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Key Lime Squeeze by Ronald Adams

Welcome to a new captivating mystery/suspense series. This is my first time reading a Joe Banks Novel written by the very talented Ronald W. Adams and I admit that it was enjoyable the whole way through. Something was always going so there was no reason to be bored at all while reading Key Lime Squeeze.

After Robert Boothby has up and disappeared, leaving his wife Angela Cantolino high and dry to meet another woman in the Keys, Joe Banks, Private Investigator is contacted by the Cantolino’s in hopes of tracking him down to find out what he did with the missing money. This is only the tip of the iceberg, the two criminals mentioned early on are now free and lurking around Joe’s home with his wife left to “run them off.”

Spiraling and digging deeper into the Cantolino’s affairs proves to be much more than what Joe ever expected or even knows what to do with. He has to make everything right, and he must get home as quickly as he can, but it always seems someone is hindering the case… will the missing money ever be recovered? What will happen to Robert Boothby and his Keys fling? Oh and the biggie, who else is looking for the hidden stash of money that Robert has? It’s blackmail time!!!

Key Lime Squeeze by Ronald W. Adams is one of those mysteries that keeps you wide eyed and on the edge of your seat. It was full of action, adventure and intrigue. This is the second Joe Bank’s Novel, but I wouldn’t have ever known it… it is a perfect stand alone book and I look forward to the Joe Bank’s novels to come. 4 Hearts

The Cage by Jason Brannon

The Cage by Jason Brannon is a brutal shocking horror story that entwines fantasy, fiction, and a whole lot of fear together to make an amazing read. Brannon’s descriptions and details of his characters is like watching a movie. I can clearly picture all that is going on, and I have to say my favorite part is Sister Mary when she “goes along for the ride,” with Teddy. There were a few minor typo’s but that didn’t deter me from reading this great story, and let me tell you I really loved Jason’s view of these creatures.

Captain Jack Omaha and his Cryptozoological Fair and Freak Show is out to mess up the lives of an uncountable amount of people. Jack himself had experienced such trauma when tracking a creature that was unknown to existence, that he sought out people who were looking for the thrill of the hunt to feed his own sick ego. After meeting 5 rich office type hunters, Jack unleashed the Sasquatch for the men to hunt down; unbeknownst to the men, he also let loose a second creature, The Dragon of Bone Island.

Grant Peters is trying to piece together his relationship with his wife and kids. They are now at The Preserve trying to have a nice family weekend. Jack Omaha has once again unleashed his creatures into the world, The Dragon of Bone Island tracked him down, releasing some of the most dangerous creatures in the world. The Windego, The Beast of Exmoor, and The Chupacabra are all wondering around in the zoo, maiming and eating whatever or whoever they can get a hold of. Now Grant’s daughter, Crissy has been snatched up by one of the creatures and he’s playing games with her… dangerous games.

All the while Teddy is trying to be a hero, he was one out of the group of guys that actually survived The Dragon and was now out to make this all come to an end. He must take down The Dragon, as well as the rest of Omaha’s creatures. But he does have a little help, the ex-nun Sister Mary is along for the ride, providing him with the info he needs… only she is riding along in his brain. Curious? Get a copy and find out what I’m not telling you!

4.5 Hearts

Contact Jason: www.myspace.com/darkgrafitti

Night's Pleasure by Amanda Ashley- Coming Soon

Since she was nine years old, she loved going to magic shows with her father, Savanah Gentry had no idea that she would run into the man sixteen years later, that then captivated her with his presence. Santoro the Magnificent truly was amazing, he could transform into a wolf and disappear in an instant, she had to know his secrets, or at least get an interview for the paper. Like her father she loved magic but she also loved journalism, what better than to combine the two and get a great story from Santoro… although it wouldn’t be an easy story to get.

Santoro aka Rane Cordova was a vampire, he had spent many years away from his family because of a secret that he could not deal with. Being a magician really wasn’t the life he planned but it was his all the same, when the young lady showed up at a lot of his shows, he couldn’t help being captivated by her. Spending a couple weeks in town with her wouldn’t be so bad, he could have a taste of her and be on his way; although it wouldn’t be as simple as that once he falls in love with her.

Someone has just killed Savanah’s father, and Rane knows that it was a vampire that was also working with a werewolf. Upon the death of her father, many things come to light for Savanah. Vampire Hunter blood runs in her veins, she discovers a hidden secret that the vampire had killed her father for, and within that secret she finds the name Rane Cordova and a new sensation besides the newfound love… vengeance. He was one of them, one of those creatures! Rane must prove he means her no harm, there is still a werewolf on the loose and looking for the things Savanah now has in her possession. Vampire hunter blood may run in her veins, but she can not help falling for this super sexy 90 year old vamp before her. What is she to do, follow in the family footsteps or go the opposite way?

Night’s Pleasure by Amanda Ashley is one of those books that you hold to your chest and deeply sigh once you’ve read those last few words of the Epilogue. I love her books, they’re romantic, sexy, and emotional. I swear I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books without getting choked up, and Night’s Pleasure is no exception. I look forward to her next Night book, it should be Mara’s story and that is one that I will not miss out on! Amanda Ashley has a way of captivating the reader, spell-binding and delightful she is a master weaver of words.

Contact Amanda: www.amandaashley.com

The Magic Scales by Sam Wilding

The Magic Scales by Sam Wilding is a griping fantasy, young adult novel cram packed with everything a fantasy lover would want! I’m going to go about this review a little differently because it seems everything is linked and if I tell too much about The Magic Scales it will spoil everything. And we can’t have that.

War, strange creatures, wizards, Scotland and an asthmatic boy’s journey to find answers will just wrap you in a cloak of adventure and mystery so you better hold on to reality, or you’ll be forced into another time and place without a way to return. Absolutely amazing, Sam Wilding must be a great bedtime story teller for his son, whom in which he wrote this story for. I also love the setting for The Magic Scales, I love the idea of Scotland being such a magical place and one day I will travel there in hopes of finding a little bit of that magic.

More for the young adult genre, it is also easy for older readers to fall into this page turner and enjoy the experience. Make sure you have plenty of time, because once you start reading you’ll not want to stop. Sam has a way of spinning a web of words that will entrap the reader… it really is an enjoyable read! 5 Hearts

Contact Sam: www.myspace.com/themagicscales

Love on a Harley Anthology

Love on a Harley: A Romance Anthology
Rebecca Andrews, Debi Farr, Billie Warren Chai,
Patricia Frank, Diane Davis White, & Deborah MacGillivray

Secrets and Lies by Rebecca Andrews
Ella Peterson’s brother is being blackmailed, so he calls in a favor to an old friend to protect his sister. When Wess McKade shows up on his Harley all the old memories she had long tucked away came flooding back. Wess thought Ella looked better than ever, but he needed to not mix business with pleasure; the moment she was seated behind him on his Harley, all that changed. A ten year secret is about to be revealed, and Wess must do everything in his power to keep this nerd to knockout, winner of his heart safe. He must also tell her the reason he left 10 years ago without so much as a goodbye.

Leader of the Pack by Debi Farr
Charlie Fox was all decked out in her hooker gear when she had a flat tire. Falling down in a ditch was mortifying enough, let alone having a sexy cop help her out and flirt with her the whole time. Charlie was on her way to a “Come-As-You-Aren’t” party, and she was definitely not the hooker type. Derek Eiken was dressed as a cop, on his way to the same party when he found Charlie in the ditch, trying to explain that he was really not a police officer, he figured he might as well let her figure things out the hard way. Charlie wasn’t a big fan of motorcycle riders after one killed her dog Max, hopefully her feelings would change once she climbed on the back of one with Derek.

Hitting Paydirt by Billie Warren Chai

MaryVictoria Abbot was a beauty, she was strong, dependable and an oil driller. Covered from head to toe with mud, she was late for her brothers wedding rehearsal and really had no plans of leaving the job site… that is until the Major showed up. Craig Ferguson had eyes for MaryVic for years but with an over protective brother, he never acted upon his feelings. The night she stepped out of her room in a micro mini and lace-up heels, he couldn’t hold back those feelings any longer. Craig would forever protect MaryVic, but when someone kidnaps her, he is out of his mind with anger and grief. a love that had never let itself be known is now stronger than ever… he must now find a way to break it to MaryVic’s overprotective brother, and his best friend. Wedding anyone?

Teaching Love by Patricia Frank

Jennifer Marlowe was on her way home from some much needed skiing when she hit a patch of black ice throwing her car off the road. To her rescue came a man on a chrome beast, she wasn’t so sure of either, the man or his ride… she really had no choice. Trust was an issue for her, Jen’s husband had been dead for about 3 years and she still blamed herself, although the more time she spent with her rescuer, Tree Surgeon Dan Giovanni she thought of her late husband less and less. Dan Giovanni also had a heartbreaking past, leaving him afraid to become too close to Jen. one day he abruptly leaves because there are things he must sort out. Jen is hurt, angry, and understanding, when he walks back in her life, she will help him heal the best way she knows how… with love and he’ll give her something a little different as an engagement gift.

The Man Rides A Harley by Diane Davis White

Susannah Davis could kill her twin sister for talking her into riding on a Harley in the parade with a man she doesn’t even know, especially one that is so rude to her! After a little accident Duke Mansfield, none to nicely takes her to his mother’s home so that she can change before he takes her home. He has not been the most gracious host, but he feels such a connection to this timid little mouse that has been accused of embezzlement. Duke knows Susannah’s situation and will get her out of this mess, being a roughneck biker has its advantages but he is much more than that. Susannah finds out that Duke blames himself for his sisters death and that is the reason for his attitude, I mean he isn’t even her type. The first kiss will surely not be the last, and hopefully her new lawyer has more brains than the brawn he has shown her since they first met.

Bad to the Bone by Deborah MacGillivray

After 20 years, Gabriel Sinclair returns back to his childhood home, he’s not sure why Kentucky beckons him but he is soon to find out. The girl he secretly loved as a child is no longer in town, but he finds a way to make her come home again… by buying her old house. Jocelyn Bouchard was always attracted to Gabriel, but her grandmother said he was white trash and warned her to stay away. Wanting to please the Bouchard woman she complied and regretted every moment. Gabriel is now back in her life as a potential buyer for the home she can’t keep up, but he wants more than just to show her how far he’s come in life. He wants her heart. A night of tornado’s, a cramped cellar, and a searing kiss sparks up the hidden old flame. The Windmill restaurant’s Wurlitzer is kicking up some music, and Gabriel shows Jocelyn what she’s been missing out in all of these years. Gabriel is still the Angel of Sin that he was in high school, he even has the same motorcycle, Jocelyn is still afraid to throw caution to the wind but she’s about to learn what it’s like to let loose for once.

Love on a Harley, is an amazing romantic anthology featuring six amazing stories by six very talented ladies. Each story was heart warming, tear jerking, and so perfect. I got tied to each one wanting them to continue on forever. Lost love, rekindling love, and learning to love are all expressed within these pages beautifully. I couldn’t ask for a better romance anthology, each author brings that sensual, longing sort of love that every woman dreams of. Great job ladies! 5 Hearts

Yes… My Retarded Ass Signed Up by M!chael Mayhem

Ok you’re seeing the authors name right, don’t question it because I don’t have the answer. Yes… My Retarded Ass Signed Up is an acronym of US ARMY spelled backwards, it is the story of one Michael Mayhew’s five month experience in the ARMY beginning Jan. 5, 2003.

Michael Mayhew enjoys women and drugs at home as well as in the ARMY. He was 28 years old before he actually enlisted, looking for his adventure. He still continued to smoke weed, and partake in the females when it was available to him, but he also made a friend out of an enemy. Well, he and Peterson weren’t enemies, they just didn’t get along too well at times, but they ended up being good friends. Michael learned what it was like in basic training, he knew not to mess with the Drill Sergeants, and he learned what it was like to actually experience the ARMY first-hand.

Yes… My Retarded Ass Signed Up by M!ichael Mayhem is a real man’s book. I don’t think it would appeal to women at all; at least it didn’t to me. It was more of a journal or even a manual for what goes on in the ARMY, complete with a dictionary of jargon used between soldiers. There were some major editing flaws, correct word usage, and grammatical errors that needed to be corrected before publishing. I have to say I love to read biographies or anything that has to do with the military, but Yes… My Retarded Ass Signed Up, was just not the book for me, I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and for me, it just didn’t. He also says Introducing the most dangerous book in America… I would strongly disagree. 2 Hearts

Contact M!chael: i.am_we_todd_it@yahoo.com

Paranoia by J.E. Braun

Paranoia by J.E. Braun is a book that starts out with a man named Jim. Jim used to be your average guy, wife, son, job; all that changed the day of September 11, 2001. He was in the north tower of the World Trade Center working, when the plane crashed, thankfully he made it out alive but his mother that was working several stories ahead of him did not. Forever damaged, Jim begins questioning everything, people, events, conspiracy theories, and even friends and family.

Now living with his Aunt and Uncle and a private detective asking questions around town, Jim begins having flashbacks almost frequently rendering him almost unconscious when he gets pulled into a memory. He’s lost his mother, wife, and son and now he’s about to lose his mind. He can not trust anyone, and is constantly paranoid that the worst is going to happen, I mean he even helped a group of “terrorist hunters” attack two men for goodness sake! Visiting his shrink doesn’t even help, plus he fears his Uncle is sneaking around on his Aunt so he stoops to recording a phone conversation, listening at the door, and hiding in the bed of the pickup truck when Uncle Clint goes out one evening. This has got to stop, but the events of September 11 will always haunt Jim, and it seems there is nothing he can do about it but just face the facts.

J.E. Braun puts you into the mind of a paranoid male. Detailed to perfection and enthralling from page one, this is one of those books that most everyone needs to have on their shelf. While it is not a true story, he did talk to survivors and observe them in hopes of getting information for Paranoia. I really enjoyed reading it, it was a fast paced novel and was actually so well written it could have been a real experience in his eyes. 5 Hearts

Contact J.E.: www.myspace.com/jebraun

Timeless Embrace by Sylvia Shults

Timeless Embrace by Sylvia Shults is an anthology of three tantalizing romantic stories that are very pleasing to the readers mind. Detailed characters, events, and love making scenes make Timeless embrace a fun read even though you’re finished with each story much to quickly. I found that I wanted each story to go on and on, that is what makes a good writer.

I also loved Ms. Shults ebook because she had the plain Jane character, a mix of paranormal, romance, and just the right amount of heat to keep you entertained the whole way through. Starting out with What You Wish for with an Egyptian Prince and Museum Curator, to Love 101 featuring Greek Art and more steamy scenes, and ending perfectly with Through A Glass Brightly that is a ghost based story. You can’t go wrong here!

Sylvia Shults’ Timeless Embrace is one of those books that you could curl up with on a chilly day and feel warm all over (if I had it in print that is). I loved the reality of how her characters seemed, even though there were paranormal mixes, it was such an inviting read I got caught up in thinking it was all reality. I think Shults is a real talent, and I’ll keep an eye out for her in the future. 4 Hearts

Contact Sylvia: www.sylviashults.com

Grave Web by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

Becky Simpson has many unanswered questions about her mother’s disappearance and she seeks out private investigator Tom Casey aka Hawkman to help her make light of the situation at hand. Becky and Hawkman dredge up things that someone obviously doesn’t want uncovered, but Tom will not give up on this case. After 15 years, this case is reopened after the death of Becky’s father because she needs to know why her mom left so many years ago, she need the truth and the closure. Was it because of the affair, did she not want Becky or her brother, or did something horrible happen over a decade ago?

Tracking down anyone that knew Becky’s parents seemed fishy at best when people seemed to evade any real answers. Becky and Tom also began getting threats that they were getting into something better left alone. Tom has to handle and solve this case before it gets considerably worse than it already is, he finally gets a tip that could bring Becky the answers she needs. Don’t forget the person who is threatening Becky and Hawkman… who is this mystery person?

Grave Web by Betty Sullivan La Pierre is the 10th book in her Hawkman mystery series. This is my first time reading her work, and usually not a big fan of mysteries I really enjoyed this. It was full of suspense, speculation, and it really kept me on the edge of my seat. It seems I have nine more books before this that I must now read! 4 Hearts
Contact Betty: www.Bettysullivanlapierre.com

The Last To Fall by Anne K. Edwards

The Last To Fall by Anne K. Edwards is an all too real look at what our lives could be facing in the future if we don’t start taking care of ourselves and our planet. In The Last To Fall, Ms. Edwards tells of the harsh realities of death, devastation, torture and more as she draws you into the lives of her characters and the ongoing events. In this book, the events are much darker before the calming of the storm.

President Kale Ruther is dealing with his lesbian daughter, and is more or less glad when she commits suicide because it is one less thing he has to deal with, her negativity and the things she said to hurt his reputation. President Ruther has to get a handle on things before they get even more out of hand, the world is in a mess… can it ever be restored from the thieves, destruction, filth, and death to a world worth living in once again?

That is only a partial bit of information as I have not even began with Jeanne’s experience in all of this. She seeks a reprieve from all of this madness and trying to keep her head above the water before she drowns. So much is going on, and she is trying to figure out where to turn, when she finally finds a place, she’s not sure how long she will be secure before another wave of deviation hits. There are also quite a few other characters mentioned as they tell of their experiences in what is going on around them, sometimes it can get overwhelming but once you get to the end it all makes sense.

Anne K. Edwards is a master writer with the gift to bring her words to life. I couldn’t help but cover my mouth at times, feel emotionally drained as Jeanne tried to figure out what to do, and even held my breath at times before I realized I was doing it. Edwards is so close to telling the future, that it is scary. What will we leave behind for the other generations to follow if we continue the path we’re on? I’ll tell you, read The Last To Fall and you’ll find out. I applaud Ms. Edwards, this was riveting! 5 Hearts
Contact Anne: www.mysteryfiction.net

Raine by Elizabeth Amber

La Maschera, Jordan Cietta, a male or female? Born a hermaphrodite, Jordan possessed both male and female genitals. With the help of the Doctor Salerno she was pronounced a boy even though she had female characteristics as well; the doctor did this so that Jordan’s mother would inherit the Cietta fortune as well as further his own future of examinations and study. Jordan lived as a male in society, but every year on her birthday she was given up to Salerno for his studies, in her body and mind she was every bit female; but she could not forsake her mother and bring scandal down upon the Cietta name.

Raine, is the second of three Satyr brothers out in search of his mate. He is unwilling to marry again or even love at this moment, but has been told it is of great haste to find the daughter of the Faerie King before something horrible happens and marry her. He is turned on by the site of the person before him, but is she the one he seeks? With a hardened heart that begins to quickly melt, he must keep his Calling a secret from her in fear that she will turn away at the site of his transformation. Raine must also learn how to coax Jordan out of her insecurities of her male appendage while spending as much time as HE allows in her bed.

Raine and Jordan have not had things easy from the get-go, he is intrigued by her body, she is in love with a man as she now embraces the life of living as a woman, and then there is the death of her mother. There are still other evils that will try and tear the two apart. The dirty coveting syphilis carrying bishop, Salerno, and the three brothers made of stone all want Jordan in their grasp. Raine will do everything in his power to keep her to himself… even if he knew it was against everything he ever pledged upon finding La Maschera.

Raine by Elizabeth Amber is the second book in the Lords of Satyr series. It was absolutely breathtaking and phenomenal. I have never read an erotic book like this with the sex between a hermaphrodite and male, it was very titillating. Raine is not all erotic, and sex filled, it has great romantic touches, fantasy, an amazing story line detailed magnificently and it was very spot on with the winery details. Now I see why she occasionally gives wine as prizes in her drawings… that I still have yet to win LOL. I can’t fault Ms. Amber for anything, I loved everything in this book from cover to cover. 5 Hearts

Contact Elizabeth Amber: www.myspace.com/elizabethamberromance

Mariard Vol. 1 The Gifting by Christine Jones

From the moment Sestina, the Queen gave birth to twins, it seemed the whole world was about to change. Artemis, the priestess had foreseen everything, the good twin-the evil twin, and the way the future was to be. Tayo Maroda was to take the daughter, the twin of light away with him to lands of ice and raise her to be a warrior for the coming battle some years later. Marcale, the evil twin was left behind… his fate already decided. He must face the purity test, and when he fails the real evil will be thrust upon the Mariard.

Necropolin has waged a war, and the new priestess Vieanne, the twin of light has become cold and unfeeling. So many secrets are being withheld, even that of Vieanne’s children that were conceived without the help of any man. When Necropolin breaks the rules killing Tayo, Vieanne is out for vengeance… it’s about time for her gifted children to be known. She must continue to watch them, fore they need no interference…especially that of Malcom who is infatuated by Tegan. Now the war has only just begun.

Mariard Volume 1 The Gifting by Christine Jones is magically charged and just phenomenal. The characters are so lifelike and the plot is so easy to follow and be pulled into. There are quite a few characters in this book, but that for once didn’t bother me, I felt like I could remember each one, their purpose, and picture them clearly. All in all I can’t find any reason why Christine shouldn’t get a full 5 Hearts for her book!

Contact Christine: www.cjbooks.net

Chasing Diana- Inspired By Our True Story by Jack and Robin Firestone

Rhonda, James and Ben Goodrich are on their way to Paris unknowing what they are about to witness, and the tragedy that is about to befall them. When they arrive, pretty much immediately they make enemies from the French. A family is working together to kill Dodi Al Fayed, but they end up killing Princess Diana in the process. Chasing Diana is written in a screenplay format, and the scene continues.

Being pursued for the photo’s that James has on his camera, they’re now on the “hit list.” Jacques and Laurent seem to fail at every turn. When the crash and deaths of Diana and Dodi Al Fayed are announced, James and Rhonda tell their story to TV shows all over the world. In a way James uses the publicity to further his own acting career and is an all out glory hog even against Rhonda’s wishes.

A year later the couple are still pursued, the story has been told from their point of view, and now the are about to stare right into the barrel of a gun… how are they going to get out of this one?

As I said, Chasing Diana by Jack and Robin Firestone is written in screenplay format inspired by their own true story. It was a little distracting, I think this should be written as an actual book as I wasn’t really into the screenplay, it lacked the necessary detail to be able to visualize the characters at times. If this were an actual movie and I were watching it, it would be amazing I’m sure. The story that is told by James and Rhonda is truly captivating and I can not even begin to fathom what it was like to be them although it was hard to tell what was true and what was fiction. The only qualm I have is the formatting, besides that it gives you a peek into what may have happened the day Princess Diana’s car crashed. 3.5 Hearts

Contact Jack and Robin Firestone: www.chasingdiana.com

Whirlwind by Trinity Knigh and Jim Richards

Tempest has now taken charge in guarding the sacred book called, The Book of Athrok. It has been passed down from generation to generation and so far in her charge the book has been kept safe and has been hidden well. She enjoyed her life as a healer and the solitude, she ran a little bed and breakfast (that's what I call it) for travelers who were in need. One day a traveler would grace her door and she would never be the same.

He came right out of the pits of hell it seemed upon his dark beastly steed. By the time he reached his destination... aka Tempest's he would be the epitome of everything light and good; in appearance only. Almost at once he cast his charm on her, and each second that passed he thought of ways to bend her to his will so that he could have The Book of Athrok. He may have charmed her, saved her from the hellhounds, but he lied more than he did any good... even getting her to fall so far under his charms that she performed sexual acts on him. She was a lady of respect and purity, she had never so much as kissed a man until HE arrived. Convincing her that Dellor was trying to put darkness into her mind, she had no idea how right he actually was. And then the real excitement begins as you're taken on a journey.

The hellhounds are only the beginning, there are more creatures mentioned that they must face as well as keeping the book safely out of the wrong hands. But what about the feelings she's having for her visitor that makes her feel so right? Once she figures out what is going on, it could be too late!

Whirlwind is just that, a whirlwind of sensual erotic scenes, fantasy creatures, and the power to manipulate. Trinity Knight and Jim Richards have wonderfully collaborated together in making a story that most people can enjoy. A little blip in the editing here and there, but the story was well written, enthralling, and spicy in all the right places. 4 Hearts

Contact Trinity or Jim: www.mysticmoonpress.com

Staked by J.F. Lewis

Eric is a vampire, a Vlad vampire at that, which is sort of like a King in the hierarchy of vamps. He was about 30 when he was changed, how he has no idea because he suffers from what I like to call vampire-alzheimer’s. He has the worst memory and the even worse luck. First he kills the son of an Alpha werewolf, ruins his new hummer, turns his girlfriend, is attracted to her little sister and the list goes on and on… don’t let me forget that he is sort of framed for the murder of 8 werewolves and loves the smell of pizza.

Eric has to try and sort everything out through all of the muddled memories, truths, who is stabbing him in the back, and run Demon Heart… his strip club. Eric is a busy man, and now that one of his children was tortured and another dead, something has got to give. There has to be a way to figure out what is going on! Living in Void City, Eric’s life is like a void, always looking for something to fill it whether he realizes it or not. He must come to his senses and find out some answers, he just has to remember how…

Staked by J.F. Lewis is an easy read, I felt like it was being told by an eighteen year old rather than an older vamp. The main character was sort of faceless, I didn’t get a good picture of Eric in my mind, the other secondary characters were more detailed so that was a little lacking. The story line was fun, humorous in parts, far-fetched in others but together they made a really cool read. I without a doubt, would read another J.F. Lewis book if I saw it out on the bookshelves. 4 Hearts

Contact J.F. : www.authoratlarge.com

All Our Yesterdays by Janet Lane Walters

Astrid Logan has just found out her father has had a stroke while she’s been away. Every summer she joins her father at his shop called Antiquities, but this year it is going to be quite different. Clive, her father’s assistant seems more shady than usual, but there are even more stranger things going on that can not be explained. Touching the Egyptian necklace will transport Astrid to ancient Egypt where she will face jealousy, love, and betrayal by her own sister.

That is not the end of Astrid’s journey, she is about to visit Babylon, China, Pompeii, Britain, Switzerland, Japan and Peru as well. Although, each place she visits, the couples are cursed in love and are usually pregnant when fated to death. Each piece of jewelry that she touches holds a story, and hopefully those stories will help her figure out what her father has been saying as well as the mysteries to her new beau’s past.

Duncan shows up with Lorna on his arm and right away is attracted to Astrid, while Lorna is whining around about the Egyptian pieces. Duncan and Astrid may be fated for the curse of the past, or maybe they will be the ones to break the unlucky chain of events… but what happens when Astrid falls in love, but Duncan is not sure he can quite admit it just yet even though he is infatuated with lust for her.

Two lovers meet again in another place and time, but there are also two saboteurs out there that are in it for the wealth. There are a lot of secrets and feelings that must be sorted out before time runs out.

All Our Yesterdays couldn’t be a more perfect title for this book, Janet Lane Walters has a way of riveting the reader with her words from the very start. The ending was something I saw coming, and couldn’t have been more ecstatic by the way it turned out. There was a little blip in the details at one point, but it was very minor and it was just my picky eye that caught it, but it in no way deterred me from reading on. Erotic, sensual and enthralling, Walters pens a very good read. 4 Hearts

Contact Janet Lane Walters: www.bookswelove.net

Scorpio Risen by Desiree Lee

With the untimely death of his parents, Deylen Troika is now the Alpha of the Centruroides Clan. A clan of arachnid shifters, scorpion shifters to be exact, he is the leader of all of Reno, Nevada now that his father had been killed by the suspected Koda Webb, Alpha of the Loxosceles Clan. Deylen has no proof that Koda was the murderer but soon all truth will be revealed.

Senaca McLane wanted desperately to go to medical school, but she settled for card counting and a lab position in Deylen’s business. Not one to mix business with pleasure, she couldn’t keep her eyes off of her boss. One night a meeting in the casino is all it took to let her inhibitions run wild and make love to Deylen Troika, although she had no idea he was a scorpion shifter. That comes later when she is abducted by the werespider Koda and bitten, and told of Deylen’s true form. Now she must fight to stay alive and face the man she has fallen in love with, is it possible to love such a creature? Will Deylen exile himself just so he can be with Seneca… or is there yet one more option… the change?

Desiree Lee’s novella Scorpion Risen is a great erotic tale of passion, fighting for love, and life. The idea of werearachnids was actually pretty intriguing and the love and lust shared between Seneca and Deylen was written tastefully and well it was just plain HOT! 4 Hearts

Frank Testimony written by J. Walt Layne

Frank Testimony written by J. Walt Layne and published by Champion City Press Ohio is a legal thriller at 291 pages long.

A veteran of the United States Army, a full time student at Urbana University studying business and human services, and working a full time job, J. Walt Layne has written for years. He has co-authored a science fiction novella titled The Coming Of T'Loal. Mr Layne currently resides in Springfield, Ohio with his wife and two children.
The cover art is red and black depicting what appears to be a field of thorns. The title in white bold lettering stands out in the top centre against the backdrop and the author name in small white lettering sits snug in the bottom right hand corner.
The synopsis is short but carries with it a half page excerpt which in its self sounds interesting but having been brought up watching court room dramas doesn't sound to be my cup of tea since I never liked them.

Bedford Mississippi is home to some dark goings on and dangerous people and claverns (KKK). When Paul Whitaker and his daughter Mae are savagely murdered evidence points that Frank Burchill having recently been fired from his job is to blame for the deaths of his boss and the girl he loves. Sentenced to death Frank's life changes in many ways, when he inherits the plantation he has been working on. Will Frank's testimony save him? Will the real culprit be caught and receive his comeuppance by revenge? or the sword of justice?

The font is smaller than most novels and the chapters are unnumbered each having their own title and even though this can leave you bewildered for how many chapters remain they are at times short meaning you can get through quite a few in one sitting.
Though admittedly I am not a legal thriller fan I did enjoy reading this book if not only to find out what happened at the end. The synopsis I believe gives a little away to the story but it's not until you're over half way through the book that certain parts of the synopsis begin to materialise. The legal jargon appears professional and left me feeling I was both there but also wanting out. The period portrayed here in Frank Testimony in Nathan County Mississippi in 1958 is one to be carefully handled but I believe Mr Layne has done a wonderful job in his use of language and image portrayal.
There are three stories to this book, that of Frank Burchill and his love Mae Whitaker; that of Bobby Lee Russell, Mae Whitaker and Frank Burchill and the plot thickener and base of the book the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan within society and how though highly struggle some and with casualty's, society fought back.

Writing this review has really taken me out of my safety zone that I just haven't known how to structure this review for a book which deals with something completely foreign to me, and that still even to this day goes on somewhere in this world. I know law rushes for no-one in seeking the truth but I was glad having finished reading the book even though I did enjoy it. I think perhaps a larger font could possibly have given this book a fairer chance as often you would find yourself struggling to continue reading it's a good job that Mr Layne has such an amazing story here to tell otherwise the legal jargon and font would be a black hole.
I would recommend Frank Testimony to anyone aged over 18 years as there are strong impressionable political views and strong offensive language unsuitable for younger generations. I give Frank Testimony by J. Walt Layne 4 out of 5 stars

By R.N. Hadley

The Raven by John Lawson

The Raven by John Lawson

In Lawson's book The Raven, he picks up right where he left off with his first book, Witch Ember. Sir Guiromelans is now a Raven for the Seven Kingdoms and quite a good knight(He was introduced during the game Esmeree and a few others were playing called Court of Love). He wields a sword with much precision and has claimed many of what I call, "unholy" or non-Medianist lives with it.

He feels scorned or abandoned by God after all of the disastrous events in Witch Ember and now vows to rid the world of all sorcerers, ember carriers and those that do not believe as they should in his mind. In The Raven, you are taken on quite a journey through Guiromelans' travels in search of answers that he doesn't even know he's really looking for.

Piracy, fighting, killing, new creatures, and thoughts that travel back to a certain little witch will keep Guiromelans pressing forward to avenge his God as well as captivate the reader.

Prepare yourselves for a Young Adult Fantasy that is in my opinion considerably better than Witch Ember, the illustrations have also improved. My only quibble is that I reviewed this in ebook form and there were so many new words that it made it impossible to travel all the way back to the end of the book for the glossary to understand the meanings; so for the most part I had to assume I knew what they meant. The Raven is a book that is a must read in print form. The story in itself was interesting and detailed very well, at times there were lapses in adventure but when Lawson picks back up, he really tries to blow the reader away. 4.5 Hearts

Honorable Intentions by Donna MacQuigg

Lydia Randolph is the future Duchess of Wiltshire as well as a nurse. She is the epitome of propriety, and everything safe. When a man rides into town and is shot and wrongfully accused, she is in charge of healing his wound. At first sight she knew he was trouble, he could take her away from her very safe world and into the unknown; and he would do exactly that.

Don Miguel Estrada is a very rich man, when he is mistaken for the bandito Antonio Garcia he must do everything in his power to make the misconception reality, he must save his life along with Lydia’s. Living for a short time in Rio Salada, Lydia learns what it is to love a man that is a murderer and thief, what the heart wants, it will not be denied. No matter if the man she loves is really who he’s pretending to be or not, she still has trust issues and will do whatever necessary to insure her survival; even if it means falling in love with a wanted man.

Mistaken, shot, and in love, Miguel must constantly fight for his identity, he must also fight to make the fiery red haired Lydia fall in love with him, which could prove to be a much harder task… especially from the inside of a bandits hideaway. What will come of the two? Will Lydia throw her safe world out the stage coach window so to speak, or will Miguel finally meet his death at the hands of an angered Marshall in Las Cruces?

Donna MacQuigg’s historical western romance, Honorable Intentions is even better than her first novel, The Doctor’s Daughter. If Ms. MacQuigg continues on this path of improvement, she will be shining on the #1 seller’s list very soon. Her characters and story line are intoxicating, and the pure love that shines through, makes me jealous of the kind of love that Lydia and Miguel share. A happily ever after at its best, MacQuigg’s talent definitely lies in historical western romances. 5 Hearts

Contact Donna: www.donnamacquigg.com

A Beckoning of Shadows by John Grover

A Beckoning of Shadows by John Grover is a collection of bloody short stories that really freaked me out. Stories of ghost hunters, flesh eating monsters, a ghoul sent to do work for the dead, and many more different stories that are best read during the day.

A lady in a diner, car broken down starts seeing blood and death all around her, but in all reality she is only seeing the future, yeah it is just plain spooky.

John Grover could easily add on to any of these stories, but I am glad he cuts off when he does, it leaves the reader with a wide open mouth. There were some grammatical errors here and there, but it was still a very creepy albeit tremendous read! 4 Hearts

Contact John: www.shadowtales.com

The Marquis and The Mistress by Meagan Hatfield

As a reviewer and reader I just adore historicals, and now that I’ve had a taste of what Meagan Hatfield can do, I’ve just fallen in love with her book The Marquis and The Mistress.

Francois Gudren had a duty to the king, his body was for another woman, but his heart would always belong to Cosette de Montmorency. Ten years had passed and he still wore her ring around his neck. When he discovers a disturbing parchment aboard the ship he has just raided, he must travel to see King Henry in Fontainebleau to let him know that someone is plotting against him. When he arrives a shocking sight he will behold, the girl he left behind ten years ago is now the saucy woman standing before him… the new royal mistress.

Cosette has trained for this very moment and with the arrival of her lost love Francois everything she has worked so hard for may just be thrown out the window. She must do everything in her power to bewitch the king with all the skill and beauty that she possesses or things can go VERY wrong for her. When her feelings of love and lust push her over the edge, she must make a choice… and then what about her hidden secrets? Albeit she’s not the only one with secrets…

I loved The Marquis and The Mistress by Meagan Hatfield, historials are just so beautiful. The characters and story line were so detailed you couldn’t help but get pulled in to this love story gone awry and then back again. It was just magnificent at how emotionally attached I got to Francois and Cosette no matter how vexed they were at each other or how much they were still in love. There were times I was frustrated, enamored, and then yes, I admit a few tears fell from my eyes. This genre suits Ms. Hatfield to a T, I’ll be on the lookout for her other works in the very near future I’m sure! 4 Hearts

Contact Meagan: www.meaganhatfield.com

Losing Latitude Books 1-5 by Cory Cramer

The Losing Latitude series by Cory Cramer is a story about a 17 year old boy named Buck McGee on the run for the accusation of murdering his father. Along his journey to Mexico, he meets a few new friends along the way. October, Reggie, Miss Mable, and the list continues. His new friends would all end up out of his life one way or another, be it by death, departure, or whatever may befall him in each book in the series.

Buck is outrunning the demon that killed his father, he witnesses a human sacrifice and the latest love of his life is now on the dark side. But the Losing Latitude series is not all about Buck and his travels, it is about Lilly North and her family of researchers. Her mother and father were taken by the sea and she is the only one rescued and recovering in a military hospital. There she meets Rufus, and discovers the journal of Buck McGee packed among other papers her father stuffed in her backpack before he died.

Lilly must find out what the connection her father had with Buck before it is too late, it seems she holds something in her possession that someone wants with a passion and will kill anyone that gets in the way. Like Buck, it seems everyone Lilly has ever loved has been taken from her, but when her dad shows up from the dead to deliver a message, Lilly will vow to make everything right…

Cory Cramer manages to mix mystery, intrigue, paranormal, and just a touch of weirdness into his Losing Latitude series. Each book holds something new and exciting or deadly, that is being discovered by either Lilly or Buck. Some parts of the story were a little too detailed but held my attention nonetheless. I must admit the Afterword made everything click, I didn’t realize something until I read this. Cramer is an awesome writer, and I am hoping that the saga is not yet over. 4 Hearts

Contact Cory: www.corycramer.com