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Friday, January 17, 2014

Book Review of Stately Pleasures



Book Review of Stately Pleasures
          Sponsored by Writers Marketing Services
 

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.


Blurb: 

Stately Pleasures by Lucy Felthouse
Alice Brown has just landed her dream job. Property manager at Davenport Manor, a British stately home. It’s only a nine-month contract to cover maternity leave, but it’s the boost up the career ladder she so desperately needs.
Unfortunately, things don’t get off to the best start, when Alice finds her boss, Jeremy Davenport, in a compromising position. Far from being embarrassed by what’s happened, Jeremy turns things around on Alice and makes her out to be the one in the wrong. So when he and his best friend and head of security, Ethan Hayes, then throw an ultimatum at her, she’s so stunned and confused that she goes along with their indecent proposal.
When the dust settles and Alice has time to think about things, though, she realises that perhaps it isn’t such a bad thing. There are worse things she could be doing to advance her career, after all.

Author Information: 

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over eighty publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, and is book editor for Cliterati.

Contacts:

Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9


*****
Excerpt:
Alice took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. Repeated the process once more. Then, realising she could sit there all day doing it and not feel any calmer, she forced herself to step out of the car and close and lock the door.
She bent to peer into the wing mirror of the vehicle and checked her hair and make-up. Satisfied, she straightened, then turned on her heel and walked quickly across the driveway to the great house before her nerve failed her.
Davenport Manor was currently open for visitors, so she walked in through the front door and was met by a smiling elderly lady.
‘Can I help you?’ the woman asked kindly.
‘Yes, please.’ Alice twisted her hands together nervously. ‘I’m here to see Mr Davenport. I’m here for an interview for the property manager’s role.’
‘Yes, of course,’ the woman replied, ‘that’s today, isn’t it? Follow me; I’ll take you to Mr Davenport’s office. But just hang on one second.’
She ducked through the doorway into the next room and spoke with her colleague. Alice guessed she was letting her co-worker know she’d be gone for a few minutes. A few seconds later, she was back. ‘OK, follow me, Miss …’
‘Brown,’ Alice said, then fell in behind the other woman as she led her to Mr Davenport’s office, and the interview that could change her life for ever. It was hardly surprising that she was shaking like a leaf.
Alice quickly felt lost as their journey took several twists and turns along dim corridors – their blinds drawn to protect paintings, tapestries, and furniture from the sunlight – and up a flight of stairs. She had a few seconds to worry about finding her way if she was lucky enough to get the job, then, suddenly, her guide stopped outside a door and turned around.
‘Here you go, Miss Brown. Mr Davenport’s office. Good luck with your interview.’
Alice smiled and thanked the elderly woman, then smoothed down her skirt, which also conveniently helped wipe the nervous sweat off her hands. She stood up straight, gave herself a mental pep talk about being more than qualified for the role, and knocked on the door.
‘Enter.’
Alice knew that voice could only belong to Jeremy Davenport. The posh accent, and the fact he’d said “enter” instead of “come in”, screamed money and an upper-class upbringing. Alice was suddenly nervous of her broad Midlands accent and lowly background, despite the fact she’d worked her backside off to get into a decent university in order to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree and then a Master’s degree. No matter what she sounded like, or what her past was, she had all the skills necessary to do the job she was about to be interviewed for.
Suddenly, she realised that she’d left rather a long pause before opening the door, and she turned the handle before the occupants of the room thought they were about to interview some kind of simpleton who couldn’t follow a simple instruction.
Fixing a polite – but hopefully not inane – smile onto her face, Alice stepped into Jeremy Davenport’s office. Her first thought – which certainly did nothing to help her nerves – was good God, he’s hot.
Jeremy sat behind a desk, with a heavily pregnant woman sitting beside it. Alice barely noticed the woman. All she saw was him. A man with cropped dark brown hair, hazel/green eyes, a jawline you could cut bread with, and lips that looked capable of doing incredibly wicked, sexual things to a woman. Or a man. Alice had no idea what his sexuality was, but she found herself hoping he liked women.
She chastised herself. Even if he did like women, he wouldn’t go for someone like her. A Plain Jane, with mousy brown shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, average height and above average weight. Alice had always known she’d never be a supermodel, so she’d worked extra hard academically, and here she was. About to be interviewed for her dream job.
*****
Review: 

Why is it that we, women, put ourselves down. We are never happy with how we look and find it difficult to believe that someone we deem as “out of our league” would be interested in us.  Yet in this book that is exactly where Alice finds herself, with not just one but two ‘out of her league’ men attracted to her.

Alice in almost too naive to be believed in this story, as if anyone in this day and age would believe that standing outside your bosses office rather than walking in on him in flagrante delicto and then to be sexually blackmailed… well I know in the US that wouldn’t happen because there are way too many lawyers who would take that case.

Other than that difficult to overlook issue, the book was fabulously scandalous.  I would love to work and live in a fabulous old house with old furnishings.  The closest thing in my area is Hearst Castle and that would be amazing.  Add two hot men and naughty sexcapades and you have a sinfully hot book.

I give this book 4out of 5 clouds and a chilli pepper rating of 7.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Giveaway and Book Review of Out From Under

Book Review of  Out From Under
         Sponsored by Innovative Book Tour


Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

BLURB:
"I have always been strong, independent and wanted a life that belonged to me. It's the very reason why I chose to attend Stanford because it is away from the small-town life that seems more Twin Peaks than charming. Secrets are a dangerous commodity and Pine Bluff has them in spades. So do my parents, and the dirtiest secret of all is my brother, Trey. Sergeant at Arms for the Demon's Bastards, a criminal, a felon, and perhaps the catalyst for the tragedy that destroyed my life just days before I was supposed to leave for college.

"Now I am on the run because my life is in danger and I could be next. I don't want to live my whole life looking over my shoulder and I don't want to live my life shrouded in despair. Anxiety has me in a death grip, unable to let go. I pop Xanax to get through the day and were it not for my famous cousin, I would probably be dead already.

"My name is Trista Lennon, and I am tired of being afraid."

Linx Carter never thought he could help anyone when he could barely help himself. He is hanging on by a thread after a tough, six-month Gods of Rock Tour with his band, Winter's Regret, and Scarlet Fever. He has a greedy ex-wife, two sons and all he wants is to put the pieces of his life back together.

Linx knows there is something special about Trista from the moment they meet. She's wounded, in desperate need of a friend yet feminine, feisty and no one's charity case. She is the strongest woman he has ever known.

Through their friendship, they will find the strength to heal themselves and love one another but a feud between two gangs is brewing. Trista is caught in the crossfire, and by proxy, so is Linx. What they discover might not only cost them the love they have for one another but their lives too. 

Due to mature subject matter, explicit language and adult situations, this novel is recommended for those over the age of 17.

BIO:

Selene Chardou is a world traveler and the alter-ego of Elle Chardou. 
Ms. Chardou's writing is all about hot romance and exciting times with the wild, damaged, out of control and/or rich and famous set in the New Adult realm. 
She is currently working on Rock My Heart, the first novel in the Scarlet Fever Series, which concludes the story of Kasper "Kaz" Gillian and Sydney Lundvik; she is also working on In Too Deep, the conclusion to The Lovers Duet. She also has a pop stars series planned and an MC series planned that chronicl
es the issues between Lucifer's Saints and Demon's Bastards motorcycle clubs.
 
Ms. Chardou has lived abroad in Stockholm (Sweden), Manchester (England), Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ONLINE LINKS:

·         Website http://selenechardou.blogspot.fr/
·         Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Selene.Chardou.AND.Elle.Chardou
·         Twitter https://twitter.com/ElleChardou

BUY NOW LINK:
·         Amazon http://www.amazon.com/From-Under-Lovers-Duet-ebook/dp/B00E922XPU/
·         B & N  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116257615?ean=2940148457503



Giveaway

“Out From Under” Coffee mug, “Out From Under” keychain
 a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Review: 

This book was very interesting.   It had some twists that I didn’t see coming, but it was a good read.  I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.

Question
Rating 1/10
Comments
Has reading this book caused you to be interested on reading additional novels by this author and would you recommend this book to friends or family who like this genre?
8
The book is very interesting and well written.  I would certainly be interested in reading more by this author.
Do you feel the world or situation was well developed to the point that you were able to visualize it?
9
Yes, I think that the situation was well developed and I could easily picture the situations.
Did the author engage you to the point that you had a hard time putting the book down?
6
Because of the topic I wasn’t always engaged as much as I could have been.  I didn’t relate as well to the characters due to the violence and gang setting.
Were you emotionally connected to the main characters?
7
While the characters were intriguing and emotionally intriguing, the whole idea of being raised in the lifestyle of biker gangs was hard for me.
Were you emotionally connected to the secondary characters?
6
I was less emotionally connected to the secondary characters than the main characters.
Were the characters, believable?
7
The characters were believable, just removed from my lifestyle.
Do you feel that the story was well paced to keep your interest?   
8
The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but picked up as the story went on.
Was the dialogue in the story believable and interesting?
8
The dialogue was mostly believable, although there was more swearing that I am used to.
Were the love scenes satisfying and appropriate to the story and characters? 
8
The love scenes were satisfying and appropriate.
Overall, how did you like this book?
7
Overall the book was good.  It was a good read even though it was outside of my mainstream life.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Book Review of The Continuing Journeys of a Different Necromancer



Book Review of The Continuing Journeys of a Different Necromancer
Sponsored by Encahnted Book Tours

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.


Book cover and blurb



Title: The Continuing Journeys of a Different Necromancer

Author: James J. Crofoot

Genre: Fantasy


Thomas now views his magic as less than good, but he must raise one more army. This one not of his creation though. For the first time he learns fear of the undead. More than ever, he longs to see the waters of the great sea to the west. Will he find peace there? Will Christina and he find a home with the people of the shores? Maybe. But, maybe he'll have to fight magic darker than his own to keep his new home.

Maybe he'll have to fight magic so dark that even a half demon witch fears it and must help.



Author Bio

James J has travelled on sea and land, managing to get two degrees and has attended Gotham Writing Workshop. Through it all writing remained his first love. Now he is publishing his work for your enjoyment. 'The Continuing Journeys of a Different Necromancer' is the sequel to 'The Journeys of a Different Necromancer', both available at MuseItUp publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashswords. He has also appeared in Silverblade Magazine. For notice of further publications, like him on Facebook.

Links 



Book Excerpt

A dozen tiny hands grabbed her by the hair and jerked her off the seat and across the giving sand. He dove for her feet, but only his fingertips touched her. Scrambling to his feet he chased her into the dark, but his name, coming to him in screams, faded quickly into the distance. He fell to all fours crying out her name in breathless sobs.

* * * *

The sun shone bright in the clear, blue, noonday sky. The surf broke on the yellow-brown sand of the beach. He felt as if he had just awakened from a long, deep sleep. Only a dream, only a dream.'He sat up and wrapped his knees to his chest with his arms.

A low moan came from behind him and made him turn.

There, held with arms outstretched by tiny, grey-skinned hands against the rocks of the cliffside, was Christina. Jagged metal fishing barbs protruded from every inch of her naked body, with strings dangling from them. A small pudgy grey-skinned thing sat on her head holding two strings attached to barbs pulling her eyelids open so he could see the pain-filled pleading.

Another little pudgy creature's head emerged from the rocks beside her, and giggled a high-pitched laugh that reminded him of an insane child. With one of its small hands, it grabbed a string and pulled down.

His Chris opened her mouth to scream, but another of the hands formed into a fist and punched it down her throat. Tears rolled down her cheeks and sobs racked her body.

He tried to run to her, but couldn't move. Looking down, he saw the same hands latched onto his clothes, he felt them stretching his mouth and pulling his hair. With that same insane giggling, they pulled him back and out over the water. Further and further out, until the land became a haze on the edge of his vision. Shadows swam below him, just under the surface, waiting for the hands to drop him into their deep terrifying home. One of them looked around to put its white-eyed face in his. With its razor sharp teeth, it bit savagely into his nose. He screamed and they let him fall. For an impossibly long time the water grew closer. He screamed more as the shadows below gathered for his plunge into what he somehow knew to be an icy death.

Review: 

This is the second book in the series, however, it can be read as a stand-alone.  I did not read the first book in the series and I was able to follow it easily.  The book is for a middle school age reader (around 12 to 14) and the main character is a boy, however it will interest girls also.

The story centers on a necromancer, one who can raise the dead, who uses his powers for good because of his love for a woman.  It was a cute story, although with dark shades, and while the main character is an adult I found myself thinking of him as a 13 to 16 year old boy through most of the story.  I don’t know if this was because I didn’t read book one and it had more character development or if it was just how the character acted, but he seemed really young and somewhat immature.

I give this story 3.5 out of 5 clouds.


This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.