Love on the Slopes review

About the book:

Jessa Hartley is haunted by memories of the night she threw herself at her childhood crush, Dominic DeRenzi – and he turned her away. Years later, Jessa has managed to put the past behind her and climb up the ranks as head instructor of the ski lodge she one day hopes to purchase. Only her plans take a nosedive when the smooth talking Italian shows back up in town. Even worse, he’s planning on purchasing her lodge.

After surviving a disastrous marriage, Dominic DeRenzi returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping to make a fresh start for him and his six year old son by purchasing the old ski lodge. Until a chance encounter with Jessa Hartley throws his well laid plans off track. The once innocent girl from his childhood has grown into the beautiful woman he always knew she would become, and he is painfully reminded of the night he overstepped his bounds and kissed her. Then broke her heart by sending her away.
 
Rekindling the flames of their past isn’t part of the plan, yet Dominic and Jessa soon find they’re helpless to stop the fire that burns brightly between them. He broke her heart the first time he left, but can he make her see this time around he’s here to stay?
 
Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally I gravitate toward dystopian or fantasy books, but when I received the opportunity to review Amy Manemann's contemporary romance, Love on the Slopes, I took it. It was a refreshing genre change that quickly pulled me in and took me on an emotional roller coaster that only a love story can do.

Basically, a childhood crush develops into "more" when Dominic DeRenzi buys the ski lodge that Jessa Hartley works at. Dominic left Jessa when he was 18 to go into the family business. This caused him to leave the country. After an unplanned pregnancy turns into a failed marriage, Dominic and his son seek to put down roots and start a new life through this new acquisition. Jessa felt spurned when Dominic left, but the spark that was between them as teenagers rekindles into a flame. Both are hesitant to jump into a relationship, but when you have chemistry, it just becomes too difficult to deny mutual feelings. 
 
The story is told through a dual point of view. Mostly readers are in Jessa's head. The story will suddenly switch POVs to Dominic's without much distinction. I like that we received a taste of Dominic's mind throughout the book, but I wish that sections of the story were more defined by his perspective. I would love if we could have more info on his prior marriage. Maybe Manemann will write a prequel novella for us.
 
One small detail I thought was odd in the book involved a trauma scene. A skier had a crash and was unconscious. Jessa calmly took in the situation and directed Dominic on what to do. Dominic owns at least one other ski resort, maybe more. If he's involved in the ski resort industry, I thought he would have more "know how" than what he did. Jessa may be more familiar with handling accidents than Dominic, but Dominic should have been more proactive in that scene than just waiting for Jessa to tell him what to do.

Jessa's family's involvement in the story really added personality and tension. I loved when they were involved in scenes. Dominic struggles on how to tell her brothers that he and Jessa are an items. It is a black cloud looming over their relationship. The brothers are very distinctive and seem like guys you would love to hang around. I like to see if anything will develop between Jessa friend, Lucy, and her brother, Jett.

Just when you think the story is wrapping up, Manemann throws a little drama in. Someone from Dominic's past sneaks back into his life. Dominic must choose between love or family. Luckily his choice is a no brainer. Don't want to give spoilers here, so you will just have to read the book. 
 
Since this is a contemporary romance book, there is romance. Sexual situations between the characters is suggested. Manemann doesn't explicitly describe the actions. The scenes are cut short of the action, or described as a memory of the event.

Readers who love contemporary romances, especially when the setting is ski lodges, should check out Love on the Slopes. It is a light hearted, fun story. 

Love on the Slopes releases April 30, 2015!

About author Amy Manemann:

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal romance, and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children.

When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book. Her newest release, Love on the Slopes, is her first foray into contemporary romance and will release on April 30th.

Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Café, an online literary community for authors and readers. www.worldliterarycafe.com.

You can connect with Amy at www.amymanemann.blogspot.com or on Facebook

Tripp (The Life series #2) release day excerpt and giveaway!

Welcome to the release event for Tripp by Kristen Kehoe, a companion novel to Life Interrupted. Scroll down to check out some teasers as well as enter a giveaway of a necklace from Stella & Dot.  Tripp is a Mature Young Adult Contemporary Novel and is now available for sale!

About the book:
Because there are two sides to every story…

I’ve never been the guy who shied away from taking the ball. I’m an athlete; I thrive on the court, and I thrive in life because I don’t shy away from taking chances.

Except that one time.

Except with Rachel.

I fell in love with my best friend when we were ten, and she almost put her fist in my face when I tried to defend her against a fifth grade bully. I didn’t tell her that day that I loved her, or any of the ones following, because she had proved she didn’t need me, and even at a young age, I knew the opposite was true for me.

I needed Rachel with every breath I took, and it scared the ever-loving crap out of me.

Being the mature young man I am (cough), I tried to ignore it. I dated someone else; I stayed Rachel’s friend and watched her from afar because when you love someone who has the potential to break you into a million unrecoverable pieces, that’s what you do.  You watch from afar and you never reveal your true feelings because it’s safer to hide them than to admit them.

Until it’s not. Until the day you take a step forward and alter both of your worlds completely, only to discover that you’ll never, ever be over her.

This is my story – my story of Rachel and everything I did and didn’t do, everything I said and forgot to say, and everything I felt before and after we made our biggest mistake and walked away from each other.

She told her side – now it’s my turn. I’m including our past, holding nothing back from her ever again, so she better be ready for me.

Mature Young Adult

 ***This is the companion novel to LIFE INTERRUPTED (The Life series Book 1) released January 2014. It can be read as a standalone, as it is different from Rachel’s story.

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Excerpt:
“Tripp,” Stacy says. I snap to the present. “Are you ready?”

I wipe my palms on my jeans and nod. “What do you need?”

Following Stacy’s instructions, I walk down the hall into Rachel’s room. The light is on; I can see the small form under the blankets before I peel them away and scoop my arms under her even though she protests. I want her to fight, even prepare myself for it, but right away I see what Stacy’s talking about. There’s nothing inside of Rachel—even as she attempts to thrash in my arms, I barely have to tighten my hold on her while I carry her to the bathroom. The girl who has so often put me on my ass from one punch has no muscle, and worse, she has no spirit.

Nothing about the girl in my arms right now is the Rachel I’ve always known. The lack of fight worries me more than the lack of weight.

Stacy’s already pushed the shower curtain back. I put Rachel inside, ignoring her half-hearted protests as I turn the water on cold and high. When she screams—the real-deal scream full of terror and anger—the vise on my chest loosens a little and I’m so grateful I could break down and weep. My hands are full because she’s putting much more effort into fighting me than she was a second ago. I forget about how cold the water is on my skin, or the fact that she looks like a ghost with dark circles under her eyes and a pasty pallor to her normally warm skin, and I talk to her while I hold her there.

“That’s right, Rachel, fight me. You fight me and you come back. Do you hear me? We need you, Rachel. We need you to fight.” She screams more, shoving at me with her hands, but I don’t budge. I encourage her as I see the color start to slowly seep into her cheeks. “Come on, baby, come back to us. Come back to me.”

I whisper the last part. I don’t know if it was the words or the fact that she’s finally opened up enough to feel the weight of it all, but she breaks—the dam cracking and flooding. Instead of being angry, she’s devastated.

My heart cracks and my lungs seize; she falls into a sobbing heap. I turn the water off and start to lift her into my lap. Whatever I promised her sister, I can’t do it; I can’t watch her break like this.

Don't miss out on Life Interrupted (The Life series #1), available now for only .99 cents for a limited time!

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About author Kristen Kehoe:

I am a writer of YA/NA contemporary novels. I write about those crazy ages of 18-23 because there is nothing scarier than being told to grow up and decide what to do with your life and who to be so suddenly. I write about love because it’s my belief that love, in one form or another, saves us all at some point in our lives. I am married to a man who understands and believes in me, and mother to a beautiful baby girl and a neurotic Great Dane Puppy.

Find Kristen:  Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway:

Enter to win a necklace from Stella & Dot. Open to US addresses only. Ends May 6

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know cover reveal & giveaway

I'm excited to help reveal the cover for What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know 10 Secrets to Connect Moms & Daughters . Check it out below and see what people are saying about it. Don't forget to enter the giveaway! 
 

About the book:
Is your daughter asking questions about friends, peer pressure, school, and even her weight?

As a mom, are you wondering how to answer them?

Welcome to the club. But you can relax. Because we’ve asked real sixth-grade girls to dish on their top secret questions. And, we’ve provided time-tested real-life answers that work. Add to that an enjoyable format.

The “Just for Girls” section speaks right to your daughter in words and ways she understands. The “Just for Moms” section talks straight to moms, giving you information, resources, and easy-to-share answers.

We include tips for how to start, handle, and enjoy the conversations no matter the situation. Create connected conversations with your daughter as you explore these life questions together. Get plain facts and jump start questions. Discuss the provided scenarios so she can practice responses to use in real-time. Download decorative cards with positive statements and fun fill-in sentences. Use What Every Girl Needs to Know About 6th Grade to make it happen. Together, answer questions and create connection. You got this.

Enter the Goodreads 3 Book Giveaway

Praise for What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know 10 Secrets to Connect Moms & Daughters:
 "At a time when so many barriers are straining mother/daughter relationships, and our daughter's esteem is being attacked from every side, “What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know” gives mothers the tools they need to communicate (even about the tough stuff). It gives daughters the confidence to know that they have what it takes to survive the unique transitional years. Whether your relationship with your daughter is strained, or you want to strengthen what is already strong, use this smart and savvy information. You and your girl(s) will learn how to thrive through the teen years.” --Heather Ann Johnson M.S. Adjunct Faculty, BYU, Mother to 5 girls

“With conflicting messages today, it's easy for moms and daughters to get confused and overwhelmed. This book bestows all the wisdom you want to pour into your daughter's heart and mind in a fun, non-threatening way. Dread turns into confidence as you realize you have the tools to face those teenage years TOGETHER and have a ball doing it.” --Rachel Skinner, Mother of nine, Social Worker

 “This book provided a wonderful bonding experience for me and my daughter. As parents we always think we know how our child is doing. Then we get into a deep conversation and realize that compared to what we thought, they are doing either so much better or are suffering so much more. But they hold those feelings back to protect us. Sometimes they fear that talking about it means more pain, but this books shows that talking is healing, especially when we know how.” —Karrie Glazner, Mother of Three Wonderful Kids

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About author Connie E. Sokol:
Connie E. Sokol is a mother of seven and a favorite local and national speaker for over fifteen years. She is a core contributor on KSL TV's “Studio 5 with Brooke Walker” and a national blogger for "Motherhood Matters" at www.ksl.com. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications and newspaper and magazine columnist.

Mrs. Sokol is the author of twelve books including Faithful, Fit & Fabulous; Create a Powerful Life Plan; The Life is Too Short Collection; 40 Days with the Savior; and Caribbean Crossroads. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats.

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About author Rachelle J. Christensen:
 Rachelle J. Christensen is a mother of five who loves connecting with her children and wrote this book in answer to questions from her two daughters. She also has an amazing husband, three cats, and five chickens.

An award-winning author, she has written several mystery/suspense novels, and she solves the mystery of the missing shoe on a daily basis. Rachelle graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a music minor. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and, of course, reading.

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 Giveaway:
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ends 5/1/15 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 readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Slayed on the Slopes releases today!

Welcome to the release day event for Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley! This is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series. Slayed on the Slopes releases today, March 31st, by Kensington Publishing.

About the book:
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head...

She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers—Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!

Praise For Scene Of The Climb
“A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” –Library Journal

Includes Adventure Guides!

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Guest post from author Kate Dyer-Seeley:
Welcome to the top of the world. Okay, well maybe not quite. Welcome to the top of Oregon. In the second installment of the PNW Mystery Series Meg Reed is on the slopes of Oregon’s highest peak—Mt. Hood. She’s on assignment for Northwest Extreme to cover an intensive training weekend with the Ridge Rangers, a group of mountain guides who are dedicated to helping novice climbers trek to the summit.

Meg has high hopes for her weekend at high altitude. She plans to cozy up in front of a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate. She’s thrilled to be spending the weekend at the historic Timberline Lodge, one of Oregon’s most famed hotels and a national monument. 

The iconic lodge sits at 6,000 feet in elevation and is a testament to American craftsmanship and resolve. It was constructed in just fifteen months as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Unemployed workers from all over the country traveled to Mt. Hood to learn a new trade. They carted timber from the surrounding forest to carve out the lodge’s magnificent staircases and wood-beamed ceilings.

Today the lodge houses guests from all over the globe, making it one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions. In partnership with the National Forest Service, Timberline maintains the same high-quality craftsmanship as it did back in the 1930s. All the brightly colored Pendleton blankets in each quest room are woven by hand. The lodge is like stepping back in time. Down each cheery hallway you’ll discover Native American artwork, vintage ski photos, wood carvings, and stunning views of the summit and the entire Cascade Mountain Range.

After a long day on the slopes, you can gather in front of the giant basalt fireplace with steaming mugs of hot cocoa to warm your hands, or head to the Blue Ox Bar or Ram’s Head for a pint of Ice Axe Ale. You can soak your toes in Timberline’s outdoor hot tub or take a refreshing swim in its year-round heated outdoor pool. There’s nothing more magical than swimming as snowflakes fall and skiers fly past you.

When Meg arrives at the lodge she learns that the Ridge Rangers are actually meeting at the Silcox Hut, which is located a thousand vertical feet above Timberline and accessible only by snowcat or the chairlift. Meg’s not a fan of heights, so she opts for a bumpy ride up to the remote hut in the snowcat. The SilcoxHut is equally charming and fashioned after the lodge. Maybe she’ll be able to have her relaxing weekend after all… or maybe she’s going to be in way over her head.

Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!

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About author Kate Dyer-Seeley:

Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.

Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.

Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.

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Giveaway:

Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US). Ends April 21, 2015

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Alice's Portrait cover reveal, excerpt & giveaway

I'm excited to share the cover reveal of Alice's Portrait by Juliette Harper, the third book in the Lockwood Legacy series. This is an adult contemporary mystery that is also very focused on family, small town and ranch life as well as some clean romance.

About the book:
A year after Kate, Jenny, and Mandy Lockwood inherit The Rocking L, the sisters try to concentrate on their collective and individual futures.

In the previous book in The Lockwood Legacy series, Baxter’s Draw, the women made startling discoveries about their father’s secrets, but are mistaken in their belief that everything has now come to light.

In Alice’s Portrait, the ghosts of Langston Lockwood’s past once again confront his daughters, forcing them to re-evaluate their understanding of their father and of what it means to be a Lockwood.



Excerpt:
Instead of fighting back, Langston took off his hat and ran a tired hand through his graying hair. “Don’t talk about Alice,” he said. “You don’t know enough to talk about her. As for your Mama, there won’t be any peace for me over what I did to her, but she’s at peace, Jenny. I can at least tell you that.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel better, Daddy? Really? I know Mama is at peace because she was a kind, gentle woman. As for you, I hope you walk the earth for eternity and enjoy your own tailor-made brand of hell.”

“I reckon I probably will,” he said, the words filled with tired regret. “I always thought if there was an afterlife I’d find my Alice, but she isn’t here. I probably deserve that, but it’s bitter gall, little girl. It’s bitter gall all the same.”

“I’ll ask you again. What do you want, Daddy?” Jenny said, her voice ice cold.

“What I want is for you to make your peace with it, Jenny,” he said. “You got my temper and my gifts. Those things come from me and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it. You’ve got real talent. Only thing I could draw was my Alice, but you see the world with clear eyes. My art came from anger and pain, but yours comes from your soul. Let that out, daughter. That’s what I want.”

“You don’t know a damned thing about my soul,” she snapped.

“The hell I don’t,” he said mildly. “I was like you once, before I let life drive me over the edge. Fiery, passionate, idealistic. Being like me won’t hurt you, Jenny. You’re too strong. Katie, she’s tough and capable; she’s a thinker and her heart is as big as Texas when she opens it. But you, daughter? You’d spit the devil in the eye and dare him to cart you to hell. God knows you spit me in the eye.”

“You drove me away from my home! I was 17. I was alone and scared but I had to get the hell away from you. Do you have any idea what that was like for me, Daddy?”

“You should thank God I drove you away, girl,” Langston said. “Everything you went through out there is why you can be here now. Lead your life, Jenny. You and that Baxter boy, you got a future. There’s no coincidence him being a Baxter, you just don’t realize it yet.”

“Damn you,” she said. “Josh is right. You are haunting us. Dead or not, tend to your own business.”

“The dead always haunt the living, girl,” he said, standing up. “You got a hell of a lot more ghosts to worry about than me. Deal with them.”

As he started for the door, Jenny said to his back, “Daddy, did you ever love me?”

Langston turned, his hat in his hand. “I loved all my girls,” he said. “Problem was, I hated myself too much to show it. Look under the bridge, Jenny. You’ll find what you need to know there.”

Don’t miss out on the first book of the Lockwood Legacy series, Langston’s Daughters. 
The ebook is only 99 cents right now!

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Baxter's Draw, book two in the Lockwood Legacy is out now!

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About author Juliette Harper:

Juliette Harper is the pen name used by the writing team of Patricia Pauletti and Rana K. Williamson. Like the characters of their debut series, The Lockwood Legacy, Juliette is a merging of their creative energies.

Pauletti, an Easterner of Italian descent, is an accomplished musician with an eye for art and design.

Williamson, a Texan from a long line of hardheaded Scots, knows the world of the Lockwoods like the back of her hand.

“We decided to write under a pen name because neither one of us by ourselves could have created Kate, Jenny, Mandy, and their world,” says Pauletti. “Juliette is a little bit of us both. We want to be her when we grow up.”

“Patti teases me that I just don’t want to own up to writing a book with romance in it,” Williamson adds, “but that’s not true. I like the Lockwood women and the way they tackle everything life throws at them. And before we’re done, they’ll be ducking a lot. I imagine coming into the office every day and saying, ‘Okay Juliette, what’s going to happen now?’ She tells us, and we get it down on paper.”

Website    Twitter (@jharperbooks)

Giveaway:
Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Open internationally. Ends 4/14

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Marked (Servants of Fate #1) book review

About the book:
In a broken landscape carved by environmental collapse, Boston paramedic Cacia Ferry risks life and limb on the front lines of a fragile and dangerous city. What most don’t know—including her sexy new partner, Eli Margolis—is that while Cacy works to save lives, she has another job ferrying the dead to the Afterlife. Once humans are “Marked” by Fate, the powerful Ferrys are called to escort the vulnerable souls to either eternal bliss or unending fire and pain.

Unaware of Cacy’s other life, Eli finds himself as mesmerized by his fierce and beautiful partner as he is mistrustful of the influential Ferry clan led by the Charon—who happens to be Cacy’s father. Cacy, in turn, can no longer deny her intense attraction to the mysterious ex-Ranger with a haunted past. But just as their relationship heats up, an apparent hit takes the Charon before his time. Shaken to the core, Cacy pursues the rogue element who has seized the reins of Fate, only to discover that Eli has a devastating secret of his own. Not knowing whom to trust, what will Cacy have to sacrifice to protect Eli—and to make sure humanity’s future is secure?

Review:
The book opens with Cacy's first trip into the portal (veil). Then it flashes years into the future. Eli and his sister and changing cities for new jobs in a dystopian world. Dangers are all around them, but Eli's sister's research causes discord for the Ferrys and Ker. This puts them in even more danger. 

Though I've red stories about reapers, ferrys, psychopomps, etc.,  I enjoyed how Sarah Fine explained their role in her fictional world. Not only did Fine describe their roles, but she took readers into the veil to actually experience it. Even better, readers experience the veil from Cacy's point-of-view as well as Eli's. Cacy's knowledgeable about the veil and knows what dangers are there, while Eli accidentally found his way there. He did not know where he as the first time, and it was fun to see how he interpreted the new dimension/world.

This is definitely geared towards adults. There are several scenes where author Sarah Fine builds the sexual tension between the characters before anything formally happens with Cacy and Eli. It was nice to see a guy turn down the advances of a girl he really likes instead of taking the first opportunity to get with her. It made me like and really respect Eli. However, since this is an adult paranormal romance book, there is sex in it. It's done tastefully and isn't too vulgar.

There were basically three sections of the story. Eli finds out what Cacy is. He accepts that he loves her for who she is, but has to make a difficult choice. (Can't tell you what that is because it would be a spoiler!)  He makes the choice and has to live with the consequences.

There are traitors in the book. There are rouge Kers (the creatures that actually "mark" people for death). He/she/they have marked people before their time. There are traitors in the psychopomps organization too. Though some are discovered in the book, not all are. Readers will have to wait at least until the next book, Claimed, to find out more.

The book was well written. It drew me in and gave a good mix of description and action. The uniqueness of the plot made me want to keep reading. It isn't just a romance story. It has a ton of action and some mystery to it.


About author Sarah Fine:

I’m the author of several books for teens, including Of Metal and Wishes (McElderry/Simon & Schuster) and its sequel, Of Dreams and Rust (coming in August 2015), and the Guards of the Shadowlands YA urban fantasy series (Skyscape/Amazon Children’s Publishing).

I’m also the co-author (with Walter Jury) of two YA sci-fi thrillers published by Putnam/Penguin: Scan and its sequel Burn (which will be published in 2015).

My first adult urban fantasy romance novel, Marked, will be published in January 2015 by 47North/Amazon Publishing, with the sequel, Claimed, coming in March 2015.

When I’m not writing, I’m psychologizing. Sometimes I do both at the same time. The results are unpredictable.

Find Sarah:  Goodreads   Website   Facebook   Twitter   Tumbler   Pinterest

The Gifted and the Damned cover reveal & excerpt

Today I'm excited to help reveal the cover of Dana Michelle Burnett's book The Gifted and the Damned. If you like paranormal romance or if you love vampires, shifters, and sirens, then you definitely need to pick up this book when it releases on April 7th! Still need convincing? Checkout the steamy excerpt below

 About the book:
Seduction was her gift...He was her weakness...

In the small town of Corydon Indiana, witches, seers, and shape shifters live hidden from the everyday world in plain sight. They live under the constant memory of the trials of Salem and live by a code of secrecy.

Ruby Malone, the only siren ever born to her family of witches, held the hearts of many men in the palm of her hand, making her the talk of the supernatural community, but there was only one man that she wanted. Making seer Archer Wallace hers was the only thing Ruby cared about until a war between the gifted and the vampires turned her world upside down.

Suddenly, the world that Ruby knows is gone. Archer is off fighting in the war and Poe Corvus, a rebellious shape shifter with a past, tempts her to be the siren she was born to be.

Release Date:

April 7th 2015
Find it on Goodreads

Excerpt:
I saw her coming in my mind’s eye even before I answered the knock at the door. I opened it slowly and there she was...My curse, my temptation, the woman I could never forget. Ruby stood in the yellow glow of the porch light holding a large cardboard box.

“Dad noticed last night that some of your window panes were broken,” she said as she hoisted the box a little higher. “I thought I’d bring you some magazines and newspapers to fix them.”

I stared at her, drinking in the way the light caught in her eyes and how I could see the peaks of her  nipples through her worn t-shirt. She shifted the box again before I snapped out of my fantasy and took the box from her.

“Sorry,” I mumbled as I took the box and stepped aside. “Come on in. I’m sorry, but Melina wasn’t feeling well. She went on up to bed. I know she’d love to see you, she always looks forward to your visits.”

I was rambling and I knew it. Why was this so hard? It was just Ruby. It shouldn’t be this hard.

I watched as she walked around the near empty living room. I saw her looking around, but I was too distracted by the sway of her hips to care about my blatant poverty. She was beautiful in a strong, earthy way that made me forget everything else.

“Everything looks so different,” she said as she looked back at me with those green eyes that pierced me right in the gut. I had a sudden vision of her naked body under mine, our limbs entwined.

I immediately blushed and looked away, clearing my throat before I could answer her. “Yeah, there wasn’t much left after the war. The whole place was pretty much trashed.”

She stepped closer, trailing her fingers across the scuffed wainscoting, “It still feels the same though.”

“Not to me.” I dared to meet her eyes, but there came another flash of our naked bodies on the floor.

“It doesn’t really feel the same to me either,” she said with a teasing smile. “I was just being nice.”

I nodded. “Yeah, everyone is always trying to be nice. I’m sick of it actually. Doesn’t it make you mad...The way everything has changed?”

Ruby shrugged, “It doesn’t do any good to be angry. I just try not to think about it.”

“I don’t see how you can do it. All I can do is think about it.”

Ruby crossed her arms under her breasts and shrugged, “If you think about it too much it will drive you crazy.”

I looked up at the ceiling to keep from staring at her delicious cleavage, “I feel like I’m already there.”

“Poor, Archer.” Ruby said teasingly as she reached out and stroked my hair.

I looked back down at her and my breath caught. I loved the way she looked at me, the way her green eyes tilted up. I looked from those feline eyes to those soft full lips that were always mine for the taking.

Suddenly, I had her in my arms. I couldn’t stop myself. I was kissing her and pulling her closer, crushing her against the hardness in my jeans.

Her skin was sweet as I licked at her neck. Her moans vibrated against my lips. She clung to me, pushing her full breasts against my chest.

“I’ve waited for this,” Ruby muttered between kisses. “I’ve dreamed about it every night.”

I covered her lips with mine, tasting her tongue as my hand slid up her side until I cupped the weight of her breast, my thumb stroking her erect nipple through her shirt. I could feel her shudder under my touch.

No bra...She knows how to drive me wild...

She was pulling me to the couch, pushing me down so that I was sitting there as she peeled off her shirt and slid out of her own jeans. Naked she straddled me.

There it was, another vision of us, her crying out as I thrust into her and me kissing her bouncing breasts. Her lips against my ear brought me back to the present.

“Do you want me Archer?” She whispered, “Do you want to touch me?”

Ruby reached out and took my hand. She held it up to her lips, her delicious pink tongue darting out to lick each individual digit. I held my breath as she then guided my hand between her legs and slid two of my fingers up inside of her.

You drive me crazy...

She rocked against my hand, arching her back and moaning. I suckled at her pink nipples as she burst apart again and again.

“You’re mine Archer.” She gasped between spasms, “You’ll always be mine.”

I didn’t argue. I kissed her again and then watched as she surrendered to me again. All I could think of was impaling her wetness.

Oh God...Oh God...

Ruby pulled at my shirt, pulling it over my head and then kissing me long and hard, her tongue darting about in my mouth. She knew how to drive a man to the edge, to take me right to the brink and then pull back.

She was so beautiful, so willing... And so naked. She rubbed her steamy mound against me. I ached with longing, actual physical pain, with wanting her. She pulled me down into the floor, forcing me on top of her.

“Tell me you love me,” she said as she pulled at my pants. “Tell me you love me and I’ll make every fantasy you ever had come true.”

Another vision assaulted me. I could see us making love, I could feel our bodies touching, and then I saw the pale figure appear in the doorway.

Melina...

I stopped, panting and swollen. I pushed up on my arms and looked down at her, “Ruby I—“

“I know that you love me.” She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me back down on top of her. “I know that you do.”

“Yes, I love you.” I choked out as I untangled from her embrace and rolled off her. “But I can’t do this to Melina.”

“You bring her up

“Ruby...I...”

She sat up and pulled on her clothes quickly, “Damn it Archer...Why can’t you just make up your mind what you want. Me or her.”

“I did make my mind up because I married her.”

“You are such a bastard.”

I hated myself for giving in so easily to my desires. I reached out to her, but she pulled away. Before I could even get to my feet, she was out the door and hurrying down the sidewalk.

About author Dana Michelle Burnett:
Dana Michelle Burnett spent most of her life writing short stories and sharing them with family and friends. Over the years, her work was published in numerous commercial and literary magazines including Just Labs, Mindprints: A Literary Journal, Foliate Oak, and many more. Her short story John Lennon and the Chicken Holocaust was include in The Best of Foliate Oak 2006.  

Dana Michelle's Spiritus Series introduced the idea of a ghostly romance and became a Kindle bestselling series. Her Gypsy Fairy Tale Series combined the magic of the Tuatha De Danann and the Irish Travellers and the first book in the series,Once, was included in the Faery Realms Multi-Author Box Set. With this new series, Dana Michelle dives into the trials and tribulations surrounded the paranormal gifted during a war with vampires.

She's an avid reader of anything dark and romantic. Dana Michelle lives in Southern Indiana with her dancing diva daughter and an assortment of pets.

Dana Michelle loves connecting with her readers.You can find Dana at: Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   Goodreads

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