Friday, January 23, 2015

Review: Viking King by Sky Purington



Viking King  by Sky Purington
The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors #1
Date of Publication: January 16, 2015 Number of pages: 240

Book Description:
Determined to take a break from her past, Megan cozies down in her million dollar Winter Harbor Maine home and focuses less on money and more on dreams. Building boats was a childhood desire she's determined to pursue. With a love for Viking shipwright skills, she constructs a small scale longship. What she doesn't anticipate is an unexpected call from the past.

Of dragon blood, Viking King, Naðr Véurr Sigdir 'the bold' knew that the bargain he struck with the seers would likely lead to an unpredictable outcome. What he didn't foresee is a beautiful, headstrong woman from the future washing up on his shores.

Caught between twenty-first century America and ninth century Scandinavia, two souls connect. Both determined and headstrong, their battle soon becomes not one made of the eras separating them but all the unexpected moments that drive them closer together.

Anger. Need. Distrust. Hope. Never-ending desire. All merge, warring and passionate, when a modern day woman and a Viking king surge forward together to conquer not only their enemies but what lies within their heart

 Available at Amazon iTunes Kobo BN




Excerpt

When a roar came from the ship, a louder roar echoed all around her. Excitement crackled in the air as three men left the boat and started down the dock. Megan narrowed her eyes as they drew closer.
Tall, muscled, all were too damned good looking no matter the century. But only one gave her an acute case of tunnel vision. The one in the middle. A black fur cloak stretched over his broad shoulders. With a black, leather jerkin and long leather encased legs that led down to heavy boots, he had a confident, easy swagger.
A searing burn broke over every inch of her skin and she dug her nails into her palms as he drew closer. Wind-blown, shoulder-length black hair brushed the nape of his strong neck and a light beard did nothing to hide his well-sculpted face. Her body started to tremble when he was only halfway down the dock. Clenching her teeth, Megan breathed deeply through her nose, her need to smell his skin so strong she put her hand on Guardian’s head to ground herself.
When had she ever wanted to smell a man?
Valan pulled Megan aside as several women were allowed to pass. There was never a more torturous moment than watching the young, beautiful women swarm around him. Like any ‘normal’ red-blooded pirate, sailor, or Viking, who had been out to sea for days would do, all three men linked arms with the women so that they each had one on either side. Megan barely comprehended that the low growl she heard was coming from her own throat until Valan looked at her and shook his head.
Megan cleared her throat and continued to stare at the man approaching.
To look away was impossible.
Suddenly, he stopped. When he did the girls on either arm purred and leaned closer. But it didn’t much matter. It almost seemed that he caught a scent on the wind because he leaned his head back slowly, closed his eyes and inhaled.
All went silent.
Megan watched, enthralled by the display. How did one man make so many people go silent in a moment? But somehow she knew deep down inside. A simple man couldn’t.
But a king could.
It almost felt like the shock wave she’d felt eighty feet beneath the Atlantic once more hit her when his eyes turned her way. Megan dug her hands further into Guardian’s pelt as he untangled from his women and approached. His eyes flickered to Valan then back to her before he stopped.
Holy mother of any god listening was he gorgeous.
Skin darkened by the sun, his face was a masterpiece up close. A little over a foot taller than her, his lips curved so well they’d make a woman stare forever. His jaw line was a fraction off from being square and his eyebrows arched slashes. But none of that compared to his eyes.
They were his everything.
A light but bright cobalt blue framed by a bizarre circle of dark blue with flecks of silver, they were so unusual that it almost seemed a mirror was behind them. In fact, one nearly got the impression they were looking back at themselves when they looked into this man’s eyes. Megan was tempted to look away from his unusual gaze but knew she couldn’t…that she never would. He’d captained that Viking longship. Desire pounded through her blood so harshly it took years of dealing with powerful men to keep her body tremble-free and eyes locked. Because there could be no doubt…
He was her Viking king.
“Naðr Véurr,” she whispered.
And she knew she was right.
Of course he wasn’t fazed by his name on a stranger’s lips. He’d likely dealt with it before. And unlike most men, he wasn’t put off by her unnatural eye color in the least. Rather, he seemed to spend an overly long moment holding her gaze, so much so that she had to work at keeping a neutral face. No easy task. One thing was for sure, she’d never had such a strong sexual reaction to a man.
He smelled of sea and storms, of dark nights and even darker pleasures.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Hell, was her heart going to beat out of her chest?
Megan worked at breathing evenly and never let go of his gaze. For a split second, she thought he sensed her nervousness. And it seemed she might be right.



Review:
I don't normally do time travel, but this description sounded too good for me to pass up. 
I can't really say anything bad about the book - Megan is doing something that I think we all need to do. Instead of focusing on material wealth she's hunkering down in her "million dollar" home to focus on ship building. 
It's a darn good thing that she focuses on Viking ships because guess what? She's going to Scandinavia! To a king no less, so it's good that she's headstrong and a good female lead because she needed to be with him. Nadr is a headstrong King that will do whatever is best for his people. 
They were perfectly suited for each other. I liked how there were love scenes that weren't too erotic and there are battle scenes that can be pretty realistic, so if that's an issue for you then be forewarned. 
Overall 4 Triquetras - if you like Vikings, ships or time travel then this one is for you! 

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of fourteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com.
 Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases?
 Visit Sky’s website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter.

Tour Giveaway:
1 $25 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble



Sunday, January 18, 2015

Review: Ensnared by A.G. Howard


Ensnared (Splintered #3) by A.G. Howard
Publishers: Amulet Books
Published: January 6th, 2015
Pages: 384
After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world--a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after?

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Promo: Beautiful Curse by Jen McConnel


Out now from Swoon Romance.

Sixteen-year-old Mya Jones is cursed. 

She is, hands down, the most beautiful creature on earth. But beauty can wound, and Mya finds herself reviled and shunned by her peers. If there is even a chance that she could start over, Mya longs to take it, no matter the risks. 

So when the strange Mr. Merk offers her a new life away from home, Mya is hesitant but hopeful. Only she didn't count on the mysterious Ross, or her feelings for him.

BEAUTIFUL CURSE is a contemporary retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid.


Amazon | B&N | Kobo |







About the Author

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she also holds a MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  

When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college 
writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.  Her fiction titles include DAUGHTER OF CHAOS (YA), THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY (NA), and the recently released sequel, HER SECRET INHERITANCE. Visit http://www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.

Connect with Jen











Excerpt

“Please call me Ross. I hope that we’ll be friends.” 

I paused, considering. Everything had been so dreamlike, so magical, since coming to the 
palace, that I had almost set aside the initial fears that had plagued me when Mr. Merk took me. 

Almost, but not quite. “What’s the price of your friendship?” I tried not to sound combative, but 
I was leery, on edge. 

A sad sigh filled the room. “I ask only that you remain here with me. I will give you all 
that you wish for, and ask for very little in return.” 

“That’s not an answer.” I tried to reason with the voice in the dark, but it was like 
fighting with my shadow: impossible to catch, and yet at the same time, totally familiar. There 
was something about the voice that made me feel safe, but my brain refused to let go of my 
earlier caution. 

“Then here’s an answer. Tonight, the price of my friendship is that you dine with me.” 

“Here? But it’s pitch black!” 

“Even so, this is how I choose to dine. Will you join me?” 

I hesitated, and a warm hand closed around my wrist. I jerked back, but even as my 
companion turned me loose, I felt the flood of heat that surged up my arm where he touched me. 

“I am hungry,” I admitted, trying to get a grip on my emotions. His hand had felt human ... and 
strong. 

He didn’t try to touch me again, but instead said, “Step forward three even paces. There 
you will find the table.” 

I walked cautiously, but I was able to take three steps across the darkness without 
obstruction. My fingertips brushed the polished surface of the table. 
There was a scraping sound close by, and the voice commanded me again. “The chair is 
immediately to your left. Will you please sit?” 

I lowered myself into the chair gingerly, groping in the dark, but it was solid beneath me. 
I relaxed slightly, even though my nerves were still on edge from the absolute darkness of the 
room. 

“Why do you eat in the dark?” I asked curiously. 

His voice was silky and laced with innuendo. “I find that it heightens the senses. Perhaps 
you’ll tell me if you agree after the meal.”




Friday, January 16, 2015

Cover Reveal: Everlost by Candace Knoebel

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Everlost by Candace Knoebel
(Night Watchmen #3)
Publication date: Summer 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

One truth will unravel them all.
Faye Middleton thought the worst had come to pass the night she and her friends barely escaped from Ethryeal City and the clutches of the evil Priestess Clara. Officially shunned from the Coven, Faye is forced to lay low in order to come up with a plan to bring Clara down.
At Jaxen’s childhood manor, they were supposed to be safe from any outside issues, and they were… until his long-lost mother shows up. Determined to win back what she lost so long ago, Evangeline reveals a secret that could shatter their beliefs, or be their saving grace.
Now, with two Covens searching for Faye, they must find a way to start over. With the help of the Rebellion, they begin the arduous task of forming their own army. However, the choices they are faced with leave them questioning everything they’ve ever known.












AUTHOR BIO:
Candace Knoebel is the award-winning author of Born in Flames-book one in a young adult fantasy trilogy. She discovered in 2009 through lunch breaks and late nights after putting her kids to bed, a world where she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. And an outlet for all the voices residing in her head.

Published by 48fourteen in 2012, Born in Flames went on to win Turning the Pages Book of the Year award in February of 2013. In January of 2014, the last book in the trilogy, From the Embers, was released, thusly completing the trilogy. She now works on the Night Watchmen Series, while guzzling Red Bulls and pretending to be a ninja on Heelys.

Author Links:
Website: https://www.candaceknoebel.com
Blog: http://candaceknoebel.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaceKnoebel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/candaceknoebel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458922.Candace_Knoebel






Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Fueled by Lust: Maxim by Celeste Prater

Tour Schedule


This post is part of a book blast for the launch of Celeste Prater's newest book Fueled by Lust:Maxim. Celeste will be awarding one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card.

A Siren Classic Erotic Sci-Fi Romance – Book 6

A simple turn of your head can change your life forever. That’s what Maxim Telarius will soon realize when he spots a female cracking up passengers at an airport counter. What he didn’t expect was to find his potential mate when the counter comedian inevitably trips over a suitcase and practically lands in his lap. One innocent touch and he’s fighting through a powerful mating surge and begging her not to leave. One blink and she could be lost to him forever.

Skylar Grey is fleeing for her life with a mysterious object stuffed in her purse and no idea where’s she heading. When she spots a gorgeous hunk she just dreamed about, what’s a girl to do? Watching the guy twist on the floor in agony wasn’t what she envisioned. Should she run, or stay to help someone that seems extremely important to her survival?

Book 6 in the Fueled By Lust Series doesn’t disappoint on the erotic, set your hair on fire expectations of the Insedi male.

Reader note: Series best read in sequence.


Enjoy an excerpt:
Their bodies crashed together in the middle of the room. He didn’t even remember throwing his bag to the side. All he knew, or cared about, was the feel of her sweet mouth opening for him, her arms wrapped around his neck, and her fingers frantically unraveling his braid. He couldn’t stop the deep growl of approval rumbling through his chest or his equally haphazard attempt at releasing her flowing locks.

Maxim pulled his head back just long enough to gasp for air and lift her shirt over her head. He drank in the sight of her black lace bra lovingly cupping her luscious mounds until his shirt blocked the view as she yanked it up and practically tore it from his body. Her palms landed heavily on his pecs and she looked up to him.

“Damn, Maxim. You’re exactly like my vision, except better. If you have a black loin cloth on under those jeans, I’m going to faint.”

Plopping on the bed, he shucked his boots and socks then leapt back up. He unbuckled his belt and quickly slid the zipper down. He didn’t give a shit that his voice sounded like a barbaric maniac. He was close to having his skin next to hers and he couldn’t wait a moment longer.

“I have one back home, but there’s not a damn thing under here to get in my way.” He shoved his jeans off and kicked them to the side. He knew his cock was bobbing up and down in anticipation, and he watched her eyes gradually widen as she took in the sight. Her lips parted, and her words rushed out on a hard breath.

“Oh, shit.”

He grabbed the middle and lifted it toward his belly to give her ample viewing of what he had to offer.

“Don’t worry. You’ll fit me. That pussy’s mine.”

Her eyes flicked back up to his.

“Ah, hell. I like the way you talk. You just made my knees wobble.”

“I’m going to do more than that, sweetness. Lose the bra and get those jeans off. I want to see you.”

About the Author:

Celeste was born and raised in a small town between Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin. Wanting to see more than her small Texas town, she joined the Marines, which satisfied her craving to see more of the U.S. and her drive to see if she could be one of the few and the proud.

A firm believer in educating the mind, Celeste has achieved several advanced degrees, the latest being a master’s of science.

Her true love is writing erotic romance, especially about alien hunks that know how to treat their females.

Drusus, Severus, Cato, Lucien, Caelius, Maxim and many more have swirled in her dreams until she had to bring them to life and allow them to find love within the pages of the Fueled by Lust book series.

Book 1 DRUSUS was nominated as Top 5 Finalist and placed 3rd in the 2014 RWA Passionate Ink’s 9th Annual Passionate Plume Book Contest in Erotic SciFi/Fantasy Category. Book 2 SEVERUS achieved BEST BOOK review rating and won April 2014 BOOK OF THE MONTH Reader Poll at LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS. Book 3 CATO won the May/June 2014 and LUCIEN the September 2014 BOOK OF THE MONTH Reader Poll at LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS. All currently released books in the series have made it into the Top 5 Bestseller Lists at Bookstrand.com within days of release as well as making it into the Top 10 Hottest New Releases in Erotic Science Fiction on Amazon.

Book Series Links

Bookstrand | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Author Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | Google + | Tumblr


a Rafflecopter giveaway