Matt Archer: Monster Summer by Kendra Highley is definitely titles correctly as the crew sets out to eliminate the last of the monster dingoes and the battle makes this novelette so intense, making me want to read more about Matt and his motley cast of characters.
Great cover, title and story is found in the prequel, Life Among The Tombstones by H R Boldwood. I was super excited when I received three more books in the Allie Nighthawk Mysteries series. MMMMMM! Zombies may want brains, but I want more of Allie.
Allie comes home to Cincinnati, Ohio, to murder, mayhem, and zombies. Her past rears its ugly head…wanting revenge. I’m not too worried about her, because she is a kickass womance who runs towards danger, instead of away from it.
Life Among The Tombstones was a pretty quick read. It kept me flipping pages, leaving me wanting more. It’s a good thing I was able to get the next three books in the series. I am eager to share them, so let’s get to it.
In this prequel to The Corpse Whisperer series, financially challenged zombie hunter, Allie Nighthawk, returns to her hometown of Cincinnati and finds herself knee-deep in murder, mayhem, and zombies. Can she solve not one but two murders, and get away unscathed — when the good guys might not be so good, and a presence from her past returns for revenge?
H.R. Boldwood, author of the Corpse Whisperer series, countless short stories, and Imadjinn Award finalist, is a writer of horror and speculative fiction. In another incarnation, Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the 2009 Bilbo Award for creative writing by Thomas More College. Boldwood’s characters are often disreputable and not to be trusted. They are kicked to the curb at every conceivable opportunity when some poor unsuspecting publisher welcomes them with open arms. No responsibility is taken by this author for the dastardly and sometimes criminal acts committed by this ragtag group of miscreants.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
In this companion short-story to Matt Archer: Monster Hunter, fifteen-year-old Matt Archer finds himself in the Australian Outback on the trail of his latest targets…and hunting hyper-intelligent, mutated Dingoes is not his idea of a great summer vacation.
Making things more complicated, Matt’s Uncle Mike–aka Major Tannen–is his C.O. for this mission. To Matt’s consternation, the major’s new fiancée, Captain Julie Hunter, is also along for the trip.
When Captain Hunter disappears during a routine scouting trip, it’s up to Matt to help his uncle find her before it’s too late.
Goodreads Ratings: 4.10 249 ratings19 reviews
I added Matt Archer: Monster Summer 3.14.13, but had grabbed a copy on 1.30.13. I’m not sure what made me grab a copy, but I do like the cover, love the paranormal, and it will be a quick read, at 41 pages.
Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is one of those authors, for me, that spins out stories sure to entertain. Her books are filled with humor and laughter amongst the danger and darkness. The cover for Vampires, Whiskey and Southern Charm is gorgeous. It doesn’t scream vampires, to me, but it does scream love and romance, even though some blood must be shed.
“I am a vampire, Masie.”
So….down the rabbit hole we go, with a vampire that is sure Masie is his mate, and Masie, who doesn’t believe in vampires. She has a mouth like a drunken pirate, and I can relate to that. That doesn’t mean she’s a bad girl. She doesn’t smoke, do drugs, drink, or…well, her body is her temple and she is a virgin. So how does she end up in prison as a convicted murderer?
She works at the Flaming Rooster, and I will leave it up to you to find out who their headliner is. Definitely a clucking hoot. She loves the bar, not so much the grabby customers. I will forewarn you about putting you hands on her. Her bite is as bad as her bark.
Sheriff Idiot (HAHAHAHAHA) is her ex boyfriend and creepy as hell.
“Go on. Keep making fun, Masie. But we both know I’m the one you come running to when you’re scared and need help.”
“You’re the sheriff, bonehead. Everyone calls you.”
Maybell, her coworker and best friend is a hoot. She goes with the flow.
As the story unfolds, Masie’s life becomes more complicated. Secrets will be revealed to her. Dangers arise, bodies will fall, and when all is said and done, they will be having a coming out party. LOL
Mimi Jean Pamfiloff never fails to entertain, supplying equal shares of laughter and danger. I find it hard to predict what direction her story will take me, but I am always eager to go there. Though Masie’s story is told, there could be more, so be on the lookout.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vampires, Whiskey and Southern Charm by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
From New York Times bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a standalone story filled with Southern vibes, way too many cuss words, and a woman determined to defeat the local vampire.
HE’S NEVER GIVING UP, AND SHE’S NEVER GIVING IN.
My name is Masie Kicklighter, and I work at my family’s local bar in the heart of Tennessee, slinging whiskey and living a quiet life.
I can’t say my life was perfect, but when a local vampire started stalking me and sayin’ all sorts of crazy things (I was not his. Nor would I ever be), my first instinct was to run.
But Leiper’s Fork was my home. This was my town. And no one was gonna run me out. Even if he was hotter than a Sunday BBQ in July.
So I came up with a plan to run him off.
The only problem? He was one stubborn man. And crafty, too.
Then something terrible happened. A whole lot of terrible somethings. And they would change everything for us both.
Published: January 28, 2024 by Paper & Silver, Inc.
ABOUT MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.
Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.
She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
In this companion short-story to Matt Archer: Monster Hunter, fifteen-year-old Matt Archer finds himself in the Australian Outback on the trail of his latest targets…and hunting hyper-intelligent, mutated Dingoes is not his idea of a great summer vacation.
Making things more complicated, Matt’s Uncle Mike–aka Major Tannen–is his C.O. for this mission. To Matt’s consternation, the major’s new fiancée, Captain Julie Hunter, is also along for the trip.
When Captain Hunter disappears during a routine scouting trip, it’s up to Matt to help his uncle find her before it’s too late.
Genre: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Short Story, Young Adult
I added Matt Archer: Monster Summer by Kendra C Highley on 3.14.13 but got it as an Amazon freebie on 1.20.13. Why did I add it you ask? Just look at the fabulous cover, then add in the blurb and I am caught…hook, line and sinker.
How about you? Does that cover make you want to visit the Australian Outback?
I am excited to be back on Dragon Shifter Island, seeing I enjoyed my first visit so much in Dragon Craved. I mean, hunkalicious dragon shifters, a police officer eye witnessing a hit and run and being kidnapped by one of the hunkalicious dragon shifters…I can’t help but see sparks flying and plenty of laughter, seeing Scarlett West’s writing style weaves some fun amongst the danger.
This time, in Protected Dragon, it is Falcon’s turn to share his story. I do love a damaged character who can turn into a silvery, flying dragon. I envy Emma, when she gets the opportunity to take to the skies with Falcon.
There is so much more to the story than just a hit and run. Emma doesn’t know it yet, but she’s a draca, a human that shares dragon blood and able to become a mate of a full blooded dragon. They are so important to the clans, because dragons are dying out Draglings…how cute is that. I want to read about baby dragons.
The dialogue had me, at times, laughing out loud, so beware of reading in a public place.
Saaamokin’, fiery hot sex sets my reader on fire! I love that Emma didn’t jump right into the sack, even though she had met Falcon in the first book and was verrrry attracted to him.
Sarnai is Emma’s best friend, her only ‘family’ she has left. They bring her to Dragon Island to protect her, but she gets caught in the crossfire. I think we know who’s story is next. How about it Torin? Are you ready to tell your story?
I highly recommend anything written by Scarlett West. She writes of vampires, werewolves, and the fae bureau of investigation, sure to capture a fantasy lovers’ heart.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dragon Protected by Scarlett West.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Can they deny their attraction long enough to catch a criminal?
Emma Getting kidnapped by a dragon shifter was not part of my job description. I needed to be investigating a crime, not spending time with one of my suspects, tempting though he may be.Too bad he’s determined to stay involved and protect me from the stalker I inadvertently acquired.
Falcon As a dragon clan enforcer, I will risk everything in the line of duty, except my mate.With my clan and job in jeopardy, I should walk away, but she incited an undeniable hunger in my dragon, one I should resist. But there’s a problem.Someone is hunting her, and I have to find out why… before it’s too late.
If you love broody alphas, sassy heroines, and hot paranormal romance with a heart, Dragon Protected is for you. Dragon Protected is a standalone in Dragon Shifter Island Series. The books can be read alone but best in order.
Grab this steamy dragon shifter romance that’s bound to pull your heartstrings.
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.
He calls me Lady Death. I am his weapon to wield as he pleases, sharpened like the fatal point of a wooden stake. In the ring, I am nothing but blood, bone, and fury.
I love the soft colors and sweet look of the cover for Blood Champion by Kay Widow. It hides the viciousness and savagery of the cage fights inside.
Monique feels a debt of gratitude to her master, Felix Fee, never questioning his demands. Because of her, his destiny as the heir to the Fee dynasty has never been questioned. He had saved her life, giving her everything she now has. But what exactly is that?
Now, he has given her a task that could end up costing her her life. She is not the only one given this task, and it will lead to changes she never could have anticipated. When she meets Noah, she is awakened to possibilities.
Noah, a werewolf, is in New York City, given the task to obtain the Book of Lilu from Lord Blackwood, the vampire hosting the games that Monique will participating in. I think we can all see what is on the horizon, but the journey will not be an easy one.
Noah is bold, determined, walking a very dangerous path by putting himself amongst the vampires, hiding behind cologne and the humans sprinkled throughout. He ends up playing a part in the fights that could be the end of him. He is not one to go down without a fight, but how can a werewolf survive being caged with a vampire, surrounded by other vampires.
The quotes below, at 20%, made me sit up and pay attention. The descriptions Kay Widow created are powerful and something I have not read before:
I hate crowded places. Most of my kind do…we remember just how much louder and brighter and more intense this world is now that we’re monsters. A simple breath of laughter becomes a shrieking whine to our ears, often accompanied by the stench of stomach bile or curdled coffee and cream. The muted glow from a chandelier becomes painfully blinding, overloading our senses with out mercy.
The never ending thirst hits at the peak of it all. Razor sharp claws raking down your throat. The ripping and shredding of your gums as you fight to keep your fangs at bay. That wild, primal part of you that seeks to satisfy those discomforts by orchestrating a bloodbath.
Amongst all the debauchery and violence, we do have our moments of lightness and laughter. I do like that the ‘love’ is not an immediate hop in the sack and, as Monique’s feelings for Noah develop, so does she. Possibilities….
Blood Champion is the third in the series, and, by far the best. Monique is a character that quickly became someone I couldn’t turn away from. She is challenged at every turn and I loved that she didn’t turn away from the hard questions, but opened herself up to the chance of a new life…and freedom. I want more.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
I’ve lived a warrior’s life defined by death, cage fights, and submission to my vampire master.So when commanded to infiltrate the underground fighting pits of Manhattan and retrieve a coveted tome, my mission takes priority.But that resolve is tested upon crossing paths with an infuriating werewolf who seeks the artifact for his own pack’s survival.Though we are sworn enemies, an electric attraction sparks between us that I find difficulty resisting.Noah’s defiant spirit and the thrilling risk of our affair make me feel alive in ways I’ve never experienced.Compelled into a shaky alliance by our common goal, we fight through sadistic opponents while confronting vampire lords at every turn.Both grappling between loyalty and our dangerous liaison that should not be.Dare I continue falling for a man from the enemy werewolf pack?Something or someone will break.Plunge into the seductive, gritty underworld of a vampire-shifter romance fused with lethal action today!
Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce. If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels. Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.
Blood & Rebellion: A Fated Mate Vampire Romance by Kay Widow is the second book in the Academy Bluemoon series and is told from two points of view, the protagonists, Jane and Ryder. Blood & Rebellion is a teen and young adult series, so bear that in mind. That is probably why I rate the book a 3, but I still recommend meeting the characters and seeing the world through their eyes.
I can relate to Jane in several ways. I don’t wear makeup and I spend a lot of time alone. She makes me wonder and I love when a book has me looking inside myself. Is my perception of myself who I really am? How do others see me? Because others see Jane for so much more than she sees herself. She is a leader, and they will follow, as she mounts a coup against the King and Queen, her parents.
I love Chloe, a bad girl who attends the academy. Villains fascinate me and I rarely meet one I don’t like. (know what I mean) I ask the question, “Do we truly know anyone?” Do we know why they are the way they are? Do we ask how they came to be that way? Do we ask, are they hiding behind a mask?
Young adult novels, like Blood & Rebellion by Kay Widow do not always contain the fast paced action and depth of danger that I love so much, but I always love a good paranormal romance. If you do too, check out Kay Widow.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
I’m fated for forbidden love and mortal danger at an academy for supernatural creatures.
My parents, the King and Queen, wear victorious expressions. But they need to learn that I have no intention of honoring the agreement. I attend a supernatural academy with others who share my interests. Others who have pledged their loyalty to the rebellion, Ready to fight for a world without an oppressive monarchy. Yet the sinister prophecy plays on repeat in my dreams, Dooming Ryder and I should we rule together. The weight of our destiny is a heaviness we silently accept. Something or someone has marked us for greatness, And there is no turning back. As we march toward imminent battle, We draw upon everything Academy Bluemoon has taught us.
Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce. If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels. Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.
When the Riggs family in Mobile, Alabama, faced the mysterious death of their adoptive daughter Shantel Thompson, they never imagined her ghost would linger for decades…
In Curtis Maynard’s heart-stopping paranormal thriller, ‘The Ghost of Shantel Thompson,’ a new family, fifty years later, grapples with a haunting legacy where the line between life and death is hauntingly thin.
Just as they begin to settle into their new life, their own young daughter is gripped by chilling visions of Shantel. It’s not just fleeting shadows—she’s entangled in a vengeful spirit’s relentless quest for justice, a quest that spans generations.
As whispers from the grave reveal long-hidden secrets, this new family faces a terrifying truth: some ghosts refuse to be silenced. Now, they must confront the mystery of Shantel’s death before her ghostly agenda consumes them all.
Dare to uncover the truth? ‘The Ghost of Shantel Thompson’ awaits to send shivers down your spine
EXCERPT
Hours drifted away as they immersed themselves in the accounts of the murder day, meticulously examining interviews with the neighbors. It was during this exhaustive search that Sarah stumbled upon an article that sent a shiver down her spine. Her face turned pale, and she repeated the word “no” in disbelief.
Concern etched on his features, Damian inquired, “Honey, what’s wrong?” His worry grew as he witnessed his wife’s deteriorating condition.
Handing him the article, Sarah whispered, “Read it. It’s about the little girl who was murdered. She was adopted, just like Alicia. And look at the name. Shantel.”
Damian’s trembling hands held the article as he absorbed its contents. Shantel had been ten years old, the exact age their daughter had been when they had adopted her and moved to this very town. The uncanny similarities between the two girls sent a chill down his spine.
“D-Damian?” Sarah attempted to regain her husband’s attention, her voice quivering. “Damian?”
“I’m sorry,” he replied, placing the article down. “It’s just… It hits too close to home. I mean, what are the odds that we would move into the very house where she was killed?”
“And the name, Damian. Shantel. How could Alicia possibly know about her? We never disclosed the fact that a murder had occurred in our home,” Sarah lamented.
“Do you think she found out from someone else?” Damian posed the question, searching for answers.
“Who, Damian? She hardly leaves the house, except to go to school. Yet somehow, she learned about Shantel. Unless… never mind,” Sarah dismissed a fleeting thought, her anxiety evident. “I’m letting my imagination run wild again. I’ve watched one too many horror movies,” she chuckled nervously, masking her unease.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Curtis Maynard is an independent filmmaker, screenwriter, and author passionate about suspenseful storytelling. Enthralled by the paranormal, his mysteries and thrillers feature everything from hauntings and visions to cryptic messages from beyond the grave. Curtis currently resides with his wife and son in Alabama, a setting rich with inspiration for his novels and short films. He hopes his stories will leave you spellbound, disquieted, and suspicious of the slightest shuddering shadow.
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Coralie dreads starting over, but Mystic River beckons her home like a siren’s call. Armed with determination and a toolkit full of DIY magic, Coralie sets out to revive her grandmother’s worn-down house. If anyone can breathe new life into the old walls, it’s her. And with lifelong friendships awaiting her, she has a support system as sturdy as a bear shifter’s embrace.
Little does she know that her homecoming will launch her into the wildest roller coaster ride of midlife dating and a mating bond that makes her head spin faster than a tornado. Coralie certainly hadn’t signed up for this level of excitement, but here she was, courtesy of the enigmatic mastermind herself, Mrs. Wilde. The queen of matchmaking and the architect of the notorious Peculiar Hearts Dating Agency promises Coralie a spicy rebound for her upcoming high school reunion.
Enter Jax, a scorching hot bear shifter haunted by a love that’s gripped him since high school. Just when he finally has a shot at settling down, a pesky ex-harpy swoops in, flapping her wings and causing more drama than a forest full of squawking birds. Tired of the chaos, this bear is ready to throw in the towel and hibernate for good!
But as they say, fate has a wicked sense of humor.
Beneath the surface of his chance to make things right and rewrite history are secrets that could detonate like a ticking time bomb, threatening to shatter their fragile bond. Coralie holds a haunting secret buried deep within her heart. It shapes the choices that molded her into the fierce, curvy woman she is today. As for Jax, his past is a murky labyrinth of pain and darkness. Lives and love swing on a high-stakes pendulum as danger closes in.
Can Coralie and Jax beat the odds, untangle the mystery of the danger stalking them, and build a future that defies the limits of their pasts?
Read an Excerpt
Eleanora settled across from Coralie at the kitchen table, her shrewd gaze sweeping over her with an unapologetic curiosity. Coralie couldn’t help but feel anxious with anticipation. After all, this was the renowned Mrs. Wilde, the matchmaker extraordinaire. If anyone could navigate the treacherous waters of her love life, it would be her.
“So, how’s your sex life?” Eleanora blurted out, her straightforwardness causing Coralie to nearly choke on her tea.
Jessie’s warning about Mrs. Wilde’s blunt nature had been an understatement, to say the least. But Coralie had come to the Peculiar Hearts Dating Agency for a reason—to find love, even if the thought made her stomach twist with uncertainty.
Summoning her courage, Coralie straightened her posture. She met Eleanora’s inquisitive gaze with a defiant spark in her caramel-colored eyes and a touch of humor snarking her voice. “Nonexistent.”
Eleanora nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Her words carried an air of understanding as if she had already seen Coralie’s romantic future unfold. “I figured as much. That’s why you’re here, my dear. Seeking a second chance at love.”
Relief flooded through Coralie, grateful she didn’t have to delve into the messy details of her past relationships. Eleanora seemed to possess an innate sense of what she needed. It brought a flicker of hope to Coralie’s weary heart. Could she truly open herself up to love again? Memories of her disastrous ex still lingered, fresh like an open wound that refused to heal. It had been two long years. She had remained closed off, unwilling to expose herself to the vulnerability that came with dating someone new and opening up to them.
Returning to Mystic River had been her escape, a refuge from the pain she endured. The house she inherited from her grandmother became her project, a labor of love and distraction. For months, she toiled away, dedicating herself to the renovation. It was a way to create her own haven and a means of avoiding the potential heartache that came with opening her heart to another. She had convinced herself that she didn’t need anyone else, not after the wounds inflicted by her ex.
About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A.C. James writes paranormal romance and erotica, including Eternal Ever After (rebranded as Eternal Lover), featured in the bestselling Spice Box anthology. Her Ever Dark Immortals Series, which begins with Eternal Lover, has been described as “brimming with sensuality” and “romantic and sizzling hot.” The Isle of the Horse Shifters series starts with Ride: Awakening and is “lighthearted,” that is a “joy ride from beginning to end.”
She resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with her adoring husband Ron (aka Mr. A.C. James), who loves her imaginative yarns and punny sense of humor. She’s also a domestic violence advocate and discusses intimate partner violence and addiction to raise awareness on social media and through her writing. Many of her books include themes like alcoholism or addiction. If you love books that feature underdogs and redemption, her stories will capture your heart.
She spends most of her time drinking large vats of coffee while wrangling kids by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta tester and tech geek who grew up going to cons and watching SmackDown. There’s probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of her dressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don’t tell anyone.
