Whispers Beyond the Veil, #1

First in a dazzling new

ISBN 0425281604
(ISBN13: 978042581604)

historical mystery series featuring Ruby Proulx, a psychic with a questionable past who suddenly found her future uncertain...
Canada, 1898. The only life that Ruby Proulx has ever known is that of a nomad, travelling across the country with her snake-oil salesman father. She dreams of taking root somewhere, someday, but, until she can, she makes her way reading tarot cards. Yet she never imagined her own life would take such a turn...

After one of her father's medical "miracles" goes deadly wrong, Ruby evades authorities by hiding in th seaside resort town of Old Orchard, Maine, where her strange Aunt Honoria owns the Hotel Belden, a unique resistance that caters to spiritualists - a place where Ruby can keep her dark secret hidden.

But Ruby's plan begins to crumble after a psychic investigator checks into the hotel and senses Ruby is hiding more than she's letting on. Now Ruby must do what she can to escape both his attention and Aunt Honoria's insistence that should has a true gift, before she loses her precious new home and her family forever...

Pages 340

Published September 6th 2016

(Berkley Books)

First Impression

I feel sorry for Ruby, she has to put up with a overbearing father who seems to be more focused on scamming desperate people out of money and "investing" it on another scheme.

Warren Yancey, known as "Yancey" is a police officer at Old Orchard, he is driven to do the right thing in the line of his work especially when "pickpockets had flown into town like a red tide".

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

After Ruby's father comes up with a new scam "the Invigorizer" "a wooden box with shiny bits of copper and black rubber tubes." Ruby has no other choice but to flee when the "trial run" ends in a deadly accident.

Yancey and Ruby first meet when Ruby is nearly robbed when she leaves the train station and Yancey takes her to the police station to recover from a the incident that left her unconscious...

There are surprises in store the more you read. I found myself enthralled with Ruby's character and loved finding more about her as I got closer to the end.

Quotes

Knight of Passion, #3

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...

ISBN 0446559865
(ISBN13: 9780446559867)

Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.
TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever

384 pages

Published June 1st 2010

 (Forever)

First Impression

Set in 3rd person Knight of passion gives the story of Jamie and Linnet from the previous books.

The prologue begins in the louvre, Paris in the year 1420. Jamie, who is love struck, mentions marriage but Linnet doesn't want to be a wife, she couldn't bear having a man telling her what to do also her plans for revenge requires her independence.

Setting her plan into motion wanted to be both her and Jamiea are caught together in a bed-chamber by her father and Sir Guy, the man who her father plans to marry her to. Jaime leaves. Back to england, deverstated.

In the next chapter 5 years has past since the night he left, Jamie is still affected. 

Now in London, Jamie rescues longer on London bridge surrounded by a mob, taking her to safety.

It is here, that we as the audience learn of Linnet's friendship with Queen Katherine the wife of the late King Henry from the Knight of Desire. Also we learn from the persuasion of the Queen that Jamie reveals that he home to search of a wife. 

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

As final book in the All the King's Men Series, Knight of Passion was filled with romance and action till the very end. I felt that the story was a little repetitive with Jamie's description, but I would read Knight of Passion more than once for the witty dialogue. 

I would recommend that anyone who likes a fast-paced romance involving a strong willed female lead.

Quotes

“Twas a shame a man who looked like that ever had to wear a shirt.”

Heart of the Warrior, #2

Severin was born to be a warrior. Conceived as a mixed-blood when his vampire father sexually

ISBN 1937252175
(ISBN13: 9781937252175)

assaulted his dreck mother over two centuries ago, Severin retained the power of iron skin inherent to newborn drecks. However, Sev keeps this secret closely guarded. If it's discovered that inferior dreck blood flows in his vampire veins, it could destroy his life. And to make matters worse, his father suddenly wants to make amends for his transgressions. Sev wants nothing of his father's apology, especially now, as he contends with both an assassin who has marked Sev for blood vengeance and his overwhelming attraction to his teammate, Arion.
Arion is the son of King Bain's liaison, Gregos Savakis, who had Ari's course plotted before he was even born. But what Ari's overbearing parents wanted for him wasn't what Arion wanted for himself, and a lifetime spent fighting through one relationship after another with females from all walks of life has left him weary in his search for a mate. After a startling and erotic encounter with Sev over a month ago, Ari has begun to realize why. He's gay. And now he can't stop thinking about Sev. Arion suddenly realizes he's been forcing himself to be with females because that's what his parents expected. But what he wants is a male, and not just any male. Arion wants Severin.
Can the two overcome the secrets, prejudice, plotting, and the threat on Severin's life to find happily ever after with each other?

330 pages

Published May 23rd 2012

(Phoenix Press)

First Impression

Set in the 3rd person Heart of the Warrior continues from the Rise of the Fallen this time sharing Severin and Arion's story...

Both have their own secrets, which helps to work out the plot as they are scared of reaction they would get it they shared their secrets with those around them.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Although, repetitive at times I enjoyed reading Heart of the Warrior I noticed some mistakes with vocabulary towards the end. 

Filled with plenty of drama from beginning to end, but I found that the sexual scenes appeared to fast. 

Heart of the Warrior I felt was very beneficial to people who are struggling to help people in that are struggling to explain their sexuality to others helping them to see there is a way forward all they have to do is be brave.

Quotes

Knight of Pleasure, #2

THE GREATEST PASSION

ISBN 0446553387
(ISBN13: 9780446553384)

Lady Isobel Hume is an expert swordswoman who knows how to choose her battles. When the king asks her to wed a French nobleman to form a political alliance, she agrees. But that's before the devilishly charming Sir Stephen Carleton captures her heart-and tempts her to betray her betrothed, her king, and her country.
IS WORTH THE GREATEST PERIL
Sir Stephen Carleton enjoys his many female admirers-until he dedicates himself to winning the lovely Isobel. So when a threat against the king leads Isobel into mortal danger, Stephen has a chance to prove that he is more than a knight of pleasure...and that love can conquer all.

363 pages

Published December 1st 2009

(Forever)

First Impression

set in the 3rd person Knight of Pleasure begins with a Prologue set in the year 1409 in Northumberland, where it gives an insight into the mind of a 13 year old Isobel, who is more interested in playing knights with boys, which her father forbade her from doing. She was supposed to focus on not getting her gown dirty. Until her father appears with Lord Hume...

In the 1417, after the death of her husband, Lord Hume. Isobels' promised land's have been given to Bartholomew Graham, who even as a child always has circled around her, cheating at games and been a bully. 

She and her father rush to the bishop in hopes of challenging Grahams' ownership. Upon arriving she is told she has 3 choices marry Graham, return to her father to be married again to someone of his choice, or a political marriage to a Frenchman.

Sir Stephen is the typical knight, taking solace in Ale and women. While in Normandy, the King gives him the task of being an administrator until the French army decide to face the English army in battle. 

My Rating 

I was looking forward to reading Stephen's story since being introduced to him in the first book, Knight of Desire...

And I wasn't disappointed a Knight of Pleasure gave action, intrigue and passion.

I love the fact that Isobel wasn't a typical woman of the time and learnt how to use a sword. Also, that there was an element of spy work going off.

Before I knew it I was in the last page one thing I would have liked is the Epilogue to give a little more information about what they have been doing because Isobel and Stephen have kids but give no age.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Historical Romance with strong main charaters.

Quotes

Rise of the Fallen, #1

In the streets of Chicago exists an uneasy, centuries-old truce between vampires and their distant cousins,

ASIN B007OALZAI

a race of shifters called drecks. Vampire enforcement agency, All the King’s Men (AKM), is charged with maintaining the truce, but when volatile enforcer Micah Black loses his mate and falls into the biological agony that results from the broken bond, he tests the boundaries of the truce by seeking out Apostle, a leader in the dreck community. Micah wants Apostle to kill him, a request Apostle is more than happy to fulfill.
When ex-Army medic Samantha Garrett inadvertently disrupts the plot and saves Micah’s life, a chain reaction sets Micah’s heart on a collision course with Sam’s, but he will have to protect her from Apostle and her obsessive ex-husband, Steve, if they will have a chance at forever. Can Micah hold his emotions together to keep Sam alive?

186 pages

Published March 23rd 2012

(Phoenix Press)

Just a warning there is mention of self-harm and domestic violence...if you or someone you know is experiencing from any of these issues, please contact someone it could either be friends, family or professional help.

First Impression

Set in the 3rd person Rise of the Fallen tells the story of Micah and Samantha.

Micah is suffering from a broken heart after Jackson, his second mate left him a week ago and in a effort to relieve it he seeks to lose himself to pain, via fights each night.

For Samantha, the ex-Army medic, working as a dancer at night is the only way she can avoid leaving a trace from her abusive ex-husband.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed reading Rise of the Fallen I was captivated by then relationship between Sam and Micah till the end.

It was a fast pace book I felt, but it didn't take away from the story itself. There was plenty of action and the sexual scenes were very heated.

I would recommend Rise of the Fallen to anyone it was worth the read I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Heart of the Warrior.

Quotes

Magic to the Bone, #1

Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound 

ISBN 0451462408
(ISBN13: 9780451462404)

than accept the family fortune - and the strings that come with it. All magic use has costs -- hers include migraines and memory loss. She finds a boy dying from a magic Offload with her father's signature, then her father is murdered. Allie's search for the truth calls on her country friend and the handsome man originally assigned as her bodyguard. Someone is forging magic signatures -- and hers is on her dead father.

355 pages

Published November 4th 2008

(New American Library)

First Impression

Magic to the Bone tells the story of Allie, a down-on-her-luck 25 year old woman who has try and make bed meet with low pay hound work.

Taking her black book and pen to help with her memory loss Allie goes to help the superstitious Mama Rossitto after receiving a call about a boy been hurt. 

Upon arriving and seeing the boy she finds that it is a serious problem and use of magic and begins to deal with the situation.

My Rating ⭐⭐

Changing from 1st person when discussing Allie and to 3rd person when talking about Cody. 

I found Magic to the Bone to be very bland, telling the tale of Allie Beckstrom and how the events of her dad been dead with her own magical signature on him leads to danger and betrayal in unexpected places.

I was disappointed as a there could have been so much more to the plot than there was which I felt let The book down, leaving it a chore to read in some parts.

I also felt The spacing between each paragraph was very off putting. 

I don't know if I would recommend it as it just left me feeling 'meh' but I would be willing to read the next book in the series, Magic in the Blood before deciding whether to give the series a miss it not.

Quotes

“...Magic is a heartless bitch, and she's had me by the throat for years.”

A Discovery of Witches, #1

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a

ISBN  0670022411
(ISBN13: 9780670022410)

bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

579 pages

Published February 2011

(Viking Penguin)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy linked to the t.v. show of the same name.

Through the book we learn about the story behind the relationship of Diana a scholar who is a descendant of Bishop witches and the vampire Matthew.  

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found the first chapter very confusing, but found reading easier as I read more. 

A Discovery of Witches gives the viewpoints of both Diana and Matthew.

After Diana calls for the Ashmole 782 her world is turned upside down...daemons, vampires, and witches seem to pop up out over nowhere.

Throughout the chapters we learn of Diana's relationship between Matthew, which comes across as been very mixed in the beginning but also explores her relationships with other characters like Gillian , who I think is a very rude untrustworthy person that is stuck up herself as we see when she is discussing Diana's family.

Also Peter Knox, who  comes across as a power greedy man that can be seen when he discusses Ashmole 782 with Diana.

I enjoyed reading about the connection and bond between Diana and Matthew. I would recommend A Discovery Quotes Witches to anyone who liked Twilight...I look forward to reading the the next book in the series Shadow of Night.

Quotes

“Just because something seems impossible doesn’t make it untrue,”

“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”

“It is a blessing as well as a burden to love so much that you can hurt so badly when love is gone.”

Knight of Desire, #1

FEARLESS IN BATTLE

ISBN 0446553395
(ISBN13: 9780446553391)

His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn.

TENDER IN BED
Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward? Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she's keeping secrets, and dare not give him her heart. As passion ignites and danger closes in, Catherine and William must learn to trust in each other to save their marriage, their land, and their very lives.

354 pages

Published July 1st 2009

(Forever)

Just to highlight there is some mention the Domestic Violence of you or someone you know has been in this situation please seek help...

First Impression

Starting in the year 1400, in England, near the Welsh border, the prologue of Knight of Desire tells the tale of a young girl on the eve of her wedding night. Feeling restless she plans to go ridding but stumbles upon a equally young William FitzAlan who insists on accompanying her...

5 years have past since that night Lady Catherine Rayburn awaits news from the King after letting him know if her husbands deceit with the Welsh rebel army. 

Some of the King's Men arrived at Ross Castle. William FitzAlan, after been granted Ross Castle upon the death of the traitor is leading them. He has been left to decide the Fate of Catherine either the tower or marriage.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Knight of Desire tells the story of the developing relationship between William FitzAlan and Lady Catherine Rayburn.

My heart goes to Lady Catherine who after years of a violent marriage has to learn that not all men are the same.

William has to master his patience side as good things come to those who wait.

I enjoyed reading how they both dealt with the ups and downs of their relationship.

I would recommend reading Knight of Desire to anyone who loves historical and I look forward to reading the second book in the series.

Quotes

Death in Her Eyes, #1

Since she was four, Elle’s

ASIN BO83N269QL

life has been nothing but pain and death, so it’s not
surprising she ended up jaded.
When Elle’s absentee father kidnaps her from her own mother’s funeral, Elle is forcefully enrolled into Fallen Academy, a school for nephilim like herself.
Mind readers, seers, and elementals? Finally, Elle is with other freaks like herself.
Except, Elle soon finds that even surrounded by her own kind, she might just be too different to fit in.
Will Elle find her place among the other children of the fallen? Or does her father have plans of his own?

Published March 2020

(Embrace the Fantasy Publishing, LLC)

First Impression

Set in the 1st person Death in Her Eyes tells the story of Elle, who has what her mother called a "gift"...but she felt otherwise. 

Elle has visions of Death, triggered by a word or phrase. Sometimes through something small, like a flower in the ground. Especially when she touched someone new.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was asked by the author to review Death in Her Eyes.

During her mother's funeral Elle watches as her dad, who left when she was 13 appears. 

He kidnaps her and enrolls her into the Fallen Academy after telling her she is a nephilim.

Filled with emotional outbursts, strained relationships and indecision Death in Her Eyes leaves you wanting more.

Quotes

Alien Mate, #3

Kidnapped or rescued, it’s a

ISBN13: 9781936279647

matter of alien perspective. Either way, it results in pleasurable probing.
Abducted by a hunky blue alien, researcher and admitted geek Penny is eager to study his mating habits—in the flesh. She’d like to blame her illogical affection for him on hormones, but the erotic remedy just heightens her chemical imbalance.
Reg never thought a simple rescue mission would make him question his decision to remain single for while Penny drives him crazy with her never-ending questions, her simple presence inflames his lust—and causes havoc with his emotions. But is he ready to give up the galactic travel he loves so much to settle down with an earthling female?

76 pages

Published January 14th 2011

(Amira)

First Impression

Reg doesn't want a life mate when rewarded in by the Oracle... so she sends him on a mission to rescue an Earthling who is in danger to bring back to the planet.

Penelope (Penny) is a Science geek in space with a asteroid on a collision course with her spacecraft, until a blue alien rescues her and take her aboard his ship.

My Rating ⭐⭐

Alien Mate #3 is the short story of Reg and Penny. 

Filled with plenty of rescue attempts and hot fun it wasn't a bad read just would have like more pages.

Quotes

Alien Mate #2

Lex's ancestors have chosen a

ISBN13: 9781936279395

mate for him, there's only one problem. She's not the earthling he wants.
Maya’s been raised to believe in aliens, and when she saves one from drowning, she can’t resist taking him home—and into her bed.
Lex’s mission to collect his mate has been fraught with difficulties, and to add even more trouble to the mix, he finds himself attracted to the wrong earthling—a curvy human who makes him question tradition.
Things get complicated in New Mexico because the military’s on the hunt for an ET, Maya’s determined to do what’s right, and Lex finds himself in the biggest battle of all—the one between his heart and his honor.

68 pages

Published 23rd July 2010

(Amira Press)

First Impression

Maya has always believed in aliens and is attracted to Lex as soon as she meets him after saving him from drowning only to discover Lex is here to claim someone else as his life mate.

My Rating ⭐⭐

Alien Mate 2 is a short tale of Maya and Lex and how the it feeling for each other develop into something deeper.

One thing I didn't like was the use of the word "cunt".

Quotes

Alien Mate 1, #1

Plump Diana is ironing her

ISBN13: 9781530711291

underwear when the hottest blue babe in all of the galaxy appears in her living room. Did she forget to mention he was naked too? Abducted, decontaminated and dressed like a harem girl, she’s been chosen to become the hunky alien’s mate.

Kor asked his ancestors to find him a biddable, docile mate, instead they found him Diana - a curvy, argumentative earthling who sets his pulse pounding and his loins on fire. He might be an alien who doesn’t understand the meaning of love, but he sure knows what he feels is more than lust.

244 pages

Published April 3rd 2014

First Impression

Kor fills in a questionnaire to find his life mate, who turns out to be Earthling Diana, but not all goes to plan. 

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Filled with adventure and drama Alien Mate although short it's a journey you can't miss.

Quotes

“My people might not have the word ‘love’ in their vocabulary, but even without that word, this is how I feel. You are mine. And in return, I belong to you. I would cross the universe to be with you and die a painful death to protect you. The thought of being without you causes fear where fear was never known. When you smile, I can do anything. When you cry, I would fight the world to make it stop. What is this, then, if not this love you seem to speak about.”

Reverse Abduction, #8

Ready for a new, hilarious

ASIN B076CRWB5X

purple romp where the roles have been switched?
It’s not fair that only males get to go out and pillage the universe. Being born a female automatically means staying home and birthing the next generation of warriors.
Azteriya has other plans.
She has a dream of traveling the galaxy and exploring strange new worlds. Fighting fierce foes. Of clubbing a viable male to bring home to her mother so that her transgression is forgiven.
When a chance to escape arises, she takes it, but what will Azteriya do when she not only finds the adventure she’s been seeking but love too?

152 Pages

Published June 14 2018

First Impression

Azteriya wants to be a warrior but only boys are taught to fight women have duty to procreate and cook.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Different than the previous books in the series Reverse Abduction tells the story of Azteriya the Kulin and Jedrek the Human.

A fast paced story with a battle and fun between the sheets

Quotes

Reader Abduction, #7

An alien fantasy brought to life...

ASIN B01BKVFOBC

It should have been a simple volunteer job. Keep the events for the Romancing the Capital convention running smooth. But from the moment Brigitte lays eyes on the male model dipped in purple, hired for the galactic party, she is thrown into a tizzy — mostly because of his stolen kiss.
Imagine her shock once she realizes he’s not an actor. This purple alien is for real!
And Phyr didn’t come to RTC alone. He brought a bunch of his mercenary friends to help him abduct all the single ladies. These readers are about to go on a galactic adventure wilder than anything they’ve ever read in a book — and hotter than anything they could have imagined

125 pages

Published May 9th 2016

First Impression

Brigitte is a reader. She has read the Alien Abduction Series and is visiting a book conference about it.

My Rating ⭐⭐

I thought it was overzealous of Eve Langlais decided to put herself and other authors in the story and basically set her readers up to be abducted.

Very quick read I would have like there to be more.

Quotes

Holiday Abduction, #6

Vhyl is First Impression

set in 3rd person Captive Queen tells the historic tale of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is trapped in a unhappy marriage to Louis VII, king of France. 

She is frustrated and has committed adultery with 2 people one Geoffrey, count of Anjou, who is presenting his son, Henry to the French court.

Both her and Henry seem to share an instant attraction to each other, desperate for an annulment from the King she urges the Abbott again to persuade the King to agree.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII have shared a 14 year unhappy marriage and at 29 she has reached an impasse especially when she sees Henry FitzEmpress who sets off a wanton rush through her.

After a shared night of passion they make a marriage promise to each other. 

Eleanor pleads with the King himself in an effort to complete her promise. Once her annulment is declared she returns home and follows through with her promise.

To me Henry seems nothing more than a child "Henry lost control and, throwing himself on the floor, rolled around telling bloodcurdling oaths before finally falling quiet and grinding his teeth on the rushed strewn over the flagstones."

I wholeheartedly recommend reading Captive Queen it is a informative and rewarding experience. An amazing insight into the past dated from 1151 all the way through to 1204.

 to acquire a certain lost

ISBN13: 9781927459645

artifact, but when he lands on the forbidden barbarian planet known as Earth, he finds more than expected. An attractive human female is in possession of the priceless object, and she agrees to hand it over - for a price.

Apparently she doesn't know of his reputation...or doesn't care.

Intrigued by her fearless nature - and her luscious brown skin - this acquisition expert can't resist stealing a kiss. But before he can take more, his enemy arrived to stake a claim.

It seems Vhyl isn't the only one interested in Jilly's treasure - or Jilly herself. On the run not only from earth forces but his enemies too, they must fight to survive and evade capture.

However, he can't escape the effect the human has on him.

In the end, Vhyl has to make a choice - Jolly or the priceless treasure he came for.

192 pages

Published December 2nd 2014  (Eve Langlais)

First Impression

Jilly is a relatable character as she is a hard-worker, but struggling with financial security. That is until a treasure lands in her front yard.

Vhyl is a mercenary bad boy...

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐

From the minute Vhyl and Jilly met there is a chemistry between them. 

When Jilly's home is destroyed as Vhyl and his enemy are after xiix, a rare treasure. They both go to a hotel in efforts to his but with the FBI and Vhyl's enemy hot on their trail will they be ok?

I would recommend reading Holiday Abduction as it has some very entertaining scenes even if it is a short story.

Quotes

 "wishes don’t grow on trees. Apples do, and if I don’t stop mooning about what I can’t have, she’ll throw a bushel of them at me.”