Friday Featured Spotlight ~ The Write Reads Blog Tour - Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary

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The Write Reads Blog Tour Book Review ~ Maria's Shadow by D. L. Cary

Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary is a gripping thriller that follows Maria Hernández, a young Salvadoran woman ensnared by the sinister Saffron Veil after chasing a Hollywood dream. Trapped in a California mansion, she escapes with a dangerous secret, pursued by the powerful Senator Edward Grayson. As Detective John Jefferson uncovers a web of corruption in North Carolina, their paths converge in a high-stakes battle against a shadowy cabal. Packed with suspense, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, this novel explores courage and sacrifice against overwhelming odds.

Cliff's Descent

 

Every mortal who works at network headquarters knows that vampires reside below them. They were the first to surrender to the powerful Immortal Guardians who hunt them. And they did so, hoping they can be saved, that the doctors and scientists the Immortal Guardians employ can halt the progressive brain damage that robs all vampires of their sanity. Though curious, Emma never thought she would meet any of the vampires who remain under heavy guard several stories beneath her office. Then mercenaries strike, bombarding the building with heavy artillery. The vampires are freed to join the fray... and Cliff saves her life.

From that moment on, she can't stop thinking about him regardless of the restrictions placed on interactions with vampires. When Emma discovers a way to speak to Cliff at network headquarters, she becomes even more fascinated by him. He's smart, charming, and honorable to his core despite the darkness that lies ahead. And he seems to crave her company as much as she does his. Aware of the eyes that watch them, they keep their encounters innocent, limiting them to those of mere acquaintances. Nevertheless, their attraction grows and she soon falls in love with him even as the madness begins to claim him.

Cliff realizes his future is dark. As one vampire friend after another succumbs to insanity, hope that network doctors will be able to find a cure in time to keep him from meeting the same fate begins to dwindle, leaving him little to look forward to... until he meets Emma. Just speaking to her brings him a happiness and contentment he hasn't experienced since before his transformation. And when they finally find a way to be alone together, everything changes. Emma burrows her way right into his heart and quiets the voices. She sparks dreams of a future with her that strengthen his determination to beat back the madness. But as time passes, the voices grow louder and insanity begins to chip away at him until he fears it will eradicate every part of him she fell in love with.

Will the two of them find a way to defy the odds and find their happily-ever-after? Or will Cliff's descent consume him?

Cliff's Descent Blitz

I'm excited to share with you that the next novel in Dianne Duvall’s best-selling Immortal Guardians series is AVAILABLE NOW! Grab your copy of Cliff's Descent: A Vampire's Tale in eBook, audiobook, and paperback formats at your favorite online retailer today! 

Self-published Author Appreciation Week: Red Adept Publishing

Self-published and small press authors always seem to get a lot of shit, so a bunch of book bloggers decided to get together and share our love for the self-pubbed and small press authors who entertain us with awesome stories. I don't know why certain people out there in the book blogging sphere keep insisting on saying that self-pubbed = crap writing because, while I may have hit a dud or two, most of what I've read over the last decade have been pretty fucking good! So, go click any and/or all of our posts all week long over on Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub run by the fabulous Jodie. Many thanks to her for organizing this and for Anca Antoci over at Summon Fantasy for creating the banners and badge.

Colonies Lost

Book source ~ ARC.

My review is voluntary and honest.

Colonies Lost

Ian J. Malone

12 June 2018

Sci-fi | Mystery

314 Pages

Kindle Review ~ Hope's Peak

My Kindle Reviews will consist of:

Kindle Lending Library

Kindle Unlimited

Kindle First

Freebies

Night Unbound

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Title ~ Night Unbound

Series ~ Immortal Guardians, #5

Author ~ Dianne Duvall

Publisher ~ Zebra

Published ~ 2 September 2014

Genre ~ Paranormal | Romance

Pages ~ 432

RABT Tour ~ The Tempest Murders

Title ~ The Tempest Murders

Author ~ P.M. Terrell

Publisher ~ P.M. Terrell

Published ~ 20 August 2013

Genre ~ Mystery

Pages ~ 274

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Smashwords

12 Days of a Kensington Christmas ~ Darkness Rises

Title ~ Darkness Rises

Series ~ Immortal Guardians, #4

Author ~ Dianne Duvall

Publisher ~ Zebra/Kensington

Published ~ 1 October 2013

Genre ~ Paranormal/Romance

*Book source ~ Many thanks to Kensington & NetGalley for providing a review in exchange for an honest review. 

My Rating ~ 5 bites out of 5

Étienne d’Alençon is an Immortal Guardian. Tasked with protecting humans from vampires, he and his siblings, along with other Immortal Guardians, hunt each night, but no matter how many vampires they take out more seem to fill the void. One night while on patrol Étienne comes across Krysta Linz, a human vampire hunter. Even though she has some serious mad fighting skillz he decides to follow her each evening and protect her. Until one evening when she finds herself seriously outnumbered by vampires and things spiral out of control. The threat that was thought to be eliminated is still going strong and the Immortal Guardians are once more fighting more than vampires.

I wondered what would happen when the big baddies were put down, what or who would the Immortal Guardians deal with now? Vampires aren’t much of a threat to them though they are annoying to keep in check, preventing them from hurting or killing humans. Well, I didn’t need to worry because this book reveals something else is going on. And it’s a doozy.

I love, love, love this series. Every book is a smorgasbord of everything I like about books all under one cover. The paranormal elements, fast action, kicking ass, humor, hot nommy guys, excellent dialogue, fantastic characters, bad baddies, steamy scenes and I mentioned the hot nommy guys, right? I know when I pick up an Immortal Guardians story I won’t be able to put it down.

I have to admit that part of my delight in this book as well as the others in this series is the fact that the setting is right down the road from where I live. I love seeing familiar cities and landmarks mentioned since I don’t think I’ve read a book yet that has a setting so close to home. In addition, Étienne turned about to be more laid back than the other Guardians I’ve met so far, so it was a nice change of pace. When the French siblings were first introduced in the series I wasn’t sure if I would like them, but after Richart’s  & Étienne’s stories were told they have earned a place in my heart. Krysta is a great character, too. Strong, stubborn and very loyal to those she loves. She took a horrible experience and turned it into a crusade that luckily didn’t get her killed. I also love meeting more humans who are gifted ones and what type of gift they have.

There are a few more Immortal Guardians mentioned in this book as well as their Seconds, Ami’s secrets are revealed to the Guardians and then there’s Zach. Oh, boy. I’m seriously hoping his story is next though Seth’s story would be super awesome. I can’t wait to read more about the Immortal Guardians and I’m very much looking forward to Night Unbound due out September 2, 2014.