Review: M-Day by D.T. Dyllin

MDAY_FRONTjpegM-Day
(M-Day, #1)
By: D.T. Dyllin
Publisher: Tik Tok Press
Published: Jan. 7, 2013
Genre: Dystopian Erotic Romance
Rating:
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Before the day… before M-day… people used to read books and watch movies about zombies. They used to dress up as zombies; pretend to kill zombies… Basically, zombies had become a part of popular culture in a very unexpected way.

The highly anticipated zombie apocalypse never came.

What did come was much worse than any city over run with shambling corpses after brains and flesh. A virus… a virus that only affected men. Nobody knew what caused it, or where it had come from, not that it really mattered. It’s here and there’s no going back.

Maxine was one of the lucky ones–she got out alive. She and her friends banded together to survive the new desolate conditions left behind by the virus. When a supply gathering mission goes awry, Max and company are left with no better choice than to trust a group of uninfected military men. No longer on the run from her infected husband, Max discovers there could be worse dangers for her on the horizon… Like losing her heart to her mysterious savior everyone calls Zee.

 

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Excerpt: The Kiss of a Viscount by Linda Rae Sande

17658532The Kiss of a Viscount
(The Daughters of the Aristocracy, #1)
By: Linda Rae Sande
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: March 4, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance

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Having inherited a viscountcy, George Bennett-Jones knows he must find a bride, preferably the daughter of an aristocrat. His mistress Josephine insists on it. Through a series of lessons, she instructs George on the finer points of meeting and pleasing a woman. Josie has the ear of a politically powerful marquess, and his daughter, Lady Elizabeth, would suit perfectly. Elizabeth, though, has her sights on the handsome Earl of Trenton. When he returns to London for the Little Season, she is sure he will propose. Elizabeth has secretly founded her own charity, Finding Work for the Wounded, using bribery to secure employment for ex-soldiers. The first beneficiary of her charity knows George. Knowing he has only one night to court Elizabeth, George enlists Josie to help make the evening s arrangements. She acts as a chaperone, assuring Elizabeth she is safe with George, and shares information she has learned from Trenton s mistresses.

 

Excerpt

“I must find Mr. Bennett-Jones for this dance,” Elizabeth stated as she heard the orchestra begin playing. She moved away from her friends, and then, sure no one was watching her, stepped out through the nearest door. Having been in Lady Worthington’s home several times, she knew exactly where to find the library. Certain she wasn’t seen, Elizabeth ducked into the room and quietly closed the door behind her. Holding the knob to lock it, she was dismayed to find it did not have a lock.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to make do without a lock.”

Elizabeth gasped and whirled around to find George leaning against a library table, his arms crossed over his chest and his face sporting a mischievous grin. Her breath caught again as she realized the man wasn’t as unattractive as she’d first thought. In fact, with his sable hair combed into a perfect Titus style and the close fit of his evening wear and the grin that lifted his eyes, and indeed, his entire face, Elizabeth thought him rather handsome. “George!” she whispered hoarsely, meaning to scold him for startling her.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he said as he bowed. “I thought you would at least look about the room before you closed the door,” he teased, but then his breath caught as he took in the sight of her again. The auburn curls atop her head were dressed with satin ribbons and mother-of-pearl combs, a single strand of pearls graced the base of her long neck, and the satin gown displayed the tops of her breasts and a rather deep cleavage.

Curtsying to his bow, Elizabeth nearly rolled her eyes. “It is I who should be apologizing, George. I do hope you have not been waiting long,” she hedged as she moved to stand before him.

My whole life, he almost said. “Just a few moments. Enough time to read The Iliad and half of The Odyssey,” he added as he waved toward a copy of Homer’s epic poems left open on the table. Two glasses of champagne stood next to the book. “Will you join me in a toast?” he wondered as he picked up the glasses and held one out to her.

Smiling at his attempt at humor, Elizabeth felt the nervousness leave her body. This was George. Just George. She had nothing to fear from him. He was just going to kiss her. “Of course,” she finally said, moving a step closer to take the glass.

George’s eyes closed for more than a blink, as if he was saying a silent prayer. “To the art of kissing,” he stated, holding his glass out to touch hers.

 

author7008676

A self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.

Now running the front office of a busy print shop, she’s developed an appreciation for pretty papers and spends time using them in her scrapbooks. She can frequently be found at the local cinema enjoying the latest movie. During the winter, she hosts several junior hockey players, and an indeterminate number of tropical fish live with her year-round. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming.

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Review: The P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy by D.T. Dyllin

19448945The P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy
(The P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy, #1-3)
By: D.T. Dyllin
Publisher: Tik Tok Press
Published: Dec. 23, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Rating:
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The P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy anthology contains the following books:

~Hidden Gates (Book 1)~
For P.J. Stone, being a “Seer” who has never seen anything is less than fun. And P.J. isn’t known for her patience.

To make matters worse, she must choose a suitable mate to continue the Seer bloodline. Duty always comes before her heart…at least that’s what her parents taught her. When she finds herself wanting someone who is considered off-limits, P.J. is forced to question everything she believes.

As if navigating her love life isn’t complicated enough, P.J. finally receives a vision—of a threat to her world that only she can perceive. But no one will believe a fledgling Seer’s warnings. With nowhere else to turn, she may decide to trust a stranger with her life, her world, and maybe even her heart.

~Broken Gates (Book 2)~
P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late.

In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save.

After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she’d have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?

~Open Gates (Book 3)~
Bryn is gone. Jenna isn’t herself. And the world has been taken over by the alien Riders. The only constant in P.J.’s life is Khol. But even he might not be able to help her pick up the shattered pieces of her existence.

P.J. finally gets the answers to all her questions, but will she be able to handle the truth? And will she be strong enough to face her own destiny when the time comes?

 

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Goodbye 2013!

newyear

2013 has come and gone and it has been one very busy year. I went to my first book signing and attended my first book convention where I got to meet some awesome authors. I’d like to thank all my readers for sticking with me. Who knows what this year will bring but I’m sure it’ll be amazing.

 

Pictured below is D.T. Dyllin and Gina Damico.

dara rnc Gina 

This year I set a goal to read 225 books. I wound up surpassing that goal which is amazing in itself.

Maybe next year I’ll shoot for 250.2013booksI won’t go into detail about all the books I loved. However, I did link the image above to the goodreads 2013 shelf. Pretty much all of them have reviews but not all of them have been featured on the blog. One thing I am hoping for in 2014 is to branch out of my comfort zone (romance) and try reading other types of books.

kRISTIN

Review: Ruined by Jus Accardo

18545084Ruined
(The Eternal Balance, #1)
By: Jus Accardo
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Published: Dec. 30, 2013
Genre: Paranormal New Adult
Rating:
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Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world’s first murderer, he’s plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it’s killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can’t outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she’s thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she’s been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax’s control over his darkness, but running isn’t an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

 

1thoughtsJax is a descendant from Cain. His family has been plagued by a curse. One where a male from the family hosts a demon inside of them. Jax was the winner of the draw. When his demon becomes too much to bear he skips town, never to be heard from again. But when his uncle (the man who raised him) falls ill, Jax finds himself back in the one place he vowed never to return to facing those he loves and those his demon would love to destroy.

This is the first book of Jus’ that I’ve ever read. I’ve heard a lot of great things about her other books and was really looking forward to this one. Sure I’ve read demon books before but they were just that, demon books. This one revolved around Cain and Abel and I must admit that it was an interesting story even if I was unfamiliar with the original story itself.

Even though Jax has a demon who demands peoples suffering and pain, he himself is a great guy. Sure he does the demon’s bidding when the pain get to be too much but he chooses people who are themselves either demons or horrible people and he never kills them, ever. So given his situation, he handles everything pretty well.

“My life was twisted. The more misery I caused people, the happier the demon was. The happier the demon was, the more I wanted to kick my own ass.”

Sam is the love of his life. She’s a stubborn woman who no matter what insults he throws her way, she sees through them. Even though she enrages his demon beyond control, she grounds him. She was one of those heroins who wasn’t too stupid and stubborn for their own good but wasn’t a total wimp either. She knew when to call bullshit with Jax and when to keep quiet as to not push the demon too far.

“San had blinders on when it came to me. I’d told her the truth. She’s seen the demon. I’s been a dick. Treated her like shit. I’d even tried-and failed- to scare her. What more could I possibly do?”

The story was a love story through the majority of it but quickly switched gears into a mega battle between demons by the end. A lot takes place in this story that I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I didn’t see a lot of it coming and was really happy that the author thought outside the box and brought some creativity into the story.

 

1favequote“See now I’d love to say this is a good surprised, but ya know… You’re kinda like herpes. Totally unwanted.”

kRISTIN

Review: Angelbound by Christina Bauer

18459932Angelbound
(Angelbound, #1)
By: Christina Bauer
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Published: Dec. 17, 2013
Genre: Paranormal New Adult
Rating:
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Eighteen year old Myla Lewis is a girl who loves two things: kicking ass and kicking ass. She’s not your every day quasi-demon, half-demon and half-human, girl. For the past five years, Myla has lived for the days she gets to fight in Purgatory’s arena. When souls want a trial by combat for their right to enter heaven or hell, they go up against her, and she hasn’t lost a battle yet.

But as she starts her senior year at Purgatory High, the arena fights aren’t enough to keep her spirits up anymore. When the demons start to act weird, even for demons, and the King of the Demons, Armageddon, shows up at Myla’s school, she knows that things are changing and it’s not looking good for the quasi-demons. Myla starts to question everything, and doesn’t like the answers she finds. What happened seventeen years ago that turned the quasi-demons into slave labor? Why was her mom always so sad? And why won’t anyone tell her who her father is? Things heat up when Myla meets Lincoln, the High Prince of the Thrax, a super sexy half-human and half-angel demon hunter. But what’s a quasi-demon girl to do when she falls for a demon hunter? It’s a good thing that Myla’s not afraid of breaking a few rules. With a love worth fighting for, Myla’s going to shake up Purgatory.

 
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Excerpt: Shatter by Joan Swan

shatter

shatter1Shatter
(Phoenix Rising, #4)
By: Joan Swan
Publisher: Brava
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance

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For seven years, Halina Beloi has been in hiding. But she’s never forgotten Mitch Foster, the long, lean man she had to leave behind. Until, that is, Mitch shows up with a list of questions and a 9mm in his hand.

All Mitch knows is that Halina broke his heart and disappeared. But new information has surfaced implicating her as a player in the deadliest game of Mitch’s life. This time, he’s not letting go without answers. Now terror, danger and heat will fuse them together or shatter the future. . .

 

ExcerptThe attacker’s mouth tipped in a knowing smile. “Sweetheart, I’m the new player in this game. Schaeffer is old news. All I need is the genetic research you took when you left DARPA. Then you can come with me, join a winning team for a change, live the life you deserve after all your hard work. Or I can go away and leave you with this pathetic loser to hash out all those nasty secrets from your past. It’s up to you.”

“If you expect us to believe you’re just going to let us go,” Mitch said, “you’ve been watching too much Hawaii Five-O.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you believe, Foster.” To Halina he said, “Nothing you or Foster can do will damage my plans. Everything is already in motion—way far away. You, on the other hand, can work miracles to enhance it. Either way, I’m solid, just behind schedule without your research. Foster is all drama.”

“Halina…” Mitch said from between clenched teeth, his voice filled with warning.

She didn’t look at Mitch. “If I give you the research, you’ll leave us alone?”

“Halina, don’t.” Mitch stepped forward.

“Stop, Foster,” the gunman said without removing his gaze from

Halina’s face. “Yes, Beloi. You give me the research and I’ll leave you and Foster alone. This doesn’t have to be difficult.”

Halina shifted closer to the gunman. She could take the weapon pointed at her forehead. Ten seconds and she’d have control over the military-style Beretta. Fifteen and the attacker would have a broken finger. Twenty, a broken nose.

But his other arm was extended well out of her reach, the weapon pointed steadily at Mitch’s chest. And she didn’t know how to get one weapon without triggering the other.

“It’s in the house,” she said. “In a safe.”

“Hands, Foster. Hands.” The gunman’s warning made her dart a look toward Mitch. He lifted a hand from behind his body, where he’d been reaching for something. “If I have to warn you again, it will be with a bullet.” Then to Halina, “Your boyfriend and your dog are the most annoying creatures I’ve ever run across.”

“Let Mitch take the dog and go. I’ll get you the research from the house.” Where she knew every inch of every room. Where she had built in traps. Where she could take this man down, knock him out and restrain him.

“Hell no,” Mitch said, “I’m not getting near Kujo.”

The gunman laughed and turned his head toward Mitch.

Get close. Take control. Tommy’s commands whispered in her head.

Halina stepped in, grabbed the gunman’s wrist in one hand, the muzzle of the weapon in the other. He immediately resisted, his muscles tensing. She used his rigid arm to pivot his body away from Mitch. Leaned on his wrist, shoved his arm. Underhand grab, twist, flip.

Snap.

The gunman screamed. Dex went insane inside the car. Halina’s stomach tweaked at the crack of bone. But she didn’t have time to dwell. She gripped the hand trapped in the weapon by a broken finger and yanked his arm down, pulling his face into her thrusting knee.

Crunch.

Mitch came into her peripheral vision, crouched, ready to jump in.

“Stay out of it,” she warned. He’d mess up her moves, her rhythm, her

The gunman jerked backward, but found his hand still locked in the gun. “You bitch!”

Halina shot a kick to his balls, but he evaded. Swung his free arm and slammed her temple with the other weapon.

Fire split her skull. She stumbled sideways, but kept hold of his injured hand. Something pulled at the man from the other direction, jerking his hand in the weapon and giving Halina the break she needed to gain her feet. He screamed. Almost went down on his knees. But didn’t. His boot rammed her hip. “You fucking bitch.”

She hit the ground and used her weight and momentum to pull him down with her. Caught sight of Mitch behind the gunman. Terror etched on his face.

She ignored him. She had this.

She twisted the gunman’s injured hand, bent it back and flipped him. Her energy dipped. Instead of giving Halina that shocked second to regroup and start a ground attack, the gunman immediately sat forward, his good hand swinging toward her head. Halina grabbed it. She had to end this fast, while she still could.

She pushed his arms wide. Tucked her chin. Used her legs to thrust her body upward. The crown of her head rammed his face. The sounds of impact—bone and flesh, the man’s grunt—registered a split second before pain exploded in her brain. Ricocheted beneath her skull. And her world blinked out.

 
authorJoan

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Joan Swan writes sexy romantic suspense for Kensington (Phoenix Rising Series) and independently (Covert Affairs Series). She also works as a sonographer at a top medical facility in San Francisco and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

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Review: The Learner by Alan Nayes

17303094The Learner
(Learner, #1)
By: Alan Nayes
Publisher: Self-Published
Published: Jan. 27, 2013
Genre: Sci/Fi Paranormal Romance
Rating:
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NayéLi has come from the dark side of the universe to learn as much as she can about the third planet from the sun, and to communicate her findings back to her home world. NayéLi is a Learner – and on Earth she assumes the form of a young human female of the indigenous host species.

NayéLi is bound by her rulers’ laws of planetary exploration, which state that there can be no involvement with a member of the host species. But NayéLi is more human now than she realizes. And she is about to fall in love.

 

1thoughtsNayéLi is an alien from another planet that was sent to Earth to learn about the land and the inhabitants. She’s spent hundreds of years wondering Earth, cataloging everything she witnesses. Her species is not only more advanced but also has the ability to shield themselves from the planets hosts. So they can wonder the world and blend in with people and if someone notices her, they forget all about her within a matter of minutes. However, Jared remembers her and she’s about to break the #1 rule of being a Learner. Never get involved with the native species.

I will be honest that the first half of the book was really slow moving for me. You go through the first time Jared see’s NayéLi. Weeks after their first meeting and how he constantly thinks about her and tries to find her again. Meanwhile NayéLi’s dialect is more background information about her planet and her mission. It isn’t until about 50% through the story that things started to move a bit faster. That’s when I really started to get interested in the story and the characters within it.

The world that Nayes created was definitely a new one for me. NayéLi is an interesting character who slowly starts to become more human throughout the story. I liked how they start to find ways around her shield as well. Which of course helps her feel more included on Earth than she’s ever been. I really started to feel sad for her and the situation that she was in both on Earth and once she returned to her planet.

This was definitely an interesting story and once I made my way through the first half, it really sucked me in. I’m hoping that now the story is underway the second book will pick up right where this one left off and I will be engrossed in the story from the first page.

 

1favequote“NayéLi, every species exhibits weakness. It’s not the weakness that makes us weak but how we confront it.”

kRISTIN

Review: Edge of Darkness by J.T. Geissinger

18164527Edge of Darkness
(Night Prowler, #4)
By: J.T. Geissinger
Publisher: Montlake Publishing
Published: Dec. 10, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:
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Six years after a shocking tragedy left her emotionally and physically scarred, Ember Jones lives a life of quiet isolation in Barcelona. Determined to keep her troubled past a secret, she keeps her head down and her heart locked up tight. Until the day a beautiful, mysterious stranger walks into her life, and her carefully controlled world is shattered forever.

Christian McLoughlin is unlike anyone Ember has ever met. Wealthy, cultured, and utterly charismatic, he also has dark secrets of his own. They succumb to the undeniable pull between them and embark on a passionate affair, but things turn explosive when the truth about Christian and the reason he came to Barcelona is exposed. As their dark pasts collide, the two unlikely lovers find themselves caught in a web of danger and deceit that neither of them might survive.

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Review: Serenades by Nikki Duncan

18459479Serenades
(Wicked Cove, #9)
By: Nikki Duncan
Publisher: Samhain
Published: Nov. 26, 2013
Genre: Contemp. Romance
Rating:
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Aimee Smith found a home and friends in Whispering Cove. During the Fall Festival she found no-strings fun in the arms of her favorite country singer. Then her fling left town—and she discovered how much of himself he left behind.

Josh Bryan loved life on the road—until one Whispering Cove waitress ruined it. Not that he’s complaining. Before her, there were willing women at every stop, but none stayed in his mind, under his skin, or left him wanting a second taste. Not like her.

Almost fourteen months later, with Christmas festivities in full swing, Aimee’s days at the bar are long and her nights walking the floor are longer. Yet she’s never been happier, at least until Josh walks into the bar in a swirl of snow.

The truth could send him running, have him accusing her of setting a trap…or be her one chance to prove she wants him for more than just his money and fame. That is, if he’s willing to take a chance there’s something between them deeper than passion.

 

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