Review: Blood Veil by Megan Erickson

Blood Veil

by Megan Erickson

Blurb:


In the midst of supernatural chaos, worlds and hearts collide.

Celia: Having never known my parents, I’ve always felt like an orphan. All I want is a normal life. But after I’m attacked in my bedroom by one vampire—and rescued by another—it’s about time to give up on “normal” once and for all. Idris, the second in command of the Gregorie vampire clan, has come to my aid, but his motives for saving me are unclear. And what surprises me most is my attraction to his heated gaze. . . .
Idris: Terror. Curiosity. Arousal. These are the natural impulses of a human female, not the spawn of the ruthless Valarian king. Is it possible that Celia is unaware of her bloodline—and the power coursing through her veins? As the daughter of my archenemy, she was supposed to be my ransom. But how quickly the heat of desire changes everything. Now the family Celia has always craved is trying to kill her, and it’s up to me to save her again—when all I really want to do is make her mine.


Want to know what the paranormal Mission series is all about? Check out the FREE story, Bite the Hand that Bleeds!

FREE story: https://claims.instafreebie.com/free/4xBMx

BLOOD GUARD (Mission #1): https://books2read.com/u/b5Mry7

BLOOD VEIL (Mission #2, NOW AVAILABLE!): books2read.com/u/bQB5qd

Review:

4 stars

****

 A great addition to this series! This was Idris and Celia's story. Celia is a nurse in Mission City. She doesn't know it, but she's the half human/half vampire hybrid daughter of the Valerian vampire king. She was raised by humans in foster care, never knowing her parents, and having no idea vampires even exist. Idris is the brother of Athan (from Blood Guard), who is the king of a rival vampire clan, the Gregories. The Valerian vampires are mounting a fight to begin a war on humans to kill them all off so vampires can rule the world. The Gregories want to live in harmony with humans. Idris wants to kidnap Celia to hold her hostage in order to force a meet with her father and stop him from starting a war. He begins watching her and saves her life from some hired killers, before kidnapping her as well. When Celia is being kept by Idris, he teaches her about vampires and about her culture. As they spend time together, they begin trusting each other and, eventually, fall for each other. There is some suspense as the two vampire clans clash, but it all works out for Celia and Idris in the end. 

When I read book one in this series, Blood Guard, I liked it, but I felt the writing style was somewhat YA feeling. Some things were cheesy and sometimes I didn't feel the emotions that I was supposed to. But the story was interesting and original. When I read the prequel, Bite the Hand that Bleeds, it was a very different feeling. It was very sexy and not YA at all. I liked it too, but it didn't match Blood Guard in writing style. This book, Blood Veil, seems like a combination of the two. It did not feel YA to me, but it was not quite as sexy as Bite. There is a very good story and some sexy moments. I enjoyed this combination in this book the most, making it my favorite of the series so far. 

I really like Celia and Idris. Celia was a loner, always feeling different from most other people, but having no idea why or that she was an actual vampire. She never had a relationship or let anyone get very close to her. Idris had lived a long time as a vampire, but he was also a little innocent in terms of his knowledge of humans and never having had his own relationship. The two were very sweet together. Their story was sexy and emotional.

Overall, I enjoyed Celia and Idris's story and seeing how their relationship developed. I continue to enjoy the world building in this series and suspenseful feeling. I also really liked the way the ongoing series story arc headed in this book and look forward to more from this sexy, suspenseful series!

New Release: Until Avery by Brynne Asher + Review!

Until Avery

 by Brynne Asher

Blurb

Until Avery

Dreams. I never had one. Never even knew what a dream was until a certain unassuming Carpino waltzed into my life. That day my world tilted. It became unhinged. I might not have been a dreamer, but she was. She wrote the words missing from my life. Her notes ignited my heart. Her flame lit up my darkness. Her dreams became mine and I’d move heaven and earth to give them life. Especially when my past surfaced and threatened to kill every dream we had. Until Avery, I had nothing. But I’m Link Forester. I’d fight for her, for us, because right now, I have everything to lose.

Warning: The author will have a dramatic fit—Scarlett O’Hara style—if anyone under the age of eighteen touches this book.

Review:

4 stars

****

 This was a sweet story! This book is part of Aurora Rose Reynold's Kindle world. It is a crossover between Brynne Asher's Carpino series and is set in the ARR Until series world. This was Avery and Link's story. Twenty year old Avery Carpino is going to college in Nashville, away from her family, and nannying for the Mason's. But she secretly dreams of being a songwriter. Link owns a bar/club where his often has live music. One night, Avery sneaks into Link's club using a fake ID in order to hear a song she wrote being played by the band. When she meets Link, they have an instant connection, but he has to kick her out of his club for being underage. They later meet again at the Mason's, who Link is family friends with. The two begin dating and fall in love. There is a bit of suspense thrown in, but everything works out in the end. 

I liked both Avery and Link. They were really sweet together. I enjoyed this story and it kept me entertained. I can't say it isn't similar to anything I have read before and that kept me from fully connecting to the story. Still, it was definitely worth reading. I enjoyed this quick, easy, sweet read! 

About the Author

Brynne Asher lives in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she is running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys cooking, decorating, shopping at outlet malls as well as online and is always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World" ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.

Author FB Page --> https://www.facebook.com/brynneasherauthor/

Reader Group --> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1270859142965554/

Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/brynneasher/

Twitter --> https://twitter.com/BrynneAsher

Website and Newsletter signup --> BrynneAsher.com 

GR Link to Until Avery --> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37322759-until-avery

New Release: Until Nox by Layla Frost + Review!

Until Nox 

by Layla Frost

 Kindle Worlds: Happily Ever Alpha

Release date: April 3rd, 2018

Goodreads link: https://goo.gl/8UePB9

Blurb:


Not all heroes are good guys. With a body count on his soul and blood on his hands, Killian Nox lived in the gray. Ruthlessly single-minded, if he wanted something, it was his. And when it came to the gorgeous lass with a fiery attitude, he didn’t just want her. He needed her. With southern-bred manners and a snark all her own, Augusta ‘Gus’ Allan was a connoisseur of cheap wine, delicious Mexican food, and good TV. Unfortunately, her taste in men wasn’t as well-developed. When her knight in shining armor turned out to be a douche in tinfoil, Gus never expected her real hero to be a sexy-accented, tattooed beast of a man. But he was exactly who she needed. Gus had no clue how comforting a monster in the dark could be... Until Nox. 

Warning: Recommended for readers 18+ due to awesome things like adult content and language... wink, wink, nudge, nudge. This Happily Ever Alpha Kindle World novella is a crossover of The Hyde Series and Aurora Rose Reynolds' Until Series. It features glimpses of familiar faces from Hyde and Seek, Best Kase Scenario, and Until November. However, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Review:

3.5-4 stars

****

This was a pretty good book. Until Nox is part of Aurora Rose Reynold's Kindle world. This is Augusta/Gus and Killian Nox's story. When Augusta finds the guy she's dating, and reluctantly moving in with, cheating on her, she is left without a place to stay. Killian Nox, who lives across the hall, witnesses the destruction of her relationship. He is leaving on a three week work trip, so he offers Gus a place to stay in exchange for dog sitting his dog, Nolan. They feel an immediate attraction to each other and stay in touch while Nox is out of town. When he gets back, he lets Gus stay with him while she finds a new apartment. The two begin to fall for each other, but neither act on their feelings. When an accident happens, the two of them realize how much they mean to each other and that they are meant to be together. 

Until Nox was entertaining and had an interesting story. I liked both Killian and Gus. Killian was from Scotland and Ireland, which I really liked, so he spoke with an accent. I personally don't love when a character's accent is written out phonetically, which his speech was. While I understood what he was saying, it just brought me out of the moment between the characters when the speech was written like that. There was 37 "fook"s and 42 "aye"s in this book. So that bothered me a little bit, but not enough to ruin the book. For a novella, this book was a little bit of a slow starter and a slow burn. It took me a good while to feel any chemistry between the couple and for anything physical to happen between them. Neither of them made a move on each other for the first part the book, despite an obvious attraction, and I didn't entirely understand why. But once Killian and Gus got together, I enjoyed the book much more. I wish there had been more time with them together. I loved Gus's grandmother, Meema, and Killian's dog, Nolan. They added a bit of humor and fun to the story. 

Overall, this was an entertaining read with some humor, suspense and romance. While I have read and enjoyed all of Layla's books, but this one wasn't my very favorite. Still, I did find the book enjoyable overall and felt it made a good addition to this Kindle world series. I definitely recommend reading this book, along with the others in this fun series!

Author bio:


Layla Frost has always been a rebel. A true badass.
Growing up, Layla used to hide under her blanket with a flashlight to read the Sweet Valley High books she pilfered from her older sister. It wasn’t long before she was reading hidden Harlequins during class at school. This snowballed into pulling all-nighters after the promise of “just one more chapter”.
Her love of reading, especially the romance genre, took root early and has grown immeasurably.
In between reading and writing, Layla spends her free time rocking out (at concerts, on the couch, in the car… Anywhere is a stage if you get into it enough), watching TV (the nerdier the better!), and being a foodie. Though she lives in NY (the state, not the city), she’s an avid Red Sox fan.


Social links:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaylaFrostWrites/
 Naughty Cupcakes Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941380865930675/
 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7792423.Layla_Frost
 My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/Layla-Frost/e/B00VJMSYKQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
 My Site: http://www.laylafrostwrites.com/
Twitter and Instagram: @LaylaFWrites
Email: laylafrostwrites@gmail.com

New Release: Until Sunrise by Sarah O' Rourke

Until Sunrise by: Sarah O’Rourke

Part of Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Happily Ever Alpha Kindle World

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: April 3rd, 2018

Cover Design: Sarah O’Rourke

Michelle Buchanan wasn't looking for the perfect man to fill her life.  She'd settle for Mr. Right Now to fill the empty spot in her bed - just someone that could help her with the little problem of her lingering virginity.  But when Luka Templeton invaded her blind date and suddenly begins taking over her every waking thought, she realizes that she is in way too deep with the confident alpha male currently wreaking havoc on her life.  

Join us on this romantic comedy romp as Chelle and Luka find their way to happily ever after!           

                                                                    
Romantic comedy.  Releases on April 3 as part of Aurora Rose Reynold's Happily Ever After Kindle World.  (And if you've read Aurora's Until series, you'll know Chelle from Until Ashlyn!)

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

AMAZON US

Sarah O'Rourke is actually TWO besties who live three states apart and write at all hours of the day and night! Born and raised in the Southern United States, they are overly attached to their one-click accounts, can’t make it through the day without copious doses of caffeine, and spend way too much time on the phone with each other.

Between them, they have four children and twenty-plus years of marriage...one to a retired super soldier and the other to egomaniac engineer. They hate empty chocolate wrappers and writer’s block, love to talk to readers...and oh, by the way, they write about strong, kick-ass women and hot alpha heroes!

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     AMAZON     WEBSITE     NEWSLETTER

New Release: Until More by S. Van Horne

Until More by S.Van Horne

Part of Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Happily Ever After Kindle World

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 3rd, 2018

Cover Design: SK Designs

At twenty-two, Crystal Kopas didn’t know where her life was heading. Ghost writing romance stories for well-known authors isn’t an easy thing to do, especially when she couldn’t forget the one man who rocked her world. After moving to Hawaii, she thought she was finally getting her life on track. That is—until he showed up.

At twenty-five, Detective Vigo Conti decided it was time to take a vacation with his baby sister. After a grueling case that took everything out of him, he packed up Maddison and hit the beaches of Hawaii, praying to get his mind off the one woman who seemed to steal his heart when she disappeared after only one night together. He was finally starting to relax and enjoy his time with Mads uninterrupted. That is—until he sees her.

Without warning, disaster strikes and Conti vows he will do everything to get his family back. Because sometimes finding that special BOOM makes one cross lines never imagined.

Will Conti be able to save his family before it is too late?

FIND YOUR COPY HERE

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She’s from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up, she didn’t have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it’s the type that you get to pick for yourself.

She met the love of her life at the early age of twenty and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a wife, mom, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls’ day at least once a month.

FACEBOOK     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     WEBSITE     GOODREADS

New Release: Until You're Mine by Jenika Snow + Review & Excerpt!

Amazon

Cora

He left eight years ago for the military. That was the hardest time of my life. Xavier was the boy who’d sneak into my bed at night and hold me as my parents fought in the next room.
My protector.
My best friend.
The man I was in love with.
The man I’d saved my virginity for.
And now he was back home for good. Too much time had passed. I was done keeping us in the friend zone. I wanted him in my life in every way that counted.
So if he wasn’t going to make the first move then I would, even if it might ruin what we had. Because I had to take that chance.


Xavier

She was my life, the very reason I breathed.
I saved my virginity for Cora because no one else compared. No one else ever would.
It was time I man up and tell Cora that she was the only girl I’d ever loved, that no matter how much time had passed she’d been it for me.
But how could I go about doing that when eight years had gone by? Admitting how I felt was hard as hell seeing as we’d always just been friends. How could I not cross any lines and screw up the relationship we had?
Easy. I’d tell her I loved her and propose.


Warning: Sit back, relax, and dive into a double virgin friends-to-lovers romance that’s so sugary sweet your teeth will ache. Although it’ll tug at your heartstrings, make no mistake it’s as filthy as can be. A standalone romance with no drama and just the juicy bits, this story features cameo appearances by Asher, Cash, and Trevor Mayson from Aurora Rose Reynolds Until series.

I took the few steps it required to get to the front door, reached out, and curled my hand around the brass handle. I pulled it open and a little bell above the door jingled at my entrance.
“Welcome to Sweet Treats,” Cora said, her back still toward me. “I’ll be right with you. Just got to put these buns down,” she said and laughed softly. I couldn’t help but smile that she still had that sense of humor, the one where she’d laugh at her own jokes.
God, her voice sounded like angels singing. I felt dizzy, lightheaded with being so close to her. She didn’t even know I stood only feet from her, the anticipation building inside of me.
She had a tray in her hands as she turned around, her focus on the baked goods. I found myself taking a step closer, and then another one. I swear I could smell her, this sweet, floral scent that brought back memories, that was completely Cora. Her scent was stronger than the bakery aroma, the one of donuts and rolls, sweet little treats that they baked by hand.
And then she lifted her eyes and our gazes locked. For long seconds we just stared at each other, the realization that I was standing just feet from her covering her face. It was the sound of the tray she held crashing to the floor that had me rushing back to reality.
Something in me snapped and I couldn’t help myself. I stalked toward her, placed my hands on the counter that separated us, and scaled the fucker. I had her in my arms seconds later, her body so much smaller than mine, her scent slamming into my head and making me drunk. I was so damn possessive. All I wanted to do was throw her over my shoulder and take her far from here.
Silence stretched between us, but it was perfect.
“Is this really happening?” she whispered against my chest and I tightened my arms around her. “Are you really here, Xavier?” I could hear the tears in her voice, knew she was probably crying. I was on the verge of crying myself.
I don’t know how long I held her, seconds, minutes, Hell, maybe I’d been standing there for hours. She was the one who pulled back, but I didn’t want to let her go. I looked down at her, at the tears tracking down her cheeks. I reached out and brushed them away, wanting to bring that wetness to my mouth and memorize it, take it into me.
“You’re really here,” she whispered again and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m really here.” And then I pulled her in for another hug, wanting to just kiss her senseless, but also knowing that I needed to take this slow. I needed to work up to that, tell her how I felt, that I was so madly in love with her I could barely breathe.
I needed to do a lot of things, but I had all the time in the world.


REVIEW:

3.5 stars

***

This was an entertaining, sexy read. Until You're Mine is part of Aurora Rose Reynold's Kindle world. This was Cora and Zavier's story. Cora and Zavier were best friends throughout their lives. Both were in love with each other, but never told each other. Zavier went off to join the military after high school in order to make something of himself and Cora stayed in their hometown opening her own bakery. Over the years, they remained best friends and neither of them dated or pursued a relationship with anyone else. Now, eight years later, Zavier has come back to town to tell Cora how he feels and finally get his girl. 

This book was one of those guilty pleasure, crackalicious reads. Cora and Zavier were both virgins, who had saved themselves for each other, and were very obviously soulmates. They were sugary sweet and super sexy together. This was a quick, easy, enjoyable read. Overall, I found the book entertaining and fun. I felt it made a good addition to this Kindle world series. I definitely recommend reading this book, along with the others in this fun series!

Jenika Snow, a USA Today bestselling author, lives in the northeast with her husband and their two daughters. She prefers gloomy days, eats the topping off of her pizza first, and prefers to wear socks year round.

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New Release: The Birthday List by Devney Perry + Excerpt!

   

Happily married to her college sweetheart, Poppy lived a blessed life with the husband of her dreams. Then everything changed. She is no longer a wife. She is no longer the envy of her single friends. Now, people look at her with pity as they whisper a single word behind her back.

Widow.

Years after her husband’s tragic death, years of pain and sorrow and wishing for the life she’ll never get back, Poppy decides to finish Jamie’s birthday list. She’ll do the things he wanted to most. Because maybe, just maybe, if she can complete his list, she can start to live again.

Poppy expects going through the birthday list will be hard. She expects it to hurt. But what she doesn’t expect is Cole. Could the man who delivered the news of her husband’s death and shattered her heart be the one to help her put it back together again?

ADD TO GOODREADS

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EXCERPT:


 “I hear you’re saying yes to everything today?” I chased a bite of macaroni with some water. She nodded, smiling again as she chewed. “A guy could take advantage of that.” Her chewing stopped and her blue eyes snapped to mine. “Me, for example. I could use this to get exactly what I want.” I didn’t miss the way her eyes flared, and damn, it was sexy. If things were farther along—if this were a year from now and we were in a different place—I could have used this game to have her moaning yes all night long. But we weren’t there, and I wasn’t a complete asshole. But I did love to tease. “Poppy,” I whispered, leaning closer. Her breaths were shallow as she waited. “Will you bring me both the mixed berry and the apple pie?” She blinked twice, then a hand flew over her mouth—still full of salad—covering it as she laughed. “Yes.” I grinned, sitting back in my chair and digging into my food. “Maybe you can tell me more about this list too? It seems like every time I see you you’re on to something new.” Her hand fell. “You really want to know?” “I really want to know.”    

     

  Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.

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