How exciting! We’re now on book #3 of The Great Devil War multi-book tour — The Wrongful Death by Kenneth B. Andersen. Let’s see what epic adventure Philip embarks on in this exciting instalment!
The Wrongful Death (The Great Devil War #3)
Publication Date: April 19th, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
An unfortunate chain of events makes Philip responsible for the untimely death of the school bully Sam—the Devil’s original choice for an heir. Philip must return to Hell to find Sam and bring him back to life, so that fate can be restored. But trouble is stirring in Lucifer’s kingdom and not even Philip can imagine the strange and dark journey that awaits him. A journey that will take him through ancient underworlds and all the way to Paradise.
The darkness of night turned into the light of morning, and although Philip did what Lucifer recommended and pulled his hood over his eyes, he was momentarily dazzled by the light. Slowly his eyes grew accustomed to the change, and out of the blinding whiteness, the Garden of Eden emerged in all its splendor.
Philip felt something pulling at his soul, even though all he saw was an ordinary forest. That’s because it wasn’t just an ordinary forest.
Not at all.
First of all there were the colors. The green moss that lay like a thick carpet on the floor. The blooming flowers. The luscious tree canopy overhead and fruits hanging in bunches. The sky that was more blue than Philip had ever seen. The sunlight that fell between the leaves in warm streams of gold.
Secondly there were the smells. So many, and so clear, that Philip became dizzy and had to hold onto Satina so he didn’t stumble.
Then there were the sounds. A storm of bird songs, monkey cries, and distant, thundering waterfalls, and yet… quiet, so quiet.
Then, to top it off, the atmosphere—the feeling of the place… It carried him off his feet. The forest, the air, it inspired a feeling of pure joy that Philip had never known before. It made the hair on his arms rise with delight and made his heart, yes, his very soul, feel like laughing. It felt like… Well, like he was in Heaven.
“Horrible place, right?” Lucifer said, closing the door to the rock wall. “Too cold and much too bright in my opinion. Come on, it’s this way.”
Philip and Satina followed the Devil, who with long, decisive steps led them through the summer forest.
“We’re in Heaven,” Philip whispered as he heard the mild breeze softly stirring the leaves in the canopies overhead. “I can’t believe it. We’re in Heaven!”
“Not quite,” Lucifer corrected. “It’s merely the earthly Paradise that lies between Earth and Heaven. This is where the saved souls go after they die. They help tend the garden.”
“Between Earth and Heaven?” Philip said, confused. “I thought you went to Heaven when you died. If you’re good, that is.”
“No. You get this far and no farther. I realize a lot of people think that, Philip. There are even more who think Paradise is about lying in a hammock all day and letting God’s angels attend to your every need. But it’s never been like that. It would quickly lead to many of the seven deadly sins—laziness, gluttony, and greed, just to name a few—and that doesn’t exactly harmonize well with this place. No, living in Paradise means hard work. Of course, it’s nothing compared to working conditions down where we are.”
“What is Heaven, then?”
“Heaven is home to Jehovah and the angels. The angels come to Paradise, but they don’t live there. They live in Empyrean, the city of light. It’s even worse than this place. It makes my eyes itch and my nose starts running like a faucet. I’m definitely more comfortable here.” Lucifer plucked a flame-red rose, and it immediately lost its color and shriveled up. He smelled it and tossed it aside, the now metallic-gray flower disintegrating to ash as it hit the ground. “I have some good memories from this place.”
There was a subtle snap on their right as something in the forest stepped on a branch.
Philip turned his head and froze in his tracks.
It was a tiger. It ran toward them, its giant paws soundlessly bounding through the forest, and its amber eyes locked on Satina, who hadn’t noticed the wild animal.
“Watch out!” Philip shouted and pulled her toward him as the animal came bursting out of the brush, a cascade of yellow and black and teeth and claws.
“Philip, take it easy!” Beyond the rush of blood roaring in his ears, he heard Lucifer laughing. “It wouldn’t harm a fly.”
Fear turned into confusion and then amazement when he saw the tiger had stopped and just stood there, curiously watching them. Curious and…friendly?
“It won’t?” he muttered and let go of Satina. “Sorry, but I thought… Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“That’s what I’m saying, Philip. Paradise is a gruesome place. So sad and boring. Just look at this guy.” Lucifer walked over to the tiger and patted him on the back. “Tame as a lamb. Wild animals aren’t even wild here. In the afterlife they peacefully coexist.” The Devil sadly shook his head. “I get nauseous just thinking about it.”
I WAS BORN IN DENMARK ON A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT IN NOVEMBER 1976 …
… and I began writing when I was a teenager. My first book was a really awful horror novel titled Nidhug’s Slaves. It didn’t get published. Luckily.
During the next 7 years, I wrote nearly 20 novels–all of which were rejected–while working as a school teacher. The rest of the time I spent writing.
In 2000 I published my debut fantasy book, The Battle of Caïssa, and that’s when things really took off. Since then I’ve published more than thirty-five books for children and young adults in genres ranging from fantasy to horror and science fiction.
My books have been translated into more than 15 languages and my series about the superhero Antboy has been adapted for film, which is available on Netflix. An animated tv series is currently in development.
A musical of The Devil’s Apprentice opened in the fall 2018 and the movie rights for the series have also been optioned.
I live in Copenhagen with my wife, two boys, a dog named Milo and spiders in the basement.
About THE GREAT DEVIL WAR: The Great Devil War was published in Denmark from 2005-2016, beginning with The Devil’s Apprentice.
Even though the story (mostly) takes place in Hell and deals with themes like evil, death and free will, it is also a humoristic tale about good and evil seen from a different perspective. A tale that hopefully will make the reader – young or old, boy or girl – laugh and think.
Welcome to the blog tour for Heir of Lies, by Mallory McCartney! She’s gearing up to re-release her extremely popular Black Dawn series, starting with this beauty! Read on for an excerpt, tour details, and a chance to win print copies of this book and book #2, Queen to Ashes!
Heir of Lies (Black Dawn #1)
Re-Release Date: April 20th, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy/ New Adult Fantasy
“Hope was a dangerous thing. It could consume every dream and make them take flight, becoming wild daydreams in one’s heart and mind. Or hope could incinerate everything you thought you knew, burning you down to your core, leaving you raw and exposed for the world.”
Emory Fae has only known one thing—life at The Academy, a school for those who have special abilities. Following in her parents’ footsteps, the pressure to uphold their dream falls on her and one of her best friends—Adair Stratton. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. With whispers of dark magic spreading across Kiero, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher, sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath, for the first time in years, they demand the Faes listen to their proposition for a new treaty. Caught in the middle of politics, Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis, search for the one thing that matters the most—the truth.
Their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made, and war ravages Kiero. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic, and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision. Will he fight or bow to the darkness within?
But, Adair’s decision will change the course of Kiero forever, setting in motion irreversible destinies for everyone at The Academy as Emory Fae rises as heir.
Heir of Lies is the first book in the bestselling Black Dawn series.
“Hope was a dangerous thing. It could consume every dream and make them take flight, becoming wild daydreams in one’s heart and mind. Or hope could incinerate everything you thought you knew, burning you down to your core, leaving you raw and exposed for the world. As Brokk walked down the hallway, looking for Memphis, his world was ripped apart in a split second. The hallways were quiet, which should have been his first sign that something was off. Class had just ended for the afternoon, and like every other day, Brokk’s blood was boiling after seeing Iasan. His teacher had become predatory toward him, trying to push him to his edge but always in ways only noticed to Brokk, putting on the persona for the other teachers. Iasan was only trying to ensure a bright future, they said. By grooming him into a lethal weapon that would kill on command. Swearing under his breath, Brokk was hoping for the blissful distraction that the hallways of the Academy always provided. His fellow classmates had a flair for the dramatics; it was guaranteed he would be swept away in their display, along with his thoughts. Instead, his footsteps echoed as he continued on, dread pooling in his stomach and making it churn. Turning the corner, he was about to stop and go back when he saw him. Crumpled in the middle of the hallway, his blond hair splayed out around him and his skin drained of any color, he looked dead. Alby’s appearance flickered as he turned invisible in a panic. “What happened?!” Brokk’s voice cracked, as he sprinted, dropping to his best friend’s side in an instant. Alby’s eyes were wide, as he grappled with his words, his mouth opening and closing. Brokk urged, “Alby, what happened?” The doors at the end of the hallway were thrown open, and Brokk stood, slowly taking in the group rushing toward them. Roque stormed down the hall, Nei and Bresslin at his heels, Tadeas and his entourage flanking them. Roque looked at them, narrowing his eyes to slits. “Foster! What are you doing here? I told the teachers to issue a temporary room curfew effective immediately.” Roque’s words were just white noise, as Brokk saw Adair filing slowly in at the end of the hallway, looking like he had just been through a war. “Foster, I suggest you answer the question,” Roque spoke quietly and slowly, and Brokk flicked his gaze up to the man for a second, truly taking him in. And what Brokk saw, for the first time in years, scared him. Rage contorted their leader’s features into one unrecognizable. One that consumed the man and left a person that had nothing left to lose. He took a step back. “I was just looking for Memphis.” Alby cut in, “He did it. Adair used his ability against Memphis.” Brokk barely took in the next couple of seconds. Roque stiffened, turning slowly to look at Adair limping behind them all, his hooded eyes swept down to the floor, not realizing that everyone had focused in on him. He hurt Memphis.”
Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
This video was so much fun to film! It’s the book version of “Kiss, Marry, Kill”. If you haven’t done this yet, I suggest you try. It was hard! So many books I love. It was like The Hunger Games book edition LOL.
Our external reviewer Sara sent in another review. She works at a library so she is always surrounded by books (that’s the dream) and then keeps on reading books for fun at home in her free time. She also is very passionate about her yarn creature creations which you can find at AdorkableLilCrafties. Anyways, the book she reviewed was Lucky Star by Holly Curtis.
Synopsis: Teenager Ben Somerset has three great loves in his life: Sherlock Holmes, designer clothes and a certain song by Madonna. And then Susie appears.
Set in England in 1984 Lucky Star tells of Ben’s introduction to the world of shoplifting, music, politics, love and heartbreak.
This book was pretty awesome. It was sweet, authentic, engaging, and new. If you like coming-of-age novels, like those by John Green, I think you’d enjoy this.
Curtis does an excellent job of portraying a teenage boy in a way that felt so real, I was shocked to learn that the author was a woman. It felt like the perfect snapshot into a teenage boy in England in the 80s.
There’s angst, teenage antics, too-real anxiety and depression, and all in such a natural way it felt like really reading his diary. I wasn’t really sure where this book was heading when I began it, as the characters were kind of little prats; I soon realized this was the point, and I enjoyed getting to read about them growing and learning about themselves in a natural way.
The character development and plot progression felt natural and entertaining, and I was definitely engaged in where the story was going. Our narrator, Ben, took us through summer in England for a group of delinquent youths, while they tried to figure out what to do with their lives after school.
If you enjoy realistic coming-of-age novels, I think any reader would find it surprisingly easy to relate to this character, as he navigates finding himself and where he fits in in his town, including brief snapshots into what it’s like to have anxiety, without it being the focus of the novel or a deterrent to readers who aren’t comfortable discussing mental health.
Holly Curtis did an excellent job, and I was amused to read along with Ben, following his journey and learning about what it might be like to be an English teenage boy.
Guys! I read so many books in January! It was a great reading month for me and now I will share it with you. Check it out if you want to and let me know what you think!
Happy publication day to Kim Knight! To celebrate the release of Chances: A Puerto Rican Love Affair, Kim is giving away FREE books!!!
Chances, a Puerto Rican Love Affair (Romance Set in Paradise #3) STANDALONE
Expected Publication Date: February 6th, 2020
Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Multicultural
Would you risk a second chance, 4,000 miles away in paradise?
Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair is book three of the Romance Set In Paradise Series. Of romantic, steamy and suspenseful stand-alone novella length stories, all set in exotic locations around the world. Each one can be read as a stand-alone book.
Thirty-one year old Gabby from Barcelona, Spain has a love for the finer things in life including successful men. She finds herself in need of a change of scene. Opportunity knocks when the European company she works for as a successful estate agent, selling properties to elite clientele expand. Giving her the chance to take a one month work sabbatical, in the beautiful vibrant Caribbean island Puerto Rico. She snaps up the chance to leave Europe behind. Here her path crosses with thirty-five year old Puerto Rican born Mateo Sanchez. A former ‘bad boy’ turned entrepreneur. They touch each other on a physical and soul level, the two become connected. Thing is, while the passion, heat and romance builds between the two, the pair’s love affair becomes caught up in a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal from the past.
Mateo and Gabby fight hard for their blossoming relationship, and against the drama that keeps following them. But there are decisions and sacrifices to make if they are really going to make it work. There’s nothing that Mateo won’t do to show his growing admiration for Gabby, even when the police get involved and he’s in the hot seat. His hand is forced he’s pushed to make moves he promised he would never do again, due to past events and to move forward with Gabby. Gabby is faced with the decision over what sacrifices she’ll make, and where she really sees her future. Back in Spain, London or 4,000 miles away in Puerto Rico. Romance, soul mate connection, heat, lies, betrayal and brushes with the law await readers in this exciting multicultural ‘second chance’ romance.
“Um…it’s Gabby. I promised I’d call, I hope it’s a good time?”
“Oh…hey. There’s never a good time for this but… I’m sorry you had to find out like this.”
“ Please, just tell me the truth. What’s been going on?” Gabby grips the phone tighter.
“Well…like I said in my message Gabby, Chris and I met a while back, he asked for my number then one thing led to another. As far as I was concerned he was single, so we started dating.”
“Hmm, fucking you mean.” Gabby retorts down the line with irritation.
“Ha, well I hate to disappoint you, yeah that too, Gabby.”
Gabby rubs her forehead as the familiar feeling of a migraine pounds between her eyebrows. “I can’t believe this. Single?” She questions in a low voice.
“Well, yeah that’s what he told me. What else do ya want me to say? I can’t lie.”
Gabby moves from off the sofa over to the table and grabs a tissue. Her hands shake with frustration as she processes the news for the second time. Somehow the email exchange was not enough to bring her to her senses she had to speak with her.
“How long ago was this?”
“Gabby, I answered all this on Facebook. Like I said, we’ve been together six months now.”
“Right, I’m sorry. I just… I can’t—”
“Can’t believe it? You don’t have to explain yourself like I said, I’m sorry to disappoint you. What happened between you two?”
Sighing, holding back her tears, Gabby faces the mirror above the table. As she wipes her nose her red-rimmed eyes, sore from the tears she shed while she tried to summon the courage to dial the international number stare back at her. Gabby clears her throat, finding her voice. “We met a year ago, things were difficult due to the distance but we both made time for each other. We visited each other, wrote letters and talked on Skype. Then…then things started to die down a bit.”
“A year? So let me get this straight, you’re in Spain, right?” The questioning sarcasm in Jade’s voice does not go unnoticed by Gabby.
“Right but like I said Jade, we have regular contact.”
On the other end of the line Jade examine her nails, bored already with Gabby. “Hmm, how did you meet?”
“Long story short, while I was over in London on a business trip. The company I work for is expanding and the UK is one of the markets they want to enter.”
“Shit I can’t believe this is happening Gabby, I don’t even know what to say.”
“Me neither.”
“Well you may as well give up on him, even if it’s been a year. You’re in Spain, Chris is here…with me.”
“Hold on a second we’ve been together a year and—”
“No, you were together. Like you said, ‘things died down.’ Now you know why he’s been with me. Give it up, it will never work. Plus, he loves me.”
“Hold on a second Jade you can’t just—”
“Girl, bye!”
Gabby throws her phone down on the table when the line goes dead, in such a rage, the screen shutters on the impact. “Bitch, I can’t believe this shit!”
The next morning…
“Gabby, how did the viewing go yesterday? It was the villa over in the Pedralbes area, right?”
Looking up from her computer screen, Gabby places her sandwich to one side. Shit, I hate it when she does that! So much for a lunch break. Forcing a smile across her lips she acknowledges her boss, Sofia, standing tall in front of her like she’s the Devil herself.
“Yeah, it was okay. An older British guy and a younger wife they seemed to really like it. He’s pretty wealthy and after a second home.”
“Is that all? What, no follow up? You’re slipping, Gabby. I don’t need to remind you that we’re in the middle of a potential financial crisis, with the British withdrawing from the EU. They’re our biggest buyers, so follow that shit up, see if he wants to make an offer before we lose him to some shit-faced agent down the street.”
OMG, she’s right. “Yeah, okay I’ll get on to it I’ll just finish my—”
“Now Gabby, don’t make me ask you twice.”
Gabby watches Sofia, stone-faced, turn on her heels then sashay out back to her office. Glancing at her planner, the number for Mr. Daniels catches her eye. The phone rings just as she reaches for it.
“Hello Barcelona Properties, Gabriella speaking how can I help?”
“Gabby what’s up how’s it going?” A deep cockney London accent meets her ear. Not the British accent she was hoping for.
“Chris I’ve told you time and time again, stop fucking calling me. Especially at work.”
“Gabby, please hear me out. I’m sorry okay. I’m free tonight, can we at least meet up on Skype so we can—”
Dropping the phone back on its receiver she moves her attention back over to her computer screen. This morning head office sent out an email to all employees of Barcelona Properties, to apply for a sabbatical in Puerto Rico. Between bites of her now half-eaten sandwich she reads over the memo again, considering the chance to get away from it all. Man, this could be the answer to all my shitty problems right now.Chris clearly thinks it’s okay to cheat.
She never meant to turn into a snooping, paranoid, long-distance girlfriend, but he left her no choice after the communication started to die down. A sarcastic giggle escapes her, hmm too bad he never hid his Facebook shit well enough!He might just have got away with it. What kinda fool does he think I am?
When the calls and plans to see each other became less frequent, she put two and two together, did her own investigations, and sure enough came up with a result. Now, he’s permanently on her mental shit-list. Sighing, she leans back and discards her sandwich, her appetite suddenly gone. Why does he have to tick every box on my list!Focus Gabby, damn. Picking up the phone she dials Mr. Daniels following up on yesterday’s property viewing.
“Hi Mr. Daniels, it’s Gabby from Barcelona Properties.”
“Hi great to hear from you again.” He responds in a friendly tone down the line.
“I’m just calling to see if you’ve had a chance to think about the villa we saw. It’s been on the market for a while, but the seller has just dropped the asking price. It’s an excellent investment for the right buyer.”
“Ah yeah, we liked it a lot, I’d like a second viewing. When are you free?”
Flipping open her planner Gabby’s heart races at the thought of closing a possible sale, that would earn her a heavy commission and hopefully put her back in Sofia’s good books.
“Let’s see, I’m free this afternoon if that suits you.”
“Great, the later the better. How about four p.m.?”
“Excellent, do you remember how to get there? I can meet you there or at your hotel.”
“We’ll be fine, see you in a few hours.”
“Look forward to it. See you soon.”
Disconnecting the call Gabby gives herself a high-five. Please let him make an offer after all of this. Satisfied she’s now earned her break, she clicks back to the work memo then reads over it again.
From: Head Office
To: All employees
Sent:1st July, 9:30
Subject: Sabbatical Opportunity
Dear all,
As you know, Barcelona Properties is in the process of expanding its international offices across Europe, the UK, and Caribbean. We are pleased to announce there has been an increase in property demand, at the Puerto Rico branch opened last year. All employees with at least twelve months continued service are invited to apply for this exciting opportunity. A one month sabbatical over at Puerto Rico from the14th July – 14th August this summer! We hope to offer further opportunities as the company grows and demand increases in the UK and European branches.
This is an excellent opportunity to expand your skills and experience in real estate management, in an exciting and vibrant part of the world. Your basic salary will remain the same, however your commission will match the market of the Caribbean. Accommodation, training, and travel expenses will all be covered. All you need to bring is a positive attitude and the desire to learn about this new market overseas.
If you are interested details are below. Please complete the attached application form and submit to the Human Resources Manager by the 3rd July at 5.00p.m.
Good luck!
Yours faithfully
Head Office
With just two days until the application closing date, Gabby’s mind goes into overdrive. The possibility of relocating to the Caribbean could be just what she needs.
“Gabby.” Sofia’s voice echoes around the room as she sticks her head around the door. Lost in her own daydream of Puerto Rico, she never even noticed her open the door.
“Hmm, yes.”
“Did you get hold of the clients?”
“Yep, I did and we have a second viewing later this afternoon, they seemed to like it.”
“Excellent! Now that’s how it’s done. Remember, Gabby, this industry moves fast, and buyers have so much choice these days, with a new agency popping up on every corner. Always follow up, okay?”
“I know Sofia…I’m sorry it’s just—”
“Aww Gabby, look, I know. I know you’re normally as sharp as a razor that’s why I offered you the job. Let me guess, it’s Chris, right?”
Staring back at her boss with teary eyes, Gabby runs her hand through her long dark hair in frustration.
“Yeah, everyone warned me about long distance relationships, Sofia. But I was so sure that Chris would be faithful, that he was the one.”
Sofia slowly makes her way into Gabby’s office, closing the door behind her shutting out the phones ringing and their co-workers chasing the next house or rental deal. Lowering herself into a chair beside Gabby’s desk, she places a hand on her shoulder then meets her eye.
“Gabby, don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know you couldn’t trust him. Believe me I’ve had my fair share of cheaters too, but they’re not all like that.”
Sighing, Gabby pulls out her powder compact from her bag, and checks over her eye make-up. The last thing she needs is for her false lashes to shift out of place, from her wet eyes, right before she heads out to meet a client.
“I guess so. I’m sorry okay I’ll focus more on the clients.” Gabby promises.
“No worries. Hey, you’re thinking of applying for the sabbatical?” Sofia points to Gabby’s screen with a broad smile on her face. Gabby quickly meets her eye her mouth drops open. Oh shit… but relief comes over her when she sees that her boss is half-smiling. Her usual resting bitch face is not on show, pheww! Sofia’s okay with it.
“I thought about it, it could be fun. But, the state I’m in I really don’t know if I’ve got it in me to learn the ropes of a new branch.”
“What, are you kidding me? This could be just what you need— a change of scene. Trust me, even I’m tempted.” Sofia looks around the office in a dreamy state. “But I’ve got the kids and my husband is in the middle of juggling a few projects at work. The timing’s not really right. For you, though, it’s perfect. Think about it.”
Sofia gets to her feet, smoothing down her pencil skirt as she tucks in her white silk shirt, then adjusts her peals round her neck.
“I better get going, clients to follow up and all. Why don’t you finish early today after you meet Mr. Daniels?”
“No, honestly I’m—”
“Gabby, you’re not okay. Take the rest of the afternoon off. You’ve only got two days to decide what you wanna do. Plus, you’re a native Spanish speaker so you stand a good chance at snapping up this Puerto Rico gig. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Sofia closes the door Gabby’s phone buzzes in her bag. What now Chris. Fishing her phone out, a half-smile tugs at her lips as she narrows her eyes at her cracked screen to make out the name. Oh thank God.
From: Valentina
Sent:1st July 2:00p.m.
Hey, guess who got in contact on Facebook. He’s desperate Gabby! What’s going on?
Urgh! Leave me be Chris, just let me think. Hitting reply, she responds.
From: Gabby
To: Valentina
Sent:1st July 2:05p.m.
Nothing, that’s what’s going on! I can’t believe he contacted you, what did he say?
From: Valentina
To: Gabby
Sent:1st July 2:07p.m
We need to talk! Drop by the salon after work.
From: Gabby
To: Valentina
Sent:1st July 2:09p.m.
I’ll be there for 5, the latest. Available onAmazon!
FREE BOOKS!!!!
On February 6th, 9th, and 10th, Kim Knight is offering free downloads of books #1 and #2 of her Romance Set in Paradise Series, and you can dowload The Suspenseful Collection, Volume #1 for free on February 6th!
Havana Heat- Book #1 Romance Set In Paradise
Overcoming the past is not easy, when the future seems just as scary…
Havana Heat is book one of the Romance Set in Paradise series of steamy, suspenseful, romantic stand-alone novella length stories, set in exotic locations around the world. Readers are transported to the paradise of Cuba’s capital Havana, following the romance and heat build between Spanish Detective Sebastian Garcia, and London born and bred wedding planner Melinda Jones. Melinda’s path crosses with the handsome and charming Detective at Casa De Amour Hotel as a guest at her client’s exotic location wedding. Both characters are in search of a slice of paradise, away from their own troubled love life back home. Originally with different agendas, once their paths cross the romance and sizzle begins.
After all hell breaks out at Casa De Amour Hotel, conflict builds over Sebastian’s past, both characters are faced with a decision to take a risk and see out their romance, or walk away. Forever asking themselves what could have been with their chances of love. Sebastian and Melinda both grow as individuals from their encounter in Havana, following a few bumps along the way they find the real meaning of love. Romance, thrills and excitement await in book one of this romance series set in paradise.
From enemies to lovers, learning to live, laugh and love again is so much better with a partner in crime, and soul mate…
Lover’s Retreat is book #2 of the Romance Set in Paradise Series of stand alone steamy, suspenseful and romantic novella length stories. All set in exotic locations around the world.
For thirty seven year old recluse Yasmin O’Neil, life feels like one crisis after another. Her husband left her five years ago, she starts to suspect she’s losing her hearing, and then her mother is diagnosed with cancer. When her mother passes away her fortune changes. Yasmin is fifty thousand pounds richer from her mother’s estate. Taking her fate into her own hands after years of being a recluse, she rediscovers herself at a spiritual retreat in Sri Lanka south Asia, before she plans to spend the next six months travelling around the world. In Sri Lanka, Yasmin’s path crosses with Michael Thomas, an army soldier on his own path of self discovery. With their luke warm initial encounter the pair don’t hit it off straight away. After some push and pull the two move from enemies to lovers they are finally on the same page. Their encounter turns from luke warm to steamy sizzling hot.
In Lover’s Retreat two very different characters originally on different paths, embrace the need for change and companionship in order to live life to its fullest again. Set in the back drop of paradise, palm trees and untouched nature of Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean these two lonely souls gain more than just self discovery they gain a soul mate.
A suspenseful novel with a twist. Eight short stories, by two suspense authors, from diverse backgrounds. From opposite sides of the Atlantic these stories have been created. One author started the tale and the other ended it. No discussion, no pre-planning, but yet their stories are seamless. With just creativity and the use of writing prompts, to craft one tale, with two different writers. This anthology of suspenseful, fast paced and engaging tales covers multiple genres. From heart felt romance, crime, fantasy, and steamy historical fiction. There is a story for everyone!
Steamy Historical Crime Fiction: It was The First Time I Killed A Man.
It’s 1972 and New York’s first female serial killer Lisa Vanacilli is in the hot seat again, ten years after her conviction of murder to the first degree and innocent plea. The ruthless but sexy reporter Tiffany Low cracks Lisa for a confession… at a price. Lisa is strong, courageous and says it how it is. This story has been extended due to reader’s demand. And is only for adult readers.
Psychological Fiction: Every Time I Hear That Voice From The Basement.
George appears to be harmless. The local neighbourhood geek on the outside, married to Jolene. In reality, he’s a very disturbed man. His path crosses with Dana, the local check out girl. This is a psychological suspense story with a twist.
Crime Fiction: The Entrance To The Tunnel Is His Only Way Out.
Juan is a wanted man, and an ex-gang member on the run from Atlanta to Mexico. With a hundred grand in cash stolen from his ex-boss, he meets an unlikely fate in Mexico. A fast-paced crime fiction story.
Contemporary Romance: When His Hands Run Up My Thighs I…
Love has no time limit, age limit or use by date. Sarah now in her fifties is reunited with her long-lost love Joshua. They last had contact in 1961. In the present day, thanks to the advancement of technology their paths cross. A heart-warming and modern tale, about long distance love, that will leave you warm inside.
Suspense: We Only Said Goodbye With Words, I Died A Hundred Times:
In 1963 Russian Femme Fatale Mila Petrov is London’s top Madam. Her entertainment house is booming, she has a team of London’s strongest women behind her. Unfinished business from her past creeps up and haunts her. It’s nothing she can’t handle. A suspenseful historical tale, with a strong femme fatale.
Fantasy: The Ones Who Live At The Bottom Of The Ocean, Come To The Surface.
A beautiful coming of age story, featuring sixteen year old Zoe and her mother May-Li. Myth becomes reality, as Zoe finds out who and what she really is. Her mixed descent reveals more than what meets the eye. This fantasy story is set against the backdrop of a Greek island and Hong Kong, China.
Suspenseful Crime Fiction: Guilty As Charged, In Self-Defence
California’s sassy, tough, and likeable defence lawyer Catherine has taken on a case so high profile, if she wins she’ll become a partner of Martin Law Firm. Defending forty six year old Mrs. Chevelle. An ex Las Vegas show girl, now a Hollywood wife, on trial for the murder of her high-profile husband. She claims she’s innocent. Readers are taken on a fast -paced journey on a mission to seek the truth.
Contemporary Fiction: It’s A Man’s Man’s World:
A beautiful modern tale showing the love and appreciation of a woman. James Brown said it right when he said, “it’s a man’s man’s world, but it would mean nothing without a woman or a girl.”
Kim is born in 1983 and from London in the UK. She’s a mother to a beautiful little boy, and a proud award winning author (awarded Best Romance 2017 title for A Stranger In France). Kim started her journey as a traditionally published author and later dived into self-publishing also.
As a reader she’s head over heels in love with romance, historical fiction, crime fiction, African- American, suspense and thriller genre books. As a writer, Kim enjoys creating stories with a diverse and multi-cultural line up, within the romance, romantic suspense and general thriller and crime genres. When she’s not reading, or writing stories of her own her other passions include practising her French, astrology, fashion, make-up artistry, drawing, spending time at her sewing machine dressmaking, watching make -up and beauty tutorials on YouTube, letter writing and being a mum.
Guys! I read so many books in January! It was a great reading month for me and now I will share it with you. Check it out if you want to and let me know what you think!
I started this series and finished it in the same year. Very thankful to Zachary Ryan for reaching out to me to see if I wanted to read his book. I had never read a book with this much drama and I loved every second of it. Now I have read the final book in the series, One Queen of an Ending, and it did the series justice.
Synopsis:It’s time to say goodbye to our Johnson Prep favorites before they all head off to college.
After the gossip-worthy events of graduation and the shocking death of one of their classmates, it seems The Queen of Queens wants to give Danielle, Bethany, Calvin, Tucker, and Aman one last hurrah.
Will everything have a happy ending, or will one of our favorites end up 6 feet under? How will the war end with the salacious arrival of returning students, Andrew and Jasmine? They all had one lesson left to learn: Just because high school is over, doesn’t mean the high school drama ends. They’re all about to take their curtain call, but will it end as a comedy or a tragedy?
I want to start off saying that I really enjoyed this book series as a whole. There was so much drama and it was narrated by a witty, comeback queen which gave it that extra bit of awesome.
The last book wraps up all the storylines of all the characters and gives them an ending that they rightfully deserve. I am sad to see this series come to an end but it was one heck of a ride.
I do believe that this book could have had a little bit more too it. I find that I feel this way a lot of the time when I know a series is coming to an end. This one just didn’t have as much “WOW” factor to it which makes sense since I had read 2 books just like it before this one. This was the slow path to the end.
After reading this series, I am excited to see what else Zach has to offer. I find his writing style very unique and am looking forward to reading his other books.
Overall, I would recommend checking out the High School Queens trilogy. It will give you all the sass you will ever need 🙂
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author in physical format to read and give an honest review.
It’s a new year and a new me! This is the year I will crush my TBR jar….hopefully. Check out what I am reading this month and let me know what you are reading 😋
It’s about time that I got back into thrillers! I recently read Tell Me Why by Ruth O’Neill to satisfy this craving that I have been having for the genre.
Synopsis:Lauren Adams is just an ordinary single girl, until one split-second decision throws her life into crisis.
When she meets the handsome and intriguing Max Davies during a girls’ weekend away, she can’t believe her luck. But it soon turns out to be her biggest mistake. Max gets accused of murder, a murder that allegedly happened on the same night he and Lauren met.
Is Max really the man she thinks he is? Is he really innocent of murder? And why does Lauren hear him late at night, building something in the basement – a basement he’s made clear is out of bounds?
Tell me why follows a woman who just wants to be loved, but who instead ends up in a tangled web of lies, deceit, and terror. A chilling read you won’t stop talking about.
I have found a love for thriller books and this is now one I can add to the shelf of decent books from that genre.
I liked Lauren as the main character but I found that she didn’t have that much depth to her. It was told in mainly her perspective with little snippets into the mind of Max (the secondary perspective). A lot of the decisions that were made by Lauren were questionable but I can see how she would have come to these conclusions in her decision making considering the position she was put in.
It was also a pretty easy read considering it was not that long. I kind of wish that some of the characters introduced at the beginning had a more present role in the book to add some more diversity to the cast. It would have made it a little bit less predictable.
That being said, there were definitely parts of this book that creeped me out (and I love that)! Some of the things that the characters endured were not pleasant and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. That feeling of desperation and needing an escape are why this genre is so gripping to me.
Overall, I would recommend this as a starter into the thriller genre to get a taste for it.
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author in an e-book format to read and give an honest review.
It’s a new year and a new me! This is the year I will crush my TBR jar….hopefully. Check out what I am reading this month and let me know what you are reading 😋
Welcome to the blog tour for Men of the Year by Colleen McMillan! Read on for an exclusive excerpt from Colleen’s debut novel!
Men of the Year
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Willow River Press
Cassie doesn’t want your pity. She doesn’t want your sympathy. And she certainly doesn’t want to date you.
When perpetually single Cassie McTiernan agrees to her friends’ online dating scheme, she thinks she’ll go on maybe two dates then bail before things get uncomfortable. She’s turning 30; might as well give it a shot, right? Little does she know that they’ve devised a contract, binding her to date one man per month for one year. Sure, if she finds Mr. Right she doesn’t have to complete their challenge. How hard could dating be?
Jumping through an increasingly long list of hoops, Cassie realizes that she might have to endure the entire torturous year with twelve strange men beside her. What could go wrong? Why does her first date need two cellphones? And is the man who broke her heart years before lurking behind that shadowy bush?
“We have a proposition for you,” says Alicia, suddenly in let’s-make-a-deal mode. Her tone fits a power suit more than her jeans and sequined top.
“More of a bet, you guys said it was a bet,” says Keeley in a much more anxious voice than Alicia. There better not be a male stripper waiting at my apartment building when I get home. Hopefully they didn’t shave my cat like last Fourth of July.
“You’re such an ass Keel,” says Lindsey, in no way helpful. “She won’t win anything if she does it.”
“Oh, she’ll do it. She’s curious already.” Alicia’s grinning now too, but I feel my smile fading. It’s like I’m in front of a court-marshal hearing.
“What did you do?”
“It’s really awesome! I think it’s a really good idea! Lindsey and Alicia thought of it.”
“Great, so what is it?” The bar music changes to the Dropkick Murphys’ thudding beats, and I notice how many people are in the bar. A public place. Somewhere I can’t lose it and scream at them. “What is it?”
They all talk at once, cutting each other off.
“Don’t be mad—”
“Who cares if she’s mad, she’s doing it—”
“It was a good idea, right?”
“Enough you guys!” I pound the table with my mug, sloshing beer. It spills on my hand and I reach for some napkins. “Did you get me something stupid like a pony?”
“You wish,” says Alicia.
“It’s better than a fucking pony.”
“It’s a boyfriend!” Keeley’s exclamation startles me. She covers her lips with her fingers. “Sort of…”
“Not very easy to wrap,” I say and cross my arms over my chest. Please not a blow-up doll, please not a blow-up doll, not in front of all these people.
“It’s not the sort of thing Macy’s gift-wraps for you with a sprig of mint or whatever,” says Alicia as she waves her cocktail straw back and forth in a motion that suggests scolding one of her children. “We got you something thoughtful this year. Something you actually need.”
“I need a new loofa,” I mumble. And maybe some nice bath soaps. Is it too much to ask for nice bath soaps? Maybe honeysuckle-scented?
“Stop bitching and listen,” says Lindsey. “Alicia, Keeley, and I got together and really thought this through. Step one: you need to stop moping about dating and just get on with it, or ‘get it on with it’ if you will, you’re not getting any younger or thinner.”
“Thanks a lot.”
She ignores me and goes on, “Step two: stop whining about your job and get a better one.”
“She means start writing again,” whispers Keeley, trying to sound supportive.
“So basically, what you got me is an inspirational rant from a divorcee whose sole purpose in life is to sleep with as many men as she can before her vagina falls off.”
“Ha ha. Listen. We signed you up for an online dating service.”
Colleen may be a writer, but she’s also a dater. Many of the events in this novel happened to her or someone she knows, both male and female. Who hasn’t felt the harsh slap of an unanswered email on Match.Harmony.Fishing.com? Who hasn’t narrowly avoided an oncoming mouth with its tongue sticking out and drool tendrils forming in the corners? She wrote this novel because her fellow online daters needed a voice, or at least a fun read to get them through the day after their online crush quit the website because he “found someone else.” She has been published in Iconoclast literary magazine as well as in her college literary journal, Prologue. She lives in Minnesota with her faithful cat, Duncan.
REASON FOR WRITING THIS PARTICULAR NOVEL
My love life is disastrous, mainly because it’s nonexistent. What dates I did go on in my twenties went well enough, or so I thought. After a long string of first dates with men who weren’t too keen on my opinions once we actually met in person, I wondered if my other friends were having the same issues. Hint: they were. This was before rampant “dick pics” emerged, and most online dating sites were pay only. I signed up for Plenty of Fish, a free matchmaker site my friend recommended, which was an even bigger school of sharks masquerading as tropical fish. I had a terrible relationship stemming from that site, which prompted me to finish the little novel I’d been working on for years.
It’s a new year and a new me! This is the year I will crush my TBR jar….hopefully. Check out what I am reading this month and let me know what you are reading 😋
It is about time that I got back to some good old fiction! I recently read And Hell Followed With Him by J.M. Bedard and it was pretty decent.
Synopsis:Winter is approaching fast in the windswept plains along the Canada/US border; the landscape is bleak, but the prospects of the people living there, even more so. Dave returns home for the first time since he left as a teenager and finds his family in disarray; the Mathises, once reigning over all criminal aspects of the area, have begun to lose their grip. Palmer, the patriarch, has only gotten more bloodthirsty in his old age, an influence that has begun to rub off on Dave’s brother, Jed. It seems that the more the Mathises try to manage their own affairs, the stronger things spin out of control. Soon nearly everyone in town is drawn into the mess, from morally bankrupt cops to teenagers, to Dave himself.
Loyalties and grudges, left to fester, underpin every decision. Family binds together, then wrenches apart- and Dave, not quite a local but not a stranger, cannot fully cleave himself from it all.
He will try- and the results will leave no one untouched.
This book started off with such an intense scene and it pulled me in. I found it to be quite an interesting read with all the perspectives you were able to explore as the reader. The mafia-style family that has control over the town is in such a mess with all their drama and it kept me reading to see what happened with them. I haven’t seen many episodes of this show but I would compare it to Bloodline from Netflix.
There is one character called “The Canadian” and they are supposed to be this ominous, powerful, menacing character which I find really funny because I am Canadian and I just picture him being very nice and saying sorry a lot (which is a stereotype but a lot of us do that ;P).
I wasn’t a huge fan of how it ends. I’m not sure if there are going to be more books added to this or if it is just a standalone but it seemed like there would be more. There are a lot of unanswered questions I have which is why I think I feel this way.
I would read more books by this author to see their journey as a writer. I will say that they could pull off some of the personas of their characters really well. All in all, I did like the book and it kept my attention enough to read the whole way through.
Book Rating: 3/5
You can buy this book on Amazon and find it on Goodreads. Check out the author’s Instagram to keep up to date with her!
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author in the ebook format to read and give my honest review.
2019 was a year full of reading and I compiled a list of the top 10 books of the year that I read. Watch the video and let me know if you agree with any of them!
Congratulations to author, Barbara Elle, on the release of her exciting thriller, Death in Smoke! For more details, be sure to read on!
Death in Smoke (The Cape Mysteries #2)
*Each book in The Cape Mysteries can be read as a standalone novel
Publication Date: Dec. 5th, 2019
Genre: Psychological Thriller
A bloodied body buried in a snow bank on a remote island off Cape Cod.
A cold case in Kansas.
What’s the connection between two unrelated murders over a thousand miles away and decades apart?
In Death In Smoke, the thrilling sequel to Death In Vermilion, artist Leila Goodfriend unravels the truth about two brutal killings.
From Cuttyhunk Island to a Native American casino in Kansas, Leila tracks a trail of blood and revenge, littered with smoke screens and stone relics of a faded past.
Once again, Leila has to trust her instincts, which puts her at odds with Detective John Grace—a relationship of attraction that, in the end, reveals a tragic secret from her own past.
Despite the detective’s warnings, Leila puts her life at risk, obsessed with proving her friend’s innocence, at least of murder.
Death In Smoke, the new psychological thriller from acclaimed author Barbara Elle, takes readers on an inner and physical journey across clashing cultures and time, challenging assumptions about what is truth—what remains a mystery.
In her stunning debut thriller, Death In Vermilion (The Cape Mysteries Book 1), acclaimed author Barbara Elle paints a clever and twisted picture of women and sisters, whose lives are entwined by a brutal murder in a Cape Cod town. Who can you trust?
Now, Death In Smoke (The Cape Mysteries Book 2) asks what’s the connection between a bloodied body buried in a snow bank on a remote island off the Cape and a cold case in Kansas? Can artist and amateur sleuth Leila Goodfriend solve this new mystery?
Barbara Elle fell in love with books and writing at a young age, honing her writing chops as a copywriter at major publishers and as a freelance journalist.
Growing up in Boston, but she became a New Yorker as an adult. Her writing draws on people and places she remembers, setting The Cape Mysteries on Cape Cod, a place of memories.
Barbara Elle continues collecting characters and plots, often traveling the world with her touring musician husband, the musical director for rock and roll icon Cyndi Lauper. In her travels, Barbara has explored Buddhist temples in Beijing, crypts in Vienna and Kabuki Theater in Tokyo.
2019 was a year full of reading and I compiled a list of the top 10 books of the year that I read. Watch the video and let me know if you agree with any of them!
Need an intense, diverse fantasy full of magic and betrayal? Then look no further because I have just the book for you. I read Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barren and it fits all of these things.
Synopsis:Arrah is a young woman from a long line of the most powerful witch doctors in the land. But she fails at magic, fails to call upon the ancestors and can’t even cast the simplest curse.
Shame and disappointment dog her.
When strange premonitions befall her family and children in the kingdom begin to disappear, Arrah undergoes the dangerous and scorned process of selling years of her life for magic. This borrowed power reveals a nightmarish betrayal and a danger beyond what she could have imagined. Now Arrah must find a way to master magic, or at least buy it, in order to save herself and everything she holds dear.
An explosive fantasy set in a world of magic and legend with a twist you will never see coming.
This book had a refreshing cast of all diverse characters. I think there were actually no white characters at all and that was a first for me.
I would call this a slow burn fantasy at first because there was a little bit of information dumping at the beginning as the world is being built for the readers. But it builds into a huge crescendo by the end and had me glued to the pages wanting to know how it all came to an end (at least for this one since it is the start of a series).
Arrah was a likeable character and her personal growth throughout the book was developed in such a way that you wouldn’t consider her to be the same person by the end. She puts the “strong” in a strong female character.
There were a bunch of tribes that all had unique names and they represented different parts of the nation. I found them to be a little hard to keep track of but that was only a minor detail.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a great, diverse fantasy full of plot twists and sacrifice.
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in physical format by Harper Collins to read and give an honest review.
I did my first ever reading vlog! It was a lot of fun to make and it was kind of like a review as I read the book. It was also my first ever Brandon Sanderson book!
One of my authors that I follow regularly, Lucia Mann, has put out another book called Endless Incarceration Sorrows. It will be releasing in January 2020 so keep an eye out for it!
Havana Heat- Book #1 Romance Set In Paradise
Lover’s Retreat Book #2 Romance Set In Paradise
The Suspenseful Collection, Volume #1 
Men of the Year
