Blog Tour: UNBREAK ME by Maria Vickers!

Unbreak Me Maria Vickers MM romance/ghost story

They were supposed to be together forever. That was the plan, but through a cruel twist of fate the night before their three-year anniversary, Tex Davis lost the one man he would ever love, Memphis King. A year has passed and he still hasn’t been able to move on. Everyone tells him it’s time, but what do they know? Memphis was his partner in love and life. Losing him, broke Tex. Tex has been given an opportunity to move from New York to Seattle. His friends and family are encouraging him to take it, but he has already decided to decline the offer because that would mean leaving Memphis behind. Then something happened. Whether it be fate or something else, Memphis came back to him. Tex’s first love is supposed to help him move on, but not even Memphis can bring himself to force Tex to let him go. Is it so wrong to want to spend forever with the person you loved most? Both hearts are begging to be unbroken.

1 –

One year. One year since Tex had lost Memphis. One year since his lover had been killed, and it had yet to get easier. Everyone kept telling him it would, it never did. There were times he thought about ending it all, and then he would feel something…hear something, making him change his mind.

Actually, sometimes he thought he was losing it.

And today, he called in sick to work, unable to get out of bed until this afternoon. When he finally emerged, he only relocated to the living room after grabbing a full bottle of Southern Comfort, plopping down on the sofa. The very sofa he and Memphis picked out together. It had been their first major furniture decision when they decided to move in together. The moment the delivery men left, Tex and Memphis broke it in thoroughly, wearing themselves out.

Tex’s eyes looked around the room. It seemed so empty without Memphis, and he felt so lost without his lover. He’d been sitting here for hours? Minutes? It had to be some amount of time since the bottle was half gone and he was feeling a drunken morose engulfing him, and he could not stop the bitter question from leaving his lips, the very question he had been asking daily since losing his best friend, lover, other half…his everything. “Why? Why Memphis? Why did you have to go? Why did it have to be you and not me?”

Shaking his head, Tex sniffled and brought his glass filled with amber liquid to his lips. “When you left, it completely broke my heart…I’m still broken. I need to hear you say that you love me one more time. A million more times, but that won’t happen. Can’t happen.” He took another gulp, draining the glass before wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

Pouring himself another glassful of liquor, he breathed out as drops of saltwater fell on his coffee table. He should probably stop drinking and put himself to bed to finish wallowing there, but he couldn’t. It had been one year. One year since that fateful night…unlucky night more like it. One year since he’d heard Memphis’s voice, touched his body, and the loss Tex felt that night remained just as acute tonight as it did then. He thought time was supposed to heal the wounds, to lessen the pain…lies. All lies. “It’s my fault, Memphis. If I hadn’t been spiteful and allowed that monstrous bitch, jealousy, to cloud my judgment…if only. If only. I regretted everything, regretted that the last words I spoke to you were bitter and vile. I can’t forget you, can’t move on. I’m lonely without you, Memphis. It hurts so much that you aren’t here.” He wailed like a banshee, his cry full of sorrow and pain.

More tears were falling, but he ignored them like he’d done every time they sprang up. It was easy to do after all this time; besides, they didn’t matter. Nothing mattered any longer and hadn’t for a year. He sobbed again and then got angry. “I wish you could come back to fix me, fix what you destroyed when you left, but that’s a pipe dream. You got mad, said your piece, and then stormed out of here. If you had just waited…” Tex choked on his words.

“You went the other way. Why? Why the other way? Was it because of the bar? The one where we met? Memphis, do you remember? I was sitting at the bar and you walked up to me and gave me that stupid, cheesy pickup line, ‘I seem to have lost my phone number, can I have yours?’ So stupid. I remember I said, ‘That’s a shame because I lost mine too. I guess we’re both screwed.’ You winked at me then. I should have known something bad was going to come out of your mouth…sexy mouth.

‘Not yet, but we could be.’ I laughed. You were always good at making me laugh, making me smile.” Shaking his head and snickering, he poured another glass. If he destroyed his liver, if he got alcohol poisoning, then maybe he could be with Memphis again.

Tex downed the entire glass, hoping that the pain would deaden or that he would stop feeling anything. Maybe if he drank enough, he could join Memphis. Grabbing a pillow from the couch, Tex threw it across the room, and it bounced off the window overlooking the streets of Manhattan. “You were supposed to go right! You were supposed to go to Christy’s apartment!” He wailed, “Why weren’t you at your sister’s? Why did you have to go the other way? She looked horrible because she had been sick, even her blue hair looked green.” Tex snorted mirthlessly.

It’s been a year and Tex floated through life, unable to move on. “I know I should continue to live for us…for you, but I don’t know how,” Tex’s words ended on a shout, full of rage, and his face was red from more than just the alcohol.

“There has always only been you. You got me when no one else did. You loved me…I loved you. Three years. We were together one night shy of three years. We never got to see four.” Tex fell back and stared up at the blue ceiling with white fluffy clouds painted on it, his tears falling down his face like two rivers. There was no point in wiping them away because there was no end to them, and he couldn’t staunch them even if he tried. Memphis was gone and would forever remain gone.

He chugged the rest of the amber liquid from the bottle and fell to his side onto the couch, resting his head on the cushion. More tears fell. They never stopped. Even if they weren’t falling down his face, his soul cried and mourned the loss of his friend and lover. The pain hadn’t stopped since the day he lost Memphis.

Sitting up, Tex grabbed the bottle of Southern Comfort and raised it into the air, choosing to do away with the glass. “A toast to you and your lost life. Memphis, I still love you, and I wish every single god damned day that you were still here beside me. Each day that passes reminds me that you will never be part of my life again, that you will never hold me, never tease me again. You were funny, caring, sexy, and all mine. Forgive me…God, please forgive me for that night, for accusing you of cheating. I know you loved me. Jealousy is a fucking bitch. Somehow, I’d gotten it into my head that you were leaving me when you weren’t. I found out after. Sometimes I think I killed you. I’m sorry. So, so sorry.” He whimpered as he took in a shaky breath. “Memphis, I will always love you and only you.”

I wish you were here to fix the heart you broke when you died, Memphis, Tex thought to himself as he closed his eyes. Before he fully submitted to the effects of the alcohol though, he felt a set of lips press against his. “Memphis, love…” he slurred, his words tapering off as he finally allowed himself to completely fall into the void.

   Fingers running through his short brown curls and the heaviness of someone sitting next to him had Tex leaning into the touch and smiling. “Memphis, I’m trying to sleep,” he argued, pretending not to like the feel of his lover soothing him. 

   Reality hit a split second later.

   Tex’s eyes popped open, but all he saw was the blackness of his blanket because when he slept, he liked to bury himself and only the top of his head could be seen. Pushing it down and away from him, he twisted his head this way and that, trying to figure out why it felt as if someone was playing with his hair when the apartment should have been completely empty save for him. Events from the previous night filtered into his brain, and he shook his head, still scanning the room. 

   Another thought occurred to him. He was so focused on if it could be Memphis, there was a more logical explanation–thanks to Christy and Wil for planting the idea in his head. Spider! He panicked and grabbed his head, trying to dislodge the bug if it existed, but he found nothing. Instead, much like the night before, he fell off the bed onto the floor, this time hitting his hard head with a loud thud.

   “It wasn’t a spider,” Memphis told him, although watching Tex scramble as he did, had been funny as hell. He didn’t know what happened earlier, one minute he had been here in this apartment with Tex, and the next, nothing…blackness. Nothing scary or oppressive, just a void. Some might call it purgatory, but he didn’t think so because if that was the case, why was he allowed to leave and come back to his Tex? 

   Head snapping up, Tex tried to find the source of the voice, and this time he did, a little easier than last time. With the curtains drawn and the sun beginning to set, the room was dimly lit, and on the bed, on Memphis’sside of the bed, was a…something. Tex wasn’t exactly sure how to describe it. It wasn’t a figure, but it wasn’t exactly nothing either. A mist? No. Smoke? Not really. Shadow? Sort of. It was just there. 

   “Me-Mem…Memphis?” Tex asked hesitantly. His heart was beating wildly and he was on the verge of hyperventilating as his eyes widened, waiting in anticipation for the answer he would receive. And he didn’t know which way he wanted the…thing to answer. If positive, Tex might be crazy. If negative–in a way–it would be like losing Memphis again. Fuck, he was a wishy-washy asshole!

   “Do you remember the night we met? I think I might have told you, but I don’t remember, but the reason I approached you was that I didn’t want Jordan to have you,” Memphis told Tex as if this whole situation was completely normal. 

   Tex gaped at the bed. The thing sort of had a form, but not really, and while it seemed Memphis voice came from it, it didn’t mean that it was Memphis. “Jordan? What do you mean?” He recalled something about Jordan and that night, but he couldn’t think right now because even if it wasn’t actually Memphis speaking to him, it was his voice. Tex couldn’t stop himself from asking while he tried to decide if he should scream and run for his life to admit himself into the nearest psych ward, or if he should rejoice because his lover had finally come back to him. 

   “We played pool to decide who would approach you that night. I lost, and when he went to the bathroom to piss out the five beers he drank, I made my move. It was a toss-up if we would remain friends, or if he would punch me in the nuts and never speak to me again.” 

   “No guy would ever punch another one in the sack.” Tex still wasn’t sure, although, that did sound like something Memphis would say, and definitely something Jordan would threaten if he was pissed off. 

   Memphis chuckled. “You do remember Jordan, right?”

Amazon:

US: https://amzn.to/2VZU4vX

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MC5XWG6

FR: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07MC5XWG6

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07MC5XWG6

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07MC5XWG6

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43514149-unbreak-me

Available on Kindle Unlimited!

FOR THOSE OF YOU WAITING ON JORDAN’S STORY….IT’S COMING!
Unbreak Me will have a side story for Jordan titled Found You.

It is an MM contemporary romance and will appear in With Love From New Orleans Anthology. Available for preorder for 99 cents.

Jordan Cash came to New Orleans to have fun with his latest fling, however, within twenty-four hours of arriving, he’s been abandoned and finds himself wandering around the city doing the tourist thing alone. Everyone is finding someone to love, but that’s not in the cards for him. He’ll spend his days cheering on his friends and having the time of his life. 

He never expected to run into a man who immediately catches his attention in the middle of a graveyard. Did the Voodoo Queen put a spell on him from the beyond? 

***

To say that Archer Wolfe is directionally challenged is the understatement of the year. He broke his cellphone and can get lost in the very city he lives in. It’s no surprise he gets turned around, and while trying to find his way, he pushes Jordan into a stone crypt. Not the best way to make a first impression. 

Archer isn’t looking for love or anything else, but there is something about the smooth-talking Jordan. It was supposed to be a fling, simply some fun, but he is realizing he doesn’t want Jordan to disappear. 

***

Once you’ve found someone who calls to your soul, how do you let go? 

Preorder Link:
Amazon- https://amzn.to/2DXmywa


Other Formats- https://www.books2read.com/WithLoveFromNewOrleans

Maria Vickers currently lives in St. Louis, MO with her pug, Spencer Tracy. She has always had a passion for writing and after she became disabled in 2010, she decided to use writing as her escape. She believes that life is about what you make of it. You have to live it to the fullest no matter the circumstances. From a young age, she has always loved books and even dreamed of being an author when she was younger. Growing up in the Navy, she used to weave tales for her siblings and her friends about anything and everything. And when she wasn't creating her own stories, she had a book in her hand. They transported her to another world. She hopes that with her books, her readers have the same experience and that they can relate to her characters. Getting sick changed her life forever, but it also opened doors for her that she thought would always be out of reach.

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Review: THE EXORCIST WHO LOVED ME by Jennifer Savalli!

Release Date: December 29th, 2015

Type: Series, Book 2, Ghosts, Exorcists, Paranormal Romance, One-Sitting Read, Guys got some awesome glasses

Series: Must Love Ghosts (Book one)

About the Book: Digging up the truth could lead them to their graves.

Must Love Ghosts, Book 2

Hiring an exorcist is not something widowed single mom Holly Archer ever thought she’d do. But the blackouts she’s been having mean someone—or something—is hijacking her body and she wants it stopped, like yesterday.

The hottie who shows up at her door is the first man who’s sparked her interest since her awful marriage. It’s no hardship to give herself over to his skills, and in short order the spirit is ejected—and Holly comes face to face with Celia, the ghost of her dead husband’s mistress.

Lawe Callahan figured this would be an easy case, and by morning he’d be headed for another town, leaving Holly and her witchy amber eyes behind. Until she agrees to help the ghost, who refuses to budge until her killer is brought to justice.

As the investigation heats up, so does Lawe and Holly’s attraction. But their differences not only threaten any chance of something real, their quest for the truth could drive a killer to tie up all loose ends—permanently.

Warning: Contains a footloose exorcist who doesn’t let grave dirt stick to his feet for long, and a woman who isn’t in a hurry to commune with the dead. A little sleuthing, a little more gettin’ nekkid, and a lotta angst. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: This book was exactly what I needed. I wanted something paranormal, but that wasn't completely out there ridiculous. I wanted a paranormal that felt real, if that makes sense. And The Exorcist Who Loved Me gave me that 100%. I'm going to start on my absolutely favorite part about this book - the characters were incredibly genuine, even awkward at times. Holly is a widow, one that hasn't been, hmm.. intimate with her husband in some time before his death. So when it comes to any making out (or more!) with Lawe, she would blurt things out, or say something and then instantly groan internally and mention how un-sexy that was. Author Jennifer Savalli doesn't skimp when it comes to her characters. Even Lawe would say something, then chastise himself in his head because he shouldn't have blurted that out.

Sometimes with such well-done characterizations, the story suffers a little - not in this case. The story was clear and engaging, and really - I read this in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen. These two do fall in love quickly, so be wary if that isn't you thing - but it fits in the context of the story. Holly and Lawe go through a lot together, and their relationship develops throughout the book - it's not instantaneous. It is, however, very fun to read.

If you're looking for your next lazy Sunday read - this should definitely be added to your list. I absolutely loved it, and I know I'll be searching out more by this author in the future!

Cover Lovin': I really like this cover. It's simple, but definitely something I'd instantly pick up if I saw it in store.

Recommendation: This can easily be read as a stand-alone. I didn't read book 1, and I got along just fine. However, I will be adding Must Love Ghosts to my TBR because I enjoyed this one so much.

Final Rating: FOUR AND A HALF out of FIVE stars (4.5/5)! It wasn't absolutely perfect - but it was so, so close.

Make sure to get your copy of Must Love Ghosts and The Exorcist Who Loved Me from Amazon.com today!

And check out Jennifer Savalli's website!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Epic Cat and Bones-ness! REVIEW of "This Side of the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

Why this book?: Love Jeaniene Frost. LOVE Cat and Bones. Mostly Bones.. but Cat certainly has some seriously awesome moments too.

Type: Series, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Ghosts, Ghouls, Epic battles, Awesome nicknames

About the book: Really, it seems like things will never settle down enough for Cat and Bones to get some time alone. The undead world is far from quiet, with ghouls attacking masterless vampires, and the threat of war leaving everyone jumpy. The ghoul Apollyon has singled Cat out as the reason for the tension, and the cause of the uprising. So now Cat, Bones, and the crew must find a way to diffuse the situation before an undead war turns the world upside down.

Review: This book made me finally move Jeaniene Frost to the Do Not Read In Public catagory. Not because the book was bad, but because I was sick of the weird looks I keep getting whenever I laugh out loud, smile at the page, or squirm on the end of my seat because I can't handle all the action. Cat and Bones get into the most delicious scrapes, and I literally wiggle in my seat to see how the heck they manage to get themselves out. There are some readers out there that talk about books being crack - well Jeaniene Frost is my drug of choice. I crave these characters and their interactions. I love to see how they deal with each new situation. And you can genuinely see the character development from book to book, even with the characters that get less limelight.

The one thing I missed in this book was the tension between Cat and Bones. Where they fought not only the outside world, but each other in their attempts to keep the other safe. But this goes along with the development aspects. Considering what happened at the end of "One Foot in the Grave," Cat and Bones took a huge step forward in their relationship, and "This Side of the Grave" truly reflects that change. But as I said, I admit to still missing it, just a little. Another book for the keeper shelf, "This Side of the Grave" did not disappoint. A fast-paced, intricate plot and characters that are beyond loveable, I eagerly anticipate the next one. Heck, I eagerly anticipate my next re-read of the series.

Cover Loving: YES! A beautiful cover, and an equally beautiful stepback. It fits perfectly with the rest of the series, and I love the gargoyles.

Recommendation: Definitely something for fans of excellent, epic Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. This is one of my favorite series of all time, and is the subject of much re-reading. I would recommend the entire series to anyone.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE 5/5. Seriously, Jeaniene Frost really didn't disappoint with the newest Cat and Bones book.

Have you read "This Side of the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost? What are your thoughts? Have you read the rest of the series? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Want to read it? Get your copy at Amazon.com via the link at the left!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Like "Ghost," but less pottery. REVIEW of "The Ghost and the Goth" by Stacey Kade

Why this book?: It just looked cute. Plus, I love the whole idea of two people so incredibly different being forced together.

Disclaimer: Library Book.

Type: Young Adult, Series, Book One, Oh Crap I'm Dead, I see Dead People, Goth boy meets Preppy Girl, Highschool sucks, Evil black clouds, Nice Teeth are a Plus

About the book: Alona is dead. DEAD! This is so not happening. And not only is she dead, but she hasn't moved on to those great fluffy clouds in the sky. Oh no, she wakes up every morning right where she died, the street infront of her highschool. At first it wasn't so bad, getting to see how her funeral went, going around school to see who still missed her - that is, until she caught her best friend making out with her boyfriend. Losing her grip on life, Alona begins to disappear, and afraid of whats happening she begins to cry.

And that's when she notices Will Killian, laughing at her. Not only can he see her, but he's LAUGHING at her. After waking up on the road, once again, she rushed back into the school to find Will already being harassed by a gang of ghosts. And after accidentally claiming Will as her own, Alona becomes his official Spirit Guide. And maybe, along the way, she finds out nobody Will Killian isn't as lame as she first thought.

My Review: Told from alternating perspectives, "The Ghost and the Goth" is a cute tale of two completely different people working together to help Will deal with his abnormal ability. Will can usually just tune the ghosts out with the help of his handy dandy iPod, but Principal Brewster, who has had it out for Will from day one, took it as punishment for being one minute late to class. So Alona, mostly for her own selfish reasons, and a little accidentally, steps in to help out. After all, he's the only one that can see her. The budding relationship between the two is best described as adorable. Will had fantasies about perfect cheerleader Alona in the past, but having her all to himself isn't exactly like he pictured.

"The Ghost and the Goth" is part romance, part coming of age story, with a dash of mystery for that extra spicy flavor. Will is getting attacked by some malevolent ghost, and its up to Alona to help. You can really see the growth in the two characters - with Will finally discovering maybe everything isn't so bad, and the people he trusts aren't so great, and Alona realizing life is not just about perfect hair, perfect shoes, and perfect image. I personally look forward to reading the sequel "Queen of the Dead (A Ghost and the Goth Novel) coming out later this year.

Cover Loving: Yes. Aww, how cute. I think it fits pretty darn well with the book.

Recommendation: Fans of paranormal young adult fiction will enjoy "The Ghost and the Goth." Or if you just love the idea of two people that would never speak to each other normally being forced to work together.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE (3.5/5). Good, enjoyable read. Will continue with the series.

Have you read "The Ghost and the Goth" by Stacey Kade? Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Want to read it? Pick up your copy at Amazon.com! And keep a look out for book 2, "Queen of the Dead (A Ghost and the Goth Novel)" coming June 2011!

Until next time, Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Review of "The Ghost Exterminator: A Love Story" by Vivi Andrews

 I've seen this author around before, but I had never read anything by her. I was obviously missing out!!
Disclaimer: This book is on loan from my local public library. I am not being compensated for this review. Also, I am an Amazon Affiliate.

Type: Paranormal Romance, Ghosts, Hauntings, The Possession of Wyatt Haines, Sorta New to Me Author

Why this book: Well, I noticed my work (library) purchased a copy, and the story sounded good, so I was the first to nab a copy. So glad I did!

About the book: Wyatt Haines is a businessman. He believes in logic, in keeping his business in the black, and football. However, he's beginning to believe, maybe just a little, that his recently acquired property is haunted. So finally, his hippie-esque secretary convinces him to call a ghost exterminator to take care of his little infestation problem. Jo Banks is very, very good at her job. She can see ghosts, even send them on to the afterlife. But she's never seen anything like Wyatt's new house. And no matter what she does, nothing is going to plan, including the fact that two ghosts escape and hide inside Wyatt. Now Jo has to de-spirit Wyatt's home, get the ghosts out of his body, and keep herself from falling for his uptight attractive form. Does the self-proclaimed freak have what it takes? And can the ever logical Wyatt finally lose that stick up his rear-end?

I definitely devoured this book. I can't believe I've never read anything by this author before. I loved her writing style, a perfect mix of humor, romance, and just the right amount of passion. There were some great twists and turns in the story, the mystery of why the house is so haunted, who's behind it, and more. I just ate it up.

And the creative and hilarious chapter titles definitely deserve a special shout-out. Some of my favorites? "Tiny Tim, the Sl*t," "It's My Party and I'll Commune with the Dead If I Want To," and "Haunt Me, Baby, One More Time." Oh, alright, one more. And "Love Means Never Having to Say Untie Me." As I said - creative. And each chapter title is not only funny, but actually pertains to what happens in said chapter.

I loved the characters, but I loved the interaction between such complete opposites the best. Jo is an almost-normal girl who sees herself as a freak, and therefore plays the role to the best of her ability. Wyatt spends far too much time in his office making sure his business runs smoothly, and actually fired his mother once because she wasn't running a good business. But when these two get together, sparks fly. I loved their banter, their commentary while watching television or trying to figure something out.

Recommendation: Heck yes! I recommend this book to everyone. That's right, everyone. This is one of those "Shove the book in their faces until they agree to read it because I love it and everyone else should too" sort of book. Lovers of a good story, Paranormal Romance, and enough humor to make your sides hurt from laughing should definitely pick up "The Ghost Exterminator" by Vivi Andrews.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). Really loved it, recommending it to everyone. Get yourself a copy today! Like right now! Then come back and let's chat about it. =)

Want to get your own copy of "The Ghost Exterminator: A Love Story" by Vivi Andrews? Of course you do! Head over to Amazon.com via the link at the left, and pick up a copy.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, aka Morning Glow ~!~

Review of "The Ghost Hunter" by Lori Brighton

Another angel book! Maybe I should start calling this blog Glow's ANGEL addiction. Thoughts? Alright, alright, I won't. You can find the direct link to purchase this book here - The Ghost Hunter.  On with the review!

Disclaimer: The reviewer (me!) was provided this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. She (me!) was not given any monetary incentive for a good review.

Type: Angel!, Paranormal Romance, Ghosts, Fighting The Big Bad Guy, Witches, Sexy Accents!, Adult

About the book, from the Smashwords page: Ashley Hunter is intent on uncovering the truth about her father's disappearance. But Ashley realizes she's in for more than she bargained. Not only has she inherited a decrepit pub, she's also inherited ghosts and demons. Then Cristian arrives, a mysterious man who insists he only needs a room to rent. She believes him, until one by one her ghosts start disappearing...


"The Ghost Hunter" by Lori Brighton is a very interesting story with an equally interesting cast of characters. There's a girl who sees ghosts (Ashley), witches, faeries, angels, werewolves, vampires, demons, and more. And indeed, the final showdown is between a demon and an angel, which is always an epic battle the whole family will enjoy - as long as they are over the age of 17, because no kids are invited to this party. And speaking of interesting types of characters.. there was an appropriate amount of buildup to the reader finding out what Cristian really is, but once that's revealed.. it seems like sort of a let down. Like with all that build up, I was expecting more of a reaction from those not in-the-know, but it seemed to me that they moved on a little too quickly. Same with the disappearance of ghosts. Oh sure, Ashley is bothered by it when she's reminded of it, but it's not something that really bugs her, though we get the feeling it should be. And in fact, there was a time or two I forgot about the disappearance of ghosts all together.

As for the characters themselves, I loved Devon. Dearest Devon is mostly a side-character (or at least not a main character), but I thought he was danged important.. especially near the end. Poor Devon gets quite the shock when a memory spell goes awry, and to top that off, he's got a demon parasite that is making him do some really jerky things. It was certainly interesting to see how each of these changes affected his character and his actions. And there was a time or two I actually liked Devon more than Cristian. Cristian seemed a little heavy-handed sometimes, he would intentionally keep things from Ashley, answers she was obviously searching for, and yet he was shocked and often amazed by how little she knew. Uh, duuhhh, maybe because you won't tell her anything! And he would switch from wanting to teach her how to protect herself, to saying how she wasn't going to make it because she didn't know anything. Maybe you should stop huffing about and do something about it then! You and your wing tattoos and sexy accent should pick up your awesome sword (I kinda want one that's able to do what his can) and do something about it!

And sadly, I didn't really feel that spark between Cristian and Ashley. There was something there, obviously, but it felt like lust at best, not the supposed deep, lasting connection they kept making it seem like it was. It just didn't feel.. real enough to me, somehow. I wanted to delve further into the characters, and pick them apart, to find this connection and see if it was real, and if it worked. Which may sound awful, but I don't mean it to be harsh, in fact, it's probably a good thing that I want to reach further into each character and learn more about them.

And now to the rating. "The Ghost Hunter" by Lori Brighton really was a good, quick read. There was a very interesting storyline there, I just needed more than what I was given, I needed to feel more. I had some mixed feelings about this book, so I'll have to go with a middle-of-the-road rating - a FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). The good did outweigh any issues I had with it, and this book was something I could easily sit for hours and read, as opposed to feeling the need to get up and move around between chapters. I hope to see more by this author in the future, to see how her work develops because I can see a ton of talent here.

Have you read this book? Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Do you want to read it? Find it at Amazon.com, or Smashwords.com.

Buy the book here.
Author's Smashwords page: Lori Brighton
Author's webpage: Home Page

Have a wonderful day!

Review of "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" by H.P. Mallory

The author contacted me to review one of her books, and after reading this - I was grateful for the opportunity! You can purchase your own copy here!!

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I have received no monetary incentive for a good review.

Type: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts!, Faeries, Sexy men with weird names, Mmm.. Accents, Can I have the guys she doesn't want?, Series

Book Description (From the site): "  A self-deprecating witch with a unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes and appetite for witches. The Underworld is in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.   "

When browsing both of this author's pieces, I was instantly drawn to "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble." This book follows the tale of Jolie, who isn't supermodel gorgeous, just a normal girl who occasionally gets visions. And then on a job for a client, she discovers she's able to bring back the dead - not as zombies, but as their former selves. It's quite the talent to have, and in today's war-fearing Underworld, it's much in demand. I love stories where our hero or heroine is tossed into a situation that is totally new and frightening for them, and they have to fight their way through it. This new world is something Jolie just can't hide away from, but she learns to deal with it. Of course, she has a little help from her friends...

Speaking of friends, we'll start with one of the secondary characters, Christa. She was definitely good for some laughs, but she had some genuine good-friend moments, which was good to see. When in a situation as tough as the one Jolie was in, a good friend like Christa will come in handy. And then there's Rand. So stubborn, so delicious, argh! Rand was so frustrating and reliable at the same time. There were scenes I wanted to strangle him, others I wanted snuggle him... and then there were a few times I wanted to do both at once.

One thing that really struck me about H.P. Mallory was how human her characters seemed. Well.. maybe that's not the correct term. She described the flaws and traits of each main and secondary character so well, you felt like you knew them. The author added little motions a character might make when aggravated, or sounds they might make when annoyed and amused. Just little things that could just as well be easily over-looked, and in the grand scheme of things might not even be important, but I loved getting that little glimpse of each character's life.

There are plenty of twists and turns in "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble." Jolie has a lot to deal with, and a lot to learn. I was so engrossed in the main characters journey that I read the entire book in one day - I just couldn't put it down. Good thing this book is a series, Jolie's trials are far from over, and there's an even rougher road ahead.

I'm going to give "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" by H.P. Mallory a FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). It was a great read, and it left me wanting.. or rather NEEDING more. I can't wait to see how this great war that has been building throughout this first novel turns out, as well as how Jolie deals with all the different players in her life. Make sure you all check out this book, as well as her other release (as of right now) "To Kill A Warlock."  Find "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" here.

Have a wonderful day!
~!~ Morning Glow

Review of "Maybe This Time" by Jennifer Crusie

Crusie is back with a new romance - her first solo release in some time.

Disclaimer: This book was purchased by the reviewer for my own personal enjoyment. I was not given this book, nor any monetary incentive, in exchange for a postitive review. But I am an Amazon.com Affiliate, which means using my link to buy the book will make me a penny or two.

Type: Romance, Ghosts, Children, Creepy, North Is A Hottie, Gabe McKenna is back!?

From the book jacket: "   Andie Miller is ready to move on with her life. She wants to marry her fiance and leave behind everything in her past, especially her ex-husband, North Archer. But when Andie tries to gain closure with him, he asks one final favor of her. A distant cousin has died and left North the guardian of two orphans who have driven away three nannies already, and things are getting worse. He needs someone to take care of the situation, and he knows Andie can handle anything... When Andie meets the two children, she realizes the situation is much worse than she feared. Carter and Alice aren't your average delinquents, and the creepy old house where they live is being run by the worst housekeeper since Mrs. Danvers. Complicating matters is Andie's fiance's suspicion that this is all a plan by North to get Andie back. He may be right because Andie's dreams have been haunted by North since she arrived at the old house. And that's not the only haunting...  "

I loved "Maybe This Time" so much that I had to write down my thoughts to keep them at least somewhat organized. And my first note was "Crusie is back to her old self." Now... this implies that working with Bob Mayer changed her, or took some of her awesome-ness away, and that is definitely untrue. I loved her collaborations with Bob Mayer, and the girls she worked with to produce some other works. But I was just so happy to see the writing traits that I love this author for shine through in her newest book. She has characters I love, situations I can't get enough of, and humor that makes me laugh out loud.

Let's start with Andie. Andie is a real woman, with flaws (She's a bolter!), but she's strong and compassionate. She goes to take care of these children, originally because there was some money on the line (I'd babysit kids for a month for 10,000 dollars too!), but in no time at all, she's become the mother bear, learning what she has to do to care for these unique children, and willing to take on anyone she has to in her path to help them.

And North. Oh man, North... He's a classic Crusie hero - which means he's a real man, a guy like you could possibly meet on the street. But he's so strong, warm, reliable, someone to lean on, and oh so dreamy. I read a lot of paranormal romance, which is full of bronzed gods, ancient warriors, etc. And I think it is a true testament to Crusie's writing ability that makes her modern day human heroes just as perfect, if not even more so, than supernatural beings. You can really see North's growth as a character, from someone hidden away in his office who thinks shelling out money is the best way to deal with problems, to a guy willing to leave everything behind, and stick with Andie no matter what, even when she says some seriously crazy things.

And the side characters - ah! Southie is perfect as the ex-brother-in-law of Andie, and his current love interest is good for a strangle/laugh. Not to mention, fans of Jennifer Crusie will recognize the private investigator North brings in, Gabe McKenna - the hero from Fast Women. I love Jennifer Crusie for her snark and humor, which is still present despite the darker tone of this book. There may be a single line that comes accross as the perfect one-liner to a reader, but just try reading it to someone else. I did, they'll give you a funny look. Crusie writes so seamlessly there are no real one-liners. If you know the story, it's hilarious, but to an outsider, it's just a weird line.

While Crusie generally writes contemporary romance, this story blends that with a hint of the paranormal to create the perfect ghost story. I read it late at night, and let me tell you, there were a few moments where I didn't want to go to sleep, because I was afraid to turn off the light. And the end was to die for (maybe literally?!). I almost felt cheated after the climax, but once again.. Jennifer Crusie didn't let me down.

I'm going to give "Maybe This Time" by Jennifer Crusie a FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). For the first time, I wish my rating system was out of ten instead of five, because "Maybe This Time" deserves an even better score. I hope everyone gets to check out this amazing story, to delight in the storytelling (which was fantastic), and the characters (North is a dreamboat).

Have you read it? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Do you want to read it? Get it from Amazon.com by clicking the image above.

Until next time - Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow