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REVIEW: Running After David by Nacht and Hecht

9/19/2013

Running After David (Birds of Prey 2)
Author: Jackie Nacht & Stephanie Hecht
Length: 104 pages
Genres: urban fantasy, M/M romance, paranormal romance
TBR Reviewer: Amanda
Rating: 4 Stars – Recommended Read
Heat: 3 – Blush Worthy

The Birds of Prey are Athena's hand-picked, created warriors, fighting against Blood Demons that rip out the hearts of unsuspecting humans and sacrificing them to their gods, thus creating more Blood Demons. After centuries of fighting, suddenly things have changed as mates for the Birds of Prey are appearing with a special birthmark and the Blood Demons are hunting them in droves. Night, the leader of Atlanta's Birds of Prey, has never known anything except the fight and raising his fellow warriors,
so when his mate appears, he refuses to claim him and David runs away, straight into more danger.

These book need to be read in order to understand the background of the story and why David is running. David really puts Night through the wringer before his apology is accepted, but both men fight the lack of choice Athena has given them. There is a lot of fighting and some seriously nasty baddies in this
series - more so than the sex and romance. However, if you like urban fantasy, this is a good series to start. The overwhelming odds against the Birds of Prey make them seriously the underdogs, but you can see how the mates are needed, and I look forward to where the series will go next. Any fans of Stephani Hecht's other series will enjoy this one as well.

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CONTEST: Betrayal's Shadow by K.H. LeMoyne

5/16/2013

Betrayal’s Shadow By, K.H. LeMoyne
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Action, Urban Fantasy
TBR Reviewer: Luta Wolf
Rating: 5 stars- Highly Recommended Read
Heat: 3- Blush Worthy

Would you risk everything to save another even if you knew perhaps you should walk away. Each night Mia’s dreams summon her to a jail cell where tortured soul Turen lives. Though to help each other would mean breaking a oath cemented in time, it could possible be what saves them both.

I like Urban Fantasies but only if they are written very well. I want no confusion, there has to be depth and detail. Which this author more than delivers, everything was three dimensional in its vivid delivery.
I adore the characters, Mia is vivacious and bold. It might be cliché but it fits that there is just something other worldly about Turen. Together they are simply dynamic with dialogue that is quote worthy. I truly
enjoyed the new spin on “We must not be together” that we see in their relationship. I also enjoyed that it didn’t take long for Turen to go forget that.

While this is very clearly a romance, there is some theology concepts thrown into the story line that for me personally really added another dimension to this book. It turned a simple story into a full bodied book.

I can’t recommend Betrayal's Shadow enough, it has something for everyone.

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GIVEAWAY: Ms. Lemoyne is giving away an Ecopy of her book Betrayal's Shadow! The TBR Pile is giving away a book from our Prize List. To ENTER: Comment below on why you want to read Betrayal's Shadow!

REVIEW: Last Chance by Michelle Birbeck

4/16/2013

Last Chance (The Keeper's Chronicles 2) by Michelle Birbeck
Genre: urban fantasy
Length: novel
TBR Reviewer: Amanda
Rating: 5 stars - A Must Read.

Reunited with the love of her life, Keeper Serenity Synclair plans to stay in retirement. However, life has other plans for her when Keeper families start to be attacked by forces unknown and unseen by Lizzy, the most powerful psychic of their line. Suddenly the balance of the races is in jeopardy, but most of all, the fate of Serenity's loved ones, especially her vampire husband, Ray, is on the line.

Like the first book in The Keeper's Chronicles, Serenity's life has much excitement and danger. As the
oldest of all the Keepers (the race keeping the balance between vampires, humans, witches, and weres), she has finally settled down when events spin out of control. There are places in the story where she justifiably feels sorry for herself, tired, and wants to give up, but she constantly uses the love for her
family and desire to keep the world from a bloodbath to keep her going. Once it got going I was hooked. The unique look at a paranormal world is quite enjoyable and I liked all of Serenity's family and friends that surround her in this book. Themes of family, love, betrayal, and loyalty were clear throughout the book. The twists and turns of discovering who or what was behind the events was fascinating. I found this to be another great read (but the ending is a little bit of a cliffhanger!). I can’t wait to read the next
book!

Available May 30th 2013
Author Website Here

REVIEW: Hunting in Hell by Maria Violante

2/17/2013

Hunting in Hell (De La Roca Chronicles, #1 and #2)
Author: Maria Violante
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 181
Rating: 3 stars - A good read.

I wanted to love this story I really did. It has everything I devour like a starving man in the middle of the dessert. The imagery was nothing short of amazing, the action was non-stop, and the creatures were interesting! Angels, Demons of all shapes and sizes, and an epic mission.
The lead character, female demon hunter, De La Roca has made a deal with an Angel. She has to get five kills to end her servitude. These marks are some of the worst demons you’ll ever meet, and the confrontations are awesome! As she hunts she’s also struggling to remember who she is. Her memory has been wiped, which adds an air of unpredictability that helps keep you on the edge of your seat!

It had all the makings of a mind blowing story arch, but there were things that derailed me and I never fully got back on the train. There were frequent POV shifts, and tenses, and too much information. At times I felt like I was being deluged by things that weren’t being properly explained. I also felt a bit bereft at the end. After the lengthy journey I’d taken with the
lead character, De La Roca, I didn’t feel a connection.

That being said, there was plenty to like about this book.

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REVIEW: Dark Dates by Tracey Sinclair

2/7/2013

Dark Dates by Tracey Sinclair
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Length: Novel
TBR Reviewer: Brutally Honest
Rating: 5 Stars – A Must Read!
Heat: 2 handcuffs - Flirty.

So, I now have to try to explain how amazing this book was. The story was unique. Cassandra
runs a dating service for vampires. The older ones that haven’t gotten into the technology groove. She’s sleeping with a man that saved her life but only shows up every few years. He kills these ‘monsters’ and hides some serious secrets. Things go crazy, she’s being attacked at every turn, add in some funny one-liners and utterly likeable characters.

This is book is perfect.

Cain who slays monsters and keeps her bed warm sounds delicious. The author never quite passes that line into real sexy but stays in the ‘safe’ zone. Still the story more than makes up for the lack of heat! There was a perfect balance of story and romance. The action was intense and several times I found myself leaning forward, engrossed in the fabulous story unfolding. The side characters were very intricate and a well written heavy presence. Medea and Katie are the witch and the werewolf – sorry Wiccan and Shapeshifter (You’ll get it when you read the book.) They were PERFECTLY written. I know I keep using that word but seriously. This book is fantastic. It should be a bestseller with an upcoming movie.

Dark Dates is unique and if you’re reading one book this year (which is a stupid saying but still...) read this!!

Purchase Here (Seriously, Buy this book!!)

CONTEST: The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck

8/9/2012

3 Comments

The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck
Genre: paranormal romance/urban fantasy
Length: Novel (294 pgs.)
Reviewer: Amanda

+Giveaway: 1 ebook

Serenity Cardea is almost the last of her kind - an immortal, whose mission in life is the keep the peace between the various races and humans, which mainly comes down to keeping the vampires in check. The witches and weres keep to themselves, so keeping the vampires from taking over the world is her main focus. However, somehow the vampires have discovered the weakness of the Keepers, their mates and have killed off nearly all of Serenity's family, and the younger generations are not coming into their powers. After 3000+ years of life, Serenity finally meets her destined mate and time is ticking for the Keeper race.

This story had many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and moments that brought me nearly to tears, both sad and happy ones. As the various prophecies that were woven into Serenity's life were fulfilled and as all the events played out, I was continually as surprised as the characters. The Last Keeper is a great story with a unique take on the paranormal worlds we love and villains you love to hate.

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3 Comments

Review: Immortal by Gene Doucette

5/20/2012

Urban Fantasy - novel
TBR reviewer: Amanda

Adam is immortal. He is not sure how old he is, but he can remember being a cave-dwelling hunter-gatherer, so he assumes he predates human history. As far as he knows, he is the only one of his kind, but rather than using his immortality to have people worship him as a god or conquer the world, Adam drinks too much, talks too much, and basically couch-surfs through life until someone catches up to him.

This story is written from Adam's point of view and his voice is dry, sarcastic and humorous. He often pokes fun at himself and at various famous people from history in little asides. He is by turns both self-deprecating and self-absorbed, but he also comes across as lonely. Without being able to share his true self with anyone, he moves from place to place and life to life. The story is written as a memoir, but there are also little snippets of the "present" at the beginning of each chapter that catch up to where he is and what is happening to Adam.

Without giving away the plot that develops, I can say that the story gently touches on interesting issues of scientific and business ethics without being heavy-handed or preachy. While there are also some scenes of violence, it is not overly disgusting and the other "non-human" creatures that also exist alongside Adam and play parts in the story are interesting as well. Although there are some sex scenes in the book (Adam is quite appreciative of women, even if he is not sure he knows what love feels like anymore), it is not overall a romance as much as it is a mystery and adventure story. I really enjoyed Immortal and look forward to reading about Adam's further adventures.

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Review and Contest: A Grim Pact by Adam Slade

12/23/2011

12 Comments

+Giveaway

Some Grim Reapers just can't get a break. As well as nursing a broken leg from the last person who tried to kill him, Mal is trying to track down the serial killer who's offing demons on his patch. And it seems like one of his friends knows more than he's letting on. On top of that, Death, Mal's boss, is awake after decades of slumber. Which means yet another challenge to face. Paperwork.

Urban Fantasy, Comedy - novel
TBR reviewer: Kim

Review

This is a story about a Grim Reaper, Mal, who is trying to chase a demon serial killer. He is nursing a broken leg, in love with a succubus who used to be his partner and to top it all, his boss, Death has just woken up after many years asleep. Some Reapers have all the luck!

This was a little difficult to get into at first, and hard to wrap my head around the idea that there was one Death but many Reapers. This was somewhat helped by having 'Grim Reaper Myths Dispelled' at the beginning of some of the chapters. Once I did get into it though, I really enjoyed it. The characters were colorful and different and larger than life! The story went along at a fair clip and there was plenty of action. I liked the fact that it was tackling a long held belief and turning it on its head! This is the second 'Reaper' story and I think it would help to have read the first as there are many references to events in the previous book that at times left me a bit confused. That being said, I still recommend it but with the caveat of reading the first, which I would very much like to now!

Excerpt

Part way across the room, a very large and very drunk demon stepped into their way. His gaze ran the length of Xyla’s body, pausing on all the bits Mal tended to pause on, too.
“H-hey, cutie,” he said, attracting the attention of half the bar with the volume. “Buy you a drink?”

“I’m flattered,” Mal said, batting his eyelashes. “But we have elsewhere to be.”

The bar roared with laughter as the demon frowned, trying to work out what just happened. His eyes widened as it struck him. “I meant her, not you!”

“Really? Well now I’m just embarrassed.”

“You wanna watch your mouth, human.”

“Or what? You’ll start a fight?” Mal gestured about the bar. “In Earl’s?”

“I don’t give a damn where we are, I’ll rip yer head off and use it as a bowling ball!”

Mal scratched his neck. “You wouldn’t get many strikes.”

“Huh?”

“Heads aren’t round enough, you see. You wouldn’t be able to accura—”

His attempt at neutralisation via sarcasm ended abruptly as the demon swung a large fist at his face. It came too quick for him to dodge, so he closed his eyes and tried to think painless thoughts. The blow never came. He opened one eye tentatively to see the demon’s fist held fast in Xyla’s hand. She cocked her head as he struggled to pull free.

“Did you just throw a punch at my boyfriend?” The demon screeched as she squeezed, and Mal winced at the sound of grating bones.

“Well?” she asked again, the picture of calm. “Hurry up. We have places to be.”

“N-no, I mean yes! I mean...” He paused. “Can I have my hand back, miss?”

“Not until you apologise.” She squeezed again.

The mountain of a demon babbled a number of apologies, in several languages, and Xyla let go. “There’s a good boy.” She turned back to an amused Mal and held out her hand. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” He took her hand, and they walked over to a bemused Earl. “So I’m your boyfriend, am I?”

“Yup.”

“Do I get a choice in the matter?”

“Nuh uh.”

He feigned a sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to go along with it, then.”

She grinned. “You know, most men would chastise me for stepping into that fight.”

“Meh. Most men are stupid. Also, most men’s girlfriends aren’t millennia old demons capable of head-butting their way through a bank vault.”

“You put it so lyrically, Mal.”

He dropped into a short bow and hoped that she wasn’t paying too much attention to his thoughts. Boyfriend? Booya! If he was anywhere else, and had two working legs, he’d have danced a jig.

Purchase here (only .99)

Contest

Mr. Slade is giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner. Comment below to enter. Contest ends December 26th.

12 Comments

Review: A Reapers Tale by Adam Slade

11/16/2011

2 Comments

+Giveaway

Urban Fantasy - Novel
TBR reviewer: B.H.

Blurb

Even Grim Reapers have bad days on the job.

Mal has managed to stay out of the afterlife for 31 years, despite having been dead for
the last three. He's a Grim Reaper, and while he may not be the most enthusiastic, he enjoys his "life" too much to give it up to death. But he's got a problem. A troubled young woman's soul becomes bonded to his, and a vicious demon is hired to retrieve it.

If Mal can't get her soul free in a hurry, he's doomed to share her destination, whether it be heaven or hell.

Review

This is what I’m talking about! The last book I read by Mr. Slade, Strand, needed less telling and it frustrated me because he was so close to greatness. I think this time he’s reached even closer to that mark. There was still telling and a lack of emotion in the characters but, and this is a big but, it’s a lot less.

Now, there’s a great story unfolding.

The world of demons, Grim Reapers and alcoholic poltergeists was well described. Mal is a grim reaper who gets his soul stuck with an undecided. That’s a person that has been equally good and bad. There's a court to decide if Amy, the undecided, is going to hell or heaven.

There’s an excellent pace to the story, information and action blended nicely. I couldn’t stop reading, Mal’s character really grew on me. He meets Amy who falls down the steps and breaks here neck. After that Mr. Slade seemed to revert back to the telling issue.

The story unfolds we get these short passages in first point of view. Having no assigned characters it was a bit confusing at first. There’s a lot of grin worthy moment, twists, and action plus a little romance. This is all hindered of course by the telling. I was wondering what exactly Mal looked like naked, lol. I couldn’t help it, he was a very well written character! Zach is a great addition as well. I hope to read more on both these characters.

I am not giving up on Mr. Slade yet for a five star review one day. I hope his writing only grows because his plots are worth the read.

Excerpt

He was facing the wrong way, watching a group of people on the other side of the road. Ducking behind a hedge, Mal waited, heart in mouth, until he heard footsteps pass the gate and continue down the street. Relieved, he stood, only to find himself a foot from the demon’s grinning face. “Crap.”

“You’re a hard man to find,” the demon said, placing his hands on the garden wall between
them.

“Don’t know why,” Mal replied, trying to remain nonchalant, despite opening the conversation with ‘crap.’ “I was moving slowly, and went to rather predictable places. Frankly, a half-eaten onion sandwich could have found me before you did.”

The demon’s smile disappeared, replaced by a snarl with far too many teeth. "Now why did you have to go and say that?”

Before the demon had chance to grab him, Mal was in flight. He dodged left and leapt over a low fence into next door’s garden then bolted through the open gate. A roar sounded behind him and he turned to see the demon in hot pursuit.

“You think you can out run him?”

“As long as he stays in his human form, I stand a chance.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“He won’t reveal his true form in broad daylight. Demons have a code.”

Mal hoped he was right and kept running. He rounded the corner and spotted a familiar street sign. Only half a mile from the bar. He put his head down and thudded on, wincing at the jolts of pain coming from his leg, and risking the odd glance back. His pursuer was the faster, but the slight head start and Mal’s knowledge of the area’s twisty alleys kept him in the lead. As he neared the bar, he found himself back on the main road and had to hope that
the lead he had built up in the back streets would hold. Dodging and weaving around pedestrians, and jumping the occasional dog, he neared his target. He could hear the demon’s heavy footsteps as he dove through the door to the ramshackle bar front. He grabbed the beer pump and yelled for Earl, who appeared moments later. Mal grabbed Earl’s outstretched hand and felt something slash at the back of his shirt just before everything went black.

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Contest

Mr. Slade is also giving away an ecopy to one lucky winner! Comment below to enter. Contest ends November 18th.

2 Comments

Review: Blood Wish by Fionn Jameson

6/12/2011

11 Comments

+Giveaway

Genre: Urban Fantasy - paranormal
Ebook - Evernight Publishing - Novel
TBR Reviewer - B.H (Brutally Honest)

Blurb

A Centennial City Novel

All Eve Faulkner wants to do is forget that she’s a Kumiho and live her life the way she sees fit. As a supernatural arbitrator, she considers her life to be chaotic enough without having to worry about keeping her identity a secret.

Unfortunately for her, a supposed “easy” job goes horribly wrong and a close colleague almost dies. Fired from her job, and a virtual pariah, the only person who’ll hire her now is one of the High Vampires of Centennial City, Vincent Sheridan, who wants nothing more than to jump her bones.

In between having her secret discovered by a sadistic alpha of the Were pack who seeks to use her, and finding out who’s killing people in the city sewers, Eve will come to grips with her reality and finally make peace with the person she is and will become.

Review

I admit, I’m a HUGE vampire fan. I love True Blood, Interview with the Vampire and any book about vampire’s are usually on my ‘to be read’ list. When I read the blurb, I instantly wanted to read it.

The action is well written and she explains the complication that comes with a paranormal book without leading to an information dump. I love the reference to Rob Zombie as I’m a fan. By chapter four, I was loving Eve. She’s got such a great personality that really shines through with Ms. Jameson’s writing. As the story continues and Eve meets Vincent, I could not put this book down!

I began reading in bed and forgot the whole getting up early for work thing. She really tells an engrossing, almost addicting story. I laughed, I bit my nails off, and I practically drooled! Vincent, master vampire, what can I say about him? Oh my and yummy. Then there’s sexy, tortured Ryder and the mysterious Van. I’d like one of each pretty please!

Then there’s the romance, why oh why, didn’t she steam things up. I wouldn’t even consider this erotic, it was to Tame and that would normally bring the rating down. However, the story was so good I’m ignoring that fact and hoping she adds more fire into the next book. I really hope there is another book with these characters. I cannot wait to read more about Centennial City!

Her style reminds me of Laurell K Hamilton and the Anita Blake series without the heat. I am a fan of Ms. Jameson after reading Blood Wish. I recommend this book without a single doubt.

Author Website

Excerpt of 'Blood Wish'

“You must help us. There are not many who understand the darkness as well as you do, Eve Faulkner.”

A vampire didn’t often ask for help. But hey, even the denizens of the night need help with contracts sometimes.

As a negotiator for the preternatural, I’m both lawyer and hunter. Lawyer because it pays the bills, and hunter because there are abominations that need to be taken care of. I’d hunt full time, but most of the work is pro-bono, so if all I did was tote around a semi-automatic with silver bullets and a case of salt water, I’d be living in a cardboard box pretty damn soon.

The tall vampire appeared too lean to be considered healthy. Then again, since when were vampires supposed to be healthy? Cheekbones jutted out nearly a mile from his face, and I could’ve split paper with the tip of his nose. Dressed in unrelenting black, he looked like a Dracula wannabe. All he needed was the black cape with the scarlet lining, coupled with that booming laugh, and even Bela Lagosi would roll in his grave.

Except he wasn’t a Dracula wannabe; he was the real thing.

And for some reason, it made him seem even more pathetic than he already was.

Watching him from across the massive desk, I tried not to stare too long at the jagged scars down his cheeks. “Uh-huh. Right. How about you tell me what I can do to help you, and we’ll see if I really can.”

He smiled, and I averted my eyes, trying to pretend I couldn’t see the tips of his fangs sticking out of his mouth. Most old-world vampires considered such a gesture as obscene. It’s like people doing the down and dirty in the middle of a busy shopping center.

Truth is, I used to be ashamed I knew so much about vamps. The only people who knew as much as I did were either vamphiles or the vampires themselves, and I didn’t want to be confused as either.

But all knowledge has a price.

Hey, what can I say? I like money. After all, money never betrayed me. Never stabbed me in the back. You always had to watch out for people.

The vampire, otherwise known as Malcolm, leveled himself to his feet and paced the length of my slightly shabby office. My boss, Owen, gave me enough money to decorate it, but I’d always thought interior decorating over-rated. So sue me if I preferred buying more firearms instead of stupid curtains that matched the stupid wallpaper. Paintings wouldn’t save my life, but a Glock just might.

“This is of the utmost importance,” he said, walking back and forth so fast I was half-afraid I’d get dizzy. “I wouldn’t have come to you if it wasn’t. My master does not want to bring in outsiders, but we no longer have a choice. Our last lawyer was scared out of town by the Weres, and we are in need of some…legal advice.”

He didn’t look very happy, and to be honest, neither was I.

I couldn’t even begin to count how many vampires wanted me dead. Preferably a painful death. Make that a very, very painful death. And who the hell wanted to work for things that wanted to kill them? Talk about pressure.

Leaning back in the therapeutic armchair I paid an arm and leg for, I steepled my fingers, feeling a bit like the evil rich man about to rob the common man blind.

And oh, did it feel good. Righteous, even.

“Of course. Don’t worry. Just tell me what’s going on, and I’ll try to see what I can do,” I said and grimaced as I thought about what Owen would say. He harbored no love for vampires and would never have accepted any sort of job from them, if it wasn’t for the fact that vampires paid pretty good money. But he was like me; he liked the money more than anything else. I’m still waiting for the wedding invitation when he gets hitched to a thousand dollar bill. “Besides, it’s my job. I go in, I talk, and things get settled. Easy as pie.”

Things couldn’t be any more understated, but he didn’t have to know that.

Malcolm stopped and stared at me. “Do you really believe what you’ve just said? That this will be easy as, how did you say it, pie?”

I didn’t answer and I didn’t think he was expecting me to.

Long, thin hands clasped behind his back. He paced to and fro once more, hair flying in oily strands around his face. He shook his head, and I didn’t know if it was because he really didn’t want to hire me, or if he just had a loose joint somewhere in his neck.

“This cannot go on. We’ve got our territory to protect.”

I couldn’t quite understand the concept of squabbling over a block of dirty, abandoned warehouses, but hey, to each his own.

“It’s a turf war?”

He nodded. “It’s the godforsaken shifters.”

Oh goodie, a vampire calling a lycanthrope “godforsaken”. A bit like the pot calling the kettle black. “Go on.”

Purchase 'Blood Wish' at:

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Contest

Ms. Jameson is giving away a copy of her Ebook to one lucky winner. To enter comment below with a valid email address. The contest ends June 14th.

11 Comments

REVIEW: Running After David by Nacht and Hecht

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CONTEST: Betrayal's Shadow by K.H. LeMoyne

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REVIEW: Last Chance by Michelle Birbeck

Available May 30th 2013
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REVIEW: Hunting in Hell by Maria Violante

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REVIEW: Dark Dates by Tracey Sinclair

Purchase Here (Seriously, Buy this book!!)

CONTEST: The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck

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Review: Immortal by Gene Doucette

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Review and Contest: A Grim Pact by Adam Slade

Review

Excerpt

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Review: A Reapers Tale by Adam Slade

Blurb

Review

Excerpt

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Contest

Review: Blood Wish by Fionn Jameson

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Review

Excerpt of 'Blood Wish'

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Available May 30th 2013Author Website Here

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Excerpt of 'Blood Wish'

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Available May 30th 2013
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