Empire of Shadows by - The House of Crimson & Clover Volume 5- A Book Review

 

 

Two dynasties clash for power. Only one empire can emerge.

In a time now legend, a sacred vow united the Farværdig and the Tuatha Dé Danann. One race born of fire, the other risen from nature. Together, they enjoyed centuries of peace and prosperity, under the protective blanket of this hallowed oath.

But when war came to the doorstep of the Tuatha, the Farværdig turned their backs. Expelled from their lands, those Tuatha who were not extinguished went into hiding, later re-emerging in secret as the Quinlans. The broken vow took its toll on the Farværdig, dividing the race into two factions: those willing to fall to heel of new restrictive laws, and rebels determined to restore the peaceful values of their kind.

In the midst of years of strife that follows, a Prophecy emerged, promising hope. Unite the races once more, and right the ancient wrong.


As the shadows of age and myth are exposed, the Deschanels find themselves deeply enmeshed in this war. Their bloodline and futures closely intertwined with both races, each member of the family must uncover their own vital role in fulfilling the Prophecy or risk decimation.


MY REVIEW:



Empire of Shadows: The House of Crimson & Clover Volume 5 by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Empire of Shadows by Sarah M. Cradit is a 2015 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Finally! The long anticipated full length novel which picks up the story of Finn, Ana, and Aidrik while merging their story in with the Deschanel clan back in New Orleans. I have been impatiently awaiting this novel, practically chomping at the bit to get back to Ana to find out was going on in her world.

As the story begins, Ana is giving birth to her son. The child is in grave danger as a impending war threatens on the horizon, forcing his parents to make a very difficult decision in order to keep him safe. But, is it actually deal made with the devil?

Back in New Orleans, Ana puts Nicolas in charge of her son... yes, Nicolas, a guardian! Dear God. But, he and Mercy have also opened their home to other children, also Empryian, to keep them safe.

There is also a very interesting development with Amelia and Jacob, which was a pretty intense part of the story, which was as absorbing as the other elements in the book.

This series never fails to impress or surprise me. It should be noted that to enjoy this book to it's fullest, one needs to have read the previous books in the series.

For those who are up to date on all the happenings, this book is going to leave you breathless!

Despite weighing in at over seven hundred pages, like a pure high fantasy novel should, the story moves along at such a fast pace you will be finished well before you are ready to be. A lot of ground is covered, with some heart stopping and heartbreaking developments.


This story delves into some sensual areas the author has not ventured into before, the type usually defined as erotica, a genre I usually avoid, but for some reason this development felt like an inevitable one, maybe even a natural one. I found it neither shocking, nor offensive in this particular case.


The characters we have come to know, and feel a connection to, have all developed into either more mature versions of themselves, like Nicolas who continues to struggle with his new leadership role and the war within himself to remain moral and true to Mercy. He's still the foul mouthed Nicolas of old, but there is a self awareness now that proves that underneath all that sarcasm and “I don't give a crap” attitude, the man does indeed have a conscience. He's a little out of his element here at times and is often unsure how to approach matters , giving him a vulnerability he hasn't shown much of before. You might even want to hug him and comfort him. !!!

Other characters will discover a side to themselves they didn't know was there, and some will fall backwards instead of forward which left me feeling a little unsettled.

I should also warn you that there will be lamentations and gnashing of teeth, monumental sorrow, extreme anger and frustration, all of which left me panting for more!!
This is the best book to date in the series, and yes I know, I say that every time, but really, this is a masterpiece. I hope you are at home Sarah M. Cradit, furiously writing the next book in the series. I can hardly wait!!

Sarah is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Paranormal Southern Gothic series, The House of Crimson & Clover, born of her combined passion for New Orleans, and the mysterious complexity of human nature. Her work has been described as rich, emotive, and highly dimensional.

An unabashed geek, Sarah enjoys studying obscure subjects like the Plantagenet and Ptolemaic dynasties, and settling debates on provocative Tolkien topics such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, Sarah has visited over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration (though New Orleans is where her heart rests). She's a self-professed expert at crafting original songs to sing to her very patient pets, and a seasoned professional at finding ways to humiliate herself (bonus points if it happens in public). When at home in Oregon, her husband and best friend, James, is very kind about indulging her love of fast German cars and expensive lattes.

Connect with Sarah:

Official Website: http://www.sarahmcradit.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/houseofcrimso...
Google +: google.com/+SarahMCradit
Twitter: @thewritersarah  

Getting Lucky by Jennifer Seasons- Virtual Book Tour + Giveaway!

Enter to Win an Ebook Diamonds and Dugouts Series Bundle 

including, STEALING HOME, PLAYING THE FIELD 

and THROWING HEAT

GETTING LUCKY

Fortune, Colorado #1

Jennifer Seasons

Releasing April 21st, 2015

Avon Impulse

Welcome to Fortune, Colorado—where the air is clean, the men are rugged, and the all the good ones… are bachelors.

Born into the infamous Charlemagne equestrian empire, Shannon has been raised to do whatever it takes for the family business. Even if it means going undercover and digging up dirt on a competitor. It's easy enough when she believes he's a bad guy whose success seems too good to be true. In fact, Shannon's excited to put the aggravatingly sexy Irishman in his place and get back in her father's good graces. All she needs is to stay focused on the goal … and out of Sean Muldoon's arms.

From stealing a thoroughbred racehorse from the Irish mob to striking gold in the mountains of Colorado, there's little Sean hasn't experienced. But when it comes to resisting his hot new stable manager, he's out of luck. With the mob hot on his heels, keeping Shannon off their radar is all but impossible, and he's not about to put her in danger too. Sean wants Shannon, but how can he offer her a future … when he can't even guarantee tomorrow?

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Jennifer Seasons has been a lifelong writer and reader. She lives with her husband and four children in the mountains of rural New England. An enormous yet lovable dog and the world's coolest cat keep them company. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family outdoors exploring her beautiful new home state, learning the joys of organic gardening, and—if she's lucky—relaxing in her hammock under the trees with a really good book.

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Chasing the Other Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson- Review Tour + Giveaway

Chasing the Other Tisdale

by Jessica Jefferson

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

BLURB:

She’s the other sister…

Overshadowed by the beauty of her older sister, Lillian is better known as the other Tisdale; unremarkable and unsure how she will ever deliver on the promise of her family's name.

He’s a rake in need of reforming…

Will Colton leads a frivolous existence, embracing notoriety instead of managing his family’s fortune. Determined to forget his financial burden and his father’s growing resentment, he maintains a lifestyle dedicated to pleasure and self-indulgence. When Will is invited to the Tisdale estate for an extended holiday, he never expects to become friends with the forgettable Lillian. But when a family secret comes to light, he must choose between leaving London and protecting the honor of one woman or staying and risking the reputation of another.

Upon his return, Will finds the girl he left behind has come out of the shadows and into her own. Lillian’s finally the center of attention, and not all of it good. With his own reputation in tatters, can a reformed rake lure her out of the hands of London's bachelors and back into his own arms? Can he escape his past and reclaim her heart, or has he lost her forever?

 

 

 

EXCERPT:

 

When Lillian Tisdale dreamt of that magical moment when she would fall in love, she never imagined that it would be so sudden, so complete, or so…

Literal.

Lilly, as she was more commonly known, sat cradled in between a large branch and the massive trunk of the hundred year old willow tree near the pond at Brightly, her family’s ancestral estate. She set her sketch book and charcoal pencil down on the branch and took a moment to appreciate the scenery before her. Brightly was noted for its lush gardens and rolling green hills, and she found it impossible to imagine any other property in England being as lovely.

This was her favorite tree, had been for years, and one of the only places she could disappear to when she felt the need for a respite from her three sisters and older brother. She relished the quiet of her hiding place, the silence disturbed only by the soft wind skimming the pond, the rustling of the leaves in the oak groves, and the occasional coo of a nesting bird.

“You naughty minx!”

Lilly startled, the unexpected sound of a man’s voice coming from out of nowhere. She steadied herself against the branch in front of her, knocking her sketchbook onto the ground in the process. She sighed, doubting the book would survive the fall intact. She’d spent the last of her pin money on that sketchbook and wouldn’t be able to afford a new one for at least a month. Her parents, for all their wealth, were sticklers when it came to their children’s allowances.

“You’re a wicked, wicked man, Mr. Colton!”

This time, the voice was distinctly female and the name she mentioned sounded familiar...

MY REVIEW:

 

 

Chasing the Other Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chasing the Other Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson is a 2015 Soul Mate Publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this ugly duckling type story set during the regency period. Lillian has stood in the shadow of her three other sisters who are all considered beauties. Lillian, however is the “funny one”. She isn't tall, had a outbreak of acne, and perhaps she is a little plump. But, she longs for something more than just being “the other sister ”. She wants to be desired and experience true love and passion.

When Lillian meets Will Colton, a good friend to her brother, Thomas, in the most awkward, painful, and embarrassing way possible, the two strike up an unlikely friendship. But, Lillian believes Will only sees her as a friend, and her feelings go much deeper. Still, the two continue to write one another on a regular basis. These letters mean the world to Lillian, but they also mean a lot to Will, who still doesn't understand what category his feelings for Lillian falls into.

However, when he has a chance to step up and defend her, he fails utterly and he pays an incredibly high price for his cowardice. Losing Lillian is only the beginning of his troubles though, as his relationship with his father grows more strained and they all suffer through an incredible period of loss. But, through it all, Will grows as a person and becomes more and more like Thomas, the man who has made the biggest impression on him in his life and given him an example to follow. Can Will prove to Lillian he really does love her and will be there for her forever this time?

I absolutely loved Will and Lillian. Both of them were so funny and charming. The author does a great job of adding humor in just the right places, and I needed that especially when the book takes a sudden unexpected turn that left me gasping for air. The character growth for both these characters is huge, but they seem to grow in opposite directions for a time. Lillian has experienced too much pain and heartbreak and begins to turn a little cynical. Will on the other hand grows up emotionally and makes big personal sacrifices in order to do the honorable thing, which is a far cry from the type of man Will was when the story began.
For a book that is only a little over two hundred pages in length, the story packs a lot of depth and emotion into a small space. The romance between Lillian and Will has an epic quality to it, since it is spread out over a period of time. The author also impressed me by staying true to the period in language and customs. This is not a fluff regency period romance by any means. I admired Will for loving Lillian before she transformed into a beautiful woman, how he saw the qualities she possessed as more important than mere outer beauty. It also explored the issues faces by Lillian's sister who was most sought after, but only for outer beauty and not for the person she was underneath. We do get a little glimpse of her depth toward the end of the book and I hope we get to read about all of Lillian's sisters in the future.
This is a well balanced historical romance and loved it from start to finish. Very well done!

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it—almost Chicago. She is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.

Links and social media:

http://www.JessicaJefferson.com and http://www.embracingromance.com

Like me at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Jefferson/545243542195152

Follow me at https://twitter.com/authorJessicaJ/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7376474.Jessica_Jefferson

Amazon Author Page- http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Jefferson/e/B00GI20W2K

Chasing the Other Tisdale, Compromising Miss Tisdale and Taming Miss Tisdale from Soul Mate Publishing, available now on Amazon!

Hit and Run by Maxine O'Callaghan- A Book Review

 

When Delilah West, Orange County private investigator, is grazed by a car that also hits an old man, Joseph Collins, and leaves him for dead, she counts it just another incident in the run of bad luck that has plagued her personally and professionally ever since her husband, her partnet-in-crime-solving, was killed. Delilah, moonlighting as a waitress, badly needs a case, but when the hit-and-run driver's mother asks Delilah to prove her son innocent, Delilah is aghast. Until, that is, she begins to remember details about the "accident" that add up not to recklessness but to murder.


MY REVIEW:

Hit & Run by Maxine O'Callaghan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hit & Run by Maxine O' Callaghan is a 2015 Brash Books publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hit & Run is an old fashioned “whodunit” featuring the very real and relatable, Delilah West. Originally published in the late 1980's, this book has been reissued “as is” by Brash Books.

Delilah is having a very bad year. If losing her husband a little while back wasn't enough, her private detective agency has fallen on very hard times and Delilah has been through a few physical scrapes along the way too. Now she is working as a waitress to make ends meet, sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor of her office, and to put the cherry on the cake, she nearly gets run over while out jogging. Although, she bangs up her knee, the other victim of the hit and run, Joseph Collins, wasn't quite so lucky.

It's not long before the cops find and arrest the driver, but the young man's mother pleads with Delilah to take a closer look at the situation. Did Delilah actually see the car strike Joseph? Could he have been dead before the “accident”. Placed in the this awkward position, Delilah agrees to ask around, even if it does border on the unethical side of things. However, Delilah's questions appear to strike a nerve with the victim's family and Delilah is wondering if one them had a motive from wanting the old man dead.

Reading this book now, in 2015, I simply could not stop myself from thinking how similar this book was to the Sue Grafton alphabet mysteries featuring Kinsey Millhone. The book is pretty short, written in first person, and takes place in the eighties. But, that is really where the comparisons need to stop.

Delilah is a very strong person, with wry wit, an occasional sarcastic remark, and is tough enough to take a lickin' and keep on tickin', but is also a little “accident” prone, making more trips to the hospital than is normal, and she has a softer side to her as well, especially when she makes an occasional reference to her late husband.


The plot has a few twist and turns, moves along at quick pace, and kept me guessing all the way through, with lots of action and suspense, which kept me interested and engaged. I thought the characters were well written, some of whom I liked and some of course I didn't care for.

The references to some automobiles and TV shows from the eighties added a touch of nostalgia, although of course that wasn't the intent when the book was written, but I was glad the book wasn't touched up or modernized in any way, since this gave the story an added charm. This is a solid mystery and I enjoyed getting to know Delilah West a little better. Although this book is a part of a series, this being the third one, (if I have my facts straight), this book can be read as a stand alone. 4 stars

 

 

 

 

Blush by Cherry Adair- A Book Review

In the same pulse-pounding style as Maya Banks and Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair delivers a sizzling erotic romance about a sexy billionaire who’s on the run—and the hit-man-turned-handyman who’s supposed to kill her.

Sex with a stranger. Learn to drive. Learn to cook. Learn to pole dance. Sex under the stars. Buy a truck. These are just a few of the things on Amelia Wentworth’s bucket list, but as the CEO and face of a multi-billion-dollar cosmetic empire, she’s never quite found the time to do them.

Until, after a series of accidents, Amelia discovers that someone wants her dead. But who? And why? She has no time for questions as she changes her name to Mia, buys a secluded fixer-upper near the Louisiana bayou where no one will recognize her, and starts checking things off her bucket list like there’s no tomorrow—which there might not be.

Meanwhile, Cruz Barcelona is a hit man who’s promised himself this will be his last job. Then he’ll take the money and move to a warm, sunny place where he doesn’t have to hide anymore. But when Cruz goes undercover to Mia’s ramshackle house, he starts to realize there’s far more to this poor-little-rich-girl than he thought—and he starts to fall for her. Which is going to make his job a whole lot harder…














Blush
by Cherry Adair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blush by Cherry Adair is a 2015 Gallery books publication. I was provided a copy of this book as an X0Xpert - the official Street Team of XOXO After Dark, in exchange for an honest review.

One thing about Cherry Adair, she really has a fantastic imagination. This book was full of surprises and is a little bit outside the box. I really like stories that have dark humor and wit, so this one grabbed my attention right away. This book is filled with twist and turns that had me shaking my head and laughing at the same time.

Amelia Wentworth, aka Mia Hayward, is the CEO of Blush Cosmetics. She has moved away from San Francisco to Podunk, Louisiana, to hide out after it became abundantly clear someone desperately wants her dead. This turn of events has Mia working through a rather amusing bucket list which includes learning how to drive, pole dancing, and maybe the most dangerous of all, SWAS – Sex with a stranger.





So, when Cruz Barcelona shows up at her rundown plantation home she invites him in for some hot sex on the kitchen counter. What she doesn't know is Cruz is actually a trained assassin hired to kill her. But, something feels off to Cruz, so he doesn't kill her right away even though she is responsible for the deaths of innocent children, her money sponsoring an illegal sex ring, and cruel work conditions in Chinese sweatshops. In his mind someone like Mia deserves to die, and Cruz considers himself an avenging angel of sorts.








But before he can figure out what is really going on with Mia, Cruz is in neck deep with Mia and the situation with her hired help. The longer he waits the harder it is to do the job he was hired to do. Of course, if isn't getting the job done, someone else will be happy to step up. So now instead of trying to kill Mia, Cruz is trying to save her life.

Cruz has a pretty big heart for a hardened killer and Mia's character is delightful. She lives life large, really cares about other people, is smart, business savvy, but is also a lot of fun. She and Cruz make a pretty good team, even if they are little bit of an oddball couple.

I wasn't sure about someone falling in love with a hired hit man, and centering a story around their romance, but while this story is dark in a way, it's presented with a lighter tone, making it ,more comical than anything. Sometimes it was even close to being a screwball comedy because the bad guys just can't seem to hit their intended target.

For those of you who have read this author's work previously, you know she writes steamy romantic suspense and paranormal romance. This one is maybe just a little hotter than what you are used to, bordering of erotic. I thought the added heat worked in this situation because Mia was trying to break out of her 'plain vanilla' routine and try new things, plus she kept Cruz so preoccupied he couldn't go his job.



I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It was thrilling, action packed, super sexy, witty, and romantic, but also quirky and unpredictable which is something I always welcome. 4.5 rounded to 5

Always an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.

Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."

When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."

Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."

Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.

"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”

The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes - Book Review + Giveaway

Book Information

 

Title: The Duke’s Disaster

Author: Grace Burrowes

Release Date: April 7, 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Historical Romance

 

Summary

Noah Winters, Duke of Anselm, exercises the pragmatism for which he's infamous when his preferred choice of bride cries off, and her companion, Lady Thea Collins, becomes his next choice for his duchess. Lady Thea's mature, sensible and even rather attractive-what could possibly go wrong?

As a lady fallen on hard times, Thea doesn't expect tender sentiments from His Grace, but she does wish Noah had courted her trust, lest her past turn their hastily arranged marriage into a life of shared regrets. Is His Grace courting a convenient wife, or a beautiful disaster?

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

The Duke and Duchess are having a rocky start to their marriage, also to their day…

 

“Your tea, Duchess.”

 

Noah had woken up beside his wife—again, despite all plans to the contrary—creating another first for him. Thea had risen several times during the night to tend to herself. He hadn’t realized that monthly courses caused a woman’s rest to be interrupted.

 

Crashingly bad planning, for a lady’s sleep to be disturbed when she most needed rest.

 

“You’re not about to steal my tea?” Thea held out the cup, her gaze shy as she sat propped against the headboard.

 

“Where’s the fun in stealing what’s freely offered?” Noah settled in beside her and filched a bite of her cinnamon toast. “Would you rather have chocolate this morning?”

 

“Because?”

 

“You’re”— Noah waved a hand in the direction of her middle—“indisposed.”

 

“I am not indisposed.” Thea set her teacup down with a little clink. “The discomfort has passed, as it always does. You needn’t be concerned.”

 

“I am not concerned, Thea.” Not greatly concerned, now that she’d stopped ordering him to go away and was ready for a proper spat. “I am attempting in my bumbling way to dote. You will allow it.”

 

Drat. He’d given another order.

 

“You couldn’t bumble if one gave you written instructions, Anselm,” Thea said, looking a little less peaked for having run up her flags. “That was my toast you appropriated.”

 

“Appropriation is what happens when one’s wife can’t appreciate a little doting. You’re being stingy with the tea, just as you were stingy with the covers. How long does this indisposition last?” 

 

Her chin came up. “I am the Duchess of Anselm. I am not stingy with anything, but you are a very presuming husband.”

 

“Doting.” Noah took Thea’s free hand to kiss her knuckles— lest she mistake his point. “Also in need of my duchess’s guidance on this one marital matter.”

 

“This is so personal.” Thea’s gaze was on their joined hands— for Noah would not have her haring off in a fit of mortification. “I didn’t think you’d be a personal sort of husband. You were supposed to appear in my dressing-room doorway a few nights a month, silently take a few marital liberties, and then leave me in peace. We’d trade sections of the Times over breakfast the next morning.”

 

“Prosaic.” Boring and exactly what Noah himself had envisioned. “Hard to see any doting going on, though.”

 

“Husband?” Thea’s tone was hesitant. “Thank you, for keeping me company last night. I would not have known how to ask.”

 

“I suppose that’s the definition of doting.” Noah lingered at the cart to assemble a plate. “It’s the little things you can’t bring yourself to ask for, that an attentive spouse will enjoy providing to you. Bacon or ham?”

 

“A little of both, please.”

 

“Feeling carnivorous?”

 

“I’m a trifle indisposed. I need the sustenance.”

 

Noah piled both ham and bacon on Thea’s plate, and stole better than half of it, because he needed the sustenance too.

 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21996394-the-duke-s-disaster

 

Buy Links

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FMKux4

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1xmRtvf

iTunes: http://apple.co/1MVrkoL

 

MY REVIEW:

 

The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes is a 2015 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


How nice, as always, to pick up a novel by Grace Burrowes. This is a such a wonderful story, with snappy dialogue, wit, mystery, and a clever reminder about double standards and drawing conclusions without all the facts, and learning to trust. but of course it was the slow, sensual, sweet, sexy love story between Thea and Noah that will absolutely melt your heart.


Thea is the daughter of an aristocrat, but after her parent's death, her lazy, drunken brother horribly neglects his sisters, forcing Thea to take a position as a lady's companion.

Noah Winters has decided to marry in order to preserve the family line. After finally choosing a prospective bride, the lady up and accepts another man's proposal instead. But, the lady's companion, Thea, just might be the perfect wife. So, Noah makes Thea an offer she can't refuse.

Noah is not a charming man, by any means. In fact, by his own admission, he isn't very nice. But, his actions belie his words, especially when he discovers his new bride has been less than honest with him and it immediately puts the tenuous marriage in trouble.

Not only that, it would appear Noah has been harboring a couple of secrets of his own, causing the chasm between them to widen.

But, through it all, Noah is the nicest person he can be, when he could have been perfectly horrible to Thea. Instead he is determined to see the marriage work, even though they got off to a pretty rocky start. But, the issue of trust sits heavily on Noah and he can't seem to let go of his insecurities and move forward in the marriage until he learns all the sordid details of Thea's past. By the same token, Thea can't seem to trust Noah with her story which would surely put things in an entirely different light.

While double standards still rule the day in many situations today, back in this era of time it was much, much worse. What is good for goose and all that. It's infuriating, but that was the way of things. It is also true we might find ourselves judging someone by the reputation of their family members, believing them to be of the same ilk, when in fact they are not.

So, Noah and Thea make mistakes by not being honest with one another from the beginning. But, their journey was an absolute delight as they soldier through some pretty rough times and come out on the other side of it totally in love with one another and with a rock solid marriage.

If two people were ever meant to be married it was these two. Right from the start the two had spectacular marital tug of wars, especially while eating breakfast. Noah is so tender and sweet, such a gentleman, and an honorable man, bearing the weight of his family's rather tarnished reputation. Thea is a strong woman who has endured so much and paid such a high price for something that was not her fault. As a woman she bore an internal shame she should never have had to feel, but didn't let it keep her from trying to make the best of things. The secondary characters were also delightful and I rather enjoyed James' marital advice to Noah on the few occasions Noah sought his advice.

The author keeps the pace steady, but had me itching to read ahead in hopes of discovering the secrets of Thea's past. While, I had some inkling of what may have transpired, I could never have guessed the way it would all be explained. The truth was stunning and left me feeling shocked and outraged. But, like Thea, there was also a sense of relief as the pent up pressure is finally released and the door was opened to start over with a fresh start. I giggled a few times , felt sad and angry, sat on the edge of my seat a time or two, but by the end of the story I was so proud of these characters and the progress they made and the lessons they learned. After turning the final page I felt warmed from head to toe and had a big smile on my face. This is a charming, delightful, and heartwarming tale I highly recommend. 4.5 rounded to 5

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Author Biography

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes' bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish and Lady Eve's Indiscretion. The Heir was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010, The Soldier was a PW Best Spring Romance of 2011, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish won Best Historical Romance of the Year in 2011 from RT Reviewers' Choice Awards, Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight was a Library Journal Best Book of 2012, and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

 

Social Networking Links

 

Website: http://www.graceburrowes.com/  

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Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne- A Book Review

Would you recognize true love if it sat down next to you? In this unforgettable new spinoff of the Billionaire books from New York Times bestselling indie author Melody Anne, two strangers must look past their painful memories to make way for everlasting love.

Alyssa's modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she's heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she's upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her…

Jackson Whitman doesn't believe in love, or commitment, or forever—not since he lost his wife and daughter. But the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the gate has him rethinking that position. Can he convince her to be his for the night? Or will she convince him to be hers for a lifetime?



MY REVIEW:


Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne is a 2015 Pocket Star publication. I received this book as a XOXpert, XOXO After Dark's Official Street Team, in exchange for an honest review.


I recently discovered this author mainly through some book promotion sites and realized I really liked her stories.

In this one, ex- model Alyssa Gerard discovers her ex-boyfriend/manager absconded with her fortune and most of it is just gone. So, tucking her tail between her legs she leaves her lucrative career behind in Paris and boards a plane for New York City.

When she is informed her ticket was upgraded to first class she is seated by Jackson Whitman, a wealthy and very over confident man. But, the two strike up a conversation which leads to a one night stand in New York on New Year's Eve.

For Alyssa it's a one and done. She will not be ready for a relationship in a good long while, so she continues on her way to Montana where her parents live and begins to piece her life back together again. There is only one little hitch....she soon discovers she is pregnant.

Jackson is no stranger to pain and loss. He has not been able to put a terrible, heart wrenching tragedy behind him and has lived life on the run, dating many women, and staying focused on his work. But, Alyssa has him all turned around and Jackson feels out of his element. The more he pursues her the more she pushes him away. What he doesn't know is why Alyssa has never explained her unborn child's paternity, never suspecting he might be about to become a father.

This is a fast paced contemporary romance that explores the difficulties one faces after being betrayed or in Jackson's case going through a terrible loss, and trying to find one's footing in life again. Add to that the possibility that your happy ever after is right there in front of you, but you are too afraid to reach out and grab it.

The controversy of course is whether or not Alyssa had the right to keep her child's paternity a secret. If she really did have a one nighter and never saw the man again, I suppose I could live with that, but she did deceive Jackson and even though she knows she needs to let him know the truth, she continued to keep it a secret. I wondered if she was even going to let her child know someday. But, what was really holding her back wasn't necessarily a deliberate omission, but her absolute fear of gambling on Jackson and losing the game in the end. She was afraid and I could understand why she would feel that way.
Jackson is a great guy, even if he came off as being arrogant at first, and is sometimes is a little pushy. Alyssa really makes him work to win her over, and although the inevitable blow up is coming, Jackson comes through in the end, big time.

Once again, Melody Anne has written a very enjoyable contemporary romance. The story reminds us that life throws us curve balls, sometimes it's a personal loss, sometimes it's a major setback career wise, and it can really knock you out for the count. But, life offers no pat answers and sometimes in order win we have to take a chance no matter how terrified we are of failure.

Overall, a light, easy, and enjoyable read. 4 stars

NYT and USA Today Best Selling Author Melody Anne has written the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series; Midnight Fire, Midnight Moon and Midnight Storm - Rise of the Dark Angel.
As an aspiring author, she wrote for years, then published in 2011. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in business, she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen and the corporate world.
When Melody isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and relatives and enjoys time spent with them as well as her friends, and beloved pets. A country girl at heart, she loves the small town and strong community she lives in and is involved in many community projects.
See Melody's Website at: www.melodyanne.com. She makes it a point to respond to all her fans. You can also join her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/melodyanneauthor, or at twitter: @authmelodyanne.
She looks forward to hearing from you and thanks you for your continued interest in her stories.

Gideon by Cherry Adair- A T-FLAC Novel - VBT + Giveaway

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

BLURB:

T-FLAC is back in an exciting action-adventure romance filled with danger, subterfuge and steamy, red-hot attraction.

NO MEMORY OF HIS PAST

Powerful cartel leader Sin Diaz lives a dangerous life filled with secrets and lies, and surrounded by people who claim to have known him all his life. Yet flashes of another life, totally unrelated to the jungles of Cosio, hang tantalizingly on the edges of his memory. He'll trust no one until he recalls his true past.

NO DREAMS OF A FUTURE

T-FLAC operative Riva Rimaldi's mission is simple. Go undercover, learn terrorist Escobar Maza's agenda, then kill him. But when the helicopter she's on crashes deep in the jungle of the small, volatile country of Cosio, she finds herself in the wrong hands. Is the sexy as hell leader of the ANSL, Sin Diaz, the enemy of her enemy, worse than Maza himself? Or is he someone entirely different than his reputation – and will he become her lover?

TOGETHER THEY HOLD THE KEY

Sin and Riva must work together to stop a madman who will go to any lengths to attain his terrifying goal. But can they unravel the truth in time? The timer is ticking.

What they don’t know could get them killed.

EXCERPT:

T-FLAC operative Riva Rimaldi had a clear mental image of the chopper she was on: It was hurtling toward the ground, following a fiery explosion.

Five out of the six people on board would die. She was sorry she couldn't forewarn the two operatives accompanying her of their impending death. The warning would be useless and come too late. That was the bitch of her ability. When she received a vision, she knew precisely what would happen, but not precisely when. Even more of a bitch was that she while she could see the future, her ability to modify it was typically nonexistent. Riva had to let the nightmares that ran through her brain play out in real life.

She saw it as the pilot did. A bright, swiftly moving light headed up at them from the trees below.

“SAM.” Surface-to-air missile? Out here? In the middle of nowhere?

Curling into a ball around her duffel, one hand wrapped in the backpack’s straps, Riva braced for impact. She might as well kiss her ass good-bye. Despite what she'd seen, no one would survive the hit, and if she did, she’d wish she hadn't.

Between one heartbeat and the next, the missile slammed the tail with a loud, fiery explosion, spinning what was left of the chopper end over end. A blast furnace of heat engulfed her as she was thrown around the cabin like a rag doll. Everything gyrated like a kaleidoscope around her, as if she were separate from the event. In the split second when rational thought was possible, Riva knew she couldn't jump out. Even if she had a chute, which she didn't, she'd be sliced and diced like chopped salad by the swiftly spinning blades if she attempted it.

I’m screwed.

Primal fear set in and all she could do was scream as she, and what was left of the burning chopper, hurtled uncontrollably toward the trees.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

New York Times/USAToday Bestselling author Cherry Adair’s innovative action-adventure novels have appeared on numerous bestsellers lists, won dozens of awards and garnered praise from reviewers and fans alike. With the creation of her kick butt counterterrorist group, T-FLAC, years before action adventure romances were popular, Cherry has carved a niche for herself with her sexy, sassy, fast-paced, action adventure novels. She hates first drafts, has a passion for mentoring unpublished writers, and is hard at work on a new T-FLAC trilogy. Cherry loves to hear from readers.

Visit her on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CherryAdairAuthor

, Twitter- https://twitter.com/cherryadair

, Tsu - https://www.tsu.co/cherry3

, or www.cherryadair.com

How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days- The Wedding Audition- by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock- Release Day Blast + Giveaway

Enter to Win

For the Runaway Bride's Great Escape:

A heart-print tote, scarf for going incognito, and cute dark sunglasses. 

(US Residents)

Or, 

Print copy of Catherine Mann's RESCUE ME and Joanne Rock's NIGHTS UNDER THE TENNESSEE STARS 

(International)

HOW TO LOSE A GROOM IN 10 DAYS

Runaway Brides #0.5  (FREE Novella)

Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock

Releasing April 7th, 2015

Tule Publishing Group 

Grab Your FREE Copy

He thought their love was a grand slam, until his bride calls foul…

After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseball’s rising stars, Melanie Webb wonders if she’s fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socks—and more!—right off her. She couldn’t resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.

But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can persuade her to come along for the ride, he’ll convince her that their forever can be something special… with a love every bit as fiery as the passion.

THE WEDDING AUDITION

Runaway Brides #1.0

Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock

Releasing April 7th, 2015

Tule Publishing Group

Grab Your Copy NOW

The tabloids call her the Hit and Run Bride after reality show star Annamae Jessup walked out on Atlanta's favorite baseball player on cable television. Eager to escape her notoriety, Annamae takes a road trip to find the grandmother she’s never met and winds up discovering a whole lot more than a band of back woods relatives. There's no escape from reality TV, even in Beulah, Alabama, population 3000.

The last thing Wynn Rafferty needs in his new life is a spoiled television princess who can’t even know his real name. He’s in temporary witness protection as an apple farmer after his undercover work put his life in danger. He needs to lay low until the heat dies down from his last case— even if he sucks at growing apples as badly as he sucks at relationships. But Annamae turns his new town into a media circus, unwittingly threatening the lives of him, her and most of Beulah. Wynn is an expert at keeping the world at arm’s length, but when it comes to Annamae, the only way he can keep her safe is too keep her very, very close.

Goodreads links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25265392-the-wedding-audition

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25310389-how-to-lose-a-groom-in-10-days

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Lose-Groom-Days-Runaway-Brides-ebook/dp/B00VQJ0GTE

http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Audition-Runaway-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B00VQJHHRI

 

USA Today bestseller and RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Tule. With over sixty books released in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with an animal rescue, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering over 200 puppies, ill dogs, and dogs with service/working potential.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The author of over seventy novels enjoys writing contemporary romance and medieval historicals alike, recently exploring Young Adult romance under a pseudonym. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance–in all its forms-- fits her life outlook perfectly. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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