The Quest by Mary Abshire

Title: The Quest
Series: Project Eve #2
Author: Mary Abshire
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Format: Ebook
Length: 284 pages
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Retribution. At any cost.

Now that she knows her name and what she is, she wants justice for everything shes lost. Though her memories elude her, she takes a job for a half-demon Senator and, aided by werewolves from a local clan, intends to uncover evidence that will convict the Senator of more than thirty murders.

Getting to the Senator and finding the necessary evidence is more difficult than she anticipates, especially when there is a bounty for her death. If that were not enough, the vampire who stole her memories returns and reveals unexpected truths. But shes not going to let anything stop her. Not a sadistic assassin or a servant or Lucifer. Not even her ex-lover, the vampire God of the Underworld. Nothing will stop her from claiming retribution...even if the price is her life.

The Quest is book 2 in the Project Eve series by Mary Abshire, I would suggest reading The Awakening first to best understand the back story and the nuances of the world created by Ms. Abshire.

In a world of vampires, demons, werewolves and shifters not to mention an angel or two Shelly is unique in that she is not just a half breed. After being found at the scene of a mass murder as the only survivor and having no memory Shelley is working to find the mastermind behind the killing and bring them and anyone involved to justice.

While The Quest has some romantic elements and talks about sexual themes, tension and arousal I would defiantly categorize this as Urban Fiction and not so much Paranormal Romance. We do have romantic interests and even past and current lovers but the main thrust of the book is about Shelley and her need to find justice. Ms. Abshire builds suspense and throws us a few red herrings in the journey to find the proof needed to bring evil down. I loved the strong bonds of friendship that are built and the determination of our heroine to see things through to the end. With a few surprise appearances from people from her past and huge decisions to make Shelley still does what she thinks is right and just and presses on to make sure justice is served.

I felt a little let down at the way the book ended and hope that there will be a third book that will satisfy my need for a grand romance and a happy ever after, however if there isn't and this is the end of the series I still found this an enjoyable book that had a strong heroine and I would recommend it.






The giveaway is tour wide for a 2 eBook copies of The Quest by Mary Abshire Ends 03/12/2013
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Excerpt:

When I reached the main floor, I withdrew my phone. Boss had called. I touched the screen, activating the redial sequence.

“Where are you?” he asked, sounding a bit agitated.

“Walking toward the exit now. Are you parked?”

“Parked and waiting.”

“Be there soon.” I ended the call and slid the phone back into my purse.

Excitement fueled my steps. The heels of my boots echoed in the empty Statehouse. Due to the late hour, or rather early hour, the guys said they’d pick me up in front of the capital. The shortened walk was a blessing given I craved substance.

Reaching the doors, I shoved them open and jogged down the concrete steps. A parked car waited at the curb. Boss, wearing dark pants and a loose blazer, had his arms crossed while he leaned against the SUV. Though he had somewhat short hair, three-inch bangs covered his eyes with the help of the wind. He raked a hand through his locks while keeping his gaze pointed at me.

“You’re late,” he said as I drew near.

I frowned. “What, two minutes?” I stopped in front of him.

He opened the back door for me. “Jonas told me about what happened earlier. In case you need a reminder, minutes can make the difference between life and death.”

The hardass vampire had a way of getting on my nerves, but I still respected and cared for him. Sure, we had our problems in the beginning. He thought I was an abomination. Over time, and with the help of Jonas and Tabby, he realized I wasn’t such a repulsive creature. We even had an intimate moment once, but we both agreed the incident was to satisfy our carnal needs. Quite frankly, my needs were growing, and if I didn’t get sated soon, I’d have to get my groove on with the vamp again.

I brushed my windblown hair from my face, showing him my forehead. “No worries. I don’t even have a mark.”

“No, of course not. I bet the demon who shoved you into the brick wall knew you would heal fast.”

I started to snap back, but a loud screech from the sky stopped me. Boss and I glanced in the direction of the shrill sound and found a garguman perched on top of the building across the street. The naked gray creature flapped his wings and cried out again.

“Get in the car,” Boss said.

I quickly leaped into the back seat. Boss slammed my door and settled into the front.

“Those pesky men must have a liking for you,” Jonas said, staring out his front window.

“Drive, but don’t go fast,” Boss said. “I want it to follow us.”

“What?” I scooted between the seats to get a better view. “Why?”

Jonas shifted the gear and drove away from the curb.

Boss bent down, his gaze aimed at the sky. “Let’s see if it follows us. If it does, I want to capture it.”

I leaned between the two seats and faced Boss. “You want to capture a garguman.” The evil creatures with their ugly gray bodies, razor-sharp claws and piranha-like teeth were incredibly strong.

“I want to find out what it knows and who sent it,” Boss said.

Author Bio:

Outside of my government job, I write Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. Dark and dangerous creatures are my friends. I create worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. I even create new ones. How do I do this? I have a twisted mind and it gets better with wine.

Care to join me in my fantastical worlds? I’ll introduce you to my friends, and if they bite or corrupt your mind... it’s not my fault.
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Stranded Temptation by April Angel

Stranded Temptation by April Angel
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Etopia Press
Format: Ebook
Length: 25400 words

Purchase: Amazon | ARe | B&N |

Stranded together, their passions will run wild.

Kara has a deep dislike for her boss, Max. She also wants him so badly it’s making her nuts. He’s a workaholic, a robot man. And he’s never shown the least bit of interest in her or anything else that wasn’t recorded in the corporate minutes. But when their plane crashes on the way to a meeting, leaving them stranded on a deserted island…just the two of them, all alone with all that ocean around them…Kara decides it’s time to start living. And by living, she means using Max for all the hot sex she’s been denied.

Max wants Kara—has wanted her for a long time. Unable to come out and cross the line between professional and personal, he makes her accompany him on business trips just to have her around. When they crash land and Kara shows him how much she wants him, he decides to quit being so professional and take the woman of his dreams. After all, what happens in the middle of nowhere, stays in the middle of nowhere. Until they’re rescued.

Back in the real world, things aren’t as easy. Kara is afraid to start a relationship with a man who completely ignored her until she took off her clothes, and Max is afraid she’ll never be able to trust him. But when someone makes it clear that Kara’s in danger, Max has more to protect than Kara’s feelings. And now that he has her, he’s not about to let her go.

In Stranded Temptation both Max and Kara have hidden feelings for the other but have suppressed them mostly for their careers. When they are involved in a plane crash and realize life can be short they get together and heat up the tropics.

I like to approach to this book that both the hero and the heroine were hot for the other but also felt they had to stay apart for the sake of business, one wasn't pining for the other while the other was oblivious. Of course they both kept things from the other or there would be no story.

April Angel writes interesting characters that have combustible chemistry as well as a bit of suspense and intrigue mixed in. This was an entertaining book from beginning to end and at times was hot enough to make my Kindle sizzle.
Until this tour came around I never connected Milly Taiden and April Angel, I have enjoyed Ms. Taiden's work and now will have to catch up with Ms Angel as well.

If you enjoy a bit of suspense with your romance and enjoy a smokin' hot love scene or two or three or four, then this is a book not to miss. I would love to see some of the other secondary characters get there day (book) as well.








giveaway it is tour wide for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, follow the tour HERE for more chance.


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Author Bio
Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.
She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.
A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Eden, Laurann Dohner and Dianne Duvall among others.

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @millytaiden | Email: millytaiden@gmail.com

Laura's Light (League of Love #3) by Donna Gallagher

Forty-two- year- old single mother Laura Harris devoted more than half her life to raising her son. She remembered the concept of having sex but it had been aeons since she’s actually been a participant - especially with a real flesh-and-blood partner. But it’s time to reclaim her life. Her son is a man now. And the rising star of the Jets rugby league team. Their future is brighter than ever and, for the first time, financially secure. But Laura is starting to think agreeing to have dinner with Trevor Hughes could be biting off more than she can chew. Not that she can’t see herself taking a nice big chunk from the absolutely gorgeous thirty-four-year-old sports commentator’s rump, he’s one prime piece of masculinity! She just isn’t sure how or when the whole sex thing will become an issue. She can’t even get past the what-to-wear step. Let alone the when-to-take-it-off stage…

Trevor Hughes usually avoids the woman with substance - he has enough of his own demons to deal without trying to care for anyone else. But there’s something about the upbeat, sexy, one-woman-dynamo Laura Harris. The woman is pure sunshine and happiness. And that’s surprising when you look at what life has handed her. Nothing seemed to dampen Laura’s spirits and she quickly becomes someone Trevor needs in his life…Until misunderstandings come between them. Can Trevor put things right?

Donna will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment often for you best chance at winning. You can follow the tour HERE


Excerpt:
Explicit

“Decisions, decisions,” he moaned.

“Mmm… Did you say something?” Laura hummed in his ear.

“Just deciding what I want to do to you first—whether to get naked with you, or just eat your pussy first. I can’t make up my mind. It all seems so good.”

“Get naked, Trevor. Let me feel the warmth of your skin against mine.”

“Are you cold, honey? I didn’t even think…”

“No, not cold—burning, melting for you. Definitely not cold, but I still want to feel your skin against mine. Flesh to flesh, no barrier between us.”

Trevor decided that Laura was right—no barriers between them sounded good—but he had to move her so he could achieve that goal. As he gently lifted her smaller frame from his lap, ready to place her next to him on the couch Laura began to struggle. Worried that he was hurting her, Trevor let her go, let her move herself, only to discover that she had a plan of her own. Laura slid between his thighs kneeling on the carpet. The grin she gave him sent lightning bolts of pleasure through his system. Trevor remembered that look—that wicked, wonderful look. And so did his cock.

“Here, let me help you undress. I promise I’ll be extra careful!” Laura giggled as she teased Trevor, purposely brushing her hand over the hardness in the front of his pants, then cupping him gently. “Hmmm, you feel kinda worked up again. Isn’t that how you described it last time? When you cautioned me on the zipper thing.”

“Oh, hon, I’m past worked up—I’m about to explode.” Trevor gritted out.

“Maybe I can do something to help, then,” Laura purred.

She leant forward so as to reach the opening of his pants. With one hand, she carefully lowered the zipper completely—it had already been at half mast from when he had unbuttoned earlier to give himself more room, but now he was completely open. Laura grasped the waistband of Trevor’s pants.

“Lift.”

As he did, she pulled them down past his hips, repeating the motion with his boxers. Once freed, Trevor’s shaft stood tall, rigid. As if it were beckoning her, she could not refuse its call. She ran her tongue around the circumference of his erect penis, the mushroom-like head, the joining of his skin. She laved and licked, explored every bulbous vein, every satiny bit of skin that covered his impressive form. Laura loved the taste of him, the slightly salty, musky maleness. She lapped at the pre-cum that formed at the eye before swallowing his erection down into her throat, loving the moans and grunts Trevor was making.

When he took hold of the sides of her head and drew her away, she didn’t fight him. It was time he buried that hard cock—that part of him that differentiated his maleness from her femininity—inside her dripping wet and throbbing pussy, where it belonged. “I need you, Laura, need to bury myself in you, want to come inside you.”

“I need that too, Trevor.”

Laura lay back on the carpet and spread her legs for him in an invitation for him to take her. She watched as he extracted a condom from the wallet he took from his now discarded pants’ pocket. He rolled the latex on and her mouth watered. Her folds wept with cream as the moment drew close—the moment she’d thought she would never feel again, that fullness she had craved for weeks and had been unable to attain at her own hands.



Author Bio
Sydney-born Donna Gallagher decided at an early age that life needed be tackled head on.
Leaving home at 15 she supported herself through her teen years.
In her twenties she married a professional sportsman, her love of sport -- especially rugby league -- probably overriding her good sense.

The seven-year marriage was an adventure. There were the emotional ups and downs of having a husband with a public profile in a sometimes glamorous but always high-pressure field. There were always interesting characters to meet and observe and even the opportunity to live for a time in the UK.

Eventually Donna returned home a single woman, but she never lost her passion for watching sport, as well as the people in and around it.

Now happily re-married and with three sons Donna loves coffee mornings with her female friends, sorting through problems from the personal to the international. But she's on even footing with the keenest man when it comes to watching and talking rugby league.

Donna considers herself something of a black sheep in a family of high achievers. Her brother has a doctorate in mathematics and her sister is a well-known sports journalist.

An avid reader, especially of romance, Donna finally found she couldn't stop the characters residing in her imagination from spilling onto paper. Naturally rugby league is the backdrop to her League of Love Series, published through UK publisher Total-E-Bound, spicy tales of hunky heroes and spunky heroines overcoming adversity to eventually find true love.

http://www.donnagallagherromance.com

http://facebook.com/donnagallagher63

https://twitter.com/donnag63

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Books 1 & 2

Title: Forgotten Visions
Series: The Divinities #1
Author: Lia Davis
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Format: Ebook
Length: 62,000 words
Purchase: Soul Mate Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe

Kalissa Bradenton isn’t your average coffee shop owner. Born to an elite witch bloodline with a rare genetic mutation, she’s a Divinity on a mission. The death of her parents sends her away from her Maxville, Florida, home and into an ancient war between witches and demons. When childhood friend Ayden Daniels comes to her aid after an almost fatal accident, visions of a past she doesn’t remember sparks an old flame and new desires. With the past slowly becoming clearer, she eagerly sets her sights on mending Ayden’s heart and gaining his trust–until a ghost from her past returns to claim her as his demonic mate.

Ayden, the new Sheriff of Maxville and grandson of the oldest living Divinity, is investigating a series of Divinity killings. When he comes face-to-face with the one woman he hopes to have little to no contact with, old pain rises, quickly followed by anger and resentment. Through his rare power of adaptability, he learns actions from the past may not be what they seem. Hope fills his broken heart and determination pushes him to do whatever it takes to win Kalissa’s heart once more before he loses her forever.

Together they must find the strength to mend their tormented souls, while fighting an evil out to destroy the world.

Title: Death's Storm
Series: The Divinities #2
Author: Lia Davis
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Format: Ebook
Length: 42,000 words
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo

Technical genius and demi-goddess--aka Divinity--Khloe Bradenton relies on no one for help, and she definitely doesn’t need comfort from anyone other than her twin. After her parents died by the demons’ hands over two years ago, she has graciously stepped up to her place in the war between demons and witches. When a creature far more dangerous than the ones responsible for killing her parents claims he is her guardian, she is torn between her desires for the dark predator and the painful loss she has endured at the hands of her enemies.

One of the last death demons still in existence, Jagger has pledged his life to the Goddess Hecate. Charged with the guardianship over the Divinities, he is never to approach them, but to aid them from a distance. When the firestorm, Khloe, sacrifices herself to save her twin and best friend and becomes the prey, he has no chose but to reveal himself to her. He is taken by surprise when the need to claim her as his own emerges. A desire he has never felt before could be more dangerous than the demons out to destroy them.

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Author Bio

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

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A Vampire's Salvation (Beyond Human Novellas #1) by Virna DePaul

Francesca Marie Stewart has never wanted any man as much as she wants Jake Rios. His chiseled body and dark, intensely masculine energy draw her like a moth to a flame. But Frankie has been burned before, and now a mysterious figure from her troubled past has resurfaced with a terrifying new threat. Can she trust Jake not only with her heart but with her very life?

Jake’s hunger to possess this beautiful redhead goes beyond searing desire. He’s a vampire, and his very existence depends on bonding with a mate. He aches to ravish Frankie, but he must take it slow—for what he will ask of her will require profound sacrifice even as it gives her unimaginable pleasure. And once he has claimed her—body and soul—Jake will go to any lengths to protect her.

In the novella A Vampire's Savation by Virna DePaul we are met with a the world of vampires on the verge of a huge change. The majority of the vampire race is ready to come out into the open and be recognized. Francesca and Jake both work for the governor and are dealing with the chemistry they have and the attraction to the other as well as all the duties of being a part of the governors staff. We are also introduced to the tragic past that Francesca has had to deal with and how it is effecting the current political situation.

This is a good start to a series, it is a little sexy, a little but mystery/suspense and a whole lot of hot vampire. As is the case with novella a lot of the time I found the story seemed to be just a little rushed. I will be looking forward to the continuation of this series as it is intriguing.

Fetish Box (parts 1,2 & 3) by Nicole Camden

Virginal twenty-two-year-old Mary has just inherited a sex shop in Florida from her mother. After a long drive from California, she arrives at her deceased mother’s house only to be confronted immediately with two equally sexy strangers: the strong, silent John and the irreverent, taunting Max. She’s innocent, almost completely untouched, but feels a completely uncharacteristic pull to each man. Shocking even herself, she realizes it’s not an unwelcome desire.

Max is a playboy who knows how to give women what they want, but John… John might just be able to give Mary something even she doesn’t know she needs

Mary is surprised by the deep feelings that follow in the wake of her first sexual encounter, but fascination with her lover John doesn’t dim her desire for the unapologetically lusty Irish bar-owner, Max. Feeding one hunger has unleashed other needs, and Mary wants to experience everything her new life has to offer.

But Mary’s dark desires aren’t the only ones swirling in the depths of The Fetish Box, and violence erupts amid the passion. When one of the men is attacked and the people at The Box put in danger, Mary realizes that some desires are more dangerous than other

In an attempt to seek out the source of the violence against her friends, Mary takes on a role she’d never imagined she’d play—a role that requires Mary to embrace the darkest parts of her soul.

For the first time in her life, Mary understands who she is and where she belongs. What remains when you take away the sex and fun and adventure…is love. Love for her new friends, love for her lover, and love for the mother she never knew. She’s willing to risk anything—do anything—to keep them safe

Fetish box is a serialized novel in 3 parts, they must be read in order and all must be red to complete the story.

One of the opening lines in Fetish Box is "A virgin shouldn't own a sex shop" what a great premise to start a book with. Mary inherits The Fetish Box or The Box as the locals call it when the mother she had never met dies and leave it to her, along with a collection of unusual friends that are more like a family and a start to a new life.
Mary leads a journey of self discovery as well as a sexual awakening and finds love in the process, all the while dealing with a mystery attacker who has hurt her and her friends.

I loved the idea of this book, I liked the characters and felt they were pretty well developed if not fully explored in this format and length of book, I found the mystery/suspenseful element to be a bit predictable and it seemed almost an add in to create one more point of interest instead of being integral to the story. Some of the sex was well done and other parts felt a bit awkward and forced. Overall I liked the book, I liked the story it had great promise it just pans out as average however.

Deep Connections (Connections Series #1) by Rebecca Graf

Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.

Title: Deep Connections
Series: Connections Series #1
Author: Rebecca Graf
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery,
Publisher: Silver Tongue Press
Format: Ebook | Paperback
Length: 298 pages


Deep Connection invites us into the world of native American shifters and a unique human woman named Brenna. Brenna is an beautiful woman who is unaware of her beauty or of the connection she has built with one handsome wolf shifter (Slaton) and his family.

Ms Graf does a good job creating her own take on shifters and their origins, she also throws in a bit of a sci-fi/fantasy twist with prophecies and comets. The bond between Brenna and Slaton and his family a strong theme throughout the book. We have a bit of a love triangle and of course the mystery/stalker that must be solved. All together the combination provides to be a great mix and makes for a compelling plot and a tender love story.

I had a few times where I felt that Brenna was incredibly naive and far to accepting of things that were happening to and around her. I loved Slaton and his need to take care of Brenna and his willingness to let her set the pace of the relationship. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the follow up book.






Excerpt:

Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in some older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, she gazed at the man behind the wheel of the speeding car. She shivered when she saw he was just as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?

Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”

About Bio:

Rebecca Graf lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children. She worked as an accountant for 20 years before taking the plunge and write online for various sites and companies. Now she runs a publishing company, Silver Tongue Press, and writes full time while trying to keep up with all the activities of her children.

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