Review: Here’s to Tomorrow by Teagan Hunter

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Wanna read a sweet story filled with real people? Wanna experience all the feels of a romance that’s slow and steady, and not insta love throw them on the bed right now? Well then, this is the story for you. 🙂

SYNOPSIS
Rae Kamden has no idea what she wants to do in life. She thinks leaving her small town is the way to go, but after running into car trouble (and the sexiest man she’s ever seen), she begins rethinking everything she thought she wanted out of life.

Hudson Tamell isn’t your typical twenty-four year old. The last seven years haven’t been a cake walk. But after finally getting his life just where he wants it, he meets Rae and her impossibly unfiltered mouth. She’s like no one he’s ever met before, totally throwing him off that carefully paved road. But can she handle his life and all the baggage that comes along with it?

Now the girl who doesn’t really fit into his world is the one person he wants in it…no matter what demons she has.

Rae is trying to find her place in this world. She’s not real sure what she’s going to do, but she thinks she has to leave to do it. She is a straightforward, speak her mind kinda girl. She says it like it is. No sugar coating whatsoever. And when she stumbles upon Hudson, leaving town doesn’t look all that promising anymore.

Hudson hasn’t the greatest past few years, but he’s worked his tail off to get to this point in his life where everything is just about perfect. And then he meets this little spitfire of a girl and she knocks him for a loop.

I loved the realness of this story. From the sweet talking to the honest to goodness struggles of each person made me feel like I was reading non-fiction. This was a nice surprise from a debut novel. I can’t wait to see what comes next for these characters!!

Well done, Teagan!!

~Melpomene

Buy Here’s to Tomorrow

Review: The Raven by Sylvain Reynard

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“I am the darkness made visible.”

I gotta say, this book was quite intriguing. The Raven was the perfect combination of romance, mystery and fantasy. I stayed up way past my bedtime, just to read more. I fell hard for the Prince. I was pulled into the story and I’m not sure I ever want to leave.

I loved the Gabriel’s Inferno series so much, to the point of obsession, and was worried that this may not live up the expectations. Silly me, I worried for nothing. The romance was swoon worthy. The words spoken made me melt. The excitement gave me chills and the sexual tension was gripping.

SYNOPSIS
Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her…

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets…

Raven was inspiring. She never let the past destroy her. Her life hasn’t been easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but she won’t let that stop her. She fights for what’s right, even at the risk of her own life. No matter what life throws at her, she takes a stand against the wrongdoers, and I love that about her. I was cheering her on the whole time.

The Prince is, by far, one of the most romantic characters I’ve ever read. I swear, over half of the book is filled with swoon worthy quotes from him.

“You are my greatest virtue and my deepest vice.”

The Prince is all about protecting his city. He has no time for love. But when he save Raven, part of him was drawn to her. He wants her, and he normally doesn’t want anyone. But he knows that she should go away and stay away, for her own safety, but she’s stubborn. So he finds himself keeping tabs on her and protecting her when the need arises.

They were the most improbable of lovers. Yet it was manifest to both they were indeed a perfect match.

This book had the same artistic feel that the Inferno series did. I find that I am googling these paintings just to see the beauty. I know it is nothing like it would be in person, but it gives me a glimpse into the world of the Prince. We’re visited by Gabriel and Julianne Emerson for bit. It was nice to see them, even if the Prince wants to make them suffer for something he feels that they did wrong. But I’m still hoping that he has a change of heart.

What a perfect beginning to another beautiful and artistic series. I can’t wait for the sequel!!

~Melpomene

Buy The Raven (Florentine series)

Review: Huckleberry Spring by Jennifer Beckstrand

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So, Book 4 in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. Oh that grandmother Anna can be sly. And grandfather Felty is definitely not on board with the deceit. But the matchmaking keeps succeeding, so they keep on doing it.

Spring brings Emma to the farm to help grow a pumpkin. Then Anna tells a few white lies to get her grandson Ben back to Wisconsin from Florida. He had escaped there after breaking off his engagement to … yes, Emma. And the re-matchmaking begins.

This time, it’s more than just hearts on the line. Ben has a medical issue he’s not willing to share. Emma has strength of spirit but also a will to not get her heart broken again.

I just love the innocence and Godly love in Beckstrand’s Huckleberry Hill books. I appreciate the family loyalty and the harmless jokes. And there’s always a sense of adventure!

I found this book especially romantic, because I could truly feel the love between Emma and Ben… and they could too.

Thanks again, Ms. Beckstrand.

-calliope

By the way, Book 1 in this series is on sale for $1.99. buy Book 1

Book 4 buy HUCKLEBERRY SPRING

Review: Teardrop Lane by Emily March

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Rose is a small-town physician who always keeps her cool. Unless she’s alone – and then she grieves her demons. Cicero is a brooding, passionate glass-blower whose temperament can be as hot as the furnace. Through the love they have for Cicero’s nieces and nephews, Rose and Cicero see past the facades and fall in love. Sometimes love isn’t realistic, though, and a relationship might not be in the cards.

As usual these days, what I really loved about this romance was the inclusion of familial love and loyalty. Rose and Cicero put the children first, no matter what. It was also fun to read about glassblowing. March did a wonderful job describing the process and the resulting art – so much so that I could envision each glass piece as Cicero created it.

Even though Cicero wasn’t the expected alpha hero type that I usually read, I enjoyed this love story for its warmth, fantastic locale descriptions, and the art of glassblowing.

-calliope

buy TEARDROP LANE (An Eternity Springs novel)

Review: It Must Be Your Love by Bella Andre

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I’ve never really been into rock stars, but Bella Andre made me a fan in about two chapters. Ford is the rock star of every woman’s dreams. He’s so perfect that you can only believe he’s a character in a book, but he’s written so well he seems pretty darn real.

Mia Sullivan is a successful realtor with a pretty fulfilling social life. Except that she can’t stop thinking about that time she met Ford at a concert… and fell in love.

While I think Andre wrote a fantastic alpha hero and a believable, strong yet feminine woman, I think the strength of this book goes beyond the amazing romance. As in every “Sullivans” book Andre writes, I appreciate the descriptions of family bonds, protective brothers, accepting parents, loyal cousins, and the laughter and trust that really good families foster.

It’s kind of wonderful to get lost for a few hours in hot and heavy liaisons, a wedding, a romance, and family full of love.

-calliope

buy IT MUST BE YOUR LOVE

Review, Falling For Jillian, by Kristen Proby

01fallI am seriously LOVING this series!!!

SYNOPSIS
Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he’s having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara.

But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else…specifically Zach, Cara’s brother-in-law. Zach is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy’s mother took off. He’s struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian…but why can’t he keep his hands off her?

This series is the perfect combination of sweet and saucy. You wanna be the girl’s friends just so you can hang out with everyone. But at the same time, you wanna rip the guys from off their arms. These guys are the best. They are strong and very protective of their women.

Jillian is home, after a disastrous and emotional divorce, and is trying to move on. She is also trying not to bring up a very heated experience she had with Zach, her best friend’s brother-in-law. But as she’s trying not to dwell on it, he can’t seem to think of anything else.

I know the synopsis says PTSD, but it really isn’t mentioned. It really isn’t talked about, nor is it the focus of the story.

The focus is Zach trying to remind Jill that they’re so very good together, while trying to keep the friendship they’ve already established. And that she is good for his son and she just may be the perfect piece in this puzzle called life.


I smile as I take her in: those small, strong hands clenching the quilt, her slender form hidden beneath about six inches of fabric from neck to feet.

Yet, she’s the prettiest thing God ever put on this earth.

Personally, I think the theme should be good things, no great things, come to those who wait. It truly does.

~Melpomene

Pre-order Falling for Jillian (Love Under the Big Sky Book 3)

While this can be read as a standalone, I think you should read the first two books, to really get the experience.
Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky Book 1)
Seducing Lauren (Love Under the Big Sky Book 2)

Review: The Prince by Sylvain Reynard

01prince Well now. That was a quick little glimpse into a new series, and I think I’m gonna like it. I think I’m gonna like it a lot.

SYNOPSIS
The unveiling of a set of priceless illustrations of Dante’s Divine Comedy at the Uffizi Gallery exposes the unsuspecting Professor Gabriel Emerson and his beloved wife, Julianne, to a mysterious and dangerous enemy.

Unbeknownst to the Professor, the illustrations he secretly acquired years ago were stolen a century earlier from the ruler of Florence’s underworld. Now one of the most dangerous beings in Italy is determined to reclaim his prized artwork and exact revenge on the Emersons, but not before he uncovers something disturbing about Julianne …

Set in the city of Florence, “The Prince” is a prequel novella to “The Raven,” which is the first book in the new Florentine Series Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard.

“The Prince” can be read as a standalone but readers of The Gabriel Series may be curious about the connection between The Professor’s world and the dark, secret underworld of “The Prince.”

I remember seeing this character in Gabriel’s Redemption and he seemed “otherworldly” to me. So when this new series was announced, and it was said to be a sort of spin off, I knew EXACTLY who it was going to be about. Now, you don’t need to read the Gabriel’s Inferno series, to read this. But, personally, to get the full experience, I highly recommend that you do. You can thank me later.

I was mesmerized by how this Prince was intrigued with the Emersons. Well, mostly he wanted to kill the professor. But seeing a few scenes, from his eyes, made me fall for the Professor all over again, even if he’s a jerk sometimes. We see quite a few scenes with the Emersons, as he watches them and plans their demise.

But right when the Prince is ready to follow through with his plan, a new threat creeps into his city and now he must deal with this first.

I am so excited to read The Raven and find out what happens next. Part of me wants more of the professor, but then to see him means that the Prince is out to harm him. So maybe, I’m not in a rush to see him quite yet.

~Melpomene

EXCERPT
In the distance, the Prince could hear voices and muffled sounds.

He approached silently, almost floating across the floor.

Desperate groans and the rustling of fabric filled his ears, along with the twin sounds of rapidly beating hearts. He could smell their scents, the aromas heightened due to their sexual arousal.

He growled in reaction.

The corridor was shrouded in darkness but the Prince could see that the professor had his wife up against a window between two statues, her legs wrapped around his waist.

Her voice was breathy as she spoke, but the Prince tuned out her words, moving closer so he could catch a glimpse of her lovely face.

At the sight of it, flushed with passion, his old heart quickened and he felt the stirrings of arousal.

It was not his custom to observe rather than participate. But on this occasion, he decided to make an exception. Careful to remain in the darkness, he moved to the wall opposite the couple.

The woman squirmed in her lover’s arms, her high heels catching on his tuxedo jacket. Her fingers flew to his neck, undoing his bow tie and tossing it carelessly to the floor.

She unbuttoned his shirt, and her mouth moved to his chest, as murmurs of pleasure escaped his lips.

The Prince felt more than desire as he watched the woman’s eager movements. He caught a glimpse of her exquisite mouth and the toss of her long hair that would no doubt feel like silk between his fingers.

She lifted her head to smile at the man who held her close and he could see love in her eyes.

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Pre-order The Prince
Release date 1-20-15
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
iTunes
BN

Pre-order The Raven-Book 1 in The Florentine Series
Release date 2-3-15
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
iTunes
BN

My Consequences Timeline

01 cons OK. This book. I have no idea what I felt about this book. What I do know is that I HATE TONY. I do. Wholeheartedly despise this man. I know my friends told that this a normal reaction and I should embrace it, but how can I think of hugs, when all I want to do is murder him??

SYNOPSIS
Anthony Rawlings had a plan—to teach Claire Nichols to behave.
Claire Nichols had a plan—to survive!

In an unfamiliar bedroom within a luxurious mansion, Claire Nichols wakes to memories of a brutal abduction. All of her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met—Anthony Rawlings. Unbeknownst to Claire, Anthony has had her in his sights for a long time. Every action has consequences—and his actions resulted in their chance meeting.
Facing incomprehensible circumstances, Claire must learn to survive as she comes to terms with her new reality—every aspect of her livelihood is now dependent upon the tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed tycoon. Anthony may appear to the world as a prosperous, benevolent, kind businessman, but in reality Claire learns he is also a menacing, controlling captor with very strict rules: do as your told, public failure is not an option, and don’t divulge private information. Failure to follow these rules and more, are met with serious consequences.

In an effort to earn her freedom, Claire learns her lessons well and before long, she unknowingly captivates her captor. Anthony/ Tony reluctantly becomes enthralled with Claire’s beauty, resilience and determination. Their interaction instigates strong emotions, including—fear, anger, love, and lust—as their journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion.
From the opening criminal abduction, through the twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Aleatha Romig utilizes vivid detail, allowing this novel to unfold like a movie.

Can you put the pieces of the puzzle together? Claire Nichols abduction wasn’t a random act—did she learn her lessons well enough? Will these unlikely lovers remain true—or will she learn the truth before it’s too late?

My girls told me to read this. They said I could do it. They encouraged me and said I would be okay.

This is what happened:
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Well, that about sums it up.

~Melpomene

If you’d like to be tortured also, grab Consequences: Book 1 of the Consequences Series for your very own.

The boxed set is on sale for 99 cents!! So if you’d like to be tortured, just like I was, grab the set HERE.

Review: Dubiosity by Christy Barritt

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Barritt rocks at setting up the suspense in Dubiosity. I was on the edge of my seat the whole ride.

Savannah is taking a break, grieving a personal loss, but she can’t let go of the investigative reporter side of herself. Add Clive, the mysterious newcomer who needs a place to stay, and we’ve got amateur sleuthing in the making.

But the mystery is no joke. Migrant workers are disappearing – and dying. Savannah and Clive come at the crimes separately, but their investigations bring them to the same place. I did guess the culprit mid-story – but it was only a guess. And I was pleasantly satisfied when my guess was confirmed. 🙂

Dubiosity mixes a little romance in with the suspense, and a little God-guidance, too. I liked the variety, the characters, and the wide-eye-inducing scenes.

Christy Barritt, I’ve read a few of your books, and this won’t be the last!

-calliope
buy DUBIOSITY

Review: The Collector by Nora Roberts

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Oh my goodness I have read so many mediocre books the past two weeks that I ended up in a book slump. Thankfully a beautiful friend lifted me out of it when she gifted me The Collector.

This romantic suspense was the perfect combination of sweet, thrilling, corrupt, and amateur sleuthing. Right up my alley.

Writer Lila and artist Ashton befriend each other after a horrific murder. While they work together to solve the mystery and get the bad guy, they fall in love. But Lila is independent, a free spirit. Ashton comes from a large, interdependent family and pushes his “helpfulness” onto Lila.

While the romantic tension puts a cramp in their relationship, it doesn’t stop Lila and Ash from exacting revenge on the murderer. Their perseverance is a little implausible at times, but very exciting!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was Ash’s bossiness. It came off as mean, even though he really cared about Lila. I ended up not liking Ash at all. And that’s sad for me, because an alpha hero is often the best part of a novel!

All in all, The Collector was a welcome addition to my December reading. Great writing, an exciting plot, luxurious descriptions, and international travel all created the perfect base for this romantic suspense.

-Calliope

buy THE COLLECTOR