Yearly Archives: 2016

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.
 
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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.

 
 
 
Purchase Links: 
 Kobo / iTunes

 

 

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.

 
 

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Wilder Hearts: A Western Hearts Novel by Lilly Gayle (Book Review)

 

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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) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

GET YOUR KINDLE COPY TODAY!!

 
 
 
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.

 
 
 

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Award Winning Author of paranormal and historical romance:
2015 OKRW International Digital Awards. 2016 Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards.

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Have Amber — Will Travel by Keith Vlasak (Book Review)

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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.

Amazon Print Link

Kindle Purchase Link

  

myreview-1(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: ❤❤❤

Amazon Print Link

Kindle Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author!! 

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“[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.

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Sizzling Frio by Dakota G. King (Book Review)

Sizzling Frio mirrors the oxymoronic relationship that develops when a coed Natalie Carroll and a college football player Josh Tyler literally meet face to face on the banks of the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country. Sparks ignite, and they embark on a tempestuous ride through spiraling small town politics, Texas nightlife and Friday Night Fever, where they find the natural destiny of their love in turmoil just like the river’s many white-water runs. Although coincidental meetings in college stoke the embers still lingering from their first encounter, Josh’s desire to play professional football thwarts their union. Caution and frustration prevail; Natalie relocates; then fate intervenes several years later when an injury ends Josh’s career and they reunite to discover the attraction between them resurfacing. Can the scorching desire they share, however, overcome the mixed signals, emotional wounds, and the conniving interference of a scorned lover?

 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
In the summer of 1993, Natalie and Josh both ended up spending their vacations at Frio River. A place where you can kick back and just enjoy nature, friends, and family with no electronics and no running water. Ok, the lack of running water would be a buzzkill but you still have the river to wash up in. Beggars can’t be choosers, right? 🙂
 
As for vacations go, the scenery is breath-taking and the story proved to have promise until Josh talked. The more he opened his mouth, the more I began to dislike him. 
 
He blatantly admitted to using women and their families to further his career. How anyone could think this behavior is ok/justified and not hurtful to others is beyond me.  Oh, wait until you read the proposal scene. Trust me, you won’t be saying awww. Instead, you’ll be yelling, “What an asshole!”
 
Even after a six year gap, he hadn’t changed at all. I really hoped Dakota would’ve thrown us a curveball and paired her up with Matt — permanently. 
 
For me, Josh’s lack of respect for a woman’s feelings  almost caused me to give this book a ZERO. The only reason why it scored a ONE was for the memories it stirred in me about my days swimming in murky water with my friends and family. 
 
Those were great times. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:
Purchase Links:  Print / Kindle
 
 
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Born and raised in south Texas, Dakota G. King began writing in 1998, using the knowledge gained from a BA in English and history from Texas State University and thirty-six years of teaching in public schools in various Texas towns. However, teaching and raising a family allowed only sporadic efforts until retirement provided the time for the challenge of writing more often. Inspired by many novelists, especially Laverle Spencer, the intricate ties of various cultures in Texas and family encounters, she felt compelled to capture the experiences from her life in Sizzling Frio, her first contemporary romance novel.

www.blackrosewriting.com

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Author Showcase/Interview and Review of “Inevitable” – Lindsay Boyd

Welcome, Lindsay Boyd 
 

 
1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?

(Lindsay) I am originally from just outside the city of Melbourne in Australia and nursed the ambition to be a writer from an early age. I set myself the challenge of writing a novel at the age of twenty and succeeded by hook or by crook. It may not have been the greatest novel in the world but at least I demonstrated to myself that I could muster the self-discipline necessary to achieve such an aim. In my twenties I wrote some other novels and also penned a number of screenplays. While I received plenty of encouraging and positive feedback it would a number of years before I began publishing material.
 
2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
(Lindsay) Where I am concerned this is almost a N/A question. But if stuck in any kind of writing rut I adhere to the same philosophy I apply to a difficult patch on a long-distance run, ie, I ride out the storm and carry on regardless. Blocks or ruts pass. It is  simply a matter of working your way through them.    

 

 
3. Contrary to what some people envision about a writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
 
(Lindsay) Many writers would have ‘day jobs’. I certainly do and I doubt I would want to give them up even if I could. I am a personal carer and a traveller as much as I am writer. Work as a personal carer / community development worker was my way of making ends meet for numerous years and I continue working at that these days. I have lived and worked in numerous intentional community settings all over the world. Spirituality is very important to me. I have been in the habit of daily meditation for more than twenty years. As far as leisure time activities goes, I enjoy reading, music, films, photography, running, swimming, other languages and cultures, to name just a few.
 
4. I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?
 
(Lindsay) Yes, they do. Since it is an integral part of who I am it would be hard to keep it a secret. I think for the most part those in the know appreciate my efforts, which is gratifying. There may also be equal parts astonishment that I have kept for so long at something that has been for me essentially a non-paying enterprise. Fortunately I learnt long ago not to concern myself overmuch with the question of how much money I might or might not earn from writing. 
 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
(Lindsay) Hermann Hesse / Fyodor Dostoyevsky / C. P. Cavafy / Yukio Mishima / Nikos Kazantzakis / Albert Camus / Erich Fromm / Marilynne Robinson / Jhumpa Lahiri / Kazuo Ishiguro
Kam: I’m not familiar with all these authors so thank you for giving me ideas of who to check out next. 
 
 
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?
 
(Lindsay) Screen adaptations of books are arguably best kept to the work of genre fiction writers. As a writer of literary fiction I find this a tough question to answer. I generally believe the two mediums should steer clear of each other, though I have seen competent renderings of literary fiction books I like. I never write a novel with a view to the screen. What I do write with a view to the screen are screenplays, but only when I feel I have an idea that would translate okay and / or is best fitted for that.
 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
 
(Lindsay) The recently released Inevitable is the first novel of an anticipated trilogy of self-contained works whose underlying link is thematic, principally the theme of new life. Aside from the second book of this trilogy I am also working on a novel titled Marginal, which takes as its starting point the death under suspicious circumstances of a long-term homeless Irishman and how this event impacts the lives of the diverse group of individuals with whom he came into contact in his final year. Concurrently, I plan to work on a couple of screenplay ideas and see what if anything comes of those.     
 
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order?
 
(Lindsay) I have published shorter pieces, both fiction and non-fiction, in numerous print journals and ezines. I have three books on smashwords, a two-part ‘travel memoir’ and also a book of stories. A few years ago I self-published a trilogy of self-contained novels on the theme of healing and reconciliation. The second was later published in ebook format by Brisbane, Australia based jaffabooks.com.au Books one and three and the original version of the second can be found on amazon, etc. The three components of that trilogy could be read in any order, I feel, though there is a progression in the treatment of the theme.

 
9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?
 
(Lindsay) A good place to commence might be my Facebook author page.  Then there is my blog / siteThe most direct route of all, however, would be my personal email address: snowball5810@yahoo.com.au
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
(Lindsay) There is much to like about the writing life, as hard as it can be to earn a crust as a writer. But I would encourage anyone who feels they have this vocation in them to give it a go. The freedom to be able to work anytime, anywhere, is not to be sniffed at. In essence it is as down to earth as grabbing a pen, or a pencil, and a piece of paper (most things I write I prefer to write by hand in the first instance). Another great thing about writing, for me, is that it is a sublime meditative pursuit that never fails to take one within – hopefully to the discovery of more resonant ‘truisms’ than those obtainable outside oneself. My life would never have been the same without it.  
 
~~ Closing Remarks ~~  
Ladies and Gents, I hope you enjoyed my interview with Lindsay Boyd. If you have any questions or comments for Lindsay, by all means, leave him a message below. However, before you drop us a line, please take a moment and take a gander at Inevitable. Genre: mystery/suspense


Thanks!!
 
 
 
 

Having recently completed a twelve-year-prison term for a horrendous crime committed when he was fourteen, Vanburn Holding pitches his hopes for a new life in an intentional recovery community based in northeast Thailand. On the eve of his departure for Asia an encounter with an ailing American high school girl on one of the beaches of his Caribbean island home threatens to derail his plans. Van, however, contends with this frightening occurrence and upon journeying to Asia and establishing himself in the community setting makes great strides in fashioning the mode of life he has envisioned for years. But his past catches up with him, bringing the realisation that things left undone at home for too long cannot remain in that state. He therefore acts to take responsibility for all his actions, not simply those with consequences more easily borne.

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When I read a book, I notice my mood reflects the undertones of what I’m viewing. For the most part, Inevitable is a depressing read which, in turn, turned my happy mood — sour. 
 
I realize the subject manor wasn’t intended to elicit feeling of happiness. I went in with my eyes wide open on what I would be facing. Murder, missing teenager, is not light reading material at all. However, my main issue isn’t with the plot but how it was carried out. 
 
The characters didn’t really display any real emotion. Lindsay didn’t create enough emotional connection between his characters and the cases discussed in the book. 
 
For example, if your child goes missing, a normal reaction would be tears….. buckets of tears. I don’t think the majority of us parents (caregivers) would be taking a dip in the pool. Lindsay had Gloria’s family more concerned about public image than anything else.  Their detachment caused me to experience no interest to their plight, which is the adverse reaction a person should feel. Right?
 
As for Vanburn, no feelings expressed there either. When he “spoke” I heard it all in a monotone voice. Actually, as I was reading each page, I heard the man from the old Visine commercials in my head. (If you aren’t familiar with him/it, google it.)  Boring, lifeless, and I’m afraid to say so was this book. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:
 
 
 

 

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