Thursday, May 30, 2013

Book Spotlight: Dancing in the Flame

Dancing in the FlameTitle of Book: DANCING IN THE FLAME
Genre: Spicy Paranormal Romance
Author: Ann Gimpel
Websitewww.AnnGimpel.com
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books 
SUMMARY: Life in a were bordello is all Keira has ever known. Because of her mixed blood, none of the magicians’ guilds want her, or protested when the Weres bound her as an indentured hooker. Mired in the hopelessness of her dreams, Keira longs for more. Barrett, one of the Daoine Sidhe, runs a magician supply shop in what’s left of Seattle. No one is more surprised than he when the Sidhe leader commands him to extricate Keira from the weres. Magic and intrigue throw Keira and Barrett into one another’s arms. Convinced they have a job to do, they struggle against the heat of the passion between them. Until it gets way too hot to handle.

  FIRST CHAPTER
Eleven Years Later Keira opened a door in the were bordello where she lived and worked and peeked out into the long hallway spanning the first floor of the building. Empty. Good. It was the middle of the afternoon, always a slow time. Her last customer had just left. Maybe, if she snuck out the rear door, she could claim a few hours of freedom. She ducked back into the room she shared with one of the other indentured hookers, donned a cloak and boots, and walked down the hall, making as little noise as possible. The air was crisper than she’d expected as she eased the door shut behind her. Keira wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she’d brought a warmer coat. Most of her working clothes were wispy and suggestive. At least she’d been smart enough to put on tattered jeans, a moth-eaten sweater, and her favorite black cloak. For once it wasn’t raining. A pallid sun hung midway to the western horizon, bathing what were once busy urban streets with sallow light. Keira emptied her mind, trying not to feel she was playing hooky. It wasn’t as if the weres kept her prisoner… She glanced at her left arm. Under the sweater and cape, she could have sworn the indenture bracelet spanning her upper arm tightened. Who am I trying to kid? They can find me anytime they want. She walked briskly through Seattle’s Queen Anne district. Keira had the streets to herself today, but then she usually did. Good thing, too. Those like her, mixed-blood magic wielders with minimal power, were at pretty much everyone else’s mercy. Bottom of the New World totem pole. Her gaze swept over urban rot. Keira grimaced. Buildings still stood, some of them, anyway. But most of the glass had been rocked out. Piles of trash blocked the roadways. Cars were a thing of the past. Out-of-control garbage had obliterated the sidewalks long ago. Paths wound through it, carved by varieties of magic wielders and prowling beasts. She made a point of ignoring what was underfoot. Most of it was too gross to even consider. It was a damned shame so many humans had been wiped out during the war. They’d taken care of things like that. She pretended to consider what to do with her freedom, knowing her deliberations were a sham. She’d do the same thing she always did: head for Barrett’s magician’s shop. Housed in a cavernous Victorian on lower Capitol Hill, it was only about an hour’s walk from the were bordello. With its dark wood furniture, Oriental carpets, and overflowing shelves, the shop exuded a homey atmosphere which was irresistible. Face it. The thing which makes it so enticing is Barrett. Keira smiled to herself as she pictured the tall, broad-shouldered Daoine Sidhe with his thick, coppery hair and pale blue eyes. Beyond his obvious beauty, though, he seemed kind. Not that she’d ever exchanged more than a few words with him, but he had laugh lines in the corners of his eyes and she’d watched him interact with other customers. He was always helpful, doing that little bit extra to assist someone find something. There was still bad blood among magic wielders, but not in Barrett’s shop. Everyone was granted equal status there. Never mind Daoine Sidhe magic was far more powerful than were, fae, or witch. Druid magic barely counted; it was nearly as feeble as hers. The first time she’d stumbled into Barrett’s shop, it was by accident. She’d gotten into a big blow up with Simon, one of the staff at Were Calls, for refusing to service a customer in his animal form. Simon slapped her, which was a big no-no; punishment was supposed to be delivered through her bracelet per the terms of her indenture. Keira had never seen Simon quite so angry. She didn’t wait around to see what he would do next. Despite being in her hooker garb, including high heels, she’d raced out the door and ran until her arches ached. It hadn’t helped when the skies opened and it began to pour. Not knowing what else to do—because she was not going back to Were Calls until things cooled down or they zapped her through the bracelet—she’d opened her magic senses. They’d led her straight to Barrett’s shop. It was only a couple of blocks from where she’d stopped. Keira had pushed the heavy, carved wooden door open, ready to bolt if anyone so much as looked cross-eyed at her. No one did. The shop smelled heavenly. Herbs. Lots of them. They hung in bundles from a raised walkway, ten feet off the ground, which accessed a partial second story. Feeling a bit braver, she let her gaze roam the large room, crowded with shelves. No one paid her the slightest attention, which was amazing since all the other patrons were garbed in cloaks and coats. She glanced at her low-cut top, barely-there micro mini, and high heeled boots and winced. Her top didn’t leave much to the imagination since it was half-soaked through. Because she was cold, her nipples had pebbled into suggestive peaks. -- Excerpted from Dancing in the Flame by Ann Gimpel


About the Author:

Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist, with a Jungian bent.  Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing.  A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Several paranormal romance novellas are available in e-format. Three novels, Psyche’s Prophecy, Psyche’s Search, and Psyche's Promise are small press publications available in e-format and paperback. Look for two more urban fantasy novels coming this summer and fall: Fortune’s Scion and Earth’s Requiem.

A husband, grown children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out her family.

Her latest books are Magic’s Daughter & Dancing in the Flame.

Visit her website at www.anngimpel.com

Connect with Ann:


Friday, May 3, 2013

Book Review: The Officer Breaks The Rules


Book Title: The Officer Breaks The Rules (Semper Fi 2)
Author: Jeannetter Murray
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romance
Format: ebooks, paperback
Cost: $6.99
Purchase: AmazonBarnes & NobleThe Book Depository | Publisher
Pages: 336
How I got it: NetGalley
Erotica Rating:N/A

Synopsis:
Captain Jeremy Phillips believes in doing his duty...both as a son and as a friend. This means that he should obey the "friend code" and stay away from his best friend's little sister. Too bad Madison O'Shay doesn't believe in his code and is ready to break all of the rules As a Navy nurse, Madison is finally stationed next to the man she's been dreaming about for years. And she's ready to launch a full-scale attack to show this thoughtful, handsome Marine that they belong together.
So apparently there is a book before this one & I'm sooo going to have to get it and the one after this?? Yes I NEED that one I can't wait to dive in. Navy Nurse Mad has been in love with Marine Jeremy ever since her brother brought him home from basic training many years ago.  But how does she show her brother's best friend that loving her doesn't break the rules??

I enjoyed the role reversal of the story. And that Madison didn't have to compromise her career, I loved it!!  This story was funny, quirky, immediately draws you in & keeps you hooked in. I really fell into the story because it was so beautifully written.  I also loved the wit and conversations between the characters. I really enjoyed Jeremy's journey to accepting what he wanted for himself and not what his Dad wanted for him, he struggled with his desire for Mad because he didn't want to ruin his friendship with his best friend but he so wanted her.  Jeremy got real clear when he realized that Madison was willing to move on and the thought of losing her made him get his stuff together real quick.

The growth that takes place between the characters as a couple and for Jeremy as a man was awesome and inspiring to read. I really loved Matthew & can't wait to read his story.

I really loved how well this book captured the love of service that many Navy Nurses feel; I enjoyed reading the military speak especially Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF, incidentally this was used in my favorite show Scandal this season. & this was really perfect because I'm really trying to break my extremely bad habit of cursing up a storm).

I like how the author also confronted the aspect of them getting into trouble with the military for breaking the rules, even though they are in different branches, it's still a big deal.  So the title is very appropriate for all the rules he was breaking, his own personal rules, the military rules, his dad's rules, his belief of societies rules. Yeah this is one of my Favorites and I will be getting a physical copy for my shelf.  I highly recommend this book.


★★★★★

I hope you enjoy!!




Book #Review: Indulgence In Death # 32


Book Title: Indulgence in Death #31
Author:   JD Robb |Webste| Facebook
Publisher: DoubleDay Books| Putnam Books
Format: Hardcover Books
Cost: $25.95
Purchase: AmazonBarnes & Noble | The Book Depository 
Pages: 373
How I got it: Library
My Rating:★★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: N/A

Synopsis:
First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet. Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer. As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness... Discover more in the In Death series »


Ohh this very well might be one of the better books. LOL Eve, that's a great present to your hubby for your anniversary, every once in a while Eve does something totally awesome.  Good to know Ireland hangs onto it's charm after the Urban Wars.  Ahh I'm guessing this book is going to be character driven then?? Yep it's going to be character driven. 

Yeah it's going to be really awesome.(I'm on page 13 so let's hope it stays that way).  Okay onto the review: this has got to be the best of the series, they actually do some really good work in this one.  I still couldn't believe the nerve of the thrill killers like really??? Who the hell does that?/ Just because your...well I'll let you read and discover why. This is one of the few times I was with Eve the whole way, the story grabbed you from the very beginning and made you love Eve and Roarke even more than before.

I loved the character development that was taking place, especially between Roarke & Eve, they really kicked butt this book (I'm not sure I would be comfortable on a squeaky bed in my families home, just.NOT.happening ).  It's a really great fast read and kept you hooked, I believe I read it in one day it was that awesome.

 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading my loves, I hope you enjoy it!!



Thursday, May 2, 2013

Snippet Book #Review: Strangers In Paradise


Book Title: Strangers In Paradise
Author: Heather Graham |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Severn House Publishing
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: hardcover, paperback, ebook
Cost: $0
Pages: 248
How I got it: Library
Purchase: It's too old borrow from library
Publication Date: 1988
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
A haunted house isn’t the only thing quickening Alexi’s pulse . . . - Alexi Jordan has come to the old Florida estate to heal the wounds left by a bad marriage – and runs straight into trouble. She doesn’t mind the fact that the mansion was supposedly haunted – after all, she can look after herself. It’s the feelings stirred by her neighbor Rex Morrow, who seems intent on being her protector, that’s giving her the jitters. Alexi chose the wrong man once before; can anything be scarier than the thought of her doing it again?
Confederate soilder who hides treasure for his wife in case he doesn't make it home.  He knew he was going to die and he planned to help the woman he loved more than life itself. His descendants now live in the house and someone knows the treasure is there & they want to find it before Alexi does.

This is more a romance than a suspense/paranormal book.  No hints of ghosts until the very end, since this was written in the 80s some of it's age shows thru, like payphones instead of cellphones; & Rex's attitude which sometimes borders on the not so awesome (but does make him sound a lot like another southerner, yeah he sounded like Rhett).

Overall it's a pretty good book, short, fast, engaging read. Their love was beautiful to read about.  It's not as suspenseful as her other books, and certainly doesn't have as much paranormal haunting as it should if it wanted to fit that genre.
 ★★
I would suggest getting it at the library, it's a quick read, great for a rainy day.
Happy Reading

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Book Review:: The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby


Book Title: The Christian Mama's Guide to Having A Baby
Author:  Erin Macpherson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Genre: Non Fiction, Christian, Books For Mothers
Format: Paperback
Cost: $15.99
Pages: 287
How I got it: From Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher



Synopsis:
Everything you need to know about pregnancy--from weight gain to stretch marks to figuring out how to rely on Christ through the ups and downs of the next nine months. This comprehensive guide is packed with information that every newly pregnant Christian mama needs--including: help for pregnancy insomnia, morning sickness, weight gain and moreadvice on how to maintain a godly attitude and outlook during pregnancy--even when you're feeling anything but godlywhat to expect from doctor check-ups, your encounters with the scale and labor and deliverytips on how to survive food cravings, aversions, and even dreaded pregnancy exercisehealthy eating advice for pregnancy that doesn't outright ban ice cream sundaesideas on how to keep your marriage a priority when you're pregnant, including a guide for Christian dads-to-be and even pregnancy sex tips This detailed guide takes you through each trimester with helpful tips, humorous accounts, and supportive spiritual advice--all with a girlfriend-to-girlfriend approach that will help moms feel comfortable as they navigate this life-changing time.(


This book is great for those not seeking the medical jargon of most of the pregnancy books out there. It's written by a lay (non medical degree or medical field professional i.e not a nurse/midwife/doctor) person, a simple mother who was pregnant and wanted a little Christian fellowship while she was pregnant, finding none she decided to fill in the blanks herself and wrote a book for the other women who were like her.

Now being in the medical field I know she lacking a whole lot of necessary information, she does have her sister fill in some information about diet, I do wish she had some more information, but this is more for the spiritual aspect than the medical one.  If your looking for more medical information try "Pregnancy Week by Week", or "What to Expect When Your Expecting", but for the spiritual pieces this is a good book.

Her witty banter makes me love this book even more. I found myself laughing while reading her stories of each of her pregnancies and she gives great advice especially when she notes that you should run everything by your birth professional. I loved that she didn't judge or make it her business to make you feel like you had to go to one professional over the other. I liked that she advocated that mothers take care of themselves and that she advised them to allow things to start to slip so they can get used to it when they are mothers of toddlers.
It's a great book filled with lots of good stories & lots of little prayer sections along with great verses from the Bible.

I highly suggest this book to any Christian Mama getting ready for her first baby.
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading


Welcome To Bewitching Bibliophile Book Blog:

Hi my loves,

Welcome to the new book blog. I started this blog because I noticed that my personal lifestyle blog was being consummed by the books and my love of books, I mean I will still highlight my favorite books on the blog as well as pagan books, but By The Broomstick will return to it's original purpose of being a pagan lifestyle blog.

When creating a blog you have to have a purpose; at least if you want people to keep coming back you can't just post random thoughts, so this blog is dedicated to my love obsession to books, I'm going to share my favorites, the new and fun, the ones I can't believe I wasted my time reading, the epic, and of course my thoughts on everything to do with them.  I'm a 20 year pagan with passion for education, reading and sharing all the adventures that books can bring, I love to explore religion and spirituality, and I will discuss those themes when reading books.  My blog is going to be dedicated to reading the paranormal, the weird and the religious books out there while sharing my thoughts as a modern pagan woman reading these books.


The schedule for the blog is listed under the Blog Policy Page.  If you're a rep or an author looking for a review make sure to check out the Review Request Tab and fill out the forms there.

These reviews are my own thoughts and ideas, and are unsolicited unless noted. I am receiving no payment for reviewing, or recommending books, or bookstores or ebook services.

So stay tuned to reading more from me about books, music, movie adaptations and all things nerdy from the pagan perspective!!

Happy Reading my loves
Aisha
The Bewtiching Bibliophile