New Reviews – Page 134 – Read-Love-Blog

Renhala by Amy Joy Lutchen…Review and Giveaway

Synopsis:

Kailey Rooke, timid accountant, dedicated to philanthropic work, finds herself spiraling into a deep depression after she suffers a horrifyingly odd and humiliating assault, to only discover more of these freakish assaults occurring across the globe.

A chance discovery leads Kailey to a meeting with elderly Gunthreon, actual master of persuasion. Gunthreon, who seems to know too much of Kailey’s history for her liking, opens Kailey’s eyes to a coexisting realm she never knew existed: Renhala, while entrusting her with the knowledge of her newfound power as karmelean, serving as a beacon to the Higher Ones. Kailey slowly starts revealing new talents, and Gunthreon is fascinated with what she starts achieving.

She soon discovers that Renhala is in danger, and this danger has been leaking into her own realm. As she uncovers secrets within herself, and attempts to toughen up, she fuses with an unlikely band of fellow travelers (including a dragon, woodsprite, six-hundred-pound greble, her faithful female canine companion, and a “giver”), falls into an unexpected love triangle, deals with her sexy and flirtatious best friend’s “issues,” and finds the courage to master a new deadly weapon.

On her mission to save Renhala, Kailey will find herself running from life-threatening disasters, such as greble Tartarin, who likes to remind Kailey that when he catches her, he plans on eating her brains with ice cream; she’ll run from the deadly meeples: small cute bunnies with talons and an undeniable thirst for imposing self-destruction on others. Kailey will also run into the possibility that a centuries-old Renhalan rumor is true, that advanced technology existing in Kailey’s realm shortens all life spans.

As blood is shed and puzzles near completion, Kailey pulls from deep within herself, conjuring up mystical qualities that enable her to astonish as once predicted at her birth, but despite the newfound strength, Kailey will discover that monsters not only come in ugly packages, but can be easily disguised as those she has come to love and trust.

My Review:

So, as I’m sure you know, I love to read. I’d like to say that I read a lot of different genres and have a broad spectrum of reading material in my bookcases. Truth is, sadly, I don’t. So, when I was introduced to a book titled Renhala, I read the description and knew it was something I had to read. Fantasy and magic was not something I normally read…no particular reason, really. Holy hell, I am so glad I found this book…. I was hooked on Renhala from the very first page.

We meet Kailey in the beginning recuperating, both physically and mentally, from an attack. An attack that she still can’t make sense of. She’s certain her attacker wasn’t exactly human…but surely she must be mistaken, right? In her quest to return to normalcy, her paths cross with an interesting man named Gunthreon. Gunthreon will show Kailey what her true nature is, and he will introduce her to Renhala…an alternate realm she never knew existed. Now, she not only has to learn all she can about Renhala and the creatures and beings that inhabit it, but that she must aid in saving it. Along the way, Kailey meets some amazing and endearing creatures that she learns not to fear but instead, to love. She also meets two interesting men who will both make a play for her affections.

Kailey is a kick-ass heroine. She is developed so well that I feel like I could pick up the phone and invite her over for a glass of wine. She’s spunky, intelligent and has a dry sense of humor that I absolutely ADORE! I mean really, how can you not love a gal who isn’t above sticking her tongue out at someone when they are acting a fool? She’s snarky but delivers her snark with affection and pulls it off every time. Love her!

This story was amazing. The creatures Ms. Lutchen has created are so vivid in my mind that I feel as though they are right beside me. Her descriptions of the settings, objects, landscapes and characters are truly a gift given to the reader. There are evil creatures called meeples that are described so richly that I won’t soon forget their evilness…even if they do sorta look like fluffy bunnies. The characters the Kailey befriends along the way are creatures I wish were real. My personal favorite is Bu….a big, hairy, smelly, sorta scary beast that has a heart of gold who speaks like a child and will protect Kailey with his own life if it were to come to it. Then there’s Conner and Ladimer, the two men who suddenly appear in her life and who both want a place in her heart. Each of them have amazing qualities that make it so hard for Kailey, as well as the reader, to decide who her choice should be. The relationship that touched me the most, however, was the relationship between Kailey and her mother. I am actually tearing up as I type this recalling their story. It is just beautiful.

All of that being said, what I found most remarkable was the way Ms. Lutchen told the story. Never once did I feel lost and not understanding of what was going on within the story. We learned about Renhala and all of the creatures and problems right along with Kailey. Not only did Gunthreon teach her what everything was along the way, but he taught me as well. I really appreciated that characteristic of the book. Even if I read a section and was starting to feel a “huh?” coming on, it would be within the next sentence that things were explained and the idea became clear. I can only imagine how difficult a task it must be, from a writing standpoint, to be able to accomplish that.

I feel so lucky to have found this book and I hope that even if fantasy isn’t necessarily your thing, you’ll give this book a try. I’m certain you will love Renhala and what Ms. Lutchen has created as much as I did! Thank you, Amy Joy, for sharing the gift of your imagination with us and I will be eagerly (notice I didn’t say patiently haha!) waiting for the next book!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

And now, because Amy Joy is truly amazing, she has put together the most amazing tea themed Renhala giveaway for you! Kailey, the heroine in Renhala, absolutely ADORES tea and I’m sure would be jumping for joy at this list of goodies!

The Tealicious Goodie Basket includes:

African Nectar tea by Mighty Leaf

Lady Grey tea by Twinings

Chocolate Mint tea by Harney & Sons

Chocolate HobNobs cookies by McVitie’s

Pineapple Chamomile tea by Lipton

Chocolate non-pareils by Streit’s

Meditative Mind (white tea, rosebuds, jasmine pearls) by the tea spot

Various Leonidas chocolates

Paris tea by Harney & Sons

Blackberry Sage tea by The Republic of Tea

and…fancy caramels by Bequet Confections

ALSO …..an eCopy of Renhala!

Enter to win in the RaffleCopter below! Good luck! (U.S. residents only for this giveaway)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heart of the Hunter by Lara Adrian…Review

Heart of the Hunter

Buy from Barnes & Noble Buy from Amazon

Synopsis:

Ariana of Clairmont would risk anything to save her kidnapped brother, a quest she knows is fraught with peril. Her only ally is Braedon le Chasseur, a formidable knight with a mysterious past, whose scarred face and brooding nature mask a soul filled with pain. Ariana fears this dangerous man and the secrets he strives to conceal–but Braedon’s touch is pure seduction, his kiss a potent lure that tempts her into a passion she is powerless to resist.

Once known as The Hunter, now haunted by a dark legacy he struggles to deny, Braedon lives in a world of shadow and isolation–until he is thrust together with an innocent beauty in need of his protection. Embarking on a journey that will lead them to a legendary treasure, Braedon will be forced to confront old enemies and the stunning secret of his true nature–or risk losing Ariana and the only happiness he has ever known. . . .

My Review:

This is the first in Lara Adrian’s award-winning historical paranormal romance Dragon Chalice Series, and oh my, from the very first few pages I was completely hooked and enveloped into the world Ms. Adrian has created.

The story begins with the old tale of the Dragon Chalice and it’s fabled tale of how it came to be in this mortal world. A tale that lures seekers of unimaginable wealth and immense power, for that is what is bestowed upon the finder of the chalice. A tale that will lead many to their own ruins…

After receiving a ransom letter, Ariana of Clairmont has left her home, and the only place she has ever known, to rescue her brother from the harm that has been brought upon him for reasons she cannot fathom. From the very beginning her journey is a doomed one. Ariana is meeting a merchant who is helping her secure safe passage to Paris, where she has been instructed to bring the ransom…a ransom containing documents her brother, Kenrick, has been working on in secret for years. When she arrives at the pub to meet the merchant, she sees he is talking to a scarred, and dangerously handsome man….a man who will ungenerously end up coming to her aid when the merchant wants more than the price agreed upon for passage.

Braedon, a former Knight known as The Hunter for his uncanny ability to locate anything, is torn between right and wrong when he hears the screams of a woman from the docks on which he is getting ready to set sail. Even more so when he realizes this is the same woman from the pub. The same woman who certainly won’t stand a chance against the unsavory merchant and the thugs he had just dealt with in the pub. But he just can’t ignore her cries for help…and because he once was an honorable man, this is where their journey together begins.

Braeden and Ariana begin a voyage to find her brother that turns into an amazing and enthralling tale of adventure and truths and maybe, just maybe, love. Braedon’s enemies of old are somehow involved in Kenrick’s kidnapping and he is determined to find out why. They encounter many things that lead them to question whether the myth of the Dragon Chalice could, in fact, be true. Is it possible that shape shifters and magical powers really can exist? Surely a man who has a sixth sense to hunt and locate anything can find the answers to these questions…

As I had said earlier, the world Ms. Adrian has created is so mesmerizing that I was hooked from the very start. I loved the historical descriptions of the clothing, buildings, fare and dialect of the time. Braeden is a wounded hero whose reputation should leave people turning and walking in the other direction. However, even though he has tried denying it, he is an honorable man at heart. Ariana is a spitfire who refuses to back down and will do whatever it takes to get her brother home. She is loyal and kind and although I’m not usually a fan of heroines, I am totally Team Ariana. They relationship they forge is one I can believe in. I understood where each of them were coming from personally and appreciated the strides they made together and have faith their bond will remain unyielding in the years to come.

There were a few twists in the story that made me love it even more. I won’t give away any spoilers but I will say this….it was everything I want in a book! I am eager to start the next book in the series, The Heart of the Flame, which is Kenrick’s book. Thank you, Ms. Adrian, for an amazing story!

Five Loves

Visit Lara’s website for more information on her Midnight Breed Series as well as info on the Dragon Chalice Series, upcoming releases, events, contests and download the FREE ORIGINAL short Story, NIGHTDRAKE!

Blood Vine by Amber Belldene….Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway

Buy Blood Vine at Amazon or at Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

In Blood Vine, bites are an inconvenient bliss, exiled vampires are wasting away, and the fate of their kind depends on the perfect PR campaign.

When public relations pro Zoey Porter arrives at an enchanting California winery, she discovers her sexy new client is the almost one-night stand she can’t forget. After her husband’s suicide, Zoey has vowed never to risk her heart again. But can she walk away from the intriguing winemaker a second time?

Driven from Croatia by his ancient foes, vampire Andre Maras has finally made a blood-like wine to cure his fellow refugees. Now he needs Zoey’s PR expertise to reach them. After his wife’s death, Andre has a vow of his own—never to risk another painful blood bond. And one taste of the tempting Zoey would bind him to her eternally.

His secrets stall her PR plans. Her jealousy is stoked by the blissed-out beauties leaving his bedroom. At every turn, he utterly fails to resist her. When she discovers he is a vampire, will she be lost to the golden-eyed Hunters, or lose herself to the emptiness in her heart, before she can help him save his kind?

Exclusive excerpt:

To die on the Hunt was the greatest honor, though it offered little solace at the moment. That smug son of a bitch Ethan had been right—he shouldn’t have come alone. Blood pounded in his ears. Would they make him watch while they ripped out his entrails?

One of the vampires called out to him from the darkness. “Hunter, don’t they teach you to stand down wind?”

Words pressed against the lump in his throat.

“Too bad for you,” the other said.

Then they were on him. One pushed him to the ground and placed a knee into his back. Dirt and dust filled his mouth, choking him, and he spit, trying to get the grit out. A hand gripped his shoulder and flipped him.

He looked up into the eyes of his target.

“It will have to be gory,” said Andre Marasović. “If we do not make an example of him, they will think they’ve won.”

“Can’t have that,” the son said.

“Kill him first. Then we will make our example.”

Surprise was the last emotion to flutter through the Hunter’s heart—a vampire had shown him mercy.

My Review:

The minute I received this information on this book, I was intrigued. I was eager to start and see just how this spin on the vampire world would play out and I gotta say…WOW! This story was a-freaking-mazing!

Zoey is a talented PR agent working for a successful firm in California. She’s beautiful, young and should be feeling like she’s got it all…only she knows she doesn’t. She’s been mourning the death of her husband for a few years now and has put up an icy wall that no one will be able to penetrate. It’s easier that way. After all, if you don’t let people in, you can’t get hurt if they leave. So she’s managed to keep her love life to a fling with her boss and one attempt at a one-night stand with a handsome stranger she met in a bar. However, for some reason, the minute she laid eyes on that stranger, she knew there was something more to him and it was a bad idea…so she shored up her icy reserve and left him where he sat on the barstool. Imagine her surprise when the owner of the vineyard she’s now representing is the very same man she left sitting on the barstool….

Andre is a centuries old vampire living on his vineyard and desperately trying to come up with a cure for the disease that is slowly killing him and his fellow vampires. Since the Hunters, a group of zealots hell-bent on wiping out the vampire race, have exiled him and hundreds of other vampires form Croatia, he has been working on a cure and believes he’s finally found it….in the wine he has made using the vines from his homeland. Now, with the help of a PR firm, he needs to get word out to his fellow refugees. Could it be fate has more in store for him when the woman that left him dumbfounded, sitting on a barstool months earlier is the very same woman sent to help with his PR work?

Together, Zoey and Andre, along with his friends, house staff and two sons, they have the fight of a lifetime ahead of them. The Hunters are closing in, the wine and the vineyard need to remain safe so the vampire race can be cured, and they need to figure out if this attraction between them is something worth exploring.

This book kicked ass. I know, I know…we’ve all read a million vampire stories but this is a book I highly recommend no matter how many vampire tales you’ve explored. The dynamic between the characters is fantastic. Every move Zoey made in this book is EXACTLY what I would have done. She wasn’t unrealistic or overly emotional. She took things at face value and was level headed where many other heroines would have gone into hysterics. I really appreciated Zoey’s genuineness. She was strong and stoic when she needed to be yet somehow kept her soft side.

Andre is delicious. He is kind, determined, responsible and oh-so utterly male. His love for his sons and for the staff that helps him in his quest to save the vampire race, is so endearing. He is a man who knows what he wants at when push comes to shove, he gets it.

Along with Zoey and Andre, we meet Lucas and Pedro, who are amazing. They absolutely broke my heart…I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them. Andre’s sons, Kos and Bel, are also characters that capture your heart as well and I also am excited to see what happens for them in this series. This book had everything I love in a great story…love, loss, conflict, devious villains, heroes and heroines worth rooting for and great originality.

I won’t go into too much more detail, because I am not a spoilery kind of gal, but I will tell you this….put this book on your to-read list and settle in for a great read. I absolutely LOVED this book and see this series becoming a success we will be talking about for some time. Thank you, Amber, for a remarkable read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

And now, because we all love giveaways, I have an eCopy of Blood Vine to give away! Enter in the RaffleCopter below!
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Author Bio:

Amber Belldene grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when she could pull herself away from a book. As a child, she hid her Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on her when she preaches these days.

With a B.A. in comparative religion and an M.A. in theology, Amber is a Christian minister and student of religion. She believes stories are the best way to explore human truths. Some people think it is strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to Amber. She believes the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire.

Amber is addicted to vampire stories, but loves to read all kinds of romance and literature. Her favorite books examine history and cultural origins, like Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle, Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent, or Salmon Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. And, yes, she was named after that Amber, of the classic romance novel Forever Amber.

From the wine country of Sonoma County to the foggy neighborhoods of San Francisco, all of Amber’s fiction is set in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Author Links:

Website: http://amberbelldene.com/

Blog: http://amberbelldene.com/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmberBelldene

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amberbelldene

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6537150.Amber_Belldene

Fall in Love With the Sullivan Family: The Sullivan Series by Bella Andre Blog Tour….My Review of From This Moment On

Today I’m continuing the fun in The Fall in Love With The Sullivan Family Blog Tour with my review of From This Moment On.

In Bella’s sexy, emotional and funny contemporary romance series, each member of the Sullivan family will eventually find true love…usually where he or she least expects it.

Synopsis:

For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he’s planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.

Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name – Nico – for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is…or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger – and the sinful promises – in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.

One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. And even though they both try to fight it, growing emotions – and sizzling attraction – keep drawing them closer together.

Close enough for them to wonder if stealing one more secret moment together can ever be enough?

My Review:

From This Moment On is the second book in the Sullivan Series and oh…..my…..God…..I loved this book! Devoured it in two sittings and ignored all responsibilities (apologies to my family for not having clean clothes) to make sure I could give this book the proper attention it deserved.

Nicola has had it with her lonely existence as pop princess “Nico”. Sure it’s glamorous and she loves to write and perform her music but when the lights on the stage turn off and the crowds are gone it’s a solitary life lived in hotel rooms with no one to see who the real Nico is. After being hurt the last time she trusted someone, she’s weary to ever let anyone in again. But tonight, after staring out of her hotel window, Nico has decided she’s going to throw caution to the wind and find someone for a hot one-night stand to make her lose herself and forget all her troubles. Only the last thing she expects is to find a smoking hot stranger who makes her want to be more than the one night of passion she had planned.

Marcus Sullivan is tired of being the ever responsible, always perfect, oldest brother of the Sullivan clan. Now, the life he thought was perfect is crumbling around him. After leaving his brother’s engagement party, he realizes he needs to figure this mess out….only not tonight. Tonight is for finding a warm body to spend the night with and try to erase the hurt he experienced this afternoon at the hands of his now EX-fiancé. What he wasn’t expecting was Nicola. She’s walked into his life and turned everything upside-down….and he unexpectedly loves every minute of it.

I’ll say it again; I loved this book. Nicola is such an amazing character. She’s written so well and with such feeling that I actually physically felt her loneliness and her craving to be loved for who she is, and not the image created for the public. She is such a fighter and has amazing strength and courage. Marcus is a-freaking-mazing. He’s held his family together in the years since his father has died and doesn’t realize that it’s his turn to find his own true happiness in life. He is so wholly male and dominating, yet has a softer side that I think even he hadn’t realized he had. Together, they are HOT!! Marcus, and his “I’m in charge” attitude is freaking delicious. Some of the scenes in this book, with Marcus giving Nicola commands…holy hell…I still get the chills thinking about it. Simply delish. I will be diving in to the rest of this series and can’t wait to see if any of the other Sullivan brothers make me swoon like Marcus does. Thank you, Bella, for another yummy read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Tour Notes:

The Sullivans are on tour with Novel Publicity. Follow along for your chance to win amazing prizes. We’ve got special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards. WOW!

You’ll also get introduced to this amazing contemporary romance series via excerpts as well as interviews with and guest posts from New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Bella Andre. You’ll definitely want to learn more about the family that has captured the world’s heart.

All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!

To Win the Prizes:

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here or enter below)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that’s where the HUGE prizes are – visit: http://www.novelpublicity.com/the-sullivans/ )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall in Love With the Sullivan Family: The Sullivan Series by Bella Andre Blog Tour….My Review of The Look of Love

Keeping the fun going today in the Fall in Love With the Sullivans Blog Tour with my review of The Look of Love.

In Bella’s sexy, emotional and funny contemporary romance series, each member of the Sullivan family will eventually find true love…usually where he or she least expects it.

With THE LOOK OF LOVE, bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you the Sullivan family. In this fun and emotional contemporary romance series, when a Sullivan bad boy falls…he falls hard. And it’s forever.

Synopsis:

Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she’s convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he?

As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he’s home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is—until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love—and protect—her, but will she let him?

Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the only exception. And although Chase didn’t realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether…for Chloe’s heart

My review:

Poor Chloe Peterson is really, really, having a bad go of things. Upon trying to get her life in order, and leave a bad situation behind, she ends up in a ditch, in a rainstorm in the middle of who knows where. Can’t anything go her way? Maybe the handsome stranger who just offered to get her out of the rain and give her a ride into town can finally restore her faith in humanity….

Chase Sullivan is certainly not one to leave a woman stranded on the side of the road, especially knowing how he would feel if it was one of his sisters out here. Luckily, he’s in town for a photo shoot at his brother’s winery and can lend a hand to the beautiful, intriguing and waterlogged damsel in distress. The problem is, once he lays eyes on her, he knows he’ll be using the extra room at the winery’s guesthouse to his advantage….

Together they start a HOT romance that will not only restore Chloe’s faith in humanity…but will show her how to trust and love again. Could this romance also take the photographer playboy, Chase, off the market for good?

Whoa….this book was DELISH! If there’s one thing Bella Andre does very well, it’s write up some amazing romance and some ridiculously hot sex scenes. Holy hell. There were parts of this book that had me biting my lip and groaning out loud. There were also parts that had my heart hurting. Hurting for Chloe and Chase and their rocky path to happiness. Chase is seriously the perfect guy….kind, romantic, considerate, hot as hell and all male. Chloe is a girl I was rooting for from the very first page. I so wanted her to find her happy ending. She really pulled at my heartstrings from the very beginning when we met her on the side of the road. Together they have amazing chemistry that is what the stuff of good contemporary romances are made of! If you’re looking for a fun, sexy, romantic, sultry read, then I say make sure this lands on your list! Thank you, Ms. Andre, for a delicious story and I am so looking forward to meeting the other Sullivan’s!

Four Loves

Tour Notes:

All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment–easy to enter; easy to win!

To Win the Prizes:

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here – also posted below)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that’s where the HUGE prizes are – visit http://www.novelpublicity.com/the-sullivans/ )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review….Revving Her Up by Joy Daniels

Synopsis:

Sarah Lange’s career as a New York lawyer is in high gear—and the stress has left her hormones sputtering. With strict doctor’s orders to relax, she books the cure: a spa vacation in the cool, green mountains of Virginia.

When a pothole sends her Porsche to the side of the road, she finds herself stuck in small-town Rapture. She’d love nothing more than to blow this Hicksville and be on her way…until she meets sexy stockcar mechanic Cole Cassidy.

Coles knows exactly how to handle that fancy car, and its uptight driver. Sarah’s not his type, but neither can deny that their attraction is firing on all cylinders. Soon he’s introducing her to the thrill of speed at the local track—in his car, and on it.

But Sarah’s troubles aren’t so easily left in the dust. Unless she forces herself to decide if she’s willing and able to let someone else take the wheel.

Warning: Contains a false start, breakdowns of the automotive and erotic kinds, creative uses of shower massagers and silk ties, and thrill-rides in, on, and outside of a racecar.

_________________

My Review:

This is the debut novella from author Joy Daniels and let me tell you…..I finished this story last night, in one sitting, and am STILL daydreaming about Cole almost 24 hours later! Whoa, this is one hell of a read!

Sarah Lange is on a mission to get some R & R. She’s ditching her high stress job as an attorney in NYC for some spa time to decompress and try to get back to center. Not only has the stress of her job had her working way too many hours, but it’s affected her hormones…so much so that achieving the big “O” has become a distant memory for her *GASP*. Now, that last thing she needs is to nail a pothole from hell and be stuck in some Podunk town. However, the key to her *ahem* release just may be a yummy mechanic-in-shining-armor local with Southern charm and a body made for sin.

Cole Cassidy vowed he’s left the “uptight city girl” kind far behind when he broke it off with his ex. Too bad the striking blond stranded on the side of the road is too tempting to ignore…after all, his mama raised him to rescue the damsel in distress even if she does scream “city girl” like a Manhattan skyscraper in the middle of a cornfield. Now, he’s not only offered to fix her car, but give her a place to stay until he can get the parts he needs. He’s in need of fixing more than just her broken car parts…. he just doesn’t know it yet.

Yum….that about sums it up for me. I loved this novella. I find novellas sometimes are hit-or-miss. Revving Her Up was definitely a HIT! The characters are really well developed and both have a unique way about them. Total opposites attracting. Sarah starts off as rigid and unfriendly, although knowing about her “issue”, it doesn’t make her unlikable. If anything, it made me feel for her. As the story progresses, we really get to see a softer side of her and it’s really charming. Cole is a swoon-worthy Southern gentleman who also shows us a totally different side as we get to know him. He’s a grease monkey with a lot of intelligence that’s not only proven by his degrees hanging in his garage, but in the way he handles Sarah. Together they are scorching! There are scenes in this book that almost melted my e-reader.

One of the things I liked most about this story was it was hot without being trashy. I can only imagine that writing a scene to come across that way must be a challenging task. I also loved all of Cole’s car talk! I am married to a car nut…it’s what he does for work and play so trust me when I say, Joy nailed it! This wasn’t an overly flowery romance and I found it refreshing to read. This is surely a fantastic beginning for Joy and I can’t wait to see what she has on store for us next!

Five Loves

Revving Her Up releases on January 15, 2013 and is available for pre-order now!

Buy it from Barnes & Noble here Buy it from Amazon here

Fun stuff….the Revving Her Up playlist Joy put together can be found here

Review, EXCLUSIVE excerpt & SIGNED ARC Giveaway….Prince of Power by Elisabeth Staab

Synopsis:

This Fight Is Personal…

Wizards and vampires have been mortal enemies since the beginning. Now Anton, son of the Wizard Master, has one last chance to steal the unique powers of the vampire king’s beautiful sister, Tyra…and then kill her. But when he meets Tyra face-to-face, everything changes…

Tyra will stop at nothing to defeat the wizards, until Anton saves her life and she suddenly sees an opportunity she never could have imagined…

As the sparks ignite between them, together they could bring an end to the war that’s decimating their people, but only if they can find a way to trust each other…

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My Review:

This is the second book in the Chronicles of Yavyn series and follows King of Darkness. I was so looking forward to this book and the story of Anton and Tyra and I will say…Elisabeth friggin nailed it!

We first meet Anton and Tyra in King of Darkness and this book picks up where we had left off.

Vampires and Wizards have always been at war. However it is at this juncture that things have reached a critical point. Anton is the son of the Wizard Master and has been charged with the task of kidnapping the vampire king’s sister, Tyra. The Master wants to kill Tyra and absorb the unique powers and abilities she was born with. Only once Anton starts his surveillance, he realizes how amazing Tyra is. She’s caring, fierce, beautiful and strong…. there is no way Anton can kill her and deprive the world of one such as her. He’s never truly fit into the Wizard world of violence and certainly has no love for the “father” that has beaten and neglected him his entire life. He cannot continue to live a lie and he realizes he needs to act, and it must be soon. Now, he just has to figure out how to save not only Tyra’s life, but also his own.

Tyra has been lucky in finding something she truly loves…her work at the homeless shelter. In the intense, brutal war she, her brother the king, and their vampire guard have been waging against the wizards, this is the one thing that brings her peace. However, nothing like a mysterious, handsome, stranger saving your life to throw a wrench into things. Now she has to figure out who has is and why he knows so much about her…and if she can ever learn to trust a wizard.

What a fantastic book this was! We got see deeper into the wizard and vampire cultures and learn more of the web the two sides weave together to create the conflict they have been living for years. There are some intense fight scenes that had me gripping my e-reader with white knuckles and parts that I audibly gasped at. I love to feel that from a book. I love to feel like I’m there, watching it all play out in front of me. However, the parts I loved the most were the moments between Anton and Tyra. Anton broke my heart. Totally crushed it. He is a broken soul who wants nothing more than to be worthy of Tyra and her love. He has known nothing other than hurt and violence…hate and pain. I absolutely love him. Tyra is the exact amount of hard and soft in a heroine that I love. She’s a female fighter in a war but when all is laid bare…she’s a woman we can all identify with. A woman just trying to make sense of life and trying to learn to let her guard down and give love a chance.

I found this book, like King of Darkness, to be a fresh take on the vampire world. One of the things I enjoy most about all of the characters Ms. Staab has created is that they don’t have all the answers. They are vulnerable in an endearing way. They all have a weakness that we are able to see in their private moments. Hell, we get to see the strong guys cry every now and then! I appreciate that. It gives the characters an authenticity that is frequently lacking.

We also get to see more of our favorites from King of Darkness….Thad, Isabel, Lee, Alexia and Siddoh. Plus, there’s a secondary story involving Theresa and Xander that put me through the emotional wringer…and I loved every tear inducing moment! I cannot WAIT for the next book and know this is a series I will be keeping up with in the future! Thank you, Elisabeth, for another amazing read! Oh, and for getting me to cry!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

I spoke with Elisabeth and asked her what one of her favorite moments in this book was and, well, she didn’t just tell me, she is sharing it with all of you in this EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT! Enjoy!

Excerpt:

Dark shadows lingered underneath Anton’s gray eyes, and he needed a great deal of effort to hold himself up. He was worn out. Keyed up. She would bet he was running on fumes.

“I’ve been in torpor,” she said. “How long?”

On the desk lay a stack of those little two-packs of saltine crackers. The kind that came from the salad bars of restaurants. Or in this case, probably the shelter dining hall. He scratched his head, then picked each one up and counted as he slapped them back onto the desk. “One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… Ten days.”

Tyra squeezed her eyes shut.

He pointed to the crackers. “I brought some back for you every day from the dining hall at dinner. Stupid, but it made me feel like I was doing something for you. Other than that–and taking a piss–I didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t want to leave you alone.”

Holy cow. He’d watched over her all that time. She didn’t know quite what to say to that. And odd warmth bloomed in her chest…

And, because Elisabeth is incredibly generous and full of awesome, she has given me a SIGNED ADVANCE PAPERBACK COPY of Prince of Power to give to a lucky fan! How awesome!

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About the Author:

Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in the Washington DC area

with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, collect wacky coffee mugs from which to drink her favorite beverage, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

Review….Snowbound by Larissa Ione

Synopsis:

Passion hot enough to melt the slopes and their hearts.

Thanks to a devastating medical diagnosis, ski patroller Sean Trenton has endured two years of celibacy. Two long years that have chipped away at his confidence. Now, with the career opportunity of a lifetime on the line, he’s ready to remedy the celibacy situation, and sexy snow bunny Robyn Montgomery is just what the doctor ordered.

Unfortunately, the last thing reliable, intense radio station manager Robyn Montgomery wants in her suddenly turbulent professional and personal life is a thrill-seeking former Olympic skier-even if he is a total hottie. She’s had it with guys who hog the spotlight and leave her in the shadows. So why is it that even an icy blizzard cant temper the combustible heat between them?

_____________________

My review:

Being a huge Larissa Ione fan, I knew I had to read this book. Well, I finally got the chance this past week and abso-freaking-loutely loved it!

Robyn Montgomery is chairing her high school reunion’s charity auction this year and is already dreading it when her jerk of an ex, and her current boss, backs out of emceeing the event at the very last minute. Of course. It didn’t make any difference to him that she hated her high school years and that her way of getting back at all of the catty women she knew was to show off her success as a New York radio station manager. Having the ex use his fame as a media prince was going to help her shut them, and all of their hurtful teasing, up for good. Known for being the overweight, brace-face, glasses wearing nerd, this was supposed to be her chance to show off how she’d grown into a beautiful and successful woman. Now she’s stuck heading to her hometown lacking an emcee and in jeopardy of losing her battle with the emotions she’s fought off since the day she graduated.

Sean Trenton has left the world of competitive skiing behind. After a terrible medical issue two years before, he’s traded his Olympic gold medal hopes for a medical kit and a read ski patroller’s parka. He loves what he does now but there’s just something missing. He needs a woman. Sean is ready to jump back in the saddle after swearing off sex since his diagnosis. It should be easy for the self –assured, fun-spirited, sexy patroller….but what he wasn’t expecting was wanting more than a one night stand the minute he lays eyes on Robyn.

What a great story this was. The build up and sexual tension between Robyn and Sean was absolutely delicious. I do believe I groaned out loud on more than one occasion while reading this book. Sometimes I get so frustrated when the back and forth between the two characters lasts and lasts, but in Snowbound it was the perfect amount. Sean is what every hero should be…compassionate, cheeky, gorgeous, sexy, funny, kind, and a guy you want to root for. He’s not perfect, and makes his share of mistakes, but that made me love him even more. He’s believable and real in a way some characters never get to be. Robyn is no less believable than Sean. She has been put through the “mean girls” wringer, something I’m sure a lot of us can relate to. She’s not one to just jump in with both feet and tends to take things more cautiously. I really felt for her. I so wanted her to succeed and really stick it to all the morons that still act like they are in high school. The ending to this book was just *dreamy sigh* freaking perfect. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, sexy, heart-felt read! Thank you, Larissa, for yet another incredible story!

Four Loves

ARC Review & Blog Hop….The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée (The Winemaker’s Dinner, #2)

Overview:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko has got it bad. He’s in love—with life, his work, and his baby girl, Jaden Thorne. The nearly 3000 miles between Miami and L.A. that once threatened their happily-ever-after now seem nothing more than a mere geographical challenge—nothing a few hours on a plane and a sexy weekend rendezvous can’t trump. No time apart is too long to keep him from wanting her in his arms and in his bed. He’s absolutely sure Jaden is his dream come true.

Jaden Thorne is living the life she’s always wanted. She’s got her one-in-a-million job on a TV cooking show, she’s achieved celebrity chef status, and she’s in a committed relationship with her perfect guy… Then the network’s surprise decision to add a co-host to her show takes a bite out of her perfectly balanced life and career. With a new man in the mix, living the dream gets a whole lot more complicated both personally and professionally.

When the emotional, mental, and physical paths of true love’s course collide with frustration, secrets, and assumptions, will Ivan and Jaden pay the price? Does their dream-come-true cost something neither can afford?

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée is a decadent meal of passion, sex, and secrets, inspired by the real romantic life of Dr. Ivan Rusilko. Authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have turned up the heat in this emotional follow up to The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers, expertly executing their unique recipe for blending fact and fantasy, with more than a dash of passion and sex.

My Review:

*long, drawn out dreamy sigh* Oh, I’m supposed to be writing my review! Must. Stop. Daydreaming. Ok, I think I’m ready now…..

The Winemaker’s Dinner: Entrée is the second book in the Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy and satisfied the palate that Appetizers whet our appetite for!

This installment picks up where TWD: Appetizers left off and puts the reader on course for a trip through the highs, and lows, of Jaden and Ivan’s blossoming relationship.

Jaden is enjoying her new career in L.A. as the host of One Hot Kitchen, her cooking show and chef’s dream. Despite the stresses of daily life in the spotlight and a new pain-in-the-ass co-host, Jaden appreciates it all and feels like the luckiest girl in the world.

Unfortunately, Ivan is still in Miami tending to his own thriving medical career. They’re both determined to make it work though. Twice monthly interludes filled with surprises, romance and lust are sure to keep this love affair on the right track. Surely nothing can come between Ivan and Jaden and ruin the amazing thing they’ve found….or can it?

I freaking loved this book. Jaden is a kick ass heroine with a strong personality with a soft side for the important things in life….family and love. Ivan is, well, Ivan! He’s delicious! I mean who doesn’t love a guy who is enchantingly romantic one minute and chopping down trees the next? Talk about the perfect combo! And, I’m sure by now you’ve all seen the package it all come in?! Hello!? *dreamy sigh….oops! Got lost in a daydream again*

This book had everything a story should have….an amazing couple, romance the oozes off the pages, HOT scenes that practically set the reader on fire, humor, a villain you love to hate and a cliffhanger at the end that leaves the reader filled with emotion and longing for the next book. Without giving any spoilers away I will say this….have a box of tissues on hand for the last quarter of the book and get ready to spend the rest of the day with puffy eyes and a book hangover (and any book that makes me feel that way is a great book in my opinion!)

Once again, Ivan and Everly have nailed this fact-based fiction and have made this reader a happy camper!! Thank you both!

Five Loves

Giveaway: Omnific Publishing is running an AMAZING giveaway that includes:

(1) Kindle Fire Pre-loaded with APPETIZERS, ENTRÉE, RSVP, and NO RESERVATION

(2) Signed Print copies of APPETIZERS and ENTRÉE

(1) Signed 18X24 Poster of Dr. Ivan

(10) Signed Winemaker’s Swag Packs

(2) Miama Beach Sea Turtle Key Chains

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(Omnific is running the Rafflecopter below and will be choosing the winners)
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Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour for fun interviews, guest posts and more! Here’s the list of the participating blogs:

About the authors:

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, DO, CSN, PT, is an accomplished weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement and sexual health physician in Miami, Florida. A certified sports nutritionist, champion bodybuilder, international male fitness model, and former Mr. USA 2008 & 2010, Dr. Ivan graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010 and sits as the national media and public relations expert and spokesperson on diet, exercise and sports nutrition for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Dr. Ivan has been a feature health writer and lifestyle coach for numerous magazines and online publications including The Washington Times and Quarter Life Health.

In addition to health and wellness, he has a variety of interests and activities including event coordination, photography, writing, and politics.

With his debut novel, “The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers,” book one of a planned three book series due out in the summer of 2012, Dr. Rusilko is excited to offer a male voice in a predominantly female authored genre. Always one with a story to tell, he hopes to continue writing, exploring new genres and projects, as well as field future entertainment opportunities.

He is proud to bring two of his passions, his medical wellness and sexual health background and writing together in this unique project. He hopes that the “The Winemakers Feast Trilogy” will help spark an enthusiasm and liberation among women, inspiring them to bring their sexual health into focus and achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko | Twitter | Facebook

As a student of the Centennial College Social Service Worker program, and the Trent University Biology program, Everly Drummond had a previous life in administration and transportation before launching her career as a writer. Everly’s other writing projects include City of the Damned, a paranormal romance series, and Blood of the Ancients, a YA paranormal romance. All four novellas in the City of the Damned series have appeared on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Everly resides in Toronto, Ontario, where she is currently working on the third installment to The Winemaker’s Dinner with co-author, Ivan Rusilko.

Everly Drummond | Twitter | Facebook

Review and SIGNED ARC Giveaway…Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything—her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry—after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley. With her dream job, dream home, and her daughter enrolled in a wonderful new school, she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true.

But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

This is the first book in Ms. Adair’s St. Helena Vineyard Novel Series and I am so honored to have had the chance to read it before it hits the shelves!

Regan is a gal who is no stranger to disappointment. She is also no stranger to strong character and certainly isn’t one for letting the bad outweigh the good that she does have in her life. After all, she has a beautiful daughter and is about to start a new life in a new town. Things are looking up, until her past threatens to come back and ruin things yet again.

Gabe is determined to make sure the home wrecker that ruined his sister’s marriage gets pay back in spades for what she’s done. He’s been making sure her life has been less than easy for the past six years and yet here she is, in his town, working for his family’s business. Although now, he starts to think that maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe now, if he puts his charm on, he can get some info on where his cheating ex-brother in law may have run off to….with his family’s money. Too bad he has no idea that he will in fact be the one who gets charmed and not the other way around. Can he risk falling for the woman responsible for causing his sister so much pain?

From the very first page, I was brought in by the emotion coming from Regan. She is such an amazingly strong character but not in an overbearing way that some heroines can come off as. She’s strong in a way that is so admirable and has such poise and confidence that she is a character I won’t soon forget. She’s been through some difficult times but is able to maintain her dignity and reminds us that sometimes you have to keep your chin up, square your shoulders and give it another try.

Gabe is loyal to a fault. He’s been keeping his family together since the death of his parents and isn’t sure there’s any other option for him. He is fierce and protective and sexy as hell. He’s your girlfriend’s sexy, responsible older brother you would oogle when you went over to her house. He knows exactly how to push buttons…the ones that annoy and the ones that make you melt. He’s so convinced that always figuring things out and having the answers for his family is enough for him….until Regan makes him start to want more.

Together they have an emotional ride ahead that if they choose to believe in each other, and not other people’s opinions, they can have a chance at something real and something they both deserve. They also have help from unlikely allies who have big personalities and equally big hearts.

I loved this story. Ms. Adair had my heart hurting so many times throughout this book but only because she did such an amazing job at telling Gabe and Regan’s story. I felt so much for both of them and it truly was an enjoyable read with humor along with the heartache! This is a must read for any romantic! Thank you, Ms. Adair, for an amazing story and I look forward to more in this series.

Oh! One last thing…the PTA mentions and shenanigans were HILARIOUS, and not entirely false (but you never heard that from me! *wink*)

Five Loves

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Review….The Fangover by Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love

When rock-god vampire Johnny Malone commits suicide, the rest of The Impalers gather for an Irish wake and jam session to send their bandmate off in style. But alcohol-laced blood and grief make for one hell of a combination…

When her brother, Johnny, dies, Stella Malone’s grief lands her in the buff arms of The Impalers’ bass player. While her tryst with Wyatt had some serious bite, Stella isn’t looking for a relationship, especially after a tipsy argument leads to her getting stuck in bat form at the wake. The rest of the hungover Impalers are in no shape to help her, meaning that Stella’s one night stand is the only one who can help her figure out what really happened last night. Only Wyatt doesn’t have a clue what happened last night, either, nor does he know that Stella is the bat currently dive-bombing his head. But he does have her purse and that has to be a start, right? Or not.

On the other hand, there is a priest passed out in the bathtub and an alcoholic parrot squawking about a chapel of love…

Which might explain the ring on Berto Cortez’s finger. How did a night of rock ’n’ roll debauchery result in him turning sexy washboard player Katie Lambert into a vampire and then marrying her? He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. But he can’t quite remember, exactly. Which means these four friends turned amnesiac couples have only one choice: hit the famed Bourbon Street for some answers…

So, I happened upon this book while stalking Kathy Love’s Facebook page. Kathy has written two series that I adore, The Young Brothers Series and The New Orleans Vampire Series. Well, I was so excited to see something new from her and Erin McCarthy that I ran right out and bought it. It turned out being exactly what I had hoped for…a fun, cheeky read with humor, hot sex, love, mystery and vampires.

This is a paranormal version of The Hangover meets Bridesmaids, and with chapter titles like “A Parrot, A Priest and the Slight Problem of an Extra Vampire” and “Find a Beer or Your True Love, Whichever Comes First”, I’m sure you can only imagine the debauchery that ensues with a bunch of vampire band mates in New Orleans. I loved the characters and all of the bizarre circumstances they had to piece together to figure out what had happened the night before and how they had ended up in the mess they were all currently in. Missing fangs, passed out priests in bathtubs and marriage?! Talk about one hell of a night!

However, don’t let the humor turn you away…there’s plenty of steamy moments that will satisfy your smutty urges. WIth two main couples and the writing talents of Erin and Kathy, you can count on some hot scenes that are sure to have your undivided attention. Countertops, couches and alleys…oh my!

All in all, if you’re looking for a light, entertaining read, I recommend this title be on your list!

Thank you Kathy and Erin!

Interesting note: While the authors conceived the story and timeline together, Kathy and Erin each took a couple from the book and wrote their stories separately before combining the pieces and making this book into a whole. Awesome!

Four Loves