Review and Giveaway: Shades of Treason

Shades of Treason
(An Anomaly Novel, #1)
By Sandy Williams

Blurb: 

Ash would have given her life to save her teammates.

Instead, they gave their lives to save hers.

Lieutenant Ramie Ashdyn is an anomaly, a person whose genetic makeup makes her stronger and smarter than the average human. She’s pledged her life to protect the Coalition, an alliance of thirteen planetary systems, but when a top secret operation turns bloody, she’s charged with treason and the brutal executions of her teammates.

The Coalition needs the information Ash’s team stole on their last mission, so they send in Commander Rhys “Rest in Peace” Rykus to get it. He’s the man who’s responsible for turning Ash into an elite soldier... and he’s a man who isn’t, never was, and never will be in love with the woman he trained. Or so he tells himself.

Ash wants nothing more than to clear her name and be the woman her former instructor wants her to be, but the enemy who killed her teammates did more than frame her for treason and murder: they telepathically silenced her mind, preventing her from saying anything that might point to the truth about what happened.

Now Ash is trapped and set to be executed, the truth dying with her. Unless she can prove her innocence. But taking that path could destroy the Coalition she’s sworn to preserve and protect...

Available for purchase at 

Excerpt

“Please.” Ash’s
voice was so raw, so striated with emotional pain, that Rykus wasn’t sure if
the jolt he felt through his heart was her will breaking or his.

She had never
uttered that word in his presence before. He was almost certain she’d never
used it in her life. It wasn’t part of her vocabulary. It would have been seen
as a weakness on her home planet, just as it would have been a weakness on
Caruth.

But the word was
a submission, complete and irrevocable. All her walls were down. She was
pleading for his help.

She was pleading
for his help, and he was hurting her.

He released the
pressure on her arm.

A moment passed.
Then another. Then Ash’s green eyes opened.

She stared at
him.

He stared at her.

It felt as if
he’d been sucked into another dimension, one where the loyalty training had
flipped the axis of the universe. Instead of her being bound by his wishes, it
was the other way around. She held his free will in her hands. He could feel it
missing in the center of his chest. His heart beat within the hollow space,
lost, unable to orient itself, but one command, one word from her, could make
everything right again.

Her lips parted.
No sound came out, though he waited for it, waited for some command he could
carry out for her.

Is this what it
felt like to be a loyalty trained anomaly? He wasn’t in control. He wasn’t
thinking reasonably. If he had been, he wouldn’t have been this aware of how
her body fitted with his. He wouldn’t have been able to picture himself
lowering his mouth to hers. He could almost taste her. He wanted to taste that
beauty mark to the right of her lips.

He allowed
himself one weakness. He drew his thumb over the small, dark spot. It was real.
As real as the woman lying beneath him. He’d seen Ash naked once before. He’d
tried not to focus on her body back then, but he wanted to focus on it now. He
wanted to take his time surveying every inch of it.

And he wanted her

beneath him, vulnerable to his touch, his presence. Ash was always in control
of herself. He wanted to see her shatter…

Review:  This is my favorite genre so I was really looking forward to reading this one and I was not disappointed.  Ash was definitely a badass and Rykus or RIP as she called him was the chief badass. RIP was so conflicted on what was going on with Ash and couldn't quite believe that she was innocent but also he couldn't believe her guilty. He sort of flip flopped back and forth but he was determined to keep her alive. When he was convinced of her innocence he was all in and the romance between them was hot. I had a couple of issues with this story. I didn't get why just being an anomaly was so bad. It was not explained to my satisfaction and it also bothered me that RIP was her failsafe and that she was sort of conditioned to please him even though she had fought it. But all in all give this book a 3 1/2 stars and am definitely going to read this authors other series.. I was given this book by the author for a fair and honest review.

The Author

Sandy Williams has lived and breathed books all her life. When she was a teen, she was always the first to finish her class assignments so that she could read as much as possible before the bell rang. Her grades didn't suffer (much), and she was able to enroll in Texas A&M University. She didn't sneak in novels there, but her college lecture notes are filled with snippets of stories. After she graduated, she decided to turn those snippets into novels.

Sandy writes books with high-octane action adventure infused with a strong romantic element. She is best known for The Shadow Reader novels, an urban fantasy romance series about a human who can both see and track the fae. When she’s not reading or corralling her twin boys, she enjoys playing EuroGames like Dominion, 7 Wonders, and Agricola.

You can find Sandy at 

         

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Quick Reviews - Takhini Wolf Series by Vivian Arend

 

Black Gold Takhini Wolves, Book 1

 

Lone wolf Shaun Stevens s automatic response to the words happily ever after ? "Kill me now." Yet with all his friends settling down he s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.

One thing s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.

When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it s about more than her caribou research project. It s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there s something in the air she can t quite define something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.

Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don t belong together become painfully clear.

It s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words

Warning: Two strong wolves getting exactly what they deserve. Includes wilderness nookie, shifters being naughty in public places, the Midnight Sun as a canopy for seduction and grizzly shifters on the loose. Oh, and don t forget the sarcasm.

 Gen and Shaun were great together. Different but they worked and I loved watching Shaun getting his HEA. I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed this book so much so that I went and got the rest and read them back to back.

I give this book 4 stars and I bought it with my own hard earned money lol.

Silver Mine Takhini Wolves, Book 2

Life in isolation is the safest place for Chase Johnson, a crossbreed who doesn't know which form he'll assume next-cougar or wolf. Once a year, his unelected position as spokesman for the Yukon outcasts forces him to visit civilization. This time he runs across someone unexpected. She's not his mate, but she pushes all the right buttons.

It's taken years for Shelley Bradley to gather the courage to return to her home pack. In spite of being the lowest of the low-a shifter who can't shift-she's determined to make a place for herself as the Whitehorse locals' new vet-slash-doctor.

There's definite electricity between her and Chase, but sex with fellow shifters and the inherent mind games got old a long time ago. Ignoring him seems best. When he shows up at her office with a wound that won't heal, she's stuck-yet drawn to solve this medical mystery.

As they journey deep into outcast territory in search of answers, their powerful sexual attraction crumbles her resistance. But time is of the essence. If a cure can't be found before his human and cougar succumb to his injury, he-and others like him-will die.

Warning: Contains a silver-tongued, hairy-chested, lean-muscled Alpha who's got what it takes to lead in the wilderness and in the bedroom. Yeah, I know...not really much of a deterrent, is it? Throw in continuing territorial wars and a domestic cat. Stir and enjoy the chaos.  

This book was my second favorite of the Takhini series. I loved Shelley. Even though she was considered different from other wolves since she cannot shift and was given grief for it I like that she takes control and don't let the other wolves bully her anymore. and She's Caroline's sister my favorite badass human of this series. And Chase what can I say but Yum. He's a wolf/cougar shifter and he's a little different too. So they work well together in bed and out. And they are not mates but it shows you don't have to have to be to be totally together.

I give this book 5 stars and I bought this one with my own money too.

 

 

 

  Diamond Dust  Takhini Wolves 3

 

 

She can’t shift, but she can shake their world.

Caroline Bradley is having one hell of a week. Her wolf lover has sniffed out his mate, making her an instant free agent. Not only that, Takhini territory has been overrun with aggressive bear-shifters electing a clan leader, and the wolf pack is feeling the effects—pushing her diplomatic skills to the limit.

Tyler Harrison is a grizzly on a mission. If he’s going to win the majority of the bears’ votes, he needs one final thing: a female companion. The only woman in town with influence over wolves, humans, and more bears than he’d like to admit, is Caroline.

Despite the sexual pull between them, though, Tyler’s not seeking a permanent relationship. And Caroline isn’t looking to be anyone else’s political pawn. But she should have remembered that when shifters are involved, changes happen in the blink of an eye.

Warning: Billionaire bear hero plus kick-ass human heroine equals a sexually volatile power struggle. Get ready for what might be the naughtiest game of tag that’s ever been played in the great outdoors.

 

Carolyn is one of my most favorite heroines that I've read recently. For starters she is human and is the alpha female of a werewolf pack. I liked everything about her. She's snarky, smart, and she bags herself a grizzly. And Tyler is just a big ole teddy bear for her anyway. Anyone else and he's a typical grizzly. I loved this story. Definitely my favorite in this series.

I give this one 5 stars and again this is another one I bought with my own money.

 

 

 

 

MoonShine Takhini Wolves, Book 4

Meet Evan Stone. Laid-back, in-control Alpha of the Takhini Wolves. Life’s not perfect, but he’s got a good handle on his world. At least, he did—until the night he ends up in jail, soaking wet and wondering what the hell just happened.

The “what” is Amy Ryba, a vengeful female who’s decided it’s long past time to make Evan pay for his sins. Amy has spent years tracking him down, and the last nine months working in secret to destroy him. She’s ready for anything—except discovering the shifter she hates is her mate.

Suddenly, Evan’s not so very in control, of himself or his pack. And unless Amy can learn to forgive and forget, she’ll have to do the unthinkable: reject her mate.

With two packs watching, one thing is certain. Their personal issues won’t stay personal for long. If Amy and Evan can’t find a way to work together, there won’t be a happily-ever-after for them…or any of the wolves of Whitehorse.

Warning: Contains angsty wolves. Lots of angsty wolves causing explosions of all sorts, playing bad pranks, hacking computers, and having angry sex against a wall or two. Not all at the same time, though, because that would be silly

 

 

This was a fantastic story but kind of hard too. Evan and Amy had a of lot issues to work through not the least of which was joining their respective packs and working out who was going to do what. And in midst of all this there is an attempted coup in his pack. But in the end it all worked out to everyone satisfaction.
I give this one four stars and I bought this one with my own money too.

Caged Desire: A Shapeshifter Romance by Sydney Somers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When a mysterious wooden crate is delivered to her door, Eve Blake is intrigued by the massive golden eagle inside. As a vampire, she’s all too familiar with creatures being more than they appear, yet nothing prepares her for the shapeshifter’s true form. Suspecting the dangerous immortal was locked away for a reason, Eve is reluctant to release him, no matter how fiercely she craves his touch.

Wrongfully imprisoned, Logan has spent half a century plotting his revenge against those who condemned him to spend eternity in a South American rainforest. But with one look at the alluring
vampire who holds his freedom in her hands, vengeance quickly becomes the farthest thing from his mind.

Even if he can win her trust—and her heart—his past won’t release him without a fight.


This was a fast, hot, sexy read. Eve was one cool heroine. She was like me in that her mouth probably could get her in trouble. She doesn't take no crap from anyone especially Logan's evil brother And I liked it. Despite Logan being imprisoned for 50 yrs he is remarkably stable. I'm not sure I would have been. And the connection between him and Eva was instantaneous. And even though he was getting his strength back he didn't want to leave her and his evil brother and some of his old clan tried to come along and spoil it for them. But it all worked out in the end. I would like more of this type shifter. Not seen many eagle shifters.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.


View all my reviews

Anthologies by Best Selling Authors and a Giveaway.

 

Welcome to the sale promotion for the books: Sweet Talk, Sweet Dreams and Sweet Seduction by Brenda Novak and other best selling authors.  All proceeds from the sale of these three boxed sets will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.  The discount is applicable from June 1 to June 30, 2015.

 

In 2014, the boxed set curated by Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research (titled A SWEET LIFE), raised almost $100,000 net to the charity in only one month. This year we’re back for a second helping, and you can indulge, too!

About Sweet Talk:

Authors:  Brenda Novak, Melody Anne, Violet Duke, Melissa Foster, Gina L Maxwell, Linda Lael Miller, Sherryl Woods, Steena Holmes, Rosalind James, Molly O'Keefe, Nancy Naigle, & Robyn Carr

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Discounted Price: $2.99

 

This heart-warming, limited edition collection features ten BRAND NEW contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors...

 

You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of SWEET TALK will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

 

Featuring a foreword by #1 NYT Bestselling Author Robyn Carr and a bonus story, the Brenda Novak classic, WHEN WE TOUCH, which kicks off her popular small-town contemporary Whiskey Creek series.

 

In this new tale, ONCE UPON A DREAM, from NYT bestselling author Melody Anne, Whitney Steele loses her sister in the blink of an eye and is caring for her niece and nephew, not knowing how she is going to get through the loss of the most important person in her life. Liam Felton loses his brother and never gets to say goodbye. Can these two people come together and mend what's been broken? Or will fate take them down a different road altogether?

 

When behind-the-scenes sports analyst Jackson Gray is assigned the task of teaching the ins and outs of college and pro football to the network’s newest on-camera beauty, sideline reporter Leila Hart, the last thing he expects is to become the one getting schooled—in lessons in love, that is—from a woman who clearly knows way more about sports than she lets on. JACKSON by NYT bestselling author Violet Duke.

 

From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes a new, sweet and sexy wedding romance, PROMISE MY LOVE, the follow-up novella to DESTINED FOR LOVE (The Bradens).

 

From NYT bestselling author Gina L. Maxwell comes a story, ASK ME AGAIN, about a woman who returns to her hometown after her devastating breakup and finds herself drawn to an old friend who’s never stopped hoping for more.

 

From NYT bestselling author Linda Lael Miller we have a heart-pounding tale of unrequited love come to fruition in INTERLUDE, the story of a woman holding out for the man she’s never forgotten--the sexy cowboy she’s always loved.

 

#1 NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes readers back to her beloved Chesapeake Shores for the story of a woman stuck in a dead-end job who discovers it's never too late for a whole new dream. 

In the latest romance from NYT bestselling author Steena Holmes, Charlie Peters knew running away wasn’t the right thing to do, especially from her fiancé, but with her sister in the hospital, now seemed like the perfect time. And it wasn’t just him she was running away from, but the promise of the life they could have together. She wasn’t meant for happily-ever-afters, even though Marcus was her Prince Charming.

 

Rosalind James’s JUST IN TIME (ESCAPE TO NEW ZEALAND) brings you one bad boy of New Zealand rugby, one erotic modeling contract that doesn’t stay in Vegas, and one good woman to pick up the pieces.

 

Rita Award winning author Molly O'Keefe writes a heart-warming story of two friends who find love where they least expect it in A DATE FOR A CHRISTMAS WEDDING.

 

Join USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle in SAND DOLLAR COVE, where a determined shop owner faces the loss of her family’s business, and has the mayor making tough choices between what’s best for the town and what might win the heart of the woman he’s secretly loved from afar. 

 

Don’t forget to check out SWEET DREAMS and SWEET SEDUCTION, two more limited edition collections from Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research, as well as LOVE THAT!, Brenda Novak's new cookbook with Jan Coad, and SAFE HAVEN, a special edition novel from Lauren Hawkeye... read and help the fight against diabetes!

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About Sweet Dreams:

Authors: Brenda Novak, Allison Brennan, Cynthia Eden, JT Ellison, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart, Alex Kava, CJ Lyons, Carla Neggers, Theresa Ragan, Erica Spindler, Jo Robertson, Tiffany Snow, Lee Child

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Discounted Price: $2.99

 

In this fascinating limited edition collection features thirteen BRAND NEW thrillers by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors... Make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of Sweet Dreams will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

 

Featuring a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Lee Child.

 

When disgraced former cop Alex Morgan is shot saving the life of California's Lieutenant Governor, she doesn't expect to be caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, an FBI sting, an old rivalry ... and cold-blooded murder. AIM TO KILL by NYT bestselling author Allison Brennan.

 

NYT bestselling author Cynthia Eden invites readers to enter a world of darkness and obsession in her new romantic suspense tale, UNTIL DEATH.

 

From NYT bestselling author J.T. Ellison comes the long awaited prequel to her Taylor Jackson series. CROSSED, the story of a madman trying to create his own end-of-days apocalypse, introduces Lieutenant Taylor Jackson to the young, troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin.

 

In TOYS IN THE ATTIC from NYT bestselling author Heather Graham, Michael Quinn is accustomed to dealing with the deadly, the dangerous, and the extreme—but a haunted spinning wheel? And on the even of his wedding? He’ll have to risk his life, limb and soul for love to save Danni Cafferty from the cursed creation if he’s ever to get them both to the church on time—and live. 

 

J.J. Graves and Jack Lawson investigate a ritualistic murder while on their honeymoon in DIRTY DEEDS by NYT bestselling author Liliana Hart.

 

From NYT bestselling author Alex Kava comes the prequel readers have been waiting for, and the case that destined Special Agent Maggie O’Dell to a career of chasing killers.

 

From NYT bestselling author CJ Lyons: When workaholic FBI Agent Lucy Guardino takes her daughter on vacation, the last thing she expects is to become embroiled in a murder—or for her teenaged daughter to play amateur sleuth with disastrous consequences.

 

When her twin sister disappears, Ellen Galway enlists the help of a Texas Ranger in SECRET HIDEAWAY, a story of love, danger and revenge from NYT bestselling author Carla Neggers.

 

HANOVER HOUSE, from NYT bestselling author Brenda Novak, features Evelyn Talbott, a psychiatrist who studies serial killers at a revolutionary new medical health center in remote Hilltop, Alaska. Evelyn’s determined to unlock the mysteries of the anti-social mind, even if it kills her—and being surrounded by men who feel no remorse means it just might…

 

NYT bestselling author Theresa Ragan’s newest suspense, DEAD MAN RUNNING, is set in motion when an accused murderer escapes prison in a body bag and sets out to prove his innocence.

 

From NYT bestselling author Erica Spindler comes the prequel to her exciting new series starring reformed southern belle turned kick ass cop, Michaela Dee Dare. In RANDOM ACTS, Micki must uncover the link between a series of bizarre and seemingly random murders in New Orleans.

 

Someone is killing homeless people in Jo Robertson's latest suspense-thriller, WITHOUT MALICE. It's personal to Parole Officer Santiago Cruz because the targets are his parolees. With no motive or murder weapon, but with help from prison doctor Frankie Jones, he traces the brutal deaths back to their tragic origin.

 

Before Kathleen, there were just two brothers: Blane and Kade. One bonding trip to Vegas later and Sin City will never be the same in TURN THE TABLES, prequel to the Kathleen Turner Series by Bestselling Author Tiffany Snow.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other limited edition sets available for a limited time only... read and help find a cure for diabetes!

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About Sweet Seduction:

Authors: Lexi Blake, Mari Carr, JS Cooper, Nicole Edwards, Karen Erickson, Megan Hart, J Kenner, Julia Kent, Elisabeth Grace, Lauren Hawkeye, Nina Lane, Roni Loren, Avery Aster, Lisa Renee Jones

Genre: Erotic Romance

Discounted Price: $2.99

 

This stunning limited edition collection features thirteen BRAND NEW contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors... You can make a difference while you read!

 

All proceeds from the sale of Sweet Seduction will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

 

Featuring a foreword and a bonus book by New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Renee Jones.

 

From New York Times bestselling Author Lexi Blake comes LUSCIOUS, a novella set in her Masters and Mercenaries world.

 

When Macon Miles meets sweet waitress Alison Jones, he knows she’s trouble, but he can’t imagine how her secrets will rock his world. Sparks fly in Texas when a soldier comes home to the girl he left behind in New York Times bestselling author Mari Carr's WAITING FOR YOU.

 

Sex. Lies. Romance. Love. My life has it all. I do what I want, when I want and no one can stop me. This isn't a story of how I found my prince. Or my how my prince found me. This is my life. My diary. This is the true diary of 'that girl'. CONFESSIONS OF A SEXAHOLIC by New York Times bestselling author JS Cooper.

 

New York Times bestselling author Nicole Edwards revisits Tag and McKenna, a power couple who have gone from infatuation to adoration in ADORED (Club Destiny #7.5).

 

New York Times bestselling author Karen Erickson presents a brand new, very sexy contemporary romance about finding love in the most unexpected places...

 

When love is determined, it will always find a way. From New York Times bestselling author Megan Hart comes PERFECTLY RECKLESS, a new novel about love, lust, loss and rediscovery between two people who should never have fallen in love…or out of it.

 

Spend some time with Nikki and Damien Stark in this sexy and sensual bonus story in J. Kenner’s STARK EVER AFTER series of novellas.

 

When Random Acts of Crazy's bass player, Joe Ross, gets injured in an unfortunate sex act that gains nationwide coverage, it's tatted-up Tyler (aka "Frown") to the rescue for their first big concert. THE RANDOM TOUR: LOS ANGELES by New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent.

 

With INDECISION, Elisabeth Grace brings you another hot story with heart that follows a small town's wild child and the police officer who tries to tame her--he has no idea what he's in for.

 

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Hawkeye comes THE BILLIONAIRE YOU KNOW, where a bad boy billionaire decides he's waited long enough for the woman he wants...

 

In STICKY by New York Times bestselling author Nina Lane, a plate of sugar cookies sparks an edgy, red-hot affair between married PTO president Madeline Collins and the hot, new school principal, who teaches her a very dirty lesson.

 

From New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren comes WANDERLUST, the story of a magazine writer who needs to land the big story and the bad boy rockstar who’s determined to protect his band’s secrets. His plan? Get her off her game by getting her into his bed.

 

For fans of such films as Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Wild Things comes a ménage romance posing the question, can two men share the same woman forever? UNCONVENTIONAL (The Manhattanites) by Avery Aster.

 

Don’t forget to check out SWEET TALK and SWEET DREAMS, two more limited edition collections from Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research, as well as LOVE THAT!, Brenda Novak's new cookbook with Jan Coad, and SAFE HAVEN, a special edition novel from Lauren Hawkeye... read and help the fight against diabetes!

 

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Giveaway:

Four (4) $25 Amazon Gift Cards (INT)

Ends June 29th

Prizing provided by the authors

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

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Review: By the Light of the Moon by Sydney Somers

By the Light of the Moon by Sydney Somers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Looking forward to a week's vacation before she starts her new teaching job, Harley's skeptical about the last minute assignment to investigate something 'strange' at the adult's only club in paradise.
She's also reluctant to take her neighbor, Cole, up on his offer to go with her 'undercover'-because she's been dreaming about getting him under her covers for a while and he seems content just to be friends. How can she 'pretend' to be his lover when she wants him to be her lover in fact?

Rating: Spicy/carnal



This was a hot, spicy, quick read. I loved this since it was one of my favorite genre's with a friends to lover theme that I always like.
These two are friends and Harley's been eying Cole for a while but it seems Cole wants to just be friends. But all is not as it seems. He's interested all right but has a secret. And when her soon to be ex-boss talks her into one more job she needs him to help with her cover and when he finds out when, where and what he has to go along to protect Harley and his secret. It brings these two closer. But poor Cole is trying to deal with his feeling for Harley and protect his secret. This causes problems but ultimately everything is reconciled to everyone's satisfaction. I give this 5 stars and I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Now I need to find out if there is going to be more in this series since there is at one person in this book who needs his own book.



View all my reviews

Excerpt and Giveaway: Shadowed Passage by Shyla Wolff

“The choice is yours, boy, but understand—not deciding is making a decision. Do it before I make the decision for you. Only difference is, I won’t kill one, I’ll kill them both. Father or sister. You have all the power.”

Roth kept his tone calm and gentle. The evil coiled tightly within warmed his soul. He fancied the boy killing his father, silently rooting for the infant to survive. He could have lots of fun with her over the coming years.

The boy’s father would die either way. He’d bound and beaten him just for fun.

“Daddy? What do I do?” Tears streamed down Dylan’s face, sobs racked his entire nine-year-old battered frame. His gaze slid from his father to his baby sister, now held by Roth. When he looked back at his dad’s bruised and bloodied face, he cried harder. His dad’s eyes were swollen almost shut.

The gun shook uncontrollably in the boy’s small hand. “Daddy?”
Boredom shadowed his mind as the excitement of the climax dimmed with the child’s indecisiveness.

His gaze wandered out the window above the kitchen sink.

In the back yard, a massive, wooden play structure stood, complete with swings, tunnels, overhead ladder, and a slide. How extravagant for just two children, one still an infant. His sister always belabored the little things. Shame she’s not present to witness this. He would’ve found this even more amusing.

The blond haired infant cradled roughly in his left arm actually cooed at him. Disgusting. If he kept this thing, he'd have to hire a nanny. Still, the thought of it growing up with half the powers his sister enjoyed years ago made the brat worth the trouble...If she survived today. He sighed.

 

* * * *

 

“Dylan, son, it's okay. You’re going to be all right. Look at me. Remember how we played catch this morning? When you think of me, you’ll remember how we played ball today. Okay, son?”

What else could he say in this horrific situation? His own psychotic brother-in-law was forcing Dylan to commit the most heinous act imaginable, choose between patricide and sororicide. Roth had always been the canary in the crazy mind but even Devon hadn’t seen this coming.

“Awww, isn’t this touching?” Roth muttered, no doubt weary of his twisted game. “What a little wimp. I’m growing tired of your indecision, boy. I think I’ll just slice this little bitch’s throat. After all, she’d probably just grow up to be a carbon copy of her mother, stubborn and willful. Wouldn’t want more of that in the world, would we?”

“Noooo, please. Please don’t hurt her! She’s just a baby.” Facing where he knew his son to be by the sound of his sobbing stifled his thoughts. “Son, I know this is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but you must. Please. It’s all right. I love you more than anything.”

Dylan retched, fumbling and almost dropping the Glock 9mm pistol. It probably felt like the heaviest thing he’d ever held, certainly his first time holding a gun.

His small frame trembled, tears streamed from his eyes, hair matted to his face. Red, swollen tissue marred the right side of his face, the result of Roth’s cold temper. The kitchen table supported his slight weight as he leaned one forearm on its edge.

“Roth, please don’t do this. He’s just a boy. Be the sniveling coward you’ve always been. Do it yourself.” Articulation was slurred through split and bloody lips. His tongue slipped between the gap of two missing teeth.

Though partially open, his right eye refused to focus properly. Warm, wet liquid traced a path down his face. Gravity would always trump decency. Blood splattered his clothes. Patches of gray clouded the edges of his vision. Unconsciousness lumbered near. The drumming in his head kept pace with his rapid-fire pulse. No child should ever see his father this way, unable to protect his family. Even if his son survived Roth, which he began to doubt, he'd be scarred for life.

“Oh, Devon, Devon, Devon. You just don’t get it, do you? I’m not a coward,” Roth admonished. “I have no qualms about ending any of your lives. Watch, let me demonstrate.” His patronizing voice oozed in the air like oil spreading over water to corrupt with its filth. Roth pulled the six-inch blade from its sheath at his waist and held it to the baby’s throat, who lay cuddled in the crook of his left arm.

“No, don’t. You bastard!” Devon strained at the rope binding his hands behind his back. “Dylan, listen. Take the family crest ring off my finger. Go ahead, son, take it. It’s yours. It’s our coat of arms.” Twisting sideways forced the bonds to cut his wrists as he removed the ring from fingers slick with blood.

When his son took it, he realized these would be his last words to his boy. “Put it in your pocket, you can get a chain for it until you’re grown. That ring is a symbol of your strength, son, a symbol of your commitment to do whatever’s necessary to protect your family. Remember this, Dylan.” Dear God, he'll have nightmares the rest of his life...if he survives.

 

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Release and Giveaway: No Substitute for Myth by Carolyn J. Rose

Welcome to the release event for No Substitute for Myth by Carolyn J. Rose. This is the fourth book in the Subbing isn't for Sissies series and is now available for sale! This is a cozy mystery series and the first three books are only .99 cents! 

 

About the Book:

 

Is Bigfoot prowling around Reckless River , Washington ? Has Sasquatch come to the city?

 

Barbara Reed doesn’t know if she believes the legendary creature exists, but evidence is stacking up. Something big is scavenging for food in city parks. Something tall and heavy left footprints across a dirt parking lot. And something huge and hairy careened into her one night on the riverfront trail.

 

Did that same creature kill a man and drag his body into a swamp? Or was the killer human? Will justice be undermined by media frenzy, a tide of tourism, and hundreds of hunters?

 

With help from the usual suspects, Barb, her drug-cop boyfriend, her pearl-powered wealthy neighbor, and Cheese Puff, her less-than-loyal dog, set out to solve a mystery, catch a murderer, and bust a few myths along the way.

 

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Don't miss out on the first three books, only .99 cents!

 

 

 

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About the Author:

 

Carolyn J. Rose grew up in New York’s Catskill Mountains, graduated from the University of Arizona, logged two years in Arkansas with Volunteers in Service to America, and spent 25 years as a television news researcher, writer, producer, and assignment editor in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, and her interests are reading, gardening, swimming, and NOT cooking. Find out more about her and her books at http://www.deadlyduomysteries.com

 

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Giveaway:

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ends June 15

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This giveaway is provided by the author.

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.