ARC Tart by Lauren Dane

Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family on the farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn’t long before the former childhood friends play catch up in bed.

That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns

With Tart, as well as the Delicious series, Lauren Dane doesn't do formulaic or anything close to it for her menage. Tart is a buy your batteries in bulk its so hot read about the formation of a triad relationship.

Juliet has know and been in love with Cal forever but he has had plenty of time to make his move and hasn't so when the super sexy cowboy Gideon steps into her life she is ready to let Cal go and move on.

Cal has dated, he has dated a lot, both women and men. He was always trying to find what he knew he had with Jules but was afraid of messing up their friendship to pursue.

Gideon grew up spending the summers with Cal, Juliet and their friends. He is no stranger but seeing Juliet all grown up for the first time Gideon knows he needs to be a part if her life.

This could be the set up for a classic love triangle but it's not. What it turns into is a touching but steamy story about how these three people can come to love each other and the difficulties they have with each other and with the outside world accepting of their unusual relationship.

I have to say that Gideon stole my heart with his yes ma'am's and his cowboy charm coupled with his alpha/dominant tenancies he made my heart go pitter patter.
Cal is your classic beautiful guy who knows it and always gets his way because of it. Jules and Gideon are willing to stand up to him and that is a huge turn on.
Juliet has the most messed up family in existence and yet she wants to be there and help and fix all of them. She also carried a torch for Cal for something like 15 years.
I found that at odds with the strong woman who opens her own business stands up to Cal and Gideon, that being the case I know that people with a family life as messed up as her tend to not deal with that family in the same manner they do the rest of the world. Once again, Ms. Dane instead of going the traditional romance novel route had written this more true to life and the nature of peoples psyche.

Overall this is an intense book with intense sex scenes(that include a few that are m/m) and an intense relationship. It still manages to have humor and be a great read that leaves you with the HEA we all crave.
I give it 4 out of 5 flowers

Warrior Reborn by Melissa Mayhue

I am so excited that I am able to be involved with the release day reviews for Melissa Mayhue's latest book Warrior Reborn #3 in the Warrior Series.

BLURB:
WARRIOR REBORN

Former special ops agent CHASE NOBLE has been searching his whole life for the place where he belongs. As a descendant of Fae, he senses fate has more in store for him, and he will not rest until he discovers what his true purpose is. When he travels back in time to medieval Scotland, he discovers his mission is to save a beautiful woman—the same woman he is destined to be with.
CHRISTIANA MACDOWYLT possesses the gift of foresight. Prisoner of her evil half-brother, Christiana’s visions show her that only one warrior can rescue her—a man she is mysteriously drawn to. The only problem is, he’s in the future. Now she must rely on the magic of a Faerie to transport him to the past. And when Christiana finally meets Chase, the sparks between them set off a smoldering desire. But will the magic that brought them together also tear them apart?

Time travel and faeries and witches oh my...
In Melissa Mayhues latest offering Warrior Reborn we have a wonderful mix of magic, fantasy and time travel to give us this delightful story of a modern warrior drawn back in time to meet his destiny.

Chase Noble has always known his father was Fae, he knows that he has a purpose and a destiny to fulfill he just had no idea it would take him back to 13th century Scotland.
Christiana MacDowylt sees future events, she sees the paths that are open and several possible outcomes. She knows a man will come to save her from her half-brother and protect her from the evil he tries to use her gift for.

Warrior Reborn has the elements we have come to expect from Melissa Mayhue sexy Scotsmen, a bit of danger and mystery and a helping of magic. The world building that Ms. Mayhue writes is amazing and her characters are multi-dimensional beings that as we read we feel we know them and they are more than just the construct of out imagination.

Chase a warrior from the present seems to adjust amazingly well to the idea of being thrust back in time to meet the woman he has been searching for. Really that's about as close to something I didn't like about Chase as I can come.

Christiana has a powerful gift that she is able to use almost at will. I loved that she had perfected the art of "truthful deception" while she is unable to lie that doesn't mean she is telling the whole truth either. This skill allows her to manipulate her evil step-brother to keep her safe until Chase can rescue her.

I wish that Christiana could have been better able to save herself rather than wait to be rescued, however in the context of the time period she is supposed to be from that would have been completely unbelievable.

I think you will enjoy Warrior Reborn, I know I did I give it a five flower review!

Author info: Melissa Mayhue is the award-winning author of Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband, Highland Guardian, Soul of a Highlander, A Highlander of Her Own, A Highlander's Destiny, A Highlander's Homecoming, Healing the Highlander , A Highlander's Curse and Warrior’s Redemption. She and her family live in Colorado in the shadow of the beautiful Rocky Mountains with two insanely spoiled dogs, one domineering cat, a turtle with an attitude, and way too many fish in their aquarium.

ONLINE LINKS:
• Website – www.MelissaMayhue.com
• Blog - http://www.melissamayhue.blogspot.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Melissa.Mayhue.Author
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/MelissaMayhue
• Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/Melissa_Mayhue
• Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/events/488386864528081/?context=create

Lord Of Devil Isle by Mia Marlowe

If you are looking for the Howloween Bloghop page it's HERE:o)


I have to tell you I LOVE Mia Marlowe's work, when given the chance to review the re-release of Lord of Devil Isle I jumped at the chance. I had the chance to ask Mia a few questions...

Mia, you write mainly historic romance, do you ever wish you lived in the Regency era?

Mia: While I adore history and I love the manners and dress of the 19th century, I am addicted to little niceties like hot and cold running water, modern medicine and being treated like a fully actualized adult. Remember my stories present a romanticized version of the era. In reality, women were legally viewed as children or mental incompetents. Plus while the regency heroine is insulated from manual labor, most women of that time worked very hard indeed. If a chambermaid got half a day off a week, she had a very liberal employer.


Who inspired you to start writing? Why Historic romance?

Mia: I met Eboni Snoe, a romance author whose husband worked with mine. She’s a fascinating person who knows her craft. She gave me the confidence that I could learn to write too. Historical romance made sense because that’s the sort of love story that moves me. Plus, I’m “current culture stupid.” I’d have to do even more research to write a contemporary than I do for a historical!


Do you have a favorite book? a favorite one of yours?

Mia: I have lots of favorite books, but one that calls me back is MM Kaye’s The Far Pavilions. This doorstop of a book is set in British India and makes me feel as if I’ve lived the adventure.

I can’t pick one of my books as a favorite because I love them all. It would be like choosing a favorite child. However, there is a special place in my heart for MAIDENSONG, my very first book. It’s set in the 9th century, so it’s not your average romance. (And it’s on sale now for only $1.99!)


What does your writers den look like?

Mia: Since I live in a condo right now, I don’t have a dedicated office. But I have a “writer’s corner” in our bedroom. I write in a recliner positioned so I can look out onto the Mystic River, with my dogs Harry and Mack snugged on either side of me.


Fun questions

Dark or milk chocolate
Mia: Definitely dark

Halloween or Christmas
Mia: No question. Christmas. Absolutely.

Pirate or highwayman
Mia: Pirate!

Hot or cold

Mia: Hmmm. Since I’ve started having an “eternal internal summer,” cold is good. When you’re flashing, the last thing you need is more heat.

Rich and loveless marriage or poor and blissfully in love

Mia: Poor and in love of course. My DH and I were dirt poor when we married. Our first home was a sorry 40 X 8 trailer with such messed up vinyl flooring it looked as if someone had been flamenco dancing in football cleats. The bathroom was so small you had to back into it. You had to be in love to live there, but I don’t remember feeling ill used at the time. We were together. That was all that mattered. Even though we’re much more comfortable now, being together is still all that matters.

Tell me your dream vacation

Mia: I love to cruise. If money were no object, I’d embark on a round the world cruise and send you all blog updates of every port.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Carin. Please let your readers know I’d love to connect with them. They can find me at http://www.miamarlowe.com , http://twitter.com/Mia_Marlowe , and http://facebook.com/MiaMarloweFanPage .

Prison …
Shipwreck …
Shark Attack ...

Is Eve Upshall jumping from the frying pan into the fire when she lets a half-naked stranger pull her from the stormy sea? Captain Nicholas Scott is a rogue who takes advantage of every situation, whether it’s salvaging priceless loot or seducing a proper lady. And he makes it very clear he plans to take advantage of his new find in the most delicious way possible.

Eve’s whole future depends on everyone believing she is the soul of propriety. But with Nick refusing to transport her to her prospective bridegroom, and the balmy Bermuda nights whispering of unimaginable pleasures, how can any woman resist the lure of the … Lord of Devil Isle.

Eve Upshall has had it hard, falsely accused she landed in prison. When she does manage to get a way out the ship she is on runs aground on the coral outside of Bermuda (Devil Isle before the British renamed it) when she jumps into the ocean to save her friend she is soon surrounded by sharks. All of this is bad but worse is being rescued by the sexy Captain Nicholas Scott, who was on his way to claim the wreck as salvage when he takes notice of the three young women about to be attacked by sharks.

Nicholas Scott loves women, but they are to stay firmly in the mistress category after being betrayed by his wife who while dying admits to an affair with his then friend. Everyone on Devil Isle looks to Nick as the Lord of the island and he feels a responsible for them. He like to portray himself as a tough pirate but he really is just a wounded soul in need of the love of a good woman who can also put him in his place.

After Nick rescues Eve and her friends he puts them up in his house and commits to finding them husbands, as they were traveling to the Colonies to meet husbands and now because of the storm and ship wreck Eve's friends have no desire to go anyplace on a boat again. Nick is convinced he can make Eve his mistress, Eve doesn't want to be anyone's mistress or wife on Devil Isle, she wants to go to Richmond to find her family that is living there.

This is an extremely fun book with Eve trying to come off as a lady but having the mouth of a sailor and Nick who is always trying to be the big bad pirate when really he is a nice guy (mostly) This story has steamy sex scenes, pirate rivalry, verbal sparing between the hero and the heroine as well as the side stories of Éve's friends and traveling companions, the American revolution and even a cold blooded murder or two.

Well written, sexy and hot without being smutty, funny, heartwarming and a wonderful adventure. A five flower book all the way around!








Mia has graciously offered a e-book of MY LADY BELOW STAIRS, her Christmas eNovella to a random commentor. It can be international--anywhere they can accept Kindle or Nook, Thank you so much for coming by Mia and for your generous giveaway

The Angel Assassin by Samantha Holt

If you are looking for the Howloween Bloghop page it's HERE

The Angel's Assassin
by Samantha Holt
Self-Published
44,000 words (eBook format)
Erotic Historical Romance
Contains Elements of Action
Heat Level: Steamy

Available at:
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)



As part of the tour I asked Samantha to share with us how the bad guy can turn into the hero.
How the bad guy became the hero
The idea of love being a catharsis for change is fascinating to me. Whether it’s possible in real life is another thing but, hey, that’s what fiction is for.
I wrote The Angel’s Assassin following the need to write an absolute anti-hero, someone who was genuinely bad. All of my heroes have had flaws but nothing so big that the heroine would begin to question her love for him. I decided I needed a challenge.
So this is where Nicholas came in. But how do you turn someone who is innately bad into a romantic hero? It was tough, I can tell you.
He didn’t like not being able to see her. He couldn’t say why, but his instincts warred within him, warning him of some hidden danger to her. Which was ridiculous. The only danger to Annabel was him.

If you haven’t guessed it, Nicholas is the eponymous assassin. Throughout his life he’s committed terrible deeds. However, his saving grace is that it was not out of a need to do nasty things. He is not evil and this is the distinction. Had he been inherently evil, there would have been no turning back from that. Instead, he lived this life because he understood no other way of existing and had a complete inability to feel remorse, hope, or even love.

This is where my heroine, Annabel comes in. She wears her emotions openly and is unlike anyone he’s ever met. It’s a complete surprise to Nicholas, whose loveless childhood had never exposed him to such feeling. Nicholas is confused and thoroughly daunted by Annabel, to the point that she begins to consume his thoughts.
What I loved about Nicholas’ confusion, is that it created some beautifully tender moments when he’s genuinely thrown by this delicate woman. I was wary of making him so bad that no-one could ever understand what Annabel saw in him but there’s a determination and focus to him, which, when directed in the right place, makes him a perfect hero.

For all his sinful deeds, he was being given a chance to atone for them. Annabel needed his protection and he would protect her day and night, even from himself. He loved her, he was sure of that now, but she was as pure as an angel and he would not sully her with his hell bound soul.

His transformation into a hero starts slowly as his love for Annabel grows. Little acts, like wrapping his cloak around her, show the start of this transformation but it is when he shows willingness to sacrifice his own well-being for her that the change is complete.
And with that I fell thoroughly in love with my own hero. I hope you do too!

A medieval story of love and betrayal.

As a rebellion sweeps England, Lady Annabel finds her home overrun by rebels. Much to her relief, a dark knight comes to her rescue, claiming to have been sent to protect her by her uncle.

But Nicholas holds a secret about the job he was sent to do and it is a far cry from what Annabel believes it to be. As the attraction between them grows, Nicholas begins to question the dark life he has lived. But is it enough to change him and will Annabel ever trust again after learning the true nature of his sinful duty?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is tour wide so be sure to catch the other blogs HERE to increase your chance of winning!

Excerpt:
He had never given a woman a gift before and he had felt apprehensive when handing it to her, but her look of delight had brought a warmth into his heart that he had never experienced before. He had only intended to get her something simple and warm but the gown had reminded him of Annabel - gold and sparkling. It had cost him plenty of coin, mayhap more than it was really worth, but he knew if he had the chance he would happily spend his entire fortune on pretty gowns if it garnered the same reaction.

But it wouldn’t be up to him. Nicholas had to remind himself of that. He was to protect her, naught more.

“Nicholas?” Annabel’s voice beckoned to him, curling around his heart.

He took a deep breath, sucking in the cool, crisp air, hoping it would provide him with the necessary courage to face her. Each moment in her presence was making it harder and harder to fight the sweet temptation of her beguiling kisses. His strength to resist was steadily waning, but he knew he had to be strong. It was not intended for someone like him to receive the honour of her affections. They were undoubtedly misplaced and she would realise that if she understood his true nature. But he could not reveal it to her, for she would surely send him away and then how would he fulfil his duty to protect her?

Turning around, he dipped his head to enter through the small doorway of the hut. Though it was dark, Annabel seemed to shine through the gloom, all available light glinting off her flaxen hair and golden gown. As she heard his footfalls, she turned her head, looking at him over her shoulder.

“Will you help me with the laces?”

As if he could say nay. “Aye.”

Moving to her side, she lifted her arm as he twisted the laces up her side with trembling hands. Annabel watched him as he did so, her bright eyes never leaving his face.

“Stop.” she said softly.

He halted, his jaw ticking as he clenched it. Unable to meet her doe-eyed gaze, he stared at the ties in his hands. Annabel twisted around to face him and he let the laces fall from his grasp. Her hand reached up and grazed across his jaw, drawing his eyes to hers. The milky expanse of one shoulder was just visible and his gaze darted down, drawn to the enchanting sight of bare skin.

Nicholas’ hand shot out before he had even realised was he was doing and it hovered above her shoulder, itching to touch it. The heat of her skin seemed to penetrate the gap and his hand shook with restraint.

“Am I so repellent that you cannot even touch me?”

He looked at her in surprise and noticed a hint of vulnerability dancing in her expression. “God, nay,” he rasped.

His hand closed the gap in a sudden rush of movement, pulling a gasp from her while he groaned at the feel of soft flesh under his hand.

About the Author:
Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of which lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

Contact Samantha at:
Website
Facebook
Blog

Prophecy of the Most Beautiful by Diantha Jones

If you are looking for the Howloween Bloghop page it's HERE!

VBT: Omar by Craig Thompson

If you are looking for the Howloween Bloghop page it's HERE!

Howloween Blog Hop

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

What is the scariest book you have ever read?
I have to say that the most frightened I have ever been is after reading Stephen King's Salem's Lot. I slept with the lights on for weeks after.
I read this for the first time in the late 80's I think it started my fascination with the paranormal :O)

483 pages
first published 1975
It's on its 17th Impression

Goodreads synopsis:
'Salem's Lot is a small New England town with white clapboard houses, tree-lined streets, and solid church steeples. That summer in 'Salem's Lot was a summer of home-coming and return; spring burned out and the land lying dry, crackling underfoot. Late that summer, Ben Mears returned to 'Salem's Lot hoping to cast out his own devils... and found instead a new unspeakable horror.

A stranger had also come to the Lot, a stranger with a secret as old as evil, a secret that would wreak irreparable harm on those he touched and in turn on those they loved.

All would be changed forever—Susan, whose love for Ben could not protect her; Father Callahan, the bad priest who put his eroded faith to one last test; and Mark, a young boy who sees his fantasy world become reality and ironically proves the best equipped to handle the relentless nightmare of 'Salem's Lot

I have to say vampires have come a long way since then! I am no longer afraid of them I now want to sleep with them LOL!!!
Who doesn't love The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward or isn't in love with Lestat from Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles? We have Eric and Bill from the Sookie Stackhouse series Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire saga. Who could forget Jean-Claude from the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton!

I have a whole list of new (to me) vampire books I can't wait to get my hands on from the Vampires in America series by D.B. Reynolds to the Love at Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks, I have heard wonderful things about the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.

So how about you? Vampires do you love them, hate them, want to have undead babies with them, or maybe just some bedroom calisthenics? I am going to give away a e-book of your choice up to $12 from Amazon. Tell me what you favorite vampire series is and why. Be sure to leave your email address with the comment so I can reach you in the event you win, no email no entry!
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VBT: Blood on the Pen by David W. Huffstetler

David and Wild Child Publishing will be awarding a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment often for you best chance at winning. Find the other blogs on the tour HERE

BLURB:
A modern-day Ranger, Jack Harden, and a young, Mexican-American reporter, Elise Rodriguez, team up to find a serial killer, and they get more than they bargained for in a desperate chase across Texas. Jack grieves over the loss of his wife to a drunk driver, while Elsie tries to pull him from the edge of sanity in an action-packed thriller.


A Few Words From the Author:
I asked David to write a few words about his research on the Texas Rangers for his book,
I have long been a history buff and I am especially fond of the very rich history of Texas. I read the autobiography of John Wesley Hardin, once called the deadliest man in Texas, and he talked about his friend Creed Taylor. So, I read about Creed Taylor, a fascinating man and Ranger, who named his first son Hayes after his Ranger captain, John Coffee Hayes, one of the first Rangers, affectionately known as Captain Jack. In the second book, Blood on the Cards, the reader learns that Jack Harden's middle name is Hayes.

After researching the early Rangers, from their beginning through the Mexican-American War, I was hooked. I consumed anything I could get my hands on - books, documentaries, whatever told me more. Then I looked into their current operations. While the Rangers don't roam the prairie checking on the Comanche anymore, they still represent that strong character their forebearers showed. For the physical settings, I went to Texas, visiting all the places that you find in Blood on the Pen, from the Riverwalk in San Antonio to the limestone caverns of Sonora. It was a great trip, one I hope to make again sooner rather than later. Researching these books was a lot of fun.

EXCERPT

His knock had become familiar. She slipped on a light robe and opened the door. “Well, I see he loaned you a car. I never thought he would. Did you come to show it off to me?”

“Actually I came to bring you something,” he replied. He took the pistol from his pocket and held it out.

“What’s this about? Come inside before someone sees you and thinks I’m in the gun business.” She closed the door behind him, and he laid the pistol on her nightstand.

“Moses told me the investigators have been looking for this. I thought it would be better if they got it from you since, well, you shot the guy with it.”

“Okay, I guess I could go down there in the morning. Why don’t you go with me? You could say hello to your friends.”

Harden recoiled sharply. “I don’t need to see those guys. I’m doing fine without them.”

“What is it with you, Jack? How long are you going to torture yourself over something you can’t change? How long will you shut your friends out, everyone out? I’d just like to know.”

“Maybe you don’t need to know. Maybe you should mind your own life and butt out of mine.”

Her heart hadn’t felt such pain since her father’s death. She turned away and forced out a tearful answer. “Maybe I should.”

Then he spun her around and pulled her hard against his chest, nearly lifting her off the floor, and said, “Maybe not.” He kissed her full and deep on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back with parted lips and felt the heat of his pain and loneliness pouring through her. They burned with raw emotion, unleashed without a thought to where it would take them. They pulled at each other’s clothes until they lay flesh on flesh, wrapped around each other with just their passion to cover them. Only they knew exactly what happened that night, but it was deep and genuine, and neither of them regretted it.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds degrees in Engineering and Business Administration. He has worked in the area of human relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze of politics, including participating in a Federal Law suit with a sitting governor over issues of separation of powers. David has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations including. He has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and legislation. His wealth of experience is broad and brings deep insight to his writing.
David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA

He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David, an avid history buff, led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914.

As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional, David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast, California, Canada and Mexico.

David currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife, Trudy.


http://www.davidhuffstetler.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/BloodOnThePen

See Me by Natalie-Nicole Bates

See Me
by Natalie Nicole Bates
Published by Leap of Faith Publishing
20,000 words (eBook format)
Paranormal Romance
Heat Level: Steamy

Available at:
Leap of Faith Publishing
See Me




Blurb:
Carly Anders is hearing voices in her head. Another one of her kind is trying to contact her. She knows of the malevolent freaks—others who are eternal like her and seek out the weak to inflict pain upon. For years, Carly has held up huge protective walls to keep herself and her secrets safe. Now, physically and mentally exhausted, Carly needs protection and rest.

She accepts the invitation to visit an internet friend who needs help appraising a collection of antique photographs. The situation is not ideal, but Carly hopes a male presence in her life will deter the determined suitor who haunts her thoughts and dreams.

Daniel Tremont is not what Carly is expecting.

The former funeral director has a secret of his own. Not only is he eternal like Carly, he is her creation from all those years before—her abomination she thought she killed.

Daniel has been searching for Carly for years. He knows she is the piece of his life that he has been missing for so long. Now that he has found her, he has no intentions of letting her go.



This is a tour wide giveaway so be sure to go HERE and comment on the other blogs for a better chance at winning!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt:
He waved a hand in front of her face, but she didn’t blink. The lights are on, but no one’s home.

“Carly, my angel,” he whispered and cupped her cheek into his palm. He revealed in the silkiness and warmth of her skin. Still, she didn’t react. She was almost…a zombie.

His own body jerked in reaction to the fear she was emanating. She was clearly sleepwalking and in the throes of one hell of a nightmare, yet she didn’t cry out any longer. It was all now playing out inside her mind.

“Charlotte, see me,” he implored.

Her lips twitched at the mention of her real name.
See me,” he repeated.

Suddenly, her body gave way and she collapsed. Catching her, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. As he laid her down, her breathing became ragged. He placed a hand over her heart as it raced, and passed healing calmness through his hand, feeling the energy pulsate against her skin. Beneath his hand, he would feel her heartbeat slow to a normal rhythm.

“Daniel?” Her voice was mere caress.

“I’m here, my angel. You’re having a nightmare. You’re frightened. It’s okay now, I’m here, and I will never leave you,” he promised.

“Everyone leaves, Daniel. You can’t understand, you can’t…” Her body started to tremble.

He climbed onto the bed and straddled her body. Leaning close to her face, he said, “Carly, let go of your fear. I can take it. Let go and see me,” he commanded.

Her breath came out in a whoosh, and a wall of fear and resistance hit him like a blow from above. It wasn’t exactly painful, more startling than anything else.

His vision flip-flopped, and he could see an image from inside her mind of two souls forever entwined as the result of one act. It made perfect sense. She was reliving the day their souls became one. The day of the fire.

He then saw black, suffocating water. She was reliving her own death, as well.

As the visions left him, he was consumed with the mishmash of fear, loneliness, and resistance within her.

He had to make her understand that it was over. “I will never leave you, Carly. That is my promise to you,” he insisted.

A flicker of life ignited in her eyes. Her hands came up to his face, and to Daniel’s surprise, tears bubbled from his own eyes. He was releasing the pain and fear he had absorbed from his beloved.

“I’m so sorry, Daniel, so sorry,” she murmured.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, my love. It’s over. It’s time to move forward now.”

“You don’t understand what I am, Daniel.”

“I do understand, Carly. I am what you are. See me for what I am.”

In his mind, he could see the moving clockwork gears of her thoughts once again as she tried to process what he was telling her to be true.

“Just accept it, and let’s move forward.”
She drew his face to hers and her lips parted beneath his. Time blurred and he drank in the essence of his Carly. Her soft, barely covered curves molded themselves against his the hard planes of his body. Her hands were under his t-shirt, her fingers stroking him.

If he pressed on, he knew she wouldn’t refuse him. But in her vulnerable state, he wouldn’t let anything progress further that night. Carly needed time to process everything that happened. There was plenty of time to pursue a physical relationship. They weren’t going any where…he hoped.

About the Author:
Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author. Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Visit Natalie online at:
Website/Blog
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Cover Reveal: REALM OF SECRETS by MaryLynn Bast

Release Date: October 26, 2012

Synopsis
Schadoh Aphenithea has always looked up to her older sister and willingly follows in her footsteps, venturing out into the new realm where humans and other strange creatures exist.
Unexpectedly, Schadoh meets Dakota who turns out to be her best friend and protector. With the threat of vampires invading Loxy and Earth, she will need all the help she can get when the portal to her realm is closed. She is forced to remain in the earth realm and live as a human. Something she finds is not quite as easy as it looks from the wall of mists. Schadoh must learn to co-exist in the earth realm while keeping the secret that other realms exist.

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Amazon Link: Coming Soon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MaryLynn Bast moved to Las Vegas in 2010 from Texas, where she grew up. She works as a consultant with a contractor for the US Military, traveling from base to base across the US and around the world. Whenever possible, MaryLynn enjoys spending time with her husband, children and friends. In her free time she writes paranormal fantasies, loves to read and travel.

VBT/Review: Wisteria by Bisi Leyton & Giveaway

I am thrilled to be a stop on Bisi Leyton's book tour for her debut novel Wisteria, Bisi is running a giveaway until November 30th for a Kindle Fire. When people sign up for her New Release Mailing list they get a change to win.
The list is not for a newsletter, but to going a mailing list where they'll be notified once a new book is released and that is it.
Bisi will also be awarding a $15 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to check out the other stops in the tour HERE.

BLURB:

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

Excerpt

Wrapping her arms around herself, she moved away from him. Once again, humiliated and feeling foolish. “Goodnight, Bach!” She strode angrily to the side of the roof in order to climb down.

He grabbed her and held her back.

The guy came here just to tease her, yet again! Didn’t he know he was hurting her? Didn’t he care? “I’m tired of all this nonsense. I’m actually tired and need some sleep. I’m done with this. All of this!” She should’ve left the roof when she saw him appear. “Let go, so I can go.”

“Wisteria, it is not that.” Exhaling heavily, he released her. “My people could kill you if they knew I wanted you.”

This wasn’t at all what she’d expected him to say. “What?”

“I am in love with you. I do not know why, but I am. And it is selfish, because I just want you for myself.” Sadness filled his eyes as he spoke.

“Why would they do that to me?”

“Because you are human and because we see humans as Terran, or dirt people.”

“And you believe that too? So why are you here, living among us, if we’re so disgusting?”

“You are not disgusting. You are beautiful.” Rubbing his temples, he seemed troubled and bewildered. “But I chose Earth, because I came here as a child. Your people treated me so badly in the past. When I learned about the Nero disease, I wanted to see your world die.” He paused. “You were right when you said there was something wrong with me.

My Review:

Wisteria is set in a dystopian world, in England,it is a great combination of a sci-fi and horror novel with enough romance to make it interesting. It's a coming of age story in a world gone mad. I don't read a lot of zombie books and if you are looking for something all about the zombie this isn't it.

What you will find is a charming love story of a girl who feels unlovable and an alien boy who when you first start reading you think is a major jerk.

Wisteria is a smart, strong heroine that has a huge heart and low self esteem.Wisteria trains to be a tracker to help her fight the constant fear she has of the biters, it helps her to feel like she is doing something about the problem.

Bach is an alien her on Earth to prove his manhood and to watch the end of the Terran's that he has hated since he was a small child. As you read the book he grows into a much better man than he even knew he was, but how can he protect Wisteria from not only the infected on Earth but also from his own people who have nothing but disdain for "Terran's"?

I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and found this to be a very character driven novel. There is a ton of world building in this book between Earth after the Nero Disease hits and the other dimension that Bach and the Family is from. I felt the back story was a little weak and a little like I was thrown into the story but you are quickly able to follow what's happening and enjoy the book.

I give Wisteria red roses!

The Giveaway:
The conditions are at her blog and the link to sign up is HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.
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Happy Reading, Carin