Submitted Anonymously
Submitted Anonymously
queenofalltheworld.tumblr
Monthly Archives: August 2016
Summer Lovin’: A Wounded Hearts Novella by Jacquie Biggar (Book Review)
#5 Wounded Hearts Series
Mitch Taylor and Rebecca Sorenson share a secret.
Rebecca’s job as secretary of Cascade Elementary, the same school she attended as a child, is rewarding. She has a great group of friends, many of whom are married now. And if sometimes she wished it were her up there in that sparkling white dress…
Except, wait—she did get to wear bridal white. Granted, it was a slinky party dress and the justice of the peace was Elvis in a gold lame jacket, but still, the deed was done.
She’d tied the knot.
Mitch Taylor doesn’t do regrets. It would be a waste of energy bemoaning the mistakes he’d made in his life. The end of his promising football career taught him nothing in life was a guarantee.
Like love.
What were the chances two people from the same po-dunk town in Washington would end up together in a nightclub in Las Vegas? A few too many drinks later, a hasty ceremony performed by the king of rock ‘n’ roll, and they’d been hitched. The night that followed lived on in his dreams, but when he’d woken the next morning she was gone.
Can these two mismatched lovers find a way past their mistakes, or will they keep their lonely hearts forever guarded?
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
When Jacquie requested this review, she didn’t alert me to the fact this was story #5 in a series. At various times, you could tell this wasn’t the first book in the Wounded Heart series. It was apparent I was missing the backstory of several relationships — Jack and Mitch, Mitch and Becca, Jack and Becca, and the mysterious April.
Let me state, I did find much enjoyment in this story but I do think reading the previous ones will make all the difference in understanding the tension between certain characters. Why they are behaving in such manners.
As for the plot centering around Tommy and Jasper, two little kids, being mistreated by their uncle: I despise anyone who hurts a child, in any way. More than one person stepped up to help these two boys out and that’s what we, as a whole, should do if we encounter a situation like this.
Jacquie, I applaud your message to always look out and help those in need.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
(click on the titles to be directed to Amazon.com)
Tidal Falls – #1 Wounded Hearts
The Rebel’s Redemption – #2 Wounded Hearts
Twilight’s Encore – #3 Wounded Hearts
The Sheriff Meets His Match – #4 Wounded Hearts
Summer Lovin’ – #5 Wounded Hearts
Jacquie writes Romantic Suspense with tough, alpha males who know what they want, until they’re gob-smacked by heroines who are strong, contemporary women willing to show them that what they really need is love.
She has been blessed with a long, happy marriage and enjoys writing romance novels that end with happy-ever-afters.
Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her family and loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. She swears she can’t function without coffee, preferably at the beach with her sweetheart. 🙂
Amazon | Website | Facebook | Newsletter
Twitter | Pinterest | GoodReads | Bookbub
Filed under Uncategorized
Claimed by Andrea R. Cooper (Book Showcase)
Intern Renee Maxwell has a chance at her dream job as assistant to a renowned archaeologist in exotic Turkey. Things get a little weird when she finds a unique crystal and starts hallucinating crazy yet sexy things. Her once staid boss now looks like a gorgeous demi-god and underwear model combined. Her feminist ideals are challenged with each seductive look and bit of banter he gives her, but she’s not falling for his charm. Damon Cubins never met a woman his Incubus powers couldn’t seduce…until now. If he doesn’t find an ancient crystal, he’ll turn into a full-fledged demon. When his new Intern Renee arrives on site, wearing the exact necklace he needs to save his existence, he thinks he’s got it made until he discovers a curse is keeping him from claiming what’s his. He doesn’t want to harm the woman who has enraptured his heart, but Damon isn’t the only dark creature seeking the crystal’s powers. Winning Renee’s love to release the curse becomes the only cure to save her life.
After he set her on the rocks, she scrambled away from the water’s edge in her wet bra and panties.
“Don’t forget your promise,” he teased, but he couldn’t help it. Any longer staring at the blush on her cheeks and chest and he’d forget his vow and claim her. Even her erect nipples strained against her wet lace bra made him dig his nails into his palms.
She huffed and snatched up her towel. Thankfully, it reached just below her butt, leaving her long legs exposed for his admiration. Then she flipped her curly hair over her shoulder, batting her eyelashes at him.
“I would never give you the satisfaction.”
“Of which?” He cocked his head to the side and beamed. “Drowning or bathing?”
“Both.” She tucked the corner of towel between her breasts, locking the rest of it around her body, and then snatched up her canteen.
“Uh, thank you for saving me.” She shivered, and he doubted it was merely from cold and wet. “Please don’t tell the others, it’s embarrassing.”
At his nod, she breathed out a sigh. She looked as if she anticipated him to haul her back into the water for another lesson. Inching closer to the shore, her gaze never left his.
Her movements reminded him of abused animals. He speculated most people, who couldn’t swim, would want to learn unless they experienced drowning in the past. Could that have happened to her?
There was more to this situation than her usual stubbornness. Vulnerability even. As she leaned forward to finish filling her canteen, her ample bosom peeked out. His lust twisted to the sounds she would make when he touched and kissed her nipples until they pebbled.
Suddenly, she jerked up, spilling some of the water. “Did you get a good enough view?”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Without waiting for his reply, she stormed away.
Damon flopped onto the water letting his body float. His mind drifted to images of making love to Renee in the water. After he helped her over her phobia, somehow. Hmm, he could kiss her down there while she treaded water.
Nah, she’d never go for it. This is a business trip. No time for sleeping with the staff, no matter how sexy when arguing with him.
Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn’t until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.
Filed under Uncategorized
Wilder Hearts: A Western Hearts Novel by Lilly Gayle (Book Review)
Writing about the outlaw, Jake the Snake, could be the opportunity of a lifetime—if it doesn’t get her killed.
When Ellie Wilder takes her sister from their grandfather’s home, she’s determined to put her family back together and write of their adventures. Then she runs into Jacob Harper, a man who resembles Jake the Snake, a notorious outlaw who once rode with Billy the Kid. Is it possible the outlaw who escaped justice has mended his ways? Or is the handsome Mr. Harper now murdering servant girls in Austin? Finding out the truth could be the journalistic opportunity of a lifetime.
Former Texas Ranger Jake Harper has returned to Texas to help solve the Servant Girl Annihilator murders. But when a similar murder occurs in Harmony, Texas, Jake goes undercover as Jake the Snake to find a connection between the series of brutal murders. Then Ellie Wilder shows up. Her snooping could blow his cover and get her killed, but Ellie soon becomes a bigger threat to his heart than his investigation.
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
Are you a fan of movies such as Young Guns and Tombstone? If so, then this is the book for you. In Wilder Hearts, Lilly drops names like Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and a few other notable westerners in a tale that’ll keep your interest peaked.
In Wilder Hearts, more than one mystery is attempting to be solved; more than one murderer to be caught. Not all the cases were open and shut. However, through the process of finding the Annihilator, two people found love and their HEA.
So if you like sexy lawmen, women who’s attitude are as big as their bosom, then pick up this book.
Word of warning, Lilly pulled no punches with how the victims died. Each victim died brutally.
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
DON’T FORGET TO ALSO CHECK OUT
Helpless Hearts: A Western Hearts Novel (Book 1)
Can a former gunslinger find redemption through love?
Former gunslinger Noah Sinclair returned home so he could regain his respectability. Instead of redemption, he finds temptation in Juliana Jeffries—a woman engaged to the man who offered him a job and a second chance. Despite Noah’s loyalty to his boss, Noah’s Helpless Heart still yearns for Juliana—a woman with dreams and ambitions that don’t include a former gunslinger.
Noah stole Juliana’s heart years ago, but then he left town to avenge his father’s death. Now, she dreams of becoming a doctor and she’s obliged to marry Avery, a man with a secret she’s sworn to protect. Noah’s return could test her loyalty, her ambition, and her heart.
Award Winning Author of paranormal and historical romance:
2015 OKRW International Digital Awards. 2016 Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards.
Filed under Uncategorized
Have Amber — Will Travel by Keith Vlasak (Book Review)
A modern American princess leads her brothers and sisters, a professor, a boy friend of her older sister and an army into an ancient underworld to free a millennium of lost souls and one lonely little girl.
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
No matter where you purchase your books, the first thing that captures your eye is the cover. You can tell a lot about it — genre, age range, main character(s), etc. Therefore, as an author, publisher, or cover artist, one goal should be to depict the book properly from first glance.
Sadly to say, the ball was throughly dropped on the construction of Have Amber — Will Travel’s cover. The adventure takes place in Egypt, dealing with gods, pharaohs, mummies, serpents, multiple-headed monsters and various other beings. However, none of those things were illustrated on the cover. No temples. No Egyptian images at all. What we have was an anime looking girl which could represent anything. In fact, I showed the book to my family and NOT ONE of them could tell me the genre or plot. That’s not good. NOT AT ALL.
Honestly, if I wasn’t requested to read this, I would’ve overlooked it. Thankfully, I was asked because within the pages were some outstanding depictions of mythical creatures, temples which would leave a visitor speechless, and battle scenes worthy of the price of a movie ticket (plus snacks).
The showdown with Seth and Apep (giant serpent) was electrifying and occurred in the best section of the book — In the Underworld. Whereas some other areas in the story droned on and never seemed to end, this area could’ve went on far longer (IMHO). This particular section also delivered quite a surprise regarding Peter. Just wait, I know you won’t see this bombshell coming. 🙂
However, through everything, something kept nagging at me. This story read as a sequel. There were multiple mentions of King Arthur, Merlin, and a quest regarding the Holy Grail. Plus, I didn’t grasp why they treated Amber with kid gloves. Why was she the princess on all their treks into the dreamworld? Why did they follow her every command?
So, I contacted Keith. I had to know if I missed out on a prior adventure because, again, it read as if I should already be familiar with these children and their roles in past quests. Here’s what he said, “Sorry. It is not a sequel (and I will definitely never write a prequel).”
In truth, this confusion was simply incomplete character and story development. A problem some authors are prone to have on occasion because they get a story in their head and forget the fine details when it travels from their creative noggin to a screen.
Now don’t get me wrong, all in all, this was a pretty nice read. Sure it had it’s up and downs, areas that definitely could have benefited from a little more spit and polish, but for the most part it was on point. Keith gave us an interesting storyline, weaved in just the right amount of Egyptian history, and repeatedly introduced new beings/obstacles so folks never knew what to expect next.
It’s definitely a book worth reading.
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤
Meet the Author!!
“[Keith Vlasak’s] prose flows as a river. The surface is smooth, placid; the current, strong. When you step in, immerse yourself, glide with the water, you can certainly feel the pull but you don’t know where it’s taking you. Then, suddenly, you round a bend, the river opens up, a new light bathes the water and the riverbank, and you realize you’re in a radically different place.” – George Konstantinow
I go back a long ways. I was born in 1950 and started sending out my stories in 1964. I started getting published in the literary small press in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s hundreds of my poems were published. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s I sold a bunch of genre stories: fantasy, science fiction, horror and suspense. In the last decade, I’ve been writing novel length projects. You’ll find them at Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Over the years I’ve been a musician and song writer performing in failed garage bands and solo in coffee shops, I’ve worked in oils and water colors, pen and ink and even enjoyed taking art courses, an award winning photographer, computer programmer, and have actually earned my living as a farm laborer, tree trimmer, dish washer, house painter, store manager, retail supervisor, and a whole bunch of self-employed over the years. I’ve had a lot of fun and I think that shows in my writing.
Filed under Uncategorized