A PaulB Review: Death Gets A Boyfriend by Sophie Bonaste

Rating 4 out of 5 stars

DeathGetsaBoyfriendFSAfter spending thousands of years taking souls, Death meets someone who might make his lonely existence worthwhile. Slated to take the soul of Thomas Neilson, Death for once does not take the human’s life. Months after a relationship develops between the two, Death is presented with a choice. He must either let Thomas die or millions of others will die instead.

Having spent thousands of years helping people move onto the afterlife, Death finds his existence to be rather lonely. He has isolated himself from the other immortals in Heaven staying primarily in his room during his down time. One day, Death hears the buzzer that signifies “the Boss” wanted to see him. Upon receiving his next day’s list, the Boss states that “times will change.” Considering his boss as a bit odd at the best time times, Death wonders what is coming along. Looking at the list, the name of Thomas Neilson makes Death feels something he has never felt before.

The next day, when Death goes to attend to Thomas’s passing, he cannot bring himself to stop Thomas’s heart like he has done billions of others. More surprising, Thomas can see and hear Death. This is the first time anyone has seen him and Death wonders what makes Thomas so special. As Thomas recovers from the accident that should have killed him, Death cannot stay away. He checks in on Thomas in the hospital and later when Thomas goes to his parent’s house. It seems that they share a love for novelty tee shirts and oddball comedies.

Back in Heaven, Death is once again summoned to the Boss’s office. Archangel Michael starts in on Death about having a relationship with a human, which is prohibited for immortals in Heaven, much less on earth. As Death starts to defend himself, the “Boss” tells Michael that this is part of his master plan and he cannot be upset over Death’s actions. The Boss once again states that times are changing and Death will have to make a choice soon.

As time goes on Thomas and Death become closer. They go out on dates and finally one night they make love. Soon after, Death is summoned once again by the Boss. He tells Death that Thomas’s death has been predetermined. Death must either let Thomas die this time while saving a little girl, or let millions of others die because this girl would grow up to find a cure to cancer. This cure will still be found but will take another fifteen years resulting in the premature deaths of those millions. Even though Thomas’s death would mean he would never see him again as humans and immortals do not intermingle in Heaven, Death lets the predetermined plan play out. The Boss summons him back to Heaven where he tells Death that a new form of being has been created called a guardian. They are humans who died heroically saving other people. As a reward, they will be made immortal and will be charged with protecting innocents on earth. The first such guardian is none other than Thomas. They are reunited and begin the rest of eternity together.

I loved how Death and Thomas bond throughout the novel. Thomas teases Death over his choice of novelty tee shirts. They share an interest in quirky movies. All the while, they have to recognize the fact that no other human can see Death. At one point, Thomas puts in his Bluetooth receiver in his ear to make believe he is talking on his cell phone instead of death. The date night at the restaurant was also well done.

I love how this was a different take on Death. Clad in mostly white novelty clothing, it is definitely not the stereotypical Grim Reaper. His use of modern technology like his game system to relax was also a fun twist.

The cover art by Christy Caughie shows the depiction of Death and Thomas with New York City in the background. I was slightly disappointed that Death was not wearing one of his novelty tee shirts but otherwise the cover was well done.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press    All Romance eBook      Amazon Death Gets A Boyfriend

Book Details:

Ebook, 139 pages
Published September 24, 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 978-1-63216-154-3
Edition English

Want a Creepy Quickie? Get 3! It’s the Bump in the Night Book Tour from Riptide! (contest)

CreepyQuickieBump_TourBanner

Feel that cold creeping into the room?  Getting the shivers?  Let’s welcome some frighteningly awesome authors here today to clue us into the creepy quickies they have in store for us all…

Hey, everyone! We’re Heidi, Kari, Laylah, and Sam, and we’re here touring with our three Creepy Quickies releases! Laylah’s bringing you Resurrection Man, about a man who will go to any–and we do mean any–lengths to bring his lover back from the dead. Kari has Mating Season, for those of you who love amorous aquatic beasts and mad scientists. And finally, Heidi and Sam wrote Blasphemer, Sinner, Saint, about a demon deal set in 1880s Whitechapel.

Originally written for the horror anthology Bump in the Night, our three stories span the gamut of the genre, from spine-chilling scares to stolen moments of tenderness to inescapable dead ends.

To celebrate our release, we’re giving away a $10 Riptide gift card! Just comment below–or on any of our other stops, all of which can be found on our blog tour page–with an email address to reach you, and we’ll select one lucky winner at the end of the tour!

ResurrectionMan_500x750About Resurrection Man

Necromancy means never having to say good-bye.

Consumption has claimed the life of Adel St. Claire, cutting him down in his prime. But his lover, Josef Leitner, isn’t ready to let him go. To get Adel back, Josef is willing to risk the anger of Adel’s family, make unsavory deals with a corrupt mortician, and challenge the authority of death itself.

Even if he can reanimate Adel’s body, Josef’s next challenge may be more daunting still: when a man returns from the dead, what will it take to satisfy his needs?

Riptide says “Have a free read on us! Get Resurrection Man for free right now!

About Mating Season

MatingSeason_500x750He didn’t believe in the monster of the lake . . . but that didn’t make it any less real.

When Danny needs a getaway, his best friend goads him into a week-long hiking trip. Who cares if local superstitions and old wives tales warn the wary to avoid the lake once summer nights turn chilly? The trails are still pretty, the wildlife just as plentiful, and the fall colors beautiful for the lens of Danny’s digital camera. Nothing sinister could happen, not here.

Danny was wrong. Assaulted by lusty tentacles that push his body—and his sanity—to the brink, Danny is then held captive by his best friend, betrayed for the sake of science. Unable to escape and terrified of the changes in his body, Danny’s alternatives are few. He will be returned, over and over, to the monster.

But maybe his future isn’t as bleak as it originally seemed.

 Riptide says “Get Mating Season here“.

About Blasphemer, Sinner, Saint

BlasphemerSinnerSaint_500x750Tobias Sinnet has left his boyhood days of sin behind him. As the caretaker of a boys’ orphanage in Whitechapel, he teaches the children to live by the word of God, keeps his daily prayers, and goes to bed each night with a clear conscience
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Until David, the boy who tempted him in their youth, arrives on his doorstep. Forced to prostitute himself to keep his younger brother in school, David has grown ill, and all he wants is for Tobias to agree to look after his brother when he’s gone.

But as they reconnect, Tobias finds it unexpectedly difficult to let David go—and, thanks to a mysterious stranger offering Tobias the deal of a lifetime, he may not have to.

Get Blasphemer, Sinner, Saint here.

CreepyQuickieBump_150x300Read more about Heidi, Kari, Laylah, and Sam by visiting their author pages at Riptide Publishing.  Go now and get your holiday Spook On early!!

A MelanieM Review: Hidden Gem by Lissa Kasey

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

hiddengem_final03With a past that haunts him with nightmares, Misaki “Aki” Itou became a “contracted companion”, a whore, in order to survive , leaving  his starving existence on the streets behind. Aki is a  psi—a person with mutated DNA granting him psychic abilities.  And that makes him both a danger to himself and an object of fear and interest to the government scientists of the North and South.  Only his contract and position as the “shining jewel” and  top companion at the Hidden Gem,protects him while making enough money to buy the prettiest, most sparkly shoes he can find.

Det. Shane McNaughton is a cop, the Head of Missing Persons,with a completion rate so high that no one can top him. McNaughton  survived the Third World War for one reason only, one he hides.  Shane McNaughton is a A-M, one of many animal mutations that occurred as part of the chemical warfare between the North and the South.  And while it gives him supernatural abilities it also makes him a monster when the virus isn’t dormant.  His secret is known only to a few and that makes Shane McNaughton one lone  wolf.  Except when it comes to Aki Itou.

For two years Shane has been paying for Aki’s services, both for Aki’s sexual favors and for Aki’s psychic abilities.  Always Shane has wanted more from Aki, and always he has been denied.  When several children of the wealthy go missing only to be found dead, its up to Shane and Aki to combine their powers to find the children in time and expose the killer.  But nothing prepares either one for the forces they unleash from the past that continues to haunt them both.

What a fantastical and inventive story Lissa Kasey has created for her release, Hidden Gem.  Complete with a complex back story for her universe that includes a World War III where the weapons were chemical and their impact upon the populace diabolical and disastrous, Kasey manages to paint a portrait of a world gone dark and deadly, full of dead bodies, camps, and experimentation.   That the descriptions aren’t incredibly graphic doesn’t take away any of their horror and impact.  Relayed to the reader through memories of several of the characters, those past events come across as fresh and terrifying, a vision that haunts the narrative from start to finish.

Overlaying the past like a infirm veneer, the present is a place of secrets, hidden agendas, and where a sanctuary can be the last place anyone would consider safe and desirable.  That last place, of course, being the Hidden Gem, a high level brothel known for its desirable male and female contracted companions.  Aki and Candy, his best friend and fellow high paid companion, are happy and safe within the confines of their profession and contracts.  Kasey lets us into the  intimacies of their friendship and the daily operations of the Hidden Gem.  It’s a fascinating world full of equally intriguing and memorable characters, not the least of which are Aki and Candy.  Aki whose dress and makeup never try to hide his eyes which give away the fact that he is psi.  And delectible Candy, whose mind reflects colored clouds and happiness back to Aki, is a jewel in his own right.  I only hope that Lissa Kasey has another story in mind for this universe featuring Candy, he deserves it.  The darkness of the companions pasts are always present, although pressed into the background or saved for their nightmares.

At the other end of society’s spectrum is the police unit headed up by Shane McNaughton, a cop who no longer considers himself a man.  He is also tormented by his past and present.  Only being in the presence of Aki, is that pain alleviated for Shane. Kasey makes Shane as fully realized a being as Aki, although his darkness and past are more fully known then Aki’s for most of the story.  Shane is a powerful figure and he moves through the narrative with a blunt forcefulness that can take your breath away.

There is a malignant center to this story and a mystery of the most chilling and heartbreaking kind.  Children are being kidnapped and  horrifically killed.  Kasey weaves her mystery thread through all the other filaments pulling together to make this an outstanding tapestry of a tale.  Its not enough that each character carries a truckload of pain and secrets behind them, the author also keeps in mind each character’s emotional, mental and physical needs as well.  All are juggled in a high wire balancing act that ends in an astonishing conclusion  that will stay with you long after the story is over.

I hope this is not the last we have seen of the Hidden Gem universe and characters.  Lissa Kasey has left herself plenty of room for more stories to come.  They and the readers deserve them.  Consider Hidden Gem and Lissa Kasey highly recommended by Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words!  Grab it up today and start reading.

Cover Artist:2014 Shobana Appavu.  Love the cover.

Sales Links:   Dreamspinner Press  Paperback     All Romance eBooks (ARe)      Amazon    Hidden Gem

Book Details:

ebook, 246 pages
Published September 26th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632161994

A MelanieM Review: Midsummer Baker (Midsummer #4) by Megan Derr

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

A sweet baker with spicy taste…

midsummerbaker400Marcell is Midsummer’s baker. While he works for his aunt in the family bakery, he’s the one with the magic baker’s touch.  A good and quiet lad, Marcel is hiding secrets  of the past and of the heart. Those of the past are known only to himself and two others reviled by the citizens of Midsummer.  Marcell’s life has not been without pain wether it was the loss of his parents or the bullying he encountered at school but the truth is about to come out and no one is prepared for the consequences.

The Withers Boys, Boyd and Tye Withers, are faerie half-brothers,  Their faerie mother died, leaving them when they were in their late teens but really she had abandoned them much earlier drowning herself in booze.  Known for their green thumbs and ability to always be in trouble, the Withers Boys have their own secrets to hide.

A stolen hideaway, a dark night, and  evil on the prowl.  What happens when all the hidden secrets are exposed?  Will Marcell find a happiness he never thought would be his?

Midsummer Baker is probably my third favorite of the Midsummer stories to date.  More a series of vinaigrettes than a cohesive tale, it still brings plenty of surprising layers and heart to this tale of love in the most unlikely of places. Each chapter represents a slice from Marcell’s life.  From these, we are able to build a picture of a sweet child who was the target not only of bullies at school, but someone worse.   Now grown, Marcell has harbored not only the secrets from his past but a hidden love that he feels will never be returned.  Marcell is such a sweet character it is easy to connect with him and his dreams.

The Withers Boys now have names.  Before Midsummer  Baker, they only appeared as references to mischief makers often in trouble with the law and various members of the community.  Now we get their painful back story, and they become not pests to be avoided but teenagers and young adults with a poignant sad story of their own.   Unexpectedly, there is a hidden connection to Marcell and the drama and romance takes off.  I wish we had more of Tye and Boyd.  They are great characters that deserve a  longer and deeper in scope story than this one.

There is publisher note included at the bottom that contains spoilers to the story.  It references the type and variety of love story found here.  I didn’t find it offensive but others might.  If anything other than a strict M/M squicks your bonnet, then you just might want to check out the note below.  Otherwise, I liked the story, love the series and want to see Megan Derr what happens next when Derr returns to Midsummer once more.

Categories: Free Read Gay Paranormal Poly Urban Fantasy

 

Cover art by Megan Derr.  Love the cover.

Sales Links:     Less Than Three Press       Amazon          Midsummer Baker  ($0.99)

Book Details:

Editors note:  Contains stepbrother incest and threesomes

free ebook, 18 pages at Less Than Three Press
Published July 19th 2011 by Less Than Three Press (first published August 29th 2010)
original titleMidsummer Baker
ISBN139781936202843
edition languageEnglish
seriesMidsummer #4

Midsummer Series in order they were written and should be read (available in print, ebook and audio):

Midsummer Moon
Midsummer Curse
Midsummer Law
Midsummer Baker
Midsummer Days (Print collection of all stories)

Glorious October and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

fall-clip-art-fall-clip-art-11This year our fall has been glorious!  The weather is perfect, holding off those cold temperatures while still giving us a taste of the clear, crisp air and blue skies that I think of when fall arrives in Maryland.  The Farmers markets and stores are full of Crisps, Cortlands, Stayman’s and Winesaps!  Am I thinking of homemade apple pies?  You betcha!

The leaves are just starting to turn here so I hope there will be plenty of color  around when I return from Chicago and GRL.   As we approach the dates for GRL, we are starting to lighten our schedule in anticipation.  It’s just temporary and we will be back up and reading away upon our return.  So many things to prepare for, think to pack, and get excited about.  So many great authors will be there and I can’t wait to hear about all the new books, events, and author readings that will be taking place.

This week, our young YA reviewer, Aurora, has her first review on Saturday.  I can’t wait for more of her reviews and fresh perspective from someone with much younger eyes and mind than mine! lol  PaulB, Barb, the Zany, Old, Lady and Sammy are well accounted for too.  How much fun is this?  But if you want to review for Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, we have plenty of room for more reviewers.  Drop me a note and let’s talk!

Quick Cool Announcement:  Riptide Publishing has a new Josh of the Damned story, Merry Christmas, Josh from  Andrea Speed, free at Riptide right now.  Go here to download!  If you love the Josh of the Damned warped universe as much as I do, this is a great gift to get for yourelf!  Do it now!

Now onto to our schedule for this upcoming week.

 The Week Ahead at Scattered Thoughts And Rogue Words

Monday, October 6:

  • Cover Reveal for Unicorns and Rainbow Poop by Sam Kadence
  • Morticia Knight’s All Fired Up Tour (contest)
  • A PaulB Review: A Heart for Robbie by J.P. Barnaby
  • A MelanieM Review:  Midsummer Baker by Megan Derr

Tuesday, October 7:

  • Skylar Wood’s Jade Book Tour and Contest
  • A MelanieM Review:  Hidden Gem by Lissa  Kasey
  • A SammyL Review:  All Star Virgin by Ben Raphael

Wednesday, October 8:

  • Riptide’s Bump in the Night Book tour and contest
  • A MelanieM Review:  Red Dirt Heart 2 by N. R. Walker

Thursday, October 9:

  • RJ Scott’s GRL Guest Blog and Contest
  • A MelanieM Review:  A Foundation of Trust by A.M. Arthur

Friday, October 10:

  • Andrew Q. Gordon’s A Closed Door Book Tour and Contest
  • Garrett Leigh’s “Slide” Book Tour and Contest
  • A MelanieM Review:  Accidental Contact and Other Mahu Investigations by Neil Plakcy

Saturday, October 11:

  • An Aurora YA Review: “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman

 

 

 

 

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Book Blast: Beany Sparks “Aiden’s Shepherd” (Book tour and contest)

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Check out Beany Spark’s release, Aiden’s Shepherd (Paws and Magic #1).  We have all the details, blurbs, and excerpt for you below.  And don’t forget to enter to win your own copy.  Details provided at the end of the post.

Book Name: Aiden’s Shepherd
Author Name: Beany Sparks

Author Bio:

Beany lives in Western Australia. She first started reading romance novels in 2008, but it wasn’t until January 2010 when her Kindle got delivered that the world of erotic romance opened its doors to her, and she hasn’t looked back.

With suggestions and support from friends, her muse—“affectionately” known as PITA—was finally able to break free, and in January 2014 her first story was written. Since she can’t put PITA back in his box, Beany has decided to give in and team up with him. Together they’ve made plans to write both MF and MM stories.

Author Contacts:

  • She can be reached at beany.sparks@gmail.com
    Or visit her at her website
    Or on Twitter:

Aiden's Shepherd - FinalTitle: Aiden’s Shepherd by Beany Sparks
Publisher: eXtasy Books

Sales Link:  eXtasy Books

Aiden’s Shepherd Blurb:

A man who never knew magic and shifters existed gets a crash course when he saves an injured dog.

Aiden Grey is packed and ready to move and start a new phase of his life away from the family that kicked him out when he was eighteen. The night before he leaves he sees something fall out of the back of a van. Upon closer inspection, he is shocked to find that it’s not the bag he suspected, it’s a dog!

Deciding to take the dog with him, the two set off the next morning to Aiden’s new home. Everything is going well for Aiden and the German Shepherd he named Lex. That is, until said German Shepherd shifts into a man who claims Aiden is his mate.

Lex can’t believe he’s finally found his mate. But as happy as he is to have him, he still worries about his brother and pack, and where they have ended up.

With the revelation that shifters exist, secrets about Aiden’s past come to light. Secrets he didn’t even know existed. Suddenly, Aiden has to deal with not only the reality of shifters, but also ghosts and magic.  But with Lex by his side he can handle anything—even his surprise guest.

Aiden’s Shepherd Excerpt:

He stood near the table, breathing heavily, stopping himself from opening any of the curtains to peek outside to see if the van was still there. Aiden had no idea what he was thinking with this stunt, but something was telling him to protect the dog. He just had to figure out how to clean the canine up without getting attacked, bitten or turning the light on and revealing to anyone who might be outside that he was awake and moving around.

Aiden took a deep breath to try and calm down, then gathered his courage. He took a few steps toward the entrance of the kitchen to see if he could make out anything through the glass panels on the front door, trying to stay hidden from view. He couldn’t see anything at first, but as he kept looking he suddenly spotted the shadow of a man through the glass. He couldn’t turn around and put his back against the wall fast enough, breathing hard once again.

Fuck! I hope whoever that is didn’t see me!

“What the hell are you doing?” A male voice came from outside his door. The man tried to remain quiet, but he was just loud enough for Aiden to hear him.
“I’m looking for that mutt, what do you think I’m doing? Picking daisies?” replied a second male voice in the same hushed tone.

“What makes you think he made it all the way here? It’s not like there’s a blood trail leading to the front door!” the first man said, sounding angry.

“This is the closest house so I’m going to check,” the second man said, then tried to turn the handle of the door.

Aiden felt his breath catch in his throat. He knew he’d locked the door, but if they forced their way in and looked around, what would he do?

“Knock it off, you moron. That mutt was barely breathing when we put him in the van, and you think he not only got up and made his way to this house, but that he somehow got inside it, too? How stupid are you?” the first man said.

“I’m telling you, man. There’s something about the mutt that doesn’t sit right with me.”

“You’re just pissed because he managed to bite you. Now come on, let’s get out of here before someone notices us or the van. We’ll come back later in the morning and have a look around. If the mutt managed to find someone to feel sorry for him, they’ll probably take him to see a vet, then we’ll get our hands back on the beast.”

“Yeah, I guess. Alright, let’s go.”

Aiden listened to their steps as they walked off his porch and presumably made their way to their van. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized they’d left.

There goes my plan to get the dog to a vet close by. Hopefully there’s nothing seriously wrong and he’ll be able to hold off until I can get us to the cabin in the morning.

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Tour Dates: 10/3/14

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Amanda C. Stone, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Fallen Angel Reviews, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Nic Starr, Jade Crystal, MM Good Book Reviews, My Fiction Nook, Prism Book Alliance, Cate Ashwood, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Havan Fellows, Carly’s Book Reviews, Iyana Jenna, Kimi-Chan, Up All Night, Read All Day, Velvet Panic

Contest: Rafflecopter Prize: e-book copy of ‘Aiden’s Shepherd’. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Use the Rafflecopter link below for the entry form and for all additional contest details.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A PaulB Review: His Sleeping Beau (Wickedly Ever After #2) by Jess Buffett

Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

His Sleeping BeauWhen Zanth’s car refuses to start on his twenty-fifth birthday, he didn’t realize that his whole world is about to be turned upside down. He will learn that the life he has lead up until that point has been carefully crafted to protect him from an evil he knows nothing about. With the assistance of his Guardian Liam, Zanth learns of his true nature and must return to his ancestral home in order to face his destiny of the leader of his people.

“His Sleeping Beau” by Jess Buffett is a gay retelling of the classic fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty.” Stephan is the leader of the Ignis Tribe of Mages. At the naming ceremony for his new born son, Aurelius, Stephan’s brother Malcolm shows up and curses the child. By the end of the child’s twenty-fifth birthday, he will prick himself on a sharp point and fall into a death-like sleep.

Flash forward twenty five years. Zanth Aurelius is having a really bad birthday. First, his car won’t start when he finishes his day teaching school. Then a stranger appears as he exits his shower. As Zanth is getting ready to defend himself against this stranger, said stranger says Zanth’s life is in danger and he needs to come with him in order to be safe.
The stranger is Liam, who is a Guardian and Changling who has been assigned to protect Zanth from birth. Hearing windows breaking downstairs, Liam protects Zanth, whom he recognizes as his mate, from the invading force while preparing him for a hasty retreat.

At a safe house, Liam explains to Zanth what is happening to his life. Liam describes the curse that was brought upon Zanth at the naming ceremony and the steps his family took to protect him. One thing that they had done was tell Zanth his birthday was three days before it really was. This was done to provide his protectors time to get Zanth to the tribe in time to claim his role as the new leader of the tribe. While at the safe house, Liam mates with Zanth but they do not complete the bond. They also are visited by the Guardian Elders, whom have an interest in Zanth claiming his rightful spot as the ruler of his people.
On the way to their village, the pair is attacked by a group of sorcerers which include Zanth’s ex-boyfriend. The ex has been working with Zanth’s uncle who is trying to make sure that his curse is carried out. With the assistance of the Elders, the pair manages to break free of this attack and continue on their way to the home village. As they rest at a motel that night, Zanth decides to complete the mating bond.

Once at the village, they find what amounts to a civil war going on. Several of the mages and guardians have sided with Malcolm trying to establish a new order. As the fight rages on, Malcolm takes Zanth prisoner and injects him with a poison that causes him to fall into a deep sleep. Liam takes on Malcolm, killing him in the process. Zanth recovers from the poisoning due to the love and mating bond he has with Liam.

The relationship between Liam and Zanth comes along quickly as most fated mate relationships go. Liam realizes Zanth is his mate when he is in danger. Zanth, who has not grown up in the world of fated mates, feels some type of pull towards Liam is resistant at first. Zanth accepts his feelings and the bond between the two after Liam defends Zanth from the various threats to his well being.

The author brings elements of the paranormal world not usually associated with your typical fairy tale. Adding shifters to the classic tale brings a new unexpected twist to the usual story. I also enjoyed the fact it diverged from the classic tale in that the villain takes a more active role in carrying out the curse.

This is the second book of the Wickedly Ever After series by JK Publishing. Each story is self contained. (The first book retells the story of Robin Hood from a female Robin’s perspective.)

The cover art is by the author and does well in depicting the heroes of the story. It shows Zanth in the foreground with Liam watching over him in the background. Well done cover.

Sales Links: JK Publishing         All Romance eBooks (ARe)      Amazon         His Sleeping Beau

Book Details:
Ebook:
Published: August 26, 2014
Edition: English
Series: Wickely Ever After

Series:
Robin and Her Merry Men (Wickedly Ever After #1) by Willow Brooks (m/f and m/f/m)
His Sleeping Beau (Wickedly Ever After #2) by Jess Buffett (m/m)

A MelanieM Review: Midsummer Law (Midsummer #3) by Megan Derr

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

midsummerlaw400Kirby Hindon is Sheriff in MIdsummer, a magical, supernatural town.  On the easiest day, the job carries with it a almost constant list of surprises and supernatural  happenings that most Sheriffs never have to deal with.  But one of the toughest parts of his job is notifying the next of kin when someone is killed.  That’s the Kirby is facing now. Hobgoblin Kerry Greyling is dead and Kirby needs to contact his brother as next of kin.  The biggest surprise appears when Kerry’s brother, Merry, shows up to collect his belongings.

Merry is Kerry’s twin brother but they were alike only in appearance.  Where Kerry was dark, Merry is light as well as powerful.  In fact, Merry shimmers from head to toe.  He is a well respected and sought after clothing designer whose clothes are just as unique as Merry.  What happens when a lonely Sheriff  who also happens to be a witch meets up with an equally lonely hobgoblin?  Anything is possible in the town of Midsummer.

Midsummer Law picks up after the events of Midsummer Curse.  All the towns people are dealing with the aftermath of Ferdy the gremlin’s curse and the death of Kerry Greyling, Ferdy’s ex and all round rotter.  It’s been left to witch and town Sheriff Kirby Hindon to notify the closest kin of the deceased and depose of the body and personal belongings.  But what happens next is as unexpected to those involved as it is just what they need.

I love the town of Midsummer that Megan Derr has created.  A place where all the paranormal and supernatural belong, its both a haven and locus for events and relationships of all types.  We’ve had werewolves and kind of weres, weres and gremlins, vampires and vampire hunters and now a witch in search of love in the most unlikely of places.  Kirby Hindon has always existed on the secondary layer of the other stories as a character.  He arrives to haul off the culprit or at the ending of a nasty culmination of events.  Now he’s at the front of his own story and we get a better look at a lonely man with never enough time to practice his magic.

Merry Greyling, twin brother to the nasty Kerry Greyling, is a lovely delight of a character.  A sought after clothes designer, he wears what he makes, along with artfully applied makeup in unusual color combinations.  He’s powerful, quixotic, and lonely.  Hmmmm, where can a partner be found for him?  Derr brings these two together over the death of Merry’s brother and let the rest of the journey to love fall gently into place.

I say gently because there is no drama to be found here, that occurred in the previous story.  This is just two beings trying to work out a long distance relationship and it contain the commonplace errors and miscommunications  one would expect of such an attempt.  It gradually works itself out along the way as Derr starts to fold in the characters for the next short story in the series, Midsummer Baker.

This is a very quick read with none of the depth of the first  two stories.  There is no mystery involved, just two beings in search of love.  I did love the surprise that was Merry and wish we had much more of him and Kirby’s relationship.  We get a few answers to some left over questions but that’s it.  I missed the variety of characters and the layers to the plot that the other stories had, although the romance is a lovely one.   There were also one or two editing issues.  A moment where Kirby looks at Kirby (it should have been Kelly), easy enough to catch and fix but wasn’t.

Midsummer is a town guaranteed to pull you into its stories and relationships.  There is so much to discover here and so many more beings to meet.  I hope Megan Derr continues to develop stories in this series.  I can’t wait for more to come.

Cover art by Megan Derr.   She does a terrific job in branding the series and yet makes each design relevant to the story within.

Sales Links:     Less Than Three Press            All Romance eBook (ARe)        Amazon            Midsummer Law

Book Details:

ebook, 46 pages
Published July 2010 by Less Than Three Press
ISBN139781936202294
edition languageEnglish
seriesMidsummer #3

Midsummer Series in order they were written and should be read (available in print, ebook and audio):

Midsummer Moon
Midsummer Curse
Midsummer Law
Midsummer Baker
Midsummer Days (Print collection of all stories)

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words September 2014 Summary of Reviews and Best Covers

 

 

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Summary of Book Reviews and Best Covers of September 2014

 

September 2014 Book Review Summary

*Key:
STRW S series
C contemporary
F-fantasy
SF-science fiction
PN-paranormal
SP-supernatural
H-historical
HR-horror
N-Nonfiction
YA-young adult

Rating Scale: 1 to 5, 5 stars is outstanding

5 Star Rating:

A Forbidden Rumspringa by Keira Andrews STRWCS
Aftershocks by T. A. Webb (PF2014)
Blown Chance by Havan Fellows (PF2014)
No Fae Is An Island by Angel Martinez (STRWFS)
The Path by Ariel Tachna (STRWC)
Yakuza Courage (The Way of the Yakuza #2) by H.J. Brues STRWCS

4 to 4.75 Star Rating:

A Rose by Any Other Name by Charlie Cochet, (4.5) STRWHS
A Suitable Replacement (Deceived #5) by Megan Derr (4) STRWFS
A Tooth for a Fang by Liv Olteano (4) STRWSNS
Bliss by Heidi Belleau and Lisa Henry (4.5) STRWSF A Barb Review
Elijah’s Ghost by Amber Kell (4) STRWSPS
Finally Home by Zee Kensington (4.5) STRWCS
Firestorm (SoulShares #4) by Rory Ni Coileain (4.5) STRWFS
Frankie’s Knight (PF2014) by T.A.Webb (4.75) STRWPF2014S
Lukos Heat by Megan Derr (4) STRWFS)
Midsummer Curse by Megan Derr (4.25) STRWSPS
Midsummer Moon by Megan Derr (4) STRWSPS)
Pulling Leather (Pickup Men Series) by L.C. Chase (4.5) STRWCS
Solitude by Anna Martin and Tia Fielding (4.25) STRWC
The Last Thing He Needs by J. H. Knight (4.5), STRWC
The Last Wolf (Sapphire Ranch Wolves #1) (4) STRWSPS
The Lost Weekend (Infected 7.5) by Andrea Speed (4), STRWSPS
The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds by Charley Descoteaux (4.25) STRWC
Wolf in Gucci Loafers by Tara Lain (4) (STRWSPS) A Barb Review

3 to 3.75 Star Rating:

David’s Dilemma by Rae Brewster (3) STRWSPS
Living Again by Brynn Stein (3.5) STRWC A PaulB Review
Men of the Manor Anthology (3.75) STRWHA

2 to 2.75 Star Rating:

N/A

Best Covers of July 2014

Forbidden Rumspringa coverA Rose by Any Other NameA Tooth for a FangDavid's Dilemma

 

 

 

 

 

A Forbidden Rumspringa, cover artist Dar Albert
A Rose By Any Other Name, cover artist Aaron Anderson
A Tooth for a Fang, AngstyG cover artist
David’s Dilemma, cover artist Jess Buffett

 

Infected-the Lost Weekend coverLiving Again coverLukos Heat coverNoFaeIsAnIsland_200

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infected: The Lost Weekend, cover artist Paul Richmond
Living Again, cover artist Bree Archer
Lukos Heat, cover artist Julie Wright
No Fae Is An Island, cover artist Winterheart Designs

 

 

Pulling Leather coverThe Last Wolf 400x600The Path coverYakuza Courage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulling Leather, cover artist/author L.C. Chase
The Last Wolf, cover artist Meredith Russell
The Path, photographer Ariel Tachna
Yakuza Courage, artist Reese Dante

Fall is here and the Schedule this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

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Fall has arrived and the countdown begun for GRL in Chicago, that Gay Rom Lit Conference.  Loads of great authors,  bloggers, readers and publishing companies in one spot for 5 days!  Am I excited?  You betcha, just over the moon. Last year I came home exhausted, loaded down with books and great memories and I am looking forward to more of the same.

Another new change here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is the author interview section.  We have had so many great interviews that I wanted to make sure they were available all the time.  Want to know the background for the Endangered Fae series from Angel Martinez?  Its there in a 3 part interview.  Or insite into Lou Hoffman’s latest release, Key to Behliseth?  It’s there as well.  I will be going back and adding more as I have time.  Check them out when you have a chance.

Winner Announcements:

  •  Winner of Rachel Haimowitz and  Aleksandr Voinov’s Belonging Universe contest is: HB
  • Winner of Kimber Vale’s Contest is Emily.
  • K. A. Merikan’s Men ‘n’ Guns Contest is Echo
  • Winner of Rob Rosen’s Men of the Manor Contest is Evey!
  • Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese’s Starling contest is: Issa
  • Moriah Gemel’s Contest: AND THE WINNERS ARE…

results powered by Random.org
Heather L.,Lori M.,Lovely L.,April P.,Jeanette G.
Roxanne J.,Jodi C.,Amanda S.,Penny M.,Zach P.
Sandy S.

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And now for this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words:

Monday, September 29:

  • K.C. Wells’ Confetti, Cake and Confessions Book Tour and Contest
  • Julia Talbot’s ” Georgia Knights”  Book Tour and Contest
  • A Paul B Review: Living Again by Brynn Stein

Tuesday, September 30:

  • Lee Brazil’s Keep Me In Mind Book Tour and Contest
  • Lisa Henry’s Sweetwater Book Tour and Contest
  • A Barb: A Rose by Any Other Name by Charlie Cochet
  • September Summary of Reviews and Best Covers

Wednesday, October 1:

  • Rachel Haimowitz’s Song of the Fallen (Counterpoint and Crescendo)‏Tour and Contest
  • Sean Michael’s Underground: Special Teams Book Tour and Contest
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:  Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf by B.G. Thomas (audio)
  • A MelanieM Review:  Midsummer Law by Megan Derr

Thursday, October 2:

  • Totally Bound’s Carol Lynne & The Brick Yard Book tour and contest
  • On Tour with Jess Buffett and “His Sleeping Beau” (contest)
  • A PaulB Review:  His Sleeping Beau by Jess Buffett

Friday, October 3:

  • Beany Sparks ‘Aiden’s Shepherd’  Book Blast and Contest
  • A MelanieM Review:  Dead Things by Meredith Russell

Saturday, October 4:

  • A MelanieM Review:  Red Dirt Heart by N. R. Walker

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