Indie Love Giveaway

The Indie Love Writing Retreat 2018 is drawing closer and we still have some spaces left. Join us and discuss author branding with Sofie Hartley, get creative with Jade West or talk marketing with Nick Lewis in wonderful Wales this September.

To celebrate this bank holiday and share the Love we're having an amazing giveaway!

So, here’s the prize:

X1 Swag Bundle

X1 Mystery signed book

X1 £/$ 15 Amazon gift card

Now how to win:

Like the Indie Love page (1 entry): https://www.facebook.com/Indielovewales/

or

Join the Indie Love group (1 entry): https://www.facebook.com/groups/604660136395629/

Doing both will get you two entries into the draw. It’s that simple!

Giveaway is open internationally and will close at midnight on Monday the 28th (BST)

If you want to sign up and join us this September then simply fill in the form!

https://goo.gl/forms/79vzvBuZcDtDseqs1

Review - Fury by Anya Bast

Title: Fury

Author: Anya Bast
Series: OtherKin
Pages: 57
Release Date: September 9th 2007

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: 
Source: Amazon
Format: eBook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Nikki is a cougar shifter living in a werewolf world. When she's promised as a mate to a wolf shifter named Merrick, the fur flies. Cats are solitary and proud. No way will she be tamed, not even if Merrick’s touch drives her insane with need.

But Merrick has wanted Nikki for a long time and there's no way he’s letting her go. He’ll use every dark and erotic trick he knows to seduce her body...and then win her heart.

This short story is offered by New York Times bestselling author, Anya Bast. Fury is part one of a two part series. Tranquility is the sequel. These titles are highly erotic and meant for those 18 years or older.

My Review: I really didn’t like this book and I only read it because 1. It was short, 2. I was behind on my goodreads challenge and 3. Because I got this one and book two for free on amazon.

          I almost never finished it, the only reason I did was because I thought that the second book would be better.

          I had not read any wolf stories before but the fantasy genre is one of my favourites so I was very disappointed when this did not live up to what I have hoped it would.

          Nikki the main character is being forced to mate with Merrick or Roane who are brothers, whoever she chooses gets to stay with the pack the other must leave, Roane steps aside so that Merrick can have her.

          Although I am not a wolf expert or an expert on love but I was under the impression that one should be able to fall in love with whom one wants and not be forced into it.

          The beginning of this book was so bad that the last half could not make up for it. It really is awful, I was expecting it to be more erotic rather than full of forced sex scenes. I expected Merrick to go knocking on Nikki’s door once his brother stepped aside to win her over not break into her place.

I am not 100% sure I will read book two if this is how bad book one is.

Currently Reading: Rag Doll by Rebecca Scarberry
Read in 2018: 12/35

Review - Ugly Sleeping Beauty by Jamie Campbell

Title: Ugly Sleeping Beauty

Author: Jamie Campbell
Series: Fairy Tales Retold
Pages: 40
Release Date: March 15th 2014

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore
Publisher: 
Source: Amazon
Format: eBook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: History is told from one person’s perspective. Sometimes they don’t get it right.

The Wicked Fairy has been wrongly accused of cursing Sleeping Beauty with a fate that would take her life if she pricked her finger on a spinning wheel.

But you haven’t been told the full story. The Wicked Fairy is only doing what she believes is in the best interests of the kingdom.

Now, with Sleeping Beauty coming of age, the fairy has to do something in order to stop her destroying everything. All she needs to do is find the princess.

Can the Wicked Fairy find Sleeping Beauty before everything is lost? Can she convince the entire kingdom of her innocence? And what is Sleeping Beauty really hiding?

A charming twist to the story of Sleeping Beauty, told completely from the point of view of the Wicked Fairy.

My Review: This Retold Fairy Tale is told by one of the fairy godmother Milly.

The fairy godmother's reason for cursing Princess Aurora was because the Princess would cause the downfall of the Kingdom. After cursing Princess Aurora the King had Milly banished from the Kingdom that very day.

Milly regrets not telling the other fairy godmothers about the old mans prophecy but  she thought they wouldn't keep it secret.The Princess is then placed into hiding and Milly couldn't find her but she keeps searching so she can make sure that the prophecy doesn't come true.

Milly finds the Princess the day before her birthday, the Princess is out gathering flowers and berries while talking to the forest animals. Milly eventually finds out that the Princess has been living in the forest with her fellow fairies and she realizes that she missed them. She listened in while the fairy godmother's tell the Princess who she really was and why she was not with her parent's Milly kept watch over night and the next day she followed them as they took the Princess to the palace.

Although Milly felt guilty that the King and Queen missed out in the Princesses first 16 years of life she knew that she had done the right in cursing her, but by accident the Princess pricked her finger and she fell into a deep, deep sleep awaiting her true love to find her and kiss her, the other fairies put the whole Kingdom to sleep until the Princess wakes.

Milly leaves the palace and goes back to the forest to find the boy she had seen the Princess with and takes him prisoner so he cannot kiss her but the other fairies find them and take him to the Princess.

The fairies give the boy weapons as he is actually Prince Philip, his sword is the sword of truth meaning anyone holding it cannot tell lies and when he tells Milly he will make sure that the Princess does not become evil Milly realizes she has made a terrible mistake by listening to the prophecy.

Luckily Prince Philip was the Princesses one true love and she awakes from her slumber after he kisses her.

Princess Aurora and Prince Philip get marries and the princess makes sure that Milly was spared being locked up in the dungeon.

Sleeping Beauty is my all time favourite Fairy Tale and I'm glad that Ms Campbell chose to do a spin on it.

Currently Reading: 
Read in 2018: 11/35

Release Boost - Falling through Darkness by Kira Berger

RELEASE BOOST
Title: Falling Through Darkness
Author: Kira Berger
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 4, 2018
 

BLURB
One bad decision changed my life irrevocably.
One night shattered it completely.

Moving to another country was supposed to be a fresh start for me, an escape from my past. A way to heal and live my life. I promised them to find happiness. What I wasn’t supposed to find was him. Dark, handsome, and irresistible.

He wasn’t supposed to break through the walls around my heart. But I wasn’t strong enough to resist.

For a minute, I was happy. But the clutches of my past will never let me go. The evil shrouding my past in darkness has finally found me.

I need to fight it—for him and them. Even if that means letting go of the light.
 
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36263202-falling-through-darkness

PURCHASE LINKS 
US: https://amzn.to/2raIZa5
UK: https://amzn.to/2HzTgYd
CA: https://amzn.to/2HFuUsi
AU: https://amzn.to/2HYaVs9

Free in Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPTS #1 
Prologue

Damp.
Dark.
Dead.
Words keep flitting through my mind on an endless loop, trying to pull me into the darkness hovering on the fringes of my mind. It would be easy, so easy to let go. To give in, give up…
Stop the endless fighting.
What’s the point anyway?
This time I won’t get out alive. Last time was messy. This time is meticulously planned. The intention clear, I was not to make it out of here alive.
I have always known this would happen and yet, I’ve given in to hope, to love, to the idea of a new beginning for someone like me… Boy, was I wrong.
Duncan.
One name among thousands, but the only thing keeping me sane right now. I should have never given in; I should have been stronger.
But he wore me down. It wasn’t just his looks—even though his resemblance to a Viking god sure helped. Tall and muscular with blue eyes reminiscent of the Australian ocean, or a mountain lake, with his clear and honest stare. The one thing that made me fall hard and fast was his smile. The prefect reflection of who he is—charming, strong, honest, and wickedly funny.
He was the first person who was able to make me genuinely smile with true joy after months of going through the motions.
He made me feel alive again. And now I’ve lost it all… and he doesn’t even know how much he means to me. My last words to him being the cruelest I ever uttered. It’s a good thing I won’t have to live long with myself after what I’ve done.
I picture his face in all its glorious detail. I want the last thoughts I have be of the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The one who healed me, taught me to love, gave me strength to fight, and always believed in me.
The one who taught me how to fly.
While I picture the love of my life holding me in his arms, the door opens slowly and in walks my worst nightmare. I don’t try to fight my restraints. I already did, and there is no way to get out of these handcuffs.
Instead, I keep hold of my saving grace while my grim reaper walks toward me.
I concentrate on how Duncan’s lips felt against mine, how he worshiped my body, my scars.
I tune out the sound of the gun being cocked. I always hoped my ending, when it came, would be quick and painless—at least I will be given that.
I keep my eyes closed and my mind firmly in my fantasy, where I’m loved and happy, and not in this dark and empty prison.
Briefly, I wonder if anyone will ever find my body or if they will have to bury an empty coffin.
Suddenly, my chin is grabbed in a painful and unforgiving hold.
“Did you actually think you’d get away this easily? You fucking bitch, you ruined my life! I was going to have it all before you had to go and fucking leave!”
The pain in my jaw forces my eyes open. They collide with eyes, the deepest brown they look black, staring back at me. But none of the warmth I’ve seen before is present right now. All I see is an abyss of hatred, madness, and cold determination.
I guess it won’t be quick after all. I close my eyes again. Hoping against hope for peace.
“Ah no, darling. You don’t want to miss what comes next. I have plans for you. And I need you present to enjoy them.”
A menacing smile spreads across the face in front of me.
“Let’s have some fun…”
 
©Kira Berger

#2 
Chapter One

I stare at the sunrise above the ocean through the tiny plane window next to me. The beautiful orange, red, and golden glow gives me a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a long time. I watch as the sun slowly bathes the world in its warmth, greeting a new day, a new beginning—seemingly giving me a chance to start anew.
While I watch as in the distance a new day breaks, I muse about what lies before me. I have never been afraid of jumping into the unknown—be it studying abroad by myself, traveling the world, or falling in love. But that was the old me—the young, carefree person who’s never been touched by darkness.
Being from a small town in south-east France, moving to the city or even a foreign country is something everyone fantasized about. I’ve lived in London for years, but the dream has been to live in America, the country my mother left behind as a twenty-five-year-old orphan. I just wish the circumstances of why I’m finally moving weren’t so dire.
Leaving Europe behind is freeing, yet scary nonetheless.
The last month has passed by in a blur. Once I realized I couldn’t stay where I was, I reached out to one of my teachers from an exchange year I spent in Chicago who I kept in touch with. It’s been a whirlwind and for once luck was on my side; he had a friend, who’s a high school principal in a Philadelphia suburb, one who was in dire need of an English teacher. Apparently, the previous teacher suddenly moved away due to a family emergency. While it’s sad for her, for me it couldn’t have been more perfect. And after a two-hour Skype interview with Mr. Harris, I accepted the job offer. I left Europe within three weeks.
The sudden descent of the plane brings be me back to the present. Judging from the seat belt sign blinking on, I guess we’re about to land. Finally. While I love flying, I’m ready to be back on solid ground and out of this flying tin can.
Half an hour later, we safely touch down at the international airport in Philadelphia. Going through customs takes forever, like always.
Most of my stuff fits into two suitcases. Everything with emotional value is in them, along with my clothes and important documents. Everything else, I’ve left behind. They don’t matter since the things killing me not to have with me aren’t earthly possessions anyway.
Another lucky break has been finding an apartment which comes furnished. Mr. Harris has been amazing with accommodating me. Not just with finding me a place to stay, but also having the previous English teacher give me her lesson plans for the first couple of months.
Seeing my two cases come around the belt, I move to the front to grab them. Rolling them back to the cart, I heave them onto it, trying to keep the stupid thing from moving away from me. I really wish they’d have a lock on the wheels to make sure they stay immobile.
Ugh.
When I finally manage to get myself organized with my luggage, I’m breathing heavily. Wow, I guess I should start exercising. One day soon, I tell myself my ever-present lie.
I move toward the exit and walk into the sweltering Pennsylvania summer heat. Fucking hell, why did no one tell me the humidity here is this crazy? One step outside and I’m sweating already.
I am looking around for a cab when I hear my name being called, “Alex!”
Startled, I look around, trying to figure out who yelled my name. I’m shocked to see my old professor stand before me with a cheeky grin on his face.
“What are you doing here, Tom?”
Chuckling, he replies, “I was in the area. You know Luna has family out here, so we thought we’d come out to celebrate Labor Day with them.”
I have to snort at this. It’s rather pathetic how bad of a liar he still is. They came out here so that I wouldn’t arrive and be alone my first weekend; the smirk he can’t hide shows this clear as day. I guess it’s their good fortune they have family in Philly and we can all pretend this is why they’re here.
Makes it easier.
“Of course, you do. How is the wife anyway? How come she isn’t part of this welcome committee?”
I smile at the thought of Luna. While Tom is your stereotypical professor with elbow patches and glasses, his wife is the complete opposite. I guess the best way to describe her is free-spirited. Or a hippie. I’m pretty sure she used to have dreads at some point in her past.
They’re both teachers at the University of Illinois. Tom is the head of the education department, while Luna is the head of Women’s Studies. Quite the pair, but it seems to work perfectly. Luna always used to tell me Tom’s the calm to her hurricane.
I am extremely lucky to have met them, no doubt about it. Luna and I developed a friendship during one of her classes that went beyond the classroom. She ended up inviting me to holidays and weekend excursions. I know, it sounds weird, but when you are alone in a different country you welcome a setting that reminds you of your family. Plus, turkey for Thanksgiving at their place was a lot better than eating alone in my dorm room.
“She’s well. She had a meeting with her publisher in New York today. You know for her new book coming out soon?” At my nod, he continues, “Also, she told me to tell you, she’s insisting you come with us to the party tomorrow.” Lifting a hand, he halts any protests he knows are coming. “Don’t even start, you know she’ll just come and force you to join us anyway.”
I sigh, he’s right. There is no way I’ll get out of this one. “Fine.”
“Great. Now get in here and give me a hug. I haven’t seen you in ages! Skype just isn’t the same.” Without waiting for me to move, Tom steps forward and hugs me hard.
“I’m so sorry, girl,” he whispers.
My arms involuntary squeeze him tight. “I’m all right,” I lie.
I move out of his embrace and clear my throat. I don’t do well with emotions. I was never one of those people who can show them easily to begin with, and the last few years only made it worse.
“Welp, shall we go then, driver,” I joke to defuse the emotionally laden situation.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says with a laugh. “Let’s go. My car is this way.” He points straight ahead.
We walk across the street toward a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. Whistling through my teeth, I tease him, “Damn. An SUV. Do you hate our planet that much?”
“Be nice. It’s what they gave us when we arrived. Not even joking, it was the last one left. Luna wasn’t impressed either. She already gave me shit for two hours afterward. Please, spare me.”
“All right, all right, all right,” I give my best Matthew McConaughey impression, causing Tom to laugh out loud, drawing the eye of the people around us.
“Your impersonation skills have not gotten any better over the years.”
I place my hand over my heart in mock hurt. “Hey! Are you saying my practicing was all for naught?”
“Pretty much. I’m surprised you aren’t talking like some posh snob from England anyway. That’s pretty impressive.” The laughter leaving me at his comment is something I haven’t done in months. I’ve lived in England for six years, so it’s not such a stretch to imagine I’d end up with an accent. “Yeah, I worked hard to avoid sounding like a Brit. My mom spent too much time teaching me one accent to lose it.”
After we load my luggage into the trunk, I move to the passenger door, while admiring the interior.
“You know,” I say while getting comfortable, “while I hate the amount of gas this car uses and the deteriorating effect it has on the environment, it’s a really nice one. I love this leather interior—it’s comfortable.”
“That reminds me, have you figured out what you’ll do about a car? You know this is America, not London.” He smirks at me. “You can’t rely on public transport to go anywhere unless you live in the city.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m aware. I don’t even know how far the apartment is from work, but I have a feeling I’ll need to drag my ass out of bed tomorrow and go lease one.” I sigh, already dreading the experience.
“How about I come with you. The party isn’t until three anyway. We’ll go to a dealership in the area in the morning. How does that sound?”
“Actually, it sounds amazing. Thank you. I was not looking forward to it. I hate car shopping. So, I appreciate the help.” I smile at Tom gratefully. “Even though I will say it wasn’t necessary; I’m grateful you came out this weekend.”
“We’re family, girl. Luna thinks of you as a little sister, especially after what you did for us—for Luna. We’ll never forget it and will never be able to repay you.”
I avert my eyes, looking out the window while trying to blink back the tears. “I did what anyone would have done. All I did was drive Luna to the hospital and sit with her while we waited for you.”
“Alex,” he says with a heavy sigh and places a hand on my arm. “You did a lot more than just sit with her. If not for you, she’d have been alone, sitting on a cold and empty hospital bed mourning the baby we’d just lost, waiting for me to get there. You were her lifeline, telling her funny stories of your brother and all the shenanigans you two got up to. You were there when she needed someone the most.”
I look at him, my chest filling with emotions I’m unused to. It was a mixture of gratitude, love, and… belonging. “Then I’m glad I was there to give her some comfort during a horrible time.” I try to smile, but I know I fail miserably since I can feel my lip wobbling.
“Me too, honey. Me too. And you know, we’re here in case you need to talk about—”
“I don’t,” I interrupt abruptly, my tone sharp. I don’t ever want to talk about what happened. The past is going to stay buried deep in the abyss of my consciousness. “I’m fine. I don’t need to talk about anything. Let the past stay where it belongs.”
He looks at me for a moment. And by the way he’s rolling his lip between his teeth, and the intensity in his eyes, I can tell he’s trying to see behind my mask. I’m not sure what he sees, but thankfully he lets it go.
Shaking his head, he straightens in his seat and turns the ignition. “Can you program your new address into the GPS? I don’t want to end up getting lost in the hills of suburbia.”
Looking at the gadget in front of me, I decide to give it the good ol’ try. I’m sure it can’t be that difficult. “Sure, let’s do this.”
 
AUTHOR BIO
Kira Berger is a child of the world with a severe case of wanderlust. She’s lived in both North America and Europe. Currently, she’s living in London and enjoys everything the diverse city has to offer.

She’s always been a dreamer and closet romantic. And after obtaining her MA in English and Publishing, she finally decided to bring the stories floating around in her head and distracting her from real life onto paper.

If she’s not writing or working – which is pretty much most of the time – she can be found reading, traveling all over the world to visit friends, cuddle with her cat, or ride on the back of her horse through the countryside, preferably during the winter months.
 
AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiraBergerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KBergerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirabergerauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17167256.Kira_Berger
Website: https://www.kirabergerauthor.com
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/f85de9498f7e/newslettersignup

GIVEAWAY 
There is a giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card

Review - Killing Snow White by Jamie Campbell

Title: Killing Snow White

Author: Jamie Campbell
Series: Fairy Tales Retold
Pages: 30
Release Date: July 2nd 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore
Publisher: 
Source: Amazon
Format: eBook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: History is told from one person’s perspective. Sometimes they don’t get it right.

The queen has been portrayed as evil for too long. Now it is time for her to tell her side of the story.

The queen once had everything – a loving husband, a ready-made family, and the respect of everyone in the kingdom. Until the day the king died.

As Snow White tries to do everything in her power to hate her step-mother, the evil queen only has love for her. She has always wanted a daughter and was hoping their relationship could be salvaged.

Taken to the woods for her own sanity, Snow White does not hesitate in plotting against the evil queen to take her down.

While trying to continue her husband’s legacy, the queen will do everything in her power to act in the best interests of the kingdom. Even if that means killing Snow White.

Revisit the charming tale of Snow White as told from the perspective of the Evil Queen who allegedly poisoned her.

My Review: Killing Snow White is told from the Queen's point of view.

The Queen tells the readers about how happy she is married to the King - Snow's dad - and how she is happy to have a daughter, the only problem is Snow is very jealous that she has to now share her fathers time with her new 'Mother'. The Queen thought that Snow's jealousy would fade overtime but her hope ended up with the King dying.

Snow demanded that her step mother gave her the Kingdom but the Queen didn't think that Snow could handle the burden at her age but Snow wanted her Kingdom.

Believing that Snow needed to get away from the palace the Queen asked her friend the Huntsman to find somewhere in the forest that Snow loves for her to live secretly as they believe it is best for Snow, this makes it easier for Snow to gossip about the Queen.

The Story tells of Snow trying on a dress that the Queen had made for her and how Snow pulled the corset so tight that she passed out and Snow had the dwarfs fooled into believing that the Queen tried to kill her, then Snow claimed she was given a poisoned comb. The Queen then tells of how she see's some fruit and decides that it would be the perfect gift for Snow which she delivers herself but when she arrives at Snow's door she only has the apple left which she urges Snow to try and then Snow chokes on it and the dwarfs enter their home and force the Queen to flee.

When the Queen returns to the castle and checks on Snow through her magic mirror she see's that Snow looks dead and this makes the dwarfs sad and everyone blamed the Queen for Snows death. The Queen is shocked when she eventually hears that Snow is alive and marrying Prince Charming.

Currently Reading: Fury by Anya Bast
Read in 2018: 11/35

Review - Firebird by Alice La Roux

Title: Firebird

Author: Alice La Roux
Series: N/A
Pages: 134
Release Date: April 20th 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Adult 18+)
Publisher: 
Source: Author
Format: eBook

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Being a King isn't easy.

When a rebel group threatens the family business, Golden Apple Incorporated, Seraphina King must step up to the plate. Her father keeps her on a tight leash, a prized possession locked away in a gilded cage. In desperation he grants her the freedom to find those who want to harm them, but nothing is as it seems. People are going missing, women are turning up dead and then there’s her renegade stalker. The maverick with the emerald green eyes who always seems to be in the middle of things. Sera doesn’t know who to trust or what to believe.

What happens when the golden apple is rotten?

My Review: I love this story, I read it when it was just a short for an anthology and I begged Alice for more and I was so happy when she expanded the story. I gave it 5 stars and very few books get a 5 star rating from me, that shows how much I enjoyed this book.

Seraphina King is kept away from the King family business unlike her brothers who are groomed to be just like her father, but one day her father calls her brothers and herself into his office and when she spots something that they missed he has her join her brothers at work to help catch the rebel group who are harming his business.

Sera takes the task as it gives her more freedom but she doesn't like what she sees and she doesn't know who she can trust and she doesn't want to believe what her renegade stalker tells her about her family.

Currently Reading: Fury by Anya Bast
Read in 2018: 11/35

To Read in May 2018

These are the books that I plan on reading in May. They will change if I get asked to beta read for someone.

I want to try and read at least 6 each month but that does not mean that I will finish all of the books on my list. There are only 5 for May (I started reading Fury in April but college got in the way and I never finished it).

This month I have picked two of my bookshelf and then two from my kindle and a reread.

Fury by Anya Bast (Currently Reading)

1. A Week of Monday's by Jessica Brody
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling
3. Heritage by Tara Ellis
4. In the House of the Vodouisant by David McMullen-Sullivan
5. Evermore by Alyson Noel

May's Upcoming Book Reviews

1. Firebird by Alice La Roux - 3/5/18
2. Killing Snow White by Jamie Campbell - 5/5/18
3. Ugly Sleeping Beauty by Jamie Campbell - 12/5/18
4. All Hallows Eve: Autumn by Stella Wilkinson - 16/5/18
5. I Love Sleeping Beauty by Jamie Campbell - 19/5/18
6. The Beast with no Beauty by Jamie Campbell - 26/5/18

These dates are subject to change (if I get asked to review a book) but the times will stay the same and the ones highlighted are my Saturday reviews. the reviews will be posted between 2:00pm and 4:00pm UK time.