…until the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her
entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril. Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?
With lions, tigers, and bears oh my, elephants and flamingos too, along with rivalries and betrayals, a mysterious stowaway, and perhaps even an unexpected romance, FORTY DAYS is not your grandfather’s Noah’s Ark story.
My Review:
Holy Moly! So to be clear, while the center of this story is Noah and the flood, the heart of the story is Neima–the awkward, ungainly grand-daughter of Noah. She’s sixteen and an independent thinker, even if she doesn’t say what she thinks often.
Still, she’s dutiful, and follows orders even when it means loading the Ark. The Ark that she’s hated her entire life. Because that Ark has poisoned her entire village. It looms over everyone, and the villagers find her whole family tainted by Noah’s perceived madness.
Her two best friends, Debya and Jorin, stand by her side until the unthinkable happens.
Neima’s cousin Kenaan–a highly attractive young man–sure that they will be betrothed actually takes the matter into his own hands. He attempts to coerce Neima into relations, which breaks Debya’s heart and sets Jorin back. See, Jorin’s always loved Neima. And Debya wanted Kenaan for herself.
And then the flood happens. And Neima’s trapped on the Ark with Kenaan, his parents and sister, her parents, grandparents, and another uncle and aunt–and about a million stinking animals. All her friends are washed away. Gone. Destroyed in this One God’s watery wrath.
Neima can’t make sense of this new world. This world where Noah isn’t crazy and Kenaan stalks her in the shadows.
Until she finds the stowaway. One she’s willing to cast her life overboard to save.
FORTY DAYS is heady and amazing and nothing I imagined it would be. It does contain a cliffhanger ending.
Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.
My Review:
When I survived my mini-heart attack from the ending of FORTY DAYS I popped open FORTY NIGHTS.
The story picks up at the exact right moment, a moment where Neima raises her voice to be heard. When the horrors of the past are opened to the light of day. The stowaway has been found and his life is forfeit. Noah is certain only family is to survive–and Neima’s uncle vows to toss himself over, too–sure that his lineage is tainted.
It is Nezmar, Noah’s wife, who acts as the voice of reason. And still, the danger isn’t over. A freak fire and an unnecessary slaughter are blamed upon the stowaway…meanwhile the rain pounds down.
For Neima, it is a time of strife and constant vigilance to keep herself safe from Kenaan and the other predators lurking in the Ark’s holds. But time and again Neima demonstrates that strength is not always physical. Her burgeoning love for the young man whose life she had spared reminds her there are bigger things to hope for, a future to look forward to, perhaps. And love is a force in it’s own right.
With an unlikely ally and her mother’s blessing, Neima finds the strength to overcome her past, and build the future she couldn’t have dreamed.
So powerful. I just really loved this ending. But, then again I loved the beginning and the middle, too. It is a fully realized story of hope and faith and love, that while not religious, calls us to find that inner peace and resilience that most people have cast aside. I picked up on Stephanie Parent back in the summer when I downloaded PRECIOUS THINGS and, after FORTY DAYS and FORTY NIGHTS, I know I’ll be looking for more of her work soon.
The tension is extremely layered. We get internal tension among the characters, tension relating to the animals, and tension from the storming raging outside. It’s not even supernatural elements, it’s all practical points like food and animal needs. The characters are also well defined and fleshed out.”
*GIVEAWAY*
(INT)
hosted by:
THE STAR CATCHER Shines–Review and Giveaway!
Hi there, and welcome to my stop on The Star Catcher blog tour organized by YA Bound Book Tours. This YA Paranormal Romance is the finale of The Star Child trilogy by Stephanie Keyes.
Magick and destiny intertwine as Kellen St. James fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves. Her kiss…the feel of her skin…the beat of her heart…For seventeen-year-old Kellen St. James, each memory is marred by a single sentence on a lone strip of paper.
Cali has been taken…
Armed with an amulet that channels the ultimate power of Faerie, Kellen searches for his love. However, control of the amulet’s energy comes with a price, and Kellen soon learns that Cali’s captor has plans for the stone. With the threat of the Star Catcher’s evil looming above Kellen and his kingdom, he’ll have to free the Heart of Faerie and break the curse the binds the Children of Danu to the darkness. But before that, he has to find his real father, the king. No pressure, right?
Kellen and Cali will battle bewitched armies and unknown foes as they fight to stay together. Will Kellen embrace his immortal destiny? Or will his world, and the man he is fated to become, be destroyed by The Star Catcher?
“One of the best endings in a trilogy I have seen in a while. Fans will not be disappointed!”-Jackie Jackson, The Book Maven
My Review:
Allow me to sum up…
Kellen is a half-Fae prince. An ancient prophesy has foretold that Kellen will:
1. Save Faerie from a power-hungry being
2. Marry Calienta, an immortal female who lights the stars–literally.
3. Rescue his father, the King of Faerie, and unite Faerie’s fractured realms.
And, the ride is spectacular.
This multi-viewpoint adventure tracks Calienta as she endeavors to escape the Big Bad–Ainmore–a Star Catcher, or usurper of fae magic. He’s also the unwitting father of Cali’s niece.
Kellen can’t believe Cali has been kidnapped on the eve of their wedding–but he won’t rest until he has her safe and by his side. He strikes out to find the keeper of all Fae magic-Sid-and gives up his mortality so that he can safely wield Danu’s amulet.
Now immortal, Kellen can fight the castaway demons of humanity’s fears to rescue his father and fulfill the prophesy. Oh, and get married. Because there is a wedding.
We have the good luck to tag along with Gabe–Kellen’s best friend and a Protector or shapeshifter. He’s bound by honor to protect Kellen at all cost–and he risks much, his life and his love.
Ainmore is willing to destroy all of humanity in his quest for Danu’s amulet and the ultimate universal power. So, he’s a serious adversary. Kellen struggles to undo the dark magic that has bound his father and their subjects in misery.
I loved the many viewpoints–each had its own voice so it didn’t overwhelm. And it was fun to track different sides of a scene through different eyes. This trilogy has a solid footing fantasy. The worlds are well-realized and this book drops you into the action and it doesn’t stop until you turn the final pages. Despite the solid romance the work is innocent. I’d recommend it to my 11 y/o son…so, ya know, it’s middle-grade safe.
The Trailer
Interested to learn more about The Star Catcher? Check out the cool trailer from the award-winning, Kristen Kress of BrainFry Productions!
Read the books that started it all… Click on each of the covers below to learn more…
The Giveaway
So for this giveaway, we’re releasing several cool items. Let me tell you about them!
- 1 The Star Child series E-book Pack (includes all three novels, plus the novelette, After Faerie)
- 2 The Star Catcher e-book
- 1 The Fallen Stars custom faerie bookmark
- 1 The Star Child series swag pack (contains bookmarks, and more!)
Part of The Star Child series swag pack…
The Fallen Stars custom bookmark -The Book Swag Shop
The Book Tour
The Star Catcher tour is running through November 29th, so check out some of the great sites that’ll be participating!
About the Author
Stephanie Keyes, author of The Star Child series
Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she’s still doing the same thing, except now she gets to share those ideas with readers!
When she’s not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she’s best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.
Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.
Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child, After Faerie, The Fallen Stars, and the soon to-be-released finale, The Star Catcher (November 2013), all from by Inkspell Publishing. Mrs. Keyes is hard at work on a new YA Paranormal Romance.
Good luck and, as always, keep reading my friends!
To be FOREVER YOUNG–Review and Giveaway
Hi there and welcome to my stop on the FOREVER YOUNG blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. Check out other stops on the tour by clicking here. FOREVER YOUNG is a the first in a YA series from bestselling author Sawyer Bennett.
Book Description:
She’s a loner, she likes to fight and, oh yeah…she has the ability to see the demons that lay beneath the faces of ordinary humans. It’s a gift Charlie Wright inherited the night her parents were brutally murdered when she was fourteen years old.
Now in her last year of high school, Charlie just can’t seem to keep herself out of trouble. Rather than taking a one-way trip to juvenile detention, Charlie chooses to join a mysterious group called The ForeverLand Alliance.
And then her life really gets weird.
Charlie finds herself magically transported to an alternate universe. In Semper Terra, no one ages, people fly, and one stunningly gorgeous, immortal man manages to capture Charlie’s heart and awaken the adult woman she is becoming.
But it’s not all fun and games. For Charlie is training to become an Annihilator, a select group of Semper Terrans who protect mankind from all of those things that go “bump in the night”.
It’s only when Charlie finds herself stuck in the middle of a prophecy that could bring about the end of the world that she truly begins to understand the deep sacrifices she will have to make.
My review:
I liked it. Charlie is a little sensitive, a little snarky, and a lot heroic. She’ll brawl to help anyone weak defeat their attackers. She doesn’t tolerate mean girls and can’t understand why the new males in her life find her attractive…particularly Caiden Gallagher, the perpetually youthful 400+ year old Annihilator serving as Charlie’s mentor.
Of course, Charlie’s mean girls aren’t only students–her headmistress Sarah is part of the I-Hate-Charlie club also, mainly because Sarah has a history with Caiden, one she’d like to repeat. The story reminds me a bit of Veronica Roth’s DIVERGENT without the dystopia and recruit maiming. Charlie must master hand-to-hand combat so she can survive battle. With demons. But only the bad demons, because, for an interesting twist, not all demons are bad. Who knew?
I love Charlie’s gay BFF Justas. He’s a beefy character, not stereotypically done–think Tiny Cooper–and he’s a nice foil to Charlie’s occasional pessimism. Plucky Emerson Potts, the tiny black waif recruit, will remind you of Rue (Hunger Games) but we get to know her quite a lot better.
Charlie’s doing well in her training, and Caiden is keeping her fantasies filled, but it’s Charlie’s heart that takes over the story. It’s easy to root for a hero, and Charlie defines the archetype. I wasn’t surprised by the ambush ending, but I was unsettled by the sudden appearance of Charlie’s real father. In all it feels like a good start to a quality series.
Interested? You can find FOREVER YOUNG at Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About Sawyer Bennett:
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Catch up with her at Facebook or on Twitter.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click the link below for your chance at winning a $50 Amazon gift card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And, as always: keep reading my friends!
COME ALIVE–an Experiment in Terror Series Blast and Giveaway!
Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the Experiment in Terror Blog Tour. Experiment in Terror is a collection of full-length New Adult Romantic Suspense/Horror from diabolically best-selling author Karina Halle. Today’s feature is COME ALIVE. You can check out other books in the series here.
Book Description:
It’s one thing to bring the woman you love back into your life. It’s another to try and keep her there. For Dex Foray, convincing Perry Palomino to open herself to their burgeoning relationship has been more challenging than hunting ghosts, battling demons and stalking Sasquatch combined. Add in the fact that the only way they can keep their Experiment in Terror show running is to take on a third partner in the form of the mysterious Maximus Jacobs — all while investigating a sinister voodoo sect in New Orleans — and you’ve got the perfect Southern storm and a recipe for disaster. Luckily, Dex has never been one to back down, even when his life –and heart — are on the line.
Come Alive is told from Dex’s POV.
The big tease:
“No,” she said, smiling. I wanted to kiss her nose. “It’s okay. I’m glad you did. I’m sorry I’m being such a weirdo about all of this. It’s just hard to believe how far we’ve come, you know? My brain is just catching up now.”
“So you’re okay with me being your boyfriend? I’ll treat you real nice. We can go steady and you can wear my letterman jacket.”
“Ooooh, maybe,” she said playfully. “What letter is on it?”
“No letter, just a picture of a cock.”
She snorted. “Of course there is.”
“It’s a rooster, you pervert.”
She eyed me dryly. “Oh yeah? Why a rooster?”
“It symbolizes my cock. Can’t love me without loving cock.”
Oh…that Dex. He’s incorrigible…
Interested? You can find COME ALIVE for $.99 (through Nov 14th) on Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
I also happened to notice that the first book in this series–DARK HOUSE is currently free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I snapped that deal right up!
About the talented Ms. Karina Halle
Karina Halle is the USA Today Best Selling Author of The Artists Trilogy (On Every Street, Sins & Needles, Shooting Scars, and Bold Tricks) published by Hachette, the Experiment in Terror series, and The Devil’s series published by Diversion.
The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).
Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup.
Karina is represented by Scott Waxman of the Waxman Leavell Literary Agency. You can find her on Facebook, twitter, and Goodreads. The Experiment in Terror books are also on Facebook.
***GIVEAWAY***
2 EIT Swag Packs
a Rafflecopter giveaway
READY TO GO–Book Tour and Giveaway
Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the READY TO GO Blog Tour sponsored by YA Bound Book Tours. Today’s book is a debut New Adult novel by Stephanie Mann. For other stops on the tour click here.
Summary from Goodreads:
Daniel is sick of his wonderfully boring and predictable life. He dutifully gets up every morning, goes to class, goes to work, and it never changes. He does, says and even wears exactly what others expect of him. He’s so predictable that he barely notices just how unhappy he truly is.
One afternoon, everything changes when David meets a girl on the run from her own demons. She doesn’t need Daniel’s help, but he offers and she accepts–setting a course for an adventure neither will soon forget.
Together, on an impromptu road trip, two strangers become friends and a bit more, all while facing money problems, car problems, and tourist traps and the naked truth: they can’t run forever.
Will they finally stop running long enough to discover true and lasting love?
Here’s an excerpt to entice you…
There were a few other people standing outside the library, waiting for it to open, when he got there. Some looked like students, same as him, while others looked like homeless people who probably just wanted to use the free bathrooms. Or maybe they would want to read—it was free entertainment, after all. Not that it mattered to him. He just had to study.
A librarian came up to the doors from inside and unlocked them, pushing them open for the patrons. The small crowd pressed into the building and then split up to head to their intended destinations. Daniel went to the reference books.
He was not prepared to see a girl asleep on the couch in that section. She had to have spent the night there, as she hadn’t come in with the rest of the crowd. So how hadn’t the librarian noticed her? He figured they’d checked the library before opening it, but maybe he was wrong.
He decided to ignore her, just let the poor girl sleep. He crouched down by the shelves and scanned one row of books, searching for the text he needed. There it was. He pulled it off, set it on a nearby table, and pulled out his laptop that held his paper.
The laptop made its usual musical jingle when he turned it on. The girl on the couch shifted and groaned. Daniel glanced over at her and only then noticed her suitcase. It was that same ugly floral suitcase that he’d seen the girl in the museum carrying. That girl who’d asked for directions to the library. As the girl now sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes, he realized it was the same girl.
She noticed him, and her eyes widened. “Sorry!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know anyone was here!”
“Did you sleep here?” he asked.
She stood up, stretching her arms over her head. Daniel couldn’t help but look a little lower than her arms.
“No,” she answered his question. It was clear she was lying.
Interested? You can find READY TO GO at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Stephanie Mann lives in Massachusetts. Besides writing, she spends her free time working with fan conventions. She loves to travel, and has visited many tourist traps along the way. You can also find her on Goodreads and twitter.
READY TO GO is Stephanie Mann’s first novel.
***GIVEAWAY***
1 – $10 iTunes gift card & ebook of Ready To Go (INT)
3 – ebook copies of Ready To Go (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Can one girl BREAK IT UP? Review and Giveaway
Hi there, and welcome to my stop on the BREAK IT UP blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. If you’d like to stop by the other tour sites, click here. Today’s book, BREAK IT UP, is a YA Romance by E. M. Tippetts and it’s a solid read.
What’s it all about?
Kyra Armijo is making a few changes in her life. One of them being, she’s no longer going to give it up to every guy who looks at her twice. And she’s putting her hopes and dreams for her future first. When the aspiring photojournalist gets the opportunity of a lifetime to tag along with international boy band sensation, Triple Cross, she can’t pass up the chance.
The only problem is that she’s in love with one band member, dodging the unwanted attention of another, and desperate to keep her turbulent past under wraps. Triple Cross have “nice guy” appeal, approved of by parents the world over, but have just let go their longtime manager, who controlled their clean image and media exposure with an iron fist. When Zach Wechsler, the object of Kyra’s affection, begins to show interest, she has to be careful.
Surely one girl can’t destroy a band that’s been together for ten years… only what if she can? Kyra knows she’s one bad decision away from ruining everything she’s worked for, and taking the hottest act of her generation down with her.
My Review:
I liked this one from the start. Kyra is a witty, savvy narrator who takes us on her redemption tale–only to have her whole life go up in tabloid. The low-down: Kyra’s mother abandoned her at birth and her father raised her. Despite his best intentions Kyra was a wild child. She carries the baggage of her promiscuous ways, and, at 18, is only just seeing the value in valuing herself.
She has a tremendously supportive family, including her step-mother Jen and her step-uncle, Jason Vanderholt–Jen’s twin and (also) a movie star. In fact her oblique celebrity through Jason is what gets Kyra and a couple friends invited for dinner with Triple Cross when they layover in Albuquerque. It’s problematic, in that Kyra’s a fangirl. She’s so nervous she’s unaccountably shy, which appeals to Zach, soulful center of the band. They sleep together–operative word SLEEP–and not long after Zach begins to text her up.
See, he’s kinda lonely. Now that his mother’s isolating influence is gone, Zach realizes he doesn’t know the first thing about managing his band–or his band mates, his brother Logan and cousin Ben. Kyra had been such a good listener over their night together, he continues to lean on her. It’s sweet and not at all sassy. In fact he’d really like Kyra to go on their new European tour to hang out and help out with the tour movie–if she’s interested.
Actually Kyra isn’t interested. She feels unable to control her attraction for Zach, and senses that he’d never consider her romantically if her knew her sordid sexual history–something Ben makes crystal-clear. Because Ben is all about the bad girls and want Kyra to get on board/on bed (?). It’s a twisted love triangle. In the face of Zach’s pleading, and against her better wishes, Kyra caves.
Each step along the way Kyra gets deeper into the murk. Zach clearly has an attraction, and Ben isn’t even subtle about his desire. Triple Cross struggles as Ben goes AWOL and shows up late for concerts–only Kyra can rein him in. And the videographers are taking unlimited footage of the wheels coming off this wagon. Meanwhile Kyra’s desperate to stay out of the limelight and tabloids. Unsuccessfully.
In truth, I loved the strength that Kyra exhibited in her trial-by-media. For someone so young she behaved in an admirable way. Throughout her redemption she made her boundaries clear, and kept her relationships professional–something few girls in her position might have even contemplated. It’s a story of self-love, and finding the strength to succeed when the whole world (quite literally–you should have seen the flame wars!) is against you. While the book is marketed for New Adult, I’d recommend it to older teens and above. It really felt YA to me.
Interested? You can find BREAK IT UP on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble—TOMORROW! (I will come back and update with the Live links…when they ARE live!)
About the Author
Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy as Emily Mah. She is a former attorney with degrees in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University and business law from UCLA, and currently lives in her lifelong home state of New Mexico with her family. For more information or to sign up for updates on future book releases, visit her website, follow her on twitter or Facebook.
***GIVEAWAY***
(5) Print copies of Break It Up – International
(1) Swag pack including a temporary tattoo of Kyra’s tattoo from the book – International
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck! and as always, keep reading, my friends!
I love a sequel NOW AND AGAIN…–Review and Giveaway
Hi there and welcome to my stop on the NOW AND AGAIN blog tour organized by YA Bound Book Tours.
If you’d like to check out other stops on the tour, click here.
NOW AND AGAIN is a steamy New Adult Romance by Brenda Rothert–and the follow-up to the delightful NOW AND THEN.
Summary from Goodreads:
Once again, 26-year-old Layla Carson has the attention of a man eager to satisfy her. Ben Montrose, the hot, confident cop who gets off on frustrating her, is eager to show her just how arresting he can be. But as a reforming sexaholic, Layla’s sworn off casual hookups, and doesn’t miss the days of her early 20s –much.
Ben’s caught off-guard when the sexy, outspoken attorney turns him on and then turns him down. But the confident former Marine knows he can handle the simple seduction of a beautiful woman. He finds Layla’s weak spot – competition, which he happens to share – and challenges her to a game that could make them, or destroy them.
As they compete to crown the master of seduction, Ben and Layla discover there’s more to their game than power and foreplay. But as the stakes go up, they realize the game has changed, and they both stand to lose more than they bargained for.
My Review:
I wasn’t at all convinced I would like Layla. I knew from NOW AND THEN that she’s kinda not such a nice gal–conniving and manipulative and expects to get exactly what she wants pretty much describes her. Yet, her need to be assertive and strong actually isolates her from opportunities to build a stable relationship–at least with all the guys she knows. Sex is Layla’s way to find the intimacy she craves. And it isn’t working anymore. No, now she feels hollow and covets a relationship like sister Em’s more than ever.
After nine months of forced celibacy Layla encounters Ben Montrose. He’s big and burly and dominating and the exact opposite of what Layla usually finds attractive. He is, however, single–and she’s deprived, dammit. Ben thinks Layla’s a bit of alright, but he doesn’t want anything serious. He decides to woo her anyway, and can’t believe she doesn’t come to heel.
Guess Big Ben needed to ramp up his game. Good thing he does.
When Layla tells him she’s celibate that’s all the challenge Ben needs. He convinces Layla to spend four weeks together–the first two she dominates their ‘relationship’, the last two he will. While Layla keeps her vow, she and Ben spend a whole lot of time getting to know each other–building the intimacy she always sought. Meanwhile, Ben’s cool customer attitude is definitely overwhelmed by the vulnerability he finds in Layla. It’s a fun and heartfelt tale of two strong people learning to give and receive love. In spite of the (almost total) celibacy, there’s plenty of sexual tension and some excellent heat nearer to the end.
Interested? You can find NOW AND AGAIN at Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
Curious about the first book in this series? You can catch my full review here, but here’s a taste…
If you like realistic romances, NOW AND THEN is crammed to bursting with sibling rivalry, passion, family expectations, 
and responsibility. There are no billionaires. There is no S & M, no flashy cars, no contracts.
However, that’s super cool. Makes me feel like I may run into Em or Cole whilst touring my fair Chicago. They breathe my air. They have fussy mothers and scheming sisters. They have skeletons that don’t involve molestation or neglect, only family business of a personal–not shameful or criminal–nature.
NOW AND THEN is available on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
About the Author
Brenda Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a wide range of stories.
These days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres. You can find Brenda on Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook.
***GIVEAWAY***
10 ebook copies of Now and Again by Brenda Rothert (INT)
Click here for your chance to win!
Good luck and keep reading, my friends!
Captivated by THE BUSINESSMAN’S TIE–a Review
I picked this one up as a freebie and, well, let’s just say this…I lost a LOT of sleep reading the other three books in the series. For those who read 50SOG and are looking for the next BDSM series, Deena Ward’s The Power To Please series absolutely will.
Please that is…
THE BUSINESSMAN’S TIE (The Power to Please Book 1)
by Deena Ward
Nonnie Crawford is nearing thirty and out celebrating her divorce with a group of girlfriends when she locks eyes on the man across the bar. He’s attractive, and intense. His suit is well cut and his collar’s open. The eye contact is broken, but, while freshening up, Nonnie talks herself into approaching him.
Guess this stranger had the same idea, because when she opens the lav door he’s in the hallway. And the things they get up to in that hall are deliciously naughty.
And involve a tie…which she finds tucked into her purse the next morning.
Nonnie is awakened in a way she cannot forget. To her shame she stalks the bar on other nights to find the anonymous man who makes her dreams go nuclear. He doesn’t show but she’s befriended by another young woman who convinces her to investigate a rumored sex club. They go, and there Nonnie meets Michael Weston–a swoony playboy-type who happens to be an avid Dom. Michael makes it clear he’d like to get to know Nonnie. Intimately.
And, of course, The Businessman–aka Gibson Reeves–shows up, too.
In the meantime Nonnie’s voyeuristic cherry is popped, and she has offers from both Michael and Gibson to be their submissive. It’s heady, and hot, and Nonnie’s not sure what her friends will think of this wild side. So she keeps it quiet…
Still, she knows the things that either of these men can do will turn her inside out and sideways–in a very good way. Big decisions ahead for this novice. And they all point toward OH! OH! OH!
I just fell into this series and loved the blend of mature woman/insecure submissive that is Nonnie. She wants so much to find that all-encompassing love any gal dreams of, and the sensory overload she experiences with both Michael and Gibson take her to a place she mistakes for love, in some ways.
After I finished THE BUSINESSMAN’S TIE I went back and bought the four-book set. Right there you know I loved it.
You can find it FREE at Goodreads, AMAZON and Barnes & Noble.
Let me know in the comments if you check this one out–and how you liked it.
And, as always, keep reading my friends! 🙂
BOUND BY WISH AND MISTLETOE? Of course!–Review and Giveaway
Hi there and welcome to my stop on the Bound by Wish and Mistletoe Blog tour organized by AToMR Book Tours. If you’d like to see the other tour stops click here. Today’s feature is a double review of Kat Bastion’s recent works: adult paranormal romance novella, BOUND BY WISH AND MISTLETOE, and also the preceeding novel–FORGED IN DREAMS AND MAGICK, released in September.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe:
Desperate to honor a life-long promise, Susanna MacEalan escapes her abusive clan with the fierce determination of never falling under the power of a man. Ever.
Aggravated by shallow-hearted pursuing lasses, Robert Brodie, commander of his clan’s elite guard, has foresworn scheming women. Forever.
When magick transforms Brodie Castle into a Christmas wonderland, the two despondent souls find solace in a most unexpected place . . . each other’s arms.
Amid a whirlwind of escalating events, Susanna’s traumatic past threatens Robert’s ability to protect the one woman meant for him. In a harrowing moment, as her fears and demons coalesce, will hope, faith, and love be enough to save them?
My Review:
Susanna has been promised to a man she doesn’t desire in order to forge an alliance for her abusive, violent father. Unwilling to submit, she escapes. Only to come upon Robert Brodie while on a mission to acquire the perfect Christmas tree for Lady Isobel. Robert is taken by Susanna’s strong will and vulnerability, against his wishes.
When her unwanted suitor arrives, Robert and his men fight to save Susanna, only to trap her once again. The inhabitants of Castle Brodie do not leave their enchanted castle often, and Susanna’s hard-fought freedom must be surrendered if she is to remain with Robert.
Finally finding a place where she can be happy, she accepts Robert’s offer and love, but all is not settled and her father’s power is not to be forgotten.
This novella has heart and soul. I really enjoyed the banter between Robert and Susanna, and I enjoyed reconnecting with Isobel and Iain Brodie. It’s a lighthearted romance, and will appeal to any who enjoy Highlander love tales…
Interested? You can find BOUND BY WISH AND MISTLETOE at GOODREADS, AMAZON and Barnes & Noble
But what about the book that started it all?
Forged in Dreams and Magick:
Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten days’ end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .
Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .
Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .
Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.
Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.
She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.
My Review:
What woman wouldn’t want two insatiable lovers in two separate epochs?
Isobel may be a modern woman, but she’s not made of stone. When her connection to an ancient artifact tosses her to 13th century Scotland, Isobel does the best thing she can: marries the leader of Clan Brodie, Iain. Super swoony Iain is the whole of her existence…until she encounters that danged artifact again. Tossed back even farther, Isobel must survive with the Picts–and does so by mating the chieftain, Velloc.
Both men are fearsome fighters, courageous leaders, and tender lovers, but Isobel had given her heart to Iain first. Being with Velloc is heavenly, but shouldn’t she return to Iain if she can? How can a girl chose between sides of her heart?
She does, however, and is able to convince both her husbands that she should split time between them–why? Because she’s unsure if her time displacement will upset history, or cement it. Isobel returns to Iain and spends time with him–then returns with Iain’s help–to Velloc for a temporary visitation, only to find he is embroiled in the Roman conquest of Scotland. Now her knowledge of history is the only thing that can save Velloc and his Pict clan. Also, an angel…
Skorpius is a delicious treat who helps the Brodie, and Isobel, survive.
It’s a super fun read if you like time travel romance or Highland stories. Plenty of magic and mystery surround the artifact that whipsaws Isobel through time and love. As for the romance steam-factor: think warm and fuzzy, not melt your Kindle.
Interested? Forged in Dreams and Magick is available via GOODREADS, AMAZON and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.
On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love. Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of the proceeds of all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world.
Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Visit her blog, her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Goodreads or Twitter for more information on Kat and her works.
****GIVEAWAY****
(5) eBook copies of each title (5 of Bound by Wish and Mistletoe and 5 of Forged in Dreams and Magick) gifted from either Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or ARe (not Smashwords) – International
(5) Signed print copies of each title (5 of Bound by Wish and Mistletoe and 5 of Forged in Dreams and Magick) – International
(1) Pandora sterling silver and 14k gold Christmas Tree charm with Pandora sterling silver bracelet – International
Holy cow! Click HERE to enter this STUNNING giveaway.
And, as always: Keep reading my friends!
JUST ONCE? Not a chance! Review and Giveaway
Hi there! Welcome to my stop on the JUST ONCE blog tour organized by AToMR Book Tours. If you want to check out other stops on the tour, click here. JUST ONCE is an adult contemporary romance from debut author Julianna Keyes newly released by Omnific Publishing.
Book Description:
Kate Burke is done making bad decisions. Thirty years old and belatedly determined to grow up, the successful travel writer and one-time party girl returns to work at the remote Ponderosa Pines Ranch to reassess her life.
Although her kitchen/cabin staff is lacking and the workload never relents, Kate’s main challenge is Shane Maddox, the ruggedly handsome and doggedly stubborn ranch foreman. Instantly at odds, they battle over everything from ceiling fans to bothersome bats—studiously ignoring the sparks they generate with each confrontation.
They can’t explain their explosive physical chemistry, but after a few frustrated weeks they can’t deny it either. Their solution? Just once. They’ll get past their inconvenient lust and move on.
Kate’s been trying to think with her head instead of her hormones, but is this just another bad decision in a lifetime of careless choices? Has she really changed at all?
Set in the striking and serene hills of southern Colorado, Julianna Keyes’ debut novel offers a sizzling and satisfying tale of unexpected chemistry and the power of second chances. Her characters will get under your skin and into your heart. Just once may not be enough for you either.
My Review:
This isn’t your typical downtrodden rich girl story. Kate’s always had it all, true, but after a brutal attack she finds her vapid life unsatisfying. Instead of being the globetrotter/writer she’s taken a managers job at Ponderosa Pines, the dude ranch she worked as a teen, believing spending three months in the same place will help her regain her lost bearings.
Quickly Kate’s high cleaning standards ruffles the unruly teenaged staff–who desert–and she’s agitated the ranch manager, the burly Shane Maddox. He’s not her type–too burly, too demanding–but she’s undeniably attracted. Not that she’s going to act on it. Risky, reckless, Eight-Shot Kate is a girl of the past. From now on, Kate’s the model of responsibility…
Sort of.
Seems Shane shares Kate’s attraction–even though she isn’t his type either. And he willing to trade one afternoon of passion to scratch that sexy itch.
Raowr!! That’s an offer Kate can’t refuse. Of course, one time isn’t enough, but keeping their trysts on the down-low is important, and besides, they’re just going to keep it casual, right? No strings.
Oh how I love when the best laid plans of bed buddies go HEA!
Shane is swoonworthy supreme, and Kate’s smart, sassy and strong-hearted. I adore them both, and this vanilla-tale is steamy enough to make Christian Grey sweat.
Interested? You can grab JUST ONCE at Goodreads or Amazon.
About the Author
Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. This is her first book. Check her out on Twitter.
****GIVEAWAY****
Juliana and Omnific Publishing are giving away 5 ebooks, 1 Print Copy, 1 Swag Pack.
Click here for your chance to win!
And, as always, keep reading my friends!
V's Reads... 