Persephone 🍇 (Into Shadow # 2 🌿🕳 Collection) by Lev Grossman: A Well Read Woman Blog Book Review

Persephone: A Short Story by Lev Grossman 🍇

Synopsis:

A teenage nobody crosses a line that will change her life forever in this short coming-of-age story by number one New York Times bestselling author Lev Grossman.

Ever since her dad disappeared five years ago, Persephone has quietly walled off the feelings she’d rather not feel. There’s no room for pain or anger when you’re just trying to get through the hell that is high school. But one day, the crush of taunts and disappointments is finally too much—and a power breaks loose inside her that she never knew was there.

TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62991532-persephone

Genre:

• YA, Coming of Age
• Mythology Retelling (Greek)
• Science Fic
• Urban Fantasy
• Fantasy
• Contemporary Fic

Tropes and Themes:

• Goddess Persephone Retelling
• Power Incontinence, Unstable Power Girl
• Disappeared Dad Trope

It’s short for Persephone, a goddess who went out picking flowers one day and wound up married to the god of death because she ate some pomegranate seeds. My parents either read way too much Greek mythology or not nearly enough.”

Persephone: A Short Story

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I’ll admit, this cover stunned me with the gorgeous pomegranate, referencing Greek Goddess Persephone, and other lovely whimsical elements, like the moss, twigs, butterfly, and more!

I’ve always had a fascination with Greek Mythology, Gods, and Godessses, and the intensity of their stories. I just had to borrow this read from Prime, reading the Into Shadow collection out of order, (as per usual).

Persephone is a less-than-popular high school girl in contemporary society who has a gift, or possibly even a curse — she’s not sure, and before her father disappeared, he hadn’t made that clear, either.

Unlike me, he always believed in me. He always told me I was special, that I had a gift, and I just had to wait till I grew up to find out what it was.”

Persephone: A Short Story

I didn’t ask for much. All I wanted was a part in the Winter Plays, even if it was an old- lady part. And I wanted a book bag without any rats in it. And I wanted to know where my dad was.”

Persephone: A Short Story

As mentioned, this is a coming-of-age (or rage) story and although this is a short read, I was disappointed that her magic was never truly explained; it just happened like a thunderclap headache and she was whisked away in a hush, hush / nothing to see here fashion. It’s unfortunate this wasn’t drawn out further.

I still didn’t know if it was a gift or a curse, I didn’t choose it, but it was mine, it was who I was. No returns. No going back.”

Persephone: A Short Story

I liked the FMC, Persephone, and the setting of Lexington, Massachusetts! As a Massachusetts resident myself, I enjoyed seeing my state represented. Definitely saw that sarcastic sense of humor representative of the North East in Persephone, making her a likable character and even a little bit relatable.

But I would be free, and I would be myself. Show me those f_cking pomegranate seeds, I thought. Come on. I’ll eat every last one of them.”

Persephone: A Short Story

About the Author:

The Lover, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Book Review

“Love! What a simple word that could not encompass her feelings, so deep and turbulent she feared she’d drown just by looking at him. Her every waking hour was yearning; the nights were sleepless sorrow. From the first moment he’d spoken to her, she’d loved him, then had to endure the agony of his loss. Now she knew a new agony, both the pleasure of his embrace and the weight of sin.”

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Book Review:

The Lover, by the NY Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, is a whimsical, poetically written – yet tragic – novella about forbidden love, “sinful” lust, and beastly vengeance.

I loved the opening scene and first line. I was immediately hooked:

“She’d always known her lover would come from beyond the forest. It was foretold when she cast a divination spell.”

This novella has a bit of a winter-core/cottage-core vibe with a sprinkle of Cinderella. The ending was fantastic and completely unexpected. Thank you, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, for crafting such an entertaining, enchanting, and well written story. I’ll be thinking of this one for awhile!

Also, get a look at that cover… just WOW. I could frame it!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181478167-the-lover

AWRW Book Review: Feral, A Dark Paranormal Fantasy by Author Lucretia Stanhope @Dianas58 #PNR

Why are werewolves going missing? When a frustrated alpha requests the aid of the Paranormal Peacekeepers, a new partnership is formed. Alice and Amarok are assigned to get in and get answers before the pack problems bleed into the lives of the townspeople.

Prisoner or ambassador? As a hybrid, Alice is still struggling with what her place is at the Paranormal Peacekeepers when she is assigned her first mission and given her permanent partner. Before she can find out who is responsible for the missing werewolves, she has to commit to the job and ignore the voice in her head telling her use the mission as a chance to escape.

Loyal ambassador and former member of the para-military. Amarok is still broken from the death of his partner when he is assigned to work with new recruit, Alice. While he will vet her, and make sure she is safely returned to the Paranormal Peacekeepers, the bond of partnership means something to him that blurs the lines of following orders.

The mission takes them to emotional places they never imagined and tests the limits of their supernatural abilities. To solve the mystery of where the werewolves have gone they will need to redefine themselves and come together as a team.

Add to your Goodreads TBR

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Series: Paranormal Peacekeepers

Published: May 1, 2018

Kindle: 211 Pages

99 Cents at time of posting! (6/8/18) Grab this book while this Kindle Countdown Deal is hot!

Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited! (Subscribers only)

AWRW Rating: 4/5 Stars

I jumped in late in the Paranormal Peacekeepers Series, not realizing that Feral was book two. Whoops! However, this wasn’t a problem at all for me because right off the bat the world Stanhope created was clearly defined. And what a wondrous world it was.

I immediately liked Alice and Amarok (aren’t those names great?) and was excited to see where their mission would take them. I also had mixed feelings at first, much like Alice, about whether or not she should proceed with the adventure, or just try like heck to escape.

I learned soon that I needn’t worry about Alice. 🙂

Feral is part dark fantasy, part horror, and even part romance. It’s the best of all three worlds rolled into one! The descriptions were vivid and imaginative. And I absolutely love the cover. I recommend this read to fans of dark paranormal romance. It has just enough sweetness (awww petting) to balance the darkness. And the happily-for-now ending was a nice touch.

A good read.

LUCRETIA STANHOPE is the award-winning author of The Elemental Witch Trials series, featuring witches and vampires in an eternal struggle for power. She also writes horror, and paranormal romance.
Say hello on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/diana.stanhope to connect and keep up to date with new releases, crochet projects, pets, random musings, and whatever else has her attention on any given day.

 

Cover Reveal of 📖🏈💋#ScoringTheQuarterback, an “Epic Frenemies to Lovers Romance” by @AuthorSMSoto #coverreveal #preorder #romance #amreading #awellreadwomanblog

Cover Reveal

Scoring The Quarterback, A San Diegan Novel

by S.M. Soto

Scoring the Quarterback (San Diegan Series #2) releasing May 15th ❤️🖤

Photographer: Lindee Robinson

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Designs

GC Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/romanceauthorsmsoto/

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📖🏈💋Preorder Links📖🏈💋

US ➜ https://amzn.to/2IorZUz

UK ➜ https://amzn.to/2Gt3VDH

CA ➜ https://amzn.to/2q1dGyA

AU ➜ https://amzn.to/2uObqiS

B&N ➜ http://bit.ly/2GUIJFQ

Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2GtOG9y

Goodreads → https://goo.gl/ujoRNR

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📚Blurb📚

An epic Frenemies to lovers romance.

Luke Caldwell has three abhorrent qualities to him:

1) He’s a pig-headed jock.
2) He’s a grade A asshole with the biggest, overbearing ego.
3) He’s a manwhore.

These three qualities alone should’ve had me running for the hills. I tried to steer clear of him, I really did, but it was an impossible feat. Luke Caldwell was nothing if not persistent and the way he bulldozed through my life, not taking no for an answer is proof of it.

I tried to stay away from him.

I wanted to hate him. But I couldn’t.

Luke was nothing like the idiot jock I pegged him out to be. He became a friend, a confidant, and after one unforgettable night, he became so much more.
Whatever this is between us, it’s impossible to ignore. I just hope when all is said and done, I won’t be burned by the college bad boy.

Scoring the Quarterback is book two in the San Diegan Series, a series of Standalone novels.

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Here’s what people are saying about 📖🏈💋 #ScoringtheQuarterback:

“This book is a page turner for all the college romance lovers out there, I read this book in one sitting and would highly suggest it. S.M Soto brings the perfect amount of angst with sweet.” – USA Today Best Selling Author T.L Smith

“The best sports romance I’ve read this past year!” – Holly S. Roberts author of the USA TODAY Best-Selling novel “Play”

OMG This book was absolutely amazing I loved it. Luke and Natalia are a perfect pair. Their witty banter back and forth and the angst. I could not put it down. Devoured this book in one night. – Once Upon A Romance Blog

“I literally read this cover to cover in one day. There wasn’t a moment when I could put it down. Soto created characters and a relationship that was so addictive I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading until the last page was turned. This is a new author I discovered and based on this novel alone, it won’t be the last time I one click her books. If you love a sport romance with some friends to lovers spread throughout then make sure you one click this one. You won’t walk away disappointed!” – Emily from Southern Vixens Book Obsessions

“You remember the first time you read a NA book that just made you so freaking excited and addicted to the genre and you couldn’t get enough. The very first one. That first time feeling that is thrilling and every reader wants to repeat.

This is it.

I was holding my breath and falling in love with this book. I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve missed this feeling so much and will be forever devoted to SM Soto for giving it to me!” – Fiona Cole

Book Review of Jagged Heart (Broken Bottles 3) by Pamela Taeuffer @pamelataeuffer #YaLitChat #YALit #bookreview

 

Swept into a romance with professional baseball player, Ryan Tilton, we’ve just had an evening of dreams—until I wouldn’t have sex with him. I couldn’t risk it. To me, sex means marriage. It means love and forever. I tried to explain. I didn’t hide it. But to him, it means love, acceptance, and that he wouldn’t be abandoned the same way he was when a boy of fourteen and his father was killed in the Middle East. He’s pleaded with me to tell him my feelings and openly tells me he loves me. I can’t repeat the words. Once I do, he’ll abandon me just like my parents—discounting my feelings because they can’t deal with their own. I couldn’t risk it. I knew he’d leave.
Dad battles his alcoholism. Mom embraces her co-dependency. They’ve gambled with their daughters’ mental and physical safety multiple times over the years.

I’m at a crossroads trying to understand this threshold of being an adult, yet emerging from childhood. It’s as if a tornado has taken me into it’s roar spun and tossed me around, breaking me away as I cling to the twisted security of my family—even the word “secure” sends a shiver through me. I’ve never been.

Being raised in an dysfunctional family battling alcoholism whispers, stay hidden in the shadows, be safe, don’t be noticed or share too much.
I know this is it.
I need to take a risk.
I need to let go of old fears, forgive my parents, embrace intimacy and move forward. I need to trust—especially myself—so that I can transition into joy.

Genre: New Adult/Upper YA, New Adult Romance, Romance

Theme: Baseball-themed New-Adult Romance Novel

364 pages

Published May 19th 2016 by Open Heart Press

A Well Read Woman Rating: 5/5 Stars

Photo Credit: A Well Read Woman

Jagged Heart is a new-adult sports-themed romance novel about a young woman named Nicky who (reluctantly) falls for baseball star, Ryan Tilton. This would be a great thing except Nicky’s issues with jealousy and her fear of abandonment picks away at their relationship, threatening to destroy her chance at love and happiness.

I enjoyed this heart-wrenching read. Nicky is a wonderfully flawed protagonist who struggles with believing that she is “good enough”. The uncertainty and consequential self-doubt is relatable to anyone who has ever been in a complicated relationship. Her inner dialogue broke my heart.

Photo Credit: A Well Read Woman

When I began reading this, I was under the impression that it was a young-adult read, but quickly learned it’s more of a new-adult read, because the character is college aged, and her love interest is twenty-six. Since she is on the younger side of NA (18), it could also qualify as Upper YA. The romance reads more like NA and includes graphic sexual scenes.

This story ended on an insane cliffhanger and I tossed my book on the couch out of frustration. Fortunately, all is well because I have book four and I look forward to reading the next installment of The Broken Bottles series! 5 stars.

Add to your TBR

Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon, USA

About the Author

I write Coming of Age, Young Adult, New Adult, and Women’s Contemporary Fiction books. They are about letting go of fears, learning to love and forgive yourself so that your heart can open. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s in the baby steps, taking a little risk to be vulnerable and intimate, which allows us to transition into joy. Contemporary literary fiction, family drama, teen issues and and coming of age are my genres. I also have begun an Introvert Series that tackle every day issues of self-esteem and being overly bashful.

Growing up in a family battling alcoholism showered me with a range of lasting fears including abandonment, feeling devalued and not good enough to be loved. The effects of that childhood were obesity and being afraid to love intimately. I knew as soon as I opened my heart completely, my lover or friend would leave me. Overcoming those fears has given me a passion to take the serious traumas of life–alcoholism, eating disorders, and brain injury, and tell them through an intimate love story, showing my readers how these events change us. Giving rise to fears of making healthy relationships not only with lovers, but family, friends, co-workers and even our own children because they’ll shun us is missing out on the very essence of really being alive. Read more.

 

Happy Release Day! Indulgence and Temperance by @FayeHall79 (Sins of the Virtuous Book 2) #eroticromance

A Well Read Woman Blog wishes Author Faye Hall a Happy Release Day! Check out her latest, Indulgence and Temperance, book two of the Sins of the Virtuous. Congrats, Ms. Hall!

Would you abandon the woman you love for your own indulgence?
Beth Meridian has returned home, hoping to leave her sordid past behind her and settle into a quiet life. When her childhood friend, Hannah Raeburn, offers her a place to stay, Beth knows it won’t be long until she runs into Hannah’s brother, Daniel. What she doesn’t expect is for him to reignite feelings deep in her heart, reminding her of the kiss they shared before she left town.

Daniel Raeburn’s past is scandalous, his sinful indulgences allowing him more wealth than he could ever need. Still, he wants more, and his gluttonous appetite for wealth and women leads him to buy into a partnership at the local hellfire club.

When Hannah goes missing, Beth and Daniel follow her trail through the Australian outback. Witnessing the womanizer Daniel is, Beth flees on a cattle train headed north. Desperate to explain his actions, Daniel follows her.

Arriving in the small town of Jarvisfield, Daniel is shocked to learn that Beth is now the owner of the largest cattle company in the area. He’s even more shocked to discover that the preacher controlling the town, and stealing from the townspeople, is his once business partner William Maxon. He’s convinced this man is also responsible for his sister’s disappearance. When he learns William has Beth picked out as his next victim, Daniel knows he must do whatever it takes to make her listen to the truth. But she has no interest in hearing anything he has to say.

Faced with losing the two women he loves, Daniel is forced to choose between their freedom and the possessions and wealth he has hoarded over the years. But even if he gives it all up, he still might lose everything.

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence.

Excerpt

“What would you have me do? Pretend that this man chasing my sister is genuine and not some money-grabbing monster?”

“You don’t know him,” she tried again.

“Neither does she,” he said, his voice raised. “And neither do you.”

She went to walk past him, following Hannah’s direction out the back of the house. He reached out, his hand on her forearm stopping her.

“I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, Beth,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded as if understanding. “I understand that you love your sister. So do I. I shan’t just sit back and watch her walk into a trap. Nor shall I stand by and watch as her brother robs her of a chance of what may be happiness.”

“How dare you presume to know what I want for my sister.”

She pulled away from him. “I dare because I grew up with you. Every time your sister wanted to do something you always had to interfere.”

“She is naïve,” he told her. “Had I not taken control of her life, heaven knows what would have happened to her.”

She raised her brow. “I understand you need to protect Hannah against lecherous men. That doesn’t explain why you had to be her constant chaperone when she was meeting up with me.”

He lowered his gaze. “I needed to go with her.”

“Do you think that I would also take advantage of your sister?” she asked. “That I have prolonged our friendship only so I might get my claws into her fortune?”

He shook his head, his gaze cautiously rising back to hers. “I know you would do anything for my sister, Beth.”

“Then why did you need to follow Hannah everywhere we went?”

“I did it for you,” he whispered, the words being dragged from him.

“What?” she asked.

He smiled softly. “I played chaperone for my sister so I might be able to see you,” he repeated. “In the hope that you would notice me.”

“All you ever had to do was ask,” she whispered. Approaching him, her lips gently fused to his.

His hands went to her upper arms, pushing her away. “What are you doing?” he asked. Trying desperately to grip onto what remained of his control, he reminded himself that being here with this woman so intimately was far from appropriate. No matter how much he desired her, he couldn’t afford to succumb to such passion. Not there, and certainly not now.

She shook off his hold, her fingers hesitantly going to the buttons of his shirt. Slowly, she began undoing them one by one. “Do you remember the last time we saw each other before I left town?” she asked.

His hands went to hers, stilling her movements. “The image of you that day…” His words drifted off. He didn’t understand why she was acting this way with him, but he couldn’t deny that her movements were ripping at his restraint. He had always hungered for this woman, but now that she was there with him like this, he couldn’t help but wonder why. “Why did you send for me that day?” he asked, his words strained.

“I wanted to see you before I left town,” she muttered. Shaking off his hands, she continued unbuttoning his shirt. “Do you ever wonder what would have happened had your sister not arrived?”

* * *

*GET THIS BOOK NOW FOR THE DISCOUNTED RELEASE PRICE OF 99 CENTS – OFFER VALID ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME*

Buy Links

Amazon, USA

Beachwalk Press

iTunes

Kobo

B & N

About the Author

Come on a journey with me through 19th century North Queensland, Australian and explore the passions and hardships of unique characters.
There is corruption, deceit and murder, as well as cattle rustlers, slave traders and hell fire clubs. Explore townships of Jarvisfield and Inkerman, as well as Ravenswood and Bowen. One book even incorporates my great grandmothers cattle station ‘Inkerman Downs Station’.

As well as an author, I am also the most spoilt wife in the world, and a very contented mother.

Come and discover all the passion and drama of North Queensland history with me.

Social Media Links

website https://www.faye-hall.com

blog http://www.faye-hall.info

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faye-Hall/174774709247649

https://www.facebook.com/faye.hall.3363?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6882637.Faye_Hall

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Never Too Late by Author Robyn Carr @RCarrWriter #bookreview #amreading #womensfiction #awellreadwomanbog

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr examines the lives of three sisters as they step beyond the roles of wife, mother, daughter and discover the importance of being a woman first. 

Clare Wilson is starting over. She’s had it with her marriage to a charming serial cheater. Even her own son thinks she’s given his father too many chances. With the support of her sisters, Maggie and Sarah, she’s ready to move on. Facing her fortieth birthday, Clare is finally feeling the rush of unadulterated freedom.

But when a near-fatal car accident lands Clare in the hospital, her life takes another detour. While recovering, Clare realizes she has the power to choose her life’s path. The wonderful younger police officer who witnessed her crash is over the moon for her. A man from her past stirs up long-buried feelings. Even her ex is pining for her. With enthusiasm and a little envy, her sisters watch her bloom.

Together, the sisters encourage each other to seek what they need to be happy. Along the way they all learn that it’s never too late to begin again.

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: MIRA; Reprint edition (March 31, 2015)

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Themes: Divorce, Second-Chance Romance, Sisters

Goodreads

AWRW Rating 4/5 Stars

Photo by A Well Read Woman

AWRW Book Review

Photo by A Well Read Woman

Never Too Late is a women’s fiction with a second-chance romance subplot, by Author Robyn Carr. It follows three sisters, but the star of the show is definitely Clare, recovering from an auto accident, facing divorce from her serial cheater husband, and practically beating men off with a stick–all under her sisters’ watchful eyes.

I enjoyed this story and I especially liked the sibling dynamic between Clare, Maggie, and Sarah. Clare’s sisters, while sometimes a tad envious, were still supportive and loving, often handling tough situations with humor. I liked how this book branched out from Clare to their lives too. Sarah’s backstory was fascinating.

In addition to the bond between sisters, Robyn Carr explores the relationships between mothers and their children, and husbands and wives. There is a strong family theme in Never Too Late, classifying this read as more of a women’s fiction than a romance. However, there is a sweet romance subplot which I found charming.

Very enjoyable. I would recommend this read to fans of women’s fiction.

Special thanks to Harlequin MIRA and Katie Bird Publicity for the complimentary copy.

Purchase Amazon, USA

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. The third novel (THE FAMILY GATHERING) in her fan-favorite new series,

Sullivan’s Crossing, will be released in April 2018. Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

AWRW Book Review: Trashy Romance Novel by Jacqueline E Smith @JackieSmith114 #IARTG #BookReview #Romance #TrashyRomanceNovel #AWellReadWoman

It all started with a crush.
How cliché is that? I mean, of all the things to motivate a person to do something, how often does it go back to a silly infatuation? More often than most of us would probably care to admit.
Of course, this wasn’t an ordinary crush on a cute coworker or a charming friend of a friend I hooked up with at a party. No, I’ve never met the guy who inspired my books.
But I’m about to.

Delaney Brooks is the author of The Queen’s Surrogate, the “sinfully satisfactory” romance novel that swept readers around the world off their feet and into the fictional embrace of His Majesty, King Malcolm.
When her book is adapted into an eight-part miniseries, Delaney and her best friend Gemma fly to Scotland for what promises to be two months of lush green mountains, historic castles, and hot celebrity co-workers, including the gorgeous Matthew Kent, British playboy Benjamin Wyndham, and Hollywood’s hottest reformed rebel, Colin Ward.

Goodreads

Published October 2017 by Wind Trail Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction, Romantic Comedy

Print Length: 362 Pages

Rating 5/5 Stars

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Photo by April L Wood

 

A Well Read Woman Book Review

In Jacqueline E Smith’s tightly plotted contemporary romance, Trashy Romance Novel, Delaney Brooks writes medieval romance, hiding behind the pen name of Lorelei DuBois to protect her identity. When her book series The Surrogate is picked up for film, her and best friend Gemma venture out to Scotland where lo and behold, the object of her trashiest fantasies and the inspiration for her series is cast in a leading role.

What follows is a whirlwind romance set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands and a Hollywood scandal that threatens the identity that Delaney has struggled to keep.

Author Jacqueline E Smith effortlessly genre-hops from horror (Cemetery Tours series) to romance while still delivering the whimsical, almost poetic writing style I love about her storytelling. The setting of the Scottish Highlands was magnificent and the perfect backdrop for a romance. And the snippets of story within the story (The Surrogate) was fascinating and cleverly done.

I didn’t want this story to end and I hope to read many more romances from this talented writer in the future. Highly recommended.

About the Author

Jacqueline Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Performance in 2010. Two years later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Humanities. 
Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature.

Heart of Stone, a Steamy new Historical Romance by Author Faye Hall! @FayeHall79 #bookblast #histfic #romance #bookbuzz #kindle

Heart of Stone, a Steamy new Historical Romance by Author Faye Hall

Slavery, corruption, and murder threaten to separate them.

Isabella Miley is trapped. Her brother and protector is dead—murdered on a slave trader’s ship—and now Samuel Buchanan, the man she fears most, has papers placing her in servitude to him. When he threatens to make her his wife and offer her out as payment to all the men he owes money to, she runs for her life, and straight into the arms of Ruben Stoneheart. But before she can ask for his help she finds herself dragged back to Samuel and into bondage.

Ruben wanted a life far away from the blackbirding slave trade he was once involved in. He watched too many people die on those ships. That wasn’t the life he wanted. He wants peace, a wife, family.

When the Irish beauty Isabella ran into his arms, she stirred feelings in him unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Never could he have imagined her to be the wife of his once business partner, Samuel Buchanan.

Curious how such a wondrous woman could have ended up entangled with a brute like Samuel, Ruben delves into her past, eager to know more about this woman he’s quickly losing his heart to. What he finds is a slave contract with her name on it. Hurt that she would hide such a thing from him, he confronts her with an ultimatum—Samuel or him.

Isabella’s fear demands that she stays with Samuel until she can gain back her freedom, along with her family’s ruby necklace—a necklace Samuel is determine to have in his possession. But her heart is willing to risk it all on Ruben…a man rumored to have a heart of stone.

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

*GET THIS BOOK NOW FOR THE DISCOUNTED RELEASE PRICE OF 99 CENTS – OFFER VALID ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME*

 

This title will be auto-delivered to your Kindle on September 16, 2017.

Book Details

Print Length: 314 pages

Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc. (September 16, 2017)

Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian

Excerpt

He shrugged. “People will always gossip, Bella.”

She pulled her hand away. “Why did you call me that?”

“I didn’t mean to overstep my place, but I had to say it,” he explained. Reaching to her, his fingers ran along the soft, pale skin of her cheek. “Bella means beauty, something you most definitely are.”

She lowered her face from his, but not before he saw the blush filling her cheeks again.

“Please stay, Isabella,” he invited her again.

“I really must go,” she said, hesitantly leaning into him and kissing him on the cheek near his lips. “Thank you again, Ru,” she uttered softly before turning and stepping away from him.

She had just reached the door when she glanced back at him. “Bellymena.”

“What?” he asked, confused by what she had just said.

She smiled. “You asked where I grew up in Ireland. I grew up in Bellymena.”

Watching her leave his office, Ruben knew he wanted more than anything to see this woman again. There was something about her that was so hypnotic.

Driven by the need to know she was now safe from the men chasing her, he followed her from his office and back into the alleys that led to town.

Losing sight of her momentarily, his steps quickened. Hearing a scream up ahead, he ran toward it. As he rounded the corner, he saw her being captured by two burly men; men he had seen act as deckhands on his father’s blackbirding ships.

“You’re a slippery little thing, aren’t you?” he heard a familiar voice say as a third man approached a very terrified-looking Bella.

His gaze going to the man who had spoken, his gut clenched.

“Let me go, Samuel,” she yelled. “Please let me go.”

Hiding in the shadows of the alley, Ruben watched as the old sailor walked toward her. He couldn’t believe the woman he had just been with was connected to the same man he was trying to prove a criminal. Samuel stopped in front of Isabella, his hands going to her chin, and Ruben found himself wondering exactly what kind of relationship lay between these two. As the older man’s lips connected to her, he couldn’t ignore her struggle to be free.

“I will never let you go,” Samuel said when his lips finally left hers. “Without your brother here to protect you, you are mine to do with as I please.”

Thinking now was the time he should again jump to this woman’s rescue, Ruben started to step around the corner toward those holding her captive. He’d only taken a few steps when a carriage pulled up and Samuel threw her inside before turning to his henchmen.

“Find Ruben and convince him to give me that ruby necklace. Now!” he ordered before instructing the driver to take off quickly.

Cursing himself a coward for not going to Bella’s rescue earlier, he kicked the earth beneath his feet. Everywhere he turned it seemed Samuel was there, his deception bleeding into every inch of his life.

Even Isabella. But how was she connected to this evil man?

About the Author

Faye Hall is a published author of Historical Erotic Romance novels & e-books. Faye’s passion driven, mystery filled books are set in small townships of North Queensland, Australia during the late 1800’s.

Each of her novels bring something symbolically Australian to her readers, from Aboriginal herbal remedies, to certain gemstones naturally only found in this part of the world.

Each of her books tell of a passionate connection between the hero and heroine, surrounded and threatened by deceit, scandal, theft and sometimes even murder.

These romances swerve from the traditional romances as Faye aims to give her readers so much more intrigue, whilst also revealing the hidden histories of rural townships of North Queensland. 

Faye finds her inspiration from the histories of not only the township she grew up in, but the many surrounding it. She also bases most of her characters on people she has met in her life. 

Faye was able to live her own passion driven romance, marrying the love of her life after a whirlwind romance in 2013. Together they are raising their 9 children in a remote country town in northern Queensland, Australia.

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AWRW Book Review: Without A Conscious… by Author James William Peercy @JamesWPeercy #mystery #suspense #bookreview #IARTG

Photo Credit: April L Wood

Without A Conscious… by James William Peercy

They tried to kill a nation.

Revenge and genocide, is that even possible?

Walk into the arena of ‘Without A Conscious…’ where an unsuspecting college student is dragged into a world he never knew. Under a ruthless plot carried out in the name of progress and greed, our nation is attacked. Hindered from the truth by those in power, it’s a fight for the right to survive.

When Cliff finds a photo of his murdered grandmother under the door of his apartment, his whole world explodes. Haunted by a mysterious caller, hunted by an unknown murderer, this mystery drags an ordinary college boy into a foul formula for genocide.

With only twenty-four hours to deliver what the caller wants, without knowing what it is, Cliff encounters a seductive temptress, a helpful turncoat, a broken heart, and a mystery which started in 1950.

Do you dare?

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction

Themes: Murder Mystery, Romance, Government Conspiracy, Blackmail

Series: A Cliff Fulton Mystery Book (1)

Published by Hydra Publications: October 2013

Add to your Goodreads TBR List

Rating: 5/5 Stars

“Dear Cliff, If you are reading this letter, it can only be because I have passed away.”

Cliff’s Grandmother has been killed… his family has been threatened… he’s being hunted, blackmailed, and amidst it all, he falls in love.

Without A Conscious, by Author James William Peercy, moves like a tornado. The story takes place in only a few short days, and in those few days college student Cliff is dragged into a mystery threatening America, that began in 1950, all while mourning the passing of his beloved Grandmother–a woman who was privy to these deadly secrets and was killed for her knowledge.

The action begins right away, when he discovers the letter his Grandmother left him. This letter prompts a wild goose chase–a dangerous mission that leads to multiple shocking discoveries.

The writing is smooth and the characters complex. Cliff’s eagerness to protect those around him is endearing, and what I liked about him the most. I don’t often read novels with a male protagonist, but this was a refreshing change.

Without A Conscious is a wild ride, sure to delight fans of mystery and suspense! 5/5 Stars.

Please consider supporting this hard working author by purchasing Without A Conscious on Amazon, or your favorite book retailer of choice. At the time of this posting, Without A Conscious is FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

About The Author

 

“You’ll never make money being a writer.” Those words were told to me in middle school. “Pick another career.”

Not knowing any better, I did. I chose a major in computer science with a minor in math. After graduation, I went on to start my own computer company.

In 2011, I turned to my wife and told her, “I’ve done the computer thing and have been writing all these years. I could not stop. I am ready to be published.”

I was about to go the self-publishing method when I was invited to a pitch the publisher event in Indiana. The publishers attending not only liked the books I presented, but they picked them up. I have been writing and publishing books ever since.

Some of the stories you will see were written years ago. A great story stands the test of time. Others have been freshly minted from my own mind.

So what was the book which first caught that middle school student’s attention? ‘The Red Planet’ by Robert A. Heinlein. From that point on, I could not get enough. As the ideas filled my head, I had to find a way to let them out.

Whether it is Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, or Poetry, you’ll see all kinds from me.

I hope you enjoy!

—Goodreads Author Bio