29 New Releases in Speculative Fiction for June 23

Pick through the goodies and grab a handful! Or click full...

There is on WTF-ery book but it is because of the author's name instead of the title. 

I give you Kris P. Kream athor of The Flipping Fate of New King City

Click on the covers to be taken to the amazon page. I Smell Sheep is an affilitate of amazon and we will get a tiny percentage of each sale for advertising.

audio releases

Book Review ARC: Deadly Curiosities (Deadly Curiosities) by Gail Z. Martin

Deadly Curiosities (Deadly Curiosities)
by Gail Z. Martin

Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles & Folly, an antique/curio store and high-end pawn shop in Charleston, South Carolina that is more than what it seems. Dangerous magical and supernatural items sometimes find their way into mortal hands or onto the market, and Cassidy is part of a shadowy Alliance of mortals and mages whose job it is to take those deadly curiosities out of circulation.

Welcome to Trifles & Folly, an antique and curio shop with a dark secret. Proprietor Cassidy Kincaide continues a family tradition begun in 1670—acquiring and neutralizing dangerous supernatural items. It’s the perfect job for Cassidy, whose psychic gift lets her touch an object and know its history. Together with her business partner Sorren, a 500 year-old vampire and former jewel thief, Cassidy makes it her business to get infernal objects off the market. When mundane antiques suddenly become magically malicious, it’s time for Cassidy and Sorren to get rid of these Deadly Curiosities before the bodies start piling up.

Deadly Curiosities is a bit of a mixup of cozy, suspense, and supernatural urban fantasy with the blending of these genres being a new twist for me. Cassidy is the owner of an antique shop in Charleston working closely with her associate Teag. She has a gift of being able to neutralize supernatural items and is the descendant of those in her family with this gift who have been performing this task for generations. Teag has his own gifts that compliment Cassidy's. In addition she has a business partner, Sorren, a 500 year-old vampire who has worked with and protected the proprietors of Deadly Curiosities for generations.

The story opens with previously neutralized, as well as unremarkable items suddenly radiating a malevolence that is increasingly destructive and they must get to the bottom of this to head off the spreading evil. The writing was clean and well executed and there was great world building, as well as historical lore that was very colorful and a pleasure to read. 

The characters are wonderful making me want to get to know them and kept me turning the pages to find out just what was happening and where it would all end up. The only thing that I had difficulty with in this read was the world building did have a tendency to go on and on a bit, at times seeming to take an extraordinary amount of time to get to the point, which made the story seem a bit long. However, the mystery did keep me engaged and anxious to find out what the outcome would be. I would definitely love to read more about these characters in the future and will be on the lookout for subsequent installments. I received this book via NetGalley.

4 Sheep

DeniseZ

About the author:

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Gail Z. Martin is the author of Ice Forged in The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga and the upcoming Reign of Ash (Orbit Books, 2014), plus The Chronicles of The Necromancer series (The Summoner, The Blood King, Dark Haven & Dark Lady’s Chosen ) from Solaris Books and The Fallen Kings Cycle (The Sworn and The Dread) from Orbit Books. In 2014, Gail launches a new urban fantasy novel, Deadly Curiosities, from Solaris Books. She is also the author of two series of ebook short stories: The Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures and the Deadly Curiosities Adventures.

The Care and Feeding of an Allergic Lycan by Wendy Sparrow (Past My Defenses tour) + giveaway

The Care and Feeding of an Allergic Lycan

In Past My Defenses and the next two books in the series, there’ll be Lycans—wolf shifters from Glacier Peak. While the two male Lycans who find their mates in the next two books are relatively low upkeep—besides their egos needing stroked, Vanessa is allergic to everything under the sun. (Actually, she’s lucky I didn’t make her allergic to sunlight—which is a genuine allergy.)

How do you care for a wolf shifter allergic to everything including other animals?

Well, in some ways, it’s similar to caring for a human with ridiculous allergies which is unfortunately where this tale/tail originated. My husband has taken on the care and feeding of such a pathetic creature.

Allergic to cats? Check. I’m seriously allergic to them.

Allergic to marshmallows? *cough* Yeah, I’m allergic to those things—I’d always wondered why they did funny things to my throat until I researched for this book. So, thanks, Vanessa, you’ve ruined S’mores forever.

Allergic to bananas? Life is so not fair.

I’m lucky enough to have two people in my life who keep up on my allergies, my husband and best friend, but it’s difficult as the list is ever-changing. I added watermelon to it last year—though I seriously plan to cheat on that this summer. (This is why Benadryl was invented, right?) (Note: Any opinions expressed herein are the stupid opinions of someone who cheats death in lame ways.) (Also, watermelon is really good.)

Vanessa is as incredibly stubborn about her allergies and she shares another thing in common with me: she likes running. I’m not a fast runner, however, and allergies have me in forced hibernation right now. Vanessa is fast and she runs emotionally just as much as physically.

So not only does Dane have to be ready with her red inhaler and a pocketful of pink pills, he’s got to find a reason to make her stop running.

Despite her bravado and snarky sense of humor, this female Lycan hasn’t found something worth staying for, so a mate who is human…even a hot and clearly willing human like Dane leaves her on insecure footing.

Lucky for this pair, Dane feels very motivated to take on the care and feeding of an allergic shifter who gets cold feet. 

Here’s an excerpt that shows just how willing he is: 

He took out teriyaki sauce and liberally sprinkled it on the fillets.

Vanessa cleared her throat and took a step back.

He glanced up. “What?”

“Was that for me?” She was biting her lower lip in a way that wasn’t helping keep him on the opposite side of the kitchen counter. It was astounding that they’d slept in the same bed, and he was pretty sure they had a future, but he’d yet to kiss her—to sample that full lip she kept biting.

“No, I thought I’d eat in front of you. It’s how I treat all my guests.”

She nodded. “I’m allergic to that.”

“Salmon?”

Rolling her eyes, she groaned. “No, not salmon, you idiot. I would have told you if I was allergic to salmon. I’m allergic to sesame seeds. That teriyaki sauce has sesame seeds in it.”

“You’re allergic to sesame seeds? Who’s allergic to sesame seeds?”

She glanced at the door.

“Hold on!” He held up his hands. “Okay. If I wash this off, will that be enough?”

She grimaced and glanced toward the door again.

He rinsed off the fish and dropped it in Lucifer’s bowl at his feet. “Sit!” He pointed at the stool she stood beside. “I have another. I was thawing out two fillets so I could have leftovers.”

“You didn’t have to…” She gestured at the floor where the bowl was. She sighed, and her shoulders slumped so pathetically.

He leaned down and grabbed the bowl. “Lucifer is spitting mad about being locked downstairs. This’ll keep him happy for a little while anyway.” With his free hand, he grabbed a pad of paper and pencil and set them on the counter in front of her. He pushed her down. “Sit down and write out all your allergies so I can avoid drugging you to get you into my bed.”

She snorted a laugh and sat.

Lucifer was only slightly mollified by the peace offering—despite the salmon’s being longer than the cat’s body.

When he got back upstairs, Vanessa was still writing. Wow. She appeared to be allergic to everything. It was oddly endearing—he probably needed more sleep if he thought that. When he glanced over her shoulder at the list, she froze and turned toward him and inhaled.

“I’m sorry, my hands probably smell like…” he started to say and then she moaned—a moan that went straight to his libido. A woman shouldn’t moan like that. All of his good intentions—to go slowly, find out more about her, wait until she trusted him—nearly went out the window with that deep, low, incredibly sexy moan. He cleared his throat. “You must really like salmon.”

She turned back to the list, and he watched her hand clench the pencil with enough force it bent and splintered on one side before she loosened her hold. “Something like that.”

Thanks for having me on your blog and I hope your readers enjoy finding out more about the care and feeding of an allergic Lycan.

Past My Defenses (Taming the Pack #1)
by Wendy Sparrow
Release Date: 6/23/14
Genre: Suspense with a Paranormal slantWhy did he have to be human?

Vanessa is the fastest Lycan around. In wolf form, the only threat she can’t outrun is her allergies. After a feline dander-bomb takes her down, she wakes up naked in a cage staring at a hot park ranger who had no idea what he’d trapped. But ooooh, he smells so good. Mine.

Dane hoped to tame the silver wolf in his kennel, but all bets are off with the deliciously sweet Vanessa on two legs. Her temper makes his pulse race, and he can’t escape the feeling they belong together.

They’re hot as a forest fire even before they scent-match, but Glacier Peak’s Alpha considers Dane a danger to the pack. Meanwhile, Lycans are being poached, and Vanessa has been targeted. Dane will have to keep her close to protect her, but with Vanessa in heat and mad to mate, who will protect him?

only $.99

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Entangled Page 

Book Blast: Darkness Bound by JT Geissinger + giveaway

Darkness Bound (Night Prowler #5)
by J.T. Geissinger

Paperback, 432 pages
Expected publication: June 24th 2014

by Montlake Romance

Tough, smart, and seriously ambitious, reporter Jacqueline “Jack” Dolan despises the secretive clan of shape-shifters known as the Ikati—and has become determined to destroy them. After she writes an editorial arguing for their extermination and turns public opinion against them, the Ikati vow to fight back. They plot to send one of their own to seduce the reporter, then blackmail her into writing a retraction.

Women practically fall at the feet of hulking, handsome Hawk Luna, and Hawk relishes the idea of conquering and destroying the fiery redhead who’s caused so much trouble for his kind. The last thing he expects is to develop real feelings for her, but their liaison awakens a hunger in him that he cannot deny. He kidnaps Jack and brings her to his Amazon jungle colony, but the two lovers are soon embroiled in deadly colony politics and threatened by a looming global species war.

As the danger around them grows closer, Jack and Hawk’s forbidden passion may build a bridge between two ancient enemies—or cost them both their lives.

About the Author:

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J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. Her debut fantasy romance Shadow’s Edge was a #1 bestseller on Amazon US and UK and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up novel, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA Award finalist for Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America, and she has been nominated for numerous awards for her work.

She resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 

GRAND PRIZE: $25.00 Amazon gift card

RUNNERS UP: 2 runners up, signed paperback copy of Darkness Bound, US only

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Book Review: Undying Desire (The Enclave #3) by Jessica Lee

Undying Desire (The Enclave #3)

by Jessica Lee

ebook, 288 pages
Published April 21st 2014

by Entangled: Edge

Guerino Lombardi's world just went to shit. Vampire and second in command of the Warriors of the Enclave, he's put everything on the line to save his best friend from what has to be the worst blow a man can take. Kenric, his friend and master of the Enclave, has a daughter, something believed impossible in the vampire world, and word has it she wants her father and his Enclave dead. Guerin is determined to protect Kenric, keeping the secret from him until he knows for sure if this daughter really exists and if she wants revenge.

Eve Devonshire is a woman hiding in plain sight. Not completely human, but not quite a vampire, she's accepted by neither race but is more powerful than either one. Her life has consisted of half-truths and disguises, never belonging or living in one place for any length of time. But now some have heard rumors of her existence and want nothing more than to trap her and dissect her like a lab rat.

To stay alive, Eve can't trust anyone, including the alpha vampire with midnight eyes and a thirst for pain and submission. With her enemies nipping at her heels, Eve has Guerin cornered, and both are determined to get the answers they're looking for or die trying...if they can fight their desires long enough.

Contains hot alpha male vampires, including one with a taste for sexual submission that will lead to some highly charged erotic scenes involving anal, BDSM, various restraints, floggers, and whips.

Undying Desire is an action packed dark erotic tale with a plethora of likable and colorful, as well as the nasty characters we love to hate. This is book three in The Enclave series and not having read prior works was not a problem as the world building and character profiles are so well written you do not feel lost, although it is apparent much  has occurred prior to this adventure.

I will admit the reading took me a bit out of my comfort zone, being the first BDSM read for me and the tale begins with a significant introduction to this world. However, it should be noted that even thought this is an erotic tale, it is story driven and the sexuality is not gratuitous but rather part of who the characters are, as well as the reality in which the story takes place. As the story progresses there is much more to it than the smexy, it is a tale of forgiveness, greed, revenge, anger, joy, love, and self-realization. There are some great head-lopping battles, zombies, magic, and much more.

I would recommend this book to adults who enjoy an action packed erotic read and perhaps those wanting to step out of their comfort zone to try something a little different. I received this book with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.

4 Sheep

DeniseZ

About the Author:

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Jessica Lee is an EPIC eBook Award winner and international bestselling author of paranormal romance. She lives in the southeastern United States with her husband and son. In her former life, Jessica was a science geek and spent over twenty-five years as a nurse. But after the birth of her son, she left her medical career behind. During that transition, she discovered her passion for writing romance and has never looked back. Jessica Lee is currently published by three houses: Entangled Publishing, Resplendence Publishing, and Ellora's Cave. In addition, she has several self-published titles available. Jessica is a member of Romance Writers of America and Carolina Romance Writers.