Homeroom Diaries (audiobook review)

Title: Homeroom Diaries
Authors: James Patterson and Lisa Papademetriou
Narrator: Laren Fortgang
Pub. Date: July 21 2014
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 4 Hours

Audiobook Info:

In James Patterson's first highly illustrated "diary fiction" story for teens, the mega-bestselling author's most endearing and original teen heroine ever proves that everyone can use a helping hand once in a while.

Margaret "Cuckoo" Clarke recently had a brief stay in a mental institution following an emotional breakdown, but she's turning over a new leaf with her "Operation Happiness". She's determined to beat down the bad vibes of the Haters, the Terror Teachers, and all of the trials and tribulations of high school by writing and drawing in her diary. And when life gets really tough, she works through her own moments of uncertainty through imaginary conversations with her favorite literary characters.

Cuckoo's also got a nearly impossible mission: she, along with her misfit band of self-deprecating friends (who call themselves "the Freakshow") decide to bridge the gap between warring cliques and "bring the Nations together". Not everyone is so willing to join hands and get along, but Cuckoo never stops smiling... until one of her closest friends, pushed to desperation by a Hater prank, decides that enough is enough.

 

Author Info:

 

It is no surprise that in January, 2010, The New York Times Magazine featured James Patterson on its cover and hailed him as having "transformed book publishing," and that Time magazine hailed him as "The Man Who Can't Miss." Recently, NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams profiled Patterson's prolific career, AARP named him one of the "50 Most Influential People Who Make Our Days a Little Brighter," and Variety featured him in a cover story highlighting his adventures in Hollywood.

In 2013, it was estimated that one-in-five of all hardcover suspense/thriller novels sold was written by James Patterson, his books have sold over 300 million copies worldwide, and he holds the Guinness record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers of any author. And his success isn't based solely on thrillers like the perennially popular Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club and Michael Bennett series. Patterson is now also the current bestselling author in the young adult and middle grade categories.

He's been called the busiest man in publishing, and that's not just because of his own books. For the past decade, James has been devoting more and more of his time to championing books and reading. From the James Patterson Pageturner Awards, to his website ReadKiddoRead.com, to his College Book Bucks scholarships and his regular donations of hundreds of thousands of books to schools here in the states and troops overseas (see interviews on Fox & Friends, The Dennis Miller Radio Show and CNN.com), Patterson has passed on his passion of books and reading and supported those who do the same. Jim personally funded a major ad campaign re-printing a recent opinion piece on CNN.com about how it is our responsibility to get our kids reading. The ad has run in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and USA Today. Those ads are a call to action to parents to make their kids reading a top priority; and were featured by USA Today here. Patterson believes that we cannot rely on schools, teachers or the government to get our kids reading; only parents can make this crucial change in the reading habits of our kids. Here are links to some interviews on his first-ever dual lay down (two books, one for parents and one for kids, in one day): AOL's You've Got, NBC's "Today Show" with Hoda and Kathie Lee, USA Today and Family Circle, NBC's "Today Show" with Al Roker, as well as an interview with AARP.

 

My review:

When I heard about this audiobook I was so interested in it, it sounded like a good book and for the most part it was until it unfortunatly wasnt. Cuckoo and her friends are different but really not fresh and unique becasue the story turns into the type of high school story that you have heard in books, movies, tv etc about how awful high school is (which fyi these stories are not true for the most part I lived through high school and it was just fine (granted it was several years ago) but still I liked high school), why cant there ever be a high school story about how fun it is?

 

This story was good and funny in parts but then so many bad things happen all in a row that I stoped buying into the story and was not as interested in it anymore. Which is sad because this book had so much potential.

 

Narration:

The narration was good, she kept you engaged in the story and did different voices for the characters which was nice but I dont know overall her narration was just eh, I've heard better.

 

My final verdict:

If a sequal came out to this I might try it. Overall I was dissappointed in the audiobook however and would not recommend it.

 

I would like to thank Micth from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook.

 

 

How to Seize a Dragons Jewel (audiobook review)

Title: How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel
Author: Cressida Cowell
Narrator: David Tennant
Pub. Date:
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 4 Hours

Audiobook Info:

The Dragon Rebellion has begun, bringing the Vikings' darkest hour upon them. Hiccup has become an outcast, but that won't stop him from going on the most harrowing and important quest of his life. He must find the Dragon's Jewel in order to save his people...but where should he begin?

Don't miss Hiccup's most dangerous adventure yet!




Author Info: (Quick Facts from author's website)

 

Cressida was born on 15th April 1966 in London. She is 44.

 

She still lives in London. She is married to Simon Cowell (not THAT Simon Cowell), and she has three children, Maisie (12), Clemmie (10) and Alexander (7).

 

She studied at Oxford University, (English), and St Martin’s and Brighton University (Illustration).

 

Books & Ideas

Cressida has been writing books since she was 9 years old, but the first book she had published was in 1999, when she was 33. It was called Little Bo Peep’s Library Book, and it was a picture book.

Cressida illustrates the Hiccup books herself, but she also writes picture books that other people illustrate. She has had 20 books published, 10 Hiccup fiction titles, and ten picture books, including the Emily Brown books, illustrated by Neal Layton.

 

She has just finished writing the tenth Hiccup book, How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel. There will be AT LEAST eleven books in the series. (She is a little nervous about saying exactly how many, because she keeps finding that there is just one more to write...)

 

She got the idea for the Hiccup books from childhood holidays spent off the west coast of Scotland.

 

She doesn’t quite how she thinks of the funny names for the characters. She tries to make the names sound like the character of the person they are describing, so a rather unpleasant, stupid person will be called ‘Dogsbreath the Duhbrain’, for example. The Vikings really did have very descriptive names, such as King Magnus Barelegs, Olav the Stout, Eric the Red.

 

Films & Awards

The film of How to Train Your Dragon came out in 2010. There will be three more films, and the next one is coming out in 2013. There will also be a How to Train Your Dragon t.v. series, and an arena show.

 

Cressida won the Nestle Children’s book award in 2006 and the How to Train Your Dragon film has been nominated for the 2011 BAFTAs and the Oscars.

 

Likes & Dislikes

Cressida likes: dragons, books, movies, plays, musicals, boats, the sea in general, chocolate, drawing.

Cressida dislikes: spiders, limpets (for eating – trust me, not nice),

 

Odd Facts

Cressida’s best friend at school was Lauren Child, who wrote the Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean books.

 

My review:

This audiobook makes me feel like I have with most of the rest of them in this series, contented and happy for the most part. Listening to these audiobooks are an enjoyable experience and of course as I said with book 9, the series is maturing more and I like that I think it makes the book more interesting for me. However this is a great book to read for people of all ages. Just because the story has become more mature doesnt mean it stoped being fun. It still has those funny and fun elements that make this series what it is.

 

Narration:

The narration was great as always! It too is another aspect that makes these audiobooks what they are. David Tennant is just so fun to listen too! He makes the book come alive and the experience so enjoyable. I would highly recommend this narrator!

 

My final verdict:

I thought this audiobook was good. I enjoyed listening to it very much. Its a fun listen for anytime and if you are listening to the whole series or are a fan this is one book that shouldnt be missed. I would recommend this audiobook highly!

 

I would like to thank Mitch from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook!

Diana: Survior (Spotlight Post)

  

Diana: Survivor – Thought-Provoking New Novel Twists History to Depict Princess Diana’s Life after Non-Fatal Car Crash.

In Dean Dudley’s version of events, Diana is the sole survivor of her Paris car crash and lives a tumultuous life following her ordeal. Readers will get a fictional insight into the “real” royal family, explore the former Princess’ weaknesses and witness her and Dodi’s Muslim son getting kidnapped during the war on terror.

United Kingdom – Diana Princess of Wales’ life came to an abrupt and shocking end on August 31st 1997 in a dark Paris tunnel. However, a new novel by Dean Dudley depicts what would have happened had Diana survived, forced to adjust to post-crash life in the shadow of the media and public.
‘Diana: Survivor: Sometimes the truth is better off dead!’ is shocking, insightful and boldly re-writes history.


Synopsis:
On August 31 1997, Princess Diana was involved in a fatal car crash.
Fortunately, not fatal for her..
In this alternative history, Diana survives and life goes on but will she find happiness in her new life?
“Millions miss Diana terribly, myself included, and wonder if she ever would have found happiness,” explains Dudley. “In this alternative history book, Diana is left to pick up the pieces in her life by facing a harrowing recovery and then deal with her and Dodi’s Muslim son getting kidnapped in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.”

Continuing, “She tries to write her memoirs, but her memory often fails her. The story is injected with a ton of emotion that is true to Diana’s kind heart and good nature. I hope she’d approve of my version of events; perhaps this book could have become a reality if that August night wasn’t so tragic.”

Readers will also meet an abundance of characters that had dramatic effects on Diana’s life.
“The narrative includes The Queen, Prince Charles, Fergie, Princess Margaret, James Hewitt, Paul Burrell, Jimmy Saville and many more. Many of these did nothing but shun Diana during her later life, and then came out of the woodwork to display what can only be described as false grief when she did. My story goes behind the walls to expose these characters for who they really are,” Dean adds.
‘Diana: Survivor: Sometimes the truth is better off dead!’ is due for release on August 31st to coincide with the 17th anniversary of Diana’s death.

The book can be pre-ordered now through Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oN61i1.


About the Author:
This is Dudley Dean's first novel. He started writing it back in 2007 as a short story and since then it has grown into a full novel. He says that it became impossible to stop writing as Diana's voice became louder and he found himself having to tell her side of the story rather than just his own. Dudley is 48 and lives in Shoreditch, London.

How to steal a Dragons Sword

Title: How to steal a Dragons Sword
Author: Cressida Cowell
Narrator: David Tennant
Pub. Date: May 27 2014
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 4 Hours

Audiobook Info:

The How to Train Your Dragon series chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Viking underdog Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his dragon, Toothless. In Book 9, a dragon rebellion is coming--filled with the meanest, nastiest dragons in the Archipelago. Razor-wings, Tonguetwisters, and Vampire Ghouldeaths are attacking Vikings and seem to be seeking one soul in particular: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third! Only a King can save them...and only a champion with all of the King's Lost Things can be King. In his adventures, Hiccup has collected quite a few "things" himself. But can a scrawny Viking save the entire Archipelago from certain doom? To find out, Hiccup will have to outwit a witch, fight his arch-enemy, and beat back an army of bloodthirsty dragons with just one sword.

 

Author Info:

 Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon has reached over 100,000 sales and is now published in over 30 languages. A Dreamworks feature film is due to be released in 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband, three children and two cats






My Review:

Like all the other How to Train your Dragon audiobooks I really enjoyed this one. The story was interesting and I like how as the series goes on it gets more mature. Despite its maturity I still think the book is apporiate for all ages. It would be a great listen for any road trip.

Narration:
The Narration was great as always! David Tennant is always so fun to listen too! He is so animated and makes you feel like you are really experiencing the story. I love his narration so much! Its keeps you very interested and engaged with the story!

My final thoughts:

I would highly recommend this audiobook!
 

How to Break a Dragons Heart

Title: How to Break a Dragons Heart
Author: Cressida Cowell
Narrator: David Tennant
Pub. Date:
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length:

Audiobook Info:


Stranded on the exceptionally dangerous, and possibly haunted, Beach of the Broken Heart, Hiccup must face UG the Uglithug and complete the impossible task -- or die trying. Along the way, he'll have to battle Berserks, dodge Scarers, and save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast, all while being hunted down by an old enemy with a dark secret about the mysterious Lost Throne. With Toothless by his side, and time to stage his rescue running out, what's a Hero to do?











Author Info:

Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon has reached over 100,000 sales and is now published in over 30 languages. A Dreamworks feature film is due to be released in 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband, three children and two cats.




My Review:
Again what a fun and funny audiobook this was! I enjoyed it very much it was nice to listen to and very family friendly as always. The tale was engaging and I like how the issue of romance and Fishlegs falling in love was dealt with in a fun way. True, stories with suitors arent unique but how the suitors were dealt with in this story was very unique. The ending was awesome as well!

The narration: As always the narration was spot on and brillant. David Tennant made the story come to life with his amazing acting skills!

My final verdict: I would reccomend this audiobook it is as good as most of the others in this series! I dont think it was my favorite but I dont think I can really pick out a favorite yet in this series however I did really enjoy this one as well as the others!

I would like to thank Mitch from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook!

Slow Satifaction Blog Tour

Book Info:

 

James has finally pushed Karina beyond her limit—not her limit for kinky sex play, but for his extreme secrecy. She has had enough and breaks things off. But James won't give up on Karina and will do whatever it takes to get her back. He's ready to share his deepest, darkest secrets, but is Karina ready to hear them?

James offers Karina not only the truth but a place at his side... onstage. He wants Karina to star in his final musical production and enter his life and his world fully and completely. As the two work together, they rekindle the trust and love they'd lost. But James's world is full of deceit. When he is blackmailed by an unscrupulous music industry executive, James must give in to unreasonable demands or risk exposure of his and Karina's secret sex life.

Will Karina and James's love be strong enough to withstand the many obstacles being thrown their way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Links:

B&N

BAM!

IndieBound

Kobo

GooglePlay

iBooks

Amazon

Book Excerpt:

“I have a proposal for you.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I don’t want to only tell you about my life, Karina. I want you to join it. Be a part of it. That means being a part of what’s happening in Las Vegas.”

“What do you mean by ‘be a part of it’?”

“Answer me a question first. What’s happening with your university now?”

“I have to speak to the dean. Best case scenario, they accept my thesis as is, rubber stamp me with a PhD, and tell me to get the hell out. Worst case scenario, they make me start over with a new advisor, writing a new thesis. Honestly, if that’s what they want . . . I don’t know if it’ll be worth jumping through those hoops. If other opportunities are beckoning me, I don’t have a lot of incentive to go back. Other than pride and not wanting to have wasted five years of my life.”

Not to mention the student loan money.

“I see. Well, I am hoping you might be able to defer whatever might occur there for another semester so you can join me in the performance.”

“You mean—”

“As a dancer.”

I shook my head instantly. “I can’t measure up to a troupe of professionals. I’ll look ridiculous.”

“I assure you you’re wrong about that. Well, if the performance were tomorrow, maybe. But we have a few months, Karina, and I’ll be expecting you to work with a trainer every day. I need to get back in shape myself.” He stretched one arm toward the far window and unfurled his hand elegantly, probably thinking about dance exercises. “I haven’t danced or sung since the night we met.”

“Have you missed it?”

“I have, a little. I don’t miss the grind, though. I don’t miss having to keep up the facade all the time. I never realized how exhausting it was until I stopped.” He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m an incredibly lucky bastard.”

“Are you?”

“Yes, because if I had let my guard down for anyone but you, it would have ended in a ball of flames.”

“It nearly did anyway.”

“But it didn’t, because of you. Because of the wonderfulness of you. You’re special, Karina.” He offered me the bottle again and I took another sip. “How much longer do you think you’ll be in Ohio?”

“I’m not sure. My aunt Tera called today to announce she’s showing up tomorrow to stay for two weeks. If that’s true, I won’t have to stay.” I did have to get back to the city. To deal with my landlord and the university and who knew what else.

James was looking at me thoughtfully.

“What? What is it?”

He smiled. “I’m just noticing how many strong, independent women you seem to have in your life.”

“Well, I don’t know if I’d count my mother as strong . . . though it seems like she picked up a backbone in the hospital!”

“She raised you and your siblings on her own. I’d say she can probably lay claim to independence if she wants.”

“True. And her opinions are never weak. Those are always quite strong.” I glanced in the direction of the house. “I guess I should be getting back.”

“Well, if you think you’ll be staying more than a few days, I’ll contract a dance trainer for you here, to start getting ready for the performances.” He folded one of my hands into his. “That is, if you agree to my proposal. You still haven’t said yes.”

Of course he would notice that. “I think it’s questionable I’m good enough to get on stage with you. Maybe you ought to have someone besides yourself look at me. I don’t think you’re exactly an impartial judge.”

“And you’re far more talented than you think. How about this? We’ll hold an audition for principal dancer. I won’t tell the judges who you are. We’ll let them give their opinions. The final decision will still be up to me, of course, but you can get an honest evaluation of where you stand in relation to others. If they think you look ridiculous, they’ll say so without hesitation.”

I slipped my shoes on. “All right. When?”

“Let’s say in a month. That’ll give you time to prepare.”

“Okay. I mean, yes. That sounds like a plan.” I slipped my arms around his neck and kissed him. “Now, are you and Stefan planning to sit out here all night?”

“I defer to Stefan on our security plans. If there is any hint of trouble, though, promise me, Karina, that you’ll contact us immediately.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Good. Then you should probably sneak back into the house.”

I kissed him on the forehead and grinned. “You know, I never did this when I was a teenager.”

“Did what?”

“Sneak out of the house after my mother was asleep to have sex in a guy’s car.” I kissed him on the mouth then. “Something tells me it was worth the wait.”

About the author:

Cecilia Tan writes about her many passions, from erotic fantasy to baseball, from her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the author of many books, including The Siren and the Sword, The Tower and the Tears, The Incubus and the Angel, Black Feathers, Mind Games, White Flames,and The 50 Greatest Yankee Games. She has edited over 50 anthologies of erotica for Red Silk Editions, Thunder's Mouth Press, Blue Moon Books, Masquerade Books, Ravenous Romance, and for the publishing house she founded, Circlet Press. Her short fiction has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, Best American Erotica, and many other places, and her nonfiction on baseball has been in Slow Trains, Baseball Ink, Gotham Baseball Magazine, Yankees Magazine, Yankees Annual, and elsewhere.

 

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

How to ride a dragon's storm ( audio book review)

Title: How to ride a Dragon's Storm
Author: Cressida Cowell
Narrator: David Tenant
Pub. Date:
Pulisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 4.5 hrs

Audiobook Info:

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, everyone's favorite reluctant Viking hero, has three months, five days and six hours to discover America, get back to Berk, save his father, battle Polarserpents, and win the annual Inter-Tribal Friendly Swimming Race. Can he do it?

















Author Info:

Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon has reached over 100,000 sales and is now published in over 30 languages. A Dreamworks feature film is due to be released in 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband, three children and two cats.




My review:
Its amazing how enjoyable these stories are! Cowell takes something as simple as a swiming race and turns it into an epic adventure! Now thats a good author and it makes for a very enjoyable story. I also love how as Hicup is growing, so its the story. The story is also getting a little bit darker or more mature as the series matures, I like that fact as well. Like all the other stories I thought this one was very fun and funny at times but it was also an interesting story too! The author adds more characters to make the story more dynamic but the same great characters that we know and love are there as well.

Narration:
The narration is as brillant as ever! It is amazing how David Tennant always get the voices exactly right for each book! His narration is entertaining and well acted! he makes these stories so exciting! I love the narration as always!

My final verdict:
I would highly recommend this audiobook! Its great to listen to as a family or by yourself! Its a well performed and fun audiobook!

The Manhattan Puzzle Book Blast

Title: The Manhattan Puzzle Author: Laurence O'Bryan Genre: Thriller Publish Date: August 26, 2014 Publisher: HarperCollins ISBN: 9781847562906

Synopsis

An international cover-up that could change the course of history…

Sean has been tracking a symbol from another age. It provides a clue to a barbaric conspiracy. A puzzle with an answer feared for millenia.

When Isabel wakes to find Sean hasn't come home she doesn't worry. At first. But when the police turn up on her doorstep wanting to interview him, she has to make a decision.

Does she keep faith in him or does she believe the evidence?
The symbol Sean and Isabel have been chasing will finally be revealed in Manhattan as one of the greatest banks in the world totters. Can Isobel uncover the truth before time runs out…or will she too be murdered?

A thrilling, high-octane race to save civilisation that will engross fans of Dan Brown, David Baldacci and James Patterson.       [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="104"] Buy on Amazon[/caption]  

The Manhattan Puzzle Excerpt

 

1

‘Go for it. The rougher the better, girl.’ The man had a black silk blindfold tied around his head. He spoke slowly, his voice thick with desire. Xena went to the door and unlocked it. ‘What’s that? Getting your toys out? Wow, this is even better than you promised.’ Lord Bidoner walked into the panic room. He closed the door behind him and pressed the button to turn on the air management system. The scrubber in the roof could remove the smoke from a blazing fire and turn the output into a vapour trail. The man, spread-eagled and handcuffed to the stainless steel bed frame, had an expectant smile on his face. ‘Go on, do it,’ he said. The navy Calvin Klein silk suit hanging from the stool beside the bed gave an indication of who he was. Lord Bidoner examined the man’s wallet. His bank ID card, a credit-card-sized piece of aluminium with an embedded proximity chip and his family name, Hare, embossed on it, confirmed what they already knew. The head of global security at BXH, one of the world’s few truly global banks, was lying face-up and naked in front of him. ‘Don’t keep me waiting, girl.’ ‘I won’t,’ purred Xena. She stroked his leg, then his inner thigh. He quivered in anticipation. The man’s wife would surely appreciate photographs of this event, but Lord Bidoner had more pressing concerns. He nodded at Xena. She was dressed in a low-cut skin-tight black catsuit that fitted her thin frame perfectly. The man laid out in front of them was expecting something memorable from the woman he’d met in the champagne bar opposite Grand Central, two weeks before. Xena’s story, about being an Ethiopian diplomat’s daughter, and her eager smile, had captivated him. She ran her finger down the man’s stomach. It trembled under her touch. ‘Don’t stop, honey. Don’t stop.’ With her other hand Xena clicked on the silver Turboflame blowtorch, the most expensive model in the world with its 1500C flame. She held the gently hissing blue, inch-long flame up and watched it glow brighter as her fingers moved slowly down his stomach. ‘What’s that?’ he said. She didn’t reply. Hare’s voice was still confident when he spoke. ‘Was that your sister who just came in? Is she gonna join us?’ ‘We have a surprise for you,’ said Xena. The man pulled on the handcuffs, which began to cut into his skin. It had taken a bit of persuasion, since this was their third meeting, for Xena to get him to go this far, but he trusted her now. And he’d made it clear that he wasn’t going to put up with any crap. He’d break the bed if she didn’t release him when he gave the password. She’d smiled, hugged him and agreed. They’d even laughed about making a written contract. ‘What’s the surprise?’ He shook the bed, testing its resilience and the strength of the handcuffs. He’d assumed they were easily breakable toys, like a previous pair she’d shown him. But he was wrong. And he didn’t know that the bed was bolted to the reinforced slab of the panic room floor, either. Though he might have guessed that there was something wrong when it refused to move under him. ‘Just a friend of mine. We have a little question for you,’ said Xena. ‘Yeah?’ He was still curious, still expectant of further delights. ‘What is the password for the security system at BXH?’ The man didn’t reply verbally. He shook the bed from side to side, trying to break free. He didn’t know that his only hope was if his thrashing managed to separate his hands from his wrists, and his feet from his ankles. And very few people have strength enough to do that. Xena waved the blue flame, raised it, as if offering it up. It flickered higher. The odour of the burning butane gas filled the room like bad perfume. The sound of the blow torch was a threatening hissing now. Xena placed the tip of the flame against the top edge of the whiskey tumbler the man had been drinking from. The glass turned blue. ‘Wait until you feel this. Then you will tell me,’ said Xena. Her tone had changed. It was demanding now. ‘What? Fu . . .’ The end of that confident word was bitten off by the piercing scream that came from deep within his throat. Xena had touched the flame against the pale skin of his shoulder. He began thrashing. Like a fish flailing. He moved from side to side, squirming away from the skin-blistering heat. But he couldn’t move fast enough. And his legs and arms were stretched out tight. Easy targets. The smell in the room changed and the atmosphere with it. Pain and whimpering, sizzling and guttural roars filled the air. The man had become a dog. Then Xena asked him again. ‘The password, please.’ She spoke softly, as if they were still playing a game. ‘If you give it up, I will release you. You can explain these little burns to your wife. But the ones I will inflict next will require hospital treatment. Or the services of a morgue.’ She clicked the flame off, then pressed the hot tip hard and fast into the biggest blister she had inflicted, near his ankle. ‘What do you say, Mr Hare?’ The man answered with a defiant, animal roar. He shook the bed under him. The last vestige of his pride in working at BXH bellowed out of him. Xena lit the flame again. She reached forward, touched it to his chest, and ran it fast down the middle until smoke from his burning body hair filled the room with a sickly odour. ‘Stop, stop!’ he screamed. His body squirmed to escape the heat. ‘It’s #89*99,’ he shouted. ‘Please! Stop!’ Bidoner keyed the password into his phone and pressed send. ‘I hope you’re not lying,’ said Xena. ‘I want all this to have a happy ending.’ She squeezed his thigh with her hand, then stroked it. Tears streamed from under his blindfold. His cheeks were red. It was good he couldn’t see the weals on his body, because he would know immediately that he wouldn’t be able to explain any of them to his wife. ‘Please, let me go. I promise not to tell anyone. I swear, on my children’s lives.’ Lord Bidoner’s mobile beeped as an incoming message came in. He nodded at Xena. The code had worked. ‘I believe you,’ she said. ‘But there is one more thing I must do for you.’ She put the Turboflame down and went to the fridge. She took out a six-inch-long serrated knife, honed with care to a perfect blade, from the freezer section. She held it in the air, admiring its cold edge. ‘Now you will find release,’ she said. The man’s body went still. His toes, which had scrunched up, half straightened. The only sound was his pain-filled whimpering. The panic room in the apartment on Fifth Avenue, overlooking the skyscrapers of Manhattan, was soundproof. It was why they used the room. Xena flicked the blade across the man’s pale skin, once, then twice, fascinated by how quickly blood gushed, how fast it flowed from a few simple cuts. ‘This is for my brothers,’ she said. ‘Don’t,’ he whimpered. Fear trembled in his voice. ‘I have two children, a wife.’ She growled, psyching herself up. ‘Prima quattuor invocare unum,’ she said, as she grabbed him, jerking him upwards and castrating him with one swinging motion. She held the bloody remains up in the air. His screams of terror and pain vibrated through the room as blood spurted two feet high. A foul smell followed and the man’s words became a babbling. Lord Bidoner held his nose. He’d seen enough. He went out to the main room of the apartment, with its view towards the glittering Jazz-era spire of the Empire State Building. ‘You did good, my dear. The first offering has been done correctly,’ he said, when Xena joined him. She was panting. ‘Come here.’ He pushed her up against the inch-thick glass of the window, as Manhattan glittered behind them. Afterwards, he handed her a balloon glass containing a large shot of Asbach 21. She sipped the brandy, then downed it in one gulp. Then she lay down on the sleek oak coffee table that dominated the room. The canyon of lights stretching into the velvet Manhattan night reflected all the way along the length of the table and onto her ebony skin. He reached down and stroked her shoulder. It was trembling. ‘Three more before the moon rises again. That is what the book says. That is what we will do.’ She smiled up at him. Her white teeth shone as she leaned her head back and stretched.  

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About the Author

Laurence was born in Dublin. He studied business, then IT at Oxford University.After going to England he paid for his own courses and began rising at 4AM so he could study and work at the same time. One early job was as a kitchen porter near the Bank of England cleaning the plates of the well connected. Laurence was first published by a school newspaper when he was ten, for a short story about aliens getting lost. Thirty-five years later, he attended an authonomy workshop and not long after was offered a publishing contract for three books. The Manhattan Puzzle is his third novel.  

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A Love as Bold as a Texas Sunset . . .
Ex-army medic Katya Smith has always healed other people's pain. Now she has to deal with her own. Taking a job as an athletic trainer on the Pro Bull Riding circuit seems like the perfect escape from her grief-except Katya doesn't know anything about bulls, and even less about the tough men who ride them. She doesn't expect to fall for the sport, or for one tantalizing cowboy who tumbles her defenses.

For rodeo champion Cam Cahill, fifteen years of bucking bulls have taken their toll on his body. Before he retires, he wants a final chance at the world title-and he doesn't need some New Age gypsy telling him how to do his job. But when the stunning trainer with the magical hands repairs more than his worn muscles, everything changes. Soon Cam finds himself trying to persuade Katya to forgive her past so she can build a future . . . with him.

 

Book Excerpt:

Katya looked around the restaurant. Surrounded by trees outside, the interior was exposed timber and glass, giving The Wild Side the feel of a hunting lodge in the woods. The fieldstone fireplace with its cheery gas log fire and the trophy animal heads on the wall carried out the theme.

“Well? What do you think?” Cam smiled at her from across the linen-covered table, the dimple in his cheek deepening.

“That gazelle looks pissed. I think he wants his body back.” The unblinking stare of the animals on the walls gave her the willies, so she kept her eyes on Cam. Well, maybe that wasn’t the only reason. His royal blue Western-cut shirt showed off his washed-blue eyes. The candlelight fractured in them, and she had a hard time looking anywhere else. He’d taken off his hat when he sat down, but it left a mark in his short, hollow-gold hair. She took a sip of her white wine to cool off. God, if he were on the menu, this place would be overrun with women.

He chuckled, and when the waiter walked over with menus, he held up a hand. “Will you trust me to order?” He gave her a one-sided smile, an eyebrow raised in challenge.

“I guess I’ll trust you that far.”

Not much farther though. She had no doubt that smile had separated dozens of women from their panties. Don’t forget, you don’t belong here. Why did she have to keep reminding herself of that lately?

He ordered something called the Hunter’s Feast for Two. When the waiter walked away, Cam turned his attention back to her. “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Smith. It cost me dearly to get you sitting across the table from me. Are you sure you aren’t a horse trader on the side?”

She snorted. “I should have warned you, it’s in my blood. My great-great grandfather made enough money trading horses to bring his family to America.”

“Literally?”

Might as well get it out in the open. In spite of the modern push to accept “cultural diversity,” there was still a lot of prejudice against her kind. “I don’t just dress Gypsy, Cam. I am Gypsy.”

“No kidding?” The touch of his regard settled on her. “I know so little about you. Where did you grow up?”

Well, he’d answered her questions. No harm in answering a few benign ones of his. “In DC. But my summers I spent with my Gypsy family, in Chicago.”

“What was that like?”

“It was heaven. I’m an only child. But in Chicago, my huge extended family took me in every summer and folded me into the clan.” She smiled, seeing Grand’s apartment in her mind. “It was like stepping into another world. Like I lived two different lives.”

“When did you join the army?”

“After nine/eleven. A lot of people joined then.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you for a soldier, but once I knew it, lots of things made sense. Did you like it?”

“I loved it. In a way, it was like Chicago. Another kind of family. We rely on each other under hard times and stressful circumstances. It forges a strong bond.”

“You miss it.”

Once again, his eyes made her nervous, seeing too much. “Something happened over there, didn’t it?”

“I miss it.”

The waiter brought their salads, breaking the pull of his gaze. That gaze made her want to talk, to spill her dark story all over the pristine tablecloth, staining everything.

She lifted her fork. “Tell me about your family. Where are you from?”

They chatted about safe subjects until their meal arrived; a huge platter of unrecognizable meat, without a vegetable in sight. Unless fried potatoes qualified.

He looked it over. “I’m torn. I’m afraid if I tell you what’s here, you won’t eat it, and you’d miss out on some great food. But I don’t want to ambush you either. So you tell me. Do you want to know?”

She picked up her fork, stabbed a deep-fried Rocky Mountain oyster, and popped it in her mouth.

His eyes got big. “Wait, that’s a—”

“Cow testicle, I know.” She licked her lips. “I have to say, it’s better than sheep, but not as good as camel.” She glanced around for the waiter, then back to him. “Do you think they have hot sauce?”

His eyes got bigger. “I think I’m in love,” he breathed.

 

 

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About the author:

Laura Drake grew up in the suburbs outside Detroit, though her stories are set in the west. A tomboy, she's always loved the outdoors and adventure. In 1980 she and her sister packed everything they owned into Pintos and moved to California. There she met and married a motorcycling, bleed-maroon Texas Aggie and her love affair with the West was born. Laura rides motorcycles: Elvis, a 1985 BMW Mystic, and Sting, a 1999 BMW R1100.

In Texas, Laura was introduced to her first rodeo, and fell in love. She's an avid fan of Pro Bull Riding (PBR,) attending any event within driving distance, including two PBR National finals. She is hard at work at her next novel.

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Book Info:

It's been two years since Jessy Lawrence lost her husband in Afghanistan, and she's never fully recovered. Drowning her sorrows didn't help, and neither did the job she'd hoped would give her a sense of purpose. Now trying to rebuild her life, she finds solace in her best friends, fellow military wives who understand what it's like to love-and lose-a man in uniform . . . and the memory of one stolen night that makes her dream of a second chance at love.

Dalton Smith has known more than his fair share of grief. Since his wife's death, he revels in the solitude of his cattle ranch. But try as he might, he can't stop thinking about the stunning redhead and the reckless, passionate night they shared. He wasn't ready before, but Dalton sees now that Jessy is the only woman who can mend his broken heart. So how will he convince her to take a chance on

him?

 

Book Except:

 

Dalton thought he was just about free to go when the photographer called the wedding party back for pictures, first in the sanctuary, then outside in the warm sun. He hadn’t had to hold a smile for such a long time that his face muscles were starting to protest when the guy decided ten thousand shots were enough.

Finally he could slip out of his jacket. His cattle’s blackand-white coats might keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, but he was about to dissolve into a giant drop of sweat. As the rest of the guests came out of the church to say good-bye to the happy couple, he loosened his tie, then saw Jessy, standing in the shade of an oak, arms folded over her middle, watching him.

God, she’d been watching him all through the reception, and him her. He couldn’t say why he hadn’t approached her, asked her to share a piece of cake, talk with him, dance with him. Then his gut clenched hard, his chest tightening, and he remembered: because he would have spontaneously combusted, and wouldn’t that have been an ugly page in Dane and Carly’s wedding album? From the moment he’d walked into the church and seen her sitting there all beautiful and sexy and focused on him, all he could think was, Is it time? Please, can it be time?

He was surprised God hadn’t struck him down where he stood.

It was stupid, he thought as he walked to her. He was thirty-two years old. He’d been married. He’d had sex with his share of women. Hell, he’d had sex with this woman. But he hadn’t known then what he knew now. Then it had been horniness and loneliness, and any woman who persisted until he was drunk would have satisfied. Now it was . . .

Well, he didn’t know what it was, exactly. Important.

They had something special, a second chance for both of them to make things right, to

make each other right. Something to not screw up.

 

 

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About the author:

Known for her intensely emotional stories, Marilyn Pappano is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty books. She has made regular appearances on bestseller lists and has received recognition for her work in the form of numerous awards. Though her husband's Navy career took them across the United States, he and Ms. Pappano now live in Oklahoma high on a hill that overlooks her hometown. They have one son and daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and a pack of mischievous dogs.

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THE BAYOU'S BADDEST BAD BOY IS BACK!

Joining the Navy was the second best thing that ever happened to Justin "Cage" LeBlanc, the rebel son of a no-account convict. The first was Emelie Gaudet, the love of his life . . . until he was forced to leave town and swore there would be snow on the bayou before he ever returned. Now, only his mortally ill grandma can bring the injured Navy SEAL back to Terrebone Parrish, where he must face his past-and Emelie, who's even more beautiful than she was all those years ago.

Bourbon Street blues singer Emelie is once bitten, twice shy. When she learns that Justin is back in town, she wants nothing to do with the once wild Cajun teenager who fled with the law on his tail-and broke her heart. But she can't deny the red-hot attraction between them . . . or his efforts to prove he's finally changed his hell-raising ways. Can she trust that this time the bad boy of the bayou will be the best man for her?

 

 

 

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Book Excerpt:

Leaning back against the van and spreading his legs so she could fit into the cradle of his hips, Cage realized something in that moment.  He had never stopped loving Emelie.  He kissed the top of her head…she still used that lemon-scented shampoo…then kissed her chin and the knuckles that continued to hold the packet of letters in a death grip.  Pulling a handkerchief out of his back pocket, he used it to wipe the tears off her face and made her blow her nose hard.

          Then, he framed her head with trembling fingers that combed into both sides of her hair, and he really kissed her.  With all the love and yearning he’d built up over the years.  Suppressed emotions exploded in him, emotions he hadn’t even known he’d been suppressing, not this late in the game, anyhow.  He was out of control. 

          Then, Thank you God, she was out of control, too.  Somewhere along the way she’d dropped the letters to the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with equal fervor.

          There was a roaring in his ears, and his mind went blank.  His body zapped into sensory overload with each of her soft caresses to his neck and shoulders, with the arching of her body against his, with the opening of her mouth to his deep kisses.  

          At one point his palms had landed on her butt and he raised her against his erection.  Sweet!  Sweet agony!

About the author:

 Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.

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