Book Review: Hell on the Heart (Shadow Men Book 1) by Nancy Brophy

• File Size: 685 KB
• Print Length: 268 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Nancy Brophy; 2 edition (January 6, 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00RXX8RSY

Czigany “Cezi” Romney is perfectly happy. Yes, she’d have liked to have graduated high school, perhaps even attended college and become a CSI rather than working for her father and Uncle as an asthmatic sidekick. But leaving Armadillo Creek would be impossible. A gypsy without family would be like a ship without a rudder - directionless, unable to function. 

Agent John Stillwater's scarred face reflects the life of man dedicated to protecting his country. Currently his team is dealing with a nationwide white slavery ring, but lack evidence to prove it. An unusual set of circumstances in a nowhere town in Texas leads John to investigate. 

Cain McIntosh’s career is making him rich. In his chauffeur-driven limo, his tailored suits, his ten thousand dollar watch and his private jet, Cain visits different towns each week and finds the girl of his dreams. Or so he says as he convinces her to come home with him and meet his family. Unfortunately, the girl who agrees to go, knowing she will be the envy of her friends, is never heard from again. 

Can a petite gypsy woman bring down a man the FBI can't find? Agent Stillwater isn't giving her a chance to find out. Like it or not, Stillwater plans to remain glued to her side. With her family watching his every move, it doesn't take tarot cards to read the heat between them.

About the Author: Nancy Brophy

Nancy Brophy grew up reading and writing. Her imaginary friends have rich lives and less self-doubts with stories that have beginning, middles and happy ending all within four hundred pages. She lives in the beautiful, green and very wet Northwest with her husband, two naughty dogs, PB and J, and forty rowdy chickens. 

They have spent fourteen nail-biting months living in an apartment while their house was rebuilt from a house fire in 2010.  In the process she has acquired and in-depth knowledge of kitchen cabinets, bathroom plumbing fixtures and leaking roofs.  One day she will find all of this funny and will write a story about it.  But it won't be this year.

My Review:  I was intrigued by the synopsis and figured I would give this novel a try.  I am very glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book.  It was very lively and I am now more convinced than ever that myself and my daughter are both somehow part gypsy in spirit if not by blood.  We both have the "firecracker" within us and this book was just so entertaining!  I liked how the bad guy had the "perfect looks" and the good guy had the "scars" but when looking into their hearts Cezi was able to see them for who they were.  I also enjoyed watching the struggle of Cain.  It is a sad day when we as a people are so desensitized by the idea of human trafficking and slavery that it doesn't effect us.   This book was so well written it effected me and was able to help put a pain behind the sensitized notions we hold.  I give it a 5 out of 5 and am looking forward to reading more by Nancy.

Book Review: Loves Games by Deborah Armstrong

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: XLIBRIS (August 5, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1499058802
• ISBN-13: 978-1499058802

Quinn Thomas, Hollywood heartthrob and devoted family man has it all - two Oscars, a beautiful wife and a loving family, and still he wants more. In Love's Games, the stakes are high and losing isn't an option for Quinn when he jeopardises everything he holds dear to win his heart's desire. Davina Stuart Thomas, Quinn's loving wife, has only two rules for her husband - no games and no cheating. When Quinn decides to challenge the rules to get what he wants, Davina calls his bluff, turning Love's Games into a battle of wills. Love's Games is the third book in the Davina and Quinn series.

About the author: Deborah Armstrong

Deborah writes hot and spicy contemporary romance. Forever Love (April 2012) and Love's Promises (May 2013) are the first two in the Davi and Quinn romance series. Each book stands alone, however they should be read in order. Love's Games will be available in August 2014.

Deborah Armstrong lives with her family on a large dairy farm.  Her writing is a wonderful blend of farming, family and  fantasy.  You will learn interesting facts about cows and dairy farming through her books.  Meed the Ladies and see cows in a different light.  Romance and farming was never so hot.

My Review: Once again....Deborah Armstrong brings superior writing capabilities to the table and writes an amazing story.  I bought the first books when I was starting my blog and wanted to give myself a bit of variety, I wasn't overly enthused with the "older heroine" idea on the synopsis...but through three books and many plot twists I have grown to adore Davina and Quinn.  The third instalment of this series only reinforces how Deborah is able to create the depth of her characters and the world as they see it.  I bought this third book a few months ago at a local event (I happen to live near Deborah) and got to meet her.  I downloaded the ebook immediately but unfortunately I was in the middle of a new series I hadn't read and I tend to get swept away and feel a compulsion to read series' in order without interruption.  This book got lost in the library shuffle.  I found it again this morning and due to my being sick today....read all day.  I must admit this book pulled me through a whole range of emotions.  I felt happy, in love, sad, angry, devastated, hopeful, jealous, and many other feelings. What an impactful ending that was!! without giving any spoilers can we say PLOT TWIST!!!  May be that I sat and read it in one sitting while sick but I feel exhausted now.  I truly hope this is not the end for this series as Deborah has a true writing gift.  I give this book a 5 out of 5.

Book Review: Promise Me by Barbie Bohrman

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Montlake Romance (September 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1477849572
• ISBN-13: 978-1477849576

Sabrina Chandler has had a rough go at love: just before her high school graduation, she found her boyfriend in the arms of her so-called best friend. 

Tyler Anderson, the town’s sexy bad boy, stepped out of the shadows then to save her pride. Drawing strength from him, she left everything behind and sought a new life for herself, far away from the pain and shame. 

Fast forward ten years: Sabrina is settled in Miami, happy at last—until her best friend urges her to attend her high school reunion and face her painful past once and for all. 

And…maybe meet the mysterious Tyler once again. 

Can Sabrina find the courage to face the demons in her past, let go of the pain, and move forward into happiness? Or will insecurity and self-doubt ruin her one chance to get the love she’s not sure she even deserves?

About the Author: Barbie Bohrman

Barbie Bohrman was born and raised in Miami, FL and ultimately moved to the Garden State where she currently resides with her two children. Life, and all that comes along with it and having long since given up on her dream of pursuing anything in the writing world, a prologue contest in a book club garnered her interest enough to throw her hat in the ring to see what, if anything, would come from it. From that contest came the roots of her debut novel, Promise Me. When she is not writing you can find her trying to get through the 1000+ books on her Kindle, or watching Lost or Seinfeld.

My Review: I started this book this morning and honestly could NOT put it down.  I was so spellbound to the pages the entire day passed and I finally finished it at 3:30am.  I haven't read a book in a while that had me feeling emotions right along with the book characters. This to me says the writer has an amazing ability.  I easily read 300+ books in the year without trying.....so this is a huge compliment.  I fell in love with Tyler right along with Sabrina, felt my heart ache for her through all her trials and honestly would admit I would probably have been even more of a mess than she was in most of it.  I will be following Barbie closely in hopes of finding more great reads of hers! I happily give this read a 5 out of 5.

Book Review: A Bite's Tale by Veronica Blade

• File Size: 300 KB
• Print Length: 180 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Crush Publishing Inc (January 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006U0DCO0

NOTE: This is a short and sweet young adult romance, about 155 pages

A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.

Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. Even as she attempts to get on with her life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control. 

Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper.

About the Author: Veronica Blade

Veronica Blade lives in Southern California with her husband and children. By day she runs the family business, but each night she slips away to spin her tales. She writes stories about young adults to relive her own childhood and to live vicariously through her characters. Except her heroes and heroines lead far more interesting lives--and they are always way hotter.

My Review: This is a short story but unlike most short stories...it didn't leave a cliff hanger or me wanting more.  The writing style was reminiscent of a young adult author and would easily attract the attention of teens and tweens.  I loved the whole twist on the classic fairy tale and how there weren't evil stepsisters but wonderful cousins.  What a great story!

I give this a 5 out of 5!

Book Review: Hunter Moon (Moon Series Book 4) by Jeanette Battista

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 479 KB
• Print Length: 198 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Jeanette Battista (Dec 4 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00AITLJ3K

With the threat of a werehyena takeover dealt with, Kess, Finn, and Rafe can finally enjoy the tentative peace Miami has to offer. As Kess moves forward with her decision to open up the territory to peaceful weres, she knows that the Keepers of Divine Order—a group of werejackal assassins—are watching her every move. If her plan fails, she knows they won’t hesitate to eliminate her and her friends.

When several werehyenas suddenly disappear and Mebis, the Keeper assigned to Miami, goes unexpectedly missing, Kess fears the worst. But even she’s unprepared for this latest threat: a hunter hiding in plain sight whose only goal is killing werecreatures. Can Kess and her friends survive this most dangerous game?

About the Author: Jeanette Battista

Jeanette Battista graduated with an English degree with a concentration in medieval literature which explains her possibly unhealthy fixation on edged weapons and cathedral architecture. She spent a summer in England and Scotland studying the historical King Arthur, which did nothing to curb her obsession. To satisfy her adrenaline cravings—since sword fighting is not widely accepted in these modern times—she rode a motorcycle at ridiculously high speeds, got some tattoos, and took kickboxing and boxing classes. She gave up the bike when her daughter came along, although she still gets pummeled at the gym on a regular basis.

When she’s not writing or working, Jeanette spends time with family, hikes, reads, makes decadent brownies, buys killer boots, and plays Pocket Frogs. She wishes there were more hours in the day so she could actually do more of these things. She lives with her daughter and their two psychotic kittens in North Carolina.

Jeanette is represented by Pamela van Hylckama Vlieg at the Foreword Agency.

- See more at: http://jeanettebattista.com/bio/#sthash.tX1zldIg.dpuf

My Review: I have slowly become addicted to this world as it merrys the fantastic notion of were's living in our society and the politics of the many factions/species.  I slowly got to know the characters through the last three books and their personalities further developed in this one.  Without giving away any big spoilers on this series I will say I DID NOT EXPECT the plot twists at all.  I really enjoyed how Jeanette was able to add another dimension to the story with Lukas and Zamiel.  I am going to continue with the next in this series and hope that we see much more from Jeanette in the future.  I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 as I commonly am able to predict most stories with great accuracy.  I wasn't able to predict anything with these books so far!

Book Review: Hyena Moon (Moon Series Book 3) by Jeanette Battista

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 466 KB
• Print Length: 220 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1476267030
• ISBN-13: 978-1476267036
• ASIN: B00859WXVC

Miami is still in the hands of the wereleopard clan. Sekhmet's assassination has been dealt with, and Samara's attempt to take over the city has been stopped for now. But things aren't simple for Kess, especially now that she has Samara's son, Rafe, to deal with. While others see only a spy, Kess is determined to help the damaged young man abandoned by his mother.

Rafe is torn: his mother left him in the hands of the wereleopards, presumably to die, but Kess has treated him more like a guest than a prisoner. But Rafe still feels a sense of loyalty to his werehyena pack, and he's uniquely placed to gather information that his mother will need if she ever hopes to take Miami. Things grow even more complicated for the young werehyena when Cormac's non-were sister comes to town for a visit. Rafe finds himself fascinated by the girl, finding more and more reasons to question his loyalty to his pack.

Rafe knows his mother isn't done with Miami or Kess. In the final bloody conflict between wereleopard and hyena, which side will he choose?

About the Author: Jeanette Battista

Jeanette Battista graduated with an English degree with a concentration in medieval literature which explains her possibly unhealthy fixation on edged weapons and cathedral architecture. She spent a summer in England and Scotland studying the historical King Arthur, which did nothing to curb her obsession. To satisfy her adrenaline cravings—since sword fighting is not widely accepted in these modern times—she rode a motorcycle at ridiculously high speeds, got some tattoos, and took kickboxing and boxing classes. She gave up the bike when her daughter came along, although she still gets pummeled at the gym on a regular basis.

When she’s not writing or working, Jeanette spends time with family, hikes, reads, makes decadent brownies, buys killer boots, and plays Pocket Frogs. She wishes there were more hours in the day so she could actually do more of these things. She lives with her daughter and their two psychotic kittens in North Carolina.

Jeanette is represented by Pamela van Hylckama Vlieg at the Foreword Agency.

- See more at: http://jeanettebattista.com/bio/#sthash.x0Ym9CNT.dpuf

My Review: LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! Every book just gets better and better! What a tragic story for Rafe...but the story closes well!  I enjoyed the complexity of this book and the politics.  I also find that the further development of characters in previous books keeps me enthralled.  Jeanette has a capability like some of my favourite authors to keep you intwined in the small sub plots while also entrenched in a world with many moving parts.  Well received book! I give it a 5 out of 5!

Book Review: Jackal Moon (Moon Series Book 2) by Jeanette Battista

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 365 KB
• Print Length: 274 pages
• Publisher: Jeanette Battista (April 13 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007U7WSXS
• 
  

Melissa Marr, NTY bestselling author of Wicked Lovely says "the Moon series is filled with action and romance, shape shifters and strong heroines." 

Laila has been pledged to serve the jackal god, Anubis, since she was a child. She wants nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of her father and brother and become a member of the Keepers of Divine Order. When her initiation into the Keepers leads her to Miami and pits her against the wereleopard Sekhmet, Laila is cast into a sea of clan intrigue and bitter rivalries. The stakes grow even higher once the rival pack of werehyenas, led by the beautiful and bloodthirsty Samara, decides to lay claim to the wereleopard’s territory. With the arrival of Kess, the true wereleopard clan leader, and her retinue of werewolves, violence threatens to erupt. Will Laila’s training and skills be enough to save the young werejackal and everything she’s worked for? 

The scales are ready and Anubis awaits...

About the Author: Jeanette Battista

Jeanette Battista graduated with an English degree with a concentration in medieval literature which explains her possibly unhealthy fixation on edged weapons and cathedral architecture. She spent a summer in England and Scotland studying the historical King Arthur, which did nothing to curb her obsession. To satisfy her adrenaline cravings—since sword fighting is not widely accepted in these modern times—she rode a motorcycle at ridiculously high speeds, got some tattoos, and took kickboxing and boxing classes. She gave up the bike when her daughter came along, although she still gets pummeled at the gym on a regular basis.

When she’s not writing or working, Jeanette spends time with family, hikes, reads, makes decadent brownies, buys killer boots, and plays Pocket Frogs. She wishes there were more hours in the day so she could actually do more of these things. She lives with her daughter and their two psychotic kittens in North Carolina.

Jeanette is represented by Pamela van Hylckama Vlieg at the Foreword Agency.

- See more at: http://jeanettebattista.com/bio/#sthash.i0b5sEmm.dpuf

My Review: Once again Jeanette has built upon the fantastic world and further developed her characters.  I adore the witty sarcasm Finn consistently provides.  The introduction of the were jackals and were hyenas is interesting and brings another dynamic to the whole were world.  I stumbled on this series by accident by browsing authors and book titles and have to admit I am very happy I found it.  I enjoyed the story of Leila and hope to see a book about her brother Mebis soon!  I give this book a 5 out of 5.  I will be continuing with the rest of this published series and blogging about them all.