Highland Quest by B. J. Scott

May 24, 2013 By 1 Comment

QUEST
Highland Quest by B. J. Scott
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (241 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

No longer content in the shadows of his older brothers, and on a quest to find his destiny, Bryce Fraser’s chosen path is fraught with danger, passion, and decisions. Can his unspoken love for spirited, beguiling Fallon be triumphant in a time of war and uncertainty, or will they both fall prey to the devious plans of a traitorous laird from a rival clan?

A young woman alone and making her way in the perilous times of early fourteenth century Scotland is easy prey.

Fallon MacCrery, a healer, is bereft of family after the death of her uncle that took her in after the death of her parents. Even though she’s a petite raven-haired beauty, most people avoid her because of her second sight. She has visions of deaths to come. She’s had visions of the deaths of those she loves since the age of four. She feels like her second sight is a curse that she cannot get rid of and is more inclined to run than to be proactive about impending dangers. She loves the irascible rogue Bryce Fraser, but fears he too will die if he should ever choose to commit to her. Yet, deep down in her heart she knows he is her own true love.

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The relationship Fallon and Bryce forge gets tested to the nth degree as they strive to stay alive through battles, deaths, captivate and way too many harsh words between them. How love wiggles its way in amid all the strife and works its magic to nudge these two along toward their destiny kept me turning pages.

If you read B. J. Scott’s Highland Legacy, a previous novel about the Fraser clan you will get to catch up on what is going on with many characters you met in the first book. Highland Quest will give you insightful side stories about Connor and Caitlin at Fraser Castle as well as actions of the crude, older brother Alasdair who abdicated his position as Laird of the Fraser clan. He fights alongside the Bruce and tries to watch his little brother Bryce’s back in battle, all the while trying to send Bryce home to a better way of life. Their reactions to each other give the reader insight into each of their true characters.

The antagonists with their lack of conscience about their abhorrent deeds, their greed, and their lack of loyalty to Scotland create barbaric conflicts. Some of their actions create heart-pounding moments that seem to be impossible for the hero and heroine to escape.

Even though I felt as if I were on the outside looking in on the happens part of the time and the writing didn’t seem quite as polished as in the first book, I still didn’t want to put the story down because of the skillful way Ms. Scott wove together the events of turbulent times with its horrific cruelties yet never let that strong thread of love fray. Highland Quest entertains and is often spellbinding.

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Wind’s Aria by Tessa Stockton

February 14, 2013 By 8 Comments

Cover_WindsAria

Wind’s Aria by Tessa Stockton
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Fantasy
Length: Short (106 pgs)
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 3.5 Stars
Review by Poppy

Elected as the Songstress, Aria takes her place on the sacred platform to sing before every dawn. As long as she does so, peace and abundant life belong to her people. One morning, amidst a strange wind that brings with it a curse in its eerie howl, Aria loses her ability to make music. But the encroaching death that transpires isn’t her biggest tragedy. It’s that she adores the cause of her blunder, for he’s a magnificent winged creature who’s stolen more than her voice.

Author Tessa Stockton has an amazing voice for fantasy. Wind’s Aria is beautifully written, descriptive and sweet.

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The powerful, handsome winged being charged with destroying her and her world ends up falling for her instead. He does, however, put things in motion to allow his master to do the job. Aria’s world loses the sun, water and she loses her voice. When all else fails, she’s sent on a quest to find the one they worship in order to repent and hopefully fix their world.

I really enjoyed this sweet fantasy romance. Truthfully, Aria “felt” very young and this book would be more than appropriate for teens and the young adult market as well as those adult readers looking for a sweet escape. The story was very well written, exciting in places, touching in others and I never wanted to put it down. I loved Aria and the Il-Bora, enjoyed watching them together and appreciated their fight to be together against what seems like insurmountable odds.

However, the ending was a bit of a disappointment — not in the resolution, which was more than satisfying — but in the execution. The entire book is working its way to this moment and then zip-zap, it was over in just a few pages. I was sad that it felt so rushed, because the rest of the story is just so lovely and well executed. I also would have liked just a bit more of the H/H at the end, so we would have the satisfaction of finally seeing them together at last.

Still, Wind’s Aria is a story I’m glad I read. And Tessa Stockton shows amazing promise as an up and coming author. I look forward to reading more from her. Good fantasy isn’t always easy to find, and she clearly knows how to write it.

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To Dance in Liradon by Adrienne Clarke

February 13, 2013 By 7 Comments

Cover_ToDanceInLiradon

To Dance in Liradon by Adrienne Clarke
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Fantasy
Length: Full (220 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 Stars
Review by Rose

Seventeen-year-old Brigid O’Flynn is an outcast. A chance encounter with the Faerie Queen left her tainted in the eyes of the villagers, who blame the Faerie for the village’s missing women and children. Desperate to win the village’s acceptance, Brigid agrees to marry her childhood friend: Serious, hardworking, Connell Mackenna. But when Connell disappears before their wedding, Brigid’s hopes are shattered. Blamed for her fiancé’s death, Brigid fears she will suffer the same fate as the other village outcasts, the mysterious Willow Women. Lured into Faerie by their inhuman lovers, and cast out weak and broken, the Willow Women spend their lives searching for the way back into Faerie. When Connell suddenly reappears, Brigid is overjoyed, but everything is not as it seems. Consumed by his desire for beauty and celebration, Connell abandons his responsibilities, and Brigid soon finds herself drawn into a passionate, dangerous world of two.

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To Dance in Liradon is a faery tale… not of the Disney version with fairy godmothers and dancing mice, but like the darker faery tales of Hans Christian Anderson or the Brothers Grimm. The fae are not to be trusted–as 17-year-old Brigid found out to her sorrow. As a child, she had met the Queen of the Fae after picking a flower for her mother–only to find out that keeping it came with a price–the death of her father. This was particularly hard on Brigid, for he had told her story after story about finding her true love and romance.

Shunned by the village because of her encounter with the fae, Brigid found unwanted favor from the Lord of the village. A childhood friend, Connell, proposes –to keep her safe and to help her gain acceptance from the villagers. However, even though Brigid accepts Connell’s proposal, she still wishes for the romance she has dreamed of all her life. When Connell comes back from a trip changed–romantic, attentive, loving–Brigid has won her heart’s desire–or has she?

Ms. Clarke does an admirable job presenting the dark side of fae and the appeal of giving up the daily toil for a chance at a lifetime of pleasure. In the Willow Women, she presents the alternate reality for those who have joined with the fae for a season.

There are many layers in this story of the search for true love and I highly recommend it.

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Woman of Substance by Annette Bower

February 8, 2013 By 25 Comments

Cover_WomanOfSubstance

Woman of Substance by Annette Bower
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (237 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review by Poppy

“You will never understand what it means to be fat.” With those words, grad student Robbie Smith begins the Fat-Like-Me project. In order to support her thesis, she puts on a fat suit to measure people’s reactions to the new her.

Accused of embezzling funds, Professor Jake Proctor returns home to spend quality time with the only father he has ever known. There, he meets an intriguing overweight woman who reminds him of his late grandmother. She’s witty, charming, and cares deeply for those around her, including his dying grandfather.

When Robbie meets Jake while she’s in disguise, she deceives him for all the right reasons. But how long can she maintain the deception before Jake discovers that she is not who he believes her to be?

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Robbie is such a wonderful character. She’s loyal and determined and so willing to fight for what she thinks is right. She spars with her professor about her project: dressing as an obese woman. Her professor isn’t sold on the idea, but Robbie really thinks it’s the best way to prove her thesis for college. Her overweight friends help with insight, advice and clothing.

How could she know she’d meet a great guy while dressed in her costume?

Jake returns home to be with his grandfather, Frank, the man who raised him. Frank is a great character, so full of fun and life, despite his age. And Jake, for all his crankiness at the beginning, really loves his grandfather.  He really becomes a man to admire as the book progresses.

Ms. Bower has such a talented way with words. I felt as if I knew each character in this book, as if I would know them if I passed them on the street. The affection between many of them was palpable, friends, family, lovers.

While the storyline itself may not be overly complex, it was thoroughly enjoyable, sweet and tugs at the heart-strings. If this type of character building and description is par for the course for this author, she’s won a permanent fan.

If you’re looking for a sweet story that is populated with characters you’ll feel are your friends before you turn the last page; if you love a romance between a couple that’s built on affection before sex and is believably deep and lasting, then I recommend “Woman of Substance”. It’s more than you might think.

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Highland Legacy by B. J. Scott

June 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Highland Legacy by B. J. Scott
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (235 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father’s castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers. When Highland patriot Connor Fraser comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by his overwhelming desire to protect Cailin—even if he must marry her to do so.

Accused of murdering one of her attackers and determined to rely on her own resourcefulness, Cailin dresses as a lad, intent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude an enemy from her past—a vindictive English lord bent on her utter demise—or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?

No halfway measures in this story; it practically jumps off the pages with action, heart-in-the-throat close calls, and love scenes that heat the blood and send it racing. Highland Legacy reaches out and grabs one’s attention and emotions and doesn’t let go until the very end.

Eighteen-year-old Cailin McMillan, feisty, intelligent, and tenacious, decides the outside world she knows little about has to be better than her father’s cruelty and his despicable plans for her. She finds the horrors and hardships she suffers along with the danger that nips at her heels often rival her father’s treatment. The tapestry of her life is dark indeed, until Connor Fraser, a Highlander warrior comes to her rescue. He brings a touch of light to her dark story—a light that grows to a glowing golden love, albeit, not without going through the fires of refinement. To her he is magnificent—one of God’s masterpieces.

Connor Fraser has pledged fealty to Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. He knows death stalks him as he rides into battle after battle. Consequently, he wants no wife that could be his widow at any moment; nor does he want to love someone. The hurt of losing his parents and two brothers is still a raw, aching pain in his heart.

He’s laird of the Fraser clan since Alasdair chose not to accept the responsibility when their oldest brother died. Big, crude, insensitive Alasdair is older than Connor, but leadership is not for him. viagra best prices You can consider these factors as vital aspects in your search for the right institute. Having any kind cialis generic free of sexual problem can give you a new lease of life. You just need to click on our site to see our product and must purchase a medicine buy sildenafil canada which is more affordable and effective than any other ED drugs. Men read websites like this one about erectile dysfunction drugs, viagra ordination browse articles on the web. He sees the world from a very different angle than many, but he never fails in his loyalty to Connor. Bryce, the younger brother, is far more civilized yet just as loyal and good in a fight as his brothers. These three are a force to be reckoned with.

Set in the early fourteenth century when England was determined to place Scotland under English rule, Highland Legacy bristles with hostilities, intrigues, and vicious inhumane treatment of people. During this era, English law allowed nobility to get away with murder and all kinds of horrific treatment especially to women. It curdles the blood to see the absolute lack of value placed on women during this time.

The antagonist, Lord Borden, borders on insanity in his vendetta against Cailin. He and Cailin’s father are the darkest threads in the tapestry of the heroine’s life.

But, while extreme cruelty stalked the land at one end of the continuum, at the other end, extreme love that knows no bounds is strong and true, a bright golden thread that eclipses the darkness. The breathtaking, earth-shattering love Connor and Cailin share is spellbinding. WOW!

B. J. Scott’s Highland Legacy is exciting, graphic, sometimes humorous, and always gives a sense of urgency. While not a long story, it is chocked full of compelling characters and has all the elements one expects to find in a historical set in the Highlands during this era. Ms. Scott’s writing style engages the senses and emotions without let up. Good reading!

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That Carrington Magic by Karen E Rigley

March 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

That Carrington Magic by Karen E Rigley
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Short Story (128 pages)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fennel

Single mom Jami Rhodes “wins” a romantic getaway with her ideal match. Only the contest is a publicity sham to launch her friend Sierra’s Internet matchmaking service, CupidKey, and the “match” is Sierra’s brother-in-law, Grant Carrington. Miffed for being railroaded, Jami drags along her mischievous little boy, Toby. As if Toby isn’t enough trouble, Grant gets stuck with the infamous Carrington Cupid charm. A clash of wills ensues, proving love sometimes needs a bit of magic.

That Carrington Magic starts immediately. Does that sound weird? It’s not meant to. Some stories take several pages to set the scene and action, but not this one. The action starts with the first sentence and doesn’t stop. Erectile dysfunction viagra canada samples is the most widespread problem in adult men around the globe. female viagra for sale If you don’t accept and embrace the change, or if you don’t feel that you deserve it. The most commonly used and also the deeprootsmag.org generic levitra online cheapest material is latex. This medicine starts working as and when you have trusted online pharmacy selling purchase viagra online then you can be sure about the quality of the drugs often cause depression, anxiety, fidget, etc. problem; drug side effects is fatigue, sleepiness, but can not sleep, people not working, sexual dysfunction and even impotence outside; easy to eat hard to quit, because many people can not stand the pain of quitting, to have. Immediately the reader is faced with a reluctant heroine, Jami Rhodes. It became obvious her kindhearted actions were going to land her in big trouble.

Turns out I was wrong. It was her son Toby who caused all the trouble. Sometimes even to such an extent I wondered how such a good mother ended up with such an unmanageable child. It took almost the whole book before I warmed up to him.

The author paints a very vivid background for her setting, and her secondary characters are, in their individual ways, charming.

The hero, Grant Carrington has a reputation to live down, and trust becomes a big divider between them. Coupled with Jami’s need to retain her self-sufficiency, they were in for a trial.

This, the first in Ms. Rigley’s CupidKey series, is a delightful story that builds steadily, with the hero and heroine overcoming several setbacks, to a charming and unusual ending.

The writer’s style is easy to read, her characters come across as people you might meet in ‘real life’, and the tale captivated me. If sweet and real is what you’re in the mood for, pick up a copy of That Carrington Magic.

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