This blog is for those 18 and older.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Reviews by Crystal Presents: MARTIMUS by Seelie Kay


Martimus
Feisty Lawyers Series (Book 5)
by Seelie Kay

About Martimus: 

Martimus. An underwater habitat dedicated to pharmaceutical research. Martimus. A facility that staffs its vessel with inmate labor. Martimus. The place where inmates visit and never return.

Agent Cate Creighton is in love. Unfortunately, as the Agency honeypot, she is knee-deep in an assignment that tests the bounds of her new relationship. It seems eight socialites have gone missing, all wealthy twenty-somethings with influential parents. No one seems to care until a former vice president’s daughter disappears. 

When the vice-president shares a tale of false arrest, a broken promise of deportation, an illegal diversion into a private prison, and an alleged trip to an unwater habitat called Martimus, Cate and her colleagues must find a way to follow the same path. In other words, they must enter the right prison, meet the right fixer, wind up on Martimus, and hopefully return in one piece. And it looks like Cate is the perfect bait. 

That doesn’t sit well with Cate’s lover, former U.S. Navy Seal Warren Hazelton. He intends to protect her until death ‘til do they part.

Fortunately, another possibility appears, in the form of an MISix agent who has interfered in one too many Agency operations. Tillie Henderson owes them and they are all too willing to serve her up on a plate. It’s race against time as the Agency attempts to lure their adversary out of hiding and into their somewhat ambiguous trap. Maybe then Cate can finally focus on love.

Release Date: May 29, 2019 
Publisher: Extasy Books Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, four flames 
Buy links: Publisher: https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2862-4-martimus/
Amazon: Coming June 1 
Barnes and Noble: Coming June 1 
Kobo: Coming June 1



Excerpt from Martimus: 

Tom cocked an eyebrow. “Warren, you’re a former Navy Seal. Isn’t there some sort of limit on the amount of time you can spend under the sea before it starts to seriously impair your health?”

Warren frowned. “Usually two weeks. After that, the lack of exposure to the sun and the constant high pressure oxygenated environment would begin to take a toll. There’s also a psychological impact. Think sensory deprivation. Your senses are out of whack because you’ve been dumped into a soundproof sponge. There is no normal sensory stimulation. No sunlight, no sound… Even taste and smell become compromised. Coming back to the real world would be an adjustment.

“In addition, those underwater stations are small. People are right on top of each other. Things we take for granted, like privacy, hot showers, home cooked meals, are in short supply. That can create anxiety, depression, and stress. No way he served that sentence consecutively. He had to take a break in between.” 

Warren gazed at Tom. “That environment is more hostile than a prison. You may not be in danger from other inmates, but you are putting your life at risk. Three months sounds like way too much time to be stuck underwater though, especially if you’re not leaving the station for deep sea diving on a regular basis. They must be breaking up the time somehow, otherwise they’d have a pretty tough situation on their hands. A lot of contract workers would be headed to a rubber room. It would be extremely difficult to survive a month, much less three, down there.”

“Could they be treating the inmates like guinea pigs?” Hope asked. “Testing their limits? Tracking actual survival rates?”

Warren sighed. “Possibly. It’s not like they have to answer to anyone. They are located in international waters. No country in particular has legal oversight. I imagine they could be doing anything they want without recourse. Unfortunately, when the prospect of a reduced sentence is dangled in front of some people, they grab it, damn the consequences. If one or two inmates suffer some sort of harm or die along the way, they chalk it up to collateral damage.”

“And who’s going to know?” Cate shook her head. “Someone dies, they probably flush them down a chute into the deep sea and they become shark chum. No evidence left behind.”

Hope cringed. “God, that’s kind of evil. But that still doesn’t answer our original question. 

Where the hell is Fuzzy? Has he already served out his sentence? Has he been released, and if he has, where the hell is he? He’s the one we need to find. He could have a lot of the answers.”

“That lack of governmental oversight is troubling,” Tom said. “If Cassie McIntyre is down there, I can’t believe the CIA isn’t all over it. At least, our government should be doing a welfare check through the Red Cross or something.”

Warren grimaced. “Unless no one knows she is down there. Think about it. They are on the bottom of the ocean, more than two miles under the sea. It’s not like you can just go down there and knock on the door. Any regular monitoring would be impossible.” 

Cate nodded. “And we haven’t been able to confirm that she embarked on the same path as Fuzzy. All we’ve got are suspicions. Right now, she’s missing. We need to sit down with her family and get more information. And we need to find other prisoners who contracted with Martimus.

“Otherwise, we’ve got nothing.”



About Seelie Kay: 

Seelie Kay is a nom de plume for a writer, editor, and author with more than 30 years of experience in law, journalism, marketing, and public relations. When she writes about love and lust in the legal world, something kinky is bound to happen! In possession of a wicked pen and an overly inquisitive mind, Ms. Kay is the author of multiple works of fiction, including the Kinky Briefs series, the Feisty Lawyers series, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, The White House Wedding, and The President’s Daughter. 

When not spinning her kinky tales, Ms. Kay ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. She resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine. 

Ms. Kay is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!

Seelie's Author links: 
www.seeliekay.com  
www.seeliekay.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @SeelieKay https://twitter.com/SeelieKay 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77 
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ/


Prior Books:

http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-too/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-thrice/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1734-5-kinky-briefs-quatro/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2023-9-kinky-briefs-cinque/
http://www.extasybooks.com/the-garage-dweller/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1504-4-a-touchdown-to-remember/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1795-6-the-presidents-wife/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2263-9-snatching-diana/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2032-1-the-presidents-daughter
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2291-2-infamy/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2349-0-seizing-hope/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2538-8-cult/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2658-3-hope/
https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2796-2-the-white-house-wedding/


An Interview with Seelie Kay: 

Q. Why do you write romance?

Because I am fascinated by the games people play to find and secure a lasting relationship, which is not always love. There’s the chase, the courtship, the falling, the surrender. That’s what I try to capture in my stories.

Q. Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?

I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me! However, I they have to be paired with strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even love.

Q. Why did you write “Martimus?”

This is the final book in the series, so I needed a way to tie up a lot of loose ends. That meant the Feisty Lawyers needed a compelling story to accomplish that. Something in space was beyond the realm of believability, but something at the bottom of the ocean? The possibilities were endless. I went in all sorts of directions at first, but ultimately made Martimus a key step in a much broader journey. The bottom of the ocean is an unforgiving environment. Survival is never guaranteed. Divert a few socialites there to serve out a prison sentence, make then disappear, and you’ve got what I hope is an exciting story!

As a former lawyer, I also developed an interest in private prisons. These are institutions that are governed by a different set of rules and not all institutions follow the same rules. In some cases, the private prison an inmate winds up in can mean the difference between survival and death. In addition, there have been several cases of prosecutors and judges who received a financial incentive to divert inmates to private prison. Some were so incentivized that people innocent of the crimes with which they where charged have been convicted just so the prosecutor or judge could get their kickback. It is an industry that requires serious regulation and monitoring.

Q. How does your former profession as a lawyer impact your writing?

My friends say I am obsessed with justice and I guess that’s true. After 30 years, the law and the legal world are so firmly embedded in my brain that I can’t flush them out. That has become the lens through which I view the world and that naturally guides my characters and plots. Injustice infuriates me, but it also leads me to great stories!


Friday, May 29, 2020

Veronica Reviews: SUGAR HERO by Charity Parkerson

Sugar Hero
by
Charity Parkerson

3.5 Stars
"He needs you to love him like he’s whole, but you can never forget that he’s not.”

Sold to the highest bidder when only a child, Adrik has grown up knowing nothing of love or security—only abuse, fear and isolation.  Adrik feels beyond broken and wonders if his savior will ever see him as anything but just that…broken.

Leo has committed his life to protecting others, and after rescuing Adrik from a horrific situation of abuse, he vows to never allow Adrik to feel anything but safe.  But as time goes by, Leo’s heart sees in Adrik his other half, but is too afraid to take the risk of telling him how he feels.  For if Adrik knows, would he return Leo’s love or will the past be too much for Adrik to move forward and cost them both a chance at a happily ever after…

Sugar Hero is a heart wrenching read that I would recommend but would also caution that the abuse Adrik suffered could pose a trigger for some readers.  This is the 15th installment of the Sugar Daddies series.  In order to fully enjoy, it is my opinion they should be read in order as each story builds from the previous.






Sharing what I love, Veronica



Wednesday, May 27, 2020

By A Thread: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by Lucy Score

A delightful read for the oncoming summer!
Dominic Russo works on a ton of problems which gives him a hard shell.  He's determined to be nothing like his father, a playboy with all women.  He steps into the job his dad had at the family fashion magazine.  Let's not forget that Dominic hasn't been with a woman for a year.      
Ally speaks her mind in a humorous manner.  At least I find it funny.  She probably thinks she's saying it like it is.  Suddenly, fired from her main job of many, a glorious woman steps in and tells her to show up for work at her business.
Dressed up in her resale clothes, they still look stylish, Ally shows up for whatever job is waiting for her.  By a Thread: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by [Lucy Score]
She has to work with Dominic!  It's his mother who hired her.
Immediate disdain is slung between the two.  It creates fuel for an unexpected attraction.  How can that be?
The banter between Dominic and Ally is laughable.  They both realize there's an undercurrent of lust going on that they pretend doesn't exist, and it adds fuel to their emotional side.
All Ally's time is devoted to her many jobs. Dominic is apprehensive to exhibit a personal side.  So where does this leave the festering "I want to jump you" portion of their minds? I'm greatly amused along their trip to accept a love they try to demolish.

Happy reading,
Dawn

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Supernatural love story

For those who like a little flavor with their romance, check out The Girl Who Cried Werewolf. You'll get your supernatural taste along with a dollop of romance. A perfect blend.

Professional book blogger Romy Cartelli may have cried werewolf once or twice. Hell, she’s even cried vampire, warlock, and dragon their fair share of times—because, as every dedicated reader knows, one book boyfriend is never enough.

And her followers love it…until they don’t.

Sure, Romy is being stalked by a sexy werewolf, but she’s got bigger issues to deal with. Like the fact that he might be a murderer. Or worse yet, that she got drunk and told all of her followers that werewolves actually exist. Then she fails to prove it.

Cue the trolling and the haters.

Now Romy’s out to prove she’s not crazy and win back her followers. But as she sets out to clear her name, she’ll discover there are bigger dangers awaiting her than internet infamy.


Get your copy.


What's next?
For those who are wondering what I'm up to, I have a new cozy mystery in the works that has a love story that is drop-to-your-knees enthralling! I can't wait to reveal more about it. But until then, check out my brand new pen name: Nicky Graves. My first book under that name is Grim Girl. It's a sassy YA read that has a love story thread that weaves through the series.

Life just became complicated . . . and deadly.

I never used to see ghosts, but life took a bizarre detour. Avoiding dead people and their reapers is now impossible.
Yes, reapers.
I found out they’re real too. And, in an odd twist of fate, I’m destined to become one. However, not many in the reaper world want me in their ranks, including the Grim Reaper, aka the king of death and all things scary.
Now I must enter a terrifying new world and keep up normal appearances at school. It’s becoming an increasingly difficult task, especially since my trainer has the initiative of an overfed hamster.
And that’s not even the worst of it. To follow my destiny, I must die.
If you like action packed books filled with enthralling characters, a deadly plot, and enough twists to keep the pages turning, read Grim Girl.
Get your copy

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Escape to the Movies!


Hello, gentle readers!
Well, I’m late again. I usually write my blog on Sundays, but for the past couple weeks, I’ve been remembering just before deadline. This isn’t good. The brain is still a little mushy…but I’m dealing with it. And I’m still suffering from “information overload” but I’m dealing with that, too.
In times past, when dealing with stress, I’ve always stuck my nose in a book and escaped reality, either my own story or someone else’s. That isn’t working for me right now (it seems I have the attention span of a gnat, so unlike me). It’s not like I don’t have plenty of stories to choose from. My TBR pile is extensive and that’s not including what’s on my Kindle!
So, what have I been doing to escape what’s going on? I’m indulging in my passion for movies (as you know, I’m a big movie buff…comedies, action adventure, dramas, horror…I love them all).
We had free HBO this past weekend. Oh, the possibilities! What did I watch? Aquaman. Loved it. That Jason Momoa is certainly easy on the eyes! Men in Black: International. Chris Hemsworth. Need I say more? I even watched the second Jurassic World movie (which I didn’t know they had made). Chris Pratt reprised his role from the first Jurassic World. Again, easy on the eyes. Oh, and I liked the movie, too! Pure escapism and exactly what I needed.
What have you been doing to deal with the stress of our current situation? Anything you’d like to share?

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go. We need it more than ever before!
Marie

Friday, May 15, 2020

Veronica Reviews: THE BLOOD COVENANT by Emily Bex

The Blood Covenant
by 
Emily Bex



4 Stars


“You love me for me.  Without you I would still be lost, for I have found what I was seeking my whole life, my eternal mate…”

“Allow me to introduce myself…my name is Shade Medici.”  

The Medici Warriors have been long revered and feared.  Shade is their Warrior King and has been existing to fight and destroy rogue vampires for 500 years.  With the reputation of ruthlessness as a warrior and a lover, Shade has been called to the DC area to help a fellow Master vampire with an influx of rogue vampires.  But when Shade finds himself drawn to a beautiful and feisty redhead, his Beast roars that she will be theirs…at any cost…even if she is a mortal…

Kate Reese has been hurt for the last time by a man.  Finding out her fiancé cheated on her is the last straw, and she has sworn never to lose her heart again.  But when a chance meeting has her bumping into the most striking, yet deliciously dangerous man, Kate’s heart has other ideas…

Shade and Kate are two souls meant to be mated, but will those around Shade accept his mortal bride, or will their very existence be threatened…

Emily Bex has developed a paranormal world that has combined the troupes of the billionaire alpha male with a smexxy vampire.  This romantic saga is filled with intrigue, action, and romance told from various points of view.  Would recommend to fans of vampire romance!




Sharing what I love, Veronica






Wednesday, May 13, 2020

In Bed With the Earl by Christi Caldwell

This historical romance will take you back to tough times in London, England where born of nobility doesn't always come with the rights.
Malcolm North spends his nights dragging the sewers for precious articles to later sell.  He likes working in the dark of a day and doesn't like people.  At least he won't admit it.  How he came to this profession, he doesn't know as his childhood is but a blur in his mind.
Verity Lovelace has an equally rough life above ground during the light of day.  Since a child, she's taken care of her younger sister and was gifted a job as a reporter at The Londoner.  An orphan needs a way to put food on the table.In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell
Malcolm and Verity both have fathers that are Lords.
So where's the good life?
Verity is assigned an impossible task by her editor.  The only way to complete the story is to find her subject in the sewers.
I love the way Malcolm and Verity meet.  It's the opposite of romantic.  It stinks, it's dark and dirty, and neither knows how special they are.
Verity's boss wants to get rid of her, so he makes her assignments nearly impossible.  That calls for Verity to make a deal with Malcolm.
Will he agree?  Will he play fair?  Will he get to know her?
It's a beautiful story and I couldn't wish for a sweeter love to be played out under more dank circumstances.

Happy reading,
Dawn

Sunday, May 10, 2020

New Release - TOXIC TRUTH by Tina Donahue





Toxic Truth

(Brotherhood Protectors - Contemporary
 Erotic  Suspense - MF)

by Tina Donahue

Blurb:

Only he stands between her and a hired killer.

When Kenzie discovered a toxic truth that harms military personnel, the international corporation where she worked put a hit on her. Desperate to survive, she escapes to the Crazy Mountains to hide out at a deserted cabin she recalls from childhood.

Lucas owns the property now. As a former Ranger and sniper, he’s never met a more terrified young woman. Yet despite her fear, she’s determined to bring her former employer to justice.
Not without his help.

Fearless, honorable, and sexy as sin, he’s the hero she’s always needed.

There’s no turning back as they surrender to their mounting passion for each other and meet danger head on to bring a criminal enterprise to justice, saving those service members most at risk. 




Excerpt:


She couldn’t chance him knowing who she was if his buddies were looking for her. It didn’t seem likely, given his easy-going personality and what he’d already revealed about himself. However, risking anything at this point wasn’t wise. “Why is my name important?”

“Are you a movie star or some kind of internet sensation?” He worked his mouth to stop his smile. “Afraid I’ll recognize you from your name rather than how you look at this point?”

A drowned dog probably had her beat in the beauty department. Hardly caring, she rubbed the blanket over her lenses to dry them but left thick smears instead.

“This might work better.” He pulled a rag from his back pocket. “It’s clean.”

After taking it, she worked on her glasses, uncertain whether to feel bad for treating him like a criminal or to maintain her caution as to what he might do next. Vigilance won out. “Anything else you can tell me about yourself?” She pushed the rag in her jacket pocket. “Like why you’re up here alone— You are alone, right?”

He scratched his stubbled cheek. “If you’re asking if I have a wife and kids, it’s a firm no on both counts. There’s no long-term girlfriend in my cabin either. How about you? You running from an ex-husband, ex-lover, or a current one in those two categories?”

“Why are you in the middle of nowhere?”

New muttering beneath his breath. “Because I like it?”

She swore.

“Easy.” He used the same voice on her that he had with Caesar.

For some reason, it didn’t piss her off but made her tired instead. “I can’t tell you how much it’d help if you gave me some details as to who you are.”

Understanding and kindness rose in his eyes. “Fair enough. I’m former military, Army.” He lifted his slicker. Beneath it, he wore a Ranger sweatshirt. “When I left the service, I came home to Montana. Had a chance to get this property and took it.”

That didn’t make sense. “You’re so rich you bought this place and don’t have to work any longer?”

He grinned, his smile wide and inviting. “Don’t I wish, but no. Even if I had the funds, I’d still want to keep busy and offer my assistance to anyone who needs it. I’m in security, so to speak. I work on assignment. When each ends, I return here to wait for my next call.”

Sincerity rang in his voice and showed on his luscious face. More importantly, he wanted to help people. Still… She’d been cautious for so long, her misgiving lingered. “What did you mean by ‘so to speak’. It’s either security or it’s not. Which is it?”

“Do you always ask so many questions?”

She bounced in place. “I don’t know you.”

“Hey, I gave you my blanket, I’ve offered to call for help to get your car out, and I don’t know you either. Not even your name. Is it a secret?”

She looked to the side. “Kenzie Caltrane.”

“Was that so hard?”

His softened tone and big body called to her as few things had. She was fucking weary and scared, and simply wanted to melt into his arms and beg him to make things better. Which he couldn’t. One man who worked security didn’t have that power. Damn, getting involved in her problems might get him killed, too. “You shouldn’t have stopped to help.”

“Why not?”

“Because you can’t.” The tears she’d held back for weeks poured out, turning into hitching sobs. “You’ll get hurt.”

“Hey, hey.” He gathered her to him in a protective caress. “Nothing’s that bad. No one’s that powerful. If your current or ex, or whatever, is after you, I can get you to a safe place and—”

“You can’t stop the entire government.” She pushed away. “You can’t stop an assassin.”

His features slackened. “What?”

She put out her hand, warning him to keep his distance. “Go back to your cabin. Pretend you never saw me. Forget my damn name.” A new sob caught in her throat. “You can’t help.”

“Calm down, please.” He lifted his hands but didn’t touch her. “I’m not going anywhere. I sure as hell don’t intend to leave you out here alone to face whatever—”

“You. Have. To.” She edged back. “There’s no choice. If you think you can call 9-1-1 and fix this, it isn’t possible. The federal government is involved. They’ll bury you.”

Alarm sparked in his eyes then faded, resolve replacing it. “Involved in what? What are you talking about? Who are you?”

For once, she got in his face. “I’m a toxic truth to the feds and others. They don’t want me around. That’s why they’ve put a hit out on me.”




About Tina:

Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.