ARC Review: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro is the start of a new New Adult paranormal series. Wow, this was a great book, Angie Sandro pulled me into the world of Mala and Landry and left me wanting more. This book is compared to Beautiful Creatures, well I never read the book only saw the movie. What I would compare this book to are the early Southern Vampire books without all the vampires and shifters screwing up her life. It's all about the feel of the book I had the same kind of excitement reading this as I did when reading the first Southern Vampire (aka Sookie Stackhouse) book.

In the Bayous of Louisiana Malaise LaCoix is the descendent of a slave and a long line of hoodoo witches. She doesn't believe in any of it growing up being make fun of for being a witch, and the bastard daughter of a prostitute how deals in hoodoo spells on the side. That all changes when she finds the dead body of the preacher's daughter, Lainey, floating on her land. Now she has a dead girl trying to get her help to find her murderer and she is suffering from strange events, nightmares and visions that are signs that she's about to come to her powers soon and that means her Mother's death is going to happen soon.

Landry Prince was the star quarterback and the boy all the girls lust after, and he's had some of them but there is one girl he is scared to approach, the he thought would be the one to reject him the beautiful Mala. He has it all in his life good family life and a great older sister but she has changed so much in the last year, He was absolutely devastated by news that she was murdered and it opened something in him he never expected, the spirit world as Lainey is haunting him also. Mala and Landry work together to try and find out the mystery of his sister's death while fighting the disapproval of family and friends as their friendship blossoms into something more.

In the end it does end it not a real cliffhanger just a mini cliff. I am highly anticipating Dark Sacrifice, the second book in the series and find out what's in store next with Landry and Mala.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Feature and Giveaway: Masters of Seduction by Lara Adrian, Donna Grant, Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy

* * Now available for the low price of .99¢! * *

Feature and Giveaway: Never Been Kissed and Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

Perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, Molly O’Keefe’s second novel in her exciting new series—The Boys of Bishop—features an irresistible romance and unforgettable characters in a page-turning story that delivers equal parts emotion and humor . . . with a little edge to boot.

As the daughter of a wealthy politician, Ashley Montgomery has had enough of her parents’ expectations for her future and is going her own way, volunteering to work at a refugee camp in Africa. But her act of charity turns dangerous when she takes a boat trip and is abducted by Somali pirates. Enter Brody Baxter, who was a bodyguard for the Montgomery family ten years ago and doesn’t think twice about coming to Ashley’s rescue. Handsome and tough, Brody has always done what needed to be done. So he swoops in, saves Ashley, and brings her to a place where she can rest and recuperate without the glare of the press and her demanding family: Brody’s small hometown of Bishop, Arkansas. But Ashley soon realizes that she’s not the only one in need of healing.

Holed up with Ashley in a tiny apartment over his brother’s bar in Bishop, Brody is tempted and torn in ways he never anticipated. Beautiful Ashley, vibrant despite her ordeal, fearless enough to love him beyond his wall of self-punishment, is now determined to save him. But with a little faith and a lot of love, they just may find happiness in each others’ arms.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

ARC Review: Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

Shelby Monroe is an art teacher at Bishop Elementary. She has many secrets, but one was broadcast on national television. A quick sex romp with a travelling executive branded her as promiscuous, living up to her late father’s assessment of her. Embarrassed beyond words, she hopes the talk and stares have finally stopped. Her mother, Evie, is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s and Shelby is in denial about it. She keeps Evie with her and doesn’t accept help. This is her penance for not protecting her mother from her father’s abuse. In the middle of the night, her new neighbor, Ty Svenson, decides to rev up his motorcycle. Shelby takes out her frustration with her life by yelling at him. His son, Casey, is her new student and in trouble. Shelby and Ty meet again in the principal’s office. Casey drew a picture of himself in a cage and upset Shelby. She suggests art therapy to help him deal with his feelings. His mother neglected him and he’s only been in Ty’s life for a couple of months. Major life adjustments for them take time and acceptance. There is a physical attraction between Ty and Shelby and it’s all she wants. No relationship, no conversation, just sex. This works at first, but Ty wants more. He invites her to his home to meet some of his friends. Casey is uncomfortable because of the bad memories he has of his mother’s entertaining drug addicts. Ty moves the party to the local bar which is owned by his employers. He auctions off a prize motorcycle and the town hopes he’ll open a garage to fix cars. Meanwhile, Evie has been wandering at night and Casey sees her. He’s been trying to befriend a stray dog. It’s a bad idea especially when the dog decides to attack him and Evie steps in to protect him. Shelby blames herself and tries to close everyone off, but Ty won’t go without a fight.

Ty is a true hero. Shelby has shut down her feelings and it takes a crowbar to pry her open again. Ty slips into the small cracks in her armor and starts to heal her. Casey has been broken, but finds his way to his dad. Ty is clueless about how to raise a child, but relies on the lessons his grandfather taught him. Ty’s not social and talking with people is a challenge. He realizes it’s necessary to establish a home base for Casey and a career. He takes both bold steps forward.

There’s true sadness in this story. Evie, Ty, Shelby, and Casey have all been emotionally wounded by family members. They cobble together to form a family unit based on trust and caring. It will be an ongoing process.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

ARC Review: Engaging the Earl by Diana Quincy

I should know by now that when I pick up a book by Diana Quincy I’m going to enjoy the book and it’s going to be different than any other book. That was the case with “Engaging the Earl”. I really liked and enjoyed the characters and the plot. Her writing was, once again, engaging and it flowed. I also found her plot to be unique and there were some events I never expected.

When the story begins we have Katherine and Edward madly in love with each other. They want to be together but Katherine, or Kit as she is known to her friends, encourages Edward to run away with her so that they can marry. She knows that her father will never approve of the match because Edward is not titled. Edward doesn’t want to dishonor Kit by running away with her, plus they are only 16 at the time. Edward leaves to fight in the war and Kit wants nothing more to do with him.

The story picks up six years later when Kit is engaged to one of the most eligible men of the ton. They are perfectly matched since Kit is considered one of the most sought after ladies in society. Although Kit still has Edward in her heart she believes that he forgot about her and it’s time for her to marry and move on. As would be expected Edward returns but he is not the same man. He is no longer the naïve young man that Kit knew. He is almost a stranger to Kit. When Kit sees Edward she immediately feels the same way for him all over again. I’m not giving too much away this happens in the very beginning of the book. Both Edward and Kit were fantastic characters. Kit was a great heroine. Although Edward was very confusing to figure out at times she had her mind set on him and she was not afraid to go after what she wanted. Edward for his part was a wonderful hero. He not only earned a titled-he was given the title of Earl-but he was a great guy. He wanted only the best for Kit and in his mind the best was not him. Edward was very badly wounded, both physically and psychologically, by the war and although he returns home to England a hero, he sees himself as dead inside and beyond repair.

Although these two have enough going against them there are other characters that add to their conflict. Kit’s fiancé, Laurie, Viscount Lawrence Sinclair and also Elena, the Maid of Malagon. Elena was a great character and I really liked her. Also. There are Kit’s parents who don’t approve of the union and then Lexi Campbell. A little nobody who blackmails Edward. My all -time favorite was Vera, for me she was the unifying force for Kit and Edward. So what were so of my issues? First, I really enjoyed the story. I love Quincy’s creativity and her very unique storylines. I just one big issue with a theme that ran throughout this story. I don’t want to give it away but it damped the book for me. Also, there was so much going on! I think Kit and Edward had enough to contend with without all the extras. Also, all the people that were opposed to Kit and Edward’s union were suddenly in favor… Even her maid that loathed him… Overall, I really enjoyed this story and will continue to read more of Quincy’s writing. I highly recommend and enjoyed this book and anyone that is looking for a great read will enjoy it as well.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |