Romance Junkies Reviews "Liberal Lover"

Title: Confessions of a Liberal Lover

Author: E.M. Muller
Author's Website: http://emmuller.com/
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Mainstream Fiction: Contemporary, Chick Lit, Comedy

Reviewed by Pamela Denise for Romance Junkies 


Rating: Blue Ribbon Rating 4.5 out of 5

Always considered a smart but headstrong child, Maud couldn’t quite fit into her sister’s perfect shoes or get passed the strain in the relationship with her father. At the age of six, Maud win’s a small gargoyle at a church fair that will become her sole confidante. At the age of thirteen her discovery of historical romance novels roots the foundation on her hunt for love. Where, just like in one of her novels, she is determined to find the handsome, virile man who she is to find everlasting love with. During her junior year of high school, her small gargoyle speaks to her for the first time after the end of a date with a groping senior. This cements him as her voice of reason when it comes to dating, sex and the men in her life.
At nineteen, Maud, in a show of independence, moves in with a co-worker from her job at the health company, thus beginning her step into adulthood. She manages to settle down, finish college and snag a top career as a consultant. Along the way she meets several potential “the ones”. Her lovers range from college pre-med prep, country charmer, handsome attorney, to golden boy from the past. Yet Maud slowly realizes she is losing herself in her efforts to conform to their lifestyles. Tired of her search, Maud decides to put the breaks down for a while when it comes to finding Mr. Right. Even as her baby meter is ticking, she studiously focuses on career and self improvement. Then, as if by magic, a man who might just be her prince charming shows up in her life even if he isn’t exactly like the leading hero from her novels.

Confessions of a Liberal Lover is a poignant story of a woman searching for the virile handsome man of her own just like in the historical romance novels she came across as a teen. E.M. Muller does a wonderful job bringing her lead character to life. I began reading with peaked interest at the storyline and soon found myself drawn in. It felt like reading a personal journal of a good friend who'd laid herself on the line. The addition of Maud's unique conscience - the little gargoyle she took home as a child - made the story all the more memorable. The road to “the one” is much more than a series of fluffy interludes. It happens to pick up on some life lessons including personal growth, self acceptance, and that the image of a true prince may not always be quite what’s depicted in novels. This was one of the best chick lits I've read in a while. I think every woman could use a little gargoyle on her dresser now and then.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

K. M. Whittaker Reviews Suspenseful Novel

Title: Ring of Lies

Author: Victoria Howard
Author's website: www.victoriahoward.co.uk
Genre: Romantic Suspense
ISBN: 9781935407683

Reviewed by K M Whittaker originally for Amazon

 

What happens when the man you have been married to for ten years is not who you thought he was? After Daniel Elliott dies in a car crash, Grace is left to deal with all the details regarding his will. Grace finds that Daniel has an alias, a lot of money, and a beach house in Miami that she knew nothing of. It seems that this loveless marriage, that Daniel kept Grace in, controlling her and keeping his secrets, was more than just connivance, but a lie. Her life with him was safe and stable, but now she is unsure who her husband really was.

Grace contacts an old friend, Jack West, an FBI agent, who she met 6 months previously. Jack agrees to help her get answers to questions and unravel the mystery behind all the secrecy in her marriage, and find out who Daniel Elliott really was, and where this money came from.

With strings of lies, deceit, murder and mystery, Jack protects Grace from harm’s way and uses his expertise to help Grace unravel all the mysteries and secrets. Family boundaries are pushed, heart breaking discoveries are made, and Grace finally decides to take her stance.

Review

An emotional roller coaster that was fast paced, filled with murder, suspense, lies, and romance. I really enjoyed this mysterious storyline. The plot smoothly flowed from one chapter to the next, and the end finalized swiftly, but efficiently, to give the reader a well delivered finale to a suspenseful read. Romance was present, but not the main factor in the read, but I felt this was evenly distributed to give us those elements we look forward in any suspenseful romance thriller. I was worried towards the end only 15 pages to go and still no deal was sealed. But Victoria ended it well, nothing left unfinished, and a finale which I am sure pleased the reader. I know I was impressed.

The main characters are very different, but fit the jigsaw well. Every little detail was included, giving an insight to the character’s personality and views. Descriptions were well portrayed -including thoughts, emotions and surroundings. I enjoy this in a read, as I am a visual reader!!!

I enjoyed Jack’s character - definitely not flawless, but his love for his daughter softened his hard exterior, good cop -hard arse. He knew what his responsibilities were and never faulted with either. He was brave, and respected, and gallant to the end.

Grace was a tortured soul. Living in a loveless marriage she stuck to her vows, no matter what. She was withdrawn in the beginning of the story, but in time her character grew strong and determined to move on with life, and start to live. I was happy to see Grace stand her ground no matter what happened to her. She had a strong will and in the end this showed in her character.

There are plenty of villains present creating that mystery and suspense that we all crave in a good thrilling read. Their characters coming across as callous and uncaring and just hard arse, this was portrayed well. You grew to hate the characters and what they stood for, but this also is part of a great story.

Overall, Victoria never disappoints in her writing, intriguing the reader into the world that she has created, drawing us into the suspense, and mystery and even little loving entwined. The romance wasn't a big part of the story, but I fell it was just perfect, giving us the insight to Jack and Grace's emotions and dragging us along in the moment.

All secondary characters meshed well with the story line, making it an enjoyable read, all necessary and blending in well with the plot.

I've now read two of Victoria's stories and have enjoyed both immensely. I certainly look forward to more of her stories in the future. A must read!! That will keep you on the edge of your seat, right till the very end

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Bantwall's Reluctant Matchmaker Book Tour

Title – The Reluctant Matchmaker

Author – Shobhan Bantwal
Author's website link - http://www.shobhanbantwal.com
Genre or category – Women’s Fiction, Ethnic Fiction
ISBN-10: 0758258852
ISBN-13: 978-0758258854

The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shobhan Bantwal

In her thought-provoking, uplifting new novel, Shobhan Bantwal vividly blends the nuances of contemporary Indian-American culture with an unconventional romance...

It starts with a bizarre accident. Petite and successful Meena Shenoy's contented life turns upside down when she collides, literally, with her strikingly tall boss, Prajay Nayak, and suffers a nasty fall. But when she discovers that he's a bright, caring, family-oriented man, she's attracted to him. When he unexpectedly asks her to meet him in secret, she wonders whether he feels the same way about her.

Meena walks into his office that evening with high romantic hopes. Imagine her shock when instead of declaring interest in her Prajay makes an astonishing request: He wants her to craft a personal ad that will help him find a suitable wife - a statuesque, sophisticated Indian-American woman who will complement his striking height.

Despite her feelings for Prajay and the complications of balancing work and her "marriage consultant" role, Meena can't refuse the assignment, or the generous fee attached to it. While she nurses her bruised heart, Meena comes to some surprising realizations about love, tradition, and the sacrifices she will—and won't—make to fight for the man she loves.

Advance Praise for The Reluctant Matchmaker:

"Bantwal pairs romance with her trademark taste of how Indian expatriates live in New Jersey, complete with family dynamics and tensions between different ethnic groups." -- Publisher's Weekly

"The Reluctant Matchmaker is a very entertaining and easy read. A real page turner!" -- Book Pleasures

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel . . . a perfectly absorbing and engaging read." -- Coffee Time Romance

"Bantwal’s latest is a fun romance. Meena’s American modernity clashes with her Indian upbringing in a rebellious manner that will leave readers smiling." -- Romantic Times

About the Author:

Shobhan Bantwal is an award-winning author of six multicultural women's fiction books with romantic elements and numerous short stories, branded as "Bollywood in a Book." Her articles have appeared in The Writer magazine, Romantic Times, India Abroad, India Currents, and New Woman. The Reluctant Matchmaker is her latest novel. Shobhan lives with her husband in Arizona. Visit her online at www.shobhanbantwal.com to learn about her books, trailers, contests, photos, recipes, and more. Visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Rogue Novel by Jo Beverley Anyone?

Lady Beware
By Jo Beverley
Historical romance
ISBN 978-0-451-22149-0
Signet, $ 7.99, PG-13
5 hearts

Reviewed by Mary Benn for the Romance Reader


Jo Beverley carries off a remarkable achievement in Lady Beware, the latest and
possibly last in her Company of Rogue novels. In a world where the loud, the
graphic and the sensational sell, she cultivates a silent and subtle build-up
but rocks her readers to their core. Her craft deserves close attention, but it
is the unusual combination of familial comfort and risqué pleasure that makes
this book a winner.

Horatio Cave, Lord Darien attended Eton at the same time as the Rogues, but he
was not admitted into their exulted company. His violent and scandalous family
history, which includes murder, madness and Italian opera singers, had already
branded him. His belligerent behavior didn't help. Even good-natured Dare (the
opium-addicted hero of To Rescue a Rogue) took issue and warned, "Cave Canem."
Well versed in Latin, the Eton schoolboys immediately recognized the pun (the
inscription cave canem, or "Beware the Dog", was carved on the doors of Roman
homes). The name stuck, and Cave has never forgiven Dare or the Rogues for it.


In the meantime, Cave has made a very different name for himself as a hero of
the Napoleonic wars. His bravery isn't enough to whitewash his family name. So
when Dare's honor in the battlefield is questioned, he sees it as an
opportunity to redeem himself. He coerces Dare's sister Thea Debenham into
accepting a bargain: if she acts as his betrothed, thereby gaining him the
social respect he craves, he will clear her brother's reputation.

It is easy to see what this set up could have become: a predictable story about
a false engagement that eventually becomes a real one. That is not the path
Thea and Cave take. He immediately does his part but allows Thea to withdraw
from hers. Her mother, on the other hand, is determined to pay off the family
debt . More naturally cautious, Thea remains wary of this dark, dangerous
stranger, but she is also intrigued — and secretly thrilled.

Beverley brings her characters to life by examining them in their social
universe. A former soldier, Cave is very much a man's man, and it is mostly
through his interaction with other men that we discover his loyalty and
decency. He deploys all the authority which goes with his rank, but never
abuses it: there is no condescension or false camaraderie in his concern for
his former soldiers. Similarly, Thea's unspoken anxieties and elegant poise are
seen most clearly in her family relationships and her female friendships.

Beverley ensures her characters are multifaceted and doesn't overlook the
erotic dimension of Thea and Cave's relationship. She pens several daring
encounters, but overall subtlety is the key to her art. In one scene, Cave
strokes Thea's gloved finger with his. There is more sensual tension in that
caress than in some of the most explicit descriptions I have recently read.

Throughout the novel, Beverley sets her own leisurely pace and draws her
enraptured readers towards a firework finale. Ominous hints maintain the
novel's tension and the reader's curiosity. The bad things come as no surprise
but still hold us at a fever pitch.

No doubt about it: Lady Beware is yet another jewel in Beverley's heavily-
decorated crown.

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Jo Beverley "Arguably today's most skillful writer of historical
romance..." Publishers Weekly
5 time winner of the prestigious RITA award.
"Romance at its best." Romantic Times.

J.Q. Pens Mystery with Sweet Romance and Humor

Title: Coda to Murder

Author: J.Q. Rose

Author's Web site: http://www.jqrose.com

Genre: Mystery, sweet romance

ISBN 978-1-77127-274-2

Published by amazon

Reviewer's Rating 5 Stars

 

Reviewed by Sue Pernz originally for Amazon.com  

Inspirational with murder and humour

At first this seems like an ordinary murder with romance, but J.Q. Rose has brought in her usual (or should I say unusual) sense of humor. A cat, pig and kangaroo also take major parts in the story. Christine gets into all sorts of situations, both dangerous and funny, when she tries to solve the murder mystery.

I have read J.Q. Rose's books before and this is another good one. The author has that uncanny knack of putting together a serious situation with a touch of humor. Not too much, just enough to lighten the thread, without being insulting to the deceased. J.Q. Rose managed to make romance and murder a believable possibility and for this I commend her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which says a lot as I don't usually read inspirational books, but this is a definite "can't put it down" book. Well done Ms. Rose, can't wait for the next book from your writing desk.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

New Sensual Contemporary for Romance Lovers

Title: The Arrangement
Author: Delaney Diamond
Author's website: http://www.delaneydiamond.com/
Genre: Contemporary romance
ISBN: 978-1-936279-57-9

Reviewer's rating: 4.5/5.0

Originally reviewed by Dottie for Romance Junkies, http://www.romancejunkies.com/


Leonardo de Silva is a ruthless business man in a multi-million dollar telecommunications company started by his father. His competitors fear him more than they respect him, but he is a worthy adversary. Half Brazilian, he spent much of his life in Brazil when he was younger. Work consumes a great deal of his life, making his business prosper, but his home life has suffered. His wife Alexa left him four months ago. He is desperate to have her back, but, being the strong silent type, he does not admit to his feelings easily. Whenever he makes mistakes, he does not dwell on them. Instead of thinking of his past problems, he figures out ways to correct them in the future.

Alexa de Silva loves her husband, but he seems to care more for his business than he does for her. Tired of being alone all the time, while he spent way too many hours at work, she had finally left him several months ago. She buried herself in her own activities; helping her brother Xander at his bakery and working at Second Chance Closet, a charity she had formed to provide gently used career clothing and formal wear to women. She had never been interested in her husband’s money. The only thing she wanted was his time and his love; the two items she feared he would never be able to give her. She and Xander lost their parents at a young age, so the two of them are very close.

Alexa has been trying to get her brother to hire a business manager. Xander is a fabulous baker, but he does not have a head for business. Facing major financial problems with his bakery, especially when his loan was called in to be paid in full, Xander asks Alexa to go to her husband and seek his help with the loan. Alexa is shocked and does not want to do it, but she knows it is the only chance Xander has to keep his bakery.

When she goes to Leo’s office and asks him for the loan, he agrees under two conditions. First, Xander must hire a business manager and secondly, Alexa must return home and resume their marriage in every way, for two months. Shocked, but knowing she has no other way to help Xander, she agrees. However, she is not entirely dismayed about returning home, just seeing her husband again has made her desire him all over.
Leo knew that his actions with his wife were underhanded, but he was desperate to get her to return home to him. He only hopes she never learns the lengths he would go to in order to get her to return to him. Can he convince her within the next two months that they belong together for a lifetime?

Deliciously titillating, THE ARRANGEMENT is a very sensual and heartwarming contemporary romance that I found impossible to put down until I had finished reading the very last word. Leo and Alexa are deeply in love, but the one thing lacking in their marriage is communication. Physically, their love life could not be more perfect, but they are unsure of each other’s love as neither one will proclaim it to the other. Brimming with steamy hot sensuality, believable dialogue, complex and compelling characters, an interesting plot, plenty of love and some surprising plot twists, this book is a winner. THE ARRANGEMENT is the first book I have read by author Delaney Diamond, but I look forward to reading more of her works. THE ARRANGEMENT is a terrific read for a lazy afternoon’s escape.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

MuseItUp Author Publishes New Romantic Thriller

REFLECTION
By: Kim Cresswell
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
eBook ISBN: 978-1-77127-256-8
Publication Date: January 2013
Genres: Suspense, Thriller, Romance
Purchase at: MuseItUpPublishing.com, Amazon.com, Bookstrand, Omnilit, Kobo, Smashwords and B&N
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz at Books4Tomorrow
Ellen's star rating:  5/5

Summary

Florida investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, has lived in the shadow of her legendary father long enough. To prove herself she needs to find the “Big” story.
She found it.
Now it may kill her.
After Whitney receives a lead pointing to the world’s first cloned human, now a small child, she vows to unravel the truth. However, sifting through the facts proves to have dangerous results, including death threats and murder.
When Whitney is nearly killed, but is saved by undercover FBI Special Agent, Blake Neely, he refuses to let her get in the way of his own objective—at least not right away.
Caught in a lethal game between a billionaire obsessed with genetic perfection, his hit man’s thirst for retribution, and a Colombian drug lord fresh out of prison determined to make Blake pay for his twin brother’s death over a decade ago…
Can they save an innocent child before it’s too late?
Faced with tough choices, with deadly consequences for many—Whitney soon realizes that sometimes a story becomes more than just a story.

Review by Ellen Fritz originally for Books4Tomorrow

A truly edge-of-your-seat, never-a-dull-moment read. Reflection has a dramatic start and just never slows down. When her ex-husband is killed while trying to tell her something important, investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, realizes that she may be on to the story of a lifetime. Too bad then that Nathan Shaw, Blake Neely and an enemy from her past want to prevent her obtaining the information for her story; and at the heart of all this, an innocent child.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it moves forward all the time with no lengthy descriptions or angsty inner dialogue. The romance in the story is tastefully written and skillfully distributed throughout the book so as to enhance rather than interfere with the main storyline.

The characters are fleshed out and vividly described thus giving the reader captivating mental images that truly makes the story come alive. I love a strong female protagonist who can hold her own, kick butt and doesn't indulge in self pity. Whitney Steel is exactly that. Blake Neely, the male protagonist, is extremely realistic with his inner battles about keeping Whitney safe, the death of his sister and, ultimately, his own mission. Let's not forget the bad guys in this story. Ruthless, mean and self-serving are just some of the adjectives that come to mind. Add to that vengeful and the author has some truly nasty but highly realistic antagonists to give our heroes a run for their money.

I highly recommend this five-star page-turner to those who love a suspense laden novel with constant action and well balanced romance. The extra complication at the end gives this book a unique quality, and, oops, let me stop before I give too much away! As the book has a slightly open end, let's hope that we'll soon see another book by the highly gifted Kim Cresswell. Ellen Fritz - Books4Tomorrow http://bookstomorrow.blogspot.ca/2013/03/review-reflection-by-kim-cresswell.html

What Others are Saying

“Reflection is an edge-of-your-seat suspense, with gut-wrenching emotion, and sexual tension that has you turning the page to see how it all turns out. This was one of the best suspense stories I've read, and Nathan Shaw is a villian you'll love to hate!” - Jerri Drennen, Author (Amazon Review)

“Reflection is a fast-paced thriller with something for every reader: scientific experiments, murderous encounters, and a complicated love story. Kim Cresswell’s debut work will leave you hanging on every page in a world where every word counts, every man’s word is suspect, and those ‘three little words’ mean more than anything when all is revealed.” -M.K. Chester, author of Surrender to the Roman (Carina Press)

“Glad to know there is a sequel coming as I really liked this one. The plot had a lot of typical Rom Sus elements, but somehow the whole was very fresh to me. The greatest element of the story for me was that the heroine, Whitney Steel (great name!) was believable mixture of being strong,and capable but vulnerable and sometimes misguided. The story was exciting and definitely left me wanting more!” -Lhenry (Goodreads Review) (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/527104585)

About the Author

Award-wining author, Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a storyteller all her life but took many detours including; working for a private investigator, running a graphic design business, and teaching computer classes at a local business school. After becoming disabled with Fibromyalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, Kim returned to her first love, writing.

She's also an avid reader who enjoys playing computer games, ghost hunting and loves anything paranormal.

Kim has a few new books in the works including; Retribution, the sequel to Reflection, slated for October. Lethal Journey, a suspense thriller, will be released later this summer.

Web Site: www.kimcresswell.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks

Twitter: @kimcresswell

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6898395.Kim_Cresswell

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REFLECTION - A reporter's determination to expose an illegal human cloning project places an innocent child in the crosshairs of a master criminal. 
MuseItUp Publishing:  http://tinyurl.com/ctwm5cp 
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Reflection-ebook/dp/B00B5HRBZE
Paperback at Createspace eStore:  https://www.createspace.com/4144264
Kobo:  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Reflection/book-_5-zhN2-20u_RUw8yO1Cxg/page1.html
Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/289845
Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflection-kim-cresswell/1114770566?ean=2940044344181
_______________________________________________
 
_______________________________________________

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Lit Amri Praises New Romance Novel

Crocuses & Blackbirds

Book 1 of The Golden Path Quintet

Author Margaret Montrose

Author's Web site:   www.thegoldenpath.co.uk 

Genre: Romance

 

Reviewed by Lit Amri originally for Readers' Favorite : Rating: 5.0 stars
The Golden Path Quintet: Crocuses & Blackbirds is Book 1 of the Golden Path series by Margaret Montrose. Nineteen-year-old Julie finds her way to the Cathedral, a place which will ease her troubled soul and guide her way toward the enigmatic Ellen MacAlister.

The Golden Path Quintet is as mesmerizing as an intricate poem. It is a story with more layers than one could expect. There is something about the story that I cannot quite put my finger on it. Perhaps enlightenment is a suitable word, but this novel is by no means religious. It certainly has depth that will satisfy the readers, as it did me. The relationship between Julie and Ellen is somewhat surreal yet beautiful at the same time. The novel explores not only storytelling but also love, faith, and friendship. While the story is not hard to read, Montrose has a subtle way of asking more from the readers through her amazingly beautiful prose than the typical contemporary romance requires.

The story is told in a fantastic and charming manner. With The Golden Path Quintet, Montrose has indeed presented the dynamics of life that we often forget or intentionally refuse to acknowledge. Readers who enjoy novels with a dreamlike realism will definitely love this novel. Read, think and cherish it; share it with your loved ones, friends, and other book-loving enthusiasts that you know, because this might be one of the best books you will read this year.

 

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  The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Author and Poet Reviews Sci-Fi and Romance Book

Title: Hidebound

Author: Joy V. Smith
Author's website: http://pagadan.wordpress.com/
Genre: Science fiction/romance
ISBN: 978-1-4658-4677-8
[Note: Adult content]

Reviewed by Vincent Miskell originally for Amazon

Fissa's desire for independence, leaving the safety of her home planet to travel space on her cousin's ship, the St. Catherine, may be her first and final adventure. The ship is attacked, and she crash-lands in a shuttle on a planet covered with carnivorous vegetation. Now her life is in the hands of Ferenc, an alien humanoid with strange physical powers. Will he abandon her, force himself upon her, or continue to save her as they journey over deadly terrain? Under the constant threat of death and with a growing attraction for the enigmatic humanoid, Fissa must grow up fast and make some life-altering choices. Joy V. Smith has deftly combined science fiction adventure with romance, realistically exploring an emotional and physical relationship between human and humanoid.

~Reviewer Vincent Miskell is a college instructor, a writer, and a poet. His short fiction has appeared in Rosebud, Intertext, Eclipse, and in the SF Read more at Amazon's Vincent Miskell Page http://www.amazon.com/Vincent-Miskell/e/B001K8RFXQ/ref=sr_tc_2_rm?qid=1316387745&sr=1-2-ent

Learn more about author Joy Smith at http://pagadan.livejournal.com/
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Jersey Girl Reviews Goose Pimple Junction

Title: Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction

Author: Amy Metz

Author's Web site link: http://amymetz.com/
Genre: Southern Mystery (cozy)
ISBN-13: 978-0985138875
Publisher: Iconic Publishing

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0985138874

 

Reviewed by Kathleen Anderson Originally for Jersey Girl Book Reviews

When Tess Tremaine, recently divorced and looking to start over in a new town, settles into Goose Pimple Junction, she has no idea what she's in for! Meeting the townsfolk, learning "southern speak" and "goosepimpleisms," working in a bookstore, and an attraction to local celebrity Jackson Wright is enough to keep her busy ... or is it?

A 1935 bank robbery leads to the 1937 unsolved murder of witness John Hobbs. Seventy-five years later, Tess is living in John's old house, and while renovating the house, she finds an old key and decides to look into the unsolved murder mystery case. But someone doesn't want the past to be stirred up ... with Tess and Jack investigating ... murder, mayhem and a little bit of southern romance is sure to follow!

Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction is an entertaining whodunit story with a southern twist! The author weaves an intriguing southern cozy murder mystery tale told in the third person narrative that immediately draws the reader in with its quirky humor and fast-paced action that has enough twists and turns that will leave your head spinning! Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee, a picturesque southern town with a lot of heart and charm. The description of the town and surrounding area was wonderful, there's nothing better than down home country charm and living. I loved how the author weaved the two time periods, the 1930s murder mystery and the present day, into a suspenseful and riveting story. This laugh-out-loud mystery story will keep you in stitches as you turn the pages following along with the townsfolks' southern charm, quirky "goosepimpleisms," and the drama and mayhem that follows Tess and Jack on their quest to solve the old murder case.

The author has created a cast of characters that are quirky and lovable, their southern charm, crazy antics and hysterical dialogue will keep you in stitches. The reader is transported to lovely southern town of Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee, where the friendly townsfolk welcome you with open arms and sweet tea! I really enjoyed all of the characters, but my favorites were Tess, Jack, Lou and Pickle. I loved how the author balanced the murder mystery with romance, while the drama and suspense kept me guessing, it was Tess and Jack's lighthearted romance that kept me smiling.

Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction is a riveting southern cozy murder mystery that will engage you to join in the investigation of the decades old murder mystery, while providing you with a dose of good ol' southern charm and humor. So pull up a rocking chair and set down for a spell with some sweet tea while the townsfolk of Goose Pimple Junction tell y'all their story!

 

 

----- The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Debut Novel of Suspense and Romance Tours Blog

Danger In Her Words

Author:  Barbara Barth
Publisher: Gilbert Street Press 

ISBN-13: 978-0983171539

Romance/Suspense

Available on Amazon and Kindle   Link to buy:  http://amzn.com/098317153X

 

 

Synopsis:

What if writing a book brought a serial killer to your back door and you had no one to call for help.

A TV sitcom pitch gone wrong at a writers’ convention turns dog-column writer Susan Meyers in a tailspin. Sex Sells was the topic of the day. Worried her writing style had become stale, Susan decided to try something new. A steamy romantic novel seemed just the answer to bring in a new audience.

Susan, a widow who had not dated in three years, was out of practice with men and sex. She turned to an online dating site to find inspiration for her book and unleashed a predator with the words she wrote. Tucked an hour away from her friends in a small town where she kept to herself, with only her tiny dog for company, Susan felt safe from the world. Little did she know her life was about to change.

Danger In Her Words is a book within a book. There is Susan’s story and the book she is writing, where you meet Jamie, a widow like Susan who has also been out of the dating scene. Your character takes you on your journey. Susan heard that about writing fiction and quickly discovers it is true. Jamie has a mind of her own and Susan is dismayed as her novel takes some surprising turns. Jamie knows she wants a relationship, Susan still has that to learn about herself. Both find themselves in harm’s way as romance comes close.

Set against the background of a fictional country town an hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Danger In Her Words is full of farmhouses, antiques, girl-talk, a touch of murder, a sprinkle of suspense, a bit of naughty fun, and a dog that will steal your heart.

Two widows looking for love in all the wrong places might still get it right if they live long enough.

About the Author:

Barbara Barth is the author of The Unfaithful Widow, a memoir on the first year on her own. It placed as a finalist in the 2011 USA Best Book Awards. Her work has appeared in On Purpose Woman Magazine and on many on-line sites, including The Balancing Act with Lifetime TV, Skirt.com, Silver & Grace, and The Red Room.

Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, and dog whisperer, although some days she has to bark to be heard at home. She lives in the metro Atlanta area with six dogs from local animal shelters.

Danger In Her Words is her first work of fiction. Visit the author’s website at www.barbarabarthwriter.com

 

 

 

 

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  The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

New Beginnings Earns Four Romantic Hearts

New Beginnings
Pat McCain
Paranormal romance
ISBN: 978-1-84728-621-5
Reviewed by Anita of The Romance Studio
Rated Four Hearts
Available from TreePress.net

After the death of Alexandra’s father some very strange things started happening. Her lights being turned on and off by themselves. She has seen what looks like a ghost of a small man wearing a kilt and a woman wearing a long dress. Her father has left her money to trace her roots in Scotland and she believes that the things that are happening around her and her strange dreams may have something to do with her family’s history.

John MacDonald is a very distant cousin of Alex. He has been experiencing some of the same strange occurrences. He believes their ancestors are trying to tell them something. As they go about researching their history and looking for the answers to their mystery they become quite close. Things are going well between them until Alex’s friend arrives to join her on the trip.

Sammy has always thought she should be the center of attention. When she does not get her way she begins making life miserable for Alex and John. Alex has always known her friend to be self-centered but her actions go beyond what is normal for her. As Sammy’s behavior becomes even more bizarre it is obvious to Alex her friend needs help.

New Beginnings is a paranormal romance that takes the readers on a fascinating adventure to uncover a mystery. Alex and John’s ancestors want their story told. Throughout the story the reader is carried back and forth through time to learn the truth about these people that lived and died three hundred years earlier. As their story of love unfolds a new love begins to grow.

Alex and John are a wonderful couple of characters. They find a love and understanding that can lead to future happiness. Their love grows slowly as they notice they enjoy the same things and that they have a common history. Their sweet story of love will leave the reader feeling warm inside as history corrects wrongs done in the past.

Drama unfolds when Sammy joins them and starts making trouble. The true strength of the characters and the love that has grown between them becomes known. John does not let anyone walk all over Alex and Alex is not about to let John be treated badly. Sammy has some serious problems that lead to some startling surprises being revealed. Readers will cheer Alex and John on as they set Sammy straight and do not let her roll over them.

This is a moderately paced story that lets the mysteries it has to tell unfold slowly. The characters draw the reader into their lives and let them share in the love that grows between them. This is a story of love that last forever even beyond the grave. I encourage readers to add New Beginnings by Pat McCain to their reading list.

Amazon Reviewers Laud New Romance

The Girl in the Bird
Subtitle: Romance and Alien Power in the Current Middle Ages

Author: Christine Talley

Author' s Web Site:

http://talleychristine.wix.com/christinemtalley

Genre: romance/science fiction
Copyright:  2015

ISBN: 1523496673

Purchase at:

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Bird-Christine-Talley-ebook/dp/B01AMZ84BY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453940888&sr=1-1&keywords=%22The+girl+in+the+bird%22

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

5 star review on Amazon

"Really enjoyed the love story, also the setting, held my interest, each time I put the book down could not wait, to resume reading."

5 star review on Amazon

"I thought this was a great story. I found myself laughing and crying with the chara[c]ters and the story. It held my interest."

4 star review on Amazon

"Mrs. Talley has done a wonderful job, her characters are believable … and the plot takes some surprising turns. I thoroughly enjoyed the book"

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Contemporary Romance Reviewed by Chicklit Reviewer

Book: Pass the Hot Stuff

Author: Dana Page
Author’s site/buy links: 
www.facebook/passthehotstuff
www.danapage1.blogspot.com
www.createspace.com/3867996
Also available on Amazon.com and Kindle
ISBN: 1477625348
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Chick Lit
Rank: 5 stars~ Sassy read

Reviewed by Nikki Mason originally for  BestChickLit.com

Pass the Hot stuff is a fun, fast-paced romance novel that will show you the importance of letting yourself find the love you deserve. Surrounded by strong, inspirational women such as her artistic mother Katie, her fun-loving friend Trisha and her adored Grandmother, Sweetie, who all want the very best for her, Blythe is struggling to let herself be loved without compromising on happiness. But when two new attorneys appear at the boyfriend's office, Blythe's head, heart and soul are given a good shake.

Pass the Hot stuff is Dana Page's first novel but she has written it with such confidence and gusto, that it will leave you feeling warm and optimistic about love. Page has really captured the all-consuming sexual tension of a budding relationship and contrasts it perfectly with the stagnant claustrophobia of being stuck with the wrong man. The vibrancy of her New Orleans setting leaves you bright-eyed and ready for adventure.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

All The Romance of New Orleans in a Historical Novel

Title: A World Of His Own-In The Land Of The Creoles
Author: Arlette Gaffrey
Published by: Outskirts Press
Website: www.OutskirtsPress.com/ArletteGaffrey
Genre: Historical Novel
ISBN # 0-9788891-0-X




Reviewed by Amos Lassen for Amazon

I am originally from New Orleans and I never get tired of reading about my hometown.
From the moment I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. I find Arlette Gaffrey to be a very talented writer who knows New Orleans so well she really brings the city to life. The story line holds your interest from the first page to the last. This is a story of love, marriage and betrayal set against the background of the magical city of New Orleans.

As a child, Andre de Javon is torn from his family during the French revolution, and when he grows up he arrives in New Orleans to begin building a new life for himself. Through hard work and sheer determination he becomes wealthy and the owner of one of the most successful plantations in the territory.

Andre's mentor Jean-Claude Charlevoix has a young daughter Julie Marie who is in love with Andre even though she is still a child of eleven. She hopes Andre will wait for her to grow up so they can marry, but instead Andre marries the beautiful, spoilt, selfish Gabrielle Ste. Claire. Marriage to Gabrielle is a nightmare. Gabrielle sets their beautiful house on fire in a drunken rage, and she is caught in the fire and dies, leaving Andre with her illegitimate son.

Andre sees everything he's built go up in flames and is filled with grief and rage. But now he is at last free to marry the one he realizes he truly loves, Julie. However he is eleven years her senior and has a bastard son to boot. Will Julie still want to marry him?

This author Arlette Gaffrey has captured the color, charm and heart of New Orleans. She has also brought in several historical characters who played a part in that time in history. The infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, Andrew Jackson, Henry Shreve and others. Her historical facts are accurate, and the details of plantation life is true. Arlette also shines in her descriptions of the fashions of the day along with hair styles, fabrics and jewelry. She also very easily explains the French and Spanish Creole culture and this love story exudes romance.

The elements of a good story are here, the romance and historical background of 19th century New Orleans are all here.

Many years ago the author of this review actually lived in the building shown on the cover of the book, the courtyard is famous and the address is 734 Royal Street.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coaliition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love--and that includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.

Spicy Reads Loves Contemporary Romance

Title: One to Save Author: Tia Louise Author's Web site link: http://www.AuthorTiaLouise.com Genre or category: Contemporary Romance ISBN: 978-1508738503 Reviewer's rating: 5 Stars BUY LINKS: Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTSA iTunes: http://smarturl.it/OTSi Google Play: http://smarturl.it/OTSG Nook: http://smarturl.it/OTSN Kobo: http://smarturl.it/OTSK ARe: http://smarturl.it/OTSAR Paperbacks on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTSAp CreateSpace: http://smarturl.it/OTSC     Reviewed by  Shayna Renee originally for her Spicy Reads blog ONE TO SAVE was a sizzling, suspenseful romance that took me to another place. I completely lost myself in this book! Derek and Melissa are characters that stuck with me from the beginning and embedded themselves in my heart. I felt the complete and undeniable love they they feel towards each other, and I felt the utter gut wrenching heartache that they went through in this book. I absolutely LOVE each installment of the ONE TO HOLD series, but this book, this incredible book, left me a blubbering mess and pulled emotions out of me left and right. Tia Louise is a genius at setting the scene, giving her readers a vivid, beautiful depiction of all that is going on, transporting us to this lovely world with ease. Tia Louise fans will fall in love with the latest ONE TO HOLD novel!  And ladies...get ready to SWOON your panties off, because DEREK ALEXANDER is BACK! Derek and Melissa have come so far. But secrets, lies, and deceptions prevent them from having the happily ever after they both deserve. Melissa knows what it's like to be in a relationship full of lies, and she WILL NOT go through that again. When Melissa pushes Derek away, he is devastated and broken. He knows he was in the wrong, protecting her but not communicating with her. He is determined to make things right. He will stop at nothing to see her smile once again. But what if it's too late? Fool me once and all that.  ONE TO SAVE was one helluva page-turner. Steamy, action packed, and heartwarming, I can never get enough of this series. A story about finding your light in the darkness and never letting it go, Derek and Melissa's love story will be one to remember, one to cherish, and one to learn from. I know this was the happily ever after I always wanted for these two, but I hope that it isn't the last we hear from them. #DerekAndMelissaForever MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tia Louise is the author of sexy books with a twist. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest * * *  One to Hold   * * *  One to Keep  * * *  One to Protect  * * * One to Love  * * *  One to Leave * * * One to Save

 

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.