Get To Know Me - Toya Richardson

1.        Can you tell me about yourself?

I write mainly paranormal and contemporary romances. I’m married with one grown up son who works on cruise ships and I have a cat called Masai. I live near Ipswich in Suffolk, originally from Essex in the UK. When not writing or reading I love watching Formula One racing and darts, love live gigs, travelling, rock music, cinema, gardening and spending time with my friends.

My most recent release is Destination Redemption, released 7^th June, which is book 3 of my Beach Reads Romance Series. There will be six books in total in this series and they can all be read as standalone, although some have recurring characters. Book 4 is a Christmas novella, Destination Dream: A Christmas Novella, which will be out 29^th November this year. Each story in this series takes place in a resort I have personally visited, although part of the Christmas novella is set on a cruise ship. I’ve never been on a cruise but will be at the end of June 😉 I’ve fallen in love with each location. So yes, I am a hopeless romantic who goes all mushy over hot sexy guys, strong-willed females, beautiful scenery, awesome sunsets and sunrises lol.

I’ve recently self-published my first book; I was pretty anxious about this but so pleased I did it. It’s the first in a series of paranormal romances. I must admit it’s my favourite genre. Wild Desire, The Protectors Book 1, is free on KU. This series will be full of all different kinds of shifters, Elementals, witches, wizards, Demons and a few evil humans just for good measure lol. Oh, and lots of gorgeous Alpha guys and their strong, independent women. Book two, Animal Magnetism will be out late summer/early autumn this year. This book is with my editor as we speak.

I’m also working on a new paranormal romance series called Hybrid Lovers and have just completed the first draft of Captivated, which is book one. This one is a ménage between two Hybrid angel/vampires and their human fated mate. This should be out sometime early next year.

2.        When and why did you begin writing?

My mum encouraged me from a very early age to use my imagination and was always making up stories to keep me amused. Her dream was to see me published, but she sadly passed away in 2009 before that happened. It was the catalyst to finally focus on writing, I was eventually published for the first time in 2014. Every book I am fortunate enough to get published is now dedicated to my mum’s memory.

3.        Do you use pen and paper first then transfer to computer or computer all the way?

I used to attempt to write plots by hand, but I never used any of them. My characters have a way of taking me in surprising directions. Mostly, apart from a few notes, I use the computer.

4.        What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve just finished reading my first ever reverse harem, The Captive by Mika Lane.

5.        If you could work with any author, who would it be and why?

That’s a toughie. Not certain if I could write with anyone else. I’d find it difficult to find anyone who has the same ideas as me.

Feature Friday - by Kelly McMullen Lowe

★.•*¨*★☆Feature Friday☆★*¨*•.★

Title & Author: Shawland Security: Book 1 by Kelly McMullen Lowe

  

★✩★AMAZON PRE-ORDER NOW LIVE ★✩★
Link: Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shawland-Security-book-KM-Lowe-ebook/dp/B07N6H1WMJ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=shawl+and+security+by+km+lowe&qid=1555094303&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Amazon .com - https://www.amazon.com/Shawland-Security-book-KM-Lowe-ebook/dp/B07N6H1WMJ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=shawl+and+security+by+km+lowe&qid=1555094303&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

★✩★SYNOPSIS ★✩★
Shawland Security (Book 1)

Shawland Security was a fresh start for Caleb Shawland

Caleb thought that leaving his detective status behind would let him sleep easy at night. He’d be his own boss. He’d finally be able to settle down and have a life. Only, that doesn’t last long.

When Caleb’s ex-partner from the CPD walks into his office and mentions Aria Marshall, his world turns upside down in a heartbeat.

Aria Marshall was his one true love.

Aria Marshall has spent all of her adult life helping people less fortunate in third world countries. Her return home to Chicago was supposed to be the next chapter of her life, only she didn’t expect a predator to be waiting in the wings. She didn’t expect the next ten years of her life to vanish. Only it did, and now she needs to find a way to deal with the abuse and violence she faced.

The moment Caleb stumbles back into Aria’s life, he knows for sure he'll do anything to protect her. No matter what that may be.

Will Caleb capture her predator before any more innocent girls find themselves in Aria’s position.

Will Aria ever be able to get over her ordeal?

★✩★Sneaky Excerpt  ★✩★

     “Taxi.” I hold my hand out to a passing car.

     It’s freezing. The temperature out in Africa is completely different to here. I guess I’ve got used to humid temperatures, not Antarctica temperatures, and believe me, this feels like Antarctica. Snow is lying on the ground, frost and ice is glistening on the roads. It’s like a new experience for me after being away from Chicago for so long.

     A few cabs pass by me, and by now, I’m getting frustrated. I just want to get home to surprise my family, and to get warm.

     I haven’t been home in three years. Skype calls were the only means I had of communicating with my loved ones, and that was only when I was in certain areas. That’s why communication has been limited, but my family understands that I was following my heart, doing a job I love, helping people less fortunate than myself. They brought me up to be kind and compassionate. They tell me every time we communicate how proud of me they are.

      “Come on!” I wave my bag out again.

     I kind of feel like a crazy person, yelling, stomping my feet, and getting frustrated about being ignored. Why have I missed city life?

      A yellow cab pulls in up ahead of me. I stand still, just in case it’s for someone else. But the guy gets out, opens his trunk, and says. “You need a ride?”

     I sigh with relief. Finally, the last leg of my journey. I tell him my parents’ address and get in the back seat. I feel the warmth of his vehicle and shiver as I shut out the cold.

    I’m finally going home. The next phase of my life can begin.

     “Been on holiday?” The driver starts the engine and looks at me through his mirror.

     “Work. I was an aid worker in Africa. Just returning home to surprise my family.”

     I blow warm air into my hands and rub them together.

     I look out at the bright lights that surround Chicago. It does feel good to be home. The busy nightlife, traffic, and city life seeps back into my pores. I close my eyes and take in a steady deep breath.

     I’ve missed home. I’ve missed my family and my old friends. I’ve missed it all… even the Antarctica conditions. There comes a point in your life that you need to be surrounded by familiar things. This is my time.

    When I open my eyes, I notice we’ve steered off the route I expected us to take. I sit up straighter in my seat, because for all I know, roads have changed since the last time I was home. There could be a quicker route for us to get there. Infrastructure is always changing in cities. I might just be over-reacting.

      We pull down a dirt track, nowhere near where I expected to be. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, shivers run through my body, and my heartrate increases. Something suddenly doesn’t feel right to me. I look for the cab driver’s badge that usually hangs over the inside mirror, but there’s nothing there.

     “Where are we? This isn’t the way to my address.”

     I try to rifle through my bag to find my cell, but my hands are beginning to shake.

     “I’m taking you home.” He sniggers.

      I see his eyes in the mirror. They’re glaring lifelessly back at me. Now I know I’m not over-reacting. This guy is crazy. Why didn’t I see that before I entered the vehicle? Why did my mind have to be preoccupied? I internally smack myself for being so stupid.

     “This isn’t the way to my home. Just pull over. I’ll find my own way there.”

     I finally find my cell phone and try to push the on button, but a bump in the track knocks it flying out of my hand. I bend down to get it, but another knock bangs my head on the seat in front of me.

     How can my contentment be taken away so quickly by fear?

     “You are home, little one.”

     He gets out of the cab and I try to open my door to run, but it remains closed. The safety locks are in place, and I feel like a caged animal, awaiting its fate.

     Fuck.

     My door opens and I’m hauled out of the seat by my arm, falling over my feet, landing on all fours. He pushes himself against my backside. I feel his body leaning over the back of me. His hands run through my long hair, sniffing it as it falls around my face.

      “We’re going to have some fun. You’ll like that, won’t you, little one?”

     My fight instinct kicks in and I barrel my elbow into his groin. He falls backwards, giving me time to get up, but it’s short-lived. He captures me again, throws me to the ground, and bangs my head off the concrete. I see stars. I’m dizzy and disorientated.

     My last thought before blackness overtakes me is, this is it. He’s going to kill me.

★✩★Author Links★✩★

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkmlowe

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KMLOWE

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KMLOWE86

Instagram: www.instagram.com/author_k.m_lowe 

Interview - Kelly McMullen Lowe 2019

Kelly McMullen Lowe is a new to me author who has happily agreed to partake in an author interview for the blog.

1)         What is your favourite part of a book to write?

"The End" lol! I'm just kidding, my favourite part is the beginning. I love seeing new characters come to life and tell their story.

2)         Can you tell us about your current piece of work?

I am working on a couple of pieces at the moment.

Callum - Past and Presnt (book 6 of The Guardian Shifters, is releasing in August. This is from my brand new PNR series. It is one of my favourite series, the characters are addictive and their stories are even more so. It's set in Scotland and each story is full of emotion. Each book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Shawland Security:book 2, is the new part of my romantic suspense series. It's dark, gritty, and it will stir up many emotions before it pieces you back together.

And finally, Forbidden Love. This is a spin off from Shawland Security, but completely standalone. It's a dark romance. It's very powerful and it will pull at your heartstrings.

3)         How many books are going to be in the series?

Each series of mine is different.

The Guardian Shiftere - 7 books

Shawland Security - 3

Forbidden Love is a standalone.

4)         When writing about something you don’t know very much about where does your information come from?

I have a few books where the characters have jobs I'm clueless about, eg firemen and soldiers. For each of those books I spoke with fireman and a soldier, got into their head and let their personal account shape the book. I come to love the fire service, their love and dedication was just out of thos world. It helped develop my Burning Hearts series.

5)          What do you do to get you in the writing zone? Listen to music, have a TV or radio playing etc..

I always have music on.

6)         How do you choose the names for your books and characters?

Titles for my books usually come much later in the writing process for me. I generally try to pick a word or phrase from the book.

Characters is an easy one, because I like a lot of names. I store unusual names away for a rainy day. My readers group is also good at giving me their favourite names if I get stuck.

7)         How do you come up with your story ideas?

Life in general. I do a lot of people watching. I also write my romance stories true to real life, because I think it helps transport us to another believable world.

8)         If you could do it over again, is there anything you would change in your last book?

Not in my last book, no. However, I would change a couple of my earlier books, because I've learnt so much since then.

9)         How do you get started with writing a book? (as in how do you start developing the story, how do you get inspired for it)

It can be something as simple as a song or something I come across in a cafe or restaurant. As I said above, I people watch and that gives me a lot of inspiration.

10)       In your spare time – when you’re not writing - what do you like to do?

I like to read, walk, swim, and martial arts training.

11)       Who are the target readers?

Each of my books target a wide audience. I'd say between 18-80 my books target.

12)       What do you think readers look for in a book?

Emotion, a good story, believable plots, loveable characters.

13)       Why should a reader pick up/buy your book?

Because I write what I like. I write a believable story true to real life. My books will stir emotions you didn't know possible.

14)       What can we look forward to in 2019?

I have a wide variety of books releasing in 2019.

March - I released a collection of short stories based on contemporary romance and holidays we celebrate here in the U.K.

May - I released Shawland Security:Book . This book is dark and gritty, but it will hook you in from the prologue until the very end.

August - will see the release of Callum - Past and Present (book 6 of The Guardian Shifters)

I have another couple of books planned for later 2019, but no definite plans as of yet.

15)       Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

Thank you for buying my books, reviewing my words, and being a tower of strength in this indie community.

Where can your readers stalk you?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkmlowe

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KMLOWE

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KMLOWE86

Instagram: www.instagram.com/author_k.m_lowe

Top 10 Tuesday

Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2019

1. Eve of Man: Book 2 (Eve of Man Trilogy #2) by Giovanna Fletcher and Tom Fletcher
2. Sinclaire by Alice La Roux
3. Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer
4. The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black
5. The World of Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J. Maas
6. The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare
7. The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White 
8. Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer Trilogy #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
9. Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) by Julie Kagawa 
10. The Babysitters Coven (The Babysitters Coven #1) by Kate Williams

Get to Know Me - Kelly McMullen Lowe

1.        Where are you from?

I was born in Nottingham U.K., but I've lived in Scotland most of my life.

2.        Can you tell me about yourself?

I am 33, a wife, a mother, a writer and reader. I have two fur babies, who keep me on my toes. I love pugs, thanks to my real life pug, Bella. I kind of have an obsession with anything with a pug on, I drove my husband up the wall. Lol

3.        Did you always want to be an author?

No. Absolutely not. When I was at school my English teacher would tell my parents that I would make a good writer one day. I laughed it off time and time again, because I wasn't that interested in telling stories. It wasn't until about 2010 when i was ill that i started writing with no intentions of doing anything with it. Things changed, my health deteriorated, and I needed an escape. I published my first book on 2014 in the middle of my health scare and I haven't looked back. 

4. Do you use pen and paper first then transfer to computer or computer all the way?

I sometimes do use pen and paper it just depends what mood I'm in and where I am. I always have a pen and pad of paper in my bag or car for emergencies.

5. What are you reading at the moment?

I'm reading Girth (can't remember the authors name)

To Read in June

To keep up with my Goodreads challenge of 30 I have picked 2 books to read this month.

Just because I have set these 2 books for this month that does not mean that I will finish all of the books on the list as I do beta reading and I have College.

This month I have picked:

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Review - The Secrets of Sanctuary by Tara Ellis

Title: The Secret of Sanctuary

Author: Tara Ellis

Series: The Samantha Wolf Series #11

Pages: 

Release Date: May 15th 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: The mountains of Sanctuary are hiding a secret...

A camping trip takes an unexpected turn when Sam and her friends encounter some strange things in the woods. An archeological dig near the campground starts off as intriguing, but it's soon apparent to Sam that things aren't what they seem.

With a local legend to unravel, Sam, Ally, and the rest of the gang delve into a mystery that reaches far into the past. Solving it will take more than simply revealing the truth. It'll require a tenacity that only Sam can wield and the help of her friends to see it through to the end.

My Review: This chapter in the Samantha Wolf series see’s Sam, Ally, Cassy, John, Hunter and Lisa visiting a campground in Sanctuary.

This mystery is a crossover with Ms Ellis’ Cozy Mystery series so we see characters from that series in this one also. We meet main characters Ember, Mel and Nathan.

Sam and her friends are holidaying in Sanctuary and just happen to stumble upon a mystery after meeting a Professor who is working on an archaeological dig in the campgrounds surrounding woods after he uncovered an effigy.

While visiting the dig a local shows up and tells the kids about a legend which peaks Sam’s interest but she doesn’t want to get into trouble so she tried to forget about it.

The group invited over the Professor and his students for a camp fire where Hunter reads a story from the book Sam picked up from town and Sam reads a small paragraph to Ally from an interesting chapter while everyone is discussing the effigy, the next morning Sam cannot find the book.

The next day while on a hike Cassy spots two mean ducking into the woods off a small trail so Sam follows them and confirms to Ally and Cassy that she had seen them in the town the day they arrived in Sanctuary.

Surprisingly John and Cassy encourage Sam to continue to investigate the mystery instead of telling her to drop it. Sam is happy that they are with her but she doesn’t want to get into trouble with Lisa.

While at the towns rodeo Sam see’s Malory one of the dig students and she John and Ally follow her and almost get hurt by a bucking horse luckily John pushed the girls out of the way and Ember shows up and is able to stop the horse.

While off for a shower that night the girls see Malory go into the woods so they decide to follow her and they end up on the trail that they saw the two men go down, while watching they see Malory being taken by the men and as they are about to leave to get help Rocky runs off so Sam and Ally go after Rocky while Cassy runs back to camp to get help.

Although Sam and Ally try not to get caught they end up being caught and threatened along with Malory and the local man. Luckily Nathan and the sheriff come to their rescue just in time.

I really enjoyed this crossover and I am hoping for another crossover but mainly a Cozy Mystery one instead of Samantha Wolf but with an appearance from Sam, Ally and the gang.

Currently Reading: Descent by Tara Ellis

Read in 2019: 11/30

Thank you

OMG, I've looking around on the blog as I've been thinking of updating it and I found the comments tab and I never realised how many people have commented on my blog, I never really thought that that many people actually read my blog.

Seeing all these nice comments has made me really want to update my website and step up with my posts again and start posting more of the weekly or monthly posts that I used to do and to get some in touch with some authors for interviews.

Review - To the Dark Room of Souls by David McMullen-Sullivan

Title: To the Dark Room of Souls

Author: David McMullen-Sullivan

Series: Moorehead Manor #3

Pages: 371

Release Date: September 22nd 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: The evil that has been trapped in the Moorehead houses walks free, seeking its revenge, and Emily, Adam and Jimmy must fight one last time for their lives.

In order to defeat the black magic, they must trace it to its source, but the trail leads to the greatest evil of all. Are they strong enough to win the battle, or has their luck run out?

My Review: The 3rd and final book in the Moorehead Manor series was great, it focused a lot more on Emily compared to the others which was nice, you can see how much she has grown as a character since book one.

Emily and Jimmy are now married and trying to have a child, they have good jobs and Adam is working as a resident in a hospital while secretly crushing on a classmate.

Emily goes to visit Mr McMannis from book 2 to see if he had any updates on finding the rest of the houses that were cursed, he informs her of one he had found and tells he what he is going to do with that house but she is not happy and she takes it upon herself to destroy the house how she believes it should be done.

While trying to burn down the house she gets stuck inside the house and sees visions and Jimmy and Adam come to her rescue.

While at work in the hospital Adam is tasked to take a body down to the morgue where the dead body comes to life and attacks him.

The three along with Mr McMannis help to get rid of the evil once and for all, while doing so Emily gets visited from a spirit boy who explains why he is there and that something is happening to him and the other child spirits that are trapped, Emily asks the boy to find out anything about the man who trapped their souls.

After sometime Emily is revisited by the spirit boy who she eventually names Daniel who has come to warn her to be ready for some visions. At first these visions come one at a time until asks for them all to come as she does not have enough time if they come one at a time every so often as she needs to find out how to help the trapped souls due to an interfering woman. Emily manages to find the Dark Room of Souls but she also leads the woman right to them.

I am really sad that this series is over and I wished that Mr McMullen-Sullivan had wrote a book about each house but when I asked him why he hadn’t he said that it would just be dragging the story out and he didn’t want his readers to get bored.

I enjoyed this series and I defiantly recommend the series.

Currently Reading: The Birth of Vengeance by P. A. Ross

Read in 2019: 10/30

Review - Sleepless by Melissa Frost

Title: Sleepless

Author: Melissa Frost

Series: Tales from Esteria Book 3

Pages: 71 pages

Release Date: August 8th 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: This Sleeping Beauty won't take things lying down...

After being shoved from a high castle balcony into the moat below, Princess Talia searches for the man responsible for saving her from certain death. After much digging, she is surprised to find that her rescuer is none other than an outlaw named Phillip Aurora—an enemy to the crown. Once she tracks Phil to the castle dungeons and helps break him out, the two unlikely allies must band together to take down the crime lord responsible for the attempt on her life.

As the two battle bandits and take on impossible odds together, Talia finds herself falling for the rogue at her side. If they can survive the challenges in front of them, perhaps she’ll be able to put to the test that they aren’t all that different after all. 

My Review: This story was told by a Princess of Esteria named Talia. It is a spin on Sleeping Beauty.

Princess Talia gets pushed from a castle balcony into a moat. The intention was to kill her but she was rescued by a stranger to her but he is actually a wanted criminal and an enemy to the crown Phillip, when Phillip saves her they share a kiss.

Talia falls into a long sleep after the fall and when she wakes she remembers kissing the stranger and she asks her father for the name of the person who saved her so she can thank him personally, he sends her on a wild goose chase so Talia decides to start kissing everyone until she finally finds out he’s being held in the dungeons.

Talia breaks Phillip out of the dungeon and the two team up to go after the person who tried to kill her.

While searching for her attempted killer Talia and Phillip start to fall for each other.

There is a big surprise twist at the end that even surprised me but I liked it.

Sleeping Beauty is my all-time favourite Fairy Tale so when I saw that the third instalment in this series was from Sleeping Beauty’s POV I was a little sceptical but I enjoyed it.

Currently Reading: The Birth of Vengeance by P. A. Ross

Read in 2019: 10/30

Review - Anastasia: Story of an Ugly Stepsister by Melissa Frost

Title: Anastasia: Diary of an Ugly Stepsister

Author: Melissa Frost

Series: Tales From Esteria #2

Pages: 112

Release Date: December 20th 2017

Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Anastasia has no idea about the changes that have happened while she’s been away in Germany in a student exchange program. While she’s been studying computer courses and first aid classes, her sisters have been battling mythological creatures from another dimension, and it’s a secret they’re not sharing. Annie feels like she doesn’t know Drusilla anymore. Cinderella has become an invasive presence despite her open hatred of her stepsisters before Annie’s trip. And the new next-door neighbor has edged his way into their lives despite her protests.

Anastasia is determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious events happening around her, but the things she uncovers become more and more shocking. Her crush is from another dimension. Cinderella has a fairy godmother and is on speaking terms with a real, live prince. Gnomes exist and live in her backyard.

What is she willing to risk to open herself up to an unimaginable experience and possibly a romance that’s literally out of this world? Is she prepared to handle the truth and the dangers that come with it? The only thing she knows for certain is that life will never be the same.

My Review: This spin on Cinderella was told by Anastasia one of the ‘evil’ stepsisters. Anastasia ‘Annie’ – Drusilla’s twin sister – has just come back from her time in Germany. Annie is angry with her sister for leaving her stranded at the airport while she was off with Ella.

At first Ella and Drusilla try to keep Annie in the dark about the mysterious portal but she gets suspicious and follows them to see why her twin who she was so close to before her trip is now keeping things from her and why she is now so friendly with Ella but when she finds out their secret she is shocked to say the least.

Annie see’s something strange and she faints, when she is told what had happened her sister explains to her that she kept it secret as she knew she would react that way.

Annie ends up falling for the new neighbour’s younger brother who is just as much a tech geek as she is.

When Annie finds out her sisters secret she joins them on a mission which ends up going very badly for her and her sister boyfriend gets injured.

This story was nice and short, I would recommend it to anyone who has read the first one, loves a quick read and loves Fairy Tales. I cannot wait to see if Anastasia starts to get used to the fighting of magical creatures and if her relationship progresses. I would also like to see if Ella can manage to convince the Prince of Esteria to marry her.

Currently Reading: The Birth of Vengeance by P. A. Ross

Read in 2019: 10/30

Review - Drusilla: Story of an Ugly Stepsister by Melissa Frost

Title: Drusilla: Story of an Ugly Stepsister

Author: Melissa Frost

Series: Tales From Esteria #1

Pages: 139

Release Date: December 21st 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: What if Cinderella isn’t the sweet and tortured angel everyone believes? Instead, what if she's the most popular girl at school who is hell bent on making sure her ugly stepsister doesn’t stand in the way of her popularity? A new story unfolds through the eyes of Drusilla...

Being sisters with bright and beautiful Ella is an unending nightmare for Drusilla. That is until the sisters accidentally open a portal to another dimension. The unlikely duo is forced to team up against a swarm of angry sprites, a clan of territorial gnomes, and a few other unlikely creatures. Their new portal comes with a fairy godmother, and there's even a bona fide fairy tale prince up for grabs. It might take impossible odds to bring these two together, but it’s a story that proves even the ugly stepsister can sometimes be the hero.

My Review: As you know I love my spin on Fairy Tales and this one was just as good if not better than other that I have read previously. This spin on Cinderella was told by Drusilla one of the ‘evil’ stepsisters.

After a fight Cinderella ‘Ella’ and Drusilla end up in their back garden when Ella throws a shoe towards the lake at the back of their home in a temper tantrum and accidentally opens up a mysterious portal to another realm that has not been open for a long, long time.

Ella and Drusilla are made guardians of the portal on their side of the portal guided by a fairy godmother that just magically appears whenever the girls are needed to solve a situation. Not only do they get a fairy godmother but they get some of the kings guards come through the portal to help them out. These guards are trained in fighting with one being a tech geek, one being nice and bubbly and the other being very serious.

The two end up fighting sprite’s, helping Gnomes find a new home and more, this task ends up with the two becoming closer and Drusilla more confidant.

Currently Reading: The Birth of Vengeance by P. A. Ross

Read in 2019: 10/30

To Read in May

To keep up with my Goodreads challenge of 30 I have picked 2 books to read this month.

Just because I have set these 2 books for this month I may not finish them as I do beta reading, I have College and I have an essay to do for University.

This month I have picked:

1. Laguna Cove by Alyson Noel
2. In Some Other Life by Jessica Brody

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone, don’t eat too much chocolate.

To Read in April

To keep up with my Goodreads challenge of 30 I have picked 2 books to read this month.

Just because I have set these 2 books for this month that does not mean that I will finish all of the books on the list as I do beta reading and I have College and University.

This month I have picked:

1. Descent by Tara Ellis
2. To The Dark Room of Souls by David McMullan-Sullivan

Review - Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noel

 

Title: Art Geeks and Prom Queens

Author: Alyson Noel
Series:
Pages: 240
Release Date: September 1st 2005
Format: Paperback

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Being the new girl is tough, just ask sixteen-year-old Rio Jones. A New York transplant, Rio has no clue how she's going to fit in at her fancy new private school in Southern California. Plus, being late, overdressed, and named after a Duran Duran song doesn't make the first day any easier for her.

Then Rio meets Kristi. Beautiful, rich, and a cheerleader, Kristi is the queen bee of Newport Beach. And Kristi isn't friends with just anyone, so Rio is thrilled when she's invited to be part of the most exclusive, popular clique. Of course, like any club, Kristi and her friends have rules: Always smile (even if you don't mean it), always dress cute (and never repeat outfits), and always flirt (but only with jocks, preps, and rich college guys).

At first Rio is having a great time, but as she becomes more immersed in this jet-set crowd, she figures out there is one last rule that her new friends forgot to mention: Don't cross Kristi . . 

My Review: Rio is starting a new school mid term, she is a geek and proud but her mum - an almost super model - thinks that Rio could be less geeky and more girly and popular and she goes as far as choosing what Rio should wear on her first day at school so that she will get noticed and become popular.

On her first day she is late and the girl sat next to her in her first class spends the whole time staring at her but during her second class Rio makes friends with Mason and Jas, they are in her art class and they invite her to Jas' house for lunch, while there Rio find out that they smoke weed and because she doesn't want to seem like a loser she joins in and when the three go back to school they end up being late getting caught and getting a weeks detention.

This incident makes her mum tell Rio that she shouldn't hang with Mason and Jas as they are bad for her but Rio doesn't really care what her mum says and the next day she continues to hang out with Mason and Jas.

After a few days Rio becomes friends with Kristi, Kristi is the popular girl but becoming her friend comes at a price, she MUST stop hanging out with her fellow art geeks and spend her time shopping and doing whatever else Kristi says. When Rio invites her new friends home her mum is finally happy to see that she is now friends with the popular group. The problem is deep down Rio is really unhappy being Kristi's friend as there are rules she must follow, but she doesn't want to go back to being the kid no one notices.

Kristi helps Rio to get with JC who just wants to sleep with Rio but she keeps putting it off, Rio's mum and Kristi even plan a party for her that she doesn't want. While being Krisit's friend Rio starts to take drugs, partying and drinking.

Rio eventually starts to date Tyler a senior and becoming more popular than Kristi and she doesn't like this, Rio even has a date to the Moondance and all the seniors like having Rio hanging with them and Drew the guy who Kristi is hooking up with all the time doesn't ask her to go to the dance with him.

Rio, Tyler, Kristi and the others attend a party where they play spin the bottle, at first Rio doesn't want to join in as she doesn't think its right to hook up with someone else while Tyler is with his friends drinking but when he asks her to join in she does. This is where everything starts to change, Drew spins the bottle and ends up kissing Rio and Kristi doesn't like it and when Kristi spins the bottle it lands on Tyler, Rio hopes that Kristi and Tyler won't do anything but instead they leave to go upstairs to hook up. Rio takes herself off upstairs and cries but after re applying her make-up she goes downstairs and have a few drinks and ends up making out with Drew who starts to make a move on Rio who has to kick him to get him off her.

While trying to leave the party Rio and Kristi get into an argument and Rio's whole world starts to fall down around her. Kristi starts to spread rumours about Rio and everyone at school starts to ignore her even Tyler and the rest of the seniors. Kids in the hall start pointing and laughing at her and calling her names, someone also defaces her locker and puts dog poo in the locker and when she tries to tell the Head Teacher what had happened to her locker and who she thinks did it he doesn't believe her.

Now she has no friends Rio pretends to her mum that everything is wonderful until one day her mum tells her that she needs to pick out a dress for the Moondance, Rio snaps she can't take it anymore, she goes into the bathroom and cuts all her hair off and then goes down for her dinner and her mum freaks out and Rio finally tells her everything.

The following Monday Rio goes to school and confronts Kristi and calls her out on all her rubbish and she starts to become friends with Mason and Jas again.

The ending was great as Rio finally gets to be who she wants to be and her mum is happy for her she is even happy with Rio being friends with Mason and Jas again. This story tells it like it is for most young people who go to High School, especially if your new. It basically tells you to be who YOU want to be and NOT what everyone else wants.

Currently Reading: Drusilla: Story of an Ugly Stepsister by Melissa Frost
Read in 2019: 6/30

Review - Revenge of the Viper by D.C Akers

Title: Revenge of the Viper

Author: D. C. Akers
Series: Haven
Pages: 278
Release Date: February 20th 2014

Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Publisher: 
Source: Amazon
Format: Kindle

Buy it: Amazon

Add it: Goodreads

Synopsis: Revenge of the Viper is (Book #2) in the Bestselling series HAVEN, following A Stranger Magic (BOOK #1) which is available as a FREE download on Amazon!

The Great War of Haven ended thirteen years ago but Alisa Dalcome is about to discover that the war did not end for her. Placed on Earth as a sleeper agent for the Majesty of Haven, Alisa had one objective—protect the portal keys at all costs. In the wrong hands the magical keys could jeopardize the safety of everyone on Haven. But Alisa’s relocation was more than just Majesty business; it was also a chance for her to escape her enemies, enemies that still wanted her dead. Alisa wasn’t thinking about herself when she left Haven, she was thinking about her children Sam and Sarah. The Great War had already taken her husband Rylan; she would be damned if she would let it take her children too. But what Alisa didn’t count on was her inquisitive son Sam and his friend Travis. Sam’s world has turned upside down after discovering magic is real. After barely escaping the caves Sam begins to piece together the past day’s events when he stumbles onto his mother’s secret past. With the clues mounting, Sam must dig deeper to uncover the truth that could change his life forever. 

But Sam doesn’t realize that his mother’s past has already caught up with them. Hidden within the shadows nearby is Haven’s most malevolent predator—the Viper. A hunter forged from the blackest of magic, it watches, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Can Sam uncover the truth in time or will his mother’s past collide with the present placing them all in grave danger?

HAVEN SERIES: Known as a place of refuge, Haven is a sanctuary for those with supernatural abilities. Decades of peace between the Witches, Vampires, Goblins, Elves, and Orcs is coming to an end. Now the once tranquil world is shrouded in deception and corruption. Dark secrets tear at the very fabric of their alliance, giving way to an evil that stirs in the shadows. Exhilarating and utterly gripping, the HAVEN series is an action-packed journey full of suspense, magic, mystery, and intrigue.

My Review: After finding the hidden cave Sam got into trouble with his mum and he had upset his sister so he decides that he would clean out the garage that his mum had asked him to do without complaining.

While cleaning the garage he finds something hidden it has his mums name on it and inside is a letter. Sam reads the letter and when he reads out a certain word a ball in the garage starts to fly around crashing into items knocking them over, Travis turns up just in time to help him to tidy it all back up so that he doesn't get into trouble.

After the strange garage incident the reader is taken to the world of Haven - which is a sanctuary for the supernatural - where a meeting is about to take place between all the elders of each race, during the meeting they are told that the Viper has returned and that Sam and his family were still alive and were living on Earth to keep them safe.

Some of the people at the meeting are outraged at this revelation and they leave after an argument. One of the members of the meeting had figured out that Sam and his family were still alive and the remaining people are told that Sam and his family are in danger.

For the rest of the story some members leave Haven to got to Earth to see the Dalcome are safe but Sam, Travis, his mum and sister are attacked and they have to fight the Viper with the help of the people from Haven. Once the fight is over Sam and his family with his friend Travis go to the cave and they all travel to Haven.

I enjoyed this story, I would have liked to see more of Haven, maybe after everyone had arrived from Earth back to Haven instead of it all being focused on the fight in the Dalcome home.

Currently Reading: Drusilla: Story of an Ugly Stepsister by Melissa Frost

Read in 2019: 6/30

To Read in March

To keep up with my Goodreads challenge of 30 I have picked 3 books to read this month.

Just because I have set these 3 books for this month I may not finish them as I do beta reading, I have College and I have an essay to do for University.

This month I have picked:

1. Drusilla: Story of an Ugly Step Sister by Melissa Frost
2. Anastasia: Story of an Ugly Step Sister by Melissa Frost
3. Sleepless: Diary of an Ugly Stepsister by Melissa Frost