PNR

Silver Fox: Bad Alpha Dads (Real Werewives of Alaska, Book 3)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Silver Fox cover

Author: Kristen Strassel

Series: Real Werewives of Alaska

Genre: PNR

Publisher: Indie

Pages: 117

 

Landon Fox has always put football before everything in his life, his daughter included. His career is finally reaching an end point, and the Real Werewives are after him. When there is a huge uproar at one of the Real Were wives event, he sees the last person that he expected to see. Jenna came to Alaska with one mission: reconnect her daughter with her father. She has no notion of finding love here. That is, until Landon accidentally bids on her for a date. Will they find a love connection once again?

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and somehow missed the second. I had no problem, however picking right back up at this one (they can be read as a standalone). I must say, that I think I enjoyed this ne even more than the first. I liked the first one a lot, but this one seemed to have even more of an enriched backstory, so it led to deeper emotions being felt while reading it. I will throw in, though, that it still has all of the humor, wit, sarcasm, and fun of the first in the series, so you won’t miss any of that! The characters were still developed well, and the world-building was in keeping with the first of the series. If you’re a PNR fan looking for a quick, fun read, I recommend this one.

Running Wild (The Real Werewives of Alaska, Book 1)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Running Wild cover

Author: Kristen Strassel

Series: The Real Werewives of Alaska

Genre: PNR

Publisher: Amazon Digital

 

Sebastian Connall has spent the past seven years chasing his dream of playing professional football. That dream has now led him back to the one place that he has been running from: Alaska, the home to the pack that he was kicked out of. His twin brother warned him not to return to Alaska, but Sebastian isn’t about to let him ruin his dream for him. It is the only dream that he has, since he fears that his chance to find his mate was lost when his pack was.

Naomi Hart is all about her travel blog. She isn’t really looking for love when she agrees to go on The Real Werewives of Alaska. She’s just looking for the all-expenses paid trip that will amaze her blog readers. That is, until she meets Sebastian Connall…

Y’all, I have been looking for a new, fun PNR to spend some time with (and you know how I love my shifters!!), so I was super excited when Kristen contacted me about reviewing this book for her new series. This was exactly what I have been looking for! It was so much fun, and a quick read (I read it in one sitting!). The characters are all great. They are well developed, but there is still plenty of room for them to grow in later installments. The world building was lovely. I could clearly picture the Alaska towns that were being described, and I kind of really want to go and visit them. Strassel’s writing was dynamic and fun, and took me right back to my PNR home. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series to come out, because I know it is going to be fun as well!

 

A Vampire’s Purgatory (A Romance in Central City, Book 8)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

A Vampire Purgatory cover

Author: Jordan K. Rose

Series: Romance in Central City

Genre: PNR    

Publisher: Indie

Pages: 163

 

This novella finds us back in Central City, for the last time. Panthera has, somehow, figured out a way to make their Revenants stronger and more resilient. The Guard follows one of them back to his home, and watches as he dies in the arms of his sister. This horrific incident leads to Ricard, one of The Guard’s lead scientists, feeling very strongly for Jess- the Revenant’s shocked sister. By strongly, I mean in a bond sort of way. Obviously, this is not the time for a bond to pop up, but you can’t really choose when these things happen. Ricard is determined to find the answer to the question of how vampires exist. He knows that this is the answer to stopping Panthera. Jess is determined to obtain revenge for the loss of her family, brought on by Panthera. Can the two help each other find what they are looking for, and find their happy ending?

I have loved this series from the beginning. While I am a bit sad that it is over, the story was definitely ready to come to a close. Jordan ended it in the most satisfying way that it could have been ended. It feels complete, and fully realized. Saving Ricard and Jess’ story for the end was lovely. They are both dynamic, but vulnerable characters. They were given great depth, especially considering that this is a novella. If you’re looking for a great PNR short story series, I highly recommend this one.

Smolder

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Smolder cover

Author: Lisa Carlisle

Series: Underground Encounters

Genre: PNR

Publisher: Indie

Pages: 139

 

Nike spends her days in a fast paced, high stress profession: she’s a firefighter. She likes to spend her nights, along with her best & fellow firefighter Maya, unwinding at an underground goth club called Vamps. This is all well and good, until one night when her fantasy crush, Michel, the hot guy from her climbing gym shows up. Little does she know that he has a deeper and darker connection to the underground world than Nike ever dreamed could exist. When her fantasy worlds and real life collide, what choice will she make? Will it be the right one?

Smolder kicks off, what is set to be, a new trilogy from Carlisle. If this novella is an indication of what is to come, it looks to be a great addition to her publications. The one thing that I have enjoyed the most in Carlisle’s writing is that she has the ability to give great depth to each of her characters, and she certainly did not waver on that in this novella. All of the characters were very well fleshed out, but there is still plenty of room for character development in future installments. The world building was wonderful (I kind of want to go unwind at Vamps this weekend, myself!), as always. If you enjoy a great PNR, and are looking for a fun new series, I would recommend this to you!

P.S. Book 2, Fire, has been released, and I have it in my hot little hands to read this weekend, so review to come! Here is the cover and the link, if you get through Smolder & want to continue on!

Fire cover

Knights of Stone: Calum (Highland Gargoyles, Book 5)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Knights of Stone Calum cover

Author: Lisa Carlisle

Series: Highland Gargoyles

Genre: PNR

Pages: 185

 

Calum is the thrill-seeking lead singer of the Knights of Stone. While on a flight one night, he sees a dragon attacking a Pegasus who wandered too far from her herd, and jumps in to help. The Pegasus turns out to be a shifter named Arielle, and he decides that he must help her, no matter what. Their adventure finds them lost in another realm, wondering if they will ever make it home. It also finds them turning in to more than they thought that they would. Will Calum help her find her way home, or will he convince her to stay?

It was a lot of fun to return to the Isle of Stone, and hang out with the Gargoyles again. This time a dragon and a Pegasus were added to the mix! The wonderful world building continued, with added realms. The character development also continued, adding more of Calum, and Arielle to the group. This turned out to be a lovely love story, but it definitely had enough action to keep me interested and entertained. I love that these stories are all a part of the same world and series, but each can stand alone with no problem. I jumped from book one to book five with no issue. This is a great addition to the series, and I’ll enjoy going back and catching up with the others!

Magic and Mayhem: Secrets, Lies, and Meatballs (Spaghetti Romances, Book 2)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Secrets lies and meatballs cover

Author: Jordan K. Rose

Series: Spaghetti Romances

Genre: PNR

 

According to her grandmother and her parents, The Meatball knows who Lena is supposed to marry, but Lena isn’t buying it. She has no interest in eating a meatball that has been simmering in what is, admittedly, delectable smelling gravy for thirty-three years! Especially is said meatball is supposed to make her fall in love with someone against her will. The issue: Someone stole her mate-ball, and ate it. Now she, and her magic, are going nuts. To make matters worse, family secrets have some to light that are seriously complicating matters for her. Is she willing to bend to the will of fate, and eat the meatball, to save those that she loves?

This is the second novella in the Spaghetti Romances series, which is a part of Magic and Mayhem Kindle Worlds. These novellas have been a great new series. They are laugh out loud funny, along with a great story. The characters are all great, and well developed, especially for the limited space to develop them in a novella. They all have their own quirky personalities, which allows the reader to identify with them and visualize them easily. The world building is well done, without any obvious holes. The story is well paced, so it doesn’t take too long to read it, but if you need to put it down it would be easy to pick back up where you left off. If you’re looking for a fun escape, try out this world of witches and shifters!

It’s out today, so check it out!

Knights of Stone: Calum Release!! 

Posted on by The Novel Girl

The Gargoyle Shifters are back, people, and this time Lisa Carlisle brought us Pegasi!!! 

When a short-term mission turns into a battle between love and duty…
Calum lives for thrills both on and off stage as lead singer of the Knights of Stone. During a night flight, he witnesses a dragon chasing a pegasus and his gargoyle instincts kick in. When the rescued pegasus turns out to be a beautiful shifter named Arielle, he sets off on a dangerous mission to help her.
Arielle never should have wandered from her pegasi herd. Not only did she attract the attention of a dragon who wants to steal her magic, but they’ve ended up lost in another realm. If she even makes it through the night, how will she ever return home?
Calum and Arielle’s chance encounter in the Scottish Highlands turns into something more. Can Calum help Arielle return to her realm, when he wants to convince her to stay?
For a hot Highland shifter series set on a mystical isle shared by gargoyles, tree witches, and wolf shifters, meet the brothers in the Knights of Stone today!

Excerpt

Calum needed to fly, to escape the claustrophobic confines of the pub in Inverness. Only flight could provide relief from the stuffiness closing in around him. The stale stench of beer and perspiration tingled his nostrils. The din of voices around him reverberated in his head. The Knights of Stone, the band he and his brothers had created, had played until midnight. Although the lassies surrounded him after their set, as they often did, he avoided their attention to head for the exit.
“You’re not leaving again, are you?” his older brother, Gavin, asked.
“I need air.”
“It’s the third time in a fortnight. Something’s definitely off with you lately.”


Maybe Gavin was right. Calum’s usual restlessness had shifted recently. Instead of chasing the lasses after the rush onstage as front man of their band, he’d been escaping to the wide-open space of the night skies.
He searched the shadowy area behind the brick building for a hidden spot where he could shift to his winged form. Humans were out this evening, but none were attracted to the dark alley.


Calum cloaked himself before shifting. He flew away from the club up toward the crescent moon, which was clouded by a swirl of mist. Nothing like soaring through the night to invigorate him. Flight calmed him, as it did for most gargoyles. While he spent much of the day restoring his energy in stone form under the sun, at night he came alive. He’d then pursue one of his three favorite activities — flying, performing, or—entertaining. He smirked. He and Gavin relished the female attention, especially after their three brothers had found mates. Since their brothers had placed bets on who’d be next to find a mate, both Calum and Gavin pushed to the extreme to avoid it.


Although Calum still burned from the rush on stage, something was missing. He had everything he thought he’d wanted with the band and living with his brothers in their small clan on the Isle of Stone, yet he sought solitude in flight more often.
Why he did plagued his mind as he sought the clarity during the flight. A short break had turned into a longer flight, full of introspection. Calum soared farther than he’d planned, along Loch Ness and then inland. The shadowed mountain peaks ahead framed a foreboding entryway under the lingering fog that clouded the night.
He paused, hovering in the air. His gargoyle instincts flared. Something was off. He engaged all his senses, listening for a sign of distress, anything to identify the source of his unease. He flew deeper inland, the rolling fields darker than emeralds under the stars, and the disturbing sensation heightened.

Buy it here: 

https://books2read.com/calum

Check out the series here: 

http://www.lisacarlislebooks.com/books/highland-gargoyles-series/

When Darkness Whispers

Posted on by The Novel Girl

When Darkness Whispers cover

Author: Lisa Carlisle

Genre: PNR/Military Romance/Mystery

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Pages: 288

 

Eva Montreaux is a Marine, but not a “normal” Marine. She is part of a program that creates biologically enhanced military personnel. She and her team, NEO 17 (comprised of several supernatural beings), have been sent to Okinawa on two missions. The first is to find out who or what has been serially killing the American troops stationed there. The second is a civil mission, to attempt to create peace amongst the locals and the troops, as there has been much animosity recently. While on patrol one night, Eva runs in to a group of Marines that know her from a deployment before her enhancement. The problem, her memory from that deployment is gone. A side effect of her treatments was amnesia, leaving large gaps in her memory, save for brief flashes of the past. One of those Marines is Gunny Marcos Delacruz. Eva doesn’t remember anything about him, except for his piercing eyes. When she brushes him off, because she can’t explain her memory loss, he seemed incredibly angry although Eva doesn’t understand why. As Eva struggles to reclaim her memory and uncover her past with Marcos, the murders keep piling up. With everything going on on the island, Eva must untangle her feelings and the secrets that Okinawa is harboring.

This is the second book of Carlisle’s that I have read, and it just reminded me that I really need to read more of her work. This was a great outing for her! It was a PNR read, but the “romance” part of the story was not the primary focus of the book. It was more focused on the mysteries- who is murdering American troops, and what is the connection between Eva and Marcos that she can’t remember. The descriptiveness of the setting was great, and made it easy to visualize. The character development was wonderful, for the main characters. It may have been a little bit lacking in the secondary characters, but certainly not enough to take away from the story. It was very well paced, and thoroughly enjoyable. I truly hope that we get watch Eva and Marcos’ story develop.

 

Author Interview: Jordan K. Rose

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Hey there, all of my wonderful readers!!! We have a treat today: An amazing author, whom I feel very privileged to call a friend, Jordan K. Rose, has stopped by to visit and answer some questions!

Jordan

Hey Jordan!! Happy Book Birthday!! Thanks for stopping by to visit with me for a little bit. It’s great to catch up with you.

Hello Tiffany! Thanks for having me on your blog today. It’s a big day for me with the release of Her Vampire Protector, book 7 in the Romance In Central City series, and if there is anyone I want to celebrate with me, it’s you! We had such a great time together in Boston and New Hampshire last October. I’m so grateful we had a chance to finally meet in person.

I am too! We did have such a great time. I can’t wait to do it again! So, as you mentioned, today is the release of book 7 in the Romance in Central City series (which I love!). Where did you get the inspiration for this series?

This is one of those series that I can’t remember how the idea came to me! That sounds crazy, but honestly, I don’t recall! In spite of having a complete lack of memory on how the idea for the series came to me, I can say that I recall how certain characters’ traits arrived. For example, Selene’s scene with the cupcake was inspired by an unfortunate experience I had shoveling Death By Chocolate cake into my mouth in what can best be described as a very unladylike display of eating. More accurately, it was an animal-like moment, resulting in a dire need for a glass of milk and someone on Heimlich standby. 

That’s hysterical! I’m actually picturing that right now. As we have found out over the years, we both have an affinity for chocolate (especially dark), so I can definitely see this scenario! Now, on to some questions about you: How did you begin your writing career, or did you always know that you wanted to be an author?

I actually never thought about writing until about 5 or 6 years back when I received a copy of Twilight as part of my anniversary gift from my husband. After that I read some 18 or 19 vampire novels and, bam! I wanted to write my own book. Since then I have never looked back. 

I, for one, am very glad that you got those books and got started! Speaking of other books and authors, who are your favorite authors?

I love Charlotte Bronte, Christine Feehan, Hildie McQueen (and not just because of her writing! Hildie is a dear and wonderful friend.), Jane Austen, Kerrelyn Sparks, MaryJanice Davidson, and JR Ward to name a few. 

I love Hildie, as well! I am so glad that you introduced me to her. I got to meet her at RT a couple of years ago, and she was just wonderful. I know this is always a hard question to answer when you read a lot, but what is your favorite book? Is there a book or series that you could read over and over again, and never tire of?

A few of my favorite books are: C.S. Lewis’s Trumpet of The Swan, which is one of the most beautiful stories every written. I could read it a thousand times and never tire of it. Jane Erye is another favorite. Mr. Rochester is something else and scrappy little Jane is a favorite heroine. But, being that I love paranormal I might even love Jane Slayer, Sherri Browning Erwin’s mashup a touch more. What’s not to love about adding vampire and werewolves to one of your favorite stories? Last year I read Tarzan for the first time and LOVED it. Of course, I did watch the recent Alexander Skarsgard movie and kept picturing the super-sexy vampire Eric Northman as Tarzan so that probably had something to do with it! Lastly, I love Christine Feehan’s Dark Series. Dark Prince is my absolute favorite and I’ve read it several times. 

I, too, am a Lewis fan, but I haven’t read that one. I’ll have to! I haven’t read Tarzan in years. I may have to re-read while picturing Skarsgard, and see how that goes! Haha! So, what are you reading right now?

Right now, I’m reading a couple things- like any reader! I’m reading Jane Eyre again. Carrie Ann Ryan’s Tattered Loyalties, Kresley Cole’s The Arcana Chronicles, and I’m starting Kym Grosso’s Immortals of New Orleans Series.  

I completely understand. I think that I am reading 4 books right now, myself. I’m not sure that I could read that many while trying to write my own, though. That’s impressive! What do you like to do when you aren’t reading and writing?

I love going to the beach with hubby or going hiking with my dogs. Recently I took my first cake decorating class which was a lot of fun, though I learned I need A LOT of practice! 

I took one of those several years ago, with a friend, and it is definitely not as easy as they make it look. Those little roses are kind of difficult! Are there any upcoming projects that we should know about?!

YEEEESSSSS!!! I’m so excited. This year has so much activity crammed into it I’m afraid if I blink I’ll miss it. So here’s what’s coming: In June I’m releasing my second book in the Spaghetti Romances Series, which is set in Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Kindle World. In July an extended version of my novella, Delia & The Werewolf will release in a Box Set titled, Alpha’s of Summer. Later this year book 8 of The Romance In Central City Series comes out. I just saw a markup of the cover and L-O-V-E it! Then, before the year is out the first book in my next series, a spinoff from the Romance In Central City Series will launch. 

 

When I say I’m excited, I mean sometimes I hear squealing and when I stop and focus, I realize it’s me! 🙂 

 

It’s a great year! 

 

I hope your readers will consider joining my newsletter so that they can keep up with the excitement and be the first to learn of new projects and have an opportunity to receive ARCs from me. If they join, they’ll get some #FREE books, too! Here’s the link:  http://bit.ly/1G1Y903

 

I can also be found at the following social media sites: 

 

Website: www.jordankrose.com. 

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1CmMPQk

Facebook:  http://on.fb.me/1FUrNaX

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1J2iYJG

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1CmN4ec

Google +:  http://bit.ly/2n9EfOZ

Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1gll1lc

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2mECFXH

 

And don’t forget to follow the hashtag #CentralCityRomance for more Romance In Central City news! 

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with us today!!! I had so much fun!!!

As mentioned in the interview, the release of Her Vampire Protector is today! Here is the cover, and they buy links, so y’all go check it out!!!

her vampire protector cover

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kIoO1D

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

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kc9Dd4

B/N: http://bit.ly/2mC6ysW

Google: http://bit.ly/2ldGiAN

 

 

Fangs for the Memories (Dragon Tails Book 2)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

fangs-for-the-memories-cover

Author: Annette Blair

Series: Dragon Tails

Genre: PNR

Publisher: MacMillan

Pages: 222

 

Darkwyn is a Scottish warrior whose clan was cursed to turn in to dragons long ago, and banished to an uncharted island on another plane. He has once again been turned to man, as he was sent through the veil to Salem, in search of his heart mate. Only in finding her and aligning his life goals with hers, will he be able to defeat Killian, the evil crone who cursed his clan. Bronte and her nephew, Zachary, are on the run from the mob. Upon seeing her as he first arrives, Darkwyn knows that she is to be his heart mate. The problem: she is reluctant to admit that she feels it too, and that she needs him as much as he needs her. Will they be able to work together to save both of their families?

As she has done previously, with the now entitled Eating Bees in Bed, Fangs for the Memories is a re-worked version of an earlier Blair novel, Vampire Dragon. It has some altered scenes, character alterations, etc in order to improve the novel. This is one of Blair’s novels that I have not read before, so I cannot give an honest comparison to the original work. I can say that I truly enjoyed this version. The characters were well fleshed out, and had great personality. The scenes were all descriptive enough to give the reader great visualization and imagery. The story flowed beautifully, and there was never a lull in the storyline, which allows the reader to get lost in the story easily and makes it read quickly. This was a lovely end to this duology (this is book 2 of 2), as it wrapped up the story with a very satisfying ending. If you like shifters (this one is dragons, which are my favorite!), I think that you will really enjoy these!

I have been a fan of Annette Blair for quite a while; since I read Kitchen Witch several years ago. Hers was the first paranormal that I read, and the reason that I fell in love with this genre. Her writing is always beautiful, and a joy to read. She is a legend in her genre, and I am so thrilled to see new releases from her! If you are looking for fun PNR, I highly recommend her work!