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A newsletter? For what!

Yep, I can hear you now.

Why, oh why, would I sign up for MORE stuff in my inbox?
What's so special about your newsletter?
How is this going to HELP me?

I asked those very same questions to myself when I decided to set one up and I have the answers.

Let's take it a step at a time...

Why would you want more things in your inbox?

1.      Truthfully, you might forget to catch this blog. And things around here are a changing! From Wednesday reviews, to Brand new releases I know will catch some of your attention, to.... the latest and greatest submission calls! (More of that in #3)

What's so special about my newsletter?

1.  Yes, I will be doing some marketing for my own books occasionally, but this really isn't about me. It's about you! I want you to have quick easy access to some new books that are being released that you may not know about! And did I mention the submission calls? (Here it comes.... wait for it!)

How is this going to HELP me?

1. So here it is, laid out straight. I am an internet junkie and peruse hundreds of publishing houses a month looking for submission calls that may interest me. Man I have found some GREAT calls looking through all those things!  I thought to myself, "Self, it would really suck if you didn't have the time to do this." Then, I started thinking about all of my fellow writers who are working two jobs, or are full time students, or parents and professionals, and everything else in between. And I realized I could HELP! I want to HELP!  
2. EVERY SINGLE NEWSLETTER will have at LEAST 3 Submission Calls for writers, with descriptions of the calls, and links STRAIGHT to the Publishers site so you can get more info! (Though most of these calls will center around romance, there will be the occasional MG/YA/NA, Fantasy, Sci-fi, or Contemp Lit that will be added in.)

So there you have it friends. I want to help, and I can. If your writing career is just taking off, or even if you are on your tenth manuscript, let ME help you do some of the work. Let me at least shoot some calls your way that you may not have heard about!

How Do I Sign up!

Right over there on the top right of the screen is a page tab that says "Newsletter Sign-up!" Click that and it will take you straight to my form. First and Last name, e-mail, and if you want to include your web address you can.

Newsletters will be e-mailed early Sunday morning EST. And there is always an option to OPT out if you decide that it's not what you want. But before you do, e-mail me, post something on the blog, or tweet me, maybe I can find something Just for You!

Hope to see you on Sunday in your inbox!
~Lisa

Review of "Lightning Strike" by Beverly Ovalle

What's New to Review ~ Wednesday!

Good COLD Wednesday afternoon all. I hope you'll forgive me with being a few hours late on this post. With the snow that has hit us in the south, it was a mandatory SNOW Outing for my five children. (I have to give them credit, at least they let me sleep in before the day began.)

Last night as the snow was falling, I disconnected from my desk top and settled under a few blankets with my tablet for a quick read. This week's read was a Weekend Getaway special published by Secret Cravings Publishing. Which, might I add, has just won Best Publisher of the Year for 2013 from the Love Romance Cafe Group and is also one of the publishers that I work with! I'm so thankful to have found them.     ~ But I digress. Back to business....

Starting THIS Sunday, a new feature on my blog will be Sunday Subcalls! Throughout the week as I scan the internet, I will find and locate different publishing companies that have set out new calls for submission. On Sunday, I will make a list and post them here. I'll also be setting up an e-mail subscription list that you'll be able to subscribe to, to get these lovely sub calls right in your e-mail inbox!  ~ But I digress.... back to business.

The Book:

Lightning Strike is a Weekend Getaway. This line of books are short stories ranging from 5-10k and are available for .99. This allows the fast life person to still get a little reading in somewhere in the week. They are released on Saturdays and range from a heat 2-5. This particular read... a heat 5! Coming in at just over 9k, this book is definitely a quick read and took me about an hour to read. Perfect for a Weekend Getaway or a Lunch Time Escape! And the price is perfect!

As with most short stories, this novella circles around one scene, one short time span, and some pretty interesting love making scenes. From vanilla to multiple partners, a lot is packed into this little story.

The Plot:

Levi is our heroine and he's on a mission. For years, his grandfather has told him secrets about the magic in the woods that his family has guarded through the centuries. With other family members pushing to sell, Grandpa turns to Levi. Go to the woods and get proof. Easy enough, since our hero is a photographer. Storms are rolling in and lightning surrounds the glen. As Levi prepares to leave a stray bolt strikes a nearby tree. Upon investigating the scene, he finds a naked beauty.

Enter the heroine... Daphnaie. A tree spirit locked away from the word by Mother Earth has been released. But why was she ever imprisoned? And what will she do now that she's free.

The Verdict:

This short story is full of sexual situations. From just a few pages in until almost the end, it's a non-stop sexual romp through the woods. Intertwined with magical tree sprites and nymphs, the author uses her knowledge of ancient lore to build the scene. The sex was written well, though at times I must admit I had to re-read a few spots because I had lost a hand movement or I thought to myself, "How exactly would that work with their height difference?" That being said, the story was definitely worth the .99 price and the hour I got to escape.

 It's a "Four Cups of Love" read!

Get your copy at these locations! ~ .99

Secret Cravings Publishing

Amazon

BookStrand

See you guys on Sunday for my newest addition Sunday Sub Calls!

~Lisa

Review of "Onyx Night - Catnip and Cauldrons - Book 1" by Autumn Lake Jones

What's New to Review ~ Wednesday!

Breaking News: Look for a new addition to the website soon. "Friday Finds" will be a section that I will be adding that will be catered to the busy authors. New publishing calls and antho calls and any other marketing news I can throw your way. So get ready!

Now, on to the business at hand. Who out there likes sorcerers, shifters, and a some intense "heat"? Well, this short novella has all of this and more. From a community of were cats to hidden secrets, cat-napping to intrigue, and a romance that has the promise of an eternity, "Onyx Night" had me flipping the pages easily and quickly.

The Book:

"Onyx Night" is a novella length story that ranges about 20k words. Easily read in one sitting, and it took me just a little over an hour to complete it. This fast paced paranormal/shifter story is incredibly well written. With three or four intense love making scenes packing a punch to add some spice, the reader can't help but enjoy the mysterious world on Onyx and the were-tribe at Catcall.

The author has done an excellent job of description here as our heroine comes into her first change. The feelings one would expect to encounter, the newness, the testing your boundaries all are beautifully encountered. Props to Ms. Lake on getting into the mind of a cat. When our heroine shifts, she has all the attitude of a fully grown feline and the actions are fluent.

The Plot:

Onyx Night is the heroine of our little tale and she is away at college, with a dangerous crush on her professor I might add. Admin personnel pull her out during the lecture and inform her of bad news. She must return home and quickly. Heart in her throat, she whirls into Catcall to find some very disturbing news at that. With her life coming to a collapse, she breaks down and shifts to a cat form for the first time. Life changing events are happening way to fast, and soon she finds out that everyone in the town are were-cats. But, now that she has made her first shift, she has duties to uphold. And Onyx isn't ready to agree to everything that the leaders one. She over hears an abundance of information that soon has her thinking that she is no longer safe. Running back to school is her only chance, but will it be enough.

Enter the hero - Cole has been skipping from college to college for years. Staying gets too complicated when people begin wondering why he hasn't aged. He has known about Onyx's gifts since he met her, and vows to protect her. But, when her first "heat" comes, how can he protect her, when all he wants is to be with her?

The Verdict?

Totally brilliant! The cat and mouse chase is thrilling, the sex is well written, and I absolutely love the paranormal were-cat. Not many out there are just regular house cats, most involve the big cat variety. But, I cannot express enough how well the author seemed to get into the mind of a cat! The high and mighty attitude, the curiosity, even the movements. I was completely enthralled! (As I myself am a cat person, there is some bias there. Sorry.) As this was just the first in the series, and the second has already been released... I know what I'll be reading over the weekend! "Onyx Shadows"!

It's a "Five Cups of Love" read! Check it out!

Get your copy at these locations! ~ $2.99

Breathless Press

Amazon

AllRomanceEbooks

BookStrand

Until next week, happy readings!  

Lisa A. Adams

Review of "The Phantom" by Jocelyn Leveret

What's New to Review ~ Wednesday!

So, is everyone ready for a very sexy read? I hope so, because I had the pleasure of reading a fantasy filled HAWT EROTIC novella this week from a new author. This short work has no hardcore BDSM qualities but does have some smacking here and there and a satin cloth used to bound a few of the women. Yep, you heard me correctly, a few of the women. So, let's begin....

The Book:

"The Phantom" by Jocelyn Leveret is a contemporary fantasy/paranormal novella with just a little bit of mystery involved. The mystery? "Is the Phantom real?" The author likens the Phantom to such Urban Legends as Bigfoot. Things have always been said, but is there any real proof? This short novella stands complete at about 20k, and was an easy quick read. Turning the virtual pages was quite easy, as the plot unfolded before you. I want to point out here that Ms. Leveret has done quite a bit of research as well. Let me explain... without there really being an Urban Legend, she had to make up a history of one. In digging in that created history, she has referenced tribes and words that would fit the word "phantom" and I am very grateful. The history of the Phantom was actually one of my favorite parts of the book. Please, don't get me wrong. This is NOT a history book or a myths and legends book at all. The history is incorporated ingeniously throughout the novella and you are actually excited about it, because so is the heroine. But, I digress... let's get to the skinny of it.  

The Plot: 

Enter the heroine, Sasha. Sasha is a typical hardworking woman, who isn't necessarily appreciated by the man in her life. Having heard stories of the Phantom in college, is has become a curiosity that haunts her dreams. As a magazine journalist, she works for one of the largest women publications and enjoys her assignments, but her friends and lover laugh at her mention of the Phantom. Sasha's goal? Find women who will tell their story, take the interviews, and write an amazing story for the paper to let all the women out there know that the Phantom is real! Fortunately for us, the assignment is a goal, and stretched out throughout the book are a plethora of tales with in depth detail from other women who have all experienced a night with the Phantom. As Sasha becomes more and more obsessed, praying that the Phantom will come to her, she opens herself up to many types of sexual pleasure. But, will it be enough? And will the Phantom ever visit her?

Enter the hero: A true spiritual sexual being, a granter of wishes, wants, and hidden desires, every woman's dream man... (Need I say more?)

The Verdict?

Oh... My.... YES! This book is a definite Pass It On! If you are into the erotic scene, I couldn't recommend this book enough. May I just say here, that one of the reasons I loved it so much was because it was written in first person. Now, I know that would be a turn off to some, but when you're reading this short and the Phantom is there and it's all I...I...I. Well, you can get how this can set in your brain and really get the reader into the story. Bravo Ms. Leveret! Now, when's the next one coming out? Cause I'm ready to see whatever's next from this brilliant author!

It's a "Five Cups of Love" read! Pass it on!

Get your copy at these locations: $2.99

BreathlessPress

Amazon

AllRomanceEbooks 

BookStrand

Until next week, I hope you guys are enjoying some of these new books!

~ Lisa

Review of "The Winning Streak" by Tea Cooper

What's New to Review~ Wednesday!

First, let me just say that I am super excited about today's book. As many of you know, I was an ancient history teacher for five years and Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome were my favorite time periods. More than anything, I loved the mythology that goes along with it. These gods and goddesses were not perfect. They were jealous, lustful, meddling souls that wrapped themselves in our human world. Many a tale was spun with the gods and their strange accounts with humans. Today, those myths have been passed on to give us such amazing stories as the "Percy Jackson" series by Rick Riordan, and many, many more. Today's book is just as great and is no exception.

The Book

"A Winning Streak" by Tea Cooper is an amazing historical romance set in Ancient Greek. One of the main things that I feel I must give credit on is the historical accuracy of this book. Ms. Cooper has definitely done her research and I couldn't be more pleased. I find it difficult to read a book such as this without the historical facts that put you in the right frame of mind and setting. This author has absolutely no problem with that! It is a novella, averaging about 20k in length and only took me a couple hours to complete it. There is love and a romance, fulfilled in the HEA with short and sweet love scene. There is no vulgarity here and is a book that I plan on passing on to my daughter in high school to share with her as well. (Yes, I monitor what she reads. Shocking I know.)

The Plot

Our story begins on the day of birth for our heroine Miss Atalante. First heir to the thrown and a girl, she is cast away to the forest side and given as sacrifice to the gods in hopes they will be pleased and bless the king with a son to claim the throne. (Yes, things like this actually happened back then. WTG Ms. Cooper!) The king's cry to Zeus falls upon deaf ears. However, Artemis (virgin goddess of the hunt and sister to Aphrodite) comes and claims the child as her own.

Fast forward many years, and we find that the goddess has cursed the king to never have another heir. Atalante is the rightful ruler of the kingdom and is called home by the king. Knowing that she has been raised by Artemis, the men fear her for her strength, hunting skills, and speed. She must marry and produce her own heir that will inherit the throne. As she protests, she is given an ultimatiem and finally succeeds to a challenge. Any man that races against her and wins, shall have the throne, or will be sacrificed to the gods if they lose. Well, as in most stories of even today, the greed of man over takes brains. Atalante feels that she has nothing to fear because Artemis will guide her steps.

Enter our hero, Melanion, who has a few gods on his side as well. As the war of the gods begin, the fate of the blossoming couple rests solely in the gods' hands.

The Verdict?

I can honestly say that I couldn't be more happy with the book in its entirety. To recap: Meddling gods, sweet romance, life or death situations, historical accuracy. Yes! This book has it all! The pacing is great, the plot believable to the time frame, and the outcome is perfect! Speaking of outcome, watch for a twist at the end!
I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Cooper recently and she hinted that there may be another mythology book in the works. Well, Ms. Cooper I certainly hope so! Sign me up for a copy! 

It's a "Five Cups of Love" read! Pass it on!

Get your copy at these locations: $2.99

Breathless Press

Amazon

AllRomanceEBooks

BookStrand

See you guys next week and bundle up out there! 

~Lisa

Review of "Erasing Shadows-Book One" by K.D. Rose

What's New to Review~Wednesday! 

Good afternoon, everyone and Happy New Year! This past year was filled with some wonderful writing accomplishments. The release of my 1st book "The Legionnaire's Prize" was just a year ago on January 18th, 2013. Since then, I have released five more books, and have had two more accepted. I have also met some amazing talented writers, editors, and worked with some great publishers. The New Year is already looking up. I have a submission due tonight at midnight for another anthology with another publishing house, have signed up for a live class at my local college, and am attending a virtual 4 week class as well. Not to mention, this wonderful blog. My "What's New to Review!~ Wednesday" is scheduled through to at least through the end of March. I am getting to read some wonderful authors and I hope get to pass on some information to you as well. So without further ado...

The book: Erasing Shadows - Book One

When Ms. KD Rose asked me to review her newest release, I was hesitant. As those of you who follow my review days know, I am a novella reader generally. My life is incredibly busy and I only have time for small escapes from reality. But this 52k manuscript is about just that, so I had to give it a try. I am so glad I did! Yes, it took me a little longer to read with the holidays, family life and social gatherings, but it was well worth it. This novel is considered a young adult, or new adult piece of work and that suits me just fine. Having been a middle school Language Arts teacher for some time, I spent a vast majority of my school year reading new Middle Grades and Young Adult books to keep up with trends and recommend books to my students. This is a book that I would LOVE to recommend to some of them!

I don't want to ruin it so instead of giving my usual synopsis, I would like to leave you the author's blurb about the book.

Author's Blurb:

What if to save the ones you love, you had to unlock the key to a different reality?

Generations of mystery smash together when a seemingly traditional family must shatter their illusions of normality to confront themselves and their friends, leaving no possibility unexplored in order to rescue—well, who exactly? Watch the Ross family, the High Five Gang, and multiple generations dig into an innovative explosion of imagination where they must confront numerous realities, real-world danger, and worst of all—their own teenage hormones!

In a place where nothing is as it seems and shocks are around every corner, even the people you thought you knew may find themselves strangers in this moving and provocative reality-bender. With breathless pacing and psychological intrigue, Erasing: Shadows and the High Five Gang will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Verdict?

It's a "Four Cups of Love" read! 

 

KD Rose does an absolutely amazing job at world building here. The alternate realities explored in this novel have been well crafted. The Astral Plain becomes a living a breathing entity in the work and the characters are completely developed. With a large cast, Ms. Rose ensures that each character is fully formed and a believable character. So why four cups? Well, I love time travel scenarios. But, the amount of "age" play in this novel had me re-reading a few parts to understand something. It is evident that Ms. Rose is an extremely educated woman and she has done plenty of research in these scientific areas. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment and hope that it is as complex in plot as this one!

So where can you get your copy?

Lycaon Press
All Romance EBooks
BookStrand
Amazon

Come back next week when I will be reviewing "A Winning Streak" by Tea Cooper.
Until then, happy reading and Happy New Year!
~Lisa