+Giveaway

Paranormal, erotica - Novel
TBR reviewer: Luta Wolf

Winter Perri always thought she would spend eternity with Austin Carlyle but instead she will spend an eternity mourning him. She has spent sixteen years in her own personal hell and will continue to do so unless she can find the strength and the courage to learn to live and possibly love again. 
 
This isn’t my first book by London Saint James. I actually reviewed the first installment of this series and I loved it. When I saw this come out, I was rather surprised because well we already have the love story between Winter and Austin but then as I read the excerpt I’m surprised to find that Austin dies! I in no way wanted to read this story but with tissue box in hand I took on this challenged and I’m glad I did. 

Everything I loved about the first book is once again in play in this one, emotional impact, vivid imagery, solid character connection but the author took it even further because none of my earlier complaints were there. No repeated words or editorial flaws, the details flowed seamlessly through out the story and I was never in any doubt about what a character might look like this time around. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the twist of the plot. I won’t spoil the book but lets just say that the Austin we fell in love with isn’t completely lost to us. Though because of this there was much more  suspense and angst in the book. My heart broke with all of Winter’s struggles. Even though there is a gap of sixteen years, she is still in a lot of ways that vulnerable young girl she once was and my protective instincts carried over from the first book. 

To say that London Saint James knows how to write an intoxicating romance is putting things mildly. There is no reviewer without being a reader but there are some subtle differences. As a reviewer this was pure gold but pulling that hat off and thinking like a reader and I couln't help but come to a different conclusion. Oh don't get me wrong, as a reader, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story but I had to ask myself, had I paid for the story would I be truly satisfied with the ending and the answer is no. While this story has more to it than the last with the paranormal aspect and yes a bit of suspense it’s still at heart a true romance. I’m not tuning in to find out what next action packed thing is going to happen. I’m reading it for the romance, to know how at the very basics these two characters meet, fall in love, and then how they get their Happy Ever After. At one hundred and fifty-five pages I’m a little lost as to
why there is a 'to be continued' ending. This is where the book lost its appeal and really dampered the story. I want a complete book not a 'to be continued'.

In this moment of complete and total immersion into the never-ending liquid blue of Cayden Cain’s eyes, I felt him brush the palm of his hand down my cheek, pressing it firm, cupping my cheek into the warm strong palm of his hand. The experience, like being baptized in fire. Lightning crackled across my skin. Every breath within me halted.

“Winter,” he murmured. I could not answer, but it wasn't as though he wanted me to. It was
an awareness between us.

But this just can't be.

“Please, get out of those wet clothes, take a hot shower, and get some rest.” With that
he smiled all the while seemingly conflicted, hesitant to exit my room. I stared at him. “Winter,” he said softly, his hand on the doorknob. “I….” He hesitated. I watched him run his fingers through his hair. “I need....” He hesitated once more. His eyes shot to my eyes. We were caught in the moment, locked.

For that second time stood still. My heart screamed out. I know him, somehow I know him
but my mind fought against the knowledge.
  
"I need to see you again,” he said. He opened my door. “In the morning. We will talk in the morning.”

When Cayden left I completely fell apart, flung myself onto the bed then curled myself up into a ball. I wrapped my knees up to my chest, holding my arms tight around them. I crumbled, literally in every sense of the word. My body shook, my head hurt, my voice muffled into my chest. This was worse than any déjà vu I had experienced tonight. I would take the pain of any memories, even the memories of the crash over this current emotion. And it did not matter I was soaking wet or if I got sick. My eyes were overflowing in traitor tears, and I didn’t wish to move.

“Oh God!” I cried out.

I was in more pain than I had experienced since the loss of my love and the ending of my life. My breath had been knocked from me. I could not find my lungs. It did not matter Cayden Cain looked so much like Austin because he wasn’t the man I loved. So for this, I knew those fault lines within my heart, which from time to time would shift and quake had broken open again.

 What did matter was the way I felt with Cayden’s simple touch. The kind, reassuring gesture when he reached out and touched the surface of my cheek, set my skin on fire. Lightning struck. It caused a fire which caught. The fire ran the entirety of my body until it found a home between my thighs. For this I was worse than a charlatan, worse than a cheater, worse than a liar. I should not have felt the burn, the desire, the sensation of sin which flowed like an electric current through me. Pure agony riddled my body. Cayden’s touch should be blasphemy to my flesh but God help me, it was not.

“What have I done!” I screamed.

Austin was the only man I have ever loved. The only man who could set my skin on fire yet I felt something in which I should not. I knew I had betrayed the love of my life for the weakness of my flesh. There would be no forgiveness, no absolution. No ending to this disloyal destruction of my deceitful soul.

I cried out in heart wrenching protest. “What is wrong with me? This cannot be possible. Not possible!”

For the desire of my heart, my love, my need for Austin, was in direct conflict to the desire I experienced still burning upon my flesh.

Ms. James is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner. Comment below to enter. Contest ends Feb. 1st.

+BIG Giveaway

Paranormal, Erotica, Anthology - Novel
TBR reviewer: Luta Wolf

No matter what your fantasy, these sinfully naughty tales are certain to keep you reading
late into the night...

Midnight Seduction is an exclusive collection of erotically charged stories by thirteen talented authors. From dark angels and vampires, to ghosts and kelpies, this anthology is sure to please paranormal romance lovers everywhere. Fulfill your wanton desires and escape into a world where anything is possible.

The creatures that live in the night come out to play but instead of terrifying, their out to seduce. What do you do when a nightmare become fantasy? Thirteen tales sure to give you the shivers but is it out of fear or passion?
 
Going Berserk by Alexandra O'Hurley

A berserker has waited a long time to find his mate but he has to save her from his enemies before he can have her. As if that isn’t enough, he has to some how convince his human mate that she isn’t going crazy. I loved the plot, when do you ever read about a berserker outside of Norwegian legend that is? Add to the fact that the characters were really in-depth despite this being a short story. The author completely get’s across to you, Jakob’s need for solace and Kara’s compassion and heart. I did feel that the story ended rather abrupt, I waited for the To Be Continued sign but it never came. That aside it was a wickedly, fun read.
 
Bad Things by Luxie Ryder

What’s a girl to do when she finds herself stranded alone at a Halloween party surrounded by vampires. Find the sexiest vampire and have him protect her of course! I can’t express how much I love Keisha. She’s feisty, a scaredy cat, and just plan fun. She the type of girl you meet and know your going to be instant friends with. Tobias is just plain sex on a stick with a chivalrous alpha attitude. This was a fun read that had me fanning my face and not all of that
was because I was laughing.
 
The Yearning by Emma Shortt

When you go looking for a vampire on Hollow’s Eve, you might not get what you were expecting but instead you might find yourself in the arms of the wrong monster. This vampire isn’t as gentle as the last one and Sarah quickly realizes that she just might not survive to see another Halloween. The plot was interesting, full of details, and the heat factor was really
hot. I got Sarah, I got why she did something incredibly stupid. I loved how protective Anton is even when it comes to himself. What I didn’t understand was the pull that they had for each other. It’s a small thing that really didn’t take away from the story but left me with some questions. All together I enjoyed this story especially as it stepped away from the normal vampire romance plot.
 
Trixie's Treats by Kelly Yeakle. Be Warned: f/f interaction

What’s a witch to do when she’s lonely. Cook up a spell of course! But things don’t go as expected when Trixie put’s the spell on the wrong person. Is it a mistake or fate? I really enjoyed the start of the story, it was fun and easy with tons of details. I didn’t necessarily like Trixie at the beginning between her narcissism and selfishness, however I found some redeeming qualities by the end and she was just so in-depth that you completely got her. Trent was a mess of contradictions but he was the underdog you can’t help rooting for. This was really a good story except for one thing, the use of the word Wicca. If the author had just stuck to the word witch than I could have easily just enjoyed the fantasy but as soon as the word Wicca was brought in, I became insulted. Wicca has a strict set of codes that Wiccans adhere to. While there are spells, there isn’t any as described in this story, that still could have been easily overlook. However, what I couldn’t overlook was the disrespect towards a Wiccans belief in threefold. It is essential to the Wicca’s belief as the bible to a Christian. Personally I found the use of this religion in the story without knowledge of the religion rather offensive. 
 
Ghost of a Chance by Carolyn Rosewood

Tess’s aunt has died and left her house to all of them. Tess heads to the house on Halloween to find out once and for all if the house is haunted. If the man in the painting that’s haunted her fantasies for years is more than just her imagination. When Jack shows up, Tess isn’t sure she is as brave as she once thought. The plot is captivating with intricate details of family, betrayal, and spells. I also really enjoyed the characters. Jack is a charming rouge who must redeem himself in order to ever know happiness again. You love him all the more for his imperfections. Tess is a normal girl that longs for the normal life but none of the men she finds can ever hold a candle to the fantasies that have always haunted her, you can easily feel her longing. There was just so much in this story that I was really surprised by the rather choppy ending. Despite the ending, this was an awesome read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
 
Shadows of Desire by Pepper Anthony

Roderick writes horror but it doesn’t mean he believes in it. When Philippa comes to investigate the haunted house she finds the home owner to be a complete non-believer. However the disbelief quickly changes to belief as the house picks up activity. What could the ghosts be up to by trapping them in the house? I loved Philippa’s character, who has this amazing ability to always look on the bright side. She’s full of spit but it’s well hidden behind the cheerfulness. Roderick starts of full of staunch and all grumpy, he just wants to write his book and be left alone. However, this quickly wanes in the face of Philippa’s charm. While he isn’t instantly smitten, thanks to the ghosts it’s not long before he is ensnared. Besides being an interesting read chalked full of details, it’s also hot. The steam literally rises off the pages. The only thing I hated about the story was that it ended, it was just that good.
 
Midnight Masquerade by D. F. Krieger

Anya longs for something but it’s just out of her reach despite being a witch. She doesn’t know what it is that’s she is longing for until the masquerade ball. There she meets him, Master. Can she let go over her fear, have faith and embrace her fate. I’m still shivering from this story and it isn’t out of fear. It speaks to all of us who can’t help but believe in fate but are tempered by logic. When do you take a chance instead of treading carefully? Master is domineering without being brutish, there are slight traces of vulnerability that made the story all the more sweeter. Anya is vulnerable and submissive but we find out quickly that doesn’t mean cowardly. Everything about this story was intriguing. I highly recommend to those that like mystery with their paranormal. 
 
Kissing Darkness by Fionn Jameson

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted and it wasn’t even intentional. Willa has hunted incubuses, they’re ways might be seductive but they are still evil monsters that feed off humans. That’s what she has always believed until she meets Pax. Now she must decide if she really believes all incubus are alike and if so, Pax dies. Willa is a wounded soul and doesn’t really know it. Lonely, jaded, vulnerable, and a complete hard ass. Pax is the opposite of Willa, laid back with a take everything in stride philosophy. The story moved so quickly that if you blinked, you’d miss it. However rather than take away from the story the author played it to her advantage and had me on the edge of my seat with excitement. I really didn’t know whether Pax would live or die. I would have loved for this to be longer but since it wasn’t, I’m really hoping we haven’t heard the end of these characters. I can’t wait to read more.
 
Crimson Sin by London Saint James

Grace walks this world and the other side. She lives between the two worlds never really feeling complete in either one. The only time she feels complete is in her demon lover’s arms. Many seek to tear them apart. Is there any way for them to survive intact and together? The plot is unique and captivating. It’s darkly disturbing going against what we’ve been taught to believe but that only makes it all the more intriguing. Grace uses her gifts for good, to console the grieving or to find the missing but despite her compassionate loving heart she can’t turn away from her lover, a fallen angel. He is far from good, he is a demon whose turned from God, but his utter devotion and love for Grace makes for a huge redeeming quality to his character. The ending though left me utterly confused and baffled. I re-read
several times but still couldn’t come to a conclusion as to what happened to them. 
 
Soul Reaver by Kastil Eavenshade Be Warned: involves non-consensual sex

Maurizio has no choice but to collect souls for Satan. He doesn’t like it but there is no other alternative for him unless he wants to die. Amanda is the first time that he has touched a soul so pure and it resonates with him but Amanda has secrets of her own that may mean the end of Maurizio. Is there anyway for him to escape from Satan to live a life of his own, with Amanda. Maurizio pulled at my heart strings and continued to do so through out the  book. The author did an amazing job of painting a picture of this wounded soul that balanced between good and evil so precariously. I wanted so badly for him to have a happy ending. However his happy ending came at the price of me not liking Amanda. Despite this though, I really enjoyed the story and will read it again because I loved Maurizio that much.
 
Deal With the Devil by Anna Keraleigh Be Warned: anal sex

Eryn traded her soul to the devil for revenge on her husband that killed her. Now she haunts the graveyard that she died in, with a kiss she steals souls. When Quinn comes along, he is so unlike any man she has ever met and she begins to re-evaluate what she always believed of them but how can a ghost/demon and a human man have a life together. There are so many things that I loved about this story. The characters are anything but perfect and quite frankly, Eryn would be easy to dislike if you didn’t completely understand how she got to where she was. That is good writing when you can’t help but love a character despite themselves. The plot was a combination of dark and fun. The story ended on a bit of a mystery but it’s written really well in that you don’t feel that your missing anything. I simply felt that the author left some mystery and magic for the readers imagination. My only complaint is the anal sex, it just wasn’t accurate. However this is a small complaint really because I absolutely loved this story!
 
Last Call for Love by Lila Shaw

Penn has loved Joe for two years but there is no chance of them being together. She sold her soul centuries ago to never die and now she is an incubus. Her master is a jealous demon that will never allow her victims to remember that she existed. She can’t let that happen with Joe so instead she must resist. Penn is a catty incubus who doesn’t really like other women but you quickly learn that this is more to do with her not liking herself. Despite or more
because of being an incubus she is not only jaded but withered with no self-esteem. Seeing her blossom with Joe was beautiful. The ending completely took me by surprise though, in a good way. Which I loved because it so rarely happens. The was a sweet, enjoyable read.

 Salem by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Amelia knows the instant that she sees him that he will mean something to her. That he will change her life. She just isn’t sure if this life altering connection will be good or bad. She begins to start remembering her past life with him but it’s not fast enough to know if she can trust him in this life. The author packed what amounts to a book into a short story. I still don’t know how she managed to make it seem so long. It felt as though it walked right
off the pages and began to play as though a movie. I became entranced in the world that she created and could easily feel Amelia’s frustration as she waited but she didn’t know what she waited for. I fell in love with Nat right along with Amelia, He is such a contradiction, he exudes large amounts of confidence and yet with Amelia he is heartbreakingly eager. I don’t have one complaint, this was a joy to read.

Then I died.

My body did. My soul, that was lost. Handed over to the devil. And if that had been the end of Ms. Eryn Derdrum, then I would’ve considered it a righteous conclusion. But the devil is as sly as the stories say.

“You are hereby bound to this cemetery.” He spoke but his lips didn’t move. “You’ll find me more souls. With one kiss, they’ll be doomed to the same fate as you.” He bent at the waist. A redskinned hand with long sharp claws pressed against the gaping wound in my chest. “You’ll give me one thousand souls to earn your freedom.”

“You bastard.” I tried to express my anger but the words were barely a whisper.

“On All Hallows Eve you may revert back to your human form. One day a year, you can roam free, Ms. Derdrum. Until then, you are mine.” The devil laughed and it wasn’t an evil laugh. It was more like a snort, a rumble of sound like distant thunder.

I felt the life returning. My body began to convulse, his words rolled around my mind, and then I jerked off my feet. Color drained from my body, and the white gown I’d loved since
childhood knitted together.

This was the first night of many. My own personal nightmare because of my deal with the devil.

Ms. Keraleigh is giving away a ecopy away to TWO lucky winners! Comment below to enter. Contest ends December 6th.