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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Jaguar's Judgement by Lia Davis!

Jaguar’s Judgment
Ashwood Falls #6
Published by Fated Desires Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-62322-221-5

 
Sable Darwin has run from her destiny for too long. Stepping away from her role as Beta of the Onyx Pack, she chooses to take her chances and face judgment for her crimes. Her only hope for survival is to trust the male who ripped her heart out and turned his back on her so many years before.
Jared Nickels’ only loyalty is to the Alphas of Ashwood Falls. When he sees Sable again after fifteen years, he can’t stop himself from touching her. Through his Justice gift to see others’ pasts, he learns she’s not as guilty as he’d assumed. She’s actually one of the biggest victims in the war that her parents started.
When the war shifts in favor of the enemy, Sable and Jared must band together to put an end to the threat. Or die trying.
  Buy links:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/jaguars-judgement/id1000653173?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/jaguar-s-judgment


The light dusting of snow crunched under his shoes as he made his way to the building that had been used for storage until a few weeks ago when Sable had turned herself in. She had fought with the Pack and helped Ana direct her power. Jared understood why. Sable had protected Ana since Felix stole her from her mother’s womb. They were sisters in every way but blood.
The selfless act, knowing she would be taken into custody, added another crack to the wall around his heart.
Jerking the door open, he entered the one-room building and froze mid-step as the floral scent of his mate slammed into him. Closing his eyes briefly, he slowed his breathing and pushed away the storm of desire brewing inside of him.
When he opened his eyes, he scanned the small space. The room didn’t look like a cell. It was a damned apartment. An area rug covered the floor at the center of the room. A mini refrigerator sat in the corner with a microwave on a shelf over it. The only personal item, however, was the female’s duffle bag in the far corner. His gaze found Sable sitting in the middle of a futon with a tablet in hand. “They let you have Internet?”
She didn’t look at him. “It’s bugged. They watch everything I do.”
Her voice carried a hint of tiredness, along with annoyance. He bet the latter was due to his presence. Good. “Find anything interesting?”
She didn’t answer. His cat growled and clawed at him. The man stood his ground in the doorway. The cold breeze helped to keep his mind clear.
“Close the door or leave. Better yet, do both.” She picked up a cell phone and typed something before setting it back down on the cushion next to her.
He tracked her movements, curious who she was texting and why. Without conscious thought, he drifted closer to her. Each step made it hard to maintain control over his need to touch her, yet he couldn’t stay away. Yes, he was an idiot.
The door slammed shut, jarring him out of his thoughts. He snapped his gaze up and met her teal eyes, glaring back at him.
“What do you want?”
You, naked and panting. He shook his head. The lack of sexual release had made him insane. However, Sable was his mate. Enemy or not, he’d want her like no other and wouldn’t rest until he had her. Yep, he was fucked.
“Have you talked to Nigel?” It was the only thing Jared could think of to say. Because “I want to fuck you senseless” just didn’t seem appropriate.
Sable’s lip thinned. “Yes, I speak to him all the time. Like you, he has access to this shack.”
He ignored the growl of irritation in her tone and crossed his arms. “Rhea says he’s very advanced and could start taking some college courses online.”
“I know. I met with the den mother this morning.” Sable returned her attention to the tablet. “Why are you really here, Jared? You’ve never been big on small talk.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about him? Why did I have to find out from Kieran?” Anger filtered into his words. Nigel was his son, and he deserved to know who his father was. “Better yet, why did you tell him I was dead?”
Sable jumped to her feet and came nose-to-nose with him. “You hurt me, Jared. I didn’t want to see you again or have you in our lives. Besides, you were dead to me.”
He peered into her eyes, searching for any sign of untruth, but what he found made his chest constrict around his hammering heart. There was true pain in the depths of that teal-colored gaze. Hardening his stare and masking his own emotions from her, he bit out, “Your betrayal wounded the bond, not me.”
She didn’t flinch at his harsh tone. She’d always been good at hiding behind that sheet of ice around her heart. “What was I supposed to say? Oh, by the way, my father is the boogieman of the shifter world? The king of all bastards. I’m sure that would have gone over well.” 


Author Interview & Review: Kay Phoenix!


Tell my fans a little bit about yourself and your books.
I write contemporary and paranormal romances, with a mild to medium heat level. I believe in the healing and therapeutic power of love. Many of my characters have been through dark circumstances that have shaped or altered their views in a negative way. My stories center on my characters finding their way back to happiness and love.

How would you introduce your books to someone that has yet to read them?
My stories are like spices–some are light, some are more intense, and all are unique.

What inspired you to start writing? What age did you start?
I started writing poetry when I was very young, inspired by a wild jackrabbit that sat under my chair one time while camping.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I love hiking, camping and exploration. I’m also a photographer and belong to several local artists groups and exhibit my photos at galleries throughout the year.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Find a writing group to attend either in person or online. Don’t assume that a good story will get you where you want to be, you have to learn about the business aspect of writing.

What’s your favorite scene/line from your works?
“I’m sorry I threw up on your boyfriend.” From a work-in-progress called “The Zookeeper”.

What's the hardest thing about writing? The easiest?
The hardest thing are the time constraints, but the easiest is the actual writing.

What are you currently reading?
“Reading the Signs” by Angela Forister.

What are you currently working on?
I’m working with an editor on a contemporary book called “Steele and Stone”. I will announce the release date as soon as I know.

What books did you read as a child?
All of them.

How has your life changed since you began writing?
It’s way more complicated! When I have free time (as if?), it involves “work”. Plus, I’ve found that people generally don’t think being an author is a valid profession unless you’re someone they’ve heard of.

Do you listen to music while you write?
No. But I have a constant soundtrack in my head.

What's been your favorite moment as an author?
It’s always when I’m writing and the story takes on a life of its own, especially when the characters go places I hadn’t planned on them going.

Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite?
A safari guide named Johnathan in a work-in-progress called “Under the Granite Lies”.

 What do you want readers to take away from your books
Hope! I want my readers to feel uplifted and hopeful, not just about love, but about other subjects that some of my books deal with.

You’re stranded on a desert island. What books do you take with you?
A scrapbook of family photos, a book on survival techniques and a sketchbook (and pencils).

What book(s) do you wish you would have written?
I wish I’d already written all the ones inside my head because it’s torture having them in there wanting to get out. I’m doing it as fast as I can.

Favorite book character?
James Alexander Malcom MacKenzie Fraser from” Outlander”.

What is your dream vacation destination?
A photo safari in Kenya.

Do you have any interesting dreams or goals?
I’d like to adopt an older child someday.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ll have at least four or five more books out by then, be plugging them, attending conferences, and perfecting my craft. I look forward to all of the adventures!

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
“Life as a Weirdness Magnet”

Where can fans find you?
http://kayphoenix.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KayPhoenixAuthor


Borealis Ardor is a very fast read that starts off slightly confusing. I think it will be a good introduction to the paranormal romance series that will follow the events in the novella. There is a good amount of mystery in the novella along with some paranormal and romance aspects. I really liked the ending and am intrigued to find out more about the characters and our MCs returned memories along with the things her father does.


Friday, July 17, 2015

Book Blitz: Love Redeemed by Tich Brewster!


Title: Love Redeemed
Author: Tich Brewster
Publisher: Pennedit


Life is simple.
Cassie is content with what she has, a great job and wonderful friends. Everything is perfect…until Ryder appears. She still has not forgiven him for choosing music over her eight years ago.
Ryder is a rock star, living the life he had always dreamed of. He is not searching for love because who has time for that when you're constantly on the road. But then his tour ends and he decides to go back home and visit an old friend.
When those old feelings resurface, will they be able to forgive and start anew?

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The club owner announced the upcoming band but she was too busy laughing to hear the name.  Once again, the place vibrated with thumping music.  She froze as her mind registered what she was hearing.  She knew that song, she had played it every day when she was younger.  She stopped dancing, slowly turning to face the stage.

His voice boomed over the speakers, that deep throaty voice that she knew all too well.  “Panic hits but it’s too late.  Too late to say what you needed to hear.  You needed to hear just how much I need you.  And now you took the better part of me.”

Pushing through the crowd was tough but she had to see for herself.  When she had a clear view of the stage she lifted her eyes to meet the lead singer.  Ryder.

As if sensing her eyes on him, his eyes traveled over the sea of faces until they landed on her.  He still looked the same as he did the last time she saw him eight years ago, his messy dark brown hair, faded blue jeans, and that ugly black fingerless glove on his right hand.  She couldn’t believe that he still wore that thing.

In that one moment, with just one look into his eyes, all those feelings that she had finally buried deep within, resurfaced.  The love they once shared and the heartache she suffered when he walked away.  She couldn’t do this, couldn’t be in the same room with him.  If she didn’t get out of there and away from him then that wall she worked so hard to build around her heart would crumble to the ground.






Tich is an Oklahoma resident and the mother of five.  Her passion for reading started at an early age when her Aunt Vicky gave her the novel Heidi for Christmas.  She didn’t start writing until middle school, after being inspired by her best friend’s short stories.  “Genny’s stories weren’t just great but they inspired me to put my pen and paper to good use.”  Tich never thought of publishing her works until working with Teresa on the Royal Blood series.

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Interview and Review: Toxic by Kim Karr!

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...
New York Times bestselling author Kim Karr turns up the heat in a smoking hot, emotionally compelling new novel that takes you into the world of Manhattan’s elite.
In Toxic, Jeremy McQueen, a sexy, intense, sometimes brooding entrepreneur goes after what he wants—the woman he left behind years ago. Phoebe St. Claire, a put together, in control socialite-turned-CEO has been drifting through life searching for something she thought she'd never find again—the right man to share her future.
Our passion was boundless. Our lust untamed. And our desire endless. He was the only man who ever made me feel alive. Then, I betrayed him.
When he reappeared, I didn’t question it. Trust rarely survives the wrecking ball, so when he let me in back in—I didn’t hesitate.
Maybe I should have.
What began as a bid to save my family business, turned into a second chance at love. It felt so romantic. Working together, side by side, with the man I loved. My dream come true.
Nothing is as good as it seems.
We had our issues, but then again, every couple does. It wasn’t jealousy, or our too-hot sex life that I should have been worried about.
It was his darkside.
I never saw the end coming, until it slammed me in the face. The question is—did he? 
Was revenge his plan all along?
****
Sometimes you have to wonder if your life is too good to be true.
Is it real or just an illusion?
Does the man lying beside you really love you like he says he does?
If the answer is yes, you’re meant to live happily ever after.
If the answer is no, you’re living my life, and nothing will ever be the same.
What you do about it—that’s up to you.
Me, I’m in too deep and there’s no getting out.
I’ll take whatever I can get for as long as I can because I know when it’s over…
I’ll never find another man like him.
Ever!



Kim Karr is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She grew up in Rochester, NY and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She's always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions--writing. 

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read. One of her favorite family outings was taking her kids when they were little to the bookstore or the library. Today, Kim's oldest child is seventeen and no longer goes with her on these, now rare and infrequent, outings. She finds that she doesn't need to go on them anymore because she has the greatest device ever invented--a Kindle.

Kim likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.


Tell us a little bit about yourself and your books.

I’ll be 49 soon and can’t believe I’m one year away from 50. I don’t feel old at all and I hope to stay that way. I grew up in Rochester, NY and now live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I have always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I write romance books because I love to watch love blossom.


How would you introduce your books to someone that has yet to read them? 

My goal in writing is to create stories that the reader can get wrapped up in and whisked away to another place. I want the reader to feel a wide range of emotions. And most of all, I love strong, smart, savvy women and confident, hot, sexy men. Hopefully when you read my books that is what you will get.


How did you get the idea for Toxic?

I’d read an article about underground nightclubs and thought it was such a cool idea. People show up in the oddest of places to party and then move to another. That transformed into Jeremy’s business in a more legit way. As for Phoebe and friends, I wanted to create a group that was somewhat against the grain of how we think of socialites.


Do you have a favorite scene or line from Toxic? 

Yes I do. When Phoebe sees Jeremy after 5 long years. 


My vision began to blur at that point and I knew I had had way too much to drink.

Lars’ mouth was at my ear before I could move away. “Your outfit makes it look like you have curves in all the right places though, don’t worry.”

I thought I might vomit.

Was he for real?

Words flew out of my mouth at lightning speed. “You’re such a dick. Go find some other woman to harass who’s into your kind of foreplay.”

An evil grin formed on his lips. “A dirty mouth too, just the way I like them.”

“You like them anyway you can get them,” I spat back.

Bile rose in my throat and I wasn’t sure if it was his attention or the alcohol causing the sick feeling.

“Feisty,” he grinned. “What was Dawson thinking letting you go? I bet you’re an animal in the sack.”

“Get lost,” I told him and turned to walk away.

He grabbed my wrist. “Now that you’re all worked up, what do you say we get out of here? I won’t tell Dawson.”

I tried to free myself of his grip but he wouldn’t let go.

Someone stepped between us. The distressed leather was the first thing my eyes were focused on when my skin started to tingle with a sense of familiarity. The tingling quickly turned into trembling as my gaze lifted and I saw the bluest of blue eyes.

They were soft, concerned, knowing.

They were the eyes of my past.

It was him.
I was surprised.
I was shocked.
I was mesmerized.

My body started to tremble even more and I downed the glass of wine I had been holding to help calm my nerves.

Still, I couldn’t stop staring. He looked the same. No, he looked better, if that was possible. His hair was shorter but his devastating good looks were even more striking.

This time I knew he was real—he wasn’t a figment of my imagination. Just that one look into his eyes and all the hurt was forgotten. It was as if the last five years had never happened. And we’d just met.


How would you describe Phoebe and Jeremy in three words? 

Like two magnets.


What are you currently working on?

I am in the process of editing my next two books, which I haven’t announced titles yet. Both center on a secondary character from Toxic but the story is in no way like Toxic. It takes place in Boston and is different from anything I have ever written.


What inspired you to start writing? What age did you start? 

I have always dreamed in romance. I’ve made up stories in my mind since I can remember. In college I started down the lit path but then changed direction. After I read 50 Shades, I decided to give it a try on paper.


What's the hardest thing about writing? The easiest? 

Breakup scenes and conflict are the most difficult. Tearing my couples apart kills me. I often find my heart stilling and tears escaping from my eyes.

The HEA’s are the easiest of course. I love to write epilogues and last chapters. In fact, most of the time I write those right after I write the first chapter.


What genres do you enjoy reading? 

I love romance, of course and mystery is also one of my favorites. 


How has your life changed since you began writing? 

My priorities have completely changed. If I’m immersed in a scene, I no longer care if I have laundry that must be done or a house that needs to be cleaned.


Is there anything special you need when writing- music, food, etc? 

No, I like quiet mainly. 


Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite? 

River Wilde from Connected because he is a rockstar!! A little extra note: he was inspired by Adam Levine’s first season on the voice.


What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

My latest venture has been trying to get fit. I started watching American Ninja Warrior with my 6 yr. old and want to be the fittest I have ever been before I turn 50. I have one year. ;) But I also enjoy reading, going to the beach, and hanging out with friends.


What advice would you give to an aspiring author? 

Write what is in your heart not what you think people want to read because if it’s written full of your emotion people will want to read it.


This was an enjoyable read. I didn't love it, but I liked it.

One of my favorite things about this story is the role of social status throughout the novel and how it plays a part in each of the character's lives. I haven't read many stories with that aspect, so I found it really intriguing. I also liked all the friendships between the group members. It was believable- with there being some characters drifting away from one another while others were super close. These characters, though they were not exactly main characters, made the story more enjoyable.

However, I am still undecided about the main couple. I like Phoebe and Jeremy as separates and the progress their characters made as individuals. I did enjoy their happy ending and their backstory. I loved how this was a second chance at love story and appreciated all the emotions the author stirred up as I read, but at the same time I felt maybe there was a little bit too much back and forth at the end- not trusting or believing in each other and lots of jealousy. They really did seem to have a toxic relationship and not in a good way. But then there would be a really sexy scene and I would go back to being okay with the relationship because they have great chemistry in the bedroom. 

I think what really saved this book for me was the writing and way it is written. The book was an emotional read and I was able to get through it quickly. The author is a good storyteller and I am wanting to try something else by her. 

This is a good book to check out if you like stadalones, second chance romances, and dramatic reads!

4/5