Friday, July 31, 2015

Cover Reveal: Decide by Michelle Irwin

DECIDE

Declan Reede: The Untold Story


Strap in, get ready to start your engines and see where it all began.

From an early age, Declan Reede’s only goal was to race in the ProV8 Championship Series. One thing he couldn’t anticipate was that a blistering kiss shared with his best friend, Alyssa Dawson, might derail his plans.

While he knows things between them will never be the same, it’s impossible to predict just where the road will take them, or how rocky it might get.

Will he decide to fight for love or follow his dreams?

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 27th August 2015
Cover Artist: Soxsationalcoverart
Principal photography by: NSP Studios 
Cover models: Ashleigh Johnson and Jarah Armstrong.





Pre-order the introduction novella now for the special price of 99c 

Add to your Goodreads want to read list here: 



TEASERS

  



PAPERBACK


AUTHOR BIO


Michelle Irwin has been many things in her life: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; a young girl willing to fight for the love of a vampire; and a time-travelling madman in a box. She achieved all of these feats and many more through her voracious reading habit. Eventually, so much reading had to have an effect and the cast of characters inside her mind took over and spilled out onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance.


You can find Michelle here: 


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Review: Forged in Darkfire (Amber Lee Mysteries #5) by Katerina Martinez





Before Amber, there was Natalie

Damien Colt came from a dark place. Growing up in a Compound of twisted Witches, secluded from the world, was a harrowing experience for Damien and his sister Lily. But they escaped, and they made their new life in San Francisco, away from the strangling hands that would make them accomplices to their evil. Together, Damien and Lily carved out their very own uncomplicated life. That is, of course, until Natalie showed up.

Natalie, the witch of honey and cinnamon.

The pair had been getting close ever since her introduction into the Coven, but Damien forced himself to bury his emerging feelings for the witch for the good of the Coven; and because he didn't want to tell her the truth.

Now his hand has been forced. When a memory returns, the truth must be revealed. And at the end, Damien has to make the decision whether to give up a part of himself, or allow an entity known only as the Dark Fire to consume the soul of an innocent woman.

Buy:  Amazon







Review - 4 stars!



WOW!

For a novella about the character I dislike the most in the Amber Lee series, I really enjoyed this.  Damien’s story really helped to soften my anger towards him.  Now I only think he’s a typical college aged man who thinks with his…. hormones.  Of course, how Natalie and his relationship (which we don’t see much in the series) develop after the fact he was unfaithful to her….  We’ll have to see, I guess.

As always, Katerina Martinez does NOT disappoint with her writing nor her unique blending of Wiccan magic and fantasy magic.  Darkfire turned out to be the most compelling read of the series.  The descriptive magic was almost realistic.  Excellent read especially if you’re more of a witch fan than a shifter/vampire fan of the paranormal or urban fantasy genres.

As for characterization, I was actually really amazed.  I shouldn’t have been, as the author never disappoints, but the fact I really like Amber and Damien was on my shit list after a certain previous novel made me wonder if I would be able to like Natalie at all.  I mean, I am completely aware this situation is not her fault, nor was she aware of it in the slightest, but it is a little like Amber is a friend of yours, so you end up being prepared NOT to like the other woman.  However, Natalie is soooo sweet, you can’t help but like her.  Admittedly her actual presence wasn’t in most of the novella.  Lily was awesome however!  So was Damien, if he is a little on the… softer side of the male spectrum.  Not that he isn’t male, it’s just he’s not as alpha as I prefer my men (in novels anyway), so he ends up being sweet in this story.

The actual plot is simple but it fits together with other hints of Damien’s past from series.  Things make more sense behind the scenes, though!

So after this short installment to the Amber Lee Mysteries, I have to say Damien is a bit of a sweetheart and I warmed a bit more towards him.  I’m trying to explain without giving too much away of the book, let alone the whole series, but let’s just say, he did something to save someone, which isn’t exactly a choice of the heart.  He’s probably doing the best he can, trying so very hard not to hurt anyone and couldn’t help how he felt about Amber.

So, I don’t hate him anymore.  He’s still not my favorite character, but for the space of a novella, I never even noticed!  Nice job, Kat!



Author



Katerina Martinez is the pen name of a husband-and-wife writing duo living on the Rock of Gibraltar. By day Katerina (that’s her on the picture, by the way) takes care of their five year old daughter and three cats, brainstorming ideas and writing down story beats while Lee works his nine to five in a big office to bring home the bacon. But by night the pair team up to put their ideas together, and when their story is in firmly within their crosshairs they take to their keyboards and bring it all to life.

Pooling their individual strengths to create a single, unified force, Katerina and Lee vaulted into their very first series - the Amber Lee Mysteries, a Paranormal New Adult series - in September of 2014. Nine months later, they’re celebrating the release of their fourth book in the series, with plans to finish all eight books by Halloween of 2015. After that, who knows?

Stalker Links:





Friday, July 24, 2015

Sale: The Riverdale Series New Release Extravaganza July 24-28!





Pieces


Synopsis: 

Jake Lanza is one of Riverdale New York’s favorite sons. He owns a tattoo parlor in the small upstate town and prides himself on being a fun-loving, live by the seat of your pants type of guy. He has everything he wants in life, a thriving business, a great family and a best friend with whom he could never live without.

Cara Sloane weaved her way into Jake’s life when they were fifteen years old. After her life fell apart at such a young age, Jake helped her heal, and began to pick up the pieces of her fallen life. His unconventional ways slowly had him becoming the anchor in her life.

Now fourteen years later Jake begins to see Cara in a new light. The things he thought he never wanted, he suddenly began to yearn for. The only problem was they were both too frightened to lose the greatest love either of them has ever known. Can Jake convince Cara there is more for them than just a friendship? Is he willing to take that gamble himself?

Teasers:
 



Buy Link:

Broken Pieces

Synopsis: 
Nick Foti left Riverdale New York, seven years ago, leaving his dreams and the only family he ever knew behind. Most of all he left the one girl that managed to completely unravel him. Samantha Lanza was his best friends little sister. She wasn't meant to be his, she was his to protect like a sister.

When he finally decided he couldn't fight his attraction to her, events unfold that force him to leave her and the only life he has ever wanted behind. Forced to work for his father in Seattle, Nick is miserable. He spends most his time in the boardroom playing the corporate mogul. The rest of the time he loses himself in a bottle and random woman that will never compare to the one he left behind.

One day Nick hits rock bottom and decides he’s had enough, he hangs up his suit and tie and sets out to reclaim the life he was meant to have. He heads back to Riverdale just when the family he has always loved as his own needs him the most. Everyone welcomes Nick with open arms, except Sam. She wants nothing to do with him. Can he convince her he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to have her in his arms forever? Or has is the betrayal she feels too great to forgive.

Teasers:



Buy Link:
Amazon 

Fitting The Pieces




Synopsis: 
You’ve laughed with them. You’ve cried with them. Now it’s time to say goodbye to the Lanza Family, in the final installment of The Riverdale Series.

Luke Lanza is a man who has always done the responsible thing. He has faced a lot of challenging obstacles in his life; from raising his daughter on his own, to building a successful business, even being the only viable donor that could save his brother’s life. Knowing this about his brother and knowing that he was going to die, Jake asked him to look after the love of his life. Now Luke is torn between the promise he made to his brother and the pull of something he’s never known before.

“Promise me, I need to hear you say it, Luke.”

Luke swallowed. “I promise I’ll take care of Cara, you don’t have to worry about her.” A tear slipped down his cheek as he finished his vow to his little brother.

Jake smiled slightly and closed his eyes. “I could always count on you.”

Cara Sloane is struggling with the loss of her first love and the power of addiction. Jake had been her rock for so long, with him gone she realizes how broken she is. She doesn’t want to feel anything, least of all the emptiness in her heart.

“I know you’re at peace and I should be thankful for that, but I can’t be. I never realized what a selfish person I was. You were suffering and all I could do was pray for you not to leave me.”

A tragic accident leaves Luke and his family pleading with Cara to change the course of her life. Can Cara face her demons and learn there is life after Jake? Can she learn that she can hold onto to the beautiful memories they made together and still live her life?

“I don’t want to fix her because she’s broken.” He said with his own voice sounding a bit broken. “I want to help her because losing her too isn’t an option.”

Individually they try to heal, together they wonder if they can fit the pieces of their broken lives.

Teasers: 




Buy Link:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Jake’s Journal


Synopsis: 
In honor of the one year Anniversary of the series you can now read Jake's Journal.

If someone would’ve told Jake Lanza, he would have ever kept a journal, he probably would’ve laughed in their face. Journals were for females. His sister had a journal. He would know, being as he stole it once and read all her deepest darkest teenage secrets. Yet, to his surprise when Nick gifted him a blank journal, he decided to give it a try.

Dear Diary,

Fuck. That don’t sound right. In fact it sounds kind of gay. Why don’t these books come with instructions? You know what? Fuck this.

Jake
(Because I think I’m supposed to sign my name)

During the most the darkest days and most trying times, Jake used his journal to expose the deepest thoughts, he wouldn’t allow himself to say out loud. In this journal you will read the thoughts of a man fighting for his life. Read his letters to Cara as he pours out his heart and soul to her, through his works and drawings he wished to create. Discover the plans he had for his loved ones and the promises he left behind. Enjoy the legacy Jake Lanza left behind.

Teasers:



Buy Link:

Illicit Temptations
Releasing July 28th




Synopsis: 

Michael Valente...

My father was the Underboss of an organized crime family. He was murdered when I was a teenager leaving me broken. My mother died in a tragic accident, her death annihilated me. My life was in shambles until Victor Pastore, one of New York’s most notorious gangsters and my late father’s best friend, recruited me to work for him.

Everyone expected me to walk in my father’s shadow, to be the prodigal son, the next big thing to hit the mob. I was torn between filling those expectations and walking the straight line my mother wished I had. Nothing made sense and I felt as if I was just passing through life.

The only beacon of light in my otherwise dark world was the one girl that was off limits to me. The one girl who could bring me to my knees consuming my mind, body and soul.

She’s the sweetest temptation I’ve ever known and the most illicit.

Nikki Pastore....

My father’s a gangster. My boyfriend’s is the king of New York’s nightclubs. I am often labeled as Vic’s daughter or Rico’s girl, never just Nikki. I struggle for people to acknowledge me for the woman I am and not for the men in my life. I’m fighting a losing battle.

There is only one person who sees me for me, my Mikey.

He’s wild.

He’s reckless.

He’s hot as hell.

He’s completely unattainable, but oh so tempting.

Teasers:




Buy Link: Available July 28th
Goodreads

About the Author:

Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Now in her early thirties Janine is dedicated to her family, her boys the lights of her life. In her spare time, she wrote the Riverdale Series a labor of love and family that she is so very thrilled to share with you. Hope you enjoy the Lanza’s.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

New Release: Undeniable Love by Prisca Martin

Prisca Martin's concludes the London American Brides Novella Trilogy with the release of Undeniable Love!

With the release of novelle three, Prisca Martin is also releasing The London American Brides Novella Trilogy: The Complete Series.  You can now read all three books in one ebook or paperback format!

Find both releases on Prisca Martin's Amazon Page













Join us for Prisca Martin'ss release party!  Other authors included are Rose Gordon, Elizabeth Johns, Janet Mota, S. Reynolds, Lyndsay Marie, Joe Romero, L.M. Glenn and Hunter Marshal!

Release Party on July 24th:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1011704028842769/




 





Novellas One & Two





This is a story of a love that cannot be forgotten.

Time heals all. Or does it? Abandoned by the man of her heart, the scandal of his mother’s murder casts Lady Grace as a pariah amidst London’s elite society. Leaving the strictures of England she sails to America for a new life, where no one knows of her heartbreak and lost love. Lord Brian, Duke of Holbrook, storms back into her life the day after her engagement . Even in 1833 it is no mere trifle to jilt one man for another. Can history repeat and Lady Grace break one promise to heal a love that never died? 



Buy:  Amazon









Greed, Betrayal and Deceit are what Lady Amy Lindsey and Captain Gabriel Montey know very well. It is those feelings which led them both out to sea. They both flee from London after experiencing the greed, betrayal and deceit at the hands of their fathers.


Emotions rise during their time together. Attempts at ignoring their emotions only lead to stronger emotions. An unknown love lies between them. Will they deny their feelings or face the unknown?


This is the second book in The London American Brides Novella Trilogy. It can be read as a standalone novella or after you have read Unforgotten Love: Novella One.

Buy:  Amazon








Author


Prisca is 34 years old and lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband and two young children. She has released her first book Unforgotten Love, Novella One in the London American Brides series and Unknown Love, Novella Two. Her London American Brides series is a Historical Romance.

She writes in multi genres and will be releasing a romantic suspense upon finishing her first series. She inspires to be an author who reaches readers throughout the book world. Her goal as an author is to reach many readers and to give them a story where they can get lost in it while reading her books and enjoy the time spent reading.


She is open and available to all of her readers. She enjoys blogging and helping others. She is one who will never turn away an author, blogger or reader who needs help. 
Feel free to find her on Facebook under Author Prisca Martin, Twitter @AuthorPrisca and on Goodreads.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Prisca-Martin/e/B00TLAR51W

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Prisca-Martin/829660767091009
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/authorprisca
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13451452.Prisca_Martin


Monday, July 20, 2015

Review: The Amber Lee Mysteries



Midnight Magick (Amber Lee Mysteries #1)


The search for love leads a lonely witch into the arms of a man with a dark secret.

Amber Lee isn't a freak, she's just an introverted wiccan who likes to wear black. It never much bothered her when she had a boyfriend, but ever since her last break-up she finds the word bites a little deeper into her skin every time it's said. And to make matters worse, her two best friends are having a baby and soon she won't even have them for company!

So when a mysterious, but handsome stranger, comes waltzing into her life and actually talks to her like a human being she finds herself unable to escape the pull of his gravity. His name is Damien, he's also a witch, and he wants to help her unlock her true potential. It's a perfect match. But this stranger has baggage. The spectre of death clings to him like a dark cloud, and Amber discovers that Damien is more damaged than she could have imagined; and Amber doesn't have time to bandage his wounds over time.

Someone is killing witches in the sleepy town of Raven's Glen, and Amber could be next.

It becomes a race against the clock as Amber and Damien attempt to catch the killer before he, she, or it, catches them. Because if they don't succeed, they're dead. And if they're dead Amber won't get to feel the love she so desperately desires.


Buy:  Amazon


Review



For my review on Midnight Magick go HERE.


The Rule of Three (Amber Lee Mysteries #2)


A tired witch must take hold of her life before it starts to slip through her fingers.

Amber Lee unmasked the murderer killing the witches in Raven's Glen and came out of the ordeal intact. All she wants to do now is settle down, relax, and enjoy her status as a True Witch with real magick power. But she's been having nightmares lately which have caused her to go without sleep and the cracks in her composure are starting to show.

What's worse, her grades are starting to slip and she has the distinct impression that someone is stalking her around town. With Yuletide around the corner, Amber has to figure out who the hooded figure is and why he's following her, but the answer to that question shakes her to the core and opens Pandora's box.

Amber is faced with yet another crisis, and once again time is running out. Only this time it isn't her life and romantic interests that are at stake, but her very soul and the soul of someone she once held dear.

Will Amber beat the odds a second time and learn from past mistakes? Or will she be brought to her knees and forced to pay the price for her hubris?

Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


I was sooooooooo upset about the way this book turned out.  I literally screamed out a very loud, “OH MY GOD!” at a certain point in this book.  I am also very anti-Damien right now.  He sucks.  I’m mad at him.  He’s no longer on my nice guy list.  He’s actually on my shit list right now.  

Don’t let my rant up there deter you from reading this book, though!  Seriously, it was awesomely done.  I was simply full of angst about how it was going.  Which means, despite me NOT liking where it was going, the author did an AWESOME job.  She got me hooked into it, made me like and root for characters, and caused a huge ass reaction when the shocking developments I can’t talk about happened.  Honestly, awesomely done.  Despite my hissy fit on how the book is going, I really enjoyed the ride.

This author will shock and amaze you with twists you never see coming!

However, the next few installments have to hook me too now that I’m sad about certain events in this novel….

Regardless of that, 4 stars!  

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Forged in Moonfire (Amber Lee Mysteries #3)


Set in the space between the Rule of Three and the Necromancer, this Novella follows Aaron's transformation into a werewolf and his decision to leave Raven's Glen in search for his father, and for answers. His trip to Las Vegas sees the pair reunited after almost a decade, but Aaron and his father aren't exactly on speaking terms and that pushes the newly changed werewolf to want to prove himself to an extent he may not yet be ready to handle.

Spurred on by an unhealthy need to show his father what he's made of, Aaron embarks on a trial not intended for such a fresh wolf and soon learns he may have bitten off more than he could chew.

This Novella can be read as a stand-alone story and doesn't influence the rest of the Amber Lee Series, but you won't want to miss the mystery female that enters Aaron's life and the strange chemistry that flows between them!

Does their connection bode well for Aaron's relationship with Amber?

Buy:  Amazon




Review - 3.5 stars!



Honestly, this little novella about Aaron’s time finding his father was very awesomely done.  Like I would say 4.5 stars if I actually enjoyed it more.  It’s really well-written and engaging, but I am drawn to more emotional aspects and such so I don’t enjoy some stories that are more of an story for the sake of imparting information.  I like reading them to understand things, of course, but I don’t feel the same draw, I guess.  I need emotional stuff - whether deep friendship, romantic interest, lust, heck, even hate and anger, I need that.  And Aaron at this point hadn’t been a favorite character and he’s interacting with people I don’t really care about as they aren’t part of Amber’s story, really.

Heck the fact that Aaron was turning into a major character shocked the shit out of me.  It was a pleasant surprise after the crap Damien pulled in the previous book.  To be honest, after this novella I felt a lot more warmly towards Aaron as he stayed true.

So nice way of informing us what happened and how the werewolves fit into the story with this one.  And it’s only my personal taste that didn’t let me enjoy it as much as I should have.  So 3.5 stars!



The Necromancer (Amber Lee Mysteries #4)



To defeat the wolf at her door, a determined witch must first side with darkness.

Amber Lee may be a powerful witch, but she's also a target. A mysterious figure has an agenda for her which has been getting in the way of her being able to enjoy her life. So now it's time for Amber to strike back.

It's time to track down the person pulling the strings; the one orchestrating the terrible events that have taken place at Raven's Glen; the mysterious figure known only as Linezka. But history repeats itself in the form of a familiar stranger with a plight, and Amber has no choice but to put her personal quest on hold and help... because Amber's triumph or failure over her unseen adversary rests firmly on the stranger's survival.

Is Amber prepared for the danger she is about to face? Can she trust a Necromancer? And after all this time spent waiting for Aaron's return, will she be able to rip herself from him again? Or will she drag him with her and risk his life in the process?

Buy:  Amazon




Review - 4 stars!



Out of all the Amber Lee books, this one is my favorite.  The unique way Katerina Martinez creates her world, merging fantasy magic with Wiccan magic is amazing.  I love how detailed the magic is.  Adding in a Necromancer was also brilliant.

The writing was as always superbly done.  Also, the characterization was nicely done as well.  The only issue I had with that was the lack of emotion for some things.  Like Amber just ‘getting over’ what Damien had done, with little resentment.  Honestly, I felt like I was missing a huge chunk of healing and forgiveness that Amber needed to go through.  After all, she was nearly in love with him.

I still want to hit Damien right now.  And he had little opportunity in this novel to fix my perception of him.

As for Aaron, he’s growing on me.  However, I wish there was more of him in here as well as more interaction with Amber.  However, this series isn’t a romance, despite having romance in it.  So I’ll live.  ^_^;

Lastly, I do like - while at the same time DISLIKE - how realistic everyone’s decisions are.  Like Damien’s huge mess-up.  That is realistic and happens so much in 'real life' and the fact that Katerina Martinez addresses it even in a fantasy-type series is great.  But I also don’t like it because the situation sucks.  But the author incorporating realistic romantic failures for horrible reasons makes this series more realistic despite how fantastical it is.  Which makes for good writing.

Although, I secretly wonder if after the first book, the author decided to change who should be with Amber suddenly and needed a reason they split up.  Or if it was planned from the beginning…  Something to think about.

4 stars!



Forged in Darkfire (Amber Lee Mysteries #5)



Before Amber, there was Natalie

Damien Colt came from a dark place. Growing up in a Compound of twisted Witches, secluded from the world, was a harrowing experience for Damien and his sister Lily. But they escaped, and they made their new life in San Francisco, away from the strangling hands that would make them accomplices to their evil. Together, Damien and Lily carved out their very own uncomplicated life. That is, of course, until Natalie showed up.

Natalie, the witch of honey and cinnamon.

The pair had been getting close ever since her introduction into the Coven, but Damien forced himself to bury his emerging feelings for the witch for the good of the Coven; and because he didn't want to tell her the truth.

Now his hand has been forced. When a memory returns, the truth must be revealed. And at the end, Damien has to make the decision whether to give up a part of himself, or allow an entity known only as the Dark Fire to consume the soul of an innocent woman.


Released:  July 28, 2015
Pre-Order:  Amazon





Author



Katerina Martinez is the pen name of a husband-and-wife writing duo living on the Rock of Gibraltar. By day Katerina (that’s her on the picture, by the way) takes care of their five year old daughter and three cats, brainstorming ideas and writing down story beats while Lee works his nine to five in a big office to bring home the bacon. But by night the pair team up to put their ideas together, and when their story is in firmly within their crosshairs they take to their keyboards and bring it all to life.

Pooling their individual strengths to create a single, unified force, Katerina and Lee vaulted into their very first series - the Amber Lee Mysteries, a Paranormal New Adult series - in September of 2014. Nine months later, they’re celebrating the release of their fourth book in the series, with plans to finish all eight books by Halloween of 2015. After that, who knows?

Stalker Links: