Friday, May 31, 2013

Review Sea Glass Island by: Sherryl Woods

Title: Sea Glass Island
Author: Sherryl Woods
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 384
Series: Ocean Breeze #3
Format: ebook ARC
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Description:

With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won't take no for an answer.

My Thoughts:  

This book follows the last single Castle girl Samantha who has her eye on the local war hero doctor Dr. Ethan Cole.  The problem is that Ethan seems to not want anything to do with Samantha.  That stems from being burned by his ex-fiance Lisa who didn't consider the war hero a real man when he lost half his leg.

Cora Jane and Emily team up with Gabi and Boone to try to get Samantha her man even if they both fight it with everything they have.  Which leads them to some interesting scenarios.  What we find out is that Samantha's career is all but dead no big jobs coming her way and Samantha really has no desire to go back to New York, so she puts her passions into other things like opening a playhouse to work with kids to put on performances.

Along with this is helping Emily and Boone get ready for their big day.  And a innocent prank lead to a whole lot of drama in this book.  It seems Jodi Farmer isn't done messing with her son-in-law and takes a compromising picture of Samantha and Ethan which creates all sorts of issues.

This book was full of everything that is great about Sherryl Woods her ability to weave a story with so many characters and to keep everything seperate so you know where people are at and not at, that is a great storyteller.  I thoroughly enjoyed going back to Sand Castle Bay this one last time, unless of course she writes more but only time will tell.  One of my favorite go to authors!
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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Review Ring In The Dead by: J.A. Jance

Title: Ring In The Dead
Author: J.A. Jance
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 100
Series: J.P. Beaumont #20.5
Format: ebook ARC
Source: Edelweiss
Purchase: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Description:

J. P. Beaumont may be an old homicide hand now, but back when he was a rookie working with his first partner, Milton Gurkey—a.k.a. Pickles—things took a turn for the worse . . .

One day, at the end of Beaumont and Pickles's shift, a stop at the Doghouse restaurant quickly turns deadly. Not feeling well, Pickles steps out into the parking lot for a breath of fresh air and stumbles into a crime in progress. Suffering from a heart attack, he is found unconscious, with a dead woman on the ground nearby and the murder weapon in his hand.

With Pickles under investigation from Internal Affairs, it's up to the new kid on the block, J. P. Beaumont, and his friends on the force to find out the truth.


My Thoughts: 

This was a great read to go back to J.P. Beaumont who gets a visit from Milton Gurkey's daughter calls with something to give Beau which J.P. is known as.   He gets the story that Pickles was writing before he died and finds out what Pickles was writing about a crime that happened back when Beau was a rookie homicide cop  and they investigated a murder/suicide and while at dinner Pickles goes outside and discovers a crime that his gun became part of while having suffering a heart attack and Beau has to use his resources to find out who committed the crime or risk loosing his partner to jail.

It was a great story to learn about Beau prior to the S.H.I.T. squad and what he went through, being new to homicide and having a partner that was less than thrilled to get the rookie.  What a great novella that draws people back to Seattle to visit with J.P and see what he has been up to!
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Review Piece of My Heart by: Lynn Maddalena Menna

Title: Piece of My Heart
Author: Lynn Maddalena Menna
Publisher: Merit Press
Pages: 239
Format: Paperback
Source: Sent by Publisher for Review
Purchase: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Description:


Still in high school, Marisol Reyes gets the chance of a lifetime to be a real singer, and she leaps at it. After all, this is the dream she held on to, all the days and nights she spent growing up on means streets of East Harlem. Marisol never gave in--no matter what her boyfriend or her best friend had to say. Who cares if only one in a hundred pretty, talented girls make it? She will be the one. In her rush to fame, Marisol tramples on the heart of her loyal best friend, and Julian, the boy she loves. But will it be worth it?

One night at a private gig in the Hamptons, the little Latino girl with the big voice from East Harlem gets a severe reality check. A famous rapper who claims to be interested in her talents turns out to be interested in something else, threatening not only Marisol's dreams but her body and soul. Will the realities of the gritty New York music scene put out the stars in Marisol's eyes forever?

My Thoughts:

Sometimes growing up can be very hard especially when you are waiting for your big musical break.  Marisol spends her time performing gigs with her friends Cisco and Randy waiting for the right agent to find her and make her a star, what she forgets is that the road to music comes with a price tag and can she handle the price?

First she ends up ditching her friends too much and they show their anger at her new found stardom, then she records a song with Diego Salazar she goes on two dates with him unknown to her he has no female attraction.  Then there is Blend who is a huge agent and clothing designer, but something about Blend rubs Marisol the wrong way.  Is it her or is there something going on with Blend that she knows nothing about?

There is also the fact that Marisol is still trying to find her way living with her stepmother Lola and their pet Cha-Cha.  Since her father's death it's been Marisol and Lola and feeling weird at the fact that she lives with her stepmother with her mother running off on baby Marisol.

I found this book great and refreshing with music as the big interest, plus the relationship wtih Lola and Marisol.  While they are only related from her father they have a great connection when it comes to parent-child relationship.  I also liked how Marisol learned alot about music and growing up she may not have known had she not met some interesting characters.  I also loved how she went with what worked for her in the end!
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Escaping Darkness by: Theresa McClinton

Title: Escaping Darkness
Author: Theresa McClinton
Publisher: Kindle Edition
Format: ebook
Series: Stone Legacy #1.5
Source: Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Description:


She may have spent years in an asylum, but that didn’t make her crazy–just fearless.

Dropped in Moscow with her friends on an impossible mission against underworld forces, Tara is left to her feelings of overwhelming inadequacy. Her boyfriend is a healer, her best friend is “the Guardian,” and everyone else is a powerhouse of awesome strengths. The only thing she has been able to contribute are her memories, which has left her with nightmares of her time spent at the mercy of the evil Sarian–who everyone has gone to fight.

Alone with her emotions, Tara finds herself falling into a city of depravity and corruption. And amidst all this evil is a young man with an agenda of his own, who leads her down a road that will either prove she is a hero at heart, or drag her into a world she’s always feared.

He wants revenge, she wants redemption. And in an underground rings of missing girls and bloody sacrifices, only the fearless can survive…



a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Thoughts: 

This was an incredible novella in the continuation of The Stone Legacy in this book Tara is all mixed up between vivid nightmares of past memories of torture being performed on her,  on top of not being able to eat much or digest much at all.  She meets up with Malachi who needs help freeing girls who are being collected as part of a drug trafficking ring.  

What we learn is that Malachi's sister is being held by this drug leader, and he has to kill the drug leader in order to free his sister so he uses Tara to help free his sister.  This book had so much going on between what was happening with Tara, plus her relationship with Peter and the drug ring.  Definitely a great continuation of The Stone Legacy can't wait to see what is next!
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Review Too Good To Be True by: Kristan Higgins

Title: Too Good To Be True
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 379
Format: ebook
Source: Purchase
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Description:

When Grace Emerson's ex-fiancé starts dating her younger sister, extreme measures are called for. To keep everyone from obsessing about her love life, Grace announces that she's seeing someone. Someone wonderful. Someone handsome. Someone completely made up. Who is this Mr. Right? Someone...exactly unlike her renegade neighbor, Callahan O'Shea. Well, someone with his looks, maybe. His hot body. His knife-sharp sense of humor. His smarts and big heart.

Whoa. No. Callahan O'Shea is not her perfect man! Not with his unsavory past. So why does Mr. Wrong feel so...right?

My Thoughts: 

Grace Emerson has spent so many years inventing a boyfriend to be ex-boyfriend.  When she attends a wedding she yet again creates a new boyfriend Dr. Wyatt Dunn a pediatric surgeon, she knows it is wrong but sometimes it's easier to live in fantasy land then face the fact that finding a boyfriend isn't easy.

When Grace finally decides to hook up with Callahan O'Shea even though he has a shady past, what she learns is that sometimes telling a lie isn't always a good thing.  This book was so much fun Grace a history teacher and spends her spare time re-enacting wars in various times in history.

Also in this book we learn about Grace's connection to her baby sister Natalie and how Natalie has had things perfectly handed to her, her looks, charm, and Grace's ex-fiance and Grace thinks she is ok with it until Andrew the ex from hell makes a pass at Grace and she decides she doesn't need the Geeky Andrew when she has a real man like Callahan. 

I enjoyed this book so much and was a great book to read over Memorial Day.  Can't say enough great things about Kristan's writing abiltiy!
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Sunday, May 26, 2013

Review Just One of The Guys by: Kristan Higgins

Title: Just One of The Guys
Author: Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 301
Format: Nook ebook
Source: Purchase

Description:

Being one of the guys isn't all it's cracked up to be...So when journalist Chastity O'Neill returns to her hometown, she decides it's time to start working on some of those feminine wiles. Two tiny problems: #1--she's five feet eleven inches of rock-solid girl power, and #2--she's cursed with four alpha male older brothers.

While doing a story on local heroes, she meets a hunky doctor and things start to look up. Now there's only one problem: Trevor Meade, her first love and the one man she's never quite gotten over--although he seems to have gotten over her just fine.

Yet the more time she spends with Dr. Perfect, the better Trevor looks. But even with the in-your-face competition, the irresistible Trevor just can't seem to see Chastity as anything more than just one of the guys....


My Thoughts: 

I love Kristan Higgin's ability to write romance that includes humor and drama.  This one follows the O'Neill's with four boys in the family no wonder Chastity has always been one of the guys.  The one guy she likes tries his hardest to let Chastity go so she can  find someone who will be with her even if Trevor can't commit but that isn't what Chastity wants she doesn't want complacent she wants the curl your toes love that only Trevor can give her!

What an incredible story I am always a fan of the ability to write romance with realistic characters that jump out and could be your neighbors or friends from school!
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Cover Reveal Toni Aleo's Falling For The Backup



Title: Falling for the Backup: An Assassins Series Novella
Author: Toni Aleo
Publisher: Loveswept – Random House |  June 24, 2013  |  $0.99


Toni Aleo’s sexy new eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third.

After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is until the hottest guy she’s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and charms her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guy the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers?

Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the ice—finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if he’d ever play pro hockey again, he’s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a pretty—okay, beautiful—girl on a plane shouldn’t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, he’s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.

Pre-order Falling for the Backup
Amazon  Barnes & Noble  |  iBookstore  |  Random House and Other Retailers

Connect with Toni
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Monday, May 20, 2013

Book Spotlight: The Spellcaster's Grimore


 


Book Trailer:
The Spellcaster's Grimoire Mark All ImaJinn Books Paranormal Thriller
The Spellcaster's Grimoire Bestselling witchcraft author Trish Sinclair has a shameful secret: she’s a lousy spellcaster, and the spells in her books belong to others. So when a dying warlock entrusts her with an ancient and powerful grimoire, she runs for her life from his murderer, psychotic witch Kate Cavanaugh. Kate pursues Trish relentlessly to obtain the grimoire, which holds spells to command the fearsome power of a magic crystal hidden in town—and Kate is determined to have that power. When the town coven refuses to help Trish protect the grimoire, she is forced to turn to cynical warlock Aidan McCarthy, who has a secret agenda of his own, and Rain Devereaux, a novice witch whose spellcasting abilities are even worse than Trish’s. As Kate unleashes the elemental might of tornados and ice storms on the trio, they desperately struggle to defeat her. But Kate is too powerful, and she manages to steal the grimoire and unearth the crystal. Trish knows Kate will use the stone’s power to exact her deadly revenge on Aidan and the town coven unless Trish can manifest her latent magical abilities to save them.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

-------------------------------------------------------------


Mark AllMark All is the author of paranormal thrillers The Spellcaster’s Grimoire and Mystic Witch, published by ImaJinn Books in trade paperback and eBook formats. He has won two international writing awards and contributed to Computer Legends, Lies & Lore. Mystic Witch received a 5 Star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild, and 3½ stars (out of 4½ possible stars) from RT Book Reviews. Mark is a full-time author after a career as an instructional systems designer at a Fortune 16 company. Prior to his work in computer-based training, he held jobs ranging from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist. Mark presents writing workshops and taught his “Planning Your Novel” course at the Spruill Center for the Arts. He earned a Masters degree in computer-based education and a Bachelor of Music cum laude. You can visit Mark All’s website at www.MarkAllAuthor.com.
Connect & Socialize with Mark!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Stacking The Shelves #1

This is a meme created and hosted by Tynga's Reviews where blogger can spotlight books they have received in the mail.  While I've read alot of STS this is the first time I will be participating.  So here's what I got this week.

Purchased:

 These books help me to finish The Beautiful Creatures series which I have been dying to finish and see what happens after the crazy cliff hanger, and Clockwork Prince and Princess to finish off The Infernal Devices, for this one I may have to go back and re-read Clockwork Angel.
 For Review: 


These books I got mainly through NetGalley and Edelweiss except for Sight Reading which was sent from Harper.  So thank you to Harper for a great book to read.

What great books do you have to stack your shelves with?

Friday, May 17, 2013

Never Say Pie by: Carol Culver

Title: Never Say Pie
Author: Carol Culver
Publisher: Midnight Ink Books
Pages: 261
Series: A Pie Shop Mystery #2
Format: ebook Arc
Source: NetGalley

Description:

It’s summertime in Crystal Cove, California, and sales are brisk at the outdoor Food Fair. There’s fresh bread, artisan cheese, gourmet cupcakes, plus Hanna’s delicious pies. When despised local food critic Heath Barr is found stabbed to death, no one is sorry to hear the news—except perhaps Hanna, the main suspect. It doesn’t help that Hanna’s high school crush is the police chief. Hanna must track down a killer while up to her elbows in pie dough.

My Thoughts:

This book picked up real quick when local pie maker Hanna and a bunch of local of folks of different abilities, a cupcake maker, a chicken grower, meat grower and cheese maker to say the least are all ripped apart by Heath Barr a local food critic, there are so many suspects and finding out who did it will take a lot of detective work.  Many people were hurt by the local critic’s opinion of their work.  Was it the local merchants who were insulted?  Or someone who paid off the food critic?  Many possibilities.  Add to the mix Hanna’s relationship with the local chief of police.  Hanna finds herself in hot water everything from a toss into a pool, to breaking and entering, what’s a girl to do?  This was a great new mystery series that I definitely will be following.  Can’t wait to see what Ms. Culver bakes up next!
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Drop Dead on Recall by: Sheila Webster Boneham

Title: Drop Dead on Recall
Author: Sheila Webster Boneham
Pages: 408
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Series: An Animal in Focus #1
Format: Ebook Arc
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Dogs, cats, and murderous misdeeds

Animal photographer and dog show handler Janet MacPhail knows it’s the sure-footed, finely trained canine competitors that steal the attention in the obedience ring. But all eyes are on widely disliked star handler Abigail Dorn when she falls down dead at the drop on recall command with her border collie, Pip, an Obedience Trial Champion.

Janet suspects foul play when she uncovers a bitter rivalry between Abby and Suzette, the owner of Fly, Pip’s top-ranking competitor. Balancing her dementia-afflicted mother, threats aimed at her beloved pets, and a flirty-hunk dog handler, Janet investigates as another mur¬der takes place. And her nosing around reveals an ugly scandal in the dog show circuit.



My Thoughts:

This book was sent to me via NetGalley for a honest and fair review.  This is the story of Janet and what is happening in her circle of dog lover friends when Abigail Dorn falls dead, it's up to Janet to find out what is going on.  There is alot of cat and mouse with this book.  Someone is targeting Janet of what she might know and what she might not realize that she knows.

I loved this book was great that no animals got severely hurt in this book.  While the owners of some of the animals...well some just wound up dead regardless.  This book also introduced you into the world of show dogs and dog breeding that you may not know about but as I was reading I wound up learning alot about them.
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New Cover Reveal: After The Kiss by: Lauren Layne



After the Kiss: The Stiletto Series
Lauren Layne
Loveswept  |  August 26, 2013


In the first book of a delightful new series from Lauren Layne, the star columnist of Stiletto magazine will do anything for a story. Anything . . . except fall in love.

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants.

Connect with Loveswept and Lauren:
ReadLoveswept.com Lauren's Website  |  Lauren on Twitter

Pre-order After the Kiss:
Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBookstore  |  Random House and other retailers

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Chemistry of Fate by: Meradeth Houston

Title: The Chemistry of Fate
Author: Meradeth Houston
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Format: ebook
Source: Author Requested Book Tour

Description:


“They are everywhere, can be anyone, and are always the last person you’d expect.” When Tom stumbles across his grandfather’s journal, he’s convinced the old man was crazier than he thought. The book contains references to beings called the Sary, immortals who are assigned to save humans on the verge of suicide. They certainly aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Which the journal claims Tom’s grandfather did, resulting in his expulsion from the Sary. As strange as the journal seems, Tom can’t get the stories out of his head; especially when he finds the photo of his grandfather’s wings.

Tom’s only distraction is Ari, the girl he studies with for their chemistry class.

Ari has one goal when she arrives in town: see how much Tom knows about the Sary and neutralize the situation. This isn’t a normal job, but protecting the secrecy of the Sary is vital. If Tom is a threat to exposing the Sary to the public, fate has a way of taking care of the situation, usually ending with the mortal’s death. While Ari spends time with Tom, he becomes more than just an assignment, but how far can a relationship go when she can’t tell him who she really is? When she finds out just how much Tom actually knows about the Sary, Ari is forced to choose between her wings, and her heart.

My Thoughts:

In this book we meet Tom who has found his grandfather's journal and is trying to make sense of what his Grandfather wrote about.  Of course Tom has trouble making sense of the ramblings.  Tom also meets Ari a girl in his class who offers to become a study buddy of his.

Ari is on a mission where she needs to find out how much Tom knows about the Sary and whether he is a threat to their existence.  What she doesn't count on is falling for him.  The more she is around him the more she feels things in her heart she shouldn't.  She has had other missions with humans and never had to worry about her heart getting in the way.  Something about Tom is different then other guys she has come across.

This book was great story about the mystery of the Sary and the relationship between Tom and Ari.  I really enjoyed learning about his grandfather and what he knew, and the fact that his grandfather had wings too.

Definitely a great paranormal others will enjoy especially if you've read Colors Like Memories unlike that one this one predates that story, but again it's involving the Sary and falling in love, and ultimately having to choose between having wings or following your heart.  
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Case of Redemption by: Adam Mitzner

Title: A Case of Redemption
Author: Adam Mitzner
Publisher: Gallery Books A Division of Simon & Schuster
Pages: 317
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: FSB Media

Description:


Acclaimed thriller author Adam Mitzner returns with the gripping tale of a high-profile attorney recovering from a personal tragedy who’s drawn back into the courtroom—and a media firestorm— in the biggest murder trial in a decade.

Dan Sorensen was once a high-powered New York City defense attorney . . . but that was before a horrifying accident killed the two people in his life who meant the most, plunging him into a downward spiral. As he approaches rock bottom, Dan is unexpectedly offered the opportunity of a lifetime: defend an up-and-coming rapper in a murder trial on the front page of every newspaper. Although his client swears he’s innocent of the brutal slaying of his pop star girlfriend, proving it will not be easy, especially because he’s suspected of bragging about the crime in one of the hottest songs in the country.

Unsure that he’s ready to handle such a high-stakes case, Dan realizes that this chance to save a man he believes has been falsely accused of murder just may be his last and only hope to put his own life back on track and achieve redemption for his past sins. But as Dan delves deeper and deeper into the case, he learns that atonement comes at a very steep price. A powerful and riveting new voice in fiction, Adam Mitzner pulls out all the stops in his follow-up to the highly acclaimed A Conflict of Interest. A Case of Redemption is a gritty, sophisticated thriller that will draw fans of Scott Turow and John Grisham into a world of relentless suspense.

My Thoughts: 

Dan Sorensen is living the life of a dead man for all intensive purposes his wife is dead his daughter is dead in a fatal car accident, he left his high profile lawyer career and now wallows in his misery with a good scotch!  

When he meets Nina Harrington and promises her to meet Legally Dead a rap artist who's on trial for murder.  Things arise that make Dan question whether his client is guilty or innocent.  Did he really kill his girlfriend with a baseball bat as his hit song claims or is he innocent as he claims?

Mixed in with this book is watching Dan overcome his grief and move on from his late wife.  He's becoming more in control of his drinking and doing somewhat more normal things than he was in the beginning of the book. No longer seeking scotch to make things better, he actually can get through the day without wallowing in his heartache.

This book had so many twists and turns and points where the defense was headed no where in reality it was all over the place, and I couldn't have predicted that ending at all, what a great story teller Mr. Mitzner is this is the second book I've read by him and again he had me guessing up til the end!  Well Done!
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Born in Sin by: Camelia Miron Skiba

Title: Born in Sin
Author: Camelia Miron Skiba
Publisher: self
Series: Dacian Legends #2
Format: ebook
Source: Author Book Tour

Description:

Loathing the thought of his beloved Oriana in the arms of another man, fearless Zyraxes delivers death upon the Roman enemy. With only the rugged land as his bed and the sky as his blanket, trouble finds him often.

Summoned to aid Oriana’s father in the war against two powerful enemies—one of them Oriana's savage husband—Zyraxes proves himself worthy of more than just noble titles and coin. But he wants none of it. What he wants is her.

When Zyraxes discovers a broken and nearly dead Oriana, though forbidden, he disregards her father's orders to leave her to her death, and instead chooses to protect and conceal her. Will saving her be enough to win her heart? Will his part royal lineage make him worthy of her love?

My Thoughts: 

This book pretty much picks up where the previous book ended with the Roman's and Dacian's teaming up together to destroy the Saxon.  This one is told from Zyraxes point of view which was different than Born in Vengeance which was told from Illias's point of view.   The war is raging and people are dying and Zyraxes ends falling for Oriana which is definitely different reading about romances from the boy/man's point of view usually it's the girls we read about so it's refreshing to see it from a male prospective.

I love the way Ms. Skiba is able to weave these great stories involving history, wars, romance and to be able to serve up a book everyone is eager to swallow whole.  I look forward to seeing where her next book takes us.  Such a great story to be shared worldwide.  I think people who love historical fiction, historical romance, war themed, etc will find these books a refreshing change! 
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Born in Sin by: Camella Miron Skiba Book Spotlight and Giveaway

Book Title: Born in Vengeance
Series: The Dacian Legends Bk 1 
Author: Camela Miron Skiba 
Publisher: self Release 
Date: May 30th 
Genre(s): Historical Drama/Romance

Book Blurb:

Legend has it … centuries after Spartacus another hero is born—Ilias, the bastard son of King Decebalus. Thirsty for revenge and eager to unshackle the Roman oppression, Ilias’ obsession to fulfill his oath has no bounds, even if that means kidnapping Nerva, the beloved daughter of Emperor Traianus. What he doesn’t know is his own heart threatens to betray his conscience.

What will prevail: his mind or his heart?

Contest Giveaway:
For the contest please reply in comments with your email address and I will pick a winner at random. This is a contest for an ebook of Born in Vengeance and a ebook of I was here -- before you came. This contest is open to residents in the USA. 


Author Bio:

-->
Who I was yesterday … I’m no longer today, nor will I be tomorrow. 
Each day I grow a little. I stumble, get up, and learn something.
 I wish and dream and want and look to the future.

Who I am is not important, but what I leave behind is.

Copyright © 2013 CAMELIA MIRON SKIBA

WEBSITE:      LOVE. WTHOUT YOU        http://authorcameliamironskiba.com/
E-MAIL:         authorcameliamironskiba@gmail.com
TWITTER: @CamiSkiba
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:          Camelia Miron Skiba

Born in Vengeance by: Camelia Miron Skiba

Title: Born in Vengeance
Author: Camelia Miron Skiba
Publisher: Self
Series: Dacian Legends #1
Format: ebook
Source: Author Requested Tour

Description:

Legend has it … centuries after Spartacus another hero is born—Ilias, the bastard son of King Decebalus. Thirsty for revenge and eager to unshackle the Roman oppression, Ilias’ obsession to fulfill his oath has no bounds, even if that means kidnapping Nerva, the beloved daughter of Emperor Traianus. What he doesn’t know is his own heart threatens to betray his conscience.

What will prevail: his mind or his heart?

My Thoughts: 

This book was full of everything a bad enemy that Illias' has wanted dead after the death of his father, mother and sister.  A beautiful princess kidnapped in the dead of night, by Illias and his men.  Hoping that kidnapping her would get Emperor Traianus's attention to finish what was started long ago.

What Illias didn't count on was developing feelings for a Roman Princess or what she would feel the same way.  When the Emporer finally decides to deal with Illias instead of a messenger he sends himself to broker a deal with Illias for a temporary truce long enough to defeat the Saxon.  What an incredible novella definitely had all the great makings of a full size book with half the pages.  I really enjoyed learning about the various characters introduced and what happened to get them where they were.  What a gripping first in a new series!
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Friday, May 10, 2013

In The Matter of Nikola Telsa: A Romance of The Mind by: Anthony Flacco

Title: In the Matter of Nikola Telsa: A Romance of The Mind
Author: Anthony Flacco
Publisher: Diversion Books
Format: ebook
Source: Lightning Book Promotions

Description:


This fictionalized story of the true-life genius NIKOLA TESLA—arguably the most influential inventor in history—offers a "young-to-old" portrayal in the form of “A Romance of the Mind.” It reveals his impassioned inner life and his secret love for Karina, the muse no one else can see who brings him life-altering inspirations.

Karina may be invisible to others but she is exquisitely real to him. It is for her, for the life and the work that she shares with him, that this gallant, passionate man maintains a loner's life even when he is working among many others and subject to their constant temptations.

My Thoughts: 

This was definitely a different kind of book it follows young Nikola Tesla who's ill in bed with a severe fever and with this able to draw the ghost or image of a girl he loved Karina.  When he first does he thinks he's mad.  

He goes through his life with Karina by his side even though no one can see her but him.   Making you think there was more to Karina then what is mentioned it is a great story for those who are interested in Tesla, electricity, and the mysteriousness of his relationship with Karina and Tesla's life.  I really enjoyed this story and think others will as well!
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Dancing The Flame Chapter Reveal

Dancing in the Flame
Title of Book: DANCING IN THE FLAME
Genre: Spicy Paranormal Romance  
Author: Ann Gimpel  
Website: www.AnnGimpel.com  
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books  
SUMMARY:

Life in a were bordello is all Keira has ever known. Because of her mixed blood, none of the magicians’ guilds want her, or protested when the Weres bound her as an indentured hooker. Mired in the hopelessness of her dreams, Keira longs for more. Barrett, one of the Daoine Sidhe, runs a magician supply shop in what’s left of Seattle. No one is more surprised than he when the Sidhe leader commands him to extricate Keira from the weres. Magic and intrigue throw Keira and Barrett into one another’s arms. Convinced they have a job to do, they struggle against the heat of the passion between them. Until it gets way too hot to handle. 


Prologue
Barrett bent over, hands on his knees. His limbs were heavy, weighted with weariness. Even the mud-streaked asphalt looked tolerable as a place to lie down, assuming he found some cover. He strengthened the magic surrounding him and sucked air. The goddamned humans and their atomic weapons had poisoned the atmosphere. It would probably hasten the end of the war, but at what price? His gaze swept over an uninterrupted vista of gray. The sky, clouds, remaining buildings, and ground were the same depressing color. He didn’t have to try very hard to hear the Earth cry and curse her guardians, the Sidhe, for doing such a piss poor job of protecting her.
“The weres, druids, and witches are ready to talk. The fairies agreed to moderate.” A familiar voice sounded from behind him.
“Hmph. Nice of them to consent to parlay while there’s still something left to salvage.” Barrett straightened and turned to face Caelin. With the Daoine Sidhe queen long dead, he was their de facto leader. All the other Sidhe answered to the Daoine, so Caelin was responsible for thousands of them. Too bad he hadn’t thought of that before dragging them into the war…
Tall and wraith-thin Caelin looked about as trashed as Barrett felt. His shoulders sagged. Bright red hair had escaped his warrior braids and hung to his waist in tangles. His battle leathers drooped in tattered shreds. Bits of grit, leaves, and dirt mingled with everything. His sharp-boned face was streaked with grime. The only part of him which looked the same was his eyes: a deep, dark blue.
“Isn’t it, though?” Caelin’s customary sarcasm rang through. He spread his arms wide. “That last atomic blast decided things.”
“Maybe it’s for the best.” Barrett met Caelin’s gaze. “We’ve been fighting for close to ten years. If the humans hadn’t felt threatened and pulled out all the stops, this might have turned into a hundred year war—if any of us lived that long.”
Caelin snorted. “We coexisted with those bastards for thousands of years. The minute they got a whiff they weren’t the only ones on the planet, they overreacted.”
A corner of Barrett’s mouth twisted wryly. “You have to admit magic can be a bit off-putting for humans.”
“Well, they’ve fucked themselves. There won’t be very many left once the atomic dust settles.”
Barrett quirked a brow at his leader. “To borrow from your vernacular, they’ve managed to fuck us, too, by dying. We’re going to have to figure out how to keep things running without them.”
“Point taken. Be sure to toss it on the table when we draw up a Covenant with the other magic wielders.” Caelin shook his head. “Despite all our efforts, there are more weres left than any of the rest of us—”
“Only because they breed like rabbits.”
Caelin waved him to silence. “Be that as it may, we must secure their cooperation. Otherwise, our numbers are too small to maintain any semblance of civilization. There’s electricity, water, the Internet, the cellular system, and food.” He ticked them off on his fingers as he talked. “It’s fortunate enough structures are still standing to house most of those left.”
“Where and when is this meeting scheduled?” Barrett hoped he could catch a few hours of sleep. He’d been up for the better part of the last two days.
“It’s now. In the Opera House, since it’s mostly intact. Walk with me.” Caelin set off at a moderate pace.
Barrett caught up to him. His muscles ached. A headache pounded behind one eye. Normally, he would have used magic to ease both, but he was seriously depleted. What little remained of his power was focused on filtering the air before it entered his lungs. “I still wish—”
“Don’t say it. Even in my worn-out state I have enough magic left to read your thoughts.” Caelin’s jaw set in a hard line Barrett recognized only too well. The Daoine Sidhe leader had never liked being questioned, nor was he open to discussion about his decisions.
Fine. Read my thoughts then. You can pretend they don’t exist, but we both know differently. The loss of their queen, Ivanne, had heated the rift between weres and the Sidhe to a boiling point and proven disastrous. She’d been a skilled mediator, navigating difficult political waters with grace and skill. Caelin was a warrior. He saw the world in black and white. Convinced the weres had murdered Ivanne, he’d convened the Council, dominated it with his anger, and led the Sidhe to war. At first it was just Sidhe against weres. Then witches and druids jumped into the fray, some on one side, some on the other. The only magical beings who’d remained neutral were the fae and the fairies.
“The weres poisoned Ivanne. Her death demanded retribution.” The harsh gravel of Caelin’s voice broke into Barrett’s thoughts.
“That may be true.” Barrett grabbed Caelin’s upper arm and forced the other man to a standstill. “War never solved anything. Not in human history, or in ours, either.” He swung an arm wide. “Look. Just look what a mess we’ve made. It will take decades for Earth to recover, if she ever does. Deep within my soul, she reprimands me over and over for our part in the destruction.”
A sheepish look flitted across Caelin’s face. He ran a hand down it, distorting his features. “Glad I’m not the only one she nags.”
A brittle anger filled Barrett, setting his guts on fire. “We deserve to be nagged. More than nagged, we deserve to be chastised—”
“It’s not like I did this singlehandedly.” Caelin sounded defensive. “The weres could have capitulated anytime.”
Barrett let go of Caelin’s arm. He pounded a fist into his open palm. “Damn it! You know better. Weres never apologize. They’re constitutionally incapable of admitting they were wrong about anything. It’s their dual natures. The animal side takes over and—”
“Spare me.” Caelin’s hands settled on Barrett’s shoulders. Fingers dug in hard enough to make him wince. “If I made a mistake avenging Ivanne, it is water long passed under the bridge. Think, man. That was ten years ago. We must play the ball where it is today. There’s little enough of our royalty left. Here in the Americas, it is you and me. I must have you standing solidly beside me. The weres will sniff it out soon enough if we are not aligned with one another.”
Barrett blew out a breath. Annoyance scoured his nerves. He hated to admit it, but Caelin was right. If the war was finally over, the next task would be crafting a Covenant with terms advantageous to all Sidhe, not just the Daoine. And making certain it enlisted everyone’s aid healing the damage done to Earth.
He ducked from beneath Caelin’s hands, squared his shoulders, and swept straggling copper-colored hair out of his face. “You need have no fears on that front. You have always had my allegiance and support.” Of a height with Caelin, Barrett locked gazes with him. “You are a brilliant tactician. And a fearless warrior. I only wish you had a bit more in the way of warmth and compassion to temper things.”
A wry grin split Caelin’s face. He didn’t smile often. The effect was electrifying, bringing all his latent beauty to the forefront. He punched Barrett lightly. “I wish for a lot of things, too. Problem is I rarely get any of them.” He inclined his head in a mock bow. “After you.”
Chapter 1
Eleven Years Later
Keira opened a door in the were bordello where she lived and worked and peeked out into the long hallway spanning the first floor of the building. Empty. Good. It was the middle of the afternoon, always a slow time. Her last customer had just left. Maybe, if she snuck out the rear door, she could claim a few hours of freedom. She ducked back into the room she shared with one of the other indentured hookers, donned a cloak and boots, and walked down the hall, making as little noise as possible.
The air was crisper than she’d expected as she eased the door shut behind her. Keira wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she’d brought a warmer coat. Most of her working clothes were wispy and suggestive. At least she’d been smart enough to put on tattered jeans, a moth-eaten sweater, and her favorite black cloak. For once it wasn’t raining. A pallid sun hung midway to the western horizon, bathing what were once busy urban streets with sallow light.
Keira emptied her mind, trying not to feel she was playing hooky. It wasn’t as if the weres kept her prisoner… She glanced at her left arm. Under the sweater and cape, she could have sworn the indenture bracelet spanning her upper arm tightened. Who am I trying to kid? They can find me anytime they want.
She walked briskly through Seattle’s Queen Anne district. Keira had the streets to herself today, but then she usually did. Good thing, too. Those like her, mixed-blood magic wielders with minimal power, were at pretty much everyone else’s mercy. Bottom of the New World totem pole.
Her gaze swept over urban rot. Keira grimaced. Buildings still stood, some of them, anyway. But most of the glass had been rocked out. Piles of trash blocked the roadways. Cars were a thing of the past. Out-of-control garbage had obliterated the sidewalks long ago. Paths wound through it, carved by varieties of magic wielders and prowling beasts. She made a point of ignoring what was underfoot. Most of it was too gross to even consider. It was a damned shame so many humans had been wiped out during the war. They’d taken care of things like that.
She pretended to consider what to do with her freedom, knowing her deliberations were a sham. She’d do the same thing she always did: head for Barrett’s magician’s shop. Housed in a cavernous Victorian on lower Capitol Hill, it was only about an hour’s walk from the were bordello. With its dark wood furniture, Oriental carpets, and overflowing shelves, the shop exuded a homey atmosphere which was irresistible.
Face it. The thing which makes it so enticing is Barrett. Keira smiled to herself as she pictured the tall, broad-shouldered Daoine Sidhe with his thick, coppery hair and pale blue eyes. Beyond his obvious beauty, though, he seemed kind. Not that she’d ever exchanged more than a few words with him, but he had laugh lines in the corners of his eyes and she’d watched him interact with other customers. He was always helpful, doing that little bit extra to assist someone find something. There was still bad blood among magic wielders, but not in Barrett’s shop. Everyone was granted equal status there. Never mind Daoine Sidhe magic was far more powerful than were, fae, or witch. Druid magic barely counted; it was nearly as feeble as hers.
The first time she’d stumbled into Barrett’s shop, it was by accident. She’d gotten into a big blow up with Simon, one of the staff at Were Calls, for refusing to service a customer in his animal form. Simon slapped her, which was a big no-no; punishment was supposed to be delivered through her bracelet per the terms of her indenture.
Keira had never seen Simon quite so angry. She didn’t wait around to see what he would do next. Despite being in her hooker garb, including high heels, she’d raced out the door and ran until her arches ached. It hadn’t helped when the skies opened and it began to pour. Not knowing what else to do—because she was not going back to Were Calls until things cooled down or they zapped her through the bracelet—she’d opened her magic senses. They’d led her straight to Barrett’s shop. It was only a couple of blocks from where she’d stopped.
Keira had pushed the heavy, carved wooden door open, ready to bolt if anyone so much as looked cross-eyed at her. No one did. The shop smelled heavenly. Herbs. Lots of them. They hung in bundles from a raised walkway, ten feet off the ground, which accessed a partial second story. Feeling a bit braver, she let her gaze roam the large room, crowded with shelves. No one paid her the slightest attention, which was amazing since all the other patrons were garbed in cloaks and coats. She glanced at her low-cut top, barely-there micro mini, and high heeled boots and winced. Her top didn’t leave much to the imagination since it was half-soaked through. Because she was cold, her nipples had pebbled into suggestive peaks.
Embarrassed, she’d skittered behind a bank of shelves and worked her way around the outside wall of the shop, appreciating being out of the weather. Her eyes widened at the variety of wares for sale. She lingered over things she couldn’t identify and hustled past things she wanted but could never afford. Along the way, she pulled a tiny bit of magic to help dry her clothes.
Keira recalled hearing the weres talk about Barrett’s shop. It was the only place left which still sold magician’s accoutrements and supplies. Three-quarters of the way through her transit of the shop, a musical baritone voice caught her attention. She stopped and looked for its owner. He stood behind the counter, wrapping a package and counting out change. Because he was occupied, it seemed safe to let her gaze linger on him. What a beautiful man. When he patted a witch’s hand before handing her the packet he’d wrapped, Keira wondered what those hands would feel like on her. The shop suddenly felt much warmer. She bit back a laugh. Sex was plentiful in her life, no reason to moon over a man. Several would be waiting for her back at Were Calls.
She’d just decided to edge a bit closer to the counter, drawn by the Daoine Sidhe’s magnetism, when the bracelet on her arm tightened. Keira ignored it, but it only tightened more. She knew how the game worked. The weres tracked her with electronics. Once she headed for Were Calls, the bracelet would leave her alone—as long as she kept moving. If she stopped for too long once they’d warned her, the next event would be a shock.
Keira scuttled out of Barrett’s store that day, but she hadn’t stayed gone long. Every time she left the bordello, it was where she ended up. She spun fantasies about what it would be like if she were free and could offer to work for Barrett. Just the thought of being close to him for long hours each day made her heart speed up…
Don’t be foolish, she chided herself as she reached the now-familiar door and pushed her way into the magic shop. He’s Daoine Sidhe. He’d never be interested in a mixed blood like me. She walked to a locked case with crystals and gazed at them. A beautiful rose quartz one she’d lusted over was gone. Damn! She’d been working up her courage to ask if she could hold it in her hand to feel its energy.
Keira never bought anything; she didn’t have the money. She’d felt apologetic her first few visits, but now she’d been there so many times, she felt confident Barrett wasn’t going to throw her out.
“Can I help you find something?”
Keira froze. It was him. She’d know Barrett’s voice anywhere. She heard it in her dreams and sometimes she imagined one of her johns was him. In her imagination, he crooned to her in that wonderful voice and…
He tapped her shoulder. “Miss. May I help you?”
Keira spun to face him. Her face heated and she knew she had spots of color high on both cheeks. “Uh, no. I’m just looking.” Responding to something, maybe a small spell, maybe just an invitation in those wonderful ice-blue eyes, she stammered on, “The rose quartz crystal—”
“I sold it. Just yesterday. It was one of my favorites as well. If you’re interested, I should be getting a new shipment soon, but the crystals are all unique. If there’s one you like, just let me know and I can see if it pairs well with your energy.”
“I, um, you see, I can’t really afford anything like that. I just like to look.”
“It’s okay. I get lots of lookers here.” Barrett smiled at her. Gazed into her eyes and smiled right at her. Keira’s heart stuttered. She opened her mouth and closed it again when words wouldn’t come. Unable to help herself, she took a step toward him and stumbled.
He reached a hand and placed it under her elbow to steady her. “Got you.”
An electric shock ran up her arm. Her breathing quickened. You don’t know the half of it. You’ve more than got me. Heart thudding, throat dry, she smiled, managed to murmur, “thank you,” and scuttled toward the door before she did something stupid like throw herself at his feet and beg him to take her. Here. Now. On the floor in front of everyone.
*
Barrett gazed after the fleeing girl. His cock pressed against the front of his worn breeches, as hard as it ever got. It throbbed hotly, urging him to go after her, run her down, drag her back to his bed, and… He shook his head. What had gotten into him? He was well beyond the age where he let his cock lead him around.
The girl was unbelievably beautiful. Her blonde hair was so long it reached her ass. She had an arresting face with high cheekbones, lush lips, and silver eyes. He’d thought only his own race had eyes that color. They were rare even amongst the Daoine Sidhe. But the ache in his groin went beyond her beauty. There was something about her, a purity of spirit which called to him. When he tried to sense her magic to see just what she was, he’d run up against a wall. Almost as if she were warded. It wasn’t something she was doing on purpose, though. If it were, he’d have seen it in her mind. No, it was more like a magical barrier surrounded her.
He usually didn’t pay any attention to the hordes of customers frequenting his shop. After all, it was the only one of its kind left. He expected it to be full to overflowing with patrons. He’d noticed the girl, though, the very first time she’d snuck in. Wet to the bone, her full breasts, tipped with wonderfully erect nipples, had been fully visible through the thin fabric of her top. She’d taken to the outer wall and worked her way around the shop that day. Curious about her, he’d spun a mild compulsion spell to reel her in closer. He still didn’t know what happened. She’d been moving toward him when something shifted and she’d scampered out of his shop like the dogs of hell were nipping at her heels.
Sort of like she did today. He chuckled, not caring that a pair of witches eyed him oddly. He’d spoken with the girl a few times, but today’s conversation was by far and away the longest. Though he liked to see himself as immune to women, this one frequented his dreams. He often woke with his hand pumping his shaft as he fantasized about the girl with no name. In his favorite vision, she was astride him, firm breasts pressed against his chest and long, blonde hair tickling his naked flesh.
Determined to at least find out where she lived before her trail grew cold, he glanced about the store. Too many customers to get rid of. He strode to Baen, a witch who’d fought on their side during the war. “Could you watch the register for me? Sorry, but it’s a bit of an emergency. I won’t be gone more than an hour or two.”
She raised perfectly formed red brows in her ageless, porcelain-skinned face. “For you. Of course,” she purred.
“Thanks.” Barrett kicked himself. He’d forgotten Baen had been trying to worm her way into his bed for a couple of years. Then he stopped thinking and sprinted out the door. Barrett threw his magic senses wide open, searching. He blew out a relieved sigh. There she was. Her track would be easy to follow. He’d been afraid the same magic which cloaked what she was would hide her trail as well.
He warded himself so his power wouldn’t tip her off and followed her back to Were Calls. She’s a hooker. From his vantage point behind some stacks of trash, Barrett was incredulous. How did the weres ever get someone that gorgeous to trick for them? And then things fell into place. She had to be indentured. It was why he couldn’t get close enough with magic to sense what she was. The weres must have some sort of microelectronic harness on her. He’d heard about them from the fairies who generated most electronic devices these days.
An indefinable sadness tugged at him. He felt the heaviness in the pit of his stomach. Barrett waited until the door shut. He’d heard a man shouting at the girl from where he was, all the way across the street. It was a struggle not to go pound on the door, tell them he’d buy her bond, and be done with it. Even if she didn’t want him, at least she’d be free…
Barrett took a deep breath and then one more. Get back to the shop, he instructed himself sharply. The last thing I need is emotional entanglements. So he wouldn’t be tempted to change his mind, he pulled magic, visualized his shop, and left in a hurry.
At least the girl wasn’t a mystery anymore. It explained why she’d been so tentative in his shop. He was surprised the weres let their property roam about freely, but then he remembered the Covenant. Even the indentured had some rights. Weres had been the only ones who wanted indentured servants. The others had argued vehemently against them. Especially the fairies. In the end, other magic wielders had capitulated because the weres were ready to walk; they weren’t signing anything which didn’t let them keep their servant pets.
Barrett stood in front of his shop for a few moments composing himself. Now that he knew more, he’d have a better chance of approaching the girl next time she came to his shop. I thought I didn’t need any emotional tangles, an inner voice mocked him. Barrett ignored it. He nodded to himself. He was certain she’d show up again. Something about his shop drew her. Maybe it was an antidote to the life she led. He pushed open the door and went inside.
“There you are,” Baen cooed and placed a hand familiarly on his arm.
“Yes.” He forced himself to smile brightly. “Thank you so much. Here.” He broke away from her grip. “Let me pay you.”
“Not necessary. Maybe I could stay for a bit after you close—” She leered suggestively and licked full, red lips.
Barrett blew out a breath. “I’m flattered, but no. I do not want you in my bed.”
Her eyes widened. “I-I’m not sure where you got that idea,” she sputtered, color staining her face.
“Because I’m very good at reading body language. And minds. Thanks for watching the shop. Now, if it’s all the same to you, I’d just as soon end this conversation.”
Her lips drew back into a snarl. Magic spooled so hot it turned the air incandescent. Barrett steeled himself, sure she was going to launch herself at him and go for his eyes. Instead, she spun on her heel and strode toward the door, hips swinging as if to say, see what you missed, buddy.
Barrett blew out a tired breath and settled himself in his customary seat behind the counter. He hoped there wouldn’t be any repercussions from the witches because Baen was angry. From long habit, his gaze scanned the shop, alert for any sign of trouble. Today everyone seemed to be getting along. He shut his eyes. The girl materialized in the darkness, silver eyes aglow.
Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow, I’ll at least find out her name.