Friday Featured Spotlight ~ Untreed Reads & 4 Reviews

Four New-to-Me Authors from

Founded in 2008, Untreed Reads is a digital-first publisher and ebook distributor with one of the largest distribution channels in the industry, supplying titles to over 200 retailers and 98 percent of libraries worldwide. With a catalog of works covering nearly every genre and the option for publishers to distribute their content through its network, Untreed Reads is a full-service location for authors and publishers.

*Books source ~ Many thanks to Untreed Reads for providing review copies in exchange for honest reviews.

Title ~ Phoenix

Author ~ Poppy Summers

Published ~ 25 October 2013

Genre ~ Romance

Pages ~ 9

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

Dani Maxwell is renting a lighthouse in Scotland and trying to finish her book. When her sexy landlord shows up to check on her, the book suffers even more.

A well-written sexy read with great characters, Phoenix is a short story about two strangers who meet and have an instant attraction. Instead of playing it safe they throw caution to the winds, but then the sexy landlord sneaks out in the morning. Everyone carries some kind of baggage, but Adam’s is a doozy of a trust smasher. Is a one night stand going to become Dani’s baggage? Or will Adam give her a chance? Well, this book will leave you with a smile. How’s that for an answer? *winks*

Title ~ Lady Tara

Author ~ Leonora Blythe

Published ~ 15 July 2013

First published 12 September 1978

Genre ~ Historical/Romance

Pages ~ 116

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

When Lord Raven’s coach is held up by highwaymen he is surprised that they were looking for a specific coach and he just happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. But it’s the same case for the highwaymen when Lord Raven calmly shoots one of the men in the shoulder. But he’s even more surprised when he finds out the man is really a woman. Now his curiosity and his need to unravel the mystery have been thoroughly aroused as well as certain other parts of him, like his heart, which he thought was long gone. But Lady Tara is proving to be stingy with the facts and it’s up to Raven to figure it out and keep her safe.

This is a delightful historical romance with awesome characters, a slightly twisty plot, spies and humor. The POV changes are a bit wonky though, sometimes coming in the same paragraph, so I couldn’t rate it a 5 biter, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable read despite that. I’m definitely going to be looking up more stories by Leonora Blythe.

Title ~ First Kill All the Lawyers

Series ~ Samantha Adams, #1

Author ~ Sarah Shankman

Published ~ 25 October 2013

First published ~ 1 December 1991

Genre ~ Mystery

Pages ~ 220

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

Crime reporter Samantha ‘Sam’ Adams is back in her hometown of Atlanta after living in California for 20 years. Her Uncle George is a retired lawyer slowly losing his sight and Sam moves back in. It’s as if she’s never left. When a family friend and fellow lawyer disappears and then turns up dead, Sam can’t help but question the accidental death he is labeled with by the suspiciously crooked Sheriff. Sam smells a story, two stories actually. One about Forrest Ridley the ‘accidental’ death victim and the other about crooked good ol’ boy Sheriffs in the South. Can Sam get to the bottom of these stories or will she end up at the bottom of a lake?

A satisfactory mystery with enough twists and turns to keep one guessing this story has great characters and humor, plus a possible rekindling of a long ago romance. I’m not very forgiving so Beau, no matter how handsome and hot he is, would get the cold shoulder from me indefinitely. But Sam seems to be thawing and I find that disappointing. If he’s going to come back into her life I wish she’d make him suffer for longer than one book. But then, that’s just me. Overall though I found the portrayal of the South funny and fairly accurate. At least from what I’ve seen and heard as a Yankee (from OH) who has moved to NC. I may not be living in the Deep South, but close enough. *winks*

Title ~ Women Up to No Good

Author ~ Pat Murphy

Published ~ 21 October 2013

Genre ~ Anthology/Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Pages ~ 186

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

In this anthology there are 16 short stories in the sci-fi and fantasy category. While I enjoyed each well-written tale I liked some more than others. And if asked to pick a favorite I would say it is True Story.

A Flock of Lawn Flamingoes ~ There’s always that one rebel…

One Odd Shoe ~ An interesting tale about Coyote

On the Dark Side of the Station Where the Train Never Stops ~ Men *sigh*

Love and Sex Among the Invertebrates ~ Hmmm…next evolutionary plane?

The Eradication of Romantic Love ~ Very creative

Points of Departure ~ This one I didn’t get. There’s always one of these for me in an anthology.

South of Oregon City ~ Liked this one

Ménage and Menagerie ~ My 2^nd favorite

The True Story ~ My favorite

Dragon’s Gate ~ This one could be a tie for 2^nd place.

A Cartographic Analysis of the Dream State ~ Ooooh…interesting.

Exploding, Like Fireworks ~ This reminds me a little bit of Anne McCaffrey’s Brainship series.

Recycling Strategies for the Inner City ~ I’m not quite sure I understood this one.

Games of Deception ~ Meh

Iris Versus the Black Knight ~ I’m interpreting this in a certain way, but I’m not sure it’s the right way. lol

Going Through Changes ~ Ok, this was a bit creepy.