Review: MTLE Basic Skills Test Flash Cards

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Imagine flash cards actually designed for teachers! Because we know you’ve got a busy life, we’ve developed a flash card book that isn’t like other certification materials out there. With Cirrus Test Prep’s unofficial NEW MTLE Basic Skills Test Flash Cards: Exam Prep Review with 300+ Flash Cards for the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examination you get a swift but full review of everything tested on your certification exam. Our resources will give you the push you need to pass your test the first time.

Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) and Pearson VUE were not involved in the creation or production of this product, are not in any way affiliated with Cirrus Test Prep, and do not sponsor or endorse this product.

Cirrus Test Prep’s MTLE Basic Skills Test Flash Cards includes a comprehensive REVIEW of:

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics

 

About Cirrus Test Prep

Developed by experienced current and former educators, Cirrus Test Prep’s study materials help future educators gain the skills and knowledge needed to successfully pass their state-level teacher certification exams and enter the classroom. Each Cirrus Test Prep study guide includes: a detailed summary of the test’s format, content, and scoring; an overview of the content knowledge required to pass the exam; worked-through sample questions with answers and explanations; full-length practice tests including answer explanations; and unique test-taking strategies with highlighted key concepts. Cirrus Test Prep’s study materials ensure that new educators feel prepared on test day and beyond.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

These MTLE Basic Flash Cards are great for studying. They have the three basic subject areas that test takers should be familiar with for the examination. I liked how accurate and easy the questions were. The flash cards were organized by three sections: reading, writing, and mathematics. The flash cards make studying for the Minnesota Teacher License  exam easier and faster. The only exception, was that it makes it hard to study them in the printed format. If they were were spiral bound or tear outs, it would make this a much recommend test prep guide. Overall, it was detailed, organized, and I liked the type of questions it asked.

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Review: Gather and Make by Genevieve Layman

 

 

Rating: 5-stars

Gather & Make by Genevieve Layman is one of the most interesting garden and nature books that I’ve read. Here, she discusses things such as the benefits of plants and nature to us humans. Insects like the bees are crucial to plants. There’s even a project to make for insects. I did not realize how many health benefits there was just in interacting with mother nature. But that was not the only things I discovered. Did you know that there is such a thing as horticultural therapy? I did not. Genevieve’s book has taught me a lot. It’s inspiring, peaceful, and fun. Plus, it’s educational to read. Inserted in this nonfiction book, are projects, trivia, and facts for each section. These informative pieces are not things I would have come across in similar books. The book isn’t just facts and text. There are step-by-step guides, and pictures that go in hand with everything she discusses. Especially, on the health benefits. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to all readers. Genevieve Layman is definitely an expert in her field of study, and her book is a must have. Old or young, there are plenty of things to do and learn in Gather & Make for all.

 

Review: An Amish Family by Kathleen Fuller

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

In An Amish Family, beloved author of Amish romance, Kathleen Fuller, invites readers into the lives of four Amish families.

Building Trust 

Grace Miller and Joel King are in love. They’ve dated secretly for the past year and when he proposes marriage, Grace eagerly agrees. But when she tells her parents about the wedding, she’s shocked when her father tells her she can’t marry Joel. Can Grace get to the bottom of her father’s animosity toward Joel so they can have the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of?

A Heart Full of Love  (also in An Amish Cradle)

Ellie’s mother hasn’t stopped meddling in her personal life since Ellie lost her sight—and she’s taken it up a notch now that Ellie’s pregnant. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in to care for them. But when her mother’s behavior becomes unbearable, Ellie is forced to take a stand . . . and finally find out why Mamm can’t let go.

Surprised by Love 

In a desperate move to evade her match-making mother, Emily Shwartz announces that she’s already seeing someone: Reuban Coblentz. The trouble is, Reuban is barely even a friend. Seeing how desperate she is, Reuban plays along. But when the past sneaks up on them, will this temporary arrangement turn into everlasting love?

A Gift for Anne Marie  (also in An Amish Second Christmas)

Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

An Amish Family by Kathleen Fuller is a wonderful anthology full of good Christian stories. Each story focuses on a lesson and they’re based on faith, love, and hope. Two of these short stories were previously published in other volumes. I enjoyed reading them all. They had a common theme and shared similar troubles. Love came in all many ways through each piece. Sweet, tender, and heartfelt…I felt a connection to all the of the characters. What I found most interesting what that in each new story, the focus on a female protagonist. Yes, there were strong male characters but it centered on the leading females. Everything they thought to what they did…moved the pages along. Overall, I found this collection engaging to read. I would recommend it to other readers.

Review: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out by Sally Franson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A brilliant young woman navigates a tricky twenty-first-century career—and the trickier question of who she wants to be—in this savagely wise debut novel in the tradition of The Devil Wears Prada. 

Casey Pendergast is losing her way. Once a book-loving English major, Casey lands a job at a top ad agency that highly values her ability to tell a good story. Her best friend thinks she’s a sellout, but Casey tells herself that she’s just paying the bills—and she can’t help that she has champagne taste.

When her hard-to-please boss assigns her to a top-secret campaign that pairs literary authors with corporations hungry for upmarket cachet, Casey is both excited and skeptical. But as she crisscrosses America, wooing her former idols, she’s shocked at how quickly they compromise their integrity: A short-story writer leaves academia to craft campaigns for a plus-size clothing chain, a reclusive nature writer signs away her life’s work to a manufacturer of granola bars.

When she falls in love with one of her authors, Casey can no longer ignore her own nagging doubts about the human cost of her success. By the time the year’s biggest book festival rolls around in Las Vegas, it will take every ounce of Casey’s moxie to undo the damage—and, hopefully, save her own soul.

Told in an unforgettable voice, with razor-sharp observations about everything from feminism to pop culture to social media, A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out is the story of a young woman untangling the contradictions of our era and trying to escape the rat race—by any means necessary.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out by Sally Franson has some promising parts to its story. However, other parts just fell flat. I loved the book cover. It was pretty to the eye. The book blurb also caught my attention made me think, OMG-This book is it!  But the main character was just going through the motions without any effort on her part. It appeared she put effort into not being the same kind of sell out yet she was just that.

Casey is a main protagonist that made me want to like her. However, I was only half-way liking her. There were her attempts to be good that made her likable. She just didn’t accomplish it on any scale. Casey is supposed to be the hero…

Anything with books or about writing in fiction has caught my full interest. This tale had the ingredients but they weren’t used right. I just did not feel emotionally attached at all to Casey. Yes, I loved how she loved books etc…and her romantic relationship with the Ben was the best part of this novel. Overall, it was good but could have been better.

 

 

Review: Love and Ruin by Paula Mclain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The bestselling author of The Paris Wife returns to the subject of Ernest Hemingway in a novel about his passionate, stormy marriage to Martha Gellhorn—a fiercely independent, ambitious young woman who would become one of the greatest war correspondents of the twentieth century

In 1937, twenty-eight-year-old Martha travels alone to Madrid to report on the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War and becomes drawn to the stories of ordinary people caught in devastating conflict. She also finds herself unexpectedly—and uncontrollably—falling in love with Hemingway, a man already on his way to becoming a legend. In the shadow of the impending Second World War, and set against the tumultuous backdrops of Madrid, Finland, China, Key West, and especially Cuba, where Martha and Ernest make their home, their relationship and professional careers ignite. But when Ernest publishes the biggest literary success of his career, For Whom the Bell Tolls, they are no longer equals, and Martha must make a choice: surrender to the confining demands of being a famous man’s wife or risk losing Ernest by forging a path as her own woman and writer. It is a dilemma that will force her to break his heart, and her own.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Love and Ruin by Paula Mclain is the saddest yet heartfelt story of two people. Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn were so in love with each other yet so broken. Both placed their careers over their relationship. Every time they got back together and fell apart again, it broke another piece of what was left of their hearts. I felt the love they felt when together. But the two were too stubborn too fierce to fit perfectly together. Like two jagged puzzle pieces that fit but won’t work due to chipped edges. The title fit this book in every way. Their love was ruined from the beginning. It tore them further apart then bringing them closer. Career obsessed and workaholics neither one wanted to sacrifice their work for their love. Truly, a sad story all around…overall, I recommend this literary novel to all readers. It was entertaining to follow.

Review: Savage Liberty by Eliot Pattison

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The fifth installation of Eliot Pattison’s Bone Rattler series follows the exiled Scotsman Duncan McCallum to the stepping-stones of the American Revolution

Acclaimed author Eliot Pattison continues his Bone Rattler series as Duncan McCallum is drawn into dark intrigue surrounding the Sons of Liberty in this gripping thriller set in the early days of the American revolution.

Pattison’s deep historical knowledge and attention to detail brings a young America to life, immersing the reader in the atmosphere and events that were to lead to the American rebellion. Protagonist Duncan McCallum is lead into a mystery of murder, treachery, and intrigue with Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and a secret society of American patriots organizing to resist the British throne.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Savage Liberty by Eliot Pattison is a novel that sent me back in time. I love following Scottish characters. I have never read a novel, where they were never not in trouble. There was always something going wrong to keep the action steady. Duncan MaCallum’s life was interesting. Death was constantly hanging over his head. Duncan is a strong, determined, and stubborn man. He appeared foolish but is not. He is braver than most men. His relationship with the strong-willed woman, Sarah, is beautiful. Both are good people struggling to survive in their new world. Boston was a place of danger, violence, and uprising. Duncan was smart to leave there but somehow it still chased after him. The time period was captured perfectly. Eliot Pattison created this story in way that deeply engaged me in all the characters’ lives. I felt as though I just lived through them all. Overall, I would recommend this to history fans and historical fiction lovers. This was fun to follow.

Review: 365 Days of Happiness by Jacqueline Pirtle

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Do you have fun with your own life? How often do you really pay attention and choose things to improve your day? In 365 Days of Happiness, author, energy healer, and mindfulness teacher Jacqueline Pirtle has created daily inspirations that help you mindfully work towards living a more vivid experience of daily happiness. Showing that you can put in work to change your life while having fun, the practices are full of whimsy and delight. Jacqueline decided to spend every day of 2017 devoted to her own happiness. She wrote every single day about the things she does to honor her joy, and used these writings to create this 365 day step-by-step guide, so she could teach you how to shift to BE and live in a “high for life” frequency of happiness too-no matter where you are at in your life right now. She started writing these for herself, but has a little sneaky intent to touch your heart every day and initiate new learning, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom for you to get closer to your true, authentic happy self. Through light, bubbly, cheerful passages, each day teaches you to find happiness, use those sour lemons, and shift yourself into a “high for life” frequency where you can reach happiness anywhere at any time.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Jacqueline Pirtle is a great motivation speaker. She has a flair for sending positive vibes to her readers everywhere. Brief, concise, and inspiring. Her book reads easy and gives great instructions. However, it was as if she assumed everyone is on the same page. Not everyone is. Some could take her advice as non encouraging. I felt more encouraged by her words but that’s because I am not sitting in a bad situation, at the moment. The pages had some great questions to ask myself along with simple tasks to complete. I thought that was what made this a good read. It’s not the best, but it definitely has the potential. Overall, it was an inspiring, uplifting, and feel-happy book.

Review: The Step-by-Step Drawing Book for Kids

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

PERFECT GIFT FOR KIDS AND BEGINNERS!

Peanut Prodigy’s Step-by-Step Drawing Book for Kids is a fun way for your child to learn to draw and enhance motor skills!

Each illustration page is equipped with two different pictures that are numbered with a blank corresponding page to begin practicing! Our book includes various illustrations, such as animals, plants, and methods of transportation.

Helpful Tip: Start off by drawing lightly, so you can easily erase. Follow the steps to complete your picture and once it is done, add your own unique details OR color it in to make it POP!

Details:

• High-quality #60 stock paper
• Perfectly sized at 8×10
• Easy to follow steps
• Soft, matte cover finish
• Plenty of pages for practice

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

This coloring book for children is great for young artists. The drawings are easy to do and detailed enough to challenge the children. There are step-by-step guides to follow making creating each drawing that easier. Plus, it gives the kids space to practice within the book.

Review: Not that I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: 

When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.

By Monday morning, one of them is gone.

Everyone knows something about everyone else in the quirky small Ohio town of Yellow Springs, but no one can make sense of the disappearance. Kristin was a sociable twin mom, college administrator, and doctor’s wife who didn’t seem all that bothered by her impending divorce—and the investigation turns up more questions than answers, with her husband, Paul, at the center. For her closest neighbor, Clara, the incident triggers memories she thought she’d put behind her—and when she’s unable to extract herself from the widening circle of scrutiny, her own suspicions quickly grow. But the neighborhood’s newest addition, Izzy, is determined not to jump to any conclusions—especially since she’s dealing with a crisis of her own.

As the police investigation goes from a media circus to a cold case, the neighbors are forced to reexamine what’s going on behind their own closed doors—and to ask how well anyone really knows anyone else.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Not that I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is one of the most intriguing drama mysteries that I’ve read. This was similar to Pretty Little Liars and Big Little Lies. A lot of deception is found, here on the pages. Just when the characters think they know everything, their neighborhood gets shaken upside down.  Secrets, drama, and mystery were combined making this a page turner. I was deeply engrossed with the characters’ lives and how they were connected. My curiosity was snatched immediately by this writer.

A group of women sit outside, sipping their wine. Too much to drink, and one of them disappeared. Nobody knows what happened to their missing neighbor or why. Kristen seemed to have the perfect life and a divorce that was just about closed, when she was found missing.

The ending was sort of surprising in a way, but I kind of predicted  what was going to happen. It felt like the same kind of plot as other books but on a grown adult level. The story was easy to get lost within…but like I said it was predictable in many ways due to similarities. Otherwise, great mystery novel.

 

Review: Wonderblood by Julia Whicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

It’s 500 years in the future, and a mad cow-like disease called “Bent Head” has killed off most of the U.S. population. Those remaining turn to magic and sacrifice to cleanse the Earth.

Wonderblood is Julia Whicker’s fascinating literary debut, set in a barren United States, an apocalyptic wasteland where warring factions compete for control of the land in strange and dangerous carnivals. A mad cow-like disease called “Bent Head” has killed off millions. Those who remain worship the ruins of NASA’s space shuttles, and Cape Canaveral is their Mecca. Medicine and science have been rejected in favor of magic, prophecy, and blood sacrifice.

When traveling marauders led by the bloodthirsty Mr. Capulatio invade her camp, a young girl named Aurora is taken captive as his bride and forced to join his band on their journey to Cape Canaveral. As war nears, she must decide if she is willing to become her captor’s queen. But then other queens emerge, some grotesque and others aggrieved, and not all are pleased with the girl’s ascent. Politics and survival are at the centre of this ravishing novel.

Rating: 3-stars

Review:

Wonderblood by Julia Whicker is a frightening, gross, and devastating tale. Loss, grief, and chaos loomed ahead in this read. The world went from how we knew it to one unrecognizable to me. Death. blood, gore, and sacrifice were everywhere. The story was strange. It was worse than any apocalypse novel that I have ever read. I couldn’t tell if they were any heroes, or if they were all just a bunch of lost souls too damaged by the destruction of their world. I would recommend this book if one is into the weird and unforgettable darkness that consumes long time afterwards. Wonderblood was a very dark read.

Review: The R.E.M. Project by J.M. Lanham

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The most powerful psychological weapon ever created has been unleashed.

A weapon the government is willing to kill for.
A weapon Big Pharma refuses to acknowledge.
A weapon that’s only a prescription away.

It’s been six months since the release of Asteria Pharmaceutical’s groundbreaking sleeping pill, and already, profits are soaring. With the original clinical trial outliers in hiding and on the run, George Sturgis has had free rein to disperse his revolutionary genome-inhibiting medication to the masses, with little regard for Ocula’s unconventional side effects.

Meanwhile, in Langley, the Director of Central Intelligence has taken notice of Ocula’s success and is determined to take the drug off the streets—even if it means rebooting a dangerous project she swore she would eliminate for good.

As the original outliers get pulled deeper into the Ocula conspiracy, they’ll soon discover that they’re not the only ones dreaming.

—————————

The long-awaited sequel to The R.E.M. Effect by J.M. Lanham, The R.E.M. Project is a new addition to the science fiction tradition of Michael Crichton, Preston & Child, Marcus Sakey, and Blake Crouch.

Dive into fast-paced suspense that explores Big Pharma corruption, clandestine government experiments, and the mysteries of the mind to create a world where taking a pill could mean taking lives.

Want to download the first few pages of this book for FREE so you can try before you buy? Click the ‘Send a free sample’ button and start reading now!

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The R.E.M. Project by J.M. Lanham is a brilliant thriller. It kept me guessing the whole way. Here, I followed the characters once more as they are being threatened. They know the real truth about the popular sleeping pill that affects its victims in ways they are not aware of…the government comes to be the big bad guy, here. They are investing in this crazy drug that harms its victims all for the sake of profits. Sounds very much like our real government. I can see this happening for real. FDA does not approve all drugs even the most uneventful drugs out there. But this is one pill that should not have been approved, yet it was. Death hangs over the heroes as they struggle to survive the threats from their enemies including the said company, the government, and now the CIA.

The beginning was a little bit dragging…other than that, this is a must read. J.M. Lanham created a suspenseful action packed story. It kept me reading for a long time…and it was so worth every minute. Overall, I recommend this novel to all readers.

Review: Drama Fraternity by Joe Cosentino

Synopsis:

Theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza is directing Tight End Scream Queen, a slasher movie filmed at Treemeadow College’s football fraternity house, co-starring his husband and theatre professor colleague, Noah Oliver. When young hunky cast members begin fading out with their scenes, Nicky and Noah will once again need to use their drama skills to figure out who is sending the quarterback, jammer, wide receiver, and more to the cutting room floor before Nicky and Noah hit the final reel. You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining sixth novel in this delightful series. Lights, camera, action, frat house murders!

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Drama Fraternity is the sixth novel in this LGBT mystery series. Joe Cosentino packs humor, murder, action, and a bit of romance all into one great package. I enjoyed following the dramatic yet entertaining couple, Nicky and Noah, as they solve yet another murder mystery. The variety of characters is refreshing. There is never a boring moment in this plot. It quickly escalates into suspense, murder, and mayhem after introducing the plot and characters. There are some reaccurring characters, such as the detective and the friends of the most engaging gay couple the world has ever followed. The love of theatre and acting comes to play in this book as in the previous ones. I loved the personalities that shine in this novel. Nicky is sweet and charming. Noah is just as kind and a great actor. Their adopted son makes me laugh a lot. His questions from time to time, are raw and honest, as well as simple and pure. The kid has a way of wiggling into my heart. The plot follows a male Christian fraternity that pledges no sex, drugs, or alcohol. It was interesting to follow those male characters especially two that seemed to be hiding a secret. My curiosity grew and before I was aware of it the ending came. Drama Fraternity by Joe Cosentino is full of twists, fun, and surprises. I would highly recommend this theatre murder mystery novel to all.

Review: Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Deputy U.S. Marshal Casey Sloane has worked at the St. Louis Marshals office for two years and is given a routine assignment to help transport a reporter to D.C. to testify before a grand jury. Valerie, the reporter, was writing a story about an up-and-coming environmentalist who suddenly disappeared and, she later discovered, whose backers purportedly have ties to a terrorist. 

When the seemingly ordinary assignment suddenly takes a shocking turn, Casey is forced to put aside her own feelings about the unexpected reappearance of a man from her past as she and two other Marshals take Valerie on the run. And as it becomes dangerously clear Valerie’s testimony has even bigger implications than they knew, they’ll do whatever it takes to make it out alive.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl is full of action, danger, and twists. I never expected the ending to end the way it did. There was a foreshadowing event for it…but I still did not see it coming. Nancy Mehl is a talented writer. The plot was fast-paced with threats coming in from everywhere. An enemy targets the Marshals’ office and blows it up. Causualities are found. Three agents are not sure how many they have lost or who is behind the attacks. Was the enemy really after them or their current witness in protection? Then, there was the past connection that both Marshal Casey and E.J. shared. Tension on both of their sides that turns out to more than what they expected. As for the bad guys, one of them finally gets caught only to turn on the bigger enemy. This enemy isn’t going down without a grand finale even if it means killing a family member…overall, there was tons of suspense and deadly hostile situations to enjoy. I loved how realistic this law enforcement operation was conducted in the novel. In the end, I highly recommend Blind Betrayal to readers everywhere. Nancy Mehl kept me guessing. 

Review: Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

He lost her once to a rash decision.

He will not lose her again.

On the eve of a new year, Catherine Glick is expecting her bu of five years to propose. Instead, the unexpected arrival of an old boyfriend, Elijah, sends her life spiraling out of control. When a rash decision damages her current relationship, Catherine leaves for Florida to work in her cousin’s bakery—anything to flee the source of her shame.

Elijah Graber knows he hurt Catherine when he left their Amish district six years ago. He’s determined to explain his actions, even if it means following her to Florida. Perhaps their two-day bus trip together will provide enough time for him to make his case and win her back.

Just when Elijah is starting to tear down the walls Catherine has built, their bus skids on an icy road—and amid the mayhem and tragedy that follow, Catherine disappears. Elijah’s friends urge him to prepare for the worst, but Elijah holds on to his hope in God and refuses to give up his search for Catherine. With supernatural nudging from the most unexpected places, Elijah sets out to find the love he once lost—no matter the cost.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Arms of Mercy by Ruth Reid is an emotional journey. It tugged at my heart strings all the way. Two young Amish people fell in love but things didn’t go as planned. Hurt and embarrassed, one of them runs away from their current life. Only this time, the other one isn’t going to give up…

Catherine loved Elijah until he hurt her emotionally. She has then moved on with her life. Currently romantically involved with another Amish man, Catherine has been waiting for love. What she doesn’t realize is that her heart was still with Elijah. Then, embarrassed by what happens to her next, she flees. Unexpectedly, Elijah meets her and from there the story grows complicated, heartbreaking, and sweet.

Elijah broke his love’s heart. Hoping to make mends…he finds that his love never ended for her. Just being with Catherine makes him happy. Things are going well, until tragedy strikes them both. Loss, grief, and forgiveness are major themes of this novel. I was so engaged in both characters’ lives I felt like I was there with them. They made me hope and cheer for them both. The ending was wonderful. I wasn’t disappointed with this read. Overall, I highly recommend it to all Christian readers.

Review: Feral Attraction by Eileen Watkins

Synopsis:

Cat groomer Cassie McGlone tails a killer gone wild over feral felines. . .

Cassie’s good friend Dawn is part of an organization that’s trying to protect a colony of stray cats on the property of a senior condo community in Chadwick, New Jersey. The residents have got their backs up over the cat invasion, and Dawn has come to Cassie’s grooming and boarding shop, Cassie’s Comfy Cats, to ask her help in talking sense to them.

Not everyone’s against the cats. Eccentric Sabrina Ward feeds them and has even created makeshift shelters for them in the nearby woods, infuriating her neighbors. Following a heated community meeting–in which Cassie and her veterinarian boyfriend come up with a proposal–Sabrina’s body is found in the woods. The police are calling her death an accident, but Cassie smells a rat. Narrowing down the list of suspects may be tougher than herding cats, but Cassie is determined to collar the killer before another cat lover has a fatal accident . . .

Praise for The Persian Always Meows Twice

“Fans of felines will appreciate Cassie’s demonstrated attachment to the master species, which Watkins successfully integrates throughout her debut, a deft blend of mystery and cat love.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A promising start to a new cozy series. And the information the author provides about cats is fascinating.” –Suspense Magazine

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Feral Attraction by Eileen Watkins is an exciting feline mystery. It turns out that a community of feral cats have moved closer to an older retired community housing center. That’s where all the trouble begins…A few residents began feeding the cats thus, an increase in the population of feral cats being seen. Many of the residents do not like the cats and want them gone. Some are willing to go to the extreme to get rid of the cats and those invloved in helping the cats stay alive and free. Murder, mayhem, and a charming cast of characters are found in this book. I love how an expert cat groomer who has an animal behavior degree is called in to settle the dispute. But Cassie soon finds herself in more hot trouble than she can handle…I loved reading this new novel. Overall, I would recommend Feral Attraction to all readers. I can’t wait for the next book!

Review: Goodbye Cruller World by Ginger Bolton

Synopsis:

Named after her beloved tabby, Deputy Donut, Emily Westhill’s donut shop in small-town Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, is doing so well, she’s expanding into catering weddings. But a killer is about to crash the reception . . .

Normally, Emily’s eyes tend to glaze over when prospective brides go on about their wedding plans. But when the owner of the clothing shop, Dressed to Kill, asks Emily to design a donut wall for her reception, she’s immediately sweet on the idea. With the help of her father-in-law and business partner–the former police chief of Fallingbrook–she hangs the treats from dowels on the wall so guests can help themselves.

But that night, when the groom ends up on the floor with signs of poisoning, Emily suspects someone has tampered with her treats. When the groom dies, there’s no way to sugarcoat it: she’s got a murder on her hands. Despite a list of suspects as long as the guest list, Emily vows to find out who created the killer confection to save her shop’s reputation and keep the bride out of handcuffs. She’ll have to move fast . . . before the poisoner takes a powder.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Goodbye Cruller World by Ginger Bolton is one of the best cozy murder mysteries I have read lately. The characters are so real. The cast of characters are funny, charming, and deadly if crossed. Themes of family, love, and food can be found inside this book. Ginger Bolton created an a very entertaining piece of fiction.

The main question was how far does our love push us and how far is too, far? An older sister takes raising her younger sister way too seriously…Jenna was right in saying, that her older sister, Suzanne, is smothering her. When one cannot be allowed to marry a man whether he was decent or not, is not up to anyone but the bride. Yet things do not go as planned and get sticky pretty fast.

Emily is the main protagonist. She owns a bakery with her father-in-law. Emily lost her husband and her interest in weddings isn’t high. But then, she was asked to do a baking thing, and Emily is all in…until the groom is found dead eating one of her creations. Who poisoned him and why? Emily will work hard to find who the killer is to save her business and her friend aka the bride.

Another lovable character is Brent. Brent is a police officer who is deeply interested in Emily. Emily likes Brent, too. Plus, her feline cat, Dep, likes him as well. Brent ran miles just to get to a deadly scene where Emily is involved. The man deserved happiness and medals in my book. His personality is fun.

Overall, I would highly recommend Goodbye Cruller World to all readers. I got swept up immediately. The danger made it fast-paced. Ginger Bolton’s writing was engaging to follow. I truly loved her characters and how the scenes played out in the end. It was amazing. Never a boring moment and plenty of action.

Review: Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Lee Hollis begins a delightful new series in which Poppy Harmon and her friends find that life after retirement can be much busier—and deadlier—than any of them ever anticipated . . .

When Poppy goes from complacent retiree to penniless widow in a matter of weeks, the idea of spending her golden years as the biggest charity case in Palm Springs renders her speechless. With no real skills and nothing left to lose, Poppy uses her obsession with true crime shows to start a career as a private eye . . .

But after opening the Desert Flowers Detective Agency with help from her two best friends, Violet and Iris, Poppy realizes that age brings wisdom, not business—until she convinces her daughter’s handsome boyfriend, Matt, to pose as the face of the agency. It’s not long before Matt’s irresistible act snags a client desperate to retrieve priceless jewelry burglarized from an aging actress at the Palm Leaf Retirement Village. Or before Poppy stumbles upon the bloodied body of the victim’s arch rival . . .

In a flash, Poppy’s innocent detective gig is upstaged by a dangerous murder investigation riddled with slimy suspects and unspeakable scandal. As she and her team uncover the truth, Poppy must confront the secrets about her late husband’s past and swiftly catch a killer lurking around the retirement community—even if it means turning her world upside down all over again. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis is an interesting twist to a new mystery series. It’s similar to Miss Fisher and Murder She Wrote. I love murder mysteries with a strong woman sleuth. That’s exactly what I found here. Poppy Harmon is the new detective lady in town and she’s definitely worth following in this book.

The book cover led me thinking that Poppy Harmon was in her tense ties when she is in fact, in her 60’s. I can picture Poppy dressing like the woman pictured on the cover except for the heels…considering her age.

Poppy Harmon is a retired actress left with no money. She then works on finding an income and the choice she makes will make readers laugh out loud. Poppy decided to run her own detective agency with a little help from friends and her daughter’s boyfriend. Like most women sleuth just beginning their epic journey, Poppy lands herself in trouble. Mayhem, murder, and humor are displayed across these entertaining pages.

Overall, I would recommend this new series to all readers. There is plenty of action, intrigue, and peril moments that adds to the suspense of the plot. Fast-paced with exciting characters, Lee Hollis sucked me into her world of fiction. 

 

Review: Evokations by Hawkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

EVOKATIONS is a spiritual awakening, a term I’ve coined to implement the meditative healing of America’s very soul.

The thoughts and emotions conjured EVOKE figurative pillars of esoteric collaboration where semantics, style, and purpose adjoin feelings within the principal scope one calls the promise of TODAY.

Therefore, one can internalize, as free will demonstrates, that Humans, Nubians, plus Oceanic and Stellar Beings alike, shall literarily grasp at the ideological straws of peace and compassion for the mind, through the self, and ultimately counteract the various negativities which LIE within current earthly cerebral and logistical illusion. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Evokations by Hawkins is an easy read. It’s a beautiful collection of prose on various subjects that intermingle with each other. Themes such as peace, compassion, free will and many others. Humanity shines through each piece. This collection of poetry is different than what I normally read but it only takes minutes to go through the book. A calmness reigns as I went through it. There’s a religious theme that centralizes everything written here. I thought it was well-done. Overall, Evokations is an entertaining book that I recommend to all.

Review: Moon Beam by Steven Burgauer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Peril stalked the corridors of the lunar habitat. Fear was its companion. The killer, a woman, fed on that fear. No one in the lunar station was safe from her wrath, not even the fresh, young team that had just arrived from Earth to erect the first lunar space elevator. When completed, the space elevator was destined to be one of the great engineering projects of all time. The unreeling of the space cable had just begun, when the killer struck a vengeful blow.

Now, with a catastrophic solar flare flashing overhead, the race was on.

Can Chief Clay Flynn and Senior Tech Lou Santini stop her before it was too late? Can they save the lives of the men, women, and children of the Lunar Station and its life-sustaining resources from total annihilation?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Moon Beam is captivating book from beginning to end. At every point the author leaves the reader wanting more. It’s impossible to put this book down!

Moon Beam by Steven Burgauer is a must read for anyone wanting to escape for a bit into an exciting world with action and suspense at every turn. This book should be on everyone’s “Must Read” List!

Review: 3 Hour Dad by Adam Hourlution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Based on actual events

One day Adam, just your average, typical guy receives a call from his mother-in-law (to be !) summoning him to the hospital following his girlfriend being rushed in with suspected appendicitis only to discover that she is in fact having contractions and has been admitted to the labour ward.

This heart-warming and true story invites readers to step into Adam’s shoes and experience what it is like to be a 3 Hour Dad.

A portion of sales are donated to a random act of kindness project. For more information please read the about me section at the end of the book.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

This story is a man’s journey into finding out he was about to become a father. Both parents were not aware of the pregnancy, and the reader is able to flow the path of the father finding out just how much his life is going to change.

At some parts of the story, it is difficult to follow, but you are quickly able to rejoin the discovery. As a real-life story, 3 Hour Dad is great for anyone who enjoys to take part in the lives of others and their embarkment into new territories and stages of life.

 

Review: Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Death Doesn’t Bargain is the second historical fantasy title in New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Deadman’s Cross series. Where Deadmen tell their tales, and every soul is damned or redeemed by the final choices they make.

The Deadmen are back…

But so are the demons who have broken free of their eternal prison and are bent on mankind’s destruction. The worst of the lot is Vine, determined to claim their lives for taking hers. She will see the world burn…and has the perfect lure to destroy them all. One of their own.

Kalder Dupree has never known a day of mercy. Born to the cruelest of mer-races, he sacrificed himself for his crew and is in Vine’s hands. He expects no mercy or rescue.

Yet Cameron Jack is determined to set Kalder free. As a Hellchaser, it’s her calling, and she cannot allow even a not-so-innocent to be tortured for an act of kindness that spared her damnation.

To defeat evil, it sometimes takes an even worse evil, and Cameron is willing to do whatever she must to make this right. If Vine thought she had her hands full before, she hasn’t seen anything nearly as powerful as Cameron’s resolve.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon is one amazing read. This romantic fantasy has all kinds of creatures for characters. Each one has its own story with choices made or to be made.

Kalder Dupree sacrificed himself for others. He’s suffering in hell because of that choice and yet he still fights with everything he has. Kalder’s life was never easy. So much loss, grief, and trouble inside of it…it made me wonder how he survived thus far. But his journey isn’t over yet…

Cameron Jack is a female not to mess with…her determination and strength make her a good protagonist. She’s a strong female who knows what she wants. That want is to free Kalder. His sacrifice helped her. Now, she wants to return the favor. Their journey is just beginning…

Danger, mystery, and a lot of action are found inside Death Doesn’t Bargain. The whole story had a way of captivating my full-attention. There were so many sides to fight that it was interesting. I was not sure which side would do what or when. The suspense and intrigue was on high volume. The ending…I liked it a lot but now, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next title. Sherrilyn Kenyon definitely knows how to enchant readers, lie myself. Dragging me deeper into her world of fantasy. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all.

 

 

Review: Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

From Barbara Delinsky, the New York Times bestselling author of Blueprints and Sweet Salt Air, a brand-new novel about a woman in hiding finding the courage to face the world again.

Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends—and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made—though she can’t risk telling them too much. And she takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist at the luxurious local spa, helping clients hide the visible outward signs of their weariness, illnesses, and injuries. Covering up scars is a skill she has mastered.

Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself—or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones.

From a multimillion-selling master of women’s fiction, Before and Again is a story of the relationships we find ourselves in—mothers and daughters, spouses and siblings, true companions and fair-weather friends—and what kind of sacrifices we are or aren’t willing to make to sustain them through good times and bad.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky is a fast paced plot. The story is about a family’s life that gets turned upside down when they loose their only daughter. A five-year-old girl, dead on impact of another car hitting them. The mother was driving the car. Since then, life has beennothing but hell for the parents. A divorce, separation, guilt, shame, and grief immediately consumed me. I felt an instant sympathy for the family, especially the mother. It was intense. Sad, horrifying, and just one big emotionally charged journey. What started out as a sad and dark road, soon proved to hold some hope and light for this couple. I loved how realistic and how I was shown what was happening.

The situations were not easy but I could easily see all of this happening in real life. It’s difficult to lose a loved one, especially one that was so young and in the mother’s care at the time…the physical and emotional trauma would be hard. Yet Barbara Delinsky showed that there is always a light at the end of the long dark tunnel. We may lose ourselves but not all is lost. There is hope for a future…overall, I would recommend this to readers everywhere.

 

Review: Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Ever since her best friend died six months ago, Laura Reihl has vowed to make each day count. And that means she should probably break off her relationship with Rudy. They’ve been together for so many years, and his friendship means the world to her. But she knows friendship doesn’t come close to the fireworks of true love, and she’s not really feeling the fireworks.

So when Savilla’s widower, Allen, asks her to help him take care of the baby Savilla left behind, Laura jumps at the chance. Maybe the change of scenery will help her gain perspective on her relationship with Rudy. And she’d do anything to help Allen out—he’s always been a good friend to her, and he’s Rudy’s best friend as well.

When she arrives at Allen’s house, though, she finds a man she barely recognizes. Allen is distraught over his wife’s death, blaming himself for not taking her to the doctor soon enough.

As Laura helps Allen work through his grief, she remembers just how easy he is to talk to. And she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. She can’t be falling for Allen, can she? It would be a betrayal to the two people she’s care most about, Savilla and Rudy. But if she denies her feelings, is she betraying herself?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston is a sweet, engaging, and heartfelt tale. An Amish journey that tugs at my heart strings. Amy Clipston knows how to engage readers, like me, into her world of fiction. I was in love with this story. It was so easy to relate to the protagonists that I couldn’t stop reading it. Their journey towards their future together was fun to follow.

Currently, Laura is attached to a young Amish man who would make any Amish woman happy. But she’s not feeling the sparks towards him at all. But she does feel them towards a man whom she should not be feelings these things with at all. She keeps telling herself and her boyfriend that she’s helping a friend in need. But Laura finds herself so deeply interested in her friend that she feels confused. Should love have instant sparks?

Allen lost his his wife and has a young baby to take care of…but when help arrives in the form of Laura, he cannot resist innsyaing yes. He needs all the help he can receive. However, as they spend more time together, their friendship starts to blossom in ways he did not expect.

A journey of discovery, love, and friendship are explored here. Room on the Porch Swing is the most engaging Christian piece of fiction that I have read. I loved the characters. Their stories are like reality. There will be loss, grief, and happiness mixed in together. Overall, I highly recommend this new tale to all.

Review: Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Allie’s second husband is killed tragically when his 18-wheeler crashes into the rocks near their home in Cape San Blas–the tanker was full of fuel and the explosion could be seen on overhead satellites. She’d already lost the beloved waterfront restaurant her parents started and now losing her husband, no matter how unfulfilling their marriage was, might just push her over the edge.

Joseph’s time in Vietnam left him with scars that never seemed to heal. No matter how he’s tried to love or what he’s tried to do since then, he can’t pull himself out of the wreckage of his former life. His trust and security shaken, he isolates himself in a cabin. But every morning, he faithfully pours two cups of coffee, drinking his while he sits with the second, and then pouring out the full cup.

It’s no small coincidence that Joseph found a mother and her two young children lost in the woods near his cabin. Or that when he helps them return to family in Florida, he’s near enough to see that explosion. Near enough to know it’s close to home. Near enough to know that his childhood sweetheart needs him.

The years have built so much distance between them, but it’s the secrets that may be their final undoing. Send Down the Rain reminds us of the beauty of truth . . . and the power of love to wash away the past.

Rating:  5-stars

Review:

Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin is another brilliant tale. I love this writer’s work. His characters are three-dimensional and their situations are written in a way that made me feel like I was there. This romance saga brings forth action, danger, and secrets. A man comes back from danger only to relive it back home. His long held love is placed in a deadly situation and it’s up to him to help save her.

Allie is a mother of two kids when she loses her husband. Loss, grief, and danger will only add to her troubling heart and situation. Then, comes a former friend, one who can help her. Only there are roadblocks that both she and Joseph need to get through, if they want to find happiness. Right now, survival is important.

Joseph is struggling with his own demons when he finds a woman in trouble. This woman happens to be someone he really cares about, and he won’t be letting her go. But there are things he has to figure out first. The more time he spends with her, the more he wants to keep her with him.

Charles Martin is a talented writer. I was hooked. His latest piece was just as great as his previous books. Amazing characters, emotional attachments, and a suspenseful plot is what I got and liked. Overall, I would highly recommend Send Down the Rain to all readers.

 

Review: The Woman Behind the Waterfall by Lenoroa Meriel

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Heartbreak and transformation in the beauty of a Ukrainian village

For seven-year old Angela, happiness is exploring the lush countryside around her home in western Ukraine. Her wild imagination takes her into birds and flowers, and into the waters of the river.

All that changes when, one morning, she sees her mother crying. As she tries to find out why, she is drawn on an extraordinary journey into the secrets of her family, and her mother’s fateful choices.

Can Angela lead her mother back to happiness before her innocence is destroyed by the shadows of a dark past?

Beautiful, poetic and richly sensory, this is a tale that will haunt and lift its readers.

“A strange and beautiful novel” – Esther Freud, author of Mr Mac and Me, Hideous Kinky, Peeless Flats

“Readers looking for a classic tale of love and loss will be rewarded with an intoxicating world” – Kirkus Reviews

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

The Woman Behind the Waterfall by Leonora Meriel is a deep emotional tale. One that reads like poetry. It was a bit too slow and stretched out for my tastes when it comes to the pacing. However, the story presented was interesting. Reading this novel, made me sad. It felt like everything was crashing down around the mother and daughter. The mother made some wrong choices and feels regret. Her daughter is a ray of sunshine and innocence. Their love for each other is all they have. This book was different than what I usually read. Not exactly what I expected but unique. Overall, those looking for an emotional yet strong theme on family may love reading this.

Review: Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The men in Nicole McLaughlin’s Man Enough series are tough Alphas devoted to serving their country and the women who love them.

National Guardsman Aiden King has been attracted to Hannah Walters for a while, but he never made a move because of her close relationship with his best friend. But when circumstances change, Aiden is surprised when his friend gives his blessing. Problem is, there’s a reason he’s still alone after all these years, and as much as he wants her, that secret keeps him from acting on his desires.

Hannah has finally decided to wait for the kind of love you read about in books and see in movies. After her failed engagement, Aiden’s unassuming support has become a touchstone for Hannah. It soon becomes apparent that he may be exactly the kind of man she’s been looking for. But the closer they become, the more he keeps her at arm’s length.

When Aiden suggests a road trip to take Hannah’s mind off her troubles, the two of them go on a journey neither one expected. She just hopes that the final destination is them together for good.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin is full on intensity. Hot and sweet, as well as the sad and frustrated kind of intense situations. The characters are mature but have their own personal journey to go through before they figure out things. Hannah believes she is incapable of loving someone and Aiden is scared of letting in Hannah.

Hannah soon starts to crush on Aiden. The more time she spends with the sexy hunk, the more she likes making him laugh and talking to him. Plus, he’s definitely easy on the eyes. But can she love him the way he deserves to be loved?

Aiden has a lot of inner struggles happening. He really likes Hannah. He wants her in more than just friends kind of way. But sometimes she makes him feel like all they could ever be is just friends. Aiden also has secrets that make him both the most frustrating and most intriguing man ever. He has a heart of gold. Plus, he’s a brilliant cook.

Overall, Only With You, made me laugh and cry. It was both a sad and happy tale. I kept rooting for each character. Sexy, sweet, and engaging is the kind of book Nicole McLaughlin created. I enjoyed reading it. In the end, I recommend this contemporary novel to all readers.

Review: Wanted: A Perfect Partner by Debbie Macomber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Sweet, fun romance stories by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber are to be enjoyed again and again!

Single mom Meg Remington isn’t looking for another chance at love, but her teenage daughter, Lindsay, has other plans, so she places a personal ad on her mother’s behalf. When it’s answered by Steve Conlan, he actually seems…perfect! But there’s more at work, as the reluctant couple soon discovers. Meg and Steve want to teach their matchmakers a lesson–if only they weren’t really falling for each other!

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Wanted: Perfect Partner by Debbie Macomber held some very exciting and unexpected twists. I was not sure what to expect with this read. But what I found was a fun, emotionally engaging, and romantic journey. A single divorced mother with a teenage daughter trying to get her married. A daughter who places an ad for dating in a newspaper for her mom.  Single bachelor and brother to a young woman, plots to get her brother married off…only things go a little wacky, intense, and hot.

I loved reading it. Moments like Steve returning Meg’s purse only to have the cops called trying t arrest him…and Meg’s daughter saying he’s a convicted felon…was hilarious. Steve and Meg thought they could have the upper hand on their date arrangers only for it to back fire completely. Humor was found everywhere. Steve pretended to be a convicted felon while Meg presented herself as a cheap hookup girl.

At first Steve and Meg, were emebarrassed. Then, they went from embarrassment to taking control or so they thought. But what they did not plan on was the attraction they started to feel…

Debbie Macomber once again, has written a story that tugged at my heart. I fell completely in love with her characters. All of them were amazing. They were perfect at their roles. In fact, some were so perfect, that I didn’t see the ending twist. Overall, I would recommend this realistic heartfelt yet romantic comedy to all readers.

 

Review: A Tracker’s Tale by Karen Avizur

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Welcome to the strange and perilous world of Katherine Colebrook: FBI special agent, Los Angeles… Trackers Division.

In Katherine’s world, werewolves, vampires, púcas, and other parasapien species – forced for centuries by human fear and prejudice to live at the fringes of society – have finally come out of hiding to demand their rightful place alongside us. It’s a fragile co-existence, fraught with mutual distrust: a new social contract for which the rules are still evolving. And when those rules break down – usually when a parasapien begins preying on humans – that’s when the Trackers step in. It’s their job to hunt them down and stop them by any means necessary.

Within this elite unit, Katherine Colebrook is one of the best. Her psychic abilities made her a natural for the Trackers Division, allowing her to move between the parasapien and human worlds in ways that no other agent could. But Katherine’s calling hasn’t come without struggle and losses along the way. As a single mother, she must contend with her teenage daughter, Alexandra, who not only shares Katherine’s psychic abilities, but seems determined to follow the same dangerous path as her mother.

And so, when Katherine’s latest assignment threatens to bring that danger too close home, she finds herself faced with the toughest challenge of her career: Can she protect her daughter’s life, while battling a ruthless adversary who’ll stop at nothing to destroy her?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

A Tracker’s Tale by Karen Avizur is an interesting FBI/paranormal suspense. This book was so easy to read, I couldn’t be,wives how fast I got to the end of the book. Werewolves, vampires, psychics, and many other paranormal beings are found as cast members in this book. The leading protagonist is a psychic/FBI agent. Plus, it’s a she. I loved how the writer tackled the paranormal and suspense genre and combined them both into an entertaining tale. The plot thickened as I dug further into the pages.

Intrigue caught my attention. A human man somehow ‘accidentally goes into werewolf territory’. These areas are so well-marked that it makes it very unlikely for a human to go wondering into the wrong zone. Then, there are the vampires, who play into major political crap roles. As an FBI agent, Katherine got called into a lot of political vampire crap. It was funny and full of drama. Next, there’s the issue of her daughter being targeted and kidnapped. Katherine will go into super mom mode just to protect her daughter and keep the world safer.

Katherine is a likable character. Her personality made it easy to connect with her. Plus, she’s human and has a lot of traits that make her a hero. Her partner is interesting to follow as well. He makes some of the crappy and worse situations seem like typical police work. Katherine’s daughter is also a psychic just like her mom which adds to this paranormal plot.

Karen Avizur has created a new series that I would recommend to all. Suspense, danger, and mystery all wrapped up in one great package. Plus, the mother-daughter bond is fun to read. A dash of humor, politics, and crime are also found inside this book. Plenty of action that kept me reading.

 

Review: Breathless by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A sensuous, delightful romantic women’s fiction novel from New York Times bestselling authors Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan!

She was “the Swan.” London’s premiere courtesan. Men want to be with her. Women loathe her success and yet admire her beauty, her riches, her independence. But when the jealous wife of her lover moves to have the Swan banished from her home on the high seas, she winds up crashed against Spain’s rocky coast with no shoes, no clothes-and no name. Taken in by a tortured, sensuous man known as The Artist, the Swan comes to know the woman she wants to be—her artist’s siren.

When Art Professor Brenna Anderson is in danger of losing her post at Harvard, the rule-following, prim professor is at a loss of how to salvage the shreds of her life. But when a new painting in the mysterious Siren collection is discovered in a dusty old house in France, Brenna does the unthinkable—hops on a plane to uncover the identity of the beautiful, enigmatic woman who is the subject of the paintings.

There’s just one hitch—the frustrating, irritating, bold and beautiful art hunter, Fitch Wilder, is also looking for the Siren. He’s been a thorn in Brenna’s professional side for years, but when their individual quests lead them to team up despite being enemies, a whole new sumptuous world of art and culture opens up for the two of them. And with it, they enter a realm of passion and love…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Breathless by both Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan is a book unlike any other. A contemporary romance that brings a story about erotic art paintings to life. In this story, I got to learn more about this modern like art that would appear to be just sexual in form to me. But to those who really know art, it really wasn’t about the sex appeal. It was more than just that. That’s where an academic woman scholar and a sexy male art hunter come together to find out more about The Swan paintings. These paintings have a story that needs telling. The art portraits themselves, sound so appealing and realistic that it was like being there seeing and experiencing what the characters got to experience firsthand.

Breathless is more than just a sexy romance that burrowed deep into my skin. It caught my attention and held it fast. The journey from the present to the past of the woman courtesan, who was painted as The Swan, was a woman who lived many lives. She had to find herself and that happened when she found and fell in love with the male painter. Following her historical journey from England to the Americas was fascinating. I felt disinterested as first, but after learning more, I could not stop reading.

The modern cast of characters include Brenna Anderson. She’s clever, gorgeous, and talented. Her former lover is an idiot and loses her by his betrayal. Then, there’s the work issues about the subject of art that Brenna is teaching to her students. Some parents who fund the art program were complaining about her choices. Brenna wanted to tell them to stick their opinions…but the university has its hands tied. And that is where her life journey begins…chasing after a portrait that may link The Swan series and letters to the life of the woman whose protairt is the talk of the century. But she might have to work with a man who defies what she normally trusts.

Fitch Wilder is the next modern day character who makes this a lot of fun to read. He was vibrant, sexy as hell, and adventurous. Sometimes he broke the rules but finding out more on the identity of the woman in The Swan painting was worth the risks. Even if the led him to the fiery yet most engaging woman he has ever met…Professor Brenna Anderson.

The Courtesean in the paintings somehow has brought two modern people together. Finding a love tha burns as deeply as the one she experienced. Love, sex, history, and art are all found in this epic tale. A journey of survival, loss, and new beginnings. I loved it. Overall, I would recommend this novel to all readers. It was the best thing that I have read in a long time.

 

Review: It’s All About the Duke by Amelia Grey

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Nearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal―but taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The last he saw of Miss Marlena Fast, she was a spirited little ruffian, not the sort of bride most bachelors on the marriage mart sought. But one glance at the lovely lady she has become is enough to convince him otherwise…

Orphaned young and shuffled from family to family, Marlena counts on her fierce independence and quick wits to keep herself content. Being the responsibility of a notoriously wicked duke who upended so many lives is an unexpected challenge when she realizes he arouses her decidedly feminine desires. Marlena must be careful. She has her own scandalous secret to protect. If he finds out, will it shatter her chances of a happily-ever-after with the notorious rake?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

It’s All About the Duke by Amelia Grey is one of a kind. This historical romance shows a man who goes about being a rake all his life is actually more of a gentleman underneath all that cockiness. He’s confident, bold, and everything a woman wants in her lifetime partner. His bachelor ways are soon coming to an end.

The Duke, aka Rath, is made a guardian of a young woman of his age. He didn’t want to be her guardian of free will. But he felt, it was his destiny towards making up for his terrible ways. A way to show his father and family friend tha he can be the Duke that wanted him to be. No more scandalous plans…until, he meets his ward. All thoughts of propriety gone…thoughts of having her as his…keep him troubled.

Marlena is a young woman who is different than her peers. She adds refreshment where past heroines are concerned. I couldn’t help but to love her personality and felt thankful that the writer created such a fun character. Strong, independent, and a bit scandalous, Marlena writes scheming stories on the Rakes of St. James. Little does she know, her life is about to be turned upside down when the very rake comes into her life, as her guardian. Of all things impossible, Marlena finds herself growing attached and more attracted to her guardian than she has proper rights to…plus, her secret of writing about him and his friends will surely mean nothing
can come between them, right?

Amelia Grey has wonderfully captured my full attention. This new title, was everything I had hoped for in a good read. It went beyond my expectations. Sizzling sparks, chemistry, and scandal all wrapped in one delicious piece. Plenty of action to enjoy, as well as mystery. Overall, I highly recommend It’s All About the Duke to all readers. Looking for a romance that sucks you into the time period and keeps you begging for more….then, this is it!

 

On Our Radar: New Reads to Add to Your TBR Pile

Extra Attention

Veteran YA novelist Judy Blundell publishes her first novel for adults, The High Season (Random House, 5/22).

Michael Chabon’s new essay collection, Pops: Fatherhood in Pieces (Harper, 5/15), has a decidedly parental focus.

And Jessica Knoll follows up her smash hit thriller Luckiest Girl Alive with The Favorite Sister (Simon & Schuster, 5/15), a terrifying look at female competition and sisterhood and reality television.

 

Spotlight: Small Presses

Each month we spotlight 10 key small press titles, including:
Jamel Brinkley, A Lucky Man: Stories (Graywolf, 5/1)
Melanie Finn, The Underneath (Two Dollar Radio, 5/15)
Daniel Gumbiner, The Boatbuilder (McSweeney’s, 5/22)
Thomas McConnell, The Wooden King (Hub City Press, 5/1)
Bethany C. Morrow, MEM (Unnamed Press, 5/22)
Chibundu Onuzo, Welcome to Lagos (Catapult, 5/1)
Todd Robert Petersen, It Needs to Look Like We Tried (Counterpoint, 5/1)
Tommy Pico, Junk (Tin House Books, 5/8)
Michelle Tea, Against Memoir: Complaints, Confessions & Criticisms (The Feminist Press, 5/8) Steve Toutonghi, Side Life (Soho Press, 5/8)

Literary Favorites and Emerging Talents

Among titles sure to attract attention this month are:

Kenneth Bonert, The Mandela Plot (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 5/22)
Ceridwen Dovey, In the Garden of the Fugitives (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 5/22)
Eliza Kennedy, Do This For Me (Crown, 5/15)
Caryl Phillips, A View of the Empire at Sunset (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 5/22)
Kevin Powers, A Shout in the Ruins (Little, Brown and Company, 5/15)
William Trevor, Last Stories (Viking, 5/15)
Sarah Winman, Tin Man (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 5/15)*

 

Debut Fiction

New voices making their first appearances include:
Elisabeth Cohen, The Glitch (Doubleday, 5/22)
Aja Gabel, The Ensemble (Riverhead Books, 5/15)
Randall Klein, Little Disasters (Viking, 5/22)

 

Commercial Fiction

Some of the big names and talents launching new books in the second half of May:
Laird Barron, Blood Standard (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 5/29)
Jenny Colgan, The Endless Beach (William Morrow, 5/22)
Judith Flanders, A Howl of Wolves (Minotaur Books, 5/15)
Dorothea Benton Frank, By Invitation Only (William Morrow, 5/15)
Elly Griffiths, The Dark Angel (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 5/15)
Julia Heaberlin, Paper Ghosts (Ballantine Books, 5/15)
D.B. John, Star of the North (Crown, 5/22)
Arnaldur Indridason, The Shadow Killer (Minotaur Books, 5/29)
Stephen King, The Outsider (Scribner, 5/22)
Harriet Alida Lye, The Honey Farm (Liveright, 5/29)
Fuminori Nakamura, Cult X (Soho Crime, 5/22)
Nora Roberts, Shelter in Place (St Martin’s Press, 5/29)
Danielle Steel, The Cast (Delacorte, 5/15)
Ruth Ware, The Death of Mrs. Westaway (Gallery/Scout Press, 5/29)

Nonfiction

Prominent and notable authors with new nonfiction releases:
Bret Baier and Catherine Whitney, Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire (William Morrow, 5/15)

James Clapper with Trey Brown, Facts and Fears: Hard Truths From a Life in Intelligence (Viking, 5/22)

Pamela Druckerman, There Are No Grown-Ups: A Midlife Coming-of-Age Story (Penguin Press, 5/29)

David Graeber, Bullshit Jobs: A Theory (Simon & Schuster, 5/15)

Jonathan Green, Sex Money Murder: A Story of Crack, Blood, and Betrayal (Norton, 5/15)

Dave Itzkoff, Robin (Henry Holt and Co., 5/15) – A biography of the comedian Robin Williams.

Gary Krist, The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles (Crown, 5/15)

John McCain and Mark Salter, The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations (S&S, 5/22)

James Pogue, Chosen Country: A Rebellion in the West (Henry Holt and Co., 5/22)

Michael Pollan, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (Penguin Press, 5/15)

Al Roker, Ruthless Tide: The Tragic Epic of the Johnstown Flood (William Morrow, 5/22)

David Sedaris, Calypso: Essays (Little, Brown and Company, 5/29)

Carl Zimmer, She Has Her Mother’s Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potentials of Heredity (Dutton, 5/29)

Review: Laird of the Black Isle by Paula Quinn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

This Highlander will risk everything to find his daughter…

Lachlan MacKenzie has nothing left to lose since his wife and daughter were killed. But when a shadowy figure reveals his little girl might still be alive, Lachlan will do whatever it takes to find her—even abduct a lass from the MacGregor clan for an exchange. Being caught would mean certain death. But the laird of the Black Isle won’t let anything—or anyone—interfere with his mission…not even his beautiful, stubborn captive.

Even his heart

All Mailie MacGregor wants is to return home to her family. And the Highland beast who captured her can go to the devil. Her plan: to thwart him at any cost and win her freedom. But she never expected to be so drawn to the fierce warrior and the desire in his eyes.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Laird of the Black Isle by Paula Quinn is a romance that pulled at my heart stings. A warrior who lost his family while away from home, lives in isolation. Until a messenger comes, bearing news that his boss has word of his daughter’s life. Lachlan diminished the news but his heart couldn’t ignore the possiblity that his daughter may still be alive. All he has to do, is kidnap a MacGregor clan woman and give her to a monster. Yet, even that plan has flaws…

Lachlan is a tough man who has had to endure many demons. While on a journey, his wife and Home were burned to the ground. His daughter was thought to be dead as well. Lachlan distanced himself from others but his heart of gold never stopped him. He helped feed his clan and still did whatever he could for them. No matter the distance he put between him and his clan, Lachlan still earned respect from everyone. A grizzly bear with a good heart. A heavy heart full of woe. Until her kidnapped her…a woman who got under his skin and into his heart…

Mailie MacGregor is a strong woman from a fierce warrior clan. They hover around her like guards all day and night. When they all least expect it, a stranger kidnaps her. Taking her away from everyone only to soon hand her over to the very man she fears. But Mailie is more potent than either she nor Lachlan deem she is. Her presence causes chaos for the fearless warrior. She ends up defeating the walls he has built to protect himself. Mailie is his light…in his dark world. But then, there’s her heart falling to him when she would hate him…

Laird of the Black Isle is funny, charming, and full of action. Themes of family, faith, and second chances are seen here. The pages enchanted me from the beginning. Two heroes who have tugged and pulled at my heart. Until, I have fallen in love with their story. Danger, intrigue, and happy endings are inside this novel. Overall, I highly recommend this Highland romance to all.

Review: Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

This is one bad boy who’s fit to print. A notorious jock tackles life—and love—after football with a type-A journalist in this sexy standalone from the author of Eye Candy.

Barrett: As a former pro football star, I’m used to playing the field. After injuries cut my NFL career short, my second act as a broadcaster ended on live television when a hot mic picked up a little verbal . . . indiscretion. But this latest publicity stunt might just land me back on top—much to the chagrin of Catarina Everhart, the prissy, beautiful journalist who’s been assigned to date a bad boy (i.e., me) and write about it. Catarina swears I’ll never touch her, let alone kiss those full lips of hers. Based on our chemistry, I’m not buying it. . . .

Catarina: Barrett Fox seems to be doing everything in his power to make me hate him. The cocky egomaniac is infamous for his bad behavior, and now, thanks to my boss’s harebrained schemes, he’s apparently my problem. As one fake date leads to another, I start to see a different side of Barrett. He’s close with his family. He does volunteer work. And, okay, he kisses like a dream. Am I really dating Barrett Fox? Or is he playing me? Because suddenly I’m risking my reputation—and my heart.

Look for Jessica Lemmon’s standalone romances with heartfelt HEAs:
FIGHTING FOR DEVLIN | FORGOTTEN PROMISES | SHUT UP AND KISS ME | EYE CANDY | ARM CANDY | MAN CANDY | RUMOR HAS IT

“The banter made me grin, the sexual tension had me breathless, and the perfect happy ending left me smiling long after the book was done.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne, on Eye Candy

“This book had a very Christina Lauren feel to it. Very witty, sexy, and kept me wanting more with every page. I absolutely loved it.”—USA Today bestselling author Sidney Halston, on Eye Candy

This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Rumor Has It by Jessica Lemmon is a sexy as hell kind of read. The romance is hot. I could feel their sexual tensions radiating from each other. When they’re not around each other the intensity of their attraction grows. The banters were funny. I could not stop laughing. Both protagonists gave just as much as they took from each other.

Catarina aka Kitty Kat is a strong female protagonist. She’s OCD in the professional way. Always meeting the deadlines and following every rule. Her dress code also speaks of perfection. Long legs, pretty eyes, and gorgeous looks plus, brains and a fun personality make her wanted by all men. Apparently, her ex does not want her anymore. That is where her assignment and a man sexy as sin takes over her life. Oozes of sex, heat, and humor.

Barrett aka Fox to Kitty Kat or Bare to others, is a former NFL player. He’s super hot, rich, and cocky as hell. His personality is strong but inside he’s a good man. Fox hides what really bothers him. When he does, he puts on this fake persona aka playboy with snide comments. But this facade won’t be lasting much longer…the nosy yet clever Kitty Kat is going to figure it out and change him forever.

Jessica Lemmon created a book that I got lost within…it’s pages brought on entertainment. Two individuals whose lives were different but not easy made it to the top. I loved the whole opposites attract theme. Both characters had some similarities but both were diffinitely opposites. Rule breaker versus rule obeying citizen. How much is work and how much of it was pleasure? I laughed a lot through out the novel. But it also contained a sweetness that pulled at my heart. Heart melting, hilarious, and action packed is exactly what Rumor Has It contained. Overall, I recommend it to readers.

Review: The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks…

She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbeque, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important… someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate “friend with privileges” and hello to a man she can marry.

Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins is a sweet yet steady contemporary romance. I enjoyed the themes of friendship, family, and forgiving. Other themes were widowhood, death, and grief. I cannot imagine loosing a loved one or how I would be able to move forward from that kind of loss. But with family and friends, anything is possible. But the character has to be willing to let down her guard and accept fate.

Lucy Lang has always wanted marriage and kids. But she lost her husband not too long after they married. That left Lucy alone, miserable, and widowed. She felt like widowhood is a curse in her family. Every woman older than her has lost their husbands. Widowhoodseems to be their curse. Except most of them were able to have kids before they lost their loved ones. Unlike alucy who has nothing but memories to hold of her late husband. It’s been years and she still cannot let go. Until Lucy’s younger sister gives birth to a baby. Holding the baby made Lucy want more in life.

Her plan is to find someone to love her and give her what she wants in a partner. But she does not want to fall in love with the man.

There’s nothing more fun than watching a perfect plan go to pieces.

Ethan is the younger brother of Lucy’s late husband. Ethan and Lucy got along well, in fact, too well. Until the moment Lucy held her sister’s baby, their perfect no strings attached relationship ends. Lucy tells Ethan that they cannot have sex anymore because she wants to find a husband. Ethan has loved Lucy for a long time. Lucy has never realized that nor does she until it’s almost too late…

Cutting off their relationship and trying to be just friends is tough. Ethan starts to treat Lucy like a regular everyday chic. Lucy feels like Ethan has dumped her…but it was her who dumped him. When he starts hanging around women, the jealousy breaks out.

Lucy loves Ethan but thinks he isn’t perfect for her.

Ethan has been therefor Lucy every time and always.

When Lucy starts to date men, things get funny. Some men are just not that great of a match. Both Ethan and Lucy have jealous issues and are starting to realize what they had…or could have if they open up to each other.

The Next Best Thing is funny, sad, and real. Some parts made me laugh so hard while other moments I cried my eyes out. There was always this strong push and pull between Lucy and Ethan. I could not get enough of them and their craziness. Lucy gets into so much trouble that Ethan has to come save her butt every time. He was the closet thing to a perfect knight in shinning armor. Cheesy, feel good, and romantic…this novel almost reminded me of The Big Fat Greek Wedding movie. Overall, I recommend this contemporary romance to all.

 

 

Review: Grounds for Remorse by Misty Simon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

No more cheating . . .

Best friends Tallie Graver and Gina Laudermilch both seem to spend a lot of time around urns. For Tallie, they’re part and parcel of the family business, Graver’s Funeral Home. Even though she’s traded ashes for dusting with her own cleaning business, she still works part-time for her folks and lives above the funeral parlor. For Gina, they’re the vessels that contain her heavenly brew at her coffee shop, Bean There, Done That. And both women are learning that owning a business can make finding time for romance challenging.

But when Gina’s new beau turns out to have a wife, who barges into the coffee shop to take him home, she can’t contain her bitterness and loudly threatens to poison his cup or boil him in vat of coffee. So when Mr. Wrong turns up dead at the bottom of a staircase inside Gina’s locked home, she finds herself at the top of the police’s suspect list. Tallie needs to sweep in to save her friend. But she’ll need to watch her step, or she may go from being a funeral home employee to becoming their next client . . .

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Grounds for Remorse by Misty Simon is a deadly chase for a woman sleuth, Tallie. Tallie’s best friend is dating a man that seems too good to be true. Just when they should be heading out for a date, a wife comes in cursing at Tallie’s bff. Gina swore to kill her latest if he does not stay away from her. Turns out that a lot of people overheard. Next thing they know, he ends up dead in Gina’s place. From there Gina is a top suspect. But Tallie knows her friend did not do it. That left questions of who did it and why he or she would frame Gina.

Tallie is a strong woman dependent woman who left her previous ex. Both she and her friend Gina start dating again. Only Gina’s date seems to be more than what he appears to be. Tallie is dating a decent man, Max. Max is easy to love. He is perfect for Tallie. Max is a complete gentleman around Tallie and makes her happy. Tallie works for her family’s funeral home yet she has a thing for solving a crime and getting into deadly situations. The police, like Burton do not want to see Tallie in a long time. She’s always getting herself into trouble. Her boyfriend, Max, agrees. This made me laugh.

Tallie wants everyone she cares about to be happy and safe. Yet it appears all she gets is yelled at for placing herself into danger. She swears she won’t get involved again…but usually, when  that is said, it seems trouble will always find Tallie no matter what she says. I can already feel it brewing.

Gorunds for Remorse was fun, addictive, and charming. It had enough suspense to keep me guessing. The characters were quirky and realistic. I felt like I was there and could see these things happening for real. Trouble, mischief, and death can be found inside this book. I was thoroughly entertained. The promise of another book featuring Tallie, Gina, and Max is exciting. I cannot wait to read the next grand adventure. Misty Simon has caught my full attention and will be keeping it glued for her next book in this, A Tallie Graver Mystery, series.

Interview: Meet Russ Colchamiro

Meet Author Russ Colchamiro

 

ULM: What lured you into the sci-fi genre?

A: I’ve always been a scifi fan, but as a writer it evolved organically. I like to tell wild, expansive stories that challenge our beliefs of the Universe while also connecting with characters on a personal level, juxtaposing the struggles of their daily lives with the fate of the cosmos.
Writing in the scifi genre also allows me to dream as big as I want, with nothing really off limits, as long as I explain the rules, and stick with them. I’m also a bit of a philosopher, so scifi is a perfect genre to explore the big questions—are our lives predetermined or can we influence the greater outcomes? Fate vs. destiny. Is there a cosmic plan or is it all random? And regardless of the answers, how do we choose to live our lives along the way?

ULM: Was it hard to combine both comedy and sci-fi in your Finders Keepers trilogy?

A: For me it came naturally. By design and instinct, I tend to write all of my stories as a mystery, where I reveal, conceal, and then reveal again, loaded with tension … and humor.
During my early 20s I backpacked through Europe at a time when that wasn’t nearly as common as it is today. We’re talking 1994, so pre-Internet. You really had to figure out what you were doing either far in advance, or adjust on the fly. Or both. You couldn’t just go online and book your trip because there was no online.

Once I got going, I had one of those trips that significantly changed my outlook on life. Later, I took a two-week trip to New Zealand, which was equally transformative. Separately, I had been tinkering this scifi/fantasy concept, where Jason Medley—who I knew nothing about—had a jar of the Universe’s DNA. And I certainly had no clue what a jar of the Universe’s DNA might be, what that even meant, or how or why Jason had it. But I was dying to find out.
So those two ideas—the backpacking and the scifi—just fit together, and had me laughing along the way. My trips were hilarious (at least to me) so the comedy was already there, and carried through the 3-book series – Finders Keepers, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza.

Each book is written in part like a travelogue with a you-are-there feel, yet the two main characters, backpackers Jason Medley and Theo Barnes (who’s from New Zealand) find themselves being chased around the globe by a motley crew from this world and the cosmos, wanting to steal that jar of the Universe’s DNA for themselves.

In each book, Jason and Theo have to find some way to save the Earth, the galaxy, or even the entire Universe, even though they really don’t understand how they got mixed up in these shenanigans to begin with. But every time they bumble their way into saving the day, they ultimately make matters worse.

By the time we start the third book, they’ve inadvertently set in motion the next Big Bang, which, if it comes to fruition before Astropalooza—a cosmic celebration of the Universe—existence as we know it will be wiped out.

ULM: How many books have published so far?

A. So far I’ve written four novels, one anthology, which I edited—Love, Murder & Mayhem—and I’ve appeared in about a half dozen or so other anthologies where I contributed a story to the collection.

ULM: You mentioned living in New Jersey. Would this place have any influence on your writing?

A: So far … not really, but I think you’ll see that influence become much more substantial in the future. Can’t say more right now, but stay tuned.

ULM: Using only three words, how would you describe your writing style?

A: Humorous. Adventurous. Mysterious.

ULM: Your latest novel, the anthology Love Murder & Mayhem, looks amazing. Can you share with us, readers what that’s about?

A: While writing Genius de Milo, the second book in my Finders Keepers scifi backpacking comedy series, I briefly introduced the character of Angela Hardwicke. She’s a private eye in that classic Sam Spade tradition. But I knew immediately that I wanted to spend more time with her, so I gave her a much bigger role in the third and final book in the series, Astropalooza, while also convinced that I wanted to give her a series of her own. But first I wanted to write a short story with Hardwicke in the lead, to get a better sense of who she was, her rhythms, and the kinds of stories I wanted to tell.

Thus I started the Love, Murder & Mayhem anthology through my publishing group—Crazy 8 Press. We have 15 stories, from 15 authors (including me) with every story containing at least one act of love or romance, at least one murder, and lots of mayhem. I initially thought I’d get nothing but private stories—I did a get a few—but the anthology contains superhero and supervillain stories, off-world and space cruiser stories, as well as A.I., private eyes, sleep surrogates, time travel, an aliens/monsters mash-up and … one DuckBob!

ULM: What was one of your toughest scenes to create in Love Murder & Mayhem?

A: Writing a murder mystery—especially one that has to be self-contained in less than 8,000 words—has to be intricately and concisely plotted. I had to figure out who the murderer(s) was, why the murder took place, and how, and then map out the sequence of events beginning to end before I could even start writing. If even one detail was out of place the infrastructure of the story would collapse. It was my first true murder mystery, so it was a great learning experience as a writer.

ULM: Which characters from Love Murder & Mayhem were easy to develop?

A: Hardwicke’s my girl. I’ve always wanted to write a detective series, so I’m having a blast with Hardwicke. And it’s not so much that I’m writing her, but that she’s revealing herself to me. By spending time thinking about who and how she is, I’ve discovered Hardwicke’s origin story, and where her larger character arc will take us over the course of several books. It should be a lot of fun.

ULM: Where can readers find you and your work online?

A: I’m out on book tour throughout the year, so if you like getting signed copies, you can find me at any number of book and scifi conventions, mostly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. I’m also available through these channels:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RussColchamiroAuthor

Twitter: @AuthorDudeRuss

Instagram: AuthorDudeRuss

Web site: http://www.russcolchamiro.com; http://www.crazy8press.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Russ-Colchamiro/e/B004DWUP8I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1502295287&sr=8-3

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/colchamiro?_requestid=409654

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4450877.Russ_Colchamiro?from_search=true

Check This Out: Not Even A Mouse by MariaLisa deMora

 #IsThatAMouseInYourPocket

 

Title: Not Even A Mouse

Series: Rebel Wayfarers MC #10.75
Release Date: Dec. 25 2017
Author: MariaLisa deMora

Genre: MC Romance

Synopsis

More than a decade ago Myron vowed he would live up to the trust shown him by one of the best men he’d ever met: Davis Mason. In a desperate situation, Mason stood tall and reached out a hand, pulling Myron out of trouble. For Myron, Mason and his Rebel Wayfarers offered not only a way out but—most importantly—a chance at a life filled with honor.

Through the years, Myron has diligently held up his end of the bargain. Working tirelessly to ensure things in the ever-growing club run smoothly, his efficient efforts pave the way for Mason to make bold changes, continuing to build a worthy legacy.

Time and again Myron has watched men plucked from the world of citizens be molded into what the club required. He’d often been an observer when Mason adjusted the club’s vision to accommodate things the men didn’t even know they needed, giving them the best possible life filled with love and brotherhood. He just never expected that would happen to him.

That was until he met Andrus Kasmouski, and Myron found himself thrown into a game of cat and mouse with his own desires. During this trial by fire, can he dig deep and find the courage to take destiny into his own hands?

 

 Amazon  iBooks

Google Play  Nook  Kobo

 

 

 

 In the Series

Series Reading Order & Series Buy Links

Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  Kobo  •  iTunes  •  Google Play

 

Also by MariaLisa deMora

Occupy
Yourself Band series

 

Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  Kobo  •  iTunes  •  Google Play

• • • • • • •

 

Neither
This, Nor That MC series

 

Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  Kobo  •  iTunes  •  Google Play

 

Amazon   •   iBooks   •   Barnes & Noble   •   Kobo  •  Google Play• • • • • • •

Standalone

 Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  iBooks  •  Kobo  •  Google Play

Coming soon…

Amazon  •  Barnes & Noble  •  iBooks  •  Kobo  •  Google Play

Author Bio

Raised in the south, MariaLisa learned about the magic of books at an
early age. Every summer, she would spend hours in the local library,
devouring books of every genre. Self-described as a book-a-holic, she
says “I’ve always loved to read, but then I discovered writing, and
found I adored that, too. For reading … if nothing else is available,
I’ve been known to read the back of the cereal box.”

A hockey fan, hiker, gamer, and single mom of a special needs son, she
embraces her inner geek and has been working in the tech field for a
publishing company for a couple decades.

Music is a driving passion, and she says, “I love music of nearly any
genre — jazz, country, rock, alt rock, metal, classical, bluegrass, rap,
hip hop … you name it, I listen to it. I can often be seen dancing
through the house in the early mornings. But I really, REALLY love live
music. My favorite thing with music is seeing bands in small, dive bars
[read: small, intimate venues]. If said bar [venue] has a good selection
of premium tequila, then that’s a plus!”

Connect with MariaLisa

Facebook • Twitter • Website • Goodreads • Pinterest • Amazon • Instagram

 

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Author Interview: Meet John Prather

Meet Author John Prather 

Q: For the guest post: what lead you to a career in writing?

I’ve always been a writer. I’ve always liked to write stories. For as long as I can remember I’ve had stories and unfinished manuscripts on my computer and in notebooks that I started but never took the time to complete. Then four years ago, I set a goal for myself to sit down and finish a manuscript. I told myself I only had to complete it and it didn’t matter how good or bad it was. It took me about a year, but I finally finished a manuscript. Honestly, it wasn’t very good, but it showed me I could finish a complete story. So the next year I started another one. This one only took about five months and I felt it had a good chance of being published so I changed my goal from writing a book to getting one published. Little did I know the difficulty of getting published, but two years later that manuscript was the one that became The Nephilim Virus.

Q: How did you come up with writing Nephilim Virus?

I had an idea for a virus that infects two-thirds of the world but I never knew quite what story to tell with the idea. I kept it in the back of my mind and waited for a plot to emerge. Then one day the idea to use the Nephilim popped into my head. I’ve always thought the Nephilim were fascinating creatures. The two verses in Genesis six about them leave so much information to be desired, and there is so much we don’t know. I thought it would be fun to imagine what the world would look like if they were alive today. I enjoyed tracing them through history and using my imagination to bring them back from the dead, so to speak.

Q: How would you describe your writing style using only three words?

Adventurous. Exciting. Fast.

Q: What was your toughest moment when writing Nephilim Virus?

I don’t want to give away too much, but there is a moment towards the end of the book where the main female character has a moment that really brings the whole story together. I wrote the story in first person so that moment would feel very personal to the reader. I wanted the reader to feel like they were in her skin as she experienced the moment. I really tried to create an opportunity for the reader to feel as connected to the character as I was. That was very fun for me to write but also very difficult.

Q: Did you have any moment where you felt like quitting, when you were writing your novel?

The story really flowed for me so I never felt like quitting while writing my book, but I often felt like quitting when I was trying to get it published. There came a point after months of submissions and folders full of rejection letters that I started to doubt my own work. I know that not every story is for everyone but it really seemed like no one thought my manuscript was even worth looking at. Thankfully God gave me a persistent spirit so I kept trying. It was a matter of years, not months, but I found a publisher. Fortunately, I never quit.

Q: Did you a,ways want to write a book?

Writing a book has been one of my life goals for as long as I can remember. I was always one of those people that told everyone I was going to write a book one day. Eventually I decided I had to stop saying I was going to write it and just write it.

Q: What writing strategies did you use to help you write that you can share with readers?

For me it came down to the decision to finish writing a book. Every writer will have periods where being creative is difficult and the words don’t seem to come, but the writers who are going to be authors will keep trying anyway. The only thing really required to be a writer is for you to write.

Writers also get better with practice. Writing is the best way to become a better writer. So write a lot. And read a lot. Reading is the second best way to become a better writer. Read every novel you can get your hands on, especially ones by authors who inspire you. Reading good storytellers is a great way to become a storyteller yourself.

Q: What is/was your favorite school subject?

I’ve always enjoyed history. I still love to read historical books about men and women whose stories inspire me. There is so much wisdom to be gleaned from the past and much of it lies untouched by the current generation. It’s a shame.

Q: Did you meet your own expectations for your novel?

My first goal was to finish a book and I was able to do that. My second goal was to get that book published and I was able to do that. Now I’m just excited to see where it goes from here.

Q: Which characters did you like creating the most?

I wrote The Nephilim Virus in first person but I did it from two different characters perspectives. One of them is male and the other is female. Being a guy, I had a lot of fun writing from the female protagonist’s point of view.

I also loved writing the part of Blue, the dog. I love animals and I enjoyed creating a character that had a history and personality like any human character would. I really had a lot of fun writing the relationship between Blue and Nick.

Q: Where can readers find you and your work online?

You can find my blog and my latest work on my website, which is http://www.Johntprather.com. You can also connect with me on Twitter and Instagram where my user name is @johntprather.

 

Check out this: Paradise Found by Sarah O’Rourke

 

 

Paradise Found by: Sarah O’Rourke

Genre: Romance

Release Date: February 26,, 2018

Cover Design: Sarah O’Rourke

 

 

Samantha “The Body” Dixon had once been a famous runway model who’d walked every catwalk from Paris to Milan and back again, but when her career abruptly comes to a screeching halt, she’s out to prove she’s got a whole lot more to offer than just a pretty face and killer rack.

 

Benjamin Atkins might have once been the most in demand photographer in the fashion industry, but times have changed and he’d learned the hard way to value substance over style. Now, he’s built a new life doing what he loves in the beautiful town of Paradise, TN.

When these two ex-lovers reconnect after a bitter break-up, can their broken hearts find a way back to their own personal paradise found?

 

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

 

AMAZON US     AMAZON UK     AMAZON AUS     AMAZON CA

 

 

 

Sarah O’Rourke is actually TWO besties who live three states apart and write at all hours of the day and night! Born and raised in the Southern United States, they are overly attached to their one-click accounts, can’t make it through the day without copious doses of caffeine, and spend way too much time on the phone with each other.

 

Between them, they have four children and twenty-plus years of marriage…one to a retired super soldier and the other to egomaniac engineer. They hate empty chocolate wrappers and writer’s block, love to talk to readers…and oh, by the way, they write about strong, kick-ass women and hot alpha heroes!

 

 

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     AMAZON     WEBSITE     NEWSLETTER

 

Cover Reveal: The Booksplash Horror Story by Cassia Brightmore

 

 

The Book Splash Horror Story by: Cassia Brightmore Author

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: January 22, 2018

Cover Design: Just Write Creations

 

 

Vacationing with a splash of blood…

 

Rennie Laval was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. A virgin cruiser, what better way to pop her cherry than onboard the luxurious Norwegian. Set to sail to the sunny Caribbean on a week long vacation, her only expectation was to soak up the warm sun, and spectacular sights, all while consuming frothy umbrella drinks.

 

Travelling solo didn’t faze her, not when she would be a part of a group of cruisers, known fondly as “Book Splashers.” A unique author signing event at sea, getting the chance to attend was a dream come true for an avid reader like Rennie. The large group of more than three hundred authors, readers, photographers, models had welcomed her with open arms. The hosts, Harper Sloan and Felicia Lynn, reassuring her she’d never be left on her own.

 

Duke Kincaid was fed up with life. After catching his fiancee in bed with his best friend, he spontaneously booked himself on a cruise, needing to get away from their betrayal. A Caribbean vacation was just the escape he needed. Colliding with another solo traveller while boarding, a beautiful brunette, seemed like fate. A little fling on the open waters would definitely go a long way to wiping out unwanted memories.

 

While he and Rennie grow closer on and off board the ship, they’re both flung headfirst into a nightmare when members of the Book Splash start showing up dead. The first tragic death seemed like an accident, but when the body count rises higher than imaginable, and the deaths become more gruesome, it’s clear that a sinister force is stalking the ship, focused on the members of their group.

 

Trapped in the middle of the ocean.

Ensnared in a deadly game of kill or be killed.

What would you do in order to ensure your own survival?

 

For Rennie, Duke and the Book Splashers, their dream vacation may be their last.

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a Canadian dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

 

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

 

Her titles include:

 

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four: Repentance

 

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

Book Two: Flatline

Book Three: Resuscitation

 

Standalones

Unworthy

 

FACEBOOK     WEBSITE     EMAIL     INSTAGRAM

 

 

 

Cover Reveal and New Release: More Than Falling by S. Van Horne

 

More than Falling by S.Van Horne

A Yeah Baby and More Series Crossover

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: October 19, 2017

Cover Design: SK Designs

 

 

AT TWENTY-THREE, ANGELA CHENEY didn’t date. Hell, she was still a virgin. She didn’t have time when her hectic life revolved around her job as a pediatric nurse in the surgical ward and school to reach her dream of becoming a physician assistant. With only two more years until graduation, she thought maybe she could finally settle down. That is — until she was targeted.

 

AT TWENTY-NINE, CURT WEIL was deep into his career as a FBI agent. He specialized in undercover, serial killers, and cold cases. He didn’t have time for love. Anxious to move up in the agency, he took a case that, not only shocked the nation, but had people on edge not knowing where the killer would strike next. Determined to wrap this up, he immersed himself into his work. That is — until he met her.

 

As the killer’s plan had been set into motion, they were forced to come together in a race against time before it was too late . . . again.

 

Will their love save them or will the situation call for something more?

 

FIND YOUR COPY HERE

 

 

Catch up on The More Series starting with One More Time and continuing with More Than Anything!  Links and blurbs below, be on the lookout for book three, coming soon!

 

At twenty-five Len Shields had it all, a promising medical career, a loving family, amazing friends, and her brother back from his time in the Navy. Everything was perfect—until the first letter . . .

 

At twenty-seven Dante De Luca was finally finished with his time in the Navy and was starting his new career at Seal Security with his buddies from the service. Everything was finally settling into place for him—until the phone call . . .

 

Now the hunt is on to find a stalker that could shatter everything Len and Dante have been building . . . including the love they have for each other.

 

When they both finally admit their feelings for each other the worst happens… Will they ever get their one more time?

 

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

 

 

At twenty-seven, Sara Reyes had tried to stay hidden working for Seal Security. It was a chance for her to be protected and her loved ones to be safe—until the phone call . . .

 

At twenty-eight, Neil Shields had felt like things were falling into place. Now that his sister was back at home, he decided nothing would stop him from going after his fiery redhead goddess—until she ran . . .

 

Now, stakes are high to find out what Sara’s hiding and why there are people after her. Will Neil ever find Sara and express how she means more than anything to him?

 

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

 

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She’s from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up, she didn’t have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it’s the type that you get to pick for yourself.

She met the love of her life at the early age of twenty and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a wife, mom, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls’ day at least once a month.

 

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     WEBSITE     GOODREADS

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Resuscitation by Cassia Brightmore

 

                                      Resuscitation (The Trauma Series #3) by Cassia Brightmore Author

                                                                       Genre: Dark Romance

                                                             Release Date: October 2nd, 2017

                                                                 Cover Model: Lance Jones

                                                               Photography by: Dave Kelley

                                  Cover Design: Concierge Literary Designs & Photography

 

 

 

Trust. No. One.

 

A mantra that Dr. Cian O’Reilly has lived by; never allowing any new insiders to pierce his inner circle. Until her. Dr. Athena Payne was his game changer, the woman he wanted to bring into his cloak of darkness; to share in his malicious desires of torture and terror as the executioner of all who escaped justice. But when faced with an alleged betrayal of that trust, how far will he go to seek his vengeance?

 

Love. Conquers. All.

 

Three words that Athena Payne has always believed whole-heartedly. In her determination to become a brilliant heart surgeon, her thirst for knowledge tossed her headlong into a hidden conspiracy, a deadly game of death intertwined with the complications of love. Trusting and loving Cian may very well be the last things she ever does as she’s faced with paying the ultimate price for allowing him into her heart.

 

Save a life. Take a life.

 

Will the hardest kill Cian’s ever faced be his last? As others circle closer to learning his true identity, interns and attendings alike face the possibility of losing everything they’ve fought so hard to gain.

 

Trust no one. Let love conquer all. And prepare for a shocking ending that you won’t see coming in this third installment of the Trauma Series.

 

Lincoln Hospital, where the cure can be your worst nightmare.

 

Warning: Contains violent and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. This is the third book in the “Dexter” meets “Grey’s Anatomy” series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books must be read in order to follow the series.

 

 

 

 

 

On the twenty-third day—he hunts, bringing the scum of the earth to justice; his justice. Ending up as a patient on Dr. O’Reilly’s table could either save your life or end it in the most horrific way.

 

New York City. The infamous city that never sleeps; the place where dreams either shine brightly or shatter into razor sharp pieces of metal. For Dr. Cian O’Reilly, it’s the perfect city to disguise his dark alter ego. As a top surgeon at Lincoln Hospital, he has access to resources far beyond the reach of the average person; the ideal cover for his double life. By day, he’s the epitome of professionalism. By night, the facade is stripped away and his true depraved self is revealed.

 

When Dr. Athena Payne joins the roster as a new surgical intern, Cian’s carefully constructed life is thrown into turmoil. With her sunny smile and wide-eyed innocence, she threatens to break through his iron-like exterior, exposing the man beneath. Following her dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, her internship at Lincoln Hospital is the first step in achieving her goals. Something about the dark air of mystery that surrounds her new boss, Dr. Cian O’Reilly, leaves Athena questioning just what it is that the good doctor is hiding.

 

A killer on the loose. A doctor wielding a deadly blade. An intern caught in the midst of first love and a lethal web of murder.

 

Lincoln Hospital. Where the cure can be your worst nightmare.

 

Warning: Contains violence and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.

 

                   AMAZON US   AMAZON CA   AMAZON UK   AMAZON AUS   iBOOKS   NOOK    KOBO

 

 

Murder.

Deceit.

Revenge.

 

Within the walls of the prestigious Lincoln Hospital in New York City, a hunter awaits. A man with a thirst for blood and an appetite for vengeance. Dr. Cian O’Reilly, the city’s most respected cardiovascular surgeon, is living a double life, one bathed in torture and mayhem as he delivers final justice to the city’s most heinous criminals.

 

When a new influx of physicians joins the rotation, the struggle for anonymity intensifies as a nosy reporter inches closer to the truth about Cian’s true identity. In a dangerous game of kill or be killed, no one is safe and everyone is a potential victim.

 

A romance blossoming on the premise of murder. An escaped killer on the loose. A traitor in the midst intent on bringing them all down.

 

Lincoln Hospital. Where the cure can be your worst nightmare.

 

Warning: Contains violence and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. This is the second book in the “Dexter” meets “Grey’s Anatomy” series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books must be read in order to follow the series.

 

                      AMAZON US   AMAZON CA   AMAZON UK   AMAZON AUS   iBOOKS   NOOK    KOBO

 

 

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a Canadian dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

 

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

 

Her titles include:

 

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four: Repentance

 

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

Book Two: Flatline

 

Standalones

Unworthy

 

                                                      FACEBOOK     WEBSITE     EMAIL     INSTAGRAM

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: The Meat Market by S. Van Horne and many others…

 

 

The Meat Market

By: S. Van Horne, Riann C. Miller, Winter Travers, Trinity Rose, Mary B. Moore, Tracie Douglas, Gwyn McNamee, ML Rodriguez, Sarah O’Rourke, Mayra Statham

An Anthology to Support Prostate Cancer Awareness

Genre: Romance

Release Date: August 15th 6, 2017

Cover Design: SK Designs

 

 

When Jason Somers inherited the family butcher shop, he had no idea he was taking the helm of a sinking ship. With the help of his younger brother Jaxson, a plan emerged to save The Meat Market.

 

What better way to earn some extra cash than to target one of their biggest customer group’s most basic needs.

 

All they needed were some willing men and some clever marketing.

 

The Meat Market is now the go-to place to order prime cuts of meat, both for human consumption and companionship.

 

The women of Chicago know where the best cuts can be found.

 

Come into The Meat Market and order whatever looks appetizing.

 

 

                            AMAZON US     AMAZON UK     AMAZON AUS     iBOOKS     NOOK     KOBO

 

   

 

                            

 

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She’s from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up, she didn’t have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it’s the type that you get to pick for yourself.

She met the love of her life at the early age of twenty and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a wife, mom, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls’ day at least once a month.

You can find S here:

http://authorsvanhorne.com

 

 

 

Riann C. Miller lives in southeast Kansas and writes steamy contemporary romance stories. When she’s not reading or writing, she spends time with her friends and family or you might catch her watching a baseball game with a beer in her hand.

You can connect with Riann here:

Website:www.riannmiller.com

Goodreads:http://bit.ly/1OUfX3S

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorrainnmiller

Twitter:https://twitter.com/rianncmiller

 

 

Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin. After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home.

Winter spends her days writing happily ever afters, and her nights zipping around on her forklift at work. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, her dog Thunder, and Mexican food! (Tamales!)

Winter loves to stay connected with her readers. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact her.

www.facebook.com/wintertravers

Twitter: @WinterTravers

Instagram: @WinterTravers

 

 

 

Trinity Rose (AKA Jamie Cercone) was born and raised in southwestern New York. Never in her wildest dreams did she see herself become an writer, but with one sentence you read that shit some much you should just write it!” from her hubby the rest is history. Now this devoted wife, mother of two awesome kids and RN writes about alphas, strong willed women and badassery. When she’s not writing, playing mom, performing her wifey duties or saving lives you can find her surviving on Nutella, Halloween, purses and reading.

Go and stalk Trinity Rose at the follow social media and drop her a line:

www.facebook.com/authortrinityrose/

www.facebook.com/groups/365487050468779

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01M4GQ6II

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16056186.Trinity_Rose

 

 

I’ve always been an avid reader and writer, so when my best friends (three males who drive me closer to insanity daily) dared me to publish, in fact triple dared with no returnseys, I couldn’t say no – the forfeits are always painful. Deciding to shelve all of the work I’d ever done and to start with a new project was my best idea though, at least I think so. After being on the brink of insanity many times, I’m delighted to confirm that I came out of it with my dignity still intact…just!

 

I’m the daughter of diplomats who has lived all over the world and you’d be hard placed to figure out where my accent was from – it’s a Heinz 57 variety accent. My poor child has also picked up my accent and vocabulary, which is predominantly American I guess. We should really be classed as having United Nations accents.

 

My projects so far are a contemporary romance series called the Providence Series, an MC series which I love called Luther’s Vengeance and also a paranormal series. In Luther’s Vengeance, I’ll be using my background to make it as ‘real life’ as possible, never let it be said my childhood was boring.

 

For now though, it’s going to mainly be about the romance…lots of romance!!

You can find Mary B Moore at:

https://www.facebook.com/author.marybmoore/

 

 

Surviving on caffeine most days, Tracie Douglas lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, two dogs and one really fat cat. She spends her days chasing children and fur babies, all while maintaining the illusion of sanity.

Her nights are spent toiling away at the keyboard, creating a world filled with hot men and strong women. She loves to read and write all types of book but tends to lean on the darker side of the spectrum. She’s pretty handy with a crochet hook too.

Tracie loves to hear from her readers!

Facebook:www.facebook.com/authortraciedouglas

Reader’s Group:http://bit.ly/2t7iPIr

Amazon:http://amzn.to/2t7wGyl

Goodreads:http://bit.ly/1RuenWm

Email: traciedouglas.author@gmail.com

 

 

Gwyn McNamee is an attorney, writer, wife, and mother (to one human baby and two fur babies). Originally from the Midwest, Gwyn relocated to her husband’s home town of Las Vegas in 2015 and is enjoying her respite from the cold and snow. Gwyn has been writing down her crazy stories and ideas for years and finally decided to share them with the world. She loves to write stories with a bit of suspense and action mingled with romance and heat.

When she isn’t either writing or voraciously devouring any books she can get her hands on, Gwyn is busy adding to her tattoo collection, golfing, and stirring up trouble with her perfect mix of sweetness and sarcasm (usually while wearing heels). An admitted shoe whore, Gwyn’s closet rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s and is constantly expanding.

Gwyn loves to hear from her readers!

She can be found here:

Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGwynMcNamee/

Twitter –https://twitter.com/GwynMcNamee

Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/gwynmcnamee

FB Reader Group –https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667380963540655/

Newsletter –www.gwynmcnamee.com/newsletter

Website –http://www.gwynmcnamee.com/

 

 

A proud Texan, ML Rodriguez resides in Bavaria, Germany with her husband, two children, and their dog–Bolt. When she’s not writing, she loves to drive her husband crazy, laugh at the hilarious things her children come up with, or enjoys curling up on her couch with her Kindle.

You can find ML at:

BookBub:http://bit.ly/2os4nUV

Website:http://bit.ly/1Rb2F3W

Facebook:http://on.fb.me/1lqHj7B

Twitter:http://bit.ly/1KYhpDL

 

Goodreads:http://bit.ly/1EQg0Xw

 

 

Sarah O’Rourke is actually TWO besties who live three states apart and write at all hours of the day and night! Born and raised in the Southern United States, they are overly attached to their one-click accounts, can’t make it through the day without copious doses of caffeine, and spend way too much time on the phone with each other.

 

Between them, they have four children and eighteen years of marriage…one to a super soldier and the other to egomaniac engineer. They hate empty chocolate wrappers and writer’s block, love to talk to readers…and oh, by the way, they write about strong, kick-ass women and hot alpha heroes!

Sarah loves to connect with readers and you can find them here:

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.orourke.503

 

 

Mayra Statham resides in southern California with her three kids and husband. When she isn’t writing or hanging with family, you can probably find her hidden behind a romance novel while having a highly caffeinated iced drink.

You can find Mayra here:

https://www.facebook.com/mystathamwrites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Leaving Home by S. Van Horne

 

 

The Vow: Leaving Home by S.Van Horne

Genre: New Adult/College Romance

Release Date: May 6, 2017

Cover Design: SK Designs

 

Shania, TaLina, Jess, Megan and Cassia became fast friends on a playground their first day of Kindergarten. Having such a difference of family life couldn’t stop them from clinging to each other, as they decided that “best friends forever” wasn’t just an expression. From that point on, there were monthly slumber parties to be had, and the friendship that defeated the odds. . . grew even stronger.

At thirteen years old, during one of their monthly slumber parties, they decided to make a “vow”. A vow that they were determined to keep. Fast forward five more years, and now it’s college life where they are faced with challenges that they never thought they’d have to deal with. Challenges that put their vow on the line.

This book is the introduction to these five amazing little girls and the vow they made to each other.

 

AMAZON US     AMAZON UK     AMAZON AUS     iBOOKS     KOBO     B&N

 

 

 

 

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She’s from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up, she didn’t have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it’s the type that you get to pick for yourself.

She met the love of her life at the early age of twenty and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a wife, mom, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls’ day at least once a month.

 

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     WEBSITE     GOODREADS

 

Catch up on The More Series starting with One More Time and continuing with More Than Anything!  Links and blurbs below, be on the lookout for book three, coming soon!

 

 

At twenty-five Len Shields had it all, a promising medical career, a loving family, amazing friends, and her brother back from his time in the Navy. Everything was perfect—until the first letter . . .

 

At twenty-seven Dante De Luca was finally finished with his time in the Navy and was starting his new career at Seal Security with his buddies from the service. Everything was finally settling into place for him—until the phone call . . .

 

Now the hunt is on to find a stalker that could shatter everything Len and Dante have been building . . . including the love they have for each other.

 

When they both finally admit their feelings for each other the worst happens… Will they ever get their one more time?

 

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

 

 

At twenty-seven, Sara Reyes had tried to stay hidden working for Seal Security. It was a chance for her to be protected and her loved ones to be safe—until the phone call . . .

 

At twenty-eight, Neil Shields had felt like things were falling into place. Now that his sister was back at home, he decided nothing would stop him from going after his fiery redhead goddess—until she ran . . .

 

Now, stakes are high to find out what Sara’s hiding and why there are people after her. Will Neil ever find Sara and express how she means more than anything to him?

 

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

 

 

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Cover Reveal: Salvation at Sunset by Donalyn Maurer

 

 

Salvation at Sunset by Donalyn Maurer

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 1st, 2017

Cover Design: Concierge Literary Designs & Photography

 

 

I fall in love with an angel. My angel has all of hell’s demons chasing him. An angel that I vow to protect. My angel is damaged. Ghosts of war haunt him. Ghosts of his past haunt him. Ghosts of hate seek to destroy him. He accepted a destiny of living within his nightmares. His destiny is about to be derailed. I will walk into his nightmare, straight into his hell and confront his devil. Even his devil knows when he’s been beat. Bringing Garrett Cooper back into God’s light and warmth isn’t going to be the problem. Even in the light he rejects the love, convinced he is unworthy of the love of God, or anyone for the matter.  I will show him how wrong he is. I will love him. I will love him so much he’ll never question his worth again.

 

Bella Rollins is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I want to make her mine but I know I can’t. She thinks I’m an angel but angels don’t come from Hell, demons do. When she finds out who I really am there is no way she can love me. I don’t love me.  I won’t hurt her like I have the others. I have to protect her and that will mean letting her go.

Texans know Texas is a piece of Heaven on Earth. Like Heaven has its Hell, so does Texas. Hell in the way of a small town and at sundown its demons come out.

 

 

 

Exclusive on Kindle Unlimited!

AMAZON US     AMAZON UK         

 

Donalyn Maurer was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She currently lives in a small town outside San Antonio with her husband of over 30 years. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and large Texas family. Inspired by her family she began writing and although her books are fiction she shares bit and pieces of her life and memories throughout the pages.

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM    GOODREADS

 

 

 

AVAILABLE HERE:

http://amzn.to/2lYfZBr

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Unworthy by Cassia Brightmore

 

 

Unworthy by Cassia Brightmore

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: March 2, 2017

Cover Model: Cassia Brightmore Model

Photographer: LJ Photography

Cover Design: Ashbee Designs

 

 

Irrelevant. Insignificant. Inconsequential.

 

Three pointed words designed to break down a person’s self-confidence. To strip away any sense of worth until all that’s left is a shell of the person they wish to be. Sometimes, courage comes in the form of enduring endless pain and suffering; sometimes, bravery can blind you from the truth.

 

What would you do if you were trapped? Unable to break free of the bindings of shame and rejection? For Maisie Pierce, finding herself in a world that has done nothing but betray her has proved almost impossible.

 

Until him.

 

Ridge Buchanan doesn’t have time for love or any kind of a committed relationship. With putting everything he has into making his private security business a success, finding a woman is the last thing he wants or needs.

 

Until her.

 

Two broken souls not searching for each other. A lost woman desperate to escape the constraints of her past. A bitter man resigned to living a life of empty one-night stands and meaningless connections. A volatile, dark cloud looming over both of them.

 

When faced with a chance at happiness after a life filled with disappointments, can they be the beacon of hope each other needs? Or are they destined to forever live a life of misery and regret?

 

Warning: Contains graphic and violent situations that may cause triggers. Recommended for readers 18 or older.

 

 

0.99cents one week only!  Available FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2m02xuQ

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Well what can I say? If you’ve picked up a copy of this book, let me start by thanking you for taking a chance on my work. Your support and encouragement means the world to me. Unworthy is classed as a dark romance, however it is very unlike any of my other dark romance titles. Sorry, no serial killers here haha. But don’t worry, there still is a few twists, twists you would expect from a Cassia Brightmore book, including an ending that I don’t think (well I hope) you won’t see coming.

 

This book has been a year in the making, and if I’m being very honest, I’ve struggled with getting it released into the world. You see, the story of Maisie is my story. Her journey is my journey, her pain is my pain, her successes are my successes. While yes, there is fictional pieces of the plot added in for entertainment value, the bare bones of her story are my experiences.

 

So, why did I decide to release this book into the world, you ask? Well my hope is that anyone else that has had a similar journey to mine can find meaning in this book. My wish is that you discover that if you find strength in the things in life that try to break you down, you can still turn things around and make a better life for yourself. No matter what obstacles life hands us, there is always a chance to find the way through them. Don’t give up, and above all else, don’t doubt your ability to shine.

 

Behind every smile, every laugh, there is a human being hiding some sort of personal pain. Remember to always be kind to each other, to not give up, and to fight until you get the treatment that you deserve. Be brave, be fierce, be you.

 

You are worth it.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Much love always.

 

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

Cassia lives in Ontario, Canada with her two furbabies; Molly and Harley.

Her titles include:

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four:  Repentance

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

Book Two: Flatline

Standalone Titles:

Unworthy

To look for in 2017:

Resuscitation Book Three in the Trauma Series

New Dark Romance Standalone: Mercenary

New Dark Historical Romance: The Laird

CONNECT WITH CASSIA

TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – PINTEREST – FACEBOOK – WEBSITE

JOIN CASSIA’S FAN GROUP:

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Cover Reveal: Reckless Abandon by Teri Kay

 

Reckless Abandon by Teri Kay

Genre: Romance

Release Date: October 11th, 2016

Cover Models: Lance Jones and Jess Epps

Photographer: Cassia Brightmore of LJ Photography

Cover Design: Cover to Cover Designs

Ryann McKennan never imagined herself divorced and broke at thirty…

Tired of struggling to make ends meet each month, she considers moving back to California to live with her mother. That was until her best friend convinces her to come work at The Cave, the hottest strip club in all of Las Vegas. Ryann knows that she was chancing the ruin of her teaching career if she were to get caught. The plan was to work at The Cave for the summer to make some extra cash…so falling for a guy, let alone two, was never in the cards.

Nathan Sims, a professional poker player and a regular at The Cave, has always had a taste for strip clubs, but he swore off strippers after his ex-girlfriend burned him.

But from the first moment he laid eyes on the never seen before blonde beauty, he was instantly infatuated.

Who was she?

Why did she always look different?

Who was she hiding from?

The more Nathan tries to find out who Ryann is, the more she tries to hide.

Both scared as hell to let their guards down, they dance silently toward one another, but both afraid to fall. Could this be their summer of Reckless Abandon?

 

 

 

 

AMAZON US     AMAZON UK     AMAZON AU     AMAZON CA

 

 

 

I am an obsessive romance reader turned writer. An amazing group of indie writers have inspired and encouraged me to pursue this crazy dream and now I can’t imagine stopping. Born and raised, I have always lived in Southern California. I am happily married, with two small fur babies. I love my job as a teacher and wouldn’t want to do anything else. Except maybe be a full time writer. Between reading, writing, and teaching, I have little free time. But in those rare moments I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, binge watching reality television and baking.

 

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Flatline by Cassia Brightmore

 

 

Flatline by Cassia Brightmore

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: September 13th, 2016

Cover Design: Concierge Literary Designs

 

 

Murder.

Deceit.

Revenge.

 

Within the walls of the prestigious Lincoln Hospital in New York City, a hunter awaits. A man with a thirst for blood and an appetite for vengeance. Dr. Cian O’Reilly, the city’s most respected cardiovascular surgeon, is living a double life, one bathed in torture and mayhem as he delivers final justice to the city’s most heinous criminals.

 

When a new influx of physicians joins the rotation, the struggle for anonymity intensifies as a nosy reporter inches closer to the truth about Cian’s true identity. In a dangerous game of kill or be killed, no one is safe and everyone is a potential victim.

 

A romance blossoming on the premise of murder. An escaped killer on the loose. A traitor in the midst intent on bringing them all down.

 

Lincoln Hospital. Where the cure can be your worst nightmare.

 

Warning:Contains violence and graphic situations not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen. This is the second book in the “Dexter” meets “Grey’s Anatomy” series and ends on a cliffhanger. All books must be read in order to follow the series.

 

 

AMAZON US     AMAZON CA     AMAZON AUS     iBOOKS     KOBO     B&N

 

 

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

 

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

 

Cassia lives in Ontario, Canada with her two furbabies; Molly and Harley.

 

Her titles include:

 

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four: Repentance

 

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

 

To look for in 2016:

Unworthy

Mercenary

The Laird

 

 

Cover Reveal: Laird by Cassia Brightmore

 

 

Laird by: Cassia Brightmore

Genre: Historical Dark Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2018

Cover Design: Simply Defined Art

Model: Lance Jones

Photographer: LJ Photography

 

 

Sold.

Traded into the hands of a vicious man as a pawn in war.

Blair Cowan might have been brave, but nothing terrified her more than the dark soulless eyes of the Laird that owned her.

Fearing for her life or not, if he thought she would ever bend to his will; he was about to embark on the greatest battle of his life.

 

Grown men feared his wrath.

The fiercest warriors ran from his sword.

Battlefields stained in blood spoke of his victories; while vast lands sang of his savage need to possess everything in his path.

And yet, one slip of a girl dared to defy him.

Laird Duncan MuCullogh was not a man to be underestimated. Blair’s fate was his alone to decide. Breaking her would be his greatest accomplishment.

 

Ensnared in a deadly battle between clans, betrayal ran deep and death knocked often. Amidst the struggle to rise, two powerful Lairds would stop at nothing to be the last man standing. No matter the devious acts they needed to commit to get there.

 

Conquer. Annihilate. Defeat.

The Highlands of Scotland will never be the same.

 

 

 

Head on over to Cassia’s Author Page on Facebook to enter an exclusive giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Cassia Brightmore is a Canadian dark romance author. She loves writing dark stories with twisted characters that she hopes will thrill the reader as well as make them fall in love.

 

She loves hockey, video games and online shopping. If she’s not writing or editing, you can usually find her doing one of these things. Writing is her passion and publishing her first book as an indie author is truly a dream come true.

 

Her titles include:

 

The Darkness Series

Book One: Malevolent

Book Two: Evanesce

Book Three: Denouement

Book Four: Repentance

 

The Trauma Series

Book One: Lincoln Hospital

Book Two: Flatline

Book Three: Resuscitation

 

Standalones

Unworthy

The Book Splash Horror Story

 

FACEBOOK     WEBSITE     EMAIL     INSTAGRAM

 

 

Review: Ghostly Reunion

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Emma Lee Raines sees dead people…

Proprietor of the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, Emma Lee can see, hear, and talk to ghosts of murdered folks. And when her high school nemesis is found dead, Jade Lee Peel is the same old mean girl—trying to come between Emma Lee and her hot boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, all over again.

There’s only one way for Emma Lee to be free of the trash-talking ghost—solve the murder so the former prom queen can cross over.

But the last thing Jade Lee wants is to leave the town where she had her glory days. And the more Emma Lee investigates on her own, the more complicated Miss Popularity turns out to be. Now Emma Lee will have to work extra closely with her hunky lawman to get to the twisty truth.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Ghostly Reunion by Tonya Keppas is hilarious, hot, and mysterious. Inside this cleverly written plot, Tonya Keppas keeps readers hooked. I found myself wanting to go after the annoying ghost myself but also felt sorry for her. The main character, Emma Lee, is strong, real, and a perfect heroine. Her arc enemy boils her up into a jealous rage…even in the afterlife. Funny how a ghost can still make an alive woman jealous…

Emma Lee sets up a high school reunion and one class member comes bringing chaos into the small hick town. Full of Baptist church goers who love to gossip. Jade Lee Peel was once the queen bee and has already gotten on people’s nerves. Not too long after a row with one of the former classmates is the now beauty star found dead.  Already a suspect is at hand…but is that really the killer and if not who is?

I loved the romance that brews up continuously between Jack and Emma Lee. Their kind of love is adorable and good. I enjoyed following their scenes…and talks. I really loved that Jack doesn’t think his girlfriend is crazy. Unlike Emma Lee’s grandma and the doc. Ghostly Reunion has humor, spice, and adventure. Murder too. The classic who dunnit is evident in this engaging tale. Exciting, well-developed, and truly a page turner. Tonya Keppas has captivated me with this novel of hers. I couldn’t stop reading it. The characters have a way of luring readers in and keeping them…overall, I highly recommend this paranormal romance to all.