I've Been Reading

So my world of reading has been sort of here and there lately. Between baby stuff, kid stuff, business stuff, and life stuff, we’ve been pretty busy lately. Or I’ve just been too exhausted to do much of anything besides sleep. I have however managed to read a couple new (to me) books this month, and re-read a few old favorites.

The Sisters of the Craft Trilogy by Lori Handeland

The three books in this series are ones I picked up on a whim, all together, during a visit to my local bookstore during the holiday season. (I should have been shopping for Christmas gifts for other people, but as usual I was lured into buying myself something while I was at it!) And then they sat on my bookshelf waiting. I finally picked up the first one a couple weekends ago and ended up devouring all three within a few days.

I loved the story. The magic of it, the mystery, the romance. I loved the way Lori allowed the plot to develop naturally, without much of the forced leaps or tough jumps in timeline or logic that many trilogies (and far too many series) end up laying out for the reader. I think having the magic or paranormal aspect to the story was at least one of the big reasons why the story didn’t feel forced and why the relationships that formed felt right.

I also enjoyed the fact that though you can fully understand and follow the stories in the trilogy, they are linked (however direct/indirectly) to her other series. That doesn’t mean that you need to read the other stories – but it is a great indicator that if you like this trilogy you’ll also like her other works!

Check out the details of these three books here and if you like, spend some time exploring the rest of the author’s website to learn more about her other works.

The Maggie’s Grove Series by Dana Marie Bell

A community of paranormal beings is nestled in the woods of Maryland. Vampires, dryads, werewolves and anything else you can imagine lives there. When I first stumbled upon this series a few years ago it was new and over time, I’ve truly enjoyed watching as the series has progressed, and how the characters have grown and changed. From the first glimpse of Maggie’s Grove and its menagerie of characters in Blood of the Maple it’s been a series that I’ve loved and have come back to time and again… Just as I did earlier this month when I was in a slump and searching for something lovely to read.

For information about all the books of the series so far, please check out the author’s website here.

The Interstellar Brides Series by Grace Goodwin

Several months ago, as many as six even, one of the books in this series was offered at a discounted rate through Book Bub. I’d just finished another space, sci-fi series and figured I’d get the book just to see. I bought it and then got distracted and never read it. A couple weeks ago I started to see sponsored ads on Facebook for a different book from the series, the most recent release Her Mate’s Secret Baby, and thought well before I buy any more I’m going to go back and read the one of I’ve got. Let’s just say that I liked that one enough that I’ve since ended up buying the other 8 books currently available in the series.

These books lean more to the erotic side of the romance spectrum – something I’m not opposed to, but something that I don’t regularly read either. Many of the books in this series include ménages. They all include aspects of BDSM. If that’s something you’re not in to, or don’t enjoy reading about for sheer curiosity or for the sake of entertainment, then these books are very likely not for you. However, if you enjoy a hot read, and hotter men, then pick up these books. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

There are currently 9 books available in the series, with 4 more set to release this year. There is a certain amount of chronology to the story lines but, I think, they could all be read as stand-alone stories with little confusion.

For info about the currently released titles, look here for the author’s booklist. If you’re interested in the “correct” order of the books here it is:

Prequel: Mastered By Her Mates

#1- Assigned A Mate

#2- Mated To The Warriors

#3- Claimed By Her Mates

#4- Taken By Her Mates

#5- Mated To The Beast

#6- Tamed By The Beast

#7- Mated To The Vikens

#8- Her Mate’s Secret Baby

Other recent reading has included a re-read of Dark Seduction (book 1, Masters of Time) by Brenda Joyce, My Christmas Fiance by Serenity Woods, The Brands Who Came For Christmas by Maggie Shayne, and His Jingle Bell Princess by Barbara Dunlop.

So… What have you been reading?

COVER REVEAL: In the Absence of You by Sunniva Dee

IN THE ABSENCE OF YOU

by Sunniva Dee 
Publication date: June 28th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Aishe is running. 
Running from the burn of a love she knows will consume her.
Running from a soul mate she’s never even met.
If only she hadn’t been hired as a merch girl for the hottest indie band on earth.
If only she’d never laid eyes on its front man, Emil—intense, sexy, and so unlike the men of her culture.
If only she hadn’t fallen onto his lips, then into his bed.
If only her flame hadn’t exploded into a full-on forest fire.
If only Emil’s heart didn’t belong to someone else.
 
Emil is running. Running from a broken heart.
Running from who he was with her.
If only Zoe hadn’t left.
If only Aishe hadn’t been right there.
If only she hadn’t been so damn gorgeous—insistent—different.
If only he could control himself around her. If. Only.

Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.

Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece--Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.

Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it's contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon's Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).

This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story. 

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COVER REVEAL: New Blair Babylon Trilogy (Book 1) WORKING STIFF: CASIMIR

WORKING STIFF: CASIMIR

by Blair Babylon 

Inheritance Trilogy, #1
Publication date: May 17th 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

 

 

Synopsis:

Here’s the problem: when Rox was hired, she told her smoking-hot boss Cash that she was married, but she’s not. Now, three years later, she’s kind of accidentally living with him, and he’s being a perfect gentleman, dang it.

Everybody in the office said that Cash was a heartbreaker, that he’d bump her and dump her, so Rox decided not to become a statistic. She went out and bought herself some rings of the finest cubic zirconia so that she could work with Cash, who was several inches over six feet tall, emerald-eyed, ripped, gorgeous, his tailored suit clinging to his athletic body, sporting a British accent, and loaded.

It had seemed like such a good plan at the time.

But now, three years later, she and Cash have become friends. They travel together for work often, and they’re the best of buddies.When Rox gets thrown out of her apartment, Cash insists that she come live with him until they can find her a place because that’s what friends do.

Now, even though everyone insists that Cash never goes after married women, something about him has changed. There are little touches, little slips, and Rox is more and more tempted to tell hunky, gorgeous Cash that she never was married.

And then he’ll take her and break her, and then he’ll walk away, and then she’ll lose her job, and she still hasn’t found a place to live.

And yet, every time her looks at her with mischief in his dark green eyes, every time they’re teasing and it somehow turns into tickling, every time she swats at him and somehow ends up in his arms, she wants so much to risk everything.

What’s a working stiff to do when she falls in love with her friend, the boss?

WORKING STIFF: CASIMIR on Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

Blair Babylon often releases ebooks at a special release-day price of $0.99.

To never miss a sale, CLICK HERE.

Blair Babylon is the nom de plume of an award-winning, USA Today-bestselling author who used to publish literary fiction. Because professional reviews of her other fiction usually included the caveat that there was too much deviant sex and too much interesting plot, she decided to abandon all literary pretensions, let her freak flag fly, and write hot, sexy, erotic romance, plus wild, suspenseful thrillers, science fiction, and urban fantasy using the super-secret pen name Blair C. Babylon.

Author links:

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COVER REVEAL: A Reason to Stay by Julieann Dove

A REASON TO STAY
Julieann Dove
Publication date: June 1st 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Elise Newton has it all—a dream job, a house that’s all hers, and a boyfriend who’s a cardiologist. Darren has been carrying an engagement ring in his pocket for two months, waiting for the perfect time to ask her to be his wife. He has no idea Elise has been waiting for the perfect time as well—to break up.

You see, Elise has a fatal flaw. She cannot commit to love.

An early-morning call from her sister gives Elise hope. She’s needed back home in Kentucky, to care for their mother who’s recovering from surgery. It’s the break Elise has been searching for, a reprieve from the strain of ducking Darren’s declarations of love.

But along with Kentucky comes seeing Ben—her first love, the one who came closest to being her happily ever after. Now a single dad, Ben has moved on with his life. But has his love for her moved on as well?

When Elise discovers a long-hidden truth about her family—and the reason why she can’t commit—she must decide which man will give her a reason to stay.

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Author Bio:
Julieann lives in Virginia, yet longs to live everywhere else. It doesn’t come as a surprise that along with her gypsy soul, comes an active imagination. That’s why she loves to write and invent worlds and people, so that she can formulate their happily ever after. Hobbies include cooking new recipes, sewing, and spending time with her cute boyfriend/husband and five fabulous children. Vacations happen in Nantucket or the Carolina beaches—anywhere there is inspiration for her next book. One day she hopes to travel to Italy, drive one of those little cars around the countryside, and speak the language fluently!

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COVER REVEAL: Taxi by Cambria Hebert

 TAXI
by Cambria Hebert 

A Take It Off Novel
Publication date: May 6th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

The meter is running…

One night as Rose Crawford steps out of a bar, she gives no second thought to lifting her hand to signal for a cab. After all, it’s the responsible thing to do.

A common occurrence.

Far safer than walking several blocks, alone, in the dark.

A familiar-looking yellow taxi with black, faux-leather seats, running meter on the dash, and a smiling driver pulls up to the curb.

Rose slides in. Gives the driver her address…

But she never reaches her destination.

Instead, she finds herself captive, at the will of a man who isn’t a driver, but a bona fide psychopath.

Trapped in a taxi she can’t escape, Rose begins to panic. As the miles between her and safety grow, hope dwindles. It isn’t until someone else joins her in captivity that her spark of hope is rekindled.

Derek is strong, capable, and surely together they can fight their way to freedom.
Then Rose finds out exactly why she’s been driven into hell. Derek may be an unwilling captive, but he isn’t going to help her.

In fact, he’s there to do the exact opposite.

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Author Bio:
Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

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COVER REVEAL: Corrupting Chloe by Olivia Noble

 CORRUPTING CHLOE
by Olivia Noble
Publication date: April 26th 2016
Genres: Erotica, Romance

She knew that it was dangerous to get involved with her boss…

Fresh out of nursing school, Chloe Rivers was easily seduced by a sexy, controlling doctor who turned the entire hospital into their personal playground. When her lover reveals his true colors, Chloe is completely devastated. Years of abuse and abandonment leave her feeling empty and driven to do something reckless.

Accepting her roommate’s invitation to an exclusive sex club, Chloe does not expect her whole world to be turned upside down. When she meets a gorgeous stranger with muscles ripped straight from a magazine, she thinks he is exactly what she needs to forget her troubles. But Dominic Black is much more than he seems.

Chloe quickly finds herself in too deep, in a world where money, pleasure, and power can lead to total ruin…

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Author Bio:

Olivia Noble is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, two beautiful children-- and a new baby on the way! The husband recently thought it was a good idea to read Olivia's books, and he blames their "extremely inappropriate" content for their little accident. (She happily takes responsibility.)

Raising two rambunctious rug rats makes it nearly impossible to escape long enough to finish writing an entire book, but Olivia does her best to find "Mommy time." She likes to keep her books romantic, steamy, and filled with fun characters that get into all kinds of trouble-- the kind of trouble she wishes she could get into.

Subscribe to Olivia's mailing list to receive a free book as a gift: http://eepurl.com/TRg95 

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Here's What We've Been Featuring

Everybody hits a reading slump every once in a while. Whether you can't find a book that really interests you, or you're simply looking for something different than what you've been reading - maybe we've got something here to wet your (reading) appetites... 

As always the Featured Books of the Day are added to our Facebook and other social media pages daily throughout the week and then on the weekend we post the complied list of titles and book info here on the blog. All the books we've featured are also added to the Ups & Downs Shop each week and the store is now up-to-date. 

I hope you'll find something to read from our lists. And as always - enjoy!

REVIEW: Crossroads by Annie Rose Welch

Crossroads

by Annie Rose Welch

Romance

Blurb:

How do you get there, darlin’? Well, na’, you start by taking Brighten Place. Follow that road all the way down to Marigny Street. After you travel a little distance you’ll come to an old Red Dirt Road, and that road will take you even further, to Lotus Blossom Lane, but you’ve already been that way. Na’ you’re exactly where you should be, darlin’. You’ve arrived at The Crossroads of your life.

 

Gabriel Roberts is the most famous movie star in the world. He has everything one man could ever want. He has everything except the one thing he feels will fulfill his purpose and complete his life.

Raphael Rose is dying of pneumonia. As he waits on the waning clock of mortality to chime, he has a story to share. One of star-crossed lovers he has never lost hope for.

Two doors down, Madam Catalina has her own story – a shocking past, a love of a lifetime left undone.

Locked behind the doors of Charity Hospital during Hurricane Evangeline, the tangling of souls has unraveled and left each of them at the crossroads of their life. And in the end, whichever road they choose will lead them home.

Review: 

 

In many ways each of the books of the Saving Angels series is about life. Not just being or staying alive, but actually living during the time you have. Every story has been about appreciating every moment you're given, for standing up and fighting for what you believe in and for what's right, and for taking hold of the opportunities that come your way. Every story in the series has been about love - finding the love of your lifetime, learning that love takes work, realizing and understanding that with love comes risk, and believing that you're truly stronger with love in your life than without it. 

In Crossroads we're shown these truths with the story of Madame Catalina and her angel Raphael. It's about them finding their love, overcoming obstacles and being overcome, losing their love, feeling unworthy of reclaiming their love, living life to the best of their abilities and finally (truly) learning the ultimate lesson: that love especially when it's true, is the most powerful force on earth. 

We're also brought back to Eve and Gabriel in Crossroads, or perhaps it's more accurate to say that Eve and Gabriel are brought back to each other. I already fell in love with these two (in Marigny Street, book 1 of the series) and seeing them together again, watching them struggle to find a solid footing with one another again was wonderful. Seeing them learn from the mistakes and choices that Raphael and Catalina made in their youth was beautiful. Neither Eve nor Gabriel are the same people they were in Marigny Street; the course of Eve's life changed after the dream was over and Gabriel's life was altered by his experiences as well. While changed, they are in many ways stronger than they were the last time we saw them together and I think because of their differences they are even more suited for one another. 

There are so many threads being brought together in Crossroads - ones that I didn't even realize were left hanging in all the previous stories and books. With each of the previous Saving Angels books I thought I was catching all the important bits, but one thing that Crossroads has shown me is that Annie Rose Welch is far more subtle with nuance than I realized and that she's a master of weaving an intricate tale, especially this one with it’s abundance of incredibly delicate threads. Now I’m poised to read the final book, the final story of the series… And I can’t imagine what’s going to come next.

Purchase your copy of Crossroads by Annie Rose Welch today... 

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And you can find out all about this book and the series here...

Annie's Website