Wednesday, 1 November 2017

The Blue Unicorn's Journey to Osm blog tour

About the Book:
“The metal horned unicorns are doomed!” That’s what Lauda Lead Horn wailed when she first saw the tribe’s new savior. OK, so his horn was not metal. . .and he did not have a magic power. . .and he was really a puny little runt. But doomed? Were things really that bad? 
Well, things were pretty bad in the land of MarBryn. Magh, an evil sorcerer utilized unicorn horns and hooves to create his magical potions and spells. Those he used, to increase his power and to conquer everyone in his path. All of the unicorns from the Tribe of the Metal Horn were now gone . . . except for twelve survivors. 
Before the blue unicorn was born, Numen told Alumna, the aluminum-horned oracle, that he had a plan to bring the tribe back home to Unimaise. His prophecy was, “Only the blue unicorn can join with the Moon-Star. Until then, no new unicorns will be born.” Blue was the last unicorn born. Twenty years later, his horn was still covered with a plain blue colored hide. There was not a glint of metal to be seen on it or his hooves. And he still didn’t have any magic. But he was no longer scrawny and he had his wits. Though no one else in the tribe thought he had a chance, Blue felt ready to make Magh pay for his evil deeds. And he went off to do it alone. That was Blue’s first mistake. If the entire tribe was not standing horn-tip to horn-tip at the proper time and the exact place to help usher the Moon-Star Spirit into Blue’s horn, he would die. Then, the rest of the tribe would really be doomed. 
Readers will follow along two journey paths in this book. Blue is joined in his travels by his mentor Gaiso, the Stag and his friend, Girasol the Firebird as they try to find their way across a danger-filled MarBryn to Muzika Woods. The rest of Blue’s tribe is forced to follow another route due to Nix Nickle Horn’s unfortunate incident with a Manticore. Nix, the great unicorn defender must safely lead the way for Ghel, the Golden-Horned unicorn; Silubhra Silver Horn; Cornum the Brass-Horned unicorn; Steel Horned Style; Cuprum the Copper-Horned unicorn; Tin-Horned Tinam; Dr. Zinko; Iown the Iron-Horned unicorn and the others in an action packed adventure to their destination in Muzika Woods. Both journey paths converge there in the Nebulium Circle.



About the Author:
I'm Sybrina. . .. . .Just one of millions of wannabe author/singer/songwriters out there but I hope, after reading or hearing my books and songs, you'll think my contributions to the world have as much value as any other famous artist out there today. 

Fame is all in being in the right place at the right time but at least with the internet and venues like this, all of us have opportunities to share our creativity with the world. I'm so happy that I am able to share my works with you. That is awesome!

The books I’ve written span a wide range between illustrated picture books, coloring books and YA novels to technical and how-to books. If you’re so inclined you can read a little bit about the inspiration for each one below.

My latest effort is “The Blue Unicorn’s Journey To Osm. It is a book I started writing 30 something years ago and never finished. At the time, it was meant to be an epic fantasy along the lines of novels written by Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Ursula K. Le Guin and other amazing fantasy writers. I’ve pulled out my notes, dusted off the outline and began rewriting and expanding upon the 50 pages I had began. This story is now available as an Illustrated Book for teens and older readers in full color and in black and white, too. The black and white version is a "Read and Color" book. Read a chapter, then color the following pages. How fun is that? There is also a picture book for pre-schoolers called Unicorns From Unimaise - The Magical Metal-Horn Trobe. A longer version of the chapter book will soon be available as an Illustrated Novel with a companion glossary called, The Marbryn Compendium. All of the fantastic fantasy illustrations are by Dasguptarts. There is also a companion coloring/character description book, edited by Calyie Martin. It will introduce potential readers to the myriad of characters, places and things in the story.




Thursday, 26 October 2017

The Guardian - Anna Del Mar

The Guardian by Anna Del Mar

The Guardian

From the Amazon Bestseller author of the The Asset comes The Guardian. 

Game Warden Matthias Hawking is a decorated ex-SEAL engaged in a grueling fight against ruthless poachers in Africa. He’s short on resources and long on enemies. There’s a price on his head. The last thing he needs is the unexpected arrival of a beautiful but stubborn journalist threatening to uncover his secrets, an alpha female challenging his alpha male and getting into trouble, a hurricane wearing boots. 

Jade Romo is a veteran of several different kinds of war. She’s survived her heroin-addicted mother, the foster care system, and the conflict in Afghanistan. Jade’s tough, confident, cynical, and self-reliant, a woman who doesn’t believe in forevers. But when she defies the poachers and lands at the top of the warlord’s kill list, she’s forced to rely on the skilled, attractive but supremely infuriating game warden who has captivated her body’s undivided attention. 

Haunted by his past but driven by his courage, her mysterious guardian will do anything in his power to protect the woman who has captured his heart. 

Book three of the Wounded Warrior series 

My Review

In many ways, I was torn by this book. On the one hand, I couldn't put it down. The action moved along quickly and I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Jade and Matthias. They were clearly suited to one another. On the other hand, I wasn't entirely convinced by the characters themselves. They did both seem a little bit larger than life. They seemed a little bit too capable to be real people. We were told pretty much continuously that Matthias used to be a seal.

The African setting, with poaching and the dangers that magnificent animals such as elephants and giraffes face was quite unusual. I really liked the way that the issues that are faced in that part of the world were woven into the story of Jade and Matthias.

On the whole I liked the development of the chemistry and relationship between Jade and Matthias. I did think that he was a little overbearing though. I think that if I were Jade I would have told him where to go. She was a strong woman in her own right and he really didn't seem to recognise that.

Over all this was a good, well written story. It moved along quickly and had plenty of action and excitement.

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Mr Blackwell's Bride - Cover Reveal



Keep reading to enter the Giveaway

TWO PRIZES

TWO CHANCES TO WIN!!




Releasing Date: November 8, 2017


Drake
This marriage was supposed to be another business deal. My latest investment, a means to an end… I need an heir. Which means I want her belly swollen with my child before the year is out.

She was supposed to be my perfect little bride. Quiet. Uncomplicated. Unemotional.

I didn’t foresee the stunning firecracker who tumbled into my life and woke things in me I thought were long dead. I didn’t count on her turning my world upside down.

And I definitely didn’t plan on falling for this beauty.

Noriko
This marriage was supposed to be my sacrifice. A way to save my father, a means to an end… I need to remain childless. So I can exit the contract at the end of the year.

He was supposed to be a boring old man. Distant. Uncomplicated. Passionless.

I didn’t foresee the rude, arrogant and beautiful brute who made my body react like fire and smoke. I didn’t count on there being more underneath his gruff exterior.

And I’m definitely not supposed to fall in love with the beast.

This is a NEW story using old characters from the unpublished novel, Girl Wife Prisoner. This version has no Keir, no cheating and a Happily Ever After. Although this book is part of a series, it is a standalone novel.




Meet Author Sienna Blake


Sienna Blake is a storyteller & ink slinger, word spinner of love stories with grit, and alter ego of a USA Today Bestselling Author.
She loves all things that make her heart race — roller coasters, thrillers and rowdy unrestrained sex. She likes to explore the darker side of human nature in her writing.
If she told you who she really was, she’d have to kill you. Because of her passion for crime and forensics, she’d totally get away with your murder.
Sign up for my newsletter and get Paper Dolls, a full-length romantic suspense as a thank you gift. You'll also be the first to hear about new releases, sales and giveaways ► www.subscribepage.com/SiennaBlake
Sienna also runs a book club (with exclusive giveaways) in her Reader Group ► http://bit.ly/SiennasDarkAngels

Follow Sienna for special deals, freebies, and exclusive giveaways 
BookBub | Amazon | Instagram | Facebook| Goodreads

TWO PRIZES

TWO CHANCES TO WIN!!

▼click the image to be redirected▼


Tuesday, 10 October 2017

The Du Lac Princess - Mary Anne Yarde

When I first came across the Du Lac Chronicles a few months or so ago, I was immedeately hooked. I quickly read the first two full length books and the novella. When I heard that there was a new installment due out, I couldn't wait to read it. Fortunately I got my hands on an advanced copy, so I didn't have to.

The Du Lac Princess


The multi award-winning series The Du Lac Chronicles continues:

War is coming…

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.


My Review

I really love this series. The first two books were fantastic and this latest installment lived up to them. Armandine and Merton both believe each other to be dead and this leaves them not knowing where to turn or what to do. 

Merton is a shell of his previous self and all he can think about is getting revenge on Phillip. He is no longer the warrior that he one was, he is a cripple, unable to hold a sword let alone fight with one. He tries to make his way to Brittany and finds on the way that perhaps life isn't as hopeless as he may have first thought.

Armandine is friendless, left behind in Brittany. She find that with barely any contact with people that she can trust, she finds herself questioning all that she's believed and not knowing if people are really as they seem to be or not. 

At the same time, the Du Lac Brothers are all trying to establish how they now relate to one another and if they can work together. Alden and Merton are both dealing with so much guilt that it is pulling their close relationship apart. Non of the brothers really want anything to do with Budic. Newly arrived Garren is struggling to find his way back into his family and to earn their trust.

I love the complexity of the characters in this book. They all have many dimensions and solutions to problems are not always simple. They don't overcome their immediate problems and find themselves completely whole and happy. 

I don't know what's going to happen next in this series, but I'm looking forward to reading the next book and finding out. 

Sunday, 8 October 2017

Love on the Forbidden Side - Mariah Ankenman


Love on the Forbidden Side 

Assistant District Attorney Julie Ryder plans to hide out at her brother’s ranch house in Peak Town, Colorado after a killer she put away escapes. Hoping for a little peace and quiet, what she gets instead is hot and bothered when she discovers the good sheriff is gone, and his sexy best friend is house-sitting.
FBI agent Liam Graham is on medical leave after a career-jeopardizing injury. He's taking the time to rethink his professional choices while watching his buddy’s place, but he never expected to watch the guy’s sister, too. Julie is a fiery ball of sweet temptation he's been denying himself for years. When she finally reveals the real reason for her visit to Peak Town, Liam does everything in his power to keep her safe. But with his focus on protecting her body, Liam fears he may lose his heart.

My review

There are some series where the books work as stand alone novels and others where they don't. As I haven't read any of the other books in the Peak Town Colorado series, I was glad that Love on the Forbidden Side, worked really well as a stand alone. Having said that, it has whet my appetite sufficiently, to possibly go back and read the previous books. 

I liked both the leads in this book. Unlike some romance novels, this isn't an instant attraction that comes out of nowhere, but slow sexual chemistry that's been simmering away just under the surface for years. Somehow there's something a little bit more interesting and exciting about that kind of love denied, finally finding an outlet.

I did want to give Liam a good shake at quite a few points early in the book, as really it's him putting blocks in the way of happiness, that he really didn't need to. But fortunately, Julie has far more idea about what's good for both of them and manages to sort him out.

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick read, mostly because I didn't want to put it down and raced to the end. I'll be interested to check out the other books in the series and keep an eye out for any others that might be released.

Buy links:

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Grigori - Lauren Smith

Release Date: October 3, 2017
 

Synopsis

He’s one of the last of a powerful but vanishing bloodline … Grigori Barinov is the eldest in an ancient line of dragon shifters and the guardian of his family’s lands and fortune. Sworn to protect their history and magic, he won’t rest until he neutralizes any threat to their existence. When he discovers an ancient manuscript that exposes his family and their dragon lineage has fallen into a mortal woman’s hands, he knows he must get the book back by any means necessary. If that means seducing a nosy American woman with an intoxicating scent, he is more than willing to carry her off to his palatial home deep in the heart of Russia. She’s the one woman who could expose him to the world… Madelyn Haynes has never fit in. As an adopted child she grew up in a loving home but never felt as though she belonged. Plagued by mysterious dreams she’s had of a silver scaled beast ever since she was a little girl, she is convinced dragons are real. While in Russia working on her PhD in mythology in order to escape the ridicule from fellow professors, she unexpectedly crosses paths with the sexy and dominating Grigori, and after just one night with the man whose eyes seem to burn, she starts to change inside. Isolated in the Russian wilderness Grigori calls home, Madelyn can’t help but fall under his sensual spell, yet something deep inside her calls out that she can’t trust him. She has to show the world dragons are real to salvage academic reputation, even if it means costing her the heart of the dragon she’s falling in love with.

My Review

As I'm sure you'll already know (or at least if you've read my blog before you will) I'm a bit of a fan of Lauren Smith's books. Grigori is the first in a new series, Brothers of Ash and Fire. I have to admit that supernatural romances, aren't usually my genre of choice, but for an author I like, then I'm happy to give them a go. I actually really enjoyed Grigori, despite it being something different to the books that I usually go for.

One of the things that I really liked about this story, was that although Grigori himself is very strong and dominating, (he is a dragon after all) the female lead in this book is no wilting violet. In fact, it soon becomes clear that not only is she drawn to him in some inexplicable way, but there's more to her past and herself than first meets the eye.

I really enjoyed the first book in this new series and I'm looking forward to reading about Grigori's brothers and their stories. Lauren Smith has created a great world and characters and I'm looking forward to enjoying another story with them.

Goodreads

 

 

Purchase Links

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2jEDAHI
   

Giveaway

$20 Amazon Gift Card
 
 
 
 
 

About the Author

USA TODAY Bestselling author LAUREN SMITH is an Oklahoma attorney by day, 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.

 

Connect with Lauren

 
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2sWrmcF
Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2sVVWn0
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2tz3o9D
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2sPc0Mh
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2vcU36u

Monday, 25 September 2017

Beautiful Revenge - Sienna Blake

Beautiful Revenge

a standalone romance by Sienna Blake

is LIVE!!! 

BIG GIVEAWAY INCLUDED

TWO PRIZES, TWO WINNERS 




My name is…was Alena Ivanova.

Five years ago, I made a mistake. A big one. One that cost me the only man I will ever love.

Now in the lonely moors of north England, I live with my cold, cruel husband. My only friend is his daughter from a previous marriage. At least I didn’t starve to death during the bitter Russian winter.

When my husband arranges for a potential investor to stay with us, a mysterious self-made millionaire by the name of Mr. Wolf, imagine my shock when he walks in… 


My name is…was Dimitri Volkov.

Until she broke me.

Five years I’ve worked for this moment.

Five years I’ve dreamed of revenge.

Bit by bit, she will watch her charmed life crumble to the ground.

Then when she needs me the most, when she is desperate, scared and alone like I was all those years ago… 

I will destroy her.

Although this book is part of a series, it is a standalone novel.



My Review

I've fast become a big fan of Sienna Blake's novels. This is a little different to the Dark Romeo trilogy or the Bound books. This time, the story is set in Russia and England, which adds a completely different dimension to the story. 

Dimitri is a man who has been hurt and like a wounded animal is dangerous and likely to lash out. He wants revenge and to hurt where he has been hurt. Alena made a mistake, she found herself with an opportunity that seemed to tempting to resist. She soon discovered that perhaps not everything is worth the price that you pay for it. 

I loved the characters in this book. Dimitri in particular is complex and compelling. You feel his pain as you read the book. In his quest to ease his pain, he seems intent on destroying everyone and everything in his path.

I think that one of the most appealing things about Sienna Blake's books, is the way that nothing is easy and straight forward. The characters that populate the pages are complex and their problems and situations don't have an easy answer to solve them. She explores the way that people react to circumstances and their situation. As in the Dark Romeo series, there isn't a clean line between the good and the bad. No one is wholly a good or bad person.

I really enjoyed this book. If you haven't read any of Sienna Blake's books before, then this would be a good place to start. Highly recommended.




Beautiful Revenge Excerpt



I sneak into Dimitri’s bedroom after dinner, making sure I’m not seen. He’s standing by the side cabinet pouring himself a drink. His eyes darken when he sees me, rejection flashing in them like lightning. “What do you want?”
I close the door behind me and walk towards him, my steps shaky. My hands are clammy and I have to keep wiping them on my skirt. I have to stay strong. “I’m here to ask you, no…to beg you—”
“Alena Ivanova is begging me?” Dimitri leans against the wall, a cruel glint in his eyes. He lifts his drink to the air as if to salute me. “Do go on.”
“Please,” my voice warbles, “leave.”
“Leave this room?” he asks with mock surprise.
Bastard. He knows very well what I’m asking. “Leave this house. Do business with my husband if you must, but please, leave me,” and Emily, “alone.”
He stares at me, the right side of his lip lifting in a horrible half-smile. “Get on your knees.”
What?
“If you’re going to beg, do it properly.”
Dimitri drops to his knees in front of me. His face has cracked wide open, but it’s not anger showing raw and naked on his face.
It’s desperation.
“Alena,” he grabs my hand, “I beg of you, don’t do this.”
“Dimi, I—”
“Don’t marry him. Marry me.”
My breath catches in my lungs. Dimitri watches me from across the room over his scotch glass. From the darkness in his eyes, I can tell he’s remembering the same thing.
I stiffen. “You can’t be serious.”
“You want me to leave? Get. On. Your. Knees.”
He wants to crush me. To wound my pride like I did his. He is crueller than ever.
You did this to him.
I’ll do it if it will get him away from me, then I can just go back to my life. It was empty but at least I had Emily to love. Now, with him here, I can barely love her.
I slide to my knees. His eyes flash with fiery triumph. “Please, Dimitri. Please, leave.”
Dimitri places his drink on the side table and pushes off the wall, striding towards me. My breath turns to stone in my throat as he stands right before me. I am well aware of the suggestive position I am in. His cock is at eye level. I force myself not to look at it. Instead I look up, locked into the intensity of his stare. I know he wants to demean me. To embarrass me. My body burns with the indignity of it. Heat pools between my legs.
I gasp when he places his fingertips on my cheek, a riot of sparks cascading from his touch. He brushes my hair off my face almost tenderly. My heart skitters with hope.
His perfect lips pull into a smile. “No.”
The bastard. I leap to my feet, my hands in fists by my side. “You told me you’d leave if I begged.”
“No,” he says in a bored tone, “I told you to beg on your knees. I made no promises as to the outcome of your begging.” He turns away as if to dismiss me.
My body shakes with rage. I grab his arm and whip him around to face me. “I’ll tell my husband who you are. He’ll kick you—”
“You tell him who I am and I’ll tell him we slept together.”
I gasp. “You wouldn’t.” My contract. If I’m deemed to have been promiscuous I lose everything. More than lose everything, I’ll owe my husband a hundred thousand pounds. It’s a debt I can never hope to crawl out of.
Dimitri’s eyes glitter with mad pleasure. He has me over a barrel. And he knows it. “Do you wish to test me?”
He would do it too. I can see it in his eyes. “Edgar won’t believe you,” I try.
Dimitri grabs my upper arms with his hands, gripping me tight as vices. “Really? What are you doing in my room, Mrs Worthington?”
I struggle against him. “Let go.”
He pulls me closer, crushing me against his hard body. “Go on,” he says, “scream. Alert your husband to your presence in my room.”
Bastard.
I hate him. I struggle to knee him, to kick him. My damn skirt is in my way and he’s too close to get any leverage.
He’s much too close. All those old aches and wants flood back into my body. Five years I’ve dreamed of being this close to him again. His familiar touch, his familiar smell, his presence around me swilling like a poison. His touch burns me. He seeps into me. He sinks his teeth into my soul.
I am lightheaded. I need oxygen. I part my lips as I suck in air. His eyes dip to my mouth. Something flares in his eyes. Despite everything, he wants to give in to me too. I involuntarily lick my lips. His stare turns…ravenous.
He lets out a small hum, his lips vibrating along my skin as he traces them across my cheekbone towards my ear. “Mrs Worthington.” His voice is like liquid. “Alena,” he whispers, almost tenderly, sending me back to five years ago. I can feel his grip loosening on my arms but he doesn’t pull away. The ache coils tighter in my stomach. His hands move up my arms, his thumbs tracing the outer swell of my breasts sending shivers through me. This soft Dimitri is dangerous, more dangerous than the cold stranger. He appears too much like the old Dimitri, the one I love. I feel my self-control unwinding, my fingers curling into his shirt, as he presses his arousal against my hip. I bite down on a moan. Despite everything, my body screams to give in to him.
“Well,” his breath tickles my ear, “if I’m going to accuse you of being a whore, you might as well be one.”
I shove him back. He lets go of me, laughing.
“You bastard.” My breath heaves out of my lungs, my neck and cheeks flaming red. He’s playing with me. Toying with me. I want to strangle him.
He smirks at me and shrugs. “At least I can admit what I am.”
His words reach into my chest and wring my heart. “If you won’t go, at least leave Emily alone.”
“She is the one who won’t leave me alone.”
You kissed her.”
He smiles at me, cold and hateful. “Are you jealous?”
“Why are you like this? How could you be so cruel? Why do you want to torment me?”
“Why? Why?” His face cracks apart. “You broke me,” he roars. “You destroyed me when you chose him over me. You filled me so full of bitter hatred, it is all that I taste. It’s all I breathe.” His voice trembles with anguish.
My heart breaks right there. His eyes so open and raw, I can see right into his charred soul. The pieces of his heart that I broke all those years ago are still jagged and sharp. With every breath he takes, they cut him, making him bleed from the inside.
“I’m sorry, Dimi. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s too fucking late for sorry. It’s five years too late.”
It can’t be too late. It can’t.
Love can triumph over hate. It can.
I reach out for him. My voice is pained as I beg—as I beg— “Dimi, please…”
“Get out,” he spits, causing me to snatch my hand back. “It would be very cruel for your husband to find you here alone with me in my bedroom. We wouldn’t want him to get any wrong ideas.”
“I am not a cheater, Dimitri. Don’t you dare insinuate that I am.”
“Just a whore, then.”
His words slap me across my face. Pain spreads from where they strike me. “Fuck you.”
“No, you never did get to give that to me, did you? You gave that pleasure to your worthless husband.”
When Dimitri arrived at Worthington Manor, my hope took flight. To see him again, after all these years, to know that he found me, that he came here for me. Even after I realised that he wanted revenge, I still believed. Even after every cruel word, I still hoped. I thought that I could get through to him. That he couldn’t stay angry at me forever. I thought deep down that we would finally get our happily ever after.
But I have flown too close to the sun, allowed my hopes to soar too high. Hope has melted and my heart has plunged towards the ground, swirling and twisting, until finally crashing on the sharp, jagged rocks.
He still wants me. He hates me more.
He will never forgive me.
He will never love me again.




Purchase NOW!

Amazon US |Amazon UK | Amazon CAAmazon AU

Also available for Kindle Unlimited readers

 

Meet Sienna Blake



Sienna Blake is a storyteller & ink slinger, word spinner of love stories with grit, and alter ego of a USA Today Bestselling Author.
She loves all things that make her heart race — roller coasters, thrillers and rowdy unrestrained sex. She likes to explore the darker side of human nature in her writing.
If she told you who she really was, she’d have to kill you. Because of her passion for crime and forensics, she’d totally get away with your murder.
Sign up for my newsletter and get Paper Dolls, a full-length romantic suspense as a thank you gift. You'll also be the first to hear about new releases, sales and giveaways ► www.subscribepage.com/SiennaBlake
Sienna also runs a book club (with exclusive giveaways) in her Reader Group ► http://bit.ly/SiennasDarkAngels

Follow Sienna for special deals, freebies, and exclusive giveaways 
BookBub | Amazon | Instagram | Facebook| Goodreads

TWO PRIZES
TWO CHANCES TO WIN!!! 

▼click the image to be redirected▼