Guarding His Heart by Carolyn Spear

Guarding His Heart
By:  Carolyn Spear
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Published: January 9, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Length: Short Story
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 8, 2014

    

On an island where paranormals walk secretly among humans, can Trevor trust his heart and his secret to a human woman?

School teacher Cassidy Sinclair’s sanity is questioned after claiming to see her hero appear out of thin air. Her savior dies in her arms after intercepting a gunshot meant for her and her student, Allan Branson. The only person who believes her account is the boy’s father who arranges her one-week stay at an exclusive holistic healing spa called the Wiccan Haus off the coast of Maine.

Trevor Green, a paranormal, is recovering—again—from gunshot wounds at Wiccan Haus. His body battered and his confidence broken, he is tasked to protect the woman he almost got killed. The one he’s fantasized about for months and who thinks he’s dead.

This story is a first for me and it is killing me that I can’t tell you what it is!

Two broken and hurt people go to Wiccan Haus to heal. Cassidy is healing her mind and Trevor is healing his body. The staff at Wiccan Haus has even more planned for them. Seems that everyone knows they are meant for each other but them.

Let’s see, I have read about teachers, bodyguards, paranormal, romance, magic and mates; everything that is already in this story. What in the world could I have never read about before? I know, I’m a tease, but I am actually floored. Considering the subject matter and how well known it is, I’m very surprised this is the first time I have enjoyed a story written about it. I have read thousands of books and I sit here in awe. What a fun subject! Now I want more. Please give me more.

While I enjoyed the book, there was something missing. Not sure if it was a certain magical spark that most of the others had or something else. Don’t get me wrong. It is quite a lovely story and I was absolutely rooting for this couple.

Most of the time, at the end of the stories in this series, I am happy and ready to move on. I feel closure and know that all is right in the world. With Guarding His Heart I actually want more. It’s not that they didn't find their HEA, it’s that I wanted to know more about them. What happened after they left?

So while it didn't have the magic I normally look for in this series, I still wanted more of Cassidy and Trevor. In my book that says something, good job Ms. Spear. I hope you have more stories to tell in one of my favorite addictions, Wiccan Haus.

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Finding Her A-Muse-Ment by Rebecca Royce

Finding Her A-Muse-Ment
By:  Rebecca Royce
Publisher:  Musa Publishing

Published:  October 11, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Length:  Short Story
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  May 5, 2014

    

Welcome back to the Wiccan Haus!

Susan Charlie is a bestselling author who has finally finished her bestselling series. Writing all the time has turned her into a shut in. Unable to produce any new work, her muse, Isyllus, is terrified he will be forced to leave her and finds a way to put the idea of the Wiccan Haus into her mind.

But once on the island, Susie can actually see Isyllus and his love from a distance becomes a hot, potent entity between them. Danger and deception threaten to keep them apart. Still, the question remains can an Author really fall in love with her Muse?

In the Wiccan Haus anything is possible.

Susan is in a slump and it is up to her muse, Isyllus, to get her out of it. Nothing says “rut kibosher” than a vacation. So off to Wiccan Haus Susan is-a-going.

I do believe I have read the sweetest ending ever. There was something about the epilogue that was endearing, touching and just so darn cute! I know I jumped right to ending, but even hours later I am smiling about the ending of Finding Her A-Muse-Ment.

Now to back track, Finding Her A-Muse-Ment was a wonderful story. You had the enchanting vacation spot Wiccan Haus, all of the siblings, Rekkus and of course the ever brilliant Myron; all that alone makes a great story. Ms. Royce did a great job introducing us to new characters and including our beloved older ones, seamlessly.

The storyline was a great one too. What would happen when an author who has lost her fire meets a man that makes her burn? Their connection is instantaneous and is blazing hot. Susan can’t quite understand how and why she has such a strong attraction to Isyllus, but it is 110% mutual. It’s too bad for her that her dream man isn’t all that she expected.

Susan’s vacation turns out to be more than she ever expected. The same can be said for Isyllus. He has lived his many lifetimes hidden and alone. Now he has a chance to explore the pleasures of being in a human body. But with all the pleasures also come pain. With one phrase, his life will change forever and so will Susan’s.

Anything really is possible at Wiccan Haus and Ms. Royce has done a fabulous job continuing the magic and adding to it. Finding Her A-Muse-Ment is a well written story that is a delightful and entertaining addition to the family.

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Hearts of Chaos by Kira Brady

Hearts of Chaos
By:  Kira Brady
Publisher:  Zebra
Published:  March 4, 2014
Genre: Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  May 2, 2014

  

To save her world, one woman's fierce quest will put her up against an ancient evil—and a desire too dangerous to deny...

She is betrothed to Seattle's most feared shifter clan leader. Still, the Lady Lucia can never be the dainty aristocratic wife Emory Corbette thinks he needs. And as a malevolent, all-consuming monster plots to take hold of their shattered world, Lucia will risk her untapped powers to defeat it—and challenge the Raven King's seductive rule.

No one in Emory's many lifetimes has ever defied him. Lucia's courage and strength are shaking his iron control to its core...and making him hungry for all she can give. But their only hope is a wrenching sacrifice that could unite humans and shifters in victory—or destroy everything Lucia and Emory desire most.

We have reached the end. This is the final book in the Deadglass Trilogy. I will say this one is my favorite.

Lady Lucia has played a major role in the series and her part is really just beginning. In this story we get to watch her grow even more. She is a lovely woman and I was cheering her along her journey from the first page.

Emory Corbette, hmmm I can honestly say he shocked me many times; some good and some made me want to beat him to death…slowly. He also had a very interesting journey. Did it make up for how I felt about him? The jury is still out.

Their world has fallen to a great foe; one that was thought to have been stopped, but not contained. The time of the prophecy has begun. Lucia and Emory must battle themselves and each other to conquer the world’s greatest enemy and ensure the fulfillment of the prophecy. Their trials were, at times, personal and very painful. Together they endured because their people need the light of the Crane, now more than ever in this time of darkness.

NON STOP ACTION!! I was amazed at how much these two people had to endure and Ms. Brady kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t put this story down. Excellent storytelling! I was disappointed that the prior main characters in the other two stories played little or no roles in this final novel, but I really was too busy soaking it all up not to notice until I had a moment to think about it.

Since I did read the last two novels of the trilogy a day apart, I was also frustrated with the transition between the two. The two timelines didn’t match up, but don’t let that small detail stop you from enjoying the captivating action, tension filled romance and creative plot. Hearts of Chaos is beautifully detailed and gripping and is perfect for readers who want more than just romance in their books.

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Hearts of Shadow by Kira Brady

Title Hearts of Shadow
By: Kira Brady
Publisher: Zebra
Published: May 7, 2013
Genre: Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  May 1, 2014

 

Grace Mercer's unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there's no way she'll allow the new regent of Seattle's most powerful dragon shifter clan to "protect" her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets--and keep her from the freedom she's risked everything to earn. Leif's science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe. But helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon's sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls. . .or consume all in a storm of destruction.

I will say that I’m sorry that I took so long to read this book. It had the perfect blend of romance (though it took long for them to finally get together), action and storyline.

Grace Mercer is a woman with an incomplete past. Her parents were killed when she was young and then she was unwillingly embroiled into the paranormal world. She is now a woman with a mission; complete her contract as a blood slave and move the heck on.

Leif Asgard never wanted to be a ruler. He is a scientist and loner. After the death of his brother, he was put into a role he never wanted and responsibilities he never desired. That was until he felt the pull of certain blood slave bond. Now he has a purpose and her name is Grace.

Confusing attraction, a world sent back to the Stone Age, backstabbing dealings and a demigod on a mission will have you on the edge of your seat. Grace and Leif have a landscape of landmines to transverse and enemies to watch. It is a time when you have to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Can Grace and Leif handle everything thrown at them and get past their own barriers to heal each other’s souls?

The first story in the trilogy Hearts of Darkness was a mixed bag for me. I really loved the story telling, but I found inconsistencies that took me out of the story. It still was a great book to read. Hearts of Shadows was a home run for me. I really do wish that I would have read it sooner. I loved Grace and Leif and together, they were brilliant.

Ms. Brady has built an amazing world and wonderful characters. I truly believe that lovers of romance, paranormal and urban fantasy will equally enjoy Hearts of Shadow. It’s a breath of fresh air to the paranormal genre with its unique plot and amazing story telling. The story isn’t a standalone though. If you jumped right in on it, you wouldn’t be totally lost, but there are several references to the prior book and trust me you will want to know how “the event” occurred. In fact, the trilogy is now actually complete and you can get all three of them into your hot little hands as we speak. I’m going to start right away on the final book, Hearts of Chaos, but there were two characters that were mentioned in this book that have a prequel short story, Hearts of Fire, that I may have to read first.

Great job Ms. Brady! It is unbelievable that this is only her second book. WOW she is going to have an amazing career if she keeps this up. She writes fantastic worlds and knows how to capture a reader. Read the Deadglass Trilogy today!

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