Lifestyles of the Fey and Dangerous by Danica Avet

Every once in a while, the first line of a book blurb grabs your attention and doesn't let go. Check this out. "It isn't every day a fairy gets an assignment with only one outcome: her death." (See what I mean? You're asking questions already!)

Raised as a noble fey and then sold into the Assassins Guild, Noelani "Shade" Fayard has become the most feared killer throughout the veil. This kind of success could go to a girl's head. Unfortunately, she's encountered a career-ending assignment. If she kills her target, she'll serve the brutal overlord demon personally. (Trust me. Nobody wants that kind of attention.) If she fails, she'll be tortured and never released. Talk about a Hobson's choice!

Shade follows her target, Malachi Cromwell, in order to study him and discover his weakness. While watching him, she realizes he's not what she expected. His behavior toward others, relationship with his family, and goal to make up for previous mistakes forces her to question her own beliefs. Could she change things? Make a difference by opening herself to love?

Danica Avet has created a fantastic new world filled with political intrigue, interesting fey, demons and halfling characters, smokin' hot sex, and enough complications to keep readers guessing just how many bad guys are there?

I read a lot of books I like, but I loved LIFESTYLES OF THE FEY AND DANGEROUS. Shade is a heroine that glides along the razor-edged lip of danger and carves her way into a reader's heart. Who wouldn't adore a character that fights her way out of hell and conquers every obstacle standing between her and true love?

And then there's Malachi. A hunky, angry, bad boy turned sexy repentant alpha male. He's ALL man, and he knows what he wants: redemption, a life filled with purpose and love, and a mate and family of his own. Once he realizes Noelani is his perfect partner, nothing stops him from making her his.

I can't wait until the next book in Danica Avet's The Veil series comes out. After you read LIFESTYLES OF THE FEY AND DANGEROUS, I bet you'll agree with me!

Rating:  5 Stars


This review originally written for The Romance Reviews
Direct Link: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2399

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

I know, the movie title is an interesting label for a blog piece but there's a reason. Keep reading.

This weekend my teenage daughters flipped through the television stations until they hit a channel showing The Sorcerer's Apprentice. They both squealed in delight.

"Why are you watching this movie again? You've already seen it?" I asked.
"Because it's a good movie," was the response.

So I started watching the movie. About ten minutes in, a great magic fight scene happened. My husband walked through the living room on his way to the kitchen and stopped. Then he sat on the couch with the rest of us and stayed through the entire movie.

"That was good movie," he declared, when it ended. He stood and went on his way.

Now to be fair, I love just about everything Nicholas Cage has starred in, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice is no exception. I LOVED this movie. But my daughters' and husband's responses got me to thinking. What is it about young adult movies or books that jump the fence and capture adults' attention?

The storyline is the obvious answer, but I don't think that it's the entire answer. How many movie trailers have you watched and thought, "Wow, I want to see that movie," or read a blurb on the back of a book and thought, "This sounds interesting," and then been disappointed because the story itself didn't live up to the description or hype?

So generating interest is more than a storyline. I think the theme of a story is the real answer. Does the main idea, the goal behind the characters' motivation appeal to children and adults? If the answer is yes, well then, you've got got the makings of a great story. Add some conflict, flowing believable dialogue, great humor, and a romantic happily ever after and, Shazam...you've got a great movie or book.

I mean really, we're all adventurous at heart, we all want to be loved, and who wouldn't want to experience a bit of magic? I'm guessing most people feel the same way. Otherwise, nobody would be making movies or writing books filled with adventure, romance and a bit of magic!

Dream Walker by J.R. Thomas

Dreams—we all have them. Are they memories from our past, images of our daily experiences or visions of what's to come?

For the last year, Jay Gibbs has been wrestling with the meanings of his odd dreams. They're full of wolves, the voice of the Ancient one, and a beautiful, young woman that's captured his attention.

Jay's dreams become stranger and more intense once he graduates from high school and moves to his grandfather's ranch. He begins feeling others' emotions, and develops an uncanny connection with the wolves on the mountain. When things he's dreamed start to happen, he's convinced his dreams are really visions.

As Jay learns more about the wolves, his Cherokee background, and his family's connection to the land, he discovers he must choose between a life in the modern world he's grown up in or follow a different path and protect a timeless secret his family has safeguarded for centuries.

I enjoyed reading this paranormal, young adult story. Though the beginning was a bit confusing as to time and place, a touch of adventure and romance marked the characters' journey and led to a satisfying conclusion.

My only real frustrations with the novel were the adults treating Jay as if he were a young boy instead of a man, and some of Jay's language/dialogue seemed stilted or uncommon for an 18-year old to say.

Those frustrations aside, this is a great novel about the love of a family supporting a young man as he comes of age and faces difficult choices that require character, strength and integrity.


Rating:  3 Stars

This review originally written for The Romance Reviews

Direct link:  http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2070

WINNER of Memorial Day Weekend Bash~!

 Memorial Day Weekend blog tour ~!

(Stop #11)

                                   ******* AND THE WINNER IS?*******

                        

                                                  MINDY JANICKE

Won: A striped tote with everything necessary for a relaxing afternoon at the beach: A water bottle, sunscreen, a beach towel, and an autographed copy of Moonlight Bleu!

Memorial Day

I've been following the Blog Tour De Troops all weekend (Fri-Mon) and am humbled by the stories shared by authors and readers alike. So many of us have either served in the military or had family members, relatives, or friends that have served. What an amazing example of pride in our country and strength in our beliefs.

We, as American citizens, are blessed to live in a country with the freedom to live our lives any way we choose. Freedom of Religion allows the belief of any religion without persecution. As an author,I have the Freedom of Speech. I can write on any subject I choose without fear of reprisal. As a citizen, I have the right to Life, Liberty, and Justice. Our United States Constitution guarantees these rights.

We hear these phrases through education in school, through church, and even through pop culture. Hearing these words is NOT the same as living them. I know what these words mean, but I've not felt the power and impact of these words as keenly as the soldiers, past and present, that have lived them.

For those now actively serving, THANK YOU for protecting the life I'm blessed to have. For those that have died serving our country, THANK YOU for making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and love. To the families behind these phenomenal men and women, THANK YOU for supporting them in following a higher calling.

Wihtout all of you, America wouldn't be the country it is today!

Once Upon a Time in Space by Heather Massey

Global warming, pole shifts, solar storms, climate changes, earthquakes…these are just a few of the devastating events we’re told could threaten Earth. Now imagine all of these catastrophic things have occurred, and you’re eking out a living in what’s left of our dying planet or barely surviving as a pirate in space.

Raquel Donovan, known as the Siren, is the most feared pirate in the galaxy. She is a determined, gorgeous, sexy, eye-patch wearing bandit—searching for the man that destroyed her family.  Only his death will satisfy her ruthless need for vengeance.

Nick Venture (love the last name and connection to the story!) is a mechanic surviving in dismal conditions. A run of bad luck lands him in serious trouble, and then a man offers him a way out: captain a ship and crew to confirm the existence of a habitable planet. (Who could say no to helping save billions of people, right?)

I loved this story.

Let’s start with the characters. Raquel is a tough, hard-edged woman, but her merciless exterior hides a soul starved of love. Enter Nick Venture. A 6’4” blonde with the body of a god, a set of ideals to guide his actions, and the heart of a lion to fight for what he believes in. Raquel comes to admire his honorable goals. Nick longs to give Raquel all the love she needs.

And the plot? Wow, what a frightening example of Earth’s possible future. This Romantic sci-fi adventure has enough twists and turns to keep you wondering where the next space jump will take you.  And the hot, steamy lovin’ (I’ll have what she ordered, thank you!) will make the trip well worth your time.

Now, there was one thing that didn’t work for me. (Is it really an issue with a 4 star? Kinda.) It was Nick’s spiral into selfish, woe-is-me depression. Yes, he grieved the loss of his true love. But in the face of a dying planet and billions of lives riding on his success, the extended reaction was immature and he so needed to man up. (Don’t worry, he does!)

Taken as a whole, Once Upon A Time In Space is an incredible adventure that offers an exciting erotic journey where guy meets gal, guy falls in love with gal, and then tries to save the world. Who could ask for more than that?

Rating: 4 Stars


Review Originally written for The Romance Reviews
Direct link: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2314

Memorial Day Weekend Bash~!

******* THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!!! *******
WINNERS ANNOUNCED JUNE 4TH

Welcome to the Memorial Day Weekend blog tour ~!

(Stop #11)

Grand prize: A Kindle or Nook (winner’s choice) plus 12 digital books.

Just email your quest answer for each author’s blog to enter for great prizes. Complete all blog tour stops to enter into the grand prize drawing.


Let’s get started, shall we? 

I don’t know about you, but I’d love to be sitting on a beach right now. In a chair, with my toes curled in sand. Imagine the warm, afternoon sun dancing across your skin. A slight ocean breeze ruffling your hair. And a great book in your hands! (I’d suggest a copy of Moonlight Bleu!)

In fact, if you look at the picture to you’re right, you’ll see a striped tote. It’s filled with everything necessary for a relaxing afternoon at the beach: A water bottle, sunscreen, a beach towel, and an autographed copy of Moonlight Bleu!

What is Moonlight Bleu about? (I thought you’d never ask!)

Saari Mitchell sees a psychologist in order to understand why—500 years later—she’s still dreaming of her dead lover. Her shrink isn't helping, the nightmares come every time she closes her eyes, and the lack of sleep is interfering with her job at Sacred Heart Hospital. With her psychic ability to heal the human spirit on the fritz, her auric radar becomes as reliable as her spotty cell phone service.

By day, Dhelis Guidry works as a detective for the New Angeles Police Department investigating the missing or murdered women in the Full-Moon Killer case. In his spare time he hunts rogue vampires as a Tueri executioner.

Brogan Vincent is a Tueri healer. Though he could offer his miraculous talents to the rich and powerful, he has chosen anonymity and peace by only using his psychic abilities among the Tueri.

One look into Saari's tri-colored eyes and both men realize she is Tueri. One touch tells them each she's their soul mate. But can either of them protect her from the Full-Moon Killer?

Okay, time for your quest.

What generates an extreme psychic energy connection?

(Hint: Read the excerpt at http://www.reneerearden.com/excerpt.html)

Come back here, but please do NOT post answers in the comment section (though other comments are welcome!). Email answers to ReneeRearden@yahoo.com. Also, follow this blog with GFC or Networked Blogs. If you can’t do either of those, please fill out the contact form here:

http://www.reneerearden.com/contact-me.html

One winner for the beach tote will be chosen from all correct answers by Random.org.  Good luck, happy reading, and thanks for dropping by!

Enjoy the rest of the blog hop starting with Cindy Young-Turner at http://cindyyoungturner.com/

If at any time you lose your place in the blog, click here to rejoin:

http://crescentmoonpress.com/blog/