Tag: romance

Between the Vines (Keystone Couples #3) by Staci Troilo #bookreview #romance

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews49 Comments

When you grow up on a vineyard, you learn the grapevine can’t always be trusted.

Elena Santucci is one of the best wedding planners in the Keystone state—ironic, as she doesn’t believe in love. Why should she? Rumors cost her all meaningful relationships, sending her into the arms of one loser after another until she swore off men entirely. Now she spends her days helping brides put together dream days… even though she suspects they’ll all lead to nightmares.

Aaron Kennedy looks like a tough-as-nails cop, but he’s got a marshmallow for a heart. One that’s recently been roasted over the coals by Heather, his former fiancée. After discovering her affair with his best friend, he broke off his engagement and swore off women—at least for a while. When his sister asks for help with her wedding plans, he can’t say no. Then he learns the wedding is at Blooming Valley Vineyards, and his former crush is the event planner. Maybe this is fate telling him not to give up so quickly.

Just when Aaron starts to break through Elena’s icy shell, Heather comes back into his life with an unbelievable story—one Elena seems to support. Rumors travel the grapevine faster than he can make sense of them. He needs to discover the truth before his one chance at happiness withers on the vine. 

I thought I’d posted this review months ago, but was shocked to find it in my drafts. Apologies to Staci!

Romance isn’t one of my most read genres, but I venture into that area every now and then, and I’m sorry to see this series of novellas end. Part of the reason I’ve enjoyed it so much is because of the humorous situations and misunderstandings that lean into the romantic comedy direction at times. Combine that with very likeable, realistic, flawed characters, and you’ve got an addictive read. And these can be read in about an hour or so.

Elena is a successful wedding planner – ironically, she doesn’t believe in love due to a history of disasters. Enter Aaron, who’s recovering from a recent engagement gone wrong. Having attended school together in a relatively small town, the two aren’t strangers. Aaron even had a crush on Elena in high school. A tentative relationship begins to develop, and just when Elena thinks maybe love isn’t such a ridiculous notion after all, Aaron’s jealous ex shows up. Trust me – she’s a character who inspires strong dislike and lots of eye rolling.

I loved that the author included Easter eggs consisting of the couples from the other two novellas in the series. Seeing a little of what the future held for them was an unexpected treat.

Each of these three novellas can be read as standalones, but I’d recommend starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the stories. If you’re looking for light-hearted reads that leave you with warm fuzzies, you can’t go wrong with Keystone Couples.

#BlogTour The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos #bookreview #YA #romcom #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews28 Comments

Cameron Carson has a secret. A secret with the power to break apart his friend group.

Cameron Carson, member of the Geeks and Nerds United (GANU) club, has been secretly hooking up with student council president, cheerleader, theater enthusiast, and all-around queen bee Karla Ortega since the summer. The one problem—what was meant to be a summer fling between coffee shop coworkers has now evolved into a clandestine senior-year entanglement, where Karla isn’t intending on blending their friend groups anytime soon, or at all.

Enter Mackenzie Briggs, who isn’t afraid to be herself or wear her heart on her sleeve. When Cameron finds himself unexpectedly bonding with Mackenzie and repeatedly snubbed in public by Karla, he starts to wonder who he can truly consider a friend and who might have the potential to become more…

I got as far as Geeks and Nerds United (GANU) club before requesting this book on NetGalley. That’s all I needed to know.

High school senior Cameron makes better than average grades, works part time as a barrista, trades snarky comments with his sister, and has a deep, abiding love of Dragonball Z. His social circle isn’t wide, and that’s just fine with him. He shares many common interests with his two (sometimes three) friends in the GANU club. The usual crowd populates his school – cheerleaders, athletes, theater group, band geeks, etc. What no one knows, not even his closest friends, is that he’s been secretly seeing popular crowd member Karla for several months. Their summer fling carried over into the school year, and Cam is hoping to find a way to fit into her crowd and be accepted by her friends. As a reporter for the school newspaper, his new assignment is to cover the play, Pride and Prejudice. With Karla and her friends involved in it, Cam thinks it’s the perfect opportunity. The problem is that he can’t stop thinking about Mackenzie, the sometimes member of GANU and his sort-of friend.

This is a light, humorous read that I sped through in a little over a day. It’s built on themes of self-acceptance, acceptance of others, strong friendships, forgiveness, and looking outside of your own little world. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen novel, so I loved all the references to Elizabeth and Darcy. Cam’s sister attempting to explain the emotions Darcy’s “weird flex thing with his hand” conveyed in the movie is a favorite scene and had me chuckling. Cam’s devotion to Dragonball Z is understandable, but I admit to skimming several extensively detailed passages about it.

A sweet romance, awkward moments, charming, diverse characters, worlds colliding, and ride-or-die friendships make this an enjoyable read sure to appeal to fans of anime and Pride and Prejudice alike.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

On Sale Date: January 3, 2023

Ship Date: December 7, 2022

9781335428585

Hardcover

$18.99 USD

320 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

James Ramos (he/they) is a nonbinary, unapologetically dorky Minnesota native who now calls Arizona home. Weaned on a steady diet of science-fiction, comic books, and classic literature, James wrote his first story at eight years old and hasn’t stopped writing them since. He counts Jane Austen and Frank Herbert as his biggest literary influences, and believes in the unifying power of the written word. James is passionate about storytelling, particularly stories that give voice to marginalized people, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. When he isn’t writing he can usually be found cosplaying with his friends or surrounded by his amazing family of cats.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thejamesramos 

Twitter & Instagram: @thejamesramos

BUY LINKS:

Changing Hands: https://www.changinghands.com/event/january2023/james-ramos 

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wrong-kind-of-weird-james-ramos/18423457?ean=9781335428585 

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wrong-kind-of-weird-james-ramos/1141358823?ean=9781335428585&st=AFF&2sid=Linktree%20Pty%20Ltd_100589976_NA&sourceId=AFFLinktree%20Pty%20Ltd 

Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781335428585?AID=32499&PID=100589976&cjevent=20f9ded7821611ed8187006e0a82b824&cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335428585 

#BadMoonRising Ghostly Interference by Jan Sikes #ghost #supernatural

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising76 Comments

Today’s author is here with her award winning novel, the first in a series (so you can get started now!). The only reason you’d find her with a haunted doll is if she was attempting to exorcise it. What a Good Samaritan she is. Welcome Jan Sikes!

Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?

Hands-down, “Misery.” The thought of being trapped in an isolated, remote location with a deranged psychotic person who loves you to death is about as unsettling as it gets for me. It was such a great story premise, and the movie was equally as good as the book.

Would you buy a doll that you knew was haunted?

Not only NO but Hell No! Why invite trouble when life is hard enough! I might try to find a way to destroy the haunted doll and release the spirit, but I’d never knowingly bring one into my home.

Do you believe in any ‘mythical’ monsters like chupacabras or shadow people?

Yep. Myths and legends get started from somewhere or someone’s experience. So, I definitely believe some of these myths and legends come from actual occurrences. I haven’t seen any mythical monsters, but I have seen ghosts and UFOs.

How do you use social media as an author? 

I think my response would be what most authors would say, and that is to forge connections and gain readers. I use Twitter exclusively for all things author-related. I use Facebook for personal reasons, as well as authorly. But ultimately, all social media platforms need to serve a purpose, or I won’t use them. My favorite social media platform is my blog.

Have you ever traveled as research for any of your books? 

Yes! In May, I took a trip to a certain part of Missouri to learn about the area and to actually lay eyes on the landscape. I utilized a local library to go through reels of microfiche from the time period my story takes place. I found some pretty coincidental things such as a death notice for a person with the same last name of my character, which I adopted as my character’s father. It was also helpful to see the price of items in 1947.

What are you working on now?

This question goes hand-in-hand with the traveling for research one. The book I am currently working on is Literary Fiction or Historical Fiction set in 1947 in a tiny town in Southwestern Missouri. The title is “A Beggar’s Bargain.” And I am past the 50,000 word mark, so it is coming along. This is different from anything I’ve ever written. There are lots of challenges to staying true to the time period, but I am loving everything about this story!

Jag Peters has one goal in his quiet, comfortable life—to keep his karma slate wiped clean. A near-miss crash with a candy apple red Harley threatens to upend his safe world. He tracks down the rider to apologize properly. Slipping into a seedy biker bar, he discovers the rider isn’t a “he”, it’s a “she,” a dark-haired beauty.

Rena Jett is a troubled soul who lives in a rough world. She wants no part of Jag’s apology, but even while she pushes him away, she is attracted to him. When he claims to see a ghost—her brother—can she trust him? And could her brother’s final gift, a magical rune stone with the symbol for “happily ever after,” have the power to heal her wounds and allow opposites to find common ground—perhaps even love?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Interference-White-Rune-Sikes-ebook/dp/B08KW1KFMW/

BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghostly-interference-jan-sikes/1137871003?

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ghostly-interference

iTUNES: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghostly-interference/id1535082886

GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=PCwNEAAAQBAJ

AUTHOR BIO AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. The entertaining true story comes to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books.

And now, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published numerous award-winning short stories. She published her debut paranormal romance novel, Ghostly Interference, Book 1 in The White Rune Series, in 2020, which won a bronze medal award from Reader’s Favorite. Jagged Feathers was released on January 31, 2022, as Book 2 of that series and garnered an Honorable Mention from Reader’s Favorite, plus won 4th place in the North Texas Book Festival Book Awards.  Saddled Hearts, Book 3,will release on October 19, 2022.

She is an active blogger, an avid fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

WEBSITE: http://www.jansikes.com

BLOG:  https://jansikesblog.com/

TWITTER:  https://www.twitter.com/jansikes3

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

BOOKBUB:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK 

All Signs Point To Yes, A YA #Anthology #romance #bookreview

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews23 Comments

A literal star-studded anthology that delivers a love story for every star sign straight from the hearts of thirteen multicultural YA authors.

A haunted Aquarius finds love behind the veil. An ambitious Aries will do anything to stay in the spotlight. A foodie Taurus discovers the best eats in town (with a side of romance). A witchy Cancer stumbles into a curious meet-cute.

Whether it’s romantic, platonic, familial, or something else you can’t quite define, love is the thing that connects us. All Signs Point to Yes will take you on a journey from your own backyard to the world beyond the living as it settles us among the stars for thirteen stories of love and life.

These stories will touch your heart, speak to your soul, and have you reaching for your horoscope forevermore.

Contributors:

g. haron davis (Aries)
Adrianne White (Aquarius)
Cam Montgomery (Ophiuchus)
Tehlor Kay Mejia (Gemini)
Mark Oshiro (Libra)
Eric Smith (Scorpio)
Emery Lee (Pisces)
Byron Graves (Virgo)
Karuna Riazi (Cancer)
Roselle Lim (Taurus)
Alexandra Villasante (Capricorn)
Lily Anderson (Sagittarius)
Kiana Nguyen (Leo)

In middle school, my best friend and I discovered astrology and immediately became obsessed. We spent hours studying how our signs related to others – especially those of guys we had crushes on. When I saw this anthology featured zodiac signs, it made me want to revisit the past.

With such a variety of stories – magical realism, contemporary, supernatural, etc., – there are offerings for every reader. The beginning of each chapter gives a description of a zodiac sign (even the thirteenth sign, Ophiuchus is included), and it was fun to see how accurately they described me, my family, and friends (hubby said it nailed mine). I was overjoyed with the diversity of characters, cultures, and types of love (meet cutes, romantic, aromantic, and familial) featured and can’t say I’ve come across another anthology quite like this.

I’d like to give a shoutout to my favorites:

Taurus – The Taste of a Kiss by Roselle Lim – Loved the MC’s voice, and the food descriptions made me want to hunt down a food truck that sells Korean fried chicken. A sweet friends to lovers story.

Scorpio – The South Street Challenge by Eric Smith – I’m a fan of this author’s books, so I had high expectations for this story. I wasn’t disappointed. A bittersweet last night spent with friends before moving across country for college that comes with a welcome surprise.

Pisces – The Cure For Heartbreak by Emery Lee – A guy looking for a cure to heartbreak in a magic store discovers maybe it’s the person behind the counter and not a spell that’s the solution.

Virgo – Sometimes in September by Byron Graves – With a little bit of insta-love, these two characters in a rehab facility immediately connect. The ending is perfect and hopeful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love, Me: A Christmas Wish Novel by Jacquie Biggar #bookreview #romance #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews77 Comments

Will a Christmas wish bring two lonely hearts together and give a little girl the family she’s always wanted?

Single parent, Grace Donovan arrives in the small town of Emerson with the hope a trial program at the local cancer clinic will be the answer to prolonging her young daughter’s life. She doesn’t expect to fall for her handsome boss.

As principal of Emerson Elementary, he is aware of the students’ medical issues and his heart goes out to little Cassie Donovan and her mother. When he learns Grace is in need of a job, he fabricates a childcare program, and is pleasantly surprised by its success. Now, if only he could help Cassie’s recovery and get Grace to give him a chance before she learns of his duplicity.

Cassie Donovan barely remembers the father who died when she was just a toddler, but she does know her mother is sad. Even though Cassie wants a puppy more than anything, she gives up her wish to ask for a daddy from Santa Claus, that way if she gets sick again, Mommy won’t be alone.

This Christmas, two families are brought together by a Christmas wish and a child’s need for a miracle.

I dare you to resist reading a story about a sick little girl who exchanges her Christmas wish for a puppy to ask Santa for a daddy so her mother won’t be alone if she dies. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Cassie is only six-years-old but has experienced more tragedy than most at her young age after the death of her father and her bout with leukemia. She’s a selfless little girl who worries more about her mother than herself. Her adorable friendship with Avery is one of my favorite aspects of the story, and their antics give the story a little bit of a Parent Trap feel.

Grace is entirely focused on her daughter’s health. Still grieving her husband’s death and shouldering the uncertainty of Cassie’s future and her heart-wrenching battle with cancer, she’s carrying some heavy burdens and has no support. After meeting Kyle (a total sweetie), she wonders if she’s found someone to lean on. Someone she could allow into their lives.

Filled with ice-skating, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, burnt toast, and Christmas magic, this heart-warming, feel-good holiday story is perfect for any time of year.

Pour It On (Keystone Couples) by Staci Troilo #bookreview #romance #shortread

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews42 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! I know this isn’t my usual Monday post, but I thought this would be the perfect day to feature my review of Staci’s new release. It’s a short read full of fun, flirting, and a big misunderstanding. And if you’re looking for something to do with your special someone, hubby and I saw Death on the Nile over the weekend and we both gave it a thumbs up. It will keep you guessing!

Bold, complex, vibrant. The wine is, too.

Despite Romy Chandler hosting a romantic meet-and-greet at her restaurant, she’s all business. When her sommelier quits without any notice—to work for the competition, no less—she goes into mega-mogul-mode. The last thing on her mind is finding a man. She’s looking for someone who knows his way around a Bordeaux, not the boudoir.

Rick Santucci grew up in his family’s vineyard. After years of hard work, he’s turned his grandfather’s humble produce farm into a profitable winery. Once he gets their bottles into the right establishments, he’ll be able to acquire more land and move into the next phase of the company’s expansion. His mother thinks the next stage should be a wife and children, but his sights are set on different fertile grounds.

When Rick and Romy meet, they both forget all about their ambitions. The evening becomes less about revenue than romance, and they get distracted by the music and wine. She thinks he’s the man she needs, both in the restaurant and out. He finds her to be the perfect partner on the dance floor and believes she’ll be the perfect business partner, too. But a series of mix-ups could put an end to everything they’ve started—personally and professionally.

The description of this novella sounded playful and clever and, having read several other books by this author, I knew she wouldn’t let me down. As a wine lover, I awarded bonus points for the setting.

Main character Romy made an appearance in the first book of the Keystone Couples series, and I was thrilled to see her at center stage this time around. Everyone knows it’s difficult to keep restaurants staffed, and even more of a challenge to find competent, loyal employees. Romy goes into crisis mode when her sommelier walks out not only hours before she’s hosting a big event that could bring in more customers, but also the day before Valentine’s Day. Talk about a slimy guy. Rick Santucci is a local vintner hoping to expand his business and get his wines into more restaurants. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?

Misunderstandings, misidentifications, and miscommunications result in a humorous, but delightful situation that had me snickering while I enjoyed a glass of my favorite red wine. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read, look no further. It’s perfect not only for Valentine’s day, but any time of year.

No Such Luck by Staci Troilo #shortstory #romance #Christmas #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews42 Comments

Seeds of luck usually wither. The rare one grows and blooms.

Piper Seidel has one thing going for her—a red carnation given to her by Tommy Burnett in the tenth grade. It might have dried over the years, but it’s still her good luck charm. Losing it sets her life in a downward spiral, forcing her to return to her hometown where she comes face to face with her high school crush.

The years have been kind to Tommy, who looks better than ever. Unfortunately, Piper is at her worst, continually embarrassing herself whenever he’s around. The only plus? Her long-time friend, Jack Rhodes, still lives in town. Since she last saw him, his legs have grown longer, his biceps thicker, and his shoulders broader. He was always the brother she never had, but now she can’t help noticing him in an unsisterly way. Jack is every bit as caring as he’s ever been—until her bad luck drives him away, maybe forever.

Piper needs a new good luck charm, and fast, before she loses her final chance at happiness.

I’d seen several excerpts of this story during the author’s blog tour, and when I found myself with a free hour, I dove into this novella.

Poor Piper. Her Christmas vacation begins early when she loses her job and decides to go ahead and make the trip to her father’s house. Her day doesn’t get any better when she runs into her high school crush at the grocery store – and then learns she wasn’t exactly looking her best at the time. Things take a turn for the better when her long-time friend Jack shows up and takes her to drown her sorrows in beer and pizza.

I chuckled over situations Piper finds herself in and then wanted to bop her over the head to make her come to her senses and see what was right in front of her. Of course she has to learn the hard way that sometimes things we build up in our mind can have very different realities. This is a heart-warming, sweet romance (and I love that it’s set during Christmas) with fully-fleshed characters that can easily be read in an hour. I recommend grabbing a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and settling in with this feel-good tale.

The Jasmine Project by Meredith Ireland #bookreview #YA #contemporary #romanticcomedy #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews17 Comments

Jenny Han meets The Bachelorette in this effervescent romantic comedy about a teen Korean American adoptee who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a competition for her heart, as orchestrated by her overbearing, loving family.

Jasmine Yap’s life is great. Well, it’s okay. She’s about to move in with her long-time boyfriend, Paul, before starting a nursing program at community college—all of which she mostly wants. But her stable world is turned upside down when she catches Paul cheating. To her giant, overprotective family, Paul’s loss is their golden ticket to showing Jasmine that she deserves much more. The only problem is, Jasmine refuses to meet anyone new.

But…what if the family set up a situation where she wouldn’t have to know? A secret Jasmine Project.

The plan is simple: use Jasmine’s graduation party as an opportunity for her to meet the most eligible teen bachelors in Orlando. There’s no pressure for Jasmine to choose anyone, of course, but the family hopes their meticulously curated choices will show Jasmine how she should be treated. And maybe one will win her heart.

But with the family fighting for their favorites, bachelors going rogue, and Paul wanting her back, the Jasmine Project may not end in love but total, heartbreaking disaster. 

Yes, you’re at the right blog. I read a romantic comedy. If you regularly read my reviews, you know this isn’t a typical genre for me. For whatever reason, when the publisher sent me a widget I decided to play outside my usual sandbox and give it a try. After finishing this delightful book, I would have kicked myself if I’d passed it up.

Recent high school graduate Jasmine has dated Paul the pig (my name for him – trust me, it’s well-deserved) for the past four years – they even have plans to move in together when college starts. While the early years might have been happier, Paul now points out skinny burritos on the menu at a restaurant they frequent (and she’s never enjoyed) and suggests she order diet sodas. And now you agree with my nickname for him. After a hurtful incident occured in middle school, Jasmine’s self-esteem plummeted so far that she considers herself lucky to have her pig boyfriend and plans to pursue a career in a profession that’s considered more stable instead of her dream of becoming a chef. Stability and safety have become her mantra.

Enter her ginormous (50+ strong – and that doesn’t count all the cousins), intrusive, well-intentioned family. They reminded me of the family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I adored them all. They want Jasmine to learn her worth, to see herself as they do and realize that she deserves so much more. Naturally the way to do that is to screen teen bachelors until they come up with three worthy candidates to date her. It’s not difficult to figure out what happens when their well-meaning intentions spiral out of control. At least their hearts are in the right place.

From the first page, I adored Jasmine’s voice and laughed out loud so many times at her internal thoughts. Some chapters are first person in her POV, but several chapters are the text conversations between her family concerning the contest – utterly hilarious. This novel has so many important messages for teens and adults alike – pursuing your dreams, living life instead of watching from the sidelines, valuing yourself, and not conforming to someone else’s expectations just to name a few.

From start to finish, The Jasmine Project is a charming, entertaining read – an outstanding debut by this author. I’d be shocked if someone doesn’t snatch this up for a movie. I’d recommend this to fans of romantic comedies and readers like myself who want to step outside their comfort zone. Easily a crossover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ember of Night by Molly E. Lee #bookreview #YA #paranormal

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews27 Comments

I am a weed.

Unloved by my abusive, alcoholic dad. Unwanted by my classmates. Unnoticed by everyone else.

But I’d suffer anything to give my kid sister a better life—the minute I turn eighteen, I’m getting us the hell out of here. And some hot stranger telling me I am the key to stopping a war between Heaven and Hell isn’t going to change that.

Let the world crumble and burn, for all I care.

Draven is relentless, though. And very much a liar. Every time his sexy lips are moving, I can see it—in the dip of his head, the grit of his jaw—even if my heart begs me to ignore the signs.

So what does he want?

I need to figure it out fast, because now everyone is gunning for me. And damn if I don’t want to show them what happens when you let weeds thrive in the cracks of the pavement…

We can grow powerful enough to shatter the whole foundation.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal novel, and I liked main character Harley’s voice in the description – determined, stubborn, and protective of her sister.

The way Harley has been treated throughout most of her life – physically and verbally abused by her father – would be enough to shut down almost anyone. But she has her little sister to protect and a plan to get both of them away from him when Harley turns eighteen. She works for Nathan at his restaurant, and he’s a bright spot both in this novel and in the girls’ lives, offering them food, love, and a safe place to stay when needed. The sister bond between Harley and Ray is also a strong point of the story and the driving force behind most everything Harley does. She’s a survivor.

I’ve never been a fan of insta-love, but that generally comes with the territory in YA paranormal books, and it happens here from nearly the first page. The on-again, off-again, you-should-stay-away-from-me-I’m-dangerous push and pull between Harley and Draven will no doubt delight many readers, but it was the world-building that interested me. Throughout the story it’s evident Harley is something other than human and is only beginning to come into her powers. I liked watching her learn about the fantasy world she’s suddenly a part of – she can roll with the punches both figuratively and literally because there are also several exciting fight scenes that are done well.

The ending brings a pretty shocking cliffhanger and lays groundwork for book two. Ember of Night deals with some disturbing topics, and the author gives trigger warnings at the beginning which readers should absolutely take into account before deciding to proceed. Although tropey, this is an engaging read I’d recommend to devoted paranormal fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NewRelease Eternal Road: The Final Stop by John W. Howell #IndieAuthor

On By Teri PolenIn Promotions65 Comments

New Book Launch – Eternal Road – The final stop.

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author John Howell to tell us about his new release, Eternal Road!  John is a big supporter of other authors and also keeps us entertained with one of my favorite weekly posts – the adventures of Lucy and Twiggy, a couple of my favorite furry friends.  Over to you, John!

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Teri, and thank you for helping me launch this book. I know you are getting ready for Bad Moon Rising and I appreciate being here with you today. Speaking of the book, let me describe it. Eternal Road is the story of two people finding their way through the selection process leading to the place where one will spend eternity. Yes, it is true. They both have passed away. James Wainwright just died in an auto accident. Samantha Tourneau died seventeen years before. Sam is James’s guide to help him decide where to spend eternity. This is not your usual thriller or paranormal romance. It is a piece of fiction that is a combination of inspiration, adventure, time travel, sci-fi, a touch of erotica, and a dash of spiritual. In short, it is a lot of things, but hopefully, a story that will make you happy to have read it.

It is now available on Amazon in paper and Kindle. The Kindle edition is introductory priced at 99¢ until October 15th

Here is the universal link

Kindle

Paper

The blurb

James Wainwright picks up a hitchhiker and discovers two things 1. The woman he picks up is his childhood sweetheart, only Seventeen years older. 2. He is no longer of this world.

James began a road trip alone in his 1956 Oldsmobile. He stops for a hitchhiker only to discover she is his childhood sweetheart, Sam, who disappeared seventeen years before. James learns from Sam falling asleep miles back caused him to perish in a one-car accident. He also comes to understand that Sam was taken and murdered all those years ago, and now she has come back to help him find his eternal home.

The pair visit a number of times and places and are witness to a number of historical events. The rules dictate that they do no harm to the time continuum. Trying to be careful, they inadvertently come to the attention of Lucifer, who would love to have their souls as his subjects. They also find a threat to human survival and desperately need to put in place the fix necessary to save humankind.

The question becomes, will James find his eternal home in grace or lose the battle with Satan for his immortal soul and the future of human life with it? If you like time-travel, adventure, mystery, justice, and the supernatural, this story is for you.

An Excerpt

Though Sam’s revelation has left James reeling, they continue down the road without saying anything. James looks over, and Samantha turns from staring out the window. She smiles and says, “You okay?”

“As long as I’m with you.” He gives her one of those smiles that beg for reassurance.

“Don’t you worry. No way would I leave you alone. Do you know how long I had to wait to come and get you?”

“No. How long?”

“I was seven when I died and then had to wait for another seventeen years.”

“Do the years pass at the same time … ?” James pauses to pick the right word. “Uh, over there?”

“You mean over here. This is the new reality right here and now.”

“But it looks like we’re still in my Olds driving down the road.”

“I know it seems that way. You see, there’s a waiting period for you to get used to your new status.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“I’ve never done this until now. I have to say, though, the instructions for handling such a thing have proven amazingly specific and useful so far.”

“So, does time pass the same?”

“That’s hard to answer. For instance, you prayed for … what? … Around ten years? Did it seem like ten years?”

“No.”

“Then you can feel what it’s like. Time is relative. I didn’t think about how long it took for you to die. It just happened, and I’m here to take care of you.”

“When you died, did it hurt?”

“No, I didn’t feel anything. Like you, I wasn’t aware of what happened. It just happened.”

“Who came to take care of you?”

“Such a blessing. My grandma. She died when I was still a little baby. The first thing I remember is being in her arms. It was wonderful.”

“Do you see her? I mean, over here?”

“I do. It’s funny, though. Gran’s real busy, and we don’t get to see each other as often as I would want. She’s one of the baby handlers.”

“Baby handlers?”

“Hey, look up ahead. There’s a general store. Let’s stop. I have a hankering for a cold drink.”

The trailer

John’s bio

John is an award-winning author who, after an extensive business career, began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written five other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback versions are also available in the Indie Lector store

John lives in Lakeway, Texas, with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.

Contact John

Blog Fiction Favorites, http://johnwhowell.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241
Twitter –https://www.twitter.com/HowellWave
Goodreads –https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751796.John_W_Howell
Amazon Author’s page –https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell

John’s other books

My GRL,
His Revenge
Our Justice
Circumstances of Childhood
The Contract: between heaven and earth