Yearly Archives: 2016

July 6, 2016 · 5:00 am

Between the Two of You by Melissa Lynn (Book Review)

As a trained accountant in Quebec, Amy Lefevre will be the first to admit that her life is not quite adding up. After all, how can anyone in her twenties already be in such a serious rut? When she decides to shake things up and create a new life in Winnipeg, Amy’s world suddenly takes a turn for the fabulous. His name is Jason, and he happens to be a card-carrying movie star.

Between The Two of You is the romantic comedy that follows Amy as she cultivates a serious crush on the dashing Jason Lane, only to soon find out that she has some fierce competition. Can Amy win Jason’s affection? And, above all, is it really what she wants?

Along the way, Amy finds plenty of support from old friends and new; a little side romance; and even a star-studded job prospect with Jason’s agent, David. Can they help her meet her bottom line—a brand new exciting life? Find out in this hilarious, endearing story of one woman’s quest of taking chances, which serves up plenty of heart-racing moments and as many hearty laughs.

Print Link
Kindle Link
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
It’s not often I enjoy the supporting characters instead of the main stars; however, that was what happened for me in Between the Two of You. 
 
Jason Lane (actor) was extremely shallow and self-absorbed for over 90% of the story. 
 
David Cole (agent) acted like a jealous idiot for the same percentage of time. He was jealous of his friend for multiple reasons. What a sad, sad man and I don’t mean it in the way where I feel any compassion for him. 
 
Amy (leading lady) came across just as shallow as Jason. She liked Jason and Clive because they had a pretty face. 
 
Her whole attitude towards Clive and Jason confused me. Let me explain one thing I didn’t comprehend. Maybe you will. 
 
Amy perceived Clive too young for her, a ‘baby’, because he was 22 to her 27. However, Jason and David were both 39. Shouldn’t they have a problem with the 12 year gap? When David turned 40, still no mention of the 10 plus years separating them. So basically, she can’t date a younger man but a man can date a younger woman? 
 
Why? I don’t get it. 
 
Since the story kept fluctuating between the three men (in one way or another) and her, a center of their attention, I kept focusing on her weird ass logic with what was ok and what was not. 
 
For that reason, I scored this book a two. 
 
Again I must say, without the supporting cast of Olivia, Karen, Nathan and even Matt, Between the Two of You would’ve score a 1. 
 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
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Kindle Link
 

 
MELISSA LYNN is a first-time novelist, with her book Between The Two of You. She holds a degree in Business Administration, as well as a diploma in French literature. Born and raised in Canada, the author now lives in Mexico City, where she is currently working on her next novel.

 

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July 4, 2016 · 5:00 am

High Contrast: Evolution Ink by Tess Bowery (Book Review)

 The deepest scars aren’t the ones that show.

Jacob Shain is your average member of Generation Screwed. He has a boring internship, no cash flow, and a tiny NYC apartment he has to share with Ethan, his much-cooler, tattoo-artist twin brother. Not to mention his love life is DOA. At least, until his brother’s shop hires on a new piercer, and Jacob’s humdrum life takes a turn for the weird.

Cody Turner is gorgeous, funny and kind—everything Jacob wants in a boyfriend. Except for the way he refuses to talk about his past, or where he lives, or anything about his personal life.

When Ethan is arrested while on a mission of mercy, the reason Cody is so tight lipped comes to light. And while Jacob and Cody fight to understand the depth of their feelings for one another, the police dogs catch their scent. So does the local mob.

Now Jacob has to make the hardest choice of his life: stay safe like a good boy, or dive headfirst into a world he barely understands…and hope Cody is there to break his fall.

Warning: Contains a good boy who wants to be bad, a bad boy who longs to be good, bodies that are canvases for living art and high-speed chases with police dogs.

 

 

 

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

Are you a fan of gay romantic comedies? If you answered yes, then you MUST buy High Contrast. This book was jam-packed full of humor — some instances happening at the oddest of times. 
 
Case in point: Cody deciding to give Jacob a grammar lesson during foreplay. When a man is asking to “lick” anything, don’t point out his grammar error. Can I? May I? Seriously, I laughed at the hilarity of the teaching moment. 
 
Example 2: I’ve heard of getting cock-blocked, but to have an actual “cock”roach ruin what was turning into a “moment” had me grinning. Oh, I should mention these two fellas actually achieved said “almost moment” while dumpster diving. Gross but true. 
 
Now you might be wondering why these two fellas were in the disgusting wasteland. Well, it all centers around marijuana (for sick patients), cops, Russian mob, and the past meeting your present. 
 
What, you thought this was going to be a book with nothing but two guys getting their horizontal groove on? Nope, the steamy shagfest didn’t start until chapter 7. Let me tell you, folks, when these two finally succumbed to their desires……. Holy smokes!!!
 
Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single minute of the lovin. 
 
You also won’t want to skip over the no holds barred action when worlds collide. It’s almost as good when Drew Sullivan (workplace bully) gets put in his place. 
 
Man, I could go on and on about this story but I’ll stop. Well, I must say one more thing……. 
 
I think marijuana should be readily available to the sick! 
 
Legalize it in all states!! 
 
Heart Rating System
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
 

 

 

Tess Bowery lives near the ocean, which sounds lovely, except when it snows. An historian by training and a theater person by passion, she’s parleyed her Masters degree in English history into something that would give her former professors something of a surprise.

Her love for the Regency era began as they always do, with Jane Austen, and took a sharp left turn into LBGT biographies and microhistory. Now she indulges in both of her passions, telling the stories of her community in the time periods that fire the human imagination. Her first foray into contemporary M/M fiction, High Contrast, releases in 2016.

Along with writing, Tess splits her time between teaching, backstage work, LBGT activism and her family. She spends far too much money on comic books, loves superheroes and ghost stories, and still can’t figure out how to use Twitter properly.

Get updates and book information at http://www.tessbowery.com, or hang out with Tess at http://tessbowery.tumblr.com, or @tessbowery on Twitter.

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July 2, 2016 · 5:00 am

Bringer of Chaos: The Origin of Pietas by Kayelle Allen (Book Review)

  • Print Length: 189 pages
 
Two enemy warriors: one human, one immortal. 
Different in belief, alike in spirit, marooned together on an alien world.
 
  • Imprisoned and in isolation over a year without food or water, the immortal Pietas survives. Though broken in body, his intellect and will are intact, thanks to Six, the special ops warrior who captured him, but kept him sane. The warrior had no hand in his deprivation and, like Pietas, was betrayed by his own kind. When Pietas is abandoned on an alien world with nothing but his honor–and Six–he must find and rejoin other immortal exiles. After centuries of war, Pietas detests humans and kills them on sight, but he is too damaged to continue on his own. Though he despises needing help, he allows Six to nurture and restore him to full strength, and then accompany him. As they cross the planet together on foot, the immortal begins to wonder if he has found his first human friend, or if Six is loyal only because Pietas could keep the others from tearing him to shreds. This human will either be his closest living friend, or the one whose betrayal will trigger all-out vengeance by the most powerful immortal ever born.
  •  
  • Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

As a fan of science fiction and fantasy, I was eager to dive into Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. Based off the book summary, my expectations were set high. Certain aspects of the story caught my interest, but then, several sections dragged on and didn’t reach their full potential. 
 
High points: Kayelle invented the Ultras. Whose abilities would astound anyone. They heal quickly, diseases don’t affect them, can survive any wound, and can be “reborn”. Only two ways ensured their death was permanent. 1) Immolate, freeze and then shatter the Ultra. 2) Put the Ultra through a bone shredder. 
 
During Pietas captivity, he never met his true death. Actually, he was reborn 1000 times over and, according to him, that’s almost worse than dying. Imagine your body wasting away, perishing, coming alive again, & repeat. I can see why Pietas had no love for humans — Until he met Six (not his real name). 
 
Six started off his adversary but things changed in the year it took them to reach Sempervia. Once they landed, Six became the hunter, caregiver, protector, comrade and, most importantly, a friend to Pietas (or as Six dubbed him, Pi). 
 
There on Sempervia, I felt Kayelle could’ve done so much more for the readers. She could’ve added more scifi elements to this science fiction tale. I expected more trouble with the elements. Heck, give me a battle with unknown creatures on the island. Something. Anything. 
 
We did see a storm, numerous birds, and cats but that’s it. But basically, there was nothing really holding my interest. 
 
I, once again, had such high hope things would pick up when Pi finally reconnected with the other Ultras in chapter 24 but nope, nothing. In chapter 26, they discussed creating a plan to secure food, shelter, and a way home. 
 
That’s where the story ended. 
 
No closure but a set-up for book 2,  Bringer of Chaos: Harvest of Blood. 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kayelle Allen is a best selling American author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.
 

www.twitter.com/kayelleallen  

www.facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

Marketing for Romance Writers www.bit.ly/mfrwgroup  

The Author’s Secret www.theauthorssecret.com

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June 30, 2016 · 5:00 am

Veronica Phoenix & Search for the Phoenix by Jim Proctor (2 Book Reviews)

 

Carl Wilkins, a successful man with a thriving business, loses everything and has to start over from scratch. His dogged determination quickly deteriorates when he finds that even his reputation is gone. With barely enough money to buy a cheap bottle of booze, and no prospects for employment, things look bleak until he receives an unusual job offer from a stranger who turns up just as Carl hits rock bottom. The perilous space salvage job is more than just a chance to rebuild his broken life. It is also a chance to strike back at SACOM, the people who ruined him. Carl, the best space salvage operator in the star system, bets his life that he can complete the job. Setting out in the Phoenix, a specially modified space freighter, Carl begins a dangerous mission to find and collect missing cargo pods from the dense asteroid belt. Struggling to remain alive in the belt while avoiding detection by SACOM ships, Carl learns that he may have as much to fear from the people who hired him as he does from SACOM. His chance to rebuild his life turns into a desperate race across the galaxy in hopes of finding a safe haven where no one will ever find him.

 
US LINKS —-> KINDLE OR IN PRINT 
UK LINKS —–> Kindle OR IN PRINT
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
If you enjoy books regarding space travel such as Firefly, then I think you’ve just found your next read. 
Veronica Phoenix will definitely please any bookworm who favors the sci-fi genre. 
There were bots, AI with holographic breasts, battle scenes, crashes, and much more. 
Interested yet?
Yeah, I bet I had you at holographic breasts. 🙂 JK
Speaking of Veronica/Billy (AI), five minutes alone with the AI and I’d be one bald momma due to pulling out all my lovely locks. After reading all their conversations, I can see why Carl found the AI infuriating to speak with. Its favorite word had to be “cannot”. 

After months alone together a ship, I’m surprised he didn’t go batshit crazy. 

Hell, I would’ve been one cranky chick over the food I had to consume. If you call goop in a squeeze tube food. Ok, I can get behind yogurt, applesauce, or pudding in a squeeze pouch but steak and eggs? That’s where I draw the line!! 

Before I wrap this up, I want to touch base on an edit related error. On page 57, in my print copy (supplied to me by Jim), John and Earl die first leaving Vince and Becca knocking on death’s door. Flip to page 59, Becca dies and Earl dies again. A minor editing oversight by Jim and his editor (Cynthia Shepp) but one I felt the need to mention to HIM and to YOU. 

FYI: He said he was going make the necessary changes so by the time you read this review it’ll be changed in the latest print editions and for your e-readers. Only those who’ve already purchased an old copy (prior to March 2016) will be affected with the wrong name usage. 

Besides that one hiccup, every detail seemed on point and, to that, I say good job Jim and Cynthia. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

US LINKS —-> KINDLE OR IN PRINT 

UK LINKS —–> Kindle OR IN PRINT

 
 
 

Fighting to remain one step ahead of SACOM, Nolan Peters and Megan Carson investigate the mysterious disappearance of their friend, Carl Wilkins. During the investigation, Nolan struggles with his growing affection for Megan, while she tries to cope with the recent death of her husband. Will the strain bring them together, or drive them apart?
When the pair uncovers evidence of a treasonous conspiracy that threatens the stability of all human worlds across the galaxy, they reluctantly put their trust in a SACOM investigator and a hard-nosed Army general to root out the conspirators. Will their trust prove to be their undoing… or prevent a galactic-scale military coup?

 

GET YOUR KINDLE OR  PRINT COPY TODAY!! 
 

 

 
Anyone who loves or even likes science fiction books/movies a teeny wee bit will absolutely find pleasure in Search for the Phoenix. It made me long to kick back on the couch, with a huge bowl of popcorn, and binge watch my favorite scifi shows. It also made me wish food synthesizers weren’t only found in the land of make-believe. So inventors, hop to it and contact me to be your guinea pig because I’d happily put this invention to the test. 🙂
 
Besides this wicked cool product idea, I enjoyed the level of conspiracy, double-cross happenings and the chemistry between the various characters. 
 
One of my favorite interactions of the book didn’t happen between humans though. Strangely enough, it occurred between Nolan and the rats. When he shrieked, ran, and smacked his head against a large, water pipe, I laughed because I would’ve reacted the same way. Heck, ain’t no shame in showing fear or running away from a rodent. Those pests are scary! 

 

Now for the conspiracy, double-crossing aspects of the story, which made up a great portion of this creation, I’m going to quote Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
GET YOUR KINDLE OR  PRINT COPY TODAY!! 
 
 
 
I worked for decades as an engineer and laboratory scientist
while my wife and I raised our four children. I had wanted to write since high
school, and in early 2008 I began writing my first novel, publishing it in July
of 2012. I published my second novel later that same year.
 
In 2013, after realizing neither of my novels was of
publication quality, I unpublished them and spent several months re-evaluating
my priorities. I returned to writing later that year committed to making sure
each new book was as good as I could make it at the time, and determined to
improving my writing skills with each new book published.
 
Having finally found my found my writing voice, Veronica
Phoenix flowed to the page, as did its sequel, Search for the Phoenix. I am currently considering story ideas for my next novel.
 
 
 

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June 28, 2016 · 5:00 am

Lethal Tide by CJ Matthew (Book Review) (CONTEST INCLUDED)

 

 

Dolphin shifter Conley Nash began his second three-year mission armed with a kick-ass agenda and an attitude to match. Since their team leader was killed, the men in SBW field ops have lost their nerve. Determined to restore the hard line, Conley can’t wait to show them how it’s done, facing down a greedy oil company in Long Beach. Until Conley meets his new partner…and finds his powers of persuasion need work.

First-time shifter Betty Brett can’t believe she finally made it into the male-centric field ops team. Since the first female agent was murdered, before Betty goes solo, she’ll spend four months teamed with an experienced operative. But did it have to be Conley? No matter how temptingly handsome he is, Betty refuses to take grief from a trigger-happy male and certainly not one whose knuckles drag the ground.

When the oil company resorts to violence protecting its illegal fracking operation, Conley finds himself out-gunned. Either he and Betty compromise, fast, or they’ll be dead before they can unravel the perplexing feelings they have for each other.

—–> Kindle Purchase Link <—–
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Dolphins are not the most popular shifters out there in the literary world, but CJ has once again constructed a story which is more memorable than most shifters stories I’ve read to date. 
 
The SBW missions do center around hazards to our water sources, a topic not so thrilling, but CJ has made the journey to the final showdown far from boring. 
 
It’s mostly due to the great cast of characters and their interactions with each other. 
 
A) River: the comedian. He had me in stitches in the scene with the cracked ribs.  I know you’ll be laughing when you read it, too. 
 
B) Seth: curious little neighbor boy and honorary “agent”. He earned his title because without his countless assists, they would’ve been up shit creek without a paddle. 
 
C) Conley: Alpha dolphin/shifter who learned the value of teamwork. Yup, there’s no I in TEAM.
 
D) Betty and Marina: two hot geekettes who proved guns weren’t always the best weapon of choice. Nope, sometimes it’s best to let your brain fight your battles for you. 
 
There are many more characters but I’ll stop there. 
 
Memorable moments:
 
1.) Chapter 14 – sex in the shower: Sex in the ocean as dolphins. Sex in the shower as humans. Makes no difference to dolphin shifters. Water is sensual whether on or off dry land. Am I right? 😉
2.) Chapter 21: River went to Taco Bell where the lovely Kam was his server. This section absolutely, positively made my day. <3
 
I could keep going on about what I liked about Lethal Tide, or I could just end my review with 3 simple words……

Buy Lethal Tide!! 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
 
—–> Kindle Purchase Link <—–
 
 
 
Now that you’ve had a sneak peek at CJ Matthew’s hot new book, Lethal Tide (LT), WHO IS READY TO WIN?
Ladies and Gents, CJ is offering ONE LUCKY WINNER a stupendous prize package. 
In it, the winner will receive the following items: One SBW tall metal water bottle, a SIGNED PAPERBACK copy of Lethal Tide, a LT book mark, a fancy LT keychain, plus trinkets: which are little plastic dolphin key chains, temp. dolphin tattoo, dolphin stickers. 
 
 
 

And guess what? This amazing contest is open to anyone; no matter where you call home!! 

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below. 

So if you like paranormal tales (shifter books), then I encourage you to ENTER TODAY. 

You’ll have until WEDNESDAY (midnight, central time) to enter. THURSDAY morning, I will post the winner’s name and attempt to message you. Please follow the comment thread or come back on Thursday to see if you are the lucky recipient of this amazing prize package. 
Good luck!!!
 

CJ Matthew is the author of paranormal romance suspense series Dolphin Shore Shifters. Her debut novel, Blood Tide, features a pod of dolphins posing as humans that work through their oceanic conservation corporation Save Blue Water, based in Santa Barbara, California, to protect the oceans at any cost.


CJ grew up in an Air Force family that travelled all over the U.S. and around the world. She spent her high school and university years living in California, which inspired her love of marine life and the Pacific Ocean.

A member of Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) Romance Writers of America, CJ lives and writes near a lake in the woods northeast of Atlanta. When she isn’t writing or reading romances, CJ likes to travel and to spend time with her two grown children, a brilliant grandson and a feisty cat named Max.

Website Link
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon author page
Goodreads author page

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