Boxed Set Reviews: Underground Encounters Box Set (2 Book Series) by Lisa Carlisle

Hi, everyone!

I love getting a few box sets for my summer reading so there is no waiting on the next book in that series that I am engrossed in reading. A sizzling hot paranormal/urban fantasy series that I have previous reviewed now comes in three different box set groups right now.

Check out Lisa Carlisle’s – VAMPS: Underground Encounters Box Set 1 with gargoyle shifters, vampires, and witches; SHIFTERS: Underground Encounters Box Set 2 with shapeshifters, vampires, and rockstars, or you can get them both together in Underground Encounters Box Set (2 Book Series)!

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VAMPS: Underground Encounters Box Set 1 with gargoyle shifters, vampires, and witches

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

Book 1 – CURSED

CURSED (Underground Encounters Book #0) by Lisa Carlisle is the start of the paranormal/urban fantasy series featuring gargoyles, vampires, shifters, witches and demons. I have read other books in this series and have loved them all and this short story did not disappoint.

This story introduces the French gargoyle shifter brothers, Lucan, Danton and Mattias who are happily living with their clan. Lucan starts seeing a witch, who believes their relationship is more than just the fling Lucan believed it to be. When she comes across the brothers discussing her and Lucan, she believes they are speaking disrespectfully of her and she curses them with a black spell that locks them in their stone forms and clouds their memories of her.

As the brothers adapt to their cursed lives, they find that when they see someone in danger, they are released from their stone forms for 24 hours.

Are they to be cursed forever? Or will the brothers be able to find a way to break the curse?

This is an intriguing introduction to the gargoyle brothers, Michel their vampire boss and VAMPS the underground alternative goth nightclub. Ms. Carlisle has done a good job of worldbuilding in such a short book. I do not usually like cliffhangers, but since I read this book after the book that gives us Danton’s story, I was not upset and did not have to wait.

Once you start reading this series, you are going to be hooked!

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Book 2 – SMOLDER

SMOLDER by Lisa Carlisle is the revised novella start to her Underground Encounters paranormal romance series which was originally released in 2012 as Smoldering Nights. I love Ms. Carlisle’s various series, but this novella still lacks the depth of character and originality I look for in her books.

Nike is a firefighter who loves to let off steam with her best friend, Maya on the dance floor of Vamps, the local goth night club. On one of their nights at the club, she sees the man she has a crush on from her rock climbing gym. He has a French accent, a gorgeous body and beautiful eyes. She cannot believe her luck when Michel asks her up to accompany him to a private room upstairs, but she is about to get an education in other creatures that coexist with mortals.

Michel is a nightwalker. He does not know what draws him to Nike at the club or the gym and he knows he should not get involved with a mortal, but he finds her irresistible. When he gets Nike to agree to accompany up to the private rooms, they are attacked by an old enemy right when things begin to get interesting.

Michel and Nike go on the run. The attraction is too much to resist and they begin to explore their sexual attraction and also begin to wonder if it could become more. Can they have a future or will Michel’s enemy find them once again and destroy them both?

This novella was a very quick read and a good introduction to the Underground Encounters series. Nike is a strong heroine who can stand on her own which I loved. Michel is sexy and a dream, even with the fangs. There just was not enough depth to the characters due to the shortness of the story and it does end abruptly.

You have to start this series. It is a fun intro and the sex scenes are steamy, hot and well written.

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Book 3 – FIRE

FIRE (Underground Encounters Book 2) by Lisa Carlisle is HOT!

I am very glad I continued on in this paranormal romance series, even though the first novella in the series had a few problems for me. This story begins a year after the fire at Vamps and follows Maya. It can easily be read as a standalone, even though it does bring characters from the first novella back.

Maya Winters is missing her best friend and decides Halloween is the perfect time to return to Vamps and blow off some steam dancing after a long shift working as a firefighter. As she is dancing away to her favorite tunes, she suddenly feels eyes on her. When she sees the tall, dark and brooding bad boy staring at her she feels an instant attraction.

Tristan Stone is the new, mysterious owner of the rebuilt Vamps. Tristan is from a long line of Salem witches. He stays away from people due to what he considers his curse, because he has only ever been able to see darkness around people and it drains him. When he comes up from his underground lab beneath the club one day to check on things, he immediately spots a woman dancing because of the brilliant light surrounding her. This has never happened before and he has to find out why she is different.

Maya and Tristan combust when they are together. The two opposites are light to dark and outgoing to cautious. Tristan thinks Maya may be the answer to his curse, but he has never told anyone about it outside of his family. Maya is harboring a secret of her own that she has never shared. The sex is hot, but can a relationship with secrets last?

Maya and Tristan are main characters that are perfect together. Ms. Carlisle has given these characters depth that is as fun and entertaining as it is serious. The sex scenes bring the fire and heat.

With the return of Nike and Michel, I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series!

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SHIFTERS: Underground Encounters Box Set 2 with shapeshifters, vampires, and rockstars

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

Book 1 – IGNITE

IGNITE (Underground Encounters Book 3) by Lisa Carlisle is now my favorite of this series!

Vamps underground nightclub is the epicenter of each book in this paranormal romance series that are all easily read as standalone stories. Ms. Carlisle’s world of vampires, shifters, witches and gargoyles just keeps getting better and better.

Book 3 has Lily Everett celebrating a promotion with her friend at Vamps. Lily works hard at her job, works out hard at the gym and is an avid reader who has occasional sex with no commitments. Lily’s night out is interrupted by The Velvet Cocks lead singer and she is not thrilled until she hears him sing. He has a sensual voice that captivates her. Lily is interested, but very guarded and a loner because she has a furry secret that she never shares.

Nico Bedrosian aka Leggy Bones is a rock star by night and a computer geek by day. He is intrigued by the golden eyed beauty who does not seemed interested in him. He gets Lily to let him in enough to be a friend with benefits and those benefits are extremely hot!

Real feelings begin to grow on both sides, but Lily refuses to share why they can never be together. Nico wants to break down Lily’s walls and find out why she is so afraid to commit, but can he really handle the truth?

Lily and Nico are both well fleshed out characters that have many layers to their personalities that make them unique. You can feel for Lily having to grow up with her secret and being too afraid to share. Nico is just perfect with his rock star looks and voice, literary knowledge, geekiness and English accent. These two have explicit, steamy, smokin’ hot sex scenes throughout the story, but they are well placed and realistic to the building relationship.

Ms. Carlisle has built an intriguing paranormal world around Vamps and each book has increased my interest and love of the series. I cannot wait to see who will be introduced next!

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Book 2 – BURN

BURN (Underground Encounters Book 4) by Lisa Carlisle is another sizzling addition to the VAMPS paranormal romance series. When you sit down to read about Devon and Layla, clear your schedule because you are going to want read this one from start to finish.

Layla flees London for her immortal life. She has been framed for a theft from a master vampire, who does not believe in her innocence. She returns to America and reinvents herself as “Angelica”, the new lead singer for an 80’s heavy metal cover band.

Devon St. Clair has a reputation as one of the best bounty hunters for hire. Ruthless and relentless, he always gets his man or woman. Aided by his years in Royal Special Forces, he is also a shifter. He can shift into any animal form and every one of them hates vampires. When he catches up to Layla at VAMPS, he is entranced by her and her voice, but he cannot let that get in the way of his job, can he?

This series just keeps pulling me in and I have to say that I especially loved Layla and Devon! Layla is petite and yet mighty, in character and physical strength. Devon is all hot, tough shifter and yet has softer, vulnerable moments that appear for Layla. The sex scenes are smokin’ hot and steaming. The plot is not unique, but Ms. Carlisle puts some interesting twists into this world of paranormal creatures that makes them unique.

This book can easily be read as a standalone in this series, but I bet if you love paranormal romances as I do, you will want to read them all.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. She’s honored to be a multi-published author writing in different genres since she’s wanted to be a writer since the sixth grade. For much of her professional career, she’s written non-fiction — but she’s discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks.

When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, a cat, and many fish.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6463824.Lisa_Carlisle

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Black Magic’s Prey by Kristin McTiernan

Black Magic’s Prey (Siren Song #1) by Kristin McTiernan

#BlackMagicsPrey #KristinMcTiernan @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn to post on the Blog Tour and share my Feature Post and Book Review for BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

Hiding is no longer an option.

Tess has been stalker-free for fifteen years. She’s been living in trailer parks and preparing to run at any minute—all because in ninth grade she turned down the wrong Brujo. He comes from a long line of male witches and even back in high school, his powers were terrifying.

He used those powers to punish Tess. To make her do things. Awful things.

Now she has a new life. She’s got a good job, a decent Airstream trailer, and a best-friend-maybe-girlfriend. She’s careful not to reveal too much about her dark past.

But none of that matters. No matter where Tess goes, he will always find her. Unless she’s willing to trust a man who may be even more twisted than her stalker’s curse.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42196330-black-magic-s-prey

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan is the start to a new paranormal/urban fantasy series by a new to me author.

Theresa “Tess” Cooper is an HR consultant who has been living in her own trailer and ready to run at a moment’s notice for the last fifteen years of her life. You have to be able to move quickly when you are stalked by evil.

Tess has been stalked by a psychotic Brujo since she turned him down for a date in the ninth grade. The entire male only line of Brujo lived across the street from Tess and her parent’s home. When he catches up with her again, she decides it is time to return to her childhood home in Kansas City and ask for forgiveness and get help from his father, Luis.

Is Luis willing to help Tess against his son? Could his help be worse than her stalker’s curse?

I enjoyed this first book in this new series. For such a short book, only 175 pages, Ms. McTiernan does a good job of pulling me in to invest in Tess’s story and the worldbuilding was unique. The main storyline of this short book was tied up, but this is an episodic first-person saga so it leaves questions that lead you into the next book. The sex throughout the book is basically behind closed doors except for one scene which is intense and a pivotal point in the story, so I cannot discuss it. No spoilers here.

I recommend this paranormal/urban fantasy. It is a different world that I am not used to reading about and I have already purchased the next book in the series to find out where the series goes.

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About the Author

After waffling between joining a convent and enlisting in the Marines, I settled on the latter at the age of seventeen. After finishing my enlistment, I studied English literature with the intent of becoming a teacher. But after realizing I loved words more than teaching others, I used my degree to become a professional writer and editor, first with the federal civil service and then with the private sector. A lover of all things spec-fic, I wrote about women in weird situations, whether it’s magic or time travel, and enjoy the journey I take my characters on.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinmagoo/

Website: https://www.kristin-mctiernan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinmagoo/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kristinmctiernanthenonsensefreeeditor

Purchase Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Magics-Prey-Siren-Song-ebook/dp/B07HWS5M7N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=black+magic%27s+prey+kristin+mctiernan&qid=1590326557&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Magics-Prey-Siren-Song-ebook/dp/B07HWS5M7N/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=black+magic%27s+prey&qid=1590326130&sr=8-2

Publishing Information:

Published in paperback, audio and digital formats on October 15^th 2018

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Fallible Justice by Laura Laakso

Fallible Justice (Wilde Investigations #1) by Laura Laakso

#FallibleJustice @LLaaksoWriter @LouiseWalters12 @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn on the Fallible Justice Blog Tour. I am excited to share my Feature Post and Book Review for FALLIBLE JUSTICE (Wilde Investigations Book #1) by Laura Laakso. This is an absolutely fantastic new magical world with compelling characters that I highly recommend!

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb

In Old London, where paranormal races co-exist with ordinary humans, criminal verdicts delivered by the all-seeing Heralds of Justice are infallible. After a man is declared guilty of murder and sentenced to death, his daughter turns to private investigator Yannia Wilde to do the impossible and prove the Heralds wrong.

Yannia has escaped a restrictive life in the Wild Folk conclave where she was raised, but her origins mark her as an outsider in the city. Those origins lend her the sensory abilities of all of nature. Yet Yannia is lonely and struggling to adapt to life in the city. The case could be the break she needs. She enlists the help of her only friend, a Bird Shaman named Karrion, and together they accept the challenge of proving a guilty man innocent.

So begins a breathless race against time and against all conceivable odds. Can Yannia and Karrion save a man who has been judged infallibly guilty?

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

FALLIBLE JUSTICE (Wilde Investigations Book #1) by Laura Laakso is the first book in a new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy series by a new to me debut author. I was immediately immersed in this new world and all the compelling magical characters.

Old London is the domain of the magical races and New London is where the ordinary humans live. The two occasionally overlap, but the humans have a distrust of the magical beings, but they do trust the all-seeing Heralds of Justice to pronounce an infallible justice that no magic can pervert on any who commit a crime.

Yannia Wilde is a member of the Wild Folk working in Old London as a private investigator. When one powerful mage is convicted of murdering another, the convicted mage’s daughter comes to Yannia. She begs her to not only prove her father did not commit the murder, but that the Heralds have made a mistake and her father must be freed. With the help of her new apprentice, Karrion who is a bird shaman, the two set out to prove the impossible in just four short days with some help from their magical friends and Jamie, a human detective from New Scotland Yard.

Two things hit me immediately as I fell into this magical world, I could not believe this was the author’s first book and the worldbuilding was fantastic. The mystery plot in this story is as well written and paced as the worldbuilding throughout. It all flowed together effortlessly.

Yannia is such a complex protagonist needing the wild to recharge her magic when surrounded for too long in the city, running from a mysterious heritage in her Wild Folk conclave and if that is not enough she has a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Karrion is a wonderful character that not only helps Yannia in her investigation, but is also a smart and caring friend as well as apprentice. All the secondary characters are as fully fleshed as Yannia and Karrion and I hope they are all carried over into future books in this series.

I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Quite frankly, it is one of the best new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy books I have read in quite a while.

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About Laura Laakso

Laura Laakso is a Finn who has lived for most of her adult life in England. She is an accountant, dog trainer and author. Fallible Justice is her debut novel and the first in her paranormal crime series Wilde Investigations.

Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LLaaksoWriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauralaaksowriter/

Website: https://lauralaaksobooks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralaaksowriter/

Purchase Links

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HY1D3FR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HY1D3FR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Louise Walters Books: https://www.louisewaltersbooks.co.uk/product-page/fallible-justice-by-laura-laakso

Hive.co.uk: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Laakso/Fallible-Justice/23852655

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Audiobook Review: Outrush by Errin Stevens

Hi, everyone!

It is time for my third and final stop on the Blog Tour for another book in The Mer Chronicles. OUTRUSH (The Mer Chronicles Book #3) by Errin Stevens. This book features Maya and Aiden’s second chance for love.

Below you will find a book synopsis, my book review, author and narrator info and a giveaway. Enjoy and as always good luck on the giveaway.

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About Audiobook #3

Author: Errin Stevens

Narrator: Sean Posvistak

Length: 11 hours and 16 minutes

Publisher: Errin Stevens⎮2019

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 3

Release date: Jul. 17, 2019

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Book Synopsis:

“Falling, falling…. Maya was airborne again, suspended between a landless platform above and an inscrutable expanse of water below.” Maya’s headlong rush into marriage isn’t working out…and it isn’t the only collision course she’s on these days. Her saltwater distractions aside, her father-in-law wants her gunned down for reasons unknown, and her pesky bodyguard – when he’s around – seems intent on drowning her in want and regret.

Maya is desperate to hold onto any small part of herself she understands. When escape becomes her only option, she finds herself in a race against a past – and a man – she can’t outrun.

Buy Links for Audiobook #3Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

OUTRUSH (The Mer Chronicles Book #3) by Errin Stevens is the third paranormal/urban fantasy story in the world of the Sirens of Griffin Bay though this addition to the series takes the listener/reader all over the US. The story picks up seven years after the events of Breakwater and focuses on the second chance romance of Maya and Aiden.

Maya has tried for years to make her marriage to her college sweetheart work, but when she catches him having sex with another at a party at her in-laws, she finally accepts there is no fixing their broken marriage. As she works through the revelation, her father-in-law catches her in his office. He believes she has seen incriminating papers and to save himself he orders her followed and killed if she goes to authorities.

Aiden may not be married to Maya, but he feels bonded and therefore goes against all efforts of the Siren community to keep them apart. Using his powers to cloak, he stays on the periphery of Maya life and marriage. When he learns of the danger she is in, he helps her get away, but their troubles are just beginning.

I have to say that I was once again drawn into the Siren world of Ms. Stevens and enjoyed all the characters. I was happy when Maya stood on her principles and strength to continue with her medical education and practice, even with all the chaos around her. She is a strong independent female character, which is why I had some difficulty listening to the first part of the book. It is a lot of internal struggle over several chapters that if she was so strong should have been more limited and resolved sooner in my opinion. I also love Aiden and his devotion to Maya, but the mind manipulation bothered me in some instances. Even with these two complaints, I still cheered their romance on. I was glad to see Ms. Stevens added the proof of Maya and Stu’s divorce before Maya and Aiden came together, also.

There are several subplots going on in this story that I am looking forward to listening/reading about in future books in this series. Once again there is plenty of romance, action, adventure and intrigue in The Mer Chronicles that keeps me coming back for more.

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About the Author: Errin Stevens

Errin Stevens writes paranormal romantic suspense stories from her home in Minnesota. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading literary and commercial fiction like a fiend – you’ll find her poring over seed catalogues (winter) or gardening (the other three days of the year).Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Instagram⎮Pinterest

About the Narrator: Sean Posvistak

Sean is an aspiring game developer who’s used his years of work on Youtube to excel at audiobook narration.

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Giveaway: 6-month Audible Subscription

Runs Jan. 12th-Feb. 1st⎮Open internationally
Embed the following code or use this link: https://gleam.io/kEDqL/the-mer-chronicles-giveaway-6month-audible-subscription

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Audiobook Review: Breakwater by Errin Stevens

Hi, everyone!

Back again for my second stop on the Blog Tour for another book in The Mer Chronicles. BREAKWATER (The Mer Chronicles Book #2) by Errin Stevens. This series just keeps pulling me in deeper and deeper with great worldbuilding and storytelling!

Below you will find a book synopsis, my book review, author and narrator info and a giveaway. Good luck and enjoy!

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About Audiobook #2

Author: Errin Stevens

Narrator: Sean Posvistak

Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Publisher: Errin Stevens⎮2017

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 2

Release date: Jul. 17, 2017

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Book Synopsis:

The sirens of Griffins Bay are in trouble, and the recent slew of royal suicides looks to be the least of their worries.

For one, unless a blood relative of the queen shows up, no one’s around to staff the monarchy. Well, except for a whack-job bureaucrat and he seriously won’t do. Worse is the community unrest threatening siren society, a problem caused by too many humans in the pool, which means Simon and his off-limit girlfriend will have to run and hide if they want to make more of their flirtation…

The solution doesn’t inspire confidence at first, but the Blakes have everything at hand to set their world to rights – namely, a hidden queen, a dead prince, and a facility for human manipulation. Once they find their sea legs, they’ll restore order, distribute smart phones, and drive that conniving bureaucrat to a grisly, satisfying end.

Buy Links for Audiobook #2Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

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My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BREAKWATER (The Mer Chronicles Book #2) by Errin Stevens takes the reader back into the enchanting world of the Sirens of Griffin Bay. This second book in the series continues immediately after book #1 events in this paranormal world and once again contains a human/Siren romance subplot. These books are best read/listened to in order.

The Siren world is still in upheaval with the absence of an heir to rule their society. The viceroy, Duncan Fleming has been running the government until final decisions can be made, but power can be addictive and even in the Siren world it can corrupt. When a surprise heir is revealed, the viceroy is forced out and plots his revenge.

As the Blakes deal with Siren royalty, a group of rebellious male Sirens return from building an outpost in Antarctica. The brothers, Simon and Aiden are staying with the Blakes and Simon has an instant attraction to Sylvia. Simon refuses to listen to the older Sirens and steals Sylvia off to Antarctica to mate with her without Siren society involvement. Aiden is not so lucky in his choice of mate.

Once again I was carried away into the world of the Sirens. I find all the characters to be dynamic and fully fleshed out. The focus in this book is on Siren society and the continued intrusion and interactions with humans, but the romance between Simon and Sylvia intertwines throughout seamlessly. Ms. Stevens worldbuilding and storytelling skills make me believe in the Sirens and I did not want the story to end. This is a great series for all ages to share. There is some talk of sex, but it is not explicit. The focus is on Siren society, human/siren interaction, family bonds and love.

The more I listen to The Mer Chronicles, the more I want it to never end. Ms. Stevens has brought a wonderful world to life. Mr. Posvistak’s narration is crisp, clear and added to my enjoyment of the story.

I highly recommend this paranormal series and I am looking forward to listening to book #3.

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About the Author: Errin Stevens

About the Narrator: Sean Posvistak

Sean is an aspiring game developer who’s used his years of work on Youtube to excel at audiobook narration.

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Giveaway: 6-month Audible Subscription

Runs Jan. 12th-Feb. 1st⎮Open internationally
https://gleam.io/kEDqL/the-mer-chronicles-giveaway-6month-audible-subscription

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Audiobook Review: Updrift by Errin Stevens

Hi, everyone!

I am very excited to share my Feature Post and Audiobook Review on the first of my three stops for The Mer Chronicles Blog Tour. Today I am featuring UPDRIFT (The Mer Chronicles Book #1) by Errin Stevens.

Below you will find a book synopsis, my audiobook review, an author interview Q&A, author and narrator info and a giveaway. This is the start of an enchanting new paranormal series. Enjoy!

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About Audiobook #1

Author: Errin Stevens

Narrator: Sean Posvistak

Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Publisher: Errin Stevens⎮2017

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 1

Release date: Apr. 20, 2017

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Book Synopsis:

For Kate Sweeting, love isn’t in the air. It’s in the water.

Since her father died, Kate Sweeting’s home life has been in the pits, her well-being on life support. Her future looks desolate until she and her mother, Cara, make another plan: abandon their shriveled existence for more promising prospects on the coast, where Cara can play small-town librarian-bachelorette and Kate can figure out what’s up with that secretive Blake family from the beach.

Everyone is eerily captivated with Kate and her mother, and Cara is the first to figure out why when the man of her dreams arrives all dripping and devoted and closed-mouthed about what he intends. Kate is willing to go along with their subterfuge for a while, but eventually makes a charge for the water to learn what her mother is hiding. Gabe Blake is there waiting for her…and so is someone considerably less friendly. By the time Kate navigates her way home, everything will have changed for her—what she feels, what she wants, and what she’ll risk to be with the man she loves.

Buy Links for Audiobook #1Buy on Amazon⎮Audible

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

UPDRIFT (The Mer Chronicles Book #1) by Errin Stevens is the first book in a new enchanting paranormal romance series featuring Sirens. Ms. Stevens’ worldbuilding introduces us to Sirens that interact and live along-side humans, but only a very few know of their existence.

The beginning of this story introduces Cara and Kate Sweeting. Cara lost her husband in an accident while Kate was still very young. She decides to accept a job as the town librarian and moves them to a small community on the North Carolina coast to start over.

While on a boat tour while only five years old, Kate sees a young boy her age swimming in the sea who calls out for her to join him. She goes over the side of the boat. While she swims with her new friend, Gabe all the adults are frantically searching for her. They find Kate and Gabe on the beach with Gabe’s family safe and sound. This begins a life-long interaction and attraction between the two.

The second part of the story has Kate and Gabe coming together as young adults and all of Kate’s questions about Gabe and his family’s differences are answered. Kate and Gabe are planning to be together forever and just as it seems all is right in their world, another Siren wants Kate for himself. Will Gabe be able to find and rescue Kate before she is lost to him?

This is my first audiobook review and this story was very well suited to this media. It is a story that has a lot of worldbuilding to bring the Sirens and their world to life, while entwining it around the human characters and Kate and Gabe’s life stories. Then it seamlessly flows into a paranormal romance plot that had me just as engrossed. All the characters were fully fleshed out and believable to the fantasy.

Ms. Stevens’ story pulled me effortlessly into her Mer Chronicles world and I am looking forward to listening to Book #2. I also enjoyed Mr. Posvistak’s narration.

I recommend this new paranormal world!

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Author Interview Q&A:

1.Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

Well, I went to the ACX web site and did a LOT of internet research while I considered how to best approach my projects. I decided I don’t much like how often we all get asked to create on the if-come, so even though it was expensive for me, I carved out a section of Updrift for use as a script and put the project up as a paid gig through the ACX production system. I got such wonderful responses from some truly talented narrators and was so agitated about choosing the right one. I co-opted the opinion of a longtime friend and actress to listen with me to help me figure it out! She told me to go with the one that pulled the “right” emotional response as I felt it… and since she and I both thought Sean’s read was the most compelling, I made him an offer. Thankfully, he accepted.

Sean was an amazing professional to work with. He made every edit I requested, did everything smoothly and beautifully, and the second I could amass my next pile of cash to produce the sequel, I contacted him to see if he’d be interested, and he jumped all over it. Same with my third. I’m really grateful for the care Sean took with my stories and can’t recommend him highly enough.

2. Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?

My short answer to this is ‘yes,’ although with the caveat that I still prefer reading on paper because that process blurs a certain divide between my conscious and unconscious and results in the experience I’m seeking when I read. But. I’ve listened to a few audiobooks – it saved my sanity on two cross-country drives! – and I think the experience was similar enough to “reading” that I’d do it again. I think any nonfiction would play well (I adored “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson); and I think a good narrator will know how to bring a story across as the writer intended.

3. Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

No, but I found when I listened to auditions I did in fact have beliefs about how my characters should sound. As I write my fourth – and having produced three audiobooks at this point – I can say I do think of it, now. And it’s a helpful perspective to have, has helped me refine my own narrative voice on the page, I think.

4. How did you select your narrator?

Sean was one of several people who auditioned for Updrift on the ACX platform. His audition really stood out to me and my actress friend.

5. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?

Very closely, and Sean was the consummate professional throughout. He may remember the process differently, but just as proofing a written manuscript results in copy edits, the same little things come up in voice narration. I think there have been only two sentences in the whole of all three works where I asked Sean to re-read with a different tone. The rest was small stuff.

6. Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

Although my stories are not at all retellings, the inspiration for Updrift was The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The little reflection of it I hope people see/enjoy is in the form of a character twist, since I modeled my bad guy after the original heroine. I.e., he was the one who risked everything and suffered the most for what he wanted.

7. Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?

Audiobooks are a secondary go-to for me but I have very much enjoyed the ones I’ve listened to. They’ve been invaluable during long trips in the car, and they likely appeal to me because listening feels a bit like when my parents used to read to me when I was little.

8. Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?

Oh my goodness, yes. Sean’s voice is just this terrific blend of compelling goodies, prompts for the listener to envision the story as well as hear it, and to feel more viscerally the tension the characters feel. And then I think his rich, resonant delivery does a much better job bringing both my hero and my antagonist to life.

9. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?

A standalone is just that: a completely contained story with all major loose ends tied up. A series lets you explore the lives of peripheral characters or corollary issues the original story did not address, and when done right I think results in a deeper relationship with the narrative.What’s your favorite:

10. What’s next for you?

I’m going to finish a fourth for this series, Crosstide, if it kills me. And it might. Seriously, I think my brain got broke last year… 😉

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