North Pole Reform School by Jaimie Admans

What They Say:

Mistletoe Bell hates Christmas. So would you if you had a name like hers. Her Christmas-mad parents make the festive season last all year, and with another Christmas looming, Mis doesn’t think she can take any more. After her carelessness causes an accident at school, it seems like things can’t get any worse.

Then she wakes up to find The Ghost of Christmases Ruined in her bedroom.

She is taken to the North Pole, to a reform school run by elves determined to make her love Christmas. Stuck in a misfit group of fellow Christmas-haters with a motley crew of the weird and even weirder, watched over by elves day and night, she doesn’t expect to meet cute and funny Luke, who is hiding a vulnerable side beneath his sarcastic exterior. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with him.

But all is not as it should be at the North Pole. A certain Mr Claus is making the elves’ lives a misery, and pretty soon Mistletoe and Luke are doing more than just learning to like Christmas.

A YA romantic comedy in which Santa is the bad guy, teaching reindeer to fly is on the curriculum, and zombies have a fondness for Christmas music.

What I say:

I started this book not really knowing what to expect especially with the title and the blurb about the book.  I soon fell in love with the 2 main characters, Mistletoe (can understand her dislike of Christmas given her name) and Luke.  They were visited by a purple moose (genius by the author) that tells them he is the ghost of christmas's ruined.

To start with this isn't just another version on a Christmas Carol.  They are then transported in their sleep to the North Pole along with 3 others, Joe an alcoholic, Hugo who thinks he is dead and Emily who thinks ducks are watching her everywhere.

I like that although Santa does his job of sorts, he is the bad guy and the elves are really in charge of the North Pole.

The story keeps you interested from page 1.  I also like how you can have zombies and a 'Snow Globe' in a Christmas story.  I loved the book and will read more from Jaimie. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Cover Reveal for Perfectly Damaged by EL Montes

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This is a standalone book scheduled to be released end of January/Mid-February. Exact release date to be announced.

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Author: E.L. Montes

Book Title: Perfectly Damaged

Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms.

I know about this illness—very well—because I suffer from it. It’s been four years since my diagnosis, and ever since, I’ve been living in a dark hole. Voices constantly invading my thoughts. Hallucinations. All of which force me to question if what I’m experiencing is even reality.

But here I am, still hanging on, still breathing and living through it.

That is, until he stumbled into my life. Logan Reed. I don’t want any part of him. I’ve pushed him away, but he isn’t easily deterred. I’ve told him I’m different, but he doesn’t care. He’s trying to slowly break me down. I’m trying just as hard not to let him. He doesn’t know how truly damaged I am; what will happen when he does?

I know the truth—he’ll never be able to look at me the same way again. Just like everybody else.

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Playlist on Spotify (click below link to listen)

https://play.spotify.com/user/1258382527/playlist/34DCiwQijcHw7N7N0H3av8

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin

What They Say:

The icing on her Christmas cake!

Christmas is the season the Gingerbread Café was made for…but owner Lily couldn’t be feeling less merry if she tried. She’s spent another year dreaming of being whisked away on a sleigh-ride for two, but she’s facing festive season alone – again. And, just to give her another reason to feel anything other than candy-cane perky, a new shop across the road has opened… Not only is it selling baked goods, but the owner, with his seriously charming smile, has every girl in town swooning.

But Lily isn’t about to let her business crumble — the Gingerbread Café is the heart of the community, and she’s going to fight for it! This could be the Christmas that maybe, just maybe, all her dreams – even the someone-to-decorate-the-Christmas-tree-with ones – really do come true!

What I Say:

This is set in a small town in America, where Lily runs a small town cafe that also sells home made goods, she is preparing for her buisiest time of year, while nursing a broken heart. I instantly like Lily she is hard working and sassy.  She is determind to stand up for herself.

Damon opens a shop across the road from Lily and instantly infuriates her by selling the same products she does. To be honest I would be really annoyed as well.  This kicks off a mini war between the two, while the sparks begin to fly as their attraction takes over, neither of them seem willing to give in until Lily's friend suggest they work together, this is where the book gets really interesting. 

This is a lovely feel good Christmas  about overcoming your past and moving on with the future.   I liked the fact they both had a past to deal with, even if there pasts was slightly different.

4 out of 5 stars.

Last Christmas by Talli Roland

What They Say:

Last Christmas, Lucy was dumped by her long-term boyfriend, Robert. This year, she plans to abandon all the festivities and hole herself up in her studio flat with a bottle of cheap wine. But when she runs into Robert - and his fiancée - and he announces he is getting married on Christmas Day, Lucy finds herself telling a little white lie. She can't let Robert know she is spending the day alone, so tells him she is hosting a huge party.

Once Lucy's work colleague, Mimi finds out, she runs with the idea and Lucy finds herself planning a spectacular party. The party planning helps to take Lucy's mind off the disastrous last Christmas and she begins to wonder if she is finally ready to move on.

I was recommended this novella, as I was struggling with picking what to read.

The book follows Lucy on the lead up to Christmas. 12 months after she disasterously decided to propose to her partner Robert.  Lucy is like the rest of us trying to make the best of a situation after having her heartbroken, the hardest part is moving on.....

What I Say:

After bumping into Robert this gives her the courage and determination to move on, Robert comes across as self centred, but it turns out he was as devastated by their split as Lucy was.   

Lucy meets James while selling a watch to afford her Xmas day party, (think I will dig out some jewelry to sell, it's worth a shot if they are all as nice as James), in the short time between meeting and Christmas there are plenty of ups and downs.

I love the fact Lucy gets bossed about by her assistant and the obvious friendship they have. It was a nice feel good Christmas book.

I loved this novella and Talli's writing really makes the time fly when you are reading, I will be picking up some more of Talli's books. If you want a nice, quick  feel good Christmas read then this is it.

4 out of 5 stars

Candra's Freedom - The Golden Key Chronicles by AJ Nuest

Candra's Freedom, Book II

The Golden Key Chronicles

I would like to thank the author AJ Nuest for sending me this book in return for a fair and honest review.

What They Say:

The key would unlock his future, and the safety of his kingdom,  but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart...

Lost in a world she doesn't recognize, Rowena struggles to find her place. Yet her abilities with a blade and the loyalty of a fierce falcon don't discourage the heated advances of the handsome Prince Caedmon, and the connection between them seems much deeper than her troubled heart can recall.

If you are still in love with the Disney princes of your youth, and wish one would show up in your bedroom late at night, then you will love this breathtaking fantasy romance series from AJ Nuest!

What I say:

Yesterday I reviewed the 1st book in this series and I absolutely loved it.  When AJ sent me this book to review I couldn't wait to get started and finished it in one night. 

I was not going to bed until I had read the next part of Rowena and Prince Caedmon story, this book was totally different from what I expected.  I didn't exactly expect them to run off into the sunset of happy ever after as I knew there were 4 books, but really didn't expect what was in this book.

The books is set 2 years after book 1.  Time hasn't been kind to either Rowena or Caedmon.  

Again I loved Rowena, her strength of spirit is amazing, I envy her resilience  and strength.  With every chapter you can feel the chemistry between her and the Prince.  If the Prince expected to return and Rowena to fall into his arms he was wrong and this makes this book different.  There are other characters that are now coming to the fore especially the evil brother.  The wizard Fandorn and the prince's mentor and friend  Denman.

Not long to wait for book 3 and I for one can not wait.....

5 out of 5 stars.

 
Excerpt:

Water rained down his body. His sodden shirt clung to each sharply defined muscle in his chest, his leather pants glued to the contours of his rigid thighs. Her heart tripped a beat at the magnitude of sheer, gritty determination forged in the scowl on his brow. 

Prince Caedmon was a man on a mission. That was a nice idea for a change.

He finally made landfall, fisted his hands and increased his pace. A few trumpeters blew a half-hearted attempt at announcing his arrival, but their notes blurted like a fat man’s flatulence and faded listlessly in the air. Some people knelt, others remained standing, and several bobbed like apples in a rain barrel, unsure which action to take.

Another victory at denouncing their absurd rituals. Rowena chuckled under her breath. Bravo, sir. Well done.

He locked onto her and she grinned, even when his penetrating stare pierced her like an arrow and he clenched his scruffy jaw. The real icing on the cake would be if he ignored his father. But no, that would never happen. Even as the thought occurred, Prince Caedmon strode straight for King Austiere’s open arms.

Except.......wait a second. He wasn’t heading for his father. He marched straight for her. 

Oh no…

All the amusement fled her body. She glanced left, then right before meeting his formidable gaze a second time. Of course. Distracted by his gallant swim to shore, she’d forgotten. His dismissal of the pageantry didn’t have anything to do with defiance. He thought them still engaged.

She withdrew a step, but her shoulder blades bounced off the front of Marcelene's ample bosom. Dammit! Pressed inside the crowd, no other escape route was available. And time was quickly running out. Her pulse leapt and her fingertips tingled as if she'd touched Fandorn's lightning catcher. She couldn't seem to draw any air. Great tits above, what was the man planning to do?

Prince Caedmon shoved past his father, seized her around the waist and fell to his knees, burying his face in her skirts. Rowena instinctively placed a hand on his back. Blessed tears of the nine. What had they done to him? Who…or what was responsible for his wretched state?

In one swift stroke, she gleaned a small measure of what he had suffered. Those first few months after he disappeared. The despicable way she had been treated. Those who weren’t terrified by her appearance only befriended her for their own gain, their vows of loyalty abandoned the moment they learned she held no sway in court. And the insufferable way she had cowered in their presence, consistently saying the wrong thing, trying like hell to fit in. Only so they could call her mad, spread vile rumors and laugh in her face. To these abhorrent people, Prince Caedmon had returned, and gratefully so…which meant wherever he had been, the conditions were much, much worse.

She covered the side of his head with her other hand and narrowed her eyes at the stunned, expectant faces of the crowd. By the great path of Helios, if anyone even looked at him the wrong way, she would claw their eyes from the sockets!

She sharply inhaled and tossed her shoulders back. Oh, no…no, no. She had been fooled by such grand displays before. And no matter what affectation this prince exhibited for her benefit, the day would come when his demeanor would change.

He was, after all, one of them.

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Candras-Freedom-HarperImpulse-Fantasy-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00FVE4RP4/

Meet the Author

I am a multi-published, award-winning author who lives in the middle of a cornfield in NW Indiana. My loving husband, two beautiful children and a bevy of spoiled pets have agreed to stay and, in exchange for three rations per day and laundry service, tolerate my lunacy. While I spend most days happily ensconced in crafting romance across a multitude of genres, an underground coup has been percolating. The dogs just informed me the cat is secretly vying for dictatorship.

Website:  http://ajnuest.com

Blog:  http://ajbooks.blogspot.com

Email:  ajnuest@yahoo.com

FaceBook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest

Author FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466

Twitter:  @AJNuest

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/ajnuest/boards/

Rowena's Key - The Golden Key Chronicles by AJ Nuest

 Rowena's Key

Book One

The Golden Key Chronicles

I would like to thank the author AJ Nuest for sending me a copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

What they say:

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…

Antiques restorer, Rowena Lindstrom, finds herself the owner of an ancestral armoire containing a hidden key and a magic mirror leading to another realm. But the handsome warrior prince waiting on the other side is truly the final straw. This must be an elaborate joke, right?

As she struggles to discover the truth, Rowena learns Prince Caedmon Austiere needs the key to save his kingdom. In the end, she cannot deny him anything. Including her heart.

What I Say:

When this books begins Rowena had purchased an armoire that originally belong to her family with plans to restore it, as she looks over this she finds a Golden key hidden with her initials on it.....

I love all books with some fantasy in them and this is great, Rowena was an easily likeable character and I sure wish I could find a Prince like Caedmon in my wardrobe.  I could easily fall in live with him.  

As the story unfolds I couldn't put this book down until I had read it all.  The story is set over 3 days and eventually Rowena must decide does she truly love her Prince.  I like the idea can you fall in love after 3 days, the romantic in me would like to hope so.  

It is an adult fairy tale/love story with a few twists and turns, I liked the twist at end, it set book 2 up perfectly.

I also like the teaser for the 2nd book that I will be reviewing tomorrow.  I am addicted to these books and just want to keep reading until I had finished the story.  I've got my fingers crossed it all works out for Rowena and Caedom.

5 out of 5 stars.

Excerpt:

This scene is taken from when Rowena and Caedmon first meet, each of them standing on opposites of what she believes to be a computer monitor...

What was with this guy, with his sable, shoulder-length hair and closely trimmed beard? His white shirt was best described as puffy, with ballooning sleeves and wide, ruffled cuffs. The front hung open, exposing the muscled contours of his beveled chest, the roughly stitched tails skimming the thighs of his fitted, leather…breeches?

Oh, God. She chuckled and shook her head. He had to be one of Ollie’s theater friends. Bravo for his stunning portrayal of a swashbuckling swashbuckler. Too bad that also meant he was gay.

He lifted the sword in both hands and turned a broad shoulder toward the mirror, the taut planes of his stomach easing in and out with each controlled breath. A trail of dark hair arrowed down inside the waistband of his pants, where his perfectly cupped manhood bulged for her inspection. Oh yes, too bad indeed.

“If you scheme to divert me with your alluring attire and guileless stare, I’ll have you know an abundance of courtesans await my nightly dalliance. I am not so easily swayed.”

Rowena inched a slow perusal of the delectable landscape back up to his face. His dark eyes glittered in the candlelight, and she mirrored his arched eyebrow. “Oh, really?”

Perhaps she’d pegged him wrong. Wouldn’t that be a treat?

She glanced down at her gauzy nightgown, the flickering fire doing little to cover her rosy nipples, pert in the chilly air. But he invaded her space with this theatrical exploit of his. What else did he expect her to be wearing, showing up like this in the middle of the night?

“You’d better be careful.” She wagged a finger at him. “Or I’m apt to get busy with some serious despoiling all up in here.”

“Enough, Sorceress!” He lunged forward, the blade of his sword slicing the air when he aimed the silver pommel straight at the screen. “Let us be done with this trickery. Name your demands before I smash the glass and ensnare your bewitching guise for an eternity.”

A low laugh tickled the back of her throat. Talk about living a role. Sheesh, take the drama down a notch. She stepped close and ran a hand around the edge of the frame. The signal had to be streaming live, what with his ability to interact with her, but there wasn’t a wire or a microphone, heck, not even a screw in sight.

She stood back and crossed her arms, shifting her weight onto one hip. Okay, she would bite, as long as Ollie promised this whole escapade wouldn’t end up on YouTube.

“Fine. You’re extremely gorgeous and very talented. Seriously, you’ve got the whole English accent down perfect. And while I appreciate all the work that went into this little program, it’s about two in morning and I have to get up early for work. Tell Ollie I said good show, props to the production crew and I’m nominating the wardrobe guy for an Oscar.”

There. That should call the evening a wrap. She grabbed the edge of the door and swung it closed.

“You wear Rowena’s Key.”

She froze…and then tentatively eased the door back open.

Website:  http://ajnuest.com

Blog:  http://ajbooks.blogspot.com

Email:  ajnuest@yahoo.com

FaceBook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest

Author FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/amyjo.nuest#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466

Twitter:  @AJNuest

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/ajnuest/boards/Rowena’s Key released November 7, 2013 throughHarperImpulse UK. Pre-orders are available at Amazon and Amazon.uk.

The Golden Key Chronicles Release Schedule:

Rowena’s Key:  November 7, 2013

Candra’s Freedom: December 12, 2013

Caedmon’s Curse: January 9, 2014

Braedric’s Bane: February 13, 2014

Rowena’s Key:

Amazon Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/laqv8hj

Amazon.uk Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/jvkp8tw

Gracie's War by Elaine Everest

 

What They Say:

Do our actions and decisions mark us and stay with us for the rest of our lives? Gracie has her life before her as the dark clouds of the Second World War gather.

Though she and her family cope well with the stresses on the home front, Gracie's transformation to adulthood is swifter and more brutal than she could have ever imagined.

Gracie meets Tony, who arouses such feelings in her that she has never experienced before - not with Joe her regular beau who considers her his girl. Then, one night, one mistake, and she realises she is carrying Joe's child.

And now Tony has gone to war.

What I say:

The book is set just before the beginning of World War II and follows the life of Gracie.

Gracie is an instantly loveable leading lady, it follows her as she makes the best she can after she's makes a terrible mistake that had consequences for her family through the war, the trauma of her marriage to the horrible Joe, who right from the start I hated and I think that is how the writer wanted us to feel about him, he was a nasty selfish man who treated Gracie appallingly. The joy of her 2 children and meeting Tony who throughout the book you just want Gracie  to end up with.

I like Gracie's family and friends, how they supported her when she was at her lowest.  I liked the detail of the book and the time Gracie spends with the her family working on the fair.

I really like the retrieval of the soldiers from Dunkirk this was well written and I also liked how Gracie's fathers boat was tied into it made me stop and think about all those poor soldiers that were left behind.

A really nice read and would recommend it. 

4 out of 5 stars.

    About the Author   

Elaine Everest is a freelance writer and lives in Swanley, Kent with her husband Michael and Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Henry. She has written over sixty short stories for women’s magazines worldwide. Her features have appeared in publications ranging from The Guardian, The Daily Express and the Daily Mail to My Weekly and Your Dog. Her opinion pieces have led to many appearances on radio including chatting to Jenni Murray on Woman’s Hour about having a husband under her feet all day long. Elaine has written numerous columns for canine publications centred around her expertise in the world of dogs. This has led to commissions to write three successful books for dog owners.

Elaine’s successful writing life led her to become a qualified teacher for adult education. Four years ago she founded The Write Place creative writing school and holds regular classes at The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford Kent.

Elaine was BBC Radio Short Story Writer of the Year in 2003, short listed for The Harry Bowling Prize in 2012, Short listed for The Festival of Romance novel competition in 2012 and winner of the Myrmidon Books (Pulse Romance) Write for Us competition in 2013.

Gracie’s War is her first published novel and is set in North West Kent where she grew up. A member of the Romantic Novelist Association, Elaine is a graduate of the RNA New Writers Scheme. Gracie’s War is short listed for their Joan Hessayon Award in 2014.

Website
@elaineeverest

www.pulseromance.com

Forbidden - Angels Amongst Us by Linn B Halton

What They Say:

“I’m in a tunnel—it’s dark and yet little rays, like pinpricks of sunshine breaking through foliage, seep towards me from every angle.”

Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone's destiny?

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the 'here and now'.

Part 2 in the Angels Among Us series.

Coming soon…
Angels Among Us: Forever

What I Say 

I would like to thank Linn for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I first met Ceri and Alex in Falling - Angels Amongst Us and found I really liked both characters in this book. 

I couldn't wait to read this book and get back into Ceri and Alex's world.  I sat down on a Sunday and I can say I wasn't let down, I didn't stop reading till I had finished this book.  Linn really did take these character forward.  Ceri finding out that her destiny is mapped out for her, how long did they have together and could they be truly happy, this books still leaves these questions unanswered. Therethere are a couple of plot twists around Alex I didn't expect.

I liked that other characters from the first book that were back, Ceri's best friend Sheena and I was so glad her brother Seb was back.  There are new characters that I feel will play a major part in the continuing story of Ceri and Alex.  Can't wait for book 3 as again Linn left us wondering what will happen and where there life would go.

5 out of 5 stars

Children of the Knight by Michael J Bowler

Children of the Knight

What they say:

·        344 pages

·        Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (June 20, 2013)

·        Language: English

·        ISBN-10: 1623806550

·        ISBN-13: 978-1623806552

According to legend, King Arthur is supposed to return when Britain needs him most. So why does a man claiming to be the once and future king suddenly appear in modern-day Los Angeles?

This charismatic young Arthur creates a new Camelot within the City of Angels to lead a crusade of unwanted kids against an adult society that discards and ignores them. Under his banner of equality, every needy child is welcome, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or gang affiliation.

With the help of his amazing First Knight, homeless fourteen-year-old Lance, Arthur transforms this ragtag band of rejected children and teens into a well-trained army—the Children of the Knight––where even gay boys and gangsters work side by side. Through his intervention, they win the hearts and minds of the populace at large, and gain a truer understanding of themselves and their worth to society. But seeking more rights for kids pits Arthur and his children squarely against the rich, the influential, and the self-satisfied politicians who want nothing more than to maintain the status quo.

Can right truly overcome might? Arthur’s hopeful young knights are about to find out, and the City of Angels will never be the same.

What I say:

I liked the concept that King Arthur could come back all those years later to begin a new crusade.

I found it intriguing that he turned up in America and the City of Angels, not in England.  The story follows him as he starts to build a new round table with the help of young adults.  The characters of this book were both plausible and you could find yourself identifying with them.  Lance in particular I was cheering along, his sensitivity and insecurity was heartbreaking at times. 

It is a thoughtful book about the struggles of teenagers and how we try to make them adults too soon....

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

The Knight Cycle begins . . .

You can read the first 3 chapters here:

http://www.freado.com/book/16160/children-of-the-knight

 

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author of three novels––A Boy and His Dragon, A Matter of Time, and Children of the Knight––who grew up in San Rafael, California.

He majored in English and Theatre at Santa Clara University and earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount and another master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills.

He partnered with two friends as producer, writer, and/or director on several ultra-low-budget horror films, including “Fatal Images,” “Club Dead,” and “Things II,” the reviews of which are much more fun than the actual movies.

He taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities, in subjects ranging from English and Strength Training to Algebra, Biology, and Yearbook.

He has also been a volunteer Big Brother to seven different boys with the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a thirty-year volunteer within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles.  He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, something that is sorely lacking in this state.

He has been honored as Probation Volunteer of the Year, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, California Big Brother of the Year, and 2000 National Big Brother of the Year. The “National” honor allowed he and three of his Little Brothers to visit the White House and meet the president in the Oval Office.

He has already completed the two continuations of Children of the Knight entitled Running Through A Dark Place & And The Children Shall Lead, and plans to release both in 2014.

Author Links

www.michaeljbowler.com

FB: michaeljbowlerauthor

Twitter: BradleyWallaceM

Blog: sirlancesays.wordpress.com

Freado:http://www.freado.com/book/16160/children-of-the-knight

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938109.Michael_J_Bowler