Alternative-Read.com

REVIEW: Rapture's Claim | Lee Pearce | Passion In Print Press

2012-02-21T06:00:00.002Z

Rapture's Claim by Lee Pearce

Link to book on Amazon UK | USA
Review by WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lizzy Greenley, female werewolf, who up until this moment thought she knew where her life was going. Now she wonders if this train-wreck she's trying to muddle through will ever approximate her original plans for a life with football boyfriend, Jeremy Sanderson. All she wanted was to marry him, have babies, raise horses and teach. Now she'd appreciate just staying ahead of those hot on their trail.

Jeremy has been taking an enhanced steroid made from werewolf blood known as W. The problem? He's human and this drug tends to have consequences to it that make it illegal to administer to anyone. To save his life, Libby breaks the law, now they're both on the run-from the pack, rogues and trial.

I have to admit that the romantic scenes need a bit of polishing in this one as they came across a bit repetitive and bland, but the premise is good, the plot strong and the characters memorable. Just when I got comfortable with where things were going there would be a new element added to send it in a bit of a different direction, which kept it interesting. There were a few places where some of these twists weren't as smooth as they could have been, but they were minor.

The segues into the erotic scenes were a bit stilted at times making me go back and re-read the beginning of it to see if perhaps I read it too quickly. The strong plot and hearty characters still make Lee Pearce's, Rapture's Claim, a good read.

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REVIEW: Dark Enchantment | Anya Bast | Berkley Sensation

2012-02-20T14:11:00.000Z

Dark Enchantment by Anya Bast

Series. Dark Magick #3

Genre: Paranormal romance

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review by Blodeuedd

Alternative-Read.com

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis from goodreads:

Seduced in a dream by a handsome, rugged man, Charlotte Bennett decides to let pleasure and desire lead the way-only to discover her "safe night of passion has dangerous repercussions.

My Review:

Dark Enchantment is the third book in the Dark magick series by Anya Bast, but even though I have not read of the previous books I could still read it without feeling lost at all, as there is always a new couple on the horizon and new things that happen.

Charlotte Bennett fears the Fae, just as much as her father dislikes them, so she is glad that they are all behind walls of Piefferburg and can't get out. But when someone pulls her there she does her best to cope with their requests, desperately trying not to fall for a Fae called Kieran, the hot dream guy who started it all.

I like the world that Bast creates. A world where all Fae live in their own city and can't get out. Druids guard the entrance and the hate runs deep between them. But the Fae has plans, which I doubt can turn out well since most seem to fear them even if there is a group who want them free. Still I do not know why the "bad guys" are not behind walls themselves. Shouldn't people fear them too?

Since this is pnr it's a given that Charlotte and Kieran will fall for each other. But how is the question since she fears them and he. Well he has got issues! But I liked how it happens and they do seem right for each other. Together the passion sure flows between these two.

Evil bad guys who think they are right (oh those are the worst!), the hunt for a secret, a doomed romance and an ending that makes you want more -- that is what this book is all about.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Alberta Ross

2012-02-13T14:23:00.000Z

This month I am pleased to introduce you to author, Alberta Ross.

Click here to go to pic on Flickr

When asked for a bio, this is what Alberta shared with me:

I spent the first part of my adult life travelling the world, the middle years studying and now have settled down to write. From the first part I have endless photographs and memories from the second I have a BSc Hons and a MA. Now in this part everything comes together.

Over the years my interests have expanded, as has my book and music collection. A short list would include reading (almost anything) science, opera, folk, gardening, philosophy, crazy patchwork, freeform crochet, ethics, social history, cooking (and eating of course) anthropology and of course climate change and sustainability.

My parents gave me, apart from a love of reading and music, an interest and curiosity in everything which in itself gives a total inability to be bored and for this I am always grateful.

Alberta Ross is also a Goodreads Author, and below are her latest books on offer.

The Sefuty Chronicles

In 2060 the catastrophic results of climate change lead to mass migrations, whole nations fleeing rising seas and desertification. The world at war: land, water and survival the prize. The survivors split, most scrambling to the purpose-built cities the others fortifying their settlements behind the false security of rings of landmines. Genetic manipulations lead to populations in the cities being freed from greed and violence but this has resulted in the destruction of the drive which made the human race so successful. Imprisoned behind the mines, deprived of resources, the settlements battle famine, natural disasters and despair. Populations everywhere continue to tumble.

Ellen’s Tale: being the first of the Sefuty Chronicles

2111: In a world devastated by climate change, Ellen, sheltered child of the City falls in love against all odds with Bix, a geneticaly manipulated soldier. Unable to face a life apart they have to find a way together in an uncertain world. Two researchers, using archival material, explore the events leading to this love affair and its consequences.

The Storyteller’s Tale: being the second of the Sefuty Chronicles

It is 2113 Ellen and Bix, their children and Jack have moved out of the City, settled in Blaisemill to gain skills for survival in the wilderness. They start opening up the beleaguered settlements and establishing Trade Routes. Jack takes on Keira Baha, Blaisemill’s black sheep, to be their guide. Many in the village consider she is mad as well as bad and that the Ferals have made a mistake.

Jack’s Tale: being the third of the Sefuty Chronicles

2116: Imprisoned behind rings of mines, deprived of resources, settlements battle famine, natural disasters and despair. The land to the west and north of the City untouched by any law for over 50 years is a more perilous place than they had imagined and soon our companions face conflict and danger. Disaster threatens the close knit band and relationships begin to founder under the stresses of war.

The Sefuty Chronicles can be found in print at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/albertaross

e-book editions in multi formats can be purchased at Smashwords.com
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AlbertaRoss

and on Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_at_ep_srch?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Alberta%20Ross

Alberta can be followed on her blogs
http://sefutychronicles-albertaross.blogspot.com where she blogs on the influences, inspirations and progress of her publications

and about her interests in life
http://www.didyoueverkissafrog.typepad.com

also on
http://albertaross.wordpress.com where she writes about writing, publishing, challenges, blog hops and much more

Alberta writes about books she enjoys, influences they have given over the decades on
http://albertareads.wordpress.com

and can be followed
http://twitter.com/albertaross
and
http://www.facebook.com/author.alberta.ross

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REVIEW: White Savage | Larion Wills

2012-02-12T21:28:00.000Z

White Savage by Larion Wills
Genre: Historical/Western/Romance
Link to book on Amazon UK | Amazon USA

Reviewed by Lucille P. Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While a young boy, Clay learns quickly there are rough times ahead because a child who has grown up in an Indian environment is not welcomed by many white people.

At thirteen years old, Clay escapes from being slave to the Apaches only to become a slave to the White man. By chance he escapes and disappears. Now he is all grown up and he has come back to town as Clay. Clay wanted only to see McGee who had helped him escape the Apaches, but the Hoodys think he has returned to avenge himself. And what of Te, a woman who has been reared by a different tribe? "What's your white name?" Clay asks. "I have none. I am one of The People. I am Witoka Te. Never will I be white again." Will she help him or hurt him? Clay is going to find out real soon.

This story brings to mind the old westerns I watched on the television while growing up. Westerns have always been a favorite of mine. I believe Ms. Wills did a fine job writing up this story and portraying the problems this little white boy had when he escaped from the Indians. Being a small part of Indian myself, I learned the hard way that many white people are prejudiced against many of the races inhabiting our world today. It is tough going for a child. I believe most any reader would find something in this story he/she liked. Events flowed smoothly; writing good.

About the Author:

Larion Wills, a multi-genre author, also writes under the name of Larriane Wills. From science fiction to western romances she holds up to her tag of 'two names, one author, thousands of stories.' Born in Oklahoma, but raised in Arizona she feels a native to the state and has settled in the high desert country. In a quiet, rural area with a family who tolerates her writer's single-mindedness, she presents us with a series of unique westerns while still producing contemporary romances, many laced with paranormal settings, all with strong characterizations and suspenseful plots, capable of dragging you into a story in a genre you thought you didn't care for previously. At her website, you can keep abreast of releases under both pen names.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #10 Book Title: Act of God | Designed by Andy Wenner

2012-02-11T09:48:00.001Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #10

Book Title: Act of God

Author Name: Paul Byers

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Andy Wenner

Book Blurb:
ACT OF GOD is a collection of short, sci-fi thrillers. Reminiscent of the Twilight Zone, each story studies the human condition, putting ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances, forcing the reader to ask the question, "What would I have done in that situation?"

SHOOTING STAR
Space is an unforgiving place, and even simple decisions can make the difference between life and death. Astronaut Evan Grant is confronted by this harsh reality first hand when he's recalled from a low orbit, low profile mission and tasked with a high priority, deep-space flight that will have repercussions affecting millions - including his wife and young son.

RESCUE MISSION
Official Mission Statement: A rescue mission to retrieve two downed astronauts who crash landed on an alien world. Hidden Objectives: One, determine if the spacecraft crashed due to mechanical failure or if it was brought down by hostile alien fire. Two, scout for possible invasion sites, depending upon the findings of the first objective. Personal Objectives: How far will the Mission Commander go to rescue the downed pilots and keep peace? How far will the Second-in-Command go to punish the aliens and promote war?

THE JOURNAL
Paranoia can make you hear things that aren't there, see shadows in the sunlight, and turn on friends you've known for years. Three college students begin to have suspicions that a fellow classmate is not who or what he says he is. Are the things they suspect about him true or are they just victims of their own overactive imaginations? Perhaps they should take to heart the old proverb - just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that someone isn't after you.

ALL THAT GLITTERS. . .
Sex, along with greed, has been the ruin of more men than any other vice. The motivation for both is clear, but both have consequences that are often unforeseen and unpredictable. The crew of a deep-space exploration ship has stumbled upon an unknown planet and made a startling and unexpected discovery - the world is rich in untapped wealth that will enrich them beyond their wildest imaginations. The only thing standing between them and riches untold are the planet's inhabitants; a simple, backwards people that look upon the spacefarers as gods. What could possibly go wrong?

ANNIHILATION
Returning from a covert mission, the crew of a nuclear submarine surface after several months in isolation to find the world they left behind ablaze in a planet-wide funeral pyre. Their advanced weaponry gives them the might to retaliate, but do they have the right? What would you do with all that power - seek justice or revenge?

ACT OF GOD
Does a person's moral compass stay true despite their circumstances or is it dictated by the situations they find themselves in? Isolated and trapped, a group of refugees are forced to take extraordinary measures in order to survive. Rescue comes, but only after a terrible price has been paid. However, those still living soon realize that salvation, like survival, comes at a horrific cost.

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Two fortune seekers defy government orders and sneak across guarded borders pursuing a treasure that some say doesn't exist. If they are successful, their discovery will put them into the history books. If they fail, their remains will be the subject of archeologists in the next century.

For guidelines and how to enter your book cover please click here.

As my contact tab does not allow attachments to be added, please can you make sure that alongside your entry you send a high resolution copy of your book cover for me to use and add to the book cover award promo video, to this address: ar.featuredesk@gmail.com

Thank you!

Voting starts each month on the 11th - after all the nominees have been revealed. To vote we are now trying out a different method this month. You must leave a comment on the post that has the book cover you want to win. One comment = One vote - per person per book. You may vote on more than one book cover, but not more than once per book cover. Voting starts on 11th. Any duplicate comments or comments made before the 11th of each month, will not be counted.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #9 Book Title: Remembering Zane | Designed by Danielle Zwissler

2012-02-09T06:58:00.000Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #9

Book Title: Remembering Zane

Author Name: J.S. Wilsoncroft

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Danielle Zwissler

Book Blurb:

At ten years old, Bonnie Reese knew the minute she laid eyes on Zane Withers, that he would forever have a place in her heart. After years of dating, then finally going their separate ways, Bonnie always dreamed that eventually they would get back together.

But those dreams were shattered as was her heart, when she got the devastating news that her beloved Zane had been killed. As she faces her worst nightmare of going to his funeral, Bonnie runs into Zane’s best friend, Jonathan Wood. Little did she know, Jonathan has had deep feelings for her since the 7th grade. Now that his best friend is gone, will Jonathan have the guts to tell her that he’s loved her nearly their entire lives? Or will he keep his secret to himself forever?

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #8 Iwishacana/Acanawishi | Designed by Larissa Hinton

2012-02-09T06:57:00.000Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #8

Book Title: Iwishacana/Acanawishi

Author Name: Larissa Hinton

Buy Now Link

Book Cover Designer Name: Larissa Hinton

Book Blurb:
Where rules are meant to be broken
Anissa is constantly on the run from the police and can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Secrets are meant to be kept
Until Anissa hides Florence in her bedroom and her mother finds out. There's only one thing left to do: Send her to Juvenile Cop Camp to erase all of her crimes on her record.

And everything is not what it seems There's only one problem: Anissa is innocent.
Welcome to Iwishacana.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #7 Book Title: If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor | Designed by Kaytalin Platt

2012-02-09T06:56:00.000Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #7

Book Title: If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor

Author Name: Barbara Ehrentreu

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Kaytalin Platt

Book Blurb:

Carolyn Samuels is obsessed with the idea of being popular. She is convinced that the only thing keeping her from happiness is her too heavy for fashion body and not being a cheerleader. Hyperventilating when she gets nervous doesn’t help. When she is paired for a math project with the girl who tormented her in middle school, Jennifer Taylor, she is sure it is going to be another year of pain. With Carolyn’s crush on Jennifer’s hunky junior quarterback, Brad her freshman year in high school looks like a rerun of middle school. When Jennifer is the only student who knows why she fell in gym class, Carolyn is blackmailed into doing her math homework in return for Jennifer’s silence. Jennifer takes on Carolyn as a pity project since she can’t be seen with someone who dresses in jeans and sweatshirts. When Jennifer invites Carolyn to spend the night to make her over and teach her to tumble, Carolyn learns Jennifer’s secret and lies to her own friends to cover it up. Will Carolyn become a cheerleader and popular? Does she continue to keep Jennifer’s secret? Or will she be a target of this mean girl again?

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REVIEW: Grave Witch by Kalayna Price | ROC|

2012-02-06T10:06:00.000Z

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series. Alex Craft #1

Reviewed by Blodeuedd
Alternative-Read.com
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say . . .

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself—who happens to look fantastic in a pair of jeans—nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high profile murder when she’s attacked by the ‘shade’ she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around . . .

To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something—though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex—but Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life .

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I must say that Kalayna Price's first Alex Craft book was entertaining, but it got really good at the end, so much so, I got truly curious and excited about reading the next in the series.

Alex is a Grave Witch and can raise shades, not ghosts, but lingering shadows, and because of this she is pulled into something darker. Someone is killing people and now that person is after her too. To her help she has a detective, Falin, who anyone would get at once is the love interest. Sure I like him, he sounds hot and after these two have worked through their issues with each other things might happen. But yes there is someone else too and someone who I sure have my fingers crossed for; Death. When he showed up at the scene I was smitten at once. He did not say much but I am obviously on his team. Since she talks to the dead she sees him around a lot and what is there not to like.

This book has a lot of questions in it. Who to trust? What is going on? Who is the bad guy and who exactly is Falin? Not to mention, Death. There is also things happening all the time so no chance to grow bored here.

The world is also interesting as the Fae and witches came out a few decades ago and now they all live together. Not peacefully but getting by. We do not learn that much about the Fae but I would like to know more, since they keep to themselves.

All in all a good book, that got even better. I do want to read more and keep my hopes up for Death. I just hope Alex sees it, too.

A nice debut to a series that hopefully will keep on getting better since she sure seems to know how to twist things around.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #6 Title: Forbidden Mind | Designed by Sarah E. Melville

2012-02-06T05:00:00.001Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #6

Book Title: Forbidden Mind

Author Name: Kimberly Kinrade

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Sarah E. Melville

Book Blurb:

Sam thinks she's months away from freedom. After spending her life in a secret school, rented out to the rich and powerful as a paranormal spy, she is ready to head to college like any normal eighteen-year-old.

Only Sam isn't normal. She reads minds. And just before her big going-away party, she links to the mind of a young man who changes everything.

Drake wasn't raised as a 'Rent-A-Kid.' He was kidnapped and taken there by force. But his exceptional physical strength and powers of mind control make him very dangerous, especially to Sam.

When they meet, Sam is forced to face the truth of her situation, and to acknowledge that not all is as it seems in her picture-perfect world. For what awaits her on her eighteenth birthday isn't a trip to college, but an unexpected nightmare from which she may not be able to escape.
To survive, they must work together.

But will their powers be enough to save them before it's too late?

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #5 Title: The Universal Mirror | Designed by Enggar Adirasa

2012-02-05T05:00:00.001Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #5

Book Title: The Universal Mirror

Author Name: Gwen Perkins

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Enggar Adirasa for cover art. Frank Hall for layout.

Book Blurb:

On the island of Cercia, the gods are dead, killed by their followers and replaced with the study of magic. Magicians are forbidden to leave their homeland. Laws bind these men that prevent them from casting spells on the living—whether to harm or to heal.

Quentin, a young nobleman, challenges these laws out of love for his wife. His best friend, Asahel, defies authority at his side, unaware that the search for this lost magic will bring them both to the edge of reason, threatening their very souls. The Universal Mirror shows how far two men are willing to go for the sake of knowledge and what they will destroy to obtain it.

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REVIEW: The Gold Eagle Mystery | John Russo | MuseItUp Publishing

2012-02-04T20:37:00.000Z

The Gold Eagle Mystery by John Russo

Reviewed by Lucille P. Robinson
Alternative-Read.com
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Be prepared to be surprised.

The Gold Eagle Mystery is a short story set in the 1800s in America. Ethan Edwards, a Pinkerton Detective, investigates his first big case: Every Wells Fargo office along the Union Pacific railroad is robbed. All the robberies have the same aspects: each Wells Fargo office had a Gold Eagle Model 31B safe, the safe door was found open without damage, no forced entry through door or window. The investigation led him out west which was his first trip into the new territory. His investigation led him back to Cincinnati where he talked to the people who made the safe. Then back to the last town on the list where he found himself in danger the closer he got to the truth.

An ordinary tale of mystery, but one set apart by the unexpected. Ethan Edwards attacks the problem at hand with all the tricks he has learned thus far as a Pinkerton Detective. Training is one thing, but, he finds out, that putting that training into practice isn't as easy as it seems.

I like the story by John Russo very much and believe that any lover of mysteries would also. It is a story patterned after the greatest mystery writers and the one that comes to my mind first is Agatha Christie. Ms. Christie was an expert at planting clues, having her detectives ask the right questions, and finally bringing the reader to a satisfying closure. This is such a tale. Be prepared to be surprised.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #4 Book Title: The Rise Of Majick | Designed by Jay Taylor

2012-02-04T05:00:00.003Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #4

Book Title: The Rise Of Majick

Author Name: Jay Taylor

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Jay Taylor

Book Blurb:
Tarver longs for the technology and security from Before. In order to mend the world, he agrees to retrieve the first dragon egg of the new Age and return it to Sylth, the Tar Dragon.
Unfortunately, the elves living in Central Park plan to use the egg to establish their place in this new land of a destroyed cities and dead technologies. Their old spells are failing and their once immortal King is dying. The dragon within the egg is their last hope.
Aided by train-riding dwarfs, mythical creatures and some unlikely allies, Tarver ventures across a land both familiar and frightening.
The future is unwritten and the victors will inherit a world unlike any that has ever existed before.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #3 Book Title: Lunar Lovers | Designed by ?

2012-02-03T15:17:00.003Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #3

Book Title: Lunar Lovers

Author Name: Emma Abbiss

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Name not given

Book Blurb:
On an ancient space station, Samius recognizes Achelle, a half-human, half-Rane female, as his mate the moment he smells her sexy scent. Knowing their lust for each other will soon become uncontrollable, he races to get them home to his brothers so all seven of them can complete the Rane bonding ritual—mating and marking her as part of their family. Samius’ brothers accept Achelle as his mate and she accepts them into her body, but is horrified at what she’s done when she wakes the next morning. Before Samius can explain her heritage and their culture, Achelle runs from him—and right into trouble, leaving her wondering if she’ll ever find a place where she belongs.

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REVIEW | The Cougar Book | Edited by Jolie du Pré | Logical-Lust

2012-02-03T12:44:00.000Z

The Cougar Book by Jolie du Pre

Reviewed by Liz Coldwell

Alternative-Read.com

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Link to book on Amazon UK and USA

Lusty cougars are on the prowl, in this intriguing anthology from Logical-Lust. The archetype of the older woman on the hunt for young male flesh has come to prominence in recent years, thanks to fictional characters such as Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, and Courteney Cox’s Jules in Cougar Town, and real-life examples including Madonna and Demi Moore. As Valerie Gibson, author of Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men, says in her introduction to this book, ‘women who embrace “cougardom” openly without fear or reservation, are ... not only acknowledging their continuing sensuality and sexuality, but embracing it wholeheartedly’. Society has tended to write off women in their forties and fifties as no longer having anything to offer as a potential bed partner, and the heroines in these 23 stories are determined to prove that’s far from the case.

In Jeremy Edwards’ Boston. Breasts. Bohemian. the owner of a small, arty publishing house takes her pick of the young men her company employs as editorial assistants, bringing a new meaning to ‘entry-level position’. In Heidi Champa’s Spring Training, a woman with a dull job on a university campus finds her days being brightened by the sight of Derek, the cutest member of the baseball team, who she watches training from her office window. In Donna George Storey’s Comfort Food, a recent divorcée develops a taste not only for the butterscotch pudding on the menu of the hotel where she’s taking a much-needed holiday, but also the hot chef whose recipe it is. And in Brenna Lyons’ Mine For The Night, a middle-aged scientist in a future where society has been decimated by plague has the enviable task of initiating genetically engineered young men in the art of sex before they are allowed out of the laboratory to join the female-heavy remnants of the world’s population.

If The Cougar Book has a fault, it’s that a few too many of the stories feature rich bitch divorcées with flawless bodies and insatiable appetites, characters whose adventures offer a deal of wish fulfilment, but who all tend to begin to merge into one after a while. More interesting are the stories where the cougar might not be so aware of her own potential as a seductress, like Adriana Kraft’s A Taste of Ginger, where the eponymous heroine hooks up with a young stud on her first visit to a swinging club, much to her delighted disbelief, or Craig J. Sorensen’s Adrian’s Lover, where the older woman is a blues guitarist whose biggest successes are long behind her, but who can still inspire awe and lust in the young journalist charged with the task of interviewing her.

If you’re looking for stories in which older women enjoy sex on their own terms, and teach the young men they seduce plenty about love and life along the way, you’ll find much to enjoy in this collection. Watch out – these cougars have claws!

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #2 Book Title: Deathly Quiet | Designed by Mike Zambrano

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #2

Book Title: Deathly Quiet

Author Name: Lisa Forget

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Mike Zambrano

Book Blurb:
When Moira Murphy stops by Sebastopol Row to visit the handsome young Percy Brown–the man her heart desires -she finds nothing but empty stables and a pool of dripping blood. With a large black crow watching her every move while black clouds and rolling thunder suddenly fill the skies above her, fear propels her into the Brown family home. The moment she crosses the threshold, stepping into the dark and seemingly empty house, Moira knows something is very wrong.

Dread races through her and dark shadows take on a human-like shape. When long, razor-sharp canines glint in the candlelight Moira realizes what lies within the deathly quiet of that house is a fate even her vivid imagination cannot fathom.

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Feb 2012 Book Cover Award Entry #1 Title: Out of the Shade | Designed by Delilah Stephans

2012-02-02T01:13:00.000Z

February 2012 Book Cover Entry #1

Book Title: Out of the Shade

Author Name: Diane Barr

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Delilah Stephans

Book Blurb:
Faeries that carry katanas and guns instead of sprinkling magic dust and granting wishes. Dragons that reanimate the dead. Drug-crazed goblins terrorizing neighborhoods. Illegal demons attempting to conjure the alter ego of an Egyptian goddess.

Sounds like something out of a nightmare, right? Wrong. It’s my everyday life.

Welcome to the Shade, where all the creatures of myth hang out and where I, Detective Gabrielle Tate of the Supernatural Task Force, police them. My partner is AWOL and my sexy dragon boss is leaving nothing to chance as we deal with goblins high on Escape and a serial killer—or worse, a nest of rogue vampires—leaving the drained corpses of faeries and cops all over town.

And then there’s the psychotic demons trying to conjure the goddess Hathor’s alter ego, Sekhmet, to destroy humanity. As a faery and direct descendent of Hathor, I’m eager to manifest her power and use it to combat evil. At the same time, I need to learn how to control the accompanying bloodlust. How? By taking lessons from the charismatic leader of the local vampire clan, of course.

If you thought the mean streets of Detroit were tough, you’ve never seen the Shade.

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For guidelines and how to enter your book cover please click here.

As my contact tab does not allow attachments to be added, please can you make sure that alongside your entry you send a high resolution copy of your book cover for me to use and add to the book cover award promo video, to this address: ar.featuredesk@gmail.com

Thank you!

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JAN 2012 BOOK COVER AWARD WINNER: Goes to...

2012-02-01T22:23:00.000Z

Hi there!

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the January 2012 Alternative-Read.com book cover award.

Congratulations goes to... Laura Givens for the beautiful cover of Butterfly Garden, Book cover entry #4 January 2012, written by Annette Blair.

January 2012 Book Cover Entry #4

Book Title: Butterfly Garden

Author Name: Annette Blair

Buy Now Amazon USA or UK

Book Cover Designer Name: Laura Givens

Book Blurb:

Amish woman Sara Lapp, all but shunned for studying with the local doctor to become a midwife, is shocked that, after months of waiting, her first call comes from “Mad” Adam Zuckerman, a self-appointed outcast. Adam doesn’t want her to attend at a birth, but to tend to his children because his wife has died in childbed. Adam is afraid to love his children, because he might hurt them in the way his father hurt him. Without his late wife, Abby, to protect them, Adam must find someone else to care for the girls. He can think of only one woman brave enough, Spinster Sara Lapp, the little midwife whose passion for things beyond her control is greater than is good for her.

This month, February, I am trying out a different way to do the voting. I'd like to see if leaving a comment on each of the nominees blog posts would work better than a poll. One comment = one vote - per person. Voting will start as usual on the 11th of each month. Any comments before the 11th will not be counted, so it will still be a fair vote.

As usual there will be a promotional video coming this way, soon!

For your information, the official stats for the January 2012 contest are below:

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#1 Torrodil	2 (2%)
#2 Frozen (Artica Lights series)	2 (2%)
#3 God’s Eye	5 (6%)
#4 Butterfly Garden	32 (44%)
#5 The Portal	1 (1%)
#6 Laurel's Miracle	9 (12%)
#7 Searchers	3 (4%)
#8 To Sleep Gently	15 (20%)
#9 Giving up the Ghost	1 (1%)
#10 A Bard’s Folktale	12 (16%)

Votes so far: 72
Poll closed

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Join our chat over at the Yahoo Chat and Promo group! (and claim your free e-books!) No promos allowed on Mondays-Fridays unless you are an affiliate author.

###
Author Promos: Also featured at top spot on blog (above the fold) and on most of the feeds sent out to email subscribers. For more info›

PRODUCT REVIEW: Post-it Durable Filing Tabs

2012-01-31T21:18:00.001Z

Post-it Durable Filing Tabs, 2 Inches, Ideal For Binders And File Folders, Assorted Bright Colors, 24 per Pack (686F-1BB) (Office Product)

This is an Amazon Vine Review for the USA site, and you can also find my review on the UK site.

Very handy for writing research!

I am surprisingly happy with these little fellas. Many of you will know how much I love notebooks and at this time of year diaries, too (and if you don't you do now!) With that in mind, you probably won't be surprised to hear that's where I stuck them - in my diary. I used the tabs to put the months on, so they stuck out and I could flick through to the months I needed with ease. I don't use my diary for personal writing, I book a lot of author features in and need to be able to switch to the months I need with speed. I like to know I have the details at hand, even when my Internet goes down. For this reason, I like hard copies and I love my new tabs.

With these Post-It Durable Filing Tabs I could do it with ease. They also stick firmly enough for me to flick through them a lot and not come unstuck.

At first I tried writing on them with a Biro pen, but it didn't really show up much for what I needed, so I used a permanent marker and that worked a treat.

Can be also used for making tabs in ring binders project folders and I'd thoroughly recommend them as they appear very long lasting and tough enough to cope with repeated handling.

REVIEW: Styx's Storm | Breeds Series | Lora Leigh | Berkley Sensation Publishing

2012-01-27T09:59:00.000Z

Styx's Storm by Lora Leigh

Reviewed by WitchGiggles
Alternative-Read.com
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Link to book on Amazon UK and USA
Big, gorgeous, hunky breed-Styx is most apt at finding and capturing his prey. Storme Montague however is more than prey; she might just hold the key to the future for some of the breeds as well as Styx himself. First he has to keep the innocent Storme safe from not only Breed slavers, but his own animal side.

Storme was told to give what her father gave into her protection to only certain individuals; only Daddy forgot to tell her who those individuals were. She has no particular love for any of the breeds as they cost her everything she held dear, but she never expected to feel for the hunk called Styx those so out-of-control emotions that kept her on her head instead of her feet. Now she must decide whether it's head or heart she follows.

This one has it all- lust, passion, fear, hate, know it all men and women who know better. I thought with so many different books about the breeds it might get a little boring, repetitive, etc. To my chagrin and my entertainment Lora Leigh manages to find a twist or two to the premise to keep them enjoyable without complete repetition. This was fun, humorous, full of hot sex and long enough to make the reading worthwhile.

View all our reviews

REVIEW: Black Wings | Christina Henry | Penguin Books

2012-01-26T12:01:00.000Z

Please give a warm welcome to the delightful Blodeuedd, of whom is now a permanent member of our "Gang". I do hope she enjoys her stay here and reads lots of enjoyable books! Thank you, Blodeuedd, it's great to have you aboard!
Find out more about Blodeuedd, below her latest review of Black Wings by Christina Henry.

Black Wings by Christina Henry
Reviewed by Blodeuedd
Alternative-Read.com
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another good new urban fantasy series. There may be many out there, and because of that there is sure something for everyone to enjoy.

What I liked about Christina Henry's Black Wings is that it took a hold of me at once and would not let go. I wanted to know what happened, I needed to knew what the secrets were and it was just such an enjoyable ride while it lasted. There was one thing though that was not that good, but in the end it did not matter since I truly liked this book. But for the record, it was something about the writing sometimes, the way she wrote conversations. They did not feel genuine a few times. But I did not let that bother me because the story won me over.

Maddie is an agent collecting souls. She does not have much time for anything else, I can understand that. Her friend (if you can call it that, more like a pet ;) is a gargoyle who I absolutely loved. A great comic relief for sure. And then a mystery man moves into the building and here is where the book starts to get good. Who is this guy, what is he? And why are demons trying to kill her? The questions are many but we do get the answer we want and more comes as the book ends. And there were some very good answers.

The pages kind of just fly by and since there is always something it makes it a book that I did not want to put down. Which makes this a recommended urban fantasy series and I will sure read book 2. Because even if it ends all good and nice there are still many things that needs to be set straight, and who knows, maybe we will get some romance too.

View all our reviews

Synopsis from Goodreads:

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell.

Blodeuedd's Blog: Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell | Twitter | FaceBook |

Happy New Year! Enter the Dragon:: Join the book trailer swap!

2012-01-23T15:22:00.003Z

Hey! It's the Chinese New Year and in celebration of all you Dragons out there, here's a happy Chinese New Year song for you. Happy New Year!

Meanwhile, I'd like to welcome you to the latest Monday "Movie" book trailer swap. The idea is simple. If you have you made a book trailer to promote your book - please leave the link in the comments section below, so we can come and pay you a visit. Not only do I love making trailers myself, I love watching them.

If you want to share, I'll visit every one of them and subscribe to your channel too. Don't forget, our readers might also pay you a visit.

While you are there, please consider subscribing to our OhSassyOne channel, too. Thanks.

Check out past Monday Movie posts and all the great trailers already shared here. Bye for now!

REVIEW: Climbing the Ladder | Shifting Streams Bk 1 | B.A. Tortuga | Resplendence Publishing,LLC

2012-01-22T15:00:00.009Z

Climbing The Ladder by B.A. Tortuga

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed By WitchGiggles
Link to book at Amazon UK | USA

Mesa becomes pack Alpha,but isn't complete without the mate that left him years ago,so the first order of business becomes finding and returning his mate where he belongs-home with the pack. Life however has no intention of making his mission an easy one and finding Kody means finding the other part of himself as well. Kody was compelled to leave his mate because he knew that things would never be totally square between them as they were,so he followed his heart and found Samantha. When Mesa shows up on their doorstep an already emotional storm becomes a chaotic cluster as they sort through things never experienced by some and only partially understood by the others.

When Samantha finds Kody in a compromising situation,her already stressed emotions boil over into an inferno of conflicting feelings- for as much as she feel betrayed by Kody she's even more betrayed by her response to the big, growly man who seems to think he can control her.

B.A. Tortuga writes a complicated "tail" where the male doesn't get it all his way with the female falling at his feet in adoration, and I like that. The characters were fun as well as strong, pulled you into the story and let you enjoy their rather frenetic journey to finding their way to becoming what they're meant to be. Oh, yeah -the sex is quite as frenetic, stimulating and imaginative as any you could hope for; very vivid word painter is this author. Bravo!

View all our reviews

REVIEW: Lake Charles | Series BK 1 | Ed Linskey

2012-01-21T23:17:00.001Z

Lake Charles by Ed Lynskey

Reviewer: Lucille P Robinson

http://www.lucilleperkinsrobinson.com

Alternative-Read.com

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Link to book on Amazon UK | USA

Brendan Fishback, his twin sister Edna, and his friend Cobb Kuzawa hitched up their bass boats and took off for Lake Charles for bass fishing. It turned out to be one fishing trip Brendan wanted never to repeat.

Danger stalked them every step they made on and around Lake Charles. Kill or be killed became the order of the day. Brendan, just a good ol' boy who only wanted to work during the day, smoke pot and have sex most of the night, was faced with choices he did not want to make. Having already suffered through being convicted of one murder he did not relish the idea of another killing on his record, but he had no choice. Kill or be killed...Sometimes bad situations turn out to be good for the person who must face them. Sometimes they don't.

The beginning set the atmosphere of a regular fishing trip: spend the day on the water reeling in large bass, peace and quiet while doing so, with a little sparring between husband and wife. Then all hell breaks loose. Nerves tense: flight or fight? I hope all readers decide to stay and read to the end of this story. The things Brendan faces on this fishing trip are so prevalent in today's world, I doubt that the reader will be shocked, but the story should give readers pause for thought. Take the many flashbacks as intended. This is how the back story is fed in and they are interesting in their own right. They fit the description of a story running simultaneously with the main plot line and they give us necessary information on the horror of being accused of murder and how it leads up to the fishing trip. The first, and maybe the second, flashback will have the reader saying, "What do I need these for? It's a waste of time." However, bear with them a short time and I promise you they will do their job well.

Brendan, his sister Edna, and her husband Cobb Kuzawa are all memorable characters. I like Brendan because he is such a gentle man and he's suffering torment in a situation that perhaps could have been avoidable, but like all humans, he made poor choices before this fishing trip. We will always suffer the consequences of our choices whether they be good or bad. Edna wants a good marriage like most women do. She just has trouble putting up with Cobb's drinking and raises a lot of ruckus over it which in turn threatens to tear her marriage apart. Cobb is just a 'good ole boy' who wants only to drink and to fish. He can't understand why Edna must fight against his drinking.

Ed Lynskey's story belongs to Brendan despite the fact that many readers will enjoy Edna and Cobb more. It's a writer's pitfall in which the author has given too much of the story to the supporting characters and his main character isn't strong enough to dominate the tale. I truly like the snappy way this story is told and I believe both young adult readers and older readers will enjoy the tale.

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AUTHOR BIO [from Amazon.com]

Ed Lynskey is a crime fiction writer residing not too far from the Pentagon. His P.I.Frank Johnson mystery series include Pelham Fell Here, The Dirt-Brown Derby, The Blue Cheer, Troglodytes, and The Zinc Zoo. His small town cozy mystery is Quiet Anchorage, featuring his amateur sleuth sisters Alma and Isabel Trumbo. His standalone Appalachian noir is Lake Charles. Ed lives with his family and one black-and-white cat named Frannie after P.I. Frank Johnson. Ed and Frank are both Washington National baseball fans.

DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON - Paranormal Wolf Shifter Is HERE!

2012-01-21T18:12:00.000Z

Dark Night of the Moon, a paranormal wolf shifter based on Native American lore, is available on KINDLE NOW: http://amzn.to/ADePKy

NOTE: If you're a Kindle Prime member, you can borrow Dark Night of the Moon for free. While there is romance in the novel, it is not erotic, and the dominant theme is paranormal.
This is the sequel to Holding On To Heaven, an erotic romance western.

MY WOLF DOESN’T SPARKLE – HE TAKES OUT EVIL . . .

About Dark Night of the Moon:
Creed Gatlin flees to Arizona intent on eradicating the haunting memories of his brother’s wife. Brand Gatlin, presumed dead, resurfaces after a long absence and with his re-emergence, the destinies of those he loves is altered forever.

In a land rife with war and danger, Sage must travel to the village of her husband’s People. There, she is reunited with Crooked Back, the ancient healer. On the long trek back to Full Circle, devious plots are underfoot and peril lurks around every corner for Sage, Lauren and Peter Pa.

Dark Night of the Moon will take you on an unforgettable journey of war, violence, overwhelming grief, and finally, love.

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Blog Tour for Dark Night of the Moon January 24, 2012 here: http://www.romfanreviews.com/

If you'd like to know more about my new releases please follow Keta's Keep: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com