Giveaway – Tainted Legacy by Tabitha Peattie @tabithapeattie @YABoundToursPR

Posted on December 22, 2017 by fundinmental

I am a cover girl. A cover can capture me at the blink of an eye.. Tainted Legacy is one those covers and I am so happy to have Tabitha here to talk about it. Be sure and check out the giveaway at the end of the post.

GUEST POST from Tabitha Peattie

Talk about the cover – how it represents the story

The cover is a burnt rose with blood surrounding it. It sounds very morbid but the meaning behind it is more uplifting than you think. The rose is burnt because there is a theme throughout the book of rising from the ashes. The magical Gifts that each individual person has represent everything from life and death. When something dies, life rises from the ashes, and so you see the circle of life. The blood is symbolic of the bloodlines. In the world of the Gifted, the family you were born into will shape how you will be perceived during your whole life. This is something we see Ava and the other characters struggle with. Just because you come from different blood lines you still all bleed red.

Awesome post and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Tabitha.

Tainted Legacy: The Ash Academy Series
by Tabitha Peattie
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Release Date: August 25th 2017

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Summary from Goodreads:

What would you do if your parents had committed the worst crime in history?

Who would you turn to if the laws, meant to protect you, were corrupted?

When is it ok for all the good people to do bad things and the bad people to do good things?

How can you fall in love with the person who was destined to hate you?

Welcome to the world of the world of the Gifted.

Ava has always lived on the fringes of society with her close-knit family. Ever protected, loved and sheltered until the day it’s time to start at Ash Academy.

Nothing is as it seems, as Ava finds out that everything she thinks she knows is tainted. Tainted by death, lies and deceit. It is her job to learn the truth and stay true to herself despite the darkness all around her.

No one survives that kind of drama alone. Through Ava’s discovery of their society and her place in it, she will find kindness and support in the most unlikely places.

From the Ashes we Rise!

For Readers who enjoyed authors such as:
Richelle Mead
Cassandra Clare
Kelly St Clare
Jaymin eve
Laura Thalassa

A gripping first book in the Ash Academy series. This book is a full-length novel with a HEA and no cliff-hangers. Step into a magical world about love, loss and self-discovery.

About the Author

I have been writing for 6 years and have written a number of books. I am really excited to start publishing these and see if others love my books like I do. I’m influenced by so many authors and books that I couldn’t list them all the! All my stories have a theme of overcoming what nature has given you as this is something I have really experienced in life. I have struggled with MS since I was 17. This is something which has given me the strength and the experience to be able to write about the lowest lows and the highest highs.

Author Links: Twitter│Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

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’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

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?

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’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

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!

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’s talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

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

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’s talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Forevermore by Cristiane Serruya @CrisSerruya @XpressoReads

Posted on December 13, 2017 by fundinmental

Forevermore
Cristiane Serruya
(Ever More, #2)
Publication date: December 7th 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A father desperate to save his little girl. A doctor fighting for a cure. And two broken hearts that can only be healed together.Ava Larsen is too busy finishing her pediatric oncology residency to find love… and she knows what it feels like to have a broken heart. She assures herself that kissing the gorgeous alpha stranger the night before was nothing more than a dangerous yet delicious mistake— one she won’t repeat.

Widower billionaire Aleksander Maximilian is one of the most powerful men alive, but he’s helpless to save his daughter Olivia from cancer. Doctors have assured him it would be best to enjoy her last days at home. To make Olivia’s wish to spend her last Christmas on Lake Tahoe come true, he hires the best home care team in the business.

It turns out the head of the team is the breathtaking woman he shared an unexpected kiss which ignited sparks. But this is the worst time for Aleksander to have finally have passionate feelings for someone, not to mention it’s strictly forbidden to Ava to get involved with her patient’s father.

Tragedy brought them together. A miracle might rip them apart.

An emotional gripping love story of hope, redemption, and never giving up, Forevermore is the second book in USA Today bestselling author Cristiane Serruya’s EVER MORE Series. If you enjoy romances by Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Sylvia Day, and Maya Banks, then you will cherish this heartwarming, steamy contemporary erotic novel.
Sequel to So Much More, FOREVERMORE stands on its own, but reading in order guarantees a more enjoyable time.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

4 reasons why I LOVE to write romances!
Guest post by Cristiane Serruya

Hello and thanks for hosting me. I’m so happy to be here with you and your readers today.
Since 2011, I’ve been immersed in the written word—penning romance novels, to be exact. The process of crafting and getting a work through the publishing machine—especially the indie world—can be a lonely and hard path but when my new imaginary friends walk out of my romances, they’re worth all of grueling pain I submit my wrists and fingers to. Here are four reasons why I have been hooked by love stories.

1. The characters
The men! Handsome or scarred, funny or brooding, overbearing or supportive. Dark-haired, blond, paled skin, tanned and everything in between! Now put them together with blondes, brunettes or red-heads; thin or curved or toned; opinionated and bold or delicate and shy! Oh, my! To make it even better, throw in a couple of kids—I love stories with smart kids! Of course, makes it even funnier if we have a few criminals in the story, too. There, I have a bunch of new friends—and enemies—for me to play with for a while.

2. I get to create stories
Imagine those said characters meeting over a business meeting, as in The Complete TRUST Series; or fighting for a cure for a sick child, as in Forevermore, and the sparks flying over a heated argument or a nice gesture.
And then imagine them doing it. Yeah! And some revengeful ex-partner or dark secret, which threatens their relationship. I decide who loves and hates; who lives and dies! I can totally transform a person I know in a good or a horrible character. I can even take my revenge on the ones I don’t like much and create a whole new ending for a situation gone wrong. It’s freeing!

3. The research
Learning is a passion of mine. In order to create believable characters, research is necessary. For example, Tavish Uilleam MacCraig, the lead male character of Love Painted in Red, who appeared on my first release Entwined Fates, TRUST Series #1 and was supposed to be a secondary character, grew so much as a character during TRUST Series that he demanded his story to be told. As it unfolded, and from it I have already Damaged Love, which features Tavish’s best friend, Lord Richard Smith, and after comes the story of Richard’s older brother, Lord Hugh Smith.
All the three of them are veterans of war—I am always in awe of those men and women who sacrifice themselves to make this world safer.
We don’t have a strong military here in Brazil and I wanted them to be believable veteran dealing with PTSD, living with disabilities, having invisible scars, for the readers to feel their pains. So I interviewed many veterans online. It was an enlightening and heartbreaking experience and it helped me make Tavish and Richard come out beautifully—or so I like to think—with their physical and psychological scars and yet full of life strength and vigor.

4. The happily ever after
With all the horrible things happening in the world, unnecessary killings, religious and racial strife, it’s great to be able to escape to a world where my characters have survived bad things and are still able to find a fulfilling and healing relationship with a happy ending—and don’t forget the steamy sex I got to create. But sometimes, I get out of a story emotionally tired; so tired, I need a break.
It was exactly the case of Forevermore, Olivia, Alek, and Ava’s heart-wrenching and heart-warming story that I needed a break before I jump into the skin of Benedict, who is blind, and Natalya, from Evermore. Ah, what did I do during my break? I wrote a light, funny and suspenseful romance. So, pre-order already Royal Love, Last Royals Series #1.

Last, I want to share some good news. Almost all my books are on KindleUnlimited, so visit Cristiane Serruya’s Amazon Page and read them for free!
I love to connect with readers, so feel free to stalk me online: Facebook Author Page, Twitter, Instagram, Instagram. And follow me on BookBub, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Those who want to receive my very, very sporadic emails about new releases and promotions can sign-up here: Cristiane Serruya Website and win a free romance, free cookbooks, and so much more!
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts here and helping me promote my work.
Love,
Cris, author

Author Bio:

USA TODAY and AMAZON best-selling romance author, Cristiane Serruya lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with her six-foot-six husband, two teenage daughters, and Loki, her Shetland sheepdog. Cris is a writer, a lawyer, a reader; a woman, a mother, and a wife. Not necessarily in this order. Or in any order…

She has a Master’s in Business Law and a BA in Fine Arts. In 2012, after twenty-two years of practicing law, Cris decided to give writing a go. And–amazingly–it was just the piece that was missing in the puzzle of her life.

She loves to hear from readers so fell free to stalk her online and visit www.crisserruya.com to win a freebie left there only for you.

Those who want to receive Cris’s very sporadic emails about new releases, giveaways, and promotions can sign-up on http://bit.ly/CS-VIPlist

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Reach For Your Dream – Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean @taylordeanbooks

Posted on December 6, 2017 by fundinmental

There are two songs that jumped out at me as I read Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean. I opted to use the Pina Colada song, because I love it and it makes me feel good to sing along to it.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

MY REVIEW

I have been a huge fan of Taylor Dean’s for some time now, so I am excited to check out another one of her novels, Chasing Fireflies.

Her sisters act like mothers as they do their best to dissuade Savannah from going to China for four months, but she knew HE was there and she had to find him, her true love. She’ll be OK, she has her magic cloak and that makes her invisible.

Emotions bubble to the surface early as I read of the loss of her parents. Can someone die of a broken heart?

OK Taylor, Ive got my tissues by my side, so let’s go find Paul, come hell or high water.

She’s shy, but that doesn’t mean she not observant, taking in everything around her,a spectator of others.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” What a great quote.

I found it easy to relate to her difficulty with social situations and turbulence. I am a huge fan of my own company and God forbid I end up on a plane with turbulence.

Just like the fireflies my sisters and I tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp.

I could follow her life long dream and head to China but that elevator scene…having a hard time getting there. Stopped me in my tracks. Taylor Dean is a must read author for me, and I do love a happy ever after, but this scene struck me so wrong…I’ll read on and see if she wins me over. I know..it’s fiction…just have to go with it.

Taylor Dean is very good with sweet, clean, innocent romance and she is sure to include the despair she feels when her dream is crushed. Ah, the sweet agony of youth and its naivety. She is so different from me but I do remember my broken heart and the soul crushing sorrow…that in hindsight seemed to end very quickly. Did more time pass than I thought?

I don’t mind predictable,the familiar. It can be warm, cozy and comfortable. I didn’t get into this one as much as I normally do her stories. They usually wrap me up in emotions and require tissues. Chasing Fireflies had its moments and is well worth the read.

Chasing Fireflies is one of a series of stand alone novels connect to The Matchmaker.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean.

3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

My sisters think I’m crazy.

But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love.

She told me to search far and wide for him.

I haven’t stopped looking ever since.

When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.

It’s destiny.

My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.

Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp. Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?

My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.

Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.

The memory silences them.

The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.

I will find Paul . . . I will.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.

To find out what Taylor Dean is up to, follow the links below:

Website/Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

MY REVIEWS FOR TAYLOR DEAN

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’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Not for the Faint of Heart – Christmas Hostage by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor

Posted on December 5, 2017 by fundinmental

I am so happy to be sharing Jane Blythe’s new novel, Christmas Hostage, just in time for the holidays.

Jane not only, writes some fabulous romantic suspense stories, but is an interesting person in her own right. Just check out her bio and see some of her many interests.

Cover: QDesigns

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

Action from the getgo.

Hannah’s friend is shot and killed in a jewelry store robbery and we are off and running in this suspenseful Christmas mystery. I got wrapped up in the characters, as well as the story and she kept the mystery alive with the villain mixed into a list of suspects. This is a story of second chances and maybe this time Hannah and Tom will get it right.

Hannah won’t let anyone help her, touch her. She sat on the floor, against the wall, and cried as the police did their work…Until…

Tom Drake, her FBI ex husband arrives on the scene and back into her life. He knew she was strong and wouldn’t want his help, but there are bad guys on the run and who knew where they would strike next.

As Christmas approaches, Hannah’s determined to carry on, business as usual in the jewelry store. She is focused, going step by step, keeping moving, life goes on. It doesn’t mean bad memories don’t haunt her.And Tom’s just as determined to solve the crime.

It wasn’t his choice to walk away from her, but they were no good together any more. It was what she wanted, or so he thought. Whatever happened to cause the split must have been horrifying and I am waiting, foot tapping, impatiently waiting, to find out what.

Perceptions are not facts.

“That’s not what happened.”

“Yes, it was.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Yes, it was.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

I love how Jane Blythe’s writing allows the characters personalities to shine through. Now, if they would just learn to listen, to communicate. Maybe they never would have split up in the first place.

Jane Blythe has bounced me around, fooling me, several times now. As the suspects fall, one by one, I know there is more to come and only one will be left standing. This….this is the moment HE will be revealed…and I don’t know who HE is.

I have him in my sights now?

I hate when the woman refuses to be a victim, then puts herself in the hands of the one who wants her dead. BUT, I watch a lot of ID TV and it happens in real life all the time.

A horrific, unimaginable attack, but she is strong and will fight to her dying breath.

Jane Blythe writes some fantastic suspense thrillers and manages to keep me guessing. I like when I can’t figure out who the villain is. The characters grab hold of me and don’t let me go. The suspense and anticipation builds…and builds…

I do like my happy ever afters and Jane manages to supply those as well. Definitely left me with a warm fuzzy feeling and a Christmasy smile on my face, but this is not for the faint of heart.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Christmas Hostage by Jane Blythe.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Tragedy tore them apart now its giving them a second chance.

FBI Agent Tom Drake has been investigating a string of armed robberies at jewelry stores. The last person he expects to see when he arrives at the scene of the latest robbery is his ex-wife Hannah Buffy.

Hannah is conflicted about seeing her ex-husband again, especially when he starts claiming he thinks the robbery at her store isn’t related to the other ones. Is this just another excuse for Tom to treat her like a victim or could he be right?

** 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

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’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Monday Minis – 3 Novels by Candace Calvert @candacecalvert

Posted on December 4, 2017 by fundinmental

I won these signed paperbacks and it was a very pleasant surprise reading them.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

My Review for Critical Care

No villains here, in this uplifting hospital romance with characters that brought tears to my eyes, and I was so surprised that it it did. The writing drug me into what I thought would be just one of those hospital romances I used to read years ago. Now, I am deeper, more sophisticated….and so is this story. I thought this would be a three rating…until Sarah’s trouble. Religious without being preachy. Have I become a hopeless romantic? Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

My Review for Disaster Status

One thing that bothered me early, the word description of Nick didn’t match the cover, but, I am glad to be back with some familiar characters, and this is Erin’s story. It doesn’t take me long to start smiling. Erin, oh my…she cracks me up. I love what she did to the bully when she was seven years old. I love the feisty Nana. Sarge, a great guy in a very sad and tragic situation. Ocean air is always refreshing and so is this stand alone romance series. Life isn’t fair, but…love, loss, friendship, family, despair and a rebirth of faith and hope is a part of Disaster Status and makes me rate this….4 Stars.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

My Review for Code Triage

Communication lost, mistakes made, dreams crushed…Can hearts be healed, mistakes forgiven and love prevail? The dinner at the Tonga Room shows how happiness and love can be given and shared without any thought of self, just making someone’s difficult life a little better, Death, danger and loss reads as if this could be a true story. The characters shine, regardless of their faults and foibles. 4 Stars

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’s talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Jailbird by Taylor Dean @taylordeanbooks @KathyHabel

Posted on December 2, 2017 by fundinmental

BOOK TWO IN THE SOUND OF SILENCE SERIES IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!

JAILBIRD

TAYLOR DEAN

My hometown decided to rename me Jailbird.

Every day I silently scream out, “My name is Mia Faraday!” My time in jail does not define me. I am so much more than one heated mistake.

And yet, my slip-up weighs on me. There’s so much more to the story than anyone realizes. I must face Stony, my ex, and confess everything.

I don’t want to. I’d rather have five teeth pulled. While I’m awake. Without anesthesia.

But this is something I have to do, something I need to do. Not just for Stony. I need to do it for me. Especially for me. I can’t move forward with my life until I gain closure from the past.

When I meet Grayson Elliott, I am easily pulled into his orbit and it’s exactly where I’d love to stay. He makes me laugh and not take life so seriously. He makes me want to live again.

But I don’t love me right now, and that healing needs to come first. I’m not relationship-ready or marriage material. My mind is focused on redemption. I want it. I need it.

Besides, when Grayson hears about my colorful past, I’m sure he’ll be gone before I have time to utter the word goodbye.

After all, who could ever love a jailbird?

The Sound of Silence Series is a three book series.

Book One: Stone Silence, Spencer’s Story

Book Two: Jailbird, Mia’s Story

Book Three: Hothouse Flower, Shay’s Story

Each book has a happy ending and there are no cliffhangers.

They are not standalones and should be read in order.

Did you miss Book One, STONE SILENCE?

Grab it on AMAZON

Great big beautiful love.

Does it really exist?

Everyone tells me it does. They say, “Spencer Elliott, don’t worry, you’ll find it one day. You just have to find the right man and when you do, it will surprise the heck out of you.”

I’m still waiting for that heck of a surprise to hit. It has proven to be elusive thus far. I’m pretty sure the entire world is lying about love and the joke is on me.

I know I want a man in my heart and in my life. Unfortunately, most men immediately push my OFF button and I lose interest quickly.

Feeling pressure to prove I’m trying to find my soulmate, I finally give in and agree to a date. Huge mistake. Afterward I find myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere, in desperate need of help.

That’s when I meet Stony by chance.

He’s a silent and unsmiling man who intrigues me with his ability to keep going after life has knocked him down. Suddenly the abstract notion of love becomes tangible and within my reach. Once I experience it, I wonder how I ever lived without it.

That’s when I stay with Stony by choice.

But when Stony’s hidden past and present-day reality collide, his silence is broken. And the truth about his life nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t compete with ghosts from the past.

I refuse to fight for a man’s love. He either loves me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

My only hope is . . . he does.

Praise for STONE SILENCE:

Oh. My. Gosh! I absolutely LOVE Stone Silence! Talk about swoony! This book is AMAZING! I was sucked in from the very beginning and found myself lost in the journey of Spencer and Stony. I laughed out loud, got teary eyed, let out little dreamy sighs and refused to put this book down until I finished it! I devoured it! -KJ’s Book Nook

Oh man. I will always read everything Taylor Dean writes with no hesitation. I LOVE Taylor Dean books. If you have never read anything by her, you really must. -Aimee, Getting Your Read On

Hothouse Flower, Book Three will be released on January 1st, 2018

Read an excerpt from Jailbird:

Excerpt #1:

Stony and Spencer’s Place.

Ugh. It’s magical inside the fenced-in property, as if I just walked into a secret garden. Stony always said he was going to build himself an oasis in the middle of the prairie land, and he did it. I didn’t expect it to be quite this beautiful. Green grass covers small rolling hills. Sidewalks meander the property. Flower beds bloom madly with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s almost like being inside of a Thomas Kinkade painting.

I want to run. I want to turn around and erase this serene picture from my mind. I’m not sure I want to witness Stony’s happily-ever-after. The consolation is that now I know I didn’t ruin his life. I should feel grateful for that knowledge. I kind of do and I kind of don’t. My emotions are a tangled mess when it comes to Stony. I’ve had two years in jail and a little over a year in Galveston to think about this moment, to anticipate exactly what I want to say to him. Now that it’s upon me, I can feel my mind going blank.

But I’m doing it anyway.

I march forward with determination in every step and I push on the doorbell before I can change my mind. I hear a Windsor chime echo through the house in a majestic sort of way. A little more cringing goes on inside of me at the perfection of it all.

The seconds before the door is answered seem interminable. I’m a hot mess.

Lock me in a tank with hungry—no—starving sharks. Put me in a lion’s den and let them have me for dinner. Make me appear on that dumb TV show, Naked and Afraid.

Anything but this. I don’t want to face Stony. I don’t, I don’t.

Author Taylor Dean

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Newsletter

Blast Giveaway Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/22/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway