Excerpt: The Siren of Paris by David LeRoy

The Siren of Paris
By: David LeRoy
Publisher: David Tribble Publishing
Published: July 9, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction

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Born in Paris and raised in the United States, 21-year-old Marc Tolbert enjoys the advantages of being born to a wealthy, well-connected family.. Reaching a turning point in his life, he decides to abandon his plans of going to medical school and study art in Paris. In 1939, he boards a ship and heads to France, blissfully unaware that Europe — along with the rest of the world — is on the brink of an especially devastating war.

When he arrives at l’École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts, more ominous signs surface. There are windows covered with tape, sandbags shielding the fronts of important buildings, whispers of Parisian children leaving the city, and gas masks being distributed. Distracted by a blossoming love affair, Marc isn’t too worried about his future, and he certainly doesn’t expect a Nazi invasion of France.

Marc has a long journey ahead of him. He witnesses, first-hand, the fall of Paris and the departure of the French government. Employed by an ambassador, he visits heads of state, including the horribly obese gray-haired Mussolini and the charismatic Hitler. He witnesses the effects of the tightening vise of occupation, first-hand, as he tries to escape the country. He also participates in the French resistance, spends time in prison camps, and sees the liberation of the concentration camps. During his struggles, he is reunited with the woman he loves, Marie, who speaks passionately of working with the resistance. Is she working for freedom, or is she not to be trusted?

 
Excerpt

“Marc, Marc,” a voice called out from the bustling Metro crowd. Marc turned, but could not see who had called his name, and doubted if it was even for him. As he turned back, he heard his name again. David emerged from behind a crowd of young school children.

     “Shouldn’t you be out at Fontainebleau?”
     “Hey, yes, I am heading back now. I came into Paris to line up my next flat,” Marc said, shaking David’s hand.
     “Dora said the same, plus that she had been showing you off around town,” David said as the crowd of young school children moved around them.
     “Ah, yes, the gang. How is Nigel?”
     “Good. He is out of town right now on some banking business. I have been busy as well. I have a new supplier and have been lining up the contracts back in the States.”
     “David, I need to catch this train.”
     “No problem. When you are in Paris, we can meet up at Dora’s for a Sunday brunch.”
     “You bet.”
     Marc patted David’s shoulder and left to board the train that would take him to the southeast side of Paris. On board, a woman moved through the cabin toward the rear, passing row after row of school children. “Are all you little ones going on a holiday?” she said as she passed.
     “We are going south in case the Germans bomb the city,” a boy said, looking up at her.
     “That is absurd. Nothing will happen, but you have a good trip all the same.”
     After making a connection back to Fontainebleau, Marc spent the evening drawing.
     “How was Paris?” his roommate asked.
     “A bit tense. It appears they are sending the little ones out of the city.”
     “The drama of it all. I bet that was the government’s idea. Always trying to convince us of the impending doom.”
     “You think it is all a hoax?”
     “Don’t you?”
     A light breeze entered through the open windows of the third-floor life-drawing classroom the following afternoon of September 1, 1939. Marc could not quite figure out if the room at one time had been a drawing room, dressing room, or parlor. The gold leafing of the plaster molds was barely visible. The mirrors held cracks in the gilding. He knew it was not a valuable room; otherwise, it would never have become home to an art class. The entire school might be held within the servants’ quarters, but Marc preferred not to ask and instead allowed his imagination to run wild. “They say in the papers nearly 16,000 children have now left the city,” Marc overheard from a discussion next to him.
     “I believe they are now passing out the gas masks,” another student said in a hushed tone.

 
 
 author

A native of California, David received a BA in Philosophy and Religion at Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego. After returning from a European arts study program, he became interested in the history behind the French Resistance during World War Two. Writing fiction has become his latest way to explore philosophical, moral and emotional issues of life. The Siren of Paris is his first novel.
For more information about David, visit his website.

Review: Anything He Wants by Sara Fawkes

Anything He Wants
(Dominated by the Billionaire, #1-5)
By: Sara Fawkes
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Published: Nov. 27, 2012
Genre: Erotica
Rating:
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Lucy Delacourt’s temp position isn’t quite her dream job but it pays the bills. The highlight of her day is riding the elevator in the mornings with a handsome stranger. Tall, dark, and sexy as hell, Lucy knows he’s way out of her league, but a girl can look, right?

Everything changes the day the stranger seduces her. Completely out of character, she yields without a fight, but she has no idea her wanton acts with a man whose name she doesn’t know will change her life forever. Because the sexy stranger is none other than Jeremiah Hamilton, billionaire CEO of Hamilton Industries, and one taste isn’t nearly enough to satisfy his need.  As the billionaire pulls Lucy deeper into his world of high stakes business deals and ruthless takeovers, he demands nothing less than her complete surrender.  But even as enemies seek deadly revenge against him, she’ll discover that her greatest threat is falling for her fiercely guarded boss…and yielding to her own darkest needs.

 

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Review: Volition by Shawn Kirsten Maravel

Volition
(Volition, #1)
By: Shawn Kirsten Maravel
Publisher: Self-published
Published: June 28, 2011
Genre: YA
Rating:
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Charlotte Rush would be the first to admit that her life is no rollercoaster ride. Her days are laced with ordinary and at times boring monotony. But with a heart that finds itself frequently broken she’s happy to say that she’s content.

When her friends convince her to spend the night out at a club to let loose and maybe even find a guy, she finally admits that her life might be missing something.

No sooner does she let go of her inhibitions does she find herself waking up in a dark hotel room in the presence of Joel, a man who carries mystery in his eyes and familiarity in his smile. Against reason Charlotte decides to trust him based solely on one thing. Somehow, she is sure that she knows him.

In a race against time to find answers and to solve the crime committed against her Charlotte finds herself falling for him. However, with nothing but mystery surrounding him she can’t even be sure that he’s the hero at all. While knowing all of the right things to say he still manages to tell her nothing. As a battle is waged over the innocence of her cryptic stranger, Charlotte discovers that much greater danger awaits her. And the mysteries behind who and what Joel is will lead Charlotte to discover that heaven and earth are not so far apart.

 

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Review: The Charmed Souls by Christine Wenrick

The Charmed Souls
(The Charmed Trilogy, #2)
By: Christine Wenrick
Publisher: Red Tree House Publishing
Published: Nov. 22, 2012
Genre: Paranromal Romance
Rating:
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Olivia Ann Greyson is a Charmer, a Dhampir with the power to lure the supernatural world’s most dangerous of creatures – and she’s in an impossible situation. She must leave behind Caleb Wolfe, the strong, protective vampire she has fallen madly in love with, in order to learn how to protect herself from the vampires, shifters and demons that will be drawn to her for the rest of her life.

Human Guardian, Alec Lambert, has been assigned to see to Olivia’s training by the organization he belongs to, which is known simply as The Brethren. He takes Olivia to the group’s stronghold in the mountainous regions of Alberta, Canada, where she discovers the answers to her family’s painful past and the extent to which those hunting her will go to capture her. But she also uncovers many secrets and even more questions about this mysterious group she has trusted to protect her – secrets that will have her fighting to get back to the man she left behind.

. . . but will it be too late?

 

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Review: Her Miracle Man by Nikki Duncan

 

Her Miracle Man
By: Nikki Duncan
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: Nov. 27, 2012
Genre: Contemp. Romance
Rating:
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A last wish brings them together. Only love can keep them there.

Children’s hospital administrator Ryland Davids was attracted to event planner Jennalyn James the moment he saw her. He thought there would be plenty of time to get to know her—until her younger sister, Sabrina, was admitted with complications from traumatic brain injury.

Sabrina’s bright courage broke through Ryland’s wall of professional distance, but once she drew her last breath, Jennalyn left the hospital and never returned. Though he understands her need for distance, there’s a hole in his heart that won’t heal. And a last wish from Sabrina he’s honor-bound to deliver.

When Jennalyn comes face to face with Ryland at a charity event, the pain comes rushing back, threatening to shatter her everything’s-fine façade. It doesn’t help that the lump in her throat is mostly her heart, leaping in response to his touch.

Despite her reluctance to return to the scene of her grief, she fulfills Sabrina’s final request to plan a series of Christmas events for the kids. Over the course of A Month of Miracles, Ryland and Jennalyn discover there’s the light of hope at the end of grief’s dark tunnel. But it may not be enough to heal her broken heart.

 

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Review: Undercover Professor by December Gephart

Undercover Professor
By: December Gephart
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: Nov. 19, 2012
Genre: Romance
Rating:
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Rule Number One: Must not lie.
Rule Number Two: Must not live with parents.
Rule Number Three: Must have a job.
Rule Number Four: Must not be a friend’s ex.
These dating rules shouldn’t be hard for Lucy Benoit to follow—after all, she made them. But she didn’t plan on falling for Andy Sullivan, a scruffy-yet-attractive man who lives with his mother and is between jobs. These should be deal-breakers, but in other ways Andy is just her type. And there’s something intriguing about him…

Andy isn’t the geeky gamer he claims to be—not by a long shot. But what seemed like a harmless social experiment has put his chances of a relationship with Lucy at risk. Even if she can get past the silly rules she has set for herself, will she ever forgive him for breaking Rule Number One?

 

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Review: Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bad Moon Rising
(Dark-Hunter, #14; Hellchaser, #3)
By: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Marin’s Press
Published: Aug. 4, 2009
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:
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A stunning and suspenseful new landscape emerges in the thrilling Dark-Hunter world—a world where nothing will ever be the same again. . .

Fang Kattalakis isn’t just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. And when the woman Fang loves is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out…

 

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Review: How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren

How Beauty Met the Beast
(Tales of the Underlight, #1)
By: Jax Garren
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: Nov. 19, 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:
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Amazon 
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The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley “Hauk” Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He’s starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.

The Beauty
Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn’t see. After she’s kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

 

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Sunday Wrap-Up #6

 

Sunday Wrap-Up is all about sharing the books and book related items that I’ve picked up recently. I also recap what went on last week and let you in on what’s coming up. I link up my post to Sunday Post, Bought, Borrowed & Bagged and Stacking the Shelves. I will post Sunday Wrap-up every other week.

Last week on the blog…
Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney (ARC Review & Giveaway)
One Night with a Hero by Laura Kaye (Review)
Undeadly by Michele Vail (Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway)
The Charmed Souls by Christine Wenrick (Spotlight: Excerpt)
GPS with Benefits by Vanessa  (Blog Tour: Guest Post)

Next week on the blog…
How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren (Review)
Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Review)
Undercover Professor by December Gephart (Review)
Her Miracle Man by Nikki Duncan (Review)
Black Friday Book Bananza Giveaway
The Charmed Souls by Christine Wenrick (Review)

Excerpt: The Charmed Souls by Christine Wenrick

The Charmed Souls
(The Charmed Trilogy, #2)
By: Christine Wenrick
Publisher: Red Treehouse Publishing
Release Date: Nov. 22, 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads
Amazon

Olivia Ann Greyson is a Charmer, a Dhampir with the power to lure the supernatural world’s most dangerous of creatures – and she’s in an impossible situation. She must leave behind Caleb Wolfe, the strong, protective vampire she has fallen madly in love with, in order to learn how to protect herself from the vampires, shifters and demons that will be drawn to her for the rest of her life.

Human Guardian, Alec Lambert, has been assigned to see to Olivia’s training by the organization he belongs to, which is known simply as The Brethren. He takes Olivia to the group’s stronghold in the mountainous regions of Alberta, Canada, where she discovers the answers to her family’s painful past and the extent to which those hunting her will go to capture her. But she also uncovers many secrets and even more questions about this mysterious group she has trusted to protect her – secrets that will have her fighting to get back to the man she left behind.

. . . but will it be too late?

 

Excerpt

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes again was the darkness outside the glass balcony doors to my room. It appeared so black and still, surely one would be chilled to the bone the moment they moved within it. That kind of steely cold could reach inside a person and penetrate every bone and sinew until one was forced to find a heat strong enough to defeat it. That kind of cold was warring within me now, and the only heat I had to fight it with was coming from the cast-iron stove warming my room . . . and it wasn’t enough.

“Olivia?” Dr. Li spoke softly above me. “Do you know where you are?”

I nodded but offered him no words.

“We brought you back here because we thought it’s where you’d be most comfortable. Do you remember what happened?”

I nodded again, finally noticing his concerned face.

“You have some cuts on your wrist that I’ve stitched up. And that arm was hyper-extended, so it’ll be pretty sore for a few hours. Your physical injuries should be healed in a day or so, but I’ll want to check on you a few times over the next twenty-four hours just to make sure there are no other problems.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Gideon replied when I didn’t. “I can see to her from here.”

Dr. Li nodded. “Let me know if there are any changes.”

After Dr. Li left, Gideon pulled a chair close to my bed but maintained a good distance. His expression was grim, quiet, like a father who was unsure what to say to his daughter after an incident like this. “Olivia, I—”

“Thank you,” my raspy voice scratched against my throat.

His brow arched high in surprise at that.

“For getting there in time,” I finished.

 

author

 Christine is the author of The Charmed Trilogy. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her novels. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader, because she herself is such a lover of reading.

You can connect with Christine via her:
website | twitter | facebook 

 

☆ I just finished reading The Charmed Souls and I must say that the excerpt above was the most powerful moment in the entire storyline for me. Rape scenes are my least favorite thing to read, it’s right up there with killing puppies and kittens but the author did an amazing job writing it.