The Best Seller by Dina Rae ~ Review

Title: Best Seller
Author: Dina Rae
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, Romantic Suspense
Length: 294 pages
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Ronda

When Maya Smock writes her first novel, everything seems to go her way. Her book practically writes itself. She marries her gorgeous agent. Her name is on all of the best seller lists. Billionaire author Jay McCallister takes an interest in her meteoric rise to fame and invites her into his world of alien-believing celebrities. Her life changes forever when he tells her that they were both created inside of a laboratory. These authors are embedding an alien genetic code within the pages of their novels that originated from Nazi Germany because...

The time has come. They are here.

 Brilliant and Creative Writing!

A Sci-fi Conspiracy theory that leaps and expands into new boundaries.

What a Perfect book for those who love an excellent thought provoking, conspiracy twisting, and mind boggling turns of drama that will have you questioning every legend, tale, or heritage you think you knew.  How pure of a human are you – Angel, Demon, or Alien? Ever thought why some individuals are smarter and more successful than others – how it came naturally for them and harder for others?  Where did our race really originate from – God, Angels, Aliens, or how about a man made tube where genetic modification was used by mad scientist – example: Hitler / cloning for perfection / Alien abduction?  Actually, how did our ancestors really get on earth – really from dust to dust or was it time travel? These are just a few of the scenarios weaved into this awesome story along with romance, hatred, jealousy, murder, madness, psycho plots, and the unthinkable possibilities that make this one hell of a drama and a thrilling suspense you won’t be able to put down.

I was hooked from the first paragraph.  Dina Rae has a way of creating characters that draw you into their world and have you memorized with every word or action they make.  The plot seems to start out small but as you read towards the end and think you may have it figured out – wrong! No, you find there is a much bigger plot to be told and revealed.

Maya Smock character is a sweet and smart young lady and I loved how even though writing came second nature to her she was still down to earth and knew how to get what she wanted – especially the way she got Claude to listen to her manuscript – LOL  Claude on the other hand, I didn’t like him very much in the end especially how he uses his wife, brother, and ladies of the night.  What a real psycho! Then there is Erick O’Reilly – what a sweetheart and I’m still hoping for a Happy Ever After for him and Maya.

Jay McCallister was more than what I expected and I only wanted to know more about him.  His true identity and relationship with Maya was mind boggling.  Was disappointed at the end, however, I’m hoping we get a great surprise involving him in the 2^nd installment of this series.

Another part of this story is about the Nazi scientist along with our government’s secret agenda of creating the perfect and powerful human race and their involvement with an Alien species, how a new species was born, and how they are among our society today just totally kept me intrigued. Though the story doesn’t get to the point of how this ties in with Jay McCallister and Maya, I’m looking forward to the revealing truth of the two plots becoming intertwined to one big one.

Overall, this was a fantastic story. There were many exciting and thrilling episodes all throughout the book.  Truthfully I was shocked that the story didn’t come to an explosive end, no it is left open for a bigger plot and for the characters Maya and the mad scientist to finish telling their stories.  Yes it is leaving me hanging and now I’m jonesing for the next installment. 

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The Awakening of Ren Crown by Anne Zoelle ~ Review and Giveaway

Rising Up with Ren Crown

Welcome to The Awakening of Ren Crown Tour! Today as part of the tour, I'll be sharing my thoughts with you on the first book in the Ren Crown Series! Don't forget to enter for your chance to win some great prizes including an Amazon Gift Card, Special Edition poster and coloring book and pens!

I loved this story!!! I found myself completely lost in the world of Ren Crown and her days at the magic school - it will not be what you expect. Her mini-adventures and other student mages that she meets are just amazing, I loved them all - ever the ones I hated.

Ren is a great character. What I like best about her is how real she seems. Her guilt and grief over the death of her brother, her confusion when she first realizes magic does exist, and her reaction to a secret crush is just adorable. She may be a powerful mage, but she really knows nothing about magic. Her method of trying it all gets her some interesting predicaments and she's quite clever at working around them. Her way of working out problems was quite genius and I loved seeing her thought process and she worked through it all.

She accumulates an odd group of friends. They all are very unique themselves and the way she managed to bind the group together was a lot of fun. I'm not sure I've seen such a hodge podge of personalities get along so well!

There is lots of adventure, magic gone right, and magic gone wrong. Ren can never be sure who might be aligned with the bad guys. There are times I'm not even sure if she's trusting the right people. But it all seems to work out in a crazy magical way. I hope to get my hands on book two soon!

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Books

A world that exists right on top of ours–in every nook and cranny…a world that modifies the memories of anyone not yet awakened to magic…a world at war… Devastated by the loss of her twin–and consumed by the realization that magic actually exists–art student Ren Crown illegally enrolls in a fantastical university determined to bring her brother back to life. But caught in a time of war, and as a mage with abilities that both sides want to harness and use, Ren finds herself an unwitting pawn in a larger game. Needing to hide from those who wish to enslave her, Ren gambles everything on her determination to succeed, putting herself in plain sight of those who could capture her. Constantly needing to figure out who to trust–a cold, powerful roommate, a genius magical engineer, the most powerful combat mage of their age, a mysterious muse, a cunning and brilliant tactician, a charming terrorist, an influential politician, or the voice of her brother…the hardest thing may be trusting her own heart.

 

 

Barely surviving her first term at college, all Ren wants to do over break is relax and bond with her roommate—not get eaten by a sentient building or attacked on the street. But with increasingly open warfare brewing between the magical factions and Layers of the world, this time, Ren will not fail in making sure everyone she loves stays safe and protected. That includes doing things like filling her parents' house with personal art heavily embedded with wards, bubble-wrapping her increasingly imperiled roommate, and even making sure that a certain sexy thorn-in-her-side continues to breathe free air. Finding herself on duty protecting the entire university alongside campus god Alexander Dare...was not what she'd had in mind. But this time it's not only her life on the line. And Ren will do anything to protect those she loves.

 

 

Reeling from what the students at Excelsine University are calling "Bloody Tuesday," Ren is determined to regather her magical family. But the events of the attack were not without multiple costs. Magically broken and exposed, Ren is ripe pickings for multiple factions that want to use and chain her, and the Department is the scariest of the pack. With only a limited amount of time to save her friend, and confined with the rest of the student body awaiting their fate, Ren stands a mere hairsbreadth from losing her freedom completely with each and every decision she makes.      

   

   

Anne Zoelle has loved books about fantasy, magic, math, wit, and imagination since devouring A Wrinkle in Time, Phantom Tollbooth, Alice in Wonderland, and the Chronicles of Narnia as a child. Split between the midwest and west coast, she writes books for all ages, as well as for furry monsters, sentient libraries, and adventuring aliens. Anne Zoelle is the pseudonym of a USA Today Bestselling Author. She is currently working on the fourth book in the Ren Crown series. Connect with Anne on her website, Facebook, or Twitter.

Review and Excerpt: Close Remembrance by Anna Zaires

Title: Close Remembrance (Krinar Chronicles, #3)
Author: Anna Zaires
Source: Author
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novel
Release: Sept 4, 2013
Reviewer: CaroleDee

The stunning conclusion to the critically acclaimed series that has won thousands of fans!

When a ruthless enemy finally strikes, Mia and Korum will face the biggest test of their relationship yet. But it’s Korum’s own secrets that may ultimately tear them apart.

From the beaches of Costa Rica to a planet in a distant galaxy, theirs is a love story that may change the world . . .*Warning: This book contains strong sexual content and explicit language and is not suitable for readers under 18.

Close Remembrance was a fantastic conclusion to all of the trials Mia and Korum have been through.

Through the two previous books we've seen Korum be slightly manipulative and, let's be honest, selfish. In book three, when faced with losing Mia forever, I saw a different side to the alpha that was much softer. Of, course, he's still a K, so he's got his swagger, but watching him work to win Mia's love for a second time was so much fun to read :)

Ah, and let's talk about our sweet, naive Mia....well...she is no more! The chick has finally embraced her sexuality! HOORAY! Watching her character develop has been so great. It just brings a realistic vibe to an, otherwise ('cmon it is Sci-Fi), unrealistic situation. There may be aliens, and a very different earth, but a early 20 something girl having problems brings it home.

I'm going to stay away from a book summary on this review, because I don't want to ruin any of the fun. Just know that our loving couple get their HEA, and the ride to get there is a wild one!

 

Excerpt

© Anna Zaires and Mozaika Publications, 2013

Tuesday was a day off in Lenkarda, and it was also Maria’s birthday. The vivacious girl had sent her a holographic message over the weekend, formally inviting her to the party on the beach at two in the afternoon. Mia had gladly accepted.

“So I don’t get to come?” Korum was lounging on the bed and watching her get ready for the party. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, and she knew that he was teasing her.

“Sorry, sweetie,” she told him mockingly, twirling in front of the mirror. “No cheren allowed. Charl only.”

He grinned. “Such discrimination.”

She wore the necklace he’d given her and a light floaty dress with a swimsuit underneath – just in case the party involved any swimming in the ocean.

“Yes, well, you know how that goes,” she said, grinning back. “We’re too cool for all you Ks.”

She loved that she could banter with him now. Somehow, almost imperceptibly, their relationship had assumed a more equal footing. He still liked to be in control – and he could still be incredibly domineering on occasion – but she was beginning to feel like she could stand up to him. The knowledge that he loved her, that her thoughts and opinions mattered to him, was very liberating.

“All right,” she said, bending down to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek, “I have to run.”

Before she could pull away, however, his arm snaked around her waist, and she found herself flat on her back on the bed, pinned down by his large muscular body.

“Korum!” She wriggled, trying to get away. “I’m running late! You told me yourself it’s an insult to be late –”

“One kiss,” he cajoled, holding her effortlessly. She could see the familiar signs of arousal on his face and feel his cock hardening against her leg. Her body reacted in predictable fashion, her insides clenching in anticipation and her breathing picking up.

She shook her head. “No, we can’t . . .”

“Just one kiss,” he promised, lowering his head. His mouth was hot and skillful on hers, his tongue caressing the inside of her lips, and Mia could feel herself melting on the spot, a pleasurable fog engulfing her mind. Before she could completely forget herself, however, he stopped, lifting his head and carefully rolling off her.

“Go,” he said, and there was a wicked smile on his face. “I don’t want you to be late.”

Frustrated, Mia got up and threw a pillow at him. “You’re evil,” she told him. Now she was extremely turned on, and she wouldn’t get a chance to see him for the next few hours. The only thing that made her feel better was the fact that he would suffer equally.

“Just wanted you to hurry back, that’s all,” he said, grinning, and Mia threw another pillow at him before grabbing Maria’s gift and heading out the door.

For more excerpts and news on upcoming books connect with Anna:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon France | Amazon Germany | Barnes and Noble | iBookstore | Smashwords | Kobo | All Romance

Mistress Of The Stone by Maria Zannini

Title: Mistress Of The Stone 

Author: Maria Zannini 

Source: Author request 

Genre: Historical PNR

Length: Novel
Reviewed by Laurie
Print release date is July 2, 2013.

She was ready for his steel, but not for his flesh.

Luísa Tavares has a list of sins the length of the Antilles, but there’s no time to repent for them now. When a pockmarked Frenchman hands her Papa’s ring—still attached to his severed finger—she orders the Coral back to the Caribbean, despite her father’s earlier warning never to return.

It’s Luísa’s luckless fate that the only man who can help her is a blasted Inglés pirate hunter who’s more dead than alive and locked in a curse he doesn’t want lifted. Worse, his feral sensuality sparks a hunger she can’t ignore.

Xander Daltry hadn’t planned on kidnapping this wild woman—or succumbing to his uncontrollable desire for her. But he needs Luísa and the moonstone she wears around her neck to rescind a witch’s spell. His sister, long dead, and others like her have been cursed to remain in the mortal plane for eternity. Only the stone can set them free.

The only way to convince the reluctant pirate queen to help him is to withhold one small bit of the truth. For if she learns who really betrayed her father, the longing in her fiery eyes could easily turn to murderous wrath…

Product Warnings

Contains a pirate queen with a sacred gem, a werewolf with an agenda, an island where nothing is as it seems, and a hero with a Jolly Roger that’ll make you purr like a kitten.