Thursday, March 30, 2023

#ParanormalWomensFiction #Review ~ Mermaid Mayhem (Eerie Investigations) (Misty Hollow Book 1) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain #Mermaid #Vampire #HPMallory #JRRain

 


Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0B7Z8MS26
Publisher: ‎ Rain Press (March 17, 2023)
Publication Date: ‎ March 17, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 241 pages


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62696354-mermaid-mayhem

About the Book:

My name is Marina Estuary, and I’m a mermaid.

Actually, I’m a lot more than a mermaid—I’m a siren, but I have to keep that little tidbit on the down-low. Why? Because anyone who hears the song of the siren will either lose their mind or become desperately in love with me.

That’s usually a buzzkill to most people.

Anyway, not only am I a siren-in-hiding, but I’m also a private investigator. And I’ve been called to the newest of the supernatural hollows, Misty Hollow, to investigate the disappearance of three women.

Not only did the women go missing from the blossoming hollow (which is more like an old west 

boomtown dropped into the middle of a Louisiana swamp), but the facts behind their disappearance are hazy at best.

I’m not entirely sure that the quick-talking, devious and secretive vampire mayor of Misty Hollow, Alistair Beaumont, didn’t have something to do with it.

Or could the truth lie with the unfriendly leader of the weregator community, Jean-Baptiste, a man as surly as he is sexy?

Good thing for me that I’m an expert at unearthing truths that don’t want to be unearthed…

My Review:

Mermaid Mayhem is the first book in the new Misty Hollows series by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain. While Misty Hollows is a spin-off of the wonderful writing duo’s Haven Hollows series, the setting, characters, and shenanigans are vastly different.

Misty Hollows is set in Louisianna and still under construction. Our main character is a mermaid who’s running from her past while trying to keep her true identity a secret. I love her spunk and how different she is from characters in Haven Hollow. In fact, all the characters in Misty Hollow are different, unusual, and fun.

The writing duo of H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain bring interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters do their thing.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Paranormal Romance #Review ~ The Dragon Protector (Dragon's Birthright, Book 2) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain #PNR #DragonShifter #Dragon #Shifter #HPMallory


Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BY5PTFHK
Publisher: ‎ Rain Press
Publication Date: ‎ March 10, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 205 pages

About the Book:

I’ve been kidnapped and sold by Devon more times than I can count.

But it doesn’t change the feelings I have for him, because each time he sold me to one sister and then the other, he did so for a reason that had everything to do with saving his kind.

Yes, his kind as in… dragon shifters.

And the dragon shifters are a dying species.

Now Devon has made his feelings clear for me and he’s taken me under his wing, so to speak.

Together, we face a problem—how to defend the dragons from the humans who want nothing more than to wipe them out.

The only problem? Well, there are a few:

The full-blooded dragons don’t want to fight, the shifter-dragons don’t want me involved in their business (namely because I’m human), and Devon still isn’t telling me everything.

It’s those secrets that make me begin to realize that maybe these blossoming feelings we obviously share should be nothing more than pleasant dreams that can never be…

My Review:

Selena’s captor is alluring and isn't all that he appears. There is a secret hiding within Devon. While Selena wants to believe he's a good person, she can't help but think about everything he's done in their short time together.

Book 1, The Good Daughter, ended with Selena being sold back to one of her sisters and tossed in a tower. Her savior came swooping in, all scales, talons, and wings. Just as she thought, Devon was hiding something back in book 1, but now he decides to reveal his secret…after he rescues her and flies her to safety.

Selena and Devon are on opposite sides of a very real problem. He’s a dragon shifter bent on making humans pay. She’s a human and, while she doesn’t condone the human violence against dragons, she also doesn’t agree with arbitrary destruction of humans. Unsure of where to go from there, Devon and Selena have some serious decisions to make. Their chemistry may not be enough to unite them.

Selena is a strong heroine and as much as I'd like to praise Devon as a great hero, he continues to do some pretty sketchy things in The Dragon Protector. He redeems himself at first but his and Selena’s views don’t align. The misalignment causes tension between the two of them, and between Selena and Devon’s clan.

I enjoyed every single thing about this story. The setting is simple yet perfect for the story being told. The characters are three-dimensional, interesting, and written well. I'm excited to see where these two extraordinary authors take us next.

I was provided this book to read.

My Rating:

 

Friday, March 10, 2023

Dance With the Dead (Gwen's Ghosts, Book 1) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain ~ A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novella #PWF #Paranormal #Review

 

ASIN: ‎ B0BXBK6L5Z
Publisher: ‎ Rain Press
Publication Date: ‎ March 1, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 156 pages

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123180573-dance-with-the-dead

About the Book:

From the time I was eight years old, I could see ghosts.

One ghost in particular occupied most of my attention: Petra Shearwater.

That was mostly because Petra decided to become my forever tagalong, traveling with me from the small, English country town of Morley-on-Avon, where she’d died, to the bustling cosmopolitan city of The Big Apple.

Now, thirty-four years later, as a mystery novelist just out of a lackluster fifteen-year relationship, I’m in need of a new start and some inspiration for a new book.

So, I find myself setting off for the one town that captured my interest all those years ago: Morley-on-Avon.

And, yes, Petra is along for the ride.

Now at the fresh age of forty-two, I’m looking for a new start, a new book, and even new love—something I’m hoping to find with the local blacksmith named Leo.

Leo seems to be all contradictions: hulking but shy, soft-spoken yet enormous, boyish yet in his mid-forties.

What I’m not planning on, however, is that the little cottage I’ve moved into, called Bluebells, is haunted!

And I’m fairly sure that the ghost haunting it, Victoria Willis, is trying to tell me something about her death… a death I’m not convinced was an accident, as all the Morley locals might like me to believe…

Please Note: This is a novella series, so each book is a faster read!

My Review:

Dance with the Dead is heartstopping and full of twists and turns. The mystery is unique and the authors are developing it well. I was engaged from the very beginning while learning about how Gwen met Petra, a small amount of New York backstory, and how they ended up back in England.

I enjoyed every single thing about this story. The setting is simple yet perfect for the story being told. The characters are three-dimensional, interesting, and written well. I'm excited to see where these extraordinary authors take us in book two.

This novella ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared.

I was provided copy of this novella.

My Rating:



Sunday, March 5, 2023

#Review ~ The Man Behind the Makeup: The Professional Wrestling Life and Times Of Jeff Bearden (@jwbatlarge), Who Wrestled As Giant Warrior, Big Tiger Steele, Colossus the Gladiator, and Butch Masters #ProWrestling #GiantWarrior #JeffBearden #ButchMasters

 


Amazon Kindle:
ASIN: ‎ B0BHFCWCB8
Publication Date: ‎ October 25, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 143 pages

Paperback:
Publisher: ‎ Book Ripple (October 27, 2022)
Paperback: ‎ 135 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1951797876
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1951797874

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JfGoF5
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90589635-the-man-behind-the-makeup

About the Book:

International pro wrestling star Jeff Bearden has gone by many names: Butch Masters, Giant Warrior, Big Tiger Steele, and Colossus the Gladiator. Under these guises, he became part of wrestling history. Enter the wild, bloody life of pro wrestling during its Golden Age, from the viewpoint of one of its "biggest" stars. At seven feet tall, Jeff Bearden towered over his competition from the time he premiered in territory wrestling in 1987, through the crazed and dangerous wrestling scenes, infamy, and championships in Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Europe, Japan, India, and the Middle East. Bearden’s no-holds-barred career spanned 30 years and four continents.

Bearden takes readers through the shocking, the tragic, and the hilarious stories of his adventures. Trained by classic Texan wrestling stars Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch, Bearden went on to encounter legends of wrestling history: Bruiser Brody, the Von Erichs, AndrĆ© the Giant, Owen Hart, Abdullah the Butcher, and the Undertaker. He tells of his powerful friendship with WWE Hall-of-Famer Yokozuna. From the time he was a skinny pro basketball player, to his days as a green babyface, to his reign as a notorious, 375-pound heel, Bearden’s life is one astonishing story after another.

Bearden’s unusual career, and his freedom to choose venues anywhere and everywhere, provides unique insight into the wrestling world. He takes readers around the globe to learn the secrets and truths of a life spent joyfully whipping crowds into a frenzy from inside the ring, as well as his personal life outside. In wrestling and in life, you’re only as good as the guy you beat – even if that guy is yourself.

My Review:

I've been a fan of pro wresting since I was young, watching Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, Macho Man Randy Savage, AndrƩ the Giant, and others tumble across my television screen. I grew up just outside of Flint, MI and begged to attend wresting shows at the IMA Sports Arena (also known as Perani Arena, and now the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center). I never did get to see a live show there, and still haven't at any other venue.

When I was approached to review a copy of Jeff Bearden's book, I jumped at the chance. I'm so glad I took the time to read and appreciate Jeff's life story, the ins-and-outs of international wrestling, and his anecdotes. The behind-the-scenes commentary shows pro wrestling from the 80s and 90s in a whole new way. I've always known pro wrestling is "real" even when the haters like says it's "fake." It may all be choreographed but a lot is improv, the injuries can be and are real, and back in the day, very dangerous for an American in other countries. 

Jeff Bearden provides an open door look at pro wrestling from his point-of-view and it's not all wine and roses. I loved learning about his wrestling life, how he and others paved the way for wrestlers of today. I appreciated the openness, the honesty, the good and not so good, and descriptive context of the book. For anyone interesting in wrestling history, grab yourself a copy of The Man Behind the Makeup.

I was provided a paperback copy of this book.

My Rating:

Thursday, March 2, 2023

#Review ~ Blood Bond (Blood Rose Academy, #2) by J.R. Rain & H.P. Mallory #PWF #ParanormalWomensFiction #Paranormal #Witches #Vampires #Fae @HPMallory #HPMallory #JRRain

 


ASIN: ‎ B0BSTGMB3S
Publisher: ‎ Rain Press
Publication Date: ‎ February 24, 2023
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YdYUli
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122763183-blood-bond-blood-rose-academy-2

About the Book:  

MAVERICK:

I might have been a crappy excuse for a big brother in the past, but now I’m making up for lost time…

And time isn’t the only thing that’s lost.

So is my sister, Astrid.

So, I do what any good brother would do—I go after her.

Concealing my true identity, I attend Blood Rose Academy as a professor of potions. And along for the ride is my new wife, Taliyah.

Not only am I hoping we can find Astrid, but I’m really hoping we find her alive.

ASTRID:

Even though I definitely have a thing for vampires, that doesn’t mean I wanted to become one…

And it definitely didn’t mean I wanted to be blooded by a vampire psychopath.

But here we are.

Well, here I am anyway—stuck inside the cellar of an old store on the outskirts of Blood Rose Academy and under the control of my new vampire sire, Valserak.

One thing he’s not betting on, though, is the fact that the fae can survive becoming the undead with their powers intact.

And guess what? I’m half fae.

So the first chance I get, I cut a portal to the Autumn Court in search of my father so I can recruit his help against Valserak and the other vampires who are gearing up for Blood War Three.

Little do I know who I’m about to run into…

My Review:

I was so excited to get my hands on Blood Bond, Book 2 in Astrid’s Haven Hollow spin-off. I was NOT disappointed. I devoured this book.

I have loved the Haven Hollow series since book one. Full of wonderful characters, excellent storylines, and a perfectly created setting, I immerse myself in each and every book. There are multiple spin-offs that focus on one of the main characters, and Blood Bond is told from Astrid and Maverick’s POV. Astrid was finally able to go to Blood Rose Academy and be properly trained in witch magic. Things in book 2 have just gotten worse for Astrid. Maverick and Taliyah find themselves concealing their identities and infiltrating Blood Rose Academy to find Astrid.

I love Astrid's character and love that she got her own spin-off. Astrid is a wonderfully written character. She's so likable and her attitude and personality are vastly different than everyone else’s at Blood Rose. I love the twists and turns the authors take the characters and readers through.

The series also just continues to get better and better with every story. Blood Bond is the second book in the Blood Rose Academy series (and book 27 in the Haven Hollow series) by H.P. Mallory and J.R. Rain. This writing duo brings interesting stories, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking mysteries to life. The character development provides history and growth, and the world-building creates a fantastic world to watch the characters do their thing.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Cover Reveal ~ Crimson Winter: City of Ruby by Justine Alley Dowsett ~ #YA #SciFi #Fantasy #Adventure @MirrorWorldPub

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the cover reveal for 
Crimson Winter: City of Ruby 
by Justine Alley Dowsett.


Show what makes you weak, so they fear what makes you strong...

About Crimson Winter: City of Ruby:

Reeling after the fall of the Kingdom of Taiyou, Yukari Namikoya and her remaining allies find themselves reduced to scared refugees hidden far below the earth in the Temple of Machalite. The dreaded Lady Lilyth rules in Taiyou now and threatens to bring the whole world under her dominion one piece at a time.

And what the Lady Lilyth can't control, she plans to destroy.

In a desperate bid for the survival and freedom of the various races of Crimson Winter, Yukari must seek to uncover secrets the Vile Emperor has kept hidden for a millenia and in order to do this, she has to journey to the last place she'd ever thought she'd go - the Ruby City.


Genres: Young Adult, SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure

Release Date: April 17, 2023

Meet the Author:



Justine Alley Dowsett is the author of over ten novels, and one of the founders of Mirror World Publishing. Her books, which she often co-writes with her sister, Murandy Damodred, range from young adult science fiction to dark fantasy/romance. She earned a BA in Drama from the University of Windsor, honed her skills as an entrepreneur by tackling video game production, and now she dedicates her time to writing, publishing, and role-playing with her friends.