Hiya peeps! We have Angel Martinez stopping by today with the tour for her new release Mage On The Hill, we have a brilliant guest post from Angel, a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and we also have Shorty’s review, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Mage on the Hill
(The Web of Arcana 01)
by
Angel Martinez
Toby’s wild magic is killing him. The mage guilds have given up on him, and it’s only a matter of time before he dies in a spectacular, catastrophic bang. His only hope is an exiled wizard who lives in seclusion—and is rumored to have lost his mind.
The years alone on his hilltop estate have not been good for Darius Valstad. After the magical accident that disfigured him and nearly drowned Pittsburgh, he drifts through his days, a wraith trapped in memories and depression. Until a stricken young man collapses on his driveway, one who claims Darius is his last chance.
For the first time in fifteen years, Darius must make a choice—leave this wild mage to his fate or take him in and try to teach him, which may kill them both. The old Darius, brash and commanding, wouldn’t have hesitated. Darius the exile isn’t sure he can find the energy to try.
Blurb: Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
This Third Edition features new cover art by Chris McGrath.
Dark, gripping, intense and imaginative, Black Dog Blues is the first book in a new somewhat Urban and slightly Dystopian fantasy series full of paranormal creatures that will surprise you.
Kai Gracen is an Elf with a dark past, living as a human and working as a Stalker. He was won in a poker game by his boss and sort of father figure, Dempsey, who is now retiring so Kai is taking over the family business. Kai is an enigma. He was born an Elf, but prefers to live his life like a human. His parentage will surprise you, but he wants nothing to do with that part of his life. And while Kai would be considered bi-sexual, he is far from someone that confines his sexuality to a title or a box.
When Kai is hired to retrieve a pregnant human woman it is supposed to be an easy job, that is until the sidhe lord Ryder shows up on his door step, intent on accompanying Kai on the job. Secrets are revealed on both sides and the job turns out to be more dangerous that Kai assumed, and then there is the lustful way Ryder eyes Kai that sets his teeth on edge. Unanswered questions prove deadly for the Elfin Stalker. Who is this human pregnant woman that Ryder is hell bent on protecting? And why is Kai’s father suddenly intent on bringing his wayward son back home?
I think I just fell in love with a fictional, slightly psychotic elf with a death wish and a snarky sense of humor. Kai is unapologetically brash and intense. He loathes his past and is determined to live his life in his own way, make his own rules. Ryder is very mysterious and secretive but the one thing he doesn’t hide is just how much he wants Kai. While there isn’t any romance per say in this story, there is an undeniable attraction between these two that Kai does an impressive job of ignoring.
There was a lot going on throughout this story, Dempsey retiring, Kai taking over, the safe transport of the pregnant woman, Ryder’s involvement in her life, Kai’s past merging with his present and the link he has to Ryder. While I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish, I got a little confused at times with everything that was taking place, but all roads intersected along the way. There were a few unappealing secondary characters as well, but I’m thinking Ford may have plans for them somewhere in the context of this series, so I’ll file them all away for later.
Overall I thought this was a great read. As I said it is dark, imaginative, mysterious and engaging. The way Ford merged the human and Fae worlds, the history and lore of the sidhe that was told, I’m anxious to see where Ford takes Kai and Ryder and possibly Alexa in the next story. This book reminded me a lot of Holly Black’s Modern Tales of Fairy series, which is one of the best Fae series to date. If you read multiple genres like I do, or you are thinking of dipping your toe into the warm waters of the MM genre, then this book would probably be the perfect start for you.
Pixie’s Review: 💖💖💖💖💖 4 ½ Hearts
Elfin Kai was won in a poker game by a human Stalker, Dempsey, and was trained to be a Stalker, he is the only Elfin Stalker in southern California. Now with Dempsey retiring due to injury Kai has set up shop in San Diego, contracting out to the local SoCalGov depot to kill the monsters that were released when Underhill merged with Earth. Kai is so merged in the human culture that he sometimes forget he was Elfin but when he is contracted to work for sidhe lord Ryder he is reminded of his past. Kai’s new contract was supposed to be an easy run, but heading up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman is anything but simple when he is dragged into a bloodline feud and his own past comes back to haunt him.
This is an absolutely brilliant Urban Fantasy story that has danger, horrible monsters, tempting sidhe and intriguing heroes. Kai has a mysterious past that is filled with horror, he wants nothing to do with any other Elfin and is perfectly happy with his life in the human world, it is dangerous but nothing that he hasn’t faced before and he lives by his own rules. Being forced to take a job for the sidhe lord Ryder is far from his idea of fun but if he doesn’t do it his Stalker licence could be pulled, gritting his teeth he sets out on an action packed journey that brings his bloody terrifying past back to him.
Kai is a brilliant character, he faces so much in this story and his reactions are just perfect. Kai is scarred by his past in more ways than one and his fears reach out and grab you, he has good reason to never want to see the Dusk Court again. Kai’s sexuality is fluid, male/female doesn’t matter to him he enjoys both, but some people he will steer clear of. Ryder and the other characters are there but more in the background, this is Kai’s story and although it is a great with the action, danger and Kai’s history being revealed, nobody really jumps out like Kai does so we are left wondering as to who could really catch Kai’s eye because it isn’t only Ryder who wants a taste of Kai.
It left me wondering just what direction this series would head in with Kai’s love interest because Kai seemed much more receptive to the females, because even with his detailed reaction to Ryder he still seemed to welcome the females touch more than Ryder’s.
This story is very much focused on the Urban Fantasy with any romantic/sexual interest taking a back burner, the imaginative settings and terrible creatures pull you into an exciting adventure and discovering Kai’s life is interesting. There’s plenty of danger from the black dogs, dragons, Dusk sidhe and Dawn sidhe, and Kai gets dragged into the Elfin world even as he tries to stay out of it.
We get a dark gritty story that makes you wonder as you turn the page just what Kai will face next, and you wonder just how much more his poor body can take before it gives up.
I recommend this is you want a dark, gritty, danger filled Urban Fantasy, incredible world building, fascinating characters and just a slight hint of sexual attraction.
Blurb: You can’t bargain with death if you’ve already sold your soul.
Special Agent Patrick Collins has been reassigned by the Supernatural Operations Agency to New York City. Navigating his new relationship with Jonothon de Vere, the werewolf he’s now soulbound to, is nothing compared to dealing with territorial disputes between the vampires and werecreatures who call the five boroughs home. But the delicate treaties that have kept the preternatural world in check are fraying at the edges, and the fallout is spilling into the mundane world.
Manhattan’s club scene is overrun with the vampire drug known as shine and the subways have become a dumping ground for bodies. When the dead are revealed as missing werecreatures, Patrick and Jono find themselves entangled in pack politics twisted by vampire machinations.
Learning to trust each other comes with problems for both of them, and the gods with a stake in Patrick’s soul debt aren’t finished with him yet. Bound by promises they can’t break, Patrick and Jono must find a way to survive a threat that takes no prisoners and is stalking them relentlessly through the city streets.
Old and new betrayals are coming home to roost but the truth—buried in blood—is more poisonous than the lies being spun. Trying to outrun death is a nightmare—one Patrick may never wake up from.
All Souls Near & Nigh is a 104k word m/m urban fantasy with a gay romantic subplot and a HFN ending. It is a direct sequel to A Ferry of Bones & Gold, and reading the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one. Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.
Review: Werecreatures are disappearing and turning up dead at an alarming rate. Patrick has the job of figuring out what is going on. The stakes are high as the investigation reveals that the God Pack Alphas are giving away independent werecreatures to be tortured and sacrificed to a Goddess of Death. On top of that Lucien’s child Tremaine is at the heart of the disgrace with a God who wants the Goddess of Death for his own.
All this means dangerous times ahead for Patrick and Jono. I loved everything about this suspense filled book. Patrick tries to protect everyone he can even at the cost of himself. Jono is fierce in his dealings with the God Pack Alphas for their downright disgraceful actions.
A lot happens throughout as the story progresses. The story had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
While cutting through the Interstices—the post-creation gap between realms—Smith, half-demon tech specialist for Enchanted Occasions Event Planning, spies the person he yearns for daily but dreads seeing again: the ifrit, Hashim of the Windrider clan.
On their one literally smoldering night together, Smith, stupidly besotted, revealed his true name—a demon’s greatest vulnerability. When Hashim didn’t return the favor, then split the next morning with no word? Message received, loud and clear: Thanks but no, thanks.
Although Hashim had burned to return Smith’s trust, it was impossible. The wizard who conjured him holds his true name in secret, and unless Hashim discovers it, he’ll never be free.
When their attraction sparks once more, the two unite to search for Hashim’s hidden name—which would be a hell of a lot easier if they didn’t have to contend with a convention full of food-crazed vampires on the one day out of the century they can consume something other than blood.
But if they fail, Hashim will be doomed to eternal slavery, and their reignited love will collapse in the ashes.
Luckily Smith is the guy who gets shit done. And Hashim is never afraid to heat things up.
Review: Devouring Flame is the second book in EJ Russell’s Enchanted Occasions series, which is also apart of the Dreamspun Beyond line. This works as a standalone book, as there is only a passing mention of one of the MCs from the previous book, but no mention of anything that had happened in Nudging Fate (Enchanted Occasions book 1).
Smith is half-demon, half-human (something that echoes from the first book with Anders). He is an event planner for Enchanted Occasions and while slipping between realms in Vegas (because of course the Sin City is basically the Hellmouth) he encounters the one being that he had dreamed of his happily ever after with. Hashim is an ifrit and despite knowing that Smith is the other half of his soul, he can’t give himself to the man that he felt such a strong connection to because he is a slave for a master that keeps Hashim’s true name from him. The catch is for demons, to be able to mate and bind their lives together, they need to exchange true names. While Smith is heartbroken because he has done so for Hashim, he does not realise the trouble that Hashim is in, and the evil wizard that is holding so many paranormals in their own personal hell.
Somehow, these guys have to conquer evil, find Hashim’s real name and somehow also work one of the major events of the century, where vampires hold a convention on the one day that they can consume real food. It’s a melting pot of drama, but Hashim will do anything to have Smith’s trust back, and Smith will do anything to help the man who holds his heart.
This is a good book for those that like a story where two people overcome a misunderstanding to finally find love again, because at the heart of it, that is the main theme of this book. It was fun and I found myself quickly invested in the lives of Smith and Hashim. The other workers of Enchanted Occasions are also quirky and I am hoping that we get to see some of those guys have their own HEA. I would also love to know more of the story of the cute minotaur Rion.
Genre: Angels and Demons, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves, Shapeshifters
Length: Novel (241pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 12, 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 1/2 Hearts
Blurb:For over a century, Edward Youngblood has been the logical one in a family of temperamental magical beings. But reason has not made him immune to passion, and Edward’s passion for Mullins, the family’s demon instructor, has only grown.
Mullins was lured into hell through desperation—and a fatal mistake. He’s done his best to hang onto his soul in the twisted realm of the underworld, and serving the Youngblood family when summoned has been his only joy. Edward concocts a plan to spring Mullins by collecting a series of items to perform an ancient ritual—an idea that terrifies Mullins. He can’t bear the thought of losing Edward and his brothers to a dangerous quest.
But every item in their collection is an adventure in brotherhood and magic, and as Mullins watches from the sidelines, he becomes more and more hopeful that they will succeed. When the time comes for Mullins to join the mission, can he find enough faith and hope to redeem himself and allow himself happiness in the arms of a man who would literally go to hell and back—and beyond—to have Mullins by his side?
Review: I loved this story about Mullins and Edward. The hunt for the items needed to set Mullins free was an adventure for me. I was rooting for Edward and Mullins even though Mullins had his doubts.
The different characters throughout added a colorful addition to the story as it progressed. Thoughts and feelings from the men gave the reader a deeper understanding of who they are. Overall this was a good addition to the series as we are taken further in by the series with new MC’s at the forefront.
Looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.
Hi peeps! We have Alex Whitehall visiting today with their new release Ties That Bind, we have a brilliant exclusive excerpt with an intro from Alex, and a wonderful giveaway where there’s a chance to win an ebook or audiobook, so guys, check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Ties That Bind
by
Alex Whitehall
For Chel, Tomlin, and Mathias, life is simple but good. They share a home and a love, and despite a few conflicts of personality, are happy. Mathias runs a magic shop, where he makes magic items and potions for his customers, and Tom is his familiar, helping supply his magic. Chel, who’s not magical, works at a bookshop and makes sure dinner is on the table for his lovers.
When Mathias suddenly comes down with a mysterious illness, Chel and Tomlin seek out answers. As Mathias’s familiar, Tomlin can sense that nothing is wrong with the magical parts of him, but when a trip to the doctor’s indicates nothing is wrong with him physically either, they start to worry.
Then Mathias collapses, and the search to find the truth becomes urgent.
Hi guys! We have Brooklyn Ray visiting today with her new release Unbroken, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Unbroken
(Port Lewis Witches 03)
by
Brooklyn Ray
Despite the rumors about Port Lewis, Michael Gates doesn’t expect the house he rents with his sister on Foxglove Lane to be haunted. An eerie meeting with Victor Lewellyn, the resident witch-turned-demon who is bound to the property by dark magic, changes his mind.
Michael isn’t looking to start a relationship with anyone, let alone someone like Victor, but the intense attraction between them can’t be ignored. As he dives into the world of magical drug rings, demons, witches, and necromancers, Michael also grapples with the complicated past he left behind in Arizona.
A relationship might not be what he wants, but it sparks something in him he didn’t realize he needs—the chance to heal.
The demon gate needs to be sealed, at least from higher level demons. I may be the most powerful witch in the world right now, but I know I can’t do it alone. No one wants to help and risk their lives for the greater good, not that I can blame them, really. It kills me to ask my boyfriend, Emrys, but I suck it up because his magic is nearly as powerful as my own. He doesn’t want to help at first, but let’s just say I can be very persuasive.
Emrys~
Maybe he should’ve listened to me, maybe we never should’ve gone to the gate. Terrible things unfold, and Ailin and I are torn apart, our love ripped to shreds. My life is forever changed, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
In the Witch’s Seal, you’ll discover some secrets from Ailin, Emrys, and even Alec. Find out what really happened between Ailin and Emrys before the events in The Enchanter’s Flame took place, but it’s recommended that you read Book 1 first.
***The Witch’s Seal is the prequel to The Enchanter’s Flame: The Ellwood Chronicles I. It contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 and over.***
Review: A short story about the events that made Emory and Ailin break up. This story had a very tense situation in where Emory tried to kill Ailin or at least it seemed like it. I liked that despite being banned from the property Emory still checked up on the coven now and then.
I was pleased he found someone else, Julius, a vampire and seems happy. I am looking forward to more in this series to see what happens with the other characters.
Blurb:Police officer Jordan and dragon shifter Edra might have to work together, but they don’t trust each other—even if sparks do fly between them.
If anyone finds out Jordan’s a mytho sympathizer, it could kill his career. No one can know that he frequents the satyr dens and uses the drug Bliss. Another satyr overdose might not get much attention, but two dead humans? That shouldn’t be possible.
And it might not be an accident.
Edra, Mythological Services Liaison, has been covering up mytho crimes to protect the community’s reputation. With a mayoral election looming, the last thing his people need is a scandal.
To get a murderer off the streets, Jordan and Edra will be spending a lot of time together, and it won’t be easy to keep up with their deceptions… or to keep resisting each other
Review: A scientific experiment gone awry send the earth into chaos. New inhabitants are stranded on earth because of what happened. Edra, a dragon shifter knight, is the new liaison for the SFPD. Jordan Kells is a recently promoted homicide detective with a few secrets of his own. When murders begin happen and the blame is a drug called bliss the two men begin working together to discover what is going on. The Mythos claim it’s impossible to overdose on the drug so an investigation begins.
With it being an election year the current major is no help to the Mythos as he tries to stir up trouble against them. Edra and Jordan have a fight on their hands as the news keeps up fake news regarding the murders as well as the mayors bad publicity.
I really liked these two men and their determination to find out what happened. The attraction between them is hot even though they try to deny it. It’ simply a wonderful story with many twists and turns that lead the reader deeper into the story.
Blurb: Strange things are happening all around Brinnswick. Things that remind me of a piece of my past I’d rather forget. Girls are being killed, drained of blood, and left with strange markings on their bodies. When I finally connect the cases together, a specialist is called in—though, what he’s a specialist of is beyond me.
When the chief assigns him as my new partner for the case, I can’t help but groan on the inside. Why of all people would I be assigned to Ailin Ellwood? The man is a disaster waiting to happen and a jerk to boot. A sexy jerk, but a jerk nonetheless.
What will Sebastian think when he discovers Ailin’s specialty? Will he make a run for it or will he stick around and discover a world of magic hidden beneath the city’s surface?
***The Enchanter’s Flame is the first book in the Ellwood Chronicles. It’s a paranormal romance that contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 and over.***
Review: Sebastian is partnered with Ailin after a string of ritualistic murders to help find the perpetrator and bring him to justice. But there is more going on than Seb realizes as he is drawn further and further into the case. Seb for his part has no knowledge of his parents having been raised in a group home. Ailin is more than he portrays and revelations come to light when Seb is attacked and almost killed by the demon they are hunting.
Intriguing story with many characters and twists and turns that add to the story to help it come to life. The murders are horrifying and the actual villain is scary but for all that I was more fascinated with Seb from the start. He seemed more than he was but had no clue. I was astonished when his secret, that he had no knowledge of, came out.
A great mystery/thriller with plenty of details and characters that keep you reading until the very end.
Blurb: When the gods come calling, you don’t get to say no.
Patrick Collins is three years into a career as a special agent for the Supernatural Operations Agency when the gods come calling to collect a soul debt he owes them. An immortal has gone missing in New York City and bodies are showing up in the wake of demon-led ritual killings that Patrick recognizes all too easily from his nightmares.
Unable to walk away, Patrick finds himself once again facing off against mercenary magic users belonging to the Dominion Sect. Standing his ground alone has never been a winning option in Patrick’s experience, but it’s been years since he’s had a partner he could trust.
Looking for allies in all the wrong places, Patrick discovers the Dominion Sect’s next target is the same werewolf the Fates themselves have thrown into his path. Patrick has been inexplicably attracted to the man from their first meeting, but desire has no place in war. That doesn’t stop Patrick from wanting what he shouldn’t have. Jonothon de Vere is gorgeous, dangerous, and nothing but trouble—to the case, to the fight against every hell, and ultimately, to Patrick’s heart and soul.
In the end, all debts must be paid, and Patrick can only do what he does best—cheat death.
Review: Gods, goddesses, werewolves, vampires, succubi, demons, mages and oh so many more in this epic tale of a damaged mage who gets help from unlikely sources and tries to solve cases he is called into.
I loved Patrick’s character. Damaged yet not afraid to fight and at the mercy of a goddess who saved his life when he was a child. He does his best to stop the ritualistic killings but knows he’s seen this before. Jono, was a bit confusing to me at first until the story revealed who he is. These two worked well together even though Patrick’s prickly, stand-offish nature leads to some tense scenes.
I found it was a lot to take in with all the information given throughout this story not to mention all the different characters introduced. There are a slew of characters in this story both good and bad.
I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal, fantasy and Greek mythology. I found myself not able to stop reading until I reached the end. I was in awe at how well the story intertwined many different aspects into one amazing story with twists and turns and a lot of action.
I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens next. Fantastic read.
Hi peeps! We have Jeanne Marcella popping in today with her new release The Demon Lord of California, we have a brilliant guest post from Jeanne, a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
The Demon Lord Of California
(Infinity 8 01)
by
Jeanne Marcella
Earth, 1900.
Calico Winghorse has no choice but to flee to the plane of existence called Earth. His great grandfather, suffering from a terrible curse, strips him of his psychic abilities and nearly murders him.
As a mixed-blood phoenix concealing himself in human form, Calico first settles in England, then in the San Francisco Bay Area. In order to make a living, he opens a small bakery and quietly licks his wounds.
But just how Calico escaped his childhood home—via interdimensional portal—is the very reason why he’s drawn the unwanted attention of Infinity Corporation.
Representing this angelic-run company is Agustín Chávez de la Cruz, the Demon Lord of California. Even though Agustín is IC’s heir, he finds himself demoted from his daily duties for a new assignment: take absolute control of Calico’s portal.
Calico and Agustín’s first brief encounter ignites sparks of attraction. Their second is highly explosive, bogging down initial communication with innocent mistruths and a healthy dose of fear.
As Agustín struggles to restore trust, Harper, the demanding head of IC interferes, further complicating matters. With negotiations slowed, Calico and Agustín realize they both wish to establish more than just a business deal.
However, until the extensive and brutal psychic injuries Calico received from his great grandfather are healed, the portal remains vulnerable to the darker forces that want it at any cost. Agustín will have to push both his angelic heritage, and his psychic powers to the very limits to mend someone who bears more than celestial blood, but who is also the god of space and time.
Blurb: Daryl plays with fire and gets burned by fate…
Former Primrose Pack member Jason Black happily accepted his role as beta in the new Regent’s Hill pack, knowing that merging the two was the best decision for everyone involved. Daryl Easton is loyal and honest but wary of change. The joining of the two packs wasn’t his preferred outcome, and he’s struggling to see all the newcomers as pack, including those now working alongside him.
When the alpha council proposes a two-week pack-building course to help improve troubled relationships, Jason and Daryl are sent along as backup. It soon becomes clear that the unit members and their betas won’t be the only ones taking part in tasks—Daryl and Jason will have challenges of their own to complete.
With the full moon adding to the rising tension, emotions are volatile, and tempers flare among the unit members. Jason and Daryl become closer than either of them expected, but with such opposing views on relationships, a messy outcome seems inevitable unless Daryl can let go of the past.
Review: Each Book in the Regent’s Park pack features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Their pack has been through much heartache but it is trying to go forward. That is if they could get them all to just get along. So with the help of the council it looks like they are going to try bonding through many tasks. Daryl and Jason are both beta’s but there is just a hint of attraction between them both. Things heat up.
However Daryl never wants a relationship and a mate bound is out of the plan right off the bat. However it would seem their hearts are not in agreement and Daryl really needs to communicate better. However there is always at least one person that has issues with the pact bonding, but you must read to find out.
Heat level between these two are smoking hot and they are just about to get burned with it. The attraction is so right there in your face but damn if the boys don’t need a good smack upside the head, especially Daryl. As for the story itself well I did notice some grammar or spelling issues with it but it didn’t take away from the story as one would expect. It has some danger, excitement, adventure, kick ass moves and some hot sexy times in this story, plus a bit more.
I found that in the beginning I wasn’t as caught up in it as I should have been but once it starts moving a bit more I truly enjoyed reading it. I liked the guys but I must say that Jason will be my favorite in this story. I can’t say that this is one of my favorite but it is high up there especially the humor that I found in it.
I had a blast reading it and can’t wait to see what happens in the next story.
Hi peeps, we have Annabelle Jacobs stopping by with the tour for her new release Bitten by Fate, we have a fantastic giveaway for a $10 Amazon CG, Bitten By Mistake and Bitten By Desire Ebooks, and we have Lisa’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Bitten By Fate
(Regent’s Park Pack 06)
by
Annabelle Jacobs
Daryl plays with fire and gets burned by fate…
Former Primrose Pack member Jason Black happily accepted his role as beta in the new Regent’s Hill pack, knowing that merging the two was the best decision for everyone involved. Daryl Easton is loyal and honest but wary of change. The joining of the two packs wasn’t his preferred outcome, and he’s struggling to see all the newcomers as pack, including those now working alongside him.
When the alpha council proposes a two-week pack-building course to help improve troubled relationships, Jason and Daryl are sent along as backup. It soon becomes clear that the unit members and their betas won’t be the only ones taking part in tasks—Daryl and Jason will have challenges of their own to complete.
With the full moon adding to the rising tension, emotions are volatile, and tempers flare among the unit members. Jason and Daryl become closer than either of them expected, but with such opposing views on relationships, a messy outcome seems inevitable unless Daryl can let go of the past.
Blurb: Modern day fairy-tale princess Taylor Hatfield has problems. One: he’s a guy. Two: he’s Sleeping Beauty, the most useless princess in existence. Throw in his true love, Corentin Devereaux, a huntsman descended from child-eating witches, and Taylor’s younger brother, Atticus—this generation’s Snow White—who tried to kill him. That didn’t go so hot.
For two years, Taylor and Corentin live their Happily Ever After. But Corentin is cursed to lose his memory every seven days, including his life with Taylor—a painful reminder that he can’t provide for the man he loves. Taylor insists Corentin has the strength to succeed, and when Taylor discovers a way to break the curse, he is more than willing to pay the cost.
When an enchanted blizzard devastates Corentin’s hometown of New Orleans, Taylor is convinced Atticus is to blame and grows desperate to find him amid the Big Easy turned frozen wasteland. Corentin believes Taylor is chasing a ghost while he chases the ghosts of his own past. Old tensions scratch open scars, leaving both to wonder if they have each other’s best interests at heart. The clock is ticking until Corentin loses his memory and the rabbit hole goes so deep they may never come out.
Review: This is the first book in this series but I would say you could read it separately. Now to be truthful I really did not really care for this book. It gives you a new level on the old fairy tales you grew up on. However the story itself was well written with quite a bit of detail, which is not saying the pace was right on. It seemed to go in all directions and I lost interest in the story before the second chapter.
Now this should have been a reason not to grab the book, because fairy tells creep me out. I don’t have the same beliefs as many though. So I can see others falling in love with them. It has so many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat though.
Although I am not sure how to write the review without giving too much away. Taylor is the princess who doesn’t seem to have the curse where as his brother Atticus is pretty much Sleeping Beauty. They need their rescuer but it doesn’t work out the way it should. Nothing ever does. In fact Taylor and Corentin are at each other, but not in a good way, from the start. Then there is Corentin’s curse to get over. Taylor also has to save his brothers ass.
Now even I have to admit that this story was funny as hell. I have never laughed so hard in my life. It even had a lot of action, which did the opposite for me, it made the book dull in that part. I wasn’t too sure what to feel in the end. I was in fact bored quite a bit also. It was a mixture of feelings in the story.
It was a quirky and goofy story that should capture ones attention and be able to keep it. However it didn’t do that for me. It didn’t give me what I wanted from the book.
The book starts out at a pretty good pace then it hits a snag. I am not really sure how to put it, but right when you are getting to the good part, then wham nothing. Not that the story stopped telling but it just went downhill for me. I had wished that my feelings had changed with the story though. It has a great bit of potential though. I would recommend it because as I see it just because it didn’t do it for me, doesn’t mean that another would not love it.
Hi peeps, we have Annabelle Jacobs stopping by with her new release Bitten by Fate, we have a fantastic giveaway for a $10 Amazon CG, Bitten By Mistake and Bitten By Desire Ebooks, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Bitten By Fate
(Regent’s Park Pack 06)
by
Annabelle Jacobs
Daryl plays with fire and gets burned by fate…
Former Primrose Pack member Jason Black happily accepted his role as beta in the new Regent’s Hill pack, knowing that merging the two was the best decision for everyone involved. Daryl Easton is loyal and honest but wary of change. The joining of the two packs wasn’t his preferred outcome, and he’s struggling to see all the newcomers as pack, including those now working alongside him.
When the alpha council proposes a two-week pack-building course to help improve troubled relationships, Jason and Daryl are sent along as backup. It soon becomes clear that the unit members and their betas won’t be the only ones taking part in tasks—Daryl and Jason will have challenges of their own to complete.
With the full moon adding to the rising tension, emotions are volatile, and tempers flare among the unit members. Jason and Daryl become closer than either of them expected, but with such opposing views on relationships, a messy outcome seems inevitable unless Daryl can let go of the past.
Blurb: From animosity to searing passion in a lunar cycle… but can their bond survive?
Wolf shifter Nathan Kohl’s pack is his whole life. Arrogant and handsome, he avoids commitment to anything or anyone outside of his pack. He works hard, plays hard, and pursues humans as lovers because there’s little to no chance of him forming a permanent bond. However, when Jared Taylor comes into Nathan’s life, every rule is broken.
After a bad experience, Jared vowed to never get involved with another shifter, no matter how much they got under his skin. Despite being physically attracted to Nathan, who’s all kinds of hot, Jared only sees an arrogant, domineering bastard.
A disastrous case of mistaken identity throws Nathan and Jared together until the next full moon. Forced to spend the next twenty-eight days in close proximity, they can no longer ignore the powerful attraction between them. Passion ignites, and their relationship takes a turn neither of them wanted.
But when the full moon comes, everything might change again.
Review: This author was new to me so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I really wasn’t sure when I saw the cover, talk about a bit creepy. The blurb made the story sound quite different, if not a bit dark. However I was pleasantly surprised to find out just how different this book is from many others. It is not the instant attraction, fall in love, and mating that one normally finds. They don’t scent each other as their mates; in fact I almost believe they have no clue about mates at all.
This story caught my attention from the start, although I must admit that it had not kept my attention throughout though. As I said before it has this dark tone to it but not so much to distract me. I haven’t really been one for stories like this but I loved the way it just seemed to come together. The characters were delightful but different. I didn’t really connect with them like I should have, but it didn’t take away from the story itself.
Nathan is an arrogant shifter who never really wanted to bond with anyone. He was not really interested in dating either, sex was fine but something more was a definite no. He did however show some interest in the human at the club though. He just had not expected what to happen, to happen. On the night he came across Jared, he got turned down. Getting called away might have been the best, if it didn’t mean their shipment was attacked.
Jared was as human as can be, and he had a definite hate towards shifters. After one disaster of a relationship, he really did not want anything to do with them. That ended the night Nathan bit him. There was a law, to bite a human meant major punishment, banishment or even death. He didn’t want that on his head, but it would mean close contact for a short period of time. Passion, fire and attraction ignites during their time together.
I loved the way they interacted with each other, and how their bond strengthened. I liked how Nathan was with Jared; even throughout his attitude Nathan was still pretty sweet to him. I also loved how Jared would react when Nathan had to go somewhere without him. Although there were some parts that were a bit off, as with the fact that a human could not be in the packs home, yet later on it was ok. It just seemed strange to change it. These two have loads of sexual tension flowing around, and when they are together damn can it get hot.
This story just seemed to rock for me. I was surprised to find out that this was not a series because I can see a few characters that just might be perfect for the next story.
I had a lot of fun reading this and cannot wait to see what other stories this author has out.
1.Extremely rare and powerful empaths never escape the compound.
(Bastian Lucas escaped a year ago, and just because he’s been dragged back doesn’t mean he won’t escape again at the first opportunity….and cause as much trouble as he can while doing it.)
2.Officers do as they’re told and never ask questions.
(Captain Henry Mortimer has followed orders his entire life, but Bastian’s arrival—and the disappearance of one of Henry’s team—have gotten him wondering.)
When Major Valentine orders Henry and Bastian to investigate a series of murders committed by an asset with powers very similar to Bastian’s, it brings to light more than just a cover up. Things like why an empath who shouldn’t exist is killing senators, what exactly Valentine has been doing with the sinister asset program, and whether or not Henry and Bastian will live to see the end of this case.
Because they’re in danger of breaking rule number three as well:
Review: A compound, evil intentions and two men who are drawn toward each other. Bastian is an empath who has spent his life being experimented on at a compound run by Major Valentine. Henry is a captain of the retrieval team who goes out and retrieves assets for the major. When he meets Bastian he realizes there is more going on that he knew about. He has a decision to make, ask questions or continue being oblivious.
I loved this story. Henry is painfully oblivious of a great many things. Bastian on the other hand knew what was going on in that dreadful place. My heart wept for the many cruel things done to Bastian and other assets at the whim of an evil major and Dr.
The mystery and suspense of the story mixed with the secrets as they were revealed were edge of your seat worthy. I loved that despite the danger to himself Henry wanted answers. The allies of Bastian helped immensely in obtaining further information to move forward.
Fantastic read. I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully learning about other assets that the compound had in their grasp and seeing what else happens.
Hi guys! We have E.J. Russell stopping by today with the tour for her new release Demon on the Down-low, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway where you can win a $25 Riptide Publishing gift card and an ecopy of Single White Incubus or Bad Boy’s Bard, so guys check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Demon on the Down-low
(Supernatural Selection 03)
by
E.J. Russell
After decades of unrequited love, this kangaroo will jump at the chance for a date. Any date.
Lovelorn kangaroo shifter Hamish Mulherne, drummer for the mega-hit rock band Hunter’s Moon, waited years for the band’s jaguar shifter bassist to notice him. Instead, she’s just gotten married and is in a thriving poly relationship. How is Hamish supposed to compete with that? But with everyone else in the band mated and revoltingly happy, he needs somebody. Since he can’t expect true love to strike twice, he signs up with Supernatural Selection. Because what the hell.
When Zeke Oz was placed at Supernatural Selection through the Sheol work-release program, he thought he was the luckiest demon alive. But when he seems responsible for several massive matchmaking errors, he’s put on notice: find the perfect match for Hamish, or get booted back to Sheol for good. The only catch? He has to do it without the agency’s matchmaking spells, and Hamish simply will not engage.
But Zeke starts to believe that the reason all of Hamish’s dates fizzle is because nobody in the database is good enough for him. And Hamish realizes that his perfect match might be the cute demon who’s trying so hard to make him happy.
Title: Sometimes The Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped
Author: B.G. Thomas
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: Novella (131 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (25th December 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: Ned Balding used to be a decent man—until the stress of seemingly countless responsibilities changes him, and he becomes cold and driven—the kind of man who considers firing an employee days before Christmas. The kind of man who kicks a dog…. But Ned’s transgressions haven’t gone unseen. A Salvation Army Santa witnesses his misdeeds and decides Ned needs to be taught a lesson.
When Ned wakes up the next morning, he’s stunned to discover he’s been transformed into a dog.
In the past year, Jake Carrara has lost his mother, a lover… even his dog. His boss came close to firing him just before the holidays. He isn’t sure he’s ready for another pet when he’s asked to foster a dog, but Jake’s good heart won’t let him refuse. Little does he know, this isn’t just any dog.
Through a twist of fate, two people with little reason to be friends might teach each other to rediscover the good—and the love—in life.
Review: Sometimes the Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped is a quirky holiday romance tale that is very much in the realm of urban fantasy by BG Thomas. I haven’t read too much of BG Thomas, but I have their books in the past to be quite hit and miss, in terms of me being able to get into the story and connecting to the characters. Needless to say, I was a little concerned but it was the blurb that won me over.
Essentially, this novella is a story that has echoes of the Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, when you read the story, instead of thinking of the traditional story by Dickens himself, I was able to relate it more to the modern retelling a la the movie Scrooged. You know the one, that’s the movie with Bill Murray. Which then led me to decide that this is more of a mix of the two Bill Murray movies Scrooged and Groundhog Day. And now I think of it the whole transformation of horrid character to teach him a lesson is very Beauty and Beast too. There you go, numerous pop culture references, make of them what you will.
I amazed and blown away by how much I loved this story.
Ned Balding is the Scrooge-type character of the story. He used to be a good man who a lot of people loved, including his employees. But years of stress and shouldering too many burdens (which he really should have shared in the first place), has made him into a bitter man. In fact, he almost fires his employee Jake Carrara for having flimsy reasons for taking time off. (I think that some of this might be an American thing so I found the treatment by Ned quite illegal, seriously he’d be open for a court case in Australia. But then again I have the luxury sick leave, roster days off and 20 days recreational leave a year, so I feel that some of this is kind of lost on me, yet it does a fantastic job into making Ned an ogre).
To put it nicely, Ned is such a Grumpy Gus he angers the wrong spirit or entity (in the guise of a Salvation Army Santa) that he is turned into a dog to teach him a lesson of love and compassion.
Jake on the other hand is a sweetie. He has a heart of gold and will help anyone, human or animal, with his limited resources. He’s recently lost his beloved dog and when he receives a phone call of a dog in desperate need of a foster home (lest the poor animal be put down) he reluctantly answers the call. In fact, the dog seems like it understands every word he says. Jake bears his soul to the creature, who is actually Ned and Ned’s path to love and redemption begins. Ned learns of Jake’s feelings towards him through Jake’s chatter, which isn’t all flattering but there is a chance for a lot more.
This is a really sweet romance. Mind you for most of the book Ned is a dog, we get to really take time getting to Jake and Ned, although it’s questionable how much they know each other. Despite their limited time together as humans the guys have a fabulous connection. Overall, this was fun and enjoyable. If you like any of the literary or movie references I’ve already mentioned, love dogs and love a good dose of the holiday spirit then I think you’d love to read this book.
Title: Sometimes The Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped