Sunday, July 26, 2015

THE ODOR OF VIOLET by Ju Ephraime

The Odor of Violet

THE ODOR OF VIOLET by Ju Ephraime

Two years ago, Damien had a tragic accident that left him blind. After being dumped by his fiance, he succumbed to self-pity and became a recluse in his grand mansion. His only contact with the outside world is his friend, and now assistant, Jake. Trying to kick Damien out of his self-pity mode, Jake schedules a long overdue vacation to visit his parents. This means Damien has to hire someone to take care of his personal and financial needs. In walks Lisa Andrews, with her scent of violet overwhelming Damine's senses. Is he ready to take back his life and live again?

Being legally blind myself, I understood the premise behind this story. Your other senses do kick in to compensate: smell, sound and touch. What I didn't understand was the need for the wheelchair. He's blind, not crippled or an invalid. That part didn't ring true for me at all. But, the wheelchair added more drama to the story.

The plot is pretty straight forward, no surprises. Even with the return of the ex, I knew how the story was going to end. The best part of the story was the narration. Ju does a good job with the intimate scenes between Damien and Lisa. Pretty steamy. Unfortunately, I thought the characters were too one dimensional, and each character sounded like the other, they even used the same phrases.  The dialogue was very stilted, and it felt more like a draft instead of a polished manuscript.  It could’ve used some editing also.

I just don't understand how this book has received so many 5 stars, other than the fact the story is about a handicapped person,, so it got the sympathy votes.  I found it a so-so story and give it 3 feathers. 


Saturday, July 25, 2015

PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER: the Funny Side of Falling Apart by Candace LaFleur

Prescription for Disaster: The funny side of falling apart

PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER: the Funny Side of Falling Apart  by Candace LaFleur

I previously did an author interview with Candace, and you can read it HERE.

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? It's funny, it's sad, all at the same time. Being born with a rare congenital disease, Toxoplasmosis, I can relate to some of what Candace has gone through. I, too, have been used as a case study, paraded in front of medical colleagues for everyone to exam the freak of nature. In my case, instead of being born mentally handicapped, which most children are, my disease attacked the optical nerves in my eyes.  Because of experimentation by my infamous eye doctor, I ended up with tunnel vision, dead spots in my eyes caused from nerve damage, and lack of perspective.  Just so he could write a case study with his name on it. I was fifteen at the time. They have a name for it now, iatrogenic disease.   

Reader Warning: Do not read with food or drink in your mouth.  You will inevitably end up snorting it out your nose.  Seriously, I was snorting so bad I sounded like a pig.  So, be aware of your surroundings.  You don’t want your boss catching you reading, when you should be working.   My favorite anecdotes were the changing room with the sweater.  Oh my.  I could just see that happening to me.  And then there was the falling elevator.  I was almost rolling on the floor. I haven’t laughed that hard over a book in many years.  Well done, and I'm looking forward to book 2. I highly recommend this book, and give it 5 feathers.



Cover Reveal of MISFORTUNE by Heather Osborne


Misfortune (Rae Hatting Mysteries, 3)
Blurb:
Death is on the cards...

There’s a new serial killer on the loose, dumping bodies in sinister relation to tarot card meanings, preying on his victims’ vices. With roving psychics, all claiming to have knowledge of the killer, to a mysterious Cajun woman, who just so happens to be related to Dr. Sabine Lawson, will Luke and Rae solve the case before another person ends up tempting fate and succumbing to an unfortunate mishap?


Meet Rae Hatting in the first book of this series.



Crushed Gardenias (Rae Hatting Mysteries, 1):
Blurb:
Special Agent Rae Hatting has been sent to a small town in Colorado to investigate the disappearance of young girls from several surrounding states. What she finds is not at all what she expected.

Initially submitted to the "Bloody Scotland" crime short story contest in 2014.

And then follow her in the second one.




The Fairest of Them (Rae Hatting Mysteries, 2):
Blurb:
Once upon a time, there was a murder...

Detective Luke Thompson is a hero cop, with a string of solved serial killer cases under his belt. He comes to California, thinking he can disappear quietly into the forests, isolated from the rest of the world. His expertise is called upon to help with a mysterious serial killer, dumping bodies dressed like fairy tale characters in the woods outside of Mendocino County. With the help of a profiler, Luke finally gets the break he needs, as well as finding romance for himself. Tragedy strikes, and Luke is left despondent, unable to carry on as a detective. Can a fiery redhead from the FBI help him out of the slump?

Determined to leave the life of solving unsolvable homicides behind, Special Agent Rae Hatting tries to settle into a normal life with her adopted daughter, Grace. However, her reputation precedes her, and Rae finds herself back in the fray, called upon to help solve a series of gruesome fairy tale style murders in California. Her only obstacle is Detective Luke Thompson. Broody, stubborn, and an all-around pain in the ass, the pair must work together before another victim ends up never finding their happily ever after.



Meet Heather Osbonre




Bio:
Heather Osborne was born and raised in California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Victimology, as well as coursework in Early Childhood Education. In 2009, she met her husband and moved to Scotland, very much a dream of hers since she was a small child. Heather has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember. She also has written and directed several plays. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, writing (of course!), theatre, as well as caring for her young son.

She also reviews for Readers' Favorite.
Social Media links:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

CONDUIT by Angie Martin

Conduit: A gripping serial killer psychological thriller (An Emily Monroe Novel, Book One)


CONDUIT by Angie Martin


Emily Monroe and her best friend, Cassie Reid, own the Monroe & Reid Investigators. Their agency has a reputation for getting results. Partly because of Emily's psychic abilities, which only Cassie knows about. But Emily's abilities have changed, and now she's hearing voices, screaming her name, in terror. Then, she wrote two words not in her handwriting, hear me. What does this all mean? What does it have to do with a serial killer that is brutally murdering women and leaving their bodies with one initial craved into each woman, that spells out, Can you hear me?

This story gripped me from the beginning with our introduction to the serial killer and his hapless victim. What a cold, calculating, psychopath he is. Of course, aren't they all? As the story progresses, Emily runs across Jake Hanley, a man working for her ex-boyfriend. They both feel a strong, mutual attraction that they can't explain. But Emily's aunt does. It's the same reason her and Cassie are such good friends. The characters are well-defined and I really liked the secondary characters, especially Leo and his wife Barbara. I also enjoyed the love interest between Emily and Jake. 

The only drawback was I found the plot line pretty predictable. No surprises, at least for me. I also didn't like Emily's decision NOT to share her information with the police over what she knew about the serial killer. I didn't find that believable. But it did help add drama to the story. Overall, it's a good, fast-paced story and I give it 4 feathers.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

New Release of CONQUESTS: An Anthology of Smoldering Viking Romance

 Cover of the anthology CONQUESTS. Shirtless, buff man (only torso shows), tattooed with traditional Nordic design. He holds a sword and shield.

The Vikings Have Landed!

Got Vikings? How about thirteen of them, all well researched as well as (ahem) well hung, all sexy as hell, and all ready to entertain you this summer? If this sounds enticing, check out the newly released anthology , edited by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin. At only $0.99, it's definitely easy to "plunder" (and it's free if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber.) Best of all from my point of view, the Vikings of this collection aren't just pillaging coastal villages. They're exploring, acting as mercenaries and merchants and sometimes just going about their lives on shore. Here's the official description:

Vikings. 

Fierce warriors who terrified all in their path as they raided and marauded, enslaved and murdered during Europe's Dark Ages. But these rough men from a rugged land were also sailors, explorers, craftsmen, and highly sought after mercenaries. 

Conquests: An Anthology of Smoldering Viking Romance will transport you to the realm of fantasy where such fearsome and loyal men are relentless potent lovers. Whether the lady of the keep demands a few stolen hours of pleasure with a captured Viking warrior or the handsome Northman is the one seducing his captive, you will find plenty of lusty adventures in settings as far-flung as Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Byzantium, Moorish Spain and the New World. 

  Let your fantasies run wild to a time when men wearing bearskin shirts and shining iron helms could capture a fierce maiden's heart! 

hot viking1

  The Captive by Lizzie Ashworth - A captive turns captor when the lady of an English keep commands a few stolen hours of pleasure with a captured Viking warrior.

Ásgeirr and the Tree of Life by Mina Murray - Danger and desire collide when a wounded Viking warrior washes ashore on a remote Irish island.

A Varangian Guest by Melissa Fuchs - When her brother returns to Constantinople in the company of a warrior from the far north, a widow finds herself drawn to him with irresistible desire. 

How to Train Your Skjaldmaer by Delilah Devlin - A Viking jarl tricked into marrying a shieldmaiden sets out to tame his fiery bride.

The Viking's Prize by Emma Jay - Treachery and desire greet a Viking warrior who travels to the coast of Newfoundland to broker peace with the indigenous tribes.

There for the Taking by Nym Nix - A captive is seduced by her Viking captor as he couples with an amorous shieldmaiden whilst she is left to watch.

Sweet Silk by Megan Mitcham - A Viking returns to Persia years after saving a merchant from certain death to retrieve the child-bride awarded him--yet never claimed.

Little Warrior by Evey Brett - A woman braves a pair of daunting shieldmaidens and her father's wrath in order to take her sister's place as bride to a Viking warrior.

Protecting Her by Regina Kammer - A Byzantine noblewoman seeking refuge in a monastery loses her heart to an invader when Constantinople is sacked by the Rus.

Enslaved by Elle James - A conquering Viking vows to tame his sassy Celtic slave--if she doesn't kill him first.

The Oak and the Ale by Beatrix Ellroy - A businesswoman trying to secure trade routes for her family instead finds love with a crippled warrior.

New Words by Teresa Noelle Roberts - An Andalusian Arab poet learns that her new Northman husband is more than just a handsome barbarian.

The Needle and the Strap by Bibi Rizer - A young man hasn't lived up to the Viking standards of his brave and ruthless kinsmen--until he rescues a wild and wicked shieldmaiden from a burning ship   

Cover of the anthology CONQUESTS. Shirtless, buff man (only torso shows), tattooed with traditional Nordic design. He holds a sword and shield.

Links: 
Check out our Viking-themed Pinterest board (history and shirtless warriors!) 
Join our Facebook Group for fans of Viking romance.


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Monday, July 13, 2015

SOULS OF THE NEVER by C.J. Ruitheford

SOULS OF THE NEVER by C.J. Ruitheford
This is the first book of a series, but there is a free prequel called ORIGINS OF THE NEVER which I already reviewed.  You can read my 4 feather review HERE.  You can also read an excerpt from chapter 15 HERE for SOULS OF THE NEVER.  I also did an author interview with C.J. on his release of the second book: WORLDS OF THE NEVER.  You can read my interview HERE.  

 
This book starts lifetimes after ORIGINS OF THE NEVER.  The prequel helps the reader understand what Sanctuary is and who Tenybris and Olume are, and the ensuing conflict between them.
Katheryne thought she was just a mere, mortal human, but she was that, and so much more.  Lately, she’s been having these terrifying nightmares where she’s on an island surrounded by an evil, fiery beast that is consuming everything around her in fire, until she too is gone.  Then one night, a man steps into her dream and saves her.  And the same man actually steps into her real life.  Through Derren and his twin sister Kista, Kat discovers what fate really has in store for her.  And it comes with some life-changing consequences.  

I really liked the characters and could easily identify with them, as C.J. does a fantastic job making them real.  I related more to Perri, the best friend and roommate, than I did with Kat, and I can’t wait to see what part she plays in the second book.  

I also enjoyed the fantasy world that Rutherford is building.  I’ve always believed in alternate/parallel universes. so this fits right in with my beliefs.  He just puts his own unique spin on it.  And, of course, the good against evil.  And it doesn’t have to be a God or Devil as we are so brainwashed to believe.  

The reason I’ve lowering my review down a notch, is because of the confusing jumping around at the beginning.  Probably due to my brain getting older.  It does all mesh together at the end, and leaves questions to make me want to read the next installment, which I already have on my TBR list.  Also, I thought some of the world building and action was too vague.  Especially the action.  I guess I’m more of an action type reader.  

Anyway, I really loved the story, I highly recommend it and I give it 4 feathers.  Can’t wait to read the next book.

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Friday, July 3, 2015

CHAYSING DESTINY by Jalpa Willipy

Chaysing Destiny (Chaysing Trilogy (Book 3))

CHAYSING DESTINY by Jalpa Willipy 

This is the last book in the Chaysing trilogy, and it was almost as good as the previous two.  Here are my reviews for Chaysing Dreams and Chaysing Memories.  You can also read a chapter excerpt from Chaysing Destiny

This book starts several years after Chayse was blown up at the cabin.  Most of us readers cried out eyes out, stunned at his death. Now, Tess has a small son called Jace, and a heart full of revenge. She's been looking for Chayse's killers, but Tom won't let her back into the field to find them. Then, unexpectedly, Tom sends her on a mission to Iraq, to gather information on a terrorist called Saheim. But, what Tess uncovers turns her world upside down.

Like the prior two books, this one is written with so much emotion and angst, you can't help feeling Tess' pain, so keep the tissues nearby.  
Jalpa went a different route with her writing on this one, as she introduces several other point of views, one being Gem. I would love to have a dog like her. Who wouldn't?  

In this book we finally discover who'd been chasing Chayse all his life, what he'd been running from but never realized.  But most importantly, how Tess and Chayse's lives were intertwined before they ever met.  The characters were just as well-developed as before, and everyone in Tess' life comes back for the final farewell. 

The book wrapped up the series perfectly. I loved these characters, and they became like friends. I highly recommend this series and give it 5 feathers.


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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

HEAVENSGATE by Leo Kane


Heavensgate: Book 1 'Hope'


HEAVENSGATE by Leo Kane

I recently did a character interview with Jacob and Jake on my blog, and after that encounter, I knew I had to put the book on my TBR list.  I was expecting a dark and twisted tale, and I wasn't disappointed. At times my brain felt like a can of writhing worms as Leo Kane took me through the convoluted mind of Jacob Anderson.

I really liked Leo Kane's writing style, so full of descriptive prose. I read several sentences more than once, just to savior the words.  I really felt like I was a part of the story and got to know and understand each of the different characters.  As the author revealed more and more of Jacob/Jake’s life, I began to empathize with him and realized he was a victim as much as being a victimizer.   


I only have two complaints. One, the story bounced back and forth from past to present. It was confusing at times, and I think the author became confused too, as I found some inconsistences in the time line. My second complaint was the ending.  It ended with a sizzle instead of a bang.  I was expecting a bang, so I was left feeling disappointed.

But, all in all, I liked the story, and with a little bit of editing, this would be a really great book. Not bad for a first novel and I would definitely read other books from this author.  I give it 4 feathers.


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