Tuesday, October 31, 2017

THE SOUND OF SILENCE (THE PENUMBRA PAPERS #4)

Seeker of Justice. Guardian. Gargoyle.
Roman Montagne was created to keep humanity safe from the evil in the world. Appointed by the Concilium Magicae to be the Legate of New Orleans, Roman balances on the narrow line between his duties as First Sentinel of the Gargoyles and his responsibility as Legate. The first rule of Gargoyle Club is “Don’t fall for a human…especially a witch.”

Orphan. Fortune Teller. Witchling.
Verity La Croix doesn't quite know what she is. Despite being raised by a powerful witch in the bayous, she's stuck telling fortunes in Jackson Square. Stalked by a sorcerer dealing in the black arts and seduced by a gargoyle, Verity might be the missing piece of a prophecy’s puzzle. Cursed at birth, is she innocent or doomed?

Judge. Jury. Executioner.
If the woman he loves proves to be the prophesied Crucible of Eve, Roman’s duty is clear. He must uphold his honor and slay the enemy of his kindred. But is she innocent? And if she is, will he turn renegade to save the woman who holds his heart?
****
Come back to New Orleans, the favorite Halloween haunt of mundanes and magicks alike. In this latest tale in the award-winning series The Penumbra Papers set in the world of FBI Agent Sade Marquis, an ancient prophecy comes to life—one that threatens to destroy the precarious truce among the magical races.

Excerpt

Roman kissed her closed eyelids, then found her ear. His erotic whisper put a sweet smile on her face. She reached for him, her movements languid. He was hyper-aware of her, as if she’d been imprinted on his body. She sighed, her breath teasing the skin on his neck as he held her.
“Clothes,” she murmured, as desire bloomed despite her sleep-blurred mind.
He smiled and pushed off the bed. Roman kicked off his boots and stripped, his clothes dropping on the floor without a thought. When he rejoined Verity on the bed, he was determined to go slow. To ease her into this…thing…these feelings he had no name for because he had no experience with them. All he was certain of was that he wanted to savor this time with Verity. To go slow. He buried his nose against her throat. She smelled of… His brain fought to decipher emotions and his overloaded senses. Mate. His. Yes. Compelled to claim her, he tasted her, shaped her body with his hands, learning her. Committing everything about her to his memory.
“Forever,” he whispered as she moved beneath him. 
The staggering fatigue drained away, replaced by quixotic awe as she rose to meet him, to accept him. He would give her everything he had to give, knowing what he bequeathed to her would be returned tenfold. She was his solace, his peace. She offered comfort with her touch, her kisses, the simple fact of her being.
Verity stroked him, fully awake now. His skin was chilled and when she looked deep into his eyes, she saw a coldness buried so deep she feared touching it. But she would. She was patient. Her hands on his skin were already warming it. She smiled and her eyes misted. She might not be able to say the words but she could tell him this way that he was loved, that he was desired.
Words came then, though she didn’t understand them. She thought they might be French but they weren’t. They came from a place far older, more remote. Roman murmured them against her skin, in her ear, in between the kisses he bestowed upon her. Something in her stilled, listened, understood, and the horrible ache, the excruciating loneliness eased. His words were a caress, and a promise.
Roman was a warrior, a guardian, a man taught not to seek comfort. Verity knew this instinctively, just as she knew she was the one chosen to care for him, to tend the gentle heart he hid beneath his stone facade. He filled her slowly and she rode the sensation—a long sweet wave. She threaded her fingers through his thick, silky hair and pulled him down to her. “Yes,” she murmured in his ear.
He spoke more words, from his heart, his soul. She gave them back to him, words from her own heart. He just wanted to touch her, to hold her close, cherish her. She was a miracle. His miracle.
They made love. Long. Slow. Sweet. They touched. They kissed. They each gave in turn. Together they rode the rising waves of passion, cresting on one and crashing down on another until it felt like a hurricane was breaking around them. The waves eventually gentled as their desire was spent.
Roman cradled Verity to his heart. She wrapped around him, holding on to him. “Sleep, little witchling,” he whispered into her hair.
She looked up at him and he was staggered by what he saw. The trust in her eyes was a living thing—fragile, a gossamer thread of spider’s web easily broken by a careless word. He stopped breathing for a moment, struck by the wonder of it. He would die before he erased that look.

He felt her slip away as dreams took her. Roman was exhausted and should follow her into sleep but he couldn’t. He lay awake for a long time, to ensure no nightmares chased her but that was only half truth. He wanted to cherish this time with her. She was his touchstone, had become his truth. She was his constant. And that terrified him down to the very center of his heart of stone.


Release Date: October 31, 2017
Buy Link: Amazon link. http://amzn.to/2zlzJGt

Silver James
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
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CROSSING THE LINE (CROSS CREEK #2)

Cocky farmer Eli Cross plays twice as hard as he works. When his latest stunt drums up a heap of negative PR for the family farm, he grudgingly agrees to play host to an ambitious New York City photographer. Her feature on Cross Creek could be just the ticket to show the country what the Cross brothers do best…which is more problem than solution for Eli.

Scarlett Edwards-Stewart has photographed everything from end zones to war zones. She’s confident she can ace this one little story to help her best friend’s failing magazine. At least, she would be if her super-sexy host wasn’t so tight lipped. But the more Scarlett works with Eli, the more she discovers that he’s not who he seems. Can his secret bring them closer together? Or will it be the very thing that tears them apart?

Release Date: August 8, 2017
Montlake Romance/Brilliance Audio
Contemporary Romance
Cross Creek #2


Liza's Review:

Crossing the Line is the second book in the Cross Creek series from Kimberly Kincaid. Crossing the Line is youngest brother Eli's story and I was so excited we got his story next.

Eli feels like he is the odd man out when it comes to the Cross men. His dad and both brothers Owen and Hunter love farming the land and have never wanted to do anything else. Eli does just enough to get his job done while his real love is writing. However when he opens his mouth and puts his family's business on the line, he steps up and plays host to the New York City photographer Scarlett Edwards-Stewart.

I loved Scarlett from the moment she appeared on the page. OMG she is a woman who knows who she is and what she wants and makes no excuses for the choices or what she says. She had a rough start in life, but doesn't seem to let that stand in her way of making the most of her life.

Eli and Scarlett had pretty strong chemistry from the moment they met. I liked while they appeared to be so different, they really were more alike than it first seemed. I loved that Scarlett seemed to pick up on the real Eli. Maybe because she was an artist with a camera, she picked up on Eli being a bit of an artist with words. I love watching Eli and Scarlett grow closer the more time they spent together and loved that Scarlett was up front enough to go after what she wanted with Eli. 

I hated that Eli didn't feel like he could share his love of writing with his family and was so glad that Scarlett made him open his eyes about it. I loved how proud the entire Cross family was of Eli and honestly it made me fall a little be more in love with this family. I have to say the shocker that was dropped on the family soon after Eli gives his news honestly had me asking what the hell?!?! It also made me want the next book in this series even more.

I loved watching the progression of the romance between Eli and Scarlett. It was also so much fun to see the Cross family grow closer as this story progressed. I honestly have already started stalking Kimberly Kincaid's website looking for updates on this series.


Rating: 5 Stars (B+)




Monday, October 30, 2017

RIDE WILD (RAVEN RIDERS #3)

Brotherhood. Club. Family.
They live and ride by their own rules.
These are the Raven Riders...


Wild with grief over the death of his wife, Sam “Slider” Evans merely lives for his two sons. Nothing holds his interest anymore—not even riding his bike or his membership in the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club. But that all changes when he hires a new babysitter.

Recently freed from a bad situation by the Ravens, Cora Campbell is determined to bury the past. When Slider offers her a nanny position, she accepts, needing the security and time to figure out what she wants from life. Cora adores his sweet boys, but never expected the red-hot attraction to their brooding, sexy father. If only he would notice her...

Slider does see the beautiful, fun-loving woman he invited into his home. She makes him feel too much, and he both hates it and yearns for it. But when Cora witnesses something she shouldn’t have, the new lives they’ve only just discovered are threatened. Now Slider must claim—and protect—what’s his before it’s too late.


Release Date: October 31, 2017
Avon Books
Raven Riders #3
Contemporary Romance

Nikki’s Review:

I was fortunate enough to attend RWA in Orlando back in July. Among the many books I brought home from the event was the first book in this series, Ride Hard. I finally had a chance to read it just the other day. Sweet baby Jesus in the manger, I was hooked! After only a few chapters I knew that I was already in love with this series. 

You get to meet Slider Evans and Cora Campbell in book 1. And right from the get go, I knew Slider was going to pull at my heart when I finally got to his book. He was lost and hurting, and I couldn't wait to "see" inside of him to get a better understanding of his pain. 

I love that this pairing was an unexpected infatuation. Slider is not at all interested in putting his heart on the line, and Cora is trying to figure out what her future looks like. The slow burn was exciting and heartwarming. 

I'm not normally a fan of books where the children play a huge role, but it really worked in this one. Slider's children needed to love Cora to make this whole thing work. Ms. Kaye made the children's reactions believable and age appropriate. So many times I have read books where a three year old has the conversations that most 10 year olds don't have. So, this was refreshing!

The chemistry between the hero and heroine was spicy and seductive. Under Slider's gruff exterior is some seriously wicked bed yoga skills! Yum! 

Like all series that I read, I'm always happy that I get to revisit past characters from previous books, and this was no different. The MC is more like a family than a bunch of buddies. While they are all friends, there is a definite sense of brotherhood and kinship between the members. They stick together through thick and thin. 

I loved watching Slider come out of his misery. It's slow in its progression, but it needed to be. He was pretty much learning to live again, not just exist. And witnessing his mile wide protective instincts when it comes to his son's and Cora's safety is sigh worthy! Have I mentioned how much I adore Slider? I think from the three books so far he may be my favourite. 

Laura Kaye managed to hit all the feels in this one. I laughed often, I had a lump in my throat because I was hurting for the characters, and my heart raced during that horrible scene towards the end. I won't tell you what said horrible scene was about, because that would ruin it for you. Seriously, the writing was simply wonderful. 

In my opinion, I think this series is best read in order. There's a lot of back-story to Cora that is introduced in the first book. Anyways, going back to the beginning isn't a hardship, since you'll get to spend time with the always delicious Dare! 


Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

ADAM (7 BRIDES FOR 7 SOLDIERS #2)

Adam Tucker is a man on a mission. After failing to save a troubled teen from drowning, Adam traded being a Coast Guard rescue swimmer for the dream of starting a youth adventure camp in his hometown. Adam is willing to do whatever it takes to help other kids navigate the deep, dangerous waters of adulthood. He’s even bet his twin brother that he can finish the transformation of a boathouse into camp living quarters before the summer season puts their watersports business in full swing. But when the key to winning that bet turns out to be an interior designer who is as enigmatic as she is gorgeous, things get complicated for Adam.

With its soaring mountains and rushing river, Eagle’s Ridge is the perfect place for Jadyn McAllister to stay “off the grid” until things settle down in Miami. No one from her old life would expect her to hide out in a small town, working for cash and keeping her real name—Jane—a secret, but that’s exactly what the FBI told her to do. They also told her to trust absolutely no one, which isn’t a problem until she meets Adam. From the first moment, sparks fly and temperatures rise every time they're together. She’s determined to keep him in the dark and at arm’s length, but the more time they spend together, the more she longs to trust him and hold him close all night long.

With her aura of secrets and her tough façade hiding a vulnerable sweetness, Jadyn calls out to the rescuer in Adam. But he learned the hard way that total honesty is the only way to live and he senses Jadyn is lying to him. But she knows the truth could risk more than her heart – it could cost her life. As the whitewater of danger swirls around them, it will take more than a strong swimmer to save them both…it will take love. 

Release Date: October 31, 2017
7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #2
South Street Publishing
Romantic Suspense
Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Adam is the second book in the 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone story. Adam and his brother along with friends they met in detention in high school make up the 7 soldiers who have served in the various branches of the military. These 7 men have remained the best of friends and are always there for each other when needed.

After leaving the Coast Guard following losing a teen on a rescue, Adam Tucker has plans to open a youth camp in his hometown. Of course where he wants to set up the camp needs major work and he has a short amount of time to get it finished thanks to the bet he makes with his twin brother Zane.  When Jadyn shows up to help out with interior decorating for the camp, I have to say I didn't love seeing Adam blow her off so quickly initially. She was exactly what he needed to win the bet with Zane and make his dreams come true.

Jadyn "Jane" McAllister really is an interior decorator, but Jadyn isn't her real name. She is in hiding thanks to doing a decorating job for someone in a major drug cartel. Now I'll say right up front, I totally questioned how Jane was told to go off the grid and hide under another name without having a contact in the area where she was going. I really did like Jane from the moment we met her and knew that Adam did as well, even as he could tell she was hiding something. I loved her ideas to bring the history of the town into the boathouse where the troubled teens would stay at the camp. I loved that Jane needed to learn more about the area to finish up the boathouse, which meant meeting Adam's grandfather and the the other men who named Eagle's Ridge. It also allowed Adam and Jane more time together, and for their chemistry and connection to grow.

I really enjoyed watching Jane and Adam fall for one another. It wasn't and easy path for either of them, but it was the right path for them. I really loved the chemistry between them and loved how their differences made them work as a couple. I really did love that Adam cared enough about Jane pretty early on to check in on the story with friends who had connections. I hated that Jane didn't initially understand his motivation at first, and wanted her to trust him more. I loved that Adam ended up showing Jane he would do everything in his power to always protect her.

Roxanne St. Claire once again gives her readers a wonderful story that at time keeps you on the edge of your seat reading. The romance between Adam and Jane was strong and I loved getting to meet so many other characters from the series. 



Rating: 4 stars (B+)