A MONSTER LIKE ME by Pamela Sparkman

Heart of Darkness series #2

HELLO STRANGER by Lisa Kleypas

The Ravenels series #4

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT by Emma Scott

Companion to the Full Tilt series

PLAYING FOR KEEPS by Jill Shalvis

Heartbreaker Bay series #7

UNWRITTEN by Jen Frederick

Woodlands series #5

Cross My Heart by L.H. Cosway

Hearts series #5.75

MOONSHADOW by Thea Harrison

Moonshadow series #1

Showing posts with label Paranormal Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal Romance. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Blog Tour with Excerpt: Dark Tarot by Christine Feehan


Light and dark combine as the cards reveal hidden truths in this intoxicating installment in Christine Feehan’s #1 New York Times bestselling Carpathian series.


DARK TAROT by CHRISTINE FEEHAN
Series: Dark #31
Publication date: November 9, 2021
Published by: Berkley
Genre: paranormal romance

 Add on Goodreads


SYNOPSIS

Sandu Berdardi continues to exist only to protect his people. An ancient Carpathian, his entire long life has been dedicated to honor above all else. He knows his time has passed, especially since he has not been able to find his lifemate—the anchor to keep him sane in a world he no longer understands. But just as he truly starts to give up hope, a voice reaches out to him in the night and his world explodes into color.
 
Adalasia enters Sandu’s mind seamlessly, as if she has been a part of him forever. While she can see the shape of things to come in her deck of cards, her gift is both a blessing and a curse. The true course of Sandu’s quest remains unclear, with danger waiting at every turn. She cannot see everything the future holds, but she does know it is a journey the will take together.

Purchase your copy now!
Amazon | B&N | BAM | IndieBound


EXCERPT:

     Adalasia’s voice was soft. The notes like music, penetrating right through skin and bone, deeper still, through his heart to pierce his black, black, very tattered, very scarred soul. He could almost feel the way her amazing voice managed to weave together pieces of that broken travesty. He was at his most vulnerable, unable to see properly—and at his most lethal. An unknown male was touching his lifemate. There were enemies close, humans—but enemies nevertheless.
     “We’ve benefited from your guidance so many times, Lasia. I can’t imagine what we would do without you,” the other male said as he slung his arm around Adolf’s shoulders.
     The need to kill receded slowly as Sandu recognized that the two males were obviously a couple. He breathed away the monstrous response that had arisen so strong in him followed by so many other unfamiliar emotions he hadn’t ever had to cope with. Jealousy? Was that a true emotion an honorable Carpathian would feel? It was a little humiliating to think that he would experience such a thing. He stood still, breathing, letting the air move through his lungs, waiting for the terrible crash of unwanted feelings to cycle through and leave him so he could think rationally.
     Sandu allowed himself the luxury of drinking her in while the two men took their leave and moved down the steps and away. He immediately cut off anyone else from entering her shop simply by standing on the lowest step. There would be no way to get around his large body. He heard her swift intake of breath, and then her eyes met his.
     “Adalasia.” He said her name with deliberate gentleness. “Sandu Berdardi.” He gave her the courtesy of his name.
     Her gaze swept the width of his shoulders, his tall, intimidating form, his dark eyes and hard demeanor.      Because he was a man who noted every detail, he caught the slight tremor to her voice.
     “Adalasia Ravasio. How did you find me?”
He ignored the question and gained a step. That put him nearly to her. One more stair and he’d be on the same one with her. She didn’t give way.
     “You can’t be here. You have to go.” She whispered the warning, ducking her head as if she feared someone might overhear or be able to read her lips.
     He gestured toward her sign, the one that said she did readings. “I’ve come for your guidance.” He took another step, forcing her to back up to the shallow porch.
     “I read your cards. There was danger all around you. You have to go while you can, Sandu. You might think this is all silly and a game because I read cards, but I’m not wrong. You have to leave.”
He stepped up onto the porch beside her. She wore a dark, long, olive-colored skirt that fell around her ankles in soft ruffles. Her camisole was very modern, much more so than he would have approved, but now that he was close to her, he could see the way the lighter olive-colored material showcased the swell of her breasts. The laces going up the valley between her breasts drew attention, making him want to explore those curves.
     He put his hand very gently on her flat belly and exerted pressure to back her through the open door. “Are you concerned about the three men and the woman watching you from across the way?” He reached behind him and closed the door firmly.
     Adalasia gave a little sigh and moved around him to open the door and turn the sign around that proclaimed she was giving another reading. “You’re a stubborn man.”
     “It’s best that you realize I have no intention of leaving you behind. If I leave this place, you will be traveling with me.”

From DARK TAROT published by arrangement with Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House 

LLC. Copyright © 2021 by Christine Feehan.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Torpedo Ink series, and the Shadow Rider series. Learn more online at christinefeehan.com.
 
Follow her:

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Release Blitz: Bound by Forever by S Young


Bound by Forever, a True Immortality Novel by S. Young is now live!

New York Times Bestselling author Samantha Young writing as S. Young.

Niamh Farren has been burdened by knowledge for most of her life. As one of seven fae children born into the human world with the ability to open the gate to Faerie, Niamh's mission is to guide her fae brethren to do what's right. Because Niamh has seen what will happen to the human world if she does not protect the gate. Throughout the years, she's traveled the world with her brother Ronan, using her psychic visions to find the fae-borne and convince them to stay on the path that will keep the gate from opening. She has sacrificed much ... but when she loses her brother to the mission, Niamh begins to lose herself.

For nearly one hundred and fifty years, werewolf Kiyo has wandered the planet as a lost soul. Cursed with immortality, he spends his awful eternity as a mercenary for hire. When the powerful Fionn Mór confides the truth about the existence of Faerie and hires Kiyo to protect one of the fae-borne, he accepts the challenge out of boredom, not heroism. Yet Niamh is unexpected in every way the werewolf can possibly imagine.

Guarding Niamh from her enemies is nowhere near as challenging as protecting the fae woman from herself. If Kiyo is to succeed, he must help Niamh find herself again, and not just for her sake. Ignoring the fierce connection between them may no longer be an option. A new enemy is rising and threatening to rip open the gate between worlds. To remind Niamh of who she really is, Kiyo must make the choice to lower his defenses and give into their bond. Or safeguard his own heart ... and in doing so lead the human world to the brink of war.

Download today on Amazon, Apple, Kobo, & Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32CnT8A

Apple: http://bit.ly/BoundByForever

Nook: http://bit.ly/BBFNook

Kobo: http://bit.ly/BBFKobo

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3goqGpu


 

Meet Samantha

Samantha is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty books, several of which have been nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. She writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction. Her books have been published in 28 languages in 30 countries. She resides in Scotland.

For more information visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Connect with Samantha

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaYoung/

Website – http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorsamanthayoung/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/samyoungauthor/

Amazon - http://amzn.to/2H47kEP

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/2FWgYdn

Bookbub - http://bit.ly/2D241eO

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Cover Reveal: Bound by Forever by S. Young

New York Times Bestselling author Samantha Young writing as S. Young has revealed the cover for Bound by Forever: A True Immortality Novel!


Publication Date: November 17, 2020
Cover Designer: Hang Le
Photographer: Regina Wamba

Synopsis:

Niamh Farren has been burdened by knowledge for most of her life. As one of seven fae children born into the human world with the ability to open the gate to Faerie, Niamh's mission is to guide her fae brethren to do what's right. Because Niamh has seen what will happen to the human world if she does not protect the gate. Throughout the years, she's traveled the world with her brother Ronan, using her psychic visions to find the fae-borne and convince them to stay on the path that will keep the gate from opening. She has sacrificed much ... but when she loses her brother to the mission, Niamh begins to lose herself.

For nearly one hundred and fifty years, werewolf Kiyo has wandered the planet as a lost soul. Cursed with immortality, he spends his awful eternity as a mercenary for hire. When the powerful Fionn Mór confides the truth about the existence of Faerie and hires Kiyo to protect one of the fae-borne, he accepts the challenge out of boredom, not heroism. Yet Niamh is unexpected in every way the werewolf can possibly imagine.

Guarding Niamh from her enemies is nowhere near as challenging as protecting the fae woman from herself. If Kiyo is to succeed, he must help Niamh find herself again, and not just for her sake. Ignoring the fierce connection between them may no longer be an option. A new enemy is rising and threatening to rip open the gate between worlds. To remind Niamh of who she really is, Kiyo must make the choice to lower his defenses and give into their bond. Or safeguard his own heart ... and in doing so lead the human world to the brink of war. 

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32CnT8A

Apple: http://bit.ly/BoundByForever

Nook: http://bit.ly/BBFNook

Kobo: http://bit.ly/BBFKobo

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3goqGpu




Meet Samantha


Samantha is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty books, several of which have been nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. She writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction. Her books have been published in 28 languages in 30 countries. She resides in Scotland.

For more information visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Connect with Samantha

Facebook | Website | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon | Goodreads | Bookbub


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Blog Tour with Giveaway & Excerpt: Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost



In the newest Night Rebel novel, set in New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress world, beautiful, daring vampire Veritas risks all to protect Ian…

Some promises are meant to be broken…
Veritas spent most of her life as a vampire Law Guardian. Now, she’s about to break every rule by secretly hunting down the dark souls that were freed in order to save Ian. But the risks are high. For if she gets caught, she could lose her job. And catching the sinister creatures might cost Veritas her own life.

Some vows are forever…
Ian’s memories might be fragmented, but this master vampire isn’t about to be left behind by the woman who entranced him, bound herself to him, and then disappeared. So what if demons, other Law Guardians, and dangerous, otherworldly forces stand against them? Come hell or high water, Ian intends to remind Veritas of the burning passion between them, because she is the only person seared on his mind—and his soul…



About the Book

Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Rebel (Night Huntress World)
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: January 28, 2020


Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  iBooks



Add It To Your Bookshelf!

EXCERPT
WICKED BITE
A Night Rebel Novel
© 2020 Jeaniene Frost


"What’s so amusing?” I asked in my chilliest voice.

“You,” he said, still chuckling. “Knew you must fancy me to convince Crispin to lie his arse off to protect me from a demon I can’t remember, but I didn’t realize this.”

“Realize what?”

He gave me a sunny smile. “You’re madly in love with me.”

“What?”

He waved away my gasp. “Nothing to be ashamed of. You’re in the company of multitudes, though none of them got me to the proverbial altar the way you did. Have I mentioned how impressive that was? Blimey, talk about making the impossible a reality.”

Outrage had me sputtering. “You are such an ass—”

“Can’t blame it on the Red Dragon, either,” he went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “I’ve been high on that several times, yet never woken up with a wife before. Means I must have wanted to marry you, too, shocking though the thought may be.”

“Your arrogance is astounding—”

“Then again, I do know you’re mine,” he continued, eyes gleaming now. “Did I tell you I sometimes feel things before they happen? Ah, I can see from your expression that I did. Imagine my surprise when I felt that you were mine the first time I saw you. Felt it again with every memory I had of you. Felt it when you were lying your arse off to the council about me, too, and I really felt it when I walked into your hotel room and breathed in your true scent.” He came close, letting me see him inhale again. “Knocked me right off my feet,” he murmured. “’Course, that also could have been the new memory it elicited, but either way, I know you’re mine. And so do you.”

“Bullshit,” I said with all the emotion I was denying.

Ian only smiled. “Keep pretending, then. I don’t need you to admit what you feel in order for you to help me recover what I’ve lost. You can show me.”

I regained enough control to ask, “How will I show you?”

“Being near you has already inspired one new memory. I expect more will come the longer we’re together.” His gaze turned knowing. “Did you realize that? Is that the other reason you’ve tried so hard to avoid me?”

“No.” But now that I did know, it would be.

If Ian remembered everything, he’d never let me pay the price for his resurrection alone. His sense of honor would demand that he hunt down the other souls along with me, danger be damned. I had to get away from him before that happened. But now that he could teleport, how could I escape him?

Of course. Ian was formidable, but he did have one rather large weakness.

I came toward him and dropped my glamour. My skirt suit was already ripped from the ghoul fight and being buried alive, so my real curves almost overflowed the torn fabric, now too tight. His gaze raked me from the top of my streaked, silvery hair all the way to my feet, and his nostrils flared when he caught my real scent.

“There you are,” he said in a throaty voice.

“Here I am,” I agreed softly.

Then I put my arms around him, steeling myself not to get lost in the feel of him. He pulled me close, his body flush against mine. Every nerve ending I had caught fire. So much for me maintaining control. Still, I couldn’t stop now. I tilted my head back and parted my lips, an invitation for him to kiss me.

His eyes glowed emerald as he took me up on it.


Tour Wide Giveaway


To celebrate the release of WICKED BITE by Jeaniene Frost, we're giving away a paperback copy of Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost to one lucky winner!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Books.  Giveaway ends 2/29/2020 @ 11:59pm EST.  



About the Author


JEANIENE FROST is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress and Night Prince series, as well as the Night Huntress World novels. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband, Matthew, rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling — by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon






Monday, December 16, 2019

Cover Reveal: Kiss of Vengeance by S. Young


A standalone paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young, writing as S. Young.


Kiss of Vengeance by S. Young
Series: True Immortality #2
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Cover Design: Hang Le
Photo: Wander Aguiar

 Add to Goodreads



Synopsis:

Fionn Mór was once a high king of Ireland; a fierce warrior who led his tribes against the invading fae. It was a war he couldn’t win and to save his family he turned consort for the Fae Queen. Fionn escaped as the thing he once despised, and the people he loved betrayed him for it. Now, centuries later, it’s time to reopen the gates to Faerie to take his revenge against the Faerie Queen.

At sixteen Rose Kelly discovered family secrets that changed her forever. Years after, she’s still lost, traveling across Europe in search of that elusive missing ‘something’. When she’s attacked by a vampire, not only is she wrenched into a supernatural underworld she never knew existed, a knock on the head releases a spell on her mind and unlocks powers beyond her wildest imaginings. And with them more questions. Questions Fionn Mór claims to have answers to.

Following the powerful and enigmatic Fionn to Ireland, Rose quickly realizes she’s a pawn in his plan for vengeance. What begins as a passionate battle of wills leads to an inexplicable but undeniable connection. One that will force them to face an impossible choice between the deepest love… and the darkest revenge.
 Preorder:
Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo 



About the Author

S. Young is the pen name for New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young. Her debut adult paranormal romance War of Hearts (A True Immortality Novel) was published October 2019.

Follow her:

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Review: War of Hearts by S. Young


New York Times Bestselling author Samantha Young writing as S. Young.


WAR OF HEARTS by S. YOUNG
Publication date: October 1, 2019
Series: Standalone
Genre: paranormal romance

 Share on Goodreads


Synopsis

Thea Quinn has no idea what she is. All she knows is that her abilities have been a plague upon her life since she was a child. After years of suffering at the hands of a megalomaniac, Thea escaped and has been on the run ever since.

The leadership and protection of his pack are of the utmost importance to Conall MacLennan, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan, the last werewolf pack in Scotland. Which is why watching his sister slowly die of a lycanthropic disease is emotional torture. When Conall is approached by a businessman who offers a cure for his sister in exchange for the use of Conall’s rare tracking ability, Conall forges an unbreakable contract with him. He has to find and retrieve the key to the cure: dangerous murderer, Thea Quinn.

Thea’s attempts to evade the ruthless werewolf are not only thwarted by the Alpha, but by outside dangers. With no choice but to rely on one another for survival, truths are revealed, intensifying a passionate connection they both fight to resist. At war with themselves and each other, Conall and Thea’s journey to Scotland forces them to face a heartrending choice between love and betrayal.


Purchase your copy now!
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks


About the Author:

S. Young is the pen name for New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young. Her debut adult paranormal romance War of Hearts (A True Immortality Novel) will be published October 2019.

You can find her on:
Twitter | Goodreads | Website | Facebook


REVIEW

War of HeartsWar of Hearts by S. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars







   “A wolf is only as strong as his heart, and my heart belongs completely to you."

I've been a reader of Samantha Young's for many years, but I'd never read any of her paranormal books. When I saw the announcement for War of Hearts, I was so eager to check it out. I haven't been able to find a ton of new books in the genre to catch my eye, so this was a more than welcome treat! You get a little bit of everything with this one: action, suspense, forbidden love, and mystery regarding Thea's identity. It's all firmly packed together in one heart-pounding package. I read this book in a 24 hour period, completely drawn in from page one. Which is quite remarkable considering the detailed paranormal world that was introduced here. Typically you have some dry spells in the plot where you're just taking in information, but for me it felt so natural and seamless. There wasn't a moment of boredom or difficulty in holding my attention.

Thea Quinn is on the run from a monster. After miraculously surviving the plane crash that her parents perished in, she was taken in by a man who became her worst nightmare. Horrifically abused, and used for her rare supernatural talents, she barely escaped the prison she escaped from. She'd rather die fighting than give up her freedom, so she travels from city to city, always looking behind her shoulder. Thea is a proud woman, very strong mentally and physically, and she has a soft heart despite the tragedy and mistreatment she's been through. This heroine is one of the most badass I've read in quite a while. Her power is almost limitless, yet untapped. Without full knowledge of what type of supernatural being she is, she lacks the awareness of her capabilities. They're used only when necessary-for others' protection as well as her own.

Conall is the alpha of the last wolf pack in Scotland, Clan MacLennan. Though they can't compare in size to many other packs, their strength is undeniable. His parents were both alphas and head of the pack before they died, and he's continuing their legacy. His home and family at Loch Torridon are everything to him. He's protective, fierce, confident, trustworthy and honorable. Someone you could trust with your life if the situation arose. But what if he were the one working with your enemy to deliver you to the devil? He's the last person you want tracking you because once he has your scent there's no escaping him. Out of desperation to help his fatally ill sister, he agrees to deliver Thea in exchange for a miracle cure. What should have been a fairly simple job for him gets complicated fast.

Conall is expecting a cold blooded killer, but after his first run-in he immediately starts to question everything he's been told about her. Nothing is quite adding up and his intuition is pricking him at the most inconvenient time. He grew attracted pretty quickly but fights it hard, knowing that his sister's life must come first. Of course, she wasn't about to roll over and accept defeat easily so it became a battle of wills between the two of them. There were a lot of adrenaline fueled fight scenes, narrow escapes, and betrayal as they made their way back to Scotland. Thea has become a target from another unknown source that puts everyone's lives in danger even further.

I loved the revelations about Thea and the history regarding her identity. I was absolutely riveted after the truth came out and couldn't put it down. Even though the romance had limited time to develop in between the main conflicts, it never felt rushed. Thea and Connall had the kind of tension and chemistry that make you just a little bit giddy as you wait for their resistance to snap. There were a million reasons why they shouldn't be together, but one very big reason why none of them mattered.

    There was right and there was wrong; there was loyalty and responsibility. Everything he felt now was complicated and confusing.

This couple was incredible and easily one of my favorites from the author. Even though this is listed as a standalone, the epilogue leads you to believe that there is still more to be told in this world. You're definitely going to want to get in on this addictive book now, as soon as it's out! I cannot recommend this one enough.


FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON: 

TwitterBlogEmailGoodreadsPinterestFacebook



Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau


Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin's Creed in this epic, gripping fantasy romance from debut author Maxym M. Martineau


KINGDOM OF EXILES by MAXYM M. MARTINEAU
Series: The Beast Charmer #1
Publication date: June 25, 2019
Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: paranormal romance

 Add on Goodreads


SYNOPSIS

Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins...not even to save the woman he can no longer live without.



Purchase your copy now


Praise for Kingdom of Exiles:

Martineau’s impressive debut novel, the first of a romantic fantasy trilogy, marries grand-scale wonder with the intimacy of relationships among traveling companions and a layered plot.
Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

A "lush and sweeping swords-and-sorcery romance" 
New York Times

- Publishers Weekly Best Book of Summer 2019

- Bookish Staff Read Pick

- Selected as a June LibraryReads Pick





ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Maxym M. Martineau is a staff writer and editor by day, and a fantasy romance author by night. When she’s not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, sipping a well-made margarita, binge-watching television shows, competing in just about any sport, and of course, reading.

Following her passion, Maxym earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.
You can find her on:
Kingdom of Exiles (The Beast Charmer, #1)Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars







    When it came to us, there were just too many thorns. But damn if I didn’t want to cut them all down and see what grew.

The first half of this book was a little slow going for me. Thankfully once I felt comfortable in Maxym M. Martineau's world of beasts, charmers, and assassins, I was all in. It was loaded with action, adventure, and a romance that was refreshingly heavy for the genre. I wasn't entirely sold on how quickly Leena developed her attraction for Noc. This is a guy whom she thought could figuratively and literally stab her in the back. But aside from that, it progressed believably and I enjoyed the forbidden love aspect of it.

Noc is an undead guild master of Cruor. He leads a group of assassins brought back from the dead that must complete each kill contract assigned to them. There is no choice in the matter, it's simply a something they do in order to survive. Even knowing that some of his bounties are innocent, he's resigned to his fate. But it's a lonely life he leads, because even the men and women closest to him must be kept at a distance for their own good. He erected a barrier between himself and the rest of the world-a cold facade that no one is permitted to penetrate. He believes that his past is so tarnished by his misdeeds that this existence is all he deserves.

    I thought death had wiped my slate clean when I followed Talmage and became a member of Cruor. I didn’t realize how wrong I was until it was too late. If death couldn’t cure me, then nothing would.

His past life is shrouded in mystery. You're given hints and clues throughout the story, and I think I have an idea as to what he's concealing but this bombshell is left for future books to be revealed. You just know that when everything does come out, there will probably be hell to pay.

Leena and Noc are similar in that they are both outcasts of society. Both fallen from grace and doing what they must, living one day at a time. Leena is a highly skilled beast charmer who has been cast out of her home, Hireath. Betrayed by the man she loved, she no longer puts her trust in anyone but herself. Her one goal is to somehow convince the Council to hear her side of the story so she may return home. It doesn't help that she's been breaking the law by selling beasts while exiled. And the hit put out on her from a mysterious source? That tends to cause some difficulties as well. Leena isn't one to go down easily though, and she manages to strike a deal with the man bound by Cruor’s Oath to end her life. She must provide beasts for his crew in exchange for her freedom. If she can kill two birds with one stone and charm the beast she needs to re-enter Hireath, she may have a chance to reclaim her home and her honor that was stolen from her.

The magical beasts were something completely different for me. I really enjoyed the wide range of species and how their talents interacted and aided the group on their adventure. Leena's skill in charming them was extraordinary. Many times she was facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, putting herself in life or death situations. Yet she faced each and every one with courage that was admirable. There was a lot to love about Leena. She was a strong heroine that was dealt a crappy hand, but always finds a way to outsmart the odds. As she started to develop feelings for Noc, there was a lot of push and pull because he couldn't help but give her mixed signals. Falling for each other could be the destruction of them both.

    Noc was an open door. Not because he was easy to read, but because every action begged me to walk right into him. To unearth every secret of my own volition and turn it over in my hands.

The end was action packed, and satisfyingly suspenseful. It leaves off in a happy for now place, but there is plenty of unresolved issues and room for the plot to grow in the following books. This is my first read by the author, and I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm always looking for more fantasy/paranormal books with a strong element of romance, and this fit the bill perfectly. Great world building, original concept, and flawed yet approachable characters that are easy to root for make a well rounded package. I look forward to continuing with The Beast Charmer series next year with The Frozen Prince.


FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON: 

TwitterBlogEmailGoodreadsPinterestFacebook



Monday, April 8, 2019

Review: American Witch by Thea Harrison



From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Thea Harrison comes the first in a new spellbinding trilogy…


AMERICAN WITCH by THEA HARRISON
Series: American Witch #1
Publication date: April 29, 2019
Genre: paranormal romance

 Share on Goodreads


Synopsis

Power can change a person…

For months Molly Sullivan endures the inexplicable: electrical surges, car breakdowns, visions. She even wonders if she might be the cause… and wonders if she might be crazy. Then she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Again. Now Molly realizes she is a newly awakening witch and a woman pushed over the edge.

Revenge can shape a person…

Josiah Mason is a Powerful witch and the leader of a secret coven with a shared goal: to destroy an ancient enemy who has ruined many lives. Josiah lost years to this man, and his sole focus is revenge. He’s prepared for every contingency—except encountering a beautiful new witch who understands nothing of the immense Power building within her or the attraction she wields over him.

Danger can bring them together…

When divorcing her husband, Molly uncovers a dangerous secret he’s willing to kill to protect. She turns to Josiah for help, and they discover a connection between Molly’s husband and Josiah’s enemy.

As they work together, a spark ignites between them that threatens to become an inferno. But Molly is done compromising herself for any man, and Josiah’s mission is his top priority. And the enemy is cunning, cruel, and drawing ever closer.

As the danger escalates, so does the tension between them. Is a lasting relationship possible? Will either of them live long enough to try?

Pre-order your copy now!
Amazon | Google | iBooks  | B&N 




About Thea Harrison


I write paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and other stuff. I taught myself to read when I was four. That was around the time I tried to ride my tricycle to work. I wasn't sure where work was, but I knew it had to be interesting if people went there every day. Now I combine my love of books with work, and I don't have to ride my tricycle to get there. My Elder Races series began May, 2011. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook!

You can find her on:
American WitchAmerican Witch by Thea Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a huge Thea Harrison fan, so when I saw she had a book coming out centered around witches that's tied to her Elder Races universe I was giddy with excitement. I read the entire Moonshadow series and several of the Elder Races books, many of which were five star reads. There are some authors you click with, and she's one of them. She's one of my top favorite paranormal authors for her amazing world building, attention to detail, and addictive stories. I enjoyed the fact that while she kept supernatural elements with her main characters, they are human, living in the setting of the human world which is a departure from her norm.

Molly isn't even aware that she has latent witch powers waiting to surface until her philandering husband loosens her control over her emotions which in turn, releases her hidden abilities. Her rage is a powder keg that unleashes all of the fury of a woman scorned and it's a glorious thing to see. You want to give her the biggest high five for how she smartly turns the situation to her advantage and humiliates him in the process. I absolutely loved the beginning chapters and I was immediately invested in how she would reinvent herself in her new life.

    She was almost forty years old and childless, with a patchwork history of working part-time at various socially acceptable jobs and volunteering at socially acceptable charities. She had spent all her adult life trying to fit into the right-sized box.

Josiah Mason is the new DA in town, witness to her embarrassing scene when her marriage imploded, and he just happens to have ancient and powerful abilities of his own. He may have a squeaky clean image and ambition to get elected governor, but he has a secret agenda that he and his coven have been working towards for decades. He's been fueled by revenge for longer than he can remember, and nothing will stop him from finally making it happen. Not even the complication in the form of a fledging witch who may or may not be tangled up in something she isn't prepared to defend herself against. As much as he tries to keep his distance, he just can't stay away from the beautiful woman on the brink of coming into unimaginable power.

I must admit, I wasn't the Josiah's biggest fan in the beginning. He's very self-serving, abrasive, and difficult to warm up to. I was worried for a little while there that he wouldn't be redeemable in the end. He tries to manipulate the heroine every chance he gets, but the good news is that she puts him in his place every single time. Although she is at a very difficult time in her life, no one could ever call her weak. In fact, she's more empowered than she's ever been in her life. Not only was she bullied by her pathetic excuse for a mother, she was used by her husband to complete his perfect cookie cutter image. Now she's ready to take charge of her life, and she isn't allowing anyone to take that away from her.

    She was the most dangerous woman he had ever met, and she didn’t yet know a fraction of what she was truly capable of.

Once you learn about Josiah's past and what he suffered, you can empathize with his need to bring down the mysterious witch who wreaked havoc in so many people's lives. It's not just about getting revenge, he's trying to prevent others from needlessly suffering or losing loved ones. Shortly after the halfway point you really see him softening up towards Molly. He lost his selfishness, going above and beyond to show her that she was now his top priority. Making sure she's safe, happy, and attempting to find a way for them to merge their lives so that they could have a future together.

There is an underlying mystery in the plot regarding Molly's ex and if the shady business he's involved in could be tied to the man Josiah has been hunting. It held my interest throughout the book and kept me turning the pages to see the confrontation that would undoubtedly happen at the end.

In the end, Molly showed her strength and courage, though the scene was a bit anticlimactic as it was pretty brief and left unresolved for future books. Overall, I was really happy with the romance. I wasn't sure if I liked these two together at first, but Thea Harrison brought me around like she always does. I'm really looking forward to reading more installments in the series in the future! I'm hoping Steven, geeky tech genius gets a book because he's the character that intrigued me the most out of all of the secondary characters. This was a solid start to a new series filled with magic, mystery, and plenty of potential to grow.

FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON: 

TwitterBlogEmailGoodreadsPinterestFacebook