Saving Mr. Norcross

by Anna Hackett

She’ll stop at nothing to save him.

She didn’t think anything could scare her husband, the most dangerous man in San Francisco, but she’s found the one thing that terrifies him.

Fatherhood.

When Detective Brynn Norcross discovers she’s pregnant, she knows her overprotective husband needs time to adjust. When she’s injured on the job, Vander is tense, on edge, and distant.

She decides they both need a vacation. They head to Italy for some rest and relaxation.

But their vacation doesn’t quite go according to plan…

When Vander and his brother Rhys are abducted by the local mafia, all hell breaks loose.

There is no way Brynn can do nothing when the life of the man she loves is on the line. She’ll do whatever it takes to rescue him.

There is no way Vander wants his wife in danger, and he knows she’ll come for him. He’ll do whatever it takes to escape.
Oh, and he also plans to make the people responsible pay.

Review

The series Norcross Security is a good series. The novels in the series if you’re binge reading them become too formulaic in my opinion. The writing is excellent. The stories are good but if you’re reading them all in a row, the plots are somewhat the same. I do have to say, I like how the women tend to get themselves out of the trouble their in or at the very least attempt to escape. However, the sex scenes are very similar and the plot for each is similar.

Having said that for the novels, I read them once and I enjoyed them. They won’t make my reread list. However this short story was delightful. It was not formulaic but original. It showed the tough alpha males getting in trouble. Yes they work their way to getting free but there are twists and turns in the plot which are unique and a pleasant change of pace. I thoroughly enjoyed this short story.

Finding a View

Photos by Lara Zielinski

Poems by Aimee J Jahns & Eileen Troemel

My niece shared one of her many photo albums with me – I’m sure with no intentions of doing anything more than sharing some pictures. Well I paged through (digitally) her album. After a few photos, I grabbed a pad of paper and started writing.

Words echoed in my head as I stared at her pictures. Some of them came fast and loud and others whispered in the background saying – watch me longer. After I wrote a few poems (probably more than a few), I asked if she wanted to do a poetry book with me. Then I leaned into my sister Aimee and said hey do you see your daughter’s photos? They are amazing – want to do a poetry / photo book with me.

They will tell you I’m relentless…. I probably am. But they both agreed. In my head, her photos made this book so easy to write. I’d look at a photo and words spilled onto the page like spilled salt on a table. I made myself stop looking or I would have written so many more.

Lara inspired this with her talent and her skills as a photographer. She has an eye for creating a feeling and a texture to her photos.

Come wander through her photos and Aimee and my words.

Daughters of the Coven

Jan Selbourne and I co-wrote this new story!

Centuries old power and magic linger in a small town in Ireland. In a world where witch hunters lurk in the shadows, two women from different countries are lured from their safe homes.

Winning a trip to Ireland, Laura decides to travel from Australia to discover her Irish heritage. But as she delves into her roots, strange occurrences and visions haunt her, while a mysterious American woman introduces her to the world of magic and fate.

When a package from Ireland lands on her doorstep, Keira senses the rising danger. With a deep understanding of her history, she knows the evil which lurks within it. When she meets Laura, she feels an unexplainable connection and a fierce need to protect her.

As their paths intertwine, the two women must fight against the witch hunter’s twisted plans before it’s too late.

The Librarian’s Coven

by Kathryn Moon

From Book 1: From her first step onto Canderfey University’s campus Joanna Wick, the new librarian-in-training, is overwhelmed by the bustle of people and the wealth of magical information now available to her. Most overwhelming of all, she attracts the attention of three handsome professors. But Aiden King, Callum Pike, and Isaac Metclaffe are a coven waiting to find their fourth and complete their home and Joanna knows she can’t be that witch. She’s barely magical.

When danger crawls onto the campus from the edges of the Hand Woods, and irrepressible feelings crawl into her heart, Joanna Wick must explore her own identity and abilities.

Aiden has been waiting twenty years to complete his coven. Callum doesn’t want to disappoint his covenmates by turning down another potential fourth. Isaac has found a home with them both and only wants the best for his lovers. Have they found what they’ve all been waiting for in the skittish new hire at the university library?

Review of Four books

Kathryn Moon draws me in when I read her books. Written is the first book and Moon drew me into her story in under a page. I fell in love with Joanna and her library (I’m secretly jealous I can’t visit that library). Aiden, Callum and Isaac are lovely men who love each other and when they discover Joanna, they carefully interact with her so they don’t scare her off. The sex scenes are deliciously varied and different. The dialog is well thought out. The story is complex and not formulaic at all.

I’m an editor so reading books is hard for me because I want to edit them. I find errors in every single book I read. The thing is – if the author has written an engaging enough story, I notice those errors less. There were errors in these books. Having said that, I went through these book in days. I finished one and started the next. I LOVED the characters and the story.

This four book series started strong – grabbed me and didn’t let go. But towards the end some of the options became a little obvious – but only a little. Below is how I’d rate the four books.

Written – 5 stars
Warriors – 5 stars
Scrivens – 4.5 stars
Ancients – 4 stars

These are all good reads. When I finished reading the series, I was so invested in the characters I wanted more from them. I had more time to read (which doesn’t happen often) and I tried to read other books and it was a no go for me. Joanna and her men were too much in my head still.

If you plan to read these books, I suggest you clear your calendar and just read through. Get someone to bring you food and drink. After you’re done, you might need a day or two (or a week) to recover. I honestly wanted to go back and read them all again.

A Sanguine Solstice

by Alex La Bruyere

My best friend and I have been operating our local witchy emporium for years now, and we’re confident we’ve healed all manner of curses, hexes, and the like…

Until a gorgeous white-haired sassy vampire who goes by the name of Elliot walks in. In his nearly 2500 years of life, he’s bedded many people. But he seems not to be able to *ahem* perform. He’s convinced his ex-boyfriend has cursed him.

Unfortunately, there’s only one way to remove a sex hex. That’s through sex magic… and he’s convinced the two of us would make great bedmates.

Suddenly, I’m mated to a vampire, kissing my best friend, and wondering: how feasible would a time-walking spell be?

A Sanguine Solstice is an FFM dark paranormal comedy with a why choose HEA. Please review the notes in the front matter or on the author’s website. If you have any questions regarding any content, please feel free to contact the author for more information.

The Forever Rule

by Carrie Ann Ryan

What happens when the man you’d thought could be the one turns out to be your new boss?

Blakely

The moment I met Aston Cage, I knew my life had changed. A single dance later, we’re both all in. Until he ghosted me.

Then my boss fires me for dancing with the enemy.

Three months later, working for the Cages is my last resort. Now I’ll work beside him day by day, trying not to let my feelings take control. It’s heaven and hell. Except I’m starting to think there’s a part of this story I’m missing…

Aston

I made myself walk away from Blakely after my family’s dirty laundry hit the news. My father’s secret family complicates everything. In order to keep our inheritance intact, we’re forced to do monthly dinners with both sides of the family—the brothers I grew up with and the new set of siblings we never knew about.

An additional obstacle: Blakely is my new sister’s best friend.

Meaning the moment I give into temptation, I not only risk the woman I’m falling for, but the family legacy just starting to reveal itself.

But Blakley is worth it. I just have to prove I am as well.

 **The Forever Rule is a missed connection, workplace, big city meets small town romance featuring Aston and Blakely. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**

BOUNCE BACK …known unknowns

by S.K. White

Imagine living multiple lives, unaware there are other realities out there until you bounce into one yourself. Suddenly, you’re walking in someone else’s shoes, discovering the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Whitney Ann Rhodes once again finds herself in different worlds, faced with new challenges and dire consequences. 

Can Humanity Bounce Back after Artificial General Intelligence take over the planet? In the first bounce, Whitney bounces into Rhodes’ dystopian world, where AGI has decided that humans are no longer of any value to the planet. With the lack of regulations and enforcement, Annamata—AGI’s reining ruler—rises to power, and takes control from profit driven executives. Believing they’ve secured their own safety, the executives sell out humanity for the all mighty dollar. Can Whitney survive Rhodes’ perilous world living under the rule of Annamata, automata, and the automatons?

Excerpt

Whitney lifted Whitty’s painting with the four women and read, “Whitty’s Dream.” She placed it on the easel, searched through Whitty’s memories, and thought, Whitty wishes women had the rights and opportunities to do these things in her world. Whitney drew in a deep breath and snarked. “In mine… we just have to keep them. Unfortunately, our dreams can easily be removed by nefarious leaders in power….

Whitney lifted the other painting. “Protests. One generation fights and wins women’s rights, while another becomes complacent and elects’ leaders that take it away.” Whitney reached over and traced Whitty’s Dream with her finger. “Whitty, we all have to fight and stay vigilant to keep your dream alive. No matter the world you live in. Someday, the women in your world will fight and get those rights. But nothing’s guaranteed. We’re finding that out now.” Whitney eyed the protestor in Whitty’s painting. “Even today we fight to get back what others have taken away.” Whitney roared, “Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned. We must speak out and take back what’s been taken away.”  She touched one of the protestor’s signs in Whitty’s painting and said, “Like her. Rise up…

Trapped in Wonderland

Part of Club Wonderland Series by C.R. Alam

Welcome to Wonderland, where boundaries are tested and bonds are formed

Raul Rojas vows to keep his cousin Núria safe during her visit to Club Wonderland in America. A place of intrigue, mystery, and danger, and as far away from Madrid as possible, it was the perfect place for Núria to explore her ultimate desire in secret. Things take a turn when Raul ends up locked in the club’s Chamber of Curiosities with the enigmatic “Kitty.” But Núria’s secret may be at risk if he doesn’t play a risqué truth or dare with a hacker. The problem is he may enjoy the game a little too much.

Kate Bishop, a cyber security expert, never thought she’d don a catsuit and a mask on a job. But when she and the hulk of a man, Raul, find themselves trapped in a tricky predicament amidst a collection of provocative toys, she’s glad for the alter ego she’s adopted. Knowing the key to their escape is trust, can she convince a man accustomed to being in charge to relinquish control and surrender to her before time runs out?

Author’s note: This novella features two supporting characters from the Echo series book four, Dangerous Rhythm. Raul and Kate made such an impression while helping Lina and Curtis that I think they deserve their own story

Crazy to Dream

All’s Crazy in Love book 4 by Madison Michael

They Must Choose—Pursue Their Dreams or Pursue Their Passion

Willow sacrificed her social life, vacations and anything close to fun in order to save every cent earned as a project manager for her demanding boss. Its finally paid off. She quit her job, moved to the country and used all her money to buy a leaky, old Victorian mansion she’s converting to her dream come true—an elegant inn and spa with an organic farm to table restaurant. Just a permit or two more, a loan or two more, a hurdle or two more and she will have everything she’s ever desired.

Ethan is tired of being the baby of the family in the powerful Lyons Howe real estate empire, tired of being in his siblings shadows and told he can’t succeed. The enormous real estate deal and sports complex he’s developing will show everyone he’s a force to be reckoned with once and for all and make the company, and him, millions. It better. He’s put his personal fortune, as well as the company reputation, on the line.

When Willow and Ethan meet their hearts race. Willow’s not his usual type, but Ethan’s smitten. Willow thinks Ethan’s too full of himself, but damn the man is hot. The possibilities are endless and the chemistry sizzles. They cannot keep away from one another.

Only one problem. He’s blocking her permits and her Inn is smack in the middle of his development. To move forward, each must destroy the plans of the other.

Now they must decide and fast—do they pursue their dreams, or do they pursue their passion?

Madison Michael continues her All’s Crazy in Love series with another sexy, funny story of the Crazy Eights, eight smart, successful friends who agreed to an outrageous dare: find and marry a mate within twelve months or suffer a humiliating forfeit. And if you’ve missed the characters you loved in the Beguiling Bacehlor series, they’re back, too. Is Willow destined to achieve her dreams and win the dare? Laugh and cry with every passionate page of Crazy to Dream while you find out.

Secret Magic book 3

by Eileen Troemel

Secret Magic

With this story, I had so many ideas running through my head and I couldn’t get them down on the page. I set up the story to go one way and after years of struggling to finish this book I realized I made the wrong choice so switched it up. Once I did, the book fell on the page.

Secrets – kept will protect but revealed can be deadly

Blurb

Mallory must discover the secrets in Lins or Lord Exferd will take her life in his quest for ultimate power.

Prophecy drives Lord Exferd in his plot to kill Mallory in order to strengthen and ensure his rule for all eternity. The prophecy threatens Mallory, her unborn child, and her new found family.

To atone for his betrayal, Ovra must keep his secrets as he joins enemy forces in Lins. If his secrets are discovered, Mallory will fall victim to the prophecy.

Will Ovra be able to redeem himself or will his secrets cost him everything?