BLOG TOUR REVIEW & EXCERPT - Forever Mine by Monica Burns

Book Blurb:

Her future lies in the past 

When a bomb explosion thrusts Victoria Ashton backward in time to 1897, she’s forced to 
impersonate the Countess of Guildford. Despite Victoria’s attempts to convince the earl she’s not his wife, her counterpart’s infidelity, lies, and ill-tempered personality makes the task almost impossible. Worse, Victoria finds herself falling in love with a man who loathes her. Only when the earl learns to trust her does she realize her future lies in the past. But love always comes at a price, and she must make a painful sacrifice in order for them to be together.

Her love is what will save him 

Nicholas Thornhill, Earl of Guildford has been searching for his missing wife for three weeks. Rumors of him being guilty of murder make him unwilling to believe his wife’s latest in a multitude of lies. But the changes in Victoria continuously surprise him. Despite his best intentions, he finds the contempt he once felt for his wife turning into something deeper and stronger. But when danger threatens to separate them forever, he must forge a bond with her that crosses the boundaries of time.

A passion to last forever

Release Date: December 16, 2014

Book Links:

Add to Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Author’s Bio: 

A bestselling author of spicy historical and paranormal romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me. She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart. 

From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.

Author Links:

Website - http://www.monicaburns.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMonicaBurns

Twitter - http://twitter.com/MonicaBurns

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/648748.Monica_Burns?from_search=true

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/monicaburns/

REVIEW:
It's been a while since I've read a historical romance. Like 11 years been a while. Mix in time travel with it and the last time I read a historical time travel romance novel was almost 30 years ago (that book will forever remain in my brain because how much I loved it).

It was easy to get pulled into this story fairly quickly and stay with it until the end. You get the bare minimum at the beginning of the story, enough to figure out the key players so that they're easy to recognize throughout the rest of the book.

We never get to meet the original Countess, but from what Victoria has learned about, she was a certified Grade A Bitch and trust me, there is no love lost for her. But of course Nicholas believes not one word that comes from Victoria's mouth, no matter how much she tries telling him she's not who he believes she is; she does end up with at least one ally who immediately knows most of the truth about Victoria.

No matter how much Nicholas tries to steer clear of Victoria, he can't help being drawn to her, even if he is disgusted with himself for the feelings towards her he's developing. He even begins to realize something truly is different about Victoria whenever she has one of her "fainting" spells, which I thought was a cool way to bring the reader back to the present day to see what was happening with Nick Barrows during this time.

I will say, that out of the characters that we meet in this story, my favorite, hands down in Edmund, Nicholas' brother. It's never explained exactly what's wrong with him, but it really doesn't matter, because of how he sees the world and the joy he brings to both Victoria and Nicholas.

I didn't think it was going to end the way it did, a definite bittersweet ending, and I really enjoyed the epilogue portion of the story with the journal entries. This is a book I'm glad I got a chance to read.

RATING

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY - Second on the Right by Elizabeth Los

Title: Second on the Right
Author: Elizabeth Los
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: 9 May 2014

Synopsis:
Spawned from an ancient promise, treachery and intrigue follow the protagonists through our world and one lost to the waves. Bound by an invisible bond, they are thrust into a fantastical world of pirates and demons.

James Benedict is a just man haunted by evil. Pushed to the edge, everything stripped from him, a new man arises . . . a man whose name strikes fear into the hearts of all who hear it: "Captain Hook".

Eileen Davis was a timid woman. Through a fateful cruise she finds herself in the company of the Captain of the Mistral Thief. With his guidance, and the meddling of the local barista, she eventually finds her inner strength.

Will the two of them unite through time to fulfill the promise of their ancestors or will tempers ignite leading all to failure?

Review:

This is an interesting telling of the classic Peter Pan fairy tale, but not the way you might remember from the Disney version.

This story spans 400 years, and while the magical element is present, it’s not all happy and carefree magic, but more of the darker variety, complete with ancient curses, battling deities and revenge. 

The story focuses on James Benedict, CEO of a freight services company and descendant of a pirate captain, and Eileen Davis, a young, timid woman, and their chance meeting aboard the same cruise. While their initial meeting left much to be desired, circumstances present themselves and eventually James and Eileen end up together. But it's not all love and rainbows in their not-so-happily ever after.

This book initially took me a while to get into, as there were a couple of things that were written, but never really alluded to: like why James' parents were so concerned that he might never get married; we're never told what led them to that thought process. Or when Eileen time traveled, she was really on the ship for an 11-year period before the Captain tried to make a move?  

Overall though, an enjoyable story that could use a bit of polishing, there were a few grammatical errors, but not so much that it was a distraction. This would be a good story for kids ages 10 and up.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpt:

The night grew its darkest, just before dawn, when every man aboard the Mistral Thief heard a strange triumphant crow. Benedict shot up with a start.  Recognizing the familiar sound, he grabbed hold of his sword and burst out onto the deck. He could make out the figure of the boy, Peter.

He heard the sound of his crew, spooked by the noise of what shouldn’t be on board a ship. They scurried to light the deck lamps. As the light grew stronger, Benedict could see more clearly a petite figure on the mast, hands on hips, weapon at the side. Glancing back to the deck, he saw James coming from below. Benedict decided to hold off on approaching the figure, knowing of James' desire for revenge. He kept a watchful eye, fully aware of James' tendency to act on impulse.

"Peter," James said in a low growl. "Show yourself!" he shouted.

“That crow. I’ve heard that before,” Benedict commented.

Peter alighted onto the railing with such ease and grace it irritated James. He gave a slight bow, as if observing the niceties. Pulling one of two bags from his belt, he held it up in his hand. James held the sheath of his sword with his hook, struggling only momentarily to hurriedly unsheathe it.

Peter laughed and shook his bag, "Need a hand?" He laughed even more, causing chills to run through James.

James advanced towards him, but stopped short. Peter had reached into the bag he had been holding and had removed a rotting hand, with fingers missing. It was all too familiar to James: his right hand. James and Benedict cringed, disgusted at the sight.

Peter tossed it at James, who jumped back in disgusted. The splat of soft, wet flesh hit the wood, matching the feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Laughing, Peter spun up in flight, and landed back down on the deck, retrieving the hand. Pieces had been left behind from its initial fall.

"No? Much happier with a hook, are we? You're welcome," he sneered. "There’s one who would appreciate a hand, yours, in fact." He floated to the railing to glance at the waters below. "Come, take a look. I promise I won't bite," he grinned, taking several steps away to allow James to draw near.

James and Benedict cautiously took a glimpse. What they saw was the shadowy shape of an enormous crocodile.

James said to him, “Impossible.  They can't grow that large, can they?”

Benedict had no response. He had never seen one that large. In the water, the crocodile, nearly twenty meters long, ticked and hissed. The sounds were eerily similar to a clock.

Benedict and James peered down again at the beast. The crocodile thrashed and clawed its way partially up the side of the Mistral Thief. Sweat dampened James’ brow. Benedict looked at Peter, who was now dangling the remaining portion of what he assumed was James' right hand over the side of the ship. The crocodile leapt from the water, greatly desiring either the hand of James or James himself.

Both James and Benedict cringed, though it was James that moved away from the railing. The scratching of the crocodile's claws on the side of the ship seemed to make him tremble. Peter laughed maniacally, and tossed James’ hand to the crocodile.

“You’ve been using it for bait?” James looked at Peter, horror and disgust evident on his face. “This is all a game to you.”

Pan. He hasn’t aged. Should I tell James? Benedict thought. His eyes shifted in James’ direction. He needs to know.

James pointed his sword at Peter. "What do you want?" He shouted.

Peter unsheathed his knife, circling around the deck. James followed suit. Occasionally, Peter would tap the end of his sword. However, Benedict knew James was a man of indomitable courage. James held his sword steady, firmly in his left hand, his hook slightly hidden behind him. His eyes were cold as steel. At that moment, James appeared to be in complete control of his emotions and actions. Benedict couldn’t help but beam proudly at what he had done for James.

"What do I want?" Peter asked himself thoughtfully. He looked back at James, his eyes glowing faintly red. "I want you to pay," but he stopped. "Then again, perhaps you are suffering a bit. After all, I'm finding your son to be a delicious addition to my lost boys." He ended this with a slight hiss.

“I’ve done nothing to you,” James replied. “I believe you’re the one that will pay for taking my family.”

Benedict subtly moved closer to James. He could see how the boy was manipulating James, using the loss of Eileen and Robbie to rile him to the point of pure rage. Benedict knew all too well how easy it was to make James angry.

"Jas," he said in quiet warning, seeing James' shoulders rise and fall more frequently.

James voice wavered, “What are you?"

Benedict hesitated to offer his knowledge. What would it serve but to merely fan the flame the boy had started. Quietly he said to James, "Me thinks he's Pete, a boy I met years ago. Feeds off humans."

"Explain, please," James murmured to Benedict, not taking his eyes off Peter.

"Not quite o’ changeling. Thought ta be mere legend, but I’d seen it with me own eyes. A powerful creature, though from what world, I'm not sure. Feeds off tha young, slow and sure ta stay alive. No doubt, yer boy be one he's feedin' on," he explained.

Peter held a penetrating gaze at Benedict. "Oooohh. You're a rather smart one, aren't you? But I am at a disadvantage. You seem to know me, but I do not recognize you." The boy’s face scrunched up in contemplation until he seemed to have an epiphany, “The one who set me free! You’re so…old!”

James looked over at the captain. “You set him free?” he whispered angrily. “Why am I not surprised?”

Benedict did his best to avoid eye contact. He knew he would have to explain all of this later. Perhaps he’ll forget. Not likely though.

"It's true." Peter said with a grinned. "I did feed on her. The red hair had to go." He made a violent motion as he spoke.

"Jas," Benedict warned, seeing James tense, the muscles in his jaw tightened.

James waved him off, stepping forward.

Peter continued. "Her white skin, so soft and supple. Her screams of terror and pain, delicious. Oh, she was wonderful!" He paused for a moment, then finished, "Particularly the chewy center within." With the last sentence, his wicked eyes fell on James.

James screamed in anguish. He charged for Peter. Benedict reached out to stop him, but he was too slow. Peter flew up to the top of the mast. James, whose momentum had gotten the better of him, teetered at the rail. The crocodile waited eagerly below. James grunted in an effort to push himself back.

Peter howled in laughter, pointing, mocking and pantomiming actions as if he were James falling over the railing. James ran to the ropes, set to climb. Benedict shouted, but James didn’t hear. Not being heeded, he and a few crewmen pounced on him, holding him down.

"Take him ta me quarters!" he barked at the bo'sun. They held James, who thrashed violently. It took five men to drag James into the captain's quarters and slam the doors shut. Benedict addressed Peter, "Ye best be leavin' now, or ye be facin' my wrath."

Peter shrugged off the threat. "I have no quarrel with you, old man." He jumped off the mast, floating high above. "Tell him I'll be waiting, in Neverland." And he flew off.

Benedict rubbed his sore eyes. "I'm gettin' too old fer this."

At his quarters, Benedict’s hand stopped at the door. James' screams of rage could be heard from within. Benedict opted to take his time. Making a course adjustment, he continued towards El Tiburón.

Buy Links

List Price:

eBook: $4.99

Paperback: $12.99

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1492340480

ISBN-13: 978-1492340485

eBook ISBN-13: 978-1310988455

Createspace | Smashwords | Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble 

Author Bio

Elizabeth uses writing as therapy, her release from everyday stress. At night, after work and once the children are finally tucked in bed, for the fifth time, she sits at her laptop and lets her imagination flow.

Elizabeth has produced short stories, one of which will be published in an anthology. She’s had fun writing a Sherlock Holmes fan fiction story, A Case of Need, based on the BBC’s Sherlock. By July 2011, her first novel, Second on the Right, had been completed. She spent several years polishing the story in order to provide a high quality product to the public. Second on the Right is her first professional novel.

She currently resides in California with her husband, children and two dogs: Black Lab (Raven) and Saint Bernard (Duke).

Author Links (Website, Facebook, etc)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantaFlash

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/santaflash

My blog: http://www.elizabethlos.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorELos

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624486.Elizabeth_Los

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sf

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BLOG TOUR & REVIEW - Carnelian by B. Kristin McMichael

Carnelian (Chalcedony Chronicles #1)

by B. Kristin McMichael

Release Date: 02/01/14

200 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Everyone has a past, but for most it isn’t as long ago as Seth Sangre. His past is literally thousands of years ago. Seth’s life led him to the present seeking something that might help him save his country from destruction. He has been in the present for over three years now and just found exactly what he has been looking for.

Mari had dreams that college will be a fresh start, one where she would start over and not fall for the good looking player like high school. Unfortunately for her, that’s exactly what ends up falling into her lap on the first day she moves into the dorms. Now she has to hold to her promise to herself and not fall for the handsome Seth. But he doesn’t plan to make it easy for her. Seth has already marked her as his next conquest. As the semester progresses, Mari learns that Seth might just have a life of his own that’s actually from the past.

Suddenly Mari finds her future along with her past put into question. She’s connected to Seth far more than she ever wanted to be and maybe the player isn’t who she thought he was. If Mari can trust her heart enough to follow him, Seth will lead Mari on an adventure of a lifetime and reveal family secrets she never knew existed.

Buy Links:

Link to Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kKHcJaJpTM

About the Author:
Originally from Wisconsin, B. Kristin currently resides in Ohio with her husband, two small children, and three cats. When not doing the mom thing of chasing kids, baking cookies, and playing outside, she is using her PhD in biology as a scientist. In her free time she is currently hard at work on multiple novels. Every day is a new writing adventure. She is a fan of all YA/NA fantasy and science fiction.

Author Links:

http://www.bkristinmcmichael.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6889132.B_Kristin_McMichael

http://www.twitter.com/bkmcmichael/

http://www.facebook.com/bkristinmcmichael/

Giveaway:

1 grand prize of signed copies of both Carnelian and Chrysoprase

2 runners-up can get signed copies of Carnelian

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rating and review: ♥♥♥♥
This was an interesting story, but not in a bad way. The prologue is short and gives just the barest information, so you have no idea when or even where it takes place. Then we're introduced to Mari, a college freshman who is just moving into the dorms. Mari meets Seth in an unexpected way and figures out that there is something different about him, and while she's somewhat intrigued by him, she does her best to stay away because she doesn't want to be the next in his long line of conquests. But the story's not quite that simple, and Seth will do what it takes to be Mari (nothing weird or creepy though). 

I like the interaction between the characters, Sim and Ty are funny, I wasn't too sure about Dee until near the end of the book. 

A good book overall, I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour Organized by:

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