Cover Reveal - Stolen Time (The Time Series #1) by debut author Angela Rae Harris

Stolen Time

(The Time Series #1)

by debut author

Angela Rae Harris

'Stories of hope - creating dreams'

SYNOPSIS

Tragedy has made Keaira wise beyond her twenty years. Forced to work for the General, a commanding man who blackmailed his way into her life, she was ordered to study self-defense and master knife throwing. In the hidden community of Shifters, falcons are considered weak, a fact which may ultimately save her life. To escape his cruelty, she will need to call upon her quick-witted falcon side, but the General has other plans – ones which involve his only son, Carson.

When unexpected feelings form between Keaira and Carson, the General quickly moves his pieces into place, launching his quest to take over the world. If she wants to survive, Keaira must stay one step ahead in the General’s deadly game and discover his weaknesses. Even if it means risking her life and the lives of those she cares about most.

With war on the horizon, sides are being drawn.  Deadly secrets must be exposed. Time is running out for Keaira and all of mankind

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EXCERPT

Carson stuffed his hands into his front pockets to keep from touching her.

“Then maybe a movie?” After he said it, he felt his lips slip into a half smile.

Keaira laughed, and her eyes brightened.

“My first night back isn’t going to be spent in an uncomfortable chair, staring at a screen. Not being allowed to move or talk.”

Carson chuckled. She was turning out to be unlike any girl he had met.

“Then let’s hear your ideas.”

Stepping closer, Keaira raised her eyebrows. Her tongue darted out to moisten lips that had turned serious. She had to tilt her chin up to look at him by the time she stopped in front of him.

“I say we go to my favorite sports pub and have dinner. I know for a fact that there is a baseball game on tonight.”

She was so close Carson could smell mint on her breath. He closed his eyes for a minute and was greeted by his other half. His young mountain lion was calmly sitting in the darkness of his subconscious. Carson had inherited his family’s Shifter genes. He could change into the large cat at will. His kitty let out an irritated huff and circled before lying down with his back to Carson. Apparently, the cat wasn’t interested in Keaira. He didn’t raise any alarms, so Carson took that as a “do what you want” kind of message.

Opening his eyes, Carson refrained from leaning into Keaira. He met her gaze and then scanned her face. She stole his breath away when she bit down on her lower lip. Freckles dotted her cheeks and her nose, making her look more innocent than she acted. A striped white mark was visible just under her left eye. It was so white it could have been an old scar. Four lines that looked like a bird track in the white sand that was her pale skin. He felt his fingers ball up into fists in his pockets. The urge to feel how soft her skin must be was overwhelming.

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AUTHOR BIO

Angela Rae Harris is a work-from-home assistant office manager. She is living in Northern Utah with her husband and two children. Her five year old, Summer, and her two year old, Hunter, bring imagination to the forefront of their home. When she isn’t four-wheeling, fishing, or hanging out at the local high school football games, she can be found at:

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Blog Tour - How to Catch Butterflies (#2) - Samantha Fontien

How to Catch Butterflies by Samantha Fontein

Genre - Contemporary Romance

SYNOPSIS

Did fate intervene again for Rebecca Keane and save her from being caught in a net forever? Will Jackson Harvey or Jason Hallow win the stubborn blonde back?

Since Lucy Watters life has changed too, will fate also have a hand in hers? Can Christopher Harper keep his Butterfly, or will George De Vere have his net ready to catch her when she falls?....

Together the two friends embark on the concluding part of their journey of self discovery. Have they learned to love or trust again? Or will life get in their way?

Can Rebecca and Lucy learn how to spread their wings and fly? Will they be pretty to see but hard to catch? Or will they fall into one of the men nets, and be caught forever?

Join these two Butterflies on the concluding part to their story. Follow them on their international journey of love, in the second part in a series of Butterflies books, because ‘Girls should be pretty to see but hard to catch’.

This book contains explicit sex scenes and is recommended for readers 18+(less)

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BOOK TRAILER

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BUY LINKS

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REVIEW

My rating = three and a half stars which I'll push to four!

This is the second book in the How to Catch Butterflies series and I would not suggest attempting to read this as a stand-alone as book one gives the full back story.

The plot line centres on Rebecca and Lucy who have been best friends since they were eleven. Both searching for that ultimate love. This book takes you on the journey of those experiences of falling in and out of love, coping with lies and deceit and turning their lives around into something they didn't realise they were searching for and evolving into their butterfly state – pretty on the outside but so much more on the inside. 

I liked the storyline and reading book one was a must for me as so much is going on with both Rebecca and Lucy and the men they fall in and out of love with. As with all young women they think at the time they are with the love of their lives but as time moves on something happens to change the course of that love. 

I must say as much as I liked the storyline they was a lot (and I mean a lot) of padding out and dialogue after dialogue of unnecessary reading. For example - as much as I love to read about property and surroundings I don’t expect to have to read an in depth description to accompany a meeting up for coffee in a romance novel. 

The characters were likeable and I especially loved Jason and George from the first book, but here in the second book they seemed to have changed overnight. Never the less I kept hoping throughout the read that all would be revealed.

I loved Jackson Harvey and I like how the author subtly changed him from a mouthy playboy into a loved up and devoted boyfriend without losing his sexy aura and prowess. Duncan Peters was a whole other story (and I hear he is to get his own story in the author’s next book!) When I read about him in the first book I just passed him off as a secondary filling in kind of nerdy guy who works at the same place as Rebecca. But here in this second book he was a revelation and so much more interesting and sexy. In fact I think he became my favourite character who has so much more to offer with his secretive aura, hidden depths and alpha man tendencies. Chris (Lucy's mega rich boyfriend) was a mighty phwoar factor with his sexy smile, killer bod and large appendage! He was something else!

The whole story from the beginning took the reader from a kind of rags to riches story as the women – mainly Rebecca – emerge from appearing repressed into moving up the career ladder or career change and ultimately as well moving up the social ladder and mixing with the rich and famous of modern London and other international cities. 

I loved that the author put a glossary in for English slang and sayings – although as a full bred Brit I have never, ever come across ‘Genie Mac’ but now find myself saying it to the amusement of myself!

Overall I would recommend this book but ensure you devote the time to lose yourself in the storyline with all its twists and turns. I liked it. I just need more Duncan now! 

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AUTHOR BIO - SAMANTHA FONTIEN

I'm a happily married Mum of two very loved children.  One has just turned into a teenager so far (fingers crossed) a great one.   I LOVE Music! I am the daughter of musicians - I was reared with a guitar in one hand and a pen in the other. 

My goal was to write my first novel. That's done and it was released on 27th May on Amazon

  (How to Catch Butterflies #1)

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CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA FONTIEN

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PLAYLIST

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Blog Tour and ARC review - Beautiful Liar by Glenna Maynard

Beautiful Liar 

(Book #2 in The Masquerade Series) 

by Glenna Maynard

Genre - Erotic/Contemporary m/f

SYNOPSIS

Sometimes life has a way of deciding things for you. Some call it fate.

When Darby Stuart left her high school sweetheart on bended knee three years ago, she never dreamed of seeing him again. The past three years have been rough, but she finally has her life on track. She has new job at the Masquerade Club,and a new man in her life Turner Mathews. 

When Brody Case was left on bended knee three years ago he never gave up on his love for Darby. The past three years without her have been hell. After a failed marriage and his career taking a downward spiral he knows he must find her again. 

When fate crosses their paths once more, will Brody still feel the same when he discovers the lie Darby fed him years ago? Will fate and lies rekindle what was? Or will Darby find a new life with Turner?

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REVIEW

My Rating = four stars

Beautiful Liar is the second book in the Masquerade series but it is not a follow in series as such as each story is a connection to the Masquerade clubs. Therefore each can be read as standalone.

This story centres on Darby who with her boyfriend, Brody, have the rest of their lives planned down to the last detail. Brody will go on to be a top rate baseball player and Darby will run her beauty shop. But then life happens and throws all those plans into disarray in one night, their last night together. Darby takes her secret she is keeping from Brody and all her friends to the other side of the country to go live with her mother. Brody is devastated and doesn’t know how things could have gone so wrong so quickly. If only he knew that what Darby was doing was the ultimate act of love but what Darby doesn't know is the chain of events she is setting in place for the future. 

I liked the plotline of this story and I really liked the character of Brody so I was a little disappointed he didn't feature more in the book but then for the story to work I suppose it was a requirement for him to stay mostly in the background. The full story is Darby and her life and her secret. I won’t reveal as that is the whole point of the story and would be a big spoiler but suffice to say it’s a life changer situation. I also liked Turner who comes into Darby’s life as her boss and became closer in more ways than one! I loved the way he protected both Darby and her family, so he was instantly likeable. 

What I didn’t like was that reading this and liking one character I felt disloyal to the other! So it did take me some time to get over myself and just read the darn book and stop trying to second guess what was to happen and what the ending would result in. 

The ending was not at all what I expected, in fact it was a total shocker and left me with a few tears in my eye. Some of happiness and some of sadness. Yes it is that type of book.

I loved the sensual and intense sex scenes and the chemistry just oozed off the page. Both Brody and Turner were hotties but each bringing a different type of hotness into play! Brody was the ultimate gorgeous baseball star, with his winning smile and awesome physique - what was their not to fall for? Turner, on the other hand was an alpha man, totally in control of his life, protector and provider and absolutely a vision of manliness. Rawr!

It was difficult to write this review without spoiling the plotline and I'm glad I didn't read some of the reviews which tell the whole story. That’s why enjoyed this book as the twists and turns that happen made the page turning more compelling. 

This is my first read of a book by this author and I shall certainly look out for more in the future. 

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AUTHOR BIO:

A mother by day and writer by night. When Glenna isn't writing or spending time with family you can usually find her curled up reading a great book. She has a passion for romance and paranormal reads.

Glenna was born and raised in the beautiful hills of Eastern Ky where she still resides today. Her hobbies include reading, writing, scrap-booking,and cooking.

Goodreads  FaceBook  Twitter Author Blog Amazon

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ARC Review - Crossroads - Megan Keith

Book Title - Crossroads (book #2)

Author - Megan Keith

Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance

SYNOPSIS

Nick is about to head overseas on an adventure of a lifetime.  It’s what he has always wanted, to travel the world, to experience new cultures, see the places he’s dreamed of for so long.  He should be over the moon.  Instead, he’s been in a slump ever since he lost his friend Em.

Nick is a player, always has been.  The first time he ever wanted more from a girl he was shot down.  So now he’s left licking his wounds.  Emma made her choice and now Nick has to live with it.

Or does he?  When he finds out that Emma is single after all, will he fight for her?  Will he be able to convince her to give him a chance?  And if he does, what will happen when he leaves?

Nick has reached a crossroads in his life - the girl or the dream.  Seems like an easy choice when the girl of his dreams is Emma.  But what if she doesn't see things the same way? 

MY REVIEW

My Rating = A life changing FIVE!

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review 

Please do NOT read this review if you have not read the first book in the series – Finding my Way as it full of spoilers and outlines what happened. Book one sets up the plot line and back story so is imperative for the reading of this second book.

When reading Finding My Way it exhausting reading all the POVs, the history and family entanglements but it was upon starting this second book that I found it was well worth the investment of time and understanding.  It gave the most intense background that made the reading of this second book like a necessity and I just had to make sure Emma, Nick and Seth got their HEA. It was like coming home and curling up with your most favourite people – in this case Emma and Nick. We were left with Emma ending her relationship with Seth because even though she knew she loved him on some level and he ticked all the boxes she should need to tick but he wasn't for her. On the other hand Nick was totally not right for her, he had no solid background, he was a player and man whore but he made her feel alive and something so much more!

 So it was with a heavy heart we left the first book with Seth moving to another part of the country and Nick breaking all contact. So Emma was right back where she started, on her own but this time with a wealth of understanding who she was and what she finally wanted out of life. She would no longer ever be the amenable and compliant girl she had been, this time she was all for herself and making her life what she wanted it to be. But then she sees Nick in a nightclub with his arms around another girl and it sucker punches her in the heart. 

Oh I loved this book! I loved both Seth and Nick in book one, obviously for different reasons as they were entirely different types of people but Nick was what Emma needs.  This book doesn't really refer to Seth at all (he will get his story in New Beginnings – the third book) but was entirely Emma and Nick POVs. It delved into both their trials and tribulations, their wants and their needs. They really opened up their feelings and although there were still some misunderstandings and insecurities, both were willing to fight for a relationship together and live for now. The only blot on the landscape was that Nick had, whilst they were apart, booked to go on his travels to Europe. So how would a separation again so soon impact on their new and fragile relationship? 

We finally get to see some action between the sheets with Em and Nick and oh my wordy how HAWT it was! Nick is a Greek god with a body to die for and the way the author has written the erotic action and intensity was amazing. I want a Nick! Ems is so effing lucky!

I cannot recommend this series any higher, it really is a fabulous storyline. Yes book one is a lot to get through but book two totally rocks it! Brilliant and a well-deserved five star rating from me!

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Review - No More Wasted Time - Beverly Preston

No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston

Genre = Contemporary Romance (m/f)

SYNOPSIS:

After losing her husband to a sudden heart attack, Tess Mathews escapes to Bora Bora to lay her husband and sorrow to rest. What she doesn't expect is a new beginning.

Tom Clemmins is an A-list actor whose life revolves around work and an onslaught of women. He travels to Bora Bora for a much-needed break. Tom has a few ideas of how he'll enjoy his vacation, but love isn't one of them. Until he sees Tess.

Reserving a private shark-feeding excursion to scatter her husband's ashes into the lagoon, Tess is furious when Mr. Hollywood bribes his way onto the boat, leaving her no other choice but to share the boat ride.

Tess is torn between tremendous guilt and zealous lust when their boat ride turns into a week full of romance and desire neither thought imaginable. Utterly smitten with a woman for the first time in his life, Tom casts his commitment phobia aside and whisks Tess off to Malibu where he introduces her as his "girlfriend" on the red carpet.

As the paparazzi besiege, can Tess survive the media blitz that ensues in order to find her second chance at love?  

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REVIEW

My rating = A lustful FOUR!

I have now read this book twice and it still has the power to transfer me to a wonderful place of happiness with a scattering of contented sighs as I flip through the kindle pages.  

The first time I read it was back in 2012 when it was first released and my initial thought was how lovely to find a book that is not all about the young but this is about a woman who has gone through that first flush of youth, first love, happy marriage and children. But also a woman who has learnt to cope with loss, bereavement and utter desolation.

Tess Matthews is returning to Bora Bora, a place that held special memories for her, where she and her husband spent such happy times. It is here she finds herself again, a year after his death, to scatter his ashes and where she first sets eyes on the famous movie star, Tom Clemmins.

Tom is at the peak of his career, he has worked his way to the top with little or no time for a personal life. That’s when he decides to take a long deserved break, which brings him to Bora Bora and he meets the entrancing Tess on a boat trip.

The book is all about their developing romance with all the trials and tribulations that brings. As in all good love stories there are outside influences that are a threat to the couple and trying to break them apart. This is not helped by their vast differences – Tessa with her ‘normal’ life with her three grown up kids and Tom with his fame and fortune and all that brings with it, especially the press.

I really loved getting lost in this book (both times!) and I instantly fell for Mr Clemmins. He was so badly portrayed in the press as a player and was constantly having his picture snapped all over the globe with a bevy of beauties on his arm. But what the public did not know was this was all part of his public life, yet away from all these trappings of fame was an ordinary man. A man so lonely, so hungry for love yet he had little time to meet anyone and the people he was surrounded by were not the type he wanted to live his life with.

Tess was a woman who knew who she was and was comfortable in her own skin. She had lived a wonderful life with her husband of 25 years and her children. After a year on her own in her grief she now knew it was time to move on and get back into the world and take a chance.  But throwing herself into the world Tom lived in? Was this a step too far for her?

I loved the raunchy bits! Who said sexy time was for the under forty? Huh – lessons to be learnt here. Tom Clemmins is a sexy, gorgeous man. He’s got the moves, yeah baby! Ha ha. Just check out that wall in Greece!

The development of the romance was intense and detailed and had me in bits in some parts. I loved Tess’s relationship with her kids and how they were routing for her to get herself out there but at the same time very protective of her.

It was a lovely journey to be on, to read about life, love and family and all that that entails. It left me with a warm and squishy feeling after I had read it. Always a nice feeling to finish a book on.

ARC Review - Come Together - Jessica Hawkins

Book - Come Together (#3 in The Cityscape Series)

Author - Jessica Hawkins

Genre - Contemporary Romance/Erotica

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Come Together is the third and final installment of The Cityscape Series.

With a single decision, Olivia Germaine’s fantasy has become a reality. Now she is faced with two commitments: one she must make and one she must break. But in order to accept a love she never thought possible, Olivia will have to let go of the broken past that defines her - and of deeply-rooted fears that could ruin everything.

Everything is what David Dylan wants to give her, and it’s what he wants in return. He must prove to Olivia that despite his playboy ways, he’s worth leaving behind the stable future her husband can offer her. David is a man who always gets what he wants . . . but this time he may be fighting for something unattainable.

Can Olivia escape the past that threatens to consume her?

And can David break through to her before it does?

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REVIEW

My rating = An amazingly brilliant and fantastic FIVE ++++

Every once in awhile a book (or a series in this case) comes along that totally blows you away and the Cityscape series was that for me, especially this the third and final book, Come Together. It was brilliantly amazing.

In the first two books – Come Undone and Come Alive, the story has been unfolding about Olivia and her husband Bill and how that one moment in time meeting Olivia had with David would spin a web of immense grief, desperation and anger but also the ultimate in love, passion and trust. In this final book the vast rollercoaster of the emotional journey we have been on comes to a wonderful and enrapturing end. 

Olivia has been in a safe and comfortable marriage with Bill. She has been trying to do everything right and what was expected of her to ensure she does not end up divorced and bitter like her parents, especially her Mother. David Dylan (gosh even saying his name still has the power to make my heart speed up weeks after reading this book!) is a high flying businessman, is perceived as a lady’s man and a player but underneath he is looking for something special. In the first two books we were privy to the guilt and anxiety that Olivia was feeling, knowing in her heart, once she admitted to herself, was something she could not bring herself to act on. But eventually at the end of Come Alive, she made the decision so the reader was left with a happy place to end a book on but so much more to be discovered about Olivia and David.

I absolutely adored this book and it is the best in the entire series. I just could not get enough and could not put the book (well my kindle) down. The main characters were so well developed and they absolutely shone through the pages. I loved how Olivia became such more confident and realised her self-worth. Oh and as for David he was such a revelation! I loved to see his whole persona was brought forth so you got the full 360 degrees of lushness of this man. He was divine and so goddam alpha! 

The sensual and erotic episodes were off the charts – amazingly written that had me biting my bottom lip and my love button was shouting ‘Eureka!’ I definitely need a David Dylan. He went straight onto my blog’s Lush List. Rawr!

Nothing was glossed over though, as in real life the raw and gritty depth of feeling was seeped into the subject matter that divorce and adultery brings. Yes there was violence, anger and anxiety. There were hurtful lies and deceptions but the overwhelming emotion for me was the love and devotion that could not be denied. Even after we were on the happy path and you thought a new beginning was a given, I liked that we were shown there still could be deal breakers that could throw in a massive curveball. For this part I was on the edge of my seat thinking that please no don't let this go with another ending I was not envisioning. But don't worry all is wonderfully concluded at the end. 

To try and do this review is hard as I don’t want to give all that happens away, suffice for me to say you need to have that little bit of apprehension when reading this as it makes it all the more wonderful when you get to the outcome. 

This book totally captivated and enthralled me throughout and I cannot recommend it any higher than I have. Jessica Hawkins is an amazing writer and I can’t wait for the next tantalising and intense read I know she will produce.  Awesome!

ARC review - Forged in Dreams and Magick - Kat Bastion

Forged in Dreams and Magic by Kat Bastion

Release date: September 23, 2013

Age Group:  Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Time Travel

Book Synopsis

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten day's end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

       Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

       Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

       Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.

She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.

My Review

My rating = A High (lander) Four

It has been a while since I read paranormal books and they used to be the only books I read. For now though they are few and far between all the other genres I read so to receive this as an ARC request as part of a blog tour I was intrigued due to the time travel aspect but mainly it was all about Highlanders. Books about the Highlands for some reason just grab me and give me that flutter of anticipation that I know is going to ensnare me. I was therefore not disappointed with this book as it totally ensnared me!

This book was wonderfully written and an absolute pleasure to devour in one day. The writer has a huge depth of knowledge of the subject matter and Scotland which just shines through the flow and development of the plot across the pages. It really grabs your attention and keeps you grasping for more.

Isobel MacInnes was an instantly likeable woman for me. I really cannot stress enough how fantastic it is to read a story with a wonderfully strong and decisive female character in it. She would need to be to execute this plotline of a current day American woman being transported back in time to two separate eras in history to two different hot alpha men! Before you read into that a threesome, it is not, although both men know about each other it is not a ménage a trois. This is how the writing is so clever to evolve the relationship with Isobel and her soul mates – Iain and Velloc.

The sex scenes were off the charts but sensually done and integral to the plot and evolvement of the story. The romance was wonderful to escape into and the erotica just added the spice.

Overall I found this book to be captivating, with its descriptive prose, intriguing storyline and wonderful characters, how could it not be. I see this is part of a series and I shall look forward to the next book. Highly recommend you read this.