Friday, September 28, 2012

Adrift:The Last Selkie (Book 1)

Adrift:The Last Selkie (Book 1)
by Elizabeth A Reeves

I can't say enough good things about this book! Adrift is the first book in The Last Selkie series and promises to deliver with each new installment. Adrift introduces us to Meg. Meg was raised by her father after losing her mother to a drowning accident when Meg was 16 months old. Now, at 20 years old, her father suddenly dies, leaving her with nothing. Once she finds a home for her Shetland, Coal, Meg leaves the only home she's ever known with no destination in mind except the direction her car was facing when she left, east and north. Once she reaches the Canadian border, she boards a ferry and finds herself in Newfoundland; Trinity to be exact. While hiking out of town, something changes within Meg. Something, or someone, is calling to her from the ocean. The pull is so strong and having nothing left to lose, She leaps into the freezing water. Her last conscious thought is that she is drowning. When she awakens, she thinks she is in heaven. There's a young girl standing over her, bathed in golden light. She wonders, is this an angel? Taking in her surroundings, Meg realizes she is in an old cottage wearing an old long dress. She's plagued with confusion. Where am I? is her primary focus. Once outside, she surveys her surroundings further and from a distance can see a man, not much older than her. He's not overly handsome but has a certain aire about him that makes him mildly attractive. He approaches Meg and introduces himself as Devin, then wants to know who she is, where she came from and why she's in the cottage. Other than the who and the where, she is unable to give a rational explaination for how she came to be in the cottage. She further explains that she has no home or family, and nowhere to go. Devin's mother Maura has a home nearby and offers Meg room and board in exchange for help in the garden, with the chicken coop, and around the house. Not wanting to impose, Meg graciously takes Maura up on her generous offer.

Maura reminds me of an old hippie witch who lives out in the middle of nowhere and lives off her land. I like Maura. She quickly fills the void of not having a mother. Now, Devin, he's a prickly fellow. He's often moody and unpredictable. He clearly has a problem with Meg, though at first it may seem he is a little bit jealous of her. As the story progresses, Reeves explains more in depth why Devin is the way he is.

Meg continues to feel the pull of the ocean and is now dreaming of a man, Omyn, who lures her deaper into who she truly is. Upon realizing that they can no longer allow Meg to go on not having the answers she needs, Devin and Maura decide to tell her everything.

Twenty years ago, the gateway between Fairie and our world was breached and Devin's father died. It was during that breach that a selkie maiden came through the gateway. Devin and Maura believe that maiden was Meg's mother and that she didn't drown but infact was unable to resist the call of the sea and went home. Meg's father must have known this because he did everything he could to keep Meg as far from the water as possible. When her father died, there was no one left to protect her from finding out who she really is, the last selkie.

This story is riviting and powerful. It is about a girl, so lost in this world, coming to terms with who and what she is. She discovers love for the first time and struggles between the two things she wants most, the man she loves and the mother she never knew. Adrift is a must read!



Sunday, September 23, 2012

Love's True Second Chance

Love's True Second Chance
by Jeff Dawson

As I write this, I am still overcome by so much emotion from this story. First it needs to be said that this is a true story and the first non-fiction of its kind that I have reviewed. Secondly, I just want to take a moment to thank Jeff for allowing us a peek into the most significant part of his life. He opened his heart and soul so that the rest of us could see the love that he and Debbie shared.

With that being said, this is so much more than just a love story. This is one of friendship, love, pain, growth, goodbyes, grief, longing and of course, second chances. So often, so many of us go through life havign never found our true second half, let alone find it twice. When I reached the part of the book where Debbie breaks up with Jeff, and for the life of him, he doesn't know why, before he revealed the reason, I already knew. She didn't want to hold him back from having a chance to live his life when he left for college, and I could totally understand that. I can almost picture him laughing at that because he makes so many references to being a stupid teenage boy with no common sense. You weren't stupid Jeff. You were just being a typical teenage guy.

I truly did enjoy this book and I couldn't put it down. I finished it in just under a day and a half. I highly recommend Love's True Second Chance. As I said, it is so much more than just a love story.

Thank you again Jeff, for allowing me to see such an intimate part of your life. And I believe that Debbie is looking down on you with a huge smile, thinking "Yep, that's my man!", with utmost pride.

Chasing Shadows




Saphrona Caldwell is a 233 year old vampire hybrid who has spent the last 150 years wondering when her bondmate (soulmate) would finally make an appearance in her life. However, she hasn't spent her life pining away, solely waiting for that man to arrive. She spends her days tending to her farm, caring for her animals and writing vampire tell-all books under an assumed name. Saphrona is definitely not your typical vampire hybrid. She has abandoned the vampire community save for her brother Lochlan. After learning that her father, Diramid, never even tried to save her mother's life after giving birth to her, Saphrona left her vampire life behind and chose to live as normal of a life as possible, for a hybrid anyways.

Enter Mark Singleton, ex-marine, who answers an ad for a farm hand that Saphrona has placed in hopes that having a farm hand will give her the opportunity to dedicate more time to her newest novel. Upon first sight, at long last, Saphrona has found her bondmate. And Saphrona also knows that Mark is not 100% human, though what exactly he is, she does not know. When Mark arrives back at the farm with his belongings, he brings with him his beloved dog, Angel. Upon this second arrival, Saphrona senses yet another supernatural being. Angel is actually a shifter, though Saphrona isn't quite sure what Angel's connection to Mark is. After Mark turns in for the night and Saphrona is in her office doing some work, there's a knock at the door. Saphrona opens the door to find a naked young lady standing in the doorway. After getting some clothes for "Angel" and offering her a bite to eat, the two women settle in to talk. Angel is in fact Mark's sister Juliette, and Mark doesn't have a clue.

This is a story of love overcoming adversity, overcoming tragedy; love that transcends all else and comes out the victor. There is blood and sex, but how could there not be. This is a vampire story after all. I should mention that I could feel a "Twilight" vibe from Moore, and trust me, that is not a bad thing in this case. I have read some cheesy vampire novels where I've stopped and said "Oh come on!" But not with Chasing Shadows. It definitely stands on its own  and does so brilliantly.

The end of Chasing Shadows left me wanting so much more and though the author has not said to me one way or another if she plans to continue the story, I feel confident that we have not heard the last Saphrona, Mark, or any of the other wonderful characters. Personally, I want more Lochlan =)




 










Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ishtar Anomaly: A book of Sinnis Book 3



Ishtar Anomaly: A book of Sinnis (Book 3)
by Natalie Gibson

With each new installment in the Sinnis series, they get hotter and steamier and Ishtar Anomaly does not disappoint. In this third installment, the focus is on Camilla, the Healer of the Daughters. Being a healer, Camilla's ability cannot distinguish between a tumor and a wanted pregnancy therefore she cannot be near any woman who is pregnant and unfortunately, that includes herself. Camilla desperately wants children but her ability will not allow for her to carry a child. Nanae, a  Nephilim  and a Healer, has agreed to use his abilities to block Camilla's abilities so that she may be able to have a child. The only problem is that  Nephilim  cannot produce children. Enter Israel, or Izzy as he is affectionately known. Izzy has agreed to be the sperm donor for Camilla. The trio quickly become more than partners in a joint endeavor. They all fall in love with each other and produce some of the sexiest, steamiest, and hottest love making scenes I've ever encountered. Camilla indeed conceives a child and has no problem with her pregnancy. It isn't long before Izzy begins to feel like the third wheel in a supernatural steam room. Izzy professes his love to Camilla and Nanae but doesn't get the response he was hoping for. Instead he meets Nanae's Beast and his life is forever changed.

Meanwhile, the Paion make yet another appearance in. They are still hell bent on obtaining  Nephilim  blood and this time, they put Camilla and her baby in jeopardy. When Camilla's little brother is dying of cancer, she and her men travel to Utah so that she can heal her brother. While healing him, the Paion show up and kidnap Camilla and Nanae, taking them to a warehouse they have set up with what they think is a full proof way to finally get his blood.

Will Camilla lose the baby because of the Paion? Can the trio survive Izzy's insecurities? You'll have to read Ishtar Anomaly to find out! You won't be disappointed.








Thursday, September 6, 2012

Transit of Ishtar: A Book of Sinnis book 2

Transit of Ishtar
by Natalie Gibson

E.L James has nothing on Gibson!

In Book 2 of the Sinnis series, the Daughters are mourning the death of their beloved leader and sister, Abbess Nathalia Lovejoy. Maeve has stepped in as interim Abbess until a new Abbess can be appointed. While adjusting to her new role and responsibilities within the coven, Maeve also has her new role of wife and soon-to-be mother to adjust to.

Nathalia, who has died by her own hand, is now more alive than ever. She is the First female guardian and has been given the responsibility to kill anyone who breaks Ereshkigal's Law. Erian, Nathalia's guardian, takes her and helps her acclimate to this new life. But he is so much more. He heals Nathalia's heart and she can see, for the first time, that all men are not evil creatures.

A new threat plagues the Daughters and Nathalia reveals herself to them while combating this new threat. The Paion are back and more evil than ever. But together, Nathalia, Erian, the Daughters and the Guardians abolish the current threat. Current being the key word because by no means is the threat gone for good.

Transit of Ishtar is superb and once again, Gibson leaves us wondering what will happen next. This second installment is hot and steamy, allowing the mind to wander into "naughty" territory. Move over 50 Shades of Gray, Transit of Ishtar is hot hot hot!









Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Heart Waves

Heart Waves
by Danielle Sibarium

I never like giving a poor review and I hope that this doesn't come off that way but there comes a time for all of us when we come across a book that we just don't care for. It's not that Heart Waves was poorly written because it wasn't. Sibarium did a very good job writing this story. Unfortunately, Heart Waves just wasn't for me. I found it too teenie boppin for my taste. I enjoy most YA books, but I felt this book was geared more for the teenage genre. It is, after all, a teenage love story.

finished August 25, 2012















Twin Flames

Twin Flames
by Debbie Christiana

This was truly a fantastic book. Twin Flames captured my attention from the first page and held it til the very end. Natalia is a forty-something living in Connecticut running her family's vinyard and winery. Marcos is a renowned chef who runs his family's restaraunt in New York City. While visting the city with her two best friends, Natalia meets Marc at his restaraunt. Both feel an immediate and unexplainable familiarity with each other. Everytime there skin touches the other, they feel an electric current that they know is not normal. After a few meetings together, it is undeniable that there is some type of connection and both become obsessed in their own ways with finding out what this connection is. Through the insistence of Mariella, Marc's aunt that raised him, Natalia and Marc decide to try a past-life regression to find out what makes them so drawn to each other. What they discover far surpasses anything they could have ever imagined. Twin Flames is quite romantic in an "old-soul" kind of way. Being in different places in their lives, Natalia and Marc decide to go their own seperate ways. That is, until an accident throws their lives into a tail spin. Through tragedy, a manipulative (in a good way) aunt, and a very persistent ghost, Giovanna, Natalia and Marc find their way back home, where they were always destined to be. 


finished August 25, 2012




Ishtar Bound: A book of Sinnis

Ishtar Bound: A book of Sinnis
by Natalie Gibson

When I first started the book, I was a little confused about the role of each character. Being that the names of each member of the coven were part of a "heirarchy", so to speak, it was tough at first to figure out who was who. But I contacted the author and she explained it to me, which I was very grateful for. After that little bump in the road, I was able to follow the book with no problems. Now, it may have just been me, so the roles each character plays among the "Daughters" and in the "Family" should not deter you from reading this book because you really will be missing out on an amazing story.

With all that being said, I truly did enjoy this book. It is a first in a series that I think will only get better with each installment. If you believe in soul mates, then this book is for you.

Maeve is the Vinculum Primo of the Daughters and her role is to match the men of the Family with a partner that not only best matches them but will aso be the most likely couple to produce The One. Prophesy says that The One will change all mankind for the better, therefore, finding the perfect match that will give birth to The One has become the coven's main focus.

Ishtar Bound is full of magic, sex, suspense, tragedy, and suprise. The love is pure, the sex is hot and tragedy becomes transendence. This is a must read! So go grab your copy! Go...now! =)

finished  August 24, 2012









Taste of Grief

Taste of Grief
by Kay Glass

In this 3rd installment, Taste of Grief leaves you with a taste of suprise! No sooner has Lizbeth closed the case of the tainted heroin when a similar case pops up with cocaine overdoses in people who have never used drugs before in their lives. While working the case, Lizbeth suspects she knows who is behind it and if she's right, she knows that person will never see a court room, at least not from the defendants chair. Going against all she believes and stands for, Lizbeth makes a difficult decision in framing another drug dealer for the murders so that the real perp cannot continue his sick method. Lizbeth starts getting death threats and Diandra refuses to leave her alone until they can figure out what to do. Diandra hadn't wanted to leave Lizbeth alone, but Lizzi had assured her that she would be safe at the precinct. Well, while Lizbeth is waiting for Diandra to pick her up from the station, the real perp makes good on the threats. Can Dia get to Lizbeth in time or is she too late to save the woman she loves? You'll have to read it to find out. No spoilers from this chick! =)

finished August 16, 2012




Angel's Kiss

Angel's Kiss
by Lynne Stevie

Angel's Kiss is a well-written attention grabber with suprises at every turn. Lexi is a private detective who is married to her college sweetheart, Alan, living a content and happy life. One night, while on assignment, Lexie is attacked and dragged across town to the rooftop of an old hotel under construction. She fights off her attacker but blacks out immeditey aftrward. When she wakes up the following morning, Lexie has no idea just how much her life has changed and how much more it will forever change. Strange events, bizzarre dreams, and an uncooperative grandmother (Beatrix) leave Lexi with even more questions. Since it appears that her grandmother is the only person who can explain this new life, Lexi indulges her evasiveness (but only briefly). Beatrix actually made me mad. Her half answers and riddles had me screaming "Just tell her already!!!" I really think if Lexie was more knowledgeable about what was happening to her,she could have been better prepared to handle the dangers. But maybe Lexie just needed to see things unfold for herself. Either way, this was a really good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope there is a sequel. Team Zeke! =)

finished August 16, 2012








Bitten by Regret (Just One Bite)

Bitten by Regret
by Kay Glass

Ms Glass continues to suprise with this second installment in her series of a charitable vampire andher detective lover who stop at nothing to be together. And baby RaeLynn is just as cute as ever! In Bitten by Regret, Diandra struggles with the guilt she feels over being happier with Lizbeth than she was with Jonah. Jonah pushes to be more a part of Diandra and RaeLynn's lives while vehemenently despising Lizbeth for taking his place, both with his family as well as his job on the police force. When Diandra lays down the rules that if Jonah wants to spend time with RaeLynn, he'll have to do so with both Diandra and Lizbeth present, Jonah doesn't respond very well. He decides that since Lizbeth is the only thing standing in his way of returning to his family, she must go, permanently. Meanwhile, Lizbeth closes the case on the tainted heroin she has spent months working on and Diandra continues to acclimate to her new life. The sex scenes are just as steamy and the suspense just keeps on comming. A great sequel to Love Bites. I can't wait to see what happens next.

finished August 9, 2012




Love Bite (Just One Bite)


Love Bite
by Kay Glass

Although this is a short story, I really enjoyed it. I'm a sucker for a good love story, especially between two people that truly deserve to find happiness. Diandra is a recent widow who is also pregnant and Lizbeth is a homeless woman who found Diandra's husband Jonah's body. Their unlikely friendship takes a romantic turn as they help each other through pain, greif, and heartache. Diandra's life is forever changed when she's bit by a vampire and goes into labor all at once. With Lizbeth's help, as well as the help of Eamon, the vampire mentor assigned to train Diandra and help her acclimate to this new life, Diandra transitions beautifully into her new life. All is well until Diandra and Lizbeth uncover the truth behind Jonah's murder and discover that not only was he not "permanently" killed but that he was the vampire who bit Diandra. They also discover that Jonah wasn't the hero cop everyone thought he was, but instead, one of the leaders of a drug ring in Bethany Beach. Although short, this story is full of action and OMG's! A definite must read!

finished August 9, 2012










Kade's Dark Embrace

Kade's Dark Embrace
by Kym Grosso

I have mixed feeings on this book. The storyline, as a whole is pretty good, but I found the individual personalities of the characters rather annoying and at times even a bit ridiculous. Sydney and Kade are both control freaks, so I guess they are really made for each other. Sydney is so stubborn an unwilling to use any rational thought that everytime she walks out the door, she nearly gets herself killed. Then you have Kade who is even more of a control freak and way too possessive. I didn't like how he repeatedly told Sydney that she WOULD be his and only his, like a possession. Even if she didn't end up falling in love with him in less than a week, his immediate possessiveness was just a little too creepy for me. To me, it bordered on stalking. Everytime Sydney would try to put distance between her and Kade, he showed up. When he put her on the plane to New Orleans, I was screaming at the book. It felt like he "willed" their relationship into frution with his insistence that they would be together. If you like that sort of thing, then this book is for you. I just didn't care for the possessive and controlling feel of the book.

finished August 2, 2012