Monday, 29 February 2016

Review: Darkness Undone (Warlords of Empyrea #1) by Georgia Lyn Hunter

The Blurb
A fading realm, a warrior bound, and the woman who will save them both…

Bound to a vengeful goddess, immortal warrior, Reynner, has little time for the fairer sex. The last thing he wants is to be aligned with another female, even if she is the key to finding an artifact and saving his realm. But his stone-cold resistance is tested, his attraction undeniable for the feisty mortal, until she demands the one thing he cannot give her…his trust.

Eve Leighton keeps away from intimacy of any sort after an accident in her teens left her with a painful ability to see into another’s mind through physical contact. When an ice-cold warrior claims she is his world’s savior, she’s intrigued, until she dares a look into his soul and sees a man who’s been cruelly betrayed. She agrees to help him and loses her heart. But the man is an unassailable fortress. With quiet determination, she chips away his barriers and a passion darker than night pulls them under.

As his enemies close in on the hunt for the artifact, Reynner must overcome his own personal demons as battles are fought to claim the woman he loves or lose her forever. And Eve has to face her own mortality and fight for a love of a lifetime. 

My Review
Ms. Hunter has gotten me addicted to another one of her series. What I loved the most about this book was that she merged characters (I will always love the Archangel) from her Guardian series into this one. Keeping the world she built consistent, yet different by adding new scenes and amazing characters.  

Of course both Eve and Reynner were broken, in more ways than one. It’s their amazing journey to fixing themselves that had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Numerous challenges were thrown at this couple, but they kept persevering.

I love a strong heroine in my novels. Eve epitomized one and I kept rooting for her. Reynner was a tad bit possessive for my liking, but after going through hell and back, I could see how once he’d decided he was worthy of love, why he’d hold onto it with such verve.

A wonderful fantasy romance that can be read as a stand-alone. I can’t wait to see who I’ll read about next in the series.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

I give this book five out of five human sculpture shaped chocolate bars.


The book can be purchased at Amazon.

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Generic vs Original - same applies for books and cereal

 Have you ever noticed that when you try the generic of a product first and then try the original product, the generic is never as tasty as the original.  It works the same way if you reverse the process. 

Children know this. So if you want a child to continue to like the generic stuff, never feed him the original. We didn't have a lot of money growing up so I know my way around genetic stuff.

I don't try to write like anyone else. I find it impossible to do so. As much as I would love to write like Dorothy Koomson, G.A. Aiken, or Beverly Jenkins, I can't. When I sit at the computer, the words I write  can only sound like mine. There's a reason for this.

I'm me and they are they (or them- nothing I come out with sounds quite right). All I know is that we're different. From our life experiences to who we are as people. This reflects in our writing. So if I attempt to write like them, it will be a disaster. Like being surprised with generic Oreos. Not good times.

When it comes to writing I like being an original. I don't want someone spreading the word that I write like Pearl Cleage (bold faced lie) and then have them get into my book and realize that they've been duped. Nope. Instead Nana Prah is always an original and no one can duplicate me without tasting a little "off."

Monday, 22 February 2016

Spotlight: Noah's Journey by C.A. Harms #ContemporaryRomance

Title: Noah's Journey
Series: Sawyer Brothers #3
Author: C.A. Harms
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Published: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC
The years that were taken can never be repaid. The memories stolen can never be returned.

But I had to move forward…for him, my son.

Noah had spent years wondering what he could have done differently. Wondering what he’d done wrong to make Stacey leave. The heartache from her absence and the what-ifs of their past eventually turned to anger—and then disgust.

It took years for him to move on, and once he did, his past came thundering back, revealing a secret.

A secret that would forever change his future.

Alena had waited for the chance to have more with Noah. He was an enigma, a man of mystery, yet she wasn’t quite ready to give up on him. She knew there was more to him than what he allowed those around him to see. She was drawn to his charm and his calm nature. With an uprooted past of her own, she craved a little stability more than anything. But when things between them finally begin to grow into more, their relationship is tested.

Will it all be too much for Alena to handle?

Or will she decide to stay and be a part of…Noah’s Journey?


Noah's Journey Excerpt © C.A. Harms 2015/2016

Prologue
Noah
A Little Over Four Years Ago
“I just can’t do this anymore, Noah. This is not the life I want or where I want to be forever. I thought you wanted more too. More than this quiet town with no real hope of being somebody.” Stacey sat on the end of my bed, the sheet still wrapped around her naked body.
Of all the times to have this type of conversation, I never thought it would be now. She chose first thing in the morning when I was already late for work.
“So what are you saying?” I asked as I stood in the doorway, fisting my shirt in my hands. I was trying not to blow up, trying to remain the rational one in this relationship.
“I don’t want to be here, in Livingston, for the rest of my life. I want to go somewhere with greater opportunities. I feel like if I stay here, I’m giving up my dreams. I feel like I’m drowning.”
She stood from the bed and let the sheet fall to the floor. Stacey was a gorgeous woman—tall, fit, and almost angelic. She was also very selfish and spoiled. Everyone called her by first name until she finally forced her parents to change it to her middle name instead. “Jessie” was entirely too hick for her taste.
“Noah, you had to see this coming,” she said. And the lack of compassion in her voice only made my anger grow.
“I had to see this coming? Are you fucking serious right now?” I took a step toward her, and she quickly slipped her shirt on over her head. “I asked you to marry me, and now you’re fucking telling me you’re leaving?” I lifted my hand and gripped my hair, pulling at the ends. “So what the hell was last night? And again this morning? One last roll in the sack before you walk out on me?”
“Come with me,” she said with a hopeful expression.
“I can’t just pick up and walk away. I just got on track with where I want to be at the station. I have the ranch and my responsibilities to my family. Plus, this is my home. I don’t want to leave.”
“Then you’re choosing this place and all of them over us.” She actually had the nerve to look hurt and offended.
I stood in the center of the room, watching as she began grabbing items and tossing them in her bag. “I have to get out of here. I gave you the option to come with me, and you declined. So that is on you.”
Heat rose in my neck, and a swooshing sound filled my ears as I fought against my anger. “It’s on me, what the fuck? You’re truly something else, you know that? You throw this shit at me five minutes before my shift starts at the station and have the nerve to blame the end of us on me. You fucking did this.”
She ignored me as she finished dressing and gathered some more of her things. I stepped up behind her and grabbed the bag from her hands, making her stop what the hell she was doing and look at me.
Stacey spun around and gasped as I leaned in, bringing my face only inches from hers. “This is all on you. You’ve been planning this escape all along. Now you want to blame me.” I stepped back and held my arm out, pointing toward the door of my apartment. “Get out,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll send your shit to your parents, because right now I can’t fucking look at you a minute longer.”
Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. I gave a sarcastic chuckle as I shook my head. She had already pushed me past my breaking point, and I was through playing the nice guy. “Cut the tears, Stacey. You wanted this, you got it. Now get out. I’m not holding you back from your perfect life any longer.”
I waited until the door slammed before I caved and sat on the end of the bed. My clothes from last night were still tossed around the room. I had given her years of my life, thinking we had a future.
I guess her being younger and unsettled should have warned me off, but her vibrant attitude was what had attracted me from the start. Now I just felt like a dumbass for not seeing what others saw in her. She was a wild card, but I took a chance.
Never again.



C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.
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Thursday, 18 February 2016

Book Spotlight: Love Finds a Way by Kathy Bosman


The Album Book 2 - Pauline’s Story

Contemporary, Fantasy Romance





Blurb:

When Ella hands over The Album to Pauline, the young food blogger is about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime—she’s been chosen as a contestant in The Culinary Dream, a TV cooking competition. Pauline takes The Album with her to Italy where the filming is to take place and meets food photographer, Xaden, the brother of the man who ripped out her heart and put her off relationships for a long time.

To her dismay, she gets eliminated from the competition on the first round. Humiliated and determined not to be pitied by her friends and family, she decides to stay behind in Italy for a holiday as well as blog about her restaurant experiences in the exotic European country.

Xaden won't leave her alone and proves to be a friend in a time of need but when he kisses her, she pushes him away, afraid he’ll hurt her like his brother did. The TV series offers her a job as the editor of the food magazine and she is to work alongside the very man she wishes to avoid. Forced to be with the man she can't resist but whom her instincts tell her she can't trust, Pauline is in for an emotional roller-coaster ride with The Album as her companion and guide.



Excerpt 

Without thinking too deeply about her potential response, he walked round to face her and found her eyes red and cheeks blotchy.
“Are you okay?”
Had she heard bad news from home? Would she have to leave the competition prematurely? Had the stress gotten to her? Maybe it would be a good thing for his career if she left soon. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake in his first big deal, his first breakthrough.
Her eyes enlarged and she sucked in a breath, but he refused to let Roan’s wild oats sown in her heart destroy his chance to help the tender woman.
“No, of course not. How would you feel?”
His heart sank. Had she been eliminated on the first round?
“You don’t know?”
“I didn’t stay for the judges’ session. That was for John and Kyle.”
“Well…” She shrugged. “I suppose I didn’t have enough experience. Who was I kidding?”
Her blue eyes sparkled with freshly produced tears and his heart squeezed. He hated that she looked even more beautiful when her emotions came to the fore. Made him feel guilty for the male need rising up within him so suddenly—the arousal brought on by her own disappointment. Oh, he’d felt that suffocating feeling taking over his soul before. Disappointment had taunted him many times.
“But your food looked the best. I thought you’d win.”
She laughed cynically. “Yeah, right. I’m sure you didn’t think that. What do you want, Xaden?”
If she were a harder woman, those words would have come out sarcastic and bitter. Instead, she sounded so weary, so defeated.
“Come with me.” He held out his hand, desire to touch her flooding his being. “I want to show you a part of Italy. A part of Bologna I’ve secretly wanted to explore but haven’t had the time.”
His heart raced as she rose up with his tug. Confusion blanked her expression, though. Then she shook her head.
“No, definitely not. And why would you have time now?”
“Well, you have all the time in the world. When do you go back home?”
“I don’t know.” She was trying terribly hard to hold back the tears. Within a moment, he held her in his arms and tried to ease the shudder of suppressed sadness against his chest. Her soft hair brushed against his arms, sending spirals of longing which brought visions of kissing her, weaving his fingers through her hair to her scalp.
“I didn’t think I wanted it so badly,” she whimpered into his shoulder. “When I caught my first flight, I thought I’d made a mistake. But being here, amongst all the other contestants, meeting people who have the same passion as me, watching the MortadellaBò festival, feeling Italy and tasting its food, I really wanted to stay here. For a long time. Why am I telling you this?” She pulled away and wiped her wet eyes, anger sparking from her gaze.
“Because I care.”
Once again, a frown filled her freckled forehead. “How can you care? You don’t even know me.”
“I’ve been watching you.”
“You told me you only liked my photos. Not me.”
He took her hand and she didn’t yank hers away. It was so small, so delicate, so sweet. “Well, I lied. When you said you’d been with Roan, I was ashamed. I—”
“I have to go.” She spun away and ran to the exit, her heels clomping on the tiled flooring.
The sun said its final goodbyes, plunging the city in semi-darkness.


Author Bio:

Kathy lives in South Africa, where the summers are hot, the winters cool and bugs thrive. She writes romance in many forms, most of the time with women who feel deeply, men who care strongly and characters who learn lessons along the way. Every so often, she sprinkles a little magic in her stories. When she’s not writing, she makes sure her kids work hard as they do school at home, tries not to get too distracted by dust bunnies and cooks up a storm to keep the tummies full. When she’s not hectically busy, she loves reading romance and fantasy novels, watching movies, and dabbling in different crafty things, depending on her mood.


Buy Links:







Online Links for Kathy:

Website and blog: http://www.kathybosman.com/







Newsletter Subscription: http://eepurl.com/NokET






Book 1 in the series.





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Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Book Spotlight: Still Counting by Phil Fragasso #Chick-lit #Giveaway



Phil will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

GENRE: Chick-lit, bittersweet romance



BLURB:

Adam Donatello and Nina Morales share an immediate and powerful attraction, and their future together seems assured. But love is difficult enough without adding complications – real or imagined – to the mix. Nina sees life as a thousand shades of gray, while Adam tends towards black-and-white. He wants to move fast; she needs time. Nina sees her past liaisons with women as immaterial to their relationship, while her disclosure drives Adam to a state of irrational jealousy. He doesn't know how he could compete with a woman; and his suspicions – which Nina views as hypocritical – lead them both to make decisions they may live to regret.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt

So there we were on a Sunday morning. Nina and I were making slow and tender love. We were spooning and gently rocking front and back. My face was buried in the crook of her neck and my hands were caressing the soft fullness of her breasts. I told her I loved her and she repeated it back. It was a moment of unadulterated joy, but I did my best to ruin it.

I started thinking about how many reasons I had already knocked off Nina’s list for not marrying me. I was making good progress, but Nina kept adding more (we’d never agree on flatware, she was terrified of turtles, she thought Hemingway was grossly overrated, she only wore one-piece bathing suits, and she didn’t tan like a normal person but instead turned all blotchy). Of course, she and I both knew that the only one that really mattered was the one that only time could remedy.

“Why is it so important that we know each other through all four seasons?” I asked. I had thoughtfully waited until there was a lull in our lovemaking as Nina adjusted her shoulder.

“Do you really want to talk about that now?”

Nina tried to pull away from me, but I grabbed hold of her hips and we stayed connected.

“I don’t know about you,” I said, “but I can do two things at once.”

“Yeah, well this is a little different than walking and chewing gum at the same time.”

“It’s probably easier. The mind does one thing while the body does another.”

“Have I told you you’re an idiot?” she asked.

“Many times.”

That seemed to be the answer she was looking for because she pushed against me and resumed our gentle rhythm.

“So what’s the deal with this four seasons BS?” I asked again.

“Well for starters, maybe you have that seasonal affective thing that turns people into couch potato psychos when the days get colder and shorter.”

“I don’t have that,” I said.

“Maybe I do.”

“Do you?”

“No.”

“So what’s the issue?”

“The issue is that we’re all animals and are all affected by the change of the seasons whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.”

“It sounds like an excuse,” I said. “Am I reading all this wrong? Tell me the truth.”

“Adam, we’re having sex on a Sunday morning after doing it twice Saturday night. Are you really questioning how I feel about you?”

“I love when you talk dirty.”



AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Phil Fragasso sold his first article at the age of 16. Since then he has written and published a wide variety of books, articles and essays. After many years as a corporate marketer, he left to pursue endeavors that were more fulfilling personally and more contributory on a societal level. Today he focuses his time on writing and teaching.




Buy links:

Amazon:

iBook:

B&N:

Kobo


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Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Song of the day - African Queen

Happy New Year! I thought I'd start it out with a song. Who doesn't love music?

When this song plays in a midst of females here in Ghana, you get a gaggle of women (some men, too) singing in unity. Who wouldn’t want to be considered her man’s queen? His everything? The woman he elevates above all others and treats like royalty because she is the woman of his dreams. Sigh.

This is what Esi Darfour from Destiny Mine is looking for, but she finds Adam Quarshie. He has no intention of making anyone his queen. He’s a one woman right now type of man who’d rather have many princesses than a single queen.

Destiny Mine is a romance so you know it will all change. Adam gets the African queen he’d never thought to look for.




Friday, 12 February 2016

Review: The Sweetest Kiss (Chasing Love #3) by Candace Shaw #AARomance


The Blurb

Luscious, tantalizing, delectable…and that's just Tiffani Chase-Lake's cupcakes. The moment Broderick Hollingsworth sets eyes on the sexy baker herself, he's truly intrigued. For the first time, the wary real estate developer is ready to open up to someone. Then he realizes that his next business deal is going to leave Tiffani and her cozy bakery high and dry… 

Just as hardworking single mom Tiffani is falling for Broderick's easy charm, she learns about the property deal that will destroy her business. Even her most decadent dessert can't eclipse the bitter taste of betrayal. Tiffani's livelihood and her independence are on the line. Walking away from their sensual chemistry won't be easy—but is trusting him a recipe for heartache? 


My Review

From start to finish this was a fantastic book. To be honest I was initially drawn to the cupcake on the cover, but when I read the blurb it was a must read. When I learned it was a series I put off reading The Sweetest Kiss and read the two before it. I really enjoyed the twin’s stories, but I’ll admit that this one is my favorite.

I loved that the initial perspective we got was from Broderick (sexy, suave, and rich = delicious man) and how such a normally cool guy could be affected by Tiffany by sight only. The concept of fate flowed through in that scene and I was hooked. It helped that when they did meet the attraction was instantaneous on both sides.

In the first two novels I had gotten a completely different conception of Tiffany’s first marriage than was reality. This aspect added a depth to the story knowing that she’d gone through hard times, pulled through, and made a success out of her life. It brought a wonderful internal conflict to the character which bled into the external one.

I had one tiny issue. In my humble opinion, Tiffany overreacted to some news she’d gotten about Broderick. She cut the lines of communication after accepting the information, and I didn’t care for this. Luckily Broderick was as persistent in his chase after her as he was in his career.

I can’t rave about this book enough.

I give it five out of five cupcake shaped chocolate bars.


I purchased this book from Amazon.

Thursday, 11 February 2016

Spotlight: Baked by Colleen Charles


I have difficulty resisting a cover with a cupcake on it. And the concept of a sensual bakery peaked my interest (a lot). Plus it's free during the tour.

More great news, Colleen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and the author will be awarding all hosts free copies of her starter library which includes a full length novel, two novellas and an exclusive audio book.


GENRE: Contemporary Romance


BLURB:

Ally

The first time I saw Gabe in my sensual cupcake bakery, I had no idea who he was. All I knew was chiseled perfection like him could never really want a girl like me. That didn't stop me from craving and lusting after everything I could never have. Success.
Gabe.

And I was trapped in a twisted frenemy relationship with my douche bag ex fiancee. I never would have dreamed who Gabe really was, what he wanted and why he wanted it.

Gabe

My f*cked up family taught me a lot. Take rather than give. Anything. Everything.

Ally made me feel clean. Whole. I'd do anything to have her and even more to keep her. In spite of my past but more importantly ... because of it.

I took her tenuous control and worshiped her killer curves. I never suspected she'd steal my heart.

Excerpt:

Blackness and strange noises rang through the gloom. What was this? I floated through it, as though I didn’t have a body, couldn’t feel any sensations. I was pretty sure I’d died, but heaven was black and smoky. Or had I gone to hell?

Then, there were voices, strange tones which skipped and repeated.

“Miss?” A gravelly voice, deep and comforting pierced the despotic darkness. “Can you hear me?”

Strong arms enveloped me, lifting me from the floor. I cracked an eyelid and slammed it shut again immediately. The smoke remained thick and the burning was so bad I couldn’t see through the moisture pooling in my eyes, the flood of tears protecting them. The crackle of fire returned in a rush and my body turned rigid in response.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he murmured, and folded me closer to his hard chest. Safe. I felt safe in his arms. He took measured steps. “Is there anyone else in here? Anyone who needs help.”

I shook my head as a bout of coughing took over any ability to speak. Shouts rang out, men rushed by, disturbing the smoke, creating a whirlwind of warm air which brushed the sweaty strands of hair clinging to my forehead. It felt like a film of smoke and perspiration had encased my entire body.

“Codsworth,” I choked.

“What?” he asked. He had to be a fireman. Fresh air now. Or, was it him? He had the most amazing smell. I couldn’t open my eyes, could hardly breathe, but the scent of some woodsy cologne — Gucci? — permeated my nostrils through the haze of soot that lingered there.

“Codsworth,” I repeated. “My cat. He’s upstairs.” I clutched his arm with all my remaining strength. “Please …”

“Don’t worry,” he replied. “I’ll get him for you.” He quickened his pace and I clung to him with arms like noodles, resting my head against the fire retardant suit. He was as hard as a rock and for some reason, I felt like everything would be okay as he took charge.

The air grew clearer; there was a rush of wind and sound. Sirens blared, people chattered.

“Oh my God, can you believe it,” a woman said nearby.

“It doesn’t look too bad.” That was a man’s voice. Spectators probably, but my eyes were too scratchy to open yet and I didn’t even want to try.

“Here, take her,” the firefighter carrying me said, his deep voice raspier with the smoke. Then he placed me on a bed, a stretcher. Fingers brushed my ear, and the heat of his breath penetrated. “I’ll come back after I’ve found Codsworth. You’re safe now,” he promised, all calm confidence.

My skin erupted in tingles as gooseflesh spread across my skin. I forced my eyes open, staring through the blur of tears, but he was already gone.

“Who—?”

“You’re fine now, just relax.” A woman in a paramedic outfit appeared beside me and placed an oxygen mask on my face.

I frowned at her, my eyes had cleared pretty fast, though my chest still felt croaky. My limbs were floppy too. None of it mattered compared to losing the bakery. Or Codsworth.

I tried to pull the mask off, but she stopped me.

“No, you rest now. There’ll be enough time for talking later.” The medic lifted a flashlight and checked one eye then the other. “Looks okay there.”

I let her carry on with her protocol, but I felt stronger by the minute. I’d inhaled a bit of smoke. I’d not been burned to a crisp. The blessed oxygen flooded my lungs, clearing my mind and body. But still, I was exhausted. To the bone.




AUTHOR Bio and Links:
 
Colleen Charles is the pen name of Tami Stark, #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon.

Colleen Charles held a leadership position for a fortune 500 company for 26 years while writing suspenseful romance by night. Thrilled that she's now able to write full time, she can't wait to spend more time connecting with her readers. She’s also a certified life coach and a Reiki Master. She loves reading and writing stories that entertain and sweep women away from their everyday life. Colleen has shown and bred Arabian horses for over 30 years and lives in the Midwest with her human and furry families. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering for underprivileged girls and homeless pets.

Baked is FREE on Kindle or Nook during the tour.

FOUR FREE BOOKS
ColleenCharles.com



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