Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday: Heart of the Storm (Undertow #3) by Michael Buckley

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting.  I've picked the final book in a series that I've really enjoyed the first two books, Undertow and Raging Sea.  While it really reminded me of the very short-lived TV series Star-Crossed, it also was a very unique story in its own way as well.  I'm very excited to see how the author will end the story.  Here's the blurb from Goodreads:

After seven months as a captive of Minerva, the insane Alpha queen, Lyric Walker has escaped to the surface. Her only goal is to warn the world about the Great Abyss. When she finally arrives back in Coney Island, she discovers a world she never expected, one where humans and Alpha are finally working hand in hand to rebuild the country. But she soon discovers that an old enemy allied with an old friend may kill them all before the monsters get their turn.

Where will Lyric’s loyalties, and her heart, lead her? With nail-biting action and romance, Michael Buckley’s epic trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.





Have you read any of the books in this series yet?  Did you see the show Star-Crossed?  What book or books are you eagerly awaiting this week?

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Spotlight Post and Giveaway: Cursing Fate (The Fated #2) by Brenda Drake

Book info:
Title:  Cursing Fate 
Author:  Brenda Drake  
Series Info: The Fated #2  
Genre: YA Fantasy  
Release Date: Nov. 21, 2016  


Book Description:
 There’s something strange about the Layne sisters, and Wade Diaz wants nothing to do with them. Especially the one who ripped his heart out and set it on fire before tossing it in the garbage several months ago. Iris. He can’t even think her name without unconsciously rubbing the spot in his chest where she left a gaping hole. But now her sisters are claiming some evil spirit is after his soul, and Iris is the only one who can save him. Well, at least his heart would stop hurting, right? Didn’t sound so bad. Iris Layne has always been the sweet sister. She’s kind to everyone, including her best friend Wade… Until she makes a horrible mistake and breaks his heart. All she wants is to go back to before ‘the dumping’. Of course, Wade would rather see her in hell first. But then Iris touches her sister’s tarot cards and unleashes an evil curse intent on playing a deadly game where no one Iris loves is safe, especially Wade. How do you convince someone they need your help when you’re the one who hurt them most?


Entangled Publishing: http://entangledpublishing.com/cursing-fate/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31342605-cursing-fate
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cursing-Fate-Brenda-Drake-ebook/dp/B01M73YY85  
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cursing-fate-brenda-drake/1125048513?ean=9781633757882
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/cursing-fate/id1171090588  
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/cursing-fate-2  
Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cursing-Fate-Brenda-Drake-ebook/dp/B01M73YY85 
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Cursing-Fate-Brenda-Drake-ebook/dp/B01M73YY85  

About the Author:
Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).
  
Author Website: http://www.brenda-drake.com/  
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendadrake  
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaLeeDrake/  
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendadrakeauthor/  
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7012713.Brenda_Drake    


The Giveaway:
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card + a Cursing Fate Prize Pack (US) (International winners will only receive the $25 Amazon Gift Card.) (INT)  


Excerpt:
     When he steered the motorcycle into the parking lot of the marina, Violet, Dena, and Carys waited by Dena’s Ford Focus. He parked and waited for Iris to get off before unsaddling the bike.
     She removed her helmet. “I thought we were going to be alone.”
     “It’s a special day.” He opened the seat and put his and her helmets inside.
     “Special? How?”
      “You’ll see,” he said, crossing the parking lot to the others.
     After saying their hellos, the group trekked over the docks until the second-to-last row where Wade’s boat was kept in a slip. After they were all on the boat with life jackets secured, Wade motioned for Dena to untie it from the dock while he turned on the motor. The others found seats around the deck. “So we’re actually taking it out?” Iris said, standing beside Wade in the cockpit.
     “Yep.” He steered it through the marina to the open ocean, only having to avoid a few boats on his way. The harbor was nearly empty, with it being a workday.
     Iris adjusted her feet to stay balanced with the rocking of the boat. “This will take longer than two hours.”
      “We’re just going to head out a little ways for the big reveal,” he said.
     “Is the reveal that the boat won’t sink?” Iris laughed.
     He flashed a smile at her. “Funny.”
     The farther the sailboat moved away from the marina, the more excited Wade got. He couldn’t believe that the boat was almost ready. He spent so much time with Dena and Carys fixing it up. This first run was for Iris. For the big reveal.
     When he’d picked a perfect spot, he turned off the motor and looked over at her. “Want to take the helm?”
      Wade and Dena rushed around hoisting the main sail. Next, they raised the jib. Carys and Violet clapped and whistled. Wade glanced back to see Iris’s reaction. She squeezed the wheel tight, her hair whipping around her head as she looked up, her mouth wide. On the main sail was a dragon Iris had painted for him. The maker had copied the image and transferred it to the sail.
     “What do you think?” Wade yelled over the wind.
      Iris held her hair away from her face. Her expression excited Wade. “I love it!” she shouted over the crashing of the waves.
     The wind was perfect—not too weak and not too strong— and the boat went out for a bit before Wade brought it back to shore. After the sails were lowered and secured, he turned on the motor and maneuvered it to its place in the marina.
     Dena and Wade went about tying the boat to the dock. Wade snuck glimpses of Iris as she took off her life jacket.
     You’re only torturing yourself, Diaz. He shook his head and finished off the knot he was tying.
     A rope hit him in the face.
      “Pay attention,” Dena said, towing the rope back to her.
      “I was,” Wade said, grabbing the other end. Dena shot him a knowing smile. “Not the kind of attention I meant.”  

Monday, November 28, 2016

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Royally Wed (Ladies-in-Waiting #2) by Pamela DuMond


Book Info:
Title:  Royally Wed
Author:  Pamela DuMond
Series:  Ladies-in-Waiting #2
Publication date: October 13th 2016
Genres: Comedy, New Adult, Romance
Ring the wedding bells, pour the champagne, and get thee to the cathedral for Royally Wed, the LOL sequel to Part-time Princess (Ladies-in-Waiting, #1)!
Lucy Trabbicio, former cocktail waitress and down-to-earth American commoner, is about to marry the man of her dreams, Prince Nicholas of Fredonia in the posh royal wedding of the year.
But something goes very wrong on the way to the altar. Now it’s up to Lucy, her party-hard, take-no-prisoners Ladies-in-Waiting, and Nick’s opinionated Royal Nana to solve the debacle, and get her back into sexy Prince Nick’s arms in time to be Royally Wed, as well as royally bed.
A modern day, sexy tale with romance, twists and turns, laughter, and a whole lot of hanky-panky!
1
EXCERPT:
“Hang on.” Cheryl slipped a silver flask from the bustle of her bridesmaid dress. “This is cause for celebration. We don’t get to cheer on one of our own all that often. We’re always stuck buying fancy presents for the girls getting married who we don’t care that much about because we know they don’t care that much about us, either.”
“Here, here!” Joan said as Cheryl took a shot from the flask.
“And then,” Cheryl said and wiped her mouth on her sleeve, “those bitches complain behind our backs, but we always find out about it through the royal grapevine, that we should have bought them a pricier item on their registry. So here’s to our Lucy, who we care about, who would never say bitchy things behind our backs.”
“I’ll say them straight to your face.”
“That’s one of the reasons I like you. Here’s to Lucy’s wedding day.” She slugged back a shot and handed it to Joan. “May it be everything you ever dreamed and more.”
“Cheers!” Joan knocked back a shot and handed it to Alida.
“Salute!” She took a sip, grimaced, and passed it to Mr. Philips who took a quick sip.
“Nicely done, ladies. Prince Harry’s Private Reserve?”
Cheryl nodded. “I don’t skimp for weddings.”
“You don’t skimp for anything.” Esmeralda took the flask from Philips and downed a shot, then dabbed a little behind her ears and on her cleavage. “One of the reasons I like you.”
“You’re wasting good liquor,” Mr. Philips said.
“I prefer to think it’s an investment. The scent of Prince Harry’s Private Reserve is practically an aphrodisiac for any titled man at a wedding reception,” she said and passed the flask to me. “I’m tragically single, you know.”
“Not so tragic,” Cheryl said. “You told me you never wanted to get married.”
Esmeralda put her finger to her lips. “Shh!”
“No thanks on the shot.” I shook my head. “The Champagne finally wore off. I’m only getting married—for real—once. I’m not walking down the aisle tipsy, let alone with scotch on my breath.”
“But you have to,” Cheryl said. “It’s tradition.”
“Not where I’m from.” I grabbed a bottle of Fredonia Mineral Water, raised it high in the air, and toasted my Ladies-in-Waiting and the boys. “Cheers!” I took a healthy slug.
“Dios mio!” Alida exclaimed.
“Merde!” Joan said.
“Crap!” Esmeralda leapt toward me and knocked the bottle out of my hands. It flew across the room, splattered Mr. Philips tuxedo trousers and landed open-mouthed on his shoe as it poured out.
He stared down at it and sighed.
“Why’d you do that?” I asked.
Alida crossed herself. “Don’t you know, Lucy?”
Cheryl’s face turned ashen. “It’s terrible luck to toast with water.”
“That’s just an old wives tale,” I said and waved my hand at them. “Go forth and march down that aisle now because I am finally getting married. My worries are over. Does anyone have any chocolate? I’m a little lightheaded. Probably my low blood sugar. I’m good. I’m ready. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?”


Author Bio:
Pam pitched Erin Brockovich's story to 'Hollywood'. ERIN BROCKOVICH the movie earned 4 Academy Award nominations, and Erin became a household name for environmental activism.
Pam writes Romance, YA, Mysteries, and even Self-Help. All her stories have humor and heart.
She's addicted to TV shows -- The Voice, The Blacklist, and GOT. She likes dogs and cats equally, prefers her coffee strong, her cabernet hearty, her chocolate dark, and her foods non-GMO. She lives for a good giggle in Venice, California with her fur-babies.
Sign up for her NEWSLETTER for info on upcoming books, deals, and special events on her website at www.pameladumond.com and check her out on Facebook at PamelaDuMondAuthor.

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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Review - Four Real: Menage and More by Alyssa Turner

Book info:
TitleFour Real
Author:  Alyssa Turner
Genre:  Erotic Romance (Menage MFMM)
Published:  December 5th, 2016
Source:  E-galley from author in exchange for honest review
My rating:  4 stars

I have to first say thanks to the author who got in touch with me on Facebook and asked if I'd like to try her book.  I've read some short stories before of menage type of experiences, but not really any that were relationship stories.  The way this one was told, it really worked!  I totally believed the connection between the four characters.  

The female main character is Tricia.  And a lot of the book is from her viewpoint, although we do get some from one of the other main characters, Michael Hill, although he goes by Hill.  One night many years ago, when Tricia's mother ended up in the hospital, she had something happen between her and Hill, and their other two best friends, Pete and Marty.  Tricia left town, feeling unsure how to deal with what happened between the four of them.  Part of the problem came from what she had always believed about her mother, and the reputation she'd tried to beat her whole life.  Hill had been her boyfriend in the group.  He also left town about the same time, when he became a part of a rock group that is now huge.  

When the story starts up, Tricia has come back and her other best friend, a female, asks her to sing with Hill and Marty and Pete, since they did all used to be in a band together.  The performance goes well, and while she does feel right being with them like that, she still is unsure about what happened before, and what it means.  She learns while she's home that Pete and Marty are getting married.  All three of the guys though, want to talk to her, and get their friendship back to the way it used to be.

But Hill has another thing he needs from Tricia, even though really he just wants her back in his life.  He has an issue with his record company and them owning his songs.  Only "his" songs, aren't really his.  They actually are ones that Tricia wrote, and he needs to let her know before they start playing on the radio with other singers.  Then she needs to decide how to deal with his company.  

The event that they are all needing to talk about is that they had a foursome that night.  All of the guys took turns with Tricia, worshiping her and making her feel good.  And they all love her, and even though Marty and Pete are getting married, they've always loved Tricia in a romantic and sexual way.  And while they've tried threesomes with other women, it's never been the same, they've always imagined it was Tricia they were with.  Hill was the one who won her heart as a boyfriend, but he knows that Marty and Pete love her as well.  And that she loves all of them.  In the end, they will try it again, when Tricia decides that maybe it was okay for them, and maybe it will be okay.  

But even that makes her wonder again.  Is she really okay with it?  She does love them all.  But it is right to Hill to make him share her?  And does she feel okay with being shared?

I really liked the way it all worked out, as I said at the beginning.  The relationship between all of them was really unique, but it worked.  In a way, there were parts that reminded me of a group of guys I was friends with in college.  I could totally get behind three hot guys all wanting to take care of me.  I'm even okay probably with two of them being in love with each other.  My only issue, the one thing that took it down to 4 stars instead of 5 has to do with my own personal preferences.  What Tricia had given in to do with the guys at the end, is not something I have any desire to do, and I feel like maybe I didn't need the relationship to go there.  But it wasn't bad, just not my taste.  If you are okay with pushing the boundaries of these kinds of relationships, whether just in a fictional story, or maybe something you could see yourself as a part of, or have been a part of, this is the book for you.  I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

 

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Book Blitz: Infallible by Bailey Quinn

 
Book info:
Title: Infallible 
Author: Bailey Quinn 
Genre: Detective/Mystery crime 
Release Date: June 24th, 2016 
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing 
ISBN: 9780996974882

 From the moment Detective Scarlet Anne Martins steps into that prison, her heart begins to take over her head. Unable to deny her feelings for Alaric any longer, her desperation to save him will ultimately be what will kill them both. For a super cop, her judgement in men has truly failed her. And if matters of the heart weren’t distracting enough, she has to survive the next twenty-four hours without killing someone. Finding herself a fugitive in a foreign country, she has to rely on her charming personality, which she has long since learned to turn on when needed. But with her distinctive South African accent, and stunning good looks, she is at risk of being turned in to the authorities at any moment. With nowhere to run, she has no alternative but to face the peril head on, and ensnare the evil that is chasing her down. But with so few resources, the only way to do that is to give them exactly what they want – herself.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1116134545  

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/infallible-bailey-quinn/1123830605;jsessionid=42518E690AC5B0D3DD5098D28D908A09.prodny_store01-atgap08?ean=2940153169590

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FYCEMAC



About the Author:  
Bailey Quinn is a pen name Carlyle Labuschagne writes her crime fiction under, she is an South African award wining author, with a flair for mixing genres and adding loads of drama to every story she creates. For now she is happy to take over the world and convert non Sci-fi believers. Her goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another by delivering strong messages of faith, love and hope within each world she writes about. “I love to swim, fight for the trees, and am a food lover who is driven by my passion for life. I dream that one day my stories will change the lives of countless teenagers and have them obsess over the world literacy can offer them instead of worrying about fitting in. Never sacrifice who you are, its in the dark times that the light comes to life.” Carlyle used writing as a healing tool and that is why she started her very own writers support event – SAIR – “To be a helping hand for those who strive to become full times writers, editors, bloggers, readers and cover artists – its a crazy world out there you don't have to go it alone!”    
Author Links:
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15158904.Bailey_Quinn
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BaileyQuinnBooks

Excerpt: 
First Chapter.
Friday Night—New York City  
WHENEVER DETECTIVE MARTINS ENTERED an interrogation room, the suspect’s reactions were always the same. First, the look of utter confusion clouded their condescending expressions, brows furrowed so tight it cast dark, ugly shadows across their faces. But when the detective took a seat, her slim legs crossing neatly over each other, and the name above her shiny, golden badge finally readable, their looks fleetingly morphed from shock to relief, finally settling into something resembling smugness. Female cops, she reckoned, were treated with the same disrespect in any country.
     Laying her South African accent on real thick, she talked painfully slow in case they couldn’t understand her. “So, let’s get this over with right now.” Detective Scarlet Anne Martins, better known to her loved ones as Sam—derived from her initials—smiled slightly while she spoke. Her hands calmly opened out over the worn-out case file. Looking up, her big green eyes met the suspect’s only briefly. “Yes, I am a woman and yes, I am extremely good looking, but don’t for one second think that your ‘bad boy’”—her fingers mockingly made quotation marks in the air—“behavior is in any way attractive.”
     Scarlet flashed him a brilliant red, glossy, sarcastic smile with the cocky tilt of her head. “I am here to put you behind bars, so don’t let the package throw you. The fact that I even found you after your case had been labelled ‘cold’, should be an indication as to how tenacious I truly am at nailing scum like you.”
     But the suspect still looked at her from behind a patronizing gaze. She thought back to what the captain had said to the chief of police on her first day at NYPD: “Women can act tough, but they break easily.”
     Detective Martins stared past the unsuspecting man into the mirror, lifting her chin, a daring smile creeping across her gorgeous face. “Seven days.” She held her fingers up, placing a bet to her squad members watching from behind the glass wall.
     “For what?” The suspect laced his nervous fingers together on the table before him.
     “Until I put you out of your misery.” Her penetrating gaze meeting his full-on, a promise she intended to deliver on.
      “Is that a threat, Detective Martins?” The perp’s lawyer pushed the tape recorder an inch closer in her direction, eager to catch her on some technicality that might set his client free.
     In his eyes, she could see every thought that crossed his mind. She knew that he knew she either had or was on the brink of having something concrete on his client.
     The lawyer scrutinized the detective, fully aware of her reputation to close cases such as the one he sat with now. Her devilish stunning looks part of what made her infallible, paired with her take-no-prisoners attitude, it could knock any man off course, even the best of criminal minds.
     “No, Mr. Workman,” Scarlet smiled politely at the lawyer, “it is simply a warning to Mr. Rogers here to get his family affairs in order before I throw him behind bars for good. If he has any respect for himself and that of his loved ones, he will go gracefully. Or, I will take down each and every one who stands in my way, including his wives and children for having concealed him for so long.”
     Mario Rogers shifted uncomfortably in his seat. How could she possibly know about his other families? He struggled to keep his composure, forcing spite into his words, as well as keeping cool and controlled. “They never got me the first time around, sweetheart, what makes you think there is anything you can pin on me after so many years?” he snickered.
      “There is simply not enough evidence against my client, detective,” his lawyer interjected.
     Scarlet could tell he was pulling out anything at this point to throw her off her game, hoping he could rile her up, thereby making her lose focus. He wanted her to slip up, save him losing face in front of such a high profile client as the ‘retired’ organized crime boss.
     Calmly, Detective Martins stood and took a step back from the metal table, folding the excessive paper file between her crossed-over arms. “That’s what they all say.” Smirking, heels clicking and hips swinging with sexy conviction, she exited the interrogation room.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Cuffs and King (A Bad Boy Romance #2) by Harley Wylde


Title:  Cuffs and Kink
Author:  Harley Wylde
Series:  a Bad Boy romance #2
Publication date: November 11th, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

TY
It was no secret that I was a man whore and enjoyed my fair share of women. Several had tried to pin me down over the years, but no way was the noose of matrimony slipping around my neck. I was a fuck ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy, and I liked my life just the way it was. Badge bunnies fell into my bed in droves, even the ones who liked to play innocent, but there was one type of woman I’d always avoided – virgins. Which makes things a little awkward when hot little Josie Wright, the reverend’s daughter, makes me harder than I’ve ever been before. Just one look at those slender legs and perky tits, and all I can think about is being balls deep inside of her, but good girls like Josie don’t hang out with bad boys like me.

JOSIE
I’ve always had the perfect life – loving parents and a stable home life. Until now. When my father told me I was to marry Reverend Falks, a man thirty years my senior, in exchange for our church getting a new roof, I knew he had to be kidding. The good reverend has told me in no uncertain terms that he plans to keep me barefoot and pregnant, along with some other details that make my stomach queasy. I’ll do anything to avoid my fate, even if it means falling into Officer Daniels’ bed. Except, once I’m there, I don’t want to leave. He makes me feel things I’ve never experienced before, and for the first time in my life, I’m realizing that maybe it’s good to be a little bad.
WARNING: This story contains one dirty talking hunky police officer, a sweet and innocent reverend’s daughter, and LOTS of steamy sex. Being bad has never been so good.
EXCERPT:
“I’ll drop you by your parents’ home, and you can arrange to get your car later.”
“I don’t want to go there.”
I stopped at a four-way intersection and looked at her. “Then where do you want to go?”
“Can we just drive around for a bit?”
Holy hell. She was trying to kill me. Or get me fired, because I was pretty sure the police chief wouldn’t be too pleased to find me balls deep inside Josie Wright on the side of the road, and if she stayed in this car much longer, that was what would happen.
“Josie, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She blinked at me innocently before her gaze dropped to my lap, and my very hard cock. Her eyes dilated and her lips parted. The way she licked her lips was enough to make my dick jerk, and I knew I had to get her out of the car and away from me as fast as possible. Either that or I was going to be very, very bad.
“Josie.” My tone came out strangled as she continued to stare.
Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes cut toward the window. I could tell she was intrigued, yet her innocence kept her from saying what was on her mind. And hell if that didn’t just turn me on even more. I’d been with more women than I could count, but damn if she didn’t make me harder than I’d ever been before. But Josie wasn’t a “right now” kind of woman. She was the forever kind. I might have been thirty-two, but I wasn’t ready for the picket fence, golden retriever in the yard, and two point five kids just yet. No, whoever plucked her cherry was going to be a lucky bastard, but I’d be willing to bet it would be her husband.
cuffskink_teaser1


Author Bio:
Short. Erotic. Sweet.
Harley’s other half would probably say those words describe her, but they also describe her books. When Harley is writing, her motto is the hotter the better. Off the charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place.
When Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more.
You can find Harley online at: harleywylde.com

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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Review: The Hands of Time (Elementals #5) by Michelle Madow

Book info:
TitleThe Hands of Time
Author:  Michelle Madow
SeriesElementals #5
Genre:  YA Mythology
Published:  November 25th, 2016
Source:  E-galley through Michelle Madow's street team
My rating:  4 Stars

This conclusion to Michelle Madow's Elementals series is very well done.  I was excited to see how the group that we had left would be able to close the gate to Kerberos as well as defeat Typhon.  The end of book 4 left us wondering if all that they had done so far would be enough.  If the losses they'd suffered would not be in vain.  If the final tasks would be surmountable.  The way Madow lays the story out is done in a well-thought out way, without any sort of cheating or unsatisfactory tying up of loose ends.  If you haven't read the first four in the series, you can go back and read my reviews of each of them in the links below, because I can't promise to not give any spoilers for the first four in my review of this final book.

1.  The Prophecy of Shadows
2.   The Blood of the Hydra
3.   The Head of Medusa
4.  The Portal to Kerberos  

Where we pick up at the beginning of this book, Nicole and Danielle have stepped back through the portal thanks to Chronos being able to turn back the time so that they can keep Blake from dying.  But not only Blake, they're also able to save Chris from the poison of the bite he sustained.  However they're still left without Kate, who was turned to stone by Medusa in an earlier story.  Now the four of them that are left must figure out how to get Typhon stopped before he comes through the portal, which happens to be in Sicily.  If they can do that, it doesn't mean that everything will be all perfect, because the portal will still be open, and all kinds of creatures, centaurs, cyclops, dragons, all will come through.  

But when it comes to figuring out how to close the portal, before the summer solstice, it seems that one of them may have to be on the side of Kerberos, which means they will be stuck there forever, as there is no other way home.  In their searching for a way to close it, they will also try to find a way to bring Kate back, something that may only be done in turning her into a minor goddess, but could also kill her.  They will try talking to the Oracle for another way to open the portal so no one has to stay in Kerberos.  But the Oracle is in the Underworld, which will require a trip there by a few of the group.  

In the end, it mostly will work out.  There will still be some loss, but there will be things that are unexpected. 

I really liked all the tasks and things that they had to go through.  However, I knew the way that they could do what they wanted, and I think it is a little silly that it was such a surprise to everyone.  To me it was obvious as soon as they said one of them had to be on the other side of the portal.  I knew exactly who would be okay with staying there, because there would be something in Kerberos for them.  So that is my only gripe with the story.  Other than that, I loved the way they figured out how to save certain people, but I also loved how the battles weren't perfect and easy for everyong to make it out alive.  

I definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes mythology stories similar to The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, any of the Rick Riordan series, and even a little bit like Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  I look forward to future stories from this author!

 

Promo Post and Giveaway: Her Hopes and Dreams (An Ardent Springs Novel) by Terri Osburn

Tour Graphic
I am extremely delighted to join the BOOK TOUR of
HER HOPES AND DREAMS
by
Terri Osburn
Sweet. Heartwarming.
Book 4 of the highly popular Ardent Springs series.
Terri Osburn - Her Hopes and Dreams Cover
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: November 15, 2016
Add to Goodreads
If she'd let him in, 
he'd be the man of her dreams.
As a newly single mother, Carrie Farmer isn’t quite ready to jump back into the dating pool in Ardent Springs—especially since her last marriage was such a disaster. But if anyone could entice her to wade in a bit, it would be her hunky neighbor, Noah Winchester. He’s the perfect man: strong, protective, and smoking hot. But her eyes have deceived her before, and she’s no longer willing to hand over her heart so easily.
After completing several tours in the Middle East, Noah returns to his hometown a very different man. The former soldier’s plan to rest and relax is soon waylaid by the intriguing woman next door and her heart-stealing little girl. Something—or someone—put shadows in Carrie’s lovely eyes, and he’s determined to clear them away. But when hidden demons can no longer be ignored, the couple gets a reminder from an unexpected source that love truly can conquer all.
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Get your copy of Her Hopes and Dreams today.
Available at:

Other Books in the Ardent Springs Series

Check out other highly recommended titles by Terri Osburn.
Here are her first 3 books in the Ardent Springs series.
His First and Last Cover
His First and Last
Ardent Springs, Book 1
Sparks fly when high school sweethearts reunite in this first book in Terri Osburn’s Ardent Springs Series. Lorelei and Spencer thought they’d moved on, but find old flames never really die. But can they let the past go to find their happily ever after?
Our Now and Forever Cover
Our Now and Forever
Ardent Springs, Book 2
A whirlwind romance landed Caleb and Snow in a Vegas wedding chapel making the biggest commitment of their young lives, but married life isn’t quite what Snow expected. Caleb has spent eighteen months looking for his runaway bride, and now that he’s found her in Ardent Springs, he isn’t about to let her out of his arms again.
My One and Only Cover
My One and Only
Ardent Springs, Book 3
A desperate teenage mother becomes a common cause for Cooper and Haleigh, who have been friends forever and nothing more. Seeing this as his chance with the girl he’s always loved, Cooper turns on the charm, but Haleigh’s history, as well as her daunting mother, could be too much for even love to overcome.

Giveaway:

Everyone is invited to join the giveaway contest
from November 15 - December 14, 2016.
Lots of prizes to be won!
ON EACH TOUR STOP
Win $5 Amazon Gift Card
(Open to all participants)
Be sure to visit each blog scheduled throughout the tour
for a chance to win $5 Amazon Gift Card on each stop.
Check out the tour schedule below.
For this site's giveaway, leave a comment below about why you want to read this series.
TOUR WIDE
One Lucky Winner will bring home
A Red Kindle Fire,
4 signed Ardent Series Books in a I-Love-Romance-Novels tote
and more!
(Open to US and Canadian residents only)
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Purchase Her Hopes and Dreams today!
Available at:
Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print | Barnes and Noble

About Terri Osburn:

osburn-author-pic
Although born in the Ohio Valley, Terri Osburn found her true home between the covers of her favorite books. Classics like The Wizard of Oz and Little Women filled her childhood landscapes, and the romance genre beckoned during her teen years. In 2007, she put pen to paper to write her own. Just five years later, she became a 2012 finalist for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award, and her debut novel was released a year later. To date, she has released eight novels, two novellas, and one short story. You can learn more about this award winning author by visiting her website at www.terriosburn.com.
Visit the official website of Terri Osburn
http://www.TerriOsburn.com
Connect with Terri Osburn on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tour Schedule

Join the book tour! Get more tidbits, excerpts and other info on Her Hopes and Dreams. Visit all the tour stops for a chances to win $5 Amazon Gift Card on each stop.

November 15

Book Unleashed - Promo, Excerpt

November 16

November 17

Books According to Abby - Review, Excerpt
The Pen and Muse Book Reviews - Promo, Excerpt, Fun Facts

November 18

The Romance Reviews - Review, Excerpt
Books,Dreams,Life - Promo, Review, Excerpt

November 21

Read Your Writes Book Reviews - Excerpt, Interview

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

Liz's Reading Life - Promo, Excerpt, Fun Facts

November 28

Tory Richards - Promo, Excerpt

November 29

Diana's Book Reviews - Review, Fun Facts

November 30

December 1

The Avid Book Collector - Promo, Excerpt

December 2

December 5

Spunk and Hunks - Character Interview

December 6

Crazy Beautiful Reads - Promo, Excerpt

December 7

December 8

December 9

Romantic Reads and Such - Review, Excerpt

December 12

Paulette's Papers - Promo, Excerpt

December 13

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium - Promo, Excerpt, Fun Facts

December 14


In partnership with
Book Unleashed

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday: Lifeblood (Everlife #2) by Gena Showalter

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting.  Once again I've chosen a sequel to a book that I really enjoyed. This time it was a book by Gena Showalter, called Everlife.  The way it ended made me very eager to know more and see what could happen next.  Here's the blurb from Goodreads: 

My Firstlife is over, but my Everlife is only now beginning.
With her last living breath, Tenley "Ten" Lockwood made her choice and picked her realm in the Everlife. Now, as the war between Troika and Myriad rages, she must face the consequences.

Because Ten possesses a rare supernatural ability to absorb and share light, the Powers That Be have the highest expectations for her future—and the enemy wants her neutralized. Fighting to save her Secondlife, she must learn about her realm from the ground up while launching her first mission: convincing a select group of humans to join her side before they die. No pressure, right?

But Ten's competition is Killian, the boy she can't forget—the one who gave up everything for her happiness. He has only one shot at redemption: beating Ten at a game she's never even played. As their throw-downs heat up, so do their undeniable feelings, and soon, Ten will have to make another choice. Love…or victory.


Have you read the first book?  Does this one sound good?  What book or book are you eagerly awaiting this week?

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Book Tour and Giveaway: Unexpected Love Series by T.E. Black


Finding A Way 
The Unexpected Love Series Book 1
by T.E. Black 

Genre: NA Romance

I am finally free.
This is my chance for a fresh start. 
My chance to live the way I want to. 
Boston is my destination.
Just when I think things are going to get better from here, I meet him.
Malcolm Davis.
He is the image of masculinity, with rough edges I would love to soften. Although I wonder what it would be like to be with a man like him, I know it would never work. But, I do know two things, ever since I met him, I’m happy and he makes me feel safe. Both of those things lured me into taking a chance. I mean what’s life without taking any chances? It’s not much of a life without the risk of getting your heart broken.
I imagine that for Malcolm Davis, falling in love with someone would be akin to a hurricane; anything that stands in the path of what he wants; gets demolished.

Well, I guess my theory will be put to the test.




Finding Serenity 
The Unexpected Love Series Book 2

Book #2 of The Unexpected Love Series. It is recommended that Finding A Way is read first, but each book can be read as a standalone.
When it was good, it was great.
When it was bad, it was worse.
My life turned into a whirlwind of destruction before I even got the chance to love her.
Shay Kirby could have been my angel, my saving grace; I never gave her the chance.
I gave myself a taste of her angelic kiss, convincing her to love with everything she had. Then I destroyed her. I destroyed both of us and I felt nothing as I did it.
I didn't feel anything in my sorry state.
We both had secrets and both of them would have destroyed us in one way or another. 
Hers could have possibly been bigger than mine, but I doubted it from the start.
I knew I had the quality of devastation within me the entire time.
After all,
I'm the king of lies. 
I'm the king of addiction. 
I'm the king of turmoil. 
I'm the king of motherf*cking heartbreak.


This book contains sensitive material. Recommended for ages 18 and up.




Finding Perseverance 
The Unexpected Love Series Book 3

Ten years ago, Ryleigh O’Donnell let the love of her life go so he could follow his dreams. Now, she’s a successful bar owner, a loyal and fierce friend, and someone everyone counts on. She has everything she has ever dreamed of, but there is still a void inside her the size of a six-foot-four professional fighter, Rook Wallace, who she is forced to watch on television.
When she finds her past hiding in the shadows under her fire escape and asking for her help, she knows she should turn him away—protect herself. Her heart doesn’t care what her mind wants, though, and she risks everything by letting him back into her life. She just has to hold on long enough for him to clear his name, and keep his career afloat, then she can go back to business as usual … at least that’s what she tells herself.


*** This is Ryleigh's Story; Book #3 of The Unexpected Love Series. It is recommended that Finding A Way and Finding Serenity are read first, but each title can be read as a standalone.***





New Adult and Contemporary Romance author, T.E. Black, also known as Tiffany, is never without a book in her hand. Whether she’s reading the newest release from a fellow author, or proofreading one of her own drafts, she’s always keeping busy.
Tiffany writes about imperfect heroes and strong-willed heroines. While, her heroines are known for going to head to head with the men in her stories, the heroes she writes always have that special touch of alpha.
When she’s not immersed in the literary world, Tiffany makes use of her time by being a full-time graphic designer for a company she owns and operates, creating book covers, teasers, banners, and swag for other authors and herself.
She began writing when stories she had read sparked an idea. She plotted her story, wrote three chapters, then scrapped it where she let it sit in her computer for months. Instead of focusing on the potential of the story she had begun, she couldn’t help but feel as if she would never be able to publish a book as good as the ones she had read.
Months later, she obtained the courage to go back to her laptop and open up the dreaded first draft she had written. With a clear head and determination, she worked for hours on perfecting the three chapters she had written.
When she sat back in her seat, looking over her six thousand words, it clicked.
The story fell into place.
The characters spoke to her.
The plot lines began to pour from her fingertips, landing on her keyboard.
And then it finally happened.
She had written a novel.
Love it, like it, or hate it, Tiffany loves hearing from her fans! Feel free to connect with her!