Friday, 31 August 2018

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels #6) by Kerrigan Byrne (2018)


The bravest of heroes. The brashest of rebels. The boldest of lovers. These are the men who risk their hearts and their souls—for the passionate women who dare to love them…

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival—and salvation—lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelei will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?




Review 
I really loved the first part of the story where the young Ash is rescued by Lorelai. I instantly liked both characters and I couldn't put the story down. I really liked Lorelai as she is such a sweet, innocent but abused girl with a heart of gold.

I didn't particularly like Ash's character as the Rook. He seemed to have no protective feelings for Lorelai the way he did when he was younger. 
I'm not a huge fan of the pirate kidnapping trope as it inevitably leads to the heroine being locked up in the captain's quarters awaiting her fate of being raped. I'd prefer there to be plot than this.

I've read the earlier books in the series and loved them. This was not my favourite.


This book is available in audio, paperback and ebook Amazon

Thursday, 30 August 2018

Primrose and the Dreadful Duke (Garland Cousins, #1) by Emily Larkin, 2018








An irrepressible duke, a bookish spinster, a devious murderer … Regency house parties have never been so hazardous!

Oliver Dasenby is the most infuriating man Primrose Garland has ever known. He may be her brother’s best friend, but he has an atrocious sense of humour. Eight years in the cavalry hasn’t taught him solemnity, nor has the unexpected inheritance of a dukedom.

But when Oliver inherited his dukedom, it appears that he also inherited a murderer…

Oliver might be dreadfully annoying, but Primrose doesn’t want him dead. She’s going to make certain he survives his inheritance—and the only way to do that is to help him catch the murderer!

A Baleful Godmother novel.



Review 


A fun, lighthearted mystery with a sprinkling of suspense and magic.

I liked this book a lot as the characters were so much fun. I loved the banter and teasing that went on between Primrose and Oliver. Prim's brother Rhodes was also very likeable and I want to read his story when it come out.
I enjoyed the fact that there were two people causing acts of violence which meant that there were two mysteries for Primrose and Oliver to solve. It made very entertaining reading.

Having not read any of the author's work before, I wasn't sure about Primrose's ability to 'translocate.' I felt that the story was brilliant enough without this facet and it didn't add anything to the story. I think I would have preferred the book without this magical element although I will happily continue with the series as it is published.


Available in paperback and for Kindle Amazon


Sunday, 26 August 2018

Deadly Passion (Heaven's Heart Series #1) by Amanda Pillar (2018)






Can two assassins outwit each other to claim the ultimate prize? 





Dru is a blood-bound assassin, tied to Hell and her master for eternity — okay, not ‘eternity’, but it sure as Hell feels like it. She’s got a slight attitude problem, a strict no-touching rule and she has claws and knows how to use them. She’s also willing to earn her freedom at any cost, even if that means stealing from an angel.

Azrael was once a member of an elite unit in Heaven’s army, but after a priceless artifact was stolen on his watch, he was thrown out of Heaven. Now the fallen angel is on a mission: find Heaven’s Heart, save his missing comrades, and get even with the angel who took his wings. 

The first time Azrael and Dru meet, she leaves him for dead. The second time, they’re tasked with the same mission — retrieve Odin’s Orb. Will their sparking passion derail their best-laid plans? Or will they play for keeps?




Review


Deadly Passion is an exciting, magical adventure where the line between good and evil becomes blurred when natural enemies join forces for the good of a common goal. 

There is non stop action from start to finish with lots of humour thrown into the mix. There is just the right amount of romance in this story for me.
The author concentrated more on character and plot development resulting in one kick-ass story that I couldn't put down

Dru's sister Peony is a minor character in the Deadly Passion but I immediately liked her and was intrigued by her. I can't wait to read her story in book two which I can happily note is due to be published in November. 😀


Deadly Passion is available in Paperback and ebook.

  AMAZON Kindle price 99p


Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Bookish Gifts at literarybookgifts.com





I've often looked online for nice gifts suitable for book lovers as I've always struggled with finding that perfect gift for someone who has absolutely everything! It is a torture, especially at Christmas.

I've recently discovered a great website Literary Book Gifts which has a great selection of quality
T-shirts, tanks, hoodies and tote bags.

The site is easy to navigate.  By clicking on Women's Men's or Tote Bags it will bring you into the shop's range of gifts in these categories.

The T-shirts cost $28 plus P&P. $5 US.   $10 Canada and International
The designs are unique, not too bold and come in a good range of colours. The men's section is also labelled Unisex.

Scroll Below to see Exclusive Special Offer!!!

Dante's Inferno would be my T-Shirt of choice.

  • Slim fit with longer body length
  • 100% Soft cotton (fibre content may vary for different colours)
  • Tear away label
  • Runs slightly small
For those who are used to UK sizing you will need to consult the sizing guide for exact measurements as the sizes range from XS to 3XL.

In the men's section of the website a lot of the designs are the same as the women's. I think some of the titles are a little bit feminine to be included here e.g. Little Women and Jane Eyre. My Dante's Inferno from the women's section is also available for men in a smaller range of colours and from size S to 5XL.


  • Classic fit
  • 100% Cotton (fibre content may vary for different colours)
  • Runs slightly large
  • Suitable for Men’s and Unisex sizing
At $24 the Tote bags are my favourite items from the website. They come in a range of designs from bold to subtle. There is no choice in colours.

I found it difficult to choose between them so there's quite a few in my wish list.

I could get a Dante's inferno bag to match my T-shirt 
  • 100% Polyester
  • Boxed corners
  • Black cotton handles
  • Black lining
Sizes range from Small $24  Medium $28 and Large $32

Or I could get something different.

Book End Tote Bag











Ode On A Grecian Urn by John Keats (One of my favourite poets from my school days)











Vintage Book Tote Bag








           
 Emily Dickinson Tote Bag








There are so many more designs and authors to choose from by the likes of  Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Edgar Allan Poe and James Joyce.

Melissa at Literary Book Gifts is Just Book Talk followers a special discount of 20% using this code. 

JUSTBOOKTALK20

My problem will be choosing which bag to buy first!

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Supernatural Slayer: An Urban Fantasy Novel by Devyn Jayse (2018)



Today I'm highlighting an exciting newly published book called Supernatural Slayer: An Urban Fantasy Novel by Devyn Jayse. The first in a brand new series; it's on the top of my list to read in the Autumn.




Blurb:

Some people call me an assassin, I prefer the term bounty hunter.

In a world where magic is hidden from the general population, I'm hired to keep our secrets safe and take care of rogues by whatever means necessary.

When I accidentally targeted the wrong person, the Supernatural Bureau of Investigation offered me a deal — go to jail or work for them. Their first official request was to locate a vampire I thought I had killed over a year ago: my ex-boyfriend. Now I'm ordered to deliver him to them without harming a hair on his gorgeous head.

That was going to be a problem. By the time I find him, he's going to wish he had stayed dead.

Supernatural Slayer is an action-packed urban fantasy romp through Barcelona with an assorted cast of witches, vampires, and shifters. It may also feature a snarky gargoyle or two.

"No human beings were harmed in the writing of this book — only supernaturals."


Buy Links


Also available in Kindle Unlimited


Excerpt:

I looked down at my broken dagger then back up to the asshole who had destroyed its blade. This was the third time this week that a shifter had pissed me off.
"Did you seriously just break my dagger?" I glared at the wolf. His yellow eyes glimmered back at me. The assignment had been to retrieve the shifter alive, but right now I was very tempted to kill him.
"Just turn yourself in and no one will get hurt," I said, trying to be calm. I ran my thumb along my damaged weapon and wondered idly if it could be salvaged. "The bounty is for you to be delivered alive. Continue to fight me and I can't guarantee you'll walk away from this."
The shifter lowered his head and growled at me. He had transformed into a wolf as soon as I had exposed my dagger, shifting to his most powerful fighting body. I had to make do with the one I had. As a half-witch, I was statistically supposed to be weaker than the shifter, but my unknown father's blood had given me speed and strength that regular witches couldn't claim. I reached deep inside me for my magic and let go. It was reassuring to know that it was there, but I was determined to win this fight without it.
I circled the shifter. The wolf followed my motions, his hackles raised. It had been a while since I had fought a shifter in wolf-form, but I was sure I could best him. He may have strength and power on his side, but I had training and skills on mine.
"You want to play? Let's play." I tossed the remains of the broken dagger to his feet and his head swung toward it. With my left hand, I swiftly removed another dagger from within the sheath strapped to my back and ran toward him.



                             Supernatural Slayer  is available now!