Book Musings - Feral by Laxmi Hariharan

Title : Feral
Author : Laxmi Hariharan
Series : Many Lives,book 5
Genre : Paranormal, Romance
Source : Free copy from the author for an honest review.

Blurb :

He was her destination. She just didn't know it.

When Maya leaves Luke to go in search of her blood family, nothing prepares her for the secrets she uncovers about herself.

An intense, shifter romance, set in Bombay. A standalone novella in the Many Lives universe.

My Musings :

This was a very fast read with all the hallmarks required of a short story. It touched on the main characters a bit and got the reader's curiosity to rage with a look into the world created by the author. For returning readers of the author, I believe they will recognise few characters while for new ones like me, it is a fascinating look into a new alternate version of the world.

Maya is brave and courageous venturing out on her own because of her doubts about her life. Luke is a silent hero who loves Maya too much to let her go so she can find herself. The alternate version of Bombay had me invested in the story. I was eager for each scene as Maya interacted with other characters. This was a fast paced book and has me eager to follow the story and also read the other series to fully understand Maya's world. The author gives an impressive look into her world in a small time frame. I literally read this book in an hour or so. There were a few twists which had me guessing for a while. But the end is a new beginning I believe. And so I look to Maya's impact on her world.

My rating : 4/5

Blog Tour / Book Musings - My Fair Princess by Vanessa Kelly

My Fair Princess

The Improper Princesses #1

By: Vanessa Kelly

Releasing August 30, 2016. 

Zebra

Blurb

First, Vanessa Kelly brought readers The Renegade Royals. Now, in a delightfully witty new series, she introduces The Improper Princesses—three young women descended from royalty, each bound for her own thrilling adventure . . .

Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28109694-my-fair-princess

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/172996-the-improper-princesses

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

It isn't often a reader finds  a historical romance with all the ingredients to make it an awesome read. This witty romance with the right amount of humour, sentiment and action is one such book.

All the characters are perfectly crafted to fit the book. Or I can say that the book fits the characters. Either way, everything is drawn together to form the perfect fit for a reader's enjoyment. The heroine, Gillian is a feisty, stubborn and loyal person who doesn't compromise on her values. Her strength is obviously seen as the perfect balance to her naive and innocent look into the matters of the heart which makes her the perfect pair to Charles.

The hero, Charles,otherwise known as the Perfect Penley, astounds me with his respect for Gillian. He might be stern, aloof and propriety-minded but he does know how to cherish his lady love. His love is seen clearly in the various scenes in spite of his stuffiness. It isn't often that we find such a pairing and this is rare enough to be enjoyed.

The other characters who pop up throughout the book are various and add different touches to the tale. The jewel of the book is Gillian herself, though, with her endearing character. I didn't realise that this series is an offshoot of another series until the book hinted at an earlier story based on Griffin.

The romance was lightly sensual and didn't add a heavy air to the tale. The pace of the story was fine and the scenes flowed well arriving at the almost predictable end. I for one look forward to the next book in the series.

My rating : 5/5



Meet the Author :

Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her current series, The Renegade Royals is a national bestseller. Vanessa also writes USA Today bestselling contemporary romance with her husband, under the pen name of VK Sykes.

Author Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Book Musings - The Dragon Scale Lute by J C Kang

Title : The Dragon Scale Lute 
Author :  J C Kang
Series : Daughter of the Dragon Throne #1
Genre : Fantasy, Young Adult
Source : Review copy from CBB Promotions

Blurb :

Princess Kaiya’s voice could charm a dragon.

Had she lived when the power of music could still summon typhoons and rout armies, perhaps Cathay’s imperial court would see her as more than a singing fool. With alliances to build and ambitious lords to placate, they care more about her marriage prospects than her voice.

Only the handsome Prince Hardeep, a foreign martial mystic, recognizes her potential. Convinced Kaiya will rediscover the legendary but perilous art of invoking magic through music, he suggests her voice, not her marriage, might better serve the realm.

When members of the emperor’s elite spy clan-- Kaiya’s childhood friend Tian and his half-elf sidekick (or maybe he’s her sidekick?)-- discover mere discontent boiling over into full-scale rebellion, Kaiya must choose. Obediently wedding the depraved ringleader means giving up her music. Confronting him with the growing power of her voice could kill her.

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I will be honest the first thing which caught my attention was the book cover. It's impacting and so colourful that it draws the eye instantly. Then the title gave a hint of what the book is about. Finally the blurb caught me in its web and reeled me in to read it.

It isn't often that I find and read non-Western based fantasy novels. The double surprises of having an alternate China as the base place and music-based magic are what made me pick up this book. And I am glad in spite of the ups and downs to find a new series to follow.

Though the author has given a different take on fantasy, it was an even paced story with the right amount of intrigue, war and politics in addition to magic. It has all the elements to be an engrossing read not only for the younger generation but also for the adults. The writing is rich in details and easily brings the world to vision. The threads of the magic system are blended into the everyday details and this makes for a harmonious world. There is no hiccough anywhere in the story.

 The characters don't disappoint with their behaviour either. Kaiya is both awkward and stubborn, bold and a tad over the top in actions. The other characters including Tian and Hardeep lend well to their roles. They are all realistic in their actions. I for one enjoyed reading about their various adventures.

The writing not only lends well to the genre and story but also to the characters. The author has a talent for keeping true to his tale. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested in the next scene. The ending was well done and I can't wait to continue the series to follow Kaiya's future adventures.

My rating : 4.5/5

Blog Tour / Book Musings - The Wish Rider by Barbara Casey

Blurb :

Seventeen-year-old Dara Roux and her two best friends, Mackenzie Yarborough and Jennifer Torres, the three collectively referred to as the F.I.G.'s (Females of Intellectual Genius) because each has an intelligence quotient in the genius range, have just returned from Frascati, Italy. It was there that their much loved teacher and mentor, Carolina Lovel, discovered that her birth parents were gypsies, and that she had a connection to the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world.

Now, with graduation from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women behind them, Dara asks her friends to help her locate her birth mother when she learns that she might be living in New York City. Relying on Dara’s gift for speaking and understanding foreign languages, the black and white images that stir musical cadences in Jennifer’s mind, and Mackenzie’s mathematical calculations that normally provide numerical solutions and answers to life’s most difficult questions, the determined young women tirelessly go from one address to another in search of Dara’s mother.

Their determination turns to desperation, however, as they encounter a dark hidden society more dangerous and terrifying than they could have imagined. It is there that

Dara hopes to find out why she was abandoned in a candy store all those years ago.

Buy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes off right where the Cadence of Gypsies ended. The flow of the story connecting the two books isn't disturbed even a bit. The only annoying part was the repetitiveness of facts. This might be good for a person reading this book as a standalone.But it seriously gets on the nerve when you are reading as a series. The repetition could have been reduced a lot.

The tale is a great continuation.The characters are similar and different. The same characters are expanded on more especially FIGs. They were kind of immature in the previous book. They have matured a lot into their roles and I loved the further look into their lives.I admit I wasn't impressed by them in Cadence but I am glad I stuck with them. They do have their strengths. I was actually reluctant at first because of their reappearance but I got it over it fast.

The secondary set of characters, new and old, are all worderful in their element and they give good support to the main protagonists and the tale. I believe the gypsy part of the story was increased on in this book. I have always been intrigued by gypsies so the increased emphasis on them made this an intriguing read for me.

Another part which the author has given credibility is the emotional journey of Dara. Most of the story is her journey to find her mother. It forms an integral part of the tale. The pain endured by Dara was realistic and artfully penned by the author. It was very believable and it touched my heart.

I for one liked this book better than Cadence inspite of repetitions. It was a splendid look into one of the FIGs and I hope there are other books for the other FIGs soon.

My rating : 4/5


Author's Bio:

Barbara Casey is a partner in Strategic Media Books, and president of the Barbara Casey Agency, representing authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. She is also a manuscript consultant and the author of numerous articles, poems, and short stories.

Her award-winning novels have received national recognition, including the Independent Publishers Book Award. Her novel, The House of Kane, was considered for a Pulitzer nomination, and The Gospel According to Prissy, also a contemporary adult novel received several awards including the prestigious IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction. Her most recent young adult novel, The Cadence of Gypsies, received the Independent Publishers Living Now Award and was reviewed by the Smithsonian for its list of Best Books.

Ms. Casey makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix, Fitz, a miniature dachshund, and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - Intertwined by Jenn Marie

Blurb :

Quiet seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Parker is looking forward to another mellow summer with her goofy relatives: sun tanning at the beach and staying out of trouble. Which is why the thought of her younger cousin participating in what is, clearly, a setup disguised as an initiation, worries her to the point of intervention.

One that backfires … big time …

Mistaken for her cousin, Elizabeth finds herself transported to an abandoned plantation, a place deeply haunted with unresolved mystery and where horror reigns every summer between July 20 and August 13.

It is there, locked in the pitch dark, where she finds herself paired with the strange and mysterious Adam Hunt—an unexpected trespasser with his own agenda. Together, they find a list of instructions—follow the clues to various possessions in the house, store them in the backpack provided, and find the key that will grant escape.

Having snuck in to document the haunting, Adam offers to help her find the key so long as she helps him record paranormal activity along the way. But as they make their way through the house, they soon discover unexplained anomalies …

For the first time in the plantation's recorded history, the haunting deviates from its known cycle of events, thrusting Elizabeth and Adam in a series of perilous circumstances that ensue long after the night is over.

As the last day of the haunting draws nearer, and as forces beyond their control ignite their growing attraction, Elizabeth and Adam must work together to uncover the plantations mysterious past before its too late.

Or die trying.

Warning: Occasional coarse language. Intended for Mature Young Adult audience.

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My Musings : 

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I have not read much of paranormal/ghost based stories. So it was a treat to go into a read without any expectations and have a an engaging read. It left me wanting more and trying to figure why I haven't read more of that genre.

The negative spirit and it's malevolence is portrayed with a morbid interest in this book. Though there are a few scenes which caused my breath to hitch, most of the story was based on the mysterious happenings and how they are resolved. The author has done a splendid job of managing the tale without causing any confusion. The alternate scenes of past and present were intriguing and gave much insight of the happenings. It was like the author was revealing the plot in shades and in layers. Kudos to the author for an interesting concept and its good delivery.

Adam and Lizzie were both strong characters. They have to be in order to go through what they went through. Lizzie, though comes as a timid person in the first scene, quickly changes into a strong person with the influence of Josephine's spirit. I don't know whether to take it as a positive or a negative. As for Adam, he made me vascillate between hating and loving him, similar to Lizzie's feelings.

The supporting cast has a varied set of characters. Everyone contributes to the overall plot. No one is unnecessary or in the wrong place. The nuances of each character is finely drafted and it adds to the enjoyable read.

The starting was quite simple and it gets interesting only at the near end of the Initiation. Then the real story starts. This makes for a  mesmerising and an immersing read. The ending wasn't what I expected. I am kind of miffed. I can't wait though. I wish I had come across this author sooner. A splendid tale with the right amount of thrill and mystery!

My rating : 5/5


Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iTunes│Kobo│Amazon UK

About the Author

Jenn Marie currently lives in sunny California with her wonderful husband and their runt kitty, Chloe. When she's not writing Young Adult Fiction, she can be found reading, plotting or spending time with her crazy, lovable family. Current obsessions include the movie, Frozen, the New Girl series, Arcade Fire's latest album, and avocados. Seriously, she can't get enough of it! Writing, for her, is a passion that refuses to be under prioritized. No matter what's going on in her life, whether good or bad, writing is always there to lift her spirits.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook | Instagram 

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - Fresh Brewed by Pamela Ford

Blurb :

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she'll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner's heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won't even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she's ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

Buy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble 

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

As much as I enjoyed Overeasy, I feel Fresh Brewed was better. I loved the story. It is a very light-hearted simple story with ample room for comical scenes and scrapes Bree can land in.

I enjoyed getting to know Megan, Allie and Bree better in this book. They do know how to land in some ludicrous situations. The previous book had some mysterious element to it. But this one is an out and out romantic comedy with the emphasis on family this time. 

The story is done in Bree's POV and I loved hearing her inner voice. Her mind comments had me choking on laughter at times and her penchant to land into hilarious scenes with Ethan's family had me laughing out loud. This is totally a feel good book. If you want some time to refresh yourself this will be a good read for the romance lovers.

The romance is light and subtle. It wasn't overdone and the author has handled it well with the way Bree and Adam get closer to each other. There were a few scenes where I was confused about the male protagonist but it was cleared up soon. The comic scenes were refreshing and the family time with the charades and interaction among Adam's family members was so good. It felt as if I was present among them. The author knows how to make the reader feel immersed in the characters and the story.

I felt Ethan wasn't that well developed. I truly didn't hate him but didn't like him either. Adam was a more mature person with a romantic streak while Bree, well,there are no words to describe her - loyal, friendly, cheesy and loveable goof. 

The ending was better than Overeasy. I loved the finale and I hope Adam and Bree have a continuation book of sorts as I would love to spend more time among them and the family.

My rating : 5/5

Author's Bio:

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot - and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer - and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - The Cadence of Gypsies by Barbara Casey

Blurb :
On her 18th birthday Carolina Lovel learned that she was adopted and was given a letter written by her birth mother in an unknown language. After years of research she travels to Italy on a mission to find the truth about her past. Carolina is accompanied by three extremely gifted but mischievous students the FIGs from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. In an effort to help their favorite teacher, the FIGs will have to use their special abilities to decipher the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, and the one thing that is strangely similar to what Carolina was given. Their search will take them into the mystical world of gypsy tradition and magic, more exciting and dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

My Musings :

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I first checked out this book, the book cover totally blew off my interest but the blurb was strong enough to intrigue me to read it.

And I am thankful that I did read it inspite of a few down points. I loved the overall story of Carolina's journey to get to her roots. Carolina undergoes an emotional journey. The emotions, feelings and the mystical aspects of gypsies made for an interesting read. The tale touched my heart easily and made me invested in reading till the end.

The characters were fascinating, everyone having their own agenda. Carolina is a very strong character while the love interest wasn't that good. The side characters had me confused at times. I didn't know to like the 3 girls or to hate them. They had me alternate in my opinion and had me emotionally entangled when reading about them.  

The ways of the gypsies and their lore gives a unique feel to the tale. At times I did feel that the gypsies jargon was used too much. It could have been reduced a bit. Inspite of it all, I enjoyed the read. The tale had a couple of subplots which had eager to know what was happening next. 

The book was an enchanting story inspite of the shortfalls as explained above. I know that I would love to read the other books by the author. 

My rating : 4/5


Meet the Author :

Barbara Casey is a partner in Strategic Media Books, and president of the Barbara Casey Agency, representing authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. She is also a manuscript consultant and the author of numerous articles, poems, and short stories.

Her award-winning novels have received national recognition, including the Independent Publishers Book Award. Her novel, The House of Kane, was considered for a Pulitzer nomination, and The Gospel According to Prissy, also a contemporary adult novel received several awards including the prestigious IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction. Her most recent young adult novel, The Cadence of Gypsies, received the Independent Publishers Living Now Award and was reviewed by the Smithsonian for its list of Best Books.

Ms. Casey makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix, Fitz, a miniature dachshund, and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

Dispocalypse

by Michael A. Rothman

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: June 1st 2016

M & S Publishing, LLC

Blurb :

In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a Governor who is both feared and worshipped, Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who is just trying to get through her last year of studies. But when her father dies, she experiences strange dreams that change everything about how she looks at the world and at herself.

Haunted by the tragedy, Willow begins pushing herself beyond anything she could have imagined she was capable of. It’s only when she catches the attention of some of the Governor’s minions that her world is turned upside-down.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacts my view of things.

When I first came across this book, the cover totally made me not want to pick it up. It is similar to another book which I won't mention here which wasn't that good a read. The blurb was what made me try to read this book that too reluctantly. So the book had me almost hating it at the start. So did that opinion change? Oh yes, definitely!!

I am truly thankful that I took a chance. The starting was a bit askew. It took a few chapters to get into the flow of the story. The duality of worlds was very interesting and it hooked me completely especially with the way Willow was made out in those scenes. The presence of a world we are familiar with and then another which had totally different geography and races drew me in slowly but steadily.

The world building was unique and it was a blend of dystopia and fantasy. I believe that was my favourite part of the book. It's not usual that fantasy elements are introduced into a dystopian/apocalyptic tale. And it has more of a feel of the events happening after apocalypse so it was appropriately named too.

As I said it was a bit out of shape at the beginning. But it straightened out pretty fast and I enjoyed following the transition of Willow from a normal student to a survival specialist. The only things which didn't gel were the disappearance of the various students and the unnecessary deaths. Few of the deaths were literally forced into the story. They don't blend in at all. And another thing which had me confused was the easy way Willow was able to get situated in the Forbidden land. Inspite of having a prophecy on her side, it was too easy and I hope the sequel will have a more detailed explanation.

The ending wasn't a cliffhanger though it has me eager for the next book. I can't wait to see how Willow and her people will overcome the Northerners. Overall,  the read was a great enjoyable one with ample fighting and adventures. I can recommend this to fantasy and dystopian lovers equally.

My rating : 4/5

Meet the Author :

Michael A. Rothman – Author, Engineer and Cat Herder.

In a nutshell:

First-born American in my family

Multilingual

Hard-working

Accepts no excuses

Despises self-importance in himself and others

Loves Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thrillers

Engineer/Scientist

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads


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Blog Tour / Book Musings - Over Easy by Pamela Ford

Blurb :

Allie Parker's had enough. Just because she's a dog groomer, her overachieving family of doctors and lawyers treats her like a child. She's convinced that a successful husband is all she needs to change their attitudes. So when she and her friends come up with a brilliant new way to meet eligible men, Allie squeezes into her sister's stylish clothes and sneaks into continental breakfast at an upscale hotel to find herself the perfect guy.

Before Allie has taken her last bite of syrup-laden waffle, she's met the man of her dreams. But what she doesn't know is that he's a jewel thief who mistakenly thinks she's his contact—and so does everyone else who's after his stash of diamonds.

Suddenly Allie's world is crazily upended. And as she scrambles to prove her innocence and get back to her old life, she discovers happily ever after sneaks up when you least expect it.

Buy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

My Musings: 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

From the blurb, I was expecting a light thriller with lots of racing and chase. What I didn't expect was the laughter. Oh my! Almost every scene had me laughing - giggling under my breath or laughing out loud. In short, it was a hilarious read.

The characters were finely crafted. They would need to be a certain type to fit into this story. Allie came across as a ditzy person. I think she was more of a child than an adult in her actions. I believe she could have been better characterised. But she fit the mould easily. If she hadn't been who she was, the story wouldn't have been a hit with me. Jax was a contradiction of sorts. He seemed responsible at times and silly when concurring with Allie's actions.

The side characters especially Bree and Megan were wonderful in their support of Allie. Strong friendships formed the basis of the story. The romance was done with a light hand. I was happy to read a clean romance for once. The comedy part goes without saying. It was a comical plot throughout. There were races and chases - kind of - but not overly serious ones.

The story was well done with an unusual premise of trying to find love interests at continental breakfasts. It was interesting enough to get me interested and the way Allie headed into trouble kept me intrigued with the situation. I seriously couldn't understand how she could have disregarded the warning signs. It made for some hysterical scenes and fun. The author showed a deft handling of the plot and had me looking forward to the next scene with delight. 

The final resolution wasn't up to my expectation but the story ended well for the characters. It felt me dissatisfied. I hope Fresh brewed is better in that aspect.

My rating : 4/5

Meet the Author :

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot - and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer - and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - The Best Friend Bargain by Robin Bielman

The Best Friend Bargain

by Robin Bielman

Kisses in the Sand #2

Publication Date: August 8, 2016

Genres: Adult, Entangled Lovestruck, Contemporary Romance

BUY:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2aHALPZ

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2b3PQwf

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2b2Cul3

B&N: http://bit.ly/2aCk1WP

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aCk3hp

iBooks: http://apple.co/2aqv8qA

Synopsis: Olivia Lincoln has a plan guaranteed to get her life back on track. A plan that involves her best friend, Danny. And he’s on board, too…until she blurts out that they’re engaged and expecting a baby, and the news spreads like wildfire.

The problem? Danny doesn’t do marriage. Or family. And everyone knows it, including Olivia.

As irritated as he might be, protecting Olivia is what Danny does. But put best friends under one roof, add house rules begging to be broken, accidental nakedness, and pancakes in bed, and what started as a marriage between friends threatens to turn into the real deal…which would ruin everything.

My Musings : 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I admit I purely chose this book because of the friends-to-lovers theme. When I started reading the book, I wasn't enamoured of both Danny and Olivia. They seemed off especially during their first scene. The way Danny didn't recognise her just because of her changed appearance turned me off. But as I continued reading, I realised that the reaction was because of the chemistry already present between them which they wilfully avoid.

As the story progressed, I went through a lot of emotions. The characters and the story had me laughing -  the banter between the protagonists was really humorous, teary eyed - Danny's disease and Olivia's family life and feeling loved - the way Danny and Olivia love each other. The author touched my heart with this story.

The  characters, Olivia and Danny, are both believable inspite of their flaws. The author has put out their characters in various shades and we, the readers, get to know both their flaws and their strengths. And the story is totally enmeshed in them. The tale wasn't slow but at the same time wasn't totally fast. The author's writing engaged both my heart and mind. The romance was portrayed realistically. It wasn't forced or too sudden. The chemistry was natural and hot.

The side characters have a lot of energy and they add their own touch to the tale. I especially loved getting to know their circle of friends. My favourite character is Mrs. Landry who is both sweet and quirky.

I had lots of fun reading this book with the sweet and flirty scenes which had me swooning at times. The pair was too perfect and I felt that it was a very short read to acquaint myself with Danny and Olivia. I am glad that I found this author and I look forward to reading her other books too.

My rating : 5/5

DON'T MISS THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE KISSES IN THE SAND SERIES!

BUY: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2b4nuzT

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2aCNJwO

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2aXAysn

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2aDpbFi

B&N: http://bit.ly/1vcS0hb

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Synopsis: A temporary agreement neither could keep…

Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny. In fact, she’s totally out of her element among the sun-bronzed crowd at a film festival in beautiful White Strand Cove. When a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she's up close and personal with the world's sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean?

Zane Hollander's playboy reputation has never been a problem…until recently. Now his management team wants him on his best behavior to entice a meaningful new sponsor. Sophie Birch is the perfect girl to help reform his image. She's genuine and respected—and their relationship is purely fictional. But the more Sophie blooms under the beachy sun, the more Zane knows he'll just break her heart. Because nothing's more important to Zane than following the tide.

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Synopsis: The one guy she shouldn't want...

Honor Mitchell has lived with guilt and regret for a long time, so when she promises to do the things on her dying best friend's wish list, she's determined to follow through and do something right for a change. But when she's thrown together for wedding duties with the one man who complicates her vow--just by looking at him--she has to put her faith in Bryce Bishop's pledge to help her, no strings attached.

Bryce's near one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend's best friend a few months ago might have been a mistake, but helping the beautiful, free-spirited Honor with her promise isn't. His trust in women is shot, but he can't help but play his best man card to his advantage and help Honor tick off the items on his ex's list, even if it puts him in a no-win situation. Because his assistance might get Honor what she wants, but suddenly being the do-good guy puts his plans--and heart--in serious jeopardy.

ABOUT ROBIN BIELMAN

When not attached to her laptop, USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman can almost always be found with her nose in a book. A California girl, the beach is her favorite place for fun and inspiration. Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts all of her story ideas.

She loves to go on adventures, and has skydived, scuba dived, parasailed, gotten lost in the wilderness (and only suffered a gazillion bug bites for it) hiked to waterfalls, and swam with dolphins. In her spare time she also likes to put her treadmill to good use while watching her favorite TV shows, take hikes with her hubby, indulge her sweet tooth, and play sock tug of war with her cute, but sometimes naughty dog, Harry.

She dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch and sign up for her newsletter on her website at http://robinbielman.com.

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Blog Tour / Book Musings - The Earl is On Fire by Vivienne Lorret

THIS EARL IS ON FIRE

Season's Original #2

Vivienne Lorret

Releasing August 2nd, 2016

Avon Impulse

The sheltered daughter of a country baron, Miss Adeline Pimm comes to London looking for adventure… and finds it in the form of a bloody, unconscious man slumped in the doorway of her family's rented townhouse. Though his identity is a mystery, Adeline is inexplicably drawn to the handsome, injured man and vows to nurse him back to health.

Liam Cavanaugh, the scandalous Earl of Wolford, is startled when he awakens in an unfamiliar bed, wrapped in bandages that hinder his eyesight, with no memory of why he was beaten half to death. Although he can't see the witty young woman who tends to his wounds, her alluring voice--and a single stolen kiss from her soft lips--help soothe his pain. But when he is fully healed, Liam is not ready to let go of the one woman who stirs his deepest longings.

Liam will do whatever it takes to see Adeline again, even if it means giving up his rakish ways. But his disreputable past is not so easily forgotten and his secrets are far more dangerous than he-or Adeline-ever imagined. 

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Don't miss the first title in the Season's Original Series

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My Musings :

I received a free copy for an honest review.

When I discovered this author in The Debutante is Mine, I was very happy to add another author to my must read TBR list. I expected a lot going into this book. I am glad to say that I enjoyed it more than the previous book. The author sure surpasses the standard set previously.

The characters are so real and the author has the art of making us fall for them easily. Adeline is a feisty and independent miss and her fire and attitude are seen throughout the book. The ton puts some hurdles in her way but she overcomes them with her grace and love of life. Liam is so wicked that I didn't feel that he would not be a good match for Adeline. But as the story progressed, his character went through some visible changes which made me love him towards the end. His vulnerability and his past especially endeared me to him though there were a few scenes where I felt he was harping too much on his past. 

I believe that the supporting cast also should be good in order for a story to be a full entertainer. In this case, Liam's friends and Adeline's family are sweet and so not ton-ish. They are so open and tend to be more trusting, especially Adeline's parents. 

The story was slowly built on the first few scenes. The meeting between the protagonists added to the feel of the romance. The romance was also slowly built up and was simmering for a long time before it went up in intensity. The plot was pretty simple at the beginning. Later on, few hints of intrigue were added and was later resolved which added to the appeal of the plot. 

All in all, it was a great read with the right touch of romance and a few peeks into the familial lives and the society of the ton with a hint of suspense. 

My rating : 5/5

Meet the Author :

USA Today bestselling author, VIVIENNE LORRET loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order … but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is an Avon Impulse author of works including: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone, The Wallflower Wedding Series, The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series, The Duke’s Christmas Wish, and the Season’s Original Series.

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Book Cover Reveal - Second Chance at Forever by Summerita Rhayne

SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER

BY

SUMMERITA RHAYNE

Blurb

What happens when the terrible twos come in threes? 

Stuti loves being a mother to her triplets, but it can be a harrowing routine. She's even more submerged in the craziness when she takes them and her mom-in-law for a trip to Rajasthan, the land of the erstwhile Thar desert royals and their palaces. After the passing away of her husband, she feels she owes it to her mil to take her to her favourite holiday. In the Amber Palace, her reckless toddler rushes onto a modelling shoot. As she picks up her daughter who has tripped over a gorgeous zardozi sari, her gaze clashes with that of the man she'd hoped never to set eyes on again in her life. 

A passion that threatens to set fire to more than just her senses 

Revath was everything she wanted in a man, but six years ago he chose to walk away from her. Now he wants to be back in her life. When she knows he doesn't want the same things in life that she does, would she be wise to let anything rekindle between them? Is it already too late for rethinks? 

Desire that has to be denied 

Revath knew the moment he met Stuti again that he couldn't just let her go. But Stuti is absolutely the wrong woman for him. It was proved six years ago when they chose diametrically opposite ways for themselves. He doesn't believe in forever, so what's he doing asking her for a second chance? 

>>>>>> 

Can three little miracles be a barrier to two people finding love?

     Pre-order your copy here: 

Amazon.com 

About the author

Summerita Rhayne writes contemporary and historical romance with lots of emotional conflict. She first got published in 2013 and has won contests with prestigious publishers such as Harlequin and Harper Collins India. Her pet belief is, if the inspiration is strong enough, the story characters will find a way to make the writer pen them down, even when writing time is in short supply. When cerebrally confronted with the sizzling interaction of two Alpha characters, the only way to get peace is write their book!

At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, romcoms, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking. 

You can stalk her @

            

  

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