Review – Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

Posted on April 18, 2022 by fundinmental

MY REVIEW

Lord Garrick has an ambitious plan. On the surface, it sounds good, though it took a battle to bring him and Rickart face to face. Garrick wants Rickart to swear allegiance to him, the Lord of Cold Spring, bringing Esterby under his umbrella. I have a suspicious nature and see conspiracies around every corner…when it comes to novels. 🙂

Maura, Rickart’s sister, comes to Cold Spring to encourage Garrick to release Rickart and Garrick is smitten.

Magic had been banished under Garrick’s father’s rule and I won’t tell much about that because I want you to find out for yourself. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

The action is mild with many face to face conversations and I loved to watch the interactions. It is not so much manipulation as showing a person what could be.

Rickart is only eighteen. His father’s death made him the leader of Esterby. He puts his life on the line for his people, yet has a lot of life lessons to learn.

Gertie may be a peripheral character, but like Maura, I feel her importance. She is a pit bull and I love her.

“…Mother’s watching over her like a bitch with a one litter puppy.” I love that. I thought of the pitbull reference before I read that quote. It explains why Carmen Webster Buxton is a must read author for me and I love her stories so much. We seem to speak the same language.

As I learn more about Garrick, I love how Carmen Webster Buxton has written the story. Most of sword/sorcery fantasies I have read have brutal wars raging, blood and guts flying. Hidden Magic is more about characters coming together for the benefit of making a stronger unit.

Innocent romance.

Whether Carmen Webster Buxton meant to send a message or not, these characters made me feel good and have hope…that even in today’s real world, things change, circumstances change, rules change…nothing is written that can’t be rewritten.

Hidden Magic is not a series, the story is complete…unless you would like to prolong the ending by imagining what comes next for yourself.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxton.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

The valley of the River Wystan is isolated from the rest of the world. Many years before it had been united under the Lord of Cold Spring, who had suppressed the practice of magic. But when he died, his son wasn’t strong enough to hold the other lords’ loyalty. Now Lord Garrick, the new Lord of Cold Spring, means to resume his grandfather’s role of overlord for the whole valley. Young Richart Tallengen, newly minted Lord of Esterby, tries to fight off Lord Garrick’s men, but he’s captured and carried to Cold Spring Castle. When his sister Maura comes to Cold Spring to see her brother, she catches Lord Garrick’s eye. Lord Garrick is as attracted by her courage and her brains as much as by her looks, but he is very surprised to discover that there is more to Maura than meets the eye. She has magical abilities, even though she doesn’t know it.

ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON

Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.

Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a peripatetic childhood, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction (often including a romance, and mostly set in the far future), and the occasional fantasy.

Carmen has published many books:

WAKANREO SERIES
Alien Bonds
Alien Vows
Alien Skies

HAVEN SERIES
The Sixth Discipline
No Safe Haven

THREECON SERIES (can be read in any order)
The Nostalgia Gambit
Saronna’s Gift
Shades of Empire
Tribes
Worlds Apart

ALTERNATE HISTORY
King of Trees

YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION
Turnabout
Drifters

FANTASY
Where Magic Rules
Bag of Tricks
Hidden Magic

THE NAMELESS WORLD SAGA (coming in 2021)
The North Edge of Nowhere
Oaths and Promises

Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing, writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming out next! To ask questions or to provide feedback on her books, send email to carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

MY CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON REVIEWS

Where Magic Rules (on Goodreads)
Tribes (Threecon) (on Goodreads)
Shades of Empire (Threecon) (on Goodreads)
Drifters (Threecon)
Alien Bonds (Wakanreo Series)
Alien Vows (Wakanreo Series)
Alien Skies (Wakanreo Series)
Bag of Tricks

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Giveaway – The Secrets We Conceal by S R Fabrico @iReadBookTours @StacyRowe1

Posted on April 18, 2022 by fundinmental

Join us for this tour from Apr 11 to Apr 29, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title: The Secrets We Conceal by S.R. Fabrico
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 300 pages
Genre: Coming of Age, Women’s, Psychological and Family, Relationships Abuse/Child Abuse
Publisher: S.R. Fabrico
Release date: March 15, 2022
Content Rating: R. Maybe more PG-13 +M. There are 3 chapters of sexual abuse and approximately 5 total curse words.

Book Description:

A riveting coming of age story, that will make you laugh, cry and root for Laura to find happiness.
Laura Shirk is a normal, happy, go-lucky, little girl playing with Cabbage Patch dolls and Legos. Until she isn’t. Set in the late 1980s-early 90s, a visit to her aunt and uncle’s house changes everything.

What follows is a nerve-racking story shedding light on child sexual abuse. As the tragedy unfolds, Laura mutters through life concealing her secret from everyone. Feeling alone and isolated, she struggles to navigate her younger years wondering if she can or will ever find happiness.

Then, Laura meets ‘the perfect man’ for her. Can he heal her heart and break down her steel walls?

The Secrets We Conceal, S.R. Fabrico’s debut novel is a riveting coming of age story that beautifully conveys how love and strength can heal all wounds.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N ~ iBooks
BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Born a raised a Yankee who loves NY style pizza and Philly cheesesteaks. I was introduced to the amazing world of Southern BBQ after moving to Tennessee where I live with my husband and two children. My family is my main priority, everything I do is for them. I attended college in the 90’s and received a degree in mathematics with a minor in secondary education, I went on to coach cheerleading and dance for 20 years and won a Hip Hop Dance World Championship. Anything and everything creative are my absolute favorite, so writing has always been a hobby. When I’m writing, I like to wife hard, mom hard, paint, read good books and watch good movies.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

April 11 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 12 – Pick a Good Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
April 13 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 14 – Lynchburg Reads – book review / giveaway
April 15 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
April 18 –Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
April 18 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
April 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
April 19 – My Fictional Oasis – book review
April 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 21 – @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
April 22 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
April 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
April 25 – Books for Books – book spotlight
April 26 –Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
April 27 – The Page Ladies – book review / giveaway
April 27 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
April 27 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 28 – Ravenz Reviewz – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 29 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
April 29 – Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway
April 29 – Novels Alive – book review

Enter the Giveaway:

THE SECRETS WE CONCEAL Book Tour Giveaway

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Sherry’s Shelves 4.10 – 4.16.22

Posted on April 17, 2022 by fundinmental

Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Sunday Salon is hosted by Readerbuzz
Stacking The Shelves by Reading Reality
**images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**

Hi Everyone. Got some family coming in this week from Connecticut. I am always anxious being around people, even Mr Wonderful at times. He is back to working with the Blue Wahoos, our minor league baseball team. I’m going to my first ball game since Covid. I am a little on the nervous side, being around people after all this time. Florida’s fully vaccination rate is 66.7%, but Pensacola’s is much lower. Doesn’t give me a huge vote of confidence, so I will be cautious!

Stay safe and wear a mask..

LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

COMING UP ON fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves
Giveaway – The Secrets We Conceal by S R Fabrico
Review – Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxotn
Giveaway – Under The Stars by Melissa Chambers
One Sentence Reviews by Martha Wiliamson, Cheryl Hollon & Simon Carr
Giveaway – Distorted Perception by Trish Arrowsmith
Giveaway – Strange Love by T L Bradford
Giveaway – Not Your Child by Lis Angus
Giveaway – Kai The Dancing Butterfly by Crystal Z Lee
Giveaway – Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach
The Spotlight Is On Maggie Shayne
Giveaway – Virtual Reality by Ava Wixx
Tackling The TBR

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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Tackling The TBR 4.9 – 4.15.22

Posted on April 16, 2022 by fundinmental

I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken. It has helped me to keep track of my reading shelf as far as current events and I also started doing a post for Books From The Backlog, from Carole’s Random Life in Books, to tidy up my shelves. I feel better about my out of control TBR and have even knocked off a couple of those old ones that had been hanging around for years.

COME ON….JOIN IN.

Previous Total: 2139

Currently Reading

The Galston House by Marc Layton is linked to Goodreads.

Books Read

I didn’t find this on Amazon, so the cover is linked to Goodreads

Books Added

I added Sting by Sandra Brown because of a Goodreads Giveaway.

Books DNF-ed: 0

Books Deleted: 0

Duplicates Removed: 0

New TBR Total: 2136

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Giveaway – First Comes Love by Rachael Brownell @xpressoTours

Posted on April 16, 2022 by fundinmental

First Comes Love
Rachael Brownell
Publication date: April 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For lovers of second chances, small town romances, and happily ever afters…

Chloe

They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with. Who souls are intertwined.

For me, that person was Wyatt.

Our love was perfect. When we were together, nothing else mattered. Not college. Not our parents. Because our relationship wasn’t about anyone else.

We had big plans for our future together.

The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.

It’s been five years since I’ve been home. Since I’ve laid eyes on the only man I’ll love in this lifetime.

And in a town this small, there’s no chance I’ll be able to avoid him for long. Or anyone else from my past.

Addison

From the moment I first laid eyes on Adam, I knew I was in trouble. There was a tension between us, chemistry I couldn’t deny. The way he was looking at me, as if he could see straight into my soul, sent my heart into overdrive.

After an hour together, I knew. He was the one. The one who would make me want to change everything. Who could make me believe in love again. In the idea of happily ever afters.

And he did.

His love and two tiny pink lines were about to change my entire life.

The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.

I’ve been here before. It was the worst experience of my life and I’m not sure I’ll survive this time.

Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Flipping my light on, I lift my window and slide out onto the roof of the porch. Looking over the edge, my eyes meet Wyatt’s and realize how real his fear is. His eyes are wide, and his hands are shaking as he grips the sides of the ladder, his foot poised on the bottom rung.

“I’m right here. You can do this. I promise,” I say with confidence.

Nodding, Wyatt slowly climbs the ladder, his eyes never leaving mine. Once he’s safely on the roof, he scrambles through my window, sitting on the floor inside my window. Climbing in behind him, I find him panting heavily, a panic attack on the horizon.

Holding him in my arms until he calms down, I rub my hand up and down his back and kiss the top of his head. I’ve had one panic attack in my life, and it wasn’t pleasant. If I had known that this would send him spiraling into one, I never would have asked him to do it. I would have found another way.

“I’m sorry,” I say when his breathing finally returns to normal.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

“Um, yes there is. I pushed you to climb that ladder. If I had known—”

“It’s not something I’m proud of, but heights scare the shit out of me. They always have. I don’t know why but there was going to come a time I was going to have to face that fear, and tonight turned out to be the night. At least it was for a good reason,” he replies, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Oh yeah? I’m a good reason.”

“The best reason. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Chloe. You have to know that by now. I love you.”

And just like that, my world turned upside down. All it took were three little words.

He’d never said them before, but I knew how he felt. I felt the same. Falling in love with Wyatt had been easy. We’d been together for four months and I’d fallen for him a little more each day. It was the little things like the way he looked at me or how he showed me he cared.

Tonight, on the floor of my bedroom, I fell the rest of the way. I knew he was the one. We were meant to meet, to find each other. One night changed everything for both of us.

“I love you too,” I reply, pressing my lips to his.

Author Bio:

Rachael Brownell is an Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, New Adult, and YA romance.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, snuggly dog, and hateful cat. She moonlights as a bartender a few days a week (her excuse to get out of the house and socialize) and writes full time. She published her first novel in 2013 and since she’s released more than 30 additional titles.

Rachael writes all kinds of romance – dark, sexy, sweet. She started her career writing young-adult romance and as she matured, so did her characters and her writing. These days, Rachael writes steamy, new adult romance. Her favorite tropes to write are small-town and friends to lovers.

When she’s not hiding in her office, writing her next novel, you can find her hanging out with her family, watching her son play baseball, or running on the treadmill at the gym (though she skips more days than she goes).

Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Pinterest / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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Giveaway – The Royal Fifth by James Peyton @GoddessFish

Posted on April 15, 2022 by fundinmental

The Royal Fifth by James Peyton

GENRE: Adventure Thriller

NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99

BLURB

The Royal Fifth: The amount of stolen treasure Conquistadors were supposed to give to the Spanish Crown.

In a world corrupted by its past, what could turn a sensitive artist into a killer?

Young Santa Fe artist, Martín Cortés, is devastated by the deaths of family members and the loss of a huge emerald that once belonged to Hernán Cortés.

Colin Glendaring, a disgraced archeologist with an insatiable passion for pre-Columbian artifacts, is responsible. Martín learns that another family descended from the Spanish Conqueror lives in Oaxaca. Rather than kill Glendaring, he heads south. He discovers an unconventional household that includes Ilhui, a beautiful young woman with a dangerous political agenda.

Martín is stunned when he learns how the family manages to live so well…then alarmed when he discovers that Glendaring is on his way to Oaxaca. Martín and Ilhui are soon accused of murder. On the run, they are betrayed, and Ilhui is kidnapped by a guerilla leader known for recreating grisly Aztec rituals.

With time running out, Martín makes a pact with a ruthless army officer and a crooked federal policeman. Will it be a deal with the devil, or can he do what has to be done to save his new family and love?

EXCERPT

EL PASO, PRESENT TIME

Martín Cortés stood on the pedestrian approach to the international bridge that would take him into Mexico. Through the pollution that daily turned the high-desert air of Ciudad Juárez into a toxic haze, he focused on the nearby vehicle traffic. The U.S.-bound lanes were choked with line after line of barely moving cars and trucks. Turning to the southbound lanes, he watched the sparse traffic moving fast and free.

He looked back at the new-old skyline of downtown El Paso and dwelled for a moment on the tragic events of the last few months. He knew what had happened. Why they’d happened still eluded him. The inner voice that brought him to this place told him all would soon be revealed. And then he wondered: Is that destiny or some karmic trickster? He shook his head. Only time would tell.

Turning again, he raised his eyes to the smog-shrouded sprawl beyond the border where his trip would begin. He had no idea where it would end. He took a deep breath, fished in his pocket for the bridge toll, and resumed his southbound journey.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Award-winning Author James Peyton infuses his novels with stranger-than-fiction encounters and true-to-life characters based on his extensive travel and research. Realism in his plots and action comes from that background and his experience in martial arts and tactical firearms.

The Royal Fifth is based loosely on historical events surrounding the Conqueror, Hernán Cortés, brought into the present time. It will be followed by a mystery-thriller series featuring federal policeman, Artemas Salcido. Artemas is the illegitimate son of a Mexican governor and his Yaqui servant. Following his mother’s suspicious death, he was sent to be raised by the village priest. He attended Harvard on a scholarship and returned to Mexico vowing to fight corruption—only to receive his real education, where the grade is often life or death.

Website: jameswpeyton.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/216986.James_W_Peyton
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/James-W.-Peyton/e/B001K7XKJA

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.

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Giveaway – Ethereal Bodies by Ali Lucia Sky @AliLuciaSky1 @XpressoTours

Posted on April 15, 2022 by fundinmental

Ethereal Bodies
Ali Lucia Sky
(The Powers That Be, #3)
Publication date: April 11th 2022
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

What happens when a Maker falls in love and no amount of wishing will bring back his soulmate?

Lexa Penby has always been happy being the loyal friend. She knows her worth and forgiving the Maker, Tristan, for his many transgressions is a big ask. When it’s revealed that thanks to him and her best friend, Thea, her old life is over. She has to make the ultimate choice.

Meanwhile, the demon world has re-awakened and one mate is committing the most consummate betrayal.

Note: ETHEREAL BODIES is a New Adult book and for readers over the age of 18+ due to sexual content, substance abuse, references to sexual assault and profanity.

October 11, 2021 – The Dream Keepers
February 8, 2022 – Wishcraft
April 11, 2022 – Ethereal Bodies

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“I don’t even like y’all fuckers anymore,” Gwen harrumphs. “You’re annoying, Lex. I really hate that Mickey’s a better mean girl than me when she wants to be. She can’t do that. That’s my role. And I hate that Thea just walked in here and stole everyone away–except Megan, and let’s be honest, she’s the booby prize.” She slaps her hands on her lap and looks miserable. “I guess I’ll notify AAMU of my acceptance. My dad’s going to have a shitfit that we can’t get the application fee back from PUH. I’ll start looking at Gen-Ed courses tonight.”

She stands and stretches. “I hate you, you horrid fuck, Lexa. I really hope y’all are worth it. Now press them titties against mine!” She opens her arms. “Bring it in, Penby.”

I smirk and move in for a hug.

“Nothing feels better than girl tits against girl tits.” She snuggles in closer and presses her face against mine. “Well, I guess that isn’t true. But it is the best thing you can do with a girl with her clothes on.” Gwen murmurs in my ear wiggling to hug me tighter, pushing her knee between mine and her thigh into the juncture of my thighs. “You’re soft, Penby.”

“You’re a hair away from a sexual assault, Lapsley,” I say laughing. “But, thanks. The boobs are wasted on me. No one has touched them other than me and an occasional accidental grope from Michaela during her sleep, in a not sexy way.”

Gwen pulls back far enough for us to be nose to nose. “You really didn’t fuck that hot motherfucker?”

I shake my head. Gwen hugs me again and wiggles suggestively against me. “I will totally pity fuck you, Lex.”

I close my eyes tight and shake with laughter. Pulling away I hold up a hand, “No need, I’m good.”

Gwen grabs my hand. “It’s not a new thing for me. I’m good at it. Bi-wonderous even. I’m fucking aces at eating bitches out. Take off those leggings and let’s play doctor.” She pinches the fabric from the side of my hip and tugs them down.

“NO! Hard pass!” I laugh and turn away from her, moving to my dresser to pick up her keys then tossing them to her.

“Fine. I’ve got shit to do.” Gwen sighs. “I’m leaving the offer on the table. You are a hot piece of ass, and women need to help each other out. Especially friends. Pussy Power!”

I nod my head slowly and mouth the words ‘pussy power’ back at her. She holds up her hand for a fist bump and heads out.

Author Bio:

Ali Lucia Sky is the author of The Powers That Be series. She lives in Southern California with her husband and a house full of kitty cats and a yard full of crows.

She loves laughing, drinking good coffee, the smell of pizza, and supporting animal rescues.

When she isn’t writing or dreaming of new stories, she can be found planning her next vacation because traveling is LIFE.

If you encounter her in the wild, don’t be offended if she should run away. She’s timid with strangers, but can be plied with shiny things and pictures of your cat or dog.

She’s a weirdo like that.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!
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Hosted by:

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Review – Stolen In The Dark by Scarlett West @iamscarlettwest

Posted on April 14, 2022 by fundinmental

Scarlett West is a new author for me, but when I got the chance to read the first two books in the Fae Bureau of Investigation series, I had to jump at it. What you do think of the concept?

Stolen in the Dark (Fae Bureau of Investigation, #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have my fingers crossed that I won’t be left high and dry in this series, seeing there will be five books, but I had to check them out and I am very glad I did.

I immediately liked Adalee when I ‘saw’ how she interacted with Gavin. Since her parents were kidnapped, he was the only one that cared about her, coming by the bar and checking to see she was okay. I do have a feeling about him, but we shall see.

Business at the bar had dropped and she would have to decide what to do soon. Rent was coming due and she couldn’t cover it. So convenient that the raven haired man came to her rescue.

“I’m 100% sure you are the one I’ve been searching for.”

Fae are disappearing and if they die, the earth dies. Adalee doesn’t even know she is Fae, let alone there is a whole world of supernatural out there and she will become a part of it. Damien changed her life forever and recruits her for the FBI, the Fae Bureau of Investigation.

Adalee does not take anything sitting down. She is quick with her words and bucks his orders at every turn. She doesn’t realize how much danger her actions put him in, but he is her fated mate, whether she likes it or not, and he will do whatever it takes to protect her.

I wouldn’t mind having his nifty trick of making a hot cup of coffee appear.

I have read a lot of paranormal/supernatural novels, but not many of them feature the Fae. The Fae have their own set of rules and some could find them disturbing. It was fun and interesting learning about their world and spending time in it.

The action comes quickly and doesn’t stop. If she’s not fighting off Damien’s advances, she’s fighting the Unseelie. I got wrapped up in Adalee and Damien’s love story and it ended at a crucial spot. It was a good place to take a break…if you have to.

My biggest disappointment…I thought I had the first two books in the series, but I have Books I and III. 🙁

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Stolen in the Dark by Scarlett West.

GOODREADS BLURB

He forced me into their world. Now dark enemies want me dead.

When an attempted kidnapping leads me to be rescued by a dark and sexy Fae, I assume life can’t be any stranger… Until I discover I’m his fated mate, and that he needs my help to stop a ruthless enemy from kidnapping his kind.

If someone doesn’t stop the brutal attacks, it could lead to earth’s ultimate destruction, so if I want to survive, I have to join the Fae Bureau of Investigation, with Damien as my superior.

But while Damien may be both hot as hell and my one-time hero, my unearthly ability to sense things through my hair is telling me to run: Damien can’t be trusted, and I would hate him as my boss.

With the enemy closing in, though, time is running out for me to make my choice: join the Bureau…or return home to my death.

Readers who enjoy Karen Marie Moning, Laurell K. Hamilton, Amelia Hutchins, and Lindsay Hall, will love this dangerous and sexy urban fantasy.

Stolen in the Dark is a steamy, urban fantasy romance that is book one out of five. Scroll Up and One Click to start reading this hot paranormal romance today!

ABOUT SCARLETT WEST

Scarlett West writes steamy, paranormal romance featuring sexy Fae. Deep characters and hot romance are her thing.

An avid reader and writer who will never stop dreaming, Scarlett has traveled to many countries and been on tons of adventures. She draws her stories from these places, life experiences, and her grand imagination.

Besides writing, she’s a hobby herbalist and a dancer. If she’s not by the computer typing these things up, she can be found in a forest, on a mountain, or by the ocean.

Scarlett West would like to thank her three F’s: Fans, Family, and Friends. Thank you forever for your support.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
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Giveaway – The Benevolence of New Ideas by Carmela Cattuti @ccattuti @GoddessFish

Posted on April 14, 2022 by fundinmental

The Benevolence of New Ideas by Carmela Cattuti

GENRE: Historical Fiction

BLURB

The satisfying conclusion to Angela Lanza’s story which began in Between the Cracks when she loses her entire family in the earthquake on Sicily following the 1908 eruption of Mt. Etna and continues in The Ascent as she adjusts to life in the United States as a new bride and Italian American immigrant. Now, in the final installment in the trilogy, The Benevolence of New Ideas, thrusts Angela and her family into the heart of the Vietnam War and the turbulent times of the 1970s. As the family matriarch, Angela guides her niece, Marie, through these challenges and the era’s limiting structures of education and organized religion, helping Marie to embrace new ideas and expand her intuition and relationship with the unseen world. Angela’s compassion and wisdom has an exceptional impact on Marie’s life and those around her. A fulfilling ending that celebrates Angela’s wisdom in all things along with her well lived life from tragedy to triumph and from heartbreak to the enduring love of family.

EXCERPT

Angela had cared for Franco during his long illness, and now she was free. The relief she felt made her cringe. How could she so easily feel relief when Franco had suffered? She grieved but was thankful there would be no more concerns about leaving him home alone, or trips to the doctor, or Franco insisting he could perform a task when he couldn’t. He had emigrated from Sicily at age twelve 12 in the early 20th century full of energy and promise. Now, in 1968, Angela looked back and felt he had been successful in fulfilling that promise. Franco had brought Angela, at age eighteen, from the convent orphanage in Palermo, where she had lived since the 1908 earthquake, to a new life in Nelsonville, New York, about forty-five minutes north of Manhattan. It was not the life she thought she would have in America, but what she had created in America she never would have had the opportunity to experience had she stayed in Sicily.

Angela kissed Franco several times on both cheeks and on the lips. The doctors had said it was a matter of time until he would pass away. She could see death hovering and begin to slowly drape his body from his head to his feet as if giving Angela time to say good-bye.

“Adio mio caro,” whispered Angela. “Grazie di tutto.” Tears rolled down her face onto Franco’s cheek and mouth. His eyes were open and fixed, as if peering into the world beyond. She put her hands on the sides of his face and with her thumbs closed his eyes.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Carmela Cattuti started her writing career as a journalist for the Somerville News in Boston, MA. After she finished her graduate work in English Literature from Boston College she began to write creatively and taught a journal writing course at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. As fate would have it, she felt compelled to write this homage to her great-aunt, who survived the earthquake and eruption of Mt. Etna and bravely left Sicily to start a new life in America.

Between the Cracks and The Ascent began the story, which now concludes with the final book in the trilogy.

Learn more at: CCattutiCreative.com

email: cattutic@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelacattuticreative/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@ccattuti
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Tell Her by Chris Patchell Puts Lacey In The Crosshairs Of A Killer @chris_patchell

Posted on April 13, 2022 by fundinmental

I have been with Lacey James since the beginning and love the character that Chris Patchell has created. The covers are AMAZING! Chris Patchell has created a fabulous brand for the series.

The covers are linked to my reviews. They are so gorgeous I had to share them all.

Big. Bold. Beautiful.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Sweet Home, Oregon, is a small town, but it sure has its share of murders. This time, it’s JJ. He had come to town to disappear, but left Spot, one of the town bars, with a target on his back.

I love Lacey. I don’t know how she does all she does. She is giving, loyal, dedicated. I smile with her, but still do not understand her home life. I have had no use for Caleb since I have really got to know him. What did he think was going to happen when he came home to stay? I am suspicious. Is there more to his story? I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. To me, he’s like a weight around her neck and I think she will be better off without him. HA HA Maybe….well, that is for another day.

I love the interaction, the dialogue and smiles, between Lacey and her partner, Eli. It’s obvious how much he cares for her, but never steps across the line and I have mucho respect for an author keeping her characters of importance on the up and up.

Knowing Chris Patchell, I find it hard to believe that a bar fight was the reason for JJ’s death. It’s too easy. The suspects are mounting as are questions and alibis. In my mind I have ruled out one, but ya never know. Secrets make for suspects.

Lacey is cracking me up again. She takes no crap, so it surprises me how she handles Caleb with kid gloves. I get it, but letting guilt over working…isn’t that what happens in real life all too often. She does the best she can and I don’t see her kids having a problem with it. I love sharing her trials and tribulations with her, supporting her, hoping she will get what she deserves, a HEA. She has earned it!

Tell Her by Chris Patchell is more about Lacey’s personal life and the town’s secrets, than the crime and I am fine with that. It keeps me hungry for more and I am so excited for Hide Her by Chris Patchell.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Tell Her by Chris Patchell.

GOODREADS BLURB

Dark secrets are exposed when a killer comes to town.

When Officer Lacey James is called to the scene of a brutal murder, she doesn’t recognize the victim. Jonathan Jones–JJ is new to Sweet Home. Everyone Lacey talks to in the close-knit community claims he was a good guy, but someone is lying. Someone wanted JJ dead. And someone else knows why.

On the hunt for the murderer, Lacey reconstructs the victim’s trail. A bar fight. A bloody footprint. A faulty timeline. Together with her partner, Eli Davidson, Lacey pieces together the clues while keeping track of the witnesses’ lies. Each twist in the case raises new questions about the victim. About the motive behind the crime. Until Lacey and Eli unearth a piece of salacious gossip that sends the investigation reeling down a dark and dangerous path.

Will the killer be punished?

Or will the hunt for the truth land Lacey in the crosshairs of a killer?

I cannot wait for Hide Her by Chris Patchell. Check out the cover!!! I got shivers. Oh man, it is calling out to me, loudly!. From the horses mouth (Chris Patchell):

Thought I was only planning 3 books in the series, I quickly realized that Lacey needed a book 4 and so, I just “broke ground” on Hide Her.

ABOUT CHRIS PATCHELL

Chris Patchell is the bestselling author of In the Dark and the Indie Reader Discovery Award winning novel Deadly Lies. Having recently left her long-time career in tech to pursue her passion for writing full-time, Chris pens gritty suspense novels set in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her family and two neurotic dogs.

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MY CHRIS PATCHELL REVIEWS