elliot knows their mother will push him to marry the woman she believes is perfect for him, a high-powered attorney with a thirst for money, power, and sex. With six months to go before his wedding, Elliot hires Alex to redecorate his home. Suddenly, keeping his mother happy by marrying Rachel, a woman he’s beginning to realize he barely knows, isn’t as important as having Alex in his arms. But Rachel intends to have it all, and she’s willing to murder to get it.

“From where he stood on the twenty-fifth floor of his office building, the early morning and the view itself seemed picture perfect.”

Elliot Walker, CEO and founder of Walker Way, may have felt life was picture perfect, but it was anything but until he walked into Accents and Ambience, a business owned by Alexis Morgan. Elliot is engaged to marry Rachel Evans in six months and he hires Alexis to decorate and furnish his home by the wedding date.

Alexis’s bright personality and even brighter clothes opened Elliot’s eyes to way more than he signed up for. With his wedding date approaching he realizes that he and his fiancé do not really share the qualities and spunk he would like to have in a marriage mate. Elliot wants to call off the wedding, but for status and financial sake the lovely Rachel Evans is not having it. She uses her attorney status and jailbird cousin connection to her advantage. But when her cousin takes a liking to Alexis, Rachel turns into a bridezilla and action must be taken to insure she makes it to the altar.
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This is a lively tale that caught my attention right off. Elliot is from a wealthy family and his mother handpicked Rachel to be her daughter-in-law. It’s no secret that Elliot was adopted, and to him it seems his mother pushes him harder because of that. Elliot has to be a strong, confident man in order to be the CEO and founder of Walker Way, so it puzzles me as to why he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be married and to whom. I can understand Elliot wanting his mother’s approval and love but it seems his mother was into his personal life a little bit more than a mother should be for a grown man.  It seemed that his mother valued their family image more than she valued what her son wanted or needed. Rachel was all wrong for him and considering his family has so much money and a high-rolling status, it’s odd they didn’t think to investigate or look into Rachel’s past or current malicious motives.

I wanted to like Alexis, but as the story went on I was torn as to liking her and not liking her. She knew Elliot was engaged but she seemed to make herself needy in calling him every day. Maybe I just wanted her to let Elliot resolve his issues with Rachel before she jumped into the mix. Especially if she didn’t want to repeat her mother’s history. Elliot would see her one day and then go days without contacting her and then she would see him with his fiancé Rachel. One evening after seeing him with Rachel, she made it her mission to win Elliot.

The author has secondary characters that add more interest to the novel. I can see a drama-full spin off happening to elaborate on the other Walker family members personal lives and I’m sure they have plenty more family secrets to come.

The setting happening right after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina is very touching and an appropriate setting for Alexis’s business of decorating and design. Not to mention including Alexis’ friends, Jade and Ty, celebrationg their restaurant re-opening all tied into the clean up and rebuilding after their return to New Orleans. One note, there is the mention of attempted rape in this book. This might be a turn off for some, but don’t let it deter you from reading this book.

Picture Perfect is a winning novel that delivers an entertaining read of family secrets and drama. A reader will not go wrong with this story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,
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