Death Dealer by Ashley Robertson - Review

Death Dealer

by Ashley Robertson Death: a word Mia Baron was all too familiar with since the murder of her parents when she was a young girl. Her drive for vengeance was the reason she became a Death Dealer—a soul guide through the spirit realm—signing her life away in her own blood. Pain forged a concrete wall around her heart and no one or nothing would ever penetrate it…until she got what she desired most—revenge. Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life Mia chose, with the same promise of vengeance dangling just out of reach. His expert training makes him an Elite—one of the few Death Dealers to ever achieve such a status—and no one can shift his focus from the blood he seeks. But when the two are partnered for yet another job and a heart-shattering case rips open Mia’s heart, Deacon realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay: opening his heart to her. The clock is ticking and her life hangs on the balance of whether he can truly let go or will hold onto his desire for blood. Buy on Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed Death Dealer. The idea of these people who lead souls to the correct door was very interesting. I don’t typically read novellas because I always wish there was more to the story. While Death Dealer was a quick book, I still felt like I got a lot of story out of it. The characters were interesting, the plot was exciting, and there was back story.

Mia and Deacon were great characters. Mia seems like a tough girl, which in her line of work I guess you’d have to be. She fights hard throughout the book, and shows strength of character when things get hard for her. Deacon is kind of like her knight coming to her rescue and standing by her side. I liked the back story of their partnership and getting to read how they realize they feel something more for each other.

The descriptions were amazing. Some novellas skim the details, but Ashley Robertson packed as much as she could into this book. There was so much suspense. I found myself holding my breath waiting for an outcome. I will be looking forward to the next book in this series. 

Rating:

About the Author:

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, and loves writing about anything paranormal. She also composes poems and songs, though she learned long ago she doesn’t have a singing voice. When she isn’t writing you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, sharing personal training and nutrition advice via ExtremeMakeovers.com, traveling and exploring new places, and drinking fine wines and gourmet coffees from her Nespresso machine. *2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST in the Fantasy genre for her book UNGUARDED* Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com Follow Ashley: FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | LinkedIn | Literary Addicts Follow the Book Tour Ashley Robertson is giving away One: Signed Books Swag Bag (includes Crimson Groves, Unguarded, and Death Dealer. Plus graphic custom bookmark and custom made swag from The Book Swag Shop) Two: $30 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winner can choose). Fill out the form below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Guest Post From Alex Siegel

Alex Siegel, author of Apocalypse Cult is guest posting today. 

I didn't teach myself how to write. Like all professional skills, it requires formal education. In my case, I started with some creative writing classes at a local college. Then I spent ten years doing workshops and writing groups. I made some great friendships during that period. These days, I focus exclusively on my own work rather than critiquing others, but I'm still trying to hone my skills. I'm my own worst critique, and I don't stop editing until I'm completely happy with the result. Whenever possible, I try to pick up subtle tricks from other writers. Even reading a newspaper article can be educational. I think the key to being successful at any career is to never stop learning

Learn more about Apocalypse Cult and Alex Siegel below, and don't miss the great giveaway as well. 

APOCALYPSE CULT is the first book in the Gray Spear Society series. They are God's secret warriors, His henchmen, His assassins cloaked in shadows. When lives and souls are at risk, He sends the Gray Spear Society to save mankind. This time the enemy is the Church of One Soul, a cult that intends to kill thousands of unsuspecting tourists in Chicago. But this is merely the first step in plunging the world into a devastating war. The Society has only a few days to destroy their elusive foe, despite interference by overzealous federal agents. Purchase Apocalypse Cult: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

About Alex Siegel

Alex Siegel grew up a math and computer geek. At the age of twenty-five, he received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell. He continues to make a good living as a software developer in Chicago. In his late twenties, he took up creative writing as a serious pastime with the intention of eventually making it his career. This goal has been elusive, but failure is not an option. In 2001, his wife gave birth to triplet boys. People often ask him how he still finds time to write. In 2009, he began the Gray Spear Society series, and he hopes it will be his key to literary fame. Follow the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest Join us July 11 9PM - 10 PM EST Twitter HashTag #ApocalypseCultBookTour July 19 Pinterest Event July 23 Video Chat on Literary Addicts July 31 - August 2 for our Social Media Event on Facebook. Come learn More about the author and win prizes Follow the Tour The author will be offering a $50 Amazon Gft Card to the giveaway winner. Fill out the form below to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock by Judyann McCole - Promo & Tour Schedule

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock

by Judyann McCole

This book 1 of 5 for The Chronicle of A Genre: Fantasy

To Who Ever This May Concern; I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland and that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths. I wish these were legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires. After all, that is what I used to believe.I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought. But there are…I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am… I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life… Adela Arthur is now on amazon on Paperback | Kindle About the Author: JUDYANN MCCOLE was a senior in high school when she started working on Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock during her history class. It started off as short story for a group of young kids she babysat for and grew into an adventure she herself wanted to go on. She is currently attending college in Virginia. Where she hopes to finish the next adventure in Adela Arthur’s life. She begin writing when she was in middle school most of it was just simple poetry but she was inspired by Maya Angelou and even a little of Dr. Seuss. Follow Judyann: Website | Blog | FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads Follow the Book Tour Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card plus copy of ebook Fill out the form below to enter to win. make sure to pick up your copy of the book! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eternal Summer - A Collection of Short Stories

Eternal Summer - A Collection of Short Stories

Eternal Summer is a collection of eight paranormal short stories. Participating authors include: Olivia Hardin, C.G. Powell, Mandie Stevens, Liz Schulte, Lola James, Tawdra Kandle, Stephanie Nelson and Melissa Lummis.

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble

List of stories

One Bite Paradise by Olivia Hardin - author of the Bend-Bite-Shift trilogy Jill’s wish gave Doc a new chance at life – literally. Almost a decade of years have passed since Jill watched her lover get killed and now that time is like a chasm between them. Can they learn how to make One Bite of Paradise become an eternity?

Cat Napped by C.G. Powell - author of the Terra Stellar series Tempers fly, when Sarik makes last minute changes to Jael’s and his vacation plans. How far will he go to get back in her good graces?

Eternally Yours by Mandie Stevens - author of Eva and Thomas series Eva and Thomas are bound by magic and are getting on each others' nerves. Eva is ready for a vacation, but when someone from Thomas' past is in trouble, her holiday comes second to saving a soul from Hell.

Dark Remnants by Liz Schulte - author of the Guardian trilogy, the Easy Bake Coven series and the Ella Reynolds series. Ella Reynolds and vacations do not mix—but she is willing to give it a try for Gabriel. However, when she stumbles across the ghost of a young woman who needs her help, all thoughts of fun and relaxation vanish from her mind. Can Ella solve this mystery before her vacation ends or will the spirit be trapped in an infinite loop forever?

Bound by Fate by Lola James - Author of the Spellbound series Ben thought his trip to New York would be just like any other -- find two random people, nurture their love, and leave before his presence is detected. But when he runs into someone from his past, business as usual becomes complicated.The worlds of the Spellbound Series and the Fate Trilogy blend in Bound By Fate.

Stardust on the Sea by Tawdra Kandle - Author of the King series Cathryn Whitmore does not want a vacation, not even in beautiful Cape May. But when she encounters a hot college professor at a bed and breakfast with a ghostly mystery, she just may change her mind.

Cursed Cove by Stephanie Nelson - Author of the Gwen Sparks and Anna Avery series Gwen and Dorian head to Hawaii, but not for fruity drinks or sunbathing. A string of murders taint what the locals are calling Cursed Cove. Haunted by the infamous Captain Clarke, Gwen and Dorian must figure out how to rid the beach of the demonic ghost before more locals lose their lives.

Daylight Come by Melissa Lummis - Author of the Love and Light series Some fun in the sun was just what Loti needed, but from the moment she and Wolf arrive at the not- so-quaint hotel, they know something's off about the place. Cockroaches, dirty linens and an unkempt room turn out to be the least of their worries. An evil spirit haunts the beach front resort and it has no intentions of letting them check out until it gets what it wants. Can they solve the mystery before daylight comes?

These are some amazing authors! I have read books by almost all of them and enjoyed them. Eternal Summer will be perfect for a fun and fast summer read, and I can't wait to read it.

The Posse by Tawdra Kandle - Promo & Tour Schedule

The Posse

Being a widow at the age of forty-four was never in Jude Hawthorne’s plans. After her husband’s death, she’s left with her family’s beach restaurant and two nearly-grown children. The last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love. However, if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get. The Posse is determined to take care of Jude, and when they decide the best way to do that is for one of them to sweep her off her feet, three begin to vie for her affections. But only one can reach her heart. In a story of friendship, loss and second chances, Jude will learn her life is far from being over.   Purchase - Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iTunes   Join us August 14 - 16 to get to know Tawdra Kandle and her books on Facebook Twitter Chat with Author Tawdra Kandle August 20 @ 9pm EST #ThePosse   About Author Tawdra Kandle  
Tawdra Kandle is the author of THE KING SERIES, a young adult urban fantasy quartet. Born in South Jersey, Tawdra published her first short story at the age of 13 in Child’s Life magazine. During the early years of her marriage and motherhood, she wrote articles and columns on parenting and homeschooling, as well as some homeschooling curriculum. THE KING SERIES is her first published full-length fiction. Tawdra currently lives in central Florida with her husband, and children, both skin and fur types. And yes, she has purple hair.   Follow Tawdra Kandle: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Literary Addicts / Goodreads /Amazon Follow the Tour Tawdra Kandle is giving away a Beach Basket with earrings, Shell necklace, yummy scents, and a $10 Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Literary Addicts Weekly Meme (7/24)

The theme of this week is -

What is the next book on your To-be-read pile??

I am currently working my way through the Brides of the Kindred series by Evangeline Anderson, because she just released the 8th book in the series. I have to re-read a series with each new book. I don't know why but I've always been that way since I started reading. So while I am going to be reading Hunted next:

Shawdowed is my ultimate goal. I cannot wait!!!

Join our group HERE to find out next week’s theme!

What book is next on your TBR pile? Let me know in the comments. 

The Keeper and the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton - Review

The Keeper and the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton

The Black Ledge Series

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder...

The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ... Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires. Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves. Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

My Thoughts: The Keeper and the Rune Stone starts off pretty simply with four children whose family has come into some money. For me it started with an almost Narnian feel, but very quickly took a different direction. I don’t recall Narnia having vampires. The Keeper and the Rune Stone is filled with amazing beings. Elves, dwarves, keepers, vampires, and talking animals only make up a small number of beings that are in the Realms. I enjoyed the ones we already met, and look forward to more in the next book.

The story is centered on the four children, Rob, Eleanor, Jack, and Flora. They were all very well written characters. I enjoyed Jack’s care free and funny spirit. Flora is a little sweetheart. She seemed to have a nice word for every person and animal she met. Rob is a good older brother; he leads them, and tries to keep them protected. Eleanor seems to have a little of them all. She can be sassy, incredibly kind, and she is very brave. I love Camedon. He is a very interesting character, with a funny sense of humor. Another favorite character for me is Gunnr. He isn’t in the entire story, but he was in had me very intrigued. He works very hard to maintain his honor, and I hope he will be in the second book.

The Keeper and the Rune Stone started off with a bang, so to speak, and moved quickly. The book was exciting and fun. I did suspect someone may be up to no good, but Pendleton still completely surprised me when I learned the truth. I think The Keeper and the Rune Stone is an awesome start to what I expect will be an amazing series. These are books I would have enjoyed as a child, and still enjoyed now. I look forward to reading The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice.

Rating:

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle

By The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle

About the Author

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales. Follow Paige: Blog | FaceBook | Twitter Goodreads | Pinterest | Literary Addicts Follow the Book Tour Enter the Contest a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Within the Realm by Jillian Neal - Book Blast

The Gifted walk among us. They are unseen, but in plain sight. The Earth’s energies are as visible to them as the tangible world is to us and they can harness and bend these forces to their will. Atop the Pentagon resides the government of the Gifted Realm. Rainer Lawson is set to join the ranks of Elite Officers in the Gifted Police force. With his fellow officers, they will work together, using their abilities, to try and end the most sinister criminal organization in existence. His parents fought and died to re-establish the Realm, and he won’t allow them to have sacrificed in vain. The will to protect those he loves has always driven Rainer, but his desperation to protect Emily, the love of his life, consumes him. While passions ignite and vengeance is sought, Rainer may discover that all of his money, fame, and power, could cost him the only thing that has ever truly mattered. -

See more at: jillianneal.com

Buy: Hardback | Paperback | Kindle | B&N

 

Author Bio

Jillian Neal is the author of “The Gifted Realm” series of novels. She has a passion for telling strong, character driven stories that stretch the imagination. Her debut novel “Within the Realm” was released in 2013, with the next installments of the series soon to follow. She lives near Atlanta with her husband and children. For more information, visit her website at http://www.jillianneal.com   Follow: http://facebook.com/jilliannealauthor Twitter -@ jilliannealauth Website - http://jillianneal.com Prize: Gift Cards to Emily's Favorite Stores $25 Anthropologie Gift Card $10 Victoria Secret Gift Card $10 Bath and Body Works Gift Card plus....... Within the Realm Fan Pack - Virginia Beach Travel Mug - Cinnamon Discs (Emily's favorite) - A box of Emily's favorite Tea - Dr Pepper Lip Smackers Enter to Win, fill out the form below a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Keeper and the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton - Promo & Tour Schedule

The Keeper and the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton

The Black Ledge Series

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder...

The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ... Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires. Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves. Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle

Buy The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle

About the Author

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales. Follow Paige: Blog | FaceBook | Twitter Goodreads | Pinterest | Literary Addicts Follow the Book Tour Enter the Contest a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thirty-Two Going On Spinster by Becky Monson - Promo & Tour Schedule

Thirty- Two Going On Spinster

by Becky Monson "According to Webster’s dictionary, A spinster is: 1: an unmarried woman of gentle family 2: an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying 3: a woman who seems unlikely to marry 4: me Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her job, and lives in her parent’s basement with her cat, Charlie.With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia’s mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie. But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?"

Buy on Amazon

About the Author:

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't. Becky runs a large on-line book club called "This Chick Reads". Check it out on Facebook! Follow Becky: FaceBook | Goodreads | Blog | Facebook - This Chick Reads Follow the Book Tour! The author is offering a $50 Amazon Gift card as a tour prize. Fill out the form below to enter and be sure to pick up her book! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tangled Up in Trouble by Olivia Hardin - Review

Tangled Up in Trouble by Olivia Hardin

Lynlee Lincoln isn’t just a witch, she’s also a Neutralizer. Her job is a juggling act to keep magical and undead clients out of trouble. But getting back together with her old flame throws one more ball into the mix and romance with a guy who has two kids can get complicated. When her old mentor asks her to investigate the goings-on of a dark witch, things turn messy. The witch is stalking supernatural creatures to collect ingredients for a potion that Lynlee can’t seem to figure out. To keep those closest to her from becoming the next victims, she may have to confront the demons within herself.  

My Thoughts:Tangled Up in Trouble is a fun and exciting paranormal thriller. I love the idea of a sort of policed system for the paranormal. Not quite punishment, since there wasn’t much of that going on, but a way to keep it a secret from the humans. I’ve read a few other books that always have some secret group of leaders who keep things under wraps. I love that we get to see a group like that in this book, but much more in depth.

Lynlee Lincoln is a Neutralizer, which means if some magical and undead creature (MAUC) gets into trouble she orbs in and saves the situation. Lynlee is a witch, who is still a little unsure of her powers. I like that instead of being all big and bad constantly; Lynlee has some insecurity about herself and her relationship with Beck. Beck is surprisingly strong and seems to be taking the whole magic thing (as a non-magical human) pretty well this time. In the first book, Trolling for Trouble, we learn about his issues with magic, so I am glad has gotten over it. I love Rhiannon. She is Lynlee’s friend and a werevamp. Her character entertained me, she is a lot of fun and pretty fierce when someone she cares about is in danger. I enjoyed the different explanations for the different MAUCs throughout the story.

Tangled Up in Trouble is fast paced and full of action. The hunt for the dark witch introduces readers to a lot of interesting characters and danger. I can’t wait to see how Lynlee and Beck’s relationship is holding up in the next book, and what trouble Lynlee will find herself dealing with. If you enjoy a fun and suspenseful paranormal book, Tangled Up in Trouble would be perfect for you.

Rating:

The first book Trolling for Trouble is forever FREE. Get caught up on the series.  

Purchase on Amazon / B&N / iTunes

About the Author

When Olivia Hardin began having strange movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long the writing bug had her and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, and she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again. Olivia’s attended three different universities over the years and toyed with majors in Computer Technology, English, History and Geology. Thenl one day she heard the term road scholar and she knew that was what she wanted to be. Now she “studies” anything and everything just for the joy of learning. She's also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and she’s sometimes accused of being artistic.

A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie. Connect with Olivia and Get information about releases, contests, news and more here:

http://oliviahardinwriter.com

http://twitter.com/oliviaH_writer

http://www.facebook.com/oliviahardin

Follow the Tour The author is giving away three prize packs containing a signed paperback with a bookmark from the Book Swag Shop. $50.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Crushing by Elena Dillon - Review

Crushing

As a pampered and adored daughter of a wealthy Southern family Rory’s life was seemingly perfect until her troubled childhood crush moves back in across the street forcing her to choose between him and the life that has been chosen for her.

As if that isn’t enough, her quiet island town has turned dangerous. A good friend has gone missing, lending truth to the rumors of a serial kidnapper. In her quest to help she becomes a target and will have to make choices about love, friendship and the inevitable sacrifice that they both require.

Elena Dillon’s blog /Twitter /Facebook /Google+ /Goodreads /

My Thoughts: I tend to lean towards paranormal and apocalyptic/dystopia books, but Crushing was a nice change from that. A thriller (another favorite genre) that intertwines the two (+) guys wanting one girl that seems so popular, Crushing had my attention from the very start. The characters have depth, the backstory is interesting, and the plot is definitely thrilling. The book starts with a rescue that had me entertained, and just kept getting more interesting. Since I live in the state the book is set in, I found it to be terrifyingly believable, with shots of romance and a good bit of male posturing.

I loved Rory. She’s short, spunky, and confused. She always finds herself in some kind of trouble, and she is always trying to help everyone. I usually pick a male character as a favorite (can’t help being biased for a good male lead), but Rory is by far my favorite in this book. I love that even in such a short amount of time we get to watch her character grow and mature. She has twin older brothers, who are awesome and protective. I thought the twins were great. Both were very protective but in very different ways. Bring on the multiple love interests.  Gage, Rory’s long lost best friend/crush, shows up in the nick of time. I don’t know if you can call him a white knight with his exciting past, but he is her hero of sorts. His protective instincts are both a blessing and a curse for him. Then there is Dominic, who is perfect. Never in trouble, loved by her parents, friends with her brothers. Yeah, he seems like the perfect guy. I tend to root for the bad boys though, so I leaned toward the exciting, and a little troubled, Gage.

I really like a book where I am unsure of the outcome. I kept expecting that I knew who the bad guy was in this book. I think I suspected everyone at one point or another. By the end, when the kidnapper was revealed I was very surprised.

I love a good thriller. Crushing gave me more than that though. Elena Dillon added in a relationship conflict between characters that had me just as invested as the kidnapper. Oh, and a very adorable and show stealing puppy. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller with a little clean romance. 

Rating:

 Purchase on Amazon

Elena lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles.  She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her two kids and three dogs, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage.

A self proclaimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, however, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends.  They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people.

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Tangled Up in Trouble by Olivia Hardin - Promo & Tour Schedule

Tangled Up in Trouble by Olivia Hardin

Lynlee Lincoln isn’t just a witch, she’s also a Neutralizer. Her job is a juggling act to keep magical and undead clients out of trouble. But getting back together with her old flame throws one more ball into the mix and romance with a guy who has two kids can get complicated. When her old mentor asks her to investigate the goings-on of a dark witch, things turn messy. The witch is stalking supernatural creatures to collect ingredients for a potion that Lynlee can’t seem to figure out. To keep those closest to her from becoming the next victims, she may have to confront the demons within herself.   The first book Trolling for Trouble is forever FREE. Get caught up on the series.  

Purchase on Amazon / B&N / iTunes

About the Author

When Olivia Hardin began having strange movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long the writing bug had her and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, and she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again. Olivia’s attended three different universities over the years and toyed with majors in Computer Technology, English, History and Geology. Thenl one day she heard the term road scholar and she knew that was what she wanted to be. Now she “studies” anything and everything just for the joy of learning. She's also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and she’s sometimes accused of being artistic.

A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie. Connect with Olivia and Get information about releases, contests, news and more here:

http://oliviahardinwriter.com

http://twitter.com/oliviaH_writer

http://www.facebook.com/oliviahardin

Follow the Tour The author is giving away three prize packs containing a signed paperback with a bookmark from the Book Swag Shop. $50.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love by Kathryn Maeglin - Promo

A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love

by Kathryn Maeglin Imagine a visiting-nurse service with hot young guys as caregivers. What golden girl wouldn't dig that? Valerie Palka is a savvy businesswoman who is obsessed with keeping her elderly mom, Helen, safe from all the lethal disasters that can befall widows living alone. Helen thinks the workaholic Valerie should focus on having as much luck in the bedroom as she does in the boardroom. But when Helen takes a spill and is rushed to the ER, a handsome male nurse, Keith Nuber, strikes her fancy, and she tells her daughter, “If you could get a handsome devil like that to take care of me, I'd be willing to consider it.” So Valerie creates a care agency, Home Health Hunks, staffed by attractive younger men. Valerie's idea is filled with potential … and potholes. As she navigates the tricky road to satisfying her mom as well as her own ambition, she falls in love with one of her employees--Keith--and learns about the true meaning of success.

Buy on Amazon [ASIN: B00DMP7IC8]

 

About the Author:

When Kathryn was a little girl, she wanted to be a nurse. However, she quickly discovered that was not a wise choice, since she couldn't stand the sight of blood. Next she wanted to be an actress. Unfortunately, her only talent onstage was that she could be heard in the back row. Finally she decided to become a journalist. Her original goal was to be Jane Pauley's replacement on the “Today” show. Alas, she didn't have Jane's looks, poise, confidence, skill or wisdom. In fact, the only thing they had in common was that they were both corn-fed blondes from the Midwest. In Kathryn's case, much more corn had been consumed. So she ended up being a print journalist for 24 years. She worked for daily newspapers in Rock Island, Ill., and Madison, Wis.; for a Chicago-based trade journal that covered the radio and TV industry; and as special projects editor for the Indianapolis Business Journal. She started a couple of special sections for women, one of which won two state awards, while the other won a national award. She now writes fiction for women. She's happily married and has two overfed, underemployed cats. She loves to hear from readers, so you can e-mail her at kathryn@kathrynmaeglin.com You can also read her humorous current-event poems on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website at www.kathrynmaeglin.com Ten percent of Kathryn's net royalties will be donated to two charities that serve people dealing with cancer: Cancer Support Community and Pink Ribbon Connection. Prize: $50 Amazon gift cardFill Out the form below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wilted Wings by Shadow Stephens - Review

Wilted Wings

Power, greed, and envy fill Damon and Ilisha’s world. Their hope of settling into a life of peace and family remains out of grasp. Damon is kidnapped and forced to stand trial for the death of his father while a breed of hybrids designed to destroy all angels is set loose. With no choice but to leave her earthly mother and baby behind, Ilisha struggles in a world of high politics and family feuds. She must become an ultimate warrior to save her husband and both the worlds she loves.

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My Thoughts:  Wilted Wings is the second book in the Broken Butterflies series. The story continues with Ilisha and Damon. They are fighting off some serious evil in this book. The book starts down on Earth, which is being overrun by evil, and quickly shoots off to the kingdoms of Heaven. The scenery in this book sounds so beautiful. The descriptions of the different kingdoms are so vivid.

The characters of Wilted Wings were interesting. I loved watching Ilisha come into her own up in the kingdoms. She had to learn the politics so quickly, and she did such an amazing job. Damon can be kind of an overbearing jerk, but that is just my opinion. He loves his family fiercely though, and is willing to do anything to protect them and his kingdom. I enjoy Caligula’s character the most. She’s so snarky and pretty bad a** when it comes down to it. The bad guys in this book were a horrible level of evil. Bram is back in this book, and I am left wanting to both love and hate him. He is such a fickle character.

I don’t read many angel books, but from what I’ve read, Shadow Stephens is nothing like the others. The different kingdoms are an interesting part of this book. I also love the butterflies. They add a beauty to the violence in the story. There are other differences, but then I get into spoilers.

Wilted Wings is definitely an exciting book. I think readers will enjoy it. There is a little something to interest many readers. There are battles, politics, some mystery, and quite a few steamy moments. I will be interested in seeing what happens next for all these angels.

Rating:

About Shadow Stephens

Avid Cleveland Browns fan, animal lover, and paranormal addict are just a few ways to describe Shadow Stephens. Shadow grew up in Ohio and West Virginia, which gave her a fear of snakes and the ability to fix anything with duct tape. She has been writing since childhood, but wrote her first novel three years ago. She now resides in Utah with a veritable menagerie of pets and a million ideas in her head just waiting to be put on paper. When she isn't ghost hunting, Shadow can be found writing paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. This will be her first published book, with many more to follow. Follow Shadow Stephens: Website | Facebook | Twitter Watch out Video chat with author Shadow Stephens July 17th at 7PM EST on Literary Addicts Take part in our Book Tour event on Facebook July 16 - 18 All Day Long for Amazon Gift Cards and ebooks! Follow the Tour Shadow Stephens is giving away a $50 Amazon Giftcard, open Internationally. Fill out the form below to enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Embracing the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson - Review

Embracing the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson

For the first time, Anna Avery was looking forward to the future. She’s mated to her soul mate. The pack has become her new family, and she has friends she can confide in. She had every reason to look ahead, until a vision put her future happiness in jeopardy. Someone is set on destroying her mate, Adam, and only Anna can prevent this possible future. While trying to unravel the hazy web of her premonition, she finds out the annual pack conference will take place on her mountain. And Adam’s parents will be attending. As only a “made” wolf, Anna will have to face their prejudice and possibly make the hardest decision she has ever had to make. Because saving Adam’s life might just mean walking away from him for forever.

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My Thoughts: Embracing the Wolf is the second book from Stephanie Nelson’s Anna Avery series. The first book, Taming the Wolf, was good. I enjoyed so much of it and when this second book came out I was excited to see what Anna and the Everwood pack would be up to. A little alert, if you haven’t read the first book, this might be a bit of a spoiler.

Embracing the Wolf really ramps it up, in my opinion. There are tons of wolves, so of course tensions can run high. I loved the mystery. Typically I can pick out the bad guy pretty easily in a book, but that didn’t happen in this book. Nelson kept me guessing and then shocked me with the reveal.

There are so many great characters to talk about. Anna is of course back and in action. She is still not connecting with her wolf, and the events that unfold with her in this book were so amazing. I was pulled along for her ride. Adam is fiercely protective, almost to an annoying point. Let her get dirty Adam! Anthony is back, and surprisingly I enjoyed his character this time. He is such a trouble maker, but he was so much more fun. Elle is one of my favorite characters. Sure she respects her Alphas but she also speaks her mind. Enter some of those new characters. Adams parents, wow talk about prejudice. I guess it affects all societies, even the wolves. The other packs were amazing to read about. I am hoping that there will be further glimpses of some of them in the future. The assassins, so to speak, are pure evil. Nelson put an awesome spin on them.

Nelson’s wolves may share some things with wolves from other books, but she has added in some major differences. Her myths surrounding her wolves are one huge part of those differences. Nelson takes something that could become overdone, and keeps it fresh for her readers.

Embracing the Wolf is fast and exciting. Where I found the first book to be good, I thought this second book was great. I couldn’t put it down. Steamy love scenes, conniving females sniffing around, beautiful mountains, killers, and secrets. Nelson sure knows how to put a book together. I will be anxiously waiting to see what will happen next. 

Rating:

About Stephanie Stephanie resides in the Midwest with her husband and furry children. When she's not cooking up Gwen and Anna's next adventures, she enjoys reading, traveling and watching movies.

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I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.