All posts by Kelly S

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.

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

#WOTR #Review – Broken Scars by JM Walker

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Broken Scars

Ruined. Tortured. Broken.

What could have been the perfect childhood, turned into a hell that the devil himself would shy away from. I was forced to deal with an evil that would make the darkest of souls cringe.

Lily Noel was scarred but beautiful. She was perfectly flawed and everything that I needed.

Attraction bordered on obsession.
Passion bordered on ecstasy.
Addiction bordered on insanity.

Nothing could get in the way of our love.
Nothing…

*This book contains dark themes including sexual assault and past child abuse*


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You have to read this! I am having a hard time formulating feelings into words for this review. There are soooo many feelings with this story. There is a haunting past that Lucas lived through, and survived. He copes with this day to day, with some days being better than others. One rainy night, Lily just drops in his shop out of nowhere. And these two have a connection that is incredibly intense. The kind of connection that is felt deep down in the soul. These two both have scars. Scars on the outside and scars on the inside. Some of these scars hide the physical wounds and there are scars hiding emotional wounds. These two are the epitome of love. Even when it’s the scary intense love that you can’t live without, these two fight and continue with their love story. There were times while reading this that I didn’t think I could go on as Lucas’s past unraveled, but he is a mysteriously sweet alpha and I had to continue to find out what made this man the way he is. And bless Lily for being the strong woman she is. These two have a love that will never end. This story is one that will stick with me for a looooong time. 

J.M. Walker

Contemp. Romance, Part of a Series, Part of a Spin off series, Review, Rockers

#Review – Fatal Desires (Fatal Cross Live! #1) by Theresa Hissong

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Fatal Desires (Fatal Cross Live! #1)

Fatal Desires
Fatal Cross Live!
Book 1
For years, I have worked behind the scenes for my cousin’s band, living my life as simply as possible. Running the inner workings of a rock band is the only thing I know to do. My only saving grace is a long vacation soaking up the sun in some exotic locations around the world between tours.
One steamy night on an island with Taylor Vaughn, the guitarist for the rock band Fatal Cross, and my world is turned upside down. When he doesn’t return my calls, I end up going through hell alone. Little do I know, he’s fighting his own personal demons.
When he fills in on my cousin’s tour for a few weeks, I am forced to work with the man who stole my heart months before on a private island. It isn’t easy being around him, but I am determined to keep my head low and pray this tour ends soon, but does anything ever go as planned?


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Who doesn’t like a hot rocker story? This is a spin off of the Glory Days series. I didn’t realize that until I was about half way through the book. However, it didn’t stop me from continuing Cora’s and Taylor’s story. Cora works for her cousin’s band and she has a tryst with Taylor, a guitarist from another band, Fatal Cross. They have an incredible time and then go their separate ways. After their brief, but very hawt time together they both end up dealing with some very intense situations. They both could have leaned on each other but couldn’t connect (you must read this because I can’t explain and give it away!). All of a sudden they are slammed back into a situation where they are forced to work together. The tension is so thick between the two that you can literally feel it as you are reading. They both are incredibly stubborn and have an intense back and forth throughout the entire book that when they finally fall together you really feel it deep down. 

“Rule number one…don’t sleep with rockstars who’ve dipped their pen in so much ink that their cocks are stained from all the attention.”

This is one of my favorite lines. Again, both of the characters are super strong willed and stubborn so when they bump heads it gets crazy! 

As the story progresses you get to see how these two eventually get back to each other, even if it involves tragic situations. This is one of those stories that is quick and easy to read but will have your emotions all over the place. As I said at the beginning, this is the first book I have read by this author, and I didn’t realize this was a spin off series, but I am looking forward to continuing this series as well as going back to read Glory Days.

Theresa Hissong

Theresa is a mother of two and the wife of a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. After seventeen years traveling the country, moving from base to base, the family has settled their roots back in Theresa’s home town of Olive Branch, MS., where she enjoys her time with old friends and family.

Theresa daydreams of the perfect love affair and takes those ideas to paper.

Find Theresa’s Fan Page on Facebook @ facebook.com/authortheresahissong

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#WOTR19 – #Review – Breathe Me To Life by Jolanthe Aleksander

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Breathe Me To Life

Ailsa was biding her time when the call of the music floating on the wings of the night’s wind led her to a moonlit glen and another world.

Kellan, Prince of the Fae Court, was tired and bored with things as they were until a young woman not only sparked his interest but his desire to finally claim a mate.

Two souls find in each other a connection unlike any other.

A chance encounter brought them together. A dream created a bond. Will the jealousy of one who was scorned tear them apart? Or will love’s kiss breathe life into a sleeping beauty?


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Beautiful and breath-taking. Wonderful short story that’s full of love as two souls connect. 

Ailsa feels an incredible pull to the glen by the music that she feels. She sneaks out and finds herself in the glen and finds herself in the middle of a fae party. She is approached by Kellan and he literally sweeps her off her feet. Jealousy consumes other fae and she is in danger. Kellan takes her back home but he disappears for years. Ailsa still feels a deep connection to him and no other will ever compare. And one day, he is back in her life. She wants to be mad at him but just can’t. They both have this incredible soul connecting pull. As their love continues to build and grow, we find that both Kellan and Ailsa are in danger. But things aren’t always as they seem. 

“After all, it wasn’t every day the kiss of Fae Prince brought a girl back to life.”

If you are looking for a short, sweet and beautiful story, then this is the one! Here’s to a wonderful happily ever after. 

Jolanthe Aleksander

Contemp. Romance, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR19 – #Review – The Devil In Me by K.I. Lynn

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The Devil in Me

In search of strength and guidance at a nearby church, Jared happens upon a temptation. One he cannot Hope to resist. Each time he sees her, the overwhelming urge to have her consumes him. The lust is overpowering, dragging him deeper and deeper with each encounter, exposing the devil within.


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A whole lot of hotness in such a short story…HAWT! 

Jared has a lot on his plate. His mom has cancer and his business partner/ex girlfriend is trying to push him out of their business with the gym. Jared decides to go to church in search of strength and guidance. He doesn’t expect to see a beautiful woman there that completely consumes his every thought… in both heads *wags eyebrows*. What he doesn’t expect is to run into her and find that she is just as attracted to him as he is to her. The banter between the two starts off mostly innocent and turns rather naughty pretty quick. You must read it and find out for yourself!!

“Until then, I would continue down my maddening spiral into hell, lust consuming me until there was nothing left but a devil bent on taking her.”

“I knew what I wanted to do, what I needed. The devil was winning again, because I was going to get it.”

This is told from Jared’s point of view, which I thought was great because this is rarely done. What I absolutely love about this short story is that even though it is short, there was still a great storyline. The ending wraps up nicely but I am jonesing for more of Jared!



K.I. Lynn

 

Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on the River Attending Author, Zombie

#WOTR19 – #Review – Proper (Fucked #2) by RK Gleason

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Proper (Fucked #2)

Dave and Pam Richter continue their race against time and the plague sweeping through their home state. They’ve watched enough horror movies to know it won’t take long before its tendrils reach past the imaginary borders, infecting the rest of the country, and possibly the world. 

Despite their efforts, they continue to face one delay after another in their struggle to lead their family to safety. Their destination lays 2,500 miles away and will set their backs to the Pacific Ocean. But they’re discovering the virus turning the population into flesh eating monsters, isn’t the only threat they’re facing.

The military troops sent to contain the outbreak, led by Major Carolyn Brooks, are unprepared for the new, pack-like instincts, cooking in the brains of the infected. Now the government may be forced to initiate drastic measures in an effort to burn away all traces of the virusite from the face of the earth, before it’s too late. 

*This is the second book in a series of novellas.


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Oh my f’n god! I freaking love this series!

 

“You had me at blood and semen, baby.” 

 

You have no idea how bad I want to drop the F bomb while writing this review. RK seems to really bring it out in me, haha! This story is what happens when the situation goes from UPPERCASE to PROPER. This is super intense from beginning to end and it wasn’t until the end that I could finally take a deep breathe. 

 

Dave and Pam are still working on getting the family together and back on the road but they are in the thick of it when the mail woman tries to eat Dave! Gah! Soooooo intense! But a little spoiler, Dave makes it and the mailwoman doesn’t….Ha! 

 

Major Brooks has her troops on the ground and going into the area to “contain” the virus. Little do they know the zombies are evolving a bit and have laid a trap. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the zombies are here and getting smarter!

 

This is a series of novellas so it’s a quick and fast read. I have read several of RK’s books and have been surprised by something in each book whether it’s something off color or off the wall, things that made me stop and try and figure out what the hell it is that I am reading. It’s part of what I love about this series. These are sarcastic people in a blended family that aren’t afraid of speaking their mind. At this point in the review you should stop reading what I have to say and go read the f’n book!

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I was born high in the Andes and raised by a band of wandering gypsies. At the ripe old age of 7, I struck out on my own, dabbling in the arts of alchemy and personal financing. Neither of the trades paid off. At 13 I became the personal juggler for Stephen King, but alas, that didn’t last long either. Since then, I’ve wandered aimlessly through life and this planet, stopping along the way to help people and smite the wicked.

A little while ago I decided to try my hand at writing. I published The True Death series independently in 2015 and currently have ten books published to date.

I was born high in the Andes and raised by a band of wandering gypsies. At the ripe old age of 7, I struck out on my own, dabbling in the arts of alchemy and personal financing. Neither of the trades paid off. At 13 I became the personal juggler for Stephen King, but alas, that didn’t last long either. Since then, I’ve wandered aimlessly through life and this planet, stopping along the way to help people and smite the wicked.

A little while ago I decided to try my hand at writing. I published The True Death series independently in 2015 and currently have ten books published to date.