Month: March 2014

Posted in Book Review, New Books

4* Review The Adventures of Jillian Spectre Nic Tatano

Posted on by jolliffe01

Welcome to the Mystic Quarter…

Jillian Spectre knows what happens after you die.

Because the seventeen-year-old mystic seer can see the future of her clients even after they’ve passed on. And that’s not even her coolest power…

She can be in two places at once. Problem is, her heart can only be in one.

Supernatural abilities aside, she’s a typical high school senior torn between two guys. But that gets put on the back burner when she discovers the father she had long assumed was dead is actually alive, with unique powers of his own. He’s a technopath, with the ability to interface his mind with technology. And he’s got a plan to take down society.

Unless Jillian can stop him.

THE ADVENTURES OF JILLIAN SPECTRE is the story of a very special girl who learns that the power of love is more important than supernatural powers.

 

My Review

The Adventures of Jillian Spectre is an exciting experience seen through the eyes of a seventeen year schoolgirl who has a special psychic talent. Jillian lives in the mystic quarter of New York and is a seer with defined powers pertaining to romance. When her psychic talents develop and her absent father appears Jillian’s adventures become life changing and apocalyptic.

The story has strong, likeable characters and a fast paced plot. It portrays popular themes in original ways and contains a strong thread of humour which mindful of the intended audience counterbalances the dark themes explored. This sweet romance allows the reader glimpses into the conflicts faced by a teenage girl who helps the others with their love lives but can’t see what lies in store for her.

The antagonist is a doubly dangerous since Jillian naturally wants to know her father yet must fight against the evil he threatens the world with. The ending is suspenseful and satisfying and leaves enough loose endings to make me want to read what happens next.

An enjoyable interesting read.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Check out my 5*review of Wing Girl a great romantic comedy also by Nic Tatano

The Adventures of Jillian Spectre by Nic Tatano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Nic Tatano

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Posted in Blogging Communty

Without Doubt CJ Azevedo -5* Review

Posted on by jolliffe01

 

 

Amazon .com

Barnes & Noble

I was asked by CJ Azevedo to post the above graphic and as I enjoyed her book so much I am happy too. If you missed my review in January here it is again. 🙂

My Review:

Without Doubt is the first book I have read by CJ Azevedo and I loved it. The second in ‘The Without Series’ it was an excellent stand alone read and I am eager to get my hands on ‘Without Boundaries’.
This is Ava and Declan’s story shown through their eyes.
They meet when Ava is working in a bar Declan frequents the attraction is mutual and instantaneous but neither act on it because Ava’s life is too complicated for dating and Declan a MMA fighter has no need or inclination to date. Women swarm round him like bees and he can sample their honey whenever he wants.
Ava is different and Declan can’t forget her even though she refuses to be more than casual friends with him. Time proves to be Ava’s enemy and when Declan is missing from the bar on his usual night she realises he is under her skin.
Without revealing her secret Ava agrees to meet and she quickly becomes immersed in his close family world which has always been absent from her life. When she confesses her secret to Declan he steps up to the mark and Ava sees a future for them.
Don’t be so sure. Conflict arrives from an unexpected quarter and although I wasn’t surprised by it. Its effect on Ava and Declan’s relationship is devastating. The barrier between them impenetrable unless Ava can overcome her inner doubts and take the love Declan is offering.
The plot is simple but effective and acts as a perfect foil to the characters which are real and easy to empathise with. The chemistry between Ava and Declan sizzles and is backed by heartfelt emotion.
I read this book late into the night and it was worth the loss of sleep. Definitely an author and series I want to read more of.
I received a copy of this e-book from the author in return for an honest review.

Posted in Blogging Communty

First Steps Gets a Liebster Award

Posted on by jolliffe01

The Awe inspiring Milady Fury has nominated First Steps for the Liebster Award which she stole received from the lovely Shehanne Moore . jane-hunt-writer.png

To accept you have to display the logo and link back to the blogger who nominated you in this case Milady Fury and her delicious Furious Unravelings.

Then answer the soul-searching questions . Here goes…

1 Which fictional character would you most fancy having a fling with and why?

Would have to be Caleb the vampire who resides in Lindsay Pryor’s Blackthorn.As to why its those green eyes and his ruthlessness that attracts me.

2 You’ve been shipwrecked on a desert island, what man ..sorry book can’t you be without?

This is so difficult but… What about my Kindle which has hundreds of books from my favourite authors on it. Well bending the rules seems to be allowed 🙂

3 What inspires you? Places or people?

Places all my books have started with a location. English Lake District for The Dragon Legacy , Northern Italy’s Lakes for The Revenge Masquerade, Texas for The Dangerous Gift and Pleasley where I live for Past Shadows. The people follow on afterwards and come out of my quirky mind although most are based on people I’ve crossed paths with in my 50 + years.

4 What little tome are you working on right now?

Book 2 in The Dragon Legacy -The Revenge Masquerade which features Jasmine (Witch) and Zane (Wolf ) from book 1.

The Dragon Legacy Cover5 Who would you like to see in the movie version?

In The Dragon Legacy I saw Lukas the dragon lord and demon slayer played by Goran Višnjić when he was younger.

Zane in The Revenge Masquerade is like Caio Vaz

6 In your own books do you have a favourite character and why?

I always like my heroines who start off quiet and unassuming and end up strong and fearless as they save the day .

7 What do you think is the best book movie?

Loved Lord of the Rings.

8 Roughly how long does it take you to write a book?

Well the jury is still out on that one. I wrote The Dragon Legacy and most of The Dangerous Gift (still to be finished) in a year but The Revenge Masquerade was started in January and should be finished by the end of March including the first edit. So three months now.

9 Favorite food?

Mushrooms.

10 Any bits in your book you are embarrassed to show your family?

Not really. 😉 My family are used their quirky mum.

Finally :

I nominate any of my writing friends and blog followers to answer the ten questions below. I’m not nominating specific individuals because I don’t want anyone to feel pressurised. I know not everyone likes blogging as much as I do 🙂

My 10 Questions

  1. Why did you become a writer?

  2. What sort of books do you like to read?

  3. Why write about romance?

  4. Who would you like to be lost in the mountains with and why?

  5. What’s your most romantic location.

  6. What’s your worst nightmare.

  7. Would you write under a pen name and why?

  8. Would any of your books make a good television show and why?

  9. What are you currently writing?

  10. Which of your books is your favourite and why?

Hope you enjoyed and thanks again to Milady Fury 🙂

Posted in Book Review, New Books

4* Review Say it with Sequins:The Waltz Georgia Hill

Posted on by jolliffe01

Best-selling children’s writer, Lucy Everett, signs up as a personal challenge – can she battle her phobias and dance in front of millions of viewers?

When she meets fellow competitor, the seriously sexy but reserved Olympic swimmer Max Parry, she finds in him her very own Prince Charming.

But Max seems content to just be friends. Will Lucy ever get her longed for fairy tale ending?

My Review

Say it with Sequins: The Waltz is as the dance suggests a gentle romantic tale of a wallflower and a misunderstood hero.

Lucy a successful but reclusive children’s fiction writer finds herself on the reality television dance show Who Dares Dances thanks to her pushy streetwise agent the aptly named Whiz. Max an Olympic gold medal swimmer is the proverbial fish out of water in the dance studio and it’s this awkwardness that attracts Lucy a recovering agoraphobic who senses a kindred spirit.

Long hours of training make the couple want to be more than friends but neither is aware of their reciprocated feelings put off by the emotional barriers they are both so good at building. Lucy’s naivety leads to a tragic misunderstanding between the couple which makes a fairytale ending unlikely.

This story is full of poignant insights which endear Lucy and Max to the reader. An unforeseen intervention threatens Lucy and Max’s friendship. Luckily cupid appears in a spray tan and gives the couple a helping hand but Max must share his greatest secret if they are ever to be happy together.

Lucy and Max are introverts fighting internal battles which can only be won through self belief which makes Say it With Sequins: The Waltz’ more angst ridden than the first story. The damage prejudice and lack of understanding causes are important elements in this story. Its delicate balance between light and shade makes it a romantic satisfying read.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Say It With Sequins: The Waltz by Georgia Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Georgia Hill

Check out my 4* review of Say it With Sequins:The Rumba the first book in the series.

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Posted in Book Review, New Books

4* Review Say it With Sequins: The Rumba Georgia Hill

Posted on by jolliffe01

For fans of reality dance shows, this series is strictly irresistible!

Slip on some dance shoes and step up to love!

Who Dares Dances is a reality TV show with a difference. Not only do contestants have to learn to dance, they also face a series of bizarre challenges.

Julia Cooper signs up in a bid to revive her flagging acting career. But when she meets dare-devil TV presenter Harri Morgan the attraction is instant – and hot!

Forced to perform a sexy rumba together, the sequins really start to fly. Will they score the perfect ten, or is their romance destined to be a dance disaster?

My Review

Say it with Sequins: The Rumba is a light-hearted story that triggers fond memories for fans of Strictly. Julia is a struggling actress whose career needs a boost. Harri is a successful children’s presenter who wants a leg up onto the next rung of his career ladder. For Harri and Julia two of the celebrity contestants their mutual attraction is instant but in Harri’s case unwelcome. If he acts on it he may lose his current career. They agree to take part in the Christmas special. Drawn together they have to learn and dance the sexy and complex Rumba together.

The supporting cast of professional dancers and other celebratory clients are varied and make the storyline interesting and humorous. The romance which develops between Julia and Harri is engaging and sweet spiced up with the clever build up of sexual tension. Harri battles with his deep feelings for Julia and she is plagued with self-doubt about her attractiveness to Harri.
Will the Rumba be a ten for them?
A quick fun read.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Say it With Sequins: The Rumba by Georgia Hill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jane Hunt Writer First Steps

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Posted in Book Review, New Books

5* Review The Lawman of Silver Creek Lori Connelly

Posted on by jolliffe01

As sheriff of Silver Creek, Matthew Marson ’s job is to look after his town but when he fails to protect the most important person in his life, Claire, from an attack, Matt feels as though he will never be able to forgive himself.

Her husband-to-be ’s newly found over protectiveness drives the headstrong Claire from his arms. She can’t see a future with a man who won’t allow her to follow her dreams.

In a small town where everybody knows your name and your business, it’s impossible for the pair to stay apart, especially as Claire finds that she can’t completely turn her back on the lawman that she loves.

My Review

The Lawman of Silver Creek is much shorter and contains less historical detail than The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge the first book in the Men of Fir Mountain series. It focuses on Claire and Matt and how a near tragic event impacts on their relationship and future together.

Claire’s near brush with death makes Matt overprotective. Keeping Claire safe is essential for Matt even if it means losing her as his wife. She wants to pursue a career as a writer and refuses to marry Matt when he forbids this. She soon realises principals won’t keep her warm at night and sets out to seduce her former fiancée.

Character driven this gentle love story reveals the tangible chemistry between the Claire and Matt. Beautifully written sensual love scenes illustrate the dichotomy of their overpowering physical attraction when they are mentally at odds.

Cameo appearances from Evie and Ben from the first book provide important links to the previous story when Ben lost his memory and hints at what may happen in the future. Sage advice from Evie helps Claire and Matt to compromise and find their happy ever after. This story is less angst ridden than the first book and the gives the Men of Fir Mountain series the necessary light and shade to make it compelling. This was an enjoyable read. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Lawman of Silver Creek by Lori Connelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Lori Connelly

Jane Hunt Writer First Steps

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Posted in Book Review, New Books

5* Review What a Girl Needs Aimee Duffy

Posted on by jolliffe01

The second in the Indecent Proposals series What a Girl Needs is equally as good as the first in the series What’s a Girl To Do? which I read and reviewed last year. Here’s what I thought of Georgia’s story:

My Review

The second in the Indecent Proposals series What a Girl Needs grabs your interest from the first page and won’t let go until you’ve finished reading the whole story and are lying exhausted on the floor.

Georgia is an engaging character used to fighting her own battles a glass half full woman who likes to be in control. Therein lies her problem or so her tasty and interested boss Max tells her when he finds her revealing cry for help in the form of an unsent email on her computer for anyone to read.

This story is full of humour as Georgia tries to respond in a politically correct way to Max’s indecent but tempting proposal. The sexual heat between Georgia and Max is scorching from the first flickers of sensual tension to the explosion of desire when they pretend to be a couple. This cleverly written novella manages to weave in plenty of internal and external conflict to keep the reader on tenterhooks and the ending is sweet even though the story is erotic.

A great fun read short enough to read on the train journey to work. Go on I dare you.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review

What a Girl Needs by Aimee Duffy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aimee Duffy

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Posted in Book Review, New Books, Writing Journey

5* Review Collared By The Cowboy Susan Arden

Posted on by jolliffe01

Collared By The Cowboy is the latest in Susan Arden’s Bad Boys series and deals with the darker side of relationships and addiction. Here’s what it’s about. Please note the disclaimer below:

The following story is intended for an adult audience and contains mature themes, strong language including graphically detailed sex, violence, and drug use portrayed in a fictional setting.

The room at the end of the hall in Spurs & Leather, a private club in Paris hasn’t seen any action of late. Brandon as head Dom locked the doors after his last lover burned him good. Diving into his work at Evermore Ranch, he’s got his hands filled with taming wild horses until a red-leather wearing woman crosses his path. Tempted back into the saddle, he sets his sights on taming a different type of filly…one with a sassy little mouth, a mind of her own, and hot body that won’t quit. He’s got the goods, if she willing to let him take the lead both in and out of bed.

Last semester of grad school and all Mia needs is a stellar thesis that will skyrocket her chances of landing a therapist job somewhere far, far away from small towns and small minds. Case studies in female sexuality sure as hell aren’t the ticket out of Texas and Mia sets her sights on learning all she can about why women enjoy being dominated-thank you fifty shades of I’m out of here by May! Undercover, she enters the secretive BDSM world within a club known to offer decadent delights. With one minor SNAFU: she becomes the target of the head Dom, a man with a reputation of equal parts bark and bite. When the door marked no is thrown open by one commanding cowboy, Mia can’t resist temptation waiting on the other side.

Now, Mia is wearing Brandon’s collar, calling him Sir, and loving every minute of being dominated by her powerful lover. Yet Mia can’t have her cake and eat it too. Torn, she must decide if her future involves walking away from Brandon when her heart is telling her to stay, stay, stay.

My Review

The latest story in Susan Arden’ s Bad Boys series is the darkest she has written. This book is an adult read and not for those who are easily shocked but that said it is a compelling story full of heat and emotion.

Brandon leads a double life. He breeds and trains horses on the Evermore Ranch but also part owns a sex club. His shadow life lets him be his true self the one he hides from his close-knit family but lately being one of the club’s Dom’s hasn’t gone to plan.

Mia wants to escape from being her father’s princess. She needs her grad school degree to do it. First she has to complete her thesis and carrying out research at a sex club is a necessary evil.

After a stormy first meeting full of heat and misunderstanding Brandon insists he is the only one to show Mia what happens in the club. He longs to tame her but will she cede to his dominance ? After visually sampling some of the club’s activities Mia is intrigued but can she objectively carry out her research given her magnetic attraction to Brandon. In the name of science Mia agrees to wear Brandon’s collar but there is fine line between observing and participation and her emotions make it hard not to cross the line.

The ethos of the club and the roles played within its inner sanctum are absorbing. Shocking and graphic but like a horror movie you have to read what happens next even if it’s through half closed eyes. The antagonist’s actions demonstrate the evils of drug abuse in a thoughtful believable way.

The McLemore’s enhance the story with cameo appearances and soften its gritty edges with their understanding and support of Brandon and Mia. Selma and Esme the twins are also important characters used cleverly to show Mia’s skill and Brandon’s softer side and illustrate the vulnerability of girls and women.

Collared by the Cowboy combines a deeply emotional love story, the light in a dark world full of abuse and desperation. A must read for all fans of erotica and erotic romance.

Collared by the Cowboy by Susan Arden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Susan Arden

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Posted in Blog's 1st Birthday, Writing Journey

Its My Blog’s 1st Birthday - What’s Happened Since I Took Those First Steps?

Posted on by jolliffe01

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

March 17th is also my blog’s 1st birthday and I’ve been so busy writing The Revenge Masquerade I haven’t written a birthday post 😦 Yet.

As I love Birthdays I thought a whistle-stop tour of my blogging year would be a fitting celebration:-)

I have posted 164 times.

Regular followers know I love reading and reviewing books and I post all the reviews here. 🙂

17 March 2013 - First ever blog post Three’s a Charm

The Dragon Legacy cover

30 April 2013 - First post about The Dragon Legacy

24 May 2013 - First Book Review

18 June 2013 - A walk in the Meadow on a Summer’s Day

31 July 2013 -The Dragon Legacy Release Date

23 August 2013 - Official Opening of Crimson Frost Books

24 September 2013 - First author Interview

4 October 2013 - Writing Journey Update

25 November 2013 - The Dragon Legacy Blog Tour

20 December 2013 - The Dragon Legacy Release Day Blitz

21 January 2014 - The Dragon Legacy Book Trailer

27 February 2014 - Have You Ever Stayed in a Haunted House

5 March 2014 - The Revenge Masquerade

This week on Jane Hunt Writer First Steps

Another Ghostly Experience

My Review of Susan Arden’s Collared by the Cowboy

I’ve won a Liebster Award

Writing Journey Update on The Revenge Masquerade

See you soon 🙂

Posted in Book Review, New Books

4* Review Love is a Four Letter Word Zara Stoneley

Posted on by jolliffe01

Take one rich girl who has a thing for the bad boys.
Take one tough guy who thinks possession is nine-tenths of the misery law.

Mix generously with a land dispute and a whole lotta lust…. And what have you got?

Sometimes being bad can be just too good to miss.

My Review

Love is a Four Letter WordGeorgie’s life is fast paced and glamorous. She works hard to make sure no one digs too deep and reveals the shy vulnerable woman hiding behind the facade. She wants to make her life count but feels unloved and abandoned. Beautiful she has no problem finding admirers but they take rather than give and leave her brittle and disillusioned.

Jake rescues Georgie from a drunken admirer although she insists she didn’t need his help except with something of a more intimate nature. Jake is not her usual type but she can’t resist the excitement he promises. Jake remembers Georgie as a girl although this hardened party girl is so different from the shy studious girl he remembers or is she? A rolling stone Jake realises he wants to discover the true Georgie but will he sacrifice his lifestyle to do it?

Georgie wants to recapture and relive a time in her young life when she was truly happy. Buying the land where she spent the happiest times with her father becomes an obsession even if means clashing with Jake. Faced with an unexpected life change Georgia grows up and finds out what’s important for happiness.

The title ‘Love is a Four Letter word intrigued me and I’m pleased it did. This is an easy to read romantic story. The erotic heat and humour enhance Georgie and Jake’s emotional journey until they realise love is much more than a four letter word.

I received a copy of this E-book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

See my 4* review of Summer Surrender by Zara Stoneley

Love is a Four Letter Word by Zara Stoneley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Zara Stoneley

Jane Hunt Writer First Steps
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