Archive for category Reviews
BLOG STOP! ONE NIGHT WITH MOLLY by Renee Trofe
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on April 17, 2014
SYNOPSIS
Meet Shayla Jones, your typical Midwestern girl who, after moving to Palm Beach, is taken in by socialite, McKenzie Carmichael, for a night on the town that will forever change her life. Shay knows her new friend is bad news, but she has to play nice if she wants to learn her way around and meet all the right people. Besides, she set out to let go of her good girl image, and that is exactly what she intends to do—with Jared.
When McKenzie ultimately strands Shay at an after-hours party, she knows she needs to cut ties with her new friend, but if she does, will she ever see Jared again?
Follow the adventure as Shay is faced with decisions that will challenge her morals as she slips into a night of drugs and passion. From blowing up in the club, to coming down on the beach, One Night with Molly will leave you begging for more.
***18+ ADULT CONTENT: DRUG USE, SEX, PROFANITY***
REVIEW
This entire novella is basically about one crazy night that ends on a good note! There’s a great deal of drug use, the euphoria that comes along with it, and Shayla trying to fit in with the others. While she seems to come around towards the end, we’re left to wonder until the next installment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Trofé spent most of her life as a ‘Jane of all trades’ before finally settling on her first true love … writing. From phone sex operator to bartender, Renee has seen and heard it ALL. As an up and coming new adult author, her style is a bit more edgy, touching on a variety of real life topics ranging from drug use to irresponsible sex.
Her guilty pleasure is devouring new adult and erotica books, and her favorite pastime is spending her days on the beach with her kindle, downloading the latest sizzling best-seller, and daydreaming about the hot sex scenes which she will play out in the bedroom later.
She shares a home at the beach with her fiance which ultimately belongs to their weiner dog, Lola. Yep, it’s Lola’s world — they are just living in it.
Reneé adores her life and wouldn’t have it any other way.
AUTHOR SOCIAL LINKS
April 14th
Fike’s Book Blog | Loves Romance Books
April 15th
Deal Sharing Aunt | Anny Books | Mythical Books | Nevaeh’s New Adult Book Blog
April 16th
Blushing Divas Book Reviews | BookGroupies |Trinas Tantilising Tidbits
April 17th
Pretty Little Pages | The Literary Melting Pot | Book Boyfriend Hangover | Smut and Bonbons
April 18th
Penny for my thoughts book blog | Booklover Sue | Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets
Release & Review- MARKED BY HADES by Reese Monroe
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on April 15, 2014
SYNOPSIS
One choice away from eternity…
For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done…
Yvonne wakes up naked on a cold park bench in a small town with no memory of who—or what—she is. All she knows is the gentle man who woke her was turned to dust when she touched him. And now the strange mark that appeared on her shoulder throbs in the presence of the raven-haired man now offering to help her…
As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity.
REVIEW
This is an impressively written novel that can invoke the romantic in any reader, even the most prosaic!
I admit that while this can be a stand-alone, the pieces fit much better if you read the first installment, “Forged by Fate”, which is an excellent novel!
As the relationship between Justin and Yvonne unfolded throughout the story, I was swept away by true love, destiny, and devotion. The author has a gift of being able to portray a love so deep, no other bond compares. It’s an emotional experience, on every level.
The battle scenes are impressively dictated, the story is addicting, and the background is given in a strategic manner. While there are several sensual encounters, they are sweet, and slowly build your anticipation for the finale. I was elated that the supporting characters were just as engaging as the main, which gives this novel a well-rounded cast.
Highly recommend!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from Minnesota, Reese Monroe currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Monroe holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training to run her first marathon.
Reese Monroe is a contributing blogger at the widely popular site New Adult Alley and has been part of the New Adult revolution for years having penned over twenty-five novels in the exciting new category.
Connect with Reese on Twitter, through Facebook or her website. Reese also writes as Lynn Rush and you can find her alter ego here.
Links: Website + Goodreads + Twitter + Facebook + Lynn Rush
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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Release Blitz! Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on April 10, 2014
Title: Dare to Desire
Author: Carly Phillips
Release Date: April 10th, 2014
Synopsis
Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for too long.
Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily.
But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to love?
Excerpt:
Without replying, Ian opened the door. They stepped into the room, and Alex laid eyes on the one woman he hadn’t been expecting to see. The same woman who’d haunted his dreams and sidetracked him from many of his nightmares.
Madison faced him head on. Her shoulders drawn back, golden-blonde hair pulled away from her face, she didn’t back down from his stare. She wore a pair of black slacks that hugged her curves and a white silky-looking top that clung to her generous breasts. And those unusually blue eyes frosted over at the sight of him.
“Alex, I believe you know Madison Evans.”
Blindsided — and his half brother knew it — Alex strode up to her. He inhaled her familiar fruity scent, which only served as a reminder of the hot times he’d spent breathing her in as his cock moved inside her body. Her effect on him was potent, and even the most common expressions failed him.
“Alex,” she said, her cool tone bringing his head out of the desire-filled fog he’d found himself in.
“Hey, Angel,” he said, using the endearment he’d started calling her during their brief time together. Another sign he’d had it bad, whether he’d wanted to admit it or not.
Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing and settling on Ian. “This won’t work.” She turned to go.
Alex still had excellent reflexes, and he grabbed her arm before she could stride past him.
She glared.
He didn’t look away, determined to win this battle of wills. This potential job, which had interested him on an intellectual and emotional level initially, suddenly felt even more important, and she was the reason.
“We need to talk,” he insisted.
“I have nothing to say.”
“Ian’s proposition said otherwise.”
Madison looked over his shoulder in search of Ian and frowned. “Well, the traitor is gone. No big surprise there.”
Smart man, Alex thought. “If I let you go, will you stay long enough to discuss this position Ian and Riley want me to take?”
She let out a frustrated puff of air.
He took that as a yes and released her.
“Us working together is not a good idea, and somewhere in that thick head of yours, you know that.”
“Because we slept together? More than a couple of times?”
She set her jaw. “That was a mistake.”
Ouch. That hurt, he thought, and filed away the why to deal with later. “I want to know more about this training program and what my role in it would be.”
“Why? You can’t possibly be interested.”
“It sounds more like you don’t want me to be interested.”
She rolled her shoulders back even farther, stiffening her posture. “You’re right. I don’t. This is a serious project that could help a lot of people and have far-reaching positive repercussions for years to come. I need a partner willing to go all in. And let’s face it, I’ve seen your staying power. It’s nonexistent.”
REVIEW
This is a wonderful story that brings together two of my favorite pastimes; football and romance!
When Alex and Madison are thrown together for a good cause, a tug of war begins for Madison’s heart. Alex has grown to understand his mistakes and wants her back, but the damage she’s endured throughout her life could make his efforts useless. It seems the pain he caused her was the straw that broke the camel’s back!
There are several things about this novel that make it such an endearing story. The subject matter is a touching topic that has recently been brought to light, and the story line is plausible. I was impressed with the author for including legitimate statistics concerning athletes, which gives the story more depth. There were a few times that I wanted Madison to put up a better fight, but the sensual reward was worth waving the white flag! The writing style and flow of this novel made an extraordinary read that I recommend.
Purchase Links:
•About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites …
Facebook | Goodreads | Carly’s Website | Twitter
REVIEW: SHADOWS DANGERS(Book One of the Last Hope Series) by Cyndi Mezni
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews, YA Fiction on March 31, 2014
Blurb:
Losing a loved one is never easy. Although Deliah learned to live without her parents when fate took them from her as a young girl, history repeats itself and causes her to face even greater challenges when Tess, the woman who raised her and was like a second mother to her, passes away. But even worse than dealing with her loss is the coinciding arrival of inexplicable nightmares that haunt Deliah’s nights.
She becomes consumed with images she didn’t understand and a recurrent dream about her parents’ car accident. Oddly, this dream details different versions from what she had always been told about the accident.
But when a new family, The Wates, arrive in town and begin to pay close attention to her, even stranger events follow. Now, Deliah must not only face her nightmares, but the possibility that a world she never suspected exists. And this world may cost her everything.
REVIEW:
Mezni has created a world unlike any other!
To say that this novel is unique would be an understatement. The author has blended several genres into a mystical tale that’s both creative and enchanting. My mind raced for an explanation as the author revealed only the necessities, which caused my anticipation to skyrocket! Deliah’s an endearing character, with a heart of gold, and Garreth is an enigma in which I enjoyed learning about.
There may be a few controversial responses about certain areas of this novel, but paying attention to the detailed narrative may clear up most of them. I don’t know whether the author is going to give another POV in the next installment, but she’s done a wonderful job of introducing Deliah. You get to know this heroine’s every thought, response, and feeling. Admittedly, there were a few times that I had to remind myself of her age, due to her lack of judgment. The story line is different and quite enjoyable, and the creative factor is incredible. There were questions left unanswered, but I was given enough to satisfy my curiosity, for now. I’m intrigued and I’ll definitely follow this series.
ABOUT THIS LITERARY CHEF:
Cindy Mezni is a young Swiss writer. She discovered her passion – became obsession – for writing by chance, during a winter afternoon where she had fun by rewriting the story of a popular book because the sequence of events were not to her liking.
Consequently, she began to publish fictions and fanfictions on Internet for almost two years to share her stories and submit them to criticism to improve her writing. After receiving encouragement and compliments from the jury of a writing competition at her school, Cindy finally took the path of publishing with The Last Hope series then the Nëphyr trilogy and Poisoned Iris trilogy – and many other books in the future, she hopes.
Since the said winter afternoon, not a day goes by without her fingers touching her computer’s keyboard to write new fantasy or sci-fi adventures…
The publishing journey of Cindy Mezni in a few words: In May 2011, her first book, Shadow’s Dangers (The Last Hope, Book One) was published by a small French publishing house. Since, Ex Tenebris (Nëphyr, Book One) has been published by the French publishing house, J’ai Lu, in April 2013. The book two, Chaos, will be released in 2014. The books one (second edition) and two of The Last Hope series will be self-published in July 2013 in French. In Fall 2013, the book one in the Last Hope series will be published in the US by Evatopia Press and the first books of Poisoned Iris and Nëphyr will also be released in the following months by Evatopia Press.
https://www.facebook.com/cindymeznibooks
https://twitter.com/CindyGMezni
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RELEASE DAY REVIEW: FOREVER (Time for Love Book 1)
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on March 24, 2014
Blurb:
Rebecca Andrews knew she was lucky to be hired as a private nurse for an elderly lady who was going on a one-month trip aboard a luxury cruise ship. But there was one big problem. The client was the grandmother of her ex-boyfriend–the guy she was still in love with, the guy who didn’t love her back.
Zach Carmichael couldn’t say no to his grandmother’s plea to join her on a month-long cruise for her eightieth birthday. But he didn’t expect his spritely gran to bring two private nurses with her. One of them happened to be the woman who’d broken his heart–the one he believed lied to him about her feelings.
Aboard a luxury liner, their passion for each other flared again. Was it just a temporary flame brought about by the romance of being on a cruise? How could they give love another chance when they were both afraid to put their hearts back on the line?
Book Links:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525499-forever
Review:
Communication seems to be the problem in this relationship, which is often the cause of many break-ups! After a short lived love affair, Zach and Rebecca can’t seem to shake what might have been. Their effort to fight the inevitable becomes much harder when they’re forced to deal with the past. While they’re trying to mend fences, however, a few vicious tempered individuals keep kicking the posts.
This was a quick read with a great cast of characters and plausible story line. The erotic scenes were placed perfectly, and the details were on the naughty side! Too many times, I’ve seen wonderful people torture themselves unnecessarily because of misunderstandings and the work of gossipers. I could easily place an actual face on some of these vile characters. The ending brought everything together nicely, though, and I look forward to following the series!
About This Literary Chef:
Ever since I was a young teenager, I have loved reading romance novels. My auntie used to send me boxes of her books and I would devour them one after another.
Every so often, I would read a mystery or a suspense or a paranormal novel as I love those genres too. But romance is still my favourite. 🙂
For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel.
Then, one day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book. The result? My first novel in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series.
After that, I knew that I would love to tell more beautiful love stories through my books.
I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on (and yes, sometimes irritates and annoys me 😉 ) in my journey as a novelist.
REVIEW: STAINED By: Ella James
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on March 22, 2014
BLURB:
Seventeen-year-old Julia is finally living the good life. She’s traded a hard cot in a Memphis orphanage for her very own room in a perfect little house, on a perfect little street, with a perfect set of parents who picked her to be their daughter.
But Julia is hiding a secret – and one fall night, she returns home from a friend’s house to find that her secret has found her. Her ‘forever home’ is ashes. Her parents are dead. And, in the sky above the flames, a winged creature hunts her.
The Nephilim King, Samyaza, has taken everything from Cayne. After struggling in the darkness for years to piece together his shattered life, Cayne is finally ready to confront his past and avenge the loss of everything he loved. He tracks Samyaza to a Memphis warehouse, where he winds up flat on his back, in the healing hands of a beautiful, dark-haired girl he doesn’t need to know.
Unbeknownst to either of them, they are already bound. Cayne’s past holds the answers to Julia’s future. But what will pose the greatest threat to her? The bounty placed on her head by the leaders of two Celestial realms, or giving her heart to a man who is bound, by birth, to break it?
Review:
This YA novel starts off with a terrifying beginning, which immediately grabbed my attention! Exhilaration filled me as an adventure ensued!
Julia’s a gifted young woman with a compassionate soul, but she’s not a normal teenager. Compared to Cayne, though, she’s the girl next door. Cayne is an impossibly gorgeous breed of his kind, but he’s got a real bad side. Fortunately for Julia, his anger is aimed towards someone else. These two have good dialogue and the author does a great job of building the romantic tension. The action-packed fights between Samyaza and Cayne create the perfect path of heroism for Cayne, yet terrifies you at the same time.
There’s another world and a few more characters that have an important impact on the story, but I don’t want to cross the spoiler line. I’ll simply say that although the narration goes back and forth between these worlds, it is seldom, and it’s easily understood.
I honestly don’t know how I’ve missed this series, but I’m glad it was sent to me! I kept thinking of a younger version of Hellboy throughout this novel, and for the record, I love Hellboy. The sensual aura between Julia and Cayne kept the romance lover inside of me wishing for more, while the danger around them caused me to read like a speed demon! My advice: slow down or you’ll miss important innuendos. Ending with a cliffhanger, which is an ingenious way of capturing the reader, this novel was a joy to read. Since I’m now a hostage, I can’t wait to follow this cast of characters in the next installment!
– STAINED BOOKS TWO AND THREE LISTED IN AMAZON’S TOP 100 YA EBOOKS OF 2012.
-NOMINATED BEST DEBUT NOVEL AT UTOPYA CONVENTION 2012.
-NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 10 YA ROMANCE BOOKS OF 2011.
-WINNER OF THE FLAMINGNET TOP CHOICE AWARD.
-CAYNE NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEST BOOK BOYFRIENDS OF 2011.
-FEATURED ON NUMEROUS AMAZON BESTSELLER LISTS.
-FIRST IN A COMPLETED SERIES OF FOUR (INCLUDING STOLEN, CHOSEN, AND EXALTED)
About This Literary Chef:
Ella James is a Colorado author who writes teen and adult romance. She is happily married to a man who knows how to wield a red pen, and together they are raising a feisty two-year-old who will probably grow up believing everyone’s parents go to war over the placement of a comma.
Ella’s books have been listed on numerous Amazon bestseller lists, including the Movers & Shakers list and the Amazon Top 100; two were listed among Amazon’s Top 100 Young Adult Ebooks of 2012.
http://facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage
http://www.ellajamesbooks.com/
BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY..DAMNED IF YOU DON’T By Linda J. Parisi
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on March 17, 2014
Blurb:
“Jack” Kent’s on the hunt for white collar criminals, and as a private
investigator he always gets his man. Except in this case it’s a woman, the
brilliant cellular kineticist Dr. Morgan Mackenzie, whose next thrilling
discovery is—him.
her employers with the formula for a priceless but deadly diet drug, Morgan
agrees to a night of pleasure with the outrageously sexy stranger. But when she
leaves the next morning, Jack won’t let her get far, and that’s when she
realizes the horrible truth. Her cowboy on a white horse isn’t a hero after
all. He’s part of the posse.
to turn Morgan in, he learns who the real criminals are, and suddenly, it’s a
race against time to find a murderer before they’re killed themselves. To do
that Jack needs to convince Morgan he’s on her side. Even though she doesn’t
trust him, Jack is a drug she can’t resist, leading her to find out that more
often than not you’re Damned If You Don’t fall in love.
Excerpt:
She forced her head upward. The breeze ruffled a few strands of his hair. His face grew taut with desire telling her exactly what his intentions were. But his eyes. Oh, heaven, his eyes. Those killer blues had softened. They’d gone from sapphire chips to the color of swirled marble, filled with confusion and heat. Funny, he didn’t seem to be able to understand this—thing—growing between them. Theirs was an insane passion, a fool’s passion, one she couldn’t begin to understand either.
Letting her see inside, though, made up her mind. There was no way to stop what was about to explode between them. He bent his headcloser and closer to hers. Her chin tilted upward to meet his. One touch would reignite the fire that would probably get them both locked up for certain.
His lips closed over hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth before he let go, his breath going staccato as he leaned his forehead against hers.
“Jack,” she whispered, panting, her heart thundering, “all right.”
He grabbed her arm, pulling to where a steel beam met the sidewall of the ferry and created a tiny private corner.
Trembling fingers cupped her cheeks. Molten fire scorched her skin as his gaze roamed over her face. One enchanted evening had morphed into pure need. And that frightened her more than anything else. His head drew closer and Morgan fell back into the wall, finding the cold metal strangely comforting, solid in a sea of emotions she could neither accept nor deny.
He dragged his lips across her forehead, her skin burning under their trace, and then tasted her brows and cheeks as if touch could imprint her features. He drew in short, helpless breaths. His hard length pressed against her belly. How had everything gotten so out of control?
“Jack,” she choked out once more, trying desperately for one last bid at sanity. He stilled. His arms tightened around her back. His head dipped and his lips devoured hers.
So much for the word no.
Perhaps he tasted her inner struggle. Perhaps he tasted her fear, and not just the fear about getting caught making love on a ferry. Whatever the cause, his kiss gentled, coaxed. Their tongues tasted and mated, giving and taking. And that frightened her most of all. It wasn’t just about sex anymore. It was about sharing.
Jack tore his mouth away and leaned his forehead on top of hers. Neither of them could breathe. Two hearts beating out of control. They were both a hairbreadth from exploding.
It was all so wrong. And so right.
$75 Amazon Card Giveaway:
About This Literary Chef:
you through the darker, spicier side of Romance with her Paranormal, Paranormal
Romantic Suspense, and Romantic Suspense tales. Winner of the New Jersey
Romance Writer’s Golden Leaf Award for Best First Book for her novel, Noble
Blood, and winner of the 4th Annual Stroke of Midnight Contest for her
novel, The Joining: Bound by Blood, Linda is a long-time member of the
RWA and the current secretary of Liberty States Fiction Writers. Linda has seen
the publishing industry turn upside down yet stay the same because everyone
loves a well-written Romance. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, John,
and a family which includes Audi, a Cocker Spaniel mix who had her at woof!
Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: A Thousand Perfect Things
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on March 15, 2014
A Thousand Perfect Things
BLURB:
In this epic new work, the award-winning Kenyon, whose work has be compared to Larry Nivens and Stephen R. Donaldson, creates an alternate Earth in the 19th century. This Earth is ruled by two warring factions—scientific Anglica (England) and magical Bharata (India).
Tori Harding, a Victorian woman, whose heart aches to claim the legendary powers of the golden lotus, must leave her reasoned world behind and journey to Bharata. In pursuit of the golden lotus, Tori will be forced to brave its magics, intrigues, deadly secrets and haunted places, to claim her destiny and choose between two lovers in two irreconcilable realms.
As a great native insurrection sweeps the continent of Bharata—Tori will find the thing she most desires, beautifully flawed and more wonderfully strange than she could have ever dreamed.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Book Depository
Excerpt:
Prologue
January 18, 1857
Lord Nelson’s statue perched on its granite column in the square, but to Edwina Banning it appeared that his shoulders stooped, as though he were weary of the heroic pose. It might have been a trick of the light.
Presently satisfied that the great naval hero was not drooping–and how, indeed, could a statue droop–Edwina tipped her parasol back into place and turned to watch six-year old Anna who was feeding pigeons with her father. The day darkened as a sudden high cloud tented the sky wintry gray. A horse pulling a coach shied in its traces, for a moment disrupting the decorous progression of carriages. Anna’s father pulled her close.
“Papa,” Anna said, pointing at Lord Nelson on his column, “the statue is bleeding.”
Mr. Banning held his top hat on as he craned his neck to see. “Pigeons do make rather a mess,” he said.
“But the mess is red.”
Edwina Banning turned to look, noting with alarm a red slime oozing down the column. Just as she was trying to imagine how this could be, she stared hard at one of the lions anchoring a corner of the plinth. The metal sculpture opened its mouth in a cavernous yawn. It was said that the iron lions had been cast from Scottish cannons. She had always found satisfaction in that story, and therefore it took her a moment before she entirely grasped that the animals were awake.
They stirred.
As Mr. and Mrs. Banning gaped in stunned denial, blood oozed from under Nelson’s coat and dribbled down the granite column.
Edwina’s lips parted for a scream just as one of the lions–the one facing the church of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields–leapt through the air and landed on a peanut vendor, crushing him to the ground. Then the second lion found its prey: a top-hatted gentleman with a cane. The cane crashed down on the beast’s head, but as the lion was made of iron, it had no effect. The square erupted with shouts and screams. Pigeons flew up in a clatter of wings and demented cooing.
Lord Nelson sagged and fell to one knee, clutching his chest.
The rampage began. The lions rushed to the slaughter, breaking necks with mighty paws and tearing at throats. They did not linger to feed, but turned from one victim to the next, finding their quarry closely packed in the square, though trying to flee. The fastest among them got as far as the steps of the National Gallery before falling.
Mr. Banning yanked open the door of a carriage, and surprised the lady inside by throwing his daughter into her lap and shoving his wife in as far as he could. He jumped inside and slammed the door closed. As terrified horses charged away, their careening carriages in tow, people in the square threw themselves on top of the conveyances, or clung to riding boards.
From the floor of the carriage where she huddled with her mother little Anna whispered, “They’re not real lions, though.”
Edwina clutched her daughter tightly. They weren’t, they weren’t at all.
But they killed.
Review:
An excellent Sci-Fi twist in Historical Fiction fashion!
I loved this beautifully descriptive novel, and was fascinated by its story line. The author has represented two worlds in a unique fashion, and created a wonderful cast of characters! Magic, religion, science, mythical creatures, and a land of exotic wonders await you!
About This Literary Chef:
Author Kay Kenyon
Kay Kenyon is the author of eleven science fiction and fantasy novels, including A Thousand Perfect Things. She is the author of the critically acclaimed science fiction quartet, The Entire and The Rose. Bright of the Sky was among PW’s top 150 books of 2007. The series has twice been shortlisted for the ALA Reading List awards and three times for the Endeavour Award. Four of her novels have been translated into French, Spanish and Czech. Along with her novels Tropic of Creation and Maximum Ice, two of the works in the quartet received starred reviews from PW.
Pinterest * Goodreads * Google +
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/31/14
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Review: TRUE COLORS (The Masks Series #1)By: Melissa Pearl
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews, YA Fiction on March 12, 2014
BLURB:
Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama…until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.
Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people’s masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and her high school is filled with secrets…some very sinister ones.
Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends now appears terrified, but masks her fear behind a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn’s new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends’ true colors?
Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.
At Palisades High School every face tells a story…
REVIEW:
The creative and beautiful cover for this novel is an exemplary example of what lies underneath.
I was immediately taken by the sweet and naïve heroine, as I was much like the young woman in my youth. After her true nature is tested, Caitlyn is given an unusual gift that jolts her face-first into reality. We all hide our true selves at some point, be it to spare feelings, or simply to protect our own. While Caitlyn was aware of how many times she had done this in the past, she had never considered someone hiding a dark agenda behind the façade. Being a pure soul, she soon finds herself unable to ignore her new talent, and follows her heart. Of course, the young tend to forget their mortality, which means danger is never too far behind.
This is an extraordinary YA novel with a wonderfully unique concept! It’s always a treat to discover a fresh story line with a superb cast of characters. The slight touch of romance is sweet and fitting, considering our hero and heroine, and beautifully written. Full of suspense, comedy, and the paranormal to boot, I highly recommend this novel to all YA fans! I cannot wait to read more from this splendid author!
WHERE TO FIND THIS LITERARY CHEF:
https://www.goodreads.com/MelissaPearl
http://melissapearl.blogspot.com/
TWITTER: @MelissaPearlG
This novel was provided to me via:
Review LINGERING ECHOES By Erica Kiefer @EricaRockKiefer
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews, YA Fiction on March 1, 2014
Description
She’s broken with guilt.
He harbors a chilling past.
It’s safer if they keep their distance…
But, the echoes that linger connect them.
Returning to Hidden Pines is the last thing Allie Collins wants to do during her final summer before college. For her, the family cabin she spent her youthful summers in, now holds a dark memory that has haunted her every day for the last year.
While struggling to forget her past, Allie runs into Damien, a local rebel with secrets of his own. He’s dark, dangerous and he keeps showing up when Allie least expects him to. She has every reason not to trust him. So why does she find herself opening up to him in a way she hasn’t been able to with anyone?
As pieces of Damien’s identity emerge, answers to a rumored mystery begin to unfold. By the time Allie unearths the secrets of Damien’s past, she realizes just how intricately they are connected. Now she is caught in a dangerous battle that threatens her life and those she loves.
Review
I was absolutely captivated by this tragic, yet beautiful, novel.
Young love is such an adoring subject that never grows old for me, but this author has added a few exhilarating twists that will leave you unable to put this book down until the end. The personal demons that Allie and Damien fight are believable, as is their immediate reaction to choose solitude over solidarity to deal with the pain. The intense, gut wrenching suffering resonated more powerfully than I expected, which made me very emotional at times. The characters involved are entertaining, though I didn’t know who Allie could trust with each turn of the page. The author writes the perfect blend of mystery, romance, drama, and turmoil, making this remarkable tale a must read! I highly recommend this to all YA fans!
THE PREQUEL TO THIS NOVEL: FREE ON AMAZON AND B&N
Allie Collins wants nothing more than to forget the past and move beyond the recent death of her beloved cousin. If only it were that simple.
Upon returning for her senior year of high school, rumors quickly spread about the tragic summer accident that left the school’s star athlete grieving in the shadows. Now, the last thing Allie wants is the limelight. But the relentless pressure for normalcy from her friends and family leaves her with no choice but to surrender. Rejoining her basketball team and spending time with popular boys might seem like the perfect senior year, yet Allie struggles to embrace this identity that once came so naturally.
With the help of a special teacher, she learns that some things cut so deep, the scar lasts forever. Sometimes you can’t go back to the way things were, but must find the way to become who you are meant to be.
Still, tragedy is no stranger to Allie.
As the gossip swirls, influencing Allie’s every decision, the events that unfold will draw readers into a well of emotion in Rumor’s, a Lingering Echoes Novella.
Rumor’s is a prequel novella to the best selling book: Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer.
About the author:
Erica Kiefer was born on Christmas Eve in Southern California to an American father whose ancestors arrived from Europe during colonial times and a Thai mother who moved to the US during high school. Adding to her rich and varied heritage, Erica grew up living abroad in Asia, including Taiwan, Fiji, Thailand and Indonesia. She gained a great respect for the beautiful mosaic of cultures found in various parts of the world. After graduating from International School Bangkok, she attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a degree in Recreation Therapy. Her career as a Recreation Therapist has allowed her to work with at-risk youth since 2007.
Erica made the best decision of her life by marrying her husband in 2005 and is currently a mother of three, one of whom awaits her in heaven. Erica also loves singing, reading, writing, and satisfying her sweet-tooth with chocolate-chip cookies. Playing collegiate rugby was one of the most memorable experiences of her life, thus far.
Erica’s first book is titled Lingering Echoes, which was published by Clean Teen Publishing in November, 2013. Her newest release titled Rumors, was released in late December 2013 and is a prequel novella to Lingering Echoes.
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