Kayla’s aunt died and left her the charm school she had by the name “Charmed.” It was, however, a blast from the past with its antiquated class offeriKayla’s aunt died and left her the charm school she had by the name “Charmed.” It was, however, a blast from the past with its antiquated class offerings. But Kayla wanted to bring the school into the 21st century with new offerings. Her sister, Catherine, on the other hand, did not want anything to do with the business as she wanted to become a chef. Then in walks this man acting like he needed this school to teach him how to get a date, but she knew something wasn’t right as his build, his looks, and his dress all had something else to say. Then his personality changed, and before she knew it, she agreed to go out with him that night. This man had told her he was from out of town, so she decided it was time for a one-night stand but the way he treated her when she went to leave, she did not want to know him, but unfortunately, she would in the next few days, and that was not the only problem she would face in that time.
I appreciated the betrayal of Detective Kane. Not only to Kayla but to his job and himself. And then Kayla, the not-so-innocent woman. This complexity gave these characters some depth and the story some legs to whisk me away on their journey.
I did not know that this story had been previously published in 2000 when I read it, but I think it is a good story and worth the read if you missed it the first time around. If you like detective stories or brave females, I think you should read this. I rate this updated read five stars out of five stars. ...more
He was, is Terrence O’Grady, but he was not. The scans showed him to be a geek and not human. He was in custody, but not for long, as he knew the layoHe was, is Terrence O’Grady, but he was not. The scans showed him to be a geek and not human. He was in custody, but not for long, as he knew the layout of where he was. One moment he was being interrogated, and the next, there was an explosion. A few minutes later, he was in his apartment using chemicals to alter his appearance and removing those devices that made him look like Terrence. A few minutes later, he had removed all evidence of himself and left the apartment to make his way to the port. On the way, he ran across a red-haired woman in a gunfight with five men. For some reason, he helped her survive, but when it was over, he broke cover and started to give her a salute, but he was caught by surprise and knocked out. When he awoke, he was surprised that he awoke. Then he figured he was robbed, but the red-haired woman was right there. Once she knew he was okay, she sent him on his way, but as he left, he was followed and knew he must return to save her again. After that, they went to dinner, and he found out that a drug cartel had targeted her because she had hired herself as a bodyguard to the wrong person. They both wanted to survive, and they realized their odds were better together, or were they?
First to be published, but tenth in the series, and marketed as a stand-alone by some. I’m not sure someone knows what to do with the book, but it has been published for so long the only thing I can suggest is to read it! The physical world-building is vague in places, while the ethereal world-building is on top of everything in areas. The character interaction is done well.
This most excellent read has much more fiction than science, but it is there. It even has some romance in it. I give this tale five stars out of five stars.
What is there to say about the classic tale of man meets woman? Man wants woman. Man stalks woman. You know, your classic love story with a very dark What is there to say about the classic tale of man meets woman? Man wants woman. Man stalks woman. You know, your classic love story with a very dark twist. Readers, be warned, you may not be able to enjoy this story because of psychological trauma.
Being that this is my first exposure to the Romance-Erotica-Suspense-Thriller genre, all I can say is, wow! And now, let me add a keyword or genre, BDSM. Okay, two keywords, Dark! Not as dark as I was expecting at first, and I thought you could have gone much darker, but upon reflection, I think you did a masterful job of skimming the darkness. To put it out there and then not to go into it because you could have gone even further into the sick and twisted. Well done!
I give this book five stars out of five stars. It is well written and easy to read. The few mistakes that popped out at me did not dissuade me from wanting to know the next word or the next, or the ones after that. I read this book in two days and started at night on the first day. So, if you like erotica and-or domination on the psychological side of things, then this book is for you. ...more
Her name is Rachel Swift, or it is at the moment. One bad date with a man who did not know how to take no for an answer, and now she is running for heHer name is Rachel Swift, or it is at the moment. One bad date with a man who did not know how to take no for an answer, and now she is running for her life because of this psycho. Because he was a cop, he was able to find her once, but she got away and changed her name again, and now she found herself in Bliss, Colorado. A different place in the world where a nudist colony shared the area with a conspiracy slash UFO nut and artists everywhere, and then there was Rye and Max. A pair of stunning identical twins who like to share, and Rachel was falling in love with Max, but she was unsure if she wanted to be shared.
Okay, I know guys have this fantasy. Why not a woman? Then there is a need for me to mention BDSM. There’s not much, but it’s there and well done. And the world-building! It makes me want to find a place like Bliss, Colorado. Yeah, but it has got to have good high-speed internet service.
If you like suspense, romance, or just plain old two studs on one filly, then this book is for you! I give this book five stars out of five stars. Have fun!
She was looking forward to being at the university with her best friend, and even being bitten by a fox one day while painting is something Sophie couShe was looking forward to being at the university with her best friend, and even being bitten by a fox one day while painting is something Sophie could forget about with this future to look forward to. At least she would be free and not smothered by her mother, but when she gets to the university, she meets Sebastian. A very handsome, fit young man who makes her feel new and different things. Then there is his cousin, Conner, who doesn’t help with these new sensations, and the way he talks, well, she is not sure she wants to be shared.
Oh, what a great surprise the fox bite was. You know, I thought a bite meant one thing, and well, NOT! So, I was pleasantly surprised by this world with that. Then the cousins! It seems like one is used to having the leftovers of the other, but this is a young adult slash juvenile fantasy, so maybe, it’s my mind that wanders.
Those that like wolf versus vamp will like this read, and of course romance, or should there be another genre, courtship, which means plenty of romance in the courtship phase. So, maybe a sub-genre. Either way, I give this book five stars out of five stars....more
Jonas Valent was one of those who did enough to get by but not so much as to stand out or too little to draw attention either way. He had joined the mJonas Valent was one of those who did enough to get by but not so much as to stand out or too little to draw attention either way. He had joined the military, became an engineer, and was in the war against All-Con. He even spent a year planet-side helping to blow up every last factory All-Con had. Then he returned to Freeground station with some fanfare but once again wanted to duck and cover, so he became a communications officer and became bored. He tried the games the civilian simulations and soon became bored. Then part of his team that he knew only by their disguised voice hacked into the military sims. From there, he gained a loyal following, and under his command, they rose in ranks on the leaderboard. Now that the military has finally caught up with him and some of his cohorts, the military has a surprise for him.
I liked this story. It is a story about a person who has not yet found their way but is recognized by those from the outside looking in and given a chance. It’s like a modern-day fairy tale. Then, of course, the lead has garnered a loyal following, so while he is surprised, he is not unprepared. The world-building and character development are well done.
Did I say I liked sci-fi? Well, if you didn’t know, I DO! And those of you who do, I think, will like this too. I give this five stars out of five stars. ...more
Erin Campsie is in charge of the first colony ship to leave Earth so that humans can colonize other star systems. The ship and mission are led by the Erin Campsie is in charge of the first colony ship to leave Earth so that humans can colonize other star systems. The ship and mission are led by the Reid Corp., who built the entire thing. She and her small crew, a total of four, including her, are to be in charge of the ship and the one thousand people in cryo storage. She and her crew are not immune from the need for cryo sleep either. They will join the passengers in the long sleep that will last at least one hundred years as the ship has other stars to explore if the first one is not suitable. But what they don’t know will kill them.
Yes! This is our reality. This could be our future. The physical world-building gives enough of a picture that it is not so fuzzy at the center. The ethereal world-building, what there is of it, is personal. The character’s interactions feel real. The character’s history is pretty much non-existent, but for this story, it does not need to be.
For a short story that has all of its advertised genres, it pleases this sci-fi fan. I give this story five stars out of five stars.
Michael is the son of the team that leads the Heinlein Station, a pair of the most brilliant physicists Earth has ever produced. It was decided that tMichael is the son of the team that leads the Heinlein Station, a pair of the most brilliant physicists Earth has ever produced. It was decided that their hypothesis should be tested two light-years from Sol. They would either prove their hypothesis, make it a theory, or disprove it. But when they were successful, they decided to send a manned mission through the wormhole as soon as possible. They knew the risks, and since Michael was the only planetologist on the station, he was picked to go along with Terra Beck, an astronomer. It was them, the children of the scientist of the station. They were the only ones that would be able to survive the cryofreeze. It would take eighty years for the round trip.
This epic adventure is the author’s debut book and a trilogy series starter. The physical world-building is lacking in the immediate vicinity of the characters, while the distant big picture has more definition. The ethereal world-building is very well done and even on point in places. The character interaction can be wonderful in places, especially before the protagonists reveal what was told them about the other.
This science fiction fable involves time travel, alien contact, and space exploration. I give it five stars out of five stars. ...more
Niki DeVeraux’s turning began the night of her seventeenth birthday party, the night her father announced her arranged marriage, Halloween night. ThatNiki DeVeraux’s turning began the night of her seventeenth birthday party, the night her father announced her arranged marriage, Halloween night. That night she awoke to screams from her little sister, and upon reaching her room, she found Thomas Montgomery in her little sister’s room, blood everywhere. Same in her parent’s room, and then he caught her. She could feel his fangs enter her neck, then blackness. The next few days were the same, but when Niki awoke, she knew what she was because she found herself in their barn, and their animals were all dead, drained of blood. Niki took a day to bury her family and then ran, not knowing how or why she turned. She just knew who was responsible, which was over two hundred years ago, and now she knew she was close to killing the man she knew as Thomas Montgomery, her sire. The vampire that killed her family, the family that haunted her.
A different world is described, with the old rules of vampires mixed with some of the new rules of existence, which makes for a compelling lifestyle for the vampire characters. Then a ruling class above shifters and vamps makes it a stranger world with intermediaries between the major factions. A strange new world well thought out, with full, rich characters that populate it.
I appreciate the old legends that originally surrounded the vampire lore. While some may argue against these original myths, I find it easier to argue against the sparkly or easy cleanup of a pile of dust on aisle three versions. I’ve got to nod toward the five stars out of five stars for this nod to the original.
Sora is turning seventeen and must decide on her future husband because she is almost at that age, but she decides to run away instead. Yes, her goal Sora is turning seventeen and must decide on her future husband because she is almost at that age, but she decides to run away instead. Yes, her goal is to sneak out after her dance, where she takes off thin gauzy veils to show off her body in a skin-tight dress as a custom to entice prospective husbands' offers. Then, much to her chagrin, she falls during her dance. She is embarrassed and ashamed. The look her father gave her said it all to her again. She was not good enough. Thankfully it was at the end of her dance, and when the lights went out, she ran off stage, grabbed her prepared bag, and then ran into a stranger who abducted her in the middle of her escape. Now, she was held hostage by a thief and assassin, and soon they would meet up with another.
Wonderful, just wonderful world-building and character development. No, that is not meant as a sarcastic line because the story in itself seems to be original. And the understatement for keywords. This book was very well done, and if you can’t tell, I liked it.
Fiction-Fantasy-Epic, yep! It’s got all three and then some. I will give this tome five stars out of five stars. ...more
Her dog ran into the woods making Aimee Patterson chase it. Then when she caught up with it, it ran away, back the way it came, but Aimee suddenly couHer dog ran into the woods making Aimee Patterson chase it. Then when she caught up with it, it ran away, back the way it came, but Aimee suddenly couldn’t move. She watched parts of her body disappear but kept her eyes closed when she awoke to strange voices. Aimee figured she was in a hospital, but when she finally opened her eyes, it was no hospital room she had ever seen. Come to find out. She had been abducted from her home world by accident, and they would not be by Earth again for five of its rotations around the sun.
Hey! She got to keep her memories, and she did not get probed! :D Okay, enough fun about the abducted and conspiracy theories. But, for our heroine, it was no theory, and as expected, she had the answer for the reason the aliens abducted her by accident. The world-building is done well, and the character interaction is smooth.
Hey, reader of this review. You might like this read if you like young adult science fiction with a little action and adventure. I give it five stars out of five stars.
In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a swamp, there is a narrow band of forest with a path running through it. Next to that path is an inn called TIn the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a swamp, there is a narrow band of forest with a path running through it. Next to that path is an inn called The Laughing Dragon, and people rarely come this way, but when they do, they stop at the inn, rest, or spend the night. On this cold and rainy day, three travelers made their way to the inn one at a time. The storm outside grew in intensity, and the innkeeper prodded the men to tell a story, and he would judge who had the best.
This story, this tale, is super short. It is only sixteen pages long and has a twist that you will not see coming. The physical world-building puts you inside the inn. The ethereal world-building not only tells you how bad the weather is outside but also the smells and ambiance inside. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is part of the story, the part that the characters tell the innkeeper.
This very short story became a chapter in the novel The Failing God, which is the First of the Cranborn Chronicles. I give this very short story five stars out of five stars.
Dean and Nick woke up at the airport to realize that they had been robbed by the deplorable person known as Tahoe. He had taken everything, including Dean and Nick woke up at the airport to realize that they had been robbed by the deplorable person known as Tahoe. He had taken everything, including their supplies, transportation, and the cure that Val would need soon. It is a good thing Lucas had a tracker for the bug planted on the vials of the cure. They would be able to follow Tahoe wherever he went. But first, they needed to find some transportation.
The physical world-building can put you right in the scene. The ethereal world-building can add flavor to the scene. The character’s interactions feel reasonably real. The character’s history was explained in the first novel, but what you need to know for this installment is contained herein.
This is a dark fantasy read that has horror and science fiction in a post-apocalyptic setting. I give this read five stars out of five stars.
Nick and Dean, along with Lucas, Jackie, Clair, and Val, had found the town Tahoe traveled to. The people here in this town, Kingsville, were not quitNick and Dean, along with Lucas, Jackie, Clair, and Val, had found the town Tahoe traveled to. The people here in this town, Kingsville, were not quite right for some reason. Now, all they had to do was find the vials and get out of this town before Val turned. Unfortunately, Val turned and escaped, and they went looking for her. During their search, they found out the town was bringing in zombies. They had to find Val, recover the vials of the cure, and get out of town fast.
Nick and Dean (Sam and Dean), I can’t help but draw some parallels there. If these guys didn’t have bad luck, they wouldn’t have any luck at all, or so it seems. The physical world-building is vague in places. The ethereal world-building adds flavor here and there. The character’s interactions are plausible. The character’s history is explained where needed, but most of the history has been covered in previous volumes.
This apocalyptic read has the horror. I give it five stars out of five stars....more
Charlotte Blake is her full name, but she likes to go by Charli. Her BFF, Nicole Lawson, and her have been planning to get out of Pipers Cove, TasmaniCharlotte Blake is her full name, but she likes to go by Charli. Her BFF, Nicole Lawson, and her have been planning to get out of Pipers Cove, Tasmania, together for ten years and travel the world together. But one day, with a few months to go before they were out of school, Adam came to town. Adam Decarie is the cousin of Mademoiselle Decarie, the school’s French teacher. And for some reason, he wanted to hang out with Charli. He wanted to know more about her, and she wanted to learn more about this man who affected her so.
This is not my usual forte for reading. I usually look for some suspense, thriller, paranormal/supernatural, etc., to accompany the romance. I, however, mistook the title to signal that it was one of the things I look for, and this is what I get when I don’t look at the genres. Now with that said, I liked this read. As I said, I don’t do romance without some other genre, but the physical world-building is sometimes unclear, but the vistas were memorable. The ethereal world-building is well done. Then there is the character interaction, which is believable, even if the female lead seems to have emotional or mental problems. :)
This contemporary young adult coming-of-age romance is full of love and romance. I think this book was very well written, giving it five stars out of five stars.
She is called Princess Bennua. She is the youngest of seven sisters but cannot seem to fit in. She wishes for more than the men in her life allow. AndShe is called Princess Bennua. She is the youngest of seven sisters but cannot seem to fit in. She wishes for more than the men in her life allow. And to top it all, her father arranged her marriage to a cruel man. Then the Prince of Thieves demanded a hostage or face destruction, and to her surprise, she offered herself. This left her father with nothing to do but agree. After that, she went from city to city with the Prince of Thieves, stealing what they could, when they could, and where they could. She saw how the common people suffered under each ruler of each city. She saw her captor, the prince, give his ill-gotten-booty away to his citizens, how his citizens lived, and how happy they were under his rule.
Oh, this adaptation of an Aladdin fairy tale has little to do with the original story, at least from my memory. Then again, I could be wrong. I guess I’ll have to reread Aladdin’s fairy tales sometime. I say this because of the girl-power part of the story. Then, the effort of some men of power in the story to keep women down under their thumb. This version seems to highlight current events, but these issues have gone on for centuries. It seems to bring these issues to the forefront in this telling. Once again, this is based on my memory.
No matter if I remember the Disney version right or wrong, I liked this fantasy land and, thus, enjoyed this story. I give it five stars out of five stars.
It’s way too early to get a phone call while on leave, but Captain Saul Harris of the UNF just received that call recalling him from leave. When he reIt’s way too early to get a phone call while on leave, but Captain Saul Harris of the UNF just received that call recalling him from leave. When he reported, he was given a mission briefing. A special ops space station had gone dark. The Command lost communications with the station and wanted the Captain and his team to go up there and check it out. He was told it was more than likely a technical problem. But just in case, it was up to him and his team to figure it out. And oh yeah! He was doing a one-off for the UNF P.R. Department. They were temporarily adding three members to his team. All three were women, but they did have some skills: a pilot, a sniper, and a woman with a flair for demolitions and electronics. When he met them, Saul towered over them. The tallest might have been five foot ten inches tall, but even then, she looked small to him. He knew they would look small and feminine to his men. Some were even larger than him. He felt as if something wasn’t right about this mission. He wondered why a sledgehammer was being sent when a wrench and a screwdriver would do.
The world-building is very well done. The character interactions are smooth and informative when they need to be. This story has some nice creepy surprises and twists and turns, but the end was kind of expected. As the end approached, I wondered how you would leave this story and make an opening for the next book in the series, and I guessed it right before I read it.
There is plenty of action and adventure in this telling in a science fiction setting that involves genetic engineering and the military to the rescue. And yes, there is some romance, but it is mild in its description. I give this space opera five stars out of five stars.
Jinji could see the threads of life, water, fire, earth, and air that were everywhere, and she could see the white light that bound them all together.Jinji could see the threads of life, water, fire, earth, and air that were everywhere, and she could see the white light that bound them all together. Not only could she see them, but she could manipulate them, and if she wished, she could create illusions with them. Rhen saved her, but he thought she was a boy, and she maintained that illusion by giving herself her dead brother’s face. Now they traveled together after saving each other’s life, and it would not be the first time in the adventures to come. Rhen was on the trail of proof that another kingdom wanted to overthrow his family’s rule of the land, and Jinji was searching for the shadow that killed her tribe.
The world-building here was fantastic and populated by characters from different cultures, making for well-rounded characters. Then the story they followed could be called epic, but since this is the first book in a series, I’ve got a ways to go to know how it ends.
This series might be for you if you like inherent magic, fantasy, or young adult adventures in a magical realm. And I give this recommendation after only reading the 1st novella and book. I give this fantastic read five stars out of five stars. ...more
Wow! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! You go, girl! Ah, but I’ll try not to give it away. Enter a young woman named Emilia, in her early twenties, andWow! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! You go, girl! Ah, but I’ll try not to give it away. Enter a young woman named Emilia, in her early twenties, and she has something that some people covet. She is also willing to auction it away to the highest bidder because she has several reasons that all concern money. Now, in walks one of the highest bidders, Adam, who has his own agenda, and he covets her, all of her, and not just what she has put up for the auction.
It took me a bit, but I put it together long before it was revealed, and still, I read the whole thing, and I liked it. I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters and followed along with their ups and downs. Then your description of those moments leading up to the closing of the deal was well done.
You will like this book if you like happy endings. :D If you like contemporary billionaire romance, you will want to read this. I give this book five stars out of five stars. ...more
Yeah, I would also be grumpy if I was unceremoniously awakened after less than two hours of sleep, and I would also have some one-liners ready for thoYeah, I would also be grumpy if I was unceremoniously awakened after less than two hours of sleep, and I would also have some one-liners ready for those who did the waking. With me, they would pay. I would give them an earful. Kyra Sarin, on the other hand, is a trained soldier, the lone survivor after five years of war at the edge of the solar system. Well, she has more to give them than a bunch of words but don’t despair. The one-liners are still there.
I liked the 80’s action and quips after each kill. The role reversal was a surprise, and this short left me wanting to know not only where the story would go but when and where these tidbits of society would be explained.
I give this short story five out of five stars because it makes me want more of the story. More of the characters. More of the society they live in. ...more