Indie Author Review: The Undeparted by Deborah Palumbo

Title: The Undeparted
BOOK ONE in the Undeparted Series.
Author: Deborah Palumbo
Kindle Edition: 205 pages
Published: February 24th 2012
Publisher: Deborah Palumbo




Goodreads Blurb from Deborah:

Cassandra is trying to figure out if she was actually bitten by a vampire and whisked away to his castle or if it was it a very vivid dream, one which has left her to contemplate her own sanity.

Unknowingly, she is the only mortal to resist the vampire's bite and capture the heart of the most powerful vampire that ever existed; the one who began the entire race of the undead, Quentin Castle.

For ions Quentin has felt nothing but the lust for blood. But Cassandra has awakened something in him that he had forsaken a millennium ago; he is determined to win this beautiful woman by mortal means rather than by the vampire's bite. But will he be able to suppress his natural instinct? Will he be able to prove to the skeptical Cassandra that he is a vampire and not an imposter, a wannabe? What hideous thing will he do to prove that he is a vampire, prove that he isn't using some kind of parlor trick, some Houdini magic, and that he is the real thing?

As evidence mounts on Quentin's behalf and she can no longer deny her encounter was real and not a dream, will Cassandra be able to resist his evil charm and convince her boyfriend, police officer Mike Lapp and best friend Lucy that vampires really do exist and she's being stalked by one?

To expedite their liaison, Quentin devises a scheme to blackmail Cassandra by setting up her boyfriend for a murder he didn't commit. Cassandra must surrender herself to Quentin for her boyfriend's sake and wait for Mike to scale the walls of the vampire's castle and rescue her. But when her boyfriend arrives, she's in for the shock of her life. People are not always what they seem to be

My Review:
Cassandra is a good, kind and honest person who cares more about others than herself and is willing to be selfless to save her boyfriend from injustice.

Quentin is the ultimate bad boy trying to be good for the heroine. He is drawn to Cassandra and want to show her he can woo her without using his vampire venom. In an effort to do that he gives up his womanizing and drinking from other women.

Mike the boyfriend of Cassandra just has to get her back, he likes order and he has plans and none of which include Cassandra being kidnapped by vampires. What is a guy to do when no one will believe she didn't just leave him? What plans does he have that he needs her to fulfill?

Deborah writes an intriguing story full of plot twists and surprise turns, she tells the story mostly from Cassandra's POV with an occasional side trip into someone else's POV. The story builds suspense and tension through the whole story and keeps you guessing as to who really is good and who is bad. The story has a definite love story but no sex scenes, just the occasional hint as to what may be happening or what a character may want to do.

As a first novel for Deborah this is a good job. I had a hard time with some of the POV jumps, however over all it is a well written story. The characters are well developed and we learn more about them and the back story through the entire book. I enjoyed that Cassandra didn't just accept that vampires existed right off the bat and worried about her sanity because of what she was seeing. I liked the love triangle story line as well and you could see Cassandra was an honorable woman when she was so drawn to Quentin but wanted to be faithful to Mike.

Overall I would say I liked the story and enjoyed the suspense aspect of it. I give The Undeparted pink roses!

Happy Reading, Carin

Deborah also has the second book in the series out and the third is in the works!

Mage's Bane review & giveaway

Author: Chacelyn Pierce
Publisher: Breathless Press
Length: 40,500 words
Genres: Paranormal Romance (Adventure)
Heat Level: Steamy
Book Tour Dates: Sept 24-Oct 7

*BUY LINKS*
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*BLURB*
Being a rogue Akasha Mage is no easy feat for Aribelle Delano. Neither is summoning Riaz, a djinni that makes her knees go weak in a way that would shame her ancestors.

A new threat of demons intent on killing Ari for nefarious purposes has her putting all her trust in Riaz, who swears to protect her in the face of evil. But she's been taught that fully trusting Riaz is unwise, and he's constantly looking for a way to break free of her control.

Ari must face the new demonic threat and handle the Sultan of Old Magic who dominates her mind…and eventually, her body and soul as well. Together, her and Riaz must find a way to stop the demons and their summoner, even if that means breaking the rules that have been in place between the Akasha and Djinn for millenniums.

*My Review*

Ms. Pierce has a new spin to paranormal romance with Djinni and Mage as the main characters in her novella. We get a peek into a new/old world magic and the relationship between Aribelle and Riaz. When Ari has to question everything she thought she knew about herself, her family, her Djinn and the history she has been taught can she learn to trust Raiz with not only her safety but her heart?

I enjoyed the relationship between Ari and Riaz and I thought this was a cute read. I did feel the story could have been flushed out more into a longer novel and developed the characters and the back story more. It was a fun story and a quick read. I liked it, pink roses!

EXCERPT:
I stumbled into the musty room, trying to see through the hazy shimmer. I kept attempting to blink it away with no success. A cold sweat gave me clammy skin, and I was sure it was because of the venom being pumped faster by my erratic heartbeat. I was slightly nervous by the Djinn healing to come. The demon venom threatened to kill me at any moment, but I was actually more worried about Riaz's hands on me, touching me in my most intimate spots. Even though I'd known him a quarter of my life, I couldn't rid myself of this childish discomfort…or was it anticipation? This isn't a big deal at all, so stop acting like it is.

It wasn't like it was the first time. Riaz had healed me once before when I was a teenage girl. I'd tried to be a smart ass and show off to the big, bad Djinni my new driver's license—as if he cared about mortal things—and I got showy-flashy with my driving. I plunged us off the highway and down a steep embankment, hitting damn near every tree on the way down. The rescue crews and newspapers called me a lucky girl for over a year. Had it not been for Riaz's healing touch, I'm pretty sure internal bleeding would've taken me out at the tender age of eighteen. I'd been pretty out of it, but I remember Riaz had been fast-acting on keeping me alive. I know I hit my head pretty hard because after all his insults calling me a foolish girl, I thought I saw compassion in his eyes. I even thought I heard him telling me not to die and leave him. Well, I figure he said that out of fear he'd waste away on earth as nothing more than a specter.

He saved me to save himself then. But this particular night, I expected him to demand I send him back while I rotted away from demon venom. Just to prove he didn't care I needed him, I thought he might make me beg for my life. But he did none of that as he silently trailed behind me. I turned—a bit unsteadily—to see him close and lock the door with a tight-lipped expression.

The fast motion sent me into a dizzy state, causing my stomach to churn. I covered my mouth until the wave of nausea passed. Good lord, I'll be mortified if Riaz sees me puking or hears me spilling my guts in the bathroom like some college frat party. It was bad enough he'd probably never let me live any of this down. After a few deep breaths, I was finally okay enough to remove my hand and place it against my stomach.

"Take your shirt off and lay across the bed." Riaz's authoritative voice caused my pulse to jump a notch. Hesitantly, I lifted my grubby shirt over my head and let it fall to the floor. I glanced at him to see what emotion—if any—Riaz felt and sighed. All I saw was indifference—and me half-naked before him.

In fact, he didn't even try to catch an eyeful of skin as any normal male would. Granted, Riaz was no normal male, but most males, human or not, would soak up the exposed skin of a female. I wondered how he could look at me with irrelevance when I stood before him in only a bra. I couldn't keep my eyes off him at any given moment.

It was unfair he had a willpower I didn't possess. I mean, I wasn't drop-dead gorgeous, but I assumed—hell, I don't know what I assumed. Riaz was ancient. He'd had at least fifteen Akasha Mage handlers before me over the eras, so me parading around fully naked would only get a raised eyebrow and him asking if I'd fallen off the deep end again. I hated that the attraction was one-sided in our relationship.

It was immoral for an Akasha to become sexually involved with her Djinni. It would never end well for either party, and according to my former mentor, Yasmin, it was forbidden. But I couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever gotten intimate with any of his past mages. Someone must have slipped up to realize that bonking a Djinni wasn't the best tactic in any given situation.

This is a tour wide giveaway so be sure to catch the other blogs HERE to better your chances.
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*ABOUT THE AUTHOR*
A rocker by heart, Chacelyn Pierce is constantly ear plugged with heavy tunes blaring to stir up the phantom personalities that swarm her mind. It’s no surprise that she enjoys writing and reading to satiate her appetite for the male antagonist in a story. Married to a blatant redhead and mothering a diva, there is never a dull moment in the house. As a native Texan, she doesn’t personally own a horse but follows the unwritten southern rule of knowing how to ride one. When she’s not testing the emotional capacity of her characters, she works part time as a dog groomer.

*Contact Chacelyn at*
Website - http://www.chacelynpierce.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/chacelyn
Twitter - @chacelynpierce
Blog - http://chacelynpierce.blogspot.com/
Tumblr- http://chacelynpierce.tumblr.com/

Happy Reading, Carin

Review Lustful Cravings (Seven Sin Sisters, Book One) by Paloma Beck

Title: Lustful Cravings (Seven Sin Sisters, Book One)

Author: Paloma Beck
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Length: 96 pages
Genre(s): Erotic Paranormal Romance (M/F/M)
Heat Level: Sizzling

Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy bigger than anyone ever expected. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite breeds and secure their place in history. Each sister embodies one of the seven deadly sins only to be cast aside once claimed. But claiming comes at the price of separation, causing a weakening of their combined powers, which none want to happen... until Layla, holding the sin of lust within her body, locks eyes with Madden.

Madden is one of the strongest of the Valendite Breed, a group of near-immortal men originating from the Italian Wars in the 1500s. Today, the Valendite Breed serve as the Terrorist Elimination Unit (TEU), an invisible arm of the CIA. Their only weakness is their need for a mate to carry on the Breed. So now that Madden has found Layla, he will never let her go.

With forces mounting up against the Breed, Madden and Layla will need to rely on all of their powers combined to get them to their Pronouncement.
~Author Blurb~

This is book one in the Seven Sin Sisters series, in it we meet Layla the first of the Sin Sisters to find a mate, Layla is reluctant to leave the life she knows for one she has been "fated" with.
Madden is thrilled that Layla is his fated mate, but what he isn't telling her about his job with the CIA could be huge!
Cute story and a nice beginning to a series, I loved the heat that came from the mating. I liked the addition of Anton to the mix. I felt like all of the elements are here for a fantastic story and that Ms. Beck has created a great new legend for the vampire race.
I would love to have seen this be more novel length maybe even just 50 or so more pages to explain the legend a bit better, go into Anton more and to maybe go into why Layla is so reluctant more in depth. The sex was great and you could feel the bond between the trio and I am looking forward to the next book to see where things go.
I give this book Pink Roses

PG13 EXCERPT
Madden pulled away from her, just slightly, and she whimpered in protest. He chuckled and kissed her nose when he saw her wrinkle it. Struck by the flush of her cheeks, Madden noted the same flush running down her throat and to the very top of her breasts. As she took deep breaths to calm herself, he placed his forehead against hers. But Madden only paused for a moment because he had no intention of letting the emotions he was pulling from Layla subside. He would not let her gain the control she was wrestling for. A woman off-balance was what he needed her to be.
As part of the Valendite Breed, Madden had been raised to know the prophecy, to appreciate the significance of finding your mate and claiming her. He planned to worship Layla until the day they died. The sharing of blood so sacred, nothing could tear them from one another. Not only would their blood bond them together but it would also sustain Madden and prolong Layla’s life so she lived as long as he did.
Madden moved his hands to frame her face and drew her head up to meet her eyes. He brushed a soft kiss against her full lips before speaking, his voice husky with desire. “Take your tongue, Layla love, and touch it to my sharpest teeth. The blood exchange will bind us and I can take you then. Ho bisogno di te. Please don’t make me wait.”
Madden’s words were barely finished when he took her mouth again. Gently his tongue drew hers out, slowing to let her catch up to his need. When he felt the puncture wounds and tasted the first drop of her blood, he moaned low inside himself. He felt Layla tense at first and then soften her body as it settled into his own. Her moans began to mirror his. He could feel her desire as if it was his own, and it multiplied the urge to claim her and demand she submit to him as his mate.
Madden held back with every piece of control he had been trained to possess. This moment required him to remain in control, to ease her in the mating. He felt her pull away. Her body shuttered and a small whimper bubbled up from her throat. He was suddenly struck by her vulnerability.
“What’s happened, Madden? Why do I feel this way?” His Layla was frightened and he wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Her feisty golden eyes now appeared panicked. Madden couldn’t bear it.
“Layla love, we’re bonded now. You will forever feel what I feel just as I will feel the emotions inside of you. It is a powerful thing for mates. It will make the next act we perform even richer than any romance book you’ve ever read.” He rose then from the floor between her legs and pulled her to him, carrying her out of the room.
“Which way to your bedroom, Layla?”

R EXCERPT
Madden traced the Magdalena Circle sign just above Layla’s right breast with his tongue. The sign showed Layla’s soul sin was lust, which meant until meeting him she’d not experienced such sexual desire. Layla must have known that he was her mate immediately by her desire at the bar when they first saw each other. Madden understood why she ran. Such intense feelings after so many years of life with no type of desire must’ve been frightening.

Madden continued to lick and suck at the spot that bore her sign as her moans grew louder. Clearly, this felt good to her. Perhaps the skin near her sign was sensitive. Madden grinned at the thought as he watched Layla whimper with desire and toss her head back and forth against the pillow. Madden’s own desire grew with each sound from his mate. He grunted as he moved down the length of her body, licking from her breasts to her belly button where he swirled his tongue around until she called out his name, “Madden. Madden.” He loved his name on her lips as she looked so thoroughly flushed.
“What is it, Layla love?”
“I need more.” Layla spoke so quietly, so timidly, Madden knew she was uncertain. He couldn’t wait to be the man who brought out her confidence in bed, the one who taught her how to find satisfaction for all her sexual needs.
“Then I will give you more,” Madden moved further down to the tiny thatch of curls just above her core. He rubbed his nose into her curls and smelled the rich aroma of her desire. It was like chocolate and honey, tickling his nose and causing his hunger to multiply. He sat up on his knees and looked up her body before placing one hand on her belly and moving his other to stroke her curls, skimming the apex of her core as he readied her for him.
With one finger, he explored deeper, pressing along her wet folds. Layla shook beneath his hand but he kept her still. “No moving, love. Just enjoy.” Suddenly right where he wanted to be, Madden felt in no hurry. Time stood still as he prepared her for him. She grew wetter as her sweet moans grew louder and he knew he’d always remember this one moment when he claimed his mate.
“It is incredible. I can feel not only my own desire but yours as well,” Layla’s high-pitched voice fought for the breath to finish her words.
“Yes, my need and your need. They’re connected. It’s part of the claiming, Layla love.” If possible, Madden grew even harder as he let himself consider being bound to someone so seemingly perfect for eternity.
Madden smiled, allowing his need to wash through him so he could hold onto this moment. She was perfect for him. He sank one finger deep inside her channel and she pushed against his hand again. He palmed his own erection with a promise of more to come.
“Please. Please. Please,” Layla began chanting and ended his resolve. From all the wetness on his fingers, he imagined she must be ready for him. He brought his moist fingers to his lips and licked them, sucking them into his mouth as Layla watched. Her eyes were sparkling. Small embers released from them like lightning bugs in the night sky. It was her magic and it was beautiful.
Madden secured her knees in each of his arms and placed himself at her core, opening her to his body and slowly pushed himself inside. Working to control his own need, he shifted just an inch at a time and allowed her to accommodate him slowly. Their eyes remained connected and he was vigilant for any sign of discomfort. It would destroy him to know he’d caused her pain.

Just when he felt a slight resistance and knew he was at her barrier, Madden used his fingers to arouse her clit, bring the flood of pleasure to that small tip, and push Layla to the edge of orgasm. He watched as first she tried to understand the feelings flooding her and then to fight them. Finally, Layla simply gave herself over to him. Just as she was going over the edge, he pushed himself farther inside and she screamed out her first orgasm. There would be more tonight.



~About the Author~

Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the Contemporary and
Paranormal realms. Happily married and living a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education.
Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories - and they are anything but PG. As a natural introvert, quiet time with her characters is necessary to keep sane while writing is the perfect outlet for her creativity.
Paloma believes a daily dose of coffee and a good book make any day better.
BLOG:http://RomanceBeckons.blogspot.com
TWITTER: https://twit ter.com/PalomaBeck
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/PalomaBeckAuthor
FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/SevenSinSistersSeries
GOODREADS: http://goodreads.com/PalomaBeck
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/PalomaBeck

Follow the rest of the Book Barrage at these blogs
September 13, 2012
The Bunny's Review
Addicted To Books (Review)
My Reading Obsession (Review)
Triad Literary Works
ReadingDiva's Blog (Review)

Review Stud Ranch 2 by P.S. Love & Giveaway Stud Ranch

Julie Jameson hasn't had sex since her divorce over a year ago and is feeling quite bitchy lately. Okay, maybe not only lately, for quite a while. Her best friend Ginger tells her about 'Stud Ranch and Resort,' a place where she can get laid and indulge in her wildest fantasies, to cure her of her bitchiness.
"Get outta here!" Julie says at first, but her curiosity gets the better of her and she Googles this 'Stud Ranch' place only to find it may be just what she needs. Hunky studs everywhere and at her beck and call! Yee haw!

Join Julie on her three day vacation as she gets more sex and stimulation than her poor little deprived pussy can handle!

NOTE: The storyline is about PLEASURE and SEX, because this is 'Stud Ranch and Resort,' a place where women go for a getaway and have their fantasies come to life! That's the storyline, so please don't expect any angst or heavy duty romance, because it's all about the various ways Julie gets PLEASURED by those handsome and hunky studs, and that's it (*ahem* and for some of us, that may be enough)! lol. There is hint of a budding romance, though.
~Amazon Blurb~


What a premise a ranch just for women to go be pampered and live out their fantasies! This is the background to P.S. Love's Stud Ranch 2. Julie Jameson after being told she needs to stop being such a bitch all the time and being informed about the "Stud Ranch and Resort" She looks into it on the internet and books her trip.
Julie finds studs everywhere at the ranch and enjoys getting down with several of them.

Stud Ranch 2 is Erotia it is not romance and it is not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a short sweet read that will get your juices flowing then this novella is for you. I found the novella being written in the first person distracting but that is a personal thing for me. I give Stud Ranch 2 Pink Roses.

P.S Love has very generously offered to give away a free copy of the first book in this series Stud Ranch. Winner will be drawn Monday September 10th

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