Book Blitz: Juniper’s Princess by Chelsea O’Neal.N

Posted in Book Blitz, My Family's Heart by Raindrops and Pages

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Juniper’s Princess
SERIES – Angel Crest Trilogy Book 1
AUTHOR – Chelsea O’Neal
GENRE – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – July 2, 2013
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 256 pages 126,174 words
PUBLISHER – Mirador Publishing
COVER ARTIST – Mallory Rock’s Art

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Daniah is different, she always has been and now her dreams and visions of the future are increasing, she knows her life is changing. She just doesn’t know by how much…

Jaiden is different, but he knows why and he knows his responsibilities. He must find the savior of his race, the angel human half-breeds who are fighting a war for humanity’s souls.

If he can’t convince Daniah she is more than just a little different – she is a princess of their people – they are all going to hell.

Unfortunately Daniah doesn’t have many reasons to trust Jaiden, especially when he is caught in a web of his own lies. In a world where half-breed angels walk among us, fighting an evil for our souls, Daniah must find the strength to become the princess we all need.

Chelsea O’Neal has a unique voice in storytelling, threading the characters lives together intricately to give us a complex web of good versus evil in a world descending into chaos…

16Jan2015

Book Review: The Best Laid Plans of Boys and Men by Anne Conley

Posted in Book Tour, Rating: Five Umbrellas by Raindrops and Pages

Title: The Best Laid Plans of Boys and Men
Author: Anne Conley
Published: Janurary 3, 2015
Publisher: Self.
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book to review by My Family’s Heart. All opinions are my own.

Rating:

Synopsis:
The Best Laid Plans of Boys and Men tells the story of the whirlwind May/December romance between Taylor and Alexander. While Taylor is completely caught off guard by Alexander’s maturity and the difference between him and every other boy she’s dated, Alexander’s busy trying to figure out how to tell her he’s the lawyer suing her pants off.

This is a standalone story of approximately 30 thousand words, not part of any of Anne Conley’s series.

I LOVED this book. The characters were absolutely amazing and well rounded, and so believable which is something that really makes or breaks a book for me. Alexander is an interesting hero choice and I love his interactions with Taylor. Their chemistry from the first page was apparent and it only continued to escalate as the pages went by. Their story was intriguing and intense, and really kept me hooked until the last page.

The main story line really raised some great questions when it comes to relationships, and the importance of honesty from the start. This is a great intense read, my only complaint is that I wish it was longer, but as with other great books it’s just because I was so into the story. I’ll come back to this story and re-read it, it’s that good. The emotions, characters and plot are believable. It’s a wonderful story and I want everyone to read it. This is my first story by Ms. Conley, and it won’t be the last.

Overall:

4Nov2014

Book Review: The Wolf by K.R. Thompson.

Posted in Book Tour, Rating: Four Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: The Wolf
Author: K. R. Thompson
Published: July 24th 2014
Publisher: –
Disclosure: I was sent this for review.

Rating:

Synopsis:
Before the legend of the Keepers, came the story of the Wolf.

Once upon a time, there lived a man whose fate would rest with two sisters. One will hold his heart. With her, he will find a love that will last forever, though it will come with a price.

From the other sister, he will learn fortitude as he discovers that she holds the power to destroy all he holds dear. For as easily as one sister captures his heart, the other will trap his soul.

Captivating and enticing from the first word, I was instantly hooked, and swept away in this story. There is a beautiful and authentic narration within this short and I really loved how it kept true to the Native American voice. The characters were well developed, their love and attraction real. I really fell for their love story, and the pain was so real when they were ripped apart. The Wolf is a prequel to Ms. Thompson’s upcoming Keepers series, and I have to say I’m really intrigued. Being a prequel it is a short read, but there’s romance, mystery, revenge, and one of my all time favorite things, shifters. Each page is worth it, and it doesn’t drag or linger too long on one thing. The history of the shifters is presented here, and it’s so neat to to see the world building so carefully tended.

Overall: A brilliant introduction to what will be an amazing series. Chock full of history and captivating details. It read more like an old folk story told around a campfire.

8May2014

Book Review: Night’s Embrace by Brandy L. Rivers

Posted in Book Tour, Genre: Urban Fantasy, Rating: Four Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: Night’s Embrace
Author: Brandy L. Rivers.
Published: April 2, 2014
Publisher: self

Rating:
Synopsis:
It all started with a song.

Roxana Nights was late to another gig, thanks to her first love, and drummer. It’s been years since she left Jordan, but he won’t let her go. Then she hears a voice that pulls her under a spell and changes her whole world.

Trevor Malone just moved to Seattle with his band. Music is his only passion, until he lays eyes on Roxana. He’s never felt anything as strong as the pull to her. Now he needs to find a way to introduce her to his world.

There’s only one problem. A rival clan won’t rest until they’ve taken Trevor’s down. Unwilling to let old grudges die, they target Roxy. Trevor will do anything to keep her safe.

Roxy learns that the world she writes is closer to reality than she ever imagined, and that not all monsters are evil, though some are ruthless.

Will love stay strong when the past comes out? Can they survive the centuries old vendetta?

I LOVE this book. This is my first time reading anything by Brandy Rivers, and I’m kicking myself for not getting into her books sooner. She’s got an impressive way with words, and her characters are to die for. Trevor is a great male lead, alpha male, without being over the top, and Roxy is a wonderful female lead. I like that she’s strong and can speak her own mind, but at the same time has issues and things that she needs to keep close to herself. Their chemistry together is off the charts. There’s insta-lust, but being that there are shifters/mates involved I’m not too upset by that.

This is a spin off of another series by the same author, but it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into the middle of a story already in progress. A few characters from her main series do cross over, and it just makes me want to read the other books even more. The story itself was great. There was tons of action, a bit of mystery and all around great writing. I loved Roxy and Trevor and how their relationship grew. I seriously cannot get enough of this book. I’m tracking down the other stories written by Brandy and I’ll be sharing them with you guys.

Overall: It’s a fast paced, sweet urban fantasy featuring shifters. Amazing characters and scorching scenes and chemistry between the two leads, plus it’s set in one of my favorite cities. I could feel the Seattle vibe and it made me want to go up and get lost in the city for a day (though at this point, it’s hard for me to get lost in the city). Great story and I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this for review.

3Apr2014

Book Review: At Their Service by Isla Munro

Posted in Book Tour, Genre: Erotica, Genre: Fantasy, Rating: Five Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: At Their Service
Author: Isla Munro
Published: March 7th 2014
Publisher: Etopia Press

Rating:

Synopsis:
Forced to be a maid to her family, nursemaid to her birth-mother, and slave to her step-mother, the only high point in Drella’s life is a new job at the palace. She will get to meet the handsome Prince Abran. However, Drella is not expecting to be attracted to both the prince and his valet. The equally handsome Oshan invites Drella to enjoy a night of passion with both men…all three of them together. Can Drella put the messy relationship between her own four parents aside and accept the love offered by a prince and his valet?

Prince Abran is heir to the throne of Erotania. He loves his country and he loves his valet, Oshan. But his passionate relationship with the manservant cannot produce his own heir. In a culture where family groups consist of up to four bi-sexual adults and their offspring, it’s not much of a leap to bring a woman into their bed chamber. But what woman will be acceptable to his mother, attracted to both men, and willing to put up with his arrogance?

Oshan loves his master and knows he needs an heir. When Drella starts work in the palace, he can tell that Abran is attracted to the pretty maid. But Drella has her own challenges to face. Can Oshan and the man he loves discover Drella’s demons and help her fight them and can a prince, a valet and a maid defy the impossible and find their very own happily ever after?

This story is scorchingly hot, well told, and an all around amazing read. At it’s bare bones it’s a Cinderella retelling. BUT it’s so much more than that. Ms. Munro builds an amazing world, full of fantasy and allure, creating an interesting family dynamic as well as world view. The fantasy world is breathtaking and I really fell so in love with the story. The characters are amazing, and I’m so in love with Oshan. (Sadly, he’s taken). Abran is arrogant, alpha-male and a bundle of yum as well.

The relationships are a pivotal role in this story. What I like about this, is that all the three main characters share the same amount of bedroom time. What I mean by that is no one is left out, no one is cast off when it comes to another person in the trio. They’re all equal, and powerful with each other and together. The sex scenes in this novel nearly melted my kindle. Drella is a component of the relationship between Oshan and Abran–she’s not thrown in there, simply because the Royal Family needs an heir. I really like that. I like that she’s welcome with them, and the way that their relationship evolves and changes. The people of Erotania’s views on sex are interesting, and I think it works well for this story, adding to the plot and the re-telling of a fairy tale, rather than a device for more sexy times.

I do feel that it wrapped up a little too nicely with a bow on top, but it’s nice to have a happily ever after, and this is a story that I’ll come back to and read again, and recommend to people. This is a story I hadn’t realized I had been looking for, but I’m really glad I found. The messages of equality and love between partners is amazing. It’s a great story, and I feel like I keep gushing about it, but I can’t not gush. Check this out if you’re looking for a great fantasy erotica piece that’s well worth it.

Overall: Steamy, swoony re-telling of Cinderella this melts right off of the kindle app, and leaves the reader wanting for more.

This book was provided by My Family’s Book Reviews & Tours solely for review purposes. I am not being compensated for my review.

24Mar2014

Book Review: Desire by B.L. Wilde.

Posted in Book Tour, Genre: Erotica, Genre: Romance, Rating: Three Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: Desire (The Seductors Series #1)
Author: B.L. Wilde.
Published: November 30, 2013

Rating:

The Summary:
Jade has worked as a Seductor in a secret organization for five years now. Her main job? To earn the trust of her targets and secure the object or information her company was hired to steal—by any means necessary. She’s damn good at it, too.

With five years left on her contract, she is handed an assignment that turns her world upside down.

Oliver Kirkham is the attractive, young CEO of Kirkham Industries, a weapons manufacturing company, and is currently in possession of some very important blueprints—blueprints that could change the way war, as we know it, works. He’s extremely focused and doesn’t have time to date, at least until he comes to the rescue of a shy but very alluring Jade Gibbs.

What happens when one night of passion turns into more? Will Jade allow her feelings for Oliver to get in the way of her mission? Or will she do what she was hired to do and secure the steal?

I’m torn with this book. It’s a great story with extremely strong, well voiced characters. But on the other hand it feels a little rushed and I’d really like to know more about Jade and the other Seductors. The author hints at relationships (both romantic in nature and platonic) between the various characters that work in this secret organization, but there’s not enough there to build a mental image of their relationships. I would have rated this higher if I could have gotten to know Jade and her backstory more.

However, I did enjoy this story. Jade is an amazing character–most of the time in this type of book the female character (main or supporting) is seen as a wilting flower, or damsel in distress just waiting for the hero to come in and sweep them off their feet. Jade has nothing of that, even while pretending to be something she’s not. Her interactions with Oliver were interesting, I liked how the ‘love/lust at first sight’ gave way to feelings, and compromised missions. [No further spoilers 😉 ] The character of Oliver was great too. An alpha male who went after someone that he wanted, but at the same time there’s tenderness and gentleness that I find isn’t in a lot of alpha-male characters. He and Jade are electric together and I found myself falling for them together.

The plot was decent, it worked with what the characters had set up, and worked well with the world. I enjoyed the ending. I won’t talk anymore about that, other than I really liked it and it left me wanting more. I want to know more about where the characters go from here.

Overall: few repetitive phrases, and a too mysterious heroine on the downside, but the story carries itself well and redeems itself slightly.

This book was provided by My Family’s Book Reviews & Tours solely for review purposes. I am not being compensated for my review.

4Mar2014

Book review: Dancing on Air by Nicole Hurley-Moore and Giveaway

Posted in Book Tour, Genre: Historical Romance, Rating: Five Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: Dancing on Air.
Author: Nicole Hurley-Moore.
Published: November 1, 2013
Publisher: Escape Publishing.

Rating:

The Summary:
Cinderella meets Swan Lake in this Victorian-era set story about a ballet dancer, an aristocrat, and their class-crossing romance…

Lisette yearns for freedom, security and love, but none are offered on the run-down stage of The Imperial Theatre. Instead she has hard work, a tyrannical aunt, and the hope of one day becoming a prima ballerina. Dancing on the stage she catches the attention of two powerful men: Lord Gainsworth and Lord De Vale.

Lord Evander Gainswith never expected to fall in love, let alone with a woman so wholly unacceptable to his family and his peers. The sinister Lord De Vale covets Lisette’s youth and strength, and is willing to pay well for it. Lisette may dance roles in fairy tales and fantasies, but the real world is about to intrude, bringing with it the harsh realities of life for a young girl with dreams of rising above the demimonde.

It took me about two chapters to fall in love with this story. It’s a sweeping love story, one of the first historical-romances that I’ve read, and it just took me away. Lisette is a strong character, who cares about the people around her, and falls head over heels in love with Lord Evander Gainswith. The two start a secret romance, meeting between performances and sneaking away in the middle of the night just to be with each other. It’s a very sweet romance, and their love is so real and true that I was rooting for them the entire time.

The romance while important to the story isn’t the driving force. Rather it’s the ballet, and Lisette’s growing fame within the troupe. She rises quickly through the ranks and becomes the prima ballerina after the head ballerina suffers a terrible accident. There are twists and turns to this story, mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing page after page. The villains in this story are wonderful. They are evil and non-repentant and I just love it.

Overall: if you’re looking for a sweet Victorian romance, look no further than Dancing on Air. It’s a beautiful love story with a great plot and great characters.

Connect with Nicole Hurley-Moore!

Amazon Author Page | Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY
$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This book was provided by My Family’s Book Reviews & Tours solely for review purposes. I am not being compensated for my review.

28Feb2014

Book Review: Going Nowhere Fast by K.D. Bloodworth and Giveaway!

Posted in Book Tour, Genre: Romance, Rating: Three Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: Going Nowhere Fast
Author: K.D. Bloodworth
Published: December 2nd 2013
Publisher: Planettopia Publishing LLC

Rating:

The Summary:
Leave your mundane cares behind, sit in your favorite chair and be prepared to travel the road of love, loss and no return. Travel down roads most women would never dare. Delve into the lost and found of life’s trials and tribulations by ‘Going Nowhere Fast’.

Going Nowhere Fast is a fast paced, fly by the seat of your pants kind of read. Dawn and Kelley are two pool playing, country hopping friends that live on the road and make no promises to settle anytime soon. Dawn is a character that is very passionate and daring. She gets into trouble, and manages to get herself out. She’s adventurous, progressive for the time period of the book (1960s and 70s) and is a free spirit. She finds love, lust and a whole heap of trouble within the pages of this book. It got off to a rocky start for me and I had a lot of trouble connecting to Dawn as a character but as the story went along I came to really like her narrative.

Overall: Not really my speed when it comes to books, I found it a little fast paced and difficult to connect with, but the book is nicely written and Dawn is a force to be reckoned with.

Connect with K.D. Bloodworth!

Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | WordPress

Givewaway!

$5 Amazon Giftcard
2 eCopies of Going Nowhere Fast

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

This book was provided by My Family’s Book Reviews & Tours solely for review purposes. I am not being compensated for my review.

2Feb2014

Book Review: The Palace of the the Three Crosses by Christina Weigand

Posted in Rating: Three Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: The Palace of the Three Crosses
Author: Christina Weigand
Published: September 20, 2013
Publisher: Muse it Up
Disclosure: I was sent this for review

Rating:

The Summary:
Brandan and Joachim have returned from the brink of Hell, but everyone questions if they are truly healed and one with Asha.

As each prince tries to readjust to life, they must face the funeral of their father and their missing mother.

They each take on the responsibility of ruling a country with new wives by their sides, but can they and the countries survive the trials that will ensue because of their choices?

Book Two in this series starts out right where Palace of Twelve Pillars leaves off, and it even includes some recapping of the previous book. I would suggest reading both, since there are a few details that you wouldn’t quite get if you started with the second book. The brothers have grown a bit more into themselves, and are now faced with burying their father, and the fact that their mother is missing. There are plots against each other, against others, with action and double crossing and just a little bit of mystery thrown in. I caught on quickly with what was going on, and a little bit on where the story was headed.

Since this is Christian fiction, geared towards the younger age, there isn’t any sex, gratuitous violence, and clean language. The allegorical theme does continue with this book. There’s magic and a bit more action in this boook than it’s predecessor, and it sets up for the third volume of this saga.

Overall I liked this book more than the first, and I’m interested to see where it’s going with the third book.

30Jan2014

Book Review: Palace of the Twelve Pillars by Christina Weigand

Posted in Genre: Young Adult, Rating: Three Umbrellas, Review 2014 by Raindrops and Pages

Title: Palace of the Twelve Pillars
Author: Christina Weigland
Published: 2013
Publisher: Muse it up
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this for review purposes.

Rating:

The Summary:
The Peace Summit was in shambles, the prince kidnapped.

When the rival king realizes he kidnapped the wrong prince, hostilities escalate. Loyalties to each other and country are tested for the twin princes of Crato, Joachim and Brandan.

Joachim, captive of King Waldrom, faces deception and betrayal as he struggles to find his way home. Brandan, at home with a father focused on rescuing Joachim, wrestles with his own demons as he searches for his place in the world and the favor of his father.

Torn from the safety and peace of their childhood, they are thrust into a world where bonds of family, brotherhood and roles as heirs to Crato are tested. Through war, spiritual journeys, death and marriage, will they choose the path of good or evil? Who can be trusted, as the world they know slips into a whirlpool of chaos.

Palace of the Twelve Pillars is the first in a Christian Fantasy trilogy by Christina Weigand. The story is complex and entertaining with heavy a heavy allegorical lean. There’s a story within a story here, presenting the battle between good and evil in a new way–on a fantastical world with twin brothers playing out the roles they’re handed. It’s an interesting read, the first in this genre that I’ve read. It blends fantasy and Christian teachings through story telling and characters. Character’s motives and roles are made clear from the start, save for one who is introduced later on.

It is the first book in a series, therefore it sets up for the stories that come after it. I would have liked a little more world building, but I’m very much a visual person, so the more the world is revealed through setting and prose the happier I am. The plot is multi-layered and full of twists to keep the reader guessing.

Overall: for my first introduction to this genre, I think it served it’s purpose.