Tag Archives: paranormal and supernatural fiction

Giveaway – Queen Of The Underworld by Felicity Heaton @XpressoTours @felicityheaton

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Queen of the Underworld
Felicity Heaton
(A Guardians of Hades Series Prequel)
Publication date: January 31st 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Hades, the wickedly dark god-king of the Underworld, needs a queen…

And he’s chosen Persephone.

All Persephone has ever desired is control of her own life, and someone noticing her once in a while. Kept in her mother’s shadow, and overlooked by the entirety of Olympus, her dream seems impossible… and now she’s doomed to wed a dull god of her mother’s choosing…

Until she crosses paths with a handsome, dark warrior who rouses wildfire heat in her veins—a male whose immense power is unmistakable, and who matches the fearful tales whispered in Olympus—stories of a cruel, heartless king who rules his realm of death with an iron fist.

When Hades abducts her and imprisons her in the depths of the Underworld, a dormant part of her awakens. And as she slowly discovers the truth about him, Persephone isn’t sure whether the snarling, dark beast of a king is her doom… or her saviour… but she knows one thing…

She will embrace the fire he awakens in her with every heated glance, and every vicious growl.

And use it to tame him and forge her dreams into reality.

Because, Persephone, the quiet, gentle goddess of nature, desires a king.

And nothing will stop her from claiming his black heart.

Queen of the Underworld is a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance novel retelling the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, and a prequel in my Guardians of Hades series. In the vein of an adult beauty and the beast, it features a grumpy-sunshine pairing that will steal your heart, with a secretly cinnamon roll hero and a secretly fiery heroine, and a powerful forever kind of love. All Guardians of Hades books have no cliffhangers, a guaranteed happily ever after, and some strong language.

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EXCERPT:

Feminine voices curled through the trees, a trio of them speaking while one continued her siren’s song, luring him towards her.

Hades stilled where rock met grass and tried to pinpoint their owners with his senses. One was closer to him than the other three, who were all grouped together at a distance. He edged to his right, his focus on that single female, curiosity rising within him again to have him trying to catch a glimpse of her.

That desire to catch just a glimpse transformed into something else—something powerful and demanding—as her soft voice grew closer, her song growing clearer, and he smelled the faintest hint of lilies.

Heat curled through his veins, that scent rousing a fierce need that thrummed in every inch of his body and had the darkness writhing harder, violently attempting to wrench control from him and make him find the owner of it. He needed to see her. He couldn’t remember the last time he had smelled such a delicate scent. His world was ash and smoke and blood, and death.

Everything about this female seemed to be the opposite of what he knew.

Her song teased his ears as her scent teased his nose, and his breath caught in his throat as he was swept up in her—a female he hadn’t even seen yet. Not just the man in him either. The darker side of him burned with a desire to see her too. He needed to know if her beauty matched her voice and her scent. He loosed a low growl and took another step forwards, remaining just within the shadows of the cave, the powerful need to see her colliding with a wariness of disturbing her.

He inched further to his right and straightened to his full six-eight height, the hard black plates of his armour shifting as he strained to catch a glimpse of her. He felt as if he wasn’t master of his own body as he tried to spot her, but it wasn’t the darkness in control of his actions.

It was the pressing desire to see her.

She was moving closer, but no matter where he moved, the trees blocked his view. His claws itched with the need to attack them until they were nothing more than splinters of wood and his view was clear of the obstruction.

He moved the other way, tracking her with his senses, and discovering something intriguing.

She was strong.

Not mortal.

There were mortals near to her though. The other three females. Were they her servants?

What goddess had come to this place, so far from Olympus or Poseidon’s realm?

Her power caressed his, grazing it lightly in a way that urged him onwards and made him forget about the mortals as it cranked up the desperation to see her.

Because he had never felt anything like her power.

It was light. Warmth. Goodness.

It was everything he wasn’t.

Hades edged closer, a predator stalking his prey, his mind churning with dangerous thoughts that roused the darker side of his blood and brought it to the fore again. Perhaps the Moirai had brought him here after all, seeking to give him something he desired for once, an attempt to appease him. Poseidon had his new queen. Zeus had his. Hades hadn’t even seen this female, but already his blood burned for her. The brush of her power against his and the delicate beauty of her voice were enough to entrance him and rouse his desire to an unbearable degree.

He wanted this female.

The thought of her warming his bed had his blood quickening.

It had been too long since he had taken a female, his duties keeping him too busy to indulge in such things as his brothers did. But he had the feeling it wasn’t his ignored physical needs that had his body aching for this female.

It was something else.

He growled low, baring his fangs, and his breaths came faster still as he moved to his right. He glared at the trees that continued to deny him, blocking his view. There had to be a better vantage point, one that would allow him to see more than tree trunks and the leafy scrub that covered the ground in places.

He froze, his entire body locking up tight.

His breath gusted from him.

A striking scarlet-haired maiden stepped into view.

She was beauty and light wrapped in flawless pale skin and rosy cheeks and pink lips that beckoned him, awakening something fierce in him as her tongue poked out to wet them. His breath lodged in his throat as he gazed at her, his awareness of the world destroyed and something fundamental inside him changing from just the sight of her. She was perfection, and she roused not only the man in him, but the darkness. It growled at him, sharpening his fangs and his nails as it whispered a fierce demand that echoed the desire that thrummed in his blood and beat in his heart.

Take her.


Author Bio:

I’m a NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and International Best-Selling Author writing passionate paranormal romance books and series for adults.

I love to create detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! All of them alpha as you would expect in paranormal romance, and every book with a guaranteed HAPPILY FOREVER AFTER!

Sign up to my newsletter for exclusive sneak previews, freebies, special offers and more! (copy / paste link into your browser):

http://bit.ly/FH-VIPS

Fans of paranormal romance books by authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan will love my books too.

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GIVEAWAY!
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O M G Lost Girl by Michaelbrent Collings @mbcollings #PeterPan

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Michaelbrent Collings is an author that captured my heart, just don’t cut it out, PLEASE!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

This is a true fairie tale. And like all true fairie tales, it is bloody, violent…and there is no guarantee that good will win in the end.

Michaelbrent Collings writes some of the darkest stories I have ever read and creating some of the most violent villains that I have ever ‘met’. I love that the stories are so original and unique, and I challenge you to figure out what is coming before it happens. I sure can’t. I am sure my review is not going to do Lost Girl justice, but I will do my best.

The stars are Eve, Peter Pan, Wendy and Hook, but don’t let the fairy tale fool you. Not all characters are as you expect them to be. Be careful who you trust. Be cautious who you let into your life. Who can you trust? It’s hard to say, because even her mother and grand mother have secrets they do not share.

I have read several books in the past few weeks where a character has asthma. That adds an extra level of danger. For Eve, it has gotten worse and she feels something is coming, something evil. How can she prepare for it if she has no idea who will bring it and what it will be? I never could have anticipated any of it, if I hadn’t read the blurb…vampires! Oooo, I love vampires. Don’t care if they are blood thirsty cannibals or soft and friendly.The big question is…who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? The Lost Boys are truly lost in this unconventional coming of age story.

Brutal, violent, savage:

Gaping holes. Hearts cut from their bodies. No blood. No blood no blood no blood because there was NO BLOOD MOMMY NO BLOOD AT ALL.

Eve has no father, an alcoholic mother and a grandmother with alzheimers who always wants Eve to read her favorite book, Peter Pan, to her. She is on her own. She abuses herself, just to feel alive. She is bullied and abused at school, but she continues to attend. She wants the education, regardless of no support, no friends, and teachers turning a blind eye. Dreams, or should we say, nightmares, haunt her sleep.

My heart breaks for her, but I had a feeling…somehow…she would find someone, something good would come out of her life. Well, it doesn’t work out like I thought. I was constantly surprised, if that is the correct word. Nothing is at it seems. No one is as they seem. The complexity of the novel kept me riveted, rapidly ‘flipping pages’, wanting to get to the end, but not. I wanted more…

Lost Girl by Michaelbrent Collings was published in 2012, but I feel there is more to be told. Give me more!!!!!! How about it M?????? Are the characters talking to you yet??????

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Lost Girl (Formerly Peter & Wendy: A Tale Of The Lost) by Michaelbrent Colliings.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Eve has no father. An alcoholic mother. Abused at school. A loser. But when the new boy comes to school, things start to change. He’s popular, he’s good-looking, he’s smart. He likes her. And he wants to kill her. Because he’s Peter Pan. And he’s a vampire.

Eve is Wendy’s great-great-great-great-granddaughter, and Peter has made it his mission to seduce and destroy every woman in the Wendy line.

Eve can’t stay with him, but can’t stay away, either. Now, the only one who can save her is a young man, crippled and lonely, named Captain Hook: sworn protector of the Wendy line.

Eve has to uncover the mysteries that have roots in her past, and that will change her future. Mysteries that will determine whether she lives, dies… or suffers a fate worse than death.

Because Eve is changing herself. Becoming faster, stronger. More than her life is at stake. Her soul is up for grabs, and Eve will have to find more strength than she knows to stay alive… and to keep from becoming the thing she fears…

ABOUT MICHAELBRENT COLLINGS

Michaelbrent Collings

Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally-bestselling novelist, multiple Bram Stoker Award nominee, produced screenwriter, and one of the top indie horror writers in the United States.

He hopes someday to develop superpowers, or, if that is out of the question, then at least to get a cool robot arm.

Michaelbrent has a wife and several kids, all of whom are much better looking than he is (though he admits that’s a low bar to set), and also cooler than he is.

Michaelbrent also has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MichaelbrentC… and can be followed on Twitter through his username @mbcollings. Follow him for cool news, updates, and advance notice of sales. You will also be kept safe when the Glorious Revolution begins!

STALK MICHAELBRENT: Website / Twitter

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Cover Reveal – Max Dedge in The Time of The Uniborg by Ken La Salle @KenLaSalle

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I am a fan of Ken La Salle’s and have read a number of his books. He crosses many genres. I read Max Dedge and loved it. The old cover, with the mountains, does hint at the adventure inside, but the new cover….eye catching.

Amazon  /  Goodreads

I love the new cover.

ABOUT MAX DEDGE IN THE THE TIME OF THE UNIBORG

The BreakThrough is coming, and with it Doom for earth.

Max Dedge is the only person standing in its way and he doesn’t even know it. He’s too busy snapping pictures of unfaithful spouses from the dark as he wonders what happened to his life. He may not have a license but those who have employed his services call him a sleuth. Others use the term “adventurer,” while others still just call him a jerk. Max may tend to agree, taking shadier and shadier jobs as his own marriage falls apart. The only relationship he can rely on is with his phone and even that is a little one-sided.

But don’t worry about Max. He might be starting his day hanging from a tree, but odds are pretty good he’ll end it by falling between worlds.

Edward Cazwell, billionaire entrepreneur and mystery unto himself, says he’s hiring Max to solve a series of bombings. Max doesn’t know the first thing about bombings, is a whole lot more comfortable chasing shady husbands and wives. But what starts as a hired job investigating bombs takes a turn when Max lands in a different world.

Now, he’ll have to leap from castle walls, escape certain death, and even burn down a bar or two as he chases one clue into another all leading to the same impossible, inescapable conclusion. Max Dedge may not be aware of it, may be stumbling into it, but you can be sure he can sense something’s up. And it’s something far bigger than one amateur detective can solve.

The end of the world is coming and Max Dedge first has to find his way home. Buckle up because its gonna get crazy…

ABOUT KEN LA SALLE

Ken La Salle

Born on an 18th century mining ship, Ken La Salle is not his name. He just likes it. He writes about whatever he damn well pleases, hoping to build more of a cult following than a readership just for a cut on the robes. Looking for the mainstream but sticking to the shore, you can find out more about Ken La Salle at the imaginatively named www.kenlasalle.com.

MY KEN LA SALLE REVIEWS

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Giveaway – The Nine: Zane by Elle Arroyo @XpressoTours @elle_arroyo

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The Nine: Zane
Elle Arroyo
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: January 25th 2023
Genres: Adult, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance

Zane is Anunnaki, one of the nine immortals subjugated to walk the earth for eternity while tasked with protecting humankind from the malice. He must bind himself to an heir before the demons secured within his vessel burst free. Except that Zane is not interested in the female chosen for him. Instead, his desire lies in the man he met five years ago and shared an innocent, heartfelt night with. Eric Diaz had left Zane wanting.

Before they force Zane to bind himself with the female, he seeks Eric and shares one night of passion, hoping to satisfy his hunger for the man. But it doesn’t work, and Zane does everything in his power to keep Eric by his side, even risking the human realm and unleashing hell on earth.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo


EXCERPT

Zane

“Sorry about the water. Had I known you meant to shower, I would’ve adjusted the temperature for you.”

“It was my fault. I should’ve asked.”

“Well, you did help me with Boomer, so whatever you need that I can provide is yours.”

That was something Eric should not have offered. In my world, word was law. Offers were sacred, and vows honored in blood. But Eric wasn’t part of my world. Not yet. “You probably shouldn’t offer yourself so freely. You don’t know what I’m capable of asking for.”

That threw the man off guard. I hated that I couldn’t get a read on him. His emotions were always all over the place. Like looking through a kaleidoscope, the colors of his aura creating indiscernible shapes that made no sense. Some melded together while others took off on their own. When I first met him, I thought the arrays had something to do with his heartbreak. But now, it seemed this was his frame of mind all the time. It left me absorbing more than I needed.

A spark of curiosity crossed the man’s expression. “And what would you ask for that would shock me?”

“Oh, your soul, your firstborn, your body?” Too bad he seemed to favor having the kitchen counter between us.

“I’d trade my body for yours anytime.”

The guy was fucking adorable. Naïve and maybe too innocent for me, but damn adorable. “I could tell by the way you looked at me when I was in the shower.” Yeah, I went there.

He blushed. It took centuries of training to control my urges and not to reach out and taste those damn full lips of his. “Yeah, um, sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize. I like that you looked.”

He swallowed nervously. “Are you hitting on me?”

Holy, hell. If this guy only knew what I was doing.

Author Bio:

Elle is the author of Dark Fantasy MM Romance. She writes about alpha males fighting their demons, saving the world, and falling in love. And not necessarily in that order.

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Review – Loose Ends by Terri Reid @terrireid10 #paranormal #mystery

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I got Loose Ends (Mary O’Reilly Series Book 1) by Terri Reid on an Amazon free day. I downloaded it on 5.13.12, so it has been waiting a long time to be read.

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Loose Ends is my first book by Terri Reid, but I will keep her on my radar. I love paranormal mysteries, and Mary O’Reilly is a ghost whisperer. She had been shot, died, and was given a choice. She could stay dead or come back, though things would be different for her. She sees and hears ghosts. They come to her for help and she is happy to oblige.

She is a private investigator, a former Chicago police officer, using her gift to solve mysteries. The hardest part is getting real evidence, evidence that will hold up in a court of law. She has two close friends, Stanley and Rosie. I love when peripheral characters are allowed to shine.

Twenty four years ago a woman drowned in a State Senator’s swimming pool. The ghost is seeking help. When Mary gets involved, the mystery becomes deeper. Is there a connection between the young woman in the pool and five little girls that went missing twenty four years ago, the mystery never solved.

Mary meets the police chief, Bradley Alden, in a funny moment. Bradley had his won reasons for moving to the small town of Freeport, Illinois. I do enjoy humor with my mystery and Terri Reid keeps the smiles on my face, except in those dangerous moments when they are dodging bullets and running from death.

“I’ll be there in five minutes, he said, “Don’t go down there alone.”

I was waiting for her to go down in the basement, by herself, but she didn’t. That really stuck with me, until…She may run through the woods alone, but the basement…no way. LOL We gotta have the hunky guy come to the woman in distress, don’t we?

Cozy mysteries, for the most part get a 3 rating from me (easy reading and light on the mystery), but as the danger and depth of the mystery grows in Loose Ends, so does my interest in learning more. Seeing there are twenty books in the series, it seems like that won’t be a problem.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Dying is what changed Mary O’Reilly’s life. Well, actually, coming back from the dead and having the ability to communicate with ghosts is really what did it.

Now, a private investigator in rural Freeport, Illinois, Mary’s trying to learn how to incorporate her experience as a Chicago cop and new-found talent into a real job. Her challenge is to solve the mysteries, get real evidence (a ghost’s word just doesn’t hold up in court), and be sure the folks in town, especially the handsome new police chief, doesn’t think she’s nuts.

Twenty-four years ago, a young woman drowned in the swimming pool of a newly elected State Senator. It was ruled an accident. But now, as the Senator prepares to move on to higher positions, the ghost of the woman is appearing to the Senator’s wife.

Mary is hired to discover the truth behind the death. She unearths a connection between the murder and the disappearance of five little girls whose cases, twenty-four years later, are still all unsolved. As she digs further, she becomes the next target for the serial killers’ quest to tie up all his loose ends.

ABOUT TERRI REID

Terri Reid is the author of the Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mysteries. An indie author, Reid uploaded her first book “Loose Ends” in August 2010. By the end of 2012, “Loose Ends” had sold over 82,000 copies and, as of the writing of this bio, was the number one bestselling book in Amazon’s ranking of Ghost Stories in the Book/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Horror/Ghosts section and the number two in the same area in the Kindle eBooks section. She has eight other books in the Mary O’Reilly Series and has enjoyed Top Rated and Hot New Release status for many of them in the Women Sleuths category through Amazon US. Her books have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese and are also now also available through CreateSpace and Amazon in print versions. She is also working on an audiobook for “Loose Ends.”
Reid has been quoted in a number of books about the self-publishing industry including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was also honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers – The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” She has also had the distinct privilege of guest blogging for Joe Konrath.
Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters. Her background is in marketing and public relations. She is married, is the mother of seven children and the grandmother of eleven. Her constant writing companions are Riley, a Bernese Mountain Dog-Golden Retriever mix; Hans, a German Shepard mix; and McDuff, a Siamese cat.

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Review – Cursed By A Vampire by Susan Griscom #vampires @SusanGriscom

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I was introduced to Susan Griscom from some freebies and I am so glad we met. I am super excited to share my review of Cursed By A Vampire by Susan, who kindly gifted me a copy.

I love the fabulous cover.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have read a lot of the Immortal Hearts of San Franciso series by Susan Griscom and enjoyed them immensely, so when I got my hands on Cursed By A Vampire, I quickly cleared my shelves of the books in my way and began reading. I mean, we’re talking about humans and vampires…

Some say vampires are monsters…they could make you drink their blood and turn you into one of them. A fate that most would shudder. Or…They can be compassionate and amorous creatures who would do anything to save the life of someone they loved…These are the vampires this story is about.

I can deal with either type, I love them all.

Susan Griscom writes with humor, from the poker table to the kids playroom cluttered with toys and such. I love a vampire that has his own fashion sense. Lane wore purple shorts, a green Tshirt and red flip flops. Kayden, one of the triplets, could conjure cartoon dragons. They love the planet, so seeing them driving down the road in a Tesla should come at now surprise. I smiled and read on.

Ari is a human that lives in a houseful of vampires, wanting to be one of them. He is a member of the family, run errands, managing the club, occasionally bouncing, while the guys play some of the best rock and roll around. I love it.

Abella is human too, and when the two meet, sparks fly. She refers to him as Hunky Dick and Ari thinks of her as his warrior princess, but you’ll need to read the book to find out why. She fights her attraction to him because she was cursed by a witch and falling in love with her could mean his death. Abella is a doctor, specializing in hematology. She lives with her vampire grandfather and is determined to discover a way for vampires to be out in the sunlight.

Cursed By A Vampire by Susan Griscom was a fresh look at a familiar tale. Her vampires were original, full of personality. The storyline was unique, with twists and action that kept me glued to the pages. There will be a happy ever after, so I feel I can share this:

“I hope that……didn’t mess with you manly parts.”

“Only one way to find out. My manly parts have been dying to say hello to your lady part.”

Some great dialogue made the characters come to life and I hope to visit them again soon.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cursed By A Vampire by Susan Griscom.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Living with the DeMarco vampires has been a lifesaver for Ari. However, as a human, he’s always felt inferior; has always wanted to be turned, while his vampire friends have refused his one wish.

And then he meets Abella, and suddenly he isn’t sure what he wants anymore.

Abella is also human, although she too is familiar with vampires. Her grandfather is one. The half-witch who cursed her is a vampire. She’s learned to live with both her grandfather and the curse; was content with her life.

Until she meets Ari.

Now she’s living a nightmare, because falling in love could lead to Ari’s death, thanks to her curse.
What will these two ill-fated humans do?

Vampire Romance novels, rock star romance novels, paranormal romance
Vampire romance novels, vampires, witches and wizards, immortals, paranormal romance
Immortal Hearts of San Francisco, vampires, vampire romance, paranormal romance, witches and wizards

ABOUT SUSAN GRISCOM

Susan Griscom, writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She’s hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.

She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.

She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.

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MY SUSAN GRISCOM REVIEWS

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Cover Reveal for Unbound By Shadows by Avalon Griffin @XpressoTours

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Unbound by Shadows
Avalon Griffin
Publication date: February 8th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Transported to another world, tempted by a dangerous passion.

Selene has never been one to make a fuss. She doesn’t mind it when the barista gets her order wrong, someone cuts her off in traffic, or she has to drop everything to mediate her family’s latest crisis. But when she goes through a portal to the matriarchal dimension of Aurelia, she discovers that being nice doesn’t always pay. Especially when she meets a demon whose smoldering gaze makes her wonder why she ever craved a life so ordinary.

Samael is a vengeance demon with a drive to punish wrongs. Kidnapped from the Underworld and brought to Aurelia as a boy, his demonic tendencies make him an outcast in a realm he can’t escape. When he becomes Selene’s guardian on a quest for a stone that could send her home, he plots to sacrifice her and steal it for himself. But as they travel together, their attraction grows. Until one day, they each must choose between finding escape and surrendering to temptation.

Add to Goodreads


Author Bio:

Avalon Griffin writes paranormal fantasy romance with unique characters, far away settings, and a healthy dose of heat. When not writing, she can be found traveling the globe in search of kitschy roadside attractions, off-beat museums, and cryptozoology legends. She lives in Nashville with her husband, an ungrateful house cat, and a crew of rowdy feral cats.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest


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Review – Fated In The Dark by Scarlett West @iamscarlettwest

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Don’t ya just love it when you finish a series? Fated In The Dark by Scarlett West wraps up the Fae Bureau Investigation series. I can hardly wait to see where she takes me next.

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I’ve been kidnapped again, and this time I may be separated from my fated mate for eternity.

Poor Adalee. The girl can’t catch a break. 🙂

She wakes…in the dark…chained, not knowing where she is or who has her. A suppression cuff keeps her from being able to use her magic to save herself, trapped in the Unseelie Realm.

I have been with Adalee from the beginning, watching her grow and gain confidence, finding her place in the wondrous world created by Scarlett West. With her team by her side, she will find the answers she has been seeking. Who are kidnapping the Fae? Why does Queen Vorelei want her so badly? Why is she cursed? Can they win the war?

Baylor is a wonderful surprise and I loved watching her develop into a riveting character that wants nothing more than to see the Queen pay for killing her love.

We have some steamy luvin’.

“…Ironically, we found out here, in the darkest kingdom.

We were FATED IN THE DARK…”

Scarlett West gave me hours of angst in the action packed finale of the Fae Bureau of Investigation. The world she created was filled with magical creatures, danger, and suspense. The pacing kept me engrossed, wondering how their adventure would end. With a happy ever after, I hope. And, yes, Scarlett wrapped everything with a pretty bow and I am eager to see what she will come up with next.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hunted In The Dark by Scarlett West.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

I’ve been kidnapped again, and this time I may be separated from my fated mate for eternity.

A dark enemy has taken me to an unknown world, leaving me to fight alone in a series of trials. They torture me with visions of Damien and my team caught in a war in Faery.

The adversary wants to force me to join with a malevolent mate and bond to this new kingdom forever. Between passing these dangerous trials, and dodging the unwanted mate, I don’t know if I will survive.

Once again, the fate of Faery is in my hands and if I make the wrong choice, we face ultimate annihilation.

Fated in the Dark is book five out of five.

ABOUT SCARLETT WEST

Scarlett West

Scarlett West writes steamy, paranormal romance featuring sexy Fae. Deep characters and hot romance are her thing.

An avid reader and writer who will never stop dreaming, Scarlett has traveled to many countries and been on tons of adventures. She draws her stories from these places, life experiences, and her grand imagination.

Besides writing, she’s a hobby herbalist and a dancer. If she’s not by the computer typing these things up, she can be found in a forest, on a mountain, or by the ocean.

Scarlett West would like to thank her three F’s: Fans, Family, and Friends. Thank you forever for your support.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

MY SCARLET WEST REVIEWS

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Giveaway & Review – The Color Of Trauma by Hollie Smurthwaite @H_Smurthwaite

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MY REVIEW

The Color of Trauma by Hollie Smurthwaite was an awesome surprise for me. I thought it would be a good fit. The premise had a twist and finding something different is very unusual. Needless to say, it made the book very hard to put down in the wee hours of the morning.

I love that Kiera is not a ‘young adult’, but a mature woman. She has a gift that leaves her with few friends, spending many hours alone, and sex…well, she has a friend that money can buy.

She is a memory surgeon. She does most of her work for free, taking on one or two big paying jobs a year. She couldn’t tell you why she does them, but it does give her clients a little bit of peace. She takes a traumatic experience a person has suffered, erases the facts from their mind yet leaving the memory that something bad did happen, and takes it as her own. She has a driver, no need for a license, because her ‘job’ has triggers that muddles her mind and her actions, making it too dangerous to drive.

Chicago has a serial killer and Dean Matthson is the head detective on the case. He, and others at the precinct, call her and others like her memory munchers. It is an apt description, though it does sound kinda rude. He knows it is frowned on using them for an investigation, but he is going to do it anyway. The clock is ticking and it won’t be long before another life is lost.

I love the character of Kiera. She may come across as weak, but stand back when she gets her hackles up. She can take care herself, doesn’t back down from a fight, and has some spicy language. I love that she finds humor amongst the darkness, in the dialogue. It’s not bad enough that the trauma she takes into her mind, her home life left a lot to be desired. Her scars were invisible, but that doesn’t mean there is no pain, pain that can be debilitating.

If Kiera ever wrote a memoir, which she would never do, she would title it The Color of Trauma Is Pink…The worst memories were always a shade of pink.

I can understand someone’s fear over memory surgeons abilities, but everything good can be used for bad. Some major damage could be done, but so much good could come from it too. It’s that age old question: Just because you can do something, should you?

The attraction is quick, instalove, maybe, but when you feel the spark how do you avoid the fire? It would take a special person for her, but also for him. Dean is a homicide detective. He never knew when he would be called out or when his shift would end. They both have baggage and I am eager to see how they handle it. I feel confident there will be some kind of happy ever after…won’t there?

The psychopath serial killer finds a target and zeroes in on her. He had researched her, reading lots of articles. He thought if he ever wrote a memoir, he would name it The Psychopath And The Empath. I knew this would happen, but that’s okay.

There was one blip that bothered me, but maybe because I saw something similar in one of my favorite TV crime shows. I thought about it for a minute or two and wondered how much time passed during that blip. That could make a huge difference that is not always easy to determine.

I am loving the The Psychic Color series by HollyieSmurthwaite and I can hardly wait to see what she does in Book II, The Color Of Betrayal, Jolene and Cass’ story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Color Of Trauma by Hollie Smurthwaite.

4 Stars




The Color of Trauma
The Psychic Colors Series
Book One
Hollie Smurthwaite

Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense, PNR
Publisher: Hollie Smurthwaite
Date of Publication:  August 30, 2021
ISBN:978-1737118916
ASIN: B09B2QWV52
Number of pages:  358
Word Count: 95,000 words
Cover Artist: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations

Book Description:

Experiencing another’s past could end her future . . .

Kiera Brayleigh is a memory surgeon. In the ten years since her “gift” manifested, she’s helped dozens of women deal with trauma by removing their horrific memories—burns, rapes, tortures.  It pays well, but she holds those moments, making her a fiery mess. The bizarre request from a Chicago homicide detective is the last thing she needs.

Detective Dean Matthson is burdened with an uncanny ability to get inside the minds of criminals. In a dead-end hunt to capture a serial killer, he risks his hard-earned reputation by doing the unthinkable: recruiting a memory surgeon to probe the mind of a comatose victim.  

Kiera might appreciate the cop’s dimples and his commitment to the job, but only an idiot would agree to experience a rape-murder victim’s last memories. Kiera, it turns out, is that idiot. Dean’s dedication and calming presence challenge Kiera’s distrustful nature, and she finds herself falling for Dean even as he struggles with his own demons. 

Can two broken people find love? 

When the killer discovers Kiera’s on the case, he realizes she is exactly what he needs to relive his kills. Dean and the killer both close in on their targets, and it becomes a race to catch the monster before he catches Kiera.

The Color of Trauma is a thought-provoking paranormal romantic suspense novel with an unconventional heroine, dark themes, and psychological drama.

Amazon      Kobo      BN      Indiebound


“I’m not sure how much Ms. Morten has shared with you, but—”

Kiera lifted a finger; thankfully, her index. “Dr. Patty told us you had questions about memory reading as it might apply to one of your cases. Read memories aren’t admissible in court. You’re wasting your time.”

“I don’t need evidence like that,” Dean said, deciding not to point out that Patty hadn’t graduated yet and wasn’t, technically, a doctor.

“Whew,” the blond he didn’t recognize said. “It’s one of the frustrating things about what we do.” The memory surgeons all winced when she spoke, though the blond didn’t appear to notice.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She beamed. “Amy Carter.”

“Do you mind telling me what’s your specialty?”

“Bitching and complaining,” Kiera replied in a tight voice.

Amy’s lips compressed, but she didn’t say anything. Was Kiera the group’s bully? Was that how she controlled the narrative? Everyone looked to her, even Patty.

Kiera sighed. “Dr. Schwartz is the expert in the field. Look into his research. Gilfoile and Roberts are hacks, and the rest don’t know shit but still want to capitalize on the memory-surgeon thing.”

He wrote down “Schwartz” in his notebook, surprised at her generosity. “Thank you.”

She stared at him with those blue eyes that didn’t blink enough. “That all?”

“Not quite.”

“Yeah, I figured.” She shook her head. “They don’t fully understand how memory works, so it’s going to be a while before they figure out how we’re able to access people’s memories and how they can be removed and kept in someone else’s mind. We can’t help you with the science stuff.”

“I’m more interested in how it works from a practical standpoint.” He directed his questions at everyone else, but the only one looking directly at him was Kiera. Fine. If he won her over, the others would follow. “I’m trying to ascertain what you can and can’t do.”

“Why?”

No time to finesse. With his attention still on Kiera, he handed Brittany Kolchek’s picture to Ramon and asked him to look and pass it on.

“I’ve never seen her before,” Ramon said. “Is she missing?”

Dean waited until everyone had viewed the photo, because he didn’t want to give them the opportunity to refuse.

Beth looked last, and she studied Brittany for several seconds. “She seems nice.” Then she walked the photo back to him.

“Her name is Brittany Kolchek,” he said. “She’s in a coma.” As a group, they cringed, even Kiera. Good—they cared. “The doctors say she won’t wake.”

“You don’t want information. You want one of us to jump into her memories,” Kiera said, her face as hard as her voice.

“We believe she’s the third victim of a serial killer targeting young women. All three scenes have little physical evidence. This might be our only chance to catch a break.” When nobody spoke or moved, he added, “He’ll kill again.”


About the Author: 

Hollie Smurthwaite is a paranormal romantic suspense author of The Color of Trauma and The Color of Betrayal. The Color of Trauma was the winner of the 2020 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project in adult fiction. She lives in Chicago with her husband, son, and too few pets. In past lives, she’s been a checkout clerk, massage therapist, office manager, recruiter, magazine staff writer, pepper spray hawker, and belly dancer.












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Reviews for The Valens of Legacy, Book I & II, by Sherrel Lee @gryphoenix

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I was looking on my TBR for something to read that I didn’t ‘have’ to review (because I have several others waiting to be written) and came across this fabulous cover. 🙂 Then, I saw I had the second book too. There are numerous books in the series and I am excited to see they are on Kindle Unlimited.

I mean…look at that fabulous cover. How could I possibly resist?

Amazon / Kindle Unlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Flipping through my reading list, I came across this gorgeous cover. Then, I saw I had the second book in The Valen Legacy by Sherrel Lee, and I had to read on. Valens Remembered is a prequel and it sure caught my attention. Short and not so sweet, I quickly got caught up in the intrigue. Why is everyone in the Nix family being bumped off?

Larinda Nix Thomas has lost two sets of parents. She only has memories of her adoptive parents, but that is only a temporary situation. You see, Larinda is special. She is a Valen. A unicorn shapeshifter, born to guard humankind. BUT…

A quick read of loss, sorrow, danger and intrigue. I am so happy that I have Valens Rise, Book II waiting to be read.

3 Stars

Amazon / Kindle Unlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I immediately began reading Valens Rise by Sherrel Lee after reading the prequel, Valens Remembered. I was just getting involved with Larinda when….

Jemma NIx is a Phoenix, but doesn’t know it…yet. She has no family and doesn’t realize the danger she will face. She had been in the foster system, but that didn’t work for her, so she grew up on the streets. She is naive, untrusting, easily misled. She began to run away at a very young age, ending up on the street, until she found out she was the sole survivor of an inheritance that will change her life. She is childlike in her joy when experiencing new things.

I love when Hawke takes her to the fair and she has her first corndog.

“Ooooooh, it’s really good….I may become addicted. Who knew meat by products on a stick could manifest love at first bite?”

I can understand her making some mistakes, going to the wrong people for help, seeing she doesn’t know who she can trust.

For the first time in her life, sexual feelings are coming alive. Hawke makes her feel ‘funny’ and I feel a romance coming. Her aches and pains are something else. She does not yet know that Valens are a special breed of human…and she is a Phoenix.

I was sad to say goodbye to Larinda in the first book, but I am quickly becoming a ‘friend’ to Jemma, whether she realizes it or not. LOL I love humor with danger and Sherrell Lee gave me smiles, along with the…NO, DON’T DO THAT. NO, DON’T GO THERE.

I don’t read as many books about Phoenixes as I do Werewolves and Vampires, so I try and snap them up. I am loving this series and the covers that spotlight what supernatural/fantasy creature will be the star.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Valens Rise by Sherrell Lee.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

When Jemma Nix, a shape shifting phoenix discovers her family’s legacy, she is overwhelmed with distrust and doubt. Her entire family may have been murdered. Her mentor may be using her in a deadly pursuit of power.

Confronted with these facts, Jemma begins to suspect that those closest to her are mad. Refusing to believe their claims of a secret race, she pushes away the one man who may be able to help. The one man who she may love. Rather than face the reality of her new life, Jemma makes a fateful decision. One that places the Valens in jeopardy and forces them to face a deadly, genetically engineered threat.

ABOUT SHERREL LEE

Sherrel Lee lives in a land called Texas and is the wrangler of a fearsome Yorkiepoo named Rogue (Half Yorkie half Poodle weighing in at a hefty eight pounds). She is a mother and grandmother who encourages her family to live life on their own terms, and to laugh as often as they can. She is fascinated with the real and mystical worlds of Urban Fantasy and Romantic suspense chasing murderous villains through the pages of her books.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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