Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 30

#Excerpt: THUNDERSTRUCK by Wren Michaels

Thunderstruck
Wren Michaels
(The Thunderbird Brotherhood, #1)
Publication date: March 10th 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Reseda Juarez is dead. Though she functions as a human, inside she’s an emotionless weapon, trapped between the living and the undead. Cold and unrelenting, she’s used as a super-soldier by the government in a special task force to hunt preternatural beings to the brink of extinction.

One night, five years ago, Kane killed an innocent and his brother lost the love of his life. The aftermath forces Kane to become the alpha of the legendary Thunderbirds. He now must protect what’s left of his family from the tribe of wolf shifters who ripped them apart.

When Reseda’s mother is bitten by a wolf, she and Kane are forced to work together to find the Mayan Pul Yah stone to heal her—the same stone that gifted Reseda to the life she now lives. But the journey is riddled with more than wolves, also searching for the stone. Something strange happens to their powers when they’re together, and they struggle to fight the intense attraction between them. The deeper they go, the more secrets unravel, until love is the only thing that can defeat an enemy no one saw coming.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Kane turned, thrusting his hands in the air. “I don’t even know who this Reseda is. How am I supposed to find her?”

“I’m sure I have a picture of her around here somewhere. But it’s quite old. She must be in her twenties by now.” Maquinna pressed the last of the herbs into the open wounds along Glenda’s arm and a phone slipped out of her apron pocket, crashing to the floor. The screen flashed with Reseda’s name.

“So, I’m just supposed to shout her name into the woods or something? I’ve got nothing to go on.” Kane stilled. Hair along his arms danced on an electric wave humming in the air around him. Closing his eyes, he inhaled a slow breath.

Adrenaline? No.

Sweat? No.

A scent he’d never encountered before, crisp and pure. Not fear, not heat, nor blood. Yet something distinctly feminine, clouded by wolf.

Kane shot out of the house in a blur. Following the scent, he kicked up speed as he dodged the enormous redwood trunks. The smell of rage and blood lust covered the faint scent of the female. The wolves had closed in on whoever it was. Triumphant howls rang out from the forest floor, and Kane zeroed in on the sounds.

Hair, long and dark as midnight, shone beneath the shimmer of moonlight as he caught sight of her. The same four wolves that he rescued Glenda from now chased this female, Castos out in front. She glanced over her shoulder, and for a moment Kane swore he caught a smile on her face before terror flickered in her eyes and she turned back around, increasing her sprint.

The thought disturbed and distracted him. He didn’t have time to transform into the Thunderbird as he caught up to one of the wolves. Continuing his chase, he stiffened his forearms and the edges of his tattoos lit up. A streak of lightning flashed from the ink, splitting the wolves’ path down the middle, singing the paws of two as they flipped over, rolling down the rim floor.

Castos glanced behind him. His yellow eyes pulsed blood-red as he released an ear-splitting howl catching sight of Kane. The wolf launched himself into the air, toppling the female to the ground. Kane leaped headfirst for the other wolf, barreling him to the Earth in a plume of dirt and pine needles. He gripped the creature by the head and twisted it in his hands, snapping its neck.

Castos walked around the female face down in the dirt, glaring at Kane from a distance. “You’ve now made yourself a true enemy, Kane. This was not your business.”

“What happens on my land is my business, Castos. Let the girl go.”

Castos howled with laughter. “You sound an awful lot like your father. Those same words got him killed.”

Rage boiled beneath Kane’s skin. Curling his fingers into his palm, the edges of his tattoos once again lit, brighter than before as he channeled everything into his powers. Something blurred to his right, and Kane snapped his focus to find the source of it. Castos released a whimpering growl as he flew through the air, soaring over Kane’s head, landing in a puff of dirt behind him on his back.

Kane whipped his head back to the girl. She stood facing him, bathed in moonlight, arms thrust forward ready to attack. The most intense and haunting blue eyes he’d ever seen flickered between the rays of light and darkness shadowing her face. Kane scrambled up from the ground to a stance, glancing back to where Castos landed, only to find him gone.

He turned back to the girl. “Are you hurt?”

“Are you?” She cocked her head, slanting a hip to the side.

He couldn’t tell if she was confused or teasing. “What kind of question is that?” Why would she ask if he was okay? He was the one saving her. Did she completely miss where he took out three of the four wolves?

“A valid one. I don’t know what happened to the other two, but I saw you tussling with Gage. He’s no easy match. That was Castos’ number one. So, again, are you hurt?” she asked.

“You’re on a first name basis with the wolves?” He sniffed the air around her, stepping closer. “You don’t smell like a wolf.”

“Chanel. It hides everything.” She circled in turn with his steps around her. “But no, of course I’m not a wolf. Thanks for the insult.”

He stifled a laugh. “Many pardons, ma’am.”

“Ma’am? Do I look that old?” Her lips fell into a pout. “It’s the moonlight, isn’t it? And the fact that I forgot to moisturize this morning.”

Kane cocked a brow. Who the hell was this girl making jokes moments after being savagely attacked by not only wolves, but the Alpha? She looked far from old. Dark hair that could rival the finest silk draped her shoulders, almost as long as his own. Olive skin that shone flawless under the light of the full moon was only put to shame by those stunning eyes.

Kane stepped back. “No. That’s not what I meant.”

“You hesitated. I do. I look old.” Her shoulders slumped as she folded her arms. “I’m too young to use night cream.”

Kane shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about? You just got jumped by a pack of wolves and you’re worried about wrinkles?”

Author Bio:

Wren hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet and carried her to Texas, where she promptly lost all tolerance for cold and snow. Fueled by coffee, dreams, and men in kilts, Wren promises to bring you laughter, heart-fluttering romance, and action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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#Review: THE RIGID DUKE by Darcy Burke

 

  4 of 5 stars

Mrs. Juno Langton has a difficult task ahead of her trying to help a young woman become more socially adept, but her charge wants nothing to do with preparing for a Season. When they are invited to a house party, Juno thinks it's the perfect venue to hone the young woman's skills. The Duke of Warrington "Dare" hates house parties, but he knows it's time to search for a wife. When he finds he's being matched to a young woman who seemingly despises him, he tries to win her over, but he's conflicted because he really wants to win over her companion, the vivacious Mrs. Langton. Can Juno encourage them both to give their best efforts to a match or will she find herself pining for the duke?

I'm a fan of Ms. Burke and this story does not disappoint. It was a quick read without a lot of fluff. The plot moved along nicely and Ms. Burke does a good job of letting the reader into the character's mindset. The biggest obstacle in the book is both Juno and Dare not voicing their growing attraction for each other. After a few bumps along the way, they finally find their HEA. This was a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading more in the series.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

 

#Review: I WANT YOU TO WANT ME by Shana Galen

 

  5 of 5 stars

Nicholas St. Clare, youngest son of the Marquess of Averstow, came home from the war a broken man. When his war horse fell on him, his legs were crushed. The doctors told him he would never walk again, but Nicholas was determined and now he can walk albeit slowly and with a walking stick. His body is not the only thing that is damaged though. He feels like half a man and believes no woman would ever want him, that is, until he met Amelia Blackstock. Amelia couldn't get over how beautiful Nick's eyes were and though she knew his legs were damaged they never bothered her in the least. When they are found in a compromising position, Nicholas weds her, but believes they will have a platonic marriage. However, Amelia has other ideas and it's up to her to convince him he's everything that she wants and needs.

This is the last book in the Survivor series and I absolutely loved it. It's my favorite of the whole series. The slow burn romance is very relatable and it's Nick's mind that needs to accept what happened to him and decide to live life to its fullest. I loved Amelia. She was such a warm and generous character and knew full well that it was up to her to convince Nick he was a desirable man. The reunion with all the other Survivors was a great way to remember each one of them. The house party was quite enjoyable. There are some spicy sex scenes in the story, but they are very well done and vital to the story. I will be sorry to see the series end, but am looking forward to what Ms. Galen has planned for her next series.

I received an advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

#Excerpt: AGAINST THE BOARDS by Danica Flynn

Against The Boards
Danica Flynn
(Philadelphia Bulldogs, #3)
Publication date: March 1st 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

ROXANNE
When I applied for a job with the Philadelphia Bulldogs, I never thought they would offer it to me on the spot. Luckily for me, my twin was letting me stay at his place while he played hockey overseas.

Then he dropped the bomb that Benny was his new roommate. You know, the only guy on the team I can’t stand. I don’t know how we’re gonna survive being roommates. Because honestly? Some days I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss him or punch him.

BENNY
When TJ told me his sister was moving to Philly and needed a place to stay, I knew I should have high-tailed it out of town for the offseason.

But I didn’t. Because I’m all sorts of foolish when it comes to that feisty woman. Every time our paths cross, I open my mouth and make her mad. Usually with good reason, too.

The two of us being roommates was bad news. We’re either going to kill each other or I’m gonna give her the best kiss of her life. I’m not sure which is worse.

The Philadelphia Bulldogs hockey team are back, in this all new-standalone novel. Books can be enjoyed in any order. If you love a steamy enemies to lovers romance, this one is for you.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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EXCERPT:

“So, when can you start?”

I stared at the blonde woman in front of me in disbelief. I thought the interview was going well but not that well.

“Whenever you need me,” I said with a smile.

When I saw the posting for the sales manager position with the Philadelphia Bulldogs, I applied on a whim. I never thought they would call me back or offer it to me on the spot. I needed to get out of St. Catharines and would have taken any job. Literally any job if it meant working for an NHL team. Even if it meant leaving Canada.

Quinn smiled at me. “I’m gonna be honest: I need the position filled ASAP. Can you start tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” I choked out.

“Do you need to give notice to your current employer?”

I shook my head.

After my messy break-up, I had been so gutted that I ended up quitting my job. Not the best plan when your ex-girlfriend kicked you out after you caught her cheating on you. Jobless and technically homeless, I had nothing holding me back from moving to a different country.

Quinn flipped through the paperwork on her desk. “Shit, you’re Canadian, right?”

“Oh, I don’t have to wait for a visa. I have dual citizenship.”

“Oh, perfect, because I’d rather not wait. We’re not in the playoffs again this year, but there’s a lot of prep work for next season.”

I stared at the Bulldogs’ calendar on the wall behind Quinn, and dread spread through me. This month’s photo depicted right-winger Tristan “TJ” Desjardins lobbing the puck into the back of the net. Kinda weird to be staring into the face of your twin brother during a job interview. Although, it might have explained why I applied for the job to begin with.

“There’s something I should tell you first,” I admitted, and I pointed to the calendar behind her. “That’s my brother.”

She stared at the photo of my brother on her wall and then looked at me curiously for a second. “Huh. Now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance.”

“We’re twins. Is that gonna be a conflict of interest?”

She tipped back her head and laughed.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“Sorry. The GM’s my husband, so it’s funny you asked that. As long as we keep things professional, I don’t foresee it being an issue.”

A lot of NHL teams had fraternization policies, so it was interesting that the Bulldogs didn’t have one. The OHL team I worked for back home in Canada had a strict policy. Not that it ever mattered to me. I hadn’t been single. Or into douchey hockey players who reminded me too much of my brother.

“Can you start tomorrow?” she asked again.

“Absolutely.”

“Perfect!”

She went over the information I needed for tomorrow and then walked me out of the office. She shook my hand in the hall. “I can’t wait for you to get started.”

“You don’t even have to wait a full twenty-four hours,” I said with a grin.

She waved goodbye to me, and then I walked outside. Once there, I finally took a breath.

Holy shit. I got a job with an actual NHL team!

Author Bio:

Danica Flynn is a marketer by day, and a writer by nights and weekends. AKA she doesn’t sleep! She is a rabid hockey fan of both The Philadelphia Flyers and the Metropolitan Riveters. When not writing, she can be found hanging with her partner, playing video games, and reading a ton of books.

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#Review: EDUCATED BY THE EARL by Alexa Aston

 

  4 of 5 stars

Major Spencer Haddock's life was the army and he never expected to become the Earl of Middlefield. Never having been educated to inherit the title, he felt woefully unprepared to assume the duties and enter Polite Society. He meets Lady Tessa Foster when he tries to save her from a knife attack, but turns out Tessa did not welcome his interference. Spencer is taken with the blond beauty and vows to win her love. Now all he had to do was convince Tessa of that because she refused to allow him to court her. Can he win her love?

This was the first book in a new series and it was a good introduction to a group of childhood friends who were all second sons destined for the army. I enjoy Ms. Aston's books. She keeps the plot moving nicely along and I especially liked that Spencer learned that he couldn't just order people around like he was still in the army. Tessa was hard to like at the beginning. What gently born lady hires a thief as her lady's maid on the spot? That was a little unbelievable, but she grew on me as the story unfolded. There were a few twists and turns that kept the book exciting. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

 

#SALE .99: THE VAMPIRE NIGHTLIFE BOXED SET by Debra L Martin & David W Small

The boxed set will be on sale for .99 for a limited time. It's a complete story revolving around vampire hunter Lacey Gardner and her soulmate Damon Harte. Be sure to grab your copy before the price goes back up to $5.99.

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Nightlife-Boxed-Set-ebook/dp/B09N2LCHNX

Blurb:

The Silver Cross, Book 1
There are two things Boston detective Lacey Gardner knows about killing vampires. Slicing off a head or a hit directly to the heart are the only surefire ways to kill one. Silver is their Achilles heel. A vampire never wears silver.

When she meets bartender extraordinaire, Damon Harte, her heart does a quickstep for the dark hunky guy. She's learned the hard way that having a love interest in her line of work can be heart-wrenching. She's kept to herself for years, but something about Damon captivates her and draws her to him. When she learns Damon's devastating secret, she knows what she has to do: kill the man who has stolen her heart.

The Silver Double Cross, Book 2
Fresh off suspension for insubordination, Lt Detective Lacey Gardner is eager to get back to killing vampires. Reeling from the shock that her lover and soul mate, Damon Harte, was the former vampire king in Boston, she did the only thing she could—she shot him—twice.

Now Boston is under siege by a brutal new vampire king, and it's all her fault. The new king has declared the city's citizens fair game. The streets run red with victims' blood and it's up to Lacey and her team to hunt down the rogue vampires and restore order. When Damon comes back to Boston offering to help, Lacey has a heart-wrenching decision to make. Will she open her heart to the man she loves or will she be forced to send him to his final death?

 

#Review: UNMASKING THE DUKE by Mary Lancaster

 

4 of 5 stars 

Johnny Winter,  Duke of Dearham, appears to be a carefree rake, but there's a lot more to him than most people know. For one, he's determined to right a terrible wrong committed against his Cousin Margaret by his grandparents. Margaret is gone, but Johnny is searching for her daughter. He's beginning to think Kitty Renwick is that long-lost distant cousin, but can he keep his attraction to her under wraps until he solves the mystery? Kitty has been enamored with Johnny for over a year since he first appeared at Maida Pleasure Gardens, long before she knew his true identity. When he tells her his suspicions, she doesn't believe it's possible, but a small flame of hope ignites that it could be true. Can they solve the mystery and achieve their own HEA?

I really liked Johnny's easy-going personality. His reputation as a rake has not endeared him to the ton, but his charm won over even his harshest critics. Problem is, no one really takes him seriously, but when he tackles the mystery of finding his cousin, even his family sees a different side of him. Kitty is a good girl who is kind to her family and friends. Even when her life is turned upside down, she never forgets where she came from. There was another intriguing mystery running throughout the book and it added an interesting element to the story. The plot moves along well and there's a big twist at the end that was quite surprising. I have enjoyed this series and am looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

 

#Review: THE LADY TEMPTS AN HEIR by Harper St. George

 

  3 of 5 stars

American Maxwell Crenshaw finds himself back in London when his father falls ill. His father commands him to marry or he'll not support his daughter August in her quest for a dock project for Crenshaw Ironworks. Max comes up with the scheme for a pretend engagement with Lady Helena March to placate his father, but he never expected to fall in love with her. Now his biggest obstacle is to convince Helena to marry him. Lady Helena vowed never to marry again. She's hiding a secret and cannot let herself fall for the handsome American. Can she stay strong and resist his charms?

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was kind of boring for me. All the angst that Helena constantly experiences got old after a while. She was taking it upon herself to decide Max's life as well as her own. I did love that Helena was passionate about helping unmarried women and their children and Max was so honorable when dealing with the crisis at Crenshaw Ironworks, but I didn't think August continuing to work now that she was a duchess fit in with the prevailing opinion of Society. Max's father, however, was just so arrogant and cared for nothing but his own profit to the expense of everything else. Even the epilogue did not satisfy my hope for the perfect HEA. I won't say what that is so it doesn't spoil the book for any other readers.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

 

#Review: THE MOST ELIGIBLE BRIDE IN LONDON by Ella Quinn

 

 

   2 of 5 stars

I usually love books by Ms. Quinn, but this one was so boring! Nothing of importance really happens. Nate and Henrietta meet accidentally and from that brief meeting, they both decide the other person is the one they want to marry. There's no character growth. We're just told about Nate's previous bad behavior against Henrietta's sister, but by the time he comes back to London, he's completely reformed. Not having read any of the previous books in the series might have made all the characters introduced in the book make more sense. I almost stopped reading numerous times as the story just didn't hold my interest that much.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

#Review: GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO RAKES by Eva Leigh

 

3 of 5 stars
Kieran Ransome has been involved in his last scandal if he ever wants to continue to receive his allowance from his father. In order to make amends, he must find and wed a respectable woman within a year or he'll be left destitute. Problem is the only respectable woman Kieran knows is his best friend's sister and Society's darling, Celeste Kilburn, but will she be willing to help him repair his reputation? Celeste Kilburn is trapped by the expectations her father puts on her to lift the family social standing by marrying Lord Montfort, but she doesn't love him. When Kieran asks for her help, she says yes, but only if he'll agree to show her some of the more scandalous places in London. Kieran has no choice and agrees and when he begins to see a new side of Celeste, his feelings for her begin to change. Would Celeste ever agree to be his?

I liked Celeste and her desire to experience so much more than what a respectable young woman is allowed. Most of the book is about her finding her true self and her desires while Kieran also changes as he begins to have feelings for her. This is not the usual regency romance and there's lots of graphic sex scenes/talk so the reader should be warned if you don't prefer this in your romances. I'm not sure I'll read anymore in this series.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.