Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Book Spotlight: King in Chains by Grey Francis



King in Chains features
the trio Cassandra Monteclaire, Killian Monteclaire, and Alastair St. Germaine, who readers met in the first novel in the series, Bound to a Vampire. A psychologically compelling and literary erotic novel, King in Chains reveals hidden secrets as a new enemy threatens all of Vampire Kind, one who offers the tormented Vampire King, Alastair, something his lovers, Cassie and Killian, never could. Hailed by readers as an author “of sensuous grace where old world meets the new in a spell-binding journey,” Grey Francis explores the full range of vampire love and war in King in Chains, with excellent pacing, fascinating historical information, and a gripping storyline.


King in Chains: Into the Dark Woods,
Book 2 by Grey Francis

AISN: TBD ISBN-13: 978-1542770576 ISBN -10: 1542770572 Bedchamber Publishing, September 12, 2017 $14.99

www.greyfrancis.com
www.amazon.com

Grey Francis Releases King in Chains,
Second Book in Into the Dark Woods
Paranormal Romance Series

Los Angeles, CA –Author Grey Francis announces the release of King in Chains (ISBN 978-1542770576 ), the second erotic paranormal romance novel in the Into the Dark Woods series featuring the vampire trio Cassandra Monteclaire, Killian Monteclaire, and Alastair St. Germaine.  A psychologically compelling and literary erotic novel, King in Chains reveals hidden secrets as a new enemy threatens all of Vampire Kind, one who offers the tormented Vampire King, Alastair, something his lovers, Cassie and Killian, never could.

For two hundred years, vampires Alastair and Cassie have lived without their Master, Killian. Killian’s return is cause for rejoicing – and nights of unquenchable, burning passion – but Alastair still harbors the fear that his True Mate will abandon them once again. Complicating matters, Killian still refuses to take his place as the rightful Vampire King, leaving Alastair to rule in his stead, rather than serving as the Arm of Power.

As Alastair struggles with his doubts, a new threat appears in London. An unknown Master Vampire stalks the streets, launching attacks on Alastair’s warrior patrols. When this dark new presence makes a brutal attempt on the life of Alastair’s son, war becomes a certainty. With Cassie and Killian away on important business, Alastair must lead this war alone. He faces a dangerous foe: a necromantic Master Vampire of intense power and uncertain motivations – and intimate ties to Alastair’s past.

The second installment of Grey Francis’s erotic Into the Dark Woods series, King in Chains continues the sensual tale of Alastair and his lovers – and threatens to rip their eternal passion to shreds.

“With the second novel, I was able to delve deeper into the psychology of the compelling but complex Alastair,” said Francis. “As he struggles to resolve the scars of the past that still haunt him, he is confronted by a powerful and sadistic enemy, who threatens to destroy all those he loves and the realm he has built. I wanted to make King in Chains the story of a warrior’s reawakening, as Alastair discovers how to truly love and trust again. He must confront his darkest memories and greatest truths and learn to accept his fate as King, while fighting for those he loves.”   

Grey Francis, a native of Los Angeles, graduated with BA in Journalism before setting off for the New York publishing world. She later relocated back to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. She eventually put her fascination with the paranormal to work as a screenwriter, but it wasn’t until the birth of her series, Into the Dark Woods, that she found her voice as an erotic writer and novelist. Her first book, Bound to a Vampire was published in January 2015 and the sequel, King in Chains, was released in September 2017.  Francis is currently hard at work on her third book in the series, The Shapeshifter’s Heart. When she isn’t writing, Francis is a busy full-time mother of two wonderful kids.

For more information on Grey Francis or King in Chains, please visit: www.greyfrancis.com or www.amazon.com.
  
FAQs with the author:

1. King in Chains is the second erotic paranormal romance novel in the Into the Dark Woods series featuring the vampire trio Cassandra Monteclaire, Killian Monteclaire, and Alastair St. Germaine.  What’s new for the trio in this sequel to Bound to a Vampire?

In the same way that Bound to a Vampire was told primarily from Cassandra’s perspective, focusing on her history and her journey, King in Chains is Alastair’s story. From his near death on a battlefield at age 10, to his early years as Killian’s Protector and Mate, this book sheds new light on the two men’s tumultuous and passionate relationship. In current day, the story picks up where Bound to a Vampire left off. Only now, it is Alastair who seeks answers. He questions Killian’s devotion to the sacred threesome when he refuses to take his place as King. Unlike the first book, there is a formidable single enemy, a female vampire from Alastair’s past threatening destroy all those Alastair loves and the realm he rules. It is his turn to fight, to visit the past and face his demons, seeking the answers he needs to save himself and his Mates.  

2. Much of King in Chains focuses on Alastair’s mental state. What are some of the psychological issues he deals with in this novel?

When the book begins, Alastair is in therapy, trying to reconcile the trust issues he has with his Master and Mate, Killian. Two hundred years apart after being abandoned has left scars.  However, Alastair carries with him a much deeper wound. Inside him lives a very real death wish. He will always feel guilty for being the only survivor of a battle during the 1600’s. As a Protector, warrior and later as a King, he has always believed his fate would eventually catch up with him.  Twice now, his death has been predicted by Seers. The first time, he was resigned to it, but against all odds, Cassandra beat fate and brought him back. Now, centuries later, his death has been seen in a vision experienced by his son Haven. Haven is a precognitive and his visions of death are never wrong. Only this time, Alastair is up against an extremely dangerous enemy. But instead of telling his Mates, whose presence in battle would greatly better his chance of survival, Alastair tells no one of the vision, once again accepting his fate as a warrior and validating his own sense of sacrifice.

3. A necromantic Master Vampire of intense power stalks the streets of London in this novel. What can you tell us about this new villain, and how does it threaten Alastair and the rest of the vampire world?

Ever since Ashen was a little girl, she could speak to the dead. Her ability has always been exploited, but none worse than by her Vampire Masters, Violet and Ambrose.  Ashen was also unfortunate enough to fall in love with Alastair after being sent to seduce him. Ultimately, she fails to break up Alastair and Cassandra, a plan orchestrated by her jealous Masters in exchange for eternal life. The last anyone saw Ashen, three centuries earlier, she had been sold to the vampire King of Russia, a collector of curiosities. In time, he would ultimately turn her into a vampire. But when Ashen becomes immortal, her dark gift transforms into something much more powerful and dangerous. Ashen, in her new form, can command the dead to do her bidding. And Ashen wants power. Even the strongest vampires cannot fend off her unearthly electrical attacks. But more than power, Ashen wants Alastair, the only man she’s ever loved, the vampire who rejected her, and the vampire who shares she wolf spirit.  She has waited a long time and now that the Russian King has been murdered, she has nothing holding her back.

4. What themes are explored in this novel and how do they affect Alastair, Killian, and Cassandra?

There are a few dominant themes in this book. The first is trust. Much of Alastair’s destructive actions throughout the book are driven by a lack of trust, primarily in Killian’s commitment to him when he refuses to take the throne that Alastair has held safe for centuries. Another important theme is the gift of life. Alastair has always struggled with his own long life when he believes he should have been dead centuries earlier. Alastair, deluded by the idea of sacrificing himself for the survival of his family, is forced to come to terms with the true value of his life and all those who depend on him.  In a dream-like afterlife, wandering through death’s landscape, Alastair must revisit key moments in his long life to truly appreciate what a precious gift his life has been. And what it could be again – as a King, as a father, and a Mate. And what it means to lose it all.  

5. King in Chains is your second erotic paranormal romance. What do you find challenging and/or interesting about this particular genre, and what have you learned after having written two books in this type of series?

The biggest challenge for me when writing this series is deciding which character’s story I want to tell next! I feel completely committed to Alastair, Cassandra and Killian’s world and all the fascinating vampires who inhabit their past and present. If I could change anything, it would be the ability to write faster! Writing erotica is very interesting because it needs to stay fresh and interesting. You don’t want to write the same bondage scene over and over. It needs to personify the characters and what they are personally going through at that moment. There is also a psychological component playing out in most of the erotic scenes. A Master must understand what each submissive needs in order to feel loved, safe and fulfilled.  For Alastair, this might mean pain. For Cassandra it means to be completely overtaken.  Balancing the psychological and erotic is always interesting for me. It became especially interesting with a character like Ashen, who simply don’t understand love and only wants control. That led to some pretty rough scenes. Going to the edge without going over it is a delicate balance and stretches me as a writer.

6. Are you working on another book and, if so, what can you tell us about it?


Yes! It’s called The Shapeshifter’s Heart and it focuses on Tristan, Forrest, and Eloise. Tristan is such an interesting character to me. The ability to transform into any human or vampire opens the door for all sorts of exciting storylines. Aside from being completely devastatingly attractive and irresistible to both males and females, Tristan is very old, a political mastermind, and a renowned Sexual Dominant. Even though he has been mated for centuries to Eloise, his heart stopped beating the minute his Natural Mate, Bella, was murdered by Torians in the 1500’s. In a way, Tristan takes care of everyone in his realm, including his King, but he is unable to truly feel anything for himself.  When Tristan takes over for Killian on a diplomatic mission across Europe while mentoring Forrest, Tristan discovers that Forrest’s former boss, and guardian, Cyril Winterman, who betrayed the entire Sentient organization, is hiding out in Scotland. In Scotland, Tristan finds himself in tremendous danger as he confronts the very vampire who killed his human clan and made him a vampire. Facing danger and exploring their growing bond to one another, Tristan and Forrest set out on a journey that will reveal great truths and change them both forever.  

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Introducing Book Spotlight and news

Hello lovies,

I am very excited to begin the book spotlight features here on The Sweet LC. 

The book spotlight is a nice little add on to the site where I will showcase different books/book related sites on the sidebar. 

I will continue to participate in book tours and book exchanges these next couple of months.

Welcome back and thank you for always being so patient!


Friday, January 8, 2016

Floor 21 Book Review-BookTour





Hello and welcome to the Floor 21 book tour stop here at The Sweet Little Corner!



About the book:

FLOOR 21
by Jason Luthor

Release Date: June 2nd 2015

Amazon
____________

As humanity lives out the remainder of its existence at the top of an isolated apartment tower, young Jackie dares to question Tower Authority and their ban on traveling into the tower's depths. Intelligent and unyielding, Jackie ventures into the shadows of the floors below. But will her strong will and refusal to be quiet—in a society whose greatest pride is hiding the past—bring understanding of how humanity became trapped in the tower she has always called home, or will it simply be her undoing?




About the author:


Jason Luthor has spent a long life writing for sports outlets, media companies and universities. 

His earliest writing years came during his coverage of the San Antonio Spurs as an affiliate with the Spurs Report and its media partner, WOAI Radio. He would later enjoy a moderate relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, writing lore and stories for potential use in future games. At the academic level he has spent several years pursuing a PhD in American History at the University of Houston, with a special emphasis on Native American history.

His inspirations include some of the obvious; The Lord of the Rings and Chronciles of Narnia  are some of the most cited fantasy series in history. However, his favorite reads include the Earthsea Cycle, the Chronicles of Prydain, as well as science fiction hits such as Starship Troopers and Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?

Check out more at:


REVIEW

I finished Floor 21 in about three hours, I couldn't stop reading it. The story isn't long and became a quick fun read for me. The overall story is great, I liked the narration and way the story was told through different perspectives. The first chapter really got me going and asking lots of questions like: how did everyone end up on the tower, where did the Creep come from and what the heck is going on outside the tower?! I love stories like these, the types of stories that immediately draw you in and have you asking lots of questions and reading more to find answers.

The setting of this book is creepy and interesting, the tower is huge and has plenty of unexplored areas. The Creep is so mysterious it makes you want to know more about what it is and how it got to the tower in the first place.

Besides the overall plot and setting the characters were very likable. The main character Jackie is a curious teenager who does not abide by the rules like everyone else. She's a rebel and is determined to discover more about the tower, the people that live in it and the Creep. I personally enjoy strong willed characters and Jackie is a great example of that. The author did a great job introducing the rest of the characters and explaining much of their behavior towards the end of the book.

The narration in my opinion is what really made this story good. The reader gets an insight into what that character is experiencing at the time and then through another POV relates back to something that happened to the first POV. Towards the end of the first POV I freaked out a bit thinking that I wasn't going to find out what happened to the first narrator.

I was very satisfied with the ending, I think the author did a great job setting the stage for a second book (which I do look forward to). I would love to read more about Jackie's adventures and learn more about the many mysteries of the tower. This was a great book and I'm glad I got the chance to read it. I recommend it and give it a 5/5!!!



Book tour organized by:

Please note I received a complimentary copy for an honest review

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Book Spotlight: Heliotrope by JC. Miller

Book Title: Heliotrope
Author: JC Miller
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

                                                       Book Description:

Buckle up your Birkenstocks and travel back to 1975. Discover (or relive) the pre-digital age in Arcata, a remote Bohemian college town on the northern edge of California. Meet Kit, a hard-working, bookish senior, on track for graduation--that is, until she falls for Jonathan, one-time bestselling author, now her stand-in professor. Jonathan, a master in the art of deception, isn't who he appears to be. As their bond grows, Kit's desire blinds her to the truth-- a shocking discovery shatters her faith and ultimately tests her integrity. 

From the first blush of fall quarter to the final breath of spring, hard lessons will be learned. To "graduate" into an uncertain future, Jonathan and Kit must first embrace the present--including the injustices, ambiguities and absolute beauty of their lives. 

Beneath the ever-changing Humboldt skies they forge ahead; they stumble and sometimes fall.

Heliotrope, a coming-of age story for the ages.



Author Bio:

JC (Jeanne) Miller, M.A., is an avid reader, aspiring traveler and table tennis enthusiast. She resides in Northern California.


Alright everyone go take a look and check out Heliotrope you can find out more about the author below. 


Follow the author online



Purchase Heliotrope







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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Book Review: Curfew


Blurb:

Trick or Treat, 
Eternal sleep, 
If you make a promise to Mary you don't keep... 

One the eve of Halloween, four teenagers will discover just how deadly keeping Mary out past her curfew can be. If you can't keep your word to Mary, you'll lose your soul.

Overall: 
I want to reiterate that just because I rate a book 3 or below does not mean that it is not a good book! It merely means that I PERSONALLY did not enjoy it as much as I normally would have compared to other stories. The book was not by any means bad, it was just not what I had hoped for. There were a few things I did not like and wish that the writer would have taken more time to develop. The writing itself is alright, I did like that the formatting was done correctly and the editing was good. I did not find typos like I normally do in the books I review. I did like the cover! It was a good mix of fright and shows the clock which is the backbone of the whole story.

Bad
I did not like the characters at all! I especially hated one the main characters, I know the writer wrote it in a way that the reader might feel pity for her later on when the story of what is tormenting them is revealed. However I found the MC annoying and did not like the supporting characters either. The supporting character's attitude/opinion would dramatically change out of nowhere. The characters didn't seem well developed.  I did not like the ending, I won't spoil it for you but I wish it wouldn't have taken such a unrealistic turn. Let's just say no one in their right mind would have done what the other MC does at the end of this book. It kind of lacked depth and the very last sentence seemed out of place. I'm not sure if the author intended it to be humorous however it did take away from the previous scene. The last line didn't leave a lasting impression.

Good
The overall story is interesting, as a fan of horror I did find this story suspenseful and thrilling. I like the 'entity' that the story focuses and and the explanation it gives of its origin. I really liked the length of the book, it was short enough for me to finish quickly. I LOVE Halloween themed books and especially love horror books so I liked the setting and the time that it takes place at. The author at the ends includes a small note about an upcoming anthology/collection. I wouldn't mind taking a look and reading other stories.

3 stars: I liked it



Thursday, November 19, 2015

Book Review: Primal Stand


Blurb:

It has been twenty long years since his encounter. Its eyes, its smell, its presence, they're all ingrained in a mind that won't let him forget. The night he met the Sasquatch was one that changed his life forever, although for better or worse he's never been certain. When a film crew shows up in his small British Columbia town requesting his help finding the creature that has come to define his life, the opportunity seems too good to turn down. Though one question still remains: does he actually want to find it again?

Overall:

Josh's debut book is great! It's about Bigfoot!! There were a lot of things that were surprisingly good. I didn't find a lot of the mistakes that I find with some self published books that I review. When I initially looked at its length I worried a little bit considering it was only 34 pages. I was wrong, the writer did a great job in the short amount that he wrote. The story was overall great and in that short length managed to get me [the reader] engaged in the story. I'm very happy I picked this book up! 

Bad:

I honestly couldn't think of many bad things, like I said I'm very surprised considering this is a debut book. The first few pages had a lot of extra descriptive words but not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not so sure if I like the cover (yes I am looking at the cover also). The cover doesn't seem to very eye catching. What got me to want to read this book was the actual blurb, the cover seems a little amateurish (maybe the only thing).

Good:

The writing was great! The story progressed well and jumped into several scenes right away that kept me interested. I really am surprised, not many of the books I've read that are so short do such a good job at wrapping an entire story up. This book had a proper ending as well which I usually don't find at least for shorter books (usually end with a cliff hanger). I also love monsters and anything cryptic so the Bigfoot focus really interested me. The format on the Kindle was great, which to me is very important! I really liked this book and hope that the author decides to publish another one. Clearly the author has talent if he was able to write a short book with so much detail, suspense, and action.  

4 stars: I really liked it

Recommend for:
-Bigfoot lovers
-Short fun read

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Book Review: Jabberwock Jack: (Nowak Brothers 2)


Blurb:

Mikkel and Szandor are back! Everyone's favorite monster hunters return for a new adventure, and this time it's a monster that's bigger than they have ever dealt with before! While on a routine job in the city's underground tunnels, they stumble on a creature thought lost for years. They are then invited to join a hastily assembled team of hunters going underground to try to kill the enormous serpent. Delving deeper into the dark tunnels than they have ever gone before, Mikkel and Szandor find themselves searching for this massive beast in dark overflow tunnels and the endless labyrinth under New Avalon. But creatures beneath the city are not their only problem. Soon tensions begin running high among the assembled hunters, threatening to derail the mission and put them all in danger. Will they succeed, or will they fall prey to the gigantic monster known as Jabberwock Jack?

Overall:
I loved this sequel! If you have not read the first book please do! Any monster lover will absolutely love these two books. I had the chance to read and review the first book earlier this year and rated it 4/5. This second book is great and definitely deserves 5/5. There was a lot more character development in this book and the story is well written and progressed at a good pace. 

Bad:

I wouldn't necessarily consider this a bad thing because I'm sure many readers like extra detail, background, and insight. However I am a very impatient reader and like to get to the next scene as soon as possible so a lot of the main character's inner thoughts and arguments with others don't appeal to me as much. 

Good: 

I normally don't praise a book as much however this really was a good book and for a brief moment really made me nervous about the fate of one particular character. I like the sudden twists in certain parts of the story and the overall ending. The author did a good job editing, formatting the book and taking the time to make sure certain details were looked at (chapter names, spacing, paragraphs). Details like these although small make a big difference for the reader especially on Kindle.


Recommend for:
-Monster lovers (zombies, ghouls, etc)
-Like action and thrilling scenes
-Fun read

5 stars: I loved it!