Lord of Sherwood by Laura Strickland (Book Review)

(The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy Book 3)
 

Curlew Champion, master archer, has always known his destiny. With his cousin, Heron Scarlet, he will become a guardian of Sherwood Forest and further his people’s fight against Norman tyranny. But the third member of the triad is still to be revealed, the woman who will complete the magical circle and, perhaps, answer the longing in Curlew’s heart.

Anwyn Montfort has fled disgrace in Shrewsbury and come to Nottingham at her father’s bidding. He wishes her to make a good marriage and settle down. But the wildness that possesses her refuses to quiet. She knows she’s been searching for something all her life, but not until she glimpses Curlew does her spirit begin to hope it has found its home.

Only the magic of Sherwood can bring them together, and only their union can complete the spell woven so long ago…

 

PURCHASE LINKS:  KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
 
This tale was worthy of being a story arc on the highly acclaimed hit show Once Upon A Time. It had twists and turns which kept the storyline flowing at a nice pace. It also had true love for the romantics in us all. 
 
I must note though……


Even though Amazon has this book listed as a historical romance and not fantasy, there was magic involved which helped in the battle with the villain threatening their lives. Actually, magic was a focal point of this story.


 And, of course, there was a HEA because (as we all know) LOVE CONQUERS ALL!! 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤❤❤❤

 

PURCHASE LINKS: KINDLE / PAPERBACK

 

 

 
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER TALES IN THE GUARDIANS OF SHERWOOD SERIES!!

 


 
Daughter of Sherwood  (Book 1):  KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 

Champion of Sherwood (Book 2):  KINDLE / PAPERBACK



 
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published two Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romance, The White Gull, is followed by a Lobster Cove novella, Forged By Love.

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Interview with Elaine Calloway

Urban Fantasy – With a Twist 
Q&A with Amazon Bestselling Author Elaine Calloway
 
 
 
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your books.
 
A: Thanks for having me here! I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Journals in elementary and high school gave way to short stories and novellas in college and beyond. Then one day I wanted to try novel-length fiction and I’ve never looked back.
 
As far as genre(s), I write paranormal & urban fantasy books, but with a twist.
 
Q: Intriguing! Can you explain?
 
A: I follow most of the rules of Urban Fantasy. Lots of world-building, a confident hero/heroine, a very specific task to execute. But instead of killer vamps or dark hunters, my characters are a bit more human. My Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind Elemental protagonists have super powers just like many in the genre do. However, it was never my intent to write a comic-book themed story, so I added a twist to ratchet up the tension: My Elemental
characters do have super powers. Yet they cannot show their powers in public. This adds a layer of conflict as they must rescue innocent humans.
 
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Elementals?
 
A: I’d been toying with a good vs. evil tale for a while. Then “The Fifth Element” came on TV one night. I’d also read a recent article about how readers were loving books with fallen angels in them. That was when everything came together. So many stories come alive by nuggets of tales having the time to marinate before they gel together. So my Elementals are the good guys, protecting humanity from the evil fallen angels who want to take over.
 
Q: You’re working on Book Five now? Will there be any more in the series?
 
A: Maybe. I think Book Five ends on a good note, so any additional books in the series would really be offshoots of the main series. I’m also busy writing my other series, The Southern Ghosts Series, and I have
ten planned for it. Only three are out now, so that keeps me busy typing and writing!
 
Q: Are your books available at all retailers?
 
A: Yes, all except Google Play. My Elemental Clan Series is four separate books (with the first one being free) or you can purchase the boxed set of four books for a discounted price. Links are below.
 
 
 
Get Water’s Blood for Free (Book 1) – Links to all Retailers on my Website
 
 
 

 

Get the 4-Book Set  – http://amzn.to/1LhbNF8
 
 
 
Q: Tell us about your other series.
 
A: It’s called the Southern Ghosts Series. Part humor, part romantic suspense, part ghost stories, part humor. Readers seem to really enjoy the characters in each one. So far books 1, 2, and 3 are set in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, respectively. Book 4 will take place in Texas and I’m outlining that now. For more info, go to my website here: http://www.elainecalloway.com/books/southern-ghosts-series/
 
Q: How can readers get in touch with you if they want to know more?
 
A: I love to hear from readers! My website is www.elainecalloway.com and has links to all my books and info. You can also sign up for my Readers list here and that gets you access to sneak peeks, cover reveals, and
discounts that the general public won’t have access to.
 
Thanks again for having me here, and I look forward to meeting new readers!
 
 
Kam: As always it’s a pleasure having you on my blog. I just know readers will love this interview, love your works, and you’ll make many more fans.  Best of luck on all your projects. 
 
Until next time…….
 

 

 

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Richard’s Relics by Grace Augustine (Book Showcase)

Richard’s Relics
Acorn Hills Book 5
By Grace Augustine 
 
 
War and its remnants are cruel. Just ask Richard Dempsey, a Vietnam Vet.

Richard served his turn in Vietnam, but came home a changed man. Plagued with nightmares of the past, Richard and his friends go on a life changing trip back to modern day Saigon. Their hope…to slay the dragons that stole so much of their lives.
Each deals with his own demons. Each has life changing experiences. Each finds out the importance of friendship and family.

 
 
EXCERPT: 
 
“Johnny! Goddamn it! Get down!” Richard yelled from his belly, the brush barely hiding him and the other four men on this clusterfuck of a mission. Just as the sound of gunfire erupted, Johnny hit the ground, not even a twitch from his body as bullets whizzed by like a thousand angry, deadly bees. 
 
Richard kept his stomach French-kissing the ground as he crawled over to the young man who was in his charge. Blood covered Johnny’s chest and head. 
 
“Sonofabitch! Johnny, don’t you dare die on me! Do you hear me? Johnny!” 
 
Richard sprang to a sitting position and looked at the clock. The red digital numbers 3:00 am stared angrily back at him. 
 
 He ran a shaky hand through the small stubble of hair on his head. Like so many other mornings he woke up drenched in sweat from undying memories: memories of gunfire, yelling, children crying. Memories of clear unblinking eyes and permanent looks of fear frozen into faces as still as marble. The stench of death. Vietnam. 
 
 
 
 
 
Internationally known author, Grace Augustine, was born in Shelby, Montana and grew up in Cut Bank, Montana (dubbed as The Coldest Spot in the Nation). Her work career has taken her from title and abstracting to administrative assistant church work to co-owning a small town weekly newspaper to her current profession as a floral designer.
Grace thinks of herself as a “Jill” of most trades and is not afraid to learn new things. “If you can’t learn something new each day, there’s something wrong,” she says.
The ideas for her Acorn Hills series stem from her growing up years as well as the issues she has had to overcome along the way. “I’ve developed a new romance category…for the over 50 crowd…I’m calling it the salt and pepper genre. My books deal with real life issues, overcoming adversity, maintaining a positive outlook, and so much more. Just because we are 50 yrs old or older doesn’t mean that life stops. We all still want attention and affection and adventure! We want to experience all life has to offer. We use our age as wisdom to share with those around us. We are sexual,sensual, and sensible,” Grace explains.
Augustine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in July of 2003. Her thoughts on that “It may slow me down, but if I can at all do it, I will. Sitting and feeling sorry for yourself isn’t the answer…living your life with an open, joy-filled heart is.”
 

Website | Facebook | Acorn Hills on Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page

 

Acorn Hills Series: 
 
Book 1 Book2 Book 3
 
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Book 4  Book 5 Book 6

 
Grace is giving away one ebook from her backlist of the Acorn Hill Series to one lucky winner. Please use the RaffleCopter  link below to enter.  Follow the link —> a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Her Cracked Heart by P.A. Estelle (Penny Estelle) (Book Review)

Stephanie Warren is a wife, mother, and famous author with a life that others only dream about. An accident turns her world upside down, leaving her cold and emotionless, wanting only privacy and solitude.

Joe Sullivan, a single man who has custody of his six-year old niece, is almost frozen where he stands, when he meets the ice queen on an early morning jog. One thing leads to another and Stephanie finds her empty shell slowly being replaced with fun, laughter, and passion.

Will she take that leap of faith with a ready-made family or will the ghosts of her past keep her happiness at arm’s length.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Her Cracked Heart is definitely a quick read but the message throughout the pages couldn’t be much clearer. Losing a child, spouse, anyone is hard. There are some days you don’t think you can go on, the pain is so intense, but that’s exactly what you have to do. You are still here, alive, and need to find a way to move on. 
 
Penny is correct. The ones who have passed on would not like to see their loved ones emotionally dead. They’d want us to find love and happiness again. 
 
Stephanie finally did after a heart-filled talk with a young lady — Kelly, a very wise 6 year-old. 
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 

Penny Estelle is a best-selling writer for all ages, from the early reader to adults. Her books range from pictures books for the little ones, to fantasy and time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13. She also, under P. A. Estelle, has written adult stories including a family drama and contemporary, paranormal and historical westerns romances.
Penny was a school secretary for 21 years. She and her husband moved to their retirement home in Kingman, AZ, on very rural 54 acres, living on solar and wind only.
 
Penny and her books can be found in the following links:
www.pennystales.com
www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

https://twitter.com/Pennystales

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Risky Tide by CJ Matthew (Book Review)

 
 
 

Katie joins SBW’s exchange group still hiding a secret that could put the entire team at risk. After two exchange disasters, the team goes up against someone dumping toxic lab waste. Time has run out for Katie to conquer her demons.

Peal built his exchange team into a highly effective unit and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it running smoothly. When Katie freezes up during a critical phase of the mission, she sets off a marine park alarm. She may be beautiful but if she keeps endangering the missions, he’ll be forced to send her back to SBW.

Author signed copies are available at Fiction Addiction, 1175 Woods Crossing Road Ste 5, Greenville, SC 29607 or available on Fiction Addiction’s website: HERE.

 
 
—–> REVIEW <—–

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

A plot centered around toxic waste and an assassin might seem like a heavy, non-enjoyable read but CJ added enough humor and romance to keep things light. Her aquatic catchphrases such as “cod crap”, “squid shit” and “shark shit” kept me smiling. 
 
The emotional retelling of Katie’s encounter with a shark will have you connecting with her character, if you weren’t already. 
 
Speaking of connecting to characters: I didn’t feel any emotion towards Brian, Pete, or Charles. They were just BLAH roles BUT I did heart Peal big time. He was a sweet, strong, considerate man/dolphin who knew how to romance a lady/dolphin. 
 
Yup, he would make most ladies dream of being Katie. Well, not this chick. That’s because I dislike the taste of lobster and those two ate it entirely way too much. Now, if I could be a dolphin and eat tacos 24-7. Ha… yeah, I don’t that would go over well in the shifter community. Guess I’ll stay human. 🙂
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
GET YOUR KINDLE OR PRINT COPY TODAY!! 
 
 
 

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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