Spotlight: Tales of the Demimonde by Ask Krafton is FREE today only

Hello to all,

 I'm still completely immersed in my crafting  but so far i think i'm on track with one package already on its way to it's lucky receiver. Now that i'm taking ten minutes break i want to share with you a little about what is offered on the blogosphere at the moment.

To start with The Tales of The Demimonde by Ash Krafton which is exceptionally fre for TODAY only so hurry and grab it. If you have not read the series , like me it's on my wishlist and really want to read it one day, you can still get the ebook as it can be a good introduction to the series.
If you have read the series this is just a wonderful bonus to get more of characters you have come to love.

here is what Ash told us on her blog about Tales of  the DemiMonde:

"Tales of the Demimonde is a collection of short works based on the urban fantasy trilogy, The Books of The Demimonde. Follow the saga of Sophie Galen, who is saving the world, one damned person at a time. The advice columnist-turned-oracle must save her Demivampire lover from the fate that threatens each of his race: evolution and the destruction of his soul. Learn more about the Demimonde when you read BLEEDING HEARTS, BLOOD RUSH, and WOLF’S BANE available from the publisher Pink Narcissus Press (www.pinknarc.com) as well as many online book retailers.

Now, all the Demimonde companion pieces can be found in one collection, along with never-before-seen material.

You'll find the short stories "Scent of Hope", "The Blood Countess Chronicle", and "The Horus Bird"... along with the unreleased lyrics by Turn of the Wheel to "Ocean's Daughter". Read Sophie's musings on Sunfall and a dissertation on the preservation of Demivampirekind by Marek Thurzo. Also included are several behind-the-scenes articles on the Demimonde books as well as excerpts from BLEEDING HEARTS "

 Now don't hesitate and grab it today while it's FREE you have nothing to loose and you can discover a great series

 Tales of the Demimonde

Ash Krafton's Blog

Happy Reading!


 Tell me do you know this series? Have you read it yet?

Josey’s Christmas Cookie by Sharon Kleve

Hello to all,


                   With everything that happened for the past months all my reading planning has gone to the trash... i planned to read more, to finish reading challenge at early december at the latest and i wanted to read Christmas romance for Christmas.... let just say that my pile will be bigger next year^^;;;

Now it's never to late for Christmas romance and of course you can read them all year along but i prefer them in winter when they are so heart warming....the time is diminishing fast before New Year so i have to read faster but i did want at least one magical moment so i picked one Christmas novella and i don't regret it all.

Happy reading!

Publisher: Sharon Kleve

Publication: 2012

Genre: Christmas romance
Violence: none
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: free

Short description from goodreads :

In the blink of an eye; Josey lost the most important people in her life, her parents.


Can a hound dog named Cookie, a pair of Mourning Doves and a passionate vet bring the holiday spirit back into Josey's life in time for Christmas?

My opinion:

          This is really a sweet Christmas novella and, if you love animals as I do, your heart will melt at some passage. If you love short story and novella and want to read one set at Christmas time including some humour, really determined birds, cute and loving dog as well as two humans destined for each other then you have to give this one a try.

Really it was a perfect read for the season and if I was a fan of novella I would have given a higher score sadly it’s not the case and thus it all felt a little rushed for me: meeting and first date the same day….a little too quick for me  now it’s part of the genre and it’s just their meeting ( they don’t jump on each other that quick thankfully or I wouldn’t have liked it at all) so I did like this story and I was smiling at the birds and i was so sad for Cookie’s past.

If you want some clean romance, animal humour and some Christmas magic do read Josey’s story it will leave you all heart warmed and smiling at any pet you encounter.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Secret Rendez-vous (Reunited Series 1.5) by Sharon C. Cooper

Hello to all,

                 One advantage of blog hop is to discover sometimes new authors that we don't know if we would have come across if not thanks to that opportunity. Sharon C Cooper is one of those, i was hopping and i came across her blog where we could win a ebook yes but where she told us her novella was free on amazon, after seeing the summary i was interested but kindle and me... we are far from friends even worse once again the promotion was available but only in the USA so i wrote that i would try it if i was teh lucky winner since we could pick the book of ourt choice and the format...

In the end i didn't had to, when she saw my comment she kindly contacted me to send me the link to smashwords where the books was also available ( with the promotion for everyone) and even better PDF!! ( i'm so relieved when ebook are in pdf so i can read them without too many troubles). Anyway i got the novella and i found a new author to follow so here is my opinion on Secret RendezVous and after the link if you want to discover it by yourself!

Happy reading!

Publisher: Amaris Publishing Inc

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  9780985525453

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: free on Smashwords (on promotion)

Short description from goodreads :

 Former Navy SEAL, Quinn Hamilton, is a special operative for the U.S. government and has been secretly dating CIA counter-intelligence officer, Alandra Pargas, for eight months. She’s brilliant, excited by danger, and the sexiest woman he’s ever known. Together they are a force to be reckoned with - inside and outside of the bedroom. But while Alandra is on assignment in Guerrero, Mexico, she’s captured by the country’s most dangerous drug cartel, and Quinn sets out on a black op of his own to save the woman he can’t live without.


Secret Rendezvous is the short story prequel to Rendezvous with Danger

My opinion:

          So good! I definitively needed something like this short novella and if all the books from the author are of this quality I can only want more.

Since it’s a short story and even more the prequel to another book I will try not to reveal too much but that will means a shorter review. To start with something essential in my opinion….yes you can start by reading this even if you haven’t read anything by the author before. From what I gathered all books works as stand alone so yes this story is linked to book 2 in the series and I guess you would be glad o have read it later but I wasn’t feeling like I was missing something, it really didn’t bothered me to jump in the middle of the series so it was perfect.

The writing style is as I love it: clear. You got action and quickly ( hey it’s a romantic suspense AND a novella so it’s normal) but it didn’t feel rushed or not enough to stop my reading….and if the action is high level with explosive and all…the romance is steamy and not a little, the balance between the two is really well done and I enjoyed this adventure no matter how short.

We discover here, two heroes: Quinn, navy seal, chief all muscles and sex appeal but really loyal, with honor (protecting innocents and all) and protective for those he loves…. but also really dangerous if you are not a friend of him. Then we have Alandra who is also a force in her own way, she is on the terrain but her job is to blend in and gather information, she can defend herself of course but she isn’t in the “assassination” part of the job. After working together for a job, the sparks ignited a passion of the long lasting kind and they have been together since then though they kept that secret. So when during her job, Alandra is captured, Quinn doesn’t follow protocol and jump to the rescue ( sexy^^).

The author linked some elements that I think are essential for book 2 (why Quinn didn’t keep the paper!!! Man you have brain too not just muscle), we also see that the cartel is larger that what counter intelligent can imagine.  I’m also really curious about who was the one that leaked info on Alexandra because that still unknown. So there is a light cliffhanger yes but since it’s a prequel I was expecting something like that and if I’m honest we do have partly some closure too, kind of temporary happy end, yes problems are building but it will be for another day.

So really I recommend you this novella if you have a few minute and want a good romantic steamy suspense romance this is an excellent one and a good way to try an author you perhaps haven’t discovered yet with of course the risk to want more …because now I’m really aching to get book 2 and more of this explosive couple!!  And it’s free so don’t hesitate and hurry  get it when you can.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

If you want to get your own copy, don't hesitate it's free in several formats HERE

Christmas in Dogtown by Suzanne Johnson

Hello to all,

                  After the ephemeral first snow,  i'm already in the Christmas spirit, i want magic, feelings and happiness so i will share with you my first review of this month. For several challenges i've entered, the topic of this month is Holidays books and holidays romances, i haven't read a lot of them yet so it will be a discovery and my main focus for now. Today i will share with you my opinion on a small enovella, written by an author you know now that i absolutely adore: Suzanne Johnson.

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Story Vault

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: paranormal romance, Christmas,
Violence: none
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: received in exchange for an honest opinion

Short description from goodreads :

 A woman who spent years escaping her rural past learns that Dogtown, Louisiana, hides more family secrets than just the recipe for boudin blanc.

Resa Madere’s on the verge of losing it all. The boyfriend’s gone. The job’s history. Her beloved house is on the brink of foreclosure. She’ll do anything to save it--even spend a long Christmas holiday working in St. James Parish, Louisiana, helping her uncle run the family meat business. But the community of Dogtown, which has been home for seven generations of the Madere and Caillou families, has deep roots and deeper secrets. For Resa, going home is one thing. Getting out might not be so easy

My opinion:

          Magical! Such a loving, touching well written novella. It’s really perfect to read it around Christmas but it’s not a necessity to enjoy the universe and atmosphere. I was emotionally drawn to Resa and her wish for freedom and independence and in the same time it’s not really what she is wishing for.

At first, we discover a young woman who isn’t happy with her life, and whose perspectives aren’t good either socially or financially but she is also loyal to her family.  When her uncle asks for her help because he is ill, she accept to go back to a place she tried so strongly to leave. Dogtown is for her synonym of failure.

Worse as soon as she arrives, her family is speaking of the boy, now become man, they always hoped she would marry.  After hearing it so often even as a child, Resa can’t accept to imagine Chan as a potential mate. It’s not possible.

However, when tradition and family are at stake she must face a choice and decide what is really important for her.

I’m not that fond of imposed traditions, obligations and I can see why Resa is fed up with the simple evocation of the boy she grew up with. For her, it’s a friend nothing more simply because as a child she did not try to find something more and then they parted ways. Now she is even fighting the idea of giving him a chance because she is afraid of what others will think, the pressure is so high that she is forgetting her own desire. This novella is not about fated marriage but about acceptance and trust and first love. Her family is ready to stop the tradition, loose their ancestral advantages if means to save Resa’ s happiness, Chan is ready to keep secret everything to let her free to make her choice and for me those actions speak volume of the love they have for her. Sometimes or even often we are searching for something that has been under our nose all along. For tradition to keep living you must accept them, embrace them and it’s something that can’t be done under pressure or obligation

It’s really a beautifully written short story, set in an area the author loves and knows so well that it transpires between the words. A magical story about love and faith that made my eyes filled with tears of emotion.

Score:  5/5

Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was received.

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Enslaved by Starlight by Jessa Slade in the anthogology Hotter on the Edge

Happy Saturday,

                     Nearly the end of the month but i'm far from having finished with the subgenre of science-fiction romance because i've discovered several really good authors and series which i 'm a fan of. So, this month isn't the only one where you will get some review on that genre. However no need to wait so long, today you will again have a review about a novella and one post about a book and before May at least two others books of that genre will be reviewed and posted so enjoy!

First, we start with the last enovella published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge, called "Enslaved by Starlight" and written by Jessa Slade.

Published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Author: Jessa Slade

Publication : 2012

ASIN:  B00757WOT6

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: free pdf ( special offer)

Short description from goodread :

 Transformed by empathic crystals into the perfect paramour, Benedetta Galil is the last treasure of her fading world. When raiders attack—seeking to corrupt the crystals and conquer all of charted space—she gives herself as a prize to the one man in the universe who values freedom over power. Mercenary sheership Captain Corso Deynah left oppression behind him on a burning planet and has no use for a sex slave, even one as seductive as Benedetta. But while he stubbornly resists her body, her fierce spirit tempts him, and he will risk everything—his ship, his seclusion, the very stars—to win not just her passion but her love.

My opinion:

          For a novella, the world seemed well constructed for me and the story complete even if the ending opens a door for a sequel if needed. I enjoyed the concept of the crystal and even more the way Corso tries to make Benedetta more self conscious and willing to fight for her freedom too. Even it’s also true that the plot isn’t very original you can spend a good time reading this story. No background is needed to enjoy it. The violence is there yes but the story isn’t dark. Also the romance isn’t immediate, but it’s perfect with the psychology of the characters

Corso is a mercenary because of his honor and the choices he made. It’s also the reason why he resists entering a new conflict before the threat to loose his ship. Benedetta has grown in the perspective to be sold one day and thus when she is “given” in exchange for the safety of her planet and the population she agrees to it without any doubt until the captain refuse her and call her a sex slave.  Together they learn that there is more to it and that while the link created by the special ceremony binding is special and can be great, the choice to choose this life is also important.  Both want to save lives and both are attracted to each others while they try to understand what freedom really means.

I wouldn’t mind a sequel with a bit more of Icere, he would be a great addition to the staff on the ship.

Score:  3,5/5

Challenge:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

All that Glitters by Erin Kellison in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Hello to all,

                    first today i introduce you to another novella from the Anthology " Hotter on the Edge" with "All that Glitters" written by Erin Kellison, an author that you will see even more during the fantasy romance month  but first her science- fiction romance that's only her second novella.

Published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Author : Erin Kellison

Publication : 2012

ASIN:  B00757WOT6

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: free pdf ( special offer)

Short description from goodread :

 Cheated out of a fortune by the Sol royal family, lowborn Simon Miner will do anything to get his revenge, no matter how ruthless. When Princess Mica Sol, a terraforming expert, is shot out of the sky on the way to her sister’s lavish wedding, she fears the worst—scavengers—and flees into an alien jungle to avoid capture. But the man who pursues and captures her is none other than Simon, her former lover. Passions reignite as violence rocks Sol City, and Simon and Mica must fight for love, family, and their world… or lose everything.

My opinion:

          I’m a bit disappointed. The premises are good, the plot interesting but I don’t think it was the right choice for a novella where it would have be a good book. There are a lot of aspects that are initiated in the novella but not complete so I had some difficulties to immerse myself in the story.

I got that the scavengers are kind of genetically modified by evolution or illness but who are they exactly? Are they part of the first humans or are they natives of the planet? It wasn’t clear.

The Sol are an important family that control the “civilized” part of the planet…yes but why exactly? Were they elected at a time or did they just took the power and control of this society not equal?

Erin Kellison concentrates her story on the romance part between Simon and Mica, she offers us some background for it too and I liked this however with all the partial information about the universe and planet I was still this feeling of missing. I wanted more; I would have preferred either have the complete info or no info (like only there is one power in place and other are rebels that’s it) because one touch here and there doesn’t help the understanding at all and that’s becoming confusing.

The characters are interesting but I would have loved more example of how she was before her departure of the planet.  In the end I can say I like this novella but not that I loved it. I understand that a novella must be short by definition but still I want to feel complete after reading a story not full of question unanswered. Yes these weren’t the focus of the story but when mentioned it should have been completed.

Now, I really like her writing’s style and I won’t hesitate to read her other books

Score:  3,5/5

Challenge:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

To Buy a Wife By K.C. Klein in the anthogology Hotter on the Edge

Hello to all,

                    Today i will give you my openion on two books or to be more precise, one book in the next post and here a novella published in the anthology Hotter on The Edge. So without waiting here is "To Buy a Wife" by K. C. Klein, part of the anthology of science-fiction romance  Hotter on the Edge

Published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Author: K. C. Klein

Publication : 2012

ASIN:  B00757WOT6

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: strong

Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: free pdf ( special offer)

Short description from goodread :

 In a harsh land where corruption rules and women are few, cold realist Hudson Land must purchase a wife to save his farm. Instead of an auction, he witnesses the start of an execution. With his first look at a beautiful woman in years, Hudson knows he has to have her—no matter the cost. Lake, a chemist and a rebel fighter, is resigned to her death, but when some back-hill farmer rescues her from the chopping block she has no intention of simply becoming his wife. She’s pledged her life to the Rebellion and being bought for some stranger’s bed doesn’t change a thing, though his soft caresses have her longing for more. As lies and secrets build between them, are the quiet moments during the nights they’ve shared enough to stand against two warring factions in a world where only the strong survive?

My opinion:

          K.C. Klein did really good with the universe’s idea. The novella is complete without being too long or too short and we immediately have a good idea of the world’s situation and politic. The rhythm is just adequate not too fast or too slow and we have a fair share of actions around the romance.

We discover all the background of Lake as it’s an important part of the plot and thus capital. Her psychology is also well done in link with this troubled past. She is stubborn and rebel because she longs for someone trustworthy and it’s rare in this world. Now I’m intrigued by Hudson, from what we gather his father wasn’t really good and her mother has suffered from him however she didn’t take it on her son and instead teach him how he should act with a woman. He is honourable and strong…he needs to take a wife to keep his lands and thus he has to buy her because that’s the law and women becoming rarer the accused are sold too. He is captivated when he sees Lake and he acts foolishly to save her.  What I would have like to know is how he received his combat training. He said he was too young to go to the war so that’s not where he learned, are the farmer all trained that way? Perhaps, it’s not important and I can live without the answers but I was wondering.

It’s a good read but I guess I’m not too fan of science fiction romance novella. I’ve read it quickly in once and I enjoyed it but it’s not something I want to reread.  For the fan of science fiction it’s a good addition to their list though but I don’t think it would recommend it at a new beginner immediately.  It’s an interesting step in the sub-genre but not a first one.

Score:  3,5/5

Challenges:

ebook read for the 2012 ebook Challenge

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge



Review: Bourne ( River of Time 3.1) by Lisa T. Bergren

Hi!,

         Today is the International Women's Day and for this occasion i couldn't choose a better series to review.  River of Time series is full of adventure,honour, loyalty and love but the women like Gabi and Lia aren't just beautiful girls. They have a brain and they use it, they fight for what and who they love and more important they stay true to themselves. I really loved this serie and was happy to learn that some enovellas will prolonge the adventure.

End of February, Bourne was published in differents formats  so you can go buy it immediately if you want. For the ones who are just discovering these books, a small introduction:

Gabi and Lia, are two young american girls whose parents are archeologists, specialist of the Etruscan period. Since their childhood, they have spend their holidays in Italy while theirs parents were working. Even after the death of their father in an accident, their mother continues to do the same. While in Italy for a new search, their mother discovers old etruscans tomb, fed to just be able to listen  the girls decide to have a look at the second tomb. There some strange hands prints caught their attention and they magically find themselves in Medieval Italy where they will have to survive.

To say more could give you too many spoilers i think so if you want to learn a bit more you can check my reviews of these first books: Waterfall, Cascade and finally Torrent .

Really i loved them a lot ( total score 4,5)!

Now, here come Bourne! Enjoy!

Editor : Bergren Creative Group, Inc.

Publication : 2012          

ISBN:  0373277210

Pages:118

Genre: romance, YA,fiction, history
Violence: strong
Langage: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Source: pdf copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodread :

The River of Time Series--a Top 10 Pick for over 20 YA book bloggers in 2011! If you like romance, adventure and a dose of medieval Italian culture, you'll love WATERFALL (book 1), CASCADE (book 2) and TORRENT (book 3). Hint: They’re not just for teenagers.

BOURNE, a novella (1/3 the length of a normal novel), picks up right where TORRENT left off...Find out what has happened to men returning from the battle, gravely wounded, to the Betarrinis, fighting for the men they love, and just who is hunting them next...

My opinion:

          I was hoping so much for this book and in the end I’m a bit disappointed. First, it’s really too short, yes it’s a novella but I think that too many things are started and not developed enough. Second I was really destabilised by the constant changing of point of view, Gabi, Lia, Gabi etc it didn’t permit me to feel immersed in the story like I did in the first 3books. Perhaps it’s because the chapters are so short that you get the feeling the changes are too quick but really I regretted that.

Lord Greco is there but he isn’t as great as before. He is feeling so guilty that he wants to die? Suicide was forbidden, frowned upon at that time! So it doesn’t make sense. Also he is starting to look at Lia now? Oki not as much as he did with Gabi but there are some signs. I can understand that Luca is on the defensive. However, even that is a bit strange, there are blood brothers or nearly and just like that they stop to trust each other? Even when one has lost everything, Not very loyal from Luca I think. Marcello is nearly dead and the day after he is riding…too quick.

In this novella, I felt more the tragedy, the drama. I didn’t finish the book with a smile like with the others. No I just wanted to cry because I’ve got the feeling it will be just worse after. I didn’t get closure. And it’s the first time with this series. I mean the last book finished on a hard battle and all but we could hope, imagine they came back safe and sound and life will be better. This one starts just where we left, the consequences of the battle and such but the end doesn’t give me dreams, hope just a foreboding presentiment…. I hope there will have another after book after this novella, really now it’s not a wish it’s necessity it can’t end like that, too sad .... it's a good book but not one that should close the page of the River of time.

Normally , there should be at least another novella this year and Lisa wrote on her blog that perhaps a third one after and if the public react well there is hope for a print version of all the novellas together!!! ( i will keep you updated^^)

To recommend to the fan of the River of time and to read in order ^^;;

Score:  3,5/5

If you want this book you can buy it On amazon or on Smashwords

You can find more informations on the serie and Lisa on her Blog

Source: a copy in exchange for a honest review, no compensation was received.

Challenge:

ebook read for the 2012 ebook Challenge