Giveaway and Book Review of Unbreakable

Book Review of Unbreakable

Sponsored by Enchanted 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.

About the Book

Title: Unbreakable

Author: Emma Scott

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense

Alex Gardener has her life planned out, down to the smallest detail. She has a skyrocketing career as a litigation attorney, a close group of socialite friends, and is engaged to one of the most successful businessmen in Beverly Hills. Everything is just as she wants it: comfortable, predictable, secure…if lacking passion. Fire. 

Cory Bishop is a struggling working man, trying to make ends meet while fighting to keep custody his young daughter. He knows that working hard is the only way to achieve his goals, but lately it seems everything he wants hangs just out of reach. 

The bank robbery changes everything. 

Alex and Cory spend three harrowing days as hostages locked in a bank with fifty frightened people and six criminals who grow more desperate--and dangerous--by the hour. Alex and Cory find comfort and safety with each other and reveal their deepest hopes and fears and secrets, unknowingly building a bond forged out of desperation and fear, one that they can’t break, even once outside the bank’s walls. 

Their lives are turned upside down, irrevocably altered, and they seek to move on and put the robbery--and each other--behind them. 

But some bonds, once forged, cannot be broken.

Author Bio

Emma Scott lives and works in the California Bay Area with her patient husband and two feisty little girls. 

Links

 http://emmascottblog.blogspot.com/

http://on.fb.me/1LHCVJn

https://twitter.com/EmmaS_writes

Giveaway

Win a $15 amazon gift card.

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Book Excerpts

 “Help us! Help him!” I screamed again, and could have wept with relief as officers started my way. “You’re going to be okay,” I told Cory. “You’re going to be just fine.”

                Cory’s response was to slump against me heavily, his head lolling to the side. His breath had quieted to the barest whisper.

                “No! Cory, wake up!”

                No response. His eyes were open halfway, glazed with pain, and his mouth worked silently as he struggled weakly to draw breath.

                Then I found myself in a sea of legs as S.W.A.T. and medical personnel surrounded us. They took Cory from my clutching arms and bent over him, working frantically. An officer knelt beside me and asked me questions but I hardly heard him. I just watched, horror twisting my heart, as an EMT opened Cory’s shirt and jabbed something into his chest. Blood spurted and Cory gasped, jolting upright, and then sinking back down, his breath deeper now.

                “Alex…”

                I shoved my way through and took his hand in my bloody ones, trying not to stare at the instrument—that looked like a pen casing—jutting from his right pectoral.

                “I’m here. I’m right here.”

                He smiled faintly and then winced in a soundless scream as they lifted him onto to a gurney. They raised the head so that he was partially upright, while another EMT bent him forward to staunch the wound in his back. Then we were moving. I jogged alongside into the morning sunshine for the first time in four days, and then into an ambulance.

It seemed the blood would never stop flowing. Blood from behind Cory, blood leaking around the tube in his chest. They put an oxygen mask over his mouth and that became stained red as he coughed.

I clutched his hand tightly, so tightly. “Please don’t go,” I whispered. “Please stay with me. Cory, please. Stay…”

He wheezed for breath. It sounded so labored and thick with blood. His dull gaze landed on our entwined hands and his lips curved up ever so slightly, a weak version of his crooked grin.

He held on.

Weakly, struggling, in agony, he held on, drawing upon the great reservoirs of love and bravery I knew he possessed. He held on for his little girl. For his father. 

And I liked to think that maybe, if only a little, he held on because I refused to let him go.

Review: 

            This story started off a little slow.  Actually a lot slow and I really didn’t like the main character very much.  She was a b…ch, but she got over it.  I liked how the author took a catastrophic event and used it to show growth with the heroine.  After about half of the book, it really picked up and I enjoyed the romance.

            I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.

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

Book Review of Lioness of Kell

Book Review of Lioness of Kell

      Sponsored by Enchanted 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.

About The Book

Title: Lioness of Kell

Author: Paul E. Horsman

Genre: Fantasy

The lioness Maud is at eighteen already a black powerhouse of brawn. When she is ordered to fetch a young thief from a pirate town, she thinks it an easy task. Until she and Jurgis the thief find themselves running for their lives.

Young warlock Basil sees his life threatened by a summons from the Warlockry Council, to prove his beauty. He knows his lame foot will betray him and escapes on the first ship out of town. On board he meets Yarwan, a handsome midshipman, who awakens feelings he never knew existed.

When the four young people meet, Basil learns of a spell that could repair his foot. Only the spell’s creator, the infamous Black Warlock, disappeared nearly a century ago. As the four decide to go looking for him, they start on a path leading to an old war and unsolved mysteries that will change their world. Or kill them.

Author Bio

Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch/Belgian border.

He has been a soldier, salesman, scoutmaster and from 1995 a teacher of Dutch As A Second Language to refugees from all over the globe.

Since 2012, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures for both Y.A. and over. His works have been both trade published in The Netherlands, and self-published internationally.

His available titles are:

* The Shadow of the Revenaunt (Rhidauna, Zihaen, Ordelanden) trilogy

* The Shardheld Saga (Shardfall, Runemaster, Shardheld) series

* Lioness of Kell (standalone)

Links

website: http://www.paulhorsman-author.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Paul-E.-Horsman/e/B00CA32KFI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888029.Paul_E_Horsman

Book Excerpts

EXCERPT 4 – FROM CHAPTER 16

‘Give up!’ Maud roared, climbing halfway up the quarterdeck ladder. She saw the enemy captain beside the wheel, a tall man in a gleaming breastplate and a plumed helmet. He brandished his sword and shouted endless commands into the melee. Maud fixed him with her eye and bellowed, ‘Give up, you can’t win!’

‘We’ll see about that!’ an unnaturally hollow voice answered, and a hooded figure walked to stand beside the captain. ‘Behold my power!’

He waved his hands and a greenish mist wafted over Maud, chilling her to the bone, and making her gag with its stink of death and spilled blood. It formed a sluggish fluid on the main deck, spreading into all corners of the ship, and every fallen combatant of either side touched by it rose and attacked the Jentakans.

Maud’s forces screamed in horror and turned to flee.

‘Hold!’ Maud cried in her loudest voice. ‘By Kallianura I command you, stay and fight!’

Her warriors obeyed, but their courage was gone and they reacted like automatons.

The hooded figure lifted his arms. ‘Despair! You will all join the dead! I’ll ...’

‘Forbidden!’

The one word cut through the bedlam, silencing all.

The hooded figure stiffened. ‘Who dares ...?’

A blinding flash turned all eyes to the redheaded boy with the dragon staff, standing at the foot of the smoke stack amidships. ‘I dare you, child!’

‘Basil!’ Jurgis cried. ‘Watch out!’

The Spellwarden raised his arms over the green and his voice was deep, laden with authority. ‘By the power of the Council, your magic is forbidden! Begone, foul spirits!’

A frightful black light sprang from his staff, spread out and like two spills of wine on a tabletop, it met the enemy’s green. There it stopped.

The hooded figure near the wheel laughed derisively. ‘You want to oppose my might, foolish boy?’

To and fro the green and the black rolled, but neither won a foot’s length. Then Basil lifted his left hand, waving a heavy silver branch as long as his arm, and cried something terrible that defied Maud’s hearing. The black light shooting from his staff turned to purple and so did the substance covering half of the deck. A heady smell of lilies wafted over the ship, a drowsy aroma that filled Maud with lethargy. The sweet purple spread, drinking up the green and returning blessed death to every fallen fighter. Finally, it reached the foot of the quarterdeck ladder and started upward.

With a yell of rage, the hooded figure clapped his hands. ‘This isn’t over!’ He jumped high up in the air, and something caught him. It carried him away from the ship, seaward into the blue sky. His last shout of rage and frustration rent the air. ‘I’ll be baaack!’

Review: 

            Fantasy story with intersting mythology.  This story brings together four or five people who are from different ethnic groups specific to the land where the story is set.  They get caught up in a centuries old war that is brought to them as they attempt to complete several tasks.

            I found myself caught up in the world and the people in the story.  I cannot wait to read more about these people and their adventures. 

            I give this story 4 out of 5 clouds.

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

Book Review of A Thistle Beyond Time

Book Review of A Thistle Beyond Time

        Sponsored by Enchanted 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.

About the Book

Title: A Thistle Beyond Time

Author: Jennae Vale

Genre: Time Travel Romance

Cormac MacBayne wants a wife and the witch, Edna Campbell, has the perfect woman in mind.  The only problem is they’re separated by five hundred years and thousands of miles.

Fresh from a bad marriage, Jenna Sinclair has sworn off men – that is until a handsome highlander comes out of the fog and into her life.  He’s a mystery and possibly part of an elaborate practical joke concocted by her cousin.  Jenna’s had enough deception in her life.  Can she risk everything to be with a man who is so obviously lying to her?

Author Bio

Jennae was born and raised a New England girl, just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, where her imagination was always bigger than she was. Her large, extended Irish and Italian families were a great source of support, inspiration and humor.  Laughter, love and food were never hard to find in her home. Growing up surrounded by nostalgic, historical landmarks, fed her love of history and creative writing. 

She has worn many hats over the years.  From owning her own typing service and horse training/boarding facility, to operating an embroidery/t-shirt business, her entrepreneurial spirit was strong and thriving. Determined to do something she truly loved, her vivid imagination took over again and she decided to follow her literary dream of writing stories that tapped into her love of magnificent people and places. 

Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, where they've raised two beautiful and talented children.  Along the way they've gathered a menagerie of pets, including one dog, three cats and 4 chickens to make the family complete.  

Links

www.jennaevaleauthor.com

https://facebook.com/jennaevaleauthor

https://twitter.com/jealil

jennaevaleauthor@gmail.com

Book Excerpt

Jenna was running the vacuum cleaner when Dylan returned with Cormac. She didn’t hear them enter and when she finally did look up, she jumped, clutching her chest. “You scared me!” Her heart was racing in her chest.

“Sorry, cuz,” Dylan apologized, with a sheepish grin on his face.

Jenna looked around Dylan and an angry scowl lit across her features as she spied

Cormac.

“I thought I told you to take him to a shelter! What didn’t you understand about that?” She snapped.

 

“I couldn’t do that to him, Jenna. He’s from another country and he doesn’t know anyone here. He’s a good guy, really. We just spent the last hour having breakfast and getting to know each other.”

“Dylan, I know what you’re up to, so you can stop right now.” Letting go of the vacuum, Jenna crossed her arms over her chest.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dylan replied.

“I know this is all a practical joke. I don’t know how you pulled it off and I don’t know where you got this guy from, but I can’t believe you would do that to me. You know how upset I’ve been lately and when he appeared out of nowhere, well… I thought he was a serial killer or something.”

“I would never harm ye, lass.” Cormac said, as he peeked around from behind

Dylan.

“I know that now, but at the time I was pretty scared.”

“I apologize to ye. I didnae mean to scare ye.”

“It wasn’t a practical joke, Jenna. This guy, Cormac, is from Scotland and he was sent here by a witch. That’s the Edna he mentioned. Anyway, he’s not even from this time. He’s from the sixteenth century. Can you believe it?” Dylan asked excitedly.

“No. I can’t believe it and I don’t. Nice work trying to convince me of something completely impossible. Have you been taking acting classes lately, Dylan, ‘cause you’re pretty good. If I didn’t know you better, I might even believe you.”

“It’s true, Jenna. I’m not making it up. Tell her Cormac.”

“He’s telling the truth, lass. Edna sent me from the year 1514. She said ye were to be me wife.”

“Now don’t start that again. You both need to give it up. I don’t believe you. There’s no such thing as time travel. Period. The end.”

“Okay. I won’t mention it again, but we’re not lying and time travel is totally possible, you’ll see,” Dylan insisted.

 Review: 

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone story.  It is a fun tale of time travel, true love, and second chances.  It  reminds me a little of a movie I saw about a man who fell in love with a picture and traveled back in time to meet the girl and realized she was smiling at him in the picture he fell in love with.

I have enjoyed this whole series and cannot wait to read the next one, which I’m hoping will be Dylan’s story (you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is.)

I give this story 4.5 out of 5 clouds.

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

Book Review of The One Path

Book Review of The One Path

Sponsored by Enchanted 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.

About The Book

Title: The One Path

Author: Larry S. Gerovac

Genre: Fantasy

Lucifer asked the Gypsies, “What is the punishment for killing a Dark Warrior?” There was absolute silence. All the Gypsies were in fear for their lives. They did not want to draw the attention of this powerful demon.

Jal, seeing an opportunity for himself yelled, “Life for life.” Lucifer watched as Rayus tried to warn his dad by tugging on his arm.

That evil grin appeared on Lucifer’s face once again as he said, “Jal, was that you?”

Seizing his opportunity he said, “Yes, my Lord Lucifer.”

In this second book of the God Chronicle trilogy, Thomas, God’s Last Prophet, realizes that the only way to beat Lucifer, and prevent Armageddon is by stopping the birth of the Antichrist. In his efforts to find Lucifer, Thomas gets bonked on the head by the Pope using a religious artifact, gets beat up by Gypsies, and almost killed by demons. Eventually, Thomas teams up with a stuttering genius that is possessed by a fallen angel. The unlikely threesome seems to click on all cylinders as they work together and chase Lucifer through Europe. Will collaborating with a fallen angel prove to be a bad choice?

Author Bio

Larry was born and raised in the Midwest. He is a first generation American, U.S. Navy Veteran, ex-Air Traffic Controller, and a retired nuclear worker. He loves science, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. His goal is to entertain readers for many years with some truly out of this world stories.

Links

http://www.larrygerovac.tateauthor.com
http://www.pinterest.com/larrygerovac
http://www.twitter.com/larrygerovac
http://www.facebook/larrygerovac

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24102197-the-one-path?from_search=true

Book Excerpts

Thomas thought he would put everyone at ease, so he looked at Brother Dominique and said, “You call the young man Myrrh, that’s a very unusual name. I’ve never heard of it before.”

Brother Dominique started to laugh gently as he shook his head and looked at Thomas. “He was a gift given to our brotherhood twenty-two years ago. The Magi gave little Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

“Myrrh! A Gift! Now I get it,” said Thomas.

Brother Dominique said, “Myrrh is a savant. He does not see the world as we see it. He sees everything as a probability. He is simply amazing, and with the information that he finds in the computer, his accuracy is a gift from God. That is how we knew you would be here. We know who you are, Thomas. God speaks to Myrrh in probabilities. We have seen the signs. We know the end-times are upon us. You are God’s last prophet.”

Thomas swallowed hard. He thought, How could this happen? He still couldn’t guess his role in this new development, so he asked Brother Dominique, “Why were you waiting for me?”

Brother Dominique patted Thomas on the hand with his one hand while he held Thomas’s arm with his other and said, “God has blessed me by allowing me to meet you.”

“I am no one special. Only a sinner chosen to do a task.”

“Spoken like a true prophet,” said Brother Dominique. “You still do not understand. We know you, Thomas, unlike anyone else could ever know you. Myrrh has watched your probabilities. He believes your and his path in life are linked. Myrrh, what is the probability that you and Thomas must walk the same path?”

“Ninety-nine point two percent.”

“See there, Thomas, you must travel with Myrrh. But first, there is much that you must learn. I don’t have much time. Will you please come to my monastery where we can talk privately?”

Thomas thought this whole incident was unbelievable, but it was foretold, so he had better see where events would lead. “Yes, but I make no promises. My task could be very dangerous. I can’t protect myself, let alone another person.”

Review: 

            This was a fascinating book.  It started out slow and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but I was quickly sucked in to the tale.  There is religious underpinnings which may make some people uncomfortable but I found it very interesting.  Some of the religious underpinnings were new to me and things I am not sure are doctrinally sound, but it definitely is worth considering.

            I think the underlying story is one that should be considered.  While written as fiction it has much to teach us about faith and remaining on guard against evil.  I strongly recommend everyone read this book and consider the ideas put forth.

            I give this book 5 out of 5 clouds.

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

Book Review of Blood Matters

Book Review of Blood Matters
      Sponsored by Enchanted 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.

Title: Blood Matters by Aviva Bel‘Harold

Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Vampire, Horror

ISBN: (no) Print: 978-1-77053-073-7,  E-Book: 978-1-77053-074-4

Book Length: (no of pages): 336

Publisher: (name) EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing

DESCRIPTION/Blurb

Grief changes people.

Brittany used to be a normal teen. She ate like one, slept like one, and had typical teenage mood swings. But after she found her best friend dead, everything changed.

Grief might explain her loss of appetite and her lack of sleep. It might even explain why she sees her dead friend everywhere she goes. But it certainly won't explain why everyone she touches develops bruises or why she's attracted to the smell of blood.

And, she's pretty sure grief dosen't make you want to rip apart your boyfriend just to get closer to his beating heart.

But what happens when it's the choices we make, not the creature inside, that proves the monster is in us all?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aviva Bel’Harold writes young adult fiction: Horror, Science Fiction, ­Urban Fantasy, etc. — as long as the ­characters are young, full of life, and out for adventure.

When she’s writing, you’ll find her curled up on a sofa with a pen and a pad of paper, ­surrounded by her adorable puppies.

Born in Winnipeg and raised in Vancouver, Aviva Bel’Harold ­currently resides in Calgary with her husband, four children, and six dachshunds.

Author (Contact Links)

Website: (link) https://sites.google.com/site/avivatheauthor/my-books

Facebook: (link) http://www.facebook.com/AvivaBelHarold

Twitter: (link) @AvivaTheAuthor

Goodreads: (link to author page on Goodreads): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3238377.Aviva_Bel_Harold

Amazon: (link to author page on Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/aviva-belharold/e/B002OFDUWO

You Yube profile: (link): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdk_ldC_stC5lLelzWzJb9g

Buy Links

Amazon: (link): http://www.amazon.com/dp/1770530738/edgescienceficti

B&N:
 (link)  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-matters-aviva-belharold/1113572607?ean=9781770530737

Review: 

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

Giveaway and Book Review of The Accidental Wife

Book Review of The Accidental Wife
          Sponsored by b00k r3vi3ws

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: 

The Accidental Wife by Simi K. Rao

About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?


Book Links:

Goodreads I Amazon.in I Amazon.com

Goodreads Link: 

http://bit.ly/1BzDUYK

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Contact the Author:

Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Giveaway: Elephant themed gift basket (for U.S. residents only) 

 Rafflecopter Code: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt/Other: 

Rihaan gave a wry shrug.

“Okay, then let your mom choose your wife and live happily ever after with my blessings,” Rudy said, grinning widely.

“No! Never! I can’t!”

Rudy looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t get married to someone she chooses. I’ll be finished. All those obligations, parties, demanding wife and in-laws. No way, man, I’d rather kill myself.”

“But that’s what marriage is all about—compromise.”

Rihaan nodded. “Exactly. That’s why I’ve kept away from it this long. I don’t want to compromise. I have no interest in assuming the role of a dutiful husband and son-in-law. What I want is somebody who will stay out of my way. Mind her own business while I mind mine.”

“You don’t need a wife. You need a servant.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Rihaan said. “I just want someone who will comprehend me and my work. I want to continue like I am now…without any distractions. She can do what she wants; kitty parties, pujas, whatever. Just don’t expect me to be a part of it. We’ll get a bigger place. She’ll have all the luxuries she wants.”

“If that is so, I agree. You won’t find a girl like that here. Even if you do, her family won’t leave you alone.”

“Then what am I to do?” Rihaan asked, feeling desperate.

“Maybe you’ll find someone suitable back home?”

“Really?” Rihaan was unconvinced. “Are girls less demanding there?”

“Well…that’s for you to find out.” Rudy shrugged. “Besides, a guy like you is a dream catch. Any father would give his right hand to get a son-in-law like you. Plus, the perk of coming here to the States. Anyhow, that seems to be the only reasonable option for you now.”

“How am I supposed to find this mystery girl? Fly to India and search with a bloody microscope?”

Rudy shook his head in mock disbelief. “Pal, haven’t you heard of the world wide web?”

Review: 

            A traditional love story in a non-traditional setting.  I loved it.  It had all the markings of a romance…boy meets girl, boy does something stupid and loses girl, boy comes to his senses, problems happen, boy gets girl.  But nothing else follows pattern.

            The story takes a nationality that often has arranged marriages and turns it on its head.  The Indian culture is fascinating and this story takes all that is best and mixes it in.  It is the perfect read for romance.

            I  give this story 5 out of 5 clouds.

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