SEIZE by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor-Review & Giveaway Tour

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Sandy

SEIZE (Magnus Blackwell #3) by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor-Review & Giveaway Tour

SEIZE
Magnus Blackwell #3
by Alexandra Weis and Lucas Astor
Release Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: adult, paranormal, thriller

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2019

Lexie Arden has a loving husband, a thriving business, and consults with the New Orleans Police Dept on murder cases. Kalfu has given her everything she desires, but challengers to her authority are closing in.

Her dark secret remains hidden from everyone except Magnus. He sees the evil growing stronger, changing her, and hurting her marriage. If Lexie doesn’t rid herself of Kalfu’s influence soon, the consequences will be irreversible.

When she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the swamp, she uncovers a library of rare books on voodoo. Their spells can reverse the dark lord’s hold and set right the balance between darkness and light. But such magic requires a great sacrifice; one Lexie isn’t willing to make.

With the shadow spirits and raging voodoo gods vying for her attention, Lexie is on the verge of losing everything—her husband, her power, Magnus, and possibly, her life.

The battle for control of the mambo’s soul is about to begin.

••••••••••

REVIEW: SEIZE is the third full-length instalment in Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor’s contemporary, adult MAGNUS BLACKWELL paranormal, Voodoo, thriller series focusing on New Orlean’s Voodoo Mambo Lexie Arden, and her spirit guide Magnus Blackwell. SEIZE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two BOUND.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lexie and Magnus) SEIZE focuses on Lexie Arden’s foray into the world of black magic, powerful spirits, Voodoo priests and priestesses, and the fight for power and control. Lexie Arden is not representative of the Voodoo world but chosen by the late Mambo, Lexie must learn to navigate a world of which she knows nothing about but a world in which she continues to battle between good and evil. As the dark battles the light within our story line heroine, in the form of Damballah (The Sky Father/ Primordial Creator of Life) and Kalfu (Master of malevolent spirits/ controls the evil aspects of Voodoo), Lexie discovers that she is no longer able to trust the spirits sent to guide her on her journey. Manipulation, lies, betrayal and revenge find our heroine riding the edge of control, a control that is slowly leaning towards the evil and the dark.

SEIZE and the Magnus Blackwell series continues to pull from the Haitian and African practise of Voodoo and the spiritual folkways of those who follow and believe. An infinitely detailed and complex series, Magnus Blackwell focuses on passion and power, magic and mayhem, and the spirits desperate to move on, or take control. The premise is dramatic, enticing and intriguing; the characters are colorful, energetic, powerful and bold. A blend of spiritual nepotism, and a belief system focusing on evil, retribution, and omnipotent power wherein our heroine is caught between good and evil, and Magnus is caught between this world and the Other.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Blackwell
Damned
Bound
Seize

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

BLACKWELL: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

DAMNED: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO / ibooks /

BOUND: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

SEIZE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

From New Orleans, Alexandrea Weis was raised in the motion picture industry and began writing stories at the age of eight. In college she studied nursing and went on to teach at a local university. After several years in the medical field, she decided to pick up the pen once again and began her first novel, To My Senses. Since that time she has published many novels. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning books, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. Her work has been critically acclaimed and has been continually growing in popularity.

Alexandrea Weis is also a certified/permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries. When she is not writing, she rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She is married; they live in New Orleans .

••••••••••

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bound (Magnus Blackwell Series #2) by Alexandrea Weis-Review,Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Sandy

BOUND (Magnus Blackwell Novel #2) by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway Tour

BOUND
Magnus Blackwell Series #2
by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
Release Date: April 17,2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, thriller

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

About the book: Release Date April 17, 2018

Magnus Blackwell’s past is about to catch up with him.

An evil force has seized New Orleans. Pestilence, suffering, and darkness cloak the city. The citizens are scared and need their mambo to guide them, but Lexie Arden can’t help anyone. A diabolical presence has taken Lexie’s power and severed her ties with the other side.

Magnus Blackwell is fighting demons of his own. Torn between his devotion to Lexie and a spirit from his past, Magnus’s loyalty is put to the test. He must revisit his sins to uncover the key to the hatred ripping the city apart. If he doesn’t, Lexie’s reign as mambo will end.

Their search for answers leads them deep into the darker realms of voodoo—until a desperate Lexie does the unthinkable, and Magnus can do nothing to spare her from her fate

••••••••••

REVIEW: BOUND is the second full-length instalment in Alexandrea Weis’ (and Lucas Astor) contemporary, adult BOUND paranormal, mystery thriller, Voodoo fantasy series focusing on New Orlean’s Voodoo Mambo Lexi Arden, and her spirit guide Magnus Blackwell. BOUND can be read as a stand-alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lexi and Magnus) BOUND follows Lexi and Magnus on the hunt for a killer. As Lexi slowly begins to lose her capacity as the reigning Mambo, a number of powerful Voodoo priests and priestesses become the victim of a serial killer, not of this world. Lexi begins to investigate the how and why of her missing powers, when a being more dominant and forceful makes Lexi an offer she should have refused. Without her powers, the spirits of the dead begin to descend upon the people of New Orleans, including two ghosts with close connections to Lexi’s spirit guide. Our heroine is determined to uncover the truth but in doing so walks a fine line between good and evil, wherein the darkness begins to override her soul. Not one to follow the rules Lexi will come face to face with a malicious spirit who is willing to do anything to bring Lexi to the dark side.

BOUND is an intriguing story of dark and white magic; of the influential lure of power, and the resulting repercussions of selling one’s soul for the ultimate prize. From priests and priestesses, spirits and ghosts, to Damballah (The Sky Father/ Primordial Creator of Life) and Kalfu (Master of malevolent spirits/ controls the evil aspects of Voodoo), Alexandrea Weis pulls from the Haitian and African history of the practice of Voodoo, the spiritual folkway of those who follow and believe. BOUND is a detailed, complex and enchanting story of mystery, suspense, drama and magic. The premise is entertaining and compelling; the characters are colorful and tenacious. The world building continues to take the reader on a journey through the fantastic as one determined and head-strong woman battles to regain control of the spirits, and the power within.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Blackwell
Damned
Bound

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

BLACKWELL: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

DAMNED: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO / ibooks /

BOUND: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

Confounded by what was happening, Magnus went to the green water at the swamps’ edge along the side of the house. Raindrops created ripples on the stagnant water. Their concentric circles grew, intersecting in swells, releasing voices in their wake.
Magnus paced at the slimy green bank, attempting to make sense of the strange sounds. The cries of men, women, and children rose up and overwhelmed him.
“Save us!” a woman shrieked.
“Please, help me. I want to be free,” a man’s husky voice entreated.
“Take me away from this hell,” a high-pitched wail begged.
The voices built around Magnus, crowding his ears, imploring him to rescue their tormented souls. He had never heard such noises from anyone.
A vision of his Frannie hurtling over the cliff’s edge at Altmover Manor replayed in his head. The sound she made as she toppled to the rocks below resembled the pitiful cries of the spirits around him. Magnus closed his eyes, disgusted by the memory.
When his eyes opened, he scampered backward. In the boggy water, hundreds of bodies floated in various stages of decomposition. Arms, hands, legs, and torsos bobbed on the surface. The woman in black he’d seen with Lexie stood at the water’s edge, calling to the dead to wake from their soggy tombs.
Horrified by the agony he saw on their contorted faces, Magnus wanted to obliterate the vision by returning to his shadowy realm, but he couldn’t tear himself away. The images of body parts and broken souls held him captive as bitter waves of anger and anguish rolled off the water.
“Your master’s in danger.”
Magnus spun around.
A little girl in a long white nightgown trimmed in yellow ribbon stood next to him. Down the front, a stain of burnt red went all the way to her bare feet. She held a dirty teddy bear in her arms, but when she peered up at him, a gaping wound across her throat exposed the bone underneath.
Magnus didn’t know if he could believe the phantom before him. Spirits had never reached out to him before. This was Lexie’s realm. Why did he suddenly have her gift?
“Are you real?”
“Yes, sir. Very real, just like you.”
He knelt down beside the child. “What is your name?”
“Mattie. I died in the swamp when I was six. The mistress has me enslaved to do her bidding.”
He touched the nose of the teddy bear in her arms. His fingers passed through the toy. “What mistress?”
“The Lady La Fay. The one who called your master to her side.”
Magnus examined her gray skin and sunken eyes. “I don’t have a master.”
She pointed to the cottage. “You’re bound to the woman who went inside. She’s your master and the one who controls your fate. We are all bound to those who work the dark realm. You’ll see.”

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

••••••••••

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Damned (Magnus Blackwell #1) by Alexandrea Weis: Review, Excerpt Tour & Giveaway

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Sandy

DAMNED (Magnus Blackwell #1) by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

DAMNED
Magnus Blackwell #1
by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Genre: adult, paranormal,

Damned

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO / ibooks /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 3, 2017

Over a hundred years after the death of Magnus Blackwell, Altmover Manor sits abandoned.

Lexie Arden and her fiancé, Will Bennett, are determined to rescue the neglected Mount Desert Island landmark. They want to make Altmover Manor their home. But Magnus has other plans.

A spirit bound to his former residence, Magnus finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young woman. She has a supernatural gift; a gift Magnus wants to exploit.

As Lexie and Will settle in, secrets from Magnus’s past begin to surface. Compelled to learn all she can about the former owner, Lexie becomes immersed in a world of voodoo, curses, and the whereabouts of a mysterious dragon cane.

Magnus’s crimes won’t be so easily forgotten, and what Lexie unearths is going to change the future … for everyone.

••••••••••

REVIEW: DAMNED by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor is the continuing story of Magnus Blackwell, a Victorian era gentleman whose spirit has been cursed to his beloved Altmover Manor in Maine. The new owners, Lexie Arden and her fiancé Will Bennett are determined to renovate Altmover Manor to its’ original glory but the building’s fabled history of hauntings and ghosts becomes the focus of our heroine when two spirits from the past battle for Lexie’s attention and help. Enter Magnus Blackwell, the former owner of Altmover Manor, and the ghost who will mentor our heroine through a world of the supernatural, voodoo priestesses and curses, magic, murder, power and revenge.

NOTE: Although listed as book one in the series, DAMNED is technically book two. For background and history about Magnus Blackwell pick up a copy of BLACKWELL (Magnus Blackwell .5) before venturing into the territory of the DAMNED.

DAMNED is a story of the paranormal; an intriguing thriller where the ghost of Magnus Blackwell is caught between the past and present; cursed to serve time for the sins of the past. Lexie Arden has the ability to see and speak with the spirits but there is more to our heroine than a reluctant medium-she’s a woman whose growing powers are seen as a threat to those in charge. From Boston to New Orleans Lexie, along with her ghostly companion, will go in search of a mysterious dragon cane that will change our heroine’s life forever.

Fans of Alexandrea Weis will recognize the author’s love of New Orleans, ghosts and the power of voodoo from many of her previous story lines including the Corde Noire Series, The Ghosts of Rue Domaine, and The Satyr’s Curse Series. DAMNED will explore the cult religion of voodoo-the power, the magic, the belief system and the rituals-all meant to pull the reader into a fantasy tale of ghosts caught in the ether between the ’then and now’, and the one woman whose gift of talking to the spirits is only the beginning of a magical journey. The world building is phenomenal; the sights and sounds of New Orleans are palpable; the mystery of the restless spirits continues to unfold.

Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor’s DAMNED is a fantastic journey; a well –written, dark and spirited story that will captivate the imagination with its’ passionate characters and vivid imagery.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of BLACKWELL

BLACKWELL purchase links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Damned Teaser

Excerpt beige

A thin layer of mist covered the foyer floor as the lotus sconces glowed with an eerie light. Lexie wore a formal white gown, woven with lace and gold ribbons. The dress harkened back to a long-ago era. She didn’t recall putting on the outfit or where she had gotten it.
She ran her hands ran over the smooth silk and played with the lace on her sleeves.
“This is weird.”
The grand chandelier came to life, filling the foyer with its bright light. Ethereal music wafted through the house. Lexie swore she recognized the piece—a waltz. The music got louder; embedded in the notes was the distant murmur of conversation and glasses tinkling.
Lexie moved toward the sounds, stopping along the way to admire the home. The dull and drab foyer, once ravaged by time, blossomed before her as if magically restored. The golden wallpaper glistened in the candlelight, and the tears in the material came together as the dusty hardwood floors took on a dazzling shine. The chandelier appeared new, its chain covered with red velvet rope.
She made her way to the staircase where the red dragon’s eyes at the base of the banister glowed. Her fingers caressed the colored glass, and she raised her head to the massive chandelier. The light fixture swayed.
Terrified, Lexie took off running down the hallway. Her flight halted as long, flowing, multi-colored gowns, intermingled with black tuxedos with long tails, sprung up around her. Couples caught up in the frenzy of the waltz kept time with the music, but these dancers had no hands and no heads. They were nothing more than costumes inhabited by ghosts.
“They’ve outdone themselves. Quite an event,” a haughty man’s voice came from the flurry of twirling clothes.
“Have you seen Katherine’s dress?” a woman twittered. “He imported it from Paris for their anniversary.”
Lexie carefully maneuvered through the swirling apparel, anxious not to disturb them.
“I never thought they’d last the year,” another man said. “They’re so ill-suited.”
“Well, I’ve discovered the most scandalous things about Magnus Blackwell and the lurid things he likes to do with women,” a woman remarked. “Do you think they’re true?”
Eager to get away from the creepy dancing garments, Lexie ducked into the closest room. She slid inside a set of shiny double oak doors and closed them behind her. Resting her pounding head against the wood, she relaxed.
“This is a bad dream. Nothing more.”
When she turned from the doors, Lexie had somehow arrived in the living room. But unlike before, the room had rich furniture, the polished paneling gleamed, and an oriental carpet with a green dragon graced the center of the parquet floor.
By the entrance, she toed the same spot where she’d found the deep gouge, but it wasn’t there.
The bloom of a roaring fire in the hearth commanded her attention, drawing her gaze to Magnus Blackwell’s portrait. Lexie stared at the painting. Something changed with the colors. They morphed and moved as if taking on a shape.
A voice emanated from inside the painting; a man’s voice.
“I’ve been waiting for you, dear girl.”

About The Author beige alexandrea-weis1