Kathryn R. Blake, Mortal Illusions

Title:  Mortal Illusions

Author:  Kathryn R. Blake

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Vampire

Word Count:  198,234     

ISBN E-Book:  Available through Publisher and Kindle

Price:  $1.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1466493537

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  New Concepts Publishing

Buy-Link:  http://newconceptspublishing.com/kathryn-r.-blake/mortal-illusions/

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Desperate to keep her dying brother alive, Claire Daniels sets out to charm a powerful vampire into helping her save him. But winning Germaine St. Justine’s support will take more than Claire’s blood. It will cost her heart and soul.

 Review:

This is the story of Claire and Germaine.  Germaine is a vampire from the age of the French Revolution who is still somewhat damaged by occurrences from the past.  Germaine was tortured during the revolution while his family was murdered and eventually, he was turned by his inquisitor.  This has left a mark on him and he has decided never to turn anyone.  Claire is the daughter of the last woman that Germaine loved and let grow old.  Claire's mother has just passed from cancer leaving the request that the two of them pair up.  This is the opening to Mortal Illusions. 

The book itself was an engaging easy read.  The story enjoyable and in parts even sad to the point of tears.  Watching Claire and Germaine work out their issues with each other and death at a few points became nearly painful.  Claire loses her mother and her brother, while Germaine relives losing his whole family, Claire's mother and eventually Claire.  However, personally I found Germaine to be far too autocratic.  He gives Claire orders constantly and expects absolute obedience without giving her any explanations as to why.  Of course then Claire disobeys and Germaine shuts her off for days to weeks at a time in a huff. 

Personally, I found this to be abusive behaviour and if I were Claire, would have run off in a heartbeat with his second in command Marcus.  Even Nick, while flighty, would have been more fun than Germaine.  So, while this was a good story, Germaine is not the vampire for me.  I look forward to reading the story of the Roman Marcus.  His quiet nobility struck me far more than Germaine's autocratic petulance.

Christina James, Web of Lies

Title:  Web of Lies
Author:  Christina James

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Keywords:  Crimson Rose, Spicy, Assassins

Page Count:  242     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-974-1

Price:  $6.00

ISBN for Print:   978-1601549747

Price:  $11.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137&products_id=4634

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

The Mob…A Saudi prince… Assassins…The police…

All chasing Amber Norris because they believe she has the Blue Diamond: a priceless Saudi heirloom that her ex-husband supposedly gave her before he was murdered. On the run with her young daughter, Amber’s only hope for survival is Detective Cody Maguire. But only if she can convince him she didn’t steal the diamond or murder her ex.

Despite the evidence stacked against her, Cody knows Amber is innocent of murder—professional assassins killed her husband—but his instincts tell him she knows more than she’s telling about the jewel. Too bad his heart is telling him something else.

With a bounty on her head and hit men closing in, Amber is running out of time. Can they find the stolen diamond—and their chance at love? Or will Amber’s past destroy them?

Review:

What do you do when everyone is SURE you have something that you don't? Something that people would kill to get back.....

This is Amber's story.  Web of Lies has plenty of suspense and action to keep the reader entertained.  An ex makes a surprise visit, then the police, and then the killers.  It's a tough situation for this young mother.

Christina James does a wonderful job keeping up the suspense and the tension.  The first part of the book, I wasn't too thrilled with Cody, the hero.  He seemed very stuffy and plain out rude.  It is a cop's job to get down to the truth, but the way he did things just didn't make him likable at first.

Overall, the story was great and was filled with many twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is a great story to add to your reading pile. 

Lillian Duncan, Deception

Title:  Deception

Author:  Lillian  Duncan

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Inspirational Fiction

Keywords:  Sweet

Page Count:  263     

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61116-146-5

Price:  $4.99 

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61116-147-2

Price:  $15.99

Publisher:  Harbourlight Novel (Pelican Book Group)

Buy-Link:  http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/deception

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Twins are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, but Patti and Jamie have serious relationship issues. They haven’t spoken since Jamie ruined Patti’s upcoming nuptials years ago. When a niece she knows nothing about telephones, Patti must unravel the yarn of Jamie’s life and her mysterious disappearance.

Detective Carter Caldwell takes his job seriously, and it's his job to keep Patti and her niece safe. But Patti is determined to help find her sister. As the investigation grows more dangerous, Carter begrudgingly admits the safest place for Patti is at his side.

Each step in their journey leads them closer to the truth but pulls them further down a road filled with danger and deception, where each will battle for survival and the lives of countless Americans.

Review:

This is a suspenseful and sweet story that I couldn't put down.  I'm always drawn to a book that involves twins, especially if one is in trouble.  Deception didn't disappoint.  Right from the get go I was drawn into the plot.  Patti makes for a strong heroine.  She has to face her past, and also find her sister.

Lillian Duncan is an author to watch.  She spins tales of mystery and drama with characters that you can relate to.  They are believable and bring the pages to life with the dialogue and action.

If you like a mix of suspense and inspirational fiction, Deception is a book filled with that and much more. 

Allie Standifer, Poseidon's Fortune

Title:  Poseidon's Fortune

Author:  Allie Standifer

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Fantasy

Keywords:  Faery Rose, Hot, Demons

Page Count:  322     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-987-3

Price:  $7.00

ISBN for Print:  978-1601549877

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=4689

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

When Bailey McCain is attacked by scaled men in an alley, she is rescued by a group of drop-dead gorgeous strangers who claim to be something other than human and say they want to protect her. Before long, Bailey’s world is turned upside down:  mythical creatures are real, ancient demons are bent on killing her, and she’s the mate of demi-god Talos.

Talos, son of Poseidon, doesn’t want a mate, even one who’s the other half of his soul. He’s determined to resist Bailey even though their bond will finally complete him. Demon plots, family secrets, and his meddling brothers combine to keep Bailey by his side.

But Bailey is keeping a secret from Talos—her late uncle left her a journal that puts their lives in danger. Can Bailey and Talos learn to trust each other before it’s too late to save the Poseidon brothers and their mates?

Review:

Ready for a wild ride, with some hot loving and fighting?  Look no further. Poseidon's Fortune has all that and more.  I loved the way the author's imagination cranked out this story.  It's fast paced, enjoyable, and has characters that were well thought out.  Bailey and Talos' story keeps up the tension.

The paranormal genre has so many levels of creation, and each story set in that genre comes up with something unique every day.  Allie Standifer does just that with a blend of paranormal, suspense, and intrigue.

Readers, if you like a paranormal novel with demons and plenty of action, here's the book for you. 

Linda Hope Lee, Loving Rose

Title:  Loving Rose

Author:  Linda Hope Lee

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Sweetheart Rose, The Red Rock Colorado Series 

Page Count:  254     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-963-6

Price:  $6.00

ISBN for Print:  978-1601549631

Price:  $12.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_143&products_id=4657

Reviewer:  Nikki  

Blurb/Summary:

[The Red Rock, Colorado Series]

Harboring a secret she dared not share, Rose Phillips ended her relationship with Dr. Mike Mahoney two years ago. When a tragic accident places her under his professional care, she realizes her feelings for him are still very much alive. Torn between wanting to bare her soul and fearing he’ll reject her after he learns her secret, Rose struggles to resolve her dilemma.

Why Rose ended their relationship has always puzzled Mike. He’s never stopped loving her. Now that she’s back in his life, he wants more than anything to pick up where they left off. Rose appears receptive, but because of her actions trust is difficult. Dare he risk a second broken heart?

Review:

One secret keeps haunting Rose throughout her adult life.  It's the reason she told a man she loved that it wouldn't work out.  This secret eats at her.  But a turn of events that lead her back into Mike's life and a situation that Rose can't turn a blind eye, help her finally open up and spill her emotions.

What a beautiful story!  Loving Rose is full of characters that face situations in relation to real life.  Rose and Mike's second chance story brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.  The rising tension of  Rose's secret was intense and while it only took me a little while to guess what it was, I still didn't know the whole story until the author showed through flashbacks what happened.

Linda Hope Lee writes such great contemporary stories.  Won't you give Loving Rose a shot and fall in love as I did?