Saturday, August 29, 2015

Book Review: Angel Unbound by Sharon Saracino

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When earthbound angel and notorious womanizer, Luca Fiorelli, reconnects with formerly missing and presumed dead, Callista McAllister, he is annoyed to discover centuries old feelings re-emerging. Of all the angels, in all the realms, why did she have to walk into his ice cold world and trigger a thaw? Sure she's the sister of his best friend, but wasn't she held captive by the notorious Jaques Rapier for a hundred years? How could his evil not rub off on her? Not to mention the certainty Jacques had used and abused her. Better to serve, protect, and steer clear of her emotionally than lose his dignity--right?

Callista McAllister, locked up and untouched like a nun in a convent by the murderous Jacques, now released to her family, is equally confused. She always saw Luca as her big brother's best friend. Sure, she had a girlish crush on him, literally ages ago. Now she's a woman, an independent adult Earthbound, albeit minus her abilities to sense the presence of evil or to fade and travel instantaneously. She doesn't need that overbearing oaf, Luca, telling her what to do, where to go, or how to feel, even when those feelings leave her light-headed, weak in the knees, and day-dreaming about all the books she read about sex while in captivity.

When a demon reappears and Archangel Michael is called upon to shed light on the cause and cure for this hellish creature, it's all Fallen and Defensori hands on deck. Can they keep the demon from wreaking damages on all of Rome? What unholy alliances will they be forced to enter to defeat him? Will Luca and Calli ever get together?

No spoilers from me! You will have to read to find out. This can be read as a stand alone, but why miss out on the fun of the series? A highly enjoyable read, ANGEL UNBOUND earns five sparkly stars from me.


Buy Now:  Amazon  

Friday, August 28, 2015

Casablanca: Appointment at Dawn by Linda Bennett Pennell

Casablanca, 1943: a viper’s nest of double agents and spies where OSS Officer Kurt Heinz finds his skill in covert operations pushed to the limit. Allied success in North Africa and the fate of the First Allied Conference—perhaps the outcome of the war—hang on Kurt’s next mission. The nature of his work makes relationships impossible. Nonetheless, he is increasingly torn between duty and the beautiful girl who desperately needs his protection and help.

Sarah Barrett, U.S. Army R.N., is finished with wartime romance. Determined to protect her recently broken heart, she throws all of her time and energy into caring for her patients, but when she is given a coded message by a mysterious dying civilian, she is sucked into a vortex of danger and intrigue that threatens her very survival. The one person who can help Sarah is Kurt Heinz, a man with too many secrets to be trusted. 

Buy Link Amazon
Excerpt:
Kurt watched in dismay as the man in gray picked up his fedora and rose from the table next to the one recently vacated by the two women. This had to be his contact. The man had watched Kurt on the sly since he arrived at the restaurant. Moreover, the guy matched the description right down to the red pocket square in his suit breast pocket and the thin, pale scar running along his left jawline. Making a quick decision, Kurt pushed his chair back and tossed some cash on the table.

"It's been interesting guys, but I'm calling it a night. Use this to cover my tab."

"What's the rush, Heinz? We haven't even ordered dinner."

"I guess my sins are catching up with me. It's return to quarters and bed for me."

"You headed back with us on the return flight tomorrow?"

"Nope, I'm here with the Old Man for the duration. You boys have a good trip."

The street was nearly deserted when Kurt stepped out onto its glistening concrete surface. Misty rain created halos around the sparse street lamps and obscured most objects more than a few feet distant. Only the two women, Sarah and Agnes, stood under an umbrella waiting for a taxi. Kurt watched them from the restaurant's portico. Focused on their conversation, they seemed oblivious to anyone behind them.

Glancing to his right, Kurt saw his man in gray scurrying toward the cross street. He stepped onto the sidewalk and crept along a good twenty paces behind. When his quarry slowed at the corner and looked back over his shoulder, Kurt stepped into the shadow of a doorway behind the taxi stand and waited. If this guy didn't want to make contact, he wouldn't appreciate being followed.
 Buy Link Amazon
About the Author: I have been in love with the past for as long as I can remember. Anything with a history, whether shabby or majestic, recent or ancient, instantly draws me in. I suppose it comes from being part of a large extended family that spanned several generations. Long summer afternoons on my grandmother's porch or winter evenings gathered around her fireplace were filled with stories both entertaining and poignant. Of course being set in the South, those stories were also peopled by some very interesting characters, some of whom have found their way into my work.

As for my venture in writing, it has allowed me to reinvent myself. We humans are truly multifaceted creatures, but unfortunately we tend to sort and categorize each other into neat, easily understood packages that rarely reveal the whole person. Perhaps you, too, want to step out of the box in which you find yourself. I encourage you to look at the possibilities and imagine. Be filled with childlike wonder in your mental wanderings. Envision what might be, not simply what is. Let us never forget, all good fiction begins when someone says to herself or himself, "Let's pretend."

I reside in the Houston area with my sweet husband and a German Shorthaired pointer who thinks she's a little girl.

Favorite quote regarding my professional passion:  "History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." Voltaire
Social Media & Buy Links:
Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel from Soul Mate Publishing
Confederado do Norte from Soul Mate Publishing
When War Came Home from Real Cypress Press
Casablanca: Appointment at Dawn from The Wild Rose Press August 28
Twitter:  @LindaPennell
Buy link for Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel:  http://amzn.to/16qq3k5
Buy link for Confederado do Norte:  http://amzn.com/B00LMN5OMI
Buy link for When War Came Home:  http://amzn.com/B010RXNZRO

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Cover Reveal: Kiss of the Virgin Queen by Sharon Buchbinder



 Coming soon from the Wild Rose Press!
Homeland Security Special Agent Eliana Solomon is on a mission to prevent terrorist attacks. Hard enough to do when the threats are human, almost impossible when it's an evil, shape shifting jinni. Eliana needs help so she calls the sexy and beguiling psychiatrist, Arta Shahani. However, no matter how good he is at his job, the man is on her blacklist. On their last case together, the guy left her for dead.

Arta is stunned when he receives Eliana’s call. Forced to abandon the woman he loves, he now fears she won’t accept his shape-shifting skills as a Persian Lion. Eliana, in the meantime discovers she is a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba with special powers of her own. But will her skill and Arta's be enough to defeat the jinni, or will they lose the love history decreed for them as well as their lives in this battle of good versus evil?

This full length novel is the second in my new Kiss of the Jinni Hunter series. Edgy and suspenseful, this paranormal romance series explores diverse cultures and an array of supernatural beings. Join the Special Agents of the Anomaly Defense Division as they race to save humanity—and the people they love.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

New Release: Kiss of the Silver Wolf

After Charlene Johnson's parents are killed in a car accident, she becomes guardian to her disabled brother. With no income coming in, she is forced to move to Eden, Kentucky, the one place her mother told her to stay away from. Once there, she's certain her mother would also warn her to keep away from the dark and sexy Zack Abingdon. A man of mystery who claims Charlene is his mate. Zack has waited for what seems a lifetime for the other half of his soul. He wants a family of his own, but the woman he has his eye on has no idea he is a werewolf. However, he knows he is the only one who can keep her safe from the evil that stalks Eden. While he tries to convince her he is the wolf of her heart, she is playing hard to get, and Zack is fearful he will lose her before he can mark her as his own. While Zack and Charlene are finding their way into love, an evil jinni who has wreaked havoc on the town of Eden for decades decides he wants Charlene for his own. When she learns the truth of her heritage, Zack hopes he can convince her he is the other half of her soul before it's too late. 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Long and Short Reviews 8th Anniversary Party August 17-28, 2015



Are you ready to PARTY
 
 Then come on over to the LASR party! There will be a $100 Amazon/BN Gift Card, along with publisher gift cards, books, ebooks, and author swag! 
There will be dozens of winners. 
 And right in the middle of the party, on August 19, 2015, my new release will be available.
Do you like werewolves, special agents, jinnis, shape shifters and romance? Kiss of the Silver Wolf might be what you are looking for. This novella is the first in my new Jinni Hunter Series. 
Stay tuned for the second one, Kiss of the Virgin Queen.






Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Teaser Tour and Giveaway: Claiming Valeria by Rebecca Rivard


Claiming Valeria blog banner 2
Welcome to the teaser tour for Claiming Valeria, A Fada Novel, Book 2 by Rebecca Rivard! The Fada Shapeshifter novels are sexy paranormal romances that feature the fada shapeshifters and their fae rivals. Right now the Claiming Valeria ebook is available for $1.99 (US) from Amazon for a limited time!

About the Book:

He wants a second chance— Rui had everything he’d ever wanted. He was the Rock Run second in command and he’d finally found his mate, the sexy Portuguese shifter Valeria. But it all fell apart when he assassinated an innocent man, leaving the man’s young daughter an orphan. Sick at heart, he brought the girl back home to Valeria and then went out for a night of heavy drinking that ended with him ensnared by the sun fae queen.

But can she trust him with her heart? It was hard, but Valeria forged a new life for herself and her adopted daughter. She even found a new man. Then Rock Run’s alpha is kidnapped by the sun fae and Rui steps in to reclaim his position as second. Now he’s determined to win back Valeria as well.

A dark secret threatens them all… But Valeria’s new man is hiding a dark Gift. Soon Rui and Valeria find themselves in a fight for not just their love, but their lives—and that of the little girl they’ve both come to adore.
Only $1.99 for one week and free on Kindle Unlimited!



About the Author:

Rebecca Rivard bio photo As a teenager, Rebecca Rivard read way too many romances, little realizing she was actually preparing for a career. After a detour through various genres, she has returned to her first love. She has placed highly in a number of romance writing contests, including a first for sexiest scene in the Reveal Your Inner Vixen contest. Like the river fada in her Fada Shapeshifter Series, Rebecca is happiest in or near the water, believes that the fae are beautiful but dangerous, and could cheerfully exist in a world without cell phones—although not without her e-reader.


To be notified of upcoming releases, ARCs, and giveaways, sign up for the Newsletter here!

GIVEAWAY:

--an autographed paperback of Seducing the Sun Fae (#1 in the Fada Shapeshifter series) 
--$25 gift certificate to Amazon
Open Worldwide (for both prizes!)
Ends Aug. 13th
Prizing provided by the author, hosts are not responsible for prizing.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Review: Dying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum

Dying for a LivingDying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book on my many dog walks and car rides and couldn’t wait to take my mutt and pug for a drag just so I could hear the next installment. The talented narrator kept me snickering with her well-acted roles with just the right amount of sarcasm for the main character.

This snarky, quirky, inventive story had me at hello! Jesse Sullivan has a unique occupation. A death replacement agent (do NOT call them zombies!) with attitude, Jesse has a handler, two love interests (male and female) a posse of friends and a cute little dog named Winston. Did I say he’s a fawn pug? And I have a fawn pug. Not often you have a pug in a story, so happy dance for me with that!

Her characters are fun, larger than life and full of piss and vinegar. The plot kept me guessing (short version, no spoilers from me: someone is trying to off all the death replacement agents think BIG CONSPIRACY) and Jesse also happens to have an angel in her corner. But since her former mentor was institutionalized after she started seeing angels, Jesse thinks he’s a hallucination and keeps his sightings to herself. She has no desire to eat mashed bananas for the rest of her life.

I loved the fact that this book is about a non-traditional love triangle. It’s important for all readers to have people to relate to in a story. This author has given us a fresh, insightful perspective on what love is, and that does not just mean the traditional M/F. She has a lot of choices to make, none easy.

Five bright shiny stars covered with black feathers! This series is an auto buy for me!!!

View all my reviews