A Magical's Gift by Maya Tyler (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

A Magical's Gift

ADULT title

by 

Maya Tyler

 

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GENRE:   paranormal romance

 

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BLURB:

 

The feud between fairies and wizards is an ancient threat in the magical world. Yet peace is possible. The child of a fairy and a wizard could reunite the factions of The Annunaki and end the unrest.

Niall Warde had been a carefree soul trapped in the rigid, ordered life of a wizard apprentice when he discovered the girl of his dreams was a fairy. He would never know if their forbidden love could survive because she disappeared without a trace. Unable to find her, Niall blamed his father for Amelie’s disappearance and left home without looking back.

Amelie Ricard knew she had to protect the baby she and Niall created. The fairies don't want peace and her mother, their leader, would stop at nothing to prevent armistice, including killing her own grandchild. So, she must leave her son Kurtis with his father to be raised as a wizard. She left the infant on the steps of his father’s cottage then disappeared, also leaving behind the only man she’s ever loved.

Thirty years later, Niall is called home for his father’s funeral where he reunites with Amelie. When Kurtis’ life is put into danger, Niall and Amelie must face the demons of the past to protect him.

Neither can bring back the past, but can they have a future together? Will their son unite their people in peace?

 

 

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EXCERPT

Resting on his forearms, he focused his intense gaze on her. “Still with me?”

 

She flushed under his scrutiny. “Just thinking?”

 

He rolled onto his back and tucked her closer, so she reclined against his chest. “Are you asking or telling?”

 

“Telling.”

 

“Care to share with the class?” He ran his fingertips over her shoulders, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “You’re so tense, baby. What’s on your mind?” He pressed his fingers deeper into the muscles on the top of her shoulders.

 

She let out a low moan at the sensation. “Oh, that feels great. Whatever I was thinking… it’s gone now. I’m here with you. One hundred percent.”

 

He continued massaging her shoulders, putting pressure on the tight spot at the base of her neck. “Any plans for later?”

 

“Mmm. No… but I could stay here with you all day.”

 

“In bed? All day? Why, Miss Ricard, I do believe I’ve been a bad influence on you.”

 

She gave him a mock punch in the shoulder. “You know what I meant.”

 

“How about a film? I can check the paper to see what’s playing?”

 

“What sort of films do you like?” She moved slightly away so she could see his face. “I really don’t know much about you.” He raised an eyebrow, and her cheeks flushed. “Don’t you take anything seriously?”

 

“Life is serious enough.” He shrugged. “You know everything that’s important. Plus, I can’t help it. You are so easy to tease, baby.”

 

“Yeah, you’re a funny guy.”

 

“And you, Mia—” he dropped a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose, “—are a gift.”

Buy Links

A Vampire’s Tale

A Wizard’s Choice

A Fairy’s Quest

A Fairy Godmother’s Redemption

A Magical’s Gift

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings. An avid reader, Maya writes the books she loves to read—romances! Her paranormal romances come with complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and watching movies and TV.

Contact

Maya loves to hear from fellow authors and readers! Please connect with her through social media (see links below).

Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest
Instagram

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

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My review:

3.5 out of 5 stars

 

A Magical’s Gift by Maya Tyler is the final story in ‘The Magicals’ series that centers around the complicated relationship between humans and paranormal beings such as vampires, wizards, and fairies. Featuring Amelie Ricard, who has always considered her mother’s tales about fairies to be fiction and nothing to do with her, and Niall Warde, who is rebelling against the expectations of him by his fellow wizards, this story follows the couple who face insurmountable odds when they fall for each other. Unfortunately, their very lives may be in danger if they follow their hearts, so they must choose their paths forward wisely.

 

This adult paranormal/fantasy romance ties together the threads of a series, so it may be a little confusing to someone like me who hasn’t read the previous stories. I was a little puzzled because the book description didn’t seem to quite jibe with the story at first, but eventually things began to fall into place. The passages of time are a little erratic for me, especially the flashback, and I'm still a little puzzled about some of the conflicts, but this is creative and spicy story that explores the themes of loyalty, tradition, betrayal, and faithfulness with a fantasy twist. I recommend that the other books in the series are read first for better clarity.

 

A copy was provided for review

Mockingbird's Cry by Winter Austin (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 

 

 

Mockingbird's Cry

by 

Winter Austin

 

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GENRE: Romantic Suspense/Military Thriller

 

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BLURB:

 

Five years ago, Josephine "Mockingbird" Caruso belonged to an all-female black-ops military group named Hera Force—a team tasked with bringing down terrorists like the enigma dubbed the Chessmaster, but the faceless criminal mastermind had other plans and single-handedly destroyed the operation, ruining the women’s military careers and their lives.

 

Ex-Delta Force operative, now Detective Lincoln Sullivan reports to the scene of a mass-murder, learning all too quickly he knows the victims. The killer has left behind a deadly missive just for him: Find the Mockingbird or more will die.

 

Lincoln flies to New Orleans where Jo lives with her twin brother. Lincoln and Jo had once been co-operatives and lovers. But the fallout from Hera Force's destruction left what little relationship they had in tatters. Jo has no desire to work with Lincoln again, but the threat to her life and the remaining two operatives, Nadia “Phoenix” Roth and Jade “Dragon” Delacour force her hand. The four former teammates are thrust together once more and on the run. But there are unknown forces moving in the background and an old enemy is about to return with a vengeance.

 

Tensions between the ex-lovers come to a head when Lincoln learns his partner is an army agent working under Hera Force’s top general, a man who's not all he seems. Each step the four teammates take they are met with death and destruction. Buried lies and half-truths begin to unravel Jo’s shaky trust in Lincoln until all is brought to light. When the killer strikes, Jo is faced with a hard choice, be the leader she was born to be, or lose Lincoln forever.

 

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EXCERPT

 

 

 

Together, they entered the second room. Lincoln froze at the sight awaiting them. Five old men in various states of undress surrounded a scarred and battered poker table. Presiding over the whole affair, and with a lit cigar clenched between her teeth, was the grand queen herself.

 

“Jo! What a surprise.” Amazingly, Nadia was still fully clothed. Her once platinum-blond hair was streaked with shades of blue, pink and purple, reminding Lincoln of a My Little Pony.

 

“Nadia, mind if we interrupt?” Jo asked.

 

Nadia removed the cigar, puffed out a cloud of smoke, and set the stub in an ashtray. “Sure, why not.” She spoke to the men in rapid Cajun French.

 

Lincoln leaned close to Jo’s ear. “When did she learn that?”

 

“She probably didn’t.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Jo peered over her shoulder. “Her TBI did that. It did something to her brain to make her speak new languages she’d never learned before.”

 

“Wait, what?”

 

“It’s hard to explain,” Jo said.

 

As a former CIA black ops assassin, Nadia had a long list of languages she spoke fluently. She had been a veritable Rosetta Stone. But with her injury from the IED, Lincoln figured she’d lost some of those skills. Never in a million years would he have guessed she’d gain more. Guilt twinged inside his chest. If he’d been a better friend, and kept track of Nadia after her release from the hospital, he would have known this. He’d been too wrapped up in his own shit, and losing Jo, he forgot about everyone else.

 

 

Buy Links:

Tirgearr Publishing

Amazon link

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope,” but believe her, there is a story behind her name.

 

A lifelong Mid-West gal with strong ties to the agriculture world, Winter grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around a table or a campfire. As a published author, she learned her glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller writer. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic suspense, mysteries, and thrillers.

 

When she’s not slaving away at the computer, you can find Winter supporting her daughter in cattle shows, seeing her three sons off into the wide-wide world, loving on her fur babies, prodding her teacher husband, and nagging at her flock of hens to stay in the coop or the dogs will get them.

 

She is the author of ten novels, with more on the way.

 

Find Winter on:

 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Goodreads

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

The tour dates can be found here

 

 

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My review:

 

 

4 stars

 

“Mockingbird’s Cry” by Winter Austin is the first book in the ‘Hera’s Force’ series and features three very capable and efficient female operatives and one male, who were all involved in a horrific final op while they were in the military together that has left both mental and physical scars. Their estrangement from each other is abruptly terminated when a killer sets sights on “Mockingbird”, and they join forces in a race against both time and an unknown enemy determined to destroy them all.

 

This romantic suspense and military thriller is tension filled and action packed, and it grabs one’s attention with the very first page and keeps getting more intense. There are lots of nice twists and turns but also a lot of questions that remain unanswered, as this is the first in a series. I love strong heroines, and the trio of warriors that star in this story made me cheer and kept me invested in the action and in their lives. A couple of the developments seemed a little forced to me, and I admit to being disturbed by one of the revelations, but I still enjoyed the overall story and anxiously await the sequel. 

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

A Fairy's Quest by Maya Tyler, (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT tile

 

 

 

A Fairy's Quest

ADULT title

by 

Maya Tyler

 

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GENRE: Paranormal Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

A century ago, the fairy crown was stolen from Alina Lehrer's clan, but now the usurper is dead and it's time to reclaim what's theirs. Rylan Jackson, codename Orion, is The Court's most trusted assassin who always gets the job done. Until his target is Alina, the one woman he can’t resist. Fate has placed them on opposing sides for the crown, but Alina soon learns Fate isn't set in stone.

 

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EXCERPT

 

 

 

I’m going to Paris, the city of love. Maybe I’ll even have a passionate love affair.

 

“Bonsoir.”

 

Alina jerked her head up at the sound of the stranger’s lilting French accent. “Hello.” Hello, handsome. Did my imagination conjure this hunk?

 

“First trip to Paris?” His pronunciation of “pah-rhee” rolled off his tongue like honey.

 

“Yes.” Alina twisted in her seat to get a better look. Her perceptive eyes sized up her companion. He was a gorgeous specimen of a man. Dark brown, shaggy hair. Hypnotic brown eyes. Strong jawline. Just a hint of stubble, like he had shaved that morning. Stop staring. “What gave it away?”

 

“The guidebook in your tote?”

 

“Yeah. That’ll do it.”

 

“Business or pleasure?”

 

Alina flashed him a suspicious “you’re a stranger, I’m not telling you anything” look.

 

He threw his arms up in mock defeat. “I am Rylan Jackson.” He extended his hand.

 

“A—” Wait a minute. I don’t need to give him a real name. It’s a good time as any to try on a new persona. “Allie.” She picked an alias, not so different than her real name, before reaching out to shake his hand. His hand was warm, rough, like he used his hands to make a living. Touching him sent a buzz of awareness swirling through her body.

 

“Now, we are friends, oui?”

 

His sultry smile disarmed her objections to the friendly conversation. It can’t hurt to flirt a little while I wait for my flight. It’ll be good practice.

 

 

Buy Links:

 Tirgearr Publishing

A Vampire’s Tale

A Wizard’s Choice

A Fairy’s Quest

 

Amazon link for A Fairy's Quest 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings (https://mayatylerauthor.blogspot.com/). An avid reader, Maya writes the books she loves to read—romances! Her paranormal romances come with complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.

 

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and watching movies and TV.

 

Contact

 

Maya loves to hear from fellow authors and readers! Please connect with her through social media (see links below).

 

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Pinterest

Instagram

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

 

********************

 

My review:

 

3.5 out of 5 stars

 

A Fairy’s Quest by Maya Tyler is part of ‘The Magicals’ series and centers on Alina Lehrer, who is struggling to restore her family to their rightful place as fairy royalty. Unfortunately, there are multiple obstacles, including an assassin who has been tasked with eliminating her…despite his inclinations to the contrary.

 

This adult paranormal romance has an interesting twist on the relationship between fairies and wizards (non-congenial) and a bit of a mystery. I think it would have been better to have familiarity with the previous stories in the series because there are a lot of dangling threads that are woven together which refer to prior events.

 

There are a lot of introspective thoughts, flashbacks, and historical events experienced, so things get a bit confusing at times as Alina pursues the goal that has been emphasized for all of her life, and sometimes the pace of the story was a bit jerky for me. I did enjoy the glimpse of Paris and the connection that Alina forms with Rylan, but I think it would be nice to get a little more depth for all of the characters. I also appreciate the nod to the importance of getting professional help to deal with trauma.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

Witness to Slaughter by K.A. Lugo (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

 

 

 

Witness to Slaughter

by

 K.A. Lugo

 

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GENRE: Thriller

 

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BLURB:

 

Jack has coped through previous holidays, but this one feels different. It's been four years since he lost his family, and clues to finding those responsible have dried up. Hopelessness has him so tightly wound that he's often driven out of his claustrophobic apartment before the ever-present black dog of depression drags him to a place where there's no coming back from.

 

Jack wants to be left alone with his sorrow, but when he's offered double his fee by the wife of one of the city's most elite families, how can he refuse? She wants him to follow her husband, Franklin, as she suspects he's cheating and needs photos to get around the strict prenup. Franklin leads Jack across the city to The Majestic Lounge, the Castro District's most popular gay nightclub. By the time he finds Franklin, Jack is forced to break up a heated argument between him and club owner, Chad Lucas.

 

Lucas approaches Jack the following day, wanting to hire him for added security during the club's popular annual Drag Queen Extravaganza. The event's usual excitement is marred by the deaths of several of Lucas' friends that authorities are calling suicides. Lucas convinces Jack something more nefarious is going on and agrees to the job.

 

Does the city have another serial killer on its hands, one who's targeting the LGBTQ community? Can Jack find a witness? Surely in the crowded nightclub, someone must have seen something.

 

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EXCERPT

"I want you to follow my husband."

 

What had Leah said about the famous? It's unicorns and rainbows on the outside, baby. Inside, they're squirrels fighting in a sack.

 

Jack nearly chuckled as he gazed across the desk. With her classic beige pantsuit with matching pumps and wide-brimmed sun hat, and the oversized Louis Vuitton handbag, Ginnifer Whitney-Cummings emulated the epitome of classic fashion. Nothing screamed squirrels fighting in a sack, but he wondered why she wanted her husband followed.

 

And why him? If she suspected her husband was cheating on her, she certainly could afford an investigator who moved in her own circle.

 

As if reading his mind, she continued, "I know I must seem out of place . . . here." She quickly cast a heavily-mascaraed derisive gaze around the small room and settled on the sofa, which looked like someone had recently been sleeping there. He hadn't been expecting anyone so hadn't bothered to put the blanket and pillow in the backroom.

 

"You could say that."

 

She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll get to the point. You're a man who can get the job done. That's what I need."

 

"There are many good investigators in the city who can get the job done. Why me?" He leaned back in the chair and wove his fingers over his abdomen.

 

"If rumors are correct, you did what the San Francisco Police Department couldn't. They sat on a serial killer and got nowhere. You solved the case within days."

 

"I got lucky."

 

"Luck or not, you accomplished in those few days what a whole department couldn't do in years, and who didn't even see fit to warn the public, I might add. Really, I have no idea why we continue to donate to police charities. Anyway, I need someone like you."

 

"Mrs. Whitney-Cu—"

 

"Ginnie. You'll be working for me, so there's no need to be so formal," she told him.

 

Jack cocked an eyebrow. "I haven't agreed to anything."

 

"You are. I'm paying double your normal fee."

 

Amazon

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

K.A. Lugo is a native Northern Californian who was raised near San Francisco. In 1997 she left the employ of Clint Eastwood to live in Ireland for six months. It was during this time she met the man she would marry and relocated to live in Ireland. Since 2005, K.A. has published fourteen titles in genres including romantic suspense, erotic romance, cozy mystery, and now thrillers. Slaughtered was the first in the new highly acclaimed Jack Slaughter Thriller series.     

 

 

Find K.A. Online:

 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

BookBub

TirgearrPublishing

Email

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

***************

My review:

 

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Witness to Slaughter by K.A. Lugo follows bereaved former detective Jack Slaughter as he reluctantly takes a purportedly run-of-the mill case to follow a straying husband. The black depression that drags Slaughter down is temporarily distracted as his case continues to develop twists and turns, where nothing is quite what it seems on the surface and the body count continues to mount.

 

 

This intriguing mystery has great twists and turns even as it gives glimpses of the world of cross-dressing, drag contests, and the fascinating neighborhoods of San Francisco. The action starts immediately, and the reader is drawn into the gut-wrenching miasma that surrounds the main character, whose life is almost not worth living, given the tragedies he’s suffered. I was invested in the story and anxious to turn the page to see what would happen next. Although I haven’t yet read the first story in the Jack Slaughter Thrillers series, enough backstory was provided to give me reference. I still can’t wait to read it, and I look forward to reading more exciting stories by this author.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review.

 

The Foes Between Us by J. M. Robison (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

The Foes Between Us

by

J. M. Robison

 

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GENRE: Historical Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

In 1842 England, Brynn suspects Reuben's "natural death" had actually been murder because she starts finding cryptic clues and maps Reuben left behind indicating she needs to find Zadicayn, an imprisoned young man claiming to be a wizard from the Middle Ages.

 

When Brynn frees Zadicayn, her once peaceful life now becomes dangerous when Zadicayn enlists her help to find his magical amulet, but it's in the possession of Reuben's murderers, and they'll kill anyone, even Brynn, to keep it.

 

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EXCERPT

 



Taking several minutes to convince myself that the only way is forward, I stand again and insert the three rubies into the matching three holes in the floor. Is that my heart beating, or some noise coming off the walls?


Hard-knocking clicks begin deep below my feet, like giant metallic cogs revolving under the floor. A grating noise accompanies, the sound moving up to the very stone I’m standing on.


I scramble back, jumping on the altar as if I’ll be safe there if the floor falls away.


The sound stops.


My heart shakes my ribcage like a prisoner wanting out of his cell. Nothing has changed in the chamber, but I don’t move. I hear another sound. A thumping. It’s coming from beneath the floor so quietly, I only hear it because I’m holding my breath.

 

Fear prickles through my body, but I can’t convince myself to run. Transfixed, I stare, even though I’m aware that whatever is coming up might do me harm. I draw Reuben’s bone-handled knife, planting my feet, determined to know what I came here for, what purpose stealing the two pieces of the keys had, whether Reuben’s death was worth it, and whether I’ve just released the monster Cuthbert warned me about.

 

The thumping rises higher and higher.


I grit my teeth, clench my knife. Reflexes on fire, I’m tensed and ready to spring, ready to run, ready to fight.


The sound stops. The trapdoor flies open with a crash on the floor.


A human arm reaches out.

 

 

 

BUY LINKS

 

Kindle

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

J.M. Robison is a fantasy author who chronicles the events which drive heroes to their knees, dethrone kings, and unhinge history to bring magic back to life. Someday she'll pack the wagon and roam the mountains in search of dragons. She dares to believe in magic. Do you?

 

 

 

 

SOCIALS

 

Facebook: @RobisonAuthor

Twitter: @JMRobison

Website

 

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here
 

 

**************************************

 

My review:

 

4 out of 5 stars

 

The Foes Between Us by J.M Robison is the first book in ‘The Last Wizard’ series and follows Zadicayn and Brynnella as they navigate the challenges of determining how magic will fit into a society that seeks to eradicate it.

 

 

This fantasy story is imaginative and intriguing, but one should be aware that it is definitely the first book in a series, therefore there are a lot of dangling threads and a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. The author does a great job of establishing a complex world seen through the eyes of two very different characters, and I formed a connection to each of them very quickly and winced at their respective experiences. The alternate version of historical British society is fascinating, especially with respect to the chastity-enforcing clothing (shudder), as is the explanation of the way magic works.

 

It would be nice to have a little more depth with respect to some of the secondary characters, but hopefully that will evolve as the series continues. I tend to be frustrated by cliffhangers, so I hope the next book in the series will be released relatively quickly, as I am anxious to see how matters unfold. This book should appeal to fans who like fantasy stories featuring quests, mysterious prisoners, magical creatures, and those who can manipulate magic.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review