Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Review: MASTER UNDONE by Lisa Renee Jones



First off, if you haven't yet read BEING ME, then go ahead and put this back on the shelf.  This is Mark's story directly after the events of BEING ME.  As this is a novella, it is only a glimpse into what is in store for Mark.
 
Mark is still in shock, but now has to change focus, as he's just learned that his mother is sick.  He flies to New York to be by his mother's side, and meets Crystal, a woman who just may be able to bring Mark in line and show him what love is all about...eventually. Mark still has a lot to work through and there are secrets in his past that are only hinted at.  

I won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, just know that this is a fantastic addition to the Inside Out series, and it's great to see things from Mark's POV. I for one am ecstatic that this series is far from over, and I can't wait for Lisa Renee Jones to dig more into Mark's story. I'm also thrilled that Crystal is no push-over, I'm pretty sure that she'll send Mark over the edge, but he'll be climbing his way back up to work toward their HEA, even as he resists a bit. ;)

This gets a solid 5 Rambling Hearts rating.
 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Elisabeth Naughton Swag Contest!

Who is interested in winning some Elisabeth Naughton swag? I have a complete set of her Eternal Guardians romance trading cards and an Eternal Guardians drink coaster (with a non-slip bottom and is very durable) up for grabs. All you need to do is tell me who your favorite Argonaut is in the comments!


Saturday, June 22, 2013

A glimpse of Donna Grant's latest Dark Warriors series: MIDNIGHT'S CAPTIVE





Rambling Reads would like to take the time to thank Donna Grant for visiting and for sharing an except of her serial,  Midnight's Captive, you can start enjoying the series now or you can buy the complete book on July 2!
 

Midnight’s Captive

ISBN-10: 1250017270
ISBN-13: 978-1250017277
Mass Market Paperback
Dark Warriors #6
July 2, 2013
ENSLAVED BY DESIRE


Laura Black knows her boss is a man of many secrets—haunted by some unknowable force, driven by some unspeakable destiny—and yet it makes her crave the devilishly handsome, roguishly charming Charon all the more.  When she uncovers a betrayal that will send her into a world of magic, she turns to the only one she trusts – Charon.  Even when she’s in jeopardy of losing her heart…



UNLEASHED IN FURY

Charon Bruce endures a relentless yearning to have Laura for his own, an ache he knows will never be fulfilled.  After the town he has protected for centuries is targeted by a ruthless Druid, he has no choice but to reveal his secret to Laura.  He must fight the deadliest foe he’s ever known if he’s to keep her safe.  But when Laura is captured by his nemesis, he must choose between winning the battle of good verses evil – or losing the woman he loves…


 

 

 

 

Charon

(Charon pronounced: K-AR-on)
The shrewd one. Forced to betray fellow Warriors by Deirdre. He has a life that’s been waiting for him, and he intends to have it. The fate of the world be damned.

Born: February 1365
Turned: 1390

God:  Ranmond, God of War
Warrior Color: Copper
Abilities: Disintegration of objects


 

Excerpt:
 

Charon picked up the shirt and turned to where a carafe sat on the table. Steam still drifted through the space in the lid.  He bent to retrieve it, and found his gaze locked on Laura.

     Her eyes were closed as she swayed enticingly to the music. He had wanted her from the first moment she walked into the pub and asked him for a pint of ale. 

     He figured with her English accent she was just a tourist passing through as everyone did, but when she had asked for his help in locating a room, he knew she had seen the beauty of the town as he did.

     The next day he learned she was looking for work. Two years later and Charon still didn’t know what had brought her to Ferness.

     She didn’t pry into his life, and he didn’t pry into hers.  Even though he was insanely curious at times. Especially when she would look at a locket she kept in her purse.

     Suddenly, Laura stopped and opened her eyes. Their gazes locked, and as always, Charon found himself arrested by the pale green orbs that stared at him.

     It was a good thing she wasn’t a Druid or Charon might give into his desires. With every Warrior at MacLeod Castle finding their mates with Druids it was difficult not to think about it.

     But he was better off alone. Not to mention, no matter how hard he tried to feel any kind of magic around Laura, there was none.

     She wasn’t a Druid, and he had seen enough death in his long life. Not even the lust that burned through his veins could change his mind and have him slack his body with hers.

     He knew it would be glorious to have her in his arms, to taste her kisses, and hear her cries of ecstasy, but he couldn’t stand to lose one more person in his life.

     So, whatever pleasure he might find in her arms, would have to be forgotten.

     The glass door slid open and she greeted him with a soft smile he’d come to expect. “I was getting worried.”

     Charon glanced at the deck. How much longer would she worry about him? There would come a time he would have to leave Ferness behind forever. The people he knew, the friends he had would stop thinking of him, and he would fade to nothing.

     Maybe that’s why Phelan didn’t put down roots anywhere and why the other Warriors kept hidden at MacLeod Castle.
     He thought he was doing something good for himself. In reality, he’d only made things more difficult.  At one time things had been so easy, so uncomplicated.  Where had it all gone wrong?

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Cover Reveal BLITZ: Elisabeth Naughton's HOLD ON TO ME

 
He thinks he’s finally found the one.
Mitch Mathews never believed in love—at least not the happily ever after kind. Then he met Simone Conners. Just one night with the sexy lawyer made him reevaluate his priorities and look toward a future he never planned. The only hang up is making her see it too.
 
She’s almost ready for a second chance.
What started out as a casual hookup with a rugged geologist has turned into something a whole lot more. Simone’s on the verge of handing over her heart, but fear over what Mitch will say and do when he learns who she used to be holds her back.
 
The past could destroy their future...
Just when Simone is about to take a chance on forever with Mitch, the mistakes of her past catch up with her. Suddenly it’s not just her safety on the line anymore, it’s his too. Forced into hiding, Mitch demands answers, and Simone realizes the only way to protect everything she holds dear is to delve into a past she’s spent fourteen years trying to forget. As they search for the truth, they discover secrets, lies and a rekindled passion that burns hotter than before. But they also uncover a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of society. One that could cost them more than just their future…it could cost them their lives.

About Elisabeth Naughton:
I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.

Years ago, my husband bought me Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With The Wind. If you ever saw the book, you know it’s a long one. I sat and read that thing from cover to cover, and dreamed of one day being a writer. But I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until years later when I quit my teaching job to stay home with my kids. And my husband? After that week of reading where I neglected him and everything else until I finished Scarlett, he vowed never to buy me another book again. Little did he know I’d one day end up sitting at a keyboard all day drafting my own stories.

My writing journey has not been easy. I didn’t just sit down one day, decide I was going to write a book and voila! sell my very first attempt. As most authors will probably agree, the path to publication is filled with hours of work, pulling all-nighters I thought I’d given up in college, sacrifices, rejections, but a love I discovered along the way I just can’t live without. Instead of a big, thick book to read by lamplight (I do read much smaller ones when I get the chance), I’ve traded in my reading obsession for a laptop. And I’ve never been happier.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a wonderful family and fabulous husband who put up with my writing—and obsessive personality—even when life is chaotic. More than once my kids have been late to swimming or baseball because I needed just five more minutes to finish a scene. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me. I also have amazing friends and a support network I couldn’t survive without. So to all of you out there who have encouraged me along the way, sent me emails and fan letters, phone calls and congratulations, I just want to say, thank you. You make this whole writing gig that much more enjoyable. I truly wouldn’t be here without you.

Author Links:


Monday, June 10, 2013

FINALLY it's here!!!!!!!! Today is the big day, release day for BEING ME (Inside Out #2) by Lisa Renee Jones

amazon
Comment below for a chance to win ALL four of Rebecca's journals 


This is NOT a stand alone book, you need to read book #1 of Lisa Renee Jones's Inside Out series, IF I WERE YOU (on sale now for $3.79 at amazon and for $3.99 at Barnes & Noble) Then I would suggest picking up Rebecca's Lost Journals Volume One: THE SEDUCTION; Volume Two:THE CONTRACT; Volume Three: HIS SUBMISSIVE; and Volume Four: MY MASTER,  they give a lot of insight to Rebecca and her relationship with the Master.


BEING ME picks up right where IF I WERE YOU left us hanging...finally an answer to what happened to Sara in the storage facility! I would say more, but I'm trying to be careful and not spoil anything for anyone. 

In BEING ME, Ms. Jones leads us on a seductive tour as we navigate Sara's quest to find out what happened to Rebecca, her evolving relationship with Chris, how Mark will impact her future, and WHO THE MASTER is. 

I enjoyed the sizzling passion that sparked between Chris and Sara, they are such a great couple...and Chris is just so HOT!  I also enjoyed the tension that Ms. Jones added between Sara and Mark, BEING ME resulted in me wanting more Mark.  And Ralph! I just loved Ralph, I think we need to try to talk Ms. Jones into putting more Ralph into the upcoming books--he's such a hoot! 

 This series keeps getting better and better! BEING ME answers so many questions from IF I WERE YOU, yet there are still uncertainties and unknowns that need to be answered, opening up this series to so much more! I canNOT wait for book #3 in the Inside Out series,  REVEALING US.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Where have all the cowboys gone...

Or gunfighters, pioneers, pirates, Vikings, etc...it makes me sad that the majority of historical romances I can find at the store are Regency or Victorian England, inspirational westerns, and Highlanders. I miss the variety of settings and characters I used I be able to find. Historical romance was the majority of what I would read, I would still read a ton of it I wasn't so bored with the UK. I hit up the UBS the other day to satisfy my need to escape from all the lords and ladies, and am getting ready to enjoy this gem I found. :)

UPDATE:

WOW, this book was awesome! And I discovered it wasNOT a reread, lucky lucky me! I wonder why I didn't read it before, I thought I'd read all of Catherine Hart's books. :)  This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster, I was BAWLING my eyes out by page 42, it was so heartbreaking and tormenting for the heroine.  BUT fortunately her pain was resolved and there is a well deserved HEA at the end.

I rate this a very emotionally solid 5 Rambling Hearts.
 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

What I've been reading...some quickie reviews


Jill Sorenson is a favorite romantic suspense author of mine. I absolutely loved both AFTERSHOCK and FREEFALL. In AFTERSHOCK you have the scenario of a catastrophic earthquake trapping EMTs, ordinary citizens, and a van of convicts into a small confined space.  Tragedy brings out the good in some people and the selfishness in others.  Throw in some romance and this is a rocking read that doesn't pause for a moment.  FREEFALL is connected, as we first met Sam in AFTERSHOCK, though he's mostly unconscious for the entire book, but it you will see how the experience shaped him for FREEFALL.  Jill is not afraid to touch dark, gritty subjects, without sugarcoating it all.  Bad things happen to good characters, and she has a knack for drawing me in emotionally.
 


Shiloh Walker is another favorite author of mine. WRECKED was a fun contemporary friends-to-lovers themed romance (I love that theme!)  Abby and Zach grew up in the spotlight together being childhood stars on a popular TV show.  Zach has loved her forever, Abby is only just now realizing how much he means to her.  While this book is more carefree that most of the other books Shiloh writes, she doesn't loose her emotional voice that I'm always looking for in her books. This book would be a great beach read...if you have all day to sit around on the beach, I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day!



I know. I know.  I've talked about SWEET REVENGE a few times here, but just in case you still don't know THIS IS A GREAT BOOK! So there.  Zoe Archer is another favorite author, I love her sense of adventure and the humor that comes out in her books. She always creates such unique characters which is a huge bonus! I love that she doesn't hesitate to give her hero/heroine a dark past, and not make them ashamed of it!

5 more days....the countdown continues...

Zita did a great job creating this for Lisa!!!!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Only 6 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris takes the journal from me and I have no idea where he puts it. It is gone and my jacket follows. He steps behind me, and I forget everything but him. His hands settle possessively on my hips, and his mouth, that delicious, sometimes brutal mouth, brushes my ear.“You want pain and darkness, baby, you got it.”

BEING ME, Lisa Renee Jones

Bite Me book trailer Release BLITZ!




Few people walk the streets of London since the zombie outbreak, but that's not an issue for Seth. As a werewolf, he can handle himself and save humans reckless enough to take a nighttime stroll. While on patrol he comes across a group of people under attack. The one woman brave enough to take a stand against the zombies catches his eye—and not just because of her way with a gun. Learning the beautiful woman is homeless and fends for herself only intensifies his urge to protect and care for her.

Maisie can't help but admit that she's attracted to her werewolf rescuer. She's drawn to Seth's strength and ferocity, and finds herself opening up to him in ways she never imagined, even though she's determined to not rely on Seth or anyone else. She doesn't want another person to get hurt—or die—for her sake. She has enough scars, physical and emotional, from the last time…

But when Seth realizes something is drawing the zombies to Maisie, there may be nothing he can do to save her…



Barnes & Noble

Watch the trailer HERE 




Series Blurb:

Award-winning author PJ Schnyder and Carina Press present a paranormal romance trilogy of zombie hunters, shape shifters, and survival. Love is hard...
The London Undead series: Bite Me (June 2013), Sing for the Dead (November 2013), and Survive to Dawn (March 2014)


 









Born and raised in the North East, PJ Schnyder spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every fantasy and sci-fi novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She scored fairly high in the verbal portion.

She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance a decade later by her best friend at an anime convention in Seattle.

She now lives somewhere temperate watching the seasons go by with her two dogs and super stealthy ninja kitty, writing her stories and gaming.


PJ's 

Monday, June 3, 2013

The Countdown continues...7 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I whirl on him.“I don’t want—”
“I do,” he vows, and before I know his intent, his fingers

twine into my hair and he pulls me into his arms, against his hard, warm body.

“Let go,” I hiss, my hand flattening on his chest. I intend to push him away, but the heat of his body seeps through my palm, radiating up my arm. My elbow softens, and I am instantly closer but not close enough.

“Not a chance,” he promises, his mouth closing on mine, firm with demand. His tongue licks into my mouth with one brutal, commanding swipe followed by another, and I have no resistance left. I’m weak, so very weak, for this man. As always with him, he demands my response and I helplessly respond. I am instantly wet and wanting, my nipples tight points of aching need.


BEING ME, Lisa Renee Jones

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Only 8 more days!!!!!

I strip away my clothes in seconds, and I’m pretty sure the art of  the seductive, slow striptease is

really not my forte.  I'll work harder at it when I want to tease him and not me. I just need him right

now. I need to be naked with him, all barriers gone.  I need him to know that I want to understand him

because he matters, because we matter.  Because life made me believe that what is blossoming between

us wasn't possible, but maybe, just maybe, it is.
 - BEING ME, Inside Out book #2 by Lisa Renee Jones