Alastor came at me then, forcing me back against the wall. He was so solid that I could feel his weight against me. I could feel his frozen breath on my face....He ran his hand up my arm, over my shoulder, and rested at the base of my throat. His blue eyes glittered dangerously.
Becca has accepted the horrors of her past life, and emerged with her ghostly love Alastor at her side. But her happiness is short lived when she realizes that balancing her past and present won't be easy...
Becca has already decided that it's Alastor that she loves, but now, as their uncommon relationship limits Becca's future, Alastor must decide if he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Becca's happiness....And will Becca's sanity survive?
My Review
I loved the premise for the first book in the series. It was extremely heart-breaking for the two of them constantly struggling to be together even though it isn't quite possiable. For Alastor is a ghost and Becca is alive. Even though she remembers bits and pieces of their life together, she is constanly amazed at the dependency that has rapidly grown for his company. The Romance begins and love they feel for each other falls into place and you are left with quite an extradonary read! This book, however, takes a dip into the dark-side of what really could happen if Becca and Alastor were discovered.
It begins with Becca being locked up. A lot has happened since Book 1. Becca has married and been widowed all within the span of a few years. Sadly, Becca's father is the one that thinks Becca has lost touch with reality due to her grief and locked her up. It is through Becca's re-telling of her life to one Dr. Langdon that we see how the story has progressed, and the shocking changes in our characters.
Even though we know that Becca isn't crazy, this story outlines a very realisitc and heart-wrenching reality that she finds herself in. Where as in the first book was concentrated on love, this one is centered on pain. The author does an exquisite job of showing of capturing the array of emotions on paper. The book practically cries to you. Even though it is filled with tears, it in no way takes away from the actual story, which is very good. It is just such a different twist to the first book. Dana sure has found her niche at ripping emotional responses out of the reader!! I can't wait for the conclusion!!
When Amalie Ansett visits her elderly cousin on the small Caribbean island of St. Clements, the last thing she’s looking for is romance. Just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s ready to swear off men forever. That is until she meets local plantation owner, Jonathan Evans. He's tall, good looking, intelligent and incredibly sexy. What more could a girl ask for?
An unsolved murder…
Then Amalie discovers the man she loves is a ghost. Only she can see and hear him. Perhaps he's real to her because Amalie is the image of her distant ancestor, Jonathan’s bride from an earlier time. Jonathan was murdered two hundred years ago and has no knowledge of who killed him or why.
A perilous trip to the past…
When Jonathan asks her to help him by returning with him to his past, Amalie is torn. If she helps him solve the mystery surrounding his death, she could lose him forever. If she doesn’t, she'll be stuck with a ghost for a lover.
And a love that crosses the boundaries of time...
To save Jonathan, Amalie agrees to travel with him back in time to the Caribbean of the 1800’s, when sugar reigned supreme and the slave trade was making fortunes for wealthy planters and ship owners. Her adventures there include a slave uprising, murder, deceit and an enduring love that crosses the boundaries of time.
My Review:
There are books out there that delight and stimulate you, and then there are books that seem to touch your soul and bring forth emotions you have buried or forgotten. This was such a book. The beginning wasn't particularly stunning. It started with an ending. Amalie was packing up what was left of her childhood house and dreams..literally. She had been scammed by her ex-husband and he had took away half of everything..actually much more than half but Amalie didn't care. It was a horrible price to pay to be rid of him, but in the end the most valuable lessons learned tend to be from the harshest experiences. Her mother and father had both passed away and her mother's sewing room was the last room in her old residence that needed to be packed up. As she was organizing her mother's fabrics she came across a box of correspondences. There was one envelope that caught her attention so she opened to read its contents. Inside she found evidence that she may have a cousin in the Caribbean. She tucked the letter away to ponder on it after the work was done. She had just officially closed the door to her old life and the new Amalie was within reach. But how to reach out and grab her, was still a mystery to be solved.
Her best friend and business partner suggests that Amalie takes some time off to get re-focused. Amalie hasn't had a vacation in years and thinks about the letter she received from her new-found cousin. She decides to call her and see what happens. One thing leads to another and boom she ends up in the Caribbean. Only this island was removed from the normal flashy tourist places. It was like a slice of olden time come to life. A quiet paradise that just so happened to be haunted by one Jonathan Evans.
They say a soul with unfinished business will wander for eternity, searching for its purpose. Such was the case for Jonathan. He approaches Amalie because he is convinced that this is his Amalie reborn. He was separated from her on their wedding night and has been unable to figure out not only why he can't remember, but why he was still here almost 200 yrs later. There is a portal on the island that he can go through but once he is back in his own time he loses the memories of his present as a ghost. He just replays the parts over and over again. He convinces Amalie to go back with him and help him find out why he is stuck.
This was a book I was literally sucked into and it would not allow me to put in down. I was so completely engrossed in the plot that I literally lost track of time. It was breathtaking, heartbreaking, and so well written that the vividness of the details came to life right before my eyes. This was a heart wrenching love story that brought tears to my eyes many times and reaffirmed my belief that love is truly the most Divine and inspiring gift we can ever hope to receive. I highly recommend this book. Mrs. McDowell you have definitely made a new fan out of me. Hat's off to you for this brilliant creation!!!!!!
Hello and Welcome to this stop on Nat's Blog hop! A big thank you to her for putting this on!! This is such a hard subject for me because I have read so many great books this year. So I narrowed it down to my favorite book from Natasha Blackthorne. That was easy!! A Measured Risk!
He is her most dangerous temptation, the only man she has ever trusted and now he is demanding her submission. Dare she take the risk?
Emotionally scarred in the horrific accident that took her husband’s life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her lingering terror of horses and carriages. Lady Cranfield longed to be closer to the fascinating Earl of Ruel. She sensed intuitively that he could teach her how to overcome the terrors that held her in bondage.
And now she’s willing to risk almost anything-her reputation, even her virtue-to find out. But what he proposes startles her.
When the shy, studious and socially awkward young widow approached him, Ruel instantly sensed she would be the sweetest, most submissive experience of a lifetime-if only he can gain her total and complete trust. He makes her a non-negotiable offer. His help in return for her submission and obedience.
But Lady Cranfield grew up neglected by her ducal parents, raised by servants and then later ignored by her handsome, charming husband. She’s learnt to protect her heart at all costs and she trusts no one but herself.
How can the jaded Earl of Ruel break through her self-protective defences and show her how to love when he has spent his lifetime avoiding that tender trap?
You can read my review here. I totally fell in love with Jon, and I really related to Lady Cranfield. To me it was just an amazing read that had a little bit of everything in it. But be cautioned, this isn't your mother's historical romance!! But it is definately my kind!! Now this next book is a close second because I absolutely adored it as well!!! It was proabably, hands down, one of the best sequels I have read!!
Book four in the Carte Blanche Series
Before he can share his deepest, darkest secrets with her, he has to show her what seduction truly means.
For the first time in a long time, Alex is genuinely happy. He’s found a woman he can love. Now he wants only to enjoy his life. But the past won’t let him go. His dark secrets threaten to engulf him. Yet how can he tell his innocent fiancée about the horrific things he’s experienced?
Emily finds herself locked in a battle with the darkness that appears to hold Alex captive. As he reveals more of his inner torment, as he seduces her into carnal decadence, she wonders who is this man she’s so desperately in love with.
Can their love survive this intense journey of erotic exploration, shocking revelations and unsettling discoveries?
Reader Advisory: This book is a sequel to Alex's Angel. This book contains scenes of slavery, torture and dubious consent, light BDSM, sensual spanking, anal sex, toys, voyeurism and once scene of ménage à trois M/F/M. You can take a look at my review here.
But I have honestly enjoyed all of Natasha's works. These two are my favorites!! I can't wait to read more stuff by her!! But up for grabs here is your choice of any of her books!! This is international!! Good luck and don't forget to stop by these other great blogs!!!
An
ancient Chinese celestial dragon–unearthed in the frozen mountains of Mongolia,
miraculously survives and looks to locate a twelve year old girl whose the key
to fighting the demons that chased him out of his kingdom, and to find his
female mate.
My Review:
As you well know by now I read a variety of books and I am always looking out for something for my daughter to read in the future if she acquires my book lust. Odds are stacked against her that she will :) This book was a good read from a 10 - 14 year old level. I enjoyed it as an adult but I have been an avid reader since I was about 7. Isabella is shown the cruelty that younger children who are different in some way usually are. I think the above age group would more closely relate, as these problems develop early in life. This book travels through many of the evils mankind is known for..greed, power, corruption and deals in subtle hints that good conquers all. The dragons are in interesting twist that really is just marks the beginning of the battle. It was a really cute short read that I truly enjoyed. If the author continues with this series, I would love to read the next book. I truly believe that young audiences will enjoy it!!
Happy Saturday everyone!! The week as flown by!!! I have MaryLynn here with me and we are going to talk about her book One Bite To Passion. But first, let's take a look at the book details:
On a business trip to Japan, Paige has just found happiness with Casey, an exciting, young man with a passionate interest in Paige. After a night of wild sex, feels like a new woman. Drawn to Casey, Paige can’t refuse him even though he says he wants to possess her and she learns he is a vampire. Then Paige's unfaithful husband, Dalton, shows up. He has supposedly broken off his affair, but Paige suspects he is still seeing his mistress. Soon, Paige begins to notice disturbing things happening around her and discovers she has become the center of a battle between covens who consider her The Chosen One. But when she faces the greatest peril of her life, and Casey shows up to help, Page realizes she is willing fight the covens side-by-side with him, if it means the chance of a future with this vampire she has come to love.
Leaning against the door, she took a deep
breath to calm her pounding heart. Why was she having such a reaction to a man
she had barely met, not even twenty four hours ago. "Yet you slept with him." She grumbled to herself and
released a sigh. Slipping quickly into her undergarments, she slipped on a pair
of jeans and a t-shirt and headed back out to the living room.
Casey sat on the loveseat by the window, but
Rosa was gone. He responded to her questioning look. "She went back to her
room, said she had to get something for you."
Paige remembered a package was supposed to be
delivered. But that quickly left her mind when Casey patted the seat next to
him. She shook her head no, deciding it wasn't a good idea to snuggle with him.
She leaned against the bar that separated the kitchen from the living area.
"I won't bite." He smiled and wiggled
his eyebrows at her. "Too hard."
Paige laughed nervously. "Uh, Casey, about
last night." She couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"I told you Paige, I wanted you and I
still do." He lounged back on the seat, one arm thrown casually across the
back.
"I, uh. I'm married. I shouldn't have done
that." She inspected her manicured nail.
"I also remember telling you that your
husband was a lucky man. So, yeah, I'm aware you are married and I don't
care." He spoke softly. He patted the seat once again.
She heard the honesty in his words, and once
again shook her head, but this time she stared at him. She had to end this. She
was in Japan to work, not have an ongoing affair with a younger man. She opened
her mouth to speak, before she could, the look on his face stopped her.
"Paige." Casey stood and walked over
to where she was. His hand rose up to her face, his fingers slid gently across
her cheek, his eyes looked haunted. "I can't stop thinking about you. I
know you are married and I know I should feel bad about that, but I don't. He
should respect you and he doesn't."
How in the world would he know that! Paige
stared at him, wondering if she had gotten herself into something she wouldn't
easily get out of.
"I want to be with you." He continued
staring at her, but he made no move to touch her any further than the caress on
her cheek.
"But that's impossible Casey. I can't do
this. I love my husband."
"You love your husband because it's the
right thing to do. But how long has it been since he has told you he loved you
and really meant it? How long has it been since he loved you the way I did last
night? If ever?"
Closing her eyes she didn't know what she was
going to do. Dalton had never made her feel the way Casey had. But that had
been about sex. She and Dalton had twenty years together and couldn't throw
that all away for one night of great sex.
"I…" She didn't know what to say, His
lips descended and grazed hers and she melted against him. Her brain screamed
at her to stop, but her body said the exact opposite. The kiss deepened and he
pulled her to him. Their tongues battled for a moment before she pulled away
and buried her head in his chest.
"I know you are going to think I'm crazy,
but Paige, I think I'm already in love with you." He pulled her close, his
voice barely above a whisper.
About the Author:
MaryLynn
Bast moved to Las Vegas in 2012 from Texas, where she grew up. She works as a
consultant with a contractor for the US Military, traveling from base to base
across the US and around the world. Whenever possible, MaryLynn enjoys spending
time with her husband, children and friends. In her free time she writes
paranormal fantasies, loves to read and travel.
This was a likable quickie!! Paige goes away on a business trip and acts totally out of character. Which at her age is very rare. She has been married to the same man since high school and while she doesn't love him, she remains loyal. Dalton treats her badly and has cheated on her. But all that changes when Casey walks into the room. His ice-blue eyes seem to call to her and she is lost. But will she be able to go back to Dalton's empty caresses after she's tasted fire? Why is Casey so different? Its not like he can read her mind...or can he? This was a different type of Vampire novel that has covens and a hierarchy. I look forward to reading more about this intriguing world! Great Read!
Would you like a chance to win your own copy? Sure you would!!! Just fill out the rafflecopter!!!
