Book Review - Spooky Times by Nic Saint

Spooky Times by Nic Saint
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis: Who is Alice Whitehouse? Mortician’s assistant, gun store clerk and chairwoman of the neighborhood watch committee. Loving daughter of the Chief of Police. Best friend to local baker Felicity Bell. And then there’s the fact that Alice sees dead people. Unfortunately, they can also see her, and occasionally ask her help in solving their murder. With pluck, resolve and cheerfulness in the face of danger, she does just that, aided and abetted by the members of her neighborhood watch committee, and local police detective Rock Walker, on whom she may or may not have a secret—or not-so-secret—crush.

When Gemma Weston is found murdered, the crime baffles the police. It also baffles Alice’s neighborhood watch committee, but that has never stopped the spunky ladies of the committee before. They dive headfirst into the murder investigation, very much to the exasperation of Alice’s dad, Chief of Police Whitehouse, and the newest member of the Happy Bays Police Department, Detective Rock Walker. Spurred on by an increasingly annoying Gemma, whose ghost isn’t the nicest one Alice has ever encountered, she puts her sleuthing powers to the test to catch a killer before he or she can strike again.

My Thoughts: So cute and fun! I loved Alice's character and enjoyed the shenanigans her and the neighborhood watch crew found themself engaged in! Not gonna say what it is but there was a certain "crime" they were after a person about that just kept me in giggles!

Then there was poor Gemma and her dead self. Can't decide if she was more annoying dead or alive but everybody should have their murder solved of course!

It is what it is...a light fun paranormal read with a mystery to boot and maybe just a tad of flirtatious romance.

View all my reviews

Book Review - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis: Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town where Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.

Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.

After seeing her maybe-mobster boss murder a guy, Delaney James assumes a new identity and pretends to be a mail order bride. She finds her groom-to-be living in a town that celebrates Halloween every day. Weird. But not as weird as what she doesn’t know. Her groom-to-be is a 400-year-old vampire.

Hugh Ellingham has only agreed to the arranged set up to make his overbearing grandmother happy. In thirty days, whatever bridezilla shows up at his door will be escorted right back out. His past means love is no longer an option. Not if the woman’s going to have a future. Except he never counted on Delaney and falling in love for real.

Too bad both of them are keeping some mighty big secrets...

My Thoughts: This has been one of the cutest reads I think I have read this year! I ate it up in a few sittings and it was just the kind of story I needed after reading so much other heavier books. Just a nice, fluffy, and fun read.

I loved the idea of a town celebrating Halloween all year long as it is one of my favorite times of the year and every time Delaney called her chubby cats name "Captain Underpants" I would totally lose it! I enjoyed following along as Delaney and Hugh fell for each other even if it was a bit quick but then again everything had to move along quickly in their situation. Hugh was quite dreamy when he wasn't acting like a monkey's behind but he thought he had a good reason to act that way so anyhow one of my favorite quotes from the story was...

"I never knew I was the kind of girl who went in for the whole vampire thing until I had one of my very own."

View all my reviews

Blurb Blitz/Giveaway - America's Hero by Regan Taylor

 

America's Hero

by Regan Taylor

 

GENRE:   Paranormal

 

BLURB:

After her F/A-18 crashes Marine Corps Major Cassie Winter embarks on a daring rescue saving both her life and that of her RIO. In the aftermath she returns to her ship and hottie actor, Austin Quinn learns of her story. Quinn is determined to tell Cassie's story with a slight twist -- he will be the hero instead of Cassie. When he arrives on her ship she wants nothing to do with him, but once she is ordered to take him on a flight something strange happens and they find themselves back in time. As they move forward to their own time and beyond the couple finds more than just adventure. He plays America's Hero, but she IS America's Hero.

 

Excerpt:

Over the whop-whop of the rotors, the CH-46 rescue helicopter reported in to the aircraft carrier George Washington’s air controller. “Calvary 1 approaching LZ.”

“Copy your traffic, Calvary 1,” the controller responded, calm and in control. The voice of assurance coming over the air was heard clearly as the CH-46 approached what was designated as the landing zone, a place that was as safe as could be—given the circumstances.

Pilot Dawg Jameson scanned the area where the F/A-18 Hornet they were searching for had been downed two days earlier. If its pilot and weapons systems officer were alive, at a minimum, they’d be badly injured. He spotted a moving cloud of dust and identified three battered trucks, loaded with men who appeared to be carrying guns. The cloud moved toward the barely visible, scattered debris. No doubt they were also headed for the crash site. Most definitely not to effect a rescue but to take prisoners—if the crew were still alive.

“Calvary 1, Base, looks like company en route, counting three trucks filled with tangos. Request fast mover cover ASAP,” Dawg radioed in.

“Base copies, fast movers en route.”

“You see anything?” Dawg asked his co-pilot and crew.

“Nothing yet, Captain,” the co-pilot’s voice crackled over the headset.

Hovering over the crash site of the downed F/A-18 the crew of the CH-46 scanned the area. Major Cass Winter, aka, Snow White, had been shot down with Weapons System Officer Keith McDonald two days before and all the wingman could provide was a general location with two chutes deployed.

One of the embedded reporters on a passing helicopter sent out to check for survivors reported seeing what appeared to be one of the jet’s external tanks. Now, with tangos approaching from the east, the 46 either had to find the crewmen in the next few minutes or get out of Dodge fast. The thwuck of two COBRA attack helicopters initially sent as cover could be heard approaching, buying the rescue crew a few more precious minutes.

“Where the hell are those fast movers?” Jameson yelled as he set down the 46.

“There! I see something in that clump of whatever the heck that stuff is over there!” Lance Corporal Adamson called out.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Regan Taylor is originally Seaford, New York and now bucolic Marin County California. Published in both fiction and non-fiction she enjoys quiet days writing, reading with one of her cats on her lap and crocheting. She volunteers with Friends of Ferals in Marin County and considers the feral she cares for, OC, as one of her own. Her past careers include legal secretary, therapist and police dispatcher.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1085063.Regan_Taylor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsReganTaylor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Regan-Taylor/e/B002BLFER0%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09R5YT38B/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

 

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

Regan Taylor will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC or a copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour/Giveaway - ALL BAGS GO TO CLEVELAND by CS Hale

 

 

ALL BAGS GO TO CLEVELAND by CS Hale 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 GENRE: paranormal romantic comedy 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

BLURB: Angela Grimalke appears more blonde bombshell than the gremlin she is. But there is no denying her supernatural truth after her clumsiness gets her fired from her modeling career. Forced to work for her family’s upscale airline, she spends her days slinging luggage and wishing her parents would get off her back about finding a nice gremlin guy to settle down with. 

Relationships were the last thing on her mind, not that her family would accept that. 

For Dave Ford his frequent business travel made it next to impossible for him to find a woman who could tolerate his chaotic schedule. Which is why he appreciates Angela. Neither of them are looking for love, but Dave feeds Angela's addiction for chocolate while she provides him with the chaos to keep him on his toes. 

However, as Angela’s parents bombard her with a parade of "eligible" gremlin men at their weekly family dinners, she finds herself torn between who she longs to be and her family’s expectations. Will she give in and live the life of magic they want for her? Or risk it all by to confessing to Dave that she isn’t human? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Excerpt: “You owe me.” 

Angela glanced up from her computer screen. Dave Ford stood in front of her. The blood drained from her face. “Do I?” She raised her “helpful” smile. 

“Yes.” Dave handed over his passport and put the Louis Vuitton garment bag on the scale. “Last time, you sent my bag to Cleveland.” 

“The system isn’t perfect,” Angela said, punching Dave’s information into the computer. “Things do happen sometimes.” 

“You control the system. I think you owe me a glass of wine for having to find a tailor at six a.m. I had a nine o’clock business meeting and just my jeans and sweatshirt.” 

 “Hmm. By that reckoning, I think I’d owe the tailor for having to get you a functional suit so quickly at that early hour.” 

 “I tipped him £100. Least you can do is buy me a glass of wine in return.” 

Angela lifted her gaze. Dave—all six feet of him with his fabulous hair— had a hopeful expression on his face. 

“I’m not in the habit of buying strange men alcohol.” 

 Dave stuck his hand out. “Hi. Dave Ford. Business traveler.” Angela laughed. “All I’m asking for is a glass of Malbec. Or maybe pinot noir. Small price to pay in comparison to my having to fight off jet lag via acupuncture.” 

“Acupuncture?” 

Dave shrugged. “It was early for the tailor. His aim wasn’t quite what it could have been.” 

Angela dipped into Dave’s mind. The tailor had stabbed him a couple of times. And Dave was playing with her. He wanted to see what she’d do. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

From The Author:

If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be? Hmm. That’s a tough one. I’ve been bullied most of my life so I have always tried to be kind to others. I can’t think of anyone in particular that I’ve left hurting. If I have, I’m sorry!

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have? I have always been jealous of Diana Bishop’s firedrake Cora in Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy. I don’t know that I would have been able to release her like Diana did.

How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre? I think most authors have their own voice. I guess that can become difficult in a really popular genre so I’m lucky that paranormal rom com is fairly new. I’ve always tended to be more of a genre blender than someone who follows the trends.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received? I think the best and worst advice were one and the same. I had a beta reader on All Bags Go to Cleveland tell me that I needed to write more scenes like one particular one. She was absolutely right, but I had no idea what had made that scene so engaging in the first place and neither did she. After sitting in the drawer for five years, my writing skills improved, and I realized that what made that scene so engaging was its deep POV. Hopefully there’s a lot more of that in Cleveland now.

Are the experiences in this book based on someone you know, or events in your own life? I borrowed a lot from myself and others for Cleveland. Angela has pieces of me and CJ Redwine (we’re both total klutzes). Dave was based on the Dave who originally gave me the idea and a friend from high school who has worked as the head of international HR for several global companies. I also sprinkled in lots of real places I have been to in New York, London, Paris, and even Heidelberg. 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links: Catherine “C.S.” Hale has been writing fantasy since she could hold a pencil. When not holed up in a comfortable corner writing all her books out by longhand, she can be found somewhere by the sea, enjoying tea and pastries. 

Website: cshalebooks.com 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CatSHale 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorcshale 

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FVDJL54 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 A randomly drawn winner will receive a $50 Amazon/BN GC: 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour/Giveaway - The Runaway Witch's Kiss by Tamela Miles

The Runaway Witch's Kiss by Tamela Miles 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

GENRE: Paranormal Romance 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 BLURB: Nahla Gregory is a witch on the run from a bad domestic situation. Tomas Castillo, a warlock, has a prepared safe haven for her, while dealing with his own problem, his neutered magickal powers. He’s sworn to protect her and to keep his hands off her, but Nahla is downright tempting. Danger is coming for them and combining their powers may be the only way to survive the storm. Can Tomas keep Nahla safe, as promised, while she helps him rediscover his long forgotten magick? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Excerpt: Nahla raised their joined hands and planted a kiss on his knuckle. Her smile was sweet as she heard him draw in a breath. “You’re all alone in this world. I can only imagine the pain that must bring.” He stopped walking and turned to her. “Not all alone. I have other members of my coven. I have the Spellbound wards, who I frequently shelter.” The moon cast a sliver of light on his face but she couldn’t see the emotion in those expressive eyes. “But…don’t you ever get lonely?” He chuffed softly. “I’m perfectly lonely, Nahla. That’s just my lot in life, I guess.” She moved in closer and released his hand. Gentle fingers rubbed his bristly chin. “You don’t have to be, Tomas. At least, while I’m here.” His tone was gruff. “Are you inviting me into your bed, sweet Nahla?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and let her tentative kiss do the talking. He devoured her mouth, just as he had done before, and his hands stroked her lush bottom. They remained lost in each other for long, passionate moments before he broke away, breathing heavily. “I’m not strong enough to resist you. Is this a spell you cast? Because I feel like, even though we haven’t known each other long, I’m drawn to you.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 AUTHOR Bio and Links: Tamela Miles is a school psychologist with Ed.S and PPS credential and a graduate of California State University San Bernardino and California State University Dominguez Hills. She is also a former flight attendant. She grew up in Altadena, California in that tumultuous time known as the 1980s. She now resides with her family in the Inland Empire, CA. 

She's a horror/paranormal romance writer mainly because it feels so good having her characters do bad things and, later, pondering what makes them so bad and why they can never seem to change their wicked ways.

She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, she loves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or her Facebook page, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys the feedback from people who love to read as much as she does. 

Social Media Links: 

On Twitter: @jackiebrown20 

On Instagram: Tamela Miles Books 

Facebook 

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sassysleepingbeauties/ 

Book Buy Links: Amazon – ebook - https://amzn.to/3bSHFPX 

Amazon-print- https://amzn.to/35xhbm6 

Nook Press- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-runaway-witchs-kiss-tamela-miles/1137624815?ean=2940162643586 

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1042510 

Kobo- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-runaway-witch-s-kiss 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

Tamela Miles will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway