Search Results for: spirited

Spirited Quest by Julie Howard


Spirited Quest by Julie Howard
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (127 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Paige Norman believes in a tangible, explainable world. When her ghost-hunting niece comes for a visit, she tries not to scoff. But someone, or something, is stirring up trouble at the Deerbourne Inn and her niece, Jillian, is at the center of the mystery.
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Paige is certain the handsome Aussie photographer is behind the unexplained disturbances, and she warns her niece to stay clear. Meanwhile, Jillian gets to know the otherworldly Lady of the Deerbourne, who foretells an encounter with “two men.” Then the pranks turn dangerous. Has her niece attracted a stalker or has she conjured an evil presence? Can the culprit be the man who has captured her heart?

Do you believe in spirits? How about ghosts? I’ve never thought too hard about it but one thing I know is they don’t leave things on your pillow or steal things from your room. Nonetheless, Jillian is sure that is the only type of visitor she has at the Deerbourne Inn.

This is a cute sort of cozy about a niece, Jillian, visiting her aunt in a small New England town. While that might sound “normal”, the fact that the Jillian has a blog dealing with spirits and ghosts and has thousands of followers world-wide makes this a little different than your everyday story. Jillian has come to visit her Aunt Paige but also to stay at the Deerbourne Inn to see if any spirits are trapped there. Jillian is also gorgeous, naïve, and friendly and sweet enough to make you gag. Oh whoops, the gagging thing wasn’t part of the story, that must have been my own jealousy creeping in. But actually, Aunt Paige begins to wonder if she herself isn’t just a little envious of the carefree nature and natural beauty of her niece.

This was a pleasant read. One of those “make you feel good” kind of books. It read quickly, the characters were interesting and defined to the point that they were visible in my mind. When you are a visual person, this becomes very important to the reader. You almost need to see the story. Not always done well by every author but well-accomplished here.

Julie Howard is an author to check out.

Spirited Attraction by Ashantay Peters


Spirited Attraction by Ashantay Peters
Warning: Ghosts at Work
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (153 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

There are no reasons not to keep your system going and to canadian viagra generic good service help you stay healthy, nutritious food is a must. This is a rare condition that needs medical attention as soon browse around that shop cialis generic pharmacy as it occurs. When sexual performance is affected because of psychological problems, it is communication cialis 20mg no prescription and exercise which work more. To get critical indicators, hormone replacement unit therapy is accessible in addition to also comes in various other effective forms that treat erectile dysfunctions similar like he pill form of the treatment of discover this davidfraymusic.com viagra viagra buy. viagra is made of Sildenafil citrate. Long ago, Julia Wilkinson left home and didn’t look back. Now she’s unwillingly facing her parents’ ghosts—and their plans for her love life.

Sam Bradley has a ghost of his own, his interfering and opinionated deceased father. He’s a parent with definite ideas about whom Sam should date.

Julia and Sam think they’re happy singles and resist their supernatural matchmakers. But when the ghosts combine efforts, all bets are off. Will Julia and Sam heed advice from the other side, or will they go their own way?

Julia has trust issues when it comes to romance. Her friends decide to set her up with a co-worker but Julia feels her klutzy ways will put the man off before the relationship even starts. Little do both of them know that help is on the way…spiritual help.

This book is very funny in places, sad in others and gives a nice cozy, cuddly feeling as well. Then, of course, there’s the spicy bedroom romantic get-together moments. I thought the spiritual assistance of both Julia’s deceased parents and Sam’s father provided comedy and helped the couple overcome their awkwardness and inability to communicate properly.

I smiled, had tears in my eyes and felt compassion all through reading one book. At the end of the novel I sighed, but the author hadn’t finished with her twists to the story. The final page was…well I won’t spoil it for other readers, but I finished reading with another smile.

Spirited Away by Angela Campbell

SPIRITED
Spirited Away by Angela Campbell
The Psychic Detectives Series #3
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (256 Pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Who knew pet-sitting could be so dangerous…or so sexy?!

Socially awkward Emma “Spider” Fisher prefers her laptop to people, so she’s more than happy to oblige her boss when he asks her to pet- and housesit while he honeymoons in London.

But it doesn’t take long for accident-prone Spider to lose a dog, get locked out of the house, and set off the house alarm!

So, Kamagra is a fine medicine in exchange of buy cialis viagra. People also consume price of sildenafil buying that it as a sedative or to prompt a state of ecstasy in mind.DosageWhen taken as a dietary supplement that can help treat erectile dysfunction and can be ordered online. Generic Drug in Many Versions The soft versions such as Kamagra jellies, soft tablets cheapest viagra in australia and jellies are an innovative way of reversing sexual problems in males. In the late 1990’s George Carlin began collaborating with director Kevin Smith and made cameos and appearances in several of his bulk tadalafil films. Thankfully, her hot new neighbor is more than happy to come to her rescue. But Noah West is a mystery to Spider—and one she intends to solve.

“He thinks you’re an idiot for letting me in. He thinks I’m a thug. Oh wait. Scratch that. He thinks we’re both idiots.”

Emma Fisher or “Spider” as she likes to call herself is given the responsibility of pet-sitting by her boss, Zach, until he and his wife Hannah returns from their honeymoon. Working for her boss as the cyber security specialist allows her to work from home, and she is therefore the best candidate for pet and house sitting, I guess. Before long, she almost loses one of the dogs, gets locked out of the house, and finally meets the hot new neighbor who helps her get back in the house. This is just the beginning. Before long both of their lives gets entangled in a mystery that threatens their past, present and possible future together.

Emma is a beautiful but geeky woman who loves to play games. A confident woman, who develops her own personality a little late in life. She has worked hard to have her own personality, to be an independent working woman and that shows in the book. But during the beginning the book for me it felt like she had a crush on half of the guys she works with. I mean, I can understand, all of the guys she works with are hot guys. Still, it irked me a little because it felt like she couldn’t decide which one she had a crush on when in the rest of the novel it showed a totally different side of her, a confident know-what-she-wants woman. However, even with that it wasn’t difficult to get lost in this book. And I did get lost.

Noah West is the hot and sexy new neighbor. He is an insurance claims investigator who has retired but is doing one last job for a very insistent client who wants him to investigate Zach and Hannah. He meets Spider when she gets locked out of the house. From then on, their lives and problems get entwined with each other.

Noah and Emma are very much attracted to each other even from the beginning. It is fun to see the development of their relationship from neighbors, to lovers, to a couple.

One other thing I absolutely loved is the humor in it. The pets’ antics towards their pet-sitter had me laughing out loud, very, very loud, in the middle of the night to say the least.

This is the third book in The Psychic Detectives Series. I haven’t read the first two books of this series. I didn’t have any problem understanding what was happening. This book can work as a stand-alone but I would urge the readers to read from the start to better understand.

Haunted houses, Hilarious pets, romance, a mystery waiting to be solved. What more could I ask for?

Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre

SPIRITTED
Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (294 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She’s running from who she is…

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life—preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s talent for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

This sildenafil india wholesale is an oral medicine for men only. For those who have not gained so much courage to see sexologist or don’t have time in their life, but for many cialis in uk of them, it is an ongoing issue, causing issues in self-esteem and relationships. Sat down, with legs spread and rotate viagra australia online them ten times each one. Kamagra, regarding course, is actually at this point your all popular selection for you to brand name online levitra . Detective Seth English can’t get distracted from the big case he’s working on, not even by his alluring new neighbor. He doesn’t believe that Jules had anything to do with the string of robberies-turned-murders that he’s investigating, but when she keeps showing up in all the wrong places, his gut tells him she knows more than she’s letting on. To solve his case, he’ll need to expose what the sexy redhead is hiding—no matter how impossible the truth may be….

Ever read a book that was so suspenseful it left you shivery, so exciting that it left you hyperventilating? That can partly describe this amazing story called Spirited. One thing is for sure, I was blown away. Ms. Behre has an amazing capacity to draw in a reader with her characters and deliver an intensely entertaining and eye-popping read. I am in awe.

Spirited is the first book I’ve ever read by this author but I was so impressed by my reading experience, I will not only look forward to the next book in the series, Guarded but I’m going be looking for any previous books. If this is a sample of her usual style, I want more. Understand something. I don’t think I’ve had a book take over me like the way this has done in a LONG time. Yes, I’ve enjoyed books, some immensely so, but to have a physical effect on my breathing and dry eyes from trying not to blink so I won’t miss a second of the action, the jumpy feeling of wanting to know what happens next yet maybe afraid of finding out, but the burning obsession of having to know – to do all that to me? Now that is writing talent.

There are a lot of stories out there about so called ‘ghost whisperers’ and psychics and whatnot, but the author took a common paranormal theme and made it her own. I adored how she lead Jules, the heroine, from ignoring her gift to embracing it and using it to perform a miracle. That growth of personal acceptance was phenomenal. Ms. Behre imbued her characters with warmth, humor, honor, and distinct and interesting personalities. Every single person, dead or alive, played a key role in helping solve a mystery that seemed to get messier, more mysterious and intriguing as each chapter lead Jules to find her true love while solving the crime.

Finding true love while keeping a secret is hard. Keeping that secret when your true love might end up being a cop is almost a recipe for disaster. Seth is the hero and he really defines the word because he has some wonderful, romantic qualities. He’s not perfect and he makes mistakes but he does a lot of things right and one of those is falling in love with the heroine. The journey is bumpy and is never ever boring. I got the biggest laughs right in the beginning when they first met. When Jules got an eyeful of Seth’s sleeping attire I could not contain my mirth. That. Was. Hysterical! And little zingers kept popping up here and there throughout the story so it was a nice touch. Clever, actually.

Let’s talk sensuality. The pages steamed from it. I adore a story with a sexy build up. The teases, the glimpses of heat, the yearning, the ‘almost’ moments that bring that passion to a fever pitch only to have life or a cold wind blow to pop the moment – that is the kind of romantic tale that makes reading fun. The anticipation builds not just for the characters but for the reader as well. Jules and Seth weren’t the only ones happy when they finally did the deed. It was great!

Another thing that was powerful was the suspense of solving a mystery. The clues, the deaths, the race against the clock – it was gripping. Here’s another thing about Spirited that I appreciated – the writing style. Every chapter ended with a plot twist, a cliff hanger, a surprise reveal, just something that hooked me and kept me wanting to know what happens next, who was going to learn what and would Jules ever trust Seth enough to tell him her big secret? How was that going to look like? Sound like? How was he going to take it? And is the good guy really a good guy? Oh man, there was one scene when I almost came off of my chair because I thought Jules had just trusted the wrong guy. It’s writing like that which impresses me no end and Ms. Behre makes it look so easy.

Spirited is a must read book for fans of romantic suspense. I can’t come up with one complaint or wish that something could have been done different. I consider it one of the most perfect books I’ve read in a long time. Its characters, dialogue, plot, editing, method of delivery and mastery of descriptions were everything I could wish for in any book, not just a romance. For readers willing to give this book a try, leave yourself plenty of time to read it because if you’re like me, you might not want to put it down. This is the kind of book that if I could drive and read at the same time, or walk and read or work and read , this is the book that I’d do it with. I took a chance on a new author and I consider it one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I’m a happy reader.

Spirited Kat O’Shea

Besides, if it helps you calm your senses buy canada levitra down and relax, then it has transformed the lives of many. In addition, you also have Sildenafil, Kamagra Polo, Avanafil, Tadalafil, and Vardenafil at your disposal for treating Erectile Dysfunction. buy cialis pills You’ll have to maintain your manliness at all times and illustrate the world that you are getting older; they are called your golden years viagra prescription uk for a reason! Erectile dysfunction is estimated to affect one in every 100 children. levitra online australia Their actions had as much criminal intent as those of an arsonist.

Spirited Kat O’Shea
Publisher: Leap Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Haunted houses. Haunted hearts. And a past that refuses to die. . .

Leap Books summoned best-selling paranormal and dreadfully talented debut authors to conjure up Spirited, a haunting collection of 13 tales guaranteed to keep you up all night.

Get entombed in stories of Egyptian treasures, shudder at tales of malevolent spirits, and become enthralled with the adventures of witch-hunters, ghost seekers, and lost souls. From steampunk to cyberpunk, our collection spans past, present, and future hauntings. One story actually leaps off the page with 3D augmented reality. Go ahead. Turn the page if you dare. We won’t tell if you sleep with the light on. Because after all, there’s no rest for the wicked.

Go ahead. Turn the page if you dare. We won’t tell if you sleep with the light on. Because after all, there’s no rest for the wicked.

Are you ready to enter a world of spirits and take your chances? Not all of them are nice…

What caught my eye about this book was the fact that it was short stories by a variety of authors. I enjoy different writing styles and different plot concepts, so I was interested in seeing how they handled this central theme of ghosts.

The stories ranged from historical to science fiction, avenging spirits to kind spirits. Several stories focused on putting the ghosts to rest. Each author did a good job describing the setting and making this reader interested in their characters. The words flowed well and I enjoyed the read. However, I would like to have seen either more variety or perhaps a couple of more throughly fleshed out stories. It just seemed something was lacking.

Once I started reading this book, I didn’t want to stop. I went from story to story and each author gave me a short treat to read. There was a combination of scary and sweet in the collection. My personal favorites were the science fiction stories. They provided a different form of ghost story and even seemed a bit more believable because they were fantasy.

If you enjoy ghost stories, this is a nice selection that’s easy to read and doesn’t get too extreme at horror or romance. If you think you aren’t into ghost stories, this is a good way to sample them and see which types appeal to you. I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy and then you’ll have opened a new genre to expand your reading. This collection has something for everyone.

Character Interview with Ella Sinclair by Patricia Leavy – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Patricia Leavy will be awarding a $10 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.

Character Interview with Ella Sinclair

Interviewer: You are rumored to be a longtime friend of iconic filmmaker Jean Mercier. How did you two meet?

Ella: It was in London. My first book of essays, titled: My Boyfriend or My Vibrator? Woman’s New Existential Crisis had just come out and I was doing a book reading and signing at a local shop. He showed up with a friend who I think had dragged him there. At the end of the reading, a line quickly formed and he’s not a patient man. So, what does he do? He walks right to the front of the line, says “Pardon me” to a woman waiting to get her book signed, and introduces himself to me. He said, “I’m Jean Mercier, the filmmaker.” I guess he thought I’d be impressed. I looked at him flatly and said, “Congratulations. Now that you’ve cut in front of everyone in line, are you even going to buy the book?” I think I shocked the hell out of him. But he did buy the book and surprisingly, he also found the patience to hang around until I was done with the signing. He and his friend invited me to join them for dinner at The Ivy. Naturally, I said yes. I was in my twenties and flat broke, and it was a free meal, with an acclaimed filmmaker no less. We got on smashingly. That was the start of a decade-long friendship that I do believe will last a lifetime.

Interviewer: He has a reputation for how he treats women in his personal life. What do you think about that side of the legendary filmmaker?

Ella: People want simple answers, but life is complex. Jean’s created some of the greatest, most interesting, sensitive, and provocative roles for women in the history of cinema. There’s a reason so many actresses are dying to work with him. And yet, he can be quite a piece of shit to women in his own life. Tell me, which is better: the male director who never casts women or does so only in clichéd, trivial ways but may be a hell of a good guy in private, or the man who creates professional opportunities for women that wouldn’t otherwise exist and gives the collective imaginary new, powerful representations of women, but uses up women in his personal life as if they were pieces of gum he was chewing until the flavor runs out? When these are the choices, what’s the answer? How do we define morality? Who’s a good guy? Who’s a bad guy? What matters, life or art? How are they related? What’s public and what’s private? Despite what many claim, it’s rarely as simple as we might wish. Life is textured. As for me, I adore Jean as a friend and as an artist, but you’d never catch me in bed with him.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the man you are sleeping with, Hollywood star Finn Forrester. You met on the set of a Mercier location shoot. What will you tell us about your love story?

Ella: Jean invited me to crash at the inn in Sweden while they were filming Celebration. Finn and I fell madly in love. Neither of us expected it. I guess when you meet the one, there’s no rhyme or reason, it’s just something you feel body and soul. The little things you don’t know about each other sort themselves out over time. There’s nothing better than that inexplicable feeling of love. Or so I’m learning.

Interviewer: So, can we expect little Forresters in the future?

Ella: Stay tuned.

Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film on location in Sweden. While spending the summer creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead actors: Albie Hughes, British veteran of stage and screen; Charlotte Reed, British indie film queen; Michael Hennesey, American TV heartthrob; Willow Barnes, fallen former teen star looking to make a comeback; and Finn Forrester, legendary Hollywood movie star. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair—a beautiful, bohemian-spirited American philosopher known for her provocative writing—to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Finn is instantly enchanted by her, and soon they fall madly in love. Finn wants to plan a life together, but Ella harbors fears and convinces him to wait until the film wraps to decide their future. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating explores “the big questions” and prompts the stars to reflect on the crossroads they face in their own lives. How will their experiences on location affect them when they return home? The answers won’t come until months later, when the cast and crew reconvene on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival—but their revelation will make for one unforgettable night.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Soon they were soaking in the tub, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Ella leaned against Finn and sighed contentedly as he wrapped his strong arms around her.

“I thought about you all day today,” he said.

“You did?”

“I couldn’t get the image of you with those kids out of my head. You were such a natural with them.”

“I’m crazy for tiny humans, always have been. I love their curiosity, big imaginations, big emotions. When a toddler is overjoyed, it’s infectious. They can’t contain it and it just oozes out of them. They feel everything so fully, so honestly, with their whole selves.”

“Do you want to have children of your own?”

“Finn…”

He squeezed her waist and said, “Have you ever thought about it?”

“Have you?” she asked, turning to face him.

“Ella, I would love to have a family with you someday, when we’re ready. Do you want to have a family with me?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“But what, baby?”

“I would want to have children with you, but I wouldn’t want to have them without you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The way I grew up, it just made me not want to do it on my own.”

“You wouldn’t be. We’d be together. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Finn, there’s more than one way to be alone. You spend your life flying around the world to shoot movies and attend film festivals. Where would that leave me? Alone.”

“Sweetheart, if we choose to have a family someday, some things would obviously change. I’ve been thinking about this since we met, but I didn’t want to bring it up and scare you away by asking too much too soon. But after I saw you today, I thought we could at least talk about it. It’s just a conversation.”

“You’ve been thinking about it all this time?”

“Yes,” he said, gently running his fingers down her arm.

“What have you been thinking about?”

“Well, we could take some time to be alone together, to travel. If we had a child, you would both travel with me to film sets. I can get the studio to rent us a house. We’d hire a nanny and any other kind of help we want so you could write, I could work, and we could all be together. When our oldest is school aged, I would only take jobs in LA, except maybe in the summers when we could all still travel as a family. We could show them the world. Being a husband and father would be my priority. You wouldn’t go to so much as a single doctor’s appointment alone unless you wanted to. If I had to give up acting and be a stay-at-home dad, that’s fine too.”

“Wow. You’ve really thought about this.”

“Well, yeah. I can’t help it. Our future spilled out before me when you told me you love me. But it’s just a fantasy. Sweetheart, there’s no pressure. Until today, I didn’t even know if children were a possibility. If we live our lives together, just the two of us, I’d be perfectly happy.” He planted a soft kiss in her hair.

“Just a fantasy?” she asked.

“Yeah, for now. Do you ever fantasize about our future?”

She nodded.

“Tell me.”

“Well, I always imagined that I’d keep working, but less than I do now. I’d want to spend time with my babies.”

“Babies?” he asked. “How many?”

“Three. Two girls and then a boy. I don’t care about gender, it’s just what I imagine.”

He rubbed her shoulder. “Tell me more.”

“They’d all look like you,” she said.

“Oh, see, in my mind each one of them looks just like you.”

She smiled and he kissed the tip of her nose.

“Keep going,” he said.

“Well, I like your idea of traveling together. I imagined that…”

“What, baby?”

“It’s silly.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“Well, it’s just a fantasy, but I can picture us buying a little house in the French countryside for summers and holidays. You know, one of those old stone houses with wooden beams on the ceilings and a wood-burning stove, with plenty of room outside for the kids to roll around in the grass and a space for me to write.” She crinkled her nose and shook her head. “I told you, it’s silly.”

“Not to me. I think it sounds perfect,” he said, kissing her. “So, two girls and a boy, huh? I should warn you, I’ve always liked traditional names, like Emily and Sarah. I’m guessing you gravitate toward more free-spirited names like Lula Belle or Blue Moon. I’m prepared to fight you on this.” He playfully put up his dukes, but she grabbed one of his hands and kissed it.

She laughed. “Actually, I was thinking if we had a girl, maybe we’d call her Betty. It’s completely traditional, but modern too. I don’t know. It’s just a thought.”

“Betty, huh? I love it. And you know what else? I love you.” He stopped to stroke the side of her face. “I love you so much, Ella. There’s no fantasy we can’t make a reality if we choose to. Come on, sweetheart. Let’s dry off and slip into bed. I want to show you exactly how I feel about you.”

About the Author:

_autotone

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. Her last novel, Hollyland, was featured on She Reads in “The Most Anticipated Romances of Spring 2023” and was the 2023 Firebird Book Awards 1st Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction and 1st Place Winner in Summer/Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

Buy Location Shoot and Hollyland on Amazon.

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Amour In Avignon by Jennifer Ivy Walker


Amour In Avignon by Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Adrift and lonely, Lily Greene travels to Provence to spend the summer with her aunt in the sunny south of France. In the vibrant city of Avignon, she meets Ludo and Auguste, two expert fencers who are also local actors performing in the upcoming Festival of Theater where they will present the classical tragedy, Cyrano de Bergerac.

When Lily joins their thespian troupe, portraying the lead female role, she discovers that real life mirrors the play they are rehearsing, for–just as Cyrano and Christian vie for Roxane– Ludo and Auguste become intense rivals for Lily.
Handsome as a Hollywood movie star, Auguste is used to women falling into his bed. But when Lily spurns his amorous advances, drawn instead to the enigmatic Ludo, jealousy drives Auguste to seek revenge.

Will tragedy strike with a cruel twist of fate? Or will love triumph with Amour in Avignon?

Lily has come to Avignon to spend a few months with her bohemian spirited Aunt Agnes. Agnes rents the small apartment above her shop to her paramour’s nephew, Ludo. A young, strong carpenter. Ludo shares the room with his blond friend, Auguste. Lily feels an instant attraction to Ludo, but Auguste is equally smitten with Lily. Can the three of them find what they really want?

I really enjoyed this short story. I felt the pace of both the plot and the romance was really well balanced – fast enough it didn’t feel like it dragged, but slow enough I loved getting to know a bit about Lily, Ludo and Auguste before their relationships tangled together. I strongly felt all three characters were both realistic and relatable and I definitely think most readers will find the appeal of them a good draw into the book. Aunt Aggie was also a delightful free spirit and a great addition to the small cast of characters giving light and vibrancy to the book as a whole.

I thought the author added a lot of wonderful charm and realism into the story that really gave the vibe of sun-drenched Avignon. There were a number of small French customs – the food, the greetings and such – and this really had me feeling like I could immerse myself in the feel of the town and setting. While I did feel the book lacked freshness with the plotline of the theatrical trope’s play mirroring the complicated relationship between Lily, Auguste and Ludo, I also did enjoy that Lily’s actions were quite modern and she stuck to her guns. While there are plenty of stories out there where plays and real life cross over, I was glad Lily made her own decisions and showed a good backbone without being bitchy or overbearing. I feel Lily’s character really should appeal to a wide range of romance readers.

With some delightfully sensual love scenes and the mirroring of a play within the book there was plenty of things going on in this story and I strongly feel it should hold readers attention from start to finish.

Readers who enjoy a sizzling romance with plenty of action, jealousy and an exotic location as the setting should find this quick read a wonderful story to greatly enjoy.

Winter Blogfest: Vicki-Ann Bush

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win an eBook copy of Alex McKenna and the Geranium, and I’ll mail out a little witchy bag of swag. And a bonus surprise that will be in the envelope!

Happy Yule! By Vicki-Ann Bush 

 

Happy Yule!

Yule is soon approaching and during this time I find myself with one foot in the past. I remember my parents, grandparents, and all of my family and friends that are kept safe in my heart and alive in my memories. I’ve had a charmed life. Not because of money, or homes, or cars, or things…but because of people. Always knowing I’ve been loved and appreciated has been the true treasure in my life.

Over the years I’ve gone from a catholic Merry Christmas to a pagan Happy Yule. My family still believe in the church and Catholicism, but they’ve never tried to sway me. They understand who I am and what I believe to be my truth. To have that support has been my strength over the years. Loving someone not because of their blood connection but truly embracing who they are, is in my opinion, the true path to peace. Life is a bumpy road, and why would you make it more challenging for the ones you love?

My blog for December is simple. I wish for all of you this kind of life. Years filled with memories that make you smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Hugs that last a few seconds longer, a call when you need it the most, or someone who is content to just sit by your side. A life of moments to carry you through the hard times and reassure you that someone, somewhere, is always on your side.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Yuletide, Merry Christmas, and a Blessed Kwanzaa!

 

 

The dead need him.

Seventeen-year-old Alex McKenna is a transgender boy who comes from a rich history of Strega witches. Possessing the ability to communicate with the dead, he uses his talents and understanding of what it means to be different to bridge the gap between the living and the beyond. With his girlfriend Margaret and his spirited great-grandmother by his side, Alex helps lost souls resolve their earthly connections and move on.

When a series of murders plagues his neighborhood, Alex discovers the gruesome truth behind a sixty-year span of deaths and the sinister being responsible.

Will Alex save the next victim and stop the murderer for good? Or will this be his final case?

 

Born Vicki Ann Guidice, on January 14th, 1962, her journey into the realm of the spiritual and supernatural was initiated at birth. Her early years were spent in Queens, New York known for having more people passed on than alive, as well as having several Gothic cemeteries within walking distance of its communities. At the age of 15, she moved to Los Angeles California taking her fertile imagination with her. After meeting her future husband, Ronald Bush, her new homeland became Las Vegas, Nevada.

As a mother of two, her first published book in 2008, Winslow Willow the Woodland Fairy, took her love of fantasy and spun it into a heartwarming children’s book. The progression to the young adult literary market took root in her novels that captured the haunting qualities of the Las Vegas desert surrounding her, but it was New York that called her home. Alex McKenna, the main character in the book series first published in 2019, is the embodiment of her Italian-American roots, memories of adolescent outsider status, and the strength it takes to live an authentic life.

Ms. Bush is a co-founder of Coffee House Tours, an events-based collaboration between local bookstores and coffee shops allowing authors to represent themselves and their works. Additionally, she is a frequent podcast literary guest and has a special relationship with The Center LGBTQIA+ Las Vegas where Alex McKenna has been an inspirational focus as a transgender Paranormal teen. Now starring in the short film Alex and Margret’s Beginning, inspired by the book series, Ms. Bush is an award winning short screenplay writer and Producer. Bringing her moving and unique storyline and character to a broader audience.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books About New Year’s Eve


Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I’ve been a reviewer for Long and Short Reviews for a long time now. One of the many interesting things I’ve noticed over the years is how rare is it for us receive requests to review books that are set on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

You’d think more authors would pick that setting given how festive it can be and how much can happen over the course of a few hours at a spirited New Year’s Eve party!

Here are ten books with that setting. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get more review requests that have this setting in 2024.

I haven’t read any of them yet, so do share your thoughts about them in the comments if you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Adult by Bronson Fischer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Tripping Arcadia by Kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. A Catered New Year’s Eve by Isis Crawford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. New Year’s Eve Murder by Leslie Meier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Dining Out with the Ice Giants by Clare O’Beara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Happy New Year’s Eve by Allie K. Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Countdown to a Kiss by Colleen Gleason, Holli Bertram, Mara Jacobs, and Liz Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Murder at Dublin Mensa by Clare O’Beara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. ‘Tis the Season by Robyn Carr

What My Characters Have Taught Me by Janae – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Janae will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC or a signed paperback copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What My Characters Have Taught Me

The characters I create feel like real people to me. Over the years of crafting stories and developing personas, my fictional friends have taught me invaluable lessons that I’ve been able to apply to my life. The most important things I’ve learned from my characters are to have courage in the face of adversity, to stay true to yourself, and to keep an open mind. In this blog post, I’ll elaborate on these key takeaways and how various characters have shaped my perspective. The lessons we learn from fiction can be just as profound as those we gain from real relationships if we keep an open heart. Though my characters only live on the page, their effects reverberate far beyond.

I have been working on The Witches Prophecy for a decade so I know them intimately to where I can pinpoint what they’d say and how they’d react to certain topics and experiences. Perrish is a character. It houses many secrets and has a rich vibrant history just as an aged human would have. Yes, there are cold, austere buildings and even colder streets but the things that have occurred there left imprints on it.

Speaking of characters, there is a bevy of them in The Witches Prophecy. Of course, there is Lydia Ferell, the protagonist. Xaivier Christopher Stalphe the best friend and love interest of the protagonist. The spunky, fun-loving free spirit Digits or Sasha and the sweet geek that you can bring home to mom, Zander Tsui. My fictional friends have taught me important lessons that I’ve been able to apply to my life. The most valuable insights I’ve gained from my characters are to appreciate the journeys of others, to embrace my creativity without fear, and to handle adversity with grace. They maneuver through the pages in the driver’s seat, kicking butt and taking names.

Now, let us talk about Lydia or Trouble, as I prefer to call her, the spirited protagonist of my dark fantasy romance series. Trouble’s young life was rife with tragedy and sadness, but what is being blocked is all the fun she had which will be discovered in later books. She was born a witch. How is that? Well, the way it is explained in the book is that you come back in the form that is the strongest and the prevailing form for Trouble was an all-powerful witch. She must reckon her duality; light and dark. Trouble and Lydia. She considers one weak and one strong. Through Trouble’s experiences as the “chosen one”, I learned to empathize with those who feel marginalized for their talents, race, and gender. Trouble also taught me to unleash my creativity without self-doubt, holding me back.

Another impactful character of mine is Xaivier. He started out completely different from the iteration he is now. At first, he was a womanizer. Ew. Yeah. I changed him into my ideal mate, with the looks of Superman (I have a thing for superheroes real and imagined) with a good sweet heart. Xaivier spent years trapped in northern Perrish. Perrish is a modern place where racism is rife even in present day. Xaivier or X, as Trouble calls him, is a superhero without a cape. He learned from his youth as the cruelty of adults that should have known better taught their offspring. But X had his father, Xaivier Stalphe the first and his maid Loula. Loula was black, and she taught him that love has no color and no man was above any other. His father taught his to be a man and how to judge a man by character before jumping to incorrect assumptions.

Of course, when X meets Trouble, he immediately wants to save her. From what? Everything. Including herself. Xaivier inspired me to handle adversity with resilience, drawing on inner strength I didn’t know I had.

As an author, I’m grateful for the diverse perspectives my characters have revealed to me. Through giving each of them a story, I’ve grown. Their hard-won lessons now shape my worldview and approach to overcoming challenges. I learned to follow your own path and to be brave. The connections I’ve forged with my own characters reinforce that stories have profound power to change us. Which of your own characters has resonated most deeply for you as their creator? Please share in the comments!


Within the shadows, a prophecy-bound assassin emerges, holding the fate of our world in their lethal grip – the key to salvation or the catalyst of our downfall.

Trouble Ferell is your average gun toting assassin, never once caught she revels in anonymity. But she can’t face the demonic force that has come for her. She can no longer trust herself but burgeoning from her is that what you’d call magic. Now, as a sorceress with divine lineage she must face creatures from other realms in a race against time.

Confronting the truth, she must rise to the occasion of becoming the most formidable witch throughout history. She is tasked with banishing abominable entities back to the depths of the Underworld, all while ensuring her own survival.

Pity. It’s on Tuesday.

Read an Excerpt

When Darkness looms, the world finds its hero…

In “The Witches Prophecy,” Trouble Ferell, a renowned assassin, yearns for normalcy and acceptance. However, her world turns upside down when she discovers her involvement in an ancient prophecy and unlocks her long-dormant magical abilities. Doubt and uncertainty fill her mind as she grapples with her newfound identity and the visitations of a powerful deity.

With her best friend turned lover by her side, Trouble must confront monstrous beings in human bodies and an impending apocalypse orchestrated by Chaos, an entity seeking her as his bride. As interdimensional gates creak open, Earth dangles on the edge of peril. Trouble must embrace her role as both a Demi-goddess and witch, rallying against her half-sister’s ascent and thwarting Chaos’s pursuit of the formidable Darkveil Talisman.

In a race against time, Trouble and Xaivier unravel the tapestry of their shared history, hurtling towards an epic clash that pits good against evil. ‘The Witches Prophecy’ weaves a spellbinding tale, where ultimate victory tips the scales for but one contender. Pity. It’s only Tuesday.

About the Author:Janae’s family is from Louisiana and Georgia. She is the middle child of three. She began her writing career as a teenager in high school writing steamy love scenes for her classmates. She wasn’t convinced as a writer until her English teacher found her stories and told her she should be a writer. She treasured those words for all of her adult life. She has a bachelor’s degree in information Technology. She is a dedicated mother, friend and writer. She is usually found hunched over her laptop dreaming of different ways to entertain. She lives in Savannah, Ga with her cat Persephone and son. She loves dogs and wants to own a Husky and loves making people laugh and feel comfortable. She has a podcast called How Not To Write with Janae and her favorite color is blue. She is a Cancer.

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