Category: Self published

New Blood (Thoroughbred Breeders: Book 1) by Christine Meunier

New Blood (Thoroughbred Breeders, #1)

Title: New Blood

Author: Christine Meunier

Publisher: Self-published

Date of publication: November 22nd, 2016

Genre: Romance, Christian, Young Adult

Number of pages: 103

POV: 3rd person

Series: Thoroughbred Breeders

New Blood – Book 1

No Hoof, No Horse – Book 2

Recessive – Book 3

Where you can find  this book: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Savannah Reynier is doing exactly what she wants in life. After finishing a horse breeding course she has landed a job and been working on a thoroughbred stud for the past year.

Her days are made up of looking after mares and foals, witnessing births and helping to breed horses. Plus, one day a week she holds horses for the farrier men who come to trim the horses’ feet.

Savannah has sworn she won’t date farriers – not ever again. Not after Jackson.

So what is she to do about the new apprentice in town? With an attractive frame, gorgeous smile and green eyes Savannah knows she’s already in trouble. Add a clever mind to the mix and she knows she needs to stick to her resolve. But looking never hurt anyone, right?

My review:

What a cute book and a great beginning to series. I have been fascinated (scratch that, obsessed) with Thoroughbred horses since I was about 8 or 9 years old and I was first introduced to Walter’s Farley’s the Black Stallion series. I devoured those books and I believe that I had the entire series. Unfortunately, my mother tossed them when I moved out, and I still feel the loss of those books. So when Christine approached me to review this book, I jumped on it.

I thought Savannah was cute but also felt that she was missing something when reading her. While I definitely connected with her, I felt that something was missing. She almost felt a little flat to me. There were no real emotions that came from her. Everything was on an even keel. I mean, even when the mare was having a difficult labor and she, with the help of the new farrier, helped the mare deliver the foal, I didn’t get a real sense of joy from her. Like I said, flat. I couldn’t even get a good reading if she was interested in Craig, other than her stomach flip-flopping back and forth when she saw him

I also liked that while this is a Christian romance, religion wasn’t pushed down your throat. It was mentioned and just left at that, a mention. The only time that it even came up was when the new foal that Savannah delivered needed to be named and Craig suggested Twenty Three. For the Twenty-Third Psalm.

I do have a couple of questions that will probably be answered in the next books. Like, who was Jackson? I know he was a farrier but what on earth did he do to Savannah. Where was Savannah from? I get the feeling since Creole was mentioned, that she is from the States but it really wasn’t gotten into.

Other than my minor complaints,  I did enjoy reading the book. The end of the book was not a cliffhanger but it did leave room for book 2.

How many stars will I give New Blood: 3.5 (rounded up to 4 for Goodreads/Amazon)

Why: I enjoyed reading this book but I did have some issues with Savannah being flat. I also have some questions that were not answered in this book (see above). Other than that, this was a great read and I enjoyed reading about life on a horse ranch. This is a book that I would feel comfortable having my 11-year-old read…even though it is not in middle-grade categories.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Tween

Why: Very clean book. No swearing, no sex, no violence. There is a Christian element but it is not pushed down your throat. Like I said above, a book I would be comfortable having my tween read.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

Set in Stone (Legend: Book 1) by Kylie C. Stewart

Set in Stone (Legend, #1)

Title: Set in Stone

Author: Kylie C. Stewart

Publisher: TCK Publishing

Date of publication: April 23rd, 2016 (republished February 19th, 2017)

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

Number of pages: 284

POV: Alternating 1st person

Series: Legend

Set In Stone – Book 1

The Duke’s Curse – Book 2 (expected date of publication: March 20th)

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis (via Goodreads):

When Alexandria York fatefully met the Duke of Avalon in the woods she never imagined she’d be working for him. A rising star of the art scene in London, Alexandria agrees to commission a piece for the infamous noble. His intentions quickly become confusing as chemistry grows between the two.
As she dreams of the man she can’t have, the one she can lure her deeper into his lair. Will the man she once loved be her Knight in shining armor and slay the Dragon? Or will the Dragon consume her before it’s too late?

In this life, his heart was the stone and her love was the sword…

The Duke of Avalon has lived a long and lonely life. He has chased his love through the centuries and every time she has jilted him, but not this time. Tormented by inner demons, Avalon seeks to keep his secret safe while vowing to win Alexandria York. When his former charge, Lancer Rivers comes back into both their lives, he finds him more than one challenger for her hand. Can he protect Alexandria not only from the man after her very life but also himself?

Kylie C. Stewart joins the myth of King Arthur and his Knights of the ‘Round to modern-day. Join Avalon and Alexandria on an adventure full of magic, adventure, and romance. For once is in the past, and the future is now.

My review:

Set in Stone is a newer, darker take on King Arthur. Told from Arthur/Avalon’s point of view and Alexandria point of view, you are taken on a dark journey with a man who has nothing to lose and woman who has the ability to bring him to his knees and possibly destroy him if she chooses wrong.

When Kylie approached me to review Set In Stone, I did an internal “Squeee” of delight. I am a sucker for anything about Camelot/King Arthur/Knights of the Round Table. Seriously, if I see a book that even mentions it’s about that, I snatch it right up and devour it. Which was the same with this book. And I have to say, this was a great and different take on the King Arthur myth.

I wasn’t expecting Arthur/Avalon to be a dark as he was. He came across as a man who would do anything to keep his love this time around. Anything and that included making a move on her and claim her as his own. He was so passionate when he was alone, with M or with Alexandria in her dreams. But when he was with Alexandria in real life, he was so cold….so possessive. It actually confused me at times and made me wonder why? But then I remembered the triangle of Guinevere/Lancelot/Arthur and a light bulb went off over my head. He was jealous and afraid of getting hurt.

Alexandria kinda rubbed me the wrong way at first. She gave such mixed signals about Arthur/Avalon that even I was confused. I mean, she created a statue of him (Legend) after first meeting him but they proceeded to try and put him in the friend zone when he told her that he was starting to have feelings for her. She was also hung up on a guy that seemed to move on and it drove me nuts. I did feel for her when Arthur started getting all possessive. I mean, she had no clue.

Mordred and Morgan Le Fey were mentioned a bit in the book. I figure out what her agenda was other than to drive Arthur/Avalon nuts and Mordred was only mentioned a couple of times. I can’t wait to see how they come into play in the next book.

Merlin was mentioned in the book and I wish that there was more of him. He was so wise and had such great council for Arthur/Avalon. Again, I hope he is in Book 2 more.

The end of the book was great. No twists or anything but I did like how certain events came to pan out!!

How many stars will I give Set in Stone: 4

Why: Like I said above, I love the King Arthur myth and I enjoyed this story. The story was fast paced and I was totally engrossed in the story. I couldn’t read it fast enough.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Language, some violence, and sex

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

Evening’s Land by Pauline West

Evening's Land

Title: Evening’s Land

Author: Pauline West

Publisher: Self Published

Date of publication: February 20th, 2017

Genre: Gothic, Romance, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Fantasy

POV: 1st person and 3rd person

Number of pages: 376

Series: No

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

The dark elegance of Anne Rice’s THE WITCHING HOUR meets the lush parallel worlds of Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN series.

Reeling after her best friend’s suicide, Ada Walker falls under the spell of the collective subconscious, the EVENING’S LAND, searching for Faye’s soul with a rakishly hypnotic ghost named Christopher.

Richly preternatural and spine-tinglingly erotic, EVENING’S LAND is an exploration of love, loss, and loyalty that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.

My review:

This review is going to be so very hard to write. Not because the book was good, it was very good, it is because I am going to have a hard time not giving away some major that happens in the book. So I am very carefully editing what I am writing here (I have already deleted 3 starting paragraphs but will be keeping this one).

I think the author did a great job highlighting what happens after someone commits suicide. What happens to the people who are left and how it strains relationships/friendships. I really wanted to hug Ada because of that trauma. No one should find their best friend dead.

I also wanted to hug Faye. She had a crappy home life. A father who seemed to disdain her and a mother who went along with it. The whole hiking trip in the cave nailed that for me and showed me why Faye took the risks she did and why she basically clung to Ada. I think that’s why she broke when she was raped.

Not that Ada had it any better. Her mother slept around, her father was an enabler and Ada started cutting as a direct result of that. So, when she found Faye, it pushed her over the edge. I think her parents did the right thing by moving her across the country so she could heal. Too bad that they couldn’t fix their own issues.

I think if I fell into the Land like Ada did, I would have done the same thing. I would try to find Faye’s soul and try to pull her out of her Purgatory. And I think I would have been as surprised as Ada was if I met a boy in the Land and I would have been even more surprised when he appeared in my bedroom and started to seduce me.

Speaking of Christopher, I was so wrong about him. So wrong and I got so mad at myself for being wrong. I really wish that he didn’t do what he did because it really pole-axed me and definitely changed the story. Want to know what it was??? Read the book, you won’t be disappointed.

The Oliver Roamery storyline was truly scary. I got goosebumps when he appeared in the story. He is one of the most genuinely creepy characters written. Evil just poured off of the pages when he appeared.

When all 3 storylines (plus the secondary storyline with Mary and Jupiter) meet, it is explosive. Again, read the book if you want to find out how/why it was explosive.

This book was told in 1st and 3rd person but the author did a great job of distinguishing not only who was speaking but what time frame. The whole first half of the book was basically flashbacks starting 3 years previously and alternating between Ada and Faye. Once Faye commits suicide, no more flashbacks, obviously but then the author switches to 3rd person to start the Oliver Roamery storyline.

This book is erotic but I liked that the author chose not to go into the details of when people were having sex. Just flashes of memory, which actually conveyed more than a whole paragraph would. The only time she got wordy was when Ada and Christopher were making out/Mary and Oliver (belch).

The end of the book wasn’t what I expected, at all. I am still shaking my head over it.

How many stars will I give Evening’s Land: 5

Why: This is the first Gothic fantasy that I have read and I have to say, I loved it. The author has an almost lyric style of writing and she keeps you very engaged throughout the book. The story and sub-storylines were brought together with a bang and the book ended with a bang.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes but with a warning about the suicide scene and the rape scene

Age range: Adult

Why: Language, Sex (forced and consensual) and mild violence

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Suri Five by Jacob Whaler

Suri Five

Title: Suri Five

Author: Jacob Whaler

Publisher: Self-published

Date of publication: December 29th, 2016

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Dystopian

Number of pages: 310

POV: 1st person

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

A monster lurks inside Suri.
Consumed with grief and rage at the death of her mother, Suri channels her anger into a mysterious virtual reality war zone called the Game where she quickly rises to the top. A covert government unit is watching. Using a deep copy of Suri’s brain, they build Five, the ultimate artificial intelligence.
As the digital embodiment of the monster inside Suri, Five is the perfect weapon for the cyberwar with China. But when Five is unleashed online, she slips off her chains, turns against her creators and, with all of Suri’s rage boiling inside, vows to annihilate humankind.
Only Suri can stop Five.
But will she?

My review:

Suri Five is a fast-paced cyberpunk/dystopian/science fiction book about what happens when the government creates an AI who becomes self-aware and starts to wreak havoc on the world. Their only hope is the rage-filled teenager whose brain they illegally copied to make the AI.

**********************************

I am going to start by saying this had to have been one of the best cyberpunk/dystopian books that I have read to date. The book sucks you in and then takes you on a wild ride following Suri. Then it spits you out and makes you think about what you just read. Because fighting wars digitally and with AI’s are definitely in our future. As well as a world that totally relies on the Internet (known as the Mesh) for everything. If you think about it, its scary and that is what made this book so good.

I thought that the class separation (just rich and poor with no middle class) is spot on also. The middle class is quickly disappearing and unfortunately, this is something that I can see happening. And the wall, don’t even get me started on that.

What also makes this book good is that Suri is a totally unlikable character. She is a self-admitted bully with severe anger issues that started when she was 8 and her mother died of a brain tumor. The only time she was nice was when her younger brother, Tommy. Then she acted like a normal human being who wasn’t consumed by anger. To be honest, that was the only saving grace that she had in my eyes because I couldn’t stand her. I actually said out loud, and my SO just gave me this look when I said it, “Girl, you need therapy and meds”.

I liked Richard (or Dick as Suri decided to call him) a lot but I did think he was a fool to keep coming back and trying to warn Suri about The Game. She even got him expelled from school by hacking into the school’s system after he dared to try to talk to her during school. I don’t think he liked her that much but I do think that he felt that he needed to warn her about Blodgett. I mean, he was always there to save her. At one point in the book, I thought that there was going to be a romance blossoming and I was so thankful that nothing happened from it. To be honest, romance wouldn’t have fit into this book.

Blodgett was so slimy in this book. He did things so underhand, like get a copy of Suri’s brain under the guise that she had the same type of brain tumor that her mother did. What an awful, underhand thing to do to people. And all the training in The Game that he did had a double purpose too. I felt so dirty after reading the scenes with him in it that I wanted to take a shower.

Suri Five, I kinda felt bad for but at the same time, I was chilled by what I read. I mean, she didn’t ask to be brought to life,  she didn’t ask to be an exact copy of Suri and have her rage issues and she definitely didn’t ask to be a weapon of war. But however, she was self-aware and once she turned off her fail-safe, she could have made the choice to not do what she did. Instead, she turned into what Suri couldn’t be in real life, a mass murderer.

Oh and I do have to mention her name. Her same is actually Suri V. Take a good long look at it. So fitting for the book!!!

There is a huge plot twist that actually broke my heart. I did not see it coming and when it happened, I cried. It literally broke my heart. I couldn’t understand why it had to be that person but at the same time, I understood….if that makes sense.

The end of the book was actually pretty sad too. The last words of the book wrenched my heart. Arrgggh.

How many stars will I give Suri Five: 5

Why: I really enjoyed reading Suri Five. Like I stated above, it is a very fast-paced book with scenarios that could actually happen….given time. After I finished reading it, I had to stop and think about it.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Older teen

Why: Violence and some mild language.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

Entangled( Ages of Invention: Book 1) by S. B. K. Burns

Entangled (Ages of Invention Book 1) by [Burns, S.B.K.]

Title: Entangled

Author: S. B. K. Burns

Publisher: Self-published

Date of publication: December 6th, 2016

Genre: Paranormal, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Romance, Steampunk, Women’s Fiction

POV: 3rd person

Number of pages: 277

Series: Ages of Invention

Entangled – Book 1

Can be read out-of-order from series: Yes, the first book in series

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

She’s Hume’n, a member of the lower class, with one chance to change her life… In an alternate, twenty-first century Boston, Dawn Jamison is a hair’s breadth away from earning her doctorate—a degree that would allow her entrance into the upper class, to become the unemotional and self-disciplined Cartesian she is now only pretending to be. To reach her goal, all Dawn must do is overcome her forbidden attraction to the Olympic-class weightlifter Taylor Stephenson who’s just crashed her lectures on past life regression. She must also teach her group of misfit students how to travel back into their past lives—and, oh, of course, figure out how to save the great scientists of the early eighteenth century before they’re inextricably caught up in a time loop.

He’s Cartesian, a member of the upper class, and supposed to know better… Coerced by his politically powerful, wheelchair-bound brother into spying on Dawn’s past-life regression classes, Taylor knows better than to give in to his desire to claim Dawn as his own. But his past-life entity, eighteenth-century Colin, has no such inhibitions. When Taylor and Dawn meet up in Scotland in the 1700s, all the discipline he’s forced on his twenty-first-century self disintegrates in the past, leaving only his overwhelming lust for Dawn’s past-life double, Lily. Unable to escape their sexually obsessive past, Dawn and Taylor find themselves in a race against the clock at the epicenter of a world-altering time quake of their own making.

My review:

Entangled is a fast-paced science fiction/steampunk romance. Told in 3rd person, the reader gets to follow Dawn Jamison, a bright young woman, in the lower class caste called the Hume’n, who is on the verge of getting her doctorate degree. By getting that degree, Dawn will be allowed into the upper class, a caste called the Cartesian. Her mentor is a brilliant scientist, Richard Stephenson, who is suspicious of her caste and asks his brother, Taylor, to spy on her. Taylor, an Olympic athlete who is questioning if he really is a Cartesian, agrees….only find out that he is immensely attracted to Dawn.

But Taylor is hiding his own secret….from Dawn and his brother. See, Taylor is able to travel back in time through lucid dreaming and he always ends up in the body of Colin, a brilliant young mathematician in the 1700’s. What he doesn’t know is that Dawn is able to go back in time too and she is Lily, a young female alchemist (aka scientist) and that both he/Colin and Dawn/Lily are going to be caught up in a time vortex brought on by their time traveling….as well as other factors.

***********************************

I really enjoyed reading Entangled. It is the type of book that is slow going, and it was for the first two chapters, but once it gets going, it really captures your attention and imagination. I mean, this world is separated into two castes….the Humens and the Cartesians. The Humens are considered a lower caste, the poor, and they make their life decisions on what can be derived through their senses and emotions and not just their rational minds. Because of their beliefs, the Humens are not allowed to get advanced degrees in anything. Meanwhile, the Cartesians believe that rational thinking and stoic detachment is the only way to get ahead in life and for the most part, they are successful. They are the upper class, the higher caste.

Dawn was one of my favorite characters. She was dedicated to keeping her Cartesian disguise so she could get an advanced degree, something that Humens are not allowed to do. She is a devoted sister to her twin brother, Max and a devoted friend to Naomi, a brilliant young hacker. She also is an expert on past lives and has been chosen to teach a class about them to a bunch of students who are on the verge of failing out but what Naomi is convinced is a think tank of some sort.

Taylor, I was kinda “eh” on at first. I don’t know why I was “eh” on him but I was. It wasn’t until the scenes with his brother that I started liking him and then when he got involved with Dawn, that I really started liking him. I also like that he questioned if the caste he was born into was really for him. I mean, he was an Olympic athlete but he was questioning why he didn’t like looking at himself flexing in the mirror.

The time travel scenes were very interesting in the fact that they took over the body of the person they were supposed to be. Like Dawn was Lily, an alchemist (aka scientist) who really liked the guys and was a witch and Taylor was Colin, who was a brilliant mathematician and who had the hots for Lily. But as soon as they started interacting with other people, the timeline got screwed up…badly. To the point where certain events in history never happened and were replaced with other events….if that makes sense.

The sex scenes between Dawn and Taylor were very steamy. Of course, the first sex scene between them was a little awkward and that was only because they were in Lily and Colin’s body. The second time was the same thing except they were at Taylor’s house and they ended up breaking the sexual curse by having sex and achieving orgasm. Every time after that, though, was very hot and very steamy.

What I really liked, though, was that girl power prevailed throughout the entire book. When one of the secondary storylines went haywire (the Q computer and that’s all I am saying about it), it was Naomi and Rasana, a preteen form Dawn’s class that she was teaching, that made it right. I also like the different spin on the witch burnings and how they were “saved”. (read the book).

The storylines were all merged and ended by the end of the book. They were all pretty much ended on a good note. What I did like was that the author left the book open for book 2.

How many stars will I give Entangled: 4

Why: What I liked the most about this book was the time travel and the steampunk elements in it. The romance was pretty good too.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Explicit sex and some mild violence

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

A Cunning Plan (Sloane Harper: Book 1) by Astrid Arditi

A Cunning Plan (Sloane Harper Book 1)

Title: A Cunning Plan

Author: Astrid Arditi

Publisher: Self Published

Date of publication: November 11th, 2016

Genre: Romance, Mystery, Thriller

Number of pages: 378

POV: 1st person

Series: Sloane Harper

A Cunning Plan – Book 1

Can be read out-of-order from series: Yes, 1st book

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

The First Sloane Harper Novel
Determined to put her family back together, Sloane Harper stalks her ex-husband and his annoyingly stunning mistress, Kate Stappleton. But she’s not the only one. Handsome IRS agent Ethan Cunning is surveying Kate too, but for entirely different reasons. He is attempting to nail Kate’s playboy boss. Ethan and Sloane decide to help each other, which sends Sloane’s wobbly life spinning out of control. She’ll have to face danger, humiliation, and – scariest of all – the dating scene, to lure her daughters’ father home. Losing control was the best thing to happen to Sloane…until it turned lethal.

My review:

I am going to come straight out and admit this, I didn’t think I would like A Cunning Plan by what I read in the synopsis <hangs head>. What I didn’t expect was the humor that was in the book. I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did.

I actually felt very bad for Sloane in the first few chapters of the book. She was blindsided by her divorce and refused to accept it. She had the mindset that her divorce was only temporary and that her husband will eventually come back and remarry her. I actually wanted to hug her during that part of the book. It was so sad to read. But, once Ethan began his campaign to get her to do his dirty work (get into for Gabriel Varela) for him, the book took off.

Tom, Sloane’s ex, was a huge jerk and I really wanted to punch him. He knew that Sloane wanted him back and he kept stringing her along. To be honest, I couldn’t stand how he treated her. Like she was beneath him. Always laughing at her when she would trip or make a mistake. When Sloane decided to start living her life instead of waiting for him, in other words…dating, he freaked out. Hardcore freaked out. I think I said out loud during that point of the book “Can’t have your cake and eat it to sweetpea”.

Ethan Cunning, oh where do I begin with him. I had a love/hate relationship with him, like Sloane. He kinda did creep me out with all the stalking he did. I mean, he showed up everywhere Sloane was and it was freaky. But, in a way, Sloane was getting hers for stalking Tom’s mistress/new girlfriend. I also didn’t like how he could change in a minute. When he called Sloane desperate (all because he was jealous of her dating Gabriel), I wanted to reach through the book and smack him. Hard.

I loved the friendship that Sloane had with Claudia. It was one of the most honest ones in the book and oh boy, did Claudia not hold back. She was brutally honest and did not hold back of her dislike for Tom (which made me love her even more). She truly had Sloane’s best interests at heart and she was truly a best friend to Sloane.

The relationship Sloane had with her mother, Bizzy, was very complicated. To be honest, I did think was very selfish in taking advantage of her mother for 6 months but then again, I didn’t think it was selfish. Bizzy was not a great mother….always putting Sloane down, buddying up to Tom and harping on Claudia. Plus, she was always drinking her “lemonade” and was always half lit. The whole day after a binge with Claudia was hilarious.

What I liked the most about this book was that Sloane cherished her children and Tom was a great father, even if he was a jerk in every other area of his life. They made a united front to co-parent as peacefully as possible for Rose and Poppy. I will say that the highlight of this book was the horse/whore conversation and its after-effects. I couldn’t breathe, I was laughing so hard.

The storylines of A Cunning Plan were great. I couldn’t decide if I was Team Ethan or Team Gabriel for most of the book but I can tell you that I was most definitely not Team Tom. I do like that Sloane’s super secret spy mission did get results, even if it did go a little haywire (well, a lot haywire). I do have some questions that needed to be answered (what about Alina and Sloane’s friendship? Will it survive what happened?) but I am sure that it will be answered in the next book.

How many stars will I give A Cunning Plan: 4

Why: A very fast paced mystery that kept you guessing. Also a great look into how a woman blindsided by her divorce got her life and self-worth back.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Language and violence

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

Curse Breaker: Enchanted (Curse Breaker Saga: Book 1) by Melinda Kucsera

Curse Breaker: Enchanted: [The More Epic Version] by [Kucsera, Melinda]

Title: Curse Breaker: Enchanted

Author: Melinda Kucsera

Publisher: Self-published

Date of publication: September 27th, 2016

Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 565

Series: Curse Breaker Saga

Curse Breaker: Enchanted – Book 1

Stars and Angel’s Sing – Novella

Standalone – First book, so yes

Where you can find this book – Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

Secrets threaten, but magic kills.
Plagued by sanity-twisting magic, Sarn must unravel a deadly mystery. But he’s prevented at every turn because his life is not his own. Haunted by one of the victims, Sarn must find out what happened before the ghost drives him mad. As plans collide beneath ensorcelled boughs, one thing is certain. If Sarn can’t get his magic under control, he’ll never discover why enchanted trees committed murder. How far is he willing to go to find the answer? The search might cost more than his sanity. Exposing the truth might claim his life and destroy the secrecy protecting his son from a killer. Something lurks in the enchanted forest and its sights are set on Sarn and the magic in his blood. First, in a new series, Curse Breaker: Enchanted is a fast-paced, character-driven fantasy tale with a murderous twist. Sarn’s story unfolds over three action-packed days in his double life leading to a breathtaking finale.

My review:

Curse Breaker: Enchanted starts off Sarn hurrying through a crowded tunnel in the mountain fortress in which he lived. He was going to be late to his job and was cutting through an area that indentured servants were not allowed access. Indentured meaning slave. In this world, debts didn’t go away when parents died. Their children inherited them and if they couldn’t afford to pay them, then they became indentured servants until the debt is paid off.

Sarn, though, is a different case. To get his brother a chance to get out of the mountain fortress, he indentured himself to a very influential politician for 4 years. The time that it would take his brother to complete his classes and get into a university. The politician greed. In a few months, his brother will be graduating and Sarn will be a free man, he hopes.

See, Sarn is also something else. He is a mage and his magic manifests through his eyes. So they glow a luminous green. He has kept his magic a secret from everyone but his masters’, owner and his family. So, as he is hurrying through the crowd, he is doing so with his eyes shut and using a map that is generated by his magic in his head.

He eventually decides to take a turn and ends up on a balcony….where he senses that someone died in the enchanted forest. His magic wants out but after a struggle, Sarn is able to push it back down. Sarn decides that if he wants to meet with his masters on time, that he needs to jump off the balcony to the balcony below.

There, he is met by Gregori. Gregori is part of the Rangers….who Sarn works for as part of his indentured servant deal. He is blindfolded and brought back to the Ranger stronghold.  Before they get there, they are met by Nolo, one of Sarn’s masters and they make haste to the enchanted forest. Once at the enchanted forest, he passed through the barrier that was erected and was taken by one of the trees that patrolled the forest. He was taken to a murder site….where the ghost of a child attached itself to him. He is upset to find out that the trees allowed the murder of a child inside its woods. He also keeps hearing the phrase eam’meye erator and seeing symbols flash across his eyes. Symbols that he has no idea what they mean.

He is met by Nolo at the murder site and Nolo is shaken to see how much Sarn is affected by seeing a dead child. He thought that it is because of something that happened in Sarn’s past. See, Sarn was found half-frozen in a snow bank with his younger brother 6 years earlier. He was sent to work in the mines, with his brother, and was caught in a cave-in. Only he and his brother were saved…..because of his eyes. Sarn was sent to live in an orphanage, where he was severely abused by the Headmaster. He ran away, with Miren, his brother, time and time again to the Rangers and he was returned 5 times. The last time, though, the Headmaster was caught and a severely injured Sarn was nursed back to health. After the execution of the Headmaster, he indentured himself to the politician and the rest was history. It was Nolo who would send Sarn back and it was Nolo who finally discovered the abuse. Nolo feels extremely guilty over what happened, as do the Rangers who had seen what happened.

So when Sarn starts breaking down in the forest, Nolo starts to go to him. But, as he does that, the Queen of All Trees shows up. She takes a hold of Sarn and starts to read his mind. She is upset because Nolo (who she refers to as the Painted Man) hasn’t healed Sarn and he was still broken on the inside. If he isn’t fixed, his magic will expand and kill him. She refers to Sarn as the Child of Magic. While trying to bind him to her, she finds that he is tied to the mountain. Looking through his memories, she finds out something that surprises her. Sarn has a son. The child of a loophole, who shouldn’t statistically be alive and who will be watched closely as he grew into his magic. Troubled by what she has seen and by two deaths that she must prevent (if Sarn died before his son turned seven, then his son would die with him), she released Sarn and goes on her way.

What will happen to Sarn and his son? Will Sarn come to terms with his past? Will he figure out why the ghost child was killed in the forest and why the trees killed his murderers? Will he gain control of his magic? Will he learn to trust anyone outside of his brother and son?

This is just a taste of what this book has to offer. If you want to learn more….read the book!!!

****************************************

I really, really liked this book but it did take me a long time to get into it. The book starts off very slow and stays slow until about 50% of the book. But after that, the book picked up the pace. Now, I am not saying that I didn’t like that the book was slow in the beginning. Just the opposite, I loved it. The character and world building were phenomenal. The glimpses you got into Sarn’s past, but not by him…by others who were involved, was heartbreaking.

I did like Sarn. He is doing the best to raise his son and his brother by himself. He believes that he couldn’t go to the Rangers for help because they would separate him from his son…..because he thinks that they consider him mentally deficient. He does have a chip on his shoulder but if you were abused and kept running to people who you thought would help and they kept returning you to your abuser…..wouldn’t you have a huge chip too. Plus, he has his best friend, Shade, to deal with. Shade, who once protected him, has turned to drugs and is no longer reliable as a friend. Which pains Sarn to no end.

Of all the Ranger’s, I could not stand Gregori and I was so happy when his wife laid him out. Gregori had tests that he put Sarn through. All consisted of Gregori kidnapping Sarn, dropping him in a remote area and seeing if he came back. When I read that, I was like “WTH”???

I loved the Queen of All Trees. She was such a huge presence in this book and so feared by everyone….including Sarn. But she was creepy too. I mean, she was a huge walking tree that just showed up places and would call to Sarn to try to get him to come out to the enchanted forest. But, she also held a piece to the mystery of the ghost child….so I can see why she was trying to get Sarn to go out there. Still, creeped me out a little.

The end of the book was great and most of the storylines were wrapped up in very satisfying ways. The author did a great job setting up for book 2 and the epilogue….well I am very curious about where that goes.

How many stars will I give Curse Breaker: Enchanted: 4

Why: This is a wonderfully written book. While it starts off slow, it does pick up speed in the middle of the book. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out and the plot is very engaging.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age Range: Young Adult

Why: Violence. No sex or language. Very clean.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

Shadows of Men (The Watchers: Book 1) by M. Lee Holmes

Shadows of Men (The Watchers Book 1) by [Holmes, M. Lee]

Publisher: Self published

Date of publication: July 21st, 2016

Series: The Watchers

Shadows of Men – Book 1

Genre: Fantasy

Where to find: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

When Rhada, High Protector of Kaena, is commanded by the King to travel north to investigate a suspicious disturbance, she is less than thrilled to spend over a month on the road. As her companion, she chooses Captain Mayvard Stoneward, the only person who can bear her company. The two of them set off on a journey that will forever change their lives- a journey where Rhada’s past seems to follow her everywhere she goes- a past that the people of the realm have not so easily forgotten.
Meanwhile, Lord Ivran Cassius has plans to overthrow the throne, and at his side is the entire realm, eager to rid themselves of the man who calls himself King. Rhada’s absence leaves King Firion vulnerable, and Lord Ivran only needs to find the right moment to strike.
But none of them are expecting the darkness that has gathered in the north- an ancient sorcerer, seemingly returned from the dead. He is a man who can raise the dead from their graves and control the minds of his prey- a man desperately seeking vengeance. 
The realm of Kaena will have to come together to fight this new evil, and only one person can save them all.

My review:

This book starts on a horrifying note. Viktor, who is the High Protector of Kaena, is choosing his successor. That wasn’t horrifying; it was the way the successor gets elected. His sword tells him (well its more like a ringing, very hard to explain and is better described in the book) the name of who it wants. They go, get him, stab him through the chest, and the sword gives him his life back. Viktor is trying to ignore the sword because who the sword wants because of the gender of that person. After the 3rd person is killed, he tells his King who the sword wants, and the chapter ends. I got so frustrated at that point because I wanted to know WHO it was. But it compelled me to keep on reading.

In the next chapter, which takes place years later, it is revealed who the successor is. Her name is Rhada and she is the most feared and hated person in the realm of Kaena. It is explained that she is responsible for a massacre at a city called South Fort, which was done by the King’s command. She is summoned to the King and Queen after the Sorceress Myranda has a vision of a city. Her exact vision is this:

North, in the city of Tyos, the blood of the innocent people has flooded the streets and a great wall of flame has swallowed the Blood Sea entirely

King Firion and Queen Scarlet order Rhada to go to Tyos, investigate if it happened, and report back to them. She decides to take her Captain, Mayvard Stonewall, with her, which anger Myranda. They are supposed to be married within three days, and now the wedding is on hold. At this point in the book, I didn’t like Rhada. She came across as cold, mean, and unfeeling.

As Rhada and Mayvard are preparing for their journey towards Tyos, a group of rebels is meeting in the city of Mordrid to discuss A) when to kill Rhada and B) when to attack and kill the King. Unbeknownst to them, there is a spy for King Firion in their midst.

I won’t go much into the book after that point but to say that Rhada had a tough time of it for the rest of the book. I went from not liking her to feeling bad for her. I kept thinking to myself”Thank God for Mayvard“, especially at the end of the book.

There were a few smaller storylines that were wrapped up by the end of the book, but the main storylines were not. I was very disappointed when the book ended. There were a few things that I wanted to know and now I will have to wait for the next book to find out. I did find the epilogue fascinating.

How many stars will I give Shadows of Men? 4

Why? A great fantasy that kept my attention. The author did a great job writing vivid characters and a world that came alive. Also, and I never comment on this, the cover totally lived up to the book.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Violence, sex, a pretty graphic chapter of torture and one rape scene.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Her Steamy Viking (Her Viking’s Desire: Book 2) by A.J. Tipton

Her Steamy Viking: A Paranormal Romance (Her Viking's Desire Book 2) by [Tipton, AJ]

Publisher:  Self Published

Date of publication: August 2nd, 2014

Series: Her Viking’s Desire

Her Fiery Viking – Book 1 (Review here)

Her Steamy Viking – Book 2

Her Winged Viking – Book 3

Her Rock Hard Viking – Book 4

Her Christmas Viking – Book 5

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

ATTENTION READERS: This is a sexy SHORT novella. Bite sized for your reading pleasure. 

A cursed Viking trapped in a watery prison. A modern-day witch digging into her past. What they discover could bring them together…or tear them apart.

Over a thousand years ago, Bram and his brothers were cursed. The Viking has spent centuries trapped in a Scottish loch as an invisible water wraith, despairing of ever breaking free. But when a gorgeous woman splashes into his world, Bram finally has a chance to make things right. 

Audrey is a tenacious witch exploring the grounds of her grandmother’s secret Scottish cabin. When she feels drawn to the beautiful waters of a nearby loch, she discovers she is not alone. Will her magic be enough to free her aqueous lover?

Her Steamy Viking is a hot paranormal romance novella. If you like smoldering love stories, magical adventures, and fun in the water, then you’ll love this standalone installment from the Her Viking’s Desire series. 

My review:

I went into this book with the expectation of it falling a little short from the first story. I am happy to say that I was proven wrong.

This book was great. Short but great.

Audrey had inherited a cottage on a remote island from her grandmother. She came to the island expecting a rundown cottage and finds a castle. After poking around for a bit, she decides to take a rowboat out onto the loch. While she’s out there, she decides, “Hey, isn’t it a wonderful idea to sunbathe naked in the rowboat.” Not thinking of splinters or people coming upon her while she is naked in the rowboat. She thinks, “It’s remote, and no one will be here, so let’s do it.” If I decided to sunbathe naked in a rowboat, I would get a splinter in my butt and a plane would fly over and get an eyeful. So glad that didn’t happen in this book.

Bram is a Viking warrior who has been cursed to be water because the witch that cursed him accused him of being spineless. The curse went like this:

I curse you to truly be the spineless puddle you are. Not until you prove the strength of your conviction and two households work together for your release, will my curse be broken.

So he spent a thousand years at the bottom of the loch until Audrey rows on by and disrobes. He immediately becomes aroused at the sight of her. Not getting laid for a thousand years will do that to a guy. When Audrey drops her necklace into the lake and dives after it, does he get a chance to make his move.

And oh boy, did he ever. Not going to go into the rest of the book but there oral sex (on both ends) and one explosive sex scene. I had to fan myself during those scenes. They were so hot!!

How many stars will I give Her Steamy Viking? 4

Why: The sex was out of this world and I loved that Bram was a Viking with a conscience. Audrey was pretty awesome too. She had spunk…lol.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex, sex, and more sex.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Errant Spark (Elemental Trials: Book 1) by Ronelle Antoinette

Errant Spark (Elemental Trials Book 1) by [Antoinette, Ronelle]

Publisher: Self published

Date of publication: July 1st 2016

Series: Elemental Trials, Book 1

Errant Spark – Book 1

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

How can you afford to risk it all for love when your life is not your own?

They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but In Egalion’s Imperial court, you can’t tell one from the other…especially when they change at the flip of a coin. Behind the luxury and splendor lies a realm of treachery where cloak-and-dagger political maneuvering threatens to destroy the peace of two thousand years. 

Twenty-five-year-old Battlemage Jex Xander has a mouth that frequently gets him into trouble, while in contrast, Enari Namelum speaks not at all. When Jex becomes the target of a faceless curse-slinger, Enari, the girl he has protected since the day they met, must now protect him. A string of ritual human sacrifices coupled with Jex’s growing inability to keep his feelings (and hands) to himself only serve to complicate matters. Amidst the mounting chaos, passion and romance should be the last thing on their minds, but life and the Goddess seem to have other ideas.

In a world as enticing as it is perilous, love, danger, and magic will collide, leaving lives irrevocably changed. The events of a single summer stand to change the course of more than just the kingdom of Egalion and the ones dismissed as pawns may yet prove to be the most important players.

“Errant Spark” is the hush before the storm, the last deep breath before the plunge. The flint has been struck and it’s possible the whole world might go up in flames…because love in the Imperial court is as dangerous a thing as backroom politics and jealousy can be as much a driving force as silver and gold.
***
Fantasy? Action? Romance? Yes! This romantic fantasy novel by Ronelle Antoinette is a broad, epic, sweeping fantasy with more twists and turns and ups and downs than a wild roller-coaster! The first installment of the Elemental Trials series is one of those books that really is so much more than what the blurb can convey. Described as “surprisingly complex and visionary” by one reviewer, “Errant Spark” will leave you mesmerized from the first page to the last. 

Hailed by Amazing Stories Magazine’s Ricky L Brown as “a simple story about interesting characters with just enough romance and magic to make it work. […] Errant Spark is as complex as George RR Martin, with a world that is well-suited for conniving and cavorting. Rest assured, there is plenty of sex and violence, but not as raw and stabby as the aforementioned works. It’s more like a big kid’s version of a fairy tale.

Recommended for:
•Mature teens and up
•Fans of epic fantasy and romance
•Those looking for characters they want to eat…or take home and enjoy
•Readers who can appreciate a gorgeous tapestry of magic, myth, and mayhem
•Connoisseurs of fine love stories that complement the plot and that ‘slow burn’
•Lovers of surprises, twists-and-turns, and well-placed, necessary supernatural elements
•Anyone looking for sex, magic, love, fantasy, and a story that will sweep you away
•Those who don’t mind staying up all night so they can turn that final page

My review:

I am a huge fan of fantasy. About 90% of the books I read (and don’t review) are fantasy. When I was approached by to read Errant Spark, I was very excited and couldn’t wait to read this book.

I wasn’t disappointed at all.

The book starts with meeting Jex Xander, a battlemage, and his mentor, Eryk, the High Mage. Jex has a reputation of being somewhat of taking many ladies and men into his bed. He is a bit of a manwhore, and I loved it. The threesome scene was hot.

He is pursued by Sarene, the middle daughter of the Tor and Torina of Egalion. I didn’t like Sarene at all. She was rude and a spoiled brat.

The book jumps to Enari Namelum, a mute orphan who lives at the Cyrilan Temple. She is training to be a kvinna under the tutelage of Vasi de’Curande, the Master Apothecary of the Temple. She is shunned because of her exotic looks and her aversion to being touched. People say that she looks like a Vintyri (think Fae) and her muteness keeps her isolated from other people.

Vasi and Enari have been summoned to the Imperial Palace to assist Tora Aelani with the birth of her child. While crossing the plains, they are met by Jex, who has come to escort them across the plains. When Jex meets Enari,  there is an instant attraction. Note that I said instant attraction, not instalove, big difference!! Jex falls ill and almost dies on the journey home. The relationship was off while Enari and Vasi nurse him back to health.

Then the book gets good. Mysterious deaths are happening in the palace, around the same time Jex is brought in. Jex and Enari have sex and connect on a deeper level. I loved seeing that. The High Mage is brought into the investigation of the deaths.

There is a heartbreaking death that I didn’t see coming, a birth and a couple of revelations that did surprise me. One I did guess at but the other one, well it took me by surprise.

How many stars will I give Errant Spark? 4

Why? While a great high fantasy novel that kept my attention, I had issues with some of the titles and terms. If there was a guide, it would have been great. Other than that small issue, a great read.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age range: Adult

Why? sex scenes (including a threesome) and violence

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**