Paralyzed By Fear – Four by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor

Posted on December 21, 2017 by fundinmental

Jane Blythe has become a must read author for me. I don’t know how she escaped my attention before I started blogging, but you are in my sights now, Jane.

If you are a romantic suspense lover, these are must reads for your TBR.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

I have been reading the Count to Ten series by Jane Blythe and I am so happy to be back with old friends and meeting new ones. Each story of the series focuses on a particular couple with supporting characters playing their roles. These romantic suspense novels stand alone, but I believe once you start, you won’t be able to stop, so I recommend beginning at the beginning.

I’m back with Jack Xander and we have another dead body. It’s murder!

I love his trusty sidekick Rose.

Jack and Rose are a great team. He has a calming presence and a way to get the most out of the victim’s and witnesses and I love that she deals with the suspects.

He seemed to want a family, yet was haunted by something in his past, keeping him from having a meaningful relationship. She is happy go lucky, enjoying the single life.

Laura is agoraphobic and has spent the last ten years of her life in her apartment, cut off from the outside world…by choice. I know where this is going, but Jane Blythe’s writing draws me in, letting the creepiness and suspense build.

I love the cast of characters that hold each other up when they need support and kick some ass when they are in danger.

The villain…Ooooo I love that evil mofo too. Cocky, sneaky, elusive and bold. How he’ll get the one he wants is a frightening climb to the ultimate goal…her death…and there are those determined to stop him.

I had a couple problems with a characters actions, but, hey, ya never know what you’ll do til you walk in their shoes.

A sense of menace permeates every page…lurking….creating an overwhelming sense of anticipation. I know the shit will hit the fan, I just don’t know when and how. I love the edge of my seat reading, faster and faster fly the words, because I can hardly wait to get there.

I may need a tissue to finish this.

I love damaged characters that rise to the occasion. I love the dark and disturbing, and Jane Blythe is happy to oblige. I love an author jerking my chain, making me know I don’t have all the answers and I was brought up short when the action reached its zenith.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Four by Jane Blythe.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Detective Jack Xander and his partner are investigating the sudden spate of crimes at an apartment building, but every time they think they’re making progress another assault leads them in a completely different direction. As they hunt for the killer’s real target Jack is about to come face to face with someone from his past he thought he’d never set eyes on again.

Ten years ago Laura Opal endured a four day long ordeal that left her broken and traumatized. But the men who hurt her were caught, tried, found guilty and imprisoned, so what’s happening in her apartment building doesn’t have anything to do with her. She’s sure of it.

** Warning: Graphic violence and themes of sexual assault/abuse **

ABOUT JANE BLYTHE

Jane has loved reading and writing since she can remember. She writes dark and disturbing crime/mystery/suspense with some romance thrown in because, well, who doesn’t love romance? She has one completed series, Detective Parker Bell, and one new series, Count to Ten.

When she’s not writing Jane loves to read, bake, go to the beach, ski, horse ride, and watch Disney movies. She has a black belt in Taekwondo, and a 200+ collection of teddy bears. She has the world’s two most sweet and pretty Dalmatians, Ivory and Pearl. Oh, and she also enjoys spending time with family and friends!

Website / Twitter / Facebook

MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

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Hopeful & Heartwarming – Strays by Mara McBain @MaraMcBain

Posted on December 20, 2017 by fundinmental

Strays by Mara McBain is one of those gems that could easily slip through the cracks.

If you are looking for a feel good book for the holiday season, look no further.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

MY REVIEW

“I’ll risk it. We all go through shit. We can either sit down and cry, self medicate, or let it roll off and keep trying.”

A good deed done, and Jarek pays it forward, just when Cali needed a friend.

“Strays like us need to stick together.”

My feelings were all over the place, leaving me feeling dirty, wanting a shower, yet making me smile and want to hug the characters. It makes me feel hope for mankind. That there are more good people than bad people.

Even though the sex is a bit graphic, erotic, it is so sweet and loving, it gave me a warm, loving feeling.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to grow up without your parents, but this horrendous story of the foster care system makes me fear, not just for the characters.

I could see a totally different outcome for these two young people growing up in the system and turning out ‘bad’, but they managed to rise above their past into loving, giving, ‘normal’ grown ups.

“I think a lot of people underestimate the power of laughter. Couples that laugh together, stay together.”

I so much agree with this. To me, laughter is very powerful…and necessary.

“You don’t keep score in love.”

When theyy came home from seeing the Fourth of July fireworks, my feelings caught in my throat. Thank goodness it wasn’t what I thought, but Mara McBain sure gave me a feeling of panic with her writing.

Such a touching story, the writing having my feelings running riot. Hit all the buttons. Realistic, heartbreaking and heartwarming, with characters that shine and disgust in a realistic fashion. I have to give it a rousing five star rating and if you’re looking for something to wake you up and slap you around, give it a try.

I won a signed ARC of Strays by Mara McBain and I am so happy I did. Thank you Mara.

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

They were just strays … lost souls no one wanted.

It can always get worse.

Ripped away from her addict mother at eight only to be thrust into a new hell, those words have become etched on Cali’s soul. Life in the system has only reinforced them. Now, getting ready to step out on her own, she’s making plans and hoping against hope to break the cycle. Running for her life in a thunderstorm isn’t the way she’d expected to start.

Keep your head down and work hard.

It was the grown-up version of, out of sight, out of mind. It was how he had survived the hell of foster care. That, and running, but Jarek is done running. Finally, he has a place to call his own. Working construction, he builds things for strangers all day. At night, he renovates his dream home one piece at a time. He never expected to find the most important piece hiding under a wet tarp.

Can Jarek show Cali that it can get better? Can two damaged souls learn to love and trust enough to build a life together?

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I Recommend Caution When Taking Exit 22 by P M Terrell @pmterrell

Posted on December 19, 2017 by fundinmental

P M Terrell is a prolific writer and I am so happy I found her. I am sharing one of her Black Swamp mysteries today, Exit 22. It is the first book in the stand alone series and I can hardly wait for you to become hooked too.

P M Terrell is just as interesting as her books, so be sure and check out her bio.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

I had my introduction to The Black Swamp mysteries by P M Terrell through Vicki’s Key and I knew it would not be my last. These are my kind of stories, filled with murder, mystery, intrigue and dastardly villains…oh, and a little lovin’ never hurts. 🙂

Chris and Brenda’s meeting…was it Karma?

Assumptions early in the story took me down the wrong road and it didn’t take long before P M Terrell sent me on a different track.

The cops are on their trail, but Alex has it all wrong. He’s like a dog with a bone, so he won’t stop looking for them. Everywhere they turn, someone want to put them in jail…or worse, wants them dead.

I still haven’t figured out exactly what kind of trouble Brenda’s in and Christopher is along for a very bad ride. He’s as political strategist in DC. He has lots of important connections to muckety mucks. Can he save her? Will he? Is romance in the air? He knows it’s was all wrong, but it didn’t matter. We can’t choose who we love.

HE had never failed on his hits, but Brenda was proving elusive. I cracked up when I found out HE knits little bitty baby booties. What a fun and contradictory character.

Computers, Google Earth, can be the life and death of a person. Information is available at your fingertips. It can work against you, as well as for you.

Kept me guessing about the mystery. Is Brenda good or bad? How about Nate? How much is true?

Exit 22 has all the things I love in romantic suspense. Unlikely couples drawn into a mystery. Devious villains wanting to shut them up. Assassins. Oil and all its corrupting influence. Greed. And danger. Danger.. Danger.

A Note From The Author at the end of the book, really got my fires burning.

You’ll need to read to decide, but it makes me furious to know the tax loopholes allowed, along with the corruption of government, shell corps, offshore accounts, US corporations not paying income taxes, social security taxes, medicare taxes, deregulation, less oversight. Beware middle class if you think it will get better…

I voluntarily read a free copy of Exit 22 by P M Terrell.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Political strategist Christopher Sandige is leaving Washington for a much anticipated vacation in Florida when an automobile accident leaves him stranded at Exit 22 in North Carolina. After meeting a beautiful but mysterious woman, he is pulled into a shocking double homicide. Now he’s a fugitive on the run, racing to escape detectives closing in and a sociopathic assassin determined to kill him… and time is running out.

p.m.terrell’s most popular contemporary suspense, Exit 22 has spawned the Black Swamp Mysteries series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

p.m.terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 21 books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical adventure/suspense, computer how-to and non-fiction.

Prior to writing full-time, she founded two computer companies in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Among her clients were the Central Intelligence Agency, United States Secret Service, U.S. Information Agency, and Department of Defense. Her specialties were in white collar computer crimes and computer intelligence, themes that have carried forward to her contemporary suspense.

She has been a full-time author since 2002. Vicki’s Key was a top five finalist in the 2012 International Book Awards and 2012 USA Book Awards nominee, and The Pendulum Files was a national finalist for the Best Cover of the Year in 2014. The Tempest Murders was one of four finalists in the 2013 International Book Awards, cross-genre category.

Her historical suspense, River Passage, was a 2010 Best Fiction and Drama Winner. It was determined to be so historically accurate that a copy of the book resides at the Nashville Government Metropolitan Archives in Nashville, Tennessee.

She is also the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation, an organization committed to raising public awareness of the correlation between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. She is the organizer and chairperson of Book ‘Em North Carolina, an annual event held in Lumberton, North Carolina, to raise funds to increase literacy and reduce crime. For more information on this event and the literacy campaigns funded by it, visit www.bookemnc.org. She is also the founder of The Novel Business, mentoring authors in the business end and selling of books.

She sits on the board of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library. She has also served on the boards of Robeson County Arts Council, Crime Stoppers and Crime Solvers and became the first female president of the Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights Crime Solvers in Virginia.

MY REVIEWS FOR P M TERRELL

Vicki’s Key

The following books are lined up in order, first to last. I will be reviewing them all.

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Teaser Tuesday #103 – Carbon by Elise Noble @EliseANoble

Posted on December 19, 2017 by fundinmental

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by The Purple Booker, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR, or just share what you are currently reading. It is very easy to play along:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.

~~~~~~

Carbon by Elise Noble is one of those novels I might have missed if I hadn’t won the book, because the cover and blurb do not begin to describe the wonderful romantic suspense and mystery story inside.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

Carbon by Elise Noble is a sizzling and creative twist on romantic suspense and forbidden love, that makes me hope that my fantasies and dreams can come true, too, in an adult novel that kept me on my toes and I read in one sitting.

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Meet me at midnight… When Augusta Fordham receives that message from an unknown admirer, the plot could have come straight from her favourite romance novel. Oh wait—it did.

Augusta is soon caught between wealthy doctor Gregory and a dark stranger who makes her pulse race as he indulges her fantasies. Will she choose comfort and security or take a leap into the unknown?

And more importantly, what secrets is Mr. Midnight hiding?

Carbon is a standalone romantic thriller in the Blackwood Elements series. No cliffhanger!

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Monday Mini – Unleashed by Emily Kimelman @ejkimelman

Posted on December 18, 2017 by fundinmental

This is my first foray into A Sydney Rye Mystery by Emily Kimelman, and just looking at the cover makes me think it will be a good one. It may still be free, so give it a looksee.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

MY REVIEW

Sydney Rye is a tough as nails, strong female character that has a few flaws, yet her biggest strength when it comes to solving mysteries is no fear. She’s kind of a mess, impulsive. When she splits from her boyfriend, she immediately goes out and gets a dog…a big dog…and names him Blue. I love that her brother comes over to help her choose what to wear, do her makeup and clean the dog hair off her clothes for those all important moments.

She gets in deep water when she buys a dog walking business and one of her clients is found dead. But she can hold her own, with a quick wit and a sharp cutting tongue. And…all right…she had to do it. She had to go down there….alone.

The more I read, the suspense and the pacing picked up as the danger mounted. This is not a cozy.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The Sydney Rye series of mysteries features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. This series is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don’t mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller’s dog-walking business on Manhattan’s exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people.

But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim–and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way.

When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit–cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan’s elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.

UNLEASHED is the first book in Emily Kimelman’s best selling Sydney Rye series of dark murder mysteries. DEATH IN THE DARK (A Sydney Rye Novella, #2) and INSATIABLE (A Sydney Rye Novel, #3) are both available in the Kindle Store.

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Aerosmith Meet Chrys Fey in 30 Seconds & 30 Seconds Before @ChrysFey @Aerosmith

Posted on December 17, 2017 by fundinmental

Chrys Fey sure can write and I am happy to share 30 Seconds & 30 Seconds Before.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

This may be short, but it is packed with action and danger.

Uh oh.

The streets of Cleveland are way too quiet, as Officers Blake and Max patrol the streets. All my senses are on high alert.

Then…all hell breaks loose. Officers are down and it is a blood bath.

Blake may have volunteered for a suicide mission, but he had no doubt it was the right thing to do. Imagine, working undercover work with the most dangerous man in the city, then going to your day job as a cop, knowing they want you dead. What if you are found out?

OMG, Chrys. WTF…a cliffhanger. I was already barely hanging on, but now, only one hand is left and I feel it slipping…

Good thing I can fall right into 30 Seconds…

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of 30 Seconds Before by Chrys Fey.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Blake Herro is a cop in the Cleveland Police Force. Ever since he was a child he wanted to do right by the city he loved by cleaning up the streets and protecting its citizens. Red, a notorious mobster, has other plans.

On a bitter December night, ten police officers are drawn into a trap and killed by Red’s followers. Blake wants to bring down the Mob to avenge his fallen brothers and to prevent other cops from being murdered. Except the only way he can do that is by infiltrating the Mob.

Every minute he’s with these mobsters he’s in danger. Around every corner lies the threat of coming face to face with a gun. Will he make it out of the Mob alive or will he be their next victim?

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

Terror, being chased, running, hiding the beginning.

Dani Hart literally bumped into Blake and her life took a turn…for the worse or for the better? You decide.

Their pasts had shaped their future and fate had brought them together.

Even as evil tears the place apart all around Dani, Chrys manages to slip a little humor into the story.

She makes a stupid mistake answering a call, and, well…

Dani is so darn cute, but fierce too.

I love that Blake is always cooking, so maybe the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach.

And, of course, sometimes a situation calls for a snowball fight. Such a simple pleasure.

“It took me 30 seconds to fall in love with you…”

Fear of death = instalove

The suspense grows and the pace is smooth…until, well, you will need to find out for yourself.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of 30 Seconds by Chrys Fey.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

*30 Seconds is a novella.*

When Officer Blake Herro agreed to go undercover in the Mob, he thought he understood the risks. But he’s made mistakes and now an innocent woman has become their target. He’s determined to protect her at all costs.

The Mob’s death threat turns Dr. Dani Hart’s life upside down, but there is one danger she doesn’t anticipate. As she’s dodging bullets, she’s falling in love with Blake. With danger all around them, will she and Blake survive and have a happy ending, or will the Mob make good on their threat?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds. She is currently working on the sequel to Hurricane Crimes that’ll serve as book two in the Disaster Crimes series.

When Fey was six years old, she realized her dream of being a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the next hurricane to come her way.

You can connect with her on Facebook and her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers!

Author Links: Facebook / Blog / Website / Goodreads

MY CHRYS FEY REVIEWS

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One Sentence Review – The Dead of Winter by Anthony Renfro @atothewr

Posted on December 16, 2017 by fundinmental

I have been reading Anthony Renfro’s tales of horror for sometime now, so I am excited to get my hands on The Dead of Winter, a zombie short story.

He’s great at throwing in bonus stories, and we have two for your reading pleasure.

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I can picture the dead cars, the dead bodies, the shuffling zombies and the large zombie busting delivery truck, but I didn’t picture the zombies they ran into when collecting wood to take back to the truck…WHEW, he survived that…AND, even through the gruesome and grisly, I couldn’t help but chuckle, as I met some zombies like none other and we should all be afraid…very afraid.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Will they be food for the zombies? This short story is about two men trying to survive an apocalyptic nightmare in a harsh frozen landscape. Hoping to find warmth and shelter. Hoping to ride out the night. Hoping the zombies don’t find them first.

Bonus Short Story: A Haunted House Tale – This short story is about five college students on Halloween night who set out to discover the secrets of the town’s most famous haunted house. Will these students live to see the morning or will this house claim five more victims?

Bonus Short Story: Demon Energy – A short story about 1 man possessed and tormented by a 1000 demons who must fight for a soul he is starting to lose. Will he ever find salvation or is his body now an eternal host of hell?

MY REVIEW FOR ANTHONY RENFRO

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Giveaway & Review – Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson @EJohnsonWrites @dollycas

Posted on December 15, 2017 by fundinmental

I am so excited to be a part of the wonderful tour for Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins, A Cozy Witch Mystery, by Erin Johnson. This is a bit different from my usual cozy reading and I loved every minute of it.

Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins: A Cozy Witch Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Self Published (November 21, 2017)
Paperback: 286 pages
Paperback: 286 pages
Kindle ASIN: B077CHVX8N
MY REVIEW

I love mermaids and cozy mysteries, so to get my hands on Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson was quite the treat.

Imogene is a Swallow. No, it is not an erotic thing, but a magical power and hunky Hank, the Prince is teaching her how to use it.

A trip to the Mermaid Kingdom and a murder will have Imogene, Hank and her band of merry bakers working the investigation.

I love all the magical creatures, some new to me, and we even have some rambunctious pirates. I love Iggy, but ya gotta be careful because ya might get burned.

How would you like to be able to swallow a sea bubble, grow fins and gills, changing into a mermaid and swimming the ocean blue? Oh man, I sure would.

The fabulous world building leads to an adventure I am so glad I didn’t miss. This light, humorous mystery is full of characters to laugh with, love with, and fear for. Even in this world of beauty, someone must die to create an undersea mystery of a fresh kind.

This is Book III, but I had no trouble following the mystery, and even though not all questions will be answered, this particular mystery is solved and it left me wanting to read more. I call that…a job well done.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson.

4 Stars

BLURB

Murder at a Mermaid Nightclub

The enchanted village of Bijou Mer’s on high alert, with the villainous Horace on the loose. Imogen’s excited to escape the tension with a trip to the underwater Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the young mermaid queen’s engagement to the pirate king.

But when the mermaids turn out to be less French Riviera and more Jersey shore, the bakers are wrapped up in their world of clubbing in sea caves and fighting off seals for the best tanning spots, and are embroiled in a pirate smuggling scandal. It gets worse when a member of the mermaid court is found dead in a fishing net, and one of Imogen and Maple’s baked goods seems to be the murder weapon.

Imogen tries to fish out the real murderer to clear their names, while struggling with her romantic feelings for Hank. At the same time, she’s working with him to learn to control her magic and investigate Horace’s riddle and her own mysterious past.

As the mermaid court’s freewheeling lifestyle rubs off on the bakers, the gang lets loose and passions rise to the surface. But with a giant octopus crawling the ocean floor, the mermaid court filled with simmering secrets and scandals, and the ever present threat of the Badlands Army, Imogen must solve the murder before she ends up fish food herself.

About the Author

A native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh. In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).

Website: www.erinjohnsonwrites.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EJohnsonWrites. Twitter: @EJohnsonWrites

Purchase Link – Amazon Kindle Amazon Paperback

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants

December 6 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

December 7 – Deal Sharing Aunt – REVIEW*

December 8 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

December 9 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

December 10 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW

December 11 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW*, GIVEAWAY

December 12 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

December 13 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

December 14 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 15 – fundinmental – REVIEW*

December 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

December 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – REVIEW*, GIVEAWAY

December 18 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW*

December 19 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

December 20 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW*

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Buried Alive in Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason @KristineMason7

Posted on December 14, 2017 by fundinmental

WOO HOO, get your copy of Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason now.

OMG. What a fabulous cover for Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason.

I am a huge fan of Kristine Mason’s and I am so happy to be back in her world. I know there will be laughs, danger and death, not necessarily in that order, and I look forward to digging in. LOL

Goodreads I Amazon I iBooks | Kobo | Google | Nook

MY REVIEW

Kristine Mason can go from light and sweet to dark and deadly at the snap of a finger.

A secret to be kept. How far to go to keep it? He went all the way, and once started, his nightmares drove him.

Whitney was patiently waiting for the right man to come along, taking a ribbing from Andy. Her and Andy had an easy relationship, working side by side, sharing lively banter. She looks at him as an older brother.

Whitney is the first female detective in the narc unit of Cuyoga County Sheriff’s Department in Cleveland, Ohio. But, her biological clock is tick, tick, ticking away, so when she goes undercover in the burbs, with a fake husband and ‘white picket fence’, I know there is romance in the air. Enter CORE. And a hunka burning love is coming her way.

Let’s meet Sloan North, ‘a giant, hairy beast, covered in leather, denim and chains.’

She’s an ‘Amazonian Barbie’ and a bit too mouthy and bossy for him. Guess he’ll need to get over it, because between you and me, they will be hooking up for the long term.

Kristine Mason has a way with writing and descriptions, bringing her characters to life with a humorous hint and lively banter.

“How do you fit in this thing?” “Just fine.” They are talking about her Fiat 500 hatchback.

“You should too. If not, I’ll open the sunroof and you can put your head through there.”

It keeps on going and I can’t help but laugh out loud. Wonderful dialogue and I commend Kristine Mason’s ability to write it. It appears to be done so effortlessly.

I love when he pulled off his shirt at the department store, to try on the shirt Whitney had chosen for him in his new role as a suburban husband. WHOA, I can see it now. And the women shoppers reaction. “I’d keep him naked.” LOL

Hilarious writing of Whitney and Sloan’s dialogue and thoughts. Kept me in stitches.

Usually Kristine Mason’s stories are dark and dangerous and I have a feeling we’ll get to that, but I am liking all the fun dialogue and thoughts running through their heads.

I love when he forgot he was carrying her around their new fake home…and she let him.

The kids at the door were so sweet and funny.

I love Whitney leaving sticky notes for him everywhere, bossing him from afar. For being so organized, she sure is a slob.

Suburbia – we have the slut, the gossip, the dickhead…Sloan fights the whole shebang…suburbia, fake wife…but begins to nest, fixing this, planting that, buying this.

The Goldhirsch brothers…

I even feel bad for the serial killer. How is it possible for me to feel bad for someone that buries people alive? I hope that doesn’t say bad things about me. LOL I think it just says great things about Kristine Mason’s writing. She has several plots running simultaneously.

Whitney and Sloan act like a couple of teenagers trying to show the other they don’t like each other, afraid of being hurt or embarrassed. When they finally confront their interest, it is so cute, innocent, and childishly sweet.

Her best friend, Morgan…what a hoot. Sometimes the peripheral characters pop in and steal the show.

When Whitney’s parents come to their pretend home, I couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s comments. Kristine does seem to sneak in an Ohio State fan in her novels. I catch it, because I am a Michigan Wolverine fan. Have no fear. We get along great.

I bounced back and forth on the rating, because I LOVE Kristine’s ability to take me into a deep, dark place with characters that scare the holy crap out of me and make me revel in the evil that men do. Sinful Vows does not quite take me there. Sure, we have some evil guys, doing evil things, but we are in suburbia, playing pretend house and enjoying all the humor that entails.

BUT, as you can see from my rambling review, I just want to keep sharing more and more and more, so…you bet ya…5 Stars it is.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason.

5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Marriage can be murder…

Former Chicago Vice cop, Sloan North, is back working undercover, this time for the investigative agency, CORE. He’s missed being on the streets, taking on a fake persona and going after dangerous bad guys. Instead of the dark heart of Chicago, Sloan’s planted in a quiet, boring suburb of Cleveland, pretending to be married to an irritating, too hot for words, Cuyahoga County Detective, Whitney Russell.

Whitney can’t believe she’s saddled with a bearded, tattooed behemoth of a man as her phony husband. He’s crude, rude and has a bad enough attitude no one on their cul-de-sac will buy their ruse. But as they’re forced into fake wedded bliss, Sloan surprises her in more ways than one. Beneath his harsh, sexy exterior is a man worth loving. Too bad she doesn’t believe in love.

While Sloan tries to avoid his gorgeous, leggy partner, deal with mind-numbing suburbia, and determine if his neighbor is indeed a big time drug lord, a body is unearthed on the neighboring street. Then another…and another. Life in the burbs goes from boring to deadly because this killer doesn’t just murder his victims. He buries them alive.

ABOUT KRISTINE MASON

Kristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies, C.O.R.E. Shadow, and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next trilogy, C.O.R.E. Above the Law, along with a series of Psychic C.O.R.E. novellas.

Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.

Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!Connect with Kristine on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kristinemasonauthor, Twitter https://twitter.com/KristineMason7 or email her at authorkristinemason@gmail.com. You can also find out more about Kristine’s books at http://www.kristinemason.net

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest

MY REVIEWS FOR KRISTINE MASON’S NOVELS

Shadow of Danger / Shadow of Perception / Shadow of Vengeance
Ultimate Kill / Ultimate Fear / Ultimate Prey (review coming soon)
Celeste Files: Unlocked / Unjust / Unforgotten / Poisoned / Possessed
Perfectly Twisted / Perfectly Toxic / Perfectly Tortured
Sinful Sacrifices / Sinful Deeds

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You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Dragons Rule in The Book of Genevieve by Mark Boyd #MarkBoyd

Posted on December 13, 2017 by fundinmental

Dragon stories always catch my attention, and this is one you will not want to miss.

The Book of Genevieve, Book II of A Dragon’s Tale by Mark Boyd is filled with fantasy adventure. You can see my review for The Prophecy, Book I, HERE.

Check out the lovely covers. What do you think?

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

MY REVIEW

The Book of Genevieve by Mark Boyd is the second of A Dragon’s Tale Trilogy. I loved the first one, so I was very happy to continue the journey with Genevieve. Because this is the second book of the series and there is so much wonderful fantasy in store for you, I do not want to give anything away. I will just tell you how I felt as I read along

I couldn’t help but smile when Mark states that all Genevieve wanted were breasts and a normal life. BUT, there is a Prophecy to be fulfilled and she is part of it.

We have elves, Pegasaurs, dragons, demons, vampires, werehounds, trolls, dwarves and two brothers that I fell in love with, Aer and Loer.

I loved when Genevieve and Leto showcased their swordplay, the crowd wildly cheering them on. I could see it like a film playing in my mind. So much fun…as is her first ride on her dragon, soaring, swooping, loop-de-looping, laughing all the way.

I got lost in their fantasy world of new friendships and new alliances. The more characters I met, the more friends I made. Some are rough and gruff, some are easy going, some are young, some are old.

The magical creatures are drawn together to fulfill the Prophecy. Some will die, especially sad about the one, but as some pass on, new babes are born.

I can hardly wait to learn the ending of this does not stand alone trilogy in Mishmakor, The Dragon King.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Book of Genevieve by Mark Boyd.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

In the course of one days time, Princess Genevieve Cheval discovers that her ears are starting to point, that she is really the daughter of an Elven Princess that died giving birth to her and that she has inherited the only weapon that can kill the evil beast overtaking the forbidden forest…which also happens to be the step-brother she never knew she had.

Drawn into the forbidden forest by a mysterious dream, Genevieve is led to Queen Bellaserena of the Pegasaurs by two young elven brothers. She discovers the Queen is with foal and due at any moment. Delivering the young one, Genevieve saves the life of the Queen and her son with the weapon she’d inherited from her dead mother.

Bellaserena informs Genevieve that the young Princess is destined to a power and a life greater than she’d ever imagined. Now, not only seeking her elven family of origin, she finds out that she is an integral part of the Prophecy as told in the ancient Dragon Book of Lore. Embroiled in battle to save the forest and her elven kinsmen from the bloodvine, she soon discovers there is an ancient evil set to destroy her and the man she loves, King Leto Sargovia. Aware that this is a battle to the death, she is ready to commit to any action that will allow the Prophecy to manifest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I began reading fantasy at an early age. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, being one of my first and favorites. Fantasy was my escape when my own world wasn’t going so well. I never thought I would be blessed to add to the world of fantasy but my dragon friends had other ideas. I only hope you enjoy reading the trilogy, as much as I have in writing it. I am forever grateful to the dragon intelligence that has infused my consciousness, awakening memories and giving me the ability to bring their story to life.