Monday 27 February 2017

The Fireproof Girl - Lorretta Lost

I signed up to review the second book in the Sophie Shields series, The Bulletproof boy. When the ARC arrived there was also a copy of The Fireproof Girl, the first book in the series.

The Fireproof Girl

The Fireproof Girl by Loretta Lost
Abandoned at birth, Sophie Shields grew up in abusive foster homes, escaping into books and computers for solace. When the constant danger became too much to bear, she ran away, thinking she could survive on her hacking skills alone.



That was until she met Cole Hunter. He became the only person she could trust: her family, her friend, her partner-in-crime. Her everything. After struggling through college and starting their lives together, she believed that nothing could ever tear them apart.



Until it did.



And she’ll do everything in her power to fix what is broken. If it isn’t too late…



---------



When Cole was nine years old, he watched his whole family burn to death in a house fire. Fueled by years of obsession, he started one of the world’s leading architectural firms, with a mission to design homes resistant to fire, earthquakes, floods, and every threat known to man.



Sophie was his secret weapon. She was his purpose. Since they were teenagers, he was determined to build a better life for her, so she could finally be safe, and they could be together. 



But disaster has always followed Cole around, ripping away everything he loves. This time, if he isn’t careful…



His enemies might just take him down.

My Review

I really didn't expect this novel when I started. I'd assumed that I was going to get a 'traditional' romance novel. The fireproof girl goes way beyond this. This wasn't a simple boy meet girl, they have a few problems, work through them and everyone lives happily ever after. This is the story of two characters their life and the way they feel about one another. It is a love story, but it isn't your common or garden romance book.

Although this book doesn't finish on a cliff hanger. It is very clear that this is the first in a series. There is so much more to find out. We learn a lot about Cole and Sophie's childhood and when they first met. There are lots of hints though about things that we might find out in future books. 

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story and it was gripping from the start. The story draws you in and you want to know more about their past and what's going to happen. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the second book in the series and finding out what the future holds for Cole and Sophie. Highly recommended.

Thursday 23 February 2017

A Burning Touch - Patricia Ryan

A Burning Touch is book three in the Hot City Nights series by Patricia Ryan. This series is a group of books all set in the city, but that aren't actually connected, so can all be read as stand alone novels and in any order. 

A Burning Touch
A Burning Touch by Patricia Ryan.

Mansfield, New Jersey, is burning up building by building—each fire more devastating than the last—and it’s Irish born police detective Jamie Keegan’s job to bring the “Firefly,” as the arsonist has dubbed himself, to justice. He balks when his captain orders him to consult the beautiful and enigmatic India Cook, who has offered her services as a psychic to the police department.
Jamie doesn’t believe a word about India’s special talents. He knows all about con artists. The fact that India doesn’t like to be touched—that’s how she reads people—is only more of a challenge, because she’s just about the most smoking hot woman he’s ever met. Convinced she’s a con artist, Jamie tries to deny the chemistry simmering between them as they work together to stop the Firefly before he can strike again.


Hot City Nights Series, Patricia Ryan

My Review

I'm always a little bit reluctant to read novels where one of the characters has a supernatural power. There's a real danger that it will slip into the ridiculous and far fetched. In this book though, I needn't have worried. Although India does have a special ability, it is written in a way that makes it seem completely believable and fits with the story line.

Jamie is sure that India is a con artist. But, as he begins to fall for her, he decides that she must actually believe that she has this ability herself. She is just mistaken about it. His past makes believing that she can really read peoples thoughts and emotions, something that he just can't accept.

I think that the struggle between the feelings that India and Jamie start to have for one another, and the fact that he can't accept that she has this gift is really interesting. Can they somehow overcome this lack of belief? Will Jamie manage to accept who and what she really is, or is their relationship doomed to fail?

I won't give away what happens in this great story, you'll have to read it for yourself. Hopefully it's enough to say that he doesn't suddenly, miraculously change his mind. The journey is quite exciting with a few twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Wednesday 22 February 2017

The magician's workshop blog tour

About the Books:

The Magician’s Workshop, Volume One

Authors: Christopher Hansen, J.R. Fehr
Published by: Wondertale, California
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
ISBN: 1-945353-11-2
ASIN: B01MQGHGBH
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magic
Ages: 12 and up.
Length: 85,000 words / 290 pages


Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads


Synopsis:
Everyone in the islands of O’Ceea has a magical ability: whatever they imagine can be brought into existence. Whoever becomes a master over these powers is granted the title of magician and is given fame, power, riches, and glory. This volume of books follows the journey of a group of kids as they strive to rise to the top and become members of the Magician’s Workshop.

Layauna desperately wants to create beautiful things with her magical powers, but all she can seem to do is make horrible, savage monsters. For years she has tried to hide her creations, but when her power is at last discovered by a great magician, she realizes that what she’s tried to hide might actually be of tremendous value.

Kai just wants to use his powers to have fun and play with his friends. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on his island sees him as a bad influence, so he’s forced to meet them in secret. When one of the creatures they create gets out of control and starts flinging fireballs at their town, Kai is tempted to believe that he is as nefarious as people say. However, his prospects change when two mysterious visitors arrive, praising his ability and making extraordinary promises about his future.

Follow the adventures of Kai, Layauna, and a boatload of other characters as they struggle to grow up well in this fantastical world.



The Magician’s Workshop, Volume Two

Authors: Christopher Hansen, J.R. Fehr
Print Length: 273 pages
Publisher: Wondertale
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
ASIN: B01N988TW7
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magic
Ages: 12 and up.


Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads


Synopsis:
Return to the world of The Magician’s Workshop: Where Dreams Become Reality.

In Volume Two, the Festival of Stars has finally arrived, and the Color Ceremony is about to commence. As children from all over the islands gather to stand before a puller, one question remains: who will have a Color, and who will be found void?

Rejoin your favorite characters as they step forward and receive a label that will have the power to dramatically alter the course of their lives forever.

About the Authors:

Christopher Hansen

The first glimmering Chris Hansen had that there was far more to reality than he had ever imagined occurred six days after his ninth birthday. “Christopher!” cried a wise, old sage. “Life is full of deep magic. Miraculous things happen all the time and all around us, if you know where to look for them.” Full of expectation and childlike optimism, Chris began searching for this magic, prepared to be surprised and amazed by it. And he was: he found Wonder! Now he’s chosen to write stories about it.




J.R. Fehr

When J.R. Fehr popped out of the womb, he knew there was more to the world than the four boring hospital walls that he was seeing. “Zango!” his newborn mind exclaimed as he saw people appear and disappear through a mysterious portal in the wall. As a child he found life wowtazzling, but as he grew older the cold water of reality hit him, and the magic he once knew vanished. After spending some wet and shivering years lost in a joyless wasteland, he once again began to see magic in the world. He writes because the Wonder of true life is far grander than anything he ever thought possible.




Contact the Authors:
Website * Facebook


Tuesday 21 February 2017

A way back into love Release Day Blitz

~ Release Day Blitz ~
A Way Back Into Love by Veronica Thatcher
21st February, 2017



About the Book:

Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes, uncertain. People, irrational. But love… Well, that makes complicates everything complicated. When you are caught in a tangled web of secrets, lies, and complex affairs, someone is bound to get burned.
Emily Stevens is a spunky, spirited college girl whose life is turned upside-down when she realizes she's in love with her best friend of fifteen years, Derek Thorpe. As Emily prepares to confess her feelings to Derek, something happens one night which changes her life forever. Five years later, Emily finds herself in Boston, alone and heartbroken. Will she ever be able to forget the past? And what will she find when she returns home... to the man she left behind?



Book Links:
Goodreads * Paperback * eBook

Read an Excerpt:

Emily stepped back from him and shook her head. “Oh, you know damn well what I mean. You know what, Derek? I’m done having this conversation with you. I’m so done with this conversation and I’m so done with you,” Emily spat out angrily before brushing past him.

“Emily, wait,” Derek said, catching her by her arm. “Where are you going?”

Emily spun around and gave him a bitter look before looking down at his hand gripping her arm. “Leave my arm,” she said in a low yet threatening voice, “And why do you care where I’m going? It’s none of your business.”

Derek didn’t leave her arm in spite of her warning and said, “Em, you’ve had too many drinks. You can’t drive in this condition. I’ll drop you home.”

Emily jerked her arm free from his grasp and replied in a bitter voice, “Thank you, but no. I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home on my own. I don’t need you to drop me home. Do you get it, Derek Thorpe? I DON’T NEED YOU!” Emily yelled the last words, causing a few people to look their way.


About the Author:
Veronica Thatcher is an exciting new contemporary romance author. Ever since she was very young, she’s dreamed of becoming a doctor when she grew up. While still forging ahead with that, majoring in pre-med in college, she unwittingly stumbled upon a new dream—becoming a published author. Some may call her an introvert or a wallflower, but she has always found she could express herself better in written, rather than spoken, words. However, never in her wildest dreams had she envisioned she would pursue writing as a prospective career, not just a hobby. Her love for writing goes hand-in-hand with her love for a good romance novel—whether it be a feel-good, sweet romance or a dark, suspenseful one. When she’s not studying, reading, or writing, she is usually found blasting her favourite songs, sometimes singing and dancing along to them.  She dabbles in a number of activities, including painting, karate, singing and dancing. She is a huge chocoholic – probably the biggest – and she is an ice-cream junkie too. She considers herself technologically handicapped forever and has no shame in admitting that. She also deems chocolates her boyfriend, Patrick Dempsey the love of her life, and Friends her life!
Her first book, A Way Back Into Love, is slated for release in February 2017, and she hopes readers will enjoy it as much as she enjoyed writing it. You can reach Veronica through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Wattpad and Gmail.

Contact the Author:

FB Page * FB Profile * Twitter * Wattpad




Monday 20 February 2017

One Eager Bride to Go - Pamela Burford

When four high school friends promise to find husbands for one another if any of them are still single at age thirty, they have no idea how complicated the pact will make their lives twelve years later! Book 3 of the Wedding Ring matchmaker series is One Eager Bride to Go.

One Eager Bride to Go
One Eager Bride to Go by Pamela Burford

The Prospective Bride: Sunny Bleecker, who’s been waiting tables at Wafflemania for twelve years… and waiting just as long for her knight in shining armor to come rescue her. She can’t wait for her matchmaking friends to find him!
The Prospective Groom: Kirk Larsen, who’s a college professor, a widowed single dad, and Sunny’s high school sweetheart. Between teaching and raising a toddler, Kirk isn’t looking for romance, but his unexpected reunion with Sunny feels so perfect.
The Hitch: Sunny is dubious when her blind date turns out to be her old boyfriend, but her doubts quickly evaporate. Soon she’s walking on air, dreaming of a white picket fence and a passel of kids… until a devastating secret threatens their second chance at happiness.

My Review

It's true that life often doesn't go quite to plan. While you might see yourself in a particular role, or place, there's no guarantee that it will happen. Sunny has spent the last 12 years, waiting for her life to start. Rather than going out and finding what she want's, she sat and waited for it to come to her. But it just hasn't happened. While her friends have gone out and followed the careers and lives that they have dreamt of following, Sunny has just stayed in the same place, doing the same thing.

Sunny is thrilled at the idea of her friends setting her up with a potential future husband. What she doesn't expect is to be set up with her high school boyfriend, the only man she ever loved, Kirk. Kirk seems to offer all that Sunny has ever wanted, but is everything as straight forward as it seems. what is it that Kirk isn't telling her.

I enjoyed this third installment in the Wedding Ring series. Sunny is forced to question what and who she really wants out of life. When Sunny has put everything on hold with only one goal in mind, how much is she willing to give up, what does she really want?

 The wedding ring series is a great series. All four friends are very different with different dreams and ideas. One more to go, I really recommend this series.

Thursday 16 February 2017

Deep in the Night - Patricia Ryan

Deep in the Night is book two in the Hot City Nights series by Patricia Ryan. Although this is a series, the books are all stand alone novels that don't link from one to another. I've read them in the wrong order, but that doesn't really matter.

Deep in the Night
Deep in the Night by Patricia Ryan


Roman Fitzpatrick: Cool play-by-the-rules ex-cop on the outside, but scratch the surface… a hot-blooded man, ready and able to do whatever needs to be done.
Summer Love: Free-spirited photographer and gossip columnist in San Francisco. She has a “fan” who’d like to see her out of the picture.
Roman’s Assignment:
• Guard a woman who doesn’t want guarding
• Overcome prejudice against flighty gossip columnists
• Pretend Summer Love isn’t the sexiest, most desirable woman on the face of the earth

My Review

First of all, I think that I have to comment on the names of the main characters in this book. Summer Love? Roman? Yes, they are a little bit odd, but there is at least a reason given for Summer Love, and it makes sense in terms of her character. In any case, don't let that put you off, I certainly didn't.

Deep in the night is the story of a woman and her body guard. Summer doesn't think that she needs a body guard and she certainly doesn't want one. It soon becomes apparent that someone is out to get her, or at the very least to get something from her, and she has to rely upon Roman.

Although Roman tries to keep his distance from his client, he can't help but be drawn to Summer. There's something about her that he just cannot resist, even though she's not his type and he's not her's. It isn't long before they find that they can't resist one another.

This was a lovely little romance, with well developed and likeable characters. There was more to both of them than at first seems obvious and I really enjoyed reading their story and about the way their relationship developed. Another great book from Patricia Ryan.

Monday 13 February 2017

I Do, But Here's the Catch - Pamela Burford


When four high school friends promise to find husbands for one another if any of them are still single at age thirty, they have no idea how complicated the pact will make their lives twelve years later! Book 2 of the Wedding Ring matchmaker series is I Do, But Here’s the Catch.

I Do, But Here's the Catch 
I do, but here's the catch by Pamela Burford.

The Prospective Bride: Carlotta “Charli” Rossi, last of a dying breed: the thirty-year-old virgin. It’s love at first sight when her matchmaking friends set her up on a blind date with Grant—but does he feel the same way about her?
The Prospective Groom: Grant Sterling, a handsome, rich, worldly lawyer, always in control. This confirmed bachelor’s only goal is to make partner at his stuffy law firm, and for that he requires a mousy, undemanding wife who doesn’t turn him on.
The Hitch: Charli is thrilled to become Mrs. Grant Sterling, but maybe she should have paid closer attention to the details before the wedding! Grant thinks he’s planned the perfect marriage of convenience, devoid of messy complications like sex and commitment. Good thing perfect plans never go wrong, huh?

My Review

To begin with, I wasn't completely convinced by this story line. When Charlie and Grant decide to get married, it's clear that there's been a big misunderstanding. I wasn't entirely convinced that something like this could happen, surely no one would manage to get that confused? But it didn't matter, as the story progressed and Grant begins to fall in love with Charli, I really didn't care that the wedding set up was a little far fetched.

Charli, who has spent her whole life being the dutiful, good daughter, finds out that there's far more to life and that she has far more power over men, or at least the one man that counts, than she ever thought possible. Soon, she's learning all the little moves and tricks that drive Grant wild, he can't resist her.

Of course the path of true love has a few humps and bumps along the way. But this was a great story and I am really looking forward to the third book in the series. I'll be sharing my review of that soon.

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Rakehell's Seduction - Lauren Smith

If there's something that always puts me in a good mood, then it's a new release by one of my favourite authors. If you've stopped by here before, then I'm sure that you'll know that I love Lauren Smith's writing. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of her newest story, The Rakehell's Seduction. 





Title: The Rakehell’s Seduction
Series: Seduction #2
Author: Lauren Smith
Genre: Historical/Regency Romance
Release Date: February 6, 2017



Blurb

HE’S MADE A DANGEROUS WAGER

Ambrose Worthing is no gentleman. He’s a proud cold-hearted rake who’s determined to stay a bachelor forever. He enjoys bedding a different woman every night without the risk of falling in love. When he hears about a wager over the seduction and ruination of the daughter of his father’s best friend, he knows he must intervene. Committing himself to the bet, he agrees to seduce Lady Alexandra Rockford—for her own good. He never expected the lady in question to be a beautiful, fiery creature who has passions of her own that call to his guarded heart.

SHE’S VOWED NEVER TO FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

Alexandra Rockford has sworn off men, her heart still broken from the false promises of a childhood sweetheart who left her to marry an heiress. When she stumbles into Ambrose outside of a country ball, she knows the rake his trouble. His smile, his touch, his forbidden kiss are all too tempting but being with him would ruin her. Determined to enjoy herself without falling in love, Alex can’t help but let her defenses down with the too charming rake. But when she discovers Ambrose is seducing her to win a bet, it will take everything Ambrose has to prove to her that he is worthy to love her.





My Review

As I already mentioned, I love Lauren Smith's writing. Whether it's her contemporary books, something a little bit supernatural, or her Regency work. I first discovered her work through her League of Rogues books. Although the Rakehell's Seduction is from a different series, it is from the same era, and for fans of the LofR, there's even a little bit of a cross over in this one.

When Ambrose meets Alexandra, he soon discovers that he's met his match. She doesn't fall for his smooth charm instantly and he soon realises that seducing this young lady might not be as straightforward as he first thought. He had thought that a young woman who avoids the marriage mart in London might not have that much in the way of charm. But he soon discovers that he was wrong.

Alexandra has heard of Ambrose's reputation, she knows that he's not the kind of man that she want's to get mixed up with. He's surely not the kind of man to trust her already once damaged heart with.

I do enjoy a good bad boy novel and this certainly was one of those. Although Ambrose starts out with the intention of just seducing the lady for her own good, he soon finds that these things never quite go to plan. I really enjoyed this great read, polishing it off in a day. Another great book from Ms Smith.


Purchase Links

99c for a limited time only

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS



Excerpt

Ambrose Worthing was attending a country dance.

The notion was laughable. He, a glorified rakehell with a distaste for country life, was currently entrapped in a bloody assembly room that could pass for a barn on better days. In fact, as he glanced around the room, he decided it most certainly resembled a farmyard at the moment, with the gaggle of society mamas squawking like geese, their turbans festooned with tall ostrich plumes.

He groaned when he saw them scrutinizing him, whispering behind their fans, their eyes dancing over his form as they assessed his marital suitability. From the clever smiles he glimpsed, he knew they were ready to throw their innocent daughters at his feet.

Like bloody hell. He was not about to find himself accidentally “compromising” any of the young ladies here tonight. He’d come here tonight to find one particular young woman to seduce her, to win a bet he’d made in London the previous week, and hopefully save her. He was not about to let the gathering of society mamas intimidate him into dancing with their daughters, even if they rivaled the great ancient Mongolian Golden Horde led by Genghis Khan. Many a rake had fallen under their wiles, surfacing months later to find themselves stuck with a shy chit of a girl as a wife and an obnoxious mother-in-law.

At twenty-nine years old, he’d managed to weather many attempts by his friends and relatives to see him settled. If those who loved him could not bring him to the altar, no silly chits from the country would have any success either. He was a permanent bachelor, and he liked it. Marriage was not made for men like him. To be tied down with one woman for the rest of his life and suffer the trappings of home and hearth when he could be exploring the world and living? Heavens no, he would not give up his freedom for anything.

A few daring matchmaking mamas separated from the crowd and walked in his direction. Damnation, even the need for a master of ceremonies to perform introductions wouldn’t stop these women.

Ambrose spun on his heel, desperate to avoid conversation. If he had to listen to one more story about how well their daughters played the pianofortes or how accomplished they were at needlepoint, he’d run from the assembly hall screaming.

He had met almost everyone present at the dance and had no desire to continue any of the acquaintances. He was only here because of the wager placed in a betting book at White’s. A damned fool named Gerald Langley had put down in the books that anyone who plucked the fruit of this girl’s vine would receive five thousand pounds from him. Langley was a brute with little in the way of good sense and far too much coin. Ambrose had no idea why Langley had it in for the Earl of Rockford’s daughter, but he did. After reading the bet, Ambrose had penned his name to the challenge and notified Langley he had accepted the wager.

For once in his life he was trying to do the right thing by a woman. It was a bit ironic, though, that saving the woman required compromising her. But the Earl of Rockford and his father had been friends, and Ambrose felt he owed it to Rockford to win the wager and keep the lady safe from true scoundrels. No other man would take the care with her that he would and see to it that her first time with a man was a pleasurable experience.

He had one month to seduce Rockford’s daughter and provide proof of this seduction in London. As the lady in question had never been to London, there was much speculation among the men at his club whether she was a diamond of the first water or a dowdy creature. The betting book listed her age as twenty-two, young enough not to be an ape leader, a nasty term for women nearing spinsterhood.

Apparently Rockford wasn’t one for traditions. Any father wishing to ensure his daughter’s future would have brought her to London at seventeen or eighteen, had her presented to the queen, and then made the round of balls to hunt for a husband.

Yet Rockford had not done any of that. He’d kept his daughter in the country, living a quiet life. An unplucked fruit to tempt the worst sort of men in White’s to bet upon the taking of her maidenhead for their own amusement.

Normally Ambrose had little desire to compete in wagers, especially ones which involved the corruption of innocents. It was not out of some moral principle, but rather a dislike of virgins. They tended to fall in love and cling to the man who took their innocence. But after witnessing the sort of men discussing whether to take the bet that night, Ambrose decided he would do this innocent lady a favor. He’d penned his name in the books, taking up the wager, and sent a letter to Rockford, renewing their acquaintance.

A letter from Rockford arrived only a few days later, inviting Ambrose to this ball and to spend a few weeks at Rockford’s home as a guest. It was the perfect opportunity for Ambrose to cozy up to the man’s daughter and see what sort of creature he would soon be bedding.

If only he knew what the lady looked like. In the chaotic din full of dancing and music, he could not find a single young lady among the crush that he was willing to bed. It wasn’t that the young ladies weren’t attractive. They were, but none were to his taste. Innocent young ladies had never appealed to him. If his friend Gareth Fairfax had been there, Gareth would have been laughing at him. Gareth was stuck in his own hell—the poor fool was happily married. Married! Ambrose couldn’t think of anything more terrifying than being stuck with one woman for the rest of his life. Helen was a darling creature and perfectly suited to Gareth, and Ambrose supposed it would be not too terrible to share a bed with a woman like her. But still, to be leg-shackled? 

I would rather die in a thousand unspeakable ways than stand in a bloody church and tie myself to one woman for the rest of my days.



Also Available


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS



Author Bio


Lauren Smith is an Oklahoma attorney by day, author by night for Grand Central Publishing, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. To connect with Lauren, visit her at http://www.laurensmithbooks.com/ or twitter at https://twitter.com/LSmithAuthor.


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