Leanne Crabtree's Blog, page 21

On with the next

So today I’m going to try and finish the first chapter of my second book in the “Shifter Romance Novella” series (*Shifter Romance* now called “Cat’s Wolf” being book 1). I haven’t really thought about a plot but I have wrote notes on what I want the first chapter to go like. All of about 6 sentences.

I admit I have a weird way of working!

It’s going to be based on Brent and Misha and if I’m going to called it “Wolf Claimed” then I really need to think this one out. How is he going to claim her? Sexually? As his? Both?

I also need to bring Tito back into it since he never reappeared in the first…I’ll admit I forgot about him :/ Let’s say he went and licked his wounds from the ass-whooping he received from Rhys??

Maybe get Raoul to appear and figure out who he was working for…

And maybe Shanae could be in Rhys’ pack now having left the main one…and be my third story??

Possibilities…hmm…

Well as you’ve probably gathered, I haven’t thought this through at all so it may take me a while to write–another 6/7 months like the last one?

Book Review – Point of Retreat

Name: Point of Retreat

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: 25th February 2012

Rating: DNF

I received this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t really write a synopsis of the story with me not finishing reading the book. So I’ll copy it from Amazon:

“Hardships and heartache brought them together…now it will tear them apart.

Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Will is forced to face the ultimate challenge…how to prove his love for a girl who refuses to stop ‘carving pumpkins.’”

So last night I was lying in bed wondering what to do about Point of Retreat. I was at 31% and not into the story at all; we just don’t gel together. So should I continue–though I’m not enjoying it–or mark as a DNF.

(That’s probably blasphemous to Colleen Hoover fans but personally for me, it’s how I feel.)

In the end I decided to mark as DNF. It’s not my first Colleen Hoover book, I’ve read Slammed and Hopeless, and if I’m honest I didn’t particularly like those that much either.

With all the 5 star reviews I thought I’d give this a shot and found myself still not gelling with the story. That’s not to say the books are bad–look at the reviews and number of fans she has. Her stories just aren’t for me.

You should definitely give them a try before making a decision about these stories.

Next review(s): Full Blooded

Book Review – Faking It

Name: Faking It

Author: Cora Carmack

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: 4th June 2013

Rating: 4½ out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this one follows Cade, Bliss’ best friend from Losing It. This takes place when they’ve left college and he is now studying acting in Philadelphia. He’s in a café when Max comes up to him with a strange request: be her boyfriend for a spontaneous visit by her parents–who are seconds away from arriving. As an actor, he agrees and charms her parents while at the same time finding himself intrigued by this tattooed, pierced girl. Max knows her parents will never approve of her real boyfriend, Mace–a drummer in her band–so decides to ask the good looking “golden boy” to pretend to be her “boyfriend” for the few hours her parents will be there, knowing he’s the type of guy they want her to be with. Max cant deny her attraction to him and with her parents liking him a little too much, it’s obvious where things are heading. The only problem is Max doesn’t think she’s good enough for him…

Cade may have been sweet in Losing It but I totally fell for him in this one. To see him try and be happy for Bliss when he loves her; you feel sorry for him and then Max enters his life and, well…I don’t want to spoil it but they are perfect for each other. Max is completely different to every other New Adult female character I’ve read about (and I’ve read a fair few) she’s tattooed, pierced, has dyed red hair and is in a band. She is completely alternative and a tough nut but you find yourself relating to her in one way or another and I found myself quickly liking her.

They’re story is very up and down and I found myself willing them on from early on. Sure I guess when stood together they look a little odd but who cares about what others think when you love someone? (I am such a romantic!) They are perfect for each other.

Cora has this way of writing that is both fun and emotional and it is so easy to fall under the spell she weaves. I am so going to read everything else she writes. I am most definitely a fan!

If you’re looking for a fun, sexy read then I recommend this book. You don’t necessarily have to read Losing It first but it would help you get the gist of where Cade’s head is at the beginning.

It is amazing!

Next review(s): Point of Retreat

Back to my Kindle

So after finishing Dreams of a Dark Warrior earlier on (it was amazing! (Immortals After Dark is such a brilliant series and if you haven’t read them yet, I totally recommend you do; if you like paranormal romance, that is)) I’m going back to my kindle to work through my list of ARC’s again. I was going to read Acid by Emma Pass but the file hasn’t come through and neither has Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley (I’m trying to sort this out) so I’ve rearranged my reading list (see tab “Reading List” above) and I’m going for Faking It by Cora Carmack.

If you’ve been keeping up with my reviews, you’ll have seen I read Losing It also by Cora Carmack a bit ago and loved it and I have high hopes this will be just as good.

Then I’ll be reading Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover, the second in the Slammed series. The first being Slammed, which I read a while ago. Then there’s a third book, This Girl which I’m going to buy eventually.

After that I’ll be reading a new Urban Fantasy/Shifter series by Amanda Carlson:

By the time I’ve read these, hopefully Acid and Fire Inside will have come through and they will be next on the list

If you’re on GoodReads add me: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569083.Leanne_Crabtree or Twitter: @lcrabtreeauthor

Epilogue – *Shifter Romance*

Kaitlin ran her hand through Rhys’ tousled hair as he ran a finger over her stomach drawing little shapes. His head was cushioned on her chest after a fervent bout of lovemaking.

It had been three days since the showdown between Li and her father and he had been publically denounced and locked up in Bau, the shifter equivalent of Alcatraz. She knew he wouldn’t be leaving for a long time yet and she was glad.

It was a pity they hadn’t found that traitor Raoul as well; he could have joined him behind bars. He appeared to have vanished off the face of the earth.

She stared up at the pristine white painted ceiling of the master bedroom, her mind full of these thoughts, as she continued to run her fingers through his hair.

“We need to find that Raoul guy,” she muttered. Rhys murmured his agreement. “And do something about Brent and Misha.”

He raised his head to look at her quizzically, “Like what?”

Kaitlin shrugged, “We could kidnap her from her parents?”

Rhys rolled his eyes and then dropped onto his back beside her. “I don’t think that will work.”

“Then you think of something, genius.” Propping herself up on her elbow, she raised a brow waiting for his suggestion.

“How about you take her out shopping or something and we get the two together?”

Kaitlin shook her head at him, “Her parents don’t like me anymore, remember? She’s been banned from seeing me because her parents blame me for my father being put in prison. Stupid bigoted people,” she growled, “they can’t see the forest for the trees.”

His chuckle was low but still earned him a scowl. “Okay, kidnapping doesn’t sound so bad. After all, I’m sure it’s not kidnapping if she wants to come with us?”

A huge grin broke out Kaitlin’s face, “I knew I loved you for a reason.” Leaning forward she kissed him softly on the lips. “So that’s that sorted. When are we pulling this off, then? And should we tell Brent what we’re doing?”

Rhys shook his head, “Right now, I’m not too bothered about that.” Gently grasping her face between his palms he pulled her down for a deeper kiss. Her lashes fluttered closed and her breath stuttered in her chest.

Who was she kidding? Right now, she didn’t much care about the details either.

The End

Hope you enjoyed it

***I’m starting work on a second story–Brent and Misha’s–but once again I haven’t quite got a complete storyline so it could go anywhere or nowhere. I do feel like I need to do it now and after that 5 star review’s comment of hoping for a story for them, I will endeavour to do so (it just might take a while *wink*)***

Book Review – Gaming for Keeps

Name: Gaming for Keeps

Author: Seleste deLaney

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Spy-y

Release Date: 10th June 2013

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this tells the story of Penelope (Pen), an avid player of the online game Heroes of Fallen Gods. She gets invited to ConDamned, a convention that showcases tv, films, comics and gaming, by a fellow player from the game and agrees to meet him there but not before panicking about what he’ll be like and if he’ll turn out like her last boyfriend–another player from the game. Cal, the guy who invited her to the convention, is a code-breaker for a government agency and while all he wants to do is meet Pen, he must also try and save lives as he decrypts a message that a madman is planning on murdering people at the convention. Things don’t always go to plan though…

Well, I’ll start by saying this was a little too geeky for me. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good story but all the references to Firefly and other TV programs I’ve never watched put me off a little.

I read a book for the romance, which I’m sure I’ve mentioned before somewhere, and I enjoyed the spark the characters had. The way they don’t realise they know each other (even if it is through a game) but are drawn to each other right from the first contact. They clicked right away and there’s a scene involving a shower which made me smile.

I did enjoy it; Pen was hands on when it came to defending herself and Cal being slightly geeky made a change to the usual books I read where they’re attractive, tattooed and arrogant.

It’s definitely for those who enjoy comics, online-gaming, cosplay and conventions.

Next review(s): Fire Inside

I know what i said…but…

…how could I not buy these!? One story I loved and one I haven’t read from Travis’ viewpoint? How could I refuse when they were 2 for £5?? New Adult paperbacks?!!? I could not resist them!

I got them from The Works, which is a shop that sells books cheap. I love the shop and go there all the time and the one in my hometown could probably stay afloat with just me as a customer

Anyway, you can find them at this link if you’re interested: http://www.theworks.co.uk/search/disaster

Look what’s just arrived!

Even more books to add to my ever growing pile (And Love Lust Faith + Dreams by one of my favourite bands, 30 Seconds to Mars!)

I am seriously going to stop downloading/buying books for a while because it is getting kind of ridiculous–nearly 800 to read now–though most are on my kindle (and not filling my already stuffed bedroom with more stuff).

I’ve also received another ARC to read, Gaming for Keeps. It’s fairly short and I’m already 41% into it and will be leaving my review later on when it’s finished.

Chapter 19 – *Shifter Romance*

A murmur started up somewhere in the back and then it began to part to reveal several of the council members as they stepped over corpses and injured bodies as they moved towards the centre of the crowd.

“What’s going on here?” Katherine asked in her crisp British accent.

Paul growled, “What are they doing here?”

“I phoned them; asked them to be here,” Li spoke without taking her eyes off Paul. “He’s just confessed to sending the rogues to kill my father,” she said to the three other council members.

Katherine gestured minutely and the older of the two men stepped forward. Kaitlin recognised him as Sanjit. He raised a palm in front of her dad’s face and closed his eyes for a second as he did whatever it was he did. “She speaks the truth.”

Katherine frowned down at the Coucil Head. “You know what this means, don’t you, Paul?”

He sneered. “I lose my position and spend the rest of my life in Bau. Of course I know! I made the law, Katherine.”

She gave a delicate sniff and glanced away to gesture to the other man behind her. “Brandon, Sanjit, if you will, please.” Katherine’s gaze rose to meet Li’s. “We’ll take him to Bau personally, Li. He’ll pay for what he did to your father.”

Li nodded once, her eyes hard on Paul.

The two men grabbed her father under the arms and yanked him to his feet. He didn’t fight them like Kaitlin expected; just let them lead him away, back through the crowd and out of sight.

Just like that the tension left her and she deflated like a balloon, her knees going weak and, if not for Rhys hooking an arm around her waist, she would have fallen flat on her face.

“You okay?” He asked softly.

Her gaze raked over the field. Everyone was just stood there, staring at each other wondering what to do now the battle had come to an abrupt end.

“I can’t believe it’s over,” she whispered. Turning she wrapped her arms around his waist, her fingers knocking something on his back. It elicited a pained breath from him and she remembered the knife. “Oh, God, Rhys I’m so sorry!”

Kaitlin turned him around and inspected the knife and the wound. “It looks like a clean cut. I’ll remove it and then you should shift, okay? This is going to hurt,” she warned. Wrapping her fingers around the handle, she tugged it out quickly and winced at the wet sound it made. Then cringed at the wounded animal cry he gave as he dropped to all fours and started the change into werewolf.

She’d missed his change last time when they were in the woods together but she watched it all this time as fur sprouted from his pores and his face elongated into a snout. It was magical to watch but from the noises he was making, very painful too.

A minute or so later he stood before her, a beautiful black wolf. He must have easily reached her waist with the top of his head. Kaitlin held out her hand for him to sniff and he did for several seconds before he started rubbing against her fingers and leg, nearly knocking her over. She could see the knife wound on his back and breathed a sigh of relief to see it wasn’t half as bad as it had been in human form, the skin already knitting together. Rhys rubbed his head against her leg again and she lost her balance, falling onto her butt. Laughing, she put her hands up, “Alright, you know it’s me! You can change back now.”

He did and it didn’t seem to take as long this time. Then he was standing in front of her stark naked with a naughty twinkle in his amber eyes. “Oh, no,” she said, shaking her head.

Rhys grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his chest, “You turned me down yesterday too, you’re going to start denting this ego of mine if you’re not careful.”

Chuckling she shook her head and spun him around to check the wound had healed. All that remained was an angry looking pink line, a definite improvement on what it had been five minutes earlier. “I think that would be impossible,” she teased.

A voice rang out in the silence and they both glanced across to see Li addressing everyone. “As you most likely heard Paul Mahone has been removed from his position as head of the council following several incidents that cannot be overlooked, including the death of my father amongst many others including the emotional and psychological abuse of his daughter, Kaitlin. We will be electing a new head and council member as soon as it is possible for us to get together. In the meantime, Ruth Mahone will be head of the Cat Clan. I suggest you all go home, take your injured with you and forget this fight happened. It wasn’t your fault you fell for his lies… Thank you.”

Kaitlin blinked slowly and watched as the young Chinese woman left the field, followed by her men and marvelled at the authority she had over others.

Her attention then moved to her mum who was stood a little to the side, wide eyed. A lot of cat shifters were watching her expectantly and as she watched, her mother snapped to attention and started ordering them about and they obeyed without question. A slight smile curled Kaitlin’s lips. Her mum would be a great leader.

As people started walking past them she turned and started heading back towards Rhys’ car which waited at the edge of the trees. A handful of women cast him appreciative looks as they passed. Giving him a sideways appraisal, she added, “I think we need to get you some clothes.”

He stopped and ran a hand down his chest and stomach, “You’re kidding, right?”

Biting her lip she pulled open the door and glanced over her shoulder at him, “Of course. You know how much I love making love inside this car.”

With a growl, he climbed inside and began showing her how much he loved making love inside his car too.

**Almost done; just an epilogue left to come**

A 5 star Review on Amazon!

I thought I’d check Amazon for my sales and reviews and look what I found on the US site! I’m happily surprised!

44 copies sold so far across all the Amazon sites.