What Else I Read in August 2015

Books:

Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge #1) by Jill Shalvis – This is an interesting mix of characters and setting in a brand new series.  Cedar Ridge, Colorado is a resort town and the Kincaid Family Resort has been there for years.  Now they have a limited time to overcome the damage done by their Father and have the money for an balloon payment fro the loan he took out that is due in just a year.  The Kincaid’s are a very interesting blended family.  It seems that Dad was not only a bad business man but also had three families.  Now the children from all three families are living and working together.  This is Aidan Kincaid and Lily Danville’s story.  Both have secrets and it takes a book for them to work them out.  Great start to the series.

The Temptation of Dr. Colton (The Coltons of Oklahoma #3) by Karen Whiddon – The Coltons are an interesting family.  This time we meeet Dr. Eric Colton and MW (Mystery Woman).  There is the usual romance and like previous books the mystery woman has someone trying to kill her.  It is a fun read with a good plot.  The solution is pretty tame but it did fit the series.   This is a series written by different authors.  Each book can stand alone but there are elements that are present in every book.  I enjoyed reading about MW and Eric.

Brown-Eyed Girl (Travis Family #4) by Lisa Kleypas – It has been almost six years since the last Travis Family book so I had forgotten a lot about the previous books.  That did not matter as this on worked well as a stand-alone.  The story follows a familiar pattern.  A successful woman who has locked up her heart and a man who is determined to unlock it.  Throw in a secondary romance and a wedding that needs to be stopped and you have a very good story.  Kleypas always delivers and Brown-Eyed Girl is no exception.Eyed Gir(Travis Family #4) by Lisa Kleypas – It has been almost six years since the last Travis Family book so I had forgotten a lot about the previous books.  That did not matter as this on worked well as a stand-alone.  The story follows a familiar pattern.  A successful woman who has locked up her heart and a man who is determined to unlock it.  Throw in a secondary romance and a wedding that needs to be stopped and you have a very good story.  Kleypas always delivers and Brown-Eyed Girl is no exception.


Tracker (Foreigner #16) by C. J. Cherryh- Tracker is a set up for the next two books in the series.  We do get to see a lot more of Cajeiri as he and his friends from the ship become more important to the story line.  The Kyo are back but just as a plot point.  There should be more about them in the next book. 

This is book 16 in the series and the books are much better read in order.

Summer of the Eagle by Susan Edwards Virtual Tour and Giveaway

SUMMER OF THE EAGLE

by Susan Edwards

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

 The most powerful woman in her tribe, Blaze can heal with a touch, control the elements, merge her mind with any living creature and more. Yet, she is an outcast. Her people fear her and she herself is afraid of the things she can do. There is darkness in her visions, along with a tall, buckskin-clad stranger with golden-brown hair and eyes as green as the leaves on trees. Somehow, he is her destiny.

Luc Cordell is done with trapping.  He yearns for civilization and a normal life.  His only regret is leaving behind his family. But his father’s second wife is a SpiritWalker, and now, so is his father.  How can Luc live with people who run with the wolves or soar across the heavens with the owls? Yet when a haunted healer with stars in her colorful eyes enters his life, he is drawn into the mystical world whether he likes it or not.

The winds of change are sweeping across the land, taking Luc and Blaze into a world of lies, deceit, and murder. Together, they search for truth and must turn to the eagles for answers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Follow your heart. She put a hand to her chest and felt the small leather bag given to her by Wise Owl. She pulled the clear stone from the pouch and held it up to the sunlight. She studied the patterns in the smoky-white center. Last night, it had been completely clear. In the sunlight, she spotted four tiny golden flecks that hung like stars trapped in the crystal.

“You are a special stone,” she murmured as light fell on one flat surface and radiated through the crystal, bringing it to life. She felt something in the crystal, some greatness, a power that seeped into her and sang in her veins.

Ancient life.

“What is your purpose?” she asked as she watched the center come alive. She focused. Visions often came to her on shiny surfaces, things she could see and others could not. Many times a vision was her first warning that she was needed in the village.

She focused on her questions. The clouds inside the crystal seemed to move and change color until, finally, there in the center of the stone, there sprang the image of a broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped buckskin-clad trapper with golden-brown hair. One of the stars pulsed over his heart.

Holding her breath, Blaze brought the crystal closer to her face. She couldn’t see his features clearly, just the shape of a face, but as though he sensed her gaze upon him, he turned his head toward her and Blaze couldn’t help her gasp of amazement. His face became clearer until that was all she could see. It was like looking into a mirror and seeing the face of another.

His eyes were a rich, warm green like the thick carpet of ferns growing in the deepest shade of the forest. His face was covered with hair, as most trappers seemed want to wear it, but his mouth was firm and his nose long and straight. But his eyes drew her again, mesmerized her. They were deep pools of soothing green.

“Who are you?” Her voice was a soft whisper.

The stranger stared into her eyes, then his image grew smaller. He held out one arm. Long fringe swung back and forth, and his fingers curled out and toward her.

“Help me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Susan resides in California with her husband of thirty + years. She love animals. Cats currently number six as she just rescued a kitten named Luna last fall. She now considers herself to be a crazy cat lady! She also has three dogs. Two adorable Chiweenies named JJ and Abbey and  temporary (ha!) custody of Shasta, her daughter’s six year old, Great Pyrenees mix.

Susan also enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. Knitting and crochet are her current passions although with the arrival of her first granddaughter, her sewing machine as seen the light of day. She is also an avid gardener. Through her love of all things Native American, she designed a 26-foot Medicine Wheel Garden. It’s a big project but one that she loves, except when the weeds threaten. Right now, with her crazy, busy schedule, the weeds are winning the war!

Camping, fishing, biking and hiking (when not hot) are other outdoor pursuits she and her husband enjoy. She is of course, an avid reader and hates cooking and housework. While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music, including Neil Diamond, Celtic, Native American, New Age, Classical, and mood music (bagpipes and howling wolves drive my family nuts). Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.

Native American/Western romance writer Susan Edwards is the author of the popular “White” Series. She was nominated for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Western Historical and Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award. She is very pleased to be able to offer to her readers her White series in Digital Format, along with her SpiritWalker series.

           

Email:                        Susan@susanedwards.com

Website:             http://susanedwards.com

Twitter:                 https://twitter.com/susan_edwards

Facebook:             https://www.facebook.com/susanedwards1

Blog:                     http://susanedwards.wordpress.com

Goodreads:            https://www.goodreads.com/susanedwards

Pinterest:            https://www.pinterest.com/susanedwards2u/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Susan will award a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breakout (Dred Chronicles #3) by Ann Aguirre

Science Fiction

From Goodreads:

All hell is breaking loose in the edge-of-your-seat follow-up to Havoc and Perdition from New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre…

The prison ship Perdition has become a post-battle charnel house with only a handful of Dred’s soldiers still standing and now being hunted by Silence’s trained tongueless assassins. Forging an uneasy alliance with mercenary commander Vost—who is their only chance at escape—the Dread Queen will do whatever it takes to end her life sentence on Perdition and keep the survivors alive long enough to cobble together a transport capable of getting them off station.

If Dred and her crew can win the deadly game of cat and mouse, the payoff is not only life but freedom—a prize sweeter than their wildest dreams. Yet the sadistic Silence would rather destroy Perdition than let a single soul slip from her grasp.

In Book Three there are not that many characters left alive on Perdition.  That does not stop Dred and crew from trying to breakout.  It seems like an impossible thing to do but of course after many trial and troubles they succeed.

Now what do they do?  How do they live?  Well that is the interesting part of the story.  

While Dred was in charge on Perdition Jael takes charge after their escape.  They need a very different mindset after the escape and Jael provides it.  There is a world of difference between the first half of the book and the second half.  The first half is very violent.  The second is about building a new life and leaving the old behind.

One interesting fact and a small spoiler: Information about Silence helped them to set up their new life.

It is a good ending to the series even though it seems a little to good to be true.  Aguirre crafted characters who I should have hated and made them into characters I was pulling for.  I was glad we got to know how they all did after breaking out.  It put a nice period to the end of the series.

The Dred Chronicles is set in the same universe as the Jax books.  I saw what I thought were hooks that could be used for future stories.  I would not mind a new series in the same setting.

ACE published Breakout by Ann Aguirre in 2015.

I received an ARC of Breakout from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas

Contemporary Western Romance

From Goodreads:

From New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas comes the first book in a compelling, emotionally resonant series set in a remote west Texas town—where family can be made by blood or by choice…

Rancher Staten Kirkland, the last descendent of Ransom Canyon's founding father, is rugged and practical to the last. No one knows that when his troubling memories threaten to overwhelm him, he runs to lovely, reclusive Quinn O'Grady… or that she has her own secret that no one living knows.

Young Lucas Reyes has his eye on the prize—college, and the chance to become something more than a ranch hand's son. But one night, one wrong decision, will set his life on a course even he hadn't imagined.

Yancy Grey is running hard from his troubled past. He doesn't plan to stick around Ransom Canyon, just long enough to learn the town's weaknesses and how to use them for personal gain. Only Yancy, a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car's pedals, isn't prepared for what he encounters.

In this dramatic new series, the lives, loves and ambitions of four families will converge, set against a landscape that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, where passion, property and pride are worth fighting—and even dying—for.

Jodi Thomas not only has a new series this one has a different publisher. HQN Books is the publisher of Ransom Canyon.  For all of us who have followed her Harmony series there are some things that are the same but also some very big differences.

Once again the series is set in a small Texas town and follows the families who live there.  Ransom Canyon introduces some interesting characters who help keep the story line lively.  There is also a element of danger in the story.  I loved Yancy Grey and all of the senior citizens who take him in and change his life.  I see a romance in his future.  Lucas Reyes, the sheriff and his daughter liven up the action as well.  Staten Kirkland and Quinn O’Grady are the main characters in Ransom Canyon and they have a very complicated relationship. 

All of this adds up to a great story and a great start to a new series.  Jodi Thomas is on my list of favorite authors and Ransom Canyon keeps her up there at the top.

HQN published Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas in 2015.

I received an ARC of Ransom Canyon from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Kiss of the Incubus by C J Harwin Virtual Tour and Giveaway

KISS OF THE INCUBUS

by C.J. Harwin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

An incubus who feeds off the sexual desires of others, Roth de Lis has never been denied the pleasure of a woman’s body...until now. Lilah, once a warrior maiden in the service of a goddess, languishes on Earth after being cast out from the slopes of Mount Olympus.

Lilah will do anything to return home to Olympus, including betraying Roth. As she spins her web of lies, Roth begins a slow, wicked seduction that eventually threatens to consume them both. But when Lilah’s deceit comes to light, will their torrid love affair be able to overcome a pact with the darkest of gods?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

The moonlight made Lilah hum with power, giving her abilities a much-needed boost. She glanced at Roth, still out on the ground. She didn’t want to reveal her bow and arrows to him, lest he guess where she got them. Anything that gave him any insight into her past was a threat to her future. But there was no other way out. Lilah stilled and summoned her bow. It sprang from her grasp, a wisp of silver growing into the curved tips and taut string. It resonated with power in her hands as she pulled a similarly effervescent arrow from her quiver.

The fury’s wings, translucent and covered in a fine black fur, flapped to keep her hovering above the ground. Lilah noticed the fury examining the markings on her neck. She pointed at Lilah and said, “Not you, servant of Artemis. My master wants the incubus.”

“The incubus is mine. If you want him, you’ll have to go through me first.” The glow of the moon and her instinct made her ready, spoiling even, for this fight. It had been far too long.

“So be it,” the fury rasped before splaying her claws and diving for Lilah. Its battle cry pierced the night.

Lilah rolled to the left and let her arrow fly, punching through the creature’s wing and soaring off into the night. The fury let out a shriek that had blood running from Lilah’s ears. But she didn’t care. She was in her element.

                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

C.J. Harwin is an author of steamy romance novels that spring from myth and imagination. Accompanied by her family and an embarrassing number of pets, she lives in a Southern town watched over by the god of the forge. An attorney by day, she spends her nights crafting tales of ghouls and gods, mortals and minions, and heroines and the heroes who love them.

Twitter: @cjharwin

Facebook: facebook.com/cjharwin

cjharwin.com

http://amzn.com/B00ZSJACSS

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kissoftheincubus-1838776-143.html

http://www.loose-id.com/kiss-of-the-incubus.html

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-of-the-incubus-c-j-harwin/1122158114?ean=9781623009267

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/kiss-of-the-incubus-2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

C.J. Harwin will award a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter a $20 Amazon/BN GC.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Immortal Matchmakers, Inc by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Virtual Tour and Giveaway

IMMORTAL MATCHMAKERS, INC

by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

ANDRUS

Once the most powerful immortal assassin ever to exist, this demigod now spends his days pining for the girl who got away: Helena. Doesn’t help that he’s also Helena’s full-time nanny slash bodyguard. But now that the apocalypse is over and her husband, the vampire general, has returned home for good, it’s time to move on.

But can Andrus let go of the woman he secretly loves?

Cimil, Goddess of the Underworld and owner of Immortal Matchmakers, Inc., knows the solution is finding another gal. The right gal. But getting a woman to date this callous, unrefined, coldhearted warrior will prove to be the biggest challenge of her existence. Good thing they’re in L.A.

When aspiring actress Sadie Townsend finds herself one week away from being thrown out on the street, the call from her agent is like a gift from heaven. But when she learns the job is teaching the world’s biggest barbarian how to act like a gentleman, she wonders if she shouldn’t have asked for more money. He’s vulgar, uncaring, and rougher around the edges than a serrated bread knife. He’s also sexy, fierce, and undeniably tormented.

Will Sadie help him overcome his past, or will she find her heart hopelessly trapped by a man determined to self-destruct?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

PG 13 Excerpt

Commotion erupted in the restaurant, snapping Sadie back into awareness that she was lying on the restaurant floor underneath this large man, who was actually assaulting her.

“You think you can take me down with a little knife?” he snarled.

“Dammit, Andrus. You barbaric asshole,” barked the man’s date, “she was not trying to attack you, she was trying to serve you meat.”

A moment passed as the man stared into her eyes, still lying right on top of her, his cock nestled right up against her crotch. She felt his heart pounding away in his chest, the rhythm strangely matching her own frantic beats, like two war drums pounding together.

Ohmygod. What am I doing enjoying this?

You are not. You’re offended!

Yes. I am.

His eyes moved to her lips and then a cocky, devious smile worked onto his mouth. “Whoops. Guess I overreacted,” he said in a slow, deep unabashed voice.

He thought this was funny? He’d knocked the wind out of her and everyone was staring while she’d experienced an embarrassingly erotic moment that proved she was nuts or completely hard up for a man. Or into having public sex.

“Fucking asshole,” she snarled, catching her air, “get off.”

A wicked little smile flickered across his lips. “Perhaps later,” he whispered. “At present, I’m on a date.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling Romance author, host of the radio talk show, Man Candy, on Radioslot.com.

When San Francisco native Mimi Jean went on an adventure as an exchange student to Mexico City, she never imagined the journey would lead to writing Romance. But one MBA, one sexy husband, and two rowdy kids later, Mimi would trade in corporate life for vampires, deities, and snarky humor.

She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback (for men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most.

She also enjoys interacting with her fans (especially if they're batshit crazy). You can always find her chatting away on Facebook, Twitter, or saying many naughty words on her show MAN CANDY on Radioslot.com !

Find out more about Mimi and upcoming books at www.mimijean.net.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MimiJeanPamfiloff

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MimiJeanRomance

Tsu - https://www.tsu.co/mimijeanpamfiloff

Newsletter - http://bit.ly/1ULsBW8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

Grand Prize (1 winner) - Signed copy of Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. plus all 5 of the Accidentally Yours books, a Saddleback leather tote, bookmarks, and magnets
4 winners - Signed copy of Immortal Matchmakers, Inc., bookmarks, and magnets.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stacking the Shelves, August 23, 2015

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

I was at World Con in Spokane, Washington this week.  I got the following free books:

From 47 North:

Poor Man's Fight by Elliott Kay
Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson
Through the Door by Jodi McIsaac
The Far Time Incident by Neve Maslakovic

Free from the Con:

Islands by Sara Stamey

Purchased:

Windswept by Adam Rankunas
Raygun Chronicles by various authors

Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr

Contemporary Romance

From Goodreads:

Blake Smiley searched the country for just the right place to call home. The professional triathlete has traveled the world, but Thunder Point has what he needs to put down the roots he's never had. In the quiet coastal town he can focus on his training without distractions. Until he meets his new neighbors and everything changes.

Lin Su Simmons and her teenage son, Charlie, are fixtures at Winnie Banks' house as Lin Su nurses Winnie through the realities of ALS. A single mother, Lin Su is proud of taking charge and never showing weakness. But she has her hands full coping with a job, debt and Charlie's health issues. And Charlie is asking questions about his family history—questions she doesn't want to answer.

When Charlie enlists Blake's help to escape his overprotective mother, Lin Su resents the interference in her life. But Blake is certain he can break through her barriers and be the man she and Charlie need. When faced with a terrible situation, Blake comes to the rescue, and Lin Su realizes he just might be the man of her dreams. Together, they recognize that family is who you choose it to be.

I met Lin Su Simmons and her son Charlie in the last Thunder Point novel.  Everything about her was left hanging so I was anxious to see what would happen to both.  Turns out a lot happens. 

Lin Su is a very self-contained private woman.  She is very good at her job and loves Charlie but does not allow people to get close and personal.  It takes a lot to bring her out of her shell.  Blake Smiley and the others at Thunder Point work very hard and little by little she starts to trust.

Wildest Dreams is another feel good story filled with great characters whose lives are filled with interesting drama.  Everything falls into place as the story progresses although sometimes there are unexpected surprises in store for each of the characters.  Wildest Dreams will stand along but start with book one for the most reading fun.

Harlequin Mira published Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr in 2014.

I received an ARC of Wildest Dreams from Neutrally in return for an honest review.

Reap and Repent by Lisa Medley Virtual Tour and Giveaway

REAP & REPENT

by Lisa Medley

NOTE: This book is FREE during the KDP Select Tour, August 17 - 21

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

They see death. Can they share a life?

Ruth Scott can read the energy of every person she meets. Then she meets Deacon Walker. She can see his ice-blue eyes, his black hair, and his gorgeous face. But this beautiful stranger has no aura.

Deacon is just as unsettled by Ruth—and, having spent more than two hundred years ushering souls to Purgatory, Deacon is seldom shocked by anything. As he helps Ruth to understand her true nature, she awakens desires that he decided long ago a Reaper can’t afford.

A demon invasion forces Deacon to confront the darkness in his own past even as he fights to save the human souls he’s charged to protect. When he’s taken captive, his first concern is for Ruth. But Ruth just might be able to save herself—and the Reaper she can’t live without—if she can learn to wield her newfound powers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

“I want answers. In the hospital, I sensed something about you when we met… Your mother was Mary Scott. Correct? She died in that hospital room while you were there?”

“I didn’t do that. It wasn’t my fault,” she blurted out.

“Okaaay,” he proceeded cautiously. “Did you touch her before you left?”

She considered him, her mouth going dry. She had touched her. She’d given her that final kiss on the forehead.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Ruth couldn’t look at him as she began to realize what all of this might mean. Had her bizarre handicap really killed her father, and now her mother, too?

She was a killer.

“You’re not a killer,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“I thought you couldn’t read minds!” She sobbed, tears choking her throat closed.

It’s my fault. I AM a killer.

“You’re not,” he insisted. “I think you’re a reaper, like me.”

Her heart starting beating faster and her vision started to go blurry around the edges. The whole room sped down a black chute into darkness. She was going to pass out. She was going to pass out with a strange supernatural man in her house.

God help me.

                                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lisa has always enjoyed reading about monsters in love and now she writes about them, because monsters need love too.

She adores beasties of all sorts, fictional as well as real, and has a farm full of them in her Southwest Missouri home, including: one child, one husband, two dogs, two cats, a dozen hens, thousands of Italian bees, and a guinea pig.

She may or may not keep a complete zombie apocalypse bug-out bag in her trunk at all times, including a machete. Just. In. Case.

http://lisa-medley.com

https://www.facebook.com/lisamedleyauthor

https://twitter.com/lisamedley

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7824406.Lisa_Medley

https://plus.google.com/u/1/+LisaMedley/posts

Find Dark Urban Fantasy, Paranormal & SciFi Romances here at my Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/1gMV6Db

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow this link to visit the rest of the tour stops.  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/08/kdp-free-days-reap-repent-by-lisa-medley.html