Sunday Review: A Wolf's Bane by Sherrie Henry

Title A Wolf's Bane

Author Sherrie Henry

Genre Paranormal Romance

Source I purchased this on Amazon.

Buy links: AMAZON

Blurb
Can a human and a werewolf overcome obvious obstacles to be together? Romy and Kai have been hiding their affair from Kai’s clan; it’s not only that Romy is human, but she’s also much older than Kai. Will Kai’s obligation to his clan and tradition tear them apart?

Kai, the eldest and only son and heir to the family’s clan, has fallen for the forbidden, Romy, a human. His father has plans for the clan that doesn’t involve Kai mating a human; these plans drive them apart. But can they ignore their feelings and buck tradition? Will Kai’s decision lead to his death?

Review

For those that know me they will tell you that I love books about wolves in the paranormal aspect. What that means it's, it's hard to impress me because I am very critical when it comes to them.

Sherrie does an excellent job keeping my attention and interest during this sort story. I wish it had been longer and I hope there will be a sequel (hint hint) with Kai's sister.

Ms Henry writes characters that are easy to identify with. This is the second story of hers I have read and again the female lead made me feel for her with all pain she was in and rejoice with her glory when it was finally over. Her females are always so easy to identify with.

I wish parts had been longer. I wish the start of their relationship had been longer. But other than that I found no fault. This was a delightful story with a happy ending that like I said made me want a sequel.

I love Sherrie's short stories and look forward to reading more of them.

OTHER BOOKS BY SHERRIE HENRY

When A Memory Jumps Up And Bites Ya

I  know that we all have those moments ... when a smell or taste sparks a memory of our past. Good or bad, and then we can't help thinking about it. That's what I just experienced. This morning I woke up with a mission, reorganize my writing room..

This room is my sanctuary. It is where I can escape everything and feel peace. All of my favorite things are in here and it not only provides me with inspiration but it gives me an escape from whatever reality is approaching me at that moment.

So for whatever reason, my psyche woke up today thinking If I reorganize the room, inspiration will strike and I'll feel good. So I hauled the hubby in, gave him my idea, he gave feedback and then left me to contemplate what he suggested.

Fifteen minutes later I had reorganized it and he walked in, 'Why didn't you ask for help?" I shrugged - something in me just had to get it done. So now I had a new writing corner. One next to my bookshelf covered in photos of my family, my favorite books, and the ninja turtles. Go ahead and laugh, but I love those guys!


The dogs had a new spot next to my chair and I had made a corner where I could put my candles, incense and other things of that nature.

After a long day of random stuff I finally get a moment to sit at my laptop and I pulled up Sekhmet's Revenge Vol 5 I am determined to finish this today, by the way! Then hunger strikes. My default comfort food is Nachos. My mamma got me hooked on them and well, I am my momma's daughter after all.And not just any kind of Nachos. They have to be made a very special way.

So now I'm armed with Nachos and my laptop. I take that first bite and the memory jumps up and bites me in the proverbial ass. I remember one Friday night in fifth grade, my mother, brother and I were piled on her bed, armed with Nachos, watching Tales from the Crypt.

Now I just can't stop smiling, I used to love our Friday night dog piles in her room. There was Star Trek, Tales from the Crypt, Twilight Zone ... so many great things.

But now my room smelled like cheese and I just didn't want that - So I dig around and fine my lavender to burn. And now peace. Peace jumps up and snags a piece of me and takes me off to a place that makes me remember that  first moments of the wekend morning.

You know, when your eyes are barely open and things are peaceful. This is my favorite part of the day. When life is easy and quiet. My dogs are usually curled up next to me and the hubs is either at work or in the other room watching TV already.


The best things in life, for me, are those that bring you peace and comfort. And that's what my little sanctuary does for me.

It lets me remember all the joys of my youth. Like melting plastic army men in my Aunt Lee's back yard with my uncle and cousin. Chasing my brother around the backyard playing tag. Swimming at the beach with my childhood dog. Playing the flute in the school band in front of hundreds of people. Or curling up at night with Miss Kitty, my old cat.

So in this edition of Ashley's Randomness I traveled through thirty years of memories - thirty years of smiles and laughs.It's these little moments that make the every day hustle and bustle worth it to me.

And then there is the memories I made with my Mom -- And how thinking of her always reminds me of home.

Fire and Ice Book Tours: Splinter by Sherri Fulmer Moorer

BLURB

The year is 3001, and history takes a critical turn when Earth is destroyed by a solar flare. As Dr. Leigh Lybrand and her colleagues explore ways to survive in orbit of Jupiter, dark matter rips open the fabric of space and time, allowing them to see parallel universes. When the visions reveal that a radical religious group planned Earth’s destruction, Leigh must make a choice: Accept her fate, or use what she’s learned to save humanity; even if it means betraying the one closest to her in a parallel universe and sacrificing herself in this one. 

 AUTHOR LINKS

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

Facebook Page

Ezine Articles

Goodreads

The Independent Author Network

Readwave

Twitter

 An Interview with the Author

Top Ten Places to Travel:

1. The Grand Canyon. I visited the South Rim in Arizona in February 2013, and it was amazing. I hope to make it back, or to visit the North Rim someday.
2. 
   Scottsdale, Arizona. I visited the Historic Scottsdale district for a work conference in February – March 2013, and it was amazing. Art Walk night on Thursdays is a must! And stay at Hotel Valley Ho for a great experience.
3. San Francisco, California. I went there for a work conference in September 2012, and this is a place that everybody should see. It’s beautiful! The weather can be a bit of a shock if you go in the summer and are accustomed to warmer weather, but it’s worth it.
4. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, I like this little town so much that I made the area the setting for my last mystery novel, Move. There’s a little bit of everything, from hiking, to entertainment, to shopping, to great food, to a beautiful aviary called Parrot Mountain where you can actually pet the birds (we got our female sun conure, Chloe, from there). Fall is spectacular there, but it’s beautiful any time of year.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was practically my second home growing up. Like the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, it’s full of entertainment and relaxation options, but it’s on the ocean. Stay on the north or south end to avoid most of the crowds – you aren’t far from it all, and there’s still plenty to enjoy.
6. Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. Everybody could take customer service training from the Happiest Place on Earth. Disney is quite an experience, and you get treated like royalty. Splurge with staying on property (The Caribbean Resort is my favorite) and get the meal plan to make it a wonderful, stress-free experience. It can get overwhelming, but if you pace yourself then you can still see and enjoy a lot.
7. Asheville, North Carolina. It’s a beautiful, artsy town. You must visit The Biltmore Estate for a complete experience! It’s beautiful, especially when it’s decorated for Christmas, and in the spring when the gardens are in bloom.
8. Charleston, South Carolina. My husband is from this area, so I’ve seen it a lot. The friendliest city in the United States is also one of the most beautiful. There’s so much to see and do here, and you can’t beat the seafood in Charleston. Plantation tours, Fort Sumter tours, cruise tours, shopping, dining, carriage rides – another place it’s impossible to be bored in!
9. Savannah, Georgia. Charleston’s sister city has much the same charm, the same great food, the same entertainment, and the most ghost stories in America! Plus great churches, gardens and monuments, it’s a wonderful peek into the history of America.
10. New York City, New York. Frankly, it overwhelmed me a bit, but I think it’s a good experience for everybody to see “the big city.” There were amazing experiences like the Empire State Building, the United Nations, and The Statute of Liberty.

Top Ten People to Meet:

This is more of a wish list, as my contacts don’t include the rich, famous, or influential:

1. Jesus Christ. Easily the most interesting person ever. I’d love to meet Him to talk about finding peace in a chaotic life.
2. Moses. It would be interesting to meet the most humble man that ever lived, and get his perspective on the Exodus from Egypt.
3. Martin Luther. I’d love to talk to the reformer about how he stood up for what he believed in and started The Protestant Revolution (albeit unintentionally!).
4. J.R.R. Tolkien. Undoubtedly one of the best writer’s ever, I’d enjoy talking to him about how he created Middle Earth and his adventures in writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
5. C.S. Lewis. Another one of the best writer’s and a great Christian apologist, I think any discussion with this great mind of the 20^th century would be insightful and interesting.
6. Gene Roddenberry. It would be great to meet and talk to the creator of the Star Trek series that has spawned so much over the generations.
7. Mother Theresa. A wonderful, low key woman that made a huge difference, it would be an honor to meet her and be inspired by her loving and generous spirit.
8. Charles Stanley. Still a great preacher after over 50 years in the ministry, I admire him and find so much inspiration in his work. I’d love to meet him someday, or even just sit in a service.
9. P.D. James. An excellent mystery writer, and she started while she was still working a full time job (just like I do!). I’d love to meet her to speak about juggling writing with a full life.
10. Peter Jackson. A master of bringing great stories to the big screen, I’d just love to know his inspiration and how he does it.

Top Ten Foods to Try:

I’m not very adventurous with culinary delights, but these are my top recommendations:

1. Bar-B-Que. Especially if you aren’t from the south. You haven’t had pork until you’ve tried good old southern BBQ. Take your pick of mustard, ketchup, or vinegar bases sauces. Come to South Carolina and you can find countless places to sample it.
2. Soup, Salad and Breadsticks at The Olive Garden. Simple but good!
3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries. These are the best burgers around. Only get the fries if you have somebody to share with with – they’ll load you up.
4. Longhorn Steak House. You can’t go wrong with anything there!
5. California Dreaming Steaks. This is a restaurant located in Columbia, SC, and Charleston, SC. They marinate their steaks for 24 hours, making them the best steaks I’ve ever had!
6. Lizard’s Thicket. If you come to Columbia, SC, you MUST go there for some good, old fashioned country cooking. It’s similar to Cracker Barrel with our local bend. Great food, generous portions, and friendly folks. Every time I travel to a different part of the country, Lizard’s Thicket is the first place I go when I come home.
7. The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. More good, country cooking with a Tennessee flavor. Wonderful cooking, and bigger portions than you ever dreamed. Desert comes with every meal, whether you have room or not. Watch out, the ducks and geese at the creek running beside the restaurant will be glad to relieve you of it, and any other leftovers you have!
8. Breakfast at the Grand Canyon Hotel. Last February, my husband and I went to Arizona and booked a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. The breakfast at the hotel had the most amazing omelet either of us had ever had! The whole experience is great and I highly recommend it. And be sure to get meals with your package, because the restaurant at that hotel is top notch.
9. Crabby Mikes. This is a seafood restaurant in Surfside Beach, SC, which is just south of Myrtle Beach. It’s an all you can eat buffet, and they have everything from crab legs to prime rib to whatever else you can imagine from the sea! Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s worth it.
10. Hymans Seafood. If you find yourself in Charleston, SC, you must go here for seafood. Hands down the best!

Top Ten Books to Read:

As you can see, I have a thing for trilogies on my “best of” lists:

1. The Bible. I think this is a “must read” because it gives you insight and wisdom for living – and glimpses of human history.
2. The Other Bible. I’ve been criticized for reading this Barnes & Noble compilation of the rejected books of The Bible, The Gnostic Gospels, and The Dead Sea Scrolls, but I think it’s actually something that people should read, at least once. Whether you believe it or not, it opens your eyes to what people were reading in the early days of the Christian faith and what they believed before The Bible was compiled. It broadens your perspective, that’s for sure!
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The ultimate quest novel – and yes, the book is better than the movies.
4. The Dark Elf Trilogy, by R.A. Salvatore. If you like The Lord of the Rings, then read this one for a view from the “bad guy’s” side. Very interesting, and you see the birth and development of a great hero in Salvatore’s later works.
5. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. If you only read one of his works, make it this one. The topsy-turvy view on life and faith can open your eyes in ways you’d never imagine.
6. The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini. I know the movie for the first book in the series, Eragon,flopped, but it’s actually a fantastic book series. The movie didn’t fully capture everything that the book had to offer. Really, it’s a shame the later books weren’t given a chance on the big screen. It would have been magnificent.
7. The Mars Trilogy – Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson. Many people refer to Robinson’s work as “humanitarian sci-fi,” and I can see why. There’s a great balance between the science of terraforming and colonization of Mars and the characters that carry out the work. You get to know the people as well as the place in this series.
8. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. This should be required reading for everybody, especially those in positions of authority. There’s no way this book gets dated because the advice is timeless and, if followed, would lead to people getting along a lot better.
9. Original Sin, by P.D. James. A murder takes place in a publishing house. If you like mysteries and you like writing, this is the perfect book for you.
10. Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sara Ban Breathnach. I found this gem of a devotional book in a secondhand book store about 10 years ago, and it’s one of my best finds there yet! An awesome guide to finding your authentic self and becoming comfortable with the person you were made to be. I highly recommend that all women give this book at least one read-through. Yes, it’s a bit dated (it was published in the mid-90’s), but the advice is timeless.

2014 Goals - Starting the Year Off Right!

It is finally here! 2014 has graced us with its arrival and now it's time to line up what needs to happen this year.

I have decided to publish my goals publicly this year - this is to ensure that I stay on point and not veer off into random directions.

There are quite some ambitions things on this list and others that are simply there just to help make me a more rounded person.

I'm breaking them into 'personal' goals and 'author' goals.

Ashley's Personal Goals -- Yeah baby Yeah!

• Lose seventy pounds by august. August 12, 2013 I gave up wheat and flour, since, I have lost thirty pounds. My goal back then was to lose one hundred in a year so I have seventy left to go.
  
• Don't cheat on my diet more than once a month. I am giving myself the once a month because I know that I will succumb to temptation at work and I don't want the guilt to become too much for me. Yes I am a softy.
   
• Reach out to one person from my past each month in an attempt to rekindle friendships. I miss my friends, I spend so much time on Facebook it's a shame that I don't do more to stay in touch.
  
• Spend more time with my parents and siblings. I would like to see either my mom, dad or one of my brothers at least once a month. Family is the most important thing in the world to me and I want to make sure they know how much they mean to me.

• For Lent this year, along with my usual giving up Dr. Pepper, I am going to add that I read a new book from the bible. One that I haven't read in the past. (I usually stick to Wisdom, Revolution, Acts or Psalms)  I want to work on my spiritual relationship a well as my personal ones this year.
  
• I miss reading - it used to be my favorite activity and I want to get back to it. That's why I am challenging myself to read 60 books this year.
  
• Last but not least - I want to be a better wife, as in, house keeper. While our house isn't a mess, it's cluttered. I want to work on each weekend tackling different parts of the house to ensure that our home is loving and warm.

Ashley's Author Goals -- Damn I must be nuts!

• Edit Maverick Touch: The Highway (Release in March)
   
• Edit Blood Green (Release in April)
  
• Write Blood Gold, book four of the Blood Series
   
• Write three Temptation Tuesday's by April
   
• Write two Sekhmet's Revenge, well more like one and a half as I'm almost done with one.
   
• Edit Blood Gold (Release in August)
   
• Write Blood Black, book five of the Blood Series
   
• Write Special Delivery
  
• Edit Special Delivery (Release in Oct)
  
• Edit Blood Black (Release in November)

• Write Maverick Touch #3 Title Unknown at the moment
  
• Write holiday short story with Stacy mixing Blood Series and Myth Series
  
• Edit Holiday Short (Release in Dec)

I know this all sounds crazy and way too much but this is what I am setting out for myself ... I hope that I make it! Wish me luck!!!

New Years Eve Blog Hop

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2014

There it is, 2013 closing its doors on our dreams and 2014 opening its windows to let our new passions and desires in.

What are you wanting to achieve in 2014? Me, I have 60 books I want to read, 12 stories I want to write and loads of movies I want to see with the hubby. I am exhausted just thinking about how busy I am going to be this upcoming year. But I love it!!!

This might seem crazy but I thrive on all of this. I LOVE Reading, I LOVE Writing and I LOVE spending time with the hubby.

So what I think I really am saying is I'm going to spend 2014 getting back to my roots, to myself and my family. That's what I am looking forward too. Writing out my crazy imagination, relaxing with a good book and curling up at the end of each and every day with the man I love and cherrish.

I hope that 2013 was good and full of happy memories for you the visitor on my site. For me, there was a mixture of the good, the bad and the need to wipe from my brain.

2014 is going to be amazing, I can feel it.

I am excited on some of the books I am going to be able to share with all of you. I have so many to tell you about. (Reviews in Jan and Feb!)

I am going to do a giveaway on my blog ... it's going to be simple -- you tell me what the one thing is that you hope to achieve next year that ISN'T something typical. What I mean is, don't say you want to lose weight, that's a normal goal. Tell me you want to read 300 books, you want to paint a picture, you want to write a short story or learn to play the piano. Give me something creative and fun. Everyone who participates will receive a free ebook from The Art of Safkhet selection. Just leave your goal and your email and I'll shoot you over a surprise. OH, and specify, Kindle, Epub or PDF!

Thanks and Happy New Years!!

GRAND PRIZE RAFFLECOPPTER ENTRY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG HOP PARTICIPANTS

Tonya Renee Callahan  

Madison Sevier 

Tricia Anderson 

Cate Masters  

Tabitha Shay 

 Paula Millhouse 

Hunter S Jones 

 Magella Troche 

Tory Richards 

 Deena Remiel 

Evelise Archer  

Ashley Nemer  

Roxy Wilson  

Inner Goddess Forum 

Literal Hotties  

TM Williams 

 Jay Wilde 

Victoria Pinder

  Eden Connor  

Elise VanCise  

Andrea R Cooper 

Adriana Kraft 

Leigh Ellwood 

Lisa Carlise  

Andrea Cooper 

Sherry Gloag 

 Natasza Waters 

 Flossie Benton Rogers 

Kathryn Beyerle Lively 

 Sugar and Spice Reviews 

 Jeanine McAdam 

Morgan Wyatt  

Naomi Bellini 

AJ Williams

 Lyncee Shillard 

 Beth Barany  

Candy Caine's Corner

  Shauna Aura Knight 

 Anne Easley  

Fiona McGeir 

 Donna Michaels 

Tiffany Clark 

 Brenda's Book Beat 

Reading by the book

Tuere's not so Random Thoughts 

 Flossie Benton Rogers 

 Stephanie Kepke Kaplan 

Debra Dennis

Sunday Review: Hostage by Kay Hooper

Title: Hostage

Author: Kay Hooper

Genre: Mystery

Published: November 25th, 2013

Purchase: Amazon & Barnes & Noble
 
Source: I purchased this copy on my own.

Blurb: Haven operative Luther Brinkman has been sent into the wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee to locate escaped felon Cole Jacoby, a mentally unstable bank robber. Supposedly, Jacoby hid more than ten million dollars from his last heist before he was captured—and rather mysteriously escaped federal custody. And once Brinkman finds Jacoby, the agent is left severely wounded, with no way to convey his location to Haven.

Callie Davis, an agent with the FBI’s Special Crimes Unit, has been in the area for some time, due to the foresight of her boss and unit chief, Noah Bishop. But when she finds the wounded Brinkman, her rescue mission turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

What neither Luther nor Callie know is that their quarry is far more than an escaped bank robber. And that in hunting him, they will find themselves being hunted by him, and will discover him to be the worst monster either of them has ever known


Review:

Oh Bishop -- How I love you. Kay Hooper is such an inspiration with her FBI Series. I always forget how much I really love all of the characters until I"m knee deep in her new releases. This story had three rotating story lines. Hollis and her ghosts on one side of the vortex, Callie and her skills of reflecting negative energy on the other. Then Cole Jackab in the center of it all. There were a few twists and turns that happened that I didn't see, but that's always the case when I read a Kay Hoope...more Oh Bishop -- How I love you. Kay Hooper is such an inspiration with her FBI Series. I always forget how much I really love all of the characters until I"m knee deep in her new releases. This story had three rotating story lines. Hollis and her ghosts on one side of the vortex, Callie and her skills of reflecting negative energy on the other. Then Cole Jacoby in the center of it all. There were a few twists and turns that happened that I didn't see, but that's always the case when I read a Kay Hooper novel. She keeps me drawn in and excited always. This was an excellent addition tothe Bishop Series. And with all of the Bishop books my one complaint is, I NEED MORE BISHOP!!!! Bishop and Tony cracked me up with their ending banter. I found myself giggling at Tony's comments. What a great read and I really can't wait for the next book in this wonderful series.

Read - A -Thon: Remembering 2013

Vonnies Reading Corner & A Night's Dream of Books

- Best of 2013

GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS

-Worst of 2013

THE FIFTH COLUMN

-Favorite new author

Steven dos Santos

-Book that surprised you

SHADOW HEIR

-Book that disappointed you

STYXX