Wednesday 27 February 2013

The Banshee's Embrace - Victoria Richards



The Banshee's Embrace - Victoria Richards 

About the book: 
Jacqueline Huston has no idea what has been happening to her, but it started the night she was attacked by men with strange powers. While wounded in the attack, Jacqueline knows she would have surely died if her husband hadn't thrown himself into the line of fire. But being alive is little comfort when your husband is dead.

Ever since that night, Jacqueline has been strangely attracted to death for reasons she doesn't understand. When death is nearby, she experiences the uncanny feeling that she can predict when it is coming for someone. However, it's the weird urge to sing when she gets close to dying people that disturbs her the most.

Toby Williams is a wizard and a member of the Brotherhood of Merlyn, an ancient order of wizards. He's been charged by the Brotherhood to keep an eye on Jacqueline Huston. After all, half banshees are rare, and if placed in the wrong hands, they can be a powerful weapon. As owner of Merlyn's Bar, a place the lovely Ms. Huston frequents, it seems an easy enough assignment for Toby.

When sinister Derek Spark attempts to kidnap her, Jacqueline learns a frightening truth--she comes descended from an old Irish family whose women are destined to become banshees upon their deaths. Jacqueline was meant to die in the attack a year ago, but because she was only wounded, her banshee genes are coming out, making her a powerful weapon to those in the supernatural world. Derek wants to use her soul reaping powers for his own evil plans. Jacqueline must discover the truth about her heritage and save Toby, the man she finds herself falling in love with, and from her own banshee urge to reap his soul.

4/5

My Review: 
Falling headlong into this book from the very first chapter, I found this to be a paranormal read mixed with action, love and an intense and deep rooted story-line that leaves the reader going through the book and wanting more. I wanted to find out the heritage and history of the main characters and was catapulted through the deep seated super natural element that went along well with the ebbs and flows of the book. The main characters were realistic and in depth that left you no room to question their thoughts and feeling as they continued through their world of not only self discovery but also the dark depths of sinking deeper into the realm of the super naturals surrounding them all. With plot twists and turns around every corner it kept me gripped and reading to find and work out all of the answers that were sure to come with reaching the end. Yet leaves even more questions that make you want to read the next instalment and find out where they are going to grow and develop to. A really good paranormal read for those that love a good story and even better character and well done to the author for bringing the story to life and really making the reader feel and loose themselves within it's pages and come back for more. I would recommend checking out this author as I am sure there are many more good things to come from her. 

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Olly - Isabella Sinclair



Olly - Isabella Sinclair

About the book:
Obsession. Lust. Yearning.

Olivia Rae has always dreamed of that once in a lifetime Love, but love makes you crazy.

It can push all your buttons, make you doubt yourself, and question the core of your beliefs.

Sometimes the quest for that elusive prize requires lots and lots of exploration and when love doesn't seem possible, you hunting for the next best thing...

4/5

My Review:
Always on the look out for good novella's to read I picked this one up for review and read it in one sitting. The story flows really well and it has a bit of everything in there, although an erotica book by genre this is not too heavy for those wanting just that little bit extra from there books. It has love, lust and emotion flowing from its pages with believable and endearing characters and a love story to melt anyone's heart this is a must read. A true test of love patience and understanding when it comes to the affairs of the heart and everything that comes with it. An author well worth checking out. 

Friday 8 February 2013

Vanilla on Top - C.J.Ellisson



Vanilla on Top - C.J.Ellisson 

About the book: 
Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free…

Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won’t desire the real person she’s desperate to hide.

Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event…and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he’s ever encountered—until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.

5/5

My Review:
The cover and blurb on this book caught my eye and I just had to put in a request and see what it was all about. Well I can tell you I wasn't disappointed and read the whole thing in under 8 hours. The story managed to grab and captivate me, keeping my hanging on the authors every word as I followed the characters through the story. Watching and feeling everything as they grew and developed into what they are at the end of the book. Heather grows and develops the most throughout the story, starting as a shy and introvert character and building into a strong woman who is a force to be reckoned with, but she doesn't have it easy and going through everything that she feels and suffers along her way. Her self doubt and inner turmoil as well as digging into her past and finally coming to terms with it. But the most exciting thing for her was as she finally discovered herself and gained her self confidence when it came to men. I can say she captivated and enticed me throughout the book, not always knowing what she was going to pull out next and what naughty sinful ideas where rolling through her mind as she took control of what she wanted and needed when she wanted it. Tony a strong man always a playboy until he meets Heather, but what was it about her that changed him? and why was it her and the wanton way she acted that made her so unforgettable to him. A high flying business man, never one to hang around in a fast moving business and finding that he always wanted the finer things in life. I loved that as he grew throughout the book he finally realised what it was he wanted and what really mattered in his life, it may have taken some time and a few good laughs and mistakes to get there but he did eventually and I found that throughout the book I grew to love him more and more. The story flowed so well and kept me wanting to read more, until I finally came to the end. Feeling everything the characters felt and falling under their spell as the world around me was painted in such a way I could almost touch and feel everything going on around me. All credit to the author for managing to give a well rounded and fully engrossing book that lovers of this genre will fall in love with. 

Thursday 7 February 2013

Embracing My Submission - Jenna Jacob



Embracing my submission - Jenna Jacob 

About the book:
Haunted for years by dreams of a savage, amber eyed Dominant with lips so enticing my soul ached in frustration and lust. None of the Dominants at Genesis, my local BDSM club ever stirred me in such blistering ways. While I tried to fill my submissive desires vicariously through interactions at the club, I attempted to convince myself it was enough. But it wasn’t. My dream Dom made certain I hungered for more.

Forced beyond what I could bear, my passion and frustration exploded. I threw in the towel, determined to stop chasing a dream and gave up completely on finding submissive surrender. But fate intervened when two gunshots split the night. Forced to confront my desires and insecurities, I was shocked to realize that my dreams may have held a deeper meaning. Were they compelling me to finally embrace my submission?

4.5/5

My Review:
On receiving this book for review I was looking forward to seeing what it held between its pages. So true to form I couldn't wait to open it and start reading and I wasn't disappointed. Right from the first page the book has you hooked and pulled into the world surrounding Emerald and what it is she has always dreamed of becoming. The story flows so well it leaves you just reading and reading, totally immersed in her world and what is happening around her all of the time. Her thoughts and feeling so well portrayed and believable that you feel like you work your way through all of the issues she has surrounding what she is and what she wants to become. Finding out all about her life before and the struggles and pain she went through in the search for her one true dream leaves you in no doubt as to who and what she is and what it is she is giving up to follow her path in life and get the feeling she desperately needs. Her true sass and ability to work through everything and be the strong independent woman she has become is heart warming and inspiring to all. I really do want to follow on with her and see if he always manages to get what it is she deserves in life. Mika is a true and complex character. yet he leaves you in no doubt as to who and what he is. Although with a few twists and turns in his own story he still makes you feel the love and deep routed need within him. He truly is a loveable character that you can open your heart to and let him in and with that the author has managed to portray him in such a way that it leaves you in no doubt at all. Drake well what can I say such a heart warming and well rounded character taking and giving all that he is in the roles he takes on, protecting and making sure that those in his life that surround and comfort him are always well taken care of and have what they need, yet being only human he too shows his flaws and his basic issues in life and how he deals with those. Trevor..................... Oh I loved him as a character although not in the forefront of this book he inspires and begs to be loved, so full of heard and compassion you can't help but feel his depth of emotion and his true identity of self and understanding as to what he is and what is expected of him. I found myself waiting for the sections that contain him knowing he would bring yet another dimension to the overall story. All of the background and secondary characters are written and executed in such a way that you have no quibble with knowing that the author knows each and everyone of them in depth and had no issues in making sure their voices too were heard coming out from the pages. This story really is one for the lovers of this genre and I urge you to go out and get a copy of this book, I know you will sit and read and not want to put it down. All credit to the author and the way she manages to tell the story and keep the reader engaged and entertained. I found myself laughing and smiling although also feeling horror and sadness when the characters and story called for it. I will be looking out for more instalments from this series and more books from this author.  

Interview with RaeBeth McGee


Please take a few minutes to welcome RaeBeth to Madsheep reading, I know you all love to read about new books and hear what the authors behind them have to say, so show your love. 

So without further ado lets move forward and meet RaeBeth and her book Silenced

 Author Interview: 


From the book which is your favourite character ? and why?

My favourite character from Silenced is hard to choose because I enjoyed creating each of them. But if I had to choose... I would say Amber. She’s partly me. I mixed in part of my personality and life into her while creating her story.


 Is there a favorite genre of books that you love to read and write?

I really like to read a mixture of genre. Although at this time I’ve written in the YA/Suspense and Paranormal genres. I would say these are my favorite.


 If you could send a letter of advice to your younger self what would it say? And why?

It would say not to take things to heart and to say No more often. I am always up to helping out others even if it means less time for my own work. I could tell my younger self that this would pose a problem later on for completing tasks that are important to me.

What is your inspiration/muse while you are writing?

There’s so many things that inspire me when writing. So it’s hard to pin point where it comes from the most. So I would say life in general.

What are your habits when you sit down to create? Do you have a certain room or place where you go?

I do have one habit. I must have a fresh cup of coffee and a bright room while writing. It must be quiet so I can keep my focus and that’s when I write at my best. The room I find myself in the most when writing is my living room. It’s the biggest and most spacious part of my house. Plus the kitchen is right off of it.. which makes snacks easy to get at and no stairs to walk because of being pregnant.

Have you made any mistakes along the way?

Oh yes! But honestly who can say they started this path and hasn’t made any mistakes. I learned the hard way. When I first completed Silenced I was clueless to the publishing world. I signed up with a POD publishing company that I’d consider isn’t worth it. I found them breaking the contract and was released all rights back to me. Once I got my manuscript back I found loads of errors within it.

Therefore, I began researching the correct way to self publish. This is where I found that editing is a MUST do BEFORE it’s published. The same with formatting. I’ve learned that by these mistakes I’m always on the lookout for anything new I can do to better myself.

What do you like to do in your down time?

What down time? In times when I’m not writing, reading, or blogging. I’m a Mom and Wife. Therefore, my job is never done. When I do get a moment to myself... I like to listen to music and try to relax. Being pregnant is one thing that makes relaxing fun because I can focus on my belly and the baby’s movements.

Do you have a work in progress you would like to share with us?

I normally don’t share my work until after an editor takes a look at it and I know it’s a good piece. So, I’m going to have to politely decline on this one.

If you were not an author what would your chosen profession be?

I would be a Psychologist. I have my associates degree for the start of my PhD but I love writing more.

 Here at madsheepreading we also like to ask a few out there questions just to spice things up a little too

What does the colour red smell like to you?

I haven’t actually been asked this. But when I think of red and a scent.. I think of apple or cinnamon.

            Why is a Raven like a mocking bird?

No clue.. LOL.. I don’t even know where to begin on this one.

           If you were sat at the table with the mad hatter, which character would    you connect with the most ?

Again.. I am not sure.

          What is your drink of choice when you write and why?

I prefer coffee. I love the taste and I can add different flavours to the same great taste to enhance the original flavour.

          If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find lurking in there?

Dinner from last night. Milk. Eggs. Kool-Aid. Tea. Different dressings for cooking and salads. Ketchup. Bottled water. Yogurt... are a few that I can name without actually going to see what’s all in there.

         Books or films/tv series and which are your favourites and why?

I enjoy both. Favourite book series... House of Night... Favourite TV series would be Charmed and Castle. I love the paranormal aspect of the House of Night and Charmed. Castle is an author and likes to get on the detective he shadows. So it’s entertaining and funny to watch.






About the book: 

: Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.


So you have met the author and read the blurb, I know you want to go and stalk so here are those all important links. Remember to head over and say hi and thank you for her time with us here today. 

Where to stalk: 
Author Facebook Page Link- https://www.facebook.com/raebethbuda
Email: raebeth.buda@gmail.com


Where to get your hands on the book for yourself: 
Link on Barnes and Noble





Wednesday 6 February 2013

Metamorphosis - Isobel Lucas



Metamorphosis -Isobel Lucas 

About the book: 
This is the final part in the 5 part series, bringing the series to a conclusion. 

4/5

My Review:
No t wanting to wait to read this I opened it's pages as soon as it hit my kindle, needing to find out the conclusion to the series as soon as I could. Yes this series had me hooked right from the first page in the first novella and yet again this one did not disappoint me. This amazing final part that rounds up thee whole series is not to be missed and I would recommend you go out and read them all. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting and wanting everything to be resolved, yet still managed to add in a few twists and turns that kept you hanging right until the end. The characters throughout have been growing and developing with depth of emotion and most of all they are real and you can relate to everything they say and do and know that is what they really are thinking at the time. Everything around is well pictured and gives the reader a sense of being there and being involved in everything that goes on around them. Of course I can't give too much away here as that would ruin the series for everyone wanting to read it but boy does the ending come hard and fast, leaving you with everything that you need to know that you will miss the books and the characters involved for a long time. They imprint on you and carry you through the ever changing world with the skill of the author giving them the voice they so greatly needed. I commend the author on such a great series of shorts and will definitely be checking out her work in future. I thank her for writing and bringing this series out for everyone to read. The literary community is always in need of such great story tellers.