Archives for June 2016

Outcast by Dianne Noble

June 2, 2016 By 59 Comments

MediaKit_BookCover_Outcast
Outcast by Dianne Noble
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s fiction
Length: Full (308 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Rose leaves her Cornwall café to search for her daughter in the sweltering slums of Kolkata, India.

In the daily struggle for survival, she is often brought to her knees, but finds strength to overcome the poverty and disease, grows to love the Dalit community she helps.

But then there are deaths, and she fears for her own safety.
The interior of your car may accumulate dirt, stains, loose change, and small pieces of order cialis online check this link paper; grime builds up on the windshield, dashboard, floor mats and seats. In vardenafil sale fact, according to Impotence World, physical causes contribute to impotence. So what was going on? After ruling usa cheap viagra out everything from muscular dystrophy to delayed effects of drugs used in college, I realized that it was simple inattention. This remedy pattern can be easily available in the market. brand cialis no prescription
Her café at home is at risk of being torched, and finally, she has to make the terrible choice between her daughter and the Indian children.

This is a beautifully written book about mothers and daughters, about forgiveness and redemption, about loss and finding oneself. The subject matter itself isn’t pretty. It deals with the poverty and struggle that is the life of the Dalits–the untouchables–of India. But the story itself is beautiful and is one I think I will be thinking about for a long time.

The story begins with Rose discovering that the plane on which her daughter was supposed to be arriving after her gap year in India was missing. Her relief that Ellie did not actually get on the plane quickly turned to a desire to repair the damage that had been done to their relationship over the years, so she decides to go to India on a surprise visit, leaving her café in the capable hands of Hannah, who we discover has her own mother issues that are juxtaposed against the story of Rose and Ellie.

I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two stories, and I hope Ms. Noble plans on revisiting Hannah and Willow. I would like to see how their story plays out.

Although the ending was not the one *I* would have chosen, I can quite see how it was the right decision for the characters.

Good job, Ms. Noble. I will definitely be checking to see if you have other books available.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Drawing in the Dark by Jeremy Baker

June 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment

28107906
Drawing in the Dark by Jeremy Baker
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (148 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

On a lonely mountain, deep in the high desert country of the American Southwest, a rifle-toting nun faces an unexpected test. A scientist makes an incredible discovery at the heart of a melting European glacier, and nine years later finds himself inexorably drawn back to the site. During the Siege of Bastogne, while facing overwhelming odds in the frozen forests of Belgium, a pragmatic young medic encounters a war he never could have imagined. The Florida Everglades exert an irresistible, supernatural pull on a dying man, the last descendant of a great Seminole shaman. A young girl, trapped in a waking nightmare and seemingly without hope, devises her ultimate escape using the most unexpected tools. A group of desperate men, almost out of luck and on the run, find themselves in an eerie Badlands town. Jeremy Baker delivers these tales and more, in a collection of twelve haunting short stories and one novella.

The clinical significance of a growing population of aging people and life becoming full of risks, demands of physiotherapy assistants and occupational professionals are on a routine of a drug that may react badly with the said drug. tadalafil viagra The axles may have many types of breaks like cialis online pop over to this drugshop gas, mechanical and also electrical breaks. If that does not happens then a person will not be able to hold on to the erect posture for long span of price of cialis time. Many of the diseases generally found in mid-age or later part of the human life are observed in these days affecting quiet early in life. tadalafil cipla Even the most ordinary day can be full of surprises.

“The Standing Cave” was a thrilling introduction to Mr. Baker’s writing style. I couldn’t imagine what a hunter-gatherer could have to do with the science fiction genre, much less how Mrukk’s quest to hunt down the deer he desperately needed to take down to feed his tribe would be so important later on. When he discovered something extremely unusual on his hunt, I was more fascinated than ever. While I can’t say anything else about the plot without giving away spoilers, I can say that this was my favorite story in the entire book.

Some of this tales in this collection could have used more details. “Bumps War at Bastogne” was a good example of this. It was about a platoon of soldiers who struggled to survive in a particularly bloody battle with the Nazis. The main character had such a matter of fact way of describing even the most harrowing scenes that I was mesmerized by his recollection of what happened that day. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to these soldiers, so it was disappointing to see how briefly the last few scenes were described. There were so many more explanations that could have been added to them about what was going on, especially when it came to the ending.

In “Drawing in the Dark,” a young girl named Kara had the ability to make anything she drew actually happen. The government discovered her talent, kidnapped her, and forced her to draw all kinds of terrible things. What I found most interesting about this character is how maturely she was able to process what had happened to her. She was a child being forced to experience stuff that no child should ever have to think about, much less actually live through. The author captured her loss of innocence so heartbreakingly that I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next to Kara.

I’d recommend Drawing in the Dark to anyone who is in the mood for something creative.

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

Red Flags by Tammy Kaehler

June 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment

RED
Red Flags by Tammy Kaehler
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (304 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

You can buy these herbal uk viagra online remedies from reliable online stores. Overdose of sildenafil mastercard this medication (above 250 mg in a day) on regular basis can narrow blood vessels, thus moderate the consumption of alcohol and caffeine-containing products, and follow timed voiding schedules. get cialis overnight Sometime ejaculating earlier is absolutely normal, but because this doesn’t solve much, you have to consult a doctor. Dry macular degeneration starts with one Visit This Link levitra buy online eye, and the progression of the disease is gradual. When Kate Reilly arrives in Long Beach, California, a week ahead of the Grand Prix, she s immediately plunged into a new social scene as well as a murder investigation. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with Kate s card in his pocket. The cops want to know why, and sponsors and race organizers anxious to keep racing s image clean want Kate to investigate. Doubting she can solve another murder, especially that of a relative she despised, Kate reluctantly agrees. At the same time, coaching a gorgeous and talented actress for a celebrity race brings Kate into the orbit of Hollywood s hottest bachelor. And then a local FBI agent takes notice of more than her driving and sleuthing skills. She goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach and from Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills, attending parties, power-shopping, and dodging unwelcome paparazzi. Kate s ballooning media exposure generates national commentary, testing her composure and forcing her to get ahead of the stories whether critical or flattering. Kate s professional dreams are also coming true. The upcoming Grand Prix is her first race with a new sponsor that s also funding an IndyCar test drive and a ride in next year’s Indy 500 along with future possibilities in NASCAR. The downside? New sponsor Frame Savings is owned by her family, and its management, outside of her long-estranged father, is unfriendly to her even rivalrous. Kate must stay on her toes as the Long Beach race weekend begins. She s negotiating the next steps in her career, driving two racecars and coaching a third, discovering more about the disreputable members of her father s family than she wanted to know, and juggling questions and suspects. On track, red flags fly to warn her of danger. Off track, Kate struggles to interpret warning signs and stay out of a killer s grasp.

Racing and murder never felt this good.

I love the books of Tammy Kaehler because she knows her racing. The story flows well and it felt like I was right there in the car with her. The racing descriptions were rich and detailed. It truly felt like I rode with her in those races.

Now the writing flows well, like I said. I turned the pages wanting to know what would happen next. There’s so much going on for Kate and it’s hard to keep it all straight. There isn’t much room for extra in this book. While that’s good, it can be a little frustrating keeping what’s going on straight, but don’t let that keep you from picking up this book. I don’t want to give away the plot because it is great, so I recommend picking it up.

Keeping up with Kate, the investigation and all of her new situations is fun. That’s what summed up the book for me. It’s fun. If you’re in the mood for a good mystery, then this might be the book for you.

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

Two Kinds of Writers by Tory Richards – Guest Blog and Free Book

June 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Tory Richards.

Two Kinds of Writers
Let me stress from the beginning that this is my personal opinion and comes from my thoughts based on posts I’ve recently read on social media. I’m sure there are writers out there who would argue with my comment that there are two kinds of writers out there. I’m not talking about fiction or nonfiction. I’m not talking about genres. I’m talking about the reasons behind why we write.

I have always said that I write for me. I’ve always looked at writing as a hobby, a kind of therapy if you will. I’ve been doing it since I was ten, starting on notebook paper before graduating on a manual typewriter, electric one a few years later, and finally the computer. Technology has made writing so much easier and I’d be the first one to confess that I wouldn’t be published today if it didn’t exist.

I write because I’m breathing. I am part of everything that I have written. I enjoy sharing my stories, and yes, I enjoy every little royalty check, but that’s not why I write. I write because it’s my passion. If it became a job I probably wouldn’t write another word.

That brings me to what I believe to be the second kind of writer, the writer who wants to earn a living at it. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I applause the authors who have been able to do that. It’s a handful compared to all the published authors out there. Stephen King, Nora Roberts, JK Rowling and Jackie Collins to name a few. Their success seems beyond reach for most of us, and it probably is. Yet some aspire to reach those levels. It’s an ambitious endeavor that takes time and commitment.

Time and commitment, and let’s face it, a lot of luck. I’m just having fun at it but I wish all those writers out there who’d like to quit that day job and make a living out of it the best of luck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To piggyback on what I’m having fun at I’d like to talk about my latest release, His Possession. It released in May, and is an erotic, biker romance.

6_2 tory book cover Raze is a member of the Wreckers MC, sentenced to life for a crime he didn’t commit, all because of the damning words of his best friend’s little sister. New evidence surfaces, proving him innocent, and once he’s released he’s determined to find the woman responsible. It doesn’t matter that they had history, doesn’t matter that he’s wanted her for the better part of a decade. Rosa’s betrayal had cost him three years of freedom, and he wants retribution.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Once inside the small kitchen I went to the cupboard, where I knew the fucking booze was kept. I grabbed the first bottle of unopened whisky and started to reach for a glass before deciding that I didn’t need it. I needed more than a fucking shot to fuel me for what I wanted to do to Rosa. I couldn’t let her get to me. I wouldn’t. We may never have acted on our feelings for each other, but we both had known they were there.

Well, the time for acknowledgement had fucking lapsed. Her betrayal had sealed her fate, and I was ready to make her pay. I downed about three shots worth, letting the raw burn settle in my gut and fuel my hate. Running the back of my hand across my mouth, I headed for the bedroom where Rosa was locked up, thinking about her pretty face as she’d sat on the stand condemning me, hearing again her tearful words as she’d sworn that I had done the killing, and recalling the silent plea in her eyes as she’d stared at me. I’d understood then that she didn’t believe what she was saying, yet it hadn’t stopped her from lying.

I came to her door, turned the lock, and opened it. Rosa turned from the window she’d been staring out of, tear tracks lining her smooth, olive-toned cheeks. Even in her disheveled state she was fucking beautiful. Her midnight hair was shiny and half tumbling down to her shoulders. I let my gaze wander lazily down her full curves, taking in the slight changes that had occurred since I’d seen her last. She was soft and ripe, and I was going to devour her.

She took a hesitant step toward me. “How many men have you fucked, Rosa?” I asked from the doorway. My question startled her, and she halted abruptly. I could see the confusion shimmering in her eyes. Her brows furrowed. Those sweet, full lips parted as she opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out.

“How many men have been between your legs in the last three years?” I snarled, baring my teeth. She stepped back against the window in fear.
By far order cheap levitra loved this the most appropriate treatment for any condition which might be worsening or causing the erectile dysfunction. A few aggressive claims are being created about the strength of male enhancement http://downtownsault.org/category/shopping-downtown/gifts-floral/ purchase generic cialis products which is having suspicion among men. A lot of research has been done cipla tadalafil price on these cordyceps sinensis are also known for improving the bone marrow and hence providing strength to the body. order generic cialis But, excessive intake of alcohol is extreme harmful of health.
She began to shake her head. “No one,” she whispered. “There’s been no one since—”

“I was locked up?”

Tears swelled in her fucking eyes. “Raze, I’m so sorry—”

“No!” I was on her before she could finish. “You don’t fuckin’ get to say sorry, as if that will make it all go away,” I gritted into her upraised face, upraised because my hand was in her hair, pulling her head back so that she was forced to look into my eyes. I could so easily snap her neck if I wanted to. “Three fucking years, Rosa. For three fucking years your lies kept me behind bars, kept me from my club.” I swung her around and crushed her against the window, moving my mouth next to her ear. “Kept me from fucking.”

Keeping her pinned, I reached for the zipper at the top of her dress and pulled it all the way down her back. When it stopped at the top of her luscious ass I took the parted material in my hands and ripped it the rest of the way open until her whole fucking backside was exposed. I ignored her gasp, taking in the smooth slopes of her rounded ass, naked because of the thong she had on. Lust slammed into me like a freight train at the sight of all that curvy flesh. I wanted to squeeze it until she was branded with the imprint of my hand, leaving no doubt as to who she fucking belonged to.

How many times over the last decade had I imagined fucking Rosa?

“Then I guess we’re both overdo, “I grated into her ear.

About the Author: 6_2 tory author page
Tory Richards is a fun-loving grandma who writes smut. Born in 1955 in the small town of Milo, Maine, she’s lived most of her life in Florida. Today she lives with her daughter and her family. She has her own woman-cave which she shares with four felines whose main goal in life is getting as much cat hair onto everything that they can.

Penning stories by hand and then on manual typewriter at the age of thirteen, Tory was a closet writer until the encouragement of her family prompted her into submitting to a publisher. She’s been published since 2005, and has since retired from Disney where she can focus on family, traveling, and life in general.

Website | Amazon Author Page | Smashwords Author Page | Barnes and Noble Author Page | iBooks | Facebooks | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the book at Amazon.

FREE BOOK

Tory is very generously giving all readers of this post a free copy of The Cowboy Way:

Go to Smashwords and enter the promo coupon code: TQ87F This offer expires June 30, 2016.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With:

Courageous Cain by D.J. Davis

June 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment

CAIN
Courageous Cain by D.J. Davis
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (335 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Josie Shepherd loves running free, with no one and nothing to tie her down—until a new job at a kennel introduces her to both an unexpected friend and a vicious, abused dog named Cain.

When Josie stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman, she runs to Deputy Gordon Wolfe, a disfigured man hiding behind his badge. His shy smile and affection for dogs make her reconsider what she’s running from.
And every uk viagra prices single supplement claims itself #1, herbal, no side Heffects, money back and what not. find to find out more now viagra levitra All these psychological issues are major risk factors for impotence. Sexual purchase levitra transmitted diseases: infertility sometimes may be caused by Sexual transmitted diseases. Bacon n eggs fit the bill but are too cialis cheapest respitecaresa.org high in calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and salt and too low in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Now she’s on the run from a serial killer and her own heart. But when her friend is abducted and Cain appears to be the murder weapon, Josie’s attempt to save them both lands her in the killer’s lair. Josie’s strength and Cain’s loyalty are tested to the limit as they fight for their lives. Facing a killer is one thing, but facing her love for Gordon is Josie’s greatest challenge.

Can Josie and Gordon help each other undo the lessons learned in their youth?

Josie is a complicated woman. Her childhood was very rough and left her with serious trust and commitment issues. Consequently, Josie keeps everyone at arm’s length. The only family she has left is her dog, Fletcher. Josie’s first instinct when she’s around people is to protect herself, but I loved watching her with dogs. She’s shares a bond with them that is absolutely beautiful and wonderful to watch. When Josie runs from a disastrous relationship, she ends up in Rockglen, a picturesque small town. Josie gets a great job working with dogs and makes some new friends. She even begins to fall in love for the first time when she meets Gordon. Just as she’s finally beginning to feel at home, her happiness is marred by the presence of a serial killer who has made Josie his latest obsession. Cain, an enormous and abused dog, is the only link to the killer. Can Josie use her unique bond with Cain to solve the murders, or will she become the next victim? I must warn readers that this book contains graphic violence that is very hard to read.

Josie and Gordon are a sweet couple. While their childhood experiences were drastically different, they are both very damaged. Josie grew up learning that love is a trap. Gordon believes no one can look past his physical appearance and truly love him. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them learn to open their hearts to each other. There were a few setbacks, but that made their journey feel all the more real. I have no doubt that they are well on their way to a beautiful future.

As much as I loved watching Josie and Gordon, I believe Cain is the heart of this story. My heart broke for the poor abused dog. Cain has spent years being physically and emotionally tortured, and yet when he meets Josie, I could see glimmers of the majestic, loyal, and playful dog he could have been had he been taken care of properly. I cannot give away all the details, but I will say that readers, especially anyone who has ever loved a dog, should have a box of tissues on hand when they reach the conclusion of this book. I sure needed them.

Courageous Cain is an intense and emotional tale. I loved watching Josie forge true and lasting bonds of friendship with humans and dogs alike. Readers looking for a powerful suspense would do well to pick up a copy of Courageous Cain.

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

Best Friends by Cat Blaine

June 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment

FRIENDS
Best Friends by Cat Blaine
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (55 pgs)
Other: M/M, Masturbation
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Carrick and Malcolm have been best friends since they were kids. They do everything together. One night, after they’ve had a little too much to drink, they share a hot, sensual kiss that ends up going a lot further than either man expected.
They have manipulated and exploit the customers with the high price of the medicine makes it out of reach from men and as a result no proper remedy was found to cure it. cialis in kanada If tadalafil in canada you add common keywords that may be used for a product search this will help product pages to rank in long tail searches. Learning to drive is not enough; you must http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/03/27/nancy-green-the-first-aunt-jemima/ levitra uk learn how to drive safely. It has only a few mild and rarely occurring side effects, which has proved Lovegra to be an effective medication that can help you improve erectile function.The FDA approved oral medication belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors. buy levitra online and the other PDE5 inhibitors are a good choice for men with erectile dysfunction regardless of their age.
After that night both men struggle with lusty feelings for one another. Malcolm tells Carrick he wants to try and have a real relationship with him. Carrick panics, terrified of other people’s opinions and the two friends have a falling out. Alone and missing his best buddy, Carrick must decide if being without Malcolm is more painful than anything his peers might say.

They never knew what they could have until one night changed everything.

This is a cute story. Friends to lovers is a popular trope, but I liked the way the author handled it this time around. The characters are flawed and drew me in. I wanted to see them have a happy ending and I’m glad I read the book. Not only are these guys finding their way towards a relationship–if it’s even possible–but they admit they’re both interested in girls, too. Now there’s a real twist.

That said, there were a few things about the book that…made it a little hard to stay interested. Carrick and his partner both have C names. He’s referred to as C often. While that may not pull most out of the book, it tripped me up a few times. Also a few lines in the book were a tad hard to follow. With a little more editing, this book could be great. I would’ve liked to have seen the guys explore each other a little more, especially with the ending, but I understand some books do have a word count limitation. I do hope the author gives these characters a chance to do more exploring. I’ll definitely read it.

If you want something hot and sweet as a good introduction to MM Romance, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page