Tag: Devine Destinies

Learning the Hard Way by H.P. Caledon

H.P. Caledon - Learning the Hard Way CoverTitle: Learning the Hard Way

Series: Learning the Hard Way # 1

Author: HP Caledon

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

Length: Novella (170 pages)

Publisher:  Devine Destinies (January 20, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Some lessons in life are learned the hard way.

Mike and Keelan meet each other as opposites in a prison where violence, murder, and power games are everyday life. To survive they make a pact. They stand together against the rough life in a hell where the prisoners are nothing more than numbers in a book and left to their own fates—a fate where one’s place in a twisted hierarchy is paramount for survival.

But can a mercenary, who worked for the law, trust a murderer?

Can that murderer trust the mercenary?

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0983-8

Product Link: http://www.devinedestinies.com/hp-caledon/learning-the-hard-way-1/

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: Mercenary Mike Marshall is sent to prison for a costly mistake he made during a contract. While there he becomes a pawn in every sense of the word to the inmates of the pecking order. He is given to another inmate keelan in exchange for Keelan’s protection he gives up the knowledge he knows about Merc’s. 

The politics in prison are brutal. He see’s first-hand how Keelan is under orders from the boss in the prison, Rainer. After numerous huts Rainer puts out on competition Keelan disappears and this leads to Mike being lied to and sold to others for sport. Damaged and beaten Mike’s finally released only to realise all is not what it seems as he learns about trust, deceit, and cruelty while trying to deal with what he’s been through at the whim of others. 

I did not get the Science fiction aspect of the book except for the mentions of spaceships they were on and the names of species. Would have liked more details to those. But other than that it was great story with murder, bloodshed, brutality, suspense and horrifying situations that change Mike. I looked forward to the continuation of Mike and Keelan’s story to see what happens between the two next.

Great read.

Derby Dreams by A.C. Ellas

4445derbydreams510w-430x645Title: Derby Dreams
Series: Son of the Wind Book 2
Author: A. C. Ellas
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Shapeshifter/Action
Length: Novella (94 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-77111-935-1
Publisher: Extasy Books (May 1st, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Dreams are born or dreams are lost in two minutes on the first Saturday in May.

The racehorse shifter, V-Tach, and his jockey, Achilles “Pat” O’Peleon, now face the challenge that has eluded the O’Peleon family for years—the Kentucky Derby. Facing off against some of the best horses in the world, without any magical advantage, will V-Tach have what it takes to win the roses?
As magical horses continue to disappear, forces are moving against Brenden, Pat’s father and Vee’s trainer, and all might be lost should the mage perish. Meanwhile, Pat takes the first steps into the world of magic, but first, he must acknowledge his own nature, a challenge he might find harder even than winning races.

Purchase Link: http://www.devinedestinies.com/a-c-ellas/derby-dreams/

Review: This is book two in this series and they need to be read in order. It will keep you from getting totally lost in the book. It also lets you know who the characters are, what they are about, and an insight into their world. I have always loved paranormal stories but this series just leaves me always asking questions and never seeming to get the answer. It is a good story but not for me. I just can’t get over the fact that not only is V-Tach a racehorse shifter but everything is focused on running races. He loves Pat and seems to be mated to him, but Pat puts the races and all of the other stuff ahead of V-Tach and he seems to let him.

Then there is the fact that magical horses, such as V-Tach are coming up missing. Questions are being asked but there are also people going after Brenden. Forces going against what they are trying to do. These forces are trying to stop V-Tach from racing. Pat also has to focus on the fact that he himself is magical. He is taking baby steps in that world, but he just doesn’t want to believe it at all.
I love the mystical part of this story but to me there needs to be more romance. There should be a focus other than the race. It just doesn’t come off the way I would have expected. A.C. Ellas has a gift of telling a story. Once I start reading a series I will continue to see if it changes my mind.

The Pucca and the Shifter by A.C. Ellas

4476thepuccaandtheshifter510w-430x645Title: The Pucca and the Shifter
Series: Son of the Wind Book 3
Author: A. C. Ellas
Genre: Fantasy/Action/ Paranormal/Shapeshifter
Length: Novella (99 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-77111-942-9
Publisher: Devine Destinies (2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: As the danger increases, so do the rewards.

V-Tach, the victorious co-winner of the Kentucky Derby, is set to face his rival Taifu in the rematch called the Preakness Stakes. V-Tach hates the track surface at Pimlico. It doesn’t feel right to him. His rival seems to relish it. Both colts are keen to compete in the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, but events outside their control may shape the outcome of the race.

Magical horses continue to disappear, and both the shifter V-Tach and his púcca lover, Pat, are definitely at risk, so much so that they dare not transform and reveal their magical natures. At the same time, the mafia is still trying to kill Brenden, all of which combines to leave their dreams downright endangered.

Will the O’Peleon men prevail against the long odds facing them? Will V-Tach prove able to overcome his dislike of the track and the other challengers who seek to steal the race from him?

Purchase Link: http://www.devinedestinies.com/The-Pucca-and-the-Shifter/

Review: This is book 3 in this series and I have got to tell you even though it is a good story I just had trouble with it. It was missing something I am not for sure what.

B-Tach is the co-winner of the Kentucky Derby. He is supposed to go against Taifu in a rematch. He is a horse with magic. He can turn into a human and is mated to Pat. Pat is not only a pucca but also human. He has mage powers.

The problem is the mafia still wants to kill Brenden. Because of all the dangers around them, they decided to keep their magical sides a secret. Which basically means Vee cannot change into human form until nightfall. It doesn’t leave them much time together though. Brenden wants Pat to keep up his magic training so that he can protect both him and Vee.

In this book Vee, who is also V-Tach hates the track surface at the Pimlico. There is something seriously wrong there. Pat has always had this dream of being number one, but with the Mafia coming after them he fears that their dreams will be struck down.

It is a cute story about love and two very sexy men. However, it is just downright bizarre. I love paranormal stories but there is just something about this story that will draw you in. It is just a different world in this book. I don’t much care for the fact that Vee is too much of a horse than he is a human. It just seems a bit weird to me. I can’t wait to see if the next book is any different.

V-Tach's Awakening by A.C. Ellas

9171Y9V3FCL._SL1500_Title: V-Tach’s Awakening
Series: Son of the Wind Book, #1
Author: A. C. Ellas
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Shapeshifter
Length: Novella (79 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-77111-915-3
Publisher: Extasy Books (April 1st, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: I am what I am in the form that I am.

Pat, a repressed púcca, is enjoying his career as a top jockey. He rides for his father, a sorcerer and notable breeder and trainer of top thoroughbreds. He, like his father, seeks glory on the track. The Triple Crown hasn’t been won since 1978, and they have a horse who might be the one to do it. But first, V-Tach must prove himself worthy by winning the Wood Memorial, and someone or something is out to stop them.

Pat hates magic and wants nothing to do with it, seeing it as nothing more than a cheat. But the power of magic can’t be denied forever, neither his own magic nor that of V-Tach. When Pat discovers that V-Tach is a Shapeshifter capable of changing into a human man, he’s outraged. Will the magic bring the end of their racing dreams?

Purchase Link: http://www.devinedestinies.com/v-tach-s-awakening/
Review: This is book one in this series and they should be read in order. I must admit that it was not my favorite of the paranormal world, but it was still a good read. The paranormal world’s give you such a mixture of people who you will fall in love with or smack them.

V-Tach is a glorious racing horse but he is also a man. It was news to him when he found out. For as long as he remembered he had love his rider Pat. However Pat didn’t know he had two forms until late one night. Pat had always known about magic, even knew his father was magical. What he had not known was that his mother was a púcca. This in turn made Pat a púcca. He comes off as an arrogant jerk in part of this story. When V-Tach tells him of his love for him, he denies it and is quite rude the way he did it. Telling him that he is just a horse, a great horse but a horse all the same. He was not human in Pats eyes. It takes a short period of time, but he realizes that he loves V-Tach, also. Although while in human form they called him Viktor.

It takes a short time but they realize that they both have so much in common and their feelings are coming out in full force. You can tell that once Pat gets over his attitude that they will be a wonderful couple. Their sex life is sweet and tender, full of passion and fire. I love how his father helps him with the realization that when V-Tach is in horse form that there is no magic helping him win the race and that when he is in human form he is truly a human man. That to love someone with all their heart is the only way to love.

I liked the story but it was definitely missing something in the interpretation. It did catch my attention from the moment I opened the book and did keep it all the way to the end. However, I wished that there were more to the story. A tad bit of danger to V-Tach and then all of a sudden he is captured and turning states evidence is just too fast for me. I wished that it came just a bit slower to reach the ending. If you love the paranormal worlds, sexy men, touching stories then this is a book you will like to read.

Treasure of a Thousand Worlds by Shannon Rouchelle

A1waNTur6VL._SL1500_Title:  Treasure of a Thousand Worlds

Series:  Dalton Twin Mysteries #1

Author:  Shannon Rouchelle

Genre:   Fantasy, Young Adult

Length:  Novella (143 Pages)

Publisher:  Devine Destinies, Extasy Books (August 1, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:   After the tragic death of their mother, Daniel and Ben Dalton are left orphaned and forced to move in with a neighbor.

Soon after, questions about their past begin to surface. The boys discover an eagle key and map that takes them from their home in New York to a pirate world. This startling discovery opens the doors to a whirlwind adventure filled with mystery and danger.

With fierce pirates in search of the lost treasure, Daniel and Ben must cross the high seas, battle evil villains, and trek through dangerous jungles, to unlock the mystery of a thousand worlds.

Product Link:  http://www.devinedestinies.com/treasure-of-a-thousand-worlds/

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Treasure of a Thousand Worlds is a young fantasy novel by Shannon Rouchelle. It is the first book published under of the Dalton Twin Mysteries Series. The story stars Daniel Dalton and his twin brother Ben Dalton. After the sudden death of their mother, who was a single parent, the Dalton Twins find themselves inside a new world full of mysteries and adventure.

I liked this novel. I felt so sorry for Daniel and Ben. They lost their mom and had to move in with Miss Roth, a crazy old lady. I love the relationship between the teens and their struggles to build their life after their mom died and the mystery quest that followed it. But, sadly, that’s about it.

What I didn’t like about this novel was the fact that it didn’t contain any M/M Romance. Both of the main characters were straight. Another thing that was a huge turned off was the fact that this novel was just too short. It also seemed to be too fast-paced. One second they are here and the next, they are there. This novel would be much better if it was longer and even slow-paced.

What I really loved about this novel, was the plot. It was very solid, cool, fresh, and new. I love YA Fantasy novels with amazing little twists. Yes, this was too fast-paced for me and it didn’t contain a M/M Romance, but there’s no denying that author is very talented and really good.

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves short YA Fantasy novels, pirates, a good mystery, adventure, and a solid coming of age plot.