Monthly Archives: January 2016

Spider Game (Ghostwalkers #12) by Christine Feehan-Review and Giveaway

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SPIDER GAME (Ghostwalkers #12) by Christine Feehan-Review and Giveaway

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SPIDER GAME
Ghostwalkers #12
by Christine Feehan
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance
Release Date: January 26, 2016

Spider Game

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2016

The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?

It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.

••••••

REVIEW: SPIDER GAME is the twelfth installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of ‘genetically enhanced’ men and women known as the Ghostwalkers. These ‘supersoldiers’ are part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney-a man tantamount to evil incarnate. This is Dr. Trap Dawkins, and Cayenne’s storyline. Trap and Cayenne were first introduced, along with a new team of Ghostwalkers, in Viper Game (Ghostwalkers #11). SPIDER GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from several third person points of view including Cayenne and Trap, SPIDER GAME continues to focus on the dangerous experiments of Dr. Peter Whitney. Cayenne is considered a failure; an experiment gone horribly wrong and, along with Wyatt Fontenont’s children (Viper Game #11), was tagged for extermination. Rescued by Trap and Wyatt, Cayenne found herself alone without any food, clothing or a place to live. To stay alive, Cayenne resorted to some unethical tactics in order to survive in the Louisiana Bayou. When Trap discovers that the Cayene is the woman ‘made’ especially for him, he sets out to ‘trap’ his wayward mate but in doing also brings the hunt for Cayenne to his front door.

Cayenne is a Ghostwalker with enhanced special abilities brought about by ‘spider DNA’. Cayenne is a dangerous soldier whose training saw the death of many Ghostwalker Teams, and the potential for many more. Trap is a billionaire researcher; an inventor whose past has threatened to destroy once again. It is the nature of the male Ghostwalker to provide, protect and be all alpha male when his female is threatened by an outside source but Trap’s over protective nature leaves something to be desired.

The secondary and supporting cast includes Wyatt and Trap’s new team of genetically enhanced soldiers including Malachai, Mordichai and Ezekiel Fortunes; Jo and Draden. There are a few cameo appearances ( and several mentions of) by earlier Ghostwalkers including Gator and Flame, Lily and Ryland, and of course, Nonny who is everybody’s loving grand-mere. Violet Smythe’s return and her ambitions for the vice-presidency sets up some revealing information and the potential for a more dangerous mission for all of the Ghostwalkers.

But….there comes a time in every author’s career where a change in direction is needed or required; where the long quiet muse has finally awakened some dormant need in many authors to push the boundaries of the character to a dark and dangerous abyss that borders on a free fall of questionable choices, and in this SPIDER GAME has fallen into the dangerous area of questionable actions and behavior of the leading hero. This is also true of most of Christine Feehan’s series-the amount of abuse, graphic violence, and aggression towards women is elevating at an exponential rate, and her heroes are the perpetrators of much of the abuse.

In SPIDER GAME, Trap is an over protective alpha male but his actions towards his mate borders on abusive. His bi-polar emotional and physical outbursts would give anyone whiplash. When a beloved series by a favorite author crosses over into a territory where mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse is hidden behind the proclamation of love and protection, it is time to question the author’s motives: From where did this anger come? To whom is it directed at? And why is the target always the women or female lead? Trap Hawkins is NOT a likeable hero; he tries to justify his actions at every opportunity but he comes across as a controlling, jealous, and abusive pr*ck. This is not romance or romantic; this is not love or even akin to anything near love; this is all about power and control. At times, there were scenes of questionable consent that bordered on sexual assault, and for a powerful heroine she took it without question or a fight. An abuser hides behind and uses ‘love’ to justify his actions and Trap Dawkins tries to justify his actions as a need to protect. Cayenne has been tortured, experimented upon, and abused for years by scientists all in the name of the ultimate weapon of destruction, and her ‘freedom’ forces Cayenne from one abuser to another (from the proverbial frying pan into the fire)-this is NOT the love of a protective male but the need to control; to break the will of an injured animal that must succumb to the abuse in order to survive.

SPIDER GAME is a sexually graphic story line with scenes of questionable consent and graphic acts of power and control. In the past, some of Christine Feehan’s male leads (especially in the Dark Series) have ‘forced’ their females into a mating, bordering on rape and sexual assault, but the frequency of abusive situations is increasing, and I am having a difficult time looking past the act and seeing a potential, positive outcome for these story line heroines. Many readers become one with the story, with the leading hero or heroine to experience the ultimate fantasy romance but when romance becomes abuse, perhaps it is time to find another hero (or series) with whom to fall in love.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Christine’s publisher is offering a papercopy of SPIDER GAME to ONE(1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only.

9. Giveaway runs from January 25 to January 30, 2016

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Platinum Doll by Anne Girard-a review

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PLATINUM DOLL by Anne Girard-a review

Platinum Doll

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2016

It’s the Roaring Twenties and seventeen-year-old Harlean Carpenter McGrew has run off to Beverly Hills. She’s chasing a dream; to escape her small, Midwestern life and see her name in lights. In California, Harlean has everything a girl could want; a rich husband, glamorous parties, socialite friends; except an outlet for her talent. But everything changes when a dare pushes her to embrace her true ambition :to be an actress on the silver screen. With her timeless beauty and striking shade of platinum-blond hair, Harlean becomes Jean Harlow. And as she’s thrust into the limelight, Jean learns that this new world of opportunity comes with its own set of burdens. Torn between her family and her passion to perform, Jean is forced to confront the difficult truth; that fame comes at a price, if only she’s willing to pay it. Amid a glittering cast of ingenues and Hollywood titans: Clara Bow, Clark Gable, Laurel and Hardy, Howard Hughes, Platinum Doll introduces us to the star who would shine brighter than them all.

•••••

REVIEW: PLATINUM DOLL is a fictionalized account of Jean Harlow’s rise to stardom. The ‘Roaring 20s’ and the invention of the ‘talkie’ are the backdrop to Harlean Carpenter McGrew’s life in Hollywood along with her marriage to first husband Chuck McGrew at the age of sixteen; her overbearing stage mother who lived vicariously through the success of her daughter; and heartbreaking ‘miscarriage’ as she started to climb the ladder of success.

PLATINUM DOLL covers but the first few years of Jean Harlow in Hollywood up to her infamous handprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, using historical information and fictionalized events surrounding the tumultuous personal life of the ‘Platinum Blonde’. Jean’s introduction to Hollywood begins at an early age (told through flashbacks and memories) as her mother traverses the studios and hot spots hoping to be noticed, while her only child is discovered on a back lot, waiting for a friend.

The story line covers but five years in the life of the Platinum Blonde-from a seventeen year old newlywed to Hollywood’s acknowledgement in wet cement. Because PLATINUM DOLL is a fictionalized story of Jean Harlow’s life, many of the personal and private events should not be taken at face value or to heart. PLATINUM DOLL reads like a movie script or journal documenting Jean Harlow’s rise to stardom.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Manaconda (Hammered #1) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott-a review

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MANACONDA (Hammered #1) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott-a review

Manaconda

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 19, 2016

My name is Hunter Jordan, lead singer of Hammered and no, I didn’t name my c*ck Manaconda.

Rolling Stone did.

On the front cover of their damn magazine.

I still haven’t lived it down. And now our record label wants to maximize the frenzy.
So, I have a brand new PR person–Kennedy McManus.

And she’s making me insane.

I don’t know whether to ignore her, yell at her, or push her up against the wall and kiss her smart mouth shut.

BEYOND OBLIVION – A Rockstar Romance full of sexy fun set within the world of our Lost in Oblivion series! You never know who you’ll see show up in the books.

**** Warning: book does end on a cliffhanger ****

••••••••••

REVIEW: MANACONDA is the first installment in Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott’s contemporary, adult HAMMERED erotic, rock romance series focusing on the rock band Hammered. This is lead singer Hunter Jordan, and PR expert Kennedy McManus’s story line. HAMMERED is a spin off series from Quinn and Elliot’s LOST IN OBLIVION rock romance series. You do not have to have read LOST IN OBLIVION to follow MANACONDA. Several of the characters from the original series cross over with cameo appearances.

NOTE: MANACONDA ends on a cliffhanger but MANACONDA : The Second Coming is scheduled for release January 26, 2016-and it’s FREE.

Told from dual first person points of view (Kennedy and Hunter) MANACONDA focuses on Kennedy’s attempts to keep the band-HAMMERED-on track when their lead singer’s ‘junk’ becomes the topic of paparazzi magazines, television gossip shows, and the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Hunter Jordan is a rock-god, at the top of his game with a new album, a new tour, and every woman and man’s fantasy come to life but this kind of ‘publicity’ he could do without. Enter Kennedy McManus, Ripper Records’s latest PR princess (spin doctor), and the woman who calls to Hunter’s heart. But Hunter is having a difficult time letting go of the past when his ex-fiancee has an agenda of her own.

MANACONDA is a rock star romance with all of the gritty backstage drama you would expect from a rock star band. The ‘over the top’ antics, rivalries and jealous mind games begin to cast doubts between one time friends, and members of the band leaving Kennedy with her hands full on more than one occasion. But a second chance comes with a heavy heart when Hunter continues to fight for what is no longer his to claim. The jealous mind is no competition for a broken heart.

We are introduced to the members of the band: drummer Hudson Wyatt; Faith (Keys) Keystone; bassist Owen Blackwell; guitarists Reed (Bats) Mason, and Zach; and head of security Patrick; as well as Hunter’s brother Noah Jordan, and the band’s manager Indiana (Indie) West. Donovan Lewis and Lila Shawcross (from Lost in Oblivion) make cameo appearances, and Dex Munroe another executive for Ripper Records.

MANACONDA has a little bit of everything: fun, flirty foreplay; sexual tension and impassioned $ex. There are moments of chocolate fun, and garlic filled humor that are lick-worthy from every angle. The premise is addicting, intoxicating and hopeful; the characters are colorful, passionate and intense; the romance is seductive and heartbreaking. The happily ever after has yet to be fulfilled.

Copy supplied by Author’s Pal

Reviewed by Sandy

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Intimate / Redemption (Intimate Relations 1-2) by Kate Douglas-double review

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INTIMATE / REDEMPTION (Intimate Relations 1-2) by Kate Douglas-double review

Intimate

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015

HER BEAUTY IS POWERFUL.

They call her Kaz. She’s a gorgeous model with a good head for business—until now, at least. Kaz has just been fired from her latest photo shoot for having the wrong tattoo in the wrong place at the wrong time. But a chance encounter with photographer Jake Lowell could make everything right again . . . if Kaz is willing to accept his proposition. What does she have to lose?

HIS DESIRE IS DANGEROUS.

Jake has been searching for the perfect model to pose for a body-jewelry shoot—one that will leave no room for modesty. Is Kaz, who is nothing if not professional, ready to bare it all for a man she is not sure she can trust? It’s an offer that’s too good to refuse . . . and as Kaz finds herself growing more comfortable with Jake, the attraction between them reaches arousing new heights. But while the artist and his subject learn more about each other in the intimacy of wine country, evil lurks in the shadows—and soon it becomes clear that someone else has designs on them.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: INTIMATE is the first full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONS erotic romance series. This is photographer Jake Lowell, and model Kaz Kasanov’s story line. There is a prequel novella –TANGLED-found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015) but it is not necessary to understand the series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kaz and Jake) INTIMATE focuses on the building relationship between Kaz and Jake, and the many attempts against their lives. For his latest assignment with Intimate Winery and Jewelry, Jake needed an edgy model-a woman with tattoos and piercings for a body jewelry photo shoot-and Kaz fit the bill to perfection- but from the moment Jake was introduced to Kaz, someone started sending Jake mysterious texts. Combined with the number of attempts on their lives over the next several days, Jake begins to wonder if the sins from his past have finally caught up.

The attraction between Jake and Kaz is immediate. Their relationship goes from professional to lovers very quickly; and a proclamation of love is not very far off. The $ex scenes are numerous, intimate and seductive.

We are introduced to Kaz’s roommates and best friends, Lola and Mandy Monroe, as well as the reappearance of Nate and Cassie from TANGLED. Nate and Cassie Dunagan are winery owners, and Jake takes advantage of the beautiful location for his Intimate photo shoots. Jake’s best friend and Intimate Jewelry owner Marcus Reed plays a secondary role; and Jake’s long lost brother Ben has finally come home after twenty years overseas.

INTIMATE is a story with a little bit of everything: romance, love, $ex, mystery, suspense and a happily ever after. The premise is intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. Ben and Lola’s story will be told next in REDEMPTION.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

_____________________

Redemption

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

SECRETS THREATENING TO CONSUME

Lola Monroe knows that appearances can be deceiving—even in the most beautiful of places and angelic of faces. She’s seen how the ugliest rumors and lies can destroy women’s lives and careers. So when roommate’s brother-in-law shows up at Lola’s doorstep—unannounced, unassuming, and unbelievably gorgeous—she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something behind that handsome face, that sly smile, and those tempting lips…

PASSION WORTH FIGHTING FOR

A battle-scarred veteran with devilish looks, Ben Lowell has spent his entire life running from his past, his family—and his deepest, darkest secrets. When he meets Lola, he knows in his heart he can trust her with the truth, even if it means baring his soul and losing her forever. Lola wants to help Ben find redemption by reconciling with his family. But when she discovers more skeletons hiding in his closet—and more dangers waiting in the shadows—the powerful love that binds them together could be the one thing that tears them apart..

•••••••••••

REVIEW: REDEMPTION is the second full length installment in Kate Douglas’s contemporary, adult INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS romantic, suspense series. This is office manger Lola Monroe, and US army major Ben Lowell’s story line. REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order as there is quite a bit of background information revealed in the previous installments. Some of the timeline of REDEMPTION overlaps with the events of INTIMATE. There is also a prequel novella-TANGLED- that can be found in the HOT ALPHAS anthology (May 2015).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lola and Ben) REDEMPTION focuses on Ben Lowell’s return to civilian life, and the family he left behind twenty years earlier. Ben and his brother RJ aka Jake (INTIMATE #1) haven’t seen one another for close to twenty years and in the ensuing time Ben has lived with so much guilt that it threatens to destroy his life. Ben will discover that everything and everyone he knew has changed, and with it comes the realization that to move forward you have to forget about the past-a past steeped in guilt, heartbreak and the biggest mistake of his life. Enter Lola Monroe-Jake’s fiance’s former roommate- and the woman who would save Ben from himself.

REDEMPTION is a romantic suspense story where Ben’s time in the Middle East follows our hero home to San Francisco and into the lives of the people he loves. The secrets military operations, and possible government involvement find Ben searching for the truth about the attack in Afghanistan that left him for dead, and the continuing attacks at home on US soil. Saying that, there is plenty of background information and history about the time Ben spent in the Middle East, and the possible connections to US Senator back home.

The relationship between Ben and Lola is quick to develop: there is an immediate and visceral attraction between our leading characters one that is sated within hours of introduction. The quick friends to lovers scenario finds Ben and Lola proclaiming their love for one another within a matter of days. The $ex scenes are seductive and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Ben’s brother Jake and his fiancé Kaz (INTIMATE #1); Nate and Cassie Dunagan (TANGLED .5); Lola’s roommate/half-sister Mandy Monroe, who may or may not have a thing for Jake’s best friend and IT specialist Marcus Reed. We are also introduced to several law enforcement officers, agents from the FBI, and the requisite evil that comes with many faces-some familiar and some not. There is plenty of action, mystery, and suspense.

REDEMPTION is an entertaining story line where the intrigue builds throughout the story. There are twists and turns, betrayal and revenge, family and friendship, forgiveness and looking forward towards a happily ever after. The premise is infinitely detailed; the main characters are flirty, friendly and intense; the romance is a quick build to a promise for the future. REDEMPTION is a great read for fans of romantic suspense and family love.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

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Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

 

Feverborn
Fever series – Book #8
by Karen Marie Moning
Release date: January 19, 2016

FeverbornAmazon/ Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
When the immortal race of the Fae destroyed the ancient wall dividing the worlds of Man and Faery, the very fabric of the universe was damaged and now Earth is vanishing bit by bit. Only the long-lost Song of Making—a haunting, dangerous melody that is the source of all life itself—can save the planet.

But those who seek the mythic Song—Mac, Barrons, Ryodan and Jada—must contend with old wounds and new enemies, passions that burn hot and hunger for vengeance that runs deep. The challenges are many: The Keltar at war with nine immortals who’ve secretly ruled Dublin for eons, Mac and Jada hunted by the masses, the Seelie queen nowhere to be found, and the most powerful Unseelie prince in all creation determined to rule both Fae and Man. Now the task of solving the ancient riddle of the Song of Making falls to a band of deadly warriors divided among—and within—themselves.

Once a normal city possessing a touch of ancient magic, Dublin is now a treacherously magical city with only a touch of normal. And in those war-torn streets, Mac will come face to face with her most savage enemy yet: herself.

 

Review:

Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning is the 8th book in her wonderful Fever series. If you have not read this series, it will be too difficult to explain. You need to go to the beginning and start book 1 to learn all about Dublin, Barrons, Mac, Dani, Ryodan, Fae, Unseelie, Seelie, War, and many many other things.   If you are a fan of Fever, I will give my thoughts about what I liked and didn’t like about this book; though I enjoy most things in this series.

If you have not read Burned or Feverborn, please be aware that this review has some Spoilers

It was great to be back in the Fever world.  I loved spending time with Mac, Barrons, 
Dani/Jada, Ryodan, Christian, and company. I thought that the book kind of split into two. The fun exciting and informative part, and the part that was a bit repetitive and somewhat slow.

At the end of the last book (Burned), Dageus MacKeltar was beyond the grave. In Feverborn, in the very beginning we see through Mac’s eyes the terrible transformation that he will endure, and for the rest of book, we did not learn much more about Dageus’s. Christian, who is now fully becoming a powerful Unseelie Prince found out about Daegas, but that was the extent of what we learned. I always like Christian and would love to see more of him in the future.

Mac’s dead sister, Alina, is back. Is she real? Is it Fae magic to trick Mac?  Or a vision from Sinsar Dubh? Frankly, this leaves me with mixed feelings. Mac to have her sister back is nice for her, but at the same time, it is Alina’s death that drove Mac to be what she is today. I am not sure if I like this part.

This was a good story, with Mac finding herself in danger, with false accusations, not to mention everything falling apart. Soon, Jada finds herself in the same predicament as Mac. But the danger of the black holes, and how to save the world is the main plot, besides Mac & Barrons constantly jumping each others bones often, or Ryodan trying to get Jada to let him help, and tattoo her for him to always find her, should she go missing again.

Whatever Dani went through in the 5 ½ years in the Silvers, she changed or morphed into a polished tough beautiful grown woman in Jada. Shazam is a new character, that seemed to be her companion and Savior while she was trapped in the Silvers, helping her survive. By the end of the book, we will learn much more about Dani’s mental state, how damaged she really is, which will bring tears to Mac’s and our eyes. I love Mac and Dani. I like that it seems like they were finally able to talk and have the chance to get back to where they were if only they can escape their predicament. I know many people don’t like Mac, but I have always liked her, and look forward to how this series will end with her and Dani/Jada.

Another thought…I do not want Dani/Jada with Dancer.  I want to see her with Ryodan
and see her tame him a bit. Ryodan has always shown how much he cares about her, he knows what he wants, but Jada’s coldness forces him to deal with the fact that he may not win her in the end. Ryodan must find a way to merge the tough grown up feared leader that Jada is, with the fun loving emotional reckless Dani.  I look forward that time when this happens.  Cruce also had a small part in this story, and we know that he will be a major part in the next book.  Looking forward to that also.

What I loved the most was the emotional ending between Mac and Dani, bringing us back to the way they were; a chance that Mac and Dani would finally be the sisters they were meant to be.  There was a cliffhanger at the end, and it was a good one.  A bit mindblowing that will have me worried and on the edge for a full year before Karen gives us the next Fever book.  I love this series, and love Karen Marie Moning‘s writing.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Heart of an Alpha (Wolf Shifter #1) by G.A.Hurst-Review and Giveaway

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HEART OF AN ALPHA (Wolf Shifter Series #1) by G.A.Hurst-Review and Giveaway

Heart of an Alpha Banner

HEART OF AN ALPHA
Wolf Shifter Series #1
by G.A.Hurst
Release Date: January 13, 2016
Genre: adult, paranormal romance

Heart of an Alpha

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Smashwords /

RELEASE DATE: January 13, 2016

About the Book:

Over twenty years after tectonic disaster destroyed most of humanity, life is finally beginning to reemerge. Rissa a human survivor and her team have begun to explore and find themselves attacked by armed and dangerous strangers, two of her team are taken prisoner.

Gage and his wolf shifters were out hunting the rogue bandits who were killing the few survivors brave enough to venture into this new world. Then he caught her scent, she was his mate, his wolf was certain; but her group was being attacked by the very rogues they were hunting. Can he save her from doing something foolish, like attacking the bandits armed with automatic weapons?

While preparing to make an attempt to save her friends, a huge wolf stalked up behind her and stood over her growling; then held her to the ground until the attackers left. She thought she was his dinner…she wanted to save her friends, but who would save her first?
He can save her, he can save her friends, but can he win her heart and make her his?

A man who can become a wolf…impossible, or is it? He say’s she’s his mate, is that why her body heats up anytime he’s near? It can’t be love, she’s only known him for days…or can it? She can face the danger next to him, can she handle the rest?

••••••••••

REVIEW: HEART OF AN ALPHA is the first installment in new author G.A. Hurst’s paranormal, romance WOLF SHIFTER series. This is beta wolf Gage, and human female Rissa’s story line.

Told from dual third person points of view (Rissa and Gage) HEART OF AN ALPHA looks at the world twenty years after a natural disaster that has destroyed most of mankind and the environment in which they live. No longer having to fear their supernatural abilities the shifters are now the dominant species, and with it comes, the struggle for survival and power. When a group of humans are attacked by a rogue band of wolf shifters, beta and pack wolf Gage rescues the woman he believes to be his mate. What ensues is the search for the rogue wolves responsible, and the building relationship between Gage and his mate.

The world building focuses on survival in a world destroyed by a tectonic disaster where earthquake and volcanic eruptions changed the face of the planet we call Earth. Many survivors are too young to be remember the ‘before’, while others remember an easier time with electricity, computers and running water-books, busy cities, and the comforts of home are a thing of the past.

HEART OF AN ALPHA has a very large ensemble cast of characters including two wolf packs, a rogue group of shifters, and several humans trying to survive in a world destroyed by a natural disaster. The rogue wolves are targeted for destruction before there are any more attempts against the humans or packs.

The relationship between Gage and Rissa is one of immediate attraction. Gage’s inner wolf knows that Rissa is their mate; convincing Rissa is fairly easy under the current circumstance although our heroine is tentative about Gage’s proclamation of fated mates. Rissa is readily accepted into the pack without conflict or struggle. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of graphic, erotic text or imagery.

HEART OF AN ALPHA is a busy read and saying that I found there was quite a bit of duplication, redundancy and scene filler that could have been eliminated for easier flow. HEART OF AN ALPHA is a romantic tale about two people struggling to find love and a happily ever after in a post-apocalyptic world where rules no longer exist. The premise is entertaining; the characters are numerous and colorful; the romance is passionate and magical. A wonderful new release from a first time author-I am looking forward to reading what comes next.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

G. A. Hurst is offering an ecopy of HEART OF AN ALPHA to three (3) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe

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9. Giveaway runs from January 22 to January 26, 2016

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Zeke (Breaking the Declan Brothers 3) by Kelly Gendron-Review and Book Tour

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ZEKE (Breaking The Declan Brothers #3) by Kelly Gendron-Review and Book Tour

Zeke Banner

ZEKE
Breaking the Declan Brothers 3
by Kelly Gendron
Release Date: January 22, 106
Genre: adult, contemporary, MMA,erotic romance

Zeke

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / itunes /

Add the book to Goodreads ➜ http://bit.ly/1OdpCzm

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 22, 2016

Every girl in Galveston County knows about Zeke Declan’s rules and has agreed to them or is considering them.
Rule #1 Don’t call him. He’ll call you.
Rule #2 He doesn’t date.
Rule #3 No sleepovers.
Rule #4 Absolutely, no virgins.

When a couple friends talk me into going back to their hometown in the Bayou for the summer and challenge me to break “the best damn lay in Galveston County” along with every single one of his ridiculous rules, I’m confident that I can get the job done. I’m no stranger to men. I have five older brothers. I’m a teacher and I’m used to being around rebellious teenagers. However, Zeke Declan is definitely not someone that I could have prepared for. He’s not a testosterone-fueled, immature boy. He’s a confident, arousing, playful, and mind-melting man. But, behind that sexy charming smile, I know he’s hiding a secret. And, in order to break him, I’m going to need to find out what it is.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: ZEKE is the third and final installment in Kelly Gendron’s contemporary, adult BREAKING THE DECLAN BROTHERS erotic, romance series focusing on MMA fighters and bar owners Jax, Slate, and Zeke Declan from the Bayou Vista /Galveston County Texas. This is MMA fighter and bar co-owner Zeke Declan, and high school Manhattan English teacher Lurlene Kane’s story. ZEKE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order as the events in ZEKE run parallel to the events in JAX and SLATE (books 1 & 2).

Along with her best friends Emmie and Rayna, Lurlene has come to the Texas Bayou for a summer vacation and with it the friends have focused their time and seduction on the three Declan Brothers. Rayna and Emmie have a history with two of the Declan Brothers, and these two friends are determined to ‘break’ the boys for sins of the past. Lurlene has been set up to ‘break’ Zeke Declan, but Zeke has already been broken by a dark and deadly past.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zeke and Lurlene) ZEKE follows Lurlene a ‘virginal’ high school English teacher who sets about seducing Zeke Declan. Zeke has a set of rules that all women must follow and Lurlene intends to break everyone. What ensues is the push and pull of attraction and need, and Lurlene’s attempts to stop the demons that are intent on destroying what’s left of Zeke’s soul. A few nights with Zeke uncovers the truth about Zeke’s past, and the guilt that weighs heavily on his shoulders and mind.

ZEKE is a bit of an emotional story line with issues of trust, betrayal, vengeance and guilt. Zeke is a man who believes he is not worthy of love, and Lurlene is a woman out to prove that everyone deserves love and a happily ever after. There is plenty of anxious moments and sexual tension. The $ex scenes are intense, erotic and provocative.

With the appearance of Lurlene comes her brother-boxer Token Kane -and the introduction to Kelly Gendron’s new spin off series-DARING THE KANE BROTHERS-Token, Steel, Nix, Stone and Crash. Token’s story is expected sometime in 2016.

ZEKE wraps up the Declan Brothers and reveals what happened to the family years before-the murders, the fire, the unnecessary guilt of a young boy, and the struggle to survive in a world of hurt and shame. The premise is fast paced and revealing; the characters are heartbreaking and energetic; the happily ever after is a welcome expectation. Sexy men, sexy stories, sexy happily ever afters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Zeke Teaser

About The Author beige

Kelly GendronKelly’s motto ~ “Bad boys, give ’em a little time and experience, and they will evolve into misbehaving men!” And what hot-blooded woman doesn’t want a naughty, all grown up bad boy?

Kelly Gendron is the author of the TroubleMaker series, the up and coming series ~ Breaking the Declan Brothers, and a few other romantic suspense novels.

When she’s not writing steamy, blush producing romances, she’s out meeting new people while representing a group of reputable nursing facilities. You can find Kelly in a quiet suburb, somewhere between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. If you Google her, she’ll pop up there too. And, please do find her. Kelly loves to hear from her readers, and meeting new people.

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Her Secret Lover (What Happens in Vegas) by Robin Covington-a review

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HER SECRET LOVER (What Happens in Vegas #11) by Robin Covington-a review

Her Secret Lover

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

About the book: Release Date January 18, 2016

Kelsey Kyle will do whatever it takes to get into the management trainee program at the casino where she works. So when she’s given the opportunity to get a VIP customer’s endorsement for the program, she jumps at the challenge. All she needs to do is arrange a one-on-one fan experience with the woman’s favorite author, tall-dark-and-intense Micah Holmes.

An entire week at a Vegas romance readers’ convention, surrounded by hundreds of people, is Micah Holmes’ idea of hell. But one look at Kelsey, his assigned hotel concierge, and the attraction is immediate. Maybe this week won’t be so bad after all…

Anything beyond a “strictly professional” relationship will get Kelsey fired, but she needs to get close to Micah to get the super fan experience her client wants. Hot sex in her apartment pool begins a game of “undercover lover” that quickly escalates to something more. But when Micah discovers her secret agenda, all bets are off.

••••••

REVIEW: HER SECRET LOVER is the eleventh installment in the multi-authored WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS erotic, romance series. All of the story lines take place in Las Vegas, but each installment can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. This is junior concierge Kelsey Kyle, and reclusive author Micah Holmes’s story line.

Told for dual third person perspectives (Micah and Kelsy) HER SECRET LOVER follows Kelsey as she is tasked with keeping happy the casino’s guests including reclusive and reluctant romance author Micah Holmes. Micah is a man who prefers the anonymity of writing alone in his room but a romance convention finds our hero reluctantly facing thousands of his adoring and over-zealous fans. Kelsey Kyle is assigned as his personal assistant for the week of the convention but Micah finds himself attracted to his new PA and what he needs from Kelsey will risk her position and job within the casino. What ensues is a secret affair, one week only, between two people whose lives would not have crossed if it were not for the romance convention. The one problem-Kelsey is tasked with another assignment that finds our heroine in a precarious spot that could affect her relationship with Micah Holmes.

Micah is a combat wounded, former marine: Kelsey is a junior, hotel concierge hoping to move up in the world, who must abide by the rules of no personal interaction or affairs with the hotel guests. Kelsey and Micah’s attraction to one another is immediate and visceral. Our hero wants something more from Kelsey than she is willing or able to give. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense.

HER SECRET LOVER is a sweet story; a simple read about romance and $ex; heartbreak and betrayal; forgiveness and understanding. The premise is entertaining; the characters are fun and flirty; the romance is naughty and nice.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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