Archives for July 2016

Where Do Ideas Come From? by Sharolyn G. Brown -Gift Blog and Giveaway

NBTM_TheHeavinessOfKnowing_Banner copy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sharolyn G. Brown will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Where do ideas come from?
Where do ideas come from? In trying to formulate an answer to this question, I had a hard time. Not because coming up with ideas to write about is hard for me. On the contrary, it’s quite easy. But answering the question of where my ideas come from is like trying to answer the questions “how do you breath?” or “how do you blink?”

I’m not a scientist. So my answer to those question would be something along the lines of “Well I just suck air in through either my nose or my mouth and blow it out.” Or “I just briefly close my eyes for a micro second and then open them.” And when it comes to ideas, it happens just as automatically for me. But, that’s not the answer anyone reading this is looking for. So I thought about it some more. And I realized that, when coming up with story ideas, what my brain does automatically is it looks at an everyday situation and asks the question, “what if…?”

For me, the “what if” is colored by my genres of choice, science fiction or fantasy. But once I have that “what if” scenario in mind, I then need to see the character or characters dealing with this scenario to make the idea one I keep. For example, the ideas for my novel, The Heaviness of Knowing, came from a conversation I had with a friend. During it, I was discussing a particularly odd dream that I’d had the night before. She responded by saying it was amazing that I could recall my dream in such detail because she never dreamed.

Now, I don’t think she never dreams. It’s more likely that she just doesn’t remember them. But regardless, her comment started me to thinking. Why would one person be able to have total recall of his or her dreams and another person not? As I thought about what this situation could be used for I was suddenly struck with the idea: Maybe there are entities that could use our dreams to their advantage.

Then, I saw Lauren and Roxal. Lauren was the unsuspecting Earth woman who Roxal, the alien, was controlling through Lauren’s dreams. Further, Roxal was being controlled by false gods on her planet. And…. The story just continued from there until eventually, I was able to write it down in what is now The Heaviness of Knowing.

So, for me, ideas come from a combination of a science fiction or fantasy centered “what if” scenario, and the character or characters affected by this scenario. And once I have the character or characters in mind, it’s simply my job to get their stories into a novel.

MediaKit_BookCover_TheHeavinessOfKnowingRoxal has spent her life using her Dream Traveler ability in service to Trebor’s gods, The Keepers. Even after she learns they aren’t all powerful like she was taught, she dutifully continues to manipulate an Earth woman named Lauren to do their bidding. Roxal’s content pretending to be a loyal follower, until her mate’s activities with a rebel faction put both of their lives in jeopardy.

Meanwhile on Earth, Lauren is struggling to find balance at work and at home. To make matters worse, she develops an acute case of insomnia which disrupts her life. While trying to cure her condition, Lauren discovers that not only do aliens exist, but that she’s been in contact with one for most of her life. And that’s just for starters.

Now Lauren’s world is turned upside down. And Roxal has to figure out if she can harness the survival instincts which before told her to hide and use it to now fight for her survival.

Enjoy an Excerpt: In the dark, with their sleeping unit’s covering pulled up to their necks, Roxal placed her hands against Edo’s naked stomach and used them to communicate.

What has happened? Roxal asked in the hand signal language Edo had taught her. Why are the Reps looking for traitors now?

I am not sure, exactly. I thought it too dangerous to meet with my Resistor contacts after the assembly. But… he paused during his response.

But what? she prodded.

Roxal, you have always asked that I not give you details because you did not want to get involved. The questions you are asking will get you involved.

This time Roxal paused before answering Edo because he was right. Even after her moment of defiance and after learning their gods were fake, and that her mission with Lauren was a lie, and that she was actually a slave, Roxal had asked him to not give her any details on the activities of the Resistors. She had thought that by not knowing any of the details about the Resistors, she could keep herself safe by denying membership. However, today had shown her otherwise. The sight of the Helper pleading for her life while declaring her innocence had shown Roxal that there was no such thing as being safe.

She finally admitted to herself, that as a slave to The Keepers and the Reps, her life was forfeit from the moment she was created. Appeasing her gods and the Reps could keep her alive. But if they ever decided that she should die, she now knew there was nothing she could say or do to stop it.

About the Author: MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_TheHeavinessOfKnowingSharolyn G. Brown is a lifelong science fiction and fantasy fan who decided the best way to deal with all of the characters in her head was to give them stories and put them in a book. She lives with her husband in Houston, Texas where she divides her time between working, writing, and spending time with him.

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Buy the book at Amazon.

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Devil and the Deep by Julie Ann Walker

DEEP
Devil and the Deep by Julie Ann Walker
A Deep Six Novel
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (387 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events are Maddy Powers’ way of life. But the daring man who appropriated her father’s yacht a couple of months ago is still out there, somewhere, and she wants to pay him back for the scorching kiss they shared.

Behind his suave smile and ladykiller eyes, Bran Palladino carries a dark secret that keeps him from pursuing Maddy… even though he can’t get her out of his head. But when Maddy is kidnapped as part of a grand scheme, it’s time to put up or shut up… because Bran can’t live without Maddy now.

Some buy viagra without Little & Unknown Underlying Causes Of ED Not Getting Enough D Dr. The cialis cheap prices herbal erectile dysfunction treatment is now available. Well, maybe not that many, but it sure seems close to that cialis sale in australia figure. These results affect viagra 25 mg greatly male friends normal and happy life. Julie Ann Walker and her SEALs serve up spicy fare flavored with spark-flying sex and gunfire danger. The humor, euphemisms, dark secrets, and most of all the love that refuses to be denied make Devil and the Deep an exciting, spellbinding story.

Bran Pallidino, while no longer in the military, is still a SEAL from the core out when danger threatens. The “monster” inside him roars to life, eclipsing all his charm, wit, and swagger. Because he fears the “monster” inside himself, he states firmly he does NOT do relationships.

Madison (Maddy) Powers, the little Texas-tornado-of-a-blond, whom Bran rescued earlier from terrorist on her father’s yacht, is ever on his mind. The one kiss they shared left him reeling. Their emailing and talking on the phone afterward, as Bran helps her through the PTSD she suffers, keeps his libido in an uproar.

Maddy sets her mind to see him again. With four older brothers, she is no shrinking violet when it comes to dealing with macho men. She gives tit-for-tat. Fun, a touch raunchy, and always shimmering with love, Maddy and Bran’s journey into total commitment makes heart-melting reading.

Then there’s “motor-mouth” Alexandra (Alex) Merriweather, red-hair, green eyes, and smart. She spends considerable time harassing the big, tough SEALs she works with and has the courage to tell Bran that “..it’s the love we withhold we regret the most.” However, she particularly likes to bedevil the taciturn Mason McCarthy. He claims she drives him crazy, but he’s aware of where she is always.

The heart-in-throat battles to keep Maddy from being kidnapped and held for ransom are don’t-stop, read-faster action-packed scenes that rev up all the senses and bring tears at times.

Devil and the Deep has its share of vulgar language and some very adult scenes, but it entertains from start to finish.

My goodness, I wanted to tell the Deep Six Salvage Company crew where to look for the treasure from the Santa Christiana. From the foreshadowing in the Prologue and the Epilogue, I just know they’re looking in the wrong place. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series to see if I’m right.

Confessions Of A Frisky Fashion Writer by The Vixen

FRISKY
Confessions Of A Frisky Fashion Writer by The Vixen
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (119 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A girls’ night out during New York Fashion Week takes an unexpected turn when a dashing gentleman enters the scene.

Every girl dreams of being in fashion, and Virginia George is no different. As the twenty-six-year-old professional works her way up through the ranks of the industry to become a fashion writer, she realizes there’s a lot more to this world than just beautiful clothes. When she’s not writing about glossy designer names, she is the voice behind the provocative sex blog, Sex with Cocktails, under the alias V.

During a chic Fashion Week party, she meets the dapper Jonathan Carter, the owner of a well-known menswear store and a fashion celebrity. Then, just when she thinks life can’t throw anything else her way, an interesting job opportunity comes up as a full-time staff writer at the prestigious Haute magazine.
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As Virginia sees the possibility for a promising career in fashion, she also begins to consider the probability of interesting developments for her and the dashing Mr. Carter.

It’s Fashion Week and so Virginia has a full-on schedule full of runway shows, presentations and more media events than she could believe possible. After a year of being chaste, Virginia decides – with some strong insistence from her friends – to finally get out there in the world of men, dating and sex once more. Can this frisky fashion writer find herself again?

Like other “Confessions” style stories, this is told in the first person, written almost as if Virginia is cosied up next to you on the couch, glass of bubbly in one hand as she talks and shares her thoughts, feelings and secrets with you. I found this to be a lovely style to read, first-person narration doesn’t bother me, but I can easily understand how as a story-telling method can grate after a while. I found myself really wondering what some of the other characters were thinking and feeling. How they might be reacting to various things that happened to and around Virginia.

I also felt – especially at the start of the story – Virginia was telling me a lot of stuff as a reader, as opposed to having the author show me through actions, discussions and other methods. In places it really felt to me like a massive info-dump. Normally this really annoys me and drags me out of the story. I found here though that to a point I could accept it – having Virginia “talk” to me as the reader in the first person meant I found I had a bit of patience for the info-dumping. I could well believe this might annoy some other readers though.

I really enjoyed Virginia’s friends. I found them to be strong characters, full of life and vibrant. I also really enjoyed Jonathan Carter, the handsome stranger to whom Virginia found herself pulled to. Virginia and Jonathan played a very interesting game of cat and mouse between them. I found the pace a little off-beat – it was far too slow to my mind for a modern erotic romance, but was clearly a steamy, sensual and interesting dance that played out between them. Readers looking for a quick, physical romance might find themselves disappointed.

Despite being frustrated, I could genuinely appreciate the slower burn the author worked between Virginia and Jonathan. They verbally parried and the chemistry between them really sizzled. There were a number of steamy kisses and oodles of chemistry. Oddly though, for an erotic romance, there wasn’t a single sex scene in the whole book, and when I’d finished this lack of erotic intimacy really surprised me. There was plenty of sexy talk, plenty of chemistry and kisses and angling toward the bedroom, but no actual culmination. Again, for an erotic romance this might frustrate some readers who find it all tease and no follow through. I loved the chemistry between Virginia and Jonathan. I enjoyed their interactions and sparring and am hoping there might be a sequel in the works continuing their romance and relationship.

I found this to be a different and interesting story. There are plenty of deep, complex and vibrant characters and enough alcohol and parties to satisfy any fashionista. A good story with sizzle and romance. Readers who enjoy the “confessions” style of stories – or who like Sex And The City will probably find this a good book to pick up.

Illusions of Death by Lauren Linwood

DEATH
Illusions of Death by Lauren Linwood
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (193 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Best-selling author Karlyn Campbell is ready for a new start after her recent divorce from a temperamental artist. When she receives word that her father had a stroke, she heads for Walton Springs with mixed feelings. Broderick Campbell wrote Pulitzer Prize-winning literary novels and denounced his daughter’s work as pedestrian and commercial, causing a rift that finally heals on his deathbed. Karlyn chooses to stay in the small Georgia town to write her popular Matt Collins series and decides to try her hand at true crime when Atlanta’s Rainbow Killer, Roy G. Biv, captures her interest.

Detective Logan Warner’s marriage didn’t survive after he lost his twins to a crazed killer who was never caught. He returns to his hometown’s police force and runs for police chief, happy he’s escaped big city crime and corruption. Emotionally dead, his interest in life is renewed when he falls in love with Karlyn and begins to build a new life with her.

In the erectile condition, http://cute-n-tiny.com/tag/alaskan-malamute/ tadalafil india price lots of blood is entering in to the veins and arteries of the penis and an erection is the outcome. An open conversation where you seek to have medical purchase levitra no prescription intervention for a specific purpose. Combined with the clinical history, this cialis generic india approach should result in better diagnosis and treatment, more specific and more accurate. These devices http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/baby-platypus/ viagra uk purchase work on the principle of traction. But the Rainbow Killer moves beyond Atlanta, leaving a trail of dead bodies painted in bright hues in several towns north of the city. Leaving no trace evidence or DNA and choosing random victims with no apparent rhyme or reason, Roy proves unstoppable. Then he arrives in Walton Springs, threatening the peaceful town with his murder spree. With a serial killer in their back yard, Logan and Karlyn unite with the FBI to find the killer—before he finds them.

A serial killer with an appetite for blood and death.

Atlanta’s Rainbow Killer has been killing people of all demographic; careers, ages, sexes and so on.

When author Karlyn Campbell gets a call notifying her of her father’s death, she goes back to her small town. She never expected to find the love of her life in a small town. Neither, did she think that she would begin to finally understand why her father was the way he was.

Karlyn starts a new life in Walton Springs but a serial killer threatens not only her life but also her relationship with her new love.

Detective Logan Warner’s failed marriage and the death of his children wounded him in such a way that he never thought he would be able to truly live his life again, until he met the Karlyn. However, when the serial killer comes into town, he fears he may just lose his second chance for love and life.

The author gave away just enough to keep me on the edge of my chair. The feel of small town life was truly captured in Walton Springs. The friendship and the community aspect that is part of small towns was also perfectly captured. I loved how the book was written. It was interesting and gave a great insight into the mind of a serial killer. With the suspense and mystery and the romantic element added into it, Illusions of Death was a perfect novel.

Triple the Fun by Maureen Child

TRIPLE
Triple the Fun by Maureen Child
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (140 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He’s a captain of industry, a brooding billionaire and—a daddy? When Connor King learns he has fathered triplets, he feels double-crossed. Now nothing will stand in the way of claiming his heirs, not even their alluring legal guardian, Dina Cortez.

With the babies’ mother gone, Dina has vowed to protect Sage, Sam and Sadie. But who will protect Dina from her feelings for the dark and defiant Mr. King? Because once she and the children are moved into Connor’s California seaside mansion, his stately bed is just a heartbeat away…

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Connor goes from busy exec, wheeling and dealing, to busy chasing toddlers who hate baths, eat sand and cuddle into his neck when they get a boo-boo. It was delightful watching this man who commands millions of dollars turn into a bemused but determined daddy. I also liked seeing him struggle to resist the feelings the heroine, Dina, inspired in him. Of course he can handle the lust aspect; viral men have that ability in spades. It’s that other niggling feeling that he tries to discount every which way he can. It was sigh-worthy when he finally faced the truth.

Dina is determined to keep her charges; she’s their guardian after all. But she truly loves them and will do anything to see to their care, safety, and insure their feelings of security and of being loved. She’s strong-willed, earnest, hardworking and a nice person. I like how she stands up to Connor even when he represents ‘easy street’. And, like all fun romance stories, of course the hero finds a way to make Dina’s difficult situation work for him and it backfires. Or does it?

My favorite secondary character is Dina’s grandmother. Her gentle wisdom, kindness and love radiate off of the pages like a warm hug. Her contributions to the story are critical and wonderful.

Of course, a spicy romance couldn’t have the heat without effective physical passion between Connor and Dina and Ms. Child delivers well-written scenes for readers to enjoy.

Triple the Fun delivers an entertaining escapist story filled with romance, humor and three adorable babies whose antics inspire many smiles through the book. Dina and Connor are great together and their ardor is palpable. Sure, Connor bungles in a big way; the conflict comes from the blending of two unlikely personalities into a family so when they can no longer resist, the happy ever after is worth every smooshed banana and sloppy kiss. Triple the Fun is an easy recommend.

The Kura by Mary Patterson Thornburg

KIRA
The Kura by Mary Patterson Thornburg
Publisher: Uncial Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (393 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Alyssha promised her father she wouldn’t return to Bandor, and for six years she has kept that promise. But the hit-and-run victim she found dying on a Granville street was a man she met in that other world, and his family won’t know what happened to him unless she goes back to tell them. She really has no choice, has she?

And the other dead man, the body lying in a willow grove near the road to Bandor Gan… Finding him there was just a terrible coincidence, wasn’t it?

Alyssha fervently hopes so. Yes, six years ago Bandor had troubles – cruel and repressive laws, workers exploited in the city’s woolen mills and the northern mines. Growing pains of the budding industrial revolution. Some people were angry, ready to fight. But these problems seem smaller and easier to solve, somehow, than the problems she’s left behind. Bandor is cleaner, kinder, more peaceful, more right, than the frantic world she inherited in 21st Century America.
Anyway, the problems aren’t hers to solve. There’s so much country here that these troubles don’t touch. She’ll go to the nomadic village where her friends are, where she was happy all those years ago. She’ll study with the old kura, learning to be a teacher, a healer. Her life will mean more, here among these cheerful, pleasant people, than it would mean in Granville. She’ll find her home here, and she’ll be content.
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And, as in a fairy tale, there’ll be a happy ending. She and Kardl loved each other back then, when they were children. Now they’re grown up, and the daydreams that sustained her in Granville will come true at last. Kardl will be here, waiting for her, as she’s waited all these years for him…

Won’t he?

Can the reality of Bandor ever live up to Alyssha’s dreams?

Alyssha’s life has been on hold ever since her visit to Bandor. Even though she was only twelve when she went through the door to Bandor, she knew in her heart that the other universe was her home. Only a promise to her father has kept her from crossing over again. I must admit that I have mixed feelings about Alyssha’s situation. On one hand, I admire her patience and determination. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel that Alyssha has missed out on so much. By living in her dreams, she essentially withdrew from the real world. However, Alyssha seems to be okay with this, and despite her lack of close relationships, she is a sweet young woman, and I looked forward to getting to know her as I read.

Ms. Thornburg did an excellent job of creating an alternate universe. I found the similarities and differences between the two universes interesting. However, I must let readers know that this is not a book to race through. In order to truly appreciate this book, readers need to take their time and really soak up the atmosphere of the world that Ms. Thornburg has created. That being said, I did find the sections detailing the political situation and the various clans and factions a little slow. While it definitely provided useful information key to understanding the world Alyssha was living in, it was a bit hard to get into those sections.

Once in Bandor, Alyssha finds herself in a strange love triangle. Kardl has changed quite a bit since she last saw him, and Alyssha isn’t sure if anything remains of the boy she fell in love with. Another man has also attracted her attention. I must say that Alyssha’s romantic dilemmas are resolved in unexpected ways, and I enjoyed watching Alyssha mature and learn to live and love in the real Bandor, and not just the one in her fantasies.

I must say that I loved the ending of this tale. I can’t say much without spoiling it, but I will say that someone very important to Alyssha makes a decision that I never foresaw and yet it made complete sense. It definitely left me with a smile on my face.

The Kura is certainly an enjoyable tale. Readers looking to lose themselves in a tale of love and friendship should definitely give The Kura a try.

False Start by Alison Hendricks

START
False Start by Alison Hendricks
Eastshore Tigers Book 2
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (203 pages)
Other: M/M, anal play/intercourse
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

The heat between them is impossible to ignore. But can they ever be anything but rivals?

Dante Mills has one more year to prove he can hack it in the NFL. If he can’t score attention from the scouts this season, he’ll never be able to give his hard-working mom the life she deserves. The last thing he needs is more competition, but that’s exactly what he gets when blond-haired, blue-eyed behemoth Mitchell Erickson walks into the locker room.

Mitchell Erickson has one year to prove he belongs on a football field. He’s spent his whole life struggling to find acceptance in his family, and now his father’s finally giving him the chance to follow his passion… for one season. If he doesn’t bring the Tigers to victory, it’s back to upholding the Erickson legacy in a suit and tie. But how can he possibly succeed when someone as talented as Dante stands between him and a starting position?

As if the tension between them wasn’t high enough, Mitch is insanely attracted to the very straight linebacker. As the season ramps up and both men fight for their place on the team, a heated locker room encounter leaves Dante questioning everything he thought he knew about himself.
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When Dante and Mitch work together, they’re unstoppable. But can two men destined to be rivals ever be anything more?

Their chemistry on the field is a force to be reckoned with, what they have off the field is down right nuclear! It’ll take some eye-opening revelations to show these men that they work best as a team in all situations.

The whole “rich boy, poor boy…we come from different worlds” trope isn’t new but I really enjoyed the way Ms. Hendricks played it out in the second installment of the Eastshore Tigers series.

Dante and Mitch are alike and different in so many ways. The fact that Dante has to come to terms with his sexuality is the first major obstacle. Ms. Hendricks skillfully ties in the first book of the series with his discovery without making it necessary to have actually read Jason and Derek’s story.

It wasn’t hard to figure out early on that their backgrounds would also be a hurdle in their tumultuous relationship. Mitch was trying to step away from who his family wanted him to be but he was still influenced by the way he was raised. He makes more than one snap decision that, though they always came from his heart, results in escalating conflict with Dante. And Dante, for his part, has a bit of chip on his shoulder but I could actually understand his reasoning even if I really wanted him to not be so prideful. But that’s who he was, it was who he felt he had to be for his mom.

I really liked both Dante and Mitch. I like them separately and very much enjoyed seeing them work through their issues so they could be together. I haven’t read the first book in this series but I didn’t have to to understand that they were especially fortunate to have the backing of their teammates when they went public with their relationship. The scene in the gym between Dante, Anderson and Trent was perfect. No doubt these guys were going to have plenty of opposition to their relationship so seeing the support of their team mates was good.

False Start is a very appropriate title for Dante and Mitch’s story. As with a false start in football, there were penalties (repercussions) for when one or the other made a decision based on an assumption. But a brief set back didn’t have to mean the game in regards to their future together. There are lots of other analogies with football terms that I could use here but the bottom line is they didn’t give up, even when that would have been easy, even when stepping back was hard but necessary.

This story flows very well. Each chapter is headed with either Mitch or Dante’s name telling the reader who’s POV they’ll be seeing the story from at that point. First person POV isn’t my favorite but the chapter headings helped and the story itself was so captivating I wanted to see how they would work it all out.

This novel would be considered and “interracial romance” but the color of Dante’s skin is never made into plot point. The story has a comfortably realistic feel to it, except for the part about a small university team beating Alabama, which is pure fantasy, but I still very much enjoyed the story as a whole. I’d like to go back and read book one to see how this team first came together for Jason and Derek and I’ll be watching for the next installments as well. Easy recommend!

Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney – Spotlight and Giveaway

BBT_OnceASoldier_Banner copy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a print copy of Once a Soldier (US/Canada only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

MediaKit_BookCover_OnceASoldierROGUES REDEEMED

As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel’s enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they’d dared imagine…

Enjoy an Excerpt:

She stared at him. “You’re a most unusual man, Major Masterson.”

“I’ve been told that before,” he said sadly. “It’s never a compliment.”

She had to smile. “Now I know you’re teasing.”

“Possibly,” he agreed; his expression sober, but his eyes amused. “If I’m forgiven for the kiss, will you call me Will again? I prefer to be on first name terms with you.”

“Very well, Will.” She preferred that as well. “For whatever time you’re here, we can be friends. After you leave . . .” She shrugged. “In my experience, men are not such good letter writers as women, and it’s a long way from San Gabriel to Oxfordshire.”

“I’m a rather decent letter writer, actually.” His gaze intensified. “Friends. And who knows? Perhaps we can become more than friends.”

She felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her. He could not possibly mean what he seemed to be implying. Returning to irony, she said, “What are the relationship possibilities?” She held up her left hand and ticked off one finger. “Friendship is the broadest category and can range from mild acquaintance to deep, enduring loyalty. I think we are already mild friends?”

“If we weren’t more than mild friends already, we wouldn’t be having this extremely interesting discussion,” he agreed.

She ticked off another finger. “We could become enemies.”

“I will not allow that,” he said firmly. “I have had enough of enemies.”

“One does not always have a choice.” She tapped her middle finger. “The opposite of love or hate, which is indifference.”

“It is much too late for indifference,” Will said seriously. “I believe I mentioned my immediate interest in kissing you.”

“Do you always want to kiss women who aim rifles at you?” she asked curiously.

“No, you’re the only one,” he said. “Though if the truth be known, women seldom greet me with weaponry.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She studied her hand. “Two fingers left for listing relationships, and those remaining are deeply implausible.”

“But these are the most interesting possibilities!” he exclaimed.

“‘Interesting’ doesn’t mean good.” She ticked her ring finger. “We could have an affair. That will not happen for any number of reasons, most of which you can imagine.”

“Which leaves another possibility,” he said, his voice soft.

She closed her hand into a fist. “You can’t possibly be interested in marriage! You scarcely know me.”

“That’s true, as is the reverse. If we get to know each other better, one or both of us might decide we’d never suit.”

About the Author:MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_OnceASoldierMary Jo Putney is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has written over 60 novels and novellas. A ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won the honor twice and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. In 2013 she was awarded the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Though most of her books have been historical romance, she has also published contemporary romances, historical fantasy, and young adult paranormal historicals. She lives in Maryland with her nearest and dearest, both two and four footed. Visit her at maryjoputney.com.

Buy the book at Kensington Books.

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The Assassin’s Kiss by J.A. Kazimer

KISS
The Assassin’s Kiss by J.A. Kazimer
Publisher: Camel Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (260 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Julia abandoned Nate Taylor on their wedding night after finding him in the arms of her stepsister, Sara. Now she is set to marry again, this time to a man who shares her upper-crust background. But Nate won’t sign the annulment papers.

Ready to resort to murder if necessary, Julia storms Nate’s houseboat in the Florida Everglades, just in time to survive an attack by a group of assassins Nate believes are targeting her. He should know; he’s an assassin himself–a little detail he never shared with his ex. Nate works for a secret government agency known as OPS. With the help of his fellow assassins, Nate tries to identify the attackers and the reason for their deadly quest.
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Meanwhile, the reluctant travel companions flee north to Nate’s eccentric hometown of Gibsonton, and later to a comfy cabin in the woods. Julia becomes better acquainted with her mysterious ex, the true man behind the gun.

Seeing this new side of Nate, will Julia continue to resist the powerful chemistry between them? Will they solve the mystery before one of them is killed trying?

Nate Taylor and Julia have some seriously complicated history together. Both of them have been hurt by the other – Julia by Nate’s lies and Nate with the way Julia could just up and leave their marriage in the middle of the night without a backward glance. But now Julia is moving on. She has a proper, decent new fiancé and a wedding – a real wedding – just around the corner. Only she’s discovered Nate never signed their annulment papers, and now she is forced to deal with him and their broken vows.

This is a really interesting book. I liked how for a refreshing change both Nate and Julia have been seriously hurt by each other – there’s not just one wounded party here. They each need not only to forgive each other, but also admit to their own faults. I found in regards to the romance side of the plot, this made for quite a complicated story. There’s no real “bad” person in their relationship – they’re both equally to blame for different reasons. There’s a mountain of secrets, unresolved feelings and conversations that should have been done long ago. All of this is like a huge weight between the two of them. And this, along with a complicated, interesting assassination plot is what is explored through most of the story. I don’t feel readers looking for a solid, already-together couple, strong in their romance and facing their issues together will enjoy this. For the majority of the story – even though Julia and Nate have sex a number of times – there’s so many secrets, omissions and unspoken feelings looming between them they can’t trust each other and continually expect to be let down by one another.

While really interesting and deeply emotional, I found personally it was all tinged with sadness. I can fully appreciate how far both Julia and Nate need to come to reconcile, but I didn’t find it romantic or sexy how Julia just always expected Nate to lie or let her down. How when Nate wasn’t walking away “to keep Julia safe” he was expecting her to leave him. It lessened the impact of their growing relationship and any romance the story held for me. There were good reasons for everything that occurred, the author did an amazing job of explaining all the misunderstandings, and a few of the plot twists revolving around Julia and Nate’s job were really fantastic. But personally, when I read a romance story I want the emotional connections to be steeped in romance. In any good romance one would always expect conflict and problems – and had Julia and Nate started to trust each other when they escaped the first assassination attempt, had they made significant progress toward mending their relationship bridges and had there been more hope than distrust I’d have loved this book a hundred times more.

Having said all this – readers who prefer an edgier style of romance story, readers who like proper conflict, deep-seated issues of distrust and a long, hard road to relationship recovery should find this an amazing story. Both the hero and heroine really have to work HARD for their Happily Ever After – and readers who crave these stories should find this a wonderful read, good and long with plenty of plot twists to sink your teeth into. I personally found no fault at all with the plot/action side of this story. Complicated, twisted and with plenty of surprises I loved the clear thought, planning and depth the author put to this story. There is much to really enjoy and commend to this story and one I can happily recommend to certain readers.

Fighting Mad by Kathy Bryson

MAD
Fighting Mad by Kathy Bryson
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (291 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Laid off from her job at the bank, Carla turns to her friends for support only to find they’re more concerned about their jobs. The one person she can count on is local bartender Murphy, but what kind of example is that to set for her daughters? Having learned the hard way, Carla’s not depending on any man, even if he is cute, charming, very kind, and some kind of leprechaun?

Murphy is used to sneers. Clurichauns are the redheaded stepchildren of the leprechaun world and then there are the late-night throw-downs at his bar. What he wants, however, is to protect the dainty little mom who ogles him when she thinks no one’s looking. He knows she’s fighting overwhelming odds, but she’ll need more than bravery when the conflict between the King and Queen of the Fairies becomes outright civil war!

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The background of the book appears to be based on Shakespeare’s plays, in particular Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the author has woven this delicately into a modern setting. Leprechaun’s, clurichauns, fairies and many other beings from the Fey world populate the town of Fayettville, but Carla is oblivious to them all.

At times I wondered how Carla could not realize she was living in a fairy tale, not a pleasant one admittedly, but nonetheless a world of mythical beings. Even her daughters knew Murphy, the bar owner who Carla had an infatuation for, was not of this world.

I could sympathize with her when her world seemed to be going right, only to take a turn for the worse. The number of times this happened seemed to cast doom over her life, but she carried on trying.

Things come to a head when the Fey decide to go to battle on Earth, rather than their own domain. I did wonder if Carla would sit back and let things happen without any protest, especially as Murphy seemed determined to protect her no matter what. A satisfactory but unexpected ending ties up the story nicely.

I believe this is part of a series, but this book has a strong storyline is definitely a stand alone novel.