Monthly Archives: April 2017
Spellbound by Ash Krafton
Spotlight HTML Spellbound
following is an excerpt from BLEEDING HEARTS Demimonde Book 1 by Ash Krafton
hall housing the Egyptian exhibitions, I immediately noted the change in the
atmosphere. The room was cool and dry, its climate controlled to mimic the conditions
in which the relics had existed in their native land.
had been designed to resemble an Old Kingdom temple. The main lights were
dimmed while strategically-placed spotlights emphasized massive columns and
magnificent wall carvings like sunbeams through temple windows.
room. No other tourists. Even better. I meandered, enjoying the rare
opportunity to linger.
I ran my gaze up each of the columns, reading the images, admiring the palm
leaves carved at the tops like great stone trees. Eyes toward the ceilings, I
turned slowly around, admiring the handiwork of the ancient artists.
to live in those lands and those times? Could an ancient version of my spirit
have been there, stepping barefoot and silently through a sandy temple like
this one?
contemplation, I was completely unprepared for the shock of smacking into
someone, bumping him hard enough to lose my balance. I’d have fallen had he not
caught my arm. Wide-eyed with consternation, I stammered an apology to the
handsome but serious-faced gentleman.
not hurt, I hope?” His voice, deep and smooth, sent shivers marching down
my neck, between my shoulders, down my spine.
okay.” I shook my head, too shy to make direct eye contact, wishing I’d
checked my hair and lipstick before coming in. “I’m far too adept at being
inept.”
grin and I caught a glimpse of nice white teeth. “Temples are places for
spiritual reflection. It is forgivable if your vision was turned inward, rather
than toward where you were walking.”
softened by amusement, he tilted his head toward the pillars. “Majestic,
aren’t they?”
glance at him—black hair smoothed back into a discreet tail, clear light skin
framed by long sideburns, strong jaw culminating in a square, cleft chin. Like
the other items in the museum, something about him made me want to look closer,
inspect each detail.
warmed my cheeks and ears so I quickly turned back to the heights of the
exhibition. Murmuring a sound of agreement, I circled the column, stepping a
few feet away so I could see both him and the stone. “Do you visit this
museum often?”
allowed me to take in more of his appearance a tiny section at a time. Clothing
dark as his hair. Long blazer, something in between a suit coat and an
overcoat. In one hand he carried a bound book and fountain pen, as if he’d been
making notes.
calm and steady and entirely on me. Taking a deep breath I permitted the
contact of the direct look. My boldness was well-rewarded. His Paul Newman lips
brought to mind the sculptured busts on display in the Greco-Roman Quarters and
he wore a stern expression that cast a veil of hardness upon his features,
enhancing the impression he’d been carved from marble.
eyes. The Roman busts bore eyes that were blank and white but this man’s eyes
were alive with bright green color. Like gemstones, they glittered and drew my
gaze.
actually,” he said. “My first time here. Although, I admit, I’m drawn
to places like this.” His voice made music of the words—deep bass notes
and soothing rhythm.
I said. “A man after my own heart.” His left eyebrow arched so
sharply I thought it might disappear into his hairline and I hurriedly
continued. “Are you a professor?”
nothing like that. I do studying of my own, it’s not a living. It’s more of a
hobby. Personal research, of sorts.”
past times is one of my pastimes. It’s my preferred form of
entertainment.”
Eyebrow cocked again, he cast a disapproving look at me and swept his hand
around the contrived temple. “Would the gods be pleased to know they are
reduced to the level of entertainment?”
so.” I kept my tone light. Considering the seriousness of his expression,
I didn’t want to accidentally insult him. “Otherwise, they’d have to be
content with staying dead, right?”
over me and I shivered again as if the touch had been tangible, a brush of
fingertips against my cheek.
leave you to your worship. I mean, your wanderings.” He gave me a
conspirator’s wink. “Unless…”
with a quiet clearing of throat as he tucked his notebook and pen into an
inside pocket. “You wouldn’t mind a companion? Sometimes one sees things
differently when seeing through another’s eyes. I would appreciate a new
perspective.”
over, listening to the rain spattering the windows and distant voices echoing
faintly from other rooms. Although I’d looked forward to a quiet afternoon, it
might be nice to spend it with someone who seemed to share my interests. He
certainly was attractive, and his pleasant voice intrigued me.
become used to living inside a shell. This man made me want to step outside for
once.
that.” I smiled at his pleased expression. “I’m Sophie, by the
way.” I stuck out my hand in introduction.
shaking my hand, he bent his head over it and pressed polite lips to the backs
of my fingers. The quaint gesture would have seemed strange and out of place
had we been elsewhere. “I am Marek. Pleased to make your
acquaintance.”
from the unexpected kiss, I fought the urge to curtsy. “Well, Marek. Lead
me into the past.”
sent a thrill down the back of my neck. “That’s exactly the sort of thing
I’d hoped you say. Shall we?”
heel and swept out a hand with a slight bow, indicating the archway to another
exhibit. For the first time since I’d been coming to this museum, I wondered
what I’d see on the other side, and was surprised to realize I wasn’t afraid to
find out.
Nightingale by Stephen Leather #review
Supernatural detective Jack Nightingale fights his battles in the shadows, in the grey areas where demons and monsters seek their prey.
In this collection of nine short stories, Nightingale matches wits against demons from Hell, monsters created by humans, and Satanists who have done their own private deals with the devil.
The stories are – Still Bleeding, Cursed, Blood Bath, I Know Who Did It, My Name Is Lydia, The Creeper, Children Of The Dark, Tracks, and The Undead.
PLUS – A free copy of DevilZone, a Jack Nightingale screenplay. The movie was never made, but the screenplay became the basis for the first Jack Nightingale novel, Nightfall.
PRAISE FOR THE JACK NIGHTINGALE SERIES
‘A wicked read’ Anthony Horowitz
‘Another great thriller from Stephen Leather but this time with a devilish twist!’ James Herbert
‘Written with panache, and a fine ear for dialogue, Leather manages the collision between the real and the occult with exceptional skill’ Daily Mail
‘A stunning masterclass in darkness from a ferocious talent who excels in putting the devil in the details’ Daily Record
Book Review – Nightingale: 9 Jack Nightingale Supernatural Short Stories
> This book contains 9 short stories in the Jack Nightingale series. Each of the stories in this collection standalone. Most include Jack’s assistant, Jenny. Jack is a private investigator who specializes in the paranormal. Jack doesn’t have any paranormal qualities, but happens to know people who can help him figure out what to do. I don’t really like the plot trick of having an answer person explain all and then figuring out the clues.
>The situation is described first, usually in a chapter long scene of incredible gore and violence. Jack is then called in to solve the mystery or stop the action somehow. The “Know all” characters, such as the Wicca store owner, then help Jack along. These stories all involved the Devil or a demon and were quite graphic and a bit disgusting. Jack even works for a satanist which is odd, as the satanist is portrayed as a good guy.
>This book gave the general feel of uneasiness and dread. The mysteries were too short to be exciting. The violence was too gory and grotesque to be anything but hard to read. Nothing about Jack made me care about him. There wasn’t any type or hint of romance, even though Jenny was in most of the stories. I am a reviewer for Romance Authors the Rock. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving the story 3 hearts.
>Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1974538928?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
>Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/review/RFLDXMXAF62B3/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B06XQFDTF3
A Palace Fractured by Carissa Broadbent #Review
A country torn in civil war, a new king challenged, and a rebellious young woman willing to risk everything to make her own destiny…
Rosira is a Valtain, a religious figure marked from birth by her albino skin and white hair. Rebellious and free spirited, she rails against her restricted life within the walls of the Church. To a Valtain, time is precious — their lives are short and sickly, and Rosira has no intention of spending the few years she has left stuck in prayer.
Now, the country of Ara is on the brink of a civil war. Determined, vivacious, and dark-haired, the young king Araich is everything his father wasn’t… and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Soon, unrest begins to bubble over, and Rosira finally sees a way to escape the prison of her role.
But violence escalates quickly, and war shows no mercy. Rosira and Araich are thrown together to fight for their country, their freedom, and their own survival. But the stakes climb even higher as they find themselves drawn to each other by more than just duty — and as they discover a power greater than they ever could have imagined.
Lichgates by S.M. Boyce #Review
The final page will leave you breathless.
When Kara Magari uncovers a secret door in the middle of the forest, she discovers (and trips through) a portal to a hidden world full of terrifying things: Ourea. She just wants to go home, but the natives have other plans for her. She clashes with immortal shapeshifters, is carried off by a dragon, nearly dies on several occasions, and somehow becomes the master of an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire. Every time she thinks she’s safe, her new “friends” show their true colors.
Kara needs an ally, or she might not survive Ourea’s monsters. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn’t know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.
For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this stranded girl, there’s something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.
Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.
I give this book 4 hearts
Legacy by Teresa Roman #Review
All Jordana wants is to be like her friends instead of her shapeshifter mother who died when she was a kid. So when a stranger claiming to be a scientist offers her a “cure,” she jumps in with no questions.
Christian, a shapeshifter who’s mysteriously shown up at school to befriend her, is furious when he learns that Jordana is rejecting her kind. He doesn’t trust the scientist, either, but all he can do is watch helplessly as the stubborn girl he’s fallen for gets sicker and sicker.
When Jordana finally realizes she is slowly being poisoned, she confronts the man who deceived her. He’s not the scientist he claimed to be, but a powerful warlock. An antidote in his possession can save Jordana’s life, but can she or Christian outwit the warlock in time?
This book is a standalone young adult paranormal romance with an HEA. Jordana is a shifter forced to deny her shifting side to please her human father and mean stepmother. In high school she meets new boy, Christian. Christian reveals he is a shifter too. Due to Jordana’s upbringing, she is afraid of all things shifter.
>Jordana seems like a strong young lady. She is surviving in a bad situation at home. She is learning to hide her true self, while doing good at school. She has friends and a popular boyfriend. What I didn’t understand is how she kept rationalizing the behavior of her boyfriend. He kept pressuring her to have sex and treated other students poorly.
>Christian tried to enlighten Jordana about her boyfriend, but Jordana is stubborn and will not admit there could be a problem to Christian. Why can’t she admit there is a problem to herself though? While the high school life is the main setting, danger comes to Jordana. The alpha side to Christian comes out while he and Jordana are in captivity. The book really took off once the danger was so real.
>The ending of the book is an HEA, but the whole scene of Christian and Jordana facing their classmates and especially Jordana’s ex, especially since he doesn’t know he even is an ex yet, is missing. This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving the book 4 hearts. I am a reviewer for Romance Authors the Rock.
>Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1963186574?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
>Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/review/RZCLE7UDNEYZ7/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01NAUDQ89
Alpha Wolf Defender by Emilia Hartley #Review
This is my first Emilia Hartley read. I really enjoyed the story. It’s short and sweet.
Connor and Tess are the children of rival wolf pack Alpha’s. They shouldn’t be seeing one another let alone be in love. But, they are. One night when they sneak off to be with each other. Tess hears bears attacking Connors truck. When she gets there she finds her brother has snuck out with them and is under attack from two bear shifters. Connor hears the commotion and saves them. Upon his returning home, he finds his compound has been attacked by the bear shifters and is in chaos.
This is the beginning of an all-out war. Can Connor and Tess bring together their stubborn Alpha Father’s because they know the only way to not only defend the packs but defeat the enemy bear shifters is to unite?
Ms. Hartley’s writing is forward moving and will keep you involved and turning pages. Her characters are strong and likable. (event the stubborn old men that are their fathers). If you are in the market for a quick paranormal romance with some action – I recommend this one. It is a series but not a huge cliffhanger of an ending.
The Glooming by John Triptych #Review
The end of the world is finally here. And it will be nothing like what you’d expect.
All over the earth, strange and horrific events begin to unfold. A US combat team in Iraq comes under attack from mystical forces, an anthropology professor has an eerie encounter at Stonehenge, a runaway teen finds a very strange pet in Arizona, a young orphan in Siberia meets a terrifying old woman, and a pair of NYPD detectives discovers the ghastly doings of a supernatural cult.
A large and diverse group of characters struggle to survive as civilization begins to collapse all around them. As each one realizes their true potential, every one of them must go through a personal, danger-filled journey in order to turn back the sweeping tide of chaos and destruction that threatens the entire world as we know it. Many will die, others will be corrupted, and the remaining few will be the humanity’s only hope.
For the old gods have returned to cleanse the earth, and their revenge will be swift and merciless.
The Vampire and the Paramedic by Jamie Davis #Review
Creatures of myth and legend secretly live among us. Even so Vampire James Lee never thought he would need to call a paramedic. When his werewolf right-hand man Rudy is nearly killed in a car accident, his life and his secret are saved by young paramedic Brynne Garvey.
Now, as James helps Brynne learn more about her patients in his Unusual parallel world, he realizes his desire. Even after sixteen centuries, James discovers there is more in life and love to experience than he has ever felt before.
“The Vampire and the Paramedic” is the prequel to the paranormal medical fantasy series “Extreme Medical Services.” If you’re looking for an exceptional twist on the typical vampire romance storyline, then you’ll love this wonderful, fun, and wild ambulance ride from real-life paramedic Jamie Davis.
Dive into this perilous world with Brynne and James-get your free copy of this captivating novel today
Read more about James, Brynne, and newbie paramedic Dean Flynn in “Extreme Medical Services, Book 1” available now wherever you buy ebooks or on Kindle and as a physical book at Amazon.com.
Reviewed by HR Duby for Romance Authors that Rock
Heart of the Dead by Gabriel Beyers #review
Jerusa Phoenix never thought she would experience anything more shocking than being able to see ghosts. Then she met Silvanus. The young man with unearthly eyes, who seems to be able to read her thoughts, is handsome, powerful, and she is sure of one thing: he isn’t human.
But Silvanus isn’t the only mysterious creature to come to town.
Jerusa, ignoring the warnings of her ghost companion, Alicia, finds herself face to face with a group of vampires. Silvanus tries to save Jerusa, but she is wounded in the battle. Silvanus kills one of the vampires, but to all their horror, he rises again to become something far worse . . . a mindless flesh-eater known as a savage.
Jerusa is transformed into a vampire to save her life. Silvanus is poisoned by savage blood and when he vanishes before their eyes, Jerusa realizes something else. Silvanus isn’t a vampire, either.
Jerusa, along with the ghost Alicia, must join with the other blood-drinkers to hunt down and destroy the savage before he can make other savages, proving that she is worthy to be a vampire. As she embarks on this dangerous mission, she can’t help thinking of Silvanus. Where is he? Who is he? What is he?
This story started off a bit slow so it takes a couple chapters to really get into it but when it picks up your hooked. It’s an amazing twist on vampires and ghosts. I loved the connections with the characters the author created to really make you fall in love with the storyline and keep you invested. There were some spelling errors but it didn’t take from the story at all. Based on content I rate this book YA to mature. Being a reviewer for Romance Author’s That Rock I am giving this book 4.5 Hearts.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R58EL2VA50CIC/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
Runes by Ednah Walters #Review
disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of
her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St.
James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way
of reading her.
until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is
different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine.
Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not
sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What
Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part
of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a
side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.
This book is the first in the Runes series and ends in a cliffhanger. The story revolves around Raine and her friends Cora and Eirick. Eirick is a one-time neighbor and relatively new boyfriend. The event that starts to change fate for these three is the arrival of the new neighbor, Torin. Torin is portrayed as a typical bad boy with a motorcycle and all. Raine and Eirick start to date, yet Raine feels a strong physical pull toward Torin.
>A lot of unexplained things happen to Raine, most of them bad. The swim team, especially seem to be a magnet for bad luck. Raine suddenly starts to see markings on different objects, including people. She also sees people that no one else can remember or see. Raine is a very strong young lady. She has a deep capability for emotion. She isn’t able to put two and two together very quickly, causing a lot of issues between her and Torin.
>Eirick is the character I feel the worst for. He is a really sweet guy. He is always there for Raine and even puts up with her friend, Cora, even though they do not get along that well. To see Raine stringing Eirick along while falling in love with Torin is heartbreaking. The action is fast moving and the danger is always around keeping the reader at the edge of their seat.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock. This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving the book 5 hearts. The romance was hot, even as it was very innocent. The suspense was thrilling. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
>Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1951422683?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
>Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/review/RYR6F6QQ5P0GJ/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00CP4YKTG
four different series–her Norse-mythology-based bestselling YA
Paranormal romance series, RUNES(YA-Paranormal Romance) and Nephilim
THE GUARDIAN LEGACY-(YA fantasy romance).
Family series started with SLOW BURN. There are six books in this
series. Her new USA Today bestselling series, INFINITUS BILLIONAIRES.
Impulse (book 1) was published in January 2015. Indulge (Aug 4th).
brriske
eclipse0926
mindygrindstaff
pratr.wordpress.com 