The Grizzly's Tale by Nara Malone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nara Malone’s The Grizzly’s Tale captured my imagination with its unique spin on shifter mythology. In this tale, Pantherians are beings with the dual nature of man and beast, who also happen to be the true ancestors of man and animals alike. Katya aka KatyDid plays in a virtual reality world called Quaterz. In Qualterz she can explore her every fantasy with bear shifter trio Grizz, Oso and Kodie. It’s the only way she can have fun because orgasm literary makes her disappear. Grizz, Oso and Kodie are determined to expose her jealously guarded real world identity and claim her for their own.
I loved how Nara Malone expressed Katya’s struggle with her real life and virtual life. It portrays how easy it is for fantasy to take the place of reality especially when the real world is full of complicated challenges. Seeing the character grow, overcome her fear and finally mesh her two lives together to make one whole was wonderful.
View all my reviews
Friday 30 December 2016
Monday 19 December 2016
The Blood Prince Official Trailer
Blood Prince March 18, 2017
He witnessed the world’s end once. Will he let it happen
again?
A young woman out of
options
The fate of the world rests in Zara Callahan’s hands. Resurrecting
the first vampire is the easy part. Teaching him the power of love proves to be
far more difficult, but that’s a risk she’s willing to take. With so many lives
hanging in the balance, can Zara convince Zed to change his plans before the
world as she knows it comes to an end?
A prince with a second chance
Handsome Zedekai is not of this world, but after meeting
Zara, he may be willing to assimilate himself in order to prevent a centuries
old vampire from destroying it. Centuries ago, the world came to a bitter end
right before his eyes. Now, an ancient threat has emerged to destroy the new
world.
No one has ever dared cross Lilith… no one until now.
Will Zara’s efforts stop the impending disaster before it’s
too late?
To read a free excerpt of the book click here
BOOK TRAILER
Blood Prince is now available for Pre-order on Amazon place your order today.
Tuesday 6 December 2016
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Son of a King
by Grace Ashley
Giveaway ends December 21, 2016.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway
Sunday 20 November 2016
The Beauty Of The New Covenant by Godswill Churchman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Beauty of the New Covenant is an interface of the Old and New Covenants. Godswill Churchman Chinedum looks at the weakness of the Old Covenant which was based on laws, ordinances, and animal sacrifices to atone for people’s sins which were not able to redeem humans from their sins.
This book shows that the era of Grace, which is the New Covenant is far better than the era of the law. In that what the blood of animals could not achieve to permanently eradicate the sins of the people, Christ did by going to the cross to die. As you read this book you will be abreast of the fact that:
• In the Old Covenant God dwelt in a temple made with hands, but in the New Covenant the Spirit of God lives inside of the believer.
• Aaron went behind the veil, but Christ tore the veil.
• Aaron offered his sacrifice once a year, but Christ offered His blood once and for all.
• Aaron offered animal blood, but Christ offered His own blood.
• Aaron offered his sacrifice for the Jews, but Christ offered His sacrifice for the world.
• Righteousness is not based on the law but on faith in Jesus Christ.
life threatening situations and afflictions. Trial and temptation is part of Christian faith because every faith must be tried and proven."
After years in the education system as a student, Sundays at church and Sunday school one would believe they have a good handle on what the bible teaches. This book is a pleasant surprise in that it takes a unique view to what the new testament means in today's world. A must read for those interested in the contrast between the new and old covenant.
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Summary
The Beauty of the New Covenant is an interface of the Old and New Covenants. Godswill Churchman Chinedum looks at the weakness of the Old Covenant which was based on laws, ordinances, and animal sacrifices to atone for people’s sins which were not able to redeem humans from their sins.
This book shows that the era of Grace, which is the New Covenant is far better than the era of the law. In that what the blood of animals could not achieve to permanently eradicate the sins of the people, Christ did by going to the cross to die. As you read this book you will be abreast of the fact that:
• In the Old Covenant God dwelt in a temple made with hands, but in the New Covenant the Spirit of God lives inside of the believer.
• Aaron went behind the veil, but Christ tore the veil.
• Aaron offered his sacrifice once a year, but Christ offered His blood once and for all.
• Aaron offered animal blood, but Christ offered His own blood.
• Aaron offered his sacrifice for the Jews, but Christ offered His sacrifice for the world.
• Righteousness is not based on the law but on faith in Jesus Christ.
My review
"Many Christians today deny the Lord on a constant basis, especially when faced with challenges,life threatening situations and afflictions. Trial and temptation is part of Christian faith because every faith must be tried and proven."
After years in the education system as a student, Sundays at church and Sunday school one would believe they have a good handle on what the bible teaches. This book is a pleasant surprise in that it takes a unique view to what the new testament means in today's world. A must read for those interested in the contrast between the new and old covenant.
View all my reviews
Saturday 5 November 2016
Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Summary
Eleven thousand years ago, before the seas swallowed the Atlanteans, Poseidon assigned a few chosen warriors to act as sentinels for humans in the new world. There was only one rule-desiring them was forbidden. But rules were made to be broken...
When she calls...
Riley Dawson is more than a dedicated Virginia Beach social worker. She's blessed with a mind link that only Atlanteans have been able to access for thousands of years. Being an "empath" may explain her wistful connection to the roiling waves of the ocean, the sanctuary it provides, and the sexual urges that seem to emanate from fathoms below...
He will come.
Conlan, the High Prince of Atlantis, has surfaced on a mission to retrieve Poseidon's stolen trident. Yet something else has possessed Conlan: the intimate emotions-and desires-of a human. Irresistibly drawn to the uncanny beauty, Conlan soon shares more than his mind. But in the midst of a battle to reclaim Poseidon's power, how long can a forbidden love last between two different souls from two different worlds?
My review
The story revolves around Conlan, the high priest of Atlantis and Riley Dawson. Conlan has been held prisoner by an evil vampiress who enjoys torturing people. Vampire's are hell bent on ruling mankind and the Atlanteans fight to keep them at bay. When Conlan is released from bondage he is soon set on a course to recover the trident which has been stolen by a power hungry warrior.
Definately a must read. After stories on vampires,werewolves and the other predictable heroes that go bump in the night Atlantis Rising is a refreshing change. The story line is great though in some instances it reminded me of Christine Feehan's Dark books. Will be looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I hope it will be the priest getting married this time.
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Summary
Eleven thousand years ago, before the seas swallowed the Atlanteans, Poseidon assigned a few chosen warriors to act as sentinels for humans in the new world. There was only one rule-desiring them was forbidden. But rules were made to be broken...
When she calls...
Riley Dawson is more than a dedicated Virginia Beach social worker. She's blessed with a mind link that only Atlanteans have been able to access for thousands of years. Being an "empath" may explain her wistful connection to the roiling waves of the ocean, the sanctuary it provides, and the sexual urges that seem to emanate from fathoms below...
He will come.
Conlan, the High Prince of Atlantis, has surfaced on a mission to retrieve Poseidon's stolen trident. Yet something else has possessed Conlan: the intimate emotions-and desires-of a human. Irresistibly drawn to the uncanny beauty, Conlan soon shares more than his mind. But in the midst of a battle to reclaim Poseidon's power, how long can a forbidden love last between two different souls from two different worlds?
My review
The story revolves around Conlan, the high priest of Atlantis and Riley Dawson. Conlan has been held prisoner by an evil vampiress who enjoys torturing people. Vampire's are hell bent on ruling mankind and the Atlanteans fight to keep them at bay. When Conlan is released from bondage he is soon set on a course to recover the trident which has been stolen by a power hungry warrior.
Definately a must read. After stories on vampires,werewolves and the other predictable heroes that go bump in the night Atlantis Rising is a refreshing change. The story line is great though in some instances it reminded me of Christine Feehan's Dark books. Will be looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I hope it will be the priest getting married this time.
View all my reviews
Monday 31 October 2016
Horrorfest
My contribution to this years Bloody Parchment 2016 Anthology
Waking
the Dead
“Tell me again why I agreed to this harebrained
scheme?” Sarah Carrick took a deep breath and tightened her hold on her best
friend’s hand.
“You want to speak to Scott don’t you?” Steph
asks. At Sarah’s nod she continues. “This is the only way. Mona assured me this woman’s mojo is strong.”
“And we trust Mona?” she murmurs eyeing the decrepit
building in front of them.
To describe the structure in front of them as a
house would be too charitable. The four wooden walls of what must have been a
rectangular Wendy house are collapsing inwards into a weird polygon shape. The
path leading to the place is made of cracked tar. Around them the streets are
empty but she can see one or two curtains twitching into place whenever her
eyes flicker past. If she wasn’t so
desperate to talk to Scott she would back in the car and get out of there.
“Uh-ha,” Steph mumbles back tapping in a quick
message on her smartphone.
Looking around at their less than stellar
surroundings Sarah wonders how Stephanie could be at ease. This was the type of
neighbourhood where you kept your purse out of sight, pepper spray on the
ready.
“Are you sure it’s safe to leave the car out
here?” Sarah whispered.
“Sarah would you relax already!” Steph replies in
obvious vexation. “Do you really believe I would lead you into a potentially
dangerous situation? Mona and her friends always come here and nothing bad has
ever happened to them. According to Mona the lady has a reputation around here.
No one would dare to steal on her doorstep.”
Shoving the phone into her coat pocket she starts
pulling Sarah along. “Come on.”
Sarah allows herself to be dragged towards the
broken wooden door. Steph knocks on the
door and it is opened by an old black woman.
“Hi I’m Stephanie and this is my friend Sarah,”
Steph says brightly thrusting her hand into the woman’s hand.
The woman smiles widely opening the door wider
for them to enter. “My name is Tandi. I’ve been expecting you. Come on in.”
Steph moves inside and Tandi turns towards Sarah
to shake her hand. Sarah takes her warm hand and smiles politely.
“Hello,” she mummers as she passes
through the door. Tandi glances outside briefly before closing the door behind
them.
“Please take
a seat ladies,” Tandi said indicating the two-seater sofa. “What I can do for
you.”
Sarah is pleasantly surprised to find a warmly
decorated room. The floor is covered with a large red carpet and on the walls
are framed family photographs. Somehow Tandi has managed to make the place look
comfortable. The furniture is old but sturdy-looking. Sarah is convinced that the table between the two-seater
and Tandi’s chair is an antique if her eyes aren’t deceiving her.
Sarah sits next to Steph on the surprisingly
comfortable sofa. She studies Tandi while pretending to look at her home. In
her yellow polloneck jersey and brown wraparound skirt Tandi is not what Sarah
expected at all. She knew it was
stereotyping but she’d had been expecting those feathery headdress and other fetishes—not
all this crazy normal.
“What can I do for you?” Tandi asks again, her dark
eyes alight with amusement. Sarah wonders if she can divine what she was
thinking. That would be mortifying.
“I want to talk to my fiancé Scott. He’s been
gone for two months now...” Sarah’s voice tappers off at the end. She wipes
away the stray tears from her eyes. Just talking about him brings fresh grief. He
was the love of her life and he’d died so young. They’d had so many plans but
none of that would happen because he was gone.
“It’s okay sweetie,” Steph’s arm goes around
Sarah’s shoulders and she draws comfort from the caring embrace.
“Is it possible...Can I speak to him?” she asks
Tandi.
“I’ll do my best,” Tandi replied. “But you have
to understand the rules. The spirits of the dead are unpredictable.” As she spoke Tandi took out a small wooden
bowl with strange carvings on the side. From
a side drawer she produces a tiny bunch of herbs tied in the middle.
“Contacting the spirits of the dead is dangerous
work, for you and for me. That’s why you have to follow the rules to the
letter. No matter what happens you do what I ask you to do. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Tandi’s serious expression is a bit scary
but Sarah was undaunted she would do anything to see Scott again.
“Alright then we can get started,” she said at
last. “Did you bring anything of his?”
Steph takes out the watch Sarah had bought for
Scott last Christmas. Tandi takes it and places it in the bowl. Then she takes
a sharp quill and reaches for Sarah’s hand. Sarah gasps at the sharp pain when
Tandi pokes her. Holding her hand over the bowl she lets Sarah’s blood drip
over the gold watch. Sarah counts six drops, enough to cover the glass face of
the watch. She pops her finger into her mouth watching Tandi work.
Tandi picks up the herbs and lights them with a
match. The fragrant scent of burning herbs fills the house as Tandi begins to chant
in her native tongue. Sarah is captivated by the cadence of the low rhythmic
words and her eyes are drawn to the little bowl in the middle of the table
where her blood was being absorbed into the watch’s golden metal.
As Tandi chanted waving the little bunch of herbs
in swirling circles she notices that the smoke from the herbs is collecting
into a solid mass. It keeps pilling up next to the table into a tall column of grey
smoke. Sarah stares open mouthed as the smoke takes shape and distinct features
emerge. She can’t help but gasp when
Scott smiles down at her from his great height.
“What is it? Do you see something?” Steph asks
excitedly.
Sarah doesn’t answer as she rises shakily to her
feet barely noticing Steph looking around obviously not seeing anything.
“Scott?”
“Sarah I’ve missed you so much.”
Scott’s voice brings fresh tears to her eyes. She
really missed hearing that deep voice. “OMG it’s really you!”
“It’s me baby.”
“Oh Scott I miss you so much,” Sarah’s hand
trembles up. “I hope you don’t mind but I was desperate to see you.”
“Don’t touch him!” Tandi’s urgent voice gets
through to her just in time and she lowers her hand to her side.
“I always knew you loved me,” Scott smiles sadly.
“But it’s time to let me go.”
Tears start streaming down her cheeks, “How am I
supposed to live without you? Losing you was so hard.”
“I know baby. I didn’t want to go but my time was
up,” he said looking behind him. “At least we get to say goodbye this time.”
His joke makes tears stream down her face harder.
She’d just got him back now he was being taken away from her again. Double the
loss. Double the pain.
“What happens if I touch him?” Sarah asks keeping
her eyes on Scott’s flickering image. Already the white light surrounding Scott
is fading. They have very little time left.
“You would die,” she replied in a solemn voice.
“Sarah, what are you doing?” Steph is on her feet
too trying to hold her back.
“I meant what I said,” she murmurs back. “I can’t
live without him. My life is not worth living anymore.”
“That’s not true! You have family that loves you and...me.”
Steph’s voice breaks at the end but Sarah’s mind is made up.
“I know,” Sarah smiles and touches the column of
smoke. “I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.”
Everyone cries out but it’s too late her fingers
have touched the dead. A cold icy pain
races up her arm and envelopes her entire body. Yes, she thinks, I am about to
die. She is vaguely aware of Tandi and Steph kneeling next to her.
“I love you Stephanie Richards,” she forces out
of her lips.
“Do something!” Steph grips Tandi by the arm
shaking her in her desperation.
“It’s okay Steph. This is my choice—” Her words
end in a long shuddering gasp. The cold has spread to her heart and she can
feel it falter.
“There is nothing I can do for her.”
Sarah would have smiled if she could. She wasn’t
afraid. In a few moments she would be with Scott again. The pain is receding
and she feels like she’s floating on a cotton cloud. This must be how death
feels like, she thinks.
“What’s happening to her?” Steph asks Tandi. Her
friend is lying on the floor eyes wide open, a silly smile on her face but she’s
still breathing.
“The dead cannot return to the living but the
living can join the dead,” Tandi replies. “Her body is dead but her spirit will
be trapped within it until her time comes.”
“No!!!” Sarah screams but no one can hear her.
She no longer has a voice.
Wednesday 26 October 2016
Burning Woman part 16
The morning after
our disastrous dinner I was treated to Morris’ silent treatment. My tentative
attempts to start conversation where met with infuriating one word answers. Teenagers
argh!
I was a little late
for work and the sister in charge gave me a warning. Way to start the morning.
Hurrah!
As I do my rounds my
day starts getting better. I love the hospital routine which keeps me occupied
until the lunch hour. I clock out on the time sheet and head for the cafeteria
where my colleagues are already monopolizing the huge central table.
“Hey Rudo come sit
with us,” Trevor says in his deep booming voice.
“I’ll be there just
now,” I smile as I join the queue. There are only three other people in front
of me so it doesn’t take long for me to get served.
“Hi Bianca!” I great
the buxom head cook.
“Hi Rudo,” she
replies. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great,
and you?” I study the menu as she finishes dishing for the last person on the
queue.
“Same old, same old,”
she says wiping her hands on her pristine white apron. “What can I get you
today?”
“I’ll have rice and
beef stew please.” One of the best things about my job is that the hospital
provides its employees with one full meal per shift. This feature has gone a
long way to helping me save money and maintain a healthy budget.
Once I have my tray
I thank Bianca and move towards Trevor’s table.
“Hey guys how’s it
going?” I say taking my place next to Samantha Hove one of the nurses from the
casualty ward. I get a few hand waves but otherwise they are too busy sharing
the latest gossip to mind me.
“I told you there
was something fishy going on with those two!”
“I’m telling you
they did it in the storeroom!” Trevor says from across the table. Trevor has forever
abolished the ‘men don’t gossip’ myth from my mind. He’s a tall reed thin man
in his mid-forties. He’s a security guard in the casualty ward so I see him a
lot while doing my rounds. He’s one of the friendliest people around but he’s
also a chronic gossip.
“Who did what in the
storeroom?” I ask Samantha quietly, totally feeling out of the loop.
“Dr Changa and that
new nurse aid Tsakane,”
“You’re kidding!” Samantha
laughs at my shocked gasp.
“I kid you not,”
Trevor says cutting off Samantha. “I’ve seen them go into that room too many
times.”
“But he’s married!”
“So?” Tendai says
rolling her eyes at me. “Married men cheat all the time.”
I have to agree to
that one. I was the living talking example of cheating husbands. I had a
members t-shirt.
“I bet she’s
boinking her way to a promotion,” Sam speculates. I have to agree with him. Dr
Changa is the head of the casualty department. He could make or break a young
nurse’s career.
“Well she’s definitely
working hard at it!” Trevor says, making everyone laugh. “She’s in the
storeroom at least three times a day.”
“It’s so unfair,”
Sam grumbles. Sam is the only male nurse in casualty and if it takes a couple
of booty calls to get a promotion then he was definitely in trouble.
“It is what it is,”
Trevor says. “There’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Don’t look so sad
Sam. Dr Changa always goes after the newbies. He’s always making promises he
doesn’t keep,” Cynthia an older nurse says. She’s been working at the hospital
far longer than anyone else.
I check the time on my wrist watch and see that I’ve
five minutes left. I say my goodbyes and head out of the cafeteria. I don’t
want to push my luck by being late twice.
Monday 24 October 2016
The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Summary
The Wolf
Noble Aislinn grieves as the Iron Wolf and his minions storm through her beloved Darkenwald. And she burns with malice for the handsome Norman savage who would enslave her. . .even as she aches to know the rapture of the conqueror′s kiss
The Dove
For the first time ever, mighty Wulfgar has been vanquished--and by a bold and beautiful princess of Saxon blood. He must have the chaste, sensuous enchantress who is sworn to his destruction. And he will risk life itself to nurture with tender passion a glorious union born in the blistering heat of hatred and war.
My review
This book was one of my first not to mention favourite medieval romances. Set in England when the Saxons where conquered by the Normans, The Wolf and The Dove is an excellent bodice ripper. The story starts with the defeat of the heroin's father at the hands of the honorless knight and his deplorable sidekick. Aislinn of Darkenwald watches her father and other serfs murdered outside her home.
To make matters worse she is claimed as the spoils of war by her fathers murderer and forced into his bed that very night. Aislinn and her elderly mother conspire to escape but are stopped by Wulfgar, the Iron Wolf of Normandy, newly arrived to rule Darkenwald, and one look at Aislinn leads him to claim her as his own. She hates the Norman conquering forces, but Wulfgar awakens a consuming passion in her that she can't deny. As she struggles with her growing love for Wulfgar, she does what she can to aid her conquered people and her bereaved mother.
But the jealous murderer conspires with Wulfgar's half-sister Gwen to do away with Aislinn and Wulfgar. When Aislinn is kidnapped Wulfgar can finally admit that the woman he conquered has in truth, conquered his heart.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Summary
The Wolf
Noble Aislinn grieves as the Iron Wolf and his minions storm through her beloved Darkenwald. And she burns with malice for the handsome Norman savage who would enslave her. . .even as she aches to know the rapture of the conqueror′s kiss
The Dove
For the first time ever, mighty Wulfgar has been vanquished--and by a bold and beautiful princess of Saxon blood. He must have the chaste, sensuous enchantress who is sworn to his destruction. And he will risk life itself to nurture with tender passion a glorious union born in the blistering heat of hatred and war.
My review
This book was one of my first not to mention favourite medieval romances. Set in England when the Saxons where conquered by the Normans, The Wolf and The Dove is an excellent bodice ripper. The story starts with the defeat of the heroin's father at the hands of the honorless knight and his deplorable sidekick. Aislinn of Darkenwald watches her father and other serfs murdered outside her home.
To make matters worse she is claimed as the spoils of war by her fathers murderer and forced into his bed that very night. Aislinn and her elderly mother conspire to escape but are stopped by Wulfgar, the Iron Wolf of Normandy, newly arrived to rule Darkenwald, and one look at Aislinn leads him to claim her as his own. She hates the Norman conquering forces, but Wulfgar awakens a consuming passion in her that she can't deny. As she struggles with her growing love for Wulfgar, she does what she can to aid her conquered people and her bereaved mother.
But the jealous murderer conspires with Wulfgar's half-sister Gwen to do away with Aislinn and Wulfgar. When Aislinn is kidnapped Wulfgar can finally admit that the woman he conquered has in truth, conquered his heart.
View all my reviews
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