Only The Innocent by Rachel Abbott

Plot Summary: (From Amazon)

When Laura Fletcher approaches her home in Oxfordshire to
find hordes of photographers crowding the gates, she knows there is something
terribly wrong. She is faced with the shocking news that her husband is dead -
brutally murdered - and according to Chief Inspector Tom Douglas, there is
little doubt that the murderer is a woman.


In a marriage that has taken her from the glamorous five
star luxury of London, Venice and Positano to a bleak and draughty manor house
in rural Oxfordshire, Laura has learned to guard her secrets well. She is not
alone. It would appear that all the women in her husband's life have
something to hide.


But there is one secret that she has never shared, and
when the investigation reaches its dramatic and horrific climax, she realises
that she has no choice. She has to give Tom Douglas the final piece of the
puzzle. And this changes everything, leaving Douglas with a terrible dilemma:
whether to punish the guilty, or protect the innocent.

REVIEW: 5/5 Stars

I admit, I heard about this book and asked if I could review it for the author. I just had to read it. I won't summarize the plot, as that's already been done well by the other reviewers.

If you're expecting your run of the mill mystery, this so isn't it. This book has more twists and turns than any book I've read in a long time. Ms. Abbott keeps the reader turning pages and guessing right up til the end.

Most first-time novelists make many amateur mistakes--this certainly isn't the case with Only The Innocent. I was very surprised to find this was Rachel's first book.

This is a psychological thriller that will make you think. The author did a fantastic job making real characters that are so much more than what you'd expect. From the first page, the reader is hooked. Not once did I find myself skimming over parts of the book. Every word moved the story to it's dramatic conclusion. I look forward to more by this truly gifted author.

Only The Innocent
 

Initiation - Book One of the Bonfire Chronicles was written by Imogen Rose. Her books are a wonderful mix of paranormal and YA-Teen reads.

This book is a prequel to Faustine (Bonfire Chronicles) but it's not necessary to have read Faustine to read and understand Initiation. There are some small tie-ins with Imogen's PORTAL series as well. I recommend them all.

Initiation is the story of Cordelia, a student at the Bonfire Academy in Switzerland. Cordelia is selected to be a mentor to the half-human hybrid demon, Faustine, when she enters the Academy. From the start, Cordelia shines as she protects Faustine from shifters out to harm Faustine.

Cordelia has graduated from school, but she's taken an extra year to do extracurricular activities--like tennis and skiing--but you don't refuse when the King of the London demons is the charge you're asked to mentor.

While Cordelia is a full-demon, Faustine is only half. This puts her in danger, as the school also has vampires--and they are young vampires, just learning how to control their urges to feed.

Throughout the book, Cordelia is tasked with keeping Faustine safe and to help her grow and learn about her demon abilities. No one is more shocked than Cordelia when she discovers that Faustine seems to disappear--literally--when in danger. Not only that, she's one heck of a scary demon--she doesn't just morph--she GROWS!

Midst all this, and the mystery of Faustine's strange abilities, Cordelia has to figure out her feelings for Jagger, the faery, that she's wildly attracted to--and Quinn, a fellow demon, and her current boyfriend.

It's a busy year at the Academy, and I highly recommend you read the books and join the fun ride! The book is extremely well-written and well-edited, which is something sometimes hard to find in an indie published book.

We don't use stars on this site, but I certainly left 5 stars on my Amazon review. Initiation well-earned it.

GOODNIGHT, TWEETHEART BY Theresa Medeiros

Goodnight Tweetheart was a quick, fun read. Anyone familiar with Twitter will find it really easy to get. Non-Tweeters will be able to understand Twitter based on Mark's explanations to the non-Tweeter Abby-so you don't have to understand Twitter to enjoy the book.

Abby is a terrified she can no longer write--after all, how do you top an almost-Pulitzer and Oprah Pick? She's past deadline and still on Chapter Five. She's more than willing to play with the Twitter account her publicist sets up for her--since it lets her avoid her blank document page.

Her first message is "Halloo.....is anyone out there" or something similar. Soon, she gets a response: "Are you a virgin" (He meant TWITTER virgin, of course)

It's constant banter from then on! As one that enjoys sarcastic wit--I loved the discussions! I found myself laughing one minute and on the verge of tears by the end.

Both Mark and Abby are witty and charming. It's clear they have a lot in common as they 'tweet' each other over the next several months.

Just when she's wondering if she can have a relationship with someone 'online', she discovers Mark has lied to her all along. Will she walk away? Will she ever get past Chapter Five?

You'll have to read the book to find out!

Beware: This is not a traditional romance. You won't find the HEA strict romance book readers have come to expect. As Ms. Medeiros said, though, "It doesn't have a bad ending"


I nominated this book for a book club I moderate--just so I'd have an excuse to read it, LOL.


Ms. Medeiros has a fun, easy to read style. You'll find yourself turning the pages quickly. I love a book where it seems like what is within is 'possible'...and Goodnight, Tweetheart is a book that I could definitely see happening in the new day where more and more people meet via the Internet.


Goodnight, Tweetheart  can be purchased on Amazon and other retailers.

Frost Bitten by Eliza Gayle

I'm pleased to have Ursula Avery join this site to write reviews. Here's her first for Books2LoveReviews

Frost Bitten by Eliza Gayle. This book is available exclusively at All Romance e-Books
Hello! For your reviewing pleasure I offer the latest story from Eliza Gayle. When I was offered the chance to review this book, I jumped at it! I am a southern girl by birth (and at heart) who lives in the North. HATE winter. We have been blessed this year with an extraordinarily mild winter. But, it has been cold.  So I Just knew this book would heat things up!

ARe blurb:
Resistance may be possible, but who are they kidding?

While on a search and rescue mission in the middle of a snowstorm, Seth and his twin Trent catch the scent of an unfamiliar shifter. Drawn to locate the source they hike deep into the woods to an abandoned cabin where they find an enticing little jaguar in the throes of heat.

Tired of being smothered by her five brothers and the pressure to mate, Daisy wanted nothing more than a week alone in the middle of freaking no where. The last thing she needed was a run in with two sexy as sin—and totally off limits—cougar shifters. Unfortunately, she’s not the kind of woman to leave them out in the cold.

Faced with the misery of unmet sexual desire or hot, no strings attached sex with two men… What’s a girl to do?

I loved it!

As the snow falls outside my window...again (darn it! Why must it snow!?), I can easily imagine that I am in Frost Bitten. As I said: not a winter lover, but if I had sexy shifter twins hunkered down in an abandoned cabin with me, like Daisy does, I sure would love it more! Once again Eliza Gayle has delivered a fun, sexy hot read that draws you into the world of cat shifters. I love that her heroine has a strong personality and doesn’t need to rely on men. And that she isn’t afraid to change then when the right men come along. I love that the men are strong, alpha males, who are determined to win their mate. This sizzling hot book is a perfect read on a snowy day…or a hot one. Cause let’s face it; Eliza Gayle is good reading anytime! Go buy the book. You won’t be disappointed!

Ursula Avery

All Reviews are the property of the reviewer, and are used with permission.  No portion of this review may be used elsewhere without giving credit to this site and the reviewer.

Wicked By Any Other Name by Linda Wisdom

Linda Wisdom continues in this book with her wonderful characters, the witches, expelled from the Witchy Academy all those many years ago...

Stasi, a 700+ year-young with owns a small boutique in a small California mountain town. She and her friend and fellow witch Blair, keep returning to the town that they love.

Things are great. Mortals know about the existence of witches, and the fears of the long-ago Salem Witch Trials are a thing of the past...the new, enlightened society doesn't fear witches, for heavens' sake-or do they?

When Stasi puts a little extra in a sachet in the purchase Carrie makes, the sparks and hearts fly. Stasi gets a letter informing her that the despicable Carrie is suing her for alienation of affection. She blames Stasi for husband # four leaving her. She takes her case to Wizard attorney Trevor Barnes. Trevor, believing the conniving Carrie takes the case and goes to meet the witch.

Remember those hearts? Cupid apparently has a sense of distorted humor, as the hearts Stasi and he see can mean only one thing-they are meant to be together.

While Stasi is attracted sexually to Trevor, how can she even consider Trevor when he's the attorney helping Carrie ruin her good name?

If all that isn't enough, something strange is going on in their happy lake town. The people start acting strange and their peaceful lake has been tainted by ancient magicks. Trevor and Staci, along with their friends set out to find the problem.

You will enjoy the return of Jazz and Nick from 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover and the antics of the bunny slippers, Huff and Puff...oh, and did I mention the cursed gargoyle, Horace and the were-border collie, Jake?

This story is a fun read and will keep you guessing til the end. The story is a fun read, with just a tad bit of mystery tossed in. I always enjoy paranormal/urban fantasy love stories. This book has a more chick lit feel than the old traditional Harlequin book, which is what makes it a 5 star read by a very prolific, charming author any reader will want to add to their collection of favorites.

Be sure to find the others that are somewhat connected, Demon Does It Better (Demons) Hex Appeal Hex in High Heels (Jazz Tremaine)Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend A Demon Does It Better the Demon books also contain the witchy women!

Linda Wisdom's 50 WAYS to HEX YOUR LOVER

I've been a fan of Linda Wisdom for almost 30 years. Now, she's got two new series!  50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is book 1 in the Hex Series.  Some of the characters she mentions in these 4 books are in her newest Demon Series.


Description:

Jazz can't decide whether to scorch him with a fireball or jump into bed with him.

Jasmine Tremaine, a witch who can't stay out of trouble.

Nikolai Gregorivich, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire cop on the trail of a serial killer.

The sizzling love affair between Jazz and Nick has been off-again, on-again-for about 300 years. Mostly off, lately. But now Nick needs Jazz's help, and while Jazz and Nick try to figure out their own hearts and resist their ever-increasing attraction, they must steer clear of a maniacal killer with super-supernatural powers. They are surrounded by a hilarious cast of oddball paranormal characters, including Irma, the chain-smoking ghost who haunts Jazz's sports car, Dweezil, her ghoul of a boss, and Fluff and Puff, a pair of bunny slippers with sharp teeth and short tempers (watch your ankles)!

REVIEW:

I've enjoyed many of Linda Wisdom's books over the years, and this one was no exception. The first pages let you know the main character is a rule breaker, and off we go!

Jazz has been banished from her witchy school, along with 12 of her friends, to the mortal realm. One elder witch wonders if the girls can survive, and the headmistress smiles and says she's more worried about the poor mortals!

Jazz has done well for herself, despite her banishment and a serious trauma in her not-so-distant past. Now, she removes hexes and donates most of the proceeds to charity...that is when she's not driving otherworldly creatures as a limo driver.

When old on/off again flame Nick shows up in town, her famous temper literally fires up, and he has to convince the fiery witch to help her find out why his fellow vampires are disappearing. She's reluctant untill he tells her he believes the culprit is the man responsible for her trauma in the past.

The story is funny and quirky, but there are some disturbing things in Jazz's past that give the book just enough 'realism and grit' to not make it as light as the cover would seem to dictate.

The secondary characters are a blast, especially the vicious bunny slippers, Fluff & Puff. Oh, and did I mention the ghost, Irma,  that Jazz is stuck with as long as she wants to keep her classic 57 T-Bird?

Jazz is a kick-ass character that is about as 3 dimensional as they come. This isn't your typical witch and vampire story. The writing keeps the reader turning pages for the non-stop action and absolutely delightful exchanges between Jazz and Nick and Irma and....WOW!  A MUST READ.

If you are a fan of supernatural beings and paranormal, you'll enjoy this book as much as I did. I can't wait to read more of the series.



50 Ways to Hex Your Lover can be found on Amazon and other online retailers

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