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Saturday, April 13, 2013

Book Review of Of Stone & Mist

Book Review of Of Stone & Mist


Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share my review of this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

By Donna Hawk
Rating: Not yet rated.
Published: March 21, 2012
Words: 96,997 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781476435749

Blurb : 

It’s all photographer Jessa Bennett can do to understand the bizarre, unnatural world of speaking to dead ancestors that Maria believed in, but Maria has been missing for three years, and everyone assumes Mitch Conner has gotten away with murder.

Hired by Maria’s parents to find out why, Jessa clandestinely snoops in Mitch’s historic home, Bristol House. She finds more questions than answers: what is the medallion key to the dead world; why does she keep feeling like her mornings are repeating; and why does the postcard of Bristol House keep changing? But mostly, why does Maria’s ghost show up first in Jessa’s camera, then in her dreams? What does Maria want?

The ghosts of Bristol House come alive to draw Jessa into a world she didn’t think existed outside of nightmares, and she uncovers a hundred and fifty year old secret in order to solve the mystery of the missing young woman.
About the Author:

I have been a teacher in Kansas for 33 years. I enjoy writing, riding my bicycle, and spending time with my husband. I am an avid photographer and Photoshop user. Currently, I am working on a dark trilogy for young adults;  the first of which I am hoping will be completed by the end of the summer 2013.

If you have any questions for me, email me at: bydonnahawk@gmail.com

Contacts:


Available in paperback at these (and other) retailers:
Available in eBook formats:
           
Kindle                   Donna Hawk's books on Goodreads


Available in iTunes, just search by title or author name.



Other:

Review

            Love this story.  I just found a great new author to read.  This book is spooky, funny, sad, creepy, mysterious, and romantic.  Somehow author Donna Hawk manages to take all these disparate genres and emotions and spins them into a beautiful and moving tapestry of words.  This story far exceeded my expectations.

            If you like scary movies, ghost stories, twisted romances, or mysterious stories, then this is the book for you.  I give this book 5 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Book Review of Finding Trust – Book 1 Centre Games Series



Book Review of  Finding Trust – Book 1
     Centre Games Series
Sponsored by Innovative Book Tours

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share my review of this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.


Blurb : 



Finding Trust – Book 1 Centre Games Series Brayden and Rihanna He’s hot, sexy, and leads a double life. Sometimes in the limelight, mostly in the shadows. Brayden James holds fast to a secret that’s more than his to share. She’s a singularly focused veterinarian out for a rare night of fun with friends, at a New Year’s Eve rock concert. Going home with the lead guitarist was furthest thing from Rihanna Mason’s mind when the night began. When Rihanna inadvertently becomes the target of a deadly terrorist plot using the Hendra virus as a biological weapon, Brayden is forced to reveal his other life. His job is to keep her safe and together they must stop the terrorists before it’s too late. But what happens when she becomes more to him than just the assignment? Will the secret he cannot disclose ultimately prove too much for Rihanna’s fragile trust in relationships? Or will he finally break through the double brick walls around her heart, where every other man has failed?

About the Author:

I recently discovered those school vocational assessments are really interesting and probably correct! Who would have thought, hey? You see, I clearly remember taking one of those in Year 11 (for my US friends, I think that equates to junior year in high school). Anyway, semantics. Well, the results came back indicating that I should pursue a career in writing and something else. What that something else was I can’t remember but the writing thing stuck in my mind. Sure, I’d always liked English and had already developed a ravenous appetite for romance novels by the age of sixteen—but who becomes a writer straight out of school? So to cut a long story short, I went to Uni and studied Business and ended up managing large-scale IT projects shortly after. I can’t complain: it’s been a great career. I’ve done some awesome projects and met some incredible people and I won’t be giving it up anytime soon. Anyway, I’ve messed around with a couple of “secret” novels over the years and I finally decided to get serious and finish one. Hence “Finding Trust” came about. And about twenty years later, I’ve finally proved a vocational assessment correct, because I love writing! As to some other stuff about me: I live on the Gold Coast, Australia. I love spending time with my family and friends. When I’m not sitting behind a screen playing with IT or writing, you might find me down the beach playing in the waves on a Jet Ski or a bogey board (both are uber cool). When the weather turns a bit cooler (doesn’t really happen on the Gold Coast), we like to head for the snow. I’ve discovered I have two kids who are kamikaze skiers—they must take after their father. He’s always at me to “release the handbrake.” Apparently I’d ski so much better. I call it a healthy understanding of self-preservation and gravity! I like to think I can fit in a few workouts and martial arts classes each week. This tends to be a figment of my imagination more than reality, unfortunately. I am trying to remedy this, but those damn characters just keep demanding to have their stories told and, well, there’s always another good book to read! I hope you enjoy mine. Please drop me a line. I’m active on Facebook, Twitter, and via email Natalie@nataliegayle.com.au. I’d love to know what you think of my books and well, let’s be truthful—I love talking about books, whether they’re mine or someone else’s. Fiction is just so much more fun than reality!!! Happy Reading Natalie Gayle

Contacts:

ONLINE LINKS:
·         Website  www.nataliegayle.com
·         Blog  http://www.nataliegayle.com/blog/
·         Facebook 
·         Twitter  
·         Goodreads  

BUY NOW LINK:
·         Amazon   

Excerpt:
 Chapter Four

If the upper level of the hospital was a cyclone centre, the lower lab was ground zero. A quick scan of his senses told him that the floor was safe. He turned and gathered her into his arms, as she sobbed silently into his shoulder.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, we’ll sort this out.”
She wanted to believe him; she really did. But how did you even begin to replace the equipment, the effort, or restore order to the chaos that had now invaded their life’s work?
“Rihanna, can you tell me where you kept the virus?” His senses could detect a very faint hint but not in enough concentration to be the real deal.
She pointed at a stainless steel cabinet that was open. “The virus samples were kept in special containers, kind of like the ones you would have seen radioactive material kept in. They’re all gone.”
“How many were there?” he asked.
“There were six containers, all with various levels of virus intensity.”




“Well, I kind of went home with someone…”
He bit his cheek to stop from laughing. He dared a sideways glance at her. She was looking out the window, obviously struggling with deciding just how much to say. Her right hand was viciously tugging at a lock of her hair, clearly uncertain about what to tell her friend.
“No way—not that guy from Steel?”
“Yep, the one and the same.”
Hah—he loved it; Rihanna sounded almost smug. Clearly Jazz’s reaction had given her immediate confidence in the situation.
“Oh, this is just too much. Where are you now?”
“At his place.” Rihanna’s ear was immediately assaulted with high-pitched squealing.
He was glad she was turned the other way or she would have seen him visibly flinch at the horrible noise.
“You lucky thing, you. He is sooooo hot. Is he as good in bed as he is in the looks department?”
“Ah ha.”
“Oh, I get it, he’s right near.”
“Yep and we would prefer that you don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Does that imply you are staying there for a bit?”
“Something like that.”
“You can’t just say that and not tell me what you mean.”
“Exactly that. We just want a few days alone to see how things go.”
“Oh, you are sooo bad and sooo lucky and I am sooo jealous.”
Rihanna looked up and realized that while she had been talking, Brayden had stopped the car in the garage and was waiting for her to finish her call.
“Ah, Jazz, I have to go. I’ve just got to go do something.”
“Yeah, I bet. More like someone. Call me tomorrow. I live for details, you know that.”
“I do. Bye, Jazzy.”
Rihanna disconnected the call and slowly turned to face Brayden; judging by the look on his face, he had heard at least some of Jazz’s comments. Oh God, what’s he going to think?
He leaned over the console and gently wrapped his hand behind her head and drew her into his kiss. His lips were warm and soft against hers and her heart immediately began to race as he slowly slid his tongue over her bottom lip, deepening the kiss as he sought entry into her mouth. At his mercy, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in tighter to her body. Her breasts brushed teasingly against the planes of his chest and her nipples immediately pebbled and began to pulse with the intense heat that was building between them.
He explored her mouth with a thoroughness that was unhurried and totally erotic. His kiss was taking them higher and higher. Ohhh, she needed his hands on her anywhere, everywhere. And almost on cue, he removed his hand from the nape of her neck but rather than to move it somewhere more interesting, he gently pulled back from her, breaking the connection.
The electricity between them was almost visible, a current stretching between the two conductors. Their gazes connected and he smiled that cheeky grin that was oh so Brayden.
“Wow, that was hot, babe.”
She lowered her gaze, embarrassed by how direct his comment was.
“Well, Minky, I thought I’d just make sure you had some accurate material to discuss with Jazz tomorrow. Methinks you told a few little fibs, although I have to say I like the sound of where you were heading with your thoughts.”



“Well, I kind of went home with someone…”
He bit his cheek to stop from laughing. He dared a sideways glance at her. She was looking out the window, obviously struggling with deciding just how much to say. Her right hand was viciously tugging at a lock of her hair, clearly uncertain about what to tell her friend.
“No way—not that guy from Steel?”
“Yep, the one and the same.”
Hah—he loved it; Rihanna sounded almost smug. Clearly Jazz’s reaction had given her immediate confidence in the situation.
“Oh, this is just too much. Where are you now?”
“At his place.” Rihanna’s ear was immediately assaulted with high-pitched squealing.
He was glad she was turned the other way or she would have seen him visibly flinch at the horrible noise.
“You lucky thing, you. He is sooooo hot. Is he as good in bed as he is in the looks department?”
“Ah ha.”
“Oh, I get it, he’s right near.”
“Yep and we would prefer that you don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Does that imply you are staying there for a bit?”
“Something like that.”
“You can’t just say that and not tell me what you mean.”
“Exactly that. We just want a few days alone to see how things go.”
“Oh, you are sooo bad and sooo lucky and I am sooo jealous.”
Rihanna looked up and realized that while she had been talking, Brayden had stopped the car in the garage and was waiting for her to finish her call.
“Ah, Jazz, I have to go. I’ve just got to go do something.”
“Yeah, I bet. More like someone. Call me tomorrow. I live for details, you know that.”
“I do. Bye, Jazzy.”
Rihanna disconnected the call and slowly turned to face Brayden; judging by the look on his face, he had heard at least some of Jazz’s comments. Oh God, what’s he going to think?
He leaned over the console and gently wrapped his hand behind her head and drew her into his kiss. His lips were warm and soft against hers and her heart immediately began to race as he slowly slid his tongue over her bottom lip, deepening the kiss as he sought entry into her mouth. At his mercy, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him in tighter to her body. Her breasts brushed teasingly against the planes of his chest and her nipples immediately pebbled and began to pulse with the intense heat that was building between them.
He explored her mouth with a thoroughness that was unhurried and totally erotic. His kiss was taking them higher and higher. Ohhh, she needed his hands on her anywhere, everywhere. And almost on cue, he removed his hand from the nape of her neck but rather than to move it somewhere more interesting, he gently pulled back from her, breaking the connection.
The electricity between them was almost visible, a current stretching between the two conductors. Their gazes connected and he smiled that cheeky grin that was oh so Brayden.
“Wow, that was hot, babe.”
She lowered her gaze, embarrassed by how direct his comment was.
“Well, Minky, I thought I’d just make sure you had some accurate material to discuss with Jazz tomorrow. Methinks you told a few little fibs, although I have to say I like the sound of where you were heading with your thoughts.”
“So let’s go inside. I have to make some calls to my team. You can go relax in the spa with a glass of wine and I’ll join you in a little while.” He was building the anticipation to the main event. They both knew it. He leaned forward again and gently pressed his lips to her forehead. He could tell from her silence and the tension in her body that what was happening between them was causing nearly as much stress as the situation with the virus and her father.
“Let’s just see what happens. We’ll both know when the time is right.” With that, he turned, helped her out of the car and inside the house.
That was the problem…the waiting might just kill her.

Review

So when I read the overview of this book I was thinking western romance, but yowza this one is so much more than that.  There is mystery, intrigue, romance, hot steamy love scenes, a bit of the paranormal for those who prefer the fantasy, and true love (insert happy sigh here).

I love that she gets a nickname because … nope not telling.  You’ll have to read why her nickname is Minky for yourself.  Anyway the good doctor is in danger, but it may not just be from the people who want to kidnap or kill her.  The real danger might be to her heart and she’s not sure it’s worth the risk.

Love, love, love the story.  Can’t wait to read more from the series.  This is definitely a keeper.  I give this story 4.5 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Book Review of The Dohmestics

Book Review of The Dohmestics
       Author: Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar
               Sponsored by Innovative Book Tours

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share my review of this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

Blurb : 

Edna, Amira, and Noof are neighbors but that doesn't mean they know what happens behind closed doors or that they have anything in common with their hired help.

Maria, Maya, and Lillie live in the same compound as their employers but that's where the similarities begin and end.

There's never a dull moment for anyone in this desert emirate.

The unending gossip and unrelenting competition may be business as usual for expatriate communities but the unspoken secrets threaten to destroy life as everyone knows it.







++
About the Author:

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a South Asian American who has lived in Qatar since 2005. Moving to the Arabian Desert was fortuitous in many ways since this is where she met her husband, had a baby, and made the transition from writing as a hobby to a full time passion.  She has since published five e-books including a mom-ior for first time mothers, Mommy But Still Me, a guide for aspiring writers, So You Want to Sell a Million Copies, a short story collection, Coloured and Other Stories, and a novel about women’s friendships, Saving Peace. Most recently, From Dunes to Dior, is a collection of essays related to her experiences as a female South Asian American living in the Arabian Gulf. After she joined the e-book revolution, she dreams in plotlines. Learn more about her work on her website at www.mohanalakshmi.com or follow her latest on Twitter: @moha_doha.

Contacts:

ONLINE LINKS:
·         Website  http://www.mohanalakshmi.com/
·         Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/themohadoha
·         Twitter  @moha_doha
·         Goodreads  
·         Pintrest: www.pintrest.com/mohadoha
·         YouTube: www.youtube.com/themohadoha
BUY NOW LINK:
·         Amazon  


Excerpt:

“Alice,” she called from the front porch. There were several pieces of discarded sidewalk chalk around the bottom step. Edna picked these up, along with Alice’s abandoned sandals.

“She’s at the playground ma’am,” the neighbor’s nanny, Maria, said. She was pushing a toddler, Hamad, in a pram, as he did his best to wail and squirm his way out. 

“Oh hi,” Edna said. Maria was the complete opposite of Maya: lively, cracking jokes and keeping up with Hamad, one of the most active toddlers Edna had ever seen. People said boys were like that and she had to take them at their word, having only had Alice. “Thanks.” She wondered if Alice had seen Maria and Hamad, as the younger boy was one of her favorite playmates because of their shared love of swimming. Edna contemplated walking to the playground, which was in the opposite direction of where Maria was going, or joining the maid to get the latest news from her end of the compound. It was amazing how much she knew — and scary. Another reason she preferred not to employ domestic help. But as the sun was setting, chances were Noof would be home soon. Her friend did not understand Edna’s fascination with Maria or with the secondary lives of the maids in the compound. She would not appreciate seeing Edna on a walk with Maria without Alice. As she stepped off the porch in the other direction, Edna kept scanning the street.

A few steps later Maria stopped and took a deep breath. Anyone would need a few breaths with a screaming two year old boy, and with that one in particular could be granted many, depending on the day. She did a brisk round of the block and though there was a gaggle of children, mothers, and minders at the playground, there was no sight of Alice.

When she came back to her street, Maria hadn’t moved and Hamad was soothing himself with his thumb.

“Are you okay?”

The maid’s drawn face was her answer. Edna caught up with her and led Maria by the arm to one of Alice’s play chairs. The wood was sturdy enough to hold an adult. Out of habit, she put the back of her hand on Maria’s forehead, checking if she had a temperature. No heat there.

“Tired?”

Maria was tight-lipped and her skin waxen. A few beads of sweat appeared on her forehead though October brought the cooler temperatures. The maid normally took great care with her grooming unlike some of the older ones at Noof’s mother’s house. But today her hair was knotted and hung down her back. The black mass slipped free of the braid the maid coiled at the nape of her neck every other day Edna saw her. Dark hairs were at the corners of her mouth and Edna could see stray eyebrow hair appearing across her brows. Other than when she babysat for them, often in sweats, Maria was immaculately dressed every Friday morning when she walked to the Tagalog service at the Catholic church, wearing black jeans and an Ed Hardy t-shirt. Edna wondered if she had been poorly for some time.

“Would you like some water?”

Maria opened her mouth to answer but bolted up suddenly, nearly clipping Edna under the chin. She ran to a nearby bush, bent over at the waist and began retching.  Despite the horrendous sounds, nothing was materializing.

Review

Wow, what an eye-opening experience this book was. The peek into the lives of the wives, nannies, and servants of another culture.  In California, particularly my house,  the idea of having a live in maid/chef/nanny is a dream many a new mother has, but then reality sets in and she moves on.  While some people might have a live in nanny to help with children when both parents work, since it’s about the same or cheaper than full time daycare, we tend to treat them as members of the family.  This view of the position of a maid/nanny is very different.

Each of the women in this story show a different side to the same story.  The story is told in a quasi-omniscient form so that we could see what two of the main character think and act.

I found it an interesting look into the “help” in a new light.  I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Book Review of Seduced by Power

Giveaway and Book Review of 
            Seduced by Power
                   Sponsored by Innovative Book Tours


Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share my review of this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.


Blurb : 

Forbidden Passions.
Deadly secrets.
A love that will stand against it all.

Liquid fire poured into me, filling me with the intimate sense of him as he leaned in to claim my lips with his own. I reached for him, needing him closer, needing to feel his flesh against mine, but my arms couldn't close the distance between us, which grew wider with each hitched breath. So close to finally feeling something real, something carnal and deep, I cried out in frustration, dropping my hands as he disappeared. My cries deepened into a frenzy of panic and my eyes flew open. I clutched my blanket and stilled myself to calm my racing heart.

Just a dream. Always just a dream.

***

Rose Wintersong didn't have an ordinary upbringing. Raised in what most would call a hippy commune, but what is actually a powerful coven of witches, she never questions the life fate chose for her.

Until she meets Derek O'Conner.

Derek challenges everything Rose believes and forces her to see the secrets hidden beneath the whitewashed walls of her idyllic country life.

Rose knows she should walk away, that the sexy martial arts instructor is bad news bred to create discord in her tight community... but the animal magnetism between them is impossible to fight.

Caught between the passion of first love, and the steady beat of the life she's always known, Rose must choose between the innocence of her youth or the pleasures of womanhood--but lost innocence comes at a price, and Rose harbors a dark secret that could destroy everyone she loves--including Derek.

***
New Adult Romance, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

Recommended for 17+, contains explicit sexual content
**Rose's story is a trilogy, not stand alone books. The first two books have cliffhanger endings. Her complete story in one book is now available as "Seduced", but all three books in the series are available now. If you do not like cliffhanger endings, or do not want to buy all three books to enjoy the complete love story, please consider waiting to purchase until Seduced the omnibus edition is out.**
This note is from the author.  I read them in the wrong order and managed to follow them fine.  However, I do think that they are best as a series.

Look for these books in the Seduced Saga

Seduced Trilogy
Seduced by Pain (Rose's Trilogy, Book 2)\
Their passion will destroy them.
Only true love can save them.

"Hope is a fragile thing, yet strangely enduring. It hides in the crevices of pain, burrowing deep until unseen, for fear that sorrow, in its rage, will devour hope's desperate hold on the heart.

It can live there for years, silent and waiting. Or, it can be slaughtered with a word-- mankind's most powerful weapon.

They say that universes are created with words.

And with words, they are destroyed.

Just as mine has been."


***

In the sequel to Seduced by Innocence, Derek and Rose face even greater threats to their love as Derek fights to protect the core of his family's power while Rose struggles to control her own dark gift.

***
Recommended for 17+ due to explicit sexual content. This is a new adult paranormal romance with erotic content and includes shifters, demons and witches. 

Seduced by Power (Rose's Trilogy, Book 3)
Forbidden passions.
Deadly secrets.
A love that will stand against it all.


In Seduced by Power, the final book in Rose's Trilogy, Rose and Derek face the greatest threat to their love, and lives, as they are forced to make painful choices to save those they love the most.

They give everything they have to end the battle against Rose's mother and retrieve that which was stolen from them. But will it be enough to save them?
***
 
Recommended for 17+ due to explicit sexual content. This is a new adult paranormal romance with erotic content and includes shifters, demons and witches. These are not stand alone books. They must be read in order to be properly enjoyed. 

Coming soon: Seduced by Magic (Sequel to Rose's Trilogy)

Coming soon: Seduced by Beauty (Prequel to Rose's Trilogy)

TBA - Seduced by the Sea (Ocean's Story)
TBA- Seduced by Love (A Surprise!)


About the Author:

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for all ages and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal series The Forbidden Trilogy, her lower grade fantasy series The Three Lost Kids, and watch for her New Adult romance and fantasy books coming in 2013 including The Seduced Saga, Sunrise and Nightfall, Death by Destiny and The Fallen Trilogy and her next YA fantasy adventure, The Reluctant Familiar. You can find her books on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads among other fine retailers.

When she's not writing, she runs Daring Books Design & Marketing with her husband, Dmytry Karpov, where they help authors with all manner of marketing, editing, and design needs until such a time that their brilliant children take over the business for them.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two cats who think they're gods (and probably are), her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Contacts:
Website  http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade 
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade 
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade 
Goodreads

BUY NOW LINK:
Amazon    


Review

            So I know I reviewed them in the wrong order, but I loved this book.  In fact, I think I liked it best.  I felt so sorry for Rose.  I just wanted to be a mom to her, and not like that @$# of a mom she has.  Can’t say anymore, but let’s just say that you might want to reach in and throttle her also…. Or maybe give her a swift Gibbs/DiNozzo smack upside the head.

            I loved how real the main characters were.  They were not perfect, but flawed.  They didn’t have easy lives, but rather struggled just like anyone else (but with magic being an added problem).

            I give this book (and the whole series actually) a 4.5 out of 5 cloudsl

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.