Amy Mah's Blog, page 17
September 23, 2014
Our New Column Debut Bestseller’s Secret
Our New Column Debut Bestseller’s Secret
FROM DYSLEXIC TO BESTSELLER...
Chic Trends in Romance
SEXY GOES BUMP IN THE NIGHT
The Hot Hunks of History
DARK DUKES OF HISTORY
The Heat Diva
HOT SUMMER WRAP UP
Ali B. and the Forty Spaceships
TO READ, PERCHANCE TO DREAM...
The Scrying Eye
GHOSTS OF THE PAST... DEMONS OF THE PRESENT
Forever Young
THE RETRO SCREAM: HORROR NOVELS THAT NEVER GET OLD
BTS Goes Hollywood
www.fangsrule.com
A self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.
Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).
BTS Book Reviews from Amy Mah Vampire
FANGS RULE BookshopAMY MAH VAMPIRE
Vampire Book Realm
Ramblings of a Sick Mind.....Brian Mckinley
Body Swap Books
FANGS RULE Bookshop
AMY MAH VAMPIRE
www.fangsrule.com
A self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.
Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).
Bones Never Lie
Bones Never LieTemperance Brennan, Book #17By Kathy Reichs ISBN:#9780345544018 Author’s Website: http://www.kathyreichs.com/ Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Synopsis:Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD’s Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she’s been asked to meet with a homicide cop who’s a long way from his own jurisdiction. The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common—the killer. Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a string of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture. It was a devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan. Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina. When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue—unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another’s throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.Review:I have religiously watched the TV series with the family from the beginning, so began reading the series earlier this year, having only gotten through Deja Dead – the first book in the series. I was then offered the opportunity to read this book…so here I am writing a review for the latest book :) .I try to read a series in print (and in sequential order if possible) before watching the TV show or movies but the TV series and book series are different enough that one will not ruin the other. I began the book anticipating a great read and was not disappointed. While I did not have the history of Tempe’s prior interactions with Anique Pomerleau from reading prior books in the series, it did not detract from the read. All the “history” that was needed to fully comprehend the back story was appropriately integrated into the story.I love the angst between Tempe and Andrew Ryan. The interaction between the two is like a familiar glove…fits well but just not quite the same as before. Tempe knows how to get what she needs from Andrew and in the end…all is good. But I shall wait for the next book to see if they remain as ex’s…..or was something rekindled in this latest book?I did find it difficult that the deaths were of children, but bad things happen to people young and old. I applaud the writing of the descriptions of the dead bodies (i.e. maple syrup – can’t say more without giving anything away) though at times it did make me a bit squeamish. Luckily, that graphic part was not too long winded and then the story continued on in the sleuthing department. I found it disturbing (but I find this so in real life as well) that crimes against persons are frequently unsolved for many years, if ever. The diabolical minds of serial killers are an interesting thing and Kathy Reichs’ descriptions are gripping – really made this reader shudder at the depravity of some people!I found this psychological thriller engaging and kept me thinking. A few red herrings to make the story interesting; kept this reader guessing until the end. And even when all was figured out, the way the ending to the story was told was riveting. I will definitely go back and fill in the missing 15 or so books to this series :) . Temperance Brennan, Book #17By Kathy Reichs ISBN:#9780345544018 Author’s Website: http://www.kathyreichs.com/ Brought to you by OBS reviewer AndraSynopsis:Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD’s Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she’s been asked to meet with a homicide cop who’s a long way from his own jurisdiction. The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common—the killer. Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a string of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture. It was a devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan. Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina. When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue—unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another’s throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.
Review:I have religiously watched the TV series with the family from the beginning, so began reading the series earlier this year, having only gotten through Deja Dead – the first book in the series. I was then offered the opportunity to read this book…so here I am writing a review for the latest book :) .
I try to read a series in print (and in sequential order if possible) before watching the TV show or movies but the TV series and book series are different enough that one will not ruin the other. I began the book anticipating a great read and was not disappointed. While I did not have the history of Tempe’s prior interactions with Anique Pomerleau from reading prior books in the series, it did not detract from the read. All the “history” that was needed to fully comprehend the back story was appropriately integrated into the story.
I love the angst between Tempe and Andrew Ryan. The interaction between the two is like a familiar glove…fits well but just not quite the same as before. Tempe knows how to get what she needs from Andrew and in the end…all is good. But I shall wait for the next book to see if they remain as ex’s…..or was something rekindled in this latest book?
I did find it difficult that the deaths were of children, but bad things happen to people young and old. I applaud the writing of the descriptions of the dead bodies (i.e. maple syrup – can’t say more without giving anything away) though at times it did make me a bit squeamish. Luckily, that graphic part was not too long winded and then the story continued on in the sleuthing department. I found it disturbing (but I find this so in real life as well) that crimes against persons are frequently unsolved for many years, if ever. The diabolical minds of serial killers are an interesting thing and Kathy Reichs’ descriptions are gripping – really made this reader shudder at the depravity of some people!
I found this psychological thriller engaging and kept me thinking. A few red herrings to make the story interesting; kept this reader guessing until the end. And even when all was figured out, the way the ending to the story was told was riveting. I will definitely go back and fill in the missing 15 or so books to this series :) . EMBED FLIPPER: STATIC IMAGE:
September 22, 2014
The Dead Will Tell
The Dead Will Tell
Kate Burkholder, Book #6
By Linda Castillo
ISBN# 9781250029577
Author Website http://www.lindacastillo.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. But only a handful of the residents remember the terrible secrets lost in the muted/hushed whispers of time—and now death is stalking them, seemingly from the grave.On a late-night shift, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide—an old man found hanging from the rafters in his dilapidated barn. But evidence quickly points to murder and Kate finds herself chasing a singularly difficult and elusive trail of evidence that somehow points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in so long, they're both happy; a bliss quickly shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti’s family four years ago is found not guilty, and walks away a free man. Will Tomasetti be pulled back to his own haunted past?When a second man is found dead—also seemingly by his own hand—Kate discovers a link in the case that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and revealing the horrifying truth of what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago, when an Amish father and his four children perished—and his young wife disappeared without a trace.And, as Kate knows—the past never truly dies . . . in The Dead Will Tell by Linda CastilloReview:The Dead Will Tell is another in the Kate Burkholder Novel series. As chief of police in a small part Amish town, Kate Burkholder uses her upbringing as Amish to help her do her job. Sometimes it helps to speak the Amish Pennsylvania Dutch and this case will be one of those times. People in town are being murdered. And the murders seem to be tied to a tragedy that happened 35 years ago at the Hochstetler farm.The Hochstetler Farm in Painters Mill is abandoned now, but someone has not forgotten the tragedy that occurred there. The horrific night that ended with an Amish father and 4 of his children dead, while his young wife disappeared without a trace. Kate and her small staff of officers have to use the evidence they have to find the killer. They also have to sift through the roadblocks being thrown up by the very people being hunted.Kate also has to deal with her relationship with State Agent John Tomasetti. They have just moved in together. John is reeling from news that one of the men he helped catch for killing his family is now free. Kate knows what John has done in the past to insure justice and trust issues arise as she worries he might take the law into his own hands.This series is very intense and can be a bit graphic. The writing is wonderful and the characters are well developed. I would recommend The Dead Will Tell to anyone who enjoys a well written mystery, which does have a bit of grit to it. This book can be read without reading the others in the series. It is dark, but wonderfully captivating. Just be prepared for a treacherous and sometimes disturbing ride.
Synopsis:Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. But only a handful of the residents remember the terrible secrets lost in the muted/hushed whispers of time—and now death is stalking them, seemingly from the grave.On a late-night shift, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide—an old man found hanging from the rafters in his dilapidated barn. But evidence quickly points to murder and Kate finds herself chasing a singularly difficult and elusive trail of evidence that somehow points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in so long, they're both happy; a bliss quickly shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti’s family four years ago is found not guilty, and walks away a free man. Will Tomasetti be pulled back to his own haunted past?When a second man is found dead—also seemingly by his own hand—Kate discovers a link in the case that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and revealing the horrifying truth of what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago, when an Amish father and his four children perished—and his young wife disappeared without a trace.And, as Kate knows—the past never truly dies . . . in The Dead Will Tell by Linda CastilloReview:The Dead Will Tell is another in the Kate Burkholder Novel series. As chief of police in a small part Amish town, Kate Burkholder uses her upbringing as Amish to help her do her job. Sometimes it helps to speak the Amish Pennsylvania Dutch and this case will be one of those times. People in town are being murdered. And the murders seem to be tied to a tragedy that happened 35 years ago at the Hochstetler farm.The Hochstetler Farm in Painters Mill is abandoned now, but someone has not forgotten the tragedy that occurred there. The horrific night that ended with an Amish father and 4 of his children dead, while his young wife disappeared without a trace. Kate and her small staff of officers have to use the evidence they have to find the killer. They also have to sift through the roadblocks being thrown up by the very people being hunted.Kate also has to deal with her relationship with State Agent John Tomasetti. They have just moved in together. John is reeling from news that one of the men he helped catch for killing his family is now free. Kate knows what John has done in the past to insure justice and trust issues arise as she worries he might take the law into his own hands.This series is very intense and can be a bit graphic. The writing is wonderful and the characters are well developed. I would recommend The Dead Will Tell to anyone who enjoys a well written mystery, which does have a bit of grit to it. This book can be read without reading the others in the series. It is dark, but wonderfully captivating. Just be prepared for a treacherous and sometimes disturbing ride.
GIVEAWAY: TO SEE THE MOON AGAIN BY JAMIE LANGSTON TURNER PRINT EDITION
GIVEAWAY: TO SEE THE MOON AGAIN BY JAMIE LANGSTON TURNER PRINT EDITION
Who: Jamie Langston TurnerWhat: OBS is back with another amazing giveaway in which we’ll be choosing one lucky reader for the opportunity to win copy edition of To See The Moon Again by Jamie Langston Turner!!. All you have to do is click on one of the options or on everyone of them for more possibilities to win!!When: This giveaway will be running between September 22th through October 5th.Giveaway ends at midnight eastern time.
GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO UNITED STATES!
About To See The Moon Again:
About author Jamie Langston Turner:
Who: Jamie Langston TurnerWhat: OBS is back with another amazing giveaway in which we’ll be choosing one lucky reader for the opportunity to win copy edition of To See The Moon Again by Jamie Langston Turner!!. All you have to do is click on one of the options or on everyone of them for more possibilities to win!!When: This giveaway will be running between September 22th through October 5th.Giveaway ends at midnight eastern time.
GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO UNITED STATES!
About To See The Moon Again:Every day of her life Julia Rich lives with the memory of a horrible accident she caused long ago. In the years since, she has tried to hide her guilt in the quiet routine of teaching at a small South Carolina college, avoiding close relationships with family and would-be friends. But one day a phone call from Carmen, a niece she has never met, disrupts her carefully controlled world.Carmen is a study in contrasts—comical yet wise, sunny yet contemplative, soft yet assertive. As she sets about gently drawing Julia from her self-imposed solitude into a place of hope, she also seeks her own peace for past mistakes.Together, the two women embark on a journey that takes Julia far from the familiar comfort of home and gives Carmen the courage to open her heart. Together, their sightseeing trip turns into a discovery of truth, grace, redemption, and, finally, love…
About author Jamie Langston Turner:Jamie Langston Turner was born and raised in the South—Mississippi and Kentucky. She has lived in South Carolina for 43 years and currently teaches creative writing at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.She began freelance writing in the early 1980s, and over the next ten years she wrote short stories, articles, plays, and poems for a variety of magazines as well as material for reading, science, history, music, and literature textbooks.In 1992 she received a phone call from an editor of Moody Magazine, who had read two of her short stories and urged her to consider writing a novel. Within weeks she started her first novel, Suncatchers, which was published in 1995 by Thomas Nelson. She published her second novel, Some Wildflower in My Heart, with Bethany House in 1998, followed by five others, also with Bethany: By the Light of a Thousand Stars(1999), A Garden to Keep (2001), No Dark Valley (2004), Winter Birds (2006), andSometimes a Light Surprises (2009). Her eighth novel, To See the Moon Again, will be released by Penguin Publishers in September 2014.Four of her novels have been finalists for the Christy Award, and two were named winners of the award in the category of contemporary fiction--A Garden to Keep in 2002 and Winter Birds in 2007. Winter Birds was also named as a best book for the year 2006 by both Christianity Today and Publishers Weekly.Jamie has been married for 43 years to Daniel Turner, who is on the music faculty at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and they have a married son, Jess, who is a doctoral student in music composition at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Jess and his wife, Kalyn, have a five-year-old daughter, Carolyn Svana, and a son, Charles Kjell, born on July 12, 2013.
Mending the Shroud
Book: Mending the ShroudSeries: The Shroud Trilogy – Book 2Author: JM BrayPublisher: Escape Publishing (Harlequin AU)Genre: Romantic Fantasy, New AdultRated
The second in the fresh, exciting romantic fantasy Shroud trilogy takes up where Tearing the Shroud leaves off — with the lives, the loves, and the mythical world beyond our own.
After accepting bodily possession and saving the world, Vincent thought his life would get easier. He thought wrong.
The shroud may not have torn wide open, but it did tear a little, and the retribution for the failure is coming hard, fast, and directly at Vincent and the people he loves. His only hope is to once again accept possession from Coleman and do battle with the deformed, terrifying Kafla. But this time, he's not alone. Jule, the woman he loves and hopes to marry, is possessed as well, and together the four of them become a formidable team.
Together they hope to stave off the invasion and take the fight to the Realm, but only a supreme sacrifice can mend the Shroud and save both their lives and their worlds.
Novella: The Case of Marc KellerAuthor: R.M. MzalePublisher: Class Act BooksGenre: ThrillerRating: AdultAfter catching and witnessing the execution of Zitika’s first serial killer, the Needler, Detective Marc Keller begins to suffer from constant nightmares. A few weeks shy of his early retirement, he is asked to investigate the mysterious death of a young boy, Tom Brody, whose body was found unscathed in a primary school classroom.
The case, however, turns out to be more than it seems when Tom Brody awakens from his slumber to reveal to Marc that the Needler has returned. Marc must now investigate the case that will push him between the realm of reality and fantasy, ultimately leading him to the dark truth behind the Needler’s execution.
MASTER FOR TONIGHT - ELAINE BARRIS $0.99
MASTER FOR TONIGHT - ELAINE BARRIS $0.99
.99 For a Limited Time on All E-book Platforms
While feeding in the slums of the city, he is interrupted by a woman. Mesmerized, he extracts his fangs from his meal and follows her home. Instantly obsessed, he watches her nightly. Nights turn to months. His desire for her becomes overwhelming. Though fearing the wrath of a vicious Maker who turned him against his will, Julian decides to give Kate the most erotic night of her life, and then walk away. But, things rarely go as planned....
Kate Collins is an average woman in her late-30's, plagues by panic attacks. Sent home by her boss at the shelter, she prepares to have a night of relaxation... until her doorbell rings.
Julian Montfort is the most beautiful and masculine man she has ever seen. He exudes 'maleness' from his entire body-that certain quality some men have in their DNA that makes a woman recognize her femininity...her 'womanness.' That part of her that is soft, malleable, and made to accept him. Drawn to him despite his unconventional arrival, Kate must answer his question: "Can you allow yourself this indulgence? It's just one night."
Deeply sensual and erotic, Master for Tonight is a contemporary vampire romance which goes beyond the burning physical attraction between Julian and Kate, telling a tale of two people drawn together under incomprehensible circumstances, and their fight to be together against all odds.
"Master for Tonight was an amazing love story. It is very well written and the story kept me entertained with love and hot passionate sex." Amazon Reviewer
*Please note: Master for Tonight is Book 1 in the Master for Tonight Duet. It contains strong language, violence and detailed descriptions of intimacy.*
.99 For a Limited Time on All E-book Platforms
While feeding in the slums of the city, he is interrupted by a woman. Mesmerized, he extracts his fangs from his meal and follows her home. Instantly obsessed, he watches her nightly. Nights turn to months. His desire for her becomes overwhelming. Though fearing the wrath of a vicious Maker who turned him against his will, Julian decides to give Kate the most erotic night of her life, and then walk away. But, things rarely go as planned....
Kate Collins is an average woman in her late-30's, plagues by panic attacks. Sent home by her boss at the shelter, she prepares to have a night of relaxation... until her doorbell rings.
Julian Montfort is the most beautiful and masculine man she has ever seen. He exudes 'maleness' from his entire body-that certain quality some men have in their DNA that makes a woman recognize her femininity...her 'womanness.' That part of her that is soft, malleable, and made to accept him. Drawn to him despite his unconventional arrival, Kate must answer his question: "Can you allow yourself this indulgence? It's just one night."
Deeply sensual and erotic, Master for Tonight is a contemporary vampire romance which goes beyond the burning physical attraction between Julian and Kate, telling a tale of two people drawn together under incomprehensible circumstances, and their fight to be together against all odds.
"Master for Tonight was an amazing love story. It is very well written and the story kept me entertained with love and hot passionate sex." Amazon Reviewer
*Please note: Master for Tonight is Book 1 in the Master for Tonight Duet. It contains strong language, violence and detailed descriptions of intimacy.*
To See the Moon Again By Jamie Langston Turner
To See the Moon Again
By Jamie Langston Turner
ISBN# 9780425253021
Author's Website: http://www.jamielangstonturner.net/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:The first step to letting go of the past is forgiving it…Every day of her life Julia Rich lives with the memory of a horrible accident she caused long ago. In the years since, she has tried to hide her guilt in the quiet routine of teaching at a small South Carolina college, avoiding close relationships with family and would-be friends. But one day a phone call from Carmen, a niece she has never met, disrupts her carefully controlled world.Carmen is a study in contrasts—comical yet wise, sunny yet contemplative, soft yet assertive. As she sets about gently drawing Julia from her self-imposed solitude into a place of hope, she also seeks her own peace for past mistakes.Together, the two women embark on a journey that takes Julia far from the familiar comfort of home and gives Carmen the courage to open her heart. Together, their sightseeing trip turns into a discovery of truth, grace, redemption, and, finally, love…
Review:To See the Moon Again centers around two very different women. Julia is staid, intellectual and very set in her ways. Carmen is full of wanderlust, faith and a childlike trust. At least this is how it seems to be when the reader first meets them. This novel is full of hope, tragedy, faith, happenstance, and family. The events of the past are slowly trickled out to the reader. The past of each of these women made them who they are at the time of their meeting. The trip they take is not only one of travel, but of healing and discovery. And the events of this trip will be felt even after they return to South Carolina.Jamie Langston Turner’s writing style is effortless and heartfelt. Things seemed to sneak up on me as I was reading this novel. Where I would think a section was about one thing, it would turn around and revel so much more. The main characters, Julia and Carmen, are both complex in such opposing ways. As their background stories unfold I had to wonder how they came to be who they were, would they change and if I could have done better in those circumstances. Ms. Turner displayed their hearts and fears so vividly I was able to feel them as well. At times I was angry, sad and then again hopeful while reading this wonderful novel. This novel touched on family relationships, casual acquaintances, work associations and day to day interactions. There was such a divide between Julia and Carmen’s personalities that each played out these situations completely different. The feelings and emotions that Ms. Turner brought to this novel touch on so many contrasting daily occurrences and life altering events from years gone by.I would recommend To See the Moon Again to anyone and everyone. There is a hope in all the tragedy that these women endured that would be well served by all of us. Carmen states to Julia in the last chapter something that I hold on to and hope for all of us.
Synopsis:The first step to letting go of the past is forgiving it…Every day of her life Julia Rich lives with the memory of a horrible accident she caused long ago. In the years since, she has tried to hide her guilt in the quiet routine of teaching at a small South Carolina college, avoiding close relationships with family and would-be friends. But one day a phone call from Carmen, a niece she has never met, disrupts her carefully controlled world.Carmen is a study in contrasts—comical yet wise, sunny yet contemplative, soft yet assertive. As she sets about gently drawing Julia from her self-imposed solitude into a place of hope, she also seeks her own peace for past mistakes.Together, the two women embark on a journey that takes Julia far from the familiar comfort of home and gives Carmen the courage to open her heart. Together, their sightseeing trip turns into a discovery of truth, grace, redemption, and, finally, love…
Review:To See the Moon Again centers around two very different women. Julia is staid, intellectual and very set in her ways. Carmen is full of wanderlust, faith and a childlike trust. At least this is how it seems to be when the reader first meets them. This novel is full of hope, tragedy, faith, happenstance, and family. The events of the past are slowly trickled out to the reader. The past of each of these women made them who they are at the time of their meeting. The trip they take is not only one of travel, but of healing and discovery. And the events of this trip will be felt even after they return to South Carolina.Jamie Langston Turner’s writing style is effortless and heartfelt. Things seemed to sneak up on me as I was reading this novel. Where I would think a section was about one thing, it would turn around and revel so much more. The main characters, Julia and Carmen, are both complex in such opposing ways. As their background stories unfold I had to wonder how they came to be who they were, would they change and if I could have done better in those circumstances. Ms. Turner displayed their hearts and fears so vividly I was able to feel them as well. At times I was angry, sad and then again hopeful while reading this wonderful novel. This novel touched on family relationships, casual acquaintances, work associations and day to day interactions. There was such a divide between Julia and Carmen’s personalities that each played out these situations completely different. The feelings and emotions that Ms. Turner brought to this novel touch on so many contrasting daily occurrences and life altering events from years gone by.I would recommend To See the Moon Again to anyone and everyone. There is a hope in all the tragedy that these women endured that would be well served by all of us. Carmen states to Julia in the last chapter something that I hold on to and hope for all of us.
“All our transgressions are carried away. He stretches out his hand to the needy. He rides the storms and divides the waters. We are troubled on every side, but not in despair, cast but not forsaken. He commands light to shine out of the darkness.”Julia is sad but in the end, she thinks of one thing that helps her resolve.
“It is the same sky that sheltered everyone, the same moon that shone down on the whole world.”And in the end Julia and Carmen are both able to “see the moon again”.
Scandal and the Duchess
Scandal and the Duchess MacKenzies & McBrides, Book #6.5 By Jennifer Ashley IBSN: 9781101615935 Author's Website: jenniferashley.com Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una
Synopsis:Scandal follows Rose Barclay, young widow of the Duke of Southdown, wherever she goes. It's never her fault--honor bright--but newspapers love to write about the young woman from Scotland, and the much older duke she married, who died on their honeymoon. The duke left her with a large widow's portion, now contested by his younger brother, who kicks Rose out of the estate's dower house and uses it to kennel his dogs.Rose does not need to be found with a large, handsome Scot passed out at her feet, fueling gossips and giving her brother-in-law more ammunition. The Scot is Steven McBride--a decorated soldier who is notorious for heavy gambling and womanizing during his leave time. Steven is happy to open his eyes and find the beautiful woman standing over him, and happy to help spirit her away. But the journalists get wind and start a campaign to couple Rose with the scandalous Steven McBride.
Review:This is a delightful historical romance that just wants for you to curl up on a sofa with a large mug of cocoa on a cool fall day and get lost in the book. Rose, the young harassed duchess does not need another scandal and when she rescues a drunken Steven McBride on an evening out it seems that the scandal scenario is doomed to be repeated. But Steven sees the injustice that Rose is being dealt with both by the Duke's brother and the journalists who can’t seem to get “enough of a story”. He decides to fight both at their own game, giving the journalists a story to write about and getting justice from the Duke’s family. What occurs then is a page turning story of romance, intrigue and satisfaction. The writer draws you into the character as a softer side of Steven McBride comes out as he falls in love with Rose and Rose develops into a stronger person with Steven at her side. Steven’s past history also has to be dealt with. When they think they might lose each other the love between them shines through. An all in all good read!
September 20, 2014
Love Bites By Angela Knight
Love Bites
By Angela Knight
ISBN# 978-0-425-25481-2
Author's Website: http://www.angelasknights.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer, Marianthi
Love Bites
is an anthology of three vampire stories that are laced with BDSM elements. The three stories are Oath of Service, Be Careful What You Wish For, and Bloodslave. Oath of Service is part of the Mageverse stories, while Be Careful is a never before published work, and Bloodslavewas previously published in another book. And just to keep it interesting, a sample chapter of Ms. Knight’s newest book is included at the end (consider it an appetizer).I will start with Oath of Service. It should have been titled “Morgana Gets Her Comeuppance.” This is the story of the infamous Morgana le Fey, the much maligned witch of Arthurian legend. Though in all the previous Mageverse books, Morgana loves to wear the bitch pants, she secretly desires to be dominated by none other than Sir Percival of the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Percival has also lusted after Morgana for hundreds of years and he finally gets to put her in her place, collared by her own oath, and at the mercy of Percival and his two friends. So let it be noted that this has M/F/M/M action going down (ha, pun intended).What I like about this story is the continuation of the Mageverse thread and it can be a standalone story for those who are not familiar with the series. However, I will forewarn that this is a much darker Mageverse story than the previous stories. In fact, Ms. Knight also writes an introduction to the story that warns the reader that this is a BDSM story and if this is not what you are into, then it may be too intense for you. What I also like is that though this is a BDSM story, it is also very much a love story. What I do dislike is that this was a much darker BDSM story than what I expected, even with the author’s heads-up. I have read stories with bondage before, but the sadomasochism is a bit much even for me. I personally do not find humiliation sexy. But more power to you, if that flips your switch. Is this story a good read? Of course it is. Ms. Knight pretty much always delivers a good story. It is just that this one comes with a rated R instead of a PG rating. This makes this book an adult only read.Be Careful What You Wish For was more my ideal story of BDSM. It is the story of three vampires: Decker, Beau, and Amanda. Amanda is the lucky vamp that gets to partner up with Decker and Beau, but only singularly. Beau and Decker are actually enemies. They cannot stand each other. The only thing these two have in common is Amanda. So what is this story about? All three vampires come to the rescue of a girl who is being stalked by a warlock that has trouble accepting rejection. The girl is not sexually interested in the warlock, so he decides to curse her for eternity as a werewolf. The three vampires are in a race against the clock to stop the curse from being placed. The price for their interference is a spell that causes a little bit of mischief, mischief of the M/F/M kind.I liked this story better than the previous story because it had lighter BDSM tones. The story was a quick, good read that didn’t leave you disappointed in the balance of sexy and plot. I did not like the ending of the story when it came to the dealing of the warlock. I felt he deserved so much more punishment than what was given to him. It felt like he got a slap on the wrist to me. I would have liked his punishment to be more in line with the crimes that he committed. It is just a small point to dislike, but it really stuck with me.Last but not least, Bloodslave is the story of a human captured by not one, but three, horny and hungry male vampires. When they realize that Verica (the heroine) is a virgin, well let’s just say she doesn’t remain one for long. The leader of the fanged tooth trio, Julian, decides to make Verica a bloodslave. A bloodslave is a nearly immortal human that is not blood dependent. The purpose of the bloodslave is to sexually please and feed his/her master(s).If you like M/F/M/M action, then you hit the jackpot. I like this story the second best out of this anthology. It has moments of non-consensual acts, but that is an integral part of the story. It isn’t a rape story: it is a story about a person that initially does not want to be a part of the act, but is seduced into participating. I liked that it was a quick, sexy read, but at times I did not like it because certain aspects actually made me uncomfortable. The scene where it is decided who gets to take her virginity was not my favorite. The characters basically play cards to decide who gets to do it. I could have done without this scene.Overall, Ms. Knight delivers a good solid read. The book is a bargain for those that like quick reads and are really into the BDSM lifestyle. Why 3 out of 5 stars if it was a good read? I had to subtract a few stars for the issues that I had (warlock’s punishment and the card game scene). If you are someone that can overlook these small items, then it is a 5 star read.
Love Bites
is an anthology of three vampire stories that are laced with BDSM elements. The three stories are Oath of Service, Be Careful What You Wish For, and Bloodslave. Oath of Service is part of the Mageverse stories, while Be Careful is a never before published work, and Bloodslavewas previously published in another book. And just to keep it interesting, a sample chapter of Ms. Knight’s newest book is included at the end (consider it an appetizer).I will start with Oath of Service. It should have been titled “Morgana Gets Her Comeuppance.” This is the story of the infamous Morgana le Fey, the much maligned witch of Arthurian legend. Though in all the previous Mageverse books, Morgana loves to wear the bitch pants, she secretly desires to be dominated by none other than Sir Percival of the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Percival has also lusted after Morgana for hundreds of years and he finally gets to put her in her place, collared by her own oath, and at the mercy of Percival and his two friends. So let it be noted that this has M/F/M/M action going down (ha, pun intended).What I like about this story is the continuation of the Mageverse thread and it can be a standalone story for those who are not familiar with the series. However, I will forewarn that this is a much darker Mageverse story than the previous stories. In fact, Ms. Knight also writes an introduction to the story that warns the reader that this is a BDSM story and if this is not what you are into, then it may be too intense for you. What I also like is that though this is a BDSM story, it is also very much a love story. What I do dislike is that this was a much darker BDSM story than what I expected, even with the author’s heads-up. I have read stories with bondage before, but the sadomasochism is a bit much even for me. I personally do not find humiliation sexy. But more power to you, if that flips your switch. Is this story a good read? Of course it is. Ms. Knight pretty much always delivers a good story. It is just that this one comes with a rated R instead of a PG rating. This makes this book an adult only read.Be Careful What You Wish For was more my ideal story of BDSM. It is the story of three vampires: Decker, Beau, and Amanda. Amanda is the lucky vamp that gets to partner up with Decker and Beau, but only singularly. Beau and Decker are actually enemies. They cannot stand each other. The only thing these two have in common is Amanda. So what is this story about? All three vampires come to the rescue of a girl who is being stalked by a warlock that has trouble accepting rejection. The girl is not sexually interested in the warlock, so he decides to curse her for eternity as a werewolf. The three vampires are in a race against the clock to stop the curse from being placed. The price for their interference is a spell that causes a little bit of mischief, mischief of the M/F/M kind.I liked this story better than the previous story because it had lighter BDSM tones. The story was a quick, good read that didn’t leave you disappointed in the balance of sexy and plot. I did not like the ending of the story when it came to the dealing of the warlock. I felt he deserved so much more punishment than what was given to him. It felt like he got a slap on the wrist to me. I would have liked his punishment to be more in line with the crimes that he committed. It is just a small point to dislike, but it really stuck with me.Last but not least, Bloodslave is the story of a human captured by not one, but three, horny and hungry male vampires. When they realize that Verica (the heroine) is a virgin, well let’s just say she doesn’t remain one for long. The leader of the fanged tooth trio, Julian, decides to make Verica a bloodslave. A bloodslave is a nearly immortal human that is not blood dependent. The purpose of the bloodslave is to sexually please and feed his/her master(s).If you like M/F/M/M action, then you hit the jackpot. I like this story the second best out of this anthology. It has moments of non-consensual acts, but that is an integral part of the story. It isn’t a rape story: it is a story about a person that initially does not want to be a part of the act, but is seduced into participating. I liked that it was a quick, sexy read, but at times I did not like it because certain aspects actually made me uncomfortable. The scene where it is decided who gets to take her virginity was not my favorite. The characters basically play cards to decide who gets to do it. I could have done without this scene.Overall, Ms. Knight delivers a good solid read. The book is a bargain for those that like quick reads and are really into the BDSM lifestyle. Why 3 out of 5 stars if it was a good read? I had to subtract a few stars for the issues that I had (warlock’s punishment and the card game scene). If you are someone that can overlook these small items, then it is a 5 star read.
