Category: Review

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Day 3~~SheWolf by Teresa D’Amario #1 True Mate Series

A small town veterinarian has a big time problem. She’s not human.

Plagued as a child with an extra-sensitive sense of smell, strength, and eyesight, Anna Callaway always thought she was special. But she didn’t understand how special until she met Kieran Hunter.

He insists they are True Mates, but he’s not human either. He’s wolven.

Kieran is a protector of his race. No longer the Alpha of his pack, he spends his time searching out and punishing any who may reveal their race to humans. While patrolling, he finds two wolven about to kidnap Anna. He battles to protect her, but is surprised to find himself drawn to her in a way he never expected.

The couple must learn to deal with their differences before they can address their similarities. But when three men kidnap Anna, she must decide if she is to embrace the wolven way of life, or return to her quiet existence. And whether to abandon the man who claims her as his True Mate

My Thoughts:

I really really enjoyed this story. Kieran is 100%  male, except when it comes to Anna.  Then he questions everything he has ever thought.  Even the fact that they are True Mates. 

Anna is strong, stubborn, and determined. Everything that is needed to bring Kieran to his knees.  Anna just doesn’t know how powerful she is.

The struggle that Anna & Kieran have to go through teachs them just how strong they are.  As each grow stronger they have to learn if they can be strong together or will pride get in the way.

If you would like to learn more about Teresa D’Amario or her books please her out on her website ,facebook page, or Twitter 
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Day 2~~Leopard’s Key by Teresa D’Amario

Cover by PickyMe….
How much damage could a simple piece of jewelry cause?
A silver key is the only clue to the disappearance of Kel.  It’s a mystery leopard shifter Dmitri can only solve with the help of the jeweller who created it.
When Hailey created the key she knew whom it was destined for, and the ‘knowing’ has never been wrong. But secrets are revealed when Dmitri visits her shop for her help. Secrets she cannot share. Yet when he takes her in his arms, her soul knows what her heart fears. 
And the answer lies within The Leopard’s Key.
Read Excerpt HERE

My Thoughts:

Hailey has a gift for making jewelry and she always knows who will purchase her work.  But when she makes a special gift for a friends mother it all goes terrible wrong.

Dmitri is looking for his brother Kel, who has gone missing.  And while looking for Kel, Dmitri wants answers from the person she made the key for his mother.

Can these two work together to solve the disappearance of Kel and find out why Hailey made this key.

I really enjoyed this short story. I like to watch Dmitri and Hailey fight their attraction to one another.  To watch them learn how to work together to answer both questions about Kel’s disappearance and  the reason for the key.

I do want to learn more about Kel.  I hope that Teresa will write Kel’s story.
If you would like to learn more about Teresa D’Amario or her books please her out on her website ,facebook page, or Twitter 
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Day 1 ~~Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D’Amario

Lance is a Wizard. He’s not a great wizard, but he’s all right. Descended from a long line of wizards, his brothers taunt him for being slow to learn. And as the youngest, it’s his due course to accept such teasing. Life is good, and normal. For a wizard that is.

Cassie is a Shifter. A tigress to be exact. Raised by her father after her mother’s death she’s as well adjusted as any shifter can be, and still live in the human world, hiding who and what she is.

Bliss comes to a screeching halt the night Satanist kidnap Cassie and her best friend to use as sacrifices to bring forth their Dark Lord. When Cassie literally collides into Lance, she begs him to help them escape their captors, despite the dangers. The couple work together to save the life of Cassie’s friend, only to discover a shocking passion driving them closer together at a time when both should be devastated. But when Lance overhears Cassie’s father threaten his life, he heads for the hills. Cassie follows, determined to clear up the confusion. But evil is still afoot and Cassie is taken by a secret government organization dedicated to the eradication of all things magick. Is Lance willing to put his life on the line for a woman he believes is out to kill him? Especially when he realizes the organization that’s taken her, is the one he works for?
My thoughts:
WOW!! I loved this story the 1st time I read it.  I even stayed up WAY to late just to finish.  And I loved it just as much the 2nd time around. I am still hold out for one of the characters. I just hope his story is coming soon… *hint, hint Teresa*….
The connection between Lance and Cassie is so strong that neither of them understands it, but both of them feel it.  Unable to stay away from each other, Lance and Cassie find them self on a roller coaster of emotions.  Both Cassie and Lance have secrets about themselves that they are afraid to share with the other, but it just may be those secrets that could very will save them both.  Drawn together only to be torn apart these two have so many twists and turns, ups and downs you begin to wonder if they will ever find one another. 
This is the first book in the Maxey Wizard Series… I am looking forward to book 2  
If you would like to learn more about Teresa D’Amario or her books please her out on her website ,facebook page, or Twitter 
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Feast: Harvest of Dreams by Merrie Destefano

Release date June 28th

Madeline MacFadden (“Mad Mac” to fans of her bestselling magical stories) spent blissful childhood summers in Ticonderoga Falls. And this is where she wants to be now that her adult life is falling apart. The dense surrounding forest holds many memories, some joyous, some tantalizingly only half-remembered. And she’s always believed there was something living in these wooded hills.

But Maddie doesn’t remember the dark parts — and knows nothing of the mountain legend that holds the area’s terrified residents captive. She has no recollection of Ash, the strange and magnificent creature who once saved her life as a child, even though it is the destiny of his kind to prey upon humanity. And soon it will be the Harvest. . . the time to feast.

Once again Maddie’s dreams –and her soul — are in grave danger. But magic runs deep during Harvest. Even a spinner of enchanted tales has wondrous powers of her own.

My Thoughts:
Dreams, it is what we do when we sleep… But have you ever wondered what happens when you can’t remember your dreams? Well the answer is here in Feast: Harvest of Dreams. 
Oh Merrie has done it again.  She has my mind spinning.  Feast was a very interesting story.  Interesting in a very Wonderland meets Paranormal kind of way.  Merrie does a great job of setting up this world for us, a world of good and evil. I got really sucked into Ash’s world and his struggles to deal with who and what he has done and will continue to do.
There is a romance in this book, in fact there are two.  One is first love and one happens to be an old love revisited even if one can’t remember it.  For those who want to know. No, there is no sex in this book. Although I only realized that after I finished the book and sat down to write this review.  So therefore I didn’t feel that I was missing anything.  I did find the struggles that character go through wonderful. 
I did speak with Merrie and there is a good chance that this story line will continue.  And I sure hope so there are so many questions I want answered, characters I want to revisit, and I want to know more about Ash. 
If you are looking for a book a little out of the normal paranormal or fantasy genres I would highly recommend you join the Feast…….

Want to learn more about Merrie?  Please check here out here.
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Hunter’s Fall ARC tour by Shiloh Walker

Release Date June 7, 2011

UNKNOWN PAST

Something strange is happening to Nessa. Ever since she survived a near-death experience she’s not exactly who she used to be—and enjoying every minute of it. Then she’s called upon to go to battle against darkness. If only she could remember why.
UNEXPECTED LOVER
Dominic is having his own problems with memory, sanity, and hallucinations. Sent to Excelsior, the covert Hunter training facility, he senses a female presence that seems so hauntingly familiar. That’s because he and Nessa share a forgotten past.
UNSEEN EVIL
As Nessa and Dominic regain their memories, their strange mission against evil becomes clearer. And all the more dangerous because whether they should trust each other is the still the greatest unknown of
all.

My Summary:
Nessa lives in pain. She has suffered for so long, has lost so much and is in so much pain.  The only place that Nessa can find a small slice of happiness is in her dreams. Nessa is one of the strongest witches alive and at her breaking point she wills herself to forget. Forget everything and everyone.
Dominic has lost his mind.  At least that is what he things.  He can’t seem to get this dream woman out of his head.  He can’t do much of anything other than obsess about her.  But while he is on a mission he thinks he hears her speak and in a moment of weakness almost gets himself killed, now he is shipped off to get his head looked at.
As soon as Dominic arrives at Excelsior (a training school for Hunters) he smells her and everything changes in a heartbeat.  Dominic now know she is real, not just a dream and he needs, no MUST find her at any cost.  No one and nothing will stand in his way. Only one problem, she is missing.
My Thoughts:
I really, really enjoyed Hunter’s Fall.  This story broke my heart. There is so much pain, so much loss and so much love.  It seemed like there would never be a happy ending in this story.  There is so much that Nessa has to overcome and even when she realized the mistakes she has made she fights herself and her future happiness.  Dominic is a vampire on a mission.  He is devoted to finding his dream woman and nothing stand in his way.  Even after Dominic gets his ass handed to him when he fights one of the Master Vampires, but that doesn’t stop him for long.  When he finally gets to her, he realizes that she might not feel the same way.  Like I said, so much pain and loss is in this story.  But can love win out over everything? Or does there come a time when you have lost too much that you can never find your way back?
This book was a little hard on my heart, but so worth it.  This is the first book of the HUNTERS Series by Shiloh Walker that I have read.  So now I have to go back and read the 12 stories before this one (Yep, 12!!!).  I have loved all of Shiloh’s stories that I have read to date and she didn’t let me down with Hunter’s fall. 
I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Shiloh Walker and Nicole (her assistant) for letting me be part of this blog tour. I am a huge fan of Shiloh’s work and love to help promote her any way I can.  Another HUGE THANK YOU to Shiloh for the extra copy of Hunter’s Fall… Nothing like a little dog drool to ruin a book. If you don’t know what I am talking about check out  The Saga of my Hunter’s Fall ARC.
If you want to learn more about Shiloh Walker, her Hunters or any of her other books please check her out here
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
Pre-order Hunter’s Fall Here:
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Alien Tango #2 by Gini Koch

It’s been five months since marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty’s high school boyfriend. And that’s all before evil masterminds decide Kitty’s extermination is vital.



Jeff was kind enough to let me win him and then sign my book..
Oh Gini signed it too… ☺ 
My Thoughts:
Christopher, Christopher, Christopher…… *sigh*
Oh you want a book review?  Oh, Okay, fine…. I will come back to day dreaming about Christopher as soon as I am done.
In Alien Tango we pick up a few months after the ending of Touched by An Alien. 
Kitty and Jeff are still dating and very, very happy despite the fact that Kitty flirts with everyone just to, well I think she loves to make Jeff jealous… I think she likes that make up sex Jeff makes her give him… That is just my thought on it.  But anyway, where was I?  Oh yes the review.
The team gets a call that they need to report to Florida for a new assignment.  A new adventure is born, you know normal day on the job. Fighting evil, almost dying, sex in a supply closet, more fighting, saving Jeff & Christopher’s asses, more fighting, more sex oh and meeting your boyfriend’s family. Who by the way hates your guts even though you have never met them.  Just a normal day in Kitty’s life right? 
But this mission leaves holes in Kitty and Jeff’s relationship.  A giant hole that Kitty doesn’t see any way of repairing. Kitty can’t handle the hurt any longer, she leaves. But while lost in her pain Kitty runs into her best guy friend Chucky, who springs on her that he loves her and wants to marry her.  
Kitty now has to decide what and who she wants in her life.  And does she have any fight life in her to fight for Jeff.     
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Alien Tango. And not just because Christopher is in, but that might be part of the reason. ☺ I hate to say that I loved to see Kitty get her heart broken, but I did just a little.   I think that Kitty does a lot of growing up in this book.  She learns that not all families are understanding like hers.  She learns that when you stand up to your boyfriend’s mother you better have the balls to live up to your threats.  I like the way that Gini brings Chucky in to the story although I want to know why everyone loves Kitty so much. Geez, this girl has boys climbing out of the wood work everywhere.  Jeff is a man (or alien) who has know who and what he wanted the second he saw Kitty.   But after this mission and meeting his family even the love that they share may not be enough to survive….
But I can say that there is a book three titled Alien in the Family.  So maybe there is hope for them?

I so can’t wait to jump into the next book. I need a Christopher fix.  I hope that Gini brings a feisty female for him soon.  I really need him to get over this thing with Kitty… Come on Chris, you know you want too. .

Want to read my review of Touched by An Alien? Click HERE to read the review.  
Or do you want to learn more about Gini or her books?  You can check her out here:
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Sweet Tea & Secrets by Nancy Naigle

Sweet Tea and Secrets
by Nancy Naigle
Women’s Fiction Novel – romance, suspense


Price: $3.99 Multiformat ebook; $14.99 Trade Paperback Print


Available at the following retailers:
Amazon: Print and Kindle
Barnes and Noble: Nookbook
All Romance eBooks/OmniLit 

Adams Grove is mourning the loss of Pearl Clemmons, known for her award-winning chocolate pecan pie and the best unsolicited advice in the county.


When Jill returns to settle her grandmother’s estate, she’s greeted by a Clydesdale-sized guardian dog who doesn’t seem to be earning his stripes (although he drools on them pretty well), and Garrett Malloy, the ex-fiancé she left behind a year ago.


Jill insists on staying at Pearl’s amidst a string of break-ins that have sleepy Adams Grove wide awake and locking its doors. Jill’s past with Garrett becomes the least of her worries when she learns that their lives are in danger. She is the only person standing between a desperate conman and a secret from Pearl’s past.


Will Pearl’s past kill any chance of Jill and Garrett’s future together?


Read an excerpt HERE

My Thoughts:
Secrets!  We all know how dangerous they are.  But what happens when secrets turn deadly?Are you strong enough to survive them?
This was a good story.  I enjoyed reading it and want to revisit Adam’s Grove really soon to find out how these characters are going after their adventure in Sweet Tea & Secrets.
My only problem with the story was the reason that Jill & Garrett broke up with.  These two made me so mad when I found out the reason why.  I wanted to reach in the book and slap them upside their heads.  But then again without this there would not be much to the story.  I am very thankful for the journey that Jill & Garrett take in this book.  It teaches both of them to trust again.  To trust in each other and in the small town that they both love very much.  But will it be enough for them to love each other again. Or has too much time and distance past for them?
If you want to know the answer to this question. I am willing to tell you only if you can keep a secret and pass me some of Grandma Pearl’s Sweet Tea.
Want to learn more about Nancy and the residences of Adam’s Grove?  Please check her out here:
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Better After Midnight by Stormy Knight

Better After Midnight
A Steaming Quickie Short Story Collection from Stormy Knight!
Three steaming short stories–Steam, Sizzle and Scorch–to satisfy your quick fix for an erotic read. Perfect for your lunch hour or your afternoon break! Got your cell phone reader app?
Steam leaves you wanting in the sauna.
Sizzle takes you to the boardroom after hours.
And Scorch brings a woman back for a second helping of hot and satisfying.
Price: $0.99
Words: @5500
Now available at the following retailers: Smashwords.
All Romance eBooks . Bookstrand . 1PlaceForRomance . 1Erotica ebooks
Now for your Kindle and soon for your Nook!
Want more from Stormy Knight? Try out these “Dirty Bits” short stories!

My thoughts:

*fanning myself*   Okay the title of these books are a very good description of what you are going to find in these three short stories. And I promise you that you will be left wanting more…

In Steam, we take a trip into the sauna after hours and it is not the sauna that makes this story so hot. I will say he is tall, dark, and handsome and the complete opposite of everything that Fran has ever wanted. Or is he just what she needs?
 I so want Stormy to continue the story line of this couple.  Stormy, if you read this PLEASE tell me you are going to write more about them. I need to know!!! 

In Sizzle, we learn that sometimes working late can be worth the headache.  And what happens on the boardroom table or the boss’s desk will never hurt anyone. 
In Scorch, we take a look at how one night of hot sex can mess with one woman so much. But when there is an open invitation for her to come back will she be able to handle what goes with showing up.
I enjoyed these short stories so much that I want to give away a copy or two.  If I get more than 10 people I will draw two names and for every 10 after that I will draw two more names.  Remember that these stories only come in ebook form.  If you would like a chance to find out if it is Better After Midnight leave me a comment with your email address. Feel free to share this on Twitter or Facebook (just make sure FB knows this is not a FB contest)
Giveaway will close on June 2nd
Winner or winners will be announced on June 3rd
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On the Fence #2 by Keri Ford

If Shellie Chambers has to hear one more condescending comment from her mother about life or men, she might scream. So, she packs up and takes a trip to see her long-missed high school friend, Riley. He’ll know exactly what she needs to loosen up. But instead of the girl-chasing jock she remembers from their youth, Riley’s gone country, keeping up a farm of his own.

Riley Hamilton has settled down on a farm his uncle left to him. Not the life he ever envisioned, but after getting a girl pregnant in college and then watching helplessly as the baby was aborted, he learned the hard way it was time to settle down. Shellie’s reentry into his life reminds of his wild past and it’s a fight to ignore the tempting woman she has become

My thoughts:

On the Fence is novella #2 in the Apple Trail series.  In this story we meet Shellie & Riley.  They were best friend in school only friend, well except that one little kiss. That really wasn’t much of a kiss anyways.  They have stayed in touch off and on over the years.  But when Shellie needs to get away from her Mother she takes a trip to see Riley.  But he has changed.  Riley is not the fun loving spirit that he was back in school. Something about him as changed.  Maybe something with Shellie has changed too, because she can’t stop having naughty thoughts about how hot her best friend is.

Riley is just trying to live a good life.  After heart break Riley realized that he doesn’t want to live life in the fast lane any more.  He has settled down on a farm and is happy with this new lifestyle of his. Until his best friend Shellie shows up and stirs up old feeling and new ones.  But Riley knows that he won’t go down that road again. But Shellie seems to be one temptation that he is unable to resist.

I really liked this story.  I love that the rolls have reversed for Shellie and Riley. In school Riley was the one getting Shellie in trouble and Shellie was the one worrying about everything.  It is really fun to watch Riley struggle to let go of this tight hold he has on his new life.  But Shellie is bound and determined to push him pass his limits.  But neither knows where this will lead too.  They have to question whether they are willing to take that leap of faith or not.

Looking for more Apple Trail Novella’s?  Please see my review of  Through the Wall #1 and In The Hay #3

 
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Through the Wall #1 by Keri Ford

Stephanie Faulker doesn’t want wild and raunchy, just a little spice. She’s been hearing her neighbor’s nightly sexcapades through her bedroom wall and she wants a turn!

But Parker Madison isn’t so easily swayed. He wants Stephanie all right, but not just in the bedroom. He wants commitment and long-term, not a quick roll.  

Short-term does not lead to long term. Or can it….hmm…we’ll have to wait and see what these two can do!

My Thoughts:
This is book one in Keri Ford’s Apple Trail series.  In Through the Wall we meet Stephanie who had just survived the betrayal of her husband with her best friend. But after listening to her neighbor and friend Parker have sex night after night, Stephanie is willing to do anything to get a little action even if at the risk of losing Parkers friendship. 
Parker may look happy on the outside. Women want him, men want to be him. But Parker is not happy.  The one person he really wants is on the other side of this wall, but she is not ready for another relationship.  And Parker will not settle for anything other than forever with her.
This was a great quick story.  I love the struggle that Parker goes through in this book.  He is so torn between what he wants and what Stephanie wants.  But in the end I think everyone gets what they wanted. 
If you are looking for a great short story of love and a little battle of wits come over to Apple Trail and check out what is going on with this couple.  Looking for more Apple Trail Novella’s?  Please see my review of In The Hay #3 and watch for tomorrows review of On the Fence #2.

To learn more about Keri and her other stories please find her here
 
 

 

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A Tarnished Heart by Leslie Dicken

A Reserved Lord
After the death of his wife and father, the Earl of Markham has spent the last five years fiercely guarding his emotions from involvement, including getting too close to his son. Then a blackmail threat shatters his impassive world. To ensure his son’s inheritance, Markham must woo and marry a headstrong commoner with a heart as wild and free as the English countryside she loves. Though wrong for him in every way, he discovers seducing her awakens more than just his colorless world. Soon, the battle to protect his son’s future becomes a fight for his own heart.
A Spirited Commoner
After a tragedy destroyed Lizzie Parker’s dreams, she wants no part of venturing far from home. She is content with her life of her garden, her village, and possibly, her father’s curate. Sent from her ideal world to London and the glittering Season, Lizzie does whatever possible to vex the man who once broke her heart. But she never expects his kisses to tame her resistance. And each time his touch arouses her senses, she is less and less sure of just where she belongs.

My Thoughts:
Lies
Blackmail
Lies
Love
Lies
Trust
Lies
True Love
So much is going on in this book. It seems that everyone has a secret they are trying to protect.  But as with every secret the truth always finds a way to come out.  But can love be enough to overcome any lie?
I truly enjoyed this book.  The struggles that Lizzie has to go through only show just how strong she really is.  Markham is about as stubborn as a man can be. But one he realizes just how empty his life really is, it might be too late.
Do you have what it takes to remove the tarnish from your heart? 
Then take a chance on Lizzie and Markham and see if they can. Want to read A Tarnished Heart? 

Leave me a comment with your email, if you want a paperback or ebook and I will choose a winner. 

Comments will be open until May 27th.
Winner will be announced on May 29th.
If you would like to learn more about Leslie and her books please check her out here: 
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
Can’t wait to see if you won.  You can order A Tarnished Heart here:

Huge Thank you to Leslie for allowing me to read this book.
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Giving up the Ghost by Melissa Ecker

Kylie McAllister has it all until her world is shattered by the death of her husband, Jackson, in a car accident. After a year of grieving, Kylie uses the proceeds from Jackson’s life insurance to purchase a plantation home on the outskirts of New Orleans to start over with their daughter, Abby. Confirmed bachelor, Ryan LaCroix, has no intentions of settling down with anyone, let alone his best friends widow, but somehow Kylie and Abby find their way into his heart.
After discovering an old Ouija board in the attic of her new home, Kylie unwittingly opens a cosmic door to an incubus who pretends to be the dead husband she is so desperately struggling to let go of. She falls deep under his potent spell of delicious sex and malevolent obsession while he gradually drains her life to fortify his own. By the time she realizes he’s an imposter, she is powerless to stop him. Together, with Jackson’s subliminal guidance and the help of a kind voodoo practitioner, Ryan and Kylie wage a fight for her life against the evil entity.

My Thoughts:
Kylie has to deal with so much pain in this story. She is an amazingly strong woman and mother.  After losing the lover of her life she finds herself being haunted.  Only in the beginning she is okay with it because she believes it is Jackson (her dead husband).  But things aren’t always what they seem.  When bad things start happening Kylie is not sure who to turn to, who to trust or if there is just something seriously wrong with her.
Ryan has always been there, waiting on the side lines longing, wishing that he could change the past.  But the past is the past and the present is the present.  Ryan was Jackson’s best friend, but now finds that he has to confront the feeling he has for his best friend’s wife. Feelings he has had since the moment they noticed her in that bar all those years ago. Ryan knows now is not the time to act on them. Kylie is grieving and needs time.  But when Ryan starts to notice that Kylie is changing for the worse he grows very concerned.
Is Kylie still grieving after a year and being harmful to herself or is there more going on?
Ever wonder if there is something under your bed or in your closet?  Well those bumps in the night are very real.  Jump into “Giving up the Ghost” and learn that ghosts are very, very real and some are deadly…….
Oh my goodness this book was bad for my heart…Gut retching from the beginning. Sadly even when you know something bad is about to happen there are times that you just can’t handle it.  Melissa had me bawling like a baby by the end of chapter 2.  I actually had to put the book down and compost myself before I could continue… I knew then that Melissa was an evil, wicked good author. 
Want to learn more about Melissa or her books.. Check her out here
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