Category Archives: Fiction Books

May 21, 2013 · 12:30 pm

eMag Review #2

Hi Everyone,

You might see the title of this and think, wait… Where was eMag number 1 posted? Well… I am sad to say I cannot share eMag review #1 just yet, because… it will be published in the magazine. I will be able to share a portion of that review later next month.

In the meantime, here is review #2.

Enjoy,
~Ariesgrl

The Warrior Prince
By: Nancy J. Cohen.

The Warrior Prince, the first in a series, comes across as a combination of stories. It starts out in the science-fiction realm, with a group of men from another planet trying to rid Earth of the bad guys from a very different planet. About halfway through, the story takes a leap into the ancient tales from Norse Mythology as the characters repeat ancient quests and reacquaint themselves with the Norse Gods.

This combination has potential to work well in a story. However, readers will have a hard time following along, especially when the main ‘alien’ characters’ dialects keep switching back and forth between their home country and the current Earth setting. Nira Larson and Zohar Thorald each have redeeming qualities of inner strength and humility that readers will be able to relate to and appreciate.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review – all conclusions are my own responsibility.

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May 18, 2013 · 7:25 pm

Heart Robber

Lifestyle by Design #2. By: Miranda P. Charles. Read: May 2013.

Jessa Allen has low self-esteem and is completely thrown for a loop when the hunk of the party, Rob Granger asks her to dinner. Jessa agrees, because she knows she will never get another chance, but Rob is not looking for any long-term commitments. After one night of fun, an arrangement is made to keep things casual. Will they both keep their hearts protected or will they give in and accept their feelings?

Heart Robber is the story of how Jessa and Rob overcome their insecurities and learn to love themselves and each other. This is the second book in the Lifestyle by Design series and picks up right where the first book left off, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Fans of Will and Clarise will still get snippets of their inner thoughts and follow their happily-ever-after, while falling in love with Jessa and Rob. The writing is improved from the first book, while the spiciness of the romance is amped up too. This book is a must read for fans of spicy romances with sweet, relatable characters.

I found the female lead a bit more relatable in this story due to her lack of self-confidence. However, it does seem to repeat the basic storyline from the first book. I do enjoy the fact that it picks up right where the first one left off, at Megan’s party and I appreciate a book in the middle of the series that focuses on the couple in the book, like this one does. Unfortunately there some “middle” books can focus too much on the past and too much on setting up the future. Have you noticed any “middle” books that remain focused on its characters’ story, like this one?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

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May 10, 2013 · 11:45 am

My Sister’s Books Review #13

And Then I Found You
By: Patti Callahan Henry

This fictional story is based off the real-life events that occurred within the author’s family. Jack Adams and Katie Vaughan grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. Katie even vowed on the first day of Spring, that magical day when all promises come true, to never love another as much as she loved Jack. However life happened, Katie is now Kate who is trying to be in love with her boyfriend, Rowan. Too much has occurred in the last 13 years and Kate knows she can’t fix things until she first talks to Jack. However the true healing process starts when her thirteen year old daughter, whom she gave up for adoption, finds her on Facebook. This is the story of how Katie, Jack and Emily find one another and find themselves along the way.

Patti Callahan Henry uses her real-life experiences and emotions as inspiration for this story. With each chapter rotating between the present and the past, readers will feel like they are walking down memory lane with Kate. Then, when the story switches to Emily’s point-of-view, it brings about a new round of emotions for readers. The author’s writing will rip your heart open causing it to bleed with the characters’ pain, and then stitch it whole again with the sweetest thread made from undying love and conquering the fear of the unknown. This book is packed full of emotions and lessons to be learned that I highly recommend it to fans of Women’s Literature.

Note:

This review was written for My Sister’s Books.

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May 6, 2013 · 10:37 pm

Will to Love

Lifestyle by Design #1. By: Miranda P. Charles. Format: eBook. Read: May 2013.

Clarise Carson was desperate not to be set-up by her meddling family, so she takes drastic measures to avoid the awkward introduction at her sister’s party. Too bad she didn’t know who the guy was ahead of time, because the only single male at the party was making her wounded heart flutter back to life. Will Matthews hated it when his friends tried to set him up. Yet he agrees to go to the party because he intends to be introduced to a woman who could help his successful business grow larger. Will intends to keep his life strictly business, in order to care for his parents, yet Clarise opens his heart to things he never thought possible. Will these two be able to put their pain aside and help each other heal or will they both avoid love out of fear?

This is a sweet, contemporary romance book to start a promising series. Miranda P. Charles does a great job with writing relatable characters whose past hurts will affect reader’s emotions. She also establishes the secondary characters, that will take on leading roles in future books, without distracting readers from Clarise and Will. Though the excessive use of endearing terms, such as Darling and Baby, will be a bit much for some readers to handle, the overall meanings of overcoming fear and going after what your heart desires are sure to soften even the hardest of hearts. This is an easy-to-read book, with a few grammatical errors. Adult readers who enjoy reading sentimental love stories, will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This book is a great way to start a series. I am looking forward to reading how the other characters find love and hopefully getting to see how Clarise and Will continue their relationship. This book will definitely have you grinning while you read.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her books, please visit her website.

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May 1, 2013 · 6:00 am

Book Lovers’ Buffet Sale

Hi Everyone,

This site is having a massive sale from May 1, 2013- May 3, 2013. I thought I would share the information for all of you who enjoy a great deal on eBooks.

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Bouquet

Introducing the Book Lovers’ Buffet. Load up, you won’t gain a pound!

The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced in price to just 99 cents. Save in categories such as Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense, Erotic Romance, and more!

PLUS, visit the website to win gift cards to your choice of online retailers. $400 in gift cards up for grabs!

Titles from popular authors such as:

• Gemma Halliday
• Angie Fox
• Jenna Bennett
• Amanda Brice
• Jennette Marie Powell
• Clover Autrey
• Carly Carson
• E. Ayers
• Genevieve Jourdin
• CJ Lyons
• Renee Pace
• Sophia Knightley
• Tori Scott
• Meredith Bond
• Emily Ryan-Davis
• Anthea Lawson
• Diana Layne
• Lindsey Brookes
• Gina Robinson
• McKenna Chase

And many, many more!

Buffet

(Blog Tour Hosted by Indie Romance Ink.)

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April 30, 2013 · 12:15 am

The Goddess’s Choice

By: Jamie Marchant. Kronicles of Korthlundia #1. Format: eBook. Read: April 2013.

Robbie is the family outcast, he is treated worse than the hired hands and the whole town shuns him. Even though everyone feels he is a demon sent to curse them all, he is the first one they call upon to heal their animals. Robbie has a special magical talent for understanding animals and plants, but unfortunately he has been raised to be ashamed of his abilities. Princess Samantha is heir to the thrown and yet she fears she has gone mad. She sees varying shades of color around everyone and she knows this is not normal. Too afraid to discuss it with her father, since the King who is busy trying to find a worthy suitor, Princess Samantha is forced to research her illness. When she discovers the truth behind her abilities, it could equal the demise of her family and a civil war for her nation. Will these two opposites find a way to unite and save the nation or will their unique talents cost them each their lives?

This story is captivating and thrilling. Readers will be hooked from the very first page. Jamie Marchant does an excellent job of portraying human qualities that will overwhelm readers’ emotions. Robbie is a wonderful, humble, young man that has been treated like dirt by his father and yet he finds the strength within to stand up for himself. While Princess Samantha is a strong, powerful, young woman who has to make some difficult morale decisions that will affect everyone’s life. Readers will find themselves connected to each character and rooting for them to survive. With evil characters lurking around and family truths constantly being revealed, this is perfect read for adults wanting a more modern, grown-up fairy tale. In the end, readers will only be disappointed by the fact that book two is not yet available.

I loved this book! I was also very frustrated when I couldn’t read it for a few days when my Nook was unavailable, but I found myself dreaming of the scenes and how I hoped it would end. I found myself wrapped up in this story and caught myself telling the characters what not to do. (They didn’t listen.) I highly recommend this book for fans of the fantasy genre.

So tell me, if you could have one power which would you choose… the ability to heal others or the ability to see people’s auras?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

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April 25, 2013 · 10:51 am

Jessica Bowers Review #3

Kiss Me, Chloe
By Linda George
Book 1 of the Kiss Me Series

“Kiss Me, Chloe” is a sweet story about finding true love when you least expect it. When the lives of Chloe Llewellyn and Kyle Stanton fall apart they decide to go out and search for the things they want in their lives. Chloe from Houston, Texas is done waiting for her high school sweetheart Greg to get his “big promotion” at work and finally decide to marry her and make a family. Greg is too busy, working long hours and not spending any time with Chloe, to even think about marriage. After he has pushed back their engagement more times than a woman should allow she decides to pack her bags and hit the road. She finds herself headed towards the mountains of Colorado. She meets Kyle Stanton on her trip while in a restaurant having dinner. Kyle is a trucker from Colorado, on his way to Ouray, Colorado for his monthly stay with his aunt Byrdie. He invites Chloe to come stay at his aunt Byrdie’s B&B for the Fourth of July weekend. When she arrives she is in awe of the beauty of Ouray. Everything is so perfect, too perfect, even Kyle the handsome trucker who has offered to make her stay the best weekend of her life. Kyle has also been pushed aside by his ex-girlfriend choosing her career over having a family. When Kyle and Chloe go out on the town to see the sights they begin to realize that there may be a reason they were brought together. Chloe tries to fight the feelings she is developing for the trucker, while Kyle grabs life by the horns and goes for the ride. Not afraid of anything, Kyle is ready to show Chloe there is someone for everyone you just have to look in the right direction.
This book was so enchanting the way these two are brought together and the trials they are put through to show them it is meant to be. The author really depicted a picture with her words, describing the wonderful views of Ouray, and the wonderful people that the characters came to know. It is a romantic story with realistic views on true love and how two people can be brought together by destiny. This book had me pulled in from the first page. The story is silly at the right moment and will have you rooting for Kyle to win Chloe’s heart. “Kiss Me, Chloe” is a must read for anyone who believes in true love.

This book was free on Amazon.com

~Jessica Bowers

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April 20, 2013 · 7:00 pm

Jessica Bowers Review #2

The Other Side of Us

By Sarah Mayberry

Oliver Garrett is a successful music producer that finds out his wife has been unfaithful for the 6 years they have been married. He decides to take a trip to Melbourne, Australia and clean up his deceased Aunt’s house to be sold. Next door he meets a young petite woman, Mackenzie Williams, a TV producer. Mackenzie has been staying in Melbourne for her recovery from a tragic car accident. Their first few meetings are not very pleasant to say the least. Though nature has its own way it pulls them together. They soon realize this has become a great opportunity to open up to someone with no judgments about their miss comings. Both Oliver and Mackenzie, afraid of the feelings they are developing for each other, try to keep their feelings hidden from the other. Until Mackenzie lets her need to conquer get the best of her and she sets out to get what she wants.
The sexual chemistry between the two characters is breath taking. It is the type of “love at first sight” fantasy that all women dream of. The author gives an excellent description of the scenery and the lives of Oliver and Mackenzie. With a full back story of the characters you feel as though you are pulled right into their lives. This story is sweet and funny, while holding your attention through every page turn. It is truly hard to stop at the end of each chapter, when it leaves you wondering what they will do next.

This book was free for Kindle at Amazon.com

~Jessica Bowers

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· 6:09 pm

Aphrodite’s Curse

By: Luciana Cavallaro Format: eBook. Read: April 2013.

Phaedra has just poisoned herself with hemlock and with her last few breaths, she struggles to tell the world her family’s tale. Her family has seen many ups and downs, after all her father was King Minos and she is married to King Theseus. However her half-brother is what is known as the Minotaur and she has fallen for her husband’s son, Hippolytos. She pleads to the goddess, Aphrodite, in hopes that Hippolytos will return her advances. Unfortunately for her, he has pledged himself to the goddess, Artemis, and thus, poisoning is her only option.

Luciana Cavallaro demonstrates a powerful gift, when it comes to telling the lesser known tales of Greek Mythology. The narrator, Phaedra, comes from a powerful family and plays a small role in several ancient stories, yet in this book Cavallaro shares her side. Cavallaro provides a poetic balance between all of the various stories and characters, while giving just enough of an explanation so the readers understand. Fans of Greek Mythology must take notice Luciana Cavallaro, as they will quickly become life-long fans. Aphrodite’s Curse contains a few minor grammar errors, but the storyline flows with ease. This is definitely a must-read for everyone, even those that just want to get a taste of Greek Mythology.

I know I have said this before, but I absolutely love Greek Mythology. It was one of my favorite subjects (and yes there were many subjects that I loved.) I thoroughly enjoy how Luciana Cavallaro tells the same myths, but from new perspectives. Both of her short stories has a unique vibe, that will leave readers wanting to read more of her work. Have you read any of Luciana Cavallaro’s work? Do you have a favorite author that gives a new twist on ancient tales?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this author and her work, please visit her website.

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April 18, 2013 · 9:26 pm

Leaving Tuscaloosa

By: Walter Bennett. Format: Paperback. Read: April 2013.

It is the summer of 1962 and two young men’s lives are about to change forever. Richeboux Branscomb is a young, white male who should have stayed at the dance with his girlfriend. Instead he chooses to ride with his friends into Cherrytown. Acee Waites, is a young, black male who works hard and is just trying to find time to spend with his girlfriend. He is called home, when the cops show up searching for his brother, a civil rights activist who lives with a white, northern woman. This is the journey of these two men and the dividing barrier of one’s race.

This book is a power house of emotions and actions. Walter Bennett will captivate readers with the struggles of Richeboux and Acee. Readers will feel as though they have been transported through time and space, thanks to the intricate details and accurate dialects. Told from various points-of-view, this story allows readers a chance to feel the inner turmoil of the main characters. Leaving Tuscaloosa is a superb example of Southern Literature and this book should be on every adult’s must-read list. Graphic scenes, rough language and harsh content will not be appropriate for all ages.

This book left me breathless and speechless. It is a gripping, action-packed book that provides an excellent representation of a southern community in the 1960s. Have you read Leaving Tuscaloosa? Without giving anything away, did you feel that the consequences of the main characters’ actions were justified due to the time period?

Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl

Note:
The PR representative for this book, provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about this PR company, please visit her website.

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