Hi guys! We have Jeanne G’Fellers stopping by today with the tour for her new release keeping House, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a brilliant $20 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤️ ~Pixie~
Keeping House
(Appalachian Elementals 02)
by
Jeanne G’Fellers
Centenary Rhodes is caught in a deal she didn’t make. Thanks to her eternal lover, Stowne’s, quick thinking, she’ll live forever, but there’s a hitch. Cent’s now fey, and three months out of the year she’ll live on the other side of Embreeville Mountain among the Hunter Fey, serving their king, Dane Gow.
As Cent begins wading through the anachronisms that come with being a Hunter, she learns that nothing is what it initially seems. Cent shares several past lives with Dane, who wants her back, and Stowne’s lied to Cent so many times that she’s having doubts about their marriage. To make matters worse, the past Hunter Kings are influencing Dane’s behavior, and the youngest Hunter, Brinn, might well be the most dangerous of them all.
It’s going to be a cold, dark spring, and Cent needs to unite both sides of Embreeville mountain before her eternal life, her relationship with Dane, and her marriage to Stowne come permanently undone.
Another rich Contemporary Appalachian tale about fantastic people and the magic they possess, including LGBTQIA+ characters Human and otherwise.
Hi guys! We have Jeanne G’Fellers stopping by today with the tour for her new release Mama, Me, and the Holiday Tree, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Mama, Me, and the Holiday Tree
(Appalachian Elementals 01.5)
by
Jeanne G’Fellers
A dozen handmade holiday ornaments, that’s all, but it might be an impossible task.
Centenary Rhodes and her mother are at constant odds. It’s one of the many reasons Cent left home when she was eighteen. Mama’s difficult for anyone to manage, but now that Cent’s back home, she has to try. Mama, however, won’t acknowledge who Cent’s become, even though she’s repeatedly been shown the truth.
It’ll take more than popcorn strings and paper snowflakes to heal the rift that’s formed between Cent and Mama. It’s going to take bushels of patience, heaps of magic, and assistance from everyone on both sides of Embreeville Mountain to reset the Balance between them.
But with Yule and Christmas just around the corner, it might already be too late.
Join Cent and her Mother for a heart-warming, magic-filled holiday tale of acceptance, family of choice, family of blood, love, magic, and patience all served with a queer Appalachian twist.
Hi guys we have Jeanne G’Fellers stopping by today with the tour for her new release Cleaning House, we have a great exclusive excerpt and a fantastic $10 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Cleaning House
(Appalachian Elementals 01)
by
Jeanne G’Fellers
Centenary Rhodes is an old soul with a well-traveled name, but she doesn’t know this yet.
Growing up in southern Appalachia wasn’t easy, so Cent left home as soon as she could, but the post-collegiate happiness she’d expected has never occurred. She can’t find a decent date, much less find that special someone and, after losing her job in a corporate downsize, she’s struggling to meet her most basic needs. Her car has been repossessed, her bills are piling up, and her questionable North Chicago neighborhood is dangerous to navigate.
Returning home to Hare Creek, Tennessee, never crosses Cent’s mind until her Great Aunt Tess contacts her with an offer she can’t refuse. The family’s southern Appalachian homestead must be sold, and Aunt Tess needs someone to clean it up. Cent will have access to Aunt Tess’ garden and truck and can live on the homestead rent-free for as long as it takes. A part-time job is waiting for her as well.
It’s a chance to solve some of Cent’s financial woes, but will her return be enough when evil sets its sights on Embreeville Mountain and the homestead?
Cleaning House is a carefully woven Appalachian tapestry of granny magic, haints, elementals, and the fantastic diversity of the human condition – served with a delicious side of fries and a generous quart of peach moonshine.
Hiya guys! We have Hannah Carmack popping in today with her new release Take Your Medicine, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar Press GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Take Your Medicine
by
Hannah Carmack
Alice “Al” Liddell is from Echola, Alabama. She leads the life of a normal teen until the day she’s diagnosed with vasovagal syncope – a fainting disorder which causes her to lose consciousness whenever she feels emotions too strongly.
Her mother, the “Queen of Hearts,” is the best cardiothoracic surgeon this side of the Mason-Dixon Line and a bit of a local hero. Yet, even with all her skill she is unable to cure her daughter of her ailment, leading Al into the world of backwater witchcraft.
Along the way she meets a wacky cast of characters and learns to accept her new normal.
Take Your Medicine is a southern gothic retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Blurb: The staff at AURA has had a busy summer. Between chronic understaffing, dealing with warring goblin factions and an unusual number of hazardous Events, everyone is overworked. Sinistrus the incubus, newly hired as an AURA medic, actually enjoys his busy new life of responsible employee and faithful lover to his gorgeous police sergeant, Ness the centaur. Life would be perfect, except for a niggling suspicion about a colleague. Everyone else seems to disagree, but Sin’s certain something’s not right with that pixie.
Kellen, a pixie crossover, loves his job working in AURA medical, even if he is something of an outsider. His job and the friends he manages to make are happy spots in an otherwise dark and secretive life. As the rest of AURA tries to discover the root of the inexplicable rise in violence and large scale Events, Kellen fights to preserve his own life and what dignity he has left.
These two unlikely heroes must put their differences aside and navigate tragedy and ever-escalating disaster together in order to stop the sinister forces that hold Kellen in thrall.
Review:Each book in the AURA collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
This series has so many different types of paranormals in it that makes it absolutely unique to me. The worlds so fascinating and beautiful even though there are some dark spots to it. This world was created because of an accident that had happened at Berkley. It made our world merge with a world of magic and paranormal beings. It changed the way of life for everyone involved.
There are also a lot of different types of emotions put into this story and I found that it was enticing. Although there are some parts that I did not care for at all.
Ness is in love with Sin, but because Sin needs to feed on a female, he gives him what he needs. However it doesn’t make him like it. Now for me I didn’t really see the need for this in the book. It brought it down for me, because who wants a character to have to sleep with a female when we are all for men on men action.
Ness is a centaur but not like any one would know. He doesn’t act like the others and is damn sweet that you want to grab him and hug him. Now Sin is sad sometimes knowing that his feedings doesn’t make Ness feel good. However he truly loves Ness and shows it in other ways.
Then there is Kellen a cute little pixie that is being forced to serve a coven. A coven that wants to use his magic for evil. Now I must admit that I do like Kellen, Sin and Ness, but the way this book ended ruined the whole thing for me. I want Ness back with Sin and if you want Kellen then add him. Now I won’t go into detail because it will give the story away, but let’s just say it sucked.
I was happy with the way the book started but then it went downhill for me. So much so that I think I will skip the next book. It pissed me off but don’t get me wrong Kellen is a sweetie. I just didn’t like the twist that this book had at all. I do hope that in the next story they bring Ness back somehow. I absolutely hated this book but I suppose since it kept my attention I must read the next book.
It did its job though, caught my attention and kept me wanting for more of it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Blurb: Shane hates his life and wants more, so even though he’s skeptical, Shane summons The Crossroads Demon in hopes of striking a bargain.
When the man in black appears before him, Shane is not only surprised that the story of the crossroads demon is true, but that the demon is the most gorgeous man he has ever met. A deal is made between Shane and the demon named Dantalion. His dreams of being a rock god have come true and he begins to learn what it really means to be famous. Who he can trust and who his true friends are.
Dantalion cannot understand the attraction he feels for the human who summoned him, but he can’t deny it. Overstepping his boundaries as a crossroads demon, he gives Shane what he wants with hopes to make him happy. But when the powers that be find out about his unwarranted deal with Shane, they take the contract from Dantalion and forbid him to ever make contact with Shane again.
Can these two star-crossed lovers find a way to be together or will they be ripped apart by Heaven and Hell?
Review:I have always loved to read stories by Maggie so when this came out I had to grab it. It caught my attention from the start but I have to tell you that I was not sure if I was going to like it after the first few pages. It comes off a bit strange, but then I remembered that it was the stores from the crossroads demon.
Dantalion and Lucifer had gone against god and were sent to underworld. They were to make deals with humans and take their souls after a certain amount of time. What they had not known was that if they found true love, then they would be allowed back to heaven. When a sexy little man not only started asking him questions about his soul should he choose but there was just something about Shane that pulled at him. He might just be seeing love for real.
Shane is one hell of singer but he wanted the final package. He wanted to be a star, and in turn decided to sell his soul for that gift. Fifteen years to have his dream come true, but he had not realized was that his dream was Dantalion.
There is a darkness to this story with a serious tone to it. It lapses over the human’s life time not really giving you a true story it would seem. Just a taste of what could be or not be for the guys. You get more about Dantalion then you do Shane which is a bit off to me, but it turns out in the end that you see the love. Which for me doesn’t really rock the way I wanted it to but the story still turned out to be damn good.
I can’t wait to read the next story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Quinn’s Gambit Series: AURA, #1 Author: Angel Martinez, Bellora Quinn Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy & Fairytales Length: Novel (208 pages) Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (March 6th, 2015) Early Download February 6th 2015 Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts Blurb: An unregistered human con wizard and a duty-bound, straight-laced elf cop. As New York explodes with dangerous creatures, their passion goes nuclear.
After a terrible magical accident at Berkeley created unpredictable holes between realities, all manner of non-human creatures started popping into our world. These displacements, called Random Anomalous Reality Events or RARE, have taken magic out of fiction and relocated it firmly in reality, resulting in a great deal of chaos and confusion.
Displaced elf Valerian works with AURA, the Agency of Unnatural Resettlement and Assimilation, to intercept these beings as they appear in the human world, helping the peaceful ones and subduing the violent, malevolent ones. It’s good, satisfying work, and Val would be happy if he wasn’t so lonely.
Quinten is a young mage just trying to get by, but New York isn’t the easiest city to make a living in. If his methods are sometimes morally dubious, his heart is still in the right place. Of course, for Quinn, the right place means firmly locked away, protected at all costs. Living by his wits and sometimes magically induced luck, he works as a ‘freelance magic user’, or unregistered mage and small-time con, according to the authorities.
The last thing Quinn wants is to draw the cops’ attention, but when an Event happens right on top of him, he’s forced to turn to AURA for help. Valerian isn’t at all what he’d expected in an AURA cop, and he certainly wasn’t expecting to join forces with the sexy elf, a snarky drow, and a bitter incubus, when certain individuals in power try to stop the RARE by any means necessary.
Things are not all what they seem at AURA headquarters, and a greater evil lurks at the top than anyone could have imagined.
Review: This is book one in the AURA series.
Quinten is a small time con. It’s not the best living but he does what he must to survive. Quinn has not had the easiest life. Becoming the ward of the state at a young age he finally run away. On the streets he met a man who taught him how to pickpocket and use magic.
When Quinn made a mistake, the man turned on him, raped him, and allowed others to do the same for a price. This has led Quinn to keep people out and close himself off.
Valerian is a misplaced elf who was pulled through one of the events. The human world is strange to him and also lonely. But he has made a life for himself as an AURA officer.
When he first meets Quinn, he is immediately drawn to him. However, Quinn and his issues make it hard for Val to get close to him. Than all hell breaks, loose and it’s a matter of finding the will to stay alive.
The push and pull Quinn had going on with Val was annoying at times, but also when it was explained about his past it also becomes more understandable. I really felt bad for Val. He is not human, so many things humans just for granted he just does not understand. However once they do finally get their act together, they are pretty intense and sensual together.
The world that was created is very lush and well described. There are so many amazing beings and creatures. The MCs as well as the secondary characters are well thought out. The story was fast paced and kept my attention. The interactions between all the characters were interesting at times and pretty funny at others.
There was a lot of information given about the people and the world, but it was never too much to take away from the story and bog it down. Something I very much appreciated.
Overall, this was a very entertaining book. I enjoyed the world created and look forward to reading more about it. Since this is billed as a series, I cannot wait for the next book.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: The Magic of Christmas Series: N/A Author: Pelaam Genre: Fantasy/Holiday Length: Novella (55 pages) Publisher: MLR Press (December 6th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: On a friends’ getaway in a winter wonderland, Jared and Casey discover real Christmas magic.
Jared joins his four best friends on an early Christmas holiday in a beautiful winter wonderland. He’s been in love with the talented and extroverted Casey for years, but lacked the courage to say anything.
Casey loves Jared, but despite his gregarious exterior, inside lurks someone shy and insecure and so he’s never spoken up.
Both men are about to experience real Christmas magic.
Review: I have to say I was pleasantly surprised reading this wonderful book. Stunning details of the landscape, the other world, and all the creatures, elves, and reindeer shifters. Great battle scenes and a daring rescue made for an incredible read.
I loved that Jack and Nic were a couple and that with their help they Rescued Jared so that Casey could finally tell him how he feels.
I highly recommend this beautifully worded book.
Absolutely fantastic read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: The Rain Maker Series: N/A Author: Anne Brooke Genre: Fantasy Length: Short (12 pages) Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (October 26th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: A man stands alone in a deserted pub courtyard. His boyfriend has left him and his relationship is truly over. But, in the midst of his loneliness, a stranger appears, a stranger who won’t allow himself to be seen, but who has a deep affinity with the rain and who offers irresistible comfort.
Review: This was one of the strangest books I’ve read in a while. One man is taken by something or someone, as it’s never revealed the identity of the other, in a hot passionate moment. Great details.
Interesting yet very sexy short story. Having sex in the rain out in the open where anyone can see adds to the spice of the story.
Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: Last Line Series: N/A Author: Harper Fox Genre: BDSM/ Fantasy Length: Novel (201 pages) Publisher: FoxTales (July 18, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: John Griffin and Michael South – agents in the renegade counter-terrorism agency Last Line, and closer than brothers. It’s a fast-lane life of danger and excitement. John loves every minute of it, but he’s facing one big problem now: his feelings for Mike have flared up from friendship into a passion he can no longer hide. And Mike, although the bravest and best of partners, doesn’t feel the same.
Their one sexual encounter leaves them baffled and alienated from one another. Mike is a haunted man, shaken by flashbacks to his past life as an MI5 agent and a mission in Russia that went terribly wrong. He’s been left with a need for violence between the sheets, and John isn’t prepared to hurt him.
Not everyone has Mike’s best interests at heart. Their ruthless boss hires a ghost from Mike’s past to help track down a Russian war criminal who’s planted a nuclear device in the heart of London. Anzhel Mattvei knows all of Mike’s dark secrets, and soon regains his former sexual thraldom over him, leaving Mike locked in battle for his will and his soul.
Anzhel has turned Mike into a human detonation device. Only John’s love can pull him back from the brink – and save millions of lives in the fallout zone.
Review: In Last Line, we meet John Griffin and Michael South who are both agents in a black ops type counter terrorism unit. They are incredibly close and live a very dangerous life. John Griffin is gay and has definitely fallen in love with his partner but unfortunately, Michael doesn’t feel the same way. They still manage to be an incredibly efficient team and work extremely well together.
Someone from Michael’s past comes back to haunt him and all of a sudden he is reliving his life as an undercover agent in Russia. Unfortunately, that undercover assignment involved torture and mind control, which leaves Michael struggling to separate past from present.
Last Line was a hard book for me to read, mainly because I hated knowing that Michael had lived through such torture in his past. The mere fact that he cannot find sexual pleasure without pain really bothers me, as he seems like a gentle soul underneath all that brawn and bluster. There are elements of fantasy in this book that were not really explained and I found myself wanting to know more.
Extraordinary healing ability and a psychic bond between Michael and John made me wonder what sort of world these men really live in.
This is an intense story that really makes you think. You have characters with depth and a meaningful history together. You have a mystery when people from Michael’s past come back with threats of dirty bombs and their ability to control Michael’s behavior with very little effort on their part. You have an innocent in the form of John’s younger brother who I really need to learn more about in a future book!
Overall, Last Line is an amazingly complex story with well-developed characters. I hope that there is a sequel that explains a few of the book’s mysteries and gives us a closer look at Michael and John’s developing relationship.
Title: Prince Drake and the Rock Star Series: Royal Mates, Love’s Diamond, #5 Author: Lyssa Samuels Genre: Fantasy Length: Novel (284 Pages) ISBN: 978-1-63258-180-8 Publisher: Siren Publishing (August 14th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Reviewer: Lisa
Blurb: Jimmy Burrows lives the life of a rock star. He’s tired of his life of emptiness. He dreams of having one special man to share his life with who values him as Jimmy—a guy who likes pizza, science fiction, and likes to cook.
Prince Drake Sorenson knows that Jimmy is his aheri. When he looks into Jimmy’s violet eyes, he sees the man who is destined to fill their future with love and children. Jimmy’s caring heart and kindness are exactly what Drake needs to calm his soul.
Jimmy can’t trust that Drake’s anger and jealousy won’t hurt him. Drake’s stories about a world called Sanzel where there are magic, purple skies, and pregnant men are proof enough that the man is certifiable. When Drake helps heal Jimmy’s friend and her little girl, Jimmy has to reevaluate his judgment of the big man. Maybe Drake’s story of magic, love, and babies is something that’s a possibility for him after all.
Review: This is book five and they should be read in order. Each book brings in all the characters that you will see in the future stories that come up. It shows you their world, gives you an insight into their lives, and tells you about what it is like. I love the way their world just draws you in and makes you want to belong there. I love the way it has such tender parts that will have you in tears and then there are parts that will have you smiling.
Jimmy is a famous rock star but he is so very tired. He is tired of being alone but fears being touched by others. He had met a man who draws him in but is scared that this man will hurt him. Even more afraid was when Drake tells him that he is his and that he will make a wonderful father. I can see the fear in that statement.
Drake is actually Prince Drake Sorenson and is from Sanzel. Sanzel is a world that is full of magic, tight families, purple skies, danger, and pregnant men. So when he tells Jimmy this, of course the first course of action was for Jimmy to send him away. It is way too hard to believe. Also without his mate, Drakes magic is unstable and so is his anger. His anger is what makes Jimmy afraid. This is what makes Jimmy pull back.
After receiving some horrible news, Jimmy doesn’t want to be alone. Taking a chance, he slowly lets Drake in. Then he sees proof of Drakes magic. A healing magic so strong that Jimmy is amazed. He still fears him, but he knows Drake will do everything in his power to keep him safe. He also sees the love this man feels for him. He has fallen deeply for Drake, and slowly lowering his guards, he lets this man know that he is his.
He learns that Drake and most of the men from Sanzel can get pregnant. He was abused by his father and many others that have hurt him badly. Attacked at school by bullies has led him afraid that he will turn out just like them. A victim of abuse will soon be the abuser, or so that is what he always thought. However when he learns that Drake can have children he soon sees that he is very wrong. That their love will be strong and protective.
I loved this story just as much as I loved the others. It was told so well that the words just flew off the pages. It captures your attention the moment you start reading and will keep it all the way to the end. Lyssa has soon become one of my favorite authors. She has such a gift at giving you a story that you not only want but also need. It will draw you into their world and keep you there. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this amazing story. I would recommend reading this wonderful book. It gives you excitement, sexy men, passion, and fire, men that can get pregnant, adventure and a bit of danger.
Blurb: Diego and Finn’s peaceful life in Montana shatters when Diego unwittingly rips a hole in the Veil to the Otherworld—mysterious prophecies, dying fae, hostile government agents, and there’s so much more that could still go wrong.
After defeating an evil wendigo, a man and his pooka lover deserve a little quiet. Unfortunately, Diego and Finn’s hard-won peace is disturbed when Diego, in a jealous rage, unwittingly rips a hole in the impenetrable Veil to the Otherworld.
Separated, stuck on the other side of the Veil where Finn has to face old conflicts and Diego is the only human in a land of fae, the two of them navigate rocky waters between huge egos and ancient feuds. Worse still, some of the fae are dying of a mysterious illness and everyone believes Diego is the key to a cure. Things can’t possibly get any worse, can they? Oh, yes—they can when the US government gets involved.
Review:This story is part of a series and must be read in order. This is the 3rd edition of Diego and I really couldn’t see any changes from the 2nd edition so it isn’t necessary to purchase the newest edition if you have the earlier one.
Diego and Finn have settled into life in Montana after defeating the wendigo in Canada, but their peace is shattered when, after returning from a short trip, Diego flies into a jealous rage and rips a tear in the veil to the Otherworld. Diego and Finn are now in the land of the fae on two separate sides of an old feud, they have to breach the gap between the two sides to reunite and help to discover what illness has befallen the warriors. As they help the fae the worst is still to come when the US government get involved and the fae must work together to rescue their own.
This is a brilliant addition to the Endangered Fae series and I was very impressed with the brilliance of the twisting storyline. Diego loses control while fighting his jealousy and anger when he catches Finn in a compromising position, now he finds himself alone in a strange land with strange fae, and his only wish is that Finn was with him. A good deed backfires on Finn and now he finds himself back in the land of the fae with no clue of what happened to Diego, stuck with the Fomorian Finn will do anything trying to get back to Diego’s side. There is much more that happens with the fae being forced to join up and put the past behind them, they also discover the depraved depths the humans will go to in the name of National security.
I really loved this story because it has such a different storyline to anything I have read before, at first I thought it would just be the normal fantasy story where one human discovers all the fae’s secrets but it expands bringing in more people until the shocking reveal. Finn and Diego really get dragged through it this time and if you thought that the fight with the wendigo (from the first book Finn) was tough on them then I have to tell you the trials they go through in this one makes it look like a walk in the park. Finn is his usual incredible self but he has grave doubts about his being the right person for Diego, it hits his confidence when other fae tell him he isn’t good enough. Diego is the same caring person that we love and know, but he does annoy when he ignores Finn in favor of the other fae at times, yes some of them are ill but seriously you don’t ignore the one you love when they need reassurance.
There is so much that happens that I really don’t want to ruin the story for others, but Finn and Diego’s relationship proves to be stronger than anything that was thrown at it. Jealousy rears its head several times, we meet several new wonderful fae, there’s conflict and danger, there’s horrendous torture, there’s incredible love and endless hope, there’s a daring rescue and a race that stands up for itself against the odds. This story was just incredible; it expands to encompass more people so it widens the range of where the story can go, it’s beautifully written and all the characters are fantastic, Finn and Diego’s relationship is tested and only gets stronger, it is a true privilege to read.
I recommend this to those who love fantasy and contemporary merging, who love problems being fixed and solutions found, who love drama and angst, daring rescues and confronting the world with the truth.
Hiya guys, today we bring you Susan Mac Nicol with her latest release Double Alchemy: Climax, Susan talks about her music, lets us have a little look at an excerpt and she brings along a fantastic Giveaway. So I will leave you to it and don’t forget to check out both Cat’s & Tam’s reviews and to click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Double Alchemy: Climax
(Double Alchemy Book #2)
by
Susan Mac Nicol
Powerful modern warlock Quinn Fairmont found ecstasy with the silver-eyed and not-quite-human Cade Mairston, but to know true happiness the pair must best both the shadow of a long-ago lover and an ancient enemy who seeks to destroy love, light and all they hold dear.
A BLINDING LIGHT
It begins with a Book of Shadows discovered by a London coven. The grimoire is as dangerous as it is rare, which is why it evokes modern-day warlock Quinn Fairmont’s desire. He collects objects of great power and beauty—like his lover, Cade Mairston.
Against all odds he and Cade found each other, but their perils have just begun. First is the ex-lover who once held Quinn in thrall. And, someone has been killing warlocks. Could it be one of his own kind? There are those too who would challenge Quinn’s power in their quest to overthrow him as Grand Master. Or is the danger something darker, something invoked inadvertently, rising from the shadows, building from the very inside of a man until it brings an end with a quick flash of light? Of the truth, the surface has only been scratched. Now Quinn and Cade must go deeper and find both answers and an end. They must learn what lurks in the hearts of men…and whether it seeks to love or destroy.
Title: Kidnapping Cupid Series: N/A Author: Samantha Lehane Genre: Fantasy Length: Short (29 Pages) Publisher: Musa Publishing (Mar 21st, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Blurb: When Cupid conspires with Venus to play a prank on the stoic god of the sea, he has no idea that his tin-plated arrow will unleash the undersea scandal of the century.
Cupid is always up for a prank, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his football matches, pub brawls, and gambling. When Venus asks her son to strike Neptune, Cupid should have considered why his mother was so interested…or maybe he just should have drunk a little less ambrosia.
Neptune is a stoic sea god, untouched by love. That is until something happens and Neptune sings his love for—Amphitrite? A woman who hates him and until recently, whom Neptune scarcely noticed. But there was a witness–and Neptune knows exactly whose tin arrow is to blame.
Cupid ends up on the pointy side of Neptune’s trident before being dragged under the sea. To get back to the surface, it’s either sink, swim, or seduce. And when wedding bells chime, the love god has to decide if he is truly brave enough to put his heart on the line. Product Link: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=758 ISBN: 978-1-61937-735-6 Reviewer: Shorty Review: Cupid is kidnapped by Neptune after shooting him with an arrow. It was supposed to just be a joke, But, while Neptune has him, they have a brief fling. At least, that was the plan. It was only after Cupid is released, that he begins to realize he has feelings for Neptune and stops the wedding.
Neptune was hot and sexy, while Cupid was naughty and cute. It was a good read. The use of mythology was creative and the characters were fleshed out nicely.
Hey peeps, today we have Susan Mac Nicol bringing us her newest release Double Alchemy! Susan gives us some insight into promoting yourself and our little Kitty Cat gets pulled into this paranormal world and gives us her review… oh and there’s a fabulous Giveaway where there’s two of Susan’s previous releases up for grabs!! So peeps, enjoy our post click that Rafflecopter link, have a look at Cat’s review and Enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Promoting Yourself by Susan Mac Nicol
I can hear a lot of you groan as you read this. Yes, it probably is the hardest bit of the job. But I thought I’d share with you a few tips, seeing as how as well as doing this for my own books I’m also trying to do this for a living and help authors in their promotional activity. If you like the idea of someone perhaps helping you, check out my website – www.ravencrestagency.com. It’s a work in progress.
Basically you need to give up breathing, eating, going to the toilet and simply sit in front of a laptop screen until you die. Heh Heh. Because it’s addictive, it’s necessary and bears fruit if you do it right. Waits for the sigh of despair…….Honestly, I am kind of joking above, but rest assured, it takes a huge amount of effort to build these author platforms, street teams, and an author’s visibility. I’m not going to go into much detail here, just mention some areas I use to keep in touch with fellow writers and readers and bloggers.
Facebook – of course, whether it’s personal profile or an author page, we probably all have something.
Twitter – a great way to get a quick, intense spurt of something out to your followers.
Google + – it’s growing but still underutilised
Linked In – I find this more useful for networking as opposed to promoting books
Paper Li – an online newspaper which is very suitable for Twitter and earns you retweets
Goodreads- not my favourite medium but I check it now and then. Other authors will know why I say I don’t really like this forum much.
Pinterest – I just love this because it’s such a visual tool
Blogging – a really useful tool, so you can participate in blog hops, host fellow authors and gain exposure.
Your own website – always useful to have so you can cater to your audience
BookShout – an alternative to other social book sites and growing (http://bookshout.com/users/46573#_=_)
About.me – I notice more and people using this as a medium to keep in touch (http://about.me/home/)
VK – this is Europe’s answer to Facebook, and includes a lot of people from the Baltic countries, Russia etc. (https://vk.com/susanmacnicol)
These are just a few ideas to build a web presence and try and corner every corner of the globe a little like Pinky and the Brain trying to take over the world. Not everything will work for you but at least give it a look and see what you think.
About Double Alchemy
Title: Double Alchemy Author: Susan Mac Nicol Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group Release Date: 25th March, 2014 Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Powerful yet tormented modern warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the silver-eyed Cade Mairston into the world of witchfinders, Withinners, and what can happen when two men fall truly, madly, deeply in love.
THE WORLD IN SHADOW
In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.
In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.
“I love Paranormal stories & I’m a huge fan of Susan Mac Nicol’s M/M books. In this book, she brings both genres together & gives us this amazing story. With her master storytelling, she takes us into the mystical & magical world of Witches, Warlocks, Withinners & Feys. A world where danger lurks in the shadows.” – Maria Recchia
“I stayed up all night reading this story. Susan has a way of writing that is different than anyone else. She’s uniquely brilliant at weaving a tale that brings out my emotions. I have laughed in every one of her stories. That’s incredible for me. Not just a smile, but a laugh. I love that. This book needs to be read. You won’t be disappointed.” – Author Kindle Alexander
Praise for Susan Mac Nicol
“We have to re-iterate that this Author will always be an automatic one-click for us. Her writing is flawless and her flawed characters are completely lovable. There’s always something quirky and fun in her stories as well as drama, angst and heaps of passion! We can highly recommend!!” – Gitte & Jenny – Totally Booked Blog
“Susan has been hailed as a genius writer of male/male literature. Her Saving Alexander has been nominated for several awards and has been reviewed widely. Congrats on all your success, Susan. You have earned it.” – Gay Lit Authors
About Susan Mac Nicol
Susan Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, UK, and left for South Africa when she was eight. She returned to the UK thirty years later and now lives in Essex. Her debut novel Cassandra by Starlight, the first in a trilogy, was published last year by Boroughs Publishing Group in the US. Sue’s latest story, Double Alchemy is her fifth m/m romance.
Sue has written since she was very young, and never thought she would see herself becoming a Romance writer, being a horror/psychological thriller reader all her life. But the Romance genre is now something very close to her heart and she intends continuing the trend.
Sue is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association here in the UK.
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group (25th March 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb: Powerful yet tormented modern warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the silver-eyed Cade Mairston into the world of witchfinders, Withinners, and what can happen when two men fall truly, madly, deeply in love.
THE WORLD IN SHADOW
In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.
In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.
Good Reads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21480819-double-alchemy
Review: I’ve read all but I think one of Susan Mac Nichol’s books and loved them all. Double Alchemy was very different being a paranormal. I wasn’t disappointed. This story still deals with broken men, as lots of angst and is very emotional with a touch of humour.
Quinn is a Warlock and owner of a prestigious business. He also has many secrets. At a charity function, he meets Cade an anthropologist. The pull between them is irresistible. They have wild sex and seem to bond further.
Cade finds out from Quinn that the pull between them was more than just physical sex and that Quinn is a warlock and Cade has Fey in him.
They seem to fall in love instantly, BUT, not being a big fan of instalove, it really works here. I found this a very interesting refreshing take on Instalove or the soulmate bond thing. This ran much deeper and I can easily accept the connection.
This story is full of intriguing characters, both male and female, witches, warlocks, and more. There were also fine lines between good and evil, which I really liked a lot. Almost every character had a good side ad a bit of bad also. I loved this because it made all the characters so realistic, since none of us are perfect. Don’t get me wrong there were some pure evil characters as well. The balance of good and evil was fantastic and kept you on the edge of your seat. The Warlocks had a Withinner, which is another type of warlock or Magical being. I would have liked a bit more information on this but, I loved this take on a familiar. I will admit at first it got a bit confusing since Quinn spoke to his Withinner, or he spoke to Quinn was in italics. Also Quinn and Cade’s thoughts were in Italics and at times especially early in the story I was a bit confused as to who was speaking. As the story progresses I got used to the switches though.
The plot is very complicated and intricate. I loved how the story was far from ordinary. I also loved that it is set in today with paranormal world mixed in. There is an ongoing major plot with lots of subplots spinning off like little webs. I liked how the plots of this story were resolved, but there were just enough of those threads left hanging making you want more. I absolutely love Tal (Quinn’s Withinner) and would love much more of him!
The story does resolve the major issues and has a happy for now ending with just enough hints that there is more to come. I for one cannot wait.
I recommend this: if you like paranormal stories that are different, world within a world, witches Warlocks, sprites, secrets, twists and turns, a touch of humour and some hot sexy ManLove.
Publisher: David R. Metheny (September 17th, 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb:
There is a world…
Hidden beneath us…
Where Once Upon a Time…
Becomes corrupted with excess and control…
And when Kayden Daniels is thrown from being a New York City millionaire
into the world of Wonderland…
His destiny of becoming The Mad Hatter will begin…
In the first installment of The Back Road to Wonderland… Finding himself in a strange world, Kayden begins his exploration of Wonderland and his journey to becoming The Mad Hatter. Infatuated with the devilishly handsome King of Hearts, our sex crazed hero decides nothing will stand in his way when it comes to pursuing the luscious closeted King.
The Queen of Hearts always gets what she wants or it’s off to the gallows and right now, she wants Kayden. However, when she begins to question if the stranger is who he says he is; she decides to employ other tactics.
The King of Hearts has always had desires for men, but afraid to act upon them. That is until he meets Kayden. Will Kayden be the first to break down his fears and his closet door? Can Kayden escape the Queen’s clutches and desires long enough to achieve his goal and his seduction of a King?
Review: A dark and dangerous take on the classic tale with a gay twist. When Kayden Daniels journeys through the looking-glass, chaos ensues. Openly gay, rich and promiscuous, he sets his sights on the King of Wonderland. James, the King of Hearts, has an open marriage of sorts with Queen Verde. After James acts on his growing attraction to Kayden, he becomes very possessive, much to Verde’s dismay. As the relationship progresses and James obsession with the sex-crazed visitor starts to show. It just may cost Kayden his head, in a manner of speaking. Obsession, lust, jealousy and anger have thrown things off-balance in Wonderland.
“You’ll find Wonderland is made up of beautiful things and offers many pleasures, but remember all things have a balance.”
As the story progresses, Kayden begins the slow descent into madness with his closeted lover, a psychotic queen and a white rabbit. Marcus, James stepson, adds a juicy twist to this story that is already beautifully bent. Gruesome deaths are plaguing the kingdom and James is doing his best to stay focused on his duties, while trying to keep an on his new lover. When Kayden catches the eye of another lover, James jealousy may cost him or her both their soul.
I’ve read this book twice and I’ll admit, I’m still a little bit confused. Not an easy story to follow told from the perspective of multiple characters, and there are a lot of characters! But, there is potential here for greatness. This first book in the series is laying the groundwork for things to come. I was a little disappointed that while the author is taking this daring risk by turning a beloved classic into a dark and sexy gay story, he fed into the sex crazed sleeping around can’t keep it in my pants misgiving that a lot of people associate with gay men. That being said, as I said, there is still potential. And I will concede, the sex was off the charts hot.
I’m excited to see where Metheny goes with this world he’s building. Kayden becoming Hatter; James learning to control his jealousy; Marcus evolving as the white rabbit; oh and Queen Verde, every story does need a raging bitch, right?
Yes, this is a hard one to follow, but if you stick it out to the end, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And as anxious as I am for the next book in this dark new series.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
Blurb: Lanky Hugh MacPherson wears his tattoo and is cowboy boots all the way from Nevada to his ancestral home in Scotland, only to find a clansman named Graeme Guthrie has a subtle way of claiming the boots, the tattoo, and the man who wears them.
On a tour to the sites of Pictish stones, Hugh meets the Laird of the Castle in the oversized, handsome body of Graeme, a man who traces his ancestry back as far as the tattooed Picts who carved those very stones.
What happens when two gorgeous men first lock eyes, then bodies, and at last, their very spirits as foretold in the mysterious tattoos they wear?
Review: This has turned out to be a bit bizarre but quite an interesting story. I had never read one of Erin’s stories and I am pleased to say the least. It was a funny little story that touches you in places that are usually closed off. A fantasy brought to life. Hugh was all cowboy and sexy to boot. He decides to visit his ancestral home in Scotland, but was having a difficult time with it. Until one night, he sees Graeme and he notices someone he wants.
Graeme is the keeper of the stones and Hugh is the bearer. Not really sure what that means, however I do know that Graeme has to do a ceremony to set his people free. When they come together, it is hot and passionate, although you can tell Graeme is innocent in the way of lovemaking. They have their ups and downs right off the bat, because to me it would seem that Graeme doesn’t really know what to do with Hugh. And not just from the fact that he has never truly been with anyone in that way. He just seems so innocent. His father has taught him what it is to be the keeper and told him about the bearer but not how to tell who it is.
Now it lost me for a bit there, trying to understand certain parts of the story. It caught my attention from the start and managed to keep it all the way to the end, however it is a hard story to understand certain parts of it. What got me was when Hugh notices Graeme’s tattoo he tried to explain it to Graeme what it means to him. However, Graeme thinks that Hugh is calling him a monster and gets upset. Now to Hugh he is calling him a monster but he is not talking about what Graeme thinks he is talking about. Hugh wants Graeme for life, now all he has to do is convince Graeme of it.
Now most of the time I look for a story in which to lose myself into. A world so much more different from the one that I am living in. However every once in a while there is a story in which I have to dissect to understand certain parts of it. This would be one of those stories. Most stories have twist and turns in them to keep you on the edge of your seat, however this one’s just confused me. I think that they are talking about one thing and it turns out that they are talking about something totally different. It actually made the story that more enjoyable. I loved how it kept me entertained and questioning my senses.
It shows to men learning their way through their past, present and future. It shows them love. I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a good fantasy, two hot and sexy men, wonderful storyline, and a way to question their beliefs. Not to mention the hot and full of passion sex between them. I love Graeme’s innocent ways and Hugh’s attention he pays to Graeme. It is amazing and I cannot wait to see what else this series has to offer. The only thing I wish for was that it was longer.
Blurb: Dan is trying to live an ordinary life, well as ordinary as you can in the Kingdom. He has a good job working in the Library of Stories, even if his boss is a little flat—he is a magic mirror, after all. Then one day, Dan slips up and utters two little words—five tiny little letters—that are about to spin his story around and fill it with color and laughter—and a Fairy Godmother. Who is a man. A man who sparkles.
Review: ‘It’s just sometimes I wish…’ Are the words that begin to change Dan’s world, because when you live in a in a fairy-tale Kingdom anything might happen. Dan lives an ordinary boring life, working in the Library of Stories and living in a little stone house, when he utters the words that bring him his very own Fairy Godmother, who is bright and very male, but Dan has no wishes to fulfill. Camael is a Fairy Godmother who finds himself with the reluctant wisher, but it isn’t long before Camael advises Dan on his wish and they both get a happy ending.
This is a very cute fairy-tail type story, we have the ordinary man on the street and a flamboyant Fairy Godmother and a mutual meeting of the minds ;-). Both characters are entertaining and have you smiling at their antics. Their attraction is quite sweet and gets bumbling at times. Dan doesn’t feel fulfilled in his life but doesn’t know what is missing, meeting Camael has him longing for something he doesn’t think he can have but Camael soon dissuades him of that notion.
I really enjoyed this little story and liked both Dan and Camael, the story is well written and I loved how Dan dissected other fairy-tales within the first few pages, after all, he works in a library so he should know them all. This is a very sweet happy ever after type story with Camael coming up with a way for them to be together *crafty Fairy Godmother* and Dan finding the happiness he has always longed for…. Oh and it’s pretty hot when Dan and Camael find a way to use one of the wishes *cherry flavor in fact*.
I recommend this to those who love fairy-tales, cute couples, finding happiness and a very happy ever after.
Blurb: Welcome to the Valley, a liminal landscape that lies somewhere in the fringes of the world; a place with such secret magic that only the very observant can see it. Into this world comes the Lone family. To them, the magic of the Valley is not at first apparent, at least not to all. But the youngest son Lucifer is the most open to the river’s pulse. He converses with the trees and an angel named Azrael, all the while being taught by the midwife Mother True to hone his talents. Meanwhile, Lucifer’s older brother Uriel rejects the valley altogether and, with the help of his lover—a raft boy named Roman—flees the place only to be caught up in the corrupt big city world of a Madame named Ute Dragal.
And so begins a tale of wonder and danger, filled with a cast of characters ranging from the strong to the stoic to the sinister, in a place where a dark power awaits them all. Venture again to the Valley in this prequel to Eric Arvin’s acclaimed epic The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men.
Review: This was a difficult book to read. At first, it was of a child who had such a gift to talk to trees, but then to find out that he had been killed, by a demon sort. Azrael was there to help him cross over, but he refuses. He spends time with Azrael talking about the story his brother told him, the preacher, his mother, and father. Azrael is an angel like no other. If you like, angels then you will definitely like Azrael.
This story is not only about how Azrael and Lucifer decided to stop evil about the lives of so many other characters. So much evil and darkness throughout the book and one special angel and spirit of a young child to fight it. It has a wonderful story line and great characters, but I just couldn’t really get into it.
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand Publishing (13th July 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Ian Sheldon has come to Whitehaven Hall to undergo the trial that will initiate him into the brutal world of mage adepts, where slaughter is the reward for weakness and power alike. Ian knows the reality of the ranks he seeks to enter—his father was murdered by another mage.
Aodh Graeme is a surly but sensuously handsome demon with fiery hair and copper eyes—and a violent need for blood. Aodh is Ian’s servant and guide for the trials, magically bound to Ian for the duration of his test. This bond flows their magic between them, heightening the fierce attraction Ian already feels for the laconic demon. But, the alternate reality hosting the trials shows Ian his intimidating guide may not be trustworthy.
As Ian progresses towards the lurid horizon that houses his ultimate goal, he must decide if he will surrender to Aodh’s sensual pull—and possibly become the next victim of the mages.
Review: Ian has to undergo a trial to prove himself worthy of being a mage adept. His assigned guide is a red cap demon called Aodh and they have a perilous journey before them. However, Ian has another motive for going through with the trial and he might have found an unexpected ally in Aodh. But, first they must come out of the trial alive and Ian fights his attraction to Aodh when he is shown that Aodh just might turn on him.
An interesting premise of how strict the magical world is with only the strongest being allowed to become mage adepts/sorcerers, well as long as they aren’t too strong. This is a well written story that gives us some background on the magic users and how they are treated by those who have stronger magic. Ian has to complete the trial well enough to become a sorcerer, but not so enough that he could be seen as a threat. Either way the threat of death lingers over him. Aodh has no choice but to help Ian during the trial, but Ian surprises him and gives him a glimmer of hope. Now, they just have to get past Taylent (sorcerer in charge of the trial).
I will be honest and say that we don’t see that much of a romance; it is more of a passionate coming together and trust built during the trial and putting their lives in each other’s hands. It happens over a very short amount of time, but it does feel longer with everything that they deal with during the trial. The descriptions that we get from the pocket of space that the trial is held in are very impressive and kinda icky. I was impressed with the twist that emerged during the trial and I really liked Ian’s attitude regarding the current set up of the sorcerer’s ranks.
We don’t get to know that much about Aodh, which I thought was a shame, but he seems to suit Ian well when he realizes that Ian isn’t like the others that have come before him. The sex between them is very hot, but it isn’t sweet and gentle, it is very passionate and intense. The epilogue was cool and I really hope that we will get a sequel.
So, I recommend this to those who love magic, shaking up a system, revenge, vengeance, a hot demon and a hot mage and a happy ending (when they aren’t battling other sorcerer’s).
Title: Kellen’s Awakening
Title: Shane
Title: Quinn’s Gambit
