Tag Archives: fantasy

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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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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Programmed For Power: The Tau Cetus Chronicles, Book 3 by Jenna Ives (Book Review)

As the powerful premier of war-torn Tau Cetus, Theus presides over an uneasy post-apocalyptic peace. Many plot against him, including a traitor on his own High Council as well as one rogue woman who dared to steal a precious keepsake from his past. Capturing Leora Smith offers Theus a chance at personal revenge, but she awakens emotions in him he thought long dead. Even so, it takes an assassination attempt to spur Theus to reassess a future with either this prisoner who makes his blood run hot or the Beautiful Doll robotic lover who’s the perfect match for his lifeless existence.

 

Kindle Purchase Link (US)

Kindle Purchase Link (UK)

 

 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
 
Once again, Jenna was able to deliver undeniable heat between the two main stars while also orchestrating a well thought-out plot….. Who’s the traitor targeting Theus?
 
As for the sex aspect of the science fiction tale, there were multiple occasions when Theus still sought out a bot to get sexual release. With Keira performing fellatio at 19mph, Theus has grown accustomed to “quickies”. Maybe that’s why he enjoyed the slow burn of a real woman (Leora) performing oral on him. 
 
Real versus plastic? 
Real wins again! 
 
Now back to the plot, don’t expect Theus to go down via gunshot or stab wound. The traitor had other plans for him but, as you expected, the hero comes out victorious again. 
 
HEA
 
 Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

 

 
 
Award-winning author Jenna Ives writes for several different publishers under a variety of names, but mostly the reason is to keep her poor sainted mother (who used to read sweet Harlequin novels) from having a heart attack over how sexy modern romances have become! And Jenna certainly DOES write sexy… You can visit her at www.jennaives.com
Twitter Link
Facebook Link
 
 

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Grandma Must Die by Maureen L. Bonatch (Book Review)

Author: Maureen L. Bonatch
Series: A Touch of Magic Series, Book 1
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy

 
 
Carman has worn out more towns and last names than impractical shoes protecting the secret of her magic blood. But when a friend goes missing, and another is infected with a deadly spell, Carman must choose. Expose her magic blood by curing the spell—or stop the infection from spreading by killing the source…the grandmother.

Magic bounty hunter Dylan has scoured libraries of banned magic paraphernalia seeking a method to distinguish genuine witches from impersonators. He suspects unorthodox librarian Carman might hold this information tighter than the hair he’s dying to unleash from her bun. With a past as hidden as his sleeve of tattoos, Dylan discovers he’s been used to gain Carman’s trust and their passion risks more than mixing mortals and magic.

 
 

 

…once she’d started Carman couldn’t stop,

the book beckoned. Pressing its spine against her palm, begging her to search within the pages to find the answers she’d unconsciously sought her entire life. As she lifted the book, her scalp tingled and her hair elevated like a halo.

“Whoa.” Dylan shielded himself with his hands. “Put it back, slowly, because this is reminding me too much of the incident with the chest. Having my apartment blown up from magic isn’t covered in my rent.”

The plastic evaporated in a puff of smoke in Carman’s hands and the book unsealed with a sigh. She smiled, the welcoming warmth emanating from within its pages against her palms. Why had Mother kept her from this? This is what she’d been waiting for.

As curiosity overtook his common sense, she detected Dylan’s cautious approach. He stood close enough to peer over her shoulder into her book, but far enough away to avoid touching her.

After the shockwave the last time their skin met, he probably worried he’d ruin another pair of pants. Carman closed her eyes, absorbing the power from the book. The delicious feeling evoked a sensation like melting chocolate, sweet and satisfying.

“I remember hearing about her, Esmeralda Wrath. I wonder if this was her book?” Dylan’s warm breath caressed her shoulder.

Carman opened her eyes and examined the page. To stare right at a photo of the most powerful witch of all time…her grandmother.

 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
I want to start off this review discussing the basement under the library. The area, which housed magical artifacts, reminded me of two great shows — Warehouse 13 and The Librarians. The basement was truly a wonderland for the magically gifted humans. Heck, it’s pretty impressive for the “normal” folks, too. 
 
Speaking of normal folks, I was glad Maureen finally enlightened me what the heck an m ‘n’ m was on page 165 (in paperback). I knew she wasn’t referring to the sweet treat and was pleased to learn it stood for magic mimiker. With that bit of knowledge tucked away, the previous passages made more sense and proved to be more enjoyable. 
 
All in all, this story was cute. I wasn’t blown away by it, but I also wasn’t bored out of my mind either. 
 
Would I recommend it to others? Sure. I definitely think many readers will find this witchy tale most entertaining. 
 
Now with that said, I’m off to watch The Librarians. 
 
(Update: It was pointed out to me by Sophia Kimble (visitor – see comments below) that Maureen actually stated what an m ‘n’ m was on page 68. I want readers to have accurate information, so I felt this revelation needed to be shared. Sorry for any confusion I might’ve caused.)
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
DON’T WAIT, GET YOUR PAPERBACK OR KINDLE COPY TODAY!! 
 

 

 

I write books about heroines who can laugh at themselves while dealing with magic, mayhem and love. The quirky friends and family who insist on coming along for the ride are just a bonus.
I’m so glad you stopped by. Let me turn down the music and get you a drink while you pull up a chair to settle in and escape with some bookcandy. Something to make you smile while you enjoy all the sweet, satisfaction with none of the calories.

You deserve it…you’re extraordinary. 

 

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