This blog is for those 18 and older.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Veronica Reviews: ARIZONA THUNDER by Natasza Waters

 


Arizona Thunder

(Vyro Creek, Book 2)

by

Natasza Waters


5+ Stars

Paranormal/Vampire/Cowboy Romance


“Mate with me or not. Marry me or not, we are eternal…I love you, Ariana Holland, the woman I choose as my mate.  The beautiful woman who owns my un-beating heart and my soul.”


After making the decision to start a fresh life, Ariana and her two best friends Tess and Lynn have discovered they may have bitten off more than just becoming ranch owners…they are the neighbors of powerful royal vampire brothers who are determined to protect the women…as well as make them their own.  And as if the verra smexxy brothers aren’t enough to get the heart racing, Ariana and her friends find themselves in the middle of a vampire rebellion!

 

After a stormy start to their love affair, Ariana and Quinn stop fighting the chemistry between them, and merge to become a powerful force against those that would rise up against them and those they protect…but when the truth of the evil orchestrating the rebellion is brought to life, the smallest of the Connelly clan may quickly become their largest asset…

 

Dear Reader, like most lovers of paranormal stories, over time, vampire romances tend to start sounding the same.  While enjoyable, we already see the ending long before the last page.  But not with the Vyro Creek series!  Natasza Waters has written a paranormal romance with an all new take on the vampire legend like I’ve never read before, and I loved every minute of it!  Arizona Thunder is one of those stories you devour and don’t want to end!  Writing a review for this installment was difficult because there is so much action and verra verra hawt vamp lovin’ going on that I didn’t want to spoil the adventure!  So just trust me and READ IT!  Honestly, wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

 

*Readers note:  Do not read the books out of order…again, just trust me here!  You can thank me later!



Sharing what I love, 


Veronica

 

 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **


AMAZON BUY LINK

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

 My pick for a Halloween read is a witty, hilarious, and loveable character filled story starring Riley Thorn, the local psychic who wants to be normal.

Riley has just gotten divorced and screwed at the same time, and not in the fun way.  She moved into an old mansion filled with older people, each with their own unique personalities and a fun part of the adventure.  Except for the neighbor across the hall who got shot.

Riley foresaw the murder and decides she needs to understand her psychic abilities if only to help catch the killer.


It comes with a catch.  That would be the ultra handsome PI, Nick Santiago, whom Riley knocks down a flight of stairs while attempting to stop the murder.

Nick doesn't believe in long-term relationships, but Riley tempts him in a way he doesn't understand.  They figure out they need each other in special ways to solve the murder, and team up as investigators along with a cover of the "fake fiancรฉ" act.

Riley's eccentric family, her mansion-mates, and several other tag-a-longs combine their skills, humor, and perceptions to round up a team of bad guys and the couple-of-the-week, aka, Riley and Nick.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the wild antics of the elderly in Riley's apartment along with just how a crazy lifestyle is proved to be so much more fun and fulfilling than just being normal!  I highly recommend downloading this story.  Give yourself plenty of reading time because you won't want to stop till the end.

Happy reading,

Dawn

    

Monday, October 26, 2020

Do you like mystery with your romance?

At times I'm a romance writer, and at other times I'm a mystery writer. But no matter the genre, I tend to blend romance and mystery together. Which is what happened in Mostaccioli Murder. While there is a mystery to be solved, there is a romance thread that weaves through the book. It creates a new dimension for the characters and balances out the book. Best part, the preorder is only 99 cents until it goes live 12/10/2020. Get the promo price while you can. 

Find your copy at Amazon or other Retailers. 




Sunday, October 25, 2020

New Release ~ XAVIER by D.B. Reynolds

 




Xavier

(Vampires in Europe, Book 14)

By

D.B. Reynolds

 



~ BLURB

 Barcelona—exquisite architecture, masterful artists, and just down the coast, an ancient fortress where an old and powerful vampire lives…and rules all of Spain.

 Tall, dark, and deadly, vampire Xavier Prospero Flores waded through blood to destroy his enemies and reach the pinnacle of vampire society—Vampire Lord. He has only one regret in his long life, and that’s the day he rejected the advances of Layla Casales. She’d been too innocent, too naรฏve, and far too young. But she’d also been his.

 Layla Casales was only nineteen when she left Spain, brokenhearted and humiliated by Xavier’s rejection. But now, ten years later, the ties of family are pulling her back, not only to Spain, but to Xavier’s fortress. Her father, the vampire lord’s military commander, is critically ill. Layla has spent years fighting on battlefields around the world, so when her father asks her to come home, she can’t say no.

 Though Xavier’s rule began on the ashes of his enemies, it’s not vampires trying to kill him now--it’s humans. He needs to eliminate his enemy before more of his people die. Layla arrives just in time to help, but while she came for her father, the minute she and Xavier see each other, desire burns as hotly as if they’d never been apart. Xavier isn’t going to let her go this time. But before they can rediscover the love they walked away from, they must first keep each other alive.


~ BUY LINKS

Amazon.com  Amazon Canada   Amazon UK   Amazon Australia   BN.com   Kobo   Kobo Canada   Google   Apple


~ TAKE A SNEAK PEEK~

Catalonia, Spain, 1859

XAVIER FLORES Prospero raced into Barcelona far ahead of his companions. He’d been in Madrid when he’d known, just known, that his Sire was dead. Every vampire on the continent would have known that someone powerful had died, but Xavier had known who it was—Vampire Lord, the Lord of Spain, Josep Alexandre, centuries old, a power beyond reckoning, and in an instant, he was gone. Xavier’s grief had been real, his fury unmatched. For if Josep was dead, someone had killed him. And that someone was now Lord of Spain, except . . . . His far-reaching sensitivity to the balance of power told him that the vampire who’d murdered Josep was too weak to rule, unable to contain the power released with the vampire lord’s death. And that left the territory leaderless, its vampires desperate and gasping for the strength and leadership they needed to survive.

By all accounts, the murderous fool had managed to escape the city before being killed himself, but the result had been utter carnage, as one vampire after another went on a killing spree in a bid for power. No one had managed to hold the territory—which encompassed all of Spain—for longer than a few days. Xavier hadn’t needed anyone to tell him the territory was in crisis. He was powerful enough to sustain himself and his vampire children without a vampire lord’s assistance, but most vampires weren’t. In every city and village he’d passed through on his race back to Barcelona—every place where one or more vampires had lived—he’d had to linger long enough to revive dying vampires, to share his blood and make them his, to save their lives.

And still the challenges and killings continued. It was a constant noise in his head, his instinct straining to forge a connection to one new ruler after another.

But he’d finally reached Barcelona, the center of Spain’s vampires because it had been Josep’s home for the hundreds of years he’d ruled. Racing down the crowded streets, Xavier ignored angry shouts and thrown objects from pedestrians protesting his horse’s thundering passage, until he pounded through the gates of Josep’s home, his mount’s hooves skidding on the polished stone in front of the dead vampire lord’s mansion.

Leaving the horse to the care of his companions, who’d been close behind him when they’d drawn even with the city and would arrive soon enough, he stormed up the steps two at a time and walked into a bloodbath.

The entrance hall, once a gaudy excess of gild and crystal, now stank of old blood and worse, much worse. The pink marble that had been imported from Italy to grace the floor was now dark red with blood stains, the grooves between the huge slabs still slick and shining. Jesu Crist, how many had died here? And why? Vampires didn’t bleed like that when they died, which meant humans had been slaughtered like cattle to feed . . . hell, he didn’t know whom. The instincts that had told him the territory was in turmoil hadn’t provided any names. It didn’t work like that.

Xavier walked deeper into the mansion, more cautious now. If vampires had been reduced to butchering humans, there was no telling what state they were in. He was confident enough in his ability to destroy anyone who dared attack him, but he wouldn’t enjoy having some feral beast of a vampire launch itself at him from hiding and sink fangs into his flesh. Dios mio, wasn’t that a disgusting thought?

“Sire.”

He turned and found Chuy, his lieutenant and the first of his vampire children, moving slowly into the room, his expression reflecting the same revulsion that Xavier himself was feeling.

“Walk carefully, Chuy. I don’t know what’s going on here, but there are almost certainly a few mad ones lurking about.”

“Where will you go, my lord?”

“There’s only one choice, my friend. Forward.” At a grim nod from his lieutenant, Xavier strode deeper into the wrecked mansion, confident that his back was covered.

“Xavier.” A familiar figure appeared in the open doors to what had been Josep’s drawing room.

“Dรชnis.” It was an effort to keep the dislike from his voice, for all that he and this vampire shared the same Sire, and had lived in Josep’s court at the same time. “You’re alive.”

Dรชnis gave an elegant shrug. “The one who killed Josep was not a serious, or even intentional, contender for the territory.”

“What does that mean?”

“He attended one of Josep’s weekday receptions. You remember the kind. No one of significance ever bothered, but our Sire felt the need to socialize with the common man . . . for reasons of his own,” he added in distaste. “The assassin, for that’s what he was, maneuvered close to Josep and detonated some sort of magical device. It killed Josep instantly, along with several other vampires. And a few humans,” he said offhandedly.

“Magic. Are you certain?”

“Oh, yes. There was another sorcerer in the crowd. You know, the one who gained such favor with Josep when he restored Sakal’s magic.”

“Sakal?” he repeated and immediately wondered if the sorcerer was involved in this. He’d never forgiven Josep for making him Vampire. But that had been well over one hundred and fifty years ago. Had Sakal been plotting his revenge all this time? “Was Sakal at the reception that day?” he asked Dรชnis.

“No, he left two days prior for France, with Josep’s permission.”

“And where were you?”

Dรชnis chuckled. “I didn’t hire the assassin.”

“But you didn’t try to stop him, either, did you? Why did you not protect our Sire, as I would have?”

“You were always his favorite, Xavier. The one who had free access to the most beautiful women, the best horses and accommodations. Did you ever consider what it was like for the rest of us?”

“You let him die.”

“And now Spain is mine.”

“Do you believe you can hold it?” Xavier sneered. “Against me? There was a reason that Josep favored me.”

The other vampire’s expression hardened. “You’ll bow to me before the end. I might even make you kiss my feet.”

He snorted his opinion of that. “How many challengers have you killed so far?”

“More than I can remember. It’s amazing the weaklings who think they can hold power.”

Xavier stared at him lazily. “Yes, it is.”

Dรชnis growled, fangs bare. “Leave or challenge, you bastard.”

I’m not the bastard here, Dรชnis,” he said. “Shall we do this in the courtyard? This building stinks of old blood.”

“Those refined senses of yours too delicate for a little blood?”

“Not as long as it’s yours.” An instant later the defensive shields he’d created from the power of his blood alone sizzled to life, as he deflected the spear of pure energy aimed at his chest. But it hadn’t come from Dรชnis. He swung his gaze to the right and caught a flash of blond hair. Sending a focused rope of his power to wrap about the fleeing vampire’s throat, he dragged the attacker back into sight.

The vampire emitted a high-pitched whine, struggling to grip the invisible rope around his neck, his eyes rolling white with terror as he silently begged Dรชnis for aid. Xavier could have told him no help would be coming. Dรชnis had never cared for those who looked to him for protection. Not even when the one seeking help had risked his life to help Dรชnis.

“It was a foolish move,” Xavier told the whining vampire. “Did Dรชnis tell you it would work? That your pitiful attack would be the distraction that gave him the kill? That you’d earn his favor and reward after he was made vampire lord?”

The pathetic vamp had pink tears running down his cheeks, when his gaze switched to Xavier, pleading for his life.

“Will you save him, Dรชnis? Please, proceed. I’ll wait.”

Dรชnis’s gaze filled with furious hatred for Xavier. Without so much as a glance, he flicked a hand at the begging vampire. A moment later the pleading vamp fell to the floor, blood soaking his shirt an instant before he fell into a greasy pile of skin and bone that betrayed his youth.

“And that,” Xavier said, pointing at what was left of a vampire who’d been loyal enough to risk his life for his master, “is why you will never be Lord of Spain.”

Dรชnis’s grin was a vicious baring of teeth. “No. That is why I will wade through your dust to the throne.” A crackling sword of flame shot from his hand as he moved with vampire speed, appearing so close that when he swung the blade, it would have taken Xavier’s head had he not snapped his shields up.

“You never did have a sense of honor,” Xavier said almost cheerfully as he formed his own blade, this one burning blue and gleaming like the finest carbon steel. “Don’t worry. You’ll be too dead to crawl.”

They fought blade to blade at first, fire against steel, heat against ice. Xavier could have taken his opponent in the first few minutes, but it had been a long ride to get there, and his muscles needed warming. And so he fought until he saw sweat beginning to roll down Dรชnis’s face, until he noted the strikes coming a little slower, carrying a little less force. Until he saw the knowledge in the other vampire’s eyes. Death was imminent, and so unnecessary.

“You should have fled in shame after permitting our Sire to die,” Xavier said.

O diabo te leva,” Dรชnis snarled.

Xavier laughed. “The devil? It’s not me he’s after.” In an instant, he’d shifted from the almost comfortable strike, parry, strike they’d been exchanging. Knocking Dรชnis’s fiery blade aside with a casual blow, he spun the length of his own gleaming weapon in midair, sliced through his enemy’s neck, and stepped back to watch as the vampire’s gaze recognized his own death, then disintegrated into dust.

“Sire.”

Xavier took the wet cloth Chuy offered him. Dรชnis had been old enough that his death was fairly tidy. But he’d been a big man—not tall, but thickly built—and Josep’s mansion had always been drafty. The dust that had been Dรชnis floated through the air.

“What now?” Chuy asked, taking the cloth and throwing it aside. This room . . . hell, the entire mansion, was so wrecked that one more piece of debris would hardly matter.

Xavier sighed. He’d hoped to rest in Josep’s basement quarters, but though he hadn’t yet made it downstairs, he doubted it was safe for anyone—human or vampire. “We’ll try my townhouse. It’s been some time since I was in this city. It may have escaped notice. The others?” he added, referring to the two vampires and one human who’d accompanied him to the city.

“Waiting outside, my lord. They have your horse.”

“Good. Let’s go. There’s nothing here for anyone.” It made him sad to realize that was true. He hadn’t cared anything for Josep’s riches. But seeing all this destruction somehow brought the loss home to him, made it real. His Sire was forever gone. And he would miss him.

The trip across the city to the townhouse where Xavier had lived for years, before his growing power had forced him to leave Josep’s city, was mostly uneventful. One misguided vampire chose to confront him, stepping out from a narrow and dark alley to issue his challenge. Xavier was tired and more than a little sad, but he stepped off his horse, handed the reins to Chuy, then confronted the foolish vamp. Without ceremony, and certainly without any resort to his vampire magic, he took two steps, pulled the excellent, but very ordinary, sword from the tooled, leather sheath at his hip and ran it through the challenger’s heart. The vampire’s eyes went wide in surprise, and a little betrayal, Xavier thought. Had he expected a magical battle, rather than cold steel? And had he believed he could win?

He sighed, took back the reins from his lieutenant, and mounted his horse. He wondered sometimes at the foolish arrogance of so many vampires, the ones whose Sires seemed to have taught them nothing of the world. Vampirism gave them a bounty of gifts—greater strength, enhanced senses, virtual immortality. But it bestowed those same gifts on every vampire. And as with every creature in nature, the strong would always triumph over the weak.

He was relieved, when they arrived at the townhouse, to see it undisturbed and intact. He paid a local retainer to see to it, but when one was absent for months at a time, all manner of destruction could occur.

As the sun rose and he drifted into his much needed daytime rest, he thought about the future, and knew two things. He would face more challenges in the coming days, but in but in the end, he would triumph and become the new Lord of Spain.


~ MEET THE AUTHOR~

D. B. REYNOLDS arrived in sunny Southern California at an early age, having made the trek across the country from the Midwest in a station wagon with her parents, her many siblings and the family dog. And while she has many (okay, some) fond memories of Midwestern farm life, she quickly discovered that L.A. was her kind of town and grew up happily sunning on the beaches of the South Bay.

Book One of her Vampires in America series, RAPHAEL, launched her career as a writer in 2009, while JABRIL, Vampires in America Book Two, was awarded the RT Reviewers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance (Small Press) in 2010. She holds graduate degrees in international relations and history from UCLA (go Bruins!) and was headed for a career in academia, but in a moment of clarity she left behind the politics of the hallowed halls for the better paying politics of Hollywood, where she worked as a sound editor for several years, receiving two Emmy nominations, an MPSE Golden Reel and multiple MPSE nominations for her work in television sound.

D. B. currently lives in a flammable canyon near the Malibu coast. When she’s not writing her own books, she can usually be found reading someone else’s. You can visit D. B. at her website www.dbreynolds.com for information on her latest books, contests and giveaways.


~ CONTACT LINKS~

Website:  www.dbreynolds.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dbreynoldswriter

Twitter:  @dbreynoldswrite

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2898479.D_B_Reynolds





Friday, October 23, 2020

๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ“š๐ŸŽƒ Tricks and Book Treats Halloween Giveaway!!! ๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ“š๐ŸŽƒ


Happy Friday!


Today, I wanted to share another Facebook Party Giveaway I will be participating in for Halloween.  On WednesdayOctober 28th, The Midnight in the Gardens Reader Group will be hosting a huge party with over 80 paranormal and suspense authors.  The party will run ALL DAY and there will be lots of book giveaways!!  Make sure to stop in and check it out.  

Mark your calendars and make sure to join the group in order to participate!  Hope to see you there!

Midnight in the Gardens Reader Group


Best,

Lexi ๐Ÿ˜Š






Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Going Back to the Office! Yay!

 


Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well!
It’s a gorgeous Sunday afternoon as I sit down to write this. Autumn is my favorite time of year, especially here in Arizona. The blasted heat of summer has gone, leaving in its place a little chill in the early morning hours (which I love). I do miss seeing the leaves change color, but if I’m feeling desperate for that, I can always drive up north.
So, after working from home since March, I am able to go back into the office on a limited schedule (two days a week – the rest of the time, I’ll continue working from home). This is the first phase and I have to admit, I’m excited although I have been going in on Thursday afternoons to pick up mail and send off FedEx packages.
I really missed being in the office…it’s so much easier to actually work. That being said, I’m really lucky that I was able to work from home and I consider myself very fortunate. I work for a really good company whose management really cares about the employees. Like I said…really lucky!  
My DH says he’ll miss me. I know the dogs will (there will definitely be a dearth of cookies coming their way…DH isn’t as soft a touch as I am when it comes to cookies for the girls). And I will miss sitting at my computer in shorts and ratty old t-shirt. By the same token, I really miss wearing dresses and skirts (I dress kinda preppy for work).
The writing is going well. I’ve almost made up for all those words I lost and maybe,

just maybe, the new words are better than the old (but I am my own worst critic when it comes to that). I’m liking the story very much, which is unusual. By this point―the dreaded, saggy middle—I’m normally having serious doubts. Not so this time. Maybe losing the words and having to re-write them was a blessing in disguise, though I wouldn’t recommend it.
 
I also filled out my ballot, ready to drop off at the voting center. 
And that’s about all for me for right now. It may be Sunday, but I still have a bunch of stuff to do…no rest for the wicked, you know? Stay well! Stay safe! Spread kindness wherever you go and don’t forget to vote!
Marie

Monday, October 19, 2020

READER INTERVIEW ~ Lisa ๐Ÿ˜€


I'm excited today to be interviewing Lisa Fishback, who currently resides in Texas.  

Hi, Lisa!


Lexi: How did you get into reading romance novels? 

Lisa: My sister was reading Harlequin, so I started reading them around 13-14 years old.  She also introduced me to other authors over the years.  Her best suggestion to date was Lexi Post. 

Lexi: You are so sweet! I’m thrilled that you like my stories. ๐Ÿ’™


Lexi: What are you proud of? 

Lisa: Two things ~ my son and my career.  My son is 33 years old and a very successful business banker. I was a single mother and let me tell you that is not an easy job, especially puberty years.  That is a hard thing on a person but harder on the parent!  I could not be prouder of the man he has become.  As for my career, I have been in the travel industry for 36 years and with my current company for 30 years.  I love my job and feel blessed every day.  I have been to many great destinations because of this career and have never taken that for granted. We live on a great planet and I encourage everyone to travel!

Lexi: Your son sounds wonderful! I knew about your career as it was my inspiration for Angela in Heart of Frankenstein. But didn’t realize you’d been in that job for 30 years! Wow!


Lexi: What is your favorite color? 

Lisa: Orange because it is such a happy color. 

Lexi: That’s my husband’s favorite, too.


Lexi: What is your favorite book of mine? Why? 

Lisa: I’m addicted to the Eden series, but my all-time favorite is Masque.  I just love Synn and all the rooms, lessons learned, the many spirits involved; living and non-living. 

Lexi: I’m humbled that it’s one of my books.


Lexi: Do you have any pets? 

Lisa: 2 dogs. Misty is a 9-year-old Chinese Crested Powder Puff.  She is smaller at 10 lbs than her breeds name is long!  Nanu is a 2-year-old Morkie who weighs in at 6 lbs and is all kisses and snuggles.  I always have 2 dogs.  Dogs need dog companions as much as we need dog companions. 




Lexi: What is the best piece of advice you have received? 

Lisa: Don’t sweat the small stuff. In other words, if you can’t change it let it go. Hanging on to negative emotions is not healthy so think about it: Can you change the situation?  If not, let it go and move on.  This is a practice that does not come easy but when you do it often it becomes second nature to accomplish.

Lexi: I love that.


Lexi: If you could go on an all-expense-paid vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? 

Lisa: Switzerland in general.  Of all the places I’ve been this is my most favorite country.  It is absolutely stunning in views, history, architecture, food.  It has the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen. 


Lexi: What’s your favorite holiday? Why? 

Lisa: Thanksgiving. It was always my favorite time with my grandparents growing up and continues to be a favorite holiday focused on spending time with family and being grateful for our bond.  


Lexi:  Ok, time for the quick answer questions!


Spicy food or not spicy? Not

Beard or no beard? Beard

Hot weather or cold? Hot

Morning person or night person? Night

High heels or boots? Boots

Beach or mountains? Beach


Tattoos or no tattoos? Tattoos

Flip flops or sneakers? Flip Flops

Organized or chaotic mess? Organized

Sweet or salty? Salty


Lexi: Yay, this was fun!  Thanks for talking with me today, Lisa.  It was great learning more about you.  ๐Ÿ˜Š

Sunday, October 18, 2020

New Release ~ WILD NIGHTS IN TEXAS by Delores Fossen

 



Wild Nights in Texas

(Lone Star Ridge, Book 3)

By

Delores Fossen

 



She can make Lone Star Ridge’s sheriff break every rule…




Blurb ~

 

Former child star “Badly” Hadley Dalton can’t shake the nickname she got on Little Cowgirls, the reality show that made her famous. Another thing she can’t shake: her attraction to hometown heartthrob Leyton Jameson. After their teen make-out session was televised, Leyton ended their relationship, and Hadley left town. But when she learns her beloved Granny Em has gone missing, Hadley returns home and immediately lands in hot water…

Leyton has wanted Hadley since he first knew what desire was. Searching for Em together makes all that heat—and all their differences—impossible to ignore. Hadley’s past is riddled with bad decisions—ones that are suddenly rearing their ugly heads. Believing she’s too much trouble for a good-guy cop, Hadley doesn’t think Leyton can ever overlook her faults. But Leyton will sign up for a lifetime of trouble if it means this wild ride never ends…


Buy Links ~


Amazon      Harlequin     Barnes & Noble     Walmart     Target




Meet The Author ~ USA Today bestselling author Delores Fossen is a former Air Force officer who's sold over 100 novels. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the Rita ®.  In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. You can contact the author through her webpage.


Contact Links ~


Webpage     Facebook     Facebook Readers' Group    Twitter