Review - The Matriarch by Kevin Ransom

Glenville Normal School - 1919
Sarah Louisa "Sis" Linn, class of 1877, is brutally murdered in her home on the school's campus. No motive or murderer is found. 

Glenville State College - 2013
Nearly 100 years has passed since Sis Linn's unsolved murder. The school's name has changed, and the story of her death and tales of her apparition have become fodder for frightening incoming freshmen. But a century is merely a moment for a spirit - and less than a blink of an eye for even more sinister entities that endure beyond the grave. Student Janiss Connelly will soon learn that not only are some ghost stories true, but that there are greater things to fear in life - and in death - than ghosts.


This is one damn spooky book.

To say anything about this book would be revealing too many plot points, but let me make a few things clear. 

First, I'm not a big fan of vampire stories because for me that old saw had long lost its teeth. Too many authors simply write the same thing over and over. Or so I thought until I read this book. Mr. Ransom has spun his own unique version of these toothy beings, and he's created creatures who are both believable and who fit perfectly into this modern world. 

Second, you are taken further into the story from the vampire's perspective. You see their side of immortal living, from the pain suffered when they are hurt, to the comforting unconsciousness of lying skin-to-dirt in a grave. 

Third, there are good vampires, and there are bad vampires, and sometimes they fight each other because of what they are, and because of what they believe in. Some are ruthless, portrayed as soulless like their movie counterparts, but others are struggling to cope day to day with their existence.

I bought this book on recommendation, and I'm delighted with what I discovered. Get your own copy. And when you do, throw away any previous beliefs you had about these undead beings, and enjoy!

4.5 Star Review for BEAST OF THE BAYOU

Thierry’s brother is missing and she is determined to find him. She will do whatever she can to do so. So she employs the help of Antonio and sparks fly instantly. Antonio will do everything for Thierry. Thierry soon develops feelings for him but Antonio has a secret. In fact all of his friends do too. They are all shifters each a different species. Will they find her brother? Will Thierry accept Antonio even after learning his secret?

I loved Beast of the Bayou. I really did. I loved it from beginning to end. I loved the different point of views. I wished the book was longer so I could enjoy it more. I was so sad when it ended. The book was full of action. I read the book in one sitting. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Thierry was so determined to find her brother. I liked that she never gave up. I really liked her character a lot. She was a strong female lead but I was surprised when she mentioned her fear. I never would have expected what it would be. I have to say it was a new twist since I’ve never read a shifter story like that. Antonio was such a sweetheart. I liked him a lot. I couldn’t get enough of him. I liked all his friends, too. They were so funny. I want to see them find their mates. I liked their interactions with each other. I couldn’t get enough.

Overall, I think Linda wrote an amazing story and now she is on my watch list for shifter romances. I really loved this book. I do hope there will be more books starring Antonio’s friends. I don’t want it to end at all. I loved their characters so much. I highly recommend this book if you love shifter romances.

Reviewed by: Samthebookaholic 

Manic Readers Gives VALL'S WILL Five Stars!

In a galaxy far, far away, in a time far into the future, Will captains a space ship that is largely charged with peace keeping missions. On a routine trip, she finds a hostile ship with prisoners aboard, and it is her duty to retrieve them and return them to their own planets and families. One of the prisoners is not like the others, however. He is a strange wild-looking humanoid, who has been a board the ship and mistreated for about 20 years, since he was 9 years old.

He is a rarity, and Will’s ship doctors can’t figure out what species he is or where he comes from. As time passes, they find the bad guys who kidnapped him want him back at any cost, even if they have to destroy planets and declare war. At the same time the humanoid, they call Vall, falls in love with Will, calling her ‘his Will’. Amazingly she falls in love with him also, which isn’t done in this future world.

When Vall gets better, stronger, and begins to communicate, more of his history becomes clear, and his super powers begin to manifest, but circumstances and Will’s orders keep them apart.

I couldn’t put Vall’s Will down. There is non-stop action, excellent writing, plus a new problem and/or mystery around every corner. What will happen to the lovers? How will a galaxy war be averted? What will Vall’s part be in the grand scheme of things, and what will Will’s role be?

I think you’ll like the story and the characters. We learn much more about Will, as well as the perceived roles of women in the future, than we do of Vall, but that doesn’t seem to matter. We like Vall from minute one, and root for him all the way.

Reviewed by Alberta

(Full review here.)

Review of KNIGHT OF DARKNESS - "You get a fantastic sci-fi romance novel."

As a voracious reader, it is not often that I come across something that hasn’t been done, but I was pleasantly surprised here. Ms. Mooney takes the standard story of love and adventure, and displays it in a new and wonderful environment. Add a strong heroine (cause hey, who wouldn’t be screaming?) and a hero you fall in love with for who he is, not his appearance, disgusting aliens, talking swords, stir, and voila! You get a fantastic sci-fi romance novel.

This introduction into the Surge Knights world depicts a race of peoples who are devoted to protecting other planets from the U’Nar, an evil (gross) alien race that exist only to destroy. The Surge Knights are seeded on different planets, undergoing a 100 day metamorphosis to become full Knights, the hope being that the transformation will be complete prior to any invasion started. The remarkably naïve race destroys the invasive force, then return home. Of course, we humans love to throw a kink in things, point out all sort of inconsistencies, and have learned lessons from all the horror movies we’ve seen.

Rachel and Sorrow break all the rules and taboos to find love in one another arms. You’ll be thrilled reading this book. You’ll also be excited to know that it Ms. Mooney has several other books available…I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Warning: there is some graphic violence in this book in relation to the alien invasion.

(SSLY)

New Review of FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS - "This novel rocks!"

FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Erotic Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
(ebook) ISBN# 978-1-60313-829-1
(print) ISBN# 978-1-60313-863-5
Word Count:  75.5K
Croat was a Lupan, one of the half-man, half-beast creatures long thought to be extinct or fabricated from fairy tales. Lupan were folklore, nothing more than a myth.

Tora was a Sensitive. Her kind really existed, and normal people feared Sensitives because it was common knowledge that all Sensitives were evil and practiced the dark magicks.

Captured and thrown together inside Baron Agrino’s dungeon, they discovered a connection between them that defied all reason, and a love that transcended all
boundaries.

But is their love strong enough to stop the baron from what he’ll do with every Lupan he plans to capture? Or, worse, what he’ll do with Tora once he learns what she is?

Warning!  Contains torture, imprisonment, severe beatings, nasty bad guys, public nudity, molten wax, old wives' tales, forest folk, bad horsemanship, and lots of pissed off townspeople.
* * *

The Sensitive and the Lycan

 

This novel rocks! It is far more than your usual werewolf romance. It is a dark and erotic fairytale which deals with issues surrounding discrimination and acceptance, which affect all societies. It is the first book that I have read by Linda Mooney and I will be delving into her backlist and future releases of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romances very soon.

In From out of the Shadows, which is set in a world akin to medieval times, the heroine, Tora is captured and thrown into a dungeon by Baron Agrino’s henchmen. A group of men bring another prisoner into the cell, subjecting him to an extremely savage beating. In the darkness of the dungeon Tora, goes to his aid, using her special powers as a Sensitive (Empath) to discover the extent of his injuries. She is astounded to discover that the body she touches is not that of a man, but a Lupan, a half-man, half-wolf creature from legend. She does the best she can to help him heal and shares some of her meagre rations with him. The Lupan, Croat tells Tora to stay away from him to save herself. He warns her that the baron’s men have put him there to break him so that he will aid the baron with his evil plans. Tora is being used by the baron to torture him, for if Croat is not fed, his Lupan side will dominate and he will be compelled to kill and eat her to survive. This he is loathe to do. Morover, they have formed a special bond with each other, enabling them to sense each others’ emotions from afar.

Tora and Croat eventually escape from the dungeon and return to Croat’s Lycan village. Tora cannot hide the fact that she is a Sensitive from Croat’s brethren and some find it hard to trust her. Sensitives are believed to possess dark magicks and are reviled and persecuted by those who do not understand their gift. However, Tora is under Croat’s protection and the bond between them grows, although Croat is fearful and a little suspicious of what this means. Croat and the other Lupans must decide what to do about Baron Agrino who is a threat to the Lupans. Tora returns home to find out what has happened to her brother Basil whilst she was a prisoner. From here the tale becomes darker as Tora finds out what awaits her in the village and the evil machinations of the baron and others are revealed to the reader. Croat and the Lupans are forced to act, ‘coming out of the shadows’, to not only save Tora but also their own way of life, before Tora and Croat can fulfil their true destiny.

The tale is very romantic, both Croat and Tora have experienced discrimination throughout their lives and remain strong characters deserving of each others’ love. Their mutual attraction is strong – even when Croat is in his Lupan form there is a sexual tension between them and Croat in particular finds it hard to dampen his body’s response. Croat wants to bed her from early on in the novel, although it is quite late on the first time Croat and Tora make love, but it was worth the wait and happened at just the right point in the narrative. Their lovemaking was also very erotic, their connection making it extra special! Tora tells Croat that she is happy to accept him into her body in human or Lupan form and this pleases him greatly.

The story does contain a great deal of violence throughout. The Lupans, for example, succumb to their animal instincts when in Lupan form and battle the baron’s men. There is also one particular harrowing torture scene in the book, which I will not divulge, suffice to say it had me cringing, but on reflection it reflected behaviour that occurred within the world the author created and was also key to progressing the plot.

Other major characters in the book include Deelaht, Croat’s grandmother, who plays the part of a wise woman and seems to know a lot more than she is letting on. There is also Mengar, Croat’s friend, who initially does not trust Tora as she is a Sensitive, Basil her brother and of course the baron. The author creates a very believable world and paints vivid pictures of the people, their abodes and their customs, adding to the depth and credibility of the story.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy erotic romance in a fantasy or paranormal setting, especially those who enjoy reading tales with a darker side.

 

Reviewed by Tina Williams, Sizzle and Burn Book Reviews

 

Great Review for Breachers: Hawthorne and Marya

Reviewed by Merrylee, TwoLips Reviews

From a parallel universe, Breachers are shapeshifters who've fostered human legends and myths, from Bigfoot to fire-breathing dragons. Pulled from their own universe by a freak celestial anomaly, they're plopped down in our world, without the possibility of ever going home. Most adapt, making the choice to live secretly among humans as humans themselves. But there are some Breachers who can't handle life as humans. They go berserk, becoming blood-thirty murderers that need to be put down before the rank and file of humanity discover what they really are. Enter the secret “no name” government organization tasked with putting these rogues down.

Although he may not prefer his solitary existence, professional kick boxer Arik Hawthorne has settled into a comfortable niche that suits his need for secrecy while allowing him to work off the pent up energy that's basic to his “fiery” nature. But when he's partnered with Army Lt. Corinth Marya to hunt down the rogue Breacher killing humans in a small New Mexico town, all bets are off. The beautiful Marya calls to him like no other female – human or Breacher – ever has, but by loving her he risks everything, including his own life.

Yes! After a disappointing book one in the series, Linda Mooney's Breacher series begins to shine with the release of book two – Hawthorne and Marya. Although the opening pages somewhat mirror the beginning of book one, this second installment offers one of the most original story lines and unique paranormal villains in the invisible dirt-manipulating tzealdo that I've ever come across in my reading. And the emotional angst I was missing in Holt and McKenna? It found its way into Hawthorne and Marya.

Despite their biological differences, putting these two intriguing individuals together works well. I really enjoyed the way their relationship progresses. From Hawthorne's initial reticence to commit to Marya and her instinctive fear of his scaly, fire-breathing form, love is much more likely to happen between these two with all the stumbling blocks Ms. Mooney puts in their way. And I can’t forget to mention the sizzling hot passion between them! These two veritably burn up the sheets!

Yet, there's still something about this series that keeps it from reaching its true potential. It's not Ms. Mooney's writing, nor is it her plotting or characterizations. It's the setting. It took me awhile to finally realize that this series feels unsuited to a modern time frame and atmosphere. In my humble opinion, had Ms. Mooney written this series with a steampunk setting, it would have been a phenomenal read.

You can read my review of book one, Holt and McKenna, here. Either book can be read as a stand alone work.

Review: DEEP

~ Reviewed by Merrylee, TwoLips Reviews

Galactic Enforcer Lawn Bascomb finally stands on the threshold of accomplishing her dream, a dream she's dedicated her life working toward. She's about to depart Earth for guard post duty in Area 6Y, on the very fringes of the galaxy. She'll spend one year there, her ship anchored to a buoy as she watches for any and all threats to Earth. There's nothing she desires more than the precious solitude it will bring her. One whole year of it, with no one to stare at her or look away all too quickly from the awfulness of her facial deformity. Her only company will be Deep, the male AI installed in her Vogt ship.

Deep is one of only four experimental spaceships that incorporate distinctly different artificially enhanced intelligences created specifically for deep space duty.He's been waiting months for this time alone with Lawn. Able to project a holographic representation of himself, Deep is not only handsome and sexy, he's the very image of a man Lawn’s been fantasizing about ever since he smiled at her, despite her disfigurement. He quickly becomes so much more than her shipboard computer. He becomes her friend and then her lover, making her feel beautiful for the first time in her life.

When they're faced with certain death from a natural cataclysm that also threatens Earth, Deep knows he must save Lawn and Earth, even if the price is his own life. For Lawn, without Deep, her future isn't worth a plugged nickel. Or is it?

Deep by Linda Mooney deviates from all her other Sci-Fi romances I've read, and I've read quite a few. It tells the story of love found between an artificially intelligent spaceship and “his” flesh and blood female pilot. Through Ms. Mooney's skillful writing, it doesn't take the reader long to start viewing Deep as a sentient, emotional male being instead of merely a sexless thinking machine. Both Lawn and Deep are animated, believable, and sympathetic. I especially loved Deep and his emotional depth. He loves Lawn with all his “heart,” despite the horribly disfigured left side of her face.

Although the book did wring some tears from me – one of the tests a book must pass for me to give it anything above 4 kisses – I had a couple issues. Despite having a surprise ending that can be classified as HEA, I didn't find it a desirable ending, no matter how apropos it is, following as it does, in the wake of tragedy. I also finished the book with one burning question. How did Lawn's face become disfigured and what did it actually look like? Although Ms. Mooney goes to great lengths to elaborate on how her disfigured face affects her life and the way she views herself, her vague description of the actual injury, burn, or birth defect – or whatever it is – leaves a lot to be desired, which is a criticism I don't think I've ever had for a Mooney book. 

That said, if you love Ms. Mooney's Sci-Fi romances or you're looking for something a bit different in the genre, pick up Deep and see what you think of it.

Peter and His Wolf Was Reviewed!

PETER AND HIS WOLF was recently reviewed by United By Books!

Description: Remember hearing the musical story by Prokofiev when you were in elementary school? About the boy who lived with his grandfather, and who captured a wolf by the tail? Did you ever wonder if the story was real? Did you ever wonder whatever happened to the wolf? More importantly, did you ever try to guess what happened to Peter after he captured the wolf?
This is the real story that was never told...until now.

My Thoughts: This book is, at 26 pages, a short read. Peter captures a wolf he keeps seeing. He is drawn back to see her one last time and is in for a surprise. I won't say too much since it's such a short read. I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite. I thought it was a bit rushed, but liked the concept. The coupling was hot and the ending was cute. I just wish it was longer to flesh it out a bit more. I will be looking into more of Mooney's work to see what else she has in store for us.

"Bequeathed is a spooky, sexy ghost story."

Reviewed by Kimberly, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews


Claire has traveled 11,000 miles to her new home, well new to her. Claire Stines has just inherited the old Upton Place. She is moving from Dallas to a log cabin in Lake Weemonaka, Minnesota. She is hoping for a better life for her and her beloved Bengal cat, Mike.

Homeless and destitute, Claire Stines has no choice but to move into the log house bequeathed to her out in the Minnesota wilderness. Although she has little else to sustain her other than a few dollars and even fewer seeds of hope, she believes she can make a fresh start for herself, and if she’s lucky, maybe find a little romance.

But first she has to overcome the rumors of the house’s supposedly dark past. More importantly, who is that young man she’s seen in the woods, and why has he been watching her from a distance ever since she arrived?


And why does he both fascinate and terrify her?

Warning! Contains a decades-old curse, hidden compartments, dead fairies, spirits in the forest, unrelenting winter cold, and a possible explanation for people gone missing in the woods.

Claire enjoys exploring her new home. The complete darkness and silence of the forest is strange to her. As she gets ready for bed on her first night, a face peers out from the darkness.

The next day was spent emptying the U-haul trailer, so she could return it on time. As she walked out the front door, a man is standing at the corner of the cabin. His presence startles her so much that she calls out to him. When he doesn’t answer, she calls 911. When the sheriff’s cruiser arrives, the man has disappeared. The deputy searches around by can’t find any trace of the man. The officer believes the intruder to just be passing by and probably as startled as she is. She explains that she just inherited the cabin and decided to move here when she lost her job and apartment in Dallas. She is at Lake Weemonaka to make a fresh start.

As she explores her new home, she discovers the mysterious stranger. This time he talks with her. His name is Horne and he lives in a nearby cabin. He tells her that it is not safe to be out after dark, and abruptly leaves after asking if she knows the history of the cabin. The next day, he arrives again to show her where her pump is located. He startles her but soon begins the tour of the pump house. He blurts out that the house is cursed.

She is suddenly startled by the arrival of a car. It is the deputy back to check on her. When she turns back, Horne is gone. She tells the deputy about her visitor. He doesn’t recognize the name and says that he will check around. Claire discovers that while she is able to relax when talking with the deputy, Horne is a more comfortable companion. The deputy shares the story of the cabin’s curse with Claire. The story goes that the builder of the cabin angered the spirits of the forest by cutting down the sacred trees and other atrocities. The original owner, Oren Palmhurst, sold the cabin to Claire’s grandparents. On the same day that he sold the cabin, Palmhurst died of a heart attack.  Claire wonders if the curse will extend to her.

Claire wanders into the forest searching for Horne. She wants to know more about the curse. What is the curse? Why was the owner cursed? Who is Horne? Why does her normally skittish cat like Horne so much? Why is she so comfortable with Horne? What has she been Bequeathed?

Bequeathed is a spooky, sexy ghost story. I enjoyed the foreshadowing and all the creepy undertones. This story has a lot of character development and it really draws you into the story. Make sure you keep the lights on for this one.

POSSESSION Gets a Top Pick From Miz Love!

Possession. I can’t even begin to know where to start. It’s excellent, in my opinion. I really did enjoy it. It’s paranormal, and very convincingly done it is too. J is blind but can see auras, working out what the colours are from what she had been told they represented as a child. She lives alone, has a helper friend who cleans up and pays her bills for her, and I got a huge insight into what it must be like to be blind. Her helper knows she mustn’t move anything, and if she does, she’s to tell J so she doesn’t trip and hurt herself. I can’t imagine what it’s like—I even tried it on a break from reading, walking around with my eyes shut—and I have the utmost respect and admiration for blind people who continue living as much of a “normal” life as seeing people do.

So, I learned a lot, got to think deeply about something because of this book, and I’m grateful for that. Sometimes we tend to forget there are people out there so much worse off than we are, and when a book like this comes along that gently shows us how others live—Ms Mooney doesn’t bash the reader over the head with it, she guides you along—it makes me sit up and think. Thank you, Ms Mooney.

**plot spoiler ahead**

Kiel is dead. Yes, our hero is dead but can make himself seen to living people. Fab-u-lous! He woke to find himself dead and went to his brother, knowing he would help him try and find who had killed him and the other people found dead recently. Together, he and Sam (his brother) aim to find the killer with the help of J, who the police enlist from time to time to help them solve cases.

Kiel and J are attracted to one another, and she knows he is dead right away. It may seem strange to some that a dead person can exist as a living person, make you wonder how Kiel and J’s relationship can possibly develop, but it can, due to Kiel being able to make himself seen. Their love is real, it’s romantic, and what cinched it for me, Possession wasn’t all about the sex. Yes, it has sex in it, lovely scenes, I might add, but it focussed more on the budding emotions and feelings, about how they interacted with one another, how they each fought to deal with what they knew would eventually happen: When Kiel found his dead body (he had no idea where he’d been killed), there was a strong possibility he as a spirit person would finally die properly.

J and Kiel know their time is limited, but they can’t spend all their time together as they undoubtedly wish they could (who wouldn’t, knowing he’ll be taken from her?). Instead, they have to work towards finding the monster who is killing people. And a monster it is, but I won’t spoil the plot here. Although he’s a monster, he does have some redeeming qualities, and I felt empathy for him a couple of times, especially at the end, when he did something that made me cry.

**Best Bits**

Her forehead was a canvas for him on which to paint his kisses.

“Yeah, well, get used to it quick because I’ve got stubborn all but tattooed across my butt…”

Her eyes were enormous hazel pools, so wide Sam could see the gory room reflected in their surface.

Under the gray skies the apartment building looked like the discarded husk of an insect that had outgrown it and moved on. (Wow. Just…wow!)

Their footsteps rang like out-of-tune chimes… (another wow!)

She whipped around to see the immense black figure standing a few feet away. (Shivers!)

“I fixed him.” (I know you’re not meant to feel empathy for the bad guy, really, but here I did. I wanted to hug him for what he had done.)

**Verdict**

Possession is well written with an easy-going voice that sucks you in. The plot, the blind woman, the dead hero, all culminate into a rip-roaring book that I urge anyone and everyone to read. It rocks big-time.

I've been really good throughout this review and haven't cursed once, but a Miz Management review without cursing just wouldn't be the same, so I'll slip it in here. POSSESSION KICKS AZZ!

It's 5 Roses from Sizzling Hot Book Reviews for POSSESSION!

They say they when you loose one of you senses (like sight or hearing), the other’s sharpen to make up for the loss. J was born blind. But not only are her other senses sharper, she also has a psychic ‘seeing’ ability. She has learned how to use it to help the police in special cases, the latest one involving the maker of the street drug called Possession.

J was born blind, but she could "see" things. Her gift has always helped the police find such things as missing persons, serial killers... a ghost or two.

Detective Kiel Stark has worked homicide for eight years, but he has never met this mysterious Seer his fellow officers claim could almost perform miracles. Not until a gruesome triple homicide has his superiors calling in the reserved woman to help with the case.

Now Stark is faced with a double threat. Not only is he finding himself dangerously attracted to the mysterious beauty, but she could very well discover his own carefully guarded secret—a secret that could bring an end to his career, his way of life, and any future he hoped to have.

Detective Kiel Stark is working undercover on loan to the DEA when his cover is busted and he is attacked. He looses conscious and wakes up a week later in the park. When he goes to Sam Reese’s, his partner and half-brother, place he quickly learns things are much worse than he first thought. He wasn’t just attacked that night, but actually died. With Sam’s help, he figures out he now seems to be some kind of ghost or wrath… When he concentrates he can have a (his old) physical form, or at least seem to. But he no longer sleeps or eats. And he is learning he does have other ‘ghost like’ abilities, like being able to pass through walls or “teleport” to other locations. Kiel doesn’t know why he is still around, so he goes about his old life of being a cop as it is what he knows and loves. But he does have a ‘need’ to find his missing body and whoever killed him. Not that he and Sam make any headway on that front.

But being a ghost just might help them solve their latest case: there seems to be a new serial killer around. This one is sever but maybe smart. The bodies are beaten beyond recognition or even identification, but there are clues left at the scenes of the crimes. When they don’t get anywhere with the case, their captain sends them to a psychic the city police force has discretely used before, J Laurent.

J (Je t’aime) Laurent was a surprise baby. Her parents had tried but finally given up on having children and adopted her brother. Then she came along. They were older, but handled her blindness well. They did the best they could with her ‘gift’ but didn’t listen as they should have. Thus they and her brother were killed in an auto accident when she was six. She was raised by her grandmother, but even she died a few years ago. Between the money left from her father’s investments and the old Victorian house her grandmother left her, J doesn’t have to work or worry about money. But she still can’t ignore her psychic warning and flashes. Especially when bad things happen. So she helps the police with special cases. Now she is getting hints on the latest killings and meets the detectives working the case, Kiel and Sam.

J knows from the first meeting that Kiel is something different. He is also the first ‘person’ to call out to her, to her soul. And Kiel feels a unique pull to her as well. They both want to be together, but know Kiel doesn’t have much time left.

J is able to help with the case. But should they involve a blind lady on such a dangerous case? Kiel feels like he is taking from her when he knows he won’t be around long, that he is on borrowed time as it is. And J wants to get as many memories of Kiel to keep for after he is gone. Then J gets an impression that the killer is like Kiel, dead but still here/living… Now there is another link to both Kiel and J with the killer. Will Kiel be able to keep her safe?

Ohhh, Possession grabbed my right from the start! Some fast action gets us on the edge of our seats and Kiel’s confusion as well as the police mystery keeps us going. Then we have to try to figure out just what happened to Kiel, and what he is now (even he isn’t sure). This was very well done and kept us guessing without being too confusing or slow in the explanation as we go along. Possession ends up being a real page turner that I stayed up late to finish just to find out how everything worked out!

Possession has some unusual characters. The villain/killer is not what one sees often (in more ways than one.) Kiel is a good cop turned super cop, not because of becoming a ghost but because of trying to spare those around him as much pain and lose as possible. He wants to be with J but worries about hurting her, what his leaving will do to her in the long run. He even asks his brother to look out for her when this happens. And he knows that “his brother hasn’t mourned his death yet,” and worries about what his ‘final’ passing will do to him as well. He is a good representation of a normal person in an extraordinary situation. Of course, J is great. She may be a little cut off from the outside world most times, but she has learned to cope with her blindness, within her limits. She has some outside help, checks up that she isn’t being taken advantage of, and even has lots of Braille books for entertainment. So she does manage well enough even though she is on her own now.

As you can guess, I loved Possession. This is not your standard ghost or cop story. And I have to warn you girls, you will need tissues around the end, but there is a HEA ending (I really worried as I got to the end, hope this doesn’t spoil anything for you, but we do expect the hea when reading romances). Possession is a great paranormal, and anyone tired of the standard romance will enjoy this unusual twist on a good ‘who-done-it’ idea.

A DIFFERENT YESTERDAY Was Reviewed!

I found A Different Yesterday to be an outstanding, uplifting read by Linda Mooney. It demonstrates how strong a person's first love can be. For Drew and Jo they had been best friends since childhood. They shared their hopes, dreams, innermost thoughts and secrets, knowing they could put total trust in one another. They could never imagine life without the other one. Unknowingly to them, the innocent and pure love they shared was about to be put to the test and turned upside down.

Drew's dad was being transferred to Maine, away from Jo, his best friend and true love. The news devastated both Jo and Drew. Before leaving they shared a kiss and Drew promised Jo he would one day come back to her.

Linda Mooney has written this book so the reader can be in the present and the past without getting lost and confused. I found that having the "yesterday" put in after a few chapters of the present, was a refreshing change. I usually do not like flashbacks in novels because it would lose me and become a nuisance. I did not feel this in A Different Yesterday. The flashbacks to 'yesterday' was the backbone of the book. It took you from Jo and Drew's childhood and the events that led up to Drew's entire family being slaughtered and Drew almost killed as well. It helped the reader understand why Drew became a nomad, on a journey to find out if his one true love had survived the 'apocalypse' as a result of the sun imploding due to global warming. The author gives outstanding and vivid detail so the reader can feel they are in the story experiencing what the characters experience.

I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it anyone needing a great book to curl up with. It has some graphic details involving violence, and several love scenes which were done in very good taste.

I give this book five stars.

Reviewed by
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

New Review for My Horror Novella, CODE 30

I just got this wonderful review for my horror novella CODE 30 (which I write under the name Gail Smith) from Manic Readers. I'm only posting part of it, but including the link if you want to check out the whole thing. Warning - the review includes graphic content.

***

"There were twists and turns, and situations I didn’t see coming. The horror in this story was spine tingling. I can’t even begin to explain how Ms. [Smith] described so well and so fluidly the acts and deprivations that occurred. There was sadness in this story, but don’t get me wrong, this was 100% horror city.

Well done Ms. [Smith], I hope every horror fans takes a look at Code 30 because it is so worth it!"

Reviewed by Claudia, Manic Readers

http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=5151

Is It Really a Contest If You Have To Buy The Book First?

I recently had a contest where readers could win several copies of my latest release, and all they had to do was either show up or put their names in a hat, per se.

The reason I mention this is because on one blog I happened to peruse the other day, an author is giving away two gift certificates to a bookstore as a prize.  But in order to have a chance at winning one, you have to either write review about her book on her blog, or write the review for her book on Amazon.

In other words, you have to buy the book first, read it, and give her a favorable review before you can be entered to win.  (I seriously doubt a bad review would make you eligible.)

To me, that's a contest that's going about it all wrong.  Or am I missing a very crutial point?

RUNNER'S MOON: CHALLA Scores 5 Cups from Coffee Time!

Challa Doon is a Ruinos, an alien who crash landed on Earth with several other of her kind. She does not know if the others survived or not as they all got separated. Now she works for a carnival as a sideshow attraction and she is called “Challa, the alien girl.” Challa’s people are shapeshifters, and Challa can appear as a human during the day.

Compton Scott is a veteran of the Iraq War. He has come home because he was severely injured causing him to lose his leg and a piece of another part of his anatomy. He is glad to be home, but relatively withdrawn.

When Compton’s best friend Max talks him into going to the carnival and checking out a side show called, “Challa, the alien girl,” he goes along for something to do. Of course the fact that his friend has brought a blind date along for him does not help, but he goes anyway since it is Max. He is very surprised at how authentic Challa looks, how she does not look as though she is wearing a costume. He does not believe in aliens, but he finds himself more than a little intrigued by her. He hides in the tent when everyone leaves and then comes out to try and talk to her. Challa takes one whiff of the man who has the temerity to approach her and nearly freezes; his scent has proclaimed him her blood mate. However, before Compton can really talk to her or she to him, a co-worker chases him from the tent. Fortunately each take matters into their own hands and they are able to find each other later in the evening. Plans are made for the next day and they are able to hook up again, this time with Challa in her human form. It becomes apparent very quickly that they each have feelings for the other that they have never had for anyone else of the opposite sex before. However, Lawson, the man who owns the carnival will not let Challa go easily since she is the reason the carnival is solvent. On top of that, Challa and her people escaped from a slave ship and the Arra, their enslavers are looking for their lost cargo. Will Challa and Compton be able to stay together? Will their budding love survive all the obstacles?

Wow! Runner’s Moon: Challa Book 4 has to be one of the best science fiction romances I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year! I absolutely loved the fact that Challa and her people do not look even remotely human. So many sci-fi romances the alien looks and acts human with just some minor variations. However, this was not the case with this story. The fact that Compton was able to accept Challa in her alien form and had absolutely no problem loving her anyway makes this story outstanding. The lovemaking scenes are sexy and emotion-filled with just the right touch of eroticism. While I have not read the first three books in this series, after reading this one I plan to. Still this book can easily stand on its own. If you want to read a really fabulous science fiction romance, then I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of Runner’s Moon: Challa Book 4 because it is so worth it!

Regina
Coffee Time Romance and More
http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

The Romance Studio Loved HEARTFAST

Guardians. A group of men and women with special powers and abilities. Their job is to protect the people of their world.

Because of a disastrous event in the past that resulted in sterilizing much of the past and present population, the governing body created the HandFast lottery. They have certain specifications they use to pick the couples and the ultimate result is for each woman to produce a child.

Because of the danger involved in their daily missions, the Guardians have been exempted from the HandFast. Not this year. Word is out that at least one of the Guardians is going to be named.

Surprise! Two of them are to be HandFasted to each other. Imagine the shock when StarLight aka Terrin DiLyric and Master Hunter aka Udo Vosstien find out they are one of the couples to be HandFasted.

Linda Mooney has created this fantastic world where superheroes are more than someone hiding their identity so they can go out and save the world. The Guardians are portrayed as being like regular people except they have special powers and abilities.

Star and Hunter are one of the best couples I've met this year. Star is a young woman from another planet who has not had the best of lives. Made to feel like a misfit because of her powers, she leaves her home world and eventually joins up with the Guardians. Still, she finds it hard to let any of her new teammates see her 'real' self.

Hunter grew up in a different world. He has two parents and one brother. He basically had as normal a childhood as a person possibly could have.

I loved watching these two come together and try to build a life together while still doing their jobs as Guardians. Hunter is so gentle yet firm with Star that it brought tears to my eyes.

Still, the main question is who entered Star & Hunter in the lottery in the first place and why? The answer may surprise you.

Reviewer: Diane Mason
January 12, 2009