All posts by Kelly S

Coming of Age, NA, Paranormal, Standalone, Suspense, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Dead Girls: A New Adult Paranormal Romance by Krystle Able and R.L. Weeks

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Dead Girls: A New Adult Paranormal Romance

Fans of Beautiful Creatures and Vampire Diaries will love this book.

Sisters, Pierce and Jackson, leave their luxurious lives in Manhattan behind them after their parents’ suicides, and move to a rainy town in Washington with their bitter Grandmother and her old, creepy mansion.
Level-headed and sensible Pierce is changing, and fiery Jackson must take the place of adult whilst their lives are turned upside down.
A serial killer is hunting red-heads, and with Pierce being the last girl in town to fit the profile, she’s on curfew. However, she keeps disappearing with a mystery man into the woods, coming back at night, covered in dirt with no memories and, holding a key to the only door in the mansion that’s off limits.
Things aren’t as the seem in the small town of Ridgeview. The monsters of stories could well be inside the walls of their home as well as outside.
No one is safe, no can be trusted.
Sometimes, the most beautiful smiles hide the darkest secrets…


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The most beautiful smiles hide the darkest secrets but sometimes the most disgusting scowls hide those same secrets. This entire book is based on secrets. Great secrets. Secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what the secret is and who we can trust. An intense and intriguing read. I could not put this book down until the very end. And the ending! It was an unforgettable ending that I was not anticipating. I finished this book with my heart pounding! Yes! It’s that good!

The first secret, right from jump, is the death of the two sister’s parents. They are uprooted from a lavish life in NYC where they want for nothing and moved to Ridgeview, Washington with a grandmother that clearly doesn’t want them. As they are trying to adjust, there are girls coming up missing and Pierce, the oldest sister, fits the profile of the next victim. Jackie, the younger sister, is incredibly worried and not sure how to handle the situation. And on top of it their grandmother doesn’t want either of them. She is a crazy old bat! 

You don’t experience the paranormal aspect of the story until you are well into it but you just know it’s there. Once you stumble upon it, many questions arise and loyalties are questioned. This is one of those stories that you just can’t quite figure out and keeps you guessing up until the very end. It’s beautifully written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Bravo!

#WOTR2020 Attending Author Krystle Able

Krystle Able

R.L. Weeks
R. L. Weeks
Apocalyptic, Zombie

#Review – Ground Zero: An After Zombie Origin Novella (Last of Us Book 1) by Nikki Landis

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Ground Zero (Last of Us, #1)

Stay quiet. Don’t look back. And never, ever scream.

The city has fallen . . . where will you run?

Before the world went to *** and the zombie apocalypse wreaked havoc on the nation …

The Fourth of July is one hell of a spectacular celebration and just so happens to be ground zero when a group of friends are suddenly confronted with over 400,000 flesh eating and newly turned zombies right in the heart of downtown Columbus, OH. Red, White, and Boom will never be the same …

*** Origin story of the Last of Us series, contains mature content ***

– Ty, Zeke, & Natalie –


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First thing I have to say is that I love all things zombies, but this is a FIVE star read that got me chomping at the bit and ready for the next installment. It was great to get my hands on a zombie book that is different. Ground Zero is incredibly fascinating. It is a fast paced read that draws you in from the very beginning. It explains all the weird nuances that people noticed were “off” and by the time anyone realizes something is terribly wrong, the world goes to hell in a handbasket. It’s gripping and suspenseful and a bit creepy at times. Reading the story and realizing those nuances could really happen definitely adds to the creep factor. I am hooked and now off to read the next one!

Nikki Landis

Nikki Landis is the International Bestselling & Award-Winning Author of over 40 paranormal, reverse harem, MC, & sci-fi romance novels. She’s been addicted to romance and alpha heroes since she used to sneak her mother’s ‘bodice rippers’ as a teen and now writes her own. She’s the finalist in both the 2018 & 2019 Kindle Book Awards for Romance. Nikki’s recent novel Refugee Road won the IPPY Gold Medal for 2017 BEST ROMANCE/EROTICA. You can follow her at the sites below. She loves to hear from readers.

Sign up for Nikki’s Newsletter and get a FREE book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/d2cd720txo

Join her Reader’s Group: www.facebook.com/groups/nikkiswickedharem/

www.facebook.com/groups/darkalphaaddicts/

www.bookbub.com/authors/nikki-landis

https://nikkilandisauthor.wordpress.com/

www.facebook.com/nikkilandisauthor/

www.goodreads.com/nikkilandis

www.instagram.com/nikkilandisauthor/

www.pinterest.com/nikkilandisauth/

Anti-Hero, Reverse Harem, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR20 – #Review – Identity by Brandy Slaven

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Identity (A Villainously Romantic Retelling, #3)

the tough choices are what makes life

Years ago, I was the scape goat for a very powerful man and his six sons. I managed to escape and build a quiet life for myself. When the opportunity arose to help others in similar situations, I took it. Now, I’m known in the streets for my talented hand in forgery among other things. Almost anybody a person wishes to become, I can make it happen, well, with the help of my two best friends.

Arsuilla. Survivor. Savior. I answer to them all. Oh, and voice stealer. I swear, throat punch a guy one time and it’ll stick with you for a lifetime.

Life is looking up until the six sons find me. At first I fear they’ve been sent by their father to drag me kicking and screaming back to him. But I soon come to realize, I’ve got more to fear from Anderson, Alejandro, Abraham, Atlas, Alek, and Aric. Like losing my heart to the six brothers.

This is a Villainously Romantic WhyChoose Retelling with some chuckles, several fearless stunts, and enough determination to rival the sea.

(A Villainously Romantic Retelling)


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Great retelling of one of my fave villains, Ursula! Right from the beginning I was hooked. Arsuilla, AKA Su, is our BA female of the story. She escaped a life that was hurting her and has stayed hidden for quite a while. She has found real “friends” and has found a purpose helping people escape toxic pasts just like hers. 

“Unfortunately, going back is more than just handing myself over to them again. It’s sacrificing my freedom to Trenton. I will not be the victim nor the villain of my story any longer. I choose my fate.”

Things are going great and then all of a sudden the 6 brothers (all are related by adoption only) found her. She attempts to run and at first and about makes it. This is where things get a little wishy washy for me. Su is this BA female character but basically gives up and goes with the brothers to face her father, Trenton, with whom she ran away from in the first place. 

“No matter the hands they’re dealt, the cards don’t always have to be played the same way.”

Ok, I am invested in this story at this point and continue because I just have to figure out what is going on and why Su even ran in the first place. Like I said, I was hooked! 

This is a reverse harem and you know from the story that she loves the brothers but after she throws a crazy temper tantrum for three days she ends up in bed with them. When it came to the brothers it was a little confusing following them as all their names started with an A. Their relationships felt a little rushed for me since there weren’t any answers or explanation on why they brought her back in the first place. With that being said, the story is a great story, and the ending answers our questions and ties it up very nicely. I hate to say this but I wish there was a bit more plot and a little less sexy time so the characters could develop a little more. Like I said, I really liked the spin on Ursula and am looking forward to reading others in this group! 

Brandy Slaven

Brandy Slaven lives in Tennessee with her husband and two wild children. If you can’t find her creating worlds with her words, you will find her with her nose in a book at the beach or hiking at a state park.

Find her online at
www.authorbrandyslaven.com

Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense

#Review – Dungari Reclaim (Alien Alphas of Pilathna #2) by Nikki Landis

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Dungari Reclaim (Alien Alphas of Pilathna, #2)

Pasha was raised to hate the invading blue race of aliens that enslaved her home planet. She’s never forgotten their lies or treachery. When her sister is taken and never returns, Pasha swears her vengeance on the alien race of conquerors.

Holnar is an elite warrior of his clan and never believed in the atrocities the humans accused the Dungari race of committing. Until his shocking and brutal experience in the harems. Now he’s torn between loyalty and lust, lies and seduction that lead his people to the brink of all-out war.

When the past haunts the future and no one is safe from the rage that consumes a nation, what side will be chosen? Who will win? Does Earth have the courage it needs to reclaim a fallen planet?

Dungari Reclaim is second in a new exciting series of alien romances with heat, Alien Alphas of Pilathna.


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Deserving and receiving are two very different things. This is the story of Holnar and Pasha. I absolutely love these characters! Holnar is Dungari and is Tuvari’s best friend. He did everything he could to help the girls in the harem and continues to help the others that have been saved. Holnar and Tuvari have joined the humans and are trying to help change the ways of their people. Holnar is a broken man. He has experienced love and loss on such a huge scale that he has promised to never love like that again. He still enjoys himself *wags eyebrows* but never allows himself to feel love so he can avoid the hurt he has felt on more than one occasion. Pasha is a broken woman. She has been brought up to hate the Dungari race. Her sister was in one of the harems and she is finding out about the horrors of the harems. When Holnar saves Pasha, sparks fly. They are so set in their ways that they try to deny their connection. When the two of them find themselves in a situation that could get them both killed, they find that they have to trust each other and slowly their walls come down. In the midst of the chaos a curveball is thrown and a past love of Pasha’s makes himself known. We get to know new characters and old ones but everyone’s trust is put on the line. Temperatures rise as the stakes get higher. Get ready for another crazy ride!

Nikki Landis

Nikki Landis is the National Bestselling & Award-Winning Author of over 40 romance and erotica novels that include reverse harem, paranormal, MC, and science fiction. She’s been the finalist for Romance in both 2018 & 2019 Kindle Book Awards. Her recent release Refugee Road is the Gold Medal winner of the 2017 IPPY award for Best Romance/Erotica. Nikki’s stories have all heat levels so you’re sure to find something you love. She grew up sneaking her mother’s ‘bodice rippers’ and falling in love with the stories. Now she enjoys writing her own as well as reading and reviewing on her blog with a couple of like minded friends, the Picky Bitches Book Blog.

Fantasy Romance, Instant Love, Novella, Review, Standalone, Sweet Romance, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Better Where It’s Wetter by Ava Cuvay

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Better Where it's Wetter

Alana LaRue assumes the sexy merman pictured on the lake house wall is “just art.” Then a violent storm topples her into his arms and she discovers the ocean isn’t the only thing that gets her wet.

Originally published in the Crossroads Romance Authors “Lake House” Anthology, this 13K short story has been expanded, with more details and a love scene added.


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“Be nice to the sharks, pretty mermaid. They’re not mean. They’re misunderstood.”

Alana is on  Aquata-Prime housesitting. Well, the house is surrounded by a lake and the only way to get to it is by boat. She is from the city but has done everything she can to land this job in order to be closer to the water. The house has a mural of a beautiful merman on the wall and she cannot help but be drawn to it. A storm comes in and she finds herself in the arms of the beautiful merman. What she thinks is a dream and turns out to be her new reality. She and this mysterious merman go on an excursion but cannot deny the feelings of love blossoming between the two of them. 

This is a fast paced and very wet story of being better where it’s wetter. If you want a quick, hot read, this is the one for you!

Ava Cuvay

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

Coming of Age, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Storybook Academy: The Keeper by Kylie Marcus

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Storybook Academy: The Keeper

One Chance. Five Stubborn Prince Charmings. How’s a Girl Supposed to Save the World?

After my grandfather died, he left me one thing: a magical book. Now I’m enrolling at an Academy for fairy tale characters and it’s up to me to put their stories back together.

There are just a couple problems:

1. Last time I read a bedtime story, I was six.
2. It’s not like people are walking around introducing themselves as Prince Charming.
3. And speaking of princes – the princes I do meet aren’t interested in their princesses – but they’re only interested in kissing me!

My grandfather’s letter said the fate of both this world and my own rests on my rewriting the fairy tales. That’s a lot for a seventeen-year-old to deal with let alone throwing in some villains who only want to see me fail.

Happily ever after as we know it, will never be the same.

Disclaimer: This is a Why Choose?/Reverse Harem story where the heroine falls for many heroes and does not pick just one.


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This is a fun YA, twisted fairytale, reverse harem story. The world as we know it is slowly forgetting about fairytales and we find out that they are fading away. Serina is in a world where using her imagination is forbidden. Her grandfather passes away and leaves her a storybook. Not just a storybook but THE storybook. She finds out that after his passing she has been deemed the next keeper of the Storybook Realm. When she is whisked away to the Storybook Realm she finds herself at the academy. Since all the stories are fading away she has to rewrite them. But in the Storybook Realm she has to rewrite them by getting the fairytales to play out. Unfortunately she has all the princes falling for her. She ends up in the middle of a story and has to find a way to rewrite the character she replaced into another story. Serina is just a teenage girl and has been given a huge job of keeping the fairytales alive and well. Part of the problem is she is loving being at the Academy instead of at home. At the Academy she is treated like she mattered and would be missed if she ever disappeared. She’s having an issue with “not mixing business with pleasure”, haha! Reader beware, this ends with a cliffhanger but by the end of the book I was more aware of the bad guys but trying to figure out who we can trust. I look forward to continuing this series and seeing if the Storybook Realm can be saved.

Kylie Marcus

Kylie Marcus still believes in magic and fantasy. She has always cultivated the magic inside of her, using her words to bring it to life on the pages of her stories for readers. After meeting the love of her life while ghost hunting in England, she believes in happily ever afters and hopes to convince readers of them too.

Now happily married, they live in Canada with their little man and two weenie dogs. Her fairy tale has only just started and she can’t wait to see how it ends.

To find out more about Kylie and her books, go to http://bit.ly/kmfindoutmore

Dark Romance, Erotica, Review, Standalone, Suspense, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Unexpected Surrender by J.M. Walker

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Unexpected Surrender (A Standalone Novel)

I am Luther Knight.
Powerful. Businessman. I own everything and everyone around me.
Until her.
Lexi Adams challenges me in ways I never knew I needed.
She’s defiant and stubborn, unwilling to show me her true submission.
She turns my whole world upside down and no matter how much I ignore it, I can’t help but
crave her.
When she becomes desperate, The Club is all that she has, and I watch as she falls for her
Master.
She’s confused, conflicted, and unable to decide who she wants more. Me or Him.
But the difference between her and I? I know what I want. Her.
And I won’t stop until I have her at my side.
Forever.


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Seriously….you don’t even need to read this review. You should just read the book. I promise you won’t be disappointed. If you want holy hotness with a bunch of crazy, add some fear, a splash of chaos, and a ton of WTFs, then this is it. This is the story you need to read. 

I like the fire in your eyes. And I can’t wait to get … burned.

Lexi and her brother Charlie were left with a deli that their late mother left them. The only problem is that it needs sooooo much work and Lexi is always working. Charlie ends up getting into some shady things and brings Luther back to their home. One thing leads to another and Luther more or less doesn’t give Lexi a choice but to come to the club in order to pay back Charlie’s debts. What she doesn’t anticipate is that this is a CLUB….*wags eyebrows*. Lexi is brought into a world where she is learning more about herself but makes herself confused with what it is she wants, her Master, Luther, or keeping her brother safe. Why would she be able to have them all? As the story unfolds you find there are a lot more players in this twisted game of trust. Then you start second guessing everything you thought you knew. And this doesn’t stop until the very end. You won’t be able to put this down. You’ll be on pins and needles to the very end

J.M. Walker

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who recently hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fantasy Romance, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense

#Review – Dungari Rise (Alien Alphas of Pilathna #1) by Nikki Landis

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Dungari Rise (Alien Alphas of Pilathna, #1)

Synika was his mate and he didn’t give a damn if she refused.

“You’re going to be my bride. I’ll make certain of it.”

Synika has hidden from the dominant alien race that conquered Earth 100 years ago in search of fertile females. She’s a strong-willed and headstrong woman who knows what she wants and it isn’t belonging to some Dungari male and auctioned off at the annual Choosing. When she meets Tuvari and their worlds collide, Synika is forced to confront her prejudices and decide if the Dungari male is her friend, foe . . . or maybe more.

Tuvari helped establish the first colony on Earth and works with the Dungari Bureau of Human Affairs. He’s a soldier and a warrior with a reputation, determined to keep his race from extinction. Strong, charismatic, confident, and sexy as sin he’s used to getting his way and exactly what he wants. Until he meets Synika. Tuvari has always believed his one true mate existed but could he dare to fall for a human?

Is it love, lust, or something more that draws the two together? In a world torn apart and ravaged by lies, can Tuvari and Synika move past the betrayal of a nation and find common ground?

Dungari Rise is first in a new exciting series of alien romances with heat, Alien Alphas of Pilathna.


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In revenge and in love woman is more barbaric than man is.

This line….really hits home with this story. Hell hath no fury and all that. Synika is a terribly fierce and strong woman but one day she is taken by the barbaric Dungari warrior, Tuvari. She sees him as a monster and he sees her as his mate. Two completely different feelings toward each other and regarding the situation at hand. Synika has been taken against her will and she has been placed within Prince Varo’s harem. Tuvari believes she is his one true mate and the only way to protect her is to keep her with him in the harem that he watches over. The Dungari are a dying race and have justified their ways of taking human females for breeding, at any cost, to save their race. Synika is introduced to the harem and soon finds out the horrors that go on within the harem. Tuvari does his best to keep her safe, and the rest of the harem. The more that Synika and Tuvari get to know each other, they learn about each other’s past and their race’s past. This opens their eyes to each others issues and their feelings toward one another. Humans aren’t safe. Dungar aren’t safe. No one is safe. Will love prevail?

This has a distinct dystopian and Sci-fi feel. And the Dungari being part of the book add to the craziness of the story. There are times in the story with regard to the abuse that could be a trigger for some. The author does a great job of getting the point across and letting your imagination do the work, but can be difficult to read at times. There are lots of twist and turns and OMG moments that will keep you turning the pages. This is quite the tortuous tale of true love with many prejudices to overcome. I am looking forward to continuing the series. 

Nikki Landis

Fantasy, New Release, Paranormal, Review, Shifters, Suspense, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction, Witches, Wolves

#NewRelease – #Review – Dax: A Wolf’s Hunger by Bella Roccaforte

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Dax: A Wolf's Hunger

A reluctant Alpha and his irresistible soul mate are the only hope to save Crazy Peak. But The Hunger may drive them to madness first.

Crazy Peak Pack was nearly decimated in Kallus’ attack. When Dax returns all eyes are on him to save what was left behind. The Hunger strikes rendering him unable to do anything but find his mate.

Katie is dragged from her comfortable life hiding in plain sight in Palm Beach to the mountains of Montana for her best friend’s wedding. She ends up with a lot more than an ugly bride’s maid’s dress and a bouquet. She finds her soul mate along with evil forces that have set out to destroy her.

Will Katie and Dax find each other in time to save everyone from The New Templars whose mission is to rid the world of all magic?


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Hell hath no fury…. Like a Jimmy Choo wearing woman from Palm Beach being forced to wear hiking boots in the middle of the woods. Ha! Right from the very beginning, Katie is a pain in the rear and you just know she is going to be trouble. Women, even the strong ones, are all trouble, lol! But, with that being said, so are the boys….all trouble!

Fawn and Katie are both from Palm Beach and Fawn is going to marry the Alpha, Bo, of Big Timber. Katie is dragging her feet, complaining about everything saying nothing good will come of this. In the meantime, the packs in the area are all hurting from Kallus’ attack. Dax has reluctantly assumed the position as Alpha of Crazy Peak. His pack has suffered greatly and he goes to Big Timber asking for help. Unfortunately, Big Timber doesn’t want to help as they are dealing with their own issues as well, but none of the packs are communicating. Dax is going crazy with The Hunger. Katie all of a sudden gets incredibly sick. And then things get really crazy. Pack members are coming up missing or dead. Other packs do come to help. We are then introduced to a cult like group obsessed with exterminating abominations. The girls come up missing. The guys are going crazy. And then, and then, and then…… 

Dax’s and Katie’s story will rival many. These two are at a point that they can’t live without each other. True mates. The story is action packed. Full of drama, suspense, and beautiful magic. Once you start the story, you will have a hard time putting it down. I started laughing from the start thinking about how much alike Katie and I are. And watching how these girls keep all the guys on their toes is amazing. It was an incredible story of love while overcoming discriminations and injustices. A beautiful HEA seeing the mates come together as well as the packs. Loving this addition to A Wolf’s Hunger.

Bella Roccaforte

Fantasy, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Suspense, Thriller, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction, Vampire, Zombie

#Review – Days Gone Bad (Vesik #1) by Eric R. Asher

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Days Gone Bad (Vesik, #1)

A crashed wedding. A scorned vampire. Here comes the blood…

Necromancer Damian Vesik is no hero. At least, not according to the magical community that turns a blind eye to his battles against evil. So he chalks it up as one more thankless mission when he’s forced to stop his vampire sister from murdering her ex’s entire bridal party…

Infiltrating the ceremony to protect the innocent, Damian uncovers something even more sinister than a massacre. With the help of his berserker fairy friend, he may need to prevent an unholy union between ancient demons and the walking dead.

Damian has one chance to stop his sister and ruin the wedding before one hell of an afterparty dooms the world.

Days Gone Bad is the first book in the savagely funny Vesik urban fantasy series. If you like gritty action, undead enemies, and plenty of snark, then you’ll love Eric R. Asher’s heart-stopping tale.


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“Some crazy bastard was laughing. Oh, right, that was me.” 

Damian Vesik! He might be one of my favorite characters ever! Necromancer and all! Paranormal urban fantasy …another favorite of mine! Damian is just a guy trying to run his store and keep the baddies at bay. He doesn’t like waking up early, loves junk food, has fairies living in his clock and his sister is a vampire. Hello?! Who wouldn’t love this? Damian is a necromancer but with a sweet spot for his master, his sister and a panda bear. This story has a lot of undead friends come to life with a terrible battle that comes our way. The characters are all a little different but fit into the story so well. There is plenty of humor in this book too. So, even when the scenes get gory and intense they are broken up with some borderline crazy humor. I must say that if you are looking for a paranormal romance, this is not for you. But you want the funny, gory, over the top story with a tiny bit of sweet, well, then this is the one. 

“Zola laughed. It was empty, but we’d learned a long time ago you could laugh, smile, and shrug it off, or let someone clean your brains off the ceiling in the morning.”

This! This line sums up a lot about this book. If you can read this and smile while getting a little intrigued, then you definitely must read Vesik’s story!

Eric Asher

Eric is a former bookseller, cellist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers.