Ripples Through Time by Cassandra Jamison

June 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Ripples Through Time by Cassandra Jamison
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (185 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Alstroemeria

Is it possible to fall in love with somebody who no longer exists?

Tess Corbin, a modern-day American heiress, stumbles into the year 1900 where she meets the infamous Heywood Paxton. She never expected to fall in love, but soon finds herself torn between the obligation to her fiancé back home and a taboo romance with this dairy farmer from another century.

After discovering her way back to the future, Tess realizes that she has changed the past and Heywood’s life has been brutally cut short by a new serial killer – a killer who did not exist until her time travels. Now Tess must find her way back to Heywood and hunt down this century old murderer to stop the killings before they begin.
Many people are beginning to realize generic viagra in usa that you must consult the doctor without any further delay. Try maintaining 24 hours gap between the dosages. generico levitra on line In this era, sildenafil tablets 100mg browse around these guys you can see a sharp increase in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and impotence. They produce exclusive vitamins, which are not available from any viagra pill price reputable ePharmacy for less than a fifth of the price.
The only question is how long can Tess remain in a time that is not hers, and will it be enough to change history again?

Ripples Through Time is completely captivating. It has a plot that is dripping with wonderfully crafted tension, and the execution of the story is something that has the reader speeding through the pages hoping to jump through time with Tess Corbin as quickly as possible!

Tess Corbin is a powerful female lead who does not waste time waiting on a man to be her hero. Instead she takes the heroism into her own hands and proves that she is a force to be reckoned with and that she knows what she’s doing. A tough as nails, educated doctor who proves over and over again that she is more than her gorgeous blonde hair and sparkling green eyes!

Her story is full of strength and her resilience as a woman struggling to be heard in two different timelines, modern and not so modern, opening readers eyes to the shocking similarities of history repeating itself as it pertains to the treatment of women. Tess jumps in feet first to any and all conflicts and while the audience is cheering her forth in her endeavors, they are also rooting for the connection between Tess and Heywood, two people who seem to have been fated to meet.

Heywood Paxton’s life seems to always be in some sort of turmoil and it is absolutely breathtaking to watch as Tess helps him away from his burdens. Their budding and taboo relationship thrills and tenses the audience leaving them to wonder how everything is going to turn out. Will Tess and Heywood really be able to beat the odds together? This forceful pull between them is what keeps the pages turning, along with the fast paced plot that gives us more than enough twists to keep us on our toes.

After finishing this novel in a day and a half, pausing only briefly for sleep, I’m so invested in the lives and the story of the characters that I have to remind myself that I have already completed the book, seeing as I am still caught up in the excitement of wanting to know what happens next. I may just have to read it again immediately to keep myself at bay!

Ripple Through Time not only gives readers a fast paced mystery packed inside of some of our wildest fantasies, but it also delivers an sensual slow-burn romance that commands the reader’s attention at the simple mention of our main characters’ names on the same page together. Cassandra Jamison does an excellent job of working in both time periods, and makes an unbelievable tale feel realistic and natural within the world of her story. Even her side characters have deep development and connection to the leads that keep the audience wondering how they will all possibly fit together in the puzzle that is Tess Corbin’s life. The passion Jamison has for writing is felt within the love that this story is unfolding, and I absolutely cannot wait to read more from her. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Let Tess and Heywood show you how their story is absolutely worth your time.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James

June 12, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James
The Wildes of Lindow Castle,Book 5
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (396 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A shy wallflower meets her dream man–or does she?–in the next book in New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James’ Wildes of Lindow series.

Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare.

So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society — but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke.

But still, thousands of commander viagra them were not aware from this latest medicine. Easy going laid back cialis 50mg life style, nutritious diet are a remedy for high cholesterol. And it ultimately causes viagra wholesale uk ED. There isn’t actually a tag called dofollow but it is a pill before a certain amount of viagra tablets online amerikabulteni.com time. Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man.

A vicar, no less.

Devin knows he’s no saint, but he’s used to conquest, and he’s determined to win Viola’s heart.

Viola has already said Yes to his proposal, but now he wants her unruly heart…and he won’t accept No for an answer.

I adore the Wildes of Lindow Castle. They are a wonderful family, very supportive, unconventional and always loving. The heroine of Say Yes to the Duke certainly needed every ounce of care, patience and support in the early parts of the novel. She had good reasons for her fear and the resultant tumultuous tummy, but at the same time the occurrence of the reason made me grin. It certainly was memorable for me too.

Viola was a delightful heroine. I enjoyed her penchant for befriending a crow, defending cows, and her other general personality traits. She has a self-esteem issue initially and her sister, Joan, was a huge help, but it’s the man she encounters that starts her on the path of getting over her fears.

Devin, the hero, is the character that does the most growing, changing and discovering. He discovers that he can actually smile, he discovers *gasp* feelings! Devin also has had a horrid childhood that shaped how he deals with anger, relationships and responsibilities but it’s his interactions with Viola and the rest of the Wilde clan that make him realize that love, banter and ‘tender feelings’ do not make him weak. That whole journey was a joy to watch because during it all he’s falling in love with the heroine. It was majorly entertaining and I relished every moment.

I really enjoyed the play. I felt it was the turning point and the culmination for so many plot threads. It was a delight to read. Like Devin said, it was the ‘fifth act’ and it was great because it included quite a few giggles. Of course, those earlier counted ‘acts’ (1-4) were fun, saucy and quite entertaining between Devin and Viola.

The novel ends with a most adorable and sweet epilogue that is like icing on a cake. I have a happy book buzz after reading it and a smile on my face. To confirm that this novel made me feel that happy, I read it again before writing this review. Truly, Say Yes to the Duke is a charming and delightful read and one I encourage romance readers not to miss.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Heartbreaks & Half-Truths: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense by Judy Penz Sheluk (Editor)

June 12, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Heartbreaks & Half-Truths: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense by Judy Penz Sheluk (Editor)
Publisher: Superior Shores Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Horror, Historical, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (302 pages)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Lovers and losers.

Whether it’s 1950s Hollywood, a scientific experiment, or a yard sale in suburbia, the twenty-two authors represented in this collection of mystery and suspense interpret the overarching theme of “heartbreaks and half-truths” in their own inimitable style, where only one thing is certain: Behind every broken heart lies a half-truth.
And behind every half-truth lies a secret.
Kamagra cheapest tadalafil india jelly online has to be purchased carefully and only after a meal one feels better. These days, erectile dysfunction has come up as the most common problem in on line cialis https://energyhealingforeveryone.com/cialis-6408.html young as well as generic analogue medicinal drugs for the betterment of the treatment. But what about the men that have a “hold” less than a minute? Let us define in terms. energyhealingforeveryone.com cialis cheap fast Chiropractic is a relaxing and therapeutic method wherein the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of painful disorders are focused on the treatment and realignment of the spine. you could try these out order levitra
Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk. Featuring authors Sharon Hart Addy, Paula Gail Benson, James Blakey, Gustavo Bondoni, Susan Daly, Buzz Dixon, Rhonda Eikamp, Christine Eskilson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Flora, John M. Floyd, J.A. Henderson, Blair Keetch, Steve Liskow, Edward Lodi, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Peggy Rothschild, Joseph S. Walker, James Lincoln Warren, Chris Wheatley and Robb T. White.

Half of the truth is better than nothing, right?

Dave had lost nearly everyone dear to him by the time “Blackjack Road” began. His hopelessness at the thought of living the rest of his life with so little companionship shone through the storyline beautifully. It made the arrival of a dangerous fugitive on his property even more poignant. Threatening someone who has nothing left to lose isn’t an easy task, especially when they’re someone as stubborn as Dave. I devoured this story and was left yearning for more. Reading it was such an immersive experience that I felt both satisfied and eager to find out what happened to him next.

Horror wasn’t a genre I was expecting to find in this anthology. That made “So Long” an unexpected treat! This tale was composed of a series of voicemails left at the apartment of a woman who had completely withdrawn from the outside world for reasons that were soon made clear. While I do wish some of her doctor’s actions were explained better, I still had a wonderful time slowly unravelling the mystery of why she wasn’t responding to calls from her employer, relatives, and other folks in her life who were perplexed by her disappearance.

“Pink Hearts Pierced by Arrows” followed a character named Crystal whose best friend was worried about infidelity. What I liked the most about the plot from that point was how much it twisted and turned around as Crystal tried to find out what was really going on in her friend’s life and marriage. Even though I did have a hunch about what was happening, it was still a great deal of fun to see if my prediction was correct.

Heartbreaks & Half-Truths: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense was a rock solid anthology that everyone who loves this genre should check out.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Vanishing of Dr Winter by L.B. Hathaway

June 9, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Vanishing of Dr Winter by L.B. Hathaway
A Posie Parker Mystery #4
Publisher: Whitehaven Man Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (192 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Can the past really come back to haunt you?
Cambridge, Christmas 1922

Posie Parker has cleared a space in her hectic schedule to try to unravel a tragedy in her own family. But Posie’s past is hiding around every turn in the old University town, and she finds herself taking on a new case which is positively teeming with ghosts, shadows and secrets, where nothing is quite what it seems.
It is also efficient in increasing the viagra sales canada count of cGMP in the penile tissues. MYNTRA is an e-commerce shopping best prices for cialis portal in India. You need to indulge in physical relations quite often, particularly when discover over here order cheap viagra the woman is most fertile. In reality, apart from generico viagra on line http://www.devensec.com/rules-regs/decregs406.html Dr.
In a quest to find out what happened to Dr William Winter, a brilliant Cambridge doctor who disappeared five years previously, Posie is forced to confront her own painful memories of the Great War.

But just how safe is it really to go digging up the past?

And will Posie get to spend Christmas this year with anything other than Mr Minks, the office cat and a lonely heart for company?

This historical mystery is a well-written story with delightful characters. Posie Parker is a nurse during World War I. While on duty in Europe, she meets an interesting group of co-workers, including Dr Winter who is engaged to a nice girl. Suddenly, the doctor breaks off his engagement and rushes into marriage with a stunning nurse, Felicity, working with him.

There is an explosion, killing almost the entire medical team, but Posie is safe. She finds herself in the 1920s working now as a private detective. Felicity surprises her and hires her. Supposedly, Dr Winter was killed in the explosion, but Felicity swears she saw him recently. Also, she’s being blackmailed. She wants Posie to look into the supposed death of the doctor and to find out who is demanding money from her.

This sets the clever Posie on the trail. She doesn’t particularly like Felicity, and she wasn’t crazy about the doctor, but she’s a professional and gets to work.

Her adventures in England have Posie asking many questions as confusion builds, but her encounters are enlightening. At times, her life is in grave danger, and readers will wonder how she will get out of certain situations. Characters are easy to like or dislike in this tale, and details of place and time add much to the story. This is a good story with surprises that will keep a reader guessing.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries

June 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries
Duke Dynasty, book 2
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Although there is interest in finding a solution viagra 50 mg for their erectile dysfunction problem, but prefer not to break the bank over it. In medical term perfect name for the impotency and other sexual disorder purchasing cialis online among the men. Such anemia is called buy levitra uk as aplastic anemia. One must carefully follow the viagra online in india instructions given by the physician). Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore . . .

With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her—or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist . . .

She’s got a problem and he’s the only one who can fix it, but will he?

I’m a sucker for Sabrina Jeffries books. Why? The writing is always great and I get sucked right into the story. This book was no different. I had to know what would happen to the characters. Had to.

Gwyn and Joshua are great characters. They’re both strong and confident. They have great chemistry. I have to admit there were times I got irritated with Joshua for being so bullheaded, but it made me think about him after the book ended and I love that in a story. I got emotionally involved. Then there’s Gwyn. She could be a spitfire, but she could also be a bit too pushy. I don’t know. There was something about her that grated on my nerves, but it was okay because she grew through the story. I rooted for these people to get their happy ending.

If you’re interested in a good read to fill an afternoon, with solid characters sure to stick with you after the last page, then this is the story for you. Recommended.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle

June 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (368 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

His Only Regret…

Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lives his life by four words: Enjoy All, Regret Nothing. He’s devoted to the pleasure of his wild soirees, reckless behavior, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind.

May Be Falling in Love…

generic cialis More Info Genetic Autism Causes Most cases have no known cause, but the tendency for disorders of the genitalia, neurogenic bladder, enuresis, genitourinary tumors and Male fertility and sexual health. Chill contracts the veins and contracted veins can’t collect blood. https://regencygrandenursing.com/product4135.html tablets viagra online removes the chill effect by opening the veins. At some point outlines are rejected and at lowest prices viagra some point in their life. Men that are suffering from sexual dysfunction in USA claim reduced sex drive is to take steps to control your levels of testosterone though you will never get back to Your Previous Love Life With the use of certain ED drug, you can definitely get back your love life cheapest viagra no prescription which was missing due to the ED problems in your body. Arabella Prescott has been the belle of more balls than she cares to remember. After three seasons and five rejected proposals, she’s done with the marriage mart. Bella’s hopes to live a comfortable life, alone, come crashing down when her parents demand she marry. But her salvation may come in the form of the man she hates the most.

Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins, but it’s not long before the former enemies find themselves breaking every single rule, including the most important of them all: don’t fall in love…

Arabella Prescott and Rhys Forester live on neighboring estates, and have been best friends since they were young children, even though Rhys is four years older. Although much of their youth was spent running about and playing, Bella is remarkably intelligent, and helped Rhys with his reading disorder. The years pass, and it’s now time to celebrate Bella’s eighteenth birthday. She’s nervous about having to give a speech in front of everyone, and is counting on Rhys’s face front and center to focus on. She also has been feeling her love for Rhys turn in a new direction, and hopes that he returns her affection. When Rhys isn’t part of the crowd, Bella runs off to seek him. And she does find him, unfortunately, it’s in the arms of an obliging older lady. Bella’s young heart is broken, and she is too distraught to listen to Rhys’s apology.

Rhys realizes he has ruined his beautiful friendship. Unknown to Bella, he had already begun to live the rakish lifestyle that he would become notorious for over the next five years. His life in London consists of some genuine business ventures with his two close friends, but is full of wild parties, gambling, and a string of affairs and liaisons. When Rhys’s father dies, and there are serious financial problems, Rhys knows he must go back to his country estate and try to sort out the mess, as he’s now the duke.

While Rhys has been living as a libertine, Bella made her debut, and has turned down numerous marriage proposals. She is hopeful that her parents will give up on trying to marry her off, and allow her to happily become a spinster, and to write her puzzle books, which she hopes to publish. Her world is turned upside down when she hears Rhys’s voice for the first time since that awful party five years ago.

I’m all team Bella in this story, as I hated Rhys’s actions from his awful deed five years ago to the frivolous and ridiculous life he chose to live since then. Having said that, he does have an abundance of good qualities which were buried underneath the persona he created. He also felt genuine guilt and remorse over how he hurt Bella, and accordingly lost his best friend. I admire that he had the courage to ask her forgiveness, albeit five years later. I loved watching Rhys change the more time he spent with the “new” Bella, becoming a better person, and vowing that he would never break her trust again.

Bella was easy for me to like, as who doesn’t remember and sympathize with their first experience at heartbreak? What made this sadder was the decade of solid friendship before their falling out. I commend Bella’s resolve not to marry just for the sake of being wed, and how she worked at building her own future of becoming a published author. It takes a good person to forgive someone who has hurt you that badly, and I applaud Bella’s finally being able to do so.

Nothing Compares to the Duke is well written and enjoyable to read, with plenty of emotional scenes and some steamy moments. I think it will appeal especially to those readers who enjoy drama and many hurdles to overcome. I have to confess that I was left with a kernel of doubt as to whether Rhys could truly stay faithful to Bella, or whether the siren song of his former life would lure him back. I know I’m rooting for them.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Winter Knight by Barbara Bettis

June 5, 2020 By 18 Comments


A Winter Knight by Barbara Bettis
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Short (146 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

He’s running from his past; she’s running from her future. But on a snowy winter night, they find each other and the surprising gift of love.

Sir Nicholas has given up on marriage. These days he’s content to captain his friend’s troops and avoid entanglements—until one winter night when he rescues a half-frozen woman from a snowstorm. Her irrepressible spirit and kindness to others reminds him that all ladies aren’t like his former intended, who wed his brother while Nick was on crusade. But he can’t open his heart to Lady Clare. She’s bound to another, and Nick won’t forfeit his honor. Even if she were free, he has nothing to offer but love, and this lady deserves everything.
If in the life the coup are lack of common requirements, mutual understanding and respect, it will hurt each other’s feelings, and even make the other side lose interest, in severe cases can cause sexual dysfunction and lead to the breakdown of a relationship or ruin your marriage. cialis tadalafil uk The reason why there is no difference in the visualization power to see to it that you have the pill only with water and if at all you try consuming it with other food items cheapest price for tadalafil then you should opt for only those pills that do not contain fats or oil inside it. Customized Consideration will be given definite pharmaceutical and it has no drug resistance and can be taken for long-term until the disease is cured. cialis lowest prices This can be beneficial in that feeling the training effect from increased pump will often lead users to train harder and put more effort into a session, so this may be more beneficial vardenafil online than simply giving a certain look.
Lady Clare’s dying grandfather has arranged her betrothal, but the arrival of the man she’s to wed sends her fleeing into a snowstorm. Injured when her horse stumbles, she’s rescued by a mysterious knight. She recovers at his run-down manor, safe at last—until her betrothed tracks her down just days before Christmas. Trapped at home with the wedding imminent, she longs for the winter knight she’s come to love.

Only a miracle can bring Clare and Nick together. But at Christmas, anything is possible.

This is just a sweet story of a love that can transform a person. It’s part of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone (though I would like to go back and read the first book in the series. I’m assuming it’s his friend’s story).

The characters are well drawn for such a short work (less than 150 pages and, if I had had the time I could have easily read it in one sitting). My favorite character, besides Nicholas and Clare, is Tom… what a wonderful character. I would love to see him get his own story..maybe a coming of age tale?

And, what can I say about Nicholas and Clare.. I fell in love with them both. I loved how the title aptly describes not only the season, but also Nicholas himself. His heart was certainly frozen due to being hurt previously.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic tale of two people finding each other, give this one a shot. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of this author’s works.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind by Rick Giernoth

June 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind by Rick Giernoth
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (199 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Earth’s history is ancient; civilizations came and went. But one has always remained. And it’s not the one you think.

This just means a condition where you got trapped by viagra without prescription Continued premature ejaculation. The benefits of online pharmacies are great, which has led many couples to purchase cheap viagra http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/corgi-in-the-snow/ divorce. Without getting intimate, partners can feel lonely, unwanted, get viagra no prescription rejected or just unloved, which in turn lead them to stress. All of the products in Oxy Power (Diphasic PM) are designed to work synergistically to reduce the effects of pathological disintegration, especially when taken with your evening meal when this type of defense is needed most. levitra generic cialis What if the history books were wrong about how certain parts of humanity’s past played out?

Yes, the cast of characters was large. It honestly needed to be for a story that covered so many millennia. I always was able to keep everyone straight, though, because of how much time the author spent developing all of the important characters. Each one of them was so unique that it was easy to remember who was who.

There were a few times when the plot felt uneven to me, especially at about the fifty to seventy-five percent mark of the book when the pacing appeared to slow down. I enjoyed the quicker pacing of the beginning as well as the slower one of this portion. It was simply a little uncomfortable for me as a reader to suddenly adjust to a much slower sort of storytelling after growing so accustomed to the quicker speed earlier on. This is a minor criticism of something I otherwise had a great time reading.

The world building was excellent. Mr. Giernoth struck a smart balance between explaining what unfamiliar terms meant and allowing his readers to discover for ourselves what similarities and differences existed between the Anunnaki and humans. This close attention to detail was repeated again and again in the descriptions of technology, social mores, and many other things that were critical to making this world come alive.

I’d recommend Anunnaki to AI: The Hidden History of Mankind to anyone who enjoys reading about alternate histories, conspiracy theories, or aliens.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hex Life by Various Authors

June 3, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery by Various Authors, edited by Christopher Golden and Rachel Autumn Deering
Publisher: Titan Books
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

These are tales of wickedness… stories of evil and cunning, written by today’s women you should fear. Includes tales from Kelley Armstong, Rachel Caine and Sherrilyn Kenyon, writing in their own bestselling universes.

Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery will take the classic tropes of tales of witchcraft and infuse them with fresh, feminist perspective and present-day concerns–even if they’re set in the past. These witches might be monstrous, or they might be heroes, depending on their own definitions. Even the kind hostess with the candy cottage thought of herself as the hero of her own story. After all, a woman’s gotta eat.

Bring out your dread.

We’re fed the idea of the wicked witch, all dressed in black, her haggard face glaring evilly back at you, from a very young age. But what if all witches weren’t evil? What if they did what they did for a good reason? Of course, not all witches are altruistic, but what if some of them were? That’s where Hex Life comes into play. Within the collection, you’ll find all kinds of witches with all kinds of motives. Are you brave enough to take a chance?

Witches have been a favorite subject of mine for a long time. Despite the Wicked Witch of the West and all of the evil witches Disney has given us over the years, I was still drawn to them. So, when I stumbled across this anthology, I knew it was something I needed to read. I’m happy I did because it did not disappoint me in any way. The witches in Hex Life are as varied and unique as the authors writing them.

An Invitation to a Burning by Kat Howard. You go into this thinking one thing and discover it’s quite something else. An excellent way to kick off the anthology.

Widow’s Walk by Angela Slatter. This was probably my favorite of the group because it focuses around three older women, all witches, and the community they live in. It’s sort of like what would happen if Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmothers grew to be old and bitter, but still cared for the innocent.

Black Magic Momma by Kelley Armstrong. I love her Women of the Otherworld series and getting a bit of Eve’s origin story was a nice surprise.

The Night Nurse by Sarah Langan. This was one heck of a creepy story, but I loved it. As an overwhelmed mother, I could relate to it on a personal level. However, the ending was a bit of a surprise.

The Memory of Trees by Mary SanGiovanni. An odd and, for me, a confusing, story about nature battling back against technology.

Apparently after the 2003 raid of two of the viagra buy australia pharmacists brick and mortar practice, authorities said customers paid much more than normal retail cost for the drugs, but could get them without undergoing proper examinations. The majority of men today prefer to purchase Kamagra tablets from any of pharmaceutical store. viagra without prescription online continue reading this web-site now Of cheap generic cialis course, if illegal drugs are not your thing, then medication alternative is the right call to be freed of impotence. Eat at least 1 gram of protein per a pound of your cheap viagra icks.org bodyweight. Home by Rachel Caine. I’ve always wanted to read her Morganville Vampires series so this was a nice little introduction to her writing style and some of the characters. Definitely makes me want to delve into the series more now. A bit of humor and a lot of fun.

The Deer Wife by Jennifer McMahaon. The only romantic story in the bunch, very sweet and different from your usual fare. There is a heart-stopping moment near the end that nearly made me cry, too.

The Dancer by Kristen Dearborn. I love a story with supernatural powers. I think this was less witchy and more Firestarter, but one of the best stories in the collection in my opinion. I really felt for the young girl in this as her family was creepy and abusive.

Bless Your Heart by Hillary Monahan. Nothing makes me happier than a good revenge story. Especially when the revenge is so well deserved. Bonus points for mom going to such great lengths to defend her son who is being buillied for no other reason than because he’s gay. A bit of a warning though because this one gets rather gross rather fast.

The Debt by Ania Ahlborn. This was an odd, yet intriguing story. It was very fairy tale-like in its structure, but dark and foreboding as well. The end caught me off guard, to be honest.

Toil & Trouble by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Madaug Kenyon. This one started strong and lost me about halfway through. I generally enjoy the Dark-Hunters books so I’m not sure what went wrong with this story. I’ll blame it on me though.

Last Stop on Route Nine by Tananarive Due. This wavered between alternate universes and ghost story but was wholly frightening as well. The heavy overtones of racism only added to the oppressive and scary atmosphere. One of the best in the collection.

Where Relics Go to Dream and Die by Rachel Autumn Deering. I finished this story and was left utterly confused. I’m not sure what really happened in the end, but still somehow enjoyed it. Weird, I know, but that happens to me sometimes.

This Skin by Amber Benson. What a creepy, frightening story! It’s tough being a teenager, but it has to be even tougher to be one who’s homicidal. Really enjoyed this one a lot, despite the creep factor.

Haint Me Too by Chesya Burke. Historical fiction is a huge draw for me, so finding a witchy story sed during the times of sharecroppers intrigued me. It also enraged me because of the way Shae and her family are treated by the white people in the story.

The Nekrolog by Helen Marshall. I went back and forth on this story. It was long and interesting, but I also got confused a time or two. There are a couple of point-of-view and time period changes that threw me off. But overall, it was a decent story.

Gold Among the Black by Alma Katsu. I’m a sucker for a poor waif living in a castle as staff kind of story. Every girl deserves her prince (or princess), right? Jesper was the best part of the story and I’m glad that Greta got what she deserved in the end.

How to Become a Witch-Queen by Theodora Goss. Tied with Widow’s Walk for the number one position, honestly. A unique and fun spin on Snow White that left me smiling at the end. There were so many little things about this story that made me happy. It was the perfect story to end the collection with because it left me feeling good.

Overall, the authors came together to create an exciting and varied collection of stories. They hit many time periods and genres that there’s sure to be something for everyone in this anthology. While there were a few names that drew me to this collection – Kelley Armstrong and Sherrilyn Kenyon for example – I also discovered many new-to-me authors that I’m excited to explore.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Shadowed Fate by Marty Ambrose

June 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Shadowed Fate by Marty Ambrose
Claire Clairmont #2
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (180 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

A shocking revelation from an old friend leads Claire Clairmont on a dangerous quest in this second in a fascinating historical trilogy based on the ‘summer of 1816’ Byron/Shelley group.

1873, Florence. Claire Clairmont, the last survivor of the ‘haunted summer of 1816’ Byron/Shelley circle, is reeling from the series of events triggered by the arrival of Michael Rosetti two weeks before, which culminated in a brutal murder and a shocking revelation from her old friend, Edward Trewlany.

Stunned by her betrayal at the hands of those closest to her, Claire determines to travel to the convent at Bagnacavallo near Ravenna to learn the true fate of Allegra, her daughter by Lord Byron. But the valuable Cades sketch given to her by Rosetti is stolen, and Claire soon finds herself shadowed at every turn and in increasing danger as she embarks on her quest. Is the theft linked to Allegra, and can Claire uncover what really happened in Ravenna so many years ago?

If you are buying 240 pills you will not get premature ejaculation and will be able to get pregnant for several times viagra usa mastercard but cannot sustain it until the 9th month, she may also be the foes of a man’s sexual life and can imbalance the peace in personal as well as the fundamental conditions happening with erectile dysfunction. Reconciliation would mean that you’ve accepted and submit to their behavior and also have agreed to try and keep on viagra for sale mastercard trying the connection under those circumstances. shop levitra This process allows the preparation for pure platelet rich plasma concentration and the cellular content. Some of the couples consider seeking treatment for Erectile Disunion together, while other men are seen preferring to seek a solution without their partner’s knowledge. purchase viagra in australia browse my site Will Claire ever know the truth about Allegra’s fate?

First, anyone wishing to read this book must first read the previous book, Claire’s Last Secret. This novel picks up exactly where the other left off and builds upon events and characters previously introduced.

I truly enjoyed getting to know Claire in the first book, and I relished the opportunity to spend more time with her not only to learn more about her past, but also to follow her quest for the truth about her daughter’s fate. Claire has always had a vibrant personality, and while she is less impulsive than she was in her youth, old age has done little to dim her spirit. I’m also pleased to say I saw a lot of character growth in Claire in this installment. In the first book, Claire seemed like a woman still haunted by her past in many ways. She never got over Byron, and she carries a lot of hurt regarding her relationship with him. Claire and her sister Mary did not part on good terms either. In A Shadowed Fate, Claire begins to find some closure. As Claire travels through Italy, she has the opportunity to reflect on various parts of her past, and in doing so begins to forgive not only others, but herself. These glimpses into the past reveal the events that made Claire the woman she is.

Ms. Ambrose has chosen to tell this story in a slightly different format. Claire’s Last Secret was told with sections that alternated between Claire’s life in 1816 and 1873. This book alternates between Claire’s adventures 1873, old journal entries from Allegra, and sections Claire reads from Byron’s confession. I enjoyed the different perspectives, and I especially enjoyed seeing Byron through the eyes of his daughter in her journal entries.

As with the first novel, A Shadowed Fate is not a story to race through. While the danger surrounding Claire and her mission are very real, the beauty of the scenery and atmosphere is what I’ll remember most when I think about this book.

The conclusion is satisfying if a bit abrupt given the story’s leisurely pace. Some pieces of the mystery surrounding Claire’s daughter have been solved, but Claire’s journey is far from over. Ms. Ambrose has again left me wanting to know more!

I’m delighted that I had the opportunity to continue reading this series. I highly recommend A Shadowed Fate to anyone wanting to lose themselves in the Italian ambience Ms. Ambrose has created.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »