Welcome to Denmark Warlocks and Witches in America: Book 1

Welcome to Denmark Warlocks and Witches in America: Book 1 by Aiden James

Publisher: Aiden James Fiction

August 2014

Pages: 253

Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult

Denmark, Tennessee

Sebastian Radu is not like most normal eighteen year olds.  Especially since he is a warlock that looks eighteen but is actually one-hundred-twenty-five-years-old. 

His family of Romanian warlocks and witches have lifetimes that extend beyond six hundred years.  The Radus also have been at war with another family, the Mateis, which have the same kind of gifts.  The Mateis have stepped up their efforts to wipe the Radus from the face of the earth which forces the family to flee their home in Chicago to a small town in the south.  They find their new home in the quirky and quaint town of Denmark.  The homes there are pre-Civil War antebellum that still manages to have some race issues and is also home to the “World’s Largest Frog Leg Fry”.

The Radus find that Denmark is the perfect place to hide where the life is much slower in pace not to mention non-magical. Their new home, an old plantation house is known there as Twin Magnolias. It also allows the family to settle into a life where something new and humorous seems to happen daily.  At least until their old enemies, the Mateis show up in their lives yet again.

Sebastian and his family are faced with choices that affect not just their well-being but also the town they are starting to call home, because they are facing the threat of war that is steeped in deadly sorcery.  Though they just might also have the first chance to take some steps that will lead to healing the rift.  They are either going to have to resolve their long and bitter dispute with the Mateis or the ancient conflict will destroy them all.

While this story is more paranormal there are some romantic elements in it.  The characters are intriguing and keep the story moving at a quick pace.  The back story build up is done in such a way that it all blends together seamlessly and makes for an action pack book that takes readers on a ride they won’t soon forget.  This is the first book and if the other books prove to be as well written this is going to be an amazing series.  This does end with a somewhat cliff hanger that will leave reading getting antsy as they wait for the next book.  The descriptions in the book really bring this world to life for readers that will have them thinking they are actually there with all the quirky town people that make for a town that would be a lot of fun to actually visit. 

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

The Rising

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Harper

March 2014

ISBN: 978-0-06-179709-5

Pages: 406

Contemporary, Romance, Paranormal, Young Adult

Vancouver, British Columbia

Maya and her friends are getting desperate.  They are being hunted by two Cabals, the powerful St. Clouds and another rival group.  They are also running out of places to hide. 

They have a name of someone who just might be able to help them by giving them answers they desperately need.  Answers like why they are so very valuable in the first place.  Also why their supernatural powers seem to be getting increasingly out of control.

What Maya is not prepared for are the truths that she finds waiting for her.  Also whether she likes it or not she needs to face some demons from her past if she has any hope of having a future and moving on with her life.  Maya is finding out that she can’t keep running forever.

This is a great way to finish a trilogy that has proven to be fun and a roller coaster ride.  Readers will be sad to see the end of the trilogy but will find it was definitely worth reading.  The reader gets to see how the characters grow through the adversity they are forced to deal with while trying to get their lives back.  The action never stops and keeps the story moving at a very fast pace.  It will also have readers hoping for more about the characters set maybe father down the line to see just what happens when the characters get a little older.  This proved to be a very fun trilogy that will have readers re-reading them just to revisit some fantastic characters.  This is a must read.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Feral

Feral by Holly Schindler

Publisher: Harper Teen

August 2014

ISBN: 978-0-06-222020-2

Pages: 432

Contemporary, Young Adult

Chicago, Illinois & Peculiar, Missouri

Claire Cain is trying to deal with the after affects of a brutal beating she took months ago in Chicago.  She is haunted by the words she keeps hearing “it’s too late for you.  You’re dead.”  Now her father has been offered a job in another state and Claire hopes that means a new start for her. 

When Claire arrives in Peculiar what she ends up finding is an overwhelming sense of danger.  That is confirmed when she discovers the body of a popular high school student in the icy woods behind the school.  A body that is surrounded by the feral cats that occupy the town.  Claire is determined to find the truth because she is sure there is more to the accident than meets the eye.  The closer she gets to the truth though the closer she gets to discovering more about herself.

This is a story that will take the reader on one very wild ride.  While there are some romantic elements in the story this is more of suspense story.  Reading how Claire is trying to cope with what happened to her really give the reader a prospective of what others that have dealt with in a similar situation and really makes readers think.  It manages to do this with a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats wondering just what is happening in the town of Peculiar.  This takes some great twists and turns while keeping the reader guessing just what happened to the dead high school student. When the truth comes to light it makes for an excellent ending to a story that keeps turning everything on its head.  This proves to be a hard book to put down even with the heavy subject that is covered.  A subject that is handled in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm the reader and makes for story that will be hard to forget even after the reader finishes the book.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Mercy

Mercy by BJ Daniels

Publisher: Harlequin HQN

August 2014

ISBN: 978-0-373-77895-9

Pages: 352

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Seattle, Washington & Beartooth, Montana

Rourke Kincaid is a U.S. Marshal and for him there is the law and then there is his law.  If they don’t always agree he goes with the one thing he can trust…his instincts.  In the Northwest there has been a strange killing spree going on with a connection only Rourke can see.  Now the old rules of justice no longer apply.  He has been forced to turn rogue to find the answers. Going undercover to track a mysterious woman suspect he ends up in a quiet, unassuming café located in the wild, isolated mountains of Beartooth.

When he encounters Callie Westfield his mission gets complicated in ways he didn’t expect.  She gets to Rourke with her fragile beauty and sexy charm even though she seems very suspicious.  Now the gory crimes have begun again.  His heart is suddenly at war with his instincts, which leaves him with only two options.  He has to turn Callie over to the law or he will have to put everything on the line, both his heart and his badge if he wants to protect her.

This is a great romantic suspense that keeps readers guessing until the very end.  With the twists and turns this story takes readers are never sure just what will happen next or where the threats are coming from.  While this is part of a series and would be better read as a whole the story can be read as a standalone book.  For readers that start with this one they will definitely want to check out the other books in the series just to get more from this author.  This is one suspense that is hard to put down though with all that happens in it the story will definitely have readers thinking twice about turning out the lights at night. 

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Way of the Shadows

Way of the Shadows (Shadow Agents: Guts and Glory) by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Harlequin

September 2014

ISBN: 978-0-373-69783-0

Pages: 218

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Alaska

Noelle Evers was kidnapped fifteen years ago.  After two days her abductor was dead and she was left with no memory of what actually happened.  Now she is an FBI profiler and she uses her past to get into the minds of killers.  The one that she can’t seem to read is her new partner.  Thomas Anthony is an EOD agent that is controlled, dangerous and hauntingly familiar. 

Thomas has been covertly watching Noelle’s back for a very long time.  He wanted to tell her the truth but to do that would have compromised his mission and blown his cover.  With their latest mission a link to her past has been revealed.  Now is the time for Thomas to step out of the shadows especially with the desire that is between them and a predator that is hunting Noelle.  If he doesn’t he is going to lose the second chance he has to save the only woman he has ever loved.

This is a great addition to a series that is proving to be very addictive.  The characters are well written and they bring the story to life for the reader.  It is also a nice way to revisit a world that is full of action and suspense.  This is fast proving to be a series for the keeper shelves.  While the stories can be read as standalone books they are much better as a whole when the full series is read. The story also takes some great twists and turns and will have readers wondering just what could possibly happen next and they won’t be disappointed with the next twist that comes at them.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Maverick for Hire

Maverick for Hire by Leanne Banks

Publisher: Harlequin

September 2014

ISBN: 978-0-373-65835-0

Pages: 218

Contemporary Romance

Rust Creek Falls, Montana

Nick Pritchett is a blond hunky carpenter from Thunder Canyon and he has been doing his share helping put the town of Rust Creek Falls back together after the Great Flood.  He’s great with a hammer and even more popular with the ladies.  Though if you ask his best bud, Cecelia Clifton maybe a little too popular. 

Cecelia has come to town looking for love but Nick thinks she is going about it all wrong.  He thinks he can help her meet her match if she follows his instructions completely.  The trouble is that Nick is finding that the only man he thinks is good enough for his childhood pal is himself.  Now Nick needs to convince the new Cecelia that he is the best man for her.

This is a great friends to lover story.  The characters are fun and interesting and have the story moving along very well.  Reading as Nick and Cecelia figured out just how they feel about each other and overcome the obstacles that they manage to put in their own paths makes for a book that is hard to put down.  The story also has some interesting secondary characters that show the pratfalls of small town life while being humorous.  This is a great book that will have readers hoping for more stories from this small town. 

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses  

LRH

Sinful Secrets

Sinful Secrets by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Cynthia Eden

August 2014

Pages: 120

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Las Vegas, Nevada

Catherine Donnelly spent a wild night in a stranger’s arms a year ago.  Jason August was sexy and mysterious and managed to break through Cat’s defenses.  Cat ran from his bed when dawn arrived and never looked back. At least until now…

Now that Catherine is back in Jason’s life he isn’t about to let her escape him again.  Cat is about to discover that in a world that has gone made Jason is the only man that can keep her safe. He is also the man that she married a year ago on a hot Vegas night. 

This is a great suspense that keeps the reader guessing.  While it takes place in the present day with the flash back to the year before the reader is never lost as to what happened then and what is happening now. It is the perfect blend of back story while the suspense of the now is unfolding.  It will also have readers clamoring for more from the world that the story takes place in. It is a relatively fast read but packs so much story in such a short amount of pages that it comes across as a longer novel that it actually is.  This is the perfect story for those times when a reader needs a short story for a break.  This one does not disappoint at all.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Sanctifying Grace

Sanctifying Grace by Elizabeth Davies

Publisher: Smashwords

October 2013

Pages: 267

Contemporary and Historical Time Travel

Brecon, Wales

Grace is now at the end of her life and has Roman by her side.  His quest to discover how to resurrect humans who can be enthralled has failed.  Now Grace is facing a certain death.  Grace has been a part of Roman’s life for millennia and Roman doesn’t know how he can live without her.  All he can do is be there for her when she needs him the most.

This is third and final book of the trilogy and readers will be sad to let Grace and Roman go.  This is also the most emotional book of the trilogy and will have readers reaching for the Kleenex.  While the ending is a little abrupt overall it is a wonderful ending to a trilogy that readers will remember long after they are done reading the books.  This story more than the other two will pull the reader in emotionally though as the reader reads each and every one they will find themselves more emotionally invested and will have to read until the very end to see how it ultimately turns out for Roman and Grace.  The worlds both past and present come alive as the reader turns each page and they will find themselves lost in another world and will be reluctant to leave.  It will also have readers wanting to see more from this author.  The trilogy will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride that they will find themselves hating to leave.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Dreams of Perfection

Dreams of Perfection by Rebecca Heflin

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

May 2014

ISBN: 978-1619355088

Pages: 279

Contemporary, Romance

Darcy Butler is a best-selling romance author that is holding out for the perfect man like the heroes that are in her books.  Darcy was once engages but now she is now is dealing with a commitment phobia after the traumatic ending of her engagement.  It is also getting in the way of the one thing she wants most her own happily-ever-after.  Now she is six months away from her thirtieth birthday and doesn’t have a Prince Charming. 

Josh Ryan is a successful lawyer with a soft spot for the less fortunate.  He is also Darcy’s best friend without the benefits.  Darcy goes to Josh lamenting her love-life or lack thereof and Josh is there for her and doling out his sage advice.  The only problem is that Josh is in love with Darcy. 

Now Darcy thinks she has finally found her perfect hero when she meets a man that has the handsome face of the hero in her latest book that is soon-to-be released.  She is convinced her dreams of perfection have come true.  Or have they?

This is a fun friends to lover story with well developed characters.  The humor help the story move along well.  While some readers will wish for things to move a little faster between Josh and Darcy it is still a good story.  The characters are very relatable and down to earth.  There are some slow areas but nothing that truly bogs down the story. It is also the start of series that should prove to be interesting and will hopefully give readers a chance to revisit the characters from the other books. 

I give this one 4 red roses

LRH

Goddess

Goddess by Josephine Angelini

Publisher: Harper Teen

May 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-201203-6

Pages: 421

Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Nantucket

Helen is being plagued with visions of destruction especially with the gods’ thirst for war that already has a body count.  She has to find a way to imprison them again or there will be the risk of unleashing immeasurable chaos. 

Helen’s powers are increasing and it is causing the distance between her and her mortal friends to increase too.  They are uncertain whether to fear her or revere her and now the once-solid group is divided.

Making matters worse the Oracle reveals that a dangerous Tyrant is lucking among them.  All fingers are now pointing to Orion.  Helen is unsure whether she loves Lucas or Orion and she must make a terrifying decision because an all-out war is coming to her shores. 

This is a wonderful conclusion to this trilogy.  Readers will hate to see it end but it is a very satisfying ending to a trilogy of books that prove to be very original.  The characters are interesting as they grow and deal with all the obstacles that are thrown at them. Helen starts the trilogy out as unsure of herself and by the end she finds out just what she is capable of.  She also learns just who she can truly trust and depend on.  This is a trilogy that has proven to be one to put on the keeper shelf because this is one that readers will want to read again and again. This trilogy also shows this is an author to definitely watch.  The trilogy takes the myths of Greek mythology turns them around and makes it very unique.  While the books have a number of pages the trilogy proves to be a fast read as readers will find it very hard to put down and won’t want to leave this world until the very last page of the last book.  The ending does not disappoint in the least.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace by Elizabeth Davies

Publisher: Elizabeth Davies

January 2014

Pages: 244

Time-Travel present and past England

Grace’s health continues to deteriorate in her own world and as she gets closer to her death she continues to return to the past and to Roman.  Each time she goes back she finds Roman waiting for her and she falls deeper in love with a man whose sole purpose in life is for blood.

This book picks up very nicely where the first one left off.  With every detail that is revealed it makes for a wonderful time travel book that comes to life for the reader.  It will also have readers hoping for a happy ending for Grace.  Seeing how Roman and Grace get through each obstacle that is placed in their path makes for a great story.  This one will also have readers reaching for the third and last book in the trilogy so they can find out the outcome to this trilogy.  While it has some elements of other stories with vampires and time travel the way it is put together and told makes it unique and engrossing to read.  With emotional highs and low and many twists and turns readers are never exactly sure what will happen next or where.  This one keeps readers turning the pages just to see what will happen next.  This is proving to be an interesting trilogy that is worth reading.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses  

LRH

Glimpse of Darkness Volume 1: Chronicles of the Cursed

Glimpse of Darkness Volume 1: Chronicles of the Cursed by Nicole Delacroix

Publisher: Nicole Delacroix

April 2014

ISBN: 978-1497335936

Pages: 365

Contemporary, Paranormal

Hyder, Alaska & Louisiana

Charlene “Charlie” Bennett is a waitress in Hyder and her father has just gone missing.  Her father has disappeared before so this isn’t something new but somehow things are different this time around.  She is also isolated and alone. 

Then there is Daniel who is a handsome stranger that has come to town.  Charlie normally has no interest in the strangers that pass through town but this time Daniel has managed to change that with the intense and immediate attraction Charlie feels for him.  Daniel also isn’t quite what he appears to be and he is throwing Charlie’s world into a major upheaval.

Now Charlie has to decide if she wants to or can believe the story Daniel is telling her and follow him or stay in the only home she has ever known.  Especially when staying means an uncertain future with an absentee father.  As she comes to trust in what Daniel shows her she also realizes that he is the one true thing in her life.  So she leaves everything she knows to follow a handsome stranger.

This is a fun story with some great twists and turns.  As each clue is revealed it leads to more questions that are slowly answered.  This is a book that manages to pull the reader in and will have them not wanting to put it down until the very end.  The characters are interesting and bring the story to life for the reader.  Reading how Charlie and Daniel get to know each other and depend on each other makes for an engaging read.  It will also have readers wanting more to find out exactly what eventually happens between Daniel and Charlie.  This one will definitely have readers who haven’t read this author yet wanting to check out more from her.  This is one is worth trying.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH