Review: Gina's Education by Mariah Bailey

Title: Gina's Education

Author: Mariah Bailey 

Subgenre: BDSM Erotic Romance 

Publication Date: August 11, 2015

Publisher: Riverdale Ave Books

ISBN-10: 1626012172

ISBN-13: 978-1626012172

Gina’s Education: A BDSM Love Story is an adult fairy tale full of twists and unexpected turns.

Down on her luck after her identity has been stolen, Gina Perry applies for a job as a domestic servant, or so she thought, and quickly finds herself naked in every sense.

This job is psychologically challenging. Her new employer insists she call him Master, and there is a price to pay for not complying. A good Master, he pushes her limits and makes her grow. He teaches her about bondage and discipline, dominance and submission.

Master Robert re-names her Rose and gives her hope, but she isn’t sure she is up to the task. She’ll have to get to know herself on a much deeper level than most people ever discover.

Master Robert seldom shows emotion. Rose sparks something in him that he’s never realized before; a need to protect her, and not just in the games. While he’s learning about her, the depths of his feelings toward her surprise him. Robert’s never been in love and he resists, but he can’t resist his pride in her.

Gina’s Education by Mariah Bailey is a short BDSM erotica novel.

Gina Perry has lost everything, her job, her house and also her identity. She needs to get a job fast, so she is responding to a “help wanted” add for the Mayhew House, thinking it will be a housekeeping job. But the job Robert Mayhew offers her is not exactly what she had in mind.

It appears that Robert wants her as his submissive. As soon as Gina signs the contract he will begin her training as a submissive and in the future the Mistress in the dungeon.

Robert does take care of Gina, he even tracks down the person who took her identity and arranges a way for Gina to punish this person. But I found it difficult to understand that Gina accepts everything that happens to her so easily

From the moment she steps through the door of that mansion will her training has completed and she is the Mistress of the dungeon, she never hesitate when Robert ask her to do something. I find it hard to believe that she just accept everything when she never had any experience in the BDSM lifestyle. I have to say that this was an okay story for me.

I received this novel from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Mariah Bailey is a wife and mother who started writing in high school, and picked up the pen again in mid-life. For the past few years, Mariah has participated in writing groups both locally and online to hone her craft.  She has written numerous short stories and poetry. Challenges from others to write “outside the comfort zone” inspired exploring erotica. After entering several erotica contests and even winning a few, she had the encouragement needed to write a novel.

Mariah has always had a fascination with psychology and this fascination coupled with writing erotica made turning to researching BDSM a natural. The world of BDSM seems as varied from one person to the next as are opinions or appetites, so it is a never-ending source of inspiration! Gina’s Education is her first published novel.

Review: Shifter by Avery Burch

 Title: Shifter

Author: Avery Burch

Series: City of Wolves #1

Release date: Augusts 3^rd, 2015

She's an elite. He's a wolf and an outcast. Their forbidden passion will move worlds.

Everyone knows that wolves love with a passion that can be dangerous. They imprint on a woman and never let her go. From the moment they love their female, they will kill for her, and die for her.

Lyla is more than rich. She's one of The Elite, a paranormal class that rules society with an iron fist. She arrives in Manhattan to begin training as an enforcer. 

Zac is an orphan, an outcast, and a shifter. Turning into a wolf is an unforgivable crime in the elite regime. Enforcers hunt down and kill anyone who can shift. 

When Zac and Lyla meet, they know love is hopeless, but their powerful attraction is simply too great. Fighting to overcome the ruthlessness of their society, Zac and Lyla learn that true love can overcome any obstacle, but not without dire consequences. 

Shifter: City of Wolves is the first book in a paranormal romance series that features passionate romance, intensely real emotion, supernatural powers, and forbidden shifter love.

Shifter by Avery Burch is the first novel in the City of Wolves Series. This author is new to me and I have to say that I like her debut novel. Of course you can sense that it is her first book, but it definitely has potential to be something more in the future.

Zac and his friend Jason are traveling to New York City, hoping for a better life. The both are fascinated by this new city, but it is clear that the differences between classes are huge. Zac and Jason are “normals” but there have been signs that Zac could be a shifter too. Shifters are the lowest of them all and they will be hunted down by the Elite Guards.

Lyla is one of the Elite, the highest class of the City. Her whole life is pre-arranged if she like it or not. At the age of nineteen she is engaged to be married to her uncle Oswald. But when she meets Zac, she knows there is more in life then be the future wife of a politician.

When Zac sees Lyla for the first time on the bridge into the City, he knows she is his fated mate. But since she is an Elite he also knows it could cost them both their lives if they give in to their feelings.

I have to say that this was an interesting story. As I said before you can tell that this is the first novel by this author, because the story has some flaws, especially in the beginning, but it was getting interesting towards the end. I definitely want to read more in this series to see where this story goes.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Avery Burch is a hot new paranormal romance author and her series, Shifter: City of Wolves is going to have a huge impact. She writes chilling tales of shifters and heart-wrenching stories of love and lust. If you like your romance spicy, your shifters sexy, your love stories intense, and your heroines passionate, then her books are for you.

She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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Cover Reveal: Waiting in Darkness by Maegan Beaumont

Title: Waiting in Darkness

Series: Sabrina Vaughn #0.5

Author: Maegan Beaumont

Expected Release Date: January 2016

 Maegan Beaumont is the author of CARVED IN DARKNESS, the first book in the Sabrina Vaughn thriller series (Available through Midnight Ink, spring 2013). A native Phoenician, Maegan’s stories are meant to make you wonder what the guy standing in front of you in the Starbucks line has locked in his basement, and feel a strong desire to sleep with the light on.

When she isn’t busy fulfilling her duties as Domestic Goddess for her high school sweetheart turned husband, Joe, and their four children, she is locked in her office with her computer, her coffee pot and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and one true love, Jade.

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Review: The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen

Title: The Ground Rules

Author: Roya Carmen

Series: The Ground Rules Trilogy #1

Release date: June 2^nd, 2015

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

1. Don’t sleep around.
2. Don’t kiss and tell.
3. Be nice.
4. Don’t text or call.
5. Don’t fall in love.

The rules are simple...until they aren't.

I have everything I ever thought I could want: a nice home, a job I love, two beautiful girls, and my husband, Gabe - my high school sweetheart who still rocks my world. If you ask anyone to describe me they would say, "Oh, Mirella? She's such a nice girl." And I was...until a mysterious, peculiar man and his beautiful wife enter our lives. 

Weston and Bridget Hanson are no ordinary couple—they’re stunning, enigmatic, and sexy as hell. During the course of one unexpected evening, my ordinary world is turned upside down. How could it not be when Weston and Bridget propose the unthinkable? And when the unthinkable is so very tempting, giving in becomes inevitable. 

It sounds so logical and simple. Just five rules and we can all have what we desire. But the heart doesn't follow rules, and now passion, jealousy, and confusion threaten to tear everything apart.

Two beautiful couples. Five simple rules. One hot mess.

The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen is the first novel in the Ground Rules Trilogy. When I read the book description I wasn’t sure if this was something for me, two couples being in a relationship because I believe in a one woman-one man happily ever after. But something was encouraging me to just read it and judge it later and that is exactly what I did….Oh boy, what a read this was.

Gabe and Mirella are married and have been together since high school, they have two lovely daughters. Their life is stable and good, but like every married couple with kids, it’s sometime hard to get out and have some quality time together. So Mirella suggest a date night and arrange a babysitter for their girls and Gabe is in charge to arrange a restaurant. There they meet Bridget and Weston, another married couple and they decide to share a table and have diner together.

The two couples are each other’s opposites, but for some reason they are getting along just fine. Mirella and Gabe are surprised when Weston and Bridget contact them again to make them a proposition to think about. It could spice up their love life or it could break them apart forever.

I have to say that I’m glad that the book surprised me; I like the fact that the book was written from one POV, in this case Mirella. Otherwise it would have been too much of confusion to see so many POV. The author has done a great job with describing Mirella’s feelings, thoughts and emotions. I could totally understand her attraction towards Weston and her love for her husband Gabe.

I definitely am looking forward to the next book in this series. The ending of this book was clear, but I know the story isn’t finished; they have some clearing up to do. So I have something to look forward to.

This book was given to me by the author for an honest review.

I am a mom, book junkie and romance writer. A graduate of Ryerson University, I worked as a graphic designer before staying at home with my little ones. I have been writing for over ten years, finding my passion for romance in 2008.  When I’m not spending time with my family, I enjoy reading, painting, and writing – there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting down at my laptop and making up my own stories – and if those stories should include beautiful men, a little romance, and a few steamy scenes, all the better!

I am a member of RWA.

Education: B. Tech. Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Review: Shadow Lord by Tony-Paul de Vissage

Title: Shadow Lord

Author: Tony-Paul de Vissage

Series: Second Spieces Series #1

Release date: March, 2015

Publisher: Class Act Books

Men call them vampires. They call themselves aventurieri. For generations, they hide in the mists of the Carpathians away from their human foes.

In 1793, everything changes… Their prince’s assassin is murdered. His son demands revenge.

Marek Strigoi’s quest for justice will take him from his Transylvanian homeland to the Hellfire clubs of Vienna and the boudoir of a Parisian Marquise, but not even love can stop his vengeance.

Mircea Ravagiu must die. Janos Strigoi’s spilled blood demands it, and Marek must obey.

When both the hunter and the hunted are vampires, not even Hell will stand in the way!

Shadow Lord by Tony-Paul de Vissage is the first book in the Second Species Series. I have to say that at first I had some concerns if I would like the book. The book descriptions were promising but the book starts with very young characters and some violence that you wouldn’t see those young children being a part of, but the book took me by surprise further along.

When Jonas Strigori and his wife were killed and their four young children were taken captive, the oldest son Marek knew he had to take over as leader and save his brothers and baby sister. The children were taken and hold in a cell without any water or food. For little vampire child Karoly it was something he couldn’t handle and he died in that cell before Marek was able to rescue the others.

There is only one thing on Marek’s mind after the rescue and that is revenge. He will hunt down Mircea Ravagiu and kill him for his parents and little brother’s death. He has also a little mystery to solve around his baby sisters.

This book surprised me, the beginning was a little concern with the violence and young characters, but that turned out pretty good a few chapters later. From that moment I was sucked into the story and knew I had to finish it. Marek was a strong young man, who left everything behind to take over his father’s clan and grew into an even stronger leader. The family bond was strong between the brothers, even when everyone and everything was against them.

Tony-Paul de Vissage is a great writer and he doesn’t write your typical vampire story. This book is filled with violence, romance and many secrets, so if you love that in a vampire story then this is the book for you.

Review: Dead Silence by T.G. Ayer

Title: Dead Silence

Series: Valkyrie Series #5

Release date: May 20^th, 2015

Publisher: Infinite Ink Books

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Ragnarok is upon the worlds, and the time to fight is now. They come from all of the Nine Realms. Dark Elves, Dragons, Frost Giants, Elves ... They all come to fight for Odin. 

And they answer to Valkyrie Brynhildr. 

Tricked by Loki, Bryn is now imprisoned and finding a way out is harder than it seems. Time is running out for those who fight for Odin and while Aidan's absence is felt by all, Bryn and her team know there is no time to waste.

But Bryn is determined to find him, and stop him using every means necessary. From poisoned water to black goo, to an electronically monitored Bifrost, Bryn will use all the tricks up her sleeves to save Odin and the Nine Realms.

The war is nature and there is disaster all across the Nine Realms. 

Ragnarok is here ... 

In this, the 5th, and final, exhilarating installment in the Valkyrie series, Bryn takes on Loki with her eye on bringing him to the Vigrid Plains, the site of the final battle of Ragnarok. From all across the world, Bryn and all her teams do all they can, battling naturals disasters and murderous attackers to prevent the end of the world

Dead Silence by T.G. Ayer is the last novel in the Valkyrie Series. I have to say I’m kind of sad to see this great world with fabulous characters coming to an end.

Bryn has had a rouge journey in the last two books. She not only lost her best friend in this battle against Loki, but also her first boyfriend Adrian. But we all know Bryn is a fighter and with the help of her mentors, friends and other gods they will find a way to win this war.

I loved this series, I’ve read the books from the moment they were released and I loved them ever since. Tee has done an amazing job creating this world and their citizens. I knew Bryn was a fighter and was proud to see how she grew into this amazing strong young woman she was at the end.

I really hope Tee will write some more novels in this world with these characters, because somewhere I know there is so much more to tell land adventure.

This is definitely a series you have to check out if you love strong woman, vicious demons and amazing gods.

I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognize that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practice given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes... I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It's a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each others loves - it works wonderfully...

My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands - I shall forever remain cross-eyed.

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Review: Surrender to the Chase by Amanda J. Greene

Title: Surrender to the Chase

Series: Under Realm Assassins #2

Release date: May 26^th, 2015

Genre: Paranormal Romance

A year after the tragic death of his close friend and fellow assassin, Ethan Halstead is ready to take up his sniper rifle once more. But his first assignment is nothing he ever expected. Ethan must hunt and retrieve a beautiful, spirited, alluring werewolf.

Knowing no other way to escape an arranged marriage, Fraya flees from her pack. As she contemplates slipping across the border and heading to South America, she is captured by a dangerously seductive vampire who plans on escorting her back to her family. Even as Fraya vows to make Ethan’s mission as difficult as possible, she can’t resist the riotous desire he sparks within her. 

But Ethan isn’t the only predator that peruses Fraya. A powerful rival pack’s alpha wants to make her his mate. Will Ethan be able to keep Fraya safe and return her to her pack? Or will he surrender to temptation and claim Fraya as his own?

Surrender to the Chase by Amanda J. Greene is her second novella in the Under Realm Assassins Series and I loved it.

Ethan is a vampire and one of the assassins of the Under Realm. His latest mission is to find and return a female werewolf to her father and her clan. Only this little female doesn’t want to be found and definitely not return to her dominate father.

Fraya is one of the rare pure bred female werewolves and has been on the run from her father since she found out that he wants to marry her off to several suitors. Then she meets Ethan and discovers that this vampire, the assassin who has to turn her in, could be her mate.

I loved this novella; it’s an excellent quick read. I’ve had the pleasure to read some other books by this author and have to say that she hasn’t disappointed me yet.

This is definitely a sexy hot boot that I highly recommend if you are looking for a quick read.

 

About the author:

Amanda J. Greene is an erotic paranormal romance author. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the role of a full time university student, who works part time.

She lives in Southern California with her very supportive, military husband and their sweet cocker spaniel. Doing all the above and being a military wife is not easy, but rewarding! Of course, she accomplishes everything with a strong cup of coffee in her hand.

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