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)

Review: Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2)
Review: Molten Dusk (The Norse Chronicles Book 3) 

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.

Veronica Scott guest post: Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 Anthology

Thanks for having me as your guest today to take about Embrace the Romance: Pets In Space 2! I decided to answer a few pet-related questions for this post.

1) What prompted a pets in space anthology?

Pauline Baird Jones and I are the originators of the concept and we have fun with it! In 2015 there’d been yet another conversation in an authors’ group about all of our faithful pets in real life, and she and I had the inspiration that it’d be fun to write scifi romance stories with the added element of a pet. She and I e mailed back and forth about it, getting more and more excited about the challenge and then we decided to proceed. So the Pets In Space concept was created, with our first volume going on sale for a limited six months’ time in late 2016 and allowing us to give our charity Hero-Dogs, Inc., quite a nice check. We had nine authors last year and this time we have 12, five of whom are new to the anthology. It’s always such a treat for Pauline and me to read the extremely different stories people come up with, using the same story prompt of a pet in space.

2) Tell me about your first pet that you remember.

I have one crystal clear memory of a pair of white rabbits, named Meadow and Thumper, from when I was three. (That makes my adult movie actress name Meadow Northcliffe, by the way, if I acted in such flicks, since we lived on Northcliffe Road at the time.) The first pet I really cared for and considered my own was Cinderella, a gray tabby cat, when I was seven. I’ve always trended more toward cats, although we had turtles, a duck and two dogs in my family’s household as well over the years.

3) Is your pet also your muse? Or is he/she a distraction?

Are we asking me or the cat??? Jake would of course say he’s the Muse and that he should be written into every book and thanked profusely. (Hint: he’s an irresistible, soft and purring distraction.) Keanu the other cat is more laid back, hence the name, and just likes to sleep on the chair next to my writing desk. He does require about five minutes of concentrated petting at the start of every writing session. I don’t remember any of my previous cats taking much interest in my writing process, but I’m an empty nester now, so perhaps that makes a difference. They were both rescue cats and Keanu never quite stopped being feral but we make it all work.

4) Who do you feed first - your pet(s) or your family?

The first activity I do each day is feed them. Jake has an internal clock and he ‘knows’ when I’m supposed to get out of bed and open those cans. He’s not shy about reminding me either – never mind if I’m dreaming!. When my kids were little, I still fed the cats first because they and I got up way earlier than anyone else in the house.

5) Time for a poll: Are you a cat or dog person? Or both? Or other?

Cat! I gravitate to the felines. But since I’d written about a cat and a catlike alien pet for Pets In Space 1, I felt I should change up and challenge myself and somehow ended up with a story involving an alien eagle and a songbird. They fit my hero, who’s a retired Special Forces guy, and the heroine, an interstellar singing sensation.

The excerpt:STAR CRUISE: SONGBIRD 

A Novella in The Sectors SF Romance Series 

By Veronica Scott

She nodded. “Am I making you nervous? Or am I keeping you from something, a date maybe?” Karissa pointed at the shiptime indicator on the wall. “You keep checking.”

Reluctantly he said, “Not a date. I have a—a pet, who requires exercise.”

“A pet on board the ship? I never expected that answer. So Fido needs a walk, does he? Let’s go—I could use some exercise.”

“It’s not that simple,” he said.

“Is the pet exercising area open to passengers?”

“Not the one I use.” He admitted. “But—”

“This office is boring,” she said. “Now I’m not a Socialite who’d probably die of boredom if you kept me here, but you can’t dangle a chance to take a pet for its walk in front of me and then yank it away. Too cruel, Officer Barton. Be mean to me and I might have to write you into a song.”

Before he could decide if she was kidding, Karissa laughed and went to toss her now empty drink container into the refuse reclaimer. “I insist and I am the headliner on this tour your cruise line is running. I could pull rank.” Hands on her hips, head tilted she stared at him. “Hey, I’m kidding. Lighten up, Officer. Now, where do we go to collect the pet?”

With the uneasy feeling he‘d been overtaken by a whirlwind, he escorted Karissa from the office and down the gravlift to the crew quarters decks. “We’re uh on the move, Jake, but still in non- passenger country.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Our passenger was bored. It’s my time slot to give Valkyr his exercise and she wants to tag along.” Grant felt uncomfortable with the nature of the entire situation.

“All right, I can’t say I’m excited about the idea but it’ll keep her out of my hair and out of view. We should be clear to get her back to her own cabin by the time you’re done.” Jake hesitated. “Keep it professional.”

“Of course, sir.” He shot the singer a sidewise glance. “I never heard of her before this cruise.”

“You’ve heard of her now.” Jake signed off.

“We have to pick up Valkyr in my quarters,” he said to his companion. “It’ll only be a moment.”

“I’m sure the crew quarters are quite memorable.” She laughed and followed him. “I’m getting the fifty credit tour today.”

The corridor to his cabin was empty, much to Grant’s relief. He felt there was enough of a circus going on without more witnesses. The portal slid aside and he allowed her to precede him into the room.

Karissa stopped in her tracks once she was across the threshold. “You didn’t tell me you had a bird!” Before he could stop her, she went forward to where Valkyr sat on his special perch. “You’re gorgeous, big boy.” She extended her hand to stroke the glossy iridescent black wing.

Grant had no conscious memory of moving but he had her in an iron grip, with his back to the bird and her safely to the side.

“What the seven hells—” She yanked away from him.

“Valkyr is a Qaazamir hunting eagle—he could bite off one of your fingers without any problem and his talons can inflict enough damage to kill a human. Never approach a wild, feral animal as if it’s a house pet.”

She looked chastened. “He’s beautiful. And he doesn’t seem upset. Or threatening.”

“You’re in his space and he’s never met you.”

Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 Anthology 

October 10, 2017 

#PetsInSpace
Genre: Science Fiction Romance,
Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Cats, Dogs and Other Worldly Creatures
ASIN: B073W5WQBH
ISBN Ebook: 978-1-942583-56-1
ISBN-10: 1-942583-57-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-942583-57-8
Number of pages: 826 (paperback)
Word Count: 220,000
Cover Design: Fiona Jade
The pets are back! Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, featuring twelve of today’s leading Science Fiction Romance authors, brings you a dozen original stories written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords of Valdier to a trip aboard award-winning author, Veronica Scott’s Nebula Zephyr to journeying back to Luda where Grim is King, for stories that will take you out of this world! Join New York Times, USA TODAY, and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith, M.K. Eidem, Susan Grant, Michelle Howard, Cara Bristol, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Sabine Priestley, Jessica E. Subject, Carol Van Natta, and Alexis Glynn Latner as they share stories and help out Hero-Dogs.org, a charity that supports our veterans! 

Amazon Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon AU

Amazon FR Amazon DE Amazon JP

iBooks BN Kobo Google Play Goodreads

10% of all preorders and the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence. 

Website-Newsletter

Pets in Space Facebook Group 

Embrace the Romance Coloring Book: Pets in Space 2 Paperback

Embrace the Romance Coloring Book: Pets in Space 2 PDF: (FREE)

Click below to see a list of all the stories included!

Book Review: Serendipity at the End of the World by Karissa Laurel

Serendipity at the End of the World
by Karissa Laurel
November 8, 2023
Genre: Gaslamp fantasy, fantasy romance
Steampunk, Zombies, and Romance…

Serendipity Blite inherited her father’s crackerjack shooting skills, while her sister, Bloom, got his knack for mechanical engineering. The siblings’ talents make them a formidable pair capable of surviving the apocalyptic aftermath of the Dead Disease. Their skills also attract the unwanted attention of Moll Grimes, a ruthless woman intent on building a new empire in a city infested with undead.

When Bloom goes missing, Sera suspects Moll has something to do with it, but attempting a rescue mission on her own would be suicidal. Sera seeks help from a band of unlikely allies, including Erik LaRoux, an enticing young man with a curious scar, and a collection of alchemists obsessed with developing a cure for the Dead Disease.

Sera’s alliance with Erik challenges her old ways of coping, and so do his kisses. Her fierce independence won’t be enough to save her sister. But as she opens herself to new possibilities, an unfortunate accident sets Sera teetering on the edge of a deadly abyss. Surrendering to it would bring an end to her grief, pain, and fear, but surviving could mean finding family, love, and maybe even a cure.

Amazon

Sisters Sera and Bloom take refuge in an abandoned bank amidst the post-apocalyptic wild west-scape that was once their hometown. They are seemingly content, if not resigned, to scrounge for food and safety while dodging scores of undead. But when Bloom is missing, Sera fears the worst. Using savvy detection skills, Sera discovers Bloom has attracted unwanted attention from local kingpin, Moll Grimes. Moll seeks to use Bloom’s talent for mechanical engineering to help further her territorial monopoly. Sera joins forces with the dark and mysterious Erik LaRoux. Erik’s connections with a neutral faction of alchemists living a life of luxury in a time of impoverished scarcity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite my objections to post-apocalypse tropes, zombies, and the Young Adult genre altogether. The characters, storyline, and action simply won me over. I found the book difficult to put down and would sneak in quick reading sessions before work. I’ve been a long-time Karissa Laurel fan and her writing is always a win for me. She is imaginative and creative in her storytelling. I found the book exciting, romantic, and touching.

I would love a sequel to this book. There’s lots of road ahead for these characters and this world.

Five Sheep

 

 

Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her son, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a polka-dotted puppy. Some of her favorite things, other than reading books and writing them, are super heroes, Star Wars, Southern cuisine & crochet. She loves summertime and is happiest when she's at the lake.

The Stormbourne Chronicles by Karissa Laurel: Lighting, Espionage, Magic—The Epic Series Conclusion

Lighting, Espionage, Magic—The Epic Series Conclusion

"Stormbourne Chronicles" series of young adult fantasies, where you’ll discover an extraordinary new world, epic adventure, and memorable characters.

Grab book one, Heir of Thunder

Heir of Thunder: A Young Adult Steampunk Fantasy (Stormbourne Chronicles Book 1)
by Karissa Laurel
September 24, 2016
238 pages
The Lord of Thunder has passed, leaving daughter Evelyn Stormbourne to overcome her kingdom’s greatest enemies, but first she must embrace her dominion over the sky.

“...it’s got swords and horses and dirigibles and pirates and magic and caravans. A fun mix of Lord of the Rings-type high fantasy and steampunkish tech (did I mention there are dirigibles??), blended into a delightful Europe-inspired universe that feels at once new and familiar. ... All in all, this was a delightful read and just the kind of heroine-centric fantasy adventure I’ve always loved.” ~ Mary Fan

The Lord of Thunder’s sudden death leaves his daughter, Evelyn Stormbourne, unprepared to rule Inselgrau in his place. Weeks before Evie’s ascension to the throne, revolutionaries attack and destroy her home. She conceals her identity and escapes under the protection of her father’s young horse master, Gideon Faust. Together they flee Inselgrau and set sail for the Continent, but they’re separated when a brutal storm washes Evie overboard.

In her efforts to reunite with her protector and reach allies on the Continent, Evie befriends a band of nomads who roam the world in airships fueled by lightning. She also confronts a cabal of dark Magicians plotting to use her powers to create a new divine being, and she clashes with an ancient family who insists her birthright belongs to them.

If she’s to prevail and defeat her enemies, Evie must claim her heritage, embrace her dominion over the sky, and define what it means to be Heir of Thunder.

Evolved Publishing presents the first book in the "Stormbourne Chronicles" series of young adult fantasies, where you’ll discover an extraordinary new world, epic adventure, and memorable characters.

About the Author:

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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Find out more about Karissa and keep up to date with new releases, including the sequel to Midnight Burning, coming in 2016.

Cover Reveal: Touch of Smoke by Karissa Laurel

Touch of Smoke
by Karissa Laurel
February 12, 2019 (Pre-Orders available soon)
Genre: Paranormal romance
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.

About the Author:website-FB-twitter
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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.

Book Review: Molten Dusk (The Norse Chronicles Book 3) by Karissa Laurel

Molten Dusk (The Norse Chronicles Book 3)

by Karissa Laurel
August 23, 2017
While recovering from a devastating betrayal, Solina becomes increasingly drawn to Thorin as he helps her hunt down Skoll, the mythical wolf who vowed to kill her. If she can find and destroy the beast, she’ll bring a swift and brutal end to her enemies’ schemes. But nothing ever goes as planned in Solina’s strange new world.

During her search for Skoll, Solina uncovers a plot to unleash a battalion of legendary soldiers and launch an apocalyptic war. Before she and her allies can locate the fabled army, several ghosts from her past return to haunt her. Solina must fight for life and the fate of the world or her hopes for love and a peaceful future will go up in flames.

After Val betrays Solina she is devastated and needs time to recover. As she is recovering she can’t stop thinking about Thorin. Her one goal is to hunt down Skoll and kill him. At every turn, Helen is three steps ahead with a trap to try to distract or destroy Solina and her friends.

Laurel has done a magnificent job of creating characters that represent Norse mythology. Many authors write characters based on Greek or Roman mythology and I do not come across many based-on Norse and it is a welcome change. She paints a very vivid image of each of her characters and who they represent as a god and as a person. When I read her books, it doesn’t remind me of other stories or authors which allow my imagination to run wild.

Solina and Thorin’s relationship has always been complicated. Thorin can’t keep her out of his head and has almost become unbearable in his protectiveness. Solina is drawn to him but is unsure of herself. The chemistry between these two characters is fantastic and I look forward to seeing where things will go from here.

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

Review: Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2)

Five sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Find out more about Karissa and keep up to date with new releases, including the sequel to Midnight Burning, coming in 2016.

Book Review: Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2) by Karissa Laurel

Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2)

by Karissa Laurel

July 5th 2016

Paperback, 276 pages

Alone and exhausted after her month-long sojourn as a shooting star, Solina Mundy flees to southern California to lie low, recuperate, and plot a survival strategy. The one person she trusts to watch her back is her best friend, Skyla Ramirez. But Skyla has been missing for weeks.

The arrival of a dangerous stranger and the discovery of a legendary weapon of mass destruction forces Solina out of hiding and back into the fight for her life. Solina knows she won’t last long on her own. She must find out what happened to Skyla and unite her contentious allies if she hopes to track down this devastating weapon before her enemies use it to burn the world to ash.

Solina has built a precarious new life in San Diego. Hiding out from her would-be assassins, she’s trying to stay alive by constantly looking over her shoulder. When a mysterious stranger threatens to blow her cover, Solina reaches out to Thorin for protection. The two renew their shaky partnership in the interest of keeping Solina safe from the malevolent Helen Locke and her wolf-at-arms Skoll.

So. At the risk of sounding gushy: I adored this book from start to finish. Book one, Midnight Burning, was excellent, but Arctic Dawn surpasses its predecessor. Devoid of any awkward set up, Arctic Dawn is a fast-paced, action-packed read right from the start. The book maintains an enthralling pace throughout and provides a conclusion that’s satisfying but compelling.

As a character, Solina has become a force. Learning to harness her power, she has developed an admirable sense of self-preservation and resourcefulness. She’s sassier, smarter, and stronger. Solina and Thorin’s relationship is definitely evolving. The glacial pace of this union is frustrating, however, lends more authenticity to the story.

No doubt, The Norse Chronicles tops my favourite new paranormal series of the year. Arctic Dawn is rich with plot and character development, but has definitely made way for so much more to come. I look forward to another installment in this fantastic set.

Double Sheep Review: Midnight Burning: (The Norse Chronicles – Book 1)

Five sheep

Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:

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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Find out more about Karissa and keep up to date with new releases, including the sequel to Midnight Burning, coming in 2016.

Book Review: Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2) by Karissa Laurel

Arctic Dawn (The Norse Chronicles #2)

by Karissa Laurel
July 5th 2016

Paperback, 276 pages

Alone and exhausted after her month-long sojourn as a shooting star, Solina Mundy flees to southern California to lie low, recuperate, and plot a survival strategy. The one person she trusts to watch her back is her best friend, Skyla Ramirez. But Skyla has been missing for weeks.

The arrival of a dangerous stranger and the discovery of a legendary weapon of mass destruction forces Solina out of hiding and back into the fight for her life. Solina knows she won’t last long on her own. She must find out what happened to Skyla and unite her contentious allies if she hopes to track down this devastating weapon before her enemies use it to burn the world to ash.

Solina runs to southern California to hide out and heal while searching for her missing friend, Skyla. Solina needs to plot a plan to survive and needs backup or she won’t survive. As Solina tries to track down a devastating weapon that will destroy the world she must figure out who she can trust and who has their own interests at heart.

This was a great continuation of the series. The story line didn’t duplicate and did a good job of taking us forward. There were big surprises that kept the story fresh and moving. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, it is worth the time to invest in The Norse Chronicles with Midnight Burning. I look forward to what comes next.

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

Five sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Find out more about Karissa and keep up to date with new releases, including the sequel to Midnight Burning, coming in 2016.

Double Book Review: Midnight Burning: (The Norse Chronicles – Book 1) by Karissa Laurel

Midnight Burning: (The Norse Chronicles – Book 1)
by Karissa Laurel
July 7, 2015
Pages: 278
Solina Mundy lives a quiet life, running the family bakery in her small North Carolina hometown. But one night, she suffers a vivid nightmare in which a wolfish beast is devouring her twin brother, who lives in Alaska. The next morning, police notify her that Mani is dead. Driven to learn the truth, Solina heads for the Land of the Midnight Sun. Once there, she begins to suspect Mani’s friends know more about his death than they’ve let on. Skyla, an ex-Marine, is the only one willing to help her.

As Solina and Skyla delve into the mystery surrounding Mani’s death, Solina is stunned to learn that her own life is tied to Mani’s friends, his death, and the fate of the entire world. If she can’t learn to control her newfound gifts and keep her friends safe, a long-lost dominion over mortals will rise again, and everything she knows will fall into darkness.

Bianca Greenwood's Review

4 ½ sheep

Solina Mundy travels to Alaska to close out the affairs of her murdered brother Chapman. When Solina’s search for closure turns into a personal murder investigation, she quickly finds herself out of her depth. She soon discovers that Mani’s friends and co-workers aren’t what they seem and her immersion in this enigmatic Alaskan town and its cast of characters activates her dormant powers.

Like other reviewers, I found the novel’s opening to be a bit slow and slightly awkward, however, the action and interest picks up quickly and extends throughout the book. I enjoyed the Norse Mythology elements and how plot details fell into place. I must admit, this book became a bit of an obsession for me; I found it hard to put down. When I want to read on my lunch break, I know I’m hooked.

Amidst the action a love triangle develops between Solina, Val (Mani’s best friend) and Thornin (Mani’s boss). Personally, I found that the author makes it abundantly clear who Solina will end up with. I like, however, that Solina will first have to develop her own independence before that relationship will come to fruition. I am partial to assured female characters.

I highly recommend this book, with one caveat; wait. It ends with a lot unresolved and I was largely unsatisfied. Happily ever after can be too saccharine for me, but cliff hangers are the worst. While I wouldn’t characterize this ending as a cliff-hanger per se, it’s pretty abrupt and rather frustrating. Judging from the author’s website, book two Arctic Dawn isn’t out until summer. I’d say it’s a good indication that I can’t wait, I just hope book two is released before my enthusiasm burns out.

Denise B's Review

Getting 4 1/2 sheep

Solina’s brother Mani was murdered in an unusual way and when the police have no leads Solina decides to head to Alaska to pack up her brother’s stuff and get some closure. As Solina starts packing up Mani’s life she finds that his friend’s no a lot more than they let on but only one is willing to help her solve the mystery. The beginning was a little slow for me because it took some time to get to the supernatural aspects of the book but the wait was well worth it. Don’t give up if you find the beginning a little slow. Once the story got to the good stuff it moved right along. Very imaginative and original story line filled with the Norse pantheon and those that surround it that kept my imagination going. The love triangle between Val, Thornin and Solina was magnetic. I could not decide from one minute to the next who I wanted to see win the fight for Solina. Both men had something to be desired and it didn’t help that I couldn’t decide who to trust.

About the Author:

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Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between. Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you'll find her on the slopes.

Find out more about Karissa and keep up to date with new releases, including the sequel to Midnight Burning, coming in 2016.

Free YA New Release: Unbound--Stories of Transformation, Love, and Monsters

What do a yogurt-loving mummy, a violinist on the brink, and a medieval pirate queen in love with a ghost have in common? They’re all featured in this YA anthology where the weird and wonderful take center stage, and the only constant is that things never stay the same. UNBOUND: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION, LOVE, AND MONSTERS releases on February 15th, 2021 from Five Points Press.

Unbound--Stories of Transformation, Love, and Monsters

February 15th, 2021

531 pages

A dull AP English assignment interrupted by the resurrection of a 5,000-year-old mummy. A “boy meets boy meets time travel” tale. An ancient evil summoned from the Scottish moors. A sentient garden turned matchmaker. A troubled teen who rehabilitates monsters. A sinister society where love is punishable by death. A medieval pirate queen in love with a ghost. A demon who rebels against her birthright. A mysterious Power that turns people to stone. A girl who guards the secret behind her best friend’s disappearance. A violinist on the brink who learns to listen to her heart.

The stories in this anthology have one common theme: Transformation. They include international own voices perspectives; a New York Times-bestselling author; Emmy, SIBA, and ILA award-winning writers; and emerging, independent voices in YA fiction. The collection’s authors, like its stories, are UNBOUND—diverse voices exploring identity, love, betrayal, and becoming. They give us a glimpse into what can be: stories of possibility, love, friendship, the monsters around us and within us.

E-book is #free

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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.

March Swagday, let's win some books and swag!

It is time to try some new books/authors and find out which Dr. Seuss book is the favorite of our featured authors.

Holy Guacamole that is a lot of swag!!!

Featured Authors

Elisabeth Staab, Tes Hilaire,
Sean T. Page,

Caris Roane, Nancy Holzner

*blurbs for their books are at the bottom of the post

Swagbag includes: Steven Shrewsbury, Donna Grant, Amber Kallyn, Elisabeth Staab, Patrica Rasey, Alexis Morgan, Erin Quinn, Alethea Kontis, Leona Wisoker, Gabrielle Bisset, H. David Blalock, Stephen Zimmer, JP Bowie, Adrian Phoenix, Jennifer Estep, DA Adams, Kerrelyn Sparks, DB Reynolds, Kalayna Price, Tony Ruggiero, Linda Poitevin, David Drake, Megan Hart, Shannon K Butcher, Tara Fox Hall, Louisa Bacio, Colleen Gleason, Felicity Heaton, Elizabeth Kolodziej,Charles Shell, Jennifer Turner, Sharon Ashwood, Casey Daniels, Jennifer Haymore, Merrie Destafano, Pamela Palmer, Caridad Pineiro, Jana Oliver, Jae Lynne Davies, Sophie Jordan, Helen Lowe, Dianne Duvall, Caris Roane, Kallysten, Dani Harper, Jackie Gamber, Kiki Howell, Lila DiPasqua, Heidi Betts, Juliana Stone, Jess Haines, Erin Kellison, Terri Garey, Joan Holub, Ellis Carrington, Kat Richardson, Sylvia Day, Mari Freeman, Sky Moncrief, Laura Kaye, EJ Stevens, Michele Hauf, Shyla Black, Joleene Naylor, Anne Elizabeth, Jason Barret, Faith Hunter

What do you win:

First Place:

1. Swag, lots and lots of swag! Along with a cool bag filled with Sheep swag

2. You can pick 3 books from the featured authors

3. I will send some books to a soldier overseas in your name

Second Place:

1. Small swag pack

2. The 2 remaining books

How do you win:

1. Play the game. Match the author to their favorite Dr. Seuss book and leave your answers in the comments. (your answers can look like: a, b, c, ect…) You don’t have to get them right to win!

2. Fill out the rafflecoppter thingy

3. Tell us your favorite Dr. Seuss book

Answers:

A. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

B. Green Eggs and Ham

C. Fox in Sox

D. Green Eggs and Ham

E. Horton Hears a Who

1. Sean T. Page is offering a signed copy of his latest book War Against The Walking Dead and an awesome arm band that says “Dying is not an option – The Ministry of Zombies”. This book isn’t just about surviving after a zombie apocalypse, but detailed instructions on how to fight back and win. A must have for any survivalist! And come on, the cover art on this baby is Fantastic! I wonder if reading about a mean green creature in his favorite Dr. Seuss book_____ sent him down this path?

Finding Sean: Website/email/blog

2. Caris Roane is offering a signed copy of her last release Born of Ashes (book #4). Yes, more of those smexy winged warriors! She is also including a pair of wing earrings along with trading cards. Do you think she asked her mother to make her that colorful meal from her favorite Dr. Seuss book _____?

Finding Caris: website/FB/Twitter

pre order her next book

Obsidian Flame (book #5)

3. Tes Hilaire I have an ARC of Deliver Me From Darkness to give away. Do you like PNR with good world building and a smoking hot tortured alpha male? Yeah, me too. I’ve read this one and Tes is an author to keep an eye on. I would love to do some tongue twisters with her Paladin warriors, but not like the ones you will find in her favorite Dr. Seuss book ____ that is filled with rhymes and twisters.

Finding Tes: website/FB/Twitter

4. Nancy Holzner is offering a signed copy of Deadtown, the first book in her urban fantasy series. I recently read this one and was impressed with Holzner’s world building skills. Nancy likes the message in her favorite Dr. Seuss book ______that even the smallest of us counts.

Finding Nancy:

website/FB/Twitter

pre order her next book

Darklands (book #4)

5. Elisabeth Staab is offering a signed copy of her debut King of Darkness along with a matching coffee mug! I can never get enough of those alpha vampires. I have a copy of my own that I can’t wait to start! I can read it in a box with a fox or a boat with a goat, though I would prefer to with a sheep ;), but never with Elisabeth’s favorite Dr. Seuss book ______.

Finding Elisabeth:

website/FB/Twitter /blog

Ready to enter and win?!

1. Fill out the Rafflecopter thingy

2. Leave your answers in the comments and tell me your favorite Dr. Seuss book or quote!

Contest ends March 17