~ REVIEW: Rare Find by Dale Mayer ~

When people need help or are injured, they call out for their friends and family. When an animal needs help or is injured, it calls out for…anyone…that can help them… 

One person hears them… 

Tabitha is determined to bury her aching heart in the service of her animals at Exotic Landscape. Until she’s yanked out of her cozy retreat to help someone in need…and she gets more than she bargained for. 
Detective Ronin Chandler understands secrets. He’s got a few of his own. But when the woman he loves gets into trouble – the kind that stretches even his belief system – he struggles to understand…and to help…before he loses her. Maybe forever. 
As the danger escalates, Tabitha and Ronin need to find out who they can trust…and who they can’t…and who wants them dead…before it’s too late.

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Totally unexpected and great, enjoyable read. I am a fan of the paranormal and especially books about psychics, but this one was a total “mindbender” for me. Loved it!

Tabitha is a different kind of psychic. Instead of being able to read people, she reads animals. She has just lost her beloved grandfather and is trying to carry on his legacy at Exotic Landscapes, a haven for animals. She lives there with her trusted companions, Tripod, a three-legged canine, and her exotic white tiger, Tango. She is also taking her relationship with her sexy boyfriend, Detective Ronin Chandler, to the next level.  However, she has been the victim of a “psychic attack” just recently. Now, she is experiencing them again…except much more violent. Will her friends and Ronin be able to save her this time?

This is the 6^th book in the series, but each one focuses on different characters, but they re-appear throughout other books.  I especially loved this book because it was about animals and the special bonds humans form with their animal friends. I love Tabitha’s bond and love she has with  Tripod and Tango. It really yanked at my heart! If you’re in the mood for something a bit different but filled with romance, suspense, and the paranormal, give this book and the whole series a try.

The Pyschic Visions Books in order:

Tuesday’s Child, Hide’n Go Seek, Maddy’s Floor, Garden of Sorrow, Knock, Knock, Rare Find

Freelance writer Dale Mayer lives in the beautiful Okanagan valley in British Columbia, Canada. She’s multi-pubbed in nonfiction and is currently writing The Essential Series including The Career Essential Series(The Resume, The Cover Letter, The Interview), Lifestyle Essentials (Ergonomics for today’s world, Raising the dyslexic child, etc.), and the Gardening Essential Series, (Beginning with Bulbs, Urban Farming, Gardening for Seeds, etc.).

Stay tuned as she adds to these and several other proposed series. For the last decade, she’s written on all of these topics either under her own name or as a ghostwriter. As a researcher and technical writer, Dale has a wealth of knowledge she can’t wait to share!

However, fiction is her passion. Here, she writes taut psychological suspense with romance and paranormal elements. She has recently branched out into writing both mystery and urban fantasy books for young adult with the occasional vampire book thrown in just for fun.

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~ REVIEW: Secret Tastes by Miranda P. Charles ~

Samantha Lane wanted to resign from her father’s accounting practice and move to another state to follow her dream of establishing a catering business. But she didn’t want to break her parents’ hearts. When her cousin jokingly suggested to tell them that a man was the reason behind her decision, she found the perfect excuse to give her hopeless romantic folks. Adam Craig didn’t mind playing the role of Sam’s fake boyfriend. She was a friend in need and he was a helpful guy. Besides, he was desperate to show a clingy ex that they were truly over, and Sam acting as his girlfriend was the perfect solution. When their pretense became all too real, a spanner in the works put their future together in jeopardy. How could Sam trust Adam when she had proof he wasn’t ready to move on? And how could Adam convince Sam of his feelings when she was intent on moving away from him? ***** This is a stand-alone novel that would give you enjoyment on its own. However, to enhance your experience of this series, the author recommends reading them in order. Secret Tastes is the final book from the steamy and sweet Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance series. Book 1: Secret Words (Jasmine Allen and Kane Summers) Book 2: Secret Designs (Ari Mitchell and Dylan Summers) Book 3: Secret Moves (Kristen McCann and Trey Andrews) Book 4: Secret Tastes (Samantha Lane and Adam Craig) (This book is for adults only. It contains hot sexual content.)”

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You can get the first book in the series Secret Words right now for FREE!

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I’m sad to see the series end, but it does have a sweet ending 😉

Samantha and Adam have made a deal to pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend so that Sam can talk her parents into letting her move to Sydney.  But the events that happen during this farce leads to something Adam never expected, and an ending Sam could have only dreamed of.

Samantha over analyses everything, she over thinks things and then usually misses the opportunity she had to act on what she was thinking about.  But when her cousin and friends recommend that Adam pretends to be her boyfriend, she for once jumps at the chance. She’s had a crush on him since the first time she saw him, she’d do just about anything to be close to him.

Adam just recently ended a relationship that should have ended ages ago. He sees how happy his friends are with the love of their lives, and now he wants that for himself as well. He just isn’t sure how to go about getting it. When he’s volunteered to help Sam out with her parents, he figures why not? What could it hurt to help a friend out? Little did he know what the out come of this little farce would be.

Sam and Adam have a pretty intense attraction to each other (once they finally act on it). The sex is amazing and everything is just so easy when they are together. The only problem is Adam’s ex Sandy. She seems to be hell bent on getting Adam back and will do just about anything to make it happen.

In order for their relationship to work, they both need to be up front and honest. When you try to hide something to make the other person happy, this tends to blow up in your face, as Adam soon realizes.

Will one little omission from Adam totally ruin everything they have with each other?  Or will Adam realize trust and honesty is everything in a relationship, I mean he should have learned this after what happened with Kris and Trey.

I love how seamless Miranda writes her stories, they pull you in from page one! If you haven’t read any of her books, shame on you! You’re missing out on some amazing stories! I will be reading more from Miranda and keeping my eye out on what ever else she has in store! This series is a MUST READ!!

Ever since I was a young teenager, I have loved reading romance novels.  My auntie used to send me boxes of her books and I would devour them one after another.
 
Every so often, I would read a mystery or a suspense or a paranormal novel as I love those genres too.  But romance is still my favourite. 🙂

For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel.

Then, one day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book.  The result?  My first novel in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series.

After that, I knew that I would love to tell more beautiful love stories through my books.

I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on (and yes, sometimes irritates and annoys me 😉 ) in my journey as a novelist.

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~ REVIEW: Then Came Alexandria by E.L. Todd ~

Alexandra…

After a horrific accident working as a nurse in the emergency room, Alexandra becomes reclusive to the world around her. Unable to be speak or function, she pushes away her boyfriend, Paul, of two years. Her distance causes him to spend time with someone else…the betrayal causes her to pack her bags and leave everything behind. She doesn’t know what comfort she’ll find in Savannah, Georgia, but she flees anyway.

Blaise…

After inheriting the most lucrative cotton field in the south, Blaise has to become a man early in life. He spends his nights with different girls, knowing they are after his money and his special abilities in the bedroom, but he makes a serious mistake with Danielle. Now she lives with him and he guards a secret that he promises to keep…even though that secret is destroying his life. When Alexandra comes into town, her smile and compassion evident, Blaise wants her, and not just in a physical way. Unable to keep his distance, he falls for her, not knowing how long he can keep his secret…

**This full-length novel is the first in the Southern Love Series. It is NOT a stand alone novel.**

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I was really excited to read this book for several reasons. The beautiful cover grabbed my attention, and I loved the synopsis. In addition, I am a Southern girl so I love almost anything written about the South. I especially love Savannah, Georgia which was the setting for Then Came Alexandra. While I enjoyed the book overall, there were things that I didn’t like.

I won’t give you a whole lot of information because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. At first glance, anyone would think Alexandra had a wonderful life…a great job and a wonderful boyfriend. But, things are not always as great as they appear. Alexandra flees her job in NY and her boyfriend returning to her aunt in Savannah, Georgia where she hopes to start a new life. She doesn’t let anyone know what she is running from. She is content with her life there until she meets her aunt’s neighbor, Blaise. He is a sexy cotton farmer who helps her aunt out periodically. When the two first meet, their chemistry is off the charts. But, Blaise is hiding an explosive secret himself. How will their past lives and secrets affect their future?

The writer did a great job of creating suspense and mystery to keep the story moving. I found myself flipping through the pages to see how their secrets would affect their budding relationship. However, I wasn’t a big fan of Alexandra. I thought she was too rigid and judgmental. If someone hurt her, she completely wrote them off. She wouldn’t let them try to explain their situation, and she wouldn’t take any responsibility for the part she played in her past. Although, I will say I started coming around to her side in the end when she matured a bit and did take some responsibility and made amends. I liked Blaise more, but I wanted to throttle him. He was too good!!!! No man would put up with the crap that was shoveled at him. He was TOO responsible. He did what he was supposed to, and he should have moved on. At first, I felt like the friendship and romance with Alexandra and Blaise moved at a realistic pace, but all of a sudden, it was going at breakneck speed which felt too rushed. In turn, the ending felt rushed to me as well. I know a lot of reviewers were upset about the cliffhanger, but that didn’t really bother me as much as the rushed feel of the second half of the book.

Overall, the book was good, but I think the pacing could have been better as well as the character development. Would I recommend this book? Yes. Will I continue to read the series? Yes. Despite the things I didn’t like, I am looking forward to seeing how the situation between Alexandra and Blaise plays itself out. I really want a HEA for this couple! What I have read about the other books in the series, it won’t be an easy road for them!

My journey to this profession was slightly unorthodox. I received my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, worked as an award-winning researcher, and worked various jobs to pay the bills. While I enjoyed every moment of this adventure, it wasn’t my passion. I’ve been writing since I was a young girl and have read anything that I can get my hands on. When people ask me what my favorite book is, I always respond, “All of them.”

After I showed my work to my closest friends and gained their confidence, I realized that this is something I could commit my life to, something that I love. I never imagined–dreamed–that I could make a living as a writer. This is the greatest profession that I ever could have asked for, and I am so thankful for the support from everyone in my life. How many other jobs let you work in your pajamas?

I’m very grateful that I’ve had success with my various series. The Forever and Always Series is very close to my heart. I realize all the characters are fictitious, but in reality, they are real people living in my mind…as creepy as that sounds.

The Hawaiian Crush Series, The Essence Series, The Soul Saga, and the Southern Love Series are all also extensions of who I am, just played out in word. It’s the greatest job in the world to explore different places and people and actually get to write about it. What makes it even better is when people love reading it.

When I receive fan mail through email, my website, or on Goodreads, I’m extremely flattered and humbled that people take the time out of their lives to compliment my work. I appreciate all the love and support. Without it, I would be nothing. I really would.

With an infinite number of ideas in my mind, I will continue to write as long as people wish. I’m just grateful I have such a wonderful audience.

People have asked me personal questions about my life. I’m flattered that people show any interest, especially since I’m not very interesting, but here are a few things you may not know about me:

I’m a lefty. But I also write upside down (not on the computer.) I’m pretty weird…

I hate strawberries but love them in my oatmeal.

I have an unusual obsession with dogs, cats, and all pets, but I don’t own one…yet. Let’s see what the hubby says.

I worked in a lab for a long time then became a high school science teacher. I loved my job very much, and adored my students. But writing is my dream job, and I was fortunate enough to pursue it.

My closest friends are the people I met in high school, but I’ve made even closer connections with peers from college. And now I’m fortunate enough to have some amazing author friends.

I love sweets. I love sweets. It’s a sickness….

My favorite band (currently) is Mumford and Sons. I’ve placed a few of their lyrics in my novels because they are totally awesome.

Connected by the Sea (Hawaiian Crush #1) has some factual knowledge as a basis. Years ago, when my boyfriend took me to the aquarium, we stared at the seahorses for a long time. That’s when he locked his pinky with mine and said, “Seahorses mate for life. Will you be mine?” Super cute! I know!

Only for You was originally called MegaShake. For those of you who’ve read it, you’ll understand why.

And I don’t share milk products with people…that’s also something I incorporated into my books.

That’s all I can think of…but that may have been too much information.

Thanks for all the support. You totally rule!

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~ REVIEW: Beauty and the Curse by K.M. Fawcett and Cathy Tully ~

I really liked Chase in this book, instead of calling out all of Anabel’s ugliness, he focuses on what makes her, her. He tries to get to know her before he even tries to hop in to bed with her, which I thought was really sweet. This is a great story to pick up if you’re looking for a quick read and a few chuckles.

Cursed by a jealous witch, wealthy recluse Anabel Charming is destined to grow uglier with each passing year. Only by having sex before her twenty-first birthday can this virgin’s spell be broken. Yet no man will agree to sleep with the humpbacked, pockmarked, one-leg-shorter-than-the-other “Freak of Park Avenue.” 

When handsome Chase Singleton shows up on a quest to retrieve his grandmother’s long-lost talisman, which Anabel now possesses, Anabel is willing to give up the jewel…if Chase agrees to break her curse. With two days left before her chance at a normal life is lost forever, Anabel and Chase discover the reality of beauty, the power of sexual healing, and the meaning of love.

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This book was a quick and easy read that keeps your attention. K.M. Fawcett does a great job with the story and getting you as much information as she could in this short story. Add some humor in the mix and it’s a great read.

Chase is on the hunt to get his grandma’s talisman back to her before Halloween, otherwise she will die. He loves his grandma and will do anything for her, however what’s asked of him is nothing he ever dreamed of having to do.

Anabel is approaching her 21^st birthday and on the prowl for a man to have sex with her. If she doesn’t have sex with a man before her 21^st birthday, she’s stuck being ugly forever. However, when you have a hunchback, liver spots and uneven legs, it doesn’t make you the most attractive person. So when Chase shows up at her door, she gives him an ultimatum, have sex with her or she won’t give him what he wants. Only problem is, Anabel has never seduced a man before, so she’s stuck taking advice from a fire breathing dragon who is in love with the movie Grease. The things he tells her are hilarious!

After everything is agreed upon, something else is added to the mix that neither expected.

I really liked Chase in this book, instead of calling out all of Anabel’s ugliness, he focuses on what makes her, her. He tries to get to know her before he even tries to hop in to bed with her, which I thought was really sweet. This is a great story to pick up if you’re looking for a quick read and a few chuckles.

K.M. Fawcett was a born romantic. At six years old, she would beg her parents to take her to a restaurant with, “Soft music and candles” where she could drink Shirley Temples and twirl on the dance floor. As she grew, her desire to be whisked into a romantic adventure by a knight in shining armor also grew – to the point of annoying her friends and family. When she received A Knight In Shining Armor (a novel by Jude Deveraux) for her eighteenth birthday, she fell in love…with the romance genre. ♥ Now K.M. writes sci-fi/ paranormal romances, and enjoys stories filled with adventure and strong, kick butt heroes and heroines. 

K.M. holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in both Isshinryu Karate and in Ryukonkai (Okinawan weapons). She and her husband own Tenchi Isshinryu Karate Dojo in NJ where they teach karate, weapons, and self-defense. 

When not working out at the dojo or writing, K.M. is home with her two children and two cats.

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Cathy Tully writes Sweet Romance, Contemporary Romance and Women’s Fiction. Prior to romance, she wrote a children’s non-fiction book titled, NEBRASKA for Kidhaven Press in 2004. Her first Sweet Romance, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, is available through Astraea Press, and her first novella, MARRYING MR. RIGHT is available through, The Wild Rose Press.

A Member of Romance Writer’s Of America, The Liberty States Fiction Writer’s, and The Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators, Cathy is a firm believer in continually honing her craft. A yellow belt in Isshinryu Karate, she loves the feeling of strength and independence it allows her. Cathy can be found on Facebook, and at http://www.cathytully.com. A born and bred Jersey girl, Cathy lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters.