Friday, October 31, 2014

Havoc by Xavier Neal

Publication Date: October 10, 2014

When Clint "Grim" Walker, started Operation: Save Haven Davenport, the beaten, bruised girl who fell into his life, he had no idea it would turn him into an unbalanced, enraged, insecure idiot. 
The mission objectives seemed simple. Make her feel safe in his home. Fail. Protect her from the neighborhood playboy. Fail. Shelter her from the ex girlfriend. Fail. Not fall in love with her. Epic fail. And while Clint could learn to live with those failures, there's one he can't. And that's the objective that matters most. More than his side duties of making amends with his father, more than accepting motherly love from his meddling neighbor, and more than attempting to relate to his brother's in arms off the field. That objective is life or death.


REVIEW:

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review**

First, may I share a little experience with you?

I was eagerly nearing the end of Havoc when a glance at the clock revealed it was time to get my son off the school bus. I did so impatiently, then returned to my reading. Forty - five minutes later, my brother-in-law enters the house to ask if  I knew I had left  my car running. *FACE-PALM* Needless to say, aside from Havoc being perfect, I won't forget my first time reading it. On with the review...

Havoc is a book every romance lover MUST ADD to their library. I will have this in paperback and I do not order books if they aren't of prestine quality in every aspect. 

Clint, a no-nonsense marine, focuses on his duties, and he is the best all he pursues. His determination is his escape from a shattered past. Everything changes when Haven, a violently abused runaway ends up on his lawn. His stone-cold heart melts at a rapid pace, wreaking havoc on his existence.  

Author Xavier Neal always includes a close-knit family vibe, creating an overwhelming and comforting atmosphere.  It is a longing fulfilled through her written word; an opportunity to experience it. These words embed themselves into the very core of my heart. Neal's ability to create strong, emotional atmospheres ensures a reader will read any book she gets published.  

Clint's honorable intentions, overwhelming emotions, and vulnerability is soul consuming. Haven is a strong-willed girl, young woman who has just begun to learn about the world around her. Her free-spirited character and compassionate resolve is all that is needed to fall in love. 

So much passion is infused in Havoc that I am left helplessly intoxicated and hopelessly devoted to this new series. 
The ending swayed intense, devastating emotions. I am so intrigued that the wait for the second installment is excruciating.   

Xavier Neal is a debut author whose name you won't soon forget. That's guaranteed.  





Sunday, October 26, 2014

Last Chance: A Dark World Novel (Skinwalkers: Book 3) by T.G. Ayer





Genre: Urban Fantasy
Adult Content: 16+
Rated: 5 Stars





With the loss of her sister still weighing down both her conscience and her heart, Kailin Odel must take on the next part of her mission - find her mother and Anjelo and bring them back from Wrythiin.

Kailin uses her mother's portal key and enters the Wraith world intent on saving the ones she loves, but from the moment she arrives her mission is fraught with peril.
Arriving in Wrythiin, Kai steps right into the middle of a Wraith rebellion. And only to find that though Anjelo is safe, her mother is held captive by a subversive faction of Wraiths once led by the Wraithlord that Kai had killed.

From Wraiths to Shapeshifters, rebel causes to fraying family ties, to inexplicable new powers, Kai must fight her darkest demons while entering the blackest pits of Wrythiin to save her mother.







Ayer's eloquent writing style once again ensares the readers minds, entrapping them with simple, yet vivid imagery, emotional atmospheres, and unique scenarios. Her presentation of diversity, ranging from characters to religious belief systems is flawless. As much as I have already praised her talents for creating unique storylines and a well-structured prose, her abilities vastly improve with each novel. I also wish to mention how her characters mannerisms remain the same throughout each novel. That's a conflict I enjoy not having to endure with this particular author.

The opening scene rouses snippets of empathy, tranquility, and loss. Tragic circumstances awakens friction among the characters in Last Chance. The obscurity behind the onslaught of changes everyone in Kai's world must face, compels a vigorous desire for justice and information.  The nagging suspicions are intense to the point of driving one stark - raving mad! (Pointedly: myself)

No matter how serious the plot, it is not without humor, nor is it overwhelming to read. It's as smooth and pleasant as it is intriguing. I feel nothing but admiration for Kai's Alpha strength and level-headed wit. She remains thorough in her tactics and consideration. Though that remains the same, this installment is filled with more well-suited transitions than one could have foreseen. It's fresh and exciting.

Be prepared for new enemies, allies, and ending that shocked me to my core. At the moment, I am still dealing with the effects of this stories revelations. The apprehension I'm experiencing over the details in the next few books has me on edge.

The DarkWorld: SkinWalkers series has everything. Shifters, mafes, demons, and fae. It's a thrilling adventure with just enough romance to satiate the desire. Though, I do need to mention that in this installment, Logan and Kai's Romance reaches an invigorating, boiling point. I desperately need more. 

I'm thankful for a new series to read time and again with no loss of satisfaction.  5 stars aren't nearly enough to present the prestine quality of The DarkWorld series.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Numb: Senses series book #3 by Xavier Neal



Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Adult Content: 18+
Rated: 5 Stars


Just when Logan Kellar was finally ready to make some changes in his life, his entire world was flipped upside down. Now the pain he is used to burying is fighting back. Refusing to let him slip into his old ways, refusing to let him hide from his mistakes, and refusing to let him become numb.





♡I received this book in exchange for an honest review♡

This your warning: I couldn't care less about sounding professional. I finished reading Numb ten minutes ago and I am still flying high. These books are being released a month apart and even that length of time in between is agonizing. I think I'll write my own novel, "The Wait", a horror story.

Let us pick up where we left off from Deaf, the second installment in the Senses series. Always the one to over-analyze, the predicament Maxx faces in the beginning was anticipated. My curiosity as to how she would handle the situation was beyond satiated.  I was rolling with the intensity of the emotions. The situation may have been unpleasant, but the dialogue was extraordinarily, entertaining.  Every...single. .line..in this book is ENTERTAINING!

Speaking retrospectively on Xavier's prose/dialogue, I've not only adjusted quickly, but I crave it.

I assumed Numb would be just as phenomenal as the first books in the Senses series. I am blown away that Xavier Neal found it possible to write something even better! If the series were combined into one novel, I would label numb the climatic part of the story.

Logan's attempts at changing are mind-boggling! He does nothing half-way! He goes above and beyond his own security barrier to protect not only Maxx, but someone in dire need. I'm awe-stricken, love - stricken, and now determined to get these paperbacks on my bookshelf! You can't put a price on a series like this.

I'm rendered a helpless Logan/Maxx addict. Until the next release, I will be reading the Blind, Deaf, and Numb relentlessly to stay sane.

GET YOUR COPY NOVEMBER 3, 2014!








WEBSITE: http://www.xavierneal.com

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/XavierNeal87

GoodReads: https://www.-goodreads.com/author/show/4990135.Xavier_Neal

Blog: http://xaviersbookreviews.wordpress.com





Monday, October 20, 2014

Fall of Sky by Alexia Purdy


Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Adult Content: 18+
Rated: 5 Stars


Book Description:


Publication Date: October 9, 2014

Sisters Audrey and Liv Westing find that living on the edge turns out to be a bit different than what they thought.This singing duo hoped to be discovered as the next big thing while fumbling through their turbulent existences. Each one is struggling to come to terms with their addictive personalities, a trail of destructive relationships, and the consequences of every misstep they unknowingly take.

When they attract the eye of a deadly but powerful Cartel family, Liv’s flighty decisions send the sisters spiraling into a world of sketchy music deals, sexy assassins and unfathomable demands from those who want nothing more than to own every piece of them.
In a place where love will kill, it demands a steep price which may be too high to keep Audrey and Liv’s fragile world from a swift crash and burn…
THIS IS A SERIAL NOVELLA SERIES!
THIS IS PART ONE OF FOUR.
BOOKS ARE RELEASED EVERY THREE WEEKS.



REVIEW:


I am currently in awe. An author making a genre transition is always risky business.  An author pulling it off with a stellar story is to rave about! I jumped into Fall of Sky blindly. I knew nothing of the premise and assumed it was another paranormal romance. Hats off to Alexia Purdy for the creation of this astounding book.

If you've read anything written by Alexia, you already know what to expect of the prose. It's sweet, simple, and to the point. I love getting sucked into a story without realizing it happens. I've read two series she published in the past and with neither I was immediately captivated. However, at some point, in both series, I would hang onto to every word, paragragh, and punctuation mark while forgetting to breathe. The same exact response was extracted from me with Fall of Sky.

The execution of the plot begins with the creation of an emotional atmosphere surrounding the bond of two sisters, who would be broken if one would have to live to live without the other. The adoration and tolerance Liv and Audrey show for one another has a homesick vibe. Reader's will relate to or long for that connection.

The female protagonists are survivors. They are independent, self-reliant broads I can respect. If Liv weren't so insanely wreckless we wouldn't have such a hot story on our hands.

And what of Saul? He's charming, remarkably calm, almost too serene in fact. I can't help but wonder if he's being deceptive and a part of a grander scheme that threatens the sisters lives. At least those were my initial feels of him. Now, I'm not sure, but I do love him either way.

I keep wondering if this is going to be a "but I fell in love" theme. It would certainly make an interesting conflict to cause vast emotional connections. The other two males in the story keep me trying to piece together the puzzle as much as Saul. I have an idea of how it might turn out, but I love knowing I'm going to be in a for a good surprise. With Alexia Purdy as the author it is gauranteed.

I'm now trying to rush through my ARC's because apparently Fall of Sky part 2 releases in a little over a week!

This is a must - read series I swear by!




Purchase your copy for ONLY 99 CENTS!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Deaf: Book 2 Senses Series by Xavier Neal



Author: Xavier Neal
Genre: Adult Romance
Adult Content: 18+
Rated: 5 drooling stars







October 1, 2014 While the pleas of Logan Kellar's best friends typically fall on deaf ears, there's one voice he can't ignore so easily. His own. And when Maxx, his beautiful best friend, says something that shakes his existence, he finds himself suddenly desperate to be heard.

CAUTION: Contains Adult Content, Language, and Themes! 18+ ONLY
Senses Series #2  











After reading Blind, the first book in the Senses series, I merely believed I suffered a bad book hang-over.  The second installment has me convinced these books are soul-sucker fantasies. Deaf absolutely dominated me: mind, body, and soul. In reference to Logan, I wish I could say, "PUN INTENDED"! HaHa!


By now I am familiar with the execution of the prose/dialogue. At times I felt personal tension. For the most part, I hung onto every word. 

Be prepared for Maxx and Logan's relationship to enter the make or break stage. The intensity of the emotional and sexual atmosphere is kicked up a notch...or ten! Xavier kept me guessing throughout the book, and totally blind-sided my expectations. The build-up is a reflection of the author's ability as a wonderful storyteller. 

Xavie Neal is brilliant! The novel's end is so raw, it is impossible to not purchase the next book in the series. I was left shattered, hopeful, and obsessed. November cannot come soon enough! 

***Book #3 Numb to be released November 3, 2014***




The Roche Hotel: Season 1 by Mysti Parker






The Roche Hotel
A serial romantic comedy by Mysti Parker
After her husband ditches her for a blonde actress wannabe,
Jane Seymour needs a job that pays the rent. The struggling Roche
Hotel needs a miracle. With the former owner’s wife butting her nose
into the renovations and new owners who are in way over their heads,
Jane may be the answer to their prayers. Sure, she can handle The
Roche Hotel’s quirky staff. But, can this skittish divorcee keep it all
together when handsome Henry the Donut Guy makes his first
delivery? This collection of serial fiction stories is a Tudorific romantic comedy that will leave you
laughing fore more!
                                                                   ****
THEY say a lot of things, don’t they? Like don’t wear white after Labor Day or don’t fry bacon
with your shirt off (that’s probably good advice, come to think of it). Most of what THEY say
goes right in one ear and out the other. But, in terms of writing, when THEY say “write what you
know”, it makes a lot of sense. So, that’s where The Roche Hotel got its start—from my own
experience working in a hotel way back in the ‘90s.
Many of these first 10 episodes are based on some very real incidents that happened during my
days as a front desk clerk in a little mid-priced hotel. Sure, a lot of stuff’s made up purely from
my crazy imagination, but there were 5:00 AM donuts—delicious being fresh from the bakery.
Henry the Donut Guy—not real, but I wouldn’t have argued one bit if he had been! Among the
many other true-to-life items that appear at the Roche Hotel are a popcorn machine, a Muzak
(think elevator music) that never played at the right volume, at least one “lady of the night”, and
To discover all those things for yourself, from now until release day on October 15, you can pre-
order your copy of The Roche Hotel, Season One for just $0.99 on Amazon Kindle! After that,
the price goes up to $1.99, so make your reservation now and save a buck!



 Because I like parties, I’m also inviting all of you to the release day party on Facebook, October

15 from 6-9 PM EST.

You’ll get a chance to win a hotel-themed gift basket which includes:

• Robe

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Lotion

• Tiny soap bars (so cute!)

• Ghirardelli chocolates

• Signed postcards

We’ll also have some fun and games, so I hope you’ll join me. And please bring a friend!

Click HERE to Join the Facebook Release Day Party!

Thanks so much for your support! Happy reading! ~Mysti Parker

                                                                     



This was by far the easier read of my entire life! Sure, 153 pages isn't a lengthy novel, but if it's a horrible piece of work, even one of that length could drag on for a week! I was still laughing long after I finished it! There is literally humor to be found on every page.

Mysti Parker's prose, as usual, was immaculate. I enjoy her writing so much that I get jealous from time to time...shhhh ;). I can't help myself. I love a well-written, strategic book.

Jane's predicament with her mother pulled at the old heart-strings. It was captured so well, that even those who have yet to face those days can relate. As is her situation with the jerk of an ex-husband. I'm sure many can relate to that!

The romance between Jane and Henry may have been short and sweet...very sweet, but it was nice and simple. I'm ready for more! Get to it woman.







I'm hoping the Author doesn't mind if I throw in a couple of excerpts. These are hysterical!

(1) Just a bit of a teaser: Sewage Saves the Day and Aqua Net Can't Catch A Man, are two of the chapter titles!

(2) Excerpt: "I'm willing to overlook any multiple personalities or imaginary friends in return for enchilada's and homemade salsa."

(3) Excerpt: "Will I be blamed for letting hookers into the hotel? Maybe they were too much for him."

PURCHASE NOW! NOW I SAY!


 






Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a wife, mom, author, and shameless

chocoholic. She is the author of the Tallenmere standalone fantasy

romance series. Her other writings have appeared in the anthologies

Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, Christmas Lites II, The Darwin

Murders, Tasteful Murders and EveryDayFiction.

Other writing pursuits include serving as a class mentor in Writers

Village University's seven week online course, F2K. She finished her

first historical romance this spring and has one children’s book

(Quentin’s Problem) soon to be published, with one more waiting for

illustrations, and many more stewing in her head.

When she's not writing fiction, Mysti works as a freelance editor and copywriter. She also

reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of

Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in

Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.

Subscribe to my blog, Unwritten

Visit my webpage: www.mystiparker.com (in construction)

LIKE my fan page on Facebook!

Follow me on Twitter @MystiParker

 ****


Monday, October 13, 2014

Blind: Book 1 Senses Series by Xavier Neal



Author: Xavier Neal
Genre: Adult Romance
Adult Content: 18+
Rated: 5 Stars

September 1, 2014
**Special New Release Price $0.99 for a limited time!**

Aside from being blind to the fact his best friend, Maxx Hughes, is madly in love with him, Logan 'Unbreakable' Kellar has it made. He's the best amateur fighter at TKO, has a buffet line of women desperate to be taken by him, and three friends that are his family. However, when Maxx crosses over from Logan's blind spot on the side lines to the dead center of his vision, he realizes that he can't stay blind to the fact this girl, is the girl.

Senses Series Book 1

*Warning: contains strong language & sexual situations.*

  I hate, hate, HATE, loving this book! It has EVERYTHING: passion, longing, humor, loveable protagonist, irresistible bad boy, and equally enjoyable secondary characters. My obsession with this new series is borderline insanity.

The execution of the prose and dialogue caused an initial stall. At times, the dialogue would feel irksome. However, I was in it's unbreakable clutch within a matter of minutes. Infuriating was how I, more often than not, found myself completely enthralled with details within.

I get the best of both worlds with Logan and Maxx. Her nerdy interests and his hellish past are both my own. A reader cannot help but feel compassion for Logan's reckless decisions. It is impossible to not fall head over heels for this stud. The atmosphere between the two is so thick with unrequited, love and lust, the desire smothers out the world. 

There is no lack of humor among the friends with whom they share a residence. The brother and sister duo,  Luke and Erin, are great buffers to match Maxx and Logan's personalities. They are a feisty riot! The quick witted quips caused me to cackle uncontrollably. To mellow the moods, impenetrable bonds are a constant reminder throughout the story.

The ending is pure perfection! I was intoxicated the entire night, as my mind obsessively roamed through my favorite scenes. I had to start reading the second installment of the series, "Deaf", as soon as I woke the next morning. Verdict: Hardcore Book Hangover!








Saturday, October 4, 2014

The Tegen Cave







Author: Inge-Lise Goss
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
Adult Content: 18+
Rated: 4 Stars




Book Description


April 24, 2013


After running from her boyfriend’s powerful organized crime family, Sara Jones starts a new life in a new town. But when people around her start dying from poisonous spider bites after she receives a mysterious package with a spider concealed inside, she worries that the family has found her. Life takes an even more bizarre turn when she seems to be not only immune to the spider venom, but also surrounded by a sinister group of people she suspects is a spider cult. Even her new boyfriend starts acting suspiciously. Just who can she trust?




 The Tegan Cave is a must-read thriller I would recommend to anyone. It is a paranormal romance unlike any  I have ever read. I embrace my arachnophobia, but the twists in this novel would not let it get in the way of my excitement.

The beginning lacks the ability to create an emotional atmosphere. I stopped reading it a few pages in, and checked the reviews for the book on Amazon. I was not impressed by thew first few chapters. I was flabbergasted at the praises. I was encouraged to finish the journey, and to discover the mystery behind it's excellence.

It starts as a fast-paced account of cruelty that led Sara to search for seclusion and security. Realistic situations revolving around abuse are present. I constantly felt irritated with her resolve to to be controlled and used by everyone around her. My irritated stance dissolved as the premise evolved into a unique thriller.
 
The plot was methodically planned and intriguing. Nothing in this story is as it seems. Shock ripped through me evey few chapters.

The romance is everything one can expect in controlled relationships. The adult content was tastefully written, and added a lot of spice into the mixture of emotions. The men in this triangle are the epitome of love/hate relationships. 

Eventually, I empathized and adored the female protagonist. In the end, I admired her. The ending is fantastic! 

It may have taken me a bit to push through vague territory, but it is so worth it. I love a good mystery. This book is packed with great mysteries. I will promote The Tegen Cave time and again, so that it gains the recognition it truly deserves.

Purchase for $2.99




***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***