Monthly Archives: September 2016

A Witch’s Journey by Tena Stetler (Book Review)

June 15, 2016
  
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.

Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?


 
 
Pepper hopped out of the truck and took a deep breath. The ocean breeze brought a mixed scent of brine, sand, sun and kelp. Seabirds whistled and screeched through the air diving into the white crested waves, proudly emerging with dinner. Turning her attention to the land, she noticed beyond the barn, the pond was still there, even a bit bigger than she remembered. Caught up in the smells, sights, and sounds, she didn’t hear someone approach.
 
“Ms. McKay?”
 
“Sssshit,” she yelped and whirled around to see a muscular man, well over six feet, with surfer blond hair nearly to his shoulders, tousled by the ocean breeze. Rounding the corner of the cabin, he waved at her as he approached walking with a slight limp. Deeply tanned, he appeared to spend a lot of time outdoors.
 
“I’m Lathen Quartz. Glad you made it before dark. The road up here can be treacherous after dark if you don’t know where you’re going.  I finished up the enclosed aviary and was getting ready to leave. But now that you’re here, I’d be happy to show you around. Help you get settled.”
 
“Pepper McKay, call me Pepper.” Extending her hand towards him, she met his gaze. His large aquamarine eyes were mesmerizing, set above the high cheekbones, full lips and a butterscotch five o’clock shadow. She gave her head a shake. “Wait. You built an aviary?”
 
He shook her hand and smiled, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans and rocking back on his heels.
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
For a story featuring witches and werewolves, I expected more shifting and magical moments. A ghostly aunt did appear occasionally and there were small uses of magic (lighting a fire or cleaning a stovetop) but, for the most part, magic really came into play in the last chapter. This is also where everything is explained (clarified), too. 
 
It’s great Tena left no loose ends; however,  I think she should’ve utilized Benjamin’s dark side more. In doing so, I believe the book would’ve lived up it’s title and scored much higher. 
 
Besides the lack of witchery, a few other things nagged at me and caused me to score it low. 
 
1.) Werewolves have a great sense of smell yet Kolby didn’t scent his brother, Lathen, and was startled when Lathen placed a hand on his shoulder. He should’ve smelt him, knew his scent anywhere. I couldn’t get past it and saw Kolby more as an ordinary man than a werewolf. 
2.) Tena seemed more interested in detailing what they were eating, had ate, or discussing food in general. I swear it was starting to feel more like a cooking show than a supernatural book.
3.) With Kate’s (waitress) infatuation with Lathen and her apparent dislike of Pepper, I assumed we’d see some Fatal Attraction craziness. I assumed wrong. 
4.) Tena had Lathen wondering “Do I have kink?” after a waitress mentioned the BDSM club (Red Club). I thought she might be leading up to something down the line, but nope. Now looking back, the namedrop seems pointless. 
 
High points:
Chapter 21 and 23 are worth reading. 
If I liked cold temps, I would visit Alaska because it sounds breath-taking. 
Also, this story had me wondering what I would do if a deceased relative left me a load of cash like Aunt Ashling did for Pepper. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination.  She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, Tena sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures telling her their tales. Colorado is her home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.  Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. 

 

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Curse of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain (Book Review)

 
Mika was trying to save a gargoyle, not doom the world…
 

Mika Stillwater isn’t known for her skills with combat magic. As a gargoyle healer, she spends her days mending broken appendages and curing illnesses in the living-quartz bodies of Terra Haven’s gargoyles. But when a squad of the city’s elite Federal Pentagon Defense warriors requests her assistance in freeing a gargoyle ensnared in a vicious invention, Mika jumps into the fray.

No one could have predicted that her involvement would ignite a chain reaction set to destroy the city, the world, and magic itself.

Brimming with epic magic and loveable gargoyles, Curse of the Gargoyles is the second story in the mesmerizing Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles trilogy. Fantasy fans young and old will delight in this highly original world and exciting, action-packed adventure.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 
If you’re in search of a book that’ll have non-stop, nail-biting action, then you should pick up Curse of the Gargoyles. It is worth every damn penny spent on it. 
 
From beginning to end, Rebecca will have you on the edge of your seat. She’ll also have you rooting for the gargoyles and wishing for just one more chapter. 
 
Of course, you know the good guys won but, seriously, what a helluva ride to the emotional finale. 
 
If I had only one wish, I would’ve had Marcus and Mika share a celebratory kiss. Just a small peck or two. 
 
There’s always next time……. 
 
Until then, I again encourage you to purchase this wonderfully constructed scifi/fantasy masterpiece. TODAY!! 

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

 
 
 

Rebecca Chastain is the international bestselling author of the Madison Fox, Illuminant Enforcer series and the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles, among others works. She has found seven four-leaf clovers to date, won a purebred Arabian horse in a drawing, and once tamed a blackbird for a day. Writing stories designed to amuse and entertain has been her passion since she was eleven years old. She lives in Northern California with her wonderful husband and three bossy cats.

Website: http://www.rebeccachastain.com
Newsletter: http://www.rebeccachastain.com/fantasy-newsletter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccachastainnovels
Twitter: @Author_Rebecca or https://twitter.com/Author_Rebecca
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5660379.Rebecca_Chastain

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Seize the Flame by Lynda J. Cox (Book Review)

 

Jessica Depre’s life is in tatters. She’s on the run, thanks to her abusive husband Robert, who needs to silence her about his criminal escapades and the part he forced her to play in them. When bounty hunter Drake Adams walks into the boarding house where she works, Jessica slips away into the night. Her only hope of surviving and protecting those she loves from her husband’s rage is to vanish forever.

Unable to accept that the only woman he ever loved left him standing at the altar and married another, Drake Adams has given up a good law practice in the Wyoming Territory. If he’s not hunting down bounties, he’s pursuing the bottom of a bottle of bourbon. When Drake learns his former fiancée, Jessica Majors-Depre, has a price on her head, he decides he will collect the reward.

Can the bounty hunter and the bank robber ignite a future from the ashes of their past when they are trapped by a blizzard in a mountain shack or will playing with fire burn them both?


 

 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

Treachery, dirty rotten scoundrels, jealousy, lost loves reunited, and an unfortunate encounter with a bear trap….. Seize the Flame had everything you’d want in a western romance book and more. 
 
Two most notable sections of the book (for me): 
 
1.) Everything involving the bear trap. Lynda wrote the scenes so well, so vividly, the reader can almost feel Drake’s pain, hear his screams, and see the determination in Jessica’s eyes to not let him down.  She faced weather, wolves and her abusive husband, all in the name to save Drake; the man she’ll truly love forever. 
 
2.) Stud poker scene. Jessica and Drake had no money so they improvised in a most fun and sensual manner. Winner of each hand kisses the loser, anywhere, and the loser is forbidden to touch while he/she is receiving the kisses. Yes, there were absolutely no losers in this game. The only thing lost was articles of clothing. Mmm! 😉
 
Now for the ending (the epilogue), based off the prologue I didn’t expect it to end as it did. Maybe you won’t either. Only way to know for sure is to buy the book. 🙂
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 

 
 

Lynda J. Cox will tell anyone who will listen that she was born at least one hundred and fifty years too late, and most definitely in the wrong part of the country. Her heart has always belonged to cowboys, the wide open spaces, horses, and Lassie. She grew up on a steady diet of cowboy movies, syndicated Westerns, and Lassie.


All of those influences play a role in her life now. She writes western historical romance and raises and shows collies. She holds a master’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Indiana State University after earning her BA from the same university as a non-traditional student. (Think being old enough to be mom to 90% of the students in her freshman cadre.)

She’s kept busy with two spoiled rotten house cats, a 30 plus year old Arabian gelding who has been nicknamed “Lazarus” for his ability in the later years of his life to escape death, and quite a few champion collies.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found on the road, travelling to the next dog show. She loves to chat about books, the writing life, and the insanity which is called a “dog show” and can be reached through her Facebook page at Lynda J. Cox. (https://www.facebook.com/lyndajcox)
 

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A Leap of Faith by Nell Castle (Book Review)

 
Desperate times call for desperate measures. 
 

At her core, merchandising maven Sophia Anton is an old-fashioned girl. To start a family by age 30, she’ll do what’s needed to make sparks fly with an old friend—including a crash diet. But when Sophia meets Jackson Thomas, the handsome new minister in town, she quickly finds she’s playing with fire. Sophia’s new look is working like a charm to snag the man of her dreams, so why is it Jackson’s face she sees when she closes her eyes?

Jackson, whose troubled past has led him to adopt a life of celibacy, never expects to feel hot under the collar for a woman of his own parish. How can Jackson dream of a future with Sophia after he’s shut the door on love?

 
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
This book is a prime example illustrating how imperfect humans are. 
 
In “A Leap of Faith”, Sophia attempted  to become the perfect woman for Christopher by losing an unhealthy amount of weight by basically eating like a baby bird. Why? I didn’t see his appeal. He was a man whose needs came first. I would say ‘love is blind’ but I don’t think she truly loved him and he never loved her.
 
I understand her desire to become a mother but haven’t we all learned a marriage is doomed to fail without love and why even consider bringing a child into that situation. 
 
As for Pastor Jackson, he showed an imperfection by lying when he said, “Actually, I’ve got my eye on a couple women.” He also broke the tenth commandment, Thou Shall Not Covet.  
 
Even though there were a few things I didn’t particularly love about A Leap of Faith, there were many areas I did enjoy very much. 
 
1.) Franny and Sam: They were married 50 years before he passed away and anyone could see, feel the love they had for one another. 
2.) Jackson’s lobster picnic idea for Franny and Sam was extremely sweet and romantic. He went above and beyond the duties of a minister. 
3.) This quote: “If we can send a man to the moon, how can we still let kids go to bed hungry?” I couldn’t agree more and that’s why I believe we all should do our part to make sure no one has to wonder if they are eating today. 
 
Nell, I can tell by your book you are a key member of your community and I’m sure they appreciate everything you do and the time you devote to others. 
 
And I appreciate you writing A Leap of Faith —- a book less about romance (for me) and more about helping out your fellow ‘man’ and PAYING IT FORWARD. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nell Castle grew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia. Since then, she’s lived in Key West and Anchorage, Virginia Beach and Sarasota. She moved back to northeastern Ohio to raise her kids closer to the family homestead but looks forward to moving to a gentler climate after her youngest graduates. Until then, she revisits white powder beaches and craggy mountain tops only in her writing. She’s submitted a new manuscript to her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and is currently at work on a novella.

WordPress / Amazon Author Page / The Wild Rose Press

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Harley’s Little Black Book #1 by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti (Comic Book Review)

51AZuDT6YOLIt’s the sensational debut of a bimonthly, overstuffed, oversized team-up series in which Harley meets (and almost certainly annoys) the greatest heroes and villains of the DC Universe! First up? The incredible Wonder Woman! There’s a plot to assassinate Wondy, and Harley is convinced that only she could possibly stop it! (Hey, you want to tell her about all the other options? We tried.)

 

Review

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti had me in stitches throughout Harley’s Little Black Book, volume one. It had to be one of the funniest storylines I’ve read in a long while and the illustrations by Amanda Conner, John Timms, and Dave Johnson were nothing short of outstanding. Their artwork was spot on, beautifully drawn, and absolutely perfect. 

My favorite scenes/images had to be with the costume switcharoo. If you think Wonder Woman looked hot before, wait until you see her in Harley’s costume. Her hotness reached a whole new level. 😉

Oh and I loved how Harley snuck in an ass grab on Wonder Woman. Can’t say I blame her for the squeeze and wouldn’t expect anything less from her. Amanda, Jimmy, and John, fantastic job all around!! 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

ReadMoreComicsMarvel_fullHarley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #1

Harleys Little Black Book #2

Harleys Little Black Book #3

Harley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #4

Harley’s Little Black Book (2015-) #5

 

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