Kimberly reviews Castle On The Rise by Kristy Cambron

TITLE: Castle On The Rise
SERIES #: Lost Castle #2
CHARACTERS: Laine Forrester
AUTHOR: Kristy Cambron
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/05/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

When Laine Forrester travels to France to attend her longtime friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find a bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks–a devastating diagnosis, a castle restoration put on hold, and the emergence of deep-seated family dynamics that threaten to derail the new couple’s fledgling marriage–it seems the storybook life Laine had imagined for her friend–and once, for herself–is suddenly crumbling before her eyes.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending for one of them, Laine throws support behind her friend and agrees to accompany the couple to the groom’s family home in Ireland, where the merging of a mysterious inheritance, long-buried wounds, and a fractured family set out to upend the trip from the start. It’s in the unlikely corners of a historic Dublin pub, and across the wide-open moors bordering Ireland’s majestic Wicklow Mountains, that Laine is slowly drawn in by the land and the people, sparking hope for something she never imagined possible: the courage to heal. But with secrets of her own–and a heart afraid to trust again–Laine must determine how much she’s willing to risk in mending the broken places within herself, and whether she believes that even through the depths of our pain, a beautiful story can emerge.

Set in three time-periods–the revolutionary era of the late eighteenth century, Ireland’s turbulent Easter week of the 1916 Rising, and present day–Castle on the Rise weaves a story of legacy, conviction, and redemption against the backdrop of Dublin’s storied streets, and the stretch of Ireland’s stunning emerald shores. It raises the question: given the choice between the fairy tale or a life of truly anchored faith–which legacy would you choose?

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series and I did not read the first one.

This story is written in three time period and while I worried this would be difficult to follow it ended up being pretty easy to keep track of. All the time periods were set so differently but yet with just as much beauty.

This falls under Christian Time Travel romance. The historical aspects of Ireland were breathtaking and made me want to jump on a plane. The romance was sweet.

An enjoyable read from page one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 5, 2017December 4, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Wardrobe by Deryn Lake

TITLE: The Wardrobe
CHARACTERS: Rebecca & Greg
AUTHOR: Deryn Lake
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It was the flat Rebecca and Greg had dreamed of finding; a beautiful conversion in a big Victorian house. The huge mirrored wardrobe that the builders couldn’t shift only seemed to add to its charms…

But soon their dream turns into a terrifying nightmare. As Rebecca delves into the dark circumstances surrounding the mysterious murder of George Carthew in the same house a hundred years before, she finds herself surrounded by echoes of the crime. Carthew was victim to slow arsenic poisoning, and now Greg is struck with a horrible wasting illness. Carthew’s beautiful widow, Charlotte, was suspected of the gruesome crime but never convicted, and now Rebecca wakes in terror to find reflection of strange women in the wardrobe doors…

That old wardrobe, a relic of the Victorian days, seems to be the only remaining witness to the crime and Rebecca becomes convinced that all these years later, it could still hold the key to the murder.

Another classic of love, loss and the past manifesting in the present from master Deryn Lake, this story of murder unsolved will have you gripped from beginning to end.

REVIEW:
This is a very short story of about 50 pages. It is a quick read and yet very interesting. The wardrobe is a relic with much mystery surrounding it. When Rebecca starts looking into the history of it there is way more than she would expect and it begins affecting her and Greg.

For such a small story it really pulls a punch. Great book!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 11, 2017April 9, 2017

Kimberly reviews Ever My Love by Lynn Kurland

TITLE: Ever My Love
SERIES #: MacLeod #10
CHARACTERS: Emma & Nathaniel
AUTHOR: Lynn Kurland
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/04/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Two people are caught up in love—and in time—in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Stars in Your Eyes.

In search of a fresh start, Emma Barton has traveled to Scotland to try to forget her rocky love life. Luckily, the gorgeous Highlander who owns the house up the path from her rental cottage might be exactly the kind of distraction she needs. But there’s more to his intriguing qualities than she can explain—and she certainly isn’t buying into the local legends of Highland magic.

Nathaniel MacLeod is a man adrift, all thanks to the unwanted gift that forces him to continually jump between centuries. He never knows if he’ll wind up in the present day or the fourteenth century, but when Emma follows him back through time, he suddenly has more to worry about than keeping his separate lives straight…

Someone has started to notice Nathaniel’s travels and now, no time period is safe, for him or for Emma.

REVIEW:
This is the 10th in the series and I a can not believe I am just now reading it. What a great book. There is just something about a time traveling romance but this one has everything it should. Mystery, romance, drastically different era’s and a strong couple who can deal with everything.

I can’t imagine having the strength that Emma has. From her strength to leave everything she knows to start over in Scotland to the fact she is able to deal with the travel and her man going back and forth at any time.

I found this book compelling and I plan to go back and read the series if it is as good as this one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

March 29, 2017March 26, 2017

Kelly reviews The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz

TITLE: The Night Mark
CHARACTERS: Faye Barlow & Carrick Morgan
AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz
PUBLICATION DATE: March 28, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She has nothing to live for in the present, but finds there’s something worth dying for in the past…
From Tiffany Reisz, the international bestselling storyteller behind The Bourbon Thief and The Original Sinners series, comes an enthralling new novel about a woman swept away by the tides who awakens to find herself in 1921, reunited with the husband she’s been mourning for four years. Fans of Kate Morton and Diana Gabaldon will fall in love with the mystery, romance and beauty of an isolated South Carolina lighthouse, where a power greater than love works its magic.

REVIEW:
Another wonderful story from Ms. Reisz. I absolutely love The Bourbon Thief so I was so excited when I say that Ms. Reisz had another story coming out. While this book is not a continuation of The Bourbon Thief the story does include Bride Island. When I started this book I was not sure what was going to happen. But I really enjoyed Faye/Faith’s time traveling romance. Faye’s journey is one that a lot of people can connect with. So many people wish they could go back in time and change something. But the question should be what are you going to give up in the present to relive the past.
If you enjoy time-traveling stories I think that you will enjoy this story very much. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Reisz has in store for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Harlequin (US & Canada)|MIRA in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 21, 2015September 20, 2015

Natasha reviews A Thousand Pieces Of You by Claudia Gray

TITLE: A Thousand Pieces of You
SERIES #: Firebird #1
CHARACTERS: Marguerite, Theo, Paul
AUTHOR: Claudia Gray
PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I loved this book a lot! Readers are catapulted into this story in what seems to be the middle of a larger story. Many major events have already taken place and the story begins at a high level of emotion and drama. This was a little disappointing at first, because I felt like I did not get enough back-story, and was missing a deeper connection to the characters. However, I soon realized that this was intentional. The story is not about the “how” or even necessarily the “why”. It’s mostly about Marguerite and her experiences. Because of the storyline, we only got a cursory glance at the personalities of each of the main and supporting characters, so I did not feel any deep connection to them – though I think this will unravel over future books so I’m ok with it at this point. Already I know that I love Paul and Theo may grow on me. The story was very intriguing and exciting and I was very excited to see what each new universe would look like. Some things seemed predictable, and others were extremely surprising, which I love! I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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February 5, 2015February 1, 2015

Natasha reviews Just in Time for a Highlander by Gwyn Cready

TITLE: Just in Time for a Highlander
SERIES #: Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands #1
CHARACTERS: Duncan MacHarg & Abigail Kerr
AUTHOR: Gwyn Cready
PUBLICATION DATE: 2/3/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s tough being a woman in a man’s profession, especially for Abby Kerr, the unexpected chieftess of Clan Kerr. Loathe to marry but in need of a strong arm, Abby wishes for a Scots warrior and gets . . . Duncan, the historical reenactment hobbyist.
Wall Street Impresario Duncan MacHarg isn’t bad with a fencing foil, but he’s no Highlander. When a misdirected spell plucks him from the 21st century, he lands in 1705 Scotland at the feet of the fiercest woman he’s ever laid eyes on…

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this book! Immediately, Duncan is a very likable character and the way he goes with the flow has me cracking up constantly. Abby is a little more difficult to get to know and therefore start to like because she’s in such a difficult position. I loved how she was clan chief though, that was a great role for her. Duncan and Abby are thrown together in a series of stressful and unbelievable situations. Both characters easily accept the unexplainable and ask very little questions which seemed a little hard to believe and made the story a little less believable. Despite my sometimes frustration with the characters lack of meaningful conversation I still enjoyed the story and supporting characters. It was a great highlander story and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

October 25, 2014October 24, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Loop by Karen Akins

At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn’t go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn’t think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her.

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tagalong uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Karen Akins lives in the MidSouth where she writes humorous, light YA sci-fi. When not writing or reading, she loves lightsaber dueling with her two sons and forcing her husband to watch BBC shows with her.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Loop

Review (4 Stars): This book was an interesting premise for me and I really enjoyed the characters even though there were times that Bree got a little on my nerves. Bree goes back in time as part of her midterm exam but things don’t go the way that she planned and she has to go back to make things right. But when she goes back a second time, she learns that she had already been again and now her life may be in jeopardy because of what her future self knows.

I absolutely adored Finn and how he was doing whatever he could to protect Bree from the person that was trying to hurt them. No questions asked, he was the perfect boyfriend even when Bree was doing her best to try to push him away from her. I loved the mystery aspect of Loop and was trying to figure out what had really happened to Bree’s mom and what secrets she was supposed to discover that had put her life in such peril. Looking forward to reading the next book, Twist, to see how this story continues.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Loop. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by October 31st, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite time travel romance?

February 27, 2014February 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

TITLE: Hot Rock
CHARACTERS: Megan & Davy
AUTHOR: Annie Seaton
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done.

Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a very different book than I thought it would be. While a quick read it is very interesting. It has a big surprise (other reviews give it away if you want to know) that really makes this story different than most romances.

I liked Davy. He really has a lot of potential as a character. Megan is just ok for me. I think her story might have been told a little better but that it not to say she isn’t interesting. Looking for a quick different read than this is the book for you.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

July 6, 2013July 5, 2013

Brenda Joyce’s Master of Time Series

Dark Seduction

Masters of Time #1

Malcolm of Dunroch is a newly chosen Master, a novice to his extraordinary–and dangerous–powers. But he has already broken his vows–and a young woman’s death is on his hands. Malcolm is determined to fight his darkest desires, denying himself all pleasure…until fate sends him another Innocent, the beautiful bookseller Claire Camden.

Since her mother’s murder, Claire has done everything possible to make a safe, secure life for herself in a city where danger lurks on every street corner, especially in the dark of night. But nothing can prepare her for the powerful and sexual medieval warrior who sweeps her back into his time–a treacherous, frightening world where the hunters and the hunted are one and the same. Claire needs Malcolm to survive, yet she must somehow keep the dangerously seductive Master at arm’s length. For Malcolm’s soul is at stake–and fulfilling his desires could prove fatal….

*****

Dark Rival

Masters of Time #2

Highland warriors sworn to protect Innocence throughout the Ages—A golden man, he is called Black Royce—a battle-hardened soldier of the gods. His vows are his life—until he is sent to New York City to protect a Healer from those who would use her powers for themselves. The moment Royce sees beautiful, feisty Allie Monroe, he knows she will be his only weakness—and he is right. Destiny is a dangerous thing Allie Monroe is more than an heiress. She is a Healer, willing to do anything to save victims of the evil that lurks in the city at night. But alone, she can do only so much—until destiny sends her the darkest Highlander of them all. Then evil strikes and Royce is destroyed before Allie’s eyes. Now Allie will do anything to save Royce—even if it means going back in time to a dark, dangerous world. Confronting their enemies could cost not only their lives, but their love—for all eternity.

*****

Dark Embrace

Masters of Time #3

Aidan, the Wolf of Awe, has abandoned the Brotherhood and forsaken his vows. Feared by all and trusted by none, he hunts alone, seeking vengeance against the evil that destroyed his son. He has not saved an Innocent in sixty-six years—until he hears Brianna Rose’s scream of terror across centuries, and leaps to modern-day Manhattan to rescue her.…

Brie is a gifted empath who spends her time fighting evil from the safety of her laptop—and fantasizing about the medieval Highlander she met just once. Still, her life is pretty ordinary—until she awakens one night consumed with Aidan’s pain and rage. When Aidan suddenly appears and takes her hostage, Brie cannot believe how dark and dangerous he has become. She knows she should be afraid, but instead, she will fight across time for his redemption…and his love.

*****

Dark Victory

Masters of Time #4

A dark, ruthless Highlander, the Black Macleod has refused his destiny. His life is revenge for the massacre of his family. His enemies’ insults—that he is a man of stone—only amuse him. But fate is impatient, and when a woman from another time dares to summon him, he cannot resist her powers—or her.…

A schoolteacher by day, Tabitha Rose uses her magic to protect others by night. When the vision of a dark Highlander, bloody and burned, appears to Tabby, she knows she has been called to help him, no matter how frightening he might be. But what Tabby doesn’t expect is to be taken against her will to his dark, violent time. And when evil begins to stalk her, she realizes she must fight for far more than his destiny—she must fight for her love.…

*****

Dark Lover

Masters of Time #5

Ian Maclean’s arrogance hides a terrible secret–for decades he was held prisoner by demons. Not a day goes by that he isn’t tormented by his darkest fears of powerlessness. Now he is about to sell to the highest bidder a page he’s stolen from the Book of Power–if one woman doesn’t stop him.

Slayer Samantha Rose’s latest mission is to recover the stolen page–and get payback from the only man who’s ever rejected her. What she hasn’t counted on is the raging attraction between them–or her growing realization of what Maclean has survived. As the powers of the evil from his past gather, Sam will do anything to help him–even if it means following him into time and facing his worst nightmares with him

September 23, 2012September 21, 2012

Kimberly’s review of The Bloodgate Warrior by Joely Sue Burkhart

TITLE: The Bloodgate Warrior
AUTHOR: Joely Sue Burkhart
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the Mayan hero Técun lay dying, a sorceress cast a spell tying her bloodline to him, so that one day he could return and avenge their people…
Following a near-death experience, Cassandra Gonzales is haunted by erotic dreams of a mysterious man. As the dreams intensify, she is compelled to travel to Guatemala in search of him. There she learns that her blood has opened a gate—and she is the only one who can bring the great warrior back from the afterlife.
Once faced with Técun in the flesh, Cassie fears the need he stirs within her. She aches to submit to the pleasure he promises, but first she must learn to trust in him, and in her own desires. Their time for sensual exploration is brief—Técun’s killer has escaped, intent on sacrificing Cassie and wreaking havoc on the world. Now, only Cassie’s complete and willing surrender to Técun will give him the power to defeat the demon once and for all…

REVIEW:
First let me say I have not read a lot of time travel books so I am not sure if this is common for most of this genre but it seemed so unbelievable. I know that time travel does not really happen but when I read a book I want to believe it can come true. I was unsure if I could buy the whole going all the way to a different country to find a man who is only in my dreams just to have him come through some gate in a cave but when the zombie came out I was beyond enjoying this book.

I was not too thrilled with the writing style of the book. First it was written in the first person which really did not seem to fit the story somehow. Also it seemed that Tecun was using Cassie more than was there for her. They did not have a connection at all. In one of the chapters one of the characters says “It’s like a bad B-movie” and I have to say I felt like the whole book was like that. But if you like B-movies, time travel, warriors and zombies this might just be the book for you.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free from the author.