I was asked to be a beta-reader for this book, and I fell in love with it! I blew thru it in about a day and was left wanting more, it had a nice even I was asked to be a beta-reader for this book, and I fell in love with it! I blew thru it in about a day and was left wanting more, it had a nice even flow that made you not want to put it down. This is quite different than what I'm used to reading from this author, since I've only read her Fantasy-Romance. Now seeing that she can also write a Smexy Contemporary-Romance with a bite of tasteful eroticism, I truly know I'm a fan for life.
The story's point of views are split by both the main heroine Irelyn, and the main hero, Zolt. We learn pretty early on that Zolton is a conceited A$$-hole, who likes to have H-I-S way with women – no repeats with them when he's thru with them, either – or driving his viper at way-the-hell-too-fast-speeds, as a coping mechanism for relieving stress in his what seems like “cushy” life. He's a swanky lawyer now-a-days, but years ago, he was the star quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. That dream was taken from him due to a career ending knee injury. When he was taken down on the field, he laid, sprawled out in excruciating pain. He couldn't scream out in agony for the pain he was feeling, he just looked over on the sidelines and found refuge in the eyes of a beautiful girl. A girl he thought he'd conjured up as his own “Seraph”
With Zolt starting new job at a firm back in Arizona where he used to play football, he finds out that his “Seraph”...is real, and that she's also his new boss' daughter! Ouch! Kind of puts him in an awkward position. Should he make it big with his new boss and leave Irelyn alone, or see if what they had out on the field all those years ago still exists. Now come on, this wouldn't be an awesome romantic story if he let the girl of his dreams get away from him now, would it? Ha-ha!! I really loved the chemistry that Zolt and Irelyn had with each other, it's what made me stay up into the late hours of the night reading!
What's even wilder about this book is that Irelyn's current boyfriend, Marcus, is a super creepy troll. He treats Irelyn as if she's some sort of possession of his and not a woman he cares for, or even a human being at all, seeing that he gave her a “dog collar” to wear and all. Later on in the book you'll find out what the “dog collar” is all about, and that's something I really didn't see coming!!
I can't wait for book 2 and 3 and 4 (if she writes that many for this series) !! Thanks for letting me get an early start on this book Dawna! :) ...more
The author asked me for an honest review in exchange for a copy of her book, and when I finished reading it, I had a huge smile on my face. Thank you The author asked me for an honest review in exchange for a copy of her book, and when I finished reading it, I had a huge smile on my face. Thank you Ms. Christian for letting me read this!!!
Book 2 of “The Bounty's Retreat Series” is great, it had the same charming effect on me that the first book had. I love everything about Ms. Christian's writing, she pulls you in and really makes you feel like you're in the story, her attention to detail is flawless. I feel as though I may never have to travel to Pitcairn Island because I've already been there thru the description of her words!
Story starts out with a woman named Tina, who's come home to the island after being on the mainland for many years, attending school then work, etc...Now, she's to start a new job as an aircraft engineer; servicing the planes that fly between the mainlands and the island, but the one thing she wasn't expecting was her new boss to be her childhood love. Connor. Whom she can't stand, and is the reason she left the island for in the first place! Ahhhhhh, what a mess, I almost feel sorry for this poor girl, but it looks like she makes out alright in the beginning of the book by catching the eye of the pilot who's flown her back home, Blane. Who by the way is a serious charmer, I would have been swept right off my feet just as “Tee” was.
I love Tina's nickname btw!
Soooo, two men vying for Tina's attention! Recipe for disaster, but oh so goooood! I really, really loved this book, and if you've read “Quintal's Return” you'll notice a few returning characters! That made me happy, :) The author is very good at having you feel what the characters are feeling, there were a few emotional segments in the book where I wanted to cry right along with Tina. Well done.
I tell you, if I ever did go to the Island of Pitcairn, I would be lost in translation. It took me a minute to get used to the dialect that they use, since the author implements some of it's use in her book, but I find it very neat! I'd love to hear it spoken aloud. I'd probably be lost and end up with a goofy grin on my face, but it'd be worth it! Definitely recommend this series to others, 5 stars!
“Yorley nor need sleep to be bautiful. Yorley es beautiful.” – Connor to Tina.
Very well told story with a bit of a Romeo & Juliet 'ish sort of feel with a Dominating male-lead character that is really really hot!
Two families thaVery well told story with a bit of a Romeo & Juliet 'ish sort of feel with a Dominating male-lead character that is really really hot!
Two families that have been fighting for centuries, and for what? Not even Christian Rothcastle or Liam Windbury could tell you. They've just been too busy carrying out this family-feud, that they've almost let it destroy the well-to-do / decent men that they are.
When Christian devises an ingenious plan to extract his revenge on his worst enemy – Windbury – by kidnapping his sister Ava, he never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would come to have feelings towards her. He starts to fall and care deeply for Ava, knowing full well that this relationship has nowhere to go. But that doesn't stop him from having his way with her. And it was sexy, indeed!! I enjoyed reading this story very much and liked seeing them bicker back and forth with each other. Christian being too stubborn for his own good, and Ava, with how she wore a believable guise for her captor at first, but then lowered her guard once she got to know him. I guess you can also say that their story was a bit like an adult version of Beauty and the Beast as well, and I liked it!! Ha!
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The Duke of Rothcastle had awakened something in her with his searing kiss. And that something she feared, but also welcomed.
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I loved this line from Christian to Ava
“Because when I kiss you, you return my caress without hesitation. And when I touch you, your body almost instantly grows ripe with it. A man with any experience knows these things. And by the time I am finished with you, you will recognize your desire as keenly as I do. You will welcome it, welcome me, even though it goes against any and every impulse in your mind.”
Had a very well written plot with a great twist that I sort of saw coming, but I just had who the villain had feelings for mixed up. I'm so glad that it ended the way it did, and will definitely recommend this to my friends :) ...more
**spoiler alert** Story starts out with Lisa Adams being offered the job of a lifetime at a very high-end PR firm. Elite PR & Marketing. Although when**spoiler alert** Story starts out with Lisa Adams being offered the job of a lifetime at a very high-end PR firm. Elite PR & Marketing. Although when she signed the dotted line at the bottom of her contract, she had no idea she'd be signing her soul away to one of the most lethal and seductive demons of the underworld.
Then we fast-forward 5 years to where Lisa has worked her way up the corporate ladder. She's beautiful, has a great home, and the perfect job. Just not the perfect love life, and this is where the plot thickens. Her boss, Samuel, starts making advances on her, makes her feel sexy and desirable, but at the same time, she doesn't want to go down this route for fear of jeopardizing her career. Also poor Lisa starts to think that she's somehow gone bat-shit crazy with the hallucinations she begins to have. Hooded men with eyes that glow red, faucets that empty out pools of blood instead of clear water.
Just Samuel, her boss, biding his time – messing with Lisa as he waits to take what's rightfully his, but then walks Alex into Lisa's life.
And Alex is a man that I believe all women want to have walk into their life. I adored his character, he's sweet, the perfect gentleman, and sexy. He's the positive that will void all of the negative right out of Lisa's life, AKA – Lisa's Guardian Angel, who's been in love with her since birth, but once she signed her soul away, he chose to join the human realm to protect her. To do whatever it takes to ensure she won't be taken away from him. I just felt so sorry for him every time he and Lisa would kiss, since with him being an Angel, his lips would burn from her touch, but then I was super glad the moment that changed! Ha-ha!
I enjoyed this story very much, the author had a lot of nice details and explained everything perfectly. I look forward to reading the second book (and more) in the series!! If you like stories with Angels/ Fallen Angels, you'll love it!
I especially loved the size she depicted Lucifer to be, that would be a sight to see for sure!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There are a lot of quotes / one-liners that I loved and chuckled from in this book! Here are a few.
Laid back is what Lisa enjoys, and laid back is exactly what Alex is...all wrapped up in a bow of sexy. Yes, yes Alex is all wrapped up in a nice big shiny red bow of sexy! LOL
She wants to kiss him, she wants to embrace him, she wants her breathing to become difficult, she wants her heart to race out of control. – Looooooove that!
Looking at her, he sees the woman he's fallen in love with, the woman he fell from Heaven for, the woman he went to Hell to save. – Alex thinking about Lisa, swoooon!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all of its characters. Ms. Jeffrey does a great job with the description of the settings and also the emotions that
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all of its characters. Ms. Jeffrey does a great job with the description of the settings and also the emotions that they are projecting.
You've got Jude Strayhorn in her late 20's, living on a cattle ranch with her father and grandfather – whom also have raised her – she's got a soft exterior, but inside she's actually pretty tough. She's been engaged twice, both by the completely wrong man. Her “parents” so to speak, are just trying to do what's right by her and see her married to a man of wealth and start having babies. What they're not seeing though is the bigger picture. What Jude wants. Basically treating her as if she were just a part of the livestock herself, poor Jude.
She's got plans of her own though, to buy a derelict ranch down the road and breed cattle on her own, since she's into the genetics of crossbreeding and doesn't have the freedom to do as she wants on her family's ranch. That plan falls thru when she drives by said ranch and spots a strange truck parked in the driveway. I laughed when she confronted the stranger at the ranch and thought that she's a little firecracker!
So then walks Brady Fallon into her life, an old childhood friend that moved away many years ago to come back and take claim to the 6-0 ranch his aunt left him. The ranch is in terrible shape and will take a lot of back breaking work (and money) to fix up. Seeing that he just moved back into town and needs a job, where else to go but to the Strayhorn Circle-C ranch. Right before he starts working at the ranch though he and Jude spend some time together when she offers to ride out of town (in secret from her family) and help him move his things to his new home. Things between them heat up to N-U-C-L-E-A-R while on this trip!
Now, with Jude knowing good and well not to get mixed up with the hands working the ranch, this is a huge problem.
I love how Jude is an extremely smart woman, but also doesn't know when to put a sock in her mouth, ha! I related to her in that way, lol! Knowing all sorts of sometimes useless knowledge, and then rambling on and on about things to whoever you're trying to impress, all the while after a few minutes you look at them and they're just sitting there staring at you with a deer-in-the-headlights sort of look! Too funny. I would hate growing up like she did, not the way of living or anything, but how she had to go by who her father and grandfather would want her to date. Just because Brady didn't come from money and worked for her father, automatically put him in the do-not-date pile, even though he's everything Jude wants and is perfect for her. I kept waiting for Jude to tell her father exactly what was wrong with the other two men he picked out for her to shut him up!
Like I said I really loved this book and there were a lot of parts where I either cracked up, or threw my hand over my eyes because I was embarrassed for Jude! There are two scenes in particular that I'm talking about; where she was cleaning up the garbage outside that Ginger left and she noticed Brady's pictures.............Hot...and then when started to pack up his things in the bedroom and found a certain box with certain things of an XL size. LOL...more
The author was kind enough to let me do an early read for an honest review :) Thank you!!
Book 2 of The Colour Wielders Series is awesome! I love, lovThe author was kind enough to let me do an early read for an honest review :) Thank you!!
Book 2 of The Colour Wielders Series is awesome! I love, love, looooved it. The way Ms. Raver writes, you get immersed and can easily lose yourself in her imagination. I love the world building for Severed Colours; as well as book 1, Colour Wielders.
SC picks up right where book one left off, with Arik handing Quinn over to his Bitch of a mother Morgana. Although poor Quinn has no idea what's happening and thinks the love of her life is betraying her, Arik knows his mother is her only chance of survival. Course even though the all-knowing Morgana knows what her son is up to, she still thinks she has the upper-hand...
Boy, was she wrong. (I love what unicorn blood does to her BTW Dawna, LOL, I lost it laughing..)
“After centuries, Morgana Le Fay's beauty was over. She looked like a zombie in search of brains as she held out her arms and grabbed at empty air”
LOL
So any-who, after Quinn goes thru her awakening in the Marbh Chamber constructed by Morgana, she's a changed person. No longer a child with baby-like skin, but now a woman. Her body, hair, and features all go thru a painful change, leaving her a more mature, adult Magykal. What's even better is that she and Arik soul-touch during the process, meaning that they will both be battling each others' emotions in their minds. This was pretty neat to see thru-out the book, I thought. Not sure if I'd want it done to me, but could be handy!
The author throws in a lovely – and crazy – curve ball after Quinn's Awakening, that really shocked the Hell out of me. I just sort of sat there and thought, Omgggggg!!! And I can't tell you!!!!! It leaves Arik desperate and no choice, but to summon the most powerful beings in all the lands. The Triarchia.... Where they have him answer a yes or no question with a no win scenario.
“Can love surrounded by hate, survive, or is the end of an endless knot forever lost? Yes or No?”
After Arik's answered and made his sacrifice, both he and Quinn will have to work extremely hard to get around this obstacle thru-out the rest of the book. Let's just say that I hate The Triarchia, and A lot, and you all will too, ha!
Although Quinn has changed so much from her Awakening, that after The Triarchia are thru with her, she's even more changed than before. She may now seem like a brat, but without her new attitude adjustment the story wouldn't make sense or get to where it needs to be.
“I do care for you. I – You are my everything.” Arik Morgaine
Ms. Raver answers a lot of questions and ties the book up perfectly for the end, all the while, still leaving some things that need to be worked out for book 3. Which I can't wait for!
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Things I loved -
Like I mentioned before, her world building technique and the way she writes her characters. Now I really want to go to the club Ersatz she made up for the book, LOL!
I enjoyed how the author has her characters dress like 'normal human beings', since they are Magykals living in a Magykal Realm, sure it'd be easy to dress them for the time period of beautiful gowns, etc.. But they still wear band t-shirts, jeans, leather jackets, etc... That's great! :)
Since I read an early version of the book, she is making some changes, and one of those changes is hysterical. Where Princess Quinn has her own Royal Guard, she calls them Mutts...In the version I read they were humans, but in the new version, they're going to be actual dogs that walk on 2 legs. Very different, and very cool. !
The author gifted a copy to me in exchange for an honest review, and wow. Pretty scary stuff, I'm pretty sure that every woman who reads this, will alThe author gifted a copy to me in exchange for an honest review, and wow. Pretty scary stuff, I'm pretty sure that every woman who reads this, will all see that the main character, Congressman Derek Sweenor is a hypocritical Jack-Ass who deserves all of the punishment he receives.
This book is about a secret society of women called The Sacred Order of the Virgins of Selene aka 'The Sisters of Selene' - kind of like 'The Free-Masons'. The Sister's, have been taking scumbag men who've treated woman like garbage (rape, verbal abuse, etc...) and have been punishing/making them pay for their crimes by ways that are extremely brutal and sometimes barbaric, but let's be real. If a man committed those acts upon you, you'd gladly follow thru with his punishment wouldn't you?
Makes me wonder if there are really cults of this kind floating around out there. Hmmmm...
Recently some of the 'Sisters' have been afflicted by their means of brutal punishment, saying that some men can be reformed and re-educated without physical harm. >In my mind I was saying Highly Unlikely!!!< And this is where Derek comes in as their new test subject.
I thought it was pretty clever having his ex-girlfriend in on the grand scheme of things, that would have been a fun part to play for sure. The scene where he wore the "Black Helmet of Shame", ugh, I cringed!!... THEN - The shit hits the fan at the compound and all Hell breaks loose.. I wasn't expecting that, especially the last 2 chapters, with his -New Addiction-.. Lol - Holy American Psycho in the making.. I enjoyed this book and wonder if the Sisters will reconsider their new methods of treatment since obviously it backfired, and hope that they will have their revenge on Derek.
Makes me wonder about this author... LOL Just kidding!! I appreciate you reaching out to us at The Booknatics, Tom! Thanks!...more
I just want to start out by saying W-O-W! The cover of this book is what initially attracted me to it, very sexy, and then when I read the blurb... I I just want to start out by saying W-O-W! The cover of this book is what initially attracted me to it, very sexy, and then when I read the blurb... I knew I was hooked. It was a very sensual, fun, fast paced read that I didn't want to put down. The fact that it's also told thru the Hero’s perspective is also very neat, different than what I've read lately.
You start off by learning about Adam, the Hero, and how he's this big pompous New York City Playboy. Women flock to him by their knees; they give - he receives. Seems that's the way he's lived his life for years. Recent events have turned his life upside down though, due to one of his college friends Simon, and also business partner deceiving him and the company they both built (along with 2 other friends from College). Suddenly, Simon has all of this hatred and lashes out towards Adam, and he has no idea why.
Then, Adam meets Kathryn. A widowed Tantra teacher with a doctorate in psychology, who has the demeanor of Scarlet O'Hara from Gone with the Wind. I loved her immediately, also loved how the author threw in that she is a Vanderbilt. The Anderson Cooper bit had me rolling. She's a very strong, take no crap from anyone kind of woman who's trying her damnedest to keep her distance from Mr. the surly Mr. Kingsley, but the more he pursues her, he himself begins to change for the better, and she can't help but fall for him.
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I loved everything! It had all of the essentials for me, 2 people from different worlds finding middle ground to be with each other. All of the characters were very fun and realistic, Ms. Morris did an amazing job for her debut novel! I will definitely recommend this to friends (as I've done so already) and can't wait to read more from her.
Notes I made -
-I like how in this story the Hero's driver wasn't also his super almighty powerful bodyguard. Like in some other books I've read, that character seems to be able to do it all. When Kinglsey actually DID have to have a bodyguard, he hated it and it was hilarious. “Goliath” - Ha!
-I'm totally going to use the line “Who blew sunshine up your ass” now – I've never heard that, it's great LOL.
“Kathryn huffs as she looks at me with daggers in her eyes, likely plotting my death” - Adam
LOL!
“I think who I am today has everything to do with you, and actually nothing to do with me” - Adam
The author makes it so easy to fall in love with him, it'd be great if we all had an Adam.
I found this PNR to be quite enjoyable, it had some J.R. Ward flare to it with a hint of KMM, and some Larissa Ione. If you like those gals, give thisI found this PNR to be quite enjoyable, it had some J.R. Ward flare to it with a hint of KMM, and some Larissa Ione. If you like those gals, give this one a read!!! Some fun snarky humor from the heroine Liz and a whole lotta HOT with the mind-reading hero Kelt. Also, I wanted to thank the author for gifting me her book for a review!
You have your Immortal Guardians, who make sure that the darkness cannot take over the light of the world. Keltor is one of these guardians, and has lived a life of solitude for a very long period of time. That is, until he met the keeper, Elizabeth. Which she didn't even know that this paranormal side to her world existed. ~~ I loved Liz's crash course to her new reality, I know I would have been seriously hair brained for a while!
So Liz is a Keeper and prior to her, they've always been men. Keeper's are sought after by the Demons of the Shadows, wanted by the darkness with the ability to destroy Guardians if they cross over from the light. If that happens, they forfeit their soul and become Immortal as well. The whole time all of this is being explained to her, she's thinking that she will end up just like her mother at the insane asylum. Her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 11 years old, but Liz had suffered a nightmarish childhood living with her long before that. That was heartbreaking, no idea how a mother can look at their child and think of them as the devil spawn, then beat them.
~~For a while, it was a mystery as to how Elizabeth can be well into her thirties and remain unknown as the Keeper to either the light or the dark. I liked the idea of her having a spell casting sorceress as her grandmother. ~~
I loved Ms. Sage's reasoning on why her Guardian's needed blood. Since they're immortal, their bodies no longer produce it, so they are 'forced' to drink it. Since they're not exactly vampires they don't just go stalking the streets for some unsuspecting victim because they 'want' to drink it. <---- I liked that :) .
Liz and Kelt's romance that they had together was all kinds of Hot'N'Steamy!! I started feeling sexually frustrated right along with the poor girl when, at the beginning of the book he would start something and abruptly end it. I don't want to reveal too much -BUT- the scene where they made their eternal connection. OMIGOD , it very very raw and 100% sweet.
Some characters that were favorites of mine were of course Kelt, because duh. Liya- Badass warrior of the White! I was so happy that she got her happy ending, so to speak. Now we'll just have to see if Dante will give her, her other happy ending ! =P Lucio- Being the son of the Pure one, he's like all of the other Guardian's mentor. His character was very fatherly and sweet. I liked his ability to see the footprints of the past so to speak, very cool idea.
I enjoyed young Kate and Logan's meeting/ time spent together as well. Everything seemed to tie in together nicely! Well worth the read. =)
“If you stop this time, I'll kill you when I'm stronger.” - Elizabeth to Kelt
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– There was a part of the book I wanted to point out. There's a scene where Liz is talking about good quality furniture and how you can't find them made like that anymore. All you get at the store is cheap pressed particle board. THAT IS SO TRUE, lol when I read that I laughed out loud.
I was offered this book in exchange for an honest review by Nadine, and was so glad that she asked me!
This story is about 2 sisters (Kate/Heroine and I was offered this book in exchange for an honest review by Nadine, and was so glad that she asked me!
This story is about 2 sisters (Kate/Heroine and Jen) who run/manage hotels, and are now assigned to run the brand new hotel 'The Bounty's Retreat' on the beautiful Isle of Pitcairn. Coincidentally their parents lived on the island but left before they were born. It starts off with them traveling to Pitcairn on boat, but when they arrive near the island they actually transfer to another boat that takes them to shore. Which has Kate nervous as hell because she thinks she will fall into the sea. At first I thought Kate's love interest was going to be Captain Drew, from the first boat that they started out on. But soon realized it was going to be the Captain of the Longboat that they've transferred to, named Bryce.
And what a love interest he turned out to be *fans self*
Bryce is a local, knows his island, his boat, everything by the back of his hand and now this beautiful woman falls into his life, you can tell that she's thrown him of his game a little bit since a while ago he'd sworn to himself he would be a permanent bachelor. He's helped build the hotel, as well as the other islanders. He's kind of like the Do-It-All kind of guy of the island. What woman wouldn't want a man like that? Knowledgeable, good with his hands, good looking??? Ms. Christian wrote her characters very smart for this book. She made them all extremely loveable to the reader, and even had you feeling sorry for the villain of the book Celia.
This book has a great cast of characters with a well thought out story line, and I enjoyed it very, very much! I have definitely recommended this book to friends and will continue to do so with the rest of her work from now on. Can't wait to see what else she writes up for us in the future!
Also- The island way of living is very charming in itself, and that reflects from her writing, seeing how she lives on one. I would love to someday visit and meet great people who go out of their way to help others with anything they needed. There needs to be more people like this in the world....more
I loved all the stories everyone wrote for this amazing anthology. Well done ladies!! You all had very unique ideas and shared some great fantasies!! I loved all the stories everyone wrote for this amazing anthology. Well done ladies!! You all had very unique ideas and shared some great fantasies!! From Contemporary to Sci-Fi, very cool :) ...more
I thought that this was a very sweet story about a young woman named Camille, who recently lost both her parents in a horrible car accident, then gains an Angel named Casey to watch over and make sure she overcomes her grief. He comes to her in her dreams where they both fall in love. Only it's not his job to become personally involved with his work; he wants her to be able to heal on her own and not to have to use him as a crutch.
I love Camille's attitude thru out the whole book, especially when she visits her psychiatrist, which actually, I would have acted the same way. She was trying to tell her about her progress she's making, but all the Dr. wanted to do was shove drugs down her throat. So, she left, and continued on with her day by going to the mall to buy herself some clothes. Since the accident happened 6 months ago, she's pretty much become a hermit. Her house is a wreck with a Christmas tree still up in the living room, piles of laundry all over the place, and the poor things diet is so bad she's lost about 30 lbs.
Upon entering the mall and going to a clothing store, she befriends a woman who works there named Sarah, and this girl is exactly what Cami needs to break her out of her funk. She picks out some stellar outfits for her to try on, and after she decides which ones she wants to purchase they go have lunch together. They decide to go out later so Sarah takes her to a poetry slam at a local coffeehouse. Sexy Angel Casey makes a cameo there to coax Cami into relaxing to new surroundings, and even gets her to go up on stage to relieve some stress . The scene, that Cami and Casey have together there..... was very sweet and hot. I liked how the author set it up so that when Casey did present himself to Cami while she was awake, she couldn't feel him, just a warming sensation. That was pretty neat, and I couldn't wait for her to actually feel HIM.
Going further into the story you get Casey's back story, how he died, and.... a deal he has going on with “The Big Man”. He also learns things haven't always been what they seemed to be. I guess what I'm trying to say without spoiling too much, is that I thought it was clever how she set certain people up with their “roles” that they had since the beginning and how it all played out. :)
This story has a deep underlying meaning to it, that I hope everyone gets. To forgive others that have wronged you, because Ms. Jade is right. If you don't, how else will you put everything behind you and move on with your life? I enjoyed it very much ! :) ...more
I was given this book before it's release date for an honest review and I really enjoyed it! I love Tina's style of writing and how her characters intI was given this book before it's release date for an honest review and I really enjoyed it! I love Tina's style of writing and how her characters interact with each other. Especially the steamy scenes *waggles eyebrows*.. 'Soul Broker' has plenty of humor, romance, and suspense; A great build up for the rest of the series!
I loved how the characters "Bumped into each other" when they first met. I often dream of meeting my future somebody the same way, lugging bags of groceries home, rounding a corner, then BAM - Insta- Happily Ever After. --- Lol
(view spoiler)[Only Drew isn't a prince, but more or less Demi- god servant/ sex slave to a Demon named Olesha. On a day he was brokering souls for her he ran into Mackenzie, they had a night of passion and jealous Olesha, ripped him from earth's plane and back to her dungeon. After she found out that Mackenzie had Drew's baby, she wanted it...But neither Drew nor Mackenzie would let that happen....Oooh and I love who Drew's father turned out to be =P (hide spoiler)]
I received this copy from the author for an honest review, and found myself not wanting to put it down! The whole story just blew me away.
This story I received this copy from the author for an honest review, and found myself not wanting to put it down! The whole story just blew me away.
This story is told by Aldo from 2 different times in her life. The present (or what she thinks is the present), where she's 24, and then from her memories at being 17. She, her brothers Whit and Hudson are triplets raised by their aunt Lucy, and they all have a special kind of ability to them... They're Healers. Healers can hear hear the energy that humans have thru their vibrations and pitches and when someone is in need of healing they pull energy from other sources (people) and push that energy into the person in need. They call themselves 'Healer Robin Hoods'. Though they cannot interfere with a person who is on the verge of death.
Healers that practice healing on others don't generally stay in one area too long, for fear of being caught by Vampires or Blood Healers. A Healer's blood, is much more divine than any other persons blood. Blood Healers are Healers that have been turned by a vampire and are able to walk in the sunlight.
When Aldo was 17, there was an accident at a store she was at where a little girl got hit by a truck. She can sense that her vibrations and pitches are consistent so she knows that she can be saved. Rushing around trying to decide who has the best energy to pull from, she decides on the driver who hit the child.... But he starts pulling HER energy.. So now she's pretty freaked out because not only did she just meet another healer, but SHE is the energy source!! So she cuts off his connection with her. Now with him shocked and amazed she's a healer, Aldo starts to push her own energy into the child. Which is a big no no, since she's just draining herself.
After she comes too from blacking out, the other healer stuck around to introduce himself as Thomas and they talked for a little bit. But later on in her dreams is where she really gets to know him, since she also has the ability absorb any information by a single touch. . . In her dreams, Thomas is there, they talk some more / she asks him questions.. All the while thinking it's her own subconscious she's speaking with, when in actuality he is IN THE DREAM with her; he's a dream walker.. In the dream he invites her to meet him at a restaurant, and that's when he tells her that he's 25 and finds out that she's only 17. That's pretty much just crushed Aldo's world, especially when he calls her a kid.
He decides she's more like the sister he's never had and befriends her and her family. They all become very close with Thomas; Aldo even falls in love with him. Then one day, when her aunt has scheduled a healing at their house, she sends Aldo and her brothers away for the afternoon.... Their lives will never be the same....
I could really go on and on and on and ON about this story, but I don't want to give too much away!!!! Ahhhhh! I just really love how it was all done, and how it came together. Ms. Toler did an amazing job! It kind of had me thinking of the movie “Inception” just from all of the dream sequences.
A few things I will say is that I am in love with Rhett's character, and hope he kicks Thomas's little ass when they find him LOL. . . *Dramatic Music* !!
When Rhett and Aldo arrived at the farmhouse, he looked it over and said, “Interesting”.. I kind of had an idea of what was happening, and loved it, great idea!
Also, I think it'd be pretty neat if Aldo became a Blood Healer.. With Rhett.....*swoon*!!!
“I never thought I would be able to feel for someone again, because I shut myself off to it. She saved you and because she did..., I found you.” - Rhett Mason
I was given this early release copy by the author for an honest review and.....I freakin loved it!!! This is Rachel Raithby's debut book, and it reallI was given this early release copy by the author for an honest review and.....I freakin loved it!!! This is Rachel Raithby's debut book, and it really seems like she's been writing for years; it was that good!
Lexia seems like your normal/basic teenager that's about to graduate, until 3 vampires corner and attack her; she knows her life is over then from out of nowhere she realizes that she has these 'Superhuman Traits' and is able to defeat them with her bare hands. Off in the distance, a shifter-panther named Lincoln watches and can't believe what he's seeing. A Hunter.... Who's trained to kill off his kind.. He wants to kill her, but he wants to learn a little bit about her first so he starts hanging around, pretending to be passing thru town. What he wasn't expecting was for Lexia to be so alive, so to speak, you'll know what I mean when you read his meaning for her, and he falls for her.
“He smiled at her but there was nothing friendly about it, the kind of smile that whispered of danger and excitement.”
The chemistry that these two have for each other is OHMIGOD!!! It was pretty hot! Like...Really hot! I was not expecting that at all, reading along, reading, reading....and whoa...WHOA!!! I loved it! :) I liked Lexia's Best friend Alice as well, hopefully we'll see more of her in the next book since she's now a huge part of Lex's and Linc's supernatural world.
I really loved how Ms. Raithby had Lincoln able to shift at will, and he could become part panther, instead of full on panther. For instance, his claws would rip thru his fingertips so he could climb as human form, etc... That was pretty neat and different, also loved how he would light up all over when he did shift. When Lexia would go in 'Hunter Mode' I swear, I could picture her becoming more buff, taller, faster, just deathly with her eyes blazing yellow. She described the fight scenes very well, I could picture them all fighting in my head like watching a movie.. Let's just say that I hope Lexia's evil B**** mother gets what she deserves, HA!
Rachel's writing is very fresh and fun, Can't wait for the next installment to this great series!!!!
I'm going to start off by saying that I really, really enjoyed this book. The story and characters really took off and sucked me in. It wasn't anythinI'm going to start off by saying that I really, really enjoyed this book. The story and characters really took off and sucked me in. It wasn't anything I was expecting it to be, it was better!
Abby Abernathy is starting fresh with her best friend America at Eastern University. Early on in the book you keep getting some clues that Abby's past wasn't so great, and it really gets you guessing as to what it could be. Then you find out what it is, and it pretty much threw me for a loop, I wouldn't have thought it would have had anything to do with having a dead beat poker playing father in Las Vegas, and that she herself is a bit of a card shark thanks to her good for nothing dad. Now with of that all in her past, and wanting to start fresh, she gets dragged to a secret type of “Fight Club” on campus and the person fighting is not only her best friends boyfriends cousin Travis, but everything Abby needs to avoid altogether if she's serious about starting fresh.
Travis 'Mad dog' Maddox..... I fell in love with this broken young man. He's the perfect example of a boy you would want to keep your daughters away from, or your parents told you to stay away from, but couldn't. He's the school slut, shaved head, covered in tats, cigarette smoking, drinking and swearing bad boy that all of us (yes you) would love to be with at some point in our lives. Or have already.....? Raised in a house full of testosterone since his mother passed when he was so young he became a hell of a fighter fighting off his older brothers and now uses these skills in what they call the “Inner Circle” fights that only a handful of college kids know about. He makes a lot of money from the bets placed so this prevents him from having to have an actual job... And this is where he meets Abby, and you can tell he instantly falls in love with her. I love the nickname he gives her.. “Pigeon”..
He pretty much finds Abby as something he wants like a shiny beautiful trophy, but he never thinks he's good enough to have her. His reputation of sleeping with all of the women on campus (by sleeping I mean “bagging” them on the couch since they're not good enough for his bed and then sending them away in the morning telling them he won't even think of calling them) definitely isn't helping him win Abby over either. She see's him for the pompous arrogant ass he is and wants absolutely nothing to do with him at first. Until, she loses a bet and has to stay with him for a month. . . Sleeping with him, in his bed, BUT without any funny business.
“I know we're fucked up, all right? I'm impulsive and hot tempered, and you get under my skin like no one else. You act like you hate me one minute, and then you need me the next. I never get anything right, and I don't deserve you . . . but I fucking love you, Abby. I love you more than I've loved anyone or anything, ever. When you're around, I don't need booze or money or the fighting or the one-night stands. . . all I need is you. You're all I think about. You're all I dream about. You're all I want.” - Travis Maddox
During the duration of the bet a man named Parker who's pre-med, clean cut, rich, everything Abby should be going for if she wants to get away from her past lets her know he's interested in her.. They try to go out on a few dates, but Travis makes it damn near impossible playing the needy best friend, when actually he doesn't want his pigeon having eyes for anyone but himself. So Abby and Parker decide to try and give it a shot after the bet is over and she's back to staying at her dorm room. Well.... too many sweet things happen for Abby to really consider giving Parker a chance, although they did fool around a few times and I even thought what in the world is she doing? Travis is doing a completely 180 for you and you're fooling around with this guy? A Mr. Rogers wannabe??? Get with the program girl LOL!!!..
There's so much more I want to gush about but I just think that I will just tell you to go get this book and read it for yourselves. You won't be disappointed, it will send you on an emotional roller coaster, but it'll be worth it!!
**I will say this tho, the one thing that did really bother me was when Travis would become a complete control freak of Abby. Getting pissed off at her when a guy buys her a beer at a bar, wanting her to change a dress because it was cut too low in the back, punching a guy who tries to dance with her at the club, when they'd have a fight and Abby would leave and he'd lose his mind with crazy antics trying to win her back, etc... That was a bit much, and I think the author wanted that to tie in with the fact that he lost his mother at a young age and never really had “that connection” with another female until now.. I do get that, but still... It would have freaked me out too being with a man that had a temper like that. ** **...more
Zoe works for a vet and is the current protector of the “Gateway”, although at the time she has no clue. All she knows is that she w**spoiler alert**
Zoe works for a vet and is the current protector of the “Gateway”, although at the time she has no clue. All she knows is that she wears a locket around her neck that has sentimental value to her. After her mother's death, her father sent her to be raised by her mothers siblings (a coven of Wiccans), out in the country in their farm house. After work one night she notices something isn't right and sees she's about to be ambushed by one of Aries' “The God of War” puppets – Lucian. She gets away from him only to be manhandled by another man, Evan, a templar and her protector.
Protectors are sworn to keep the gateway to “humanities last hope” from falling into the wrong hands, and have been doing it for the last few centuries by keeping watch of Zoe's ancestors. Zoe should have learned all about this when she came of age, but her mother was killed before she had a chance to. Luckily for Evan, he is the one to have to tell her. He finds pleasure in telling her that he's been watching her since he was able to pick up a blade, guess you never know when you're being watched or not; this did not sit well with her!! After Zoe and her dad walk into her apartment while it's being broken into, she and the assailant get into a scuffle and he takes her locket.
Now that Lucian and Aries have the locket, they can't seem to get it to function properly... That is without Zoe...
I really liked this story, also enjoyed seeing Zoe learn about her powers and how to use them. After she learns how to master them I'm sure she'd be a pretty bad-ass Wiccan... It had strong character building with a lot of back story.. She and Evan had an extremely heavy case of a Love/Hate relationship that all worked out in the end... The last few chapters of the book ended things really well so it had a nice closure.
This was my first “Nulli Read” and I enjoyed it very much! As soon as I saw the cover with her beautifRating – 5 Stars!
*Warning - May have spoilers! *
This was my first “Nulli Read” and I enjoyed it very much! As soon as I saw the cover with her beautiful peek-a-boo hood, determined eyes, and that extremely ornate castle in the background, it instantly went on my to read list!
Set in a time where the Kingdom of Minra is protected by the duty of the Initiates ( townsfolk who willingly offer themselves for the chance of being the kings next companion for a ritual of keeping him...alive). They are chosen by the Ritual Trainers and then escorted from the only life they've ever known to their new home within the palace walls. There they will then begin their training, and only one will be a chosen companion.
Ashland was the perfect heroine for this setting, not afraid to speak her mind since she absolutely wants nothing to do with this whole process. I couldn't blame her, I wouldn't want to be put out on display like cattle for the slaughter either! Having her parents behind her telling her it's of great privilege to serve the king this way even though they know it could be the last time they see their daughter. That had to be hard, I couldn't imagine standing outside my house with a proud look on my face and my flesh and blood standing out there on display!!
While the Ritual Trainers were choosing the Initiates one of them was standing in the back keeping a low profile. Hooded face, dark, mysterious.. Cirian, their lead instructor and Ritual Master.. He stepped forward and chose Ashland at the last minute. Soon as all of their goodbyes were in order, they made their way to the palace.
I love the bickering that Ash and Cirian have back and forth with each other at the palace once lessons/training began. You can tell he's a professional with his duties and has a lot of pride serving his King, but also that he's just about at his breaking point with trying to hold his growing feelings he is having towards her in check. After they have a few go arounds with each other, they both break and give in to what they're obviously feeling. Then the author makes you feel what they feel. I hated to think that she is still up for being named the kings next companion and the likeliness of her being taken away from Cirian is still very possible.
““How can you still function as Ritual Master? You come to my bed at night, and you dig my grave during the day.” - Ashland
Cirian comes up with the idea to try and convince King Kendrick that this particular initiate doesn't want to fulfill her duty to try and prevent her being taken away from him, naturally the king takes a sudden interest in her. Especially since this would be the first time in history that someone would object this way of life.
“A reminder that home doesn't always have to be a place. It can be a person too” - Cirian.
Here's where I was saying to myself, “Uh-Oh, what have you done now C.. You've peaked the King's interest in this beautiful woman who's not afraid to speak her mind. Something that can be refreshing to the King since I'm sure he's all used to is everyone agreeing blindly to anything he says/wishes.”
All in all, I enjoyed this book! The ending had some good twists and turns, that I honestly wasn't expecting. ...more
This was my first “Shifter” read and I found it to be a very sweet story.
Ryland is the owner of a private fishing lodge (The Ursa Fishing Lodge) on GThis was my first “Shifter” read and I found it to be a very sweet story.
Ryland is the owner of a private fishing lodge (The Ursa Fishing Lodge) on Gemini Island, which is basically a haven for the shifter race. A place where young shifters can learn to come into their own in peace where they'll be safe. A place where no one has to worry about being themselves.....Pure serenity.
Everything was indeed serene until Ryland's rock star hot shot brother Soren showed up fearing for his life. This comes as no surprise to Ryland why someone would want his brother's bear head stuffed and mounted in his home. Seems he's had a lifetime full of events like this, whether it be his womanizing ways, or his rock star habits. While they're about to hash it out in the woods after a heated argument in full bear form – a human woman shows up, obviously running away from something or some one. And lands herself right in front of a polar bear and a grizzly bear. Before she screams herself into oblivion, Ryland and Soren shift back to human form.
In all of their naked glory.... Poor girl passes out...
After they get her comfortable and settled in, Ryland already starts to feel this sort of pull of desire towards her. Soren just flat out see's her as just another sexual conquest. Especially when he figures out his brother may be harboring some feelings for her. They find out disturbing news when she awakens and reveals her identity – she's Lia Goodblood an up and coming author, who after debuting a smash hit in the Erotica genre has seemed to fancy herself a creepy stalker. Who wants to love her to death. . . Now the brothers must put their difficulties aside in order to keep Lia safe.
Trust will be tested and emotions will pull at you while Lia learns to overcome her fear of animals to be on an island populated by shifters while she hides from her crazed fan. In the end will she be able to stand proud next to her bear man... Whichever one she chooses?
The sensuality of Ms. Leo's writing is very in depth and her details to what the characters feel for each other are spot on. She will take you on a panty-clenching journey you won't forget any time soon. Let's just say that honey will definitely be on my list of things to try, for sure... *Snicker*
I was very happy with this book and cannot wait for the next one she writes for us!!...more