Book Spotlight: Dragon Knight's Ring by Mary Morgan #Romance

DRAGON KNIGHT’S RING by Mary Morgan

Release date: August 12, 2016

Blurb:

Death destroyed their love. Yet, can a trio of Fenian warriors roll back time to reunite two lost souls?

Crusader, Adam MacFhearguis is on one last quest to the standing stones in Scotland where he seeks to bury the past. However, a silent prayer sends him to an unknown future and to his beloved Meggie. When he uncovers a shocking revelation, Adam questions everything about the woman he thought he knew and loved. He may have traveled the veil of ages, but time is now his enemy.

Margaret MacKay lives a life in the future without the memories of her past—her death. When Adam arrives at her door confessing he knows her, she is confused and wary. With each passing day, she yearns to learn more from this stranger. Yet, when a truth is revealed, can she trust the man to unlock the chains from her mind and heart?

Will love free the bonds to unite the two lovers who were doomed centuries ago? Or will evil finally claim victory over the Dragon Knights?

Excerpt:

Meggie brushed her fingers over the leather pouch. “It feels empty.”

“Are you not tempted to take a wee look inside?”

She snatched her hand back. “I’m not peering inside the man’s belongings. As soon as he wakes, he and his horse can leave.” Giving the horse a firm pat, Meggie walked out of the stall and away from her smirking cousin—only to run smack into her other cousin, Lena.

“Blast,” snapped Meggie, grabbing her cousin by the arm to help steady them both. “Sorry, didn’t see ye,” Seeing the excitement in Lena’s eyes, she stepped back. “What?”

“I hear you have a Highlander in the guest room,” she replied, giving Meggie a wink. “Are you going to share?”

Meggie placed her hands on her hips. “He’s not my Highlander. Feel free to have him, though as soon as he wakes he’s gone from here.”

Lucas strode out of the stables, wiping his hand on a cloth. “I think I’ll go introduce myself, since I think this man bothers you. You keep stating he must leave as soon as he wakes.”

Lena pushed her cousin aside. “No, Lucas. I will go check on him.”

“Ye are both crazy,” protested Meggie. “He’s just a man.” Stepping past them both, she marched away from the stables.

Approaching the entrance of the castle, her nerves tingled and the air cooled. Halting on the gravel courtyard, she slowly glanced up at the guest bedroom window. Gazing down at her was the dark Highlander. His hands were braced on either side of the glass, and Meggie could swear for an instant, she recognized him from somewhere. A dream, perhaps? The look he gave her pierced her soul, and she shivered.

“Impossible,” she muttered. “I don’t dream. And ye are leaving now.”

Breaking from his stare, Meggie entered the castle, almost running up the stairs. By the time she reached the guest room, her hands were shaking. Not even bothering to knock, she pushed open the door and stormed inside.

Her mouth became dry, unable to form the words to order this giant out of her home. His bulk blocked the light from the window as he leaned against the ledge staring at her. She was not one prone to swoon at men—any man, but this one made her a jumbled mess. Moving to the table, she picked up his sword and took it over to him. His eyes widened as she approached and she fell into their dark blue depths. 

“I…um…” she stammered before continuing. “Ye should leave.” There, she got the words out.

Instead of reaching for his sword, the man lifted two fingers and caressed her cheek. She gasped, the touch searing her skin, and she took a step back. She could see the look of shock pass over his features, as if he felt the same reaction.

Meggie shoved the sword into his arms and ran for the door. Yet, when her hand touched the handle, she heard him speak.

“Dinnae leave me again, Meggie.”

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Knights-Ring-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B01HDWY8S2/

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-knights-ring-mary-morgan/1123986946?ean=2940158146312

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/dragon-knight-s-ring

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dragon-knights-ring/id1133781893?mt=11

The Wild Rose Press: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4468-dragon-knight-s-ring.html

All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dragonknight039sring-2061155-143.html

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. 
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

You can find more information about Mary Morgan here:

WEBSITE  http://www.marymorganauthor.com

BLOG  http://www.marymorganromancewriter.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564

Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/

Book Review: Stranger at the Hell Gate by @AshKrafton #Angels #Demons #paranormalromance #bookreview

Stranger at the Hell Gate by Ash Krafton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jagger Sintallon, a half-demon warrior, has dedicated his existence to fighting demons who enter the world through Hell gates. A loner of conflicting ideals, he offers shelter to a troubled woman but knows he is too rough, too dangerous, and too cocky for her delicate nature.

Dedicated to Divine Will, Sonya Camael, a Seraph, is determined to discover why she is drawn to Jagger's doorstep and the reason behind her mission. She needs the demon's help but fears he may get himself killed before she can figure it out and the world slips into Hell's dominion.

Sonya faces grave danger with evil stalking her every move, and Jagger shouldn't care but realizes he cares more than he'd likely admit. Sonya knows Jagger cannot win this war alone, but will her divine intervention mean his imminent end? Or will just the right combination of Heaven and Hell set the world right once again?

Kindle Edition, 72 pages

Published March 25th 2013 by The Wild Rose Press, Black Rose

My Review:
This was a short, sweet romance between two sensual supernatural creatures. I was swept into the world of humans, demons and angels right from the start. Sonya is a Seraph seeking help from half-demon Jagger. Their world is gritty, harsh and painful, but there is beauty and hope, too. Because this was a short story, I don't want to give too much away about the plot. The characters were believable and well-written. I liked how the chapters were brief and split between Angels and Demons. This made it easy for me to slip back into this world when I had to step away from the book for a quick moment (I have kids who demand this attention all of the time!). As with her other books, I enjoy reading this author's writing style. Ms. Krafton has a way with words that leaves this reader breathless. Elegant and poetic with gothic undertones. A quick, enjoyable read for someone wanting to dip their toes into an imaginative world.



View all my reviews

More About this Book 

Author's Website

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

Can I Give Up Writing? #IWSG #novelist #aspiringwriter

#IWSG Asks: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?

I wrote my first completed novel when I was 15 years-old. It was summer vacation. One morning, I woke up from a particularly vivid dream. As per usual, I grabbed a notebook and scribbled down the details of my dream. Throughout the day, the dream kept growing in my imagination. Later, I sat at the desk with my dad's Tandy computer, opened a file and began typing the monster that would become my gateway into the writing world.

I finished that sucker in a week!

An entire week that I barely ate nor slept. I was hooked on this incredible high that I never felt before, this addiction to get the images in my head onto printed paper. There was a movie in my brain filled with quirky characters, lush settings and a complicated plot along with amazing twists. 

Of course, at the time, I barely knew what the word plot meant. I knew nothing...absolutely nothing...about the writing craft. I was an avid reader, however, and I let the storytelling part of my brain guide me. This book was written with gut instinct, nothing more.

Suffice it to say, I keep this novel buried deep in the catacombs of my hard-drive. 

Every so often, I come across the file during some obscure search and I open it to gaze lovingly at the adventurous fantasy that I wrote during my writing infancy.

The story was a 80,000 word novel about a young woman who went camping with her friends one summer. During their hike through the woods, they were sucked into a portal leading them to an alternate dimension. In that world of kings and queens, healers and sorcerers, warriors and heroes, this group of friends was plunged into a war against an evil mage and his mistress. Although the villains had gained control of the kingdom, there was a group of warriors who continued to fight to free their captured land and bring the rightful rulers back to the throne. The young woman played a key role in a prophecy that was foretold about the days of reuniting the kingdom and bringing peace to the land.   

I have ventured to re-write it only once. Maybe I will again some day. For now, it remains the unseen novel that awoke the desire in my soul to create with the written word.

This particular question from #IWSG comes at an opportune moment for me. At times (like this year!), life gets tough, money is scarce and I think that in order to feed my family I need to give up writing and get a real job. After all, as many people know there is no guarantee of financial success for writers. Very few make it to where they can quit their day job.  And I have bills to pay just like any other person. My family relies on me to take care of them. Tough times like those happening recently make me wonder about my life's choices. Maybe I should quit writing and go back into retail management. Maybe I should go to college or trade school to get a degree for something with a guaranteed paycheck.

After all, do I really have what it takes to make it to financial success with my writing?

During these times of doubt and despair, I try to remember one thing...

How many other people finished an 80,000 word novel in a week when they were 15?
 
I've learned so much about writing since then. Twenty years worth of knowledge from attending workshops and conferences, reading books about the writing craft, asking authors for advice, reading published novels and dissecting them one chapter at a time to see how the author worked at piecing it together, and researching, researching, researching...

Countless hours of my life I've devoted to something that for many years I just considered a hobby. Now, that I've finally breached that invisible wall, becoming a published author

Photo courtesy of Ash Krafton

myself, I believe it would be such as waste to let it all go when life gets tough.

This too shall pass. Life goes on. And I'll keep writing. 

Because, truly, my soul craves it. I love writing. I need it. Honestly, after all these years, I really don't know how to live without writing in my life.

If I have to get a day job, I'll still write. If I never publish another book ever again, I'll still write.

And that is why, I'll never give up. 

Thank you, #IWSG, for reminding me how I began this writing journey.  

Be sure to check out other writers in the Insecure Writers' Support Group!

Karma by Nadine Nightingale #UrbanFantasy #Witch #BookReview

Karma by Nadine Nightingale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


People call me all sorts of names—bad girl, black sheep, and my all-time favorite...Satan’s bride. I could blame the fact I’m a witch for my behavior, but the truth is I’m infuriating, arrogant, and stab-worthy.

Alex Remington is a hunter and everything I’m not—righteous, honest, caring. We used to have a thing, but that was before he learned I’m a witch and tried to kill me.

Eighteen months later, he’s back in my life and we have a deal; I’ll help him save his brother and he’ll disappear from my life for good. But karma can be a real bitch…


 

My Review:
This book was awesome! It's a fast paced dialogue driven story about a witch and the hunter who has come to her for help with finding his missing brother. I was a little confused by the flashes at the beginning. It was unexpected. The witch, Amanda Bishop, can "see" certain things. But, after a while, those flashes flowed seamlessly into the story, adding depth and mystery. The hunter, Alex Remington, is gruff and bossy for most of the story, but he's been hurt by Amanda in the past. Amanda, also, tries to keep a wall between their attraction and emotions, by being the most smart-ass, sarcastic and sassy woman as possible. She's been hurt, too. Both of these characters have a lot of emotional baggage and neither one is dealing with it, but they come together to help find Jesse, Alex's younger brother and partner.

The character development was woven into the complex plot with snarky dialogue revealing hidden pasts and secrets. The witty and insulting banter between the main characters was entertaining. There is harsh language used, but it seems appropriate for the characters.

One thing that bothers me…the ending! Just left me wanting to turn the page for the next chapter, but that was it! No more pages. I'm guessing that Book 2 will continue Amanda and Alex's story. I hope so, anyway! There's so much still left unresolved! Being the romantic that I am, I really wanted to see them back together. I hope that happens! And I can't wait until they discuss the rest of those issues that were hinted at throughout the book. I have a feeling in the next book someone's soul needs saving! Oh, my!

This book is listed as a romance, but for me, to be classified as a romance, there must be some sort of relationship resolution at the end. This book ends without that. Very dissatisfying for a romance reader. Personally, I'd shelve this book in the urban fantasy genre. If I'd known that, I wouldn't have been so irritated by the ending since I wouldn't have expected the happily-ever-after I was waiting for.

*Warning*

There are some violent situations here that some sensitive readers might not handle well. Some very bad things happen to children which left me cringing in horror even as I read. Of course, by the end, the bad guys are punished, but it was still difficult to read those abusive scenes. Some readers might need a warning about this kind of content.

*Spoilers*
It's possible that I might be slightly (okay, let's be realistic-more than slightly!) obsessed with a popular TV show, but I'm feeling like this author is a fan, too. The two Remington brothers (Remington=also the name of a weapon), both working as hunters, driving a black muscle car, sleeping in sleazy motel rooms while chasing after all sorts of supernatural creatures. Alex, devoted to his brother, gruff and bad-mouthed jerk-face who tells Amanda to keep her hands off his radio. Jesse, his younger brother, is the kinder, gentler hunter, who is taller than his older brother, and has a more easy-going nature making him more people-friendly. This could totally be my own interpretation based on my own likes (and loves!). Whether intentional or not, these elements made me fall in love with Ms. Nightingale's story even more.
*End Spoiler*
[
It's possible that I might be slightly (okay, let's be realistic-more than slightly!) obsessed with a popular TV show, but I'm feeling like this author is a fan, too. The two Remington brothers (Remington=also the name of a weapon), both working as hunters, driving a black muscle car, sleeping in sleazy motel rooms while chasing after all sorts of supernatural creatures. Alex, devoted to his brother, gruff and bad-mouthed jerk-face who tells Amanda to keep her hands off his radio. Jesse, his younger brother, is the kinder, gentler hunter, who is taller than his older brother, and has a more easy-going nature making him more people-friendly. This could totally be my own interpretation based on my own likes (and loves!). Whether intentional or not, these elements made me fall in love with Ms. Nightingale's story even more. (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this book! So much that I re-read it immediately after finishing it. And I'll probably re-read it again when Book 2 is released. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy supernatural and paranormal fiction! This is a keeper and I truly can't wait for the next one!


View all my reviews

More About this Book:

Nadine's website

Kindle

The Wild Rose Press

National Coloring Book Day! #creativity #relaxing #coloringbook

August 2nd is National Coloring Book Day! Yes, such a day does exist. There's a website and everything. I looked it up because I didn't believe it myself.

I am a huge advocate of adult coloring books! I've enjoyed coloring books since I was a kid, sitting at the kitchen table with crayons strewn about, sharing a page from my coloring book with my mom. I remember how I thought she colored so beautifully, staying carefully in the lines and making the picture on the page come alive! I continued coloring long after my friends stopped. It was something I enjoyed. Years ago, I felt a little strange buying kid's coloring books as an adult, especially when I didn't have any children of my own at the time, but now that the coloring book wave has hit, I fit right in!

People find coloring therapeutic. There's even neuroscience now that explains how coloring elicits a relaxing mindset and can reduce stress and anxiety. It allows us to focus on the art instead of dwelling on our life's problems. I've read that its considered another form of meditation.

We all need a little creativity to unwind from our busy days. It's another way to escape and enjoy our imaginations. So, take some time today, grab some colored pencils or crayons, pick a book, and lose yourself in a world of vibrant colors. 

Here's a look at some of my favorite coloring books as well as some new ones that are on the way.


Doctor Who Coloring Book

Lots of timey-wimey wibbley-wobbley creative pics to engage your imagination with our favorite time traveler!




Sherlock: The Mind Palace

The first official coloring book from the hit BBC series, filled with more than fifty intricate scenes and cast images from the show

The game is on . . .

Sherlock: The Mind Palace is a unique celebration of the rich visual landscape of the BBC series Sherlock, featuring more than fifty intricate pieces of artwork by artist Mike Collins. Recreate classic scenes, add color to intricate interiors, and illuminate the fascinating world of Sherlock with the power of your imagination.

A vital clue from each episode is hidden within the original black and white illustrations, and only by completing the scene can they be found. Fill Sherlock’s world with color and find the secrets hidden within The Mind Palace.

Supernatural

Based on WB’s hit show Supernatural, this deluxe coloring book features line art and patterns inspired by Dean, Sam, Castiel, and the monsters that they hunt.

The perfect gift for the aspiring hunter, this gorgeous coloring book is filled with detailed illustrations of the characters and creatures of Supernatural. From the rich black of the Winchesters’ car to the blood red of a devil’s trap, the world of Supernatural is yours to design and color. Featuring patterns inspired by Dean, Sam, Castiel, Crowley, and a host of angels, demons, and other creatures, these minutely detailed drawings offer hours of creative fun.

Serenity

 Join the crew of the Serenity on an adventure through the 'verse where you can relive your favorite moments from the Firefly series- and more! This stunning adult coloring book is filled with 45 detailed and completely original black-and-white illustrations for you to color however you desire.


Dark Horse enters the adult coloring book market in their ususal grand style with popular licensed properties and all-new, original art. The Serenity Adult Coloring Book is based on Joss Whedon's massively-popular Serenity/Firefly television series. Dark Horse also offers a full line of Serenity graphic novels.

And for those romance fans...



The World Debbie Macomber Come Home to Color 

From beloved author and Hallmark Channel favorite Debbie Macomber, this special adult coloring book features forty-five original illustrations depicting scenes from the Rose Harbor and Blossom Street series. Unplug and let the creativity flow!

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

The heartwarming novels of Debbie Macomber are known for their colorful locales, cheerful themes, and inspiring messages, and that spirit of comfort and generosity is on display throughout this one-of-a-kind collector’s item. The World of Debbie Macomber: Come Home to Color is packed with black-and-white illustrations of intricate knitting images, soothing landscapes, and cozy scenes from the long-running Rose Harbor and Blossom Street series—all of which you bring to dazzling life. There’s no place like home—and there’s no coloring book quite like this one.