BTS Book Reviews by BTSemag

V.A. Dold V.A.Dold is the bestselling author of the Le Beau Brothers series, New Orleans wolf shifter novels. She is the owner of ARC Author & Reader Con (ARC NOLA).

Myra Nour

Myra was first published in 2001 with Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Captive; her best seller for 14 years. Myra is also the CEO of BTSeMag.

on the cover

contents May/June 2015

The End of Droughtlander 123

Outlander World Premiere Coverage By Sandra Bunino

columns 39 BTS Goes Hollywood PRAKASN KUMARARAJAN

features 55 Lucienne Diver 57 Susan Griscom 61 Evelyn Lederman 62 Jessica Lee 79 Cara Bristol 81 Kayla Lords 99 Leigh Carron

100 Jennah Scott 103 Hildie McQueen 104 Melissa Keir 106 Amy Gregory 121 Jo Grafford 135 Courtney Farrell 139 Destiny Blane

stories

47 Ali B. and the Forty Spaceships

THE NAME’S NORMAL, PARA NORMAL, BUT YOU CAN JUST CALL ME STRANGE

67 The Heat Diva

SHORT, HOT READS FOR ANY MOOD

85 Chic Trends in Romance A WILD WICKED WEEKEND

111 The Hot Hunks of History TIME TRAVEL

129 Forever Young THE MYSTIC LIST

143 The Scrying Eye

OF SHERLOCK, DINOSAURS, ZOMBIES AND SCARLET GOSPELS

plus

on the website

Blogging 101 with Babs Hightower Karen’s Writing Detours with Karen Albright Lin

genres 45 SCI-FI/FANTASY & PARANORMAL 65 EROTIC & SENSUAL 83 CONTEMPORARY & ROMANCE 109 HISTORICAL & WESTERN 127 YOUNG ADULT 141 MYSTERY & SUSPENSE Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

BTS Book Reviews

LLC

Your Guide to Great Reading

BTSeMag.com info@BTSeMag.com facebook.com/BtsBookReviews

Executive Coordinator Myra Nour Executive Designer Dawn Seewer Promotions Director Babs Hightower Promotions Assistant Melanie Bingle Marsh Executive Assistant Babs Hightower Marketing Director Kayla Lords Newsletter Editor Jo Gafford Production Assistant/ Designer Cyrene Olson Editor Sheri Kraft Associate Editor Kellyann Zuzulo

Social Media Amberr Meadow Review Coordinator Heather Powers Review Assistant Bea Connors Babs Hightower Reviewers Melanie Bingle Marsh Olga Núñez Miret Brittany Hale Stacie Carrier Sally A Wolf Cassandra Graham Tina Huey Nathifa Swan Andi Schellinger Sasha Hibbs Rejoice Denhere Tina Huey Susan Frances Sasha Hibbs

Columnists Karen Albright Lin Alex Bardy Sandra Bunino Christy English Kayla Lords Babs Hightower Kelly Hudson Kellyann Zuzulo

No material in this magazine can be used or copied without BTS or the author’s permission. © Copyright 2015. BTSeMag, BTS Book Reviews, All Rights Reserved. By submitting material to BTS Book Reviews or its affiliates, authors certify they own the rights to all published information.

FOLLOW BTS

Hollywood Interviewer Danita Minnis

Author Liaison Diane Bator Yahoo Promotions/ Ad Coordinator Simon Nour

GET BTS NEWS

Promotions Assistant Char Chaffin Triberr Team Amber Easton Keta Diablo Barbara Bradley

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

From the Desk of

Myra Nour BTS CEO

Expanded Award Categories: BTS has created several new awards for 2015 and tweaked a few. They are: *New for 2015! BTS Best Book *New criteria! BTS Rising Star *New for 2015! BTS Debut Author *New for 2015! BTS Best Anthology *New criteria! BTS Best Cover *Brand New! BTS Blogger Award BTS & Blogger Teams A select few bloggers will be joining us to bring even more reviews to the magazine. We welcome Melanie Bingle & Andi Schellinger of Fang Freakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tastic Reviews as our first blogger team. They will be covering the Pararnormal, Fantasy & S/F genres in upcoming issues. Blogger Central Look for Blogger Central coming to the BTS website in May! Bloggers, get more attention for your blogs. We will put your blog banner in Blogger Central which will rotate through the large banner on our home page. Plus your banner will be included on the Blog Beat page in each issue of the emag.All bloggers in Blog Central will be eligible for a monthly drawing of an interview on the BTS website and $10 Amazon gift card.

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Also all bloggers in Blogger Central will be entered into the NEW BTS Blogger Award as part of our Red Carpet Book Awards. We love bloggers and their support of our emag and want to thank them by including them in our awards. The top winner will receive a beautiful shooting star trophy. There will be 2nd- and 3rd-place winners, and 3 honorable mentions.

Publisher

| Ind

News Yo

Totally Bound www.totallybound.com Totally Bound delivers ‘A list’ escapism for readers who love Erotic Romance fiction. We are the go-to destination for deliciously good stories that put a smile on reader’s faces and a spring in their steps. We are currently actively acquiring manuscripts of 10- 100k in the following genres: MM Suits, World Wars, MF historical, MF cowboy and western, MM shifter detectives, MF and MM BDSM bikers, MM vampire cowboys. We are still accepting manuscripts in our usual genres which can be found on our publisher site. http://www.totallyboundpublishing.com/submissions/submission-calls/ We are also preparing for our attendance at the the Romantic Times Convention, this year to be held in Dallas, Texas!

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com Find your next smart and sexy book at Evernight Publishing, a premier publisher of Romance, Erotic Romance and Urban Fantasy. With new titles releasing daily, readers will find a large selection of contemporary, paranormal, gay, interracial, historical, sweet romance, ménage and everything in between. Our best selling exclusive series, PLANET ALPHA, is heating up eReaders everywhere with sexy sci-fi that’s out of this world! The cold of space has never been hotter! Young Adult fans will love our fresh, real and raw teen fiction line at Evernight Teen. Call for submissions: We are currently accepting short stories for Evernight’s BAD ALPHA and Evernight Teen’s SUMMER CRUSH Anthologies. See the submissions tab on our websites for more details.

BookWhirl Publishing www.bookwhirl.com BookWhirl BookWhirl Publishing offers a wide range of marketing and publishing services to self-published authors of an equally wide variety of genres. Noted for our high-quality output, we strive to provide the best services at the most affordable rate. We take pride on our commitment to empower authors all around the world by offering complete digital publishing solutions and highly-effective online book marketing tools. We believe that your hard work and talent in writing is meant to be shared with the world. Our goal is to make you successful in your craft by getting you the exposure and recognition you deserve. Let our team of experienced online publishers and marketers help you meet your self-publishing goals. Start your publishing journey with us now!

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dustry Insider |

ou Can Use Decadent Publishing www.decadentpublishing.com

Publishers, find out what BTS can do for you! Download our free Publisher’s Guide!

Shifter romance is going strong! For anyone who loves writing about shapeshifting wolves, stop and take a second look at the Black Hills Wolves. This is an amazing series and every story has hit at least two top 100 lists on Amazon.

Loose Id www.loose-id.com Secrets, Lies and Double Lives From superheroes to secret submissives, closeted lesbians to corporate spies, we’re fascinated with false faces and the people who wear them. What are they hiding and why? What lengths will they go to to protect their secrets? What happens when they’re discovered or their two worlds collide? Is he a shy and unassuming Clark Kent by day, hunky Superman by night? A Senator who enjoys an evening out in drag? A tough as nails female detective undercover as submissive? A pacifist dodging a draft by pretending to be a woman? A vampire working as a nurse for access to blood supplies? Contemporary, science fiction, paranormal, fantasy, historical, steampunk—you decide. Loose Id wants your steamy sexily ever afters about characters leading double lives for a special collection to be published in 2015. Deadline for submission is August 1; earlier submissions will be given priority. Stories should be 20,001 words and up (shorter than 85,000 words preferred but not mandatory). New to Loose Id authors send a cover letter, synopsis and first three chapters to our submissions editor (submissions@loose-id.com), marked attn Treva Harte, and make sure to put “Double Lives” in the subject header. Loose Id authors, submit directly to your editor.

Soul Mate Publishing www.soulmatepublishing.com Soul Mate Publishing Senior Editors, Char Chaffin and Cheryl Yeko, will be attending the RT Convention in May. They’ll be taking pitch appointments, as well as participating in the Pitch-a-Palooza on May 15th from 12:20-1:20. They will also be hosting a Publisher Spotlight On May 13th, from 4:15 - 4:45.

Advertising, features, covers, reviews and more! At BTS, we do more than place your authors in our magazine. We showcase your company, your authors, and your books within our digital magazine and across our entire network. Our promotional team works hard to get you noticed! Every advertiser in our magazine will have its message seen by thousands of readers and promoted across the most popular social networks. Find out more today, contact Myra@btsemag.com for details about how BTS can help you bring your authors into the spotlight!

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

Upcoming

| Industry

2015 Conve

Kauai Writers Conference May 1-3, 2015 http://www.kauaiwritersconference. com/ Austin Authors Affair May 22-24, 2015 Renaissance Hotel, Austin TX http://austinauthoraffair.blogspot. com/ West Texas Writers’ Academy June 8-12, 2015 West Texas A&M University http://www.wtamu.edu/wtwa Southeastern Writers Workshop June 19-23, 2015 St. Simons Island, Georgia. http://southeasternwriters.org/Writers_Workshop.html Romance Novel Convention June 24-28, 2015 Las Vegas, Nevada. http://romancenovelconvention.com/ 2015 DFW Writers Conference July 24-26, 2015 Dallas, TX https://classic.regonline.com/register/ checkin.aspx?eventid=1551122

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Insider |

entions Romance Writers of America Annual Conference July 22-25, 2015 New York City http://www.rwa.org/conference Author & Reader Con July 30th - August 1st, 2015 New Orleans, LA http://www.authorreadercon.com/

Indie Romance Convention (IRC) October 13-18, 2015 Mackinac Island, MI http://www.eventbrite. com/e/2015-indie-romanceconvention-grand-hotel-ticketstickets-12194464973

Including: BTS Red Carpet Book Awards! http://redcarpet.btsemag.com Authors After Dark August 12-17, 2015 Sheraton, Atlanta GA http://www.authorsafterdark.org/ index.html

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

Wrap Up by Lucienne Diver I’ve been every year since the tireless (and by the end absolutely exhausted) Jennifer Morris first organized the conference, back when it was Old City, New Blood, and here’s why: it’s a community. This convention brings together authors, bloggers and readers in such a way that we all get to know each other pretty well. We become a family. Going back year after year is like a reunion. I love, love, love being an agent. I have a much easier time promoting my clients’ books than my own, but every once in awhile, it is nice to shuck off the idea that I have to maintain strict professional decorum, which leads to a certain reticence/distance in my interactions, and just be author-me, who is a lot more easygoing and feels free to wear skully dresses if she damn well pleases. Also, she participates in Flash Fiction panels with the hilarious Damon Suede, which leads to stories about tentacled alien maidens with four sets of breasts. Oh yes, the Flash Fiction panel is one of the highlights of the convention (to me anyway), as is Damon’s wonderful Cinema Craptastique, in which he Mystery Science Theatre’s a really bad movie for our enjoyment. This year it was The Legend of Hercules. And OMG, this was wrong on about every level imaginable – historically, mythologically, CGI-ically. Really, truly awful. Do not watch this film unless you’re at RT for

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February 5-8. 2015 in Daytona Beach, FL

Damon’s reprise of Cinema Craptastique or have found a really good drinking game to go with it. You have been warned. Some old comrades were missing this year, which was sad. (I’m looking at you James R. Tuck, Delilah Dawson, Karina Cooper, Janice Hardy, Nancy Haddock, Amy Lane, …) But it was great to catch up with others and to make new friends, like J.A. Souders, Aria Kane, Jenna Black, Kristen Painter, Amanda Carlson, Christina Farley, Poppy Dennison, Chudney Defreitas-Thomas, Chelle Olson, Myra Nour, Melanie Marsh, Jess Haines, and so, so many people that I can’t possibly even try to list them all because I will leave people off and I don’t want that kind of pressure. I love the panels, love the meet and greets, loved the dance this year with the crazy photo ops and generally had myself a blast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucienne Diver is a long-time book addict who went into publishing over eighteen years ago to feed her habit, beginning at New York’s prestigious Spectrum Literary Agency and moving three years ago to The Knight Agency. She represents over forty authors and specializes in the areas of fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, and young adult fiction. Visit her at https://luciennediver.wordpress. com

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

Author & Reader Con 2015

FEATURING AUTHORS:

Author & Reader Con

July 30th - August 1st, 2015

2nd ARC NOLA Con and Book Signing

Quinn Loftis

Plus, the BTS Red Carpet Book Awards! - Enjoy the tours and fun of the French Quarter with the authors - Speed Date the authors - BTS E-Magazine Red Carpet Awards - Book Signing - Games - Hollywood Ball FUN FUN FUN! Visit AuthorReaderCon.com to register now! Authors - $125.00 Includes entire weekend with 1/2 table for book signing!

Readers - $15 Includes entire weekend access!

Keynote Speaker: Abbi Glines

V.A. Dold

author and creator of ARC

Donna Michaels

Myra Nour

author and CEO of BTSeMag

and many more!

Visit AuthorReaderCon.com to find out more and register online!

Premiere Ads: Inside front cover placement (page 2 or 3), premium ad design for up to 4 books – limit 2 spots per issue – $150.00 Elite Premiere ad placement (pages 4-12), premium ad design for up to 4 books - limit 5 spots per issue – $120.00 Premiere ad placement (pages 13-21), premium ad design for up to 4 books – limit 5 spots per issue– $100.00 Big Splash Ad: 2-page Big Splash ad, custom designed for up to 10 books - $200.00 Full Page Ads: Standard full page ad, template designed with up to 2 books - $60.00 Premium full page ad, custom designed ads for up to 4 books – $85.00 Submitted Ad, submit your own completed ad – $60.00 Half Page Ads: Standard half page ad, template designed with up to 2 books – $30.00 Premium half page ad, custom designed for up to 3 books – $50.00 Submitted Ad, submit your own completed ad – $30.00 Fourth Page Ads: Standard fourth page ad, template designed with 1 book – $20.00 Submitted Ad, submit your own completed ad – $20.00

Big Splash - Multi-Author Ad Sample

COVER AUTHOR Showcase

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

V.A. Dold V.A.Dold is the bestselling author of the Le Beau Brothers series, New Orleans wolf shifter novels. A graduate of Saint Cloud University, she majored in marketing. Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was a publicist to the authors and owner of ARC Author & Reader Con (ARC NOLA). Her idea of absolute heaven is a day in the French Quarter filled with nothing but her computer, her coffee mug and the Brothers, of course. A Minnesota native with her heart lost to Louisiana, she has a penchant for titillating tales featuring sexy men and strong women. When sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not writing, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably taking in a movie, reading or traveling. Her earliest reading memories are from grade school. She had a major fixation with horses, and the Black Stallion was a favorite. Then junior high came along and teenage hormones kicked in. It became all about the Harlequin Romances. She has been hooked on romances ever since.

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An Interview with the author What is the best part of the writing process for you? Watching the story unfold. The worst part? Bad reviews from readers who obviously didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read the book. Why do you write the genre you do? I write what I like to read and what my characters tell me about their story. What comes first, plot or characters? Characters and then they tell me the plot. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next for you? Richie of the Le Beau series. And later this year I will be writing Lucas and that is my cross over into the K.I.S.S. series of contemporary cowboys in Texas.

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An Excerpt from

Cade

To Anna’s surprise, the DJ signaled to Cade and handed him the microphone. So that was what he was paying for, he wanted the next spot in line to sing. Who knew he sang karaoke? She prepared herself to hold her face in a positive expression in case he really stunk up the joint. Stefan and Marcus wore identical grins. Their reactions had her interest piqued. What did these two know that I don’t? Maybe he’s a closet rock star. “This is for Anna, the love of my life.” A few heartbeats passed and the music started. It only took three notes to play and she recognized the song– “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & the News. She covered her mouth in shock and astonishment. Tapping her foot in time to the music, her smile was so huge that her face started to hurt a little, but she couldn’t stop. No one had ever sung to her before. The microphone was cordless, allowing Cade to walk over to the table and really work it. “Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream, stronger and harder than a bad girl’s dream,” he sang as he played with her new ring. He brushed his fingers along the back of her shoulders and stepped in front of her chair. Oh, my gosh. You’re incredible! Cade had the perfect growly voice and sounded so much like Huey Lewis. He poured his heart and soul into this song for her, telling her in every word how he felt about her. His gaze was filled with love and longing shone in his eyes as he sang the chorus, “That’s the power of love, that’s the power of love.” Stefan and Marcus were eating this up like candy. She could tell he was ignoring them and focusing on her. Not wanting to miss one second of his performance, her eyes were riveted to him as he danced away from her showing off moves she had no idea he had. He was a complete showman and the crowd loved him. Cade did a slow, sexy dance back to her, seducing her with every searing look and word he sang. He finished the song on one knee in front of her while holding her hand. She had never been so blown away with

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love for anyone. If she had harbored any doubts about mating with him before walking through the bar doors, they were shattered now. Anna had tears of love and joy streaming down her face. Her heart was so full it felt like it would burst right out of her chest. Without looking, Cade handed the microphone to the DJ behind him and took her face in both of his hands. She received the sweetest, most passion– filled kiss ever. Stefan cleared his throat. “Come on guys, get a room.” Cade slowly released her lips, gave her one last soft kiss on her lower lip, and snarled at his brother for the interruption.

VADold.com

Myra Nour Myra was first published in 2001 with Love’s Captive; her bestseller for 14 years. Time Shifters is her 1st Indie release of an older Ellora’s Cave book. She plans to publish the rest of her EC books as Indie, with a Mainstream Sensual heat rating. Myra is also CEO of BTS Book Reviews emag. See all Myra’s books at her website: www.myranour.net

An Interview with the author When did you first consider yourself a writer? When my first novel, Love’s Captive, was published in 2001 by New Concepts Publishing. I wrote short stories before that and had quite a few published in small magazines. This was good training for writing a novel. What is the best part of the writing process for you? Dreaming up the story. Either I actually dream a story, which is cool because it “is there”, readymade for me to start work on. Or I get an idea and like to daydream the plot and action. The best story I ever dreamed up was Love’s Captive. In 1977 I dreamed a lot of the story; characters, plot, the planet Volarn, and even some of the conversations. It was like a video was playing in my head all night. Yes, back then we had videos, not DVDs! I jotted down everything I could remember and stuck it in a drawer. If not for my husband and daughter’s encouragement, it would have never been written. Which is your favorite genre to read? To write? It probably sounds weird since I write erotic paranormal novels, but the books you will usually find in my hand are horror. I love it!! Stephen King is my favorite author and my favorite book is The Stand by King. Amazing character development. Writing is PNR and s/f romance. I have written about vampires, werewolves, a genie, mer like people in the future, aliens & other worlds,

dragons, sorcery, fairies, other dimensions and time travel. I am working on a zombie novel and need to finish the 3rd book of Volarn. Any advice for aspiring novelists? Do your homework. Study what makes a book sell or readers want to pick it up. The magazine is a micro look at the publishing world in that way. What I see that works for authors in being successful with books in our ads is: Have a beautiful or eye-catching cover and a short blurb with “punch”. Other tips – Make sure you have a website, the nicer the better. Definitely FB and Twitter. Readers want to know what is going on in your world. A blog is a great asset. What surprised you the most when you became published? How after the first book came out, things just were on a roll. More books published and my name built quickly. A surprising encounter for me was the first time I was hit on by fans at a convention. It was RT back in 2006. I had been told by other authors about this experience, but until you go through it yourself, you don’t “get it”. Having fans get all excited when they hear your name or read your name tag. “Oh, you’re Myra Nour! I love your books” was an amazing thing. Book signings can also sometimes be a treat. Issue 27 | May/June 2015 | Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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An Excerpt from Time Shifters: “Uh, what’s your name?” “Raynor.” “That’s an unusual name.” “Yes, it means ‘mighty army’.” “I’m Briana.” “Briana,” he repeated in a soft, sexy voice. She tried to ignore the way his voice made her insides go mushy. “Well, Raynor, it seems as though you’ve got me mixed up with someone else.” She snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it, you set up a meeting with a blind date here.” His brow smoothed, but his jaw clenched as if he were angry. “You are saying you do not recognize me?” “Recognize…” Briana stopped herself and stared at him. By God, he did look familiar! But she couldn’t figure out how, since she was also positive she’d never met the man until today. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know you.” “You deny the mating call, then?” Even his voice seemed laced with barely checked anger this time. “Hey,” she put out both hands and waved them. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I think I’ve had just about enough.” She turned to leave, but he moved before she could blink, blocking her way out. “You will not leave until you tell me why you answered my call, then deny me now.” “Look, buster—” “Raynor.” “Whatever. I’ve got a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do, so if you don’t step out of the way, I’m going to bust your butt.” Even if it’s awfully cute, Briana couldn’t keep from thinking. “You really don’t know me.” He seemed astonished. She chuckled, she couldn’t help it; the situation was so ludicrous. “You mean my threat cleared that up for you?” He shook his head, causing that magnificent mane to fly about his shoulders in a sensual manner. “If you truly recognized me, you’d know I could tear your throat out in a microsecond.” Briana swallowed, her threatened throat clicking with dryness. “I think it’s time for me to leave.” Suddenly he pounced, that was the only word that came to mind, and grabbed her nearer arm. His grip was tight, not

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hurtful, but she knew by examining the biceps connected to that strong hand, it’d take quite a fight to break loose. Her gaze came up to lock with his golden orbs, and something in their depths told her he didn’t lie. She shuddered. Deciding that reason might work, even with a madman, she asked softly, “You only want an explanation?” He nodded, his restraint seemed barely in-check. “I’ve never met you before today, right?” “Just so.” She kept her voice low and pleasant. “Then, how can I know you?” “You heard the call?” The stress was too much. She was a woman alone, faced by this muscle-bound stranger, who insisted on asking her weird questions. Like he knew her! What did he want from her? His behavior was making her nervous. Her breath caught in her throat. He tenderly wiped a lock of hair from her forehead. “You do not have to fear me, I will not harm you.” His eyes went to the rock face behind her, his brow creased again in thought. “Perhaps you bumped you head and your memory has been affected.” She wanted to deny that, but maybe the safest course was to play along. “I did trip and bump my head earlier.” “Ah,” he brushed her hair back at each temple. “There’s no bruise.” He smiled softly, “Which there wouldn’t be, unless you fell very hard. It must have been a light bump.” Briana listened to his litany with a sense of familiarity and alarm. She’d always healed extremely fast, even bruises not hanging around long, unless she really hurt herself badly, as he stated. How would he know that? God, was he some kind of obsessive nut, who had followed her around back home and knew her life? Is that why he acted like he knew her? Had he dug into her past? Asked friends about her? The thought of some stranger barging into her world without her knowledge, made her queasy. Taking a grip on her fear, she asked, “Since I am having problems with remembering, can you explain what this ‘call’ is?” “Of course, my beloved.” He released her arm and stepped back. He appeared to be trying to make her more

comfortable with the situation, but she also knew he’d try to block her passage if she attempted to leave. “The call is the feeling in your heart, when you know you are alone and no other but your mate can fill that void. It is the emotion of acute aloneness you perceive with every fiber of your being, even when you’re having hot sex with someone else.” So far, he’d not said anything that an astute person couldn’t surmise about a modern day, career woman. But then, his statements also hit home so solidly, she cringed inside. It was as if he’d crawled inside her head and read the secrets of her soul. Now, she was convinced he was some weirdo who had gotten obsessed with her. “That’s all very nebulous.” He smiled and gently tapped the side of her head, then drew a slow line to her left breast. “I am in your mind and your heart.” She didn’t flinch from his touch, which she thought odd. It was as if they were old lovers and she was comfortable with his caress. “I don’t understand.” His arm withdrew, but his sweet smile stayed. “I call to you in your dreams.” Briana’s eyes popped open. Was that why she had this funny sense of recognition? Don’t be ridiculous, she scolded herself. The man-thing in her dream had turned out to be a werewolf. “You do remember something!” His ecstatic look made her want to run, but she held her ground. She also wanted to understand. She sighed. “I’ve been having these strange, irritating dreams ever since I was eighteen.” His happy expression forced her next words out. “But, it wasn’t you, just some dark stranger…until this morning.” “Ah. The dream changed?” At her nod, he asked, “How?” “It was weird, really silly.” She flushed pink, embarrassed to share even a smidgen of her erotic dream with a stranger. At his determined look, she threw her hands aimlessly into the air. “Okay, if you must know, it couldn’t have been you, because this man changed into a werewolf in my dream.” If she thought he looked happy before, she was mistaken; he practically glowed at her statement. “You still don’t recognize me?” His hopeful tone set up a pang of guilt in her breast, which was really strange. Stamping it down with a dose of realism, she folded her arms, stared at him, and said, “So, now you’re trying to say you’re a werewolf?” His worried expression came back. “Truly, you must have bumped your head hard.” “I’ve had enough of this.” Her fright had fled with his utter nonsense; she was getting angry. “I’m leaving and if you try to stop me, you’re going to have a fight on your hands.” “I will stop you by showing you what your heart already knows, but your head cannot remember.” With that enigmatic statement, he tore the shirt from his chest, then quickly divested himself of his shoes and pants. Briana was too shocked to make a move. He stripped naked in a few seconds, giving her no time to run. Besides, he was the most spectacular man she’d ever seen in the nude.

See all Myra’s books at her website

MyraNour.net

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 | Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| If the Rain Should Fall | We stand atop the mountain, staring out across the vast desert that was for so long the entirety of my world. Her back is to me, black wings stark against the muted sunlight. In the distance is a shimmer that might be water or merely illusion. “Can you smell the rain?” “Do you know where you are?” she asks. I lick my dry, cracked lips. “No.” “This is the end of the world.” “You worry too much,” Michelle said. “It’s only a few clouds.” I blink, my eyes thick with grit. “I don’t understand.” She turns to face me, blue eyes clouded. She’s familiar, yet not. “No one ever made it to the mountain before. You’re the first.” “Why me?” I ask. “I only walked. I don’t even know how this all started.” The ground trembled as the dark day was lit with crimson light, bathing Michelle in its eerie glow. Balls of fire fell from the sky, the sound of breaking class too close for comfort. “It doesn’t matter,” she says. “You’re here, that’s my only concern.” “Who are you?” She sighs. “If you insist on calling me something, you may call me Angel. For that is how you perceive me.” “Are you? An angel, I mean.” “Hardly.” She steps past me. “Enough of this. We have much to do and precious little time in which to do it.” I stare into the colossal cavern, all other thoughts driven from my mind by the sight before me. Gold, jewels, treasure beyond naming, the cavern is filled to the brim with it. “What is this?” I ask. Michelle and I sat on the sofa, watching reruns of some old sitcom on TV. She wanted to go out. I wanted to stay in. It looked like rain. “A test of a sort.” Angel never takes her eyes from my face. “I need you to find something for 32 | btsemag.com

me.” “What?” “I don’t know.” She steps back. “That will be up to you.” I wander in among the riches. Part of me wants to wade into the gold hip deep like a river, scoop up the jewels, and let them fall like spring showers. Go wild. But another part sees with the eyes of a child and remembers stories which speak to how such places can deceive you with their sparkle and shine, only to ensnare you in your own greed. I turn to speak to Angel, only to find myself alone. I thought I stayed the path, but it seems I must have strayed. No path lies behind me now, only heaping mounds of cold treasure. My chest tightens. My heart jumps. Blood dripped on my shoe. Red, red, blood, smeared by drops of rain. I stop and hold still, trying to calm my pinwheeling emotions. There, one treasure among many and not something I would normally give a second look. But I’m drawn to it all the same. Strange black symbols tattoo a silver-bladed sword leaning against a gold chest. The symbols dance at my approach, and I am mesmerized for reasons beyond my understanding. “These people really believed in magic. Look at these power symbols.” Michelle pointed at the picture. “You put these on a sword or a shield, and it was supposed to ensure good luck in battle.” I smiled indulgently. “I don’t know why you’re so fascinated with all this. You don’t have a warrior spirit.” “Really?” She closed the book, a playful smile on her lips. “And you know so much about my spirit?” I laid my hand over hers. “Of course. It’s the other half of mine, after all. The light to my darkness.” I think I should be afraid of this thing, but I’m not. I reach out and wrap a trembling hand

| Kyra Dune | around the hilt. The sword is much lighter than its appearance would suggest. It feels good in my hands. Right somehow. “You may regret that choice sooner than you think.” I turn to find Angel standing behind me. “What choice?” The hilt feels warm in my hand. “I only wanted a closer look.” She stares silently at the sword for a long moment, then looks at me. “Time to go.” Tall trees tower overhead. The sun is warm, but not painfully so, and the air is filled with the scent of flowers. Black roses, that didn’t surprise me at all. Of course, it would be black roses. She found the oddest things interesting. We move deeper into the forest. Here, the stillness is absolute. Not a breath of wind. Not a single insect chirrup. Yet, it’s not an oppressive silence, but a peaceful one, as if all the world is whole and content. I feel myself begin to relax. Perhaps things are not so grim as I feared. I let Michelle walk a little ahead of me, so I could watch her long black hair sway across her back. For so long, I stood alone, feeling as if no safe place remained for me in the world. And then I met Michelle, whose an inner light burned in such a contrast to my darkness. I should have turned away from that light. Instead, I was drawn to it. Not like the moth to the flame, but like the child lost in the woods seeing the searchlights and knowing he was finally safe. In the middle of this Amazonian forest lies a pristine lake, water the bluest I’ve ever seen. Blue, her eyes were blue. It reflects the cotton ball clouds that float through the clear sky. To the west, a rocky mountain waterfall, rainbows dancing in the spray. “What are you waiting for?” Angel asks, inclining her head toward the water. “Can you smell the rain?” My reflection is sharp in the still water. The symbols on the sword shift, first slowly, then

picking up speed. My reflection doesn’t ripple as the point of the sword touches the water but seems, instead, to grow sharper. As if it were the real me, and the me on the shore was the reflection. The anger flared, that familiar heat in my veins. I stared at his smugly smiling face and wanted nothing more than to smash my fist into it. It wouldn’t have been the first time I struck someone in anger. But Michelle was there to lay her hand on my shoulder, to make the darkness retreat, to remind me . . . The symbols melt down the blade, staining the water red, red, red blood. The color spreads, first engulfing my reflection, then that of the clouds. The sky grows dark, dark storm clouds gathered overhead, as the wind picks up “What is that?” I pull the sword back, but it’s too late. Balls of fire fell from the sky. Red flows up the waterfall in reverse, wiping out the rainbows. She reached for me, pain and fear in her eyes. The rock crumbles, landing in the water with terrible splashing and crashing, glass shattered. The wind howls, pushing me back from the water’s edge. I turn and Angel is staring at me, black hair dancing around her face, blue eyes bright. If this is what she wants of me and this evil sword, I would sooner find myself in the Hell my soul so fears. I throw down the sword and run into the forest. Trees bend back from the force of the wind, leaves swirl, all black now. Black roses, that didn’t surprise me at all. Of course it would be black roses. She found the oddest things interesting. All I know is that I want to get away. “Black roses are for funerals.” Away from the sword. Away from Angel. Away from this place. Michelle laughed. “Only in your twisted head.” Maybe even away from myself. Breaking free of the dying forest, I skid to a halt. Angel stands before me, gazing at me as though I shouldn’t be surprised to see her there Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| If the Rain Should Fall | with endless miles of yellow grass behind her. “Why not the yellow ones?” I asked. “They’re pretty.” Michelle laughed again, the sweetest sound in the world. “Yellow is boring.” The sword lies at Angel’s feet. My chest is tight, my stomach sick. The sword looks evil lying there, a blade with teeth. I take it in my hand, hating the rightness of it, hating the sense of power it gives. A power I don’t want. Without a word, Angel turns and walks away through the tall grass. I follow, the shrieking of the wind fading behind us. There is no darkness like the darkness of a starless night. She reached for me, pain and fear in her eyes. I longed for a night such as this as I trudged across the desert; now I fear what monsters it may bring. I have the sword, but it offers no comfort. A dark thing cannot fend off the shadows. My eyes grow heavy as I drift off to sleep. The world was collapsing around me, and all I could see was rain-splattered blood on my shoe. All I could hear was a fading of breath, the last beat of her heart. The end of the light. I wake to Angel’s voice calling my name. Things have changed during my brief slumber: the sky has cleared and grown stars. Silver dots on black velvet. “Come with me,” Angel says. I follow her to the top of a hill and together we gaze up at the stars. It’s beautiful, all these brilliant sparks of luminance twinkling on into infinity. There’s no moon that I can see, but all the world is bright with cold light. “Can you smell the rain?” The symbols on the sword begin to dance, I can feel them. That familiar heat rose in my chest. I know this, though I refuse to take my eyes from the sky. I lift the sword from my shoulder unwillingly, as if I’m no longer in control of my body, as it was 34 | btsemag.com

by the lake. Holding the sword in both hands, I point the blade toward the sky. The stars shiver, their light growing in intensity until it’s unbearable to look at them. Then they begin to fall. She turned, reaching for me. The sound is akin to thunder, “Can you smell the rain?” but worse, a thousand bombs exploding, glass shattered. Amber light replaces the silver glow, streaking Angel’s face. Stars dash to the earth around the hill, making the ground tremble until it feels as though it will tear apart at the seams. I am crying, wanting to stop this thing, knowing I can’t. I can’t think, I can’t breathe. The sword falls from my numb hands as the stars die. When it’s over, there is only silence and the lingering glow of amber light. Balls of fire fell from the sky. The sky above is cold now, dead. She turned, reaching for me. Angel leaves me to myself. Once my tears are cried dry, I pick up the sword and follow. Dawn comes broken and gray. “Can you smell the rain?” We walk. Angel is silent, but I sense anxiety in the set of her shoulders, the slight tremble of her wings. I can’t imagine what she has to worry over. I’m the one who’s trapped in this nightmare. Not too far ahead lies a city of tall buildings. Skyscrapers maybe, judging by the outline. Though I can’t imagine what sort of people might inhabit this place. I try not to focus on the city as we draw near. It’s wrong, somehow, and not only because it stands here amid all this emptiness. There’s something else, a distortion, a feeling of misplacement. As if it ought to be in another place. Another time. We come to stand in the shadow of the city. The air is cold. Angel turns to face me. “This is the end, time to make your choice.” I stare back at her, not understanding.

| Kyra Dune | “Come now, no time to waste,” she says. “Will you choose the fire or the rain?” The symbols on the sword are dancing again. I lift it from my shoulder and stare at the blade, seeing myself reflected in its shining surface. A shadow passes my face and behind me, flames. “Can you smell the rain?” The skyscrapers rose high all around us. I stood on the sidewalk with Michelle as the storm clouds darkened overhead. We’d been wandering around all morning, I was tired and my feet hurt. The darkness was stirring, that old familiar heat rising in my chest. But for Michelle, I could push it down again. She shivered and I gave her my coat, though she tried to refuse. She smiled, so beautiful. Black hair, blue eyes. She was my world. My light. The only thing that kept me. Thunder rumbled overhead and the clouds broke. Rain began to fall. I started back toward the flower shop, afraid the rain would beat down the black roses in my hand. Michelle only laughed, grabbing my hand and refusing to move to cover, though we must have looked like fools. Michelle pointed toward the sky. “What is that?” I followed the line of her arm to see what at first looked like a large bird. It circled overhead, just under the clouds. Then a flash of lightning revealed the truth. Not a bird, but a person, a person with wings. An angel was my only thought. The ground trembled as the dark day was lit with crimson light, bathing Michelle in its eerie glow. Balls of fire fell from the sky, the sound of breaking class too close for comfort. Michelle turned, pain and fear in her eyes, reaching for me. I caught her as she fell. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, as if it could beat for both of us. All I could hear was the fading sound of her breath, the slowing of her heart. My eyes blurred with tears, seeing nothing but the rain-splattered blood on my shoe.

Black wings filled my vision, and I stared up into a face that wasn’t a face at all but the embodiment of darkness. Even as I recoiled, I could feel the answering darkness echoing in my soul. Angel stands there, looking at me, the city behind her reminding me of a life I no longer have. “Make your choice.” For the first time, I feel myself completely in control. The sword waits for me to do what I will. To choose. To become something else, something beyond this battered body that once more begins to feel pain, is what Angel offers. To let loose my humanity and walk in her world. To embrace the darkest part of myself. To forget the light. “Can you smell the rain?” Angel’s eyes, so much like Michelle’s, go wide as I drive the sword hilt deep into her chest. The blood flowing from the wound is black like the symbols on the sword. It stains the ground. She stumbles toward me. I make no move to catch her. And as I stand over her, sword in hand, the rain begins to fall.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kyra Dune was born in Oklahoma but spent most of her life travelling with her family. She is the author of more than twenty fantasy novels, including: Shadow of the Dragon, Elfblood, and Firebrand. As a child, her favorite stories were those that told of ordinary children being whisked away to magical lands. She has yet to find her own secret wardrobe or rabbit hole, but she hasn’t given up the search. You never know what might be waiting over the next rainbow. Visit Kyra at http://kyradune.weebly.com.

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

Movies | Television | Books | Adaptations

on the RED CARPET

BTS GOES HOLLYWOOD

Featured Videos,

REVIEWS and more

BTS showcases writers and other professionals who bring characters to life through movies & TV.

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 | 39

Prakash Kumararajan Visiual effects artist

Prakash Kumararajan is a graduate of the A.V.C. College of Engineering in India and has worked on various films and commercials. He is the head of visual effects at Kaleidosight Films. Prakash is the visual effects creator for such films as The Legend of Hercules (2014), Total Recall (2012) and John Carter (2012).

Prakash on

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Interviewed by Danita Minnis

As the visual effects technical director on the set of the 2012 remake Total Recall, you brought the action adventure into the twentyfirst century. What advanced technology did you create in the movie that you believe will be a reality on the credible path of our world’s future? Working in Total Recall was a really good experience. I would like to thank Double Negative Visual effects who hired me to work on this movie. As a FX Technical Director my job was to destruct/ demolish the elements other than creating them :).

it based on the director’s vision. Real life products/nature play a key role in creating Visual elements. We always compare the elements created in computers with the real life elements to get the right and interesting image. Observation skills help us deliver the best images.

While working in various mediums, what is the biggest challenge in getting your ideas out of your mind and onto the screen? Does the finished product sometimes surprise you? There are various departments/stages involved in VFX. Technical hurdles in one department can be improved with the help of another department. The director’s idea comes to life and improves in each stage. Yes, the finished products/images are always surprising. The biggest challenge is blending both the art and technology. There are various factors that decide the final product, like schedule, budget, etc.

In Total Recall there are various futuristic technologies which were visualized. My favourite one is the police car and the police robot. I believe it will be a reality soon.

The imagination of a visual effects creator knows no bounds. My guess is that like most artistic people, you are always creating even when you aren’t working. How do everyday life and products inspire your work? Yes, all of my work has inspiration from real world. For example, if I want to create a waterfall in CG, I need to study the behaviour of real world waterfalls. The waterfalls act as the base for recreation in CG. There are always fantasy elements added on top of

You are currently working on Allan Hall’s Suddenly Real, a science fiction romantic action film set for release this year. This deep space adventure makes the thought of reconnecting with a lost loved one in another world seem very possible, but that’s just science fiction, right? Which one of your techniques/tools do you think a visual artist of the ’60s (think Star Trek) would kill for and maybe even think it was magical? I am really happy to be part of Suddenly Real. The script is very different. It has gripping and interesting visuals. It’s a challenging project currently in the preproduction stage. The visuals generated in computers need to look real and authentic so we have planned to utilize both practical FX and CGI to get the right look and feel.

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| BTS Goes Hollywood | CGI has evolved rapidly in recent years. Now there has been improvement both in hardware and software technology. There has also been a huge development in Maya and after effects. The VFX pipeline setup for Suddenly Real is still in the research and development stage. Listed below are some tools which the early artists of the ’60s might have wanted and they are my favourite tools. a. Houdini b. Nuke c. Mari d. Arnold e. Zbrush

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER Born and raised in the heart of New York City, Danita is a singer, writer, and lover of romance. She is the author of the Cardiff novels, paranormal romances, Falcon’s Angel and Love Entwined. Her latest, Adderley’s Bride, combines a few of her favorite things: love, lust, and ghosts. Danita is currently working on her fourth novel, a romantic suspense which explores the relationship between a beautiful angel and an ex-MI6 agent whose only belief is in self-preservation. As an interviewer for BTS Goes Hollywood, Danita has met some of the most interesting and talented people on the planet. She gets a kick out of getting into the creative minds of actors, producers, and directors. http://danitaminnis.com

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www.TakingChargeOfCancer.com Dr. Westman's personal experience with cancer led him to extensively research the current state of cancer care. He found strategies and techniques outside of mainstream cancer treatment that have shown promising results.

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In the author's struggle against fear to accept himself as both gay and Christian, he gains insight into what it means to be fully human.

The Rubicon By Paul Hallam Publisher: Xulon Press Published: September 2014 ISBN: 978-1498412674 Pages: 251 Genre: Biography Religion

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Revelation Through My Eyes by Ted Naman shows the truth in the Word of God, the Bible, and how Bible prophecy as foretold by the prophets and by our Lord Jesus Christ is being fulfilled in our lifetime.

Healing By His Spirit By Geraldine D. Bryant Publisher: Xulon Press Published: May 2014 ISBN: 978-1629528274 Pages: 169 Genre: Religion Spirituality Healing by His Spirit is heartfelt and emotional story of faith, trust, belief and the miracles God performed in her life which led her to her ultimate sacrifice and redemption.

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Science Fiction | Fantasy | Paranormal | Urban Fantasy

SCI FI / FANTASY OUT of this WORLD

& PARANORMAL

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

trends

reading trends in sci fi & fantasy

AliB FORTY and the

Spaceships Alex Bardy

The Name’s Normal, Para Normal, But You Can Just Call Me Strange . . . “Crystal Ball. You look into one of these and see vapours swirling like clouds. These shortly clear away to show a sort of video without sound or something that is going to happen to you too soon. It is seldom good news.” See also CRYSTAL and PROPHECY. —The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, Diana Wynne Jones

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| Ali B and the Forty Spaceships| Mention the term paranormal in polite company, and nine times out of ten, you’ll be presented with a multitude of strange goings-on that happened once to such-and-such’s third cousin’s brother’s daughter’s pigeon, or failing that, someone somewhere will pipe up with a memorable episode of The X-Files they once saw. And if they’re of a somewhat more sprightly age, maybe you’ll get lucky and hear about a particular episode of Sleepy Hollow or Supernatural. Really memorable, quality paranormal fiction tends to be a tad harder to nail down, and titles don’t trip off the tongue quite so easily, mainly because there have already been so many stories, trilogies, quintologies, etc., written . . . although arguably you could pick any number of standalone Stephen King and James Herbert novels to plug that gap. That said, it’s with great delight that I present to you a rather intriguing new series written by Vaughn Entwistle, subtitled The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—the first of which is called The Revenant of Thraxton Hall (Titan Books, March 2014). Now I know a name like Entwistle isn’t the easiest to forget (or remember, depending which way you’re inclined), but if I also told you the main stars of this series are Sherlock Holmes’s creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde, both of whom make up an unlikely duo of detectives intent on investigating all things strange and perplexing, you might consider this either boldly daring or utter madness—either way, it’s a memorable pairing! The author has done a wonderful job of injecting humour into this rather remarkable tale which is chock-full of thrills, action, suspense, and derring-do, with Oscar Wilde brilliantly characterised as a dashing and arrogant ladies-man akin to DiCaprio’s Great Gatsby and

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Wolf of Wall Street combined. Meanwhile, the character of Conan Doyle is running away from his own creation, the Great Detective, determined to kill Sherlock off and start afresh, but filled with all the angst and insolence one might expect through longterm association with the Great Detective. The plot? Oh, it’s one of those ‘please can you investigate this murder which hasn’t actually happened yet?’type things, starring mysterious strangers, levitating magicians, an animal familiar, the ghostly apparition of Holmes himself, and a handful of mediums and charlatans from the Society for Psychical Research—it is, rest assured, a rather spiffing yarn and well worth your time. Very different to Revenant, is Mark Morris’s The Wolves Of London (Titan Books, Oct 2014), the first book in the Obsidian Heart trilogy: a gripping slice-of-reality story about a reformed excon whose ‘one last job’ predictably turns into a horrible ugly mess, involving, by turns, theft, violence, dodgy dealings, a kidnapping, some strange and bizarre chase sequences, even stranger pursuers, and even a wee bit of time travel adventure thrown in for good measure, just to add to an already very weird mix, and all interplayed against a solidly rich criminal underworld set, of course, in good ol’ London town. . . . The language is a bit gritty and in-yer-face but that tends to be par for the course in first-person narratives nowadays, and the whole caboodle is themed around the mysterious dark forces at work inside the heart-shaped black stone from which the trilogy takes its name. It’s good stuff, though, and again, well worth a read—I am looking forward to the next one, which is always a good sign ...

| Alex Bardy | And now for something completely different . . . The Office of Lost and Found (Anarchy Books, 2011) is Vincent Holland-Keen’s debut novel and is a book about opposites— Thomas Locke may be able to find anything, but his business partner, Lafarge, happens to be rather good at losing stuff, and between the two of them, we have what is positively one of the most messed up, crazy, and outright weird but darkly funny novels I’ve come across in a long time. And the opposites theme does persist, because readers will either love or hate this book (and yes, to the point of not actually finishing it!) Uniquely crazy, it’s told as a series of vignettes, both in the past and future, with an array of kooky characters that range from talking toasters, roadwork-obsessed kids, and monsters under the bed, to the eponymous Office itself, which randomly appears in any room behind any door and slowly amasses a number of items that simply weren’t there a moment ago. Absolutely bonkers but wickedly amusing and observant, too! And finally, the talented Frank Herbert is best known for his astounding multilevelled Dune books, but he wrote so much more, including The Dosadi Experiment (Tor Books, Sept 2002), the last in a trilogy of tales also known as the ConSentiency Sequence—herein can be found a very involved plot in which an alien species creates the

ultimate Darwinist experiment whilst laying waste to a brutally overpopulated prison-type planet all in the name of experimentation. It’s deep meaningful stuff and throws up a lot of challenging questions— both legal and moral—about the origins and nature of mind-control drugs and mind transference. Seek and enjoy, glorious reader!

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Alex Bardy lives in a very dark place, below a small dank stairwell, beneath a dark step, under a speck of dirt, tucked away in a cold, dark emptiness, somewhere on the fringes of the charming, historical city of York, in the North Yorkshire area of the UK. He also writes as DenizenOfTheUniverse under his Twitter moniker: @ mangozoid. He is a contributor, reviewer, and word-lender to the British Fantasy Society, and an active member on the board of the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA), mainly responsible for the design/layout of their publications, coupled with an occasional foray into writing/interviewing.

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews

science fiction | fantasy | paranormal

Back To Bite You Barbara Monajem Paranormal Mystery Heat Rating: 3

IS THIS LOVE -- OR MURDER? A female vampire in hiding, a hunk with a mission, and a sinister history uncovered. When vampire Mirabel Lane goes to Bayou Gavotte to hide out from the mobster she just dumped, the last thing she expects is to inherit a house. No, make that the second to last thing. What she really doesn’t expect is to fall for the previous owner’s hunky grandson. When Gerry Kingsley goes to Bayou Gavotte to check out probable gold-digger and possible murderer Mirabel Lane, the last thing he expects is to fall in love with the irresistible twenty-something vampire. No, what he really doesn’t expect is to unearth― once and for all―his family’s dark, convoluted past. This novella is a prequel to the Bayou Gavotte series. Review: Back to Bite You is a refreshingly different vampire book. The vampire myth is a little bit different as vampires can be born with it. Humans know they exist, but it’s not something that is widely accepted on friendly terms. This is a sweet book with some steamy moments that keep the hope of true love alive. There are some strange oddities in this book. The whole town seems to have one sort of fetish or another. The main male character inherits a food fight restaurant. It’s funny though. Just the overall personalities of the different characters make for an interesting story. This was a quick enjoyable read with minimal violence, creative writing, and steamy but not explicit romance. I look forward to reading the rest of the story. Reviewed by Melanie Bingle Marsh

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Her Vampire’s Promise Jordan K Rose

Vampire Romance Heat Rating: 2

Reade Hayes knows better than any vampire that nothing good ever comes out of Central City. So he isn’t surprised the beautiful blonde he meets in a dive bar is crazy. What does surprise him is how fast she moves, how hard she hits, and the fact she’s wearing a ring he last saw two decades ago on the hand of his dead friend. Is it possible the little girl he swore a blood pact to protect didn’t die in the fire? If the beauty sitting beside him is that pretty little baby, where has she been for twenty years? And why is she so lethal? On hindsight Lawrie Tyrone realizes drinking vampire blood might not have been the smartest decision. But scientists experiment and if she is going to prove her father was not a traitor, she has to take risks. So far she’s experienced no alarming side effects, well, none other than being able to recognize vampires walking among humans. From the power he exudes to his gorgeous dark eyes everything about the man to her right screams danger. Every logical thought tells her to kill him. But something in his eyes stops her. Is he using his vampire powers to influence her, or is something else making her heart ache for him? Review: Her Vampire’s Promise is action packed almost from start to finish. The main characters Reade and Lawrie have an unbelievable chemistry between them and the further into the story you get, the more it makes sense. It is a little bit predictable in places, but in other places it was more surprising than I expected. This book was a quick and fun read, full of raw and conflicting emotion all around. I would like to know more about these characters so I would have loved for the book to be a bit longer. We are given very brief backgrounds of only the 2 main characters, but my curiosity always makes me want to know about everyone! This was an enjoyable book, perfect for anyone who is looking for a quick, intense read with interesting characters with realistic personalities. Reviewed by Melanie Bingle Marsh

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews

science fiction | fantasy | paranormal

See You In Hell Demelza Carlton Para/SciFi/Fantasy Heat Rating: 3

A devilishly hot CEO. The angelic new office temp. A match made in Heaven or Hell? Melody Angel takes a job as a temp at the HELL Corporation. Surrounded by eternal bureaucracy gone mad, demons who love making life miserable, and dying for a decent coffee, it may take a miracle for Mel’s mission to succeed. She must find out what evil plans Lucifer and his minions have in store and stop them, using any means necessary. Adding trouble and temptation to Mel’s job is Luce Iblis, the damnably hot CEO, who has set his smouldering eyes on the new office angel and he’s determined to claim her, body and soul. Can ultimate evil and angelic perfection escape a limbo of desire and find a paradise of their own? Review: If you’re like me, you’ve also imagined hell as a bureaucratic nightmare where political correctness and paperwork are masters and your boss is Lucifer himself, you should read this novel. Imagine a world where Hell is in charge of most branches of the public sector. Yes, maybe that’s already happening. Heaven is a bit concerned about it and Rafael decides to send his best angel to the rescue. Mel is not your standard angel. She loves to live among humans and is less prejudiced and more open-minded and tolerant of demons than most angels are. She finds Lucifer and he’s not as she had imagined. I loved this novel. It’s short, quickwitted, fun, and worryingly recognizable. The main character is immediately likeable, and despite the paranormal aspects they are all very human. The romance is opposites attract taken to the extreme. A great read. Reviewed by Olga Núñez Miret

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Spooky Sojourn Ashley Ladd

Para/SciFi/Fantasy Heat Rating: 4

Deanna Thompson doesn’t believe in ghosts. However, everybody thinks her hotel is haunted, in particular the very handsome, sexy and irritating paranormal investigator Harry DeVeaux. Someone’s trying to kill Deanna, but is it the ghosts she doesn’t believe in, the rich socialite who might be a murderess, or someone else with a beef against The Gilroy Hotel and Resort that Deanna has just been hired to manage? The Gilroy’s owners want the spirits, or whoever is causing the trouble at the hotel, eliminated, and they are pressuring Deanna to do the job as quickly as possible. Paranormal investigator Harry DeVeaux comes highly recommended and, against Deanna’s better judgment, she hires him. Although Deanna thinks Harry’s crazy for believing in ghosts, and Harry thinks Deanna has a closed mind to the possibilities of the paranormal—not to mention that they highly annoy each other— sparks fly. Deanna can’t help but fantasise about Harry and, inspired by a romance convention visiting her hotel, she writes her fantasies in a private blog that Harry finds, hacks and reads. Ooh la la! Review: Deanna Thompson becomes the new manager of The Gilroy Resort and she is brought in to restore the resort’s reputation. Rumored to be haunted The Gilroy Resort has driven away most of the staff and has some guests afraid to stay there. Deanna, not a believer in the supernatural herself, hires a local paranormal investigator Harry DeVeaux to disprove the existence of ghosts. Filled with adventure, fantasies, deception, betrayal, unruly guests and of course ghosts; Spooky Sojourn is an entertaining tale. There are even a few meta moments in which Deanna blogs her inner most fantasies regarding Harry DeVeaux. Reviewed by Brittany Hale

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews

science fiction | fantasy | paranormal Unmarked

Ashlyn Mathews

Paranormal Romance Heat Rating: 3

*Special 0.99 sale for a limited time.* They say in death, your life flashes before your eyes like pictures in an old movie reel. That had never happened for her. Stubborn and defiant enough to cheat death... Keeping her resurrection a secret from the world is easy to do for demon hunter Sophie Sinclair. Her life depends on her living in the shadows, a ghost hunting demons in the night to fulfill a contract that can free her from a past mistake. Wanting to feel alive to the touches and kisses of a man . . . well, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an experience sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather not go through again in this lifetime. One unforgivable act of betrayal had been enough for her to swear off men. Until sexy, ex-homicide detective Ryan Campbell drops in on her supernatural existence. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a man with a very dangerous proposition for her. A private investigator with his own dark secrets. Secrets that can rip their world and her heart to pieces. How far will Sophie and Ryan go for duty and freedom, family and love? And will the truth set them free? Review: Unmarked by Ashlyn Mathews is a paranormal romance featuring Sophie Sinclair, a demon hunter who has to fulfill her contract or someone she loved and was trying to protect would die. Sophie is a dominating female character who recognizes the sacrifices she has had to make and handles her responsibilities bravely. The problem with this novel lies in the rushed romance between her and our male protagonist Ryan Campbell. The attraction and romance felt rushed and forced. The premise for this novel was interesting with demons, demon hunters, and many other nonhuman beings that possess a variety different types of powers. Unfortunately, all of the interesting dynamics of this story fall flat in an effort to create this romance between Sophie and Ryan. If more effort were placed on world building and character development, I would have really enjoyed this story and would have continued reading the series. Reviewed by Stacie Carrier

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Lucienne Diver

Battle for the Blood Latter-Day Olympians, Book 4 Tori wakes after Rise of the Blood to two very shocking realizations: one, she’s in bed with a very naked Apollo, having lost the fight to resist their attraction. Two, she still has her wings. Not dinky little fairy wings. Fullscale, cover-’em-with-a-trench-coat bat wings. Apollo suggests consulting the Gray Sisters on the wings. Those cannibalistic, psychopathic oracles who, even with only one tooth and one eye among them, manage to see too much. As in a Rapture, zombieapocalypse, biblical-plague, hellgatesbusted-open the end of the world.

An hour or two later—because dayum, gods and whatever I was becoming had stamina—we were sweat-soaked and waiting for our breathing and our heart rates to come back within doctor recommended parameters. I was curled up against Apollo’s chest, my wings furled tightly against my back, still unable to form coherent thoughts beyond ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod. Literally. God. Apollo. Mine. At least, mine for the moment. And ohmygod the things he’d done and we’d done and… “I think we need to see the Gray Sisters,” he said, out of the blue. Just like that. It stabbed me through the heart that he was already back to coherency. But then, he was a god, and I was a mere…something…I didn’t know anymore. Maybe his mind hadn’t been blown like mine had. It was a reminder of why I hadn’t gotten involved with him before. Why I couldn’t now. He’d own me lock, stock and barrel. I was already half in the bag, the receipt in his hand, complete with return policy. He must have felt my recoil, because he squeezed me tighter where his hand rested against my hip. “Tori, what’s wrong?” I didn’t answer him, but I did rise, needing space. I couldn’t look at him, so instead I looked around the hotel room for my clothes. I didn’t find them and couldn’t remember what I’d done with them the night before. Shredded them, for all I knew. Before I could search, Apollo was out of bed and holding my shoulders in his hands, staring down at me and demanding that I meet his eyes.

I did, reluctantly. “Don’t do this,” he said. “Do what?” I asked, nonchalantly, like he couldn’t feel me pulling back no matter how much I pretended otherwise. “Shut me out. I wasn’t thinking about the Gray Sisters while we were…you know. I mean, I was thinking about your wings, and how I’d like to take you up against the wall if they wouldn’t get in the way, but it wasn’t until we were lying together that I had a eureka moment that if anyone would know what to do about your wings, it would be them. I was thinking about the next time and how much more I’d like to do.” He grabbed my chin as I would have looked aside and held me so I wouldn’t break away. “I promise you, there will be a next time. And a next. And a next. You’re not getting rid of me now.” I could have kneed him in the nuts or done a million other maneuvers to get free, but that would only give me physical distance. Emotional was another thing.

Lucienne Diver is the author of the Vamped young adult novels and the Latter-Day Olympians series, which Long and Short Reviews called, “a delightful urban fantasy, a clever mix of Janet Evanovich and Rick Riordan”. Her stories and essays have appeared in anthologies from Baen Books, HarperTeen and Roc Books.

LucienneDiver.com Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Susan Griscom A Gypsy’s Kiss

Hawk can’t ignore his attraction to the lovely and spirited Breena. And she can’t get the hunky star hockey player out of her mind once a single touch of his hand reveals something utterly strange. Surrounded by mystery, they realize that fate has brought them together for a reason, but can they stay alive long enough to recognize the depth of their feelings for one another? future?

After my brief recuperation period, I went back into the game. A few minutes later, the ref blew his whistle for icing against the other team. That meant there would be a face-off. I skated to the spot on the ice where the referee held the puck. I had to face-off with the asswipe who’d elbowed me in the back, number four. Part of the fun of hockey was the violence, and learning to navigate through the complex systems and labyrinths of physical contact while still adhering to the code. An unwritten set of rules that had been handed down from generation to generation. The code picked up where the rulebook left off. With my stick down on the ice and ready, number four put his stick down. The puck fell, and I got to it, sending it over to Tex, who took it down the ice. I skated to the corner and Tex shot the puck over to me. Number four came at me again, his gloved hand on his stick right at the level of my balls. I pivoted to my right, and he got me in the hip. This time, I dropped my stick and slung out a punch. When a player challenges another, that player must answer the call and stand up for his team. Number four was doing his best to show me up. Fights can turn the tide of the game and create momentum. This fight would be more than just my retaliation, it would also spark some energy for the team. Something we needed if we were going to win this game. His first punch struck me on the left side of my jaw. Next thing I knew, our gloves were off and I’d sent out a punch to his face, my knuckles colliding with the

side of his mouth. His helmet flew off. I took another punch to the face, which almost sent me to the ice as my own helmet rolled away, but I managed to stay up on my skates and got in a few more slugs before we were doing the fighter hug, my fist still pounding into his neck and chin. The battle was eventually stopped by the refs, and both number four and I headed to the penalty box. We each had five minutes to sit and brood. At least the teams were evenly numbered and there wouldn’t be any power play by the other team. I turned to glance at Breena. She looked worried. She needn’t worry about me, and I didn’t want her to worry, but it made me feel excellent that she might be concerned. It had been a hockey fight. Nothing more. It happened all the time. I sent her my best cocky grin, and she rolled her eyes.

I daydream often. And sometimes my daydreams interfere with my daydreams not to mention real life. Because, let’s face it, my character’s lives are so much more exciting. I love when a story takes hold and pulls me into the fantasy, that’s magic. I love skiing, riding bikes and reading.

SusanGriscom.com Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Did you know BTS also offers advertising and features on our website? Be seen on BTSeMag.com! We are currently accepting advertising and features spots on our website! ADVERTISING: Top Banner: $50.00 per month Sidebar Ad – $30.00 per month Design work for your ad – $15.00 per ad FEATURES: Website Interview Let readers get to know you with a BTS Interview! – $15.00 each Featured Book Whether you are promoting a new release or giving an older title some TLC, the BTSeMag “Featured Book” promotional package is a great way to get your product out there. – $30.00 Want to find out more? Visit our website at www.BTSeMag.com

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Evelyn Lederman

The Chameleon Soul Mate Growing up an orphan in Phoenix, Alexandra quickly learned the art of blending into the background— better to be overlooked entirely than to ride the roller coaster of possibility. Now nearing her twenty-first birthday, she looks back on her time in the orphanage as the place where she was lucky enough to meet her best friends, Shirl and Candy, the kind of friends you understand as well as you know yourself—like your minds are linked somehow. If only she could find a man who she could as easily connect with. But so far, the tally

They were about to start down the mountain when there was a terrible scream and both men turned to the portal as the most beautiful woman Tarsea had ever laid eyes on fell through. At the sight of her, he felt like he had been punched in the stomach. It was as if he had the wind knocked out of him. Darden was the quicker of the two of them and caught her. Tarsea stood like a fool watching. The girl continued to scream in Darden’s arms as he tried to calm her. “By the Prime!” Darden exclaimed. “What are you doing here, Alexandra?” It was obvious his friend knew the girl. Tarsea wanted to help aid in quieting her. He used the name Darden had. “Alexandra, you need to stop screaming! Take a breath and let it out slowly, you are starting to hyperventilate.” As they were trying to calm the girl, he telepathically asked his friend questions. “Who is she? How do you know her? What is she to you?” For some reason that last question was the most important to him. Darden talked to the girl, ignoring his questions. Tarsea figured he would have to wait for his answers until after the girl stopped screaming. Tarsea stared at the creature in Darden’s arms. She had the most beautiful light auburn hair that shimmered in the sun. The girl had bright green eyes that showed terror, although he felt under normal circumstances they would show intelligence. Her skin was like a luminous pearl, she almost glowed a light pink. She was slight. Tarsea had the odd thought he wanted to feed her so there would be more of her for him to touch. His fingers ached to touch her skin and slide his whole being into her

body. He had never reacted to anyone in this manner. Alex heard a voice break through the screams, which she finally realized were coming from her. She took a breath and looked into the deep blue eyes of the blond man she had been following. Alex concentrated on bringing down her heart rate and controlling her breathing. “Alexandra, can I touch you to make sure you are unhurt?” the man holding her asked when he noted she had calmed down. She was about to respond when she heard a growl. Alex looked in the direction of the sound. There stood what Alex could only call the most striking man she had ever seen. His face was full of angles, as if an artist chiseled it from marble. He was dark, with a deep tan and short black hair. Like the man she had followed, he too wore a tunic and leggings. He was all in black. The expression on his face was that of surprise, then confusion. She took it that he normally did not growl.

When Evelyn retired, she cheerfully anticipated the freedom to finally spend as much time reading as she’d always wanted. The twist is her story came when as-yet unwritten characters started cropping up in her thoughts, asking her to tell their stories. Now, she spends her days in Florida on the beach… with her laptop.

EvelynLederman.com Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Jessica Lee

Undying Desire Guerino Lombardi’s world just went to shit. Vampire and second in command of the Warriors of the Enclave, he’s put everything on the line to save his best friend from what has to be the worst blow a man can take. Kenric, his friend and master of the Enclave, has a daughter, something believed impossible in the vampire world, and word has it she wants her father and his Enclave dead. Guerin is determined to protect Kenric, keeping the secret from him until he knows for sure if this daughter really exists and if she wants revenge.

There are times in life when saving something or somebody you care about requires taking the risk that you’ll lose it all and have nothing in the end. Guerin’s friendship with Kenric St. James, master of the Enclave, was a prime example of the possible nasty consequence. But it was a chance he had to take to keep his leader and best friend from once again getting screwed by his sire, Marguerite. Even after her death. Like a foreboding message, Guerin’s last conversation with Arran, the only Enclave warrior who knew the real reason he’d left, rolled to the forefront of his mind. “So what will you do when you cross the pond and find Eve isn’t what Marguerite claimed she’d be, her vengeful, spiteful mother’s daughter? Will you wrap her up like a present and bring her back to her father? Kenric will never forgive us for keeping Eve’s existence a secret from him.” It had been a valid question, but it was a decision he didn’t believe he’d truly need to make. “She’s Marguerite’s spawn. How can the female be anything but evil?” “Yet,” Arran responded, “if Marguerite was telling the truth, she only possesses

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half of Marguerite’s genes. There’s a part of her that’s Kenric as well.” “Kenric never had a chance to be a part of her life, to impart any kind of moral compass for the female to follow.” Guerin had glanced over his shoulder and dread had settled like an anchor around his neck. “I wish like hell this wasn’t my journey to take. But what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t do this for him? No man should ever be asked to kill his own child.” The bell tower chimed once, then twice, announcing the late hour to the empty, wet streets of Nuremberg, Germany. Guerin swiped the rain from his face and off the shadow of a beard that had grown during his ten-hour trek across the Atlantic. He picked up his speed as he made his way through the aged passageway, his boots splashing through the puddles littering the street. The weatherworn buildings attested to decades spent enduring the unyielding elements. Guerin understood all too well the harsh effects of existing for too many years. The edifices were old—but he was older.

Jessica Lee is an EPIC eBook Award winner and bestselling author of paranormal romance. She lives in the southeastern United States with her husband and son. In her former life, Jessica spent over twenty-five years as a nurse. But after the birth of her son, she left her medical career behind, and she’s never looked back!

JjessicaLeeNovels.com

Sensual Romance and Erotics of all genres, shapes and sizes

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EROTIC & SENSUAL

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

trends reading trends in erotic

Heat DIVA The

Kayla Lords

Short, Hot Reads for Any Mood There are so many sexy reads to choose from in the world, it’s hard to know where to start. I don’t always have a lot of time to sit down and read. Shorter novellas and anthologies are the perfect solution—the hotter, the better!

Personally, I’m all for the authors that can add suspense

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| The Heat Diva | The Riding School by C. P. Mandara (Pony Tales, # 1, Chimera—available now) BDSM and Fetish Erotica Stars: 5 Heat Rating: 5 Meet Jenny. She’s rich, spoiled, rude and obnoxious. She’s also just been signed up for the BDSM ride of her life-without her consent. An intensive training course at the Albrecht Stables is not what it appears to be and training to become a human pony was not on Jenny’s to-do list. This is Jenny’s adventure into the world of BDSM and Pony Play. She’s about to find out just how much effort it takes to become a Pony Girl and that she has no choice but to excel in every aspect of her training or she may never stand a chance of being released from her bondage. Why you should read it: If you’re willing to enter the world of fetish and fantasy erotica, The Riding School is simply the beginning. Put the kinks and BDSM aside, and you’ll be able to relate to Jenny’s surprise and anger at the situation she finds herself in as she discovers the world of Pony Play. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a delight for the adventurous reader. Bondage Seduction by Tori Carson (Desired Discipline, #4, Totally Bound Publishing— available now) Erotic Romance and BDSM Stars: 5 Heat Rating: 4 Even in a room full of friends, Ted often feels alone. As the black sheep of the family, he’s never measured up to the expectations of others so he’s stopped trying. Meri is a home-grown girl and plans to stay that way. While she tries to please those around her, she refuses to be pressured into anything she doesn’t want to do. After an egodevastating divorce, she discovers a passion 68 | btsemag.com

for BDSM. Ted sets Meri’s panties on fire until he orders her to stop wearing them. Meri falls hard and fast for the tall, dark Dom. He tells her up front that a relationship isn’t part of his plans, but Meri has her own agenda. Why you should read it: I identified with Meri a lot while reading this. She’s been through divorce, doesn’t see herself as attractive, but is one determined woman when she sets her sights on a goal. Ted is the real life Dominant that every woman wants to meet, in need of a healing touch, a woman’s love, but with the ability to melt his submissive with a look or a touch. Bondage Seduction is a realistic look at the emotional side to a BDSM relationship with all the hot sex you’d want. Cursed Desires by C.E. Black (CreateSpace available now) Stars: 3 Heat Rating: 4 Kara and Gabe had been happily married for seven years. Nothing could have prepared them for what happened after a weekend getaway, and a fun tour of one of the oldest cemeteries in Charleston. When Kara told Gabe she believed their house was haunted, he knew there had to be a reasonable explanation, but he’d never been so wrong. Something or someone had followed them home, and once their mysterious ghost revealed himself, things really got interesting. Why you should read it: If you can imagine how you might react to realizing you’ve met a ghost, you know how Kara feels. She’s a cool, collected woman with a strong man as her husband. They handle their guest better than most might, and because they’re adventurous and open for anything, it gets pretty hot and heavy.

| Kayla Lords | Sexy Holiday Bites edited and published by Suzy Ayers (Indie Book—available now) Stars: 3 Heat Rating: 5 Tantalize your taste buds this holiday season with sinfully and beautifully crafted erotic flash fiction pieces from 9 smoking hot erotica authors with a mix of stories that will bewitch, enthrall, and overall put you in the mood. Heat up those chilly nights with this collection of sweet, sexy, and definitely naughty shorts. Why you should read it: What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a bit of holiday erotica? Each author has their own special erotic take on the holiday season. Each story is short, sweet, and exceedingly hot. But you’re not simply reading gratuitous sex scenes—each author manages to tell a story in a few pages. Flying High: Sexy Stories from the Mile High Club edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel (Cleis Press—available now) Stars: 4 Heat Rating: 5 This red-hot guide to getting it on at 30,000 feet will have readers racing to the ticket counter so they too can be Flying High. Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel presents scintillating stories of one-flight-stand seductions by strangers, frisky flight attendants, pent-up pilots, an exhibitionist screen star who’s hot to trot, a female flying instructor who takes two male students under her wing, and a couple who take advantage of the latest in-flight technology. Flying High is sure to make anyone a frequent flyer! Why you should read it: Ever joined the mile high club or even fantasized about it? Then this is the book for you. I’m not a member myself, but after this, I might need to consider it. There were a few stories that made me squirm in my seat. A few that I wish could have continued, so I could learn more about the characters. Several were absolutely implausible but still hot and erotic.

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Kayla Lords is an erotic author, sex blogger, and freelance writer who\’d rather write smut than anything else. She\’s also a kinkster in the BDSM lifestyle who wants people to get turned on by BDSM but not scared by it. A sarcastic, introverted, tea drinker, she usually laughs too loud and often thinks inappropriate thoughts. Visit Kayla at KaylaLords.com

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews erotic | sensual romance

The Running Game Meg Harding Erotic Heat Rating: 4

There’s something to be said about great adventure, an impossible moment in time when everything falls into place. This is undoubtedly her impossible moment. Some people just don’t have any luck. On the run from her murderous fiancé and a very angry father, Irene is pretty sure her luck can’t get any worse. After all what’s worse than being the lone woman stuck on a cargo ship headed to the Americas? How about getting captured by pirates as her money and only shot at freedom sink to the bottom of the ocean? Not that she ever could have anticipated that. Oliver is a man burdened with a great amount of luck and a fine sense for all things adventurous. Holding up one little cargo ship isn’t supposed to give him much more than a few bits of gold and some excitement. Who could have anticipated the spitfire on board who would turn his world inside out? Things are about to get messy as Irene tramples all over Oliver’s image of a proper lady and sets about showing him just how much trouble one little woman can truly cause. Oliver has never enjoyed an adventure so much. Review: What is worse than an awful fiancée, and a father who demands she marry? Perhaps the ship she is trying to escape on being captured by pirates or so Irene thought. Instead of being murdered as the pirate stories she had heard foretold she found herself falling in love with the captain. This book was over almost as fast as it started, I couldn’t believe how fast paced it was. The love scenes were well written and heartfelt while not being over the top. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, erotica, a quick read, and headstrong damsels in distress. Reviewed by Sally A Wolf

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Shattered Heart Nikki McCoy Erotic Heat Rating: 5

In a world of devastation and slavery, two men must find the courage to overcome the pain of their pasts and fight for what they believe in–or fall, forever lost, to the ravages of war. Biochemical war has devastated the landscape. Societies have fallen to territorial battles and new laws have arisen, of which leaders were made by blood and force, and slavery was condoned. That hope is nearly ended, however, when his parents sell him to Markus. Now in the hands of the most feared man in the territory, he must find a way back to his sisters. But that path is not so easily taken. Under Markus’ control, he learns that being a slave is not about losing oneself, and that having a Master to show him the seduction of submission might be something he’d been searching for all along. As the seeds of love grow unexpectedly between them, a war brews on the horizon. Can Corin trust that Markus would do anything to keep him and his sisters safe, or will he deny that which his heart cries out for? Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of BDSM, violence, slavery, sexual abuse, non-consensual sex and gang rape. Review: Corin’s life was ruled by the harsh hand of his stepfather until an unlikely person bought him to be his pleasure slave. At first he resisted until something happened he did not expect, he found love and through this love he found true freedom. Despite my resistance to read this in the first place I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were believable and the plot flowed well. The sexual scenes were tastefully done even the more brutal ones. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes erotica and is not offended by same sex coupling. Reviewed by Sally A Wolf

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews erotic | sensual romance

Above All

Rebecca Brooks Erotic Heat Rating: 5

Reeling from a sudden breakup, Casey Webb leaves Brooklyn, drives north and settles in a sleepy mountain town in upstate New York. She’s convinced she’s happy being alone—until she reads the acknowledgments in her ex-boyfriend’s hit debut novel, thanking his new girlfriend “above all”. Good thing Ben Mailer is in town. The hot, young Brooklyn-bound chef offers the perfect distraction, and soon Casey is having the best sex of her life—on a mountain, in the lake, all over her cozy cabin. But as their weekend fling turns into something more, the demands of Ben’s family and budding career make moving to her idyllic town impossible. Now Casey must decide what she can’t live without—her life in the mountains or the man she wants as hers. Smart, sweet and blisteringly hot, Above All is about getting lost… and finding yourself right where you belong. Review: When she moved away, she never thought that she’d find what she eventually found. All she wanted was some peace and quiet. She didn’t want a romance, but romance had a way of finding her when she least expected it. And boy, it turned into one steamy escapade. Even if there were a few minor hitches along the way, Ben and Casey complemented one another quite nicely. Even if he wasn’t quite what she had expected in the first place. And with him being a chef, he definitely knew show to make things a little steamy. Umm… Make that extra steamy. So pick up a copy. You’ll enjoy it. Reviewed by Cassandra G

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Quite a Quartet

Secret Fire

Erotic Heat Rating: 4

Erotic Heat Rating: 5

Renee Michaels

A foursome is sure to quadruple your pleasure. Molly is off on another adventure. Determined to open a dress shop, she accompanies her mistress Annabelle, the new Countess of Glenhaven, on her bridal journey to fashionable Paris. To Molly’s chagrin, her young mistress seems hell-bent on courting disaster. Encouraged by her overindulgent husband, Annabelle satisfies her every whim. She dresses in men’s clothing and delights in her newfound freedoms. An attack by a rejected suitor is the least of the troubles the women endure. But more than her mistress’ shenanigans has Molly’s head spinning. Logan, her lover, has declared his intentions. He speaks of love and a life together. Molly has her future mapped out and never saw herself as a wife. As far as Molly is concerned, a husband will only hinder her plans, but that doesn’t mean she won’t enjoy his efforts as he tries to convince her otherwise. Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of ménage à quatre, including brief scenes of FF intimacy, as well as a scene of attempted rape. Review: This historical romance was a short, fun, sexy read. The story includes playfulness, lust, many short sex scenarios, humor and suspense. I did not read the first book of this series and was therefore unsure of the storyline in the beginning but it appears to be an interesting one. At the end of the book I was left intrigued and wanting to know what might be coming next for Annabelle and the others. I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series and I think you will enjoy the story even more. Definitely a quick and fun read!

Morticia Knight

Police officer Zach and Fire Marshal Daryl would be perfect together—if they would ever quit fighting long enough to find out. A devastating fire and the secret behind it almost keeps them from getting what they really need—each other. Zach has been pissed off at Daryl ever since they got into a verbal sparring match at the park. Yet, when Daryl comes to his aid during an explosive fire, Zach wonders what secrets might be hidden beneath the layers Daryl has built to protect himself from the world—and love. A night of passion turns into the possibility of something more as they struggle to find their way to one another. But all of that is threatened when there is a devastating fire that causes many people to lose their lives. As they work together to uncover the truth, someone thinks they’ve asked too many questions—and plans to stop them before they can ask any more. Reader Advisory: This book contains elements of light BDSM. Review: A Fire Marshall and a Cop heat up the sheets in this fun, sizzling, additive book of love, insecurity and happiness, with a hint of danger. This was a cute story about Zach who finds that Daryl is hot but leaves him alone because of the “leave me alone” vibe he gives off. Daryl on the other hand has a crush on Zach but does not act on it since he was burned in the past and does not want to risk his heart again. I liked this story with how awkward the two of them were around each other. It was cute until Daryl almost ruined everything with his over active imagination. The story of their love was like you accidentally caught your house on fire, but you get so mesmerized by the flames, you can’t put it out. It’s hot but dangerous.

Reviewed by Tina Huey Reviewed by Nathifa Swan

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Cara Bristol

The Goddess’s Curse Women and men maintain separate lives until libidinal fever strikes. Afflicted by a mysterious terminal illness, Sharona Princess Reena jumps at the chance to accompany a cousin on her mating journey so she can at least see a man before she dies. Garat hates the Sharona because of the woman who birthed and killed his son years ago. When he encounters Reena on the journey, he takes her hostage to avenge his son’s death. Though he fights against it, he comes to desire her and his lust for revenge wanes. But after what he’s done, can he convince her of the evil that lives in the palace in time to save her life?

Reena sighed and snuggled in her bed. As her illness progressed, a persistent chill had pervaded her bones. The heaviest robe, the thickest blanket could not banish it. This morning? So comfortable and cozy. Her blanket, though unusually heavy, was oh so warm, and so was the pillow beneath her head. But hard. What kind of feathers could make a pillow so firm yet still tickle her nose? She rubbed her cheek against it, absorbing the unusual, pleasant scent. Musky, and earthy. Like woodsmoke or fresh evergreen. Or a combination of both. If only every morning could be like this. She hugged her pillow. Soon an attendant would arrive to rouse her for breakfast, but maybe she’d feign sleep. Naughty. She smiled. Then sobered. Yes, she’d been naughty. She had displeased her cousin by refusing further treatment. What had occurred after that? She crinkled her forehead, trying to remember. She’d poured out the tincture, and then…then… A Lahon had burst from the foliage. Then muscle cramps and searing pain. Paralysis. Her eyes flew open. Rough-hewn walls, large, rustic furniture filled her field of vision. Gone were familiar accoutrements and luxuries. Instead of finely woven fabric, a furry animal hide covered her, and, supporting her head, was hard flesh covered by a thick mat of…of, hair. A man’s chest. She bolted upright with a shriek. The Lahon sprang up without a sound.

“Help!” She tried to scramble from the bed, but he hooked an arm around her waist. “Let me go! Help!” She slapped at his shoulders, his chest, his face. Neither blows nor screaming fazed him a bit, and she found herself flat on her back, her cries silenced by his calloused hand, her arms restrained, her lower body pinned by his heavy, muscular thigh, and something sizable and rigid poking her leg. She stared into dark eyes. Be careful what you wish for—you may get it. She’d longed to see a Lahon up close and personal. It couldn’t get any closer than this. She could detect the pores on his face, discern that his “green” eyes were composed flecks of fern, moss, and teal, and that a muscle twitched in his square jaw. Long, unbound dark hair fell against broad shoulders. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a frantic bird. What had happened? How had she gotten here? Where was Honna? And…and her robe? Oh Goddess. He was naked, too. That, that, thing digging into her leg was his…his manroot. Cara Bristol has written paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary and spanking romance. No matter what the genre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on characterdriven, erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. She resides in Missouri with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.

CaraBristol.com Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Kayla Lords

Madame Gretchen Six kinksters want to join the most exclusive BDSM club in the area, The Iron Maiden. The first requirement? Survive Madame Gretchen. Join them as they navigate six weeks of kinkiness led by a sadistic, cropwielding Domme who loves forced orgasms and demands total surrender. Their limits will be stretched and their desires uncovered.

Let’s see here. We have a couple of switches, three submissives, and a Dominant. Looking up from her roster, she scanned the crowd to figure out who was who. It was a little game she liked to play before each new set of sessions began. She was rarely wrong. Staring at the twenty-something girl dressed all in black, popping gum and doing her best to appear cool. Switch. The youngish male next to her, wearing the spiked collar and too-baggy jeans was probably her boyfriend. Switch. Ahhh, let’s see, older, thin man with graying hair? Sub. Curvy woman with her head down, hair covering her face, probably thinks she’s fat, definite submissive. Older woman, shy smile, busy hands, submissive. Little? The door slamming shut interrupted her thoughts. She smirked as the last person walked in. Tall, heavily-muscled, walking with swagger and too much confidence. I bet he thinks he’s a Dominant. Standing at the front of the room, riding crop in hand, Madame Gretchen appraised the newbie kinksters with an icy gaze. Barely five feet tall with her brown hair pulled back in a severe bun, she was covered head to toe in black latex. Her six inch heels gave her height, but there was no denying the petite girlishness of her body. High, round breasts, narrow hips, and flat stomach, she looked more girl-next-

door than kick-ass Dominatrix. If she didn’t scare the hell out of them on the first day, she would have to resort to harsher methods to make sure they learned to respect her capabilities. Smacking the crop against her hand, she allowed the silence to stretch out a moment longer. “Sex education has come a long way since I was young.” Her eyes scanned the room. “You know the basics, I’m sure. Tab A fits into slot B, and all that.” She looked each person in the eye. A few dutifully nodded. She always liked the obedient ones. “Now, you’re here for more.”

Kayla Lords is an erotic author, sex blogger, and freelance writer who\’d rather write smut than anything else. She\’s also a kinkster in the BDSM lifestyle who wants people to get turned on by BDSM but not scared by it. A sarcastic, introverted, tea drinker, she usually laughs too loud and often thinks inappropriate thoughts.

KaylaLords.com

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

Contemporary | Romance | Mainstream | Literary Fiction

CONTEMPORARY & ROMANCE

the HAPPILY ever AFTER

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

trends reading trends in romance

Chic in

Trends Romance Sandra Bunino

A Wild Wicked Weekend I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the Wild Wicked Weekend author/blogger/reader event in San Antonio hosted by a group of rocking romance authors. Think of it as an extreme version of girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; weekend with 120 of your closest friends. Where else can you dress like a pirate, join a tutu pub crawl, attend a drag queen pageant, and act out a smexy scene with a male cover model in a haunted hotel?

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

| Chic Trends in Romance | Whoa! Back up. Male cover models? Yup! What makes Wild Wicked Weekend so wild and wicked are the male hosts who are there to help keep the party rockin’ through the weekend. I had the chance to interview Axl Goode and Taylor Cole (it was a tough job, but someone had to do it!). I enjoyed our conversation, and by the end of the interviews, I realized these sweet guys are more than pretty faces and six-pack abs. Axl and Taylor have a lot in common. They’ve both graced the covers of countless romance covers, they both live in Texas, they both work as dancers at LeBare, Dallas’s first all-male dance club catering to women, and they’re both authors! Read on for more about Axl and Taylor and their work . . .

working on a multi-book sci-fi series.

Axl Goode is mature beyond his twenty-six years. He’s one of seven children, and while his mother is not happy about his current profession, she’s proud of his accomplishments and supports his decisions. She has a lot to be proud of! Axl is a college graduate with a degree in Accounting and he’s interested in returning to school to study Physics. He’d like to write full-time one day and he’s currently

Primal Desire by Axl Goode (Ellora’s Cave—available now) Money manager Brenley has always dated intelligent and stimulating guys who could keep up with her both mentally and in the bedroom. She’s the best in her field and she owes that to her keen insight and understanding of people. That’s why when she meets playboy actor Zane Anthony she knows instantly he’s not worth her time. There’s more to Zane than meets the eye. He’s wealthy, intelligent and completely enthralled with the aloof blonde who seems to cut him down with her every glance. Fueled by a need he doesn’t quite understand, he’s determined to get over her walls and under the sexy suits she wears that drive him crazy. Brenley doesn’t know if she can trust Zane or the electric chemistry that sizzles between them. But when she finds herself in hot water with powerful enemies, she realizes he could be her only ally.

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| Sandra Bunino | Taylor Cole has been dancing at LeBare for eighteen years. The experience gave him plenty of material to co-write two tell-all books about the male stripper industry. When asked about how realistic male dancers are portrayed in Magic Mike, Taylor confirmed the movie was surprisingly accurate. Like Axl, Taylor has plans for the future. He owns a construction company, which specialized in home remodels. In addition, he has another book in the works.

Justin Whitfield and Taylor Cole are the stage names of male exotic dancers who have performed for women in Europe, the Caribbean, South America and Canada, as well as at various casinos, on cruise ships and in hundreds of clubs across the United States. Both have been featured on television and radio, as well as in newspapers, calendars, and magazines. Both are also official Ellora’s Caveman cover models and appear on our erotic romance covers and at our conventions and tradeshows.

If you’re a lover of sizzling books, hot men, and great times, I absolutely recommend attending next year’s Wild Wicked Weekend. So grab your girlfriends and head to San Antonio next February. I’ll save you a seat (and a lap dance)!

Take it Off! The Naked Truth about Male Strippers by Taylor Cole and Justin Whitfield (Ellora’s Cave— available now) Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in a male strip club? Are those guys gay? How do they stay so ripped? Do they stuff their trunks? How did they get into such a business? How much money do they make? Do they have wild sex every night? This book takes you backstage and into the lives of two successful male strippers over a span of twenty years in the business. From their rookie days to their wild sexcapades and practical jokes, Take It Off! is a laugh-filled, actionpacked joyride.

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Sandra Bunino is a romance author of several novellas including The Satin Rose Experience series. Her first full-length novel, The Colors of Us from the McAvery’s Bar Series, released in August 2014. She makes her parents proud by putting her MBA degree to good use dreaming up Alpha heroes who dominate the bedroom as well as the boardroom. When not staying up past her bedtime torturing her oh-sosexy heroes, she can be found shopping for shoes or saving turtles. She looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at sbunino@gmail.com. As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Join her book group, Bunino’s Bookalicious Babes, on Facebook! You can also visit her website at SandraBunino.com.

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews contemporary | romance | mainstream

Borrowing the Doctor Victoria Pinder Contemporary Heat Rating: 3

Party girl. Art thief. All around bad girl. It’s what all the newspapers call socialite and heiress Kate Sparrow. It’s all untrue. Kate’s been set up and she’s following the orders of the FBI to get the real criminal, her father. She’ll have to put up with her sister, the wedding fiasco, and her own fears that someone is after her, trying to stop her to get what she needs to prove her innocence. Doctor Daniel Collins joins his brothers on a cruise to the wedding of his young cousin. His cousin begs him to keep a close watch on the bride’s sister, Kate. He’s to keep her from ruining the wedding. Kate doesn’t trust Daniel’s help in her life, but the man’s interference is blocking a few problems. She lets him. After all, he spent a few years in the military and having a friend like Daniel is nice. But when her fears become true, someone is after her, pretending to be in a relationship with the sexy doctor has its benefits. What she hadn’t planned was opening her heart to trusting him. But if she doesn’t open up, she’s going to lose out on far more than her life, she’d lose out on love.

Review: When you meet Kate Sparrow and Daniel Collins you like them immediately. You understand why they tick the way they do, along with the crazy family dynamics. You definitely don’t like certain members of Kate’s family tree, but you like some in Daniel’s. He’s only keeping an eye out on Kate, so she can make it through her sister’s fake wedding. Daniel and Kate complement each other without even realizing it. He realizes she’s not all that the press makes her out to be and wants to get to know her better. You really didn’t like the villainous villains who managed to make an appearance. It had wit, charm, and it held your attention from the very beginning. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and quick read, so pick up a copy. Reviewed by Cassandra Graham

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Stolen Luck Jaclyn Weist Contemporary Heat Rating: 1

Sixteen-year-old Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her, until a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. If that weren’t enough, he follows her around, making sure nothing goes right. What Louie didn’t count on was Megan’s friends standing by her. No matter what he throws at her, they’re by her side to pick her back up again. When Megan learns about Louie’s ultimate plan for her family, it’s a race against time to stop him before he destroys everything she cares about.

Review: Stolen Luck by Jaclyn Weist is a fast jaunt into the life and times of leprechauns and how even those who are good can be bad. This book is amusing, realistic, and at times made me chuckle. I mean how someone cannot chuckle when the main character has zero luck, not just bad luck, zero luck is beyond me. Not only is this a good, clean, fun book, but it is also well written. The characters, plot, even conversation are on par for the tempo and emotions of this book. You fall in love with characters and you hate characters all in the span of minutes, err pages. There is only one point in the entire book that mentally I could not grasp, but that is due to having a child and not even thinking about allowing her to traipse around Greater Montana. All in all, a great book. Reviewed by Andi Schellinger

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews contemporary | romance | mainstream

Poisoned Apple Katherine McIntyre Contemporary Heat Rating: 1

Snow White’s a goth and Prince Charming’s a jerk. On Neve’s eighteenth birthday, her stepmother kicks her out. A group of diner rats offer her refuge—including Brendan, who offers his couch for her to crash on. But the more time she spends with him, the more he confuses her. One second, he’s kissing her. The next he’s pushing her away. Believing her life has reached rock bottom, Neve struggles to ditch her “damaged girl” label. But when she uncovers the truth about her life, she’s rocked to her very foundation. Will Neve be able to hold on to the good things coming her way, or will her bad luck poison everything?

Review: Poisoned Apple is a deliciously dark fairytale retelling where Snow White is no helpless damsel and Prince Charming is anything but charming most of the time. What’s not to love about that? Neve finds herself kicked to the curb on her eighteenth birthday and also finds Brendan. I loved the relationship building between those two and the author wasted no time as this is a very short, but endearing read. The author takes you on a dark, twisted journey where our mainstream characters are not who you think they are! This was a short, cute, at times dark, read. For fans of fairytale retellings laced with a nice dark theme, pick Poisoned Apple up to satisfy your craving! Reviewed by Sasha Hibbs

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2-in-1 Inspirational Romance Novellas Karen Wiesner Contemporary Heat Rating: 1

The Amethyst Angel Elena Lopez’s father has decided to play matchmaker with his long-time friend and neighbor, Marta Delgado, when Marta’s nephew comes to town. Elena has a secret, though: She’s always loved Marta’s own son Pablo. An amethyst angel belonging to a dying boy reminds Elena that spending her life waiting for something to happen isn’t living and that love must be shared. Can she take the risk of telling Pablo her feelings even if he doesn’t share her love? A Home for Christmas Craig Stevens is determined to tell Christie of his feelings for her once and for all. But how does a painfully shy man reveal his heart without voicing the words that could lead to rejection?

Review: The Amethyst Angel The lovely and talented Elena Lopez spends hours working as a doctor at a Children’s Hospital. Her care for the patients is personal, especially for the straight-speaking Juan. Although Elena is secretly in love with the shy Pablo, she has no time for romance. However, that does not stop her father, Dr. Lopez and a family friend, Marta, from playing match-makers. I enjoyed how the story unfolded proving how tragic events can bring people’s true feelings to the fore. The Amethyst Angel is a lovely reminder of what it’s like to experience that first-love feeling. A Home for Christmas I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Home for Christmas. If you read romance you will know that in every tale someone will have their heart broken. What sets this story apart is the way this is played out. I found it refreshing that the main characters, Christie and Craig, were Christians with a strong faith in God but still not exempt from the bumpy road to the elusive happily ever after dream. Written in clean language A Home for Christmas is a feel good story which can be shared with anyone who loves happy endings. Reviewed by Rejoice Denhere

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews contemporary | romance | mainstream

Someone Like Her Sandra Owens Contemporary Heat Rating: 3

Known to the K2 Special Services team as Romeo, ex-Navy SEAL Jake Buchanan may spend his downtime living up to his nickname, but there’s one woman who sets his heart racing like no one else can: Maria Kincaid. Unfortunately, his boss—her brother—has made it crystal clear that she’s off-limits. Jake doesn’t do commitment, while Maria is the type of woman who deserves a promise of forever. Yet Maria finds herself drawn to Jake, the man who stares at her with a desire she wishes he’d act on. Still haunted by her horrific childhood, Maria goes searching for the father she’s never met—and stumbles into a nightmarish experience. With her life in grave danger, she reaches out to Jake, her brother’s second-in-command. Jake figures he can help Maria without giving in to temptation. But some things are easier said than done.

Review: Maria and Jake, the protagonists, are both hot, gorgeous and have known each other for years because Jake works with Jordan, Maria’s brother. The men are SEALS and engage in dangerous missions adding to their attractiveness. She is young and clever with a difficult past that she’s trying to come to terms to and is what drives part of the action. Although this is book 2 in the series it can be read as a stand-alone, but I was curious about some characters (Jordan and his wife) whose story sounded intriguing. The sex scenes are more explicit than I expected for the rating, the background mission ending up in tragedy is not fully developed, and there are plenty of knight-in-shining-armor-coming-to-the-rescue-of-thegirl situations. Solid writing with characters and situations that stretch the limits of credibility and a fair amount of sex. Reviewed by Olga Nunez Miret

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Love Garage Liz Crowe Contemporary Heat Rating: 3

Antony Love is the quintessential responsible oldest brother of a boisterous, Italian/Irish family, placed in charge at a young age by his parents who are busy running the family business. He manages his siblings with a fair but iron hand, until his life is shattered by personal tragedy leaving him the shell of the man he once was. When outspoken matriarch Lindsay Halloran Love becomes ill, the youngest brother Aiden shows up at Antony’s garage, having dropped out of school (again), needing work and a place to crash. Antony provides both, with three caveats: “Don’t smoke in my truck, don’t be late for work, and don’t mess with my girlfriend.” But Aiden Love, budding novelist, gets one glimpse of Rosalee Norris, young widow of Antony’s lifelong best friend and all bets are off.

Review: Love Garage by Liz Crowe is an easy to read, contemporary romance fiction novel. It is filled with sex and complications as we get to know the adult siblings of the Love family, with much of the focus on the relationship between Aiden, Antony and Antony’s girlfriend, Rosalie. While well written this novel relies heavily on the sex and not much on character development. It became repetitive and fully loaded with lingering guilt about sexual encounters and a lack of effective communication. There was huge potential for this novel to be extremely exciting and full of depth. The idea of exploring the relationships between so many siblings, whose parents are still alive and active is what drew me to the novel. Love Garage would have been extremely successful if there was more focus on the family unit as a whole and less on one relationship. Reviewed by Stacie Carrier

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

reviews contemporary | romance | mainstream

Ten Minutes to Park Street Mike Ryan Contemporary Heat Rating: 4

When his Green Line trolley breaks down on the way to a meeting at the State House, Dan Pulaski meets a beautiful stranger and feels a connection. Unfortunately, service resumes thirty minutes later. When Dan gets off at Park Street Station, he can’t hear her name above the commotion. During the delay attorney Joy Hawley, who also is late for her meeting, notices a man with a blue novelty tie. She recognizes the writing on the tie as the preamble of the United States Constitution. When Joy is caught staring, she starts a conversation with Dan. She tries to tell him her name, and he tries to tell her his. When the doors open at the station, the ensuing noise muffles their responses. Did you ever feel you had a connection with a stranger? Would you dismiss it as a fluke, or would you not stop trying to find that person until you had exhausted every possible avenue?

Review: The people in Mike Ryan’s novel lead ordinary lives, struggling with their own inadequacies and regrettable mistakes. The main character, Dan, is on his way to work when fate brings him face-to-face with his soul mate. Page by page, this book follows Dan as he pursues his dream of re-connecting with the stranger, Joy, who has touched his heart whilst dealing with life issues. There is a sense of accomplishment when he helps acquaintances reconnect with lost lovers. However, one cannot help but feel sorry for him as he travels his own bumpy road leading to that elusive “happy ever after” ending. The recurrent theme in the book seems to be the unification of kindred souls. It is a great depiction of how similar human experiences are. I loved Mike’s descriptive style of writing. Unfortunately I was disappointed by the last chapter which I thought was a spoiler. Reviewed by Rejoice Denhere

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The Walls of Troy L.A. Witt Contemporary Heat Rating: 4

Just when the pieces begin to add up, danger blows them all apart… MA1 Iskander Ayhan’s orders are simple: stay with Admiral Dalton’s son as a plainclothes bodyguard while the kid attends university classes. So typical—a high-ranking officer abusing Navy resources for unnecessary security. It isn’t long before Iskander realizes there’s more to his assignment than protecting the kid from benign harassment by homophobic classmates. Behind those piercings, eyeliner, and bad attitude, Troy Dalton is scared. Truly, deeply, scared. Troy is indeed hiding something. Iskander is the only one who’s ever taken his fears seriously, which gives him hope. Yet Troy isn’t sure one lone, armed-to-theteeth bodyguard is enough to keep him safe, especially since he can’t risk telling Iskander the truth. As Iskander slowly gains Troy’s trust, the walls start coming down. And before they know it, the warmth between them explodes into real heat. Until suddenly Iskander realizes he’s a magnet for danger, not a shield. Now he doesn’t know how to keep Troy safe—stay close, or get as far away from him as possible.

Review: The beauty about books and reading is that they take the reader into a world that they might not otherwise know of or experience. Such was the case for me with The Walls of Troy. The story-line took me by surprise as I was expecting something completely different. Troy has every reason to be concerned about the threats he receives which finally result in him being assigned a bodyguard. From there on the story becomes engagingly interesting. This book is thrilling in the way it probes how fear can threaten to destroy unless and until we find that one person who we can trust and who believes in us. I recommend this book for open-minded readers who can appreciate fiction for what it is. Reviewed by Rejoice Denhere

Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Leigh Carron Fat Girl

Years after fleeing small-town Springvale, Illinois, Deeana Chase has picked up the pieces of her shattered heart and built a new life for herself as a child advocacy lawyer. Her food addiction is quasi under control, her secrets are buried, and she has even made a tenuous peace with her plussize body. Until… Micah Peters—the very sexy and now famous man she fled— walks through her office door and sends Dee reeling. His demand that she help a young boy caught in a custody battle will reunite her with the past she left behind. Torn between duty and selfpreservation, Dee isn’t easy to convince.

To distract myself from thoughts of peeling off Dee’s robe and chasing the subtle scent of vanilla amongst all those luscious curves, I lift my gaze to her face. And find it no less distracting. Her beautiful eyes, ravaged by tears and a sleepless night, resemble golden clouds right after a storm. “Say what you came here to say, Mick.” “I did set out to seduce you,” I admit. “Partly for my ego. But mainly because I thought it was the only way I could finally get you out of my system.” “Mick—” “Let me finish, Dee. A coldhearted seduction was what I planned. But I couldn’t pull it off. Once I started kissing you and touching you, I wasn’t thinking about my ego or about the conquest. I was only thinking about how sweet you still tasted… and how incredible you still felt.” She shivers and her breaths hit my face like warm puffs of cotton. “I was the one who got seduced. I still want you. I’ve never stopped.” My hands move into her hair, my fingers sifting through the curls and I kiss her. Not with the urgent hunger of last night. This is a soft joining of lips, a slow dance of tongues and quiet sighs. She grasps my wrists. Squeezing. Gently at first. Then not so gently. It takes my addled brain a moment longer than it should to register that this isn’t an encouraging touch. It’s a signal for me to stop. “I can’t, Mick,” she whispers, pulling back. “I can’t do this with you. Not again.” The haunting pain in her voice jolts me to the core. “Dee?” I flounder to understand as she attempts to free herself from my hold. Because she’s shaking, I drop my hands.

“I’d…I’d like you to leave now.” Leave? That kiss wasn’t onesided. She was with me until…until what? “Dee, talk to me.” I force my voice to stay level in spite of my confusion and rising concern. “There’s nothing to talk about,” she says and wraps her arms around her waist as if she were holding herself together. “How can you say that when you’re looking at me as though I’ve broken your heart?” She hugs herself tighter, tears trickling down her cheeks. “Does it have to do with the reason you left me and your family?” I ask, desperate to put the pieces together. “If you ever had any regard for me at all, Mick, you’ll go.” “Dee. Don’t ask me to do that.” “Please,” she begs. “Please go.” Leaving goes against my every protective instinct. But how can I stay and push for answers when she’s about to fall apart? I take solace in knowing her friends are in the other room and do as Dee asks. But it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Chocolate snob. Recovering yo-yo dieter. Blessed with a witty daughter and unintentionally humorous husband. My wacky family feed my creativity and fuel my passion. Most nights, you will find me curled up with a romantic book or, more often, sitting at my computer, tapping out the sexy visions in my head.

LeighCarron.com Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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Jennah Scott

Burning in Tennessee Rebecca Waterstone left her high school sweetheart in Graysville ten years ago. At the time she had no plans to return home, ever, thanks to heartbreaker Jonah Caroway. When she receives a call from the hospital that her uncle has had a heart attack and may not make it through the night she has to go home and face her past once more. Jonah Caroway regrets letting Becca walk out of his life to go to New York ten years ago. She wanted to be a teacher and explore the great city of while he wanted to stay home in small town U.S.A. Now she’s back and this time he won’t let history repeat itself.

“Did you call her?” Matt knew who he meant. The woman Jonah had tried to forget for the last ten years without success. Hell, he’d done nothing but think about her. Every. Damn. Day. Followed her for years like a stalker; he even kept up with all the news he could find. Charles and Loren had kept him up to speed on the little details he couldn’t locate elsewhere. “I did.” “And? How did she take the news?” “As expected I suppose. Jonah—” He looked at Matt. “She needs a shoulder right now. A strong one. She didn’t say anything specific so don’t look at me like that.” Like what? Jonah didn’t think his expression had changed. What did he know, maybe it had. The idea of Rebecca being in trouble, or hurt made his muscles tense with anger. No matter how much he hated what she’d done to him, he still loved her. Damn it. He couldn’t love her anymore. His heart wouldn’t be able to recover from the pain of losing her again. It hadn’t mended yet after ten years. No reason to think a second time would be any better. Otherwise Jonah would be in a bed next to Charles, both of them suffering from the same disease. Heartache. Matt continued talking, “If she loses her uncle, she will have lost everyone.” Not everyone. Now wasn’t the time to voice his stance. “Obvious, Doc. The whole town knows her. They were there when she lost her parents and Aunt Loren. The question is will she let any of us help? It’s not like she’s around a whole lot. Hell,

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she did all the planning for Loren’s funeral from her posh little condo in New York, only showing up for the actual service before running back. We haven’t seen her in over a year. I’m not even sure she calls Charles anymore. Loren’s death was hard enough on her, if she loses Charles we may lose her forever.” “She does call him. He asked for Becca first when he came to.” At least there was that bit of good news. Charles hadn’t said much in regards to Becca over the last year when Jonah stopped by to check on him. Images from today’s visit flashed through his mind. Charles slumped over the oak kitchen table, his glass of sweet tea on its side, and a puddle on the floor. Jonah had instinctively called 911 while maneuvering Charles to the hardwood. By the time he’d finished the call he was ready to start CPR. Jonah had no clue how long Charles had been unconscious. He prayed it hadn’t been too long and there wasn’t severe damage done.

Born and raised in Texas, Jennah is a transplant to Missouri long enough ago she should probably consider that her hometown. Whether the next story she writes is contemporary, urban fantasy, or LGBT, there will always be love and romance in the midst of trials and turmoil.

JennahScott.com

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Hildie McQueen The Last Hero

Mega star Jensen Ford returns to his home state of Tennessee, to film a blockbuster film. Although the pretty local bakery owner catches his eye, she could never survive his Hollywood lifestyle. His mind knows its best to keep her at arms length, but how to convince his heart? Cassie Tucker doesn’t like arrogant Jensen Ford, definitely doesn’t want to get to know him either. With a cupcake shop to run, an ex harassing her and her younger brother moving in, she doesn’t have time for the movie star’s antics. Is it fate or happenstance that they end up alone together time after time?

Johnson stood up and lifted Debra into his arms. “You’re as light as a bird.” “What are you doing?” She squealed. “Bird, my ass. Maybe an ostrich. I’ll break your back. Put me down.” He pinched her rear, making her squeal again. “People are starting to stare. Wouldn’t want the small town gossips to speak about our best real estate agent.” He saw her glancing around in a panic. “I don’t like that you keep putting yourself down. Don’t say another bad thing about your body or else…” “Or else what?” Her voice hitched. “Put me down. People will talk. You’ll ruin me.” At the fear and anxiety in her voice, he set her back in her chair. However, it was that bottom lip, stuck out in a pout, that drew him in. He wanted to taste it. He licked his lips and took another swig of alcohol, letting the fire settle his desire. He’d been nursing a hard-on since he’d held her in his embrace. Darn thing was uncomfortable for sitting. “Fine. Let’s take our bottle for a stroll. We’ll avoid the prying eyes. But no more negative talk.” Johnson took another large swallow of whiskey. They walked into the coatroom, where he helped Debra with her coat. “Thank you. You’re a gentleman.” She linked her arm through his and grabbed the bottle, drinking down the last of the liquor. Debra wobbled on her heels. “Are you okay? Do you need help?” She’d had enough to drink. He drew her into his side. Her head settled on his shoulder. “You’re a perfect fit.” Johnson put the empty on the top shelf of the coatroom. “We killed this pint.” “Umm. You smell good.” Debra snuggled closer. They left the reception hall and headed out into the chilly air. The stars were bright in the dark night sky. A

bench stood among shrubs sparkling with white lights. “I think the booze’s gone to my head.” Her giggle echoed in the quiet. “But I’m feeling great. Let’s dance some more.” She stepped out of his embrace and swayed her hips while singing the latest song by George Strait. Johnson admired the way her body moved. He reached out, took her hand, and twirled her around before he tugged her close in his arms then dipped her backwards. He inhaled her scent and his gut tightened. She sighed. His cock twitched at the sound. I wonder what noises she’d make in bed. He danced her over to the bench then sat and hauled her onto his lap. “I said you didn’t have to seduce me for the liquor. I’ve never done this type of thing before. I’d love to say it’s the alcohol talking, but I think it’s you.” She leaned in and gently kissed him. “You’re playing with fire, and I’m not talking about the whiskey.”

Amazon bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves action, love and unusual settings. Author of western historical, Highland historical, paranormal and contemporary romance, she writes something every reader can enjoy. She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and two unruly boy Chihuahuas and a spoiled rotten girl Chi named Lola.

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feature sneak peek

Melissa Keir

Cowboy Up 2: The Heartbroken Cowboy Saddle Up with the best-selling authors who brought you Cowboy Up... And fall for Six more Cowboys ready to steal your heart! The Heartbroken Melissa Keir

Cowboy

Love isn’t found at the bottom of a bottle…

“Weddings are a buzzkill.” A tall man wearing a tuxedo flopped down into the chair next to her, startling Debra Donahue who’d been silently tapping her foot to the music. Glad for the distraction from being single at a wedding, she smiled at the man. “Most people use weddings as a reason to get their buzz on.” She studied him. The silver streaks in his hair flattered his chiseled jawline. His tugging at the neck of his shirt and the worn boots on his feet told her this man wasn’t used to big fancy shindigs. She smiled at his discomfort. Clothes make the man, and this one would be happier in jeans and a work shirt. “I don’t drink, but could use a strong one, right now. Not this sissy stuff.” He lifted the glass to his lips, downed the contents, and shoved his nowempty champagne flute away before he leaned in toward her. The smell of alcohol on his breath hinted that he’d already had too much to drink. “Know anyone around here with some whiskey?” The dark sapphire of his eyes chilled her. This was a man used to getting what he wanted. “I’d even share.” His voice deepened and became husky with his offer and she shivered.

“I don’t drink with men I don’t know.” Debra stuck out her hand. “I’m Debra, and you are?” The man grabbed another glass of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray and guzzled the drink in one swallow. “The name’s Johnson O’Neill. Now about that whiskey.” He reached out and drew her up to standing then tugged her in close to him. Wrapping his arm around her back, he moved her body in a slow two-step motion. Debra gazed into his eyes. “You don’t have to seduce me for the whiskey.” She stepped out of his embrace and put her hands on her hips. She frowned. “That’s not why I drew you into my arms. You were tapping your foot when I arrived—and I thought you might like a dance. A pretty woman like you shouldn’t be sitting alone.” He stretched his palm out again in a plea. Melissa Keir always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. She’d often sneak books away from her mother so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines. Her stories feature small towns and happily ever after!

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Introducing the new BTS Customer Awards!

BTS CUSTOMER AWARDS: *New for 2015! BTS Best Book *New criteria! BTS Rising Star *New for 2015! BTS Debut Author *New for 2015! BTS Best Anthology *New criteria! BTS Best Cover *No review needed for BTS Customer Awards, see site for details.

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feature book showcase

Amy Gregory

Drew’s Last Hope

Drew McKnight has always had a killer smile. Girls first, then women fell for it. Add that to his magnetic personality and Drew has never known a stranger. Growing up in the quaint town of Renlend, Kansas he had everything he’d always wanted, including his high school sweetheart. Then he blinked. In one moment of sheer hell, his entire world crashed down around him. His heart was torn in two pieces and he didn’t know how to move forward. Except… he had no choice not to. Hope’s career came to a screeching halt one night on stage in front of a packed house. Her entire life’s work went down the drain. Using the same determination that got her to New York in the first place, she started over. She’s been dealt a crappy hand—twice, but she won’t let any of that interfere with her new life. No more toe shoes, tutus or men. She’s in a new town, ready for a new start. Until she turned around and fell in love with the most precious brown eyes she’d ever seen.

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“Get him out of here!” The panic in the doctor’s voice rang out clear even through the mask covering his mouth. The order had Drew McKnight seeing red though. He wasn’t leaving and no jackass in scrubs was going to make him. “No. I’m staying.” He gripped Ally’s hand tighter and whispered promises into her ear, despite her closed eyes. “Ally. Wake up, baby. Ally, hang in there.” “I said I want him out!” The first blood-stopping cry came, and Drew whipped his head toward the doctor. Then all hell broke loose. He was exhausted, starving, and going on nothing but pure adrenaline. It wasn’t enough. A female nurse a good hundred pounds lighter than himself pushed at him with all her weight as the monitors started beeping and screaming. Ally’s face wasn’t lined with pain, she was almost peaceful looking. Almost. Her hand slipped from his hold as the nurse was joined by another doctor, both forcing him toward the door just as he heard the words “she’s crashing”. Drew fell to his knees on the shiny hospital hallway floor. The nurse in a yellow paper gown lowered with him, rubbing his back as he continued to hear one cry, one tiny little cry in amongst the yelling of directions and machines. The thick wooden door didn’t hide the hell going on inside the room. His world was spinning out of control as seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned into agony. He’d crawled to a sitting, his knees bent, his back leaning against the wall, waiting for them to get him, to come tell him everything was fine. The young nurse never left his side, didn’t offer empty words, and just sat beside him, her gloved hands rubbing his arm. The heavy wood door opened. Before Drew could scramble up off the floor a second nurse, still covered in blood, lowered a pink bundle in her arms. “I know this is against hospital policy to bring her out her to you like this, without a bassinet, but the doctor said to. Meet your new little girl, Drew.” Tears blurred his vision as he took the baby, tinier than they’d projected. She was swaddled tightly, her face so perfect, so angelic. Pulling her close to his heart, his tears fell onto the soft flannel blankets. “Her momma? Please.” He closed his eyes, holding his new baby daughter. The one they wanted so badly. As he begged, the tears started streaming because he knew. Knew the nurses sitting on the floor of the long hallway with him weren’t going to tell him what he needed to hear. “I’m so sorry,” one of them whispered, as if it didn’t

make it true. “I’m so, so sorry.” Gritting his jaw, he sucked in a long hiss of air through his teeth and clenched his eyes shut. The nurse who’d sat with him for an eternity jumped up. “I’ll run and go get your families. I know where they were waiting.” “Natalie,” Drew cooed. “Mommy didn’t like it because she said it was silly to have your name sound like hers.” He ran his pinky along her tiny mouth and she started to suckle on his finger. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, and I have to tell you—I don’t know what I’m doing. But I’ll promise you this, I’ll love you forever.” The first nurse returned, lowering to her knees, she handed him a plastic bottle, holding just a tiny bit of formula. It wasn’t what Ally would have wanted, she had been determined to give their baby the best of everything. Drew had no choice. Ignoring the two sets of parents who’d followed her, he took the bottle, unsure of what he was to do. The nurse who had brought Natalie out to him, leaned in, guiding his hand toward the baby’s mouth, gently running the plastic nipple along her lower lip. The other nurse pushed his elbow up higher, helping him to hold Natalie more upright, but without making him feel like a stupid fool for not knowing what to do. He’d read the books too, but Ally was supposed to be feeding their baby. Ally was supposed to know how to hold her and then teach him. Ally was supposed to be here to enjoy this moment and love her. Ally wasn’t supposed to give up her life for their child. He’d traded God one woman for another. The tears hit him again, but he continued to sit on the floor, unable to move, holding his daughter who was figuring out a bottle. He ignored the cries of Ally’s mother and father, of his own parents. He couldn’t look at them. He’d let their daughter die. He’d gotten her pregnant. It was his fault she’d given up her life for the kids they wanted to have. Natalie captured the bottle and started to feed instinctively. Both nurses praised him, though he couldn’t let himself accept it. “You’re already an amazing dad, Mr. McKnight.” He glanced up at the nurse holding his elbow. She was young, younger than he and Ally. She was trying really hard to be supportive in a God-awful situation. Holding Natalie closer to him, he let her finish the bottle as his body seemed to age decades instantly. He would do right by this little girl, he knew he would. But tonight, he wanted her momma back so bad his heart felt like it would quit beating any minute. High-school sweethearts, they’d pissed off all four parents and gotten married right after graduation. A vo-

tech degree under his belt, building came easy to him. Drew started his own construction business, keeping his sights on the smaller jobs no one wanted, and made a good living doing so. They’d worked and saved, first buying a small house, then deciding it was time for what they both wanted more than anything in the world. “Little Natalie, you have a big job ahead of you, taking care of your daddy,” the second nurse said quietly as she took the bottle, adjusted the baby against his chest and moved his hand to her back to start patting her, teaching him how to burp her. Drew closed his eyes and did his best to stay calm. Screaming, kicking, punching or getting blasted drunk to forget were no longer options. Not with the pink little cocoon against his heart. Five Years Later “Nat. You finish your Froot Loops, kiddo?” Drew hollered from his bedroom. His navy blue McKnight Construction T-shirt was laid out on the bed, as he stood with his jeans on but still unbuttoned. He grabbed the shirt and finished getting dressed. Weekends might mean downtime for some, but not for him and Tyson Ellison, especially with the spring rolling into summer. They’d had almost no rain in three weeks, very unusual for this time of year in their small town, and he while felt bad for the farmers, their two-man crew had to make hay while the sun was shining. He had reworked a couple of larger jobs based on the weather, knowing he could always switch to inside jobs when the Kansas skies decided to open up and let go. A shower of round circles sounded from the kitchen. Rolling his eyes, Drew sat on his bed and began to put his socks and work boots on. Hopefully his pride and joy would pick up most of the cereal before he got to the kitchen, then again, that was what brooms were invented for. Amy Gregory has an off the cuff, snarky sense of humor that tends to still shock those who’ve known her for years. But that’s what she loves most about her writing, it’s realistic. The good, the bad the ugly and the hysterical. She loves sticking in her smart ass self into all her work!

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Historical | Western | Period Fiction

once UPON a TIME

HISTORICAL & WESTERN

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more beyond the books

HotHunks The

HISTORY Christy English

Time Travel This month, BTS is celebrating paranormal romance. One of my favorite brands of that particular kind of romance has always been the time travel romance.

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| The Hot Hunks of History |

Usually in these books, the heroine gets swept back in time by some magical occurrence, like Claire in Outlander, who is drawn into a standing circle, only to be catapulted back into the eighteenth century. She soon meets Jamie, and her life is never the same, in a good way, because he is her soulmate. But in a lot of other ways, it turns out that the past is not all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cracked up to be. Claire, even with the warrior Jamie at her side, almost gets burned as a witch and attacked by a marauding English captain. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only in the first act. Eighteenthcentury Scotland was dangerous. Not for the faint of heart. The dangers of the past make great fodder for storytelling. As a writer, I adore the medieval period, and I love writing Regency romances. But my medieval novels are about kings and queens and princesses, people who have trouble in their lives, but who are well protected and well provided for. While death and disease still affect the rich and powerful, queens have a much easier time of it in 1150 than regular people like me or you. So, while it would be tempting, if possible, to go back to see my hero Richard the Lionhearted in the flesh, from a distance at a banquet maybe, I would only want to go back if I was sure I could return to my safe and very clean existence here as an American woman in the twenty-first century.

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| Christy Engligh |

Another of my favorite time travel romances is A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. In that story, there is a bit of a twist in which both the hero and the heroine travel through time, he to our present, only to have her follow him back into the past. That section of the novel is a fun romp through Elizabethan England from the point of view of a titled family. Ms. Devereaux does a lovely job of comparing and contrasting the realities of the past and the present, and reading her novel made me glad, once again, to live in the here and now. There are a ton of more recent time travel novels, many of which you can find in the pages of this magazine, no doubt. But Outlander and A Knight in Shining Armor are two of the best.

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Christy English is happiest when she is dreaming. Her dreams have taken her to the royal court of Henry II in The Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pawn, to medieval Paris in To Be Queen, and now to Regency England in Much Ado About Jack, Love on a Midsummer Night, and How to Tame a Wilfull Wife, where she loves to watch her characters find true love, often in spite of themselves. Please visit her on her blog, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

reviews historical | western | period fiction

An Affair Downstairs Sherri Browning Historical Heat Rating: 3

The attraction of the forbidden cannot be suppressed… Lady Alice Emerson is entirely unsatisfied with the endless stream of boring suitors her family finds appropriate. She wants something more. Something daring. Something real. Each tiresome new suitor only serves to further inflame Lady Alice’s combustible attraction to Thornbrook Park’s rugged, manly estate manager, Logan Winthrop. Despite Logan’s stubborn attempts to avoid her, Lady Alice is irresistible, and so is the forbidden desire exploding between them… Review: This was a great story! Alice wishes to have a fling just to be able to experience love/ sex all the while living out an adventurous single life. Her sister, Sophia, is determined to find Alice a husband. Logan lives a simple life as an Estate Manager while trying to forget about his past. He has to deal with this young, attractive girl (Alice) who is always following him around and never seems to shut up. Logan’s attraction for Alice intensifies as the days go by. Alice decides Logan is the one she wants to have the simple fling with in order to experience sex. Meanwhile Sophia is still trying to set Alice up with a husband, enter Lord Ralston. The romance that builds up, to include passion, betrayal, and some mystery makes this a great read. Reviewed by Tina Huey

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Just in Time for a Highlander Gwyn Cready Historical Heat Rating: 3

For Duncan MacHarg, things just got real... Battle reenactor and financier Duncan MacHarg thinks he has it made-until he lands in the middle of a real Clan Kerr battle and comes face to face with their beautiful, spirited leader. Out of time and out of place, Duncan must use every skill he can muster to earn his position among the clansmen and in the heart of the devastatingly intriguing woman to whom he must pledge his oath. Abby needs a hero and she needs him now. When Abigail Ailich Kerr sees a handsome, mysterious stranger materialize in the midst of her clan’s skirmish with the English, she’s stunned to discover he’s the strong arm she’s been praying for. Instead of a tested fighter, the fierce young chieftess has been given a man with no measurable battle skills and a damnably distracting smile. And the only way to get rid of him is to turn him into a Scots warrior herselfone demanding and intimate lesson at a time. Review: Duncan MacHarg is a Scottish man living in New York as a successful businessman. In his free time he loves to take part in historical reenactments, especially ones where he can be a part of his Scottish heritage. He is taking part in on such reenactment when he is pulled through time to around 1700’s Scotland. Brought by the magic of a local fortuneteller Undine, through the request of Chieftess Abby Kerr. Duncan must figure out how to survive in this new world, as well as what needs to be done to return back to his own time. Just in Time for a Highlander is a wonderfully entertaining tale full of romance, friendship, betrayal and duty.

The Duke’s Disaster Grace Burrowes Historical Heat Rating: 3

Noah Winters, Duke of Anselm, exercises the pragmatism for which he’s infamous when his preferred choice of bride cries off, and her companion, Lady Thea Collins, becomes his next choice for his duchess. Lady Thea’s mature, sensible and even rather attractive—what could possibly go wrong? As a lady fallen on hard times, Thea doesn’t expect tender sentiments from His Grace, but she does wish Noah had courted her trust, lest her past turn their hastily arranged marriage into a life of shared regrets. Is His Grace courting a convenient wife, or a beautiful disaster? Review: What’s a duke to do when disaster strikes? Find a way to deal with the situation at hand of course! And hope he gets the lady in the meantime. Noah Winters, 8th Duke of Anselm, was a Duke in such a position. And his lady, Lady Araminthea, called “Thea” for short was his lady. And one who could hold her own in any situation, even in the way she originally became his lady in the first place. They came together quite nicely and eventually each got what they wanted. It had wit, charm, some tension when it was needed and an interesting support cast, along with dastardly villains. Once you start reading, you’ll enjoy it. So whenever you get a chance, check it out and you’ll see how a duke handles and deals with imminent disasters. Reviewed by Cassandra G

Reviewed by Brittany Hale

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reviews historical | western | period fiction

When A Rake Falls Sally Orr

Historical Heat Rating: 3

He’s racing to win back his reputation. Having hired a balloon to get him to Paris in a daring race, Lord Boyce Parker is simultaneously exhilarated and unnerved by the wonders and dangers of flight, and most of all by the beautiful, stubborn, intelligent lady operating the balloon. She’s curious about the science of love Eve Mountfloy is in the process of conducting weather experiments when she finds herself spirited away to France by a notorious rake. She’s only slightly dismayed—the rake seems to respect her work—but she is frequently distracted by his windblown physical magnificence and buoyant spirits.What happens when they descend from the clouds? As risky as aeronautics may be, once their feet touch the ground, Eve and Boyce learn the real danger of a very different type of falling… Review: When Boyce Parker learns of a competition that has a least 5 challenge levels, he believes he has what it takes to win at least a few of them, if not the whole thing. He embarks on a journey fraught with challenges and a little help from a certain young lady he hadn’t counted on. The competition was initiated by the lady in question’s father, The Earl of Stainsthorpe. That was because he wanted to find his daughter a husband. And he personally chose the challenges each suitor must perform. It had a great cast of characters from the hero Boyce, to the heroine Eve and a supporting cast that knew how to push the right buttons and have a sense of humor at the same time. So, if you get a chance, check it out this book. Reviewed by Cassandra G

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The Lady Meets Her Match Gina Conkle Historical Heat Rating: 3

Noah Winters, Duke of Rough-aroundthe-edges Cyrus Ryland rose from humble origins to become England’s wealthiest citizen and most eligible bachelor. Called the King of Commerce, he thinks nothing of marriage until he hosts a masked ball and discovers an alluring woman hiding in his study. After one dance the lady vanishes, leaving behind a single shoe. The hunt is on, but finding her is only half the battle. Claire Mayhew wants her hard won independence…a mid-town shop of her own. She resists the scorching attraction with Mr. Ryland — her new landlord, but Cyrus isn’t a man who gives up easily. convenient wife, or a beautiful disaster? Review: It was a fun ride and with characters you wanted to believe in from the start. Even if they took part in some dubious endeavors to acquire what they needed. But things don’t always go as planned or look the way they do. Claire and Cyrus made an interesting and quite a good couple despite a few problems that came along the way. There were some interesting and supportive characters, as well as some rather shady ones, but all in all they were quite believable. You’ll have a good time trying to find out how the Lady met her Match. Reviewed by Cassandra G

Compromising Miss Tisdale Jessica Jefferson Historical Heat Rating: 3

Ambrosia Tisdale is the very picture of propriety and the epitome of what a respectable young lady should be. Haunted by a memory and compelled by her family, she pursues perfection to a fault. The Earl of Bristol, Duncan Maddox, has returned to London after years of familial-imposed exile. As the second son, he has led a life filled with frivolity, leisure, and a healthy dose of debauchery. Now his older brother has died, leaving the family’s flailing legacy in Duncan’s unwilling arms. At the behest of his uncle, Duncan is advised to do the one thing that could provide instant fortune and respectability—he must marry. But there is only one prospect who meets the unique requirements to solve all the Earl’s problems—the lovely Miss Ambrosia Tisdale. But securing the prudent daughter of a Viscount’s hand proves to be more challenging than this scandal-ridden second son of an Earl has bargained for. With scandal, extortion, treachery, and even love itself threatening to keep him from his goal, will Duncan succeed or find himself compromised by Miss Tisdale? Review: This was a great historical romance. Miss Tisdale is a young, adventurous, and confident female living in the shadows of her deceased brother. She portrays a proper young lady in public yet yearns for the love, romance, and hot, sexual desires of a young woman behind closed doors. My interest in the storyline increased even more when Lord Bristol’s best friend turned out to be more than just a flirtatious young man with the ladies. The encounters that Lord Bristol and Miss Tisdale have throughout the book kept the story alive as well. Reading of Miss Tisdale playing cards and drinking with the men just made her seem real and down to earth. The sarcastic remarks she and Lord Bristol shared were humorous and brought a smile to my face every time. It was also inspiring to see how the parents supported the differences in each of their children. This story contained romance, suspense, and the perfect dab of humor. It truly was a great read! Reviewed by Tina Huey

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reviews historical | western | period fiction

Charming the Duke

A Tainted Dawn

Historical Heat Rating: 3

Historical Heat Rating: 2

Holly Bush

1849 . . . Matilda Sheldon, the middle daughter of the sixth Earl of Bisset, has never been interested in the fashionable society events that so preoccupy her parents and siblings. Her loving, albeit, daft family cannot understand why. But Matilda has little use for silly rules and dramas. She would rather occupy her time with a worthwhile cause such as opening The Sheldon Home for Orphans, much to the chagrin of her mother and grandmother. They are quite certain a venture of this nature will discourage suitors. Matilda is quite certain that if suitors are discouraged it is because she is clever, plain, a bit clumsy, and inevitably compared to her beautiful sisters. The Duke of Thornsby is in tight spot. After receiving the title on the death of his father, he discovers the inheritance is to be gifted elsewhere if he does not marry before his thirtieth birthday. Unfortunately, our man-about-town is embroiled in a scandal, not of his own making, and the marriage mamas won’t let any eligible misses anywhere near him. What’s a Duke to do? Get invited to a house party hosted by the notoriously absent-minded Earl of Bisset, who just happens to be Papa to some young ladies of marriageable age! Review: This was a good historical romance with a touch of humor throughout the book. The story is a good representation of what’s truly important to consider in another human being. And a good reminder of how someone chooses to live an authentic life knowing not everyone is always going to agree with her decisions. I enjoyed the storyline and the twist at the end. The Duke is a charming, funny, young man who captures the heart of Matilda and various other ladies. My favorite part of the storyline was the relationship between Matilda and her grandmother, Ethel. Matilda was able to connect with her grandmother on various emotional levels. I look forward to reading additional books by this author.. Reviewed byTina Huey

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B. N. Peacock

August 1789. The Rights of Man. Liberty. Equality. Idealism. Patriotism. A new age dawns. And yet, old hostilities persist: England and Spain are on the brink of war. France, allied by treaty with Spain, readies her warships. Three youths - the son of an English carpenter, the son of a naval captain, and the son of a French court tailor - meet in London, a chance encounter that entwines their lives ever after. The English boys find themselves on the same frigate bound for the Caribbean. The Frenchman sails to Trinidad, where he meets an even more zealous Spanish revolutionary. As diplomats in Europe race to avoid conflict, war threatens to explode in the Caribbean, with the three youths pitted against each other. Will the dawn of the boys’ young manhood remain bright with hope? Or will it become tainted with their countrymen’s spilled blood? “...compelling characters and an exciting plot... Much like the Hornblower series, A Tainted Dawn demands sequels. Review: A Tainted Dawn is an interesting historical fiction novel set during the beginning of the French Revolution. Peacock’s novel revolves around the lives of three young men whose different places in society provides the reader with different perspectives of the changing world. Setting the foundation in the beginning of this novel proved to be painstaking and slow. My interest in the novel increased as the history began to unfold and the main characters delved deeper into the politics and the changing tide. As their role in their perspectives live became more evident, so did my interest. The novel took on life as the story deepened. The characters were also more flushed out and developed and the world was better established toward the end of the novel. I’m intrigued and am drawn towards finishing the series. Peacock’s suspenseful conclusion has heightened my curiosity about the character’s fates. Reviewed by Stacie Carrier

Choices

At His Command

Historical Heat Rating: 4

Historical Heat Rating: 3

Toni Cantrell

Half out of his mind with jealousy, Beau Chandler kidnaps Kellie and forces her to accompany him into the mountains for a ‘second honeymoon’. Clifford Hartley, long lost heir to a Dukedom in England loses his head and heart over a redhaired temptress named Lacey Wainwright… Kellie Chandler Hartley must cope with his lies and the sudden reappearance of her first husband. Where does her future lie? Lust and betrayal are powerful motivations behind life changing events that forever alter the destinies of not only these three, but all their families as well, and for generations to come. Review: What I like about Toni Cantrell’s story is the conflict which the heroine, Kellie Stone faces, having to choose between the financially stable Clifford Hartley and her absent husband Beau Chandler. The love triangle is discernible from the start but there is little evidence of amorous feelings. Audiences glean that Beau wishes to keep Kellie for his wife because he is infatuated with her. Clifford wishes to marry her because her family is well-connected. The writing is vague and dilutes the ideals associated with romantic love. It’s disappointing when the story is unable to arouse passion in the reader and a desire to see Kellie with either man. Words of love are spoken but inadequately shown, making such feelings shallow and superficial. The characters quarrel constantly giving readers little reason to care about their outcome. The story has an appealing premise but was unable to reel me into these lives. Reviewed by Susan Frances

Ruth Kaufman

Could she defy her king for love? England 1453: King Henry VI sends Sir Nicholas Gray to protect the recently widowed Lady Amice Winfield from undesirable suitors. Though Nicholas intrigues her, she yearns to run Castle Rising without a man’s control. Nicholas has no interest in marriage, but can’t deny he’s attracted to Amice. He’s surprised to finally find in Castle Rising a place he feels at home. A kiss sparks desire neither can ignore, yet serving opposing factions seeking to govern England threatens to pull them apart. At court, the king and queen reject Amice’s pleas and choose a new husband for her, a highly-ranked lord who’ll provide connections and coin for the king’s depleted coffers that Nicholas cannot. How can she follow the king’s command when she’s a scribe for his rival? How can she marry another man when she’s falling in love with Nicholas? Review: At His Command seemed like the type of historical romance fiction novel that I would really enjoy. Sir Nicholas Squire is falling for Lady Amice Winfield in England in 1453 during the chaos and tribulation of Henry VI. Unfortunately this novel did very little for a budding romance more than presenting a physical attraction. While Amice was an interesting character with strong notions of what she wanted from life, Nicholas paid more attention to her beauty and their circumstances then he did her personality. Nicholas wasn’t a very well developed character with very little of his personality, besides his persistent loyalty to the crown, being showcased. I would have been able to fully invest myself in this novel and this love if I understood why these two felt so compelled to be with each other. I want my romance novels to be believable and this one simply fell short. Reviewed by Stacie Carrier

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feature sneak peek

Jo Grafford

Viking for Hire Branwyn O’Tyre’s estranged brother summons her for a healing ritual. Fearing he actually plans to arrest her for witchcraft, she drinks a protection potion before he arrives. Eirik, a Viking sea captain pretending slumber in the tavern corner, witnesses Branwyn’s magic and offers her safe passage from Exeter if she will attempt to reverse a curse that plagues him. Alas, every woman who touches him falls madly but falsely in love with him. There’s only one hitch. If she fails, Branwyn’s heart will fall prey to the same madness...forever!

“The bishop plans to arrest me. Unless you are available for hire as my protector,

this conversation is finished.” Instead of appearing shocked, the stranger’s eyes twinkled. “Most damsels in your distressed shoes would be either weeping or swooning by now. Instead you offer me employment. I am fascinated.” The tavern door rattled on its hinges. “’Tis a limited time offer,” Branwyn gritted through clamped teeth, surprised he actually seemed to be considering it. “I’ve not the time to dicker like a fish wife over price, but I will pay you handsomely.” His gaze was calculating. “I’ve no need of your coin, but you clearly have need of my assistance. Pray allow me to provide you safe passage from Exeter on my ship in exchange for something else I desperately need – answers…starting with my question about the contents of your sack.” This ruggedly dressed Viking was wealthy enough to own his own ship? He could be lying, but ’twas not as if she had any better options at the moment. “Safe passage first. Questions afterwards,” she countered. “Agreed.” He bowed. “Then you are hired, sir.” She offered to seal their bargain with a handshake, but the door crashed from its hinges and claimed their attention. The Duke of Smythen burst into the room in a swirl of bishop’s robes accompanied by a constable and a half dozen knights with swords and crossbows. Branwyn drew a shaky breath and smoothed her dusty green gown. “Byron, my lord brother. How good to see you.”

Snapping dark eyes beneath a cap of black wavy hair raked over her. From his high frowning forehead to his patrician nose, the man was too sinfully handsome to be so heartless. “Behold the accused. Arrest this cursed woman at once.” Two of the knights separated themselves from the group and rushed forward. Alas, one slipped on a puddle of ale and crashed into his comrade. Their helmets collided with a dull clanking sound that made Branwyn wince. Then they crumpled to the floor. The Viking stranger emitted a muffled guffaw and appraised her carefully. “Methinks I can now guess the nature of the potion ye mixed. Come, lass. ’Tis getting late. We’d best be on our way.” The rogue actually crooked an arm at her as if preparing for a stroll in the park. Branwyn could only gape.

Jo writes high stakes romance with layers of intrigue, alpha males, and strong-minded women willing to risk it all for love. From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo serves as an elementary school literacy volunteer. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter.

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The End of Droughtlander

Outlander World Premiere Coverage

Droughtlander is over my friends! If you’re anything like me, you survived the cold winter counting down the days until Outlander resumed on April 4. Christmas came early for me because I snagged a spot on the red carpet for the mid-season World Premiere of “The Reckoning,” episode 109, at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on April 1. I’m not going to lie, when I heard the news, I, fangirl, squealed. Because not only did I get a sneak peek of the new episode, I also had the amazing opportunity to meet and interview executive producer Ronald Moore and the Outlander cast, including Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall), Tobias Menzies (Frank/ Captain Jack Randall), Lotte Verbeek (Geillis Duncan), Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie) and Gary Lewis (Colum MacKenzie). It was an amazing experience for this Outlander fan. So what thought-provoking questions did I cover when the cast members of Outlander were standing mere inches from me? Hints on what viewers can expect in the next episode? The wonders and challenges of fliming on location in Scotland? Or even how they feel shooting sex scenes? Nope. My

By Sandra Bunino

mind went blank, but I glanced down and *bam*, it came to me. When in doubt, talk shoes. My first “shoe-terview” was with the flawless Lotte Verbeek. She was stunning in an off-white dress with a jeweled clutch and the cutest strappy silver heels. Lotte chatted a bit about filming her next movie. Look for her in The Last Witch Hunter with Vin Diesel later this year. Next up were the MacKenzie brothers duo of Graham McTavish and Gary Lewis. There are so many different layers to both Dougal and Colum in the show, and Graham and Gary portray the characters perfectly. I was quite excited to see Graham in a kilt paired with the coolest blue boots. I complimented his shoe choice, to which he smiled and answered in his sexy Scottish brogue, “Thank you, sweetheart.” *swoon* My last “shoe-terviews” were with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. Caitriona wowed the crowd in a plum-colored gown accented with a sheer panel showing off some skin and her perfect figure. A pair of black ankle strap heels, coordinating black manipedi, and red lipstick topped off her show-stopping sense of style. She talked about Claire’s alliances and the challenges her character will face in the second half of the season. And then there was Sam. I regularly melt into a Jamie love puddle while watching Outlander and meeting Sam confirmed his sweet nature is the real deal. I especially loved the look on his face when he noticed my Jamie Fraser iPhone case. Yes, I’m an Outlander dork. I wish I had more to report about Sam, but his smile blinded Issue 27 | May/June 2015 |

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my sense of rational thought. I think I embarrassed myself by gushing about how much I love Jamie Fraser. Did I mention I’m an Outlander dork? Remember to savor the remaining episodes of season one because we’ll be in Droughtlander mode once again before we know it. But hey, there’s always the next season premiere to look forward to, right? Outlander spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure as it follows Claire Randall, a married WWII combat nurse who mistakenly falls back in time to 1743. As the season continues, Claire and Jamie’s relationship is tested, and Claire must reconcile her modern mindset with this eighteenth-century world. Ruthless redcoats, volatile clan politics, and a brutal witch trial force Jamie and Claire to escape to a new home. Just when their life as a married couple begins to take shape, Jamie is once again drawn into Captain Randall’s darkness. Ultimately, Claire discovers there is a fate worse than death as she struggles to save Jamie’s heart, as well as his soul.

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Follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. - Starz

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Young Adult | New Adult | Childrens

YOUNG & NEW ADULT

BEYOND the fairy TALE

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Our Featured Titles At Book Expo America...

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A fast-paced book of funky poems with quirky rhymes, syncopated rhythms and gorgeous illustraons that resonate with the book's pop culture themes.

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reading trends in young adult

Forever YOUNG Kellyann Zuzulo

The Mystic List The best and newest in YA paranormal fiction

Young adult fiction offers increasingly high drama, whether

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| Forever Young | Abracadabra! There is magic in the word . . . and the words of all the new paranormal fiction released in the YA market this year. Teen readers are making paranormal the norm. Perhaps you thought the lid had been nailed on the coffin of the pale and petulant vampire boy crush. Think again. Vampires are vamping; dragons are flapping; shape-shifters are flaring; time travelers are present; angels and demons are playing nice; and witches, fairies, robots, and aliens are making friends like honeybees in a hive on hyperdrive. All of these characters are brought to life in the following lists of YA paranormal titles that I have assembled for your perusing pleasure. I love paranormal fiction. A genie fan myself, I look for stories that highlight the supernatural in a super way, but also natural: a blending of real relationships and otherworldly settings. For instance, the new boy next door becomes a centaur by the light of the waxing moon and takes lissome neighbor Alyssa on canters across the heath. By day, he mows the lawn and ignores her at school, painfully aware that when she gets her driver’s license, she’ll need a horse no more. Well, that’s not a story. Not yet. But there are plenty of stories in the following lists. I collected first the bestsellers in YA paranormal fiction as listed by Amazon. Increasingly, however, Amazon promotes and lists their own titles. For example, 47North is the Amazon imprint for speculative fiction under fantasy, science fiction, and horror. There are also the many self-published titles within the Amazon platform, which makes it difficult to winnow out the weeds. So, a list like this will let you see the bestsellers—meaning that other readers are accepting them as pretty darn good. And also that these books probably had some more editing than just a draft by a first-time author thrown up on the Internet (and I do mean “thrown up.” Ugh.) Next, I give a shout-out to Barnes and Noble and their Nook offerings. Notice the increase in the book prices in that list. But also notice that these books are produced by the big traditional publishers, and you can assume that they are pretty polished. I follow this with a list of brand-new (coming out in April or May) titles from a variety of publishers. Finally, I include five bestselling paranormal novels from Smashwords. You’re in a bit more of a wilderness here as far as the cleanliness of the copy (and I mean that solely in terms of language clarity) because some authors aren’t equipped to hire professional editors. Three ways to choose a book that is clear and captivating

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is to 1) read the excerpt; 2) read the reviews; 3) check out the book synopsis. Often, authors write their own book descriptions. If it seems amateurish and poorly written, the book probably is too. All of the books in these lists are recommended for the teen reader from twelve to seventeen years (some starting at age fourteen or sixteen, so check the publisher’s description). Bestsellers on Amazon (Kindle) 1. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Book One, by Ransom Riggs, released June 2011, $3.99 2. The Paper Magician, by Charlie N. Holmberg, 47North, September 2014, $4.99 3. The Glass Magician, by Charlie N. Holmberg, 47North, September 2014, $4.99 4. The Ruby Circle, A Bloodlines Novel, by Richelle Mead (author of the Vampire Academy series), Razorbill (sold by Penguin Group), February 2015 $7.99 5. Amarok, by Angela Townsend, Spencer Hill Press, November 2012, $5.99 6. Chase the Dark (Steel and Stone, Book 1), by Annette Marie, published by Annette Marie, October 2014, $3.99 7. Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 1), by Maggie Stiefvater, Scholastic Paperbacks, August 2009, $2.99 8. Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days, Book 1), by Susan Ee, Skyscape, August 2012, $3.99 9. A March of Kings (Book 2 in the Sorcerer’s Ring), by Morgan Rice, Amazon Digital Services, November 2013, $2.99 10. Steelheart (Reckoners Book 1), by Brandon Sanderson, Delacorte Press (Random House), September 2013, $6.99

| Kellyann Zuzulo | New and Notable on Amazon 1. Phoenix (Dragon Eye Book 3), by Finley Aaron, Henry Knox Press, February 2015, $0.99 2. Dream of Me: Book 1 The Dream Maker’s Series, by Quinn Loftis, Quinn Loftis Books LLC, February 2015, $2.99

Barnes & Noble (Nook) 1. Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard, HarperCollins, February 2015, $9.99 2. Fairest, by Marissa Meyer, Feiwel & Friends, January 2015, $9.99 3. The Orphan Queen, by Jodi Meadows, HarperCollins, March 2015, $10.00 4. The Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir, Penguin Young Readers Group, April 2015, $10.99 5. Shadow Scale (Seraphina Series #2), by Rachel Hartman, Random House Children’s Books, March 2015, $10.99 6. Seeker (Seeker Series #1), by Arwen Elys Dayton, Random House Children’s Books, February 2015, $10.99 7. Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles Series #1), by Amanda Hocking, St. Martin’s Press, January 2015, $7.12 8. Revealed (House of Night Series #11), by P.C. Cast, St. Martin’s Press, January 2015, $7.12 9. Cress (Lunar Chronicle Series #3), by Marissa Meyer, Square Fish, January 2015, $2.99 10. Stolen Songbird: Malediction Trilogy Book #1, by Danielle L. Jensen, Watkins Media, April 2014, $6.99

Brand-New Paranormal Books 1. A School for Unusual Girls (Stranje House #1), by Kathleen Baldwin, Tor Teen, May 2015, $9.99 2. Delicate Monsters, by Stephanie Kuehn, St. Martin’s Griffin, June 2015, $9.99 3. Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1), by Jennifer Estep, Kensington, May 2015, $7.53 4. Instinct, Chronicles of Nick #6, by Sherrilyn Kenyon, St. Martin’s Griffin, April 2015, $9.99 5. The Darkest Part of the Forest, by Holly Black, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, January 2015, $9.99 6. Red (Entangled Teen), by Alyxandra Harvey, Entangled Publishing, March 2015, $3.99 Smashwords 1. Bind Our Loving Souls, by April Marcom, Melange Books, March 2015, $3.99 2. Hourglass, by Pauline C. Harris, Melange Books, March 2015, $3.99 3. Chance Fortune Out of Time, by Shane Berryhill, Crossroad Press, March 2015, $4.99 4. Jabin, by Bev Allen, Wild Wolf Publishing, March 2015, $2.99 5. Vile Blood, by Jen Golembiewski, March 2015, $0.99

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Kellyann Zuzulo is an editor and author. Her novel, The Genie Ignites, was a finalist in the 2013 Abalone Awards, which recognizes “Outstanding Ethno-Cultural Romance.” Her latest release is Ever Afters, the fifth book in her 101 Nights series from Boroughs Publishing Group. As an editor, Kellyann edits both fiction and non-fiction books for clients who seek clarity, continuity, and beauty in their written work. Kellyann is a member of International Thriller Writers, Backspace Writers Group, and Romance Writers of America. She lives on the East Coast with her husband, three children, and two terriers.

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reviews young adult | new adult | childrens

Following Chelsea Shari Green

Young Adult Heat Rating: 1

Walking in the footsteps of a dead girl isn’t easy... After her social life flatlines, seventeen-year-old Anna Richards wants nothing more than to lie low at her new school. But it seems Anna looks an awful lot like Chelsea, the sweet and popular girl who recently died, and Anna finds herself stepping into the void created by Chelsea’s absence. Anna is determined to make the awkward situation work in her favor, though, because Chelsea didn’t just leave a spot open with the in-crowd; she also left a gorgeous--and now available--boyfriend. But it turns out that following Chelsea might be a lot more complicated than Anna expected. 14+ due to adult situations Review: This was tender, filled with angst, pain, and eventually recovery. This is a beautiful novel tackling serious issues. The author did an incredible job showing how Anna navigated her way through them. We’re introduced to Anna her last year in school in serious trouble. It’s right after that Anna loses nearly everything: her best friend, boyfriend, childhood home, father, and soon she’s about to lose her identity. When Anna and her mother move for a fresh start, Anna finds herself following in the footsteps of a ghost. She doesn’t just bear an uncanny resemblance to Chelsea, she’s practically her twin and finds herself the object of much speculation. And Ryan, I could feel his pain, understand how he had to cope, make his grief real so he could move on. Ms. Green’s writing was beautiful. The ending was perfect, a conclusion with Doran that tied it all together nicely. Reviewed by Sasha Hibbs

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An Absence of Light

Dorianna

Young Adult Heat Rating: 1

Meradeth Houston

Leah’s always seen the shadow creatures. She thought she was immune to their evil—until now. She’s walked into a massacre, stolen a BMW, and is running from the law for a crime she didn’t commit. Nineteen-year-old Leah’s life just went from mildly abnormal to totally crazy at lightning speed. But no one will believe that the shadow creatures are framing her for the murder, because she’s the only one that can see them. At least that’s what she thought. When Leah stumbles across a group who share her ability, she discovers they have something she doesn’t: a way to fight back. When the group offers to teach her how to kill the shadow creatures, Leah jumps at the chance. But something is brewing with the creatures. They’re tracking down the hunters like there’s no tomorrow. Leah suspects that maybe there won’t be, and it’s up to her to make sure tomorrow comes. Because she’ll do anything to stop the shadows, including risking her life—and the life of the one she loves—to keep the world from being lost to darkness forever. Review: Leah…oh my poor Leah. An Absence of Light by Meredith Houston was an incredible read. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where right from the start, I’m captivated. Ms. Houston’s approach is a bit different. She begins the novel with Leah and the death of her family, and it was done with only the finesse a veteran author could pull off. Instead of gradually building the characters, story, plot, etc. Ms. Houston jumps right in and takes you on a wild ride. It’s throughout the story that we learn about Leah, the other cast of equally important characters, the Shadows, etc. I couldn’t put this down from the moment I picked it up. There was never a dull moment. There were tender, sweet, sad and downright scary elements to this book, but all blended in together beautifully. I’d highly recommend An Absence of Light to lovers of YA with paranormal and thriller elements. This was action packed from page one to The End.

Catherine Stine

Internet followers, beauty, power. It all sounded good. Until it transformed into a terrifying reality Dorianna couldn’t stop. When her father is jailed, her mother ships Dorianna to her aunt’s house. Dorianna yearns to build a new identity, but the popular Lacey bullies her—mostly for getting attention from her ex, Ander. Ander takes Dorianna to Coney Island where Wilson, a videographer, creates a stunning compilation of her. She dreams of being an online sensation, tired of being plain and lonely, and vows she’d give anything to go viral. Wilson claims he’s the Prince of Darkness and offers her the beauty and fame she’s dreamed of—warning her that a pledge has its downsides. Dorianna has no idea of how dire those consequences might be. 14+ due to adult situations Review: What lengths are you willing to go to for popularity, beauty, power? Reading Dorianna, we discover through many events what Dorianna is willing to do and it comes at a high price. This was scary on a whole new level. Selling your soul, plowing people down to gain superficial things that mean everything now, but in the end mean nothing leaving you with a complete sense of emptiness. Dorianna’s journey is one filled with suspense, treachery, and she pays the ultimate price. What good is immortality when all those things you wanted to live forever for die? Dorianna is gripping, grueling and punches you in the gut. The writing is compelling, sucking you into this dark journey that you cannot look away from. For those looking for a different kind of horror, I encourage you to get Dorianna. It’s a novel I thought of long after turning the final page. Reviewed by Sasha Hibbs

Reviewed by Sasha Hibbs

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reviews young adult | new adult | childrens

Anna Dressed in Blood Kendare Blake Young Adult Heat Rating:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spiritsniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the murderous dead, and keep pesky things like the future and friends at bay. Searching for a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas expects the usual: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home. Yet she spares Cas’s life. Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake is her first jaunt into the paranormal realm and after reading this book I am positive it won’t be her last. Anna Dressed in Blood is a spine tingling story that highlights both the depths of human depravity as well as the heart-warming tale of YA love. Well as heart-warming it is with you have what at first appearance of Anna is that she is a blood hungry ghost bent on killing anyone who gets near her. Yup see heartwarming tale of love. I honestly did not know what to expect when I first started reading this book and I am glad that I stuck with it because it is a wonderful read that really draws the reader in while still maintaining the dark nature of the book. This book does leave some questions that hopefully are answered in the next one. Reviewed by Andi Schellinger

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Fun Tales

Albert A. Correia Young Adult Heat Rating: 1

Fun, exciting and somewhat different kinds of tales for Saint Patrick’s Day, the Ides of March and April Fools’ Day. People of all ages will enjoy the humor, and even a little intrigue, in these all new stories. Review: The stories are short and they are a fun read. They are informative, entertaining, and they draw you in. Each tale leaves you with a smile. There are some very intriguing characters in each tale and even though they are short, they entertain quite nicely with a sense of humor. A bonus is you get a little history lesson of sorts about St. Paddy’s Day, Ides of March, and April Fool’s Day and each has a lesson with a witty outcome that the character involved didn’t see coming and there’s always a lesson that can be learned. If you’re intrigued about tales that take place on St. Paddy’s Day, Ides of March, or even on April Fool’s day, pick up a copy and enjoy. Reviewed by Cassandra G

feature sneak peek

Courtney Farrell Bait

An epidemic strikes. Pox hit women hardest, so females are rare. Healthy girls are worth a fortune. Most live in squalid basement harems. Jackie is the last free girl, chief of a gang of teen boys. To them, she’s the prize, infinitely desirable, the last woman on earth. Competition threatens to tear the crew apart. To make things worse, the boys are starting to think she’s crazy. Jackie is convinced that the same soul shines from the eyes of every infected person, slipping like a demon from one body to the next, stalking her. Is she losing her mind, or could an unseen enemy control the infected? When rival gangs discover that their little band has one of the last surviving girls, Jackie must make a decision. Will she give herself up to save her crew, or take off alone through the streets?

Dakota always slept on one side of the table, and I slept on the other. That night, when I crawled onto my bed, Ash and Keenan had already taken over Dakota’s side. They sat shoulder to shoulder, stiffly, like they had something to say. I glanced at Dakota to see how he was handling that. He didn’t seem to care. He just collapsed in the booth behind me instead. Since I couldn’t flop down like I wanted to, I sat there, stared at Keenan and Ash, and waited. That pair had been joined at the hip since they came to me as lost fourth graders. If the world hadn’t gone to shit, Ash would have been the most popular boy in school. He could be deadly when pushed, but his mom must have raised him with all kinds of compassion. He used to rescue moths from windowsills and pick earthworms out of puddles after it rained. That night, I figured Ash meant to rescue me. Why he brought Keenan along, I had no idea. Ash leaned forward, a sympathetic smile on his handsome face. Dim red and blue neon light shone off his perfect chocolate skin and wooly hair. “How you feelin’, Jack?” “Fine.” I kept it short, hoping they’d go away so I could sleep. “I got something for you. Or we do. It’s from Keenan, too. I couldn’t have got it without him.” Ash dug into his pocket and pulled out a small leather bag. He pushed it across the table to me. I poured out the contents and gasped. A handful of gold and diamond rings spilled out, along with a fat roll of hundred dollar bills. Paper money didn’t mean

much anymore, at least in my neighborhood, but those rings made the best trade goods ever. I flicked the bills aside and played with the rings, admiring their glitter in the neon light of the bar signs in the window. “Wow. This is really something.” “Spoils of war,” Keenan said. “By the way, I didn’t get the chance to tell you earlier, but you look gorgeous in that dress.” I felt my eyes widen in their sockets. “Uh, thanks,” I choked out. The back of my seat rocked a little as Dakota rolled to his knees and leaned on the partition between the booths. “Go to bed, you guys.” “Okay,” Keenan said obediently. As if they’d rehearsed it, Ash and Keenan laid down in Dakota’s spot, feet together and heads in opposite directions. It looked crowded and uncomfortable, but they settled in like they meant to stay. Dakota shot them a murderous look. One on one, he could whip either of them, but together, those boys could kill him. I felt sick thinking about it. The winner—or winners—would lead my crew, alongside me. And from the way Keenan looked at me, that wasn’t all

Courtney Farrell is a biologist turned author, with fourteen nonfiction books and three novels. Her first novel, Enhanced, was nominated for the 2015 BTS Red Carpet Award in the YA division. The sequel, Sacrificed, is a BTS Red Carpet Award finalist. Courtney lives with her husband and sons on a Colorado ranch.

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imperfections are beauty

madness is genius

silly is better than boring

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feature sneak peek

Destiny Blaine Unquenchable

With Bonnie and Damon stuck on the other side, Caroline Forbes turns to the one person she can count on—Klaus Mikaelson. Not at all intimidated by an ‘original’ vampire, Caroline realizes the risks when she reaches out to Klaus but her heart is on the line right from the start.

“Caroline!” Her name fell out in three syllables, reverberating around him. Every nerve ending in his body was set afire. “No!” “Klaus!” His name on her lips resonated in his ears as he shot across the parking lot in a vampire’s halfsecond time. He flung open the door and darted inside the store. Without so much as a pause, he lunged forward, desperate to save her before she was lost to him forever. As if the entire event unraveled in slow motion, Caroline turned her head to look at him once more. Her long lashes fluttered over her baby blue eyes. Her mouth fell open and her head snapped back. “No!” The echo in his head was maddening. Her screams were deafening. Caroline’s assailant mashed his palm to her forehead, sending ringlets of her hair tumbling down her back. At the same time, a sizzling racket filled the area and her small body rocked in violent spasms. Her cries for him still thrummed in his ears. They’d poisoned her with a number of darts and Klaus had heard each one enter her body, the sputtering of fluid-filled blisters dotting her flesh as the festering began. The two brutes—vampire hunters no doubt—grabbed Caroline’s shoulders and hauled her body forward as if to use her smaller frame to shield their much larger forms. “Let her go!” He yanked their arms with all his might, certain he had pulled limbs from their sockets or dislocated shoulders. Klaus’s nostrils flared. His rage became uncontrollable. He could sense his inner wolf, picture his incisors gnashing at his enemies’ flesh.

His eyes swelled and then his neck and chest. Tremendous fury marched forward like prepared soldiers entering a war zone. He had the equipment and power to strike and kill but far too much awareness to start the outright fight. The possibility for collateral damage was too great and an easy reminder of what lines he couldn’t cross. Hisses and growls filled the air. The snarling and biting, the marring of flesh, and ripping of muscles resounded, but it was seemingly an illusion given the rapid rate in which his enemies healed. “I will not ask again!” Glass shattered behind them as his wrath gained momentum. Klaus was aware of Caroline’s slowing breath and decaying flesh. He was running out of time. “We have orders.” “Yes. You do.” Klaus snapped one of the perpetrator’s necks and turned to the other sorry bastard now holding Caroline by her upper arm. “Your orders are to let her go and I will not politely ask again!”

International bestselling author Destiny Blaine writes in all genres. She enjoys writing for Kindle Worlds, specifically for the young adult crowd. She still continues to write adult romances for the readers who first allowed her the opportunity to do what she loves—create stories for varied audiences. Destiny and her husband live in East Tennessee but spend a great deal of time in Mystic, Connecticut and Virginia Beach where their granddoll resides.

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Mystery | Suspense | Thriller | Horrror

BEYOND the EXPECTED

MYSTERY & SUSPENSE

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trends

reading trends in mystery & more

Scrying EYE The

Kelly Hudson

Of Sherlock, Dinosaurs, Zombies, and Scarlet Gospels. . . Enter the parlor, my creepy cretins, and gather around the table where we shall bathe in the brilliant fire of the AllSeeing Crystal Ball. Once again, the time has come upon us to gaze into the Scrying Eye, to view mysteries and horrors that exist now and in the future. Do you dare stare into its unblinking gaze and face the dangers that come your way? Do you have the temerity to sit in place and listen . . . listen as the Eye whispers to you, telling of things that could bend and break the mortal mind? Of course, you do, or you would not be here now. So sit, put your feet up, and read on, as the Eye opens and reveals all . . .

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| The Scrying Eye |

Suspense/Mystery The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons (Little, Brown & Co.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;available now) is a new mystery novel featuring the beloved Sherlock Holmes character made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and a never-ending series of television shows and movies. In this account, Simmons brings us Holmes during his Great Hiatus, the three years when the world thought him dead after he faked his own demise. He travels to America with Henry James to investigate the death of Clover Adams, wife of Henry Adams, one of the clan that brought the United States two different presidents. At first the death was thought to be a suicide, but suspicions lead Holmes to think that Clover died of foul play. And thus, the game begins! As the mystery deepens, Holmes finds evidence that the entire situation, even his very involvement, may be a manipulation by the evil Moriarty. Can Holmes solve the riddle or will he once again fall victim to the foul machinations of his mortal enemy? Read on to find out . . . Dry Bones by Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire, #11, Vikingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;available May 12, 2015) features another scintillating story in the Walt Longmire canon. A large Tyrannosaurus rex fossil is found in Absaroka County, home of Sheriff Longmire. And while interest is stirred and the locals are excited, Walt is far from involved until the Cheyenne rancher who claimed the find is discovered dead in a turtle pond. Now Walt must enlist his trusted deputies and best friend, Henry Standing Bear, to help solve the mystery of who killed the rancher? Was it one of her family? Could it be the Deputy Attorney General or any of the other number of claimants to ownership of the bones? Not only does Walt have a murder on his hands, but he also has to navigate treacherous political waters as the FBI weighs in. This is sure to be another delightful read from a master author featuring a cast of characters as endearing as they are exciting. Do not miss this . . .

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| Kelly Hudson |

Horror! Insurgent Z by Mark C. Scioneaux and Dane Hatchell (Severed Press—available now) is the newest horror offering from this dynamic duo who have teamed to bring us fantastic tales of terror and have now done it again. Sheriff Mason Guillot watches over his small town of Botte, Louisiana, with a fair and faithful hand. When a shadow from his past returns, he finds himself embroiled in an epic event of sheer fright. A chemical meant to help mankind is spilled, and Guillot’s entire community is caught in a horrifying epidemic of the undead, as corpses rise and lives are destroyed. Guillot must save his friends and get them out of town. Can he succeed or will his past failures doom not only himself, but everyone he holds dear? Jump on board for this thrilling and engaging zombie epic, filled with a fair share of blood and a whole lot of heart, if you dare . . .

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker (St. Martin’s Press—available May 19, 2015) is an event that Barker fans have been waiting literally decades for. Occult detective Harry D’Amour faces off against the Priest of Hell himself, Pinhead, in this bloody and terrifying new work by one of the true Masters of Horror. Barker brings together the world of D’Amour and the world of Hellraiser in this unholy offering of blood, sacrifice, and ultimate dread. This is an epic, visionary tale, full of Barker’s

usual writing prowess and strong, interesting characters. Damned men and damned creatures meet, and their fate will prove to shake the foundations of the world. This is a must-read if you are a fan of horror. Barker has such sights to show you . . .

And there it is, dear readers, the future as the Eye has seen it. Now go away! Scurry off to your homes, and search for these treasures of suspense and terror. Open your books and let the madness enter your minds. And when you have finished, the Eye will be here, open for business once more, ready to bring you further excursions into the mysterious and weird.

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST Kelly M Hudson is the author of two horror novels and dozens of short stories, including his latest short story collection, The Cemetery Job: Tales of the Living Dead. You can find links to all of his works by visiting www.kellymhudson.com if you dare!

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reviews mystery | suspense | horror

Death Crosses the Finish Line D.M. Woods

Mystery/Suspense Heat Rating: 3

Carrie Preston has a puzzling gift for sensing the motivation and direction of a killer, and homicide Detective Tom Watts is not beyond exploiting her ability. In a pre-dawn phone call, he begins his familiar plea, asking Carrie to join an investigative team stumped by a string of recent murders in the Denver area. Someone is stabbing women to death. Always in health clubs. What is the link between the murdered women? Outwardly fighting against Tom’s request, Carrie can’t help but feel the inevitable draw—to find the killer, yes, but also to work with Tom Watts again. Carrie and Tom chase clues throughout Colorado, from Denver to Aspen. But with each successive murder, the killer is a leap ahead of them, leaving a trail of dead bodies. Together they must solve this crime. But Carrie’s success is as double-edged as her desire for Tom: What will stop the killer from altering the pattern, from turning toward Carrie as his next victim? Review: Death Crosses the Finish Line by D.M. Woods is a fast paced mystery that brings together murder, a little love interest, and just a hint of paranormal. The story follows two main characters who have what one could call a working relationship. Tom, a wise-cracking, sardonic detective and Carrie, a calm, introspective speaker who have to come together to solve those cases that are otherwise unsolvable. This story has more twists and turns than a grand prix race track and it is an enjoyable ride. Its character development and story line really grab the reader and pushes the story line along enough to keep the reader involved but not so much that it feels rushed. The story develops in such a way that it is highly entertaining and I personally look forward to reading more about Tom and Carrie as well as more from this author. Reviewed by Andi Schellinger

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Sex and the Single Therapist Marcia James

Mystery/Suspense Heat Rating: 4

A CRIME OF PASSION… To clear an innocent friend, Las Vegas sex therapist Dr. Ally Skye launches her own investigation into a patient’s murder. The last thing she expects is to find herself trading heated words and hot kisses with a sexy cop. Can this free-spirited amateur sleuth and her posse of Vegas insiders solve the crime before the killer targets her? A SEXY COMPLICATION… Cynical homicide detective Zack Crawford has the murder of a tom-catting cad to solve and a grieving widow to investigate. The last thing he needs is the interference of a red-hot sex therapist who haunts his dreams. Ally is trouble, and he’s determined not to risk his bachelor freedom for any woman. Besides, given her job, would she grade his performance in bed? A DYNAMIC DUO… In their search for the truth, Zack and Ally form an uneasy and sexually charged alliance. Murderers, extortionists and psychos are no match for these reluctant partners. Crime-solving was never this sexy or this fun! Next victim? Review: Sex & The Single Therapist is a fun romantic comedy. It does go down the path of other books of a similar nature; therapist/social worker has friend who is a suspect in a crime, police investigate, therapist/social worker feels they should do their own investigation, comedy and heartache ensues. What sets this book apart from the others is that the author is able to infuse character into the characters through their mannerisms and conversations. You know the hopes, dreams, and backgrounds of all the main characters without it being spelled out. I like that, as it forces the reader to lead themselves versus being led by the author. The story telling is very good and the emotions seem to roll off the page into your mind while you are reading. Another good thing, the sex scenes were appropriate, not overly graphic, but enough to get the idea. Reviewed by Andi Schellinger

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reviews mystery | suspense | horror

Reckless Bounty

Lauren N. Sharman Mystery/Suspense Heat Rating: 3

For thirteen years, bounty hunter Kage Garmin has made it a point to avoid female fugitives. He wasn’t going after this one, either; but couldn’t resist taking a look at the girl worth a million dollars. She smiled at him, and he fell in love. Kage knew from then on, she would be his. He also knew who was after her and why. In order to save her, he has to convince her to go the one place she’s trying to avoid. Hiding in plain sight served Journey well… until a handsome bounty hunter shows up with a “feeling” she’s in danger. As someone who doesn’t trust easily, she’s surprised to find herself believing in him. Finally convinced she deserves freedom and happiness, she’s anxious to confront those who stole it from her. In a dangerous race across the country, Kage is determined to protect Journey as he fights to stay one step ahead of the enemy. Review: Kage made a habit of staying away from female bounties there was too much estrogen to make it worth the payout. Until a million dollar dame came across the Outlaw Trail then he just had to check her out. When he did he instantly fell for her. Journey should have been more couscous, but there was just something about this handsome cowboy. In a race against time, the pair works their way to California to free Journey once and for all. The characters in this book are well thought out, but they are the only thing carrying this book. The presentation as a whole is poorly worded with many discrepancies which distract from the overall flow of the book. Would I recommend this book? If you do not mind editing errors, cheesiness, and only one love scene. With a little more work, I believe this could be a good novel. Reviewed by Sally Wolf

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