GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ I Smell Sheep: February 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

New Movie Releases March 2019


Time to MARCH right into the theaters this month! I've already got my tickets for Captain Marvel. Us looks good but creepy. You couldn't drag me to see Dumbo...sad!

March 1

limited release

March 8
limited release

March 15
 

limited released

March 22

Limited release

Netflix
March 29

limited release

Netflix

Book Review: Blood Binds (Wyrd Blood Book 3) by Donna Augustine

Blood Binds (Wyrd Blood Book 3)
by Donna Augustine
February 17, 2019
Pages: 257
Ryker calls it an accident. I call it another betrayal. He didn't want me to leave but didn't fight to keep me by his side. Wronged magically and devastated emotionally, I exile myself to another country, Dorley. Now I perform tricks under a tent, my mystical gifts a common sideshow.

Just as I’m accepting my self-inflicted fate, Ryker makes a move that forces me back to the Valley. But an ancient evil is stirring and follows me. With magical stones disappearing, the power I possess within makes me a target. Old hurts have to be put aside and enemies must unite or an evil strong enough to destroy us all will be unleashed.


Bugs likes to fight with Ryker and when he steals her magic again by mistake it’s the last straw and she leaves for Dorley. Knife would love to make Bugs his, but she is still carrying a candle for Ryker even if she can’t admit it out loud. An evil force is following Bugs and she’s not sure how she will survive it, let alone keep it from destroying everyone and everything around.

Praise to Augustine for another exceptional book. Everyone has favorites, but I know that when I am reading a book and can’t keep the smile off my face that it’s truly a good read. Her female characters are always strong, and occasionally stubborn making them easy to relate to and her male characters usually have a strong ego and tend to lean towards “their way or no way” attitudes. Her supporting characters are nothing to sneeze at either, with quirks all their own. I hope this won’t be the last in an amazing series!

Review: Full Blood (Wyrd Blood Book 2) 



Getting 5 sheep





Denise B

About the Author:
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Donna Augustine was an odd child, had a brief moment of conformity in early adulthood and then decided to embrace her craziness as the years rolled by. It's her inner crazy that she credits with coming up with the ideas for her books. One part hypochondriac, a few dashes of paranoia, topped with a sliver of uptight and delivered with a relaxed flair, she kicked the proverbial box down the yellow brick road a couple years ago to embrace her true self.

She can be reached by a carrier pigeon, set free in a south by north direction, where she resides in Neverland with her two Siberian cats. Cats who, by the way, aren't as hypoallergenic as she believed they'd be.

For the conventional minded, and those of you without a pigeon on hand, she can be reached at donna@donnaaugustine.com. She responds to most emails within three dusk periods.

P.S. For those of you looking for the discarded box, it was sitting beside the road for a while but has since disappeared completely.


Excerpt: The Demon King’s Destiny (Fate of Imperium Series, #3) by C.A. Worley + giveaway


The Demon King’s Destiny (Fate of Imperium Series, #3)
by C.A. Worley
February 25, 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
When Marrok, the Demon King of Sundari, meets his fated mate in the dreamworld, he ignores the pull of the saatus bond. He has no desire to make a life with the female, not with his past being what it is. Unable to deny the bond for long, Marrok accepts his demon spirit’s need for its mate. He plans to use their connection to prevent him from turning rogue, while keeping his heart safely buried in the past.

Since the age of six, Evelyn has been dreaming of the Demon King. When she starts having visions of his past, old betrayals are brought to light, including an ancient brotherhood who has been working against the pair for decades. Knowing Marrok may never love her in the way she loves him, Evelyn chooses to fight for their future anyway. She’ll protect everyone she loves from the insidious group—or die trying.

***The Demon King’s Destiny is the third book in the Fate of Imperium Series. Each book is the story of a different king and his fated mate. While the three books do not have to be read in order, it is highly recommended.

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

EXCERPT:
Evelyn felt the change before she opened her eyes. Her stance widened and her hands flexed with her magics.

No calm breeze brushed across the clearing. Tonight, a blistering wind struck her form, its howling whistle bounced irritatingly off her eardrums.

Instead of soft blues and purples, the moon was giving off shades of red and orange. Flames crackled and licked the trees of the forest, but nothing was burning. The dreamworld, or something in it, was irritated.

Slowly, she rotated, seeking information, waiting for the elements to speak. They buzzed, drawing her attention to one of the paths connecting the clearing to the woods.

The fire split into columns on either side of the trail and a form emerged from within the inferno. Tall, with broad shoulders and a lean trunk, the male stalked forward.

Blackened eyes locked on hers, so intense she felt them in her core. Long, predatory strides moved him directly in her path. Without thought, Evelyn opened the barrier and he stepped into the clearing.

The wind screamed and the only other sound she could hear was the boom of her thundering heart. He advanced swiftly, everything about his approach screamed he was a man possessed. His intent couldn’t be clearer.

In two second she was in his arms, his mouth slamming into hers. This first kiss—the first she’d ever experienced—was hard and unyielding. It was nothing like she had imagined, and almost more than she was prepared to receive. This wasn’t the kiss of a lover. It was a punishment.

Evelyn gasped and Marrok took advantage of her parted lips, driving his tongue into her mouth. Her fingers clenched the fabric on his shoulders as she trembled in his embrace, struggling to stay on her feet.

Her veins throbbed, her heated blood reaching a rapid boil. His arms tightened and she knew he’d never let her fall.

Evelyn felt him everywhere. His powers slid up and down her skin, caressing, inciting. Their shared breaths depleted her of oxygen and tiny pinpoints of light burst from behind her eyelids.

The high-pitched winds built into a crescendo and the blazes roared. Higher and higher until the dreamworld exploded with a blinding radiance, bathing their bodies in the white of their magics before returning once more to muted colors and a calm breeze. The forest was once again covered in purple and blue moonbeams.

The world settled, along with Marrok’s spirit. He’d been on the verge of something terrible. He’d gotten worse every day without his saatus. Another two years without her was out of the question.

Feeling once more in control of himself, he slowed the kiss, bringing a hand up to palm the back of her head. His lips drifted to the corner of her mouth, then to her temple, before dropping to her ear.

“Never again, moj draga,” he warned, biting her earlobe.

She shivered. “P-pardon?”

“You’ll never again wait so long to summon me.” He failed to mention his own unsuccessful attempts to enter her world.

Evelyn, still reeling from his arduous assault, took a moment to process. He was upset she hadn’t pulled him into her dreams. She smiled against his chest, then tipped her head back.

“Missed me, did you?”

“Don’t tease.”

“I’m not. I just wanted to hear you say it.”

“I don’t know you well enough to miss you. But I never imagined, little mate, once I’d confirmed for you that you were my saatus, you’d wait so long.”

Evelyn attempted to free herself from his arms. He didn’t budge and she glared up at him. “And I didn’t think, once you confirmed for me that I was your saatus, you’d do absolutely nothing to find me.”

He let go and she felt oddly bereft when he put space between them.

“So you didn’t call for me out of some sort of revenge?” he snapped, trying to let go of the last of his frustration.

“What? Of course not. And what makes you think I didn’t call for you?”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. He glared at his gorgeous mate, who had physically matured greatly in these last two years. Evelyn would be twenty-one by the next solstice, which meant she’d reached full physical maturity during their time apart.

Her cheekbones were more pronounced, giving off a regal countenance. Her small nose pointed to two full, pouty lips, still swollen from their shared passion.

Her breasts were larger, rounder, making her waist appear tiny. Maybe it was tiny. He was having trouble concentrating, caught between spanking her arse and kissing her senseless again.

“I think you didn’t call for me because I haven’t seen you in almost two and a half years, Evelyn.”

A thrill shot through her. Marrok really was upset about being away from her. He must have missed her greatly. “I’ll remind you I have no idea how you come to me in my dreams. Besides, I thought demons could break into the dreams of others, if they chose.”

His arms crossed, not liking the reminder. He, too, had tried everything he knew of to enter her dreamworld. For more than two years he’d desperately hunted her in his sleep, needing the touch of her skin to sooth his mind. With every attempt, he came up against a barrier he could not breach.

He’d come close to riding on Gwydion to retrieve her. When he’d last left, she’d been battered and bruised. He wanted to know of her health, to look upon her with his own eyes. The dreamworld was the only safe place to do so.

Several more attempts had been made by the rogues to breach the walls of the Terenuskit Fortress, the building he called home. Only the constant fighting kept him away from his mate. It reinforced the fact she would not be safe in Sundari.

Marrok was the strongest of his species. It was too risky for him to travel to the Westland and leave his people vulnerable. Or, worse, risk rogue demons following him. He was loath to bring her to the Southland. What was he to do? He felt like he was fighting on every front of his existence.

Evelyn licked her lips and he fixated on the reddened skin. He hadn’t intended to be so rough and he certainly hadn’t expected her to return with equal fervor. His trousers had grown uncomfortably tight, a direct result of her enthusiasm.

“If it means anything,” she said, “I did try reaching out to you. I’ve tried every night since. I was afraid you wouldn’t come for me so I tried to pull you here. I thought … I was afraid something had happened to you. They cut you.” Her voice whispered the last part sadly.

Marrok’s face softened. His mate had worried he’d been harmed. He reached for her and she didn’t resist his embrace.

Resting his chin atop her head, he told her, “I tried, as well. Dreamwalking is tricky business and, obviously, I was just as unsuccessful.”

“Why didn’t you come for me? To Gwydion?”

“My kingdom is not a safe place to be. I’m not inclined to endanger you.”

“Then don’t bring me to Sundari. You can still come to see me, to visit, maybe speak to my father?” she added hopefully.

Marrok exhaled. “Walk with me.”

He spoke with no emotion and Evelyn’s heart plummeted. He wasn’t going to come for her.

About the Author:
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Goodreads
C.A. Worley is the alter-ego of Romance Author Cass Alexander. Where Cass tends to focus on humor in her publications, C.A. loves to write fantasy. She chose to write under the two different monikers so as to not confuse (or tick off) her readers.

C.A. currently resides in the Midwest, but was born and raised in the South. She spends her days working from home and her evenings are spent shuttling her kids to and fro. Her dinners are subpar, but she makes a mean dessert.

When she's tired of living her sons' travel sports schedules, C.A. enjoys a glass (or four) of wine. She needs the liquid courage to click the publish button for her fantasy romance novels.

Her motto is, "Be Brave," and she tries to live it every day. It takes a healthy dose of courage to get through this thing we call life.


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$25 Amazon gift card
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Book Review: Dark Illusions (Relic Keeper Book 2) by D.D. Miers

Dark Illusions (Relic Keeper Book 2)
by D.D. Miers
July 12, 2018
189 pages
They say a war brews in the unseen world—and I’m the only one who can stop it.

Eight weeks ago, a woman sacrificed herself for me. She believed with such certainty I would save this world, she used the last of her powers to protect me. But not everyone shares her conviction. The Council has turned to devious methods to force out my magic, and as nightmarish visions fill my head, I’m no longer sure I can trust myself.

Attacks from the Necros grow bolder every day. To keep me hidden, the fiercely irresistible sorcerer at my side will take me to his underworld, a place no sane person would dare to follow. But the whispers stalk me everywhere . . . hunting me, wanting me. And the more I run, the more I realize safety may be just another dark illusion.

Dark Illusions, the second book in D.D. Miers’ Relic Keeper Series, is a new, edgy, urban fantasy sizzling with tension. Readers who like The Twenty-Sided Sorceress, The Elemental Series, and The Baine Chronicles will fall in love with Miers’ paranormal universe and those fighting to defend it.



Abby Davenport is the supposed saviour of the human and magical realms. But with no magic to speak of, and no real plan, she’s forced to rely on the training and protection of her newfound friends. Further complicating matters is Abby’s mystical soul-mate connection to dark Lord Kieron Blake, an immensely powerful figure in the magical First Realm. Kieron is surly and enigmatic, and as much as Abby would like to slap his darkly handsome face, she is undeniably drawn to him.

I devoured this book in a single day. I enjoyed the fast-paced action and tantalizing romantic tension. Abby begins to come into her own in this installment and tries to gain control of her own fate so she may actively fulfill her destiny. Much of what I read in the first book came back, but my reading experience was disjointed, to say the least.

My journey with the Relic Keeper series began in 2015 with book one, Dark Summoner. My impressions of Dark Summoner were mixed; I had a hard time initially connecting with the plot and characters. In the end, I was hooked. Miers did an excellent job building tension and interest during the second half of the first installment. I was anxious to dive into book two. For years I waited. And waited. After reading a holiday-themed anthology featuring Miers, I decided to look up an old friend. Lo and behold book two was finally out, and available, on Kindle Unlimited.

I am looking forward to book three, but probably shouldn’t hold my breath. Unfortunately, I was left wholly unsatisfied at the end of book two simply because I want more. I understand the creative process well, however, it’s beyond frustrating when a series you love is forever on the back burner. A note at the end of Dark Illusions promises two further installments in 2018. Sigh. As an impatient reader, I’m forced to wait.

Review: Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper #1) 

Four frustrated sheep





Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
D.D. Miers is an ardent book lover, coffee enthusiast, and die-hard romance fan. When she's not writing, she can be found snuggling on the couch with a good book in hand, planning a Harry Potter themed party, or dancing very badly to music. She currently resides in beautiful Southern California with her wonderful husband, a crazy toddler, and the many different characters in her head.

Comic Review: Tomb Raider: Inferno Vol 4, #1-4

Tomb Raider: Inferno Vol 4, #1-4
Writer: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
Artist: Phillip Sevy
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Cover Artist: Hannah Templer
Genre: Action/Adventure, Video Game
Publication Date: January 09, 2019
Format: FC, 104 pages; TPB; 6 5/8" x 10 3/16"
Price: $17.99
Age range: 14
ISBN-10: 1-50670-503-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-50670-503-3
Sold by Dark Horse Comics
Category: Graphic Novels & Manga
Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly (Joyride, Hacktivist) continue Lara's story after Rise of the Tomb Raider and where Dark Horse series Survivor's Crusade left off! This volume collects issues #1-#4 of the 2018 Dark Horse Comics series Tomb Raider: Inferno.

Lara succeeds in hunting down Trinity to a remote outpost in Antarctica amidst the cold and darkness of the seemingly isolated land. Seeking to discover the mystery within the icy tomb before Trinity can exploit it, Lara faces a new adversary who is more cunning and more prepared than Lara has encountered in the past. In order to stop the terror Trinity is about to release, Lara must face the conflict residing within herself and decide once and for all how far she's willing to go, and what she's willing to let go of in the process.


Tomb Raider: Inferno is the collection of issues #1-#4 of the same name which pretty much means you get the whole story in one volume without having to hunt down each individual part. Super convenient right? I know I wouldn’t want to have 4 separate issues instead of the one volume.

Anyway, Inferno picks up where Rise of the Tomb Raider left off. Lara Croft has tracked the nefarious group Trinity to a location in Antarctica. Once there Lara tries to discover the secret of the icy tomb that makes it so valuable to Trinity. But she wasn’t counting on having to deal with inner conflict or an enemy that is much more prepared and capable of ending Lara’s quest and Lara.

Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly take Lara on more than just another adventure, they force her to face her past choices and give her the opportunity to come out stronger than ever before. I thought this was a great idea because it gave Lara more depth than before. Lara Croft is an action hero there is no question about that but I wanted to see her as a human too. With human emotions and failings and that’s exactly what Inferno did. It brought her down to a more relatable level because not all of us can be super awesome explorer/adventurers.
The artwork is as before amazing, with not only beautifully detailed drawings that capture Lara’s emotions as well as the action sequences, but with colors that really make the images pop out at the reader. Phillip Sevy did a great job with the images and so did Hannah Templer who did the front cover art.

Rating: 4 Sheep






Adria 

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Spotlight: The True Queen (A Sorcerer to the Crown Novel #2) by Zen Cho + A Special Giveaway

The True Queen (A Sorcerer to the Crown Novel #2)
by Zen Cho
March 12, 2019
Ace Trade Paperback

384 pages
When sisters Muna and Sakti wake up on the peaceful beach of the island of Janda Baik, they can’t remember anything, except that they are bound as only sisters can be. They have been cursed by an unknown enchanter, and slowly Sakti starts to fade away. The only hope of saving her is to go to distant Britain, where the Sorceress Royal has established an academy to train women in magic. If Muna is to save her sister, she must learn to navigate high society, and trick the English magicians into believing she is a magical prodigy. As she's drawn into their intrigues, she must uncover the secrets of her past, and journey into a world with more magic than she had ever dreamed.

“Absolutely everything about this book is delightful.”—NPR.org on Sorcerer to the Crown
“Inventive, dangerous, brilliant, unsettling, and adorable...It shatters as many rules as its characters do.”—Courtney Milan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Book one


About the Author:
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Zen Cho was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer and her short story collection Spirits Abroad was a joint winner of the William L. Crawford Fantasy Award. Her debut novel Sorcerer to the Crown won a British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer and was a Locus Awards finalist for Best First Novel. She lives in the UK.


GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one of 25 advance reading copies of THE TRUE QUEEN by Zen Cho!

Release Day: Immortal Desires Anthology $.99


Author: Multi-Authors
February 26th, 2019
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Immortals last all night…

So do their desires…

Dive into this wickedly sexy boxed set, packed with thrilling and steamy romances from some of your favorite New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestsellers.

We’ve brought the heat with paranormal bad boys who will leave you begging for more. If you love vampires, dragons, shifters, ghosts, and other hotties that go bump in the night, this is a limited time charity boxed set you don’t want to miss out on!

Participating Authors:
Melanie James, 
Lia Davis, 
A.K Michaels, 
Madison Sevier, 
Heather Hildenbrand, 
Rebecca Rivard, 
Bella Roccaforte, 
Monica La Porta, 
Jennifer Theriot, 
Susan Griscom, 
N.L. Hoffmann, 
Nicole Garcia, 
S. J. Pierce, 
CJ Hartnett, 
Casey Hagen, 
D.J. Bryce, 
Cora A. Murray, 
Christina Escue
$.99



Monday, February 25, 2019

Double Sheep Book Review: Touch of Smoke by Karissa Laurel

Touch of Smoke
by Karissa Laurel
February 12, 2019
Genre: Paranormal romance
299 pages
Red Adept Publishing, LLC
Three years ago, Rikki Albemarle watched her best friend die at the hands of a supernatural evil. Certain she was slated to be the next victim, Rikki fled her small Smoky Mountain hometown, vowing to never come back. Plagued by nightmares and knowing she's the only one who believes Mina's death was no accident, Rikki returns with hopes of finding answers and holding the killer accountable.

Rikki is convinced the key to unlocking the secret of Mina's death lies with Owen Amir, the alluring young army vet who once claimed her heart. But the deeper Rikki digs into Owen's past, the more she's torn between the urgings of her heart and her memories of him on the night Mina died.

After falling further into the rabbit hole, Rikki lands at the feet of an ancient and powerful evil determined to finish what it started years before. To survive, she'll have to make a decision: believe Owen is the monster she always feared he might be or trust him enough to stay and fight for a second chance at love.



Reviewer Bianca Greenwood
Five Sheep

After a three-year absence, Rikki Albemarle is returning to her hometown in the Smoky Mountains. And there’s gonna be a reckoning. Rikki’s life has gone off the rails. She knows she needs answers. Unfortunately for her, the answers can only be found in the town she swore she was leaving behind. Rikki’s desperation leads her to confront everything she wanted to bury. Touch of Smoke is the new standalone paranormal romance novel by author Karissa Laurel.

You know when you’re wholly engrossed in a book, and your partner wants to talk, and you just want to read so badly you consider throwing your readin’ cocktail in their eye, just to shut them up? That was me while reading Touch of Smoke. Nearly nothing else mattered except reading this book. Laurel is a superb storyteller. The non-linear plot enriches the story by adding dimension and mystery. I haven’t given much away about the plot because the slow reveal is integral to the reading experience.

Laurel’s characters are exceptionally well-developed, which can be a rarity in this genre. The author also excels at carefully building real, believable romantic, friendship, and familial connections. The connection between Rikki and the beautifully mysterious Owen Amir is touching, well crafted and deliciously developed. Laurel’s books also include empowered, intelligent, brave female characters. The women are true partners to their male counterparts. Often, it’s the females who orchestrate and execute the rescue.

Standalone books are great, but as a series devotee, I have a hard time letting go. I immediately dove into another Laurel book, Molten Dusk, the finale to her Norse Chronicles series. It too was an immensely gripping, engaging read. In addition to Touch of Smoke, I highly recommend readers add the Norse Chronicles trilogy to their TBR. 


Double Sheep Review: Midnight Burning: (The Norse Chronicles – Book 1)
Bianca's Review: Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2)


Reviewer Denise B
Getting 4 sheep
Rikki was devastated when her best friend Mina died, and she blamed herself. Instead of facing reality she did the next best thing and ran with the thought of never returning home. After three long years, Rikki returns home with the intent of facing the monster she blames for the death of her friend and all the heartache she has encountered.

Owen and Rikki have tangible chemistry that leaves you wanting more. The book alternates between the present and the past as you piece together the mystery of Mina’s death. The first half of the book was a little slow, but I’m not sure if that’s because I was impatient to find out what happened or what. The second half of the book was exceptional and had more than one secret to unravel.


About the Author:
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Karissa Laurel is a science fiction and fantasy author living in central North Carolina with her son, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky named Bonnie. Her favorite things are coffee, super heroes, and Star Wars. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. Karissa's latest project is Touch of Smoke, a paranormal romance novel coming soon from Red Adept Publishing. She's also the author of The Norse Chronicles, an urban fantasy series, and The Stormbourne Chronicles, a young adult, epic steampunk fantasy series
.


Cover Reveal: Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings + giveaway

Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings
May 24, 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult
Aladdin, but not as you remember it….

On the dusty streets, around the bustling bazaars, being overlooked by a Sultan’s Palace was a land. A land of magic, secrets and treasures buried deep beneath the desert.

Through Arabian nights, dark forces are at work. Dark forces that can threaten the peace of everyone in the Kingdom. Watch our authors as they answer the question, can three wishes save the day?

Join our award-winning and USA Today bestselling authors for nine action-packed fantasy and contemporary retellings with Sultans, sorcerers, romance and more magic than a genie’s lamp can hold.

One click now for your happily ever after….

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