Cursed by Georgina Hannan

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      This book reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone, one of my fave shows as a kid (yes I still watch it today)! Unexplainable events, weird noises, memory loss, ghostly encounters, old town myths and legends...everything you would expect in a "creepy" classic read! I honestly would've finished the book in one sitting, had work not been so busy. 

       Georgina Hannan put a lot of thorough detail into the history and background of the groups vacation spot, which created a vivid detail of their surroundings in my head. I wish she would've indulged a little bit more information on the mysterious village folklore because I am somewhat lost and unclear about several things. I will DEFINATELY read Obsession, so the pieces to the puzzle of the figure in the window won't haunt me for all eternity, I'm dying for closure! And in all honesty, as I read page after page, I "saw" the book in black and white, just as you would a classic horror show....with one exception ...I can still see, and feel, "The Beast of Dartmoor's" red eyes. 

        Platinum gives Cursed and Georgina 3.5 Platinum rings ~Jaime J
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Blurb:

 A young adult story about a group of four friends who embark on a holiday together to the gorgeous countryside of Dartmoor, Devon, each of them hoping for an adventure, something they will always remember. However it isn't long before they get what they want. The group are plagued by noises after hearing the myths and legends of the area. Is it just their overactive imaginations or is there a visitor in the spare room who is trying to get their attention? Join the group on a spectacular journey as they discover what Dartmoor has to offer.

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Excerpt:

The house was surrounded by dense trees and open moorland. All the colours danced in front of her and she was overcome by how beautiful the whole area was. 

Behind the luscious dark trees lay vast green grass with bright purple yellow flowers breaking up to the green. The green varied from light to dark and Daisy was sure the dark patches were bogs. She could just make out a heard of white sheep on the hill. She smiled to herself because at first she had thought it was a low lying cloud. 

Daisy felt a sense of excitement building in her tummy as she thought of relaxing and fun days that lay ahead of them. 

Looking around, Daisy thought to herself: despite a somewhat rocky start, now that we're here and I see all of this, I really am glad we decided to take this holiday. 

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~~Find Georgina Hannan here on Facebook~~~

Night Visions by Elena Gray

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I am a huge sucker for a good paranormal romance and Elena Gray did not disappoint with Night Visions. From the beautiful cover to the last page I was pulled in, anxiously turning every page. The story introduces us to Sam Cade, a bestselling author, who lives a quiet life with her dog, Ginger. As the story progresses we learn that Sam’s life is not as quiet as it appears. She is haunted by visions and whispers in her head and feels that she is missing a big secret part of her life. Will her best friend, Ian, who left her six years earlier be the key to unlocking these secrets? Or will the voices telling her not to trust him possibly be referring to the sexy hunk of a man she has known her whole life. The story of Sam and Ian picks up pace and becomes more suspenseful with every passing page. But Elena Gray does not stick to the suspense and mystery. She shows the reader a glimpse of true love and romance that will cause goose bumps. I loved the story being told from the point of view of both Sam and Ian and felt that added to the beautiful descriptiveness that made me feel like I was standing in the middle of the action. I look forward to reading the next story in this series and seeing what Ms. Gray has in store for us.


Platinum gives Elena and Night Visions:

5 Platinum Rings

                                                

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Blurb:

Plagued by visions and voices, Samantha Cade must be losing her mind. Until she realizes there's a hidden message waiting to be revealed. Just how, she'll have to figure out.

When Ian Behr reappears in her life, after six long years, dormant longing awakens. To survive this turmoil, she'll need to guard her heart.

Will Ian be her doom...or her salvation?

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Excerpt:

Who is this guy?  Ceaser Millan?

Ginger never let anyone, let alone a stranger, within 100 yeards of her without baring her teeth or deciding if she'd use them as a chew toy.  Sam opened her mouth to tell him he was trespassing, but the words were trapped in her throat as he turned to face her.

A sense of deja vu washed over her.  There was something familiar about him.  His presence...his demeanor...his eyes...

Then he smiled.  A crooked smile that stole the air she breathed.  A rush of memories came flooding back.  Of her childhood.  Of happier times.  Of him.

Ian Behr.

He's disappeared from her life after their first stolen kiss on the dock.  A kiss that forever changed her life. Where had he been for the past six years?  Why didn't he say goodbye?  Why didn't he call?  Anger blazed in her soul.  Mind-numbing anger.  Ian had left her heartbroken, not respecting her enough to say goodbye.  But staring into those hazel eyes shattered the silence in her heart and it began to beat again.

He was still her Ian.  Except he wasn't a boy anymore.

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~~~Click here to find Elena on Facebook~~~

Rip: Touch by Daniel Sherrier

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TOO SHORT, TOO AWESOME, I WANT MORE. This short story has me wanting to shake Daniel Sherrier and ask him why in the world he would tease me like this. I am completely in awe with his writing, I mean come on now, he set up this series perfectly with this short...not too much info, not too little info..the perfect combination to enthrall any reader into wanting more. I love a good GHOST story, and this one didn't disappoint! Smartass Angels, Batty ghosts, a main charrie who is one of the Seven and who has been reunited with an old friend (who I hope becomes his main interest, the attraction is obviously there), and of course, right at the end, Zeno the phantom. I'm so ready for Rip to kick some ghostly butt with the help of Serissa and Kalli! I give this book 4.5 platinum rings... 
~ Jaime ~ Platinum Reviewer




Platinum gives Daniel & Rip: Touch: 4.5 Platinum 
Rings!




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Blurb:
Opening yourself up to a whole new world can leave you vulnerable -- but it's the only way to grow. That's what Rip Cooper has to do when he learns he can perceive ghosts with his five senses as if they were flesh and blood people, and he's just as solid to them -- in fact, the only solid thing to them. This young loner has to overcome his fears and kill dead people to prevent them from corrupting the living. He works alongside an impure angel and his ex-best friend's ex-girlfriend as they teach him how love can conquer fear.

RIP is a series of novelettes that tell one larger coming-of-age and redemption story.

In this premiere episode, "Touch," Rip may be a successful freelance photographer making a name for himself in a new town, but personally, he's in a rut. No friends, no goals, no greater purpose. He's going through the motions...until the "angel" Serissa informs him he's "one of the Seven.
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Excerpt:

Two new people faded into view. Maybe not so new…

This pair, a middle-aged man and woman, gave the speaker their full attention. No one else seemed to notice their arrival. But Rip did. Or had he simply missed them earlier? He checked his camera’s preview screen, but he couldn’t find them in any of the group shots he’d already taken. Granted, the faces were tiny, but none of the people he’d snapped so far were wearing those immaculate white shirts and pants.

“Not only that,” Bob continued, “but our investigators have all reported experiencing sensations of serenity while standing within this frame structure. And we don’t always experience the good stuff like that.” Rip zoomed in on the new couple and took their picture. He checked the screen.

They didn’t photograph. Did he miss? No, how could he miss?........

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                         ~~~FIND DANIEL HERE ON FACEBOOK~~~

The Immortal Scrolls by Kristin Secorsky

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Wow! Kristin Secorsky has clearly succeeded where others have failed.. She has managed to bring Greek mythology, Roman Gladiators, Vamps & werewolves together and ohhhmymymy.... It works together in such a fantastic way! Ms Secorsky sets up the worlds perfectly and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters, whether it's a gladiator fight or a modern day archaeological dig!

We are introduced to the heroine, our beautiful archaelogist Skye who happens to also be an immortal, Araceli from the days of gladiators!  

Sky meets Andy, who helps decipher some scrolls found on a dig and she is drawn to him but isn't sure why.. He reminds her of someone yet the memory stays out of reach.. Little does she know that Andy is really her former gladiator lover Androcles and he wants Skye back in his life..

However, Androcles is being watched carefully by his vamp creator Amara, who wants to see Skye dead and will literally stop at nothing to achieve her goal!

Can Andy help Skye remember the past & their love, before Amara gets her wish & destroys Skye once and for all? Will both of them perish before their love is remembered? Or... Can they somehow work through this and search their pasts and end up together before fate plays another cruel trick?

This book is non-stop action & combines so many great characteristics, that you'll never want to put it down! Whether you are a fan of paranormal, mythology, gladiators or drama, this book has it all! It should be a "must-read"  for you, today! Ms. Secorsky is one author who will always have my attention, after reading this fantastic work of art!

Platinum gives Kristin & "The Immortal Scrolls":

4.5 Platinum Rings!

 

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Blurb:

Cursed with immortality, Androcles has been mourning the loss of his beloved Araceli for centuries. Until Skye, a beautiful archaeologist, discovers the scrolls he wrote recounting his life and rebirth as a vampire. Androcles goes to destroy his scrolls and his secret but is taken aback by Skye's striking resemblance to Araceli. Androcles grows more obsessed with Skye who has secrets of her own. Dangers from his past are closing in as Androcles starts to unravel Skye's mysterious past. Set in ancient Rome, Britannia, and modern day Italy, The Immortal Scrolls is an irresistible love story you won't want to put down!

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Excerpt:

Her back was to him, and her shoulders were shaking. He knew she was crying. She was a strong girl, but this was too much.

“Domina,” he said in a low, gentle voice. He wanted to reach out and comfort her. “If you want my opinion, you should choose the legatus. He is the better choice. At least you would have some chance at happiness,” he said, though it pained him to do so. She was silent. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you married to that vile senator,” he said in a low voice. He took a few steps closer to her.

“You can’t bear it,” she said in a whisper. “I would rather die. How can my father be so heartless? I never thought about marrying without love.” She turned around to face him. Her beautiful face was streaked with tears.

Androcles walked closer until they were almost touching. He raised his hand and wiped the tears off her cheek. Araceli closed her eyes when he touched her. Then she opened her eyes and looked deep into his. “Why do you look at me like that?” she asked.

Androcles almost didn’t trust himself to speak. “How?” he managed to say.

Araceli looked down. “You said it’s different when you are in love. I wish I could know at least once,” she said in a loud whisper. She looked back at his handsome face. “Show me, Androcles,” she said shyly.

Androcles was stunned. “What are you saying?” he asked.

She reached her hand up and touched his cheek. “Isn’t it obvious? I love you, Androcles,” she said. “I know it’s crazy. It’s too fast.”

“Araceli,” he said. Androcles put his arm around her and pulled her to him. He cupped her chin with his hand and gazed deep into her eyes. “I have loved you from the moment I saw you,” he said huskily.

Araceli smiled and closed her eyes. He kissed both eyelids ever so gently as if to stop her tears. Araceli’s heart was racing as she waited for him to kiss her. It felt like years, not seconds, before his lips met hers. He kissed her lips tenderly. She opened her mouth a little, and he slipped his tongue inside. His hand that had been on her chin dropped down to her shoulder.

Androcles tore himself away from her.

"Araceli, we can’t. This path will only lead to heartbreak for the both of us. I am your guard. Your father will never allow this,” he said.

Araceli looked crushed. A loud clap of thunder sounded overhead. “You’re right,” she said sadly. “This can never be.”

Androcles leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. She broke away tearfully and headed for the stairs of the guard tower. Androcles cursed the gods for being so cruel.......

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                        ~~~FIND KRISTIN HERE ON FACEBOOK~~~

Outback Exodus by Dawn Millen

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**Platinum Note: This review was provided by Jaime Jones, a NEW Platinum reviewer whom we have decided to add to our site. Please make Jaime feel welcome & I hope you enjoy her reviews! ~ VRS



An enthralling tale of humanity...PERSONIFIED!
You would think waking up to complete, utter silence would be a rare joy. You could kick back with your feet up, chillax, and revel in the peace & quiet. But Jenn didn't...her ever rambunctious dogs were eerily huddled down, obviously scared of something awful, the routine morning birds chipper chatter was non existent, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose, warning of immediate danger, just seconds before her world was rocked, and life as she knew it was changed forever. 
Join Jenn, as she picks up the pieces to her home, her life, and her countryside, on a quest for civilization. Follow her, and the other survivors on their rough journey to recover, thrive and develop some sense of normalcy, after their world was devastatingly turned upside down. Where their will to live, sheer determination, teamwork and camaraderie trumped all the lose, heartache, and fear they faced during this terrifying tragedy. 
This book had me on emotional overload, and not in a bad way. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The words and detailed survival instincts, flowed from page to page, and had me seriously thinking - What if this had happened to me? The awe inspiring story had me feeling like I was one of the survivors. I could smell the stew boiling, feel the ground shaking, and enjoy the beautiful Australian sunsets as if they were right there in front of me. Just when I thought they had made it safely, that Jenn and her sister would find out the fate of their parents...it was over. Well played, Dawn Miller, well played. Hands down 5 Platinum Rings! ~ Jaime


Platinum gives Dawn & "Outback Exodus":

5 Platinum Rings!

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Blurb:

An earthquake that shatters the land and puts the lives of many into a complete spin. Follow the journey of the survivors from the Australian outback to the coast.
Our hero's are real people with real problems and the solutions are real solutions. This story follows 252 people as they trek across the outback and avoid the pitfalls on the way.The storms, the crevasses in the land and the vulnerability of humans as they pit themselves against nature in her rawest forms. Along the way they find the bonds that draw survivors together during disasters. 
Join the journey of Jenn, Gavin, Rhys, Caren and their friends and families as the Outback Exodus unfolds.



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Excerpt:
The drive to Smithtown was slow and we had many stops to clear fallen trees and many diversions across the paddocks to avoid crevasses and sand bogs that had blocked the road. There were fences down everywhere and cattle and sheep wandered the roads causing further dangers to vehicles. Five weary hours later we see the township ahead and things look no better here than at John Creek. The dust pall is bigger and there is smoke mixed into the dust from burning buildings. The destruction is on a massive scale with hardly any buildings untouched, so many have little left standing and the fires have burned through great areas of the township. The suburban sprawl and smaller blocks of land mean that once the fires started it jumped from house to house very quickly.

We can see the hospital sitting atop the hill in the centre of town and it looks relatively undamaged, just a few shattered windows and some of the brick façade has fallen from the clock tower at the top. As most of the frontage is covered with a vine it is possible that the damage is worse than we can see. The vines may be hiding it from view. We will know more when we get to the building. It is the first place we will head for as it would be a refuge for the injured and for those assisting them. I just hope that there are others here who have survived.

Pulling up on the front lawn of the hospital we see that things are not as intact behind the façade as we thought, but that there is movement and life in the building. The automatic doors are wedged open just enough to get a stretcher through and inside the casualty department there are people milling about. Not many people and most have bandages on their bodies covering the wounds from the quake. Shock and confusion abound around the department and the staff members are overwhelmed by the number of people who have injuries that they are unable to treat. The theatres are damaged and there are so few personnel to perform surgery. With only three Doctors and six nurses left and over two hundred survivors with injuries ranging from minor to major there is little hope of being able to save everyone, and so many will not survive today or the days to come. I help where I can throughout the day. My old skills coming to the fore, I tend to minor wounds, check on drips and give pain medications. I do find myself present at the deaths of so many we are unable to help as they succumb to their injuries, the only help we can give them is pain medication so they do not suffer unduly. Sadness rules the memories I will carry of this day, closing the eyes of small children for the last time, seeing mothers and fathers crying for those already lost or for those who will be lost, it breaks my heart. Soon I am weeping too, along with the grieving community, grieving for them, for the friends I have lost and for myself and the life that was and will never be again....
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                  ~~~CLICK HERE TO FIND DAWN ON FACEBOOK~~~