Category: 5 *

Ruthless (Mob Boss #1) - Michelle St. James

7/9/2016

"Stockholm syndrome is defined when hostages experience a powerful, primitive positive feeling towards their captor. They are in denial that this is the person who put them in that situation. In their mind, they think this is the person who is going to let them live." Thanks bbc.com for that informative little segment. Ruthless served me this syndrome wrapped in a pretty bow, dripping wet with passion and romance.

Angelica and Nico are from two different worlds. However, they are not as different as they initially thought. The mob; the Syndicate is what joins them. Well that and the fact that Angelica's father; Carl killed Nico's parents in cold blood. Or did he? The Syndicate doesn't seem to believe so. Especially since Nico has no proof to support his claims. Yet Nico knows what he knows and will not stop until he receives justice for his parents. Even if that means kidnapping the killer's daughter to prove a point.

Closing the restaurant she had worked in since leaving college was all Angelica was trying to do when she felt the cold metallic barrel of a gun pressed against her head. She was knocked unconscious. When she woke she was trapped in a small room behind locked doors at Nico's headquarters.

Life has just gotten hella real for Angelica. She will come to learn that the man she calls 'dad' is far detached from the man she had grown to love. Heck his last name wasn't even real. However, she believes she knows her father's heart. Somehow she is confident that he will supply Nico with whatever he needs for her safe release. After all she is his daughter. Surely he wouldn't leave her to criminals to suffer by their hands, right? Right?

So you mix mafia with romance and cooked yourself a good ol' beefy stew of interesting and excitement. There were times this book blurred the lines of romance to straight up erotica. Look at you tiptoeing over to the sensual side Ruthless. Look at you. I was like 'nooooooooooooo. I wasn't ready.' Had me shielding my eyes and all to make it through some stay-with-me-kinda-scenes.

Then came the ending. I did not see the events unfolding as they did. Excuse me if I tripped and stumbled, but I was not prepared for the story to end that way. Nooooooo! I can't wait to read how the lives of Nico, Angelica and David (Angelica's brother) changes after the...Oh just caught myself spilling too much tea. I'll stop there.

Grab a copy and set out for a twisted ride. I enjoyed my read from start to finish. In one word, it was awesome! Happy Reading!

-Chantol Aspinall

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https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Mob-Boss-Book-One/dp/0996605614/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467688426&sr=8-1&keywords=ruthless+michelle+st.+james

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The Calypsis Project (The Echo-Alpha Duology Book 1) - Brittany Willows

6/18/2016

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The Calypsis Project transported us through time and space and dropped us into the midst of war. The year is 2438 and humanity is nothing as we know it today. It's humans versus aliens and as it appears, the aliens are sitting pretty on the edge of victory. However, the humans are determined to fight to the death to reclaim their stance in the galaxy. The question is "Is this waged war a mere cover for something greater? The Calypsis Project?"

The read takes us on a trip to varying galaxies, worlds and societies where we meet up on all types. There are humans and then we have their alien enemies; Drahkori, Leh'kin, Nephran and the list continues. War is not the only set theme. We see where self discovery squeezes into the chaos. This may even be the most important theme of them all, as Kenon's self discovery may lead to an unexpected exposure.

Kenon Valinquint, a young Drahkori leaves his world behind to join the war. Holding a crytal spitting firearm has nothing to do with his decision. His aim is to prove his worth and relevance to live to his people, his parents but most of all to himself.

In a turn of events enemies are converted to friends. Alright maybe friends is a bit much. 'Unconventional squad mates' is what I'd like to call the team consisting of three humans, a Drahkori, a Leh'kin and two AIs. Not your typical team, yet they are making do. After receiving some unsettling truth and knowledge about the Calypsis Project and its diversion; the petty war between the humans and the Drocain Royal Empire they have decided to stick it out. Together.

I feel as though this here is safe grounds to express my feelings. I honestly believe that The Calypsis Project was written with the agenda to ruin my life. I will show you how because I can already sense the laughter coming my way.

Evidence#1: It was too good. So good that it made me miss my initial bus stop and ended up having to travel another hour just to make it back to work. This was on my second day at the job, thank you very much. Let me just add that I was ten minutes late. How rude Calypsis Project? Nothing is wrong with being a good read but did you have to be that good?

Evidence#2: There came a part in the book where I was bawling my eyes out. I don't intend to spoil it for you so I won't give too much details. This book had me sitting on the bus looking crazy wiping away tears, gasping and a few hushed but very audible emotional shouts erupted from my mouth.

So as you can see with these compiling evidence I enjoyed every bit of it. If you are looking for an action packed, adventurous getaway then this my friend is the book for you. Learn more about The Calypsis Project today! Happy reading!

-Chantol Aspinall

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http://www.amazon.com/Calypsis-Project-Echo-Alpha-Duology-Book-ebook/dp/B00HG0B07Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458351252&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Calypsis+Project+By+Brittany+M.+Willows

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The Skeletons of Birkbury - Diana J. Febry

3/26/2016

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The dead body of a young girl resurfaced after twenty years of being buried and suddenly the village people grew quiet. No one was willing to admit to anything. It seemed as though everyone in Birkbury had something to hide.

Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and Detective Inspector Fiona Williams were assigned the case which led them to ask the question, "Who killed sixteen year old Jennifer?" Hatherall wanted to chalk it up to a random girl who had no connections to Birkbury but Williams felt differently. She was fascinated, intrigued and wanted to investigate further.

Numerous conducted interviews and evidence later revved up Hatherall's detective instincts. He was now certain that Jennifer's death had nothing to do with an outsider but in fact had everything to do with someone who was familiar with the area. Someone from the village. His main suspect; Mark Farley, the wealthy and charming husband and father. Hatherall, however, must be truthful with himself and decide if it's his instincts driving his suspicions or his past regrets and personal issues clouding his better judgement.

Let's be honest, I'm more of a romance junkie. Crime/Mystery *shrugs shoulders* I've heard of the genre, never been a die hard fan. Regardless I decided to give it a go and commit to the read. So happy I did. I hold no regrets. NONE. This novel had me hooked from Jenny's lifeless corpse said "Hello" to Frank Codrington on Graham Farley's inherited farm. (Did you see what I was trying to do there...no...okay, moving along).

The Skeletons of Birkbury had me drawing out my magnifying glass and dusty detective hat. I lived for the many twist and turns the author knitted and weaved into each chapter. I remembered making three intelligent predictions (I stress intelligent... it seemed that way at the time). You should have seen me putting clues together before the detectives themselves. Guess what? I was proven wrong each time. I guess I'm not cut out to be a good crime and mystery buster.

Speaking of good crime solvers, I thought that Hatherall and Williams made an awesome team. They trusted their guts and cracked the case wide open *cliche alert*.

As much as I enjoyed my read from the first page to the last word, we all know no book is a perfect saint. One major sin that proved unforgivable:

I get that the story was set in a village. A village filled with numerous families populating the area. On paper with the mention of so many characters, at times it was hard to remember who the character was and what relevance he/she had in the murder case.

In spite of this sin I loved it and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get their Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes on. Thrilling plot and convincing story line. Discover the secrets buried in Birkbury today. Happy Reading!
-Chantol Aspinall

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http://www.amazon.com/Skeletons-Birkbury-Diana-J-Febry-ebook/dp/B0082PXOQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458350166&sr=8-1&keywords=the+skeletons+of+birkbury

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Nag Nag Nag- Kathy Steinemann

10/29/2015

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Do this, fix that, tidy this that and the other. All that nagging. Worst part is it's endless. Megan has no mute button and God knows her husband of forty years, Emmett would rejoice if she came with one.

Emmett is more of the laid back, chilled dad, husband and grandpa. He keeps Megan grounded and stops her from popping a vein. After counting down the time, all 8655 minutes, he is retired, and does some pretty important stuff while enjoying his days at home. Here is just a few of his antics: creating a raincoat for his granddaughter out of duct tape, or as the five year old calls it, 'duck tape'. His grocery shopping mission with his wife. Let's just say it cost them a carton of heavy cream. And I can't forget the time he put on his chef hat and decided to bake a cake for Megan. How sweet. The thought anyway. As for the cake......burn baby burn comes to mind.

I lived for the interactions between these two characters. However, I wished I got to see how the pranks played out. God knows I wanted to be there when Emmett stuffed his face with cookies and sweet toothpaste. Darn.

The story also introduces us to their daughter and two grandchildren. To clear the record, it wasn't tears in my eyes during the moment when they watched the video of Paul, husband and father who perished in a vehicle accident. It was.......sweat. Yeah, that's what it was. During the breezy night, somehow, I can't and won't explain, a few beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and casually rolled in my eyes. Sounds plausible enough. So you see they weren't tears people.

Laughs after laughs kept rolling out. Too bad I chose to read it at night..... I was being shushed and all. Try as I might (didn't try much) I couldn't suppress the laughs. The jokes in my opinions didn't seem forced and managed to effortlessly flow out of the mouths of the characters. Short and entertaining to the very end. I loved the read so til. Happy reading!
-Chantol Aspinall

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http://www.amazon.com/Nag-Megan-Emmett-ebook/dp/B015Q9ELOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450812024&sr=8-1&keywords=nag+nag+nag

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With this ring I thee dread- Ruth Ann Nordin

10/15/2015

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Arranged marriages, in a word, are so OLD-FASHION (mom and dad, I BEG of you, don’t get any ideas). Well, at least I thought so. I know who’d disagree with me; Elizabeth’s and Ryan’s parents. They thought it was the only way their adult children would find love and happiness.
                Ryan and Elizabeth didn’t agree. They kicked, screamed and argued. When they heard they’d both lose their jobs working for their parents’ companies and be disowned, that quieted their protest. QUICK! The arrangement went something like this; they were to get married at the courthouse, and right after they would be flown off to Alaska, where they’d stay for four months at Mr. and Mrs. Valentine’s vacation cabin.
                During that time they were cut off from society, their only means of communicating with the outside world was through letters which were collected every month. Talk about isolation, however, with a good friend I could so do this. Ryan and Elizabeth weren’t friends, they carried bad blood from their high school days. You wait until you find out the reason or dare I say persons who added the fuel to the fire.
                Living together proved challenging and to be honest I thought someone would return home suffering from bodily harm. All that bickering. I wanted this to work as much as their parents. Sighzzzz, I was rooting for them throughout the read. Go Elizabeth and Ryan! Jeez, just fall in love already.
                I fell in love with this book and perhaps the rest of Ms. Nordin’s work. I enjoyed reading this story, couldn’t get enough of it at one point. I’d recommend it to anyone.
                Wrap yourself in a blanket and cuddle up to this good book. Happy reading!
-Chantol Aspinall

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http://www.amazon.com/This-Dread-Omaha-Contemporary-Romances-ebook/dp/B0027CU162/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450812474&sr=8-1&keywords=with+this+ring+i+thee+dread

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Bound by Blood- Tracey Jackson

10/15/2015

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This particular eBook beckoned unto me saying, 'Read me!"

To tell the truth, I near hissed my teeth and clicked Next, but there was something about the cover that screamed ROMANCE. I can't put a finger on it, perhaps it had something to do with the scene of kissary. Maybe. Next thing I knew I was intrigued. Darn you cover designer, darn you.

Initially, the title had me believing I would open up a world that told a vampire love story. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing off putting about a blood sucking creature of the night, surrendering to the power of love. However, I'm not about the vampire life. I'm sorry die-heart Twilight fans. But before you start throwing stones, I have nothing against fang wearing, blood thirsty characters. I don’t.

No vampires in this book. No siree, just Cauld Ane. You know what I'm talking about. Semi-Immortal beings, no sharp canines, crazy super powers...... You know. Well, I had no idea until I read this book. I was just as clueless as you, and trust me, a quick Google search links you right back to this book or the series.

Pretty cool characters to write about huh? Huh? Well, I thought so, thank you very much. The story follows Samantha Moore, who leaves her family, friends, basically her entire life to work for a big Pharmaceutical company in Edinburgh, Scotland. She develops romantic feelings for her boss, Kade Gunnach, who happens to be holding back on a few secrets or two……. No biggie right? We all have a few bones under a rug or a closet maybe.

This book is serving me insta romance on a platter. Yass hunty, insta romance on fleek. *Clears throat* I’m sorry for that outburst, I’ll be resuming my professional demeanor in 3, 2, 1…. Insta romance isn’t my idea of good romance, whether in the fiction world, or in real life. I just feel as though relationships are like seeds, you tend to them and they’ll grow. It is never something to happen overnight. Much less in two weeks, especially with someone who is withholding important information about themselves.

After two weeks and some days (I counted two- correct me on my math if necessary) it is revealed that they can communicate telepathically. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CALL THE HILLS, CAUSE I'M COMING.....RUNNING, NO SHOES OR NOTHING.

Samantha Moore obviously is a brave heart, she stays. Only to find out about mating, immortality (well semi), binding and transformation (Kade had a right to leave out that horrid process). But wait there is more, she finds out his age. "Cue Erica Campbell- Help!" I know what you're saying, what does age have to do with love? Please, he's over six hundred years old, birthed in 1420. Yes, 1420.

More awaits you in Bound by Blood; adultery, false identities and butt kicking action. In all honesty, in spite of a few things I didn’t like here and there, I enjoyed this book. It has become one of my favs and I’ve read it about four times now. The way the characters interacted to me, made the story Golden. Five stars. I’m glad Ms. Jackson decided to share it with the world. Don’t take my word for it. Read it yourself, draw your own opinion, and let me know what you think. Read it before, leave a comment. I want to know what’s on your mind. Happy reading!
-Chantol Aspinall

Purchase Now!

http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Blood-Cauld-Ane-Book-ebook/dp/B009RXME3C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450812683&sr=8-2&keywords=bound+by+blood

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My opinions, my thoughts, my reviews, my way. If you'd like your book to be reviewed and featured on this site, contact me. Don't be shy, I promise, I won't fracture your ego, however, I will be honest.

So many books, so little time.

Ruthless (Mob Boss #1) - Michelle St. James

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The Calypsis Project (The Echo-Alpha Duology Book 1) - Brittany Willows

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The Skeletons of Birkbury - Diana J. Febry

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Nag Nag Nag- Kathy Steinemann

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With this ring I thee dread- Ruth Ann Nordin

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Bound by Blood- Tracey Jackson

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